Open mike 21/01/2016

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, January 21st, 2016 - 52 comments
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52 comments on “Open mike 21/01/2016 ”

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  1. North 1
    21 January 2016 at 7:41 am

    If things are as bad for the residential landlord class as claims Andrew King, chief executive of the New Zealand Property Investors Federation – in Auckland $250 plus down EVERY week of the year – one wonders that anyone risks their financial future by becoming one.

    I mean these are meant to be canny lads and lasses right into the Brighter Future a la their idol Mr Gauche. Altruism usually takes the back burner when doom is in the offing so there’s obviously an upside which King is fully aware of but dishonestly withholds.

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11575770

    Will someone who knows ‘stuff’ comment here please. Maybe many already have given King’s bleat is dated 18/1/16.

    • Gangnam Style 1.1
      21 January 2016 at 9:06 am

      +1. Greed & dishonesty.

    • Sabine 1.2
      21 January 2016 at 10:08 am

      the property is not bought as a rental. It is bought as a speculation object, and in the mean time is rented. It does actually not matter if it covers the mortgage or not.

      And why should rent cover mortgage, considering that the ‘rental’ will bring in money of many many decades.

      One of the houses that sold in my street was rented to one lady and her kids for over 20 years. She never managed to save enough to buy a house (min wage, no extra income, etc) she did make enough to spend over 300.000 $ in rent during the time she lived there. In that time nothing was done to the interior, which is the reason the house in the end sold for 200.000 $ less than the next house which was build at the same time and got renovated before sales. $ 690.000 unrenovated – build in the 1980 vs 890.000 renovated – build at the same time.
      So if you consider that maybe the houses/land in westie land would have been about 100.000 initially, one could say that the property owner (well the son who inherited it) made a good profit on it. Did the rent initially cover the mortgage, probably not. Did the rent cover the mortgage and then some in the end. Yes it did

      • North 1.2.1
        21 January 2016 at 11:39 am

        So Andrew King, chief executive of the New Zealand Property Investors Federation IS dishonest. And possessed by a nasty sense of entitlement. Thought as much.

        King wouldn’t also be an ACToid, or would he ? This is why I ask – from the article – King, (complainingly) – “Insulation in rental properties is to be compulsory……” – wait for it – “……. whether the tenant wants it or not.”

        Ah……that fine old piece of ACToid delusion……”choice”. It’s way preferable to avoidance of ill health, any fool can see that. Besides…..all their tenants tell them so. http://www.ehinz.ac.nz/indicators/indoor-environment/health-conditions-related-to-cold-and-damp-houses/

        • Sabine 1.2.1.1
          21 January 2016 at 11:56 am

          It is not that he is dishonest, he is just very flexible with the truth.

          If I buy a rental today as an investment, and want to hold on to it throughout my retirment an maybe leave it in the family then clearly it is a ‘rental’. If i buy a rental today with the intention to rent it until the market has provided enough incentive to sell it, then it is an object of speculation, which is what we are currently seeing.

          the rental object will be in my family for 30 – 50 – 150 years maybe (consider that in europe many of the old houses are still in the hands of the same families, have been modified to accommodate more people, renovated, upgraded etc). Now initially the rent will not cover monthly or weekly mortgage payment, but at some stage the mortgage is paid and the rent becomes income and gain.

          Consider also that lets say a mortgage of $ 600 per week might be the honest price for a property. But would $ 750 be an honest rental price for the same property? (and yes i added $ 150 to cover costs of admin, rates, n leaky roof)? Depends, what stage is the house in? How old is the carpet, fixings n trimmings?
          So you see the mortgage of 600 is fine, after all one gets a property n stuff – an investment that even might be worth double or triple in the future, but the maximum rent for the same property due to its state might only be worth $ 360, and voila the rent does not cover the mortgage.
          So at best the good man is paid to be a misleading shill and won’t somebody please think of the poor and misunderstood property owners and their staff in the the property industry.

