The asymmetric polarisation of National gathers pace, with their useful clown John Tamihere proposing a right wing wet dream of a policy platform (helpfully megaphoned by the NZ Herald* because, you know, "balance") and now Northland National MP (and sometime leader aspirant) Matt King has posted a plagarised far-right FB rant (from the NZCPR, a crackpot site used by ex-ACT wingnut Muriel Newman to post conspsiracy theories, racist screeds and far, far right libertarian ideology) where he claims climate change "is natural" and it is all a communist plot…
*BTW – now it is behind the paywall, the NZ Herald seems to be a fantasy land of rubbish – far right hucksters and shysters get to write fact free rants, reckons masquerading as opinion, whatabboutism pretending to be analysis and fake news megaphoned because of "balance". it is a complete car crash and the paywall seems to have sent it's standards into a complete freefall. it is almost as if they complacently think charging for something automatically makes it better.
That's exactly what they think. Only grubby unwashed peasants want to consume the unhinged word-vomit of Michael Hosking and friends for free. No, anything of any worth has a price tag attached is their philosophy.
Haven't read Granny Herald in two years. I no longer feel as though I'm wading through torrents of shit whenever I'm browsing the web. Hosking's drivel used to cause the vein in my temple to start throbbing like I was on the verge of a stroke.
It's an embarrasingly basic failure you will not see often, so no cause to mistrust everything else. I'd be more worried about big foreign companies we willingly throw our information at like Google and Facebook.
International banking still relies on Windows Vista, or at least it still did last year. My point is that most things digital have some kind of exploit.
A freeze on the scale proposed by Tamihere would be unprecedented in Auckland local government, and have impacts not explained in the two-page policy document released to Stuff after midnight Sunday.
Rate revenue makes up 45 per cent of the income that flows into Auckland Council coffers each year, and dictates not only its running costs, but also how much it can borrow to fund major long-term infrastructure.
Tamihere told the Herald there were options to cut infrastructure spending – including the City Rail Link. He was actively considering mothballing the Grafton to Karangahape Rd section – which he did not believe would damage the project's integrity
Turning a crucial two-way link into a dead end is a great summary of this guy's contempt. Maybe his campaign is just a kite-flying research project for the Nats?
However, farmers have hit back at their comments, saying they amounted to "economic treason".
some farmers have come a long way down from caring for the land and animals – all about economics now and the dollar in their back pocket.
Federated Farmers dairy chairman Chris Lewis said. "Its easy to fire off words, it's harder to get out there and do the work that we're doing. You can say whatever you want but if you're not picking up a spade to help, what are you actually contributing?"
Joy disagreed that farmers were doing any meaningful work to improve freshwater quality.
"I'm not going to give them credit for something they haven't done," he said. "They throw the number out there, $1 billion or whatever, saying they've spent that on cleaning up the water but that's just the cost of doing business.
"It's like me saying I spent $750 having the brakes fixed on my car so you should be thankful I'm not going to crash into you."
yep – if we turned up with a spade to help with that farmer's pollution issues he'd no doubt call the police, or send a warning shot over us for trespassing.
‘Muldoonism’ itself, similarly, goes a long way towards explaining the success of ‘Rogernomics’. Under Lange’s immediate predecessor, the New Zealand economy had come perilously close to collapse. An alternative strategy was required, and thanks to Treasury’s little beige book, Economic Management, it was Roger Douglas who got there firstest with the mostest. That Douglas’s opponents had no little book of their own to offer the country, lent credence to the Rogernomes’ claim that “there is no alternative”. Moreover, from the ramshackle and disaster-prone quality of the Ardern Ministry, it is clear that the (alleged) opponents of the neoliberal order within the present government have yet to produce one."
Chris Trotters excellent piece will attract the usual knee jerk reactions but more considered thought will recognise reality….where is the plan (are they capable of formulating one)?
MMP wasnt the cause of the lack of government capacity, that can be fairly laid at the feet of neoliberalism…and tinkering at the edges of the existing hands off approach will continue the lack of improvement….until it collapses in upon itself from one of the many pressing challenges.
A complete abdication of responsibilty (combined with a lack of ability)….from all political parties and the public service.
I beg to differ and an examination of the past would I suggest such. When did the housing bubble begin? when was the beginning of the open boarders policy? Indicators of the lack of policy ideas that were continued by Key……In fact the only policy of significance that came in under the Clark Gov that springs to mind was Kiwisaver, everything else was a continuation of the neolib hands off approach…a frequently heard complaint, and one also levelled at this admin
There are a number of problems with Trotter's piece, but the one thing he got right was that nobody at the time had a little red book with which to counter the rogernomes – and in particular to explain and avoid stagflation.
The problem now is twofold:
Governments are no longer stable, single-party dictatorships; and
people have quickly forgotten how "transformative" it is for a government to even accept the systemic existence of things like child poverty or a government role in cooling down the housing market by directly involving itself in supplying new homes
That's not to say Labour are perfect, but the ministers are more competent than the nactoids ever were. Some are more right or left wing than others, that's life. But they're all trying new things. Failure is a natural consequence of trying new things, but sooner or later these attempts lead to succes. If you want anything other than stagnation, TINA but to try.
so nz has just lined up with the environmental vandals on the planer – the bad-guys – – and voted against a u.n treaty to protect endangered species of sharks…
“If there’s a new regulation, they have to knock out two. But it goes far beyond that, we’re cutting regulations massively for small business and for large business,” Trump said during the signing of the order, while surrounded by small-business leaders. He stressed that the new measure is meant to ease the opening and expansion of small businesses, and said that America’s small businesses “have been treated very badly” and that it was “virtually impossible to expand your existing business because of regulations.”
…and creating a voluntary initiative to make sure small businesses are paid on time
National Party leader Simon Bridges said the party would also require all government departments and government agencies to pay their contractors on time and within 30 days.
"Getting paid on time is a big issue for New Zealand small business owners, long delays in payments can inhibit their ability to invest and expand," Mr Bridges said.
"In the past year, only half of all small businesses were cash flow positive in any given month."
so it's "voluntary" and only applies to government agencies, who generally pay on time anyway. No mention of common practice of 90 -120 days payment that seems standard in construction and Fonterra practiced for a while. But hey, not like National is going to do anything that will hurt their mates
Your photo shows the protesters felling towers holding facial recognition cameras.
There is an interesting article in a recent issue of the Economist. On page 60 of the 17 August copy of the magazine there is a report on how to fool facial recognition software. The methods involve things like wearing bright makeup, wearing clothes with semi-abstract patterns that make the facial recognition software see lots of "faces", or projecting infrared illumination onto one's face that make the software unable even to recognize that there is a face, or person, there. Other techniques readily fooled the software into thinking it was someone else altogether who was present.
Maybe we can get to the stage that protesters won't have to flatten the facial recognition towers. After all, if the computer can't see you why bother? Even better of course would be if the software in Hong Kong thought that there were tens of thousands of clones of Xi Jinping protesting in the streets.
I can't provide a link to the article I'm afraid. It is pay-walled for subscribers only. To read it, assuming you don't subscribe, should be possible by visiting your local Library. Most of them get the magazine.
As New Zealand inches more towards becoming like China (see links below) there is barely a murmur. Whereas, in Hong Kong people are flooding onto the streets.
"The protests ostensibly began in opposition to a proposed amendment to the extradition law between Hong Kong, Taiwan, mainland China, and Macau, which would have allowed Taiwanese authorities to prosecute a Hong Kong man for murdering his pregnant girlfriend and dumping her body in the bushes during a vacation to Taiwan.
Highly organized networks of anti-China protesters quickly mobilized against the law, compelling Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam to withdraw the bill.
But the protests continued even after the extradition law was taken off the table"
"Much to the distress of neocons and humanitarian imperialists, there won’t be a bloody mainland China crackdown on protesters in Hong Kong – a Tiananmen 2.0. Why? Because it’s not worth it.
What these protests have accelerated is Beijing’s conviction that Hong Kong is not worth its trust as a key node in China’s massive integration/development project. Beijing invested no less than $18.8 billion to build the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge, as part of the Greater Bay Area, to integrate Hong Kong with the mainland, not to snub it.
Now a bunch of useful idiots at least has graphically proven they don’t deserve any sort of preferential treatment anymore."
