Open Mike 23/02/2018

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, February 23rd, 2018 - 101 comments
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101 comments on “Open Mike 23/02/2018 ”

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  1. Ed 1
    23 February 2018 at 6:18 am

    We should be concerned.
    Very concerned.

    What has got to happen before the world declares an emergency and acts decisively to mitigate climate change?
    Now you realise we are in the midst of dramatic climate change, what are you doing ?

    “Arctic temperatures soar 25 degrees above normal during winter.

    After New Zealand sweltered in record temperatures last month, the Arctic is also stewing in temperatures 25 degrees above normal. This latest huge temperature spike in the Arctic is another striking indicator of its rapidly transforming climate.

    On Monday and Tuesday, the northernmost weather station in the world, Cape Morris Jesup at the northern tip of Greenland, experienced more than 24 hours of temperatures above freezing according to the Danish Meteorological Institute. “How weird is that?” tweeted Robert Rohde, a physicist at the University of California, in the US “Well it’s Arctic winter. The sun set in October and won’t be seen again until March. Perpetual night, but still above freezing.””

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/101695872/arctic-temperatures-soar-25-degrees-above-normal-during-winter

    • Ed 1.1
      23 February 2018 at 6:50 am

      As Rachel Stewart put it on Twitter

      “Keep worrying about stupid shit, people. ”

      The numbers put everything else into perspective.

      “Rick Thoman
      @AlaskaWx
      For Feb 20th, (unofficial) average daily temperature departure-from-normal for North Slope locales: Umiat: +45F (+25C) , Deadhorse +44F, Nuiqsut: +43F, Wainwright: +40F Utqiaġvik: +39F, Kaktovik +35F. “

      “Scary stuff, on many levels,” tweeted Rick Thoman, an Alaskan meteorologist.

      • Ed 1.1.1
        23 February 2018 at 6:52 am

        And as a result the ice is disappearing.
        From the Washington Post article.

        “The warmth over Alaska occurred as almost one-third of the ice covering the Bering Sea off Alaska’s West Coast vanished in just over a week during the middle of February, InsideClimateNews reported. Brian Brettschneider, a climatologist based in Alaska, posted that the overall sea ice extent on Feb. 20 was the lowest on a record by a long shot.”

    • savenz 1.2
      23 February 2018 at 7:07 am

      Ed, don’t worry they are signing TPPA so that the wine growers like John Key, Fonterra which doubled milk productivity but failed to pass on to farmers in the previous decades (maybe the 8 million salary shows where some of the profits went and the millions of wasted money into international forays of farm owning in China and other countries), Silver Fern farms (50% foreign owned), and the billions going out from overseas banks will be business as usual – no new taxes!!!, as is building the luxury Hyatt in Auckland using cheap migrant labour as well as water bottling plants with our free water direct from the aquifer. Lucky them, they are the ‘winners’ and get that paltry ‘hopeful’ .03 – 1% after 16 years gain.

      • Ed 1.2.1
        23 February 2018 at 7:19 am

        The TPPA locks in an economic model that is killing life on this earth.
        It will make it so much harder to unpick neoliberal dogma.

        • tc 1.2.1.1
          23 February 2018 at 7:32 am

          Yeah they know that Ed, neo liberalism has many faces and levels. I don’t see the likes of Nash, Mallard, Jones, Robertson, Curran, Marks etc as the saviours of anything except themselves.

          Ben Elton’s ‘Stark’ is looking more like a documentary every cycle. IMO we’re seeing the powers that be going all out now with effective control of the pollies, the message and the resources achieved long ago.

          • Ed 1.2.1.1.1
            23 February 2018 at 7:40 am

            At some stage the dam will break though.
            The combination of climate change and poverty and inequality will see revolutions and uprisings. It could easily morph into a fascist takeover.

            In the US, Europe.

            Not here though.
            Too apathetic by far.

            I guess that’s why Thiel and other libertarian lowlife are buying their escape pads in the Southern Alps.

            • tc 1.2.1.1.1.1
              23 February 2018 at 8:11 am

              Yes, read stark.

              The Uber wealthy have plan b’s bought and paid for just in case it’s gets a bit too hot, toxic, dangerous or it’s simply time to exit the scene.

              We tick quite a few boxes with many spots inland, elevated, accessible by air easily, in a stable political country, defensible etc.

              • cleangreen …
                23 February 2018 at 8:32 am

                Yes Ed,
                These airheads, and right wing Neo-liberals believe that Hollywood will come out with a movie that will fix the global climate change crisis.

                This is due a a result of Hollywood now that has been taken over by the corporations who are reaping billions destroying our planet.