        • McFlock 1.2.1.2
          21 January 2016 at 12:14 pm

          Shoot, what’s the world coming to when you can’t even trust a real estate agent’s spin doctor? 👿

    • DH 1.3
      21 January 2016 at 11:37 am

      It’s not hard to pull apart his argument.

      IMO the big lie is the sly insinuation they paid latest price for their properties, they always talk about the costs of a house bought at the current price. In truth they largely charge today’s rents for yesterday’s houses, their own costs are much less than they infer.

      He’s sure got some chutzpah. Whining about his business not being allowed to claim depreciation while he pays no tax on his property’s massive appreciation. Life is so unfair isn’t it, poor guy.

      • Herodotus 1.3.1
        21 January 2016 at 4:31 pm

        His whine about depreciation is easily fixed … Allow depreciation BUT then tax all capital gains, and the depreciation that was claimed on sale will be recovered so it is only a timing matter. Sure the property owner gets some small tax relief but pays this back, and the govt books benefit from all capital gains achieved.
        I wish Andrew King was correct in saying “Andrew King: Rental prices in NZ are actually quite reasonable” If they were and kiwis were paid a reasonable wage then there would be no necessity for an Accommodation Supplement. As in 2011 we were paying out $1.2b, take this away then the rental market has $1.2b less to spend on accommodation and rentals should fall. Unfortunately the world does not operate under “market driven basis”, 🙁
        http://www.interest.co.nz/property/60426/govt-reviewing-accommodation-supplement-rent-subsidy-housing-minister-heatley-says

  2. Chooky 2
    21 January 2016 at 8:38 am

    This is interesting on Hillary Clinton’s adviser Sidney Blumenthal and France’s real reasons for supporting the invasion of Libya.

    https://www.rt.com/shows/keiser-report/329404-episode-max-keiser-864/

    “In this episode of the Keiser Report, Max Keiser and Stacy Herbert discuss what the price of sardines teaches us about disintermediation. They also discuss the strange email from Sidney Blumenthal to Hillary Clinton about the real reason for France’s invasion of Libya. In the second half, Max continues his interview with Reggie Middleton about Pathogenic Finance: The autonomous, anti-fragile, trustless paradigm shift transforming banking, brokerage, securities and insurance.

    • Jones 2.1
      21 January 2016 at 1:45 pm

      That segment on Pathogenic Finance with Reggie Middleton is brilliant . That’s a game changer that would do to the financial sector what peer-to-peer file sharing did to the music and film industries. I can see the full force of Wall Street pushing back on that idea.

  3. Tautoko Mangō Mata 3
    21 January 2016 at 8:44 am

    With the proposed signing of the TPP looming, there seems to be more people interested in e accessing information about it. I recommend the following link
    https://tpplegal.wordpress.com

    As well as expert analysis on 3 papers, there are excellent articles in the commentary section.

    • weka 3.1
      21 January 2016 at 9:33 am

      Thanks for those links and the Tiriti one in the other thread.

    • marty mars 3.2
      21 January 2016 at 12:30 pm

      Kia ora TMM

      This is another on Māori and TPP – you may already have put it up

      Expert paper on TPPA & Treaty of Waitangi: government fails to meet obligations to Maori

      The third in a series of expert peer reviewed papers on the implications of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement for Aotearoa New Zealand was posted on the tpplegal website today.

      The paper was co-authored by Carwyn Jones, a senior lecturer in law from Victoria University, and Andrew Erueti, Associate Professor Claire Charters and Professor Jane Kelsey from the University of Auckland law faculty. The peer reviewer was lawyer Moana Jackson from Ngati Porou and Ngati Kahungunu.

      ‘Maori have long-standing concerns about law and policy relating to issues such as traditional knowledge, biodiversity and environmental management’, says Carwyn Jones, who wrote that section of the paper. ‘The TPPA will hamper the ability of future governments to develop Treaty of Waitangi-consistent law and policy in these areas.’

      ‘It is extremely disappointing that the Government would enter into such an agreement without securing effective protection for Maori, which the “Treaty of Waitangi Exception” fails to do.’

