“There is good reason to confine these elections to a party caucus. MPs are generally well briefed on policy issues and aware of the national interest. They also work closely with leadership contenders and are best-placed to assess their character and capabilities.”
Saarbo @ 1. This is great really. Granny showing the depth of her true colours. Perfect justification to scorn and lambast the meddlesome, clutching of the pearls hypocrisy she launches against democracy. Dismiss, dismiss, dismiss !
The Herald [of big money interests] refers to good governance:
“This carries risks not just for Labour but for the good government of New Zealand… ~ The Herald [Propaganda]
What good governance is that referring to?
This comment appears to entirely ignore the way that our legislation is being ‘rushed through’ at every turn and how we have recently incurred a massive lost to our democratic rights and principles.
It appears to ignore that there is an increasing yawning gap between the most wealthy and the least in this country.
These two issues alone prove that the governance in our country over, really, a very long time is a complete failure.
This carries risks not just for Labour but for the good government of New Zealand if the consensus between the two major parties on economic fundamentals is undermined by a leader’s public commitments in a campaign for the party’s vote.
The consensus? Does Granny mean selling New Zealand legislation to campaign donors? Or subsidising Rio Tinto?
There is no alternative? Really, Granny? Are you sure?
The NZ Herald is effectively stating that the wishes of the people of New Zealand must be subordinated to some other structure. The Herald is promoting some form of higher power than that of the people.
The Herald has lost the plot.
The Herald can go wander down to the local turgid creek and drown itself all alone.
Even Brian Edwards doesn’t want a democratic process to select the leader. No wonder National has managed to erode so many democratic rights, the media actually don’t much like democracy either.
perhaps its because many will have to leave wellington to cover the contest?
There were also rumours that Mr Cunliffe was offering positions to some MPs in return for their support. Mr Cunliffe has denied that but the rumours indicate the campaign might not be as clean as the party hierarchy is hoping.
So Labour’s own dirty tricks brigade is back in full swing? Where’s Trevor Mallard? Or could it be closer to Cunliffe’s home city this time?
Yesterday you were supporting Jones. To quote you said “Shane Jones should lead labour, he’s the only guy out of the three who has the goods.” and now you are supporting Robertson.
Provided the candidates in the contest behave like adults during the contest, the media will have no option but to write substance…
I switched from TV1 news some years ago but after Gowers “coverage” yesterday I may leave that channel too.
To my mind his job is to advise me what is going on and who is saying what. He sees his job as giving me his opinion not facts. Why do political jounos and politicians think we are all too stupid to make up our own minds.
They also havent caught on that selection via a party wide vote is how the greens have elected their leaders for ages. They talk as if its some new crazy thing
They are also heavily editing comments on John Armstrong’s piece this morning .. I wrote a fairly innocuous comment ( innocuous in terms of needing moderating) and it has failed to appear … in fact there are zero comments showing.
Just ban the printed Herald from our lives. I bought it in the 70s and 80s to see what the bosses were up to today. But have not plunked down loose change for two decades now, yes I admit scanning it online and if the paper version goes totally down the web version would be pay to read or disappear too. Yay.
The dirty filthy Eastern Suburbs toffs that kept the rag going all the 20th century lying, misleading and distorting reality for New Zealanders. Yay. Truth has gone too. Don’t buy the Herald and if there is one at work or a cafe–bin it, do us all a favour.
You can see the fear in granny and the other MSM outlets when the potential for genuine change to rock their isolated and priviledged world appears.
They are part of the problem and don’t want the solution.
Funny thing is if TVNZ hadn’t been so anti charter and waged war against it they could’ve been an outlet not so easy to flog as it stands now under the nats but then Ellis didn’t take over $1m p.a. to strengthen the nations voice but to bark it’s owners tune.
It seems odd how little coverage at stuff and herald brownlee’s loss in the High Court yesterday has taken.
Despite spending lots of time in the media and their original defence talking about the drawback to rewarding people who didn’t take out insurance according to Cameron (Lawyer for owners) it never came up in the case.
Brownlee says he will consider an Appeal.
The point is the High Court has found that Brownlee and CERA did not apply the law as stated.
Isn’t this just more bullying type behaviour by brownlee? 50% or nothing. Take it or leave it we are bigger than you. brownlee spending our money on trying to uphold his belief that Insurance companies will be harmed if the law is upheld.
Maybe he is drafting a bill under urgency to overturn the Court.
Thank God for the Courts. No wonder the nats don’t like the judiciary at the moment.
Note that key’s promise that no one would be worse off because of the govt’s offer for their land is currently a lie. It remains a lie until he can overturn the decision or bring in urgent legislation to make himself right.
LABOUR’S GOT TALENT: just love this little put down line from Key and Whaleoil about our selection process: that kind of smug sneer at something everyday NZers love and want to celebrate- good people getting up and having a go- is just what you’d expect from an elite so out of touch they dont recognise real emotion and public feeling: either pain or, in this case, determination and passion. Yep, damn right Labour’s got talent: and one way or another, you are going to feel it.
Nah too busy worshipping the National “talent” or lack of it in fools like N. Guy, H. Parata, P. Bennett, G. Brownlee, J. Collins, J. Keystroke et al, bottom of the barrel stuff.
Despite being a stone’s throw from the end of a main runway at Fiumicino, Europe’s sixth largest airport, which handles 37 million passengers a year, Mr Basili said there was no cause for fear over flight safety. “This is a limited phenomenon – it will not have created alarm at the airport,” he said.
Ye Gods. I just read Brian Edwards take on things regarding the Labour leadership contest. I wish he had never started a blog. Better to keep your mouth shut and the reputation forged in your youth intact than retiring, writing a blog, and presenting for all to see your sad descent into a bewildered old age. The poor old bugger is stuck in New Zealand circa 1973, he clearly has no idea of the dynamics of New Zealand in 2013.
Why are we so obsessed with people like Edwards. Yes of course he is getting old and wanders a bit but he is also allowed to have an opinion. So many on this forum seem to see him as some sort of enemy and I am sure that is not correct. He has expressed certain opinions and that should be end of it.
Can we not just accept differences and stop using these forums for personal attacks on people
The right/corporate media looks set to go full retard on Labour. It’ll be a rerun of the response that we got from the electricity policy announcement.
It would be best if the Cunliffe/Robertson/Jones camps coordinated their media to frustrate the likes of Paddy Gower et al.
And maybe gag Trev and throw him in a cupboard for a month would help too. (that’s a joke! not advocating violence!) 😀
….When the announcement was made, anticipating a move of this nature, it occurred to me briefly that I should go and download as many ‘Shearer pages’, as many speeches as I could. You never know when such documents might become useful, and I remembered how difficult it was for me to track down some of the things that John Key said when he was deputy leader of National, simply because as soon as he became leader his comms people decided that his record had to be reset, and all previous statements in service of another master deleted.
So: I knew about this, I fully expected this, and yet I was surprised at how quickly it happened, almost as if a measure of glee was being taken in scrubbing off the old leader’s likeness. Were I in the appropriate mood, I might reach for such historical precedents as the chiselling off of the symbols of a hated dictatorship or, more pointedly, the removal from the photographic record of the people who could no longer be seen to have been close to comrade Stalin. After all, with no hyperbole whatsoever, it’s the exact same logic at work: one that negates history, or rather that asserts the prerogative of power to continually write and re-write the past according to the needs of the present…
..they dance around the english language like constipated dogs trying to work it out..
..bridges totally over-masticates his words..and then sprays surrounding environs with the remains..
..and tremain and guy..(who i call heckle and jeckel..(old cartoon..look it up..and wonder at the spooky similarites..)
..both of them are glottal/strangled-word disasters..(tremain in particular..)
..and of course guy when on his own is called ‘clutch cargo’..(once again..old cartoon..look it up..be spooked again..(and be really spooked how guy has that whole clutch thing of just the lips moving when speaking down just so..
..and really..for everyones’ peace of mind..guy should be asked to disrobe..to prove there are no wires sticking out/plugged into him..
..and then of course there is jonathan ‘cigar-boy’ coleman..and his peculiar habit of tossing a handful of marbles into his mouth..before speaking..(so if you listen carefully…you can hear them rolling/bouncing off each other)
..and of course todd (‘pompadour’) mclay..doesn’t toss marbles into his mouth..
..he stuffs his full of plums…
..is it a basic requirement of being a young(er) tory male mp..?
..to talk weird..?
..(the evidence is overwhelming..)
..and i can hear you asking:..’but what about craig ‘the hapless one’ foss..?..you’ve left him out..’
..the thing is with foss..i am still so dazzled by his haplessness..
Is it true that when someone asked him about where he lives he said some malarkey about because his wife wanted to breastfeed?
If true (and I read it on “other” blogs so I’ll concede it may be wrong) he’ll have to watch comments like that because people can see right through things like that, if true of course.
Should have just said hes worked hard to get to where he is and wants to give everyone else the same opportunity for success or something similar
Crikey, when did you become concerned about political leaders lying? Or are you concerned for him that he doesn’t lie well enough to beat the current King (Key)?
