(trotters' latest piece is well worth the read – and explains the incrementalism of this govt – trotter makes a strong case that it's all down to roberston…
'Guided by the éminence grise of Labour’s “Third Way” conservatism, Sir Michael Cullen, Robertson bound Labour in fiscal chains so tight that, in the unlikely event of a Labour-led government being formed, it would lack all freedom of movement. No matter how luminous the promises of “transformation”, without the money to turn promises into reality, the person making them was bound to end up discredited'.
"given it is a classic example of middle-class welfare"
I think that is a very generous take on it, seriously who can afford a new home for their first home, i would have said more high income than middle, besides it is welfare for property developers.
Mr Trotter has a new piece (and audience) that may paint a different motivation (from a different party)…whos playing who?
"National’s success thus hinges upon its ability to generate sufficient fury among Gen-Xers to vote against both their parents and their children. They must be encouraged to call down a plague upon the houses of both the old and the young, so that, finally, a government can be elected that listens to them; delivers to them; and only to them. Simon Bridges and Paula Bennett will bend all their powers towards convincing Generation X of the old adage: “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.”
Have to agree. Nothing in there that you could look at as being evidential. Plus he appears to be simply regurgitating Garner who said much the same thing recently whilst talking about the need of the parliamentary press gallery to feed off blood as a pack.
“Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.”
He is a writer in love with rhetoric and he gets paid for it. I wonder what his take was at the Whalerump.
surely 'the evidence' is that roberston is by definition a neoliberal-incrementalist – ?
and he is just doing what neoliberal-incrementalists do..?
(and the stellar example of that – is that of the 42 recommendations from welfare reform group – for urgent welfare reform – to provide some relief from the grinding poverty – 3 have been accepted by this govt..(!)
and one of those three is an easing of the clawback provisions of any part time work undertaken by benificiaries..
and here is the exciting bit..!..going up in tiny wee increments – benificiaries will be able to – by 2022 – to earn about another twenty bucks a week..(!)
which we can all agree – will do sweet fuck all…
this is what neoliberal incrementalists – like robertson – call 'welfare reform'…
and this is why he has to go..
(i have eyes tightly-closed/fingers-crossed – going 'plse plse let the current scandal take him down..!'..)
ardern should fire him..
and i agree that trotter often spouts colourful shite..
I think much of our government's reluctance to introduce worthwhile welfare reform is they figure that most of that sector are going to vote left regardless.
Unlikely to happen but it leaves room for National to campaign on such a platform. This could squeeze the coalition to take action.
If the right promised sweeping welfare reform would you vote for them Phil?
When the government are questioned on this subject they typically revert to a long list of what they consider to be major steps forward. They deliver their lists with such conviction it's almost like they believe that $200 at the beginning of winter has brought sunlight flooding into 1000's of lives. $200 is of course merely a half full Countdown trolley.
They do usually end their lists with something like "We do acknowledge that there is still an awful lot of work to do…." Political flim flam that indicates 'don't worry Phil, we're getting to your concerns….look at all the fabulous stuff we've already done.'
But that's not what is happening Phil. Here is 9 mins of Carmel back in May assuring beneficiaries that everything is in hand and that there is nothing to worry about.
Nice to see some confirmation of my surmises. The neo-liberal technocracy haven't been measuring their outcomes properly, so that the policies they foist on us, allegedly in our interests, based on their alleged expertise, have just been making things harder. The pretense of economic expertise expressed in policy needs to be rubbished until the mandarin class produce some objective results.
That sounds right SM. I have thought that a lot of what we decide and do is actually based on emotion and personal choice. It gets wrapped up in specially chosen stats and justified because someone said something in a big country or a right wing think tank or Treasury, that fount of all wisdom whose effectiveness is never judged by the actual outcomes on the ground. It's never their fault, as they have an out for everything.
i can count enough to know that the ability to earn an extra $20 a week – by 2022 – as a measure taken to provide some relief from the grinding poverty suffered by the poorest..
lab + grns + nz first – they all promised welfare-reform…
they have (all) delivered textbook incrementalism..
namely – done s.f.a…
i understand you are a full-time labour apologist – so relax – the blame is being shared..
and what about that twenty bucks per wk (just ended..)
so we are now back in the position (except for sole-parents – and goodonthem..! – i begrudge not a cent going to them – they should be getting more..)
we are back in the position where the key/tories' twenty dollar raise to base-rates – is the most that has been done for the poorest – in the past 30 yrs..
i would be really keen to hear yr take on that..'cos i reckon that fact should have all lab/grn/nz first apologists shifting uncomfortably in their seats..
i repeat – the tories/key did more welfare reform…than this lab/grn/nz first has done..
and as an apologist for none of the above – i reckon that both sucks and blows..
What you need is a far left party that's polling above 40 percent, one which carries the voters with it when offering up its non neoliberal incrementalism, on its way to getting a mandate to govern according to those policies.
Right, so you want the Labour Party to become unelectable by JA sacking the finance minister and implementing policy it 1: wouldn't get into law past nz1st, and 2: hasn't got a mandate from the people for anyway.
No, no mandate for 180 degree turns when you cobble together a three way broad church government.
The thing you types always fail to answer is where the votes are coming from. If as you say 90% of votes are for Neo Libs, and half are split between both major parties, the maths don't add up. You may lose some middle ground labour votes but guaranteed you won't get any back from national. That's pretty basic.
Also, there's a to the left of Labour Party already and they only poll 6%. If and when the numbers switch round, that would be a sign for labour to turn more left or change leader like last time the balance was skewed less in their favour.
But you want labour to change. Well it's clear to me that won't happen. While the electorate is polarised, it's incremental all the way in the battle for the middle ground. You can of course pay your subs, work from the inside, and do the hard yards to enact your policy direction. You could always do a momentum and take over, stick your guy in the big seat and watch him poll 20% though I won't wish you good luck.
You types are the ones who have no idea of how politics work in 2019, choosing to peddle daydream slogans without concept of what the voting public is willing to accept, but enough about you, let's hear you rebut and counter the points I raised.
The numbers, Philip, the numbers. You need to address how you'll take the Neo lib voters with you when you push a full on socialist agenda on those who, according you, don't vote for it en mass.
That you see incremental change to the left as such a bad thing, given there's no mandate for making sweeping changes, neither being in a manifesto or campaigned upon, is sort of proof that you don't understand how modern NZ politics work.
It doesn't mean people who accept the reality we find ourselves in don't want change, or even change quickly, but it is reality and there's just there's no point posturing over cliches like its some sort of popularity contest. I didn't party vote labour and wanted much more left leaning policy, but without those numbers, remember those numbers phil? You have to take what you get and push for more votes next time.
Ill wear that tee shirt and not have a Nat government any day of the week until the polling backs my ideology and I can wear one saying 'My vote won it – and I didn't have to resort to posting like an uninformed dong on the internet'
Sorry Sacha that’s BS. JA stole hearts and minds with Labour’s pre election blurb on how social reform was so badly needed. That’s what people remember. Not post election coalition drivel. She’s had opportunities to show she meant what she said and hasn’t shown any real backbone on anything. I’m from the right and realised we needed a fairer CGT and when she waved the white flag on that I believed she was all BS. Since then there’s been nothing happen that’s changed my mind.
@Newview Labour is not the whole government. Moan all you want about how that party have not secured what they promised but be clear who you are talking about.
The voters didn’t vote for this Coalition by personally voting for each of the partners . Labour took on NZF to get power and it was JA electioneering rhetoric That got labour into a position to do that. The voters didn’t give a toss what Winston had to say it was JA they listened to. You can believe what you like Sacha.
So if Labour had not agreed to give Winston First as much as they did, then he would have gone with National and you would then presumably be on a right wing site right now moaning about how a National led government was not achieving everything that National had campaigned on. As a centrist party NZF will always act like a dragging handbrake on the government of the day regardless of whether it leans left or right.
Solkta. I’ve never liked this MMP idea but that’s another discussion. Sometimes the bigger party has to make a stand and call out the other partner if they feel strongly over proposed policy. With the CGT there was no attempt to push the point by labour. If JA had been strong and really wanted legalisation she could have taken it to a vote making the result public. It would then have been seen publicly that Winston was really the problem. That didn’t happen so did Labour really want a CGT we’ll never know. I don’t believe they were that keen. We wouldn’t want to rock the boat in case we loose votes, or upset Winston heaven forbid. It’s wishywashy BS as we’ve seen with the slow progress on other social issues.
Ha! If we all listed the top 20 policy platforms/machinations for our ideal Government most of us would end up with a framework that only 5% of NZers would vote for.
In my search for contentment I've resigned to operating my household as I would my ideal government. I fear wishing for much more is a recipe for discontent.
Wonderful to have your commentary on this blog phillip…
So called 'left' parties are being smashed worldwide by the rise of the right, and the answer from the elite is just to sit tight and follow the likes of fake lefties Trudeau, Shorten or Hilary to almost certain defeat.
So called left parties are being smashed by the right. Does that mean if they had real left leaders instead, the people who deserted the fake left leaders and voted right, wouldn't vote right anymore but go back to the left?
Thats an interesting, if not implausible logic jump.
All the momentum was with Sanders and Corbyn during the previous US and UK elections.
If they weren't hobbled by their own parties undermining them and were able to be unleashed onto the public, we would have gained one left government today, probably two.
So it would be like someone saying Jacinda isn't left enough so I'm gonna vote for Bridges. Yeah, makes sense. lol
As for Corbyn, he got 40% against May, and yet with no challenges from within since, apart from those who left to form change or whatever it’s called, he’s plunged to the low 20s. Go figure.
Up until now that is, at the party conference, where grassroots activists are pushing against Corbyn's fence sitting, wanting an unambiguous Remain stance.
Trying to shaft the deputy leader won't help win over the majority remainers in the party, either.
Was that a comparison of two political phenoms with the Bridge? Ok… Probably best if I leave you to talk about the failure of Corbyn post election. You seem very good at that…
How soon some forget. Labour made some promises before the last election. They did involve more spending than National, but they also included scrapping National's tax cuts that would have applied from April 2018. National campaigned on putting more money into everyone's pockets through cutting tax. Who wouldn't like a bit more money in their pockets each payday? But National lied about what they would have to do as a result of their tax cuts – they would further reduce services from government, but they never admitted to that – they called their cuts efficiency savings.
In order to get votes, Labour promised limits on borrowing, not to introduce new taxes or increase taxes until after a report had been issued (and after the next election) – and coalition negotiations required some funding for Green and NZ First priorities.
Now you are wanting a large increase in spending for one sector. Lets be clear, I am sure many Labour supporters would like spending on benefits to increase now, but National is not the only bullshitter, philip ure – any major change in public spending will have implications for either tax raising or other spending, with other consequential changes to employment, overall borrowing, inflation, etc.
So are you simply calling for our current government to be branded liars, or do you have proposals for how to raise the money your spending increases would need? Would you cut spending on hospitals and Pharmac? Would you renege on pay settlements with nurses and teachers?
So where does the philip ure party sit? Responsible government that understands that more spending in one area needs changes in another area? Or a liar party that pretends cutting taxes can be matched by "efficiency gains" without cutting services? Be responsible, philip, and give us the other side of your wish-list – "Show us the Money!"
Consistent in ignoring the reality that campaign promises cannot be totally ignored. Honesty and integrity are valuable attributes in gaining votes – or are you happy to see Labour in opposition again so soon?
Earn over $48k and you pay 30% tax on the bit over $48k….thats way too much tax.
Earn over $70k and pay 33% on that.
I reckon you should pay 30% on income over $70k and 33% on income over $100k. Then have another tax bracket say 39% for income over $150k and 45% for income over $200k
Boost Working for Families to all those who currently receive it and extend it to 30,000 more families, in addition to the Working for Families changes announced in Budget 2017.
Introduce a Best Start payment to help families with costs in a child’s early years.
Implement the Accommodation Supplement increases announced in Budget 2017.
Introduce 26 weeks paid parental leave to ensure that families are provided with vital support at a crucial stage in their children’s lives.
Increase the Family Tax Credit base rate for the eldest child to $5,878. This is currently $5,303 for eldest children aged 16-18 and $4,822 for eldest children aged 0-15 (due to be increased to $5,303 according to Budget 2017).
Adopt the Budget 2017 changes to the Family Tax Credit base rate for subsequent children and new abatement rate.
Raise the abatement threshold for Working for Families to $42,700, currently $36,350 (due to be cut to $35,000 according to Budget 2017).
All this sort of talk goes way over Phils head. As hes doesnt support a family or know or care about this as it wont end up in HIS pocket
"
Introduce a Best Start payment of $60 a week for each child in the first year after Paid Parental Leave ends, and for low to middle income families up to age three.
