The policy aiming for rewarding “quality” teachers is driven by the neoliberal ideology of competitive individualism. This incorporates a distorted understanding of human endeavour that fails to appreciate the importance of collaboration in successful endeavours, including teaching.
<blockquote.Performance pay for teachers will be developed by the Government, with secondary principals told by Education Minister Hekia Parata to start "sorting the wheat from the chaff".
…
"If a teacher can make a difference and raise the achievement levels regardless of where they sit academically, then they ought to be rewarded for it."
New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) president Ian Leckie said performance pay had been shown internationally to make no positive difference to academic achievement.
"Rewarding teachers differently creates too much high stakes stuff that actually stops collaboration, stops people working together and that is counter-productive to trying to make a better education system doing more for more kids," he said. He suggested the measure would be tough to implement without the support of unions.
And education in NZ is generally very successful, it’s the long tail of low achievers that is the problem and where any new policies should be targetted. Classes of high achievers need a different approach to teaching than for classes of low achievers. A teacher who teaches a class of high academic achievers is likely to make no difference to a class of low achievers unless they are able to change or adapt their approach and work collaboratively with others.
A lot of successful learning depends on a whole school approach. A successful teacher, working collaboratively, can help raise the outcome for all classes, students and teachers.
And they have experinece in the design of contraversal education implimentation.
Thaey got Nat Stds to work well, so they shouldnt have to much problem with performance pay.
I remember asking roger sowey when the nats were pushing a competitive model for schools if he believed that inservice training was important. Yes of courrse it is he replied. I then asked why would schools help ther next door school by helping their teachers improove.
Whilst there is much disagreement regarding incentivising pay for teachers, I notice here as with both the MOE & unions there is still the case of unequal pay for teachers performing the same skilled, learning experiences for their students. That is why does the likes of NZEI/Labour Party (when in govt, and who is funded by the union) support in paying degreee teachers $1k per month more than those with diplomas ? Is it not a union catch cry “A fair days pay for a fair days work” ?
Disagree Herodotus- If you look at the Finnish model, teachers have masters degrees and decent wages. I would far rather see teachers rewarded for their qualification level rather than allowing diploma level teachers the opportunity to hike their pay packets based on “performance”…
Teachers are highly respected and appreciated in Finland, partly because all teachers need a master’s degree to qualify for a permanent job… Finland improved its public education system not by privatizing its schools or constantly testing its students, but by strengthening the education profession and investing in teacher preparation and support.
While I agree about performance pay, high level qualifications and paying Teachers properly to attract the best.
It is academic arrogance to assume that trade qualifications are less useful than academic ones. New Zealand’s diploma level Teachers are some of the best. Adding life experience and 10 or more years of success, in a trade, to schools.
I strongly believe, that school teachers, and police, should have at least 10 years doing something else before they take up Teaching.
Which does mean higher pay for Teachers. To attract the successful from other occupations.
Having said that, we have much better Teachers than we deserve, given the working conditions we give them and the way we recruit, pay and train them.
I.ve seen burnt out Teachers, overwhelmed Teachers and Teachers who cannot handle discipline, but very few lazy Teachers.
Arguments over education always mystify me. I read the propaganda about bad teachers and ask myself if these people who slag off teachers actually went to school. Sure some teachers were better than others but how many of us had genuinely bad teachers? How many teachers did we have who kept an entire class enraptured & hanging off their every word? Did we get a bad education, could any of us really have done so much better if we had these ‘great’ teachers?
My memory of school is that some teachers suited me better than others but no single teacher suited everyone. Teachers that I liked others in my class hated & vice versa. Another memory is that some teachers were very good with the under achievers yet generally not so good with the high achievers, and vice versa again. Slower learners needed a different teaching style, not better teachers per se.
Paradoxically the irrational claims from the ‘we need better teachers’ mob does suggest that maybe we do need better teachers so we don’t keep getting these gits annoying us with their ideological bullshit.
Sure some teachers were better than others but how many of us had genuinely bad teachers?
When I look back, I can honestly say that all of the teachers I had were either brilliant, or very good! Primary, intermediate and High school, all were either adequate, good or in some cases, awesomely good! My son, in the 90s and later, had two awful teachers, but the rest ranged from adequate to awesome! In his case and mine, two or three stand out as wonderful…
In an extension of that article today Waikato Times Parata was quoted as justify increased class sizes “I went through primary in a class of 42, Ms Parata says”.
So back in the 1960s or 1970s Parata experienced class sizes of 42 huh? Justifies it being done now.
I wonder where many of the other students in Paratas class of 42 ended up?
I wonder how many left school with no qualifications?
I wonde rhow many managed to walk into a job at 15 with no skills?
Maybe if Parata wants to use her class sizes as justification then we can get back some of the other measurements from that time:
50% failure to get school certificate
Unemployment rate around 1%
Wages probably around $10 per week – (wonder if Parata will be the first the volunteers to work for that sort of money?)
To state the figure she did from a distant past, is she naive, a little dishonest or was she mis-quoted?
As for performance pay, maybe her and her Government would like to implement that on themselves first. Lets tag their pay to things like the unemployment rate, the number of people emigrating to Australia and maybe economic growth. I guess not, can’t see Parata et al agreeing to take that big a pay cut eh. Always seems to be something to apply to someone else, never to this group suggesting it.
In other words, rather than incentivise the individual teacher, incentivise the school. The education system is significantly failing Māori students, yet, we know there are programs ‘out there’ that have a great success rate for Māori students in terms of keeping them engaged with learning, and for that matter, with the education system towards high academic outcomes.
Schools that are savvy with how they engage with their Māori students, are those schools that should be incentivised to continue to innovate within their learning environments. Conceptually, I like the thought of Charter Schools, as a means to foster innovation in education.
Is it schools or parents the main cause of under achievement?
Is it schools or parents failing their children?
Don’t think it’s the schools that advise / give the children $$$ for lunch money to spend at the corner shop on loads of junk. (Schools include in their Health units, healthy eating programmes and dietary advice). Some parents might care to examine the shelves of their fridges. Take the trouble to make a nourishing lunch for their children.
Most parents deliver a well fed, well rested, well mannered, well nurtured child to the school gates, and the school is able to make a difference …
Good points, most of the failure starts preschool, it’s just that schools are expected to somehow repair and repackage society’s and families failures.
But it’s not just a problem with nutrition of the stomach, it’s also a problem with nutrition of the mind and of the soul.
Why are some schools better able to respond to the needs of their students more so than others, despite the lack emanating from the homes? It seems obvious to me that if some schools can improve on the learning outcomes of their Māori students, despite the decile nature of the surrounding environs, than other schools should be able to do the same.
Its a poor quality school that throws its hands up to simply say ‘it’s the parents fault why their children are failing us’ yet still operate on the basis (and receive money for) that they are educating those tamariki and rangatahi. Fail.
Sorry Adele, but your children obviously have parents who are fully engaged in their education. Lucky them. On the other hand some parents are in denial and their spokespeople as well. You will know that schools are required to consult with their Maori community. They might be lucky and have a “Ra ra ra response, feel good meeting with lots of kai and then the parents become hard to find for another year…”
The parents have become engaged because the school has taken the time and considerable energy to involve the parents, and the way they have done so has made the difference. A decile rating generally indicates the level of resources available to the school in terms of parental involvement and capacity. That some schools can achieve remarkable results despite the resources lacking in their community speaks volumes about that school.
Judgement on the parents does little to foster the learning outcomes of their students. If the children come to school hungry than feed them rather than whine about the parents lack of parental skills. Its not for the school to make judgment on the parents but it is their job to teach children despite perceived limitations they present with.
My Aunt recently passed away at the Kohanga Reo hearings currently being held in Wellington. This woman was in her mid-sixties when she became one of the first kaiako (teachers) of the kohanga reo movement.
This movement was driven by the flax roots for the flax roots. This movement was started by old people, for the benefit of their mokopuna (grand-children). The parents learnt with the children and they became actively engaged through that process.
Kohanga Reo has recently celebrated its 25th year anniversary. It has bought around a fundamental shift in attitude for both students and their parents. Mainstream education, by contrast, is stuck in a educational rut of its own making.
“Judgement on the parents does little to foster the learning outcomes of their students. If the children come to school hungry than feed them rather than whine about the parents lack of parental skills. Its not for the school to make judgment on the parents but it is their job to teach children despite perceived limitations they present with.”
Yet it is acceptable for the head of Treasury to say that parents and children should be able to make judgements on teachers and their performance in the classroom and allow this to have a bearing on what the teacher is paid.
Charter schools would be fine and dandy if the corporates and god botherers (and the Brown Table) stayed the hell out of them, and they were used in niche situations, and not as a mean of imposing a winners-and-losers school system.
The kindergarten system is the model that I would base my charter schools are. Some how, I doubt that Banskie and his ACT mate will.
The brand new super Maori Secondary School in Bethlehem, Tauranga certainly fulfils the concept of a Charter School.
It has a Maori basic curriculum of its own.
Doesn’t this headline make you puke. If Brash had been elected, this policy would have been gone by lunchtime, and given Key’s attitude during the Iraq War (where are we, missing in action …) he doesn’t believe in it either.
If you think Key does not want rid of our status you are misstaken, he would love nothing more than to please his nuclear masters!
The IAEA is little more than a puppet joke, the whole article read as nothing more than , blah blah blah, Obama is a hero, blah IAEA, terrorist blah..John Key opportunity, blah blah
I can’t see the like of GE letting nuclear energy off the menu anytime soon…what event will it take for the NZ administration of thinking about changing our status, and what would it take for the public to accept a change of direction in our policy?
I haven’t seen any evidence of Key wanting to change our nuclear status – please link to something that supports your claims.