"The big story in Hong Kong is not even the savage, counter-productive protests (imagine if this was in France, where Macron’s army is actually maiming and even killing Gilets Jaunes/Yellow Vests). The big story is the rot consuming HSBC – which has all the makings of the new Deutsche Bank scandal.
HSBC holds $2.6 trillion in assets and an intergalactic horde of cockroaches in their basement – asking serious questions about money laundering and dodgy deals operated by global turbo-capitalist elites."
Yes there was some heavy handedness before the extradition treaty was shelved, but to be fair, that was largely put down to the UK superintendents in charge. Seems the Brits cant stay out of Hong Kong
It has now been revealed by local papers that two Brits serving in the police were closely involved in the heavy-handed crackdown on the protesters on June 12.
couldn't find 60 in that original link – went back and checked
so you think the british not the chinese are the big players here? Are they doing it as a proxy for the US? Seems overly complicated to me but I'm here not there so I will suspend my disbelief a little more and keep looking at the links people provide
When you compare the publicity the Hong Kong protestors have been given with those in France or Honduras, I'm mightily suspicious. That the protestors wave US flags and call on Murica to save them is just a wee bit funny. No hilarious actually.
Is there a country on earth that has benefited from US intervention?
None that I can think of.
It seems to me that, as Pepe Escobar calls them, these 'useful idiots' are not protesting for better conditions for the hoi polloi in Hong Kong but because they're paid to.
That the protestors wave US flags and call on Murica to save them is just a wee bit funny.
It's a protest that's deliberately without leadership, as that makes it harder for the dictator's minions to decapitate the movement. Which means individuals are free to wave whatever flags they want or shout whatever slogans they want. Nothing funny about it.
It seems to me that, as Pepe Escobar calls them, these 'useful idiots' are not protesting for better conditions for the hoi polloi in Hong Kong but because they're paid to.
Nice tinfoil hat you have there, did you make it yourself.
And if you chose to read more widely, you wouldn't make ridiculous generalisations about the protesters waving American flags and calling on the USA to help them.
But the protests continued even after the extradition law was taken off the table
Yes, and that is due to a number of reasons. One being China's failure to allow all members of the Legco (their parliament) to be voted on by the people. Largely allowing China to call the shots.
Why has it taken these protestors 22 years to discover China mostly calls the shots?
Sigh. The last uprising was put down only five years ago, so no, not 22 years. And this one, like the last one, has been prompted by the CCP's attempts to extend its ability to call the shots.
Hey, weka, the other day you asked if there is a compelling reason we need to be exporting so much? Here is the answer below.
In order to understand the need for exports it is necessary to understand that there is no such thing as a supply of permanent money to the economy, and the vast bulk of money within the economy has its origins in loans and is represented by a matching domestic debt.
When goods are exported, foreign money is brought back into the economy, but the debt behind that money remains overseas, in the country of origin. Through exporting, money that has been borrowed into existence in another country is brought into the economy free of debt.
The money can easily be turned into domestic currency via the foreign exchanges. However, when goods are imported, money created in the domestic economy goes abroad, but the debt associated with that money remains in the economy.
Money that was borrowed into existence in the home economy has left the country, but the debt remains.
If a country exports more than it imports, there is a net gain of additional debt-free money within the national economy.
Countries have to export to enable them to pay off the interest on their debt based money. Just about every dollar is produced by a loan, hence without exporting (generating debt free money) there is no way to pay off the interest incurred.
"Debt-based money" (i.e. reserve bank bonds lent at the OCR) doesn't require overseas cash to repay.
As long as the value of goods and services produced matches the money supply and its associated cost, the debt-to-GDP ratio remains constant and the RB debt is merely grease in the wheels. Like someone living off a credit card they can service monthly.
No, it doesn't. One party making debt based money off another party in a local economy via trade of goods and services doesn't produce any debt free money to pay off the national interest incurred from initially creating that money.
Debt based money circulating in a local economy will never produce the funding to pay off the interest that local economy incurs in creating that money.
The new production and money velocity (as it circulates) can devalue the existing debt. AKA inflation.
The system just isn't as simple as you're making out.
It's all by the by anyway – global trade is about getting people what they want for less, rather than satisfying some economic theory. Always has been. FTAs vs protectionism is largely driven by ideology,but the global trade itself goes back well before economics started its entrails-reading.
No. Increasing the debt based money supply increases debt and devalues the dollar, hence drives up inflation.
Global trade and FTAs are not one and the same. FTA’s tend to allow countries to buy up other nations exporters/resources. Giving them full monetary benefit (baring local expenses, jobs, and tax if they pay them) of another nations exports/resources.
Yes, there is more to international trade than merely the debt based money supply, but the debt based money supply is a driving factor for countries to continually grow their exports.
Just as fractional reserve banking might be more significant in "creating" money than the government bonds used to create the reserve the banks use, the velocity (and, I suggest, distribution) of that money affects inflation more than the basic money supply. Indeed, I read once that when all is done and dusted, the difference between Keynesianism and Monetarism is justified by the weight each gives to representing the velocity of money in the system. (Of course, it's all bullshit from a prediction level – completely unrepeatable supposition).
People buy shit because they have money, and other people sell shit because they want money. You might argue that global or local trade is a fractional reserve ponzi scheme, but that doesn't affect trade nearly as much as people just wanting to buy and sell shit.
Inflation tends to reduce the amount of goods and services people can afford to buy while increasing the need for people to earn more.
Additionally, inflation results in driving up the OCR. In turn, the interest incurred creating the money supply. Thus, the need to export more as the velocity of money within a local economy doesn't grow that economy's wealth (albeit it may bolster an individual or company's wealth).
The high cost of local products drives up demand for cheaper imports, which again drives up the need for countries to export more to offset the trade imbalance and the associated (money supply) debt.
Suppliers, manufactures, etc require people to buy stuff for their survival, which in turn is required for employment opportunities.
Environmentally, it comes down to the whether or not the goods and service and the manner in which they are produced and supplied are environmentally friendly.
In general, consumers chase bargains (especially in NZ due to our generally low incomes) which influences their purchasing choice. And those bargains tend to come from lower wage high polluting countries such as China. Again, increasing imports, thus the need (via the trade imbalance and the associated money supply debt) for us to export more.
Production boosts overall wealth (without addressing the distribution therein).
Monetary activity encourages increased production. More transactions being made with money between initial lending and end repayment (compared with a bond borrowed but never spent before repayment) simulates an increase in the overall money supply.
Inflation increases the cost of goods (produced by whomever), but correspondingly decreases the cost of existing debt.
jeepers I didn't think people would be suckered like that – just shows I suppose – anyone can believe anything as long as it confirms their bias – sad shit really.
National's Economic Development spokesperson, Todd McClay, branded it a regulations bonfire.
…
The coalition government shifted transport infrastructure focus from roading to public transport and rail, but National would be changing the focus back to roading, it said.
"The government has stopped or postponed a dozen roading projects, which were ready to get underway, and replaced them with projects that aren't ready to go and won't be for a long time yet," transport spokesperson Chris Bishop said.
The last Nat govt had not included funding for their next batch of expensive tarmac in any Budgets, so it's simply a lie to claim that they were "ready to go".
I think the Government should issue stronger words and actions for this atrocity happening now.
With concerns over violence in West Papua escalating, New Zealand officials appear reluctant to wade in more significantly – despite the Green Party calling for action.
As Indonesia cracks down on protests in the disputed West Papua territory, the Government has declined to condemn the violence.
Indonesia has deployed a thousand troops to the disputed territory of West Papua and shut down the internet in the region in an effort to quell protests alleging racist police violence and supporting self-determination.
The New Zealand Government has re-emphasised earlier commitments to human rights but declined to comment on the specific situation.
Good work Green Party MP and human rights spokeswoman Golriz Ghahraman for trying to get some action on this.
“The most recent crackdown on indigenous West Papuans is scary given past brutality by Indonesian forces- add to that the threat of internet black out and its a recipe for grave human rights abuse. Let’s remember that it’s aim is to take away indigenous land and resource for corporate profit- as it happens around the world- divesting from timber imported from West Papua’s pristine native forests is one thing NZ must do to support this indigenous struggle.”
Nice post about crasher collins and the truth from Frank Macskasy – see sidebar
National has entered into a propaganda blitz. They will use half-truths, exaggeration, out-of-context material, distortions, and outright fabrications to win next years’ election.
Whatever it takes.
