Really? I didn't even think your comment was obscure, vto; quite prosaic and pithy in fact. It interests me, the various ways people "hear" what others have said. I mean no criticism of you, One Two; this happens all the time in the council I sit on and sometimes I just can't fathom the wide variance of meaning taken, or not taken, from seemingly simple statements.
I think I know why this stuff happens (but am probably kidding myself). All meaning is relative to context. That's just Einstein's relativity principle generalised (in physics, measurements are relative to the user's frame of reference, so I generalised measurements into meaning, then jumped it outside of physics as a general principle).
And of course in the psyche of the individual, reality is socially constructed as well as learnt from experience. So our right-brain hemisphere relates info to prior learning to contextualise it. Since we all have a different learning trajectory, different unique natures, and emanate from different social niches, we all interpret the info somewhat differently. That's how human nature works.
To get onto the same page, we must transcend the idiosyncratic take we make from the info. There's a discipline mentally imposed to simulate such objectivity – some are good at that, others not. If we feel the necessity, we discuss the info to form common ground…
“I’ve seen things you people wouldn’t believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhäuser Gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain. Time to die.”
The Government has got the numbers wrong (again!!!) and has not allocated enough funding to honour its promise to end discrimination against family carers.
Another brilliant headline for the Coalition that fades under the most superficial of inspections.
No doubt this will go the way of Kiwibuild and it will be back to the drawing board.
Despite the fact that ALL the relevant information and data are right there and available.
And to be honest, it may not cost that much more. Furthermore…
In the event that the Tribunal’s decision were to encourage others in need to apply for their support entitlements, then while this may be fiscally expensive, this reflects neither a change in the policy framework nor the Tribunal’s decision but a reduction in the failure of delivery coverage within the framework.
There is absolutely excuse for yet another bunch of politicians to run around like headless chickens trying to work this out, and frame a narrative to justify the expense.
Moves boost the number of family carers paid to look after disabled relatives could be kneecapped by a funding shortfall. From next year the government plans to allow partners and spouses of a disabled adult and parents caring for a disabled child under the age of 18 to claim funded family care. But RNZs analysis shows there won't be enough money to properly pay the 600 new families that are expected to join the scheme
They don't really care Rosemary. As with so many of their stories they get a great big headline about how caring they are, and how terrible National were supposed to have been, and then they just forget about it.
The MSM may give a tiny little mention to it but they certainly aren't going to give it anything like the original splash in the news.
Business as usual for the CoL. All hat and no cattle as a Texan might say.
The social evil of the Rentier capitalist: the modern cult of landlordism:
Governments have built a heaven for landlords and a hell for tenants. It’s time to change the system. ( Where is a CGT!? with some bite? 60%)
By George Monbiot, published in the Guardian 17th July 2019
I have a friend who works almost every waking hour, mainly to pay the rent. Her landlord lives on a beach, 4000 miles away. He seldom responds to her requests, and grudgingly pays for the minimum of maintenance. But every so often, he writes to inform her that he is raising the rent. He does not have to work, because she and other tenants work on his behalf. He is able to live the life of his choice, because they give their time to him. As there is an absolute shortage of accessible housing, they have no choice but to pay his exorbitant fees.
Rents charged at such rates – far beyond the costs of capital and maintenance – are, in these circumstances, a form of private taxation, levied by the rich on the poor. The penalty for failing to pay this tax is arguably greater than the penalty for failing to pay taxes owed to the state: eviction and homelessness. People say “I work for Tesco” or “I work for Deliveroo”, but the reality for many is that they work for their landlord. While the average mortgaged household spends 12% of its income on housing, the average renting household spends 36%. I have met plenty of people who hand over 50% or more. https://www.monbiot.com/2019/07/19/private-taxation/
The Right, both in Gods own mess in New Zealand and Australia, and in the United Kingdom, has been given the means to crush the people who do the work – in town and in the slums and in the farms.
The Obscene laughter around every Right Oval Table – is full of clotted Laughter of how the slaves work like niggers, with scarcely any money or food – fot the benefit of the Monarchy, The House of Lords, the Corrupts of Bankers and spoilt children of the Posh.
The meanest of mean persons is the make up of the Blighted Kingdom. The Filthiest Nation on the Planet.
The battle is finally over and it looks like from October 1 I will be paying full price to continue taking the same brand of medication I've been taking for over 20 years that keeps me alive. The so called 'application for special circumstances funding' (which even Pharmac strongly hinted I apply for in correspondence with them) is actually a completely rigged system in their favour where they pretty much decline almost all the applications, even the clinically valid ones submitted by specialists. To the point where said Specialists aren't even bothering to write the applications because they know they'll be declined.
On the positive side- for once I have something nice to say about a huge Big Pharma company: they could've quite easily pulled this brand out of NZ after it was delisted, as happens frequently, but they haven't, so at least it's still accessible to the many of us who need to stay on it. And I've learned just how pissed off a lot of medical specialists are with the way Pharmac are behaving.
It's a huge chunk out of my food budget but I'm sure all the politicians out there who refuse to increase the Pharmac budget and increase disability benefits will be extremley pleased at the sacrifices a lot of us will be making (and the many who already are- we're not the first this is happened to and won't be the last) to use what little money we have to save the hard working tax payers massive hospital bills. /sarc
I'm sure all the politicians out there who refuse to increase the Pharmac budget and increase disability benefits will be extremely pleased at the sacrifices a lot of us will be making …
My thinking is that they have ascribed to the 'what doesn't kill them makes them stronger' philosophy. Ipso facto Kay, they are actually doing you a favour. /sarc
however i liked his answer as to 'can a president charged for crimes once his tenure has ended', Mr. Mueller "Yes". And i guess that is what the orange shitgibbon takes offense to. 🙂
" i don't think it was to change something " I am pretty sure it was to change something, it was conducted to somehow bring impeachment against Trump, something that will never happen, and of course keep fanning the fires of the Russiagate conspiracy, which needs constant fanning because it has been exposed as being such a load of bullshit that now only the most extreme believers still push it.
Couple of those extremists still lurk around on this site I believe.
Yknow what's more annoying than people who speak in statistics? It's people who speak in academic talk. It's amazing how people can construct such technically sound and pretty looking comments, Y'know with links and quotes and grammar and shit, and be totally and utterly wrong. It's fucken amazing.
Adrian's comments about "Russiagate conspiracy" could have come straight from the likes of Louie Gohmert or Devin Nunes or any other Drumpfkin desperate to deflect from the huge amount of evidence that Russia did indeed indulge in election fuckery to benefit the Dork from New York, and that the loofah-faced shitgibbon's campaign eagerly welcomed that fuckery and openly encouraged more of it.
That Mueller's team didn't feel they found enough evidence to establish a chargeable conspiracy is down to extreme prosecutorial caution. Plus successful obstruction, incompetence, and sheer dumb luck on the part of the campaign members involved.
Well Mueller previous statements to the house said there was evidence of WMD in Iraq and the supply to terrorists was a clear and present danger.
That's not actually what Mueller said, in the clip, though. He said that Powell had presented evidence Iraq had failed to disarm its WMD (he had. Turned out to be faked). He then said the FBI's concern was WMD going to terrorists from Iraq. Nor did he say "clear and present danger" (thanks, Tom fucking Clancy).
Iraqi WMD wasn't his problem. After 911, US domestic terrorists getting WMD was his problem.
So he spread false news on WMD (he had the same access to information that powell had)
Chief Judge Learned Hand … interpreted the [clear and present danger] phrase as follows: 'In each case, [courts] must ask whether the gravity of the "evil", discounted by its improbability, justifies such invasion of free speech as is necessary to avoid the danger.' We adopt this statement of the rule. As articulated by Chief Judge Hand, it is as succinct and inclusive as any other we might devise at this time. It takes into consideration those factors which we deem relevant, and relates their significances. More we cannot expect from words.
I know the term "clear and present danger". I also know when it became popular outside of polsci or cspan conferences.
He did not spread false news on WMD. He said that someone in another job presented evidence to do with their job. His job was to figure out how those claims impacted on his patch, not second-guess the intelligence agencies that deal with other nations.
Links! We need more links for those assertions! the goal posts! they are shifting! Quick some one find a quote! the tone of the debate is falling! the standard faces legal dilemmas. LMFAO!!!
Sambam, the link is in the comment of 2:48pm. That's Mueller saying pretty much what I put. He did not, in that link, present any evidence or claims of the existence of WMDs, he said that his interest was in regards to terrorists getting them.
