Open mike 26/05/2024

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, May 26th, 2024 - 32 comments
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For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose.

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32 comments on “Open mike 26/05/2024 ”

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  1. Descendant Of Smith 1
    26 May 2024 at 9:09 am

    I made the mistake of reading Damien Grant's latest column. Clearly he hasn't seen the properties that I've seen and that my kids and relatives have lived in that are owned by landlords. (Maybe he means that landlords aren't people).

    People who own property take care of it. They maintain, improve, and treasure what is theirs.

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/350287662/damien-grant-what-do-problem-kainga-ora

    • tc 1.1
      26 May 2024 at 10:01 am

      He smudges the level a property someone owns and occupies gets maintained versus the level an investment property gets.

      Another useful tool with a checkered past on the integrity front.

      • AB 1.1.1
        26 May 2024 at 10:18 am

        Quite right tc. There is an extensive literature in human geography and anthropology around the notions of "home" and the distinction between "space" and "place" and the relative levels of attachment (love even) that we give to each. Damien Grant is a barbarian and a fool.

  2. PsyclingLeft.Always 2
    26 May 2024 at 9:48 am

    IMO People..like Damien Grant best avoided, unless a revisit confirms they are still the same patronising, superior, right wing jerk as ever.

    There was, and always has been, more power with landlord/barons than tenants…ever.

    Back in the day…got notice to move out (with very young family)..because the landlord wanted it for a "reason". (well it was Christmas…and he just needed it !)

    You could imagine how hard it was to get somewhere at that time.

    I know of many others in similar situations….

    Labour for their faults… changed the balance to give more fairness to Tenants.( And I still think Labour did so many good things as per Darien Fentons list !)

    The latest moves by NActFirst are just to again tighten the screws on Tenants.

    Renters United spokesperson Ashok Jacob has described National's policy "depressingly predictable".He told RNZ's Midday Report current regulations were there to stop bad landlords behaving badly.

    "If you actually look at the reasons people can be evicted under the current regulatory scheme, I think it's very reasonable. You can evict somebody for not paying rent, or antisocial behaviour.

    "I don't know if there are any more reasons that you should be allowed to evict somebody and I think National are actually saying we should trust landlords to act with impunity when it comes to people's livelihoods and their homes."

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/514005/changes-to-tenancy-laws-to-come-into-force-next-year

    • Kay 2.1
      26 May 2024 at 10:09 am

      I somehow fluked out big time and have kept the same private rental for 26 years now, surviving one sale. But the flat before then, I lost with the 42 days notice, for the landlord to live in. Fortunately, in those days it was very much a tenant's market and I had numerous choices, so it wasn't a major disaster.

      But because of that previous eviction, in 26 years I've never been able to relax, nor has this been my 'home.' Because it can happen again at anytime, no matter the government, or tenancy laws. But add to that the absolute terror that everyone in private rental has, that the next eviction- usually through no fault of their own- will literally mean homelessness, especially those of us at the low-socioeconomic end of the scale.

      Although I qualify for social housing, one can't even apply till one is literally, or imminently homeless, and still expected to fight on the open market for rentals that just aren't there, or financially impossible (never mind the unofficial ban of renting to beneficiaries).

      All governments of all stripes are responsible for this, be it dropping the ball on future housing needs, or deliberately selling off state housing. What I cannot work out is why homelessness and the social cost (read: hard-working tax payers money) of incarceration and avoidable hospitalisations, is somehow prudent financial management, and good for the economy? Since we all know it isn't, this really just boils down to successive governments total lack of empathy for anyone not 'successful' enough to pull up their bootstraps and become a respectable property owner.

      • PsyclingLeft.Always 2.1.1
        26 May 2024 at 10:41 am

        I totally relate, and have full empathy for you. That terrible feeling of unease. No one should have to live under that. And re the "pull up your bootstraps".. you are a nice person. Wish you the best, and take care.

    • Sanctuary 2.2
      26 May 2024 at 10:38 am

      Damien Grant is a gormless libertarian dipshit who doesn't mind being "controversial" by being a mind bendingly dumb ideologue who pieces frequently fail the most basic journalistic and editorial standards.

      And that is quite enough for the contemporary MSM to employ him on the grounds opinion abjures them from any requirement to apply basic journalistic and editorial standards.

      All the while of course the insufferably pious owners of Stuff lecture us all about how important the MSM is and how we need to keep shovelling money at them because we need basic journalistic and editorial standards.

      • PsyclingLeft.Always 2.2.1
        26 May 2024 at 11:03 am

        Ah, that was a great descriptor of Damian and his mindset ! I have been reading Newsroom a bit lately, seem to have some good pieces.

