Some advocates are worried lawmakers will view Labour’s bill as a “compromise position” rather than voting for the Green’s bill, which comes up for the vote tomorrow.
National are meeting this morning to decide whether to let their MPs use conscience votes.
Have the Greens done enough groundwork behind the scenes to muster support and ensure their bill will get over the line? Or will Labour’s bill end up becoming the compromise advocates are worried about?
And yet National will probably mostly vote against it if its a conscience vote and will vote against it if they whip all National MPs to vote the same way.
Thing is, with that sort of support, no MP should vote against Chloe’s bill. If they do then they’re actually being antidemocratic because they’re not representing what the people want.
Sometimes we get some heroes in the Nat party. Everyone remembers Marilyn Waring for crossing the floor and I remember Ian McLean, George Gair and Katherine OReagan crossing for Homosexual Law Reform.
The Bill is reportedly “very, very complex”. Government departments will have to meet certain targets to reduce child poverty, and whether they succeed or not will be reported by the Treasury.
The Prime Minister says this will ensure that child poverty remains a priority across all departments.
“The fact that we’re going to have to report on how we’re doing at the Budget will shape the way that we look at child-wellbeing issues every time we write a Budget,” she said on Monday.
Since it’s going to cover the Public Finance Act it will cover all Departments where it matters the most.
To me the big disappointment is the government has chosen not to engage closely with National on the child poverty legislation.
National are extremely experienced at getting the bureaucracy to conform to to specific targets (the discipline being more useful in a government than the levels that change from year to year).
Including National in the discussion early on rather than a quick briefing the day of bill introduction means that it cannot be a “National Park”, “NZSuper” or “Treaty of Waitangi Settlement” issue that is a cross-House commitment to finalise the issue and not make politics out of it.
This is the big mistake that the Clark government made with the Bill Of Rights Act, among others, which has meant that while BORA is a rider on every bill, it is now routinely disregarded.
Very hard to see this legislation now surviving a change of government.
While taking steps to improve child poverty numbers is worthy, shouldn’t the Government be ensuring that poverty overall is improving? After all, a less equal society is a less prosperous society.
Moreover, as parents of children are better compensated, the Government needs to ensure those struggling (without dependent children) aren’t becoming worse off going forward. Therefore, why not put measures in place to cover both?
Didn’t Ardern reach out to National not long after she was voted in? Therefore, wasn’t it National that failed to closely engage?
If by “overall” you mean all Departments should take account of it, trust me it quickly becomes one measure among a welter of competing bottom lines. Cynicism about multiple and conflicting bottom lines kicks in real quick and at every level.
The most useful thing this Act will do is seek to solidify the definition of poverty.
After that the state – no matter who is running it – can determine what instruments they use to eradicate it, and what funding to allocate.
Unless they include National enough to persuade them to vote for this bill, there will be no enduring common accountability framework that eradicates poverty.
Overall in this case simply refers to all those struggling in poverty that don’t have dependent children meeting Labour’s criteria.
“The most useful thing this Act will do is seek to solidify the definition of poverty “
It’s an unhelpful definition of poverty if those struggling in poverty that don’t have dependent children meeting Labour’s criteria are overlooked.
Whether it becomes merely another measure among a welter of competing bottom lines is up to the Government and whether it lays out its directives clearly (prioritising and straightening out any potential conflicting bottom lines).
Offering to include National is no guarantee National will accept the invitation or are in fact even interested in securing an enduring accountability framework.
National are interested because English repeatedly said so including this morning.
Also they have a 9 year track record on keeping major social initiatives that Labour formed.
There’s always going to be criteria. There’s no helicopter throwing sacks of cash out the window. Nature of bureacracy is to have order in redistribution. A system.
Bill comes out this afternoon. Definitions are in front.
Big questions when this many people are couning on it. Guarantee not all will be satisfied.
English implied it is largely already being done and questioned its effectiveness, especially as Labour’s fiscal restraints largely prevents them from further family income increases.
No one is suggesting throwing out sacks of cash. This is about Labours failure to account for all those in poverty and not merely people with dependent kids. The cutoff (having dependent children or not) leaves far too many (those without dependent children) to fall further through the cracks.
English implied (when pointing to the removal of other targets) lack of education as one of the reasons why people are in poverty. However, if there were more employment opportunities and the minimum wage was a living wage, those with low education levels would be far less likely to be in poverty, Which, of course, Bill completely overlooks.
Announced minimum wage increases partly address ‘overall’ poverty as you say. Labour’s election strategy was not to go too far left with their first term promises. More voters respond to children than adults suffering, sadly.
“English implied (when pointing to the removal of other targets) lack of education as one of the reasons why people are in poverty. However, if there were more employment opportunities and the minimum wage was a living wage, those with low education levels would be far less likely to be in poverty, Which, of course, Bill completely overlooks.”
It was around about that stage in his chat on Natrad this morning that I stomped out doing a fairly good impression of….
“English was reluctant to say whether National will back the Government’s legislation but says Labour’s unlikely to have the cash it needs to deal with the problem long term.”
Presumably you’ve now seen that English was invited to be briefed well before Christmas. He didn’t take up the offer. Hard to have an input when you don’t engage.
Apparently, Labour even sent him a draft of their plans to look over in early December to comment on. So him saying he had not seen the draft to be able to comment on it was his own fault. He has had it in his possession for at least a month and a half.
Am totally hearing where you are coming from and agree with you Chairman. But sadly kids can’t change their poverty easily, especially babies, toddlers and primary school age children.
So looking forward to todays announcement, our new government brings hope for many.
I can only assume if you hear and agree with me you’ll also share in my disappointment that this isn’t being extended to cover all in poverty.
It’s another policy shortfall from Labour.
They’ve yet to be in power for a hundred days, yet these policy shortfalls of Labour are quickly adding up. TPP, minimum wage, cannabis reform, ban on foreign property investment etc, and now this.
If Labour continue on like this they risk voter disappointment outshining the small gains made.
In a time when much is required to be done, Labour are becoming known as the party of baby steps. Too little too late.
Winter energy payment will help the oldies and beneficiaries so much, thanks to the new government.
A year free tertiary education will help youth re poverty.
I wouldn’t be calling them out on cannabis law reform, that’s coming today and tomorrow, go for it Chloe.
I doubt anyone is bumming out that changes are being made on foreign ownership, apart from foreigners.
TPP has changed so so much, the things many were worried about seem to have been taken care of, prior government said it couldn’t change it, turns out they didn’t even try.
We’ve had a new government after nine long hard years for only 100 days, during which we’ve had a summer break.
nat’s are looking for holes instead of solutions, it’s almost like they see poverty as a competition, that’s what really fucks me off. Can’t even work with others to help solve the problem, unless it’s on their terms, selfish competitive thinking which solves nada.
Kids come first, it’s not like a toddler can get out there and find a part time job. Looking forward to todays announcements, loving the new government.
With the deficits many in poverty face, winter energy payments are a nice gesture but will provide little help. Too little.
A year free tertiary education is being blamed for an influx of students adding to rental pressure, thus higher rents in student towns.
Moreover, it’s far from free education. So again, too little
The cannabis reform being voted upon today can certainly be called out for falling far too short. And is.
The changes to foreign ownership exempts far too many foreign investors and is limited to existing houses, hence it’s not only foreign investors impacted that are bummed. This is one of those policies that Labour have managed to disappoint both sides.
While the TPP has had some changes, for a number, those changes don’t go far enough. Hence, the widespread disappointment with Labour when they announced they would support it.
We have a health crisis, a housing crisis etc and yet this lot were happy to take a Christmas break? I would have expected them to put their break on hold and deal to the crisis first.
As for the Nats, we know they are useless, but that doesn’t excuse Labours shortcomings.
As for you loving the new government despite it’s shortcomings, well some are easy to please. I expect them to do a lot better, hence don’t accept this lowering of the bar that you’re demonstrating. It’s counterproductive in getting them to lift their game, which I assume you would also love them to do.
I’m not expecting everything at once, certainly not in the first 100 days after nine years of the nats. But I’m seeing progress, of course with any changes there will also be stumbling blocks.
I think they are doing OK at present, there’s always room for improvement, but I’m happy to wait a bit longer before asking them to lift their game. I think bills a gone burger, he hasn’t lifted his game in decades.
At a guess I’d say most of those in the new government spent a good portion of their holidays working/reading/engaging with the public/researching etc.
“After all, a less equal society is a less prosperous society”.
Would you care to explain exactly what you mean by this statement?
The usual measure of equality is the Gini Coefficient. Albania has a GDP/capita (PPP) of $12,500. It has a Gini coefficient of 0.29.
The USA has equivalent figures of $59,500 and 0.45.
Thus Albania is more “equal” than the USA.
Are you seriously trying to tell us that Albania is more “prosperous” than the USA?
The poverty level is a purely relative thing. It is generally determined by calculating whether someone has an income that is less than some percentage of the average income for the country.
If you had a country where the entire population had an income below about $700/year, which the World Bank considers to be the absolute poverty level, but which had a Gini coefficient of 0 then by the “poverty measures” we use in New Zealand there would be no-one in poverty as we use a relative figure. If everyone has the same income then there is no-one in poverty as we calculate the term.
“I ignore them now”.
I had noticed that. You happily ask people to justify and give links to things you don’t like, or understand, but when asked to justify statements you have made you always ignore the request.
Are you going to reply to the request I made asking you to explain when Joyce was Minister of Broadcasting? https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-26-01-2018/#comment-1439892
If I remember correctly while the nats were in power they refused to take part in cross party groups to tackle child poverty, such was their selfishness and egomania.
