I thought it was a good performance given the role of both parties. Remember the interviewers job is to ask all the stupid questions to allow the interviewee to explain the topic in more depth. That and the general public has little idea what the terms even mean.
I would like to compliment all the commentators on The Standard for their patience in dealing with Paddington's pedantic and nit-picking yesterday. Even LPrent, whose caustic comments have raised a smile in the past, was subdued.
If this is indicative of the PM's call for kindness, well done. We will all need to be patient and understanding in the difficult times that lie ahead.
I’ve left a moderation note asking for it to be dropped, thanks. Now, if we could all move on and focus on what really matters right here, right now, that would be great and might even safe lives.
"Now, if we could all move on and focus on what really matters right here"
We can, and have ……….. or maybe not – but it's six days later, and fromwhat I've seen as an interloper, Paddy Bear seems to have tucked up his tail and scarpered (possibly to re-appear under another guise)
Well said Tony. Paddington was being an irritating house fly buzzing around, but people had bigger things to think about than his/her silliness.
Jacinda’s instinctive qualities as a leader and communicator were again things we should be so grateful for at this time. Talking to a friend (on the phone) yesterday after her announcement, was interesting. He was so complimentary about how she has handled all this massive situation.
Does anyone in your household suffer from anxiety?
My youngest does, so I made up some info sheets for her last night and a list of her responsibilities before we officially go into lock down. Put official logos etc on it thanks to the covid-19 website.
This has helped sooooo much, as she now knows what to expect and can check her info sheets if she is unsure.
For example…. today my girls need to decide on any projects they wish to complete over the next month and any supplies they may need for that project, because the warehouse, mitre 10, $2 shop etc won't be open for a month come Thursday.
Saw that Warehouse will be open. Perhaps because they have many household basics at excellent prices, veg and flower plants and warmer clothing as well. They are also big and allow for space. Cheers You are such a good Mum.
Here is a little something from one of my on-line friends in the US. He offers his experiences from a similar situation he faced last year, with a cartoon that your daughters might identify with:
When I was in isolation during cancer treatments last year, some days I just played Red Dead Redemption Online because the stress of the situation made being actually productive too emotionally difficult. We all deal with stress in different ways. It ok to freak out a bit, this is a novel flu pandemic, life has changed, it’s ok to acknowledge how this is affecting you. We are all under duress, don’t beat you’re self up if your productivity is not as high as it was before or your not excited about doing stuff, this is a high stress situation. Remember to give yourself permission to feel anything right now. Feelings and random thoughts are not who you are as a person. You can only control your actions.
Well done, try and make some games out of it with mini prizes, those parents who did this in the Chch aftershocks, i.e. quessing strength of aftershocks etc, had children emerge in good health .
Would anyone know if owner operator lawn mowing business would be eligible for subsidy if the operator is a superannuitant getting pension. Which,as most people know is barely subsistence level. We have payments to make for van and motor mowers and other debts that go along with business ownership such as taxes and accountants etc.
Without this business we wouldnt survive so we have to keep it going.
I cant find mention of beneficiaries who are business owners being eligible. Help!!
There is a lot to read on this site Ffloyd. Bit about cashflow and such and lists of links. Hope this helps. It looks like the place to go if you need to do some gentle harassing.
Thought of the moment: is Tiwai Point an essential business? If it has to shut down for four weeks, have the odds suddenly shifted towards it never starting back up again? Would the various parties to the assorted contractual obligations around shutdown timeframes be more flexible right now around amending those timeframes?
I believe it takes some time to shut down and longer to start. . If they do shut now is not a good time to kill them off when we are allowed out again a 1000 jobs in the south will be a big thing.
The problems you hear about around shutting down potlines are mostly around the damage that happens when the power supply is unexpectedly lost. While planned shutdowns are still expensive, they are less expensive than unplanned forced shutdowns. Given the financial pain being caused across the rest of New Zealand, it amounts to special pleading for Tiwai Point to claim their financial pain from shutdown is somehow unique or should entitle them to special privileges.
Very little of Tiwai Point's output is used in New Zealand. It is of generally very high purity (because of the way they choose to operate the smelter, not anything special about New Zealand) and it mostly goes to Japan for specialist electronic uses. I've had occasion to look into the supply chain for the aluminium used in some engineering projects I've been involved in, and every time it has been imported.
thanks Andre. I don't care very much about Comalco's profit, other than how that might affect NZ (and we could definitely do with freeing up Manapouri power). Job losses and our international obligations to essential production matter. Do we buy specialist electronics from Japan?
The other big issue is how safe is it re covid for workers? Can good protocols be put in place?
I'd see closure generally in the context of the Powerdown and creating sustainable tech industries esp in relation to CC. Don't know if now or later is better for that, but we're not having the necessary conversation yet.
No it's not something in the news, it really was just a random thought for the morning. Given that the review decision was supposed to be complete sometime in this first quarter, I'm a little surprised at the silence.
I've never visited Tiwai Point, so this is just speculation, but here goes anyway …
As far as worker protection from COVID-19 goes, the production area of smelter type operations tends to have very low worker density, so keeping distance is unlikely to be a problem. It's a huge facility and if there's only 1000 or so there covering 24/7 shifts, they can't be very close together. Except maybe in smoko rooms.
I'd guess the higher risk would be for professional and lab staff. It's unlikely they've resisted the general execrable management trend of jamming as many people as possible into crowded open-plan areas. So they're more likely to spend all day in close proximity.
As Andre says, an orderly shutdown isn't that much of a problem.
Quite expensive in power and especially when you look at what it does to the refractories (I used to do tech sales at Kamo Green refractories during Think Big).
I wouldn't expect that it is defined as 'essential'. They may get some grace from just arguing the economic impact to the economy. We're going to be scratching for export income for a while.
I had a quick look for up to date news specific to Tiwai Point and didn't find any. But there was a lot about how chinese smelters have kept running and there's now an oversupply with reduced demand. Plus stories of how the big companies are putting the squeeze on other countries such as Icelasnd threatening to shut down if they don't get lower electricity prices.
So I suspect we're in for another disaster capitalism play from Rio Tinto for more hidden and overt subsidies that the rest of us pay for. Leveraging off of ideas like scarcity of export income and preserving jobs etc.
A thing about exotic trees and native trees in Australia and how flammable Oz trees are. We don't have a lot of Eucs here but the principle is the same and discussions here along the same lines are important.
For decades, Peter has planted a mosaic of trees including his truffle bearing hazelnuts and oaks, but also poplars and willows, and up to 30 bamboo varieties. His aim is to restore the property’s capacity to retain water at all levels, moving it gently through the soil profile rather than streaming off degraded, heavily compacted land…
Peter’s reasoning is that even a fire roaring uphill with a good draft will pause when it hits green trees. He estimates that a mature poplar, for example, is carrying 100 to 200 kg of water. As the fire and the trees interact, there’s a burst of flash evaporation from the greenery that absorbs heat. Peter says updraft wind will drop almost instantly under those conditions.
The wind controlling effect of banked deciduous foliage also worked to dramatically slow the fire’s spread and, three rows in, the blaze became controllable with groundwork and shovels.
Thanks Robert. Hope everything is going well in green land and family.
And while you have a minutes I wondered if you could tell me if I'm hurting my cherry plum tree draining rinse water towards which has a touch of detergent in it still. The leaves on a weaker side are dullish and hanging. Might just have been too dry from weeks of little water.
(I keep thinking about panic and hoping people aren't hurting themselves and having more accidents that end up needing treatment. It's going to be really interesting to see what happens with that over the next month).
I'm an essential worker apparently, but what I'm seeing today is panic driving, looking forward to some quiet roads during lockdown while I go about my essential business. Also today, 15-20 car long queues for McDonalds.
I noticed Henry Cooke being snide again. According to him, Jacinda has us "Under House Arrest"
We can go for a walk, shop for food, get our medications, Make up our own activities, use the internet, talk to friends and neighbours over the fence or on the "phone/skype
What is stuck in his craw?
Sorry, I could not locate the article again. Herald.
Be kind Henry, the PM is working hard to save lives…. get with the goal and write some helpful pieces.
Wait for Stuff regular columnist Steve Elers if you're looking for snide in attacking the PM. He had the sense to say in a column most recently, "As a commentator of everything and a master of nothing" of himself. That should be added to the descriptive blurb at the bottom of his 'work.'
Steve Elers tag line at the bottom of his opinion pieces on stuff currently say he is " a senior lecturer at Massey University and writes a weekly article on cultural and political matters' or something similar. It should read "he is an ill-informed senior lecturer at Massey who writes a weekly diatribe abusing the Prime Minister." Massey must be so proud.
I suspect they have, and tho' it's nice to be able to walk down the street (keeping me 2 mtr separation and watching the stupidity with a degree of amusement at [predominantly] male ego insecurities), shifting the problem into the private domain will probably mean a whole lot of it goes unreported.
Already, I've noticed an increase in decibels from some of the neighbouring properties in the early hours, then later the littering of RTD cans and empty bottles of piss.
I'm actually hoping Women's Refuge and various other agencies begin to report they are being overwhelmed.
We spoke of this last night, in the context of the children who go to school as they can get food. Also school can be a violence free refuge, as opposed to home. Home that now has an even higher stressed adult(s) dishing out the family harm.
Well if the stories about queues at bottle stores and panic buying are true, then probably not, it may just be spilling out on to driveways instead of the high street.
A little something to while away the long hours to be spent at home:
Yep. It's Pippa. The albatross chick /live cam. Poor little mite is being buffeted by strong winds and rain at the moment.
They also produce a video of the highlights at the end of each day which consists of Mum and Dad returning to feed her and a bunch of teenage Albatross brats who like to tease and harass her especially around feed time. Mum knows how to handle them.
Christ. Have such landlords got no shame? Name and shame – or even report to authorities. Where are they meant to go once the lock down deadline arrives?
It would seem that the powers that be at our local hospital may have missed a trick in respect to uniforms. This, to me, is a potentially serious health and safety issue.
Almost all front-line health staff (nurses) wear their uniform to and from work.
There is push-back from management against the wearing of scrubs. Scrubs are an ideal solution to keeping staff families and homes free of the virus that can be bought home on clothing. The hospitals still launder scrubs so any potential contamination stays in house.
Particularly ironic as our local hospital has just changed the colour of the surgical scrubs in January, so there must be a surplus of this clothing somewhere.
It will be interesting to see how Covid-19 affects the next Australian election. Their infection rates are much higher than ours. There could be a backlash against a last minute Cambridge Analytica campaign.
Public transport and domestic air travel can only be used for medical reasons, to get to the supermarket, for people working in essential services and for freight.
and
taxis and ride share services like Uber will continue operating.