Its not even necessary to meet your standards of relevance when you can't even articulate with as much precision as your extremely long arch that Russia did it. And now the whole backlash just goes poof. LMFAO
Serious question: if you won't be persuaded by evidence or argument, is there any conceivable way you could discover that one of your many opinions is wrong?
Thats just you looking for the easy way out in an attempt to appeal to authority and try and have me banned. You woke de woke Dee's are just so predictable. Y'know if you pile up all of Trumps Bodies it wouldn't even come close to either Saddam's, Bush or Obamas body count yet your backlash is far more precise for Trump and I'm just not going to sip from your kool aid.
That doesn't work against Trumo since he's utilizing zero percent or even negative interest rates. Your backlash would not be an advantage. Please don't take yourself to seriously.
Here's a piece discussing whether Mueller's involvement in the Iraq WMD bullshit discredits his Russia investigation (spoiler: it doesn't).
At the time he was FBI Director, which is domestic and has very limited overlap with any foreign operations which fall under CIA. the military and other agencies. He made it clear in that cherry-picked bit of his remarks he was relying on what was given to him by those other sources. For context, here's the prepared text of his testimony.
Finally, who popularised this particular bit of cherry-picked background and why? Interesting question …
Man that is so fucking awesome, I am seriously gong to keep this post saved for future reference, you guys have allowed yourself’s to climb so far down the rabbit hole of this bullshit Russia con job, that you are now actually defending the integrity of a former head of the FBI..holy shit! …remember, when you lay down with dogs you get up with fleas…getting itchy yet.
You know, you can love Mother Russia and recognise the utter corruption of its rulers now ady. Nobody's going to put polonium in your samovar, probably.
Really?, that is exactly not what historical fact say, but then is seems that facts are a mystery to you, unless they fit with your view of the world vis a vie The Gaurdian, TWP etc.
Now there's a joke. If the Democrats cared about those deplorable voters, why did the corrupt and incompetent DNC, led by that masterly strategist and top thinker Debbie Wasserman Schultz, conspire in 2016 to shut out the most popular political candidate in the country and elect someone as toxic as this creature?
How the hell did "the most popular candidate in the country" lose to the toxic creature by more than 3.6 million freely cast votes (that's losing by more than 12%)? Amongst the small segment of the population self-selected to be politically closest to his views? Maybe he wasn't quite so popular after all?
So not only are the pay increase being delayed now schools will have to source out of their operating budget to fund some of the increases. Pity that this will result in students missing out.
Hipkins "If there was a way to speed up the process, I'd make it happen. "As if Novopay and our bungling minister (and a Labour one at that 🤬) didn't realise that many of the changes that were agreed to were not signaled during the negotiations ?
"Novopay said teachers would have to wait until mid-September to receive their pay rises, prompting NZEI to file legal action for compliance and penalties."
Bye, bye Mr Hipkins. Why not just admit that, like so many actions of this Government they never allowed for the cost of their promises and they have simply fallen into the great big financial black hole that Stephen Joyce warned us about.
Didn't realise the Labour minister who engaged Novopay in 2005 quit at the last election🤔It may pay to refresh your memory regarding the timeline mentioned in this link
"He said he would be investigating how the previous Labour government conducted the tender for the Novopay system in 2007 and entered into a contract with Talent2 in 2008.
you mean Novopay who has been fucking up since 2008 at the very least and none of the nine years of fucking up under the No Mates Party saw anything wrong with it?
seven years into the No Mates Party reign – and hte Hairpuller just about 2 years off from quitting his job with a one weeks notice a post on this humble blog accounting for the waste of Novopay under the No mates party 🙂
i mean this can go on and on and on and no matter how much you screech about this and that and list up the Labour Party Members and MP's that you would like to see gone, you literally only make yourself look like the fool you are.
be better, or maybe be best? Not sure, but yeah, be better at this.
Where was our leader in Ed ? Did he not inquire to those within the ministry and/or Novopay as to their ability to enact in a timely manner changes in pay rates, when the negotiations were in progress ?
The "talks" were going on for over a year, remember teachers received a NIL pay rise from the time the last agreement lapsed and this one being implemented as of July 19.
He is paid the big bucks to lead. Leadership is not JUST being important enough to be seen on the TV news.
All true, but I discussed the matter with an experienced finance lady in my school today, and she agreed with me that all previous salary providers were able to efficiently introduce new pay rises in time – because they had plenty of people to rise to the occasion and key it all in.
Some IT moron convinced some moronic Govt that Novopay with far fewer people (big savings in salaries, but more unemployment?) could do the same job.
A lie, of course, as current situation shows.
Teacher unions, if there were any justice, should be able to take legal action against the guilty parties.
But we know that there will be no justice..
Asking schools to bear the burden temporarily is an act of bad faith that will be admired by neither teachers nor Boards of Trustees.
The same is at many aged care facilities (those that are are profit driven vrs those that are "charities" ) as there is no drive for profit and on the face of it have greater staff nos and a more friendly environment.
Not sure why the govt is protecting Novapay (Nats were the same) Wonder if there will be some profit ramifications for the provider for not delivering on what they are contracted to deliver 🤭. How we are being expected to accept poor delivery
Many "bosses" appear to have the 1st call for action to reduce staff. All those MBA's and they address staff !!
Novopay was a basic 9-5 payroll system hacked into a multiuser schools payroll format, overseen by incompetent ministers at the client end. Every time something new is done with it, there will be a new problem come up because none of its original purpose involved an education-system level of diversity in roles, FTE time allocations, allowances, pay grades, schedules or anything else.
Trouble is that the nats fully committed so that just reactivating the old system wasn't an option. Lots of money asnd would probably take longer to fix than Novopay itself – it's what happens when you burn business relationships in favour of a competitor, and then it falls through.
Pisser was the Wellington Board of Education did exactly the same thing in 1993 when computerising their regional payroll system and the ensuing clusterfuck. Literally a textbook example on how not to implement a new computer system. Now the example is novopay lol.
Matthew Parris from UK on Johnson – Waste-no-time-wasting-Cabinet – PM.
“Dominic Raab has been made Foreign Secretary, Raab the man who put Raab into rabies basically, he’s a really rabid Brexiteer. He’s a clever man, but it’s not the sort of steady hand you would expect.”
This was a revenge re-shuffle, Parris says.
“He has kicked in the shins anyone who has ever kicked him in the shins and installed a whole lot of people who are going to be in favour of crashing out without a deal on the 31st of October if we have to do it.
Claire Trevett, from just in front of the pay-wall: "Johnson had once declared his chances of becoming Prime Minister "are about as good as the chances of finding Elvis on Mars, or my being reincarnated as an olive"."
Now that it has just happened, could be the next Mars lander will get a re-program, eh? I wonder if he will change his surname to Trump now. Johnson is so boring, really. The Don will be agonising over whether to despatch a hairdresser to Downing St, or send a case of brylcreem over, or both.
Peas in a pod ianmac. One is a Yank and the other is a Pom and they play their games in a slightly different way.
Between the two of them they should have no problem starting another war and thus keep the peasants’ minds away from the gross incompetence of their respective administrations.
Well Spoken Anne. The two septic PlayBoys Mr Donald and Mr Boris, have united in the sacred bonds of war mongering. and each have announced that their respective Nations are about to be the Greatest Country ever to have been Conceived, Suckled and strewn on Planet Earth.
They are both relatively unpopulated Nations given their land mass. England 60 millions. United States 308 millions.
The Union of Europe (EU) – has 511 Millions.
Mr Boris, a studied comedian, has already snubbed his nose at Europe and is going to fight EU into oblivion. – Using his Eccentric adoring 60 Million nicompoops. Capitan Boris, after Sex with the unbeloved– will put his sea boots on soonest. I think he may have kept Mrs Thatcher's under arm tuft of hair – as a Clutch.
The Germans, The French, They of the Guillotine The Nordics, The Commonwealth, The Asians, The Indians – The Africans, Pakistans and all the other Stans – rather think the English are quaint. Mr Boris is quite like an inedible fish that wriggles unexpectedly.
England – be grateful for what you get. After all, you asked for it.
Its not good that people who get a colonoscopy privately are going to live and the lower classes who can't afford the procedure will die is that a 2 class system or what.
Awesome te Rangiti are not drinking as much as the last generation it actually give Eco Maori a sore face I say no more.
