Open mike 22/01/2014

Written By: - Date published: 7:07 am, January 22nd, 2014 - 159 comments
Categories: open mike - Tags:

openmike

Open mike is your post.

For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose.

The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy).

Step right up to the mike …

159 comments on “Open mike 22/01/2014 ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. phillip ure 1
    22 January 2014 at 7:14 am

    it’s wednesday..

    ..so why not start the day by singing/dancing..

    ..and just generally grooving..?

    ..here is 82 mins of the best of ‘soul-train’..

    ..that’ll do the trick for ya..eh..?

    http://boingboing.net/2014/01/20/soul-train-line-compilation.html

    (this one deserves bookmarking…)

    phillip ure..

    • vto 1.1
      22 January 2014 at 9:34 am

      Most excellent. I can even tell which one is you mr ure.

    • TE 1.2
      22 January 2014 at 2:41 pm

      Thanks for the link absolutly fantastic way to start the day,
      I enjoy your comments very much and I must say I understand them at first glance, 🙂

      • phillip ure 1.2.1
        22 January 2014 at 11:24 pm

        chrs…te..

        ..it is a good way to start the the day..

        ..and end it..(‘i’ve just finished a four hour session..got a music-glow on right now..)

        ..i’ve decided to pick a choice track each day for whoar..

        ..so i’ll throw it up here too..

        ..i’ve got a very cool one for tomorrow..

        ..i’ll try for good/unknown..or killer-versions of something better known..

        ..i think having unifying factors in this upcoming year of conflict/turmoil..

        ..won’t hurt..

        ..(and who could not enjoy watching/listening to that soul-train link above..eh..?

        ..you’d have to be made of stone/tone-deaf..

        ..phillip ure..

  2. Ad 2
    22 January 2014 at 7:16 am

    Excellent positioning for the week:

    Key sets out clearly how he is desperate to achieve sustaining the grip on power by all democratic means necessary… and that sordid story gets to rot in public a week

    Six days of news cycle, by formal speech, Cunliffe will set out what the ideals to aspire to are for New Zealand, concentrate on child poverty, and how to achieve opportunity for all.

    Can’t think of a better way to start the political year going into the opening of parliament.

    • ak 2.1
      22 January 2014 at 7:54 am

      Quite right Ad.

      And a new minister of Local Gummint no less – as the rats leaving the sinking ship can be more accurately described as mice leaving the stinking ship, here’s an ex-DPB wahine of no great airs and grace for the silver-spoon misogeny old boys club to chew on.

      There’s a distinct and pervasive smell seeping out of Torytown now: Gower and the rest of the rent-children have seen the descent to the gutter, watched the mice and those with a trace of dignity and judgement still intact head for the hills: and truth, purity and justice grow in strength again for the first time in years.

      Kia kaha Standardistas and all believers in humanity: the time has come, this year is yours.

    • veutoviper 2.2
      22 January 2014 at 8:37 am

      The focus will probably change tomorrow (Thursday) when Key gives his State of the Nation speech – and his announcements of potential coalition partners yesterday was probably planned on this probable change of focus.

      According to Vernon Small, Key’s State of the Nation speech is expected to focus on education. See the last paragraph in Small’s article on Stuff.

      http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/9636040/Nats-won-t-rule-out-talks-with-Peters

      However, having Key’s speech before Cunliffe’s gives Cunliffe the opportunity to counter Key’s speech in his own one on Monday.

  3. phillip ure 3
    22 January 2014 at 7:49 am

    breaking news..!

    ..tvone breakfast ‘team’ ‘discover’ that school tuck-shops sell sugar/crap-laden unhealthy drinks/food to school children..

    ..rawdon christie is in shock..and needing consoling from his colleagues..

    ..(and funny story..!..that deep-as-a-petrie-dish christie is one of those access-media/neo-lib-apologist trouts..

    ..who would have run with that ‘nanny-state’-meme….

    ..and probably cheered the key tory party when they removed any restrictions on what children could be sold in school tuck-shops.

    ..(one of their first acts..so ensuring primary-school children are early-addicted to sugar/salt/fat/caffeine-laden crap..was obviously high on their urgent-to-do list..

    ..they do have their advertisers/corporate-supporters to think of..eh..?..and the promises/nods/winks they had give them..)

    ..’gotta get that nanny-state out of our lives..!..we demand the right to addict our children to whatever we choose..!’

    ..eh rawdon..?..)

    (..but be reassured..!..

    ..that other ‘expert’..that weather-youth..

    ..he had an anecdotal or two..that ‘proved’ that we really have to problem at all..

    (whew..!..that’s a relief..!..eh..?..)

    ..and all over town energy-drink marketeers were ordering that cases of their product be sent to that weather-guru..)

    phillip ure..

    • Paul 3.1
      22 January 2014 at 9:11 am

      You deserve a medal for listening to Christie and the rest on breakfast.

      • phillip ure 3.1.1
        22 January 2014 at 9:42 am

        @ paul..

        ..to be honest..it is only a few days in..and my spirit is sagging..

        ..it is such unrelentingly/multi-faceted ‘bad’..

        ..i can’t see me lasting much longer..

        ..and i flicked over to three..and horror of horrors..!

        ..their (excruciatingly-boring) business-person has been upgraded to co-host..(!)

        ..i lasted there about three minutes..

        ..it’s not looking good..eh..?

        phillip ure..

  4. Flip 4
    22 January 2014 at 8:12 am

    Often politicians talk about growth. What sort of growth? What does the Labour Party (DC) mean when talking of growth? If making the pie (economy/GDP) bigger then it is more of the same neo-lib BS. If increasing the share of wealth to the less wealthy you then have a socialist policy.

    Where is that growth coming from and what sort of consumption growth? If it is growth in consumption of imports, debt, population, resource consumption then there is little sustainable benefit to NZ.

    Desirable growth include:
    Growth in the efficiency of resource usage NOT more resource usage.
    Growth in the value of sustainable exported goods NOT just quantities.
    Growth in employment, quality of work, income for the less well off. NOT longer hours, poorer conditions and pay rises for execs, or reduced number of jobs.

    These are growth goals for the left.

    • Colonial Viper 4.1
      22 January 2014 at 8:39 am

      Correct. Uneconomic growth, i.e. growth which leaves people behind, worsens disparity, damages the prospects of future generations, harms the environment, is unsustainable, benefits only those far from where the work is actually done…that kind of growth must be singled out and halted in its tracks.

    • weka 4.2
      22 January 2014 at 8:45 am

      hmmm… ok, so perpetual growth on a finite planet (or series of islands) is a special kind of madness. So do we attempt to re-appropriate the word ‘growth’ to mean something sustainable? Or do we replace the whole concept (eg steady state economy)?

      • jcuknz 4.2.2
        22 January 2014 at 9:30 am

        Nice to see it is not just me writing about the folly of ever expanding consumption on a finite world millions of lightyears from just maybe expansion room.

        • Colonial Viper 4.2.2.1
          22 January 2014 at 9:34 am

          There’s always Titan…or the Moon…hey, what happened to the awesome Moonbase we were promised in Space: 1999? Way over schedule.

      • Flip 4.2.3
        22 January 2014 at 3:01 pm

        Probably hard to re-appropriate words but need to distinguish politically types of growth advocated between the parties. Make a point of difference.
        Also difficult to solve the worlds problems but we can work on making NZ an example to the world of how to run a society and an economy. At least look after our own interests properly and not give stuff away cheaply. Nobody else seems to have any clues. All a bunch of lemmings following USA over the cliff.

  5. bad12 5
    22 January 2014 at 8:23 am

    David Cunliffe on RadioNZ National just now, a good interview outlining Labour’s position,(nothing new there),

    Relaxed as, even to the point of what sounded like genuine laughter at Slippery the Prime Ministers 6 headed monster when it comes to Nationals coalition choices…

    • veutoviper 5.1
      22 January 2014 at 8:39 am

      Agreed that it was a good interview – relaxed but clear and to the point. Loved his two instances of very natural laughter.

      • Puckish Rogue 5.1.1
        22 January 2014 at 9:16 am

        Loved his two instances of very natural laughter.

        – Well its something he needs to work on so good on him

      • Rosie 5.1.2
        22 January 2014 at 9:46 am

        Apologies in advance for being shallow. It has only just occurred to me what a lovely sounding voice Cunliffe has, so ………………….soothing and pleasant to listen to. Aaaah.

        Unlike Key’s, whose voice cause the teeth to grind, the knuckles to clench and the blood pressure to raise.

        • Will@Welly 5.1.2.1
          22 January 2014 at 10:34 am

          Chill. Take a pill. Go for a walk. We need your vote come election time. Not a cot-case, stressed out because of old slippery snake oil.

  6. Colonial Viper 6
    22 January 2014 at 8:53 am

    UK barman attempts citizens arrest of Tony Blair

    “[Blair] was sitting at the head of a table upstairs with about eight other people eating dinner. I think he was out with his family and a few friends,” Garcia said. “I went over to him, put my hand on his shoulder and said, ‘Mr. Blair, this is a citizen’s arrest for a crime against peace, namely your decision to launch an unprovoked war against Iraq. I am inviting you to accompany me to a police station to answer the charge.’”

    This is the perfect example of how to make these “leaders” (of societal death and destruction) pay a daily and social price for their malfeasance.

    http://rt.com/news/blair-iraq-war-crimes-law-949/

    • greywarbler 6.1
      22 January 2014 at 9:36 am

      Good one Garcia. Even if you are trying to be a comedian, what a great idea. It would be good to carry out citizens arrests on old politicians who have wormed their way into the consciousness of the people and have created a fact-free, untouchable tunnel of love for themselves. Sort of like termites into solid wood. Berlusconi to get the treatment, everyone would find it arresting!
      Locally, I’d love to do it to Sir Roger Douglarse.

    • Rosie 6.2
      22 January 2014 at 9:47 am

      Excellent.

    • miravox 6.3
      22 January 2014 at 10:06 am

      A great initiative

      It seems Mr Blair may soon have more trouble travelling without security in Britain than he does in the Middle-East.

      • stargazer 6.3.1
        22 January 2014 at 3:29 pm

        reminds me of the time when AUSA offered a $5,000 reward for anyone who attempted a citizen’s arrest of condoleeza rice, when she was visiting the country. that was awesome too.

  7. phillip ure 7
    22 January 2014 at 8:57 am

    a martin bradbury/kim dotcom..passing-thought..

    ….upon reading the unrelenting savagery of the reviews of the musical-offering from kim dotcom..

    ..i couldn’t help but wonder if bradburys’ conditions of employment with dotcom..

    ..included (semi-enforced) listening to/nodding-along-to/smiling-enthusiastically –

    – to listenings of early mixes..?

    ..whoar..!..eh..?

    ..(just saying..!..)

    ..and in other dotcom-news..

    ..chris trotter did a particularly cloying/apologist puff-piece on dotcom @ the daily blog..

    ,.and that inspired me to pose the (quite reasonable..under the circumstances..i thought) question:

    “..phillip ure says:

    January 20, 2014 at 1:41 pm

    hello..

    ..i asked a question of chris trotter about 48 hrs ago..

    ..that seemed to not get thru moderation..

    ..i am puzzled..

    ..as i only asked if mr trotter was in the past/currently/on future-promises..

    ..of paid employment in any shape or form..