Chris Martenson praising NZ saying PM "just doing a great job". Yep, she is. Just prior to this time segment a letter from Annie, who closed her restaurant a couple of days before officials ordered it.
Early in this piece we learn that New York is over 20,000 cases – that was quick. Other surprises are Switzerland who have more cases per person than other countries.
I have just found out the WINZ offices are closing down for fear of staff getting infected by the virus. Why isn't this classified as an essential department for citizens when they are allowing The Warehouse to remain open for business. When has the Warehouse ever been considered an essential industry/business. Have I just fallen down the rabbit hole here. What it he hell is going on. Also All the courts are closing with the exception of the District courts – how does this equate as well. People are people no matter what court they have to attend and will catch this virus no matter what the sin is.
I am increasingly becoming confused about how these decisions are agreed upon. What about all the thousands of people who are now without jobs. How do they get any support if they can't get to their local WINZ Office. Not everybody has a computer or even able to afford to get online. Somebody clarify to me – am I missing something here. I have a loved one who is fragile and involved in these two departments and its hard enough with the enormity of the environment right now without pulling up the drawbridge on one department – WINZ and allowing the other District Courts to remain open to the milling crowds of people who go in their bldgs each day.
Phones are not much use when the system crashes through overload. Its a futile exercise even trying to get through. People who are needing WINZ right now are out of jobs, scared shitless, and vulnerable and the powers that be should have been better prepared for the influx of numbers and laid on more staff and perspex screens for them to protect from this virus if they are so worried over them. I am definitely down the rabbit hole over this.
The Warehouse helped stop the peasants revolting when we entered the fire economy – they are essential to the survival of liberalism as the dominate ideology.
I went to a supermarket in central Auckland this morning and it was remarkably calm and relatively uncrowded. No busier than a typical pre-Christmas day. Queue at checkout no longer than usual. Some shelves were sparsely stocked but there was nothing on my list I couldn't get if I changed brands. Posh pasta instead of budget pasta, no biggie.
I realize many people are not as conveniently close to supermarkets and dairies as I am. But in the last 48 hours I have had no problem buying both essentials and treats (and no I'm not hoarding).
I too wonder why the warehouse remains open. Yes it does sell some food but it's not a main offering IIRC a lot of it is imported and we need to do without the shopping fix that people may want to access for other goods. Why have they not got the stay at home message.
WINZ I would have thought was essential. – Okay they would want internet & phone first and they need to call back the pay as you use people – maybe they should stuff some form of access around the supermarkets – dedicated phone line or a credit that goes only to WINZ.
"Self-isolation" allows for a walk outside, carefully avoiding contact, but based on my (obviously random) sample of seeing people on the street on this last day before lockdown, I'd say at least a quarter still don't "get it". Plenty of proximity and touching.
It takes time for the message to sink in, so we can expect an extension after one month, as community transfer continues. If we can't be trusted to do this right, then it's going to be a full curfew.
Yes. I can't believe the queues outside some supermarkets (and gun shops) where people are not doing the 2 meter distancing from each other. I hope this gets controlled in future.
I certainly won't be venturing out til that is sorted.
I'm fortunate that I was able to book a supermarket home delivery for Sunday, and I have a nephew on standby who will deliver more more food (mostly fresh fruit & veges) when I need them.
Micro businesses – NZrs who make their own work since various governments made it so hard for small business which collapsed unable to compete with the world.
And here we see how the gummint agencies are just not concerned about helping these great innovative entrepreneurs in their small businesses.
<i>Only about $200 went through the till yesterday – down from about $1500 on a good day…. "Honestly I'm freaking out. I don't know if I can sustain it because how am I going to pay my rent even?
"I haven't even paid this month's rent yet, you know what I mean? "How do I pay the rent? How do I pay the wages, the power bill, the phone bill, my mortgage?"
Boyd said as a sole trader she did not yet have the 13-digit business number required to access government relief funds. "I really don't understand that either because I've been trying to get my New Zealand business number."
I even went to my accountant and he went online with me and it wouldn't get through. It kept saying 'error' but it won't tell me what the error is."
Boyd said she was worried about her staff, one of whom was expecting a baby.</i>
This leaves landlords able to bank renters' money with interest while having no outgoings at all.
A far as I am aware though all the other fixed costs like rates, insurance and property management fees will likely remain. You would be surprised at what a large fraction of your rent these consume. Including other smaller sundries we allow 50% of the rent to go in fixed costs. After that comes the variable costs like mortgage interest and annual company tax.
If a tenant stops paying their rent, a mortgage holiday will be very welcome, but it goes nowhere near covering all our costs.
The government should look at dole plus half rent paid for those losing their income/employment. Half rent would cover such utility costs for the landlord.
Tenants are going to be shafted; either owing massive amounts in rent or kicked out after the lockdown period is over.
A comment elsewhere on the subject with respect to the fraught idea of the random negotiating of rent reductions between tenant (powerless) and landlord (the clue is in the name).
Do you know what. I wouldn't have an issue if we were all in this together but today the preferential treatment for the comparatively wealthy beggars belief.
The reasoning for the mortgage holiday is apparently so people don't 'lose their homes'.
What if they did 'lose their homes', what would they be then?
i hardly believe that a company with 80 million annual turnover would have a owner who would 'loose' the house.
nah, these guys are making sure that some survive – whom ever they consider 'solvent' – and the rest so far can get fucked. Essentially this is a very national bail out, it is what i would have expected from teh National Party.
I am honestly out of wits when it comes to the 'hand outs' of this government.
funnily enough i was interviewed today by some 'regional NZ herald' guy and i essentially said that the government needs to either offer interest free loans or offer a rent/mortgage/lease/bill holiday to all of us. Its not ok to tell us to take a bank loan on the eve of Financial Crisis 2.0. So far my loyal customers have come through. I have discounted everything, and tomorrow last day – morning only – hopefully will see me make enough money for the Landlord.
I already advised my chocolate supplier that next month bill will be the first that i will miss in 8 years.
I don't wish the Labour Party and the coalition any ill, but i will never ever support them – not with money, not with time, and most certainly not with a vote. I just don't have any reason to do so.
The scheme will include a limit of $500,000 per loan and will apply to firms with a turnover of between $250,000 and $80 million per annum. The loans will be for a maximum of three years and expected to be provided by the banks at competitive, transparent rates.
well these businesses are very deserving, and need a bail out as where all those below 250.000 turnover per annum can get fucked.
Contrary to rumours, misinformation etc here and elsewhere, WINZ has NOT closed down completely.
MSD/WINZ has been designated an essential service. Like many other Goverment departments also classed as essential services, it has closed its service centres for face to face appointments, advice etc – BUT will continue to provide advice, help etc via its internet site and by phome.
Some other changes mentioned in that article of interest:
MSD is also making a number of other changes, coming into effect on 30 March, for a six-month period:
Removing the need to provide subsequent medical certificates for clients already getting Jobseeker Support or Sole Parent Support
Deferring any Disability Allowance reviews
Delaying Annual Reviews (including all annual reviews of income, confirming your circumstances (CYC) and annual circumstances letters (ACL), social housing reviews, and life certificates
NOTE that the section on Service Centre states that:
We've closed our service centres to keep people safe and stop the spread of COVID-19. If you need to contact us urgently you can use MyMSD or contact us.
FYI here is the URL for that "Contact Us' link – contact numbers are under each of the main headings. Press the + sign.
Note the wording in this particular section which I have underlined:
Left your job voluntarily or fired for misconduct
If you've left your job without a good reason or have been fired for misconduct, you may still need to wait up to 13 weeks before your payments start.
This 13 week period is a non-entitlement period, not a stand-down.
The wording "you may still need to wait up to 13 weeks", implies that this is not a compulsory set period; rather a period of time to a maximum of 13 weeks which is open to a decision by WINZ based on the circumstances of each case where someone has left a job voluntarily or has been fired for misconduct.
Hope the above helps.
PS – Just heard the PM, in her press conference currently underway, confirm that The Warehouse will not be open and is not an essential service.
At the press conference on Friday announcing the New York shutdown, Governor Andrew Cuomo said, “I want to be able to say to the people of New York—I did everything we could do. And if everything we do saves just one life, I’ll be happy.”
This statement reflects a disastrous sentimentalism. Everything for the sake of physical life? What about justice, beauty, and honor? There are many things more precious than life. And yet we have been whipped into such a frenzy in New York that most family members will forgo visiting sick parents. Clergy won’t visit the sick or console those who mourn. The Eucharist itself is now subordinated to the false god of “saving lives.”
[…]
A number of my friends disagree with me. They support the current measures, insisting that Christians must defend life. But the pro-life cause concerns the battle against killing, not an ill-conceived crusade against human finitude and the dolorous reality of death.
Yes that is a huge kick in the guts for renters. Why is the mortgage holiday for people who are renting out their properties. Sounds more like "a be kind to banks week."
Right up there with all the high income employees and directors not taking a haircut while they spend their time laying people off.
As for Winz – tone deaf as usual – just pushing the everyone can go online agenda – despite benefits being insufficent to support being able to afford these services or for that matter a phone. Oh and guess what the library has been closed so even if there is one the internet can't be used there either.
A six-month mortgage holiday for people whose incomes have been affected by Covid-19 will mean people won't lose their homes as a result of the economic disruption caused by this virus
Still a massive imbalance in the way two sections of society are being treated. And it still applies to the landlord who claims the holiday on their own home.
One section is being offered massive relief around the biggest household cost of all at this very stressful and critical time, while another section is offered nothing in the same area.
This needs to be sorted or there will be massive unrest.
The scheme will include a limit of $500,000 per loan and will apply to firms with a turnover of between $250,000 and $80 million per annum. The loans will be for a maximum of three years and expected to be provided by the banks at competitive, transparent rates.
i really don't see why a business owner with 80 million turn over needs a mortgage holiday, while the dude on 70.000 does not. But then maybe the dude with the 80 million dollar business needs to buy some more cheap houses when the dudes on regular wages default. After all we can't have socialism for the poor, no we only have it for the well to do, and the very rich. Besides, when the Labour critters quit parliament they would like to have some lucrative jobs on boards and such, so consider it a 'prepayment' for services to be rendered in the future.
Now somebody understands what my thread was about. A lot of people on benefits do not own a computer and if they do own one they cannot afford to go online. Libraries were open with computers and wifi and were available to these beneficeries and now they have closed down too. Owning a computer and being online is a luxury to many people and I find it quite extraordinary to plead the safety of their staff the reason for closing down. What about all the staff in supermarkets, pharmacies, they are having to run the gauntlet of being in harm's way. I just don't buy it at all their excuse for shutting down.
Even the District Court is staying open for the poor felons going before the judges. Obviously they want to punish the felons and punish the poor bastards who are out of work, mentally unwell, physically disabled etc. as well.
