Further evidence that New Zealand is highly vulnerable to the oncoming global economic collapse.
‘Fonterra cuts farmer milk payout
Fonterra has cut its farmgate milk price forecast for the 2015/6 season to $4.15 a kg of milksolids from a previous forecast of $4.60 a kg in response to weak international prices.
Combined with the earnings per share range of 45-55 cents, the total available for payout of $4.60-$4.70 per kg and would currently equate to a forecast cash payout of $4.50-$4.55 per kg for farmers, it said.
Chairman John Wilson said global economic conditions continue to be challenging and are impacting demand for a range of commodities, including dairy.
“Key factors driving dairy demand are declining international oil prices which have weakened the spending power of countries reliant on oil revenues, economic uncertainty in developing economies and a slow recovery of dairy imports into China,” he said in a statement.’
I don’t know about anyone else’s experience but in my personal sphere of life I have yet to come across a man-made climate change denier who isn’t male, white and over 30. I am going to speculate that this is an indirect offshoot of the “white men are right” school of thought (sometimes known as “the white man’s burden) that permeated Anglo-Saxon colonised countries over the past 100-150 years. Today, remnants of this philosophy are expressed in the individual viewpoints of white males, who actually have no more power as individuals in society than women, other cultures etc, but still presume that they possess an innate wisdom thanks to their race and sex that is superior to science and the general facts of the matter.
Perhaps, the same psychological tendency (the cult of superior knowingness due to one’s sex and race) are expressed in other forms in other parts of the world.
I’ve come across one early 20s white female, educated in an engineering field, that appeared to be a climate change denier. Not a definite sighting of a very rare species, I didn’t get a chance to fully confirm it.
Interesting observation. I’d hazard a guess that some of it is the fact that AGW is going to fuck the patriarchy’s stranglehold on things and the older white men who have benefited the most from the patriarchy have the most to lose. Cognitive dissonance. Probably the sociopathic effect too (white men having more socialisation in that direction).
Interesting and plausible theory pineapple. Certainly I have observed this phenomenon in this category of people many many times.
For the record however, I do know of at least 3 women who are active climate change deniers, ages between 45- 55. They are all nat voters and think climate change is a con made up by the loony left to make us feel bad and “bad weather” happens. I kid you not.
To test for the trend amongst conservative white males, the researchers compared the demographic to “all other adults.” Results showed, for instance, that 29.6 percent of conservative white males believe the effects of global warming will never happen, versus 7.4 percent of other adults. In holding for “confident” conservative white males, the study showed 48.4 percent believe global warming won’t happen, versus 8.6 percent of other adults.
Yes, with any luck Goff will be gone but there’s still the group of dissenters, saboteurs and general trouble makers for Labour: Shearer, Nash, Cosgrove , Mallard, King.
There is a small risk that Shearer would use any punishment by Little to resign from Labour and go to his true home, National. There is nothing Mrs & Mr Shearer will not do to become Min for Foreign Affairs or at least an Ambassador.
Neonicotinoids — the pesticides threatening bees — are a vicious neurotoxin used on 100 million acres of farmland, lawns, and gardens across the US. Bees can’t avoid them because they are everywhere. They spread through soil and water, and cannot be washed off of food. A government study even found them in 29% of baby food!
The US is considering action after releasing a study showing that one of the most common neonics is “very highly toxic to adult honey bees.” But without pressure the government may only limit the use of these toxins — even though studies show that low doses can disrupt bees’ learning, memory and motor functions. We’ve already begun by funding leading scientists and engaging stakeholders. Now is the time for millions of voices to demand the US environment agency and the White House stop the use of these dangerous chemicals altogether.
Seventy out of the world’s top 100 food crops are pollinated by bees! We would have food in a world without bees, but the vivid diversity of native plants, fruits and vegetables would be lost. …ps. Bees are just totally amazing. They form matriarchal societies that communicate with each other by dancing … their honeycombs are one of the most efficient structures in nature … and their brains can actually stop aging (possibly giving us signs on how to stop dementia)! Let’s help save these incredible creatures together: https://secure.avaaz.org/en/save_the_bees_global_2016sam/?bRtXRcb&v=71926&cl=9333005379
The chemical companies would like us to believe that what happens to insects has no impact on people. But in our interconnected ecosystem the death of even tiny creatures like bees ripples through us too. As Rachel Carson, who led the charge against DDT, said: “In nature nothing exists alone.” We all depend on each other. We need the bees and the bees need us.
With hope,
Nell, Dalia, Ari, Ben, Emma, Alice, Emily and the entire Avaaz team
i have a nice garden with lots of fruit trees and i don’t use anything ever. Let nature sort it is my motto and so far it worked. However this year i have not seen a single bee, and many people that I know that garden for food are also not seeing them, but are hand pollinating, or contemplating getting someone in with a hive in the future or establishing their own hive. This is not an option for me as I rent in town, but i am contemplating a hive set up once i move permanently to the paddock of paradise.
On Thursday 4 February 2016 – from 12 noon till 1pm a non-violent, family- friendly peaceful protest against the proposed signing of the TPPA is being organised in Auckland – from Aotea Square to Britomart.
Hopefully THOUSANDS of concerned New Zealanders will fill Queen Street over this one hour lunch break – to show our opposition to the proposed signing of the TPPA.
This peaceful protest, called by the ‘It’s Our Future’ group – is NOT going to Sky City – it is going up Queen Street, in hopefully a MASSIVE display of ‘people power’.
Come on folks!
We need Queen PACKED with New Zealanders who care about our country and OUR future!
Be there!
Stand up and be counted for yourself, your family, your children and grandchildren!
Together – in our THOUSANDS let’s show this John Key led Government and THE WORLD how many genuine, caring Kiwis are opposed to increasing global corporate control over our land, our resources and our sovereignty!
Because – on 4 February 2016 – the world WILL be watching …
You could have saved yourself the trouble of typing John Key.
