Open Mike 22/09/2016
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6:00 am, September 22nd, 2016 - 57 comments
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All the things that you needed from meAll the things that you wanted for meAll the things that I should've given but I didn'tOh, darling, make it go awayJust make it go away nowSongwriter: Kate Bush Read more ...13 hours ago - Budget 2025: Nicola Willis Delivers More Austerity
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Open access notables Shifting Gears in a Shifting Climate: Birds Adjust Migration Speed in Response to Spring Vegetation Green-Up, Amaral et al., Diversity and Distributions Our results have direct implications for the conservation of migratory bird diversity in Eastern North America. While birds show some plasticity in adjusting migration pace, this ...14 hours ago - Taiwan, a leader in public health, should be in the WHO
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Not that long ago, New Zealand’s fiscal balances looked pretty good by advanced country standards. Sure, the fiscal pressures from longer life expectancies were beginning to build – as they were in most of the advanced world – but in absolute and relative terms New Zealand still looked in pretty ...4 days ago- Jack Tame vs. Chlöe Swarbrick: Q+A’s Double Standards
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- Budget 2025 delivers little to nothing for our youngest
The Government’s Budget offers little more than crumbs for our tamariki, while real issues in the ECE system are ignored. ...14 hours ago - Minister for the Environment missing in action in Budget 2025
Budget 2025 makes it crystal clear that this Government has no interest in protecting nature or securing a liveable future for our tamariki. ...15 hours ago
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The Government has failed Māori and ignored its Te Tiriti obligations with its Budget, says Te Mātāwaka, the Green Party’s Māori and Pasifika Caucus. ...15 hours ago
- Housing crisis will rage on with Budget 2025
Budget 2025 makes clear that the Coalition Government has no long-term plan to help communities most in need of public housing. ...16 hours ago
- Government pours gas on the climate crisis fire
Budget 2025 has put our climate targets in serious jeopardy, says the Green Party. ...16 hours ago
- Budget 2025 leaves future of school lunches uncertain
The future of the Ka Ora | Ka Ako school lunch programme looks to be uncertain with Budget 2025 failing to provide any funding beyond 2026. ...16 hours ago
- Budget to increase energy hardship
Budget 2025 delays our transition to a low emissions and low-cost energy network, this will put even more pressure on households, businesses and the climate. ...16 hours ago
- ‘Growth Budget’ = growth in poverty
The Government’s Budget is failing families in poverty by pulling the rug on young people receiving income support and allowing more children to go without enough food on the table. ...17 hours ago
- Release: National failing on the cost of living
Despite all the promises, Kiwis are still going backwards in Budget 2025. ...18 hours ago - Release: The Austerity Budget that leaves women out
Today’s Budget is a masterclass in making the wrong decisions for New Zealanders. ...18 hours ago
- Release: Bills increase transparency of money transfers and ports
Two Labour bills drawn from the Member’s Ballot today would require greater transparency of international money transfers, and bring more public accountability and transparency to port companies. ...18 hours ago
- ‘Growth Budget’ growing inequality and fuelling climate crisis
Budget 2025 represents a significant step backwards for Aotearoa, with the Government adding fuel to the fire when it comes to the climate and inequality crises, says the Green Party. ...18 hours ago
- Release: Half a billion dollar tax break for tech giants
The Government is taking the Digital Services Tax off their books, effectively handing a $479 million tax break to global tech giants, like Facebook and Google. ...2 days ago
- Release: Govt helps banks dodge repayment claims for Kiwis
The Government is moving to let two of the country’s most profitable banks off the hook for money owed to their customers. ...2 days ago
- Release: Search begins for rare family receiving $250
The Government can’t say if even a single family has received the $250 a fortnight they were promised. ...3 days ago
- Release: Govt risks hospice care by cutting women’s pay
The Government’s decision to cut women’s pay could result in an exodus of palliative care nurses from the profession. ...3 days ago
- Release: Govt leaves sexual abuse survivors out in the cold
The Government is quietly cutting more services for women, this time it’s ACC support for survivors of sexual abuse and pausing the expansion of a major sexual violence prevention programme. ...3 days ago
- Report shows Govt’s callous lack of support for system at breaking point
A new report from Aotearoa Educators’ Collective, released today, has confirmed what teachers, students, and whanau have been calling out for years–our learning support system is overstretched, underfunded, and simply not working. ...3 days ago
- Prime Minister must scrap the Regulatory Standards Bill
The Green Party is urging the Prime Minister to get rid of the Regulatory Standards Bill after the Waitangi Tribunal found that the Bill breaches the Crown’s Tiriti o Waitangi obligations. ...4 days ago
- Release: Women in funded sector unlikely to get pay equity
The Government is unlikely to fund pay equity for hospice and Plunket nurses, care and support workers and other workforces made up of mostly women. ...4 days ago