Yes, I definitely have gone down the rabbit hole on this one.
If people use the month to outdoor exercise, on foot or bike and get plenty of sleep then our public health (stronger immune systems) will be stronger for it. It is a good time of year for it.
If you've got elderly neighbours don't forget to make sure they are ok, because they may be scared or have no family close by.
We've contacted ours to let them know (via a note slipped under their door) if we go to the supermarket etc we will contact them know in advance should they need anything.
Mention was made in the comment at 18 that prompted my one at 25 re WINZ, that all Courtrs except District Courts were being closed down.
The Court situation is actually a lot more complex than what was stated at 18 and is still being sorted out. Advice about what is happening with the Courts is being promulgated on an ongoing basis on the following link and also on the Courts of New Zealand Twitter account @CourtsofNZ.
"Courts are an essential service. It is essential that New Zealand courts continue to uphold the rule of law and to ensure that fair trial rights, the right to natural justice and rights under the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act are upheld"
"However, the move to level 4 will be extremely disruptive to everyday court practices. It will affect the ability of all who support the operations of the courts, and those who appear before them, to prepare for or attend at court."
For the remainder of this week it is expected that courts will operate only in the priority areas of:proceedings that affect: liberty of the individual, personal safety and wellbeing, and matters in which resolution is time-critical.
Proceedings in the following courts will not go ahead this week: Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, Employment Court, Environment Court (with one exception), Māori Land Court, Waitangi Tribunal, and Coroners Court.
To the maximum extent possible, and to avoid the need for people to attend court in person, the courts will use remote participation eg AVL where that is possible, telephone or email.
“However, in the District Court in-person attendances may be required in some cases. Where court attendance is unavoidable, the safety of the public, court staff and members of the legal profession is paramount. Measures have been taken to achieve physical distance and to improve courthouse hygiene.”
In summary (rough mix of quotes and shortened wording):
From today, the following proceedings take priorityin the District Court (all full quotes):
Criminal when the defendant is in custody: Public order offenders; Bail applications (including breaches); Sentencing those already in custody; Deportation warrants; CP(MIP); Breach of PSOs.
Civil: Injunctions, Harassment orders; Harmful digital communications; Tenancy Tribunal appeals against evictions.
Youth: Arrests (first appearances); Secure care applications, Bail applications; Review of custody, CP (MIP), Early release hearing (see separate letter from Principal Youth Court Judge Walker.)
Family: Public Health Order applications; Without notice applications: Care and protection (s 67 and s 78 immediate uplift); Protection and related Orders (Family Violence Act); Care of Children applications (family violence related); Mental Health (applications for compulsory treatment orders); Other without notice applications: PPPR, PRA, Hague Convention; Substance Addiction (Compulsory Treatment); s 67 Care and Protection.
Other proceedings will be administratively adjourned to the next available date except in the case of Youth Court which will be adjourned for four weeks. (shortened)
"If AVL facilities are not available, the Duty Solicitor (or Duty Youth Advocate or Assigned Youth Advocate in Youth Court) must attend in person.
If facilities for the defendant to appear by AVL are not available, the defendant will appear in person.
In the Family Court, counsel are to appear by telephone or AVL, and if facilities are not available, in person.
In Civil cases, counsel can appear by telephone."
Again, I hope that clarifies things a bit at least.
Methinks Macro is getting bored out of his brain with this lock-down before its even officially started. Didn't you manage to get into town for a bout of panic buying this afto?
OMG! that s serious price gouging. Mine was $10 a kilo, mind you I brought my own container. From here on in, I'll ring up and order, and she will pack and either drop off or I can pick up from the store.
i buy all my meat from the local butcher. The guy and his wife know what they do, they have five kids and the mad butcher's meat is just rubbish. But yeah, what a rip of.
Macro – the sprout-with-toothpicks image is one I saw a few days back and sent to friends, most of whom didn't get it at all! I was amazed but learned the lesson about niche-knowledge and the ease with which one can assume that what to you is obvious (and in this case, funny) is neither of those to people who haven't tried growing an avocado this way.
Ahh a sad commentary on our society. There is not a vegetable seedling to be had in the whole of town right now. I fear for those tender young things in inexpert hands. I wonder how and where they will be placed in the expectation that within a week or two they will be harvested.
I wonder if these sis sandflys are going to try and arrest me when I go to the supermarket today.??? They will be drooling to do that with there new powers
Some of the symptoms of the virus is loss of smell and taste
Its better that we do it hard and correct now and minimise the virus spread than not to isolation properly now and the virus spread rapidly causing chaos to our love one's and our hospital system.
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Bryce Edwards writes – Willie Jackson will participate in the prestigious Oxford Union debate on Thursday, following in David Lange’s footsteps. Coincidentally, Jackson has also followed Lange’s footsteps by living in his old home in South Auckland. And like Lange, Jackson might be the sort of loud-mouth scrapper ...
That is the only way to describe an MP "forgetting" to declare $178,000 in donations. The amount of money involved - more than five times the candidate spending cap, and two and a half times the median income - is boggling. How do you just "forget" that amount of money? ...
In this week’s “A View from Afar” podcast Selwyn Manning and spoke about the upcoming US elections and what the possibility of another Trump presidency means for the US role in world affairs. We also spoke about the problems Joe … Continue reading → ...
Hi,Two years ago I briefly featured in Justin Pemberton’s Web of Chaos documentary, which touched on things like QAnon during the pandemic.I mostly prattled on about how intertwined conspiracy narratives are with Evangelical Christian thinking, something Webworm’s explored in the past.(The doc is available on TVNZ+, if you’re not in ...
The Government is leaving the entire construction sector and the community housing sector in limbo. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The Government released the long-awaited Bill English-led review of Kāinga Ora yesterday, but delayed key decisions on its build plan and how to help community housing providers (CHPs) build ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Daisy Simmons Farmers who can’t sleep, worrying they’ll lose everything amid increasing drought. Youth struggling with depression over a future that feels hopeless. Indigenous people grief-stricken over devastated ecosystems. For all these people and more, climate change is taking a clear toll ...
New Zealand’s relationship with China is becoming harder to define, and with that comes a worry that a deteriorating political relationship could spill over into the economic relationship. It is about more than whether New Zealand will join Pillar Two of Aukus, though the Chinese Ambassador, more or less, suggested ...
Been hoping we would see something like this from Sir Geoffrey Palmer. This is excellent.The present Bill goes further than the National Development Act 1979 in stripping away procedures designed to ensure that environmental issues are properly considered. The 1979 approach was not acceptable then and this present approach is ...
He’s Got The Moxie: Only Willie Jackson possesses the credentials to meld together a new Labour message that is, at one and the same moment, staunchly working-class, union-friendly, and which speaks to the hundreds-of-thousands of urban Māori untethered to the neo-tribal capitalist elites of the Iwi Leaders Forum.IT’S ONE OF THE ...
Tree-huggers may well accuse the Government of giving them the fingers, after Energy Minister Simeon Brown announced new measures to protect powerlines from trees, rather than measures to protect trees from powerlines. It can be no coincidence, surely, that this has been announced at the same as Fisheries Minister Shane Jones ...
Willie Jackson will participate in the prestigious Oxford Union debate on Thursday, following in David Lange’s footsteps. Coincidentally, Jackson has also followed Lange’s footsteps by living in his old home in South Auckland. And like Lange, Jackson might be the sort of loud-mouth scrapper who could take over the Labour ...
Barrister Gary Judd KC’s complaint to the Regulatory Review Committee has sparked a fierce debate about the place of tikanga Māori – or Māori customs, values and spiritual beliefs – in the law.Judd opposes the New Zealand Council of Legal Education’s plans to make teaching tikanga compulsory in the legal curriculum.AUT ...
Alwyn Poole writes – In New Zealand we have approximately 460 high schools. The gaps between the schools that produce the best results for students and those at the other end of the spectrum are enormous.In terms of the data for their leavers, the top 30 schools have ...
Bryce Edwards writes – New Zealand First Cabinet Minister Shane Jones has become the best advertisement against the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill. In selling the radical new resource consenting processes, in which ministers can green light any mine, dam, or other major development, Jones seems to be ...
Brian Eastonwrites – The Fast-Track Approvals Bill enables cabinet ministers to circumvent key environmental planning and protection processes for infrastructure projects. Its difficulties have been well canvassed. This column suggests a different way of thinking about the proposal. I am ...
The split opening up in Israel’s “War Cabinet” is not just between PM Benjamin Netanyahu and his long-term rival Benny Gantz. It is actually a three-way split, set in motion by Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. It was Gallant’s open criticism of Netanyahu that finally flushed Gantz out into the open. ...
On Thursday 17 May, the Mayoral Proposal for Auckland’s Long Term Plan 2024-2034 was passed by Auckland Council, 20 to 1. It is set to be formally adopted by the Governing Body at its June 27th meeting. The entire process took 8 hours, with the vast majority of that time ...
Pakanga o muaTukua, ka ngaroPuritia taku ringaNgaro ana te ara ki pae rauThere's a battle aheadMany battles are lostBut you'll never see the end of the roadWhile you're travelling with meLate yesterday morning I headed to Wynyard Quarter to see Marama Davidson and Chlöe Swarbrick give their pre-budget State of ...
Maybe the Prime Minister and his Finance Minister expected the worst, so they mounted a stout defence of the Budget tax cuts to their party faithful at a party conference over the weekend. In turn, they were greeted with applause, which, though it may have been less than wildly enthusiastic, ...
A listing of 34 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, May 12, 2024 thru Sat, May 18, 2024. Story of the week “The legislation I signed today [will] keep windmills off our beaches, gas in our tanks, and ...
TL;DR: Here’s six links that stood out to me in the last day in Aotearoa’s political economy to 6:06am on Sunday, May 19:Aotearoa-NZ is the seventh worst in the OECD’s homelessness rankings, just behind the United States and just ahead of Australia. BlackRock thinks rate hikes actually worsen inflation because ...
Halfway up a historic tower in York, we are neither up nor down. At the top you will have views of a city steeped in antiquity, made and remade by Romans, Normans, Vikings, Tescos. Below, you will find a retired minister happy to tell you all about this most astonishing ...
Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park in collaboration with members from our Skeptical Science team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Does breathing contribute to CO2 ...
David Farrar writes – The Herald reports: KiwiRail’s seemingly endless requests for more money is damning. At one point, KiwiRail assured Robertson when he was the Finance Minister that the worst-case scenario would be an extra $300 million before requesting $1.2 billion a few months later. Not what most people ...
No one knows what it's likeTo be the bad manTo be the sad manBehind blue eyesNo one knows what it's likeTo be hatedTo be fatedTo telling only liesHave you ever wondered what life must be like for Mike Hosking? Seeing things in black and white through blue tinted specs? In ...
Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past two week’s editions.Share More Than A FeildingBike bling, London Read more ...
Hi,I think we all made it through another week — congratulations. I’ve been digesting the new Arab Strap record, which is astonishing. In other news, I’m going to be doing a Webworm popup in Auckland, New Zealand on Saturday July 13. I’ll bring a bunch of merch, and some other ...
The Fast-Track Approvals Bill enables cabinet ministers to circumvent key environmental planning and protection processes for infrastructure projects. Its difficulties have been well canvassed. This column suggests a different way of thinking about the proposal. I am going to explore the Bill from the perspective of its proponents with their ...
New Zealand First Cabinet Minister Shane Jones has become the best advertisement against the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill. In selling the radical new resource consenting processes, in which ministers can green light any mine, dam, or other major development, Jones seems to be shooting the proposal in the foot. ...
Buzz from the Beehive Associate Education Minister David Seymour is urging the PostPrimary Teachers Association to put learning ahead of ideology. He wants the union leaders to call off their teachers meetings around the country where they hope to muster the strength to undo the government’s plans to establish several ...
What are police for? "Fighting crime" is the obvious answer. If there's a burglary, they should show up and investigate. Ditto if there's a murder or sexual assault. Speeding or drunk or dangerous driving is a crime, so obviously they should respond to that. And obviously, they should respond to ...
Michael Reddell writes – I got curious yesterday about how the Australia/New Zealand real exchange rate had changed over the last decade, and so dug out the data on the changes in the two countries’ CPIs. Over the 10 years from March 2014 to March 2024, New Zealand’s ...
Graham Adams writes that 20 years after the land march, judges are quietly awarding a swathe of coastal rights to iwi. Early this month, an hour-long documentary was released by TVNZ to mark the 20th anniversary of the land-rights march to oppose Helen Clark’s Foreshore and Seabed Act. The account ...
David Farrar writes – The Herald reports: Suspended Green MP Darleen Tana has passed an unpleasant milestone: she has now been absent for as many parliamentary sitting days as she has been present for this year. Tana is on full pay while she is suspended, and will benefit from a ...
Peter Dunne writes – It is no coincidence that two Labour should-have-been MPs are making the most noise about public sector cuts. As assistant general secretary of the Public Service Association, Fleur Fitzsimons has been at the forefront of revealing where the next round of state sector job ...
Bryce Edwards writes – It’s becoming a classic case study for why lobbying deals with politicians need greater scrutiny. Former National Minister Steven Joyce runs a lobbying company with a major client – the University of Waikato. The University desperately wants $300m+ of taxpayer funding to establish a ...
This is one of the (extra) weekly columns on music or movies. Plenty of solid analyses of Possession exist online and most of them – inevitably – contain spoilers. This column is more in the way of a first-timer’s aid to getting your initial bearings. You don’t need to have ...
I am painting in oil, a portrait of a manWho has taken all the heart aches,And all the pain he can stand.I am using all the colors of blue,I have here on my stand.I am painting in oil, a portrait of a man.This has been an interesting week for me. ...
Helen Clark joins the Hoon as a special guest talking whether Aotearoa should join Aukus II, and her views on the fast track legislation and how Luxon and the new Government are performing. File Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for subscribers features co-hosts ...
With an election due in less than nine months, Britain’s embattled PM, Rishi Sunak, gave a useful speech earlier this week. He made a substantial case for his government, perhaps as compelling as is possible in the current environment. Quite an achievement. His overall theme was security, first pulling ...
Open access notablesPublicly expressed climate scepticism is greatest in regions with high CO2 emissions, Pearson et al., Climatic Change:We analysed a recently released corpus of climate-related tweets to examine the macro-level factors associated with public declarations of climate change scepticism. Analyses of over 2 million geo-located tweets in the U.S. showed that climate ...
You can be all negative about these charter schools if you want, but I’m here to accentuate the positive. You can get all worked up, if you want to, by the contradiction of Luxon saying We’re going to make sure that every school in the country is teaching exactly the same ...
Losing The Room: One can only speculate about what has persuaded the Coalition Government that it will pay no electoral price for unreasonably pushing ahead with policies that are so clearly against the national interest. They seem quite oblivious to the risk that by doing so they will convince an increasing ...
Name suppression decisions can be tough sometimes. No matter your views on free speech, you have to be hard-hearted not to be torn by the tug of the competing arguments. I think you can feel the Supreme Court wrestling with that in M v The King. The case for ...
The Merchants of Menace: The Coalition Government has convinced itself that the “Brahmins’” emollient functions have become much too irksome and expensive. Those who see themselves as the best hope of rebuilding New Zealand’s ailing capitalist system, appear to have convinced themselves that a little bit of blunt trauma is what their mollycoddled ...
When National first proposed its Muldoonist "fast-track" law, they were warned that it would inevitably lead to corruption. And that is exactly what has happened, with Resources Minister Shane Jones taking secret meetings with potential applicants:On Tuesday, in a Newsroom story, questions were raised about a dinner Jones ...
Buzz from the Beehive One day – hopefully – we will push that Russian rascal, Vladimir Putin, beyond breaking point. Perhaps it will happen today, when he learns that Foreign Minister Winston Peters is again tightening the thumbscrews. Peters announced further sanctions, this time on 28 individuals and 14 entities ...
How Labour’s and National’s failure to move beyond neoliberalism has brought New Zealand to the brink of economic and cultural chaos.TO START LOSING, so soon after you won, requires a special kind of political incompetence. At the heart of this Coalition Government’s failure to retain, and build upon, the public ...
“Members of Parliament don’t work for us, they represent us, an entirely different thing. As with so much that has turned out badly, the re-organising of MPs’ responsibilities began with the Fourth Labour Government. That’s when they began to be treated like employees – public servants – whose diaries had ...
It’s becoming a classic case study for why lobbying deals with politicians need greater scrutiny. Former National Minister Steven Joyce runs a lobbying company with a major client – the University of Waikato. The University desperately wants $300m+ of taxpayer funding to establish a third medical school in New Zealand, ...
Time To Choose: Like it or not, the Kiwis are either going into AUKUS’s “Pillar 2” – or they are going to China.HAD ZHENG HE’S FLEET sailed east, not west, in the early Fifteenth Century, how different our world would be. There is little reason to suppose that the sea-going junks ...
Henry Ergas writes – When in Randall Jarrell’s Pictures from an Institution, a college president is accused of being a hypocrite, the novel’s narrator retorts that the description is grossly unfair. After all, the man is still far from the stage of moral development at which the charge ...
David Farrar writes – Radio NZ reports: The Education Review Office says too many new teachers feel poorly prepared for their jobs. In a report published on Monday, the review office said 60 percent of the principals it interviewed said their new teachers were not ready. ...
New Zealand’s economic performance and the PM’s vision Michael Reddell writes – When I wrote yesterday morning’s post, highlighting how poorly both New Zealand and its Anglo peer countries have been doing in respect of productivity in recent times (ie, in the case of New ...
Hi all,Firstly - thank you! You guys are awesome. The response I’ve received to last night’s mail has been quite overwhelming. It’s a ghastly day outside, but there are no clouds in here.In case you didn’t read my email and are wondering what on earth I’m talking about you can ...
If there was still any doubt as to who is actually running this government – and it isn’t the buffoon from Botany – then this week’s announcement of a huge spend up on charter schools has settled the matter. While jobs and public services continue to be cut in the ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Gaye Taylor As widespread drought raises expectations for a repeat of last year’s ferocious wildfire season, response teams across Canada are grappling with the rapidly changing face of fire in a warming climate. No longer quenched by winter, nor quelled by the ...
Half of Christchurch City Holdings Ltd’s directors and its chair resigned en masse last night in protest at Christchurch City Council’s demand to front-load dividends File Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The chair of Christchurch City Council’s investment company and four of its independent directors resigned in protest last ...
The University of Waikato has reworded an advertisement that begins the tender process for its new $300 million-plus medical school even though the Government still needs to approve it. However, even the reworded ad contains an architect’s visualisations of what the school might look like. ACT leader David Seymour told ...
As a follow-up to the Rings of Power trailer discussion, I thought I needed to add something. There has been some online mockery about the use of the same actor for both the Halbrand and Annatar incarnations of Sauron. The reasoning is that Halbrand with a shave and a new ...
This isn’t quite as dramatic as the title might suggest. I’m not going anywhere, but there is something I wanted to talk to you about.Let’s start with a typical day.Most days I send out a newsletter in the morning. If I’ve written a lot the previous evening it might be ...
Buzz from the Beehive The promise of tax relief loomed large in his considerations when the PM delivered a pre-Budget speech to the Auckland Business Chamber. The job back in Wellington is getting government spending back under control, he said, bandying figures which show that in per capita terms, the ...
Yesterday de facto Prime Minister David Seymour announced that his glove puppet government would be re-introducing charter schools, throwing $150 million at his pet quacks, donors and cronies and introducing an entire new government agency to oversee them (the existing Education Review Office, which actually knows how to review schools, ...
Te Pāti Māori have launched a petition to stop the repeal of Section 7AA from the Oranga Tamariki Act. This announcement comes prior to the first reading of the Section 7AA repeal bill in Parliament today. “Section 7AA forces the Government to adhere to Te Tiriti o Waitangi with respect ...
The Government has yet again failed to do the one thing that needs to happen to ensure houses can be built – commit to ongoing funding, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Treasury officials have outlined many ways in which the Fast Track Approvals Bill is deeply flawed, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking says. ...
Green Party co-leaders Marama Davidson and Chlöe Swarbrick used this year's State of the Planet to call on the Government to prioritise people and planet as the delivery of the Budget approaches. A full transcript of their speeches can be found below. ...
Green Party co-leaders Marama Davidson and Chlöe Swarbrick have used their State of the Planet speeches to challenge the Government to prioritise people and planet over profit as the delivery of the Budget approaches. ...
The Government’s introduction of legislation that would enable landlords to end tenancies with no reason marks a dark day for the 1.4 million people who rent their home in Aotearoa. ...
The Minister for Mental Health has found the Suicide Prevention Office and mental health support for 111 calls slipping through his fingers, says Labour spokesperson for Mental Health Ingrid Leary. ...
Today’s justification from the Minister for Children for scrapping protections for our tamariki was either a case of ignorance or deliberate deception. ...
The Green Party says the Government’s misguided policy on gangs will fail, following the announcement of the establishment of a national gang unit and district gang disruption units to target gang activities. ...
“With Police pay negotiations still unresolved after six months in Government, Mark Mitchell has today rolled the Commissioner out for a rebrand of their approach to gang crime,” Labour police spokesperson Ginny Andersen said. ...