Maybe we should at least consider nuclear energy near our biggest populations, it may be less damaging than flooding the remaining natural rivers, or burning more oil.
It was an opinion Pete, and one which I apply to governments in general. Pressure to allow nuclear ships in our ports is well documented….
Nuclear issue thrums at heart of US-NZ diplomacy , TVNZ, December 21, 2010 The United States’ focus on New Zealand’s anti-nuclear stance and the Anzus split stands out in the screeds of diplomatic cables sent from the US Embassy in Wellington, and released by Wikileaks.
New Zealand adopted nuclear-free legislation in 1984 when David Lange’s Labour government swept into power – effectively blocking visits by US warships.
In a February 2006 cable then Ambassador Bill McCormick talks about the National Party being open to dropping the ban.
He said the anti-nuclear issue dominated a National Party caucus retreat and MP Murray McCully suggested the party drop its nuclear ban policy, which required a referendum before making changes……
Green MP Keith Locke yesterday said he was concerned by revelations in the Wikileaks cables that senior civil servants are pushing the US government’s agenda rather than acting in New Zealand’s interests.
“It is apparent from the documents that changes to our anti-terrorism laws over the last few years have been driven by the US government, with leading police and Foreign Affairs Ministry people willing partners in this process,” Locke said.
“Most disturbing is a report that our Defence Chief in 2006, Bruce Ferguson, seems to have complained to the Americans about our anti-nuclear policy being too inflexible. The head of the armed forces is supposed to be our most loyal citizen.
[lprent: not particularly well documented. Your quote appears to be from here, which in turn has no links supporting it. There is a reason that we frown on people putting in unlinked quotes or a description of where to find the data. Essentially without it, whatever you say can be complete crap, selectively rewritten, or just taken out of context. This quote for instance was hard to google because it appears to have been transcribed – in the process it lost whole words.
Link what you quote, damnit. Otherwise you’ll wind up getting dumped as a troll like many in the past. ]
Notice the content is no longer on the tvnz link, which could perhaps have been something I paid attention to….It seem when I pasted the text I did that the link above which was at the bottom of the copy, was left off….
Not into editing cut and pastes personally, and would rather have had the tvnz link been alive, but given that you have read the location of my cut and pastes you, will in this instanance know that I have not edited the text.
LOON ALERT! Our dear old friend Pete George has evidently been cogitating. Just look at what he has come up with…
Maybe we should at least consider nuclear energy near our biggest populations, it may be less damaging than flooding the remaining natural rivers, or burning more oil.
MEMO PETE GEORGE:
Given what we have all (including you) seen happening in Japan for the last year, your statement of faith in nuclear power makes you seem not only uninformed, but even more stupid than usual.
Why don’t you do some serious RESEARCH on the topic before commenting on this issue again?
I said “we should at least consider”, a point to discuss. Technology changes, relative safety changes.
I’m not a fan of nuclear. I traveled past nuclear stations in Switzerland and Greece a couple of years ago, discomforting and eerie. However a way of life for many people.
But I’m also not a fan of damming every last South Island river and blotting even more landscape with pylon lines stretching north from virtually one end of the island to the other.
I should say that there are of course many sites on which a fairly robust 1MW to 10MW scheme could be sited, but at that scale they are neither here nor there in terms of supplying power to major North Island cities.
Meanwhile the ex Justice Minister has an attack of forgetfulness and has become as accountability shy as the rest of his buddies:
Mr Power, now a banker, said yesterday he could not recall why he allowed the review of the act to be dropped. He had made a decision when he left politics last November not to comment about events that occurred while he was in Government.
THE SYSTEM WORKS – The Independent on Latin America and Hugo Chavez
An Understandable Mistake
Readers may recall our alert of May 8, 2006, ‘Lining Up The Next Victims’. We described how the Independent has been stoking up fear of “left populism” in Latin America. Despite many articulate and polite complaints to the paper from readers, the misinformation and smears continue. (See also our two-part alert, ‘Ridiculing Chavez’, May 16 and 18, 2006)
In particular, The Independent, together with its sister Sunday paper, has consistently maligned Hugo Chavez, the democratically elected leader of Venezuela. Chavez has been labelled a “firebrand leader” who is “virulently anti-American” and whose “attachment to democracy [has] a temporary and improvised feel” (Leader, June 6, 2006). He is a “demagogue” (Leader, May 14, 2006) who wields a “brand of aggressive socialism” (May 14, 2006); a “high priest of political theatre” (May 13, 2006); “the new mouthpiece of the anti-American fervour” and a “divisive force in Latin America” (June 6, 2006). The Independent even resorted to quoting Chavez’s psychiatrist: “Chavez’s character is unpredictable and disconcerting – He is a dreamer of impossible dreams.” (May 13, 2006)
A recent Independent news article by reporter Jude Webber continued the same trend. Webber described Chavez as an “authoritarian… his pockets full of the bonanza of booming oil prices”, someone who “has close ties” with undesirables such as “Cuba and now Bolivia”. Bolivia’s leader, President Evo Morales, is clearly of the same dangerous persuasion as the Venezuelan leader, having “recently nationalised gas fields in a move widely seen as inspired by his northern mentor”. (Webber, ‘Garcia claims Peru win spells end of regional takeover by Chavez’, The Independent, June 6, 2006)
That is not much comfort:
“……. Bradley Ambrose and the fallout led to police raiding media offices for information.
………..Newstalk ZB political editor Barry Soper understands the police have decided it would not be in the public interest to press charges.”
Not in the Public Interest??? That is a long way from saying Innocent! http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10794181
A street thug that claimed a prison sentence was a bit harsh for starting an altercation and continuing to bludgeon an unconcious victim on the ground has been given a further reality check by the court of appeal.
Totally agree. Too many people labour under the mistaken belief that fights are two willing participants. Most are in reality a bullying thug picking on someone they’re sure they can beat, and those thugs need serious jail time.
Just for once PG I can totally agree with you here.
And it’s one thing to get a bit bruised and bloodied… but the moment you have someone on the ground and you start kicking them in the head then you are trying to kill them. That should be an automatic attempted murder charge with a minimum 5 year sentence.
Queensland state election today, with Labor due to get the boot. As per usual when the left wing party tries to be ‘just like’ the right wing party, eventually the voters put the right wing party in. In Bligh’s party’s case, they flogged of the power grid and the railways.
With the announcement of the week being the governments local government reforms, I thought I would share my letter to the editor about the huge debates about council spending in my area:
Sir,
There has been much discussion by various commentators about the level of council expenditure and its consequence on rates. As is the usual case, there is never any suggestions about what services should be cut in order to keep rates down, neither from Mr Bouwers, Mr Brown, or those on the council who wish to pander to their rhetoric.
Pukekura Park has been a jewel in the city’s crown for over 100 years, enjoyed by young and old alike, with its glistening water features, exotic fernery and bush that you can get lost in, would funding for that get cut? Or to the other city parks, reserves and playgrounds that are avalible for all people to enjoy, whether it be a day picnicking in the sun, or getting fit and healthy? Or what about the public libararies, which provide an important social service to the public – one of ensuring literature is avalible to all, or just a safe place to go and curl up with a book, and forget about the world?
Are they seeking to sell the pensioner flats, and lend an uncertain future to the tenants who would simply not be in a position to rent in the private sector? Or the public halls which are utilised by so many community groups? And what about the public toilets, that provide relief for those who are out and about?
It is community assets like these that make a city what it is as much as anything else. They may be expensive baubles to some people, but they are vital to the well-being of this community, and deliver benefits far greater than those that can be recorded on a balance sheet, and are open to all from the very poor to the very rich, bringing people together, not pulling them apart.
By all means, the council should be looking at its expenditure, and cutting projects and spending where appropriate, but there are things that we as a city would be worse off without, and I think that those who scream for cuts in council spending need to consider that.
Mr Brown = Gordon Brown, one time councillor and right wing grumpy columnist
Mr Houwers = local right winger who wants to start his own Tea Party movement.
I’m calling for NZ Prime Minster John Key to RESIGN over his arguably corrupt ‘conflict of interest’ involving Australian open-cast coal mining company Bathurst Resources Ltd.
Just thrown this political ‘grenade’ into ‘General Debate’ on Kiwiblog……
FYI.
“How many Kiwibloggers agree that if it’s good enough for former National Party Minister Nick Smith to have to resign over his ‘perceived’ conflict of interest as former ACC Minister, that Prime Minister John Key should equally have to resign over an arguably far worse conflict of interest involving opencast coal minng company – Bathurst Resources Ltd?
Bathurst Resources Ltd, at whose Wellington office opening. NZ Prime Minister John Key ‘officiated’?
To whom is the NZ Prime Minister (and Leader of the NZ National Party) accountable for his arguably corrupt ‘conflict of interest’?
………
When it comes to corrupt ‘conflicts of interests’ – what’s your view (Mathew Hooton) on NZ Prime Minister John Key’s ‘perceived’ pecuniary interest in open-cast coal mining on the conservation estate – given that he is a shareholder in the Bank of America, and the Bank of America is a significant shareholder in Bathurst Resources Ltd?
(As of 24 February 2012, the Bank of America was a substantial holder of shares in Bathurst Resources Ltd:
If Nick Smith was forced to resign over his ACC ‘conflict of interest’ – why should John Key not have to resign over an arguably FAR more serious CORRUPT (?) ‘conflict of interest’?
I agree John Key should resign. I believe he’s certainly more concerned with furthering the interests of business and the 1% than the common well being of all kiwis. He’s also indirectly invested in Bathhurst through BOA. Not least everyone knows neoliberalism is totally discredited ideology which merely makes the rich richer yet, yet he persists on selling of our assets. What NZ needs is a very large redistribution of wealth and income downwards and a reversal of previous tax cuts then overnight we won’t have a deficit or have to throw more money away paying bankers back loans with interest on them.