      ‘All New Zealanders ought to be concerned that the TPPA is moving us further and further away from effective recognition of rights guaranteed under the Treaty of Waitangi, putting another obstacle in the way of reconciliation and the resolution of grievances.’

      http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1601/S00106/expert-paper-on-tppa-treaty-of-waitangi.htm

    • alwyn 4.1
      21 January 2016 at 9:48 am

      Do you know if anything happened in Japan regarding the last story?
      I notice that it is dated 4 September 2015 and that all the comments are from about four months ago.

  5. Gangnam Style 5
    21 January 2016 at 9:09 am

    Might be of interest to some people here, a sexual harassment shitstorm unravelling in the american indie music world, http://jezebel.com/how-women-on-twitter-brought-down-a-music-publicist-acc-1753964374

    • weka 5.1
      21 January 2016 at 9:45 am

      That is a very interesting write up, thanks. It’s a good example of why non-rapist men need to step up and end rape culture. Women are doing what they can, and some men, but if the only way that that situation with the publicist could be dealt with was via twitter there is something very wrong (not that that’s news). I’m very glad that those women used twitter in this way, and I’m disgusted that they had to and that the people in the culture they live and work within are all pretty much ignoring and/or supporting rape culture.

      • Descendant Of Sssmith 5.1.1
        21 January 2016 at 5:28 pm

        And in standing up be prepared for paying the same price that women do who speak up – or who turn down such advances.

        Threats of dismissal, overlooked for promotion, spoken about behind your back, and so on and so on.

        Having been through this quite a few times it’s an interesting experience to be sure.

        Wouldn’t never not do it though.

        Living with yourself is in my view much much better than living with the abusers.

  6. greywarshark 6
    21 January 2016 at 10:04 am

    I liked this from Chris Trotters Bowalley Road article.
    http://bowalleyroad.blogspot.co.nz/2016/01/not-by-bread-and-butter-alone-making.html

    …authentic human identity is only available to those who insist on being something more than the means to someone else’s end. Who we are now, and what we may yet become: both conditions drive us forward….

    • Once was Tim 6.1
      21 January 2016 at 11:05 am

      Very profound and true. I often wonder why people become super competitive – that is, to the extent that they just HAVE to be better/outdo the next man/woman. we’re constantly told that should be what drives us.
      I used to wonder about that amongst musicians (guitarists for example who strove and claim to be better than say Clapton, rather than simply trying to improve themselves; or dealing room wideboys competing to outdo their colleagues). That seems to be simply an exercise in stroking ones own ego.
      We’re constantly told the competitive spirit and ambition = good. I’ve seen some pretty devastated people with those attributes when a bit of shit hits the fan – as in they totally can’t cope and spend their days beating themselves up.
      I guess we might be in for quite a few people jumping out of Wall Street windows in the not too distant

    • Draco T Bastard 6.2
      21 January 2016 at 9:37 pm

      Narrowing, managing, controlling: isn’t that the story of the last thirty years?

      Listen both National and Labour while they tell us that we can’t do what’s needed to make our society better. It’s all about keeping us in a very narrow mindset of profit for the rich.

      We have, over the last thirty years, allowed ourselves to be straight-jacketed into being what the oligarchs want us to be.

  7. RedLogix 7
    21 January 2016 at 10:30 am

    For the political tragics:

    “Labour thought that because the Conservatives did not win 2010, when they had Gordon Brown as their leader and the economy was in the toilet, the Tories would be unable to win [in 2015] and all they had to do was sit on the horse and hang on,” says Crosby. “They never said sorry for their mishaps, they never really did an honest review of their policies, they never had a story about the future for the British people. They just did not do the work. They were intellectually lazy and thought themselves intellectually superior.”

    http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jan/20/lynton-crosby-and-dead-cat-won-election-conservatives-labour-intellectually-lazy

    • McFlock 7.1
      21 January 2016 at 12:23 pm

      lol
      Tory whose campaign strategy revolves around “brevity, relentlessness, focus on and leverage of public preconceptions” suggests that Labour should have done more policy debating and public confessionals. Cheers for the advice, Lynton…

  8. Pat 8
    21 January 2016 at 10:36 am

    something we are likely to hear more about this year…particularly now JC has a platform back…a brief overview of the real recovery

    https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/125997072/Article%20North%20%20South%20Nov%202015.pdf

  9. Michael 9
    21 January 2016 at 10:49 am

    Bernie at the 4th Democratic debate.

