—-Translation: In order to try and sell this bullshit story we had to work really closely with the story tellers, in order that the lies were fully joined up. We needed to make sure that everyone was on the same page, so that when we released the film, it would appear convincing. Its Hollywood baby, thats what we do, tell stories…..
“US officials had urged Pakistan to release the doctor, who ran a vaccination program for the CIA to collect DNA and verify the al-Qaeda leader’s presence at the compound in the town of Abbottabad where US commandos killed him in May 2011 in a unilateral raid.”
— Ran a vaccination programme for the CIA, to collect DNA to verify OBL was in Pakistan. That Doctor definitely gets a key part in the film, I wonder who will play the role, of this fearless doctor!
—- Of course its nothing at all to do with the fact that the USA wants Pakistan split along tribal lines, so it can ensure it pushes the destabilisation nearer towards China,, or that the Pakistanis closed off NATO supply routes in reaction to the continued US drone attacks
I just heard on the BBC WS that Hilary Clinton is weeping crocodile tears over the fact that the “brave Pakistani doctor” has been done for treason. They just played her sound-bite again, and dear Hilary has a much stronger Southern accent than she ever used to have! Seriously, Hilary, the guy’s actions were in fact treason! What do you expect?
Is the sentence of the “Uruwera four” reasonable? I don;t think so but even more so I think it is a step towards being able to prosecute people for what is generally called “Thought crime”. That is; being arrested for merely thinking about a crime.
The two brown boys get it and the two whities walk, great. Initially I felt the U4 could only be convicted of behaving like prize dicks, but given this dodgy judge’s behaviour taking into account the orginal admissibility of evidence arguments, we do indeed have two political prisoners in Mt Eden.
Perhaps Tame can run a few seminars.
What ticks me off is armed camo clad white supremacists frolic about unbothered by the PoPo in the South Island, not to mention a certain racist two wheel ‘club’.
Yeah, but she’s a girl Maori with a light skin and sticking her in jail for two years might upset even Pakeha again. And this is about divide and rule! So the Whiye boy and the light coloured Maori girl (let’s face it Girls can’t really be dangerous not like Moko’d Black man who stick their tongue out at ya and that white boy probably only got mixed up in all of this because he was infatuated with light coloured Moari girl) get house detention.
How about, the two Maori with “fiendish tattoos” are scapegoated? Emily is rather noticeably less Maori (but I am not sure how much you really do notice).
You claimed on Wednesday that your brother in law didn’t attend the citizenship ceremony, which would mean he’s not a citizen of New Zealand. It wasn’t a “party with Labour,” it was citizenship ceremony dickhead!
Let me repeat what I said and I’ll highlight the important bit as you seem to having trouble. Then I’ll explain further as you seem to having trouble grasping what should be relatively simple English (also for the benefit for those who read this and need context to understand how bizarre your comment is)
“My wife is from South Africa and her brother recently got citizenship – no party with Labour for him. ”
Now, what does that mean? As we were talking about Mr. Yan getting citizenship under what seem to be unusual circumstances I made mention that my brother-in-law is a South African and was recently awarded NZ citizenship. He went and did the usual business down the town-hall with the mayor (that is usually what happens – I wasn’t there but I went to my sister-in-laws a few years back). But, unlike Mr. Yan, there was no “party” or “private ceremony” with Labour MP’s for either my brother-in-law or my sister-in-law for that matter.
Does this help Jacklal? I am sorry to be so verbose but since you had trouble understanding my original statement i thought I better clear it up. But since it appears you are troling (i.e. interjecting with a completely off-topic response into a thread) I expect you to misunderstand
You were replying to a comment by tsmithfield about the citizenship ceremony Yan attended, trying to imply this was somehow special treatment when it’s not. All citizens have a ceremony prior to becoming a New Zealand citizen.
My point is that you’re continually pulling people up for the most trivial things while promoting falsehoods yourself. In effect you want people to paint the perfect portrait and give by way of example a doodle painted in bullshit.
Just in case you hadn’t noticed, this is open mic.
So you wait two days to interject into a conversation in order to re-quote a comment of mine you misunderstood and after it is explained to you turn around accuse me of being trivial and then claim you do want to feed the troll?
Thanks, you have spoken for me, and put the case so well! Certainly these tattoos, anyway! Clearly, you observe well the nature of this judge and of what we call “justice” in this country. Next you will be telling me you have friends who are Maori!
I nearly fell out of my chair laughing the other day, listening to Police Union Boss Greg O’Connor talking to Willie Jackson on the radio, O’Connor actually said “Some of my best freinds are maori cops”.
Interesting point Tiger M ,Because I seem to remember a programme on TV (might have been John Campbell ) about the National Front carrying out military type exercises . Completely ignored by the police ,Why?
Survivalists and white supremacists are definitely out there, under the radar mostly it seems in NZ. In the US many such people thankfully just keep their guns well oiled and fume away behind the razor wire.
Get a grip TC, while South African immigrants to NZ may not be actual “yarpies” a number of them being professionals of various types present as reactionary in their politics. As in the North Shore of Auckland, Rodney and such like.
Hello, like vote for ShonKey, and like don’t live in Mangere.
No bigotry HS. It is informed generalisation about comfortable run, run, run, runaway whites.
I personally met a few pretty staunch ‘saffas’ in the early 80s, journo Donald Woods, ANC guys Andrew Molotsane (later murdered) and Eddie Fundie.
As John Minto has pointed out Azania is in deep shit, district 9 deep shit almost.
But the NZ anti racist movement acted honourably at the time as confirmed by N. Mandela. The ANC took office at precisely the wrong time during the era of neo liberalist Reganism, Thatcherism etc and succumbing to it.
Didn’t know that ‘informed generalisation’ was in the listed as descriptor for bigotry in any of commonly used dictionaries, more often it’s described as ‘intolerance towards those who hold different opinions from oneself ‘
My informed generalisation would be that there’s no more or less bigotry amongst immigrant South Africans coming to NZ than there is among other immigrant groups or indeed amongst long term NZers be they of the white, brown polka dot or any other variety.
My point is that observable behaviour and location of South African immigrants places many of them in the tory world. Not too many Yarpies joining Labour, Greens, Te Mana etc. They are bailing out to “Hobbiton” for goodness sake.
I expect you may be right about not too many South African immigrants joining any of those parties.
Then again from where I sit not too many of us join political parties full stop.
I think we both might be a bit surprised about the actual and voting intentions of recent immigrants and recent NZ citizens the might not be too different from the voting % splits of everyone else across the population
Yes I think it is clear this “judgement” has much more behind it than face value. Having failed in the attempt to creat a NZ centric terror threat, I wonder what “event” NZ might incur, something that can really get us locked down nice and tight.
Maybe even set up control center here, where armed drones can be used around the place…You know , for our safety from all the terrorists!
God only knows what the Judge was (or was not) thinking. Sending a message perhaps? If so she has certainly sent a message that Tuhoe and It are being made to pay, but for which crime? It looks like the stupidest case of martyr creation yet from our embarressing legal system.
Thanks. All power to the teacher Liam Taylor and Occupy for their efforts to do something positive. But it still makes for depressing reading. I lived and worked in London for quite a few years and was familiar with the areas mentioned back then.
This country really has the law impartially administered? We might as well return to the onslaughts of the British against Maori in earlier wars. What happened in this court somewhat reminded me of Parihaka. How many hunters are running around in the bush with unlicensed firearms (all too frequently killing one another)? No, these two “victims” of society were not only discriminated against due to being Maori, worse because they were so defiant as to wear those “threatening” tattoos!
Subject: Civil Unrest
I have a manual issued to me about 50 years ago when I was on Active Service.
The use of Military Forces to control Civil Unrest.
It is frightening because it is based on hundreds of years of experience both in the U.K and in building up the British Empire.
The introduction acknowledges that while no two situations are ever the same, experience has shown that, over a period of years, Civil Unrest in any one area follows a standard pattern. It then identifies 4 PHASES of Civil Unrest, from
PHASE 1, “gaining support of the local people” , through to
PHASE 4, “The complete overthrow of the established government”.
( How often has this happened in Fiji ?)
The manual emphasises ” To defeat this plan of unrest the vital need is to prevent it ever getting beyond PHASE 1.”
Both New Zealand and Australia are already in PHASE 2.
The Operational Section of the manual is a Restricted Document that discusses control of public movement, setting up road blocks, setting up curfews, etc. Something we have seen in Australia.
What ever name you give it, the fact remains IT WAS ” CIVIL UNREST”.
This manual also discusses the loss of public confidence in Forces of Law and Order, something that has happened in parts of New Zealand. ( The media must accept a lot of responsibility for this. )
So many people are saying “It can not happen to us.” but this is just fear of the issue, or propaganda and propaganda is one of the items mentioned when the manual defines the objects and methods used, by people causing trouble, during each PHASE of Civil Unrest.
” United we stand, divided we fall ” and we are becoming increasingly divided.
The manual defines different levels of Civil Disturbances, from Unlawful Assemblies, through to Riots, to Insurrection, emphasising time and again that if any assistance is requested, it’s primary purpose is to “protect the innocent”.(Not pass judgement or ascertain who is guilty. )
The discussion on “Suppression of Unlawful Assemblies and Riots” and ” Dispersing of a Crowd” reads so much like what we have seen.
Finally, PHASE 2 is identified as the period when –
“The creation of base areas under insurgent control by ‘propaganda’, ‘compulsion’ or ‘terrorist methods’, for purposes of food storage, concealment and recruitment.” occurs.(Now, it would also be used to train suicide bombers. )
How many places in New Zealand fit that definition ?
