What was there to answer?
As Key said, Auckland is a very sought after place to live both locally and internationally.
Also prices have been rising for a long time and will take a while to level out or drop, last thing any government would want to do is rapidly crash a market.
“As Key said, Auckland is a very sought after place to live”
It is a sought after place to invest untaxed money. Not the same thing, sadly. Until a government tackles the financialisation of our housing, Auckland is screwed.
House prices are so high because there are no rules here.
New Zealanders can land bank, buying up many more houses than they need.
And people from overseas can speculate on houses prices here.
Both these groups of people – wealthy New Zealanders and foreigners – are forcing ordinary New Zealanders out of their own land.
But Key and his acolytes believe in the market.
Devoutly.
I don’t understand where that high median income figure comes from. I thought the NZ median personal income was closer to $28,000. – which means half earn less than that. A very long way from the median house price in Auckland (or anywhere).
“The truth is, (the current government) are paralysed with fear that the bubble will burst on their watch, so don’t want to tackle the causes of the crisis.”
– Demographia
As Matthew Hooton described the other day here at The Standard, this government is truly the do nothing government.
What else do you want them to do, take over Auckland?
————————————————–
The truth is, (the current government) are paralysed with fear that the bubble will burst on their watch, so don’t want to tackle the causes of the crisis.
You don’t want the bubble to burst, you want it to slowly deflate, so people have a bit of time to adjust.
Actually, I’d make it so that there was a way for the owners to keep living in the same house without debt and then crash the market.
Bubbles bursting is what happened to NZ between 1984 and 1990, thought Labour would have learn’t their lesson and understood that.
The problem is that we keep getting bubbles, that when we do our governments actually work to protect those that caused the bubbles rather than ensuring that the risk falls where it’s due and they don’t put in place legislation to stop those bubbles. Just banning foreign ownership would kill many of the bubbles that we now have.
Just as an aside Matty – how do you feel about your ‘PERFORMANCE’ on NinetoNoon today?
Was it (on a scale from 1 to 5): Abysmal thru’ adequate to exceptional.
Admittedly we can take in your handicap (i.e. where the regular gal with the balanced portfolio and the world’s best understanding of ‘work-life-balance) where allowances are made for you (in case you throw another hissy fit).
I suspect your judgement (that includes your desire to appear rational and modest) would be in the ‘adequate’ region. 3.5 out of 5 maybe?
“I doubt Aucklanders want their house prices to “deflate slowly”.”
Matthew, if all assets drop in proportion then non problema eh silly.
Problem of course, as highlighted everywhere, is the debt. Not the house price.
Now, if the debt slid in proportion to the house price (for which a very strong argument can be made), then also non problema.
Banks and debt have had to be heavily controlled and regulated for centuries. More is required at this next junction I think. Maybe the change to come post-meltdown will be to limit debt recovery in the event of asset value change (both up and down to be fair)….
BM
You’re stating the bleeding obvious.
Questions that arise:
Why is Auckland so sought? What then can reduce those factors? They are disrupting and skewing our housing market, so what can be done to cool this to a satisfactory level, away from gold rush level?
Your point about the length of time of occurrence is an excellent reason to continue any measures that will bring about a gradual decrease in the rise of prices, perhaps to that of our measured inflation, low, very low.
These would be questions arising from the answer that would be applied by an interviewer after definite information and be forthcoming from a responsible politician.
It’s a very nice city and one of the most multi cultural in the world, people like the place.
Solve the transport issues and I’d say it would be in the top 5.
Seriously, How many major cites have a farm in the middle of it, where you can walk around among sheep.
He’s talking about Cornwall Park – one of the most beautiful places in the world. It is still a working farm, five minutes drive from Queen Street (outside rush hour).
yes, I assumed he was talking about something real, but his phrasing was just too delightfu a summary of propaganda from the neoliberal world view. A lovely city that people can’t afford to live in but hey they can visit the centre and walk around with the sheep. Baaaaa.
“too delightful a summary of propaganda from the neoliberal world view”
Does that even mean anything?
Also, it seems that about 1.4 million people are able to afford to live here. And walk around with sheep. Do you not understand that prices go up because people want to live here? If people “can’t afford to live in” Auckland then prices will go down.
Well it was more of a statement about BM’s politics as much as anything, but since you’ve asked, yes it does mean something. It means that the view you just presented that the market will somehow provide a solution is a nonsense and we may as well just all head down to the sheep farm and make like the sheep.
The South Island is full of ex-Aucklanders who came here for the cheaper housing. To be fair those are generally the middle classes who could live in Auckland but also could afford to get out. The people really feeling it are the people who live in Auckland but whose quality of life is diminished because of wage rates and housing prices. So when I say ‘can’t afford to live in Auckland’ you can take it as a overarching meme for the fact that how we arrange society grossly advantages some and disadvantages others and the market will never make that right (not that I expect you or BM to care about that).
“If people “can’t afford to live in” Auckland then prices will go down.”
No homeless people there then? Nobody leaving? No poverty? No overcrowded housing? No transient population?
What you really meant is if the middle classes can’t afford it then the housing market will slow. But let’s not pretend that prices will actually drop in any kind of meaningful way that is good for people and their communities.
Yes, notice how how Key tried to dodge throughout the interview.
He presented statistical outliers.
He questioned the survey, “This is one survey, there’s a whole bunch of other surveys” then when challenged could not present alternative surveys.
Then changed tack and bragged about growing consents and said what a great place Auckland was a place to live in.
When challenged with the rhetorical question, “So you think it’s a good news story?”
he then blamed Labour for the problem.
PM John Key and his National government say most Kiwis support the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement and those who don’t are ignorant or manipulated.
Show him he’s wrong.
Help us to fill the Auckland Town Hall tomorrow, Tuesday 26th at 7pm in the first TPPA: Don’t Sign public meetings.
Hear dynamic, funny, and scary US former trade attorney and TPPA expert Lori Wallach, Director of Public Citizen Global Trade Watch, on how the US politics may sink the TPPA.
Jane Kelsey will explain the highlights of the expert papers saying what the TPPA would really mean for Kiwis.
A political panel will tell us why they oppose the signing of the TPPA:
Grant Robertson, Labour; Metiria Turie, Greens; Marama Fox, Maori Party; and Fletcher Tabuteau, NZ First.
The speaking tour is being sponsored by Its Our Future, Action Station, NZ Council of Trade Unions and First Union
but donations are needed to cover costs.
You can contribute to these events and the ongoing campaign at https://givealittle.co.nz/org/itsourfuture
Ever heard Lori Wallach talk about the stark realities of US politics on the TPPA?
If you have, you won’t want to miss her again!
If you haven’t, this is a once in a lifetime chance to hear her on how the US and its corporate lobby stitched us up, and sold out ordinary Americans as well. (for Lori’s bio – see here)
Can the US Congress stop the deal?
Will the US Congress stop the deal?
What happens if Hillary Clinton wins the presidency?
Or Donald Trump (assuming that is worse … which it has to be)
Are US politicians serious that they will rewrite the deal after it is signed by setting rules for ‘implementation’? What would that mean for Kiwis?
….
_________________________
In fact, in the free trade and trade liberalisation regime, which is supposed to end protectionism, IPRs are the main instrument of this new form of protectionism.
Wayne Mapp calls the TPP a “modern FTA”
Lowering a few tariffs, while at the same time increasing Intellectual Property Rights IPRs means that it is a total misrepresentation/lie to imply that the TPP is a Free Trade Agreement.
False advertising or deceptive advertising is the use of false or misleading statements in advertising, and misrepresentation of the product at hand, which may negatively affect many stakeholders, especially consumers. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/False_advertising
I liked the Kelsey video where she states bluntly that this isn’t a trade deal, that the trade part of the TPP is small and that most if it is about giving rights to corporations.
What the TPPA and other agreements do is increase protections for corporations while decreasing protections for those that sell their labour. The end result is more political power in the hands of the corporations and less in the hands of the people.
The TPPA takes us further down the road to serfdom. A serfdom that has always been the goal of capitalism.
Winston Peters…
“If the Opposition was in any way what it should be, [Key] wouldn’t have a hope in Hades.”
“That’s the real test. Whether the Opposition parties mark up, shape up, keep themselves focused, keep their eyes on what the prize should be rather than their own political and egregious self interest and advantage. If they do that, then the Government wouldn’t have a show in its present construction.”
Not so easy when the msm calls this of bs political coverage.
‘ MPs with bald spots reached for the hats. Andrew Little had a snappy hat but foolishly wore a black suit. NZ First leader Winston Peters took refuge in a tree, from where he quoted Noel Coward: “only fools and Englishmen go out in the midday sun”.’
“…Winston Peters took refuge in a tree …” In a tree? Love it! Just had a great image of Winnie in a tree, beady eyes peering out at those below like an elderly possum. Surely the writer meant under a tree?
As is often the case with Peters is he both speaking truth and being a complete hypocrite.
Whether the Opposition parties mark up, shape up, keep themselves focused, keep their eyes on what the prize should be rather than their own political and egregious self interest and advantage
I didn’t see any evidence of browning in the foliage (but I wouldn’t really expect to until another month or two). Since looking at it in the morning means looking into the sun, I couldn’t really assess any subtler hints about foliage colouring or glossiness.
The bandage around the ring-barking has soaked through with sap, but it doesn’t appear to be bleeding trails of sap down the trunk. So I’m cautiously hopeful the sap has gone back to flowing up and down the trunk the way it should.