When the United States had that regime (Minimal inequality and high tax rates) post WW11 it was the most dynamic optimistic powerhouse of a nation in the World but now the U$$$ is a juiceless shell the 1% have sucked most of it up, now they have it they’re not about to share! In fact they want the poor to pay more to make them even richer!
“All told, Ryan hands out about $4.4 trillion in tax cuts that primarily benefit the very best off, and pays for it with $4.15 trillion in spending cuts to programs that primarily benefit the poor and middle class.”
Keep up the good work Penny unlike the fat guys in Parliament you don’t get a bean for your efforts, I know that’s tough.
Conflict of interest, John Key has a conflict of interest with the Bathurst mining company
because he has shares in the bank of america,the bank that bank rolls this company,
the key govt gave this company the ok to mine on sensitive nz land.
Interestingly the ceo of Deloitte Dutch arm just resigned because of ‘confilict of interest’
effective immediatley.
Deloitte is one of the company’s that key has a preference for in our asset sales along
with goldman sachs.
The upshot here is that ‘conflict of interest’ is taken very seriously elsewhere,why
not here in nz, nz watches the culprates run for cover.
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Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
.“$10 and a target that bleeds” - Bleeding Targets for Under $10!.Thanks for reading Frankly Speaking ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.This government appears hell-bent on either scrapping life-saving legislation or reintroducing things that - frustrated critics insist - will be dangerous and likely ...
“It hardly strikes me as fair to criticise a government for doing exactly what it said it was going to do. For actually keeping its promises.”THUNDER WAS PLAYING TAG with lightning flashes amongst the distant peaks. Its rolling cadences interrupted by the here-I-come-here-I-go Doppler effect of the occasional passing car. ...
Subversive & Disruptive Technologies: Just as happened with that other great regulator of the masses, the Medieval Church, the advent of a new and hard-to-control technology – the Internet – is weakening the ties that bind. Then, and now, those who enjoy a monopoly on the dissemination of lies, cannot and will ...
Been Here Before: To find the precedents for what this Coalition Government is proposing, it is necessary to return to the “glory days” of Muldoonism.THE COALITION GOVERNMENT has celebrated its first 100 days in office by checking-off the last of its listed commitments. It remains, however, an angry government. It ...
Bob Edlin writes – And what is the world watching today…? The email newsletter from Associated Press which landed in our mailbox early this morning advised: In the news today: The father of a school shooter has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter; prosecutors in Trump’s hush-money case ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Is another Green MP on their way out? And are the Greens severely tarnished by another integrity scandal? For the second time in three months, the Green Party has secretly suspended an MP over integrity issues. Mystery is surrounding the party’s decision to ...
For the last few years, the Green Party has been the party that has managed to avoid the plague of multiple scandals that have beleaguered other political parties. It appears that their luck has run out with a second scandal which, unfortunately for them, coincided with Golraz Ghahraman, the focus ...
TL;DR: The six newsey things that stood out to me as of 6:46am on Saturday, March 16.Andy Foster has accidentally allowed a Labour/Green amendment to cut road user chargers for plug-in hybrid vehicles, which the Government might accept; NZ HeraldThomas CoughlanSimeon Brown has rejected a plea from Westport ...
What seemed a booming success a couple of years ago has collapsed into fraud convictions.I looked at the crash of FTX (short for ‘Futures Exchange’) in November 2022 to see whether it would impact on the financial system as a whole. Fortunately there was barely a ripple, probably because it ...
Anybody following the situation in Ukraine and Russia would probably have been amused by a recent Tweet on X NATO seems to be putting in an awful lot of effort to influence what is, at least according to them, a sham election in an autocracy.When do the Ukrainians go to ...
TL;DR:Shaun Baker on Wynyard Quarter's transformation. Magdalene Taylor on the problem with smart phones. How private equity are now all over reinsurance. Dylan Cleaver on rugby and CTE. Emily Atkin on ‘Big Meat’ looking like ‘Big Oil’.Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15Photo by Jeppe Hove Jensen ...
Buzz from the Beehive Finance Minister Nicola Willis had plenty to say when addressing the Auckland Business Chamber on the economic growth that (she tells us) is flagging more than we thought. But the government intends to put new life into it: We want our country to be a ...
The Transport and Infrastructure Committee has reported back on the Road User Charges (Light Electric RUC Vehicles) Amendment Bill, basicly rubberstamping it. While there was widespread support among submitters for the principle that EV and PHEV drivers should pay their fair share for the roads, they also overwhelmingly disagreed with ...
Peter Dunne writes – This week’s government bailout – the fifth in the last eighteen months – of the financially troubled Ruapehu Alpine Lifts company would have pleased many in the central North Island ski industry. The government’s stated rationale for the $7 million funding was that it ...
See if you can spot the difference. An Iranian born female MP from a progressive party is accused of serial shoplifting. Her name is leaked to the media, which goes into a pack frenzy even before the Police launch an … Continue reading → ...
Ele Ludemann writes – The government is omitting general Treaty references from legislation : The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last Government in a bid to get greater coherence in the public service on Treaty ...
What was that judge thinking?Peter Williams writes – That Golriz Ghahraman and District Court Judge Maria Pecotic were once lawyer colleagues is incontrovertible. There is published evidence that they took at least one case to the Court of Appeal together. There was a report on ...
TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read:Climate Scorpion – the sting is in the tail. Introducing planetary solvency. A paper via the University of Exeter’s Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.Local scoop:Kāinga Ora starts pulling out of its Auckland projects and selling land RNZ ...
Wellington’s massively upzoned District Plan adds the opportunity for tens of thousands of new homes not just in the central city (such as these Webb St new builds) but also close to the CBD and public transport links. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Wellington gave itself the chance of ...
It’s Friday and we’re halfway through March Madness. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week in Greater Auckland On Monday Matt asked how we can get better event trains and an option for grade separating Morningside Dr. On Tuesday Matt looked into ...
Something you might not know about me is that I’m quite a stubborn person. No, really. I don’t much care for criticism I think’s unfair or that I disagree with. Few of us do I suppose.Back when I was a drinker I’d sometimes respond defensively, even angrily. There are things ...
Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:PM Christopher Luxon said the reversal of interest deductibility for landlords was done to help renters, who ...
It was not so much the Labour Party but really the Chris Hipkins party yesterday at Labour’s caucus retreat in Martinborough. The former Prime Minister was more or less consistent on wealth tax, which he was at best equivocal about, and social insurance, which he was not willing to revisit. ...
Buzz from the BeehiveThe text reproduced above appears on a page which records all the media statements and speeches posted on the government’s official website by Melissa Lee as Minister of Media and Communications and/or by Jenny Marcroft, her Parliamentary Under-secretary. It can be quickly analysed ...
For forty years, Robert Muldoon has been a dirty word in our politics. His style of government was so repulsive and authoritarian that the backlash to it helped set and entrench our constitutional norms. His pig-headedness over forcing through Think Big eventually gave us the RMA, with its participation and ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Is the new government reducing tax on rental properties to benefit landlords or to cut the cost of rents? That’s the big question this week, after Associate Finance Minister David Seymour announced on Sunday that the Government would be reversing the Labour Government’s removal ...
Saudi Arabia is rarely far from the international spotlight. The war in Gaza has brought new scrutiny to Saudi plans to normalise relations with Israel, while the fifth anniversary of the controversial killing of Jamal Khashoggi was marked shortly before the war began on October 7. And as the home ...
Questions need to be asked on both sides of the worldPeter Williams writes – The NRL Judiciary hands down an eight week suspension to Sydney Roosters forward Spencer Leniu , an Auckland-born Samoan, after he calls Ezra Mam, Sydney-orn but of Aboriginal and Torres Strait ...
Ele Ludemann writes – Contrary to what many headlines and news stories are saying, residential landlords are not getting a tax break. The government is simply restoring to them the tax deductibility of interest they had until the previous government removed it. There is no logical reason ...
I can't remember when it was goodMoments of happiness in bloomMaybe I just misunderstoodAll of the love we left behindWatching our flashbacks intertwineMemories I will never findIn spite of whatever you becomeForget that reckless thing turned onI think our lives have just begunI think our lives have just begunDoes anyone ...
Michael Bassett writes – At first reading, a front-page story in the New Zealand Herald on 13 March was bizarre. A group of severely intellectually limited teenagers, with little understanding of the law, have been pleading to the Justice Select Committee not to pass a bill dealing with ram ...
How much political capital is Christopher Luxon willing to burn through in order to deliver his $2.9 billion gift to landlords? Evidently, Luxon is: (a) unable to cost the policy accurately. As Anna Burns-Francis pointed out to him on Breakfast TV, the original ”rock solid” $2.1 billion cost he was ...
TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read:Jonathon Porritt calling bullshit in his own blog post on mainstream climate science as ‘The New Denialism’.Local scoop:The Wellington City Council’s list of proposed changes to the IHP recommendations to be debated later today was leaked this ...
TL;DR:Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said yesterday tenants should be grateful for the reinstatement of interest deductibility because landlords would pass on their lower tax costs in the form of lower rents. That would be true if landlords were regulated monopolies such as Transpower or Auckland Airport1, but they’re not, ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Tom Toro Tom Toro is a cartoonist and author. He has published over 200 cartoons in The New Yorker since 2010. His cartoons appear in Playboy, the Paris Review, the New York Times, American Bystander, and elsewhere. Related: What 10 EV lovers ...
The business section of the NZ Herald is full of opinion. Among the more opinionated of all is the ex-Minister of Transport, ex-Minister of Railways, ex MP for Auckland Central (1975-93, Labour), Wellington Central (1996-99, ACT, then list-2005), ex-leader of the ACT Party, uncle to actor Antonia, the veritable granddaddy ...