All politicians lie, John Key lies, Helen Clark lied, whoever becomes the leader of Labour will lie, everyone lies especially politicians
What interests me is that there are some lies the voting public accept and some they don’t. It appears to me that the smaller the lie the less likely the voting public is to accept it.
In regards to the labour leadership I’m more the interested neutral party in that while I have opinions on who should lead I’m trying to see from the viewpoint of whats best for labour
Putting aside the obvious hilarity of your last paragraph (!!!), you’re onto something with this:
“the smaller the lie the less likely the voting public is to accept it.”
although I’d look at it through a slightly different lens. I don’t think it’s the size of the lie per se, but rather the point of it.
I’ve been thinking about corruption lately. I think as a society we’ve become accustomed to the idea that we’re all competing individuals seeking advantage over one another. Only a short while ago this would have been considered highly anti-social thinking, but now it’s the norm. A few decades of user-pays free-marketing has made selfishness acceptable, and greed admirable.
When someone is caught lying to further their own interests, instead of judging the behaviour as anti-social and corrupt we understand that that’s just what you do these days. You look after number one. And while we might not always openly praise someone for lying and scheming in their own interest, we grudgingly accept it. We say “who can blame them?” We say “they’d be silly not to”.
And in this selfish, individualistic, dog-eat-dog paradigm, it’s true. We’ve all become corrupt to one degree or another, we’ve done so simply by following the rules of the game. And the rules are look out for number one and never give a sucker an even break. And because we’ve all become corrupted to an extent, we accept the same corruption in others. We expect people to be trying to do us over at every turn.
So when John Key looks down the barrel of the camera and flat out lies about, for example, how many shares he owns, and then gets caught, and then immediately changes his story, we don’t even blink. Because he’s just doing exactly what we expect everyone to be doing, being dishonest in service of his own interests.
And I think that’s why we let these “big” lies go. Because it’s the norm. It’s what you’re meant to do according to the rules of the game. As long as it’s obvious that you’re lying to protect or advance yourself, it’s totally understandable.
Just don’t ever get caught lying for no good selfish greedy dog-eat-dog reason, or we’ll start wondering what flaw in your character you’re trying to cover up.
Yes I’d agree theres some truth to that but I’d go further and suggest it also depends on what has been said before
For instance we know National are for big business and we know Labour are for the battlers so when JK lies (maybe) about his shares thats no big deal but when Shearer “forgot” about his 50 000 plus that was a big deal
However if JK (whos portrayed himself as a good family man) had been cheating on his missus and tried to cover it up I think the public wouldn’t forgive him
For instance we know National are for big business and we know Labour are for the battlers
This by W Smith is a telling point, really the nub of our problem in NZ. Between NACT for Big Business and the battlers supposedly Labour’s congregation, there is a huge yawning gap where most NZs are. That’s those who are able and willing to build and create and contribute and support a vital economically sound NZ. Most of Big Business is looking over their heads to international interests, the battlers and strugglers are at their feet pecking over the trickle down droppings, and wondering what the hell is going on up there, because it sure is hell down here.
Most NZ is by Winston’s summary, unpolitically unrepresented. Who they gonna call – Ghostbusters? Now those fellas really stuck it to the green slime.
He’ll never fall on his sword. He’ll have to be hounded out of the village with pitchforks, torches and rough music.
We’ve accepted that he lies about money and business and that it’s normal. It’s now considered part of his charm. It’s part of his brand that he’s wiley and cunning and no-one gets one over him.
He can lie his lying arse off and we’re all ok with it because in the world we live in that’s no longer considered an undesirable trait.
Which is why Key is so happy to call Cunliffe a liar any chance he gets. If he and Winston Smith keep on spreading the meme that all politicians lie, then he can merrily carry on being a liar himself. If he gets caught out who’s gonna care except Blip and a few other lefties on the Standard?
“Steal a little and they throw you in jail. Steal a lot and they make you king.” Bob Dylan
“Is it true that when someone asked him about where he lives he said some malarkey about because his wife wanted to breastfeed?”
Only what I’ve read on ts, but he apparently said that his wife was breastfeeding and needed to live closer to her work. That is a completely valid reason for choosing where to live.
Sure it is *insert any vague reference to buying a bridge*
Look theres nothing wrong with being successful and having the money to choose where you live but don’t drag your family into it because now his familys fair game
ie Are your kids still brest feeding, when you will be moving back closer to the people you purport to represent and if not why not etc etc
I’m not commenting on Cunliffe’s choices. I’m stating that moving so you are closer to work while breastfeeding is a completely valid reason. Some people here seem to be saying it’s not.
Why he feels he doesn’t live near those he represents, the inference being that hes using the people to further his own ends but doesn’t want to live near the hoi-polloi
John Key reckons its fine to live and holiday far away from the electorate he represents; Cunliffe on the other hand is actually IN the electorate he represents all the time.
“Why he feels he doesn’t live near those he represents, the inference being that hes using the people to further his own ends but doesn’t want to live near the hoi-polloi”
Do you have any evidence that Cunliffe lives where he lives in order to avoid living next to some people in his electorate (as opposed to the ones he does live near of course)? Or any evidence that the reason Cunliffe gave (his wife’s breastfeeding needs) was a lie?
“A heavy shower sweeps across Auckland as the Herald heads towards the College Rifles Sports Club. It’s late June and the rain has been coming and going all day, and all month. It’s the sort of weather that’s killed off many a sports event, but there’s no need to worry on this occasion. In 2009 the club installed synthetic turf on its two rugby fields, rendering cancellations a thing of the past.
Located a couple of hundred metres off Remuera Rd in a flood-prone valley, the playing surfaces at the historical club have traditionally been terrible.
‘It was a s***hole,” says club manager Derek Rope.
Synthetic turf has come a long way. Up close it looks and almost feels like real grass, with little black rubber balls and flakes mimicking dirt. The lush carpet cost the club $2 million, $500,000 of which came from gaming trusts.
Synthetic turf also covers the scrum practice area and the netball and tennis courts. There’s a brand new pavilion, state-of-the-art gym and 32-bed accommodation block for touring sports teams.
The club’s bad days are well and truly behind it, thanks in part to its success in accessing gaming trust money. Seven trusts have kicked in over $1 million to help fund the redevelopment projects, and there is more to come. The club has already secured $300,000 of trust money to put towards the final phase of its development, a swimming pool complex, and is hoping to raise that figure by another $200,000.
Clubs like College Rifles in Remuera have developed programmes and facilities using gambling money. Photo / Richard RobinsonClubs like College Rifles in Remuera have developed programmes and facilities using gambling money. Photo / Richard Robinson
Given that just 23 of the country’s 17,534 pokies are situated in Remuera, it’s hardly a surprise that a club that began life in 1897 with a membership of military personnel drawn from Auckland’s schools has been held up as the poster child for the dubious wealth redistribution that accompanies the gaming trust model.
“Why should poor people in Mangere be supplying first-class facilities in Remuera?” Maori Party MP Te Ururoa Flavell asked when he launched his ill-fated Gambling Harm Reduction Bill.
It’s a fair question, and one Mr Rope doesn’t duck. “People say it’s a Remuera rich club – it’s not,” he says.
For something completely different Charter schools in the UK a complete failure after years: of trialing charter schools which have the advantage of new buildings and public and private funding have shown an initial burst of achievement all be it less than public schools then a continual decline the independent uk reported today.
Looking forward to seeing a front bench reshuffle under DC. Parker should keep finance, but I suspect the others will be up. Ardern for all her promise has allowed Bennet to sail on, Hipkiss a failure V Parata, and who does housing, and health??
Key looking desperate even as he claims Cunliffe will be desperate to be PM at all costs and take Norman on as deputy of finance minister. Typical rightie that Key – manages to project all his shortcomings on to the opposition.
PS: The comments below the article mostly say Key is the desperate liar.
I would prefer to see Gerry Brownlee as the next Natz leader in opposition. Even though they’re both vindictive snakes, big Ger is a bit better at hiding it. Whoever it is, Keys days are clearly numbered.
might want to send a memo to Collins about that. It’s all very well being personally popular, but that doesn’t help her keep her cabinet post if Nats only get 45% in 2014.
“Wellington Central MP Grant Robertson said he paid for taxis and accommodation himself, but his airfare was covered by taxpayers.
“As a parliamentarian I am able to use parliamentary resources to fly wherever I like in the country, that’s part of the arrangement we have.
“I think you should refer those inquiries about what we are allowed to do to Parliamentary Services because they set the rules.”
He said MPs’ salaries were reduced years ago on the basis that the ability to fly around the country was provided.
“My judgement is that I will not be using any other resources apart from that.” ”
Cool, more sense of entitlement.
” Deputy leaders
Each member of Parliament who is the deputy leader of a party whose members in the House of Representatives number not less than 25—
Base salary 179,300
plus
For each additional member of the party in the House of Representatives over 25 up to a maximum of 35 610
plus
For each additional member of the party in the House of Representatives over 35 up to a maximum of 45 340 ”
Love and hate – both emotional and highly excitable states. I guess that volatility could result in reversal. What would make the complacent hate Key? It would have to be something that would hurt them personally.