That is correct Cinny. So, its no wonder the government has been reluctant (if, indeed they have) to be too accommodating with National. Trust is a key element in any negotiation and on this issue National didn’t exactly endear themselves to the cause.
This is patently incorrect. English and other senior National cabinet ministers had put considerable effort into understanding and developing programmes to combat child poverty.
Importantly they thought carefully about how to measure the effectiveness of these programmes in terms of reducing child poverty. Measurement of success is an essential component of such programmes.
Labour would have benefited from taking the initiative to discuss National’s approach to eliminating child poverty; and would have increased the prospect of a cross party agreement on the matter.
“Social Development Minister Paula Bennett has been accused of being flippant about child poverty by saying measuring poverty was difficult because children moved in and out of poverty on a daily or weekly basis.”
bouncing has nothing to do with weight, bouncing is about being excited or hypo. JS… and paula knows she is large and is doing something about it, so i can’t see the offense in Greys comment.
“bounce up and down
To hop up and down. The kids started bouncing up and down when they heard school was closed for the day.”
I did it just to draw you out from under your stone James, you hypocrite.
And why can’t people accept that being fat is something okay. Why if someone chooses to toss off a remark the response is just ‘So’? There is no reason to feel sorry and protective of fat people, except that we dislike it and that is not our right to pass judgment on being fat. Accept it, and accept the occasional rude remark and self-accept and just ride above it is the healthy way to deal with attitudes. What is unhealthy is when you are prevented from walking far as I am because I am both fat and so unfit.
The terrific detective in Reginald Hill’s detective novels, Andy played by Warren somebody on TV in the Dalziel and Pascoe series was nicknamed the Fat Bastard. He was great as a character, a great person and annoying and unreasonable at times, but still liked because of his personal attributes.
nat’s aren’t into cross party task forces and groups to tackle any of NZ’s major problems, it’s either their way or no way, another reason am so pleased about a change of government
the nats didn’t wan’t to take part in a cross party group tackling domestic violence and child abuse either
did paula bring down the rates of domestic violence and child abuse since this defensive rant from 2014?
At what stage of their 9-year period of ‘governance’ did National roll out these “programmes to combat child poverty”?
Doubt we will have to wait that long to see that child poverty is more of a priority for the current Labour-led government than it ever was for National.
Better yet, ignored and then tried to claim cheap political points off the idea they hadn’t been briefed. I bet there is some surprise in the NAct camp that the media actually did some fact checking on this one…
“Ardern denied Labour had not made a genuine effort to engage National, saying she had provided details of the bill more than a month before it was due to be released.”
“English’s response was to accept a briefing for the new year and urge Ardern to retain the public service targets, saying they had created a “step change” in the way the public service worked.”
Sure, get over the fact that Her Majesty’s loyal opposition is represented by lying cowardly scum who shit on people as a perfect representation of everything they believe in.
We are poles apart in our ideology OAB, Bill English could cure cancer and you would still see him as scum.
But what he’d actually do would be to prevent a cure from being developed, especially if it prevented profits for big business, by saying that it cost too much while giving tax cuts to rich people.
…but they too play the game of politics and talk is cheap.
No they don’t. They especially don’t continuously lie the way that National does.
Dirty Politics was about the corrupt actions of National.
Ideally, we would have true cross-party engagement on issues like this.
Ideally our representatives would be representing the majority of people and what the people think should happen but instead most of them are more concerned with what the rich and powerful want.
All English has to do is to stop telling lies. But so long as people like you keep making excuses for him, and enabling him with your support, he won’t.
She provided details of the bill including when it would be put before parliament for a vote and asked for National to contribute and the lazy schmucks in National decided not to do anything and are now lying to cover their arse.
“Softly Softly catchee monkey.” Get this over the line and the framework is in place for sustainable anti poverty targets. It will then be simple to add sectors.
Blinglish at it again on Morning Report. The interviewer gave him enough rope and he came close to hanging himself. Oh, the absolute fucking irony of an ex Natzi PM banging on about things his government ignored or denied until they were up for re-election – not.
He has the temerity to criticise the coalition for doing some work in the areas of child poverty, poor or unavailable housing, wage equity, poverty in general, when his crew spend all their PR energies telling us they were doing something when they weren’t.
Can you see the huge gap in credibility between denying problems then saying what you’re doing about it? Un-bloody-believable! And then . . popping up now to criticise people who ARE doing something about the issues.
They live in an alternative world, not a place i’d like to inhabit.
OK James, have been objectively watching this nasty nats party slowly devalue just about everything in this country for 9 years . . . oh, sorry, not everything. What’s still good, great even? Big business, banks, rip-off local councils, anything where money flows upwards and individuals barely tread water in their fight to just stay afloat.
Noticed anything like that happening? Well, you wouldn’t. It took the labia party, NZ lost and the groan party to do something for everyman. Feel better now?
Bill is late to the party. His child poverty target only happened when Gower handed it to him in the debates — he has no credibility on the issue whatsoever.
Manuka honey. Government not supporting our family businesses. Quite perverse I consider.
09:05 Beekeepers welcome MPI U-turn on Manuka honey
NZ Beekeeping was set to take MPI to the High Court, starting today, over its proposed export standard on the premium honey. The industry group maintained that the standard would have meant more than 100 million dollars a year in export products could no longer be called manuka honey, and would have caused major damage to the rural economy. Yesterday, MPI agreed not to change the definition and NZ Beekeeping withdrew the legal action. Kathryn talks with NZ Beekeeping president Russell Berry and spokesperson for the UMF Honey Associaton John Rawcliffe. http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2018629923/beekeepers-welcome-mpi-u-turn-on-manuka-honey
Surely its far better to have an industry standard ,it will be far more damageing to nzs Manuka brand if its found to be any old shit with a Manuka Labal on it
“Is your superfood honey FAKE? Experts reveal that three times more jars of healing manuka are sold around the world than being produced in New Zealand”
I was at a meeting last night where government ministers spoke.
One stated and repeated that they had “a pollyannish” view of the future: that AGW presented NZ with opportunities. And they had no awareness that government policies around AGW are predicated on information that, at a very fundamental level, lacks scientific credibility.
So I’m a bit bummed out today.
On the bright side, although the meeting was attended by a large set of people who at first glance might be said to be aging and middle class, the only spontaneous applause of the night was for audience members who threw down the gauntlet and challenged the idea that current economic arrangements should be protected or preserved.
“The valuation of the Hapua St house – home to the same tenant for 37 years”
Wow! 37 years in a state house, and here I though the purpose of the welfare system was to help people when they needed it, not for a lifetime. No wonder we don’t have enough state housing, people never seem to leave.
37 years ago he was 44 when he may have hit hard times, it was also 1981 before the famous NZ stock market crash, before we had child poverty, before we had a housing crisis, before we even knew what climate change was – I’m not sure what I’m meant to be envious about.
I can admit to being slightly envious of someone who has benefited from state-subsidised housing for 37 years. You’re either in denial, or considerably richer than me…
Indiana
You are always light on deep thought. You said state housing was to ‘help people when they need it’. Obviously he did need it. The ‘social welfare’ system has for decades been pushing people out of state housing so if they couldn’t push him out, there was something preventing that.
Fair call. Is it also fair for State Hosing to relocate this person to a another state house (apparently there are 1411 empty state homes) , so they could sell the property to release its value to increase the state housing stock?
No. Because that’s just a distraction from the fact that policy decisions at the government level have cut 5000 houses off the HNZ stock over the last ten years or so.
One house sale does fuck all compared to a government that actually wants to house people.
Indiana
Not a fair call. First you have a go at tenant for needing a state house for more than a set period of time. Then you turn around and criticise gummint for the way they have managed housing stock?
I wonder – do you care about anything? You seem to just want something to be negative about to prod TS to say something. Does that make you feel important, very wise and objective about the hoi polloi? Ultimately it would be good at the end of a discussion to feel that we had seen a better way of doing something rather than look for someone or thing to fault. Do you agree?
Here I am again suggesting that you actually read something before hitting your keyboard/phone. I really don’t know whether you have actual reading problems or are naturally obtuse – or deliberately so.
The Herald article states:
The artist had moved into the home 37 years ago with his wife, who was unwell. She died not long after they moved in.
The man has watched as houses around him were built and the tiny road become increasingly clogged with parked cars.
He said if he had a choice he wouldn’t live there – the area had become too busy for his liking.
But he’s made it home, carpeting the floors, fixing the walls, tending to the garden and filling the humble lounge with his array of paintings and carvings.
If you look at the photo of the house itself, there is a long ramp up to a small deck with access into the house via french doors – suggesting wheelchair access. Whether that was for his wife or himself (or both) is unclear.
If he has longterm/permanent mobility and/or other disabilities requiring this type of access and other modifications inside the house, then it makes sense that he has been allowed to remained in the house since his wife’s death. Otherwise, as greywarshark has pointed out, he would probably have been moved out years ago.
No mention of the 667 empty properties, nor the 1411 state homes were sitting empty. You instead attack one individual to score points.
What a amoral individual you are indiana, maybe you want to have a we look at yourself as an individual, and ask why you want to pick on people rather than offer solutions or look at the bigger picture.
Bloody obvious you didn’t grow up in our time here in a NZ who guaranteed everyone a home under “state housing” in the 1950’s that was how things were here then.
Many never owned there own home so this was quite common back then.
“Easiest way is just don’t reply to people who’s views you disagree with.”
It’s still a derail if I don’t reply but the thread fills up with stupidity.