- Chris Hipkins Speech Auckland regional conference
Tēnā koutou katoa. It’s fantastic to be here with you all—grassroots campaigners, organisers, union members, councillors, MPs, and Labour whānau. ...6 days ago
- Release: Minister’s rash orders fail frontline providers
The Auditor-General has found serious failings in the Government’s review of frontline providers such as counselling and prevention services. ...7 days ago
- Release: Prices keep rising while National cuts women’s pay
Prices for essentials, like milk, butter and electricity continue to get more expensive under National, at the same time as the Government takes money from women’s pockets to save their budget. ...7 days ago
- Te Pāti Māori Condemns Fast-Track Approval of Seabed Mining
Te Pāti Māori is gravely concerned by the Government’s approval of the Trans-Tasman Resources (Taranaki VTM) seabed mining project under its fast-track regime. This marks the first time a commercial shallow seabed mining operation has been approved anywhere in the world- pushed through with no transparency, no public input, and ...7 days ago
- Social Security Amendment Bill pushes poverty on people
The Government’s just-passed Social Security Amendment Bill is set to create more benefit sanctions that will push families deeper into poverty. ...1 week ago
- Report exposes damage of rushed cuts to Oranga Tamariki
Today’s report into last year’s Oranga Tamariki contract procurement process confirms the Government’s brutal cuts were rushed, poorly managed, and made with no concern for the impact on tamariki. ...1 week ago
- 210,000 Māori Silenced: Committee Delivers Harshest Punishment in Parliament History
Today the Privileges Committee handed down a severe punishment. Te Pāti Māori Co-leaders Rawiri Waititi and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer have been suspended for 21 days, and MP for Hauraki-Waikato Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke has been suspended for 7 days. ...1 week ago
- Release: Govt finally admits 180,000 in line for a pay cut
The Government finally admitted late last night that roughly 180,000 people will be affected by its decision to halt pay equity claims. ...1 week ago
- Release: Admin nearly a quarter of entire FamilyBoost spend
Nearly a quarter of the money spent on the Government’s flagship FamilyBoost policy has gone to administration, not to families to help with childcare. ...1 week ago
- Green Budget for a country worth fighting for
The Green Budget shows how much better our lives could be under a Green Government, instead of one dominated by corporate greed. ...1 week ago
- Green Budget: Early Childhood Education for Everyone
The Green Party has unveiled its new plan to make Early Childhood Education (ECE) free. ...1 week ago
- Green Budget delivers for Māori
The Green Party is delivering for Māori with its Green Budget. ...1 week ago
- Green Budget: Free GPs for all
The Green Party has launched its plan for Free GPs as part of its Green Budget. ...1 week ago
- Chris Hipkins: Pre-Budget speech
Tēnā koutou katoa. Good morning. I read recently that one of the keys to success in life is to do the hard stuff first thing in the morning. ...1 week ago
- Release; Budget should not be paid for by working women
The Government must do three things in Budget 2025 if it is genuinely going to turn things around for New Zealanders. ...1 week ago
- Release: Peeni Henare takes over foreign affairs
Labour’s Peeni Henare will pick up the foreign affairs portfolio, following David Parker’s departure from Parliament. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Govt better at crushing women’s rights than cars
Rehashing old laws around boy racers is not going to make our communities safer, or distract New Zealanders from the appalling decision to cut women’s pay. ...2 weeks ago
- No Justice for State Abuse Survivors- Kapa-Kingi
Te Pāti Māori MP for Te Tai Tokerau calls out the government’s decision to keep funding state abuse, turning their backs on justice and real change for abuse in care survivors. “The government has committed to throwing $744 million down the drain, reinforcing a violent regime of disrespect against the ...2 weeks ago
- Govt’s War on Te Tiriti Continues as Review of Treaty Act Announced
Te Pāti Māori is absolutely disgusted by the Government’s announcement to review the Waitangi Tribunal- a deliberate and dangerous escalation in its ongoing campaign to undermine Te Tiriti o Waitangi and silence tangata whenua. “The Government’s onslaught against Te Tiriti continues with this latest move to review the Treaty of ...2 weeks ago
- Tribunal review an attack on Te Tiriti o Waitangi
The Government’s plans to limit the powers and scope of the Waitangi Tribunal is a disgrace. ...2 weeks ago
- Stepping up in a changing global environment
Good evening. Thank you to the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs for organising this event, and for your efforts to foster New Zealand’s understanding of international affairs. I am grateful for the opportunity to speak here today. As keen observers and practitioners of international relations, you will all ...2 weeks ago - New High Commissioner to Kiribati announced
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced Pati Gagau as New Zealand’s next High Commissioner to Kiribati. “Our diplomats play a critical role in advancing New Zealand’s interests overseas,” Mr Peters says. “Nowhere is this truer than in the Pacific, where we strive to work with our Pacific partners to forge a more ...2 weeks ago
- Changes to improve pay equity process
