The Green Party is really hitting its straps now. On the back of persuading the government to ban oil and gas exploration now is the time to show some real strength and vote aginst this.
They probably did @TC (aka Top Cat). Remind me when that was. Close to a decade ago was it?
On or off; 1 or 0; Jesus! it’s a tough ride when you have to consider anything other than two options.
Mind the bumps TC, your likely to get the shit shaken out of you
Yes, lets watch them support an imperfect method to solve a problem that could potentially lead to more problems and see how well that works out for them.
If they were smart, they’d quickly distance themselves (by speaking out against that part of the plan) from the use of PPPs.
So can we take it you support the Greens levying the masses to subsidise the well to do that can afford to buy a new electric vehicle?
Concern trolling seems to be the go to line when one doesn’t seem to have an argument worthy of putting forward. Here’s your chance to show me you can do better than that.
If the Greens start supporting PPP’s then that is a trap. Maybe part of the problem is I’m not sure how many of these new Green MP’s get outside of central Auckland or Wellington, therefore they think everything can be solved by walking and cycling.
I’m not even sure if they know what suburbs are even in the super city and how far reaching it now is.
The new plans in particular transport may take 5-10 years to start work, but in the mean time people have to survive that decade of hell and many can’t because they way power structures are now working, anyone who is not based in Central Wellington/Auckland or does not belong to some lobby group, seems to be strangely not thought about and even more strangely it’s now believed to be their fault for not having time to lobby/write reports/submissions/meet and greet politicians/go to rallies/pay lawyers/planners to write their submissions….
The Government Policy Statement released by the government was co-written by Associate Minister of Transport Genter. The Green Party don’t need much persuading.
Yes, well they did sign up to the Budget Responsibility Rules, which has resulted in the Government favouring PPPs as a means of keeping debt off their balance sheet.
Nevertheless, it’s disappointing the Greens don’t seem to be concerned about the use of PPPs.
Campbell needs to swallow the cup of proverbial cement and harden up.
The Greens signed up to the budget responsibility rules.
The Greens signed up to the Transport GPS.
The Greens signed up to the Auckland package.
The Greens already manage a set of very close commercial partnerships and concessions through DoC as their Minister.
The Greens have been working assiduously with business on co-funding climate mitigation initiatives. Some of which you will see around Budget in May, and may quack walk fly and lay eggs like ppps do.
Definitely he is already seen as business-friendly.
As the boldest Green Party MP in a long time, as well as one of the lowest profile leaders, he is going for something far harder than singing tenor to his own audience.
He is going for nothing less than uniting business and Government together to fund against climate change. He is using the climate change groups that he has set up, plus the $100m seed money, to pull in their partnership.
Now, that seems like something a centrist would do. But to be honest, it’s the only way to pull the rug out from National. Shaw knows now that he will never get cross-Parliamentary support for his legislation. But he can undercut National’s support from business and co-opt them to the cause.
The two biggest forces in the world right now are climate change and finance. Nothing like an audacious goal, and Shaw is going for it.
Are PPPs a dead rat Labour supporters will willingly swallow?
Probably not.
They’re a bloody stupid idea based upon the failed ideology of the private sector always being better. History shows that PPPs are a waste of public money.
Why do politicians always refuse to believe reality when it comes to this BS?
Ad darling. I’ve heard a number of labels applied to my todger. Dick, penis, John Thomas, shafter, and a raft of others.
As far as I know, it’s basically the same member of my anatomy ‘going forward’.
and it has the same capability it always had darling (allowing for age of course).
here we go @CG and @ Grey
That little panel on the right is quite usefull.
As I made my previous comment, I said to someone that was watching…….Ad will pop up next with some words of wisdom.
Sure enough he has and you can all see for yourselves. Truly fucking inspiring!
But ekshully, as I was writing, I’d forgotten that I was at TS rather than TDB, and there are obviously different “Standards” at play.
I think not so long ago, I came close to a ban for contesting the absolute jewels that a poster such as AD possesses, AND for wondering (i.e. WONDERING) whether he, yes HE might not be a public servant, or some such other political sage that thinks he’s in tune with the peeps)
I still wonder whether TS uses Ad as a contributor in the same way Fox News uses an occasional token black as proof they’re ‘fair and balanced’
Doesn’t a PPP toll road make heavy road users pay the full cost of the externalities of thief behaviour? Or would rather just tax the shit out of all trucks?
An interesting comment in a linked article in yesterday’s Open Mike: re climate change.
“Without hope, goes the truism, we will give up. And yet optimism about the future is wishful thinking, says Hillman. He believes that accepting that our civilisation is doomed could make humanity rather like an individual who recognises he is terminally ill. Such people rarely go on a disastrous binge; instead, they do all they can to prolong their lives.”
I don’t think many people quite realise we, the human race, are entering, or maybe are in the middle of, the fight for our very existence, a struggle which will more than likely end in our defeat.
We still live in that rosy world – the perpetual present.
What we need is radical action, action that almost certainly doesn’t include any sort of accommodation with the present economic system, which got us into this mess in the first place. Yes, some people are going to have to make big sacrifices, but these people should be those who have the most to give up, not the ordinary people.
We’ve got to do all we can to prolong our lives! And ensure there is a future for our grandchildren!
“What we need is radical action, action that almost certainly doesn’t include any sort of accommodation with the present economic system, which got us into this mess in the first place. ”
Further to my post above, what might ‘radical action’ look like in practice?”
Well, first of all, I think we need to set this country on a war footing, very like we did during the Second Wold War. This would entail giving the government rather draconian powers to get things done. For instance, to name just a few:
• Nationalise all the banks. Money must work in the interests of NZ, not foreign owners.
• Stop industrial farming immediately. What good are exports if our environment is ruined.
• Immediately stop all sales of land and buildings to non-citizens. Seize houses which remain unoccupied for more than half the year.
“Nobody should be permitted to own two houses until everyone has one.”
• Stop all immigration immediately. We need to look after the people here already.
• Severely restrict imports to absolutely essentials. Cut the crap importing. Go back to the ‘number eight wire’ days during WWII.
• Government emphasis on essentials such as 100% sustainable energy and public transport for everybody. Turn Auckland Airport into a market garden.
As, no doubt many will point out, such actions, and other similar moves, will result in massive disruption – in the short term, counter this outcome by instituting a UBI, so that everyone has the ability to buy food. Pay for this by stripping the rich of their assets.
None of the above will happen, of course, or not at least until human extinction is slapping us in the face, when it will be far too late.
Massive amount of capital flight would occur and the economy would be ruined within a matter of months as the country’s income tanked, we would have little ability to purchase goods to maintain our health system or infrastructure. With the combined ban on industrial farming there would be widespread malnutrition and starvation.
In short many if not most of your suggestions would lead to very significant harm and hardship to the population apart from that it is a great debate starter.
Not to mention our best and brightest will simply leave the ed Viectchy dystopia ( doctors scientist; engineers. Entrepreneurs teachers etc), nz would just become a basket case
No need to give any government draconian powers over our every day lives.
The government can shoulder barge its way back into the economy if it wants (and should).
It already has an army it can re-purpose for the sake of desperately needed physical works around “known to be imminent” impacts of global warming.
Strict efficiency regulations on cars, appliances etc, that tighten year on year combined with an onerous carbon tariff at the border could work wonders.
The problem is that no-one in parliament is actually facing up to things. “Everyone” keeps on with this line that we can carry on as we are with a few fiddles here and a couple of adjustments there. We can’t. (Well, we can, but there’s an expiry date that’s coming into focus)
I don’t think it’s crazy to ask whether civilisation as we know it will survive into much of the next century. Given the path we’re on, I’d be saying that 2150 is looking like a very long shot.
But in the interim, if we want Auckland airport to be a market garden, then we can shut it down today and get started on it. No government required. Just arses on tarmac and some picks and shovels 🙂
I look forward to you, Ed and Tony trying to get onto the tarmac at Auckland airport with picks and shovels..it might even knock Korea off top spot on the news.
And therein (implied) lies a large part of the problem. Why is it we think our actions need be legitimised through the medium of the state and its institutions?
The day we drop that attitude/belief, is the day we can get started. And unlike as was the case in the USSR when people dumped their believes, there will likely be no external entity in a position to impose any new, restrictive political paradigm on us.
Why do I have the feeling that the particular form of democracy that the likes of yourself, Dtb, Ed and others would be served with a side order of jackboot for those who disagreed with your particular world view ?
With all the faults of our current system of the state and its institutions I’ll take it every time over those that chant ‘vive la revolution’.
The only reason I can think as to why you have that feeling, is that you’re failing to grasp some very basic characteristics and features of democracy.
Unlike with representative parliamentary governance or more authoritarian forms of governance, with democracy there simply can’t be any particular world view being forced on people.
In that case I look forward to the vote on the digging up of the tarmac at Auckland airport pending the planting of a market garden along with the vote on
• Nationalise all the banks.
• Stop industrial farming immediately.
• Immediately stop all sales of land and buildings to non-citizens.
• Stop all immigration immediately.
• Severely restrict imports to absolutely essentials.
• Government emphasis on essentials such as 100% sustainable energy and public transport for everybody.
Although I must admit to suspecting I know the results …
If you had, you’d realise there’s no place for “the market” because it embodies and promotes deeply anti-democratic dynamics. Trade in a democratic setting does not unfold through market mechanisms.
Auckland airport? Any decision would surely be around allowing for the continuation of air travel? And those decisions (and it would be plural) aren’t based on some simple yes/no binary.
As for what might be done with the place should space be freed up due to the demise of air travel, well, I live a long way away and the establishment of market garden or whatever else (and unlike air travel) is very unlikely to have any impact on me. So I wouldn’t be party to that decision or process.
“But in the interim, if we want Auckland airport to be a market garden, then we can shut it down today and get started on it. No government required. Just arses on tarmac and some picks and shovels 🙂”
Direct action in the present isn’t incongruent with democracy. It by-passes undemocratic processes and systems associated with representative forms of governance. (Y’know, the whole “Why is it we think our actions need be legitimised through the medium of the state and its institutions” bit?)
The problem is that no-one in parliament is actually facing up to things.
That is hardly true. The problem is with the voters. The voters are not voting for this level of intervention, otherwise we would have the Greens leading the government.
If the government enacts policies that do not have the general consent of the masses (or at least the majority of those who vote) then that fucking well is giving the “government draconian powers over our every day lives”. The economy is part of our everyday lives.
James Shaw views AGW as a great business opportunity. That’s where the “no-one in parliament” comment comes from – on the assumption that the Green Party represents the edge of the parliamentary envelope on AGW.
This chrematistic economy is part of our every day lives, true. And the government seeks the approval of those already controlling and gaining from that economy – not us, the voting public. Government directed economic development would be bringing economic agency a step closer to us than it is at present. (That said, a quick look to the ME and N. Africa offers instructive examples of what can happen when countries go down that path)
James knows that under our current power structure, combatting AGW requires the consent of the wealthy.
As we are not a democracy, but a rotating dictatorship voters hardly come into it.
It does, obviously. Or Helen Clark would have done it.
Remember the “winter of discontent”.
When big business got all petulant, and “held the country to random”.
The “winter of discontent” was an episode of naked class warfare that the working class lost, and that ushered in a resurgent liberal political/economic agenda.
If we want action on AGW, but also want to mollify the wealthy, then there will be no adequate action taken around AGW.
I think KJT is referring to The NZ “Winter of Discontent” in 2002, whereas I think you are referencing the UK’s 1978-79 Thacherism Winter.
Rod Oram sums up NZ’s WoD here: https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2017/11/04/58244/rod-oram-another-winter-of-discontent#
Both however do exibit the underlying problem of class warfare, which is a war that the poor are always going to loose within our current system of corporatocracy* – even though they may win some battles on the way.
* I wouldn’t say it’s a dictatorship – we do get to choose whether our government will have a more human face or not.
Plenty of people do not give up, and have no hope.
Nor does that mean they are having a miserable time of it either.
Hope is largely an advertising and marketing construct.
There is however a danger that having no hope will lead to giving up.
It ends up with the philosophy best described by the saying.
“Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die”
Climate breakdown and the erasure of non-human life from the land by farming and the sea by industrial fishing are crises we cannot afford to give up on.
In the current circumstances the most useful thing is to plan and mitigate. Even if that includes our decline.
The foolish and the immature simply reach for the extremes of apocalypse or heaven, because it’s the religious approach to engaging with power.
The problem with even using the trope of crisis is that it’s been played so often by all kinds of leader and all kinds of political persuasion for the last century that it’s lost most of its ability to shock anyone into action.
Pay real close attention to Shaw’s approach to climate change.
He doesn’t have to use any of the feeble old fear routines, and doesn’t need to.
What we need is radical action, action that almost certainly doesn’t include any sort of accommodation with the present economic system, which got us into this mess in the first place.
Conforming to reality really isn’t a radical action. It’s our present socio-economic system that’s radical.
While it was compounded by nine years of mismanagement by National, I think we both know it is the result of neo-liberal changes both National and Labour have implemented over the last few decades.
While Labour are saying some of the right things, they are far from offering what is required and what little they do plan to do is coming in at snail pace.
Seems Labour are trying to stockpile policy deemed to be popular by holding back implementation till after the next election to help counter the unpopular ones and get them over the line.
Don’t you love the leisurely pace of the old cheese ad ‘good things take time’? We lose much in our compulsively accelerating world.
Match highlights? I hate them, – little burst of canned action. All the tension, excitement and build up of atmosphere of each unique encounter are lost.
Surfing clips are shockers, rarely longer than three seconds of a surfer already on the wave. Surfers watch, ponder and judge the oncoming swell before committing to the vigorous paddle. A 6 second sequence would at least capture some of this vital aspect of the sport.
“Hurry while stocks last” has the opposite effect reminding me that good shopping also ‘takes time.’ I like to compare products, research their features and come to a choice with inner conviction.
“It’s easy!” is another overworked assurance in the barrage of commercials rammed at us daily. I suppose in an increasingly complex world ‘easy’ is altogether a relief for some but we run the risk of equating ease of execution with quality of product.
When a movie promises non stop action I’ll certainly avoid it. Endless car chases, cops bursting in on scenes with guns in the ready become ‘non-action’ when grinded out time after time. We run the risk of becoming a species bent on ceaseless stimulation via the hyper-priming of our excitable cognitive natures.
Many are aware of this and turn to holistic pursuits that appeal to our deeper selves and sense of integration. “Inwardness” which probes untapped regions of consciousness reveals areas of quality and quietness as counters to our strident world. Sure meditation, New Agey stuff, incense, mindfulness etc initially overran themselves attracting many in search of cloud nine rather disciplined re-orientation.
But those who persist and take time discover less not more is the way to go and that
there is an element within self that responds favourably, contributing thereby to the lessening of our footprint both carbon and otherwise.
There’s a reason why I don’t watch TV. I get to avoid all the push from advertisers and the MSM about going fast and how they think I should be and thus have time to make up my own mind.
According to John Campbell it has been dubbed the war on the poor (about 4.40 into last nights episode of Checkpoint) and unfortunately for the Greens it is being led by James Shaw.
So the party that was renowned for fighting for the poor is now perceived to be leading the attack on them. Talk about tarnishing your branding, what’s that James Shaw up too? Is it incompetence or intentional?
You are such a penis. Of course it was National who have dubbed it a war on the poor. Hard to know of course when they are being completely divorced from reality or simply bullshitting:
“You would see the poorest of New Zealanders who are purchasing second hand Japanese imports..” (Jami-Lee Ross, National’s Transport spokesperson)
Of course the “poorest New Zealanders” are far more concerned about purchasing their next meal and could only dream about having the many thousands of dollars required to buy a directly imported car.
The imported over a decade ago second hand petrol cars that the next to poorest New Zealanders buy will soon be worthless.
It may have been National that dubbed it but they are right on this occasion. It doesn’t do the poor any favours. Hence, one has to ask what is that James Shaw up too?
Who would have thought National would have to defend the poor from James Shaw? Within seven months the Greens have gone from the party fighting for the poor to leading the attack on them. Seems Shaw is that right within some feared he would be. This will renew calls for him to go.
Of course the “poorest New Zealanders” are far more concerned about purchasing their next meal and could only dream about having the many thousands of dollars required to buy a directly imported car.
solkta, our esteemed but self-titled Chairman is a concern troll who has for ages been masquerading as a true leftie, but who constantly looks for issues which he thinks will make either Labour or the Greens less popular with the general public if he can con other lefties into supporting leftie policies on those issues.. (He does this for Labour as well as the Greens.) He has blown his own cover so often that I have generally given up responding to him. Like rust, he persists, but unlike rust, he achieves little. McFlock is, I think, another who has no confidence in our Chairman. See his response at 5.1.1.2.1.1
It’s Shaw that has made them vulnerable to attack, presenting National with the opportunity. I’m just highlighting how bad it has become that National can now attack the Greens for burdening the poor.
This is all due to the stance the Greens have taken, and I personally had no role in that.
Of course. You don’t think that TC deserves a serious response, do you? That it’s somehow Shaw’s fault that the nats are making up complete bullshit about this government and Greens (National using the expression “war on the poor”, no less, the fucking hypocrites), and that TC is merely reporting their totally genuine concern at this perilous state of affairs? The concept is hilarious!
Following up on the Greens gifting questions away, Shaw has put the Greens in a position where National can now attack the Greens for burdening the poor. And a number of Green supporters I’ve talked to are outraged.
