Yep righties always try to upset the applecart – yawn. Must be scary seeing all the pervert ponytailpuller created falling away. Bill fluffing as usual – gnats heading to their worse election ever. panic abounding from horrible hooton on down. The red election is here and the bodies piled up along the route prove it.
You might think with such a big change in policy around charging and exclusive rights, the owner of the market and National Party voter, Paul de Jonge might have announced the changes to all political parties at the time rather than when they came to book.
I suspect he did let the National Party know, just no-one else.
Anyway, a nothing story now promoted by DP Farrar which illustrates how desperate National are becoming.
I have filed for my personal information request through the Privacy commission x2 to the justice department.And 1 to MPI when they send my information I will sue for breaches to my Human rights and privacy rights here hopping
And the beginnings of a rudimentary sketch for a technocratic nightmare.
There is no reason whatsoever as to why NZ Labour cannot lay out its values or goals with regards tax before us in the same way Jacinda Ardern stated they intend to do for the unelected and unaccountable “group of experts” whose advice they will be acting on.
Alternatively, she’s pacing a roll back from Little/Labour’s avowed position that there will be no tax increases.
I don’t understand what’s wrong with them doing the tax review they’ve been talking about for a couple of years, and not committing to things before then. And why having people from various areas be involved in that would be a bad thing. I also seem to remember that when they invited NZers generally to help develop direction and policy last year they got a lot of ridicule and bashing.
By values and goals do you mean things like ‘we believe that tax is a good for society and we will use it to distribute wealth fairly including via govt services to all the people’ kind of thing?
She pulled that piece of the tax regime behind the wizard’s curtain.
There was nothing about what parameters and/or goals would be set out for the “group of experts” and no reason for those things not to be made available to us now.
So a group of hand-picked “experts” will go away and come back with policy that NZ Labour can then claim to be implementing from “arms length” on the grounds that it’s “good for New Zealand” and “what the experts” say.
That’s technocracy – the removal of public policy from public scrutiny. And that, under a liberal regime, tends to come back to the public as “unfortunate but necessary” legislation.
“So a group of hand-picked “experts” will go away and come back with policy that NZ Labour can then claim to be implementing from “arms length” on the grounds that it’s “good for New Zealand” and “what the experts” say.”
It’s a risk, but she didn’t actually say that’s how they would do it (on Morning Report at least). And as I said, Labour asked NZ to get involved last year and the response here was to bash them.
“There was nothing about what parameters and/or goals would be set out for the “group of experts” and no reason for those things not to be made available to us now.”
Have you looked to see what they said when they announced the tax review?
I listened to the radio interview that was being sign-posted by the original comment and commented on the content of the interview.
If you’re suggesting that NZ Labour are actually being more forth-coming than what was evinced by that interview, then by all means throw the evidence out here.
edit – In answer to your other comment at 5.1.1.1.2 above. First up, there’s no way on earth that any politician would front up with an intention to cynically foist something on society. And second up, I used the word “can” not “will” – ie, I signalled a possibility or probability, not a definite fact.
So a group of hand-picked “experts” will go away and come back with policy that NZ Labour can then claim to be implementing from “arms length” on the grounds that it’s “good for New Zealand” and “what the experts” say.
*
If you’re suggesting that NZ Labour are actually being more forth-coming than what was evinced by that interview, then by all means throw the evidence out here.
What I heard in the interview was JA saying, we’re having a tax review, we want to get some expert advice, apart from a couple of things I’m not going to commit anything until we’ve seen the books and gotten some advice. I actually prefer that to Labour going Oh, we’re going to do this x, y, z. Especially if they open up again to engaging with the public like they did last year.
Is it not obvious the possibility/probability refers to that part of my comment concerned with future NZ Labour actions around the area of CGT? (I think it’s really obvious) ie – how they will play out the recommendations around CGT (that may not be a CGT) that will come back from their hand picked panel of experts who will have received guidelines (that NZ Labour are being coy to the NZ public about) as stated by Ardern in that interview?
The personal tax rate is something else again and I consciously didn’t include anything about that in my comments until now. As said in the interview, the books are open tomorrow and some statements will be made afterwards. So there’s nothing to say atm.
tbh, I read your original comment 3 times to understand it and still wasn’t sure so went with what I though. It’s a conversation 🙂
I guess I don’t understand some things. One would be what the problem is with using experts. The other would be what is the problem with using experts that can work within Labour’s values and framework?
I don’t think Labour are being that coy, unless Ardern is moving significantly away from what Labour have been saying in the past 2 years. I think they’re being cautious about imposing something without the books open to them and without taking time to think it through and seeing what can be done.
Nothing is wrong with using “experts”
Nothing is wrong with providing them with guidelines.
Everything is wrong with pulling that away from the public domain to the extent we aren’t even being told what those guidelines will be.
That’s the mark of a technocracy. And that’s not a good space for a society to occupy.
The books you refer to only have a possible impact on personal tax rates (given proposed expenditures and undertakings around so-called “fiscal responsibility”) but have next to nothing to do with the formulation of a tax framework around property.
They are formulating their ideas to release to the public – why would they go early before they have sorted them. A new leader gets the ability to do that surely. And with all the naysayers going off at her I think it is a sound strategy. You are a green voter arent you – why do you even care what labour does.
No marty. Listen to the interview. On property tax, they are not “formulating ideas to release to the public”. When Andrew Little was leader, that was the plan. But Jacinda is quite explicit that the ideas will be formulated out of sight by a panel of “experts” and then implemented – not presented.
You think I shouldn’t “care” what any party other than the Green Party does? You implying that any comment or opinion I have on anything political other than Green Party related stuff is illegitimate on the basis that I’ll probably throw a vote at the Greens?
You think I should apply that same arbitrary nonsense to any comment or opinion you throw up here (Mana, wasn’t it?) and – oh, I dunno – maybe remove any comments you make that I can’t connect back to Mana?
Maybe – but the media plague rats would like nothing better than to beat up a tax story right now. Espiner’s choice of emphasis or Labour’s – of the two I’m leaning away from Espiner.
Alternatively, she’s pacing a roll back from Little/Labour’s avowed position that there will be no tax increases.
From what I recall, Little’s position was that they weren’t planning on any tax increases because their sums added up, contingent on the budget and the pre-election fiscal thingee.
I wonder if Guyon Espiner has considered the fact that many of RNZ listeners might be interested in hearing the answers to questions rather than his constant interruptions.
Ditto Lisa Owen.
I just watched the video. I wasn’t bothered with Espiner’s questions. He was trying to get some definite answers on some points. I am OK with that if Espiner is equally tough with leaders from all parties.
In the end, it did result in clarifying some points: eg. that Ardern is not going to be taking exactly the same line as Little on some aspects as taxation. though, I’d have thought if Ardern had been involved in developing such policies over a few years, she’d be ready to make her own decision on it, and not put it up for further investigation.
It was interesting seeing the video, because Espiner was clearly listening very attentively to everything Ardern said.
Ardern answered very assuredly. I was getting irritated by her repeating that she wanted to be “very clear”…
I’m sure that was the intention. But signalling multiple times with the words I want to be “very clear”, starts to get counter-productive.
On a visual presentation note, after watching the vid: Ardern with her hair up gives her more of the appearance of gravitas, than when her hair is down – maybe aided by the camera at side angles to her.
Media appearances with her hair flowing free all the time may give the impression of being carefree, and hence the incorrect assumption she is light weight. Although, it can be a good thing to break the stereotype of dark suited masculine-style politicians – at least some of the time.
I am old enough to clearly remember Richard Nixon.
He was just about the only politician I can think of who used the word “clear” as much as does Arden.
“During the Vietnam War, and leading up to his resignation, President Richard Nixon preceded many public comments with the line, “Let me make one thing perfectly clear.”