How about this one
A Wellington sole parent with a two year old and an income of $45,000:
With Labour, this family gets $107 more a week (plus up to $55 in Accommodation Supplement)
Fess up Phil , as its mostly about those with young kids, you are missing out and beating the drum here about your empty pockets
Another shill singing for his supper. These tame 'left' column fillers seem to like to impress their fellow political anoraks and upset the leftys who think their opinion matters.
Chris who ? from the echo chamber of nz political repeaters.
Rhetoric to entertain the masses and impress each other (his fellow soapbox holders like hoots etc) whilst not upsetting his paymasters i.e. the media owners.
Trotter makes his living saying SFA but still manages to upset people who think he should be saying and doing more in the echo chamber of the NZ media.
I see we're still on the remarkably dense and blind view that whatever Labour's failing to be transformational in Government is down to everyone who isn't Jacinda, in this case it's Robertson's fault.
The Peasants Revolt failed because Wat Tyler and the rebels believed the King was actually pure of heart and on their side, but was misled by his 'wicked' advisors.
The historical reach is important. it shows for example that rigorous debate(and discourse) were important parts of a vigorous democracy.
Isocrates in Areopagiticus some 25 centuries ago.
The less well-to-do among the citizens were so far from envying those of greater means that they were as solicitous for the great estates as for their own, considering that the prosperity of the rich was a guarantee of their own well-being. Those who possessed wealth, on the other hand, did not look down upon those in humbler circumstances, but, regarding poverty among their fellow-citizens as their own disgrace, came to the rescue of the distresses of the poor, handing over lands to some at moderate rentals, sending out some to engage in commerce, and furnishing means to others to enter upon various occupations;
for they had no fear that they might suffer one of two things—that they might lose their whole investment or recover, after much trouble, only a mere fraction of their venture; on the contrary, they felt as secure about the money which was lent out as about that which was stored in their own coffers. For they saw that in cases of contract the judges were not in the habit of indulging their sense of equity1 but were strictly faithful to the laws;
and that they did not in trying others seek to make it safe for themselves to disobey the law,1 but were indeed more severe on defaulters than were the injured themselves, since they believed that those who break down confidence in contracts do a greater injury to the poor than to the rich; for if the rich were to stop lending, they would be deprived of only a slight revenue, whereas if the poor should lack the help of their supporters they would be reduced to desperate straits.
And so because of this confidence no one tried to conceal his wealth1 nor hesitated to lend it out, but, on the contrary, the wealthy were better pleased to see men borrowing money than paying it back; for they thus experienced the double satisfaction—which should appeal to all right-minded men—of helping their fellow-citizens and at the same time making their own property productive for themselves. In fine, the result of their dealing honorably with each other was that the ownership of property was secured to those to whom it rightfully belonged, while the enjoyment of property was shared by all the citizens who needed it.
I thought Trotter’s was a lovely story but not quite at the epic level of Homer, for example. I think he could make a decent living turning it into an audiobook for budding ballet choreographers or as storyteller on a late-night radio show for insomniacs. However, it didn’t pass the mustard as political commentary from a wannabe political historian although I did enjoy his joyous verbosity and I might apply it to spice up my own rants too with more couleur locale and Wayang-like depictions of key political players for more dramatic impact.
I have already ‘unpacked’ it, but you missed it because you were not reading between the lines.
Trotter’s opinion piece shows complete disregard for the (political) context, which to me suggests it was not political commentary but a raconteurial rant.
I know somebody else who “loves the sound of his own voice a bit more than he should” and thinks that his opinion has more validity than the opinions of others..
I mentioned in the work kitchen the other day to the resident pro-China migrant guy that a good friend of mine had gone back to Hong Kong to take part in the democracy protests. He spent a little while trying to wheedle the name of this person out me, then I went back to my desk and forgot about it.
Later that afternoon, he came and sat next to me and invited me along to some dinners and meeting the various pro-Beijing front organisations in Auckland run in order to discuss China. I politely declined. But while he is a pleasant enough fellow, this guy has lived here for over ten years and yet he is basically a low rent volunteer spy for Beijing. He will never owe his loyalty to NZ.
And when you see long term Sinophiles and insightful friends of China like this guy bailing out as fast they can, you wonder when will our politicians ever wake up, and how donkey deep is the National party with the authoritarian butchers of Beijing?
She's remarkably passionate about allegations against Labour, but seems blissfully ignorant of documented human rights abuses routinely employed by China to crush dissent
Latest 23/9/19 ‘Australian newscorp’
(Quote) “Five-year period ending 2019 set to be hottest on record. A few days after kids across the globe marched in support of environmental issues, the UN has released a new report on the current state of the planet, and it’s not pretty reading.” (un-quote)
The US response seems more like a face-saving PR exercise. Pretty embarrassing that the billions spent by Saudi Arabia on American weaponry was out-gunned by low cost drones launched by a poorly resourced rebel outfit from one of the most poverty stricken places on earth.
Not poorly resourced , they seemed to have a large portion of the Yemen military forces at the start of civil war.. this doesnt sound like they are all that deficient
"over 400 Houthi ballistic and cruise missile launches, drone strikes, and naval attacks since June 2015"
An 'ally and friend' ( which was the origin of the 9/11 attackers) who is waging war on its tiny neighbour with US supplied planes and bombs.
So its OK for US to provide military supplies but not OK for Iran to do so.
Its nothing new really – except when it involves the mother lode -oil.
"FDD’s Long War Journal has tracked and mapped over 400 Houthi ballistic and cruise missile launches, drone strikes, and naval attacks since June 2015. For more information, see the three-part series: Houthi missiles,drones, naval attacks.]"
They have been missile attacks on US Navy ships, ballistic missiles against Saudi airports
How much do we value democratic freedom and the 4th estates role within it?
"Experts have identified the Chinese New Zealand Herald website as a propaganda outlet for the government of China.
However, the news outlet's co-owner, NZME, says the Chinese NZ Herald is not beholden to China’s media guidelines and censorship requirements.
An investigation by Newsroom, with the help of China propaganda experts, found the news organisation's operational structure, and its Chinese state internet and security permits, amounted to the news site coming under the supervision and control of various Chinese Communist Party (CCP) authorities."
Where do you look for clues when you are puzzled about behaviour that seems irrational for the good of the country – Money (as cartoon on my book Dilbert and the way of the Weasel says, where he stands by a sign attracting zombies towards> 'Unattended Piles of Money')!
Revealed: Arron Banks puts controversial diamond mine up for sale The millionaire businessman Arron Banks, who spent £8m on the Brexit campaign, has put a controversial South African diamond mine on the market. Mr Banks confirmed to Channel 4 News that the Newlands mine in Barkly West, Northern Cape province is up for sale for ZAR10m – just over £500,000. In a statement Mr Banks told…
and further on Brexit :
London Mayor Sadiq Khan calls for Labour MPs to commit to stopping Brexit amidst party civil warThe infighting at the top of the party has continued following yesterday’s move to unseat Deputy Leader Tom Watson. Today Jeremy Corbyn was forced to defend reported allegations from a senior advisor that his team lacked ‘professionalism, competence and human decency’. Jon Snow spoke to London mayor Sadiq Khan, who today made a direct appeal…
This one is amazing. German villages bulldozed to make space for coal mineEurope’s biggest economy, Germany, has promised to phase out coal by 2038 in order to meet climate change commitments. Yet it is expanding one of its biggest open cast mines, which is 48 square kilometres in size. The expansion will demolish five villages in the process, but the coal company responsible says it is not…
sickening and real – make sure your people are safe, ask them, don't just assume they are
When you're strangled, it takes just 10 seconds to lose consciousness. At 15 seconds you lose control of your bladder. Within two minutes … death.
That's the timeline of strangulation, an offence so closely linked to deaths from domestic violence that if someone puts their hands around your neck and squeezes, you are seven times more likely to go on to die, because people who get angry enough to strangle are more likely to do it again and at some point they might get too angry to release their grip.
What, no media at the Ardern/Trump meeting? Someone must be scared of being toweled by relative youth, gender, empathy and intellect. No p**sy grabbing this time!
Concerning Trump and our brave young PM riding forth Quixote-like, if you can get to see today's stuff with Jeff Bell's cartoon on the hairpiece and our PM, (with apologies to Lewis Carroll) I think you'll find it good.
What, no media at the Ardern/Trump meeting? Someone must be scared of being toweled by relative youth, gender, empathy and intellect. No p**sy grabbing this time!
You are confused about what is a meeting with discussions and the photo ops which precede it.
I've got a serious question for Mr Ure – it could either amuse you, or drive you into a severe depression, the like of which I'm not sure there's a cure for – even IF there was something synthetic to ease the symptoms:
Did you ever come across Glenda H in your travels in the past? There's a billboard or two around Mt Victoria (one of which I saw a Toy Boi weilding a hammer with).
I just received my voting papers and discovered it's standing for local gummint, as is its ….. [for the sake of civility] ….. followers.
My first thought was that it’s taking the piss – but it (and all)'re actually serious!!!
I’ll know when it’s time to leave town if ever that got a foothold
A Time to get off your B and change that horrible link about someone going on about chainsaw murders.
And Mr bielski can be shown what we expect from local and central councillors in this country trying to find a working peace in the world and respect for all who have good spiritual beliefs, not ones of disdain and superiority.
I got off on the wrong track there. I was thinking it was about the councillor from Manawatu who can't stand Muslims. I think he should get voted out. He's getting too old for coping with the world and change and it's possible that he doesn't like women either – it often goes alongside.
I think that it's haters who use tech platforms to pedal there hate content but the tech companies have to try and stop them using their platforms.
Kia Kaha Greta that is the correct measage to give to the people who are leading the Papatuanuku to our destruction. I agree chasing economic growth over the wellbeing of our future environment has to change to chasing sustainability and countrys being rewarded for this behaviour.
I agree its good to change the school funding system to include economic back ground and other factors to help our tamariki that need help the most that is looking after our future.
For some reason I always get restricted phone calls can you guess who is making them you would be correct.
Thomas Cook collapse has stranded heaps of people on holiday let hope not to many people are left in a mess because of that.
The people of the Manuatu will be wrapped to have a new route for their main road. I have not been on that road in decades.
That's is what needs to happen Winston including Farmer in the emissions trading skeem by 2025. If Our Farmers were not included in the Emissions skeem what phenomenon will encourage Our farmers to reduce there carbon footprint.
I tau toko Te tangata whenua who are championing to stop seabed mineing.
I Rotorua has a housing shortage itcs not on that people have to live under a bridge most of our cities have this problem to.
Eco Maori tau toko online voting let's not wait to long for this great initiative. It will make the process more efficient and will bring in more voters..
A 3. Month payed course teaching Wahine life skills teaching them how to grow Kai and encouraging Te Wahine to give up drugs is cool
simon you know that you would have been kissing trumps ass say yes sir no sir
Its awesome to see heaps more people seeing reality about OUR Global Warming Papatuanuku. The champions of Our futures Climate have done A awesome job the Phenomenon is a unstoppable force now Kia Kaha to you ALL.
That's Commission of enquiries into state staff abuseing people looks like a choreography set up.
That's is sad seeing people praying on our inenecint elderly using phone calls and scamming them out of their money.
Duncan Greta has got The Am Show attention Greta has the Papatuanuku attention on Our Futures Environment NOW if you are not on board of Our WAKA looking after our futures environment you will be washed into Our History Books.
You know that was hard I haven't seen anyone get it correct.
Using cloth nappies will save you heaps of putea and our environment. I would not trust others picking them up and cleaning them as babies skins are quite sensitive we used a hygiene products that are designed for sensitive skins.
We can have low or no carbon footprint larger passengers plane travellers. We just need to invest the time and putea into the new goals of low carbon flights. Solar and batteries are increasingly becoming more efficient made bio fuel for take of and landing and solar and batteries for gliding around Papatuanuku.
This Solar-Powered Plane Can Circle the Globe With No Pollution | That’s Amazing
Some dreams are so fantastic, it takes an unprecedented bid for adventure and glory to see them blossom to fruition. Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg, captivated by the spirit of great expeditions of the past, partnered to make the first flight across the world in a solar-powered plane that produced no pollution. Storing solar energy in batteries, the Solar Impulse is capable of staying aloft indefinitely. However, as Piccard and Borschberg learned, this didn't make the adventure easy—or require any less intrepid heroism from the co-pilots. Ka kite Ano
Tauranga Tangata Whenua you would think that the Tauranga council should have a duty to fix some of the wrongs of the past. The whenua is not billions like Tangata Whenua have lost. If they have a humane thought then they will give that whenua to Mana whenua.
That's cool in Tamiki Makaurau the council are putting system in place to get more Maori to vote.