The Government is amending the Equal Pay Act [the Act] to make the process of raising and resolving pay equity claims more robust, workable and sustainable, Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden announced today. Pay equity is achieved when women and men are paid the same for work ...2 weeks ago
- Proposals to strengthen biodiversity released
Toitū te taiao – Our environment endures The Government is consulting on proposals to better protect our precious biodiversity and its economic benefits for future generations, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says. “Today, the Department of Conservation – Te Papa Atawhai is releasing two discussion documents for public consultation, and I ...2 weeks ago
- Trade negotiations with India commence
Following significant engagement over the last month, the first in-person round of negotiations towards a comprehensive India New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will take place in India this week. This follows the highly successful visit to India last year by Deputy Prime Minister, Winston Peters and the formal launch ...3 weeks ago
- NZ-EU trade deal delivers export growth
The early entry into force of the New Zealand–European Union Trade Agreement (FTA) is paying off, with Kiwi goods exports to the EU surging by 28 per cent during the first year. “In the last 12 months our goods exports to the EU surged from $3.8 billion to over $4.8 ...3 weeks ago
- Celebrating New Zealand Sign Language
Now is the time for Kiwis to give New Zealand Sign Language a go as we take a week to celebrate the language, Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says. This week is New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) week. The theme is that “anyone can sign anywhere”. “NZSL is an official ...3 weeks ago
- Boosting high-tech exports with advanced technology
New investment in advanced technology research will boost high-tech exports, strengthen connections between research and industry and generate high value jobs, Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Dr Shane Reti announced today. “Advanced technology research leads to life-changing innovation,” says Dr Reti. “The breakthroughs that can be achieved through areas like ...3 weeks ago
- Post-Cabinet Press Conference: Monday 5 May 2025
POST-CABINET PRESS CONFERENCE: Monday, 5 May 2025 EPIQ TRANSCRIPT PM: Well, look, good afternoon, everyone. It’s great to be joined this afternoon by our awesome Trade Minister, Todd McClay, who’s doing some incredible work. As you know, it’s a big sitting block with the Budget at the end of ...3 weeks ago
- Parent Portal launched to empower parents
Every parent wants to see their child thrive at school — to feel confident, supported, and capable. Today, the Government is taking a major step toward making that aspiration a reality with the launch of a new Parent Portal: an online resource designed to enable families to play their part ...3 weeks ago
- New helicopters a commitment to global security
The Defence Force’s ageing maritime helicopters will be replaced to increase the defensive and offensive capability and surveillance range of New Zealand’s frigates, Defence Minister Judith Collins announced today. “The replacement of the Seasprite helicopters will also extend the Navy’s ability to support non-combat tasks such as humanitarian assistance and ...3 weeks ago
- Prime Minister congratulates Albanese and Wong
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has congratulated Anthony Albanese on winning the Australian Federal Election, and Lawrence Wong on winning the Singaporean election. “I have been in touch with both Mr Albanese and Mr Wong to offer my congratulations on retaining office,” Mr Luxon says. “When we spoke, Mr Albanese and ...3 weeks ago
- Hunting and Fishing Minister joins game bird season opening hunt
Hunting and Fishing Minister James Meager has joined the thousands of New Zealanders taking part in the annual game bird hunting season opening. He spent the morning at Te Nohoaka o Tukiauau / Sinclair Wetlands, a 315-hectare portion of the Lakes Waihola-Waipori wetland south of Dunedin, hosted by Fish & ...3 weeks ago
- Attendance dashboard shows early insights into term 2
Associate Education Minister David Seymour says that new up-to-date attendance data is helping provide fresh insights into student attendance. For example, data for the first week of term 2 shows the effect of wild weather and which regions were standouts. The average attendance across week 1 is 87.1 per cent. ...3 weeks ago
- Tens of thousands of families will be worse off under Budget changes to Best Start tax credit
The Budget revealed the money saved by income-testing in the first year of a baby's life would instead put more funding into the Working for Families scheme. ...22 minutes ago - Budget 2025 Live: All the reaction, updates and details
With the government's plans revealed, economists, politcians and the public weigh in. ...24 minutes ago
- 10 key reads on Buget 2025
Nobody has time to read everything that’s been written on the budget, so Catherine McGregor has a round-up of some of the most interesting takes, in today’s extract from The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. The true blue, bitsy, no BS, growth budget For ...52 minutes ago - Government Abandons Māori And Pacific Whānau Through Kāinga Ora Cuts
Te Kaihautū Māori of the PSA Janice Panoho says many of the workers losing their jobs are Māori and Pacific, whose cultural competence and lived experience are essential to connecting with communities in a way that upholds mana. ...1 hour ago - Govt’s ‘Think Big’ Investment Boost: There. Is. No. Limit.
