Is there method to his madness?
By provoking Mexico over the wall, will Trump’s administration be looking for action by its southern neighbour that will provide an excuse for ripping up NAFTA?
We should not be allowing this Saudi businessman to export dairy cows to China.
As an animal rights issue alone, this should be prevented.
This is barbarism.
Secondly, we appear to be aligning ourselves with increasingly unsavoury traders and trading partners.
We are becoming a rather shabby little country.
Interesting article about housing by Liam Dann.
It would appear from reading it that.
a. the Australian banks have become jittery about the housing bubble
b. funding for building housing is very tight
When will the bubble burst?
Bill English will want an election before it does.
Was this the reason our Merrill Lynch trader ex PM resigned last year? Did his previous experience tell him to leave before the crash?
yes Paul there is a number of reasons he resigned what about the 2 large SHA agreements with the big Chinese consortium are they going to bring their own workers will they apply our laws and where will these workers live in Auckland how is immigration going to be managed and why aren’t we building them ourselves . And I don’t want to hear the same old lame excuses we don’t have enough builders as we have known this for 8 years not good enough.
Also the 7.5 million already given to the Clinton Foundation by uncle John disgusting and now Uncle Bill is giving them another top up of 5.5 million of our tax payers monies a total of 13 million this has to be stopped and the best solution is to get rid of these crooks and liars
Two and a half minutes to midnight. The closest it’s been since 1953. Is this what people meant when they said they wanted to return to the good old days?
I think the Cuban Missile Crisis had come and gone before the Bulletin’s board had a chance to convene. At that stage it was 7 minutes to midnight, but the steps taken by the superpowers in the aftermath to prevent it happening again lowered it to 12 minutes to midnight the following year.
In this article these 4 paragraphs stand out.
It is rare indeed to read an honest indictment of neoliberalism in the MSM.
The world is changing.
“They could be seen as evidence that we are in the degenerate terminal phase of a particular economic paradigm or doctrine – neoliberalism or market fundamentalism – which has prevailed since the mid-1980s.
There is a life cycle to these things. But just as the post-war model (which delivered faster and more inclusive economic growth than we have seen since) had by the late 1970s decayed into stagflation and over-regulation, the current regime is now delivering intolerable levels of inequality, poverty and financial insecurity.
It is patronising to dismiss the millions who voted Leave or Trump as the dupes of mendacious politicians who don’t know what is good for them, but will be set straight by the bitter disappointment ahead.
Rather, they should be seen as evidence that for too many people the status quo is not a rising tide that lifts all boats, but an ebb tide leaving them and their communities stranded.”
Paul, thanks for posting this. You can always be relied on to find these gems, and I’ll take this opportunity to also thank you for posting links to some of the best documentaries I never knew existed.
But is the answer socialism or tweaking neo liberalism, I think the former and here is the quandry for the left and many here people don’t want to roll back to a failed 20th century experiment as the solution
Oh, it will happen. It’s just a question if we wake up and do the intelligent thing and get rid of them in a controlled manner or they destroy society again.
Strangely enough some of the best articles are to be found in the Business section. When it comes to lots of issues, tax housing etc, they are a lot more upfront and honest in their commentary.
Naomi Wolf wrote a book entitled The End of America in which she outlined 10 steps to fascism.
Looks like the US has managed all 10.
Will we continue to align ourselves with a nation so overtly fascist and imperialist?
TRump is exactly what the Republican Party is. They have removed Obama Care. They have abused Congress and the Senate. They refuse to reveal what Tax they do not pay. They do not give a fig for the Common man.
The National Party here is an exact if lazy Copy of the Republican Party USA. Self centered. Abusive towards citizens (ref : English and Key 2016 condemning Kiwis saying they are totally useless). They do not reveal their Tax payments or omissions. They blatantly deny there is a housing need. Ref the Deputy PM.
They do not give enough resources for Health. Or for Education (except to their own chosen Private Schools). They slag off Teachers.
They give Tax Havens to Immigrants and Wealthy foreign Avoiders.
They provide slum conditions for the poor and homeless throughout New Zealand.
They sell our Assets to their grubby mates.
Another view is that all of this irrelevent stuff is just distraction that media bite hook line and sinker, further empowering trumps agenda to remove media as an impartial fourth estate, similar outrage from loon protests, hollywood melt downs all pushing middle america closer to trump
further empowering trumps agenda to remove media as an impartial fourth estate
Do you really think these pricks need to be empowered?.
“The media should be embarrassed and humiliated and keep its mouth shut and just listen for awhile,” Steve Bannon said during a rare interview with The New York Times on Wednesday.
“I want you to quote this,” Bannon told the Times. “The media here is the opposition party. They don’t understand this country. They still do not understand why Donald Trump is the president of the United States.”
You need to question the mentality of a nation thats elected reagan/george w TWICE and now the donald.
You get the leader you deserve mostly, go back and watch johnston ross’s Americana docos from the 90’s and its not hard to see how easily led they are by knowing their key concerns….guns, religion, the fairytale known as ‘the american dream’ etc
For the Investor Plus Category you’ll need to keep your investment funds in an acceptable investment for three years. You’ll also have to spend at least 44 days in New Zealand each year in years two and three of your three-year investment period.
For the Investor Category you’ll need to keep your investment funds in an acceptable investment for four years. You will also have to spend at least 146 days each year in New Zealand in years two, three and four of your four-year investment period.
Investor visa requires $1.5mnzd Invested for 4 years in NZ [plus time lived per year in NZ plus some other requirements.
Investor plus visor requires $10mnzd Invested for 3 years – 44 days in NZ in each of the last 2 years of a 3 year investment period.
No additional requirements.
The 70% was from an article I read a couple of days ago.
That said, I don’t think that there should be an investor category. It’s skills we need and we’ve got all the money we need to do anything we want with our resources.
No, Iain Lees-Galloway is not barking up the wrong tree. Residency has different rules than citizenship and is decided in different departments. You can live in NZ all your life with only a residency status; you can even vote with only residency status.
According to Andrea Vance, twitter, Peter Thiel gained citizenship in 2006 under Labour.
All the abuse piled on National should now be piled on Labour.
“yea right”
In 2006 Thiel got residency under the investor category, as stated by Bill English yesterday. My understanding is that didn’t need ministerial approval, but is something decided by the relevant agencies.
Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) today revealed it approved Mr Thiel’s application on 30 June, 2011 – about five years after he bought a house in Auckland.
She amended her comment after initially calling me a liar. I have work to do, so am not religiously glued to the comments section like some of you are.
“Why single out the Cathedral for public support Nick – there are many other churches with EQ issues that don’t have the financial resources that the Diocese does. The Church of Christ in Rutherford Street needed to be demolished at their own cost.”
President Donald Trump has decided he will seek to pay for the wall on the US’s southern border by imposing a 20% tax on imports from Mexico and as part of a larger comprehensive tax reform plan, the White House said Thursday.
It wasn’t just Mexico he was talking about putting a 20% tax on their inport into America … also “other countries”.