So on the basis of precisely zero experience or expertise in helping trees recover from ringbarking, my gut feel has gone from “it’s a goner” to “maybe it’s got a teeny-tiny chance”
Thanks Andre. Do you know what the owners are up to? I assume it was them that paid the company to do the ringbarking. Why are they not finishing off the job?
………..The injunction means all activity has been halted on site until the hearing next year and prevents further harm to both the kauri and rimu pending the judicial review………
The ring barking on both the Kauri and its sister the Rimu happened the night before the injunction was passed.
The courts found the owners of the property who have ordered the ring barking to be within their rights.
I know that Johno administered ‘first aid’ and that maori healers came and did their thing. I am not an arborist, but as of today, people are cautiously optimistic that both trees make it.
Keeping my fingers crossed. I’ve not seen a tree recover from such a wound before. But then I’m not an arborist so my knowledge of trees is limited to the general knowledge I need for timber milling, drying, cabinet making etc.
Ummm, monkey apples can survive a ringbarking at least 150mm wide all the way around. Several on my place did, anyways.
The photos from Sabine’s tvnz link appear to show continuous bark left across the wound in a few places, so there may be cambium left behind.
I don’t think the rimu got ring-barked, if it did it’s not visible from the road, and I haven’t been keen to go walking down to take a closer look since kauri dieback is prevalent there.
Sorry, I put out some incorrect information earlier.
Went and took a wander down the section and yes, the rimu also got a cut all the way around the trunk. Along with every other tree that was marked with an X that hadn’t been previously felled. Those cuts were hidden by the slash left on the section, so not visible from the road. The malicious orcs had done more damage than I had previously been aware of.
But I didn’t see that any of the others had great chunks of bark taken off the trunk (unlike the kauri), and the foliage on those trees looks normal, and no trails of sap running down the trunks, so maybe they all have a chance.
Also got the neighbours worried again to see another stranger taking an interest in the section.
Malaysia’s parliament votes this week to accept or reject the TPP, first the Lower House then the Senate. The scheduling of the voting shortly before signing makes it look as though this will determine whether the government signs or not (Auckland 4 February) but I am not sure.
Anyone know definitely?
Malaysia and Australia obtained additional exceptions to those our NZ negotiators achieved. These two countries form an interesting comparison for NZ. But zilch do we hear from our MSM.
Some interesting threads over the weekend ref: fisi and fourth term for Key
The thing that seemed to come through that I noticed the most was the refrain that “the left need to work together”.
I’m not disagreeing with this at all (at least in regards to a left victory) but what it really needed changing to was “Labour need to work with the rest of the left in NZ” as it seems (admittedly to me) that the left want to work with Labour but Labour isn’t as keen.
Its still a worry though that there are posters who still underestimate John Keys intelligence and this attitude that “hes just a money man”, “the USA tells him what to do” etc etc means some on the left don’t prepare as well as they could (subconsciously not taking him seriously perhaps?)
Also it seems the Labour party (yeah yeah MMP but they’re still the largest party on the left) are out of touch with modern day politicking which considering Lange and Clark went that long ago is a real shame
So yes there will be a fourth term for John Key and while that means the left will win in 2020 it depends on whether the Left want two terms or three if they (the Left) are willing/able to change to modern day NZ
Pat, discussing the left-right divide in politics says, in Fisiani Gets it Right on 23/1 says: .it certainly appears to me that the younger generations by and large have no points of reference for that positioning and consequently it carries no relevance for them…but naturally those (few) that are politically active and involved at party level tend to have a very firm view in terms of Left/Right so reinforce the dichotomy within.
But this decay away from Labour-left policies started longer ago than you imply Pat. So a good number of older Labour in NZ are similar to the Blairites in Britain and very possibly any oldies with fire in their bellies for ‘the people’ and a fairer, better functioning NZ, are either isolated or dead.
Would anyone who knows like to identify those older Labour members still in a position of power and/or Parliament who not only talk the talk but walk the walk?
“But this decay away from Labour-left policies started longer ago than you imply Pat. So a good number of older Labour in NZ are similar to the Blairites in Britain and very possibly any oldies with fire in their bellies for ‘the people’ and a fairer, better functioning NZ, are either isolated or dead.’
don’t necessarily disagree with that greywarshark, but I was responding to a comment from CV that implied (to me at least) that there was no future in presenting policy in terms of left/right….just as there are few remaining veterans of WW2 who’s experiences tempered our society for so long after that event there are few who recall the great conflict of ideas of last century…..increasingly to those in positions of influence it is ancient history, not something their parents, grandparents experienced and perhaps formed….what do we care of the politics of ancient Rome, the Chinese dynasties,the French revolution and the like when forming our opinions today? I suggest the Left/Right struggle of last century has as much relevance to the young(er) of today and is as misunderstood….rightly or wrongly.
The lessons will have to be relearned…their own way.
Pat
Hmmm interesting. Someone emphasised the other day that the era of Rome and its politics is not far away from what is occurring today. I think his point was that it is all cyclical, and you refer to the conflict of ideas and systems in the history of other countries. There is a problem with older people with long memories, if they haven’t learned anything from their experience after rumination and reflection, with discussion of the events.
Do older people once involved in war, have a considered opinion about it, or do they just go through the ceremonies each year? Here at the Anzac Day church-run short civic gathering, the same words are repeated each year, reverential, memorial, but not disturbing the air and ears with anti-war poems or comment. That seems too real, questioning the waste of life.
There was no room for the presentation by young peaceniks of white poppies representing peace, perhaps a tacit honouring of the student protesters in Germany using white roses as their badge I think, and who were caught and dispatched early on. The RSA was angry to have them offered, only partly I think because the red poppies raise money for assistance to the returned servicepeople.
Also discussed recently was the word ‘cynical’. The conclusion was that it can get to be a kneejerk reaction that implicitly claims a superior understanding, but is actually closed, negative, simplistic, and lazy. So I think that position applies to the idea that left/right is completely passe’. It is indeed a useful term for broadly discussing themes of political power and of wealth versus wider concern for the populace and the differing attitudes to a resource-controlling status quo. As you say –
The lessons will have to be relearned…their own way.
Here’s a citizen who will be missed by people interested in good enterprise in our country. Barry Brickell was a man with many good visions that advanced NZ and the will to be the one to advance them.
Potter, artist, conservationist and railway enthusiast Barry Brickell moved to the Coromandel to teach high school in the 1960s.
But less than a year later he abandoned teaching to set up a pottery studio and kiln on a property in Driving Creek, north of the town of Coromandel.
Fifty years later he had become one of New Zealand’s most celebrated ceramic artists and had restored hectares of native bush and created a wildlife sanctuary.
Most famously he spent 33 years building the Driving Creek Railway – a popular tourist attraction that has now carried close to 1.25 million passengers.
Gold rush mentality in this country. Using up this country’s resources of beauty and natural goodness. An Eden into a Den of thieves.
Dairy – Overproduction, unhealthy financial dependence, pollution, utilising resources from overseas unfairly. (Milk – More milk perhaps. Sheep milk is being looked at as a possible growth market.)
Tourism – Up from 3 million visitors to 5 million a year is the prediction.
Consequence – overuse of the attractions, trashing of the country, and pricing out the inhabitants. It costs $50 to say at a hut on one of the tracks I think it was Routeburn.
How can people ever afford to get to know and enjoy their own country. They can’t afford to live in a poor dwelling – just like good old Brit was like when we left it in the 1800s.
Freedom tourists –
DoC figures show the number of tourists on all nine Great Walks has increased by 10 percent a year for the past three years.
The Routeburn and Milford tracks and huts, which cost $54 a night per adult, are fully booked for this season ending on 27 April. http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/294829/rogue-campers-%27ruining%27-great-walks
Right wing think tanks, Matthew Hooton, and Stephen Franks to come:
Why is there such dismal political commentary on RNZ National? Nine to Noon, Monday 25 January 2016
At 9:30, Kathryn Ryan interviewed—or, more accurately, provided an uncontested free pulpit to—one Andrew Bishop, who rejoices in the splendid title of “senior analyst” for the right wing “think tank” the Eurasia Group. Bishop talked for fifteen minutes, during which he managed to get away with making the extraordinary assertion that the United States was not really involved in either Syria or Ukraine. As is too often the case, Kathryn Ryan didn’t seem to have a clue; about the only thing she said in the whole fifteen minutes was to observe, in a tone of high seriousness, that the United States was suffering “intervention fatigue.”
After the 11 o’clock news, it was time for the forum now entitled “Political Commentators Matthew Hooton and Stephen Mills”. It should actually be called “Matthew Hooton Straight and Uninterrupted”; after a promising first appearance just before Christmas, Mills has not taken long to slip into playing Colmes to Hooton’s Hannity, a soul-destroying rôle which until recently was filled by the hapless Mike “I Agree With Matthew” Williams. Hooton can, if nothing else, sense weakness in an adversary, and he’s already dominating Mills. Today, the only hint of passion from Mills came when he guffawed derisively after Hooton said, “There’s no homelessness of any note in Auckland.”
Yes, Gabby, that’s something I have long considered commenting on, but have refrained from for fear of seeming petty and mean. I’m glad to see that you have also noticed her occasional affectation of an absurdly correct and slow manner of speaking, especially when speaking to someone she is trying to, for whatever reason, to impress.
Another of her verbal tics, which really annoys me, is the way she adds the tag “Yeah?” to the end of a question. Jim Mora also does this.