And it’s not bullshit. The Greens publicly announcing they are considering such a move has left them vulnerable to this form of attack.
The Greens existing provides ammunition for the nats to make shit up about them. Same with Labour existing.
National can attack the government for anything. Just as you trawl through the list of labgrn interviews to find something you can invent a concern about, a petrol levy won’t hurt the poor, at absolute worst it’ll shift them onto public transport. But then the nats don’t care about the poor (or truth) any more than you care about the issues you and the imaginary greens you talk to are genuinely concerned about your despondency of the day.
Maybe you’re not really a tory liar. Maybe your concern filter is just broken, and you’re so self important you believe you’re genuinely raising highly important issues that (despite their importance) nobody else has noticed. Either way, you’re a joke.
While the Greens and Labour’s existence provides National with opposition thus makes them a target, their mere existence doesn’t provide ammunition for them. It’s their actions, policy and proposals that can do.
Moreover, it’s not made up shit. The Greens did publicly announce they are considering such a move. And this has made the Greens far more vulnerable to this form of attack.
How National decide to attack the Government is their prerogative. And sure, their concern for the poor may well be disingenuous, but thanks to the Greens considering this proposal (of benefiting the well to do at the expense of the less well off) it has given the Nat’s attack strength.
In many cases, there isn’t sufficient public transport for people to turn too.
The concerns and feedback I present are real, not invented. And as you know, although anecdotal, the feedback has been inline with a number of polls.
How national and you attack the government is indeed your prerogative. You get to choose your concerns of the day.
If the government does something good for the environment or fiscally responsible, your guys suddenly have concern for the poor.
If the government does something good for the poor, you get to worry about efficacy or whether it’s fiscally responsible.
If the government does something that’s good for the environment, the poor, and it’s fiscally responsible, you get concerned about whether taxes are too high, or maybe businesses are feeling a little bit unconfident (the poor dears).
But your concerns are indeed made up, transient conveniences merely invented to attack the government in lieu of any genuine problems to date.
I voted Green due to their dual commitment of social justice and improving the environment.
Hence, when they make a move like this that would not only overlook their commitment of social justice but goes against it, of course I’m going to be critical. I want them to hold true to their commitment.
Whereas, the Nat’s are unlikely to want to genuinely see the Greens uphold their commitment of social justice and are more likely to see a divide being created, thus are utilizing that opportunity to pry the party apart.
We all know that Nats would prefer to see the Greens drop their social justice stance, whereas I’m critical because I want them to uphold it.
And that is the difference between my criticism and the Nats.
Gotcha. You repeat and amplify National party talking points because you really mean it, whereas they develop those talking points because they’re just hypocritical liars.
You honestly “want them to hold true to their commitment.”
The nats “are utilizing that opportunity to pry the party apart.”
And you started this thread with the nat line that the government has launched a “war on the poor”.
So how does that not meet the description “You repeat and amplify National party talking points because you really mean it, whereas they develop those talking points because they’re just hypocritical liars.”?
I started this thread highlighting John Campbell reporting it as being dubbed the war on the poor.
And while the criticism may be similar (which isn’t surprising as National and I are both discussing the flaws of the same issue) the difference is the end goal. I want the Greens to uphold their commitment to social justice, the Nat’s have a different agenda. As explained above.
So while National may be hypocritical, they’re not lying in this instance (dubbing it the war on the poor). But we clearly have different end goals, as explained above.
Placing a levy on all fossil fuel vehicles will have a flow on effect as vehicles are traded on. So those struggling to afford to buy a car now will find it even harder going forward if this proposal is implemented.
Moreover, it’s not just the poorest New Zealanders that will be impacted, this will negatively impact many lower income households looking to buy a vehicle.
You’re right, they didn’t. But I don’t think too many of their supporters were concerned about that.
Whereas, what’s happening here is the Greens have made themselves vulnerable to attack (as a lot of their supporters will be disappointed such as myself) thus National are seizing the opportunity presented.
Yes, and this coalition seems to be carrying on (albeit a bit softer around the edges) where National left off. Soaring food parcel demand, TPP, PPPs, regressive taxes etc…
Its early days the winter heating allowance is a pretty good help for a lot …and I’m certain the government knows a large portion of recipients will use it to simply reduce their suffering. The government avoided an enormous amount of political capital attrition in choosing this method…
Wow what a firebrand and it gets me right where I live. I think another special post needed to discuss this interview on RadioNZ.
It otherwise could overwhelm Open Mike.
8:10 Camille Paglia – Free Women, Free Men
Camille Paglia
Feminist author and academic Camille Paglia joins Kim to talk about her latest book – a collection of her essays on modern feminism called Free Women, Free Men: Sex, Gender, Feminism.
Paglia is the University Professor of Humanities and Media Studies at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. She is the author of Glittering Images; Break, Blow, Burn; The Birds; Vamps & Tramps; Sex, Art, and American Culture and Sexual Personae.
Dear Rosemary
Before she can state her opinions she has to give her background, her study, her professional expertise, her research – what she bases her opinions on. This is necessary because they are very different than what is currently being spouted in society and she meets a barrage of negative responses by affronted people who can’t lever their minds open even fractionally.
And, when you are being thoughtful and honest and thinking deeply about this blog, aren’t most of the comments all about one individual’s opinion, which usually is aired as the only reasonable approach and without any attempt at explaining the background and experience and expertise of the person giving that opinion. This is what pisses me off with people at present, too much of TS reads like the understanding of children or cult members spouting what they have been taught to think. So it’s all I, me, first from people here. And mostly just repeated from month to month without any new views being considered.
“… too much of TS reads like the understanding of children or cult members spouting what they have been taught to think.”
I am becoming increasingly frustrated with this too. Ostensibly spontaneous outbursts of flag waving and positivity at the merest hint that the current government are doing just great….
Case in point was the post yesterday about the launch (with much fanfare) of the pilot of the Enabling Good Lives/DSS System Transformation in Palmerston North.
You bet your boots I have strong opinions about disability support issues, but I would not for a second expect anyone to respect or accept merely my word or my experience or my opinion.
When able I’ll provide links to documents that hopefully folk will read if they want the true history behind the headlines.
But, alas, superficiality rules.
Back to Camille….I did find myself agreeing with some of what she was saying…but I also find myself repelled somewhat by rampant egocentrics.
Busy day today….but I will try to listen to the podcast….
A number of sharp insights mixed with complete lunacy such as AGW denial.
All underpinned by massive egotism. Closer inspection by someone brighter than me might bring out the internal inconsistencies in what she is saying – Kim pushed a little way down this line of questioning.
Always a good listen Prof Paglia.
She’s a smart lady with some original ideas – but not all of them are wise. They do tend to be better informed than most academic superstitions though. It really takes a bunch of folk like her with differing views to shake down the failed assumptions of contemporary society and social policy into a new synthesis.
Our homeless community is going to be bigger than ever.
Groups working with homeless people are bracing themselves for another gruelling few months as winter sets in.
The 2013 census showed more than 41,000 people were without homes or living in unsuitable or overcrowded accommodation.
The number of people being supported by the Auckland City Mission has increased so significantly that the mission has almost run out of canned food.
The mission’s team leader for fundraising Alexis Sawyers, said there had been a 25 percent increase in demand for food parcels compared to the same time last year.
“This time last year we were averaging between 750 and 800 food parcels given out each month. This year we’ve given out over 1000 for January, February and March and this last month we gave out 1150.”
A report has been released by the Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee, looking into deaths from 2012 to 2016.
It found vulnerable children living in poverty were three times more likely to die, with possible contributing factors including living in overcrowded houses and the fact their parents could not afford to take them to a doctor.
The report showed there were 483 deaths of children and young people in 2016.
Always a little skeptical of tapes with a looped video in the background. An “independent journalist” wanting a reputation for honesty would look for both sides – there are plenty of North Korean emigres/refugees in South Korea (and China) who could have filled in the gaps in her story.
Sure Kim Jong Un is a lovely fellow – poisoning one’s brother in Macao with VX gas is perfectly consistent with good governance – under his kind of monarchy.
Saw this on Robin Westenra’s excellent blog.
Trouble brewing between Russia and the Ukraine
Russia wants to significantly cut its gas transit through Ukraine and re-direct it through the extension of the existing Nord Stream pipeline from Russia to Germany under the Baltic Sea. Moscow says Kiev has proved itself an unreliable partner in gas transits over the years. Some of the gas to Europe could also come through the Turkish Stream pipeline, currently under construction.
After Russia builds natural gas pipelines to Europe and Turkey, transit through Ukraine is expected to fall by more than 80 percent, according to Gazprom CEO Aleksey Miller.
A government employee died in a suspected suicide just ten days after complaining to management he was the victim of sustained, unresolved workplace bullying.
However, the Housing New Zealand staff member’s death was not notified to health and safety authorities for six months – despite new regulations requiring agencies to report any death “arising out of the conduct of a business” to WorkSafe immediately.
Concerned colleagues, who claim the man was so stressed he was pulling out his hair, say they fear the death will be “swept under the carpet”.
“I was there when he died, and that’s when I decided to leave too. I didn’t want to become a statistic,” a former co-worker said. “They knew he was unwell. And they should have referred it to WorkSafe to be investigated.”
“Five people gave accounts of the months before the man’s death, saying his decline from a bubbly, confident team member began when a new manager was appointed in late 2016.”
A brave person indeed to link to an article in the Herald when the Peoples’ Front of The Standard have declared a ban on anything from that particular publication.
However this is an article by the very able and capable Kirsty Johnston…a journalist whose fine work will be overlooked by those seemingly unable to sort the wheat from the chaff.
I guarantee Kirsty will continue to write articles that will force light into darkened places.
Maybe because it would mean challenging our best mate, Saudi Arabia.
Some countries get missiles fired at them.
Others not.
Up to 50 killed in Saudi-led air strikes on Yemen wedding – local health officials. Suspected Saudi-led strikes on a wedding ceremony in Yemeni Hajjah province have resulted in multiple casualties, including women and children. The death toll ranges from 20 to 50 people, reports citing local health officials say.
On Sunday, a reported Saudi-led missile strike hit a house where a wedding ceremony was being held, in Yemen’s northwestern province of Hajjah. There are conflicting reports on casualties. Numbers vary from 20, according to AP, to 50 people, according to local Saba News Agency. Meanwhile, Xinhua reports that at least 40 people were killed or wounded, citing a senior health official, Mohammed al-Ashwal.
It is disgusting and meanwhile everyone is wanking on about Syria. The WWE (great friends of Trump) recently held a huge event in Saudi, called “the greatest royal rumble”, as if it is a civilised nation. No women were allowed to participate.
“This time last year we were averaging between 750 and 800 food parcels given out each month. This year we’ve given out over 1000 for January, February and March and this last month we gave out 1150.”
Canned food such as spaghetti, tuna, tomatoes, and vegetables will go a long way to feeding those in need, Ms Sawyers said.
Food can be dropped off at the mission on Hobson street, or at the New World supermarkets at Victoria Park and Devonport.
About time the government declared an emergency.
This country has clearly been allowed to go to rack and ruin by Key’s Vichy regime.
Time to take on the banks, finance institutions and global corporations.
I would highly recommend you read Tony Veitch (not etc)’s policies to solve the world’s most pressing issues.
The bit you should see is this.
Well, first of all, I think we need to set this country on a war footing, very like we did during the Second Wold War. This would entail giving the government rather draconian powers to get things done.
Tony Veitch (not etc) then lists these policies ( all highly sensible given the crises we are facing ) and ends with this…..
None of the above will happen, of course, or not at least until human extinction is slapping us in the face, when it will be far too late.
We are discussing the following ecological crises.
1. Industrial fishing, which, all over the blue planet, is now causing systemic ecological collapse.
2. The erasure of non-human life from the land by farming.
3. Climate breakdown
Would you have called New Zealand or Britain an authoritarian state during World War 2?
I am proposing, like ‘Tony Veitch (not etc)’ that we put the country ( and the world) on a war footing to mitigate the effects of the climate catastrophe coming our way.
Your concerns about your freedom to consume crap comes a poor second to preserving ecosystems on this planet.
When there actually is a war then people are more likely to give general consent to a more authoritarian state, and this is what happened to a large extent during WW2. You keep saying “the government should [insert authoritarian act]” where there is no mandate from the public for this to happen.
If the current government were to implement just one of your ideas they would then have no chance of re-election. What you must be saying then is that the government should suspend democracy and become a dictatorship (how you think they would get the army to cooperate i don’t know).
Yes, and all the rich pricks should give up all their money to this government and give it away to the poorer people.
That will make everyone poorer then and nothing to grizzle about.
Each year the wealthiest 10% of NZers could ‘gift’ 1% of their true wealth for (re)distribution to the least wealthy 40% of NZers.
Given the current magnitude of wealth inequality in NZ, where the top 10% control at least 60% of the total wealth, this redistribution would hugely improve the standard of living of the poorest 40% in just a few years, while having a minimal impact on the top 10% whose wealth would continue to grow, albeit more slowly than before.
The twin strangleholds of neo-liberalism and wealth addiction, however, make meaningful, progressive redistribution all but impossible.
Of course especially Britatin was totalitarian during WW2 (dunno about NZ, but they’d dug air raid trenches in Dunedin’s Octagon, so there was a bit of a worry on here, too).
They locked a woman up for witchcraft, had checkpoints, everyone had to carry their papers, and almost all food was strictly rationed.
But it was a temporary state of affairs, not a permanent one.
It’s only a crisis when the majority thinks and votes that way. That’s a basic problem with all human systems: there are always disenfranchised people, and always externalised (environmental) costs resulting from human activity. I don’t think martial law is gonna solve the inherent flaws of the human condition, that is an ideal offered only by religious faith.
The problem is caused by the structure of our society and the fact that a few people have control over almost all of it and those people aren’t the government.
So, how would fix it given this structural problem?
Raise the minimum wage and benefit levels plus all the work being done on housing. No need for an authoritarian state to do those things.
But Ed likes to conflate every issue and come back to the same solution for everything. And that solution involves ditching our democratic and human rights.
Raise the minimum wage and benefit levels plus all the work being done on housing.
Raise the minimum wage and benefit levels plus all the work being done on housing.
And the rich simply put the prices up and grab all that extra money for themselves.
So, not a fix. Just a papering over the problem of private ownership of the nations wealth.
Because we had governments running a full employment policy?
Because we had compulsory unionism and people actually engaged in the political process?
Because the majority of women spent the majority of their time at home instead of going to work decreasing the workforce? (No, I don’t want to remove women from the workforce).
Because the state actually owned a hell of a lot more instead of selling it off to the rich and foreigners?
Because we didn’t have foreign ownership?
Because of 60% or higher taxes on the well off?
Because we didn’t have GST.
There are many reasons why we were better off then than we are now and there’s been a lot of changes.
The question is which ones do we need to change back and which new ones we need to dump and which ones just need changes? Hell, a sovereign monetary system may be all that’s needed (It’s not – we really do need to get rid of foreign ownership and permanent residents).
Excellent Ed – I am sure you will soon be entering a Higher Plane of consciousness.
I do advise against visiting cafes in the Auckland region where copies of the Herald can be see lying around, looking increasingly dishevelled by mid-afternoon, like a degenerate toff in a smoking jacket who started too early on the port.
I make a point of lifting the offending object from in front of me between thumb and forefinger and dropping it on a vacant table with a loud comment to the family – “just removing this toxic right-wing rag” – and then wiping my hands on a serviette. Great fun.
Sort of sad people get so carried away or fixated on politics they close thier mind to anything perecived to be outside thier world view Even worse when you hear of people ending friendships or relationships simply because a significant other may have a different political view From observation seems to be more of a left wing thing where intersectional politics takes precedent over the right and respect of an individual to hold a different view Becomes even more toxic if you are part of a left appointed victim class, minority,arts or cultural class and you even contemplate sharing a differing non left view ie Kanye West, Shania Twayne been two most recent examples
Agreed it is mostly toxic waste comprising daily regurgitations from Hosking, Hooton, HDPA, Soper, et al.(and the usual endless spruiking of Auckland property) But there are still a few real journalists there so I’ll read it for that.
Yep understand Hoskins Hooton hate club but what about when some one other than a journalist does not tow the leftist line, more so thinking of the viterol that Kanya west and shania Twain got when they did not follow the leftist playbook, ie s black man and an artist broke ranks with identity politics, that’s what I found interesting, Hooton, Hoskin, yep I get it, but what about others,?
Sorry barfly most people have the cognitive ability to pick up a word irrespective of 100pc correct spelling, but especially for you “vitriol” by the way what’s WTF, is it another wrestling federation 😊
How so, I take that you can’t or as you don’t seem to be devoid of thinking there is some truth in what I say and this disturbs you, looking in mirror and all that
Unfortunately, there are so many fragile thin-skinned egos who cannot take a hint or joke and who feel personally insulted at the slightest. We need more satire in NZ MSM.
The power is out AGAIN in West Auckland. Seriously, Vector are a complete bunch of clowns.they don’t have the severity of the storm to hide behind this time. Thousands of Aucklanders can’t cook dinner on a Saturday night because of Vectors spectacular failure to plan or invest. Vector needs to be re-nationalised.