Eventually, Americans learned that whatever followed would be filled with deception, obfuscation, fabrication, and lies.”
People on twitter are saying he asked tough questions. I didn’t think they were tough, they sounded normal to me, and she answered them well. Like you, I learned some useful stuff about where Labour are at (sounded promising).
The way he asked the questions was a bit annoying though. I agree with Tim, and if you ask a question why not let the person actually answer it. I know they’ve got limited time, but he was literally talking over the top of her before she even finished her first sentence.
wasn’t aware there was a video of Morning Report.
Point being, if one were to run a stop watch over the time Guyon asked questions and interrupted compared with the time Jacinder was given to actually answer, the times would almost go against her.
I hope to Christ he actually goes back and listens to himself at times.
Next up was Suzy and Mr Choice. Compare the two interviews timewise and re interruptions.
Actually I don’t like Suzy’s chances with a used car salesman, but Guyon wouldn’t let him get a word in edgwise.
I was amused Espinor brushed off talking about Gareth Morgan in his “serious” questioning of Jacinda around taxation, saying something to the effect of “let’s not go there, or talk about GM”…..(and I thought “great”: a substantive interview)….but less than a minute later, at the close of interview, Espinor couldn’t stop himself asking her about Gareth Morgan, as a cheap parting shot. So much for getting away from sensationalism.
Morgan said on RNZ that he made the lipstick on the pig comment to get attention – he knew it would upset people. He says he did that to get attention so people would look at TOP policies. What a loser.
He was being manipulative. That’s hardly straight talking. Just another shock jock out to get attention. And quite willing to be sexist to get that attention. Shows his values.
Commenting on Jacinda Ardern’s delivery, how refreshing to hear a politician with a free-flowing expression of ideas, clearly enunciated and virtually free of ‘ums’, ‘aahs’, ‘so’s’, ‘going forwards’, ‘like’s’and ‘ekshully’s’.
I can forgive her the odd extra call for clarity. God help us, we need more of that in our political discourse.
Her insisting on “let’s be clear about this” might also be a verbal ploy to arrest Espiner’s interruptions, as such a request is calling for more than an incomplete first sentence before the interviewer’s repeated badgering begins.
Maybe with experience these interviewers might just realise that Ardern will give them fulsome answers which are not always fudged, deflective and obfuscatory, and allow her more room to elaborate.
Key was an expert in not answering questions and interviewers have to be pretty persistent in getting politicians to actually stick to the question. If the politician is one of “ours” we say he/she did well. If one of “theirs” we say he/she is Dodgy Dodger.
I agree. Key got away with not answering policy questions in any detail. He was a master at that. I think the country is ready for change, and Ardern as contender for PM, needs to have a clear and simple message about what that change will look like. I think a combined Labour and Green government would take NZ to a better future. I am liking their combined policies, and think there is substance underneath their policies. However, not every one reads policy, and it is Ardern’s job to have clear and simple sound bites ready, that support a change of government.
“He’s not in Siberia”.
He is if he is campaigning in his electorate.
It might be sunny in Wellington today but there is a bloody cold Southerly.
I felt really sorry for the people going through the formal dissolution of Parliament out on the steps this morning. The spectators could be well wrapped up but the officials were all in their formal outfits.
Claim…”We don’t have anything to hide … and we’re quite happy to take observers out from MPI to show them this.”
Reality…. Fishermen go out of their way to get the observers seasick, as it keeps them in their cabins and out of the way.
Claim… ”It’s just an invasion of privacy. We don’t think it’s acceptable that we should be videoed for 24 hours a day and then MPI tell us it’s going to cost you $20,000 to roll all of this stuff onto your boat.”
Reality… Wouldn’t they just film when the net was shot and hauled, as well as in the factory? Did you know that many factories onboard have cameras in them already, so those in the wheelhouse can check on the progress before hauling in more fish. It’s not like they will be filming in the cabins or the ships mess, engine room maybe not even in the wheel house. For reals $20k a boat, MPI should be part funding the cost of equipment, especially for those with smaller inshore vessels.
Claim… “Mr Black said he was worried this would threaten his livelihood because of the risk MPI might accidentally reveal his secret fishing spots.”
Reality… this is a real LMFAO because with the current carbon copy system of recording fish, one has to write down the latitude and longitude of any hauls for MPI anyway, so they already know where the so called secret fishing spots are. Unless the fishers are already illegally misreporting/recording their fishing locations.
Gareth Morgan triples down, but I think it’s pretty clear now that while yes Labour were the pig, Jacinda Ardern is meant to be merely the lipstick. They made a handy chart about it,
If it is a digital billboard, then hopefully it gets hacked. Transposing the words; “policy” and “pig”, would fix it.
Seriously though, TOP’s policy is not their strong suit. They have some interesting notions (13 so far with a few more blank spaces to be filled “soon”), but otherwise just a lot of gaps with no overarching framework. Admittedly, they are a minor party whose influence would be limited to what they can negotiate with a coalition partner (in the increasingly unlikely situation that they get any MPs in the next parliament), so it good that their ideas are easily extractable. But even MANA is doing a better job at presenting a cohesive policy platform, and that is very much a work in progress (not having Dotcom money, or even an MPs salary to support them, it is a bit of a shoestring operation these days).
Gareth’s obsession reminds me of Organ Morgan in Dylan Thomas’s “Under Milk Wood.”
“Organ Morgan goes to chapel to play the organ. He plays alone at night to anyone who will listen; lovers, revellers, the silent dead, tramps and sheep.”
So, Morgan wants a focus on policy not personalities, while putting photos of himself looking down on everyone in his billboards (those that I’ve seen in Auckland), like some big brother.
I know, weird right? Like his ability to self-reflect is impaired.
I did kind of feel sorry for him at the start of the press conference. Yeah, I know, but I would say this about him, his need to improve things seems pretty genuine. Unlike say National who just don’t give a shit. It’s a shame he chose politics because he could have set up something outside and used that to push policy.
My compassion waned as the interview went on though, esp the bit about how TOP have consulted the policy experts in NZ and thus have not just the best policy but the right policy, so everyone else should be listening to him now. How he expects to work with others is beyond me.
Don’t be surprised if rents rise before the rates increase get officially announced – and here I though Aucklander’s elected Goff to reduce inequality!
I based that thinking of the natural behavior of people – if you know you costs are going to rise, you need to think about where you will get the money from to pay for those increased costs. Landlords pay rates, funded by the rent they charge. If their rates increase, then naturally they raise their rent to cover it – fact of life.
If the mayor has any consideration for reducing inequality, they would think very carefully about where they increase costs to rate payers.
So would that be more based on your contempt for humanity, or merely the tory habit of applying supply and demand theory only when convenient to your ideology?
My rent goes up each year by more than the amount the rates on the property rise. Basically, my landlord, who doesn’t increase the rent by as much as the rampant price gougers, is profiting from the escalation of the housing bubble.
The rises in my rent is pretty modest compared to what is happening elsewhere with rental properties in Auckland.
You are ignoring the greed of some, who will look for every way to enrich themselves, if the system allows it, even though their behaviour results in a negative impact on the lives of others.
I’ve seen systems where they work. In Korea, though there are taxation rules that make multiple apartment ownership expensive, there is some kind of carve out that lets folk build small apartment buildings and let them – typically they live on the top floor. These provide one of the main forms of student housing – because they’re cheap. Where private rentals go wrong is when governments fail to regulate – as NZ’s have for the last thirty years.
Al Jazeera reports on NZ Election.. Article is about the rise of Jacinda, worried Bill, Gareths lipstick stunt, Dunne exiting and a brief mention about Meti
I’m not a fan of the new pound coin either! They don’t work in the parking meters – or any other coin machine for that matter! Gezz you would have thought they would have don’t some research on that one! Was at Lindesfarne one Sunday afternoon and in the parking lot – there were about 5 of us looking for someone who had some old coins so we could legally park.