    ..from kim dotcom or any entity he is involved with..?

    ..thank you..

    ..phillip ure..

    (no answer..as yet..and as article has now slipped back into tdb-archives..

    ..i ain’t holding my breath..eh..?

    ..but..i do think it is a question that needs to be asked again..

    phillip ure

    • veutoviper 7.1
      22 January 2014 at 9:47 am

      On the Bradbury/KDC ‘relationship’, yesterday I came upon a few bits of interesting speculation/rumour in a Vernon Small opinion piece on Stuff dated 18 January 2014.

      http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/opinion/9624107/Wrecking-balls-entertaining

      The whole article is worth reading as it also covers Crusher Collins wrecking ball on ACC, but here is part of Small’s take on the KDC Internet Party ‘Clayton’s’ launch last week – and who else may have been involved in giving advice. (This speculation appears to align with KDC’s comments about advice having been sought from across the political spectrum.)

      First, the comedy of errors.

      The Kim Dotcom vortex, that had already sucked in and crushed so many careers in 2013, has swung into action again.

      There were rumours late last year that the usual suspects in the politico-legal world were jockeying for position around the giant German wrecking ball’s plans for his new party. Lawyer and former ACT MP Stephen Franks and his trusty sidekick, Jordan Williams, were rumoured to have been elbowed aside before Christmas, though neither would confirm or deny if Mr Dotcom was a client.

      Constitutional lawyer Mai Chen’s firm has confirmed its involvement in giving advice ahead of the launch.

      On the pure political side, news service Scoop’s press gallery reporter, Alastair Thompson, has also confirmed a role (interestingly, his stepson, who was once a Scoop employee, now works for Ms Chen’s firm). When Thompson came on to the scene, blogger Martyn Bradbury seems to have been given the heave- ho, along with his strategy “white paper” revealed by Cameron Slater’s Whaleoil blog this week. Thompson has since quit Scoop – or taken a sabbatical, depending on which version of events you hear – and is interim secretary of the embryonic Internet Party.

      But the irony will not be lost on anyone that some of the commentariat who are hottest on rooting out influence and conflicts of interest – and are most sanctimonious about it – were themselves so conflicted.

      It is anyone’s guess why, in all the planning, no-one realised Mr Dotcom’s giant free birthday bash – dubbed the “Party Party” – could fall foul of the electoral law on “treating”.

      But whatever the ins and outs, his party has gone backwards this week.

      It had the potential to be a real influence on the election – less so now.

    • Rosie 7.2
      22 January 2014 at 9:55 am

      No don’t hold your breath phil. TDB editor doesn’t like questions or to be challenged, no matter how reasonable, imo. I learned the hard way lol.

      By Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings

  9. Colonial Viper 9
    22 January 2014 at 9:03 am

    With the price of funerals rising rapidly, UK poor now can’t afford to die

    With even the lowest key funeral clicking in at thousands of pounds, perhaps it is time for the UK to go back to unmarked paupers’ graves?

    http://rt.com/news/funeral-poverty-afford-die-958/

  10. Colonial Viper 10
    22 January 2014 at 9:05 am

    McDonalds Queens NY finally agrees to let seniors ‘hang out’ after calling police on them

    This is just one danger of the loss of public common space and conversion into private spaces for private profit. Even hanging out with long time friends becomes impossible without it being an offence.

    http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/queens/mcdonald-flushing-seniors-reach-seating-deal-article-1.1585819

    • just saying 10.1
      22 January 2014 at 9:36 am

      Interesting point.
      There are bugger all places in the city hubs where people can gather, hang-out, talk at length, if they want to, without having to spend any money. Communities need such places – comfortable, warm in winter with chairs and a couple of tables, maybe a zip and toilets. It’s cheapest if people are able to bring their own food and drink. As petrol gets more and more expensive it gets less viable to visit others’ homes to meet up with those from further than walking distance away.

      • Colonial Viper 10.1.1
        22 January 2014 at 9:42 am

        Indeed. In some NZ cities the new subdivisions have sweet f.a. public meeting spaces. Just miles of curvy twisty suburban cul de sacs that you can barely walk between (why would you) and mostly have to drive in and out of. No sense of a community or town centre, just another housing estate designed to isolate you from your neighbours.

        I swear those places just breed Tories because of the lack of public common spaces for people and children to interact in.

        • Rosie 10.1.1.1
          22 January 2014 at 10:26 am

          Wasn’t Naomi Klein talking about “reclaiming the streets” back in the 90’s? From hazy memory it was a movement or idea about bringing a sense of community back via regaining public spaces that had been lost to private ownership and development

          Here we go, quick googley for reclaim the streets

          http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reclaim_the_Streets

          And those housing developments you mention above. I live on one (purely for economic and building soundness reasons) It is dire. We do have a neighbourhood planting group whose aim is to bring some nature to the otherwise featureless landscape. I am also considering organising a neighbourhood kite flying day on one of the privately owned future development sites. (It’s extremely windy here and I have seen kites flying so it may be a hobby to get people involved in together) There is no sense of neighbourly camaraderie and it is even a challenge to get a “hello” out of a passer by. Area’s such as these are such a departure from the cohesive nature of traditional neighbourhoods.

          • Colonial Viper 10.1.1.1.1
            22 January 2014 at 10:31 am

            Awesome…you gotta be proud of that hands-on community building work!

          • Molly 10.1.1.1.2
            22 January 2014 at 10:49 am

            This grassroots community building is the volunteer work that I’ve been doing over the last four to five years.

            There is a definite movement developing and some really good tools and ideas out there – Rosie.

            Don’t know whether you are in Auckland – but one of the long-time community advocates – Jim Diers from Seattle – is coming over to NZ in March. He will definitely be in Auckland. He is worth going to see.

            Attended an Auckland Conversation. What struck me is the comments in the introduction from Auckland Council’s now replaced CEO – Doug McKay, who thanked Jim Diers for showing him that people can be viewed as resources and contributors.

            Our current planning head in Auckland Council – Dr Roger Blakely – came from Porirua City Council which won awards for their village planning programme.

            There have been indications that Auckland Council may attempt the same up here – but despite those whispers – nothing concrete as yet.

            • Rosie 10.1.1.1.2.1
              22 January 2014 at 11:42 am

              Thanks Molly for the links and big ups to you for the work you do 🙂

              That’s interesting about the Village Planning Programme. I have indeed noticed the various public outdoor art works springing up in the environment around Porirua. (I’m in Wellington) I might mention it to the one contact I do have in the neighbourhood, who happens to have strong council connections. That is a great idea, thank you.

              I think there are opportunities for community strengthening in our area – I know the local Papa Kainga has been active and the emergency resilience group is influential in other parts of the area – it’s tying it together that is the trick, and creating a sense of unity.

          • karol 10.1.1.1.3
            22 January 2014 at 10:58 am

            Reent New Lynn development is interesting. There are some open air spaces for the public to hang out – There’s a spot on Todd Triangle – open but I think with some overhead cover – where a small group of Chinese people (many elderly) regularly do some slow movement exercises together.

            But many of the prime sites have been bought by business interests – eg MacDonalds overlooking one of the main squares by the Mall. Although, there still are buskers and others gathering to chat etc in the square in fron of MacDonalds.

            There’s a community centre with indoor space and many activties for people – it’s just not one of the more centrally-located spots – businesses have too much influence in buying preferred spaces.

      • just saying 10.1.2
        22 January 2014 at 9:46 am

        It seems like the local tertiary institutions are the only places that provide facilities in which people can bring their own whatever, and hang-out all day if they want to.
        The lack of such facilities is very isolating, particularly for those without much money.

        I’ve known a couple of people who took a paper or two at uni mainly to procure these and the many other collective facilities and advantages that students enjoy. And very cost-effective it was too.

        • karol 10.1.2.1
          22 January 2014 at 10:59 am

          There’s also some community centres and libraries in Auckland.

          • just saying 10.1.2.1.1
            22 January 2014 at 11:06 am

            The library is certainly a kind of community centre here too. But hanging out all day, talking, and food and drink are not exactly encouraged. There are no group meeting rooms.

            Which reminds me that WINZ has some such public facilities. Mainly used for formal meetings. Beneficiaries always mention how uncomfortable they feel about being there.

    • Will@Welly 10.2
      22 January 2014 at 10:29 am

      The Americans invented the modern day equivalent of the meeting hall – it’s called the “Mall”. Just make sure you look “youthful” and you have plenty of “bling”.
      Modern day Councils don’t see investing in Council amenities as “investments”, they want “returns” – $$$$. Have a look at the layout of the modern-day development, the focus is where to place the shopping area, the school will then go nearby, followed by a park. But the focus starts with the commercial aspect first – $$$$ – revenue, not people.

      • greywarbler 10.2.1
        22 January 2014 at 3:41 pm

        Hey be kind to Councils that do anything. The ACT giant reversed the fairy tale and came down the beanstalk and took away all our things to his place in the sky. It’s a wonder we hae any Councils left –

        That aren’t just set up to advance the wants and desires of the noisy and pushy. I notice Dunedin council not content with piling an extravagant colosseum on the ratepayers, shows its colours further by banning a No Drilling sign on an island that has been leased from it. The Rule is that it doesn’t allow advertising. Is a two-finger salute advertising? Or just an example of Andy-Warhol-type modern stuff.

    • freedom 10.3
      22 January 2014 at 12:10 pm

      meanwhile in the UK
      http://www.opendemocracy.net/ourkingdom/josie-appleton/end-of-public-space-one-law-to-ban-them-all

      the new bill will take things to an entirely new level, removing existing checks on the use of powers, such as the need for public consultation or to prove a case beyond reasonable doubt. This bill will make authorities’ total control over public space a daily reality.

      • Colonial Viper 10.3.1
        22 January 2014 at 12:32 pm

        They want to prevent public protests such as Occupy recurring. The power elite is afraid.

        • freedom 10.3.1.1
          22 January 2014 at 1:00 pm

          Absolutely, but the Medusa’s raft of new anti-protest laws in the UK have already seen to it that future progress for Occupy and similar movements will be [nigh impossible]. I see these new changes as a not so subtle goosestep towards complete stage-management of ‘the message’.

          ‘out of sight out of mind’ ring a bell?

  11. Rosie 11
    22 January 2014 at 9:33 am

    Just moving this reply to BM from “National coalition with NZ First?” to Open Mike so he can’t miss it. I really am curious BM and would like to hear your response.

    “UF will get a seat” (says BM)

    Can you tell us how you know that?

  12. Steve James 12
    22 January 2014 at 9:43 am

    Bringing in Peter Dunn just may have batted this swinging voter away. Would Labour include Dunn if necessary? Probably; so where to from here?

    Winston First? Well I don’t see Peters being healthy enough both mentally and physically to function in 2015 and he does have some very good MPs who could step up. So acceptable but then Labour certainly wouldn’t say no to Peters.

    So it’s down to Mana/Greens verses Conserves/ACT. I could accept limited input from all but Mana; racists have no place in my government.

    Bottom line for me; if Cunliff can rule out Harawira I vote Labour.

    • felix 12.1
      22 January 2014 at 9:51 am

      “So it’s down to Mana/Greens verses Conserves/ACT. I could accept limited input from all but Mana; racists have no place in my government.”

      Except John Banks, apparently.