“Govt drops charges against Greenpeace”
Greenpeace Friday, 27 April 2018, 9:16 am
Press Release: Greenpeace
Govt drops charges against Greenpeace following Amazon Warrior action
Source: Greenpeace
Friday, April 27: Today Greenpeace has been advised that the charges laid against the organisation for action last April to stop the Amazon Warrior seismic blasting for oil at sea are to be dropped.
The Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) will not pursue the hefty charges laid against Greenpeace under the controversial Anadarko Amendment, which means the organisation now avoids up to $200,000 in fines.
Greenpeace Executive Director, Russel Norman, and climate activist, Sara Howell, will still face charges for their part in the action. They have always admitted their conduct but say they should not face conviction.
They will plead guilty and seek a discharge without conviction on the basis that their conduct was justified and necessary to bring about required change to government policy. If the Court agrees, the outcome would be the same as an acquittal.
The news follows the Government’s historic announcement earlier this month of an end to all new offshore oil and gas exploration.
Last April, Norman and Howell swam in front of the Amazon Warrior – the largest oil exploration ship in the world – forcing it to stop its search for oil for the day.
The pair and Greenpeace were subsequently charged for the first time in New Zealand history under a controversial amendment to the Crown Minerals Act made by Simon Bridges in 2013 when he was Minister of Energy, known as the Anadarko Amendment, which outlaws peaceful protest against oil ships at sea.
The Andarko Amendment made it illegal to “protest against oil ships at sea.”
Even Muldoon never went this far….
If Muldoon had made it illegal to protest nuclear ships, or Springbok games, tens of thousands of New Zealanders would have been detained and put on trial.
Dozens of Palestinian and Syrian journalists and figures issue a press release on the events occuring in Yarmouk camp, in which they condemned the military operation launched by the Syrian regime on the camp and the southern region. They stressed that the destruction of Yarmouk camp is considered the murder of a witness of the Nakba and the liquidation of the right of return, holding the Syrian regime accountable for all the destruction, killing and damage in Yarmouk camp, according to the statement, the area has been under military occupation for years and is under siege since late 2012…..
…..The latest military operation launched by the Syrian regime forces on 19/04/2018, caused massive, unprecedented destruction, which is estimated at 40-60% of the camp, and led to the death of at least 18 civilians so far.
We are concerned by some of the discourse that has emerged from progressive circles with regards to the ongoing crisis in Syria. In particular, we are embarrassed by the ways in which some individuals known for their work on Palestine have failed to account for some crucial context in their analysis of Syria.
The Syrian revolution was in fact a natural response to 40 years of authoritarian rule. The Assad regime, with the support of its foreign financial and military backers, is attempting to preserve its power at the expense of the millions of Syrians whom the regime has exiled, imprisoned, and massacred. We believe that minimizing this context in any discussion of Syria dismisses the value of Syrian self-determination and undermines the legitimacy of their uprising.
We also believe that an important consequence of all foreign interventions, including those purportedly done on behalf of the uprising, has been the setback of the original demands of revolution. The revolution is a victim, not a product, of these interventions. It is imperative for any analysis of Syria to recognize this fundamental premise. We cannot erase the agency of Syrians struggling for liberation, no matter how many players are actively working against them.
The Hui I have lived in the King Country and the power bills were shocking expensive the power price in Te tairawhiti are just as bad to $500 a month I want to teach the tangata about how cheap I could build a solar power battery storage system for less than a years power Ka kite ano
The Hui as my eyes widen and I see more of the reality of Maori culture tangata I realise that I have to change my views and now I am backing Te reo to be compulsory for all Maori Mokopunas as OUR culture is being suppress and if we lose Te REO we will lose Maori culture. The Mokopunas needs to learn all the fabulous traditions to. Kia kaha Maori culture tangata. Ka kite ano
Here you go a shonky cover up and what a mess they have left behind in the oyster aquculture.
If the Kiwi fruit industry stuck there head in the sand they would be stuck in a mess because they alerted everyone they are pumping now here’s the link https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2018/04/25/106218/culture-of-silence-or-a-cover-up Ka kite ano
Is it a coincidence that 3 locations that have the highest prices for power are the 3 places with high Maori populations high unemployment.
The pay 500 a month for power and only have a TV fridge and freezer going thats reduclise.
ECO MAORI does not believe in coincidences Ana to kai Kia kaha Maori culture tangata Ka kite ano
Good evening Newshub I just got back to Rotorua from the farm the sandflys don’t like ECO MAORI education the people about the symptoms of the system in NZ.
Sailing is in the Kiwi DNA Ka pai Lady’s
Jordan is a big guy Ka pai I wish him all the best in his journey up his ladder of life.
That was a big tackle is that Benje Bro he handled THAT. P.S I Hope its fine tomorrow
Ka kite ano
Dancing With The Stars Jesse Quni and Johnny you go for it Ka pai.
Rodger you got more rhythm than me m8 I got no rhythm I will back you Ka pai Ka kite ano
Thanks to a report from the Acting Inspector General of Intelligence and Security following a complaint by Nicky Hager, we have come to find out that the SIS illegally spied on Mr. Hager on behalf of the NZDF after publication of Hager’s 2011 book, Other People’s Wars. The NZDF justified ...
COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT GLOBAL WARMING MYTH 1: Global temperatures are rising at a rapid, unprecedented rate. FACT: The HadCRUT3 surface temperature index, produced by the Hadley Centre of the UK Met Office and the Climate Research Unit of the University of East Anglia, shows warming to 1878, cooling to 1911, ...
For the past week, Extinction Rebellion has been peacefully protesting in London to demand action on climate change. The British government's response? Ban their protests:Police have banned Extinction Rebellion protests from continuing anywhere in London, as they moved in almost without warning to clear protesters who remained at the movement’s ...
When they were running for election, Labour promised to overhaul the Employment Relations Act and introduce fair pay agreements to set basic pay and conditions on an industry level, preventing bad employers from undercutting good ones. They followed this up by establishing a working group, which reported back in January ...
A list of indicators of bad science – many of these are found in articles promoted by anti-fluoride activists. Anti-fluoride activists have been pouring money into a scaremongering campaign warning pregnant women not to drink fluoridated water. They claim fluoride will lower the IQ of their future child. Fluoride ...
Nothing Left To Say: Labour's pollster, Stephen Mills, remains swaddled-up in the comforting myths of the 1980s. As if the experience of Roger Douglas’s genuinely radical post-Muldoon policy agenda was literally a once-in-a-lifetime thing – as much as the party could possibly absorb for at least the next 50 years.MEMO ...
The Royal Commission on abuse in care is very significant for the disability community. For many decades last century, thousands of disabled children, and adults who managed to survive, were locked away from families and communities. This was not for anything they had done, but for the perceived threat their ...
With an unfair voting system, uneven electorates and an un-elected upper house, the UK's "democracy" is barely worthy of the name. But now the government wants to make it worse:The government has been accused of suppressing voters’ rights with the potential disenfranchisement of tens of thousands of people after plans ...
Back in the 90's and early 2000's, the building industry was building leaky homes which should never have been granted consent. Now it turns out they've been building dodgy office blocks as well:New imaging technology has revealed hundreds of major buildings nationwide have defective or missing concrete or reinforcing steel. ...
Local body election results were released over the weekend, to joy or despair depending on where you live. In Auckland, Phil Goff trounced John Tamihere, who is muttering darkly about running for Parliament again (but which party would want him?) Wellington is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Weta Workshop, except ...
Two years have now gone by since the Friday afternoon when my university-student son and I headed out of our Barcelona flat to a nearby primary school, designated as a polling station for the vote that was to be held the following Sunday: the referendum on Catalonia’s independence from Spain ...
Overruled: The joint decision of Finance Minister, Grant Robertson (Labour) and his Associate Minister, David Parker (Labour) arguably the two most powerful ministers in Jacinda Ardern’s government, to grant OceanaGold the consents which Land Information Minister, Eugenie Sage (Greens) had earlier denied them, offers bitter proof of how hard fighting ...
More than double the number of people who will vote in this year’s local body elections have tried marijuana or urinated somewhere they shouldn’t have. As local elections look set for the lowest turnout in decades, with many regions falling well short of 40%, the Government is exploring a number ...
A Statement on Abortion Law Reform by the Council of Disobedient Women On the eve of bringing an end to antiquated, anti-women abortion laws Green MP Jan Logie intends to write women out of the Bill. With a stroke of the pen, the woke are aiming for total erasure ...
Musings continue apace about “the experienced businessman!” soon to be taking up a National Party MP position. Or to be more accurate, being parachuted into a seat to shut down their former MP Jamie-Lee Ross, who despite his own shortcomings shed at least some more light on the inner workings ...
The Ugandan government wants to murder gay people:Uganda has announced plans to impose the death penalty on homosexuals. The bill, colloquially known as “Kill the Gays” in Uganda, was nullified five years ago on a technicality, but the government said on Thursday it plans to resurrect it within weeks. The ...
Freedom Of Speech? The Säuberung (cleansing by fire) was the work of the German Student Union which, on 10 May 1933, under the watchful eye of the Nazi Reichminister for Propaganda, Joseph Goebbels, consigned 25,000 books to the flames in a ritual exorcism of “un-German thought”. According to the logic of the ...
“There can be no such thing as kaupapa Māori political parties or politics in Aotearoa” (Willie Jackson, Labour Party (2017). Māori TV, General/List Election Special) I begin with that claim because at the time, I was confounded at first that it fell out of Willie Jackson’s mouth, and then ...
New Zealand’s media is doing its part in Japan, reassuring those in the path of the storm that they won’t miss any rugby while away from their flooded homes. New Zealand sports reporters stationed in Japan for the Rugby World Cup have had the rare and heartwarming opportunity to inform ...
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones is the only Cabinet member in favour of putting it all on green. As Finance Minister Grant Robertson finds himself with an enormous $7.5 billion surplus, the Government has begun intense, at times contentious conversations about whether to put the money on red or black at ...
by Susanne Kemp At the start of September close to 100,000 school teachers went on strike in Jordan. They demanded a 50% pay rise. A pay rise actually agreed to by the regime back in 2014. In early October, however, in the face of government repression and threats, the teachers’ ...
Back in 2011, journalist Nicky Hager published Other People's Wars, an expose on NZDF's activities over the previous decade of the "war on terror". NZDF didn't like this, and especially didn't like the fact that it was base don leaks from their own. So, they had the SIS investigate him ...
The Zero Carbon Bill is due back from select committee in two weeks, and will likely pass its final stages in November. So naturally, farmers are planning a hate-march against it. But they're not just demanding lower methane targets so they can keep on destroying the planet; they're also demanding ...
Last year, California burned. This year, to stop it happening again (or rather, to stop themselves from being found liable if it happens again), Pacific Gas and Electric is cutting power to half the state for a week:Schools are closed. Traffic lights down. Tunnels dark. Businesses unopened. Hospitals running on ...
The Best Way: Missing from the on-line voting debate is any reference to the voting system that produces turn-out figures ranging from 77 to 93 percent of registered voters. The voting system used to collect and count the votes cast in our parliamentary elections. The system that involves citizens making ...
Among the great new bunch of political friends we have been making recently is the excellent Australian-based Marxist gender-critical site, Freer Lives. So we asked the comrade who set up that blog to write something for Redline on the blog, himself, his analysis of the rise of gender politics and ...
by Don Franks The Auckland City Mission is struggling with a 40 percent increase in demand for food parcels this year. A total of 23,020 were needed by June. Last month Missioner Chris Farrelly told the Herald the “cupboards are bare” and without an emergency food drive, he can’t see ...
by The Council of Disobedient Women Massey Wellington Student Association had a sit-in today. Imagine a sit-in. On a campus. Against a women’s rights meeting. Did the ’60s really happen or did we fucking dream it? They gathered in the student square, an echo chamber. Sitting on soft pillows ...
For some reasons, my post about the mystery message from inside the Downing Street bunker seemed to catch people's attention. Quite a lot of hits from NZ (unsurprisingly) and the USA (a bit more puzzlingly, but hi there, USAians!!) and 76 views from the Ukraine.I've celebrated my Ukrainian readers in ...
First, almost a score of Labour MPs seem to have sent a letter to the EU basically begging them to accept a deal - any deal - just so Britain can get the Heck on with Brexiting instead of being trapped in limbo:
by Phil Duncan In 2016 the National-led government suspended the Parent Visa Category, through which migrants were able to bring their parents into New Zealand. Since then over 5,700 people have been in immigration limbo, stuck on the visa wait list. Labour is now bringing back the scheme. Well, sort ...
The following was released yesterday (Tues, October 8) by the women’s liberation organisation Speak Up for Women. On 23 September Speak Up For Women announced that we would be holding an event at the Massey University Theaterette in Wellington. The event is called Feminism 2020. The intention of the event ...
The government is currently consulting on plans to improve freshwater quality. So naturally, farmers oppose it:South Taranaki farmers are preparing to fight proposed national freshwater changes that some fear will bankrupt them. The Government's proposed National Environment Standard on Freshwater Management, released in September, rated the Waingongoro River as one ...
Yesterday was the last day for (reliably) posting your vote away in local body elections. Turnouts are mostly much lower than the equivalent time last year (Palmerston North is down 2.3%), and so naturally people are pushing their online-voting snake oil again. Because the online census worked so well, lets ...
This essay, on the political legacy of the eugenics movement, by Kenan Malik was originally published in the Observer on 6 October 2019, under the headline ‘The spirit of eugenics is still with us, as immigrants know to their cost’. Birth control. Intelligence tests. Town planning. Immigration controls. It’s striking how ...
Another year, and the government has announced another enormous government "surplus". And just like last year, its nothing of the sort. When we have people homeless and sick and hungry, when we have schools and hospitals still falling down, when we have underpaid public servants and infrastucture unmaintained or unbuilt, ...
James Forsyth at The Spectator (I know, I know) has tapped one of his contacts inside Number Ten for an insight into the Johnson administration's thinking and strategy.It is fascinating, unsettling and quite, quite mad. Some key points:Negotiations have stalled and the Johnson administration are keen to blame the EU: ...
Fatal Contact: With the arrival of captain James Cook in October 1769, the islands of what would become New Zealand ceased to be the preserve of Polynesian navigators and settlers and became a part of both the world’s map and the world’s history.THE MAORI NATIONALIST assault upon the historical meaning ...
Another round of tactical talks about forming a Government of National Unity have come to nothing with the Liberal Democrats still refusing countenance putting Jeremy Corbyn into Downing Street:Opposition talks on Monday made little headway over when to try and vote down Boris Johnson's government and who might succeed him as ...
by Nick Rogers The debate around the meaning of sex and gender made an appearance at this year’s British Labour Party conference in Brighton. Women’s Place UK – an organisation that questions the demand that biological males who self-identify as woman should have access to women’s spaces, to all-women shortlists, ...
Yesterday I went down to Wellington to participate in the Extinction Rebellion protest. Its part of the latest global wave of XR actions, with actions happening all over the world. Some of those protests are massively disruptive: in Canada, XR is blocking major bridges, stopping people from getting to work. ...
The Workshop is a charitable trust for public good. The Workshop undertake research to find ways of communicating that will build support for the solutions that work to solve complex social and environmental problems. See their Report on Talking about Poverty and Welfare Reform below. ...
Being and Being Bought (Spinifex Press, 2013) by Kajsa Ekis Ekman A synopsis and commentary of Chapters 1-2 by Daphna Whitmore Ekman, a Swedish journalist and critic, brings together a Marxist and feminist analysis of prostitution and surrogacy in this groundbreaking book She opens the discussion with a definition of ...
I make no claims to having much legal knowledge, so I defer to those trained in this area.I am very much enjoying this twitter stream from m'learned friend in Edinburgh, deciphering the legal arguments around the Scottish court challenge to Boris Johnson, based on the charmingly obscure principle of Nobile ...
Ivory Folly? The University of Auckland’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Stuart McCutcheon, upheld the right of the radical nationalist group, Action Zealandia to exercise their freedom of speech – not matter how distasteful that speech might be. A wiser community of students and scholars would have nodded their agreement and moved on. ...
If you are not convinced terrorist Organisation ‘Extinction Rebellion’ is very, very dangerous – watch this video at one of their recent meetings. Not only is this obviously mentally ill Woman begging the other terrorists to promote killing and “eating” babies and children, if you watch carefully other members nod ...
The Ombudsman has been surveying people about their knowledge of the OIA and the right to information. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem that widespread:The Chief Ombudsman says too many New Zealanders were in the dark over their right to access official information. Peter Boshier said an independent survey released yesterday on ...
In the wake of last Friday's climate strike, Peter McKenzie had an article in The Spinoff about protest strategies. The school strike movement is "polite" and cooperates with those in power because that's its kaupapa - its led by schoolkids who understandably don't want to risk arrest. But there's more ...
So, the latest ruminations on the gnews from Westminster (Again, sorry; I'll stop making that pun right now). This follows on from, and likely repeats bits of, my last post, on the suggestion that a Government of National Unity (GNU) should be set up and then oversee a referendum before ...
New Zealand likes to think of itself as not a racist country (despite being founded on the racist dispossession and subjugation of Maori). But for years, we've had a racist refugee policy, which basicly excludes refugees from Africa and the Middle East unless they already have relatives here. Now, the ...
Several people have asked me whether a particular repeat litigant could be declared a vexatious litigant, in light of their recent decision to appeal an adverse High Court ruling. My nascent tweet thread was getting ridiculously long, so it became this blog post instead.The short answer is: no. The particular ...