They could also do worse then make the gun laws federal rather then state responsibility (not ever going to happen of course)
The focus in the USA, especially in the media, seems to be on “assault weapons”, specially AK and M16 type rifles, which no one really knows how it came up:
Not so much mental health, more availability and moments of madness.
Though guns are not the most common method by which people attempt suicide, they are the most lethal. About 85 percent of suicide attempts with a firearm end in death. (Drug overdose, the most widely used method in suicide attempts, is fatal in less than 3 percent of cases.) Moreover, guns are an irreversible solution to what is often a passing crisis. Suicidal individuals who take pills or inhale car exhaust or use razors have time to reconsider their actions or summon help. With a firearm, once the trigger is pulled, there’s no turning back.
The problem is though that if these individuals don’t have pistols (I’m guessing hand guns would be more used) then they’ll use some other method so it won’t really treat the underlying issue of why people are wanting to commit suicide
A public service announcement.
We’re not allowed to ask if Magisterium is [deleted] in drag – or even if [deleted]
Warning warning warning [deleted].
No fuck it ….. BAN!
[lprent: No you aren’t. Banned 1 week as a gentle reminder, and I’d strongly suggest that you don’t ever try to game the privacy policy again. ]
Evil evil bastards, http://www.rawstory.com/2016/01/revealed-environmental-officials-warned-snyder-administration-not-to-use-water-that-poisoned-flint/ & a someone I know over there emailed this to me “There is mounting evidence that the entire goal was to undermine the financial stability of the Detriot Water and Sewerage Dept so as to justify its breakup and privatization thereby brokering control of one of the largest aquifers in the Midwest. Water is the new oil and we are only seeing the beginnings of the resource grab.”
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TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: The Public Health Communications Centre (PHCC) call for urgent preventive action and a risk assessment survey of long covid in this briefing noteLocal scoop: NZ road deaths surpass OECD rates, so why is the govt reversing safety plans? ...
This story was originally published by Grist and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. This story is part of a collaboration with Grist and WABE to demystify the Georgia Public Service Commission, the small but powerful state-elected board that makes critical decisions about everything from raising ...
This is a guest post from Robert McLachlan Global warming is accelerating; 2023 was off the charts. We need to stop burning fossil fuels. In New Zealand, transport accounts for half of all fossil fuels burnt. In the Emissions Reduction Plan, transport emissions fall 41% by 2035. As the ...
Labour productivity has been receding rapidly over the past two years, reversing a post-lockdown rise. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: My six things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy as at 6:26am on Tuesday, March 26 include:Workers have been treading water in output per hour worked for 12 years, ...
TL;DR: The key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to April 2 include:Today, Parliament resumes sitting at 2pm for the second week of a two-week session. Officials for SIS and GCSB report their annual reviews in public to the Intelligence and Security Select Committee from 5.10pm.Tomorrow, ...
Faced with a barrage of criticism over the promised tax cuts from usually supportive commentators, Finance Minister Nicola Willis yesterday reaffirmed her intention to include them in this year’s Budget. The Government is up against it over the cuts just about every way it turns. Commentators like Fran O’Sullivan, Matthew ...
Here’s my pick of today’s substack posts as of 6:26pm on Monday, March 25: writes via his substack that Market-rate housing will make your city cheaper writes via his substack about the problems talking to double-cab ute (truck) drivers about their vehicles. today about moments of radicalisation in ...
Buzz from the Beehive Just before Christmas, Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivered something that was pitched as a mini-budget and brayed about the decisive action being taken to repair the Government books and support income tax relief in Budget 2024. In a statement headed Fiscal repair job underway. she introduced ...
My sister Belinda asked Dad yesterday what one word would describe Mum best. He said: vivacious.If you only knew her from the photos on the slideshow we've made for today,you might wonder about that, because the camera tended to lie with Mum.If ever she saw a camera pointed at her, she ...
There are two major public consultations closing in the next week, Auckland Council’s Long Term Plan (LTP), and the draft Government Policy Statement on Land Transport (GPS). Closing dates and times: LTP closes Thursday 28 February, at 11.59pm – a minute to midnight! GPS closes Tuesday 2 April, at 12pm noon – note that’s ...
From Kiwiblog’s David Farrar – Bryce Wilkinson writes: Senior Fellow Bryce Wilkinson’s analysis reveals that since March 2009, New Zealand has spent $158 billion more overseas than it has earned, but its NIIP has only fallen by $32 billion.Statistics New Zealand shows that receipts from overseas reinsurers have ...
Is she hinting that the Coalition Government will have to back down on key promises it made in Opposition? Brian Easton writes – The Minister of Finance, Nicola Willis, is telling an evolving story about her fiscal challenges. In Opposition she was confident that she could ...
Dear Nicola Willis,Right now you’ve probably got lots of competing demands coming at you. Ministers who’ve inherited quite a mess, or so you’ve told us, looking for money in the budget to improve things. I imagine that’s why they came to parliament - to make things better.You’ll have to make ...
The Local Government, Transport and Auckland Minister hasthreatened councils with intervention if they don’t merge water assets to take them off balance sheet, just as the now-repealed Three Waters plan directed. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: My six things of note this morning for Monday, March 25 include:Simeon ...
A listing of 36 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 17, 2024 thru Sat, March 23, 2024. Story of the week Thanks to John Mason having the stamina to sit down to watch "Climate - the Movie" ...
This morning the Q&A programme had Simeon Brown on to talk about National’s replacement for Three Waters. In case anyone’s forgotten the three are - drinking water, waste water, and sewerage. It’s quite important not to get them mixed up. In much the same way that you wouldn’t want to ...
Today’s newsletter comes with a mini-podcast conversation between me and my buddy Liv Tennet, talking about her time as a child actor in Lord of the Rings. It’s a conversation with a lot of giggles as she talks about falling off a horse, and becoming a meme. Read ...
The Desmog Climate Disinformation Database documents, "individuals and organisations that have helped to delay and distract the public and our elected leaders from taking needed action to reduce greenhouse gas pollution and fight global warming." It's a who's who of the organised climate change denial movement, in other words. In ...
Bob Edlin writes – A High Court judge has decided miscreants who have mana – or who claim to have mana – should be treated differently from miscreants who have none. It’s a ruling that suggests indigenous law-breakers have a better chance of securing a discharge without conviction ...
Welcome to the first, and possibly last, edition of Brickbats, Bouquets and Bull’s Wool. In which I’ll take a look at the events of the last week or so, and rate them.In such ratings the numbers usually have more to do with the opinions of the reviewer, than the actual ...
Roger Partridge writes – My earlier column this month, New Zealand’s highest court could be facing a turning point, prompted a flood of feedback from business readers and lawyers alike. A common query was what Parliament can do to restrain an overreaching judiciary. This week I discuss two steps Parliament ...
TL;DR: In today’s ‘six-stack’ of substacks at 6.16pm on Friday, March 22: writes about New Zealand's Building Boom—And What the World Must Learn From It over at his substack. challenges the Auckland Council’s use of a 3.8 degrees of warming forecast to oppose a wave-park and data centre project ...
Is she hinting that the Coalition Government will have to back down on key promises it made in Opposition?The Minister of Finance, Nicola Willis, is telling an evolving story about her fiscal challenges. In Opposition she was confident that she could deliver her promised income tax cuts. Appointed minister, she ...
Buzz from the Beehive Ministers of the Crown have drawn attention to one sector of the science sector which is unlikely to be subjected to heavy spending cuts, a state-funded broadcaster which is doing nicely, thank you, and a sporting event that had $5.4 million from the public purse puffed ...
Abbott’s Freestyle Libre sensors allow continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). The sensor is applied to the back of the patient’s arm, with a thin filament under the skin measuring glucose levels constantly. But it costs around $100 per sensor and must be replaced once every 14 days. Photo by BSIP/Universal Images ...
The Inspector General of Intelligence and Security (IGIS) recently released a report in which he exposes the existence of a foreign intelligence partner-controlled technological “capability” inside the headquarters of the GCSB, NZ’s 5 Eyes-affiliated signals intelligence collection and analysis agency. … Continue reading → ...
Peter Dunne writes – Nearly three decades after the introduction of MMP and multiparty governments there should be a greater level of understanding about their finer points than often appears to be the case. The reaction to the despicable outburst from the Deputy Prime Minister at the weekend highlights ...
The sweet kisses from fruit of summerHave slowly been turning dullerYou say, "those times"And "remember the daysWhen we went outside and there still was the shade?"Taking no reason into play…Autumn. Clear, blue days shortening to longer nights, growing colder. Aotearoa.That’s us. The temperature dropping, the looming car crash - so ...
Bryce Edwards writes – “It is often said that behind every great man is a great woman”. This is the pitch by the National Party Botany electorate branch to attend their “Ladies Afternoon Tea with Amanda Luxon”. For $110 including GST, you can turn up on Saturday 20 April ...
David Farrar writes – The Electoral Commission has published the expense returns for political parties for the 2023 election. I’ve put them in a table with how many votes a party got so we can see the spend per vote. National only spent $3.34 for every vote they got, almost ...
Winston Peters’ headline-making actions over the past week may have been a show of political power intended to strengthen his hand in Budget negotiations. It was no accident that his State of the Nation speech was as it was. He made it as New Zealand First Leader, not as Deputy ...
Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:Former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson bowed out of politics this week, giving a series of exit ...
Graham Adams writes — If you love the law or sausages, as the saying goes, best not to look too closely at how they are made. And after watching the orgy of self-pity when Newshub’s closure was announced on February 28, television journalism should definitely be added to the list of those ...
