Merry Christmas to you and yours. I know for many times are tough and I am thinking of you, hoping joy will reach you. I will be blessed with the presence of our adult children and extended family Xmas day and am very conscious of how fortunate we are. This year we gifted to the Salvation Army Christmas Appeal rather than personal gifts and know this will be distributed to some in need. I believe this will remain a future family commitment at Xmas.
Most of all I wish for 2014 to be the turnaround year.
Thank you to all who contribute here. You are very much appreciated.
And to you LynWiper! Good idea re the Sallies Christmas Appeal too 🙂
“Most of all I wish for 2014 to be the turnaround year”.
This is the biggest wish and the biggest hope of all. Imagine, this time next year we could possibly have a shiny new government. Personally, I will be playing my part to make that happen.
be very careful when listening to the weasel-words of peters vis a vis coalition options after the next election..
..peters is now saying that he could ‘never be part of a govt that sold assets’..
..nor one that did not ‘support the rebuilding of the nz infrastructure’..
..so..i read that as..after the next election..should key promise not to sell any more assets in the ’14’-’17 govt..(easy for him to do..there is ‘no more worth selling’..remember..?..)
..and offer (whatever) that peters can point at and shout ‘infrastructure-rebuilding’..
..then winston peters will quite happily slide his shiny-suited arse into a key govt ministerial-limo..
The secret deal announced by the government today with the company James Hardie on leaky school buildings smacks of more corporate welfare.
Hundreds of millions of dollars are involved, yet it appears James Hardie will not be pursued. Another shonKey deal carefully announced on Xmas Eve so that it is brushed under the carpet.
Yep, but Leaky Building rehabilitation is providing economic growth…I reckon it is the only National Party initiative (Introducing the Building Act 1991) that is actually providing growth.
James Hardie are past masters at insulating their shareholders from liabilities like this. They were criminal in how they ring faced their Asbestos liabilities.
Letting them off on the schools scandal is an act of criminal negligence or corruption. Labour should be all over this.
Mikhail Kalashnikov, the inventor of the AK47, has died aged 94. He was a remarkably modest guy, who was genuinely saddened by some of the uses the rifle was put to, but he designed a simple, cheap weapon that is still manufactured virtually unchanged from the original plans.
While the project was not completed till after WW2, the Kalashnikov helped liberate millions from the shackles of colonialism in the decades following.
At about 4:30 a.m. on Sept. 1, 2007, pilots wearing night vision goggles unleashed several Enhanced Paveway II smart bombs into his camp in eastern Colombia as officials in both capitals waited. Troops recovered only a leg. It appeared by its dark complexion to belong to Acacio, one of the few black FARC leaders. DNA tests confirmed his death.
[…]
Six weeks later, smart bombs killed Gustavo Rueda Díaz, alias Martin Caballero, leader of the 37th Front, while he was talking on his cellphone. Acacio’s and Caballero’s deaths caused the 16th and 37th fronts to collapse. They also triggered mass desertions, according to a secret State Department cable dated March 6, 2008, and released by the anti-secrecy group WikiLeaks in 2010. This was just the beginning of the FARC’s disintegration.
To hide the use of the PGMs from public discovery, and to ensure maximum damage to a FARC’s leaders’ camp, the air force and U.S. advisers developed new strike tactics. In a typical mission, several A-37 Dragonflys flying at 20,000 feet carried smart bombs. As soon as the planes came within a three-mile “basket” of the target, a bomb’s GPS software would automatically turn on.
The Dragonflys were followed by several A-29 Super Tucanos, flying at a much lower altitude. They would drop a series of dumb bombs in a pattern nearby. Their blast pressure would kill anyone close in and also flatten the dense jungle and obscure the use of the smart bombs.
Then, low-flying, Vietnam-era AC-47 gunships, nicknamed Puff the Magic Dragon, would strafe the area with mounted machine guns, “shooting the wounded trying to go for cover,” according to one of several military officials who described the same scenario.
You believe that cocaine was the deciding factor in this high level of US military involvement?
And not erosion of US power in central America?
If you are serious in your belief that drug money and not political revolution was the aim, why didn’t the FARC just sit back and let the money roll in?
Its a lesson of Bernay’s treatise entitled Propaganda, yes. Another lesson is that the intellectual class is often more than happy to support war for imperial aims. Notice how the US isn’t smart bombing the leadership of Mexican drug cartels?
CV, what I’m saying is that FARC turned to the soft option of the drug trade, which, in turn, allowed the US to further attack them as part of the bogus war on drugs. It was a terrible strategic error on FARC’s behalf.
So you contend that if the FARC had not been linked to the cocaine trade, the US would not be providing precision munitions and intel to the Columbian Govt?
Of course, we both know that is a nonsense, given that the US does not smart bomb Mexican drug cartel leaders.
“So you contend that if the FARC had not been linked to the cocaine trade, the US would not be providing precision munitions and intel to the Columbian Govt?”
Nope. I contend that without the drugs, the US would have to make do with ‘unofficial’ support (ie CIA, NSA etc). With drugs in play, the US can come out of the shadows and directly support military action against them as well.
You appear not to understand how the Washington Post works.
The piece was either published with the tacit approval of the US gov in that it supported a desired narrative to be pushed out into the public sphere and hence contained a whole lot of sensitive information but via ‘authorised’ leaks.
Or the piece was published without the approval of the US gov and the journalist and editors have put together a huge and awesome piece of investigative journalism.
These two scenarios mean that your suggested conditionality around drugs allowing “out of the shadows” US direct military action is mistaken.
Again, there plenty of well armed drug cartels operating around Mexico which haven’t been blasted to smithereens by smart munitions, demonstrating that the drugs angle is merely incidental.
The infamous joint US-Colombia drug eradication strategy, Plan Colombia, recently resurrected under Plan Patriota, has been embraced by the Uribe administration and referred to in the DS policy. Although most armed groups now finance their operations through the drug economy, Uribe claims to fight the “war on drugs” and the “war on terror” simultaneously. Curiously, the government “negotiates” with those most directly involved in the drug trade, the AUC, while engaging in an all-out offensive with the minor players: left-wing guerrilla groups.
The right wing militias that control most of the Colombian cocaine production do not pretend to be a revolutionary movement. They obviously took your advice.
I see old Bomber has had another brain explosion, he clearly doesn’t like the “PublicAddress gender equal person” if his (now striked out) rant was any guide. Actually as rants go it was quite funny, TBH.
I suppose that is all you can really salvage from the whole sorry carry on.
I think Bomber’s main problem is that he’s more of a performer than a militant. If he calmed down a bit, counted to something like Avogadro’s number, and didn’t insist on having the first word, the last word, and most of those in between, he might achieve a lot more. As it stands, his contributions are not trivial and he deserves to be remembered for more than frothing at the mouth.
Xox
Interesting to see how MSM spin poverty as a worthy opportunity for ‘generosity’ from the haves.
Also how MSM spin rising interest rates as great for savers. And it’s only about 2%. It is really 2 percent on top of approx 5.5 percent, which is really about 36 percent! We don’t want the MSM to scare mortgage payers (or voters) do we?
Merry Christmas, God save the Queen, heaven help her subjects.
a wealthy cousin of mine posted on facebook that to show her children the true meaning of xmas so shes going to give poor people their old toys…but anyway, i’m looking forward to a cpl days off work & spending it with my wife & daughter. ram on!
North
” The ease is patent but what’s really appalling is that they just don’t see it. “Who me ? No way !”
True but the trouble is the NZ averages can’t/don’t see it either. The ‘Keys’ know and exploit that inability. Dunno what we can do about the average kiwi’s poor visual acuity.