      • Steve James 12.1.1
        22 January 2014 at 11:14 am

        Hey felix, FYI: John Banks will be gone

        • Lanthanide 12.1.1.1
          22 January 2014 at 12:50 pm

          Yes, and which party did you vote for at the last election, Steve?

          Was it National, knowing they’d bring along Banksie (and maybe Brashie)?

    • bad12 12.2
      22 January 2014 at 10:30 am

      Steve James, Labour leader David Cunliffe speaking on RadioNZ National this morning more or less ruled out Peter Dunne,(”if He calls us we might talk to Him,but i don’t think i will be calling Him”),

      No mention of the Mana Party by Cunliffe this morning, for our amusement Steve can you tell us what it is that engenders your hatred when it comes to the Mana Party…

      • Rosie 12.2.1
        22 January 2014 at 11:04 am

        Lol. I was trying to find evidence of Dunne saying he would never work with Labour (again)- he’s said it recently, but what I came across instead was this from Pete George who has cold feet for his leader:

        I’m still a member of United Future, I joined for three years when I stood for the party last election. That membership runs out in a few months.

        “I have seen nothing to encourage me to renew that membership. That’s very disappointing.

        United Future could be, should be a small by significant player in Parliament and potentially in Government. Key has given them a vote of confidence.

        But the party will have to start earning votes from the public (and members). Soon. again.

        The opportunity is there. Is the party there? Is the determination? Or is United Future just an electorate committee for Ohariu?”

        http://yournz.org/tag/peter-dunne/

        So, in essence Steve James, Dunne won’t work with Labour and they’re not interested in him anyway as bad12 points out.

        And BM, even Dunne’s biggest cheer leader is starting to have misgivings about the future for his man.

        • bad12 12.2.1.1
          22 January 2014 at 11:51 am

          Lolz Rosie, that is funny from He who still cannot get over being temporarily spanked by Lprent, i wonder what colour that ones overcoat will be when He changes it…

      • Steve James 12.2.2
        22 January 2014 at 11:16 am

        Hello Bad12

        “hatred”? not in my world so no comment.

        • bad12 12.2.2.1
          22 January 2014 at 11:45 am

          So why did you bother to then, wing-nuts all of them too terrified to expose their opinions to scrutiny…

    • bad12 12.3
      22 January 2014 at 10:33 am

      Steve James i bet you Richard Prosser gets you going as one of the NZFirst MP’s you see ”as being able to step up”…

    • freedom 12.4
      22 January 2014 at 10:44 am

      Hi Steve
      Great to hear you have no room for rascists ( or liars apparently).
      As you seem to have missed some replies to your posts from yesterday,
      I thought I might save you some time – other folks also have their own questions for you

      first up is your sharing of prescription data
      http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-21012014/#comment-760638

      Are you saying you are a low income/beneficiary and pay for scripts?
      thus negating your original comment.
      or you are not a low income/beneficiary and enjoy the state subsidy Pharmac supplies.
      (which only raises the question of what it has to do with your original comment?)

      then there is your declaration of strong personal values
      http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-21012014/#comment-760652

      Steve, here is an older Blip’s List (only up to April 2013) so as not to scare you too badly.
      Maybe I am being unfair and you are a rational reasonable man, but so far the on-message soundbites you have shared say otherwise.

      Get comfy, curl up with your dogma
      and fully challenge the integrity of your stated hatred of lies and liars
      http://thestandard.org.nz/an-honest-man/

      • Steve James 12.4.1
        22 January 2014 at 11:12 am

        Thanks freedom

        Yeah time is precious so I get little time to visit The standard.

        Firstly I have two jobs though the second is as a small business operator with my partner. Neither of us are on benefits however some of our friends are and they are very open about their circumstances. I received the DPB some years back and I remain grateful to those who contributed to my family’s wellbeing.

        Having strong personal values is a good thing so no further comment required.

        I will look at the Blip’s list tonight, thanks.

        Look freedom; people have different perspectives, varied understandings and inherent biases on most issues, that’s what open discussion is about. If you write just one thing that makes sense to me and changes a misguided perspective I may have; well, that’s a good thing. The same applies the other way.

        Any way, work to do

        Have a good day

        • freedom 12.4.1.1
          22 January 2014 at 12:35 pm

          “people have different perspectives, varied understandings and inherent biases on most issues, that’s what open discussion is about.”

          the above quote was brought to you by the guy that just yesterday told CV
          “I’m not sure I care what you think actually.”

          enjoy your employment Steve, long may it last
          (and fear not, despite the flurry of recent attention, you are not some pet project )

    • Murray Olsen 12.5
      23 January 2014 at 4:17 pm

      Do you consider Hone racist because he noticed that the colonisers had paler skin than the colonised? I really don’t think you have much idea what racism is.

  13. greywarbler 13
    22 January 2014 at 9:46 am

    A good look at the health of our people and our Health system this morning on Radionz. Tony Ryall oils his way over the bumpy ground of sharp tacks formed by unsatisfactory stats.

    A point made that Annette King changed counting lists of waiting sick, to counting waiting times. There was no attempt earlier to count those sick and not on the waiting list, now there is no attempt to count either the needy off list, or the waiting on list. There is just the trumpeting of increases in numbers of operations. Gives the impression that everything is under control.

    But the Christchurch Charity Hospital and others are aware of people in pain who have no hope of getting near the list. Others who have GP or specialist advice that they could be helped, are far away from getting on the list. Who knows how many are unable to be done within time, are sent back to the GP and start on the cycle again. The system fits into the overarching approach that this government operates under, the casino principle, luck is important and the only way to be sure of getting stuff is to be in on running the ‘tables’. And not to have too much oversight, to have stats that are seen through a mirror darkly, so they are open to misunderstanding and confusion.

    • bad12 13.1
      22 January 2014 at 10:53 am

      Couldn’t agree with this comment more, excellent description of this mornings discussion on RadioNZ which paints neither Labour or National in a good light,

      i know the truth of the substance of the allegations made this morning because i am one of those not counted, i have access to as many brands of pain-blocking medication as there are available through Pharmac, but,

      As far as removing the causes of this pain goes i am told that i will have to wait ‘until they have become life threatening’,

      My next logical question to the Doctor informing of this was of course, ”how will i know when it has become life threatening”, and while admiring this particular Doctors honest answer had to wonder why He didn’t don a ‘black cap’ while announcing what in effect sounded remarkably like a death sentence,

      ”It will pierce your bowels which you will definitely feel” being His reply while writing the scrip which allows me to be mostly free of pain while i wait for the grand occasion to occur,(even going so far as to write a note to WINZ telling them i definitely need a landline phone for my future health),

      NICE, a health system that passes the buck to WINZ who will in five years have paid out as much, if not more, than the cost of what the health system would incur by fixing the original bone anomaly…

      • Rosie 13.1.1
        22 January 2014 at 11:19 am

        Very sorry to hear of that bad12.

        So essentially you are being denied treatment to the cause of your pain now, treatment that would prevent a serious and costly health crisis

        Such a foolish and cavalier approach from the health system towards illness must create anxiety in patients such as yourself. Anxiety that would be avoidable if the problem were to be treated now before its reaches crisis stage.

        • bad12 13.1.1.1
          22 January 2014 at 11:41 am

          Tah much Rosie, i am pretty pragmatic about my life span tending to view such as ”how long is a piece of string”, having smoked at least 20 a day since age 14 i should have no great expectations of longevity nor in the current climate being looked on favorably by any within the health sector,

          i am tho still seething over the original diagnosis of this particular problem 20 odd years ago by the medical profession who using ‘the crystal ball method’ convinced me it was a simple muscle problem easily alleviated by a couple of simple exercises,

          In the intervening 20 odd years i have engaged in physical activity which has resulted in outright agony,(lamb tailing in the South Island which involved bending over and picking up lambs to the tune of 1000 a day for the 3 week ‘season’), all the while telling myself it’s ‘only’ a muscle problem,

          It was only 5 years ago when explaining to yet another Doctor who didn’t rely on the crystal ball method of diagnosis my worn out hip and this particular problem, Her view was ‘lets gt a picture of what’s happening here’ and i was totally gob-smacked to find on the x-ray that my 20+ year ‘muscle problem’ had all along been a piece of bone growing off my spine that is now quite a protuberance…

          • Rosie 13.1.1.1.1
            22 January 2014 at 11:57 am

            Oh FFS! I I would be seething too, all those years of thinking you had one thing when it was another, and the lost opportunities to get the right treatment from the beginning.

            It’s very easy, upon hearing stories such as yours to wonder how a person’s well being and health would be vastly improved if we were governed by those who were committed to providing a high quality barrier free readily accessible and safe public health system. (well done to those health workers who do so much within the limits on their ability to provide an above adequate service)

            I can only wish you the best bad12.

      • greywarbler 13.1.2
        22 January 2014 at 3:54 pm

        bad12
        Regards. Glad I managed to convey the gist of this mornings talk adequately.
        Sorry to hear your situation. We’ll see how we can change things with a change of government. Probably everyone I know will unlike me by the election.

        Any chance of an op at Christchurch? Have a look at them on google. I think I will put them on my donation list. Just a little bit but if a lot did that then hopefully if would pile up and grease the wheels of the trolleys to theatre.

      • greywarbler 13.1.3
        22 January 2014 at 4:03 pm

        bad12
        Regards. Glad that I caught the tone of this mornings twaddle so effectively.

        Do you think you could get it done through Christchurch Charity? Have a look at their google.
        We will try and get a new bunch in government this year, but I think Annette King is still around – same job?

        • bad12 13.1.3.1
          22 January 2014 at 5:54 pm

          Greywarbler, cheers yes i listened with interest to the Christchurch charity hospital, something i have never heard of befor,

          Will check them out later although i think they may prefer younger candidates…

        • greywarbler 13.1.3.2
          22 January 2014 at 8:40 pm

          Did this comment again as I thought the first was lost. Waited round for it, and looked here and there, refreshed, and then decided I hadn’t put my identification. Perhaps it went to moderation.

    • Molly 13.2
      22 January 2014 at 10:59 am

      Wouldn’t it be good for transparency to have a statistician create – and another statistician – critique the standard figures that indicate good governance in NZ – and then they stay the same for at least the next twenty years?

      Might not be useful for political ends – but what a good basis for policy and indicator for the rest of us.

      • veutoviper 13.2.1
        22 January 2014 at 12:09 pm

        I agree Molly that performance indicators/measures need to be established and then kept for a reasonable period of time to allow comparison. And if these need to be changed/improved due to changes in circumstances, outcomes sought etc, the changes must incorporate some methodology to allow comparision with the original or previous performance indicators/measures.

        But this type of work is not straight statistics. It is a specific field that involves statistics, but also requires a much wider range of skills and knowledge,many of which are not numerical or statistical. For example strategic and business planning, an understanding of the interaction of outcomes, goals, inputs, outputs and how to identify and establish meaningful performance indicators/measures that actually measure performance against desired outcomes etc. It also requires ‘sales’ skills to get buy-in from management and others to appreciate the usefulness of such measures to them in their daily work and implement such measuring systems – often one of the hardest parts!