Thanks to our government for increasing kindergarten teachers pay parity with their counterparts in primary and secondary schools teaches te mokopuna are very important to Eco Maori
Its is climate change that is causing the heat wave over Europe and America at the minute but people like ——— are sceptical about our nuclear moments for our generation. HUMAN caused climate change is poking us in thee EYES .
trump what about the institutional racism towards the African American and Hispanic tangata you muppet. Innocent people will die because of your policies .All so I know for a fact that not all police officers are honest and honorable people hence innocent people are going to die try putting yourself in their shoes
Ka pai for Jacinda and her tangata whenua Mps for brokering a solution to the Ihumatau whenua issue in Auckland awesome. Thanks to Henare a Willy for going to Auckland to talk to the tangata about the issue they have with that whenua let's hope te tangata behave honorable to you.
Its awesome that the whenua is being returned to Maori and they are going to build a education center up there by the old telescope is it to many people in my whare I missed the story + Eco Maori needs to learn Te reo.
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This is a must watch, and puts on brilliant and practical display the implications and mechanics of fast-track law corruption and weakness.CLICK HERE: LINK TO WATCH VIDEOOur news media as it is set up is simply not equipped to deal with the brazen disinformation and corruption under this right wing ...
NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi Acting Secretary Erin Polaczuk is welcoming the announcement from Minister of Workplace Relations and Safety Brooke van Velden that she is opening consultation on engineered stone and is calling on her to listen to the evidence and implement a total ban of the product. “We need ...
The Government has announced a 1.5% increase in the minimum wage from 1 April 2025, well below forecast inflation of 2.5%. Unions have reacted strongly and denounced it as a real terms cut. PSA and the CTU are opposing a new round of staff cuts at WorkSafe, which they say ...
The decision to unilaterally repudiate the contract for new Cook Strait ferries is beginning to look like one of the stupidest decisions a New Zealand government ever made. While cancelling the ferries and their associated port infrastructure may have made this year's books look good, it means higher costs later, ...
Hi there! I’ve been overseas recently, looking after a situation with a family member. So apologies if there any less than focused posts! Vanuatu has just had a significant 7.3 earthquake. Two MFAT staff are unaccounted for with local fatalities.It’s always sad to hear of such things happening.I think of ...
Today is a special member's morning, scheduled to make up for the government's theft of member's days throughout the year. First up was the first reading of Greg Fleming's Crimes (Increased Penalties for Slavery Offences) Amendment Bill, which was passed unanimously. Currently the House is debating the third reading of ...
We're going backwardsIgnoring the realitiesGoing backwardsAre you counting all the casualties?We are not there yetWhere we need to beWe are still in debtTo our insanitiesSongwriter: Martin Gore Read more ...
Willis blamed Treasury for changing its productivity assumptions and Labour’s spending increases since Covid for the worsening Budget outlook. Photo: Getty ImagesMōrena. Long stories short, the six things that matter in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Wednesday, December 18 in The Kākā’s Dawn Chorus podcast above ...
Today the Auckland Transport board meet for the last time this year. For those interested (and with time to spare), you can follow along via this MS Teams link from 10am. I’ve taken a quick look through the agenda items to see what I think the most interesting aspects are. ...
Hi,If you’re a New Zealander — you know who Mike King is. He is the face of New Zealand’s battle against mental health problems. He can be loud and brash. He raises, and is entrusted with, a lot of cash. Last year his “I Am Hope” charity reported a revenue ...
Probably about the only consolation available from yesterday’s unveiling of the Half-Yearly Economic and Fiscal Update (HYEFU) is that it could have been worse. Though Finance Minister Nicola Willis has tightened the screws on future government spending, she has resisted the calls from hard-line academics, fiscal purists and fiscal hawks ...
The right have a stupid saying that is only occasionally true:When is democracy not democracy? When it hasn’t been voted on.While not true in regards to branches of government such as the judiciary, it’s a philosophy that probably should apply to recently-elected local government councillors. Nevertheless, this concept seemed to ...
Long story short: the Government’s austerity policy has driven the economy into a deeper and longer recession that means it will have to borrow $20 billion more over the next four years than it expected just six months ago. Treasury’s latest forecasts show the National-ACT-NZ First Government’s fiscal strategy of ...
Come and join myself and CTU Chief Economist for a pop-up ‘Hoon’ webinar on the Government’s Half Yearly Economic and Fiscal Update (HYEFU) with paying subscribers to The Kākā for 30 minutes at 5 pm today.Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream to watch our chat. Don’t worry if ...
In 1998, in the wake of the Paremoremo Prison riot, the Department of Corrections established the "Behaviour Management Regime". Prisoners were locked in their cells for 22 or 23 hours a day, with no fresh air, no exercise, no social contact, no entertainment, and in some cases no clothes and ...
New data released by the Treasury shows that the economic policies of this Government have made things worse in the year since they took office, said NZCTU Economist Craig Renney. “Our fiscal indicators are all heading in the wrong direction – with higher levels of debt, a higher deficit, and ...
At the 2023 election, National basically ran on a platform of being better economic managers. So how'd that turn out for us? In just one year, they've fucked us for two full political terms: The government's books are set to remain deeply in the red for the near term ...
AUSTERITYText within this block will maintain its original spacing when publishedMy spreadsheet insists This pain leads straight to glory (File not found) Read more ...
The NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi are saying that the Government should do the right thing and deliver minimum wage increases that don’t see workers fall further behind, in response to today’s announcement that the minimum wage will only be increased by 1.5%, well short of forecast inflation. “With inflation forecast ...
Oh, I weptFor daysFilled my eyesWith silly tearsOh, yeaBut I don'tCare no moreI don't care ifMy eyes get soreSongwriters: Paul Rodgers / Paul Kossoff. Read more ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Bob HensonIn this aerial view, fingers of meltwater flow from the melting Isunnguata Sermia glacier descending from the Greenland Ice Sheet on July 11, 2024, near Kangerlussuaq, Greenland. According to the Programme for Monitoring of the Greenland Ice Sheet (PROMICE), the ...
In August, I wrote an article about David Seymour1 with a video of his testimony, to warn that there were grave dangers to his Ministry of Regulation:David Seymour's Ministry of Slush Hides Far Greater RisksWhy Seymour's exorbitant waste of taxpayers' money could be the least of concernThe money for Seymour ...
Willis is expected to have to reveal the bitter fiscal fruits of her austerity strategy in the HYEFU later today. Photo: Lynn Grieveson/TheKakaMōrena. Long stories short, the six things that matter in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Tuesday, December 17 in The Kākā’s Dawn Chorus podcast ...
On Friday the government announced it would double the number of toll roads in New Zealand as well as make a few other changes to how toll roads are used in the country. The real issue though is not that tolling is being used but the suggestion it will make ...
National has only been in power for a year, but everywhere you look, its choices are taking New Zealand a long way backwards. In no particular order, here are the National Government's Top 50 Greatest Misses of its first year in power. ...
The Government is quietly undertaking consultation on the dangerous Regulatory Standards Bill over the Christmas period to avoid too much attention. ...
The Government’s planned changes to the freedom of speech obligations of universities is little more than a front for stoking the political fires of disinformation and fear, placing teachers and students in the crosshairs. ...
The Ministry of Regulation’s report into Early Childhood Education (ECE) in Aotearoa raises serious concerns about the possibility of lowering qualification requirements, undermining quality and risking worse outcomes for tamariki, whānau, and kaiako. ...
A Bill to modernise the role of Justices of the Peace (JP), ensuring they remain active in their communities and connected with other JPs, has been put into the ballot. ...
Labour will continue to fight unsustainable and destructive projects that are able to leap-frog environment protection under National’s Fast-track Approvals Bill. ...
The Green Party has warned that a Green Government will revoke the consents of companies who override environmental protections as part of Fast-Track legislation being passed today. ...
The Green Party says the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update shows how the Government is failing to address the massive social and infrastructure deficits our country faces. ...
The Government’s latest move to reduce the earnings of migrant workers will not only hurt migrants but it will drive down the wages of Kiwi workers. ...
Te Pāti Māori has this morning issued a stern warning to Fast-Track applicants with interests in mining, pledging to hold them accountable through retrospective liability and to immediately revoke Fast-Track consents under a future Te Pāti Māori government. This warning comes ahead of today’s third reading of the Fast-Track Approvals ...
The Government’s announcement today of a 1.5 per cent increase to minimum wage is another blow for workers, with inflation projected to exceed the increase, meaning it’s a real terms pay reduction for many. ...
All the Government has achieved from its announcement today is to continue to push responsibility back on councils for its own lack of action to help bring down skyrocketing rates. ...
The Government has used its final post-Cabinet press conference of the year to punch down on local government without offering any credible solutions to the issues our councils are facing. ...
The Government has failed to keep its promise to ‘super charge’ the EV network, delivering just 292 chargers - less than half of the 670 chargers needed to meet its target. ...
