Open mike 23-24/07/2016
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Returning to the model that was failing for most polytechnics and Institutes of Technology is not the answer. ...3 days ago
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Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is running away from problems of his own creation, with his decision not to go to Waitangi. ...4 days ago
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The Government’s planned changes to the freedom of speech obligations of universities is little more than a front for stoking the political fires of disinformation and fear, placing teachers and students in the crosshairs. ...4 days ago - Release: Nicola Willis spirals country deeper into recession
The economy shrank 1% this quarter and New Zealand has tumbled into the depths of a recession of Nicola Willis’ making. ...4 days ago
- Release: Hikes for company directors but not ordinary Kiwis
Working people are going backwards while company directors are being given huge pay hikes. ...5 days ago
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The Ministry of Regulation’s report into Early Childhood Education (ECE) in Aotearoa raises serious concerns about the possibility of lowering qualification requirements, undermining quality and risking worse outcomes for tamariki, whānau, and kaiako. ...5 days ago
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A Bill to modernise the role of Justices of the Peace (JP), ensuring they remain active in their communities and connected with other JPs, has been put into the ballot. ...5 days ago
- Release: Labour will continue fight against destructive projects
Labour will continue to fight unsustainable and destructive projects that are able to leap-frog environment protection under National’s Fast-track Approvals Bill. ...5 days ago
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The Green Party has warned that a Green Government will revoke the consents of companies who override environmental protections as part of Fast-Track legislation being passed today. ...5 days ago
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The Green Party says the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update shows how the Government is failing to address the massive social and infrastructure deficits our country faces. ...5 days ago
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The Government’s latest move to reduce the earnings of migrant workers will not only hurt migrants but it will drive down the wages of Kiwi workers. ...6 days ago
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With more debt and a larger deficit, Nicola Willis’ reputation is in tatters after her failure to return the Government’s books to surplus. ...6 days ago
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Te Pāti Māori has this morning issued a stern warning to Fast-Track applicants with interests in mining, pledging to hold them accountable through retrospective liability and to immediately revoke Fast-Track consents under a future Te Pāti Māori government. This warning comes ahead of today’s third reading of the Fast-Track Approvals ...6 days ago
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For the second year running, the government has effectively cut wages for the lowest paid workers in New Zealand. ...6 days ago
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The Government’s announcement today of a 1.5 per cent increase to minimum wage is another blow for workers, with inflation projected to exceed the increase, meaning it’s a real terms pay reduction for many. ...6 days ago
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All the Government has achieved from its announcement today is to continue to push responsibility back on councils for its own lack of action to help bring down skyrocketing rates. ...6 days ago
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The Government has used its final post-Cabinet press conference of the year to punch down on local government without offering any credible solutions to the issues our councils are facing. ...6 days ago
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The Government has failed to keep its promise to ‘super charge’ the EV network, delivering just 292 chargers - less than half of the 670 chargers needed to meet its target. ...7 days ago
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The Green Party is calling for the Government to stop subsidising the largest user of the country’s gas supplies, Methanex, following a report highlighting the multi-national’s disproportionate influence on energy prices in Aotearoa. ...7 days ago
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The Green Party is appalled with the Government’s new child poverty targets that are based on a new ‘persistent poverty’ measure that could be met even with an increase in child poverty. ...1 week ago
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The Government’s attack on workers continues with news it is scrapping work on the Holidays Act. ...1 week ago
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New independent analysis has revealed that the Government’s Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP) will reduce emissions by a measly 1 per cent by 2030, failing to set us up for the future and meeting upcoming targets. ...1 week ago
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The loss of 27 kaimahi at Whakaata Māori and the end of its daily news bulletin is a sad day for Māori media and another step backwards for Te Tiriti o Waitangi justice. ...1 week ago
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Yesterday the Government passed cruel legislation through first reading to establish a new beneficiary sanction regime that will ultimately mean more households cannot afford the basic essentials. ...1 week ago
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Today's passing of the Government's Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill–which allows landlords to end tenancies with no reason–ignores the voice of the people and leaves renters in limbo ahead of the festive season. ...1 week ago
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Labour is urging the Prime Minister to walk the talk and support legislation combating modern slavery. ...2 weeks ago
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The Speaker of the New Zealand Parliament made an unprecedented decision on the government amendment to the Fast Track Approvals Bill last night. ...2 weeks ago
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Today’s announcement from the Government on its plan for new ferries throws more uncertainty on the future of the country’s rail network. ...2 weeks ago
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After wasting a year, Nicola Willis has delivered a worse deal for the Cook Strait ferries that will end up being more expensive and take longer to arrive. ...2 weeks ago
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Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick has today launched a Member’s Bill to sanction Israel for its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, as the All Out For Gaza rally reaches Parliament. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour fully supports greyhound racing ban