They will use dog-whistles; throw ‘red-meat’ to bigots; demonise every group that their conservative base despises.
Whatever. It. Takes.
Thus is the style of election campaign strategy set from now till Election Day: Whatever it takes.
Yes you’re absolutely right it’s the words we use that are the actual problem, we won’t be able to stop men from dying of suicide until we eliminate the inconvenient phrases used to describe the problem of their deaths
Its excellent that a third person is being charged for Jasmine death. Jasmine whanau will be pleased at last they are seeing Justice.
Te Wahine is correct Maori need to have more input and learn. More about our cyber security my data is compromise every minute of the day.
I say that a community based solution for Maori mental health will help more tangata servive their mental health issues manly depression because so many people in Aotearoa look down on Tangata Whenua O Aotearoa that is not good for our tamariki wairua.
There you go Whanau national trying to use Tangata Whenua issues to undermine our human Coalition Government.
Auckland is in fashion show excellence that Maori is part of the fashion show also that sustainability is becoming a fashion trend that no one can Stop Ka pai.
Heniana Goodmen has being a great news reporter for decades Ka pai
simon Winston Peters has achieved more positive change to our society than you could dream of achieving before he got the Gold card and other gains for OUR elderly they were struggling. You see not all elderly are wealth %90 are having to try and survive on super alone that is bugger all money to live on in the year 2019.
I backed vapouring as a tool to slow down and give up smoking especially for the elderly people who have been smoking for 40 od years they need to give up smoking for their mokopuna. Whanau another case of over exploitation by humans the Hauraki gulf mussels Fisheries over exploited next minute the fisheries calapes and has never recovered.
Useing green lipped mussel to clean up our water ways estries is a great idea my only concern is mono culture farming is not good for our wildlifes diversity so using a few other species of water filters is needed for a safe clean environment some use oysters beds to do the water filtering and to slow erosion in New York.
Ka pai Jenny you handled him well we need legislation to make sure that the content of vapour oil is safe this phenomenon gave me some conserns about vapouring
Funny Mark 146 was a good score one has to be careful what they eat. I remember watching that game to.
Jacindia Waka is sailing into the wind stured up by national and there corupt supporters the alt right who will lie and cheat to win did the informers come out of the DARK.
I agree cheap beer and alcohol is targeted at poor alcoholics that is not the way a caring society behaves.
BULLSHIT if they can't afford it they won't drink alcohol.
I think that is a awesome move vaccination in shopping mall and other places people always gather.
Mark Lundy and his lawyers are wasting New Zealand time and money.
On the way back to the bay it was raining hard cold as soon as I got over the rangers the rain stopped we could feel that it was warmer to I was thinking that the place would be bogged out with mud and had to light the fire straight away but it was clear awesome.
Condolences to Tahu potiki whanau and Iwi Ngai Tahu for their loss of A great leader.
Condolences to the other tangata whenua whanau excuses my pH I'm just learning how to use it.
Ka pai to John Kerwin for all his mahi on mental health issues he has been awesome with tangata whenua tamariki. I,, the mental health problem needs cross party tau toko.
I agree with Ming Foons opinion on the way that tangata whenua o Aotearoa has been treated by the crown he has the knowledge on tangata whenua o Aotearoa Ka pai.
Haka Bristro and the other Wahine great mahi insulating all those whare Mana Wahine I found that my Wahine staff were more reliable than male staff
Ka kite Ano
My opinion on the Napier Port float is the tangata already owned the 99 % were getting some of its capital gains and profits putting it on the stock market is just putting the port in a situation where only the wealth people 00.1% get to corner all the gains while the 99.9 % will ultimately pay more for imports and exporting.
I tau toko teaching Aotearoa factual history as most of the books paint a bad picture of tangata whenua when in fact we are quite industrial honorable humane people.
Eco Maori agree with the recational Fisher man Terakihi Hapuka Gurnard and a few other species are stuffed but the commercial Fisher men just want to keep exploiting the fish they need to be controlled no trawling in a mile from land that and heaps more reserves.
Maori and wai we'll I say we should we do own wai we will look after wai much better than the crown is has??????. For our future generations.
If the government change to a money first government like the last one the will just exploit wai and our environment not give a shit about the futures needs.
Every one knows Eco Maori views on gangs
The anti vaccination people are to easily lead down the wrong path many people display the inability to be skeptical with information they receive.
I agree our factual history needs to be taught and all tangata whenua tamariki taught Te reo. That will stop Tangata Whenua O Aotearoa Culture from dissappearing.
All the intelligence people of America Greetings Our World Famous Climate Change Champions Ka pai from Eco Maori
Greta Thunberg lands in US for climate meet
Swedish teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg has arrived in New York City, US to chants and cheers following a trans-Atlantic trip on a sailboat to attend a global warming conference.
As the boat docked, hundreds of activists welcomed her from a Hudson River promenade. Thunberg waved then was lifted onto a Dock.
"I didn't get seasick once," but she stressed that "this is not something I want everyone to do"She is set to speak at a United Nations climate summit in SeptemberThe boat carrying Thunberg, the Malizia II, encountered rough seas that slowed it down for a day. Taking turns steering the 18-metre racing yacht were yachtsman Boris Herrmann and Pierre Casiraghi, the grandson of Monaco's late Prince Rainier and American actress Grace Kelly.Inscribed on the boat's sail are the words "FridaysForFuture" under "UNITE BEHIND THE Science.
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 ...
Powering up and shutting down your ASUS laptop is an essential task for any laptop user. Locating the power button can sometimes be a hassle, especially if you’re new to ASUS laptops. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on where to find the power button on different ASUS laptop ...
Dell laptops are renowned for their reliability, performance, and versatility. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone who needs a reliable computing device, a Dell laptop can meet your needs. However, if you’re new to Dell laptops, you may be wondering how to get started. In this comprehensive ...
Two-thirds of the country think that “New Zealand’s economy is rigged to advantage the rich and powerful”. They also believe that “New Zealand needs a strong leader to take the country back from the rich and powerful”. These are just two of a handful of stunning new survey results released ...
In today’s digital world, screenshots have become an indispensable tool for communication and documentation. Whether you need to capture an important email, preserve a website page, or share an error message, screenshots allow you to quickly and easily preserve digital information. If you’re an Asus laptop user, there are several ...
A factory reset restores your Gateway laptop to its original factory settings, erasing all data, apps, and personalizations. This can be necessary to resolve software issues, remove viruses, or prepare your laptop for sale or transfer. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to factory reset your Gateway laptop: Method 1: ...
“You talking about me?”The neoliberal denigration of the past was nowhere more unrelenting than in its depiction of the public service. The Post Office and the Railways were held up as being both irremediably inefficient and scandalously over-manned. Playwright Roger Hall’s “Glide Time” caricatures were presented as accurate depictions of ...
Roger Partridge writes – When the Coalition Government took office last October, it inherited a country on a precipice. With persistent inflation, decades of insipid productivity growth and crises in healthcare, education, housing and law and order, it is no exaggeration to suggest New Zealand’s first-world status was ...
Rob MacCulloch writes – In 2022, the Curriculum Centre at the Ministry of Education employed 308 staff, according to an Official Information Request. Earlier this week it was announced 202 of those staff were being cut. When you look up “The New Zealand Curriculum” on the Ministry of ...
Chris Bishop’s bill has stirred up a hornets nest of opposition. Photo: Lynn Grieveson for The KākāTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate from the last day included:A crescendo of opposition to the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill is ...
Monday left me brokenTuesday, I was through with hopingWednesday, my empty arms were openThursday, waiting for love, waiting for loveThe end of another week that left many of us asking WTF? What on earth has NZ gotten itself into and how on earth could people have voluntarily signed up for ...
Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.State of humanity, 20242024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?Full story Share ...
Determining the hardest sport in the world is a subjective matter, as the difficulty level can vary depending on individual abilities, physical attributes, and experience. However, based on various factors including physical demands, technical skills, mental fortitude, and overall accomplishment, here is an exploration of some of the most challenging ...
The allure of sport transcends age, culture, and geographical boundaries. It captivates hearts, ignites passions, and provides unparalleled entertainment. Behind the spectacle, however, lies a fascinating world of financial investment and expenditure. Among the vast array of competitive pursuits, one question looms large: which sport carries the hefty title of ...