Only problem for Audrey is that Jacinda is a whole smarter than she is, she shut her down very quickly on the TAX issues and gently reminded her how the Nats had introduced GST increases by stealth.
Great interview, we haven’t seen a politico with this level of skill, enthusiasm and knowledge for some time, I felt that she dominated, roll on September
Nats begin the attack Ads. See latest Ads attacking Labour. Odd when they dont do this cos they focus on their plans for NZ!!!!. I guess they have to do more of their own attacking with their attack dogs silence after 2014 election
Federated Farmers policy on global warming is that it is only the second biggest contributor (after CO2) that we should ignore it.
“Efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions should understand that not all greenhouse gases are created equal. Carbon dioxide is the dominant greenhouse gas from human activity, and is persistent in the atmosphere. Efforts to reduce emissions should continue to focus on reducing carbon dioxide over methane and nitrous oxide.”
However, “Methane contributes to ozone depletion, plus acts as a greenhouse gas. It lasts about 10 years in the atmosphere before being converted mainly to carbon dioxide and water. The global warming potential of methane is rated at 72 over a 20 year time frame. It does not last as long as carbon dioxide, but has a greater impact while its active. The methane cycle is not completely understood, but the concentration of methane in the atmosphere appears to have increased 150% since 1750.”
I wonder if they will start running attack adverts which are now allowed in New Zealand. While there are limits to how much political parties can spend on election campaigns, their supporters can spend as much as they like.
Yes thats a start electric rail we need to go hard on renewable energy projects those Muppets that have been in power for 9 years had there heads stuck up there own ass they could not see reality
Resubmitting here, working on the assumption Weka will censor my earlier comment [if you don’t, Weka, I apologise!]
This is from the Lefties only post:
And who decides who the “lefties” are?? Weka, weka, weka dear! As if your censoring of this site isn’t strong enough! [All those you’ve removed over the past year…and why is the pre-election debate so anemic?? Surely a coincidence??] Oh great arbiter of all that is, how do we approach you? Having been on the left for over 30 years, I’m not intimidated by you, nor do I care what what you’ll say…
I know , you all think, I’m a troll, but I’m not… I want to change the government! Absolutely! Oops, but sorry, Weka, the party you’ll need is NZ First. NZ First is the only party that says absolutely no more NeoLiberal policy! Oh, but I must be right wing and racist for supporting NZ First…No I am not! Please others write in and support me!
[lprent: Stop whining, you pathetic gutless and stupid excuse for a idiotic wimp.
The trick is that you have to be able to argue, and that appears to be something that you are completely incompetent or just incapable of doing with any kind of intelligence. I can see about 9 comments from you. None have carried any kind of argument apart from ones whining about the way we choose to run our site or whining that other disagree with you. The remainder look like advertisements for media, without either a link to the media or an rational editorial comment about why others should go and look at them.
I can’t see any contribution are you bringing to this site. Perhaps you should learn to project any good attributes you have rather than displaying your worst ones.
I had a look at it last week. I actually ban more people for longer than weka does. Just like I will right now. So you can fuck off for 2 months on the basis that you are trying to tell us what to do – read the policy. ]
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Three opinion polls have been released in the last two days, all showing that the new government is failing to hold their popular support. The usual honeymoon experienced during the first year of a first term government is entirely absent. The political mood is still gloomy and discontented, mainly due ...
National's Finance Minister once met a poor person.A scornful interview with National's finance guru who knows next to nothing about economics or people.There might have been something a bit familiar if that was the headline I’d gone with today. It would of course have been in tribute to the article ...
Rob MacCulloch writes – Throughout the pandemic, the new Vice-Chancellor-of-Otago-University-on-$629,000 per annum-Can-you-believe-it-and-Former-Finance-Minister Grant Robertson repeated the mantra over and over that he saved “lives and livelihoods”.As we update how this claim is faring over the course of time, the facts are increasingly speaking differently. NZ ...
Chris Trotter writes – IT’S A COMMONPLACE of political speeches, especially those delivered in acknowledgement of electoral victory: “We’ll govern for all New Zealanders.” On the face of it, the pledge is a strange one. Why would any political leader govern in ways that advantaged the huge ...
Bryce Edwards writes – The list of former National Party Ministers being given plum and important roles got longer this week with the appointment of former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett as the chair of Pharmac. The Christopher Luxon-led Government has now made key appointments to Bill ...
TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 10:06am on Wednesday, May 1:The Lead: Business confidence fell across the board in April, falling in some areas to levels last seen during the lockdowns because of a collapse in ...
Over the past 36 hours, Christopher Luxon has been dong his best to portray the centre-right’s plummeting poll numbers as a mark of virtue. Allegedly, the negative verdicts are the result of hard economic times, and of a government bravely set out on a perilous rescue mission from which not ...
Auckland Transport have started rolling out new HOP card readers around the network and over the next three months, all of them on buses, at train stations and ferry wharves will be replaced. The change itself is not that remarkable, with the new readers looking similar to what is already ...
Completed reads for April: The Difference Engine, by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling Carnival of Saints, by George Herman The Snow Spider, by Jenny Nimmo Emlyn’s Moon, by Jenny Nimmo The Chestnut Soldier, by Jenny Nimmo Death Comes As the End, by Agatha Christie Lord of the Flies, by ...
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 ...
Have a story to share about St Paul’s, but today just picturesPopular novels written at this desk by a young man who managed to bootstrap himself out of father’s imprisonment and his own young life in a workhouse Read more ...
The list of former National Party Ministers being given plum and important roles got longer this week with the appointment of former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett as the chair of Pharmac. The Christopher Luxon-led Government has now made key appointments to Bill English, Simon Bridges, Steven Joyce, Roger Sowry, ...
Newsroom has a story today about National's (fortunately failed) effort to disestablish the newly-created Inspector-General of Defence. The creation of this agency was the key recommendation of the Inquiry into Operation Burnham, and a vital means of restoring credibility and social licence to an agency which had been caught lying ...
Holding On To The Present:The moment a political movement arises that attacks the whole idea of social progress, and announces its intention to wind back the hands of History’s clock, then democracy, along with its unwritten rules, is in mortal danger.IT’S A COMMONPLACE of political speeches, especially those delivered in ...
Stuck In The Middle With You:As Christopher Luxon feels the hot breath of Act’s and NZ First’s extremists on the back of his neck and, as he reckons with the damage their policies are already inflicting upon a country he’s described as “fragile”, is there not some merit in reaching out ...
The unpopular coalition government is currently rushing to repeal section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act. The clause is Oranga Tamariki's Treaty clause, and was inserted after its systematic stealing of Māori children became a public scandal and resulted in physical resistance to further abductions. The clause created clear obligations ...
Buzz from the Beehive The government’s official website – which Point of Order monitors daily – not for the first time has nothing much to say today about political happenings that are grabbing media headlines. It makes no mention of the latest 1News-Verian poll, for example. This shows National down ...
It Takes A Train To Cry:Surely, there is nothing lonelier in all this world than the long wail of a distant steam locomotive on a cold Winter’s night.AS A CHILD, I would lie awake in my grandfather’s house and listen to the traffic. The big wooden house was only a ...
Packing A Punch: The election of the present government, including in its ranks politicians dedicated to reasserting the rights of the legislature in shaping and determining the future of Māori and Pakeha in New Zealand, should have alerted the judiciary – including its anomalous appendage, the Waitangi Tribunal – that its ...
Dead Woman Walking: New Zealand’s media industry had been moving steadily towards disaster for all the years Melissa Lee had been National’s media and communications policy spokesperson, and yet, when the crisis finally broke, on her watch, she had nothing intelligent to offer. Christopher Luxon is a patient man - but he’s not ...