The Government has done the right thing in moving to ban greyhound racing. ...2 weeks ago
- Greyhound racing industry ban marks new era for animal welfare
After years of advocacy, the Green Party is very happy to hear the Government has listened to our collective voices and announced the closure of the greyhound racing industry, by 1 August 2026. ...2 weeks ago
- Rangatahi voices must be centred in Government’s Relationship and Sexuality Education refresh
In response to a new report from ERO, the Government has acknowledged the urgent need for consistency across the curriculum for Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE) in schools. ...2 weeks ago
- Govt introduces archaic anti-worker legislation
The Green Party is appalled at the Government introducing legislation that will make it easier to penalise workers fighting for better pay and conditions. ...2 weeks ago
- Winston Peters – Kinleith Mill Speech
Thank you for the invitation to speak with you tonight on behalf of the political party I belong to - which is New Zealand First. As we have heard before this evening the Kinleith Mill is proposing to reduce operations by focusing on pulp and discontinuing “lossmaking paper production”. They say that they are currently consulting on the plan to permanently shut ...2 weeks ago - Swarbrick calls on Auckland Mayor to end delay of revival of St James Theatre
Auckland Central MP, Chlöe Swarbrick, has written to Mayor Wayne Brown requesting he stop the unnecessary delays on St James Theatre’s restoration. ...2 weeks ago
- He Ara Anamata: Greens launch Emissions Reduction Plan
Today, the Green Party of Aotearoa proudly unveils its new Emissions Reduction Plan–He Ara Anamata–a blueprint reimagining our collective future. ...2 weeks ago
- Internationally-trained doctors jump at chance to boost health workforce
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says Health New Zealand will move swiftly to support dozens of internationally-trained doctors already in New Zealand on their journey to employment here, after a tripling of sought-after examination places. “The Medical Council has delivered great news for hardworking overseas doctors who want to contribute ...18 hours ago - PM appoints business leader to APEC Business Advisory Council
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has appointed Sarah Ottrey to the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC). “At my first APEC Summit in Lima, I experienced firsthand the role that ABAC plays in guaranteeing political leaders hear the voice of business,” Mr Luxon says. “New Zealand’s ABAC representatives are very well respected and ...3 days ago
- New intelligence oversight appointments
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced four appointments to New Zealand’s intelligence oversight functions. The Honourable Robert Dobson KC has been appointed Chief Commissioner of Intelligence Warrants, and the Honourable Brendan Brown KC has been appointed as a Commissioner of Intelligence Warrants. The appointments of Hon Robert Dobson and Hon ...3 days ago
- New housing developments able to progress more quickly
Improvements in the average time it takes to process survey and title applications means housing developments can progress more quickly, Minister for Land Information Chris Penk says. “The government is resolutely focused on improving the building and construction pipeline,” Mr Penk says. “Applications to issue titles and subdivide land are ...3 days ago
- Actions to speed up air travel delivering results
The Government’s measures to reduce airport wait times, and better transparency around flight disruptions is delivering encouraging early results for passengers ahead of the busy summer period, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Improving the efficiency of air travel is a priority for the Government to give passengers a smoother, more reliable ...3 days ago
- Ending contracted emergency housing in Rotorua
The Government today announced the intended closure of the Apollo Hotel as Contracted Emergency Housing (CEH) in Rotorua, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. This follows a 30 per cent reduction in the number of households in CEH in Rotorua since National came into Government. “Our focus is on ending CEH in the Whakarewarewa area starting ...3 days ago
- Vocational education and training decisions support return to regions
The Government will reshape vocational education and training to return decision making to regions and enable greater industry input into work-based learning Tertiary Education and Skills Minister, Penny Simmonds says. “The redesigned system will better meet the needs of learners, industry, and the economy. It includes re-establishing regional polytechnics that ...3 days ago
- Reducing the environmental impact of synthetic refrigerants
The Government is taking action to better manage synthetic refrigerants and reduce emissions caused by greenhouse gases found in heating and cooling products, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds says. “Regulations will be drafted to support a product stewardship scheme for synthetic refrigerants, Ms. Simmonds says. “Synthetic refrigerants are found in a ...3 days ago
- Ngāruawāhia section of Waikato Expressway back to 4 lanes for Christmas
People travelling on State Highway 1 north of Hamilton will be relieved that remedial works and safety improvements on the Ngāruawāhia section of the Waikato Expressway were finished today, with all lanes now open to traffic, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“I would like to acknowledge the patience of road users ...3 days ago
- Appointments to the ENZ board
Tertiary Education and Skills Minister, Penny Simmonds, has announced a new appointment to the board of Education New Zealand (ENZ). Dr Erik Lithander has been appointed as a new member of the ENZ board for a three-year term until 30 January 2028. “I would like to welcome Dr Erik Lithander to the ...4 days ago
- Government to celebrate Waitangi Day around NZ
The Government will have senior representatives at Waitangi Day events around the country, including at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, but next year Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has chosen to take part in celebrations elsewhere. “It has always been my intention to celebrate Waitangi Day around the country with different ...4 days ago
- More gangs added to Gangs Act list
Two more criminal gangs will be subject to the raft of laws passed by the Coalition Government that give Police more powers to disrupt gang activity, and the intimidation they impose in our communities, Police Minister Mark Mitchell says. Following an Order passed by Cabinet, from 3 February 2025 the ...4 days ago
- Judicial appointment announced
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Justice Christian Whata as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Whata’s appointment as a Judge of the Court of Appeal will take effect on 1 August 2025 and fill a vacancy created by the retirement of Hon Justice David Goddard on ...4 days ago
- GDP data highlights importance of growth
The latest economic figures highlight the importance of the steps the Government has taken to restore respect for taxpayers’ money and drive economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Data released today by Stats NZ shows Gross Domestic Product fell 1 per cent in the September quarter. “Treasury and most ...4 days ago