Call it Gang Headquarters, a Muri where we speak our own language, call it what you like, does it fit that definition ?
History is repeating itself. New Zealand is becoming broken and divided. Racisim is just an EMOTIONAL TOOL.
In the desperation of the little people to want to accept, and be accepted no matter what their position, status, orientation, race, rugby team is etc, they are in fact being turned onto eachother in ever increasingly vile ways, and they fight amongst themselves for position. This is the most elementary form of deception, and most are not even able to identify it!
Sadly many people want to fee like they are contributing to solutions, when in fact they are part of the problem…
Good humour is a tonic for mind and body. It is the best antidote for anxiety and depression. It is a business asset. It attracts and keeps friends. It lightens human burdens. It is the direct route to serenity and contentment.
Good on John Campbell for outing the nasty,fearful racists texting his programme.
POLICE 10-7 last night; Young drunk man,”can i piss on your face officer?”
(officer may have given brief consideration to offer;could have borrowed some sunglasses)
“govt at top end of optimism”, KPMG analyst on Budget.
War with Iran in support of US-Israel; 25-50% probability; UK Minister on Security.
NewsNow and The Guardian and PrisonPlanet very useful sites to keep gaze on events unfolding in real time.
HyperInflation to come?
Dear Hekia, thought is purer than form. Push.Push Back.
Celebrating Youth Week? Throwing them on the intergenerational fire!
The National Party Benches seat many of these Maternal Authoritarian types and we know what the outcomes for their dependents is likely to be; Submission through sublimation, or resistance.
One of the dark sides of education is student accommodation with venal pigs exploiting the demand. Claimed to be the smallest apartment in NZ, which I bet it’s not;
I agree. The price of $160-$180 does seem excessive BUT 7.9m2 it is only a bedroom, not an appartment. Where were the cooking facilities, the toilet, a shower, handbasin, laundry etc. ? There must have been some arrangements for water, toilet, etc. DH is insulting the reader and casting doubts upon his own credibility with an emotionl tirade that ignores these subjects. He is also lowering the standard of discussion on this website.
Or , is the Herald at fault or just quoted out of context?
This isn’t a zero budget, It’s a no hope no growth no brighter future budget… it’s an archaic return to failed ideologies of the past that will detrimentally impact on the already downtrodden budget… It’s an elitist budget designed to transfer even more wealth from those who can least afford it to those that don’t need it… It’s a penny pinching agist budget that will do nothing to get New Zealand back on its feet…
Yes. National shifted the burden of taxation onto the middle and lower deciles, and then borrowed.
They then fake victimhood by claiming to be at the whims of Earthquakes, Global depression and Labour’s ability to leave the country in the black.
Impressively Key then makes out with himself regularly on TV, claiming he’s absolutely certain and never broaching one risk least his ignorance is exposed.
mr Australia has first shifted the private debt run up by the wealthy in good times (at the expense of NZ now), onto the government books. This helps the banks out who have all those mortgagee homes to move onto new buyers getting indebted. And now Key plans to help the other side of the Bank books by pushing more collateral into the market (asset sales) to help Banks deleverage further.
Banks owned by foreigners.
The joke being that we did not have a problem with government debt before National came to power.
And the country was so badly geared to favor the non-productive sector (capital farming homes and farms), and is still.
These freak zombies need to be ousted by the farmers whose lobby is constantly used to justify the bad decision making of Mr Australia. Why are farmers so gullible, do they really believe keep NZ on one agarian growth trend is a good idea. As soon as oil peaks the luxury added value sector that relies on heavy oil inputs goes to the wall. Cheap food becomes the priority and like our mines, our farms are much smaller than the USA wheat belt and the new Russian wheatbelt.
So when is Key going wise up, the day he touches day in Hawaii and retires.
hardly believable but our finance minister is suggesting students need to get organised, rise up and riot properly, like the greeks! Inciting a riot hmmmm.. “Finance Minister Bill English has taunted student protesters who yesterday blockaded an Auckland street saying “they need some Greeks to show them how to do it.” http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/budget-2012/6985706/English-taunts-student-protesters
Well, good on Blinglish for recognising that the postwar economic situation has changed forever. But, his whinging about student protests ignores the fact Bill and John are asking for austerity for the less well-off, especially the non-wealthy young, while the wealthy of all ages still get to party like it’s 1999.
And he is reinforcing elite power by talking about an on-going crisis over debt – that’s just the same old disaster capitalism, tyrannising people with threats of an eternal state of emergency.:
Finance Minister Bill English says people should get used to a regular sense of crisis over debt.
What the world was seeing in Europe and the United States was the end of the post-war model which was that when your income was not going up, you just borrow it.
“They are drowning in debt and there’s only two ways to deal with debt,” he told the ANZ Post Budget breakfast in Wellington this morning. “Pay it off or write it off.”
[…]
“So get used to it. A regular sense of crisis is normal. It’s going to be normal.”
[…]
Regular crises were now a part of doing business in the global environment, he said.
Mr English said there was no “whinge-fest” in New Zealand, and no sympathy for the likes of students protesting about changes to their interest-free student loans.
Pretty disappointing and disingenuous that a Government simply refuses to look at solid budgetary alternatives, like:
– Cutting out $5b of motorways and reprioritising that spending onto more job-rich and benefit-diffuse projects
– Reversing the 2009 tax cuts to the rich
– Reversing the incrase in GST
– Properly taxing landlords, their rent, and their capital gain
Should be a core part of a Minsiterial Job Description to avoid or avert or ameliorate crisis, not repeatedly push the Orwellian language-button. So cynical it’s contemptible.
If he had been asked a month ago if there had been a chance that Greece would exit the Euro, he said he would have dismissed it and thought common sense would prevail
“Now I’m far more uncertain.”
—-What a lying little toerag Key is! Of course he knows exactly what is going on inside the world of fiance, and politics…If he doesn’t, he is not fit for office is he!
Half a million to be spent on Govt House which has already cost the country 40 odd million.Talk about putting the boot in!I thought we living in austere times?
Today’s WINZ update… 🙂
“So, I spent the morning at WINZ Mt Albert, for the second ‘seminar’ of the week – this one, four of us had turned up, each one to be ‘interviewed’ by two people – lucky for me that I had brought a book! One man who had applied to move from UB to DPB was allowed to go, because he already had an appointment to discuss this. Another, a woman in her late 40s, who had waited (on the advice of a WINZ person) to make an appointment to discuss her application for DPB Caring For, in respect of her adult son with disabilities was told she had to stay and prove she was looking for work as “you probably won’t get the carers benefit”… (I leaned across and advised her contact Citizen Advocacy, which helps people with disabilities and their families – not a popular move as the WINZ women saw me do it.)
I sat in a public room (we’d been told to move from the private room we were in) for 35 minutes by the clock, while the other two women were interviewed. I made a point of not listening, but anyone could have heard them and their interrogators.
After 35 minutes I asked the man on reception who was stood twiddling his thumbs, if he would enquire as to how longer I would be sat reading my book… “Not too much longer” she said smiling, and sure enough, the mother of the man with disabilities was just leaving. However, my enquiry was apparently against some rule, as the manager appeared at my elbow and demanded that I see her, because I had “been rude to her staff” (!!!) Said manager proceeded to take me to her corner desk and start berating me for my unemployed status and my bad attitude. When I quoted Petulant Bean’s own words (that the jobs don’t exist), well, it was like the US disaster movie I saw on TV the other day, ‘Volcano’! The afore-mentioned manager went ballistic. She said that she was going to find a training programme to put me on, wait here.
After waiting there for a further 15 minutes, I walked out, and had a cigarette. When I came back, they were still talking, so I stood at their elbow, then went to reception and got the woman there to photocopy my job diary and when finally summoned (to talk to the original woman) I gave her the pages. She was totally different from the hostile angry manager – explaining that she had just looked at my CV and had seen that I already have tertiary qualifications and years of work experience, she said that they had been unable to find a 6 month training programme that I actually needed or qualified for! (The Manager had simply been making assumptions and had in the end resorting to chanting at me “I’m as old as you are, and *I* have a job!” How that was supposed to ‘help’ me I can’t fathom!
In the end, the second woman referred to me a 26 week programme at the Chamber of Commerce. What that will achieve, I have no idea. If, while on that course, I get offered a day here and there at a school, I am ‘obliged by my job-seeker contract’ to take it, and then ask the Principal/DoS to type and sign a letter proving I was there, and so couldn’t attend the course. When I pointed out that Alan would rather not hire as a reliever than have to spend hours proving to WINZ that I was relieving for 3 hours, she didn’t care.
So, that’s how things stand at the minute. I expect I shall be called in for more seminars… as I left the manager’s desk, I saw a whiteboard placed where the staff can see it, but the bennys can’t – giving the ‘target’ of people they have to get off benefit. 60 a month off UB and 50 a month off Sickness benefit. Lynne the second woman let slip that if Chamber of Commerce accept me on the 26 week course, I will *not* be counted in official UB statistics, even though I will still actually be getting UB. No wonder she was so desperately eager to get me on this course!”
(I wrote this after I got home. When I arrived I was early for the seminar to which I had been summoned. By the time I got to the head of the queue at Reception, I was late – so I had been in the queue for 20 minutes, while a white South African receptionist baffled and confused an elderly Chinese couple.) IMO, she ought to have asked for help, as while I waited the queue grew longer and longer, filled with people who were officially now, like me, very late… and none of them by their own fault!
The real planetVicky32 but not the same planet as Miss Bennett or English or Key. They make it sound so simple and suggest that you are undeserving. Keep your reports coming and good luck.
Hi Vicky,
I am not the least bit surprised to read of your experiences.
