Open mike 22/05/2016

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, May 22nd, 2016 - 69 comments
Categories: open mike - Tags:

openmikeOpen mike is your post.

For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy).

Step up to the mike …

69 comments on “Open mike 22/05/2016 ”

  1. ropata 1

    Waatea News with David Cunliffe, Nandor Tanczos & Dr Bryce Edwards. Coverage of fish dumping, economic mismanagement, and people living in garages and cars

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7ZYHLuRgbc

    • Chooky 1.1

      +100 …thanks…good viewing…David Cunliffe looking great!..he has the credibility of a moral Left leader…he could beat jonkey Nact convincingly

      Bradbury as usual asks the crucial questions

      • Chuck 1.1.1

        “he could beat jonkey Nact convincingly” In what century Chooky? have you forgotten he lead the Labour party to the slaughter house in 2014 (25% vote).

        • Colonial Viper 1.1.1.1

          You’ve made a mistake. That’s a pathetic electoral result which the careerists in Labour scapegoated on to Cunliffe, but which they fully contributed to themselves.

          Cunliffe needed a full term as Leader in order to make his mark and overcome his deficiencies. But his “colleagues” were never going to give him that chance.

          I believe that Labour currently has a more than 50/50 chance of coming in under 25% in 2017.

          • Chuck 1.1.1.1.1

            I can accept that.

            So in a prefect world (for Labour) Cunliffe would be allowed to have the time to cement his position and purge any colleagues that may undermine him?

            Is there a way back for Cunliffe? (genuine question).

            • te reo putake 1.1.1.1.1.1

              Is there a way back for DC? No, for two reasons. One is that Andrew Little is doing fine as leader and is in a good place to be PM after the next election. There is no mood in the party, affiliates or caucus to change. The second reason is that Cunliffe wouldn’t go near the job even if it was handed to him on a plate. Once bitten, twice shy.

              • Colonial Viper

                TRP, Little is already gone, he just doesn’t know it yet.

                Grant Robertson will win the leadership in 2018 hands down.

                • Yeah, right. The first part of that comment also applies to you, brother 😉 Robertson is never going to be leader, his chance has been and gone. But it’s heartening to see him and the rest of caucus working together for a change. I know you hate the thought of a Labour led government, but it’s going to be a distinct possibility in less than 18 months, unless the Nats find a way to buy Winston off.

                  • Colonial Viper

                    Hmmm interesting that you can’t see GR positioning all his own people throughout the organisation.

                    My opinion remains – GR will be the (almost undisputed) Labour Leader in 2018. There is one other serious potential contender in the wings but it won’t be Cunliffe.

                    • I can’t see it because it’s not actually happening. Grant doesn’t have ‘people’ he can ‘position’. That’s just your fantasy about how things work. The truth is much duller; the only way to get ahead is to work hard, have good ideas and to win people over via the party’s democratic structures. That also applies in the Greens and if I’m to be charitable, it’s probably applicable to National too. NZ First, not so much. I like Grant btw. But he has as much chance of being leader as I have. And I’m sure Grant and I are equally sanguine about that reality.

                    • Colonial Viper

                      Okay dude.

                • Hanswurst

                  Genuine question: Is there anybody outside the Labour caucus who has even the slightest interest in Grant Robertson? I don’t dislike the fellow. A binder of posters here seem to think that he’s some sort of devious Machiavellian operator, a short of McCully in Labour clothing, if you will. I have no idea whether there’s any truth to that or not. The thing is, though, that I just see him and think “meh”, whether he’s talking about policy, asking questions or whatever. Even Parker seems more passionate, and that’s saying something. I can’t see Robertson really even registering with the electorate, whether positively or negatively. The same goes for Ardern, by the way.

              • Rosie

                I don’t have the inside knowledge that yourself and CV have (even if you have different perceptions)of the internal workings of the NZLP but I’d say Andrew Little is doing a fine and steady job. There have even been times when I’ve been impressed with him, most recently during his low key on the level response the Hagaman threat.

                And, you know, I voted for him last on my ballot paper! I was a major Cunliffe fan girl. I was gutted about how things turned out, but Little has settled in, he will be the right person to lead the next government. There won’t be fireworks but there is heaps to do and heaps to mend and he can be the one to get that process started.

                To vote and change leaders yet again would be such a dogs breakfast and make the party look unstable. The election is only next year so we just gotta buckle down and focus on kicking these nation destroying bastards out.

                • Whateva next?

                  Absolutely, I liked D.C but grew weary of the polarising effect he sadly seemed to have. I did vote for Andrew and was utterly convinced about his integrity and ability to steer a steady course and unite the caucus, without which there was no point in carrying on. I noticed that when we were at the first hustings, all four candidates were understandably nervous and busy readying themselves reading their notes…..Andrew simply sat and looked out at us, calmly and confidently, interested in US, not worried about himself.
                  He has achieved this and now we can carry on with the rest of it now.

            • Bill 1.1.1.1.1.2

              My tuppence worth would be (first penny) – if Labour chose leaders via an election system of one person, one vote, then possibly.