  14. Bill 14
    22 January 2014 at 10:41 am

    Instantly thought of a kid scribbling to obliterate out some drawing that had gone wrong when I watched this. Unfortunately, the ‘scribble’ is the track of plane flights through our atmosphere spewing (and because no-one wants ‘international’ emissions included in their national emission totals) uncounted CO2 24/7. (note: 1g of aviation fuel = 3g CO2)

    Part 4 is pertinent

    http://www.theguardian.com/world/ng-interactive/2014/aviation-100-years

    (might take a wee few minutes to load)

    • weka 14.1
      22 January 2014 at 10:55 am

      Holy shit, that’s quite some graphic.

    • weka 14.2
      22 January 2014 at 10:59 am

      “and because no-one wants ‘international’ emissions included in their national emission totals)”

      So where the graphic talks about air travel accounting for 3.5% to 4.9% of all GHG emissions, that’s going to be a low number? Or will they be estimating in what’s not in the national figures?

      • Bill 14.2.1
        22 January 2014 at 11:31 am

        I don’t know how they arrived at the numbers they do. But according to Kevin Anderson of the Tyndal Institute, international shipping and international air travel are not counted into national totals for the reasons I gave in the original comment.

        Also…they don’t seem to have calculated emissions for fighter/military flights or private jets. And given that fighter jets are always on exercise or on maneuvers when not in combat…anyone with experience of the UK where the screaming of RAF jets is punctuated by emerging sounds of the countryside might appreciate just how many of those buggers are up in the air at any given time.

        • joe90 14.2.1.1
          22 January 2014 at 11:38 am

          This.

          The DoD accounted for around 1 percent of the US energy consumption and 80 percent of the federal government energy consumption. Although this may seem small, the fact is that the Pentagon is the largest single consumer of energy in the World. Nigeria, with a population of more than 160 million, consumes as much energy and emits as much CO2 as the US military.

          http://www.dailyenergyreport.com/how-much-energy-does-the-u-s-military-consume-an-update/

        • karol 14.2.1.2
          22 January 2014 at 3:48 pm

          Ah…. so much to thank wars for [/sarc] – great innovations leading to massive use of air travel – and envormental degradation..

          • freedom 14.2.1.2.1
            22 January 2014 at 11:09 pm

            – and dead people,
            economists seem to forget all the dead people
            they are a lost resource surely

            what good is an economy or a society or even democracy itself,
            if eventually all it produces are just more dead people

            Here’s Tom with the weather

    • ianmac 14.3
      22 January 2014 at 11:27 am

      Terrifying actually and where will it end and when/if it does what happens to country dependent on Tourism? Thanks Bill.

  15. Draco T Bastard 15
    22 January 2014 at 11:01 am

    The Left and the State

    Baker has, I think, done some of the best popular writing attacking the fiction that the Right is for free markets while the Left is for government regulation. As I’ve noted elsewhere, the contest before us in the immediate future is between different regimes of state-created and -enforced property, not between the state and the market.

    A very valid observation.

  16. philj 16
    22 January 2014 at 11:19 am

    Natz e
    Ohariu List MP, Katrina (undertaker) Shanks. From one dead end job to another….

  17. Tracey 17
    22 January 2014 at 11:21 am

    The herald has frontpaged which of the following the most;

    A. Len brown affair; or
    B. John banks charged with fraud on an electoral matter

    • Paul 17.1
      22 January 2014 at 2:53 pm

      The Herald is totally obsessed by Brown.
      Must want Cameron Brewer or Dick Quax as mayor.
      Or at least one prepared to sell Auckland’s assets to foreign corporations.

  18. Tracey 18
    22 January 2014 at 11:25 am

    Listening to this song by lizzie west… the following caught my ear

    Well as I drive then I begin to see,
    The lazy trade their dignity
    At the root of the conspiracy,
    Is the corporate claim on all our needs.
    Down goes the small man’s dream,
    The franchise rise and provide.
    America how do you like it.
    This is how it will be.

  19. Puckish Rogue 19
    22 January 2014 at 11:29 am

    David Cunliffe sounded better (on RadioLive) then he has in a long time but he still has a tendency to sound patronising when he starts to get on a roll. But whoevers working with him is certainly doing their job.

  20. amirite 20
    22 January 2014 at 12:48 pm

    Very disappointed in Cunliffe, ditching the tax-free for first $5000 earned and taking off GST from fruit and veges. Screw the poor, yet again.
    What’s the use of voting for Labour now?

    • BM 20.1
      22 January 2014 at 1:08 pm

      Apparently He’s ditching the living wage bollocks as well.

      https://twitter.com/StaceyKirkNZ

      Go Cunliffe, first bit of sane news I’ve heard from labour for a long time

      • Lanthanide 20.1.1
        22 January 2014 at 1:13 pm

        Er, he’s not ditching a policy they never had.

        What he’s committed to is that the minimum wage will go up to $15 within the first 100 days, and that there will be further rises after that – likely a standard annual raise but I also wouldn’t rule anything else out.

      • karol 20.1.2
        22 January 2014 at 1:33 pm

        Stuff says:

        A living wage would be brought in over time, starting with the state sector, as it could be afforded.

        That’s just a continuation of the existing policy.

    • mickysavage 20.2
      22 January 2014 at 1:19 pm

      The tax free $5k helped everyone including the rich and was poorly targetted. Same with GST off fruit and veges in fact it would have had a regressive effect because the rich would benefit more.

      Better to come up with more targetted policies. For instance the money saved could be used to bring in free school breakfasts for poorer schools.

      • Puckish Rogue 20.2.1
        22 January 2014 at 1:21 pm

        To be fair Labour did want to “axe the tax” 🙂 but seriously this is a good call by Cunliffe, shows hes serious about running the country and wants the center ground rather then pandering to the hard left

      • McFlock 20.2.2
        22 January 2014 at 1:29 pm

        I disagree.

        I reckon the poor would notice either a lot more than the rich, and the second point simply plays the “oooo, we’re soooo poor there’s not enough to go around” tory bullshit. For instance, we could do all three if the rich paid their way.

      • blue leopard (Get Lost GCSB Bill) 20.2.3
        22 January 2014 at 1:32 pm

        I am disappointed re the GST on fruit and veges – everyone needs to eat and this shouldn’t be taxed – especially not the way the price of eating has gone up so badly – I fail to see how knocking the GST off fruit and veges benefits wealthy people more (?) It would be very nice to have these necessities costing less.

        Despite this reservation and disappointment I liked Labour’s press release it was short and sweet, to the point and indicated they are going to bring out something even better. I am, therefore, looking forward to what Labour are replacing these two policies with – they had better be good and feel hopeful that they will be.

        • phillip ure 20.2.3.1
          22 January 2014 at 2:44 pm

          @ blue..

          “..I fail to see how knocking the GST off fruit and veges benefits wealthy people more (?)..”

          that attempted-rationale puzzles me too..

          ..does the claimer think the rich have bigger stomachs…?

          ..as a claim..it totally lacks any logic..

          ..i’m holding judgement until after cunnliffes’speech next mon..

          ..but even if other serious moves are made..

          ..this would have been a practical help to the poorest..and promoted healthier-living..

          ..it was a two-fer..w.t.f. was not to like about it..

          ..i can undrstand the argument the tax-free for all gives to those who don’t need..

          ..but this is not the case with the gst/fruit/veges policy..

          ..and cunnliffe had better come up with something pretty whizz-bangy..

          ..to replace it..

          ..if raising the minimum wage is it..

          ..he will have just once again kicked the poorest in the guts..

          ..in that long neo-lib/clarkist-labour tradition..

          ..monday will tell..

          ..phillip ure..

        • bad12 20.2.3.2
          22 January 2014 at 3:58 pm

          i would suggest you don’t be disappointed about the GST and fruit and veg thingy, from where i sit such a move could be viewed in much the same light as raising the accommodation supplement,

          Those on the supply side of both these equations, as has been shown in the rental market, simply view such Government subsidies as an ‘opportunity’, raising their prices to match what the Government has provided thus negating any benefit to those most in need,

          Monday we await with raised expectation David Cunliffe explaining how Labour plan to address the bread and butter issue of increasing inequality and the poverty that builds around this…

          • blue leopard (Get Lost GCSB Bill) 20.2.3.2.1
            22 January 2014 at 4:09 pm

            @ Bad12

            Ah good to hear some sort of explanation re fruit and veges tax – I did take it that they are not pursuing dropping this tax so that they can spend the money gathered on something helpful…..so I am waiting with quite a bit of interested antipication

      • Bill 20.2.4
        22 January 2014 at 1:45 pm

        I agree the $5k lacked focus. Nevertheless, the tax component of $5k would be of immeasurable benefit to the poorest of us. How about then, that the abatement rates applied to earnings while claiming entitlements gets a radical over-haul or dumped? That benefits the poorest and small businesses too in terms of cash through and the ability to employ people legally.

        Fruit and veg is, well…I’m going to punt that far too many of us poorest people don’t really buy fresh fruit and veg in any worthwhile quantity anyway. And that’s not necessarily down solely to cost, but also poor eating habits and poor cooking skills plus other factors.

        Anyway. That were me tuppence worth

      • Colonial Viper 20.2.5
        22 January 2014 at 2:01 pm

        The tax free $5k helped everyone including the rich and was poorly targetted. Same with GST off fruit and veges in fact it would have had a regressive effect because the rich would benefit more.

        The tax free threshold should of course be paired with a higher flat tax rate, which together as a system would maintain progressiveness and simplify the tax system into something closer to supporting a UBI.

        I definitely don’t want to see innovation draining out of Labour’s policy play book, which would leave the Greens pushing the most progressive policy ideas.

        Of course, let’s wait for Mon as I am sure DC will have a few real surprises for all of us. *Fingers crossed*

      • felix 20.2.6
        22 January 2014 at 6:49 pm

        Come on mickey, be honest. The GST off F&V thing wasn’t regressive. Poor people spend a far greater proportion of their income on basic weekly food requirements than rich people do.

        It was dropped for one reason only: because when it was announced, Labour failed to stand by the basic decency of trying to make food cheaper and instead got sucked in to the right-wing “but you’re meddling with the free market!” framing of the policy and wasted their time having stupid arguments about snow-peas.

        Totally sensible policy. Total clusterfuck of coms. Total lack of ideological fortitude from the Labour caucus.

  21. kerry 21
    22 January 2014 at 1:32 pm

    I cant believe Cunliffe has just backed away from the minimum living wage, he just stated the minimum wage will be $15 and no plans to go any higher, what a massive backdown when he was going for broke when he was seeking to be leader of the party with all the promises of bridging the gap of inequality with an $18+per hour living wage. Any time Cunliffe has some momentum he shots himself in the foot and shows him to be a bigger liar than Key,

    [lprent: That appears to be a deliberate diversion from the post. Banned permanently. Moving thread to OpenMike. ]

    • mickysavage 21.1
      22 January 2014 at 1:42 pm

      Hmmm a second time commenter engaging in concern trolling.

      Cunliffe has not backed away from the minimum living wage. He has confirmed it and has plans to go higher as finances allow. If he did not say this he would be attacked for being reckless with the cheque book …

      • kerry 21.1.1
        22 January 2014 at 2:01 pm

        Oh yes its not a positive comment in Labours favour so it must be trolling mickysavage, im an undecided voter and Cunliffes promise of which I herd him say in person at a meeting that he would introduce a living wage as his first priority in government, had me won over

        I didn’t hear any talk of if and when or strings attached

        • mickysavage 21.1.1.1
          22 January 2014 at 2:18 pm

          Which meeting Kerry?