We need to ditch America. If they don’t want to be a team player (or want to be an even worse team player than usual) we shouldn’t play their game. Let’s look elsewhere, I’m sure plenty of other countries are.
The AFSA (American Foreign Service Association) press release.
“Like the military, the career Foreign Service is an up-or-out system—those who fail to move up are forced out—and it relies on regular rotations (we typically move to a new job every 2-3 years) to perform a key mission—that is, developing a deep bench of experienced senior leaders year after year. Thus, both rotations to new positions and retirements after a fixed number of years of service are part of the DNA of the Foreign Service. Have no doubt that the next generation of leaders is eager to step up and serve, ensuring the continuity of this great institution.”
[,,,]
AFSA, the voice of the Foreign Service, is the professional association and labor union of the U.S. Foreign Service
You did see this sentence in the item you linked too, did you Cinny.
“Turnover is the rule, rather than the exception, among the top officials in the US government when the White House changes hands from one party to another, in this case from Democrat Barack Obama to Republican Donald Trump.”
Looking at the jobs they held I am rather surprised they call them a “team”. They would seem to be in quite dissimilar roles.
Can’t say I blame them though. Trump is a nutter in my opinion.
I think I did Alwyn, thankies. Have been watching house of cards, is fiction boarding on reality, but helpful in getting my head around their system, so many tiers and trust issues me thinks. Maybe their ‘team’ is their belief system rather than their roles?
I’ll give Agent Orange this however, he sure is doing what he said he would.
“he sure is doing what he said he would”.
I really wish you hadn’t been able to say that. I think I shall go to bed and stay there for the next four years. When I wake up we may have a new POTUS.
If I wake up of course.
Glenn Greenwald: Democrats Eager to Blame “Everybody
But Themselves” for Collapse of Their Party Democracy Now!, Jan. 6, 2017
As Director of National Intelligence James Clapper testifies at a Senate hearing on Russian cyberthreats ahead of a highly classified briefing today with President-elect Donald Trump, we speak with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Glenn Greenwald, who has faced an onslaught of criticism for questioning the premise of Russian hacking of the U.S. election.
“Because Democrats are so desperate to put the blame on everybody but themselves for the complete collapse of their party, they’re particularly furious at anybody who vocally challenges this narrative,” Greenwald says. “And since I’ve been one of the people most vocally doing so, the smear campaign has been like none that I have ever encountered. I have been accused of being a member of the alt-right, of being an admirer of Breitbart, of being supportive of Donald Trump, of helping him get elected and, of course, of being a Kremlin operative.”
Swing towards ugly Authoritarianism from the Trump Regime (possibly with quasi-Fascist tendencies / or possibly in a somewhat milder Berlusconi mould … we’re just going to have to wait and see)
… and a concomitant …
Swing towards a rigidly-enforced McCarthyite Group-Think (bordering at times on mass hysteria – complete with officially-ordained The Ruskies are com’in !!! Conspiracy Theory) from the Washington Consensus / New Cold War Democrat Establishment
The split on The Standard – such as it is – has been largely between those happy to immerse themselves in the second phenomena … vs … those of us who recoil at both.
The Green Party has questioned the financial viability of Auckland’s East West link highway, saying the Government’s own business case has costs outweighing benefits.
Construction of the East West Link started in September 2016, and it will be a four-lane highway connecting state highways 1 and 20 from Onehunga to Penrose.
But Green Party transport spokesperson Julie Anne Genter says a dramatic jump of $200-800 million in estimated cost at the beginning of 2016 casts doubts over the project’s legitimacy.
The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) produced a detailed business case for the East West Link on December 23, 2015, estimating total capital costs for the project at $1.05 billion.
One month later, January 27, 2016, the Government released a media statement announcing it was fast-tracking the project at a total estimated cost of $1.25 billion to $1.85 billion.
So, one month of inflation had the cost jump nearly 80%?
Well done to us on our number one ranking in the latest Transparency International list. However I don’t think it is a proper reflection of New Zealand. I have never thought us to be totally deserving of the rankings and that we are probably at the lower end of the top ten.
Will the Government come clean and tell us how Mr Thiel got that citizenship or are we going to have to use the O.I.A. to drag it out of the Minister?
The US system was designed to prevent democracy. The rich were fearful that the people would vote in restrictions that would prevent them from being rich and so they made sure that only the rich could run for office.
In fact, that could be said about all representative systems.
That said, go back even a few years and participatory democracy simply wouldn’t have been practical but, with modern communications and computing, it’s certainly getting that way now.
The man is an absolute nutcase. The international consequences of this are far reaching – the results may not be what the chump envisages.
They are not just economic – the US is to become another Australia in breaching International Human Rights and the treatment of asylum seekers.
That is like saying “Her husband served honorably at My Lai with Company C of the First Battalion.”
[TheStandard: A moderator moved this comment to Open Mike as being off topic or irrelevant in the post it was made in. Be more careful in future.]
[whatever the writer at the Huffington Post thought about Tirado’s husband doesn’t haven’t anything to do with the post Morrissey. Please don’t derail like this – weka]
[TheStandard: A moderator moved this comment to Open Mike as being off topic or irrelevant in the post it was made in. Be more careful in future.]
[I’ve already explained Morrissey. Whatever someone thinks about Linda Tirado’s husband has nothing to do with her words or my post. What’s not clear about that? Also, please don’t bring discussions about moderation back into the post they’ve been moved from. Use the comment that’s been moved if you need to talk about it – weka]
The United States: wreaking havoc internationally for at least 133 years
Trump is horrific, but the United States has been a nightmare to people from Africa to Central America, South America and Asia long before he and his grisly gang came to power.
For 126 years, the US and Belgium have played key roles in shaping Congo’s destiny. In April 1884, seven months before the Berlin Congress, the US became the first country in the world to recognise the claims of King Leopold II of the Belgians to the territories of the Congo Basin.
One of my gardening friends has this rose in full flower. Says it is now the conversation piece of his garden. Well worth growing, certainly not huge but sends out gorgeous sprays of gold.
Truly sorry @lailaharre for tweets re @TheSpinoffTV i/v y’day – regret any slight to your integrity – hope to put in past #ChangeTheGovt
…
Laila Harré Retweeted Julie Anne Genter
Thanks for this. See you on the frontline!
Laila Harré added,
Julie Anne Genter @JulieAnneGenter
Truly sorry @lailaharre for tweets re @TheSpinoffTV i/v y’day – regret any slight to your integrity – hope to put in past #ChangeTheGovt
Yes, but genuine apology too, which is what I would expect, and Harre gets it, which I would also expect. This is how it’s done well. Make a mistake, own up, be honest in the owning up, make amends, move on, know who your allies are.
edit, I actually found the tweet exchanges interesting and informative. I’d already read the very long interview with Harre and had some questions, which have now been cleared up.
An unprofessional mistake that one wouldn’t expect someone at that level to have fallen too. Utter incompetence.
Moreover, the timing of the avoidable spat (potentially sabotaging the working well perception) couldn’t have been much worse.