The new app teaching practical life skills is a good idea to teach Rangatahi skills in how putea works and other skills that are needed to thrive in Aotearoa society.
I think it's not acceptable that Iwi data is not available for Tangata Whenua to use to plan for our Mokopuna future.
Negative yesterday, negative today. Negative all year, according to one departing reader telling me I’ve grown strident and predictable. Fair enough. If it’s any help, every time I go to write about a certain topic that begins with C and ends with arrrrs, I do brace myself and ask: Again? Are ...
Bryce Edwards writes – It’s been a tumultuous time in politics in recent months, as the new National-led Government has driven through its “First 100 Day programme”. During this period there’s been a handful of opinion polls, which overall just show a minimal amount of flux in public support ...
Inspirational: The Family of Man is a glorious hymn to human equality, but, more than that, it is a clarion call to human freedom. Because equality, unleavened by liberty, is a broken piano, an unstrung harp; upon which the songs of fraternity will never be played.“Somebody must have been telling lies about ...
Tax Lawyer Barbara Edmonds vs Emperor Justinian I- Nolo Contendere: False historical explanations of pivotal events are very far from being inconsequential.WHEN BARBARA EDMONDS made reference to the Roman Empire, my ears pricked up. It is, lamentably, very rare to hear a politician admit to any kind of familiarity ...
It’s been a tumultuous time in politics in recent months, as the new National-led Government has driven through its “First 100 Day programme”. During this period there’s been a handful of opinion polls, which overall just show a minimal amount of flux in public support for the various parties in ...
Buzz from the Beehive Housing Minister Chris Bishop delivered news – packed with the ingredients to enflame political passions – worthy of supplanting Winston Peters in headline writers’ priorities. He popped up at the post-Cabinet press conference to promise a crackdown on unruly and antisocial state housing tenants. His ...
Ele Ludemann writes – The Reserve Bank is advertising for a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion advisor. The Bank has one mandate – to keep inflation between one and three percent. It has failed in that and is only slowly getting inflation back down to the upper limit. Will it ...
Last week former National Party leader Simon Bridges was appointed by the Government as the new chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). You can read about the appointment in Thomas Coughlan’s article, Simon Bridges to become chair of NZ Transport Agency Waka KotahiThe fact that a ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Last week former National Party leader Simon Bridges was appointed by the Government as the new chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). You can read about the appointment in Thomas Coughlan’s article, Simon Bridges to become chair of NZ Transport Agency ...
TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Gavin Jacobson talks to Thomas Piketty 10 years on from Capital in the 21st CenturyThe SalvoLocal scoop: Green MP’s business being investigated over migrant exploitation claims StuffSteve KilgallonLocal deep-dive: The commercial contractors making money from School ...
It’s a home - but Kāinga Ora tenants accused of “abusing the privilege” may lose it. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The Government announced a crackdown on Kāinga Ora tenants who were unruly and/or behind on their rent, with Housing Minister Chris Bishop saying a place in a state ...
This is a guest post by Connor Sharp of Surface Light Rail Light rail in Auckland: A way forward sooner than you think With the coup de grâce of Auckland Light Rail (ALR) earlier this year, and the shift of the government’s priorities to roads, roads, and more roads, it ...
Note: As a paid-up Webworm member, I’ve recorded this Webworm as a mini-podcast for you as well. Some of you said you liked this option - so I aim to provide it when I get a chance to record! Read more ...
TL;DR: In my ‘six-stack’ of substacks at 6.06pm on Monday, March 18:IKEA is accused of planting big forests in New Zealand to green-wash; REDD-MonitorA City for People takes a well-deserved victory lap over Wellington’s pro-YIMBY District Plan votes; A City for PeopleSteven Anastasiou takes a close look at the sticky ...
Buzz from the Beehive Here’s hoping for a lively post-cabinet press conference when the PM and – perhaps – some of his ministers tell us what was discussed at their meeting today. Until then, Point of Order has precious little Beehive news to report after its latest monitoring of the ...
David Farrar writes – We now have almost all 2023 data in, which has allowed me to update my annual table of how labour went against its promises. This is basically their final report card. The promiseThe result Build 100,000 affordable homes over 10 ...
I’m a bit worried that I’ve started a previous newsletter with the words “just when you think they couldn’t get any worse…” Seems lately that I could begin pretty much every issue with that opening. Such is the nature of our coalition government that they seem to be outdoing each ...
Geoffrey Miller writes – Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. ...
Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture ...
Last week Transport Minster Simeon Brown and Mayor Wayne Brown opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre. The new train control centre will see teams from KiwiRail, Auckland Transport and Auckland One Rail working more closely together to improve train services across the city. The Auckland Rail Operations Centre in ...
Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson said in an exit interview with Q+A yesterday the Government can and should sustain more debt to invest in infrastructure for future generations. Elsewhere in the news in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 6:36am: Read more ...
Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. It is more than just a happy ...
TL;DR: The key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to March 18 include:China’s Foreign Minister visiting Wellington today;A post-cabinet news conference this afternoon; the resumption of Parliament on Tuesday for two weeks before Easter;retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson gives his valedictory speech in Parliament; ...
New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters’s state-of-the-nation speech on Sunday was really a state-of-Winston-First speech. He barely mentioned any of the Government’s key policies and could not even wholly endorse its signature income tax cuts. Instead, he rehearsed all of his complaints about the Ardern Government, including an extraordinary claim ...
A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
“I’ve been internalising a really complicated situation in my head.”When they kept telling us we should wait until we get to know him, were they taking the piss? Was it a case of, if you think this is bad, wait till you get to know the real Christopher, after the ...
Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
.“$10 and a target that bleeds” - Bleeding Targets for Under $10!.Thanks for reading Frankly Speaking ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.This government appears hell-bent on either scrapping life-saving legislation or reintroducing things that - frustrated critics insist - will be dangerous and likely ...
“It hardly strikes me as fair to criticise a government for doing exactly what it said it was going to do. For actually keeping its promises.”THUNDER WAS PLAYING TAG with lightning flashes amongst the distant peaks. Its rolling cadences interrupted by the here-I-come-here-I-go Doppler effect of the occasional passing car. ...
Subversive & Disruptive Technologies: Just as happened with that other great regulator of the masses, the Medieval Church, the advent of a new and hard-to-control technology – the Internet – is weakening the ties that bind. Then, and now, those who enjoy a monopoly on the dissemination of lies, cannot and will ...
Been Here Before: To find the precedents for what this Coalition Government is proposing, it is necessary to return to the “glory days” of Muldoonism.THE COALITION GOVERNMENT has celebrated its first 100 days in office by checking-off the last of its listed commitments. It remains, however, an angry government. It ...
Bob Edlin writes – And what is the world watching today…? The email newsletter from Associated Press which landed in our mailbox early this morning advised: In the news today: The father of a school shooter has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter; prosecutors in Trump’s hush-money case ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Is another Green MP on their way out? And are the Greens severely tarnished by another integrity scandal? For the second time in three months, the Green Party has secretly suspended an MP over integrity issues. Mystery is surrounding the party’s decision to ...
For the last few years, the Green Party has been the party that has managed to avoid the plague of multiple scandals that have beleaguered other political parties. It appears that their luck has run out with a second scandal which, unfortunately for them, coincided with Golraz Ghahraman, the focus ...
TL;DR: The six newsey things that stood out to me as of 6:46am on Saturday, March 16.Andy Foster has accidentally allowed a Labour/Green amendment to cut road user chargers for plug-in hybrid vehicles, which the Government might accept; NZ HeraldThomas CoughlanSimeon Brown has rejected a plea from Westport ...
What seemed a booming success a couple of years ago has collapsed into fraud convictions.I looked at the crash of FTX (short for ‘Futures Exchange’) in November 2022 to see whether it would impact on the financial system as a whole. Fortunately there was barely a ripple, probably because it ...
Anybody following the situation in Ukraine and Russia would probably have been amused by a recent Tweet on X NATO seems to be putting in an awful lot of effort to influence what is, at least according to them, a sham election in an autocracy.When do the Ukrainians go to ...
TL;DR:Shaun Baker on Wynyard Quarter's transformation. Magdalene Taylor on the problem with smart phones. How private equity are now all over reinsurance. Dylan Cleaver on rugby and CTE. Emily Atkin on ‘Big Meat’ looking like ‘Big Oil’.Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15Photo by Jeppe Hove Jensen ...
Buzz from the Beehive Finance Minister Nicola Willis had plenty to say when addressing the Auckland Business Chamber on the economic growth that (she tells us) is flagging more than we thought. But the government intends to put new life into it: We want our country to be a ...
The Transport and Infrastructure Committee has reported back on the Road User Charges (Light Electric RUC Vehicles) Amendment Bill, basicly rubberstamping it. While there was widespread support among submitters for the principle that EV and PHEV drivers should pay their fair share for the roads, they also overwhelmingly disagreed with ...
Peter Dunne writes – This week’s government bailout – the fifth in the last eighteen months – of the financially troubled Ruapehu Alpine Lifts company would have pleased many in the central North Island ski industry. The government’s stated rationale for the $7 million funding was that it ...
See if you can spot the difference. An Iranian born female MP from a progressive party is accused of serial shoplifting. Her name is leaked to the media, which goes into a pack frenzy even before the Police launch an … Continue reading → ...
Ele Ludemann writes – The government is omitting general Treaty references from legislation : The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last Government in a bid to get greater coherence in the public service on Treaty ...
What was that judge thinking?Peter Williams writes – That Golriz Ghahraman and District Court Judge Maria Pecotic were once lawyer colleagues is incontrovertible. There is published evidence that they took at least one case to the Court of Appeal together. There was a report on ...
TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read:Climate Scorpion – the sting is in the tail. Introducing planetary solvency. A paper via the University of Exeter’s Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.Local scoop:Kāinga Ora starts pulling out of its Auckland projects and selling land RNZ ...
Wellington’s massively upzoned District Plan adds the opportunity for tens of thousands of new homes not just in the central city (such as these Webb St new builds) but also close to the CBD and public transport links. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Wellington gave itself the chance of ...
It’s Friday and we’re halfway through March Madness. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week in Greater Auckland On Monday Matt asked how we can get better event trains and an option for grade separating Morningside Dr. On Tuesday Matt looked into ...
Something you might not know about me is that I’m quite a stubborn person. No, really. I don’t much care for criticism I think’s unfair or that I disagree with. Few of us do I suppose.Back when I was a drinker I’d sometimes respond defensively, even angrily. There are things ...
Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:PM Christopher Luxon said the reversal of interest deductibility for landlords was done to help renters, who ...
It was not so much the Labour Party but really the Chris Hipkins party yesterday at Labour’s caucus retreat in Martinborough. The former Prime Minister was more or less consistent on wealth tax, which he was at best equivocal about, and social insurance, which he was not willing to revisit. ...
Buzz from the BeehiveThe text reproduced above appears on a page which records all the media statements and speeches posted on the government’s official website by Melissa Lee as Minister of Media and Communications and/or by Jenny Marcroft, her Parliamentary Under-secretary. It can be quickly analysed ...
For forty years, Robert Muldoon has been a dirty word in our politics. His style of government was so repulsive and authoritarian that the backlash to it helped set and entrench our constitutional norms. His pig-headedness over forcing through Think Big eventually gave us the RMA, with its participation and ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Is the new government reducing tax on rental properties to benefit landlords or to cut the cost of rents? That’s the big question this week, after Associate Finance Minister David Seymour announced on Sunday that the Government would be reversing the Labour Government’s removal ...
Saudi Arabia is rarely far from the international spotlight. The war in Gaza has brought new scrutiny to Saudi plans to normalise relations with Israel, while the fifth anniversary of the controversial killing of Jamal Khashoggi was marked shortly before the war began on October 7. And as the home ...
Questions need to be asked on both sides of the worldPeter Williams writes – The NRL Judiciary hands down an eight week suspension to Sydney Roosters forward Spencer Leniu , an Auckland-born Samoan, after he calls Ezra Mam, Sydney-orn but of Aboriginal and Torres Strait ...
Ele Ludemann writes – Contrary to what many headlines and news stories are saying, residential landlords are not getting a tax break. The government is simply restoring to them the tax deductibility of interest they had until the previous government removed it. There is no logical reason ...
I can't remember when it was goodMoments of happiness in bloomMaybe I just misunderstoodAll of the love we left behindWatching our flashbacks intertwineMemories I will never findIn spite of whatever you becomeForget that reckless thing turned onI think our lives have just begunI think our lives have just begunDoes anyone ...
Michael Bassett writes – At first reading, a front-page story in the New Zealand Herald on 13 March was bizarre. A group of severely intellectually limited teenagers, with little understanding of the law, have been pleading to the Justice Select Committee not to pass a bill dealing with ram ...