      • Kay 2.2.2
        26 May 2024 at 11:20 am

        But.. but.. they're publishing opinions that "you sometimes disagree with. And that's healthy." Surely it's healthy for democracy to be presented with alternate realities? /s

        "Stuff looks to publish a diverse range of opinions. Sometimes we'll publish opinions you disagree with. That's healthy.

        Social media might create echo chambers. Good journalism should not.

        Our policy is that our own journalists rarely write opinion pieces. Most of our commentary is from freelance writers or specialists. You can read more about Stuff's policy on managing opinion here."

    • Incognito 2.3
      26 May 2024 at 11:19 am

      By taking the bait and allowing his pieces to suck up too much oxygen and to waste too much emotional energy, people confirm his raison d’être and MO, the decisions and strategy by Stuff’s editors (their MO), and Stuff’s business model (stuff’s MO).

      It appears that TS readers are, by and large, discerning people who don’t click willy-nilly on all & everything because as far as I can tell from the TS stats only a tiny fraction of all clicks from this site go to writings by Damien Grant.

      Damien Grant is a red herring, a straw man who bounces dead cats on the table, and a useful idiot and agitator (aka stirrer) who leads the gullible and easily-offended on a wild goose chase and diverts attention away from things and views that are important and often more sensitive and inconvenient for the powers that be. Populist politicians make good use of these tricks and simple tools too.

      • PsyclingLeft.Always 2.3.1
        26 May 2024 at 12:07 pm

        For sure. I think Ive gained over a long time, an IMO reasonable handle on what and where to read on Politics.

        Maybe a Political "Spidey Sense" : )

        On here RNZ is…hated by some few ? And of course the Guardian !. Geez I still like both of them.

        Of course there is that proving of the rule….whereby Wall Street Journal , Forbes , even the Herald.. have some story that interests me without an overwhelming RW bias.

        I would say applying critical thinking is useful. And knowing when to not even go there !

        Oh and thanks for linking Newsroom and Steve Braunias on

        The Secret Diary of .. Fast-Track Jones

        https://newsroom.co.nz/2024/05/25/the-secret-diary-of-fast-track-jones/

        Mr Braunias has an extremely dry wit. I have liked his earlier "Secret Diary" works : )

  3. Visubversa 3
    26 May 2024 at 10:58 am

    The rental property 2 down from us has been owned by the same landlord for many years. He has done nothing to maintain the property in at least the last 10 years. It meets none of the healthy homes standards, the bathroom is so rotten it is about to fall off the side of the house. He has taken the $$$ from the property, but put nothing back in.

    His last lot of tenants were a major blight on the neighbourhood. However, he would not do anything about them because he would have had to do work on the place before he could re-let it.

    His tenants had screaming matches in the back yard at 1am, noisy parties regularly, lots of car doors slamming at 4am and several visits from the Police. Their neglected animals scavenged from local properties.

    Finally – after neighbors got the landlord's phone number and rang him every time there was a disturbance, and the tenants stopped paying rent, he got them evicted. 4 big "Junk to Go" trucks cleared the rubbish, and we kept their flea ridden and malnourished kitten.

    The place is such a mess that even with clearance of rubbish and jungle vegetation, it has not sold in 2 months on the market.

    • Kay 3.1
      26 May 2024 at 11:24 am

      A perfect example of why private landlords, alongside property managers, need mandatory registration with very real-world consequences of their actions/lack thereof.

      • Belladonna 3.1.1
        26 May 2024 at 1:26 pm

        I presume that the landlord is now (and has been for the last year or so), reaping the consequences of their behaviour:

        • Regular calls over unacceptable behaviour from their tenants (personal annoyance factor)
        • Mandatory insulation, etc. requirements for a new rental period (so a huge amount needing to be spent). Clearly has made the call that it will cost too much, so is selling.
        • Unable to be rented until the work is done – so empty until sold – no income.
        • Missed the boat on the best time to sell – with a stagnant property market this property is unlikely to attract serious offers. May have to sell at a substantial (paper loss) or hold onto it (with no income) for some time.
        • Likely only to be of interest to developers (who are not splashing out money ATM), or someone after a basement bargain to renovate.

        Whereas a 'good' landlord would have kept the property in good condition, therefore attracting better tenants (probably paying more). And, if they had to sell, would have chosen the time, been able to attract better offers, and/or been able to hold off until the market improves.

        Note: Most of what you and the OP are complaining about is the behaviour of the tenants. And, while the landlord could (and probably should) have booted them out earlier – that just shifts the problem onto the state system.

    • weka 3.2
      26 May 2024 at 11:39 am

      after neighbors got the landlord's phone number and rang him every time there was a disturbance,

      haha, fucking brilliant.