Venerable New Zealand political commentator, Chris Trotter (https://bowalleyroad.blogspot.com/), is a sad creature these days. Once one of the most reliable Leftist writers out there – Economic Left at that – Trotter seems to have absorbed the worldview of Auckland culture-war obsessives. It is not for me to categorise what he ...
The cruelty of short-term memory loss is that each time you ask where she is, you get the fresh shock and grief of the news. That was Dad's day yesterday.Comfortingly, it seems to be less so today. Last night he looked crumpled, today he seems more settled. There's a card ...
Photo by Alvan Nee on UnsplashIt’s that new day of the week (Thursday rather than Friday) when and I co-host our ‘hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kākā for an hour at 5 pm. Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream for our chat about the week’s news ...
Buzz from the Beehive One minister is talking tough while a colleague – whose ministry had acted tough and drawn a barrage of flak – has shown an official softening. Some ministers are doing what Labour was good at, which is distributing public funds to causes regarded as worthy or ...
A ballot for 4 Member's Bills was held today, and the following bills were drawn: Insurance Contracts Bill (Duncan Webb) Income Tax (Clean Transport FBT Exclusion) Amendment Bill (Julie Anne Genter) Crimes (Increased Penalties for Slavery Offences) Amendment Bill (Greg Fleming) Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) ...
The Coalition Government’s plan to ‘get Auckland moving’ is a cuts cover-up that will ultimately cost Aucklanders more to move around the city, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Slashing the Ministry of Pacific Peoples by 40% will have a devastating impact on pacific communities and further highlights how little this government cares about anything other than cutting taxes for the wealthiest few. ...
Labour has proposed an urgent inquiry to investigate the ever-increasing profits of supermarkets, aiming to lower costs for shoppers and food producers alike, says Labour Spokesperson for Commerce and Consumer Affairs Arena Williams and Primary Production Spokesperson Cushla Tangaere-Manuel. ...
With 14% of jobs on the line at the Ministry for Ethnic Communities, the responsible Minister Melissa Lee is failing to stand up for the very communities she’s meant to be representing. ...
COURT OF APPEAL: TRIFECTA OF VICTORY FOR NZ FIRST, TRIFECTA OF FAILURE FOR OPPONENTS For the third time since April 2020, New Zealand First has defeated the Serious Fraud Office and all those complicit in a malicious attack against a political party going about its lawful business in a lawful ...
The Green Party stands with people who live in public housing, people in dire housing need, experts and advocates in demanding better than the Government’s archaic approach to housing those who need our support the most. ...
New Zealand has recently lost the hosting rights of some major international sporting events including the America’s Cup, the Rugby Championship, Netball World Cup, and the Wellington Sevens. We are now at a huge risk of losing SailGP as well. And it won’t stop there. The recent issues with SailGP ...
A Member’s Bill drawn this week would modernise insurance law and make things fairer and more transparent for consumers, Christchurch Central MP Duncan Webb said. ...
The Minister for Disability Issues has confirmed she was aware of funding issues in mid-December and did nothing to stop it. On 14 March, she signed off on changes that were announced and implemented on 18 March without any consultation with disability communities. ...
Green Party MP Julie Anne Genter says her members' bill is an opportunity for the coalition government to plug the gap in electric vehicle incentives. ...
The National Government continues to talk about irresponsible tax cuts that will only drive up inflation, despite the country entering a technical recession. ...
The Minister for Disability Issues must act urgently to reinstate flexibility around the funding for disability support and apologise to disabled carers. ...
This story has been initiated by a leftie shill reporter who proactively sought to call a member of a former band, which disbanded twelve years ago, give their biased appraisal of what was said in my speech, and concocted a ham-fisted attempt at a story that does nothing but show ...
The Government has accepted Labour’s change to the Road User Charge (RUC) discount for hybrid vehicles, meaning there will still be some incentive for people to buy greener vehicles. ...
Many in the mainstream media have taken what was said in New Zealand First’s State of the Nation Speech in Palmerston North on Sunday and deliberately, deceitfully, and ignorantly misrepresented what I said and why I said it. The headlines and commentary on the news stated that I compared ‘co-governance ...
Kicking the most vulnerable people out of state housing and pushing them towards homelessness will result in a proliferation of poverty and trauma across our most vulnerable communities. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader and MP for Waiariki, Rawiri Waititi has penned a letter asking MPs to support his members bill to remove GST from all food. The bill is expected to go through its first reading in parliament this Wednesday. “I’m calling on all political parties to support my ...
Good afternoon. Thank you for, in your very busy lives, turning up to this meeting today. On October 14th last year New Zealanders overwhelmingly voted for change. That is exactly what this new government is bringing. New Zealand First campaigned to ‘take back our country’ and stop the disastrous economic ...
This year is about getting real with Kiwis and discussing the tough issues, as the National Government exacerbates inequality and divides New Zealand, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said ...
The Government adding Significant Natural Areas (SNAs) to its already roaring environmental policy bonfire is an assault on the future of wildlife that makes Aotearoa unique. ...
After 12 years of fighting to protect our moana we are finding ourselves back at square one and back at court. Today, the Environmental Protection Agency is sitting in Hawera to reconsider an application from Trans-Tasman Resources to dig up 50 million tonnes of the seabed in South Taranaki. This ...
Minister Shane Jones’ decision to step away from a seabed mining project is evidence of the murky waters surrounding the Government’s fast-track legislation. ...
The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last government in a bid to get greater coherence in the publicservice on Treaty matters. When ministers first considered the need for tighter oversight in 2021, there ...
The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last government in a bid to get greater coherence in the publicservice on Treaty matters. When ministers first considered the need for tighter oversight in 2021, there ...
The Coalition Government’s miscalculation saga continues as it has forgotten an eyewatering $90 million gap in its interest deductibility cost figures, say Labour Finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds and Revenue Spokesperson Deborah Russell. ...
He Pou a Rangi Climate Change Commission has today released advice that says if the Government doesn’t act now New Zealand is at risk of not meeting its climate goals. ...
The Coalition Government has today confirmed it is abandoning first home buyers who are struggling to get ahead, says Labour Finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds. ...
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the passing of legislation to move light electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) into the road user charges system from 1 April. “It was always intended that EVs and PHEVs would be exempt from road user charges until they reached two ...
New Zealand is strengthening its ability to combat illegal fishing outside its domestic waters and beef up regulation for its own commercial fishers in international waters through a Bill which had its first reading in Parliament today. The Fisheries (International Fishing and Other Matters) Amendment Bill 2023 sets out stronger ...
Economists Carl Hansen and Professor Prasanna Gai have been appointed to the Reserve Bank Monetary Policy Committee, Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced today. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is the independent decision-making body that sets the Official Cash Rate which determines interest rates. Carl Hansen, the executive director of Capital ...
Apartment owners and buyers will soon have greater protections as further changes to the law on unit titles come into effect, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “The Unit Titles (Strengthening Body Corporate Governance and Other Matters) Amendment Act had already introduced some changes in December 2022 and May 2023, and ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to Egypt and Europe from this weekend. “This travel will focus on a range of New Zealand’s traditional diplomatic and security partnerships while enabling broad engagement on the urgent situation in Gaza,” Mr Peters says. Mr Peters will attend the NATO Foreign ...
Transport Minister Simeon Brown is encouraging all road users to stay safe, plan their journeys ahead of time, and be patient with other drivers while travelling around this Easter long weekend. “Road safety is a responsibility we all share, and with increased traffic on our roads expected this Easter we ...
About 1.4 million New Zealanders will receive cost of living relief through increased government assistance from April 1 909,000 pensioners get a boost to Superannuation, including 5000 veterans 371,000 working-age beneficiaries will get higher payments 45,000 students will see an increase in their allowance Over a quarter of New Zealanders ...
Ensuring social housing is being provided to those with the greatest needs is front of mind as the Government restarts social housing tenancy reviews, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. “Our relentless focus on building a strong economy is to ensure we can deliver better public services such as social ...
The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary will not go ahead, with Cabinet deciding to stop work on the proposed reserve and remove the Bill that would have established it from Parliament’s order paper. “The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill would have created a 620,000 sq km economic no-go zone,” Oceans and Fisheries Minister ...
Dam safety regulations are being amended so that smaller dams won’t be subject to excessive compliance costs, Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on reducing costs and removing unnecessary red tape so we can get the economy back on track. “Dam safety regulations ...
The coalition Government is expanding the medium-scale adverse event classification to parts of the North Island as dry weather conditions persist, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced today. “I have made the decision to expand the medium-scale adverse event classification already in place for parts of the South Island to also cover the ...
The passing of legislation giving effect to coalition Government tax commitments has been welcomed by Finance Minister Nicola Willis. “The Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill will help place New Zealand on a more secure economic footing, improve outcomes for New Zealanders, and make our tax system ...
Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins and Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds today announced plans to transform our science and university sectors to boost the economy. Two advisory groups, chaired by Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, will advise the Government on how these sectors can play a greater ...
The Budget will deliver urgently-needed tax relief to hard-working New Zealanders while putting the government’s finances back on a sustainable track, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The Finance Minister made the comments at the release of the Budget Policy Statement setting out the Government’s Budget objectives. “The coalition Government intends ...
The coalition Government will look at options to address a zoning issue that limits how much financial support Queenstown residents can get for accommodation. Cabinet has agreed on a response to the Petitions Committee, which had recommended the geographic information MSD uses to determine how much accommodation supplement can be ...
Cabinet has agreed to a short extension to the final reporting timeframe for the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care from 28 March 2024 to 26 June 2024, Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says. “The Royal Commission wrote to me on 16 February 2024, requesting that I consider an ...