I went through a not unsimilar situation in the mid to late 90s when I was looking after my elderly mother who was slowly deteriorating with Alzeimers. Initially Income Support (I think it became WINZ during the latter part of the period) put me on the wrong benefit. Around 1997 I was ordered to attend instructions on ‘how to apply for a job, and how to dress for the interviews’. When I pointed out I was a former public servant with professional qualifications and didn’t need such instructions, I wasn’t believed. As far as the woman handling my case was concerned, I was a malingerer who had made up the story about my mother. That was the essence of her response anyway… even though there was irrefutable evidence of my mother’s condition (submitted by her doctor) on my file. She hadn’t bothered to look I suppose. Eventually it was accepted, and I was transferred to the correct benefit which was the DPB of course.
But that wasn’t the end of it. Not long afterwards I noticed the presence of an unmarked car with two individuals (male and female) that was conveniently parked at a point on the road where they could witness all the comings and goings on my mother’s property. They looked like cops dressed in mufti to me, and I actually saw the female in the passenger seat taking down the registration number of my car. Yep. It was Winz keeping me (and my elderly mother) under surveillance. They were part of the then “Winz Fraud Squad” which was largely staffed by ex-cops.
This took place during the Christine Rankin era, and they used to get away with it because they knew their targets were vulnerable and would be too scared to retaliate for fear of losing the much needed benefit. I did eventually write to the ‘chief cook and bottle washer’ at the North Shore WINZ centre and let him know I was well aware what was going on. I never received a reply, but the surveillance immediately stopped!
I despise Paula Bennett and her cohorts, because I can clearly see they are re-introducing exactly the same culture at WINZ.
The truth was – and is again – that they know you will not take action because of the faear
It was Winz keeping me (and my elderly mother) under surveillance. They were part of the then “Winz Fraud Squad” which was largely staffed by ex-cops.
Oh my giddy aunt, Anne! How horrendous, and how ridiculous!
It seems to me that They have a view of what we bennies are like, and education and experience don’t fit their picture. I remember when I worked at Social Welfare as it was then, a boss making up a song we newbies had to sing at the staff Christmas party (cringe) one line of which went “they ask for Snigs * to feed their kids/but we know it’s for their beer! Oh, Jingle bells etc”…
* Snigs = office jargon for Special Needs Grant.
The truth was – and is again – that they know you will not take action because of the fear
They hate it when you know anything! I remember the hostility one woman gathered against her when she rang up about the non-arrival of her UB in her account, and said to the staff member “Can’t you check the ROI?” (Register of issues). That the beneficiary knew this piece of office jargon, scared them siilly regarding her…
@vicky 32
Yes, my experiences were distressing at the time, but one thing you need to remember… in the end they don’t get away with it. Remember what happened to C Rankin. She was unceremoniously kicked out along with many of her senior team by the new Labour govt. and the Benefit Fraud Squad was dis-established.
It will happen again in 2014 – we hope.
Btw. My mother died some time ago so I’m no longer on a benefit. But I won’t ever forget what happened and – unlike P Bennett – will stand up for beneficiaries because I know the vast bulk are there through no fault of their own and don’t rort the system.
Probably ex cops who’d PERFed out at great expense to us. Funny how they get a huge payout for not being able to do their job, and then keep doing basically the same thing.
What makes this so ridiculous is that Apache has tried to suppress information about the Varanus Island gas explosion that cost WA $3 billion because they say releasing it would “aid terrorist attacks on gas infrastructure.”
The men in charge of the Reno are guilty obviously. But they were late for getting to their next port Tauranga and I believe that they were held up in Napier. Now if there are port hold-ups does the port pay a fine, refund most of the docking fee etc?
I would bet that the Captain and offsider would be under strict orders to sail within the most efficient and profitable parameters.
They were not doing their best but they were trying to get to the next link in the chain. Was it Napier’s fault equally?
I agree Prism, it would be enlightening to see if any of the port operating procedures and shipping targets of the Rena’s owners had anything to do with the shortcut they took through Astrolabe Reef – and how frequently that shortcut is taken by other ships.
Maybe there is nothing there – but an inquiry at some level would be useful.
“He had a paper round when he was a boy, but he had not claimed the rebate.
He first heard on Monday about the specific changes, which IRD had been working on.
The most substantial was around the tax treatment of beach houses, where the government thought allowances were too generous, and they are also closing a loophole around livestock valuations. ”
He only ever knows about things just before they happen, Who is running this country??
Dumb and Dumber busy ramming legislation through under urgency.Apparently they have no need for the Select Committee as conkey had a chat with Moombeam(bet he’s on a retainer) and they have decided that they know what they are doing is best for the country.How does one get rid of these smirking morons…….Legally!
This is sort of about the budget, but more about the reaction, and the reality.
We are now at something like 397.17 C02 and rising, zero growth or maintaining the statuesque is not an option, if the children born today want a snowballs chance in hell of being alive in 25-30 years time, then the adults in this society are going to have to work out how to live with drastic reverse growth. But no, watching TV tonight there they where, students etc crying about zero growth, they actually want to really really fuck the environment, most of whom are no doubt doing degrees involving the continued growth of energy and all the Disneyland attachments we ‘need’ to live.
Who is to blame for this massive display of ignorance?
Fucking selfish pig ignorant humans, all demanding their cut of the planet.
Gaia will heave a sigh of relief, that this 10,000 year experiment is about over, shame the effects of it will be around till the end of the planet. ie plastic, chemicals, radiation.
Time for the rubber to hit The Road 😉 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0898367/
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It's hard times try to make a livingYou wake up every morning in the unforgivingOut there somewhere in the cityThere's people living lives without mercy or pityI feel good, yeah I'm feeling fineI feel better then I have for the longest timeI think these pills have been good for meI ...
In 1974, the US Supreme Court issued its decision in United States v. Nixon, finding that the President was not a King, but was subject to the law and was required to turn over the evidence of his wrongdoing to the courts. It was a landmark decision for the rule ...
Every day now just seems to bring in more fresh meat for the grinder.In their relentlessly ideological drive to cut back on the “excessive bloat” (as they see it) of the previous Labour-led government, on the mountains of evidence accumulated in such a short period of time do not ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Megan Valére SosouMarket gardening site of the Itchèléré de Itagui agricultural cooperative in Dassa-Zoumè (Image credit: Megan Valère Sossou) For the residents of Dassa-Zoumè, a city in the West African country of Benin, choosing between drinking water and having enough ...
Buzz from the Beehive Melissa Lee – as may be discerned from the screenshot above – has not been demoted for doing something seriously wrong as Minister of ...
Morning in London Mother hugs beloved daughter outside the converted shoe factory in which she is living.Afternoon in London Travelling writer takes himself and his wrist down to A&E, just to be sure. Read more ...
Mike Grimshaw writes – The recent announcement of the University Advisory Group, chaired by Sir Peter Gluckman, makes very clear where the Government’s focus and priorities lie. The remit of the Advisory Group is that Group members will consider challenges and opportunities for improvement in the university sector including: ...
Eric Crampton writes – The Reserve Bank of New Zealand desperately wants to find reasons to have workstreams in climate change. It makes little sense. They’ve run another stress test on the banks looking to see if they could find a prudential regulation case. They couldn’t. They ...
Rob MacCullough writes – Pundits from the left and the right are arguing that National’s Fast Track Bill that is designed to speed up infrastructure decisions could end up becoming mired in a cesspool of corruption. Political commentator ...
Looking at the headlines this morning it’s hard to feel anything other than pessimistic about the future of humanity.Note that I’m not speaking about the future of mankind, but the survival of our humanity. The values that we believe in seem to be ebbing away, by the day.Perhaps every generation ...
Swabbing mixed breed baby chicks to test for avian influenzaUh oh. Bird flu – often deadly to humans – is not only being transmitted from infected birds to dairy cows, but is now travelling between dairy cows. As of last Friday, Bloomberg News reports, there were 32 American dairy herds ...
On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
What is it with the mining industry? Its not enough for them to pillage the earth - they apparently can't even be bothered getting resource consent to do so: The proponent behind a major mine near the Clutha River had already been undertaking activity in the area without a ...
Photo # 1 I am a huge fan of Singapore’s approach to housing, as described here two years ago by copying and pasting from The ConversationWhat Singapore has that Australia does not is a public housing developer, the Housing Development Board, which puts new dwellings on public and reclaimed land, ...
Buzz from the Beehive Reactions to news of the government’s readiness to make urgent changes to “the resource management system” through a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) suggest a balanced approach is being taken. The Taxpayers’ Union says the proposed changes don’t go far enough. Greenpeace says ...
I’m starting to wonder if Anna Burns-Francis might be the best political interviewer we’ve got. That might sound unlikely to you, it came as a bit of a surprise to me.Jack Tame can be excellent, but has some pretty average days. I like Rebecca Wright on Newshub, she asks good ...
Chris Trotter writes – Willie Jackson is said to be planning a “media summit” to discuss “the state of the media and how to protect Fourth Estate Journalism”. Not only does the Editor of The Daily Blog, Martyn Bradbury, think this is a good idea, but he has also ...
Graeme Edgeler writes – This morning [April 21], the Wellington High Court is hearing a judicial review brought by Hon. Karen Chhour, the Minister for Children, against a decision of the Waitangi Tribunal. This is unusual, judicial reviews are much more likely to brought against ministers, rather than ...
Both of Parliament’s watchdogs have now ripped into the Government’s Fast-track Approvals Bill. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s political economy and beyond on the morning of Tuesday, April 23 are:The Lead: The Auditor General,John Ryan, has joined the ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Sarah SpengemanPeople wait to board an electric bus in Pune, India. (Image credit: courtesy of ITDP) Public transportation riders in Pune, India, love the city’s new electric buses so much they will actually skip an older diesel bus that ...