              Penny two – Labour, and this is in no way limited to Labour, seems to position itself within a TINA framework on too many issues, and so is essentially dead to too many people.

              And if I can up my tuppence to thrupence – distilling political rumblings from across the English speaking world suggests that a seismic shift in peoples’ political expectations and demands is under way – and that most political parties are going to be caught flat footed.

          • Olwyn 1.1.1.1.2

            @ CV: Suppose you are right about this, as things stand, and that you and Swordfish were largely right in your talk of factions on yesterday’s open mike. This actually gives reason to campaign for a Labour victory with a particular end in mind – to gain the government benches with the nonaligned Little in charge at best, and to increase the size of the Labour caucus at worst. This is not a “vote for the least-worst argument”, although prima facie it may look like one.

            Firstly, careerists are not all the same – some will move leftward if that looks like the thing to do. So an increased caucus would allow room for a change of direction that would take at least some careerists along with it. Secondly, while some are said to be retiring soon, the Labour caucus has had less staff turnover in the past eight years than most businesses, which means entrenched office politics among a static group. This presents Little with an impasse: in a way, he can’t increase the size of the caucus without first increasing the size of the caucus. Joining Labour to push for an acceptable leader has not got us far, though it has got us somewhere – Little is not one of the entrenched right-wing /careerist lot. Maybe the next move is to activate the membership and the sympathetic left to fight from the outside to increase the Labour vote, and thus the size of the caucus, without necessarily giving our allegiance to particular individuals we think have let us down.

            • Colonial Viper 1.1.1.1.2.1

              Hi Olwyn,

              You pose serious scenarios with serious rationales. I agree with the guts of what you have to say about the psychology of the Labour caucus. It is under real pressure currently.

              Most of the List only MPs in that caucus are only a hairs breadth away from losing their positions at the party vote ballot box.

              Also with your analysis of how intransigent the situation Little faces with some of his most influential MPs is. One of the things which finished Cunliffe was that Cunliffe had zero plan to deal with that.

              I will add in one more factor. IMO Winston will find it politically impossible (both internally and externally to NZF) to justify supporting a Labour managed government if Labour get less than 30% at the polls.

              Let’s say Labour gets 27% in 2017, and National gets 45%.

              In such a situation I think Winston will end up providing de facto support to a National (minority) government even if he would prefer not to. Key will extend the NZF caucus a deal that they cannot refuse. Gold Card Mark 2, GST free rates, bump up to NZ Super, a Cabinet position for Winston and Ministers outside Cabinet positions for his top MPs, and more.

              Maybe the next move is to activate the membership and the sympathetic left to fight from the outside to increase the Labour vote, and thus the size of the caucus, without necessarily giving our allegiance to particular individuals we think have let us down.

              I can see where you are going with this. However, Labour has been bleeding its best activists and members for years now (and in some cases the local MP has been delighted to get rid of over-active members who cause more trouble to the MP’s particular desired status quo than they are worth). If Little wants to energise the latent support in the electorate for Labour and get a lot of on the ground activists back on side, he needs to offer the electorate serious, political economic alternatives to what National has been delivering.

              The concept of “activating the membership” in order to fire up a grass roots campaign for Labour is a great one but it is a concept only. There is no way of implementing that concept in practical terms as most Labour branches have decayed to inactive shadows of what they were even 10 years ago, there is no money in Wellington to provide to the branches for campaign activities, and from my perspective the charismatic leadership does not exist in the Labour hierarchy which can turn that switch on in the general membership and ‘wider left’ anyway.

              • Olwyn

                I do not think it would be easy to fire up the grass roots, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. The idea might be to seize opportunities where they arise, and support and strengthen the grass roots movements that currently exist, rather than overly concern ourselves with Labour branches. It is not a good idea to stand back and let Labour slowly die when we lack a serious alternative to it. We already have a right wing so licensed and full of hubris that it could practically get away with running over the peasants for fun – they will only get worse while we scurry around trying to pick up the pieces.

    • Paul 1.2

      It would be good to hear Andrew Little and James Shaw speak in as forthright as a manner.

      • Colonial Viper 1.2.1

        Just use your imagination, is what I will say. Then return to reality.

        This is a vindictive Labour hierarchy that has decided that Cunliffe belongs unranked on the back benches, in a short sighted attempt to drive him out of politics altogether.

        Cunliffe has some significant flaws as a political leader, but he still noticeably outshines the current leadership and the pretenders to that leadership.

        • Paul 1.2.1.1

          Did you hear this?
          Needs to be published widely.
          About US and applies completely to New Zealand.

          http://www.radionz.co.nz/audio/player/201801602

        • Paul 1.2.1.2

          What did he do wrong?
          I guess he challenged the status quo.

          • Colonial Viper 1.2.1.2.1

            He tried to placate the careerist and right wing MPs in his caucus not understanding that they were always going to be waiting for the right moment to slip the political knife between his ribs.