From that article:
“Irreverent Cabinet Minister Paula Bennett has produced her own pink wine label on a chardonnay this Christmas called “Sip It Sweetie”.
Some will find their way into Christmas stockings, but most will be auctioned to fundraise for her campaign in Upper Harbour next year.
“A fruity little number, plenty of sass and spirit,” the label says.
“This classy chardonnay will impress at a barbecue, beach picnic or a fancy-pants dinner party. Good drinking now but even better after a third term.”
Suggest “A full-bodied plonk with a tarty after-taste. Won’t age well. Will be off within 12 months.”
Jesu H Christos – now I understand why I can’t listen to Nine-toNoon for any length of time.
The music talking-head critic sage commenting on how we CONSUME music FFS!
OFF!
I was listening to RNZ Concert FM news who quoted Sara Chatwin, “celebrity” psychologist. I’m guessing this is the same one. If so, she always seems to comment on the most on the most inane non issues facing the population.
It is true, just in my observations, that folks do seem to freak and obsess about Christmas day weather, especially the newspapers and TV news, but really, to tell us not to worry about it is another thing altogether. There are far greater issues facing the national psyche than the weather.
I’d be one of those people, but funnily enough only on work days. Can go without any caffeine all weekend, but have a grossly unnatural relationship with that first cup of coffee mon-fri…
as for the music on 9-no-one.
its all whining gamines, processed pap and noo noo heads who cant sing.
but the awful thing is that “THEY” think its wunnerful.
yetchhhhhhhh.
Where’d your computer come from? Government
Where’d the drugs you use come from? Most likely government.
And this applies to a hell of a lot of innovation over the last few centuries. The lesson we need to learn is that the private sector doesn’t do the innovation as we’ve been told over the last 30 to 40 years. More often than not, the private sector holds innovation back through the use of patents.
Yep, from what I’ve seen out of the TPP innovation is going to become even more difficult and the patent trolls are going to be even more of a problem.
Brewer denies journalist prompt
The councillor caught out on a junket to the Gold Coast declared the trip to officials – but concedes he may have done so after a call from a journalist.
Xox
Pity about the falling standards @ RNZ. Lead by Jim, and Kathryn. Hopefully Wallace will do some serious reading and thinking over the Summer break, ready to provide an informed and intelligent program. A worthy successor to Chris.
Indeed!
Just like this morning, the nicest man on Earth is about to get the OFF button. Currently playing – the most self-indulgent load of kaka you could ever hope to imagine. And if anyone ever accuses RNZ of left-wing bias, they only need check out his afternoon’s guests. The occasional leftie (for fairness and balance of course – likw Peter Elliot, maybe even Bernard Hickey) – other than that – what a pack of out-of-touch ‘experts’ ffs/
Mai: what’s the diff between living in wgtn and commuting to auckland, and living in auck and commuting to wgtn?
– Oh (to paraphrase) it’s so difficult getting the kids to school.
– It makes you realise that to win an election, you have to win Auckland.
All very twee.
There goes half RNZ’s budget on cheap Chardonnay – down the gullets of those ‘movers and shakers’ including some Squeaky Fromme TVNZ hasbeen.
Reasons given being just as valid in proposing Auckland be carved off as a separate country, and for all those Auckland expats moving to Queenstown (or Martinborough) to get away from it all (whereupon they attempt to develop, develop, develop and re-create the new wonderland).
I like Jim and Kathryn and I’m leftish thinking. They seem to be reasonably impartial to me. Middle road reasonably intelligent content except for the concessional bigotted comments of Boag or Farrar and I guess we have to put up with the silly empty rhetoric of Hooton as part of being a democracy. Often disappointed with, “i have to agree with Michelle” from Mike Williams who I guess is changing with the need to supplement his corporate retirement.
Generally I think Jim and Kathryn do a good job.
I enjoy Kathryn Ryan too Rodel and agree she’s fairly impartial. She has regularly pulled up Hooton on his more outrageous claims and on one occasion she shouted him down and almost threatened to pull the plug on him. She also has a good sense of humour and conducts her interviews in a very professional manner. You can’t really expect any more than that…
Indeed she and Mary Wilson on Check Point keep us well served with all the information of the day.
There was an interesting opinion piece in the Dom/Post this morning by Geoffrey Palmer.
I can’t find it online so I can’t give a link to it unfortunately.
It will, I suspect attract completely opposite views from thos on the right of politics to those on the left.
Those on the right will say, about the first part the GP has finally come to his senses and that in the second part that he has reverted to senility. To the left the first part will be anathema and the second that he is finally back to his sensible self.
The first part argues that referenda endanger our democratic system. He also says that democracies where they are used extensively the results have been disastrous and that the act that allows for CIR should be repealed. Governments are elected to govern. They should decide what to do and to get on with it.
Very sensible of the man say all right thinking people.
The second part, where he relapses into drooling idiocy, calls for extending the OIA, bringing in a written, entrenched constitution, better protection for Maori values and aspirations and more safeguards against government’s abuse of power. “Bah humbug” as Ebenezer Scrooge would say, and as all right thinking people would believe..
I wonder how many people here would agree with everything, or disagree with everything, the Geoffrey says?
The first part argues that referenda endanger our democratic system. He also says that democracies where they are used extensively the results have been disastrous and that the act that allows for CIR should be repealed. Governments are elected to govern. They should decide what to do and to get on with it.
Very sensible of the man say all right thinking people.
I don’t see anything particularly right wing about this view, and nor, frankly, do I see his point. In NZ CIRs are not binding on the government. They are designed to be a means whereby people can determine the view of the electorate. The way politics works, that means they will usually be about expressing a view the government of the day doesn’t like. It is form of, very civil indeed, disobedience.
calls for extending the OIA, bringing in a written, entrenched constitution, better protection for Maori values and aspirations and more safeguards against government’s abuse of power.
I notice mostly that your response only amounts to a ‘humbug’. Understandably I suppose, it’s hard to argue against any of that without looking like a fuckwit.
It worked!
As I expected someone who doesn’t agree with part one, but is thoroughly in favour of part two shows up.
Referenda. “nor do I see his point”, “people can determine the view of the electorate”
Constitution “Hard to argue against any of it”.
Now is there anyone who agrees with BOTH parts of his opinion piece or, alternatively, disagrees with BOTH parts.
About the only sensible thing I can remember about Geoffrey was a proposal to put an expiration date on legislation.
Now that might be a little impractical, but at the very least (as someone else on this site suggested), it should be mandatory for anything passed under urgency.
(Besides – it’d give the delightful Mai Chen a reason to commute to Wellington and pass on her apologies to the all important “The Panel” appearances – she could probably even claim on a taxi to get the kids to and from school).
Geoffrey has a knack of romanticising everything and being a thoroughly ‘well rounded fellow’ amongst those who aspire to be his peers.
Now a far cry from the Mt Vic-living Geo of old who was far more practical and in touch with reality.
Geoffrey former Mt Vic what ? Hope he never engaged the face-first molestation of the steep Hawker Street pavement as has apparently the fulsomely reasonable closet totalitarian Stephen Franks. As mirthfully reported by someone on TS recently.
Akshully I seem to recall that hilarious story was related by you Tim. It was real LOL stuff to a former resident in that very street. Poor Geoffrey. Poor Stephen. Poor Nation.
Further hilarity – Alwyn above talks “bah humbug” as though his know-it-all right wing twittiness doesn’t define it.
Considering the shenanigans with the GCSB in NZ, think about this allegedly “benign” filter instituted by Cameron in the UK that was only supposed to filter porn and in fact, not accidentally, filters a lot more and think what could be planned here in NZ:
Cameron’s problem, methinks, is that he’s thinking like an old-school (literally) authoritarian whereas todays digital natives might not have heard the cyberpunk slogan “Information wants to be free” because its thoroughly ingrained in them. A lot of young people at least are going to get and damned well play on the old man’s lawn whether he likes it or not. Especially if not.
