Open mike 21/10/2024
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6:00 am, October 21st, 2024 - 31 comments
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The Government has done the right thing in moving to ban greyhound racing. ...2 weeks ago
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After years of advocacy, the Green Party is very happy to hear the Government has listened to our collective voices and announced the closure of the greyhound racing industry, by 1 August 2026. ...2 weeks ago
- Rangatahi voices must be centred in Government’s Relationship and Sexuality Education refresh
In response to a new report from ERO, the Government has acknowledged the urgent need for consistency across the curriculum for Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE) in schools. ...2 weeks ago
- Govt introduces archaic anti-worker legislation
The Green Party is appalled at the Government introducing legislation that will make it easier to penalise workers fighting for better pay and conditions. ...2 weeks ago
- Winston Peters – Kinleith Mill Speech
Thank you for the invitation to speak with you tonight on behalf of the political party I belong to - which is New Zealand First. As we have heard before this evening the Kinleith Mill is proposing to reduce operations by focusing on pulp and discontinuing “lossmaking paper production”. They say that they are currently consulting on the plan to permanently shut ...2 weeks ago - Swarbrick calls on Auckland Mayor to end delay of revival of St James Theatre
Auckland Central MP, Chlöe Swarbrick, has written to Mayor Wayne Brown requesting he stop the unnecessary delays on St James Theatre’s restoration. ...2 weeks ago
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- PM appoints business leader to APEC Business Advisory Council
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- Actions to speed up air travel delivering results
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- Ending contracted emergency housing in Rotorua
The Government today announced the intended closure of the Apollo Hotel as Contracted Emergency Housing (CEH) in Rotorua, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. This follows a 30 per cent reduction in the number of households in CEH in Rotorua since National came into Government. “Our focus is on ending CEH in the Whakarewarewa area starting ...14 hours ago
- Vocational education and training decisions support return to regions
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- Reducing the environmental impact of synthetic refrigerants
The Government is taking action to better manage synthetic refrigerants and reduce emissions caused by greenhouse gases found in heating and cooling products, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds says. “Regulations will be drafted to support a product stewardship scheme for synthetic refrigerants, Ms. Simmonds says. “Synthetic refrigerants are found in a ...16 hours ago
- Ngāruawāhia section of Waikato Expressway back to 4 lanes for Christmas
People travelling on State Highway 1 north of Hamilton will be relieved that remedial works and safety improvements on the Ngāruawāhia section of the Waikato Expressway were finished today, with all lanes now open to traffic, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“I would like to acknowledge the patience of road users ...17 hours ago
- Appointments to the ENZ board
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- Government to celebrate Waitangi Day around NZ
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- More gangs added to Gangs Act list
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- GDP data highlights importance of growth
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- Strengthening Free Speech in Universities
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- Launch of Emergency Cellular Priority Service
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- Funding confirmed for second Ashburton Bridge
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- Government boosts support for avian influenza response
The Government is backing the response into high pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Otago, Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says. “Cabinet has approved new funding of $20 million to enable MPI to meet unbudgeted ongoing expenses associated with the H7N6 response including rigorous scientific testing of samples at the enhanced PC3 ...2 days ago
- Levelling the playing field for media advertising
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- Inspector-General of Defence appointed
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- Fire and Emergency New Zealand final levy rates confirmed
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- More AML relief on the way for Kiwi businesses
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- Hawke’s Bay Expressway moving at pace
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- Government seeks partnerships to plant trees on Crown-owned-land
The Government today released a request for information (RFI) to seeking interest in partnerships to plant trees on Crown-owned land with low farming and conservation value (excluding National Parks) Forestry Minister Todd McClay announced. “Planting trees on Crown-owned land will drive economic growth by creating more forestry jobs in our regions, providing more wood ...3 days ago