How much political capital is Christopher Luxon willing to burn through in order to deliver his $2.9 billion gift to landlords? Evidently, Luxon is: (a) unable to cost the policy accurately. As Anna Burns-Francis pointed out to him on Breakfast TV, the original ”rock solid” $2.1 billion cost he was ...
TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read:Jonathon Porritt calling bullshit in his own blog post on mainstream climate science as ‘The New Denialism’.Local scoop:The Wellington City Council’s list of proposed changes to the IHP recommendations to be debated later today was leaked this ...
TL;DR:Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said yesterday tenants should be grateful for the reinstatement of interest deductibility because landlords would pass on their lower tax costs in the form of lower rents. That would be true if landlords were regulated monopolies such as Transpower or Auckland Airport1, but they’re not, ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Tom Toro Tom Toro is a cartoonist and author. He has published over 200 cartoons in The New Yorker since 2010. His cartoons appear in Playboy, the Paris Review, the New York Times, American Bystander, and elsewhere. Related: What 10 EV lovers ...
The business section of the NZ Herald is full of opinion. Among the more opinionated of all is the ex-Minister of Transport, ex-Minister of Railways, ex MP for Auckland Central (1975-93, Labour), Wellington Central (1996-99, ACT, then list-2005), ex-leader of the ACT Party, uncle to actor Antonia, the veritable granddaddy ...
Hi,Just quickly — I’m blown away by the stories you’ve shared with me over the last week since I put out the ‘Gary’ podcast, where I told you about the time my friend’s flatmate killed the neighbour.And you keep telling me stories — in the comments section, and in my ...
The first season of Rings of Power was not awful. It was thoroughly underwhelming, yes, and left a lingering sense of disappointment, but it was more expensive mediocrity than catastrophe. I wrote at length about the series as it came out (see the Review section of the blog, and go ...
Buzz from the Beehive Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden told Auckland Business Chamber members they were the first audience to hear her priorities as a minister in a government committed to cutting red tape and regulations. She brandished her liberalising credentials, saying Flexible labour markets are the ...
Chris Trotter writes – TO UNDERSTAND WHY NEWSHUB FAILED, it is necessary to understand how TVNZ changed. Up until 1989, the state broadcaster had been funded by a broadcasting licence fee, collected from every citizen in possession of a television set, supplemented by a relatively modest (compared ...
Bob Edlin writes – The Māori Party has been busy issuing a mix of warnings and threats as its expresses its opposition to interest deductibility for landlords and the plans of seabed miners. It remains to be seen whether they follow the example of indigenous litigants in Australia, ...
Every year, in the Budget, Parliament forks out money to government agencies to do certain things. And every year, as part of the annual review cycle, those agencies are meant to report on whether they have done the things Parliament gave them that money for. Agencies which consistently fail to ...
Mike Grimshaw writes – Recent events in American universities point to an underlying crisis of coherent thinking, an issue that increasingly affects the progressive left across the Western world. This of course is nothing new as anyone who can either remember or has read of the late ...
The Government has accepted Labour’s change to the Road User Charge (RUC) discount for hybrid vehicles, meaning there will still be some incentive for people to buy greener vehicles. ...
Kicking the most vulnerable people out of state housing and pushing them towards homelessness will result in a proliferation of poverty and trauma across our most vulnerable communities. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader and MP for Waiariki, Rawiri Waititi has penned a letter asking MPs to support his members bill to remove GST from all food. The bill is expected to go through its first reading in parliament this Wednesday. “I’m calling on all political parties to support my ...
This year is about getting real with Kiwis and discussing the tough issues, as the National Government exacerbates inequality and divides New Zealand, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said ...
The Government adding Significant Natural Areas (SNAs) to its already roaring environmental policy bonfire is an assault on the future of wildlife that makes Aotearoa unique. ...
After 12 years of fighting to protect our moana we are finding ourselves back at square one and back at court. Today, the Environmental Protection Agency is sitting in Hawera to reconsider an application from Trans-Tasman Resources to dig up 50 million tonnes of the seabed in South Taranaki. This ...
Minister Shane Jones’ decision to step away from a seabed mining project is evidence of the murky waters surrounding the Government’s fast-track legislation. ...
The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last government in a bid to get greater coherence in the publicservice on Treaty matters. When ministers first considered the need for tighter oversight in 2021, there ...
The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last government in a bid to get greater coherence in the publicservice on Treaty matters. When ministers first considered the need for tighter oversight in 2021, there ...
The Coalition Government’s miscalculation saga continues as it has forgotten an eyewatering $90 million gap in its interest deductibility cost figures, say Labour Finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds and Revenue Spokesperson Deborah Russell. ...
He Pou a Rangi Climate Change Commission has today released advice that says if the Government doesn’t act now New Zealand is at risk of not meeting its climate goals. ...
The Coalition Government has today confirmed it is abandoning first home buyers who are struggling to get ahead, says Labour Finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds. ...
The New Zealand public voted for a change in direction at the 2023 general election and that is exactly what this coalition government has been delivering in its first 100 days. There was an immediate focus on the economy, easing the cost of living, cracking down on law and order ...
The Government has left the health system as an afterthought, announcing half-baked targets at the last minute of their 100-day plan, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
Kiwis are still waiting for their promised cost of living support after 100 days of a National Government that is taking us backwards, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The National Government has spent its first 100 days stopping, cutting and reversing. They have scrapped stuff for stuff for the sake of it, without putting up any solutions of their own – and it’s hardworking New Zealanders who will pay for it. ...
100 days of National taking NZ backwardsThe National Government has spent its first 100 days stopping, cutting and reversing. They have scrapped stuff for stuff for the sake of it, without putting up any solutions of their own – and it’s hardworking New Zealanders who will pay for it. ...
The Government must commit to funding free and healthy school lunches, as thousands of people sign the petition to keep them, education spokesperson Jan Tinetti says. ...
If the Government was serious about moving families into public housing, they would build more houses so there is actually somewhere for people to go. ...
The free and healthy school lunches programme feeds our kids, helps them to learn, and saves families money – but it is at risk under this Government, education spokesperson Jan Tinetti said. ...
The Government’s proposed changes to Firearms Prohibition Orders (FPO) add almost nothing new and are merely an attempt to distract from its plans to loosen gun laws, police spokesperson Ginny Andersen and justice spokesperson Dr Duncan Webb said. ...
The great Victorian era English politician Lord Macauley stood in the British House of Parliament and said, "The gallery in which the reporters sit has become a fourth estate of the realm".He understood and outlined even way back then, the significant role and influence media have in a democracy. ...
The government’s attack on Māori health this week is committing tangata-whenua to a premature death, says Te Pāti Māori. “The government have begun their onslaught on Māori health with the abolishment of the Māori Health Authority and smokefree laws in the same day” said health spokesperson and co-leader, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer. ...
New Zealand’s social workers are qualified, experienced, and more representative of the communities they serve, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “I want to acknowledge and applaud New Zealand’s social workers for the hard work they do, providing invaluable support for our most vulnerable. “To coincide with World ...
Cabinet has agreed to a reduced road user charge (RUC) rate for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. Owners of PHEVs will be eligible for a reduced rate of $38 per 1,000km once all light electric vehicles (EVs) move into the RUC system from 1 April. ...
Minister of Agriculture and Trade, Todd McClay, says that today’s opening of Riverland Foods manufacturing plant in Christchurch is a great example of how trade access to overseas markets creates jobs in New Zealand. Speaking at the official opening of this state-of-the-art pet food factory the Minister noted that exports ...
Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Wellington today. “It was a pleasure to host Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his first official visit to New Zealand since 2017. Our discussions were wide-ranging and enabled engagement on many facets of New Zealand’s relationship with China, including trade, ...
Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities has been instructed to end the Sustaining Tenancies Framework and take stronger measures against persistent antisocial behaviour by tenants, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Earlier today Finance Minister Nicola Willis and I sent an interim Letter of Expectations to the Board of Kāinga Ora. ...
Tēna koutou katoa. Greetings everyone. Thank you to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Honourable Simon Bridges for hosting this address today. I acknowledge the business leaders in this room, the leaders and governors, the employers, the entrepreneurs, the investors, and the wealth creators. The coalition Government shares your ...
Minister Winston Peters completed the final leg of his visit to South and South East Asia in Singapore today, where he focused on enhancing one of New Zealand’s indispensable strategic partnerships. “Singapore is our most important defence partner in South East Asia, our fourth-largest trading partner and a ...
Minister of Internal Affairs and Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon. Brooke van Velden, will travel to the Republic of Korea to represent New Zealand at the Third Summit for Democracy on 18 March. The summit, hosted by the Republic of Korea, was first convened by the United States in 2021, ...
ICNZ Speech 7 March 2024, Auckland Acknowledgements and opening Mōrena, ngā mihi nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Good morning, it’s a privilege to be here to open the ICNZ annual conference, thank you to Mark for the Mihi Whakatau My thanks to Tim Grafton for inviting me ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Lead Coordination Minister Judith Collins have expressed their deepest sympathy on the five-year anniversary of the Christchurch terror attacks. “March 15, 2019, was a day when families, communities and the country came together both in sorrow and solidarity,” Mr Luxon says. “Today we pay our respects to the 51 shuhada ...
Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024 Acknowledgements and opening Morena, Nga Mihi Nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Thanks Nate for your Mihi Whakatau Good morning. It’s a pleasure to formally open your conference this morning. What a lovely day in Wellington, What a great ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters held discussions in Jakarta today about the future of relations between New Zealand and South East Asia’s most populous country. “We are in Jakarta so early in our new government’s term to reflect the huge importance we place on our relationship with Indonesia and South ...
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has announced that the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, will visit New Zealand next week. “We look forward to re-engaging with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussing the full breadth of the bilateral relationship, which is one of New Zealand’s ...
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has today opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre, which will bring together KiwiRail, Auckland Transport, and Auckland One Rail to improve service reliability for Aucklanders. “The recent train disruptions in Auckland have highlighted how important it is KiwiRail and Auckland’s rail agencies work together to ...
The Government is proud to support the 10th edition of Crankworx Rotorua as the Crankworx World Tour returns to Rotorua from 16-24 March 2024, says Minister for Economic Development Melissa Lee. “Over the past 10 years as Crankworx Rotorua has grown, so too have the economic and social benefits that ...
Legislation implementing coalition Government tax commitments and addressing long-standing tax anomalies will be progressed in Parliament next week, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The legislation is contained in an Amendment Paper to the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill issued today. “The Amendment Paper represents ...
Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard has today announced that the Government has agreed to suspend the requirement for councils to comply with the Significant Natural Areas (SNA) provisions of the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity for three years, while it replaces the Resource Management Act (RMA).“As it stands, SNAs ...
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has classified the drought conditions in the Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts as a medium-scale adverse event, acknowledging the challenging conditions facing farmers and growers in the district. “Parts of Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts are in the grip of an intense dry spell. I know ...
The Government is helping farmers eradicate the significant impact of facial eczema (FE) in pastoral animals, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced. “A $20 million partnership jointly funded by Beef + Lamb NZ, the Government, and the primary sector will save farmers an estimated NZD$332 million per year, and aims to ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has completed a successful visit to India, saying it was an important step in taking the relationship between the two countries to the next level. “We have laid a strong foundation for the Coalition Government’s priority of enhancing New Zealand-India relations to generate significant future benefit for both countries,” says Mr Peters, ...
Cabinet has agreed to provide $7 million to ensure the 2024 ski season can go ahead on the Whakapapa ski field in the central North Island but has told the operator Ruapehu Alpine Lifts it is the last financial support it will receive from taxpayers. Cabinet also agreed to provide ...
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
Lower fruit and vegetable prices are welcome news for New Zealanders who have been doing it tough at the supermarket, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Stats NZ reported today the price of fruit and vegetables has dropped 9.3 percent in the 12 months to February 2024. “Lower fruit and vege ...
Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all. Chair, I am honoured to address the sixty-eighth session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all. Chair, I am honoured to address the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
The coalition Government is supporting farmers to enhance land management practices by investing $3.3 million in locally led catchment groups, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced. “Farmers and growers deliver significant prosperity for New Zealand and it’s vital their ongoing efforts to improve land management practices and water quality are supported,” ...
Good evening everyone and thank you for that lovely introduction. Thank you also to the Honourable Simon Bridges for the invitation to address your members. Since being sworn in, this coalition Government has hit the ground running with our 100-day plan, delivering the changes that New Zealanders expect of us. ...
Recommendations from the Climate Change Commission for New Zealand on the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) auction and unit limit settings for the next five years have been tabled in Parliament, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “The Commission provides advice on the ETS annually. This is the third time the ...