We’ve had debates with denialists ad nauseum (and some of the other authors still let that happen under their posts). The topic for debate under *this thread isn’t whether climate change is real or not (nor whether it’s too late to do anything or not). TS isn’t a free for all, and it’s quite normal for off-topic comments to be moved off thread. I just like to save myself the bother by making the boundaries clear up front.
News on the nuclear energy front – the US Nuclear Regulatory Commision has approved a small modular reactor design as being “walk-away safe”, ie it won’t release radiation or melt down even with total loss of control in any kind of natural disaster.
New Zealand has such abundant natural renewable energy resources that I can’t see something like this ever getting installed on land here. But a 50MW power output is ideal for a large ship. So I think we need to get used to the idea that a zero-carbon future will include ships powered by reactors like this in our harbours. If a worldwide carbon price gets imposed, that future might come at us very quickly.
But a 50MW power output is ideal for a large ship. So I think we need to get used to the idea that a zero-carbon future will include ships powered by reactors like this in our harbours.
That’s pretty much what I’ve been thinking for the last few years.
As part of the original “Nuclear weapons free” movement we were never opposed to the safe future use of nuclear technology if/when it became available.
It was always about weapons.
Sounds interesting, I think nuclear power could be great if the current problems can be overcome. That reactor looks like a great step for safety. The waste problem still remains I suspect.
We have scientific proof if weather modification. It would be nice to think that the TPPA would permit us to legislate a against more aluminum being dumped into our sky.
NZ needs to move on this in what would be a world first.
We also must implement grey water as part of all new builds and retrofit as soon as possible.
I feel like I’m the only one taking about this but hope just one of you will catch on. I don’t even read replies because I’m certain they will just attack me/my post whatever.
All will be well (in their world) when that fella Jesus is returned to his rightful position in the House.
”
henry cooke
✔
@henrycooke
About 250 folks on Parliament lawn looking to keep mentions of Jesus in the Parliamentary Prayer
12:01 PM – Jan 30, 2018
7 7 Replies Retweets 1 1 like
Twitter Ads info and privacy
Hi everyone, I’m out on the forecourt of Parliament where about 300 or so Christians are tallying in an attempt to keep mentions of Jesus in the Parliamentary prayer. Speaker Trevor Mallard has yet to make a decision on this but will obviously have to make one by 2pm when the House opens for the first time this year.
Spokesman Ross Smith told me he and a delegation met with the Speaker just before Christmas and he hasn’t heard from them since then. He’s here praying for all MPs and the new Government, and is still hopeful Jesus will stay in the prayer. Even if he doesn’t however Smith says this rally – which is quite impressively staged – will have been worth it.”
Bullshit A is for________. If the smelter dosnt get the volume to justify 14,000kwh at about 5 cents per kWh. The smelter will go the way of John Keys political career.
[TheStandard: A moderator moved this comment to Open Mike as being off topic or irrelevant in the post it was made in. Be more careful in future.]
[Antoine said >>You can’t just ‘shut down the smelter until the crisis is over’, it doesn’t work like that.<<
afaik Antoine is correct – you can't shut down Tiwai for a period of time and then start it up again. Once you shut it down, that's it (too expensive to restart I think).
But that could have sorted out amongst adults in the original thread. You appear intent on behaving like a child. You've been warned about being abusive in the past (only a few days ago) and now you've been stupid enough to do that shit under one of my posts and have my too hot an afternoon, irritated at having to go look things up, moderator attention. I hope I have yours. You are now warned that if you continue to post pointless personal abuse you will be banned (in part for shitstirring, but also for wasting moderator time). Any questions, feel free to ask – weka]
@ James 13.1) … I know you are referring to Meteria Turei, which has nothing to do with the topic. Or have I missed something along the way? So please explain the connection between Meteria and Chloe Swarbrick’s medicinal cannabis bill for me please?
Really @ One Two (13.2)? Funny that, because I received an email from Chloe Swarbrick thanking me for my support for “her” bill, as no doubt did many other supporters! Sent 6.26pm this evening, Tuesday 30 January 2018!
You don’t have a fucking position. What, you think that her public record is the same as her academic record or lists of interests? Now you’ve gone from “wouldn’t have authored” (which means no involvement in its construction) to “without considerable assistance”.
But my point is that it doesn’t fucking matter. She’s the one putting her name and reputation behind it. She’s the one making the effort. She’s the one saying the government bill doesn’t go far enough. And you still want to take a dump on that because it might not have been crafted by a single MP with no contribution from others.
Whatever. It’s still probably more than you’ve ever done.
mary_a, I am going to ignore the others playing ‘I am more ignorant than you’ with each other in this thread, but here is some background on the Bill now under Chloe’s name.
The proposed Bill authored by Julie Anne Genter was originally put into the Member’s Bill ballot and drawn out of the ballot in June 2017 but not put before the House for 1st Reading before the House rose for the General Election.
Once the new Government was formed, Julie Anne Genter could no longer lead the Bill as she is now Minister of Women (and Associate Minister of Health and of Transport) and Ministers cannot put forward Member’s Bills. So on becoming a Minister, JA Genter had to hand this Bill over to another Green Party MP who was not a Minister – hence Chloe Swarbrick now leading it.
There were a lot of media articles on this before Christmas but here is a link to an excellent article on the Bill on a website I visited for the first time this morning.
I was pleasantly surprised to find it this site one by young people (Kiwis) for young people. I will be keeping an eye on this site as this is the sort of thing we need to get youth more involved ( but being an old skeptic I want to find out a little more about its background etc).
The Art of War states that you should know your adversaries better than you know yourself. This is why the USA spies on everyone on Papatuanukue yes everyone
The USA is using us to spy on the rest of the World and everyone in NZ
Here is a link to back my consenrns
NZ ‘spying’ for Trump
11 min ago
Protesters outside a government spy base have called for New Zealand to stop “working for Trump”.
PS keep the tinfoil for your barbecue boys K. Ana to kai
I have decided not to write about the sandflys as it a waste of my precious time. I will write about them when I need to check there dumb moves.
Ana to kai here is the link I tryed to post
NZ ‘spying’ for Trump
11 min ago
Protesters outside a government spy base have called for New Zealand to stop “working for Trump”.
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Eric Crampton writes – The Reserve Bank of New Zealand desperately wants to find reasons to have workstreams in climate change. It makes little sense. They’ve run another stress test on the banks looking to see if they could find a prudential regulation case. They couldn’t. They ...
Rob MacCullough writes – Pundits from the left and the right are arguing that National’s Fast Track Bill that is designed to speed up infrastructure decisions could end up becoming mired in a cesspool of corruption. Political commentator ...
Looking at the headlines this morning it’s hard to feel anything other than pessimistic about the future of humanity.Note that I’m not speaking about the future of mankind, but the survival of our humanity. The values that we believe in seem to be ebbing away, by the day.Perhaps every generation ...
Swabbing mixed breed baby chicks to test for avian influenzaUh oh. Bird flu – often deadly to humans – is not only being transmitted from infected birds to dairy cows, but is now travelling between dairy cows. As of last Friday, Bloomberg News reports, there were 32 American dairy herds ...
On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
What is it with the mining industry? Its not enough for them to pillage the earth - they apparently can't even be bothered getting resource consent to do so: The proponent behind a major mine near the Clutha River had already been undertaking activity in the area without a ...
Photo # 1 I am a huge fan of Singapore’s approach to housing, as described here two years ago by copying and pasting from The ConversationWhat Singapore has that Australia does not is a public housing developer, the Housing Development Board, which puts new dwellings on public and reclaimed land, ...
Buzz from the Beehive Reactions to news of the government’s readiness to make urgent changes to “the resource management system” through a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) suggest a balanced approach is being taken. The Taxpayers’ Union says the proposed changes don’t go far enough. Greenpeace says ...
I’m starting to wonder if Anna Burns-Francis might be the best political interviewer we’ve got. That might sound unlikely to you, it came as a bit of a surprise to me.Jack Tame can be excellent, but has some pretty average days. I like Rebecca Wright on Newshub, she asks good ...
Chris Trotter writes – Willie Jackson is said to be planning a “media summit” to discuss “the state of the media and how to protect Fourth Estate Journalism”. Not only does the Editor of The Daily Blog, Martyn Bradbury, think this is a good idea, but he has also ...
Graeme Edgeler writes – This morning [April 21], the Wellington High Court is hearing a judicial review brought by Hon. Karen Chhour, the Minister for Children, against a decision of the Waitangi Tribunal. This is unusual, judicial reviews are much more likely to brought against ministers, rather than ...
Both of Parliament’s watchdogs have now ripped into the Government’s Fast-track Approvals Bill. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s political economy and beyond on the morning of Tuesday, April 23 are:The Lead: The Auditor General,John Ryan, has joined the ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Sarah SpengemanPeople wait to board an electric bus in Pune, India. (Image credit: courtesy of ITDP) Public transportation riders in Pune, India, love the city’s new electric buses so much they will actually skip an older diesel bus that ...
The infrastructure industry yesterday issued a “hurry up” message to the Government, telling it to get cracking on developing a pipeline of infrastructure projects.The hiatus around the change of Government has seen some major projects cancelled and others delayed, and there is uncertainty about what will happen with the new ...
Hi,Over the weekend I revisited a podcast I really adore, Dead Eyes. It’s about a guy who got fired from Band of Brothers over two decades ago because Tom Hanks said he had “dead eyes”.If you don’t recall — 2001’s Band of Brothers was part of the emerging trend of ...
Buzz from the Beehive The 180 or so recipients of letters from the Government telling them how to submit infrastructure projects for “fast track” consideration includes some whose project applications previously have been rejected by the courts. News media were quick to feature these in their reports after RMA Reform Minister Chris ...