The Government bringing back 50 charter schools will not increase achievement and is a distraction from the core mission of the education system, Labour education spokesperson Jan Tinetti said. ...
Te Pāti Māori is showing extreme concern over the Environment Select Committees adoption of a lucky dip draw to determine hearings for the Fast Track Approvals bill. Of the 27,000 submissions, 2,900 requested to present. All organisations will be heard; however, the remaining 2,350 submitters will be subject to a ...
Today New Zealand First will introduce a Member’s Bill that will protect women’s spaces. The ‘Fair Access to Bathrooms Bill’ will require, primarily in the interest and safety of women and girls, that all new non-domestic publicly accessible buildings provide separate, clearly demarcated, unisex and single sex bathrooms. This Bill ...
The Green Party is welcoming Climate Change Minister Simon Watts’ continuation of Hon. James Shaw’s cross-party work on climate adaptation, now in the form of a Finance and Expenditure Committee Inquiry. ...
The National Government plans to cut 390 jobs at ACC, including roles in the areas of prevention of sexual violence, road safety and workplace safety. ...
The Government has been caught in opposition to evidence once again as it looks to usher in tried, tested and failed work seminar obligations for job-seeking beneficiaries. ...
The Green Party is welcoming the announcement by the Minister Responsible for RMA Reform Chris Bishop to approve most of the Wellington City Council’s District Plan recommendations. ...
David Seymour has failed to get the sweeping cuts he wanted to the free and healthy school lunch programme, Labour education spokesperson Jan Tinetti said. ...
Hon Willie Jackson has been invited by the Oxford Union to debate the motion “This House Believes British Museums are not Very British’ on May 23rd. ...
Green Party MP Hūhana Lyndon says her Public Works (Prohibition of Compulsory Acquisition of Māori Land) Amendment Bill is an opportunity to right some past wrongs around the alienation of Māori land. ...
A senior, highly respected King’s Counsel with decades of experience in our law courts, Gary Judd KC, has filed a complaint about compulsory tikanga Māori studies for law students - highlighting the utter depths of absurdity this woke cultural madness has taken our society. The tikanga regulations will compel law ...
The Government needs to be clear with the people of the Nelson Marlborough region about the changes it is considering for the Nelson Hospital rebuild, Labour health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall said. ...
Ministers must front up about which projects it will push through under its Fast Track Approvals legislation, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
The Government is again adding to New Zealand’s growing unemployment, this time cutting jobs at the agencies responsible for urban development and growing much needed housing stock. ...
With Minister Karen Chhour indicating in the House today that she either doesn’t know or care about the frontline cuts she’s making to Oranga Tamariki, we risk seeing more and more of our children falling through the cracks. ...
The Labour Party is saddened to learn of the death of Sir Robert Martin, a globally renowned disability advocate who led the way for disability rights both in New Zealand and internationally. ...
The Coalition Government’s Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill, which will improve tenancy laws and help increase the supply of rental properties, has passed its first reading in Parliament says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “The Bill proposes much-needed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 that will remove barriers to increasing private ...
Standing here in Cassino War Cemetery, among the graves looking up at the beautiful Abbey of Montecassino, it is hard to imagine the utter devastation left behind by the battles which ended here in May 1944. Hundreds of thousands of shells and bombs of every description left nothing but piled ...
I present a legislative statement on the Oranga Tamariki (Repeal of Section 7AA) Amendment Bill Mr. Speaker, I move that the Oranga Tamariki (Repeal of Section 7AA) Amendment Bill be now read a first time. I nominate the Social Services and Community Committee to consider the Bill. Thank you, Mr. ...
The Bill to repeal Section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act has had its first reading in Parliament today. The Bill reaffirms the Coalition Government’s commitment to the care and safety of children in care, says Minister for Children Karen Chhour. “When I became the Minister for Children, I made ...
Kia ora koutou, good morning, and zao shang hao. Thank you Fran for the opportunity to speak at the 2024 China Business Summit – it’s great to be here today. I’d also like to acknowledge: Simon Bridges - CEO of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce. His Excellency Ambassador - Wang ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed a New Zealand Government plane will head to New Caledonia in the next hour in the first in a series of proposed flights to begin bringing New Zealanders home. “New Zealanders in New Caledonia have faced a challenging few days - and bringing ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed a New Zealand Government plane will head to New Caledonia in the next hour in the first in a series of proposed flights to begin bringing New Zealanders home. “New Zealanders in New Caledonia have faced a challenging few days - and bringing them ...
The Coalition Government will introduce legislation this year that will enable roadside drug testing as part of our commitment to improve road safety and restore law and order, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Alcohol and drugs are the number one contributing factor in fatal road crashes in New Zealand. In ...
The Government has announced a series of immediate actions in response to the independent review of Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “Kāinga Ora is a large and important Crown entity, with assets of $45 billion and over $2.5 billion of expenditure each year. It ...
Associate Health Minister David Seymour is pleased that Pseudoephedrine can now be purchased by the general public to protect them from winter illness, after the coalition government worked swiftly to change the law and oversaw a fast approval process by Medsafe. “Pharmacies are now putting the medicines back on their ...
Tēnā koutou katoa. Da jia hao. Good morning everyone. Prime Minister Luxon, your excellency, a great friend of New Zealand and my friend Ambassador Wang, Mayor of what he tells me is the best city in New Zealand, Wayne Brown, the highly respected Fran O’Sullivan, Champion of the Auckland business ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced that the Government will make it easier for lines firms to take action to remove vegetation from obstructing local powerlines. The change will ensure greater security of electricity supply in local communities, particularly during severe weather events. “Trees or parts of trees falling on ...
Wairarapa Moana ki Pouakani were the top winners at this year’s Ahuwhenua Trophy awards recognising the best in Māori dairy farming. Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka announced the winners and congratulated runners-up, Whakatōhea Māori Trust Board, at an awards celebration also attended by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Finance Minister ...
"On the 27th of March, I sought assurances from the Chief Executive, Department of Internal Affairs, that the Department’s correct processes and policies had been followed in regards to a passport application which received media attention,” says Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden. “I raised my concerns after being ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins has announced the appointment of three new District Court Judges, to replace Judges who have recently retired. Peter James Davey of Auckland has been appointed a District Court Judge with a jury jurisdiction to be based at Whangarei. Mr Davey initially started work as a law clerk/solicitor with ...
Associate Education Minister David Seymour is calling on the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) to put ideology to the side and focus on students’ learning, in reaction to the union holding paid teacher meetings across New Zealand about charter schools. “The PPTA is disrupting schools up and down the ...
Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly today announced the appointment of Craig Stobo as the new chair of the Financial Markets Authority (FMA). Mr Stobo takes over from Mark Todd, whose term expired at the end of April. Mr Stobo’s appointment is for a five-year term. “The FMA plays ...
Surf Life Saving New Zealand and Coastguard New Zealand will continue to be able to keep people safe in, on, and around the water following a funding boost of $63.644 million over four years, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Associate Transport Minister Matt Doocey say. “Heading to the beach for ...
New Zealand and Tuvalu have reaffirmed their close relationship, Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters says. “New Zealand is committed to working with Tuvalu on a shared vision of resilience, prosperity and security, in close concert with Australia,” says Mr Peters, who last visited Tuvalu in 2019. “It is my pleasure ...
New Zealand is gravely concerned about the situation in New Caledonia, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The escalating situation and violent protests in Nouméa are of serious concern across the Pacific Islands region,” Mr Peters says. “The immediate priority must be for all sides to take steps to de-escalate the ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon met today with Samoa’s O le Ao o le Malo, Afioga Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II, who is making a State Visit to New Zealand. “His Highness and I reflected on our two countries’ extensive community links, with Samoan–New Zealanders contributing to all areas of our national ...
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has announced that he has approved Waiheke Island ferry operator Island Direct to be eligible for SuperGold Card funding, paving the way for a commercial agreement to bring the operator into the scheme. “Island Direct started operating in November 2023, offering an additional option for people ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters today announced further sanctions on 28 individuals and 14 entities providing military and strategic support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “Russia is directly supported by its military-industrial complex in its illegal aggression against Ukraine, attacking its sovereignty and territorial integrity. New Zealand condemns all entities and ...
A year on from the tragedy at Loafers Lodge, the Government is working hard to improve building fire safety, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “I want to share my sincere condolences with the families and friends of the victims on the anniversary of the tragic fire at Loafers ...
Ka nui te mihi kia koutou. Kia ora and good afternoon, everyone. Thank you so much for having me here in the lead up to my Government’s first Budget. Before I get started can I acknowledge: Simon Bridges – Auckland Business Chamber CEO. Steve Jurkovich – Kiwibank CEO. Kids born ...
New Zealand and Vanuatu will enhance collaboration on issues of mutual interest, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “It is important to return to Port Vila this week with a broad, high-level political delegation which demonstrates our deep commitment to New Zealand’s relationship with Vanuatu,” Mr Peters says. “This ...
Minister for Land Information, Chris Penk will travel to Peru this week to represent New Zealand at a meeting of trade ministers from the Asia-Pacific region on behalf of Trade Minister Todd McClay. The annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers Responsible for Trade meeting will be held on 17-18 May ...
Minister of Education Erica Stanford will head to the United Kingdom this week to participate in the 22nd Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers (CCEM) and the 2024 Education World Forum (EWF). “I am looking forward to sharing this Government’s education priorities, such as introducing a knowledge-rich curriculum, implementing an evidence-based ...
Minister of Education Erica Stanford has today thanked outgoing New Zealand Qualifications Authority Chair, Hon Tracey Martin. “Tracey Martin tendered her resignation late last month in order to take up a new role,” Ms Stanford says. Ms Martin will relinquish the role of Chair on 10 May and current Deputy ...
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and President Emmanuel Macron of France today announced a new non-governmental organisation, the Christchurch Call Foundation, to coordinate the Christchurch Call’s work to eliminate terrorist and violent extremist content online. This change gives effect to the outcomes of the November 2023 Call Leaders’ Summit, ...
Distinguished public servant and former diplomat Sir Maarten Wevers will lead the independent review into the disability support services administered by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. The review was announced by Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston a fortnight ago to examine what could be done to strengthen the ...
Today’s announcement by Police Commissioner Andrew Coster of a National Gang Unit and district Gang Disruption Units will help deliver on the coalition Government’s pledge to restore law and order and crack down on criminal gangs, Police Minister Mark Mitchell says. “The National Gang Unit and Gang Disruption Units will ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today expressed regret at North Korea’s aggressive rhetoric towards New Zealand and its international partners. “New Zealand proudly stands with the international community in upholding the rules-based order through its monitoring and surveillance deployments, which it has been regularly doing alongside partners since 2018,” Mr ...