The coalition Government is beginning its fight to lower building costs and reduce red tape by exempting minor building work from paying the building levy, says Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk. “Currently, any building project worth $20,444 including GST or more is subject to the building levy which is ...
Proposed changes to tax legislation to prevent the over-taxation of low-earning trusts are welcome, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The changes have been recommended by Parliament’s Finance and Expenditure Committee following consideration of submissions on the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill. “One of the ...
Assalaamu alaikum. السَّلَام عليكم In light of the holy month of Ramadan, I want to extend my warmest wishes to our Muslim community in New Zealand. Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, renewed devotion, perseverance, generosity, and forgiveness. It’s a time to strengthen our bonds and appreciate the diversity ...
Former Transport Minister and CEO of the Auckland Business Chamber Hon Simon Bridges has been appointed as the new Board Chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) for a three-year term, Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced today. “Simon brings extensive experience and knowledge in transport policy and governance to the role. He will ...
Good morning all, it is a pleasure to be here as Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology. It is fantastic to see how connected and collaborative the life science and biotechnology industry is here in New Zealand. I would like to thank BioTechNZ and NZTech for the invitation to address ...
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says he is looking forward to the day when three key water projects in Northland are up and running, unlocking the full potential of land in the region. Mr Jones attended a community event at the site of the Otawere reservoir near Kerikeri on Friday. ...
Associate Finance Minister David Seymour has today announced that the Government has agreed to restore deductibility for mortgage interest on residential investment properties. “Help is on the way for landlords and renters alike. The Government’s restoration of interest deductibility will ease pressure on rents and simplify the tax code,” says ...
Sport and Recreation Minister Chris Bishop will travel to Switzerland today to attend an Executive Committee meeting and Symposium of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Mr Bishop will then travel on to London where he will attend a series of meetings in his capacity as Infrastructure Minister. “New Zealanders believe ...
This year’s Pacific Language Weeks celebrate regional unity and the contribution of Pacific communities to New Zealand culture, says Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti. Dr Reti announced dates for the 2024 Pacific Language Weeks during a visit to the Pasifika festival in Auckland today and says there’s so ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tim Curran, Associate Professor of Ecology, Lincoln University, New Zealand Getty Images/Gerald Corsi In the latest move to reform environmental laws in New Zealand, the coalition government has introduced a bill to fast-track consenting processes for projects deemed to ...
Uber has argued it does not have as much control over drivers as the unions suggest, and wants a judgment ruling that drivers are employees and not contractors set aside and sent back to the Employment Court. The 2022 ruling followed a three-week hearing in which four drivers sought to ...
What can and can’t be purchased by disabled people or their carers has been slashed in an effort by the Ministry of Disabled People Whaikaha to save money. The purchasing guidelines, a set of rules that sets out what can be purchased using the various streams of Government disability funding, ...
The Treasury has published today a new Analytical Note by Tod Wright and Hien Nguyen, Fiscal incidence in New Zealand: The effects of taxes and benefits on household incomes in tax year 2018/19 . Analyses of the distributional impact of taxation and government ...
The Treasury has published today a new Analytical Note by Cory Davis, Boston Hart and Benjamin Stubbing, Household cost-of-living impacts from the Emissions Trading Scheme and using transfers to mitigate regressive outcomes . This Analytical Note ...
A coalition of public transport and climate organisations, united as ‘Transport for All’, is actively opposing the government’s transport proposals. The draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) includes plans for higher fares for public transport, ...
Greater Wellington is inviting feedback on proposed changes to its Revenue and Financing Policy. The Revenue and Financing Policy covers the Council’s various sources of funding, and how the cost of services is shared across the region. This includes ...
Labour has conceded it could have done more to deal with disruptive state housing tenants while in government but says the current coalition is going too far. ...
The band has asked their record label to issue a cease and desist to stop the NZ First leader using their 1997 hit to support his ‘misguided political views’. “I get knocked down, but I get up again,” blared through the speakers on Sunday as Winston Peters took the stage ...
By Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific journalist Food rationing is underway in remote areas in Papua New Guinea’s Highlands following torrential rain and flash flooding. More than 20 people have been reported dead in Chimbu Province. In nearby Enga Province, the centre of last month’s massacre, a 15-year-old boy has been ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Hughes, Lecturer, Research School of Management, Australian National University After months of debate and intrigue, the AFL’s 19th and newest team, the Tasmania Devils, finally launched its jumper, logo and colours in Devonport this week. The Devils will wear green, ...
Brannavan Gnanalingam reviews the debut novel by Saraid de Silva.One of the most baffling things for children who move to a new country is what their parents’ (or grandparents’) lives were like prior to moving – for kids in particular, they’re too busy trying to fit in in their ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Gaunson, Associate Professor in Cinema Studies, RMIT University Narelle Portanier/Binge “If you don’t know who your mob are, you don’t know who you are,” Detective Andrea “Andie” Whitford (played by Leah Purcell) is told early into the new crime ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Elise Klein, Associate professor, Australian National University It’s commonly accepted that women do the vast majority of caregiving in Australian society. But less appreciated is that Indigenous women do larger amounts of unpaid care than any other group. Working with the Aboriginal ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne Joe Biden and Donald Trump have both secured their parties’ nominations for the November 5 United States general election by winning a ...
Comment: There has been a striking contrast in trans-Tasman interest about Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi’s visit to New Zealand and Australia. While the Australian press has been full of articles about the visit – including his curious decision to meet with former prime minister and China booster Paul Keating ...
After years of pressuring banks and other institutions to stop investing in fossil fuels, climate campaigners are making some progress. So how does divestment work?For years, climate activists have been pushing banks and other big institutions to divest from fossil fuels. New research from climate advocacy group 350 Aotearoa ...
For Boba, Ethan and Ashley, K-pop is a place to belong, a way to express themselves, and a bridge to connect with others. The three young Polynesians are part of a K-pop fan community in Tāmaki Makaurau. It’s one of many that have sprung up worldwide as K-pop has gone ...
For Boba, Ethan and Ashley, K-pop is a place to belong, a way to express themselves, and a bridge to connect with others. This one-off documentary presents three intimate portraits of young Polynesians who are pulled into a Korean cultural phenomenon. K-POLYS is directed by Litia Tuiburelevu, Produced by Hex ...
There’s ample evidence demonstrating free school lunch programmes provide wide benefits across schools, households and communities according to public health researchers. ACT Minister David Seymour wants to reduce the spending on Aotearoa New Zealand’s ...
By Wata Shaw in Suva Fiji is facing an exodus of Fijians as many are leaving for overseas seeking employment and education and others are migrating, says Opposition MP Viliame Naupoto. Speaking in Parliament, he said: “His Excellency’s speech (Ratu Wiliame Katonivere) comes after a little over one year of ...
The Taxpayers’ Union is welcoming comments from Christopher Luxon this morning recommitting to ‘no new taxes’ as part of Budget 2024. “Mr Luxon’s refusal at the Post-Cabinet press conference yesterday to repeat the ‘no new taxes’ promise ...
SAFE is urgently calling on the Environment Committee to reject the Government’s Fast-Track Approvals Bill, and is urging New Zealanders to rally behind the call. The proposed Bill, currently under consideration with the Environment select committee, ...
Teammates who spend all their time picking fights with spectators are only helpful for the other team, writes Madeleine Chapman. Anyone who has ever played a team sport competitively, particularly as a child and particularly, for some reason, basketball, will know that there’s a lot of politics involved. While there ...
The long-running Wellington music festival is too focused on the Jim Beam-ness and not enough on the Homegrown-ness.There is something about Homegrown that’s difficult to place. A barely perceptible-ness. Like feeling a ghost is watching you from the corner of the room but when you look, there’s nothing there. ...
The latest Ipsos New Zealand Issues Monitor reveals that fewer New Zealanders believe crime / law and order is one of the top issues facing our country. In 2018, Ipsos New Zealand started tracking the key issues facing New Zealand. In this wave ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kate Griffiths, Deputy Program Director, Budgets and Government, Grattan Institute Australia’s political donations rules are woefully inadequate, but donations reform is finally on the agenda. The federal government has signalled its interest in reform and will soon begin briefing MPs on its ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Patrick Taylor, Chief Environmental Scientist, EPA Victoria; Honorary Professor, School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University Naiyana Somchitkaeo/Shutterstock A recent study published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine has linked microplastics with risk to human health. The study ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Albert Van Dijk, Professor, Water and Landscape Dynamics, Fenner School of Environment & Society, Australian National University Global climate records were shattered in 2023, from air and sea temperatures to sea-level rise and sea-ice extent. Scores of countries recorded their hottest year ...
As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a teacher explains why he and his partner are in frugal mode – and how they’re making it work. Gender: Male Age: 35Ethnicity: Pākehā Role: I am an intermediate school teacher and my partner is ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sarah Bendall, Senior Lecturer, Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences, Australian Catholic University Binge Mary & George, the new British television drama series, depicts the real-life story of Mary Villiers and her son George, and their social climbing at the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jason Nassios, Associate Professor, Centre of Policy Studies, Victoria University This article is part of The Conversation’s series examining the housing crisis. Read the other articles in the series here. Australian state and federal governments spend money in many ways to ...
The finance minister is denying that there’s a $5.6b shortfall in paying for the government’s campaign promises, including tax cuts. At his post-cabinet press conference yesterday, the PM refused to rule out new taxes to pay for the cuts, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s ...
Kāinga Ora tenants abused by their neighbours are doubting the government's crackdown on disruptive tenants will make a difference on their behaviour. ...
Kāinga Ora is New Zealand’s biggest residential landlord, housing more than 180,000 vulnerable people in more than 67,000 properties. Yesterday the government announced a crackdown on its tenants who fall behind on rent. One longtime Kāinga Ora tenant shares her experience.For 18 years I lived in a 1960s standalone ...
Why does this myth persist, and what’s the real reason our skin is suffering?It’s one of the biggest international grievances New Zealanders hold, up there with the sinking of the Rainbow Warrior and 1981’s underarm incident. We’re quick to tell international travellers that the world’s pollution led to the ...
Auckland Council is opposing a fast-track development backed by Sir John Kirwan and Spark NZ, because it doesn’t meet stringent new climate adaptation requirements The post Surf-data centre faces new 3.8C climate warming rules appeared first on Newsroom. ...
When the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act was introduced in 2009 it was firmly targeted at gangs and drugs. The legislation means police no longer need a conviction to seize assets that criminals can’t prove were paid for legitimately, as long as their alleged offences are punishable by more than a ...
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[quiz],DIV[quiz],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, Tuesday 19 March appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Bob’s relationship with certain members of Lincoln’s academic staff continued to deteriorate in the 1990s. Others supported him publicly, though articles such as Roland Clark’s 1993 piece in Growing Today cannot have pleased the university management. Clark wrote that Bob was selling onions from the Biological Husbandry Unit to a ...
SailGP’s races feature in-your-face action, with agile, hydro-foiling catamarans tacking and jibing for the title over several days. However, public comments ahead of the global series’ return to New Zealand have left this past year’s controversy in the shadows, as a key appointment attracts criticism from dolphin advocates. A year ...
Opinion: We are fast approaching a fundamental change in prisons. As the number of people on custodial remand looks set to overtake the number of sentenced prisoners, the main function of prisons in New Zealand may become incarcerating un-sentenced people who may not be guilty of offending. We have already ...
A huge seven months lies in store for the White Ferns, beginning this week with the visit of England and culminating with the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh in September and October. Starting on Tuesday in Dunedin, the world ranked No. 2 visitors will play five T20s and three ODIs, ...
Opinion: In a move that has shocked road safety advocates across the country, the new Minister of Transport, Simeon Brown, is poised to abandon the previous government’s speed limit reduction policy, particularly around schools. Even more alarmingly, he wants school speed limits to be variable rather than full-time, arguing ...
The letters, which were published last week, were addressed to Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) Chairperson Megawati Sukarnoputri, National Democrat Party (NasDem) Chairperson Surya Paloh, National Awakening Party (PKB) Chairperson Muhaimin Iskandar, Justice and Prosperity Party (PKS) President Ahmad Syaikhu and United Development Party (PPP) Chairperson Muhammad Mardiono. In ...
Evicting more people from state housing is ignorant to the consequences of poverty, the Greens say, but the Housing Minister says it's a privilege that can be taken away if abused. ...
Evicting more people from state housing is ignorant to the consequences of poverty, the Greens say, but the Housing Minister says it's a privilege that can be taken away if abused. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Emerald L King, Lecturer in Humanities, University of Tasmania IMDB Between Netflix’s 2023 live-action version of One Piece, and its latest take on Avatar: The Last Airbender, fans are once again asking: why are live-action anime adaptations so tricky to ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Emerald L King, Lecturer in Humanities, University of Tasmania IMDB Between Netflix’s 2023 live-action version of One Piece, and its latest take on Avatar: The Last Airbender, fans are once again asking: why are live-action anime adaptations so tricky to ...