Dressing the apology up as an example of them now working well is little more than an attempted save, IMO.
An apology was required, given and accepted, there was nothing extraordinary special about it that would warrant a perception of the two working well. In fact, the spat behind it suggests otherwise.
“I’d already read the very long interview with Harre and had some questions, which have now been cleared up.”
Do tell?
It was an interesting interview. The following paragraphs struck a chord.
“My own conclusion is that it’s really not going to be possible to build an alternative party to Labour on the left. I guess coming to terms with the importance of Labour institutionally to our democratic fabric… The one pre-condition, it seems to me, to having a progressive, innovative government is to strengthen the Labour Party. There are other things that may or may not need to happen but that is one thing that absolutely must happen for that to be possible. So I think the priority is to rebuild public confidence in the Labour Party and inject new ideas and energy into the party.”
“I think the international evidence would very clearly point to the biggest risk being in social democrat parties not strongly connecting to their traditional base, and not strongly articulating their core policies around equality, wages, education, not being frightened of trade unions, all of that,” says Harré. “I just think the international evidence is overwhelmingly telling us that. And if anything I think it’s very clear that you take a much greater risk if you are not clear about where your base is.”
“I do think that there is a lack of appreciation within Labour – not necessarily at the senior levels, but possibly in some quarters – of their vulnerability. They’ve barely moved above 30% since 2014. That was their worst election result. And they can’t blame anyone else for that. It was a terrible campaign for Labour. I think there is a lack of appreciation about the real vulnerability of their position in the political framework.”
“I must think before I tweet”.
Do you think we could get it extended to Donald Trump?
If he took 30 seconds per line and we made him do it about 2 million times it would take all his waking hours for the next 4 years.
By then we could have arranged that he didn’t have any time to do anything at all during his term and we would have another President.
Christ Almighty! the inability of the lektrit to see thruough bullshit never ceases to amaze.
Now we have Steven Choice warning of rising intriss rates and the poss bull consiquincizz.
Does anyone really think he gives a shit about forclosures yest to come?
I’ve always been of the view that more fool you for signing up to the bullshit in the first place, but PLEASE! don’t start squeeling like stuffed pigs when you do.
(Kapiti residents in particular – you know – that place where your elected rep – who never inhaled-signed off on that beautiful philanthropic Mister Thiel
Don’t you poor people realise you’re not allowed to get ahead?!
Don’t you realise you should know your place?
And what about when IRD start looking into your ‘cashies’ under the table – so you can pay the mortgage – and still keep the ute and indulge in a point or two a couple of times a week.
mmmm….. the ‘middle class’ eh?
“Steven Joyce is warning about taking on too much debt”.
no he’s not suckers!
If he was genuine about that warning – he would have issued it 6 months to a year ago.
Steven Joyce is relishing the outcome of those who have taken on too much debt
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It would not be a desirable way to start your holiday by breaking your back, your head, or your wrist, but on our first hour in Singapore I gave it a try.We were chatting, last week, before we started a meeting of Hazel’s Enviro Trust, about the things that can ...
Calling all journalists, academics, planners, lawyers, political activists, environmentalists, and other members of the public who believe that the relationships between vested interests and politicians need to be scrutinised. We need to work together to make sure that the new Fast-Track Approvals Bill – currently being pushed through by the ...
Feel worried. Shane Jones and a couple of his Cabinet colleagues are about to be granted the power to override any and all objections to projects like dams, mines, roads etc even if: said projects will harm biodiversity, increase global warming and cause other environmental harms, and even if ...
Bryce Edwards writes- The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. ...
Michael Bassett writes – If you think there is a move afoot by the radical Maori fringe of New Zealand society to create a parallel system of government to the one that we elect at our triennial elections, you aren’t wrong. Over the last few days we have ...
Without a corresponding drop in interest rates, it’s doubtful any changes to the CCCFA will unleash a massive rush of home buyers. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate on Monday, April 22 included:The Government making a ...
Sunday was a lazy day. I started watching Jack Tame on Q&A, the interviews are usually good for something to write about. Saying the things that the politicians won’t, but are quite possibly thinking. Things that are true and need to be extracted from between the lines.As you might know ...
In our Weekly Roundup last week we covered news from Auckland Transport that the WX1 Western Express is going to get an upgrade next year with double decker electric buses. As part of the announcement, AT also said “Since we introduced the WX1 Western Express last November we have seen ...
TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to April 29 include:PM Christopher Luxon is scheduled to hold a post-Cabinet news conference at 4 pm today. Stats NZ releases its statutory report on Census 2023 tomorrow.Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivers a pre-Budget speech at ...
A listing of 29 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 14, 2024 thru Sat, April 20, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week hinges on these words from the abstract of a fresh academic ...
The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. The Government says this will ...
This is a column to say thank you. So many of have been in touch since Mum died to say so many kind and thoughtful things. You’re wonderful, all of you. You’ve asked how we’re doing, how Dad’s doing. A little more realisation each day, of the irretrievable finality of ...
Identifying the engine type in your car is crucial for various reasons, including maintenance, repairs, and performance upgrades. Knowing the specific engine model allows you to access detailed technical information, locate compatible parts, and make informed decisions about modifications. This comprehensive guide will provide you with a step-by-step approach to ...
Introduction: The allure of racing is undeniable. The thrill of speed, the roar of engines, and the exhilaration of competition all contribute to the allure of this adrenaline-driven sport. For those who yearn to experience the pinnacle of racing, becoming a race car driver is the ultimate dream. However, the ...
Introduction Automobiles have become ubiquitous in modern society, serving as a primary mode of transportation and a symbol of economic growth and personal mobility. With countless vehicles traversing roads and highways worldwide, it begs the question: how many cars are there in the world? Determining the precise number is a ...
Maintaining a safe and reliable vehicle requires regular inspections. Whether it’s a routine maintenance checkup or a safety inspection, knowing how long the process will take can help you plan your day accordingly. This article delves into the factors that influence the duration of a car inspection and provides an ...
Mazda Motor Corporation, commonly known as Mazda, is a Japanese multinational automaker headquartered in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The company was founded in 1920 as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd., and began producing vehicles in 1931. Mazda is primarily known for its production of passenger cars, but ...
Your car battery is an essential component that provides power to start your engine, operate your electrical systems, and store energy. Over time, batteries can weaken and lose their ability to hold a charge, which can lead to starting problems, power failures, and other issues. Replacing your battery before it ...
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Te Pāti Māori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. “This act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.” Said Te Pāti Māori Oranga Tamariki ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi, and Mema Paremata mō Tāmaki-Makaurau, Takutai Tarsh Kemp, will travel to the Gold Coast to strengthen ties with Māori in Australia next week (15-21 April). The visit, in the lead-up to the 9th Australian National Kapa haka Festival, will be an opportunity for both ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says. “Every day, ...
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges. “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service. It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
Distinguished guests - It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order. “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today. I am delighted ...
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions. “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. “It is good ...