Introduction Pickleball, a rapidly growing paddle sport, has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions around the world. Its blend of tennis, badminton, and table tennis elements has made it a favorite among players of all ages and skill levels. As the sport’s popularity continues to surge, the question on ...
Abstract: Soccer, the global phenomenon captivating millions worldwide, has a rich history that spans centuries. Its origins trace back to ancient civilizations, but the modern version we know and love emerged through a complex interplay of cultural influences and innovations. This article delves into the fascinating journey of soccer’s evolution, ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
The Government’s newly announced review of methane emissions reduction targets hints at its desire to delay Aotearoa New Zealand’s urgent transition to a climate safe future, the Green Party said. ...
The Government must commit to the Maitai School building project for students with high and complex needs, to ensure disabled students from the top of the South Island have somewhere to learn. ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order. “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today. I am delighted ...
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions. “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. “It is good ...
The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
“China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector. "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
“Never again - No AUKUS” was the message of the wreath laid at this morning’s national ANZAC Day commemorative service at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park this morning by the Stop AUKUS group. ...
Until this month, Auckland swimmer Hazel Ouwehand had never met a qualifying time in an Olympic event for a New Zealand team, even as a junior. Now she’s very likely off to the Paris Olympics after swimming well under the qualifying standard in the 100m butterfly twice – both in ...
While Anzac Day has experienced a resurgence in recent years, our other day of remembrance has slowly faded from view.The Sunday Essay is made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand. Original illustrations by Hope McConnell.First published in 2022.The high school’s head girl and ...
Australian and New Zealand volunteers fought together in the Waikato War, yet still its place in the Anzac tradition is unacknowledged by our defence forces or Returned Services Association.First published in 2018.When I was a boy cub I attended Anzac Day services in the South Auckland suburb of ...
A poem by Wellington writer Tayi Tibble.Hoki Mai She kisses him goodbye with her eyes still wet and alight from their last swim in the Awatere river. At the train station celebration, she leads the Kapa Haka but her voice keeps breaking under and over itself like waves. ...
A poem from Bill Manhire’s 2017 book of verse Some Things to Place in a Coffin.My World War I Poem Inside each trench, the sound of prayer. Inside each prayer, the sound of digging. Image courtesy of Auckland War Memorial Museum. ...
There are three books I have wolfed down in one sitting over the last two years. Colleen Maria Lenihan’s gorgeous and sad debut Kōhine, Noelle McCarthy’s memoir Grand about becoming her mother and then unbecoming her, and now Hine Toa, a staunch yet gentle self-portrait by living legend Ngāhuia te ...
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, Thursday 25 April appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Asia Pacific Report Students and activist staff at Australia’s University of Sydney (USyd) have set up a Gaza solidarity encampment in support of Palestinians and similar student-led protests in the United States. The camp was pitched as mass graves, crippled hospitals, thousands of civilian deaths and the near-total destruction of ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James B. Dorey, Lecturer in Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong Australian teddy bear bees are cute and fluffy, but get a look at that massive (unbarbed) stinger! James Dorey Photography Most of us have been stung by a bee and we ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jen Roberts, Senior Lecturer, School of Humanities and Social Inquiry, University of Wollongong Aussie~mobs/FlickrVictor Farr, a private in the 1st Infantry Battalion, was among the first to land at Anzac Cove just before dawn on April 25 1915. Victor Farr ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gregory Moore, Senior Research Associate, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne Gregory Moore I had the good fortune to care for the sugar gum at The University of Melbourne’s Burnley Gardens in Victoria where I worked for ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra BagzhanSadvakassov/Upsplash, CC BY-SA Australia’s inflation rate has fallen for the fifth successive quarter, and it’s now less than half of what it was back in late 2022. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rachel Ong ViforJ, ARC Future Fellow & Professor of Economics, Curtin University Just when we think the price of rentals could not get any worse, this week’s Rental Affordability Snapshot by Anglicare has revealed low-income Australians are facing a housing crisis like ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Meighen McCrae, Associate Professor of Strategic & Defence Studies, Australian National University American and Australian stretcher bearers working together near the front line during the Battle of Hamel in 1918.Australian War Memorial While the AUKUS alliance is new, the Australian-American partnership ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tracey Holmes, Professorial Fellow in Sport, University of Canberra When the news broke last weekend that 23 Chinese swimmers had tested positive to a banned drug in early 2021 and were allowed to compete at the Tokyo Olympic Games six months later ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cally Jetta, Senior Lecturer and Academic Lead; College for First Nations, University of Southern Queensland Australian War MemorialAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this article contains names and images of deceased people, as well as sensitive historical information ...
RNZ News Melissa Lee has been ousted from New Zealand’s coalition cabinet and stripped of the Media portfolio, and Penny Simmonds has lost the Disability Issues portfolio in a reshuffle. Climate Change and Revenue Minister Simon Watts will take Lee’s spot in cabinet. Simmonds was a minister outside of cabinet. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Lindenmayer, Professor, Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University laurello/Shutterstock Some reports and popular books, such as Bill Gammage’s Biggest Estate on Earth, have argued that extensive areas of Australia’s forests were kept open through frequent burning by ...
Analysis - Christopher Luxon framing the demotion of two ministers as the portfolios getting "too complex" is a charitable way of saying they weren't up to the job. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra With Jim Chalmers’s third budget on May 14, Australians will be looking for some more cost-of-living relief – beyond the tax cuts – although they have been warned extra measures will be modest. As ...
Analysis: Melissa Lee has lost the media portfolio and her spot in Cabinet after multiple failed attempts to find solutions for a media industry in crisis. On Wednesday, the Prime Minister announced Lee would be losing her spot in Cabinet along with her media and communications ministerial portfolio. The job ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Simon Wilmot, Senior Lecturer, Film, Deakin University Among the many Australian who served during the second world war, there is a small group of people whose stories remain largely untold. These are the Muslim men and women who, while small in number, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kelly Saunders, PhD Candidate, University of Canberra There has been much analysis and praise of Justice Michael Lee’s recent judgement in Bruce Lehrmann’s defamation case against Channel Ten. Many people were openly relieved to read Lee’s “forensic” and “nuanced” application of law ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kathy Gibbs, Program Director for the Bachelor of Education, Griffith University zEdward_Indy/Shutterstock Around one in 20 people has attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It’s one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in childhood and often continues into adulthood. ADHD is diagnosed ...
The Fairer Future coalition of anti-poverty groups say Whaikaha must be properly funded going forward, and that to argue that poor financial management of the new Ministry is a red herring by the Prime Minister. ...
The Taxpayers’ Union is today congratulating Hon. Paul Goldsmith on his appointment as Minister for Media and Communications and urges him to rule out state intervention in the private media sector. ...
Asia Pacific Report The West Papuan resistance OPM leader has condemned Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and US President Joe Biden, accusing their countries of “six decades of treachery” over Papuan independence. The open letter was released today by OPM chairman Jeffrey P Bomanak on the eve of ANZAC Day ...
Welcome to The Spinoff Books Confessional, in which we get to know the reading habits and quirks of New Zealanders at large. This week: writer and one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people of 2024, Lauren Groff.The book I wish I’d writtenIf I wish I’d written a ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Fechner, Research Fellow, Social Marketing, Griffith University mavo/Shutterstock Imagine having dinner at a restaurant. The menu offers plant-based meat alternatives made mostly from vegetables, mushrooms, legumes and wheat that mimic meat in taste, texture and smell. Despite being given that ...
“Three Strikes is a dead-end policy proposed by a dead-end government. The Three Strikes law ignores the causes of crime, instead just brutalising people already crushed by the cost of living.” ...
By Don Wiseman, RNZ Pacific senior journalist An Australian-born judge in Kiribati could well face deportation later this week after a tribunal ruling that he should be removed from his post. The tribunal’s report has just been tabled in the Kiribati Parliament and is due to be debated by MPs ...
With its clear mandate for police use, political nuances, and nuanced public trust, Denmark's insights provide valuable considerations for Australia and New Zealand. ...
Books editor Claire Mabey reviews poet Louise Wallace’s debut novel. A famous poet once said to me that he’s always suspicious when a poet publishes a novel. I never really understood why but maybe it’s something to do with cheating on your first form. Louise Wallace is a poet. She’s ...
For a few months at the turn of the millennium, TrueBliss burned bright as the biggest pop stars in the country. Alex Casey chats to two superfans who still hold the flame. During a humble backyard wedding in Nelson, 1999, one of the cordially invited guests had to excuse themselves ...