                So naturally these “dirty several dozen corporations” will band together and use their ‘influence” to gloss over the failing earths future demise to climate change so Hollywood will l come to the rescue “fictitiously” we will see.

                Remember John Key gave Warner bros over $40 million of our tax paid money to them so probably we are now indirectly helping to pay for these false spin-doctoring movies that will emerge over the next several years as our planet dies.

        • savenz 1.2.1.2
          23 February 2018 at 11:00 am

          @ ED not only “harder to unpick neoliberal dogma” but longer and more expensive too. Time is not something you have after a natural disaster or if you find out you have only a few years left of water in the aquifer or you can’t afford the burgeoning health bills.

          Reminds me of big tobacco that wielded so much power that inspite of all the evidence they were allowed to kill people for decades for profit while the tax payers paid the health bills and their clients were kept in the dark about the effects of smoking in case anyone pointing out the obvious were sued.

    • AsleepWhileWalking 1.3
      23 February 2018 at 10:18 am

      I am worried.

  3. One Anonymous Bloke 3
    23 February 2018 at 7:30 am

    ACT have decided to throw their toys.

    Partnership Schools/Kura Hourua board chair Catherine Isaac said she had advised Minister of Education Chris Hipkins the board would retire at the end of its current term on March 1.

    Hipkins now gets to appoint a board that doesn’t hate the teaching profession. Yay.

  4. Keepcalmcarryon 4
    23 February 2018 at 7:47 am

    Tourist drivers are a massive issue throughout the South Island
    I’m on the road a lot, daily I see tourists weaving, stopping dead, pulling out blind or u turning on blind corners. Daily.
    It’s a miracle more people aren’t dead, pure luck.
    Some of it is fatigue:
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12000200
    Our tourist roads are clogged with rental vehicles driven by people without the skill to handle narrow winding open roads let alone fatigue as above. The roads themselves are bulging with more traffic than ever before and state highway 1 has more trucks than ever before,
    It s simply another example of infrastructure underfunded.( and nationals sop to the trucking industry)
    1) get long haul trucks back on rail
    2) tourist cars should all have a T symbol to flag extra caution around them
    3) there has to be a higher standard of driving from foreign drivers, must pass practical test before driving here
    4) More passing lanes needed and rental companies to make sure tourists know to let traffic past. Frustration is killing

    • patricia bremner 4.1
      23 February 2018 at 8:48 am

      Yes, in Rotorua we often get drivers slowing down to a crawl while they try to decide “which way?” or “look at that!”

      They are mainly drivers of rental vehicles, as they are the largest touring group.

      They are not prepared for our poor quality roads or the terrain.

    • cleangreen 4.2
      23 February 2018 at 8:48 am

      1000% well said keepcalmcarryon.

      Today this new Labour coalition Government have a last chance to prove they are serious about the climate change issue as they are in Gisborne to release their agreement with NZ First to bring back our rail to Gisborne again after it was damaged in 2012 by national as Steven Joyce as Transport Minister stole the funds that kiwirail needed to protect the drains/culvetts from blocking in heavy rain, and Kiwirail admitted it was the lack of those funds that caused the washout along one km of rail line on 23rd march 2012.

      Since then we have seen all other regional lines repaired except the Gisborne line so Labour “Lets do this”.to help reduce truck gridlock on our fragile regional roads and lower the climate change emissions at the same time.

      A no brainer labour, as it was youe first PM in 1937 Michael Joseph Savage that finally built the rail sevice from Wairoa to Gisborne nearly 80yrs ago,, so you need to honour your own past rail policies now.

      http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1302/S00183/kiwirail-admits-lack-of-maintenance-led-to-wash-out.htm

      So National was guilty of wrecking our rail and after six long years we have had to wait for a labour lead government to finally reopen the rail service again.

      Labour promises free-to-air RNZ TV channel
      HENRY COOKE
      Last updated 10:52, September 12 2017
      http://gisborneherald.co.nz/localnews/2437884-135/labour-greens-united-on-rail
      QUOTE.

      Labour-Greens united on rail
      Published: August 23, 2016 11:17AM
      ‘Wrong government in place’ to make rail a reality: Labour and Greens.
      Labour-Greens united on rail
      Published: August 23, 2016 11:17AM

      QUOTE;
      ‘Wrong government in place’ to make rail a reality: Labour and Greens.
      THE Labour and Green parties last night committed to re-opening the entire length of the Gisborne to Napier rail line but pointed out that would only happen if the National Party was removed from office.
      but pointed out that would only happen if the National Party was removed from office. UNQUOTE;

      We say to labour;

      We will hold your Government to account here.as Jacinda has requested we do so in her speech at Waitangi day 2018.