The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
“China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
Asia Pacific Report A score of Palestine solidarity protesters draped themselves in white shrouds with mock blood in a sombre “die-in” demonstration at Te Komitanga Square — the heart of Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city — today as speakers urged people to take a stronger boycott against Israeli products. The ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Tackling violence against women will be the sole agenda item for a national cabinet meeting Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has convened for Wednesday. The meeting, held remotely, follows thousands of Australians attending rallies across ...
The protest outside the White House correspondents’ dinner hotel. Image: Anatolu video screenshot APR More than two dozen Palestinian journalists had called for a boycott of the dinner, writing an open letter urging their American colleagues not to attend. “You have a unique responsibility to speak truth to power and ...
“Our exporters should, therefore, be deeply concerned that the Fast-track Approvals Bill was not assessed for consistency with any of our free trade commitments prior to being introduced to the House,” says Gary Taylor, Chief Executive of the Environmental ...
NZCTU President Richard Wagstaff is calling on all political parties to support the new Member’s Bill from Labour’s workplace relations and safety spokesperson Camilla Belich MP that would ensure negligent companies are held accountable when their employees ...
A historian with a track record of predicting US election winners tells RNZ's Sunday Morning that President Biden looks to be on track for another term, but things could still go wrong for him. ...
A historian with an uncanny track record of predicting US election winners tells RNZ's Sunday Morning that President Biden looks to be on track for another term, but things could still go very wrong for him. ...
Ngaio Marsh House is one of Christchurch’s best kept secrets – and contains more than a few mysteries of its own.Trust Ngaio Marsh to leave more than a few mysteries scattered through her house long after her departure. For a start, there’s the curious concrete portal in the garden, ...
Appointment viewing has been lost to the mists of time, but memories of Montana Sunday Theatre can still be conjured by hitting play on a particular piece of classical music. “You’re not going to be able to sell it.” Over 30 years on, Karen Bieleski still recalls how the task ...
Performance Review King Luxon sat behind His massive polished oak desk. It is Performance Review time. There is a knock on the door. “Enter!” says the King. In steps Minister of Disabilities and Carer Pedicures, Penny Simmonds. “I can explain everything …” she begins. “Fine,” says King Luxon, pressing the ...
The pair opened their first fully collaborative exhibition, Nina for Flowers, last Saturday. Gabi Lardies visited their studio to find out who Nina is and what working together was like.‘It didn’t start out like, ‘This is a show about Nina,’” says Josephine Jelicich, gripping a thermos of peppermint tea. ...
Thank you, Dr Maximilian Oskar Bircher-Benner, for your brilliant invention. I’m another mid-20s Kiwi who had an OE last year. I hopped on my bicycle where France meets the Atlantic and cycled east. I pedalled through the Loire Valley, down rivers lined with willows and ancient wisteria-draped chateaus. I relished ...
Asia Pacific Report From France to Australia, university pro-Palestine protests in the United States have now spread to several countries with students pitching on-campus camps. And students at Columbia and other US universities remain defiant as campuses have witnessed the biggest protests since the anti-Vietnam war and anti-apartheid eras in ...
Analysis by Dr Bryce Edwards, Democracy Project (https://democracyproject.nz)New Zealand Government’s Fast Track legislation. Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government ...
Tara Ward talks to presenter Naomi Toilalo about the new TV show that turns food waste into a three course feast. Naomi Toilalo is standing in the warehouse at Good Neighbour Tauranga, helping unpack the two-and-a-half tonnes of rejected food that will arrive at the community support hub that day. ...
Scout is our latest Dog of the Month. This feature was offered as a reward during our What’s Eating Aotearoa PledgeMe campaign. Thank you to Scout’s human, Avril, for her support. Dog name: Scout (named after the little girl in To Kill a Mockingbird – she inherited the independent spirit ...
Megan Alatini takes us through her life in TV, including ‘terrible’ daytime TV, the class of Carol Hirschfeld and her most embarrassing TrueBliss moment. When she responded to a vague newspaper ad asking “do you have what it takes to be a popstar?” 25 years ago, Megan Alatini never guessed ...
A new exhibition in Wellington showcases the faces behind your local goods and services. Back in 1977, when I was a fine arts student at the University of Canterbury, I took a series of photographs of Christchurch shopkeepers. The photos were for a calendar – a project for my end ...
Toomaj and his resistance to tyranny through his songs have become an icon for the youth of Iran, so his sentence has hit the nation hard. Toomaj Salehi is not the first artist to pay the price for standing with the people. ...
My cousin Dylan and I spotted these big eels under the bridge that summer. We watched them lounging under the dark weed, facing into the flow of water, their mouths frozen open. Dylan and I couldn’t stop thinking about those eels. The night we went down to the creek, we ...
Newsroom, home of satire. My long-running weekly satirical series The Secret Diary has moved to Newsroom and will appear every Saturday, with Victor Billot’s wildly popular satirical Odes continuing to appear every Sunday. Diaries, Odes – while serious political columnists toil at meaningful opinions and stroke their chins to an ...
Tara Ward unravels the many nuanced layers of a cartoon about talking dogs.This is an excerpt from our weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. It’s not often an episode of a children’s cartoon has adults sobbing into their sleeves, but that’s exactly what happened this week when ...
Working as a doctor in developing countries to help communities achieve better health outcomes is nothing short of a life goal for Jessica Tater. The University of Otago medical student has her sights firmly set on joining the international humanitarian organisation Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) when she qualifies ...
There’s an island in the far reaches of Auckland’s territory, sitting off the tip of the Coromandel Peninsula, 30 minutes by air from the city or four hours on the slow boat. Aotea Great Barrier is off-grid, it has a population of fewer than a thousand people … and most ...
Asia Pacific Report An Australian author and advocate, Jim Aubrey, today led a national symbolic one minute’s silence to mark the “blood debt” owed to Papuan allies during the Second World War indigenous resistance against the invading Japanese forces. “A promise to most people is a promise,” Aubrey said in ...
Asia Pacific Report The Freedom Flotilla is ready to sail to Gaza, reports Kia Ora Gaza. All the required paperwork has been submitted to the port authority, and the cargo has been loaded and prepared for the humanitarian trip to the besieged enclave. However, organisers received word of an “administrative ...
Pacific Media Watch Palestine solidarity protesters today demonstrated at the Auckland headquarters of Television New Zealand, accusing the country’s major TV network of broadcasting “propaganda” backing Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza. About 50 protesters targeted the main entrance to the TVNZ building near Sky Tower and also picketed a side ...
Opinion by Lynley Hood. Forty years on from my 1985 Fulbright Grant, my disquiet over the war in Gaza evoked some troubling questions. The answer to my first question – What is the primary purpose of the Fulbright Programme? – was on the Fulbright NZ website. It says: US Senator, ...
