Another example this morning, Bridges suggesting those wrongly evicted are ‘meth crooks’. Talk about ignoring all the facts of the issue, including their own part in it!
Totally bizarre he and Twisted Sister would double down on this when the several articles in the media are all about wrongful evictions of innocent parties.
His snide yap yapping does him no favours.
This morning on RNZ, his argument was so full of holes and hypocrisy.
(What is the word for someone’s position that highlights their own shortcomings?)
At one point he was bemoaning the 9,000 people and families on the HNZ waiting list. Irony much!
Also surely there is a marked difference in residues from manufacturing P than those left from smoking P. Bridge to nowhere was keen to lump them in together.
I can forgive Espinor for not giving it to BTN, as there were so many inconsistencies, which one to choose?
Bridges maybe “man from heaven for Labour” BUT not good for NZ.
IMO, as a country we need a functional and alt view of the opposition to challenge the govts thinking and policies. Otherwise there is a danger of progressing down a direction that would have detrimental results for the future.
I am sure those on the political divide want strong progressive parties. One large weak party is of no value to the direction of NZ, the only blessing is that the weak party is not in govt, this time.
Thanks to an ineffectual labour opposition look what we got from 2011-2017. And the leadership options they gave to counteract Key 🤪. Heck given the faux paus of some within the govts. a monkey would have inflected greater damage.
I disagree again! An opposition is limited in preventing damaging decisions/legislation due to an imbalance in numbers. I think Cunliffe was their best bet, but the msm ran a ruthless campaign against him (remember John Armstrong’s apology for calling for Cunliffe’s resignation)….The msm were more focused on criticizing Labour and its leaders when they were in opposition than holding Key (who they swarned over) to account.
I note today on Stuff and Radio NZ that they are finding any negative angle they can to undermine, subtlely and not so subtley Jacinda’s ability
leadership and strength.
Jane Bowron really laid it on the line what she thinks of Judith Collins.
Duncan Garner is calling Jacinda the UN’s new “squeeze”. How childish. And of course Tova O’Brien is her usual sarcastic self. TV3 must be desperate for headlines and/or an audience.
“Young Christine Blasey Ford remembered as popular figure in Dewey Beach bar scene in 1980s”
QUESTION OF THE DAY
Who do you believe?
• BRETT M. KAVANAUGH
• CHRISTINE BLASEY FORD
• WASHINGTON
Ford’s conditions for testifying “growing”: Conway
Reuters
Boring USA stuff. A diversion from what politics is (should be) about. Good for the covers of women’s mags that specialise in gossip that has a sex or appearance angle which seems to be of enough interest to keep them churning out every week. Can we leave this stuff to the organ-grinders!
Thanks Bearded – did you follow the discussion over reply from certain person at RNZ? (Radionz not Railways NZ – just to make a point about confusing acronym use.) We get USA because that is what people are interested in.
Eventually I suppose we won’t worry about having informative radio bringing us the what the world is doing and thinking,, we will just sit and contemplate the fluff in our navels. I think the reply was to a query to Radionz instigated by cleangreen and apologise if it was actually you, being one of the questioning commenters I read regularly.
There have been many fake storys about Ms Ford .
That was one of them. You should be ashamed at peddling the right wing lies CG!
Ashamed .
Clearly she was from an upper class background, expensive private schools and post grad university education leading to PhD, and a published academic record at a private California University specializing in psychology
hardly the sort of person who was a wild child …at 15 !
Im not going to dignify that GOP rag the Washinton Times ( not the post) by reading it . But I bet its full of ‘people say’ ….. and ‘sources tell us’…
That is its made up.
Why not accept the point – all news isn’t equal and you’ve been pushing synthetic shit mate not natural truth. Sure it gets you high but it kills you in the end – eventually brain turns to mush.
Regardless of whether he did it or not, he will deny it till the bitter end.
Media outlets love high profile sexual scandals, so they will be milking it for all it’s worth, every angle they can get out of it. Click bait gold for them.
Meanwhile, as much as one tries to forget ones rapist(s)/sexual assaulter(s), one never ever forgets who they are, no matter how long ago it happened.
@muttonbird and @saveNZ:
Have you been following Dileepa Fonseka’s series on Stuff?
Occasionally there’s some good work with the likes of Penfold et al.
Da Nile used to be a river in Africa.
Finally INZ and the Labour Inspectorate are owning (bit by bit) of what a complete fuckup policy and its implementation and enforcement has been over the past decade.
Of course much of the problem was of the Munstry of BIE’s own making (encouraging all and sundry to become immigration ‘advisors’) so that there is now a raft of completem charlatans operating – not properly investigated or monitored by another of MBIE’s entities – the IAA.
Shame they did not take the likes of McClymont, and even Delamere and Malcolm more seriously, OR what people such as a couple of Unions and Worker’s Associations were saying.
There is now one almighty mess to clean up – all of which COULD have been avoided.
I-LG is aware, but the corrections appear to be made in baby steps
We’ve been talking about it for a while now, haven’t we.
Immigration mismanagement.
It was always difficult to accept Joyce’s insistence that we only took skilled migrants in order to fill the gaps in our labour force. This would have been fine if it wasn’t such a lie.
It’s clear now there was no management of immigration both direct and through the back-door via student visa extensions. The gutting of the regulatory body was a deliberate ideological decision to soften the ground as a pathway to suppressed wages and high house price growth, both of which gave National voters what they wanted, gains in business profit at the expense of workers, and untaxed income via capital gain.
On the ground it was impossible to reconcile the sheer numbers of young migrants from South Asia (bless them) with any kind of robust and quality international education sector, and of any kind of care in the oversight of their entry here. It was a free-for-all.
I hope more and more comes out on this damaging mismanagement not only of the people but to New Zealand’s young and vulnerable.
The fix is difficult as are all the social and infrastructure deficit messes National created while in government because you don’t want to shock the system (look what happened in 1984) but hopefully decent governance prevails and New Zealand’s international education sector once again becomes elite, and we get the skilled help we need from overseas migrants, not more ditch-diggers and dish-hands.
Ae! Will have to continue this a little later, but suffice to say meantime that ALL the warning signs were there, and you are correct – the system was working as designed and intended by its architects. The result: effectively what amounts to human trafficking because its been a really lucrative ‘industry’. It is on an industrial scale and the genuine are now often tarred with the same brush as the corrupt.
Who’d have thought eh? And over the past decade, I’ve not seen anything in Asian media warning of the pitfalls that were known to be a problem. (Could perhaps have been done as a joint venture with other countries competing for that ‘tik-a-box’ tertiary education export sector
Incidently, last time I looked, there were between 30 and 40 thousand Indians (alone) banged up in US detention cenrtres alone who’ve been subjected to the same sort of scamming that’s been going on in ‘lil ole NuZull, I can’t remember the number from other Asian countries.
I suspect it started off to stimulate NZ out of the global financial crisis, then took on a life of it’s own, but now sadly there will be literally hundreds of thousands of scammers, traffickers or people who do not have the skills for the jobs operating in NZ and it’s just getting worse and worse…. because now people are just getting money for jam for fakes jobs, fake degrees, operating with fake qualifications etc etc… We were second in the world for no corruption – why the f would a government seek to destroy that through importing in scammers with fake jobs and fake degrees, multiplying at alarming rates???
Not sure if this guy got here under a residency type scheme or born in NZ but seems to be operating illegally for years. No wonder our construction does not last and housing NZ in Christchurch used him for 5000 houses, before coming to Auckland where the faulty and illegal construction work is widespread.
You have to wonder why he gets no criminal charges bought against him for fraud. Instead ‘maybe’ just a 5 year ban and not even the full $10,000 fine! Crime pays in NZ and they wonder why it’s spreading!
Time every construction worker and subcontractor had to sit a government run test before coming into NZ to demonstrate they actually have the skills and real fines are imposed on illegal work and workers and the companies that employ or contract them to do the work.
What they should do is get group action lawsuit from the scammed migrants to get back the tens of thousands they were extorted out of by all the middle men. I don’t think those that came here should be given residency, but I do think that the NZ government and police should help the lawsuit, get their money back from he scammers and take the people and business to court that are implicated in the scams. That sends a clear message, don’t do it!
Also they need to stamp down of the marriages. No visas for marriages until the people have been married for 10 years. That way, only the legitimate ones go through.
Aged parents should not be able to get any type of residency or citizenship as there are already visa available. If the kids left them in the first place, seem quite odd that they are asking for visas for the Kiwis to now support their parents too under humanitarian grounds. Aged parents can already come to visit for 18 months why should they get super and health care on the Kiwi system?