            He also let down many of his own supporters by giving up on his own direction and deciding to subsume his priorities to the business as usual Thorndon Bubble crowd.

            • Hanswurst 1.2.1.2.1.1

              I wonder if he mightn’t be a little me forthright if given a second bite of the cherry.

        • Richardrawshark 1.2.1.3

          David was always and still is my preferred leader. Unfortunately the right wing media hated his guts, or were to scared to give him a shot against Key they manipulated public perception against the man.

          Then some in Labour are again there for personal reasons of ambition not what Labour stands for. IE back stabbing abc’s

          Oh the above video looked like a Labour party weak version of the Nation.

          The presenter sure wasn’t making any pretence of impartiality was he.

          I turned it off after Cunliffe.

      • Chooky 1.2.2

        if David Cunliffe were to come back as leader of the Labour Party i would vote Labour…as it is i am a nonfunctioning member…i joined to support David Cunliffe as the members choice

        so I will be voting Green /NZF…so no losses there

        ….however if Labour is to stop languishing in the polls …it really does have to think about how it played the leadership against Labour membership wishes

        • Paul 1.2.2.1

          If David Cunliffe were to come back as leader of the Labour Party I would also vote Labour.

          So I will be voting for a party that provides the most vigorous alternative to neo-liberal capitalism.
          Struggling to notice it, though.

  2. Bill Drees 2

    Westminster Social Engineering

    The mortality rate is 15 percent higher in Glasgow across all social classes and ages, while premature mortality (dying under 65) is 30 percent higher, and much higher among the poorest in the city. The so-called ‘Glasgow effect’ means more people die from the cancer, heart disease, strokes as well as drugs, alcohol and suicide than do in other comparable cities.
    http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/14493634.Revealed____39_Glasgow_effect__39__mortality_rate_blamed_on_Westminster_social_engineering/

    “Glasgow got a double-dose of neoliberalism – the UK Thatcherite version, and the more local version led by the Scottish Development Agency and the Council.

  3. AsleepWhileWalking 3

    Nice cartoon today title: Why not ask WINZ for some cake?
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/property/news/article.cfm?c_id=8&objectid=11642636

  4. AsleepWhileWalking 4

    “America should write the rules and call the shots” – President Obama

    An interesting episode of CrossTalk re the TPPA.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92E3Gidbs5k

    • ianmac 4.1

      Watched that Asleep. Terrifying that USA can avoid being held to account and can a do attack any country with immunity. Drones. Iraq. Afghanistan. John Key.
      Veto Security Council.
      Bluddy Hell!

      • Chooky 4.1.1

        +100…this is one of the best sites for debate and commentary on international current affairs imo…it always has international experts involved in the debates…leaves NZ tv and newspapers for dead!

        ( and I was put onto this site by The Standard…thanks!)

  5. dv 5

    Give a little Justice for Bessie has raised nearly $100k

  6. RedBaronCV 6

    Looks like the May Roy Morgan is out?

    • The RM consumer confidence survey was out a few days ago. No sign of the political poll yet. Generally they’re released later in the week, so maybe Thursday or Friday?

    • veutoviper 6.2

      It does not appear to have been released formally as yet, although the Confidence Survey results have already been released as TRP mentions in his response.

      However ( a BIG OOOPS, perhaps) … the Party poll 15 May results appear to be up on the RM website in one graph (but not in the commentary which is still the April results) . – Click on this link and then go down to the first graph.

      http://www.roymorgan.com/findings/6772-roy-morgan-new-zealand-voting-intention-april-2016-201604260544

      IF these May results are correct/finals then, compared to April: National is up from 42.5% to 45.5%; Labour up from 26.5% to 29.5%; Greens down from 14.5% to 12%; NZ First down from 12.5% to 9.5%; and Maori Party down from 1.5% to 1%.

      The graph does not show the undecided percentage or results for the other parties eg ACT, UF etc.

  7. Chooky 7

    This is very good!…a feminist Accountant!

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/sunday/audio/201801607/pala-molisa-a-ni-vanuatu-radical-accountant

    “Pala Molisa – A Ni Vanuatu Radical Accountant

    Pala Molisa is the son of two of the leading lights of Vanuatu’s independence movement, he represented Vanuatu in weightlifting at the Commonwealth Games, and he’s an advocate of a radical new accountancy that brings a whole raft of social indicators to your typical balance sheet. Pala Molisa is a lecturer at Victoria University Business school.”

    • RedBaronCV 7.1

      pretty sure he’s the guy that spoke at one of the climate change evenings in wellington and he got a huge ovation for best input of the night

    • joe90 8.1

      meh – representatives of a group contributing less than 15% of government revenue say shit

      https://deborahfrussell.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/govtrevenue2015.png

    • RedBaronCV 8.2

      Interesting The actual run a company ones wanted education investment , getting unemployment down (and improving wages?) and most mentioned enviroment concerns. The tourist ones wanted to socialise the costs of their industry, time for a bed tax on the multinational chains?? , the business group members seemed to be parroting the Nact party line. Perhaps the companies that pay membership fees to these groups need to make sure they are expressing their concerns not those of the Nact hierarchy.

