”The former Dunedin Labour MP told the Otago Daily Times when contacted yesterday he would ask chief executive Brian Roche about zero-hours contracts when the pair met tomorrow.
”I want to talk with the chief executive about that.
”I would be very concerned if we were involved in any kind of permanent arrangement around zero-hour contracts,” Sir Michael said.
& more information about NZ Posts PPM (Postal Pay Model – paid for volume not hours worked), is on the monday there was no mail because of snow (the trucks couldn’t get over the Kilmogs), so no volume, no pay.
And there would be no delivery issue in Dunedin that day if the mail was not sorted in Chch as there was minimal snow in the city itself.
Posties are part of a community network that grows more important with the ageing population, with more people at home in their old age.
But instead we get a zerohours exploited workforce, privatisation by stealth to DX Mail, and a too readily accepted story about technology change/TINA.
Some small providers are stepping up like taxi firms delivering mail in small towns, which is fine as it’s filling a gap in a public service, but leading to an overall outcome of fragmentation and inefficiency.
No less than the president himself has promised, “No trade agreement is going to force us to change our laws.” National Economic Council chief Jeffrey Zients has stated, “It is an often repeated, but inaccurate, claim that ISDS [a provision of the TPP] gives companies the right to weaken labor or environmental standards, for example, suggesting that a trade agreement could result in the United States having to lower its minimum wage. The reality is that ISDS does not and cannot require countries to change any law or regulation.”
That’s right…. it’s a “choice”. Eliminating all but two options (in this case be sued or change the law – see you have ALL the control!) works for four year old children, so why wouldn’t it work for an apathetic, dumb and numb population?
“Being sued” is just another way of saying that the government would compensate for losses attributable to legislative changes. I’d love that. Road user charges go up, I get compensated by the government. Max Bradford enacts a faith-based electricity market, I get compensated for that too.
Tell the corporations to get in line or fuck off. ISDS my ass.
This is one of those reports you need to read to get to the good news. It appears that now 6 years after the banks melted down – we are getting some prosecutions of some individuals who knew they were acting immorally and corruptly. That said, some of the major players are still walking free – what a odd world we live in – when people who cause such despair, heartbreak, and death – walk free, because they have the biggest check book.
Also I see Chris Trotter is calling trick dicky out. Well done Chris. Hoot’s your lying is getting out of whack again. I know, I know to you, it’s just propaganda promoting you set of ideals. However, when you cross the line – you will get called on it.
Hmmm I thought Kalashinkov himself designed the AKM circa 1949 or 1950 to improve upon his original AK47 design. And yes, I suspect that China has made the majority of those worldwide now as what is generally called an AK47 is actually the slightly updated AKM model.
And conservative fiscal policies do enormous social harm. That’s true even for the mildest, most generous version of “fiscal conservatism” — low taxes, small government, reduced regulation, a free market. These policies perpetuate human rights abuses. They make life harder for people who already have hard lives. Even if the people supporting these policies don’t intend this, the policies are racist, sexist, classist (obviously), ableist, homophobic, transphobic, and otherwise socially retrograde. In many ways, they do more harm than so-called “social policies” that are supposedly separate from economic ones.
Translation for the middle-class overlords in the Labour Party. The good deeds you do with your human rights policies (aka the odious term “identity politics”) are completely undermined by the harm you do to the groups you purport to support with your craven fiscal positioning.
Unless you are only interested in protecting the human rights of the wealthiest 10-15 percent. Surely that couldn’t be true?
Something to note about SR is she does not recognise that Labour are orthodox fiscal conservatives.
I find it funny that it is the Labour Party which is driven to undermine the universality of the NZ welfare state.
Almost the entirety of the hierarchy of the Labour Party assumes that money is a limited resource, when money today is nothing more than electronic ones and zeroes entered by keyboard in spreadsheets and databases. Oil is a limited resource. Gas is a limited resource. Fresh water is a limited resource. Top soil is a limited resource. Bismuth and helium are limited resources. But electronic ones and zeroes sitting on a spreadsheet? It’s a total misconception of what a “resource” is.
Labour is simply avoiding asking itself the hard questions when it comes to socioeconomic policy like universal NZ super: is it a critical priority to fully fund it. If the answer is YES then money will always be available because the Government can spend into existence the money required. OR if its politics require it, it can instead TAX back in previously issued money in order to re-spend it on NZ super.
In essence, what Labour is saying when it discusses means testing NZ Super or raising the Super eligibility age is:
– We are not willing to borrow the money required to keep NZ super universal.
– Neither are we willing to tax in the money required to keep NZ super universal.
– Neither are we willing to issue the money required to keep NZ super universal.
– We are however willing to cut Kiwis’ entitlement to universal NZ super.
And as a reminder, these are MPs all on very generous parliamentary Kiwi Saver schemes all on incomes well into the top 2%, deciding this for everyone else.
It doesnt really matter anymore. Little’s comments about super last week probably cost Labour the next election. They will not be trusted on super ever again.
You’re the one calling money a resource, CV, so it’s you with the misconception. Whether you understand it or not, to retain value for you and I , the money supply must remain relatively tight. QE works, but only if it’s constrained. Your fantasy about ones and zeroes ends with massive inflation that actually ruins the lives of the majority. Have a look at the lessons from Zimbabwe and Argentina where the practical results of your fantasy can be seen. If you destroy the value of the currency, it’s working people that pay.
What is the difference between just flooding an economy with bank notes and flooding an economy with public works ‘paid for’ with newly created government money?
I get how the first scenario leads to huge levels of inflation, but the second would appear to be a simple act of taking the real world resources that already exist and getting them in place…ie, there is no flooding of the economy with increasingly worthless bank notes.
“a simple act of taking the real world resources that already exist and getting them in place…ie, there is no flooding of the economy with increasingly worthless bank notes.”
There is Bill, because the money does not stay with the Public Works.
In order to complete the public works the money has to go to suppliers / contractors / workers / architects / lawyers / etc etc, and so in fact it does spill through to the wider economy and act as an inflationary force.
If you are building up productive capacities and capabilities, inflation will not be a problem. And if inflation appears to be taking hold, the money supply can always be briefly tightened as new competitive suppliers are created.
Of course, globally the economic problem is one of deflation – insufficient money supply in many areas of the real economy.
Over time and can easily be offset by use of taxes.
You have to see money as a flow from the government and back to the government. From the government is creating the money and back to the government is destroying it.
Over time and can easily be offset by use of taxes.
Or increasing compulsory savings.
Or slowing down of credit/loans extended by the private sector.
Or encouraging capital investment.
Or any number of other ways to slow down or reduce money supply in the real economy
There are so many ways to manage an economy intelligently, and all the orthodox types can think about is squeezing life out of the economy using the blunt inhumane mallets of keeping unemployment up, wages down, and benefits on the bread line.
CV just, quite specifically, said that money isn’t a resource.
Whether you understand it or not, to retain value for you and I , the money supply must remain relatively tight.
Agreed but it’s really a question of how that constraint is applied. ATM there is, effectively, almost no constraint on the explosion of money in the system as the explosion in housing prices shows.
Almost the entirety of the hierarchy of the Labour Party assumes that money is a limited resource, when money today is nothing more than electronic ones and zeroes entered by keyboard in spreadsheets and databases.
Can you point to the part of that sentence that says that money is a resource?
Edit: (I’ve got to disappear for a while, but the guts of it is this: we all know (including the Labour hierarchy) that the physical object ‘money’ is an unlimited resource. We can print more. However, if we do , it has real world consequences. That’s not because of what it is, physically or digitally, but what it represents; it’s agreed value. And when you dilute its value, most of us suffer. As recently as 1984 we had that happen in NZ and the ‘cure’ was Rogernomics. If we don’t learn from history …)
We can print more. However, if we do , it has real world consequences.
And, in fact, we are and the consequences are massive house price inflation especially in Auckland.
See, you can’t just say that we can’t print money while we’re massively printing money (well, the private banks are).
As recently as 1984 we had that happen in NZ and the ‘cure’ was Rogernomics. If we don’t learn from history
Yeah, I recall that and the cause was the same as today. Massive returns from investment for foreign investors in housing. Despite the capital controls of the time we were still being flooded by foreign investment wanting to get its part of the ~20% mortgage market here.
There’s a reason why both major religions in the world ban usury and it’s because it crashes the economy.
That’s not because of what it is, physically or digitally, but what it represents; it’s agreed value.
This is a false concept. Money is already priced in multiple ways and therefore its “agreed value” is being constantly determined by what worthwhile things an economy can supply for the money you have. It is that focus on the real economy which is key.
Of course as TRP now admits, there is no real shortage of money other than the artificial one that the system is designed to inflict upon the majority of the population. In other words: austerity for you; ZIRP for us.
Oh TRP, I’m simply working through a process of discovery of your true views. No need for the condescension. You really are used to being the boss, I guess. More tomorrow.
Check your reading comprehension skills dude; I said I was trying to find out what you really think. If you want to hide it, fine, I wasn’t that interested in the first place.
[Ok, so that second sentence confirms it. Withdraw or take some time off. TRP]
Something to note about SR is she does not recognise that Labour are orthodox fiscal conservatives.
Please do not presume to make statements about what I do or don’t recognise. You are possibly the person least likely to have any insight on the matter.
Then you’re welcome to agree, deny or clarify (or do nothing) re Labour being orthodox fiscal conservatives. The importance of keeping inflation low by keeping buying power and money supply tight, the use of unemployment to shrink consumer inflation, the importance of annual economic growth combined with tight fiscal discipline, the importance of government surpluses and balancing the books to keep the confidence of the markets, etc.
Then you’re welcome to agree, deny or clarify (or do nothing) re Labour being orthodox fiscal conservatives.
Nope. You are welcome to stop making up shit about authors on this site.
Your definition of “orthodox fiscal conservatives” (i.e. anyone who isn’t advocating a total revolution of basic Western economic practices) is so broad and unrealistic to expect of a major party in a Westminster democracy that it’s laughable you think you’re making some kind of cutting argument by labelling Labour as such.
Why are you referring to authors privilege based on my commenting about something you wrote somewhere else? If you think my conclusion about your economic views are inaccurate, just say so. I am quite happy to be corrected.
Your definition of “orthodox fiscal conservatives” (i.e. anyone who isn’t advocating a total revolution of basic Western economic practices) is so broad and unrealistic to expect of a major party in a Westminster democracy that it’s laughable you think you’re making some kind of cutting argument by labelling Labour as such.
But is the label accurate or inaccurate, from your perspective? Again, you are non-committal about your actual views.
Since the 1970s the establishment within each of the Anglo FVEY nations has adopted neoliberal economic paradigms and decision frameworks. The USA, UK, Australia, Canada and NZ. That’s been the true revolution.