- Strengthening Free Speech in Universities
Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds and Associate Minister of Education David Seymour today announced legislation changes to strengthen freedom of speech obligations on universities. “Freedom of speech is fundamental to the concept of academic freedom and there is concern that universities seem to be taking a more risk-averse ...4 days ago
- Launch of Emergency Cellular Priority Service
Police Minister, Mark Mitchell, and Internal Affairs Minister, Brooke van Velden, today launched a further Public Safety Network cellular service that alongside last year’s Cellular Roaming roll-out, puts globally-leading cellular communications capability into the hands of our emergency responders. The Public Safety Network’s new Cellular Priority service means Police, Wellington ...4 days ago
- Minister reopens Mangamuka Gorge
State Highway 1 through the Mangamuka Gorge has officially reopened today, providing a critical link for Northlanders and offering much-needed relief ahead of the busy summer period, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“The Mangamuka Gorge is a vital route for Northland, carrying around 1,300 vehicles per day and connecting the Far ...4 days ago
- Funding confirmed for second Ashburton Bridge
The Government has welcomed decisions by the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) and Ashburton District Council confirming funding to boost resilience in the Canterbury region, with construction on a second Ashburton Bridge expected to begin in 2026, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Delivering a second Ashburton Bridge to improve resilience and ...4 days ago
- Government boosts support for avian influenza response
The Government is backing the response into high pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Otago, Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says. “Cabinet has approved new funding of $20 million to enable MPI to meet unbudgeted ongoing expenses associated with the H7N6 response including rigorous scientific testing of samples at the enhanced PC3 ...4 days ago
- Levelling the playing field for media advertising
Legislation that will repeal all advertising restrictions for broadcasters on Sundays and public holidays has passed through first reading in Parliament today, Media Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “As a growing share of audiences get their news and entertainment from streaming services, these restrictions have become increasingly redundant. New Zealand on ...4 days ago
- Inspector-General of Defence appointed
Today the House agreed to Brendan Horsley being appointed Inspector-General of Defence, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “Mr Horsley’s experience will be invaluable in overseeing the establishment of the new office and its support networks. “He is currently Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security, having held that role since June 2020. ...5 days ago
- Fire and Emergency New Zealand final levy rates confirmed
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government has agreed to the final regulations for the levy on insurance contracts that will fund Fire and Emergency New Zealand from July 2026. “Earlier this year the Government agreed to a 2.2 percent increase to the rate of levy. Fire ...5 days ago
- More AML relief on the way for Kiwi businesses
The Government is delivering regulatory relief for New Zealand businesses through changes to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act. “The Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Amendment Bill, which was introduced today, is the second Bill – the other being the Statutes Amendment Bill - that ...5 days ago
- Hawke’s Bay Expressway moving at pace
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed further progress on the Hawke’s Bay Expressway Road of National Significance (RoNS), with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) Board approving funding for the detailed design of Stage 1, paving the way for main works construction to begin in late 2025.“The Government is moving at ...5 days ago
- Government seeks partnerships to plant trees on Crown-owned-land
The Government today released a request for information (RFI) to seeking interest in partnerships to plant trees on Crown-owned land with low farming and conservation value (excluding National Parks) Forestry Minister Todd McClay announced. “Planting trees on Crown-owned land will drive economic growth by creating more forestry jobs in our regions, providing more wood ...5 days ago
- Wide ranging legislation to make justice system more efficient
Court timeliness, access to justice, and improving the quality of existing regulation are the focus of a series of law changes introduced to Parliament today by Associate Minister of Justice Nicole McKee. The three Bills in the Regulatory Systems (Justice) Amendment Bill package each improve a different part of the ...5 days ago
- Diverse skills in community trust appointments
A total of 41 appointments and reappointments have been made to the 12 community trusts around New Zealand that serve their regions, Associate Finance Minister Shane Jones says. “These trusts, and the communities they serve from the Far North to the deep south, will benefit from the rich experience, knowledge, ...5 days ago
- Torture redress for survivors of the Lake Alice Unit
The Government has confirmed how it will provide redress to survivors who were tortured at the Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital Child and Adolescent Unit (the Lake Alice Unit). “The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care found that many of the 362 children who went through the Lake Alice Unit between 1972 and ...5 days ago
- A busy year in the House
It has been a busy, productive year in the House as the coalition Government works hard to get New Zealand back on track, Leader of the House Chris Bishop says. “This Government promised to rebuild the economy, restore law and order and reduce the cost of living. Our record this ...5 days ago
- Consultation opens on working with engineered stone
“Accelerated silicosis is an emerging occupational disease caused by unsafe work such as engineered stone benchtops. I am running a standalone consultation on engineered stone to understand what the industry is currently doing to manage the risks, and whether further regulatory intervention is needed,” says Workplace Relations and Safety Minister ...5 days ago
- Greater reporting on Treaty settlement commitments
Mehemea he pai mō te tangata, mahia – if it’s good for the people, get on with it. Enhanced reporting on the public sector’s delivery of Treaty settlement commitments will help improve outcomes for Māori and all New Zealanders, Māori Crown Relations Minister Tama Potaka says. Compiled together for the ...5 days ago
- New appointments to the Charities Registration Board
Mr Roger Holmes Miller and Ms Tarita Hutchinson have been appointed to the Charities Registration Board, Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Louise Upston says. “I would like to welcome the new members joining the Charities Registration Board. “The appointment of Ms Hutchinson and Mr Miller will strengthen the Board’s capacity ...5 days ago