The ministers responsible for green-lighting major projects need to be open about potential conflicts of interest, says Transparency International. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anastasia Powell, Professor, Family and Sexual Violence, RMIT University It has been a particularly distressing start to the year. There is little that can ease the current grief of individuals, families and communities who have needlessly lost a loved one to men’s ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gregory Moore, Senior Research Associate, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne Lichen, the first described example of symbiosis.AdeJ Artventure/Shutterstock Once known only to those studying biology, the word symbiosis is now widely used. Symbiosis is the intimate ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kim Hemsley, Head, Childhood Dementia Research Group, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University Olena Ivanova/Shutterstock “Childhood” and “dementia” are two words we wish we didn’t have to use together. But sadly, around 1,400 ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Whiteford, Professor, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University The government’s Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee has just published its second report. It was set up by Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth in 2022 to provide: ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne The Queensland state election will be held in October. A YouGov poll for The Courier Mail, conducted April 9–17 from a sample ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amin Naeni, PhD candidate at Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation, Deakin University There’s been much talk in recent months about what a possible second Donald Trump presidency in the United States could mean for Europe, Russia’s war in Ukraine, the ...
A brief round-up of submissions on the controversial proposed law. This is an excerpt from our weekly environmental newsletter Future Proof. Sign up here. Last week, submissions on the controversial Fast-track Approvals Bill closed just hours after the government released a list of stakeholder organisations who were sent letters advising how they could ...
A poem from Robin Peace’s new collection Detritus of Empire: feather / grass / rock. Cereal giving I see a woman’s hands, see her curious hands break a stalk as she walks through the tall prairie, the savannah, the steppe, wherever it was. See her idly bite the grass that ...
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 Hemingway’s Goblet by Dermot Ross (Mary Egan Publishing, $38)A handsomely produced (debossed cover, lovely ...
The Commissioner's decision validates the longstanding efforts of the local community and ensures that Awataha Marae will be managed to serve the needs of the local community, particularly for hosting tangihanga. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tristan Salles, Associate professor, University of Sydney Examples of Australian landscapes.Unsplash Seventy thousand years ago, the sea level was much lower than today. Australia, along with New Guinea and Tasmania, formed a connected landmass known as Sahul. Around this time – ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Felicity Castagna, Lecturer, Creative Writing, Western Sydney University Day Day Market, ParramattaPhoto: Garry Trinh I live on the edge of Parramatta, Australia’s fastest-growing city, on the kind of old-fashioned suburban street that has 1950s fibros constructed in the post-war housing boom, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Ryan, Teaching Fellow in Economics, University of Waikato GettyImagesfatido/Getty Images There is an ongoing global debate over whether the high inflation seen in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic can be lowered without a recession. New Zealand is not ...
The ‘Wicked Game’ heartthrob is in his late 60s now. That didn’t stop him putting on a lively, goofy and very sparkly show. Apart from ‘Wicked Game’, which graces a sultry playlist of mine simply called 💋, my last sustained Chris Isaak listening session took place when I was about ...
Analysis - Two ministers were stripped of portfolios in a warning to Cabinet, drama broke out at the Waitangi Tribunal, and the gang patch ban bill ran into opposition. ...
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Is there method to his madness?
By provoking Mexico over the wall, will Trump’s administration be looking for action by its southern neighbour that will provide an excuse for ripping up NAFTA?
We should not be allowing this Saudi businessman to export dairy cows to China.
As an animal rights issue alone, this should be prevented.
This is barbarism.
Secondly, we appear to be aligning ourselves with increasingly unsavoury traders and trading partners.
We are becoming a rather shabby little country.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/323189/5000-dairy-cows-china-bound-on-saudi-businessman's-ship
Yep, it’s about having standards and how we’re now consistently lowering them in pursuit of trade.
Is the Chester Borrows judgement out yet?
I’ve seen no headlines about a highly skilled police trained driver evading a lynch mob.
Interesting article about housing by Liam Dann.
It would appear from reading it that.
a. the Australian banks have become jittery about the housing bubble
b. funding for building housing is very tight
When will the bubble burst?
Bill English will want an election before it does.
Was this the reason our Merrill Lynch trader ex PM resigned last year? Did his previous experience tell him to leave before the crash?
http://m.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11789453
I think you where also predicting financial ameggedon this time last year Paul, if anything your consistent
yes Paul there is a number of reasons he resigned what about the 2 large SHA agreements with the big Chinese consortium are they going to bring their own workers will they apply our laws and where will these workers live in Auckland how is immigration going to be managed and why aren’t we building them ourselves . And I don’t want to hear the same old lame excuses we don’t have enough builders as we have known this for 8 years not good enough.
Also the 7.5 million already given to the Clinton Foundation by uncle John disgusting and now Uncle Bill is giving them another top up of 5.5 million of our tax payers monies a total of 13 million this has to be stopped and the best solution is to get rid of these crooks and liars
Two and a half minutes to midnight. The closest it’s been since 1953. Is this what people meant when they said they wanted to return to the good old days?
http://thebulletin.org/sites/default/files/Final%202017%20Clock%20Statement.pdf
I agree.
Trimp’s bombastic language towards China is very worrying.
I wonder what time the clock showed during the Cuban missile crisis in 1962?
I think the Cuban Missile Crisis had come and gone before the Bulletin’s board had a chance to convene. At that stage it was 7 minutes to midnight, but the steps taken by the superpowers in the aftermath to prevent it happening again lowered it to 12 minutes to midnight the following year.
Brian Fallow. The TPP is dead.
http://m.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11788698
In this article these 4 paragraphs stand out.
It is rare indeed to read an honest indictment of neoliberalism in the MSM.
The world is changing.
“They could be seen as evidence that we are in the degenerate terminal phase of a particular economic paradigm or doctrine – neoliberalism or market fundamentalism – which has prevailed since the mid-1980s.
There is a life cycle to these things. But just as the post-war model (which delivered faster and more inclusive economic growth than we have seen since) had by the late 1970s decayed into stagflation and over-regulation, the current regime is now delivering intolerable levels of inequality, poverty and financial insecurity.
It is patronising to dismiss the millions who voted Leave or Trump as the dupes of mendacious politicians who don’t know what is good for them, but will be set straight by the bitter disappointment ahead.
Rather, they should be seen as evidence that for too many people the status quo is not a rising tide that lifts all boats, but an ebb tide leaving them and their communities stranded.”
Well, bugger me.
Somebody gets it.
Paul, thanks for posting this. You can always be relied on to find these gems, and I’ll take this opportunity to also thank you for posting links to some of the best documentaries I never knew existed.
I’ve been getting a bit of grief for doing so from some quarters.
Thanks for the support.
@ Paul (6.1.1) … You are doing an excellent job finding and keeping the relevant issues out there.
Don’t worry about the knockers giving you stick. Your efforts are much appreciated by many, including myself.
Yes, yes, well said Rosemary 😀 Thanks Paul
But is the answer socialism or tweaking neo liberalism, I think the former and here is the quandry for the left and many here people don’t want to roll back to a failed 20th century experiment as the solution
The answer is to get rid of the rich and capitalism. Need to reform our corrupt financial system as well.
That ain’t going to happen Draco, you got a plan b
Oh, it will happen. It’s just a question if we wake up and do the intelligent thing and get rid of them in a controlled manner or they destroy society again.