Something to note about SR is she does not recognise that Labour are orthodox fiscal conservatives.
I think that’s unfair, CV.
The whole point of the article is that if you care about people you care about economics and human rights. The two can’t be separated into neat little spheres. I think Stephanie understands this better than most.
The real problem is not that the Labour Party does or does not agree with Modern Monetary Theory, it’s that proposing it destroys fiscal credibility in the eyes of the public. The Greens proposed QE last election, and got relentlessly attacked on the subject for weeks, even if it now turns out everyone else is doing QE anyway…
It’s funny how all the right wing rush out the line GODWIN when anybody describes anything the right wing do as fascist.
But conversely – when right wingers describe the left in tired old left, almost Stalinist terms – no one bats an eyelid?
Hell I dislike the old left as much as the next person – unimaginative, staid, misogynistic, homophobic, and just too overbearing for words. Yes it was sacrilegious, but we have moved on.
So why do we let the right define us as so?
[lprent: The Godwin thing invariably degenerates into boring flamewars. Godwin is a shortcut for people who have seen it degenerate a thousand times before to say “shut the fuck up” to the idiot starting to use it it as if it was a new tactic. That includes the stalin, various kims, pinochet and every other pissant dictatorial metaphor to replace their inability to use their brains.
When people express what they actually think rather than sprouting slogans we tend to be more tolerant. Doesn’t matter if we think they are nutters from the right or left (and there are many on the left who are exactly as dogmatic). But if they get boring about it and deteriorate into slogans then you’ll find that commenters and moderators will bat more than an eyelid. It isn’t a recipe for long term tolerance in any net environment. ]
The Left have not got a strong defining narrative or paradigm for what its mission is in the 21st century, so others find it easy to define us especially as they have a powerful and far reaching communications infrastructure to do it with.
“We need to KILL THEM ALL!
And if some women and children get killed, so be it.” Paul Henry, TV3, Wednesday 27 May 2015
Paul Henry, Hillary Barry (sycophant), Jim Kayes (sycophant)
“Wise men speak because they have something to say, fools because they have to say something.” — Plato
As the last item on the 7 a.m. news, Hillary Barry reads about a Danish radio host who has bludgeoned a rabbit to death with a bicycle pump, cooked it, then eaten it live on air. She is clearly appalled by this…..
HILLARY BARRY: Bludgeoning it with a bicycle pump? JIM KAYES: Good kicker. PAUL HENRY: Now that’s a technical term and a lot of viewers won’t know what that means. JIM KAYES: “Kicker” means the last story. HENRY: Thank you.
Hillary Barry’s brief display of humanitarian revulsion was interesting, especially in light of her reaction to the bloodthirsty ranting that would occur in the studio just over an hour later. While she made no bones about her tender feelings for the fate of a rabbit in Denmark, she was less keen to defend human beings in Iraq and Syria as they came under a savage rhetorical assault.
7:12 a.m. ….
Along with endorsing the Key government’s cynical, rotten “plan” to house people under power lines, Henry’s mission today is to endorse the American-led campaign against ISIS. To this end, Henry interviews Steve Hoadley, an extreme right wing American who glories in the title of “Associate Professor of International Relations” at Auckland University. Hoadley is notorious for stating, at the very height of Israel’s murderous assault on Gaza in 2008-9—what Israeli generals chortlingly termed “twenty-two days of madness”—that he supported the Israelis because they were civilized compared to the people they were destroying. Today, however, Hoadley delivered an anodyne and uncontroversial summary of the situation in Iraq; the unhinged ranting would come not from him, but from Paul Henry.
7:16 a.m. ….
Henry heaps scorn on the Labour Party politicians who have dared to question the land that the government wants to force people to live on—next to cemeteries and under electric power lines. “How STUPID are THEY?” he snarls.
8:05….
Hillary Barry reads the weather, including for Alexandra, which she daringly and controversially calls “Alex”… HILLARY BARRY: I know you don’t like me saying Alex, but I DO.
8:07….
Jim reads the sports news, corpsing throughout, because he has just told a mildly amusing joke.
8:10 a.m. ….. HENRY: I just can’t get over the idea of the British putting in these duck lanes. JIM KAYES: That IS very funny. HENRY: It’s just too STUPID for words.
After the 8 o’clock news, there’s a regular “panel”—two guests who are supposed to reflect on current issues. Today’s panel features former reality TV star Joe Cotton, billed as a “broadcaster”, and RadioLIVE host Andrew Patterson.….
HENRY: All right, Labour have had a field day with this 430 hectares. It can’t ALL be beachfront property! Would you buy a house next to a graveyard? The thing that annoys me about this is that Labour—this is the opposition just saying things to be an opposition.
Andrew Patterson apparently has nothing to say about this; he simply agrees with Henry. And Joe Cotton, instead of saying something thoughtful or challenging, launches in to an unfunny diversionary spiel about poltergeists and horror movies.
HENRY: Are you in favor of our troops being in Iraq? ANDREW PATTERSON: No I’m not comfortable. But of course you’ve got to do SOMETHING. HENRY: It sends a very clear message that New Zealand is WITH the United States and the rest of the willing. Is this a fight worth having? You HAVE to say YES. ANDREW PATTERSON:[gravely] Of course, of COURSE. HENRY: This is a fight that we have to be on the right side of, isn’t it? JOE COTTON:[baffled sigh] Whooooooof…. HENRY: We have to POUND them and SQUASH them don’t we? ANDREW PATTERSON: I guess the big question here is: how do we counter the ideology? HENRY: It’s hard. It’s hard…..
8:35 a.m. …. HENRY: Absolutely we should be part of the fight. And we have to really take it to them! HILLARY BARRY:[softly] I’m afraid so. JIM KAYES:[softly, grimacing with moral doubt] Yes, I think so. HENRY: We have to be in there STRONG and HARD! We have to KILL THEM ALL! And in the course of this, bombs are going to bounce into tents where there are women and children! But we must not get up in arms about that! Kill them all! HILLARY BARRY:[clearly uncomfortable] Mmm hmmm. JIM KAYES:[gravely] That’s the reality of war.
HILLARY: I’d like some feedback on this Alex/Alexandra controversy! Paul thinks I should say Alexandra. PAUL HENRY: I think you are being too casual towards the people of Alexandra when you call their town Alex. HILLARY BARRY:[mock-scolding] Look who’s calling me casual!
HENRY: Just on this ISIS thing again. THEY thrive because WE hesitate. They’re not LIKE us. JIM KAYES: We fight in a conventional, honest way. Whereas— HENRY: Exactly! We need to KILL THEM ALL! And if some women and children get killed, so be it.
PAUL HENRY: Right, on the phone, we have Cade from Alexandra. Are you happy with Alex, Cade, or is it Alexandra? For a fact we know that it is Alexandra not Alex, are we all agreed on that? What kind of a name is Cade anyway? HILLARY BARRY:[giggling] Stop being MEAN!
Jim Kayes snickers dutifully.
8:59 a.m…… HENRY: I’d like to dedicate this show to our troops in Iraq, who are on the frontline in the war against ISIS—a war we are part of, like it or not.
Don’t worry, my friend, I watch and listen to creeps like Henry so that you don’t have to. Keep an eye out for some more transcripts* from some of his earlier shows, which I’m starting to write up now.
But tell me, was the 8:59am dedication a real thing, or a bit of poetic licence (for which you will receive 12 lashings)? Because if it was real… *vomits entire contents of his body, entrails, viscera and all, onto the floor*
But tell me, was the 8:59am dedication a real thing, or a bit of poetic licence (for which you will receive 12 lashings)?
He actually said that. I think I got that bit exactly verbatim.
This morning, as a parting shot, Henry dedicated the programme to the senile thug “Sir” Robert Jones, whose actions apparently lend “colour” to our lives.
Nah, Realblue was suggesting that Hone’s parents were somehow equivalent to Bank’s folks. Which is the purest bullshit, of course. Banks is a very complicated fellow and his upbringing in poverty hasn’t taught him any compassion for the poor. It’s just made him determined to be as distant from poverty as possible and by any means necessary. So the apple/tree analogy is pretty apt.
One of Hones parents abused children, the appalling Titiwhai.Clearly you and Morrissey are ok with that. Fair enough. Morrisey brought Banks parents into it, then you join in with an inevitable “look over there” response. The classy left eh?
Across a dalliance of rainbows,
A little crooked man smiles,
With time-filled grace,
Why do thee frown,
When across that big blue sky,
Ruptures of magnificence awaits?
Uncool to judge the guy for his parents’ mis-deeds, or anyone else for that matter.
If John Banks was an honest, decent citizen, I would not invoke the memory of his criminal parents. The fact is, though, he is not a decent, honest citizen, and his parents’ criminality obviously did affect him deeply.
But you didn’t just call Banks out Morrissey, you made a sweeping generalisation about bad people and the perceived obviousness of their children being the same.
Although I’d place Banks in the ‘crooks’ column, that’s a pretty rotten thing to say. People are not their parents and may or may not learn to be like them.
you didn’t just call Banks out Morrissey, you made a sweeping generalisation about bad people and the perceived obviousness of their children being the same.
I recognize that there are people all over the country that have risen above their family circumstances, many of them far more onerous than John Banks’s circumstances, and gone on to live decent, honest lives where they have been an asset rather than an outrage to the community. Banks, on the other hand, has behaved with the most flagrant dishonesty; to point out the link to his criminal parents is entirely appropriate, I would have thought.
Or do you think Banks’s behaviour just springs out of nowhere?
Again, it was the sweeping generalisation I object to, not to a possible specific comment that Banks may have learned to be frugal with the truth from his parents.
If one of Banks’s kids is involved with money-laundering of, say, fifty thousand dollars that he’s asked to be paid for in two separate cheques, then yes, the obvious influence of his father will be remarked upon.
If, on the other hand, his kids somehow transcend the handicap of having a dishonest criminal stepdad, then I would applaud them, just as I would have applauded Banks if he had acted with integrity and honour in his political career.
didnt his parent assist women to abort children? at a time when women were criminals for controlling their own lives and bodirs. Or have i confused them with someone else
The story is fairly well known and has been in the public arena for decades.
From Wikipedia: “When he was a young child, his parents Archie and Kitty were imprisoned for procuring abortions. His father was a career criminal and his mother an alcoholic.”
I think casting his parents as the altruistic and enlightened saviours of women with unwanted pregnancies is probably a bit of a reach. More likely it was just another string to their bow of criminal enterprise.
How about Carmel Sepuloni’s mother then Morrissey? Apple doesn’t fall far from the tree there, or is that different somehow?
Carmel Sepuloni has been charged with, or convicted of, dishonesty offences? If she has been, your analogy will have merit; if she has not, you are simply ignorant.
