Australia’s sudden burst of “conscience” leads to banning of two American scumbags;
All of this would be more convincing if they’d banned a far worse American scumbag.
Those moral paragons in the Australian government have just banned a sleazy “pick-up artist” called Jeff Allen from entering the country. This follows last year’s ban of another sleaze-ball, Julien Blanc.
This is, of course, commendable. But it begs the question: how come the Australian government lionized President Bill Clinton a few years ago? Compared to Clinton, Jeff Allen and Julien Blanc are Albert Schweitzer and Fred Hollows.
The PUA’s may or may not be sleazeballs but they aren’t criminals. Cancelling visas seems like an extreme over reaction from a militant fun killing faction of the Left
Yes and no. This is tricky. Where farming is traditional, eg family farms where people are making a living and they want to do the right thing eg fence off water ways or transition to regenerative agriculture, I’d love to see them supported in multiple ways.
Where corporates or business owners are using the farms/the land to make shit loads of money and they are being forced to do better by the environment against their will, I don’t know what to do with those people/businesses but am loathe for them to have any more access to public resources than they already do. If they want to run a business model that’s corporate and industrial rather than actual farming, let that model figure out how to pay for all the costs and requirements (that’s what the model claims it can do anyway).
TPP
Michael Geist is writing a series of articles on the implications of TPP for Canada. His latest article states
the net effect of a recent European privacy case and the TPP provisions is that Canada could end up caught in a global privacy battle in which Europe restricts data transfers with Canada due to surveillance activities and the TPP restricts Canada’s ability address European concerns.
Interestingly, at least one TPP country identified the potential risk of a clash between European privacy rules and the TPP. Australia obtained a side letter with the United States that largely addresses the concern. The letter states:
Should the Government of the United States of America undertake any relevant additional commitments to those in the TPP Agreement with respect to the treatment of personal information of foreign nationals in another free trade agreement, it shall extend any such commitments to Australia. The United States will also endeavor to apply extensions of privacy protections with respect to personal information of foreign nationals held by the United States Government to Australian citizens and permanent residents.
Japan minister who negotiated for TPP accused of corruption
TOKYO (AFP) – A Japanese minister who was the country’s top negotiator for a huge trans-Pacific trade deal was accused of corruption on Thursday (Jan 21), piling pressure on Prime Minister Shinzo Abe ahead of parliamentary elections this year.
Weekly magazine Shukan Bunshun claimed on Thursday that Economy and Fiscal Policy Minister Akira Amari, who also serves as Japan’s chief negotiator for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), and his staff accepted a 12 million yen (S$148,000) “bribe” from a construction firm.
The allegations against a key ally of the prime minister come ahead of upper house elections in July and as the government looks to ratify the TPP, a massive multination deal of which Japan has been a key player.
@TMM – Lets face it, Groser is not capable of getting any decent deal for NZ, my guess we have zero side agreements in our favour but Grosser signed every side agreement he was asked to sign. If the signing countries are stupid enough to keep going with TPP which is effectively giving their country over to a group of international corporate lawyers to decide their fates rather than their own government, then more and more problems are going to arise in particular by NZ by allowing a nincompoop like Groser to be able to negotiate it. Complexity itself is a problem.
All the experts are saying it is the worst agreement imaginable, at a time where corporations have become so greedy they are using Lawfare to seize even more power, money and control and when significant world problems like climate change and food insecurity are going to require governments to be more nimble and able to react quickly, now hindered under TPP.
Love how TPP is binding but the Paris climate change agreement voluntary.
Who in their right mind is going to sign such ridiculous agreements?
Does anyone know …… IF NOT signing the TPP precludes us from entering into agreements with non-TPPA members?
Serious question. I’ve just listened to some fuckwit calling themselves Steven Jacobi?? on RNZ News at 14:00 who seems to be yet another desperado shill running flak for the TPPsters.
His view (to cut a long story short) is that NOT signing will mean devastation for NZ.
I’m left wondering whether or not this pillock was one of the’bizzniss enterage’ led by a Proim Munsta Master of the Universe that went on that Sth American jaunt way back……trying to grease up to Sth American nations, but who came across to most in attendance as crass, arrogant little fukwits from somewhere that amounts to a pimple on the arse end of the globe.
He seems to have a really limiting tunnel vision that is so fucking imbecilic its almost comedic.
If fuckwits like Steven are the best oracles of our economic competency (alongside Key and Groser, amongst others) – then we really ARE in trouble.
ahem, SME owners having the readies for a new HSV Commodore or outboard motor and a few more mill shipped offshore to foreign banks hardly constitutes good news for most of us
“trickle down” does not happen, it does not work–even the World Bank and IMF finally admitted that, good news will be seeing the TPPA fall over or stronger labour laws in this country
Does anyone know if after putting a comment on Facebook, if it can be edited or removed by oneself? If you have time I would like to know now. I can’t see any button I can use to regain control of it.
Thanks Naturesong. The edit button is not obvious so will have to check it out and get informed. I got help from family (up with the technology) which has sorted out the problem this time. But I really need to do that background work ready for next time when it comes.
A heartfelt request for the NZ govt “and people” to do the honourable thing and make good on a promise given. Courtesy of Toby Manhire (dead serious this time):
“So we are asking the New Zealand Prime Minister Mr John Keys [a forgivable slip; after all, the New York Times called him Jeff Key] and the Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse, along with the whole Government of New Zealand and the people of New Zealand, to remember and honour the deal with Australia. Everyone who has signed this letter has had their claim for asylum processed. We all had genuine claims that were accepted.”
“The “deal” they refer to is that agreed between Key and his then counterpart Julia Gillard in 2013, providing Australia with the option of placing up to 150 refugees for resettlement in New Zealand a year. The arrangement echoed an earlier deal which saw New Zealand take in 401 people from Australian offshore detention centres between 2001 and 2007″ http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=11577593
These refugees need NZ visas to be issued promptly – not delayed for any more months. And to be allowed to come and live here permanently, a place where they can live in safety.
Just out “the fifth in a series of expert peer reviewed papers on the implications of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) for New Zealand was posted on the TPP Legal website today.
The paper examines the key economic issues that likely to be impacted by the TPPA – the predicted economic benefits of the TPPA for the New Zealand economy, the implications for agricultural trade, the impact on value chains for New Zealand exporters, the potential for regulatory ‘chill’ and the degree to which it fulfils the aim of being a ‘21st Century agreement’.
The paper was co-authored by Tim Hazledine, Professor of Economics at the University of Auckland Business; Rod Oram, business journalist and author; Geoff Bertram, Senior Associate at the Institute for Policy and Governance at Victoria University; and Barry Coates, researcher and former Executive Director of Oxfam New Zealand. The peer reviewer was John Quiggin, an Australian Laureate Fellow in Economics at the University of Queensland.”
“It is striking how little the TPPA will deliver. Without the TPPA, our GDP will grow by 47% by 2030 at current growth rates. The TPPA would add only 0.9%”, says Barry Coates, who co-authored the section on modelling with Tim Hazledine.
“Even that small benefit is a gross exaggeration. The modelling makes unfounded assumptions, and the real benefits will be far smaller. If the full costs were included, it is doubtful that there would be any net economic benefit to the New Zealand economy.”
How Key has followed the Brash Doctrine ……… and been far more dirty while at it.