The coalition Government is delivering an $18 million boost to New Zealanders needing to travel for specialist health treatment, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says. “These changes are long overdue – the National Travel Assistance (NTA) scheme saw its last increase to mileage and accommodation rates way back in 2009. ...
The Government is recognising the innovative and rising talent in New Zealand’s growing space sector, with the Prime Minister and Space Minister Judith Collins announcing the new Prime Minister’s Prizes for Space today. “New Zealand has a growing reputation as a high-value partner for space missions and research. I am ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity, attributed to groups sponsored by the Chinese Government, targeting democratic institutions in both New ...
Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry Education Minister Erica Stanford today announced the appointment of three independent reviewers to lead the Ministerial Inquiry into the Ministry of Education’s School Property Function. The Inquiry will be led by former Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully. “There is a clear need ...
State Highway 1 across the Brynderwyns will be open for Easter weekend, with work currently underway to ensure the resilience of this critical route being paused for Easter Weekend to allow holiday makers to travel north, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Today I visited the Brynderwyn Hills construction site, where ...
Introduction Good morning to you all, and thanks for having me bright and early today. I am absolutely delighted to be the Minister for Infrastructure alongside the Minister of Housing and Resource Management Reform. I know the Prime Minister sees the three roles as closely connected and he wants me ...
New Zealand stands with the United Kingdom in its condemnation of People’s Republic of China (PRC) state-backed malicious cyber activity impacting its Electoral Commission and targeting Members of the UK Parliament. “The use of cyber-enabled espionage operations to interfere with democratic institutions and processes anywhere is unacceptable,” Minister Responsible for ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced New Zealand will provide logistics support for the upcoming Solomon Islands election. “We’re sending a team of New Zealand Defence Force personnel and two NH90 helicopters to provide logistics support for the election on 17 April, at the request ...
The European Union Free Trade Agreement Legislation Amendment Bill received Royal Assent today, completing the process for New Zealand’s ratification of its free trade agreement with the European Union. “I am pleased to announce that today, in a small ceremony at the Beehive, New Zealand notified the European Union ...
Public consultation on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons has concluded, Internal Affairs Minister Hon Brooke van Velden says. “I have been advised that there were over 11,000 submissions made through the Royal Commission’s online consultation portal.” Expanding the scope of the Royal Commission of ...
Hardworking families are set to benefit from a new credit to help them meet their early childcare education (ECE) costs, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. From 1 July, parents and caregivers of young children will be supported to manage the rising cost of living with a partial reimbursement of their ...
A specialised Independent Technical Advisory Group (ITAG) tasked with preparing and publishing independent non-binding advice on the design of a "green" (sustainable finance) taxonomy rulebook is being established, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “Comprising experts and market participants, the ITAG's primary goal is to deliver comprehensive recommendations to the ...
Defence Minister Judith Collins has thanked the Chief of Army, Major General John Boswell, DSD, for his service as he leaves the Army after 40 years. “I would like to thank Major General Boswell for his contribution to the Army and the wider New Zealand Defence Force, undertaking many different ...
25 March 2024 Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders Small Business, Manufacturing, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly will travel to Australia for a series of bi-lateral meetings and manufacturing visits. During the visit, Minister Bayly will meet with his Australian counterparts, Senator Tim Ayres, Ed ...
Government commits almost $3 million for period products in schools The Coalition Government has committed $2.9 million to ensure intermediate and secondary schools continue providing period products to those who need them, Minister of Education Erica Stanford announced today. “This is an issue of dignity and ensuring young women don’t ...
Good morning, it’s great to be here. First, I would like to acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of Building Surveyors and thank you for the opportunity to be here this morning. I would like to use this opportunity to outline the Government’s ambitious plan and what we hope to ...
Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti has announced the Government’s commitment to the Auckland Secondary Schools Māori and Pacific Islands Cultural Festival, more commonly known as Polyfest. “The Ministry for Pacific Peoples is a longtime supporter of Polyfest and, as it celebrates 49 years in 2024, I’m proud to ...
Before moving onto the substance of today’s address, I want to recognise the very significant and ongoing contribution the Breast Cancer Foundation makes to support the lives of New Zealand women and their families living with breast cancer. I very much enjoy working with you. I also want to recognise ...
New Zealand has notched up a first with the launch of University of Canterbury research to the International Space Station, Science, Innovation and Technology and Space Minister Judith Collins says. The hardware, developed by Dr Sarah Kessans, is designed to operate autonomously in orbit, allowing scientists on Earth to study ...
Introduction Thank you for inviting me to speak with you today and I’m sorry I can’t be there in person. Yesterday I started in Wellington for Breakfast TV, spoke to a property conference in Auckland, and finished the day speaking to local government in Christchurch, so it would have been ...
The Coalition Government is contributing more than $1 million to support the establishment of an emergency multi-agency coordination centre in Northland. Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced the contribution today during a visit of the Whangārei site where the facility will be constructed. “Northland has faced a number ...
New Zealanders have enjoyed a broader range of voices telling the story of Aotearoa thanks to the creation of Whakaata Māori 20 years ago, says Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka. The minister spoke at a celebration marking the national indigenous media organisation’s 20th anniversary at their studio in Auckland on ...
Commercial catch limits for some fisheries have been increased following a review showing stocks are healthy and abundant, Ocean and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The changes, along with some other catch limit changes and management settings, begin coming into effect from 1 April 2024. "Regular biannual reviews of fish ...
Jesus had dinner with his 12 disciples right before he died. Noted historian Madeleine Chapman finds out who really deserved to be there.First published in 2018 but let’s be honest, the subject is timeless. As you sit on your couch this Easter Sunday, eating a chocolate egg you know ...
The newly-promoted Northern League club is on a mission to return to the National League for the first time in two decades. Plenty about domestic football in New Zealand has changed in that time – but the sense that this amateur competition is not an entirely level playing field remains. ...
Auckland Council has put a deadline on new weather-impacted property owners applying for categorisation as government funding looks set to run out. Councillors have voted to support a deadline of September 30 for property owners who haven’t accessed support to come forward and engage with the council’s recovery office. It ...
NONFICTION 1 BBQ Economics by Liam Dann (Penguin Random House, $40) “It’s official,” wrote Dann nine days ago in the Herald, where he works as business editor at large, “we’re in recession.” Yeah, great. He delivered the bad stats: “GDP fell 0.1 percent in the December 2023 quarter, compared with ...
Comment: Every year on February 2, a dozen men in tuxedos and top hats approach the burrow of a groundhog in Gobbler’s Knob, Pennsylvania and entice the beaver-like rodent to emerge and predict the weather. If the groundhog, named Punxsutawney Phil, sees its own shadow when it is summoned, legend ...
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By Anneke Smith, RNZ News political reporter A petition urging the New Zealand government to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people has been tabled in the House. More than 200 people gathered on Parliament’s forecourt today and they were met by MPs from Labour, the Greens and Te ...
Pacific Media Watch The Paris-based global media freedom watchdog RSF (Reporters Without Borders) has appealed for information about the “disappearance” of Palestinian journalist Bayan Abusultan. She was reportedly last seen on March 19 among people “sequestered” in this week’s raid and siege of Al Shifa hospital by Israeli troops in ...
EDITORIAL:The Jakarta Post It happens again and again; indigenous Papuans fall victim to Indonesian soldiers. This time, we have photographic evidence for the brutality, with videos on social media showing a Papuan man being tortured by a group of plainclothes men alleged to be the Indonesian Military (TNI) members. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robyn J. Whitaker, Director of the Wesley Centre for Theology, Ethics, and Public Policy & Associate Professor, New Testament, Pilgrim Theological College, University of Divinity A strange and eclectic range of activities takes place across these few weeks of the year. Some ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Panizza Allmark, Professor Visual & Cultural Studies, Edith Cowan University It’s Easter weekend, which means many of us will be kicking back with the greatest hits on repeat. But whether you’re a boomer, or an ‘80s or ’90s kid, you might be ...
RNZ Pacific Fiji’s Acting Public Prosecutor has filed an appeal against the sentences of former prime minister Voreqe Bainimarama and suspended police chief Sitiveni Qiliho in their corruption case. Bainimarama was granted an absolute discharge for attempting to pervert the course of justice while Qiliho received a conditional discharge with ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Arosha Weerakoon, Senior Lecturer and General Dentist, School of Dentistry, The University of Queensland Casezy idea/Shutterstock How does toothpaste work? What did people use before toothpaste was invented? – Amelia, age 7, Meanjin (Brisbane) Thanks for your ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brett Hallam, Associate professor, UNSW Sydney IM Imagery/Shutterstock Solar SunShot is well named. The Australian government announced today it would plough A$1 billion into bringing back solar manufacturing to Australia, boosting energy security, swapping coal and gas jobs for those ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Clare Dix, Research Fellow in Nutrition & Dietetics, The University of Queensland Easter is the time for chocolate. The shops are full of fantastically packaged and shiny chocolates in all shapes and sizes, making trips to the supermarket with children more challenging ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Emma Felton, Adjunct Senior Researcher, University of South Australia Even in a stubborn cost-of-living crisis, it seems there’s one luxury most Australians won’t sacrifice – their daily cup of coffee. Coffee sales have largely remained stable, even as financial pressures have ...
Mining company Trans-Tasman Resources has unexpectedly withdrawn its application for a consent to suck the valuable metals vanadium and titanium from the Taranaki seafloor, as it apparently wagers on the Government’s new fast-track process. It had spent two-and-a-half days putting its case to the Environmental Protection Agency’s decision-making committee, at ...