    • Graeme 8.3

      I’m pleasantly surprised by David Hisco’s (ANZ CE) focus on moving tourism up market and environmental focus. A refreshing contrast to Tim Alpe and Roger Brantsma who both play in the lower strata of the tourism market and can only see more, more and more of their low yielding customers and the socialisation of the resultant costs. However HIsco will get to see the performance of a wide range of tourism businesses and can see where the sustainable profits, and looming risks are.

      It’s also a considerable departure from current government policy around tourism, which is typified by Alpe and Brantsma’s views of more, more and more and stuff the yield.

      Angling for, or seeing a looming change of policy or government? This tourism business owner hopes so.

    • Colonial Viper 11.1

      If these are stored on a computer or network, then the security services can access them in near real time.

    • Rosie 11.2

      These are the buses I use in my neighbourhood. I noticed the sign about the audio recording on Thursday.

      I’ve no problem with it due to the reason the Mana bus boss points to:

      “That incident could range from and assault on a driver, a threat against a driver, a theft or attempted theft, through to a complaint from a passenger about a driver’s behaviour.”

      Believe me, that happens around here. You can also be on the bus in the middle of the day and there can be a bunch of drunk people down the back. The last time it happened it was no problem, they were all just singing their heads off and talking bollocks. No problem there, but what if it turned nasty if it can sometimes do when people are wasted and a bit unpredictable?

      Mostly theres no problems in my experience but there has been some times when drunk people have been a bit edgy and slagged off the driver.

      While I’m wary of surveillance intruding into our lives, mainly on line and on smart phones I’ve no problem with practical applications like this. I actually feel a little more secure seeing that sign about the audio the other day.

  8. Graeme 12

    Liz Clark to contest Invercargill.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/80207129/dr-liz-craig-nominated-as-labours-candidate-for-invercargill

    I hope this doesn’t turn into a 3 way between Liz, Ria Bond and Sarah Dowie, that would be a waste and probably perpetuate Dowie’s existence. Also hope Liz gets a decent list place this time in case she’s only campaigning for party votes, we need her in the house with her health knowledge and sharp mind.

    This also provides an opening in Clutha Southland for a candidate with strong rural and small business credentials.

    • Colonial Viper 12.1

      Liz Craig

    • cowboy 12.2

      Graeme, I suggest it cant help but be a 3 way battle. Liz Craig will certainly be a credible challenger but the coverage to date has discounted the promising start Ria Bond has made down here at a grassroots advocacy level, which isn’t going unnoticed.

      I agree it would be good to see someone of Liz Craig’s ilk providing a much needed refreshing of labours list.

      As far as Clutha Southland is concerned I think the most interest will be around who NZ First will come up with as I think they have the best chance of giving Barclay a run for his money in the majority rural segment. Granted he has a massive majority but clearly he has struggled big time. Winston speaking in Gore tomorrow which should give a good gauge on how the Nats are rolling.

      • Graeme 12.2.1

        I look forward to your report Cowboy, could be an interesting evening. Bit far away for me on a Monday unfortunately.

        • Cowboy 12.2.1.1

          Might pop over for a look given weather for tomorrow not that condusive to getting much done. Will report if I do as it should be interesting to see how Winston is received in the deepest of blue national heartland.

  9. joe90 14

    Surprise surprise….
    /

    Edward Snowden has responded to reports the CIA inspector general’s office “mistakenly” destroyed its only copy of a comprehensive Senate ‘torture report’ with a stinging rebuttal: “When the CIA destroys something, it’s never a mistake.”

    An intelligence agency was quoted by Yahoo News as saying CIA inspector general officials deleted an uploaded computer file containing the report, before “inadvertently” destroying a disk with the document on it.

    http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/edward-snowden-warns-cia-never-destroys-something-by-mistake-after-agency-claim-it-destroyed-copy-of-a7038206.html

  10. joe90 15

    IDF deputy chief of staff Brigadier General Yair Golan delivered a Holocaust Memorial speech.

    Speaking to an audience gathered at Tel Yitzhak, a kibbutz in central Israel, Maj. Gen. Yair Golan, the Israeli Defense Forces deputy chief of staff, warned Israel that the Jewish state threatened to fall into a moral chasm like the one that befell Nazi Germany for its treatment of “foreigners” — read: Palestinians and African refugees.

    Here are some of his remarks [author’s translation]:

    “The Holocaust should bring us to ponder our public lives and, furthermore, it must lead anyone who is capable of taking public responsibility to do so. … Because if there is anything that frightens me in remembrance of the Holocaust, it is noticing horrific processes which developed … in Germany – 70, 80, and 90 years ago, and finding evidence of them here among us in the year 2016.”

    “The Holocaust … must bring us to … deep soul-searching regarding the responsibility of [our national] leadership and the quality of our society. It must lead us to fundamentally rethink how we, here and now, behave towards the other: the foreigner, the widow and the orphan [these are traditional Jewish social justice concepts].”