The Green Party is calling for the Government to stop subsidising the largest user of the country’s gas supplies, Methanex, following a report highlighting the multi-national’s disproportionate influence on energy prices in Aotearoa. ...
The Green Party is appalled with the Government’s new child poverty targets that are based on a new ‘persistent poverty’ measure that could be met even with an increase in child poverty. ...
New independent analysis has revealed that the Government’s Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP) will reduce emissions by a measly 1 per cent by 2030, failing to set us up for the future and meeting upcoming targets. ...
The loss of 27 kaimahi at Whakaata Māori and the end of its daily news bulletin is a sad day for Māori media and another step backwards for Te Tiriti o Waitangi justice. ...
Yesterday the Government passed cruel legislation through first reading to establish a new beneficiary sanction regime that will ultimately mean more households cannot afford the basic essentials. ...
Today's passing of the Government's Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill–which allows landlords to end tenancies with no reason–ignores the voice of the people and leaves renters in limbo ahead of the festive season. ...
After wasting a year, Nicola Willis has delivered a worse deal for the Cook Strait ferries that will end up being more expensive and take longer to arrive. ...
Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick has today launched a Member’s Bill to sanction Israel for its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, as the All Out For Gaza rally reaches Parliament. ...
After years of advocacy, the Green Party is very happy to hear the Government has listened to our collective voices and announced the closure of the greyhound racing industry, by 1 August 2026. ...
In response to a new report from ERO, the Government has acknowledged the urgent need for consistency across the curriculum for Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE) in schools. ...
The Green Party is appalled at the Government introducing legislation that will make it easier to penalise workers fighting for better pay and conditions. ...
Thank you for the invitation to speak with you tonight on behalf of the political party I belong to - which is New Zealand First. As we have heard before this evening the Kinleith Mill is proposing to reduce operations by focusing on pulp and discontinuing “lossmaking paper production”. They say that they are currently consulting on the plan to permanently shut ...
Auckland Central MP, Chlöe Swarbrick, has written to Mayor Wayne Brown requesting he stop the unnecessary delays on St James Theatre’s restoration. ...
Kiwis planning a swim or heading out on a boat this summer should remember to stop and think about water safety, Sport & Recreation Minister Chris Bishop and ACC and Associate Transport Minister Matt Doocey say. “New Zealand’s beaches, lakes and rivers are some of the most beautiful in the ...
The Government is urging Kiwis to drive safely this summer and reminding motorists that Police will be out in force to enforce the road rules, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“This time of year can be stressful and result in poor decision-making on our roads. Whether you are travelling to see ...
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says Health New Zealand will move swiftly to support dozens of internationally-trained doctors already in New Zealand on their journey to employment here, after a tripling of sought-after examination places. “The Medical Council has delivered great news for hardworking overseas doctors who want to contribute ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has appointed Sarah Ottrey to the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC). “At my first APEC Summit in Lima, I experienced firsthand the role that ABAC plays in guaranteeing political leaders hear the voice of business,” Mr Luxon says. “New Zealand’s ABAC representatives are very well respected and ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced four appointments to New Zealand’s intelligence oversight functions. The Honourable Robert Dobson KC has been appointed Chief Commissioner of Intelligence Warrants, and the Honourable Brendan Brown KC has been appointed as a Commissioner of Intelligence Warrants. The appointments of Hon Robert Dobson and Hon ...
Improvements in the average time it takes to process survey and title applications means housing developments can progress more quickly, Minister for Land Information Chris Penk says. “The government is resolutely focused on improving the building and construction pipeline,” Mr Penk says. “Applications to issue titles and subdivide land are ...
The Government’s measures to reduce airport wait times, and better transparency around flight disruptions is delivering encouraging early results for passengers ahead of the busy summer period, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Improving the efficiency of air travel is a priority for the Government to give passengers a smoother, more reliable ...
The Government today announced the intended closure of the Apollo Hotel as Contracted Emergency Housing (CEH) in Rotorua, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. This follows a 30 per cent reduction in the number of households in CEH in Rotorua since National came into Government. “Our focus is on ending CEH in the Whakarewarewa area starting ...
The Government will reshape vocational education and training to return decision making to regions and enable greater industry input into work-based learning Tertiary Education and Skills Minister, Penny Simmonds says. “The redesigned system will better meet the needs of learners, industry, and the economy. It includes re-establishing regional polytechnics that ...
The Government is taking action to better manage synthetic refrigerants and reduce emissions caused by greenhouse gases found in heating and cooling products, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds says. “Regulations will be drafted to support a product stewardship scheme for synthetic refrigerants, Ms. Simmonds says. “Synthetic refrigerants are found in a ...
People travelling on State Highway 1 north of Hamilton will be relieved that remedial works and safety improvements on the Ngāruawāhia section of the Waikato Expressway were finished today, with all lanes now open to traffic, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“I would like to acknowledge the patience of road users ...
Tertiary Education and Skills Minister, Penny Simmonds, has announced a new appointment to the board of Education New Zealand (ENZ). Dr Erik Lithander has been appointed as a new member of the ENZ board for a three-year term until 30 January 2028. “I would like to welcome Dr Erik Lithander to the ...
The Government will have senior representatives at Waitangi Day events around the country, including at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, but next year Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has chosen to take part in celebrations elsewhere. “It has always been my intention to celebrate Waitangi Day around the country with different ...
Two more criminal gangs will be subject to the raft of laws passed by the Coalition Government that give Police more powers to disrupt gang activity, and the intimidation they impose in our communities, Police Minister Mark Mitchell says. Following an Order passed by Cabinet, from 3 February 2025 the ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Justice Christian Whata as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Whata’s appointment as a Judge of the Court of Appeal will take effect on 1 August 2025 and fill a vacancy created by the retirement of Hon Justice David Goddard on ...
The latest economic figures highlight the importance of the steps the Government has taken to restore respect for taxpayers’ money and drive economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Data released today by Stats NZ shows Gross Domestic Product fell 1 per cent in the September quarter. “Treasury and most ...
Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds and Associate Minister of Education David Seymour today announced legislation changes to strengthen freedom of speech obligations on universities. “Freedom of speech is fundamental to the concept of academic freedom and there is concern that universities seem to be taking a more risk-averse ...
Police Minister, Mark Mitchell, and Internal Affairs Minister, Brooke van Velden, today launched a further Public Safety Network cellular service that alongside last year’s Cellular Roaming roll-out, puts globally-leading cellular communications capability into the hands of our emergency responders. The Public Safety Network’s new Cellular Priority service means Police, Wellington ...
State Highway 1 through the Mangamuka Gorge has officially reopened today, providing a critical link for Northlanders and offering much-needed relief ahead of the busy summer period, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“The Mangamuka Gorge is a vital route for Northland, carrying around 1,300 vehicles per day and connecting the Far ...
The Government has welcomed decisions by the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) and Ashburton District Council confirming funding to boost resilience in the Canterbury region, with construction on a second Ashburton Bridge expected to begin in 2026, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Delivering a second Ashburton Bridge to improve resilience and ...
The Government is backing the response into high pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Otago, Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says. “Cabinet has approved new funding of $20 million to enable MPI to meet unbudgeted ongoing expenses associated with the H7N6 response including rigorous scientific testing of samples at the enhanced PC3 ...
Legislation that will repeal all advertising restrictions for broadcasters on Sundays and public holidays has passed through first reading in Parliament today, Media Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “As a growing share of audiences get their news and entertainment from streaming services, these restrictions have become increasingly redundant. New Zealand on ...
Today the House agreed to Brendan Horsley being appointed Inspector-General of Defence, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “Mr Horsley’s experience will be invaluable in overseeing the establishment of the new office and its support networks. “He is currently Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security, having held that role since June 2020. ...
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government has agreed to the final regulations for the levy on insurance contracts that will fund Fire and Emergency New Zealand from July 2026. “Earlier this year the Government agreed to a 2.2 percent increase to the rate of levy. Fire ...
The Government is delivering regulatory relief for New Zealand businesses through changes to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act. “The Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Amendment Bill, which was introduced today, is the second Bill – the other being the Statutes Amendment Bill - that ...
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed further progress on the Hawke’s Bay Expressway Road of National Significance (RoNS), with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) Board approving funding for the detailed design of Stage 1, paving the way for main works construction to begin in late 2025.“The Government is moving at ...
The Government today released a request for information (RFI) to seeking interest in partnerships to plant trees on Crown-owned land with low farming and conservation value (excluding National Parks) Forestry Minister Todd McClay announced. “Planting trees on Crown-owned land will drive economic growth by creating more forestry jobs in our regions, providing more wood ...