EDMONTON – More than 75 environment officers who watched over oil industry activities left the provincial environment department this fall, to take higher paying jobs with the new industry-funded Alberta Energy Regulator. Another 75-plus are expected to leave in the spring.
In mid-November, the department also began handing over to the regulator thousands of files on oil industry activity pertaining to the Public Lands Act, according to documents obtained by the Journal.
This shift in staffing and the moving of years of files out of a government department to the new arm’s length regulator are key steps in the government’s plan, announced last spring, to create a more streamlined approval process for oil companies that wanted “one window” to get permits for new projects.
Previously, companies had to apply to the environment department for some permits and to the old regulator, the now defunct Energy Resources Conservation Board.
To achieve the “one window,” the provincial government handed over to the privately funded regulator responsibility for administering the Water Act, Public Lands Act, and the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (dealing with spills) as they pertain to energy companies.
To ALL Standardistas, friends and foes, have a happy holiday season, a Merry Christmas to those who celebrate it, and the best of wishes for the new year 2014, which will be highly important “DECISION YEAR” for all of us.
It was an at times stressful and difficult year that comes to an end, and the fight for social justice, and for common sense, sustainable, smart, constructive, fair and inclusive policies, will continue in 2014.
For those that suffer illness and disabilities, bear in mind, that WINZ will start a new regime in February 2014, which will include medical and work capability assessments – similar to the ones done by ATOS in the UK, for those sick and disabled on benefits. They will be using OUTSOURCED CONTRACTORS!
“Private contractors will be paid $650 an assessment to get thousands of New Zealand’s sick and disabled ready to return to work.”
“From February, Work and Income will pay private “medical assessors” to scrutinise sickness and disability beneficiaries who it believes can work.”
“The medical assessors will be paid $650 per assessment, which are expected to take about three hours, and are prompted to recommend lifestyle changes to help the beneficiary get a job, such as a “positive approach to life” and more time at the gym.”
“It is expected eventually 3000 disabled people a year will have to visit an assessor, who will judge their fitness for work and report back to Work and Income.
The scheme, revealed in a tender proposal, is part of the biggest welfare shake-up in decades, with the Government aiming to have 28,000 to 44,000 people off benefits by 2017, saving up to $1.6 billion.”
Also remember this, from the NZ Herald, 18 Nov. 2013:
“Winz apologises to sick woman placed on wrong benefit”
So if some had horrific experiences with WINZ’s “designated doctors” (some are true “hatchet doctors”), get ready for the next level of harassment!
Study up the ample information offered in the following publications, to get informed what is going on, and what it is all about. Do NOT forget, the new year will bring more challenges, and the enemy NEVER sleeps (Bennett and her nasty WINZ and MSD underlings):
Feel free to copy and paste, and use the links at convenient times. Enjoy your holidays or breaks for time being, and get ready for the firestorm on the welfare and national policy front in the coming years. Every voice and body will be needed, it all leading up to the most important election in recent New Zealand history!
This is one more issue that Labour needs to take a firm position on. It seems Jacinda and whoever took her place have taken Benefat’s recommendation to heart and zipped it.
Also: Tnagata Whenua do not forget your brothers and sisters in Chile, they are called Mapuche, they have lived there for centuries, but have had their lands and rights taken away, like your people. Some take a stand at least:
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Mazda Motor Corporation, commonly known as Mazda, is a Japanese multinational automaker headquartered in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The company was founded in 1920 as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd., and began producing vehicles in 1931. Mazda is primarily known for its production of passenger cars, but ...
Your car battery is an essential component that provides power to start your engine, operate your electrical systems, and store energy. Over time, batteries can weaken and lose their ability to hold a charge, which can lead to starting problems, power failures, and other issues. Replacing your battery before it ...
In most states, you cannot register a car without a valid driver’s license. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Exceptions to the RuleIf you are under 18 years old: In some states, you can register a car in your name even if you do not ...
Mazda, a Japanese automotive manufacturer with a rich history of innovation and engineering excellence, has emerged as a formidable player in the global car market. Known for its reputation of producing high-quality, fuel-efficient, and driver-oriented vehicles, Mazda has consistently garnered praise from industry experts and consumers alike. In this article, ...
Struts are an essential part of a car’s suspension system. They are responsible for supporting the weight of the car and damping the oscillations of the springs. Struts are typically made of steel or aluminum and are filled with hydraulic fluid. How Do Struts Work? Struts work by transferring the ...
Car registration is a mandatory process that all vehicle owners must complete annually. This process involves registering your car with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and paying an associated fee. The registration process ensures that your vehicle is properly licensed and insured, and helps law enforcement and other authorities ...
Zoom is a video conferencing service that allows you to share your screen, webcam, and audio with other participants. In addition to sharing your own audio, you can also share the audio from your computer with other participants. This can be useful for playing music, sharing presentations with audio, or ...
Building your own computer can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to get a high-performance machine tailored to your specific needs. However, it also requires careful planning and execution, and one of the most important factors to consider is the time it will take. The exact time it takes to ...
Sleep mode is a power-saving state that allows your computer to quickly resume operation without having to boot up from scratch. This can be useful if you need to step away from your computer for a short period of time but don’t want to shut it down completely. There are ...
Introduction Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) has revolutionized the field of translation by harnessing the power of technology to assist human translators in their work. This innovative approach combines specialized software with human expertise to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of translations. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the ...
In today’s digital age, mobile devices have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Among the vast array of portable computing options available, iPads and tablet computers stand out as two prominent contenders. While both offer similar functionalities, there are subtle yet significant differences between these two devices. This ...
A computer is an electronic device that can be programmed to carry out a set of instructions. The basic components of a computer are the processor, memory, storage, input devices, and output devices. The Processor The processor, also known as the central processing unit (CPU), is the brain of the ...
Voice Memos is a convenient app on your iPhone that allows you to quickly record and store audio snippets. These recordings can be useful for a variety of purposes, such as taking notes, capturing ideas, or recording interviews. While you can listen to your voice memos on your iPhone, you ...
Laptop screens are essential for interacting with our devices and accessing information. However, when lines appear on the screen, it can be frustrating and disrupt productivity. Understanding the underlying causes of these lines is crucial for finding effective solutions. Types of Screen Lines Horizontal lines: Also known as scan ...
Right-clicking is a common and essential computer operation that allows users to access additional options and settings. While most desktop computers have dedicated right-click buttons on their mice, laptops often do not have these buttons due to space limitations. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to right-click ...
Powering up and shutting down your ASUS laptop is an essential task for any laptop user. Locating the power button can sometimes be a hassle, especially if you’re new to ASUS laptops. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on where to find the power button on different ASUS laptop ...
Dell laptops are renowned for their reliability, performance, and versatility. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone who needs a reliable computing device, a Dell laptop can meet your needs. However, if you’re new to Dell laptops, you may be wondering how to get started. In this comprehensive ...
Two-thirds of the country think that “New Zealand’s economy is rigged to advantage the rich and powerful”. They also believe that “New Zealand needs a strong leader to take the country back from the rich and powerful”. These are just two of a handful of stunning new survey results released ...
In today’s digital world, screenshots have become an indispensable tool for communication and documentation. Whether you need to capture an important email, preserve a website page, or share an error message, screenshots allow you to quickly and easily preserve digital information. If you’re an Asus laptop user, there are several ...
A factory reset restores your Gateway laptop to its original factory settings, erasing all data, apps, and personalizations. This can be necessary to resolve software issues, remove viruses, or prepare your laptop for sale or transfer. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to factory reset your Gateway laptop: Method 1: ...