- Wide ranging legislation to make justice system more efficient
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- Diverse skills in community trust appointments
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- Torture redress for survivors of the Lake Alice Unit
The Government has confirmed how it will provide redress to survivors who were tortured at the Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital Child and Adolescent Unit (the Lake Alice Unit). “The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care found that many of the 362 children who went through the Lake Alice Unit between 1972 and ...3 days ago
- A busy year in the House
It has been a busy, productive year in the House as the coalition Government works hard to get New Zealand back on track, Leader of the House Chris Bishop says. “This Government promised to rebuild the economy, restore law and order and reduce the cost of living. Our record this ...3 days ago
- Consultation opens on working with engineered stone
“Accelerated silicosis is an emerging occupational disease caused by unsafe work such as engineered stone benchtops. I am running a standalone consultation on engineered stone to understand what the industry is currently doing to manage the risks, and whether further regulatory intervention is needed,” says Workplace Relations and Safety Minister ...3 days ago
- Greater reporting on Treaty settlement commitments
Mehemea he pai mō te tangata, mahia – if it’s good for the people, get on with it. Enhanced reporting on the public sector’s delivery of Treaty settlement commitments will help improve outcomes for Māori and all New Zealanders, Māori Crown Relations Minister Tama Potaka says. Compiled together for the ...3 days ago
- New appointments to the Charities Registration Board
Mr Roger Holmes Miller and Ms Tarita Hutchinson have been appointed to the Charities Registration Board, Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Louise Upston says. “I would like to welcome the new members joining the Charities Registration Board. “The appointment of Ms Hutchinson and Mr Miller will strengthen the Board’s capacity ...3 days ago
- Building consent processing times improve
More building consent and code compliance applications are being processed within the statutory timeframe since the Government required councils to submit quarterly data, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “In the midst of a housing shortage we need to look at every step of the build process for efficiencies ...3 days ago
- Faster access to support through Innovation Fund
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey is proud to announce the first three recipients of the Government’s $10 million Mental Health and Addiction Community Sector Innovation Fund which will enable more Kiwis faster access to mental health and addiction support. “This fund is part of the Government’s commitment to investing in ...3 days ago
- New Zealand to assist Vanuatu on earthquake response
New Zealand is providing Vanuatu assistance following yesterday's devastating earthquake, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. "Vanuatu is a member of our Pacific family and we are supporting it in this time of acute need," Mr Peters says. "Our thoughts are with the people of Vanuatu, and we will be ...3 days ago
- Government takes steps to reduce card fees for Kiwis
The Government welcomes the Commerce Commission’s plan to reduce card fees for Kiwis by an estimated $260 million a year, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says.“The Government is relentlessly focused on reducing the cost of living, so Kiwis can keep more of their hard-earned income and live a ...3 days ago
- Review recommends ECE regulation shakeup
Regulation Minister David Seymour has welcomed the Early Childhood Education (ECE) regulatory review report, the first major report from the Ministry for Regulation. The report makes 15 recommendations to modernise and simplify regulations across ECE so services can get on with what they do best – providing safe, high-quality care ...3 days ago
- Offshore Renewable Energy Bill passes first reading
The Government‘s Offshore Renewable Energy Bill to create a new regulatory regime that will enable firms to construct offshore wind generation has passed its first reading in Parliament, Energy Minister Simeon Brown says.“New Zealand currently does not have a regulatory regime for offshore renewable energy as the previous government failed ...3 days ago
- Local Government (Water Services) Bill passes first reading
Legislation to enable new water service delivery models that will drive critical investment in infrastructure has passed its first reading in Parliament, marking a significant step towards the delivery of Local Water Done Well, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown and Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly say.“Councils and voters ...3 days ago
- Gene Technology Bill passes first reading
New Zealand is one step closer to reaping the benefits of gene technology with the passing of the first reading of the Gene Technology Bill, Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins says. "This legislation will end New Zealand's near 30-year ban on gene technology outside the lab and is ...3 days ago