  10. North 10
    21 January 2016 at 11:06 am

    Assuming O’Sullivan’s correct about the SkyCity venue ……. would say it all really. And tacky tacky tacky ! Let’s pray the sounds won’t be down to New Camelot Max.

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11577333

    • Sabine 10.1
      21 January 2016 at 12:27 pm

      we live in intersting times.

      I was told by a friend that the signing in AKL is only for the press. The official signing with dignitaries n such could be at a more formal site. Signing of the TPPa at Waitangi anyone? lol….interesting times.

  11. amirite 11
    21 January 2016 at 11:20 am

    A report by the Sustainability Council shows that under the TPPA, the Investors will be able to sue governments especially in matters relating to the environment.

    http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/confirmed-investors-can-sue-govt-under-tppa/

    #FlushTheTPPA

  12. Muttonbird 12
    21 January 2016 at 11:22 am

    Weldon has canned 3 News. Oh dear.

    • Whispering Kate 12.1
      21 January 2016 at 11:48 am

      Explain please.

    • ianmac 12.2
      21 January 2016 at 11:52 am

      Oh but better and bigger Muttonbird. Now TV3 Newshub at 6pm.
      “The service will provide the latest news and in-depth analysis, with a dedicated, state-of-the-art app and website and TV and radio news bulletins across MediaWorks’ channels – as well as fuelling news content across other programmes such asPaul Henry.”
      So a reverse of Checkpoint on RNZ – or something?

      • greywarshark 12.2.1
        21 January 2016 at 3:51 pm

        TV3 News flash to our great Newshub media team –
        Let’s all join hands and play American Whispers along the chain (not Chinese now they are our friends) which will ensure stories go across all Mediawork channels. Sometimes we’ll start the story at one end and it will finish up with Paul Henry, and sometimes the other way round.

        We will add to our reports spice, verve, topicality, tons of amusing opinion, and plenty of room for surmise and prophetic announcements. All participants will bear their own slander legal fees, and compulsory insurance should be entered into pronto

        So before anything too controversial or about serial litigants, check with the legal team.
        /sarc edited

        • Once was Tim 12.2.1.1
          21 January 2016 at 6:53 pm

          dontcha just lerv the lingo – there goes the Mark of a total bullshit artist. A Key player in the new media vironmint (going forwid)

          Ekshully, there’s been a series on the National Geographic Channel (such as that travesty to the name is – it’s founders are busy rolling in their graves) looking at the 80’s, then the 90’s,and now the 00’s.
          It’d be interesting to look back on this decade from the future – it won’t be pretty.
          Mark and Joolie (all kitted out with stetson). It’ll look something like the Class of 87.

  13. ianmac 13
    21 January 2016 at 1:52 pm

    Euthanasia.
    Interesting discussion on Pundit. Especially the refuting by Andrew Geddis, of misleading stats used by the writer Matthew Jansen.
    http://www.pundit.co.nz/content/assisted-suicide-is-not-a-progressive-issue

    And a sad article by Hugh Thorpe and his dilemma over his wife Rhona’s dementia in relation to the case for euthanasia.
    http://www.pundit.co.nz/content/euthanasia-my-personal-opinion

  15. CR 15
    21 January 2016 at 4:16 pm

    Have a look – all of the world’s money markets in one visualisation, it’s staggering:

    http://money.visualcapitalist.com/all-of-the-worlds-money-and-markets-in-one-visualization/

    To help us comprehend the massive numbers (billions, trillions, quadrillions), this 5-minute video ‘How much is a trillion dollars’ is useful:

    http://www.peakprosperity.com/video/85844/playlist/92161/crash-course-chapter-12-how-much-trillion

    • Once was Tim 15.1
      21 January 2016 at 7:21 pm

      stick a match to it CV – better to do it now than later. It’s all paper anyway…..and total crapola. There are better uses for paper – like things more meaningful to societies.
      why put people through constructs (such as ‘austerity’) when in the end the inevitable will happen?
      I ‘spose its because it makes money (as opposed to ‘currency’).
      Roll on the crash I say – the sooner the better!