It would not be a desirable way to start your holiday by breaking your back, your head, or your wrist, but on our first hour in Singapore I gave it a try.We were chatting, last week, before we started a meeting of Hazel’s Enviro Trust, about the things that can ...
Calling all journalists, academics, planners, lawyers, political activists, environmentalists, and other members of the public who believe that the relationships between vested interests and politicians need to be scrutinised. We need to work together to make sure that the new Fast-Track Approvals Bill – currently being pushed through by the ...
Feel worried. Shane Jones and a couple of his Cabinet colleagues are about to be granted the power to override any and all objections to projects like dams, mines, roads etc even if: said projects will harm biodiversity, increase global warming and cause other environmental harms, and even if ...
Bryce Edwards writes- The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. ...
Michael Bassett writes – If you think there is a move afoot by the radical Maori fringe of New Zealand society to create a parallel system of government to the one that we elect at our triennial elections, you aren’t wrong. Over the last few days we have ...
Without a corresponding drop in interest rates, it’s doubtful any changes to the CCCFA will unleash a massive rush of home buyers. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate on Monday, April 22 included:The Government making a ...
Sunday was a lazy day. I started watching Jack Tame on Q&A, the interviews are usually good for something to write about. Saying the things that the politicians won’t, but are quite possibly thinking. Things that are true and need to be extracted from between the lines.As you might know ...
In our Weekly Roundup last week we covered news from Auckland Transport that the WX1 Western Express is going to get an upgrade next year with double decker electric buses. As part of the announcement, AT also said “Since we introduced the WX1 Western Express last November we have seen ...
TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to April 29 include:PM Christopher Luxon is scheduled to hold a post-Cabinet news conference at 4 pm today. Stats NZ releases its statutory report on Census 2023 tomorrow.Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivers a pre-Budget speech at ...
A listing of 29 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 14, 2024 thru Sat, April 20, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week hinges on these words from the abstract of a fresh academic ...
The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. The Government says this will ...
This is a column to say thank you. So many of have been in touch since Mum died to say so many kind and thoughtful things. You’re wonderful, all of you. You’ve asked how we’re doing, how Dad’s doing. A little more realisation each day, of the irretrievable finality of ...
Identifying the engine type in your car is crucial for various reasons, including maintenance, repairs, and performance upgrades. Knowing the specific engine model allows you to access detailed technical information, locate compatible parts, and make informed decisions about modifications. This comprehensive guide will provide you with a step-by-step approach to ...
Introduction: The allure of racing is undeniable. The thrill of speed, the roar of engines, and the exhilaration of competition all contribute to the allure of this adrenaline-driven sport. For those who yearn to experience the pinnacle of racing, becoming a race car driver is the ultimate dream. However, the ...
Introduction Automobiles have become ubiquitous in modern society, serving as a primary mode of transportation and a symbol of economic growth and personal mobility. With countless vehicles traversing roads and highways worldwide, it begs the question: how many cars are there in the world? Determining the precise number is a ...
Maintaining a safe and reliable vehicle requires regular inspections. Whether it’s a routine maintenance checkup or a safety inspection, knowing how long the process will take can help you plan your day accordingly. This article delves into the factors that influence the duration of a car inspection and provides an ...
Mazda Motor Corporation, commonly known as Mazda, is a Japanese multinational automaker headquartered in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The company was founded in 1920 as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd., and began producing vehicles in 1931. Mazda is primarily known for its production of passenger cars, but ...
Your car battery is an essential component that provides power to start your engine, operate your electrical systems, and store energy. Over time, batteries can weaken and lose their ability to hold a charge, which can lead to starting problems, power failures, and other issues. Replacing your battery before it ...
In most states, you cannot register a car without a valid driver’s license. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Exceptions to the RuleIf you are under 18 years old: In some states, you can register a car in your name even if you do not ...
Mazda, a Japanese automotive manufacturer with a rich history of innovation and engineering excellence, has emerged as a formidable player in the global car market. Known for its reputation of producing high-quality, fuel-efficient, and driver-oriented vehicles, Mazda has consistently garnered praise from industry experts and consumers alike. In this article, ...
Struts are an essential part of a car’s suspension system. They are responsible for supporting the weight of the car and damping the oscillations of the springs. Struts are typically made of steel or aluminum and are filled with hydraulic fluid. How Do Struts Work? Struts work by transferring the ...
Car registration is a mandatory process that all vehicle owners must complete annually. This process involves registering your car with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and paying an associated fee. The registration process ensures that your vehicle is properly licensed and insured, and helps law enforcement and other authorities ...
Zoom is a video conferencing service that allows you to share your screen, webcam, and audio with other participants. In addition to sharing your own audio, you can also share the audio from your computer with other participants. This can be useful for playing music, sharing presentations with audio, or ...
Building your own computer can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to get a high-performance machine tailored to your specific needs. However, it also requires careful planning and execution, and one of the most important factors to consider is the time it will take. The exact time it takes to ...
Sleep mode is a power-saving state that allows your computer to quickly resume operation without having to boot up from scratch. This can be useful if you need to step away from your computer for a short period of time but don’t want to shut it down completely. There are ...
Introduction Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) has revolutionized the field of translation by harnessing the power of technology to assist human translators in their work. This innovative approach combines specialized software with human expertise to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of translations. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the ...
In today’s digital age, mobile devices have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Among the vast array of portable computing options available, iPads and tablet computers stand out as two prominent contenders. While both offer similar functionalities, there are subtle yet significant differences between these two devices. This ...
A computer is an electronic device that can be programmed to carry out a set of instructions. The basic components of a computer are the processor, memory, storage, input devices, and output devices. The Processor The processor, also known as the central processing unit (CPU), is the brain of the ...
Voice Memos is a convenient app on your iPhone that allows you to quickly record and store audio snippets. These recordings can be useful for a variety of purposes, such as taking notes, capturing ideas, or recording interviews. While you can listen to your voice memos on your iPhone, you ...
Laptop screens are essential for interacting with our devices and accessing information. However, when lines appear on the screen, it can be frustrating and disrupt productivity. Understanding the underlying causes of these lines is crucial for finding effective solutions. Types of Screen Lines Horizontal lines: Also known as scan ...
Right-clicking is a common and essential computer operation that allows users to access additional options and settings. While most desktop computers have dedicated right-click buttons on their mice, laptops often do not have these buttons due to space limitations. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to right-click ...
Powering up and shutting down your ASUS laptop is an essential task for any laptop user. Locating the power button can sometimes be a hassle, especially if you’re new to ASUS laptops. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on where to find the power button on different ASUS laptop ...
Dell laptops are renowned for their reliability, performance, and versatility. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone who needs a reliable computing device, a Dell laptop can meet your needs. However, if you’re new to Dell laptops, you may be wondering how to get started. In this comprehensive ...
Two-thirds of the country think that “New Zealand’s economy is rigged to advantage the rich and powerful”. They also believe that “New Zealand needs a strong leader to take the country back from the rich and powerful”. These are just two of a handful of stunning new survey results released ...
In today’s digital world, screenshots have become an indispensable tool for communication and documentation. Whether you need to capture an important email, preserve a website page, or share an error message, screenshots allow you to quickly and easily preserve digital information. If you’re an Asus laptop user, there are several ...
A factory reset restores your Gateway laptop to its original factory settings, erasing all data, apps, and personalizations. This can be necessary to resolve software issues, remove viruses, or prepare your laptop for sale or transfer. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to factory reset your Gateway laptop: Method 1: ...
“You talking about me?”The neoliberal denigration of the past was nowhere more unrelenting than in its depiction of the public service. The Post Office and the Railways were held up as being both irremediably inefficient and scandalously over-manned. Playwright Roger Hall’s “Glide Time” caricatures were presented as accurate depictions of ...
Roger Partridge writes – When the Coalition Government took office last October, it inherited a country on a precipice. With persistent inflation, decades of insipid productivity growth and crises in healthcare, education, housing and law and order, it is no exaggeration to suggest New Zealand’s first-world status was ...
Rob MacCulloch writes – In 2022, the Curriculum Centre at the Ministry of Education employed 308 staff, according to an Official Information Request. Earlier this week it was announced 202 of those staff were being cut. When you look up “The New Zealand Curriculum” on the Ministry of ...
Chris Bishop’s bill has stirred up a hornets nest of opposition. Photo: Lynn Grieveson for The KākāTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate from the last day included:A crescendo of opposition to the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill is ...
Monday left me brokenTuesday, I was through with hopingWednesday, my empty arms were openThursday, waiting for love, waiting for loveThe end of another week that left many of us asking WTF? What on earth has NZ gotten itself into and how on earth could people have voluntarily signed up for ...
Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.State of humanity, 20242024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?Full story Share ...
Determining the hardest sport in the world is a subjective matter, as the difficulty level can vary depending on individual abilities, physical attributes, and experience. However, based on various factors including physical demands, technical skills, mental fortitude, and overall accomplishment, here is an exploration of some of the most challenging ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
The Government’s newly announced review of methane emissions reduction targets hints at its desire to delay Aotearoa New Zealand’s urgent transition to a climate safe future, the Green Party said. ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order. “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today. I am delighted ...
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions. “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. “It is good ...
The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
“China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector. "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra In the free-for-all between the Australian government and Big Tech boss Elon Musk this week, the government had to be on a winner. Most people would have little sympathy with Musk’s vociferous opposition to ...