Go now, says Nicola Willis. “It starts today.” The economic growth minister has waved the start flag on a race to the stars for commercial building developers, oil and gas exploration firms, dam builders and right down to the smallest sole traders.Ahead of the Budget, Newsroom had reported the Government ...1 hour ago - Budget 2025: Retirement saving for 80 percent of NZers to increase under KiwiSaver changes, analysis...
That's despite the reduction in government contributions to member's balances. ...1 hour ago
- Budget 25: Boost will mostly be eaten by inflation, police union says
Police Association president Chris Cahill says the devil will be in the details as to where funding will be focused. ...1 hour ago
- Rabbits, switch-ups and highway robbery: Politicians, economists react to Budget 25
Everyone had their own nickname for the document dubbed the 'Growth Budget' by the government. ...2 hours ago
- This week’s bestselling books – May 23
FICTION1 The Book of Guilt by Catherine Chidgey (Te Herenga Waka University Press, $38)A free copy of the new, quite sensational novel by the reigning superstar of New Zealand fiction was up for grabs in last week’s free book giveaway – but I didn’t think much of the entries. No ...2 hours ago
- Annual health funding likely to lag behind rising costs – doctor
Some question whether the funding will keep up with rising costs. ...2 hours ago
- Māori question lack of targeted funding in 2025 Budget
But David Seymour says there should be no such thing as Māori funding. ...2 hours ago
- Echo Chamber, Budget 2025 edition: Who is Mr Bo-Jandals?
It may not have been a lolly scramble budget, but there were plenty of lollies in parliament during the debate – plus a curious new nickname for one MP. Our Budget 2025 coverage is thanks to The Spinoff Members. The Spinoff is not backed by billion-dollar budgets or billionaires, we’re ...3 hours ago
- Analysis: Finance Minister delivers ‘nip and tuck’ Budget
Despite the promised boost to health, education, and law and order, middle income New Zealanders may well be feeling shortchanged. ...3 hours ago
- A budget for machines, not midwives
The centrepiece of the budget – a tax break for businesses investing in ‘productive assets’ – may makes sense on its own terms, but when contrasted with what’s not being funded, it’s telling, writes Max Rashbrooke. Our Budget 2025 coverage is thanks to The Spinoff Members. The Spinoff is not ...3 hours ago
- Farmers’ M. bovis compensation claims could cost MPI up to $125m
Govt says a ‘small number’ of ‘complex’ claims are still being worked through following 2017 outbreak of infectious cattle disease The post Farmers’ M. bovis compensation claims could cost MPI up to $125m appeared first on Newsroom. ...3 hours ago
- Parliament left speechless as Winston walks, Māori leaders absent
The next razor gang that’s convened at Parliament needs to take a blade to the time allocated for speeches by party leaders on Budget Day.Though they demand efficiency and effectiveness, outputs and outcomes from everyone else, the nation’s biggest political celebrities need to look to themselves: their contributions following Budget ...3 hours ago
- School lunches dominate Budget’s fiscal cliff landscape
Film rebates and NZQA projects join an array of food provision initiatives due to run out of funding in the next few years The post School lunches dominate Budget’s fiscal cliff landscape appeared first on Newsroom. ...3 hours ago
- Gas industry could get far more than $200m if deals keep flowing – Jones
Billion-dollar oil rigs would be eligible for an immediate 20 percent refund from the Government under the new Investment Boost policy, Shane Jones said The post Gas industry could get far more than $200m if deals keep flowing – Jones appeared first on Newsroom. ...3 hours ago
- Daily crossword, Friday 23 May
The post Daily crossword, Friday 23 May appeared first on Newsroom. ...3 hours ago
- Govt’s climate aid reduction ‘betrayal’ of Pacific, NGOs say
A $100 million reduction in New Zealand’s annual climate aid shows a lack of leadership and is a betrayal of the country’s Pacific neighbours, disappointed aid groups say.Foreign Minister Winston Peters had conceded the Government’s aid commitments are lower than he wanted – but has placed the blame on Labour ...3 hours ago
- Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 23 May
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp');Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions.The post Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 23 May appeared first on Newsroom. ...3 hours ago
- Providers say KiwiSaver ‘switcheroo’ will hit low-income workers and women hardest