        • One Anonymous Knucklehead 21.1.1.2
          22 January 2014 at 2:30 pm

          Nor did you hear or read any evidence of a backing away. Personally I think you’re lying. I don’t believe you’re an undecided voter, either. Your comments stand out like a dog’s balls as insincere, bad faith drivel.

          Now, to demonstrate what a shallow individual you are, why not take my contempt as a reason to support John Key the way you always intended to?

          • Paul 21.1.1.2.1
            22 January 2014 at 2:57 pm

            His previous comments would suggest he’s acting concerned.
            He’s certainly attempting to derail discussion about Key’s decision to talk to Peters.

        • Anne 21.1.1.3
          22 January 2014 at 2:51 pm

          I didn’t hear any talk of if and when or strings attached.

          Well in that case kerry you are deaf (don’t listen properly), blind (can’t see properly) or dumb (can’t comprehend properly) because right from Day 1… Cunliffe made it clear that the minimum wage (or Living Wage seems to be the preference now) would have to be raised in at least two stages. He announced it would rise to $15 per hour immediately on taking office, but Labour’s ultimate aim was to increase the minimum wage to $18 per hour as soon as the coffers were sufficiently replenished. Since the minimum wage is a core policy plank, you can be assured $18 per hour will be implemented probably in 2017.

          • Anne 21.1.1.3.1
            22 January 2014 at 2:55 pm

            Edit function on the blink.

            correction: (Living wage seems to be the preferred term now)

          • karol 21.1.1.3.2
            22 January 2014 at 2:59 pm

            Anne, there is a difference between the minimum wage and the living wage.

            The minimum wage is lower. $18.00 has generally been agreed to be a reasonable “living wage”.

            The minimum wage would be more compulsory, while the living wage would be more something aimed at through incentives – eg government procurement contracts.

            • Melb 21.1.1.3.2.1
              22 January 2014 at 3:40 pm

              “$18.00 has generally been agreed to be a reasonable “living wage”.”

              Yes, for a family of four. Yet organisations are saying it should apply to everybody.

            • Anne 21.1.1.3.2.2
              22 January 2014 at 6:22 pm

              Yes I know the living wage is treated as a separate entity karol, but the original minimum wage concept from Labour included a target of two steps – a $15 increase followed at a later stage by another increase to $18. That was my clear recollection. Then the living wage concept was introduced which I know has different elements attached to it.

              I was replying to kerry at 21 plus 21.1.1 where he was accusing Cunliffe of being a worse liar than Key.

        • karol 21.1.1.4
          22 January 2014 at 2:55 pm

          Kerry: David Cunliffe video and report on Scoop October 2013:

          A fired up David Cunliffe said Labour would raise the minimum wage and was committed to a living wage for government employees in one of his first major speeches as Labour Leader.

          […]
          At a press standup following his speech, Mr Cunliffe said provisions for a “living wage”, initially for all government employees, would be included in their first budget subject to the “provisions of fiscal responsibility”. It would then be rolled out to crown entities and then to government contractors.

          Labour would develop a a certified living wage employer scheme, and would give preference of procurement contracts to employers who signed up to the scheme.

          SSo, no change from this in today’s announcement.</blockquote.

          As compared with your selective memory of something you allegedly heard live???!!!!

          Introducing, doesn't mean bringing it in for all employees at the same time.

          Is the Oct report was repeated quite widely in the MSM.

          Stuff October 2013:

          The $30m a year cost to extend a “living wage” to core Government employees would be accounted for in its first Budget “subject to the provisions of fiscal responsibility”.

          The scheme to ensure certified living wage employers were favoured when tendering for Government contracts would also be implemented as soon as possible.

    • karol 21.2
      22 January 2014 at 1:46 pm

      There’s a difference between the minimum and living wage. The minimum wage is the one you are referring to. The living wage policy remains the same as before.

      Stuff reports:

      A living wage would be brought in over time, starting with the state sector, as it could be afforded.

    • Te Reo Putake 21.3
      22 January 2014 at 1:48 pm

      Kerry, you’re wrong.

      Cunliffe has endorsed both an increase to the adult minimum wage ($15 within the first 100 days of his election as PM) and the seperate matter of the Living Wage (public sector immediately, private sector in time).

      • Paul 21.3.1
        22 January 2014 at 1:54 pm

        He’s just another ignoramus trying to derail worthwhile discussion on this site.

        • kerry 21.3.1.1
          22 January 2014 at 2:05 pm

          I feel sorry for you I really do Paul, atleast add something like Te Reo Putake has

          • Paul 21.3.1.1.1
            22 January 2014 at 2:08 pm

            Sorry for me because I call you out for not knowing what you’re talking about.
            Fine by me.
            You have a track record.

          • Tracey 21.3.1.1.2
            22 January 2014 at 2:13 pm

            can you post your source?

            • Paul 21.3.1.1.2.1
              22 January 2014 at 2:15 pm

              There is never a source from folk like Kerry.
              Maybe they heard Leighton Smith or Mike Hosking say it?

          • One Anonymous Knucklehead 21.3.1.1.3
            22 January 2014 at 2:19 pm

            I feel sorry for you, Kerry, demonstrating such a high level of ignorance in public. The fact that you can write a comment implies that you can read, so I guess the problem must be some form of basic comprehension handicap.

            Kerry deserves our sympathy, people.

        • Te Reo Putake 21.3.1.2
          22 January 2014 at 2:19 pm

          I imagine we’re going to see more and more ‘concern’ from dupes and plants as the reality of the coming change of Government hits home, Paul.

    • Paul 21.4
      22 January 2014 at 1:51 pm

      Miserable attempt to distract.

    • Naki Man 21.5
      22 January 2014 at 2:03 pm

      Yea Nah Cunliffe was just sucking up to the unions to get the top job. He would say what ever they wanted to hear.They will be pissed with him
      He was never going to have a minimum wage of $18+

      • Paul 21.5.1
        22 January 2014 at 2:10 pm

        Really, naki.?
        Evidence for this claim?

      • One Anonymous Knucklehead 21.5.2
        22 January 2014 at 2:12 pm

        Funi Man, it’s time for your reality check.

        An increase in the minimum wage to $15 within his first 100 days in office had not changed, although the minimum wage would go higher in time. A living wage would be brought in over time, starting with the state sector, as it could be afforded.

        You’d think the National Party could do something about wanna-be spokespeople like Funi Man making wingnuts look like clueless gimps. So hard to get good help these days.

        • Tracey 21.5.2.1
          22 January 2014 at 2:14 pm

          they prefer their supporters semi-literate with short concentration spans.

        • Naki Man 21.5.2.2
          22 January 2014 at 2:42 pm

          An increase in the minimum wage to $15 within his first 100 days in office had not changed, although the minimum wage would go higher in time. A living wage would be brought in over time, starting with the state sector, as it could be afforded

          In other words $15 minimum wage and then any increases will be very slow. Not $18+
          Councils have already voted against $18, the cost to rate payers is to high

          • Paul 21.5.2.2.1
            22 January 2014 at 2:48 pm

            Thread title….’National’s first strategic mistake’
            How is this comment related?

          • One Anonymous Knucklehead 21.5.2.2.2
            22 January 2014 at 2:50 pm

            Just a couple of problems with your opinion, Funi Man: it’s worthless and offered in bad faith. I think I’ll dismiss it out-of-hand.

          • Te Reo Putake 21.5.2.2.3
            22 January 2014 at 2:51 pm

            Jeez, knackered man, have you still not spotted that they are two different things? Have a read here: http://www.livingwagenz.org.nz

            And another bit of education for you: the Wellington council has already voted to implement the living wage for its employees. Auckland won’t be far behind.

          • millsy 21.5.2.2.4
            22 January 2014 at 10:09 pm

            Hey Naki Man, do you want to hold wages down?

  22. Paul 22
    22 January 2014 at 1:46 pm

    Surely best not to come to hasty comments or decisions about this until the overall package mentioned in speech on Monday.
    Looks like Labour getting the bad news out of the way first so the spotlight will be on positive aspects on Monday.

  23. phillip ure 23
    22 January 2014 at 3:18 pm

    maybe in the interval between now and monday..

    ..we could/should look to the prescription to end poverty that was proffered by martin luther king ..

    http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article37423.htm

    “..In his final book –

    – the civil rights leader laid out his vision for a universal basic income –

    – that would raise all Americans into the middle class..”

    phillip ure…

  25. Morrissey 25
    22 January 2014 at 4:29 pm

    “Haw, haw, haw, haw, haw!”
    The campaign to dismiss Kim Dotcom continues
    The Panel, Radio NZ National, Tuesday 21 January 2014
    Jim Mora, Graham Bell, Bernard Hickey

    JIM MORA: On the program today, Kim Dotcom’s new album—
    GRAHAM BELL: Pshaw! Haw, haw, haw, haw!
    BERNARD HICKEY: [wryly] You’ll be looking forward to that, Graham.
    GRAHAM BELL: Haw, haw, haw, haw, haw!

    That disparaging reaction is interesting. Kim Dotcom is not exactly Kanye West, but he is a skilled and accomplished rapper, as anyone who has heard his powerful indictment of government corruption “Mr President” has to admit. [1] People like Graham Bell cannot abide hearing words like the refrain of that song: “Let’s get together, let’s all unite, or they will do whatever they like.” Bell did not snicker like that simply because he is a crude and tasteless bully who wouldn’t know good music if he stumbled into a performance of the St. Matthew Passion by the Münchener Bach Orchestra & Choir. His expression of scorn for Kim Dotcom was political, though perhaps he is unaware of exactly why.

    Significantly, there was none of this scoffing from the establishment when Paul Holmes put out his truly awful vanity project in 2000, an utterly horrendous collection of butchered covers entitled Paul Holmes. [2] That wasn’t the reaction of normal people of course—everyone recognized immediately that Holmes’s album was a vanity project, possible only because he had power and influence, if not the common sense to realize he had no talent. But his colleagues in the media gritted their teeth and praised him, at least in public.

    Kim Dotcom, on the other hand, is an official enemy, targeted by the United States government. Not only is he a threat to the establishment, he is eloquent and immensely popular. The only way to deal with him, in the absence of any substantial argument, is to scorn him and snicker whenever his name is mentioned.

    Later in the program, after the 4:30 news, the other guest, Bernard Hickey, also took the opportunity to run with the hounds and have a go at Kim Dotcom….

    JIM MORA: I mean, how do YOU see Kim Dotcom? He says he’s just like a postmaster….
    BERNARD HICKEY: If the postmaster knowingly allowed people to steal things from the mail, then that would be a fair comparison. But having read that Grand Jury indictment [3] against him—
    GRAHAM BELL: He’s a convicted fraudster! He’s a big fat attention-seeker! I like the cartoon in the paper [4] which showed him as a big balloon about to explode! ….[drones on dully and interminably]…

    So it’s business as usual on The Panel then….
    http://sadhillnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/oh-lord-please-make-it-stop-sad-hill-news.jpg

    [1] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MokNvbiRqCM
    [2] Any of the thousands of complementary copies Holmes gave away for Christmas in 2000, 2001 and 2003 that have not been used as pot-scrapers or sunlight reflectors or for clay-pigeon shooting practice can be sourced from the free-bin in front of some St Vincent de Paul and Salvation Army shops.
    [3] Though Bernard Hickey seems to be entirely trusting in the integrity of the U.S. government, that indictment was clearly written by Hollywood industry lawyers. For anyone that—unlike Hickey—is serious about coming to grips with the validity or otherwise of that indictment, here is one of the many rigorous examinations of it….
    http://jolt.law.harvard.edu/digest/internet/u-s-v-kim-dotcom-et-al
    [4] He’s referring to an unfunny cartoon by the Herald‘s unfunny cartoonist Emmerson, who got the job after editor Gavin Ellis was browbeaten and threatened into firing the vastly superior Malcolm Evans in 2002. Not only does Bell have no musical taste, he is no judge of cartooning either.