Air Vice-Marshal Tony Davies MNZM is the new Chief of Defence Force, Defence Minister Judith Collins announced today. The Chief of Defence Force commands the Navy, Army and Air Force and is the principal military advisor to the Defence Minister and other Ministers with relevant portfolio responsibilities in the defence ...
Legislation to repeal section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act has been introduced to Parliament. The Bill’s introduction reaffirms the Coalition Government’s commitment to the safety of children in care, says Minister for Children, Karen Chhour. “While section 7AA was introduced with good intentions, it creates a conflict for Oranga ...
Defence Minister Judith Collins will this week travel to the UK and Italy to meet with her defence counterparts, and to attend Battles of Cassino commemorations. “I am humbled to be able to represent the New Zealand Government in Italy at the commemorations for the 80th anniversary of what was ...
The upcoming Budget will include funding for up to 50 charter schools to help lift declining educational performance, Associate Education Minister David Seymour announced today. $153 million in new funding will be provided over four years to establish and operate up to 15 new charter schools and convert 35 state ...
“The results of the public consultation on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons has now been received, with results indicating over 13,000 submissions were made from members of the public,” Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says. “We heard feedback about the extended lockdowns in ...
Foreign Minister, Defence Minister, other Members of Parliament Acting Chief of Defence Force, Secretary of Defence Distinguished Guests Defence and Diplomatic Colleagues Ladies and Gentlemen, Good afternoon, tēna koutou, apinun tru It’s a pleasure to be back in Port Moresby today, and to speak here at the Kumul Leadership ...
Health, infrastructure, renewable energy, and stability are among the themes of the current visit to Papua New Guinea by a New Zealand political delegation, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “Papua New Guinea carries serious weight in the Pacific, and New Zealand deeply values our relationship with it,” Mr Peters ...
By Maia Ingoe, RNZ News journalist A NZ Defence Force plane carrying 50 New Zealanders evacuated from New Caledonia landed at Auckland International Airport last night. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it would be working with France and Australia to ensure the safe departure of several evacuation ...
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Adrian Orr taking apart Corin Dann's economic ignorance on RNZ as I speak.
I thought it was a good performance given the role of both parties. Remember the interviewers job is to ask all the stupid questions to allow the interviewee to explain the topic in more depth. That and the general public has little idea what the terms even mean.
Fair point. Dann made wild assumptions and Orr jumped on them very firmly
I would like to compliment all the commentators on The Standard for their patience in dealing with Paddington's pedantic and nit-picking yesterday. Even LPrent, whose caustic comments have raised a smile in the past, was subdued.
If this is indicative of the PM's call for kindness, well done. We will all need to be patient and understanding in the difficult times that lie ahead.
Agreed,TV
Paddington Needs to be Self isolated
Just ignore.
Maybe we were all out panic buying.
Yep! It was bloody hard not to chip in – which would have simply added to the pedantry.
Pushing the barriers at all costs – in order to be right. Twas so; Twas not; Twas so; Twas not.
Hopefully the Bear is of a mood to be feeling particularly cuddly
I’ve left a moderation note asking for it to be dropped, thanks. Now, if we could all move on and focus on what really matters right here, right now, that would be great and might even safe lives.
"Now, if we could all move on and focus on what really matters right here"
We can, and have ……….. or maybe not – but it's six days later, and fromwhat I've seen as an interloper, Paddy Bear seems to have tucked up his tail and scarpered (possibly to re-appear under another guise)
Next
Well said Tony. Paddington was being an irritating house fly buzzing around, but people had bigger things to think about than his/her silliness.
Jacinda’s instinctive qualities as a leader and communicator were again things we should be so grateful for at this time. Talking to a friend (on the phone) yesterday after her announcement, was interesting. He was so complimentary about how she has handled all this massive situation.
Does anyone in your household suffer from anxiety?
My youngest does, so I made up some info sheets for her last night and a list of her responsibilities before we officially go into lock down. Put official logos etc on it thanks to the covid-19 website.
This has helped sooooo much, as she now knows what to expect and can check her info sheets if she is unsure.
For example…. today my girls need to decide on any projects they wish to complete over the next month and any supplies they may need for that project, because the warehouse, mitre 10, $2 shop etc won't be open for a month come Thursday.
Saw that Warehouse will be open. Perhaps because they have many household basics at excellent prices, veg and flower plants and warmer clothing as well. They are also big and allow for space. Cheers You are such a good Mum.
Cheers 🙂
Ironically I chickened out, way too many people up town today Lmao!!!
The Plan B projects are…. De-cluttering with Marie Kondo…. and… how to be resourceful!!! ROFL 🙂
Here is a little something from one of my on-line friends in the US. He offers his experiences from a similar situation he faced last year, with a cartoon that your daughters might identify with:
[lprent; Changed image width to 520. ]
Well done, try and make some games out of it with mini prizes, those parents who did this in the Chch aftershocks, i.e. quessing strength of aftershocks etc, had children emerge in good health .
Would anyone know if owner operator lawn mowing business would be eligible for subsidy if the operator is a superannuitant getting pension. Which,as most people know is barely subsistence level. We have payments to make for van and motor mowers and other debts that go along with business ownership such as taxes and accountants etc.
Without this business we wouldnt survive so we have to keep it going.
I cant find mention of beneficiaries who are business owners being eligible. Help!!
There is a lot to read on this site Ffloyd. Bit about cashflow and such and lists of links. Hope this helps. It looks like the place to go if you need to do some gentle harassing.
https://www.business.govt.nz/news/coronavirus-information-for-businesses/
Thank you greywarshark. I will look into that site.
Thought of the moment: is Tiwai Point an essential business? If it has to shut down for four weeks, have the odds suddenly shifted towards it never starting back up again? Would the various parties to the assorted contractual obligations around shutdown timeframes be more flexible right now around amending those timeframes?
I believe it takes some time to shut down and longer to start. . If they do shut now is not a good time to kill them off when we are allowed out again a 1000 jobs in the south will be a big thing.
also my understanding that you can't just shut it down temporarily (technical reasons).
I would guess that it's essential. We're not going to stop using aluminium this year.
The problems you hear about around shutting down potlines are mostly around the damage that happens when the power supply is unexpectedly lost. While planned shutdowns are still expensive, they are less expensive than unplanned forced shutdowns. Given the financial pain being caused across the rest of New Zealand, it amounts to special pleading for Tiwai Point to claim their financial pain from shutdown is somehow unique or should entitle them to special privileges.
Very little of Tiwai Point's output is used in New Zealand. It is of generally very high purity (because of the way they choose to operate the smelter, not anything special about New Zealand) and it mostly goes to Japan for specialist electronic uses. I've had occasion to look into the supply chain for the aluminium used in some engineering projects I've been involved in, and every time it has been imported.
thanks Andre. I don't care very much about Comalco's profit, other than how that might affect NZ (and we could definitely do with freeing up Manapouri power). Job losses and our international obligations to essential production matter. Do we buy specialist electronics from Japan?
The other big issue is how safe is it re covid for workers? Can good protocols be put in place?
I'd see closure generally in the context of the Powerdown and creating sustainable tech industries esp in relation to CC. Don't know if now or later is better for that, but we're not having the necessary conversation yet.
(btw if this is something in the news, a link can help for those of us not up to speed).
No it's not something in the news, it really was just a random thought for the morning. Given that the review decision was supposed to be complete sometime in this first quarter, I'm a little surprised at the silence.
I've never visited Tiwai Point, so this is just speculation, but here goes anyway …
As far as worker protection from COVID-19 goes, the production area of smelter type operations tends to have very low worker density, so keeping distance is unlikely to be a problem. It's a huge facility and if there's only 1000 or so there covering 24/7 shifts, they can't be very close together. Except maybe in smoko rooms.
I'd guess the higher risk would be for professional and lab staff. It's unlikely they've resisted the general execrable management trend of jamming as many people as possible into crowded open-plan areas. So they're more likely to spend all day in close proximity.
As Andre says, an orderly shutdown isn't that much of a problem.
Quite expensive in power and especially when you look at what it does to the refractories (I used to do tech sales at Kamo Green refractories during Think Big).
I wouldn't expect that it is defined as 'essential'. They may get some grace from just arguing the economic impact to the economy. We're going to be scratching for export income for a while.
I had a quick look for up to date news specific to Tiwai Point and didn't find any. But there was a lot about how chinese smelters have kept running and there's now an oversupply with reduced demand. Plus stories of how the big companies are putting the squeeze on other countries such as Icelasnd threatening to shut down if they don't get lower electricity prices.
So I suspect we're in for another disaster capitalism play from Rio Tinto for more hidden and overt subsidies that the rest of us pay for. Leveraging off of ideas like scarcity of export income and preserving jobs etc.
Hmmmm. Good thought!
A thing about exotic trees and native trees in Australia and how flammable Oz trees are. We don't have a lot of Eucs here but the principle is the same and discussions here along the same lines are important.
https://the-riotact.com/the-exotic-weeds-that-saved-a-braidwood-truffle-forest-from-destruction/360629
For decades, Peter has planted a mosaic of trees including his truffle bearing hazelnuts and oaks, but also poplars and willows, and up to 30 bamboo varieties. His aim is to restore the property’s capacity to retain water at all levels, moving it gently through the soil profile rather than streaming off degraded, heavily compacted land…
Peter’s reasoning is that even a fire roaring uphill with a good draft will pause when it hits green trees. He estimates that a mature poplar, for example, is carrying 100 to 200 kg of water. As the fire and the trees interact, there’s a burst of flash evaporation from the greenery that absorbs heat. Peter says updraft wind will drop almost instantly under those conditions.
The wind controlling effect of banked deciduous foliage also worked to dramatically slow the fire’s spread and, three rows in, the blaze became controllable with groundwork and shovels.
That's a great article, grey.
Thanks Robert. Hope everything is going well in green land and family.
And while you have a minutes I wondered if you could tell me if I'm hurting my cherry plum tree draining rinse water towards which has a touch of detergent in it still. The leaves on a weaker side are dullish and hanging. Might just have been too dry from weeks of little water.
Short term no, long term quite likely… some detergents are much worse than others for that matter. Cold Water laundry detergent is pretty nasty.
Having reactive skin, I stick to liquid woolwash.
Thought I might just kick around home today.
Maybe a little trip into town this afto to do a bit of panic buying?
Exciting times!
Take care out there Macro!
(I keep thinking about panic and hoping people aren't hurting themselves and having more accidents that end up needing treatment. It's going to be really interesting to see what happens with that over the next month).
I'm an essential worker apparently, but what I'm seeing today is panic driving, looking forward to some quiet roads during lockdown while I go about my essential business. Also today, 15-20 car long queues for McDonalds.