Scheme provider says changes could worsen female KiwiSavers’ retirement savings deficit The post Providers say KiwiSaver ‘switcheroo’ will hit low-income workers and women hardest appeared first on Newsroom. ...3 hours ago
- There’s something wrong with NZ’s youth suicide stats
Warning: This article discusses suicideLast week, a Unicef report grabbed headlines with claims our youth suicide rate is three times higher than the international average for high-income countries.But two researchers from the University of Auckland, who are experts in youth mental health, say that figure is wrong.The global charity’s report ...3 hours ago
- Politicians are disconnected from the people they represent
Opinion: We should be doing more to ensure real citizen participation in politics The post Politicians are disconnected from the people they represent appeared first on Newsroom. ...3 hours ago
- KiwiSaver just changed – what should I do with my money now?
With government KiwiSaver contributions set to halve, is there a better way to save for retirement? Frances Cook breaks it down. Love it or hate it, KiwiSaver just got a shakeup. The government contribution is being halved, from $521 to $260 a year. And if you’re earning a good income, ...3 hours ago
- Punitive criminal libel charge against Samoan journalist draws flurry of criticism
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But Finance Minister Nicola Willis says the Budget is for all men and women in New Zealand. ...9 hours ago
- Grattan on Friday: if Ley and Littleproud find a way to cohabit, it will be a tense household
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Remember that cliche about the Nationals tail wagging the Liberal dog? That tail wagged very vigorously this week, and smashed a lot of crockery, as it sought to bring Liberal leader Sussan Ley to heel. ...9 hours ago
- New Plymouth businesses largely support ‘investment boost’ package
The boost allows the deduction of 20 percent of the cost of new assets on top of normal depreciation. ...10 hours ago
- Legal academic says Samoa’s criminal libel law should go after charge
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- Government yet to confirm Nelson Hospital redevelopment Budget
Two buildings will be refurbished while a whole new building will be built. ...11 hours ago
- The deluge in NSW sounds a warning to rural and regional communities elsewhere
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Piet Filet, Adjunct Industry Fellow, Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University Heavy rain continues to fall across the Hunter and Mid North Coast of New South Wales. Rivers are bursting their banks and spreading over floodplains, leaving many areas on flood watch. And ...11 hours ago
- ‘Major trade-offs’ allow for learning support boost
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- PNG journalists warned over lawfare – ‘we don’t have any law to stop SLAPPs’, says Choi
By Patrick Muuh in Port Moresby Journalists in Papua New Guinea are likely to face legal threats as powerful individuals and companies use court actions to silence public interest reporting, warns Media Council of PNG president Neville Choi. As co-chair of the second Community Coalition Against Corruption (CCAC) National Meeting, ...12 hours ago
- Tougher benefit rules for young people trigger mixed responses
The policy is forecast to save the government about $163 million over four years. ...12 hours ago
- Floods, fires and even terrorist attacks: how ready are our hospitals to cope when disaster strikes?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mitchell Sarkies, Senior Lecturer, Horizon Fellow and NHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellow at the Sydney School of Health Sciences, University of Sydney Floodwaters have engulfed large parts of New South Wales, with at least one person dead and almost 50,000 evacuated after days ...13 hours ago
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The government has allocated $200m to investing in fossil fuel development at gasfields. ...13 hours ago
- Budget Day 2025 – as it happened
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- Labour claims budget is being paid for by the countries women
But Finance Minister Nicola Willis says the Budget is for all men and women in New Zealand. ...14 hours ago
Trump endorsed by another leading thinker
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/sep/21/don-king-donald-trump-cleveland-rally
Victim of serial harasser vows:
“One day I’ll snap and I’ll punch him in the face”….
his Q&A with the media after his recent Emmy win is worth a watch.