Chris Trotter writes – New Zealand politics is remarkably easy-going: dangerously so, one might even say. With the notable exception of John Key’s flat ruling-out of the NZ First Party in 2008, all parties capable of clearing MMP’s five-percent threshold, or winning one or more electorate seats, tend ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is ...
Luxon will no doubt put a brave face on it, but there is no escaping the pressure this latest poll will put on him and the government. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political ...
This is a re-post from The Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler In the wake of any unusual weather event, someone inevitably asks, “Did climate change cause this?” In the most literal sense, that answer is almost always no. Climate change is never the sole cause of hurricanes, heat waves, droughts, or ...
Something odd happened yesterday, and I’d love to know if there’s more to it. If there was something which preempted what happened, or if it was simply a throwaway line in response to a journalist.Yesterday David Seymour was asked at a press conference what the process would be if the ...
Hi,From time to time, I want to bring Webworm into the real world. We did it last year with the Jurassic Park event in New Zealand — which was a lot of fun!And so on Saturday May 11th, in Los Angeles, I am hosting a lil’ Webworm pop-up! I’ve been ...
Education Minister Erica Standford yesterday unveiled a fundamental reform of the way our school pupils are taught. She would not exactly say so, but she is all but dismantling the so-called “inquiry” “feel good” method of teaching, which has ruled in our classrooms since a major review of the New ...
Exactly where are we seriously going with this government and its policies? That is, apart from following what may as well be a Truss-Lite approach on the purported economic “plan“, and Victorian-era regression when it comes to social policy.Oh it’ll work this time of course, we’re basically assured, “the ...
Hey Uncle Dave, When the Poms joined the EEC, I wasn't one of those defeatists who said, Well, that’s it for the dairy job. And I was right, eh? The Chinese can’t get enough of our milk powder and eventually, the Poms came to their senses and backed up the ute ...
Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is higher than for any other mayor ...
The Government is again adding to New Zealand’s growing unemployment, this time cutting jobs at the agencies responsible for urban development and growing much needed housing stock. ...
With Minister Karen Chhour indicating in the House today that she either doesn’t know or care about the frontline cuts she’s making to Oranga Tamariki, we risk seeing more and more of our children falling through the cracks. ...
The Labour Party is saddened to learn of the death of Sir Robert Martin, a globally renowned disability advocate who led the way for disability rights both in New Zealand and internationally. ...
Labour is calling for the Government to urgently rethink its coalition commitment to restart live animal exports, Labour animal welfare spokesperson Rachel Boyack said. ...
Today’s Financial Stability Report has once again highlighted that poverty and deep inequality are political choices - and this Government is choosing to make them worse. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to do more for our households in most need as unemployment rises and the cost of living crisis endures. ...
Unemployment is on the rise and it’s only going to get worse under this Government, Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said. Stats NZ figures show the unemployment rate grew to 4.3 percent in the March quarter from 4 percent in the December quarter. “This is the second rise in unemployment ...
The New Zealand Labour Party welcomes the entering into force of the European Union and New Zealand free trade agreement. This agreement opens the door for a huge increase in trade opportunities with a market of 450 million people who are high value discerning consumers of New Zealand goods and ...
The National-led Government continues its fiscal jiggery pokery with its Pharmac announcement today, Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall says. “The government has increased Pharmac funding but conceded it will only make minimal increases in access to medicine”, said Ayesha Verrall “This is far from the bold promises made to fund ...
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. ...
The Government has delivered on its election promise to provide a financially sustainable model for Auckland under its Local Water Done Well plan. The plan, which has been unanimously endorsed by Auckland Council’s Governing Body, will see Aucklanders avoid the previously projected 25.8 per cent water rates increases while retaining ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters discussed the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and enhanced cooperation in the Pacific with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock during her first official visit to New Zealand today. "New Zealand and Germany enjoy shared interests and values, including the rule of law, democracy, respect for the international system ...
The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop today released his decision on four recommendations referred to him by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, opening the door to housing growth in the area. The Council’s Plan Change 92 allows more homes to be built in existing and new ...
Thank you, John McKinnon and the New Zealand China Council for the invitation to speak to you today. Thank you too, all members of the China Council. Your effort has played an essential role in helping to build, shape, and grow a balanced and resilient relationship between our two ...
The Government is modernising insurance law to better protect Kiwis and provide security in the event of a disaster, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly announced today. “These reforms are long overdue. New Zealand’s insurance law is complicated and dated, some of which is more than 100 years old. ...
The coalition Government is refreshing its approach to supporting pay equity claims as time-limited funding for the Pay Equity Taskforce comes to an end, Public Service Minister Nicola Willis says. “Three years ago, the then-government introduced changes to the Equal Pay Act to support pay equity bargaining. The changes were ...
Structured literacy will change the way New Zealand children learn to read - improving achievement and setting students up for success, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “Being able to read and write is a fundamental life skill that too many young people are missing out on. Recent data shows that ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay says Canada’s refusal to comply in full with a CPTPP trade dispute ruling in our favour over dairy trade is cynical and New Zealand has no intention of backing down. Mr McClay said he has asked for urgent legal advice in respect of our ‘next move’ ...
The rights of our children and young people will be enhanced by changes the coalition Government will make to strengthen oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, including restoring a single Children’s Commissioner. “The Government is committed to delivering better public services that care for our most at-risk young people and ...
The Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can ...
New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
Good evening – Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us. ...
From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
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 ...
The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
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 ...
Even if some students are now just texting on their laptops. Stewart Sowman-Lund writes in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. ...
Councils from Horowhenua, Kāpiti, Wairarapa, the Hutt Valley, Porirua and Wellington City will meet this Friday to work together on a plan for a Greater Wellington region water deal. ...
Renowned musician, advocate, and proud born and raised daughter of Tauranga, Ria Hall, is announcing her candidacy for Mayor of Tauranga and Pāpāmoa Ward for the upcoming election on July 20th. ...
The new Aotearoa histories curriculum is rich with potential. There’s still work to be done, but the education minister’s criticisms about ‘balance’ miss the mark, argues primary school teacher Jessie Moss. In 2015, Ōtorohanga College students presented to parliament a petition signed by more than 10,000 people calling for a ...
For too long our so-called national bird has maintained its stranglehold on the economy of regional New Zealand. Thanks to the fast track legislation, we will have our revenge. Theories abound on what ails New Zealand’s economy. National leader Chris Luxon has posited that we’re negative, wet, whiny, and inward-looking; ...
Late one afternoon in March 1860 a man in a thin green velveteen jacket and a wide-awake hat arrived on foot at a sheep station named Glenmark, about 65 kilometres north of Christchurch. The man was in his mid-fifties but he looked older. Several people who met him that day ...
If building one of Auckland’s possible waterfront stadiums was funded privately, it would need to hold a sold-out Ed Sherran concert every weekday for 25 years. That’s Rob Hamlin’s finding – he’s a senior marketing lecturer at the University of Otago. “It’s not going to happen; forget about it,” he ...
Comment: The debate over the future relationship between news and social media is bringing us closer to a long-overdue reckoning. Social media isn’t trying to kill journalism, because social media has never really cared about journalism. Social media is resolutely in the attention business. News propels some attention — perhaps ...
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For the past 12 years, Georgia-Rose Brown has balanced on the brink of making an Olympic Games – but always landed gracefully on the wrong side. Reaching the Olympics is a dream the gymnast has harboured since she was a six-year-old; a dream that would dwindle every four years, yet ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra A new Commonwealth Prac Payment will provide students with $319.50 a week when they are on clinical and professional placements. The payment will be means tested and start from July 1 next year, which ...