Court timeliness, access to justice, and improving the quality of existing regulation are the focus of a series of law changes introduced to Parliament today by Associate Minister of Justice Nicole McKee. The three Bills in the Regulatory Systems (Justice) Amendment Bill package each improve a different part of the ...
A total of 41 appointments and reappointments have been made to the 12 community trusts around New Zealand that serve their regions, Associate Finance Minister Shane Jones says. “These trusts, and the communities they serve from the Far North to the deep south, will benefit from the rich experience, knowledge, ...
The Government has confirmed how it will provide redress to survivors who were tortured at the Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital Child and Adolescent Unit (the Lake Alice Unit). “The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care found that many of the 362 children who went through the Lake Alice Unit between 1972 and ...
It has been a busy, productive year in the House as the coalition Government works hard to get New Zealand back on track, Leader of the House Chris Bishop says. “This Government promised to rebuild the economy, restore law and order and reduce the cost of living. Our record this ...
“Accelerated silicosis is an emerging occupational disease caused by unsafe work such as engineered stone benchtops. I am running a standalone consultation on engineered stone to understand what the industry is currently doing to manage the risks, and whether further regulatory intervention is needed,” says Workplace Relations and Safety Minister ...
Mehemea he pai mō te tangata, mahia – if it’s good for the people, get on with it. Enhanced reporting on the public sector’s delivery of Treaty settlement commitments will help improve outcomes for Māori and all New Zealanders, Māori Crown Relations Minister Tama Potaka says. Compiled together for the ...
Mr Roger Holmes Miller and Ms Tarita Hutchinson have been appointed to the Charities Registration Board, Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Louise Upston says. “I would like to welcome the new members joining the Charities Registration Board. “The appointment of Ms Hutchinson and Mr Miller will strengthen the Board’s capacity ...
More building consent and code compliance applications are being processed within the statutory timeframe since the Government required councils to submit quarterly data, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “In the midst of a housing shortage we need to look at every step of the build process for efficiencies ...
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey is proud to announce the first three recipients of the Government’s $10 million Mental Health and Addiction Community Sector Innovation Fund which will enable more Kiwis faster access to mental health and addiction support. “This fund is part of the Government’s commitment to investing in ...
New Zealand is providing Vanuatu assistance following yesterday's devastating earthquake, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. "Vanuatu is a member of our Pacific family and we are supporting it in this time of acute need," Mr Peters says. "Our thoughts are with the people of Vanuatu, and we will be ...
The Government welcomes the Commerce Commission’s plan to reduce card fees for Kiwis by an estimated $260 million a year, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says.“The Government is relentlessly focused on reducing the cost of living, so Kiwis can keep more of their hard-earned income and live a ...
Regulation Minister David Seymour has welcomed the Early Childhood Education (ECE) regulatory review report, the first major report from the Ministry for Regulation. The report makes 15 recommendations to modernise and simplify regulations across ECE so services can get on with what they do best – providing safe, high-quality care ...
The Government‘s Offshore Renewable Energy Bill to create a new regulatory regime that will enable firms to construct offshore wind generation has passed its first reading in Parliament, Energy Minister Simeon Brown says.“New Zealand currently does not have a regulatory regime for offshore renewable energy as the previous government failed ...
RNZ Pacific A large 7.3 magnitude earthquake has struck off the coast of Vanuatu’s capital Port Vila , shortly after 3pm NZT today. The US Geological Survey says the quake was recorded at a depth of 10 km (6.21 miles). Locals have been sharing footage of serious damage to infrastructure ...
By Victor Barreiro Jr in Manila Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, bishop of Kalookan, has condemned the state of Israel on Christmas Eve for its relentless attacks on Gaza that have killed tens of thousands of Palestinians. “I can’t think of any other people in the world who live in darkness ...
By Cheerieann Wilson in Suva Veteran journalist and editor Stanley Simpson has spoken about the enduring power of storytelling and its role in shaping Fiji’s identity. Reflecting on his journey at the launch of FijiNikua, a magazine launched by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka on Christmas Eve, Simpson shared personal anecdotes ...
Summer reissue: From the unstable and drippy to the hi-tech and pretty, here’s our ranking of all the tunnels you can drive through in this country. The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter ...
Summer reissue: David Hill remembers an old friend, who you’ve probably never heard of. The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter and sign up to be a member today. Doug (I’ll call him ...
Summer reissue: I watched all 46 of Tom Cruise’s films over the past 12 months. The question on everyone’s lips: why?The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter and sign up to be ...
Summer reissue: In recent years, checking online for a green tick has become a necessary habit for Aucklanders heading to the beach. Shanti Mathias tags along with the team tasked with testing the water for pollution – and figuring out how to stop it. The Spinoff needs to double the ...
Summer reissue: After two decades of promised redevelopment, Johnsonville Shopping Centre remains neglected and half empty. Joel MacManus searches for answers in the decaying suburban mall. The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter ...
Comment: I’ve been digging up dirt over the past few weekends. I plan to dig up more over summer.As global geo-politics heats up, I’ve impulsively turned to tending my wee patch of the world. The world is complex and messy. But I’m determined my quarter acre won’t be. Apparently, this is ...
Winston Peters was 47 when he founded NZ First. David Seymour is 41. “It’s probably unlikely I’ll still be in Parliament when I’m 47,” he tells Newsroom.“I always said, I have no intention of being a Member of Parliament when I’m 70-something.”In saying that, Seymour has already exceeded his own ...
Asia Pacific ReportSilent Night is a well-known Christmas carol that tells of a peaceful and silent night in Bethlehem, referring to the first Christmas more than 2000 years ago. It is now 2024, and it was again a silent night in Bethlehem last night, reports Al Jazeera’s Nisa Ibrahim. ...
Summer resissue: Has the country changed all that much in three decades? Loveni Enari compares his two New Zealands. The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter and sign up to be a member ...
Summer reissue: Alex Casey goes on a killer journey aboard the Tormore Express.The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter and sign up to be a member today.It was a dark and ...
Summer reissue: Speed puzzling is like a marathon for the mind – intense, demanding, surprisingly exhausting. But does turning it into a sport destroy it as a relaxing pastime? The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read ...
Summer reissue: In October, we counted down the top 100 New Zealand TV shows of the 21st century so far (read more about the process here). Here’s the list in full, for your holiday reading pleasure. The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue ...
Summer reissue: Told in one crucial moment from every year, by The Spinoff’s founder Duncan Greive. The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter and sign up to be a member today.2014: An ...
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp');Got a good quiz question?Send Newsroom your questions.The post Newsroom daily quiz, Wednesday 25 December appeared first on Newsroom. ...
The Court of Appeal has dismissed Mike Smith’s “ambitious” climate claim against Attorney-General Judith Collins.Smith, a Māori climate activist, and Ngāpuhi and Ngāti Kahu elder, appealed a High Court decision that found his claims against the Crown – that its action on climate change was inadequate – untenable.The Appeal Court’s ...
Trish McKelvey is listed 139 times in the index of the New Zealand women’s cricket tome The Warm Sun On My Face, authored by Trevor Auger and Adrienne Simpson.She wrote the foreword for the book and headlines two chapters addressing crucial events in the evolution of the sport.McKelvey’s appointment as New Zealand ...
Summer reissue: The New Zealand comedy legend takes us through her life in television, including the time she hugged Elton John and the unshakeable legacy of a girl named Lyn. The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please ...
Summer reissue: You really won’t guess how it ends. The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter and sign up to be a member today. First published October 4, 2024. Parliament’s Economic Development, Science ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mary-Rose McLaren, Professor of Teaching and Learning and Head of Program, Early Childhood Education, Victoria University Collin Quinn Lomax/ Shutterstock Some years ago, my daughter was set a maths problem: how much does it cost to drive a family of ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Catherine E. Wood, Associate Professor and Clinical Psychologist, Swinburne University of Technology Asier Romero/ Shutterstock Christmas is coming, and with it many challenges for parents of young children. You likely have one festive event after another, late nights, party ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Laura Nicole Driessen, Postdoctoral Researcher in Radio Astronomy, University of Sydney Tayla Walsh/Pexels With billions of children around the world anxiously waiting for their presents, Father Christmas (or Santa) and his reindeer must be travelling at breakneck speeds to deliver them ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Daryl Higgins, Professor & Director, Institute of Child Protection Studies, Australian Catholic University Feeling unsure about your child going to a sleepover is completely normal. You might be worried about how well you know the host family, how they manage supervision or ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Milad Haghani, Senior Lecturer of Urban Risk & Resilience, UNSW Sydney Exactly 50 years ago, on Christmas Eve 1974, Cyclone Tracy struck Darwin and left a trail of devastation. It remains one of the most destructive natural events in Australia’s history. Wind ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Irmine Keta Rotimi, Doctoral Candidate, Marketing and International Business department, Auckland University of Technology Videos of children opening boxes of toys and playing with them have become a feature of online marketing – making stars out of children as young as two. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joanna Nicholas, Lecturer in Dance and Performance Science, Edith Cowan University Tatyana Vyc/Shutterstock Once the end-of-year dance concert and term wrap up for the year it is important to take a break. Both physical and mental rest are important and taking ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kit MacFarlane, Lecturer, Creative Writing and Literature, University of South Australia Capitol Records For those looking to introduce some musical conflict into the holidays, Bob Dylan’s Christmas in the Heart remains a great choice in its 15th anniversary – like it ...