“Ignoring referenda is de rigueur for the Government”
There have been, if my memory is correct, five referenda that got through to a vote. Everyone of them passed and was then ignored by Parliament.
One went to the Bolger Government, two to the Clark Government and two to the Key Government.
Ignoring the results of referenda is common to the lot of them, isn’t it?
I fear you may be confusing me with someone else.
Nothing Corbyn might do would surprise me.
I think he is a total idiot.
I also haven’t the slightest interest in the Falklands except to feel sorry for the people who live in that god-forsaken place.
What happens to them is up to Britain.
If the occupation was fine, then they probably should. But if they’ve been living on stolen land for a couple of hundred years, then it’s still stolen land.
If that is the case we are going to have to hand it back to France then, although I doubt that Hollande would be keen on the idea.
According to Wiki
“The islands were uninhabited when discovered by Europeans. France established a colony on the islands in 1764. In 1765, a British captain claimed the islands for Britain. In early 1770 a Spanish commander arrived from Argentina with five ships and 1400 soldiers forcing the British to leave Port Egmont. Britain and Spain almost went to war over the islands, but the British government decided that it should withdraw its presence from many overseas settlements in 1774. Spain, which had a garrison at Puerto Soledad on East Falklands, ruled the islands from Buenos Aires until 1811 when it was forced to withdraw. In 1833, the British returned to the Falkland Islands. Argentina invaded the islands on 2 April 1982. The British responded with an expeditionary force that forced the Argentines to surrender.”
You work it out. If I read it correctly then Spain abandoned the place in 1811 and Britain has been there continuously from when they came back in 1833.
Anyhoo, not really my problem to work out. That’s what diplomatic processes and international conventions are for. Of course, if bilateral talks manage to resolve the issue to the satisfaction of both parties, for example maybe Britain negotiating compensation to Argentina to keep the territory, and agreeing some sort of sharing thing on mineral rights and fisheries, then none of those processes need to be worked through.
No reason not to talk about it – sticking to some sort of neoThatcherite jingoism might well cost a shedload more than acting like a reasonable human being.
It’s not like Corbyn demanded the islands be turned over to the Argentines as soon as possible, but curse him for daring to mention having a conversation to resolve a longstanding international dispute…
You actually sounded interested in the subject and were presenting an either/or scenario when you said
“If the occupation was fine, then they probably should. But if they’ve been living on stolen land for a couple of hundred years, then it’s still stolen land”
Being a good hearted chap I decided to try and get you something that might help resolve the confusion you were in.
I see you are one of those who do not wish to have that confusion caused by your ignorance alleviated. I shall try and abstain from taking part in your education in future. I reserve the right to point out any excessively silly comments you make though.
Technically of course it seems to me that they were never part of Argentina. They were ruled by Spain until they abandoned them in 1811. Argentina didn’t exist until 1816, I think.
The question was regarding how much weight should be given to the wishes of 1600 voting-eligible residents.
The answer is pretty simple: if the land is stolen, then very little.
The issue of ownership is a legal question that can be avoided via diplomatic negotiations.
Our opinions of the legality of the British occupation are irrelevant: I know you like thinking that you know better than multiple judicial systems, but the fact is that you probably don’t. Neither do I. And the legal opinions of commenters on a NZ blogsite will almost certainly not affect the policies of either Britain or Argentina.
Spain abandoned them to fight the Argentine war of independence. Territorial legitimacy went from Spain to the newly independent Argentina, according to their point of view. The British left them well before the Spanish did. Even the yanks had a tilt.
But that’s all irrelevant to what was asked: the easiest way to provide long term security for the residents is for Britain to negotiate with Argentina and come to some sort of settlement.
I do like the fact the Islanders were asked, though – that’s something the Chagos islanders never got from Britain.
Well there is one thing we agree on. Neither of us is a lawyer.
As far as “The British left them well before the Spanish did.” goes though it looks as if the British were forced out by the Spanish, if my Wiki extract is accurate.
That was being mean talking about the “Chagos islanders”. I had to google it. If you had said Diego Garcia I wouldn’t have needed to.
Lots of bad things have happened to people living in offshore places of course.
I don’t think the people of Goa had any say in their annexation by India.
The people of Hong Kong didn’t get a choice did they?
Neither did all the countries dominated by the USSR after WW2. At least not until the USSR collapsed.
Russia sold Alaska to the USA. Did anyone ask the residents.
Where do you want to stop. Can we send all the Scots back to Ireland?
I merely mentioned DG/Chagos because I found it humourous that a mere 40 years later the British government/media is pretending to care about what 1600 residents think.
Basically, yeah, it goes back as long as the effects go back. That’s why Canada’s working to redress wrongs against First Nations folk by creating a new province. That’s why Mt McKinly is back to being called Denali. The resolution isn’t “sending people back where they came from”, the resolution is accepting that parties feel wrongs happened and providing some manner of individual, national or systemic reparation to resolve the wrongs that occurred. It’s not being a pushover, it’s just having a conversation to see the other party’s point of view and see if the issue can be addressed, rather than letting it fester so three jerks with a license plate don’t cause a riot.
News flash Fox news becomes Trumps punching bag, how distracting, how boring, how predictable, how did this become headline TV news? Spin cycle USA has no place here
John Milford is pants. I don’t know how or why he gets so much media space. He has been growing his right wing lobbying power for over a decade now, mainly at a local level here in Wellington but alarmingly he seems to be given column space for national political issue which he knows nothing of, eg, the TPPA.
I’m not sure why fairfax look to him as such an oracle of economic wisdom when he was CE of Kirkcaldies and Staines all this time and for so long yet managed to run a successful iconic business that had been standing for over 150 years, into the ground, only to bought out by the aussies.
What an oaf. He’s really got it in for the workers too. It’s just sheer mean spiritedness to take WCC to court over their extension of the payment of the living wage from council staff to their contractors too.