      Labour has promised in the Gisborne Herald press to reopen the rail services to Gisborne from Napier in 2016 before the election.

      Last message to you all on 17th February 2018.

      http://gisborneherald.co.nz/localnews/2437884-135/labour-greens-united-on-rail

      • alwyn 4.2.1
        23 February 2018 at 11:41 am

        It seems rather a waste of time to argue for the restoration of the railway line from Napier to Gisborne if you really believe the dire predictions about sea-level change.
        I think it is fair to say that any action by New Zealand alone isn’t going to have that much influence on the world’s temperature. We should probably evaluate any changes we might consider on the assumption that not that much change is accomplished by the rest of the world. Sure it might be a worst case. It is also the most likely case.
        If we do have significant sea level rise the railway line will be washed out from about where it crosses the Ngaruroro river south of Napier until it reaches the junction with SH5 just past Bay View. The whole length is very close to the sea and probably won’r survive.
        Not that anyone would notice of course. Is there enough demand to justify more than one train per week?

        • cleangreen 4.2.1.1
          23 February 2018 at 7:45 pm

          Some of what you say is true Alwyn,
          Here are some facts to consider.

          We certainly recognise that climate change will destroy the roads and rail around all our coastal regions so we do know from overseas and historical NZ press and Government records we have that their were many alternative rail routes that were proposed by NZ Government surveyors dating from 1882 (we have the surveyers maps) to as late as 1939.

          There are several that are still viable “alternative routes should the current rail and road routes all fail through inundation or flooding or land that has been destroyed by shifting of riverbeds or earthquakes.

          I agree that we need to think about river flows and all other changes on every route.

          As you say the Ngaroro river may cause issues also but we imagine that the whole Heretanga plains may even wind up under water in future as it was before the 1931 earthquake sio we know that there was plan to take our rail around the back hills behind the plains and this is easy flat land that is easily available to place rail lines oper that land.

          Do remember that the “footprint of a rail line is lass than one third as wide as placing a road and the Chinese now have fully constructed levelers and transporters of continuous rail lines to place new lines very quickly in far less time than it would take to prepare a new base and finish a roading system.

          Thanks for the inoput as we need now to prepare for the future of our transport system as when it goes out we need to move to reconstruct.

          We had a bad year for heavy storms in 2011 and the road between Napier to Gisborne was closed several times for days as many slips occurred on the road but guess what” the rail was still safe ad usable that year and our freight had increased from one train every three days to two trains every day and in the eight months before the fatal washout kiwi rail had moved 80 000 tonnes of freight which kiwi rail said in one year 100 000 tonnes would break even.

          Kiwirail admitted at the HB Regional Council Transport meeting on 21st December 2011 that it had to turn three large customers away, so we were Pissed off at that; – because we had worked so hard to get more freight clients on rail again.

          http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/6170590/At-risk-rail-line-can-t-cope-with-demand

          Kiwirail had no more wagons and locos to take on more freight that was asked to be sent on the lie so it was beginning to prove that rail was viable again.

      • veutoviper 4.2.2
        23 February 2018 at 12:56 pm

        Cleangreen, links to the Stuff and Herald articles on today’s announcements on the regional funding progamme and rail regeneration including between Napier – Wairoa for logging trains are at 14 and 14.1 below . Yay.

        • cleangreen 4.2.2.1
          23 February 2018 at 7:51 pm

          Yes veutoviper,

          We had members of our group at the meeting today and no doubt we had them bending the ministers ears to get the rest of the rail link finished to Gisborne for all our regions future as freight and tourism is exploding here so we need passenger/tourism rail along with all freight now for our secure future.

          See my response to Alwyn as he was correct we need to consider other routes if the land near the coast (which road and rail both follow) are both going to wind up under water like other regions will do also.

          Thanks for the input.

          • greywarshark 4.2.2.1.1
            23 February 2018 at 9:38 pm

            cleangreen
            It is a real tonic to read such an informed regional lobby – and if others can get their facts in a row they have a chance of getting to a better economic level that is practical and really serves the people and their enterprises.

            • cleangreen 4.2.2.1.1.1
              24 February 2018 at 7:47 am

              greywarshark,

              Yes the business’s in Gisborne and other regions all know that without rail they will suffer from “road cartel pricing ” and we have already seen major evidence of this when the final train left Gisborne after 20th March 2012, so to ensure “land based competition we need rail not only to lower road cost a safety and climate change but also for healthy transport competition which will give price and travel choices for their goods.

          • veutoviper 4.2.2.1.2
            24 February 2018 at 12:13 pm

            Its a start, cleangreen. And the PM etc made clear that yesterday’s announcements were just the start, with much more discussion etc and more projects, addtions etc to come over time.

