Johnm – Dem Bendell has it right. There are some aspects he doesn't explore, but all up, he's completely on the button. I especially like his discussion around mental health, the support that needs to be established, including the links to connect anyone coming into the space he's occupying. I can see why you post first and foremost and I can see why so few comment on it.
Not funny is it that the little people get pinged for minor errors while the "Big People" get away with hundreds of thousands scot free. Still I'd rather not be one of the "Big People."
ANZ were part of the $2.2 Billion dollar bank robbery …. a much under-reported event involving the big Aussie owned banks stiffing New Zealand for billions.
ANZ had to fork out over $400 million that they owed … but like the other banks no staff were punished or arrested ,,,,, for their attempted fraud / creative accounting / false pretenses
Not only was the GPF feature of the transactions unlawful and therefore correctly disallowed, all four transactions tested in the case "were tax avoidance arrangements entered into for the purpose of avoiding tax"
And of course ANZ were part of the enablers for hundreds of millions of stolen money to flow into the crooks bank accounts in Malaysias 1MDB Billion dollar frauds ……. no whistles blown
But it is clear that global regulators have failed to nab rogue banks, who have failed to nab rogue bankers for far too long and it is time to make the system start working for the public instead of protecting these dangerous illegal operators.
Exposes by Sarawak Report and others have shown that Goldman Sachs, RBS Coutts, BSI Bank, Edmund de Rothschild Bank Privee, JP Morgan Suisse, Falcon Bank and of course the ANZ majority owned AmBank all have serious questions to answer with respect to the loss of funds from 1MDB.
After all, bank robbers go to jail, so why do robber bankers never feel the cuffs?
Some MPs will have voted to take the Bill to the next stage because they believe it is worth the process continuing; not because they will ultimately vote for it at the final reading.
Others voted No for this particular Bill even though they would support a better-crafted one on the same matter.
"Others voted No for this particular Bill even though they would support a better-crafted one on the same matter".
Frankly that sort of claim by a member sounds like b*s to me. They just don't want to have to make a commitment to anything. They are trying to pretend that they are open minded about it when they are simply opposed.
If they really think that they should vote yes here, try and make the bill better during the second reading debate and then, if they still think it isn't adequate vote "no" when it comes to the third reading.
Do you have any names for the ones you mean, and I only mean those who are actually on record with the comment about the bill?.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has met with her Labour caucus this morning to discuss today's Cabinet reshuffle – and beleaguered Housing Minister Phil Twyford was nowhere to be seen.
A spokesman for Twyford said he was at a speaking engagement at the Planning Institute in Auckland but he would be back later before the reshuffle.
The Prime Minister's office confirmed Ardern would be making the announcement at 3:15 this afternoon.
Twyford was not the only minister absent from the meeting.
Neither was Grant Robertson, Damien O'Conner, Kelvin Davis, Carmel Sepuloni and other Labour MPs.
and beleaguered Housing Minister Phil Twyford was nowhere to be seen.
IF Phil Twyford only got half a tin shed built, it would be, if i'm not mistaken, streets ahead of the previous govt. period approach which included among other things, a treasury loan to English & Smith for their own private company to buy up state houses.
Last election: National's going to win, National won, it's a betrayal, it's not fair, National didn't win (i/e National lost), the new Govt. can't do anything right…
But of course I am unbiased. I speak only truth unto power. You're not going to try and tell me that Twyford is anything other than the most incompetent Labour Cabinet Minister we have are you? Do you really think Prime Minister's like English, Key, Clark, Shipley or Bolger would have put up with him?
Smile. I am sure that you yourself would unearth far more incompetent Labour Cabinet Ministers if it suited you to do so. (Do I remember comments about Clare Curran?)
By the way, 'Prime Ministers' in your reply should NOT have had an apostrophe. Up your grammar.
What about the ultimately incompetent National Cabinet man who pretended to find an $11 million hole in the Labour budget? Still going on that one?
Given that "most incompetent Labour minister" Phil Twyford has performed way better in this role than long-time Nat cabinet/shadow cabinet member Nick Smith managed, what does that say about the relative strengths of Labour and National's front benches?
Curran is not, of course, a Cabinet Minister. She realised, unlike current incumbents Twyford, Clark, Shaw, Genter, Jones and Lees-Galloway that the job was vastly in excess of their capabilities. That is not, of course an exhaustive list.
A pity that a number of the others don't come to such a clear view of their failings and would quit too.
Joyce was correct about the hole. Why do you think that the current lot of clowns are so desperate for new taxes? As he said, they had promised to spend everything and clearly had no idea of the extras they would have to pay for. Thus we have an excellent idea of buying up all the automatic weapons but are now totally unwilling to pay for them. Bloody idiots. All they will accomplish with their penny pinching attitude is to ensure that the rifles will end up being owned by the gangs.
" I speak only truth unto power." That is a very powerful statement, which is demeaned by being used in a context where one is involved in a debate with one's equals, not as it should be in a situation where a person of unequal power takes a risk in speaking the truth and being critical of the more powerful status quo, such as governments.
I know very well what it means. I also understand what a vile group a lot of our politicians are members of and how they see nothing wrong with destroying other people's lives. They can, of course do it under the cover of Parliamentary Privilege.
Look at that miserable specimen Mallard accusing a Parliamentary employee of "rape" when no such thing occurred. Not a hint of an apology from that disgraceful specimen of the political classes.
But he did. Much to late but they did start. Why do you think that houses were being built that a desperate Twyford claimed as being part of his "KiwiBuild" b*s?
Housing is a huge task. No matter what you call it, it is a huge task. I hope Phil Twyford stays on to finish the project. Given that he has been hammered by MPs and the Media in spite of the huge strides made, that is further proof for him to continue.
I suspect there will be some minor changes to his responsibilities – maybe a couple of small chunks passed on to associate ministers. Part of the problem is Twyford's current responsibilities are just too onerous. He has two of the most complex portfolios currently in existence.
Re the list of Ministers, MPs absent from this morning's Caucus meeting, most of the ones you mention were also absent from last night's Second Reading of Seymour's End of Life Bill but voted by Proxy.*
This is not a full list but the following voted by proxy meaning they were not in the Parliamentary Precinct : Ardern, Davis, Twyford, Clark, D O'Connor, Sepuloni, Curran, Eagle, Mahuta, Peters, Logie, Genter, Chahraman, Macroft plus various Nats.
Robertson did not vote by proxy, so presumably around if not in the House itself.
*I am in the middle of putting together a list by party of those who voted for and against the Bill proceeding to Committee stages etc. A draft of the full list by name only is already up on the Parliament website but not by Party, being (supposedly**) a Conscience vote. Will probably post it here in the next few days when I have some time, for anyone interested.
** All Green and all NZF members voted Aye. The breakdown of Nats and Labour members Ayes/Noes is quite interesting, but cannot be taken necessarily as who will vote Aye in the end. From all accounts, many Ayes were to allow the Bill to proceed to the more detailed Committee stages, with continued support on the part of quite a few MPs dependent on considerable change to the actual wording and provisions of the Bill being agreed in the Committee stages.
I always skip the music videos and the ones like above, which have no comment, opinion or debate points included with them. It's just wankery, drop and go rubbish. I don't think it adds anything.
As for the chairnat, I think Solkta and Mars did us all a favour the other night. Even if only temporary, a rest is as good as a holiday.
I didn't skip the music video of Laurie Anderson the other day. Those who thought it "wankery, drop and go rubbish not adding anything" missed a treat in my opinion.
We cannot click on every link or clip to find the proverbial needle in a haystack or expect to find some ‘nugget’ @ 12’38’’ into the clip or somewhere embedded deep in a document. It still won’t tell me why the commenter posted it in the first place. I think it is lazy and inconsiderate and takes up space but I can live with it – I simply scroll past and don’t click as there’s too much clickbait around as it is. However, others do find it very annoying. Therefore, a brief comment is all that’s needed to satisfy most here.
"wankery, drop and go rubbish' refers to videos without comment, which has been addressed.
As for music vids, I don't watch them, mainly because I happen to think most people post shit, but even the good songs I won't play because I'm on the standard and not youinstafacegrambooktube.
And o superman – Had it on 12" import back in 1981. Fortunately it wasn't any longer than the 8.21 7"
you used to put links to your own music – should do it again imo
any music video I put up is worth watching imo thus The Little River Band today are exceptional and a window into a time that literally is a lifetime ago.
I did, usually with a story attached as to why and what the track was about, but nah, people can look at my website and decide to click the soundcloud player or not.
I don't mind the music vids really, though I do just skip 'em.
I'm more likely to play a music vid than a 40 minute video that someone reckons will explain why I should be outraged/aghast/terrified of deepstate/chemtrails/corporations.
lol and links from all sources with the obligatory commentary "this is an insightful and wise journalist speaking truth to power" (meaning I agree with them) or "a shameless propagandist tells lies for cash" (I disagree with them).
Viewing the first 5minutes of a vid will inform about the subject.But maybe a small posting as to subject and content would be good.
[I agree that a video without any excerpt or reason to click on it could be viewed [pardon the pun] as SPAM unless it is obvious and self-evident. From now on, please provide a brief reason as to why you think people should watch it and/or why it is relevant to the topic of a thread, if any. Please be aware what might be obvious or self-evident to you might not be so to another person. This kind of behaviour has led to long-term bans of infamous recidivists – Incognito]
Shouldn't have to watch a video to find out what's up for discussion and why, and while a subject and content should be also be a given, video posts should at least have a for or against argument so it's clear where the poster is coming from.
Perhaps a note to explain subject matter but see no need to predetermine more than that….there is no requirement for discussion nor applying a personal take of the content.
The opportunity is there for discussion/debate should anyone so wish
Yeah, nah. I’m thinking of random bans for random reasons but especially when it is about how poorly moderated this site is and who or what should (or should not) be banned.
From the Greymouth Star, great to see West Coast-Tasman MP Damien O'Connor slamming Westland Milk Products over the proposed sale to Chinese-owned Yili, but also says shareholders needed to share the blame because they had failed to scrutinise management and directors in recent years.
On RNZ yesterday Mr O'Connor said he could not intervene as Agriculture Minister, but as the electorate MP and with a family shareholding in Westland Milk, he outlined his many concerns over the sale..
When the West Coast-owned co-operative decided in 2001 to go it alone, rejecting an offer to merge with Fonterra, it had $100million in the bank.