Asia Pacific Report Chief Mandla Mandela, a member of the National Assembly of South Africa and Nelson Mandela’s grandson, has joined the Freedom Flotilla in istanbul as the ships prepare to sail for Gaza, reports Kia Ora Gaza. Mandela is also the ambassador for the Global Campaign to Return to ...
Pacific Media Watch Journalists who report on environmental issues are encountering growing difficulties in many parts of the world, reports Reporters Without Borders. According to the tally kept by RSF, 200 journalists have been subjected to threats and physical violence, including murder, in the past 10 years because they were ...
Analysis by Dr Bryce Edwards, Democracy Project (https://democracyproject.nz)Political scientist, Dr Bryce Edwards. 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 ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra BagzhanSadvakassov/Upsplash, CC BY-SA Australia’s inflation rate has fallen for the fifth successive quarter, and it’s now less than half of what it was back in late 2022. ...
ACT's Rural Communities and Veterans spokesman Mark Cameron responds to cancellations and protests of ANZAC Day commemorations in Wellington. He says, "These pitiful attempts to detract from ANZAC Day are not at all indicative of the feelings of mainstream ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Meighen McCrae, Associate Professor of Strategic & Defence Studies, Australian National University American and Australian stretcher bearers working together near the front line during the Battle of Hamel in 1918.Australian War Memorial While the AUKUS alliance is new, the Australian-American partnership ...
Pōneke based peace activists staged a silent protest at the ANZAC day service to highlight New Zealand’s complicity in war and genocide, and urge the government to take concrete steps to stop the genocide in Palestine. ...
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MPs to vote on medicinal cannabis bills.
Some advocates are worried lawmakers will view Labour’s bill as a “compromise position” rather than voting for the Green’s bill, which comes up for the vote tomorrow.
National are meeting this morning to decide whether to let their MPs use conscience votes.
Have the Greens done enough groundwork behind the scenes to muster support and ensure their bill will get over the line? Or will Labour’s bill end up becoming the compromise advocates are worried about?
It’s a great pity it can’t be just decriminalised and have done with it! It may make a severe dent in the awful meth issue as well
If the referendum was held first and succeeded, it would largely make this current vote a waste of time.
Yes please Jan and thank you, absolutely agree with you.
Interestingly from Kiwiblog: https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2018/01/grey_power_backs_swarbrick_bill.html
The net support for not having medical use of cannabis being a criminal offence by party vote is:
National voters +60% (78% to 18%)
Labour voters +61% (78% to 17%)
NZ First +54% (77% to 23%)
Greens +77% (88% to 11%)
Not much difference between National and Labour but you’d have to say that’s overwhelming support
And yet National will probably mostly vote against it if its a conscience vote and will vote against it if they whip all National MPs to vote the same way.
Thing is, with that sort of support, no MP should vote against Chloe’s bill. If they do then they’re actually being antidemocratic because they’re not representing what the people want.
Since when has that ever bothered our Parliament?
At least 60% against the TPPA.
Never but that does tend to prove that we don’t have a democracy but a dictatorship.
Sometimes we get some heroes in the Nat party. Everyone remembers Marilyn Waring for crossing the floor and I remember Ian McLean, George Gair and Katherine OReagan crossing for Homosexual Law Reform.
“Everyone remembers Marilyn Waring…”
Not everyone, but I do.
Hero? Most definitely.
Unlikely to be seen again.
Ardern’s child poverty law to be unveiled
The Bill is reportedly “very, very complex”. Government departments will have to meet certain targets to reduce child poverty, and whether they succeed or not will be reported by the Treasury.
The Prime Minister says this will ensure that child poverty remains a priority across all departments.
“The fact that we’re going to have to report on how we’re doing at the Budget will shape the way that we look at child-wellbeing issues every time we write a Budget,” she said on Monday.
http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2018/01/ardern-s-child-poverty-law-to-be-unveiled-tomorrow.html
Shouldn’t this measure be extended to cover poverty overall?
Why aren’t Labour extending this measure to ensure that overall poverty remains a priority across all departments?
Since it’s going to cover the Public Finance Act it will cover all Departments where it matters the most.
To me the big disappointment is the government has chosen not to engage closely with National on the child poverty legislation.
National are extremely experienced at getting the bureaucracy to conform to to specific targets (the discipline being more useful in a government than the levels that change from year to year).
Including National in the discussion early on rather than a quick briefing the day of bill introduction means that it cannot be a “National Park”, “NZSuper” or “Treaty of Waitangi Settlement” issue that is a cross-House commitment to finalise the issue and not make politics out of it.
This is the big mistake that the Clark government made with the Bill Of Rights Act, among others, which has meant that while BORA is a rider on every bill, it is now routinely disregarded.
Very hard to see this legislation now surviving a change of government.
While taking steps to improve child poverty numbers is worthy, shouldn’t the Government be ensuring that poverty overall is improving? After all, a less equal society is a less prosperous society.
Moreover, as parents of children are better compensated, the Government needs to ensure those struggling (without dependent children) aren’t becoming worse off going forward. Therefore, why not put measures in place to cover both?
Didn’t Ardern reach out to National not long after she was voted in? Therefore, wasn’t it National that failed to closely engage?
I am not sure what you mean by “overall”.
If by “overall” you mean all Departments should take account of it, trust me it quickly becomes one measure among a welter of competing bottom lines. Cynicism about multiple and conflicting bottom lines kicks in real quick and at every level.
The most useful thing this Act will do is seek to solidify the definition of poverty.
After that the state – no matter who is running it – can determine what instruments they use to eradicate it, and what funding to allocate.
Unless they include National enough to persuade them to vote for this bill, there will be no enduring common accountability framework that eradicates poverty.
Overall in this case simply refers to all those struggling in poverty that don’t have dependent children meeting Labour’s criteria.
“The most useful thing this Act will do is seek to solidify the definition of poverty “
It’s an unhelpful definition of poverty if those struggling in poverty that don’t have dependent children meeting Labour’s criteria are overlooked.
Whether it becomes merely another measure among a welter of competing bottom lines is up to the Government and whether it lays out its directives clearly (prioritising and straightening out any potential conflicting bottom lines).
Offering to include National is no guarantee National will accept the invitation or are in fact even interested in securing an enduring accountability framework.
National are interested because English repeatedly said so including this morning.
Also they have a 9 year track record on keeping major social initiatives that Labour formed.
There’s always going to be criteria. There’s no helicopter throwing sacks of cash out the window. Nature of bureacracy is to have order in redistribution. A system.
Bill comes out this afternoon. Definitions are in front.
Big questions when this many people are couning on it. Guarantee not all will be satisfied.
English implied it is largely already being done and questioned its effectiveness, especially as Labour’s fiscal restraints largely prevents them from further family income increases.
No one is suggesting throwing out sacks of cash. This is about Labours failure to account for all those in poverty and not merely people with dependent kids. The cutoff (having dependent children or not) leaves far too many (those without dependent children) to fall further through the cracks.
English implied (when pointing to the removal of other targets) lack of education as one of the reasons why people are in poverty. However, if there were more employment opportunities and the minimum wage was a living wage, those with low education levels would be far less likely to be in poverty, Which, of course, Bill completely overlooks.
Announced minimum wage increases partly address ‘overall’ poverty as you say. Labour’s election strategy was not to go too far left with their first term promises. More voters respond to children than adults suffering, sadly.
“English implied (when pointing to the removal of other targets) lack of education as one of the reasons why people are in poverty. However, if there were more employment opportunities and the minimum wage was a living wage, those with low education levels would be far less likely to be in poverty, Which, of course, Bill completely overlooks.”
It was around about that stage in his chat on Natrad this morning that I stomped out doing a fairly good impression of….
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjixdVvkfL4
“Jacinda Ardern wants Bill English’s backing for the Government’s new child poverty legislation.”
http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2017/12/govt-asks-national-for-child-poverty-law-support.html
“English was reluctant to say whether National will back the Government’s legislation but says Labour’s unlikely to have the cash it needs to deal with the problem long term.”
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/99745492/National-says-raising-incomes-is-what-addresses-child-poverty-in-the-long-term
I guess we have his answer, which is very hypocritical to say the least.
Govt poverty target ‘makes no sense
– Bill English
http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2018/01/govt-poverty-target-makes-no-sense-bill-english.html
Thanks, Louis. That was the reaching out I was referring to Ad above.
What you’d expect when National haven’t been consulted on the bills’ drafting and haven’t seen it.
They haven’t said no, but Labour have chosen to do the usual.
Sad😁
Presumably you’ve now seen that English was invited to be briefed well before Christmas. He didn’t take up the offer. Hard to have an input when you don’t engage.
Apparently, Labour even sent him a draft of their plans to look over in early December to comment on. So him saying he had not seen the draft to be able to comment on it was his own fault. He has had it in his possession for at least a month and a half.
Am totally hearing where you are coming from and agree with you Chairman. But sadly kids can’t change their poverty easily, especially babies, toddlers and primary school age children.
So looking forward to todays announcement, our new government brings hope for many.
I can only assume if you hear and agree with me you’ll also share in my disappointment that this isn’t being extended to cover all in poverty.
It’s another policy shortfall from Labour.
They’ve yet to be in power for a hundred days, yet these policy shortfalls of Labour are quickly adding up. TPP, minimum wage, cannabis reform, ban on foreign property investment etc, and now this.
If Labour continue on like this they risk voter disappointment outshining the small gains made.
In a time when much is required to be done, Labour are becoming known as the party of baby steps. Too little too late.
Winter energy payment will help the oldies and beneficiaries so much, thanks to the new government.
A year free tertiary education will help youth re poverty.