    • Paul 25.1
      22 January 2014 at 4:47 pm

      It’s awful today again with Fox Democrat Edwards and Tory Boag on.
      What got me was some employment ‘expert’ on talking about a buoyant jobs market.
      Nothing from Mora.
      Tell that to the 155 000
      Bring back Matinee Idol. I forgot how bad Mora is,

      • bad12 25.1.1
        22 January 2014 at 5:45 pm

        Yes this bouyant jobs market bullshit despite earlier in the day the ‘real’ figures being discussed on the same radio station which showed ‘the jobs market’ as being patchy at best,

        There’s Christchurch, a few professions, i forget which are in demand, (Health was one of them), and from there it’s pretty much ‘not so good news’,

        Even that not so good news will pale as the Reserve Bank hikes the cash rate and the Banks follow with interest rate rises…

      • Paul 25.1.2
        22 January 2014 at 5:51 pm

        And at about 10 to 5 Boag says NZ is an egalitarian society. In 2013. Not in 1975. In 2013.
        And Mora said nothing.
        Neither did Fox Democrat Edwards.

        Tell that to the 270 000 kids in poverty.

      • Tim 25.1.3
        22 January 2014 at 8:28 pm

        Yes to that (Bring back Matinee Idol). 9-5 ‘beltway hacks’, paid for experts, and various other has-beens are going to ensure the better parts of RNZ take a dive.
        Even if a Matinee-Idol attempted some sort of serious analysis of current affairs – it’d be superior to the bilge that occupies 101FM and its environs – especially betweem 1pm and 4pm. (9-12 …. could do better)

        “And Mora said nothing.”
        Does he ever?
        That’s the reason he’s the nicest man on Earth after all. Utterly inoffensive to anyone! If Adolf bloody Hitler was on “The Panel” he’d be attempting to ‘engage’ (in the nicest possible way of course).

  26. ianmac 26
    22 January 2014 at 6:31 pm

    Roy Morgan Poll out: “Labour/ Greens (46%) start election year with edge over National (43.5%) as Kim Dotcom set to launch new ‘Internet Party’ to contest elections.”….

    “Today’s New Zealand Roy Morgan Poll shows a potential Labour/ Greens alliance (46%, up 1%) leading John Key’s National Party (43.5%, down 1.5%) in the first New Zealand Roy Morgan Poll for 2014. Support for Key’s Coalition partners has slightly improved: Maori Party 2% (up 0.5%), United Future 0.5% (up 0.5%), ACT NZ 0% (unchanged).”

    Oh well. A tooth and nail battle awaits.

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • Bernard’s Saturday Soliloquy for the week to July 27

    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: My top six things to note around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the week to July 27 were:1. The Minister for Ford Rangers strikes againTransport Minister Simeon Brown was again the busiest of the Cabinet ministers this week, announcing an ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    27 mins ago
  • Ticket To Anywhere

    You got a fast carAnd I want a ticket to anywhereMaybe we make a dealMaybe together we can get somewhereAny place is betterYesterday’s newsletter, Trust In Me, on the report of abuse in state care, and by religious organisations, between 1950 and 2019, coupled with the hypocrisy of Christopher Luxon ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 hour ago
  • Stories of varying weight

    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on anything you may have missed. Share Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 hours ago
  • Balancing External Security and the Economy

    New Zealand is again having to reconcile conflicting pressures from its military and its trade interests. Should we join Pillar Two of AUKUS and risk compromising our markets in China? For a century after New Zealand was founded in 1840, its external security arrangements and external economics arrangements were aligned. ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    18 hours ago
  • Weekly Climate Wrap: The unravelling of the offsets

    The ‘50 Shades of Green’ farmers’ protest in 2019 was heavy on climate change denial, but five years on, scepticism and criticism about the idea that pine forests can save us is growing across the board. File photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s the top six news items of note in climate ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    23 hours ago
  • What makes us tick

    This morning the sky was bright.The birds, in their usual joyous bliss. Nature doesn’t seem to feel the heat of what might angst humans.Their calls are clear and beautiful.Just some random thoughts:MāoriPaul Goldsmith has announced his government will roll back the judiciary’s rulings on Māori Customary Marine Title, which recognises ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 day ago
  • Foreshore and seabed 2.0

    In 2003, the Court of Appeal delivered its decision in Ngati Apa v Attorney-General, ruling that Māori customary title over the foreshore and seabed had not been universally extinguished, and that the Māori Land Court could determine claims and confirm title if the facts supported it. This kicked off the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the Royal Commission report into abuse in care

    Earlier this week at Parliament, Labour leader Chris Hipkins was applauded for saying that the response to the final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care had to be “bigger than politics.” True, but the fine words, apologies and “we hear you” messages will soon ring ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    1 day ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Friday, July 26

    TL;DR: In news breaking this morning:The Ministry of Education is cutting $2 billion from its school building programme so the National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government has enough money to deliver tax cuts; The Government has quietly lowered its child poverty reduction targets to make them easier to achieve;Te Whatu Ora-Health NZ’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Weekly Roundup 26-July-2024

    Kia ora. These are some stories that caught our eye this week – as always, feel free to share yours in the comments. Our header image this week (via Eke Panuku) shows the planned upgrade for the Karanga Plaza Tidal Swimming Steps. The week in Greater Auckland On ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 day ago
  • God what a relief

    1. What's not to love about the way the Harris campaign is turning things around?a. Nothingb. Love all of itc. God what a reliefd. Not that it will be by any means easye. All of the above 2. Documents released by the Ministry of Health show Associate Health Minister Casey ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 day ago
  • Trust In Me

    Trust in me in all you doHave the faith I have in youLove will see us through, if only you trust in meWhy don't you, you trust me?In a week that saw the release of the 3,000 page Abuse in Care report Christopher Luxon was being asked about Boot Camps. ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 day ago
  • The Hoon around the week to July 26

    TL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers last night features co-hosts and talking about the Royal Commission Inquiry into Abuse in Care report released this week, and with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent on a UN push to not recognise carbon offset markets and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 26

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 26, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Transport: Simeon Brown announced $802.9 million in funding for 18 new trains on the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines, which ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Radical law changes needed to build road

    The northern expressway extension from Warkworth to Whangarei is likely to require radical changes to legislation if it is going to be built within the foreseeable future. The Government’s powers to purchase land, the planning process and current restrictions on road tolling are all going to need to be changed ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 day ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #30 2024

    Open access notables Could an extremely cold central European winter such as 1963 happen again despite climate change?, Sippel et al., Weather and Climate Dynamics: Here, we first show based on multiple attribution methods that a winter of similar circulation conditions to 1963 would still lead to an extreme seasonal ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago
  • First they came for the Māori

    Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when publishedFirst they came for the doctors But I was confused by the numbers and costs So I didn't speak up Then they came for our police and nurses And I didn't think we could afford those costs anyway So I ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    2 days ago
  • Join us for the weekly Hoon on YouTube Live

    Photo by Joshua J. Cotten on UnsplashWe’re back again after our mid-winter break. We’re still with the ‘new’ day of the week (Thursday rather than Friday) when we have our ‘hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kākā for an hour at 5 pm.Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Will the real PM Luxon please stand up?

    Notes: This is a free article. Abuse in Care themes are mentioned. Video is at the bottom.BackgroundYesterday’s report into Abuse in Care revealed that at least 1 in 3 of all who went through state and faith based care were abused - often horrifically. At least, because not all survivors ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    2 days ago
  • Will debt reduction trump abuse in care redress?

    Luxon speaks in Parliament yesterday about the Abuse in Care report. Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:PM Christopher Luxon said yesterday in tabling the Abuse in Care report in Parliament he wanted to ‘do the ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Olywhites and Time Bandits

    About a decade ago I worked with a bloke called Steve. He was the grizzled veteran coder, a few years older than me, who knew where the bodies were buried - code wise. Despite his best efforts to be approachable and friendly he could be kind of gruff, through to ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Why were the 1930s so hot in North America?

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Jeff Masters and Bob Henson Those who’ve trawled social media during heat waves have likely encountered a tidbit frequently used to brush aside human-caused climate change: Many U.S. states and cities had their single hottest temperature on record during the 1930s, setting incredible heat marks ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago
  • Throwback Thursday – Thinking about Expressways

    Some of the recent announcements from the government have reminded us of posts we’ve written in the past. Here’s one from early 2020. There were plenty of reactions to the government’s infrastructure announcement a few weeks ago which saw them fund a bunch of big roading projects. One of ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    2 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Thursday, July 25

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Thursday, July 25 are:News: Why Electric Kiwi is closing to new customers - and why it matters RNZ’s Susan EdmundsScoop: Government drops ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • The Possum: Demon or Friend?

    Hi,I felt a small wet tongue snaking through one of the holes in my Crocs. It explored my big toe, darting down one side, then the other. “He’s looking for some toe cheese,” said the woman next to me, words that still haunt me to this day.Growing up in New ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago
  • Not a story

    Yesterday I happily quoted the Prime Minister without fact-checking him and sure enough, it turns out his numbers were all to hell. It’s not four kg of Royal Commission report, it’s fourteen.My friend and one-time colleague-in-comms Hazel Phillips gently alerted me to my error almost as soon as I’d hit ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Thursday, July 25

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Thursday, July 25, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day were:The Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry published its final report yesterday.PM Christopher Luxon and The Minister responsible for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • A tougher line on “proactive release”?

    The Official Information Act has always been a battle between requesters seeking information, and governments seeking to control it. Information is power, so Ministers and government agencies want to manage what is released and when, for their own convenience, and legality and democracy be damned. Their most recent tactic for ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • 'Let's build a motorway costing $100 million per km, before emissions costs'

    TL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:Transport and Energy Minister Simeon Brown is accelerating plans to spend at least $10 billion through Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) to extend State Highway One as a four-lane ‘Expressway’ from Warkworth to Whangarei ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Lester's Prescription – Positive Bleeding.

    I live my life (woo-ooh-ooh)With no control in my destinyYea-yeah, yea-yeah (woo-ooh-ooh)I can bleed when I want to bleedSo come on, come on (woo-ooh-ooh)You can bleed when you want to bleedYea-yeah, come on (woo-ooh-ooh)Everybody bleed when they want to bleedCome on and bleedGovernments face tough challenges. Selling unpopular decisions to ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Casey Costello gaslights Labour in the House

    Please note:To skip directly to the- parliamentary footage in the video, scroll to 1:21 To skip to audio please click on the headphone icon on the left hand side of the screenThis video / audio section is under development. ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    3 days ago
  • Why is the Texas grid in such bad shape?