To prevent us thinking you are ignorant, could you post evidence for us of Carmel Sepuloni’s criminality?
Ah, okay, so even though you aren’t convicted of anything, the fact you are charged is the key to your argument.
In that case Hone Harawira does fall into your criteria, mother has been convicted (assault) and he has been charged (failure to remove a vehicle from a road).
Bringing families into politics is a bad idea Morrisey, Carmel Sepuloni isn’t her mother, Hone Harawira isn’t his mother (or cousins), and John Banks most certainly isn’t his parents.
Bringing families into politics is a bad idea Morrisey, Carmel Sepuloni isn’t her mother, Hone Harawira isn’t his mother (or cousins), and John Banks most certainly isn’t his parents.
You’re 66.6666 per cent correct there, Bob. Carmel Sepuloni and Hone Harawira are (or were) honest and respected members of parliament, notwithstanding the personal and irrelevant abuse that you and other right wing shills ceaselessly heap on them.
Banks, on the other hand, is neither honest nor respected, and that won’t change no matter how much you try to divert and smear other, superior politicians.
Harawira and Sepuloni have their faults, but neither of them has asked donors to make illegal payments in two separate cheques in order to (unsuccessfully) escape scrutiny. They are not like their parents; Banks on the other hand, has betrayed his public fiduciary duty as an elected representative—which makes him far worse than his notorious parents.
“notwithstanding the personal and irrelevant abuse that you and other right wing shills ceaselessly heap on them”
Like when Harawira was part of He Taua, which confronted drunk University of Auckland engineering students who performed a parody of the “Ka Mate” haka with obscenities painted on their bodies. The group including Harawira assaulted them with baseball bats and hoses, resulting in several broken bones? Or do we metaphorically abuse him?
“You’re 66.6666 per cent correct there, Bob. Carmel Sepuloni and Hone Harawira are (or were) honest and respected members of parliament”
Yeah, Hone was really respected for his “white mother fuckers” rant, and respected in that he had a complaint laid against him by all of the other Māori Party MPs because they had “lost trust and confidence” in Mr Harawira, that he “acted unethically and without integrity” and that he “deliberately undermined” the party and the leaders. Or respected because he said Osama bin Laden’s actions were those of “a man who fought for the rights, the land and the freedom of his people” and that people should not be damning him but mourn him?
“Harawira and Sepuloni have their faults, but neither of them has asked donors to make illegal payments in two separate cheques in order to (unsuccessfully) escape scrutiny”
No, Harawira made an alliance with the man that was all too happy to write those two cheques, then admitted to receiving payments from that man, but never declared how much he had been paid…hmm sounds familiar
Unfortunately you have made some wildly confused statements in your rant, Bob. However, since you have at least endeavoured to defend your corner, I will deal with each of the points you raise, even though most of them are, sadly, quite spurious.
1.) Like when Harawira was part of He Taua….
Hone Harawira was, like other Māori students at Auckland in 1979, incensed by the racist, demeaning behaviour of the Engineering students’ mock haka party. For years, he and other young Māori leaders had repeatedly protested against those goons and demanded they stop their provocation. The He Taua action was the last resort, after the racists had treated all the Māori protests with contempt.
But it looks like you have made up your mind that the provocateurs were the victims rather than the instigators of the trouble; nothing anyone says is likely to change your mind. Let’s move on to your next point….
2.) “…white mother fuckers….”
Okay, that was a foolish thing to write in an email. You make a reasonable point there, Bob. I presume you have been equally outraged at the far more numerous racist and sexist outbursts by National Party MPs like John “Hone” Carter, Jonathan Coleman, —and John Banks.
3.) a complaint laid against him by all of the other Māori Party MPs
So he’s not a team player. That’s not a sin, and it’s not a crime, and it’s not an ethical lapse. Why would you even mention this irrelevant point?
4.) Harawira made an alliance with the man that was all too happy to write those two cheques…
The problem with what Banks did was not Kim Dotcom—it was Banks’s illegal actions. You don’t seem quite up to speed with the facts and issues of the case.
5.) …hmm sounds familiar
No, you’ve (perhaps deliberately) missed the point again. Hone Harawira’s open dealings with Kim Dotcom were utterly different from Banks’s hamfisted attempts to rort the system.
That’s not what you think it is, CV. Minimum wage workers already pay very little tax as the UK has a tax free threshold of ten thousand pounds. What this really means is locking in the minimum wage at its current low rate. It also allows the rich to sneer at the working poor (look how much I pay in tax while the plebs pay nothing etc).
It’s actually a very Blairite kind of move; at first glance, vaguely progressive, but at heart, just more patronising conservatism. What’s needed is Labour’s policy of lifting the minimum wage and gradually bringing in a living wage.
Um, that question makes no sense. Can you try again?
Edit: to save time, I should point out that I’ve never been short of an opinion. I thought that would have been pretty obvious by now! And my opinion on this matter is that all income earners should pay tax and that tax should be levied on a graduated scale, with lower income earners paying very little. A UBI would be even better starting point, of course.
A historical note on taxing benefits – none were taxed until one day Muldoon decided unemployment beneficiaries should be taxed. up until then Sickness and Unemployment Benefit were paid at the same rate. When taxing of all benefits was brought in the already reduced rate of Unemployment Benefit was treated as if it wasn’t already taxed and taxed again.
IMO, rather than making low income tax free, all benefits need to be increased and so does the minimum wage. Incomes over $70,000 a year need to have a higher rate of tax, and an even higher rate should apply at $150,000. Capital gains of any sort should be taxed.
We are being continually told that aucklands housing problem is predominately all about supply.
Well, we are lifting supply to the market, but there are “unforeseen” consequences:
The ability to find contractors is prooving difficult, as the level of activity increases this is more than matched by price increase well beyond inflation. E.g cost of pipes, diesel is increasing flowing onto increase tender costs for the earthworks component.Council processing of consents, s224s late last year it was within 3 weeks now it is taking 2 months. http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/construction-costs-making-impossible-build-affordable-homes-developer-6241175
Does no one ever consider, that by increasing supply you are increasing the demand on building products the ability for construction coys to deliver ?
He seems to have some hang-up about the oppo. members doing their job and grilling their opposite numbers in the House. Yesterday was a supreme example. Peter’s was attempting to ask a supplementary question. He prefaced it with a handful of words to the effect his question was not in response to the first part of the minister’s answer. It was a point of explanation. Misterrrr Speaker appeared to take it the wrong way and issued him with a warning . Peter’s started to explain what he was doing. Misterrrr Speaker threw him out of the house!
Previous to that incident Key had been screeching at Little across the chamber (including the Super gaffe 🙄 ) – none of them had anything to do with Little’s original questions but hey… that’s okay. He just gets a mild admonishment usually delivered in a voice tinged with amusement.
And frequently with the hint of a smile on his dial as well. Key gets away with more shit than I’ve ever seen any Speaker allow. It’s disgraceful ! The larrikan head boy has it all over the headmaster.
And frequently with the hint of a smile on his dial as well
Yep, meant to add that. If all the m****s out there who thinks he’s such a loverlee guy watched question time in the House and saw his narrowed ice cold eyes and heard his sly, mendacious and puerile-ridden shrieking (at Little in particular) they would drop dead with shock. Serves them right. They are getting exactly what they deserve – which is nothing.
Given how quickly the PM said he wouldnt stop nzers from coming home who were fighting for isis… rather makes me think its cos he knows there arent any… which makes a bit of a mockery of his breathless haste to surveil cos of the threat of nzers being radicalised… just pondering
According to our Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the using of NZ taxpayer funds to bribe a Saudi businessman is all the fault of the Clark administration!!
But – – but – – Helen Clark did it. Where have I heard this before?
The All Blacks play well and have a good win. People like Paul Henry say, “We were all over them, we played well.” The All Blacks lose and people like Paul Henry say, “They were hopeless, they should’ve played better.”
A war is happening and New Zealand troops are sent:
HENRY: … Is this a fight worth having? You HAVE to say YES.
ANDREW PATTERSON: [gravely] Of course, of COURSE.
HENRY: This is a fight that we have to be on the right side of, isn’t it?
…
HENRY: Absolutely we should be part of the fight. And we have to really take it to them! HILLARY BARRY: [softly] I’m afraid so.
JIM KAYES: [softly, grimacing with moral doubt] Yes, I think so.
HENRY: We have to be in there STRONG and HARD!
_____________________________________________________
I have opined before that if the need were so serious for troops to go, John Key and Mike Hosking would have ensured that their kids signed up, did the training and demanded they be sent. (Their parents would no doubt have done the demanding too.)
Paul Henry, wanting to get in there ‘strong and hard’ seems to have the attitude to want to be, to demand to be their commanding officer. Yeah.
Any chance the TV could show us how serious it is about hard news and sent Paul Henry off to Iraq to do an imbed and go out on some patrols towards ISIS territory –
Every day now just seems to bring in more fresh meat for the grinder.In their relentlessly ideological drive to cut back on the “excessive bloat” (as they see it) of the previous Labour-led government, on the mountains of evidence accumulated in such a short period of time do not ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Megan Valére SosouMarket gardening site of the Itchèléré de Itagui agricultural cooperative in Dassa-Zoumè (Image credit: Megan Valère Sossou) For the residents of Dassa-Zoumè, a city in the West African country of Benin, choosing between drinking water and having enough ...
Buzz from the Beehive Melissa Lee – as may be discerned from the screenshot above – has not been demoted for doing something seriously wrong as Minister of ...
Morning in London Mother hugs beloved daughter outside the converted shoe factory in which she is living.Afternoon in London Travelling writer takes himself and his wrist down to A&E, just to be sure. Read more ...
Mike Grimshaw writes – The recent announcement of the University Advisory Group, chaired by Sir Peter Gluckman, makes very clear where the Government’s focus and priorities lie. The remit of the Advisory Group is that Group members will consider challenges and opportunities for improvement in the university sector including: ...
Eric Crampton writes – The Reserve Bank of New Zealand desperately wants to find reasons to have workstreams in climate change. It makes little sense. They’ve run another stress test on the banks looking to see if they could find a prudential regulation case. They couldn’t. They ...
Rob MacCullough writes – Pundits from the left and the right are arguing that National’s Fast Track Bill that is designed to speed up infrastructure decisions could end up becoming mired in a cesspool of corruption. Political commentator ...
Looking at the headlines this morning it’s hard to feel anything other than pessimistic about the future of humanity.Note that I’m not speaking about the future of mankind, but the survival of our humanity. The values that we believe in seem to be ebbing away, by the day.Perhaps every generation ...