John Key knifing Bill double dipper English in the back and supporting Brash …. he picked up the deputy leaders job under brash for this betrayal……. I imagine he smiled at English during the assassination
Other Info and quotes from the nats or their backers ……
Doug myers “The chequebooks always ready for political parties ….as long as they get the things right”…………………..
I’d say with $75 million spent on alcohol per week in NZ ……. and the Government picking up the tab of over a $3 Billion dollar shortfall in Alcohol abuse costs versus Alcohol tax…….. that National have delivered for Doug and co very handsomely ……
David Richwhite regarding the railways swindle/privatization —-“In the long run the new Zealand public will benefit from an improved railway network and operation.” ….this is the same line used by the tr0lls here and is the present ‘logic’ behind Serco, charter schools etc
Some narration ……
“The high value donars gave their donations to trusts, which passed it on anonymously to the party. Over one and a half million was to come in via the Waitemata & Ruahine trusts. Both of PO. Box 2244 Auckland”……” In public senior party mp’s and officials denied knowing the identity of donars, but privately they knew perfectly well who was writing the cheques”…….
“The donars were invited to private fundraising dinners….the media was excluded …… a table cost $5000 the tobacco industry brought 2″ ( coincidentally the number of tobacco industry mp’s the nats presently have in Govt ), ………..Don Brash or John Key made the speeches.”
Brash engaged in a bit of refugee bashing ……. pukish would approve
Brash promised 3.9 billion in tax cuts … Key wanted to give more ….But Labour won the election, Cullen payed down govt debt instead ……Which saved nationals ass when the GFC struck …..
The GFC was of coursed caused by the financial industry and people like john Key……….Our present prime minister is like a Dingo babysitting your children*
“Brian Sinclear met Maxim s Scott McMurray to discuss to discuss a $100,000 campaign aimed at shifting the evangelical Christian votes away from small Christian parties to national”. ………….”Don Brash told church goers that National would provide more money for their private schools” …
fast forward to John Keys first term in Govt….. “$35 million gifted to private schools (4% of students). Elite private school Wanganui Collegiate (400 students) receives $3.9 million bail out despite Ministry advice not to.”http://localbodies-bsprout.blogspot.co.nz/2014/03/the-destruction-of-new-zealands-public.html
Regarding Brash/Key, the Nats ……and their exclusive Brethren election coalition….
“Brashs assistant ( press secretary ) Anita Ferguson prepared a response ….” As far as Don is aware he has never met Stephen Win ( Brethren schemer) ….If you want to talk dirty politics you are talking to the wrong party “ ..from a email she sent to Bryan Sinclair, Murray McCully and Richard Long” ……
And film in The Hollow Men doco of Brash putting it into action :………..
“Reporter: Do you know who is responsible for it ?.
Brash: I don’t
R: What do you think about the accusation from the greens on this matter?.
Brash: Well I suspect its another dirty trick.. ah.. accusation at national, ….. we’ve had nothing to do with this,…at all ……. We don’t engage in that type of polictics. …….”
John Key …………” In relation to the exclusive brethren …. I never pulled their women’s long lovely hair ”….“Nah I made that up ……and pony tails are sin-full ………. but at the end of The Hollow Men Key finishes the documentary with lies at his very first press conference as leader of the National party …….. Unlike Brash he has not been punished for his blatant dishonesty which over 75% of voters acknowledge …… if we exclude Northland .
I started reading this, never having seen this program, until, after a couple of lines,
I came across this howler.
Talking about John Key you say “he picked up the deputy leaders job under brash for this betrayal”.
Is this really what the program said, or were you not watching it very closely?
For your information the “deputy leaders job under brash” was held by Gerry Brownlee.
Have a look at the first line in this link https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerry_Brownlee
If this was your work I don’t think I need bother reading any further.
If it was actually in the program I won’t bother watching it. It’s version of history is unlikely to bear much similarity to reality is it?
Willing to say who stuffed up?
My recollection of his position was faulty…… there was so much filth from the nats to absorb ……………… I stand corrected and The Dingo JK was the opposition finance minister of course.
The betrayal was apparently because Key had lied to English in that he said he’d vote/support him and not Brash in a leadership challenge……….
A tr0ll poster like yourself is far more likely to feature in a a documentary of sleaze,dishonesty and poor morals rather than watch one ……………
The Nats come out looking like they really are …………….. Dirty as fuck 🙂
“JK was the opposition finance minister of course”
You presumably mean “spokesman” rather than “minister”.
Even then you are misleading.
Don Brash was the National Party Leader from 28 October 2003 until 27 November 2006. When he became the leader he retained the job as Finance spokesman. Key became a DEPUTY Finance spokesman but that isn’t the real thing. After all you might remember that Michael Cullen was Finance Minister after the 2005 election. Do you remember who were associate finance ministers? That is the Government equivalent of Key’s position.
I’ll give you a clue. Their initials were PG and TM.
Key was promoted to the Finance spokesman position but not until August 2004, ten months later.
From the Herald
” Key was thrust into the limelight as fully-fledged finance spokesman in August 2004″ http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10523317
Can you get anything right? Do you think you should learn what really went on?
Or do you feel the only way to cover up for your ignorance is to spew such garbage as
“A tr0ll poster like yourself is far more likely to feature in a a documentary of sleaze,dishonesty and poor morals rather than watch one”.
What an idiot you are.
Now, are you willing to answer the queries I put at the end of my comment. To save you the trouble of looking back I’ll repeat them.
“If this was your work I don’t think I need bother reading any further.
If it was actually in the program I won’t bother watching it. It’s version of history is unlikely to bear much similarity to reality is it?
Willing to say who stuffed up?”
“First of all, though you didn’t directly really refer, I’m sure you as a clever guy understand the Treaty of Waitangi. You know, all that stuff like how it came about, what is in it, its role in New Zealand history and society – all pretty complex stuff. I mean, surely you wouldn’t just talk about a topic without knowing much about it. Surely.” Dr Hirini Kaa
What’s that? Rape and otherwise abuse vulnerable people? For a small country we hold our own, punch (ha!) above our weight, put the country on the map and all that.
If you mean the prison sentence – watch this space…
What they talked about:
1. What the Panelists Michelle Boag and Brian Edwards have been up to.
2. The first person to be arrested for non-payment of a student loan has taken place at Auckland airport.
3. Tax expert Kristina Andersen discusses the student loans system.
4. The wonders of meditation
5. How well protected is Crown land?
6. Michelle Boag chats about her holiday in Queenstown, while downplaying the state of the global economy because rich young people come to NZ on holiday and makes a snide comment about Metiria Turei
7. Brian Edwards praises the Auckland Council for Westhaven promenade and the trams at Motat.
8. TVNZ is to launch a male-targeted channel.
What they did not talk about:
1. The TPP
2. The global economic meltdown.
The dumbing down of RNZ and its march to the right on Mora’s dreadful show continues.
Buried deep within Bryce Edwards’ opinion piece I found this and wondered what on earth could have triggered such a change.
Geoff Bascand, the Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank, defended the policy change in a newspaper column on Tuesday. Bascand said the policy was “consistent with the Official Information Act” and was a “common, fair and reasonable response” to an increase in OIA requests of almost 300 per cent in the past five years.
Specifically, what conditions have brought about this dramatic increase in OIA requests?
Is there a concern amongst the public and the media that we are must fight harder for information?
Has the National Party’s reliance on Dirty Politics brought to our attention that our public service isn’t serving what we expect of democracy and that the revelation the the SIS colluded with the prime minister’s office in order to discredit the then leader of the opposition?