Asia Pacific Report About 500 people honoured Palestinian journalists in the heart of the New Zealand city of Auckland today for their brave coverage of Israel’s War on Gaza, now in its seventh month with almost 35,000 people killed, mostly women and children. Marking the annual May 3 World Press ...
The Government Communications Security Bureau denies hosting a foreign spying capability flagged by the watchdog, differentiating it from the system recently criticised. ...
RNZ News A group of academic staff at New Zealand’s largest university have expressed concern at the administration’s move to block a protest encampment that was planned to take place on campus calling for support for the rights of Palestinians. This week, the University of Auckland warned that while it ...
Genterwocky After a hard days marching, Sir Doocey calls in at the Village Tavern For a pint of ale and a pork pie. The grim villagers stare at him. “Do not be travelling on the forest road,” warns a crusty old beak. “And why is that, antique peasant?” Grins Sir ...
Political conferences after a party returns to power are usually a chance for some healthy, even unhealthy backslapping. Yet National Party president Sylvia Wood’s address to its mainland representatives on Saturday hardly contained the unalloyed delight that one might have expected following National’s escape from the wilderness of opposition. Yes, ...
Comment: Almost half the world is voting in national elections this year and artificial intelligence is the elephant in the room. There are genuine fears AI-generated or AI-edited deepfakes will potentially manipulate election outcomes not just in the US and UK, but critically in countries such as India. For that ...
Ahead of the reality franchise’s return to New Zealand, allow us to introduce the eight brides and grooms. Chuck on a veil and tie back your man bun, because it’s time to say “I do” to a new season of Married at First Sight NZ. The reality TV “social experiment” ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Norton, Professor in the Practice of Higher Education Policy, Australian National University Every year on June 1, student debt in Australia is indexed to inflation. In 2023, high inflation pushed the indexation rate to 7.1%, the highest since 1990. This ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Changes in the May 14 budget will cut the student debt of more than three million people, wiping more than $3 billion from what people owe. The government will cap the HELP indexation rate ...
Asia Pacific Report The prosecutor’s office at the International Criminal Court (ICC) has appealed for an end to what it calls intimidation of its staff, saying such threats could constitute an offence against the “administration of justice” by the world’s permanent war crimes court. The Hague-based office of ICC Prosecutor ...
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk A women’s union in New Caledonia has staged a sit-in protest this week to support senior Kanak indigenous journalist Thérèse Waia, who works for public broadcaster Nouvelle-Calédonie la Première, after a smear attack by critics. The peaceful demonstration was held on ...
New Zealand Food Safety is monitoring overseas recalls of Indian packaged spice products manufactured by MDH and Everest due to concerns over a cancer-causing pesticide. ...
By Stephen Wright and Stefan Armbruster of BenarNews Fiji’s ranking in a global press freedom index has jumped into the top tier of countries with free or mostly free media after its government last year repealed a draconian law that threatened journalists with prison for doing their jobs. Fiji’s improvement ...
We might be in Invercargill but all anyone can talk about is Gore. Specifically, Salford Street. That’s where three-year-old Lachlan Jones lived, south of the centre of town, between the A&P Showgrounds and the Mataura River. Roughly 1.2 km away from the single level home he lived in with his ...
MONDAY I lined up the latest round of civil servants from city hall against the wall, and signalled for the firing squad to drop their rifles. I stepped up onto a wooden crate to look at the office workers in the eye. But that didn’t feel right, so I found ...
Keen hiker and second-year MSc student Liam Hewson wears two hats when he’s in the great outdoors. “The scientist in me appreciates nature and goes, ‘Oh, there’s that thing and there’s another thing,’ but then the tramper and the outdoorsy person in me thinks, ‘Cool bush.’” Born and bred in ...
After a long and illustrious career as a goal kicker, Dan Carter’s favourite way to unwind is… kicking goals. Why can’t he get enough of it? And what it’s like to watch him do it for an hour straight? A semicircle of people wielding cameras and phones has formed in ...
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“You have a higher chance of being crushed to death by a vending machine.”
Speaking of terrorism, Simon Black points out that we don’t demand governments spend millions protecting us from vending machines
https://www.sovereignman.com/debt/you-stand-a-higher-chance-of-being-crushed-by-a-vending-machine-22312/?inf_contact_key=be8836cbb094a7c5ff27867c340c7100b1d1ca94927b091f4ecc1cccc172b389
Bill English is DRONING away on Morning Report.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11908305
Some things never change
Yep righties always try to upset the applecart – yawn. Must be scary seeing all the pervert ponytailpuller created falling away. Bill fluffing as usual – gnats heading to their worse election ever. panic abounding from horrible hooton on down. The red election is here and the bodies piled up along the route prove it.
You might think with such a big change in policy around charging and exclusive rights, the owner of the market and National Party voter, Paul de Jonge might have announced the changes to all political parties at the time rather than when they came to book.
I suspect he did let the National Party know, just no-one else.
Anyway, a nothing story now promoted by DP Farrar which illustrates how desperate National are becoming.
I have filed for my personal information request through the Privacy commission x2 to the justice department.And 1 to MPI when they send my information I will sue for breaches to my Human rights and privacy rights here hopping
And then there was Jacinda on the AM Show…
And the beginnings of a rudimentary sketch for a technocratic nightmare.
There is no reason whatsoever as to why NZ Labour cannot lay out its values or goals with regards tax before us in the same way Jacinda Ardern stated they intend to do for the unelected and unaccountable “group of experts” whose advice they will be acting on.
Alternatively, she’s pacing a roll back from Little/Labour’s avowed position that there will be no tax increases.
I don’t understand what’s wrong with them doing the tax review they’ve been talking about for a couple of years, and not committing to things before then. And why having people from various areas be involved in that would be a bad thing. I also seem to remember that when they invited NZers generally to help develop direction and policy last year they got a lot of ridicule and bashing.
By values and goals do you mean things like ‘we believe that tax is a good for society and we will use it to distribute wealth fairly including via govt services to all the people’ kind of thing?
She pulled that piece of the tax regime behind the wizard’s curtain.
There was nothing about what parameters and/or goals would be set out for the “group of experts” and no reason for those things not to be made available to us now.
So a group of hand-picked “experts” will go away and come back with policy that NZ Labour can then claim to be implementing from “arms length” on the grounds that it’s “good for New Zealand” and “what the experts” say.
That’s technocracy – the removal of public policy from public scrutiny. And that, under a liberal regime, tends to come back to the public as “unfortunate but necessary” legislation.
And we all know we seen TINA before.
“So a group of hand-picked “experts” will go away and come back with policy that NZ Labour can then claim to be implementing from “arms length” on the grounds that it’s “good for New Zealand” and “what the experts” say.”
It’s a risk, but she didn’t actually say that’s how they would do it (on Morning Report at least). And as I said, Labour asked NZ to get involved last year and the response here was to bash them.
“There was nothing about what parameters and/or goals would be set out for the “group of experts” and no reason for those things not to be made available to us now.”
Have you looked to see what they said when they announced the tax review?
I listened to the radio interview that was being sign-posted by the original comment and commented on the content of the interview.
If you’re suggesting that NZ Labour are actually being more forth-coming than what was evinced by that interview, then by all means throw the evidence out here.
edit – In answer to your other comment at 5.1.1.1.2 above. First up, there’s no way on earth that any politician would front up with an intention to cynically foist something on society. And second up, I used the word “can” not “will” – ie, I signalled a possibility or probability, not a definite fact.
Actually you used the word ‘will’,
So a group of hand-picked “experts” will go away and come back with policy that NZ Labour can then claim to be implementing from “arms length” on the grounds that it’s “good for New Zealand” and “what the experts” say.
*
If you’re suggesting that NZ Labour are actually being more forth-coming than what was evinced by that interview, then by all means throw the evidence out here.