We already have reports of ‘Granny dumping’. Migrants on $90k who get their parents in, often use them for child care, then ‘dump’ them onto the NZ public welfare systems and they access health and super straight away. After 87,000 aged parents arrived, even the Natz decided to close it, but apparently there is lobbying for Labour to reopen it???? https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/315435/migrants'-parents-cost-nz-'tens-of-millions‘
@savenz 9.02 am
+100 the NZ government and police should help the lawsuit, get their money back from he scammers and take the people and business to court that are implicated in the scams. That sends a clear message, don’t do it!
It really is a problem with dealing with immigrants and defining what is racism and what is justified concern about fairness to them, and to us, and where to draw the line.
We must be careful that we don’t get into the awful situation they have had in northern England with Pakistani young men grooming young white girls to be sex partners or full prostitutes, and taking the snide male attitude that they are bad girls anyway and don’t deserve any respect or fair treatment. There had been a closing of official eyes to much of the extremely bad behaviour of these Pakistani men whose leaders could be vocal about racism when confronted with the embarrassing behaviour of these young chaps. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotherham_child_sexual_exploitation_scandal
Glad to see finally some news about cleaning up this massive problem which has poured thousands of people into NZ residency and citizenship as a scam. It’s not just that scam, theres downwards effects from scam people marrying/divorcing and getting tens of thousands in dowrys each time, aged relatives coming in, forcing other legitimate businesses out of business as the scams expand with free labour and the so called business as a front, increasing commercial rents and franchises, and the decrease in quality of the actual services that are being sold such as shocking food and poor hygiene from chefs, to hotels that are not fit to be rented out.
In Auckland, much of the food quality has reached an all time low, while the prices for everything is sky high. Likewise stayed at a so called luxury hotel in bay of plenty (should have realised that something was wrong, they changed the name to hide the reviews) that was of a disgusting standard, including rat bait wrappers under the bed and bodged repairs everywhere, but due to time of year (around Christmas) were charging $400 for the rooms, and obviously if you were a tourist you would think that dirty, scary overpriced hotels are normal in NZ. The chain own about 5 hotels around NZ so seem to be doing well, in spite of being appalling.
As well as the scammers, I also blame the middle men and immigration lawyers who seem facilitating the scams.
Weirdly as well, is immigration NZ taking bribes themselves?
Customs have uncovered various scams and prosecuted some of their own staff, but no internal investigation to immigration NZ staff, how they failed to notice 10,000’s of strange visas in low paid jobs?
I Know someone who was trying to legitimately get a work permit for a overseas worker for a highly paid, technical job but immigration NZ were very difficult to deal with and, who knows, maybe waiting for a bribe to clear the visa?
Firstly it was a rort to make money pure ansd simple!!!!
We ourselves were running a billited home where we had offered to overseas “english students” who attended a local ‘private school’ that went broke later, and they came only to find a job here, and really not learn english, we found out after several years and gave it up as a income.
“As well as the scammers, I also blame the middle men and immigration lawyers who seem facilitating the scams.”
Indeed! Let’s be clear though that there are a few ‘lawyers’ – i.e. those that are actual ‘lawyers’ that are legit and who have been among those screaming the loudest. (McClymont for example, Aussie Malcolm maybe, and more recently Delamere – although not too long ago he seemed to be against allowing visas that didn’t tie a worker to a specific employer. He may well have changed his mind given the recent cases that have emerged).
The system as designed and implemented was a recipe for exploitation and has left many people in devastating circumstances. Bear in mind that the amount of money some have been fleeced doing shitty courses or worker imports, with associated ticket clippers along the chain is enough to build a bloody house in some places.
And many of the overstayers just want to try and recoup the money so they can get the hell out of NZ without the shame they’ll face on their return
Many of the other ‘lawyers’ are really only ‘advisors’ (NOT EXCLUSIVELY) and often with vertically integrated interests in other enterprises (a quick search of the companies register, which is also under MBIE could have raised a red flag or two).
These ‘advisors’ – often referred to as ‘advocates’ in other cultures also have a direct and indirect cosy little relationships with things like security firms.
Some even appear to spring up depending on what is the skills shortage list.
E.G. we’re short of hairdressers so I’ll open up a beauty salon, OR how about a labour hire company, Or maybe landscape gardening.
I won’t comment on the suggestion there could be cosy relationships between advisors and public servants although I’ve seen some advisors proudly announcing in promotional material how they’re superior because they used to work in the organisation.
I agree some sort of class action would be beneficial, although I’m not sure it would succeed.
What the system has become is now akin to a Green Card raffle at times with a high degree of victim blaming. As I said, the genuine can get lumped with the corrupt, genuine relationships can be seen as a sham and vice versa, and those that have shown a genuine commitment to NZ have faced a constant uphill battle.
It does look like change is on the way GRADUALLY, but now that its such an almighty mess, it’s hard to know how successful it will be
Deserate is the perfect word that depicts what National is; – as National is always acting irrational.
“National = irractional” – it sort of rhymes doesn’t it.
“There’s…surprisingly little really convincing evidence that there’s a ‘male’ brain hardwired to be good at understanding the world, and a ‘female’ brain hardwired to understand people,” states neuroscientist Cordelia Fine, author of Delusions of Gender. “Our minds are exquisitely socially attuned, and surprisingly sensitive to gender stereotypes.” Even in experiments, when researchers “push gender into the psychological background, men and women’s behavior becomes remarkably similar,” Fine explains. “But when the environment makes gender salient, even subtly,…our thinking, our behavior, the way we perceive others and even our own selves becomes more consistent with gender stereotypes.”
Does anyone else believe Paula Bennett used the word ‘cadence’ without the assistance of a spin meister.
Could be I ‘spose. New ummujdge, new found oidentutty (goan forwud).
If she can be taught the necessary parliamentary nods and facial mannerisms during QT, I guess anything is possible.
Transformational Paula! I wish you luck.
Btw, I’ve got a mate that’s obsessed with leopard skin. She’s thinking of a new age frock type fashion that would’nt be out of place with one or two leopard skin cushions to jooosh things up a bit on ‘the Block’
Strictly non ’50s-loik matronly.
Have you ever heard of a member of the arsehole class crossing the line with only one woman?
As Senate Republicans press for a swift vote to confirm Brett Kavanaugh, President Trump’s nominee to the Supreme Court, Senate Democrats are investigating a new allegation of sexual misconduct against Kavanaugh. The claim dates to the 1983-84 academic school year, when Kavanaugh was a freshman at Yale University.
I represent a woman with credible information regarding Judge Kavanaugh and Mark Judge. We will be demanding the opportunity to present testimony to the committee and will likewise be demanding that Judge and others be subpoenaed to testify. The nomination must be withdrawn.— Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) September 23, 2018
My client is not Deborah Ramirez.— Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) September 23, 2018
My e-mail of moments ago with Mike Davis, Chief Counsel for Nominations for U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary. We demand that this process be thorough, open and fair, which is what the American public deserves. It must not be rushed and evidence/witnesses must not be hidden. pic.twitter.com/11XLZJBTtY— Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) September 24, 2018
Ki Ora Newshub one can not compare our renewable energy futures to Germany,s energy cost. They have a longer winter than us so there heating cost are x2 of ours. The low hanging fruit for our carbon neutral goals are efficiency gains reduceing our energy use and waste.
We have been lead down the wrong path lately like the council have inforced air laws that has pushed fire places out of heaps of house. This move has dubble our housing use and dependants on electricity low investment in Rail wasting money on coal.
Duncan you like putting your nose in smelly place??????.
We are already looking at reforms to our justice system the lock em up attertude we get from the west in not working.
I like the work smarter way to do things
A the keep it simple approach to our government system.
Got the runs Mark ECO knows why.
Jay Laga’aia ECO is a big fan te Kiwi Pacific culture wit & humour that’s the way tau toko te Mokopunas don’t panic people our Pacific culture are a caring cultures Ka pai.
There you go Paddy she’s a world leader yes the men who are with Wahine leaders have to Tau toko them raising the whano.
Well with the high school speach debate I’m guessing that the school is a low decile school the children there have different challenges to the upper class school so hopefully Alot of the parents will take the education of their children more seriously and make sure there children go to school and get a good education
Ka kite ano P.S the ECO MAORI effects
This is a follow up in voicing my objection’s to the use of monsanto’s prouduct glyphosate round up I will let the story do the educating for you as I know if it’s a poision there are bad side effects to IT link is below Ka kite ano. P.S my computer is unblocked after 24 hours Kia kaha
We have always been told since the 1980’s that Round Up (Glysophate) was less toxic than table salt. However the product works by translocating through the plant and interrupting cell division within the plant hence the plant dies. I am wondering how extensive the independent research is on the effects of glysophate in the human body and what happens to cells within the human body exposed to glysophate ???
There have been high rates of cancer and health issues associated with users of agricultural chemicals over the previous decades, I am wondering whether there may be any links to these materials and are Government Agencies complicit in covering these issues over ???
The power full quickly put on the victims hat when they are caught out .
And our society lets these men blame the Wahine for there wrong’s that has to change.