''Something has gone wrong seriously and they now have huge debt,'' Mr O'Connor said.
Farmers had been treated as ''mushrooms'' and had now been presented with just one option, when he believed there had been up to 12 offers from New Zealand and overseas.
Mr O'Connor said he did not think farmers had enough information to make an informed decision.
Confidential information packs were delivered to shareholders some weeks ago, for a vote due on July 4.
Co-operatives could fail if the shareholders did not take an active interest in what their directors and management were doing.
''I think they sit back and take for granted the decisions that are made. They're not always scrutinised in the way they would be if it was a publicly-listed company. I don't believe it's the structure [at fault], it's the individuals involved.''
The Westland Co-operative Dairy Company (trading as Westland Milk Products) had been built up by previous generations, but farmers now risked losing ownership and control.
The 10-year supply guarantee offered by Yili came with a number of qualifications that farmers should be aware of, he said. Once they had sold, farmers would not get the profits from the value added. The only way to get more money would be to do more, and produce more milk.
Selling parts of the company may have been an option for farmers but that was not put to them.
''That's why I think the process has been seriously flawed.''
To me the stupidity of these West Coast farmers to long-term gut their own communities is beyond belief.
The world has really turned upside down, white is black, up is down..it turns out that now the most stringent and vocal push back in the US MSM to US foreign interventions is not coming from US liberal media but from Tucker Carlson on Fox of all places, he did the same push back over Venezuela ..
Here he is calling John Bolton a political tape worm, and calling out the neocons hard…
Careful, Adrian, you're in for a bollocking from our friend Andre and likeminded people lurking on this blog. The fact that Carlson is one of the few people in the U.S. media with the courage to speak forthrightly on this issue doesn't matter a jot; he works for Fox, which automatically renders what he says worthless.
Right wingers do this to sow insecurity – to get people confused, get their enemies fighting each other – they are not sincere. They are not truth tellers. They are just working to their own agenda – the techniques are in Hollowmen, we see it all the time with hooton pretending to attack the right – I hope you think about that a bit adrian.
Firstly Hooten gave the best and most sincere eulogy for Helen Kelly, so even though he is on the wrong side, I will always give him credit for that.
Secondly, stop with the condescending please.."I hope you think about that a bit adrian" I am under no illusions as to the primary motivations of the right..or the shit establishment liberal class in the US for that matter.
Thirdly, give me a link in US liberal media where the main host is so consistently anti interventionist in such a forth right way as Tucker Carlson (who I am well aware is shit on most other important subjects).
"you are being played by them imo" that's good coming from the guy who gets played by pretty much every Guardian head line..since forever…I hope you think about that a bit matry.
Sorry to disabuse you of an obviously long nurtured belief, Mr Mars, but the moon landing actually did happen. The Americans landed on it almost exactly fifty years ago, and, no, it wasn't a hoax by those evil, calculating, dastardly masterminds of the world, the Russians—despite what Luke Harding might have told you in the Grauniad.
Hooten gave the best and most sincere eulogy for Helen Kelly, so even though he is on the wrong side, I will always give him credit for that.
Take care, mon ami, not to give credit where it is unwarranted. Hooton is a notorious dissembler. I suspect his eulogy for Ms. Kelly was about as "sincere" as his eulogy for Nelson Mandela, who the jackass compared to those monsters Thatcher and Reagan. Hooton's disgusting performance after Madiba's death, and his manipulation of the luvvies on Russell Brown's site, was admirably satirized by my confrère and former student Morrissey Breen….
Oh, I think the Professor understands Italian, Mr. Cognito. He worked for a time in an elite girls' finishing school in Switzerland. He was required to resign in a hurry; the circumstances are still somewhat murky many years after the affair.
Please don’t be a smart alec. Feel free to pass on the hint to you know whom since you seem to be at liberty to speak on his behalf. I’m sure the two of you have regular chitchats.
@Professor Longhair, I take your point as far as far as Hooton goes, but the thing about Hooton that I like is at least you know exactly what he believes and he doesn't try to hide his ideology or pretend he advocating for some thing else, and it was exactly those same qualities that he said he admired about Kelly, he also said Labour lost it's most potent potential leader when she died…on both accounts I couldn't agree with him more (one of the very few time I could say that).
I have read that Morrissey blog post before..so don't worry, I well know who Hooton, and it isn't nice.
…. they are not sincere. They are not truth tellers.
Contrary to your blanket assertion, this particular right winger—Tucker Carlson— is, in fact, telling the truth about this matter.
They are just working to their own agenda – the techniques are in Hollowmen….
How does Tucker Carlson speaking truthfully about U.S. aggression against Iran and Venezuela have the slightest connection to the National Party's campaign of character assassination being run out of the Prime Minister's office? Is it those all powerful, all knowing, all controlling Russian masterminds again? I think we should be told.
we see it all the time with hooton pretending to attack the right
I've witnessed the jackass Hooton in action many times, and he is no more or less than exactly that: a jackass. He is no Tucker Carlson.
Note that the Report quotes the complaints made by Paula Bennett were found to be inaccurate and unfounded. She tried so hard to make a case but it was built on sand. So what a waste.
Conclusion 97. I have assessed Mr Makhlouf’s actions and statements in relation to the three aspects of the Incident against standards of good faith, reasonableness and political neutrality. I have found that: a. Mr Makhlouf acted in good faith. I consider that Mr Makhlouf’s view was sincerely held and honest and therefore meets the good faith test. b. Mr Makhlouf acted in a politically neutral manner. In fact, I consider that he went out of his way to ensure that he was not implicating the National Party in his media statements and interviews. c. Mr Makhlouf’s actions and statements were reasonable in all respects other than in relation to his use of the phrase “deliberately and systematically hacked” in his Tuesday evening media statement, his use of the bolt analogy in his media interviews on Wednesday morning, and in the focus on the conduct of the searchers in his media statement on Thursday morning.
The same largely applies to the right, not that I am a "tory". One doesn't encourage their party to up their game by remaining silent. Or worse, by down playing and defending their crap.
Labour fear bad PR, thus if the left want more out of Labour, we are going to have to make some noise. For example, if teachers didn't get out on the streets (creating bad PR for the Government) it would have been the same old there is no more money line.
Teachers improved their wellbeing by getting together, getting out there and making a noise.
Every so often I feel the need for self-flagellation because I'm not a Kethluk and this is the most convenient venue for my confession. Is this normal behaviour?
Currently I'm listening to today's episode of "The Panel". One of the rent-a-voices is particularly nauseating, and another I almost need a neo-liberal translator. I'll persevere in the hope I go to Heaven.
Your advice would be much appreciated because I fear I may be going deaf.
Actually, I take it all back. I’m thinking masturbation is far easier and less painful
One of the guests was Michael Moynahan, who has made a career out of being pleasantly inane. I presume he was the one you found to be nauseating. But, as nauseating as he may have been today, he would have had to be extremely nauseating to match his contribution back in October 2016, when Jim Mora was the host….
Thanx for that Mr B. As the pain was kicking in, all I started hearing was "Ahurrr hurr hurrrr rewwwbarb rewbarb rewbarb hurr hurr" interspesed with a Wallace lisp, a fair few I I I's, my my my's and me me me's then a lot of neo-liberal speak in a female voice – (the "so's", the "ultimately's", the "in this space" and "going forward's").
I 'spose it's what happens when our last bastion of public service broadcasting is headed by someone going through their mid-life crisis with a commercial background and desperate to remain down with the kuds.
At least we have and "old school" Jesse and a Mora to keep it all together.
I know you're in Orkers somehwere, but since I've decided wankery and Portnoy worship is better than flagellation, do you know if there's somewhere in Wellington I might avail myself of a circle jerk? OR should I just mow the lawns or watch paint dry during weekday afternoons?
Ka pai North Land healthcare is getting 50 million extra injection of money into the region it is needed.
Te Whanau Apanui is getting $30 million as part of their treaty settlement awesome now they can set a great maunga for their mokopuna kia kaha.
Gambling is a major problem for Maori Pacific and Asian I say that the one arm bandits should be banned too our history books.
The First Nation from Canada is showing appreciation for how strong Maori Culture is in Aotearoa. Kia kaha to The First Nation of Canada Eco Maori Knowns that they have life is harder for them.
Nagti Porou te reo is a te reo that needs to be protected and taught to all our tamariki in Te Taiwhiti.
Peter congratulations on yours win for your kai mahi that you infuse Maori kai in your cooking.
Kia kaha to the youth climate change champion Stars the oldest generation will listen to their mokopuna.
Meet generation Greta: young climate activists around the world
They’re too young to vote, but schoolchildren across the globe are taking matters into their own hands
In May, for the second time this year, more than 1.5 million young people in more than 125 countries walked out of schools, colleges and universities in the biggest day of global climate action ever. Young people have protested en masse before – millions marched against the Iraq war in 2003 – but this child-led uprising is happening with unprecedented momentum on a global scale Ka kite ano.
Pirpi its Awesome that the intrest in Matariki is growing that is good for tangata whenua O Aotearoa cultural and Mana.
South Auckland health food is a great way to Show people what food i good for you. They served a lot of Organically grown food to.
International skills competition looks cool
We should be grateful for the tangata who started the Kuakaupapa and Kohanga school's they came along just in time to keep tangata whenua O Aotearoa cultural and Haka Pumping thanks to all who were involved in this Phenomenon.
Couples are taxed on individual income, which makes for an large variation on how households are taxed on the same income, disadvantaging women, usually, who have to stay at home for disabled children or other relatives. One of the few things they could access was the non qualifying spouse share in super, if their older partner retired.
And. They are using this to fund an effective increase for those who already get overseas pensions/super.
Paddy we don't need rightneck idiot's in Aotearoa those people should be investigated by the SIS and I would not put it past simon to be part of their stupid ways.
Yes Winston some people are so gullible they believe the false news propaganda and con people to believe there bullshit.
Canterbury people playing in the AWA you have respect water driving in Rivers at night is stupid.
Cool single use plastic bags is being banned this is just the start we will eventually ban most plastics we use.
It's about time that someone started planning to push asteroid out of Papatuanuku path a huge Asteroid would devastate all life.
Eugene it cool that single use plastic bags have been banned its about time.
Its cool that people are giving away food and clothing to the needed people in North land tangata whenua need help all common people need help. The Matariki supreme awards went to Whale Watching in Kai kora
Smear your mear campaign won to cool.