Opinion: As the year winds down and we pause for some reflection, I find myself, as chair of the Holocaust Centre of New Zealand, contemplating the unprecedented hatred aimed at Jewish New Zealanders. Antisemitism – the prejudice, discrimination or hostility directed at Jews – has snowballed to record levels, so much ...
Opinion: It was February 2024 when my friends started getting in touch with me to suggest I run for the Tauranga City Council mayoralty. At the time, the council was governed by four Government-appointed commissioners, who had been in their roles since 2021. Their terms were coming to an end ...
Summer reissue: Joy Cowley reveals her enthralling life story, from a difficult childhood, to getting drunk with Roald Dahl, to encountering an Arctic polar bear. The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter and ...
Summer reissue: Alex Casey chats to Nadia Lim and Carlos Bagrie about the challenges of life on a 1,200-acre farm in Central Otago, and why they continue to share it with the nation in Nadia’s Farm. The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue ...
https://youtu.be/f1JiJhWkM9M
So amazing. Did mindfulness last night looking at the photos below – so many layers of beauty out there and in there.
https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/animals/blogs/macro-photographs-highlight-intricate-beauty-butterfly-wings?
Oh my goodness!!
Those butterflies are incredible artists! Texture, colour and balance. And to think that the human race is blundering around and destroying so much.
Brilliant. Supports the truth that the truth is found as easily within a single atom as it is within the entire universe.
truth supports truth
easily
single atom
entire universe
Are you able to explain?
A kōan cannot be explained; it has to be experienced by the individual. A crude analogy is trying to explain a joke to someone who does not get it.
Well put thanks Incognito – was wanting to respond something along those lines but the brain cells weren't up to the connections this morning …
Really? I didn't even think your comment was obscure, vto; quite prosaic and pithy in fact. It interests me, the various ways people "hear" what others have said. I mean no criticism of you, One Two; this happens all the time in the council I sit on and sometimes I just can't fathom the wide variance of meaning taken, or not taken, from seemingly simple statements.
Whenever I read the word truth…I am usually intrigued to understand more about the use…hence the request for explanation
Council sessions have the benefit of sight and sound, Robert…and even with sensory advantage … well…you've signalled what can eventuate…
I'd have preferred to read what else vto had in response to my query…
I think I know why this stuff happens (but am probably kidding myself). All meaning is relative to context. That's just Einstein's relativity principle generalised (in physics, measurements are relative to the user's frame of reference, so I generalised measurements into meaning, then jumped it outside of physics as a general principle).
And of course in the psyche of the individual, reality is socially constructed as well as learnt from experience. So our right-brain hemisphere relates info to prior learning to contextualise it. Since we all have a different learning trajectory, different unique natures, and emanate from different social niches, we all interpret the info somewhat differently. That's how human nature works.
To get onto the same page, we must transcend the idiosyncratic take we make from the info. There's a discipline mentally imposed to simulate such objectivity – some are good at that, others not. If we feel the necessity, we discuss the info to form common ground…
https://www.abc.net.au/news/health/2019-07-24/virtual-reality-tool-investigated-to-promote-sleep/11323134
The new future?
RIP Rutger Hauer
Rutger Hauer was able to play the good guy role with humour to balance out his movie portfolio
Brief mention on Natrad this morning about an issue that was raised here about a week ago. https://thestandard.org.nz/labour-to-repeal-ban-on-family-caregivers-seeking-justice/#comment-1636088
The Government has got the numbers wrong (again!!!) and has not allocated enough funding to honour its promise to end discrimination against family carers.
Another brilliant headline for the Coalition that fades under the most superficial of inspections.
No doubt this will go the way of Kiwibuild and it will be back to the drawing board.
Despite the fact that ALL the relevant information and data are right there and available.
And to be honest, it may not cost that much more. Furthermore…
In the event that the Tribunal’s decision were to encourage others in need to apply for their support entitlements, then while this may be fiscally expensive, this reflects neither a change in the policy framework nor the Tribunal’s decision but a reduction in the failure of delivery coverage within the framework.
https://www.eastonbh.ac.nz/2008/10/evidence-to-the-human-rights-review-tribunal/
There is absolutely excuse for yet another bunch of politicians to run around like headless chickens trying to work this out, and frame a narrative to justify the expense.
This work has already been done.
Just get on with it.
Piece on Natrad…
https://www.rnz.co.nz/audio/player?audio_id=2018705686
Moves boost the number of family carers paid to look after disabled relatives could be kneecapped by a funding shortfall. From next year the government plans to allow partners and spouses of a disabled adult and parents caring for a disabled child under the age of 18 to claim funded family care. But RNZs analysis shows there won't be enough money to properly pay the 600 new families that are expected to join the scheme
Whoops
They don't really care Rosemary. As with so many of their stories they get a great big headline about how caring they are, and how terrible National were supposed to have been, and then they just forget about it.
The MSM may give a tiny little mention to it but they certainly aren't going to give it anything like the original splash in the news.
Business as usual for the CoL. All hat and no cattle as a Texan might say.
Correction there alwyn, as bad a National were.
And Labour before them.
SSDD
Not good to hear, Rosemary.
I was hoping your reserved optimism at the initial news would be rewarded.
The social evil of the Rentier capitalist: the modern cult of landlordism:
Governments have built a heaven for landlords and a hell for tenants. It’s time to change the system. ( Where is a CGT!? with some bite? 60%)
By George Monbiot, published in the Guardian 17th July 2019
I have a friend who works almost every waking hour, mainly to pay the rent. Her landlord lives on a beach, 4000 miles away. He seldom responds to her requests, and grudgingly pays for the minimum of maintenance. But every so often, he writes to inform her that he is raising the rent. He does not have to work, because she and other tenants work on his behalf. He is able to live the life of his choice, because they give their time to him. As there is an absolute shortage of accessible housing, they have no choice but to pay his exorbitant fees.
Rents charged at such rates – far beyond the costs of capital and maintenance – are, in these circumstances, a form of private taxation, levied by the rich on the poor. The penalty for failing to pay this tax is arguably greater than the penalty for failing to pay taxes owed to the state: eviction and homelessness. People say “I work for Tesco” or “I work for Deliveroo”, but the reality for many is that they work for their landlord. While the average mortgaged household spends 12% of its income on housing, the average renting household spends 36%. I have met plenty of people who hand over 50% or more. https://www.monbiot.com/2019/07/19/private-taxation/
"Don't let them intimidate you."
The Guffaw
The Right, both in Gods own mess in New Zealand and Australia, and in the United Kingdom, has been given the means to crush the people who do the work – in town and in the slums and in the farms.
The Obscene laughter around every Right Oval Table – is full of clotted Laughter of how the slaves work like niggers, with scarcely any money or food – fot the benefit of the Monarchy, The House of Lords, the Corrupts of Bankers and spoilt children of the Posh.
The meanest of mean persons is the make up of the Blighted Kingdom. The Filthiest Nation on the Planet.
Correct. Is why so many our ancestors fled those horrid lands as refugees.
Fled.
Escaped.
The battle is finally over and it looks like from October 1 I will be paying full price to continue taking the same brand of medication I've been taking for over 20 years that keeps me alive. The so called 'application for special circumstances funding' (which even Pharmac strongly hinted I apply for in correspondence with them) is actually a completely rigged system in their favour where they pretty much decline almost all the applications, even the clinically valid ones submitted by specialists. To the point where said Specialists aren't even bothering to write the applications because they know they'll be declined.
On the positive side- for once I have something nice to say about a huge Big Pharma company: they could've quite easily pulled this brand out of NZ after it was delisted, as happens frequently, but they haven't, so at least it's still accessible to the many of us who need to stay on it. And I've learned just how pissed off a lot of medical specialists are with the way Pharmac are behaving.