“Deputy leaders
Each member of Parliament who is the deputy leader of a party whose members in the House of Representatives number not less than 25—
Base salary 182,800
plus
For each additional member of the party in the House of Representatives over 25 up to a maximum of 35 630
plus
For each additional member of the party in the House of Representatives over 35 up to a maximum of 45 360 ”
That any of them cant pay for anything associated with their latest job application is beyond me.
CV, ‘Native Affairs’ my friend, i found that quite an enlightening interview of the 3, Native Affairs for some strange reason seems to always elicit a better view of the people it interviews than the mainstream,
Shane Jones didn’t say anything there which would raise my opinion of Him, the reverse in fact, Jone’s faux ‘one of the boys in the smoko room’ line is simply cringe worthy,
David Cunliffe scored best with His ‘governments have the right to change gambling legislation and SkyCity better be prepared’ line and while i am not a gushing groupy Cunliffe leads in my opinion of who should win this contest,
Jones seems haughty for all his common man claims: often with his head tilted back and looking down his nose. Robertson looks like he’s doing a job interview – too wordy and sounds more like a backroom worker than someone to front for the party. Cunliffe is composed, clear, and has some short sharp answers – looks like a leader.
“..bloody hell..!…ruth dyson is actually doing better than any of the three contenders..up against key..
..(dyson is expressing potent disgust at keys’ laughing/sneering at/saying that screwing vacant land owners out of 50% of their land values was ‘fun’..)
..and the strength of dysons’ performance is because of the fire in her belly..(and cunnliffe/robertson could do worse than take note of that..and spark up..!..)..”
+1 Dyson really kicked arse in the house today. The news at six even covered the story reasonably well so that the National voters with a few brain cells to rub together will be thinking twice about continuing their support.
It’s bad enough that the government is trying to force people in Christchurch to sell their land at half its value, but to say that it’s their fault because they didn’t have land insurance is despicable! There is no land insurance available, which is something a Prime Minister with even half a brain would comprehend.
What is the point in the current government appealing the courts ruling when they will surely lose? What a god damn waste of taxpayers money.
that these guys claim to champion the poor but think if parliamentary services says they can charge something to us they will… at least so far robertson will.
Bollocks. We live in a democracy and parliamentary representation is one of the guarantees of that. All parties get funded the same way from parliamentary services and the deal is that MP’s get free flights on our taxpayer owned airline. It’s been that way, or similar, for decades. Railways before that. A few weeks ago, the taxpayer paid for every Nat MP to fly to Nelson to have their conference. Did you complain then? Remember, the Tories also claim to champion the poor. Ask Appaller Bennett, she’s all about giving the poor a helping hand round the head and a loving boot up the arse.
The 3 candidates are flying around the country in an exercise in democracy. This is not only historic, it’s an entirely appropriate use of the Parliamentary budget. Don’t buy into the right’s meme ‘o’ the day, Tracey.
That’s a hopeless, contextless quote. This one is better:
Mr Cunliffe responded to Mr Key’s comments this morning, saying: “Mr Key probably ought not make statements about other people telling lies because his record might not be entirely clean.”
Mr Cunliffe again ruled out appointing Dr Norman as finance minister under a Labour government.
“But I have said that he is an able and senior politician with whom we would have a good relationship and there could be a place for him within our economic team. It would not be as minister of finance.”
War! more war!
US forces to strike Syria (pending).
If Key sends troops — he is nothing more than his ulta ego
Obama.
The Smiling Assassin and the Mass murderer.
What a combination.
Robert Reich is very good, but in my opinion he doesn’t go as deep as Chris Hedges and Richard Wolff in explaining how this has all come about.
Essentially, the civil movements which were crucial in pressuring and forcing the politicians to create the New Deal were, over decades, deliberately dismantled, co-opted, undermined and destroyed.
It pays to remember how much pressure was required to make Roosevelt and the corporate/banking elite agree to the New Deal. Hundreds of workers, unemployed, activitists were killed in the process, during the Great Depression.
Today the Democrats are just as much friends of big oil, big pharma and big banking, as the Republicans. The civil movements which used to pressure for political economic change for the working class and underclass are long dead.
And so, the corporate and banking elite have the whole playing field their way now.
“That voter, in my judgment,” he claims, “will be more likely to vote his economic interests than he will anything else. And that is the voter that I think through a fairly slow but very steady process, will go Republican.” Because race no longer matters: “In my judgment Karl Marx [is right]… the real issues ultimately will be the economic issues.” He continues, in words that uncannily echo the “47 percent tape” (nothing new under the wingnut sun), that “statistically, as the number of non-producers in the system moves toward fifty percent,” the conservative coalition cannot but expand. Voila: a new Republican majority. Racism won’t have anything to do with it.
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Is the economy in another long stagnation? If so, why?This is about the time that the Treasury will be locking up its economic forecasts to be published in the 2024 Budget Economic and Fiscal Update (BEFU) on budget day, 30 May. I am not privy to what they will be ...
The annual list of who's been bribing our politicians is out, and journalists will no doubt be poring over it to find the juiciest and dirtiest bribes. The government's fast-track invite list is likely to be a particular focus, and we already know of one company on the list which ...
In the weeks after the October 7 Hamas attacks on Southern Israel I wrote about the possible 2nd, 3rd and even 4th order effects of the conflict. These included new fronts being opened in the West Bank (with Hamas), Golan … Continue reading → ...
Peter Dunne writes – It is one of the oldest truisms that there is never a good time for MPs to get a pay rise. This week’s announcement of pay raises of around 2.8% backdated to last October could hardly have come at a worse time, with the ...
David Farrar writes – Newshub reports: Newshub can reveal a fresh allegation of intimidation against Green MP Julie-Anne Genter. Genter is subject to a disciplinary process for aggressively waving a book in the face of National Minister Matt Doocey in the House – but it’s not the first time ...
The Treasury has published a paper today on the global productivity slowdown and how it is playing out in New Zealand: The productivity slowdown: implications for the Treasury’s forecasts and projections. The Treasury Paper examines recent trends in productivity and the potential drivers of the slowdown. Productivity for the whole economy ...
Winston Peters’ comments about former Australian foreign minister look set to be an ongoing headache for both him and Luxon. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for subscribers features co-hosts and , along with regular guests on Gaza and ...
These puppet strings don't pull themselvesYou're thinking thoughts from someone elseHow much time do you think you have?Are you prepared for what comes next?The debating chamber can be a trying place for an opposition MP. What with the person in charge, the speaker, typically being an MP from the governing ...
The land around Lyme Regis, where Meryl Streep once stood, in a hood, on the Cobb, is falling into the sea.MerylThe land around Lyme Regis, around the Cobb that made it rich, has always been falling slowly but surely into the sea. Read more ...
Buzz from the Beehive Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters was bound to win headlines when he set out his thinking about AUKUS in his speech to the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. The headlines became bigger when – during an interview on RNZ’s Morning Report today – he criticised ...
The Post reports on how the government is refusing to release its advice on its corrupt Muldoonist fast-track law, instead using the "soon to be publicly available" refusal ground to hide it until after select committee submissions on the bill have closed. Fast-track Minister Chris Bishop's excuse? “It's not ...
As pressure on it grows, the livestock industry’s approach to the transition to Net Zero is increasingly being compared to that of fossil fuel interests. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / Getty ImagesTL;DR: Here’s the top five news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above ...
The New Zealand Herald reports – Stats NZ has offered a voluntary redundancy scheme to all of its workers as a way to give staff some control over their “future” amidst widespread job losses in the public sector. In an update to staff this morning, seen by the Herald, Statistics New Zealand ...
On Werewolf/Scoop, I usually do two long form political columns a week. From now on, there will be an extra column each week about music and movies. But first, some late-breaking political events:The rise in unemployment numbers for the March quarter was bigger than expected – and especially sharp ...
David Farrar writes – The Herald reports: TVNZ says it is dealing with about 50 formal complaints over its coverage of the latest 1News-Verian political poll, with some viewers – as well as the Prime Minister and a former senior Labour MP – critical of the tone of the 6pm report. ...
Muriel Newman writes – When Meridian Energy was seeking resource consents for a West Coast hydro dam proposal in 2010, local Maori “strenuously” objected, claiming their mana was inextricably linked to ‘their’ river and could be damaged. After receiving a financial payment from the company, however, the Ngai Tahu ...
Alwyn Poole writes – “An SEP,’ he said, ‘is something that we can’t see, or don’t see, or our brain doesn’t let us see, because we think that it’s somebody else’s problem. That’s what SEP means. Somebody Else’s Problem. The brain just edits it out, it’s like a ...
Our trust in our political institutions is fast eroding, according to a Maxim Institute discussion paper, Shaky Foundations: Why our democracy needs trust. The paper – released today – raises concerns about declining trust in New Zealand’s political institutions and democratic processes, and the role that the overuse of Parliamentary urgency ...