So many dumb questions I thought he restrained himself and got a nice jab in about Oz’s treatment of migrants.
John Key would be proud of this innovative initiative ..
http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/egan-170k-in-mint-gold-allegedly-smuggled-in-body-cavity-judge-hears
Negative interest rates are illegal – short version there is no consideration, therefore all sovereign bonds with negative yield or zero yield are sham transactions.
https://www.sprottmoney.com/blog/negative-interest-rates-the-tax-on-capital-jeff-nielson.html
of course there is “consideration” as you the investor is paying the money.
Investors pay to keep their money in banks, the more they have, the more they pay. So its like too much money hs been printed. And people who take out mortgages pay back at or below inflation? Sounds like rebalacing to me. Why would you care, if you are rich you stay relatively to others as rich, if poor you get cheaper money, seems like a good way as opposed to the bad, two world wars to reset the financal system. Are you one of those, the end of everything ring it on types? Sooner its all broke you can build you pathetic fiefdom.
How many more things can Nick Smith fuck up?
Reports of his “demotion” from the Kermadec negotiations are rife.
How does he survive, does he have photos of Creepy John and a goat with a ponytail or something?
Good news for The Standard community …………..Puckish Rouge has committed to do the John Key magical water challenge …..with only minor financial strings attached.
Or in the immortal words of Puckish ….”Well we can talk expenses later of course but if you’re paying I’m keen” … https://thestandard.org.nz/tpp-let-it-go-john/#comment-1234415
I’m impressed by Pucks commitment and hopefully he shames our other trolls into taking up the challenge too …………. Faith in John Key and the knowledge Mike Joy is no more than the foot and mouth of a vast left wing conspiracy will protect the true believers
I’d be prepared to pay if I get filming rights and can make a documentary …….. ‘Green River Disco Explosion’
But if Puck wants it to be off film then maybe other TS posters would like to chip in for Puckishs travel and toilet paper expenses etc …… make it a community thing.
Anyway Big ups to Puckish for putting his Bowels where his lips are…..I think its brave for him to undertake this personal poll on the health of our rivers ……….
The least we can do is pay for his service …. 🙂
http://www.listener.co.nz/current-affairs/ecologic/river-stance/
Bollocks. Like our rivers, Pockish Rogue is full of shit.
He is a major troll and should be permanently banned.
Puckish Rogue actually changes his mind in the course of discourse, which is a helluva lot better than most of the filthy commies here.
don’t get sucked in by that – just another tactic for disseminating confusion and distracting from discourse.
That is part of his cunning plan
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/de/d4/84/ded484d1c22e4ca33a23fa0536a06ac6.jpg
Agreed.
Disagree
+1
LOLZ. We are most amused.
trouble brewing
“The Samoa Meteorological Service reports that it has recorded the country’s first hail storm.”
http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/313632/samoa-records-first-hail-storm
Yes. This was nuts. As far as climate goes can you get more nuts than hail in Samoa? Ever get the feeling you’re entering into a tunnel that has no light at the end of it?
Coping with adverse weather conditions and it’s effects on food production is our future, and to a degree in lil’ ol’ nu zulund, it already is our present. It certainly is on continents such as Africa and India.
Just don’t want to go through a stinker of a summer like last one’s – I got heat stroke at one point as one very unwell. Had to look up our first aid book. But theres no going back now.
hail in Samoa? And people think global WARMING is real! Suckers!!!
/sarc
Yes, my favourite. “Brrrr, it’s so cold, global warming is a crock”……………… 🙄
Should read “I got heat stroke at one point and was very unwell”
Heat stroke is tough Rosie – I hope it goes better this summer for you. I think a hot summer again. Went to beach with dog today at rototai – council sign sewerage spill no swimming no kai Moana. But of a shock and again this will happen a lot as we move into the future
🙁
The loss of sunshine in general across our pacific neighbours is an issue and a CC outcome that often gets overlooked.
national cat management strategy being discussed on rnz at the moment.
the society for the proliferation of cat atrocities has its fingerprints all over this.
it gets hard to listen to an spca representative talk of humane treatment of these pests, when the silence around dairy stock and shelter is deafening, the ignoring of the inhumane death of anything that ingests 1080 is deafening.