How will the recent wave of job cuts impact ethnic diversity in the media? In November last year, I was working a very busy day in the newsroom of a large online news site, interviewing whānau about their concerns over the imminent closure of one of the few puna reo ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ruth Knight, Researcher, Queensland University of Technology Have you ever felt sick at work? Perhaps you had food poisoning or the flu. Your belly hurt, or you felt tired, making it hard to concentrate and be productive. How likely would you be ...
Despite heavy criticism and an ongoing select committee process, the Police Minister says the Government will forge ahead with a ban on gang patches. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sam Whiting, Lecturer – Creative Industries, University of South Australia Shutterstock Everyone has a favourite band, or a favourite composer, or a favourite song. There is some music which speaks to you, deeply; and other music which might be the current ...
A new survey says ‘outlook not great’ for those charged with building infrastructure, while RMA changes delight farmers and depress environmentalists, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. First RMA changes announced ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Olli Hellmann, Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Waikato Getty Images When New Zealanders commemorate Anzac Day on April 25, it’s not only to honour the soldiers who lost their lives in World War I and subsequent conflicts, but also ...
A leaked document shows the Canterbury/Waitaha arm of health agency Te Whatu Ora is scurrying to save $13.3 million by July. The “financial sustainability target”, which was “allocated” to Waitaha, is consistent with what’s happening in other districts, says Sarah Dalton, executive director of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists. ...
A look at the state of the previous government’s affordable housing scheme, and what could come next.Remind me: What’s KiwiBuild again?First announced in 2012, KiwiBuild was a flagship policy of the Labour Party heading into both its 2014 and 2017 election campaigns. With Jacinda Ardern as prime minister, ...
Labour in opposition will be shocked to learn which party had six years in power but squandered any chance to make real change. Grant Robertson’s valedictory speech was a predictably entertaining trip down memory lane. The acid-tongued incoming Otago University chancellor administered a sick burn to the coalition government. He ...
The following interview with former Green Party MP Sue Kedgley came about because she features in the new memoir Hine Toa by activist Ngāhuia te Awekōtuku; the two knew each other at the University of Auckland in the early 70s, when they were both took on leadership roles in the ...
Taiwan’s semiconductor industry is seen some as its ‘silicon shield’ against invasion – but how will overseas expansion affect that protection? The post The state of Taiwan’s silicon shield appeared first on Newsroom. ...
There’s relief for building owners bending under the weight of earthquake strengthening rules – and costs – that came into force seven years ago. Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk has announced a scheduled 2027 review of the earthquake-prone building regulations will now start this year. Owners will also get ...
Opinion: It has been announced that nine percent of roles at Oranga Tamariki will be disestablished, presumably to help fund the tax cuts promised by the coalition Government. I am reminded of the graphics used to illustrate pandemic events, where five thousand people are standing in a field and then ...
After more than two sleepless days, running through savage terrain, Greig Hamilton didn’t know if he was going to finish one of the most gruelling psychological assaults in sport. He was metres away from the finish line, a yellow gate made famous in a Netflix documentary; a race he’d dreamed ...
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, Wednesday 24 April appeared first on Newsroom. ...
COMMENTARY:By Murray Horton New Zealand needs to get tough with Israel. It’s not as if we haven’t done so before. When NZ authorities busted a Mossad operation in Auckland 20 years ago, the government didn’t say: “Oh well, Israel has the right to defend itself.” No, it arrested, prosecuted, ...
NEWSMAKERS:By Vijay Narayan, news director of FijiVillage Blessed to be part of the University of Fiji (UniFiji) faculty to continue to teach and mentor those who want to join our noble profession, and to stand for truth and justice for the people of the country. I was privileged to ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Martin, Visiting Fellow, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Three weeks from now, some of us will be presented with a mountain of budget papers, and just about all of us will get to hear about them on radio, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dan Lowry, Ice Sheet & Climate Modeller, GNS Science Hugh Chittock/Antarctica New Zealand, CC BY-SA As the climate warms and Antarctica’s glaciers and ice sheets melt, the resulting rise in sea level has the potential to displace hundreds of millions of ...
The asymmetric polarisation of National gathers pace, with their useful clown John Tamihere proposing a right wing wet dream of a policy platform (helpfully megaphoned by the NZ Herald* because, you know, "balance") and now Northland National MP (and sometime leader aspirant) Matt King has posted a plagarised far-right FB rant (from the NZCPR, a crackpot site used by ex-ACT wingnut Muriel Newman to post conspsiracy theories, racist screeds and far, far right libertarian ideology) where he claims climate change "is natural" and it is all a communist plot…
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2019/08/national-mp-argues-climate-change-is-natural-in-facebook-rant-taken-from-us-right-wing-source.html
*BTW – now it is behind the paywall, the NZ Herald seems to be a fantasy land of rubbish – far right hucksters and shysters get to write fact free rants, reckons masquerading as opinion, whatabboutism pretending to be analysis and fake news megaphoned because of "balance". it is a complete car crash and the paywall seems to have sent it's standards into a complete freefall. it is almost as if they complacently think charging for something automatically makes it better.
That's exactly what they think. Only grubby unwashed peasants want to consume the unhinged word-vomit of Michael Hosking and friends for free. No, anything of any worth has a price tag attached is their philosophy.
Haven't read Granny Herald in two years. I no longer feel as though I'm wading through torrents of shit whenever I'm browsing the web. Hosking's drivel used to cause the vein in my temple to start throbbing like I was on the verge of a stroke.
"coding error" for the latest computer hack on the 'heritage and culture' Ministry was the excuse!!!! When will our privacy be protected? Just another screw up by easily digital sites being hacked so we can now assume that nothig is safe any more now. https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/115260180/serious-digital-privacy-breach-at-ministry-understood-to-relate-to-tuia-250-applicants
Or you could be angry at the crooks that accessed the info illegally
0-1-0-1-1-0-1-0
Who said he's not ("angry at the crooks")
It's an embarrasingly basic failure you will not see often, so no cause to mistrust everything else. I'd be more worried about big foreign companies we willingly throw our information at like Google and Facebook.
Agreed with that Sacha.
All corporations are the root of all evil.
They have no soul or moral fabric.
‘Here today gone tomorrow’ is their motto.
International banking still relies on Windows Vista, or at least it still did last year. My point is that most things digital have some kind of exploit.
Fiscal illiterate sneaks out another fantasy mayoral policy overnight – though at least this one only requires negotiating with those affected by debt servicing, such as all other councils: https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/115269584/auckland-mayoral-race-tamihere-would-freeze-rates-and-cut-salaries
And doubles down on the stupid: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12261763
Turning a crucial two-way link into a dead end is a great summary of this guy's contempt. Maybe his campaign is just a kite-flying research project for the Nats?
The contracts are already signed. Another Tamihere brain fart that is simply a badly thought through fantasy.
It's why I am suspecting another end goal for his nonsense.
Alan Jones mural https://www.instagram.com/p/B1kNPblFJfP/
[not happy about the implied sexual violence in that, so have edited the comment. People can click through if they want to see it – weka]
Sometimes you got to fight fire with fire…
I see that as more pouring petrol on the dumpster fire that is the patriarchy.
Funny how the hero's of neo-liberalism are all crooks.
Adam;
Can you name "the heros of Neo-liberalism"?
Refreshing to see fair and powerful scrutiny of New Zealand dairy industry practice on the world stage.
– Mike Joy and David Larsen
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/115243716/ecologist-takes-dairy-criticism-to-world-stage
Remember who cleared out ECAN and undemocratically appointed their own board? John Key's National Party…
yep and the farmers are unhappy
some farmers have come a long way down from caring for the land and animals – all about economics now and the dollar in their back pocket.
come on farmers – you'd drop a cow for not producing anything meaningful yet what meaningful changes are you doing?
And what change would have occurred were it not for campaigners like Dr Joy and Mr Larsen?
None!
I’d also add Charlie Mitchell and hundreds of others doing the hard and unpleasant work shining light on the Nats and the dirty dairying industry.
"but if you're not picking up a spade to help, what are you actually contributing?"
The Canterbury farmers were told in the early 90's that dairy intensification would lead to degraded waterways and polluted drinking water.
John Key and the farmers ignored that and proceeded to shit in our water so now we have degraded waterways and polluted drinking water.