Appealing To The Past: Action Zealandia, like so many of the organisations springing up on the far-Right, across what they call the “Anglosphere”, is born out of the profound confusion over what a man is supposed to be in the twenty-first century and, more importantly, what he is supposed to do.THE STATUE OF ...
The attempts of anti-democratic transactivists to (often violently) disrupt women’s rights organising is largely ignored by those sections of the left most prone to misogyny and authoritarianism in New Zealand. In Britain, however, scores of trade union and left activists added their names to a letter in July, defending ...
The Justice Committee has reported back on the Criminal Cases Review Commission Bill. The Bill would establish an independent, quasi-judicial body to investigate and review potential miscarriages of justice, and refer them back to the Court of appeal if required. It would be a vital backstop to our judiciary, help ...
by The Spark On September 14, a total of 22 drones and cruise missiles struck two oil installations in Saudi Arabia, the Abqaiq processing facility and the Khurais oil field. Abqaiq is the largest oil production facility in the world. For a few days afterwards, Saudi Aramco, the Saudi national ...
How much will NeoLiberal irregulation of the building sector and subsequent leaky homes crisis cost us? $47 billion, according to a new book:The total cost to fix all of New Zealand's leaky homes would be $47 billion, probably. The estimate comes from a new book, Rottenomics written by journalist Peter ...
Below is the start of another excellent article on the Freer Lives blog. Click onto the link at the end of this extract to read the full article. The punch-a-terf, kill-a-terf message pervades social media, always righteously delivered, chin held high. By contrast, the dehumanised “terfs” themselves, that is gender-critical ...
The Reserve Bank is currently planning tighter banking regulation, requiring banks to hold enough local capital to survive a 1-in-200 year financial crisis in order to protect consumers. The big Aussies banks, those foreign leeches who suck $5 billion in profit out of our economy every year, don't like that, ...
Its the usual story: a police officer beats a handcuffed suspect so hard they break one of their own fingers. The IPCA investigates and concludes that the use of force was unlawful. And the police refuse to do anything about it:A man punched repeatedly in the face by a police ...
From time to time we add links to our blogroll. The latest blog we have added is Freer Lives. This is a Marxist gender-critical blog, based in Melbourne, Australia. On it you will find a bunch of excellent articles which use the tools of Marxist analysis to critique the rise ...
Last Friday say the largest protest in a generation, as 170,000 people joined the school strike and marched to demand real action on climate change. The demands of the school strike were simple and clear: declare a climate emergency, set a climate target of net-zero by 2040, impose a total ...
Labour is a rather middle of the road capitalist party and earlier this year we discussed how far from being ‘transformative’, Ardern’s government is. An article published this week in the Guardian, by Bryce Edwards (political scientist and commentator at Victoria University), looks at Ardern’s business as usual performance. Where ...
In the hours since my last interminable wittering about the possibility of a Government of National Unity (GNU) in Britain, there has been a slight maybe development:A Corbyn-led caretaker government could then sit for several months while it enacted and delivered a referendum with the support of smaller parties and ...
Jeremy Clarkson says much like Greta Thunberg, Anne Frank “didn’t like what was going on”, but “she didn’t have a tantrum about it.” Former Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson has offered praise to historical figure Anne Frank, comparing her favourably to 16-year-old climate activist Greta Thunberg, who he attacked in ...
Press release by Speak Up For Women Lesbians from women’s rights group Speak Up For Women are furious at reports that Rainbow Tick are threatening Massey University with the removal of their ‘tick’ if they let the group’s event go ahead. The group has been under attack from trans ...
By Duncan Garner Before you jump down my throat, nobody cares about the environment more than me. I have a garden, and since my wife and I broke up, I’ve let it grow wildly out of control, so please don’t tell me I’m not doing enough for plants. They’re ten ...
Local government elections are upon us again. It is a fair bet that, when they are over, we will have all the usual complaints that, despite their undoubted importance, the turnout was depressingly low. So, why do local elections attract so little attention and involvement from the general public? I ...
We want every New Zealander to be happy, safe, and healthy. To do this, we need to support strong, safe communities, and a robust and efficient health system. ...
Defence Minister Ron Mark has used his powers to overrule a noise complaint ruling against Whenuapai airbase on the grounds of "national security". The Environment Court last month released a ruling in favour of a private developer, declaring the Auckland airbase had to comply with noise restrictions when it performs ...
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has opened fire against "unreconstructed morons" after NZ First MP Shane Jones was photographed on holiday holding an AR-15 rifle. Mr Peters is defending Mr Jones, telling Magic Talk host Peter Williams that his MP was just having fun "like most people do". "The ...
New Zealand First Deputy Leader and Under-Secretary for Regional Economic Development Fletcher Tabuteau was in attendance during the morning blessing of the Rotorua Lakefront development project. Around 60 people gathered on the shores of Lake Rotorua, including city mayor Steve Chadwick and deputy Dave Donaldson. The Lakefront development is a ...
Forestry Minister Shane Jones is considering reining in on conversions of farmland to forestry, and also issued a warning to foreign-owned forestry companies that make up nearly 75 per cent of the industry. He said too many foreign companies had not provided enough access for domestic processors to get timber. ...
Speaking to Radio NZ, New Zealand First leader Winston Peters said the tightening of the parental category visa is a direct result of the Party’s coalition negotiations with the Labour Party. He said the new changes switch the financial onus from the parent moving to New Zealand to the child ...
The Coalition Government is set to cut red tape in the building and construction sector in an effort to allow more houses to be built, including prefabricated houses. The changes will enable the mass factory production of "high quality" buildings, slash the likely number of building inspections for factory produced ...
Since coming into Government, we’ve worked hard to tackle homelessness and make sure everyone has a warm, dry home. And today, on World Homeless Day, we want to report back and update you on our progress so far. ...
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has hit back at National Party leader Simon Bridges who criticized the Coalition Government’s approach to crime, and said that the latter isn't credible in his attack on the Government over gang recruitment. "We've got as massive drug problem in this country. It is ...
New Zealand Mānuka honey exporters have welcomed an initiative by the Coalition Government to help secure the term “mānuka honey” to be used exclusively by Kiwi exporters, ensuring that our multimillion-dollar industry is protected. Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones had recently announced that a Provincial Growth Funding of $5.7 ...
Political commentator Mike Hosking has labelled New Zealand First leader Winston Peters as “the voice of reason in a government soft on drugs”, for the Party’s stance on drug testing at music festivals. “If common sense is worth a vote, Winston Peters is quids in,” Mr Hosking said. The Labour ...
Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Regional Economic Development Fletcher Tabuteau has announced Provincial Growth Funding to ensure work opportunities in Turangi and Whanganui, through its skills and employment programme, Te Ara Mahi. A fund of $500,000 will go to Rafting NZ in Turangi for a 16-week river guide training course to train ...
Treasury has shown that the Coalition Government has a $7.5 billion surplus, which is $4 billion higher than what was expected in the 2019 Budget unveiled last May. It is also $2 billion higher than the actual surplus unveiled this time last year, and at a size that has not ...
Official Information Act figures released to NZME show there were 350 assaults on officers in the year to the end of June, 79 more than the year before. The increase in attacks have sparked calls for more legal protection for first responders to be enacted. The assaults included officers being ...
“Nobody wants to see babies uplifted”, this was the pronouncement of Minister for Children Hon. Tracey Martin as her department, Oranga Tamariki, faces multiple inquiries into the number of babies being taken from their families. “But a baby can die with a single punch, “the Minister continued. “So sometimes, Oranga ...
We're making progress on tackling the long-term challenges: from homelessness, to strengthening border security, to bringing banking back New Zealand's small towns. ...
Associate Transport Minister Shane Jones has backed the ambitious plan to move Auckland’s port to Northport, at Whangarei harbour, which he says will be the “King Kong of infrastructure”. The plan is part of the recommendations of a six-person independent working group, which has recommended the Ports of Auckland be ...
A six-member independent working group selected the option of moving Auckland’s port to Northport, in Whangarei, ahead of other options. In what could be New Zealand’s most ambitious infrastructure project yet, a major expansion of the Marsden Point port could happen within 15 years. The project, officially called the “Upper ...
The final Electricity Price Review recommended prohibiting prompt payment discounts but allowing “reasonable” late fees. The findings of this review was welcomed by the Coalition Government, but they hope companies will follow through with its recommendations without regulations needed to be passed. Meridian Energy had already stopped prompt payment discounts, ...
Fletcher Tabuteau, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Regional Economic Development The Provincial Growth Fund (PGF)through its skills and employment programme, Te Ara Mahi,will invest nearly $600,000 to ensure work opportunities for locals in Turangia and Whanganui, Parliamentary Under Secretary for Regional Economic Development Fletcher Tabuteau announced today. “I’m pleased to announce the PGF ...
An export-led economy is one of New Zealand First’s key principles, and our commitment to achieving this is shown by the continuing skyrocketing demand for our beef and sheep meat exports. Beef + Lamb New Zealand's New Season Outlook 2019-20 report forecasts beef, lamb and mutton prices to lift from ...
Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones announced today in Gisborne an investment of $17.27m into bringing “world-leading” food-growing technology and the creation of more than 100 new jobs in the East Coast city. The funding comes from the Provincial Growth Fund, and included a $15 million loan to LeaderBrand, a ...
Hon Shane Jones, Minister for Regional Economic Development More than 100 people in Tairāwhiti’s Tolaga Bay will benefit from two employment initiatives supported by the Provincial Growth Fund, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones and Employment Minister Willie Jackson announced today. “Tolaga Bay is an incredibly tight-knit community, but one in ...
Hon Shane Jones, Minister for Regional Economic Development The Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) is supporting Gisborne business Leaderbrand to produce salad vegetables year round and create more jobs in the Tairāwhiti region, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones announced today. “Our support for Leaderbrand will help them build large greenhouses ...
“Nobody wants to see babies uplifted”, this was the pronouncement of Minister for Children Hon. Tracey Martin as her department, Oranga Tamariki, faces multiple inquiries into the number of babies being taken from their families. “But a baby can die with a single punch, “the Minister continued. “So sometimes, Oranga ...
Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones has praised the promise by New Zealand’s biggest banks not to close any provincial branches while the Coalition Government trials regional banking hubs across the country. The Minister said the announce was the “first sign of hope for regional communities”, many of which have ...
Rt Hon Winston Peters, New Zealand First Leader New Zealand First is proud to have delivered an upgrade of the SuperGold Card website and a new smartphone app, which will help unlock the full benefits of the SuperGold Card for 750,000 New Zealand seniors.Party Leader Rt Hon Winston Peters, ...
Delivering a key election campaign promise, New Zealand First is proud to have accomplished a long overdue upgrade of the SuperGold Card today. At an event in Auckland, New Zealand First leader Winston Peters joined Minister for Seniors Hon. Tracey Martin in unveiling the new website and smartphone app which ...
Another busy week, from speaking with world leaders on the world stage about climate change, to equipping our school leavers with everything they need to get ahead in life. ...
New Zealand First MP Shane Jones says Air New Zealand has "an obligation to look after Kiwis", and urged the national carrier not to hike up their prices after Jetstar airline announced their withdrawal from regional flights this week. The Provincial Champion also expressed his disappointment at Jetstar’s decision on ...
Fletcher Tabuteau, Under Secretary for Regional Economic Development The Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) will help fund a new dredge for the Port of Greymouth to ensure the regional fishing fleet have a reliable and productive harbour, Parliamentary Undersecretary for Regional Economic Development Fletcher Tabuteau announced today “Last year the movements of ...
Ladies and gentlemen, NZCTU President Richard Wagstaff, members of respective unions – thank you for the invitation to speak to you today. This might be preaching to the choir, but the importance of trade unions in New Zealand’s historical arch is difficult to understate. And it is my belief that ...
"Let’s start by acknowledging that it has been a huge year. " Police Association Annual Conference James Cook Grand Chancellor Hotel Wellington Nau mai, haere mai. Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, ka nui te mihi, ki a koutou katoa. President of the Police Association, Chris Cahill; Members of the Association and ...
Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters and Minister of Defence Ron Mark have announced the New Zealand Government’s decision to again deploy a Royal New Zealand Air Force P-3K2 (P-3) maritime patrol aircraft to support the implementation of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions imposing sanctions against North Korea. New ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters says New Zealand continues to have serious concerns for peace and stability in north-east Syria. “Recent reports that hundreds of ISIS-affiliated families have fled from a camp are deeply concerning from a humanitarian and security perspective”, Mr Peters says. “While we acknowledge Turkey’s domestic security ...
Biosecurity Minister Damien O’Connor is warning travelling Kiwis to be vigilant as the high-season for the crop-eating brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) is under way. “We’re on high alert to stop BMSB arriving in NZ. The high season runs until April 30 and we’ve strengthened our measures to stop stink ...
The Government is moving swiftly to change the law to improve the welfare and pastoral care of students living in university halls of residence and other tertiary hostels. Cabinet has agreed to several changes, including creating a new mandatory Code of Practice that sets out the duty of pastoral care ...
The Minister for Conservation Eugenie Sage has launched a new comprehensive trapping guide for community trappers to help them protect our native birds, plants and other wildlife, at Zealandia in Wellington today. ‘A practical guide to trapping’, has been developed by the Department of Conservation (DOC), and was launched during ...
Associate Health Minister Julie Anne Genter welcomes PHARMAC’s move to improve access to long-acting reversible contraception (LARCs). PHARMAC has today announced it will fund the full cost of Mirena and Jaydess for anyone seeking long term contraception, lifting previous restrictions on access to Mirena. “I welcome women having greater choices ...
The Government has approved the next stage of a major redevelopment of Taranaki Base Hospital, which will deliver new and improved facilities for patients. Health Minister Dr David Clark has announced details of a $300 million dollar project to build a new East Wing at the New Plymouth hospital. It ...
Extra funding will allow Rural Support Trusts to help farming families, says Minister for Rural Communities and Agriculture Damien O’Connor. “I know that rural families are worried about some of the challenges facing them, including the ongoing uncertainty created by the Mycoplasma bovis outbreak. “Those concerns sit alongside ongoing worries ...
Thank you for the opportunity to be here to present certificates to the 16 graduates who have completed a beekeeping course delivered by the Howard League. Let us start by acknowledging Auckland Prison’s Deputy Prison Director Tom Sherlock, and Acting Assistant Regional Commissioner of Corrections Northern Region Scott Walker - ...
Finance Minister Grant Robertson leaves this weekend to attend the APEC Finance Ministers meeting in Santiago, Chile. Discussions between APEC Finance Ministers at the meeting will include the effects of the current global economic uncertainty, risks for APEC economies and sustainable development of the region. While at APEC Grant Robertson ...
The Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio says for Pacific people, language can be a source of strength. It can help ground us and give us confidence. When we speak them, our languages provide us with an immediate and intimate access to our identity and our story - and ...
The Coalition Government has announced an action plan to improve the wellbeing of disabled New Zealanders by addressing inequalities in play, active recreation and sport. The initiative includes training to develop a workforce that understands the needs of children and young people with a range of impairments, advocacy for fit ...
The construction sector is being freed up to allow more homes to be built more quickly as the Government cuts through some of the red tape of the Building Act. “Every New Zealander deserves a warm, dry, safe home and old inefficiencies in the Building Act make building slow and ...
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has welcomed further details on the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall’s visit to New Zealand next month. Their Royal Highnesses will visit New Zealand from 17-23 November – their third joint visit to New Zealand and first in four years. They arrive in Auckland ...
Minister of State for Trade and Export Growth and Minister of Agriculture, Damien O’Connor, heads to Thailand today to attend the final Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Ministerial meeting, as negotiations enter their final stages. “The RCEP Agreement would anchor New Zealand in a regional agreement that covers 16 countries, ...
Pacific young people living in the Hawke’s Bay, Southland and Otago regions will have access to support services that have proved successful in helping young people find new earning and learning opportunities. “Tupu Aotearoa is about changing Pacific young peoples’ lives. Our young people are talented, they are smart, they ...
Introduction As the Minister for ACC I thank you all for the work that you do supporting New Zealanders in their literally most vulnerable moments. From those who hold people’s lives in their hands, to the people who research technique, technology and trends, your work is highly valued. A special ...
Notes prepared for speeches in Christchurch – Wednesday 9 October 2019 Today’s topic, “trends and opportunities for the New Zealand economy,” is certainly one getting a great deal of commentary at the moment. Looking across the media landscape lately you’ll notice we aren’t the only ones having this discussion. There ...
Minister of Health Dr David Clark and Associate Minister of Health Peeni Henare say this year’s World Mental Health Day theme is a reminder of why the Government’s work on mental health is so important. “This year the World Federation for Mental Health has made suicide prevention the main theme ...
Associate Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Carmel Sepuloni will represent the government at Australia’s Meeting of Cultural Ministers in Adelaide this week. “This year’s meeting is special because New Zealand is expected to become an International Member of the Meeting of Cultural Ministers at this Australian forum,” Carmel Sepuloni said. “The meeting is an opportunity to ...
The Greater Christchurch Claims Resolution Service has resolved 608 insurance and EQC claims in its first year in operation, Minister Megan Woods has announced. The government service, which celebrates its first birthday today, provides a one stop shop to help Cantabrians still battling to get their homes repaired or rebuilt ...
Today’s topic, “trends and opportunities for the New Zealand economy,” is certainly one getting a great deal of commentary at the moment. Looking across the media landscape lately you’ll notice we aren’t the only ones having this discussion. There has been an increasing amount of attention paid to the outlook ...