- New Zealand ratifies AANZFTA Upgrade
New Zealand has ratified the Upgrade to the Agreement establishing the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA), Minister for Trade Todd McClay announced today. “ASEAN which is comprised of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, is New Zealand’s fourth largest trading partner in two-way trade – ...3 days ago
- Fiji pro-Palestine nativity scene exposes Gaza as ‘hell on earth’ at Christmas
Asia Pacific Report Fiji activists have recreated the nativity scene at a solidarity for Palestine gathering in Fiji’s capital Suva just days before Christmas. The Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre and Fijians for Palestine Solidarity Network recreated the scene at the FWCC compound — a baby Jesus figurine lies amidst the ...1 hour ago - Vanuatu quake: ‘Our shop was flattened like a deck of cards’
By 1News Pacific correspondent Barbara Dreaver and 1News reporters A number of Kiwis have been successfully evacuated from Vanuatu after a devastating earthquake shook the Pacific island nation earlier this week. The death toll was still unclear, though at least 14 people were killed according to an earlier statement from ...4 hours ago
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Being able to swim is often considered a life skill, but tough economic times are forcing many families to pull their children out of lessons. ...8 hours ago
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A West Coast IT worker is warning patients will die as Health New Zealand aims to slash its data and digital staff. ...8 hours ago
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- Parliament’s final sitting day an insight into party factions
On Parliament's last day of the year, there was a rare glimpse of the factions within the major parties. ...10 hours ago
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Former Labour MP and mayor of Auckland's North Shore City Ann Hartley has died. ...10 hours ago
- The closest thing Australian cartooning had to a prophet: the sometimes celebrated, sometimes contro...
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Last week's fights with the Speaker over the Fast Track schedule may have changed the tone in Parliament. ...11 hours ago
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The Government announced the end of the programme that allowed Māori and Pacific people to acess bowel cancer screening at 50-years-old. ...11 hours ago
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The government has confirmed its plan to break up Te Pūkenga / New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology and re-establish independent polytechnics. ...14 hours ago
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The former political figure who sexually abused two teens in the late 1990s will challenge his case in the Court of Appeal next year. ...14 hours ago
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The White Ferns win the T20 World Cup.
Apart from a brief period when South Africa were batting in the first power play, they were never troubled. Accurate bowling, massive improvement in catching and defending a slightly imposing total.
Great mix of senior and young players (the grannies and the girls) that bodes well for the future.
The outgoing captain getting out and Halliday coming in was the key moment of their innings. Devine and Kerr building an innings at the same time was unwise.
In their innings the Tahuhu over stopped them keeping up with the run rate and then Kerr invited them to self-destruct.
Nothing like a couple of good wins to get the confidence up and confidence is a big ingredient of success in cricket.
Andrew Coster interview on Q&A reminded me of how well this country has been served by top public servants. In the same mould as Ashley Bloomfield.
https://youtu.be/EBD6sEXLoAA?si=5CKGlIIKsvc9Wees
Rent costs now increasing at twice the inflation rate.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/money/350454120/renters-continue-suffer-despite-inflation-dropping
No sign yet of journalists questioning Luxon over the "downward pressure" on rents that the landlord tax giveaways were supposedly going to "deliver".
Landlords have basically “trousered” their windfall and are laughing in the face of the poor sods renting their overpriced dumps, and or paying off their mortgages. Plus there are now less accessible tenant rights as the CoC lot suspend Kainga Ora builds, even structures not closed in yet.
The C of C policy changes in favour of landlords are starting to have impact.
https://www.oneroof.co.nz/news/the-buyers-making-a-surprise-comeback-should-housing-market-newbies-be-worried-46444
Yep, that was always the intention – crank up demand from investors with tax breaks while stifling Kainga Ora's house-building programme. Thereby engineering a supply shortage and inflating both house prices and rents. (i.e. increase the wealth of the National Party's base supporters.)
What's surprising in the investor comeback? Predictable, I would have said.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360458128/former-green-mp-golriz-ghahramans-appeal-over-shoplifting-convictions-fails
Very unlucky to get the biggest establishment lackey High Court judge there is. She had no chance with this guy, none at all.