Swabbing mixed breed baby chicks to test for avian influenzaUh oh. Bird flu – often deadly to humans – is not only being transmitted from infected birds to dairy cows, but is now travelling between dairy cows. As of last Friday, Bloomberg News reports, there were 32 American dairy herds ...
On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
What is it with the mining industry? Its not enough for them to pillage the earth - they apparently can't even be bothered getting resource consent to do so: The proponent behind a major mine near the Clutha River had already been undertaking activity in the area without a ...
Photo # 1 I am a huge fan of Singapore’s approach to housing, as described here two years ago by copying and pasting from The ConversationWhat Singapore has that Australia does not is a public housing developer, the Housing Development Board, which puts new dwellings on public and reclaimed land, ...
Buzz from the Beehive Reactions to news of the government’s readiness to make urgent changes to “the resource management system” through a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) suggest a balanced approach is being taken. The Taxpayers’ Union says the proposed changes don’t go far enough. Greenpeace says ...
I’m starting to wonder if Anna Burns-Francis might be the best political interviewer we’ve got. That might sound unlikely to you, it came as a bit of a surprise to me.Jack Tame can be excellent, but has some pretty average days. I like Rebecca Wright on Newshub, she asks good ...
Chris Trotter writes – Willie Jackson is said to be planning a “media summit” to discuss “the state of the media and how to protect Fourth Estate Journalism”. Not only does the Editor of The Daily Blog, Martyn Bradbury, think this is a good idea, but he has also ...
Graeme Edgeler writes – This morning [April 21], the Wellington High Court is hearing a judicial review brought by Hon. Karen Chhour, the Minister for Children, against a decision of the Waitangi Tribunal. This is unusual, judicial reviews are much more likely to brought against ministers, rather than ...
Both of Parliament’s watchdogs have now ripped into the Government’s Fast-track Approvals Bill. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s political economy and beyond on the morning of Tuesday, April 23 are:The Lead: The Auditor General,John Ryan, has joined the ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Sarah SpengemanPeople wait to board an electric bus in Pune, India. (Image credit: courtesy of ITDP) Public transportation riders in Pune, India, love the city’s new electric buses so much they will actually skip an older diesel bus that ...
The infrastructure industry yesterday issued a “hurry up” message to the Government, telling it to get cracking on developing a pipeline of infrastructure projects.The hiatus around the change of Government has seen some major projects cancelled and others delayed, and there is uncertainty about what will happen with the new ...
Hi,Over the weekend I revisited a podcast I really adore, Dead Eyes. It’s about a guy who got fired from Band of Brothers over two decades ago because Tom Hanks said he had “dead eyes”.If you don’t recall — 2001’s Band of Brothers was part of the emerging trend of ...
Buzz from the Beehive The 180 or so recipients of letters from the Government telling them how to submit infrastructure projects for “fast track” consideration includes some whose project applications previously have been rejected by the courts. News media were quick to feature these in their reports after RMA Reform Minister Chris ...
It would not be a desirable way to start your holiday by breaking your back, your head, or your wrist, but on our first hour in Singapore I gave it a try.We were chatting, last week, before we started a meeting of Hazel’s Enviro Trust, about the things that can ...
Calling all journalists, academics, planners, lawyers, political activists, environmentalists, and other members of the public who believe that the relationships between vested interests and politicians need to be scrutinised. We need to work together to make sure that the new Fast-Track Approvals Bill – currently being pushed through by the ...
Feel worried. Shane Jones and a couple of his Cabinet colleagues are about to be granted the power to override any and all objections to projects like dams, mines, roads etc even if: said projects will harm biodiversity, increase global warming and cause other environmental harms, and even if ...
Bryce Edwards writes- The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. ...
Michael Bassett writes – If you think there is a move afoot by the radical Maori fringe of New Zealand society to create a parallel system of government to the one that we elect at our triennial elections, you aren’t wrong. Over the last few days we have ...
Without a corresponding drop in interest rates, it’s doubtful any changes to the CCCFA will unleash a massive rush of home buyers. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate on Monday, April 22 included:The Government making a ...
Sunday was a lazy day. I started watching Jack Tame on Q&A, the interviews are usually good for something to write about. Saying the things that the politicians won’t, but are quite possibly thinking. Things that are true and need to be extracted from between the lines.As you might know ...
In our Weekly Roundup last week we covered news from Auckland Transport that the WX1 Western Express is going to get an upgrade next year with double decker electric buses. As part of the announcement, AT also said “Since we introduced the WX1 Western Express last November we have seen ...
TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to April 29 include:PM Christopher Luxon is scheduled to hold a post-Cabinet news conference at 4 pm today. Stats NZ releases its statutory report on Census 2023 tomorrow.Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivers a pre-Budget speech at ...
A listing of 29 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 14, 2024 thru Sat, April 20, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week hinges on these words from the abstract of a fresh academic ...
The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. The Government says this will ...
This is a column to say thank you. So many of have been in touch since Mum died to say so many kind and thoughtful things. You’re wonderful, all of you. You’ve asked how we’re doing, how Dad’s doing. A little more realisation each day, of the irretrievable finality of ...
Identifying the engine type in your car is crucial for various reasons, including maintenance, repairs, and performance upgrades. Knowing the specific engine model allows you to access detailed technical information, locate compatible parts, and make informed decisions about modifications. This comprehensive guide will provide you with a step-by-step approach to ...
Introduction: The allure of racing is undeniable. The thrill of speed, the roar of engines, and the exhilaration of competition all contribute to the allure of this adrenaline-driven sport. For those who yearn to experience the pinnacle of racing, becoming a race car driver is the ultimate dream. However, the ...
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Your car battery is an essential component that provides power to start your engine, operate your electrical systems, and store energy. Over time, batteries can weaken and lose their ability to hold a charge, which can lead to starting problems, power failures, and other issues. Replacing your battery before it ...
In most states, you cannot register a car without a valid driver’s license. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Exceptions to the RuleIf you are under 18 years old: In some states, you can register a car in your name even if you do not ...
Mazda, a Japanese automotive manufacturer with a rich history of innovation and engineering excellence, has emerged as a formidable player in the global car market. Known for its reputation of producing high-quality, fuel-efficient, and driver-oriented vehicles, Mazda has consistently garnered praise from industry experts and consumers alike. In this article, ...
Struts are an essential part of a car’s suspension system. They are responsible for supporting the weight of the car and damping the oscillations of the springs. Struts are typically made of steel or aluminum and are filled with hydraulic fluid. How Do Struts Work? Struts work by transferring the ...
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Introduction Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) has revolutionized the field of translation by harnessing the power of technology to assist human translators in their work. This innovative approach combines specialized software with human expertise to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of translations. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the ...
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Powering up and shutting down your ASUS laptop is an essential task for any laptop user. Locating the power button can sometimes be a hassle, especially if you’re new to ASUS laptops. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on where to find the power button on different ASUS laptop ...
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“You talking about me?”The neoliberal denigration of the past was nowhere more unrelenting than in its depiction of the public service. The Post Office and the Railways were held up as being both irremediably inefficient and scandalously over-manned. Playwright Roger Hall’s “Glide Time” caricatures were presented as accurate depictions of ...
Roger Partridge writes – When the Coalition Government took office last October, it inherited a country on a precipice. With persistent inflation, decades of insipid productivity growth and crises in healthcare, education, housing and law and order, it is no exaggeration to suggest New Zealand’s first-world status was ...
Rob MacCulloch writes – In 2022, the Curriculum Centre at the Ministry of Education employed 308 staff, according to an Official Information Request. Earlier this week it was announced 202 of those staff were being cut. When you look up “The New Zealand Curriculum” on the Ministry of ...
Chris Bishop’s bill has stirred up a hornets nest of opposition. Photo: Lynn Grieveson for The KākāTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate from the last day included:A crescendo of opposition to the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill is ...
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Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.State of humanity, 20242024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?Full story Share ...
Determining the hardest sport in the world is a subjective matter, as the difficulty level can vary depending on individual abilities, physical attributes, and experience. However, based on various factors including physical demands, technical skills, mental fortitude, and overall accomplishment, here is an exploration of some of the most challenging ...
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Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
The Government’s newly announced review of methane emissions reduction targets hints at its desire to delay Aotearoa New Zealand’s urgent transition to a climate safe future, the Green Party said. ...
The Government must commit to the Maitai School building project for students with high and complex needs, to ensure disabled students from the top of the South Island have somewhere to learn. ...
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey and his Government colleagues have made a meal of their mental health commitments, showing how flimsy their efforts to champion the issue truly are, says Labour Mental Health spokesperson Ingrid Leary. ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order. “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today. I am delighted ...
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions. “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. “It is good ...
The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
“China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector. "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
Asia Pacific Report Students and activist staff at Australia’s University of Sydney (USyd) have set up a Gaza solidarity encampment in support of Palestinians and similar student-led protests in the United States. The camp was pitched as mass graves, crippled hospitals, thousands of civilian deaths and the near-total destruction of ...
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cally Jetta, Senior Lecturer and Academic Lead; College for First Nations, University of Southern Queensland Australian War MemorialAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this article contains names and images of deceased people, as well as sensitive historical information ...
RNZ News Melissa Lee has been ousted from New Zealand’s coalition cabinet and stripped of the Media portfolio, and Penny Simmonds has lost the Disability Issues portfolio in a reshuffle. Climate Change and Revenue Minister Simon Watts will take Lee’s spot in cabinet. Simmonds was a minister outside of cabinet. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Lindenmayer, Professor, Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University laurello/Shutterstock Some reports and popular books, such as Bill Gammage’s Biggest Estate on Earth, have argued that extensive areas of Australia’s forests were kept open through frequent burning by ...
Analysis - Christopher Luxon framing the demotion of two ministers as the portfolios getting "too complex" is a charitable way of saying they weren't up to the job. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra With Jim Chalmers’s third budget on May 14, Australians will be looking for some more cost-of-living relief – beyond the tax cuts – although they have been warned extra measures will be modest. As ...
Analysis: Melissa Lee has lost the media portfolio and her spot in Cabinet after multiple failed attempts to find solutions for a media industry in crisis. On Wednesday, the Prime Minister announced Lee would be losing her spot in Cabinet along with her media and communications ministerial portfolio. The job ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Simon Wilmot, Senior Lecturer, Film, Deakin University Among the many Australian who served during the second world war, there is a small group of people whose stories remain largely untold. These are the Muslim men and women who, while small in number, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kelly Saunders, PhD Candidate, University of Canberra There has been much analysis and praise of Justice Michael Lee’s recent judgement in Bruce Lehrmann’s defamation case against Channel Ten. Many people were openly relieved to read Lee’s “forensic” and “nuanced” application of law ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kathy Gibbs, Program Director for the Bachelor of Education, Griffith University zEdward_Indy/Shutterstock Around one in 20 people has attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It’s one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in childhood and often continues into adulthood. ADHD is diagnosed ...