I wouldn’t be calling them out on cannabis law reform, that’s coming today and tomorrow, go for it Chloe.
I doubt anyone is bumming out that changes are being made on foreign ownership, apart from foreigners.
TPP has changed so so much, the things many were worried about seem to have been taken care of, prior government said it couldn’t change it, turns out they didn’t even try.
We’ve had a new government after nine long hard years for only 100 days, during which we’ve had a summer break.
nat’s are looking for holes instead of solutions, it’s almost like they see poverty as a competition, that’s what really fucks me off. Can’t even work with others to help solve the problem, unless it’s on their terms, selfish competitive thinking which solves nada.
Kids come first, it’s not like a toddler can get out there and find a part time job. Looking forward to todays announcements, loving the new government.
With the deficits many in poverty face, winter energy payments are a nice gesture but will provide little help. Too little.
A year free tertiary education is being blamed for an influx of students adding to rental pressure, thus higher rents in student towns.
Moreover, it’s far from free education. So again, too little
The cannabis reform being voted upon today can certainly be called out for falling far too short. And is.
The changes to foreign ownership exempts far too many foreign investors and is limited to existing houses, hence it’s not only foreign investors impacted that are bummed. This is one of those policies that Labour have managed to disappoint both sides.
While the TPP has had some changes, for a number, those changes don’t go far enough. Hence, the widespread disappointment with Labour when they announced they would support it.
We have a health crisis, a housing crisis etc and yet this lot were happy to take a Christmas break? I would have expected them to put their break on hold and deal to the crisis first.
As for the Nats, we know they are useless, but that doesn’t excuse Labours shortcomings.
As for you loving the new government despite it’s shortcomings, well some are easy to please. I expect them to do a lot better, hence don’t accept this lowering of the bar that you’re demonstrating. It’s counterproductive in getting them to lift their game, which I assume you would also love them to do.
Jacinda is backing the Greens cannabis bill.
I’m not expecting everything at once, certainly not in the first 100 days after nine years of the nats. But I’m seeing progress, of course with any changes there will also be stumbling blocks.
I think they are doing OK at present, there’s always room for improvement, but I’m happy to wait a bit longer before asking them to lift their game. I think bills a gone burger, he hasn’t lifted his game in decades.
At a guess I’d say most of those in the new government spent a good portion of their holidays working/reading/engaging with the public/researching etc.
Cup half full and all that 🙂
Cup half full and all that 🙂 – yes – so agree Cinny. Hopefully we have at least another 9 years to fill the cup to the brim!! 🙂
“After all, a less equal society is a less prosperous society”.
Would you care to explain exactly what you mean by this statement?
The usual measure of equality is the Gini Coefficient. Albania has a GDP/capita (PPP) of $12,500. It has a Gini coefficient of 0.29.
The USA has equivalent figures of $59,500 and 0.45.
Thus Albania is more “equal” than the USA.
Are you seriously trying to tell us that Albania is more “prosperous” than the USA?
The poverty level is a purely relative thing. It is generally determined by calculating whether someone has an income that is less than some percentage of the average income for the country.
If you had a country where the entire population had an income below about $700/year, which the World Bank considers to be the absolute poverty level, but which had a Gini coefficient of 0 then by the “poverty measures” we use in New Zealand there would be no-one in poverty as we use a relative figure. If everyone has the same income then there is no-one in poverty as we calculate the term.
“Would you care to explain exactly what you mean by this statement?”
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11371860
Oh look – Alwyn resorts to reductio ad absurdum again as a debating technique. What a cheap rhetorical trick it is.
AB they hunt in packs these trolls, same names same useless gum beating.
I ignore them now as they are so predictable.
“I ignore them now”.
I had noticed that. You happily ask people to justify and give links to things you don’t like, or understand, but when asked to justify statements you have made you always ignore the request.
Are you going to reply to the request I made asking you to explain when Joyce was Minister of Broadcasting?
https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-26-01-2018/#comment-1439892
I’m not surprised at the lack of engagement, given National’s attitude, particularly on child poverty, which they denied until the election campaign.
The trick in government is to actually achieve something enduring.
I sure didn’t vote for National this election, but poverty can only be eradicated over multiple parliamentary terms.
But national don’t care about poverty.
So the only solution is to have lab/grn in govt for multiple terms.
Yep – and make poverty as unthinkable as, say, burning witches. These are deliberate ethical choices after all.
+1 Louis
If I remember correctly while the nats were in power they refused to take part in cross party groups to tackle child poverty, such was their selfishness and egomania.
That is correct Cinny. So, its no wonder the government has been reluctant (if, indeed they have) to be too accommodating with National. Trust is a key element in any negotiation and on this issue National didn’t exactly endear themselves to the cause.
Not quite the same…and there is every chance that Labour would have done the same thing if they were in Government at the time.
A/ Opposition parties ask the Government to participate in cross-party group…
B/ Government asks for the opposition to participate in cross-party group…
See the difference?
One can be seen as weak (A) while the other being inclusive and strong (B).
You may not agree, but its politics that all sides play.
But we now know that in this case B happened. Unfortunately, so did C – opposition ignores invitation.
Haha yep, I have to agree!
“which they denied until the election campaign”
This is patently incorrect. English and other senior National cabinet ministers had put considerable effort into understanding and developing programmes to combat child poverty.
Importantly they thought carefully about how to measure the effectiveness of these programmes in terms of reducing child poverty. Measurement of success is an essential component of such programmes.
Labour would have benefited from taking the initiative to discuss National’s approach to eliminating child poverty; and would have increased the prospect of a cross party agreement on the matter.
+100
Paula Bennett disputes UNICEF poverty report
http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2017/06/paula-bennett-disputes-unicef-poverty-report.html
“Social Development Minister Paula Bennett has been accused of being flippant about child poverty by saying measuring poverty was difficult because children moved in and out of poverty on a daily or weekly basis.”
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10827507
11 April 2013
” Mr Speaker, there is not a government measure for poverty.. [laughs]… gosh… [laughs]”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cck1y6kM5c8
Gosh, this large person bounces up and down trumpeting ‘There is not a government measure for poverty’ laughs derisively at Jacinda Ardern.
Says it all about Gnashional and their dismissive attitude to everything that matters to the ordinary citizen of NZ.
“Gosh, this large person bounces ”
Why do people like you think its OK to attack a woman’s weight / size.
bouncing has nothing to do with weight, bouncing is about being excited or hypo. JS… and paula knows she is large and is doing something about it, so i can’t see the offense in Greys comment.
“bounce up and down
To hop up and down. The kids started bouncing up and down when they heard school was closed for the day.”
But hey good try at changing the narrative James
james got nothing but a bunch of amoral tory scum he supports, so faux moral crisis are his speciality.
I did it just to draw you out from under your stone James, you hypocrite.
And why can’t people accept that being fat is something okay. Why if someone chooses to toss off a remark the response is just ‘So’? There is no reason to feel sorry and protective of fat people, except that we dislike it and that is not our right to pass judgment on being fat. Accept it, and accept the occasional rude remark and self-accept and just ride above it is the healthy way to deal with attitudes. What is unhealthy is when you are prevented from walking far as I am because I am both fat and so unfit.
The terrific detective in Reginald Hill’s detective novels, Andy played by Warren somebody on TV in the Dalziel and Pascoe series was nicknamed the Fat Bastard. He was great as a character, a great person and annoying and unreasonable at times, but still liked because of his personal attributes.
“I did it just to draw you out from under your stone James, you hypocrite”
No – you body shame on your own – you own it.
nat’s aren’t into cross party task forces and groups to tackle any of NZ’s major problems, it’s either their way or no way, another reason am so pleased about a change of government
the nats didn’t wan’t to take part in a cross party group tackling domestic violence and child abuse either
did paula bring down the rates of domestic violence and child abuse since this defensive rant from 2014?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=u3WTZPB1GBM
At what stage of their 9-year period of ‘governance’ did National roll out these “programmes to combat child poverty”?
Doubt we will have to wait that long to see that child poverty is more of a priority for the current Labour-led government than it ever was for National.
National’s approach, as usual was to pretend to do something, while their overall policies made the problem worse.
100% correct Louis.
Labour wrote National a letter and asked for feedback and consultation.
Which National then ignored.
Really, you should know better than to believe anything that National says.
Better yet, ignored and then tried to claim cheap political points off the idea they hadn’t been briefed. I bet there is some surprise in the NAct camp that the media actually did some fact checking on this one…
“Better yet, ignored and then tried to claim cheap political points off the idea they hadn’t been briefed.”
No English did not ignore it…he (and his COS) simply fucked up and forgot.
Arderns office would have emailed the letter to the media minutes after English said he had no contact with Arderns office.
It was sloppy from English, the letter was a half-hearted attempt by Ardern to be inclusive. But well played by Labour on this one.
I dont believe that the letter was a “half-hearted attempt by Ardern to be inclusive” at all. Quite the opposite.
Yes it shows dishonesty is well alive in the national camp.
[Citation Needed]
But don’t bother. We know you can’t provide any proof of Labour being half-hearted about it which means that you’re lying.
It also means that you’re being defamatory.
“Ardern denied Labour had not made a genuine effort to engage National, saying she had provided details of the bill more than a month before it was due to be released.”
“English’s response was to accept a briefing for the new year and urge Ardern to retain the public service targets, saying they had created a “step change” in the way the public service worked.”
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11984753
Providing “details” is not engaging in genuine dialog on the matter English raised before putting the public service targets in the bin.
I am not saying National would not have done something similar if the shoe was on the other foot.