Paina Papa congratulations on yours win heaps of tamariki and mokopuna would have improved their te reo because of your show.
Well, I've been there, sitting in that same chairWhispering that same prayer half a million timesIt's a lie, though buried in disciplesOne page of the Bible isn't worth a lifeThere's nothing wrong with youIt's true, it's trueThere's something wrong with the villageWith the villageSomething wrong with the villageSongwriters: Andrew Jackson ...
ACT would like to dictate what universities can and can’t say. We knew it was coming. It was outlined in the coalition agreement and has become part of Seymour’s strategy of “emphasising public funding” to prevent people from opposing him and his views—something he also uses to try and de-platform ...
Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park from the Gigafact team in collaboration with members from our team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Are we heading ...
So the Solstice has arrived – Summer in this part of the world, Winter for the Northern Hemisphere. And with it, the publication my new Norse dark-fantasy piece, As Our Power Lessens at Eternal Haunted Summer: https://eternalhauntedsummer.com/issues/winter-solstice-2024/as-our-power-lessens/ As previously noted, this one is very ‘wyrd’, and Northern Theory of Courage. ...
The Natural Choice: As a starter for ten percent of the Party Vote, “saving the planet” is a very respectable objective. Young voters, in particular, raised on the dire (if unheeded) warnings of climate scientists, and the irrefutable evidence of devastating weather events linked to global warming, vote Green. After ...
The Government cancelled 60% of Kāinga Ora’s new builds next year, even though the land for them was already bought, the consents were consented and there are builders unemployed all over the place. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMōrena. Long stories short, the six things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political ...
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Over on Kikorangi Newsroom's Marc Daalder has published his annual OIA stats. So I thought I'd do mine: 82 OIA requests sent in 2024 7 posts based on those requests 20 average working days to receive a response Ministry of Justice was my most-requested entity, ...
Welcome to the December 2024 Economic Bulletin. We have two monthly features in this edition. In the first, we discuss what the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update from Treasury and the Budget Policy Statement from the Minister of Finance tell us about the fiscal position and what to ...
The NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi have submitted against the controversial Treaty Principles Bill, slamming the Bill as a breach of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and an attack on tino rangatiratanga and the collective rights of Tangata Whenua. “This Bill seeks to legislate for Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles that are ...
I don't knowHow to say what's got to be saidI don't know if it's black or whiteThere's others see it redI don't get the answers rightI'll leave that to youIs this love out of fashionOr is it the time of yearAre these words distraction?To the words you want to hearSongwriters: ...
Our economy has experienced its worst recession since 1991. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMōrena. Long stories short, the six things that matter in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Friday, December 20 in The Kākā’s Dawn Chorus podcast above and the daily Pick ‘n’ Mix below ...
Twas the Friday before Christmas and all through the week we’ve been collecting stories for our final roundup of the year. As we start to wind down for the year we hope you all have a safe and happy Christmas and new year. If you’re travelling please be safe on ...
The podcast above of the weekly ‘Hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers on Thursday night features co-hosts & talking about the year’s news with: on climate. Her book of the year was Tim Winton’s cli-fi novel Juice and she also mentioned Mike Joy’s memoir The Fight for Fresh Water. ...
The Government can head off to the holidays, entitled to assure itself that it has done more or less what it said it would do. The campaign last year promised to “get New Zealand back on track.” When you look at the basic promises—to trim back Government expenditure, toughen up ...
Open access notables An intensification of surface Earth’s energy imbalance since the late 20th century, Li et al., Communications Earth & Environment:Tracking the energy balance of the Earth system is a key method for studying the contribution of human activities to climate change. However, accurately estimating the surface energy balance ...
Photo by Mauricio Fanfa on UnsplashKia oraCome and join us for our weekly ‘Hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kākā for an hour at 5 pm today.Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream for our chat about the week’s news with myself , plus regular guests and , ...
“Like you said, I’m an unreconstructed socialist. Everybody deserves to get something for Christmas.”“ONE OF THOSE had better be for me!” Hannah grinned, fascinated, as Laurie made his way, gingerly, to the bar, his arms full of gift-wrapped packages.“Of course!”, beamed Laurie. Depositing his armful on the bar-top and selecting ...
Data released by Statistics New Zealand today showed a significant slowdown in the economy over the past six months, with GDP falling by 1% in September, and 1.1% in June said CTU Economist Craig Renney. “The data shows that the size of the economy in GDP terms is now smaller ...
One last thing before I quitI never wanted any moreThan I could fit into my headI still remember every single word you saidAnd all the shit that somehow came along with itStill, there's one thing that comforts meSince I was always caged and now I'm freeSongwriters: David Grohl / Georg ...
Sparse offerings outside a Te Kauwhata church. Meanwhile, the Government is cutting spending in ways that make thousands of hungry children even hungrier, while also cutting funding for the charities that help them. It’s also doing that while winding back new building of affordable housing that would allow parents to ...
It is difficult to make sense of the Luxon Coalition Government’s economic management.This end-of-year review about the state of economic management – the state of the economy was last week – is not going to cover the National Party contribution. Frankly, like every other careful observer, I cannot make up ...
This morning I awoke to the lovely news that we are firmly back on track, that is if the scale was reversed.NZ ranks low in global economic comparisonsNew Zealand's economy has been ranked 33rd out of 37 in an international comparison of which have done best in 2024.Economies were ranked ...
Remember those silent movies where the heroine is tied to the railway tracks or going over the waterfall in a barrel? Finance Minister Nicola Willis seems intent on portraying herself as that damsel in distress. According to Willis, this country’s current economic problems have all been caused by the spending ...
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The Open Government Partnership is a multilateral organisation committed to advancing open government. Countries which join are supposed to co-create regular action plans with civil society, committing to making verifiable improvements in transparency, accountability, participation, or technology and innovation for the above. And they're held to account through an Independent ...
Today I tuned into something strange: a press conference that didn’t make my stomach churn or the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. Which was strange, because it was about the torture of children. It was the announcement by Erica Stanford — on her own, unusually ...
This is a must watch, and puts on brilliant and practical display the implications and mechanics of fast-track law corruption and weakness.CLICK HERE: LINK TO WATCH VIDEOOur news media as it is set up is simply not equipped to deal with the brazen disinformation and corruption under this right wing ...
NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi Acting Secretary Erin Polaczuk is welcoming the announcement from Minister of Workplace Relations and Safety Brooke van Velden that she is opening consultation on engineered stone and is calling on her to listen to the evidence and implement a total ban of the product. “We need ...
The Government has announced a 1.5% increase in the minimum wage from 1 April 2025, well below forecast inflation of 2.5%. Unions have reacted strongly and denounced it as a real terms cut. PSA and the CTU are opposing a new round of staff cuts at WorkSafe, which they say ...
The decision to unilaterally repudiate the contract for new Cook Strait ferries is beginning to look like one of the stupidest decisions a New Zealand government ever made. While cancelling the ferries and their associated port infrastructure may have made this year's books look good, it means higher costs later, ...
Hi there! I’ve been overseas recently, looking after a situation with a family member. So apologies if there any less than focused posts! Vanuatu has just had a significant 7.3 earthquake. Two MFAT staff are unaccounted for with local fatalities.It’s always sad to hear of such things happening.I think of ...
Today is a special member's morning, scheduled to make up for the government's theft of member's days throughout the year. First up was the first reading of Greg Fleming's Crimes (Increased Penalties for Slavery Offences) Amendment Bill, which was passed unanimously. Currently the House is debating the third reading of ...
We're going backwardsIgnoring the realitiesGoing backwardsAre you counting all the casualties?We are not there yetWhere we need to beWe are still in debtTo our insanitiesSongwriter: Martin Gore Read more ...
Willis blamed Treasury for changing its productivity assumptions and Labour’s spending increases since Covid for the worsening Budget outlook. Photo: Getty ImagesMōrena. Long stories short, the six things that matter in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Wednesday, December 18 in The Kākā’s Dawn Chorus podcast above ...
Today the Auckland Transport board meet for the last time this year. For those interested (and with time to spare), you can follow along via this MS Teams link from 10am. I’ve taken a quick look through the agenda items to see what I think the most interesting aspects are. ...
Hi,If you’re a New Zealander — you know who Mike King is. He is the face of New Zealand’s battle against mental health problems. He can be loud and brash. He raises, and is entrusted with, a lot of cash. Last year his “I Am Hope” charity reported a revenue ...
Probably about the only consolation available from yesterday’s unveiling of the Half-Yearly Economic and Fiscal Update (HYEFU) is that it could have been worse. Though Finance Minister Nicola Willis has tightened the screws on future government spending, she has resisted the calls from hard-line academics, fiscal purists and fiscal hawks ...
The right have a stupid saying that is only occasionally true:When is democracy not democracy? When it hasn’t been voted on.While not true in regards to branches of government such as the judiciary, it’s a philosophy that probably should apply to recently-elected local government councillors. Nevertheless, this concept seemed to ...
Long story short: the Government’s austerity policy has driven the economy into a deeper and longer recession that means it will have to borrow $20 billion more over the next four years than it expected just six months ago. Treasury’s latest forecasts show the National-ACT-NZ First Government’s fiscal strategy of ...
Come and join myself and CTU Chief Economist for a pop-up ‘Hoon’ webinar on the Government’s Half Yearly Economic and Fiscal Update (HYEFU) with paying subscribers to The Kākā for 30 minutes at 5 pm today.Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream to watch our chat. Don’t worry if ...
In 1998, in the wake of the Paremoremo Prison riot, the Department of Corrections established the "Behaviour Management Regime". Prisoners were locked in their cells for 22 or 23 hours a day, with no fresh air, no exercise, no social contact, no entertainment, and in some cases no clothes and ...
New data released by the Treasury shows that the economic policies of this Government have made things worse in the year since they took office, said NZCTU Economist Craig Renney. “Our fiscal indicators are all heading in the wrong direction – with higher levels of debt, a higher deficit, and ...
At the 2023 election, National basically ran on a platform of being better economic managers. So how'd that turn out for us? In just one year, they've fucked us for two full political terms: The government's books are set to remain deeply in the red for the near term ...
AUSTERITYText within this block will maintain its original spacing when publishedMy spreadsheet insists This pain leads straight to glory (File not found) Read more ...
The NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi are saying that the Government should do the right thing and deliver minimum wage increases that don’t see workers fall further behind, in response to today’s announcement that the minimum wage will only be increased by 1.5%, well short of forecast inflation. “With inflation forecast ...
Oh, I weptFor daysFilled my eyesWith silly tearsOh, yeaBut I don'tCare no moreI don't care ifMy eyes get soreSongwriters: Paul Rodgers / Paul Kossoff. Read more ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Bob HensonIn this aerial view, fingers of meltwater flow from the melting Isunnguata Sermia glacier descending from the Greenland Ice Sheet on July 11, 2024, near Kangerlussuaq, Greenland. According to the Programme for Monitoring of the Greenland Ice Sheet (PROMICE), the ...
In August, I wrote an article about David Seymour1 with a video of his testimony, to warn that there were grave dangers to his Ministry of Regulation:David Seymour's Ministry of Slush Hides Far Greater RisksWhy Seymour's exorbitant waste of taxpayers' money could be the least of concernThe money for Seymour ...
Willis is expected to have to reveal the bitter fiscal fruits of her austerity strategy in the HYEFU later today. Photo: Lynn Grieveson/TheKakaMōrena. Long stories short, the six things that matter in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Tuesday, December 17 in The Kākā’s Dawn Chorus podcast ...
On Friday the government announced it would double the number of toll roads in New Zealand as well as make a few other changes to how toll roads are used in the country. The real issue though is not that tolling is being used but the suggestion it will make ...
The Prime Minister yesterday engaged in what looked like a pre-emptive strike designed to counter what is likely to be a series of depressing economic statistics expected before the end of the week. He opened his weekly post-Cabinet press conference with a recitation of the Government’s achievements. “It certainly has ...
This whooping cough story from south Auckland is a good example of the coalition government’s approach to social need – spend money on urging people to get vaccinated but only after you’ve cut the funding to where they could get vaccinated. This has been the case all year with public ...
And if there is a GodI know he likes to rockHe likes his loud guitarsHis spiders from MarsAnd if there is a GodI know he's watching meHe likes what he seesBut there's trouble on the breezeSongwriter: William Patrick Corgan Read more ...
Here’s a quick round up of today’s political news:1. MORE FOOD BANKS, CHARITIES, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTERS AND YOUTH SOCIAL SERVICES SET TO CLOSE OR SCALE BACK AROUND THE COUNTRY AS GOVT CUTS FUNDINGSome of Auckland's largest foodbanks are warning they may need to close or significantly reduce food parcels after ...
Iain Rennie, CNZMSecretary and Chief Executive to the TreasuryDear Secretary, Undue restrictions on restricted briefings This week, the Treasury barred representatives from four organisations, including the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi, from attending the restricted briefing for the Half-Year Economic and Fiscal Update. We had been ...
This is a guest post by Tim Adriaansen, a community, climate, and accessibility advocate.I won’t shut up about climate breakdown, and whenever possible I try to shift the focus of a climate conversation towards solutions. But you’ll almost never hear me give more than a passing nod to ...
A grassroots backlash has forced a backdown from Brown, but he is still eyeing up plenty of tolls for other new roads. And the pressure is on Willis to ramp up the Government’s austerity strategy. Photo: Getty ImagesMōrena. Long stories short, the six things that matter in Aotearoa’s political economy ...
Hi all,I'm pretty overwhelmed by all your messages and emails today; thank you so very much.As much as my newsletter this morning was about money, and we all need to earn money, it was mostly about world domination if I'm honest. 😉I really hate what’s happening to our country, and ...
A listing of 23 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, December 8, 2024 thru Sat, December 14, 2024. Listing by Category Like last week's summary this one contains the list of articles twice: based on categories and based on ...
I started writing this morning about Hobson’s Pledge, examining the claims they and their supporters make, basically ripping into them. But I kept getting notifications coming through, and not good ones.Each time I looked up, there was another un-subscription message, and I felt a bit sicker at the thought of ...
Once, long before there was Harry and Meghan and Dodi and all those episodes of The Crown, they came to spend some time with us, Charles and Diana. Was there anyone in the world more glamorous than the Princess of Wales?Dazzled as everyone was by their company, the leader of ...
The collective right have a problem.The entire foundation for their world view is antiscientific. Their preferred economic strategies have been disproven. Their whole neoliberal model faces accusations of corporate corruption and worsening inequality. Climate change not only definitely exists, its rapid progression demands an immediate and expensive response in order ...
Just ten days ago, South Korea's president attempted a self-coup, declaring martial law and attempting to have opposition MPs murdered or arrested in an effort to seize unconstrained power. The attempt was rapidly defeated by the national assembly voting it down and the people flooding the streets to defend democracy. ...
Hi,“What I love about New Zealanders is that sometimes you use these expressions that as Americans we have no idea what those things mean!"I am watching a 30-something year old American ramble on about how different New Zealanders are to Americans. It’s his podcast, and this man is doing a ...
What Chris Penk has granted holocaust-denier and equal-opportunity-bigot Candace Owens is not “freedom of speech”. It’s not even really freedom of movement, though that technically is the right she has been granted. What he has given her is permission to perform. Freedom of SpeechIn New Zealand, the right to freedom ...
All those tears on your cheeksJust like deja vu flow nowWhen grandmother speaksSo tell me a story (I'll tell you a story)Spell it out, I can't hear (What do you want to hear?)Why you wear black in the morning?Why there's smoke in the air? Songwriter: Greg Johnson.Mōrena all ☀️Something a ...
2024 is now officially my best-ever year for short stories. My 1,850-word dark fantasy piece, As Our Power Lessens, has been accepted for the upcoming solstice edition of Eternal Haunted Summer (https://eternalhauntedsummer.com/), thereby making that six published short stories for the calendar year. As always, see the Bibliography page for ...
National has only been in power for a year, but everywhere you look, its choices are taking New Zealand a long way backwards. In no particular order, here are the National Government's Top 50 Greatest Misses of its first year in power. ...
The Government is quietly undertaking consultation on the dangerous Regulatory Standards Bill over the Christmas period to avoid too much attention. ...
The Government’s planned changes to the freedom of speech obligations of universities is little more than a front for stoking the political fires of disinformation and fear, placing teachers and students in the crosshairs. ...
The Ministry of Regulation’s report into Early Childhood Education (ECE) in Aotearoa raises serious concerns about the possibility of lowering qualification requirements, undermining quality and risking worse outcomes for tamariki, whānau, and kaiako. ...
A Bill to modernise the role of Justices of the Peace (JP), ensuring they remain active in their communities and connected with other JPs, has been put into the ballot. ...
Labour will continue to fight unsustainable and destructive projects that are able to leap-frog environment protection under National’s Fast-track Approvals Bill. ...
The Green Party has warned that a Green Government will revoke the consents of companies who override environmental protections as part of Fast-Track legislation being passed today. ...
The Green Party says the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update shows how the Government is failing to address the massive social and infrastructure deficits our country faces. ...
The Government’s latest move to reduce the earnings of migrant workers will not only hurt migrants but it will drive down the wages of Kiwi workers. ...
Te Pāti Māori has this morning issued a stern warning to Fast-Track applicants with interests in mining, pledging to hold them accountable through retrospective liability and to immediately revoke Fast-Track consents under a future Te Pāti Māori government. This warning comes ahead of today’s third reading of the Fast-Track Approvals ...
The Government’s announcement today of a 1.5 per cent increase to minimum wage is another blow for workers, with inflation projected to exceed the increase, meaning it’s a real terms pay reduction for many. ...
All the Government has achieved from its announcement today is to continue to push responsibility back on councils for its own lack of action to help bring down skyrocketing rates. ...
The Government has used its final post-Cabinet press conference of the year to punch down on local government without offering any credible solutions to the issues our councils are facing. ...
The Government has failed to keep its promise to ‘super charge’ the EV network, delivering just 292 chargers - less than half of the 670 chargers needed to meet its target. ...
The Green Party is calling for the Government to stop subsidising the largest user of the country’s gas supplies, Methanex, following a report highlighting the multi-national’s disproportionate influence on energy prices in Aotearoa. ...
The Green Party is appalled with the Government’s new child poverty targets that are based on a new ‘persistent poverty’ measure that could be met even with an increase in child poverty. ...
New independent analysis has revealed that the Government’s Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP) will reduce emissions by a measly 1 per cent by 2030, failing to set us up for the future and meeting upcoming targets. ...
The loss of 27 kaimahi at Whakaata Māori and the end of its daily news bulletin is a sad day for Māori media and another step backwards for Te Tiriti o Waitangi justice. ...
Yesterday the Government passed cruel legislation through first reading to establish a new beneficiary sanction regime that will ultimately mean more households cannot afford the basic essentials. ...
Today's passing of the Government's Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill–which allows landlords to end tenancies with no reason–ignores the voice of the people and leaves renters in limbo ahead of the festive season. ...
After wasting a year, Nicola Willis has delivered a worse deal for the Cook Strait ferries that will end up being more expensive and take longer to arrive. ...
Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick has today launched a Member’s Bill to sanction Israel for its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, as the All Out For Gaza rally reaches Parliament. ...
After years of advocacy, the Green Party is very happy to hear the Government has listened to our collective voices and announced the closure of the greyhound racing industry, by 1 August 2026. ...
In response to a new report from ERO, the Government has acknowledged the urgent need for consistency across the curriculum for Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE) in schools. ...
The Green Party is appalled at the Government introducing legislation that will make it easier to penalise workers fighting for better pay and conditions. ...
Thank you for the invitation to speak with you tonight on behalf of the political party I belong to - which is New Zealand First. As we have heard before this evening the Kinleith Mill is proposing to reduce operations by focusing on pulp and discontinuing “lossmaking paper production”. They say that they are currently consulting on the plan to permanently shut ...
Auckland Central MP, Chlöe Swarbrick, has written to Mayor Wayne Brown requesting he stop the unnecessary delays on St James Theatre’s restoration. ...
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says Health New Zealand will move swiftly to support dozens of internationally-trained doctors already in New Zealand on their journey to employment here, after a tripling of sought-after examination places. “The Medical Council has delivered great news for hardworking overseas doctors who want to contribute ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has appointed Sarah Ottrey to the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC). “At my first APEC Summit in Lima, I experienced firsthand the role that ABAC plays in guaranteeing political leaders hear the voice of business,” Mr Luxon says. “New Zealand’s ABAC representatives are very well respected and ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced four appointments to New Zealand’s intelligence oversight functions. The Honourable Robert Dobson KC has been appointed Chief Commissioner of Intelligence Warrants, and the Honourable Brendan Brown KC has been appointed as a Commissioner of Intelligence Warrants. The appointments of Hon Robert Dobson and Hon ...