It's a huge chunk out of my food budget but I'm sure all the politicians out there who refuse to increase the Pharmac budget and increase disability benefits will be extremley pleased at the sacrifices a lot of us will be making (and the many who already are- we're not the first this is happened to and won't be the last) to use what little money we have to save the hard working tax payers massive hospital bills. /sarc
I'm sure all the politicians out there who refuse to increase the Pharmac budget and increase disability benefits will be extremely pleased at the sacrifices a lot of us will be making …
My thinking is that they have ascribed to the 'what doesn't kill them makes them stronger' philosophy. Ipso facto Kay, they are actually doing you a favour. /sarc
I feel so much stronger already 🙂
Neat Kay !
Rosemary too !
Pharmac is going to supply marijuana – which will put the healthy and wealthy to sleep.
The Placebo has had enough and wants to be put to bed – for a variety of reasons.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnoxKXkPqEE
Tempting…what's the going rate? Cheaper than Lamictal?
A good summary of Mueller's testimony to the House today.
https://theintercept.com/2019/07/24/updates-robert-muellers-congressional-testimony/
Here is a good summery of Mueller's dud testimony….as expected.
Mueller's Seven-Hour Testimony Changed Nothing…
i don't think it was to change something……
however i liked his answer as to 'can a president charged for crimes once his tenure has ended', Mr. Mueller "Yes". And i guess that is what the orange shitgibbon takes offense to. 🙂
" i don't think it was to change something " I am pretty sure it was to change something, it was conducted to somehow bring impeachment against Trump, something that will never happen, and of course keep fanning the fires of the Russiagate conspiracy, which needs constant fanning because it has been exposed as being such a load of bullshit that now only the most extreme believers still push it.
Couple of those extremists still lurk around on this site I believe.
Still pushing your Repug talking points?
Yknow what's more annoying than people who speak in statistics? It's people who speak in academic talk. It's amazing how people can construct such technically sound and pretty looking comments, Y'know with links and quotes and grammar and shit, and be totally and utterly wrong. It's fucken amazing.
No just pushing the facts, what you are pushing is a free ride for Trump to the Whitehouse in 2020.
Also you might want to keep in mind you are in effect being used as a FBI mouthpiece right now.
????
Adrian's comments about "Russiagate conspiracy" could have come straight from the likes of Louie Gohmert or Devin Nunes or any other Drumpfkin desperate to deflect from the huge amount of evidence that Russia did indeed indulge in election fuckery to benefit the Dork from New York, and that the loofah-faced shitgibbon's campaign eagerly welcomed that fuckery and openly encouraged more of it.
That Mueller's team didn't feel they found enough evidence to establish a chargeable conspiracy is down to extreme prosecutorial caution. Plus successful obstruction, incompetence, and sheer dumb luck on the part of the campaign members involved.
Well Mueller previous statements to the house said there was evidence of WMD in Iraq and the supply to terrorists was a clear and present danger.
https://twitter.com/ggreenwald/status/1154022466345476097
That's not actually what Mueller said, in the clip, though. He said that Powell had presented evidence Iraq had failed to disarm its WMD (he had. Turned out to be faked). He then said the FBI's concern was WMD going to terrorists from Iraq. Nor did he say "clear and present danger" (thanks, Tom fucking Clancy).
Iraqi WMD wasn't his problem. After 911, US domestic terrorists getting WMD was his problem.
So he spread false news on WMD (he had the same access to information that powell had)
Chief Judge Learned Hand … interpreted the [clear and present danger] phrase as follows: 'In each case, [courts] must ask whether the gravity of the "evil", discounted by its improbability, justifies such invasion of free speech as is necessary to avoid the danger.' We adopt this statement of the rule. As articulated by Chief Judge Hand, it is as succinct and inclusive as any other we might devise at this time. It takes into consideration those factors which we deem relevant, and relates their significances. More we cannot expect from words.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clear_and_present_danger
I know the term "clear and present danger". I also know when it became popular outside of polsci or cspan conferences.
He did not spread false news on WMD. He said that someone in another job presented evidence to do with their job. His job was to figure out how those claims impacted on his patch, not second-guess the intelligence agencies that deal with other nations.
Links! We need more links for those assertions! the goal posts! they are shifting! Quick some one find a quote! the tone of the debate is falling! the standard faces legal dilemmas. LMFAO!!!
Sambam, the link is in the comment of 2:48pm. That's Mueller saying pretty much what I put. He did not, in that link, present any evidence or claims of the existence of WMDs, he said that his interest was in regards to terrorists getting them.
I am truely, sorry, Mc, Flock 😄
But I do not drink kool aid. LMFAO
Yeah, what he actually said in the clip vs what was said he said ain't koolaid.
Evil is subjective. The concept of evil by George Bush and Saddam's standards has no value to your story or narrative.
Your comment has no relevance to the preceding discussion.
Its not even necessary to meet your standards of relevance when you can't even articulate with as much precision as your extremely long arch that Russia did it. And now the whole backlash just goes poof. LMFAO
If you read the Mueller report, you didn't understand it.
Yoire still drinking your own kool aid. LMFAO
Serious question: if you won't be persuaded by evidence or argument, is there any conceivable way you could discover that one of your many opinions is wrong?
Thats just you looking for the easy way out in an attempt to appeal to authority and try and have me banned. You woke de woke Dee's are just so predictable. Y'know if you pile up all of Trumps Bodies it wouldn't even come close to either Saddam's, Bush or Obamas body count yet your backlash is far more precise for Trump and I'm just not going to sip from your kool aid.
You really do spend more time responding to your own delusions than you do to anything anyone else has written.
That doesn't work against Trumo since he's utilizing zero percent or even negative interest rates. Your backlash would not be an advantage. Please don't take yourself to seriously.
…evidence or argument…
Don't come round 'ere with yer evidence and argument, they're no match for Sam's sneers about 'woke' and 'kool aid.'
I think Sam does quite well, for an eight year old.
Agree, PM. I wonder if SAM is an acronym… Smart Ass Mystifier?
Here's a piece discussing whether Mueller's involvement in the Iraq WMD bullshit discredits his Russia investigation (spoiler: it doesn't).
At the time he was FBI Director, which is domestic and has very limited overlap with any foreign operations which fall under CIA. the military and other agencies. He made it clear in that cherry-picked bit of his remarks he was relying on what was given to him by those other sources. For context, here's the prepared text of his testimony.
Finally, who popularised this particular bit of cherry-picked background and why? Interesting question …
Man that is so fucking awesome, I am seriously gong to keep this post saved for future reference, you guys have allowed yourself’s to climb so far down the rabbit hole of this bullshit Russia con job, that you are now actually defending the integrity of a former head of the FBI..holy shit! …remember, when you lay down with dogs you get up with fleas…getting itchy yet.
Mueller and Barr’s Real History of Cover-ups
http://accuracy.org/release/mueller-and-barrs-real-history-of-cover-ups/
Former FBI Director Robert Mueller’s History of Cover-Ups
https://www.globalresearch.ca/former-fbi-director-robert-muellers-history-of-cover-ups/5635272
Adrian, I don't know what our friend Andre looks like, but I suspect it's something like the following.
WARNING: Viewers of the following will be bombarded by ten minutes of extreme imbecility and the saddest kind of fanaticism….
Poor Adrian—you’ve just been savaged by a dead sheep.
You know, you can love Mother Russia and recognise the utter corruption of its rulers now ady. Nobody's going to put polonium in your samovar, probably.
Fuck off, I know critical thinking doesn’t come naturally to you Ruaaiagaters, but at least try and pretend.
Pointing out the corruption and absurdity of the Democrat "leadership" is in no way to endorse "Mother Russia" or Donald Trump and his wacky gang.
An actual Russian notes the comparison.
https://twitter.com/Kasparov63/status/1154065508720959491
" In the waning days of Russian democracy" exactly when was that?
When Putin fitted himself up as prime minister.
Really?, that is exactly not what historical fact say, but then is seems that facts are a mystery to you, unless they fit with your view of the world vis a vie The Gaurdian, TWP etc.
But the Democrats are doing it to impress voters…
Now there's a joke. If the Democrats cared about those deplorable voters, why did the corrupt and incompetent DNC, led by that masterly strategist and top thinker Debbie Wasserman Schultz, conspire in 2016 to shut out the most popular political candidate in the country and elect someone as toxic as this creature?