      Is there a way to complain to tenancy services if one isn't the tenant?

      • Belladonna 3.2.1
        26 May 2024 at 1:27 pm

        Not sure what you mean by tenancy services? But if you are next door to a rental – and the tenants are behaving badly – then you can absolutely call the landlord.

        I believe there has just been a case where KO was rapped over the knuckles for not acting effectively over neighbour complaints covering some years.

        • weka 3.2.1.1
          28 May 2024 at 9:33 am

          Tenancy Services is the government department that overseas renting in NZ.

          https://www.tenancy.govt.nz/

          If you are tenant, there are ways to make a complain via TS. I was asking if people can make a complaint about a substandard rental if they are not the tenant eg a family member, neighbour, visitor. I'm thinking of where there is a gross breach of standards.

          • Belladonna 3.2.1.1.1
            28 May 2024 at 2:13 pm

            Looking at the website, I'd say, no. It's all about resolving issues between the tenant and landlord – nothing about grievances of third parties.

            • weka 3.2.1.1.1.1
              28 May 2024 at 2:42 pm

              I wasn't thinking of grievances so much as notifying that a landlord is in breach of the Residential Tenancies (Healthy Homes Standards) Regulations.

              Maybe it's HUD

              https://www.hud.govt.nz/our-work/healthy-homes-standards

              • Drowsy M. Kram …
                28 May 2024 at 2:53 pm

                Googled "dob in a landlord" (similar to dob in a beneficiary) and found this:

                https://www.tenancy.govt.nz/about-tenancy-services/compliance-team/contact-compliance-team/

                You can complete the form as “Tenant”, “Other” or “Landlord”.

              • Belladonna …
                28 May 2024 at 2:57 pm

                Hmm. I'd still be surprised in an unrelated third party could make a complaint. At least formally – maybe a word under the table could result in an inspection.
                [Edit, DMK has now found that this is possible]

                Although, possibly the tenancy might have fallen into the 'not yet renewed’ category, so the new HHS standards don't yet apply. Indeed it was probably the need to upgrade to these which would have triggered the sale listing.

                I can envisage someone needing care and protection having a third party intervene: e.g. IHC intervention on their behalf; but I'd think that most people would be highly resentful of a busy-body neighbour intervening in their rental arrangements.

                And, as I said above, most of the complaints were about the tenants' (and possibly guests) behaviour, rather than the landlord's.

                • weka …
                  28 May 2024 at 3:28 pm

                  I can envisage someone needing care and protection having a third party intervene: e.g. IHC intervention on their behalf; but I'd think that most people would be highly resentful of a busy-body neighbour intervening in their rental arrangements.

                  Probably because you are looking at it from a private contract pov, whereas I'm looking at it from the public good side.

                  Someone living in a grossly substandard rental and too afraid to say anything because the nature of the housing crisis means they might end up homeless may need someone else to intervene. There should be some protections in place but of course it is still possible that a tenant could be evicted because the landlord doesn't want to meet the standards set by law.

  4. joe90 4
    26 May 2024 at 1:02 pm

    Marvelous us.

  5. joe90 5
    26 May 2024 at 3:07 pm

    Not sure whether they're talking about Route 4370 or not but still, apartheid.

    @theferocity.bsky.social

    WOW. “The soldier replied, "It's an order-this is a Jews-only road." "It is his responsibility to know it, and besides, what do you want us to do, put up a sign here and let some anti-Semitic reporter or journalist take a photo so that he can show the world that apartheid exists here?”

    https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:7ikl5b575otp6uxqsddmvuzh/post/3ktdjaz2r232j

    • joe90 5.1
      26 May 2024 at 8:45 pm

      Last night thousands of Israelis protested in cities across Israel demanding an end to the war, a return of hostages held by Hamas, Netenyahu's resignation, and new elections.

      Protests are happening in Beersheba, Kfar Saba, Caesaria, Herzliya, Netanya, Zikhron Ya'acov, and Tel Aviv – with the largest and main protest is happening on Kaplan Street.

      https://www.jpost.com/israel-hamas-war/article-802627

  6. Descendant Of Smith 6
    26 May 2024 at 4:15 pm

    These ads were apparently produced under Luxon's watch at Unilever. Somehow this doesn't seem surprising. Thanks to Nick for digging these out.

    We so, so, so need a new series of "A week of it".

    Introducing the Mama's Boy doll, The Wuss doll and the Suck Up doll.

    "This is not your generic deodorant advertising where you usually grab a sports star and say, 'Insert your product here, " Luxon says. "Unilever has been embracing risk."

    https://x.com/StrayDogNZ/status/1794237276480000190

    You could even buy the dolls. Some of these floating around parliament would be great.