“You talking about me?”The neoliberal denigration of the past was nowhere more unrelenting than in its depiction of the public service. The Post Office and the Railways were held up as being both irremediably inefficient and scandalously over-manned. Playwright Roger Hall’s “Glide Time” caricatures were presented as accurate depictions of ...
Roger Partridge writes – When the Coalition Government took office last October, it inherited a country on a precipice. With persistent inflation, decades of insipid productivity growth and crises in healthcare, education, housing and law and order, it is no exaggeration to suggest New Zealand’s first-world status was ...
Rob MacCulloch writes – In 2022, the Curriculum Centre at the Ministry of Education employed 308 staff, according to an Official Information Request. Earlier this week it was announced 202 of those staff were being cut. When you look up “The New Zealand Curriculum” on the Ministry of ...
Chris Bishop’s bill has stirred up a hornets nest of opposition. Photo: Lynn Grieveson for The KākāTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate from the last day included:A crescendo of opposition to the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill is ...
Monday left me brokenTuesday, I was through with hopingWednesday, my empty arms were openThursday, waiting for love, waiting for loveThe end of another week that left many of us asking WTF? What on earth has NZ gotten itself into and how on earth could people have voluntarily signed up for ...
Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.State of humanity, 20242024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?Full story Share ...
Determining the hardest sport in the world is a subjective matter, as the difficulty level can vary depending on individual abilities, physical attributes, and experience. However, based on various factors including physical demands, technical skills, mental fortitude, and overall accomplishment, here is an exploration of some of the most challenging ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
The Government’s newly announced review of methane emissions reduction targets hints at its desire to delay Aotearoa New Zealand’s urgent transition to a climate safe future, the Green Party said. ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order. “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today. I am delighted ...
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions. “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. “It is good ...
The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
“China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector. "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
Asia Pacific Report Chief Mandla Mandela, a member of the National Assembly of South Africa and Nelson Mandela’s grandson, has joined the Freedom Flotilla in istanbul as the ships prepare to sail for Gaza, reports Kia Ora Gaza. Mandela is also the ambassador for the Global Campaign to Return to ...
Pacific Media Watch Journalists who report on environmental issues are encountering growing difficulties in many parts of the world, reports Reporters Without Borders. According to the tally kept by RSF, 200 journalists have been subjected to threats and physical violence, including murder, in the past 10 years because they were ...
Analysis by Dr Bryce Edwards, Democracy Project (https://democracyproject.nz)Political scientist, Dr Bryce Edwards. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesn’t normally happen in ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra BagzhanSadvakassov/Upsplash, CC BY-SA Australia’s inflation rate has fallen for the fifth successive quarter, and it’s now less than half of what it was back in late 2022. ...
ACT's Rural Communities and Veterans spokesman Mark Cameron responds to cancellations and protests of ANZAC Day commemorations in Wellington. He says, "These pitiful attempts to detract from ANZAC Day are not at all indicative of the feelings of mainstream ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Meighen McCrae, Associate Professor of Strategic & Defence Studies, Australian National University American and Australian stretcher bearers working together near the front line during the Battle of Hamel in 1918.Australian War Memorial While the AUKUS alliance is new, the Australian-American partnership ...
Pōneke based peace activists staged a silent protest at the ANZAC day service to highlight New Zealand’s complicity in war and genocide, and urge the government to take concrete steps to stop the genocide in Palestine. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Magdalena M.E. Bunbury, Postdoctoral Researcher, James Cook University Burial with a horse at the Rákóczifalva site, Hungary (8th century AD).Sándor Hegedűs, Hungarian National Museum, CC BY How do we understand past societies? For centuries, our main sources of information have been ...
Amanda Thompson doesn’t really do Anzac Day. But what she does do is remember the people she knew who had a lifetime to remember stuff they didn’t really want to, because of a war they didn’t ask for. And she does make Anzac biscuits.First published in 2021.All my ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kathryn Willis, Postdoctoral Researcher, CSIRO Xavier Boulenger/Shutterstock In the two decades to 2019, global plastic production doubled. By 2040, plastic manufacturing and processing could consume as much as 20% of global oil production and use up 15% of the annual carbon ...
With our collective remembrance, and steadfast belief in our common humanity, we strengthen our hope and resolve to do what we can to foster dialogue and understanding, and to heal divisions in our pursuit of peace. ...
Principal reasons for the opposition is the loss of the public’s democratic right to have “a fair say” and the vital need for a government free from corruption, said Casey Cravens of Dunedin, president of the New Zealand Federation of Freshwater ...
Never mind the scoreboard – in the 2000 Bledisloe Cup decider, the real trans-Tasman battle was won before kickoff.First published in 2016. The dawn of the new millennium was a dark time for the All Blacks. Their final game pre-Y2K was a 22-18 loss to South Africa in the ...
I’m on the wrong side of 40, I never pursued creative work and now my job is killing my soul. Help! Want Hera’s help? Email your problem to helpme@thespinoff.co.nzDear Hera,May I start with the least original conversation opener you’re likely to hear around the motu at the moment, particularly in Wellington: ...
“Never again - No AUKUS” was the message of the wreath laid at this morning’s national ANZAC Day commemorative service at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park this morning by the Stop AUKUS group. ...
Until this month, Auckland swimmer Hazel Ouwehand had never met a qualifying time in an Olympic event for a New Zealand team, even as a junior. Now she’s very likely off to the Paris Olympics after swimming well under the qualifying standard in the 100m butterfly twice – both in ...
While Anzac Day has experienced a resurgence in recent years, our other day of remembrance has slowly faded from view.The Sunday Essay is made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand. Original illustrations by Hope McConnell.First published in 2022.The high school’s head girl and ...
Australian and New Zealand volunteers fought together in the Waikato War, yet still its place in the Anzac tradition is unacknowledged by our defence forces or Returned Services Association.First published in 2018.When I was a boy cub I attended Anzac Day services in the South Auckland suburb of ...
A poem by Wellington writer Tayi Tibble.Hoki Mai She kisses him goodbye with her eyes still wet and alight from their last swim in the Awatere river. At the train station celebration, she leads the Kapa Haka but her voice keeps breaking under and over itself like waves. ...
A poem from Bill Manhire’s 2017 book of verse Some Things to Place in a Coffin.My World War I Poem Inside each trench, the sound of prayer. Inside each prayer, the sound of digging. Image courtesy of Auckland War Memorial Museum. ...
There are three books I have wolfed down in one sitting over the last two years. Colleen Maria Lenihan’s gorgeous and sad debut Kōhine, Noelle McCarthy’s memoir Grand about becoming her mother and then unbecoming her, and now Hine Toa, a staunch yet gentle self-portrait by living legend Ngāhuia te ...