What I heard in the interview was JA saying, we’re having a tax review, we want to get some expert advice, apart from a couple of things I’m not going to commit anything until we’ve seen the books and gotten some advice. I actually prefer that to Labour going Oh, we’re going to do this x, y, z. Especially if they open up again to engaging with the public like they did last year.
jeesus wept Weka.
Is it not obvious the possibility/probability refers to that part of my comment concerned with future NZ Labour actions around the area of CGT? (I think it’s really obvious) ie – how they will play out the recommendations around CGT (that may not be a CGT) that will come back from their hand picked panel of experts who will have received guidelines (that NZ Labour are being coy to the NZ public about) as stated by Ardern in that interview?
The personal tax rate is something else again and I consciously didn’t include anything about that in my comments until now. As said in the interview, the books are open tomorrow and some statements will be made afterwards. So there’s nothing to say atm.
tbh, I read your original comment 3 times to understand it and still wasn’t sure so went with what I though. It’s a conversation 🙂
I guess I don’t understand some things. One would be what the problem is with using experts. The other would be what is the problem with using experts that can work within Labour’s values and framework?
I don’t think Labour are being that coy, unless Ardern is moving significantly away from what Labour have been saying in the past 2 years. I think they’re being cautious about imposing something without the books open to them and without taking time to think it through and seeing what can be done.
Nothing is wrong with using “experts”
Nothing is wrong with providing them with guidelines.
Everything is wrong with pulling that away from the public domain to the extent we aren’t even being told what those guidelines will be.
That’s the mark of a technocracy. And that’s not a good space for a society to occupy.
The books you refer to only have a possible impact on personal tax rates (given proposed expenditures and undertakings around so-called “fiscal responsibility”) but have next to nothing to do with the formulation of a tax framework around property.
They are formulating their ideas to release to the public – why would they go early before they have sorted them. A new leader gets the ability to do that surely. And with all the naysayers going off at her I think it is a sound strategy. You are a green voter arent you – why do you even care what labour does.
No marty. Listen to the interview. On property tax, they are not “formulating ideas to release to the public”. When Andrew Little was leader, that was the plan. But Jacinda is quite explicit that the ideas will be formulated out of sight by a panel of “experts” and then implemented – not presented.
You think I shouldn’t “care” what any party other than the Green Party does? You implying that any comment or opinion I have on anything political other than Green Party related stuff is illegitimate on the basis that I’ll probably throw a vote at the Greens?
You think I should apply that same arbitrary nonsense to any comment or opinion you throw up here (Mana, wasn’t it?) and – oh, I dunno – maybe remove any comments you make that I can’t connect back to Mana?
Sorry angry bill I’ll not bother you again sheesh ffs some of the agro is well unwarranted imo.
Well marty, keep your passive aggressive ‘shut people down’ nonsense to yourself in future, aye? 😉
edit – I take it you think it would be a bad idea to follow your suggestion? I’ll take it that you think that.
How about you get (delete abuse cos you aren’t worth it ya git) eh bill
Maybe – but the media plague rats would like nothing better than to beat up a tax story right now. Espiner’s choice of emphasis or Labour’s – of the two I’m leaning away from Espiner.
From what I recall, Little’s position was that they weren’t planning on any tax increases because their sums added up, contingent on the budget and the pre-election fiscal thingee.
A promise of no tax increases was all media spin.
interesting. In which case I guess she could be doing a paced roll back of the MSM’s spin 😉
Weka – there was not an obvious opening to post to..this response is not aimed at you..
Until the conversation about money and debt is spoken about freely and openly…
Obfuscation and outright lies are what will continue to lead the ‘official narratives’..
Talking about tax policy is the quentessential definition of ‘trite’…
Without the core subject of money/debt ‘what is it’ being a pre-requisite dependency of any discussion..
How much longer will the lie continue to destroy all in its path..people, the environment etc…for what…
Control!
I wonder if Guyon Espiner has considered the fact that many of RNZ listeners might be interested in hearing the answers to questions rather than his constant interruptions.
Ditto Lisa Owen.
Yep rude but JA easily dealt with it.
I just watched the video. I wasn’t bothered with Espiner’s questions. He was trying to get some definite answers on some points. I am OK with that if Espiner is equally tough with leaders from all parties.
In the end, it did result in clarifying some points: eg. that Ardern is not going to be taking exactly the same line as Little on some aspects as taxation. though, I’d have thought if Ardern had been involved in developing such policies over a few years, she’d be ready to make her own decision on it, and not put it up for further investigation.
It was interesting seeing the video, because Espiner was clearly listening very attentively to everything Ardern said.
Ardern answered very assuredly. I was getting irritated by her repeating that she wanted to be “very clear”…
I think Jacinda wants to be certain her statements are not twisted or subverted.
Hence the “very clear” openers.
I’m sure that was the intention. But signalling multiple times with the words I want to be “very clear”, starts to get counter-productive.
On a visual presentation note, after watching the vid: Ardern with her hair up gives her more of the appearance of gravitas, than when her hair is down – maybe aided by the camera at side angles to her.
Media appearances with her hair flowing free all the time may give the impression of being carefree, and hence the incorrect assumption she is light weight. Although, it can be a good thing to break the stereotype of dark suited masculine-style politicians – at least some of the time.
I am old enough to clearly remember Richard Nixon.
He was just about the only politician I can think of who used the word “clear” as much as does Arden.
“During the Vietnam War, and leading up to his resignation, President Richard Nixon preceded many public comments with the line, “Let me make one thing perfectly clear.”
Eventually, Americans learned that whatever followed would be filled with deception, obfuscation, fabrication, and lies.”
http://www.wordrake.com/writing-tips/one-thing-perfectly-clear/
Beware.
actually i can recall someone closer to home who had a catchphrase preceeding bullshit…..
kia ora!
Yep, RWNJ leaders generally seem to be very practised at lying.
Labour are getting weaker and less clear on tax every time I hear from them.
National will mince them on this in the debates unless they can do better than “we’re going to form a committee.”
People on twitter are saying he asked tough questions. I didn’t think they were tough, they sounded normal to me, and she answered them well. Like you, I learned some useful stuff about where Labour are at (sounded promising).
The way he asked the questions was a bit annoying though. I agree with Tim, and if you ask a question why not let the person actually answer it. I know they’ve got limited time, but he was literally talking over the top of her before she even finished her first sentence.
wasn’t aware there was a video of Morning Report.
Point being, if one were to run a stop watch over the time Guyon asked questions and interrupted compared with the time Jacinder was given to actually answer, the times would almost go against her.
I hope to Christ he actually goes back and listens to himself at times.
Next up was Suzy and Mr Choice. Compare the two interviews timewise and re interruptions.
Actually I don’t like Suzy’s chances with a used car salesman, but Guyon wouldn’t let him get a word in edgwise.
I’ll say this for Suzie, nobody’s in any doubt about what answer she wants.
Espiner certainly likes the sound of his own voice. His questions at times sound like a party political broadcast on behalf of the National Party.
I was amused Espinor brushed off talking about Gareth Morgan in his “serious” questioning of Jacinda around taxation, saying something to the effect of “let’s not go there, or talk about GM”…..(and I thought “great”: a substantive interview)….but less than a minute later, at the close of interview, Espinor couldn’t stop himself asking her about Gareth Morgan, as a cheap parting shot. So much for getting away from sensationalism.
The guy has no ears and an empty space between them ?
The Rock is a down to earth Kiwi radio station just like Gareth Morgan is a down to earth straight shooting KIWI
Morgan said on RNZ that he made the lipstick on the pig comment to get attention – he knew it would upset people. He says he did that to get attention so people would look at TOP policies. What a loser.
He was being manipulative. That’s hardly straight talking. Just another shock jock out to get attention. And quite willing to be sexist to get that attention. Shows his values.