So get over it DTB! and enjoy the moment…
Sure, get over the fact that Her Majesty’s loyal opposition is represented by lying cowardly scum who shit on people as a perfect representation of everything they believe in.
Can you explain how you manage to get over it?
“Can you explain how you manage to get over it?”
We are poles apart in our ideology OAB, Bill English could cure cancer and you would still see him as scum.
I am prepared to see how this Government delivers on all its hype and promises…but they too play the game of politics and talk is cheap.
Ideally, we would have true cross-party engagement on issues like this. Both sides are to blame.
But what he’d actually do would be to prevent a cure from being developed, especially if it prevented profits for big business, by saying that it cost too much while giving tax cuts to rich people.
No they don’t. They especially don’t continuously lie the way that National does.
Dirty Politics was about the corrupt actions of National.
Ideally our representatives would be representing the majority of people and what the people think should happen but instead most of them are more concerned with what the rich and powerful want.
All English has to do is to stop telling lies. But so long as people like you keep making excuses for him, and enabling him with your support, he won’t.
She provided details of the bill including when it would be put before parliament for a vote and asked for National to contribute and the lazy schmucks in National decided not to do anything and are now lying to cover their arse.
“Softly Softly catchee monkey.” Get this over the line and the framework is in place for sustainable anti poverty targets. It will then be simple to add sectors.
Bill lied!!
+1 Patricia
Spot on Patricia,
Have to agree 100% Labour are doing the slow walk whiel ensuring the issues are fully considered correctly.
“Softly softly catchee monkey” tactfully done by labour.
National can’t see this can they?
Blinglish at it again on Morning Report. The interviewer gave him enough rope and he came close to hanging himself. Oh, the absolute fucking irony of an ex Natzi PM banging on about things his government ignored or denied until they were up for re-election – not.
He has the temerity to criticise the coalition for doing some work in the areas of child poverty, poor or unavailable housing, wage equity, poverty in general, when his crew spend all their PR energies telling us they were doing something when they weren’t.
Can you see the huge gap in credibility between denying problems then saying what you’re doing about it? Un-bloody-believable! And then . . popping up now to criticise people who ARE doing something about the issues.
They live in an alternative world, not a place i’d like to inhabit.
Stop reading your rantings once you start using terms like “Natzi PM”.
Just shows you are incapable of reasoned thought or objectivity.
OK James, have been objectively watching this nasty nats party slowly devalue just about everything in this country for 9 years . . . oh, sorry, not everything. What’s still good, great even? Big business, banks, rip-off local councils, anything where money flows upwards and individuals barely tread water in their fight to just stay afloat.
Noticed anything like that happening? Well, you wouldn’t. It took the labia party, NZ lost and the groan party to do something for everyman. Feel better now?
Doogs
These National supporters cant take those national rose coloured sunglasses off yet.
They may wake when winter comes, and they don’t need these sunglasses so they might see the truth then; maybe or not.
Bill is late to the party. His child poverty target only happened when Gower handed it to him in the debates — he has no credibility on the issue whatsoever.
+100 SM
Manuka honey. Government not supporting our family businesses. Quite perverse I consider.
09:05 Beekeepers welcome MPI U-turn on Manuka honey
NZ Beekeeping was set to take MPI to the High Court, starting today, over its proposed export standard on the premium honey. The industry group maintained that the standard would have meant more than 100 million dollars a year in export products could no longer be called manuka honey, and would have caused major damage to the rural economy. Yesterday, MPI agreed not to change the definition and NZ Beekeeping withdrew the legal action. Kathryn talks with NZ Beekeeping president Russell Berry and spokesperson for the UMF Honey Associaton John Rawcliffe.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2018629923/beekeepers-welcome-mpi-u-turn-on-manuka-honey
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/100945501/beekeepers-take-mpi-to-high-court-over-mnuka-honey-standard
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/100976518/mpis-definition-of-mnuka-honey-changed-on-eve-of-legal-challenge-from-beekeepers
https://www.mpi.govt.nz/growing-and-harvesting/honey-and-bees/manuka-honey/
http://www.airborne.co.nz/links.shtml
Comvita very interested in this business.
https://www.comvita.co.nz/about-us
https://www.comvita.co.nz/store/investor-centre
https://www.comvita.co.nz/store/comvitanz/board-of-directors
https://www.comvita.co.nz/store/comvitanz/leadership-team
Surely its far better to have an industry standard ,it will be far more damageing to nzs Manuka brand if its found to be any old shit with a Manuka Labal on it
“Is your superfood honey FAKE? Experts reveal that three times more jars of healing manuka are sold around the world than being produced in New Zealand”
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3066381/Is-superfood-honey-FAKE-jars-manuka-sold-world-produced-New-Zealand.html
In 2013 the Consumer Council of Hong Kong announced nz manuka honey had been adulterated by cane sugar, antibiotics and pesticides.
“Manuka honey fall fouls of overseas tests”
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/8928858/Manuka-honey-fall-fouls-of-overseas-tests
I was at a meeting last night where government ministers spoke.
One stated and repeated that they had “a pollyannish” view of the future: that AGW presented NZ with opportunities. And they had no awareness that government policies around AGW are predicated on information that, at a very fundamental level, lacks scientific credibility.
So I’m a bit bummed out today.
On the bright side, although the meeting was attended by a large set of people who at first glance might be said to be aging and middle class, the only spontaneous applause of the night was for audience members who threw down the gauntlet and challenged the idea that current economic arrangements should be protected or preserved.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11981063
“The valuation of the Hapua St house – home to the same tenant for 37 years”
Wow! 37 years in a state house, and here I though the purpose of the welfare system was to help people when they needed it, not for a lifetime. No wonder we don’t have enough state housing, people never seem to leave.
Wow, the envy is palpable!
The 81-year old said if he had a choice he wouldn’t live there.
37 years ago he was 44 when he may have hit hard times, it was also 1981 before the famous NZ stock market crash, before we had child poverty, before we had a housing crisis, before we even knew what climate change was – I’m not sure what I’m meant to be envious about.
I can admit to being slightly envious of someone who has benefited from state-subsidised housing for 37 years. You’re either in denial, or considerably richer than me…
Indiana
You are always light on deep thought. You said state housing was to ‘help people when they need it’. Obviously he did need it. The ‘social welfare’ system has for decades been pushing people out of state housing so if they couldn’t push him out, there was something preventing that.
Fair call. Is it also fair for State Hosing to relocate this person to a another state house (apparently there are 1411 empty state homes) , so they could sell the property to release its value to increase the state housing stock?
No. Because that’s just a distraction from the fact that policy decisions at the government level have cut 5000 houses off the HNZ stock over the last ten years or so.
One house sale does fuck all compared to a government that actually wants to house people.
Indiana
Not a fair call. First you have a go at tenant for needing a state house for more than a set period of time. Then you turn around and criticise gummint for the way they have managed housing stock?
I wonder – do you care about anything? You seem to just want something to be negative about to prod TS to say something. Does that make you feel important, very wise and objective about the hoi polloi? Ultimately it would be good at the end of a discussion to feel that we had seen a better way of doing something rather than look for someone or thing to fault. Do you agree?
I remember the Cub of Rome report in the early 70s, which talked about climate change.
Here I am again suggesting that you actually read something before hitting your keyboard/phone. I really don’t know whether you have actual reading problems or are naturally obtuse – or deliberately so.
The Herald article states:
The artist had moved into the home 37 years ago with his wife, who was unwell. She died not long after they moved in.
The man has watched as houses around him were built and the tiny road become increasingly clogged with parked cars.
He said if he had a choice he wouldn’t live there – the area had become too busy for his liking.
But he’s made it home, carpeting the floors, fixing the walls, tending to the garden and filling the humble lounge with his array of paintings and carvings.
If you look at the photo of the house itself, there is a long ramp up to a small deck with access into the house via french doors – suggesting wheelchair access. Whether that was for his wife or himself (or both) is unclear.
If he has longterm/permanent mobility and/or other disabilities requiring this type of access and other modifications inside the house, then it makes sense that he has been allowed to remained in the house since his wife’s death. Otherwise, as greywarshark has pointed out, he would probably have been moved out years ago.
No mention of the 667 empty properties, nor the 1411 state homes were sitting empty. You instead attack one individual to score points.
What a amoral individual you are indiana, maybe you want to have a we look at yourself as an individual, and ask why you want to pick on people rather than offer solutions or look at the bigger picture.
AND most of the value is in the land, NOT the building.
He’s added a lot of value to that house hasn’t he undie.
Wasn’t the philosophy behind state housing that it was a roof over people’s head for life?
Indiana;
Bloody obvious you didn’t grow up in our time here in a NZ who guaranteed everyone a home under “state housing” in the 1950’s that was how things were here then.
Many never owned there own home so this was quite common back then.
Restricting debate because you do not agree with a particular aspect of that debate is bullshit.
How can you have a debate about a topic unless all aspects of that topic are there to be argued for or against?
Easiest way is just don’t reply to people who’s views you disagree with.
[TheStandard: A moderator moved this comment to Open Mike as being off topic or irrelevant in the post it was made in. Be more careful in future.]
“Easiest way is just don’t reply to people who’s views you disagree with.”
It’s still a derail if I don’t reply but the thread fills up with stupidity.
We’ve had debates with denialists ad nauseum (and some of the other authors still let that happen under their posts). The topic for debate under *this thread isn’t whether climate change is real or not (nor whether it’s too late to do anything or not). TS isn’t a free for all, and it’s quite normal for off-topic comments to be moved off thread. I just like to save myself the bother by making the boundaries clear up front.
You can hash it out in Open Mike if you want.