This article was prepared for publication yesterday. More ministerial announcements have been posted on the government’s official website since it was written. We will report on these later today …. Buzz from the BeehiveThere we were, thinking the environment is in trouble, when along came Jones. Shane Jones. ...
New Zealand now has the fourth most depressed construction sector in the world behind China, Qatar and Hong Kong. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 8:46am on Thursday, May 2:The Lead: ...
Hi,I am just going to state something very obvious: American police are fucking crazy.That was a photo gracing the New York Times this morning, showing New York City police “entering Columbia University last night after receiving a request from the school.”Apparently in America, protesting the deaths of tens of thousands ...
Winston Peters’ much anticipated foreign policy speech last night was a work of two halves. Much of it was a standard “boilerplate” Foreign Ministry overview of the state of the world. There was some hardening up of rhetoric with talk of “benign” becoming “malign” and old truths giving way to ...
Graham Adams assesses the fallout of the Cass Review — The press release last Thursday from the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls didn’t make the mainstream news in New Zealand but it really should have. The startling title of Reem Alsalem’s statement — “Implementation of ‘Cass ...
This open-for-business, under-new-management cliché-pockmarked government of Christopher Luxon is not the thing of beauty he imagines it to be. It is not the powerful expression of the will of the people that he asserts it to be. It is not a soaring eagle, it is a malodorous vulture. This newest poll should make ...
The latest labour market statistics, showing a rise in unemployment. There are now 134,000 unemployed - 14,000 more than when the National government took office. Which is I guess what happens when the Reserve Bank causes a recession in an effort to Keep Wages Low. The previous government saw a ...
Three opinion polls have been released in the last two days, all showing that the new government is failing to hold their popular support. The usual honeymoon experienced during the first year of a first term government is entirely absent. The political mood is still gloomy and discontented, mainly due ...
National's Finance Minister once met a poor person.A scornful interview with National's finance guru who knows next to nothing about economics or people.There might have been something a bit familiar if that was the headline I’d gone with today. It would of course have been in tribute to the article ...
Rob MacCulloch writes – Throughout the pandemic, the new Vice-Chancellor-of-Otago-University-on-$629,000 per annum-Can-you-believe-it-and-Former-Finance-Minister Grant Robertson repeated the mantra over and over that he saved “lives and livelihoods”.As we update how this claim is faring over the course of time, the facts are increasingly speaking differently. NZ ...
Chris Trotter writes – IT’S A COMMONPLACE of political speeches, especially those delivered in acknowledgement of electoral victory: “We’ll govern for all New Zealanders.” On the face of it, the pledge is a strange one. Why would any political leader govern in ways that advantaged the huge ...
Bryce Edwards writes – The list of former National Party Ministers being given plum and important roles got longer this week with the appointment of former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett as the chair of Pharmac. The Christopher Luxon-led Government has now made key appointments to Bill ...
TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 10:06am on Wednesday, May 1:The Lead: Business confidence fell across the board in April, falling in some areas to levels last seen during the lockdowns because of a collapse in ...
Over the past 36 hours, Christopher Luxon has been dong his best to portray the centre-right’s plummeting poll numbers as a mark of virtue. Allegedly, the negative verdicts are the result of hard economic times, and of a government bravely set out on a perilous rescue mission from which not ...
Auckland Transport have started rolling out new HOP card readers around the network and over the next three months, all of them on buses, at train stations and ferry wharves will be replaced. The change itself is not that remarkable, with the new readers looking similar to what is already ...
Completed reads for April: The Difference Engine, by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling Carnival of Saints, by George Herman The Snow Spider, by Jenny Nimmo Emlyn’s Moon, by Jenny Nimmo The Chestnut Soldier, by Jenny Nimmo Death Comes As the End, by Agatha Christie Lord of the Flies, by ...
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 ...
Have a story to share about St Paul’s, but today just picturesPopular novels written at this desk by a young man who managed to bootstrap himself out of father’s imprisonment and his own young life in a workhouse Read more ...
The list of former National Party Ministers being given plum and important roles got longer this week with the appointment of former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett as the chair of Pharmac. The Christopher Luxon-led Government has now made key appointments to Bill English, Simon Bridges, Steven Joyce, Roger Sowry, ...
Newsroom has a story today about National's (fortunately failed) effort to disestablish the newly-created Inspector-General of Defence. The creation of this agency was the key recommendation of the Inquiry into Operation Burnham, and a vital means of restoring credibility and social licence to an agency which had been caught lying ...
Holding On To The Present:The moment a political movement arises that attacks the whole idea of social progress, and announces its intention to wind back the hands of History’s clock, then democracy, along with its unwritten rules, is in mortal danger.IT’S A COMMONPLACE of political speeches, especially those delivered in ...
Stuck In The Middle With You:As Christopher Luxon feels the hot breath of Act’s and NZ First’s extremists on the back of his neck and, as he reckons with the damage their policies are already inflicting upon a country he’s described as “fragile”, is there not some merit in reaching out ...
The unpopular coalition government is currently rushing to repeal section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act. The clause is Oranga Tamariki's Treaty clause, and was inserted after its systematic stealing of Māori children became a public scandal and resulted in physical resistance to further abductions. The clause created clear obligations ...
Buzz from the Beehive The government’s official website – which Point of Order monitors daily – not for the first time has nothing much to say today about political happenings that are grabbing media headlines. It makes no mention of the latest 1News-Verian poll, for example. This shows National down ...
It Takes A Train To Cry:Surely, there is nothing lonelier in all this world than the long wail of a distant steam locomotive on a cold Winter’s night.AS A CHILD, I would lie awake in my grandfather’s house and listen to the traffic. The big wooden house was only a ...
Packing A Punch: The election of the present government, including in its ranks politicians dedicated to reasserting the rights of the legislature in shaping and determining the future of Māori and Pakeha in New Zealand, should have alerted the judiciary – including its anomalous appendage, the Waitangi Tribunal – that its ...
Dead Woman Walking: New Zealand’s media industry had been moving steadily towards disaster for all the years Melissa Lee had been National’s media and communications policy spokesperson, and yet, when the crisis finally broke, on her watch, she had nothing intelligent to offer. Christopher Luxon is a patient man - but he’s not ...
Chris Trotter writes – New Zealand politics is remarkably easy-going: dangerously so, one might even say. With the notable exception of John Key’s flat ruling-out of the NZ First Party in 2008, all parties capable of clearing MMP’s five-percent threshold, or winning one or more electorate seats, tend ...
Ministers must front up about which projects it will push through under its Fast Track Approvals legislation, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
The Government is again adding to New Zealand’s growing unemployment, this time cutting jobs at the agencies responsible for urban development and growing much needed housing stock. ...
With Minister Karen Chhour indicating in the House today that she either doesn’t know or care about the frontline cuts she’s making to Oranga Tamariki, we risk seeing more and more of our children falling through the cracks. ...
The Labour Party is saddened to learn of the death of Sir Robert Martin, a globally renowned disability advocate who led the way for disability rights both in New Zealand and internationally. ...
Labour is calling for the Government to urgently rethink its coalition commitment to restart live animal exports, Labour animal welfare spokesperson Rachel Boyack said. ...
Today’s Financial Stability Report has once again highlighted that poverty and deep inequality are political choices - and this Government is choosing to make them worse. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to do more for our households in most need as unemployment rises and the cost of living crisis endures. ...
Unemployment is on the rise and it’s only going to get worse under this Government, Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said. Stats NZ figures show the unemployment rate grew to 4.3 percent in the March quarter from 4 percent in the December quarter. “This is the second rise in unemployment ...
The New Zealand Labour Party welcomes the entering into force of the European Union and New Zealand free trade agreement. This agreement opens the door for a huge increase in trade opportunities with a market of 450 million people who are high value discerning consumers of New Zealand goods and ...
The National-led Government continues its fiscal jiggery pokery with its Pharmac announcement today, Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall says. “The government has increased Pharmac funding but conceded it will only make minimal increases in access to medicine”, said Ayesha Verrall “This is far from the bold promises made to fund ...
This afternoon’s interim Waitangi Tribunal report must be taken seriously as it affects our most vulnerable children, Labour children’s spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime. ...
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Te Pāti Māori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. “This act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.” Said Te Pāti Māori Oranga Tamariki ...
Minister for Trade Todd McClay today announced that New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will commence negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA). Minister McClay met with his counterpart UAE Trade Minister Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi in Dubai, where they announced the launch of negotiations on a ...
New Zealand Sign Language Week is an excellent opportunity for all Kiwis to give the language a go, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. This week (May 6 to 12) is New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) Week. The theme is “an Aotearoa where anyone can sign anywhere” and aims to ...
Six tertiary students have been selected to work on NASA projects in the US through a New Zealand Space Scholarship, Space Minister Judith Collins announced today. “This is a fantastic opportunity for these talented students. They will undertake internships at NASA’s Ames Research Center or its Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), where ...