The infrastructure industry yesterday issued a “hurry up” message to the Government, telling it to get cracking on developing a pipeline of infrastructure projects.The hiatus around the change of Government has seen some major projects cancelled and others delayed, and there is uncertainty about what will happen with the new ...
Hi,Over the weekend I revisited a podcast I really adore, Dead Eyes. It’s about a guy who got fired from Band of Brothers over two decades ago because Tom Hanks said he had “dead eyes”.If you don’t recall — 2001’s Band of Brothers was part of the emerging trend of ...
Buzz from the Beehive The 180 or so recipients of letters from the Government telling them how to submit infrastructure projects for “fast track” consideration includes some whose project applications previously have been rejected by the courts. News media were quick to feature these in their reports after RMA Reform Minister Chris ...
It would not be a desirable way to start your holiday by breaking your back, your head, or your wrist, but on our first hour in Singapore I gave it a try.We were chatting, last week, before we started a meeting of Hazel’s Enviro Trust, about the things that can ...
Calling all journalists, academics, planners, lawyers, political activists, environmentalists, and other members of the public who believe that the relationships between vested interests and politicians need to be scrutinised. We need to work together to make sure that the new Fast-Track Approvals Bill – currently being pushed through by the ...
Feel worried. Shane Jones and a couple of his Cabinet colleagues are about to be granted the power to override any and all objections to projects like dams, mines, roads etc even if: said projects will harm biodiversity, increase global warming and cause other environmental harms, and even if ...
Bryce Edwards writes- The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. ...
Michael Bassett writes – If you think there is a move afoot by the radical Maori fringe of New Zealand society to create a parallel system of government to the one that we elect at our triennial elections, you aren’t wrong. Over the last few days we have ...
Without a corresponding drop in interest rates, it’s doubtful any changes to the CCCFA will unleash a massive rush of home buyers. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate on Monday, April 22 included:The Government making a ...
Sunday was a lazy day. I started watching Jack Tame on Q&A, the interviews are usually good for something to write about. Saying the things that the politicians won’t, but are quite possibly thinking. Things that are true and need to be extracted from between the lines.As you might know ...
In our Weekly Roundup last week we covered news from Auckland Transport that the WX1 Western Express is going to get an upgrade next year with double decker electric buses. As part of the announcement, AT also said “Since we introduced the WX1 Western Express last November we have seen ...
TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to April 29 include:PM Christopher Luxon is scheduled to hold a post-Cabinet news conference at 4 pm today. Stats NZ releases its statutory report on Census 2023 tomorrow.Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivers a pre-Budget speech at ...
A listing of 29 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 14, 2024 thru Sat, April 20, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week hinges on these words from the abstract of a fresh academic ...
The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. The Government says this will ...
This is a column to say thank you. So many of have been in touch since Mum died to say so many kind and thoughtful things. You’re wonderful, all of you. You’ve asked how we’re doing, how Dad’s doing. A little more realisation each day, of the irretrievable finality of ...
Identifying the engine type in your car is crucial for various reasons, including maintenance, repairs, and performance upgrades. Knowing the specific engine model allows you to access detailed technical information, locate compatible parts, and make informed decisions about modifications. This comprehensive guide will provide you with a step-by-step approach to ...
Introduction: The allure of racing is undeniable. The thrill of speed, the roar of engines, and the exhilaration of competition all contribute to the allure of this adrenaline-driven sport. For those who yearn to experience the pinnacle of racing, becoming a race car driver is the ultimate dream. However, the ...
Introduction Automobiles have become ubiquitous in modern society, serving as a primary mode of transportation and a symbol of economic growth and personal mobility. With countless vehicles traversing roads and highways worldwide, it begs the question: how many cars are there in the world? Determining the precise number is a ...
Maintaining a safe and reliable vehicle requires regular inspections. Whether it’s a routine maintenance checkup or a safety inspection, knowing how long the process will take can help you plan your day accordingly. This article delves into the factors that influence the duration of a car inspection and provides an ...
Mazda Motor Corporation, commonly known as Mazda, is a Japanese multinational automaker headquartered in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The company was founded in 1920 as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd., and began producing vehicles in 1931. Mazda is primarily known for its production of passenger cars, but ...
Your car battery is an essential component that provides power to start your engine, operate your electrical systems, and store energy. Over time, batteries can weaken and lose their ability to hold a charge, which can lead to starting problems, power failures, and other issues. Replacing your battery before it ...
In most states, you cannot register a car without a valid driver’s license. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Exceptions to the RuleIf you are under 18 years old: In some states, you can register a car in your name even if you do not ...
Mazda, a Japanese automotive manufacturer with a rich history of innovation and engineering excellence, has emerged as a formidable player in the global car market. Known for its reputation of producing high-quality, fuel-efficient, and driver-oriented vehicles, Mazda has consistently garnered praise from industry experts and consumers alike. In this article, ...
Struts are an essential part of a car’s suspension system. They are responsible for supporting the weight of the car and damping the oscillations of the springs. Struts are typically made of steel or aluminum and are filled with hydraulic fluid. How Do Struts Work? Struts work by transferring the ...
Car registration is a mandatory process that all vehicle owners must complete annually. This process involves registering your car with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and paying an associated fee. The registration process ensures that your vehicle is properly licensed and insured, and helps law enforcement and other authorities ...
Zoom is a video conferencing service that allows you to share your screen, webcam, and audio with other participants. In addition to sharing your own audio, you can also share the audio from your computer with other participants. This can be useful for playing music, sharing presentations with audio, or ...
Building your own computer can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to get a high-performance machine tailored to your specific needs. However, it also requires careful planning and execution, and one of the most important factors to consider is the time it will take. The exact time it takes to ...
Sleep mode is a power-saving state that allows your computer to quickly resume operation without having to boot up from scratch. This can be useful if you need to step away from your computer for a short period of time but don’t want to shut it down completely. There are ...
Introduction Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) has revolutionized the field of translation by harnessing the power of technology to assist human translators in their work. This innovative approach combines specialized software with human expertise to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of translations. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the ...
In today’s digital age, mobile devices have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Among the vast array of portable computing options available, iPads and tablet computers stand out as two prominent contenders. While both offer similar functionalities, there are subtle yet significant differences between these two devices. This ...
A computer is an electronic device that can be programmed to carry out a set of instructions. The basic components of a computer are the processor, memory, storage, input devices, and output devices. The Processor The processor, also known as the central processing unit (CPU), is the brain of the ...
Voice Memos is a convenient app on your iPhone that allows you to quickly record and store audio snippets. These recordings can be useful for a variety of purposes, such as taking notes, capturing ideas, or recording interviews. While you can listen to your voice memos on your iPhone, you ...
Laptop screens are essential for interacting with our devices and accessing information. However, when lines appear on the screen, it can be frustrating and disrupt productivity. Understanding the underlying causes of these lines is crucial for finding effective solutions. Types of Screen Lines Horizontal lines: Also known as scan ...
Right-clicking is a common and essential computer operation that allows users to access additional options and settings. While most desktop computers have dedicated right-click buttons on their mice, laptops often do not have these buttons due to space limitations. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to right-click ...
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Te Pāti Māori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. “This act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.” Said Te Pāti Māori Oranga Tamariki ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi, and Mema Paremata mō Tāmaki-Makaurau, Takutai Tarsh Kemp, will travel to the Gold Coast to strengthen ties with Māori in Australia next week (15-21 April). The visit, in the lead-up to the 9th Australian National Kapa haka Festival, will be an opportunity for both ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges. “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service. It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
Distinguished guests - It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order. “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today. I am delighted ...
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions. “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. “It is good ...
The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
“China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
A new exhibition in Wellington showcases the faces behind your local goods and services. Back in 1977, when I was a fine arts student at the University of Canterbury, I took a series of photographs of Christchurch shopkeepers. The photos were for a calendar – a project for my end ...
Toomaj and his resistance to tyranny through his songs have become an icon for the youth of Iran, so his sentence has hit the nation hard. Toomaj Salehi is not the first artist to pay the price for standing with the people. ...
My cousin Dylan and I spotted these big eels under the bridge that summer. We watched them lounging under the dark weed, facing into the flow of water, their mouths frozen open. Dylan and I couldn’t stop thinking about those eels. The night we went down to the creek, we ...
Newsroom, home of satire. My long-running weekly satirical series The Secret Diary has moved to Newsroom and will appear every Saturday, with Victor Billot’s wildly popular satirical Odes continuing to appear every Sunday. Diaries, Odes – while serious political columnists toil at meaningful opinions and stroke their chins to an ...
Tara Ward unravels the many nuanced layers of a cartoon about talking dogs.This is an excerpt from our weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. It’s not often an episode of a children’s cartoon has adults sobbing into their sleeves, but that’s exactly what happened this week when ...
Working as a doctor in developing countries to help communities achieve better health outcomes is nothing short of a life goal for Jessica Tater. The University of Otago medical student has her sights firmly set on joining the international humanitarian organisation Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) when she qualifies ...
There’s an island in the far reaches of Auckland’s territory, sitting off the tip of the Coromandel Peninsula, 30 minutes by air from the city or four hours on the slow boat. Aotea Great Barrier is off-grid, it has a population of fewer than a thousand people … and most ...
Asia Pacific Report An Australian author and advocate, Jim Aubrey, today led a national symbolic one minute’s silence to mark the “blood debt” owed to Papuan allies during the Second World War indigenous resistance against the invading Japanese forces. “A promise to most people is a promise,” Aubrey said in ...