Or is it the National government’s general and slipshod method of governance with respect to the overuse of urgency in Parliament, the use of taxpayer funds for party specific purposes (Parmar, Bridges), arbitrary ministerial decision making (Bridges again), the attack by ministers (Collins) on the judiciary and public servants (Collins, McCully, and Key), and the seeming abandonment of select committee process in favour of policy-by-polling (Bennett) which is responsible for the spike in the media and public wanting more answers to serious questions?
Thanks to NRT for their OIA request for information on OIA requests in the last financial year for the purposes of providing clear data with which we can measure the honesty of this government.
Sad too that the Transparency International global Corruption Perception Index didn’t pick up on our prime minister’s cordial relationship with attack blogger Cameron Slater in their 2014 results.
Looks like another one of National’s nails in the coffin of democracy. As always it’s hard to tell if it’s deliberate or just another consequence of the neoliberal world view that sees everything as having a price.
Same thing, isn’t it? The new world which they seek to usher in where everything has it’s price means that power and democracy is bought.
The sly application of a loose law in the OIA process means that the NZ taxpayer pays for the information once through taxes, and then an individual and the media must now pay again.
Is the 300% increase in OIA applications in the last five years due to the conditions under which this government operates, or is it due to the media and bloggers getting too cute with the process. If the latter is so, then why?
All the reportage I’ve seen has been entirely one-sided in favour of the old rich white man which seems very suspicious.
I assume he’s some kind of ‘Business Community stalwart’?
I feel that he seems to be the kind of guy who wishes for a smaller State, less ‘red tape’ & especially no interference in what he does on his own property.
Yet he is claiming a right to protect his view of the harbour over the neighbours’ right to do what they want on their own property.
I suspect that if the complainant was non-white & poor there would be a very very different coverage of the story.
From the pics I suspect that the issue started because the neighbour didn’t appreciate the way that the glass edged deck gave unlimited views of his back yard/house & was told to bugger off when he complained about it.
I think he has a grievance. The other owner built a humungous fence masquerading as a fort that blocked his view for “privacy reasons”. The structure did not provide any extra privacy but ruined the view. I think neighbours should be respectful of other neighbours expectations.
Just because someone has a load of money doesn’t mean that they should lose rights if someone chooses to be a dipshit, and a cunning smartarse as well. The neighbour who built the fence must have wanted perfect privacy so they wouldn’t be able to view the roof of his house. How he got permission to build a high fence that shut his neighbours in like a prison wall I don’t know. It was said to be a fort, but it stretched for half a kilometre? across his back boundary.
If it was a fence he would have been required to talk to his neighbour and seek agreement. Then it would have had height restrictions. So cunning on his part to get it through as a fort. And so unreasonable to try and diminish a neighbour’s existing property in order to gain advantage himself. And the fort builder must have a mint of money, fencing is very expensive. So just a bad case of the Me first, last and foremost by the sneaky neighbour. (I/ve been reading about this and this is what I have gathered. I put some links about it a few days ago.)
I think it is a situation that many people have with self-centred neighbours. If you have good ones, you’re lucky. Keep the good vibes going between you. Also the law gives rights, and provides sanctions as well to property owners. And ultimately the land is the property of the Crown, and all the rights conveyed under the law are by necessity under Her Majesty’s control, so sometimes land wlll ‘be taken’ for public needs but with compensation.
Anyone going to Andrew Little’s picnic in the park on 31 January? If so, is anyone up for a cabal?
Neatly, he’ll be speaking from the band rotunda in Albert park where Auckland’s ever increasing numbers of homeless congregate to share, unmolested, a bit of social interaction.
Labour on 27.5% in the latest Roy Morgan. Some 100th anniversary celebration this will be. If you pile in the Greens and Winston, you’ll get a coalition which might have a majority of 1 or 2 over National plus Maori Party.
And this is the best Labour can manage halfway through a third term National Government which is utterly rudderless and starved for ideas.
“The majority of the Hurunui’s 12,000 residents live with tap water connected to supplies given an “E” grade by the Ministry of Health.
It is the lowest grade possible and represents an “unacceptable level of risk”, according to the Ministry.
In the last analysis conducted in 2014, supplies for Cheviot, Amberley, Waiau and Waipara all recorded excessive E.coli levels and failed protozoa tests – placing them in the bottom 3 per cent of supplies nationwide.
Seven rural water schemes in the district are on a permanent boil notice.”
BUT…
“The district council says it is more of a “nuisance” than a health issue.”
AND…
“The council has until 2025 to meet national drinking water standards, which it said could cost up to $14 million, as most of its water supplies do not meet the standard.
It had previously told the Ministry of Health the standards were unfair, as much of the district’s water was consumed by animals.”
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Images of US students (and others) protesting and setting up tent cities on US university campuses have been broadcast world wide and clearly demonstrate the growing rifts in US society caused by US policy toward Israel and Israel’s prosecution of … Continue reading → ...
Barrie Saunders writes – Dear Paul As the new Minister of Media and Communications, you will be inundated with heaps of free advice and special pleading, all in the national interest of course. For what it’s worth here is my assessment: Traditional broadcasting free to air content through ...
Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its arguments for such a bold reform. ...
Peter Dunne writes – The great nineteenth British Prime Minister, William Gladstone, once observed that “the first essential for a Prime Minister is to be a good butcher.” When a later British Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan, sacked a third of his Cabinet in July 1962, in what became ...
Ele Ludemann writes – New Zealanders had the OECD’s second highest tax increase last year: New Zealanders faced the second-biggest tax raises in the developed world last year, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) says. The intergovernmental agency said the average change in personal income tax ...
We all know something’s not right with our elections. The spread of misinformation, people being targeted with soundbites and emotional triggers that ignore the facts, even the truth, and influence their votes.The use of technology to produce deep fakes. How can you tell if something is real or not? Can ...
This video includes conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Simon Clark. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). This year you will be lied to! Simon Clark helps prebunk some misleading statements you'll hear about climate. The video includes ...
It is all very well cutting the backrooms of public agencies but it may compromise the frontlines. One of the frustrations of the Productivity Commission’s 2017 review of universities is that while it observed that their non-academic staff were increasing faster than their academic staff, it did not bother to ...
Buzz from the Beehive Two speeches delivered by Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters at Anzac Day ceremonies in Turkey are the only new posts on the government’s official website since the PM announced his Cabinet shake-up. In one of the speeches, Peters stated the obvious: we live in a troubled ...
1. Which of these would you not expect to read in The Waikato Invader?a. Luxon is here to do business, don’t you worry about thatb. Mr KPI expects results, and you better believe itc. This decisive man of action is getting me all hot and excitedd. Melissa Lee is how ...
…it has a restricted jurisdiction which must not be abused: it is not an inquisitionNOTE – this article was published before the High Court ruled that Karen Chhour does not have to appear before the Waitangi Tribunal Gary Judd writes – The High Court ...
Lindsay Mitchell writes – One of reasons Oranga Tamariki exists is to prevent child neglect. But could the organisation itself be guilty of the same?Oranga Tamariki’s statistics show a decrease in the number and age of children in care. “There are less children ...
David Farrar writes: Graeme Edgeler wrote in 2017: In the first five years after three strikes came into effect 5248 offenders received a ‘first strike’ (that is, a “stage-1 conviction” under the three strikes sentencing regime), and 68 offenders received a ‘second strike’. In the five years prior to ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesn’t normally happen in politics. That’s refreshing and will be extremely ...
TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the two days to 6:06am on Thursday, April 25:Politics: PM Christopher Luxon has set up a dual standard for ministerial competence by demoting two National Cabinet ministers while leaving also-struggling ...
Hi,Today I mainly want to share some of your thoughts about the recent piece I wrote about success and failure, and the forces that seemingly guide our lives. But first, a quick bit of housekeeping: I am doing a Webworm popup in Los Angeles on Saturday May 11 at 2pm. ...
It is hard to see what Melissa Lee might have done to “save” the media. National went into the election with no public media policy and appears not to have developed one subsequently. Lee claimed that she had prepared a policy paper before the election but it had been decided ...
Open access notablesIce acceleration and rotation in the Greenland Ice Sheet interior in recent decades, Løkkegaard et al., Communications Earth & Environment:In the past two decades, mass loss from the Greenland ice sheet has accelerated, partly due to the speedup of glaciers. However, uncertainty in speed derived from satellite products ...
Buzz from the Beehive A statement from Children’s Minister Karen Chhour – yet to be posted on the Government’s official website – arrived in Point of Order’s email in-tray last night. It welcomes the High Court ruling on whether the Waitangi Tribunal can demand she appear before it. It does ...
Mr Bombastic:Ironically, the media the academic experts wanted is, in many ways, the media they got. In place of the tyrannical editors of yesteryear, advancing without fear or favour the interests of the ruling class; the New Zealand news media of today boasts a troop of enlightened journalists dedicated to ...
It's hard times try to make a livingYou wake up every morning in the unforgivingOut there somewhere in the cityThere's people living lives without mercy or pityI feel good, yeah I'm feeling fineI feel better then I have for the longest timeI think these pills have been good for meI ...
In 1974, the US Supreme Court issued its decision in United States v. Nixon, finding that the President was not a King, but was subject to the law and was required to turn over the evidence of his wrongdoing to the courts. It was a landmark decision for the rule ...
Every day now just seems to bring in more fresh meat for the grinder.In their relentlessly ideological drive to cut back on the “excessive bloat” (as they see it) of the previous Labour-led government, on the mountains of evidence accumulated in such a short period of time do not ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Megan Valére SosouMarket gardening site of the Itchèléré de Itagui agricultural cooperative in Dassa-Zoumè (Image credit: Megan Valère Sossou) For the residents of Dassa-Zoumè, a city in the West African country of Benin, choosing between drinking water and having enough ...
Buzz from the Beehive Melissa Lee – as may be discerned from the screenshot above – has not been demoted for doing something seriously wrong as Minister of ...
Morning in London Mother hugs beloved daughter outside the converted shoe factory in which she is living.Afternoon in London Travelling writer takes himself and his wrist down to A&E, just to be sure. Read more ...
Mike Grimshaw writes – The recent announcement of the University Advisory Group, chaired by Sir Peter Gluckman, makes very clear where the Government’s focus and priorities lie. The remit of the Advisory Group is that Group members will consider challenges and opportunities for improvement in the university sector including: ...
Eric Crampton writes – The Reserve Bank of New Zealand desperately wants to find reasons to have workstreams in climate change. It makes little sense. They’ve run another stress test on the banks looking to see if they could find a prudential regulation case. They couldn’t. They ...
Rob MacCullough writes – Pundits from the left and the right are arguing that National’s Fast Track Bill that is designed to speed up infrastructure decisions could end up becoming mired in a cesspool of corruption. Political commentator ...
Looking at the headlines this morning it’s hard to feel anything other than pessimistic about the future of humanity.Note that I’m not speaking about the future of mankind, but the survival of our humanity. The values that we believe in seem to be ebbing away, by the day.Perhaps every generation ...
Swabbing mixed breed baby chicks to test for avian influenzaUh oh. Bird flu – often deadly to humans – is not only being transmitted from infected birds to dairy cows, but is now travelling between dairy cows. As of last Friday, Bloomberg News reports, there were 32 American dairy herds ...
On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
What is it with the mining industry? Its not enough for them to pillage the earth - they apparently can't even be bothered getting resource consent to do so: The proponent behind a major mine near the Clutha River had already been undertaking activity in the area without a ...
Photo # 1 I am a huge fan of Singapore’s approach to housing, as described here two years ago by copying and pasting from The ConversationWhat Singapore has that Australia does not is a public housing developer, the Housing Development Board, which puts new dwellings on public and reclaimed land, ...
This afternoon’s interim Waitangi Tribunal report must be taken seriously as it affects our most vulnerable children, Labour children’s spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime. ...
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Te Pāti Māori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. “This act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.” Said Te Pāti Māori Oranga Tamariki ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi, and Mema Paremata mō Tāmaki-Makaurau, Takutai Tarsh Kemp, will travel to the Gold Coast to strengthen ties with Māori in Australia next week (15-21 April). The visit, in the lead-up to the 9th Australian National Kapa haka Festival, will be an opportunity for both ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure. The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say. “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...
Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff. “Access to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwis’ lives. We’ve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...
Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says. “Every day, ...
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges. “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service. It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
Distinguished guests - It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order. “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today. I am delighted ...
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions. “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. “It is good ...
The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
“China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Asia Pacific Report A Pacific civil society alliance has condemned French neocolonial policies in Kanaky New Caledonia, saying Paris is set on “maintaining the status quo” and denying the indigenous Kanak people their inalienable right to self-determination. The Pacific Regional Non-Governmental Organisations (PRNGOs) Alliance, representing some 15 groups, said in ...
Koi Tū New Zealand cannot sit back and see the collapse of its Fourth Estate, the director of Koi Tū: The Centre for Informed Futures, Sir Peter Gluckman, says in the foreword of a paper published today. The paper, “If not journalists, then who?” paints a picture of an industry ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Foreign investment proposals with implications for Australia’s strategic or economic security will face tougher scrutiny, under a policy overhaul to be announced by Treasurer Jim Chalmers on Wednesday. At the same time, the government ...
A Waitangi Tribunal inquiry report has warned government that a repeal of Section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act could cause harm to children in care. ...
The Treasury has published today three new papers covering government consumption multipliers, automatic stabilisers and the impacts of global shocks on New Zealand’s economy. ...
Asia Pacific Report The Pacific state of Hawai’i’s House of Representatives has joined the state’s Senate in calling for a ceasefire in Israel’s war on Gaza, becoming the first state to pass such a resolution, reports Hawaii News Now. In March, the Senate passed a ceasefire resolution with a 24–1 ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christopher Ferrie, A/Prof, UTS Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Research and ARC DECRA Fellow, University of Technology Sydney PsiQuantum The Australian government has announced a pledge of approximately A$940 million (US$617 million) to PsiQuantum, a quantum computing start-up company based in Silicon Valley. Half ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hunter Bennett, Lecturer in Exercise Science, University of South Australia Cameron Prins/Shutterstock If you spend a lot of time exploring fitness content online, you might have come across the concept of heart rate zones. Heart rate zone training has become more ...
SPECIAL REPORT:By Eugene Doyle He is the most popular Palestinian leader alive today — and yet few people in the West even know his name. Absolutely no one in Gaza or the West Bank does not know him. That difference speaks volumes about who dominates the media narrative that ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Will McCallum, PhD Candidate – School of Communication and Creative Arts, Deakin University Earlier this year, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton accused Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of not supporting Operation Sovereign Borders – the military-led border security operation that has “closed Australia’s borders ...