Improvements in the average time it takes to process survey and title applications means housing developments can progress more quickly, Minister for Land Information Chris Penk says. “The government is resolutely focused on improving the building and construction pipeline,” Mr Penk says. “Applications to issue titles and subdivide land are ...
The Government’s measures to reduce airport wait times, and better transparency around flight disruptions is delivering encouraging early results for passengers ahead of the busy summer period, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Improving the efficiency of air travel is a priority for the Government to give passengers a smoother, more reliable ...
The Government today announced the intended closure of the Apollo Hotel as Contracted Emergency Housing (CEH) in Rotorua, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. This follows a 30 per cent reduction in the number of households in CEH in Rotorua since National came into Government. “Our focus is on ending CEH in the Whakarewarewa area starting ...
The Government will reshape vocational education and training to return decision making to regions and enable greater industry input into work-based learning Tertiary Education and Skills Minister, Penny Simmonds says. “The redesigned system will better meet the needs of learners, industry, and the economy. It includes re-establishing regional polytechnics that ...
The Government is taking action to better manage synthetic refrigerants and reduce emissions caused by greenhouse gases found in heating and cooling products, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds says. “Regulations will be drafted to support a product stewardship scheme for synthetic refrigerants, Ms. Simmonds says. “Synthetic refrigerants are found in a ...
People travelling on State Highway 1 north of Hamilton will be relieved that remedial works and safety improvements on the Ngāruawāhia section of the Waikato Expressway were finished today, with all lanes now open to traffic, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“I would like to acknowledge the patience of road users ...
Tertiary Education and Skills Minister, Penny Simmonds, has announced a new appointment to the board of Education New Zealand (ENZ). Dr Erik Lithander has been appointed as a new member of the ENZ board for a three-year term until 30 January 2028. “I would like to welcome Dr Erik Lithander to the ...
The Government will have senior representatives at Waitangi Day events around the country, including at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, but next year Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has chosen to take part in celebrations elsewhere. “It has always been my intention to celebrate Waitangi Day around the country with different ...
Two more criminal gangs will be subject to the raft of laws passed by the Coalition Government that give Police more powers to disrupt gang activity, and the intimidation they impose in our communities, Police Minister Mark Mitchell says. Following an Order passed by Cabinet, from 3 February 2025 the ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Justice Christian Whata as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Whata’s appointment as a Judge of the Court of Appeal will take effect on 1 August 2025 and fill a vacancy created by the retirement of Hon Justice David Goddard on ...
The latest economic figures highlight the importance of the steps the Government has taken to restore respect for taxpayers’ money and drive economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Data released today by Stats NZ shows Gross Domestic Product fell 1 per cent in the September quarter. “Treasury and most ...
Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds and Associate Minister of Education David Seymour today announced legislation changes to strengthen freedom of speech obligations on universities. “Freedom of speech is fundamental to the concept of academic freedom and there is concern that universities seem to be taking a more risk-averse ...
Police Minister, Mark Mitchell, and Internal Affairs Minister, Brooke van Velden, today launched a further Public Safety Network cellular service that alongside last year’s Cellular Roaming roll-out, puts globally-leading cellular communications capability into the hands of our emergency responders. The Public Safety Network’s new Cellular Priority service means Police, Wellington ...
State Highway 1 through the Mangamuka Gorge has officially reopened today, providing a critical link for Northlanders and offering much-needed relief ahead of the busy summer period, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“The Mangamuka Gorge is a vital route for Northland, carrying around 1,300 vehicles per day and connecting the Far ...
The Government has welcomed decisions by the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) and Ashburton District Council confirming funding to boost resilience in the Canterbury region, with construction on a second Ashburton Bridge expected to begin in 2026, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Delivering a second Ashburton Bridge to improve resilience and ...
The Government is backing the response into high pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Otago, Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says. “Cabinet has approved new funding of $20 million to enable MPI to meet unbudgeted ongoing expenses associated with the H7N6 response including rigorous scientific testing of samples at the enhanced PC3 ...
Legislation that will repeal all advertising restrictions for broadcasters on Sundays and public holidays has passed through first reading in Parliament today, Media Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “As a growing share of audiences get their news and entertainment from streaming services, these restrictions have become increasingly redundant. New Zealand on ...
Today the House agreed to Brendan Horsley being appointed Inspector-General of Defence, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “Mr Horsley’s experience will be invaluable in overseeing the establishment of the new office and its support networks. “He is currently Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security, having held that role since June 2020. ...
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government has agreed to the final regulations for the levy on insurance contracts that will fund Fire and Emergency New Zealand from July 2026. “Earlier this year the Government agreed to a 2.2 percent increase to the rate of levy. Fire ...
The Government is delivering regulatory relief for New Zealand businesses through changes to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act. “The Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Amendment Bill, which was introduced today, is the second Bill – the other being the Statutes Amendment Bill - that ...
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed further progress on the Hawke’s Bay Expressway Road of National Significance (RoNS), with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) Board approving funding for the detailed design of Stage 1, paving the way for main works construction to begin in late 2025.“The Government is moving at ...
The Government today released a request for information (RFI) to seeking interest in partnerships to plant trees on Crown-owned land with low farming and conservation value (excluding National Parks) Forestry Minister Todd McClay announced. “Planting trees on Crown-owned land will drive economic growth by creating more forestry jobs in our regions, providing more wood ...
Court timeliness, access to justice, and improving the quality of existing regulation are the focus of a series of law changes introduced to Parliament today by Associate Minister of Justice Nicole McKee. The three Bills in the Regulatory Systems (Justice) Amendment Bill package each improve a different part of the ...
A total of 41 appointments and reappointments have been made to the 12 community trusts around New Zealand that serve their regions, Associate Finance Minister Shane Jones says. “These trusts, and the communities they serve from the Far North to the deep south, will benefit from the rich experience, knowledge, ...
The Government has confirmed how it will provide redress to survivors who were tortured at the Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital Child and Adolescent Unit (the Lake Alice Unit). “The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care found that many of the 362 children who went through the Lake Alice Unit between 1972 and ...
It has been a busy, productive year in the House as the coalition Government works hard to get New Zealand back on track, Leader of the House Chris Bishop says. “This Government promised to rebuild the economy, restore law and order and reduce the cost of living. Our record this ...
“Accelerated silicosis is an emerging occupational disease caused by unsafe work such as engineered stone benchtops. I am running a standalone consultation on engineered stone to understand what the industry is currently doing to manage the risks, and whether further regulatory intervention is needed,” says Workplace Relations and Safety Minister ...
Mehemea he pai mō te tangata, mahia – if it’s good for the people, get on with it. Enhanced reporting on the public sector’s delivery of Treaty settlement commitments will help improve outcomes for Māori and all New Zealanders, Māori Crown Relations Minister Tama Potaka says. Compiled together for the ...
Mr Roger Holmes Miller and Ms Tarita Hutchinson have been appointed to the Charities Registration Board, Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Louise Upston says. “I would like to welcome the new members joining the Charities Registration Board. “The appointment of Ms Hutchinson and Mr Miller will strengthen the Board’s capacity ...
More building consent and code compliance applications are being processed within the statutory timeframe since the Government required councils to submit quarterly data, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “In the midst of a housing shortage we need to look at every step of the build process for efficiencies ...
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey is proud to announce the first three recipients of the Government’s $10 million Mental Health and Addiction Community Sector Innovation Fund which will enable more Kiwis faster access to mental health and addiction support. “This fund is part of the Government’s commitment to investing in ...
New Zealand is providing Vanuatu assistance following yesterday's devastating earthquake, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. "Vanuatu is a member of our Pacific family and we are supporting it in this time of acute need," Mr Peters says. "Our thoughts are with the people of Vanuatu, and we will be ...
The Government welcomes the Commerce Commission’s plan to reduce card fees for Kiwis by an estimated $260 million a year, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says.“The Government is relentlessly focused on reducing the cost of living, so Kiwis can keep more of their hard-earned income and live a ...
Regulation Minister David Seymour has welcomed the Early Childhood Education (ECE) regulatory review report, the first major report from the Ministry for Regulation. The report makes 15 recommendations to modernise and simplify regulations across ECE so services can get on with what they do best – providing safe, high-quality care ...
The Government‘s Offshore Renewable Energy Bill to create a new regulatory regime that will enable firms to construct offshore wind generation has passed its first reading in Parliament, Energy Minister Simeon Brown says.“New Zealand currently does not have a regulatory regime for offshore renewable energy as the previous government failed ...
Legislation to enable new water service delivery models that will drive critical investment in infrastructure has passed its first reading in Parliament, marking a significant step towards the delivery of Local Water Done Well, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown and Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly say.“Councils and voters ...
New Zealand is one step closer to reaping the benefits of gene technology with the passing of the first reading of the Gene Technology Bill, Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins says. "This legislation will end New Zealand's near 30-year ban on gene technology outside the lab and is ...
Cosmic CatastropheThe year draws to a close.King Luxon has grown tired of the long eveningsListening to the dreary squabbling of his Triumvirate.He strolls up to the top floor of the PalaceTo consult with his Astronomer Royal.The Royal Telescope scans the skies,And King Luxon stares up into the heavensFrom the terrestrial ...
Spinoff editor Mad Chapman and books editor Claire Mabey debate Carl Shuker’s new novel about… an editor. Claire: Hello Mad, you just finished The Royal Free – overall impressions? Mad: Hi Claire, I literally just put the book down and I would have to say my immediate impression is ...
Christmas and its buildup are often lonely, hard and full of unreasonable expectations. Here’s how to make it to Jesus’s birthday and find the little bit of joy we all deserve. Have you found this year relentless? Has the latest Apple update “fucked up your life”? Have you lost two ...
Despite overwhelming public and corporate support, the government has stalled progress on a modern day slavery law. That puts us behind other countries – and makes Christmas a time of tragedy rather than joy, argues Shanti Mathias. Picture the scene on Christmas Day. Everyone replete with nice things to eat, ...
Asia Pacific Report “It looks like Hiroshima. It looks like Germany at the end of World War Two,” says an Israeli-American historian and professor of holocaust and genocide studies at Brown University about the horrifying reality of Gaza. Professor Omer Bartov, has described Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza as an ...