Contrary to the Associate Minister of Education’s claims, analysis of Healthy School Lunches Programme - Ka Ora, Ka Ako assessments has revealed it provides excellent value for the taxpayer dollar, as a groundswell of public opposition to Government ...
Greenpeace says wannabe Taranaki seabed miner Trans-Tasman Resources is likely banking on Christopher Luxon’s fast-track process to side-step proper scrutiny of its Taranaki seabed mining proposal by bailing out of the Environmental Protection Agency hearing ...
Kiwis Against Seabed mining today slammed Australian owned would-be seabed miner Trans Tasman Resources (TTR) for abandoning its application to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to mine the seabed of the South Taranaki Bight. The company ...
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Guyon Espiner asks Key questions about housing affordability in Auckland.
Key has no answer.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/201786630/john-key-on-the-week's-events
What was there to answer?
As Key said, Auckland is a very sought after place to live both locally and internationally.
Also prices have been rising for a long time and will take a while to level out or drop, last thing any government would want to do is rapidly crash a market.
I guess something like “Isn’t the cost of housing in Auckland a problem for median earners?” and “What are you going to do about it?”
Median income $ 77, 000
Median house price $ 748 000
It appears Key ( a multi-millionaire) does not.
“As Key said, Auckland is a very sought after place to live”
It is a sought after place to invest untaxed money. Not the same thing, sadly. Until a government tackles the financialisation of our housing, Auckland is screwed.
House prices are so high because there are no rules here.
New Zealanders can land bank, buying up many more houses than they need.
And people from overseas can speculate on houses prices here.
Both these groups of people – wealthy New Zealanders and foreigners – are forcing ordinary New Zealanders out of their own land.
But Key and his acolytes believe in the market.
Devoutly.
Except when it comes to the TPPA and multinationals he wants them protected?
You always did, but it has been tightened up.
Too many kiwis doing a shifty and not declaring income from property speculation.
http://www.ird.govt.nz/m/campaigns/property-changes.html
I don’t understand where that high median income figure comes from. I thought the NZ median personal income was closer to $28,000. – which means half earn less than that. A very long way from the median house price in Auckland (or anywhere).
Is it household income?
Yes. Another little lie.
– Demographia
As Matthew Hooton described the other day here at The Standard, this government is truly the do nothing government.
You don’t want the bubble to burst, you want it to slowly deflate, so people have a bit of time to adjust.
Bubbles bursting is what happened to NZ between 1984 and 1990, thought Labour would have learn’t their lesson and understood that.
Obviously not and yet another reason why they’re not fit to govern and National is the only option out there to skillfully run the economy.
By doing nothing?
Fact is they are getting right towelling in the media today and about time too.
And do please when you are ready point out where Labour advocates for a bursting of the bubble.
Doing nothing?
http://www.ird.govt.nz/m/campaigns/property-changes.html
http://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/en/ratesbuildingproperty/housingsupply/pages/specialhousingareas.aspx
What else do you want them to do, take over Auckland?
————————————————–
Phil Twyford
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/76150232/auckland-housing-soars-further-out-of-householders-reach-demographia
And yet Auckland has moved from ninth to fifth on the least affordable cities in the world list after the timid tinkering by the current government.
The tinkering around the edges by John Key is clearly not working and as several experts have said this morning far more needs to be done.
Actually, I’d make it so that there was a way for the owners to keep living in the same house without debt and then crash the market.
The problem is that we keep getting bubbles, that when we do our governments actually work to protect those that caused the bubbles rather than ensuring that the risk falls where it’s due and they don’t put in place legislation to stop those bubbles. Just banning foreign ownership would kill many of the bubbles that we now have.
I doubt Aucklanders want their house prices to “deflate slowly”.
Just as an aside Matty – how do you feel about your ‘PERFORMANCE’ on NinetoNoon today?
Was it (on a scale from 1 to 5): Abysmal thru’ adequate to exceptional.
Admittedly we can take in your handicap (i.e. where the regular gal with the balanced portfolio and the world’s best understanding of ‘work-life-balance) where allowances are made for you (in case you throw another hissy fit).
I suspect your judgement (that includes your desire to appear rational and modest) would be in the ‘adequate’ region. 3.5 out of 5 maybe?
And that’s the thing. We have become a nation of ladder-kickers.
“I doubt Aucklanders want their house prices to “deflate slowly”.”
Matthew, if all assets drop in proportion then non problema eh silly.
Problem of course, as highlighted everywhere, is the debt. Not the house price.
Now, if the debt slid in proportion to the house price (for which a very strong argument can be made), then also non problema.
Banks and debt have had to be heavily controlled and regulated for centuries. More is required at this next junction I think. Maybe the change to come post-meltdown will be to limit debt recovery in the event of asset value change (both up and down to be fair)….
BM
You’re stating the bleeding obvious.
Questions that arise:
Why is Auckland so sought? What then can reduce those factors? They are disrupting and skewing our housing market, so what can be done to cool this to a satisfactory level, away from gold rush level?
Your point about the length of time of occurrence is an excellent reason to continue any measures that will bring about a gradual decrease in the rise of prices, perhaps to that of our measured inflation, low, very low.
These would be questions arising from the answer that would be applied by an interviewer after definite information and be forthcoming from a responsible politician.
Have you been to Auckland.?
It’s a very nice city and one of the most multi cultural in the world, people like the place.
Solve the transport issues and I’d say it would be in the top 5.
Seriously, How many major cites have a farm in the middle of it, where you can walk around among sheep.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/property/pictures/9477990/The-worlds-10-best-cities-to-live-in.html
https://www.gfmag.com/global-data/non-economic-data/best-cities-to-live?page=13
“Seriously, How many major cites have a farm in the middle of it, where you can walk around among sheep.”
Roflnui. Sometimes I think you are a parody account BM.
He’s talking about Cornwall Park – one of the most beautiful places in the world. It is still a working farm, five minutes drive from Queen Street (outside rush hour).
yes, I assumed he was talking about something real, but his phrasing was just too delightfu a summary of propaganda from the neoliberal world view. A lovely city that people can’t afford to live in but hey they can visit the centre and walk around with the sheep. Baaaaa.
“too delightful a summary of propaganda from the neoliberal world view”
Does that even mean anything?
Also, it seems that about 1.4 million people are able to afford to live here. And walk around with sheep. Do you not understand that prices go up because people want to live here? If people “can’t afford to live in” Auckland then prices will go down.
Well it was more of a statement about BM’s politics as much as anything, but since you’ve asked, yes it does mean something. It means that the view you just presented that the market will somehow provide a solution is a nonsense and we may as well just all head down to the sheep farm and make like the sheep.
The South Island is full of ex-Aucklanders who came here for the cheaper housing. To be fair those are generally the middle classes who could live in Auckland but also could afford to get out. The people really feeling it are the people who live in Auckland but whose quality of life is diminished because of wage rates and housing prices. So when I say ‘can’t afford to live in Auckland’ you can take it as a overarching meme for the fact that how we arrange society grossly advantages some and disadvantages others and the market will never make that right (not that I expect you or BM to care about that).
“If people “can’t afford to live in” Auckland then prices will go down.”
No homeless people there then? Nobody leaving? No poverty? No overcrowded housing? No transient population?
What you really meant is if the middle classes can’t afford it then the housing market will slow. But let’s not pretend that prices will actually drop in any kind of meaningful way that is good for people and their communities.
he sounded like a slimy bullshitter…the comments which followed said as much…
Yes, notice how how Key tried to dodge throughout the interview.
He presented statistical outliers.
He questioned the survey, “This is one survey, there’s a whole bunch of other surveys” then when challenged could not present alternative surveys.
Then changed tack and bragged about growing consents and said what a great place Auckland was a place to live in.
When challenged with the rhetorical question, “So you think it’s a good news story?”
he then blamed Labour for the problem.
When he blames labour its a sign of desperation which a decent journo would see and go for the jugular.
3rd term and still blaming clark/cullen which he does because nat shills like Gluon let it pass as the accepted meme/spin being peddled.
Did he get asked about flogging state houses, a broken election promise, by gluon ? This removal of supply will only make it worse and they know it.
PM John Key and his National government say most Kiwis support the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement and those who don’t are ignorant or manipulated.
Show him he’s wrong.
Help us to fill the Auckland Town Hall tomorrow, Tuesday 26th at 7pm in the first TPPA: Don’t Sign public meetings.
Hear dynamic, funny, and scary US former trade attorney and TPPA expert Lori Wallach, Director of Public Citizen Global Trade Watch, on how the US politics may sink the TPPA.
Jane Kelsey will explain the highlights of the expert papers saying what the TPPA would really mean for Kiwis.
A political panel will tell us why they oppose the signing of the TPPA:
Grant Robertson, Labour; Metiria Turie, Greens; Marama Fox, Maori Party; and Fletcher Tabuteau, NZ First.
For details of Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin meetings see http://itsourfuture.org.nz/tppa-dont-sign-tour/
The speaking tour is being sponsored by Its Our Future, Action Station, NZ Council of Trade Unions and First Union
but donations are needed to cover costs.
You can contribute to these events and the ongoing campaign at https://givealittle.co.nz/org/itsourfuture
Does Labour not support the TPPA?, have they changed their mind again?
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/72953458/Labour-unlikely-to-withdraw-from-TPPA-trade-deal-if-in-Govt-Andrew-Little?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
I hope they have.
