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6:00 am, October 21st, 2024 - 31 comments
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The current rise of populism challenges the way we think about people’s relationship to the economy.We seem to be entering an era of populism, in which leadership in a democracy is based on preferences of the population which do not seem entirely rational nor serving their longer interests. ...
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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.