By Melyne Baroi in Port Moresby A Papua New Guinea MP, Peter Isoaimo, who had been ousted by the National Court in an alleged bribery case, has been reinstated by the Supreme Court on appeal. A three-member Supreme Court bench found that the National Court had erred in finding that ...
Publisher Chris Holdaway reflects on the unique project of collecting the work of the late, terrific poet Schaeffer Lemalu. One of the nice things you can do as a truly independent publisher is to make the books that writers want to make, whatever they happen to be. That’s how I’ve ...
Those profiled in the stamp series served on overseas deployments from 1995 onwards, and all have been awarded theNew Zealand Operational Service Medal. ...
Last night’s dismal poll result for the coalition government shows the limits of trying to govern as an opposition, argues Joel MacManus. There’s a quote from the American political activist Barbara Deming: “Vengeance is not the point; change is. But the trouble is that in most people’s minds, the thought ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Shireen Morris, Associate Professor and Director of the Radical Centre Reform Lab at Macquarie University Law School, Macquarie University Leonid Andronov/Shutterstock Foreign interference in Australian democracy poses a growing risk to our national sovereignty. It refers to coercive, corrupt or ...
A defendant charged by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has pleaded guilty to four charges of obtaining by deception in relation to a mortgage fraud scheme. Sentencing has been scheduled for 14 August 2024. ...
What to say when pesky journalists ask gotcha questions like ‘can you name a single book you’ve ever read?’ and ‘did you read it, or did you just see the movie?’This week, Act Party arts spokesperson Todd Stephenson foolishly agreed to an interview with Newsroom’s Steve Braunias regarding his ...
Explainer - What will a ban on cellphones in schools achieve? Can students use them during lunch breaks? And what happens if you need to contact your child? ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jodi Rowley, Curator, Amphibian & Reptile Conservation Biology, Australian Museum, UNSW Sydney Jodi Rowley, CC BY-NC-ND In winter 2021, Australia’s frogs started dropping dead. People began posting images of dead frogs on social media. Unable to travel to investigate the deaths ...
In the year ended March 2024, 0.4 percent of home transfers were to people who didn’t hold New Zealand citizenship or a resident visa, according to figures released by Stats NZ today. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Wasay Majid, Research Assistant , University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau New Zealand’s accommodation supplement scheme is facing scrutiny, with Social Development Minister Louise Upston recently saying “there is merit in considering whether the current settings are fair and sustainable long-term”. The ...
By Koroi Hawkins, RNZ Pacific editor The first prime ministerial candidate has been announced in Solomon Islands and it is not Manasseh Sogavare. The man of the hour is Jeremiah Manele, the MP for Hograno/Kia/Havulei constituency in Isabel Province, who served as minister of foreign affairs in the last government. ...
Protesting the removal of bins by leaving piles of your dog’s shit for others to deal with doesn’t make you a hero – it’s precious and entitled behaviour. You haven’t truly lived until you’ve stood on the shoreline of Auckland’s Cheltenham beach, desperately trying to scoop increasingly liquid dog shit ...
Analysis - Christopher Luxon will be alert to the factors driving the dire polling, but won't be waving the white flag just yet, RNZ political editor Jo Moir writes. ...
Writer, teacher and academic Vincent O’Sullivan died on Sunday 28 April. Here we gather tributes from friends, colleagues, and students who remember his extraordinary contributions. I went down to the garage tonight. There was a bird shrieking out in the bush, in the dark, maybe a kākā. Miraculously, through the ...
As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a burnt-out corporate escapee explains how she gets by ‘working as little as possible’. Want to be part of The Cost of Being? Fill out the questionnaire here.Gender: Female Age: 31 Ethnicity: Pākehā Role: Contractor in ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Timothy Schmidt, Professor of Chemistry, UNSW Sydney Albert Russ / Shutterstock The icebreaker of many a barbeque conversation is something like “what do you do for a crust?” “I teach chemistry at university,” is what we usually reply. Then silence. Our ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Asher Flynn, Associate Professor of Criminology, Monash University Shutterstock Sexual harassment is often considered to be a person-to-person act, but new research shows Australians are also experiencing and perpetrating workplace harassment in large numbers through technology. Our latest study shows one ...
A petition signed by more than 16,500 people, demanding the government take stronger action to halt the genocide of Palestinians by the State of Israel, is being presented to the House of Representatives today by Hon Phil Twyford. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Burnett, Honorary Associate Professor, ANU College of Law, Australian National University jenmartin/Shutterstock April has been a bad month for the Australian environment. The Great Barrier Reef was hit, yet again, by intense coral bleaching. And Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek delayed ...
Winston Peters might not give a ‘rat’s derriere’ about last night’s poll, but it revealed the unusual absence of a honeymoon period and little payoff for the government’s action plan approach, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marco de Jong, Lecturer, Law School, Auckland University of Technology Getty Images Details released by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet under the Official Information Act reveal New Zealand officials have been considering involvement in AUKUS from the outset. ...
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The age of criminal responsibility was one of numerous human rights issues raised during Aotearoa New Zealand’s UPR. Other key themes were racism and discrimination, the disproportionate representation of Māori in prison, and to uphold the UN Declaration ...
In a sitdown interview ahead of his final day at Parliament this week, the former Green Party co-leader tells RNZ about his lowest point during 2017's rough election campaign. ...
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Above the Fold: On Monday, the biggest Māori screen production company faced down the biggest funder of Māori content at the High Court. It was an incredibly tense moment – then, just as quickly, it resolved. Duncan Greive breaks down a strange day in the screen sector.Yesterday morning, Māori ...
It’s a ride that’s lasted almost 30 years for mother and daughter BMX riders Nancy and Toni James, and the next stop is the World Championships in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Almost 27 years ago, Nancy and her husband Gerrard took their oldest child, Daniel, to the Waitākere BMX Club. ...
When it comes to talking about the Government’s controversial fast-track consenting process, political scientist Richard Shaw refers to the famous Chinese sci-fi novel Three-Body Problem, while RNZ’s In Depth journalist Farah Hancock talks about zombie projects. Shaw is referring to the three-party coalition Government and how the proposed legislation is ...
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Australia’s sudden burst of “conscience” leads to banning of two American scumbags;
All of this would be more convincing if they’d banned a far worse American scumbag.
Those moral paragons in the Australian government have just banned a sleazy “pick-up artist” called Jeff Allen from entering the country. This follows last year’s ban of another sleaze-ball, Julien Blanc.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/2016/01/18/jeff-allen-visa_n_9013828.html?ncid=edlinkauhpmg00000001
This is, of course, commendable. But it begs the question: how come the Australian government lionized President Bill Clinton a few years ago? Compared to Clinton, Jeff Allen and Julien Blanc are Albert Schweitzer and Fred Hollows.
Of course, deliberate blindness over the issue of Clinton is nothing new. The Australian government is on the same wavelength as one of our leading broacasters….
http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-03102015-2/#comment-1077820
The PUA’s may or may not be sleazeballs but they aren’t criminals. Cancelling visas seems like an extreme over reaction from a militant fun killing faction of the Left
I dunno, is incitement to commit rape a crime?
Yes.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/rural/294654/farming-limits-to-hit-land-values-study
Surely any carbon tax on farming should be used to help farmers transition to a more sustainable method of farming and cover any dramatic cuts to land values. ?
Yes and no. This is tricky. Where farming is traditional, eg family farms where people are making a living and they want to do the right thing eg fence off water ways or transition to regenerative agriculture, I’d love to see them supported in multiple ways.