    “There is nothing easier and simpler than hating the foreigner … There is nothing easier and simpler than fear-mongering and making threats. There is nothing easier and simpler than behaving brutishly, being indifferent [to the plight of the Other], and self-righteous.”

    “On Holocaust Remembrance Day, it is worthwhile to consider our capacity to uproot the first buds of intolerance, violence, and self-destruction that lie on the path toward moral decay.”

    […]

    Characteristically, Golan was savaged for his outspokenness by far-right government ministers who harbor some of the same racist attitudes the major general was attacking.

    In this context, it’s worth examining a political controversy inflaming the British chattering and political classes. This one has inundated the Labour Party’s left-wing leadership with controversial attacks by the British pro-Israel lobby and the largely pro-Tory press.

    https://www.mintpressnews.com/israeli-defense-forces-general-likens-israel-1930s-germany-holocaust-remembrance-day/216436/

  11. The Chairman 18

    Less than two years into a five-year plan with the Government to build 7000 new homes in the capital, the city council has admitted it will never achieve that goal, having missed every target along the way thus far.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/80226908/new-homes-cant-be-built-quick-enough-to-cool-wellingtons-hot-property-market

    • Colonial Viper 18.1

      This is a country whose management which after years of planning couldn’t even get the trains to a Rugby World Cup opening.