You make some good points
…the ignoring of the inhumane death of anything that ingests 1080 is deafening.
Oh, won’t someone please think of the rats!?
rats, possums, dogs, horses, koura, cats, birds….
maybe if a few humans consumed some 1080 there may be progress.
i like the fake concern for the bird.
in the meantime we cut down trees, cover the country in 1080, kill keas cause they are pests to the point of extinction, concrete any little green space over for a carpark.
however what we don’t do
ban breeders – of any companion animals
any companion anmials to be adopted from shelters, rescues and the pound
make spaying/neutering of animals free or cheap as chippies – or free of charge
go after people that abuse animals in a meaning full way, that includes people that adopt a pet for Christmas and then abandoned them for summer holiday
provide funds for groups that trap/neuter/release or offer feral cats to adoption. (yes some feral cats especially young ones can easily be adopted out)
or in other words, what is the ‘news’ hiding from us today?
hi sabine,
yes, what is it that is really going on?
i thought that when the current bru ha ha at parliament broke out under brownlee’s excellent, competent stewardship.
The pendulum is beginning to change direction.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2016/09/21/un-fears-third-leg-of-the…
Simple? If you want inflation then first you need full employment. The way to get full employment is by spending more and taxing less, ie fiscal policy. Running a budget deficit puts money in peoples’ pockets which they can then spend.
Full employment was the government mantra for all before 1980.
If you run a budget deficit after you have have full employment you get inflation, hence the problems of the 1970s.
Eventually the idea of inflation targeting central banks was introduced and they proved effective at bringing down inflation by putting up interest rates and creating unemployment. Unfortunately they then tried to create employment by reducing interest rates which caused asset price inflation and debt bubbles not wage inflation. Duh.
link failed
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2016/09/21/un-fears-third-leg-of-the-global-financial-crisis-with-epic-debt/
Not a political matter, but something overlooked in the news: a short photo essay to mark the anniversary of the unsolved murder of Japanese tourist Kayo Matsuzawa in Auckland’s CBD in 1998.
I’m sure the police talked to all staff members with key access, and none of them had any police connexions at all.
finally found the opportunity to listen to this….well worth it.
Sound reasoning made abundantly clear (although surprisingly KR appeared to struggle at times)
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/201816970/crash-predictor-ann-pettifor-'we're-no-longer-citizens-we're-customers‘
+1
Why wasn’t Barak Obama in the Oval Office doing his job on 9/11 HUH?!!!!1!11!!!ELEVEN!!!!!
OMG! And these people are given the responsibility to elect the POTUS who has the finger on the red button.
🙄
Lord preserve us!
Shocking – we have a problem Houston…
Wow!! that is gobsmacking outrageous !!!
New Zealand BE WARNED…this is the result of the USA severely down- grading the State Education system and privatisation of education…ie Charter Schools funded by big money
…they turn out morons
…this is what jonkey nactional and Heke Parata want …this is what ACT is trying to foist on New Zealand
+100 Chooky.
This pretty much demonstrates that there is truth in the studies which found that right wingers have low IQ’s.
Right-wingers are less intelligent than left wingers, says study
<a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2095549/Right-wingers-intelligent-left-wingers-says-controversial-study–conservative-politics-lead-people-racist.html
“Five questions were asked, and those who watch Fox News exclusively got 1.04 correct, on average. Individuals watching MSNBC, on the other hand, got 1.26. NPR listeners? They got an impressive 1.51. The Daily Show? Surely a “fake news” program couldn’t make you more informed than “the most watched cable news channel in America.”
“Yep, as it turns out, The Daily Show viewers scored 1.42 on average. The best thing about this study, though? It asked questions to people who watch no news at all, and those individuals scored 1.22 on average. That’s right: Fox News makes you less informed than watching no news at all.”
<a href'="http://reverbpress.com/politics/proof-republicans-are-stupid/
<a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/millennial-media/201304/do-racism-conservatism-and-low-iq-go-hand-in-hand
<a href="http://www.livescience.com/18132-intelligence-social-conservatism-racism.html
<a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/the-hot-button/study-links-low-intelligence-with-right-wing-beliefs/article543361/
Demagoguery finds misogyny a useful tool.