    This is a re-post from the Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler Headline from 2021 The Texas grid, run by ERCOT, has had a rough few years. In 2021, winter storm Uri blacked out much of the state for several days. About a week ago, Hurricane Beryl knocked out ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on a textbook case of spending waste by the Luxon government

    Given the crackdown on wasteful government spending, it behooves me to point to a high profile example of spending by the Luxon government that looks like a big, fat waste of time and money. I’m talking about the deployment of NZDF personnel to support the US-led coalition in the Red ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Wednesday, July 24

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:40 am on Wednesday, July 24 are:Deep Dive: Chipping away at the housing crisis, including my comments RNZ/Newsroom’s The DetailNews: Government softens on asset sales, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • LXR Takaanini

    As I reported about the city centre, Auckland’s rail network is also going through a difficult and disruptive period which is rapidly approaching a culmination, this will result in a significant upgrade to the whole network. Hallelujah. Also like the city centre this is an upgrade predicated on the City ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    3 days ago
  • Four kilograms of pain

    Today, a 4 kilogram report will be delivered to Parliament. We know this is what the report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care weighs, because our Prime Minister told us so.Some reporter had blindsided him by asking a question about something done by ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Wednesday, July 24

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Wednesday, July 24, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Beehive: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced plans to use PPPs to fund, build and run a four-lane expressway between Auckland ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Luxon gets caught out

    NewstalkZB host Mike Hosking, who can usually be relied on to give Prime Minister Christopher Luxon an easy run, did not do so yesterday when he interviewed him about the HealthNZ deficit. Luxon is trying to use a deficit reported last year by HealthNZ as yet another example of the ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago
  • A worrying sign

    Back in January a StatsNZ employee gave a speech at Rātana on behalf of tangata whenua in which he insulted and criticised the government. The speech clearly violated the principle of a neutral public service, and StatsNZ started an investigation. Part of that was getting an external consultant to examine ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Are we fine with 47.9% home-ownership by 2048?

    Renting for life: Shared ownership initiatives are unlikely to slow the slide in home ownership by much. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:A Deloitte report for Westpac has projected Aotearoa’s home-ownership rate will ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Let's Win This

    You're broken down and tiredOf living life on a merry go roundAnd you can't find the fighterBut I see it in you so we gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsWe gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsAnd I'll rise upI'll rise like the dayI'll rise upI'll rise unafraidI'll rise upAnd I'll ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Waimahara: The Singing Spirit of Water

    There’s been a change in Myers Park. Down the steps from St. Kevin’s Arcade, past the grassy slopes, the children’s playground, the benches and that goat statue, there has been a transformation. The underpass for Mayoral Drive has gone from a barren, grey, concrete tunnel, to a place that thrums ...
    Greater AucklandBy Connor Sharp
    4 days ago
  • A major milestone: Global climate pollution may have just peaked

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections Global society may have finally slammed on the brakes for climate-warming pollution released by human fossil fuel combustion. According to the Carbon Monitor Project, the total global climate pollution released between February and May 2024 declined slightly from the amount released during the same ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Tuesday, July 23 are:Deep Dive: Penlink: where tolling rhetoric meets reality BusinessDesk-$$$’s Oliver LewisScoop: Te Pūkenga plans for regional polytechs leak out ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Tuesday, July 23, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Health: Shane Reti announced the Board of Te Whatu Ora- Health New Zealand was being replaced with Commissioner Lester Levy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • HealthNZ and Luxon at cross purposes over budget blowout

    Health NZ warned the Government at the end of March that it was running over Budget. But the reasons it gave were very different to those offered by the Prime Minister yesterday. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon blamed the “botched merger” of the 20 District Health Boards (DHBs) to create Health ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • 2500-3000 more healthcare staff expected to be fired, as Shane Reti blames Labour for a budget defic...

    Long ReadKey Summary: Although National increased the health budget by $1.4 billion in May, they used an old funding model to project health system costs, and never bothered to update their pre-election numbers. They were told during the Health Select Committees earlier in the year their budget amount was deficient, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    4 days ago
  • Might Kamala Harris be about to get a 'stardust' moment like Jacinda Ardern?

    As a momentous, historic weekend in US politics unfolded, analysts and commentators grasped for precedents and comparisons to help explain the significance and power of the choice Joe Biden had made. The 46th president had swept the Democratic party’s primaries but just over 100 days from the election had chosen ...
    PunditBy Tim Watkin
    5 days ago
  • Solutions Interview: Steven Hail on MMT & ecological economics

    TL;DR: I’m casting around for new ideas and ways of thinking about Aotearoa’s political economy to find a few solutions to our cascading and self-reinforcing housing, poverty and climate crises.Associate Professor runs an online masters degree in the economics of sustainability at Torrens University in Australia and is organising ...
    The KakaBy Steven Hail
    5 days ago
  • Reported back

    The Finance and Expenditure Committee has reported back on National's Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Bill. The bill sets up water for privatisation, and was introduced under urgency, then rammed through select committee with no time even for local councils to make a proper submission. Naturally, national's select committee ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Vandrad the Viking, Christopher Coombes, and Literary Archaeology

    Some years ago, I bought a book at Dunedin’s Regent Booksale for $1.50. As one does. Vandrad the Viking (1898), by J. Storer Clouston, is an obscure book these days – I cannot find a proper online review – but soon it was sitting on my shelf, gathering dust alongside ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell On The Biden Withdrawal

    History is not on the side of the centre-left, when Democratic presidents fall behind in the polls and choose not to run for re-election. On both previous occasions in the past 75 years (Harry Truman in 1952, Lyndon Johnson in 1968) the Democrats proceeded to then lose the White House ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    5 days ago
  • Joe Biden's withdrawal puts the spotlight back on Kamala and the USA's complicated relatio...

    This is a free articleCoverageThis morning, US President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the Presidential race. And that is genuinely newsworthy. Thanks for your service, President Biden, and all the best to you and yours.However, the media in New Zealand, particularly the 1News nightly bulletin, has been breathlessly covering ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    5 days ago
  • Why we have to challenge our national fiscal assumptions

    A homeless person’s camp beside a blocked-off slipped damage walkway in Freeman’s Bay: we are chasing our tail on our worsening and inter-related housing, poverty and climate crises. Photo: Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Existential Crisis and Damaged Brains

    What has happened to it all?Crazy, some'd sayWhere is the life that I recognise?(Gone away)But I won't cry for yesterdayThere's an ordinary worldSomehow I have to findAnd as I try to make my wayTo the ordinary worldYesterday morning began as many others - what to write about today? I began ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • A speed limit is not a target, and yet…

    This is a guest post from longtime supporter Mr Plod, whose previous contributions include a proposal that Hamilton become New Zealand’s capital city, and that we should switch which side of the road we drive on. A recent Newsroom article, “Back to school for the Govt’s new speed limit policy“, ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Monday, July 22 are:Today’s Must Read: Father and son live in a tent, and have done for four years, in a million ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Monday, July 22, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:US President Joe Biden announced via X this morning he would not stand for a second term.Multinational professional services firm ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #29

    A listing of 32 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, July 14, 2024 thru Sat, July 20, 2024. Story of the week As reflected by preponderance of coverage, our Story of the Week is Project 2025. Until now traveling ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago
  • I'd like to share what I did this weekend

    This weekend, a friend pointed out someone who said they’d like to read my posts, but didn’t want to pay. And my first reaction was sympathy.I’ve already told folks that if they can’t comfortably subscribe, and would like to read, I’d be happy to offer free subscriptions. I don’t want ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • For the children – Why mere sentiment can be a misleading force in our lives, and lead to unex...

    National: The Party of ‘Law and Order’ IntroductionThis weekend, the Government formally kicked off one of their flagship policy programs: a military style boot camp that New Zealand has experimented with over the past 50 years. Cartoon credit: Guy BodyIt’s very popular with the National Party’s Law and Order image, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • A friend in uncertain times

    Day one of the solo leg of my long journey home begins with my favourite sound: footfalls in an empty street. 5.00 am and it’s already light and already too warm, almost.If I can make the train that leaves Budapest later this hour I could be in Belgrade by nightfall; ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • The Chaotic World of Male Diet Influencers

    Hi,We’ll get to the horrific world of male diet influencers (AKA Beefy Boys) shortly, but first you will be glad to know that since I sent out the Webworm explaining why the assassination attempt on Donald Trump was not a false flag operation, I’ve heard from a load of people ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • It's Starting To Look A Lot Like… Y2K

    Do you remember Y2K, the threat that hung over humanity in the closing days of the twentieth century? Horror scenarios of planes falling from the sky, electronic payments failing and ATMs refusing to dispense cash. As for your VCR following instructions and recording your favourite show - forget about it.All ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Bernard’s Saturday Soliloquy for the week to July 20

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts being questioned by The Kākā’s Bernard Hickey.TL;DR: My top six things to note around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the week to July 20 were:1. A strategy that fails Zero Carbon Act & Paris targetsThe National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government finally unveiled ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Pharmac Director, Climate Change Commissioner, Health NZ Directors – The latest to quit this m...

    Summary:As New Zealand loses at least 12 leaders in the public service space of health, climate, and pharmaceuticals, this month alone, directly in response to the Government’s policies and budget choices, what lies ahead may be darker than it appears. Tui examines some of those departures and draws a long ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 week ago
  • Flooding Housing Policy

    The Minister of Housing’s ambition is to reduce markedly the ratio of house prices to household incomes. If his strategy works it would transform the housing market, dramatically changing the prospects of housing as an investment.Leaving aside the Minister’s metaphor of ‘flooding the market’ I do not see how the ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    1 week ago
  • A Voyage Among the Vandals: Accepted (Again!)

    As previously noted, my historical fantasy piece, set in the fifth-century Mediterranean, was accepted for a Pirate Horror anthology, only for the anthology to later fall through. But in a good bit of news, it turned out that the story could indeed be re-marketed as sword and sorcery. As of ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā's Chorus for Friday, July 19

    An employee of tobacco company Philip Morris International demonstrates a heated tobacco device. Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy on Friday, July 19 are:At a time when the Coalition Government is cutting spending on health, infrastructure, education, housing ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 8:30 am on Friday, July 19 are:Scoop: NZ First Minister Casey Costello orders 50% cut to excise tax on heated tobacco products. The minister has ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Roundup 19-July-2024

    Kia ora, it’s time for another Friday roundup, in which we pull together some of the links and stories that caught our eye this week. Feel free to add more in the comments! Our header image this week shows a foggy day in Auckland town, captured by Patrick Reynolds. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Climate Wrap: A market-led plan for failure

    TL;DR : Here’s the top six items climate news for Aotearoa this week, as selected by Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent Cathrine Dyer. A discussion recorded yesterday is in the video above and the audio of that sent onto the podcast feed.The Government released its draft Emissions Reduction ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Tobacco First

    Save some money, get rich and old, bring it back to Tobacco Road.Bring that dynamite and a crane, blow it up, start all over again.Roll up. Roll up. Or tailor made, if you prefer...Whether you’re selling ciggies, digging for gold, catching dolphins in your nets, or encouraging folks to flutter ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Trump’s Adopted Son.