To be honest Rosemary, I’ve discovered how dysfunctional and ineffective our council is, during my constant dealings with them over the last year. I could write an essay about the hypocrisy, undeclared conflicts of interest and arrogance from council managers, council officials and councillors themselves. Quite shocking as I naively thought I’d been voting in the right people over the last two terms.
I think the only thing they have managed to get right in that time is the move to the living wage for council employee’s and the recent extension of that living wage to their contractors – only for Milford to come and stick his oar in……..
That version of what happened to Kirks is a bit distorted Rosie.
It went the way of every small department store. It was to small to have the buying power of the large companies like David Jones or Myer in Australia.
Lots of them died. I remember Daimaru and Georges in Melbourne went the same way. Georges was a wonderful shop but their customers, so the firm said, stopped buying goods from Italy and France from them because they could go to Europe themselves 2 or 3 times a year.
I think Kirks did amazingly well to last as long as they did. You cannot blame the CEO for something that was inevitable.
True, the CE was only part of it, but he could have done more. I met the guy some time ago and was surprised at how out of touch he was with the reality of day to day retailing, for someone in his position.
There were changes in the retail sector and Kirks were faced with a valid challenge but a smart cookie could have done more. He could have started by listening to the floor managers.
PS. As one of our frequent WCC bashers you may be interested to read my response to Rosemary, from the other side of the ideological fence 🙂
Para one I agree with you.
However Para two.
I don’t think very much of the “Living Wage”.
It is calculated on the basis of a hypothetical married couple with two kids if I remember rightly. Then it is supposed to be paid to everyone.
I am a believer that you pay, with a limited minimum, the wage to get people to do the job. Then the state makes up, by things like working for families, the income for those who have dependents and who can’t live on the pay they receive.
Why does a 20 year old single person living with his parents need the hypothetical “living wage”.
When a Council do it it is also being paid by a lot of pensioners whose only income is National Super and whose only asset is their house, to people who are getting a higher income than they are.
alwyn, perhaps you might like to invent an explanation as to why the failed K. & S. CEO has also managed to lose half the members of the Chamber of Commerce since taking over there. It is about time he was relegated to the persona non grata status that his incompetence deserves.
I have no intention of attempting any such thing.
I don’t know the man. I have no way of knowing whether what you say about the CoC is correct and I wasn’t really talking about him at all.
I was talking about what happened to Kirks. Exactly the same thing that happened to the DIC, Radfords and James Smiths in Wellington.
It died in exactly the same way as all singleton department stores died. It was simply too small to compete with the chains and couldn’t match the range of goods in the various specialist shops. It was a business model which had passed its use by date.
Milford happened to be the CEO at the time. However it wouldn’t have mattered who it was. It didn’t fold BECAUSE of him. RIP.
What’s the rush for New Zealand to sign the TPPA when the USA may never pass the TPPA through Congress?
If YOU are opposed to NZ signing the TPPA – there will be a one hour, peaceful protest in Auckland on Thursday 4 February 2016.
Starting at Aotea Square and going up Queen Street to Britomart.
This ‘family-friendly’ peaceful protest will NOT be going to Sky City.
Looking forward to THOUSANDS of New Zealanders ‘standing up to be counted’ for that one hour in Queen St, against more corporate control of our country, our assets and resources, our democracy and national sovereignty.
This was interesting to see so far from Skycity and this far out from the 4th of February. Does anyone know of any other police intimidation tactics re the TPPA (other than announcing riot training)?
a Dunedin transgender activist who goes by the gender-neutral pronoun ‘they’, said an officer knocked on their door at about 10 this morning.
The officer wanted to know what the plans were for anti-TPP action in Dunedin… The Dunedin-based TPP action group – of which Scout is not a member – has planned a talk on the TPP tomorrow, and an “action event” is planned to take place in the Octagon from 12-2:30 on Saturday.
Police could not immediately be reached with a request for comment.
Thats a real worry Pasupial and very intimidating for someone that doesn’t even have anything to do with the anti TPP group. I wonder if Scout can find out if the police have been surveilling them – they must have been to turn up at their doorstep?
On top of that is the fact that police now carry tasers at protests:
Personally, I find this very intimidating and believe it demonstrates an unhealthy aggressive attitude from the police towards people peacefully exercising their democratic right to protest.
Something has changed. During the 2011 (2011? Lost track of time) Occupy movement, police were low key and generally fairly relaxed with people occupying civic square in Wellington. Now though, the level of police preparedness and sense of mild paranoia seems to have increased. Why?
Ha! It’s not like we’re fighting back, so whats changed?
What’s changed? Well, in Dunedin this may provide some link:
Superintendent Mike Pannett, who took over from acting district commander Jason Guthrie this week… Supt Pannett has just returned from four years in Washington DC, where he was chairperson of the Washington DC Liaison Office Association, which covered North, Central and South America.
Supt Pannett is a member of the International Chiefs of Police Committee on Terrorism
Detective Superintendent Mike Pannett, the New Zealand Police Liaison Officer in the United States, monitored “termination activities” against Dotcom’s Megaupload operations in nine countries from the FBI’s Multi-Agency Command Centre. Created by the FBI’s Law Enforcement Online (LEO) network in 2002, the Virtual Command Centre (VCC) enables enforcement agencies to post, track and spread information in a quick, secure environment.
Fed from multiple inputs in the field, the VCC exists on a secure system for any designated audience members online… “Feedback on the New Zealand operation has been extremely positive from our international law enforcement partners including the FBI and the US Department of Justice,” Mr Pannett reported in the February Police online magazine, TenOne.
Detective Superintendent Mike Pannett, New Zealand police liaison officer in Washington, has been ordered to swear an affidavit, setting out full details of the monitoring he was a party to from the FBI’s Multi Agency Command Centre.
Mr Pannett was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2009 before he was appointed manager of intelligence operations at the National Intelligence Centre based at Police National Headquarters in Wellington
It does seem strange that when the ODT asked the Dunedin police for comment on their allegedly having harassed an activist, they; “could not immediately be reached with a request for comment”. Yet the very next story to this in the online ODT Dunedin section was a puff piece about how an establishment minion was all set to bring to peace to the region in some unspecified manner.