- Building consent processing times improve
More building consent and code compliance applications are being processed within the statutory timeframe since the Government required councils to submit quarterly data, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “In the midst of a housing shortage we need to look at every step of the build process for efficiencies ...5 days ago
- Faster access to support through Innovation Fund
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey is proud to announce the first three recipients of the Government’s $10 million Mental Health and Addiction Community Sector Innovation Fund which will enable more Kiwis faster access to mental health and addiction support. “This fund is part of the Government’s commitment to investing in ...5 days ago
- New Zealand to assist Vanuatu on earthquake response
New Zealand is providing Vanuatu assistance following yesterday's devastating earthquake, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. "Vanuatu is a member of our Pacific family and we are supporting it in this time of acute need," Mr Peters says. "Our thoughts are with the people of Vanuatu, and we will be ...5 days ago
- Government takes steps to reduce card fees for Kiwis
The Government welcomes the Commerce Commission’s plan to reduce card fees for Kiwis by an estimated $260 million a year, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says.“The Government is relentlessly focused on reducing the cost of living, so Kiwis can keep more of their hard-earned income and live a ...5 days ago
- Review recommends ECE regulation shakeup
Regulation Minister David Seymour has welcomed the Early Childhood Education (ECE) regulatory review report, the first major report from the Ministry for Regulation. The report makes 15 recommendations to modernise and simplify regulations across ECE so services can get on with what they do best – providing safe, high-quality care ...5 days ago
- Offshore Renewable Energy Bill passes first reading
The Government‘s Offshore Renewable Energy Bill to create a new regulatory regime that will enable firms to construct offshore wind generation has passed its first reading in Parliament, Energy Minister Simeon Brown says.“New Zealand currently does not have a regulatory regime for offshore renewable energy as the previous government failed ...5 days ago
- Local Government (Water Services) Bill passes first reading
Legislation to enable new water service delivery models that will drive critical investment in infrastructure has passed its first reading in Parliament, marking a significant step towards the delivery of Local Water Done Well, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown and Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly say.“Councils and voters ...5 days ago
- Gene Technology Bill passes first reading
New Zealand is one step closer to reaping the benefits of gene technology with the passing of the first reading of the Gene Technology Bill, Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins says. "This legislation will end New Zealand's near 30-year ban on gene technology outside the lab and is ...5 days ago
- Vanuatu quake: Warnings as bad weather threat looms for Port Vila
By , New Zealand’s Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) says impending bad weather for Port Vila is now the most significant post-quake hazard. A tropical low in the Coral Sea is expected to move into Vanuatu waters, bringing heavy rainfall. Authorities have issued warnings to people ...5 hours ago - Signs of the hīkoi: More than just ‘words on cardboard’
The placards seen at the Hīkoi mō Te Tiriti conveyed "huge kōrero with immediacy", expert says: "People know the power of the word." ...14 hours ago - A final Ode to .. King Luxon
Cosmic CatastropheThe year draws to a close.King Luxon has grown tired of the long eveningsListening to the dreary squabbling of his Triumvirate.He strolls up to the top floor of the PalaceTo consult with his Astronomer Royal.The Royal Telescope scans the skies,And King Luxon stares up into the heavensFrom the terrestrial ...21 hours ago - A hater and an enthusiast review The Royal Free by Carl Shuker
Spinoff editor Mad Chapman and books editor Claire Mabey debate Carl Shuker’s new novel about… an editor. Claire: Hello Mad, you just finished The Royal Free – overall impressions? Mad: Hi Claire, I literally just put the book down and I would have to say my immediate impression is ...23 hours ago - Survive to 25 (December, that is)
Christmas and its buildup are often lonely, hard and full of unreasonable expectations. Here’s how to make it to Jesus’s birthday and find the little bit of joy we all deserve. Have you found this year relentless? Has the latest Apple update “fucked up your life”? Have you lost two ...23 hours ago
- All I want for Christmas is modern day slavery legislation
Despite overwhelming public and corporate support, the government has stalled progress on a modern day slavery law. That puts us behind other countries – and makes Christmas a time of tragedy rather than joy, argues Shanti Mathias. Picture the scene on Christmas Day. Everyone replete with nice things to eat, ...23 hours ago
- Israeli-American historian describes attacks on Gaza as ‘war of annihilation’
Asia Pacific Report “It looks like Hiroshima. It looks like Germany at the end of World War Two,” says an Israeli-American historian and professor of holocaust and genocide studies at Brown University about the horrifying reality of Gaza. Professor Omer Bartov, has described Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza as an ...1 day ago
- NZ govt plans to make ‘heavy handed’ change to free speech rules for universities
The New Zealand government coalition is tweaking university regulations to curb what it says is an increasingly “risk-averse approach” to free speech. The proposed changes will set clear expectations on how universities should approach freedom of speech issues. Each university will then have to adopt a “freedom of speech statement” ...1 day ago
- Caitlin Johnstone: Where does the aggression really begin?
Report by Dr David Robie – Café Pacific. – COMMENTARY: By Caitlin Johnstone New York prosecutors have charged Luigi Mangione with “murder as an act of terrorism” in his alleged shooting of health insurance CEO Brian Thompson earlier this month. This news comes out at the same time as ...1 day ago
- OECD Report Highlights That More Is Needed
This report reflects that gap in our dealings overseas, and it shows that legislators, the public sector and businesses need to walk the talk. ...2 days ago - Government quietly scraps waste minimisation policies
The government has quietly cancelled plans to improve recycling and roll out a kerbside food scraps composting scheme. ...2 days ago
- MEAA welcomes News MAP funding ‘leg up’ for Australian journalism
Pacific Media Watch The union for Australian journalists has welcomed the delivery by the federal government of more than $150 million to support the sustainability of public interest journalism over the next four years. Combined with the announcement of the revamped News Bargaining Initiative, this could result in up to ...2 days ago
- Transmission Gully partnership breakdown will not hurt future public-private partnerships, Infrastru...