Men have more power than wahine and most are stronger than wahine it is totally wrong for us to let men play the victim’s .
They should bow there heads in shame.
Is that the world you want your daughter’s or mokopuna’s raised in well NOT ECO MAORI .
This is another reason I back equality because I don’t want my granddaugther’s raised in a society were men think wahine are here for there use and abuse .Link is below ka kite ano.
Ki ora Newshub Many thanks to Paddy Grower I know how the system works E hoa .
Neve is on the Papatuanuku’s stage the timing of the release of those emails look like it was intended to try and deflate Jacinda message to the world but know the whole world will still be paying attention to her .That tec guy smell’s the neo’s will not stop the new AGE.
Social worker’s deserve there pay rise its hard work dealing with big social issues .
trump is smelling———he just has not figured it out yet.
With the apple ‘s bio concerns you see negotiations work .
Condolence’s to Merv Smiths whano .
Ka kite ano
Kia ora The Crowd Goes Wild James and Mulls The Argentine’s eat a lot of meat the problem I have with the meat cancer issues is they don’t use Aotearoa’s grass feed meat for there research and we know that grass feed animals do not have the cancer carcinogens that other meat has .
I remember the first time I rode a bike I skined my ankle lol Kia kaha wahine.
The big man’s a true KIWI ka pai
Mulls our M8 on the other channel his star has been shining bright lately .
Ka kite ano Kia kaha P.S some people will learn Ngati Porou culture then ——- them
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This is a must watch, and puts on brilliant and practical display the implications and mechanics of fast-track law corruption and weakness.CLICK HERE: LINK TO WATCH VIDEOOur news media as it is set up is simply not equipped to deal with the brazen disinformation and corruption under this right wing ...
NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi Acting Secretary Erin Polaczuk is welcoming the announcement from Minister of Workplace Relations and Safety Brooke van Velden that she is opening consultation on engineered stone and is calling on her to listen to the evidence and implement a total ban of the product. “We need ...
The Government has announced a 1.5% increase in the minimum wage from 1 April 2025, well below forecast inflation of 2.5%. Unions have reacted strongly and denounced it as a real terms cut. PSA and the CTU are opposing a new round of staff cuts at WorkSafe, which they say ...
The decision to unilaterally repudiate the contract for new Cook Strait ferries is beginning to look like one of the stupidest decisions a New Zealand government ever made. While cancelling the ferries and their associated port infrastructure may have made this year's books look good, it means higher costs later, ...
Hi there! I’ve been overseas recently, looking after a situation with a family member. So apologies if there any less than focused posts! Vanuatu has just had a significant 7.3 earthquake. Two MFAT staff are unaccounted for with local fatalities.It’s always sad to hear of such things happening.I think of ...
Today is a special member's morning, scheduled to make up for the government's theft of member's days throughout the year. First up was the first reading of Greg Fleming's Crimes (Increased Penalties for Slavery Offences) Amendment Bill, which was passed unanimously. Currently the House is debating the third reading of ...
We're going backwardsIgnoring the realitiesGoing backwardsAre you counting all the casualties?We are not there yetWhere we need to beWe are still in debtTo our insanitiesSongwriter: Martin Gore Read more ...
Willis blamed Treasury for changing its productivity assumptions and Labour’s spending increases since Covid for the worsening Budget outlook. Photo: Getty ImagesMōrena. Long stories short, the six things that matter in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Wednesday, December 18 in The Kākā’s Dawn Chorus podcast above ...
Today the Auckland Transport board meet for the last time this year. For those interested (and with time to spare), you can follow along via this MS Teams link from 10am. I’ve taken a quick look through the agenda items to see what I think the most interesting aspects are. ...
Hi,If you’re a New Zealander — you know who Mike King is. He is the face of New Zealand’s battle against mental health problems. He can be loud and brash. He raises, and is entrusted with, a lot of cash. Last year his “I Am Hope” charity reported a revenue ...
Probably about the only consolation available from yesterday’s unveiling of the Half-Yearly Economic and Fiscal Update (HYEFU) is that it could have been worse. Though Finance Minister Nicola Willis has tightened the screws on future government spending, she has resisted the calls from hard-line academics, fiscal purists and fiscal hawks ...
The right have a stupid saying that is only occasionally true:When is democracy not democracy? When it hasn’t been voted on.While not true in regards to branches of government such as the judiciary, it’s a philosophy that probably should apply to recently-elected local government councillors. Nevertheless, this concept seemed to ...
Long story short: the Government’s austerity policy has driven the economy into a deeper and longer recession that means it will have to borrow $20 billion more over the next four years than it expected just six months ago. Treasury’s latest forecasts show the National-ACT-NZ First Government’s fiscal strategy of ...
Come and join myself and CTU Chief Economist for a pop-up ‘Hoon’ webinar on the Government’s Half Yearly Economic and Fiscal Update (HYEFU) with paying subscribers to The Kākā for 30 minutes at 5 pm today.Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream to watch our chat. Don’t worry if ...
In 1998, in the wake of the Paremoremo Prison riot, the Department of Corrections established the "Behaviour Management Regime". Prisoners were locked in their cells for 22 or 23 hours a day, with no fresh air, no exercise, no social contact, no entertainment, and in some cases no clothes and ...
New data released by the Treasury shows that the economic policies of this Government have made things worse in the year since they took office, said NZCTU Economist Craig Renney. “Our fiscal indicators are all heading in the wrong direction – with higher levels of debt, a higher deficit, and ...
At the 2023 election, National basically ran on a platform of being better economic managers. So how'd that turn out for us? In just one year, they've fucked us for two full political terms: The government's books are set to remain deeply in the red for the near term ...
AUSTERITYText within this block will maintain its original spacing when publishedMy spreadsheet insists This pain leads straight to glory (File not found) Read more ...
The NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi are saying that the Government should do the right thing and deliver minimum wage increases that don’t see workers fall further behind, in response to today’s announcement that the minimum wage will only be increased by 1.5%, well short of forecast inflation. “With inflation forecast ...
Oh, I weptFor daysFilled my eyesWith silly tearsOh, yeaBut I don'tCare no moreI don't care ifMy eyes get soreSongwriters: Paul Rodgers / Paul Kossoff. Read more ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Bob HensonIn this aerial view, fingers of meltwater flow from the melting Isunnguata Sermia glacier descending from the Greenland Ice Sheet on July 11, 2024, near Kangerlussuaq, Greenland. According to the Programme for Monitoring of the Greenland Ice Sheet (PROMICE), the ...
In August, I wrote an article about David Seymour1 with a video of his testimony, to warn that there were grave dangers to his Ministry of Regulation:David Seymour's Ministry of Slush Hides Far Greater RisksWhy Seymour's exorbitant waste of taxpayers' money could be the least of concernThe money for Seymour ...
Willis is expected to have to reveal the bitter fiscal fruits of her austerity strategy in the HYEFU later today. Photo: Lynn Grieveson/TheKakaMōrena. Long stories short, the six things that matter in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Tuesday, December 17 in The Kākā’s Dawn Chorus podcast ...
On Friday the government announced it would double the number of toll roads in New Zealand as well as make a few other changes to how toll roads are used in the country. The real issue though is not that tolling is being used but the suggestion it will make ...
The Prime Minister yesterday engaged in what looked like a pre-emptive strike designed to counter what is likely to be a series of depressing economic statistics expected before the end of the week. He opened his weekly post-Cabinet press conference with a recitation of the Government’s achievements. “It certainly has ...
This whooping cough story from south Auckland is a good example of the coalition government’s approach to social need – spend money on urging people to get vaccinated but only after you’ve cut the funding to where they could get vaccinated. This has been the case all year with public ...
And if there is a GodI know he likes to rockHe likes his loud guitarsHis spiders from MarsAnd if there is a GodI know he's watching meHe likes what he seesBut there's trouble on the breezeSongwriter: William Patrick Corgan Read more ...
Here’s a quick round up of today’s political news:1. MORE FOOD BANKS, CHARITIES, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTERS AND YOUTH SOCIAL SERVICES SET TO CLOSE OR SCALE BACK AROUND THE COUNTRY AS GOVT CUTS FUNDINGSome of Auckland's largest foodbanks are warning they may need to close or significantly reduce food parcels after ...
Iain Rennie, CNZMSecretary and Chief Executive to the TreasuryDear Secretary, Undue restrictions on restricted briefings This week, the Treasury barred representatives from four organisations, including the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi, from attending the restricted briefing for the Half-Year Economic and Fiscal Update. We had been ...
This is a guest post by Tim Adriaansen, a community, climate, and accessibility advocate.I won’t shut up about climate breakdown, and whenever possible I try to shift the focus of a climate conversation towards solutions. But you’ll almost never hear me give more than a passing nod to ...