Anyone who cares about New Zealand’s sovereignty should.
Did you read Rod Oram’s excellent article on the matter?
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/opinion-analysis/76114721/rod-oram-dark-clouds-on-the-horizon
And have you read legal experts’ view on the TPP?
https://tpplegal.wordpress.com/nzlf-expert-paper-series/
I predict that the Auckland Town Hall will be PACKED!
Want a seat?
Get there early ….. 🙂
Want to hear the other side of the story to PM John Key’s ‘spin’ on the TPPA?
PUBLIC MEETING!
WHERE: Auckland Town Hall.
WHEN: Tuesday 26 January 2016
TIME: 7pm
SPEAKERS: Lori Wallach (Public Citizen USA)
Professor Jane Kelsey
POLITICAL PANEL:
Labour Party: Grant Robertson
Green Party: Metiria Turei
NZ First: Fletcher Tabateau
Maori Party: Marama Fox
http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2016/01/23/exclusive-an-open-invitation-from-professor-jane-kelsey/
Ever heard Lori Wallach talk about the stark realities of US politics on the TPPA?
If you have, you won’t want to miss her again!
If you haven’t, this is a once in a lifetime chance to hear her on how the US and its corporate lobby stitched us up, and sold out ordinary Americans as well. (for Lori’s bio – see here)
Can the US Congress stop the deal?
Will the US Congress stop the deal?
What happens if Hillary Clinton wins the presidency?
Or Donald Trump (assuming that is worse … which it has to be)
Are US politicians serious that they will rewrite the deal after it is signed by setting rules for ‘implementation’? What would that mean for Kiwis?
….
_________________________
Penny Bright
2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate.
Bernie Sanders will trump Clinton, piece of cake and he doesn’t like the TPPA.
Vandana Shiva:
http://www.psrast.org/vashipr.htm
Wayne Mapp calls the TPP a “modern FTA”
Lowering a few tariffs, while at the same time increasing Intellectual Property Rights IPRs means that it is a total misrepresentation/lie to imply that the TPP is a Free Trade Agreement.
False advertising or deceptive advertising is the use of false or misleading statements in advertising, and misrepresentation of the product at hand, which may negatively affect many stakeholders, especially consumers.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/False_advertising
I liked the Kelsey video where she states bluntly that this isn’t a trade deal, that the trade part of the TPP is small and that most if it is about giving rights to corporations.
What the TPPA and other agreements do is increase protections for corporations while decreasing protections for those that sell their labour. The end result is more political power in the hands of the corporations and less in the hands of the people.
The TPPA takes us further down the road to serfdom. A serfdom that has always been the goal of capitalism.
If Wayne Mapp was in the Real Estate Industry and advertising like this he would be down in Wellington before the REAA.
Winston Peters…
“If the Opposition was in any way what it should be, [Key] wouldn’t have a hope in Hades.”
“That’s the real test. Whether the Opposition parties mark up, shape up, keep themselves focused, keep their eyes on what the prize should be rather than their own political and egregious self interest and advantage. If they do that, then the Government wouldn’t have a show in its present construction.”
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11578976
Not so easy when the msm calls this of bs political coverage.
‘ MPs with bald spots reached for the hats. Andrew Little had a snappy hat but foolishly wore a black suit. NZ First leader Winston Peters took refuge in a tree, from where he quoted Noel Coward: “only fools and Englishmen go out in the midday sun”.’
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11579021
Bill English also wore a dark, if not black suit, but hey, that’s OK as he is not Labour.
And Key wore his new flag on his lapel.
Shameless.
“…Winston Peters took refuge in a tree …” In a tree? Love it! Just had a great image of Winnie in a tree, beady eyes peering out at those below like an elderly possum. Surely the writer meant under a tree?
Depends on how much he’d had to drink I guess
Winston or Key? They both known for their drinking but Winston still looks sharp & coherent the next day, Key? Not so much…
Did any ponytails get pulled?
As is often the case with Peters is he both speaking truth and being a complete hypocrite.
Whether the Opposition parties mark up, shape up, keep themselves focused, keep their eyes on what the prize should be rather than their own political and egregious self interest and advantage
🙄
Paturoa kauri update:
I didn’t see any evidence of browning in the foliage (but I wouldn’t really expect to until another month or two). Since looking at it in the morning means looking into the sun, I couldn’t really assess any subtler hints about foliage colouring or glossiness.
The bandage around the ring-barking has soaked through with sap, but it doesn’t appear to be bleeding trails of sap down the trunk. So I’m cautiously hopeful the sap has gone back to flowing up and down the trunk the way it should.
So on the basis of precisely zero experience or expertise in helping trees recover from ringbarking, my gut feel has gone from “it’s a goner” to “maybe it’s got a teeny-tiny chance”
i follow it on FB and yes, it seems that there is a small bit of hope for the Kauri and the Rimu. Here is to hoping.
Thanks Andre. Do you know what the owners are up to? I assume it was them that paid the company to do the ringbarking. Why are they not finishing off the job?
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/court-action-gains-temporary-reprieve-for-ringbarked-kauri
………..The injunction means all activity has been halted on site until the hearing next year and prevents further harm to both the kauri and rimu pending the judicial review………
The ring barking on both the Kauri and its sister the Rimu happened the night before the injunction was passed.
The courts found the owners of the property who have ordered the ring barking to be within their rights.
Wierd, I would have thought that ringbarking the trees with the court decision pending would have resulted in a contempt charge at the very least.
Thanks Sabine.
After it was ringbarked, was there any cambium (tree stem cells) left in the wound?
i honestly would not know.
I know that Johno administered ‘first aid’ and that maori healers came and did their thing. I am not an arborist, but as of today, people are cautiously optimistic that both trees make it.
Cheeers,
Keeping my fingers crossed. I’ve not seen a tree recover from such a wound before. But then I’m not an arborist so my knowledge of trees is limited to the general knowledge I need for timber milling, drying, cabinet making etc.
Ummm, monkey apples can survive a ringbarking at least 150mm wide all the way around. Several on my place did, anyways.
The photos from Sabine’s tvnz link appear to show continuous bark left across the wound in a few places, so there may be cambium left behind.
I don’t think the rimu got ring-barked, if it did it’s not visible from the road, and I haven’t been keen to go walking down to take a closer look since kauri dieback is prevalent there.
Cheers
Sorry, I put out some incorrect information earlier.
Went and took a wander down the section and yes, the rimu also got a cut all the way around the trunk. Along with every other tree that was marked with an X that hadn’t been previously felled. Those cuts were hidden by the slash left on the section, so not visible from the road. The malicious orcs had done more damage than I had previously been aware of.
But I didn’t see that any of the others had great chunks of bark taken off the trunk (unlike the kauri), and the foliage on those trees looks normal, and no trails of sap running down the trunks, so maybe they all have a chance.
Also got the neighbours worried again to see another stranger taking an interest in the section.
Malaysia’s parliament votes this week to accept or reject the TPP, first the Lower House then the Senate. The scheduling of the voting shortly before signing makes it look as though this will determine whether the government signs or not (Auckland 4 February) but I am not sure.
Anyone know definitely?
Malaysia and Australia obtained additional exceptions to those our NZ negotiators achieved. These two countries form an interesting comparison for NZ. But zilch do we hear from our MSM.
Interesting that Malaysia would go to the trouble of actually performing the democratic process regarding this issue.
Something for our government to learn?
Some interesting threads over the weekend ref: fisi and fourth term for Key
The thing that seemed to come through that I noticed the most was the refrain that “the left need to work together”.
I’m not disagreeing with this at all (at least in regards to a left victory) but what it really needed changing to was “Labour need to work with the rest of the left in NZ” as it seems (admittedly to me) that the left want to work with Labour but Labour isn’t as keen.
Its still a worry though that there are posters who still underestimate John Keys intelligence and this attitude that “hes just a money man”, “the USA tells him what to do” etc etc means some on the left don’t prepare as well as they could (subconsciously not taking him seriously perhaps?)
Also it seems the Labour party (yeah yeah MMP but they’re still the largest party on the left) are out of touch with modern day politicking which considering Lange and Clark went that long ago is a real shame
So yes there will be a fourth term for John Key and while that means the left will win in 2020 it depends on whether the Left want two terms or three if they (the Left) are willing/able to change to modern day NZ
Key is an irrelevancy. His government is useless and does nothing.
Only concerted media campaigns and opposition inaction keep him in power.
Most kiwis don’t find him as erotic as fisiani appears to – and those that do will just get cast aside like a used Hosking when Key is done with them.
The parallels with the Milliband Labour party are significant – self-serving self-styled elite wonder why they can’t win.
Pat, discussing the left-right divide in politics says, in Fisiani Gets it Right on 23/1 says:
.it certainly appears to me that the younger generations by and large have no points of reference for that positioning and consequently it carries no relevance for them…but naturally those (few) that are politically active and involved at party level tend to have a very firm view in terms of Left/Right so reinforce the dichotomy within.
But this decay away from Labour-left policies started longer ago than you imply Pat. So a good number of older Labour in NZ are similar to the Blairites in Britain and very possibly any oldies with fire in their bellies for ‘the people’ and a fairer, better functioning NZ, are either isolated or dead.
Would anyone who knows like to identify those older Labour members still in a position of power and/or Parliament who not only talk the talk but walk the walk?