            I love your part of the country despite not having been there for years. As does the PM who is there often, with her partner being ‘a boy from Gisborne’.

            Hope you don’t mind, but used your posts here on OM 23 Feb re rail in Hawkes Bay in a big comment on OM 24 Feb to reply to a question re whether the line will be utilised at https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-24-02-2018/#comment-1453366

            Meant as a holding reply as you did not seem to around. You may wish to reply also and correct anything I said (you’re the expert, not me).

            .

    • Ad 4.3
      23 February 2018 at 9:06 am

      NZTA are trying to reform their licensing and regulatory systems internally but there are multiple vested industrial interests opposing it.

      A largely unseen fight but a real biggie.

      • Graeme 4.3.1
        23 February 2018 at 1:07 pm

        That would be an interesting topic for a detailed post / discussion outlining NZTA’s objectives and the opposition to them, and by whom. Also who’s making / keeping it unseen.

    • savenz 4.4
      23 February 2018 at 10:53 am

      But tourists the economic miracle of NZ! Supporting luxury hotels, Sky city, tour bus companies etc!

    • Bruce 4.5
      23 February 2018 at 4:18 pm

      With trains to the airport, tourists can relax get a look at the landscape and get safely to Whangerai, Tauranga , wherever then support these regional centers hiring their campers or cars in that region. Gets rid of all the hire places in the city , saves gas and perhaps a few lives and brings more employment to regions.
      I also like the idea of Friday evening bar/railcars to Bay of Islands:
      water taxis from Opua wharf , or the snow for weekend breaks.
      I feel rail connects communities while building community by putting people in situations to communicate, rather than screaming at each other in steel boxes.

      • alwyn 4.5.1
        24 February 2018 at 6:06 pm

        This would count, I suppose, as people “screaming at each other in steel boxes”.
        The photo at the start of the article certainly looks like that.
        https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/101736914/passengers-once-again-frustrated-with-wellingtons-overcrowded-train-services

        The worst on the Wellington trains I heard of was quite a number of years ago now. A friend of mine who was on the train has never forgotten it and still cannot find any polite words for the Green Party.
        The Green Party were going to hold a conference in the Wairarapa. Being good little lads and ladesses they all decided to travel on the evening commuter train from Wellington. They never thought to advise the railways of the fact that they were planning to double the normal number of passengers.
        They then all arrived early and took all the seats. The normal commuters had to stand nearly all the way, They were apparently most definitely not happy campers.

  5. Tony Veitch (not etc) 5
    23 February 2018 at 7:55 am

    I haven’t been following the discussion on Russian meddling in American politics mainly because I consider the whole proposition bullshit – American politics are so fucked up the Russians simply don’t need to meddle!

    But this quote from the World Socialist Web Site seemed ‘pretty relevant’ to me:

    “Fifteen years ago, on February 5, 2003, against the backdrop of worldwide mass demonstrations in opposition to the impending invasion of Iraq, then-US Secretary of State Colin Powell argued before the United Nations that the government of Saddam Hussein was rapidly stockpiling “weapons of mass destruction,” which Iraq, together with Al Qaeda, was planning to use against the United States.

    “There was only one problem with Powell’s presentation: it was a lie from beginning to end.

    “Fifteen years later, the script has been pulled from the closet and dusted off. This time, instead of “weapons of mass destruction,” it is “Russian meddling in the US elections.” Once again, assertions by US intelligence agencies and operatives are treated as fact. Once again, the media is braying for war. Once again, the cynicism and hypocrisy of the American government—which intervenes in the domestic politics of every state on the planet and has been relentlessly expanding its operations in Eastern Europe—are ignored.”

    My God, we are a gullible species!

    • Psycho Milt 5.1
      23 February 2018 at 9:19 am

      As usual, the World Socialist Web Site is full of shit.

      In 2003, the US administration was peddling lies about Iraq while the US intelligence services had a much more accurate view of the situation and did report that more accurate view. 15 years later, the US administration is peddling lies about its dealings with Russia while the intelligence services are reporting a much more accurate view.

      So, yeah, the two situations are entirely comparable, just not in the way the WSWS would like.

    • Bill 5.2
      23 February 2018 at 10:09 am

      While I agree the proposition that the Russian government was/is utilising social media platforms to “undermine democracy” is bullshit, and that the hue and cry over Iraq’s supposed weapons of mass destruction was decidedly sickening – I think the comparison of the two is a bit off the mark.

      A far more apt comparison for Iraq and WMD bullshit is Syria.

      Here’s today’s Robert Fisk’s cogent piece in the Independent. It’s
      worth contrasting and comparing it with today’s stenographic articles in The Guardian.