The roads partnership unravelled under a confidential settlement this week, meaning NZTA will now finish off what it had said was incomplete work. ...2 days ago
- Funding cuts to charity particularly felt over Christmas period
The number of people seeking help from Lifeline is expected to increase by 10 to 20 percent over Christmas. ...2 days ago
- Nelson Hospital conditions ‘unbearable’ – staff
One worker says the building is decrepit and falling down around them. ...2 days ago
- The Secret Diary of .. Luxon at Xmas
MONDAY“Merry Xmas, and praise the Lord,” said Sheriff Luxon, and smiled for the camera. There was a flash of smoke when the shutter pressed down on the magnesium powder. The sheriff had arranged for a photographer from the Dodge Gazette to attend a ceremony where he handed out food parcels to ...2 days ago
- Stand by for cricket’s Smash Palace
It’s a little under two months since the White Ferns shocked the cricketing world, deservedly taking home the T20 World Cup. Since then the trophy has had a tour around the country, five of the squad have played in the WBBL in Australia while most others have returned to domestic ...2 days ago
- Early-onset dementia under the microscope
Comment: If we say the word ‘dementia’, many will picture an older person struggling to remember the names of their loved ones, maybe a grandparent living out their final years in an aged care facility. Dementia can also occur in people younger than 65, but it can take time before ...2 days ago
- Keeping the pirates at bay: Should the Australian ‘Blocking Order’ case prompt a discussion in N...
Piracy is a reality of modern life – but copyright law has struggled to play catch-up for as long as the entertainment industry has existed. As far back as 1988, the House of Lords criticised copyright law’s conflict with the reality of human behaviour in the context of burning cassette ...2 days ago
- ‘We were as famous as Tom Cruise’: Craig Parker on 90s Shortland St fandom
As he makes a surprise return to Shortland Street, actor Craig Parker takes us through his life in television. Craig Parker has been a fixture on television in Aotearoa for nearly four decades. He had starring roles in iconic local series like Gloss, Mercy Peak and Diplomatic Immunity, featured in ...2 days ago
- ‘I prioritise the mission, not my health’: Adam McGrath’s perfect weekend playlist
The Ōtautahi musician shares the 10 tracks he loves to spin, including the folk classic that cured him of a ‘case of the give-ups’. When singer-songwriter Adam McGrath returns to Kumeu’s Auckland Folk Festival from January 24-27, he’s not planning on simply idling his way through – he wants the late ...2 days ago
- The rescue dog bringing joy to Christchurch retirement homes
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- Fiji pro-Palestine nativity scene exposes Gaza as ‘hell on earth’ at Christmas
Asia Pacific Report Fiji activists have recreated the nativity scene at a solidarity for Palestine gathering in Fiji’s capital Suva just days before Christmas. The Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre and Fijians for Palestine Solidarity Network recreated the scene at the FWCC compound — a baby Jesus figurine lies amidst the ...2 days ago
- Vanuatu quake: ‘Our shop was flattened like a deck of cards’
By 1News Pacific correspondent Barbara Dreaver and 1News reporters A number of Kiwis have been successfully evacuated from Vanuatu after a devastating earthquake shook the Pacific island nation earlier this week. The death toll was still unclear, though at least 14 people were killed according to an earlier statement from ...2 days ago
- How diplomats have broken the law in NZ – and what happened next
A handful of foreign diplomats have misbehaved during their time here - and not all of them have been brought to justice. ...2 days ago
- Swim schools report sinking enrolments as downturn deepens
Being able to swim is often considered a life skill, but tough economic times are forcing many families to pull their children out of lessons. ...2 days ago
- ‘There will be deaths because of this’ – Warning over Health NZ IT cuts
A West Coast IT worker is warning patients will die as Health New Zealand aims to slash its data and digital staff. ...2 days ago
- Polytech sales possible but unlikely when Te Pūkenga disestablished – minister
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- Parliament’s final sitting day an insight into party factions
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- Former Labour MP, North Shore mayor Ann Hartley dies
Former Labour MP and mayor of Auckland's North Shore City Ann Hartley has died. ...2 days ago
- The closest thing Australian cartooning had to a prophet: the sometimes celebrated, sometimes contro...
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- Labour moves Speaker from the ‘nice’ to ‘naughty’ list
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- Govt ends pilot programme for Māori and Pacific, sparking outrage
The Government announced the end of the programme that allowed Māori and Pacific people to acess bowel cancer screening at 50-years-old. ...3 days ago
- Parliament fits an extra morning into final sitting day
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Thanks for the upgrade work, lprent.
Following on from Daniel Bindner’s experience in Te Awamutu last month, a person sleeping rough in Auckland appears to have died through homelessness.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/82410786/decomposing-body-found-on-auckland-beach-reserve
I do know that some in New Zealand have never had it better, but this is the very, very dark end of the brighter future.
The National Party: setting people against each other since 1936.
There were some complications, both with some hardware when I was trying to get the boot loader working after an upgrade failure, and with the software. Plus the usual fun and games
Not working
1. The “Leave a comment” if you are logged in for the few people (mainly authors) who have logins. Will fix that in the morning.
2. The entire cache system is off because it looks like Memcache hasn’t been added into php7.0 yet.
3. The audio plugin isn’t working because it isn’t compatible with php7. Hardly surprising as its last update was about 2009.
On the other hand, the speed of the site is pretty good considering that there is no caching. That is because the speed of php7 is pretty good. Better than expected. And the later kernels in linux are very efficient these days.
Bed…
The mobile version seems to be slower due to the lack of caching. But the logged comments work
Thanks Iprent…I thought i had been banned…ha ha
Yah hoo ,well done ! Getting the site back online, nothing is simple eh
Definitely not when you’re getting an upgrade from Php 5.x which was originally released back in the mid-00s, to a massively enhanced Php 7.