100% LOL I agree, weka,
No sense in beating heads here it wastes time and purpose.
News on the nuclear energy front – the US Nuclear Regulatory Commision has approved a small modular reactor design as being “walk-away safe”, ie it won’t release radiation or melt down even with total loss of control in any kind of natural disaster.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesconca/2018/01/24/can-we-make-a-nuclear-reactor-that-wont-melt-down/#488f7c2b5b7e
https://dailyenergyinsider.com/news/10128-nrc-approves-key-safety-aspect-nuscales-small-modular-reactor-design/
New Zealand has such abundant natural renewable energy resources that I can’t see something like this ever getting installed on land here. But a 50MW power output is ideal for a large ship. So I think we need to get used to the idea that a zero-carbon future will include ships powered by reactors like this in our harbours. If a worldwide carbon price gets imposed, that future might come at us very quickly.
That’s pretty much what I’ve been thinking for the last few years.
As part of the original “Nuclear weapons free” movement we were never opposed to the safe future use of nuclear technology if/when it became available.
It was always about weapons.
Sounds interesting, I think nuclear power could be great if the current problems can be overcome. That reactor looks like a great step for safety. The waste problem still remains I suspect.
uThis might get me banned although not denial.
We have scientific proof if weather modification. It would be nice to think that the TPPA would permit us to legislate a against more aluminum being dumped into our sky.
NZ needs to move on this in what would be a world first.
We also must implement grey water as part of all new builds and retrofit as soon as possible.
I feel like I’m the only one taking about this but hope just one of you will catch on. I don’t even read replies because I’m certain they will just attack me/my post whatever.
GeoEngineering is a reality. Only part of the issue but it has to stop. http://geoengineeringwatch.org
[TheStandard: A moderator moved this comment to Open Mike as being off topic or irrelevant in the post it was made in. Be more careful in future.]
won’t get you banned, but it obviously likely to cause a derail if people react to it, so moving it to OM.
Weapons development and advancement…has a long and ongoing record…that is known about…
It would be a hardy soul who could believe weather modification was not occurring in present time…
Highly probable to have been going on for many decades … minimum…
Good wee write up on BOOTS THEORY
https://bootstheory.nz/2018/01/30/a-quick-and-clean-exit/
No need for panic!!!
No need for concern.
The god botherers are on the case!!!
All will be well (in their world) when that fella Jesus is returned to his rightful position in the House.
”
henry cooke
✔
@henrycooke
About 250 folks on Parliament lawn looking to keep mentions of Jesus in the Parliamentary Prayer
12:01 PM – Jan 30, 2018
7 7 Replies Retweets 1 1 like
Twitter Ads info and privacy
Hi everyone, I’m out on the forecourt of Parliament where about 300 or so Christians are tallying in an attempt to keep mentions of Jesus in the Parliamentary prayer. Speaker Trevor Mallard has yet to make a decision on this but will obviously have to make one by 2pm when the House opens for the first time this year.
Spokesman Ross Smith told me he and a delegation met with the Speaker just before Christmas and he hasn’t heard from them since then. He’s here praying for all MPs and the new Government, and is still hopeful Jesus will stay in the prayer. Even if he doesn’t however Smith says this rally – which is quite impressively staged – will have been worth it.”
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/100991126/live-political-year-starts-with-vote-on-medicinal-cannabis-bill
hallelujah!!!
Bullshit A is for________. If the smelter dosnt get the volume to justify 14,000kwh at about 5 cents per kWh. The smelter will go the way of John Keys political career.
[TheStandard: A moderator moved this comment to Open Mike as being off topic or irrelevant in the post it was made in. Be more careful in future.]
[Antoine said >>You can’t just ‘shut down the smelter until the crisis is over’, it doesn’t work like that.<<
afaik Antoine is correct – you can't shut down Tiwai for a period of time and then start it up again. Once you shut it down, that's it (too expensive to restart I think).
But that could have sorted out amongst adults in the original thread. You appear intent on behaving like a child. You've been warned about being abusive in the past (only a few days ago) and now you've been stupid enough to do that shit under one of my posts and have my too hot an afternoon, irritated at having to go look things up, moderator attention. I hope I have yours. You are now warned that if you continue to post pointless personal abuse you will be banned (in part for shitstirring, but also for wasting moderator time). Any questions, feel free to ask – weka]
Which bit was the bullshit??
About 90% of everything you’ve written down on the standard. 😄👌👍🖕
moderator note for you to respond to above.
No
[2 week ban. – weka]
[just seen you are already in the ban list and posting despite that, so doubling your previous ban (until May) – weka]
[upgraded to permanent ban – weka]
> A is for________
I think this might be my new sig. Like ‘V is for Vendetta’ but a bit more understated
A.
😆
Anyone with a gram of compassion in their being would be voting in favour of the medicinal cannabis bill.
Personally I’d prefer decriminalisation of cannabis altogether. However if the present bill becomes law, then that’s progress in the right direction.
#I’m with Chloe.
The last green member with a #I’m with…. hashtag didnt end too well.
@ James 13.1) … I know you are referring to Meteria Turei, which has nothing to do with the topic. Or have I missed something along the way? So please explain the connection between Meteria and Chloe Swarbrick’s medicinal cannabis bill for me please?
I thought it pretty clear – I was talking about the Hashtag
Chloe, would not have been author of the bill…
Really @ One Two (13.2)? Funny that, because I received an email from Chloe Swarbrick thanking me for my support for “her” bill, as no doubt did many other supporters! Sent 6.26pm this evening, Tuesday 30 January 2018!
Mary_a
Receiving an email of thanks does not prove being author the bill…I doubt she authored the email…
Nothing in Chloes background indicates she could have authored the medical weed bill…
Nothing in your comments indicates you know a damned thing about her background, so there’s that, too.
But if the bill was written by someone other than her, the authors or whomever thought she was best placed out of all the coalition MPs to sponsor it.
Maybe they knew more about her background than you do?
Her background is matter of public record…seemingly you’ve not thought through your response, McFlock
Of course Chloe is the sponsor….and of the available options…an understandable one…
But she didn’t author the bill without considerable assistance…if she was involved at all…
The levels of misplaced ‘belief’ on this site, are substantial…
Would give you more credit…although you’ve essentially agreed with my position….
You don’t have a fucking position. What, you think that her public record is the same as her academic record or lists of interests? Now you’ve gone from “wouldn’t have authored” (which means no involvement in its construction) to “without considerable assistance”.
But my point is that it doesn’t fucking matter. She’s the one putting her name and reputation behind it. She’s the one making the effort. She’s the one saying the government bill doesn’t go far enough. And you still want to take a dump on that because it might not have been crafted by a single MP with no contribution from others.
Whatever. It’s still probably more than you’ve ever done.
Put a curfew on yourself because your responses are a garbled mess…
My position has been stated. Swarbrick did not author the bill…
You’re authoring credits are more credible…
As for the final sentence…
Come on man…that’s awful…
it’s probably more true than anything you’ve said, no matter how you want to flipflop
Oh I don’t know about that…
She has a clue, after all…
As opposed to people who have zero clue, that is…
…and put ellipses at the end of all their comments as though they have something substantive to say…
…
…
Eh…
mary_a, I am going to ignore the others playing ‘I am more ignorant than you’ with each other in this thread, but here is some background on the Bill now under Chloe’s name.
The proposed Bill authored by Julie Anne Genter was originally put into the Member’s Bill ballot and drawn out of the ballot in June 2017 but not put before the House for 1st Reading before the House rose for the General Election.
Here is a link to the Parliamentary website on the proposed Bill and its history.
https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/bills-and-laws/bills-digests/document/51PLLaw25061/misuse-of-drugs-medicinal-cannabis-and-other-matters
Once the new Government was formed, Julie Anne Genter could no longer lead the Bill as she is now Minister of Women (and Associate Minister of Health and of Transport) and Ministers cannot put forward Member’s Bills. So on becoming a Minister, JA Genter had to hand this Bill over to another Green Party MP who was not a Minister – hence Chloe Swarbrick now leading it.
There were a lot of media articles on this before Christmas but here is a link to an excellent article on the Bill on a website I visited for the first time this morning.
I was pleasantly surprised to find it this site one by young people (Kiwis) for young people. I will be keeping an eye on this site as this is the sort of thing we need to get youth more involved ( but being an old skeptic I want to find out a little more about its background etc).
http://tearaway.co.nz/28217-2/
Nice song Thane from the Rock radio Ka pai
Umm. Thane Kirby is a bully and a sexist. There’s nothing Ka pai about him.
Best story. Ever.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/100911544/mps-potential-prizewinning-pumpkin-cut-in-alleged-act-of-political-sabotage
Classic!
I honestly can’t tell if they are serious or not.
The Art of War states that you should know your adversaries better than you know yourself. This is why the USA spies on everyone on Papatuanukue yes everyone
The USA is using us to spy on the rest of the World and everyone in NZ
Here is a link to back my consenrns
NZ ‘spying’ for Trump
11 min ago
Protesters outside a government spy base have called for New Zealand to stop “working for Trump”.
PS keep the tinfoil for your barbecue boys K. Ana to kai
I have decided not to write about the sandflys as it a waste of my precious time. I will write about them when I need to check there dumb moves.
Ana to kai here is the link I tryed to post
NZ ‘spying’ for Trump
11 min ago
Protesters outside a government spy base have called for New Zealand to stop “working for Trump”.
Some things wrong with this device I will try a new one or trumps tentacles have reached to block that story
https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/100970736/new-zealand-spying-to-make-america-great–spy-base-protesters
Here it is a link to protest at Waihopai spy base Ana to kai