Dont think she had a chamce with any judge tbf.
The correct decision by the (any) judge. It wasn't a 'one off moment of madness' it was several times. If you or I shop lifted several times, we would not expect to get let off.
Damn, we've won the America's Cup again. Another bill looming for the long-suffering taxpayer.
Helen Clark thinks it would be good to hold it in NZ and good for the economy. I guess you have to weigh up the cost v benefit. Not sure if Dalton will go for it in NZ.
America’s Cup: Emirates Team NZ patron Helen Clark calls for funding for NZ to host next event – NZ Herald
Run it in the Red Sea, with Houthi oversight I say.
Good one! Create employment in the Middle East. And send the bill to Grant Dalton.
Seriously, I see the AC as a glamour event that gives photo ops to the politicians but has doubtful economic benefits.
The only person who seems enthusiastic about holding the regatta in NZ is Helen Clark.
Everyone else (Auckland Council, Government) are saying it would be nice, but we can't afford it.
So unlikely that either the ratepayers or taxpayers will be called upon to foot the bill.
Not that NZ can afford to compete on the international scene for hosting rights – IIRC it cost Barcelona 70 million Euros to secure the deal, this time around.
I didn't mind funding it till Dalton took his toys and fucked off, not another cent ever for them imho.
Recall one of Mr Dalton’s whinges about funding the Auck. base, and just before the Council coughed up, he went out and bought a new limited edition Ducati…
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/grant-dalton-buys-pricey-toys/QBCYPLNT2SOIUYYHX4XXQI7NBY/#google_vignette
With Elon Musk virtually taking over Trump's electioneering and Thiel setting up JD Vance as the vice-president nominee (R), it will be interesting to see which puppeteer wins out post-election if the Republicans win. Maybe Musk until Thiel can organise an incompetency vote for Trump.
All about the 25th Amendment. They know that Trump is getting more gaga by the day and are looking forward to at least 2 terms of J.D. Vance as President
MMaGA – Making Macca's Great Again, and getting NZ back on track.
https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/donald-trump-town-hall-lancaster-kamala-harris-pennsylvania/
Would you like nutritious fries with that? Of course you would – everyone likes fries!
…. men of the people…
Health NZ managers ate $9000 of canapés as financial crisis loomed https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/531378/health-nz-managers-ate-9000-of-canapes-as-financial-crisis-loomed
…I heard from David Seymour that a decent lunch should cost no more than $3. Apply that to breakfast you get $6 per delegate per day. Times 700 delegates you get $4200 total. However it seems the food budget was $9200 for canapes, $32000 for lunches plus $12000 for breakfasts, all told $53200.
Food for a conference to highlight the need to cut back on service delivery.
Definitely through the looking glass now!!
That 3 day conference for 300 health officials was this March.
Health officials can't have nice electric cars if money is being wasted on nurses.
Debunking conspiracies discuss a Herald article on the Wright family.
They made their child-care business a charity a few years ago, and attract almost a quarter of a billion dollars in childcare payments from the NZ government. Last financial year, the charity made $32 mi in tax-free profits, with an extra $37 mi payout to the charity directors.
Because one of them thought Jessica and Tova cosied up to Ardern too much, he started, and funds, The Platform, with that plonker Plunkett. Because the mainstream media cannot support a Labour Prime Minister, only a National one.
If these companies are so profitable how come the workers are so poorly paid?
As I've noted previously the loan scam is exactly how a friend of ours pays no tax on his income. Just borrows more against the increasing capital value each year. Repay when you die and farm, etc is sold. Has no income – gets a community services card. Gloats about it. Perfectly legal system designed by capitalists to benefit themselves.
It does seem … odd … that 'charities' can pay their ceos and directors so handsomely.
I think a common misconception (aka a manufactured myth) is that charities run on the smell of an oily rag and all staff work pro bono.
Many NZ charities are corporate-like with KPIs and all the bells & whistles with PMC leadership and return of dollar-donated is negatively affected by large overheads and opex costs.