Once I get the php-memcached working again it should fly. It looks like there are several solutions beyond the one I used in my test system (building it manually).
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/309301/auckland's-left-targets-old-politics-in-campaign-launch
Phil Goff supports the TPPA, Public-Private-Partnerships (PPPs) and road tolls. Does that mean City Vision, Labour and the Greens now all support those policies?
Since when did the ‘left’ support corporate control, privatisation and ‘user charges’?
I don’t .
Penny Bright
2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate.
PROVEN ‘Anti-privatisation / anti-corruption Public Watchdog’.
Fiercely INDEPENDENT.
Could you explain why you don’t support road tolls? Specifically why don’t you think that congestion charging on urban road users is a good idea?
Road tolls are effectively a pay cut for working people.
Why is nobody apart from me raising the issue of making privately owned / operated / managed passenger transport in Auckland PUBLIC again?
But roads have to be paid for. You imply that they are free somehow. Wouldn’t it be sensible to charge motorists a congestion charge to encourage public transport use?
So what is your plan for dealing with ever more cars wanting to drive on Auckland roads?
Because it’s a stupid idea, poorly thought out.
Actually, making it private was the stupid idea. That’s why, over the last few years, most of the bureaucracy of public transport has been brought back inhouse. The private bus companies just do contracted runs for a fixed price. The next step would be to remove the private companies altogether and get rid of the dead-weight loss of profit and use the freed up money to improve public transport.
I suppose you think we should remove the ‘deadweight cost of profit’ in other markets? Like electricity?
Transdev, a French multinational, just took over the contract for Wellington trains. The staff are friendly and there were free croissants one day 1.
Public servants running trains equates to surly vile obese train ticket collectors and poor service. No way.
You are living in the past.
Electricity isn’t a market. It’s an essential service and a natural monopoly. What I like to call a Demand Monopoly where the most efficient way to provide the service is for it to be provided by the state.
Same goes for health, telecommunications, roads, and many others.
Now, think about this question very carefully: Who paid for the croissants?
Because I can assure you – it wasn’t Transdev.
No it doesn’t. That would be another libertarian lie.
No, just trying to get us to have a realistic economic system rather than the delusional one that we have.
Well done LPent
Yep thanks LPrent.
Noam Chomsky: Israel Is A Fascist
State On The Road To Self Implosion
Thanx …a must watch!
Israel is a democratic oasis in a region of despots. Long live Israel and her brave people. Long live the Israel Defense Force. Long live Judea and Samaria.
Agree 100% srylands.
Israel is a racist, fascist invasion force oppressing Palestinians.
Newly appointed IDF chief rabbi Col. Rabbi Eyal Krim –
Answering a question from a concerned reader regarding the Torah’s position on rape during war, Colonel Eyal Qarim of the Military Rabbinate wrote nine years ago – out of uniform – that ‘prohibitions against immorality’ are removed during war.
Is it permitted for a Jewish soldier to rape a gentile woman during wartime? This question – based on the biblical mitzvah of Eshet Yefat Toar (“a comely woman”) – was referred to nine years ago (Hebrew) by Rabbi Eyal Qarim. The questioning party seemed anxious and worried, and wanted to know whether the iron-age mitzvah (religious deed) is applicable to IDF soldiers today.
http://972mag.com/idf-colonel-rabbi-implies-rape-is-permitted-in-war/39535/
Long live the Israel Defense Force.
One would hope so.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samson_Option
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hannibal_Directive
Is the Palestinian population of Israel allowed to vote in this wondrous democratic oasis you speak of?
What’s gone wrong with the “Search” function?
Dear Lin,
I’ve just typed the phrase “John Key” into the Search space—and got nothing. Same for everything else I’ve typed in. Will this be fixed some time?
John key can’t be fixed sorry…. He’s permanently out of order
I will look at it. Probably sphinx search isn’t running.
Thanks very much Lin.
I dislike fatuous name calling by politicians and see a parallel between Trump’s childish repetitions of, ‘crooked Hillary’ and our own PM’s childish repetitions of, ‘angry Andy’.
Trump has seeded and nurtured the ‘crooked Hillary’ meme and it appears to have been effective even here in New Zealand. (Say it often enough and people will believe it).
It is good that Andrew Little hasn’t been sucked into name calling so far.
Respect.
The Crooked Hillary meme sticks because it is true. She refuses to release the text of her paid-for speeches to Goldman Sachs, US$220K a pop. One presumes that it is because the text would make it seem like she was a paid for champion of the banking fraternity, and contradict her campaign image.
During her time as Sec State she took in millions of dollars from foreigners all over the world wanting to use her official influence to make profits.
And there is more of course from lying about Benghazi to mishandling secret information at home.
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-06-21/clinton-foundation-vulnerabilities-document-leaked-after-foundation-says-it-was-hack
..and sometimes they feel the need to shout the meme message to convince us that it’s true what Donald says. I rest my case.
This detailed information about the millions that Hillary took while she was Sec State is from an internal Democratic Party document.
It is not from Donald Trump.
Open your eyes to the truth about Hillary Clinton.
Oh and I forgot Trump’s “Pocahontas'” and “Fresh Mouth” referring to Elizabeth Warren.
Do you think American voters care more about Trump’s media showmanship, or about Sec State Hillary taking multi-million dollar bribes from foreign business interests wanting to buy out American companies and resources?
Missed this?
Larry Williams interviewing me after my recent loss in the Auckland High Court regarding my (disputed) rates.