New Zealanders will be safer because of a $1.9 billion investment in more frontline Corrections officers, more support for offenders to turn away from crime, and more prison capacity, Corrections Minister Mark Mitchell says. “Our Government said we would crack down on crime. We promised to restore law and order, ...
The OECD’s latest report on New Zealand reinforces the importance of bringing Government spending under control, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The OECD conducts country surveys every two years to review its members’ economic policies. The 2024 New Zealand survey was presented in Wellington today by OECD Chief Economist Clare Lombardelli. ...
The Government has delivered on its election promise to provide a financially sustainable model for Auckland under its Local Water Done Well plan. The plan, which has been unanimously endorsed by Auckland Council’s Governing Body, will see Aucklanders avoid the previously projected 25.8 per cent water rates increases while retaining ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters discussed the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and enhanced cooperation in the Pacific with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock during her first official visit to New Zealand today. "New Zealand and Germany enjoy shared interests and values, including the rule of law, democracy, respect for the international system ...
The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop today released his decision on four recommendations referred to him by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, opening the door to housing growth in the area. The Council’s Plan Change 92 allows more homes to be built in existing and new ...
Thank you, John McKinnon and the New Zealand China Council for the invitation to speak to you today. Thank you too, all members of the China Council. Your effort has played an essential role in helping to build, shape, and grow a balanced and resilient relationship between our two ...
The Government is modernising insurance law to better protect Kiwis and provide security in the event of a disaster, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly announced today. “These reforms are long overdue. New Zealand’s insurance law is complicated and dated, some of which is more than 100 years old. ...
The coalition Government is refreshing its approach to supporting pay equity claims as time-limited funding for the Pay Equity Taskforce comes to an end, Public Service Minister Nicola Willis says. “Three years ago, the then-government introduced changes to the Equal Pay Act to support pay equity bargaining. The changes were ...
Structured literacy will change the way New Zealand children learn to read - improving achievement and setting students up for success, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “Being able to read and write is a fundamental life skill that too many young people are missing out on. Recent data shows that ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay says Canada’s refusal to comply in full with a CPTPP trade dispute ruling in our favour over dairy trade is cynical and New Zealand has no intention of backing down. Mr McClay said he has asked for urgent legal advice in respect of our ‘next move’ ...
The rights of our children and young people will be enhanced by changes the coalition Government will make to strengthen oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, including restoring a single Children’s Commissioner. “The Government is committed to delivering better public services that care for our most at-risk young people and ...
The Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can ...
New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
Good evening – Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us. ...
From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure. The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say. “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...
Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff. “Access to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwis’ lives. We’ve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...
Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says. “Every day, ...
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges. “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service. It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
Distinguished guests - It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
The beloved local grocers lost a legal challenge to stop a new cycleway outside their store. Joel MacManus reports. In the annals of New Zealand legal history, there are a few brave people who have dared to stand up to the powers that be, no matter how bleak the odds ...
How what we produce and what we eat connects us to the world beyond our shores, visualised. Walking around a supermarket or vege shop, it might be obvious that everything on the shelves came from somewhere. But you might ...
The following interview with auto electrician and former caver Stu Berendt, 68, of Charleston on the West Coast, came about because he was part of the caving team that found the rare and amazing fossil remains of the giant Haast eagle, the subject of one of the year’s best books, ...
A $1.8b funding boost for Pharmac still won’t enable it to buy more drugs, raising questions about the Government’s approach to the agency The post Can Pharmac do more with the same pot of money? appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Professor Jemma Geoghegan, of the University of Otago, Otakou Whakaihu Waka, co-leads a Te Niwha project aimed at understanding how and where avian influenza could affect Aotearoa New Zealand, as the highly infectious H5N1 virus spreads globally. The virus has now spread to all continents except Oceania and was recently ...
Thirty years on from Rwanda’s genocide, is guilt over the atrocities is blinding the world to the true nature of its current leadership? The post The repressive underside of Rwanda’s regime appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Opinion: Last week, important recommendations for our criminal justice system were made by the international community. Every five years, each member of the United Nations has its human rights practices reviewed. This rolling event – the Universal Periodic Review – is the culmination of a government reporting on its human ...
Highly pathogenic avian influenza – H5N1, or bird flu – has been flying around the world since the late 1990s. New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific Islands are so far free of it, but now it’s been discovered in mainland Antarctica and scientists say it’s only a matter of time ...
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Eric Stokan, Assistant Professor of Political Science, University of Maryland, Baltimore County If you live in one of the most economically deprived neighborhoods in your city, you might think the government is directing a smaller share of public funds to your community. ...
Wansolwara The news media’s crucial role in climate change and environment journalism was the focus of The University of the South Pacific’s Journalism Programme 2024 World Press Freedom Day celebrations. The European Union Ambassador to the Pacific, Barbara Plinkert, and Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Henry Puna were the chief ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Adams, Professor of Corporate Law & Academic Director of UNE Sydney campus, University of New England Last August, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) launched legal proceedings against Qantas. The consumer watchdog accused the airline of selling thousands of tickets ...
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NZ Herald – Editorial today
Arguing the case AGAINST democracy.
“There is good reason to confine these elections to a party caucus. MPs are generally well briefed on policy issues and aware of the national interest. They also work closely with leadership contenders and are best-placed to assess their character and capabilities.”
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=11114759
Jeeez…I guess the Herald just wants their BORN TO RULE beloved National Party to run things…unbelievable.
Also from granny herald:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11114788
So much for secret voting eh…
Saarbo @ 1. This is great really. Granny showing the depth of her true colours. Perfect justification to scorn and lambast the meddlesome, clutching of the pearls hypocrisy she launches against democracy. Dismiss, dismiss, dismiss !
True colours alright.
The Herald [of big money interests] refers to good governance:
What good governance is that referring to?
This comment appears to entirely ignore the way that our legislation is being ‘rushed through’ at every turn and how we have recently incurred a massive lost to our democratic rights and principles.
It appears to ignore that there is an increasing yawning gap between the most wealthy and the least in this country.
These two issues alone prove that the governance in our country over, really, a very long time is a complete failure.
Good governance – what utter rot.
The consensus? Does Granny mean selling New Zealand legislation to campaign donors? Or subsidising Rio Tinto?
There is no alternative? Really, Granny? Are you sure?
That is astounding.
The NZ Herald is effectively stating that the wishes of the people of New Zealand must be subordinated to some other structure. The Herald is promoting some form of higher power than that of the people.
The Herald has lost the plot.
The Herald can go wander down to the local turgid creek and drown itself all alone.
Even Brian Edwards doesn’t want a democratic process to select the leader. No wonder National has managed to erode so many democratic rights, the media actually don’t much like democracy either.
perhaps its because many will have to leave wellington to cover the contest?
Well clearly then, Brian Edwards and the Herald need to be put out to pasture and some fresh air blown through the place.
They have become stale, bereft of clarity, empty of history, …..
Brian
Edwards
is
a
classic
waste
of
space
.
.
.
It seems there’s been an “economic consensus” between National and Labour that we haven’t been told about until now. (But we’ve all seen operating…)
So Labour’s own dirty tricks brigade is back in full swing? Where’s Trevor Mallard? Or could it be closer to Cunliffe’s home city this time?
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11114788
Does that mean don’t tell the public what you will do, so you can do what you like when elected?
Looks like a win to Robertson.
Excellent.
Hey BM changed your mind?
Yesterday you were supporting Jones. To quote you said “Shane Jones should lead labour, he’s the only guy out of the three who has the goods.” and now you are supporting Robertson.
Changed your mind?
He is an unofficial member of the ABC
ABC -ftw
ftw?
For The Win
Hey BM, I think it’s really brave of you to talk so openly about your fear of Cunliffe.
Well done.
You are obviously talking about for a National win.
“For Tory Win”?
An internet mannerism…stuck next to a comment or quip which is supposed to seal the argument.
Eg. Cunliffe has the experience to lead the country. And he does a great beard, FTW!
Moderators hate the comment as it can turn into “pwned” style trolling/flaming pretty quick.
Provided the candidates in the contest behave like adults during the contest, the media will have no option but to write substance…
I switched from TV1 news some years ago but after Gowers “coverage” yesterday I may leave that channel too.
To my mind his job is to advise me what is going on and who is saying what. He sees his job as giving me his opinion not facts. Why do political jounos and politicians think we are all too stupid to make up our own minds.
You must really hate Campbell Live.
I don’t watch it. If someone posts a clip here or elsewhere I might watch but as a rule I don’t.
They also havent caught on that selection via a party wide vote is how the greens have elected their leaders for ages. They talk as if its some new crazy thing
They are also heavily editing comments on John Armstrong’s piece this morning .. I wrote a fairly innocuous comment ( innocuous in terms of needing moderating) and it has failed to appear … in fact there are zero comments showing.
Censorship stinks.
perhaps they have been swamped with comments?
They always take ages to show comments on the herald.
That’s also my experience ..
Just ban the printed Herald from our lives. I bought it in the 70s and 80s to see what the bosses were up to today. But have not plunked down loose change for two decades now, yes I admit scanning it online and if the paper version goes totally down the web version would be pay to read or disappear too. Yay.