  16. Rosemary McDonald 16
    21 January 2016 at 5:08 pm

    Dizzy times ahead for bottled ‘100% Pure NZ’ water.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/76117504/hawkes-bay-companys-first-shipment-of-drinking-water-rejected-by-china

    China doesn’t like too much nitrite in it’s water…can’t think why.

    “”To class water as ‘spring or artesian’ for the New Zealand market the maximum level of the naturally occurring nitrite is 0.2mg/L while the Chinese maximum level is 0.005mg/L. Unfortunately the levels of nitrite were higher than the Chinese standard hence the product was returned,” she said.

    Roderick Brodie, University of Auckland marketing professor, said the Chinese requirements were stringent.

    But he said the concern was that a rejection on the basis of nitrite could be read as being linked to excessive use of fertiliser.

    “The Hawke’s Bay bottling company needs to come out with a very strong press release to counter this, so that we don’t have anyone saying we’re not a clean and green country.”

    He said Fertiliser might not have anything to do with it, but that was the risk that was run.”

    Picky beggars those Chinese…what’s a bit of nitrite between friends?

  17. Katipo 17
    21 January 2016 at 8:52 pm

    “Less than one per cent of the wealth created since 2000 has gone to the poorest 50 per cent of the world’s population, new research has revealed.”

    http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/politics/rich-have-only-got-richer-since-2000-davos-a6823281.html

  18. cogito 18
    21 January 2016 at 10:07 pm

    “‘Dumping ground’ fears over paying state house applicants to leave Auckland”
    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/76099297/dumping-ground-fears-over-paying-state-house-applicants-to-leave-auckland

    So this is what effing Bennett has spent her holiday cooking up. Regional centres have enough on their plates without having to deal with her relocated Aucklanders.

  19. joe90 19
    22 January 2016 at 12:15 am

    Pricks are still at it.

    .
    Brianna Wu
    ‏@Spacekatgal

    The morning, my college reached out to me. Gamergate has been impersonating me attempting to get copies of my college transcripts to release

    Brianna Wu ‏@Spacekatgal Jan 19

    It’s been a harassment shit show like this for several weeks. As @JessicaValenti said, Gamergate didn’t end, we just forgot about it.

    https://twitter.com/Spacekatgal/status/689552337417965569

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    TL;DR: Here’s my top 10 ‘pick ‘n’ mix of links to news, analysis and opinion articles as of 10:30am on Tuesday, May 30:Scoop: NZ 'close to the tipping point' of measles epidemic, health experts warn NZ Herald Benjamin PlummerHealth: 'Absurd and totally unacceptable': Man has to wait a year for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Why Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating in the country
    Bryce Edwards writes – Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Worst poll result for a new Government in MMP history
    Luxon will no doubt put a brave face on it, but there is no escaping the pressure this latest poll will put on him and the government. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Pinning down climate change's role in extreme weather
    This is a re-post from The Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler In the wake of any unusual weather event, someone inevitably asks, “Did climate change cause this?” In the most literal sense, that answer is almost always no. Climate change is never the sole cause of hurricanes, heat waves, droughts, or ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago

  • Serving at Seymour's pleasure.
    Something odd happened yesterday, and I’d love to know if there’s more to it. If there was something which preempted what happened, or if it was simply a throwaway line in response to a journalist.Yesterday David Seymour was asked at a press conference what the process would be if the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago

  • Webworm LA Pop-Up
    Hi,From time to time, I want to bring Webworm into the real world. We did it last year with the Jurassic Park event in New Zealand — which was a lot of fun!And so on Saturday May 11th, in Los Angeles, I am hosting a lil’ Webworm pop-up! I’ve been ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago

  • “Feel good” school is out
    Education Minister Erica Standford yesterday unveiled a fundamental reform of the way our school pupils are taught. She would not exactly say so, but she is all but dismantling the so-called “inquiry” “feel good” method of teaching, which has ruled in our classrooms since a major review of the New ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago

  • 6 Months in, surely our Report Card is “Ignored all warnings: recommend dismissal ASAP”?
    Exactly where are we seriously going with this government and its policies? That is, apart from following what may as well be a Truss-Lite approach on the purported economic “plan“, and Victorian-era regression when it comes to social policy. Oh it’ll work this time of course, we’re basically assured, “the ...
    exhALANtBy exhalantblog
    2 days ago

  • Bread, and how it gets buttered
    Hey Uncle Dave, When the Poms joined the EEC, I wasn't one of those defeatists who said, Well, that’s it for the dairy job. And I was right, eh? The Chinese can’t get enough of our milk powder and eventually, the Poms came to their senses and backed up the ute ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Why Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating in the country
    Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is higher than for any other mayor ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    2 days ago

  • Justice for Gaza?
    The New York Times reports that the International Criminal Court is about to issue arrest warrants for Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, over their genocide in Gaza: Israeli officials increasingly believe that the International Criminal Court is preparing to issue arrest warrants for senior government officials on ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago

  • If there has been any fiddling with Pharmac’s funding, we can count on Paula to figure out the fis...
    Buzz from the Beehive Pharmac has been given a financial transfusion and a new chair to oversee its spending in the pharmaceutical business. Associate Health Minister David Seymour described the funding for Pharmac as “its largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff”. ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago

  • FastTrackWatch – The case for the Government’s Fast Track Bill
    Bryce Edwards writes – Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Bernard’s pick 'n' mix for Monday, April 29
    TL;DR: Here’s my top 10 ‘pick ‘n’ mix of links to news, analysis and opinion articles as of 10:10am on Monday, April 29:Scoop: The children's ward at Rotorua Hospital will be missing a third of its beds as winter hits because Te Whatu Ora halted an upgrade partway through to ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on Iran killing its rappers, and searching for the invisible Dr. Reti
    span class=”dropcap”>As hideous as David Seymour can be, it is worth keeping in mind occasionally that there are even worse political figures (and regimes) out there. Iran for instance, is about to execute the country’s leading hip hop musician Toomaj Salehi, for writing and performing raps that “corrupt” the nation’s ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    3 days ago

  • Auckland Rail Electrification 10 years old
    Yesterday marked 10 years since the first electric train carried passengers in Auckland so it’s a good time to look back at it and the impact it has had. A brief history The first proposals for rail electrification in Auckland came in the 1920’s alongside the plans for earlier ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    3 days ago

  • Coalition's dirge of austerity and uncertainty is driving the economy into a deeper recession
    Right now, in Aotearoa-NZ, our ‘animal spirits’ are darkening towards a winter of discontent, thanks at least partly to a chorus of negative comments and actions from the Government Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Disability Funding or Tax Cuts.
    You make people evil to punish the paststuck inside a sequel with a rotating castThe following photos haven’t been generated with AI, or modified in any way. They are flesh and blood, human beings. On the left is Galatea Young, a young mum, and her daughter Fiadh who has Angelman ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • Of the Goodness of Tolkien’s Eru
    April has been a quiet month at A Phuulish Fellow. I have had an exceptionally good reading month, and a decently productive writing month – for original fiction, anyway – but not much has caught my eye that suggested a blog article. It has been vaguely frustrating, to be honest. ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    3 days ago

  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #17
    A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 21, 2024 thru Sat, April 27, 2024. Story of the week Anthropogenic climate change may be the ultimate shaggy dog story— but with a twist, because here ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago

  • Pastor Who Abused People, Blames People
    Hi,I spent about a year on Webworm reporting on an abusive megachurch called Arise, and it made me want to stab my eyes out with a fork.I don’t regret that reporting in 2022 and 2023 — I am proud of it — but it made me angry.Over three main stories ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    3 days ago