How the hell did "the most popular candidate in the country" lose to the toxic creature by more than 3.6 million freely cast votes (that's losing by more than 12%)? Amongst the small segment of the population self-selected to be politically closest to his views? Maybe he wasn't quite so popular after all?
The…. Russians did it?
So not only are the pay increase being delayed now schools will have to source out of their operating budget to fund some of the increases. Pity that this will result in students missing out.
Hipkins "If there was a way to speed up the process, I'd make it happen. "As if Novopay and our bungling minister (and a Labour one at that 🤬) didn't realise that many of the changes that were agreed to were not signaled during the negotiations ?
"Novopay said teachers would have to wait until mid-September to receive their pay rises, prompting NZEI to file legal action for compliance and penalties."
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/114491866/schools-stung-by-teacher-pay-shock
time to fire Novopay?
Fire the person responsible perhaps?
Bye, bye Mr Hipkins. Why not just admit that, like so many actions of this Government they never allowed for the cost of their promises and they have simply fallen into the great big financial black hole that Stephen Joyce warned us about.
Maybe fire the person responsible for Novapay. Oops. Can't really. He quit at the last election.
Didn't realise the Labour minister who engaged Novopay in 2005 quit at the last election🤔It may pay to refresh your memory regarding the timeline mentioned in this link
"He said he would be investigating how the previous Labour government conducted the tender for the Novopay system in 2007 and entered into a contract with Talent2 in 2008.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/8230140/Novopay-not-first-failure-for-provider
you mean Novopay who has been fucking up since 2008 at the very least and none of the nine years of fucking up under the No Mates Party saw anything wrong with it?
https://education.govt.nz/assets/Documents/Ministry/Information-releases/Novopay-information-release/MIN130501InquiryReport.pdf
oh but then in 2013 – 5 years into the reign of the Hairpuller in Chief and the NO mates Party …..it was Labours fault 🙂
http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/opinion/8356200/Novopay-mess-due-to-Labour
seven years into the No Mates Party reign – and hte Hairpuller just about 2 years off from quitting his job with a one weeks notice a post on this humble blog accounting for the waste of Novopay under the No mates party 🙂
https://thestandard.org.nz/novopay-cost-us-45-million/
i mean this can go on and on and on and no matter how much you screech about this and that and list up the Labour Party Members and MP's that you would like to see gone, you literally only make yourself look like the fool you are.
be better, or maybe be best? Not sure, but yeah, be better at this.
Where was our leader in Ed ? Did he not inquire to those within the ministry and/or Novopay as to their ability to enact in a timely manner changes in pay rates, when the negotiations were in progress ?
The "talks" were going on for over a year, remember teachers received a NIL pay rise from the time the last agreement lapsed and this one being implemented as of July 19.
He is paid the big bucks to lead. Leadership is not JUST being important enough to be seen on the TV news.
All true, but I discussed the matter with an experienced finance lady in my school today, and she agreed with me that all previous salary providers were able to efficiently introduce new pay rises in time – because they had plenty of people to rise to the occasion and key it all in.
Some IT moron convinced some moronic Govt that Novopay with far fewer people (big savings in salaries, but more unemployment?) could do the same job.
A lie, of course, as current situation shows.
Teacher unions, if there were any justice, should be able to take legal action against the guilty parties.
But we know that there will be no justice..
Asking schools to bear the burden temporarily is an act of bad faith that will be admired by neither teachers nor Boards of Trustees.
The same is at many aged care facilities (those that are are profit driven vrs those that are "charities" ) as there is no drive for profit and on the face of it have greater staff nos and a more friendly environment.
Not sure why the govt is protecting Novapay (Nats were the same) Wonder if there will be some profit ramifications for the provider for not delivering on what they are contracted to deliver 🤭. How we are being expected to accept poor delivery
Many "bosses" appear to have the 1st call for action to reduce staff. All those MBA's and they address staff !!
Novopay was a basic 9-5 payroll system hacked into a multiuser schools payroll format, overseen by incompetent ministers at the client end. Every time something new is done with it, there will be a new problem come up because none of its original purpose involved an education-system level of diversity in roles, FTE time allocations, allowances, pay grades, schedules or anything else.
Trouble is that the nats fully committed so that just reactivating the old system wasn't an option. Lots of money asnd would probably take longer to fix than Novopay itself – it's what happens when you burn business relationships in favour of a competitor, and then it falls through.
Pisser was the Wellington Board of Education did exactly the same thing in 1993 when computerising their regional payroll system and the ensuing clusterfuck. Literally a textbook example on how not to implement a new computer system. Now the example is novopay lol.
More crazy conspiracy theory….
This classic dates back to February, but it's still hilarious.
Matthew Parris from UK on Johnson – Waste-no-time-wasting-Cabinet – PM.
“Dominic Raab has been made Foreign Secretary, Raab the man who put Raab into rabies basically, he’s a really rabid Brexiteer. He’s a clever man, but it’s not the sort of steady hand you would expect.”
This was a revenge re-shuffle, Parris says.
“He has kicked in the shins anyone who has ever kicked him in the shins and installed a whole lot of people who are going to be in favour of crashing out without a deal on the 31st of October if we have to do it.
lol "revenge re-shuffle".
The old Yes Minister line about the PM's personal motto: "In defeat, malice. In victory, revenge!"
Claire Trevett, from just in front of the pay-wall: "Johnson had once declared his chances of becoming Prime Minister "are about as good as the chances of finding Elvis on Mars, or my being reincarnated as an olive"."
Now that it has just happened, could be the next Mars lander will get a re-program, eh? I wonder if he will change his surname to Trump now. Johnson is so boring, really. The Don will be agonising over whether to despatch a hairdresser to Downing St, or send a case of brylcreem over, or both.
He'll send over some of that off-colour spray-tan and some cut-in-half ping-pong balls to put over his eyes when he sprays it on.
Trump has surrounded himself by Yes men and Women who seem to be incompetent. Has Johnson done the same?
Peas in a pod ianmac. One is a Yank and the other is a Pom and they play their games in a slightly different way.
Between the two of them they should have no problem starting another war and thus keep the peasants’ minds away from the gross incompetence of their respective administrations.
Peas in a Pod Anne
Well Spoken Anne. The two septic PlayBoys Mr Donald and Mr Boris, have united in the sacred bonds of war mongering. and each have announced that their respective Nations are about to be the Greatest Country ever to have been Conceived, Suckled and strewn on Planet Earth.
They are both relatively unpopulated Nations given their land mass. England 60 millions. United States 308 millions.
The Union of Europe (EU) – has 511 Millions.
Mr Boris, a studied comedian, has already snubbed his nose at Europe and is going to fight EU into oblivion. – Using his Eccentric adoring 60 Million nicompoops. Capitan Boris, after Sex with the unbeloved– will put his sea boots on soonest. I think he may have kept Mrs Thatcher's under arm tuft of hair – as a Clutch.
The Germans, The French, They of the Guillotine The Nordics, The Commonwealth, The Asians, The Indians – The Africans, Pakistans and all the other Stans – rather think the English are quaint. Mr Boris is quite like an inedible fish that wriggles unexpectedly.
England – be grateful for what you get. After all, you asked for it.
Kia ora Newshub.
Its not good that people who get a colonoscopy privately are going to live and the lower classes who can't afford the procedure will die is that a 2 class system or what.
Awesome te Rangiti are not drinking as much as the last generation it actually give Eco Maori a sore face I say no more.
Thanks to our government for increasing kindergarten teachers pay parity with their counterparts in primary and secondary schools teaches te mokopuna are very important to Eco Maori
Its is climate change that is causing the heat wave over Europe and America at the minute but people like ——— are sceptical about our nuclear moments for our generation. HUMAN caused climate change is poking us in thee EYES .
trump what about the institutional racism towards the African American and Hispanic tangata you muppet. Innocent people will die because of your policies .All so I know for a fact that not all police officers are honest and honorable people hence innocent people are going to die try putting yourself in their shoes
Ka kite ano
Ka pai for Jacinda and her tangata whenua Mps for brokering a solution to the Ihumatau whenua issue in Auckland awesome. Thanks to Henare a Willy for going to Auckland to talk to the tangata about the issue they have with that whenua let's hope te tangata behave honorable to you.
Its awesome that the whenua is being returned to Maori and they are going to build a education center up there by the old telescope is it to many people in my whare I missed the story + Eco Maori needs to learn Te reo.
Ka kite ano
Its Its awesome to see the next generation of tangata whenua uniteing to fix the wrongs that have been served up to Maori
Ka kite ano
Some Eco Maori music for the minute
https://youtu.be/u9Dg-g7t2l4
Thanks for the MANA