A grassroots backlash has forced a backdown from Brown, but he is still eyeing up plenty of tolls for other new roads. And the pressure is on Willis to ramp up the Government’s austerity strategy. Photo: Getty ImagesMōrena. Long stories short, the six things that matter in Aotearoa’s political economy ...
Hi all,I'm pretty overwhelmed by all your messages and emails today; thank you so very much.As much as my newsletter this morning was about money, and we all need to earn money, it was mostly about world domination if I'm honest. 😉I really hate what’s happening to our country, and ...
A listing of 23 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, December 8, 2024 thru Sat, December 14, 2024. Listing by Category Like last week's summary this one contains the list of articles twice: based on categories and based on ...
I started writing this morning about Hobson’s Pledge, examining the claims they and their supporters make, basically ripping into them. But I kept getting notifications coming through, and not good ones.Each time I looked up, there was another un-subscription message, and I felt a bit sicker at the thought of ...
National has only been in power for a year, but everywhere you look, its choices are taking New Zealand a long way backwards. In no particular order, here are the National Government's Top 50 Greatest Misses of its first year in power. ...
The Government is quietly undertaking consultation on the dangerous Regulatory Standards Bill over the Christmas period to avoid too much attention. ...
The Government’s planned changes to the freedom of speech obligations of universities is little more than a front for stoking the political fires of disinformation and fear, placing teachers and students in the crosshairs. ...
The Ministry of Regulation’s report into Early Childhood Education (ECE) in Aotearoa raises serious concerns about the possibility of lowering qualification requirements, undermining quality and risking worse outcomes for tamariki, whānau, and kaiako. ...
A Bill to modernise the role of Justices of the Peace (JP), ensuring they remain active in their communities and connected with other JPs, has been put into the ballot. ...
Labour will continue to fight unsustainable and destructive projects that are able to leap-frog environment protection under National’s Fast-track Approvals Bill. ...
The Green Party has warned that a Green Government will revoke the consents of companies who override environmental protections as part of Fast-Track legislation being passed today. ...
The Green Party says the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update shows how the Government is failing to address the massive social and infrastructure deficits our country faces. ...
The Government’s latest move to reduce the earnings of migrant workers will not only hurt migrants but it will drive down the wages of Kiwi workers. ...
Te Pāti Māori has this morning issued a stern warning to Fast-Track applicants with interests in mining, pledging to hold them accountable through retrospective liability and to immediately revoke Fast-Track consents under a future Te Pāti Māori government. This warning comes ahead of today’s third reading of the Fast-Track Approvals ...
The Government’s announcement today of a 1.5 per cent increase to minimum wage is another blow for workers, with inflation projected to exceed the increase, meaning it’s a real terms pay reduction for many. ...
All the Government has achieved from its announcement today is to continue to push responsibility back on councils for its own lack of action to help bring down skyrocketing rates. ...
The Government has used its final post-Cabinet press conference of the year to punch down on local government without offering any credible solutions to the issues our councils are facing. ...
The Government has failed to keep its promise to ‘super charge’ the EV network, delivering just 292 chargers - less than half of the 670 chargers needed to meet its target. ...
The Green Party is calling for the Government to stop subsidising the largest user of the country’s gas supplies, Methanex, following a report highlighting the multi-national’s disproportionate influence on energy prices in Aotearoa. ...
The Green Party is appalled with the Government’s new child poverty targets that are based on a new ‘persistent poverty’ measure that could be met even with an increase in child poverty. ...
New independent analysis has revealed that the Government’s Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP) will reduce emissions by a measly 1 per cent by 2030, failing to set us up for the future and meeting upcoming targets. ...
The loss of 27 kaimahi at Whakaata Māori and the end of its daily news bulletin is a sad day for Māori media and another step backwards for Te Tiriti o Waitangi justice. ...
Yesterday the Government passed cruel legislation through first reading to establish a new beneficiary sanction regime that will ultimately mean more households cannot afford the basic essentials. ...
Today's passing of the Government's Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill–which allows landlords to end tenancies with no reason–ignores the voice of the people and leaves renters in limbo ahead of the festive season. ...
After wasting a year, Nicola Willis has delivered a worse deal for the Cook Strait ferries that will end up being more expensive and take longer to arrive. ...
Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick has today launched a Member’s Bill to sanction Israel for its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, as the All Out For Gaza rally reaches Parliament. ...
After years of advocacy, the Green Party is very happy to hear the Government has listened to our collective voices and announced the closure of the greyhound racing industry, by 1 August 2026. ...
In response to a new report from ERO, the Government has acknowledged the urgent need for consistency across the curriculum for Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE) in schools. ...
The Green Party is appalled at the Government introducing legislation that will make it easier to penalise workers fighting for better pay and conditions. ...
Thank you for the invitation to speak with you tonight on behalf of the political party I belong to - which is New Zealand First. As we have heard before this evening the Kinleith Mill is proposing to reduce operations by focusing on pulp and discontinuing “lossmaking paper production”. They say that they are currently consulting on the plan to permanently shut ...
Auckland Central MP, Chlöe Swarbrick, has written to Mayor Wayne Brown requesting he stop the unnecessary delays on St James Theatre’s restoration. ...
Kiwis planning a swim or heading out on a boat this summer should remember to stop and think about water safety, Sport & Recreation Minister Chris Bishop and ACC and Associate Transport Minister Matt Doocey say. “New Zealand’s beaches, lakes and rivers are some of the most beautiful in the ...
The Government is urging Kiwis to drive safely this summer and reminding motorists that Police will be out in force to enforce the road rules, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“This time of year can be stressful and result in poor decision-making on our roads. Whether you are travelling to see ...
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says Health New Zealand will move swiftly to support dozens of internationally-trained doctors already in New Zealand on their journey to employment here, after a tripling of sought-after examination places. “The Medical Council has delivered great news for hardworking overseas doctors who want to contribute ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has appointed Sarah Ottrey to the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC). “At my first APEC Summit in Lima, I experienced firsthand the role that ABAC plays in guaranteeing political leaders hear the voice of business,” Mr Luxon says. “New Zealand’s ABAC representatives are very well respected and ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced four appointments to New Zealand’s intelligence oversight functions. The Honourable Robert Dobson KC has been appointed Chief Commissioner of Intelligence Warrants, and the Honourable Brendan Brown KC has been appointed as a Commissioner of Intelligence Warrants. The appointments of Hon Robert Dobson and Hon ...
Improvements in the average time it takes to process survey and title applications means housing developments can progress more quickly, Minister for Land Information Chris Penk says. “The government is resolutely focused on improving the building and construction pipeline,” Mr Penk says. “Applications to issue titles and subdivide land are ...
The Government’s measures to reduce airport wait times, and better transparency around flight disruptions is delivering encouraging early results for passengers ahead of the busy summer period, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Improving the efficiency of air travel is a priority for the Government to give passengers a smoother, more reliable ...
The Government today announced the intended closure of the Apollo Hotel as Contracted Emergency Housing (CEH) in Rotorua, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. This follows a 30 per cent reduction in the number of households in CEH in Rotorua since National came into Government. “Our focus is on ending CEH in the Whakarewarewa area starting ...
The Government will reshape vocational education and training to return decision making to regions and enable greater industry input into work-based learning Tertiary Education and Skills Minister, Penny Simmonds says. “The redesigned system will better meet the needs of learners, industry, and the economy. It includes re-establishing regional polytechnics that ...
The Government is taking action to better manage synthetic refrigerants and reduce emissions caused by greenhouse gases found in heating and cooling products, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds says. “Regulations will be drafted to support a product stewardship scheme for synthetic refrigerants, Ms. Simmonds says. “Synthetic refrigerants are found in a ...
People travelling on State Highway 1 north of Hamilton will be relieved that remedial works and safety improvements on the Ngāruawāhia section of the Waikato Expressway were finished today, with all lanes now open to traffic, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“I would like to acknowledge the patience of road users ...
Tertiary Education and Skills Minister, Penny Simmonds, has announced a new appointment to the board of Education New Zealand (ENZ). Dr Erik Lithander has been appointed as a new member of the ENZ board for a three-year term until 30 January 2028. “I would like to welcome Dr Erik Lithander to the ...
The Government will have senior representatives at Waitangi Day events around the country, including at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, but next year Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has chosen to take part in celebrations elsewhere. “It has always been my intention to celebrate Waitangi Day around the country with different ...
Two more criminal gangs will be subject to the raft of laws passed by the Coalition Government that give Police more powers to disrupt gang activity, and the intimidation they impose in our communities, Police Minister Mark Mitchell says. Following an Order passed by Cabinet, from 3 February 2025 the ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Justice Christian Whata as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Whata’s appointment as a Judge of the Court of Appeal will take effect on 1 August 2025 and fill a vacancy created by the retirement of Hon Justice David Goddard on ...