The dirty filthy Eastern Suburbs toffs that kept the rag going all the 20th century lying, misleading and distorting reality for New Zealanders. Yay. Truth has gone too. Don’t buy the Herald and if there is one at work or a cafe–bin it, do us all a favour.
You can see the fear in granny and the other MSM outlets when the potential for genuine change to rock their isolated and priviledged world appears.
They are part of the problem and don’t want the solution.
Funny thing is if TVNZ hadn’t been so anti charter and waged war against it they could’ve been an outlet not so easy to flog as it stands now under the nats but then Ellis didn’t take over $1m p.a. to strengthen the nations voice but to bark it’s owners tune.
Sums it up nicely.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=11114755
It seems odd how little coverage at stuff and herald brownlee’s loss in the High Court yesterday has taken.
Despite spending lots of time in the media and their original defence talking about the drawback to rewarding people who didn’t take out insurance according to Cameron (Lawyer for owners) it never came up in the case.
Brownlee says he will consider an Appeal.
The point is the High Court has found that Brownlee and CERA did not apply the law as stated.
Isn’t this just more bullying type behaviour by brownlee? 50% or nothing. Take it or leave it we are bigger than you. brownlee spending our money on trying to uphold his belief that Insurance companies will be harmed if the law is upheld.
Maybe he is drafting a bill under urgency to overturn the Court.
Thank God for the Courts. No wonder the nats don’t like the judiciary at the moment.
finally
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11114975
Note that key’s promise that no one would be worse off because of the govt’s offer for their land is currently a lie. It remains a lie until he can overturn the decision or bring in urgent legislation to make himself right.
Yet another judge that will not be appearing in the honours list
Interesting piece about the role and power of political blogs ..
http://inside.org.au/the-war-the-bloggers-won/
Everybody knows that politicians don’t read blogs… 🙂
What do you mean by that, Winston?
I think it’s a joke! (referring to Shearer saying that voters don’t read blogs, and that he doesn’t read blogs).
Yup
some like Jones (takere) post on them!
JOKE
Very funny – I put ‘takere’ into a meta-search engine and found nothing by Jones.
… and another.
http://inside.org.au/winning-the-battle-of-ideas/
LABOUR’S GOT TALENT: just love this little put down line from Key and Whaleoil about our selection process: that kind of smug sneer at something everyday NZers love and want to celebrate- good people getting up and having a go- is just what you’d expect from an elite so out of touch they dont recognise real emotion and public feeling: either pain or, in this case, determination and passion. Yep, damn right Labour’s got talent: and one way or another, you are going to feel it.
“Yep, damn right Labour’s got talent: and one way or another, you are going to feel it.”
– lol! Cunliffe, Jones and Robertson sure but who else?
Open your eyes, Winny. Or actually go meet ’em!
Nah too busy worshipping the National “talent” or lack of it in fools like N. Guy, H. Parata, P. Bennett, G. Brownlee, J. Collins, J. Keystroke et al, bottom of the barrel stuff.
In news not covered by The Herald or Stuff….
Public told volcanic geyser’s sudden eruption on a public road 900m from Rome airport nothing to be concerned about:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/10265372/Volcanic-geyser-erupts-close-to-Rome-airport.html
Despite being a stone’s throw from the end of a main runway at Fiumicino, Europe’s sixth largest airport, which handles 37 million passengers a year, Mr Basili said there was no cause for fear over flight safety. “This is a limited phenomenon – it will not have created alarm at the airport,” he said.
Ye Gods. I just read Brian Edwards take on things regarding the Labour leadership contest. I wish he had never started a blog. Better to keep your mouth shut and the reputation forged in your youth intact than retiring, writing a blog, and presenting for all to see your sad descent into a bewildered old age. The poor old bugger is stuck in New Zealand circa 1973, he clearly has no idea of the dynamics of New Zealand in 2013.
Yeah true what was Dear Leader thinking keeping him on…
Eh? I don’t think he’s ever worked for the Nats has he?
I gave up on him when he posted something about the weather forecast always being different from what he could see out of his own window.
Why are we so obsessed with people like Edwards. Yes of course he is getting old and wanders a bit but he is also allowed to have an opinion. So many on this forum seem to see him as some sort of enemy and I am sure that is not correct. He has expressed certain opinions and that should be end of it.
Can we not just accept differences and stop using these forums for personal attacks on people
The right/corporate media looks set to go full retard on Labour. It’ll be a rerun of the response that we got from the electricity policy announcement.
It would be best if the Cunliffe/Robertson/Jones camps coordinated their media to frustrate the likes of Paddy Gower et al.
And maybe gag Trev and throw him in a cupboard for a month would help too. (that’s a joke! not advocating violence!) 😀
“And maybe gag Trev and throw him in a cupboard for a month would help too”
– That would probably help Labour gain a couple of percentage points
Giovani Tiso:
http://bat-bean-beam.blogspot.co.nz/2013/08/the-leader-vanishes.html
revisionism… sigh
it explains why key gets caught in lies, he has no access to his previous statements to try and be consistent.
Just like they did with Saddam…
http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/gallery/2003/04/29/PD3282877.jpg
The National Library regularly archives NZ sites for posterity. Here’s its archive for Labour
i just heard bridges on nat-rad..
..what is it with those younger male tory mp’s..?
..and their issues with the spoken word..?
..they dance around the english language like constipated dogs trying to work it out..
..bridges totally over-masticates his words..and then sprays surrounding environs with the remains..
..and tremain and guy..(who i call heckle and jeckel..(old cartoon..look it up..and wonder at the spooky similarites..)
..both of them are glottal/strangled-word disasters..(tremain in particular..)
..and of course guy when on his own is called ‘clutch cargo’..(once again..old cartoon..look it up..be spooked again..(and be really spooked how guy has that whole clutch thing of just the lips moving when speaking down just so..
..and really..for everyones’ peace of mind..guy should be asked to disrobe..to prove there are no wires sticking out/plugged into him..
..and then of course there is jonathan ‘cigar-boy’ coleman..and his peculiar habit of tossing a handful of marbles into his mouth..before speaking..(so if you listen carefully…you can hear them rolling/bouncing off each other)
..and of course todd (‘pompadour’) mclay..doesn’t toss marbles into his mouth..
..he stuffs his full of plums…
..is it a basic requirement of being a young(er) tory male mp..?
..to talk weird..?
..(the evidence is overwhelming..)
..and i can hear you asking:..’but what about craig ‘the hapless one’ foss..?..you’ve left him out..’
..the thing is with foss..i am still so dazzled by his haplessness..
..i am yet to move on to his verbal-tics..
phillip ure..
It’s a result of being a thicko.
No doubt though, after 2014 – there’ll be “learnings” in all of this
Is it true that when someone asked him about where he lives he said some malarkey about because his wife wanted to breastfeed?
If true (and I read it on “other” blogs so I’ll concede it may be wrong) he’ll have to watch comments like that because people can see right through things like that, if true of course.
Should have just said hes worked hard to get to where he is and wants to give everyone else the same opportunity for success or something similar
Crikey, when did you become concerned about political leaders lying? Or are you concerned for him that he doesn’t lie well enough to beat the current King (Key)?
All politicians lie, John Key lies, Helen Clark lied, whoever becomes the leader of Labour will lie, everyone lies especially politicians
What interests me is that there are some lies the voting public accept and some they don’t. It appears to me that the smaller the lie the less likely the voting public is to accept it.
In regards to the labour leadership I’m more the interested neutral party in that while I have opinions on who should lead I’m trying to see from the viewpoint of whats best for labour
good laugh for the day
You should try it some time, impartiality can give you a different viewpoint
are you claiming impartiality now?
Only for the leadership battle and thats because it doesn’t impact on me, once the leader is decided its back to full-on impartiality
So yeah I’m thinking that the best chance for Labour winning the next election is Cunliffe leading but personally speaking I’d vote for shane Jones
I’ll let you handle it, Solomon the Wise
Putting aside the obvious hilarity of your last paragraph (!!!), you’re onto something with this:
“the smaller the lie the less likely the voting public is to accept it.”
although I’d look at it through a slightly different lens. I don’t think it’s the size of the lie per se, but rather the point of it.
I’ve been thinking about corruption lately. I think as a society we’ve become accustomed to the idea that we’re all competing individuals seeking advantage over one another. Only a short while ago this would have been considered highly anti-social thinking, but now it’s the norm. A few decades of user-pays free-marketing has made selfishness acceptable, and greed admirable.
When someone is caught lying to further their own interests, instead of judging the behaviour as anti-social and corrupt we understand that that’s just what you do these days. You look after number one. And while we might not always openly praise someone for lying and scheming in their own interest, we grudgingly accept it. We say “who can blame them?” We say “they’d be silly not to”.
And in this selfish, individualistic, dog-eat-dog paradigm, it’s true. We’ve all become corrupt to one degree or another, we’ve done so simply by following the rules of the game. And the rules are look out for number one and never give a sucker an even break. And because we’ve all become corrupted to an extent, we accept the same corruption in others. We expect people to be trying to do us over at every turn.