What a bunch of c$&%s
The above comment about "contributing" is farcical.
yep – if we turned up with a spade to help with that farmer's pollution issues he'd no doubt call the police, or send a warning shot over us for trespassing.
should we all pause for a 'john key – white-gold' memory-moment..?
‘Muldoonism’ itself, similarly, goes a long way towards explaining the success of ‘Rogernomics’. Under Lange’s immediate predecessor, the New Zealand economy had come perilously close to collapse. An alternative strategy was required, and thanks to Treasury’s little beige book, Economic Management, it was Roger Douglas who got there firstest with the mostest. That Douglas’s opponents had no little book of their own to offer the country, lent credence to the Rogernomes’ claim that “there is no alternative”. Moreover, from the ramshackle and disaster-prone quality of the Ardern Ministry, it is clear that the (alleged) opponents of the neoliberal order within the present government have yet to produce one."
https://www.interest.co.nz/opinion/101361/chris-trotter-asks-whether-jacinda-ardern%E2%80%99s-government-critical-mass-talent-or
Chris Trotters excellent piece will attract the usual knee jerk reactions but more considered thought will recognise reality….where is the plan (are they capable of formulating one)?
MMP was designed to kill programmatic government and was fully successful. The Big Government wand was snapped.
So far this government are only unpopular with those who measure actual ministerial results. Otherwise everyone's at work.
In 2020 they get to open Sky City convention centre and big Waikato motorways, plus all of downtown Auckland.
In 2021 the government gets APEC, Americas Cup, and more.
New Zealanders like aspirational language from their PM's, but very incremental actual change.
It's just a Kiwi fact.
MMP wasnt the cause of the lack of government capacity, that can be fairly laid at the feet of neoliberalism…and tinkering at the edges of the existing hands off approach will continue the lack of improvement….until it collapses in upon itself from one of the many pressing challenges.
A complete abdication of responsibilty (combined with a lack of ability)….from all political parties and the public service.
Clark-Cullen government results showed major institutional change was possible without Muldoonist-scale plans.
Also showed a well led public service delivers. Just needs to be well led.
I beg to differ and an examination of the past would I suggest such. When did the housing bubble begin? when was the beginning of the open boarders policy? Indicators of the lack of policy ideas that were continued by Key……In fact the only policy of significance that came in under the Clark Gov that springs to mind was Kiwisaver, everything else was a continuation of the neolib hands off approach…a frequently heard complaint, and one also levelled at this admin
almost forgot…and when did the dairy bubble begin?
There are a number of problems with Trotter's piece, but the one thing he got right was that nobody at the time had a little red book with which to counter the rogernomes – and in particular to explain and avoid stagflation.
The problem now is twofold:
That's not to say Labour are perfect, but the ministers are more competent than the nactoids ever were. Some are more right or left wing than others, that's life. But they're all trying new things. Failure is a natural consequence of trying new things, but sooner or later these attempts lead to succes. If you want anything other than stagnation, TINA but to try.
Clark-Cullen coalition government delivered just fine. Coalition is not a problem.
What that Hallam is an unscientific nut case is clearly evident.
[TheStandard: A moderator moved this comment to Open Mike as being off topic or irrelevant in the post it was made in. Be more careful in future.]
so nz has just lined up with the environmental vandals on the planer – the bad-guys – – and voted against a u.n treaty to protect endangered species of sharks…
way-to-go..!..nz..!….eh..?
pray – tell us why..?
is this nz first being owned by the fishing industry – again/still..?
they are meat-eaters mr ure
indeed..!..should i go down to the shoreline..and have a talk with them..?
Why the hell would we vote against that?
as an uneducated guess – i would say 'cos nz first insisted upon it..
'cos the fishing companies who own them catch a hell of a lot of sharks..?
y'know..!..follow the dollars..!
Gee. A "regulations bonfire", eh?
Last time they did this we got leaky buildings and the Pike River disaster.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/397494/national-committing-to-regulations-bonfire-if-elected-in-2020
Just like Trump then:
And this jem….
.
so it's "voluntary" and only applies to government agencies, who generally pay on time anyway. No mention of common practice of 90 -120 days payment that seems standard in construction and Fonterra practiced for a while. But hey, not like National is going to do anything that will hurt their mates
I took the 'also' to mean there would be a voluntary scheme, and the mandate on govt departments.
"and creating a voluntary initiative to make sure small businesses are paid on time"
That doesn't even makes sense. If it's voluntary how will it make sure?
As a small business owner I thought yeah, right…
As will all small business owners who live hoping the money's going to be in their account on time.
A stupid Clayton's policy and I hope they get taken to task over it.
Awesome. So much to learn from the Hong Kong protest movements.
https://twitter.com/Jordan_Sather_/status/1165327628825284610
Your photo shows the protesters felling towers holding facial recognition cameras.
There is an interesting article in a recent issue of the Economist. On page 60 of the 17 August copy of the magazine there is a report on how to fool facial recognition software. The methods involve things like wearing bright makeup, wearing clothes with semi-abstract patterns that make the facial recognition software see lots of "faces", or projecting infrared illumination onto one's face that make the software unable even to recognize that there is a face, or person, there. Other techniques readily fooled the software into thinking it was someone else altogether who was present.
Maybe we can get to the stage that protesters won't have to flatten the facial recognition towers. After all, if the computer can't see you why bother? Even better of course would be if the software in Hong Kong thought that there were tens of thousands of clones of Xi Jinping protesting in the streets.
I can't provide a link to the article I'm afraid. It is pay-walled for subscribers only. To read it, assuming you don't subscribe, should be possible by visiting your local Library. Most of them get the magazine.
The HK protestors have been using lasers for ages to dazzle the cameras.
fooling the cameras, while a good interim tactic, doesn't stop authoritarianism. That's what the protest is about.
Interesting isn't it?
As New Zealand inches more towards becoming like China (see links below) there is barely a murmur. Whereas, in Hong Kong people are flooding onto the streets.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/396509/privacy-commissioner-in-dark-over-advanced-cctv-plan-for-auckland
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/396716/police-open-to-using-facial-recognition-from-auckland-transport-cctv-cameras
It seems the majority of New Zealanders are of the belief it is being done for our safety, whereas the people of Hong Kong know differently.
This gives background information of the Hong Kong protests Weka
https://www.strategic-culture.org/news/2019/08/19/behind-a-made-for-tv-hong-kong-protest-narrative-washington-is-backing-nativism-and-mob-violence/
"The protests ostensibly began in opposition to a proposed amendment to the extradition law between Hong Kong, Taiwan, mainland China, and Macau, which would have allowed Taiwanese authorities to prosecute a Hong Kong man for murdering his pregnant girlfriend and dumping her body in the bushes during a vacation to Taiwan.
Highly organized networks of anti-China protesters quickly mobilized against the law, compelling Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam to withdraw the bill.
But the protests continued even after the extradition law was taken off the table"
This also by Pepe Escobar
https://www.strategic-culture.org/news/2019/08/07/hong-kong-kashmir-a-tale-of-two-occupations/
"Much to the distress of neocons and humanitarian imperialists, there won’t be a bloody mainland China crackdown on protesters in Hong Kong – a Tiananmen 2.0. Why? Because it’s not worth it.
What these protests have accelerated is Beijing’s conviction that Hong Kong is not worth its trust as a key node in China’s massive integration/development project. Beijing invested no less than $18.8 billion to build the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge, as part of the Greater Bay Area, to integrate Hong Kong with the mainland, not to snub it.
Now a bunch of useful idiots at least has graphically proven they don’t deserve any sort of preferential treatment anymore."
"The big story in Hong Kong is not even the savage, counter-productive protests (imagine if this was in France, where Macron’s army is actually maiming and even killing Gilets Jaunes/Yellow Vests). The big story is the rot consuming HSBC – which has all the makings of the new Deutsche Bank scandal.
HSBC holds $2.6 trillion in assets and an intergalactic horde of cockroaches in their basement – asking serious questions about money laundering and dodgy deals operated by global turbo-capitalist elites."
Totally agree Brigid
Here's a previous World Bank economist and his take on the Hong Kong riots.
https://journal-neo.org/2019/08/25/hong-kong-and-the-audacity-of-the-united-states/
French protestors have paid a higher toll, death, blindness, amputations at the hands of the French police.
In comparison the Hong Kong authorities have been restrained.