The government says it still intends to deliver tax cuts by July, but will not lock them in until they have got them past their coalition partners. ...
Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII has hosted members of the Green Party Caucus at Tuurangawaewae Marae in Ngaaruawahia. The audience follows the King’s Hui-aa-Motu on 20 January, where more than 10,000 people gathered to discuss national ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dr Rachael Potter, Research Associate and Lecturer in Work and Organisational Psychology, University of South Australia Ground Picture/Shutterstock Pregnant women and workers with children are often unfairly treated by their bosses and colleagues, despite laws to protect against workplace discrimination ...
Reacting to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s refusal to rule out introducing new taxes at the budget, Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said: “Today’s refusal to rule out new taxes suggests the Government is nothing more ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Duckett, Honorary Enterprise Professor, School of Population and Global Health, and Department of General Practice and Primary Care, The University of Melbourne Aila Images/Shutterstock Aged-care workers will receive a significant pay increase after the Fair Work Commission ruled they ...
He’s bringing ‘Sophie’ back, yeah. Goodshirt’s ‘Sophie’ music video is one of the most instantly recognisable New Zealand music videos of all time. Featuring a woman listening to the song on headphones while her entire house is burgled behind her, the video won the New Zealand music award for Best ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Blaxland, Professor, Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Australian National University A year ago, the AUKUS agreement was formally announced between Australian and UK Prime Ministers Anthony Albanese and Rishi Sunak and US President Joe Biden. The agreement mapped out the “optimal ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andreas Helwig, Associate Professor, Electro-Mechanical Engineering, University of Southern Queensland SmartS/Shutterstock Steam locomotives clattering along railway tracks. Paddle steamers churning down the Murray. Dreadnought battleships powered by steam engines. Many of us think the age of steam has ended. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Carrie Leonetti, Associate Professor of Law, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Victims who experience family violence in Aotearoa New Zealand are treated differently, depending on which part of the justice system they turn to for help. But a new member’s bill ...
i am looking forward to public consternation re climate-change = gloal-fucken-apocalypse..
to come somewhere near that engendered by a spinning coloured wheel during a fucken thugby-match..
just saying..!
(‘would you like some bacon with that..?’..)
Please keep the rugby down to a background murmer. As we don't advertise, we really don't need to follow the NZ heralds need to attract advertisers.
Kind of gross their coverage this morning in the printed edition. Was looking at it on pressreader.
obsequious sycophancy.
(trotters' latest piece is well worth the read – and explains the incrementalism of this govt – trotter makes a strong case that it's all down to roberston…
and i hafta agree with him..)
https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2019/09/20/who-will-be-fed-next-to-the-hungry-gods-of-politics/
(excerpt..)
'Guided by the éminence grise of Labour’s “Third Way” conservatism, Sir Michael Cullen, Robertson bound Labour in fiscal chains so tight that, in the unlikely event of a Labour-led government being formed, it would lack all freedom of movement. No matter how luminous the promises of “transformation”, without the money to turn promises into reality, the person making them was bound to end up discredited'.
(robertson has gotta go..!..)
Its a complete rant ,too silly for words.
" it would lack all freedom of movement. No matter how luminous the promises of “transformation”, without the money to turn promises into reality"
What promises have been turned back by no money?
Housing for one , not restricted by money so much ( capital spending,its not counted against a 'surplus') as the ability to build.
meaningful welfare-reform – as just one example..
are you saying robertson is not a neoliberal-incrementalist – who walks faithfully in the foot-prints left by fellow third-wayer cullen..?
that's denying the evidence before yr eyes..isn't it..?
(and yr reference to kiwibuild could not be more apt..
given it is a classic example of the middle-class welfare so favoured by third-wayers/neoliberal-incrementalists..
and as for real reform for the poorest..?…
yeah – nah – eh..?..they don't do that…)
"given it is a classic example of middle-class welfare"
I think that is a very generous take on it, seriously who can afford a new home for their first home, i would have said more high income than middle, besides it is welfare for property developers.
Mr Trotter has a new piece (and audience) that may paint a different motivation (from a different party)…whos playing who?
"National’s success thus hinges upon its ability to generate sufficient fury among Gen-Xers to vote against both their parents and their children. They must be encouraged to call down a plague upon the houses of both the old and the young, so that, finally, a government can be elected that listens to them; delivers to them; and only to them. Simon Bridges and Paula Bennett will bend all their powers towards convincing Generation X of the old adage: “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.”
https://www.interest.co.nz/opinion/101787/chris-trotter-looks-how-different-generations-see-and-judge-prime-minister-jacinda
Have to agree. Nothing in there that you could look at as being evidential. Plus he appears to be simply regurgitating Garner who said much the same thing recently whilst talking about the need of the parliamentary press gallery to feed off blood as a pack.
He is a writer in love with rhetoric and he gets paid for it. I wonder what his take was at the Whalerump.
surely 'the evidence' is that roberston is by definition a neoliberal-incrementalist – ?
and he is just doing what neoliberal-incrementalists do..?
(and the stellar example of that – is that of the 42 recommendations from welfare reform group – for urgent welfare reform – to provide some relief from the grinding poverty – 3 have been accepted by this govt..(!)
and one of those three is an easing of the clawback provisions of any part time work undertaken by benificiaries..
and here is the exciting bit..!..going up in tiny wee increments – benificiaries will be able to – by 2022 – to earn about another twenty bucks a week..(!)
which we can all agree – will do sweet fuck all…
this is what neoliberal incrementalists – like robertson – call 'welfare reform'…
and this is why he has to go..
(i have eyes tightly-closed/fingers-crossed – going 'plse plse let the current scandal take him down..!'..)
ardern should fire him..
and i agree that trotter often spouts colourful shite..
but not this time…
this time he is on the money..
I think much of our government's reluctance to introduce worthwhile welfare reform is they figure that most of that sector are going to vote left regardless.
Unlikely to happen but it leaves room for National to campaign on such a platform. This could squeeze the coalition to take action.
If the right promised sweeping welfare reform would you vote for them Phil?
i don't feel like playing silly-hypotheticals..
that will never happen..
may as well discuss: 'what if we all had ponies?'..
it ain't gonna happen..
meanwhile…
The coalition introducing sweeping welfare reforms is also a hypothetical suggestion. A prospect you regularly entertain.
What would you call your pony?
Stewie
'The coalition introducing sweeping welfare reforms'..
like we were promised – pre-election..?
i am not talking 'ponies'..
i am talking broken promises..
and all do-able…
When the government are questioned on this subject they typically revert to a long list of what they consider to be major steps forward. They deliver their lists with such conviction it's almost like they believe that $200 at the beginning of winter has brought sunlight flooding into 1000's of lives. $200 is of course merely a half full Countdown trolley.
They do usually end their lists with something like "We do acknowledge that there is still an awful lot of work to do…." Political flim flam that indicates 'don't worry Phil, we're getting to your concerns….look at all the fabulous stuff we've already done.'
they have no 'list' to read out on this one –
just an embarrassed silence..
Sepuloni could spend 30 minutes informing us on how life has improved for welfare recipients and not pause for breath.
she could talk about the new pot-plants in the winz offices..
and how the winz security-guards have been told to tone down the concentration-camp guards attitudes/rhetoric..
that's about it – really..
But that's not what is happening Phil. Here is 9 mins of Carmel back in May assuring beneficiaries that everything is in hand and that there is nothing to worry about.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCsE4EVtRH8
The point I'm trying to make is: It appears they believe they are meeting your wishes Phil.
no….i don't think they are that dumb..
they know full well that what they are doing adds up to s.f.a…
(and sorry – i can't watch sepuloni..
her cant/false-promises/defences of the indefensile – are not good for my blood temperature/blood-pressure..)
Seems they would not have to deal with welfare if they confronted very excessive immigration rates as they said they would .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7gypBpOz9g
Michael Reddell
Nice to see some confirmation of my surmises. The neo-liberal technocracy haven't been measuring their outcomes properly, so that the policies they foist on us, allegedly in our interests, based on their alleged expertise, have just been making things harder. The pretense of economic expertise expressed in policy needs to be rubbished until the mandarin class produce some objective results.
That sounds right SM. I have thought that a lot of what we decide and do is actually based on emotion and personal choice. It gets wrapped up in specially chosen stats and justified because someone said something in a big country or a right wing think tank or Treasury, that fount of all wisdom whose effectiveness is never judged by the actual outcomes on the ground. It's never their fault, as they have an out for everything.
It makes a nonsense of pretensions to evidence based policy, which ought to review it pdq.
perhaps you cant count
Labour won 46 seats out of the 120 at the election after 37% of the vote.
The Greens dropped from 14 to 6 seats
Some of The WEAG report is part of the Confidence and Supply Agreement with the Green Party. – Just ONE paragraph of 20.
https://www.greens.org.nz/sites/default/files/NZLP%20%26%20GP%20C%26S%20Agreement%20FINAL.PDF
i can count enough to know that the ability to earn an extra $20 a week – by 2022 – as a measure taken to provide some relief from the grinding poverty suffered by the poorest..
adds up to a fart in a windstorm…
how do you read that any differently..?
mathematically speaking..?
gotta correct an error there – that increase is by 2023 -not 2022…
(it goes up by five bucks a yr…
woo-fucken-hoo..!..eh….)
Not able to count .
38% of the vote doenst give the labour a majority to make the changes even when its in their manifesto
The Phil Ure party got no votes at all
Point out where their actions are against the policy
What about the $20 per person per week increase for beneficiaries – sold as a Winter energy grant
https://www.labour.org.nz/socialdevelopment
lab + grns + nz first – they all promised welfare-reform…
they have (all) delivered textbook incrementalism..
namely – done s.f.a…
i understand you are a full-time labour apologist – so relax – the blame is being shared..
and what about that twenty bucks per wk (just ended..)
so we are now back in the position (except for sole-parents – and goodonthem..! – i begrudge not a cent going to them – they should be getting more..)
we are back in the position where the key/tories' twenty dollar raise to base-rates – is the most that has been done for the poorest – in the past 30 yrs..
i would be really keen to hear yr take on that..'cos i reckon that fact should have all lab/grn/nz first apologists shifting uncomfortably in their seats..
i repeat – the tories/key did more welfare reform…than this lab/grn/nz first has done..
and as an apologist for none of the above – i reckon that both sucks and blows..
i look forward to yr convolutions…
What you need is a far left party that's polling above 40 percent, one which carries the voters with it when offering up its non neoliberal incrementalism, on its way to getting a mandate to govern according to those policies.
Do you have one of them, Philip?
no – what i want is a labour party that actually is a labour party –
not one that has been in the thrall of the neoliberal-incrementaists – since douglas..
but one that looks to its' own roots..
to know/see what needs to be done..
and then to bloody well get on and do it..
Right, so you want the Labour Party to become unelectable by JA sacking the finance minister and implementing policy it 1: wouldn't get into law past nz1st, and 2: hasn't got a mandate from the people for anyway.
Er, okay, astute punditry 🙄
blame nz first if you like..(i'm not buying it..)
and the/any mandate is already there..
c.f..the pre-election promises made – and the subsequent election..
No, no mandate for 180 degree turns when you cobble together a three way broad church government.
The thing you types always fail to answer is where the votes are coming from. If as you say 90% of votes are for Neo Libs, and half are split between both major parties, the maths don't add up. You may lose some middle ground labour votes but guaranteed you won't get any back from national. That's pretty basic.
Also, there's a to the left of Labour Party already and they only poll 6%. If and when the numbers switch round, that would be a sign for labour to turn more left or change leader like last time the balance was skewed less in their favour.
But you want labour to change. Well it's clear to me that won't happen. While the electorate is polarised, it's incremental all the way in the battle for the middle ground. You can of course pay your subs, work from the inside, and do the hard yards to enact your policy direction. You could always do a momentum and take over, stick your guy in the big seat and watch him poll 20% though I won't wish you good luck.
'you types'..
heh..!..i'm pleading for a definition here…
tell us all ya know about 'you types'…
You types are the ones who have no idea of how politics work in 2019, choosing to peddle daydream slogans without concept of what the voting public is willing to accept, but enough about you, let's hear you rebut and counter the points I raised.
I will wait.
what am i not getting about 'how politics works in 2019'..
i'll wait..!..)
'daydream slogans'..no – pre-election promises made..
and re yr above comment..
at least you seem to have accepted that incrementalism as the reality..
to the extent you are now defending it..heh..!
do ya need a t-shirt..?
(suggested slogan..)
'i'm an incrementalist..! – say it loud – and say it proud..!'