I noticed Henry Cooke being snide again. According to him, Jacinda has us "Under House Arrest"
We can go for a walk, shop for food, get our medications, Make up our own activities, use the internet, talk to friends and neighbours over the fence or on the "phone/skype
What is stuck in his craw?
Sorry, I could not locate the article again. Herald.
Be kind Henry, the PM is working hard to save lives…. get with the goal and write some helpful pieces.
It was on Stuff. Did Cooke write the headline? Or the expert Chief Sensational Headline Writer?
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/120501534/coronavirus-jacinda-ardern-just-made-the-most-consequential-decision-of-her-career-putting-nz-on-house-arrest
Wait for Stuff regular columnist Steve Elers if you're looking for snide in attacking the PM. He had the sense to say in a column most recently, "As a commentator of everything and a master of nothing" of himself. That should be added to the descriptive blurb at the bottom of his 'work.'
Steve Elers tag line at the bottom of his opinion pieces on stuff currently say he is " a senior lecturer at Massey University and writes a weekly article on cultural and political matters' or something similar. It should read "he is an ill-informed senior lecturer at Massey who writes a weekly diatribe abusing the Prime Minister." Massey must be so proud.
Alcohol. The Police have always said that over 70% of their work is dealing with alcohol related incidents.
Does the shutdown mean that the Police get a respite from dealing with drunks spilling out onto the street? That would be great wouldn't it?
Maybe. But not if the reduction in problems on the street is matched or exceeded by an increase in alcohol-related domestic problems.
True but at least those punch-ups outside pubs should diminish. Would domestic drink related problems increase? Hope not.
I suspect they have, and tho' it's nice to be able to walk down the street (keeping me 2 mtr separation and watching the stupidity with a degree of amusement at [predominantly] male ego insecurities), shifting the problem into the private domain will probably mean a whole lot of it goes unreported.
Already, I've noticed an increase in decibels from some of the neighbouring properties in the early hours, then later the littering of RTD cans and empty bottles of piss.
I'm actually hoping Women's Refuge and various other agencies begin to report they are being overwhelmed.
Yes. And overseas there are reports of increased domestic violence, largely against women, during Covid-19 lock downs. It can keep the abused trapped in homes with their abusers.
We spoke of this last night, in the context of the children who go to school as they can get food. Also school can be a violence free refuge, as opposed to home. Home that now has an even higher stressed adult(s) dishing out the family harm.
Yes. I think they may be a reason for keeping schools open as long as possible.
And for re-opening them as soon as it is wise and safe to do so.
Well if the stories about queues at bottle stores and panic buying are true, then probably not, it may just be spilling out on to driveways instead of the high street.
A little something to while away the long hours to be spent at home:
Yep. It's Pippa. The albatross chick /live cam. Poor little mite is being buffeted by strong winds and rain at the moment.
They also produce a video of the highlights at the end of each day which consists of Mum and Dad returning to feed her and a bunch of teenage Albatross brats who like to tease and harass her especially around feed time. Mum knows how to handle them.
Have just received info of an eviction going ahead today. Mother and seven year old is the info I have to hand atm.
Christ. Have such landlords got no shame? Name and shame – or even report to authorities. Where are they meant to go once the lock down deadline arrives?
or even report to authorities
Apparently Tenancy Services were contacted. No joy. Eviction gets actioned.
Nice to each other, wins again.
It would seem that the powers that be at our local hospital may have missed a trick in respect to uniforms. This, to me, is a potentially serious health and safety issue.
Almost all front-line health staff (nurses) wear their uniform to and from work.
There is push-back from management against the wearing of scrubs. Scrubs are an ideal solution to keeping staff families and homes free of the virus that can be bought home on clothing. The hospitals still launder scrubs so any potential contamination stays in house.
Particularly ironic as our local hospital has just changed the colour of the surgical scrubs in January, so there must be a surplus of this clothing somewhere.
Have seen this at my local. Still with stethescopes etc round their neck.
It will be interesting to see how Covid-19 affects the next Australian election. Their infection rates are much higher than ours. There could be a backlash against a last minute Cambridge Analytica campaign.
RNZ has an article with services that will to operate during the lock down.
This is good to see:
and
Looks like something is broken in the right hand feeds.
I will have a look at it when I finish work today.
My belated breakfast fixed it. Should see the feed improving.
Whoa! A big backlog with loads of interesting feeds form the past little while.
Many thanks for fixing it.
Looks like an updated version of the plugin wanted to use an updated version of the curl libraries.
Chris Martenson praising NZ saying PM "just doing a great job". Yep, she is. Just prior to this time segment a letter from Annie, who closed her restaurant a couple of days before officials ordered it.
Early in this piece we learn that New York is over 20,000 cases – that was quick. Other surprises are Switzerland who have more cases per person than other countries.
https://youtu.be/EzaHBM7PP8A?t=1263
I have just found out the WINZ offices are closing down for fear of staff getting infected by the virus. Why isn't this classified as an essential department for citizens when they are allowing The Warehouse to remain open for business. When has the Warehouse ever been considered an essential industry/business. Have I just fallen down the rabbit hole here. What it he hell is going on. Also All the courts are closing with the exception of the District courts – how does this equate as well. People are people no matter what court they have to attend and will catch this virus no matter what the sin is.
I am increasingly becoming confused about how these decisions are agreed upon. What about all the thousands of people who are now without jobs. How do they get any support if they can't get to their local WINZ Office. Not everybody has a computer or even able to afford to get online. Somebody clarify to me – am I missing something here. I have a loved one who is fragile and involved in these two departments and its hard enough with the enormity of the environment right now without pulling up the drawbridge on one department – WINZ and allowing the other District Courts to remain open to the milling crowds of people who go in their bldgs each day.
Our Winz Office closed months ago. Now communications are by phone or email.
Phones are not much use when the system crashes through overload. Its a futile exercise even trying to get through. People who are needing WINZ right now are out of jobs, scared shitless, and vulnerable and the powers that be should have been better prepared for the influx of numbers and laid on more staff and perspex screens for them to protect from this virus if they are so worried over them. I am definitely down the rabbit hole over this.
The Warehouse helped stop the peasants revolting when we entered the fire economy – they are essential to the survival of liberalism as the dominate ideology.
I went to a supermarket in central Auckland this morning and it was remarkably calm and relatively uncrowded. No busier than a typical pre-Christmas day. Queue at checkout no longer than usual. Some shelves were sparsely stocked but there was nothing on my list I couldn't get if I changed brands. Posh pasta instead of budget pasta, no biggie.
I realize many people are not as conveniently close to supermarkets and dairies as I am. But in the last 48 hours I have had no problem buying both essentials and treats (and no I'm not hoarding).
In Auckland at least, panic is pointless.
I too wonder why the warehouse remains open. Yes it does sell some food but it's not a main offering IIRC a lot of it is imported and we need to do without the shopping fix that people may want to access for other goods. Why have they not got the stay at home message.
WINZ I would have thought was essential. – Okay they would want internet & phone first and they need to call back the pay as you use people – maybe they should stuff some form of access around the supermarkets – dedicated phone line or a credit that goes only to WINZ.
Update from Ministry, etc today says it has not been decided that the Warehouse will stay open. I think it means it's still being assessed.
Maybe someone from Warehouse was premature. He also said if anyone is unsure if their business was an "essential service" it probably isn't.
It should be closed, let's hope sense prevails.
"Self-isolation" allows for a walk outside, carefully avoiding contact, but based on my (obviously random) sample of seeing people on the street on this last day before lockdown, I'd say at least a quarter still don't "get it". Plenty of proximity and touching.
It takes time for the message to sink in, so we can expect an extension after one month, as community transfer continues. If we can't be trusted to do this right, then it's going to be a full curfew.
Yes. I can't believe the queues outside some supermarkets (and gun shops) where people are not doing the 2 meter distancing from each other. I hope this gets controlled in future.
I certainly won't be venturing out til that is sorted.
I'm fortunate that I was able to book a supermarket home delivery for Sunday, and I have a nephew on standby who will deliver more more food (mostly fresh fruit & veges) when I need them.
Love the reply.
https://twitter.com/damiengleeson/status/1241883851783147521
Nothing to see here – move along
cool, I'll skip it then.
Do you want me to delete it?
Humour from incognito – will I'll be knocked over by a peacock feather…
Micro businesses – NZrs who make their own work since various governments made it so hard for small business which collapsed unable to compete with the world.
And here we see how the gummint agencies are just not concerned about helping these great innovative entrepreneurs in their small businesses.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/412485/hospitality-business-owners-fear-for-their-future-after-lockdown-announced
<i>Only about $200 went through the till yesterday – down from about $1500 on a good day…. "Honestly I'm freaking out. I don't know if I can sustain it because how am I going to pay my rent even?
"I haven't even paid this month's rent yet, you know what I mean? "How do I pay the rent? How do I pay the wages, the power bill, the phone bill, my mortgage?"
Boyd said as a sole trader she did not yet have the 13-digit business number required to access government relief funds. "I really don't understand that either because I've been trying to get my New Zealand business number."
I even went to my accountant and he went online with me and it wouldn't get through. It kept saying 'error' but it won't tell me what the error is."
Boyd said she was worried about her staff, one of whom was expecting a baby.</i>
The next government action will cover business and residential expense payments whose incomes have been impacted.
you keep saying that…… we don't see it tho however.
A stunning kick in the guts for renters who continue to have to pay rent while homeowners, including their own landlords get a mortgage holiday!
This is a massively unfair playing field – the haves once again getting special treatment at the expense of the have-nots.
This leaves landlords able to bank renters' money with interest while having no outgoings at all.
Tell me I'm missing something here…
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12319343
It also means that the landlord with a mortgage can claim this where their tenant’s income is affected – instead of hassling the tenant.
There is so little interest on bank accounts its not going to tempt anyone.
This leaves landlords able to bank renters' money with interest while having no outgoings at all.
A far as I am aware though all the other fixed costs like rates, insurance and property management fees will likely remain. You would be surprised at what a large fraction of your rent these consume. Including other smaller sundries we allow 50% of the rent to go in fixed costs. After that comes the variable costs like mortgage interest and annual company tax.
If a tenant stops paying their rent, a mortgage holiday will be very welcome, but it goes nowhere near covering all our costs.
The government should look at dole plus half rent paid for those losing their income/employment. Half rent would cover such utility costs for the landlord.
A comment elsewhere on the subject with respect to the fraught idea of the random negotiating of rent reductions between tenant (powerless) and landlord (the clue is in the name).
My landlord requires his pound of flesh on the seventh.
I am debating if i shall cut it from the ribs or the hind?
Do you know what. I wouldn't have an issue if we were all in this together but today the preferential treatment for the comparatively wealthy beggars belief.
The reasoning for the mortgage holiday is apparently so people don't 'lose their homes'.
What if they did 'lose their homes', what would they be then?