Where corporates or business owners are using the farms/the land to make shit loads of money and they are being forced to do better by the environment against their will, I don’t know what to do with those people/businesses but am loathe for them to have any more access to public resources than they already do. If they want to run a business model that’s corporate and industrial rather than actual farming, let that model figure out how to pay for all the costs and requirements (that’s what the model claims it can do anyway).
Problem is the grey area in between.
TPP
Michael Geist is writing a series of articles on the implications of TPP for Canada. His latest article states
I cannot find an equivalent side letter for NZ on the MFat site, so I suspect that there may be a corresponding problem for NZ with the EU.
http://www.michaelgeist.ca/2016/01/the-trouble-with-the-tpp-day-14-no-u-s-assurances-for-canada-on-privacy/
TPP—Nice!
@TMM – Lets face it, Groser is not capable of getting any decent deal for NZ, my guess we have zero side agreements in our favour but Grosser signed every side agreement he was asked to sign. If the signing countries are stupid enough to keep going with TPP which is effectively giving their country over to a group of international corporate lawyers to decide their fates rather than their own government, then more and more problems are going to arise in particular by NZ by allowing a nincompoop like Groser to be able to negotiate it. Complexity itself is a problem.
All the experts are saying it is the worst agreement imaginable, at a time where corporations have become so greedy they are using Lawfare to seize even more power, money and control and when significant world problems like climate change and food insecurity are going to require governments to be more nimble and able to react quickly, now hindered under TPP.
Love how TPP is binding but the Paris climate change agreement voluntary.
Who in their right mind is going to sign such ridiculous agreements?
Does anyone know …… IF NOT signing the TPP precludes us from entering into agreements with non-TPPA members?
Serious question. I’ve just listened to some fuckwit calling themselves Steven Jacobi?? on RNZ News at 14:00 who seems to be yet another desperado shill running flak for the TPPsters.
His view (to cut a long story short) is that NOT signing will mean devastation for NZ.
I’m left wondering whether or not this pillock was one of the’bizzniss enterage’ led by a Proim Munsta Master of the Universe that went on that Sth American jaunt way back……trying to grease up to Sth American nations, but who came across to most in attendance as crass, arrogant little fukwits from somewhere that amounts to a pimple on the arse end of the globe.
He seems to have a really limiting tunnel vision that is so fucking imbecilic its almost comedic.
If fuckwits like Steven are the best oracles of our economic competency (alongside Key and Groser, amongst others) – then we really ARE in trouble.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1601/S00324/nz-manufacturing-activity-jumps-to-14-month-high-in-december.htm
More good news for NZ 🙂
You’ve switched from your usual dairy price update.
ahem, SME owners having the readies for a new HSV Commodore or outboard motor and a few more mill shipped offshore to foreign banks hardly constitutes good news for most of us
“trickle down” does not happen, it does not work–even the World Bank and IMF finally admitted that, good news will be seeing the TPPA fall over or stronger labour laws in this country
Not such good news for the world’s economy.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-01-21/global-shareholders-have-27-trillion-locked-in-bear-markets
Might be something for Labour to campaign on then
Does anyone know if after putting a comment on Facebook, if it can be edited or removed by oneself? If you have time I would like to know now. I can’t see any button I can use to regain control of it.
You should be able to edit and/or remove your own comments from facebook. I have done it in the past.
Facebook does keep a record of but not display the original comments and subsequent revisions.
Twitter though; post in haste, regret at lesiure.
Thanks Naturesong. The edit button is not obvious so will have to check it out and get informed. I got help from family (up with the technology) which has sorted out the problem this time. But I really need to do that background work ready for next time when it comes.
Hold your finger on the comment that brings up the options .
On my OS it shows as a small grey inverted V on the top right of the post, which brings up a drop down menu with an edit option.
You are a helpful group. I will investigate when I have done something other than sit at this damn keyboard for too much of today. Thanks muchly.
& if you see someones comment has been edited you can click ‘edited’ & see what the edit was. Which can be quite interesting.
there’s an upside-down v on top righthand corner of some facebook pages which helps you edit/delete things.
A heartfelt request for the NZ govt “and people” to do the honourable thing and make good on a promise given. Courtesy of Toby Manhire (dead serious this time):
“So we are asking the New Zealand Prime Minister Mr John Keys [a forgivable slip; after all, the New York Times called him Jeff Key] and the Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse, along with the whole Government of New Zealand and the people of New Zealand, to remember and honour the deal with Australia. Everyone who has signed this letter has had their claim for asylum processed. We all had genuine claims that were accepted.”
“The “deal” they refer to is that agreed between Key and his then counterpart Julia Gillard in 2013, providing Australia with the option of placing up to 150 refugees for resettlement in New Zealand a year. The arrangement echoed an earlier deal which saw New Zealand take in 401 people from Australian offshore detention centres between 2001 and 2007″ http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=11577593
What’s Manhire’s point?
New Zealand has offered to do something, Australia doesn’t want to play. The End.
This no a play, or a sports match Magisterium,. Your pseudo sounds grand but is actually pseudo?
These refugees need NZ visas to be issued promptly – not delayed for any more months. And to be allowed to come and live here permanently, a place where they can live in safety.
Just out “the fifth in a series of expert peer reviewed papers on the implications of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) for New Zealand was posted on the TPP Legal website today.
The paper examines the key economic issues that likely to be impacted by the TPPA – the predicted economic benefits of the TPPA for the New Zealand economy, the implications for agricultural trade, the impact on value chains for New Zealand exporters, the potential for regulatory ‘chill’ and the degree to which it fulfils the aim of being a ‘21st Century agreement’.
The paper was co-authored by Tim Hazledine, Professor of Economics at the University of Auckland Business; Rod Oram, business journalist and author; Geoff Bertram, Senior Associate at the Institute for Policy and Governance at Victoria University; and Barry Coates, researcher and former Executive Director of Oxfam New Zealand. The peer reviewer was John Quiggin, an Australian Laureate Fellow in Economics at the University of Queensland.”
http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2016/01/22/the-economics-of-the-tppa-tppanoway/#comment-321525
From the above article
“It is striking how little the TPPA will deliver. Without the TPPA, our GDP will grow by 47% by 2030 at current growth rates. The TPPA would add only 0.9%”, says Barry Coates, who co-authored the section on modelling with Tim Hazledine.
“Even that small benefit is a gross exaggeration. The modelling makes unfounded assumptions, and the real benefits will be far smaller. If the full costs were included, it is doubtful that there would be any net economic benefit to the New Zealand economy.”
http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2016/01/22/the-economics-of-the-tppa-tppanoway/#comment-321525
+1
I watched “The Hollow Men” the other night as I had not seen it before.http://www.nzonscreen.com/title/the-hollow-men-2008
A few things really struck me.
How Key has followed the Brash Doctrine ……… and been far more dirty while at it.
John Key knifing Bill double dipper English in the back and supporting Brash …. he picked up the deputy leaders job under brash for this betrayal……. I imagine he smiled at English during the assassination
Other Info and quotes from the nats or their backers ……
Doug myers “The chequebooks always ready for political parties ….as long as they get the things right”…………………..