Strangely enough some of the best articles are to be found in the Business section. When it comes to lots of issues, tax housing etc, they are a lot more upfront and honest in their commentary.
Now they’re concerned.
/
https://www.rawstory.com/2017/01/carl-bernstein-nervous-republican-officials-are-questioning-president-trumps-emotional-stability/
Bit late.
Naomi Wolf wrote a book entitled The End of America in which she outlined 10 steps to fascism.
Looks like the US has managed all 10.
Will we continue to align ourselves with a nation so overtly fascist and imperialist?
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_End_of_America:_Letter_of_Warning_to_a_Young_Patriot
New Zealand has managed to achieve a few of those too
As long as National is in charge – yes.
National, being authoritarian, always kowtow to those with more power.
TRump is exactly what the Republican Party is. They have removed Obama Care. They have abused Congress and the Senate. They refuse to reveal what Tax they do not pay. They do not give a fig for the Common man.
The National Party here is an exact if lazy Copy of the Republican Party USA. Self centered. Abusive towards citizens (ref : English and Key 2016 condemning Kiwis saying they are totally useless). They do not reveal their Tax payments or omissions. They blatantly deny there is a housing need. Ref the Deputy PM.
They do not give enough resources for Health. Or for Education (except to their own chosen Private Schools). They slag off Teachers.
They give Tax Havens to Immigrants and Wealthy foreign Avoiders.
They provide slum conditions for the poor and homeless throughout New Zealand.
They sell our Assets to their grubby mates.
What absolute bollocks. National would comfortably sit within the Democratic Party as would all political parties in NZ
Another view is that all of this irrelevent stuff is just distraction that media bite hook line and sinker, further empowering trumps agenda to remove media as an impartial fourth estate, similar outrage from loon protests, hollywood melt downs all pushing middle america closer to trump
,
Do you really think these pricks need to be empowered?.
“The media should be embarrassed and humiliated and keep its mouth shut and just listen for awhile,” Steve Bannon said during a rare interview with The New York Times on Wednesday.
“I want you to quote this,” Bannon told the Times. “The media here is the opposition party. They don’t understand this country. They still do not understand why Donald Trump is the president of the United States.”
http://money.cnn.com/2017/01/26/media/bannon-media-nytimes/index.html?sr=twCNN012617bannon-media-nytimes0956PMVODtopPhoto&linkId=33823996
You need to question the mentality of a nation thats elected reagan/george w TWICE and now the donald.
You get the leader you deserve mostly, go back and watch johnston ross’s Americana docos from the 90’s and its not hard to see how easily led they are by knowing their key concerns….guns, religion, the fairytale known as ‘the american dream’ etc
I see it reported this morning that Theil was granted NZ residency under the Labour Government in 2006. Is that correct?
If yes, I reckon Iain Lees-Galloway has been barking up the wrong tree. As usual.
Apparently he was. He then failed to live here for more than 70% of the time as required by the rules but still got citizenship.
I don’t know what the rules were in 2006. But the current rules for residence as investor, are these:
Investor visa requires $1.5mnzd Invested for 4 years in NZ [plus time lived per year in NZ plus some other requirements.
Investor plus visor requires $10mnzd Invested for 3 years – 44 days in NZ in each of the last 2 years of a 3 year investment period.
No additional requirements.
The 70% was from an article I read a couple of days ago.
That said, I don’t think that there should be an investor category. It’s skills we need and we’ve got all the money we need to do anything we want with our resources.
No, Iain Lees-Galloway is not barking up the wrong tree. Residency has different rules than citizenship and is decided in different departments. You can live in NZ all your life with only a residency status; you can even vote with only residency status.
If only he asked the same questions about Bill Liu – now that would have been interesting.
Residency isn’t citizenship Sammy. Amirightoramiright?
According to Andrea Vance, twitter, Peter Thiel gained citizenship in 2006 under Labour.
All the abuse piled on National should now be piled on Labour.
“yea right”
That’s yesterday’s news (kind of). And Thiel got “residency” in 2006, not citizenship.
In 2006 Thiel got residency under the investor category, as stated by Bill English yesterday. My understanding is that didn’t need ministerial approval, but is something decided by the relevant agencies.
Vance is a DP player now and should be considered in the same bracket as Trevitt, young etc
A serious journalist would know residency isnt citizenship so smearing as expected.
Vance tweeted that Thiel got residency in 2006. Billm misrepresented her.
Andrea Vance tweet posted yesterday:
Billy tells lies again.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/323098/'exceptional-circumstances'-behind-peter-thiel-citizenship
I said residency, not citizenship. Annie being serially stupid again.
and residency is not the same as citizenship, sammie you silly thing.
Where did I say it was, Sabine?
I thought Anne was addressing BillM above, not you Sam c. And BillM did say”citizenship”
She amended her comment after initially calling me a liar. I have work to do, so am not religiously glued to the comments section like some of you are.
Me – I’ll be working most of this weekend – so it’s a non-work day today for me. but I’ll be offline most of the weekend.
Yes. I mixed up the two comments which were posted around the same time and originally together.
It appears that Nickoff will be using the Nelson Cathedral to gain some votes this election.
Front page news last night, interesting comments online
“Why single out the Cathedral for public support Nick – there are many other churches with EQ issues that don’t have the financial resources that the Diocese does. The Church of Christ in Rutherford Street needed to be demolished at their own cost.”
Not everyone is happy about Agent Orange…
“Four leading department officials and country’s border police chief quit posts under Donald Trump’s administration.”
“An entire senior management team of the US State Department has resigned under the new administration of President Donald Trump, local media has reported.”
And Enrique is just not into the wall idea.
Mexico leader cancels Trump meet over border wall spat
Trump’s scheduled meeting with President Enrique Pena Nieto falls apart after Mexico refuses to pay for border wall.
President Donald Trump has decided he will seek to pay for the wall on the US’s southern border by imposing a 20% tax on imports from Mexico and as part of a larger comprehensive tax reform plan, the White House said Thursday.
White House press secretary Sean Spicer said the comprehensive tax reform package Trump and Republicans are looking to put together will include taxing imports from other countries, like Mexico.
http://edition.cnn.com/2017/01/26/politics/donald-trump-mexico-import-tax-border-wall/index.html?adkey=bn
It wasn’t just Mexico he was talking about putting a 20% tax on their inport into America … also “other countries”.
We need to ditch America. If they don’t want to be a team player (or want to be an even worse team player than usual) we shouldn’t play their game. Let’s look elsewhere, I’m sure plenty of other countries are.
And guess who will actually pay the TAX, the American citizens, good on you Trump, really smart thinking!!!
The AFSA (American Foreign Service Association) press release.
“Like the military, the career Foreign Service is an up-or-out system—those who fail to move up are forced out—and it relies on regular rotations (we typically move to a new job every 2-3 years) to perform a key mission—that is, developing a deep bench of experienced senior leaders year after year. Thus, both rotations to new positions and retirements after a fixed number of years of service are part of the DNA of the Foreign Service. Have no doubt that the next generation of leaders is eager to step up and serve, ensuring the continuity of this great institution.”