The Fairer Future coalition of anti-poverty groups say Whaikaha must be properly funded going forward, and that to argue that poor financial management of the new Ministry is a red herring by the Prime Minister. ...
The Taxpayers’ Union is today congratulating Hon. Paul Goldsmith on his appointment as Minister for Media and Communications and urges him to rule out state intervention in the private media sector. ...
Asia Pacific Report The West Papuan resistance OPM leader has condemned Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and US President Joe Biden, accusing their countries of “six decades of treachery” over Papuan independence. The open letter was released today by OPM chairman Jeffrey P Bomanak on the eve of ANZAC Day ...
Welcome to The Spinoff Books Confessional, in which we get to know the reading habits and quirks of New Zealanders at large. This week: writer and one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people of 2024, Lauren Groff.The book I wish I’d writtenIf I wish I’d written a ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Fechner, Research Fellow, Social Marketing, Griffith University mavo/Shutterstock Imagine having dinner at a restaurant. The menu offers plant-based meat alternatives made mostly from vegetables, mushrooms, legumes and wheat that mimic meat in taste, texture and smell. Despite being given that ...
“Three Strikes is a dead-end policy proposed by a dead-end government. The Three Strikes law ignores the causes of crime, instead just brutalising people already crushed by the cost of living.” ...
By Don Wiseman, RNZ Pacific senior journalist An Australian-born judge in Kiribati could well face deportation later this week after a tribunal ruling that he should be removed from his post. The tribunal’s report has just been tabled in the Kiribati Parliament and is due to be debated by MPs ...
With its clear mandate for police use, political nuances, and nuanced public trust, Denmark's insights provide valuable considerations for Australia and New Zealand. ...
Books editor Claire Mabey reviews poet Louise Wallace’s debut novel. A famous poet once said to me that he’s always suspicious when a poet publishes a novel. I never really understood why but maybe it’s something to do with cheating on your first form. Louise Wallace is a poet. She’s ...
For a few months at the turn of the millennium, TrueBliss burned bright as the biggest pop stars in the country. Alex Casey chats to two superfans who still hold the flame. During a humble backyard wedding in Nelson, 1999, one of the cordially invited guests had to excuse themselves ...
How will the recent wave of job cuts impact ethnic diversity in the media? In November last year, I was working a very busy day in the newsroom of a large online news site, interviewing whānau about their concerns over the imminent closure of one of the few puna reo ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ruth Knight, Researcher, Queensland University of Technology Have you ever felt sick at work? Perhaps you had food poisoning or the flu. Your belly hurt, or you felt tired, making it hard to concentrate and be productive. How likely would you be ...
Despite heavy criticism and an ongoing select committee process, the Police Minister says the Government will forge ahead with a ban on gang patches. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sam Whiting, Lecturer – Creative Industries, University of South Australia Shutterstock Everyone has a favourite band, or a favourite composer, or a favourite song. There is some music which speaks to you, deeply; and other music which might be the current ...
A new survey says ‘outlook not great’ for those charged with building infrastructure, while RMA changes delight farmers and depress environmentalists, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. First RMA changes announced ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Olli Hellmann, Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Waikato Getty Images When New Zealanders commemorate Anzac Day on April 25, it’s not only to honour the soldiers who lost their lives in World War I and subsequent conflicts, but also ...
A leaked document shows the Canterbury/Waitaha arm of health agency Te Whatu Ora is scurrying to save $13.3 million by July. The “financial sustainability target”, which was “allocated” to Waitaha, is consistent with what’s happening in other districts, says Sarah Dalton, executive director of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists. ...
A look at the state of the previous government’s affordable housing scheme, and what could come next.Remind me: What’s KiwiBuild again?First announced in 2012, KiwiBuild was a flagship policy of the Labour Party heading into both its 2014 and 2017 election campaigns. With Jacinda Ardern as prime minister, ...
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There’s relief for building owners bending under the weight of earthquake strengthening rules – and costs – that came into force seven years ago. Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk has announced a scheduled 2027 review of the earthquake-prone building regulations will now start this year. Owners will also get ...
Opinion: It has been announced that nine percent of roles at Oranga Tamariki will be disestablished, presumably to help fund the tax cuts promised by the coalition Government. I am reminded of the graphics used to illustrate pandemic events, where five thousand people are standing in a field and then ...
After more than two sleepless days, running through savage terrain, Greig Hamilton didn’t know if he was going to finish one of the most gruelling psychological assaults in sport. He was metres away from the finish line, a yellow gate made famous in a Netflix documentary; a race he’d dreamed ...
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[quiz],DIV[quiz],A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question?Send Newsroom your questions. The post Newsroom daily quiz, Wednesday 24 April appeared first on Newsroom. ...
The following interview with former Green Party MP Sue Kedgley came about because she features in the new memoir Hine Toa by activist Ngāhuia te Awekōtuku; the two knew each other at the University of Auckland in the early 70s, when they were both took on leadership roles in the ...
COMMENTARY:By Murray Horton New Zealand needs to get tough with Israel. It’s not as if we haven’t done so before. When NZ authorities busted a Mossad operation in Auckland 20 years ago, the government didn’t say: “Oh well, Israel has the right to defend itself.” No, it arrested, prosecuted, ...
NEWSMAKERS:By Vijay Narayan, news director of FijiVillage Blessed to be part of the University of Fiji (UniFiji) faculty to continue to teach and mentor those who want to join our noble profession, and to stand for truth and justice for the people of the country. I was privileged to ...
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The government's plan to reintroduce a three strikes regime is being strongly opposed by lawyers, who argue there is no evidence it reduces crime or helps people rehabilitate. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dan Jerker B. Svantesson, Professor specialising in Internet law, Bond University Do Australian courts have the right to decide what foreign citizens, located overseas, view online on a foreign-owned platform? Anyone inclined to answer “yes” to this question should perhaps also ask ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Giovanni E Ferreira, NHMRC Emerging Leader Research Fellow, Institute of Musculoskeletal Health, University of Sydney Last week in a post on X, owner of the platform Elon Musk recommended people look into disc replacement if they’re experiencing severe neck or back pain. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Hayward, Emeritus Professor of Public Policy, RMIT University anek.soowannaphoom/Shutterstock NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey caught the headlines yesterday, courtesy of a blistering speech condemning the latest GST carve-up. New South Wales, he claimed, would be A$11.9 billion worse off over the ...
While police are "broadly in favour", the government's proposed anti-gang laws are facing pushback from lawyers, rights groups and former gang members. ...
While police are "broadly in favour", the government's proposed anti-gang laws are facing pushback from lawyers, rights groups and former gang members. ...
By Miriam Zarriga in Port Moresby Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has arrived at Kokoda Station, Northern province, at the start of his state visit to Papua New Guinea. Both Albanese and Prime Minister James Marape will meet with the locals and the Northern Provincial government before they begin their ...
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Cullen to look into concerns over use of zerohour contracts at NZ Post and gives undertaking of sorts about their use.
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/343643/chairman-check-contracts
”The former Dunedin Labour MP told the Otago Daily Times when contacted yesterday he would ask chief executive Brian Roche about zero-hours contracts when the pair met tomorrow.
”I want to talk with the chief executive about that.
”I would be very concerned if we were involved in any kind of permanent arrangement around zero-hour contracts,” Sir Michael said.
& more information about NZ Posts PPM (Postal Pay Model – paid for volume not hours worked), is on the monday there was no mail because of snow (the trucks couldn’t get over the Kilmogs), so no volume, no pay.
And there would be no delivery issue in Dunedin that day if the mail was not sorted in Chch as there was minimal snow in the city itself.
Posties are part of a community network that grows more important with the ageing population, with more people at home in their old age.
But instead we get a zerohours exploited workforce, privatisation by stealth to DX Mail, and a too readily accepted story about technology change/TINA.
Some small providers are stepping up like taxi firms delivering mail in small towns, which is fine as it’s filling a gap in a public service, but leading to an overall outcome of fragmentation and inefficiency.
http://wallstreetexaminer.com/2015/05/heres-the-most-pernicious-obama-administration-falsehood-on-tpp/
No less than the president himself has promised, “No trade agreement is going to force us to change our laws.” National Economic Council chief Jeffrey Zients has stated, “It is an often repeated, but inaccurate, claim that ISDS [a provision of the TPP] gives companies the right to weaken labor or environmental standards, for example, suggesting that a trade agreement could result in the United States having to lower its minimum wage. The reality is that ISDS does not and cannot require countries to change any law or regulation.”
That’s right…. it’s a “choice”. Eliminating all but two options (in this case be sued or change the law – see you have ALL the control!) works for four year old children, so why wouldn’t it work for an apathetic, dumb and numb population?
I don’t see it that way.
“Being sued” is just another way of saying that the government would compensate for losses attributable to legislative changes. I’d love that. Road user charges go up, I get compensated by the government. Max Bradford enacts a faith-based electricity market, I get compensated for that too.
Tell the corporations to get in line or fuck off. ISDS my ass.
This is one of those reports you need to read to get to the good news. It appears that now 6 years after the banks melted down – we are getting some prosecutions of some individuals who knew they were acting immorally and corruptly. That said, some of the major players are still walking free – what a odd world we live in – when people who cause such despair, heartbreak, and death – walk free, because they have the biggest check book.
http://www.publicintegrity.org/2015/05/22/17377/bankers-major-institutions-still-havent-been-held-responsible-financial-crash
Because I saw the petition from Jacinda Ardern being promoted on the standard, and it’s not really appropriate to put this – on that page.
http://bowalleyroad.blogspot.co.nz/2015/05/going-backwards-table-talk-2-at-ika.html
Also I see Chris Trotter is calling trick dicky out. Well done Chris. Hoot’s your lying is getting out of whack again. I know, I know to you, it’s just propaganda promoting you set of ideals. However, when you cross the line – you will get called on it.
http://bowalleyroad.blogspot.co.nz/2015/05/tricky-customer-why-is-matthew-hooton.html
Raw: Waitress knocks groping man to ground
Seems reasonable. Unfortunately, everyone seemed to be more concerned with the perpetrator of assault than the person assaulted.
@DTB it looks like she was more than capable of taking care of herself !
A tough young russian lady, good on her !
she probably knows how to field strip an AKM.
akm = Chinese copy
And yes they teach kids how to field strip an AK47 or they used to
Hmmm I thought Kalashinkov himself designed the AKM circa 1949 or 1950 to improve upon his original AK47 design. And yes, I suspect that China has made the majority of those worldwide now as what is generally called an AK47 is actually the slightly updated AKM model.