Not that restrained, apparently.
https://youtu.be/XrtJE7usacc
Yes there was some heavy handedness before the extradition treaty was shelved, but to be fair, that was largely put down to the UK superintendents in charge. Seems the Brits cant stay out of Hong Kong
I advise everyone to read more widely
https://www.asiatimes.com/2019/06/article/brits-in-hk-police-played-key-crackdown-roles/
This is the guy who has led the "clearance" of protestors, not Chinese, but a Brit who loved the job and stayed on
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rupert_Dover
wow 2 of them
Actually there’s 60 of them Marty
And those UK expats were singled out by the protestors
Seems like the Brits just can’t stop their colonialist ways
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/hong-kong-protes-expat-police-focus-protester-rage-11727706
couldn't find 60 in that original link – went back and checked
so you think the british not the chinese are the big players here? Are they doing it as a proxy for the US? Seems overly complicated to me but I'm here not there so I will suspend my disbelief a little more and keep looking at the links people provide
thanks for your links
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_RdnVtfZPY&t=37s
what's your thinking about what the protests are about Brigid?
When you compare the publicity the Hong Kong protestors have been given with those in France or Honduras, I'm mightily suspicious. That the protestors wave US flags and call on Murica to save them is just a wee bit funny. No hilarious actually.
Is there a country on earth that has benefited from US intervention?
None that I can think of.
It seems to me that, as Pepe Escobar calls them, these 'useful idiots' are not protesting for better conditions for the hoi polloi in Hong Kong but because they're paid to.
That the protestors wave US flags and call on Murica to save them is just a wee bit funny.
It's a protest that's deliberately without leadership, as that makes it harder for the dictator's minions to decapitate the movement. Which means individuals are free to wave whatever flags they want or shout whatever slogans they want. Nothing funny about it.
It seems to me that, as Pepe Escobar calls them, these 'useful idiots' are not protesting for better conditions for the hoi polloi in Hong Kong but because they're paid to.
Nice tinfoil hat you have there, did you make it yourself.
If you chose to read more widely you'd find the protest is not without leadership.
And if you chose to read more widely, you wouldn't make ridiculous generalisations about the protesters waving American flags and calling on the USA to help them.
Yes, and that is due to a number of reasons. One being China's failure to allow all members of the Legco (their parliament) to be voted on by the people. Largely allowing China to call the shots.
Well of course. Since 1997 Hong Kong has been part of China. It only has limited autonomy.
Why has it taken these protestors 22 years to discover China mostly calls the shots?
Because that was meant to change overtime, but so far China has failed to live up to that agreement.
Moreover, China is pushing for more control such as the extradition law, which has brought this to the boiling point we are witnessing now.
It’s all in the protest explained video I posted above.
Why has it taken these protestors 22 years to discover China mostly calls the shots?
Sigh. The last uprising was put down only five years ago, so no, not 22 years. And this one, like the last one, has been prompted by the CCP's attempts to extend its ability to call the shots.
+ 1 yep there is a history here that can be checked. Doesn't seem to deter fake news though.
Hey, weka, the other day you asked if there is a compelling reason we need to be exporting so much? Here is the answer below.
https://positivemoney.org/2011/12/debt-based-monetary-system-world-debt/
we have to keep exporting because it's the only way we can afford the amount of overseas debt we have?
Why would we need to export to the degree that we do for that to be managed?
Not exactly.
Countries have to export to enable them to pay off the interest on their debt based money. Just about every dollar is produced by a loan, hence without exporting (generating debt free money) there is no way to pay off the interest incurred.
Why not? Why can't we produce wealth domestically?
Because domestically we still rely on a debt based monetary system. That would have to change, which is what Social Credit is largely about.
But bankers will never allow that to happen. So that is where stopping the need for export growth hits a dead end.
"But bankers will never allow that to happen."
You mean there's not been a government in living memory that has the courage to tell the bankers to get phuckt.
"Debt-based money" (i.e. reserve bank bonds lent at the OCR) doesn't require overseas cash to repay.
As long as the value of goods and services produced matches the money supply and its associated cost, the debt-to-GDP ratio remains constant and the RB debt is merely grease in the wheels. Like someone living off a credit card they can service monthly.
No. Debt based money as in Fractional Reserve Banking, which is how 90 odd percent of our money supply is created.
Meh. Same diff – still gets repaid without need for exports. Extra value created in cycle maintains debt ratio.
No, it doesn't. One party making debt based money off another party in a local economy via trade of goods and services doesn't produce any debt free money to pay off the national interest incurred from initially creating that money.
Debt based money circulating in a local economy will never produce the funding to pay off the interest that local economy incurs in creating that money.
The new production and money velocity (as it circulates) can devalue the existing debt. AKA inflation.
The system just isn't as simple as you're making out.
It's all by the by anyway – global trade is about getting people what they want for less, rather than satisfying some economic theory. Always has been. FTAs vs protectionism is largely driven by ideology,but the global trade itself goes back well before economics started its entrails-reading.
No. Increasing the debt based money supply increases debt and devalues the dollar, hence drives up inflation.
Global trade and FTAs are not one and the same. FTA’s tend to allow countries to buy up other nations exporters/resources. Giving them full monetary benefit (baring local expenses, jobs, and tax if they pay them) of another nations exports/resources.
Yes, there is more to international trade than merely the debt based money supply, but the debt based money supply is a driving factor for countries to continually grow their exports.
Just as fractional reserve banking might be more significant in "creating" money than the government bonds used to create the reserve the banks use, the velocity (and, I suggest, distribution) of that money affects inflation more than the basic money supply. Indeed, I read once that when all is done and dusted, the difference between Keynesianism and Monetarism is justified by the weight each gives to representing the velocity of money in the system. (Of course, it's all bullshit from a prediction level – completely unrepeatable supposition).
People buy shit because they have money, and other people sell shit because they want money. You might argue that global or local trade is a fractional reserve ponzi scheme, but that doesn't affect trade nearly as much as people just wanting to buy and sell shit.
Inflation tends to reduce the amount of goods and services people can afford to buy while increasing the need for people to earn more.
Additionally, inflation results in driving up the OCR. In turn, the interest incurred creating the money supply. Thus, the need to export more as the velocity of money within a local economy doesn't grow that economy's wealth (albeit it may bolster an individual or company's wealth).
The high cost of local products drives up demand for cheaper imports, which again drives up the need for countries to export more to offset the trade imbalance and the associated (money supply) debt.
Suppliers, manufactures, etc require people to buy stuff for their survival, which in turn is required for employment opportunities.
Environmentally, it comes down to the whether or not the goods and service and the manner in which they are produced and supplied are environmentally friendly.
In general, consumers chase bargains (especially in NZ due to our generally low incomes) which influences their purchasing choice. And those bargains tend to come from lower wage high polluting countries such as China. Again, increasing imports, thus the need (via the trade imbalance and the associated money supply debt) for us to export more.
Production boosts overall wealth (without addressing the distribution therein).
Monetary activity encourages increased production. More transactions being made with money between initial lending and end repayment (compared with a bond borrowed but never spent before repayment) simulates an increase in the overall money supply.
Inflation increases the cost of goods (produced by whomever), but correspondingly decreases the cost of existing debt.
And the tankie left gets right onto labeling the protesters as agents of foreign powers.
https://twitter.com/BenjaminNorton/status/1165639215998263296
Surprised you think that video furthers your case Joe. Peaceful protests they aint
Yeah, the temerity of standing up and demanding a democratic future in the face of an authoritarian regime.
/
God you're naive. It was a Brit in charge who dealt out the rubber bullets and ordered the tear gas.I wonder why he decided to be so heavy handed?
Gene Sharp 101
Food for thought, Joe.
China Did Not Trick the US — Trade Negotiators Served Corporate Interests
https://tinyurl.com/y2gagk32
Hat tip to saveNZ.
jeepers I didn't think people would be suckered like that – just shows I suppose – anyone can believe anything as long as it confirms their bias – sad shit really.
Nats pledge wholesale removal of protections, and moar 1950s highways: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/397494/national-committing-to-regulations-bonfire-if-elected-in-2020
The last Nat govt had not included funding for their next batch of expensive tarmac in any Budgets, so it's simply a lie to claim that they were "ready to go".
Snap, Muttonbird.
Have the road construction companies threatened to end their ENORMOUS DONATIONS TO THE NATIONAL PARTY ?