      And yes, I also agree with PM that “The World Socialist Web” site thang leaves a lot to be desired. They won’t make the obvious parallel I just did in this comment because as far as they can figure, the goodness of any opposition to a government is generally beyond question – even when, as in the case of Syria, that opposition is to a government running a deeply interventionist economy of the type their ideological roots (authoritarian) lauded for decade after decade 😉

      • adam 5.2.1
        23 February 2018 at 10:47 am

        Thanks for the link to Fisk Bill.

        “The World Socialist Web” are bunch of america Trots, treat that as you will.

  6. One Anonymous Bloke 6
    23 February 2018 at 8:21 am

    Everyone can relax. It’s ok to watch Ocean Man again!

    “SpongeBob is neither good or bad. It’s just SpongeBob. These programmes may not have any educational content but they also do no harm.”

  7. eco maori 7
    23 February 2018 at 8:34 am

    Good morning Am 3 news show people nice red jacket Duncan I a bit busy with the farm and the mokos it its excerlint that those 16 year old mokos won at the Winter Olympics.
    Some tangata don’t realise how serious I take MY MOKOS future ECO MAORI Says that if they are trying to damage my credibility they are damageing My mokos future. Duncan Im that you learn by your mistakes we will have good thing going as I have said before I don’t like to have a negative effect on anyone go
    Kia kaha Ka kite ano

  8. eco maori 8
    23 February 2018 at 8:42 am

    Duncan I’m really pleased that Andrew Little is taking the bull by the horns a really good bloke and he has 300 signatures from people who work in OUR justice systems to back his moves to reform the justice system in Atoearoa.
    ECO MAORI Says we all have to back Andrew and these changes will benefit all the people in Atoearoa.
    Ka kite ano

    • eco maori 8.1
      23 February 2018 at 9:05 am

      Duncan I agree that Christen Bartle deserved to win New Zealand of the year she is a Great role model for all OUR Lady’s.
      I was quietly backing Mike King.
      But I’m a bit bias being Maori like you Ka pai. Ka kite ano

  9. patricia bremner 9
    23 February 2018 at 8:51 am

    Andrew Little is a remarkable man.

    • Cinny 9.1
      23 February 2018 at 8:58 am

      + infinity, he sure is.

    • savenz 9.2
      23 February 2018 at 10:48 am

      “Andrew Little is a remarkable man.” agree but even more surprising that he’s selling out on TPPA. Likewise Jacinda.

      At the end of the day it will be the PM and people ex union leaders like Little that were in charge when it was signed who will be remembered as responsible for signing it.

      If it was Brash, Key, Goff or Nash leading the charge for the .1% you could understand it, less so those with a few more principles.

      • One Two 9.2.1
        23 February 2018 at 2:34 pm

        Why is it surprising?

        He understands the frameworks…he was given access to the monetary and fiscal ‘realities’…

        Yet little et al still vote for TPP…

        Of course they do…

        Remarkable. NO

      • The Chairman 9.2.2
        23 February 2018 at 9:43 pm

        “At the end of the day it will be the PM and people ex union leaders like Little that were in charge when it was signed who will be remembered as responsible for signing it.”

        Indeed, savenz. History will show the left initiated it and signed it off.

        While, ironically, the left largely oppose it.

      • Gabby 9.2.3
        23 February 2018 at 11:00 pm

        I think you may be in for quite a few surprises.

  10. Cinny 10
    23 February 2018 at 8:57 am

    Today is mud shoveling day, beautiful weather outside. Taking the day off to help friends, a slip tore down their driveway and through the carport, luckily it just missed their house and garage. BYO shovel.

    Huge kudos for the early storm warning at the start of the week, that helped so many people.

    We were lucky at ours, kids did enjoy kayaking on the road in the rain water. Skimmer board at the park, what can you do, two days off school, make the most of a bad situation 🙂

    Apples are everywhere in Riwaka, either side of the road, everywhere, need any apples to feed your stock or pigs etc, head to Riwaka and help yourself.

    It’s a mess in our region, but on the upside, we’ve a stunning community and everyone is doing what they can to help those in need. Much love to everyone over the Bay, thinking of you all.

    • Andrea 10.1
      23 February 2018 at 3:44 pm

      Anyone else wishing for a reincarnation of the Ministry of Works? A depot at either side of the hazard-prone areas. Blokes who knew their work. Sufficient equipment plus temporary bridges..

      The private companies do their best – yet they’re not exactly set up to cope well with big wash outs and other natural disasters.

      Perhaps we could add a new Works department to the regional development venture.

    • patricia bremner 10.2
      23 February 2018 at 3:55 pm

      Sounds like a great community Cinny.