Which is largely based on this (if you don’t want to expose yourself to Bradbury’s words):
Prominent anti-TPP protestor Professor Jane Kelsey said such monitoring of critics to the controversial agreement was “entirely predictable” behaviour from the Government, and shows the “disrespect the Government has had throughout to people’s right to voice their dissent about this negotiation and this agreement”
“This is perfectly consistent with their attempts to shut down democratic engagement with, almost anything, but certainly with the TPPA.”
The Government was attempting to make a law and order issue out of the opposition to the agreement, she said, by painting those in opposition to it as radicals who posed a national security risk…
“If the Government could “whip up some law and order frenzy” in advance of the signing, she said, it believed it could “claw back some support … for what is largely an unpopular deal”…
Civil liberties lawyer Michael Bott said the police action would have a “chilling” effect on freedom of expression and the right to protest.
“These people haven’t committed any crime and yet the police are going to conduct a search or an interview, and there are legal concerns with that.”
Thanks Pasupial. Very interesting! I’m out of time now but want to return to this tomorrow. Saw the article on 3news about Scout, their dealings with police and Michael Bott’s response.
“Austrian athlete and daredevil, Felix Baumgartner, known for his super-sonic leap from the stratosphere, has bashed EU politicians for their “idiotic” refugee policies in a lengthy post. He added that Washington is destabilizing Europe “on purpose.” “
It is sad to learn of the passing of the very colourful former Labour minister, Bob Tizard this afternoon. I knew Bob and his close friend the late Warren Freer very well in the 1970s and 80s, and they were two of the most likeable rogues that ever graced the treasury benches. Their various escapades over the years are legendary.
A good argument for keeping most of our names hidden for having an opposing view to the Govt http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11581217 Police knocking on doors of (so called) activists to give them a heads up they are keeping an eye on them with regard to TPPA protests.
Paul give it a rest it’s becoming dull. Do you surf the Internet all day looking for doomsday articles, where do you find the time, do something a bit more cheerful some time it will be good for your spirit
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Placards and mourners outside the Kilbirnie Mosque following the Christchurch terror attack: MSD has terminated the Kaiwhakaoranga service, which has been used by 415 families since the attacks. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: The Government’s pledge to only cut ‘back office’ staff rather than ‘frontline’ services is on increasingly shaky ground, with ...
There’s been a few smaller public transport announcements over the last week or so that I thought I’d cover in a single post. Fareshare I’ve long called for Auckland Transport to offer a way to enable employer-subsidised public transport options. The need for this took on even more importance ...
Parliament’s speaker had no option but to refer Green MP Julie Anne Genter to the Privileges Committee for her behaviour in the House last Wednesday evening. The incident, in which she crossed the floor to wave a book and yell at National Minister Matt Doocey, reflects poorly on Genter and ...
On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
Who likes being sneered at? Nobody. Worse yet, when the sneerer has their facts all wrong, and might well be an idiot.The sneer in question is The adults are in charge now, and it is a sneer offered in retort to criticism of this new Government, no matter how well ...
When in government, Labour pushed to extend the Parliamentary term to four years, to reduce accountability and our ability to vote out a bad government. And now, they're trying to do it through the member's ballot, with a Four-Year Parliamentary Term Legislation Bill. The bill at least requires a referendum ...
A ballot for a single Member's Bill was held today, and the following bill was drawn: Public Works (Prohibition of Compulsory Acquisition of Māori Land) Amendment Bill (Hūhana Lyndon) The bill would prevent the government from stealing Māori land in breach of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. It ...
Simeon Brown, alongside Wayne Brown, is favouring a political figleaf now in exchange for loading up tens of millions in extra interest costs on Auckland ratepayers. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Ratings agency Standard & Poor’s is pushing back hard at suggestions from Local Government Minister Simeon Brown and Mayor Wayne Brown ...
Buzz from the Beehive One headline-grabber from the Beehive yesterday was the OECD’s advice that the government must bring the Budget deficit under control or face higher interest rates. Another was the announcement of a $1.9 billion “investment” in Corrections over the next four years. In the best interests of ...
Chris Trotter writes – Had Zheng He’s fleet sailed east, not west, in the early Fifteenth Century, how different our world would be. There is little reason to suppose that the sea-going junks of the Ming Dynasty, among the largest and most sophisticated sailing vessels ever constructed, would have failed ...
David Farrar writes – Two articles give a useful contrast in balance. Both seek to be neutral explainer articles. This one in the Herald on Social Investment covers the pros and cons nicely. It links to critical pieces and talks about aspects that failed and aspects that are more ...
The tikanga regulations will compel law students to be taught that a system which does not conform with the rule of law is nevertheless law which should be observed and applied…Gary Judd KC writes – I have made a complaint to Parliament’s Regulation ...
The future of Te Huia, the train between Hamilton and Auckland, has been getting a lot of attention recently as current funding for it is only in place till the end of June. The government initially agreed to a five year trial, through to April 2026, but that was subject ...
TL;DR: Hamas has just agreed to Israel’s ceasefire plan. Nelson hospital’s rebuild has been cut back to save money. The OECD suggests New Zealand break up network monopolies, including in electricity. PM Christopher Luxon’s news conference on a prison expansion announcement last night was his messiest yet.Here’s my top six ...
A homicide in Ponsonby, a manhunt with a killer on the run. The nation’s leader stands before a press conference reassuring a frightened nation that he’ll sort it out, he’ll keep them safe, he’ll build some new prison spaces.Sorry what? There’s a scary dude on the run with a gun ...
Hi,I know it’s been awhile since there’s been any Webworm merch — and today that all changes!Over the last four months, I’ve been working with New Zealand artist Jess Johnson to create a series of t-shirts, caps and stickers that are infused with Webworm DNA — and as of right ...