So when John Key looks down the barrel of the camera and flat out lies about, for example, how many shares he owns, and then gets caught, and then immediately changes his story, we don’t even blink. Because he’s just doing exactly what we expect everyone to be doing, being dishonest in service of his own interests.
And I think that’s why we let these “big” lies go. Because it’s the norm. It’s what you’re meant to do according to the rules of the game. As long as it’s obvious that you’re lying to protect or advance yourself, it’s totally understandable.
Just don’t ever get caught lying for no good selfish greedy dog-eat-dog reason, or we’ll start wondering what flaw in your character you’re trying to cover up.
Yes I’d agree theres some truth to that but I’d go further and suggest it also depends on what has been said before
For instance we know National are for big business and we know Labour are for the battlers so when JK lies (maybe) about his shares thats no big deal but when Shearer “forgot” about his 50 000 plus that was a big deal
However if JK (whos portrayed himself as a good family man) had been cheating on his missus and tried to cover it up I think the public wouldn’t forgive him
Thank you for the admission that National are for Big Business and not for the little people.
Not many of your lot admit that obvious truth anymore.
This by W Smith is a telling point, really the nub of our problem in NZ. Between NACT for Big Business and the battlers supposedly Labour’s congregation, there is a huge yawning gap where most NZs are. That’s those who are able and willing to build and create and contribute and support a vital economically sound NZ. Most of Big Business is looking over their heads to international interests, the battlers and strugglers are at their feet pecking over the trickle down droppings, and wondering what the hell is going on up there, because it sure is hell down here.
Most NZ is by Winston’s summary, unpolitically unrepresented. Who they gonna call – Ghostbusters? Now those fellas really stuck it to the green slime.
Which of Key’s lies or which kind of lies are the ones that if exposed will force Key to fall on his sword?
He’ll never fall on his sword. He’ll have to be hounded out of the village with pitchforks, torches and rough music.
We’ve accepted that he lies about money and business and that it’s normal. It’s now considered part of his charm. It’s part of his brand that he’s wiley and cunning and no-one gets one over him.
He can lie his lying arse off and we’re all ok with it because in the world we live in that’s no longer considered an undesirable trait.
Which is why Key is so happy to call Cunliffe a liar any chance he gets. If he and Winston Smith keep on spreading the meme that all politicians lie, then he can merrily carry on being a liar himself. If he gets caught out who’s gonna care except Blip and a few other lefties on the Standard?
“Steal a little and they throw you in jail. Steal a lot and they make you king.” Bob Dylan
but wait, weren’t the national and ACT parties absolutely against lies by govt MPs when they were in opposition???? OH, I see, they were lying.
haha bingo
“Is it true that when someone asked him about where he lives he said some malarkey about because his wife wanted to breastfeed?”
Only what I’ve read on ts, but he apparently said that his wife was breastfeeding and needed to live closer to her work. That is a completely valid reason for choosing where to live.
Sure it is *insert any vague reference to buying a bridge*
Look theres nothing wrong with being successful and having the money to choose where you live but don’t drag your family into it because now his familys fair game
ie Are your kids still brest feeding, when you will be moving back closer to the people you purport to represent and if not why not etc etc
I’m not commenting on Cunliffe’s choices. I’m stating that moving so you are closer to work while breastfeeding is a completely valid reason. Some people here seem to be saying it’s not.
Well its something he might want to watch out for…he might not want to give Robertson any ammunition
“but don’t drag your family into it because now his familys fair game”
Really Winston? Are you applying that principle across the board to any mp who ever mentions their family?
Bill English’s family are fair game, are they? And John Key’s family?
(neither of whom live in their electorates either btw)
“but don’t drag your family into it because now his familys fair game”
Daft. Are you saying that he should lie?
I think he is telling him he needs to learn to lie better if he wants to be PM.
It’s the new standard our current PM has set..
If they use them as a defence as Cunliffe did then yes by all means
so, Key’s mum and sister are up for grabs… he used them as a defence of himself and his ability to l know how it is for the low income in NZ?
A defence against what? Being asked why he lives in a certain part of town?
Why he feels he doesn’t live near those he represents, the inference being that hes using the people to further his own ends but doesn’t want to live near the hoi-polloi
Not a good look for a labour MP
John Key reckons its fine to live and holiday far away from the electorate he represents; Cunliffe on the other hand is actually IN the electorate he represents all the time.
Desperate righties must be desperate.
I doubt John Key has even driven through his electorate. Flown over it, maybe.
Pretty sure that photo of him with the prince at a BBQ was in the electorate
I thought that was at his Omaha beach house.
Does he “holiday”in New Lynn as well ?
Key? Are you having a laugh?
Nothing wrong with holidaying in New Lynn – do it myself.
“Why he feels he doesn’t live near those he represents, the inference being that hes using the people to further his own ends but doesn’t want to live near the hoi-polloi”
Do you have any evidence that Cunliffe lives where he lives in order to avoid living next to some people in his electorate (as opposed to the ones he does live near of course)? Or any evidence that the reason Cunliffe gave (his wife’s breastfeeding needs) was a lie?
isn’t having them on the hustings with you and so on “dragging” them into it. You are drawing a pretty long bow
“A heavy shower sweeps across Auckland as the Herald heads towards the College Rifles Sports Club. It’s late June and the rain has been coming and going all day, and all month. It’s the sort of weather that’s killed off many a sports event, but there’s no need to worry on this occasion. In 2009 the club installed synthetic turf on its two rugby fields, rendering cancellations a thing of the past.
Located a couple of hundred metres off Remuera Rd in a flood-prone valley, the playing surfaces at the historical club have traditionally been terrible.
‘It was a s***hole,” says club manager Derek Rope.
Synthetic turf has come a long way. Up close it looks and almost feels like real grass, with little black rubber balls and flakes mimicking dirt. The lush carpet cost the club $2 million, $500,000 of which came from gaming trusts.
Synthetic turf also covers the scrum practice area and the netball and tennis courts. There’s a brand new pavilion, state-of-the-art gym and 32-bed accommodation block for touring sports teams.
The club’s bad days are well and truly behind it, thanks in part to its success in accessing gaming trust money. Seven trusts have kicked in over $1 million to help fund the redevelopment projects, and there is more to come. The club has already secured $300,000 of trust money to put towards the final phase of its development, a swimming pool complex, and is hoping to raise that figure by another $200,000.
Clubs like College Rifles in Remuera have developed programmes and facilities using gambling money. Photo / Richard RobinsonClubs like College Rifles in Remuera have developed programmes and facilities using gambling money. Photo / Richard Robinson
Given that just 23 of the country’s 17,534 pokies are situated in Remuera, it’s hardly a surprise that a club that began life in 1897 with a membership of military personnel drawn from Auckland’s schools has been held up as the poster child for the dubious wealth redistribution that accompanies the gaming trust model.
“Why should poor people in Mangere be supplying first-class facilities in Remuera?” Maori Party MP Te Ururoa Flavell asked when he launched his ill-fated Gambling Harm Reduction Bill.
It’s a fair question, and one Mr Rope doesn’t duck. “People say it’s a Remuera rich club – it’s not,” he says.
Only 25 per cent of the club’s 5000 members across a sports portfolio that ranges from badminton to lacrosse are Remuera locals.”
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11114737
For something completely different Charter schools in the UK a complete failure after years: of trialing charter schools which have the advantage of new buildings and public and private funding have shown an initial burst of achievement all be it less than public schools then a continual decline the independent uk reported today.
link?
tricledown
This education in UK thing sounds interesting – where did you hear/see it?
Looking forward to seeing a front bench reshuffle under DC. Parker should keep finance, but I suspect the others will be up. Ardern for all her promise has allowed Bennet to sail on, Hipkiss a failure V Parata, and who does housing, and health??
Today, 3 News reports:
LOL!
Key looking desperate even as he claims Cunliffe will be desperate to be PM at all costs and take Norman on as deputy of finance minister. Typical rightie that Key – manages to project all his shortcomings on to the opposition.
PS: The comments below the article mostly say Key is the desperate liar.
typical transference karol? He thinks other are behaving how he behaves???
I chuckled… how quickly he sinks to the personality politics he claims to never sink to.
We’ll see who’s truly desperate when Key is forced to make a deal with Winston Peters, despite constantly dismissing him.
Judith Collins for Leader of the Opposition?
I would prefer to see Gerry Brownlee as the next Natz leader in opposition. Even though they’re both vindictive snakes, big Ger is a bit better at hiding it. Whoever it is, Keys days are clearly numbered.
Brownlee as NACT leader…. at least that would swing the Chch vote to the left again.
“Whoever it is, Keys days are clearly numbered”
– Why, has his popularity dropped below 40% or something?
So <40% is the trigger point for a coup. Good to know, thanks for that.