I thought that over-use of semi-ellipses is a sure-sign if early-onset incrementalism …
The numbers, Philip, the numbers. You need to address how you'll take the Neo lib voters with you when you push a full on socialist agenda on those who, according you, don't vote for it en mass.
That you see incremental change to the left as such a bad thing, given there's no mandate for making sweeping changes, neither being in a manifesto or campaigned upon, is sort of proof that you don't understand how modern NZ politics work.
It doesn't mean people who accept the reality we find ourselves in don't want change, or even change quickly, but it is reality and there's just there's no point posturing over cliches like its some sort of popularity contest. I didn't party vote labour and wanted much more left leaning policy, but without those numbers, remember those numbers phil? You have to take what you get and push for more votes next time.
Ill wear that tee shirt and not have a Nat government any day of the week until the polling backs my ideology and I can wear one saying 'My vote won it – and I didn't have to resort to posting like an uninformed dong on the internet'
"A Wellington sole parent with a two year old and an income of $45,000:
Coalition governments do not ‘make promises’ before elections, only after the subsequent negotiations. Aint compromise a bitch.
Sorry Sacha that’s BS. JA stole hearts and minds with Labour’s pre election blurb on how social reform was so badly needed. That’s what people remember. Not post election coalition drivel. She’s had opportunities to show she meant what she said and hasn’t shown any real backbone on anything. I’m from the right and realised we needed a fairer CGT and when she waved the white flag on that I believed she was all BS. Since then there’s been nothing happen that’s changed my mind.
@ duke of whatever..
i have already noted multiple times that sole parents are the only ones who have been helped..and how that is good..
so unsure what the fuck yr gotcha! is all about..
(see above – still waiting..)
@Newview Labour is not the whole government. Moan all you want about how that party have not secured what they promised but be clear who you are talking about.
The voters didn’t vote for this Coalition by personally voting for each of the partners . Labour took on NZF to get power and it was JA electioneering rhetoric That got labour into a position to do that. The voters didn’t give a toss what Winston had to say it was JA they listened to. You can believe what you like Sacha.
@ New view
So if Labour had not agreed to give Winston First as much as they did, then he would have gone with National and you would then presumably be on a right wing site right now moaning about how a National led government was not achieving everything that National had campaigned on. As a centrist party NZF will always act like a dragging handbrake on the government of the day regardless of whether it leans left or right.
Solkta. I’ve never liked this MMP idea but that’s another discussion. Sometimes the bigger party has to make a stand and call out the other partner if they feel strongly over proposed policy. With the CGT there was no attempt to push the point by labour. If JA had been strong and really wanted legalisation she could have taken it to a vote making the result public. It would then have been seen publicly that Winston was really the problem. That didn’t happen so did Labour really want a CGT we’ll never know. I don’t believe they were that keen. We wouldn’t want to rock the boat in case we loose votes, or upset Winston heaven forbid. It’s wishywashy BS as we’ve seen with the slow progress on other social issues.
Ha! If we all listed the top 20 policy platforms/machinations for our ideal Government most of us would end up with a framework that only 5% of NZers would vote for.
In my search for contentment I've resigned to operating my household as I would my ideal government. I fear wishing for much more is a recipe for discontent.
Wonderful to have your commentary on this blog phillip…
So called 'left' parties are being smashed worldwide by the rise of the right, and the answer from the elite is just to sit tight and follow the likes of fake lefties Trudeau, Shorten or Hilary to almost certain defeat.
Do you want to walk through that one?
So called left parties are being smashed by the right. Does that mean if they had real left leaders instead, the people who deserted the fake left leaders and voted right, wouldn't vote right anymore but go back to the left?
Thats an interesting, if not implausible logic jump.
All the momentum was with Sanders and Corbyn during the previous US and UK elections.
If they weren't hobbled by their own parties undermining them and were able to be unleashed onto the public, we would have gained one left government today, probably two.
So it would be like someone saying Jacinda isn't left enough so I'm gonna vote for Bridges. Yeah, makes sense. lol
As for Corbyn, he got 40% against May, and yet with no challenges from within since, apart from those who left to form change or whatever it’s called, he’s plunged to the low 20s. Go figure.
Up until now that is, at the party conference, where grassroots activists are pushing against Corbyn's fence sitting, wanting an unambiguous Remain stance.
Trying to shaft the deputy leader won't help win over the majority remainers in the party, either.
Was that a comparison of two political phenoms with the Bridge? Ok… Probably best if I leave you to talk about the failure of Corbyn post election. You seem very good at that…
chrs maui..
i can't believe how – in just political-realities terms – they seem unable to see what you talk about..
'what do we want..?'
'incrementalism'..
'when do we want it..?'
'at some as yet undefined time in the future..!'
meanwhile the right rises – and the planet fucken boils..
well done..!..einsteins…!
This last election was luck, a talking pulpit, but these pricks won't talk. High regards , Ure.
Neoliberal incrementalist. Isn't that really just a more palatable name for conservatism?
pretty much…
(tho' adherents to neoliberalism don't like talking about it..and don't usually like being identified as such..
it is the ideology that dares not say its' name..)
How soon some forget. Labour made some promises before the last election. They did involve more spending than National, but they also included scrapping National's tax cuts that would have applied from April 2018. National campaigned on putting more money into everyone's pockets through cutting tax. Who wouldn't like a bit more money in their pockets each payday? But National lied about what they would have to do as a result of their tax cuts – they would further reduce services from government, but they never admitted to that – they called their cuts efficiency savings.
In order to get votes, Labour promised limits on borrowing, not to introduce new taxes or increase taxes until after a report had been issued (and after the next election) – and coalition negotiations required some funding for Green and NZ First priorities.
Now you are wanting a large increase in spending for one sector. Lets be clear, I am sure many Labour supporters would like spending on benefits to increase now, but National is not the only bullshitter, philip ure – any major change in public spending will have implications for either tax raising or other spending, with other consequential changes to employment, overall borrowing, inflation, etc.
So are you simply calling for our current government to be branded liars, or do you have proposals for how to raise the money your spending increases would need? Would you cut spending on hospitals and Pharmac? Would you renege on pay settlements with nurses and teachers?
So where does the philip ure party sit? Responsible government that understands that more spending in one area needs changes in another area? Or a liar party that pretends cutting taxes can be matched by "efficiency gains" without cutting services? Be responsible, philip, and give us the other side of your wish-list – "Show us the Money!"
'"Show us the Money!"..'
easy..!
higher taxes on the richest – a land-tax on the land-bankers..
a financial transaction tax..
(how's that for starters….?..)
and at the other end – make the first 20 grand of income tax-free…
that would end the kafkaesque situation of the poorest being taxed on the miserly sums they are given..and they would get that money instead..
how am i going so far..?
Consistent in ignoring the reality that campaign promises cannot be totally ignored. Honesty and integrity are valuable attributes in gaining votes – or are you happy to see Labour in opposition again so soon?
did you miss/not hear the 'transformational welfare-reform' we were promised..
i repeat – all i am asking of those three parties – is that they do what they promised to do..
that they make good on those pre-election promises they all made..
that is all i am asking of them – in that area of policy..
Well overdue for moving the tax brackets.
Earn over $48k and you pay 30% tax on the bit over $48k….thats way too much tax.
Earn over $70k and pay 33% on that.
I reckon you should pay 30% on income over $70k and 33% on income over $100k. Then have another tax bracket say 39% for income over $150k and 45% for income over $200k
https://www.labour.org.nz/familiespackage
Its a broad based scheme
All this sort of talk goes way over Phils head. As hes doesnt support a family or know or care about this as it wont end up in HIS pocket
"
How about this one
A Wellington sole parent with a two year old and an income of $45,000:
Fess up Phil , as its mostly about those with young kids, you are missing out and beating the drum here about your empty pockets
all that you write about is not for the poorest..
it is just more for the 'deserving=families' – as defined by clark..
the 'undeserving' – also as defined by clark – are still being left to rot..
and i have raised my children – so you can just fuck off with that ad-hom..
and no – i am not arguing for my 'empty-pockets'..
once again – you can just fuck off with that one too..
Another shill singing for his supper. These tame 'left' column fillers seem to like to impress their fellow political anoraks and upset the leftys who think their opinion matters.
Chris who ? from the echo chamber of nz political repeaters.
@ tc..
'These tame 'left' column fillers seem to like to impress their fellow political anoraks and upset the leftys who think their opinion matters.'
um..!..i have read the above sentence four times – and i cannot understand whatever it is you are trying to say..
would you mind translating for me..?
Rhetoric to entertain the masses and impress each other (his fellow soapbox holders like hoots etc) whilst not upsetting his paymasters i.e. the media owners.
Trotter makes his living saying SFA but still manages to upset people who think he should be saying and doing more in the echo chamber of the NZ media.
Chris who ?
Reading Marilyn Waring's record of her 9 years under Muldoon he refused to reform the economy at the expense of the poorest. Unlike the last 35 years.
I see we're still on the remarkably dense and blind view that whatever Labour's failing to be transformational in Government is down to everyone who isn't Jacinda, in this case it's Robertson's fault.
The Peasants Revolt failed because Wat Tyler and the rebels believed the King was actually pure of heart and on their side, but was misled by his 'wicked' advisors.
Same as it ever was.
hmm!! – i wonder if robertson has thought of playing the wat tyler/peasants' revolt card yet..?
maybe he is saving it for when things get gnarly for him..?
(points tho' for the historical-reach/shout-out in yr comment..)
The historical reach is important. it shows for example that rigorous debate(and discourse) were important parts of a vigorous democracy.
Isocrates in Areopagiticus some 25 centuries ago.
The less well-to-do among the citizens were so far from envying those of greater means that they were as solicitous for the great estates as for their own, considering that the prosperity of the rich was a guarantee of their own well-being. Those who possessed wealth, on the other hand, did not look down upon those in humbler circumstances, but, regarding poverty among their fellow-citizens as their own disgrace, came to the rescue of the distresses of the poor, handing over lands to some at moderate rentals, sending out some to engage in commerce, and furnishing means to others to enter upon various occupations;
for they had no fear that they might suffer one of two things—that they might lose their whole investment or recover, after much trouble, only a mere fraction of their venture; on the contrary, they felt as secure about the money which was lent out as about that which was stored in their own coffers. For they saw that in cases of contract the judges were not in the habit of indulging their sense of equity1 but were strictly faithful to the laws;
and that they did not in trying others seek to make it safe for themselves to disobey the law,1 but were indeed more severe on defaulters than were the injured themselves, since they believed that those who break down confidence in contracts do a greater injury to the poor than to the rich; for if the rich were to stop lending, they would be deprived of only a slight revenue, whereas if the poor should lack the help of their supporters they would be reduced to desperate straits.
And so because of this confidence no one tried to conceal his wealth1 nor hesitated to lend it out, but, on the contrary, the wealthy were better pleased to see men borrowing money than paying it back; for they thus experienced the double satisfaction—which should appeal to all right-minded men—of helping their fellow-citizens and at the same time making their own property productive for themselves. In fine, the result of their dealing honorably with each other was that the ownership of property was secured to those to whom it rightfully belonged, while the enjoyment of property was shared by all the citizens who needed it.
http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0144%3Aspeech%3D7%3Asection%3D32
I thought Trotter’s was a lovely story but not quite at the epic level of Homer, for example. I think he could make a decent living turning it into an audiobook for budding ballet choreographers or as storyteller on a late-night radio show for insomniacs. However, it didn’t pass the mustard as political commentary from a wannabe political historian although I did enjoy his joyous verbosity and I might apply it to spice up my own rants too with more couleur locale and Wayang-like depictions of key political players for more dramatic impact.
It wasn’t satire, was it?
nah..!..it wasn't satire..
and i agree that trotter loves the sound of his own voice a bit more than he should..
but that doesn't discount the validity of what he says here..
instead of a stream of ad homs directed at him..
why don't you unpack what he says/demonstrate to us readers how his analysis is incorrect/faulty..?
'cos i can't see how you could – but surprise me…
I have already ‘unpacked’ it, but you missed it because you were not reading between the lines.
Trotter’s opinion piece shows complete disregard for the (political) context, which to me suggests it was not political commentary but a raconteurial rant.
I know somebody else who “loves the sound of his own voice a bit more than he should” and thinks that his opinion has more validity than the opinions of others..
ooh…!..more ad homs….right ho..!
i'll just leave you to it..
I mentioned in the work kitchen the other day to the resident pro-China migrant guy that a good friend of mine had gone back to Hong Kong to take part in the democracy protests. He spent a little while trying to wheedle the name of this person out me, then I went back to my desk and forgot about it.
Later that afternoon, he came and sat next to me and invited me along to some dinners and meeting the various pro-Beijing front organisations in Auckland run in order to discuss China. I politely declined. But while he is a pleasant enough fellow, this guy has lived here for over ten years and yet he is basically a low rent volunteer spy for Beijing. He will never owe his loyalty to NZ.