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Asia Pacific Report Students and activist staff at Australia’s University of Sydney (USyd) have set up a Gaza solidarity encampment in support of Palestinians and similar student-led protests in the United States. The camp was pitched as mass graves, crippled hospitals, thousands of civilian deaths and the near-total destruction of ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James B. Dorey, Lecturer in Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong Australian teddy bear bees are cute and fluffy, but get a look at that massive (unbarbed) stinger! James Dorey Photography Most of us have been stung by a bee and we ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jen Roberts, Senior Lecturer, School of Humanities and Social Inquiry, University of Wollongong Aussie~mobs/FlickrVictor Farr, a private in the 1st Infantry Battalion, was among the first to land at Anzac Cove just before dawn on April 25 1915. Victor Farr ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gregory Moore, Senior Research Associate, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne Gregory Moore I had the good fortune to care for the sugar gum at The University of Melbourne’s Burnley Gardens in Victoria where I worked for ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra BagzhanSadvakassov/Upsplash, CC BY-SA Australia’s inflation rate has fallen for the fifth successive quarter, and it’s now less than half of what it was back in late 2022. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rachel Ong ViforJ, ARC Future Fellow & Professor of Economics, Curtin University Just when we think the price of rentals could not get any worse, this week’s Rental Affordability Snapshot by Anglicare has revealed low-income Australians are facing a housing crisis like ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Meighen McCrae, Associate Professor of Strategic & Defence Studies, Australian National University American and Australian stretcher bearers working together near the front line during the Battle of Hamel in 1918.Australian War Memorial While the AUKUS alliance is new, the Australian-American partnership ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tracey Holmes, Professorial Fellow in Sport, University of Canberra When the news broke last weekend that 23 Chinese swimmers had tested positive to a banned drug in early 2021 and were allowed to compete at the Tokyo Olympic Games six months later ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cally Jetta, Senior Lecturer and Academic Lead; College for First Nations, University of Southern Queensland Australian War MemorialAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this article contains names and images of deceased people, as well as sensitive historical information ...
RNZ News Melissa Lee has been ousted from New Zealand’s coalition cabinet and stripped of the Media portfolio, and Penny Simmonds has lost the Disability Issues portfolio in a reshuffle. Climate Change and Revenue Minister Simon Watts will take Lee’s spot in cabinet. Simmonds was a minister outside of cabinet. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Lindenmayer, Professor, Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University laurello/Shutterstock Some reports and popular books, such as Bill Gammage’s Biggest Estate on Earth, have argued that extensive areas of Australia’s forests were kept open through frequent burning by ...
Analysis - Christopher Luxon framing the demotion of two ministers as the portfolios getting "too complex" is a charitable way of saying they weren't up to the job. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra With Jim Chalmers’s third budget on May 14, Australians will be looking for some more cost-of-living relief – beyond the tax cuts – although they have been warned extra measures will be modest. As ...
Analysis: Melissa Lee has lost the media portfolio and her spot in Cabinet after multiple failed attempts to find solutions for a media industry in crisis. On Wednesday, the Prime Minister announced Lee would be losing her spot in Cabinet along with her media and communications ministerial portfolio. The job ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Simon Wilmot, Senior Lecturer, Film, Deakin University Among the many Australian who served during the second world war, there is a small group of people whose stories remain largely untold. These are the Muslim men and women who, while small in number, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kelly Saunders, PhD Candidate, University of Canberra There has been much analysis and praise of Justice Michael Lee’s recent judgement in Bruce Lehrmann’s defamation case against Channel Ten. Many people were openly relieved to read Lee’s “forensic” and “nuanced” application of law ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kathy Gibbs, Program Director for the Bachelor of Education, Griffith University zEdward_Indy/Shutterstock Around one in 20 people has attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It’s one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in childhood and often continues into adulthood. ADHD is diagnosed ...
The Fairer Future coalition of anti-poverty groups say Whaikaha must be properly funded going forward, and that to argue that poor financial management of the new Ministry is a red herring by the Prime Minister. ...
The Taxpayers’ Union is today congratulating Hon. Paul Goldsmith on his appointment as Minister for Media and Communications and urges him to rule out state intervention in the private media sector. ...
Asia Pacific Report The West Papuan resistance OPM leader has condemned Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and US President Joe Biden, accusing their countries of “six decades of treachery” over Papuan independence. The open letter was released today by OPM chairman Jeffrey P Bomanak on the eve of ANZAC Day ...
Welcome to The Spinoff Books Confessional, in which we get to know the reading habits and quirks of New Zealanders at large. This week: writer and one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people of 2024, Lauren Groff.The book I wish I’d writtenIf I wish I’d written a ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Fechner, Research Fellow, Social Marketing, Griffith University mavo/Shutterstock Imagine having dinner at a restaurant. The menu offers plant-based meat alternatives made mostly from vegetables, mushrooms, legumes and wheat that mimic meat in taste, texture and smell. Despite being given that ...
“Three Strikes is a dead-end policy proposed by a dead-end government. The Three Strikes law ignores the causes of crime, instead just brutalising people already crushed by the cost of living.” ...
By Don Wiseman, RNZ Pacific senior journalist An Australian-born judge in Kiribati could well face deportation later this week after a tribunal ruling that he should be removed from his post. The tribunal’s report has just been tabled in the Kiribati Parliament and is due to be debated by MPs ...
With its clear mandate for police use, political nuances, and nuanced public trust, Denmark's insights provide valuable considerations for Australia and New Zealand. ...
Books editor Claire Mabey reviews poet Louise Wallace’s debut novel. A famous poet once said to me that he’s always suspicious when a poet publishes a novel. I never really understood why but maybe it’s something to do with cheating on your first form. Louise Wallace is a poet. She’s ...
For a few months at the turn of the millennium, TrueBliss burned bright as the biggest pop stars in the country. Alex Casey chats to two superfans who still hold the flame. During a humble backyard wedding in Nelson, 1999, one of the cordially invited guests had to excuse themselves ...
How will the recent wave of job cuts impact ethnic diversity in the media? In November last year, I was working a very busy day in the newsroom of a large online news site, interviewing whānau about their concerns over the imminent closure of one of the few puna reo ...
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sam Whiting, Lecturer – Creative Industries, University of South Australia Shutterstock Everyone has a favourite band, or a favourite composer, or a favourite song. There is some music which speaks to you, deeply; and other music which might be the current ...
A new survey says ‘outlook not great’ for those charged with building infrastructure, while RMA changes delight farmers and depress environmentalists, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. First RMA changes announced ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Olli Hellmann, Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Waikato Getty Images When New Zealanders commemorate Anzac Day on April 25, it’s not only to honour the soldiers who lost their lives in World War I and subsequent conflicts, but also ...
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Merry Christmas to you and yours. I know for many times are tough and I am thinking of you, hoping joy will reach you. I will be blessed with the presence of our adult children and extended family Xmas day and am very conscious of how fortunate we are. This year we gifted to the Salvation Army Christmas Appeal rather than personal gifts and know this will be distributed to some in need. I believe this will remain a future family commitment at Xmas.
Most of all I wish for 2014 to be the turnaround year.
Thank you to all who contribute here. You are very much appreciated.
And to you LynWiper! Good idea re the Sallies Christmas Appeal too 🙂
“Most of all I wish for 2014 to be the turnaround year”.
This is the biggest wish and the biggest hope of all. Imagine, this time next year we could possibly have a shiny new government. Personally, I will be playing my part to make that happen.
be very careful when listening to the weasel-words of peters vis a vis coalition options after the next election..
..peters is now saying that he could ‘never be part of a govt that sold assets’..
..nor one that did not ‘support the rebuilding of the nz infrastructure’..
..so..i read that as..after the next election..should key promise not to sell any more assets in the ’14’-’17 govt..(easy for him to do..there is ‘no more worth selling’..remember..?..)
..and offer (whatever) that peters can point at and shout ‘infrastructure-rebuilding’..
..then winston peters will quite happily slide his shiny-suited arse into a key govt ministerial-limo..
..eh..?
..be in no doubt of that fact/political-reality..
..eh..?
..phillip ure..
The secret deal announced by the government today with the company James Hardie on leaky school buildings smacks of more corporate welfare.
Hundreds of millions of dollars are involved, yet it appears James Hardie will not be pursued. Another shonKey deal carefully announced on Xmas Eve so that it is brushed under the carpet.
Yep, but Leaky Building rehabilitation is providing economic growth…I reckon it is the only National Party initiative (Introducing the Building Act 1991) that is actually providing growth.
James Hardie are past masters at insulating their shareholders from liabilities like this. They were criminal in how they ring faced their Asbestos liabilities.