The Government is acting swiftly to strengthen NZTA’s regulatory role following a review into the Transport Agency, and Ministry of Transport’s performance as its monitor, Transport Minister Phil Twyford said today. An independent review by Martin Jenkins has found NZTA failed to properly regulate the transport sector under the previous ...
The Netherlands and New Zealand have a long-standing and close relationship based on many shared interests and values. We value the rule of law, our democracies, and multilateralism. And we value our environment – at home and globally. Right now there are major global challenges in all of these areas – ...
The Government is putting right a decade’s worth of underpayment to nurses, doctors and other health workers, says Health Minister Dr David Clark. Initial sampling of District Health Boards payroll records has found that around $550-$650 million is owed to DHB staff to comply with the Holidays Act. It’s expected ...
A strong surplus and low debt show the economy is performing well, and means the Government is in a good position to meet the challenges of global economic uncertainty. “The surplus and low levels of debt show the economy is in good shape. This allows the Government to spend more ...
New applications from mining company OceanaGold to purchase land in Waihi for new tailings ponds associated with its gold mines have been approved. Minister of Finance Grant Robertson and Associate Minister of Finance David Parker considered the applications under the Overseas Investment Act. Earlier this year, applications from OceanaGold to ...
New Zealanders in Tūranganui-a-Kiwa / Poverty Bay will witness Māori, Pākehā and Pacific voyaging traditions come together today as the Tuia 250 Voyage flotilla assembles for the first time, Māori Crown Relations: Te Arawhiti Minister Kelvin Davis says. “Tuia 250 is a national commemoration and an opportunity for honest conversations ...
Minister for Trade and Export Growth David Parker leaves tomorrow for Dubai, London and Berlin for a series of meetings to advance New Zealand’s trade interests. In Dubai he will visit New Zealand’s Pavilion at Expo 2020 where construction is underway. There he will meet Minister of State for International Cooperation, Her ...
Confirmation that PHARMAC will fund two new cancer drugs is further evidence of the good progress the Government is making to improve the treatment of New Zealand’s leading cause of death, Health Minister David Clark says. From 1 December PHARMAC will fund alectinib (Alecensa) for ALK positive advanced non-small cell ...
An additional $2.7 million has been announced for the Government Strategy for Women and Girls in Sport and Active Recreation on the first anniversary of the strategy’s launch. Sport and Recreation Minister Grant Robertson gave the opening address to the first Sport NZ Women + Girls Summit in Wellington today, ...
As part of its work to ensure businesses can get the skilled workers they need, the Coalition Government is re-opening and re-setting the Parent Category visa programme, Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway says. The move will: support skilled migrants who help fill New Zealand’s skills gaps by providing a pathway for ...
Minister of Defence Ron Mark has today announced Major General Evan Williams of the New Zealand Defence Force has been selected as the commander of a significant, longstanding peacekeeping mission in the Middle East. In December, Major General Williams takes over as Force Commander for the Multinational Force and Observers ...
A record number of nurses are now working to deliver health services to New Zealanders as the Government’s increased funding and new initiatives rebuild key workforces start to show results, Health Minister Dr David Clark says. • 1458 more DHB nurses since the Government took office • 106 more midwives ...
Farmer and former Nuffield scholar Mel Poulton has been appointed New Zealand’s Special Agricultural Trade Envoy, Minister for Trade and Export Growth, David Parker, and Minister of Agriculture, Damien O’Connor, announced today. The position supports key Government objectives, including raising the value of New Zealand agricultural goods and services. Mel is ...
New Zealand’s Pacific and Māori voyaging heritage is acknowledged and celebrated today as waka of the Tuia 250 voyage flotilla arrive in Tūranga / Gisborne. “Today we celebrate Tangata Whenua, the first people of Aotearoa, and the triumphs of the voyaging tradition that brought our ancestors here from Polynesia 1000 ...
“Fijian Language Week starts on Sunday and the theme reminds us how important it is that we each have something to anchor ourselves to, something that can help us pause and feel in control in a rapidly changing world,” says Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio. “Family, culture, faith, ...
The Government is establishing an Airspace Integration Trials Programme to support the safe testing and development of advanced unmanned aircraft and accelerate their integration into the aviation system, Research, Science and Innovation Minister Megan Woods announced today. The Government will work with leading, innovative aviation industry partners to test and ...
It’s the end of an era at Three as MAFS NZ and Guy Williams’ new show canceled and 7 Days cut to bone, writes Duncan Greive.A trio of shows which have been amongst Three’s most important local productions are either being canceled or severely cut back, as the channel’s agonising ...
'Joker' expects viewers not only to understand its cruelty, but to understand the justified violence of a white man when the protests of black men and women in the US are regularly met with condemnation, vilification and exclusion. ...
She runs the women's Aussie Rules and netball programmes at one of Australia's oldest sports clubs, so why is Jane Woodlands-Thompson sitting on the Silver Ferns bench? ...
As someone with a severe chronic illness, Hannah McGowan has a vested interest in getting to the bottom of what cannabis can and can’t do for her health. The reality, she discovers, is complicated.Woo [colloq.]: Mystical, supernatural or pseudo-scientific beliefs not backed up by evidence. I crave a well informed, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The last PM shock jock Alan Jones slapped down was Jacinda Ardern. His language was particularly offensive, advertisers deserted his program and he apologised to New Zealand’s leader. But at least Ardern didn’t have to ...
By Michael Andrew and Sri Krishnamurthi The true story of one of the Pacific’s great waka builders and sailor has been captured in a stirring and visually gripping documentary. Loimata: The Sweetest Tears follows the final years of Ema Siope, a Samoan born kiwi who endured a tumultuous past ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Benjamin Cowie, Director, WHO Collaborating Centre for Viral Hepatitis, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity Around one-third of Australians living with hepatitis C have been cured in the last four years. Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis C is ...
New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern. Image AsiaPacificReport.nz/RNZ.Commentators across the political spectrum seem to agree – the Labour-led Government’s popularity is being damaged by its failure to deliver in Jacinda Ardern’s self-proclaimed “Year of Delivery”. Instead, the delivery of bad news to Labour and the Government has come in ...
Internet Service Providers have cautiously greeted the news that the Government is exploring an internet filter for violent extremist and terrorist content. ...
Editor’s Note: Here below is a list of the main issues currently under discussion in New Zealand and links to media coverage.New Zealand Parliament Buildings, Wellington, New Zealand.Today’s content by Dr Bryce Edwards.Polls Richard Harman (Politik): Ardern now dependent on Peters Sam Sachdeva (Newsroom): Ardern still standing, but ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Greg Austin, Professor UNSW Canberra Cyber, UNSW This is part of a new series looking at the national security challenges facing Australia, how our leaders are responding to them and how these measures are impacting society. Read other stories in the series ...
Researchers from Lincoln University are investigating how to use nanotechnology in agriculture to increase productivity and reduce environmental impact. ...
The increased presence of anti-trans and white supremacist stickers around the University of Auckland campus is proof that inaction is enabling hate groups, write Anisha Sankar and Max Whitehurst.Anisha Sankar is a Chennai-born, Te Awakairangi-raised, South Indian Tamil studying at the University of Auckland. Max Whitehurst is a transgender Pākehā ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexander Gillespie, Professor of Law, University of Waikato Following the Christchurch mosque shootings, the New Zealand government’s first response was to ban the firearms the alleged gunman had used to murder 51 people. Seven months later, the second tranche of this process ...
The nine members for the next three year term of the Independent Māori Statutory Board (IMSB) for Auckland have been appointed by the statutory Selection Body. Their appointments begin on 1 November 2019 and continue to 31 October 2022. Mana Whenua ...
“If we are truly to solve the challenge of poverty within the Te Ao Maori world we must lift our people from the low wage and low skills growth side of the economy. At the same time we must continue to ensure our people, no matter where they are, ...
Alex Casey asks Rose Stewart from Family Planning every single question she can think of about New Zealand’s new free IUDs. Listen up, womb-owners who love free shit and long-term contraceptive options: Pharmac announced that they will be fully funding two new long-lasting, reversible contraceptives in New Zealand from November 1, ...
Patients are increasingly being turned away for treatment and there can be no more excuses from the Government over properly funding district health boards to boost specialist numbers in public hospitals, says Ian Powell, Executive Director of the ...
Today’s Council of Trade Unions’ report, Fair Pay Agreements: A Framework for Fairness , provides a much-needed pathway to fair wages and conditions across several major industries, and the Government must deliver on its promise to introduce FPAs ...
The Speaker has limited the number of questions Simon Bridges can ask in the House as a punishment for the National Party defying Trevor Mallard by not pulling down their attack ads. ...
Sunshine capital? Check. Rich artisan tradition? Check. Incredible sausages? That’s a big check. We’ve put together a list of all you need to know before you explore the truly gorgeous Nelson region this summer. If you’ve got friends or relatives visiting Aotearoa, top of their list should be sorting out their ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Frank Jotzo, Director, Centre for Climate and Energy Policy, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University In the four years since the Paris climate agreement was adopted, countries have debated the fine print of how emissions reduction should be tracked and ...
The flight drink company 1Above, partly-owned by the high profile, venture capital fund Movac and businessman Gareth Morgan, is in liquidation owing almost $10 million. ...
In recent weeks Responsible Campers Association Incorporated (RCAi) has become involved in some high level discussions about our right to camp. This began out of discussion about the disabled who which to participate in Sport and Recreation activities. ...
In their quest for a cashless society the Japanese have beaten New Zealand to its own next-gen shopping experience.New Zealanders are missing out to the Japanese on a Kiwi technology that is set to eliminate supermarket queues.The first store to implement the SmartCart cashierless shopping system will be in Osaka, ...
If you don’t like Shortland Street, or you’re unconvinced that Michael Galvin actually is a doctor, does that mean all New Zealand television is rubbish? Some say yes. Tara Ward says an emphatic no. The world is our TV oyster, but lately it seems not everyone in Godzone is feeling the ...
The National Party is accusing the Immigration Minister of a "Sroubek 2.0" after revelations he granted residence to a man with multiple drink-driving convictions. ...
Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu urges the Crown to ensure that the Establishment Board of the newly formed Institute of Skills and Technology meets its Treaty obligations and addresses the statutory role of iwi as Treaty partners in redesigning the education ...
The top-selling food magazine in New Zealand is closing its print operation. Niki Bezzant, Healthy Food Guide‘s former editor, reflects on the challenges the title faced.The news that after 14 years and 176 issues Healthy Food Guide magazine is closing its print operation came as a shock to some. It ...
A unique deal saw Sky buy the rugby rights and sell some of itself to NZ Rugby. Trevor McKewen breaks down what it all means.The news came thick and fast over a remarkable five-day corporate slugfest, starting last Thursday. First, Spark Sport struck, gobbling up New Zealand Cricket’s domestic broadcasting ...
In what’s thought to be the last piece of writing Peter Wells completed before he died, he wonders about his great-grandfather, and the locket he wore all his life. ‘The Story of a Locket’ is published in part here, and features in the extraordinary collection of essays Queer Objects, released this ...
Relationship expert Holly Dixon explains why the entire Married at First Sight franchise is based on bunk science.As the third MAFS NZ season has come to an end, I thought it relevant to answer the question upon which the entire MAFS enterprise is built: Is it possible to predict attraction and ...
SkyCity Casino workers will be on strike and picketing today as Rob Campbell, the Chair of SkyCity Casino talks to other employers about making pay fair at a “Wellbeing at Work” conference today. ...
He was the prototypical high school nerd, hanging on Don Brash’s every word. Then the financial world turned upside down. This is the story of how Kiwibank’s Jarrod Kerr became a most unconventional economist.In 2008, Jarrod Kerr was working at the Commonwealth Bank of Australia when the global financial crisis ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gabriela D’Souza, Affiliate, Monash department of business statistics and econometrics, Monash University For most people the second week in October probably doesn’t hold much promise. Longer days for some, perhaps. But for those is us in the economics profession, come the second ...
One of the important parameters of the agreement’s aims was to ensure there was no threat to food production from the ability to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change. ...
A monument to Winston Peters and Think Big projects would both boost the economy, but Argentina learned the hard way they can also impoverish a nation, writes Tony Burton.Everyone who loves New Zealand should visit Argentina. There are more similarities than you might think – large areas of wild natural ...
The Salvation Army foodbank in Waitakere ran out of food last week; an indication of the strain many New Zealand whanau are under as they struggle to afford the cost of living. Wednesday, October 16 is World Food Day, and as demand for services offered ...
Phil Goff was re-elected by a huge margin on Saturday. How will he put that mandate to use this term? Hayden Donnell asks the questions.Phil Goff is once again Auckland’s mayor. Preliminary local election results show him with a lead of nearly 100,000 votes over his nearest challenger, John Tamihere. ...
Catherine Bindon from Ban the Boom has created these colourful and positive posters for you to use to show you don't support the use of fireworks in your neighbourhood over the next few weeks distressing our animals and birds. ...
On Tuesday morning the Operation Burnham inquiry hearing resumed after it was suspended three weeks ago. The hearing is being held at Royal Society of New Zealand, 11 Turnbull St, Thorndon, Wellington on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Ellerton, Lecturer in Critical Thinking; Curriculum Director, UQ Critical Thinking Project, The University of Queensland It’s not uncommon for science and religion to be framed as two opposing forces. The Catholic church has famously struggled to accommodate scientific research in its ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cat Pausé, Senior Lecturer in Human Development, Massey University The British Psychological Society is calling for changes for how we talk about fatness, suggesting we should no longer use the phrase “obese people”, but instead, “people with obesity” or “people living with ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Bruce Mountain, Director, Victoria Energy Policy Centre, Victoria University The federal government’s much-vaunted Snowy Hydro expansion is supposed to smooth out the bumps in electricity supply as Australia transitions to renewables. But not only is the project a bad deal for taxpayers, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By María Yanotti, Lecturer of Economics and Finance Tasmanian School of Business & Economics, University of Tasmania The housing market is moving again. In the past month, national prices have climbed 0.9%. What matters most to buyers (and especially to investors), along with ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joanna Mendelssohn, Principal Fellow (Hon), Victorian College of the Arts, University of Melbourne. Editor in Chief, Design and Art of Australia Online, University of Melbourne It seems appropriate that a painting titled Feng Shui dominates the new exhibition of Guan Wei’s work ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Justin Matthews, Lecturer in Digital Media and Popular Culture Researcher, Auckland University of Technology According to a recent study, the sixth leading cause of death for young men in the United States is the warranted and unwarranted use of police force. With ...
The Council of Trade Unions has today released its report - Fair Pay Agreements: A Framework for Fairness . The report details the six key principles needed for Fair Pay Agreements to deliver real change for working people, and democratic agreements ...
Too many New Zealanders endure poor working conditions in jobs that don’t pay enough and offer few opportunities for career progression, and the union movement is calling for change. ...
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says the latest polls which show a drop in support for Labour are not a concern when it comes to forming a government. ...
Good morning, and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: A pair of polls put pressure on the Labour Party, a wild night of weather in the North Island, and Shane Jones snapped brandishing a semi-automatic.Parliament resumes today after a fortnight recess, and MPs were given a welcome-back present in ...
Mandy Hager, the newly elected head of the New Zealand Society of Authors, is lobbying the government to improve the lot of writers - to no avail, despite the Prime Minister's championing of the arts. ...
Given the vast impacts that poor diet have had on global health, a deficit in nutrition education in medicine represents a big problem, writes Dr Jennifer Crowley. ...
Any time Olympian Luuka Jones needs advice or encouragement in her pursuit of more canoe slalom success, she doesn’t have to look far. Jones’ coach, Campbell Walsh, is also her partner. ...
Competition for the rights to broadcast sports matches involving NZ’s top teams has produced a bonanza for the sporting bodies, forcing media companies to be a lot more innovative. ...
The Wellington suburb’s successful opposition to a proposed Bottle-O shows how the system is biased towards communities with the organisation, capacity and resources to protest effectively, says Jenesa Jeram.For those unfamiliar with Wellington geography, Khandallah is a Very Nice place to live (Aucklanders: think Remuera). So when it was reported ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Humphery-Jenner, Associate Professor of Finance, UNSW The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission conducted an inquiry into mortgage pricing as recently as last year. Now Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has asked it to do another, broader one, in order to ensure the banks’ ...
Dr Bryce EdwardsThe results of the local government elections appear to show that New Zealanders are generally supportive of a more diverse range of representatives, having voted in greater numbers for candidates from traditionally under-represented groups. The elections have therefore modernised our councils in a small but very significant ...