Might have my facts wrong though…
Would she have responded so had she had her hair stroked/pulled?
Probably.
That doesn’t mean that she doesn’t need any support from those around her.
http://www.rawstory.com/2015/05/here-are-7-things-people-who-say-theyre-fiscally-conservative-but-socially-liberal-dont-understand/
via boots theory:
https://bootstheory.wordpress.com/2015/05/27/qotd-on-being-fiscally-conservative-but-socially-liberal/
And conservative fiscal policies do enormous social harm. That’s true even for the mildest, most generous version of “fiscal conservatism” — low taxes, small government, reduced regulation, a free market. These policies perpetuate human rights abuses. They make life harder for people who already have hard lives. Even if the people supporting these policies don’t intend this, the policies are racist, sexist, classist (obviously), ableist, homophobic, transphobic, and otherwise socially retrograde. In many ways, they do more harm than so-called “social policies” that are supposedly separate from economic ones.
Translation for the middle-class overlords in the Labour Party. The good deeds you do with your human rights policies (aka the odious term “identity politics”) are completely undermined by the harm you do to the groups you purport to support with your craven fiscal positioning.
Unless you are only interested in protecting the human rights of the wealthiest 10-15 percent. Surely that couldn’t be true?
Something to note about SR is she does not recognise that Labour are orthodox fiscal conservatives.
I find it funny that it is the Labour Party which is driven to undermine the universality of the NZ welfare state.
Almost the entirety of the hierarchy of the Labour Party assumes that money is a limited resource, when money today is nothing more than electronic ones and zeroes entered by keyboard in spreadsheets and databases. Oil is a limited resource. Gas is a limited resource. Fresh water is a limited resource. Top soil is a limited resource. Bismuth and helium are limited resources. But electronic ones and zeroes sitting on a spreadsheet? It’s a total misconception of what a “resource” is.
Labour is simply avoiding asking itself the hard questions when it comes to socioeconomic policy like universal NZ super: is it a critical priority to fully fund it. If the answer is YES then money will always be available because the Government can spend into existence the money required. OR if its politics require it, it can instead TAX back in previously issued money in order to re-spend it on NZ super.
In essence, what Labour is saying when it discusses means testing NZ Super or raising the Super eligibility age is:
– We are not willing to borrow the money required to keep NZ super universal.
– Neither are we willing to tax in the money required to keep NZ super universal.
– Neither are we willing to issue the money required to keep NZ super universal.
– We are however willing to cut Kiwis’ entitlement to universal NZ super.
And as a reminder, these are MPs all on very generous parliamentary Kiwi Saver schemes all on incomes well into the top 2%, deciding this for everyone else.
It doesnt really matter anymore. Little’s comments about super last week probably cost Labour the next election. They will not be trusted on super ever again.
Yeah, I know.
You’re the one calling money a resource, CV, so it’s you with the misconception. Whether you understand it or not, to retain value for you and I , the money supply must remain relatively tight. QE works, but only if it’s constrained. Your fantasy about ones and zeroes ends with massive inflation that actually ruins the lives of the majority. Have a look at the lessons from Zimbabwe and Argentina where the practical results of your fantasy can be seen. If you destroy the value of the currency, it’s working people that pay.
What is the difference between just flooding an economy with bank notes and flooding an economy with public works ‘paid for’ with newly created government money?
I get how the first scenario leads to huge levels of inflation, but the second would appear to be a simple act of taking the real world resources that already exist and getting them in place…ie, there is no flooding of the economy with increasingly worthless bank notes.
“a simple act of taking the real world resources that already exist and getting them in place…ie, there is no flooding of the economy with increasingly worthless bank notes.”
There is Bill, because the money does not stay with the Public Works.
In order to complete the public works the money has to go to suppliers / contractors / workers / architects / lawyers / etc etc, and so in fact it does spill through to the wider economy and act as an inflationary force.
If you are building up productive capacities and capabilities, inflation will not be a problem. And if inflation appears to be taking hold, the money supply can always be briefly tightened as new competitive suppliers are created.
Of course, globally the economic problem is one of deflation – insufficient money supply in many areas of the real economy.
Over time and can easily be offset by use of taxes.
You have to see money as a flow from the government and back to the government. From the government is creating the money and back to the government is destroying it.
Or increasing compulsory savings.
Or slowing down of credit/loans extended by the private sector.
Or encouraging capital investment.
Or any number of other ways to slow down or reduce money supply in the real economy
There are so many ways to manage an economy intelligently, and all the orthodox types can think about is squeezing life out of the economy using the blunt inhumane mallets of keeping unemployment up, wages down, and benefits on the bread line.
CV just, quite specifically, said that money isn’t a resource.
Agreed but it’s really a question of how that constraint is applied. ATM there is, effectively, almost no constraint on the explosion of money in the system as the explosion in housing prices shows.
The ‘resource’ thing was CV’s strawman crack in the comment 6.1 above. He made it up, hence he’s the one calling it a resource, nobody else.
Can you point to the part of that sentence that says that money is a resource?
Yes.
Edit: (I’ve got to disappear for a while, but the guts of it is this: we all know (including the Labour hierarchy) that the physical object ‘money’ is an unlimited resource. We can print more. However, if we do , it has real world consequences. That’s not because of what it is, physically or digitally, but what it represents; it’s agreed value. And when you dilute its value, most of us suffer. As recently as 1984 we had that happen in NZ and the ‘cure’ was Rogernomics. If we don’t learn from history …)
And, in fact, we are and the consequences are massive house price inflation especially in Auckland.
See, you can’t just say that we can’t print money while we’re massively printing money (well, the private banks are).
Yeah, I recall that and the cause was the same as today. Massive returns from investment for foreign investors in housing. Despite the capital controls of the time we were still being flooded by foreign investment wanting to get its part of the ~20% mortgage market here.
There’s a reason why both major religions in the world ban usury and it’s because it crashes the economy.
This is a false concept. Money is already priced in multiple ways and therefore its “agreed value” is being constantly determined by what worthwhile things an economy can supply for the money you have. It is that focus on the real economy which is key.
Of course as TRP now admits, there is no real shortage of money other than the artificial one that the system is designed to inflict upon the majority of the population. In other words: austerity for you; ZIRP for us.
“as TRP now admits …”
I’ve never said otherwise. Sharpen up, CV.
Oh TRP, I’m simply working through a process of discovery of your true views. No need for the condescension. You really are used to being the boss, I guess. More tomorrow.
Are you calling me a liar?
Are you calling me a dullard?
Answer the question, CV.
Do you really think that you are the boss?
Check your reading comprehension skills dude; I said I was trying to find out what you really think. If you want to hide it, fine, I wasn’t that interested in the first place.
[Ok, so that second sentence confirms it. Withdraw or take some time off. TRP]
I withdraw my previous comments as per your orders, Te Reo Putake.
[Thank you. Let’s move on, aye? TRP]
Something to note about SR is she does not recognise that Labour are orthodox fiscal conservatives.
Please do not presume to make statements about what I do or don’t recognise. You are possibly the person least likely to have any insight on the matter.
Hi Stephanie,
Then you’re welcome to agree, deny or clarify (or do nothing) re Labour being orthodox fiscal conservatives. The importance of keeping inflation low by keeping buying power and money supply tight, the use of unemployment to shrink consumer inflation, the importance of annual economic growth combined with tight fiscal discipline, the importance of government surpluses and balancing the books to keep the confidence of the markets, etc.
Then you’re welcome to agree, deny or clarify (or do nothing) re Labour being orthodox fiscal conservatives.
Nope. You are welcome to stop making up shit about authors on this site.
Your definition of “orthodox fiscal conservatives” (i.e. anyone who isn’t advocating a total revolution of basic Western economic practices) is so broad and unrealistic to expect of a major party in a Westminster democracy that it’s laughable you think you’re making some kind of cutting argument by labelling Labour as such.
Why are you referring to authors privilege based on my commenting about something you wrote somewhere else? If you think my conclusion about your economic views are inaccurate, just say so. I am quite happy to be corrected.
But is the label accurate or inaccurate, from your perspective? Again, you are non-committal about your actual views.
Since the 1970s the establishment within each of the Anglo FVEY nations has adopted neoliberal economic paradigms and decision frameworks. The USA, UK, Australia, Canada and NZ. That’s been the true revolution.
Again, you are non-committal about your actual views.
You say “non-committal”, I say “unwilling to be baited into a conversation where you’ve already set the ground rules so you cannot be argued with.”
Give it up CV.
If Steph wanted her opinions analysed or questioned, she’d publish them.
Something to note about SR is she does not recognise that Labour are orthodox fiscal conservatives.
I think that’s unfair, CV.
The whole point of the article is that if you care about people you care about economics and human rights. The two can’t be separated into neat little spheres. I think Stephanie understands this better than most.
And I doubt she is naive about the Labour Party.
Plus, no need to bring her into it at all. Focus on the issues.
But a feminist who advocates for Side Issues No One Cares About was getting positive attention! This is a travesty!!!
The real problem is not that the Labour Party does or does not agree with Modern Monetary Theory, it’s that proposing it destroys fiscal credibility in the eyes of the public. The Greens proposed QE last election, and got relentlessly attacked on the subject for weeks, even if it now turns out everyone else is doing QE anyway…
A observation on my readings this morning.
It’s funny how all the right wing rush out the line GODWIN when anybody describes anything the right wing do as fascist.
But conversely – when right wingers describe the left in tired old left, almost Stalinist terms – no one bats an eyelid?
Hell I dislike the old left as much as the next person – unimaginative, staid, misogynistic, homophobic, and just too overbearing for words. Yes it was sacrilegious, but we have moved on.
So why do we let the right define us as so?
[lprent: The Godwin thing invariably degenerates into boring flamewars. Godwin is a shortcut for people who have seen it degenerate a thousand times before to say “shut the fuck up” to the idiot starting to use it it as if it was a new tactic. That includes the stalin, various kims, pinochet and every other pissant dictatorial metaphor to replace their inability to use their brains.
When people express what they actually think rather than sprouting slogans we tend to be more tolerant. Doesn’t matter if we think they are nutters from the right or left (and there are many on the left who are exactly as dogmatic). But if they get boring about it and deteriorate into slogans then you’ll find that commenters and moderators will bat more than an eyelid. It isn’t a recipe for long term tolerance in any net environment. ]
The Left have not got a strong defining narrative or paradigm for what its mission is in the 21st century, so others find it easy to define us especially as they have a powerful and far reaching communications infrastructure to do it with.
“We need to KILL THEM ALL!
And if some women and children get killed, so be it.”