Asia Pacific Report The Freedom Flotilla is ready to sail to Gaza, reports Kia Ora Gaza. All the required paperwork has been submitted to the port authority, and the cargo has been loaded and prepared for the humanitarian trip to the besieged enclave. However, organisers received word of an “administrative ...
Pacific Media Watch Palestine solidarity protesters today demonstrated at the Auckland headquarters of Television New Zealand, accusing the country’s major TV network of broadcasting “propaganda” backing Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza. About 50 protesters targeted the main entrance to the TVNZ building near Sky Tower and also picketed a side ...
Opinion by Lynley Hood. Forty years on from my 1985 Fulbright Grant, my disquiet over the war in Gaza evoked some troubling questions. The answer to my first question – What is the primary purpose of the Fulbright Programme? – was on the Fulbright NZ website. It says: US Senator, ...
The ministers responsible for green-lighting major projects need to be open about potential conflicts of interest, says Transparency International. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anastasia Powell, Professor, Family and Sexual Violence, RMIT University It has been a particularly distressing start to the year. There is little that can ease the current grief of individuals, families and communities who have needlessly lost a loved one to men’s ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gregory Moore, Senior Research Associate, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne Lichen, the first described example of symbiosis.AdeJ Artventure/Shutterstock Once known only to those studying biology, the word symbiosis is now widely used. Symbiosis is the intimate ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kim Hemsley, Head, Childhood Dementia Research Group, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University Olena Ivanova/Shutterstock “Childhood” and “dementia” are two words we wish we didn’t have to use together. But sadly, around 1,400 ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Whiteford, Professor, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University The government’s Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee has just published its second report. It was set up by Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth in 2022 to provide: ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne The Queensland state election will be held in October. A YouGov poll for The Courier Mail, conducted April 9–17 from a sample ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amin Naeni, PhD candidate at Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation, Deakin University There’s been much talk in recent months about what a possible second Donald Trump presidency in the United States could mean for Europe, Russia’s war in Ukraine, the ...
A brief round-up of submissions on the controversial proposed law. This is an excerpt from our weekly environmental newsletter Future Proof. Sign up here. Last week, submissions on the controversial Fast-track Approvals Bill closed just hours after the government released a list of stakeholder organisations who were sent letters advising how they could ...
A poem from Robin Peace’s new collection Detritus of Empire: feather / grass / rock. Cereal giving I see a woman’s hands, see her curious hands break a stalk as she walks through the tall prairie, the savannah, the steppe, wherever it was. See her idly bite the grass that ...
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 Hemingway’s Goblet by Dermot Ross (Mary Egan Publishing, $38)A handsomely produced (debossed cover, lovely ...
The Commissioner's decision validates the longstanding efforts of the local community and ensures that Awataha Marae will be managed to serve the needs of the local community, particularly for hosting tangihanga. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tristan Salles, Associate professor, University of Sydney Examples of Australian landscapes.Unsplash Seventy thousand years ago, the sea level was much lower than today. Australia, along with New Guinea and Tasmania, formed a connected landmass known as Sahul. Around this time – ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Felicity Castagna, Lecturer, Creative Writing, Western Sydney University Day Day Market, ParramattaPhoto: Garry Trinh I live on the edge of Parramatta, Australia’s fastest-growing city, on the kind of old-fashioned suburban street that has 1950s fibros constructed in the post-war housing boom, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Ryan, Teaching Fellow in Economics, University of Waikato GettyImagesfatido/Getty Images There is an ongoing global debate over whether the high inflation seen in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic can be lowered without a recession. New Zealand is not ...
The ‘Wicked Game’ heartthrob is in his late 60s now. That didn’t stop him putting on a lively, goofy and very sparkly show. Apart from ‘Wicked Game’, which graces a sultry playlist of mine simply called 💋, my last sustained Chris Isaak listening session took place when I was about ...
Analysis - Two ministers were stripped of portfolios in a warning to Cabinet, drama broke out at the Waitangi Tribunal, and the gang patch ban bill ran into opposition. ...
Tara Ward makes an impassioned plea for some vital pop culture merch. In April 1999, I became obsessed with a new reality television show called Popstars. Every Tuesday night, five strangers transformed into music royalty before my very eyes as Joe, Keri, Carly, Erika and Megan were chosen to form ...
PNG Post-Courier In the early hours of ANZAC Day, aerial photographs captured an impressive gathering of Australians and Papua New Guineans at Isurava in the Northern (Oro) Province. The solemn dawn service yesterday was held at a site steeped in history, where some of the fiercest battles of World War ...
The PSA is shocked that Oranga Tamariki has used the cost cutting drive to downgrade its commitment to Te Ao Māori and remove many specialist Māori roles. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Kemish, Adjunct Professor, School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry, The University of Queensland There can be no more powerful symbol of the relationship between Australia and Papua New Guinea than the prime ministers of these neighbouring countries walking together on the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sharon Robinson, Distinguished Professor and Deputy Director of ARC Securing Antarctica’s Environmental Future (SAEF), University of Wollongong, University of Wollongong Andrew Netherwood Over the last 25 years, the ozone hole which forming over Antarctica each spring has started to shrink. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Viktoria Kahui, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Economics, University of Otago Getty Images/Amy Toensing Biodiversity is declining at rates unprecedented in human history. This suggests the ways we currently use to manage our natural environment are failing. One emerging concept focuses on ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Timothy Colin Bednall, Associate Professor in Management, Swinburne University of Technology marvent/Shutterstock Finding the best person to fill a position can be tough, from drafting a job ad to producing a shortlist of top interview candidates. Employers typically consider information from ...
Wondering where to host your next BYO? Whether its a small gathering or a massive party, we’ve got some recommendations. I was first introduced to the concept of BYOs at Dunedin’s India Gardens, a legendary but sadly defunct establishment, which purveyed enormous quantities of mango chicken to Aotearoa’s drunkest future ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julien Cooper, Honorary Lecturer, Department of History and Archaeology, Macquarie University Julien Cooper The hyper-arid desert of Eastern Sudan, the Atbai Desert, seems like an unlikely place to find evidence of ancient cattle herders. But in this dry environment, my new ...
The sector says it’s hopeful her replacement Paul Goldsmith will be able to throw it a lifeline, after six months with a minister deemed missing in action, writes Catherine McGregor in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign ...
The government can't just rely on axing public sector jobs and has to do more to cut spending, says the chief economist at a free market think tank. ...
Rock The Vote NZ, known for its advocacy for minor party unity and its role within the Freedoms NZ Coalition during the 2023 General Election, celebrates this merger as a strategic enhancement of its operational strength and outreach. ...
Nearly everyone has experienced the frustration of something you use breaking and being difficult or expensive to fix. Proposed legislation could change that. It’s been raining on and off all Sunday afternoon but people are lining up outside a building in a corner of Gribblehirst Park in Sandringham, Auckland. In ...
What does a forever relationship look like when you don’t believe in marriage? And how do you celebrate it? This essay is part of our Sunday Essay series, made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand.I’m going to do it, right now. I’m going to say ...
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It’s not that long ago Eliza McCartney was seriously wondering if the Paris Olympics would be her pole vaulting swansong. After years of being hounded by injury after injury, the Rio Olympics bronze medallist was still confident she would compete at her second Olympics in Paris in July, unless something ...
FICTION 1 Take Two by Danielle Hawkins (Allen & Unwin, $36.99) There’s commercial fiction, like this book, and then there’s quality fiction, quality writers, quality literature; the forthcoming Auckland Writers Festival is full of quality, and ReadingRoom has two tickets to give away to the following events: Paul Lynch (Dublin ...
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[quiz],DIV[quiz],A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question?Send Newsroom your questions. The post Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 26 April appeared first on Newsroom. ...
You can’t have missed the Gallipoli story as the movies, documentaries, essays and books capture what it was like for New Zealand troops in their eight-month campaign on the Peninsula. But this Anzac Day the Auckland War Memorial Museum has published a book that sheds light on a little-known aspect of the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra In the free-for-all between the Australian government and Big Tech boss Elon Musk this week, the government had to be on a winner. Most people would have little sympathy with Musk’s vociferous opposition to ...
Asia Pacific Report Chief Mandla Mandela, a member of the National Assembly of South Africa and Nelson Mandela’s grandson, has joined the Freedom Flotilla in istanbul as the ships prepare to sail for Gaza, reports Kia Ora Gaza. Mandela is also the ambassador for the Global Campaign to Return to ...
Pacific Media Watch Journalists who report on environmental issues are encountering growing difficulties in many parts of the world, reports Reporters Without Borders. According to the tally kept by RSF, 200 journalists have been subjected to threats and physical violence, including murder, in the past 10 years because they were ...
Analysis by Dr Bryce Edwards, Democracy Project (https://democracyproject.nz)Political scientist, Dr Bryce Edwards. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesn’t normally happen in ...
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ACT's Rural Communities and Veterans spokesman Mark Cameron responds to cancellations and protests of ANZAC Day commemorations in Wellington. He says, "These pitiful attempts to detract from ANZAC Day are not at all indicative of the feelings of mainstream ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Meighen McCrae, Associate Professor of Strategic & Defence Studies, Australian National University American and Australian stretcher bearers working together near the front line during the Battle of Hamel in 1918.Australian War Memorial While the AUKUS alliance is new, the Australian-American partnership ...
Homeland Security Committee Chairman Peter King. Photo / APA House committee chairman charged Wednesday that the CIA and defence Department jeopardized national security by cooperating too closely with filmmakers producing a movie on the raid that killed Osama bin Laden.