(Which I shall be appealing to the Court of Appeal).
http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/penny-bright-loses-fight-against-paying-rates/
Do you know your lawful rights as a citizen to know where public rates monies are being spent on private sector consultants and contractors?
s.17 of the Public Records Act 2005.
http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2005/0040/latest/DLM345729.html
Part 2
Recordkeeping requirements
Subpart 1—Key duties
17 Requirement to create and maintain records
(1) Every public office and local authority must create and maintain full and accurate records of its affairs, in accordance with normal, prudent business practice, including the records of any matter that is contracted out to an independent contractor.
______________________________
I’m not budging from my one person NINE year ‘rates revolt’ for transparency until the following information on spending by Auckland Council and Council Controlled Organisations (CCOs) is available and accessible for public scrutiny on their websites, front page, under ‘Procurement – Awarded Contracts’:
* The unique contract number.
* The name of the consultant / contractor.
* A brief description of the scope of the contract.
* The contract start and finish dates.
* The exact dollar value of every contract – including those sub-contracted.
* How the contract was awarded – by direct appointment or public tender.
Penny Bright
2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate.
CITIZEN not SLAVE!
That’s ok Penny , keep explaining away . The rest of us aucklanders will continue to pick up your share .
Perhaps you should try listening to the message, Rob
Certainly don’t poke sticks at someone who is seeking to get improvements in transparency
If you don’t pay your rates then you have no right to be Mayor.
You can’t require a million people and businesses to pay rates if you won’t yourself.
I heard your good interview Penny. Keep going. Others here just say pay, but you fight for what you believe in.
Every contract? Any idea how many of them there are? Why is it everybody’s buisiness how much my friend is paid to process overflow resource consent applications, when the cost is actually paid by the person who makes the application, and the charge out hourly amount is in the Council accounts? How much extra would this cost?
You are wasting your time. I have asked her the same thing many times. She simply repeats the same slogan like a broken record. If in some mythical land she got her wish, what would, or could, she do with such information? Troll through it looking for people she didn’t like I suppose. There is nothing you could do with such information. Penny does not understand the concept or transparency or accountability. Or, charitably, if she does have a vague idea, she has no idea how to operationalise accountability.
It would cost millions less than the losses made in the 12000+ contract agreements each year
Many for which no work is performed and the contracts expired, yet are still being paid
Companies and individuals swanning around delivering nothing
When is New Core due to deliver, again?
Council are refusing to open the electronic systems up because it is a complete and utter sink hole of ‘lost money’
This balanced discussion shows that far from being a trivial matter the coup in Turkey seems to be a very important geopolitical shift in the region.
‘Erdogan’s Turkey’
https://www.rt.com/shows/crosstalk/352637-turkey-post-coup-policy/
“Post-coup attempt realities: With Turkish President Erdogan firmly in control, he has demanded a cleansing of the military and many social institutions. What kind of Turkey does he intend to create? And will Turkey’s foreign policy change?
CrossTalking with Martin Jay, Yunus Soner, and Daniel Faraci.”
Indeed.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11679627
“What happened in New Zealand many years ago was the decision was made to think of citizens as consumers. Consumers only. There’s this conflict between consumer sovereignty, consumer rights and citizenship rights. Consumers can only gain their rights by purchasing something, purchasing culture in this case, and they have to have the means to do so and not everybody does. That is why I support the anti-siphoning laws.”
I grew up watching things like the Olympics on TV & it got me interested in it, now my children won’t grow up watching it & as adults are very unlikely to be interested in it. Much like how rugby is becoming an elitist sport, keep it up & more people will become disinterested.
Australia has it all over NZ in this area. Only the privileged few will be able to watch the Olympics here in direct contradiction to the Olympic charter.
” direct contradiction to the Olympic charter”.
Really? The Charter says we are all entitled to see it free on TV.
Actually they say in the Charter some lovely flowery words about
“The IOC takes all necessary steps in order to ensure the fullest coverage by the
different media and the widest possible audience in the world for the Olympic Games.”
Then they ignore them.
They only accredit media from the organisations from each country that will pay them the most money. They also set up the timing of the events to fit the desire of the biggest organisation. Major events will always take place at a time that fits prime time US TV.
As far as I’m aware the Olympic movement is not for profit in the sense of a dividend paying corporate entity. The Olympic movement seeks to promote the Olympic movement which is a bringing together of people for common good through sport.
I guess when the IOC asks for the fullest coverage to the widest possible audience they expect various governments to be part of that ideal in the same way various governments fund Olympic athletes.
The Australian government does this. The New Zealand Government does not.
As it stands in New Zealand, only the children of the wealthy are able to be inspired by the deeds of Kiwi Olympians.
“As far as I’m aware the Olympic movement is not for profit”
I would love to think it was true but the reality appears to be the contrary. The IOC seems to remain just as corrupt now as it was for the last 30 years.
Have a look at this as an introduction or just Google “IOC corruption”
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/may/11/tokyo-olympic-games-2020-ioc-international-olympic-committee-corruption-bid-scandal
Australia did do better on laying down what must be shown on free to air TV than we do. On that you are correct. I don’t really see why we didn’t set some rules, although deciding what should, and should not, be included wold have been interesting. I shall be interested to see how much is provided on Prime, even if on a delayed basis. I would note that when TVNZ used to show the Olympics they tended to do it by simply relaying the US coverage. Events in which New Zealand was represented weren’t shown unless the US had an interest in the event. We didn’t actually send anyone there to cover the events directly.
The IOC itself is however totally determined to look after the interests of the members of the IOC. Their interest in the greater good of the world’s population is way, way down the track.