Paul Henry, TV3, Wednesday 27 May 2015
Paul Henry, Hillary Barry (sycophant), Jim Kayes (sycophant)
“Wise men speak because they have something to say, fools because they have to say something.” — Plato
As the last item on the 7 a.m. news, Hillary Barry reads about a Danish radio host who has bludgeoned a rabbit to death with a bicycle pump, cooked it, then eaten it live on air. She is clearly appalled by this…..
HILLARY BARRY: Bludgeoning it with a bicycle pump?
JIM KAYES: Good kicker.
PAUL HENRY: Now that’s a technical term and a lot of viewers won’t know what that means.
JIM KAYES: “Kicker” means the last story.
HENRY: Thank you.
Hillary Barry’s brief display of humanitarian revulsion was interesting, especially in light of her reaction to the bloodthirsty ranting that would occur in the studio just over an hour later. While she made no bones about her tender feelings for the fate of a rabbit in Denmark, she was less keen to defend human beings in Iraq and Syria as they came under a savage rhetorical assault.
7:12 a.m. ….
Along with endorsing the Key government’s cynical, rotten “plan” to house people under power lines, Henry’s mission today is to endorse the American-led campaign against ISIS. To this end, Henry interviews Steve Hoadley, an extreme right wing American who glories in the title of “Associate Professor of International Relations” at Auckland University. Hoadley is notorious for stating, at the very height of Israel’s murderous assault on Gaza in 2008-9—what Israeli generals chortlingly termed “twenty-two days of madness”—that he supported the Israelis because they were civilized compared to the people they were destroying. Today, however, Hoadley delivered an anodyne and uncontroversial summary of the situation in Iraq; the unhinged ranting would come not from him, but from Paul Henry.
7:16 a.m. ….
Henry heaps scorn on the Labour Party politicians who have dared to question the land that the government wants to force people to live on—next to cemeteries and under electric power lines. “How STUPID are THEY?” he snarls.
8:05….
Hillary Barry reads the weather, including for Alexandra, which she daringly and controversially calls “Alex”…
HILLARY BARRY: I know you don’t like me saying Alex, but I DO.
8:07….
Jim reads the sports news, corpsing throughout, because he has just told a mildly amusing joke.
8:10 a.m. …..
HENRY: I just can’t get over the idea of the British putting in these duck lanes.
JIM KAYES: That IS very funny.
HENRY: It’s just too STUPID for words.
After the 8 o’clock news, there’s a regular “panel”—two guests who are supposed to reflect on current issues. Today’s panel features former reality TV star Joe Cotton, billed as a “broadcaster”, and RadioLIVE host Andrew Patterson.….
HENRY: All right, Labour have had a field day with this 430 hectares. It can’t ALL be beachfront property! Would you buy a house next to a graveyard? The thing that annoys me about this is that Labour—this is the opposition just saying things to be an opposition.
Andrew Patterson apparently has nothing to say about this; he simply agrees with Henry. And Joe Cotton, instead of saying something thoughtful or challenging, launches in to an unfunny diversionary spiel about poltergeists and horror movies.
HENRY: Are you in favor of our troops being in Iraq?
ANDREW PATTERSON: No I’m not comfortable. But of course you’ve got to do SOMETHING.
HENRY: It sends a very clear message that New Zealand is WITH the United States and the rest of the willing. Is this a fight worth having? You HAVE to say YES.
ANDREW PATTERSON: [gravely] Of course, of COURSE.
HENRY: This is a fight that we have to be on the right side of, isn’t it?
JOE COTTON: [baffled sigh] Whooooooof….
HENRY: We have to POUND them and SQUASH them don’t we?
ANDREW PATTERSON: I guess the big question here is: how do we counter the ideology?
HENRY: It’s hard. It’s hard…..
8:35 a.m. ….
HENRY: Absolutely we should be part of the fight. And we have to really take it to them!
HILLARY BARRY: [softly] I’m afraid so.
JIM KAYES: [softly, grimacing with moral doubt] Yes, I think so.
HENRY: We have to be in there STRONG and HARD! We have to KILL THEM ALL! And in the course of this, bombs are going to bounce into tents where there are women and children! But we must not get up in arms about that! Kill them all!
HILLARY BARRY: [clearly uncomfortable] Mmm hmmm.
JIM KAYES: [gravely] That’s the reality of war.
HILLARY: I’d like some feedback on this Alex/Alexandra controversy! Paul thinks I should say Alexandra.
PAUL HENRY: I think you are being too casual towards the people of Alexandra when you call their town Alex.
HILLARY BARRY: [mock-scolding] Look who’s calling me casual!
HENRY: Just on this ISIS thing again. THEY thrive because WE hesitate. They’re not LIKE us.
JIM KAYES: We fight in a conventional, honest way. Whereas—
HENRY: Exactly! We need to KILL THEM ALL! And if some women and children get killed, so be it.
PAUL HENRY: Right, on the phone, we have Cade from Alexandra. Are you happy with Alex, Cade, or is it Alexandra? For a fact we know that it is Alexandra not Alex, are we all agreed on that? What kind of a name is Cade anyway?
HILLARY BARRY: [giggling] Stop being MEAN!
Jim Kayes snickers dutifully.
8:59 a.m……
HENRY: I’d like to dedicate this show to our troops in Iraq, who are on the frontline in the war against ISIS—a war we are part of, like it or not.
And that is why my friend I do not watch or listen to Henry
Don’t worry, my friend, I watch and listen to creeps like Henry so that you don’t have to. Keep an eye out for some more transcripts* from some of his earlier shows, which I’m starting to write up now.
* Yes, Felix, I know, I know….
Haha, excellent.
But tell me, was the 8:59am dedication a real thing, or a bit of poetic licence (for which you will receive 12 lashings)? Because if it was real… *vomits entire contents of his body, entrails, viscera and all, onto the floor*
But tell me, was the 8:59am dedication a real thing, or a bit of poetic licence (for which you will receive 12 lashings)?
He actually said that. I think I got that bit exactly verbatim.
This morning, as a parting shot, Henry dedicated the programme to the senile thug “Sir” Robert Jones, whose actions apparently lend “colour” to our lives.
paul henry unhinged. Very frightening. For this sub human we lose Clive??
JOHN BANKS : crook or not? read, listen to him & judge for yourself
https://fmacskasy.wordpress.com/2015/05/26/john-banks-a-tale-of-two-cheques/
Crook.
His parents were two of the most notorious criminals in Auckland; the rotten apple doesn’t roll far from the tree.
Indeed “Harawira” springs to mind.
That’s a foolish thing to say. Hone Harawira is a serious and thoughtful person. John Banks is not.
Or do you have some evidence of Hone Harawira receiving secret, illegal payments of money like John Banks?
Parents, Moz. The comment was about the parents.
Fair enough, Te Reo—but this fool seemed to be suggesting Hone Harawira was in some way comparable to John Banks.
Nah, Realblue was suggesting that Hone’s parents were somehow equivalent to Bank’s folks. Which is the purest bullshit, of course. Banks is a very complicated fellow and his upbringing in poverty hasn’t taught him any compassion for the poor. It’s just made him determined to be as distant from poverty as possible and by any means necessary. So the apple/tree analogy is pretty apt.
Thanks for that, Te Reo. A model of exposition, as always!
I’m here to help, Moz!
One of Hones parents abused children, the appalling Titiwhai.Clearly you and Morrissey are ok with that. Fair enough. Morrisey brought Banks parents into it, then you join in with an inevitable “look over there” response. The classy left eh?
So that’s one parent, as opposed to both. So do you acknowledge you owe Hone’s dad an apology?
Across a dalliance of rainbows,
A little crooked man smiles,
With time-filled grace,
Why do thee frown,
When across that big blue sky,
Ruptures of magnificence awaits?
No I don’t, his and his family’s crimes usually involve violence. A much lesser sin in your eyes clearly.
I’m going to call you out on that mate. Uncool to judge the guy for his parents’ mis-deeds, or anyone else for that matter.
Agreed I’m surprised Morrisey hasn’t attacked Banks kids yet. Day isn’t over I guess. Shabby stuff indeed.
Uncool to judge the guy for his parents’ mis-deeds, or anyone else for that matter.
If John Banks was an honest, decent citizen, I would not invoke the memory of his criminal parents. The fact is, though, he is not a decent, honest citizen, and his parents’ criminality obviously did affect him deeply.
“the rotten apple”
But you didn’t just call Banks out Morrissey, you made a sweeping generalisation about bad people and the perceived obviousness of their children being the same.
Although I’d place Banks in the ‘crooks’ column, that’s a pretty rotten thing to say. People are not their parents and may or may not learn to be like them.
you didn’t just call Banks out Morrissey, you made a sweeping generalisation about bad people and the perceived obviousness of their children being the same.
I recognize that there are people all over the country that have risen above their family circumstances, many of them far more onerous than John Banks’s circumstances, and gone on to live decent, honest lives where they have been an asset rather than an outrage to the community. Banks, on the other hand, has behaved with the most flagrant dishonesty; to point out the link to his criminal parents is entirely appropriate, I would have thought.
Or do you think Banks’s behaviour just springs out of nowhere?
Again, it was the sweeping generalisation I object to, not to a possible specific comment that Banks may have learned to be frugal with the truth from his parents.
Agreed I’m surprised Morrisey hasn’t attacked Banks kids yet.
If one of Banks’s kids is involved with money-laundering of, say, fifty thousand dollars that he’s asked to be paid for in two separate cheques, then yes, the obvious influence of his father will be remarked upon.
If, on the other hand, his kids somehow transcend the handicap of having a dishonest criminal stepdad, then I would applaud them, just as I would have applauded Banks if he had acted with integrity and honour in his political career.
didnt his parent assist women to abort children? at a time when women were criminals for controlling their own lives and bodirs. Or have i confused them with someone else
The story is fairly well known and has been in the public arena for decades.
From Wikipedia: “When he was a young child, his parents Archie and Kitty were imprisoned for procuring abortions. His father was a career criminal and his mother an alcoholic.”
I think casting his parents as the altruistic and enlightened saviours of women with unwanted pregnancies is probably a bit of a reach. More likely it was just another string to their bow of criminal enterprise.
as i wrote my memory wasnt clear. but it needs to be looked at in the context of the day. and reports of it in the same way.
How about Carmel Sepuloni’s mother then Morrissey? Apple doesn’t fall far from the tree there, or is that different somehow?
How about Carmel Sepuloni’s mother then Morrissey? Apple doesn’t fall far from the tree there, or is that different somehow?
Carmel Sepuloni has been charged with, or convicted of, dishonesty offences? If she has been, your analogy will have merit; if she has not, you are simply ignorant.
To prevent us thinking you are ignorant, could you post evidence for us of Carmel Sepuloni’s criminality?
Ah, okay, so even though you aren’t convicted of anything, the fact you are charged is the key to your argument.