I’d say with $75 million spent on alcohol per week in NZ ……. and the Government picking up the tab of over a $3 Billion dollar shortfall in Alcohol abuse costs versus Alcohol tax…….. that National have delivered for Doug and co very handsomely ……
David Richwhite regarding the railways swindle/privatization —-“In the long run the new Zealand public will benefit from an improved railway network and operation.” ….this is the same line used by the tr0lls here and is the present ‘logic’ behind Serco, charter schools etc
Some narration ……
“The high value donars gave their donations to trusts, which passed it on anonymously to the party. Over one and a half million was to come in via the Waitemata & Ruahine trusts. Both of PO. Box 2244 Auckland”……” In public senior party mp’s and officials denied knowing the identity of donars, but privately they knew perfectly well who was writing the cheques”…….
“The donars were invited to private fundraising dinners….the media was excluded …… a table cost $5000 the tobacco industry brought 2″ ( coincidentally the number of tobacco industry mp’s the nats presently have in Govt ), ………..Don Brash or John Key made the speeches.”
Brash engaged in a bit of refugee bashing ……. pukish would approve
Brash promised 3.9 billion in tax cuts … Key wanted to give more ….But Labour won the election, Cullen payed down govt debt instead ……Which saved nationals ass when the GFC struck …..
The GFC was of coursed caused by the financial industry and people like john Key……….Our present prime minister is like a Dingo babysitting your children*
“Brian Sinclear met Maxim s Scott McMurray to discuss to discuss a $100,000 campaign aimed at shifting the evangelical Christian votes away from small Christian parties to national”. ………….”Don Brash told church goers that National would provide more money for their private schools” …
fast forward to John Keys first term in Govt….. “$35 million gifted to private schools (4% of students). Elite private school Wanganui Collegiate (400 students) receives $3.9 million bail out despite Ministry advice not to.”http://localbodies-bsprout.blogspot.co.nz/2014/03/the-destruction-of-new-zealands-public.html
Regarding Brash/Key, the Nats ……and their exclusive Brethren election coalition….
“Brashs assistant ( press secretary ) Anita Ferguson prepared a response ….” As far as Don is aware he has never met Stephen Win ( Brethren schemer) ….If you want to talk dirty politics you are talking to the wrong party “ ..from a email she sent to Bryan Sinclair, Murray McCully and Richard Long” ……
And film in The Hollow Men doco of Brash putting it into action :………..
“Reporter: Do you know who is responsible for it ?.
Brash: I don’t
R: What do you think about the accusation from the greens on this matter?.
Brash: Well I suspect its another dirty trick.. ah.. accusation at national, ….. we’ve had nothing to do with this,…at all ……. We don’t engage in that type of polictics. …….”
John Key …………” In relation to the exclusive brethren …. I never pulled their women’s long lovely hair ”….“Nah I made that up ……and pony tails are sin-full ………. but at the end of The Hollow Men Key finishes the documentary with lies at his very first press conference as leader of the National party …….. Unlike Brash he has not been punished for his blatant dishonesty which over 75% of voters acknowledge …… if we exclude Northland .
……………………………………….
John Key : “We’ve moved on, I didn’t open the email from the Brethren, lets move on”. http://www.converge.org.nz/watchdog/14/02.htm
* John Oliver ………. you might as well hire a dingo as your babysitter
I started reading this, never having seen this program, until, after a couple of lines,
I came across this howler.
Talking about John Key you say “he picked up the deputy leaders job under brash for this betrayal”.
Is this really what the program said, or were you not watching it very closely?
For your information the “deputy leaders job under brash” was held by Gerry Brownlee.
Have a look at the first line in this link
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerry_Brownlee
If this was your work I don’t think I need bother reading any further.
If it was actually in the program I won’t bother watching it. It’s version of history is unlikely to bear much similarity to reality is it?
Willing to say who stuffed up?
Fair catch, Brownlee was Deputy leader, and spokesman for maori affairs, obvisuly placeholding innit,
Key and Brash are known to have ‘spoken about the leadership’ several times though, so the core point that there was deal done seem legit:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/9926764/Key-Brash-discussed-the-leadership
My recollection of his position was faulty…… there was so much filth from the nats to absorb ……………… I stand corrected and The Dingo JK was the opposition finance minister of course.
The betrayal was apparently because Key had lied to English in that he said he’d vote/support him and not Brash in a leadership challenge……….
A tr0ll poster like yourself is far more likely to feature in a a documentary of sleaze,dishonesty and poor morals rather than watch one ……………
The Nats come out looking like they really are …………….. Dirty as fuck 🙂
“JK was the opposition finance minister of course”
You presumably mean “spokesman” rather than “minister”.
Even then you are misleading.
Don Brash was the National Party Leader from 28 October 2003 until 27 November 2006. When he became the leader he retained the job as Finance spokesman. Key became a DEPUTY Finance spokesman but that isn’t the real thing. After all you might remember that Michael Cullen was Finance Minister after the 2005 election. Do you remember who were associate finance ministers? That is the Government equivalent of Key’s position.
I’ll give you a clue. Their initials were PG and TM.
Key was promoted to the Finance spokesman position but not until August 2004, ten months later.
From the Herald
” Key was thrust into the limelight as fully-fledged finance spokesman in August 2004″
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10523317
Can you get anything right? Do you think you should learn what really went on?
Or do you feel the only way to cover up for your ignorance is to spew such garbage as
“A tr0ll poster like yourself is far more likely to feature in a a documentary of sleaze,dishonesty and poor morals rather than watch one”.
What an idiot you are.
Now, are you willing to answer the queries I put at the end of my comment. To save you the trouble of looking back I’ll repeat them.
“If this was your work I don’t think I need bother reading any further.
If it was actually in the program I won’t bother watching it. It’s version of history is unlikely to bear much similarity to reality is it?
Willing to say who stuffed up?”
interesting clip on agro forestry at the other end of the link for those that like these sort o things.
https://www.facebook.com/organicconsumers/videos/10153584285114934/?fref=nf
the link between donald trump and classical fascism…http://readingthemaps.blogspot.co.nz/2016/01/trumps-fascist-theatre.html
And they’re off.
Kyle Feldscher Verified account
@Kyle_Feldscher
No joke, the entire first email released by Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder is redacted
https://twitter.com/Kyle_Feldscher/status/689924353065144320
More good news which Labour is trying to spoil (good luck to them)
https://nz.news.yahoo.com/top-stories/a/30624534/benefit-numbers-not-whole-story-labour/
https://www.3news.co.nz/business/consumer-confidence-improves-in-jan-2016012115
http://thespinoff.co.nz/22-01-2016/dear-mike-hosking-i-saw-your-waitangi-rant-and-i-can-help/
“First of all, though you didn’t directly really refer, I’m sure you as a clever guy understand the Treaty of Waitangi. You know, all that stuff like how it came about, what is in it, its role in New Zealand history and society – all pretty complex stuff. I mean, surely you wouldn’t just talk about a topic without knowing much about it. Surely.” Dr Hirini Kaa
a most generous offer…i wonder if it will be accepted?
Well said, Dr Kaa, though it is, of course, casting pearls before swine !
Ha ha, that’s a great response.
I forget how good The Spinoff can be. Pity they required such heavy handed subscription to comment.
One thing the USA does better then NZ
http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/americas/76165535/disgraced-us-policeman-sentenced-to-263-years-for-raping-vulnerable-women
What’s that? Rape and otherwise abuse vulnerable people? For a small country we hold our own, punch (ha!) above our weight, put the country on the map and all that.