And then this today from newsroom.co.nz –
https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2019/09/23/819874/chinese-nz-herald-under-supervision-and-control-of-chinese-state
And when you see long term Sinophiles and insightful friends of China like this guy bailing out as fast they can, you wonder when will our politicians ever wake up, and how donkey deep is the National party with the authoritarian butchers of Beijing?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ed4ryYokLzU
What's the Chinese New Zealand Herald?
it is an m.s.m-outlet/publication…..
They have mostly NZ Herald articles translated into Chinese – but often those articles are edited to remove adverse comments about China
example
https://twitter.com/ArrestJK/status/1175955332717146114?s=20
The praise from Paula comes from the wallet
She's remarkably passionate about allegations against Labour, but seems blissfully ignorant of documented human rights abuses routinely employed by China to crush dissent
This latest 'Australian News corp' article on the climate emergency will have all the Climate deniers up in arms too.
https://www.news.com.au/technology/environment/climate-change/fiveyear-period-ending-2019-set-to-be-hottest-on-record/news-story/895e9c2239979888a2089a1311976c9f
Latest 23/9/19 ‘Australian newscorp’
(Quote) “Five-year period ending 2019 set to be hottest on record. A few days after kids across the globe marched in support of environmental issues, the UN has released a new report on the current state of the planet, and it’s not pretty reading.” (un-quote)
They said the world was threatened by WMDs, too.
/
https://twitter.com/MeetThePress/status/1175767427763843073
The US response seems more like a face-saving PR exercise. Pretty embarrassing that the billions spent by Saudi Arabia on American weaponry was out-gunned by low cost drones launched by a poorly resourced rebel outfit from one of the most poverty stricken places on earth.
Not poorly resourced , they seemed to have a large portion of the Yemen military forces at the start of civil war.. this doesnt sound like they are all that deficient
"over 400 Houthi ballistic and cruise missile launches, drone strikes, and naval attacks since June 2015"
An 'ally and friend' ( which was the origin of the 9/11 attackers) who is waging war on its tiny neighbour with US supplied planes and bombs.
So its OK for US to provide military supplies but not OK for Iran to do so.
Its nothing new really – except when it involves the mother lode -oil.
"FDD’s Long War Journal has tracked and mapped over 400 Houthi ballistic and cruise missile launches, drone strikes, and naval attacks since June 2015. For more information, see the three-part series: Houthi missiles,drones, naval attacks.]"
They have been missile attacks on US Navy ships, ballistic missiles against Saudi airports
"Saudi officials reported late last year that over 200 ballistic missiles have been fired towards its territory."
The US is well known for launching long range drone strikes against various countries Pakistan, Yemen Somalia
How much do we value democratic freedom and the 4th estates role within it?
"Experts have identified the Chinese New Zealand Herald website as a propaganda outlet for the government of China.
However, the news outlet's co-owner, NZME, says the Chinese NZ Herald is not beholden to China’s media guidelines and censorship requirements.
An investigation by Newsroom, with the help of China propaganda experts, found the news organisation's operational structure, and its Chinese state internet and security permits, amounted to the news site coming under the supervision and control of various Chinese Communist Party (CCP) authorities."
https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2019/09/23/819874/chinese-nz-herald-under-supervision-and-control-of-chinese-state
apologies to Sanctuary…I see he has already linked this piece @4
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/399378/bullying-in-the-police-victim-asked-if-she-had-period-troubles
How very retro. Back to the future from the 1970's mindset. Are we regressing or didn't we ever progress at all?
Where do you look for clues when you are puzzled about behaviour that seems irrational for the good of the country – Money (as cartoon on my book Dilbert and the way of the Weasel says, where he stands by a sign attracting zombies towards> 'Unattended Piles of Money')!
Revealed: Arron Banks puts controversial diamond mine up for sale
The millionaire businessman Arron Banks, who spent £8m on the Brexit campaign, has put a controversial South African diamond mine on the market. Mr Banks confirmed to Channel 4 News that the Newlands mine in Barkly West, Northern Cape province is up for sale for ZAR10m – just over £500,000. In a statement Mr Banks told…
and further on Brexit :
London Mayor Sadiq Khan calls for Labour MPs to commit to stopping Brexit amidst party civil war The infighting at the top of the party has continued following yesterday’s move to unseat Deputy Leader Tom Watson. Today Jeremy Corbyn was forced to defend reported allegations from a senior advisor that his team lacked ‘professionalism, competence and human decency’. Jon Snow spoke to London mayor Sadiq Khan, who today made a direct appeal…
https://www.channel4.com/news/ (They have a zingy pile of news items.)
This one is amazing. German villages bulldozed to make space for coal mine Europe’s biggest economy, Germany, has promised to phase out coal by 2038 in order to meet climate change commitments. Yet it is expanding one of its biggest open cast mines, which is 48 square kilometres in size. The expansion will demolish five villages in the process, but the coal company responsible says it is not…
How come that 'averagekiwi' thing is in the Feeds? Sounds alarmingly similar to Kiwibog.
sickening and real – make sure your people are safe, ask them, don't just assume they are
Ardern is doing the keynote speech at the UN Climate change summit tomorrow.
And all-gases bill debated shortly. Not easy optics.
I wish her well
Yes, and to back up concern for climate change there is the protest on Friday 27 Sept. between 12 and 3.00 pm.
https://extinctionrebellion.nz/event/school-strike-for-climate/
and weka's post from 21/9
https://thestandard.org.nz/the-climate-action-momentum/
Have a reply in moderation. Was it the d word that rhymes with Kong?
Sorry about that.
It rhymes with pesto.
Sounds saucy.
Man if esto only had a brain
What, no media at the Ardern/Trump meeting? Someone must be scared of being toweled by relative youth, gender, empathy and intellect. No p**sy grabbing this time!
You underestimate Trump I think. If he wants to do something he does it, conventions no respect for, respect no convention of.
Concerning Trump and our brave young PM riding forth Quixote-like, if you can get to see today's stuff with Jeff Bell's cartoon on the hairpiece and our PM, (with apologies to Lewis Carroll) I think you'll find it good.
What, no media at the Ardern/Trump meeting? Someone must be scared of being toweled by relative youth, gender, empathy and intellect. No p**sy grabbing this time!
You are confused about what is a meeting with discussions and the photo ops which precede it.
Wouldn't hold my breath but Netanyahu could be out.
https://twitter.com/NTarnopolsky/status/1175800308846477313
Interesting how my computer behaves (twitter etc as previously discussed). Your full comment came up, flashed, and then faded back into the bushes.
But no matter, your one sentence above is spell-binding, I hope anyway.
I've got a serious question for Mr Ure – it could either amuse you, or drive you into a severe depression, the like of which I'm not sure there's a cure for – even IF there was something synthetic to ease the symptoms:
Did you ever come across Glenda H in your travels in the past? There's a billboard or two around Mt Victoria (one of which I saw a Toy Boi weilding a hammer with).
I just received my voting papers and discovered it's standing for local gummint, as is its ….. [for the sake of civility] ….. followers.
My first thought was that it’s taking the piss – but it (and all)'re actually serious!!!
I’ll know when it’s time to leave town if ever that got a foothold
no..sorry….glenda h doen't ring any bells..
bigotry alive and well – and these numbnuts supposedly run the place lol
Unbelievable
Mr Bielski told RNZ he only said those things because the press were not present…
This guy is a master of unintentional comedy.
the fucken idiot said 'they worshiped different gods' – and he was having none of that..
he clearly doesn't know the muslim attitude to jesus etc..
he is also clearly as dumb as a doorknob..
and he puts the 'go' in 'bigot'…
Lets be grateful he wasn't born in NZ. Sympathy for the victims.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=12270125
A Time to get off your B and change that horrible link about someone going on about chainsaw murders.
And Mr bielski can be shown what we expect from local and central councillors in this country trying to find a working peace in the world and respect for all who have good spiritual beliefs, not ones of disdain and superiority.
Try
https://www.msn.com/en-nz/news/national/manawat%C5%AB-district-councillor-steve-bielski-stands-by-anti-muslim-sentiments/ar-AAHGnx3?li=BBqdmGR&fdhead=nohdflt2
I got off on the wrong track there. I was thinking it was about the councillor from Manawatu who can't stand Muslims. I think he should get voted out. He's getting too old for coping with the world and change and it's possible that he doesn't like women either – it often goes alongside.
Announcement: Come in No.1 to 150,000, your holiday with Thomas Cook is over. Did you think this was a Butlins holiday camp? Time's up you suckers.
https://www.politico.eu/article/uk-travel-firm-thomas-cook-collapses/
Kia Ora Newshub.
I think that it's haters who use tech platforms to pedal there hate content but the tech companies have to try and stop them using their platforms.
Kia Kaha Greta that is the correct measage to give to the people who are leading the Papatuanuku to our destruction. I agree chasing economic growth over the wellbeing of our future environment has to change to chasing sustainability and countrys being rewarded for this behaviour.
I agree its good to change the school funding system to include economic back ground and other factors to help our tamariki that need help the most that is looking after our future.
For some reason I always get restricted phone calls can you guess who is making them you would be correct.
Thomas Cook collapse has stranded heaps of people on holiday let hope not to many people are left in a mess because of that.
The people of the Manuatu will be wrapped to have a new route for their main road. I have not been on that road in decades.
Ka kite Ano
Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News.
That's is what needs to happen Winston including Farmer in the emissions trading skeem by 2025. If Our Farmers were not included in the Emissions skeem what phenomenon will encourage Our farmers to reduce there carbon footprint.
I tau toko Te tangata whenua who are championing to stop seabed mineing.
I Rotorua has a housing shortage itcs not on that people have to live under a bridge most of our cities have this problem to.
Eco Maori tau toko online voting let's not wait to long for this great initiative. It will make the process more efficient and will bring in more voters..
A 3. Month payed course teaching Wahine life skills teaching them how to grow Kai and encouraging Te Wahine to give up drugs is cool
Ka kite Ano
Kia Ora Newshub.
simon you know that you would have been kissing trumps ass say yes sir no sir
Its awesome to see heaps more people seeing reality about OUR Global Warming Papatuanuku. The champions of Our futures Climate have done A awesome job the Phenomenon is a unstoppable force now Kia Kaha to you ALL.
That's Commission of enquiries into state staff abuseing people looks like a choreography set up.
That's is sad seeing people praying on our inenecint elderly using phone calls and scamming them out of their money.
Duncan Greta has got The Am Show attention Greta has the Papatuanuku attention on Our Futures Environment NOW if you are not on board of Our WAKA looking after our futures environment you will be washed into Our History Books.
You know that was hard I haven't seen anyone get it correct.
Using cloth nappies will save you heaps of putea and our environment. I would not trust others picking them up and cleaning them as babies skins are quite sensitive we used a hygiene products that are designed for sensitive skins.
Ka kite Ano
We can have low or no carbon footprint larger passengers plane travellers. We just need to invest the time and putea into the new goals of low carbon flights. Solar and batteries are increasingly becoming more efficient made bio fuel for take of and landing and solar and batteries for gliding around Papatuanuku.
This Solar-Powered Plane Can Circle the Globe With No Pollution | That’s Amazing
Some dreams are so fantastic, it takes an unprecedented bid for adventure and glory to see them blossom to fruition. Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg, captivated by the spirit of great expeditions of the past, partnered to make the first flight across the world in a solar-powered plane that produced no pollution. Storing solar energy in batteries, the Solar Impulse is capable of staying aloft indefinitely. However, as Piccard and Borschberg learned, this didn't make the adventure easy—or require any less intrepid heroism from the co-pilots. Ka kite Ano
https://youtu.be/4qbROmxxIOU
Kia Ora Newshub.
Lioyd their is a big shift happening for the better Ma Te Wa.
A bottle return machine /system is needed to protect our environment from the waste they end up becoming.
Ingrid I hope that it doesn't hale to much in my neck of the woods it could damage our solar system.
I say that Manuka Honey should be a Aotearoa only brand they can call there's Tea tree honey.
Ka kite Ano
Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News.
Tauranga Tangata Whenua you would think that the Tauranga council should have a duty to fix some of the wrongs of the past. The whenua is not billions like Tangata Whenua have lost. If they have a humane thought then they will give that whenua to Mana whenua.
That's cool in Tamiki Makaurau the council are putting system in place to get more Maori to vote.
The new app teaching practical life skills is a good idea to teach Rangatahi skills in how putea works and other skills that are needed to thrive in Aotearoa society.
I think it's not acceptable that Iwi data is not available for Tangata Whenua to use to plan for our Mokopuna future.
Ka kite Ano