In case there’s any doubt, yes print media can be politically biased against the left. No doubt a study of radio and TV political reportage might produce a similar conclusion as well.Look at this study of Corbyn coverage in the UK: http://www.lse.ac.uk/media@lse/research/pdf/JeremyCorbyn/Cobyn-Report-FINAL.pdf
The Trump-Putin connection gets ever more worrying.
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/trump-putin-yes-it-s-really-a-thing
Only for those who lack elementary cognizant awareness
Worth a look.
https://youtu.be/CuwQlsTXYw8
This film (Shadow World) is screening at the 2016 New Zealand International Film Festival.
The aggressive American activities on Russian borders is far more worrying than any
‘trumped up'(sic) connection between Trump and Putin. The USA is paranoid about Russia and always has been. Just bear in mind that it is not Russia that has the planet covered with military bases, it is not Russia that is demanding hegemony to its failed model of corporate capitalism.
Time for you to sit on your hands and say it is someone else’s problem?
Or, time to react with every resource and lever you have at hand?
Why the “Heat Dome” Will Scorch Nearly the Entire U.S. This Weekend
The first half of 2016 has blown away temperature records, capped off by a record hot June,…..
…..The monthly numbers from NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration puts the planet on track to surpass 2015 as the hottest on record.
He does care.
/
Donald Trump thought he could use his usual tactic of “I’ve paid you enough already” to get out of a painting bill for his golf course, but the mom-and-pop paint store took him to court and won.
From The Miami Herald:
If you want to see how our potential president ripped off another hard-working person, watch this.
http://boingboing.net/2016/07/22/for-cheating-a-mom-and-pop-pai.html
Does anyone know who Coleman’s “spokeswoman” is? And is she the same as last year was issuing statements on his behalf? This feels too much like the same (im)plausible deniability being fabricated once more:
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/391310/loath-repeat-wrangle
But only last year:
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/339385/sdhb-serious-freefall
Yet just two months later:
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/346133/southern-health-board-sacked
Coleman and his spokeswoman no longer have any credibility in my eyes.
Scary shadowy shenanigans going on there, hopefully ODT stays the true course & lays it bare, GOVT desperate to rid Dunedin of its big hospital.
Translation: National will let DPH keep neurology because they can’t afford 10,000 people marching down George St again, esp in an election year. But they’ll gut the rest of it to the extent they can get away with it, doing it on the sly as much as possible.
Thommo’s gunna find that 17 mill.
He may not be on the ticket, He may not even get the right to address the Democratic Convention, but he used what leverage he had to get the best deal he could, for more action on the most pressing issue in human history.
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2098342-sanders-turns-the-heat-up-to-make-clinton-a-real-climate-champ/
Conventional medicine as we know it will become largely inaccessible in the next 40 years as complex systems of technology and logistics break down in the post fossil fuels age.
While we will all be much worse off when that happens, it is also time to understand that the source of health and well being is not a pill bottle, injection or a scalpel.
Tell me what the problem is, and tell me what the solution you have in mind is supposed to achieve, and I’ll tell you if your criticism means anything to me.
[Moved to open mike. I thought I’d caught Tim’s stupid bait in time. Obviously not]
Thanks Bill. I was going to delete my comment as it was clearly off topic too.
The problem is suffering and vaccinations can prevent a great deal of it but you Jim and Jemaine seem to be determined to throw that away
Hard not to come to the conclusion that nz isnt conservative by default after the latest polls especially after all they drama in the last month….
Left wing parties need urgent renewal the left is more or less the whitest, least diverse and older side of Parliament and sadly nothing will change at the next election as all the same faces seem to be running, we need to flush out the mallards, the dysons any many of the remains of clarks government should have retired at the last ge.
National is a much more multicultural party. Labour looks like the nz of the past not the present the Greens to a lesser extent are also guilty too….
Hopefully by 2020 we’ll have fresher, multicultural left wing parties and not just middleclass careerist nerds
Fucken sick of the protrump bullshit
Well, at least it’s a distraction from the “labour did it too” bile 🙂
From CV? True that.
This Trump cheerleading is kite flying in service of some completely unrelated personal and domestic agenda. To the point of weirdness actually. Elements of “Burn the village to save it…….”.
“Environment Minister Nick Smith accidentally gargled paint stripper instead of mouthwash, after a tradesman left the poison in his bathroom.”
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/82424993/nick-smith-reveals-he-gargled-paint-stripper-as-mouthwash
@ Gangnam Style (25) …. “accidently?”
To quote Forrest Gump “stupid is as stupid does”
That explains so much about Nick Smith. The gargling of paint stripper must have damaged the part of the brain where you give a shit about people.
Enjoyed watching Q&A’s panel discussion this morning. You may not agree with everything that was said but it was an intelligent, mature discussion by intelligent and mature people.
Wouldn’t it be nice if all such TV discussion panels managed the same level of rational debate.
http://tvnz.co.nz/q-and-a-news/housing-economy-panel-video-6483419
‘Capitalism in crisis with Richard Wolff’
https://www.rt.com/shows/on-contact/352948-capitalism-brexit-labor-protests/
“Chris Hedges explores capitalism in crisis with Richard Wolff, professor of economics emeritus at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. From Brexit, to labor protests in France, to Italy’s financial woes, they discuss the effects of austerity on the working class.
RT’s Anya Parampil looks at the fallout of Britain’s decision to leave the European Union.
Well worth a look, Wolff explains things so clearly.
We’re supposed to buy the lie that PM hasn’t been briefed by his own department about China’s threats to NZ exports in the light of the dodgy Chinese steel scandal
#YeahRight
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11680537
So submit a request under the Official Information Act for all briefing notes. They are hardly going to lie are they?