      • greywarshark 10.2.1
        23 February 2018 at 9:47 pm

        Andrea
        Keep thinking MOW – we will have lots more national disasters. We don’t want private companies reporting on their annual financial sheets that they were good for profit. Poor little NZ being eaten by money-borers. We need a strong government that represents the people, let the others go and live on some island the Peter Thiel sets up. Just BO>

  11. cleangreen 11
    23 February 2018 at 9:12 am

    Andrew is far better as a rear guard support MP.

    Andrew seems to get things done “quietly, quickly, and efficiently” without any fuss and controversy.

    • JohnSelway 11.1
      23 February 2018 at 9:17 am

      I agree – he just didn’t work as a front of house leader but as a guy who can work behind the scenes and just get things done he has really found his niche. Good and effective.

      • patricia bremner 11.1.1
        23 February 2018 at 4:03 pm

        Having met him, (Andrew) he is far more engaging than he appears on TV, unless he is unaware of the camera. Bright intelligent blue eyes and an easy manner, showing interest in what you have to say. Andrew is a facilitator who brings good people on board and gets them motivated.

        • Ms Fargo 11.1.1.1
          23 February 2018 at 9:41 pm

          Agree! He also knows how to draw people out and plays to their strengths not their weaknesses. Bravo to him for thinking hard before committing to another (billion dollar) prison too!

  12. AsleepWhileWalking 12
    23 February 2018 at 10:22 am

    I prefer the Iranian custom of greeting women by placing a hand over their heart and bowing the head slightly. It has a sweetness about it.

    • ianmac 12.1
      23 February 2018 at 12:13 pm

      Funny waste of QT yesterday when the Nat questioning if Iranian delgates refused to shake hands with Labour MPs. When my wife worked in Arab Emirates the men never touched/shook hands with her. No problem. Courtesy reigned. (One charming senior man would touch her elbow to elbow with a grin.).

  13. mauī 13
    23 February 2018 at 10:27 am

    Uplifting Friday:

    • Anne 13.1
      23 February 2018 at 11:16 am

      Her final words:

      Never be afraid of deceitful, dishonest and brutal power. That is true freedom.

      Timely words in the light of the latest school massacre in Florida and the NRA chief’s indescribably awful responses. The NRA have purloined the words true freedom and have hoodwinked half a nation into believing owning guns is true freedom.

      That is the brutality of the USA as it currently stands – aided and supported by a truly repugnant president and federal government.

      • andrew murray 13.1.1
        23 February 2018 at 3:02 pm

        it’s funny isn’t it… I was drawn to NZ’s treatment, as it currently stands, of Maori.

    • veutoviper 14.1
      23 February 2018 at 12:53 pm

      Cleangreen will be thrilled re Napier – Wairoa rail regeneration, although I note it seems to be for logging trains only.

      The Herald article below has more detail set out by region etc.
      http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12000424

      • savenz 14.1.1
        23 February 2018 at 1:44 pm

        Yes, lucky help is on the way for the loggers and multinational business interests with public money!

        Would make more sense if actual jobs were part of the investment (aka loggers using it have to employ local workers at 40 hour weeks at x wages) and industry pay back the money or are they just expecting trickle down jobs and estimates with no stipulations whatsoever?

        Also are they processing the logs here into value added goods with the proceeds going into NZ tax coffers or exporting the raw products?

        Funny, residents in Auckland are expecting to pay petrol taxes and commuter charges in Auckland, multinational logging companies get free trains. It’s all about fairness to the .1%

        No mention of a 10% increase in taxes on trucks on the road!

        • veutoviper 14.1.1.1
          23 February 2018 at 2:23 pm

          I really cannot be bothered with engaging with you savenz.

          As Ad said to you at 11.1.1.2.1.under the “Nationals-meh-leadership-contest” post, do youself a favour do some proper research as it is a waste of time engaging with you otherwise.

          As I noted in my reply to Ad at 11.1.1.2.1.2, you have posted a plethora of negative comments today under that post and here on OM and I predicted that you would do so in respect to the regional development funding announced today by the Government. True to form you did not disappoint.

          Did you actually read the Herald article? Because that summarises the conditions for funding from the Provincial Growth Fund which iis aimed at boosting growth and creating jobs in the regions – eg this first round is expected to create more than 700 direct jobs and 60 indirect jobs.

          “The criteria for funding will include an assessment on whether a project boost productivity, adds jobs, uses Maori or other assets week, and mitigates climate change. It will also have to add value, rather than duplicate work already happening and must have support from local groups. There must also be evidence of good governance and the ability to survive once the fund was exhausted.”