Hi,Just quickly — I’m blown away by the stories you’ve shared with me over the last week since I put out the ‘Gary’ podcast, where I told you about the time my friend’s flatmate killed the neighbour.And you keep telling me stories — in the comments section, and in my ...
The first season of Rings of Power was not awful. It was thoroughly underwhelming, yes, and left a lingering sense of disappointment, but it was more expensive mediocrity than catastrophe. I wrote at length about the series as it came out (see the Review section of the blog, and go ...
Buzz from the Beehive Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden told Auckland Business Chamber members they were the first audience to hear her priorities as a minister in a government committed to cutting red tape and regulations. She brandished her liberalising credentials, saying Flexible labour markets are the ...
Chris Trotter writes – TO UNDERSTAND WHY NEWSHUB FAILED, it is necessary to understand how TVNZ changed. Up until 1989, the state broadcaster had been funded by a broadcasting licence fee, collected from every citizen in possession of a television set, supplemented by a relatively modest (compared ...
Bob Edlin writes – The Māori Party has been busy issuing a mix of warnings and threats as its expresses its opposition to interest deductibility for landlords and the plans of seabed miners. It remains to be seen whether they follow the example of indigenous litigants in Australia, ...
The Government has accepted Labour’s change to the Road User Charge (RUC) discount for hybrid vehicles, meaning there will still be some incentive for people to buy greener vehicles. ...
Kicking the most vulnerable people out of state housing and pushing them towards homelessness will result in a proliferation of poverty and trauma across our most vulnerable communities. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader and MP for Waiariki, Rawiri Waititi has penned a letter asking MPs to support his members bill to remove GST from all food. The bill is expected to go through its first reading in parliament this Wednesday. “I’m calling on all political parties to support my ...
This year is about getting real with Kiwis and discussing the tough issues, as the National Government exacerbates inequality and divides New Zealand, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said ...
The Government adding Significant Natural Areas (SNAs) to its already roaring environmental policy bonfire is an assault on the future of wildlife that makes Aotearoa unique. ...
After 12 years of fighting to protect our moana we are finding ourselves back at square one and back at court. Today, the Environmental Protection Agency is sitting in Hawera to reconsider an application from Trans-Tasman Resources to dig up 50 million tonnes of the seabed in South Taranaki. This ...
Minister Shane Jones’ decision to step away from a seabed mining project is evidence of the murky waters surrounding the Government’s fast-track legislation. ...
The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last government in a bid to get greater coherence in the publicservice on Treaty matters. When ministers first considered the need for tighter oversight in 2021, there ...
The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last government in a bid to get greater coherence in the publicservice on Treaty matters. When ministers first considered the need for tighter oversight in 2021, there ...
The Coalition Government’s miscalculation saga continues as it has forgotten an eyewatering $90 million gap in its interest deductibility cost figures, say Labour Finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds and Revenue Spokesperson Deborah Russell. ...
He Pou a Rangi Climate Change Commission has today released advice that says if the Government doesn’t act now New Zealand is at risk of not meeting its climate goals. ...
The Coalition Government has today confirmed it is abandoning first home buyers who are struggling to get ahead, says Labour Finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds. ...
The New Zealand public voted for a change in direction at the 2023 general election and that is exactly what this coalition government has been delivering in its first 100 days. There was an immediate focus on the economy, easing the cost of living, cracking down on law and order ...
The Government has left the health system as an afterthought, announcing half-baked targets at the last minute of their 100-day plan, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
Kiwis are still waiting for their promised cost of living support after 100 days of a National Government that is taking us backwards, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The National Government has spent its first 100 days stopping, cutting and reversing. They have scrapped stuff for stuff for the sake of it, without putting up any solutions of their own – and it’s hardworking New Zealanders who will pay for it. ...
100 days of National taking NZ backwardsThe National Government has spent its first 100 days stopping, cutting and reversing. They have scrapped stuff for stuff for the sake of it, without putting up any solutions of their own – and it’s hardworking New Zealanders who will pay for it. ...
The Government must commit to funding free and healthy school lunches, as thousands of people sign the petition to keep them, education spokesperson Jan Tinetti says. ...
If the Government was serious about moving families into public housing, they would build more houses so there is actually somewhere for people to go. ...
The free and healthy school lunches programme feeds our kids, helps them to learn, and saves families money – but it is at risk under this Government, education spokesperson Jan Tinetti said. ...
The Government’s proposed changes to Firearms Prohibition Orders (FPO) add almost nothing new and are merely an attempt to distract from its plans to loosen gun laws, police spokesperson Ginny Andersen and justice spokesperson Dr Duncan Webb said. ...
The great Victorian era English politician Lord Macauley stood in the British House of Parliament and said, "The gallery in which the reporters sit has become a fourth estate of the realm".He understood and outlined even way back then, the significant role and influence media have in a democracy. ...
The government’s attack on Māori health this week is committing tangata-whenua to a premature death, says Te Pāti Māori. “The government have begun their onslaught on Māori health with the abolishment of the Māori Health Authority and smokefree laws in the same day” said health spokesperson and co-leader, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer. ...
"The Government is moving quickly to realise an additional $46 million in tariff savings in the EU market this season for Kiwi exporters,” Minister for Trade and Agriculture, Todd McClay says. Parliament is set, this week, to complete the final legislative processes required to bring the New Zealand – European ...
New Zealand’s social workers are qualified, experienced, and more representative of the communities they serve, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “I want to acknowledge and applaud New Zealand’s social workers for the hard work they do, providing invaluable support for our most vulnerable. “To coincide with World ...
Cabinet has agreed to a reduced road user charge (RUC) rate for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. Owners of PHEVs will be eligible for a reduced rate of $38 per 1,000km once all light electric vehicles (EVs) move into the RUC system from 1 April. ...
Minister of Agriculture and Trade, Todd McClay, says that today’s opening of Riverland Foods manufacturing plant in Christchurch is a great example of how trade access to overseas markets creates jobs in New Zealand. Speaking at the official opening of this state-of-the-art pet food factory the Minister noted that exports ...
Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Wellington today. “It was a pleasure to host Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his first official visit to New Zealand since 2017. Our discussions were wide-ranging and enabled engagement on many facets of New Zealand’s relationship with China, including trade, ...
Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities has been instructed to end the Sustaining Tenancies Framework and take stronger measures against persistent antisocial behaviour by tenants, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Earlier today Finance Minister Nicola Willis and I sent an interim Letter of Expectations to the Board of Kāinga Ora. ...
Tēna koutou katoa. Greetings everyone. Thank you to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Honourable Simon Bridges for hosting this address today. I acknowledge the business leaders in this room, the leaders and governors, the employers, the entrepreneurs, the investors, and the wealth creators. The coalition Government shares your ...
Minister Winston Peters completed the final leg of his visit to South and South East Asia in Singapore today, where he focused on enhancing one of New Zealand’s indispensable strategic partnerships. “Singapore is our most important defence partner in South East Asia, our fourth-largest trading partner and a ...
Minister of Internal Affairs and Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon. Brooke van Velden, will travel to the Republic of Korea to represent New Zealand at the Third Summit for Democracy on 18 March. The summit, hosted by the Republic of Korea, was first convened by the United States in 2021, ...
ICNZ Speech 7 March 2024, Auckland Acknowledgements and opening Mōrena, ngā mihi nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Good morning, it’s a privilege to be here to open the ICNZ annual conference, thank you to Mark for the Mihi Whakatau My thanks to Tim Grafton for inviting me ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Lead Coordination Minister Judith Collins have expressed their deepest sympathy on the five-year anniversary of the Christchurch terror attacks. “March 15, 2019, was a day when families, communities and the country came together both in sorrow and solidarity,” Mr Luxon says. “Today we pay our respects to the 51 shuhada ...
Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024 Acknowledgements and opening Morena, Nga Mihi Nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Thanks Nate for your Mihi Whakatau Good morning. It’s a pleasure to formally open your conference this morning. What a lovely day in Wellington, What a great ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters held discussions in Jakarta today about the future of relations between New Zealand and South East Asia’s most populous country. “We are in Jakarta so early in our new government’s term to reflect the huge importance we place on our relationship with Indonesia and South ...
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has announced that the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, will visit New Zealand next week. “We look forward to re-engaging with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussing the full breadth of the bilateral relationship, which is one of New Zealand’s ...
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has today opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre, which will bring together KiwiRail, Auckland Transport, and Auckland One Rail to improve service reliability for Aucklanders. “The recent train disruptions in Auckland have highlighted how important it is KiwiRail and Auckland’s rail agencies work together to ...
The Government is proud to support the 10th edition of Crankworx Rotorua as the Crankworx World Tour returns to Rotorua from 16-24 March 2024, says Minister for Economic Development Melissa Lee. “Over the past 10 years as Crankworx Rotorua has grown, so too have the economic and social benefits that ...
Legislation implementing coalition Government tax commitments and addressing long-standing tax anomalies will be progressed in Parliament next week, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The legislation is contained in an Amendment Paper to the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill issued today. “The Amendment Paper represents ...
Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard has today announced that the Government has agreed to suspend the requirement for councils to comply with the Significant Natural Areas (SNA) provisions of the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity for three years, while it replaces the Resource Management Act (RMA).“As it stands, SNAs ...
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has classified the drought conditions in the Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts as a medium-scale adverse event, acknowledging the challenging conditions facing farmers and growers in the district. “Parts of Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts are in the grip of an intense dry spell. I know ...