Letting them off on the schools scandal is an act of criminal negligence or corruption. Labour should be all over this.
Mikhail Kalashnikov, the inventor of the AK47, has died aged 94. He was a remarkably modest guy, who was genuinely saddened by some of the uses the rifle was put to, but he designed a simple, cheap weapon that is still manufactured virtually unchanged from the original plans.
While the project was not completed till after WW2, the Kalashnikov helped liberate millions from the shackles of colonialism in the decades following.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25497013
Meanwhile…
At about 4:30 a.m. on Sept. 1, 2007, pilots wearing night vision goggles unleashed several Enhanced Paveway II smart bombs into his camp in eastern Colombia as officials in both capitals waited. Troops recovered only a leg. It appeared by its dark complexion to belong to Acacio, one of the few black FARC leaders. DNA tests confirmed his death.
[…]
Six weeks later, smart bombs killed Gustavo Rueda Díaz, alias Martin Caballero, leader of the 37th Front, while he was talking on his cellphone. Acacio’s and Caballero’s deaths caused the 16th and 37th fronts to collapse. They also triggered mass desertions, according to a secret State Department cable dated March 6, 2008, and released by the anti-secrecy group WikiLeaks in 2010. This was just the beginning of the FARC’s disintegration.
To hide the use of the PGMs from public discovery, and to ensure maximum damage to a FARC’s leaders’ camp, the air force and U.S. advisers developed new strike tactics. In a typical mission, several A-37 Dragonflys flying at 20,000 feet carried smart bombs. As soon as the planes came within a three-mile “basket” of the target, a bomb’s GPS software would automatically turn on.
The Dragonflys were followed by several A-29 Super Tucanos, flying at a much lower altitude. They would drop a series of dumb bombs in a pattern nearby. Their blast pressure would kill anyone close in and also flatten the dense jungle and obscure the use of the smart bombs.
Then, low-flying, Vietnam-era AC-47 gunships, nicknamed Puff the Magic Dragon, would strafe the area with mounted machine guns, “shooting the wounded trying to go for cover,” according to one of several military officials who described the same scenario.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/sf/investigative/2013/12/21/covert-action-in-colombia/?hpid=z8
That really is amazing investigative journalism. You don’t often see that nowadays.
It is also a none-too subtle message that armed rebellion against a government that is allied to a super-power will leave you fucked.
Or stay away from peddling drugs while pretending to be a revolutionary movement.
You believe that cocaine was the deciding factor in this high level of US military involvement?
And not erosion of US power in central America?
If you are serious in your belief that drug money and not political revolution was the aim, why didn’t the FARC just sit back and let the money roll in?
Te Reo Putake
Your one line comment is direct & on target, and taken out Colonial Viper
A sentence always beat an essay.
Its a lesson of Bernay’s treatise entitled Propaganda, yes. Another lesson is that the intellectual class is often more than happy to support war for imperial aims. Notice how the US isn’t smart bombing the leadership of Mexican drug cartels?
Cheers, watching. An intellectual smart bomb?
CV, what I’m saying is that FARC turned to the soft option of the drug trade, which, in turn, allowed the US to further attack them as part of the bogus war on drugs. It was a terrible strategic error on FARC’s behalf.
So you contend that if the FARC had not been linked to the cocaine trade, the US would not be providing precision munitions and intel to the Columbian Govt?
Of course, we both know that is a nonsense, given that the US does not smart bomb Mexican drug cartel leaders.
although I wouldn’t be surprised if the US were giving mexico advisors and tech support, like with pablo escobar.
Yep that would be standard, regular FDA/ATF activity.
The food & drug administration? WTF? Surely you meant DEA?
Anyway, I was thinking more the cloak&dagger crowd as well, as they occasionally do.
lolz thanks, yeah I pulled the wrong alphabet out of the soup 😀
Although I should I add that pharmaceuticals are by a very wide margin the most abused drugs in the USA, not illicit narcotics…
“So you contend that if the FARC had not been linked to the cocaine trade, the US would not be providing precision munitions and intel to the Columbian Govt?”
Nope. I contend that without the drugs, the US would have to make do with ‘unofficial’ support (ie CIA, NSA etc). With drugs in play, the US can come out of the shadows and directly support military action against them as well.
You appear not to understand how the Washington Post works.
The piece was either published with the tacit approval of the US gov in that it supported a desired narrative to be pushed out into the public sphere and hence contained a whole lot of sensitive information but via ‘authorised’ leaks.
Or the piece was published without the approval of the US gov and the journalist and editors have put together a huge and awesome piece of investigative journalism.
These two scenarios mean that your suggested conditionality around drugs allowing “out of the shadows” US direct military action is mistaken.
Again, there plenty of well armed drug cartels operating around Mexico which haven’t been blasted to smithereens by smart munitions, demonstrating that the drugs angle is merely incidental.
Yup, Alvaro Uribe and Juan Manuel Santos really are fighting a war on drugs.
/
The infamous joint US-Colombia drug eradication strategy, Plan Colombia, recently resurrected under Plan Patriota, has been embraced by the Uribe administration and referred to in the DS policy. Although most armed groups now finance their operations through the drug economy, Uribe claims to fight the “war on drugs” and the “war on terror” simultaneously. Curiously, the government “negotiates” with those most directly involved in the drug trade, the AUC, while engaging in an all-out offensive with the minor players: left-wing guerrilla groups.
http://upsidedownworld.org/main/content/view/296/1/
http://upsidedownworld.org/main/colombia-archives-61
The right wing militias that control most of the Colombian cocaine production do not pretend to be a revolutionary movement. They obviously took your advice.
Great piece documenting the Tsarnaev family.
http://www.bostonglobe.com/Page/Boston/2011-2020/WebGraphics/Metro/BostonGlobe.com/2013/12/15tsarnaev/tsarnaev.html
news story:..new pope to visit old pope to exchange xmas-greetings..
..what will they talk about..?
ed:..possible small-talk conversation/question:..
..old pope to new pope:..
“..so..how did the infallablity-transfer go..?
..eveything ok..?
..i do miss it..eh..?..”
..phillip ure..
I see old Bomber has had another brain explosion, he clearly doesn’t like the “PublicAddress gender equal person” if his (now striked out) rant was any guide. Actually as rants go it was quite funny, TBH.
I suppose that is all you can really salvage from the whole sorry carry on.
Oh dear. He doesn’t do much to promote unity and solidarity among the left does he. He has some issues to overcome I feel.
He’s made an apology now. But I agree, he’s pretty quick with the saying nasty shit about people. Quite a significant personal flaw that one.
I think Bomber’s main problem is that he’s more of a performer than a militant. If he calmed down a bit, counted to something like Avogadro’s number, and didn’t insist on having the first word, the last word, and most of those in between, he might achieve a lot more. As it stands, his contributions are not trivial and he deserves to be remembered for more than frothing at the mouth.
Xox
Interesting to see how MSM spin poverty as a worthy opportunity for ‘generosity’ from the haves.
Also how MSM spin rising interest rates as great for savers. And it’s only about 2%. It is really 2 percent on top of approx 5.5 percent, which is really about 36 percent! We don’t want the MSM to scare mortgage payers (or voters) do we?
Merry Christmas, God save the Queen, heaven help her subjects.
a wealthy cousin of mine posted on facebook that to show her children the true meaning of xmas so shes going to give poor people their old toys…but anyway, i’m looking forward to a cpl days off work & spending it with my wife & daughter. ram on!
Oh how easily the right wing slithers into hypocrisy:
“Gold Coaster” Cameron Brewer
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11177254
Then there’s “Prime Mournister” ShonKey Python. “I can’t recall but watch out for the Hone Monster……..”