The New Zealand government coalition is tweaking university regulations to curb what it says is an increasingly “risk-averse approach” to free speech. The proposed changes will set clear expectations on how universities should approach freedom of speech issues. Each university will then have to adopt a “freedom of speech statement” ...
Report by Dr David Robie – Café Pacific. – COMMENTARY: By Caitlin Johnstone New York prosecutors have charged Luigi Mangione with “murder as an act of terrorism” in his alleged shooting of health insurance CEO Brian Thompson earlier this month. This news comes out at the same time as ...
Pacific Media Watch The union for Australian journalists has welcomed the delivery by the federal government of more than $150 million to support the sustainability of public interest journalism over the next four years. Combined with the announcement of the revamped News Bargaining Initiative, this could result in up to ...
MONDAY“Merry Xmas, and praise the Lord,” said Sheriff Luxon, and smiled for the camera. There was a flash of smoke when the shutter pressed down on the magnesium powder. The sheriff had arranged for a photographer from the Dodge Gazette to attend a ceremony where he handed out food parcels to ...
It’s a little under two months since the White Ferns shocked the cricketing world, deservedly taking home the T20 World Cup. Since then the trophy has had a tour around the country, five of the squad have played in the WBBL in Australia while most others have returned to domestic ...
Comment: If we say the word ‘dementia’, many will picture an older person struggling to remember the names of their loved ones, maybe a grandparent living out their final years in an aged care facility. Dementia can also occur in people younger than 65, but it can take time before ...
Piracy is a reality of modern life – but copyright law has struggled to play catch-up for as long as the entertainment industry has existed. As far back as 1988, the House of Lords criticised copyright law’s conflict with the reality of human behaviour in the context of burning cassette ...
As he makes a surprise return to Shortland Street, actor Craig Parker takes us through his life in television. Craig Parker has been a fixture on television in Aotearoa for nearly four decades. He had starring roles in iconic local series like Gloss, Mercy Peak and Diplomatic Immunity, featured in ...
The Ōtautahi musician shares the 10 tracks he loves to spin, including the folk classic that cured him of a ‘case of the give-ups’. When singer-songwriter Adam McGrath returns to Kumeu’s Auckland Folk Festival from January 24-27, he’s not planning on simply idling his way through – he wants the late ...
Alex Casey spends an afternoon on the job with River, the rescue dog on a mission to spread joy to Ōtautahi rest homes.Almost everyone says it is never enough time. But River the rescue dog, a jet black huntaway border collie cross, has to keep a tight pace to ...
Asia Pacific Report Fiji activists have recreated the nativity scene at a solidarity for Palestine gathering in Fiji’s capital Suva just days before Christmas. The Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre and Fijians for Palestine Solidarity Network recreated the scene at the FWCC compound — a baby Jesus figurine lies amidst the ...
By 1News Pacific correspondent Barbara Dreaver and 1News reporters A number of Kiwis have been successfully evacuated from Vanuatu after a devastating earthquake shook the Pacific island nation earlier this week. The death toll was still unclear, though at least 14 people were killed according to an earlier statement from ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Richard Scully, Professor in Modern History, University of New England Bunker.Image courtesy of Michael Leunig, CC BY-NC-SA Michael Leunig – who died in the early hours of Thursday December 19, surrounded by “his children, loved ones, and sunflowers” – was the ...
The House - On Parliament's last day of the year, there was the rare occurrence of a personal (conscience) vote on selling booze over the Easter weekend. While it didn't have the numbers to pass, it was a chance to get a rare glimpse of the fact ...
A new poem by Holly Fletcher. bejeweled log i was dreaming about wasps / wee darlings that followed me / ducking under objects / that i was fated to pickup / my fingers seeking / and meeting with tiny proboscis’s / but instead / i wake up / roll sideways ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Flora Hui, Research Fellow, Centre for Eye Research Australia and Honorary Fellow, Department of Surgery (Ophthalmology), The University of Melbourne Versta/Shutterstock Australians are exposed to some of the highest levels of solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation in the world. While we ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Terry, Professor of Business Regulation, University of Sydney Michael von Aichberger/Shutterstock Even if you’ve no idea how the business model underpinning franchises works, there’s a good chance you’ve spent money at one. Franchising is essentially a strategy for cloning ...
If something big is going to happen in Ferndale, it’s going to happen at Christmas. This is an excerpt from our weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. If there’s one episode of Shortland Street you should watch each year, it’s the annual Christmas cliffhanger. The final episode of ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By William A. Stoltz, Lecturer and expert Associate, National Security College, Australian National University US President-elect Donald Trump has named most of the members of his proposed cabinet. However, he’s yet to reveal key appointees to America’s powerful cyber warfare and intelligence institutions. ...
Announcing the top 10 books of the the year at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 Intermezzo by Sally Rooney (Faber & Faber, $37) The phenomenal Irish writer is the unsurprising chart topper for 2024 with her fourth novel that, much like her first ...
The government has confirmed its plan to break up Te Pūkenga / New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology and re-establish independent polytechnics. ...
Johnm – Dem Bendell has it right. There are some aspects he doesn't explore, but all up, he's completely on the button. I especially like his discussion around mental health, the support that needs to be established, including the links to connect anyone coming into the space he's occupying. I can see why you post first and foremost and I can see why so few comment on it.
another Hisco 'duck'..
Alerted 5 years ago.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/opinion-analysis/113803254/did-fear-of-reprisal-stop-anz-acting-on-whistleblower-tip
Not funny is it that the little people get pinged for minor errors while the "Big People" get away with hundreds of thousands scot free. Still I'd rather not be one of the "Big People."
ANZ were part of the $2.2 Billion dollar bank robbery …. a much under-reported event involving the big Aussie owned banks stiffing New Zealand for billions.
ANZ had to fork out over $400 million that they owed … but like the other banks no staff were punished or arrested ,,,,, for their attempted fraud / creative accounting / false pretenses
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10602014
And of course ANZ were part of the enablers for hundreds of millions of stolen money to flow into the crooks bank accounts in Malaysias 1MDB Billion dollar frauds ……. no whistles blown
http://www.sarawakreport.org/2016/09/was-it-some-bankers-their-banks-or-the-regulators-who-let-malaysia-down/
http://www.sarawakreport.org/2016/02/malaysia-should-sue-goldman-sachs-and-all-complicit-banks/
And the board was summoned to Orr's office on Friday. Bet it wasn't for drinks.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12244094
How did your MP Vote on the End of Life Bill? We could applaud or condemn your MP according to your belief.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12244261
Amazed but pleased that Stuart Smith voted Yes. Running an eye down the No list many are not surprising given their images.
Some MPs will have voted to take the Bill to the next stage because they believe it is worth the process continuing; not because they will ultimately vote for it at the final reading.
Others voted No for this particular Bill even though they would support a better-crafted one on the same matter.
"Others voted No for this particular Bill even though they would support a better-crafted one on the same matter".
Frankly that sort of claim by a member sounds like b*s to me. They just don't want to have to make a commitment to anything. They are trying to pretend that they are open minded about it when they are simply opposed.
If they really think that they should vote yes here, try and make the bill better during the second reading debate and then, if they still think it isn't adequate vote "no" when it comes to the third reading.
Do you have any names for the ones you mean, and I only mean those who are actually on record with the comment about the bill?.
How is this for an exercise in total futility:
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has met with her Labour caucus this morning to discuss today's Cabinet reshuffle – and beleaguered Housing Minister Phil Twyford was nowhere to be seen.
A spokesman for Twyford said he was at a speaking engagement at the Planning Institute in Auckland but he would be back later before the reshuffle.
The Prime Minister's office confirmed Ardern would be making the announcement at 3:15 this afternoon.
Twyford was not the only minister absent from the meeting.
Neither was Grant Robertson, Damien O'Conner, Kelvin Davis, Carmel Sepuloni and other Labour MPs.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12244332
and beleaguered Housing Minister Phil Twyford was nowhere to be seen.
IF Phil Twyford only got half a tin shed built, it would be, if i'm not mistaken, streets ahead of the previous govt. period approach which included among other things, a treasury loan to English & Smith for their own private company to buy up state houses.
Last election: National's going to win, National won, it's a betrayal, it's not fair, National didn't win (i/e National lost), the new Govt. can't do anything right…
Well you got part of your comment correct.
Think of all the energy you could have saved if you had simply reported the simple fact – "the new Govt. can't do anything right".
Alwyn! I thought you pretended to be unbiased!
"pretended to be unbiased"
But of course I am unbiased. I speak only truth unto power. You're not going to try and tell me that Twyford is anything other than the most incompetent Labour Cabinet Minister we have are you? Do you really think Prime Minister's like English, Key, Clark, Shipley or Bolger would have put up with him?
Smile. I am sure that you yourself would unearth far more incompetent Labour Cabinet Ministers if it suited you to do so. (Do I remember comments about Clare Curran?)
By the way, 'Prime Ministers' in your reply should NOT have had an apostrophe. Up your grammar.
What about the ultimately incompetent National Cabinet man who pretended to find an $11 million hole in the Labour budget? Still going on that one?
Nice one
Given that "most incompetent Labour minister" Phil Twyford has performed way better in this role than long-time Nat cabinet/shadow cabinet member Nick Smith managed, what does that say about the relative strengths of Labour and National's front benches?
Curran is not, of course, a Cabinet Minister. She realised, unlike current incumbents Twyford, Clark, Shaw, Genter, Jones and Lees-Galloway that the job was vastly in excess of their capabilities. That is not, of course an exhaustive list.
A pity that a number of the others don't come to such a clear view of their failings and would quit too.
Joyce was correct about the hole. Why do you think that the current lot of clowns are so desperate for new taxes? As he said, they had promised to spend everything and clearly had no idea of the extras they would have to pay for. Thus we have an excellent idea of buying up all the automatic weapons but are now totally unwilling to pay for them. Bloody idiots. All they will accomplish with their penny pinching attitude is to ensure that the rifles will end up being owned by the gangs.
" I speak only truth unto power." That is a very powerful statement, which is demeaned by being used in a context where one is involved in a debate with one's equals, not as it should be in a situation where a person of unequal power takes a risk in speaking the truth and being critical of the more powerful status quo, such as governments.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speaking_truth_to_power
I do hope you speak truth to power, Advocating for the disadvantaged is a fine and courageous thing.