I'll tell you what they'd be…
…renters.
i hardly believe that a company with 80 million annual turnover would have a owner who would 'loose' the house.
nah, these guys are making sure that some survive – whom ever they consider 'solvent' – and the rest so far can get fucked. Essentially this is a very national bail out, it is what i would have expected from teh National Party.
I am honestly out of wits when it comes to the 'hand outs' of this government.
funnily enough i was interviewed today by some 'regional NZ herald' guy and i essentially said that the government needs to either offer interest free loans or offer a rent/mortgage/lease/bill holiday to all of us. Its not ok to tell us to take a bank loan on the eve of Financial Crisis 2.0. So far my loyal customers have come through. I have discounted everything, and tomorrow last day – morning only – hopefully will see me make enough money for the Landlord.
I already advised my chocolate supplier that next month bill will be the first that i will miss in 8 years.
I don't wish the Labour Party and the coalition any ill, but i will never ever support them – not with money, not with time, and most certainly not with a vote. I just don't have any reason to do so.
well these businesses are very deserving, and need a bail out as where all those below 250.000 turnover per annum can get fucked.
WINZ Ongoing Services
Contrary to rumours, misinformation etc here and elsewhere, WINZ has NOT closed down completely.
MSD/WINZ has been designated an essential service. Like many other Goverment departments also classed as essential services, it has closed its service centres for face to face appointments, advice etc – BUT will continue to provide advice, help etc via its internet site and by phome.
More here in the last hour or so:
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/covid-19/412487/winz-moves-to-online-and-phone-services
Some other changes mentioned in that article of interest:
There is more on MSD's website here: – https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/eligibility/emergencies/2020/coronavirus.html
NOTE that the section on Service Centre states that:
FYI here is the URL for that "Contact Us' link – contact numbers are under each of the main headings. Press the + sign.
https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/about-work-and-income/contact-us/phone-numbers.html#null
Standdown periods were discussed at length over the last few days. These have been suspended for the six months from 23 March 2020 – 23 November 2020.
More detail and further links here – https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/online-services/apply/what-is-a-stand-down.html
Note the wording in this particular section which I have underlined:
The wording "you may still need to wait up to 13 weeks", implies that this is not a compulsory set period; rather a period of time to a maximum of 13 weeks which is open to a decision by WINZ based on the circumstances of each case where someone has left a job voluntarily or has been fired for misconduct.
Hope the above helps.
PS – Just heard the PM, in her press conference currently underway, confirm that The Warehouse will not be open and is not an essential service.
Thanks for the info veutoviper.
Xtian writer's pro-life
maskhood slips.At the press conference on Friday announcing the New York shutdown, Governor Andrew Cuomo said, “I want to be able to say to the people of New York—I did everything we could do. And if everything we do saves just one life, I’ll be happy.”
This statement reflects a disastrous sentimentalism. Everything for the sake of physical life? What about justice, beauty, and honor? There are many things more precious than life. And yet we have been whipped into such a frenzy in New York that most family members will forgo visiting sick parents. Clergy won’t visit the sick or console those who mourn. The Eucharist itself is now subordinated to the false god of “saving lives.”
[…]
A number of my friends disagree with me. They support the current measures, insisting that Christians must defend life. But the pro-life cause concerns the battle against killing, not an ill-conceived crusade against human finitude and the dolorous reality of death.
https://www.firstthings.com/web-exclusives/2020/03/say-no-to-deaths-dominion
Yes that is a huge kick in the guts for renters. Why is the mortgage holiday for people who are renting out their properties. Sounds more like "a be kind to banks week."
Right up there with all the high income employees and directors not taking a haircut while they spend their time laying people off.
As for Winz – tone deaf as usual – just pushing the everyone can go online agenda – despite benefits being insufficent to support being able to afford these services or for that matter a phone. Oh and guess what the library has been closed so even if there is one the internet can't be used there either.
What i read was
A six-month mortgage holiday for people whose incomes have been affected by Covid-19 will mean people won't lose their homes as a result of the economic disruption caused by this virus
A key word was home , not property.
Still a massive imbalance in the way two sections of society are being treated. And it still applies to the landlord who claims the holiday on their own home.
One section is being offered massive relief around the biggest household cost of all at this very stressful and critical time, while another section is offered nothing in the same area.
This needs to be sorted or there will be massive unrest.
It also means that the landlord with a mortgage can claim this where their tenant’s income is affected – instead of hassling the tenant.
They'll be hassling the tenant alright, as soon as they think it's safe to do so
I'd say a few days after the lockdown finishes…
this is from the article linked above.
The scheme will include a limit of $500,000 per loan and will apply to firms with a turnover of between $250,000 and $80 million per annum. The loans will be for a maximum of three years and expected to be provided by the banks at competitive, transparent rates.
i really don't see why a business owner with 80 million turn over needs a mortgage holiday, while the dude on 70.000 does not. But then maybe the dude with the 80 million dollar business needs to buy some more cheap houses when the dudes on regular wages default. After all we can't have socialism for the poor, no we only have it for the well to do, and the very rich. Besides, when the Labour critters quit parliament they would like to have some lucrative jobs on boards and such, so consider it a 'prepayment' for services to be rendered in the future.
Now somebody understands what my thread was about. A lot of people on benefits do not own a computer and if they do own one they cannot afford to go online. Libraries were open with computers and wifi and were available to these beneficeries and now they have closed down too. Owning a computer and being online is a luxury to many people and I find it quite extraordinary to plead the safety of their staff the reason for closing down. What about all the staff in supermarkets, pharmacies, they are having to run the gauntlet of being in harm's way. I just don't buy it at all their excuse for shutting down.
Even the District Court is staying open for the poor felons going before the judges. Obviously they want to punish the felons and punish the poor bastards who are out of work, mentally unwell, physically disabled etc. as well.
Yes, I definitely have gone down the rabbit hole on this one.
Screen shots from web cams around the world.
https://twitter.com/noahkalina/status/1242114225121693696
If people use the month to outdoor exercise, on foot or bike and get plenty of sleep then our public health (stronger immune systems) will be stronger for it. It is a good time of year for it.
Mix it up a bit for a giggle and wear fancy dress on a bike ride.
If you've got elderly neighbours don't forget to make sure they are ok, because they may be scared or have no family close by.
We've contacted ours to let them know (via a note slipped under their door) if we go to the supermarket etc we will contact them know in advance should they need anything.
Courts and COVID-19
Mention was made in the comment at 18 that prompted my one at 25 re WINZ, that all Courtrs except District Courts were being closed down.
The Court situation is actually a lot more complex than what was stated at 18 and is still being sorted out. Advice about what is happening with the Courts is being promulgated on an ongoing basis on the following link and also on the Courts of New Zealand Twitter account @CourtsofNZ.
https://www.courtsofnz.govt.nz/publications/announcements/covid-19-coronavirus/court-protocols/
(quot; ") from of a note from Chief Justice Winkelmann on the link
Further advice re District Court hearings is also u=included in the above main link and inter alia includes this link https://www.districtcourts.govt.nz/media-information/information-for-legal-practitioners/for-the-profession-re-24-march-2020-23-march-2020
In summary (rough mix of quotes and shortened wording):
Again, I hope that clarifies things a bit at least.
Hmmm out of toilet paper..
Will this work?
If yer gonna try to wipe yer bum with that, I recommend you remove the spikes first.
No I want it to sprout like an avocado stone – then I can plant it in the garden and get lots of rolls for free!
Wellll, if growing lots of toilet rolls with spikes sticking out of them is your thing, I'm not gonna judge.
Methinks Macro is getting bored out of his brain with this lock-down before its even officially started. Didn't you manage to get into town for a bout of panic buying this afto?
Go Macro – we need positive, creative ideas like yours (but preferably ones that will work..) Anyway – just ignore all those unworthy put-downs.
[don’t think you meant to use your email as user name. Have changed it, but please check before your next comment – weka]
Mod note In Vino.
Yep! I managed to snare a bag of spuds! And 400 grams of mince from the butcher!
My nice lady butcher has been run off her feet today 🙁 She had to restock the shop at least twice; and care for her 8 year old and 1 year old.
saw a pack of mince – mad butcher – 2 kg – white fatty 'premium mince for
$ 40.
OMG! that s serious price gouging. Mine was $10 a kilo, mind you I brought my own container. From here on in, I'll ring up and order, and she will pack and either drop off or I can pick up from the store.
i buy all my meat from the local butcher. The guy and his wife know what they do, they have five kids and the mad butcher's meat is just rubbish. But yeah, what a rip of.
Macro – the sprout-with-toothpicks image is one I saw a few days back and sent to friends, most of whom didn't get it at all! I was amazed but learned the lesson about niche-knowledge and the ease with which one can assume that what to you is obvious (and in this case, funny) is neither of those to people who haven't tried growing an avocado this way.
Ahh a sad commentary on our society. There is not a vegetable seedling to be had in the whole of town right now. I fear for those tender young things in inexpert hands. I wonder how and where they will be placed in the expectation that within a week or two they will be harvested.
Clever folk who for-some-reason don't garden, brought seeds-for-sprouting and micro greens – fast, simple and healthy.
Yeah that's what we have done too.
In the garden the amaranth is particularly yummy right now – then we leave it to seed.
🙂
Almost looks as good as my lunch buddha bowl.
thats pretty funny
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment says The Warehouse Group has not been granted an exemption to trade during the mandatory four-week lockdown.
5:20 PM · Mar 24, 2020
Son's happy. 4 weeks holiday with no visitors on 80% pay.
Kia Ora The Am Show.
Esport is one of the fastest growing sport in the world.
Time to pay horticultural workers more putea.
The Spanish flue affect Maori in higher rates than others.
Like to see you find a house to rent that cheap $350 a week.
Ka kite Ano.
Kia Ora Newshub. .
Coincidence ya right.
Kia Kaha everyone.
Ka kite Ano.
Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News.
We do need to give the tangata with out a voice a voice.
The free Kai being delivered to the needy is good.
Kia Kaha tangata whenua o Aotearoa.
Ka kite Ano
Kia Ora The Am Show.
People won't get board with all the gadgets we have these day's.
Ka kite Ano
Some Eco Maori Music For The Minute.
https://youtu.be/cEXhZ8PwM-Y
I wonder if these sis sandflys are going to try and arrest me when I go to the supermarket today.??? They will be drooling to do that with there new powers
Kia Ora Newshub.
Its good that our government caught the dubble dipping business trying to cheat in these times is low.
Ka kite Ano
Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News.
Some of the symptoms of the virus is loss of smell and taste
Its better that we do it hard and correct now and minimise the virus spread than not to isolation properly now and the virus spread rapidly causing chaos to our love one's and our hospital system.
Ka kite Ano