And yet another……..Rodney “Love Perks” Hide.
The ease is patent but what’s really appalling is that they just don’t see it. “Who me ? No way !”
That’s exceptionalism, hubris, entitlement all wrapped up in one.
We’re supposed to respect these arseholes ???
North
” The ease is patent but what’s really appalling is that they just don’t see it. “Who me ? No way !”
True but the trouble is the NZ averages can’t/don’t see it either. The ‘Keys’ know and exploit that inability. Dunno what we can do about the average kiwi’s poor visual acuity.
I read this pathetic piece of fluff from Paula Bennett:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11176800
Then I saw this on TV1 last night:
http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/unprecedented-demand-food-parcels-5785669?autoStart=true
Tears of anger…
From that article:
“Irreverent Cabinet Minister Paula Bennett has produced her own pink wine label on a chardonnay this Christmas called “Sip It Sweetie”.
Some will find their way into Christmas stockings, but most will be auctioned to fundraise for her campaign in Upper Harbour next year.
“A fruity little number, plenty of sass and spirit,” the label says.
“This classy chardonnay will impress at a barbecue, beach picnic or a fancy-pants dinner party. Good drinking now but even better after a third term.”
Suggest “A full-bodied plonk with a tarty after-taste. Won’t age well. Will be off within 12 months.”
How was the cat persuaded to sit on the bottle?
Festive lolz. We needz them.
Took me a few minutes to latch on to that one. lolz. Thanks TM.
“Doesn’t go well with trout.”
Snigger…
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10202601372814200&set=gm.10152223971895809&type=1&theater
Jesu H Christos – now I understand why I can’t listen to Nine-toNoon for any length of time.
The music talking-head critic sage commenting on how we CONSUME music FFS!
OFF!
Yes Radio New Zealand featured a psychologist this a.m. telling people that they wouldnt go mad if it rained on Xmas day.
???????
I was listening to RNZ Concert FM news who quoted Sara Chatwin, “celebrity” psychologist. I’m guessing this is the same one. If so, she always seems to comment on the most on the most inane non issues facing the population.
It is true, just in my observations, that folks do seem to freak and obsess about Christmas day weather, especially the newspapers and TV news, but really, to tell us not to worry about it is another thing altogether. There are far greater issues facing the national psyche than the weather.
I reckon some people would go mad without caffeine, even for a day. As for the weather it is not mid winter.
I’d be one of those people, but funnily enough only on work days. Can go without any caffeine all weekend, but have a grossly unnatural relationship with that first cup of coffee mon-fri…
as for the music on 9-no-one.
its all whining gamines, processed pap and noo noo heads who cant sing.
but the awful thing is that “THEY” think its wunnerful.
yetchhhhhhhh.
Jingle Bells – 1898
http://ia700306.us.archive.org/24/items/Voices_of_Christmas_Past_1898_to_1922/03_SleighRidePartyJingleBells_vbr.mp3
@ hook..
aww..!..c’mon..!..that elvis costello + roots song kicked arse/grooved along..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lfhafgiONU
phillip ure..
Where’d your computer come from? Government
Where’d the drugs you use come from? Most likely government.
And this applies to a hell of a lot of innovation over the last few centuries. The lesson we need to learn is that the private sector doesn’t do the innovation as we’ve been told over the last 30 to 40 years. More often than not, the private sector holds innovation back through the use of patents.
http://www.ted.com/talks/mariana_mazzucato_government_investor_risk_taker_innovator.html
And the TPP is a tool of corporates designed to stifle innovation even more. Its a push by rentier corporates back to pre-enlightenment times.
Yep, from what I’ve seen out of the TPP innovation is going to become even more difficult and the patent trolls are going to be even more of a problem.
loved this:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11177254
Brewer denies journalist prompt
The councillor caught out on a junket to the Gold Coast declared the trip to officials – but concedes he may have done so after a call from a journalist.
kind of sums up the whole odd business
Xox
Pity about the falling standards @ RNZ. Lead by Jim, and Kathryn. Hopefully Wallace will do some serious reading and thinking over the Summer break, ready to provide an informed and intelligent program. A worthy successor to Chris.
Indeed!
Just like this morning, the nicest man on Earth is about to get the OFF button. Currently playing – the most self-indulgent load of kaka you could ever hope to imagine. And if anyone ever accuses RNZ of left-wing bias, they only need check out his afternoon’s guests. The occasional leftie (for fairness and balance of course – likw Peter Elliot, maybe even Bernard Hickey) – other than that – what a pack of out-of-touch ‘experts’ ffs/
Mai: what’s the diff between living in wgtn and commuting to auckland, and living in auck and commuting to wgtn?
– Oh (to paraphrase) it’s so difficult getting the kids to school.
– It makes you realise that to win an election, you have to win Auckland.
All very twee.
There goes half RNZ’s budget on cheap Chardonnay – down the gullets of those ‘movers and shakers’ including some Squeaky Fromme TVNZ hasbeen.
Reasons given being just as valid in proposing Auckland be carved off as a separate country, and for all those Auckland expats moving to Queenstown (or Martinborough) to get away from it all (whereupon they attempt to develop, develop, develop and re-create the new wonderland).
I like Jim and Kathryn and I’m leftish thinking. They seem to be reasonably impartial to me. Middle road reasonably intelligent content except for the concessional bigotted comments of Boag or Farrar and I guess we have to put up with the silly empty rhetoric of Hooton as part of being a democracy. Often disappointed with, “i have to agree with Michelle” from Mike Williams who I guess is changing with the need to supplement his corporate retirement.
Generally I think Jim and Kathryn do a good job.
Am I missing something?
The Panel
I enjoy Kathryn Ryan too Rodel and agree she’s fairly impartial. She has regularly pulled up Hooton on his more outrageous claims and on one occasion she shouted him down and almost threatened to pull the plug on him. She also has a good sense of humour and conducts her interviews in a very professional manner. You can’t really expect any more than that…
Indeed she and Mary Wilson on Check Point keep us well served with all the information of the day.
Nah! Mary Wilson scares me!
There was an interesting opinion piece in the Dom/Post this morning by Geoffrey Palmer.
I can’t find it online so I can’t give a link to it unfortunately.
It will, I suspect attract completely opposite views from thos on the right of politics to those on the left.
Those on the right will say, about the first part the GP has finally come to his senses and that in the second part that he has reverted to senility. To the left the first part will be anathema and the second that he is finally back to his sensible self.
The first part argues that referenda endanger our democratic system. He also says that democracies where they are used extensively the results have been disastrous and that the act that allows for CIR should be repealed. Governments are elected to govern. They should decide what to do and to get on with it.
Very sensible of the man say all right thinking people.
The second part, where he relapses into drooling idiocy, calls for extending the OIA, bringing in a written, entrenched constitution, better protection for Maori values and aspirations and more safeguards against government’s abuse of power. “Bah humbug” as Ebenezer Scrooge would say, and as all right thinking people would believe..
I wonder how many people here would agree with everything, or disagree with everything, the Geoffrey says?
The first part argues that referenda endanger our democratic system. He also says that democracies where they are used extensively the results have been disastrous and that the act that allows for CIR should be repealed. Governments are elected to govern. They should decide what to do and to get on with it.
Very sensible of the man say all right thinking people.
I don’t see anything particularly right wing about this view, and nor, frankly, do I see his point. In NZ CIRs are not binding on the government. They are designed to be a means whereby people can determine the view of the electorate. The way politics works, that means they will usually be about expressing a view the government of the day doesn’t like. It is form of, very civil indeed, disobedience.
calls for extending the OIA, bringing in a written, entrenched constitution, better protection for Maori values and aspirations and more safeguards against government’s abuse of power.