Open Mike 28/04/2018 
Thanks to a report from the Acting Inspector General of Intelligence and Security following a complaint by Nicky Hager, we have come to find out that the SIS illegally spied on Mr. Hager on behalf of the NZDF after publication of Hager’s 2011 book, Other People’s Wars. The NZDF justified ...13 hours ago
COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT GLOBAL WARMING MYTH 1: Global temperatures are rising at a rapid, unprecedented rate. FACT: The HadCRUT3 surface temperature index, produced by the Hadley Centre of the UK Met Office and the Climate Research Unit of the University of East Anglia, shows warming to 1878, cooling to 1911, ...15 hours ago
For the past week, Extinction Rebellion has been peacefully protesting in London to demand action on climate change. The British government's response? Ban their protests:Police have banned Extinction Rebellion protests from continuing anywhere in London, as they moved in almost without warning to clear protesters who remained at the movement’s ...15 hours ago
The Royal Commission on abuse in care is very significant for the disability community. For many decades last century, thousands of disabled children, and adults who managed to survive, were locked away from families and communities. This was not for anything they had done, but for the perceived threat their ...20 hours ago
More than double the number of people who will vote in this year’s local body elections have tried marijuana or urinated somewhere they shouldn’t have. As local elections look set for the lowest turnout in decades, with many regions falling well short of 40%, the Government is exploring a number ...4 days ago
“There can be no such thing as kaupapa Māori political parties or politics in Aotearoa” (Willie Jackson, Labour Party (2017). Māori TV, General/List Election Special) I begin with that claim because at the time, I was confounded at first that it fell out of Willie Jackson’s mouth, and then ...5 days ago
https://mailchi.mp/7d9133add053/closing-the-gap-october-2019-newsletter ...6 days ago
For some reasons, my post about the mystery message from inside the Downing Street bunker seemed to catch people's attention. Quite a lot of hits from NZ (unsurprisingly) and the USA (a bit more puzzlingly, but hi there, USAians!!) and 76 views from the Ukraine.I've celebrated my Ukrainian readers in ...6 days ago
Local government elections are upon us again. It is a fair bet that, when they are over, we will have all the usual complaints that, despite their undoubted importance, the turnout was depressingly low. So, why do local elections attract so little attention and involvement from the general public? I ...2 weeks ago
We want every New Zealander to be happy, safe, and healthy. To do this, we need to support strong, safe communities, and a robust and efficient health system. ...15 hours ago
Defence Minister Ron Mark has used his powers to overrule a noise complaint ruling against Whenuapai airbase on the grounds of "national security". The Environment Court last month released a ruling in favour of a private developer, declaring the Auckland airbase had to comply with noise restrictions when it performs ...16 hours ago
Ladies and gentlemen, NZCTU President Richard Wagstaff, members of respective unions – thank you for the invitation to speak to you today. This might be preaching to the choir, but the importance of trade unions in New Zealand’s historical arch is difficult to understate. And it is my belief that ...17 hours ago
It’s the end of an era at Three as MAFS NZ and Guy Williams’ new show canceled and 7 Days cut to bone, writes Duncan Greive.A trio of shows which have been amongst Three’s most important local productions are either being canceled or severely cut back, as the channel’s agonising ...15 mins ago
Zhang Jun looks at how China can move beyond imitating its more developed counterparts to leading the world in innovation. ...39 mins ago
After two bad polls, Jacinda Ardern was greeted by a friendly crowd of unionists - but one eager for faster and greater progress. ...39 mins ago
'Joker' expects viewers not only to understand its cruelty, but to understand the justified violence of a white man when the protests of black men and women in the US are regularly met with condemnation, vilification and exclusion. ...39 mins ago
She runs the women's Aussie Rules and netball programmes at one of Australia's oldest sports clubs, so why is Jane Woodlands-Thompson sitting on the Silver Ferns bench? ...39 mins ago
Is the Government going soft on its so-called Electric Vehicles pledge? The University of Auckland's Basil Sharp doesn't think so. ...39 mins ago
Volunteer drug testers must tip-toe around a legal grey area to be able to spell out the risks of drug-taking to festival-goers. ...1 hour ago
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The last PM shock jock Alan Jones slapped down was Jacinda Ardern. His language was particularly offensive, advertisers deserted his program and he apologised to New Zealand’s leader. But at least Ardern didn’t have to ...8 hours ago
Internet Service Providers have cautiously greeted the news that the Government is exploring an internet filter for violent extremist and terrorist content. ...11 hours ago
The proceeds from the sale of Trump-style "Make Ardern Go Away" hats are being used to promote far right Facebook pages. ...13 hours ago
Support has risen for the general arming of police officers in the wake of March 15, but the police minister is opposed. ...13 hours ago
Researchers from Lincoln University are investigating how to use nanotechnology in agriculture to increase productivity and reduce environmental impact. ...13 hours ago
Information spread by the Coalition of Licenced Firearms Owners (COLFO) and picked up by ACT’s David Seymour is incorrect. ...14 hours ago
The Speaker has limited the number of questions Simon Bridges can ask in the House as a punishment for the National Party defying Trevor Mallard by not pulling down their attack ads. ...15 hours ago
The real estate market has sprung back into life, but national sales volumes were flat. ...16 hours ago
The flight drink company 1Above, partly-owned by the high profile, venture capital fund Movac and businessman Gareth Morgan, is in liquidation owing almost $10 million. ...16 hours ago
Mandy Hager, the newly elected head of the New Zealand Society of Authors, is lobbying the government to improve the lot of writers - to no avail, despite the Prime Minister's championing of the arts. ...23 hours ago
An ancient Polynesian form of resource management is helping rejuvenate areas in the Cook Islands. ...1 day ago
Competition for the rights to broadcast sports matches involving NZ’s top teams has produced a bonanza for the sporting bodies, forcing media companies to be a lot more innovative. ...1 day ago
Ongoing drama surrounds the Māui and Hector's dolphin threat management plan, with worries key information is not being made public promptly. ...1 day ago
Is Jacindamania dead and buried? Not quite yet, but the Prime Minister has good cause for concern. ...1 day ago
Gordon Campbell is calling for Phil Twyford to front up and explain how PPP risks will be managed.
He’s also calling for detailed cost comparisons.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1804/S00095/on-the-perils-of-using-ppps-to-meet-aucklands-roading-needs.htm
Are PPPs a dead rat Labour supporters will willingly swallow?
The Greens should vote against this….a vote winner for them…make it an issue…show what a disaster it has been in the UK.
I agree
The Green Party is really hitting its straps now. On the back of persuading the government to ban oil and gas exploration now is the time to show some real strength and vote aginst this.
They probably can’t vote against it. It probably doesn’t require any new legislation.
Yes, didn’t Labour open the door for PPPs when they were last in power?
They probably did @TC (aka Top Cat). Remind me when that was. Close to a decade ago was it?
On or off; 1 or 0; Jesus! it’s a tough ride when you have to consider anything other than two options.
Mind the bumps TC, your likely to get the shit shaken out of you
“The Green Party is really hitting its straps now. On the back of persuading the government to ban oil and gas exploration”
Without any cost benefit analysis, or indeed analysis if it will achieve the desired results.
Yep – sounds like the greens.
Im with you – I think that the greens should stand up and say PPP’s are bad. I disagree, but would love for them to campaign on it.
That’s because you’re ideologically blind to the results of PPPs.
They are bad, all the evidence proves that.
“The Greens should vote against this”
Don’t count on it.
James Shaw seems to be blinded by the environmental benefits. There is no mention of opposing the PPP’s being used to help secure them.
https://www.greens.org.nz/news/press-release/auckland-transport-plan-huge-win-commuters-buses-trains-and-bikes
Yes that’s right, the Greens should vote against any solution that does not have perfect form, rather than use an imperfect method to solve a problem.
Yes, lets watch them support an imperfect method to solve a problem that could potentially lead to more problems and see how well that works out for them.
If they were smart, they’d quickly distance themselves (by speaking out against that part of the plan) from the use of PPPs.
Your concern trolling, of the Greens, is getting rather tiresome.
So can we take it you support the Greens levying the masses to subsidise the well to do that can afford to buy a new electric vehicle?
Concern trolling seems to be the go to line when one doesn’t seem to have an argument worthy of putting forward. Here’s your chance to show me you can do better than that.
If the Greens start supporting PPP’s then that is a trap. Maybe part of the problem is I’m not sure how many of these new Green MP’s get outside of central Auckland or Wellington, therefore they think everything can be solved by walking and cycling.
I’m not even sure if they know what suburbs are even in the super city and how far reaching it now is.
The new plans in particular transport may take 5-10 years to start work, but in the mean time people have to survive that decade of hell and many can’t because they way power structures are now working, anyone who is not based in Central Wellington/Auckland or does not belong to some lobby group, seems to be strangely not thought about and even more strangely it’s now believed to be their fault for not having time to lobby/write reports/submissions/meet and greet politicians/go to rallies/pay lawyers/planners to write their submissions….
The Government Policy Statement released by the government was co-written by Associate Minister of Transport Genter. The Green Party don’t need much persuading.
Yes, well they did sign up to the Budget Responsibility Rules, which has resulted in the Government favouring PPPs as a means of keeping debt off their balance sheet.
Nevertheless, it’s disappointing the Greens don’t seem to be concerned about the use of PPPs.
Bravo! You managed to get all three of your pet words in one sentence that epitomises your contributions here on TS.
Campbell needs to swallow the cup of proverbial cement and harden up.
The Greens signed up to the budget responsibility rules.
The Greens signed up to the Transport GPS.
The Greens signed up to the Auckland package.
The Greens already manage a set of very close commercial partnerships and concessions through DoC as their Minister.
The Greens have been working assiduously with business on co-funding climate mitigation initiatives. Some of which you will see around Budget in May, and may quack walk fly and lay eggs like ppps do.
Just like the rest of government.
If the Greens associate themselves too closely with PPPs, they’ll find they will fail to bring many of their supporters with them.
Wonder where Shaw will end up once he’s finished destroying them?
Definitely he is already seen as business-friendly.
As the boldest Green Party MP in a long time, as well as one of the lowest profile leaders, he is going for something far harder than singing tenor to his own audience.
He is going for nothing less than uniting business and Government together to fund against climate change. He is using the climate change groups that he has set up, plus the $100m seed money, to pull in their partnership.
Now, that seems like something a centrist would do. But to be honest, it’s the only way to pull the rug out from National. Shaw knows now that he will never get cross-Parliamentary support for his legislation. But he can undercut National’s support from business and co-opt them to the cause.
The two biggest forces in the world right now are climate change and finance. Nothing like an audacious goal, and Shaw is going for it.
These are essential reading links on PPP’s (in UK called PFI’s)
“UK PFI debt now stands at over £300bn for projects with an original capital cost of £55bn”
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/aug/30/pfi-britain-hospital-trust-debt-burden-tax
https://image.guim.co.uk/sys-files/Society/documents/2004/11/24/PFI.pdf
Probably not.
They’re a bloody stupid idea based upon the failed ideology of the private sector always being better. History shows that PPPs are a waste of public money.
Why do politicians always refuse to believe reality when it comes to this BS?
The slightly less contentious arrangements are called Alliances, and there are going to be a blizzard of those rolling out.
Ad darling. I’ve heard a number of labels applied to my todger. Dick, penis, John Thomas, shafter, and a raft of others.
As far as I know, it’s basically the same member of my anatomy ‘going forward’.
and it has the same capability it always had darling (allowing for age of course).
Call ’em whatever you like
You are not useful to commenting on any arrangement the state has with capital.
here we go @CG and @ Grey
That little panel on the right is quite usefull.
As I made my previous comment, I said to someone that was watching…….Ad will pop up next with some words of wisdom.
Sure enough he has and you can all see for yourselves. Truly fucking inspiring!
But ekshully, as I was writing, I’d forgotten that I was at TS rather than TDB, and there are obviously different “Standards” at play.
I think not so long ago, I came close to a ban for contesting the absolute jewels that a poster such as AD possesses, AND for wondering (i.e. WONDERING) whether he, yes HE might not be a public servant, or some such other political sage that thinks he’s in tune with the peeps)
I still wonder whether TS uses Ad as a contributor in the same way Fox News uses an occasional token black as proof they’re ‘fair and balanced’
Doesn’t a PPP toll road make heavy road users pay the full cost of the externalities of thief behaviour? Or would rather just tax the shit out of all trucks?
No.
The one under construction for SH1 north of Auckland is a simple availability model. No toll. Yes private finance.
Commercial operators will merely pass the cost on.
An interesting comment in a linked article in yesterday’s Open Mike: re climate change.
“Without hope, goes the truism, we will give up. And yet optimism about the future is wishful thinking, says Hillman. He believes that accepting that our civilisation is doomed could make humanity rather like an individual who recognises he is terminally ill. Such people rarely go on a disastrous binge; instead, they do all they can to prolong their lives.”
I don’t think many people quite realise we, the human race, are entering, or maybe are in the middle of, the fight for our very existence, a struggle which will more than likely end in our defeat.
We still live in that rosy world – the perpetual present.
What we need is radical action, action that almost certainly doesn’t include any sort of accommodation with the present economic system, which got us into this mess in the first place. Yes, some people are going to have to make big sacrifices, but these people should be those who have the most to give up, not the ordinary people.
We’ve got to do all we can to prolong our lives! And ensure there is a future for our grandchildren!
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/apr/26/were-doomed-mayer-hillman-on-the-climate-reality-no-one-else-will-dare-mention
“What we need is radical action, action that almost certainly doesn’t include any sort of accommodation with the present economic system, which got us into this mess in the first place. ”
This sentence sums it up.
Further to my post above, what might ‘radical action’ look like in practice?”
Well, first of all, I think we need to set this country on a war footing, very like we did during the Second Wold War. This would entail giving the government rather draconian powers to get things done. For instance, to name just a few:
• Nationalise all the banks. Money must work in the interests of NZ, not foreign owners.
• Stop industrial farming immediately. What good are exports if our environment is ruined.
• Immediately stop all sales of land and buildings to non-citizens. Seize houses which remain unoccupied for more than half the year.
“Nobody should be permitted to own two houses until everyone has one.”
• Stop all immigration immediately. We need to look after the people here already.
• Severely restrict imports to absolutely essentials. Cut the crap importing. Go back to the ‘number eight wire’ days during WWII.
• Government emphasis on essentials such as 100% sustainable energy and public transport for everybody. Turn Auckland Airport into a market garden.
As, no doubt many will point out, such actions, and other similar moves, will result in massive disruption – in the short term, counter this outcome by instituting a UBI, so that everyone has the ability to buy food. Pay for this by stripping the rich of their assets.
None of the above will happen, of course, or not at least until human extinction is slapping us in the face, when it will be far too late.
Excellent ideas.
Your comment / ideas are so stupid I dont know where to begin.
But fair to say that not a single person in government will ever take them up – for reasons that will be obvious to rational thinkers.
An idea may seem silly or stupid, until suddenly it isn’t.
My fear is that we shall be overtaken by events and will react far too late, like now we are reacting too little!
As you said.
George Monbiot is a ray of hope in a bleak world.
Massive amount of capital flight would occur and the economy would be ruined within a matter of months as the country’s income tanked, we would have little ability to purchase goods to maintain our health system or infrastructure. With the combined ban on industrial farming there would be widespread malnutrition and starvation.
In short many if not most of your suggestions would lead to very significant harm and hardship to the population apart from that it is a great debate starter.
Not to mention our best and brightest will simply leave the ed Viectchy dystopia ( doctors scientist; engineers. Entrepreneurs teachers etc), nz would just become a basket case
No need to give any government draconian powers over our every day lives.
The government can shoulder barge its way back into the economy if it wants (and should).
It already has an army it can re-purpose for the sake of desperately needed physical works around “known to be imminent” impacts of global warming.
Strict efficiency regulations on cars, appliances etc, that tighten year on year combined with an onerous carbon tariff at the border could work wonders.
The problem is that no-one in parliament is actually facing up to things. “Everyone” keeps on with this line that we can carry on as we are with a few fiddles here and a couple of adjustments there. We can’t. (Well, we can, but there’s an expiry date that’s coming into focus)
I don’t think it’s crazy to ask whether civilisation as we know it will survive into much of the next century. Given the path we’re on, I’d be saying that 2150 is looking like a very long shot.
But in the interim, if we want Auckland airport to be a market garden, then we can shut it down today and get started on it. No government required. Just arses on tarmac and some picks and shovels 🙂
I look forward to you, Ed and Tony trying to get onto the tarmac at Auckland airport with picks and shovels..it might even knock Korea off top spot on the news.
And therein (implied) lies a large part of the problem. Why is it we think our actions need be legitimised through the medium of the state and its institutions?
The day we drop that attitude/belief, is the day we can get started. And unlike as was the case in the USSR when people dumped their believes, there will likely be no external entity in a position to impose any new, restrictive political paradigm on us.
Yeah cool anarchy..right on man.
meh. You say anarchy, and I say democracy.
If we don’t engage – if we don’t build it and participate fully in our own lives, then we wind up where we are right now, or somewhere worse.
Actually, probably always somewhere worse seeing as how representative parliamentary forms of governance normalise thoughtless abeyance.
Why do I have the feeling that the particular form of democracy that the likes of yourself, Dtb, Ed and others would be served with a side order of jackboot for those who disagreed with your particular world view ?
With all the faults of our current system of the state and its institutions I’ll take it every time over those that chant ‘vive la revolution’.
The only reason I can think as to why you have that feeling, is that you’re failing to grasp some very basic characteristics and features of democracy.
Unlike with representative parliamentary governance or more authoritarian forms of governance, with democracy there simply can’t be any particular world view being forced on people.
Take a moment to think it through for yourself.
In that case I look forward to the vote on the digging up of the tarmac at Auckland airport pending the planting of a market garden along with the vote on
• Nationalise all the banks.
• Stop industrial farming immediately.
• Immediately stop all sales of land and buildings to non-citizens.
• Stop all immigration immediately.
• Severely restrict imports to absolutely essentials.
• Government emphasis on essentials such as 100% sustainable energy and public transport for everybody.
Although I must admit to suspecting I know the results …
You didn’t even try to think it through, did you?