The latest economic figures highlight the importance of the steps the Government has taken to restore respect for taxpayers’ money and drive economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Data released today by Stats NZ shows Gross Domestic Product fell 1 per cent in the September quarter. “Treasury and most ...
Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds and Associate Minister of Education David Seymour today announced legislation changes to strengthen freedom of speech obligations on universities. “Freedom of speech is fundamental to the concept of academic freedom and there is concern that universities seem to be taking a more risk-averse ...
Police Minister, Mark Mitchell, and Internal Affairs Minister, Brooke van Velden, today launched a further Public Safety Network cellular service that alongside last year’s Cellular Roaming roll-out, puts globally-leading cellular communications capability into the hands of our emergency responders. The Public Safety Network’s new Cellular Priority service means Police, Wellington ...
State Highway 1 through the Mangamuka Gorge has officially reopened today, providing a critical link for Northlanders and offering much-needed relief ahead of the busy summer period, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“The Mangamuka Gorge is a vital route for Northland, carrying around 1,300 vehicles per day and connecting the Far ...
The Government has welcomed decisions by the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) and Ashburton District Council confirming funding to boost resilience in the Canterbury region, with construction on a second Ashburton Bridge expected to begin in 2026, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Delivering a second Ashburton Bridge to improve resilience and ...
The Government is backing the response into high pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Otago, Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says. “Cabinet has approved new funding of $20 million to enable MPI to meet unbudgeted ongoing expenses associated with the H7N6 response including rigorous scientific testing of samples at the enhanced PC3 ...
Legislation that will repeal all advertising restrictions for broadcasters on Sundays and public holidays has passed through first reading in Parliament today, Media Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “As a growing share of audiences get their news and entertainment from streaming services, these restrictions have become increasingly redundant. New Zealand on ...
Today the House agreed to Brendan Horsley being appointed Inspector-General of Defence, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “Mr Horsley’s experience will be invaluable in overseeing the establishment of the new office and its support networks. “He is currently Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security, having held that role since June 2020. ...
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government has agreed to the final regulations for the levy on insurance contracts that will fund Fire and Emergency New Zealand from July 2026. “Earlier this year the Government agreed to a 2.2 percent increase to the rate of levy. Fire ...
The Government is delivering regulatory relief for New Zealand businesses through changes to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act. “The Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Amendment Bill, which was introduced today, is the second Bill – the other being the Statutes Amendment Bill - that ...
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed further progress on the Hawke’s Bay Expressway Road of National Significance (RoNS), with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) Board approving funding for the detailed design of Stage 1, paving the way for main works construction to begin in late 2025.“The Government is moving at ...
The Government today released a request for information (RFI) to seeking interest in partnerships to plant trees on Crown-owned land with low farming and conservation value (excluding National Parks) Forestry Minister Todd McClay announced. “Planting trees on Crown-owned land will drive economic growth by creating more forestry jobs in our regions, providing more wood ...
Court timeliness, access to justice, and improving the quality of existing regulation are the focus of a series of law changes introduced to Parliament today by Associate Minister of Justice Nicole McKee. The three Bills in the Regulatory Systems (Justice) Amendment Bill package each improve a different part of the ...
A total of 41 appointments and reappointments have been made to the 12 community trusts around New Zealand that serve their regions, Associate Finance Minister Shane Jones says. “These trusts, and the communities they serve from the Far North to the deep south, will benefit from the rich experience, knowledge, ...
The Government has confirmed how it will provide redress to survivors who were tortured at the Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital Child and Adolescent Unit (the Lake Alice Unit). “The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care found that many of the 362 children who went through the Lake Alice Unit between 1972 and ...
It has been a busy, productive year in the House as the coalition Government works hard to get New Zealand back on track, Leader of the House Chris Bishop says. “This Government promised to rebuild the economy, restore law and order and reduce the cost of living. Our record this ...
“Accelerated silicosis is an emerging occupational disease caused by unsafe work such as engineered stone benchtops. I am running a standalone consultation on engineered stone to understand what the industry is currently doing to manage the risks, and whether further regulatory intervention is needed,” says Workplace Relations and Safety Minister ...
Mehemea he pai mō te tangata, mahia – if it’s good for the people, get on with it. Enhanced reporting on the public sector’s delivery of Treaty settlement commitments will help improve outcomes for Māori and all New Zealanders, Māori Crown Relations Minister Tama Potaka says. Compiled together for the ...
Mr Roger Holmes Miller and Ms Tarita Hutchinson have been appointed to the Charities Registration Board, Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Louise Upston says. “I would like to welcome the new members joining the Charities Registration Board. “The appointment of Ms Hutchinson and Mr Miller will strengthen the Board’s capacity ...
More building consent and code compliance applications are being processed within the statutory timeframe since the Government required councils to submit quarterly data, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “In the midst of a housing shortage we need to look at every step of the build process for efficiencies ...
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey is proud to announce the first three recipients of the Government’s $10 million Mental Health and Addiction Community Sector Innovation Fund which will enable more Kiwis faster access to mental health and addiction support. “This fund is part of the Government’s commitment to investing in ...
New Zealand is providing Vanuatu assistance following yesterday's devastating earthquake, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. "Vanuatu is a member of our Pacific family and we are supporting it in this time of acute need," Mr Peters says. "Our thoughts are with the people of Vanuatu, and we will be ...
The Government welcomes the Commerce Commission’s plan to reduce card fees for Kiwis by an estimated $260 million a year, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says.“The Government is relentlessly focused on reducing the cost of living, so Kiwis can keep more of their hard-earned income and live a ...
Regulation Minister David Seymour has welcomed the Early Childhood Education (ECE) regulatory review report, the first major report from the Ministry for Regulation. The report makes 15 recommendations to modernise and simplify regulations across ECE so services can get on with what they do best – providing safe, high-quality care ...
The Government‘s Offshore Renewable Energy Bill to create a new regulatory regime that will enable firms to construct offshore wind generation has passed its first reading in Parliament, Energy Minister Simeon Brown says.“New Zealand currently does not have a regulatory regime for offshore renewable energy as the previous government failed ...
Opinion: As the year winds down and we pause for some reflection, I find myself, as chair of the Holocaust Centre of New Zealand, contemplating the unprecedented hatred aimed at Jewish New Zealanders. Antisemitism – the prejudice, discrimination or hostility directed at Jews – has snowballed to record levels, so much ...
Opinion: It was February 2024 when my friends started getting in touch with me to suggest I run for the Tauranga City Council mayoralty. At the time, the council was governed by four Government-appointed commissioners, who had been in their roles since 2021. Their terms were coming to an end ...
Summer reissue: Joy Cowley reveals her enthralling life story, from a difficult childhood, to getting drunk with Roald Dahl, to encountering an Arctic polar bear. The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter and ...
Summer reissue: Alex Casey chats to Nadia Lim and Carlos Bagrie about the challenges of life on a 1,200-acre farm in Central Otago, and why they continue to share it with the nation in Nadia’s Farm. The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue ...
Summer reissue: Dominion Road has made a name for itself as a destination for authentic, regionally-specific Chinese food. How did it get here?The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter and sign ...
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp');Got a good quiz question?Send Newsroom your questions.The post Newsroom daily quiz, Tuesday 24 December appeared first on Newsroom. ...
By Emma Andrews, Henare te Ua Māori journalism intern at RNZ News From being the headline to creating them, Moana Maniapoto has walked a rather rocky road of swinging between both sides of the media. Known for her award-winning current affairs show Te Ao with Moana on Whakaata Māori, and ...
Kick Back has growing concerns about the impact that denying young people access to shelter is having on the mental health and physical safety of the young people we serve. ...
By Litia Cava, FBC News multimedia journalist Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has revealed how arms and ammunition used to conduct the 1987 military coup were secretly brought into Fiji on board a naval survey ship. Speaking at the commissioning of a new research vessel for the Lands and Mineral ...
Youth advocates are worried tighter rules for emergency housing could lead to someone dying due to the impacts on mental health and physical safety for those denied shelter. ...
“We urge the Health Select Committee to extend the date for submissions,” concluded Rev Bush. “There is too much at stake to leave the outcome of this review only in the hands of politicians or those with vested interests.” ...
A separate passport, citizenship and membership of the United Nations are only available to fully independent nations, Winston Peters' office says. ...
By Emma Andrews, Henare te Ua Māori Journalism Intern at RNZ News The New Zealand fuel company Z Energy is swapping out street names for “correct” kupu on service stops around the country, with the help of local hapū. When Z took over 226 fuel sites from Shell in 2010, ...