Wow he admitted it? Goes from bad to worse. Abandon shit…
There’s a good item by Wayne Hope over on TDB for anyone interested in Metiria.
It is worth reading, but then so is the Tiso post here:
https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2017/08/22/special-investigation-fraud-class-and-the-media-the-metiria-turei-controversy/
Carolyn I was laughing so hard last night because Morgan desperate to find relevance and headlines was upstaged by Dunne stepping down.
Laughing because Morgan admitted he did it for attention, then come lunch time all the attention went to Dunne.
The Nats have just lost the election-listen to the RNZ discussion here:
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/201855608/election-2017-three-leaders-in-three-weeks-analysis
Thank you Peter Dunne-you left your greatest impact till the end.
Lol.
(but christ, Mike “I agree with you Matthew” Williams, and Matthew Hooton’s apprentice).
Best decision Dunne has ever made he has done us all a favour.
I think Jacinda wants to be certain her statements are not twisted or subverted.
Hence the “very clear” openers.
She does say it a bit too much…
Commenting on Jacinda Ardern’s delivery, how refreshing to hear a politician with a free-flowing expression of ideas, clearly enunciated and virtually free of ‘ums’, ‘aahs’, ‘so’s’, ‘going forwards’, ‘like’s’and ‘ekshully’s’.
I can forgive her the odd extra call for clarity. God help us, we need more of that in our political discourse.
Her insisting on “let’s be clear about this” might also be a verbal ploy to arrest Espiner’s interruptions, as such a request is calling for more than an incomplete first sentence before the interviewer’s repeated badgering begins.
Maybe with experience these interviewers might just realise that Ardern will give them fulsome answers which are not always fudged, deflective and obfuscatory, and allow her more room to elaborate.
Key was an expert in not answering questions and interviewers have to be pretty persistent in getting politicians to actually stick to the question. If the politician is one of “ours” we say he/she did well. If one of “theirs” we say he/she is Dodgy Dodger.
I agree. Key got away with not answering policy questions in any detail. He was a master at that. I think the country is ready for change, and Ardern as contender for PM, needs to have a clear and simple message about what that change will look like. I think a combined Labour and Green government would take NZ to a better future. I am liking their combined policies, and think there is substance underneath their policies. However, not every one reads policy, and it is Ardern’s job to have clear and simple sound bites ready, that support a change of government.
If the Australian Federal courts decide that the current Australian government must fall, will this rehabilitate Hipkins?
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-08-21/citizenship-chaos-threatens-rudderless-australian-government
“rehabilitate”?
He’s not in Siberia…
“He’s not in Siberia”.
He is if he is campaigning in his electorate.
It might be sunny in Wellington today but there is a bloody cold Southerly.
I felt really sorry for the people going through the formal dissolution of Parliament out on the steps this morning. The spectators could be well wrapped up but the officials were all in their formal outfits.
Re Camera’s on fishing boats and the following article on RNZ
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/business/337721/cameras-on-boats-an-invasion-of-privacy
Claim…”We don’t have anything to hide … and we’re quite happy to take observers out from MPI to show them this.”
Reality…. Fishermen go out of their way to get the observers seasick, as it keeps them in their cabins and out of the way.
Claim… ”It’s just an invasion of privacy. We don’t think it’s acceptable that we should be videoed for 24 hours a day and then MPI tell us it’s going to cost you $20,000 to roll all of this stuff onto your boat.”
Reality… Wouldn’t they just film when the net was shot and hauled, as well as in the factory? Did you know that many factories onboard have cameras in them already, so those in the wheelhouse can check on the progress before hauling in more fish. It’s not like they will be filming in the cabins or the ships mess, engine room maybe not even in the wheel house. For reals $20k a boat, MPI should be part funding the cost of equipment, especially for those with smaller inshore vessels.
Claim… “Mr Black said he was worried this would threaten his livelihood because of the risk MPI might accidentally reveal his secret fishing spots.”
Reality… this is a real LMFAO because with the current carbon copy system of recording fish, one has to write down the latitude and longitude of any hauls for MPI anyway, so they already know where the so called secret fishing spots are. Unless the fishers are already illegally misreporting/recording their fishing locations.
Makes you wonder what else is going on on deck.
Gareth Morgan triples down, but I think it’s pretty clear now that while yes Labour were the pig, Jacinda Ardern is meant to be merely the lipstick. They made a handy chart about it,
https://twitter.com/NewshubPolitics/status/899773456782209025
I don’t know how long it takes to print billboards, but these went up yesterday so it’s reasonable to assume the tweet on Sunday was deliberate.
Lol shows what a self absorbed knob he is. Back to your other vanity projects Gareth politics is over for you now.
It’s an odd billboard. For people that didn’t follow the news yesterday it won’t make much sense.
True – but a nice big photo of Gareth to look at whilst reading the words lol
He reminds me of dim trump looking up at the eclipse – the rules don’t apply cos I’ve got money type.
He should stick to killing cats ?
I think it’s a digital billboard. With a knob on it 🙂
lol. So the ticks and crosses flash on and off or something? Or is there another screen that explains things?
edit, oh right, the printing thing, heh. /oldschool.
If it is a digital billboard, then hopefully it gets hacked. Transposing the words; “policy” and “pig”, would fix it.
Seriously though, TOP’s policy is not their strong suit. They have some interesting notions (13 so far with a few more blank spaces to be filled “soon”), but otherwise just a lot of gaps with no overarching framework. Admittedly, they are a minor party whose influence would be limited to what they can negotiate with a coalition partner (in the increasingly unlikely situation that they get any MPs in the next parliament), so it good that their ideas are easily extractable. But even MANA is doing a better job at presenting a cohesive policy platform, and that is very much a work in progress (not having Dotcom money, or even an MPs salary to support them, it is a bit of a shoestring operation these days).
Gareth’s obsession reminds me of Organ Morgan in Dylan Thomas’s “Under Milk Wood.”
“Organ Morgan goes to chapel to play the organ. He plays alone at night to anyone who will listen; lovers, revellers, the silent dead, tramps and sheep.”
Baaa!
Does Gareth appreciate Palestrina sufficiently.
So, Morgan wants a focus on policy not personalities, while putting photos of himself looking down on everyone in his billboards (those that I’ve seen in Auckland), like some big brother.
They have a very Minority Report feel to me.
I know, weird right? Like his ability to self-reflect is impaired.
I did kind of feel sorry for him at the start of the press conference. Yeah, I know, but I would say this about him, his need to improve things seems pretty genuine. Unlike say National who just don’t give a shit. It’s a shame he chose politics because he could have set up something outside and used that to push policy.
My compassion waned as the interview went on though, esp the bit about how TOP have consulted the policy experts in NZ and thus have not just the best policy but the right policy, so everyone else should be listening to him now. How he expects to work with others is beyond me.
Has he had his mid-life crisis yet?
Maybe this is it
TOP mostly use digital billboards so they just have to be updated.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11908367
Don’t be surprised if rents rise before the rates increase get officially announced – and here I though Aucklander’s elected Goff to reduce inequality!
What did you base that think on?
Does the mayor of Auckland have the power to compel collective bargaining?
I based that thinking of the natural behavior of people – if you know you costs are going to rise, you need to think about where you will get the money from to pay for those increased costs. Landlords pay rates, funded by the rent they charge. If their rates increase, then naturally they raise their rent to cover it – fact of life.
If the mayor has any consideration for reducing inequality, they would think very carefully about where they increase costs to rate payers.
So would that be more based on your contempt for humanity, or merely the tory habit of applying supply and demand theory only when convenient to your ideology?
My rent goes up each year by more than the amount the rates on the property rise. Basically, my landlord, who doesn’t increase the rent by as much as the rampant price gougers, is profiting from the escalation of the housing bubble.