—-Translation: In order to try and sell this bullshit story we had to work really closely with the story tellers, in order that the lies were fully joined up. We needed to make sure that everyone was on the same page, so that when we released the film, it would appear convincing. Its Hollywood baby, thats what we do, tell stories…..
Oh but hold on then we also have this …
It could give further fuel to critics in the United States that Pakistan which has yet to arrest anyone for helping shelter bin Laden should no longer be treated as an ally.
“US officials had urged Pakistan to release the doctor, who ran a vaccination program for the CIA to collect DNA and verify the al-Qaeda leader’s presence at the compound in the town of Abbottabad where US commandos killed him in May 2011 in a unilateral raid.”
— Ran a vaccination programme for the CIA, to collect DNA to verify OBL was in Pakistan. That Doctor definitely gets a key part in the film, I wonder who will play the role, of this fearless doctor!
—- Of course its nothing at all to do with the fact that the USA wants Pakistan split along tribal lines, so it can ensure it pushes the destabilisation nearer towards China,, or that the Pakistanis closed off NATO supply routes in reaction to the continued US drone attacks
America F-ck yeah!
I just heard on the BBC WS that Hilary Clinton is weeping crocodile tears over the fact that the “brave Pakistani doctor” has been done for treason. They just played her sound-bite again, and dear Hilary has a much stronger Southern accent than she ever used to have!
Seriously, Hilary, the guy’s actions were in fact treason! What do you expect?
Yep, not too dissimilar to the Urewera four verdicts, V. Sometimes people do things without thinking through the consequences if they get caught.
Is the sentence of the “Uruwera four” reasonable? I don;t think so but even more so I think it is a step towards being able to prosecute people for what is generally called “Thought crime”. That is; being arrested for merely thinking about a crime.
The two brown boys get it and the two whities walk, great. Initially I felt the U4 could only be convicted of behaving like prize dicks, but given this dodgy judge’s behaviour taking into account the orginal admissibility of evidence arguments, we do indeed have two political prisoners in Mt Eden.
Perhaps Tame can run a few seminars.
What ticks me off is armed camo clad white supremacists frolic about unbothered by the PoPo in the South Island, not to mention a certain racist two wheel ‘club’.
“the two whities walk, great.”
Errr, Emily Bailey is Maori
Artistic license TC, the moko’ed pair got the incarceration.
So she isn’t Maori to you because she has no moko? That makes her less Maori?
She is a Maori, dude.
Yeah, but she’s a girl Maori with a light skin and sticking her in jail for two years might upset even Pakeha again. And this is about divide and rule! So the Whiye boy and the light coloured Maori girl (let’s face it Girls can’t really be dangerous not like Moko’d Black man who stick their tongue out at ya and that white boy probably only got mixed up in all of this because he was infatuated with light coloured Moari girl) get house detention.
DNFTT
How about, the two Maori with “fiendish tattoos” are scapegoated? Emily is rather noticeably less Maori (but I am not sure how much you really do notice).
Really? Are you really going to delve into “who’s more Maori”?
If that is the way this is going to go you’d have a better case in saying the judge is prejudice against tattoos.
Have you told your brother in law yet that he’s not a New Zealand citizen The Sectarian?
Umm, what are you talking about?
You claimed on Wednesday that your brother in law didn’t attend the citizenship ceremony, which would mean he’s not a citizen of New Zealand. It wasn’t a “party with Labour,” it was citizenship ceremony dickhead!
Let me repeat what I said and I’ll highlight the important bit as you seem to having trouble. Then I’ll explain further as you seem to having trouble grasping what should be relatively simple English (also for the benefit for those who read this and need context to understand how bizarre your comment is)
“My wife is from South Africa and her brother recently got citizenship – no party with Labour for him. ”
Now, what does that mean? As we were talking about Mr. Yan getting citizenship under what seem to be unusual circumstances I made mention that my brother-in-law is a South African and was recently awarded NZ citizenship. He went and did the usual business down the town-hall with the mayor (that is usually what happens – I wasn’t there but I went to my sister-in-laws a few years back). But, unlike Mr. Yan, there was no “party” or “private ceremony” with Labour MP’s for either my brother-in-law or my sister-in-law for that matter.
Does this help Jacklal? I am sorry to be so verbose but since you had trouble understanding my original statement i thought I better clear it up. But since it appears you are troling (i.e. interjecting with a completely off-topic response into a thread) I expect you to misunderstand
Well the “Seff Effricon” link may inform some readers
You were replying to a comment by tsmithfield about the citizenship ceremony Yan attended, trying to imply this was somehow special treatment when it’s not. All citizens have a ceremony prior to becoming a New Zealand citizen.
My point is that you’re continually pulling people up for the most trivial things while promoting falsehoods yourself. In effect you want people to paint the perfect portrait and give by way of example a doodle painted in bullshit.
Just in case you hadn’t noticed, this is open mic.
Yes, everyone gets a citizen ceremony.
Not many have private ceremonies with Labour MP’s in Labour’s caucus room
So are you going to get off your high horse or are you going to keep being trivial and pissing people off?
Hey, you brought it up buddy. Out of nowhere I might add, several days later.
Two days later chump and it’s not an isolated incident. hs has the right idea… DNFTT
So you wait two days to interject into a conversation in order to re-quote a comment of mine you misunderstood and after it is explained to you turn around accuse me of being trivial and then claim you do want to feed the troll?
Riiiight.
Thanks, you have spoken for me, and put the case so well! Certainly these tattoos, anyway! Clearly, you observe well the nature of this judge and of what we call “justice” in this country. Next you will be telling me you have friends who are Maori!
I nearly fell out of my chair laughing the other day, listening to Police Union Boss Greg O’Connor talking to Willie Jackson on the radio, O’Connor actually said “Some of my best freinds are maori cops”.
Interesting point Tiger M ,Because I seem to remember a programme on TV (might have been John Campbell ) about the National Front carrying out military type exercises . Completely ignored by the police ,Why?
Agree Postman, why not check them out too?
Survivalists and white supremacists are definitely out there, under the radar mostly it seems in NZ. In the US many such people thankfully just keep their guns well oiled and fume away behind the razor wire.
Hey,
What do you mean by:
“Well the “Seff Effricon” link may inform some readers ”
Forgive my slowness
Yes, we all forgive your “slowness” because you simply cannot help it.
Yes quite. Well done. Amusing.
Get a grip TC, while South African immigrants to NZ may not be actual “yarpies” a number of them being professionals of various types present as reactionary in their politics. As in the North Shore of Auckland, Rodney and such like.
Hello, like vote for ShonKey, and like don’t live in Mangere.
Get a grip? I was just asking for clarification dude.
And yes, the Auckland ones are pretty weird but I am pretty sure my wife voted Green in the last election. Or maybe that was 2008.
Does not living in Mangere present some kind of handicap?
Nice bigotry TM.
No bigotry HS. It is informed generalisation about comfortable run, run, run, runaway whites.
I personally met a few pretty staunch ‘saffas’ in the early 80s, journo Donald Woods, ANC guys Andrew Molotsane (later murdered) and Eddie Fundie.
As John Minto has pointed out Azania is in deep shit, district 9 deep shit almost.
But the NZ anti racist movement acted honourably at the time as confirmed by N. Mandela. The ANC took office at precisely the wrong time during the era of neo liberalist Reganism, Thatcherism etc and succumbing to it.
Didn’t know that ‘informed generalisation’ was in the listed as descriptor for bigotry in any of commonly used dictionaries, more often it’s described as ‘intolerance towards those who hold different opinions from oneself ‘
My informed generalisation would be that there’s no more or less bigotry amongst immigrant South Africans coming to NZ than there is among other immigrant groups or indeed amongst long term NZers be they of the white, brown polka dot or any other variety.
Heh, fair enough to some extent HS.
My point is that observable behaviour and location of South African immigrants places many of them in the tory world. Not too many Yarpies joining Labour, Greens, Te Mana etc. They are bailing out to “Hobbiton” for goodness sake.
Hi TM
I expect you may be right about not too many South African immigrants joining any of those parties.
Then again from where I sit not too many of us join political parties full stop.
I think we both might be a bit surprised about the actual and voting intentions of recent immigrants and recent NZ citizens the might not be too different from the voting % splits of everyone else across the population
Yes I think it is clear this “judgement” has much more behind it than face value. Having failed in the attempt to creat a NZ centric terror threat, I wonder what “event” NZ might incur, something that can really get us locked down nice and tight.
Maybe even set up control center here, where armed drones can be used around the place…You know , for our safety from all the terrorists!
False Flag incident.
God only knows what the Judge was (or was not) thinking. Sending a message perhaps? If so she has certainly sent a message that Tuhoe and It are being made to pay, but for which crime? It looks like the stupidest case of martyr creation yet from our embarressing legal system.
Intresting background article on London, Austerity City in the Herald, via Bloomberg… Remarkable social insight from a financial new source…
Thanks. All power to the teacher Liam Taylor and Occupy for their efforts to do something positive. But it still makes for depressing reading. I lived and worked in London for quite a few years and was familiar with the areas mentioned back then.
This country really has the law impartially administered? We might as well return to the onslaughts of the British against Maori in earlier wars. What happened in this court somewhat reminded me of Parihaka. How many hunters are running around in the bush with unlicensed firearms (all too frequently killing one another)? No, these two “victims” of society were not only discriminated against due to being Maori, worse because they were so defiant as to wear those “threatening” tattoos!
Subject: Civil Unrest
I have a manual issued to me about 50 years ago when I was on Active Service.
The use of Military Forces to control Civil Unrest.
It is frightening because it is based on hundreds of years of experience both in the U.K and in building up the British Empire.