Summer reissue: Was it a false measurement, a full-blown conspiracy or just some mild incompetence? Mad Chapman uncovers the truth of Maddi Wesche’s final throw. The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter and ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julie Old, Associate Professor, Biology, Zoology, Animal Science, Western Sydney University Dmitry Chulov, Shutterstock At this time of year, images of reindeer are everywhere. I’ve had a soft spot for reindeer ever since I was a little girl. Doesn’t everyone? ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Grozdana Manalo, Career Services Manager (Education), University of Sydney hedgehog94/Shutterstock Getting casual work over summer, or a part-time job that you might continue once your tertiary course starts, can be a great way to get workplace experience and earn some extra ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ty Ferguson, Research associate in exercise, nutrition and activity, University of South Australia Peera_Stockfoto/Shutterstock It’s never been easier to stay connected to work. Even when we’re on leave, our phones and laptops keep us tethered. Many of us promise ourselves we ...
The NZ Media Council upheld the complaint under principle four: comment and fact On 5 September 2024, The Spinoff published a brief article titled Made in Palestine, found in 1970s Hastings, which highlighted an upcoming art exhibition featuring photographs of vintage cosmetic products labelled “Made in Palestine.” The piece, described ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kasey Symons, Lecturer of Communication, Sports Media, Deakin University We are well and truly in cricket season. The Australian men’s cricket team is taking centre stage against India in the Border Gavaskar Trophy series while the Big Bash League is underway, as ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Woods, Lecturer, Nursing, Faculty of Health, Southern Cross University FTiare/Shutterstock Summer is here and for many that means going to the beach. You grab your swimmers, beach towel and sunscreen then maybe check the weather forecast. Did you think to ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Saman Khalesi, Senior Lecturer and Discipline Lead in Nutrition, School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, CQUniversity Australia Dean Clarke/Shutterstock The holiday season can be a time of joy, celebration, and indulgence in delicious foods and meals. However, for many, it ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ari Mattes, Lecturer in Communications and Media, University of Notre Dame Australia Late Night With The Devil. Maslow Entertainment Marketing is critical to the success of commercial films, and companies will often spend half as much again on top of the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Francisco Jose Testa, Lecturer in Earth Sciences (Mineralogy, Petrology & Geochemistry), University of Tasmania The Conversation As a kid, it was tough for me to grasp the massive time scale of Earth’s history. Now, with nearly two decades of experience as ...
Opinion: The latest Trends in International Mathematics and Science report was announced earlier this month, yet it didn’t get the flurry of media attention and political hand-wringing that typically accompanies these announcements. This might be because it presented good news, or you could argue, no news; the results paint a ...
NewsroomBy Dr Lisa Darragh, Dr Raewyn Eden and Dr David Pomeroy
Te Pāti Māori has had to adopt a new way of debating, operating and even thinking in Parliament in response to the Government’s “onslaught” against te ao Māori, co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer says.In an end-of-year interview with Newsroom, the Te Tai Hauauru MP reflected on how 2024 has differed from her ...
At long last, The Spinoff shells out for a nut ranking. The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter and sign up to be a member today.It recently came to The Spinoff’s attention ...
I was one of hundreds of people who lost my government job this week. Here’s exactly how it played out. The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter and sign up to be a ...
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Summer reissue: Why do those Lange-Douglas years cast such a long shadow 40 years on? The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter and sign up to be a member today. First published June ...
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The Government’s social housing agency has backed out of a billion-dollar infrastructure alliance that would have built about 6000 new homes in Auckland – less than 18 months after signing a five-year extension.Labour says the decision to rip up the contract and sell off existing state houses could lead to ...
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Great summary of National’s horror week last week.
Jane Bowron calls Judith Collins, “Twisted Sister”.🤣
Too kind by half.
https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/opinion/107266790/lighten-up-nats-and-stop-barking-at-every-passing-car
That will set off the comments section on Stuff.
Another example this morning, Bridges suggesting those wrongly evicted are ‘meth crooks’. Talk about ignoring all the facts of the issue, including their own part in it!
https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/367122/watch-govt-is-compensating-meth-crooks-bridges
Totally bizarre he and Twisted Sister would double down on this when the several articles in the media are all about wrongful evictions of innocent parties.
Bridges really is mana from heaven for Labour.
His snide yap yapping does him no favours.
This morning on RNZ, his argument was so full of holes and hypocrisy.
(What is the word for someone’s position that highlights their own shortcomings?)
At one point he was bemoaning the 9,000 people and families on the HNZ waiting list. Irony much!
Also surely there is a marked difference in residues from manufacturing P than those left from smoking P. Bridge to nowhere was keen to lump them in together.
I can forgive Espinor for not giving it to BTN, as there were so many inconsistencies, which one to choose?
Nailed it G, simon sure is mana from heaven for Labour.
He was a disaster on the AM Show as well. Didn’t catch him on TVNZ, but I can imagine that didn’t go well either.
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2018/09/national-may-back-instant-fines-for-shoplifters.html
Here’s the link for TVNZ interview this morning, this interview was about the bogus testing.
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/simon-bridges-against-compensation-tenants-proven-have-smoked-cooked-meth-in-housing-nz-home
Bridges maybe “man from heaven for Labour” BUT not good for NZ.
IMO, as a country we need a functional and alt view of the opposition to challenge the govts thinking and policies. Otherwise there is a danger of progressing down a direction that would have detrimental results for the future.
I am sure those on the political divide want strong progressive parties. One large weak party is of no value to the direction of NZ, the only blessing is that the weak party is not in govt, this time.
I wonder how long until he is rolled?
Are there any alternatives that wouldn’t get them into even more trouble?
Herodotus, I see it differently re it being a problem that National is a dog meet car opposition.
Ironically the opposition ie checks and balances is coming from the three coalition parties, eg the Greens speaking up about Iraq…….
+1. A coalition government has all the checks and balances required.
No need for National to exist at all really.
Thanks to an ineffectual labour opposition look what we got from 2011-2017. And the leadership options they gave to counteract Key 🤪. Heck given the faux paus of some within the govts. a monkey would have inflected greater damage.
Herodotus,
I disagree again! An opposition is limited in preventing damaging decisions/legislation due to an imbalance in numbers. I think Cunliffe was their best bet, but the msm ran a ruthless campaign against him (remember John Armstrong’s apology for calling for Cunliffe’s resignation)….The msm were more focused on criticizing Labour and its leaders when they were in opposition than holding Key (who they swarned over) to account.
I note today on Stuff and Radio NZ that they are finding any negative angle they can to undermine, subtlely and not so subtley Jacinda’s ability
leadership and strength.
I just wrote a post a few hours ago. I hadn’t seen your comment until now. But that was effectively what my post was on.
They don’t seem to be getting into this opposition thing, and it is nearly a year.
Mind you – Labour in 2009 were slow as well.
Jane Bowron really laid it on the line what she thinks of Judith Collins.
Duncan Garner is calling Jacinda the UN’s new “squeeze”. How childish. And of course Tova O’Brien is her usual sarcastic self. TV3 must be desperate for headlines and/or an audience.
Interesting day ahead in Washington as a result of this ‘most revealing article to date’ in “The Washington Times?
Washington Times report on Christine Blasey Ford.
Having a job as a 15yr olld girl a a very ‘ruanchy bar’ and having multiple love triangle affairs is not making her appear as a choir girl?
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/sep/20/christine-blasey-ford-remembered-dewey-beach-bar-s/
“Young Christine Blasey Ford remembered as popular figure in Dewey Beach bar scene in 1980s”
QUESTION OF THE DAY
Who do you believe?
• BRETT M. KAVANAUGH
• CHRISTINE BLASEY FORD
• WASHINGTON
Ford’s conditions for testifying “growing”: Conway
Reuters
Boring USA stuff. A diversion from what politics is (should be) about. Good for the covers of women’s mags that specialise in gossip that has a sex or appearance angle which seems to be of enough interest to keep them churning out every week. Can we leave this stuff to the organ-grinders!
+100 Grey….too much emphasis on this tittle-tattle and anything to do with USA.
Thanks Bearded – did you follow the discussion over reply from certain person at RNZ? (Radionz not Railways NZ – just to make a point about confusing acronym use.) We get USA because that is what people are interested in.
Eventually I suppose we won’t worry about having informative radio bringing us the what the world is doing and thinking,, we will just sit and contemplate the fluff in our navels. I think the reply was to a query to Radionz instigated by cleangreen and apologise if it was actually you, being one of the questioning commenters I read regularly.
There have been many fake storys about Ms Ford .
That was one of them. You should be ashamed at peddling the right wing lies CG!
Ashamed .
Clearly she was from an upper class background, expensive private schools and post grad university education leading to PhD, and a published academic record at a private California University specializing in psychology
hardly the sort of person who was a wild child …at 15 !
Dukeofurl
So you want to ban other press articles, that you dont ideologically agree with????
That is communism’ is it not?
Supression of other views?
I keep an open mind not a closed one.
However- thanks for your views.
Suppression of other views ?
Clearly You havent heard of fake news then and the willing dupes who spread it.