If you had, you’d realise there’s no place for “the market” because it embodies and promotes deeply anti-democratic dynamics. Trade in a democratic setting does not unfold through market mechanisms.
Auckland airport? Any decision would surely be around allowing for the continuation of air travel? And those decisions (and it would be plural) aren’t based on some simple yes/no binary.
As for what might be done with the place should space be freed up due to the demise of air travel, well, I live a long way away and the establishment of market garden or whatever else (and unlike air travel) is very unlikely to have any impact on me. So I wouldn’t be party to that decision or process.
“But in the interim, if we want Auckland airport to be a market garden, then we can shut it down today and get started on it. No government required. Just arses on tarmac and some picks and shovels 🙂”
Is that meant to be highlighting a contradiction?
Direct action in the present isn’t incongruent with democracy. It by-passes undemocratic processes and systems associated with representative forms of governance. (Y’know, the whole “Why is it we think our actions need be legitimised through the medium of the state and its institutions” bit?)
I can’t see the point continuing with this conversation Bill.
The problem is that no-one in parliament is actually facing up to things.
That is hardly true. The problem is with the voters. The voters are not voting for this level of intervention, otherwise we would have the Greens leading the government.
If the government enacts policies that do not have the general consent of the masses (or at least the majority of those who vote) then that fucking well is giving the “government draconian powers over our every day lives”. The economy is part of our everyday lives.
James Shaw views AGW as a great business opportunity. That’s where the “no-one in parliament” comment comes from – on the assumption that the Green Party represents the edge of the parliamentary envelope on AGW.
This chrematistic economy is part of our every day lives, true. And the government seeks the approval of those already controlling and gaining from that economy – not us, the voting public. Government directed economic development would be bringing economic agency a step closer to us than it is at present. (That said, a quick look to the ME and N. Africa offers instructive examples of what can happen when countries go down that path)
James knows that under our current power structure, combatting AGW requires the consent of the wealthy.
As we are not a democracy, but a rotating dictatorship voters hardly come into it.
Yeah, okay. Let’s go with that. So Shaw is stepping up to the plate re AGW, how?
It’s like saying the Fabians are right enough because they ‘understand’ that redistribution requires the “consent” of the wealthy.
It does, obviously. Or Helen Clark would have done it.
Remember the “winter of discontent”.
When big business got all petulant, and “held the country to random”.
You’ve kind of lost me here KJT.
The “winter of discontent” was an episode of naked class warfare that the working class lost, and that ushered in a resurgent liberal political/economic agenda.
If we want action on AGW, but also want to mollify the wealthy, then there will be no adequate action taken around AGW.
Under our current rotating dictatorship any change can onle be made with “the consent of the wealthy”. Which is, of course, the point.
It depends entirely on whether we have any Wilberforce’s or Roosevelt’s amongst them.
I think KJT is referring to The NZ “Winter of Discontent” in 2002, whereas I think you are referencing the UK’s 1978-79 Thacherism Winter.
Rod Oram sums up NZ’s WoD here:
https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2017/11/04/58244/rod-oram-another-winter-of-discontent#
Both however do exibit the underlying problem of class warfare, which is a war that the poor are always going to loose within our current system of corporatocracy* – even though they may win some battles on the way.
* I wouldn’t say it’s a dictatorship – we do get to choose whether our government will have a more human face or not.
Didn’t stop them in the 80’s and 90’s.
“Without hope, goes the truism, we will give up.”
What horseshit.
Why?
Plenty of people do not give up, and have no hope.
Nor does that mean they are having a miserable time of it either.
Hope is largely an advertising and marketing construct.
There is however a danger that having no hope will lead to giving up.
It ends up with the philosophy best described by the saying.
“Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die”
Climate breakdown and the erasure of non-human life from the land by farming and the sea by industrial fishing are crises we cannot afford to give up on.
In the current circumstances the most useful thing is to plan and mitigate. Even if that includes our decline.
The foolish and the immature simply reach for the extremes of apocalypse or heaven, because it’s the religious approach to engaging with power.
The problem with even using the trope of crisis is that it’s been played so often by all kinds of leader and all kinds of political persuasion for the last century that it’s lost most of its ability to shock anyone into action.
Pay real close attention to Shaw’s approach to climate change.
He doesn’t have to use any of the feeble old fear routines, and doesn’t need to.
Agreed.
Conforming to reality really isn’t a radical action. It’s our present socio-economic system that’s radical.
How worse will the Government allow this to get?
Jacinda, this needs fixing now!
That’s the result of nine years of mismanagement by National which is, unfortunately, going to take more than a few months to fix.
While it was compounded by nine years of mismanagement by National, I think we both know it is the result of neo-liberal changes both National and Labour have implemented over the last few decades.
While Labour are saying some of the right things, they are far from offering what is required and what little they do plan to do is coming in at snail pace.
Seems Labour are trying to stockpile policy deemed to be popular by holding back implementation till after the next election to help counter the unpopular ones and get them over the line.
Don’t you love the leisurely pace of the old cheese ad ‘good things take time’? We lose much in our compulsively accelerating world.
Match highlights? I hate them, – little burst of canned action. All the tension, excitement and build up of atmosphere of each unique encounter are lost.
Surfing clips are shockers, rarely longer than three seconds of a surfer already on the wave. Surfers watch, ponder and judge the oncoming swell before committing to the vigorous paddle. A 6 second sequence would at least capture some of this vital aspect of the sport.
“Hurry while stocks last” has the opposite effect reminding me that good shopping also ‘takes time.’ I like to compare products, research their features and come to a choice with inner conviction.
“It’s easy!” is another overworked assurance in the barrage of commercials rammed at us daily. I suppose in an increasingly complex world ‘easy’ is altogether a relief for some but we run the risk of equating ease of execution with quality of product.
When a movie promises non stop action I’ll certainly avoid it. Endless car chases, cops bursting in on scenes with guns in the ready become ‘non-action’ when grinded out time after time. We run the risk of becoming a species bent on ceaseless stimulation via the hyper-priming of our excitable cognitive natures.
Many are aware of this and turn to holistic pursuits that appeal to our deeper selves and sense of integration. “Inwardness” which probes untapped regions of consciousness reveals areas of quality and quietness as counters to our strident world. Sure meditation, New Agey stuff, incense, mindfulness etc initially overran themselves attracting many in search of cloud nine rather disciplined re-orientation.
But those who persist and take time discover less not more is the way to go and that
there is an element within self that responds favourably, contributing thereby to the lessening of our footprint both carbon and otherwise.
Hi, Ant..
That is a very enjoyable commemt…nice to read…
Sounds like you’re on a reflective journey in this life…
Go well…
There’s a reason why I don’t watch TV. I get to avoid all the push from advertisers and the MSM about going fast and how they think I should be and thus have time to make up my own mind.
I don’t watch TV I just get the highlights on YouTube 😂
According to John Campbell it has been dubbed the war on the poor (about 4.40 into last nights episode of Checkpoint) and unfortunately for the Greens it is being led by James Shaw.
So the party that was renowned for fighting for the poor is now perceived to be leading the attack on them. Talk about tarnishing your branding, what’s that James Shaw up too? Is it incompetence or intentional?
You are such a penis. Of course it was National who have dubbed it a war on the poor. Hard to know of course when they are being completely divorced from reality or simply bullshitting:
“You would see the poorest of New Zealanders who are purchasing second hand Japanese imports..” (Jami-Lee Ross, National’s Transport spokesperson)
Of course the “poorest New Zealanders” are far more concerned about purchasing their next meal and could only dream about having the many thousands of dollars required to buy a directly imported car.
The imported over a decade ago second hand petrol cars that the next to poorest New Zealanders buy will soon be worthless.
https://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/checkpoint/audio/2018642543/nats-petrol-car-levy-will-hurt-the-poor
It may have been National that dubbed it but they are right on this occasion. It doesn’t do the poor any favours. Hence, one has to ask what is that James Shaw up too?
Who would have thought National would have to defend the poor from James Shaw? Within seven months the Greens have gone from the party fighting for the poor to leading the attack on them. Seems Shaw is that right within some feared he would be. This will renew calls for him to go.
Of course the “poorest New Zealanders” are far more concerned about purchasing their next meal and could only dream about having the many thousands of dollars required to buy a directly imported car.
Where have you been? Some of the poorest New Zealanders live in their cars.
“Where have you been? Some of the poorest New Zealanders live in their cars.”
Boom!
I was going to drop the mike, lol.
You’ve really revealed yourself as the troll you are with this one.
Yeah, that’s your form, roll out the old troll line. That will appeal to the ignorant.
It’s James Shaw that is revealing himself.
Your defense of his stance is rather revealing as well. You come across as either a cheerleader or blue/green.
Lol, you called me a blue-green. That’s nearly as funny as when Ed claimed i was a neo-liberal.
solkta, our esteemed but self-titled Chairman is a concern troll who has for ages been masquerading as a true leftie, but who constantly looks for issues which he thinks will make either Labour or the Greens less popular with the general public if he can con other lefties into supporting leftie policies on those issues.. (He does this for Labour as well as the Greens.) He has blown his own cover so often that I have generally given up responding to him. Like rust, he persists, but unlike rust, he achieves little. McFlock is, I think, another who has no confidence in our Chairman. See his response at 5.1.1.2.1.1
Two hundred dollar wrecks. Not new imports.
“Two hundred dollar wrecks.”
Not all of them.
They’re not. They’re trying to make it so that they can get into power and attack the poor again.
And you’re helping them.
Correction, Draco.
It’s Shaw that has made them vulnerable to attack, presenting National with the opportunity. I’m just highlighting how bad it has become that National can now attack the Greens for burdening the poor.
This is all due to the stance the Greens have taken, and I personally had no role in that.
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!
Butter wouldn’t melt in your pustulent mouth.
derision and insults …as unsurprising as it is tedious
Of course. You don’t think that TC deserves a serious response, do you? That it’s somehow Shaw’s fault that the nats are making up complete bullshit about this government and Greens (National using the expression “war on the poor”, no less, the fucking hypocrites), and that TC is merely reporting their totally genuine concern at this perilous state of affairs? The concept is hilarious!
It’s not hilarious, it’s outrageous.
Following up on the Greens gifting questions away, Shaw has put the Greens in a position where National can now attack the Greens for burdening the poor. And a number of Green supporters I’ve talked to are outraged.
And it’s not bullshit. The Greens publicly announcing they are considering such a move has left them vulnerable to this form of attack.
The Greens existing provides ammunition for the nats to make shit up about them. Same with Labour existing.
National can attack the government for anything. Just as you trawl through the list of labgrn interviews to find something you can invent a concern about, a petrol levy won’t hurt the poor, at absolute worst it’ll shift them onto public transport. But then the nats don’t care about the poor (or truth) any more than you care about the issues you and the imaginary greens you talk to are genuinely concerned about your despondency of the day.
Maybe you’re not really a tory liar. Maybe your concern filter is just broken, and you’re so self important you believe you’re genuinely raising highly important issues that (despite their importance) nobody else has noticed. Either way, you’re a joke.
While the Greens and Labour’s existence provides National with opposition thus makes them a target, their mere existence doesn’t provide ammunition for them. It’s their actions, policy and proposals that can do.
Moreover, it’s not made up shit. The Greens did publicly announce they are considering such a move. And this has made the Greens far more vulnerable to this form of attack.
How National decide to attack the Government is their prerogative. And sure, their concern for the poor may well be disingenuous, but thanks to the Greens considering this proposal (of benefiting the well to do at the expense of the less well off) it has given the Nat’s attack strength.
In many cases, there isn’t sufficient public transport for people to turn too.
The concerns and feedback I present are real, not invented. And as you know, although anecdotal, the feedback has been inline with a number of polls.
How national and you attack the government is indeed your prerogative. You get to choose your concerns of the day.
If the government does something good for the environment or fiscally responsible, your guys suddenly have concern for the poor.
If the government does something good for the poor, you get to worry about efficacy or whether it’s fiscally responsible.
If the government does something that’s good for the environment, the poor, and it’s fiscally responsible, you get concerned about whether taxes are too high, or maybe businesses are feeling a little bit unconfident (the poor dears).
But your concerns are indeed made up, transient conveniences merely invented to attack the government in lieu of any genuine problems to date.
I voted Green due to their dual commitment of social justice and improving the environment.
Hence, when they make a move like this that would not only overlook their commitment of social justice but goes against it, of course I’m going to be critical. I want them to hold true to their commitment.
Whereas, the Nat’s are unlikely to want to genuinely see the Greens uphold their commitment of social justice and are more likely to see a divide being created, thus are utilizing that opportunity to pry the party apart.
We all know that Nats would prefer to see the Greens drop their social justice stance, whereas I’m critical because I want them to uphold it.
And that is the difference between my criticism and the Nats.
Gotcha. You repeat and amplify National party talking points because you really mean it, whereas they develop those talking points because they’re just hypocritical liars.
That’s not what I said. Hence, you got nothing.
Care to try again?
You honestly “want them to hold true to their commitment.”
The nats “are utilizing that opportunity to pry the party apart.”
And you started this thread with the nat line that the government has launched a “war on the poor”.
So how does that not meet the description “You repeat and amplify National party talking points because you really mean it, whereas they develop those talking points because they’re just hypocritical liars.”?
I started this thread highlighting John Campbell reporting it as being dubbed the war on the poor.
And while the criticism may be similar (which isn’t surprising as National and I are both discussing the flaws of the same issue) the difference is the end goal. I want the Greens to uphold their commitment to social justice, the Nat’s have a different agenda. As explained above.
Something for readers to ponder:
https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2018/04/30/106833/help-the-old-bomb-owners-this-time
Who dubbed it so?
That’s what I said. You repeat tory lines, but you really mean it, while they’re just hypocritical liars.
Correction, McFlock.
John Campbell repeated the tory line, I highlighted it.
And as I said to solkta, it may have been National that dubbed it but they are right on this occasion. It doesn’t do the poor any favours. If you haven’t already, see the link: https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2018/04/30/106833/help-the-old-bomb-owners-this-time
So while National may be hypocritical, they’re not lying in this instance (dubbing it the war on the poor). But we clearly have different end goals, as explained above.
So it was originally a tory line, and you “highlighted” it. But you are genuinely concerned, whereas they are not. Gotcha.
You still haven’t told us how many of the poorest New Zealanders you think purchase newly imported second hand Japanese cars.
You’ve really revealed yourself as the troll you are with this one.
Placing a levy on all fossil fuel vehicles will have a flow on effect as vehicles are traded on. So those struggling to afford to buy a car now will find it even harder going forward if this proposal is implemented.
Moreover, it’s not just the poorest New Zealanders that will be impacted, this will negatively impact many lower income households looking to buy a vehicle.
National didn’t seem too worried about the poor when they decided that their ACC rego levy reductions would be weighted heavily to newer cars.
You’re right, they didn’t. But I don’t think too many of their supporters were concerned about that.
Whereas, what’s happening here is the Greens have made themselves vulnerable to attack (as a lot of their supporters will be disappointed such as myself) thus National are seizing the opportunity presented.
Well I guess it’s true National absolutely love the poor – they must as they spent 9 years creating more of them.
Yes, and this coalition seems to be carrying on (albeit a bit softer around the edges) where National left off. Soaring food parcel demand, TPP, PPPs, regressive taxes etc…
Its early days the winter heating allowance is a pretty good help for a lot …and I’m certain the government knows a large portion of recipients will use it to simply reduce their suffering. The government avoided an enormous amount of political capital attrition in choosing this method…
Think about it!
The winter heating allowance is vastly insufficient. More so when one considers this link below:
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/opinion/102708888/way-to-be-cleared-for-big-electricity-players-to-prey-on-lowincome-households
So ponder that.
Wow what a firebrand and it gets me right where I live. I think another special post needed to discuss this interview on RadioNZ.
It otherwise could overwhelm Open Mike.
8:10 Camille Paglia – Free Women, Free Men
Camille Paglia
Feminist author and academic Camille Paglia joins Kim to talk about her latest book – a collection of her essays on modern feminism called Free Women, Free Men: Sex, Gender, Feminism.
Paglia is the University Professor of Humanities and Media Studies at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. She is the author of Glittering Images; Break, Blow, Burn; The Birds; Vamps & Tramps; Sex, Art, and American Culture and Sexual Personae.
“I,I,I,I,I,I,I,I. Me,me,me,me,me,me,me. First, first, first, first.”
I was running back and forth in my usual morning busy-ness and not giving the interview 100% but did she say very much more than I quoted above?
Audio for Camille Paglia – Free Women
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/saturday/audio/2018642586/camille-paglia-free-women-free-men
Dear Rosemary
Before she can state her opinions she has to give her background, her study, her professional expertise, her research – what she bases her opinions on. This is necessary because they are very different than what is currently being spouted in society and she meets a barrage of negative responses by affronted people who can’t lever their minds open even fractionally.
And, when you are being thoughtful and honest and thinking deeply about this blog, aren’t most of the comments all about one individual’s opinion, which usually is aired as the only reasonable approach and without any attempt at explaining the background and experience and expertise of the person giving that opinion. This is what pisses me off with people at present, too much of TS reads like the understanding of children or cult members spouting what they have been taught to think. So it’s all I, me, first from people here. And mostly just repeated from month to month without any new views being considered.
“… too much of TS reads like the understanding of children or cult members spouting what they have been taught to think.”