The introduction acknowledges that while no two situations are ever the same, experience has shown that, over a period of years, Civil Unrest in any one area follows a standard pattern. It then identifies 4 PHASES of Civil Unrest, from
PHASE 1, “gaining support of the local people” , through to
PHASE 4, “The complete overthrow of the established government”.
( How often has this happened in Fiji ?)
The manual emphasises ” To defeat this plan of unrest the vital need is to prevent it ever getting beyond PHASE 1.”
Both New Zealand and Australia are already in PHASE 2.
The Operational Section of the manual is a Restricted Document that discusses control of public movement, setting up road blocks, setting up curfews, etc. Something we have seen in Australia.
What ever name you give it, the fact remains IT WAS ” CIVIL UNREST”.
This manual also discusses the loss of public confidence in Forces of Law and Order, something that has happened in parts of New Zealand. ( The media must accept a lot of responsibility for this. )
So many people are saying “It can not happen to us.” but this is just fear of the issue, or propaganda and propaganda is one of the items mentioned when the manual defines the objects and methods used, by people causing trouble, during each PHASE of Civil Unrest.
” United we stand, divided we fall ” and we are becoming increasingly divided.
The manual defines different levels of Civil Disturbances, from Unlawful Assemblies, through to Riots, to Insurrection, emphasising time and again that if any assistance is requested, it’s primary purpose is to “protect the innocent”.(Not pass judgement or ascertain who is guilty. )
The discussion on “Suppression of Unlawful Assemblies and Riots” and ” Dispersing of a Crowd” reads so much like what we have seen.
Finally, PHASE 2 is identified as the period when –
“The creation of base areas under insurgent control by ‘propaganda’, ‘compulsion’ or ‘terrorist methods’, for purposes of food storage, concealment and recruitment.” occurs.(Now, it would also be used to train suicide bombers. )
How many places in New Zealand fit that definition ?
Call it Gang Headquarters, a Muri where we speak our own language, call it what you like, does it fit that definition ?
History is repeating itself. New Zealand is becoming broken and divided. Racisim is just an EMOTIONAL TOOL.
Thats correct J72, very good post!
In the desperation of the little people to want to accept, and be accepted no matter what their position, status, orientation, race, rugby team is etc, they are in fact being turned onto eachother in ever increasingly vile ways, and they fight amongst themselves for position. This is the most elementary form of deception, and most are not even able to identify it!
Sadly many people want to fee like they are contributing to solutions, when in fact they are part of the problem…
Good humour is a tonic for mind and body. It is the best antidote for anxiety and depression. It is a business asset. It attracts and keeps friends. It lightens human burdens. It is the direct route to serenity and contentment.
Planet Labour?
Planet Uranus John!
Good on John Campbell for outing the nasty,fearful racists texting his programme.
POLICE 10-7 last night; Young drunk man,”can i piss on your face officer?”
(officer may have given brief consideration to offer;could have borrowed some sunglasses)
“govt at top end of optimism”, KPMG analyst on Budget.
War with Iran in support of US-Israel; 25-50% probability; UK Minister on Security.
NewsNow and The Guardian and PrisonPlanet very useful sites to keep gaze on events unfolding in real time.
HyperInflation to come?
Dear Hekia, thought is purer than form. Push.Push Back.
Celebrating Youth Week? Throwing them on the intergenerational fire!
The National Party Benches seat many of these Maternal Authoritarian types and we know what the outcomes for their dependents is likely to be; Submission through sublimation, or resistance.
there is no such thing as a free lunch but blinglish and his cronies got a free apre budget breakfast today.
ho hum.
One of the dark sides of education is student accommodation with venal pigs exploiting the demand. Claimed to be the smallest apartment in NZ, which I bet it’s not;
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/national/news/video.cfm?c_id=1503075&gal_cid=1503075&gallery_id=125777
7.9 sq metres, $160-180 per week. Hong Kong investor/owner.
Note the shark trying to push the price up with talk about rent increases to $200 etc.
Disgusting.
Yeah, I saw that on John Campbell Live last night. That place isn’t much bigger than a broom closet.
Low cost housing, Hong Kong style.
It’s enough to make you weep. That’s where the export earnings from foreign students go; straight back offshore again.
Mind you there’s probably no shortage of local investors milking the students for as much as they can either. Pigs.
$40k to $45k to buy that room and you get about 15% return on it. In other words, pocket change to buy and a guaranteed income for life doing nothing.
I agree. The price of $160-$180 does seem excessive BUT 7.9m2 it is only a bedroom, not an appartment. Where were the cooking facilities, the toilet, a shower, handbasin, laundry etc. ? There must have been some arrangements for water, toilet, etc. DH is insulting the reader and casting doubts upon his own credibility with an emotionl tirade that ignores these subjects. He is also lowering the standard of discussion on this website.
Or , is the Herald at fault or just quoted out of context?
Australia looks better every day
This isn’t a zero budget, It’s a no hope no growth no brighter future budget… it’s an archaic return to failed ideologies of the past that will detrimentally impact on the already downtrodden budget… It’s an elitist budget designed to transfer even more wealth from those who can least afford it to those that don’t need it… It’s a penny pinching agist budget that will do nothing to get New Zealand back on its feet…
Yes. National shifted the burden of taxation onto the middle and lower deciles, and then borrowed.
They then fake victimhood by claiming to be at the whims of Earthquakes, Global depression and Labour’s ability to leave the country in the black.
Impressively Key then makes out with himself regularly on TV, claiming he’s absolutely certain and never broaching one risk least his ignorance is exposed.
mr Australia has first shifted the private debt run up by the wealthy in good times (at the expense of NZ now), onto the government books. This helps the banks out who have all those mortgagee homes to move onto new buyers getting indebted. And now Key plans to help the other side of the Bank books by pushing more collateral into the market (asset sales) to help Banks deleverage further.
Banks owned by foreigners.
The joke being that we did not have a problem with government debt before National came to power.
And the country was so badly geared to favor the non-productive sector (capital farming homes and farms), and is still.
These freak zombies need to be ousted by the farmers whose lobby is constantly used to justify the bad decision making of Mr Australia. Why are farmers so gullible, do they really believe keep NZ on one agarian growth trend is a good idea. As soon as oil peaks the luxury added value sector that relies on heavy oil inputs goes to the wall. Cheap food becomes the priority and like our mines, our farms are much smaller than the USA wheat belt and the new Russian wheatbelt.
So when is Key going wise up, the day he touches day in Hawaii and retires.
+1 Unfortunately for New Zealand we shouldn’t expect Key to grow a conscience anytime soon.
Have courage with your convictions. If they are in error it will be you against human nature.If they are correct, they will benefit all.
Just “popped” into my head like thought popcorn and then I toasted it a little bit.
Have courage with your convictions.
Is that aimed at Tame Iti?
Seriously though, I’m all for courage in examining and putting into practice ideas, politics and activism.
Can anyone name the beach in the picture for me ?
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/property/news/article.cfm?c_id=8&objectid=10808256
Sorry, I don’t know, but I just wanted to say that it’s a lovely spot.
Matapouri_
Right click on image then click on view image info.
Thanks Carol
hardly believable but our finance minister is suggesting students need to get organised, rise up and riot properly, like the greeks! Inciting a riot hmmmm..
“Finance Minister Bill English has taunted student protesters who yesterday blockaded an Auckland street saying “they need some Greeks to show them how to do it.”
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/budget-2012/6985706/English-taunts-student-protesters
Perhaps a prime time NZ’s next Loukanikos.
Well, good on Blinglish for recognising that the postwar economic situation has changed forever. But, his whinging about student protests ignores the fact Bill and John are asking for austerity for the less well-off, especially the non-wealthy young, while the wealthy of all ages still get to party like it’s 1999.
And he is reinforcing elite power by talking about an on-going crisis over debt – that’s just the same old disaster capitalism, tyrannising people with threats of an eternal state of emergency.:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10808417
Thus saith Bill, whilst whinging about protests.
Pretty disappointing and disingenuous that a Government simply refuses to look at solid budgetary alternatives, like:
– Cutting out $5b of motorways and reprioritising that spending onto more job-rich and benefit-diffuse projects
– Reversing the 2009 tax cuts to the rich
– Reversing the incrase in GST
– Properly taxing landlords, their rent, and their capital gain
Should be a core part of a Minsiterial Job Description to avoid or avert or ameliorate crisis, not repeatedly push the Orwellian language-button. So cynical it’s contemptible.
Surprise! :
https://twitter.com/katieabradford/status/205822493380968450
Mr Key told members of the Trans Tasman Business Circles that the Budget was “a very sensible Budget for very volatile times.”
If he had been asked a month ago if there had been a chance that Greece would exit the Euro, he said he would have dismissed it and thought common sense would prevail
“Now I’m far more uncertain.”
—-What a lying little toerag Key is! Of course he knows exactly what is going on inside the world of fiance, and politics…If he doesn’t, he is not fit for office is he!
Half a million to be spent on Govt House which has already cost the country 40 odd million.Talk about putting the boot in!I thought we living in austere times?
Today’s WINZ update… 🙂
“So, I spent the morning at WINZ Mt Albert, for the second ‘seminar’ of the week – this one, four of us had turned up, each one to be ‘interviewed’ by two people – lucky for me that I had brought a book! One man who had applied to move from UB to DPB was allowed to go, because he already had an appointment to discuss this. Another, a woman in her late 40s, who had waited (on the advice of a WINZ person) to make an appointment to discuss her application for DPB Caring For, in respect of her adult son with disabilities was told she had to stay and prove she was looking for work as “you probably won’t get the carers benefit”… (I leaned across and advised her contact Citizen Advocacy, which helps people with disabilities and their families – not a popular move as the WINZ women saw me do it.)