Patrick Gower’s seen a letter, I’ve heard…
More like suggesting that the chances of Key getting rolled is highly unlikely based on how popular he is
might want to send a memo to Collins about that. It’s all very well being personally popular, but that doesn’t help her keep her cabinet post if Nats only get 45% in 2014.
That’ll explain Why Shearers gone then.
“Wellington Central MP Grant Robertson said he paid for taxis and accommodation himself, but his airfare was covered by taxpayers.
“As a parliamentarian I am able to use parliamentary resources to fly wherever I like in the country, that’s part of the arrangement we have.
“I think you should refer those inquiries about what we are allowed to do to Parliamentary Services because they set the rules.”
He said MPs’ salaries were reduced years ago on the basis that the ability to fly around the country was provided.
“My judgement is that I will not be using any other resources apart from that.” ”
Cool, more sense of entitlement.
” Deputy leaders
Each member of Parliament who is the deputy leader of a party whose members in the House of Representatives number not less than 25—
Base salary 179,300
plus
For each additional member of the party in the House of Representatives over 25 up to a maximum of 35 610
plus
For each additional member of the party in the House of Representatives over 35 up to a maximum of 45 340 ”
plus expenses.
Why have you quoted from an expired document Tracey?
because I didn’t know it was expired????
I went here
and followed the links
http://www.parliament.nz/en-nz/MPP/MPs/Pay/
This is what happened when I tried to get 2012 one
http://www.parliament.nz/en-nz/pb/presented/papers/50DBHOH_PAP24127_1/parliamentary-salaries-and-allowances-determination-2012
Love and hate – both emotional and highly excitable states. I guess that volatility could result in reversal. What would make the complacent hate Key? It would have to be something that would hurt them personally.
Keep cool, if the MP is entitled then he is entitled to a sense of entitlement.
here we go
“Deputy leaders
Each member of Parliament who is the deputy leader of a party whose members in the House of Representatives number not less than 25—
Base salary 182,800
plus
For each additional member of the party in the House of Representatives over 25 up to a maximum of 35 630
plus
For each additional member of the party in the House of Representatives over 35 up to a maximum of 45 360 ”
That any of them cant pay for anything associated with their latest job application is beyond me.
I think you’ve quoted from an expired document again Tracey. The Parliamentary Salaries and Allowances Determination 2012 expired on 30 June 2013.
bugger.
Nonetheless my guess is the latest one wont be lower, so my point, I hope is made.
What point, Tracey?
“plus
For each additional member of the party in the House of Representatives over 25 up to a maximum of 35 630”
What does that mean?
John Key and MPs perks
http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/9026069/MPs-cling-on-to-a-free-ride
Maori affairs interview with the candidates
Not sure if someone has already posted this. Very interesting and good viewpoints from all 3. The interviewer doesn’t hold back!
https://www.maoritelevision.com/news/politics/native-affairs–labour-panel
CV, ‘Native Affairs’ my friend, i found that quite an enlightening interview of the 3, Native Affairs for some strange reason seems to always elicit a better view of the people it interviews than the mainstream,
Shane Jones didn’t say anything there which would raise my opinion of Him, the reverse in fact, Jone’s faux ‘one of the boys in the smoko room’ line is simply cringe worthy,
David Cunliffe scored best with His ‘governments have the right to change gambling legislation and SkyCity better be prepared’ line and while i am not a gushing groupy Cunliffe leads in my opinion of who should win this contest,
Grant Robertson, disappointed me, full stop…
ahhhh yes Native Affairs it is.
Thanks, CV for the link.
Jones seems haughty for all his common man claims: often with his head tilted back and looking down his nose. Robertson looks like he’s doing a job interview – too wordy and sounds more like a backroom worker than someone to front for the party. Cunliffe is composed, clear, and has some short sharp answers – looks like a leader.
funny story!!..
if questiontime today was a talent-contest for labour…dyson got the gong..
http://whoar.co.nz/2013/new-zealand-parliament-list-of-questions-for-oral-answer-tuesday-27-august-2013/
(excerpt..)
“..bloody hell..!…ruth dyson is actually doing better than any of the three contenders..up against key..
..(dyson is expressing potent disgust at keys’ laughing/sneering at/saying that screwing vacant land owners out of 50% of their land values was ‘fun’..)
..and the strength of dysons’ performance is because of the fire in her belly..(and cunnliffe/robertson could do worse than take note of that..and spark up..!..)..”
phillip ure..
+1 Dyson really kicked arse in the house today. The news at six even covered the story reasonably well so that the National voters with a few brain cells to rub together will be thinking twice about continuing their support.
It’s bad enough that the government is trying to force people in Christchurch to sell their land at half its value, but to say that it’s their fault because they didn’t have land insurance is despicable! There is no land insurance available, which is something a Prime Minister with even half a brain would comprehend.
What is the point in the current government appealing the courts ruling when they will surely lose? What a god damn waste of taxpayers money.
Te reo putake
that these guys claim to champion the poor but think if parliamentary services says they can charge something to us they will… at least so far robertson will.
For once this is a cross-party rort with each party as bad as each other
not just on this issue WS
Bollocks. We live in a democracy and parliamentary representation is one of the guarantees of that. All parties get funded the same way from parliamentary services and the deal is that MP’s get free flights on our taxpayer owned airline. It’s been that way, or similar, for decades. Railways before that. A few weeks ago, the taxpayer paid for every Nat MP to fly to Nelson to have their conference. Did you complain then? Remember, the Tories also claim to champion the poor. Ask Appaller Bennett, she’s all about giving the poor a helping hand round the head and a loving boot up the arse.
The 3 candidates are flying around the country in an exercise in democracy. This is not only historic, it’s an entirely appropriate use of the Parliamentary budget. Don’t buy into the right’s meme ‘o’ the day, Tracey.
+1
So much for unifying the left.
Cunliffe rules out Norman as potential Finance Minister
http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/auckland/news/nbpol/2086420229-cunliffe-rules-out-norman-as-potential-finance-minister
Greens co-leader Russel Norman won’t be the Finance Minister under a David Cunliffe or Grant Robertson-led Labour Government.
That’s a hopeless, contextless quote. This one is better:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11115155
It’s not entirely an open door invite to unite, but at least he didn’t completely shut the door in their face.
2 out of 10 for effort?
War! more war!
US forces to strike Syria (pending).
If Key sends troops — he is nothing more than his ulta ego
Obama.
The Smiling Assassin and the Mass murderer.
What a combination.
Sheeeezus.
Egyptian solders shoot and kill hundreds of unarmed protestors. Result: US continues billions in military aid.
Unknown, unproven party uses chemical weapons on Syrian civilians, killing hundreds. Result: war to take down Assad’s government.
“Unproven” bang bang.
Dann vs Gower-
Gower asks how Cunliffe is going to go man-to-man with Key, Dann asks if he would raise taxes on the rich-
Dann gets my vote…breath of fresh air
Links?
NZ GCSB Bill being covered on Al Jazeera tomorrow morning (19,30 GMT) I make that 6.30am NZ time, not around 7.30am as Selwyn Manning is tweeting.
Yes, 6:30 am Wednesday NZ time.
Robert Reich.
http://www.businessinsider.com/heres-why-america-stopped-caring-about-the-public-good-2013-8?IR=T
Robert Reich is very good, but in my opinion he doesn’t go as deep as Chris Hedges and Richard Wolff in explaining how this has all come about.
Essentially, the civil movements which were crucial in pressuring and forcing the politicians to create the New Deal were, over decades, deliberately dismantled, co-opted, undermined and destroyed.
It pays to remember how much pressure was required to make Roosevelt and the corporate/banking elite agree to the New Deal. Hundreds of workers, unemployed, activitists were killed in the process, during the Great Depression.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exuGv3HsV-U
Today the Democrats are just as much friends of big oil, big pharma and big banking, as the Republicans. The civil movements which used to pressure for political economic change for the working class and underclass are long dead.
And so, the corporate and banking elite have the whole playing field their way now.
Atwater.
“That voter, in my judgment,” he claims, “will be more likely to vote his economic interests than he will anything else. And that is the voter that I think through a fairly slow but very steady process, will go Republican.” Because race no longer matters: “In my judgment Karl Marx [is right]… the real issues ultimately will be the economic issues.” He continues, in words that uncannily echo the “47 percent tape” (nothing new under the wingnut sun), that “statistically, as the number of non-producers in the system moves toward fifty percent,” the conservative coalition cannot but expand. Voila: a new Republican majority. Racism won’t have anything to do with it.
http://www.thenation.com/article/170841/exclusive-lee-atwaters-infamous-1981-interview-southern-strategy#axzz2d8Jra8tt
Cheers. 🙂 I believe that as usual, the next election will be one or lost on the Economy.
Sorry about the shutdown. Was setting up a new cdn system.
Didn’t seem to last too long.
Seemed to last an eternity from my perspective. But then again, time is hardly a constant 😈
Episodes of The Good Wife to watch, makes time pass easily.
The Hustle followed by Stargate Atlantis.
Testing the updates. They look ok so far.
The re-edit still seems to be working.
Drat the nzonscreen images are not there. Odd.