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    How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log on iPhone Without a Computer: A StepbyStep Guide Losing your iPhone call history can be frustrating, especially when you need to find a specific number or recall an important conversation. But before you panic, know that there are ways to retrieve deleted call logs on your iPhone, even without a computer. This guide will explore various methods, ranging from simple checks to utilizing iCloud backups and thirdparty applications. So, lets dive in and recover those lost calls! 1. Check Recently Deleted Folder: Apple understands that accidental deletions happen. Thats why they introduced the Recently Deleted folder for various apps, including the Phone app. This folder acts as a safety net, storing deleted call logs for up to 30 days before permanently erasing them. Heres how to check it: Open the Phone app on your iPhone. Tap on the Recents tab at the bottom. Scroll to the top and tap on Edit. Select Show Recently Deleted. Browse the list to find the call logs you want to recover. Tap on the desired call log and choose Recover to restore it to your call history. 2. Restore from iCloud Backup: If you regularly back up your iPhone to iCloud, you might be able to retrieve your deleted call log from a previous backup. However, keep in mind that this process will restore your entire phone to the state it was in at the time of the backup, potentially erasing any data added since then. Heres how to restore from an iCloud backup: Go to Settings > General > Reset. Choose Erase All Content and Settings. Follow the onscreen instructions. Your iPhone will restart and show the initial setup screen. Choose Restore from iCloud Backup during the setup process. Select the relevant backup that contains your deleted call log. Wait for the restoration process to complete. 3. Explore ThirdParty Apps (with Caution): ...
    22 hours ago
  • How to Factory Reset iPhone without Computer: A Comprehensive Guide to Restoring your Device
    Life throws curveballs, and sometimes, those curveballs necessitate wiping your iPhone clean and starting anew. Whether you’re facing persistent software glitches, preparing to sell your device, or simply wanting a fresh start, knowing how to factory reset iPhone without a computer is a valuable skill. While using a computer with ...
    1 day ago
  • How to Call Someone on a Computer: A Guide to Voice and Video Communication in the Digital Age
    Gone are the days when communication was limited to landline phones and physical proximity. Today, computers have become powerful tools for connecting with people across the globe through voice and video calls. But with a plethora of applications and methods available, how to call someone on a computer might seem ...
    1 day ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #16 2024
    Open access notables Glacial isostatic adjustment reduces past and future Arctic subsea permafrost, Creel et al., Nature Communications: Sea-level rise submerges terrestrial permafrost in the Arctic, turning it into subsea permafrost. Subsea permafrost underlies ~ 1.8 million km2 of Arctic continental shelf, with thicknesses in places exceeding 700 m. Sea-level variations over glacial-interglacial cycles control ...
    1 day ago
  • Where on a Computer is the Operating System Generally Stored? Delving into the Digital Home of your ...
    The operating system (OS) is the heart and soul of a computer, orchestrating every action and interaction between hardware and software. But have you ever wondered where on a computer is the operating system generally stored? The answer lies in the intricate dance between hardware and software components, particularly within ...
    1 day ago
  • How Many Watts Does a Laptop Use? Understanding Power Consumption and Efficiency
    Laptops have become essential tools for work, entertainment, and communication, offering portability and functionality. However, with rising energy costs and growing environmental concerns, understanding a laptop’s power consumption is more important than ever. So, how many watts does a laptop use? The answer, unfortunately, isn’t straightforward. It depends on several ...
    1 day ago
  • How to Screen Record on a Dell Laptop A Guide to Capturing Your Screen with Ease
    Screen recording has become an essential tool for various purposes, such as creating tutorials, capturing gameplay footage, recording online meetings, or sharing information with others. Fortunately, Dell laptops offer several built-in and external options for screen recording, catering to different needs and preferences. This guide will explore various methods on ...
    1 day ago
  • How Much Does it Cost to Fix a Laptop Screen? Navigating Repair Options and Costs
    A cracked or damaged laptop screen can be a frustrating experience, impacting productivity and enjoyment. Fortunately, laptop screen repair is a common service offered by various repair shops and technicians. However, the cost of fixing a laptop screen can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article delves into the ...
    1 day ago
  • How Long Do Gaming Laptops Last? Demystifying Lifespan and Maximizing Longevity
    Gaming laptops represent a significant investment for passionate gamers, offering portability and powerful performance for immersive gaming experiences. However, a common concern among potential buyers is their lifespan. Unlike desktop PCs, which allow for easier component upgrades, gaming laptops have inherent limitations due to their compact and integrated design. This ...
    1 day ago
  • Climate Change: Turning the tide
    The annual inventory report of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions has been released, showing that gross emissions have dropped for the third year in a row, to 78.4 million tons: All-told gross emissions have decreased by over 6 million tons since the Zero Carbon Act was passed in 2019. ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago
  • How to Unlock Your Computer A Comprehensive Guide to Regaining Access
    Experiencing a locked computer can be frustrating, especially when you need access to your files and applications urgently. The methods to unlock your computer will vary depending on the specific situation and the type of lock you encounter. This guide will explore various scenarios and provide step-by-step instructions on how ...
    1 day ago
  • Faxing from Your Computer A Modern Guide to Sending Documents Digitally
    While the world has largely transitioned to digital communication, faxing still holds relevance in certain industries and situations. Fortunately, gone are the days of bulky fax machines and dedicated phone lines. Today, you can easily send and receive faxes directly from your computer, offering a convenient and efficient way to ...
    1 day ago
  • Protecting Your Home Computer A Guide to Cyber Awareness
    In our increasingly digital world, home computers have become essential tools for work, communication, entertainment, and more. However, this increased reliance on technology also exposes us to various cyber threats. Understanding these threats and taking proactive steps to protect your home computer is crucial for safeguarding your personal information, finances, ...
    1 day ago
  • Server-Based Computing Powering the Modern Digital Landscape
    In the ever-evolving world of technology, server-based computing has emerged as a cornerstone of modern digital infrastructure. This article delves into the concept of server-based computing, exploring its various forms, benefits, challenges, and its impact on the way we work and interact with technology. Understanding Server-Based Computing: At its core, ...
    1 day ago
  • Vroom vroom go the big red trucks
    The absolute brass neck of this guy.We want more medical doctors, not more spin doctors, Luxon was saying a couple of weeks ago, and now we’re told the guy has seven salaried adults on TikTok duty. Sorry, doing social media. The absolute brass neck of it. The irony that the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 day ago
  • Jones finds $410,000 to help the government muscle in on a spat project