    Waiting In The Wings: For truly, if Trump is America’s un-assassinated Caesar, then J.D. Vance is America’s Octavian, the Republic’s youthful undertaker – and its first Emperor.DONALD TRUMP’S SELECTION of James D. Vance as his running-mate bodes ill for the American republic. A fervent supporter of Viktor Orban, the “illiberal” prime ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 19, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:The PSA announced the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) had ruled in the PSA’s favour in its case against the Ministry ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago

  • Joint statement from the Prime Ministers of Canada, Australia and New Zealand

    Australia, Canada and New Zealand today issued the following statement on the need for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and the risk of expanded conflict between Hizballah and Israel. The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The human suffering is unacceptable. It cannot continue.  We remain unequivocal in our condemnation of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago
  • AG reminds institutions of legal obligations

    Attorney-General Judith Collins today reminded all State and faith-based institutions of their legal obligation to preserve records relevant to the safety and wellbeing of those in its care. “The Abuse in Care Inquiry’s report has found cases where records of the most vulnerable people in State and faith‑based institutions were ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago
  • More young people learning about digital safety

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government’s online safety website for children and young people has reached one million page views.  “It is great to see so many young people and their families accessing the site Keep It Real Online to learn how to stay safe online, and manage ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago
  • Speech to the Conference for General Practice 2024

    Tēnā tātou katoa,  Ngā mihi te rangi, ngā mihi te whenua, ngā mihi ki a koutou, kia ora mai koutou. Thank you for the opportunity to be here and the invitation to speak at this 50th anniversary conference. I acknowledge all those who have gone before us and paved the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago
  • Employers and payroll providers ready for tax changes

    New Zealand’s payroll providers have successfully prepared to ensure 3.5 million individuals will, from Wednesday next week, be able to keep more of what they earn each pay, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Revenue Minister Simon Watts.  “The Government's tax policy changes are legally effective from Wednesday. Delivering this tax ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Experimental vineyard futureproofs wine industry

    An experimental vineyard which will help futureproof the wine sector has been opened in Blenheim by Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson. The covered vineyard, based at the New Zealand Wine Centre – Te Pokapū Wāina o Aotearoa, enables controlled environmental conditions. “The research that will be produced at the Experimental ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Funding confirmed for regions affected by North Island Weather Events

    The Coalition Government has confirmed the indicative regional breakdown of North Island Weather Event (NIWE) funding for state highway recovery projects funded through Budget 2024, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Regions in the North Island suffered extensive and devastating damage from Cyclone Gabrielle and the 2023 Auckland Anniversary Floods, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Indonesian Foreign Minister to visit

    Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi, will visit New Zealand next week, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.   “Indonesia is important to New Zealand’s security and economic interests and is our closest South East Asian neighbour,” says Mr Peters, who is currently in Laos to engage with South East Asian partners. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Strengthening partnership with Ngāti Maniapoto

    He aha te kai a te rangatira? He kōrero, he kōrero, he kōrero. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the aspirations of Ngāti Maniapoto, Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka says. “My thanks to Te Nehenehenui Trust – Ngāti Maniapoto for bringing their important kōrero to a ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Transport Minister thanks outgoing CAA Chair

    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has thanked outgoing Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority, Janice Fredric, for her service to the board.“I have received Ms Fredric’s resignation from the role of Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority,” Mr Brown says.“On behalf of the Government, I want to thank Ms Fredric for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Test for Customary Marine Title being restored

    The Government is proposing legislation to overturn a Court of Appeal decision and amend the Marine and Coastal Area Act in order to restore Parliament’s test for Customary Marine Title, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says.  “Section 58 required an applicant group to prove they have exclusively used and occupied ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Opposition united in bad faith over ECE sector review

    Regulation Minister David Seymour says that opposition parties have united in bad faith, opposing what they claim are ‘dangerous changes’ to the Early Childhood Education sector, despite no changes even being proposed yet.  “Issues with affordability and availability of early childhood education, and the complexity of its regulation, has led ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Kiwis having their say on first regulatory review

    After receiving more than 740 submissions in the first 20 days, Regulation Minister David Seymour is asking the Ministry for Regulation to extend engagement on the early childhood education regulation review by an extra two weeks.  “The level of interest has been very high, and from the conversations I’ve been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government upgrading Lower North Island commuter rail

    The Coalition Government is investing $802.9 million into the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines as part of a funding agreement with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), KiwiRail, and the Greater Wellington and Horizons Regional Councils to deliver more reliable services for commuters in the lower North Island, Transport Minister Simeon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government moves to ensure flood protection for Wairoa

    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced his intention to appoint a Crown Manager to both Hawke’s Bay Regional and Wairoa District Councils to speed up the delivery of flood protection work in Wairoa."Recent severe weather events in Wairoa this year, combined with damage from Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023 have ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • PM speech to Parliament – Royal Commission of Inquiry’s Report into Abuse in Care

    Mr Speaker, this is a day that many New Zealanders who were abused in State care never thought would come. It’s the day that this Parliament accepts, with deep sorrow and regret, the Report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.  At the heart of this report are the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges torture at Lake Alice

    For the first time, the Government is formally acknowledging some children and young people at Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital experienced torture. The final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care “Whanaketia – through pain and trauma, from darkness to light,” was tabled in Parliament ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges courageous abuse survivors

    The Government has acknowledged the nearly 2,400 courageous survivors who shared their experiences during the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State and Faith-Based Care. The final report from the largest and most complex public inquiry ever held in New Zealand, the Royal Commission Inquiry “Whanaketia – through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Half a million people use tax calculator

    With a week to go before hard-working New Zealanders see personal income tax relief for the first time in fourteen years, 513,000 people have used the Budget tax calculator to see how much they will benefit, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “Tax relief is long overdue. From next Wednesday, personal income ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Paid Parental Leave improvements pass first reading

    Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says a bill that has passed its first reading will improve parental leave settings and give non-biological parents more flexibility as primary carer for their child. The Regulatory Systems Amendment Bill (No3), passed its first reading this morning. “It includes a change ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Rebuilding the economy through better regulation

    Two Bills designed to improve regulation and make it easier to do business have passed their first reading in Parliament, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. The Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Bill and Regulatory Systems (Immigration and Workforce) Amendment Bill make key changes to legislation administered by the Ministry ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • ‘Open banking’ and ‘open electricity’ on the way

    New legislation paves the way for greater competition in sectors such as banking and electricity, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Competitive markets boost productivity, create employment opportunities and lift living standards. To support competition, we need good quality regulation but, unfortunately, a recent OECD report ranked New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Charity lotteries to be permitted to operate online

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says lotteries for charitable purposes, such as those run by the Heart Foundation, Coastguard NZ, and local hospices, will soon be allowed to operate online permanently. “Under current laws, these fundraising lotteries are only allowed to operate online until October 2024, after which ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Accelerating Northland Expressway

    The Coalition Government is accelerating work on the new four-lane expressway between Auckland and Whangārei as part of its Roads of National Significance programme, with an accelerated delivery model to deliver this project faster and more efficiently, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “For too long, the lack of resilient transport connections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Sir Don to travel to Viet Nam as special envoy

    Sir Don McKinnon will travel to Viet Nam this week as a Special Envoy of the Government, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.    “It is important that the Government give due recognition to the significant contributions that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made to New Zealand-Viet Nam relations,” Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Grant Illingworth KC appointed as transitional Commissioner to Royal Commission

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says newly appointed Commissioner, Grant Illingworth KC, will help deliver the report for the first phase of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons, due on 28 November 2024.  “I am pleased to announce that Mr Illingworth will commence his appointment as ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ to advance relationships with ASEAN partners

    Foreign Minister Winston Peters travels to Laos this week to participate in a series of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-led Ministerial meetings in Vientiane.    “ASEAN plays an important role in supporting a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” Mr Peters says.   “This will be our third visit to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Backing mental health services on the West Coast

    Construction of a new mental health facility at Te Nikau Grey Hospital in Greymouth is today one step closer, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “This $27 million facility shows this Government is delivering on its promise to boost mental health care and improve front line services,” Mr Doocey says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ support for sustainable Pacific fisheries

    New Zealand is committing nearly $50 million to a package supporting sustainable Pacific fisheries development over the next four years, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones announced today. “This support consisting of a range of initiatives demonstrates New Zealand’s commitment to assisting our Pacific partners ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Students’ needs at centre of new charter school adjustments

    Associate Education Minister David Seymour says proposed changes to the Education and Training Amendment Bill will ensure charter schools have more flexibility to negotiate employment agreements and are equipped with the right teaching resources. “Cabinet has agreed to progress an amendment which means unions will not be able to initiate ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Commissioner replaces Health NZ Board

    In response to serious concerns around oversight, overspend and a significant deterioration in financial outlook, the Board of Health New Zealand will be replaced with a Commissioner, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti announced today.  “The previous government’s botched health reforms have created significant financial challenges at Health NZ that, without ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister to speak at Australian Space Forum

    Minister for Space and Science, Innovation and Technology Judith Collins will travel to Adelaide tomorrow for space and science engagements, including speaking at the Australian Space Forum.  While there she will also have meetings and visits with a focus on space, biotechnology and innovation.  “New Zealand has a thriving space ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Climate Change Minister to attend climate action meeting in China

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts will travel to China on Saturday to attend the Ministerial on Climate Action meeting held in Wuhan.  “Attending the Ministerial on Climate Action is an opportunity to advocate for New Zealand climate priorities and engage with our key partners on climate action,” Mr Watts says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Oceans and Fisheries Minister to Solomons

    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is travelling to the Solomon Islands tomorrow for meetings with his counterparts from around the Pacific supporting collective management of the region’s fisheries. The 23rd Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Committee and the 5th Regional Fisheries Ministers’ Meeting in Honiara from 23 to 26 July ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Government launches Military Style Academy Pilot

    The Government today launched the Military Style Academy Pilot at Te Au rere a te Tonga Youth Justice residence in Palmerston North, an important part of the Government’s plan to crackdown on youth crime and getting youth offenders back on track, Minister for Children, Karen Chhour said today. “On the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Nine priority bridge replacements to get underway

    The Government has welcomed news the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has begun work to replace nine priority bridges across the country to ensure our state highway network remains resilient, reliable, and efficient for road users, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“Increasing productivity and economic growth is a key priority for the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Update on global IT outage

    Acting Prime Minister David Seymour has been in contact throughout the evening with senior officials who have coordinated a whole of government response to the global IT outage and can provide an update. The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has designated the National Emergency Management Agency as the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New Zealand, Japan renew Pacific partnership

    New Zealand and Japan will continue to step up their shared engagement with the Pacific, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “New Zealand and Japan have a strong, shared interest in a free, open and stable Pacific Islands region,” Mr Peters says.    “We are pleased to be finding more ways ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New infrastructure energises BOP forestry towns

    New developments in the heart of North Island forestry country will reinvigorate their communities and boost economic development, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones visited Kaingaroa and Kawerau in Bay of Plenty today to open a landmark community centre in the former and a new connecting road in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • 'Pacific Futures'

    President Adeang, fellow Ministers, honourable Diet Member Horii, Ambassadors, distinguished guests.    Minasama, konnichiwa, and good afternoon, everyone.    Distinguished guests, it’s a pleasure to be here with you today to talk about New Zealand’s foreign policy reset, the reasons for it, the values that underpin it, and how it ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-07-27T00:54:01+00:00