The rises in my rent is pretty modest compared to what is happening elsewhere with rental properties in Auckland.
You are ignoring the greed of some, who will look for every way to enrich themselves, if the system allows it, even though their behaviour results in a negative impact on the lives of others.
I though [sic] Aucklander’s [sic] elected Goff to reduce inequality!
That was the reckon I was referring to.
McFlock and Carolyn_nth covered the other one, so we’re done here.
If it becomes uneconomic to be a fucken housing speculating bastard or rent seeking parasite,
then sell the damn place!
Thank you for your clear explanation as to why private rentals are bad and need to be legislated out of existence.
The people who own them are just ripping other people off.
I’ve seen systems where they work. In Korea, though there are taxation rules that make multiple apartment ownership expensive, there is some kind of carve out that lets folk build small apartment buildings and let them – typically they live on the top floor. These provide one of the main forms of student housing – because they’re cheap. Where private rentals go wrong is when governments fail to regulate – as NZ’s have for the last thirty years.
Al Jazeera reports on NZ Election.. Article is about the rise of Jacinda, worried Bill, Gareths lipstick stunt, Dunne exiting and a brief mention about Meti
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/08/jacinda-ardern-embroiled-sexism-row-170821065637886.html
Awesomesauce
From The Guardian: Dave’s top 15 funniest jokes of the fringe 2017
“I’m not a fan of the new pound coin, but then again, I hate all change.” Ken Cheng
“Trump’s nothing like Hitler. There’s no way he could write a book.” Frankie Boyle
“I’ve given up asking rhetorical questions. What’s the point?” Alexei Sayle
“I’m looking for the girl-next-door type. I’m just gonna keep moving house till I find her.” Lew Fitz
“I like to imagine the guy who invented the umbrella was going to call it the ‘brella’. But he hesitated.” Andy Field
“Combine Harvesters. And you’ll have a really big restaurant.” Mark Simmons
“I’m rubbish with names. It’s not my fault, it’s a condition. There’s a name for it …” Jimeoin
“I have two boys, five and six. We’re no good at naming things in our house.” Ed Byrne
“I wasn’t particularly close to my dad before he died … which was lucky, because he trod on a landmine.” Olaf Falafel
“Whenever someone says, ‘I don’t believe in coincidences’, I say, ‘Oh my God, me neither!’” Alasdair Beckett-King
“A friend tricked me into going to Wimbledon by telling me it was a men’s singles event.” Angela Barnes
“As a vegan, I think people who sell meat are disgusting, but apparently people who sell fruit and veg are grocer.” Adele Cliff
“For me, dying is a lot like going camping. I don’t want G!to do it.” Phil Wang
“I wonder how many chameleons snuck on to the Ark.” Adam Hess
“I went to a Pretenders gig. It was a tribute act.” Tim Vine
Ba-dup CHING!
Laughing @ trump couldnt write a book
I’m not a fan of the new pound coin either! They don’t work in the parking meters – or any other coin machine for that matter! Gezz you would have thought they would have don’t some research on that one! Was at Lindesfarne one Sunday afternoon and in the parking lot – there were about 5 of us looking for someone who had some old coins so we could legally park.
Nice long-form article on the UBI and the concept of social investment:
https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/20-08-2017/communism-by-stealth-notes-on-conservatism-neoliberalism-social-investment-and-a-ubi/
Bombing the eclipse.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasahqphoto/36672924626/
On now Jacinda interview.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11908499
Audrey Young looks sour at Jacinda’s enthusiasm and fluency. She wants to bring Jacinda down for her friends in the National team.
cynical old MSM shills looking for the next payday from their corp. masters
Only problem for Audrey is that Jacinda is a whole smarter than she is, she shut her down very quickly on the TAX issues and gently reminded her how the Nats had introduced GST increases by stealth.
ianmac, thanks for the link.
Great interview, we haven’t seen a politico with this level of skill, enthusiasm and knowledge for some time, I felt that she dominated, roll on September
Nats begin the attack Ads. See latest Ads attacking Labour. Odd when they dont do this cos they focus on their plans for NZ!!!!. I guess they have to do more of their own attacking with their attack dogs silence after 2014 election
An event for political tragics + comic book geeks 🙂
4:15 pm Thurs 24 August
Room 201, Arts 1 building
University of Auckland
Federated Farmers policy on global warming is that it is only the second biggest contributor (after CO2) that we should ignore it.
“Efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions should understand that not all greenhouse gases are created equal. Carbon dioxide is the dominant greenhouse gas from human activity, and is persistent in the atmosphere. Efforts to reduce emissions should continue to focus on reducing carbon dioxide over methane and nitrous oxide.”
http://www.fedfarm.org.nz/FFPublic/Policy/National/Climate_Change.aspx?WebsiteKey=00ff782d-8ff5-4a81-ae69-785972132c32
However, “Methane contributes to ozone depletion, plus acts as a greenhouse gas. It lasts about 10 years in the atmosphere before being converted mainly to carbon dioxide and water. The global warming potential of methane is rated at 72 over a 20 year time frame. It does not last as long as carbon dioxide, but has a greater impact while its active. The methane cycle is not completely understood, but the concentration of methane in the atmosphere appears to have increased 150% since 1750.”
https://www.thoughtco.com/worst-greenhouse-gases-606789
Federated Farmers asking for financial contributions to fight the “water tax.”
http://www.fedfarm.org.nz/FFPublic/Fundraising/WaterTax.aspx
I wonder if they will start running attack adverts which are now allowed in New Zealand. While there are limits to how much political parties can spend on election campaigns, their supporters can spend as much as they like.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/opinion/89849345/andrew-geddis-open-slather-for-electionyear-attack-ads-by-individuals-and-wellfunded-pressure-groups
Labour is promising to reverse the Kiwirail decision, and make them buy electric trains again:
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/labour-warns-kiwirail-halt-move-switch-electric-trains-diesel-if-wins-election
Yes thats a start electric rail we need to go hard on renewable energy projects those Muppets that have been in power for 9 years had there heads stuck up there own ass they could not see reality
If my wife heard we talking like this she would kick my ass
Tell her she will have to go to the end of the queue, Eco…
Well there could be more to your comments than what meets thee EYES!!!!!!
Resubmitting here, working on the assumption Weka will censor my earlier comment [if you don’t, Weka, I apologise!]
This is from the Lefties only post:
And who decides who the “lefties” are?? Weka, weka, weka dear! As if your censoring of this site isn’t strong enough! [All those you’ve removed over the past year…and why is the pre-election debate so anemic?? Surely a coincidence??] Oh great arbiter of all that is, how do we approach you? Having been on the left for over 30 years, I’m not intimidated by you, nor do I care what what you’ll say…
I know , you all think, I’m a troll, but I’m not… I want to change the government! Absolutely! Oops, but sorry, Weka, the party you’ll need is NZ First. NZ First is the only party that says absolutely no more NeoLiberal policy! Oh, but I must be right wing and racist for supporting NZ First…No I am not! Please others write in and support me!
[lprent: Stop whining, you pathetic gutless and stupid excuse for a idiotic wimp.
The trick is that you have to be able to argue, and that appears to be something that you are completely incompetent or just incapable of doing with any kind of intelligence. I can see about 9 comments from you. None have carried any kind of argument apart from ones whining about the way we choose to run our site or whining that other disagree with you. The remainder look like advertisements for media, without either a link to the media or an rational editorial comment about why others should go and look at them.
I can’t see any contribution are you bringing to this site. Perhaps you should learn to project any good attributes you have rather than displaying your worst ones.
I had a look at it last week. I actually ban more people for longer than weka does. Just like I will right now. So you can fuck off for 2 months on the basis that you are trying to tell us what to do – read the policy. ]