Yeah, I don't think alwyn knows what the phrase means, despite his education at the top university in the world.
I know very well what it means. I also understand what a vile group a lot of our politicians are members of and how they see nothing wrong with destroying other people's lives. They can, of course do it under the cover of Parliamentary Privilege.
Look at that miserable specimen Mallard accusing a Parliamentary employee of "rape" when no such thing occurred. Not a hint of an apology from that disgraceful specimen of the political classes.
It's a bit of a redundant question in Key's case, since attempting to fix the housing crisis is something he never would have assigned to a minister.
But he did. Much to late but they did start. Why do you think that houses were being built that a desperate Twyford claimed as being part of his "KiwiBuild" b*s?
Housing is a huge task. No matter what you call it, it is a huge task. I hope Phil Twyford stays on to finish the project. Given that he has been hammered by MPs and the Media in spite of the huge strides made, that is further proof for him to continue.
We'll know in about 30 minutes. 🙂
I suspect there will be some minor changes to his responsibilities – maybe a couple of small chunks passed on to associate ministers. Part of the problem is Twyford's current responsibilities are just too onerous. He has two of the most complex portfolios currently in existence.
Just a stir-up by the Herald, Anne.
Re the list of Ministers, MPs absent from this morning's Caucus meeting, most of the ones you mention were also absent from last night's Second Reading of Seymour's End of Life Bill but voted by Proxy.*
This is not a full list but the following voted by proxy meaning they were not in the Parliamentary Precinct : Ardern, Davis, Twyford, Clark, D O'Connor, Sepuloni, Curran, Eagle, Mahuta, Peters, Logie, Genter, Chahraman, Macroft plus various Nats.
Robertson did not vote by proxy, so presumably around if not in the House itself.
*I am in the middle of putting together a list by party of those who voted for and against the Bill proceeding to Committee stages etc. A draft of the full list by name only is already up on the Parliament website but not by Party, being (supposedly**) a Conscience vote. Will probably post it here in the next few days when I have some time, for anyone interested.
** All Green and all NZF members voted Aye. The breakdown of Nats and Labour members Ayes/Noes is quite interesting, but cannot be taken necessarily as who will vote Aye in the end. From all accounts, many Ayes were to allow the Bill to proceed to the more detailed Committee stages, with continued support on the part of quite a few MPs dependent on considerable change to the actual wording and provisions of the Bill being agreed in the Committee stages.
Any chance someone can rule if posting videos with no contributor comment given is out of order?
Perhaps you could just scroll past?
Perhaps on a discussion board we can be told by the poster what it is we're meant to be discussing.
True, that is annoying.
It must be individual habit because I don't watch video clips – I have zero curiosity about them and so find them easy to ignore.
Not so when let's say, The Chairman, puts up a link and asked for "thoughts".
Now that triggers me. 😆
I always skip the music videos and the ones like above, which have no comment, opinion or debate points included with them. It's just wankery, drop and go rubbish. I don't think it adds anything.
As for the chairnat, I think Solkta and Mars did us all a favour the other night. Even if only temporary, a rest is as good as a holiday.
I didn't skip the music video of Laurie Anderson the other day. Those who thought it "wankery, drop and go rubbish not adding anything" missed a treat in my opinion.
Each to their own.
We cannot click on every link or clip to find the proverbial needle in a haystack or expect to find some ‘nugget’ @ 12’38’’ into the clip or somewhere embedded deep in a document. It still won’t tell me why the commenter posted it in the first place. I think it is lazy and inconsiderate and takes up space but I can live with it – I simply scroll past and don’t click as there’s too much clickbait around as it is. However, others do find it very annoying. Therefore, a brief comment is all that’s needed to satisfy most here.
"wankery, drop and go rubbish' refers to videos without comment, which has been addressed.
As for music vids, I don't watch them, mainly because I happen to think most people post shit, but even the good songs I won't play because I'm on the standard and not youinstafacegrambooktube.
And o superman – Had it on 12" import back in 1981. Fortunately it wasn't any longer than the 8.21 7"
Laurie Anderson's "O Superman" is a sharp commentary.
you used to put links to your own music – should do it again imo
any music video I put up is worth watching imo thus The Little River Band today are exceptional and a window into a time that literally is a lifetime ago.
I did, usually with a story attached as to why and what the track was about, but nah, people can look at my website and decide to click the soundcloud player or not.
I don't mind the music vids really, though I do just skip 'em.
I'm more likely to play a music vid than a 40 minute video that someone reckons will explain why I should be outraged/aghast/terrified of deepstate/chemtrails/corporations.
Or an RT link held up as impartial journalism, that never once airs dissenting views on Putin or Russia.
lol and links from all sources with the obligatory commentary "this is an insightful and wise journalist speaking truth to power" (meaning I agree with them) or "a shameless propagandist tells lies for cash" (I disagree with them).
Heh. All the classics.
Viewing the first 5minutes of a vid will inform about the subject.But maybe a small posting as to subject and content would be good.
[I agree that a video without any excerpt or reason to click on it could be viewed [pardon the pun] as SPAM unless it is obvious and self-evident. From now on, please provide a brief reason as to why you think people should watch it and/or why it is relevant to the topic of a thread, if any. Please be aware what might be obvious or self-evident to you might not be so to another person. This kind of behaviour has led to long-term bans of infamous recidivists – Incognito]
Shouldn't have to watch a video to find out what's up for discussion and why, and while a subject and content should be also be a given, video posts should at least have a for or against argument so it's clear where the poster is coming from.
Perhaps a note to explain subject matter but see no need to predetermine more than that….there is no requirement for discussion nor applying a personal take of the content.
The opportunity is there for discussion/debate should anyone so wish
Links that direct to large amounts of text or someone else's words will be banned next I spose….
Yeah, nah. I’m thinking of random bans for random reasons but especially when it is about how poorly moderated this site is and who or what should (or should not) be banned.
See my Moderation note @ 10:34 AM.
Some videos seem to go for hours without making an explicit point….
Mueller will be appearing in public judiciary and intelligence committee hearings.
Dotard loses his shit.
https://twitter.com/atrupar/status/1143867664047190017
wow he lost it
From the Greymouth Star, great to see West Coast-Tasman MP Damien O'Connor slamming Westland Milk Products over the proposed sale to Chinese-owned Yili, but also says shareholders needed to share the blame because they had failed to scrutinise management and directors in recent years.
On RNZ yesterday Mr O'Connor said he could not intervene as Agriculture Minister, but as the electorate MP and with a family shareholding in Westland Milk, he outlined his many concerns over the sale..
When the West Coast-owned co-operative decided in 2001 to go it alone, rejecting an offer to merge with Fonterra, it had $100million in the bank.
''Something has gone wrong seriously and they now have huge debt,'' Mr O'Connor said.
Farmers had been treated as ''mushrooms'' and had now been presented with just one option, when he believed there had been up to 12 offers from New Zealand and overseas.
Mr O'Connor said he did not think farmers had enough information to make an informed decision.
Confidential information packs were delivered to shareholders some weeks ago, for a vote due on July 4.
Co-operatives could fail if the shareholders did not take an active interest in what their directors and management were doing.
''I think they sit back and take for granted the decisions that are made. They're not always scrutinised in the way they would be if it was a publicly-listed company. I don't believe it's the structure [at fault], it's the individuals involved.''
The Westland Co-operative Dairy Company (trading as Westland Milk Products) had been built up by previous generations, but farmers now risked losing ownership and control.
The 10-year supply guarantee offered by Yili came with a number of qualifications that farmers should be aware of, he said. Once they had sold, farmers would not get the profits from the value added. The only way to get more money would be to do more, and produce more milk.
Selling parts of the company may have been an option for farmers but that was not put to them.
''That's why I think the process has been seriously flawed.''
To me the stupidity of these West Coast farmers to long-term gut their own communities is beyond belief.
Can you please supply us a link when you quote like that.
The Grey Star is paywalled 🙁
http://www.greystar.co.nz/news/lead/oconnor-says-westland-farmers-need-to-share-blame/
Interestingly enough judith has been spent A LOT of time down the coast over the last year according to maureen pughs twitter
There's fresh water down there and Judith owns land.
The world has really turned upside down, white is black, up is down..it turns out that now the most stringent and vocal push back in the US MSM to US foreign interventions is not coming from US liberal media but from Tucker Carlson on Fox of all places, he did the same push back over Venezuela ..
Here he is calling John Bolton a political tape worm, and calling out the neocons hard…
Careful, Adrian, you're in for a bollocking from our friend Andre and likeminded people lurking on this blog. The fact that Carlson is one of the few people in the U.S. media with the courage to speak forthrightly on this issue doesn't matter a jot; he works for Fox, which automatically renders what he says worthless.
Right wingers do this to sow insecurity – to get people confused, get their enemies fighting each other – they are not sincere. They are not truth tellers. They are just working to their own agenda – the techniques are in Hollowmen, we see it all the time with hooton pretending to attack the right – I hope you think about that a bit adrian.
Firstly Hooten gave the best and most sincere eulogy for Helen Kelly, so even though he is on the wrong side, I will always give him credit for that.
Secondly, stop with the condescending please.."I hope you think about that a bit adrian" I am under no illusions as to the primary motivations of the right..or the shit establishment liberal class in the US for that matter.
Thirdly, give me a link in US liberal media where the main host is so consistently anti interventionist in such a forth right way as Tucker Carlson (who I am well aware is shit on most other important subjects).
you are being played by them imo – but whatever I don't really care
"you are being played by them imo" that's good coming from the guy who gets played by pretty much every Guardian head line..since forever…I hope you think about that a bit matry.
lol thanks
have a laugh
Sorry to disabuse you of an obviously long nurtured belief, Mr Mars, but the moon landing actually did happen. The Americans landed on it almost exactly fifty years ago, and, no, it wasn't a hoax by those evil, calculating, dastardly masterminds of the world, the Russians—despite what Luke Harding might have told you in the Grauniad.
Hooten gave the best and most sincere eulogy for Helen Kelly, so even though he is on the wrong side, I will always give him credit for that.