[,,,]
AFSA, the voice of the Foreign Service, is the professional association and labor union of the U.S. Foreign Service
http://www.afsa.org/statement-senior-personnel-changes-department-state
it appears they did not resign but were fired.
http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/01/trump-fires-every-senior-manager-at-the-state-department.html
Thank you Everyone. Following this whole Agent Orange saga is fascinating, really appreciate your information and insight.
You did see this sentence in the item you linked too, did you Cinny.
“Turnover is the rule, rather than the exception, among the top officials in the US government when the White House changes hands from one party to another, in this case from Democrat Barack Obama to Republican Donald Trump.”
Looking at the jobs they held I am rather surprised they call them a “team”. They would seem to be in quite dissimilar roles.
Can’t say I blame them though. Trump is a nutter in my opinion.
I think I did Alwyn, thankies. Have been watching house of cards, is fiction boarding on reality, but helpful in getting my head around their system, so many tiers and trust issues me thinks. Maybe their ‘team’ is their belief system rather than their roles?
I’ll give Agent Orange this however, he sure is doing what he said he would.
“he sure is doing what he said he would”.
I really wish you hadn’t been able to say that. I think I shall go to bed and stay there for the next four years. When I wake up we may have a new POTUS.
If I wake up of course.
Glenn Greenwald: Democrats Eager to Blame “Everybody
But Themselves” for Collapse of Their Party
Democracy Now!, Jan. 6, 2017
As Director of National Intelligence James Clapper testifies at a Senate hearing on Russian cyberthreats ahead of a highly classified briefing today with President-elect Donald Trump, we speak with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Glenn Greenwald, who has faced an onslaught of criticism for questioning the premise of Russian hacking of the U.S. election.
“Because Democrats are so desperate to put the blame on everybody but themselves for the complete collapse of their party, they’re particularly furious at anybody who vocally challenges this narrative,” Greenwald says. “And since I’ve been one of the people most vocally doing so, the smear campaign has been like none that I have ever encountered. I have been accused of being a member of the alt-right, of being an admirer of Breitbart, of being supportive of Donald Trump, of helping him get elected and, of course, of being a Kremlin operative.”
…..
Read more….
https://www.democracynow.org/2017/1/6/glenn_greenwald_democrats_eager_to_blame
Swing towards ugly Authoritarianism from the Trump Regime (possibly with quasi-Fascist tendencies / or possibly in a somewhat milder Berlusconi mould … we’re just going to have to wait and see)
… and a concomitant …
Swing towards a rigidly-enforced McCarthyite Group-Think (bordering at times on mass hysteria – complete with officially-ordained The Ruskies are com’in !!! Conspiracy Theory) from the Washington Consensus / New Cold War Democrat Establishment
The split on The Standard – such as it is – has been largely between those happy to immerse themselves in the second phenomena … vs … those of us who recoil at both.
Nicely summed up as always, swordfish.
Here’s a perfect example of someone happy to immerse himself in that DNC-ordained groupthink…
https://thestandard.org.nz/doomsday-clock-moves-forward/#comment-1292365
One tracked mind on different threads I see (yawn)
Don’t worry, I’m not tracking you. It’s just that your naïve comment had some immediate use as an example of folly, and a warning to other posters.
I hope you don’t mind.
‘Inflation’ blamed for $200-800 million cost increase in Auckland’s East West link
So, one month of inflation had the cost jump nearly 80%?
Probably forgot to add the fletcher/fulton hogan levy up front so they can screw over subbies and replace them when they go broke.
eliminates the need to go back for extra funding this way.
Well done to us on our number one ranking in the latest Transparency International list. However I don’t think it is a proper reflection of New Zealand. I have never thought us to be totally deserving of the rankings and that we are probably at the lower end of the top ten.
Will the Government come clean and tell us how Mr Thiel got that citizenship or are we going to have to use the O.I.A. to drag it out of the Minister?
https://willnewzealandberight.com/2017/01/27/transparent-to-the-world-but-not-so-to-kiwis/
Hearsay is that USians, once they find out how NZ works, are absolutely disgusted by the level of overt corruption in this country.
As I’ve said before: We’re so used to how things are in this country that we’ve lost the ability to recognise corruption.
If the nation as a whole can’t recognise it then just how good are the perception ratings?
i posted yesterday about the russian cyber security guy being arrested for treason and such and thought it was an odd coincidence.
well lookit it here,
https://themoscowtimes.com/news/americas-alleged-spy-in-the-heart-of-russian-cybersecurity-56945?utm_source=CGI+Daily+Russia+Brief&utm_campaign=d22e6a1966-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_01_26&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_814a2b3260-d22e6a1966-281732809&mc_cid=d22e6a1966&mc_eid=ba2db135c1
there is a whole Tom Clancy novel in there.
interesting times, interesting times.
“there is a whole Tom Clancy novel in there.”.
Yes. What a shame we have a Donald Trump instead of a Jack Ryan.
heh
https://www.thenation.com/article/the-economist-just-downgraded-the-us-from-a-full-democracy-to-a-flawed-democracy/
The US system was designed to prevent democracy. The rich were fearful that the people would vote in restrictions that would prevent them from being rich and so they made sure that only the rich could run for office.
In fact, that could be said about all representative systems.
That said, go back even a few years and participatory democracy simply wouldn’t have been practical but, with modern communications and computing, it’s certainly getting that way now.
So the wall is going to be paid by putting a 20% duty on Mexican imports to the US.
So doesn’t that mean the prices will go up by 20%.
So that means the americans who buy the products will actually be paying for the wall.!!!
Yep.
The man is an absolute nutcase. The international consequences of this are far reaching – the results may not be what the chump envisages.
They are not just economic – the US is to become another Australia in breaching International Human Rights and the treatment of asylum seekers.
You can see why he was personally bankrupted four times, he is not the sharpest tool in the shed, but, he certainly is a tool!
So, there’s some sabre rattling in the Balkans – Serbia, the recipients of a major arms donation by Russia, have dispatched a train to a Serbian enclave in Kosovo with the message – if Serbs are killed, we’ll [an] send army to Kosovo – and look who turns up.
https://twitter.com/JasminMuj/status/824629956676313093
and this guy just has the solution to all of our energy issues
http://imgur.com/mKSK4HX
I note that in a Huffington Post puff piece about Linda Tirado, the following remarkable claim is made….
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/author/linda-tirado
That is like saying “Her husband served honorably at My Lai with Company C of the First Battalion.”
[TheStandard: A moderator moved this comment to Open Mike as being off topic or irrelevant in the post it was made in. Be more careful in future.]
[whatever the writer at the Huffington Post thought about Tirado’s husband doesn’t haven’t anything to do with the post Morrissey. Please don’t derail like this – weka]
Could someone, preferably weka, tell me how this is off topic?
https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-27012017/#comment-1292448
[TheStandard: A moderator moved this comment to Open Mike as being off topic or irrelevant in the post it was made in. Be more careful in future.]