Funny how often its women who becames the victims of biggest lies
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/19/us/politics/christine-blasey-ford-kavanaughs-fact-check.html
That was a few days ago , no doubt they have multiplied since then
Why dont you grow up CG and find views from credible sources who talk to real people with real names and real jobs that involved crimes like this
https://www.mercurynews.com/2018/09/18/a-former-sex-crimes-prosecutor-analyzed-fords-allegations-against-kavanaugh-heres-her-take/
Im not going to dignify that GOP rag the Washinton Times ( not the post) by reading it . But I bet its full of ‘people say’ ….. and ‘sources tell us’…
That is its made up.
Dukeofurl
We are all allowed our own views, and you seem to prefer to not accept that.
Why not accept the point – all news isn’t equal and you’ve been pushing synthetic shit mate not natural truth. Sure it gets you high but it kills you in the end – eventually brain turns to mush.
+100
How are women supposed to come forward and give testimony when all they will get is media-wide shaming?
They did the same to Anita Hill.
Shame on all who attack the victims of sexual crime, and shame on all who abet these attacks by repeating their stories.
Sure he’ll still be confirmed because the Republicans have the numbers, but there is still no justice for women.
Regardless of whether he did it or not, he will deny it till the bitter end.
Media outlets love high profile sexual scandals, so they will be milking it for all it’s worth, every angle they can get out of it. Click bait gold for them.
Meanwhile, as much as one tries to forget ones rapist(s)/sexual assaulter(s), one never ever forgets who they are, no matter how long ago it happened.
I know ad, soon they’ll be demeaning and attempting to degrade her by calling her a sparkle pony or some other sexist rubbish eh
None of that is relevant to her allegation.
I believe Ford.
@muttonbird and @saveNZ:
Have you been following Dileepa Fonseka’s series on Stuff?
Occasionally there’s some good work with the likes of Penfold et al.
Da Nile used to be a river in Africa.
Finally INZ and the Labour Inspectorate are owning (bit by bit) of what a complete fuckup policy and its implementation and enforcement has been over the past decade.
Of course much of the problem was of the Munstry of BIE’s own making (encouraging all and sundry to become immigration ‘advisors’) so that there is now a raft of completem charlatans operating – not properly investigated or monitored by another of MBIE’s entities – the IAA.
Shame they did not take the likes of McClymont, and even Delamere and Malcolm more seriously, OR what people such as a couple of Unions and Worker’s Associations were saying.
There is now one almighty mess to clean up – all of which COULD have been avoided.
I-LG is aware, but the corrections appear to be made in baby steps
We’ve been talking about it for a while now, haven’t we.
Immigration mismanagement.
It was always difficult to accept Joyce’s insistence that we only took skilled migrants in order to fill the gaps in our labour force. This would have been fine if it wasn’t such a lie.
It’s clear now there was no management of immigration both direct and through the back-door via student visa extensions. The gutting of the regulatory body was a deliberate ideological decision to soften the ground as a pathway to suppressed wages and high house price growth, both of which gave National voters what they wanted, gains in business profit at the expense of workers, and untaxed income via capital gain.
On the ground it was impossible to reconcile the sheer numbers of young migrants from South Asia (bless them) with any kind of robust and quality international education sector, and of any kind of care in the oversight of their entry here. It was a free-for-all.
I hope more and more comes out on this damaging mismanagement not only of the people but to New Zealand’s young and vulnerable.
The fix is difficult as are all the social and infrastructure deficit messes National created while in government because you don’t want to shock the system (look what happened in 1984) but hopefully decent governance prevails and New Zealand’s international education sector once again becomes elite, and we get the skilled help we need from overseas migrants, not more ditch-diggers and dish-hands.
Ae! Will have to continue this a little later, but suffice to say meantime that ALL the warning signs were there, and you are correct – the system was working as designed and intended by its architects. The result: effectively what amounts to human trafficking because its been a really lucrative ‘industry’. It is on an industrial scale and the genuine are now often tarred with the same brush as the corrupt.
Who’d have thought eh? And over the past decade, I’ve not seen anything in Asian media warning of the pitfalls that were known to be a problem. (Could perhaps have been done as a joint venture with other countries competing for that ‘tik-a-box’ tertiary education export sector
Incidently, last time I looked, there were between 30 and 40 thousand Indians (alone) banged up in US detention cenrtres alone who’ve been subjected to the same sort of scamming that’s been going on in ‘lil ole NuZull, I can’t remember the number from other Asian countries.
“Human trafficking”.
Worryingly accurate, and appalling that Steven Joyce actively encouraged the conditions under which it flourished.
I suspect it started off to stimulate NZ out of the global financial crisis, then took on a life of it’s own, but now sadly there will be literally hundreds of thousands of scammers, traffickers or people who do not have the skills for the jobs operating in NZ and it’s just getting worse and worse…. because now people are just getting money for jam for fakes jobs, fake degrees, operating with fake qualifications etc etc… We were second in the world for no corruption – why the f would a government seek to destroy that through importing in scammers with fake jobs and fake degrees, multiplying at alarming rates???
Not sure if this guy got here under a residency type scheme or born in NZ but seems to be operating illegally for years. No wonder our construction does not last and housing NZ in Christchurch used him for 5000 houses, before coming to Auckland where the faulty and illegal construction work is widespread.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/107229367/fradulent-electrician-risked-lives-but-got-stellar-online-reviews-for-electrical-work
Shock finding: Shoddy wiring put vulnerable Housing NZ tenants at risk of dying in fire
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/104856157/shock-finding-shoddy-wiring-put-vulnerable-housing-nz-tenants-at-risk-of-dying-in-fire
You have to wonder why he gets no criminal charges bought against him for fraud. Instead ‘maybe’ just a 5 year ban and not even the full $10,000 fine! Crime pays in NZ and they wonder why it’s spreading!
Time every construction worker and subcontractor had to sit a government run test before coming into NZ to demonstrate they actually have the skills and real fines are imposed on illegal work and workers and the companies that employ or contract them to do the work.
What they should do is get group action lawsuit from the scammed migrants to get back the tens of thousands they were extorted out of by all the middle men. I don’t think those that came here should be given residency, but I do think that the NZ government and police should help the lawsuit, get their money back from he scammers and take the people and business to court that are implicated in the scams. That sends a clear message, don’t do it!
Also they need to stamp down of the marriages. No visas for marriages until the people have been married for 10 years. That way, only the legitimate ones go through.
Aged parents should not be able to get any type of residency or citizenship as there are already visa available. If the kids left them in the first place, seem quite odd that they are asking for visas for the Kiwis to now support their parents too under humanitarian grounds. Aged parents can already come to visit for 18 months why should they get super and health care on the Kiwi system?
We already have reports of ‘Granny dumping’. Migrants on $90k who get their parents in, often use them for child care, then ‘dump’ them onto the NZ public welfare systems and they access health and super straight away. After 87,000 aged parents arrived, even the Natz decided to close it, but apparently there is lobbying for Labour to reopen it????
https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/315435/migrants'-parents-cost-nz-'tens-of-millions‘
@savenz 9.02 am
+100
the NZ government and police should help the lawsuit, get their money back from he scammers and take the people and business to court that are implicated in the scams. That sends a clear message, don’t do it!
It really is a problem with dealing with immigrants and defining what is racism and what is justified concern about fairness to them, and to us, and where to draw the line.
We must be careful that we don’t get into the awful situation they have had in northern England with Pakistani young men grooming young white girls to be sex partners or full prostitutes, and taking the snide male attitude that they are bad girls anyway and don’t deserve any respect or fair treatment. There had been a closing of official eyes to much of the extremely bad behaviour of these Pakistani men whose leaders could be vocal about racism when confronted with the embarrassing behaviour of these young chaps.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotherham_child_sexual_exploitation_scandal
Thanks OnceWasTim – I saw the ‘bad egg’ one, but just noticed a few more.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/107212250/the-big-scam-how-our-immigration-system-is-being-rorted
Glad to see finally some news about cleaning up this massive problem which has poured thousands of people into NZ residency and citizenship as a scam. It’s not just that scam, theres downwards effects from scam people marrying/divorcing and getting tens of thousands in dowrys each time, aged relatives coming in, forcing other legitimate businesses out of business as the scams expand with free labour and the so called business as a front, increasing commercial rents and franchises, and the decrease in quality of the actual services that are being sold such as shocking food and poor hygiene from chefs, to hotels that are not fit to be rented out.
In Auckland, much of the food quality has reached an all time low, while the prices for everything is sky high. Likewise stayed at a so called luxury hotel in bay of plenty (should have realised that something was wrong, they changed the name to hide the reviews) that was of a disgusting standard, including rat bait wrappers under the bed and bodged repairs everywhere, but due to time of year (around Christmas) were charging $400 for the rooms, and obviously if you were a tourist you would think that dirty, scary overpriced hotels are normal in NZ. The chain own about 5 hotels around NZ so seem to be doing well, in spite of being appalling.