The Government is helping farmers eradicate the significant impact of facial eczema (FE) in pastoral animals, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced. “A $20 million partnership jointly funded by Beef + Lamb NZ, the Government, and the primary sector will save farmers an estimated NZD$332 million per year, and aims to ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has completed a successful visit to India, saying it was an important step in taking the relationship between the two countries to the next level. “We have laid a strong foundation for the Coalition Government’s priority of enhancing New Zealand-India relations to generate significant future benefit for both countries,” says Mr Peters, ...
Cabinet has agreed to provide $7 million to ensure the 2024 ski season can go ahead on the Whakapapa ski field in the central North Island but has told the operator Ruapehu Alpine Lifts it is the last financial support it will receive from taxpayers. Cabinet also agreed to provide ...
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
Lower fruit and vegetable prices are welcome news for New Zealanders who have been doing it tough at the supermarket, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Stats NZ reported today the price of fruit and vegetables has dropped 9.3 percent in the 12 months to February 2024. “Lower fruit and vege ...
Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all. Chair, I am honoured to address the sixty-eighth session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all. Chair, I am honoured to address the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
The coalition Government is supporting farmers to enhance land management practices by investing $3.3 million in locally led catchment groups, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced. “Farmers and growers deliver significant prosperity for New Zealand and it’s vital their ongoing efforts to improve land management practices and water quality are supported,” ...
Good evening everyone and thank you for that lovely introduction. Thank you also to the Honourable Simon Bridges for the invitation to address your members. Since being sworn in, this coalition Government has hit the ground running with our 100-day plan, delivering the changes that New Zealanders expect of us. ...
Recommendations from the Climate Change Commission for New Zealand on the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) auction and unit limit settings for the next five years have been tabled in Parliament, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “The Commission provides advice on the ETS annually. This is the third time the ...
The coalition Government is beginning its fight to lower building costs and reduce red tape by exempting minor building work from paying the building levy, says Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk. “Currently, any building project worth $20,444 including GST or more is subject to the building levy which is ...
Proposed changes to tax legislation to prevent the over-taxation of low-earning trusts are welcome, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The changes have been recommended by Parliament’s Finance and Expenditure Committee following consideration of submissions on the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill. “One of the ...
Assalaamu alaikum. السَّلَام عليكم In light of the holy month of Ramadan, I want to extend my warmest wishes to our Muslim community in New Zealand. Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, renewed devotion, perseverance, generosity, and forgiveness. It’s a time to strengthen our bonds and appreciate the diversity ...
Former Transport Minister and CEO of the Auckland Business Chamber Hon Simon Bridges has been appointed as the new Board Chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) for a three-year term, Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced today. “Simon brings extensive experience and knowledge in transport policy and governance to the role. He will ...
Good morning all, it is a pleasure to be here as Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology. It is fantastic to see how connected and collaborative the life science and biotechnology industry is here in New Zealand. I would like to thank BioTechNZ and NZTech for the invitation to address ...
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says he is looking forward to the day when three key water projects in Northland are up and running, unlocking the full potential of land in the region. Mr Jones attended a community event at the site of the Otawere reservoir near Kerikeri on Friday. ...
Associate Finance Minister David Seymour has today announced that the Government has agreed to restore deductibility for mortgage interest on residential investment properties. “Help is on the way for landlords and renters alike. The Government’s restoration of interest deductibility will ease pressure on rents and simplify the tax code,” says ...
Sport and Recreation Minister Chris Bishop will travel to Switzerland today to attend an Executive Committee meeting and Symposium of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Mr Bishop will then travel on to London where he will attend a series of meetings in his capacity as Infrastructure Minister. “New Zealanders believe ...
Pacific Media Watch Ismail al-Ghoul, an Al Jazeera Arabic correspondent who was held for 12 hours at Gaza’s al-Shifa hospital, says Israeli forces rounded up Palestinian journalists at the facility and made them kneel on the ground for hours, while naked and blindfolded. “The occupation forces handcuffed and blindfolded us ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tony Wood, Program Director, Energy, Grattan Institute chinasong, Shutterstock Electricity customers in four Australian states can breathe a sigh of relief. After two years in a row of 20% price increases, power prices have finally stabilised. In many places they’re ...
Chumbawamba have reportedly issued the deputy PM a cease-and-desist notice after he used their song 'Tubthumping' before his state of the nation speech. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Deborah Lupton, SHARP Professor, Vitalities Lab, Centre for Social Research in Health and Social Policy Centre, and the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society, UNSW Sydney kitzcorner/Shutterstock The assertion from Queensland’s chief health officer John Gerrard that ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Martin, Visiting Fellow, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Shutterstock Why are musicians so keen to get played on the radio? It can’t be because of the money. In Australia they are paid at rates so low they ...
"Farmers make a point not to tell our urban cousins how to live, yet Chlöe from central Auckland is hell-bent on having her say about farmers," says ACT Rural Communities spokesman Mark Cameron. “On her first day in the House as Green ...
Analysis by Dr Bryce Edwards – Democracy Project (https://democracyproject.nz)Political scientist, Dr Bryce Edwards. It’s been a tumultuous time in politics in recent months, as the new National-led Government has driven through its “First 100 Day programme”. During this period there’s been a handful of opinion polls, which overall just ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tim Curran, Associate Professor of Ecology, Lincoln University, New Zealand Getty Images/Gerald Corsi In the latest move to reform environmental laws in New Zealand, the coalition government has introduced a bill to fast-track consenting processes for projects deemed to ...
Uber has argued it does not have as much control over drivers as the unions suggest, and wants a judgment ruling that drivers are employees and not contractors set aside and sent back to the Employment Court. The 2022 ruling followed a three-week hearing in which four drivers sought to ...
What can and can’t be purchased by disabled people or their carers has been slashed in an effort by the Ministry of Disabled People Whaikaha to save money. The purchasing guidelines, a set of rules that sets out what can be purchased using the various streams of Government disability funding, ...
The Treasury has published today a new Analytical Note by Tod Wright and Hien Nguyen, Fiscal incidence in New Zealand: The effects of taxes and benefits on household incomes in tax year 2018/19 . Analyses of the distributional impact of taxation and government ...
The Treasury has published today a new Analytical Note by Cory Davis, Boston Hart and Benjamin Stubbing, Household cost-of-living impacts from the Emissions Trading Scheme and using transfers to mitigate regressive outcomes . This Analytical Note ...
A coalition of public transport and climate organisations, united as ‘Transport for All’, is actively opposing the government’s transport proposals. The draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) includes plans for higher fares for public transport, ...
Greater Wellington is inviting feedback on proposed changes to its Revenue and Financing Policy. The Revenue and Financing Policy covers the Council’s various sources of funding, and how the cost of services is shared across the region. This includes ...
Labour has conceded it could have done more to deal with disruptive state housing tenants while in government but says the current coalition is going too far. ...
The band has asked their record label to issue a cease and desist to stop the NZ First leader using their 1997 hit to support his ‘misguided political views’. “I get knocked down, but I get up again,” blared through the speakers on Sunday as Winston Peters took the stage ...
By Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific journalist Food rationing is underway in remote areas in Papua New Guinea’s Highlands following torrential rain and flash flooding. More than 20 people have been reported dead in Chimbu Province. In nearby Enga Province, the centre of last month’s massacre, a 15-year-old boy has been ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Hughes, Lecturer, Research School of Management, Australian National University After months of debate and intrigue, the AFL’s 19th and newest team, the Tasmania Devils, finally launched its jumper, logo and colours in Devonport this week. The Devils will wear green, ...
Brannavan Gnanalingam reviews the debut novel by Saraid de Silva.One of the most baffling things for children who move to a new country is what their parents’ (or grandparents’) lives were like prior to moving – for kids in particular, they’re too busy trying to fit in in their ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Gaunson, Associate Professor in Cinema Studies, RMIT University Narelle Portanier/Binge “If you don’t know who your mob are, you don’t know who you are,” Detective Andrea “Andie” Whitford (played by Leah Purcell) is told early into the new crime ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Elise Klein, Associate professor, Australian National University It’s commonly accepted that women do the vast majority of caregiving in Australian society. But less appreciated is that Indigenous women do larger amounts of unpaid care than any other group. Working with the Aboriginal ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne Joe Biden and Donald Trump have both secured their parties’ nominations for the November 5 United States general election by winning a ...
Comment: There has been a striking contrast in trans-Tasman interest about Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi’s visit to New Zealand and Australia. While the Australian press has been full of articles about the visit – including his curious decision to meet with former prime minister and China booster Paul Keating ...
After years of pressuring banks and other institutions to stop investing in fossil fuels, climate campaigners are making some progress. So how does divestment work?For years, climate activists have been pushing banks and other big institutions to divest from fossil fuels. New research from climate advocacy group 350 Aotearoa ...
For Boba, Ethan and Ashley, K-pop is a place to belong, a way to express themselves, and a bridge to connect with others. The three young Polynesians are part of a K-pop fan community in Tāmaki Makaurau. It’s one of many that have sprung up worldwide as K-pop has gone ...
For Boba, Ethan and Ashley, K-pop is a place to belong, a way to express themselves, and a bridge to connect with others. This one-off documentary presents three intimate portraits of young Polynesians who are pulled into a Korean cultural phenomenon. K-POLYS is directed by Litia Tuiburelevu, Produced by Hex ...
There’s ample evidence demonstrating free school lunch programmes provide wide benefits across schools, households and communities according to public health researchers. ACT Minister David Seymour wants to reduce the spending on Aotearoa New Zealand’s ...
By Wata Shaw in Suva Fiji is facing an exodus of Fijians as many are leaving for overseas seeking employment and education and others are migrating, says Opposition MP Viliame Naupoto. Speaking in Parliament, he said: “His Excellency’s speech (Ratu Wiliame Katonivere) comes after a little over one year of ...