    Buzz from the Beehive Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones relishes spatting and eagerly takes issue with environmentalists who criticise his enthusiasm for resource development. He relishes helping the fishing industry too. And so today, while the media are making much of the latest culling in the public service to ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 day ago
  • Again, hate crimes are not necessarily terrorism.
    Having written, taught and worked for the US government on issues involving unconventional warfare and terrorism for 30-odd years, two things irritate me the most when the subject is discussed in public. The first is the Johnny-come-lately academics-turned-media commentators who … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    2 days ago
  • Despair – construction consenting edition
    Eric Crampton writes – Kainga Ora is the government’s house building agency. It’s been building a lot of social housing. Kainga Ora has its own (but independent) consenting authority, Consentium. It’s a neat idea. Rather than have to deal with building consents across each different territorial authority, Kainga Ora ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • Coalition promises – will the Govt keep the commitment to keep Kiwis equal before the law?
    Muriel Newman writes – The Coalition Government says it is moving with speed to deliver campaign promises and reverse the damage done by Labour. One of their key commitments is to “defend the principle that New Zealanders are equal before the law.” To achieve this, they have pledged they “will not advance ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • An impermanent public service is a guarantee of very little else but failure
    Chris Trotter writes –  The absence of anything resembling a fightback from the public servants currently losing their jobs is interesting. State-sector workers’ collective fatalism in the face of Coalition cutbacks indicates a surprisingly broad acceptance of impermanence in the workplace. Fifty years ago, lay-offs in the thousands ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • What happens after the war – Mariupol
    Mariupol, on the Azov Sea coast, was one of the first cities to suffer almost complete destruction after the start of the Ukraine War started in late February 2022. We remember the scenes of absolute destruction of the houses and city structures. The deaths of innocent civilians – many of ...
    2 days ago
  • Babies and benefits – no good news
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – Ten years ago, I wrote the following in a Listener column: Every year around one in five new-born babies will be reliant on their caregivers benefit by Christmas. This pattern has persisted from at least 1993. For Maori the number jumps to over one in three.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • Should the RBNZ be looking through climate inflation?
    Climate change is expected to generate more and more extreme events, delivering a sort of structural shock to inflation that central banks will have to react to as if they were short-term cyclical issues. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours, as of 9:16 am on Thursday, April 18 are:Housing: Tauranga residents living in boats, vans RNZ Checkpoint Louise TernouthHousing: Waikato councillor says wastewater plant issues could hold up Sleepyhead building a massive company town Waikato Times Stephen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the public sector carnage, and misogyny as terrorism
    It’s a simple deal. We pay taxes in order to finance the social services we want and need. The carnage now occurring across the public sector though, is breaking that contract. Over 3,000 jobs have been lost so far. Many are in crucial areas like Education where the impact of ...
    2 days ago
  • Meeting the Master Baiters
    Hi,A friend had their 40th over the weekend and decided to theme it after Curb Your Enthusiasm fashion icon Susie Greene. Captured in my tiny kitchen before I left the house, I ending up evoking a mix of old lesbian and Hillary Clinton — both unintentional.Me vs Hillary ClintonIf you’re ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago
  • How extreme was the Earth's temperature in 2023
    This is a re-post from Andrew Dessler at the Climate Brink blog In 2023, the Earth reached temperature levels unprecedented in modern times. Given that, it’s reasonable to ask: What’s going on? There’s been lots of discussions by scientists about whether this is just the normal progression of global warming or if something ...
    2 days ago
  • Backbone, revisited
    The schools are on holiday and the sun is shining in the seaside village and all day long I have been seeing bunches of bikes; Mums, Dads, teens and toddlers chattering, laughing, happy, having a bloody great time together. Cheers, AT, for the bits of lane you’ve added lately around the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • Ministers are not above the law
    Today in our National-led authoritarian nightmare: Shane Jones thinks Ministers should be above the law: New Zealand First MP Shane Jones is accusing the Waitangi Tribunal of over-stepping its mandate by subpoenaing a minister for its urgent hearing on the Oranga Tamariki claim. The tribunal is looking into the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago
  • What’s the outfit you can hear going down the gurgler? Probably it’s David Parker’s Oceans Sec...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point  of Order first heard of the Oceans Secretariat in June 2021, when David Parker (remember him?) announced a multi-agency approach to protecting New Zealand’s marine ecosystems and fisheries. Parker (holding the Environment, and Oceans and Fisheries portfolios) broke the news at the annual Forest & ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago
  • Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Bryce Edwards writes  – Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Matt Doocey doubles down on trans “healthcare”
    Citizen Science writes –  Last week saw two significant developments in the debate over the treatment of trans-identifying children and young people – the release in Britain of the final report of Dr Hilary Cass’s review into gender healthcare, and here in New Zealand, the news that the ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • A TikTok Prime Minister.
    One night while sleeping in my bed I had a beautiful dreamThat all the people of the world got together on the same wavelengthAnd began helping one anotherNow in this dream, universal love was the theme of the dayPeace and understanding and it happened this wayAfter such an eventful day ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Texas Lessons
    This is a guest post by Oscar Simms who is a housing activist, volunteer for the Coalition for More Homes, and was the Labour Party candidate for Auckland Central at the last election. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    3 days ago
  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links at 6:06 am
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours as of 6:06 am on Wednesday, April 17 are:Must read: Secrecy shrouds which projects might be fast-tracked RNZ Farah HancockScoop: Revealed: Luxon has seven staffers working on social media content - partly paid for by taxpayer Newshub ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Fighting poverty on the holiday highway
    Turning what Labour called the “holiday highway” into a four-lane expressway from Auckland to Whangarei could bring at least an economic benefit of nearly two billion a year for Northland each year. And it could help bring an end to poverty in one of New Zealand’s most deprived regions. The ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago
  • Bernard's six-stack of substacks at 6:26 pm
    Tonight’s six-stack includes: launching his substack with a bunch of his previous documentaries, including this 1992 interview with Dame Whina Cooper. and here crew give climate activists plenty to do, including this call to submit against the Fast Track Approvals bill. writes brilliantly here on his substack ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • At a glance – Is the science settled?
    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 ...
    3 days ago
  • Apposite Quotations.
    How Long Is Long Enough? Gaza under Israeli bombardment, July 2014. This posting is exclusive to Bowalley Road. ...