The OECD’s chief economist yesterday laid it on the line for the new Government: bring the deficit under control or face higher Reserve Bank interest rates for longer. And to bring the deficit under control, she meant not borrowing for tax cuts. But there was more. Without policy changes—introducing a ...
After a hiatus of over four months Selwyn Manning and I finally got it together to re-start the “A View from Afar” podcast series. We shall see how we go but aim to do 2 episodes per month if possible. … Continue reading → ...
In 2008, the UK Parliament passed the Climate Change Act 2008. The law established a system of targets, budgets, and plans, with inbuilt accountability mechanisms; the aim was to break the cycle of empty promises and replace it with actual progress towards emissions reduction. The law was passed with near-universal ...
Buzz from the Beehive Local Water Done Well – let’s be blunt – is a silly name, but the first big initiative to put it into practice has gone done well. This success is reflected in the headline on an RNZ report:District mayors welcome Auckland’s new water deal with ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate ConnectionsA farmworker cleans the solar panels of a solar water pump in the village of Jagadhri, Haryana Country, India. (Photo credit: Prashanth Vishwanathan/ IWMI) Decisions made in India over the next few years will play a key role in global ...
Lindsay Mitchell writes – The Children’s Minister, Karen Chhour, intends to repeal Section 7AA from the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989 because it creates conflict between claimed Crown Treaty obligations and the child’s best interests. In her words, “Oranga Tamariki’s governing principles and its act should be colour ...
Geoffrey Miller writes – The gloves are off. That might seem to be the undertone of surprisingly tough talk from New Zealand’s foreign and trade ministers. Winston Peters, the foreign minister, may be facing legal action after making allegations about former Australian foreign minister Bob Carr on Radio New Zealand. ...
Brian Easton writes – This is about the time that the Treasury will be locking up its economic forecasts to be published in the 2024 Budget Economic and Fiscal Update (BEFU) on budget day, 30 May. I am not privy to what they will be (I will report on them ...
TL;DR:Winston Peters is reported to have won a budget increase for MFAT. David Seymour wanted his Ministry of Regulation to be three times bigger than the Productivity Commission. Simeon Brown is appointing a Crown Monitor to Watercare to protect the Claytons Crown Guarantee he had to give ratings agencies ...
The gloves are off. That might seem to be the undertone of surprisingly tough talk from New Zealand’s foreign and trade ministers. Winston Peters, the foreign minister, may be facing legal action after making allegations about former Australian foreign minister Bob Carr on Radio New Zealand. Carr had made highly ...
I could be a florist'Round the corner from Rye LaneI'll be giving daisies to craziesBut, baby, I'll wrap you up real safe Oh, I can give you flowers At the end of every dayFor the center of your table, a rainbowIn case you have people 'round to stay Depending on ...
TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to May 12 include:PM Christopher Luxon is scheduled to hold a post-Cabinet news conference at 4 pm today. Finance Minister Nicola Willis will give a pre-budget speech on Thursday.Parliament sits from Question Time at 2pm on ...
The price of the foreign affairs “reset” is now becoming apparent, with Defence set to get a funding boost in the Budget. Finance Minister Nicola Willis has confirmed that it will be one of the few votes, apart from Health and Education and possibly Police, which will get an increase ...
A listing of 26 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 28, 2024 thru Sat, May 4, 2024. Story of the week "It’s straight out of Big Tobacco’s playbook. In fact, research by John Cook and his colleagues ...
Yesterday I received come lovely feedback following my Star Wars themed newsletter. A few people mentioned they’d enjoyed reading the personal part at the beginning.I often begin newsletters with some memories, or general thoughts, before commencing the main topic. This hopefully sets the mood and provides some context in which ...
April 30 was going to be the day we’d be calling Mum from London to wish her a happy birthday. Then it became the day we would be going to St. Paul's at Evensong to remember her. The aim of the cathedral builders was to find a way to make their ...
Today New Zealand First will introduce a Member’s Bill that will protect women’s spaces. The ‘Fair Access to Bathrooms Bill’ will require, primarily in the interest and safety of women and girls, that all new non-domestic publicly accessible buildings provide separate, clearly demarcated, unisex and single sex bathrooms. This Bill ...
The Green Party is welcoming Climate Change Minister Simon Watts’ continuation of Hon. James Shaw’s cross-party work on climate adaptation, now in the form of a Finance and Expenditure Committee Inquiry. ...
The National Government plans to cut 390 jobs at ACC, including roles in the areas of prevention of sexual violence, road safety and workplace safety. ...
The Government has been caught in opposition to evidence once again as it looks to usher in tried, tested and failed work seminar obligations for job-seeking beneficiaries. ...
The Green Party is welcoming the announcement by the Minister Responsible for RMA Reform Chris Bishop to approve most of the Wellington City Council’s District Plan recommendations. ...
David Seymour has failed to get the sweeping cuts he wanted to the free and healthy school lunch programme, Labour education spokesperson Jan Tinetti said. ...
Hon Willie Jackson has been invited by the Oxford Union to debate the motion “This House Believes British Museums are not Very British’ on May 23rd. ...
Green Party MP Hūhana Lyndon says her Public Works (Prohibition of Compulsory Acquisition of Māori Land) Amendment Bill is an opportunity to right some past wrongs around the alienation of Māori land. ...
A senior, highly respected King’s Counsel with decades of experience in our law courts, Gary Judd KC, has filed a complaint about compulsory tikanga Māori studies for law students - highlighting the utter depths of absurdity this woke cultural madness has taken our society. The tikanga regulations will compel law ...
The Government needs to be clear with the people of the Nelson Marlborough region about the changes it is considering for the Nelson Hospital rebuild, Labour health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall said. ...
Ministers must front up about which projects it will push through under its Fast Track Approvals legislation, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
The Government is again adding to New Zealand’s growing unemployment, this time cutting jobs at the agencies responsible for urban development and growing much needed housing stock. ...
With Minister Karen Chhour indicating in the House today that she either doesn’t know or care about the frontline cuts she’s making to Oranga Tamariki, we risk seeing more and more of our children falling through the cracks. ...