The Taxpayers’ Union is welcoming comments from Christopher Luxon this morning recommitting to ‘no new taxes’ as part of Budget 2024. “Mr Luxon’s refusal at the Post-Cabinet press conference yesterday to repeat the ‘no new taxes’ promise ...
SAFE is urgently calling on the Environment Committee to reject the Government’s Fast-Track Approvals Bill, and is urging New Zealanders to rally behind the call. The proposed Bill, currently under consideration with the Environment select committee, ...
Teammates who spend all their time picking fights with spectators are only helpful for the other team, writes Madeleine Chapman. Anyone who has ever played a team sport competitively, particularly as a child and particularly, for some reason, basketball, will know that there’s a lot of politics involved. While there ...
The long-running Wellington music festival is too focused on the Jim Beam-ness and not enough on the Homegrown-ness.There is something about Homegrown that’s difficult to place. A barely perceptible-ness. Like feeling a ghost is watching you from the corner of the room but when you look, there’s nothing there. ...
The latest Ipsos New Zealand Issues Monitor reveals that fewer New Zealanders believe crime / law and order is one of the top issues facing our country. In 2018, Ipsos New Zealand started tracking the key issues facing New Zealand. In this wave ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kate Griffiths, Deputy Program Director, Budgets and Government, Grattan Institute Australia’s political donations rules are woefully inadequate, but donations reform is finally on the agenda. The federal government has signalled its interest in reform and will soon begin briefing MPs on its ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Patrick Taylor, Chief Environmental Scientist, EPA Victoria; Honorary Professor, School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University Naiyana Somchitkaeo/Shutterstock A recent study published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine has linked microplastics with risk to human health. The study ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Albert Van Dijk, Professor, Water and Landscape Dynamics, Fenner School of Environment & Society, Australian National University Global climate records were shattered in 2023, from air and sea temperatures to sea-level rise and sea-ice extent. Scores of countries recorded their hottest year ...
As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a teacher explains why he and his partner are in frugal mode – and how they’re making it work. Gender: Male Age: 35Ethnicity: Pākehā Role: I am an intermediate school teacher and my partner is ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sarah Bendall, Senior Lecturer, Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences, Australian Catholic University Binge Mary & George, the new British television drama series, depicts the real-life story of Mary Villiers and her son George, and their social climbing at the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jason Nassios, Associate Professor, Centre of Policy Studies, Victoria University This article is part of The Conversation’s series examining the housing crisis. Read the other articles in the series here. Australian state and federal governments spend money in many ways to ...
The finance minister is denying that there’s a $5.6b shortfall in paying for the government’s campaign promises, including tax cuts. At his post-cabinet press conference yesterday, the PM refused to rule out new taxes to pay for the cuts, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s ...
Kāinga Ora tenants abused by their neighbours are doubting the government's crackdown on disruptive tenants will make a difference on their behaviour. ...
Kāinga Ora is New Zealand’s biggest residential landlord, housing more than 180,000 vulnerable people in more than 67,000 properties. Yesterday the government announced a crackdown on its tenants who fall behind on rent. One longtime Kāinga Ora tenant shares her experience.For 18 years I lived in a 1960s standalone ...
Why does this myth persist, and what’s the real reason our skin is suffering?It’s one of the biggest international grievances New Zealanders hold, up there with the sinking of the Rainbow Warrior and 1981’s underarm incident. We’re quick to tell international travellers that the world’s pollution led to the ...
Auckland Council is opposing a fast-track development backed by Sir John Kirwan and Spark NZ, because it doesn’t meet stringent new climate adaptation requirements The post Surf-data centre faces new 3.8C climate warming rules appeared first on Newsroom. ...
When the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act was introduced in 2009 it was firmly targeted at gangs and drugs. The legislation means police no longer need a conviction to seize assets that criminals can’t prove were paid for legitimately, as long as their alleged offences are punishable by more than a ...
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[quiz],DIV[quiz],A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question?Send Newsroom your questions. The post Newsroom daily quiz, Tuesday 19 March appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Bob’s relationship with certain members of Lincoln’s academic staff continued to deteriorate in the 1990s. Others supported him publicly, though articles such as Roland Clark’s 1993 piece in Growing Today cannot have pleased the university management. Clark wrote that Bob was selling onions from the Biological Husbandry Unit to a ...
SailGP’s races feature in-your-face action, with agile, hydro-foiling catamarans tacking and jibing for the title over several days. However, public comments ahead of the global series’ return to New Zealand have left this past year’s controversy in the shadows, as a key appointment attracts criticism from dolphin advocates. A year ...
Opinion: We are fast approaching a fundamental change in prisons. As the number of people on custodial remand looks set to overtake the number of sentenced prisoners, the main function of prisons in New Zealand may become incarcerating un-sentenced people who may not be guilty of offending. We have already ...
A huge seven months lies in store for the White Ferns, beginning this week with the visit of England and culminating with the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh in September and October. Starting on Tuesday in Dunedin, the world ranked No. 2 visitors will play five T20s and three ODIs, ...
Opinion: In a move that has shocked road safety advocates across the country, the new Minister of Transport, Simeon Brown, is poised to abandon the previous government’s speed limit reduction policy, particularly around schools. Even more alarmingly, he wants school speed limits to be variable rather than full-time, arguing ...
The letters, which were published last week, were addressed to Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) Chairperson Megawati Sukarnoputri, National Democrat Party (NasDem) Chairperson Surya Paloh, National Awakening Party (PKB) Chairperson Muhaimin Iskandar, Justice and Prosperity Party (PKS) President Ahmad Syaikhu and United Development Party (PPP) Chairperson Muhammad Mardiono. In ...
Evicting more people from state housing is ignorant to the consequences of poverty, the Greens say, but the Housing Minister says it's a privilege that can be taken away if abused. ...
Evicting more people from state housing is ignorant to the consequences of poverty, the Greens say, but the Housing Minister says it's a privilege that can be taken away if abused. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Emerald L King, Lecturer in Humanities, University of Tasmania IMDB Between Netflix’s 2023 live-action version of One Piece, and its latest take on Avatar: The Last Airbender, fans are once again asking: why are live-action anime adaptations so tricky to ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Emerald L King, Lecturer in Humanities, University of Tasmania IMDB Between Netflix’s 2023 live-action version of One Piece, and its latest take on Avatar: The Last Airbender, fans are once again asking: why are live-action anime adaptations so tricky to ...
The government says it still intends to deliver tax cuts by July, but will not lock them in until they have got them past their coalition partners. ...
Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII has hosted members of the Green Party Caucus at Tuurangawaewae Marae in Ngaaruawahia. The audience follows the King’s Hui-aa-Motu on 20 January, where more than 10,000 people gathered to discuss national ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dr Rachael Potter, Research Associate and Lecturer in Work and Organisational Psychology, University of South Australia Ground Picture/Shutterstock Pregnant women and workers with children are often unfairly treated by their bosses and colleagues, despite laws to protect against workplace discrimination ...
The policy aiming for rewarding “quality” teachers is driven by the neoliberal ideology of competitive individualism. This incorporates a distorted understanding of human endeavour that fails to appreciate the importance of collaboration in successful endeavours, including teaching.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/6629986/Rewards-for-quality-teachers
<blockquote.Performance pay for teachers will be developed by the Government, with secondary principals told by Education Minister Hekia Parata to start "sorting the wheat from the chaff".
…
"If a teacher can make a difference and raise the achievement levels regardless of where they sit academically, then they ought to be rewarded for it."
New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) president Ian Leckie said performance pay had been shown internationally to make no positive difference to academic achievement.
"Rewarding teachers differently creates too much high stakes stuff that actually stops collaboration, stops people working together and that is counter-productive to trying to make a better education system doing more for more kids," he said. He suggested the measure would be tough to implement without the support of unions.
And education in NZ is generally very successful, it’s the long tail of low achievers that is the problem and where any new policies should be targetted. Classes of high achievers need a different approach to teaching than for classes of low achievers. A teacher who teaches a class of high academic achievers is likely to make no difference to a class of low achievers unless they are able to change or adapt their approach and work collaboratively with others.
A lot of successful learning depends on a whole school approach. A successful teacher, working collaboratively, can help raise the outcome for all classes, students and teachers.
When will they ever learn?
Totally agree with your well researched post Carol.
And they have experinece in the design of contraversal education implimentation.
Thaey got Nat Stds to work well, so they shouldnt have to much problem with performance pay.
Oh but wait….
I remember asking roger sowey when the nats were pushing a competitive model for schools if he believed that inservice training was important. Yes of courrse it is he replied. I then asked why would schools help ther next door school by helping their teachers improove.
He didnt have an answer.
Whilst there is much disagreement regarding incentivising pay for teachers, I notice here as with both the MOE & unions there is still the case of unequal pay for teachers performing the same skilled, learning experiences for their students. That is why does the likes of NZEI/Labour Party (when in govt, and who is funded by the union) support in paying degreee teachers $1k per month more than those with diplomas ? Is it not a union catch cry “A fair days pay for a fair days work” ?
Disagree Herodotus- If you look at the Finnish model, teachers have masters degrees and decent wages. I would far rather see teachers rewarded for their qualification level rather than allowing diploma level teachers the opportunity to hike their pay packets based on “performance”…
why-is-education-in-finland-that-good-10-reform-principles-behind-the-success
While I agree about performance pay, high level qualifications and paying Teachers properly to attract the best.
It is academic arrogance to assume that trade qualifications are less useful than academic ones. New Zealand’s diploma level Teachers are some of the best. Adding life experience and 10 or more years of success, in a trade, to schools.
I strongly believe, that school teachers, and police, should have at least 10 years doing something else before they take up Teaching.
Which does mean higher pay for Teachers. To attract the successful from other occupations.
Having said that, we have much better Teachers than we deserve, given the working conditions we give them and the way we recruit, pay and train them.