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/features/how-hillary-clinton-became-a-vessel-for-americas-fury-w440914
…recalls standing in the hallway at the American Spectator, looking at various cover stories with the magazine’s publisher, “and he says something like, ‘Can we find some more women to attack, because these Hillary covers are really working.’ “
http://podcast.radionz.co.nz/downloads/sat/sat-20160917-0810-michelle_cottle_hillary_clinton_and_misogyny-048.mp3
From the Rolling Stone link: “Americans face a historic choice: Vote for a man who is widely considered one of the most unqualified people to ever run for president, or cast a ballot for a woman whose qualifications for the job exceed those of just about any other candidate in the modern era. Electing the first woman president of the United States will be a revolutionary act, as terrifying to some as it is thrilling to others, but her victory is anything but inevitable. There’s a very real chance the visceral hatred, or at minimum the visceral ambivalence, toward Hillary Clinton could hand the election to Donald Trump.” [emph added]
Experience as a warmonger regime changer $250K bankster dinner speaker perhaps
For every 12 American women polled who say that they prefer Hillary Clinton, another 10 say that they prefer Donald Trump.
I suppose that they must be self hating/ignorant/uneducated/red neck/gullible/naive women for choosing Trump instead of Clinton.
i must be one of them
The tax haven leaks just keep coming…
https://www.icij.org/offshore/former-eu-official-among-politicians-named-new-leak-offshore-files-bahamas
mmm…I see that Whitechapel Ltd, which has been linked to John Key in the past, crops up based in the Bahamas and is linked there to Wells Legal and Corporate Services Ltd.
Protests in Charlotte, US, over police shooting of a black person see another black person shot and killed during the protest.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2016/sep/21/keith-scott-shooting-charlotte-north-carolina-protests
seems to be police ‘open season’ on Blacks…not fair ….and will end badly
Who is bombing who in Syria?…Looks like the American warhawks wot did it and attacked Assad’s forces fighting Isis…why? Who doesnt want a solution in Syria?…Israel?….Saudi Arabia?
‘Ceasefireless’
https://www.rt.com/shows/crosstalk/360096-russia-us-ceasefire-regime/
“What was a ray of hope has turned into a gaze into the abyss. The Russia-US ceasefire to end the Syrian conflict is in tatters. For many the American bombing of the Syrian military marks a process of mission creep and forced regime change.
CrossTalking with Ali Rizk, Nadim Shehadi, and Rick Sterling.”
…and from the New York Times:
‘Israel Denies Claims That Syria Shot Down Warplane and Drone’
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/14/world/middleeast/israel-syria-warplane-drone-golan-heights.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FGolan%20Heights&action=click&contentCollection=world®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=collection
‘As Syria Reels, Israel Looks to Expand Settlements in Golan Heights’
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/03/world/middleeast/syria-civil-war-israel-golan-heights.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FGolan%20Heights&action=click&contentCollection=world®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=5&pgtype=collection&_r=0
‘Israel’s Vow to Keep Golan Brings ‘Deep Concern’ at Security Council’
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/27/world/middleeast/golan-israel-un-security-council.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FGolan%20Heights&action=click&contentCollection=world®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=2&pgtype=collection
This is why we have such difficulty legalising medicinal marijuana or cannabis for pain relief in the elderly and others with chronic pain or cancer…It is corporate BIG PHARMA and their opioids in competition and they are wrecking the health of Americans…Is the same thing happening in New Zealand?
‘Big Pharma spent $880mn on keeping opioids available – report’
https://www.rt.com/business/360211-opioid-lobbyists-fight-regulation/
“In the midst of one of the worst drug epidemics in the US, a report found that the money spent on keeping painkillers regularly prescribed has overshadowed even anti-gun lobbying efforts and may be behind the opioid epidemic ravaging the nation.
The opioid crisis has reached a point where police officers carry Narcan when responding to calls due to the risk of accidental fentanyl exposure. But it may not have had to be like this, as multiple bills that would have limited opioid prescriptions were put in front of state governments.
However, very few of those bills passed, due to aggressive lobbying efforts from the drugmakers that rivaled in size those of anti-gun control groups. In fact, pharmaceutical companies spent more money lobbying against opioid restrictions than tobacco groups in 1998 when they were facing litigation from 40 states…
https://www.rt.com/usa/358809-fentanyl-cannabis-legalization-arizona/