Cenk, knocks the nail on the head. Trump needs the 25th amendment enabled NOW!
Just so you know I think pence is worse politically, but trump is, well watch the video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIAjb7pvaQU&ab_channel=TheYoungTurks
I think the Government should issue stronger words and actions for this atrocity happening now.
Good work Green Party MP and human rights spokeswoman Golriz Ghahraman for trying to get some action on this.
“The most recent crackdown on indigenous West Papuans is scary given past brutality by Indonesian forces- add to that the threat of internet black out and its a recipe for grave human rights abuse. Let’s remember that it’s aim is to take away indigenous land and resource for corporate profit- as it happens around the world- divesting from timber imported from West Papua’s pristine native forests is one thing NZ must do to support this indigenous struggle.”
Nice post about crasher collins and the truth from Frank Macskasy – see sidebar
Very sad – so much pain and sorrow. What to do? Dunno – I work in prevention and really things are tough…
Suicide is an overwhelmingly male phenomenon. In NZ there are approximately 3 male suicide deaths for every female suicide death.
Now search the media releases today for the words male, men, or boys. Betcha you won’t find a single one.
Kinda hard to fix a problem when it’s politically incorrect to acknowledge that it exists.
your politically incorrect line is part of the problem imo – the stats won't improve until it isn't used as a point scoring device – do you get that?
Yes you’re absolutely right it’s the words we use that are the actual problem, we won’t be able to stop men from dying of suicide until we eliminate the inconvenient phrases used to describe the problem of their deaths
You’re the real hero
not we, you – the words YOU use that is PART of the problem – try to read what I write rather than just push your lines
Why don’t you think suicide is a male problem and that boys and men deserve extra attention, funding, and support?
I never said that.
Of course I am supportive of giving hope to men and boys who are desperate and suicidal. I support programs designed to specifically support them.
living a life of grinding poverty – with no end in sight – can lead to depression – can lead to suicide..
our gummint can fix that factor/cause..
let's watch them dance around this one..
and do s.f.a./not end poverty..
and so the nmbers will climb..
and why does david clark seemingly have no awareness of this..?
and why the fuck do journalists like lisa owen not have the nous to ask him about this..?
Not to mention that coroners are relatively reluctant to make a finding of suicide, so that the numbers are if anything understated.
Kia Ora Newshub.
I think it's cool that our Coalition government is going to control MPs pay brackets.
Whanau there you go the alcohol licensing system is corupt that is the reason why we have bottle stores in all the lower class people area.
The phenomenon of trump not attending the G7 meeting about savings our mokopuna environment is going to be positive in the end ma Te wa.
Its great that France President Macron is giving 20 million euro to fight the fires in the Amazon ignoring what the haters has to say.
They are spying on the wrong people what a waste of time and money.
Doc is doing great mahi controling Tar goats on the mountcook ranges
Ka kite Ano
Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News
Its excellent that a third person is being charged for Jasmine death. Jasmine whanau will be pleased at last they are seeing Justice.
Te Wahine is correct Maori need to have more input and learn. More about our cyber security my data is compromise every minute of the day.
I say that a community based solution for Maori mental health will help more tangata servive their mental health issues manly depression because so many people in Aotearoa look down on Tangata Whenua O Aotearoa that is not good for our tamariki wairua.
There you go Whanau national trying to use Tangata Whenua issues to undermine our human Coalition Government.
Auckland is in fashion show excellence that Maori is part of the fashion show also that sustainability is becoming a fashion trend that no one can Stop Ka pai.
Heniana Goodmen has being a great news reporter for decades Ka pai
Ka kite Ano
Kia Ora The Am Show.
simon Winston Peters has achieved more positive change to our society than you could dream of achieving before he got the Gold card and other gains for OUR elderly they were struggling. You see not all elderly are wealth %90 are having to try and survive on super alone that is bugger all money to live on in the year 2019.
I backed vapouring as a tool to slow down and give up smoking especially for the elderly people who have been smoking for 40 od years they need to give up smoking for their mokopuna. Whanau another case of over exploitation by humans the Hauraki gulf mussels Fisheries over exploited next minute the fisheries calapes and has never recovered.
Useing green lipped mussel to clean up our water ways estries is a great idea my only concern is mono culture farming is not good for our wildlifes diversity so using a few other species of water filters is needed for a safe clean environment some use oysters beds to do the water filtering and to slow erosion in New York.
Ka pai Jenny you handled him well we need legislation to make sure that the content of vapour oil is safe this phenomenon gave me some conserns about vapouring
Funny Mark 146 was a good score one has to be careful what they eat. I remember watching that game to.
Jacindia Waka is sailing into the wind stured up by national and there corupt supporters the alt right who will lie and cheat to win did the informers come out of the DARK.
Ka kite Ano
Some Eco Maori Music For The Minute.
https://youtu.be/aqCSNH5gxKY
Global warming human cause climate change is a huge threat to the future wellbeing
Kia Ora Newshub.
I agree cheap beer and alcohol is targeted at poor alcoholics that is not the way a caring society behaves.
BULLSHIT if they can't afford it they won't drink alcohol.
I think that is a awesome move vaccination in shopping mall and other places people always gather.
Mark Lundy and his lawyers are wasting New Zealand time and money.
On the way back to the bay it was raining hard cold as soon as I got over the rangers the rain stopped we could feel that it was warmer to I was thinking that the place would be bogged out with mud and had to light the fire straight away but it was clear awesome.
Ka kite Ano
Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News.
Condolences to Tahu potiki whanau and Iwi Ngai Tahu for their loss of A great leader.
Condolences to the other tangata whenua whanau excuses my pH I'm just learning how to use it.
Ka pai to John Kerwin for all his mahi on mental health issues he has been awesome with tangata whenua tamariki. I,, the mental health problem needs cross party tau toko.
I agree with Ming Foons opinion on the way that tangata whenua o Aotearoa has been treated by the crown he has the knowledge on tangata whenua o Aotearoa Ka pai.
Haka Bristro and the other Wahine great mahi insulating all those whare Mana Wahine I found that my Wahine staff were more reliable than male staff
Ka kite Ano
Kia Ora The Am Show.
My opinion on the Napier Port float is the tangata already owned the 99 % were getting some of its capital gains and profits putting it on the stock market is just putting the port in a situation where only the wealth people 00.1% get to corner all the gains while the 99.9 % will ultimately pay more for imports and exporting.
I tau toko teaching Aotearoa factual history as most of the books paint a bad picture of tangata whenua when in fact we are quite industrial honorable humane people.
Eco Maori agree with the recational Fisher man Terakihi Hapuka Gurnard and a few other species are stuffed but the commercial Fisher men just want to keep exploiting the fish they need to be controlled no trawling in a mile from land that and heaps more reserves.
Maori and wai we'll I say we should we do own wai we will look after wai much better than the crown is has??????. For our future generations.
If the government change to a money first government like the last one the will just exploit wai and our environment not give a shit about the futures needs.
Every one knows Eco Maori views on gangs
The anti vaccination people are to easily lead down the wrong path many people display the inability to be skeptical with information they receive.
I agree our factual history needs to be taught and all tangata whenua tamariki taught Te reo. That will stop Tangata Whenua O Aotearoa Culture from dissappearing.
Ka kite Ano
All the intelligence people of America Greetings Our World Famous Climate Change Champions Ka pai from Eco Maori
Greta Thunberg lands in US for climate meet
Swedish teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg has arrived in New York City, US to chants and cheers following a trans-Atlantic trip on a sailboat to attend a global warming conference.
The 16-year-old and her crew were escorted into a lower Manhattan marina about 4pm local time on Wednesday, concluding a two-week crossing from Plymouth, England.
As the boat docked, hundreds of activists welcomed her from a Hudson River promenade. Thunberg waved then was lifted onto a Dock.
"I didn't get seasick once," but she stressed that "this is not something I want everyone to do"She is set to speak at a United Nations climate summit in SeptemberThe boat carrying Thunberg, the Malizia II, encountered rough seas that slowed it down for a day. Taking turns steering the 18-metre racing yacht were yachtsman Boris Herrmann and Pierre Casiraghi, the grandson of Monaco's late Prince Rainier and American actress Grace Kelly.Inscribed on the boat's sail are the words "FridaysForFuture" under "UNITE BEHIND THE Science.
Ka kite Ano link.
https://i.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/115367331/greta-thunberg-lands-in-us-for-climate-meet