The Labour Party is saddened to learn of the death of Sir Robert Martin, a globally renowned disability advocate who led the way for disability rights both in New Zealand and internationally. ...
Labour is calling for the Government to urgently rethink its coalition commitment to restart live animal exports, Labour animal welfare spokesperson Rachel Boyack said. ...
Today’s Financial Stability Report has once again highlighted that poverty and deep inequality are political choices - and this Government is choosing to make them worse. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to do more for our households in most need as unemployment rises and the cost of living crisis endures. ...
Unemployment is on the rise and it’s only going to get worse under this Government, Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said. Stats NZ figures show the unemployment rate grew to 4.3 percent in the March quarter from 4 percent in the December quarter. “This is the second rise in unemployment ...
The New Zealand Labour Party welcomes the entering into force of the European Union and New Zealand free trade agreement. This agreement opens the door for a huge increase in trade opportunities with a market of 450 million people who are high value discerning consumers of New Zealand goods and ...
The National-led Government continues its fiscal jiggery pokery with its Pharmac announcement today, Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall says. “The government has increased Pharmac funding but conceded it will only make minimal increases in access to medicine”, said Ayesha Verrall “This is far from the bold promises made to fund ...
This afternoon’s interim Waitangi Tribunal report must be taken seriously as it affects our most vulnerable children, Labour children’s spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime. ...
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
New Zealand voted in favour of a resolution broadening Palestine’s participation at the United Nations General Assembly overnight, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The resolution enhances the rights of Palestine to participate in the work of the UN General Assembly while stopping short of admitting Palestine as a full ...
Introduction Good morning. It’s a great privilege to be here at the 2024 Infrastructure Symposium. I was extremely happy when the Prime Minister asked me to be his Minister for Infrastructure. It is one of the great barriers holding the New Zealand economy back from achieving its potential. Building high ...
Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced the upcoming Budget will include new funding of $571 million for Defence Force pay and projects. “Our servicemen and women do New Zealand proud throughout the world and this funding will help ensure we retain their services and expertise as we navigate an increasingly ...
New Zealand’s ability to cope with climate change will be strengthened as part of the Government’s focus to build resilience as we rebuild the economy, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “An enduring and long-term approach is needed to provide New Zealanders and the economy with certainty as the climate ...
Jobseeker beneficiaries who have work obligations must now meet with MSD within two weeks of their benefit starting to determine their next step towards finding a job, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “A key part of the coalition Government’s plan to have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker ...
A new standalone Social Investment Agency will power-up the social investment approach, driving positive change for our most vulnerable New Zealanders, Social Investment Minister Nicola Willis says. “Despite the Government currently investing more than $70 billion every year into social services, we are not seeing the outcomes we want for ...
Check against delivery Good morning. It is a pleasure to be with you to outline the Coalition Government’s approach to our first Budget. Thank you Mark Skelly, President of the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce, together with your Board and team, for hosting me. I’d like to acknowledge His Worship ...
Your Excellency Ambassador Meredith, Members of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassadors from European Union Member States, Ministerial colleagues, Members of Parliament, and other distinguished guests, Thank you everyone for joining us. Ladies and gentlemen - In diplomacy, we often speak of ‘close’ and ‘long-standing’ relations. ...
The Therapeutic Products Act (TPA) will be repealed this year so that a better regime can be put in place to provide New Zealanders safe and timely access to medicines, medical devices and health products, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello announced today. “The medicines and products we are talking about ...
The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop, today released his decision on twenty recommendations referred to him by the Wellington City Council relating to its Intensification Planning Instrument, after the Council rejected those recommendations of the Independent Hearings Panel and made alternative recommendations. “Wellington notified its District Plan on ...
Rape Awareness Week (6-10 May) is an important opportunity to acknowledge the continued effort required by government and communities to ensure that all New Zealanders can live free from violence, say Ministers Karen Chhour and Louise Upston. “With 1 in 3 women and 1 in 8 men experiencing sexual violence ...
Associate Education Minister David Seymour has today announced that the Government will be delivering a more efficient Healthy School Lunches Programme, saving taxpayers approximately $107 million a year compared to how Labour funded it, by embracing innovation and commercial expertise. “We are delivering on our commitment to treat taxpayers’ money ...
New research on the impacts of extreme weather on coastal marine habitats in Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay will help fishery managers plan for and respond to any future events, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. A report released today on research by Niwa on behalf of Fisheries New Zealand ...
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters will lead a broad political delegation on a five-stop Pacific tour next week to strengthen New Zealand’s engagement with the region. The delegation will visit Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and Tuvalu. “New Zealand has deep and ...
There has been a material decline in gas production according to figures released today by the Gas Industry Co. Figures released by the Gas Industry Company show that there was a 12.5 per cent reduction in gas production during 2023, and a 27.8 per cent reduction in gas production in the ...
Defence Minister Judith Collins tonight announced the recipients of the Minister of Defence Awards of Excellence for Industry, saying they all contribute to New Zealanders’ security and wellbeing. “Congratulations to this year’s recipients, whose innovative products and services play a critical role in the delivery of New Zealand’s defence capabilities, ...
Welcome to you all - it is a pleasure to be here this evening.I would like to start by thanking Greg Lowe, Chair of the New Zealand Defence Industry Advisory Council, for co-hosting this reception with me. This evening is about recognising businesses from across New Zealand and overseas who in ...
It is a pleasure to be speaking to you as the Minister for Digitising Government. I would like to thank Akolade for the invitation to address this Summit, and to acknowledge the great effort you are making to grow New Zealand’s digital future. Today, we stand at the cusp of ...
New Zealand is urging both Israel and Hamas to agree to an immediate ceasefire to avoid the further humanitarian catastrophe that military action in Rafah would unleash, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The immense suffering in Gaza cannot be allowed to worsen further. Both sides have a responsibility to ...