I notice mostly that your response only amounts to a ‘humbug’. Understandably I suppose, it’s hard to argue against any of that without looking like a fuckwit.
It worked!
As I expected someone who doesn’t agree with part one, but is thoroughly in favour of part two shows up.
Referenda. “nor do I see his point”, “people can determine the view of the electorate”
Constitution “Hard to argue against any of it”.
Now is there anyone who agrees with BOTH parts of his opinion piece or, alternatively, disagrees with BOTH parts.
About the only sensible thing I can remember about Geoffrey was a proposal to put an expiration date on legislation.
Now that might be a little impractical, but at the very least (as someone else on this site suggested), it should be mandatory for anything passed under urgency.
(Besides – it’d give the delightful Mai Chen a reason to commute to Wellington and pass on her apologies to the all important “The Panel” appearances – she could probably even claim on a taxi to get the kids to and from school).
Geoffrey has a knack of romanticising everything and being a thoroughly ‘well rounded fellow’ amongst those who aspire to be his peers.
Now a far cry from the Mt Vic-living Geo of old who was far more practical and in touch with reality.
Geoffrey former Mt Vic what ? Hope he never engaged the face-first molestation of the steep Hawker Street pavement as has apparently the fulsomely reasonable closet totalitarian Stephen Franks. As mirthfully reported by someone on TS recently.
Akshully I seem to recall that hilarious story was related by you Tim. It was real LOL stuff to a former resident in that very street. Poor Geoffrey. Poor Stephen. Poor Nation.
Further hilarity – Alwyn above talks “bah humbug” as though his know-it-all right wing twittiness doesn’t define it.
Considering the shenanigans with the GCSB in NZ, think about this allegedly “benign” filter instituted by Cameron in the UK that was only supposed to filter porn and in fact, not accidentally, filters a lot more and think what could be planned here in NZ:
http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2013/12/camerons-internet-filter-goes-far-beyond-porn-and-was-always-plan
Cameron’s problem, methinks, is that he’s thinking like an old-school (literally) authoritarian whereas todays digital natives might not have heard the cyberpunk slogan “Information wants to be free” because its thoroughly ingrained in them. A lot of young people at least are going to get and damned well play on the old man’s lawn whether he likes it or not. Especially if not.
What do you mean “planned”? It’s already in operation but it’s voluntary for the ISPs to use.
Softening up
Indeed; always smiling, always waving and hoping to be always welcomed.
http://roflposters.com/fascism-you-really-think-itll-be-this-obvious-205633/
The masses always cry out for their own enslavement
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-QaBhnnSS9N8/TYRqMBmIh0I/AAAAAAAAAF8/ai57zTwFXK8/s1600/austrians.gif
The new Tsarists.
http://techcrunch.com/2013/11/22/geeks-for-monarchy/
The Harper fix.
EDMONTON – More than 75 environment officers who watched over oil industry activities left the provincial environment department this fall, to take higher paying jobs with the new industry-funded Alberta Energy Regulator. Another 75-plus are expected to leave in the spring.
In mid-November, the department also began handing over to the regulator thousands of files on oil industry activity pertaining to the Public Lands Act, according to documents obtained by the Journal.
This shift in staffing and the moving of years of files out of a government department to the new arm’s length regulator are key steps in the government’s plan, announced last spring, to create a more streamlined approval process for oil companies that wanted “one window” to get permits for new projects.
Previously, companies had to apply to the environment department for some permits and to the old regulator, the now defunct Energy Resources Conservation Board.
To achieve the “one window,” the provincial government handed over to the privately funded regulator responsibility for administering the Water Act, Public Lands Act, and the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (dealing with spills) as they pertain to energy companies.
http://www.calgaryherald.com/business/energy-resources/More+than+Alberta+environmental+regulators/9318036/story.html?__lsa=d2c2-8c00
It seems that the Harper government wants to relive the Dark Ages, beginning with a real life reenactment of the burning of the library at Alexandria:
http://thetyee.ca/News/2013/12/23/Canadian-Science-Libraries/
Christmas would hardly be Christmas without this song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9jbdgZidu8
To ALL Standardistas, friends and foes, have a happy holiday season, a Merry Christmas to those who celebrate it, and the best of wishes for the new year 2014, which will be highly important “DECISION YEAR” for all of us.
It was an at times stressful and difficult year that comes to an end, and the fight for social justice, and for common sense, sustainable, smart, constructive, fair and inclusive policies, will continue in 2014.
For those that suffer illness and disabilities, bear in mind, that WINZ will start a new regime in February 2014, which will include medical and work capability assessments – similar to the ones done by ATOS in the UK, for those sick and disabled on benefits. They will be using OUTSOURCED CONTRACTORS!
Remember this:
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/278489/tests-disabled-flawed-model
And this:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/9356043/Contractors-to-assess-sick-and-disabled-for-work
Extract from that last story at ‘stuff’:
“Private contractors will be paid $650 an assessment to get thousands of New Zealand’s sick and disabled ready to return to work.”
“From February, Work and Income will pay private “medical assessors” to scrutinise sickness and disability beneficiaries who it believes can work.”
“The medical assessors will be paid $650 per assessment, which are expected to take about three hours, and are prompted to recommend lifestyle changes to help the beneficiary get a job, such as a “positive approach to life” and more time at the gym.”
“It is expected eventually 3000 disabled people a year will have to visit an assessor, who will judge their fitness for work and report back to Work and Income.
The scheme, revealed in a tender proposal, is part of the biggest welfare shake-up in decades, with the Government aiming to have 28,000 to 44,000 people off benefits by 2017, saving up to $1.6 billion.”
Also remember this, from the NZ Herald, 18 Nov. 2013:
“Winz apologises to sick woman placed on wrong benefit”
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11158863
So if some had horrific experiences with WINZ’s “designated doctors” (some are true “hatchet doctors”), get ready for the next level of harassment!
Study up the ample information offered in the following publications, to get informed what is going on, and what it is all about. Do NOT forget, the new year will bring more challenges, and the enemy NEVER sleeps (Bennett and her nasty WINZ and MSD underlings):
http://accforum.org/forums/index.php?/topic/15463-designated-doctors-%e2%80%93-used-by-work-and-income-some-also-used-by-acc/
http://accforum.org/forums/index.php?/topic/15264-welfare-reform-the-health-and-disability-panel-msd-the-truth-behind-the-agenda/
http://accforum.org/forums/index.php?/topic/15188-medical-and-work-capability-assessments-based-on-the-bps-model-aimed-at-disentiteling-affected-from-welfare-benefits-and-acc-compo/
http://accforum.org/forums/index.php?/topic/13301-what-to-do-if-you-are-required-to-see-a-winz-designated-doctor/
Feel free to copy and paste, and use the links at convenient times. Enjoy your holidays or breaks for time being, and get ready for the firestorm on the welfare and national policy front in the coming years. Every voice and body will be needed, it all leading up to the most important election in recent New Zealand history!
This is one more issue that Labour needs to take a firm position on. It seems Jacinda and whoever took her place have taken Benefat’s recommendation to heart and zipped it.
Murray –
It is “Sip It Sweetie” now:
“Bennett: Sip It Sweetie and help my re-election campaign”
That is as much as the MSM and “DA Herald” has to say to it:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11176800
I am lost for words, but who out there gives a crap, I ask?
HISTORIC:
The Scorpions, so thoughtful:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4RjJKxsamQ
Illapu – alleged Marxists, coming home after exile, who relates to that here?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fV9rBs_4Ifg
Also: Tnagata Whenua do not forget your brothers and sisters in Chile, they are called Mapuche, they have lived there for centuries, but have had their lands and rights taken away, like your people. Some take a stand at least:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2XpK7rX4l8