In that case Hone Harawira does fall into your criteria, mother has been convicted (assault) and he has been charged (failure to remove a vehicle from a road).
Bringing families into politics is a bad idea Morrisey, Carmel Sepuloni isn’t her mother, Hone Harawira isn’t his mother (or cousins), and John Banks most certainly isn’t his parents.
Bringing families into politics is a bad idea Morrisey, Carmel Sepuloni isn’t her mother, Hone Harawira isn’t his mother (or cousins), and John Banks most certainly isn’t his parents.
You’re 66.6666 per cent correct there, Bob. Carmel Sepuloni and Hone Harawira are (or were) honest and respected members of parliament, notwithstanding the personal and irrelevant abuse that you and other right wing shills ceaselessly heap on them.
Banks, on the other hand, is neither honest nor respected, and that won’t change no matter how much you try to divert and smear other, superior politicians.
Harawira and Sepuloni have their faults, but neither of them has asked donors to make illegal payments in two separate cheques in order to (unsuccessfully) escape scrutiny. They are not like their parents; Banks on the other hand, has betrayed his public fiduciary duty as an elected representative—which makes him far worse than his notorious parents.
“notwithstanding the personal and irrelevant abuse that you and other right wing shills ceaselessly heap on them”
Like when Harawira was part of He Taua, which confronted drunk University of Auckland engineering students who performed a parody of the “Ka Mate” haka with obscenities painted on their bodies. The group including Harawira assaulted them with baseball bats and hoses, resulting in several broken bones? Or do we metaphorically abuse him?
“You’re 66.6666 per cent correct there, Bob. Carmel Sepuloni and Hone Harawira are (or were) honest and respected members of parliament”
Yeah, Hone was really respected for his “white mother fuckers” rant, and respected in that he had a complaint laid against him by all of the other Māori Party MPs because they had “lost trust and confidence” in Mr Harawira, that he “acted unethically and without integrity” and that he “deliberately undermined” the party and the leaders. Or respected because he said Osama bin Laden’s actions were those of “a man who fought for the rights, the land and the freedom of his people” and that people should not be damning him but mourn him?
“Harawira and Sepuloni have their faults, but neither of them has asked donors to make illegal payments in two separate cheques in order to (unsuccessfully) escape scrutiny”
No, Harawira made an alliance with the man that was all too happy to write those two cheques, then admitted to receiving payments from that man, but never declared how much he had been paid…hmm sounds familiar
Unfortunately you have made some wildly confused statements in your rant, Bob. However, since you have at least endeavoured to defend your corner, I will deal with each of the points you raise, even though most of them are, sadly, quite spurious.
1.) Like when Harawira was part of He Taua….
Hone Harawira was, like other Māori students at Auckland in 1979, incensed by the racist, demeaning behaviour of the Engineering students’ mock haka party. For years, he and other young Māori leaders had repeatedly protested against those goons and demanded they stop their provocation. The He Taua action was the last resort, after the racists had treated all the Māori protests with contempt.
But it looks like you have made up your mind that the provocateurs were the victims rather than the instigators of the trouble; nothing anyone says is likely to change your mind. Let’s move on to your next point….
2.) “…white mother fuckers….”
Okay, that was a foolish thing to write in an email. You make a reasonable point there, Bob. I presume you have been equally outraged at the far more numerous racist and sexist outbursts by National Party MPs like John “Hone” Carter, Jonathan Coleman, —and John Banks.
3.) a complaint laid against him by all of the other Māori Party MPs
So he’s not a team player. That’s not a sin, and it’s not a crime, and it’s not an ethical lapse. Why would you even mention this irrelevant point?
4.) Harawira made an alliance with the man that was all too happy to write those two cheques…
The problem with what Banks did was not Kim Dotcom—it was Banks’s illegal actions. You don’t seem quite up to speed with the facts and issues of the case.
5.) …hmm sounds familiar
No, you’ve (perhaps deliberately) missed the point again. Hone Harawira’s open dealings with Kim Dotcom were utterly different from Banks’s hamfisted attempts to rort the system.
So the UK Tories are about to announce that anyone working up to 30 hours per week on the minimum wage will be income tax free.
Interesting the playbook they are all sharing. What is UK Labour going to come back with? Blairite Nu Labour 2?
That’s not what you think it is, CV. Minimum wage workers already pay very little tax as the UK has a tax free threshold of ten thousand pounds. What this really means is locking in the minimum wage at its current low rate. It also allows the rich to sneer at the working poor (look how much I pay in tax while the plebs pay nothing etc).
It’s actually a very Blairite kind of move; at first glance, vaguely progressive, but at heart, just more patronising conservatism. What’s needed is Labour’s policy of lifting the minimum wage and gradually bringing in a living wage.
Odd idea the Left has that making beneficiaries and low paid workers pay tax means the rich now sneer at them less. Has it worked in NZ?
Well, that maybe your idea, but that’s not what I wrote. Sharpen up!
So you don’t think that beneficiaries and low wage earners should be subject to income tax? Or are you avoiding having an opinion on the issue?
Um, that question makes no sense. Can you try again?
Edit: to save time, I should point out that I’ve never been short of an opinion. I thought that would have been pretty obvious by now! And my opinion on this matter is that all income earners should pay tax and that tax should be levied on a graduated scale, with lower income earners paying very little. A UBI would be even better starting point, of course.
Thanks for your answer to the question which “makes no sense” – that benes should indeed pay income tax.
A historical note on taxing benefits – none were taxed until one day Muldoon decided unemployment beneficiaries should be taxed. up until then Sickness and Unemployment Benefit were paid at the same rate. When taxing of all benefits was brought in the already reduced rate of Unemployment Benefit was treated as if it wasn’t already taxed and taxed again.
IMO, rather than making low income tax free, all benefits need to be increased and so does the minimum wage. Incomes over $70,000 a year need to have a higher rate of tax, and an even higher rate should apply at $150,000. Capital gains of any sort should be taxed.
70000 includes teachers, nurses, police. Perhaps you should asked them. Are you trying to punish them for something?
Most teachers and nurses earn less than $70,000.
“Thanks for your answer to the question which “makes no sense” – that benes should indeed pay income tax.”
D’uh! If you get some spare time, look up the words income and benefit and see if you can suss the difference.
We are being continually told that aucklands housing problem is predominately all about supply.
Well, we are lifting supply to the market, but there are “unforeseen” consequences:
The ability to find contractors is prooving difficult, as the level of activity increases this is more than matched by price increase well beyond inflation. E.g cost of pipes, diesel is increasing flowing onto increase tender costs for the earthworks component.Council processing of consents, s224s late last year it was within 3 weeks now it is taking 2 months.
http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/construction-costs-making-impossible-build-affordable-homes-developer-6241175
Does no one ever consider, that by increasing supply you are increasing the demand on building products the ability for construction coys to deliver ?
fletchers will have… considered extra costs for construction materials
Passengers applaud as obnoxious political extremist escorted off plane
http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/sir-bob-jones-booted-off-flight-refusing-listen-crew-6322883
Since we left wingers have no sense of humour, according to Sir Bob, we don’t find this at all funny. No sirree bob!
Thousands of Turkish workers are currently taking on the bosses, the repressive state and the yellow union they were corralled into following the 1981 military coup:
https://rdln.wordpress.com/2015/05/26/turkish-car-workers-take-on-bosses-state-and-yellow-union/
When is something going to be done about David Carter?
http://norightturn.blogspot.com/2015/05/the-fingerprints-of-biased-speaker.html
The guy’s a complete and utter failure as a Speaker. He must be the worst NZ’s ever had. Something needs to be done.
Oww… you beat me by 20 minutes link,n all.
He seems to have some hang-up about the oppo. members doing their job and grilling their opposite numbers in the House. Yesterday was a supreme example. Peter’s was attempting to ask a supplementary question. He prefaced it with a handful of words to the effect his question was not in response to the first part of the minister’s answer. It was a point of explanation. Misterrrr Speaker appeared to take it the wrong way and issued him with a warning . Peter’s started to explain what he was doing. Misterrrr Speaker threw him out of the house!
Previous to that incident Key had been screeching at Little across the chamber (including the Super gaffe 🙄 ) – none of them had anything to do with Little’s original questions but hey… that’s okay. He just gets a mild admonishment usually delivered in a voice tinged with amusement.
And frequently with the hint of a smile on his dial as well. Key gets away with more shit than I’ve ever seen any Speaker allow. It’s disgraceful ! The larrikan head boy has it all over the headmaster.
And frequently with the hint of a smile on his dial as well
Yep, meant to add that. If all the m****s out there who thinks he’s such a loverlee guy watched question time in the House and saw his narrowed ice cold eyes and heard his sly, mendacious and puerile-ridden shrieking (at Little in particular) they would drop dead with shock. Serves them right. They are getting exactly what they deserve – which is nothing.
Given how quickly the PM said he wouldnt stop nzers from coming home who were fighting for isis… rather makes me think its cos he knows there arent any… which makes a bit of a mockery of his breathless haste to surveil cos of the threat of nzers being radicalised… just pondering
According to our Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the using of NZ taxpayer funds to bribe a Saudi businessman is all the fault of the Clark administration!!
But – – but – – Helen Clark did it. Where have I heard this before?
Bob Jones thrown off a plane for being a douche.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11455485
If only such would happen more often…
Meanwhile in stacking public institutions with stooges/jobs for the boys news
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11455565
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11455485
Supreme Court of New Zealand, watch out. You just do not do that to ‘the entitled’ !
Another fabulous role model drawn from our ruling class hahaha…….
The All Blacks play well and have a good win. People like Paul Henry say, “We were all over them, we played well.” The All Blacks lose and people like Paul Henry say, “They were hopeless, they should’ve played better.”
A war is happening and New Zealand troops are sent:
HENRY: … Is this a fight worth having? You HAVE to say YES.
ANDREW PATTERSON: [gravely] Of course, of COURSE.
HENRY: This is a fight that we have to be on the right side of, isn’t it?
…
HENRY: Absolutely we should be part of the fight. And we have to really take it to them! HILLARY BARRY: [softly] I’m afraid so.
JIM KAYES: [softly, grimacing with moral doubt] Yes, I think so.
HENRY: We have to be in there STRONG and HARD!
_____________________________________________________
I have opined before that if the need were so serious for troops to go, John Key and Mike Hosking would have ensured that their kids signed up, did the training and demanded they be sent. (Their parents would no doubt have done the demanding too.)
Paul Henry, wanting to get in there ‘strong and hard’ seems to have the attitude to want to be, to demand to be their commanding officer. Yeah.
Any chance the TV could show us how serious it is about hard news and sent Paul Henry off to Iraq to do an imbed and go out on some patrols towards ISIS territory –