A new online data dashboard released today as part of the Government’s school attendance action plan makes more timely daily attendance data available to the public and parents, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. The interactive dashboard will be updated once a week to show a national average of how ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced Rosemary Banks will be New Zealand’s next Ambassador to the United States of America. “Our relationship with the United States is crucial for New Zealand in strategic, security and economic terms,” Mr Peters says. “New Zealand and the United States have a ...
The Government is considering creating a new tier of minerals permitting that will make it easier for hobby miners to prospect for gold. “New Zealand was built on gold, it’s in our DNA. Our gold deposits, particularly in regions such as Otago and the West Coast have always attracted fortune-hunters. ...
Minister for Trade Todd McClay today announced that New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will commence negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA). Minister McClay met with his counterpart UAE Trade Minister Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi in Dubai, where they announced the launch of negotiations on a ...
New Zealand Sign Language Week is an excellent opportunity for all Kiwis to give the language a go, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. This week (May 6 to 12) is New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) Week. The theme is “an Aotearoa where anyone can sign anywhere” and aims to ...
Six tertiary students have been selected to work on NASA projects in the US through a New Zealand Space Scholarship, Space Minister Judith Collins announced today. “This is a fantastic opportunity for these talented students. They will undertake internships at NASA’s Ames Research Center or its Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), where ...
New Zealanders will be safer because of a $1.9 billion investment in more frontline Corrections officers, more support for offenders to turn away from crime, and more prison capacity, Corrections Minister Mark Mitchell says. “Our Government said we would crack down on crime. We promised to restore law and order, ...
The OECD’s latest report on New Zealand reinforces the importance of bringing Government spending under control, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The OECD conducts country surveys every two years to review its members’ economic policies. The 2024 New Zealand survey was presented in Wellington today by OECD Chief Economist Clare Lombardelli. ...
The Government has delivered on its election promise to provide a financially sustainable model for Auckland under its Local Water Done Well plan. The plan, which has been unanimously endorsed by Auckland Council’s Governing Body, will see Aucklanders avoid the previously projected 25.8 per cent water rates increases while retaining ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters discussed the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and enhanced cooperation in the Pacific with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock during her first official visit to New Zealand today. "New Zealand and Germany enjoy shared interests and values, including the rule of law, democracy, respect for the international system ...
The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop today released his decision on four recommendations referred to him by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, opening the door to housing growth in the area. The Council’s Plan Change 92 allows more homes to be built in existing and new ...
Thank you, John McKinnon and the New Zealand China Council for the invitation to speak to you today. Thank you too, all members of the China Council. Your effort has played an essential role in helping to build, shape, and grow a balanced and resilient relationship between our two ...
The Government is modernising insurance law to better protect Kiwis and provide security in the event of a disaster, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly announced today. “These reforms are long overdue. New Zealand’s insurance law is complicated and dated, some of which is more than 100 years old. ...
The coalition Government is refreshing its approach to supporting pay equity claims as time-limited funding for the Pay Equity Taskforce comes to an end, Public Service Minister Nicola Willis says. “Three years ago, the then-government introduced changes to the Equal Pay Act to support pay equity bargaining. The changes were ...
Structured literacy will change the way New Zealand children learn to read - improving achievement and setting students up for success, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “Being able to read and write is a fundamental life skill that too many young people are missing out on. Recent data shows that ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay says Canada’s refusal to comply in full with a CPTPP trade dispute ruling in our favour over dairy trade is cynical and New Zealand has no intention of backing down. Mr McClay said he has asked for urgent legal advice in respect of our ‘next move’ ...
The rights of our children and young people will be enhanced by changes the coalition Government will make to strengthen oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, including restoring a single Children’s Commissioner. “The Government is committed to delivering better public services that care for our most at-risk young people and ...
The Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can ...
New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
Good evening – Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us. ...
From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
“Instead of following along countries that are investing in death and better ways of killing people faster, we need to invest in life and in making Aotearoa a fair, just and equitable place where everyone has what they need for a dignified life.” ...
MARIAMENO KAPA-KINGI, TPM MP FOR TAI TOKERAU This Government will not waver in its mission to exterminate Māori. CHRISTOPHER LUXON Oh well look you know I don’t think that hard-working Kiwis want to hear language like that. It’s just really unhelpful rhetoric. My Government is genuinely committed to advancing outcomes ...
The body positivity movement started with women confronting the unrealistic expectations and unrepresentative portrayals of them in media and advertising. Men weren’t part of it … their bodies hadn’t been sexualised to the same extremes and they didn’t really need it. But now that’s changed. And in a warped sort ...
The New Zealand comedy legend takes us through her life in television, including the time she hugged Elton John and the unshakeable legacy of a girl named Lyn. In 1981, Ginette McDonald stood on the stage of Auckland’s St James Theatre and directly addressed Queen Elizabeth II. It was a ...
An essay by Lily Duval from the just-released anthology Otherhood: Essays on being childless, childfree and child adjacent.I was 22 when my friend Alice gave birth in the living room of our pokey Addington flat. She laboured in the blow-up pool for hours. Garish fish swam along the inflated ...
Ella Borrie on the best books about motherhood she’s come across so far. Over the past few years I’ve been drawn to books about motherhood. I’m fascinated by the joys and horrors of becoming a parent. The question of children also feels more pressing than it used to. It’s like ...
Out of gift ideas for mum? You can’t go wrong with a bottle of toilet cleaner and a new squeegee. Emily Writes is the writer and editor of Emily Writes Weekly. This week marks five years since I published a post on The Spinoff about Mother’s Day marketing titled ‘A ...
My husband is posted overseas for 12 months and I’m armed with an expensive, newfangled vibrator. Will I miss him? The Sunday Essay is made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand.A few days after my husband leaves, a new sex toy arrives at the front door. Nestled ...
Jaimie Baird’s new book Here Today Gone Tomorrow is a record of four decades of graffiti and street art in Wellington, told through more than 1,200 photographs. He spoke with Joel MacManus about what inspired the book. How did you first get interested in photographing street art? I remember ...