If you mean the prison sentence – watch this space…
Jim Mora’s awful Panel
What they talked about:
1. What the Panelists Michelle Boag and Brian Edwards have been up to.
2. The first person to be arrested for non-payment of a student loan has taken place at Auckland airport.
3. Tax expert Kristina Andersen discusses the student loans system.
4. The wonders of meditation
5. How well protected is Crown land?
6. Michelle Boag chats about her holiday in Queenstown, while downplaying the state of the global economy because rich young people come to NZ on holiday and makes a snide comment about Metiria Turei
7. Brian Edwards praises the Auckland Council for Westhaven promenade and the trams at Motat.
8. TVNZ is to launch a male-targeted channel.
What they did not talk about:
1. The TPP
2. The global economic meltdown.
The dumbing down of RNZ and its march to the right on Mora’s dreadful show continues.
TVNZ to start a new channel, aimed just for men, that will fix their woes.
Buried deep within Bryce Edwards’ opinion piece I found this and wondered what on earth could have triggered such a change.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11578094
Specifically, what conditions have brought about this dramatic increase in OIA requests?
Is there a concern amongst the public and the media that we are must fight harder for information?
Has the National Party’s reliance on Dirty Politics brought to our attention that our public service isn’t serving what we expect of democracy and that the revelation the the SIS colluded with the prime minister’s office in order to discredit the then leader of the opposition?
Or is it the National government’s general and slipshod method of governance with respect to the overuse of urgency in Parliament, the use of taxpayer funds for party specific purposes (Parmar, Bridges), arbitrary ministerial decision making (Bridges again), the attack by ministers (Collins) on the judiciary and public servants (Collins, McCully, and Key), and the seeming abandonment of select committee process in favour of policy-by-polling (Bennett) which is responsible for the spike in the media and public wanting more answers to serious questions?
Thanks to NRT for their OIA request for information on OIA requests in the last financial year for the purposes of providing clear data with which we can measure the honesty of this government.
Sad too that the Transparency International global Corruption Perception Index didn’t pick up on our prime minister’s cordial relationship with attack blogger Cameron Slater in their 2014 results.
Looks like another one of National’s nails in the coffin of democracy. As always it’s hard to tell if it’s deliberate or just another consequence of the neoliberal world view that sees everything as having a price.
Same thing, isn’t it? The new world which they seek to usher in where everything has it’s price means that power and democracy is bought.
The sly application of a loose law in the OIA process means that the NZ taxpayer pays for the information once through taxes, and then an individual and the media must now pay again.
Is the 300% increase in OIA applications in the last five years due to the conditions under which this government operates, or is it due to the media and bloggers getting too cute with the process. If the latter is so, then why?
one cause of OIA increase will be ChCh quakes and OIA requests re EQC…..it is the only way to get any information from them
That the OIA was required in that situation is shocking.
yes…and it continues, and is just as much a problem for the media and community support groups…and opposition MPs by all accounts
Can anyone provide some more detail on this story?
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/home-property/76164078/opinion-wellington-neighbourly-fence-war-could-set-precedent
All the reportage I’ve seen has been entirely one-sided in favour of the old rich white man which seems very suspicious.
I assume he’s some kind of ‘Business Community stalwart’?
I feel that he seems to be the kind of guy who wishes for a smaller State, less ‘red tape’ & especially no interference in what he does on his own property.
Yet he is claiming a right to protect his view of the harbour over the neighbours’ right to do what they want on their own property.
I suspect that if the complainant was non-white & poor there would be a very very different coverage of the story.
From the pics I suspect that the issue started because the neighbour didn’t appreciate the way that the glass edged deck gave unlimited views of his back yard/house & was told to bugger off when he complained about it.
I think he has a grievance. The other owner built a humungous fence masquerading as a fort that blocked his view for “privacy reasons”. The structure did not provide any extra privacy but ruined the view. I think neighbours should be respectful of other neighbours expectations.
Just because someone has a load of money doesn’t mean that they should lose rights if someone chooses to be a dipshit, and a cunning smartarse as well. The neighbour who built the fence must have wanted perfect privacy so they wouldn’t be able to view the roof of his house. How he got permission to build a high fence that shut his neighbours in like a prison wall I don’t know. It was said to be a fort, but it stretched for half a kilometre? across his back boundary.
If it was a fence he would have been required to talk to his neighbour and seek agreement. Then it would have had height restrictions. So cunning on his part to get it through as a fort. And so unreasonable to try and diminish a neighbour’s existing property in order to gain advantage himself. And the fort builder must have a mint of money, fencing is very expensive. So just a bad case of the Me first, last and foremost by the sneaky neighbour. (I/ve been reading about this and this is what I have gathered. I put some links about it a few days ago.)
I think it is a situation that many people have with self-centred neighbours. If you have good ones, you’re lucky. Keep the good vibes going between you. Also the law gives rights, and provides sanctions as well to property owners. And ultimately the land is the property of the Crown, and all the rights conveyed under the law are by necessity under Her Majesty’s control, so sometimes land wlll ‘be taken’ for public needs but with compensation.
Yeah its quite possible the fence builder is actually an ass.
But it bothers me that there is really no coverage of his side of the story.
It just seems likely that there would be something more complex than ‘asshole builds a fence that blocks the neighbours’ view’.
Anyone going to Andrew Little’s picnic in the park on 31 January? If so, is anyone up for a cabal?
Neatly, he’ll be speaking from the band rotunda in Albert park where Auckland’s ever increasing numbers of homeless congregate to share, unmolested, a bit of social interaction.
Ukraine. Chernobyl’s location. The women, especially the old ones, who live there have been the subject of a documentary. – ‘The Babushkas of Chernobyl’
http://blogs.indiewire.com/womenandhollywood/doc-nyc-2015-women-directors-meet-holly-morris-the-babushkas-of-chernobyl-20151116
Labour on 27.5% in the latest Roy Morgan. Some 100th anniversary celebration this will be. If you pile in the Greens and Winston, you’ll get a coalition which might have a majority of 1 or 2 over National plus Maori Party.
And this is the best Labour can manage halfway through a third term National Government which is utterly rudderless and starved for ideas.
From The Guardian…. about oppression in China:
“I want you to understand the sense of fear that Chinese people feel every day
Nanfu Wang
I’m not a paranoid person, but my experience making a film about human rights in China gave me a sense of fear that I think westerners don’t comprehend.”
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jan/22/i-want-you-to-understand-the-sense-of-fear-that-chinese-people-feel-every-day
When one reads accounts like these, it makes one realise how crucially important it is for us to stand up for and defend our freedoms.
Our own Flint here in NZ…?
http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/north-canterbury/75970641/crunchy-occasionally-yellow-tap-water-plagues-district
and you really couldn’t make up shit like this…
“The majority of the Hurunui’s 12,000 residents live with tap water connected to supplies given an “E” grade by the Ministry of Health.
It is the lowest grade possible and represents an “unacceptable level of risk”, according to the Ministry.
In the last analysis conducted in 2014, supplies for Cheviot, Amberley, Waiau and Waipara all recorded excessive E.coli levels and failed protozoa tests – placing them in the bottom 3 per cent of supplies nationwide.
Seven rural water schemes in the district are on a permanent boil notice.”
BUT…
“The district council says it is more of a “nuisance” than a health issue.”
AND…
“The council has until 2025 to meet national drinking water standards, which it said could cost up to $14 million, as most of its water supplies do not meet the standard.
It had previously told the Ministry of Health the standards were unfair, as much of the district’s water was consumed by animals.”
Towards a brighter future…