I.ve seen burnt out Teachers, overwhelmed Teachers and Teachers who cannot handle discipline, but very few lazy Teachers.
Arguments over education always mystify me. I read the propaganda about bad teachers and ask myself if these people who slag off teachers actually went to school. Sure some teachers were better than others but how many of us had genuinely bad teachers? How many teachers did we have who kept an entire class enraptured & hanging off their every word? Did we get a bad education, could any of us really have done so much better if we had these ‘great’ teachers?
My memory of school is that some teachers suited me better than others but no single teacher suited everyone. Teachers that I liked others in my class hated & vice versa. Another memory is that some teachers were very good with the under achievers yet generally not so good with the high achievers, and vice versa again. Slower learners needed a different teaching style, not better teachers per se.
Paradoxically the irrational claims from the ‘we need better teachers’ mob does suggest that maybe we do need better teachers so we don’t keep getting these gits annoying us with their ideological bullshit.
When I look back, I can honestly say that all of the teachers I had were either brilliant, or very good! Primary, intermediate and High school, all were either adequate, good or in some cases, awesomely good! My son, in the 90s and later, had two awful teachers, but the rest ranged from adequate to awesome! In his case and mine, two or three stand out as wonderful…
In an extension of that article today Waikato Times Parata was quoted as justify increased class sizes “I went through primary in a class of 42, Ms Parata says”.
So back in the 1960s or 1970s Parata experienced class sizes of 42 huh? Justifies it being done now.
I wonder where many of the other students in Paratas class of 42 ended up?
I wonder how many left school with no qualifications?
I wonde rhow many managed to walk into a job at 15 with no skills?
Maybe if Parata wants to use her class sizes as justification then we can get back some of the other measurements from that time:
50% failure to get school certificate
Unemployment rate around 1%
Wages probably around $10 per week – (wonder if Parata will be the first the volunteers to work for that sort of money?)
To state the figure she did from a distant past, is she naive, a little dishonest or was she mis-quoted?
As for performance pay, maybe her and her Government would like to implement that on themselves first. Lets tag their pay to things like the unemployment rate, the number of people emigrating to Australia and maybe economic growth. I guess not, can’t see Parata et al agreeing to take that big a pay cut eh. Always seems to be something to apply to someone else, never to this group suggesting it.
Kiaora Carol
In other words, rather than incentivise the individual teacher, incentivise the school. The education system is significantly failing Māori students, yet, we know there are programs ‘out there’ that have a great success rate for Māori students in terms of keeping them engaged with learning, and for that matter, with the education system towards high academic outcomes.
Schools that are savvy with how they engage with their Māori students, are those schools that should be incentivised to continue to innovate within their learning environments. Conceptually, I like the thought of Charter Schools, as a means to foster innovation in education.
It makes sense to give schools enough flexibility to use their savvy to engage with their students better.
The quality of schools is often closely related to the quality of principal.
As has already been pointed out, NZ schools already have that flexibility.
Is it schools or parents the main cause of under achievement?
Is it schools or parents failing their children?
Don’t think it’s the schools that advise / give the children $$$ for lunch money to spend at the corner shop on loads of junk. (Schools include in their Health units, healthy eating programmes and dietary advice). Some parents might care to examine the shelves of their fridges. Take the trouble to make a nourishing lunch for their children.
Most parents deliver a well fed, well rested, well mannered, well nurtured child to the school gates, and the school is able to make a difference …
Good points, most of the failure starts preschool, it’s just that schools are expected to somehow repair and repackage society’s and families failures.
But it’s not just a problem with nutrition of the stomach, it’s also a problem with nutrition of the mind and of the soul.
Hey Pete, read my last sentence …
Tēnā koe, logie
Why are some schools better able to respond to the needs of their students more so than others, despite the lack emanating from the homes? It seems obvious to me that if some schools can improve on the learning outcomes of their Māori students, despite the decile nature of the surrounding environs, than other schools should be able to do the same.
Its a poor quality school that throws its hands up to simply say ‘it’s the parents fault why their children are failing us’ yet still operate on the basis (and receive money for) that they are educating those tamariki and rangatahi. Fail.
Sorry Adele, but your children obviously have parents who are fully engaged in their education. Lucky them. On the other hand some parents are in denial and their spokespeople as well. You will know that schools are required to consult with their Maori community. They might be lucky and have a “Ra ra ra response, feel good meeting with lots of kai and then the parents become hard to find for another year…”
Logie
The parents have become engaged because the school has taken the time and considerable energy to involve the parents, and the way they have done so has made the difference. A decile rating generally indicates the level of resources available to the school in terms of parental involvement and capacity. That some schools can achieve remarkable results despite the resources lacking in their community speaks volumes about that school.
Judgement on the parents does little to foster the learning outcomes of their students. If the children come to school hungry than feed them rather than whine about the parents lack of parental skills. Its not for the school to make judgment on the parents but it is their job to teach children despite perceived limitations they present with.
My Aunt recently passed away at the Kohanga Reo hearings currently being held in Wellington. This woman was in her mid-sixties when she became one of the first kaiako (teachers) of the kohanga reo movement.
This movement was driven by the flax roots for the flax roots. This movement was started by old people, for the benefit of their mokopuna (grand-children). The parents learnt with the children and they became actively engaged through that process.
Kohanga Reo has recently celebrated its 25th year anniversary. It has bought around a fundamental shift in attitude for both students and their parents. Mainstream education, by contrast, is stuck in a educational rut of its own making.
“Judgement on the parents does little to foster the learning outcomes of their students. If the children come to school hungry than feed them rather than whine about the parents lack of parental skills. Its not for the school to make judgment on the parents but it is their job to teach children despite perceived limitations they present with.”
Yet it is acceptable for the head of Treasury to say that parents and children should be able to make judgements on teachers and their performance in the classroom and allow this to have a bearing on what the teacher is paid.
Tēnā koe, P
I actually agree with you but unfortunately I am now having to work so can’t get into the ‘why I agree.’ except to say national standards are a crock…
Charter schools would be fine and dandy if the corporates and god botherers (and the Brown Table) stayed the hell out of them, and they were used in niche situations, and not as a mean of imposing a winners-and-losers school system.
The kindergarten system is the model that I would base my charter schools are. Some how, I doubt that Banskie and his ACT mate will.
The brand new super Maori Secondary School in Bethlehem, Tauranga certainly fulfils the concept of a Charter School.
It has a Maori basic curriculum of its own.
NZ Nuclear Free
Doesn’t this headline make you puke. If Brash had been elected, this policy would have been gone by lunchtime, and given Key’s attitude during the Iraq War (where are we, missing in action …) he doesn’t believe in it either.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10794288
If you think Key does not want rid of our status you are misstaken, he would love nothing more than to please his nuclear masters!
The IAEA is little more than a puppet joke, the whole article read as nothing more than , blah blah blah, Obama is a hero, blah IAEA, terrorist blah..John Key opportunity, blah blah
I can’t see the like of GE letting nuclear energy off the menu anytime soon…what event will it take for the NZ administration of thinking about changing our status, and what would it take for the public to accept a change of direction in our policy?
I haven’t seen any evidence of Key wanting to change our nuclear status – please link to something that supports your claims.
Maybe we should at least consider nuclear energy near our biggest populations, it may be less damaging than flooding the remaining natural rivers, or burning more oil.
It was an opinion Pete, and one which I apply to governments in general. Pressure to allow nuclear ships in our ports is well documented….
[lprent: not particularly well documented. Your quote appears to be from here, which in turn has no links supporting it. There is a reason that we frown on people putting in unlinked quotes or a description of where to find the data. Essentially without it, whatever you say can be complete crap, selectively rewritten, or just taken out of context. This quote for instance was hard to google because it appears to have been transcribed – in the process it lost whole words.
Link what you quote, damnit. Otherwise you’ll wind up getting dumped as a troll like many in the past. ]
LP, actually I was very aware where it came from and there is a link in the article, which is http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/nuclear-issue-thrums-heart-us-nz-diplomacy-3980709
Notice the content is no longer on the tvnz link, which could perhaps have been something I paid attention to….It seem when I pasted the text I did that the link above which was at the bottom of the copy, was left off….
Not into editing cut and pastes personally, and would rather have had the tvnz link been alive, but given that you have read the location of my cut and pastes you, will in this instanance know that I have not edited the text.
Cheers for the heads up though….
LOON ALERT! Our dear old friend Pete George has evidently been cogitating. Just look at what he has come up with…
Maybe we should at least consider nuclear energy near our biggest populations, it may be less damaging than flooding the remaining natural rivers, or burning more oil.
MEMO PETE GEORGE:
Given what we have all (including you) seen happening in Japan for the last year, your statement of faith in nuclear power makes you seem not only uninformed, but even more stupid than usual.
Why don’t you do some serious RESEARCH on the topic before commenting on this issue again?
I said “we should at least consider”, a point to discuss. Technology changes, relative safety changes.
I’m not a fan of nuclear. I traveled past nuclear stations in Switzerland and Greece a couple of years ago, discomforting and eerie. However a way of life for many people.
But I’m also not a fan of damming every last South Island river and blotting even more landscape with pylon lines stretching north from virtually one end of the island to the other.
Sometimes we have to consider least bad choices.
Don’t worry about it. There are almost no South Island rivers left capable of hosting another 500MW hydrodam.
I should say that there are of course many sites on which a fairly robust 1MW to 10MW scheme could be sited, but at that scale they are neither here nor there in terms of supplying power to major North Island cities.
Nats cling to “unnecessarily complex, incoherent” terror law, despite criticism from ex-Solicitor General & Law Comission
Meanwhile the ex Justice Minister has an attack of forgetfulness and has become as accountability shy as the rest of his buddies:
That’s very odd, Collins seems to be saying that a mess of legislation is too complex so they shouldn’t bother to fix it.