I am becoming increasingly frustrated with this too. Ostensibly spontaneous outbursts of flag waving and positivity at the merest hint that the current government are doing just great….
Case in point was the post yesterday about the launch (with much fanfare) of the pilot of the Enabling Good Lives/DSS System Transformation in Palmerston North.
You bet your boots I have strong opinions about disability support issues, but I would not for a second expect anyone to respect or accept merely my word or my experience or my opinion.
When able I’ll provide links to documents that hopefully folk will read if they want the true history behind the headlines.
But, alas, superficiality rules.
Back to Camille….I did find myself agreeing with some of what she was saying…but I also find myself repelled somewhat by rampant egocentrics.
Busy day today….but I will try to listen to the podcast….
A number of sharp insights mixed with complete lunacy such as AGW denial.
All underpinned by massive egotism. Closer inspection by someone brighter than me might bring out the internal inconsistencies in what she is saying – Kim pushed a little way down this line of questioning.
Always a good listen Prof Paglia.
She’s a smart lady with some original ideas – but not all of them are wise. They do tend to be better informed than most academic superstitions though. It really takes a bunch of folk like her with differing views to shake down the failed assumptions of contemporary society and social policy into a new synthesis.
What a difference a day makes… maybe DPRK isn’t an insane tyranny… the path New Zealand could have taken a socialist green paradise like DPRK.
😆 a socialist green paradise 😆
Yes, because our 1080 riddled, cow shit and nitrate soaked landscape is a much better example of “clean and green” – well said.
And our poor are homeless.
https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/355962/our-homeless-community-is-going-to-be-bigger-than-ever
And our poor lack food.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/356160/the-auckland-city-mission-has-almost-run-out-of-canned-food
And our poor die young.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/356024/children-in-poorest-areas-three-times-more-likely-to-die
And, despite these ghastly statistics, some New Zealanders don’t care about our poor. Because they themselves are alright.
+1 Ed. NZ can’t exactly point fingers given the shabby truth behind the shiny PR.
According to the interview North Korea has ample free housing. While New Zealand has the worst homeless rate in the developed world (OECD).
Sorry Maui I honestly thought you were taking the Michael with your comment and YouTube post.
Amazing that isnt it – you are happy to see that North Korea has tons of free housing – yet its population is starving to death.
Any idea why they are starving? That would be amazing if you find out and share it with us.
Bit like the wrong side of Chicago, then!
Always a little skeptical of tapes with a looped video in the background. An “independent journalist” wanting a reputation for honesty would look for both sides – there are plenty of North Korean emigres/refugees in South Korea (and China) who could have filled in the gaps in her story.
Sure Kim Jong Un is a lovely fellow – poisoning one’s brother in Macao with VX gas is perfectly consistent with good governance – under his kind of monarchy.
Saw this on Robin Westenra’s excellent blog.
Trouble brewing between Russia and the Ukraine
http://robinwestenra.blogspot.co.nz/2018/04/ukraine-threatens-russia.html
What the hell happened here? This needs exposure so the manager involved can’t continue
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12040773
A government employee died in a suspected suicide just ten days after complaining to management he was the victim of sustained, unresolved workplace bullying.
However, the Housing New Zealand staff member’s death was not notified to health and safety authorities for six months – despite new regulations requiring agencies to report any death “arising out of the conduct of a business” to WorkSafe immediately.
Concerned colleagues, who claim the man was so stressed he was pulling out his hair, say they fear the death will be “swept under the carpet”.
“I was there when he died, and that’s when I decided to leave too. I didn’t want to become a statistic,” a former co-worker said. “They knew he was unwell. And they should have referred it to WorkSafe to be investigated.”
Is that a link to the herild?
Did not click.
Deeply disturbing.
“Five people gave accounts of the months before the man’s death, saying his decline from a bubbly, confident team member began when a new manager was appointed in late 2016.”
Definitely needs to be investigated as that’s indicative of the manager purposefully making life hell for the guy.
A brave person indeed to link to an article in the Herald when the Peoples’ Front of The Standard have declared a ban on anything from that particular publication.
However this is an article by the very able and capable Kirsty Johnston…a journalist whose fine work will be overlooked by those seemingly unable to sort the wheat from the chaff.
I guarantee Kirsty will continue to write articles that will force light into darkened places.
Why is New Zealand’s media ignoring what the UN has described as the “the world’s largest food security emergency” on earth?
https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2018/03/saudi-arabia-no-amount-of-flattering-pr-can-hide-human-rights-crackdown-under-reformer-crown-prince/
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/08/23/world/middleeast/yemen-cholera-humanitarian-crisis.html
https://cruxnow.com/global-church/2018/04/26/faith-based-groups-say-fighting-created-humanitarian-crisis-in-yemen/
Maybe because it would mean challenging our best mate, Saudi Arabia.
Some countries get missiles fired at them.
Others not.
https://www.rt.com/news/424847-saudis-blamed-yemen-strike/
It is disgusting and meanwhile everyone is wanking on about Syria. The WWE (great friends of Trump) recently held a huge event in Saudi, called “the greatest royal rumble”, as if it is a civilised nation. No women were allowed to participate.
One step forward with the proposal for Grey Lynn cohousing, and one step back in Hastings with neighbours concerns with social cohesion and property values.
https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/natioanal/356160/the-auckland-city-mission-has-almost-run-out-of-canned-food
“This time last year we were averaging between 750 and 800 food parcels given out each month. This year we’ve given out over 1000 for January, February and March and this last month we gave out 1150.”
Canned food such as spaghetti, tuna, tomatoes, and vegetables will go a long way to feeding those in need, Ms Sawyers said.
Food can be dropped off at the mission on Hobson street, or at the New World supermarkets at Victoria Park and Devonport.
About time the government declared an emergency.
This country has clearly been allowed to go to rack and ruin by Key’s Vichy regime.
Time to take on the banks, finance institutions and global corporations.
Yes, martial law and the Dictatorship of the Greenetariat is now the only solution.
I would highly recommend you read Tony Veitch (not etc)’s policies to solve the world’s most pressing issues.
The bit you should see is this.
Tony Veitch (not etc) then lists these policies ( all highly sensible given the crises we are facing ) and ends with this…..
Ummm, AsleepWhileWalking linked to a radionz article about the demand on foodbanks. That particular problem is really easy to fix.
Yes it is.
But not in a neoliberal straight-jacket.
There are more alternatives than Neo-liberalism and the Dictatorship of the Greenetariat.
‘Greenetariat.’
We are discussing the following ecological crises.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/oct/20/insectageddon-farming-catastrophe-climate-breakdown-insect-populations
And you resort to name calling……
No, i’m describing the type of authoritarian state that you want to create.
Would you have called New Zealand or Britain an authoritarian state during World War 2?
I am proposing, like ‘Tony Veitch (not etc)’ that we put the country ( and the world) on a war footing to mitigate the effects of the climate catastrophe coming our way.
Your concerns about your freedom to consume crap comes a poor second to preserving ecosystems on this planet.
When there actually is a war then people are more likely to give general consent to a more authoritarian state, and this is what happened to a large extent during WW2. You keep saying “the government should [insert authoritarian act]” where there is no mandate from the public for this to happen.
If the current government were to implement just one of your ideas they would then have no chance of re-election. What you must be saying then is that the government should suspend democracy and become a dictatorship (how you think they would get the army to cooperate i don’t know).
Yes, and all the rich pricks should give up all their money to this government and give it away to the poorer people.
That will make everyone poorer then and nothing to grizzle about.
They were made to in China. Now everyone there is richer, according to the right wing comments on here.
NZ is a wealthy country.
Each year the wealthiest 10% of NZers could ‘gift’ 1% of their true wealth for (re)distribution to the least wealthy 40% of NZers.
Given the current magnitude of wealth inequality in NZ, where the top 10% control at least 60% of the total wealth, this redistribution would hugely improve the standard of living of the poorest 40% in just a few years, while having a minimal impact on the top 10% whose wealth would continue to grow, albeit more slowly than before.
The twin strangleholds of neo-liberalism and wealth addiction, however, make meaningful, progressive redistribution all but impossible.
Of course especially Britatin was totalitarian during WW2 (dunno about NZ, but they’d dug air raid trenches in Dunedin’s Octagon, so there was a bit of a worry on here, too).
They locked a woman up for witchcraft, had checkpoints, everyone had to carry their papers, and almost all food was strictly rationed.
But it was a temporary state of affairs, not a permanent one.
It’s only a crisis when the majority thinks and votes that way. That’s a basic problem with all human systems: there are always disenfranchised people, and always externalised (environmental) costs resulting from human activity. I don’t think martial law is gonna solve the inherent flaws of the human condition, that is an ideal offered only by religious faith.
(I’m not saying we should do nothing though)
Is it?
The problem is caused by the structure of our society and the fact that a few people have control over almost all of it and those people aren’t the government.
So, how would fix it given this structural problem?
Raise the minimum wage and benefit levels plus all the work being done on housing. No need for an authoritarian state to do those things.
But Ed likes to conflate every issue and come back to the same solution for everything. And that solution involves ditching our democratic and human rights.
Raise the minimum wage and benefit levels plus all the work being done on housing.
And the rich simply put the prices up and grab all that extra money for themselves.
So, not a fix. Just a papering over the problem of private ownership of the nations wealth.
So why then did we not have such a need for foodbanks in the 1950/60/70s?
60% top income tax rate and child support.
We weren’t competing in a global economy
Wasn’t that supposed to make us more prosperous?
Because we had governments running a full employment policy?
Because we had compulsory unionism and people actually engaged in the political process?
Because the majority of women spent the majority of their time at home instead of going to work decreasing the workforce? (No, I don’t want to remove women from the workforce).
Because the state actually owned a hell of a lot more instead of selling it off to the rich and foreigners?
Because we didn’t have foreign ownership?
Because of 60% or higher taxes on the well off?
Because we didn’t have GST.
There are many reasons why we were better off then than we are now and there’s been a lot of changes.
The question is which ones do we need to change back and which new ones we need to dump and which ones just need changes? Hell, a sovereign monetary system may be all that’s needed (It’s not – we really do need to get rid of foreign ownership and permanent residents).
Change has to be structural and radical .
Change the economic model – from one that prioritises people, not business and the rich.
Adopt policies that are socialist and ecological.
Stop the growth model.
Build local trade networks. Stop import of all unnecessary goods. Learn to live on our land base.
Change the business model ( ban corporations and set up cooperatives And other democratic workplace arrangements )
Change the tax structure so the rich cannot evade or avoid tax. Introduce a distributive tax system.
Warning: Auckland people, more outages are happening with this storm. Stay warm, and safe, stay off the roads if you can.
4 days without the Herald.
Feeling happier,calmer and more peaceful without its pollution in my life.
Excellent Ed – I am sure you will soon be entering a Higher Plane of consciousness.
I do advise against visiting cafes in the Auckland region where copies of the Herald can be see lying around, looking increasingly dishevelled by mid-afternoon, like a degenerate toff in a smoking jacket who started too early on the port.
I make a point of lifting the offending object from in front of me between thumb and forefinger and dropping it on a vacant table with a loud comment to the family – “just removing this toxic right-wing rag” – and then wiping my hands on a serviette. Great fun.
Sort of sad people get so carried away or fixated on politics they close thier mind to anything perecived to be outside thier world view Even worse when you hear of people ending friendships or relationships simply because a significant other may have a different political view From observation seems to be more of a left wing thing where intersectional politics takes precedent over the right and respect of an individual to hold a different view Becomes even more toxic if you are part of a left appointed victim class, minority,arts or cultural class and you even contemplate sharing a differing non left view ie Kanye West, Shania Twayne been two most recent examples
If you think it is a left wing thing ,you have never been to a Chamber of Commerce or Federated Farmers, meeting.
Agreed it is mostly toxic waste comprising daily regurgitations from Hosking, Hooton, HDPA, Soper, et al.(and the usual endless spruiking of Auckland property) But there are still a few real journalists there so I’ll read it for that.
Yep understand Hoskins Hooton hate club but what about when some one other than a journalist does not tow the leftist line, more so thinking of the viterol that Kanya west and shania Twain got when they did not follow the leftist playbook, ie s black man and an artist broke ranks with identity politics, that’s what I found interesting, Hooton, Hoskin, yep I get it, but what about others,?
The Herald: a general rule of thumb is that it’s pro Establishment propaganda
I don’t go for that, no nooo, no can do
viterol WTF is that?
Sorry barfly most people have the cognitive ability to pick up a word irrespective of 100pc correct spelling, but especially for you “vitriol” by the way what’s WTF, is it another wrestling federation 😊
Glad to see you are thinking you are 100% politically correct but unfortunately your comment is still nonsense.
How so, I take that you can’t or as you don’t seem to be devoid of thinking there is some truth in what I say and this disturbs you, looking in mirror and all that
I do advise against visiting cafes in the Auckland region where copies of the Herald can be see lying around…
😳
An amused and gentle piss-take is much more civilised than just insulting someone.
Unfortunately, there are so many fragile thin-skinned egos who cannot take a hint or joke and who feel personally insulted at the slightest. We need more satire in NZ MSM.
I will have you know I have not bought a NZ Herald in years. Must go, its time for my daily trim flat white fix from the local cafe. 😉
Edit: oh, and a savoury muffin.
Yet Another story about a lack of workers for a particular industy, that does not include a single mention of the pay and conditions on offer.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/countrylife/audio/2018642486/perfect-storm-hits-nz-fruit-industry
The power is out AGAIN in West Auckland. Seriously, Vector are a complete bunch of clowns.they don’t have the severity of the storm to hide behind this time. Thousands of Aucklanders can’t cook dinner on a Saturday night because of Vectors spectacular failure to plan or invest. Vector needs to be re-nationalised.
It was never “Nationalised” previously. True?
I heard James said he would put on a barbeque for anyone without power in remmers or had kids at a decile 10 school…
Vector is an SOE.
“Run like a business, of course”!
Wasn’t that supposed to make power cheaper and stop all those power cuts we had under State control. When Engineers, not accountants, were in charge.
Repeal the Andarko Amendment
“Govt drops charges against Greenpeace”
Greenpeace Friday, 27 April 2018, 9:16 am
Press Release: Greenpeace
Govt drops charges against Greenpeace following Amazon Warrior action
Source: Greenpeace
The Andarko Amendment made it illegal to “protest against oil ships at sea.”
Even Muldoon never went this far….
If Muldoon had made it illegal to protest nuclear ships, or Springbok games, tens of thousands of New Zealanders would have been detained and put on trial.
This law cannot, and must not stand.
It is an affront to our democracy.
Related Posts and comments:
Defeat the Andarko Ammendment, and build the protests on the water against deep sea oil drilling.
Greenpeace v Simon Bridges
This is not what democracy looks like.
This is not what democracy looks like. II
Demand the Acquittal of the Andarko Two
If democracy means anything at all, it means more than having the right to vote, it means having the right right to speak out, it means having the right to protest.
That right is only afforded to farmers. With tractors.
Because it’s Saturday night.
The apologists for the Assad regime, are no friend of the Palestinians.
http://www.actionpal.org.uk/en/post/7019
The destruction of Yarmouk Palestininian refugee camp, repeats the destruction of The Palestinian refugee camp in Latakia, A place I know well.
http://www.actionpal.org.uk/en/post/7007/news-and-reports/palestinian-and-syrian-journalists-and-figures-the-destruction-of-yarmouk-camp-has-killed-a-witness-of-the-nakba-and-is-the-liquidation-of-the-right-of-return
“On The Allies We’re Not Proud Of: A Palestinian Response to Troubling Discourse on Syria
Joey Ayoub
The Hui I have lived in the King Country and the power bills were shocking expensive the power price in Te tairawhiti are just as bad to $500 a month I want to teach the tangata about how cheap I could build a solar power battery storage system for less than a years power Ka kite ano
The Hui as my eyes widen and I see more of the reality of Maori culture tangata I realise that I have to change my views and now I am backing Te reo to be compulsory for all Maori Mokopunas as OUR culture is being suppress and if we lose Te REO we will lose Maori culture. The Mokopunas needs to learn all the fabulous traditions to. Kia kaha Maori culture tangata. Ka kite ano
Here you go a shonky cover up and what a mess they have left behind in the oyster aquculture.
If the Kiwi fruit industry stuck there head in the sand they would be stuck in a mess because they alerted everyone they are pumping now here’s the link
https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2018/04/25/106218/culture-of-silence-or-a-cover-up Ka kite ano
Is it a coincidence that 3 locations that have the highest prices for power are the 3 places with high Maori populations high unemployment.
The pay 500 a month for power and only have a TV fridge and freezer going thats reduclise.
ECO MAORI does not believe in coincidences Ana to kai Kia kaha Maori culture tangata Ka kite ano
Tairawhiti North land and Te kuiti
Good evening Newshub I just got back to Rotorua from the farm the sandflys don’t like ECO MAORI education the people about the symptoms of the system in NZ.
Sailing is in the Kiwi DNA Ka pai Lady’s
Jordan is a big guy Ka pai I wish him all the best in his journey up his ladder of life.
That was a big tackle is that Benje Bro he handled THAT. P.S I Hope its fine tomorrow
Ka kite ano
Dancing With The Stars Jesse Quni and Johnny you go for it Ka pai.
Rodger you got more rhythm than me m8 I got no rhythm I will back you Ka pai Ka kite ano
Sharon is Bryce baby sitting you should have got him to dance Ka kite ano