          The article also covers the plans for the planting of trees this year and in the years to come. Go read it yourself – and the http://www.beehive.govt.nz/ website.

          Bye.

          • savenz 14.1.1.1.1
            23 February 2018 at 6:20 pm

            When 700 new jobs for LOCALS are created by the logging companies then let me know, sounds like you are referring to the entire growth fund not the article itself which talks about trains for the loggers to get trucks off the road.

        • bwaghorn 14.1.1.2
          23 February 2018 at 5:08 pm

          Have you got proof logging companies get their logs transported on rail for free or are you lying

          • savenz 14.1.1.2.1
            23 February 2018 at 6:22 pm

            No it’s a question, how much are the logging companies going to pay to get their logs transported by rail subsidised by taxpayers and why not add in a 10% tax on diesel if that’s what the are proposing to do to Aucklander’s or a ‘commuter charge for trucks.

            Let me know, bwaghorn.

      • Grey Area 14.1.2
        23 February 2018 at 7:37 pm

        Given the damage logging trucks do to the Napier-Wairoa road and the way they clog up this often passing-lane free and narrow highway, restoring rail service is a no-brainer. Unfortunately some of us were hoping for the Wairoa-Gisborne section to also be fixed.

        Maybe next time.

        • cleangreen 14.1.2.1
          23 February 2018 at 8:04 pm

          Yes grey Area;-

          We will continue our fight as we were there in 2009-2011 fighting to get the freight up on the Napier Gisborne line.

          So Steven Joyce would keep it open (see my response and story on my response to Alwyn on 4.2.1.1)

          As we were finding more freight for the line that kiwi rail admitted publicly on 21/12/2011 that they had no locos and wagons to carry it all and had to turn three large customers away then because we had found so many customers for them to use rail!!!!!

          ( I hope someone shoves this article in front of Shane Jones pronto.)

          http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/6170590/At-risk-rail-line-can-t-cope-with-demand

    • millsy 14.2
      23 February 2018 at 7:01 pm

      Even more interesting is the proposal for Landcorp to enter the forestry business….

    • Antoine 14.3
      24 February 2018 at 1:56 am

      Are there actually business cases for these projects? BCRs? I am struggling to avoid the suspicion that a lot of the work is just pork barrel…

      A.

  15. savenz 15
    23 February 2018 at 1:25 pm

    “The future of Auckland’s beaches and waterways will be doomed if the council is granted a consent to discharge stormwater for at least three more decades, an environmental researcher is warning.

    The Auckland Council has applied for a 35-year consent to both divert stormwater through the public network and overland as well as discharging it into the environment.

    Researcher John McCaffery said the application was insulting – as there was growing public concern over the discharge of contaminated storm-water and sewerage.

    “Here we are right in the middle of conversations on how to deal with it and the council is saying in 30 days time we want you to give us approval to do whatever we choose to do for 35 years without constraints.”

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/351044/stark-warning-over-auckland-s-beaches-and-waterways

  17. joe90 17
    23 February 2018 at 3:00 pm

    Oh boy.

    I swear to god I just witnessed Illinois Gov. Rauner stir Hershey's syrup into milk, and take a big sip to symbolize his commitment to diversity. pic.twitter.com/E3rOFZ6wuC— Adrian (@blagojevism) February 21, 2018

    http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chicagoinc/ct-met-rauner-chocolate-milk-0223-chicago-inc-20180222-story.html

  18. DRUM 18
    23 February 2018 at 3:49 pm

    Totally left field and nothing to do with anything discussed on OM so far today….my wife is being told she has to biff her (2Degrees) 2G phone…that she only uses for calls and texts…for a 4G phone.
    She is resistant to this…environment etc…and wonders why a 2G phone would have to be made redundant rather than being able to keep it on using it just for texts/calls without access to data/networks etc.
    2Degrees have told her something about different frequencies.
    Can anyone explain this simply…I would be appreciative.

    • scotty 18.1
      23 February 2018 at 4:07 pm

      Drum , I got same message , you can check what network yr phone uses, top left hand corner of screen, if it says 3g you are fine – ignore message to up grade.
      hope this helps.

    • Draco T Bastard 18.2
      26 February 2018 at 6:56 am

      Changing technologies. Basically it’s not worth keeping old technology going. That would apply whether it was market driven or other.

  20. Penny Bright 20
    23 February 2018 at 4:48 pm

    NZ yet again ‘perceived’ to be ‘the least corrupt country in the world’.

    yawn …..

    This is what I said about the, IMO, BULLSHIT Transparency International 2016 Corruption Perception Index last year.