    3 days ago
  • What’s a life worth now?
    You're in the mall when you hear it: some kind of popping sound in the distance, kids with fireworks, maybe. But then a moment of eerie stillness is followed by more of the fireworks sound and there’s also screaming and shrieking and now here come people running for their lives.Does ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Howling at the Moon
    Karl du Fresne writes –  There’s a crisis in the news media and the media are blaming it on everyone except themselves. Culpability is being deflected elsewhere – mainly to the hapless Minister of Communications, Melissa Lee, and the big social media platforms that are accused of hoovering ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Newshub is Dead.
    I don’t normally send out two newsletters in a day but I figured I’d say something about… the news. If two newsletters is a bit much then maybe just skip one, I don’t want to overload people. Alternatively if you’d be interested in sometimes receiving multiple, smaller updates from me, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Seymour is chuffed about cutting early-learning red tape – but we hear, too, that Jones has loose...
    Buzz from the Beehive David Seymour and Winston Peters today signalled that at least two ministers of the Crown might be in Wellington today. Seymour (as Associate Minister of Education) announced the removal of more red tape, this time to make it easier for new early learning services to be ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. Our political system is suffering from the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago
  • Was Hawkesby entirely wrong?
    David Farrar  writes –  The Broadcasting Standards Authority ruled: Comments by radio host Kate Hawkesby suggesting Māori and Pacific patients were being prioritised for surgery due to their ethnicity were misleading and discriminatory, the Broadcasting Standards Authority has found. It is a fact such patients are prioritised. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • PRC shadow looms as the Solomons head for election
    PRC and its proxies in Solomons have been preparing for these elections for a long time. A lot of money, effort and intelligence have gone into ensuring an outcome that won’t compromise Beijing’s plans. Cleo Paskall writes – On April 17th the Solomon Islands, a country of ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Climate Change: Criminal ecocide
    We are in the middle of a climate crisis. Last year was (again) the hottest year on record. NOAA has just announced another global coral bleaching event. Floods are threatening UK food security. So naturally, Shane Jones wants to make it easier to mine coal: Resources Minister Shane Jones ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Is saving one minute of a politician's time worth nearly $1 billion?
    Is speeding up the trip to and from Wellington airport by 12 minutes worth spending up more than $10 billion? Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me in the last day to 8:26 am today are:The Lead: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Long Tunnel or Long Con?
    Yesterday it was revealed that Transport Minister had asked Waka Kotahi to look at the options for a long tunnel through Wellington. State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the ...
    4 days ago
  • Smoke And Mirrors.
    You're a fraud, and you know itBut it's too good to throw it all awayAnyone would do the sameYou've got 'em goingAnd you're careful not to show itSometimes you even fool yourself a bitIt's like magicBut it's always been a smoke and mirrors gameAnyone would do the sameForty six billion ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • What is Mexico doing about climate change?
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections The June general election in Mexico could mark a turning point in ensuring that the country’s climate policies better reflect the desire of its citizens to address the climate crisis, with both leading presidential candidates expressing support for renewable energy. Mexico is the ...
    4 days ago
  • State of humanity, 2024
    2024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?When I say 2024 I really mean the state of humanity in 2024.Saturday night, we watched Civil War because that is one terrifying cliff we've ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • Govt’s Wellington tunnel vision aims to ease the way to the airport (but zealous promoters of cycl...
    Buzz from the Beehive A pet project and governmental tunnel vision jump out from the latest batch of ministerial announcements. The government is keen to assure us of its concern for the wellbeing of our pets. It will be introducing pet bonds in a change to the Residential Tenancies Act ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • The case for cultural connectedness
    A recent report generated from a Growing Up in New Zealand (GUiNZ) survey of 1,224 rangatahi Māori aged 11-12 found: Cultural connectedness was associated with fewer depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms and better quality of life. That sounds cut and dry. But further into the report the following appears: Cultural connectedness is ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Useful context on public sector job cuts
    David Farrar writes –    The Herald reports: From the gory details of job-cuts news, you’d think the public service was being eviscerated.   While the media’s view of the cuts is incomplete, it’s also true that departments have been leaking the particulars faster than a Wellington ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell On When Racism Comes Disguised As Anti-racism
    Remember the good old days, back when New Zealand had a PM who could think and speak calmly and intelligently in whole sentences without blustering? Even while Iran’s drones and missiles were still being launched, Helen Clark was live on TVNZ expertly summing up the latest crisis in the Middle ...
    5 days ago
  • Govt ignored economic analysis of smokefree reversal
    Costello did not pass on analysis of the benefits of the smokefree reforms to Cabinet, emphasising instead the extra tax revenues of repealing them. Photo: Hagen Hopkins, Getty Images TL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me at 7:26 am today are:The Lead: Casey Costello never passed on ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • True Blue.
    True loveYou're the one I'm dreaming ofYour heart fits me like a gloveAnd I'm gonna be true blueBaby, I love youI’ve written about the job cuts in our news media last week. The impact on individuals, and the loss to Aotearoa of voices covering our news from different angles.That by ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • Who is running New Zealand’s foreign policy?
    While commentators, including former Prime Minister Helen Clark, are noting a subtle shift in New Zealand’s foreign policy, which now places more emphasis on the United States, many have missed a key element of the shift. What National said before the election is not what the government is doing now. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago

  • $41m to support clean energy in South East Asia
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    9 hours ago
  • Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder list
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    11 hours ago
  • Judicial appointments announced
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    12 hours ago
  • Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago
  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago
  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.    “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago
  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
    Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    16 hours ago
  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners.  “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Government backing mussel spat project
    The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government focused on getting people into work
    Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
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