Take care, mon ami, not to give credit where it is unwarranted. Hooton is a notorious dissembler. I suspect his eulogy for Ms. Kelly was about as "sincere" as his eulogy for Nelson Mandela, who the jackass compared to those monsters Thatcher and Reagan. Hooton's disgusting performance after Madiba's death, and his manipulation of the luvvies on Russell Brown's site, was admirably satirized by my confrère and former student Morrissey Breen….
https://morrisseybreen.blogspot.com/2018/12/mr-browns-boys-part-2-of-3-dec-31-2013.html
my confrère
Is that French for "the hand operating a sock puppet?"
Basta così!
Shameless, and recycling the same garbage every six months or so.
Oh yes, my dear: you had a bit part in that little farce, didn't you….
You obviously don’t speak Italian. Enough of the silly buggers.
Apologies – I left the comment without seeing your request below to leave it to the moderators.
Oh, I think the Professor understands Italian, Mr. Cognito. He worked for a time in an elite girls' finishing school in Switzerland. He was required to resign in a hurry; the circumstances are still somewhat murky many years after the affair.
Please don’t be a smart alec. Feel free to pass on the hint to you know whom since you seem to be at liberty to speak on his behalf. I’m sure the two of you have regular chitchats.
@Professor Longhair, I take your point as far as far as Hooton goes, but the thing about Hooton that I like is at least you know exactly what he believes and he doesn't try to hide his ideology or pretend he advocating for some thing else, and it was exactly those same qualities that he said he admired about Kelly, he also said Labour lost it's most potent potential leader when she died…on both accounts I couldn't agree with him more (one of the very few time I could say that).
I have read that Morrissey blog post before..so don't worry, I well know who Hooton, and it isn't nice.
…. they are not sincere. They are not truth tellers.
Contrary to your blanket assertion, this particular right winger—Tucker Carlson— is, in fact, telling the truth about this matter.
They are just working to their own agenda – the techniques are in Hollowmen….
How does Tucker Carlson speaking truthfully about U.S. aggression against Iran and Venezuela have the slightest connection to the National Party's campaign of character assassination being run out of the Prime Minister's office? Is it those all powerful, all knowing, all controlling Russian masterminds again? I think we should be told.
we see it all the time with hooton pretending to attack the right
I've witnessed the jackass Hooton in action many times, and he is no more or less than exactly that: a jackass. He is no Tucker Carlson.
sure morrie he's a real great guy – ffs what next – quoting maggie the hackther or something – use your fucken brain
sure morrie
???? The name's James, actually.
he's a real great guy – ffs what next – quoting maggie the hackther or something – use your fucken brain
Never said I liked him. Just said he was telling the truth.
morrie james – stirred obviously
Nobody is trying to get around bans or moderator warnings so please leave this to the moderators.
And he called the bullshit on Assange being removed from the Ecuadorean embassy.
The world has become a very strange place.
The report on the National Party unauthorised access (hacking) of Treasury has been released. No one will be forced to resign.
It's just another example of Simon and National wasting everyone's time and taxpayers money.
We need a better opposition than these clowns.
Note that the Report quotes the complaints made by Paula Bennett were found to be inaccurate and unfounded. She tried so hard to make a case but it was built on sand. So what a waste.
What were the actual complaints made by Paula Bennett that were found to be inaccurate and unfounded?
What did the report state about Jacinda knowing? Or did it not cover that?
"What did the report state about Jacinda knowing? Or did it not cover that?"
Anyone else think that these are odd questions from 'someone' professing to be "more left than most" who comment here?
There is nothing odd holding one's on side to account.
If that was Key sitting on a lie would we not be holding him to account?
I'd suggest failing to hold one's side to account is partly to blame for Labour's failure to deliver.
We know you would suggest that. Because you're a tory.
The same largely applies to the right, not that I am a "tory". One doesn't encourage their party to up their game by remaining silent. Or worse, by down playing and defending their crap.
Labour fear bad PR, thus if the left want more out of Labour, we are going to have to make some noise. For example, if teachers didn't get out on the streets (creating bad PR for the Government) it would have been the same old there is no more money line.
Teachers improved their wellbeing by getting together, getting out there and making a noise.
Thanks for your concern, toryboy.
Paul Goldsmith's questions in Parliament are more pathetic than Amy Adams.
Phil Twyford avoids having to explain for the next few years why he hasn't resigned as Minister of Housing…
Giving up on election2020, are you?
Only a really, really incompetent government does not get a second term.
lol
The re-shuffle looks gutless by Ardern. Good luck to Megan Woods though…what a hospital pass.
Dear Morrisey and Professor Longhair,
Every so often I feel the need for self-flagellation because I'm not a Kethluk and this is the most convenient venue for my confession. Is this normal behaviour?
Currently I'm listening to today's episode of "The Panel". One of the rent-a-voices is particularly nauseating, and another I almost need a neo-liberal translator. I'll persevere in the hope I go to Heaven.
Your advice would be much appreciated because I fear I may be going deaf.
Actually, I take it all back. I’m thinking masturbation is far easier and less painful
(I'd prefer to go blind than deaf)
One of the guests was Michael Moynahan, who has made a career out of being pleasantly inane. I presume he was the one you found to be nauseating. But, as nauseating as he may have been today, he would have had to be extremely nauseating to match his contribution back in October 2016, when Jim Mora was the host….
https://morrisseybreen.blogspot.com/2018/01/chatting-about-death-squads-oct-5-20q6.html
Thanx for that Mr B. As the pain was kicking in, all I started hearing was "Ahurrr hurr hurrrr rewwwbarb rewbarb rewbarb hurr hurr" interspesed with a Wallace lisp, a fair few I I I's, my my my's and me me me's then a lot of neo-liberal speak in a female voice – (the "so's", the "ultimately's", the "in this space" and "going forward's").
I 'spose it's what happens when our last bastion of public service broadcasting is headed by someone going through their mid-life crisis with a commercial background and desperate to remain down with the kuds.
At least we have and "old school" Jesse and a Mora to keep it all together.
I know you're in Orkers somehwere, but since I've decided wankery and Portnoy worship is better than flagellation, do you know if there's somewhere in Wellington I might avail myself of a circle jerk? OR should I just mow the lawns or watch paint dry during weekday afternoons?
I think Wallace Chapman is far superior to, and just a nicer human being than, Jim Mora. However, he has failed dreadfully on a few occasions.
https://morrisseybreen.blogspot.com/2019/01/good-on-you-for-cutting-him-off-wallace.html
https://morrisseybreen.blogspot.com/2019/01/daytime-tv-review-three-wise-men.html
Kia ora Newshub.
Its cool that the secondary school teacher have settled .
Another plane missing?
I think it's stupid that person who put synthetic drugs in Honey it could have caused major impact on people health.
The Heat wave in France and Europe hope not to many people are being badly effected by this Phenomenon that is caused by Human Caused Global warming.
The gangster get trained in Australia and deported to Aotearoa that is another underarm bowl from Australia to Aotearoa.
Ka kite ano.
Kia ora te ao Maori news.
Ka pai North Land healthcare is getting 50 million extra injection of money into the region it is needed.
Te Whanau Apanui is getting $30 million as part of their treaty settlement awesome now they can set a great maunga for their mokopuna kia kaha.
Gambling is a major problem for Maori Pacific and Asian I say that the one arm bandits should be banned too our history books.
The First Nation from Canada is showing appreciation for how strong Maori Culture is in Aotearoa. Kia kaha to The First Nation of Canada Eco Maori Knowns that they have life is harder for them.
Nagti Porou te reo is a te reo that needs to be protected and taught to all our tamariki in Te Taiwhiti.
Peter congratulations on yours win for your kai mahi that you infuse Maori kai in your cooking.
Ka kite ano
Kia kaha to the youth climate change champion Stars the oldest generation will listen to their mokopuna.
Meet generation Greta: young climate activists around the world
They’re too young to vote, but schoolchildren across the globe are taking matters into their own hands
In May, for the second time this year, more than 1.5 million young people in more than 125 countries walked out of schools, colleges and universities in the biggest day of global climate action ever. Young people have protested en masse before – millions marched against the Iraq war in 2003 – but this child-led uprising is happening with unprecedented momentum on a global scale Ka kite ano.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jun/28/generation-greta-young-climate-activists-around-world
Kia ora Newshub.
That Geyser in Rotorua is getting quite large let's hope it doesn't do to much damage to people property.
MSD Our new has been inproving its service to the public .
The kites that the tamariki were flying to celebrate Matariki are cool .
The America Democratic debate looks quite good.
Ka kite ano
Kia ora te ao Maori news.
Pirpi its Awesome that the intrest in Matariki is growing that is good for tangata whenua O Aotearoa cultural and Mana.
South Auckland health food is a great way to Show people what food i good for you. They served a lot of Organically grown food to.
International skills competition looks cool
We should be grateful for the tangata who started the Kuakaupapa and Kohanga school's they came along just in time to keep tangata whenua O Aotearoa cultural and Haka Pumping thanks to all who were involved in this Phenomenon.
Ka kite ano
Sneaky cut to super, for a retiree whose spouse is too old to get a job, but too young to retire.
https://www.msd.govt.nz/documents/about-msd-and-our-work/newsroom/factsheets/budget/factsheet-super-and-vp-modernisation-2019.pdf
Hardly an addition to "wellbeing".
Couples are taxed on individual income, which makes for an large variation on how households are taxed on the same income, disadvantaging women, usually, who have to stay at home for disabled children or other relatives. One of the few things they could access was the non qualifying spouse share in super, if their older partner retired.
And. They are using this to fund an effective increase for those who already get overseas pensions/super.
Again an inconsistent approach.
Kia ora Newshub.
Paddy we don't need rightneck idiot's in Aotearoa those people should be investigated by the SIS and I would not put it past simon to be part of their stupid ways.
Yes Winston some people are so gullible they believe the false news propaganda and con people to believe there bullshit.
Canterbury people playing in the AWA you have respect water driving in Rivers at night is stupid.
Cool single use plastic bags is being banned this is just the start we will eventually ban most plastics we use.
It's about time that someone started planning to push asteroid out of Papatuanuku path a huge Asteroid would devastate all life.
Ka kite ano.
Kia ora te ao Maori news.
Eugene it cool that single use plastic bags have been banned its about time.
Its cool that people are giving away food and clothing to the needed people in North land tangata whenua need help all common people need help. The Matariki supreme awards went to Whale Watching in Kai kora
Smear your mear campaign won to cool.
Paina Papa congratulations on yours win heaps of tamariki and mokopuna would have improved their te reo because of your show.
Ka kite ano