“But this decay away from Labour-left policies started longer ago than you imply Pat. So a good number of older Labour in NZ are similar to the Blairites in Britain and very possibly any oldies with fire in their bellies for ‘the people’ and a fairer, better functioning NZ, are either isolated or dead.’
don’t necessarily disagree with that greywarshark, but I was responding to a comment from CV that implied (to me at least) that there was no future in presenting policy in terms of left/right….just as there are few remaining veterans of WW2 who’s experiences tempered our society for so long after that event there are few who recall the great conflict of ideas of last century…..increasingly to those in positions of influence it is ancient history, not something their parents, grandparents experienced and perhaps formed….what do we care of the politics of ancient Rome, the Chinese dynasties,the French revolution and the like when forming our opinions today? I suggest the Left/Right struggle of last century has as much relevance to the young(er) of today and is as misunderstood….rightly or wrongly.
The lessons will have to be relearned…their own way.
Pat
Hmmm interesting. Someone emphasised the other day that the era of Rome and its politics is not far away from what is occurring today. I think his point was that it is all cyclical, and you refer to the conflict of ideas and systems in the history of other countries. There is a problem with older people with long memories, if they haven’t learned anything from their experience after rumination and reflection, with discussion of the events.
Do older people once involved in war, have a considered opinion about it, or do they just go through the ceremonies each year? Here at the Anzac Day church-run short civic gathering, the same words are repeated each year, reverential, memorial, but not disturbing the air and ears with anti-war poems or comment. That seems too real, questioning the waste of life.
There was no room for the presentation by young peaceniks of white poppies representing peace, perhaps a tacit honouring of the student protesters in Germany using white roses as their badge I think, and who were caught and dispatched early on. The RSA was angry to have them offered, only partly I think because the red poppies raise money for assistance to the returned servicepeople.
Also discussed recently was the word ‘cynical’. The conclusion was that it can get to be a kneejerk reaction that implicitly claims a superior understanding, but is actually closed, negative, simplistic, and lazy. So I think that position applies to the idea that left/right is completely passe’. It is indeed a useful term for broadly discussing themes of political power and of wealth versus wider concern for the populace and the differing attitudes to a resource-controlling status quo. As you say –
edited
Here’s a citizen who will be missed by people interested in good enterprise in our country. Barry Brickell was a man with many good visions that advanced NZ and the will to be the one to advance them.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/294797/artist-barry-brickell-dies-aged-80
A long interview on Spectrum from last year.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/audio/player/201776571
Gold rush mentality in this country. Using up this country’s resources of beauty and natural goodness. An Eden into a Den of thieves.
Dairy – Overproduction, unhealthy financial dependence, pollution, utilising resources from overseas unfairly. (Milk – More milk perhaps. Sheep milk is being looked at as a possible growth market.)
Tourism – Up from 3 million visitors to 5 million a year is the prediction.
Consequence – overuse of the attractions, trashing of the country, and pricing out the inhabitants. It costs $50 to say at a hut on one of the tracks I think it was Routeburn.
How can people ever afford to get to know and enjoy their own country. They can’t afford to live in a poor dwelling – just like good old Brit was like when we left it in the 1800s.
Freedom tourists –
DoC figures show the number of tourists on all nine Great Walks has increased by 10 percent a year for the past three years.
The Routeburn and Milford tracks and huts, which cost $54 a night per adult, are fully booked for this season ending on 27 April.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/294829/rogue-campers-%27ruining%27-great-walks
Right wing think tanks, Matthew Hooton, and Stephen Franks to come:
Why is there such dismal political commentary on RNZ National?
Nine to Noon, Monday 25 January 2016
At 9:30, Kathryn Ryan interviewed—or, more accurately, provided an uncontested free pulpit to—one Andrew Bishop, who rejoices in the splendid title of “senior analyst” for the right wing “think tank” the Eurasia Group. Bishop talked for fifteen minutes, during which he managed to get away with making the extraordinary assertion that the United States was not really involved in either Syria or Ukraine. As is too often the case, Kathryn Ryan didn’t seem to have a clue; about the only thing she said in the whole fifteen minutes was to observe, in a tone of high seriousness, that the United States was suffering “intervention fatigue.”
After the 11 o’clock news, it was time for the forum now entitled “Political Commentators Matthew Hooton and Stephen Mills”. It should actually be called “Matthew Hooton Straight and Uninterrupted”; after a promising first appearance just before Christmas, Mills has not taken long to slip into playing Colmes to Hooton’s Hannity, a soul-destroying rôle which until recently was filled by the hapless Mike “I Agree With Matthew” Williams. Hooton can, if nothing else, sense weakness in an adversary, and he’s already dominating Mills. Today, the only hint of passion from Mills came when he guffawed derisively after Hooton said, “There’s no homelessness of any note in Auckland.”
He had nothing else to offer, however. Even the supine Kathryn Ryan did better: she told Hooton he should have listened to her first guest this morning….
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/201786658/compliance-issues-with-construction-in-auckland
And the bad news just keeps getting worse: Jim Mora’s guests on The Panel this afternoon are Stephen Franks and Josie Pagani.
What the hell is going on with Kathryn Ryan’s speaking? She sounds weird.
Yes, Gabby, that’s something I have long considered commenting on, but have refrained from for fear of seeming petty and mean. I’m glad to see that you have also noticed her occasional affectation of an absurdly correct and slow manner of speaking, especially when speaking to someone she is trying to, for whatever reason, to impress.
Another of her verbal tics, which really annoys me, is the way she adds the tag “Yeah?” to the end of a question. Jim Mora also does this.
Wonder how the gun nuts are going to claim the answer to this one is more guns?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/gun-shop-owner-and-son-die-in-shootout-over-25-service-charge_us_56a54bbde4b0d8cc109a74cf
Well the first thing the USA needs to do is to start enforcing the gun laws they already have
http://thefederalist.com/2016/01/18/mike-rowe-explains-why-obamas-gun-control-push-wont-stop-bad-guys/
They could also do worse then make the gun laws federal rather then state responsibility (not ever going to happen of course)
The focus in the USA, especially in the media, seems to be on “assault weapons”, specially AK and M16 type rifles, which no one really knows how it came up:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assault_weapon
Yet the biggest problem by far, in fact its not even close, is pistols:
https://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/crime-in-the-u.s/2011/crime-in-the-u.s.-2011/tables/expanded-homicide-data-table-8
(interesting to note knives are second only to pistols for killing)
So another possibility is for the USA to maybe look at other western countries and see how they run things
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_politics_in_Canada
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_politics_in_New_Zealand
The biggest problem by far is self inflicted gunshots .
Firearm suicides
Number of deaths: 21,175
Deaths per 100,000 population: 6.7
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/suicide.htm
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2014-12-20/mental-illness-history-ruled-on-appeal-to-not-bar-gun-ownership
I’m not suggesting everyone whoever killed themselves has a mental illness but I’d say theres probably a high percentage
But what to do about the mentally ill and owning firearms…I really don’t have an answer
Not so much mental health, more availability and moments of madness.
Though guns are not the most common method by which people attempt suicide, they are the most lethal. About 85 percent of suicide attempts with a firearm end in death. (Drug overdose, the most widely used method in suicide attempts, is fatal in less than 3 percent of cases.) Moreover, guns are an irreversible solution to what is often a passing crisis. Suicidal individuals who take pills or inhale car exhaust or use razors have time to reconsider their actions or summon help. With a firearm, once the trigger is pulled, there’s no turning back.
http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/magazine-features/guns-and-suicide-the-hidden-toll/
The problem is though that if these individuals don’t have pistols (I’m guessing hand guns would be more used) then they’ll use some other method so it won’t really treat the underlying issue of why people are wanting to commit suicide
Yeah, guns are great http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2015/02/18/woman-kills-self-adjusting-bra-holster/23640143/ & the guy the other day who accidently shot the woman at the movie theatre had the gun on him to protect him from a possible mass theatre shooting. http://www.salon.com/2016/01/22/toxic_gun_culture_at_work_13_hours_theater_shooting_accident_a_sobering_sign_of_our_concealed_carry_times/
What do people need AK47’s and M16’s for shooting herds of possums?
Given the way its headed, the answer is , more guns
Just ask the Swiss
Interesting article on feathered friends gone wild.
http://www.nature.com/news/when-chickens-go-wild-1.19195
A couple of days ago I posted an article about the harassment of Jane Mayer, an author critical of the Koch brothers.
Excerpts from Jane Mayer’s book.
sean @SeanMcElwee
The Kochs are buying up high schools and teaching students that minimum wages hurt the poor and the New Deal failed. pic.twitter.com/87PIEE3baC
Follow
sean @SeanMcElwee
Holy. Shit. Holy shit. Holy shit. There are literally no words for how fucked up this is. http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Money-History-Billionaires-Radical/dp/0307970655 … pic.twitter.com/KorQhru8pY
https://twitter.com/SeanMcElwee/status/691134628653068288
A public service announcement.
We’re not allowed to ask if Magisterium is [deleted] in drag – or even if [deleted]
Warning warning warning [deleted].
No fuck it ….. BAN!
[lprent: No you aren’t. Banned 1 week as a gentle reminder, and I’d strongly suggest that you don’t ever try to game the privacy policy again. ]
Evil evil bastards, http://www.rawstory.com/2016/01/revealed-environmental-officials-warned-snyder-administration-not-to-use-water-that-poisoned-flint/ & a someone I know over there emailed this to me “There is mounting evidence that the entire goal was to undermine the financial stability of the Detriot Water and Sewerage Dept so as to justify its breakup and privatization thereby brokering control of one of the largest aquifers in the Midwest. Water is the new oil and we are only seeing the beginnings of the resource grab.”