  • Vic Uni shows how under threat free speech is
    The new Victoria University Vice-Chancellor decided to have a forum at the university about free speech and academic freedom as it is obviously a topical issue, and the Government is looking at legislating some carrots or sticks for universities to uphold their obligations under the Education and Training Act. They ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Winston remembers Gettysburg.
    Do you remember when Melania Trump got caught out using a speech that sounded awfully like one Michelle Obama had given? Uncannily so.Well it turns out that Abraham Lincoln is to Winston Peters as Michelle was to Melania. With the ANZAC speech Uncle Winston gave at Gallipoli having much in ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • 25
    She was born 25 years ago today in North Shore hospital. Her eyes were closed tightly shut, her mouth was silently moving. The whole theatre was all quiet intensity as they marked her a 2 on the APGAR test. A one-minute eternity later, she was an 8.  The universe was ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Fact Brief – Is Antarctica gaining land ice?
    Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park in collaboration with members from our Skeptical Science team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Is Antarctica gaining land ice? ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago

  • Policing protests.
    Images of US students (and others) protesting and setting up tent cities on US university campuses have been broadcast world wide and clearly demonstrate the growing rifts in US society caused by US policy toward Israel and Israel’s prosecution of … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    4 days ago

  • Open letter to Hon Paul Goldsmith
    Barrie Saunders writes – Dear Paul As the new Minister of Media and Communications, you will be inundated with heaps of free advice and special pleading, all in the national interest of course. For what it’s worth here is my assessment: Traditional broadcasting free to air content through ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: FastTrackWatch – The Case for the Government’s Fast Track Bill
    Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its arguments for such a bold reform. ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago

  • Luxon gets out his butcher’s knife – briefly
    Peter Dunne writes –  The great nineteenth British Prime Minister, William Gladstone, once observed that “the first essential for a Prime Minister is to be a good butcher.” When a later British Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan, sacked a third of his Cabinet in July 1962, in what became ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • More tax for less
    Ele Ludemann writes – New Zealanders had the OECD’s second highest tax increase last year: New Zealanders faced the second-biggest tax raises in the developed world last year, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) says. The intergovernmental agency said the average change in personal income tax ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Real News vs Fake News.
    We all know something’s not right with our elections. The spread of misinformation, people being targeted with soundbites and emotional triggers that ignore the facts, even the truth, and influence their votes.The use of technology to produce deep fakes. How can you tell if something is real or not? Can ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • Another way to roll
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.Share ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • Simon Clark: The climate lies you'll hear this year
    This video includes conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Simon Clark. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). This year you will be lied to! Simon Clark helps prebunk some misleading statements you'll hear about climate. The video includes ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • Cutting the Public Service
    It is all very well cutting the backrooms of public agencies but it may compromise the frontlines. One of the frustrations of the Productivity Commission’s 2017 review of universities is that while it observed that their non-academic staff were increasing faster than their academic staff, it did not bother to ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    5 days ago

  • Luxon’s demoted ministers might take comfort from the British politician who bounced back after th...
    Buzz from the Beehive Two speeches delivered by Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters at Anzac Day ceremonies in Turkey are the only new posts on the government’s official website since the PM announced his Cabinet shake-up. In one of the speeches, Peters stated the obvious:  we live in a troubled ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago

  • This is how I roll over
    1. Which of these would you not expect to read in The Waikato Invader?a. Luxon is here to do business, don’t you worry about thatb. Mr KPI expects results, and you better believe itc. This decisive man of action is getting me all hot and excitedd. Melissa Lee is how ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • The Waitangi Tribunal is not “a roving Commission”…
    …it has a restricted jurisdiction which must not be abused: it is not an inquisition   NOTE – this article was published before the High Court ruled that Karen Chhour does not have to appear before the Waitangi Tribunal Gary Judd writes –  The High Court ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Is Oranga Tamariki guilty of neglect?
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – One of reasons Oranga Tamariki exists is to prevent child neglect. But could the organisation itself be guilty of the same? Oranga Tamariki’s statistics show a decrease in the number and age of children in care. “There are less children ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago

  • Three Strikes saw lower reoffending
    David Farrar writes: Graeme Edgeler wrote in 2017: In the first five years after three strikes came into effect 5248 offenders received a ‘first strike’ (that is, a “stage-1 conviction” under the three strikes sentencing regime), and 68 offenders received a ‘second strike’. In the five years prior to ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Luxon’s ruthless show of strength is perfect for our angry era
    Bryce Edwards writes – Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesn’t normally happen in politics. That’s refreshing and will be extremely ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • 'Lacks attention to detail and is creating double-standards.'
    TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the two days to 6:06am on Thursday, April 25:Politics: PM Christopher Luxon has set up a dual standard for ministerial competence by demoting two National Cabinet ministers while leaving also-struggling ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • One Night Only!
    Hi,Today I mainly want to share some of your thoughts about the recent piece I wrote about success and failure, and the forces that seemingly guide our lives. But first, a quick bit of housekeeping: I am doing a Webworm popup in Los Angeles on Saturday May 11 at 2pm. ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago

  • What did Melissa Lee do?
    It is hard to see what Melissa Lee might have done to “save” the media. National went into the election with no public media policy and appears not to have developed one subsequently. Lee claimed that she had prepared a policy paper before the election but it had been decided ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago

  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #17 2024
    Open access notables Ice acceleration and rotation in the Greenland Ice Sheet interior in recent decades, Løkkegaard et al., Communications Earth & Environment: In the past two decades, mass loss from the Greenland ice sheet has accelerated, partly due to the speedup of glaciers. However, uncertainty in speed derived from satellite products ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago

  • Maori Party (with “disgust”) draws attention to Chhour’s race after the High Court rules on Wa...
    Buzz from the Beehive A statement from Children’s Minister Karen Chhour – yet to be posted on the Government’s official website – arrived in Point of Order’s email in-tray last night. It welcomes the High Court ruling on whether the Waitangi Tribunal can demand she appear before it. It does ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • Who’s Going Up The Media Mountain?
    Mr Bombastic: Ironically, the media the academic experts wanted is, in many ways, the media they got. In place of the tyrannical editors of yesteryear, advancing without fear or favour the interests of the ruling class; the New Zealand news media of today boasts a troop of enlightened journalists dedicated to ...
    Bowalley Road
    6 days ago

  • “That's how I roll”
    It's hard times try to make a livingYou wake up every morning in the unforgivingOut there somewhere in the cityThere's people living lives without mercy or pityI feel good, yeah I'm feeling fineI feel better then I have for the longest timeI think these pills have been good for meI ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    7 days ago

  • “Comity” versus the rule of law
    In 1974, the US Supreme Court issued its decision in United States v. Nixon, finding that the President was not a King, but was subject to the law and was required to turn over the evidence of his wrongdoing to the courts. It was a landmark decision for the rule ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    7 days ago

  • Aotearoa: a live lab for failed Right-wing socio-economic zombie experiments once more…
    Every day now just seems to bring in more fresh meat for the grinder. In their relentlessly ideological drive to cut back on the “excessive bloat” (as they see it) of the previous Labour-led government, on the mountains of evidence accumulated in such a short period of time do not ...
    exhALANtBy exhalantblog
    1 week ago

  • Water is at the heart of farmers’ struggle to survive in Benin
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Megan Valére Sosou Market gardening site of the Itchèléré de Itagui agricultural cooperative in Dassa-Zoumè (Image credit: Megan Valère Sossou) For the residents of Dassa-Zoumè, a city in the West African country of Benin, choosing between drinking water and having enough ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago

  • At a time of media turmoil, Melissa had nothing to proclaim as Minister – and now she has been dem...
    Buzz from the Beehive   Melissa Lee – as may be discerned from the screenshot above – has not been demoted for doing something seriously wrong as Minister of ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 week 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 hours 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.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 hours 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    8 hours 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours 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. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 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). ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 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
    2 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 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. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 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, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 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
    5 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
    5 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days 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
    6 days 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    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

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