Hopefully it won’t get tested again, but it does leave the possibility of another Urewera type ballsup.
Cameron Slater’s strange allies:
http://www.readingthemaps.blogspot.co.nz/2012/03/be-careful-what-you-wish-for-cameron.html
Heh, though like Slater’s ever going to pay attention until the crazies come to roost on his blog.
http://www.medialens.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=459:the-system-works-the-independent-on-latin-america-and-hugo-chavez&catid=20:alerts-2006&Itemid=39
June 19, 2006
THE SYSTEM WORKS – The Independent on Latin America and Hugo Chavez
An Understandable Mistake
Readers may recall our alert of May 8, 2006, ‘Lining Up The Next Victims’. We described how the Independent has been stoking up fear of “left populism” in Latin America. Despite many articulate and polite complaints to the paper from readers, the misinformation and smears continue. (See also our two-part alert, ‘Ridiculing Chavez’, May 16 and 18, 2006)
http://www.cjournal.info/CJO/ridiculingChavez1.htm
http://www.cjournal.info/CJO/ridiculingChavez2.htm
In particular, The Independent, together with its sister Sunday paper, has consistently maligned Hugo Chavez, the democratically elected leader of Venezuela. Chavez has been labelled a “firebrand leader” who is “virulently anti-American” and whose “attachment to democracy [has] a temporary and improvised feel” (Leader, June 6, 2006). He is a “demagogue” (Leader, May 14, 2006) who wields a “brand of aggressive socialism” (May 14, 2006); a “high priest of political theatre” (May 13, 2006); “the new mouthpiece of the anti-American fervour” and a “divisive force in Latin America” (June 6, 2006). The Independent even resorted to quoting Chavez’s psychiatrist: “Chavez’s character is unpredictable and disconcerting – He is a dreamer of impossible dreams.” (May 13, 2006)
A recent Independent news article by reporter Jude Webber continued the same trend. Webber described Chavez as an “authoritarian… his pockets full of the bonanza of booming oil prices”, someone who “has close ties” with undesirables such as “Cuba and now Bolivia”. Bolivia’s leader, President Evo Morales, is clearly of the same dangerous persuasion as the Venezuelan leader, having “recently nationalised gas fields in a move widely seen as inspired by his northern mentor”. (Webber, ‘Garcia claims Peru win spells end of regional takeover by Chavez’, The Independent, June 6, 2006)
Read more by clicking HERE…
http://www.medialens.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=459:the-system-works-the-independent-on-latin-america-and-hugo-chavez&catid=20:alerts-2006&Itemid=39
Great Links Muzza!
That is not much comfort:
“……. Bradley Ambrose and the fallout led to police raiding media offices for information.
………..Newstalk ZB political editor Barry Soper understands the police have decided it would not be in the public interest to press charges.”
Not in the Public Interest??? That is a long way from saying Innocent!
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10794181
A street thug that claimed a prison sentence was a bit harsh for starting an altercation and continuing to bludgeon an unconcious victim on the ground has been given a further reality check by the court of appeal.
Tough stand taken on street violence. Good.
Totally agree. Too many people labour under the mistaken belief that fights are two willing participants. Most are in reality a bullying thug picking on someone they’re sure they can beat, and those thugs need serious jail time.
Why can’t you link to the ORIGINAL story and not your bloody rehash on your site. Or is that too hard?
Yes, for that story it is too hard, it’s in the print version and not online so I typed out the quotes.
Just for once PG I can totally agree with you here.
And it’s one thing to get a bit bruised and bloodied… but the moment you have someone on the ground and you start kicking them in the head then you are trying to kill them. That should be an automatic attempted murder charge with a minimum 5 year sentence.
Queensland state election today, with Labor due to get the boot. As per usual when the left wing party tries to be ‘just like’ the right wing party, eventually the voters put the right wing party in. In Bligh’s party’s case, they flogged of the power grid and the railways.
================================================================
With the announcement of the week being the governments local government reforms, I thought I would share my letter to the editor about the huge debates about council spending in my area:
Sir,
There has been much discussion by various commentators about the level of council expenditure and its consequence on rates. As is the usual case, there is never any suggestions about what services should be cut in order to keep rates down, neither from Mr Bouwers, Mr Brown, or those on the council who wish to pander to their rhetoric.
Pukekura Park has been a jewel in the city’s crown for over 100 years, enjoyed by young and old alike, with its glistening water features, exotic fernery and bush that you can get lost in, would funding for that get cut? Or to the other city parks, reserves and playgrounds that are avalible for all people to enjoy, whether it be a day picnicking in the sun, or getting fit and healthy? Or what about the public libararies, which provide an important social service to the public – one of ensuring literature is avalible to all, or just a safe place to go and curl up with a book, and forget about the world?
Are they seeking to sell the pensioner flats, and lend an uncertain future to the tenants who would simply not be in a position to rent in the private sector? Or the public halls which are utilised by so many community groups? And what about the public toilets, that provide relief for those who are out and about?
It is community assets like these that make a city what it is as much as anything else. They may be expensive baubles to some people, but they are vital to the well-being of this community, and deliver benefits far greater than those that can be recorded on a balance sheet, and are open to all from the very poor to the very rich, bringing people together, not pulling them apart.
By all means, the council should be looking at its expenditure, and cutting projects and spending where appropriate, but there are things that we as a city would be worse off without, and I think that those who scream for cuts in council spending need to consider that.
Mr Brown = Gordon Brown, one time councillor and right wing grumpy columnist
Mr Houwers = local right winger who wants to start his own Tea Party movement.
Queenslanders have not been happy with the ongoing programme of asset sales “Labor” have been pushing through.
I mean WTF, “Labor”. Just another political vehicle for the neolibs now.
I’m calling for NZ Prime Minster John Key to RESIGN over his arguably corrupt ‘conflict of interest’ involving Australian open-cast coal mining company Bathurst Resources Ltd.
Just thrown this political ‘grenade’ into ‘General Debate’ on Kiwiblog……
FYI.
“How many Kiwibloggers agree that if it’s good enough for former National Party Minister Nick Smith to have to resign over his ‘perceived’ conflict of interest as former ACC Minister, that Prime Minister John Key should equally have to resign over an arguably far worse conflict of interest involving opencast coal minng company – Bathurst Resources Ltd?
Bathurst Resources Ltd, at whose Wellington office opening. NZ Prime Minister John Key ‘officiated’?
To whom is the NZ Prime Minister (and Leader of the NZ National Party) accountable for his arguably corrupt ‘conflict of interest’?
Who will SACK the NZ Prime Minister John Key?
http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/smith-departure-strengthens-joyce-faction-114012#comment-340611
24 March 2012
………
When it comes to corrupt ‘conflicts of interests’ – what’s your view (Mathew Hooton) on NZ Prime Minister John Key’s ‘perceived’ pecuniary interest in open-cast coal mining on the conservation estate – given that he is a shareholder in the Bank of America, and the Bank of America is a significant shareholder in Bathurst Resources Ltd?
(As of 24 February 2012, the Bank of America was a substantial holder of shares in Bathurst Resources Ltd:
“Class of Securities (4) – Ordinary
Present Notice “Person’s Votes 72,302,308 Voting Power (5) 10.44%
http://www.bathurstresources.com/files/files/1079_20120229_Change_in_substantial_holding.pdf
NZ Prime Minister John Key is a shareholder in the Bank Of America.
http://www.parliament.nz/NR/rdonlyres/28FF3CC9-5985-4721-B335-776C5EAE81DF/195667/register2011_1.pdf )
Bathurst Resources Ltd being the Australian mining company, at whose Wellington office opening NZ Prime Minister John Key officiated on 21 March 2012?
http://www.3news.co.nz/PM-opens-mining-offices-in-Wgtn/tabid/1607/articleID/247550/Default.aspx
If Nick Smith was forced to resign over his ACC ‘conflict of interest’ – why should John Key not have to resign over an arguably FAR more serious CORRUPT (?) ‘conflict of interest’?
Penny Bright
‘Anti-corruption campaigner’
=
I agree John Key should resign. I believe he’s certainly more concerned with furthering the interests of business and the 1% than the common well being of all kiwis. He’s also indirectly invested in Bathhurst through BOA. Not least everyone knows neoliberalism is totally discredited ideology which merely makes the rich richer yet, yet he persists on selling of our assets. What NZ needs is a very large redistribution of wealth and income downwards and a reversal of previous tax cuts then overnight we won’t have a deficit or have to throw more money away paying bankers back loans with interest on them.
When the United States had that regime (Minimal inequality and high tax rates) post WW11 it was the most dynamic optimistic powerhouse of a nation in the World but now the U$$$ is a juiceless shell the 1% have sucked most of it up, now they have it they’re not about to share! In fact they want the poor to pay more to make them even richer!
link http://www.commondreams.org/view/2012/03/23-9
“All told, Ryan hands out about $4.4 trillion in tax cuts that primarily benefit the very best off, and pays for it with $4.15 trillion in spending cuts to programs that primarily benefit the poor and middle class.”
Keep up the good work Penny unlike the fat guys in Parliament you don’t get a bean for your efforts, I know that’s tough.
Conflict of interest, John Key has a conflict of interest with the Bathurst mining company
because he has shares in the bank of america,the bank that bank rolls this company,
the key govt gave this company the ok to mine on sensitive nz land.
Interestingly the ceo of Deloitte Dutch arm just resigned because of ‘confilict of interest’
effective immediatley.
Deloitte is one of the company’s that key has a preference for in our asset sales along
with goldman sachs.
The upshot here is that ‘conflict of interest’ is taken very seriously elsewhere,why
not here in nz, nz watches the culprates run for cover.