    ‪What’s changed?‬

    ‪http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1701/S00171/the-2016-corruption-perception-index-isnt-worth-the-paper.htm‬

    ‪Press Release: Penny Bright Independent candidate Mt Albert by-election‬

    ‪”The 2016 Corruption Perception Index isn’t worth the paper it’s written on.” ‬

    ‪IMO the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index is utter garbage.‬

    When are mainstream media going to ever interview me, to give my considered opinion, as an (unprotected) proven NZ
    anti-corruption ‘whistle-blower’?

    • DoublePlusGood 20.1
      23 February 2018 at 6:10 pm

      When you start a consultancy that publishes vacuous bullshit, probably. Just got to come up with some aspiration marketing nonsense.

    • greywarshark 20.2
      23 February 2018 at 9:55 pm

      How do we do it – least corrupt country – I would say most propagandised country – 100% Pure for instance.

  21. Sanctuary 21
    23 February 2018 at 6:10 pm

    Megan Woods, you dark horse!!! Ruthlessly sacking a member of the old male elite establishment without even a fig leaf of an excuse or a big golden handshake actually takes some doing, and will send shock waves through board rooms and mahogany lined club rooms everywhere.

    The contrast with the buddy buddy nod nod wink wink crony capitalism of National (who couldn’t even get a conviction out of the CTV building or Pike River, total death toll 144) couldn’t be starker.

    Real leadership, at last.

    • veutoviper 21.1
      23 February 2018 at 6:18 pm

      Brilliant! Today has been a very positive day!

      BUT. but, but – he resigned of his own accord, didn’t he????

      • McFlock 21.1.1
        23 February 2018 at 9:50 pm

        Easiest way to get rid of someone who was following orders. Especially at that level. cheaper to pay them to leave than to give them grounds to sue

  22. eco maori 22
    23 February 2018 at 6:40 pm

    MANY THANKS to the good people on TVNZ 1 NEWS at 6pm.
    Its good to hear you people use Climate change on the news that is reality the wind were that much stronger than a category 5 in Gita they need to raise the level two a category 6 Ka pai.
    It also good to see you reporting that crime is dropping in Atoearoa that’s realistic when I tell he tangata that the justice system are corrupt the mokos are to scared to break the law Ka pai.
    . P.S ECO MAORI can see the sandflys at it again spinning more lies to justify all the attention they give me they are sending millions trying to suppress me the fools. And some people are that gullible they are falling for there lies once again.
    Did you see how biest the justice system is against MAORI 62% of men in jail are Maori and you still believe there bullshit lies?????? They got nothing why did they stop my givealittle.co.nz account because they are scared I will sue them for millions that’s reality. Why because you are all witness to the NZ police breaching all my rights and my familys rights. Ana to kai.
    Ka kite ano

  23. eco maori 23
    23 February 2018 at 6:53 pm

    They locked up my uncle and killed him because they thought he was me they have got 2 other relatives of mine in jail because they thought these people were me. Many thanks to the person who they have been getting there information from for protectioning my identity till ECO MAORI is muture enough to handle there bullshit moves I will win this battle and force the police into submission.
    Ka kite ano P.S. I have many whano in the hinaki but those 2 were set up buy the police

  24. eco maori 24
    23 February 2018 at 7:05 pm

    If I did not have the Mana of Eco Maori and thestandard.org.nz website to check the sandflys move and Im also aware I see them and smell them thanks to my Te puna gentic gifts the sandflys would have killed me on the roads by now.
    Ka kite ano

  25. eco maori 25
    23 February 2018 at 7:14 pm

    The reason I have made the statement above is because the sandflys have been behaveing really bad on the roads for months Ana to kai

  26. eco maori 26
    23 February 2018 at 7:25 pm

    So funny Hillary & Jeremy I had long hair and I was working hard fishing when I was 16 that was my second year I also was going to the pub set my deck hands tickets at 16 the tutor accused me of fakeing my 2 years experience fishing the skipper gave me a letter to confirm my experience he passed me I worked on 2 boats with him old Yella we called him lol I tried to work with him when I was in my 20ts one trip and I told him to stick it lol
    Ka kite ano

  27. weston 27
    23 February 2018 at 8:23 pm

    What an insane world here in nz we apparently have a huge meth problem the stuff is currently selling for half the price of tobacco …(thanks ASH ) And 12 of our people DIED last year from smoking SYNTHETIC cannabis !!!! Im listening to naterly rnz was it this morn or yest morn hearing about a drug spraying chopper up arround the coramandle filling its herbacide tank on a beach !!! bad enough but what a fucked up stratedgy for dealing with very serious drug problems in nz CREATE SHORTAGES OF A NATRUAL PRODUCT ??????how fucked is that ???sorry about spelling