I sat in a public room (we’d been told to move from the private room we were in) for 35 minutes by the clock, while the other two women were interviewed. I made a point of not listening, but anyone could have heard them and their interrogators.
After 35 minutes I asked the man on reception who was stood twiddling his thumbs, if he would enquire as to how longer I would be sat reading my book… “Not too much longer” she said smiling, and sure enough, the mother of the man with disabilities was just leaving. However, my enquiry was apparently against some rule, as the manager appeared at my elbow and demanded that I see her, because I had “been rude to her staff” (!!!) Said manager proceeded to take me to her corner desk and start berating me for my unemployed status and my bad attitude. When I quoted Petulant Bean’s own words (that the jobs don’t exist), well, it was like the US disaster movie I saw on TV the other day, ‘Volcano’! The afore-mentioned manager went ballistic. She said that she was going to find a training programme to put me on, wait here.
After waiting there for a further 15 minutes, I walked out, and had a cigarette. When I came back, they were still talking, so I stood at their elbow, then went to reception and got the woman there to photocopy my job diary and when finally summoned (to talk to the original woman) I gave her the pages. She was totally different from the hostile angry manager – explaining that she had just looked at my CV and had seen that I already have tertiary qualifications and years of work experience, she said that they had been unable to find a 6 month training programme that I actually needed or qualified for! (The Manager had simply been making assumptions and had in the end resorting to chanting at me “I’m as old as you are, and *I* have a job!” How that was supposed to ‘help’ me I can’t fathom!
In the end, the second woman referred to me a 26 week programme at the Chamber of Commerce. What that will achieve, I have no idea. If, while on that course, I get offered a day here and there at a school, I am ‘obliged by my job-seeker contract’ to take it, and then ask the Principal/DoS to type and sign a letter proving I was there, and so couldn’t attend the course. When I pointed out that Alan would rather not hire as a reliever than have to spend hours proving to WINZ that I was relieving for 3 hours, she didn’t care.
So, that’s how things stand at the minute. I expect I shall be called in for more seminars… as I left the manager’s desk, I saw a whiteboard placed where the staff can see it, but the bennys can’t – giving the ‘target’ of people they have to get off benefit. 60 a month off UB and 50 a month off Sickness benefit. Lynne the second woman let slip that if Chamber of Commerce accept me on the 26 week course, I will *not* be counted in official UB statistics, even though I will still actually be getting UB. No wonder she was so desperately eager to get me on this course!”
(I wrote this after I got home. When I arrived I was early for the seminar to which I had been summoned. By the time I got to the head of the queue at Reception, I was late – so I had been in the queue for 20 minutes, while a white South African receptionist baffled and confused an elderly Chinese couple.) IMO, she ought to have asked for help, as while I waited the queue grew longer and longer, filled with people who were officially now, like me, very late… and none of them by their own fault!
The real planetVicky32 but not the same planet as Miss Bennett or English or Key. They make it sound so simple and suggest that you are undeserving. Keep your reports coming and good luck.
Thank you for the good wishes Ianmac! 🙂
What a breath-takingly callous and unrealistic system. You sound like you are doing the best you can given the circumstances, vicky.
Hi Vicky,
I am not the least bit surprised to read of your experiences.
I went through a not unsimilar situation in the mid to late 90s when I was looking after my elderly mother who was slowly deteriorating with Alzeimers. Initially Income Support (I think it became WINZ during the latter part of the period) put me on the wrong benefit. Around 1997 I was ordered to attend instructions on ‘how to apply for a job, and how to dress for the interviews’. When I pointed out I was a former public servant with professional qualifications and didn’t need such instructions, I wasn’t believed. As far as the woman handling my case was concerned, I was a malingerer who had made up the story about my mother. That was the essence of her response anyway… even though there was irrefutable evidence of my mother’s condition (submitted by her doctor) on my file. She hadn’t bothered to look I suppose. Eventually it was accepted, and I was transferred to the correct benefit which was the DPB of course.
But that wasn’t the end of it. Not long afterwards I noticed the presence of an unmarked car with two individuals (male and female) that was conveniently parked at a point on the road where they could witness all the comings and goings on my mother’s property. They looked like cops dressed in mufti to me, and I actually saw the female in the passenger seat taking down the registration number of my car. Yep. It was Winz keeping me (and my elderly mother) under surveillance. They were part of the then “Winz Fraud Squad” which was largely staffed by ex-cops.
This took place during the Christine Rankin era, and they used to get away with it because they knew their targets were vulnerable and would be too scared to retaliate for fear of losing the much needed benefit. I did eventually write to the ‘chief cook and bottle washer’ at the North Shore WINZ centre and let him know I was well aware what was going on. I never received a reply, but the surveillance immediately stopped!
I despise Paula Bennett and her cohorts, because I can clearly see they are re-introducing exactly the same culture at WINZ.
The truth was – and is again – that they know you will not take action because of the faear
oops… ignore the last line. Shouldn’t be there.
Oh my giddy aunt, Anne! How horrendous, and how ridiculous!
It seems to me that They have a view of what we bennies are like, and education and experience don’t fit their picture. I remember when I worked at Social Welfare as it was then, a boss making up a song we newbies had to sing at the staff Christmas party (cringe) one line of which went “they ask for Snigs * to feed their kids/but we know it’s for their beer! Oh, Jingle bells etc”…
* Snigs = office jargon for Special Needs Grant.
They hate it when you know anything! I remember the hostility one woman gathered against her when she rang up about the non-arrival of her UB in her account, and said to the staff member “Can’t you check the ROI?” (Register of issues). That the beneficiary knew this piece of office jargon, scared them siilly regarding her…
@vicky 32
Yes, my experiences were distressing at the time, but one thing you need to remember… in the end they don’t get away with it. Remember what happened to C Rankin. She was unceremoniously kicked out along with many of her senior team by the new Labour govt. and the Benefit Fraud Squad was dis-established.
It will happen again in 2014 – we hope.
Btw. My mother died some time ago so I’m no longer on a benefit. But I won’t ever forget what happened and – unlike P Bennett – will stand up for beneficiaries because I know the vast bulk are there through no fault of their own and don’t rort the system.
Probably ex cops who’d PERFed out at great expense to us. Funny how they get a huge payout for not being able to do their job, and then keep doing basically the same thing.
V32, keep your chin up, and keep those reports coming, and make sure you send them to your local MP, and if you can follow up with a visit to them.
More power to you!
Hi Vicky32 – wish I had time to comment on yours but don’t at the moment but hang in there.
With all your seminars etc, dont know whether you saw Uturn’s message to you yesterday on open Mike, so here it is again.
http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-24052012/#comment-474900
Thanks Deuto, and Uturn, yes, I did see it, and have made use of it! 🙂
Apache’s negligence under fire
What makes this so ridiculous is that Apache has tried to suppress information about the Varanus Island gas explosion that cost WA $3 billion because they say releasing it would “aid terrorist attacks on gas infrastructure.”
Terrorists probably wouldn’t go near them because they’re too dangerous.
The men in charge of the Reno are guilty obviously. But they were late for getting to their next port Tauranga and I believe that they were held up in Napier. Now if there are port hold-ups does the port pay a fine, refund most of the docking fee etc?
I would bet that the Captain and offsider would be under strict orders to sail within the most efficient and profitable parameters.
They were not doing their best but they were trying to get to the next link in the chain. Was it Napier’s fault equally?
I agree Prism, it would be enlightening to see if any of the port operating procedures and shipping targets of the Rena’s owners had anything to do with the shortcut they took through Astrolabe Reef – and how frequently that shortcut is taken by other ships.
Maybe there is nothing there – but an inquiry at some level would be useful.
Do we have the most under informed PM ever
“He had a paper round when he was a boy, but he had not claimed the rebate.
He first heard on Monday about the specific changes, which IRD had been working on.
The most substantial was around the tax treatment of beach houses, where the government thought allowances were too generous, and they are also closing a loophole around livestock valuations. ”
He only ever knows about things just before they happen, Who is running this country??
OOps, Link
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/budget-2012/6988099/Key-defends-Budget-tax-tweaks
“Do we have the most under informed PM ever”
—The complete opposite of that is true in fact
What we have is ever bigger and bigger liers, selling bigger lies to even stupider people, those that pay attention!
Dumb and Dumber busy ramming legislation through under urgency.Apparently they have no need for the Select Committee as conkey had a chat with Moombeam(bet he’s on a retainer) and they have decided that they know what they are doing is best for the country.How does one get rid of these smirking morons…….Legally!
What pleasant reading the standard has been this week without Concern Troll Peter George.
Yes, the discourse has been diverse and very interesting. What a pity it isn’t going to last.
While it is so petty, a PFD (Pete Free Day) is a rather good day for some.
This is sort of about the budget, but more about the reaction, and the reality.
We are now at something like 397.17 C02 and rising, zero growth or maintaining the statuesque is not an option, if the children born today want a snowballs chance in hell of being alive in 25-30 years time, then the adults in this society are going to have to work out how to live with drastic reverse growth. But no, watching TV tonight there they where, students etc crying about zero growth, they actually want to really really fuck the environment, most of whom are no doubt doing degrees involving the continued growth of energy and all the Disneyland attachments we ‘need’ to live.
Who is to blame for this massive display of ignorance?
Fucking selfish pig ignorant humans, all demanding their cut of the planet.
Gaia will heave a sigh of relief, that this 10,000 year experiment is about over, shame the effects of it will be around till the end of the planet. ie plastic, chemicals, radiation.
Time for the rubber to hit The Road 😉 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0898367/
I thought it was more about idiots not politicians/politics, ops same thing, sorry.