[I’ve already explained Morrissey. Whatever someone thinks about Linda Tirado’s husband has nothing to do with her words or my post. What’s not clear about that? Also, please don’t bring discussions about moderation back into the post they’ve been moved from. Use the comment that’s been moved if you need to talk about it – weka]
Got it. Thanks, Weka. I’ll try to remember that.
The United States: wreaking havoc internationally for at least 133 years
Trump is horrific, but the United States has been a nightmare to people from Africa to Central America, South America and Asia long before he and his grisly gang came to power.
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/poverty-matters/2011/jan/17/patrice-lumumba-50th-anniversary-assassination
Trump’s new “Stupid Economics”
http://www.forbes.com/sites/kotlikoff/2017/01/26/stupid-economics/#73a02b21771d
It’s 404-ed on Forbes but still cached in google
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:M-ObFw8I_DEJ:www.forbes.com/sites/kotlikoff/2017/01/26/stupid-economics/+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=nz
I got it by reloading
Meh, just a defence of the present failed system that’s causing so much harm to society.
One of my gardening friends has this rose in full flower. Says it is now the conversation piece of his garden. Well worth growing, certainly not huge but sends out gorgeous sprays of gold.
What was she thinking?
https://twitter.com/JulieAnneGenter/status/824384762173231104
http://m.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11789854
“I wouldn’t bother saying anything against her publicly…” Julie-Anne Genter.
Ha, that made me laugh as she just did.
And it didn’t go unnoticed.
Moreover, publicly stating “I wouldn’t bother saying anything against her publicly” is a false narrative.
Where was her head at?
Julie Anne Genter @JulieAnneGenter 8h8 hours ago
Truly sorry @lailaharre for tweets re @TheSpinoffTV i/v y’day – regret any slight to your integrity – hope to put in past #ChangeTheGovt
…
Laila Harré Retweeted Julie Anne Genter
Thanks for this. See you on the frontline!
Laila Harré added,
Julie Anne Genter @JulieAnneGenter
Truly sorry @lailaharre for tweets re @TheSpinoffTV i/v y’day – regret any slight to your integrity – hope to put in past #ChangeTheGovt
Damage control?
Yes, but genuine apology too, which is what I would expect, and Harre gets it, which I would also expect. This is how it’s done well. Make a mistake, own up, be honest in the owning up, make amends, move on, know who your allies are.
edit, I actually found the tweet exchanges interesting and informative. I’d already read the very long interview with Harre and had some questions, which have now been cleared up.
An unprofessional mistake that one wouldn’t expect someone at that level to have fallen too. Utter incompetence.
Moreover, the timing of the avoidable spat (potentially sabotaging the working well perception) couldn’t have been much worse.
Dressing the apology up as an example of them now working well is little more than an attempted save, IMO.
An apology was required, given and accepted, there was nothing extraordinary special about it that would warrant a perception of the two working well. In fact, the spat behind it suggests otherwise.
“I’d already read the very long interview with Harre and had some questions, which have now been cleared up.”
Do tell?
It was an interesting interview. The following paragraphs struck a chord.
“My own conclusion is that it’s really not going to be possible to build an alternative party to Labour on the left. I guess coming to terms with the importance of Labour institutionally to our democratic fabric… The one pre-condition, it seems to me, to having a progressive, innovative government is to strengthen the Labour Party. There are other things that may or may not need to happen but that is one thing that absolutely must happen for that to be possible. So I think the priority is to rebuild public confidence in the Labour Party and inject new ideas and energy into the party.”
“I think the international evidence would very clearly point to the biggest risk being in social democrat parties not strongly connecting to their traditional base, and not strongly articulating their core policies around equality, wages, education, not being frightened of trade unions, all of that,” says Harré. “I just think the international evidence is overwhelmingly telling us that. And if anything I think it’s very clear that you take a much greater risk if you are not clear about where your base is.”
“I do think that there is a lack of appreciation within Labour – not necessarily at the senior levels, but possibly in some quarters – of their vulnerability. They’ve barely moved above 30% since 2014. That was their worst election result. And they can’t blame anyone else for that. It was a terrible campaign for Labour. I think there is a lack of appreciation about the real vulnerability of their position in the political framework.”
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11789233
“Do tell?”
As far a I can tell all you’re here to do is stick the boot in. Curious, given the timing. Nevertheless I’m not interested.
“As far a I can tell all you’re here to do is stick the boot in.”
I can tell you now you are incorrect.
Therefore, do you care to try again?
Nope. Just going off what I’ve seen you write today (and previous conversations I guess).
I’ve been here for years and have written a vast variety of things.
“Yes, but genuine apology too,”
Really?
I’m trying to figure out if she was telling the truth in her tweets?
Or did she get her facts/dates wrong?
Colossal blunder if the latter.
Why the kiss -and -make -up exchange if the former?
Whole thing makes them all look disconnected and disorganised and quite frankly just more than a little nasty.
IMHO
(Re- reading the interview with Harre, she really needs to speak with more clarity. It is not always clear what she is saying.)
“I’m trying to figure out if she was telling the truth in her tweets?”
Yes, it was interesting that she never conceded to being mistaken.
Yes, seen that (damage control) it’s in the second link I initially provided.
Someone must have told her to pull her head in.
What was she thinking?
Not at lot by the sounds of it.
Should be made to write out one hundred times….
I must think before I tweet
I must think before I tweet
I must think before I tweet
Lol!
“I must think before I tweet”.
Do you think we could get it extended to Donald Trump?
If he took 30 seconds per line and we made him do it about 2 million times it would take all his waking hours for the next 4 years.
By then we could have arranged that he didn’t have any time to do anything at all during his term and we would have another President.
Hasn’t Trump got something better to do with his time?
Does he play golf?
Christ Almighty! the inability of the lektrit to see thruough bullshit never ceases to amaze.
Now we have Steven Choice warning of rising intriss rates and the poss bull consiquincizz.
Does anyone really think he gives a shit about forclosures yest to come?
I’ve always been of the view that more fool you for signing up to the bullshit in the first place, but PLEASE! don’t start squeeling like stuffed pigs when you do.
(Kapiti residents in particular – you know – that place where your elected rep – who never inhaled-signed off on that beautiful philanthropic Mister Thiel
Don’t you poor people realise you’re not allowed to get ahead?!
Don’t you realise you should know your place?
And what about when IRD start looking into your ‘cashies’ under the table – so you can pay the mortgage – and still keep the ute and indulge in a point or two a couple of times a week.
mmmm….. the ‘middle class’ eh?
“Steven Joyce is warning about taking on too much debt”.
no he’s not suckers!
If he was genuine about that warning – he would have issued it 6 months to a year ago.
Steven Joyce is relishing the outcome of those who have taken on too much debt
Not sure if this will work?
But has anyone spotted the high CO2 levels in the northern hemisphere
https://earth.nullschool.net/#current/chem/surface/level/overlay=co2sc/orthographic=-31.84,77.49,277/loc=-84.498,33.393
This is showing readings of 470 ppm ish
And 437 is above NZ and 442 above Hawaii