    “And, oh yes, that’s the best part : the dolls are for real, you can actually order two of them online (only US residents however). This concept takes Branded Entertainment to an entirely new level.

    Unilever digged deep in their pockets to promote the concept : a Mama’s Boy video clip even aired during the Superbowl event : you can watch it on the site”

    https://context.typepad.com/context/2005/11/the_inaction_he.html

    • Descendant Of Smith 6.1
      26 May 2024 at 4:41 pm

      And it had fake job adverts as well. I would have thought this cringy back in 2005.

      Dull Co. is dedicated to fighting the forces of stress by avoiding risk altogether. As a first step to fulfilling this mission, we have developed the In-Action Heroes. Mama's Boy, the Suck-Up, and the Wuss embody our belief in living a life free of challenge and risk.

      We look forward to continuing to service men who support our philosophy – men who live with their moms, suck up to their bosses, and totally avoid confrontation – with more products in the future.

      If you are a man of action, our products are not for you. If you do take risks, there's new Degree for Men. With twice the protection you need, it won't let you down.

      Do you hate to speak up at meetings? Are you an outstanding butt kisser? Then Dull Co. may be the place for you – free of risk and any shot at upward mobility.

      At Dull Co., we provide each of our employees with a shared cubicle tucked safely in our maze-like office. And the coffee is always lukewarm (decaf, of course).

      Mediocre Middle Manager
      Looking for an extremely agreeable middle manager with no aspirations whatsoever. The browner the nose the better. Absolutely no skills required.

      Paper Pusher
      Seeking an office professional who can stare at stacks of paper all day long. May be required to move them from one pile to another from time to time.

      Yes Man
      Do you lack original thoughts? Is "Yes" your middle name? Then we have the right job for you. Yes, we do. Oh yeah.

      Please don't send us your resume. That would be too risky. Don't call us and we won't call you.

  7. Drowsy M. Kram 7
    26 May 2024 at 4:35 pm

    Launched yesterday by Rocket Labs at Māhia.

    NASA Launches Small Climate Satellite to Study Earth’s Poles [25 May 2024]
    The agency’s PREFIRE (Polar Radiant Energy in the Far-InfraRed Experiment) mission consists of two shoebox-size cube satellites, or CubeSats, that will measure the amount of heat Earth radiates into space from two of the coldest, most remote regions on the planet. Data from the PREFIRE mission will help researchers better predict how Earth’s ice, seas, and weather will change in a warming world.

    That data should improve the accuracy of estimates of spaceship Earth's energy imbalance, i.e. more heat in than out, and predictions of global warming.

    Spencer Weart has compiled a comprehensive and (imho) readable online resource on the history of scientific research on global warming. The flaws and precarity of some early research stood out to me, and they bedevil the human project still.

    The Discovery of Global Warming (April 2024)
    Introduction and Summary:
    A Hyperlinked History of Climate Change Science

    "To a patient scientist, the unfolding greenhouse mystery is far more exciting than the plot of the best mystery novel. But it is slow reading, with new clues sometimes not appearing for several years. Impatience increases when one realizes that it is not the fate of some fictional character, but of our planet and species, which hangs in the balance as the great carbon mystery unfolds at a seemingly glacial pace."
    — D. Schindler, 1999

    By the late 1970s global temperatures had begun to rise again. Since the late 1950s some climate scientists had been predicting that an unprecedented global warming would become apparent around the year 2000. Their worries finally caught wide public attention in the summer of 1988, the hottest on record till then. Computer modeler James Hansen made headlines when he told a Congressional hearing and journalists that greenhouse warming was almost certainly underway. And a major international meeting of scientists in Toronto called on governments to undertake active steps to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

    The response was vehement. Corporations and individuals who opposed all government regulation began to spend millions of dollars on lobbying, advertising, and "reports" that mimicked scientific publications, striving to convince the public that there was no problem at all. Environmental groups, less wealthy but more enthusiastic, helped politicize the issue with urgent cries of alarm. The many scientific uncertainties, and the sheer complexity of climate, made room for limitless debate over what actions, if any, governments should take.
    …
    If every nation met its target, what would they achieve? The science remained stubbornly imprecise, for the global climate system is a tangle of many interacting influences. Scientists did agree that without stronger and prolonged efforts we were most likely to get a rise approaching 3°C or more above the temperatures that had prevailed through human history. That would be a desperately wounded world, where it would be difficult to sustain a civilization that was anywhere prosperous and peaceful. And we would face a small but real risk of triggering unstoppable heating to a level where it would be difficult to sustain any civilization at all.