As well as the scammers, I also blame the middle men and immigration lawyers who seem facilitating the scams.
Weirdly as well, is immigration NZ taking bribes themselves?
Customs have uncovered various scams and prosecuted some of their own staff, but no internal investigation to immigration NZ staff, how they failed to notice 10,000’s of strange visas in low paid jobs?
I Know someone who was trying to legitimately get a work permit for a overseas worker for a highly paid, technical job but immigration NZ were very difficult to deal with and, who knows, maybe waiting for a bribe to clear the visa?
100% agreed here fully SaveNZ.
Firstly it was a rort to make money pure ansd simple!!!!
We ourselves were running a billited home where we had offered to overseas “english students” who attended a local ‘private school’ that went broke later, and they came only to find a job here, and really not learn english, we found out after several years and gave it up as a income.
it was just a rort.
“As well as the scammers, I also blame the middle men and immigration lawyers who seem facilitating the scams.”
Indeed! Let’s be clear though that there are a few ‘lawyers’ – i.e. those that are actual ‘lawyers’ that are legit and who have been among those screaming the loudest. (McClymont for example, Aussie Malcolm maybe, and more recently Delamere – although not too long ago he seemed to be against allowing visas that didn’t tie a worker to a specific employer. He may well have changed his mind given the recent cases that have emerged).
The system as designed and implemented was a recipe for exploitation and has left many people in devastating circumstances. Bear in mind that the amount of money some have been fleeced doing shitty courses or worker imports, with associated ticket clippers along the chain is enough to build a bloody house in some places.
And many of the overstayers just want to try and recoup the money so they can get the hell out of NZ without the shame they’ll face on their return
Many of the other ‘lawyers’ are really only ‘advisors’ (NOT EXCLUSIVELY) and often with vertically integrated interests in other enterprises (a quick search of the companies register, which is also under MBIE could have raised a red flag or two).
These ‘advisors’ – often referred to as ‘advocates’ in other cultures also have a direct and indirect cosy little relationships with things like security firms.
Some even appear to spring up depending on what is the skills shortage list.
E.G. we’re short of hairdressers so I’ll open up a beauty salon, OR how about a labour hire company, Or maybe landscape gardening.
I won’t comment on the suggestion there could be cosy relationships between advisors and public servants although I’ve seen some advisors proudly announcing in promotional material how they’re superior because they used to work in the organisation.
I agree some sort of class action would be beneficial, although I’m not sure it would succeed.
What the system has become is now akin to a Green Card raffle at times with a high degree of victim blaming. As I said, the genuine can get lumped with the corrupt, genuine relationships can be seen as a sham and vice versa, and those that have shown a genuine commitment to NZ have faced a constant uphill battle.
It does look like change is on the way GRADUALLY, but now that its such an almighty mess, it’s hard to know how successful it will be
Gawd. So desperate are National they’re now trying steal the glow from Ardern.
‘I had a meeting with her, I did!’
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2018/09/simon-bridges-jacinda-ardern-working-together-on-climate-change-plan.html
Muttonbird
Deserate is the perfect word that depicts what National is; – as National is always acting irrational.
“National = irractional” – it sort of rhymes doesn’t it.
“Irrational”?
I assume you mean Bridges
That sounds very sexist
GTFO
Nice – good link thanks
Just remember, uber is the enemy.
https://libcom.org/news/no-money-no-food-london-ubereats-workers-strike-22092018
Elvis hates you!!!
Or is Anarcho-syndicalism still relevant.
https://libcom.org/blog/defense-anarcho-syndicalism-outdated-19092018
Does anyone else believe Paula Bennett used the word ‘cadence’ without the assistance of a spin meister.
Could be I ‘spose. New ummujdge, new found oidentutty (goan forwud).
If she can be taught the necessary parliamentary nods and facial mannerisms during QT, I guess anything is possible.
Transformational Paula! I wish you luck.
Btw, I’ve got a mate that’s obsessed with leopard skin. She’s thinking of a new age frock type fashion that would’nt be out of place with one or two leopard skin cushions to jooosh things up a bit on ‘the Block’
Strictly non ’50s-loik matronly.
There’d be a good earn it for ya.
Have you ever heard of a member of the arsehole class crossing the line with only one woman?
As Senate Republicans press for a swift vote to confirm Brett Kavanaugh, President Trump’s nominee to the Supreme Court, Senate Democrats are investigating a new allegation of sexual misconduct against Kavanaugh. The claim dates to the 1983-84 academic school year, when Kavanaugh was a freshman at Yale University.
https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/senate-democrats-investigate-a-new-allegation-of-sexual-misconduct-from-the-supreme-court-nominee-brett-kavanaughs-college-years-deborah-ramirez
Oh look, another woman has come forward.
Hoo boy, bikie gang territory here.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dn0mJm8WsAAX2kI.jpg
Ki Ora Newshub one can not compare our renewable energy futures to Germany,s energy cost. They have a longer winter than us so there heating cost are x2 of ours. The low hanging fruit for our carbon neutral goals are efficiency gains reduceing our energy use and waste.
We have been lead down the wrong path lately like the council have inforced air laws that has pushed fire places out of heaps of house. This move has dubble our housing use and dependants on electricity low investment in Rail wasting money on coal.
Duncan you like putting your nose in smelly place??????.
We are already looking at reforms to our justice system the lock em up attertude we get from the west in not working.
I like the work smarter way to do things
A the keep it simple approach to our government system.
Got the runs Mark ECO knows why.
Jay Laga’aia ECO is a big fan te Kiwi Pacific culture wit & humour that’s the way tau toko te Mokopunas don’t panic people our Pacific culture are a caring cultures Ka pai.
There you go Paddy she’s a world leader yes the men who are with Wahine leaders have to Tau toko them raising the whano.
Well with the high school speach debate I’m guessing that the school is a low decile school the children there have different challenges to the upper class school so hopefully Alot of the parents will take the education of their children more seriously and make sure there children go to school and get a good education
Ka kite ano P.S the ECO MAORI effects
Many thanks to the good people of OUR Civil courts for making the correct moves that stop our media from merging into one company that could be controlled by the neo liberal capitalist and under mine our democract prosess Kia kaha Ka kite ano link below.
https://i.stuff.co.nz/business/107342494/stuff-nzme-lose-at-court-of-appeal-over-merger
This is a follow up in voicing my objection’s to the use of monsanto’s prouduct glyphosate round up I will let the story do the educating for you as I know if it’s a poision there are bad side effects to IT link is below Ka kite ano. P.S my computer is unblocked after 24 hours Kia kaha
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/sep/24/monsanto-weedkiller-harms-bees-research-finds
We have always been told since the 1980’s that Round Up (Glysophate) was less toxic than table salt. However the product works by translocating through the plant and interrupting cell division within the plant hence the plant dies. I am wondering how extensive the independent research is on the effects of glysophate in the human body and what happens to cells within the human body exposed to glysophate ???
There have been high rates of cancer and health issues associated with users of agricultural chemicals over the previous decades, I am wondering whether there may be any links to these materials and are Government Agencies complicit in covering these issues over ???
It’s glyphosate and the Wikipedia page is not too bad: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glyphosate
The power full quickly put on the victims hat when they are caught out .
And our society lets these men blame the Wahine for there wrong’s that has to change.
Men have more power than wahine and most are stronger than wahine it is totally wrong for us to let men play the victim’s .
They should bow there heads in shame.
Is that the world you want your daughter’s or mokopuna’s raised in well NOT ECO MAORI .
This is another reason I back equality because I don’t want my granddaugther’s raised in a society were men think wahine are here for there use and abuse .Link is below ka kite ano.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/sep/21/brett-kavanaugh-blame-women-anita-hill-cosby-weinstein
Ki ora Newshub Many thanks to Paddy Grower I know how the system works E hoa .
Neve is on the Papatuanuku’s stage the timing of the release of those emails look like it was intended to try and deflate Jacinda message to the world but know the whole world will still be paying attention to her .That tec guy smell’s the neo’s will not stop the new AGE.
Social worker’s deserve there pay rise its hard work dealing with big social issues .
trump is smelling———he just has not figured it out yet.
With the apple ‘s bio concerns you see negotiations work .
Condolence’s to Merv Smiths whano .
Ka kite ano
Kia ora The Crowd Goes Wild James and Mulls The Argentine’s eat a lot of meat the problem I have with the meat cancer issues is they don’t use Aotearoa’s grass feed meat for there research and we know that grass feed animals do not have the cancer carcinogens that other meat has .
I remember the first time I rode a bike I skined my ankle lol Kia kaha wahine.
The big man’s a true KIWI ka pai
Mulls our M8 on the other channel his star has been shining bright lately .
Ka kite ano Kia kaha P.S some people will learn Ngati Porou culture then ——- them