Editor Madeleine Chapman looks back at a busy week where food of all political leanings dominated. Sometimes you’re just going about your week thinking you’ve got a good handle on what might be coming as far as news topics and then someone (usually a politician) says something so ridiculous that ...
A banner notification alerts me to the fact that I’ve received an Instagram message from @felicity.loves. She always comments on my posts. I shouldn’t have opened the message, but clicked on the notification before rationalising this. OMG! Are you in Wellys? X I debate not replying, but Instagram will inform ...
In Melbourne’s hardscrabble western suburbs where AFL – Aussie rules football – is a state religion, Callum Donaldson has been quietly grafting away, four months into an odyssey that he hopes will take him to another promised land: the NRL. It was a solid 2023 for the softly spoken 20-year-old ...
Pacific Media Watch Television New Zealand Pacific correspondent Barbara Dreaver has been made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to investigative journalism and Pacific communities in a ceremony at Government House, reports 1News. She has been the Pacific correspondent for 1News since 2002, breaking many ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Tuesday’s budget will respond to the deepening public agitation over Australia’s housing shortages by pouring new money into crisis accommodation for women and children, social housing and infrastructure. A specially-convened national cabinet late Friday ticked ...
By Kaneta Naimatu in Suva Journalists in the Pacific region play an important role as the “eyes and ears on the ground” when it comes to reporting the climate crisis, says the European Union’s Pacific Ambassador Barbara Plinkert. Speaking at The University of the South Pacific (USP) on World Press ...
Aldora Itunu is back in the Black Ferns squad after a three-year absence. The last of her 24 internationals was an underwhelming loss to France (7-29) in Castres to conclude the disastrous 2021 Northern Tour. The powerhouse prop won a Rugby World Cup in 2017 and thought she was done. ...
The fight to control major transport policy and projects in Auckland has burst into the open again, with councillors rejecting Mayor Wayne Brown’s latest attempt to steer things more under his influence. Councillors from the left and right broke ranks on the mayor’s bid to control Auckland Transport more directly ...
Exhausted by the general election campaign, horrified by the twilight zone of coalition negotiations, distracted by the silly season and waiting for the honeymoon to begin, Raw Politics has been in hibernation since October. From today, we’re back. Our weekly political video show and podcast returns for ...
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk Authorities in the small town of Boulouparis have commemorated Armistice Day on May 8 with a new memorial honouring New Zealand soldiers who were stationed in New Caledonia during World War II. The ceremony took place in the township on the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sara Dehm, Senior lecturer, international migration and refugee law, University of Technology Sydney The High Court unanimously ruled today that the Australian government can keep asylum seekers in immigration detention indefinitely in cases where they do not “voluntarily” cooperate with their own ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kim Munro, Lecturer, Creative Industries and Digital Media, University of South Australia Twenty-four hours after the release of Macklemore’s pro-Palestine protest song Hind’s Hall on social media on May 7, the video had already notched up over 24 million views. In ...
Failing to anticipate the complexity of the consenting system is being cited as the the current builder's shortcomings, an Infrastructure Commission review says. ...
350 Aotearoa is calling the Environment Select Committee’s decision to allow oral submissions from just 40% of individual, unique submitters who asked to speak to the committee ‘a disgraceful blight to democracy’. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Helal, Assistant Dean (Sustainability), The University of Melbourne Dubai skylineAleksandarPasaric/Pexels Since ancient times, people have built structures that reach for the skies – from the steep spires of medieval towers to the grand domes of ancient cathedrals and mosques. Today ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Edward Musole, PhD Law Student, University of New England Girts Ragelis/ShutterstockRecent trends show Australians are increasingly buying wearables such as smartwatches and fitness trackers. These electronics track our body movements or vital signs to provide data throughout the day, with ...
Papua New Guinea experienced a significant earthquake on 24 March in East Sepik and there has also been recent flooding there and in surrounding provinces. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yousuf Mohammed, Dermatology researcher, The University of Queensland Maridav/Shutterstock You wake up, stagger to the bathroom and gaze into the mirror. No, you’re not imagining it. You’ve developed face wrinkles overnight. They’re sleep wrinkles. Sleep wrinkles are temporary. But as your ...
The Environment Select Committee has just announced that 60 percent of individuals who asked to speak at the hearings will not be heard. This equates to almost 700 people who made individual submissions and more than 1000 more who made a form submission. ...
The Royal New Zealand Ballet is performing Swan Lake around the country. What kind of dream does the ballet sell?Before going to see the Royal New Zealand Ballet perform Swan Lake, I had about as much familiarity with the plot of this ballet as could be expected from having ...
A new poem by Auckland poet Eamonn Tee. High Tide at Local Maxima It is only going to get worse. The streams will be narrow and fickle. The week will bend and buckle like a pot-bellied waist. You will make it to the weekend with one ...
The New Zealand entrepreneur behind beauty business Ethique is gearing up to launch a new eco-venture. This is an excerpt from our weekly environmental newsletter Future Proof. Sign up here. Our thirst for a tasty bevvy is insatiable, but it comes with a hefty plastic price for the planet: 580 billion ...
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Further evidence that New Zealand is highly vulnerable to the oncoming global economic collapse.
‘Fonterra cuts farmer milk payout
Fonterra has cut its farmgate milk price forecast for the 2015/6 season to $4.15 a kg of milksolids from a previous forecast of $4.60 a kg in response to weak international prices.
Combined with the earnings per share range of 45-55 cents, the total available for payout of $4.60-$4.70 per kg and would currently equate to a forecast cash payout of $4.50-$4.55 per kg for farmers, it said.
Chairman John Wilson said global economic conditions continue to be challenging and are impacting demand for a range of commodities, including dairy.
“Key factors driving dairy demand are declining international oil prices which have weakened the spending power of countries reliant on oil revenues, economic uncertainty in developing economies and a slow recovery of dairy imports into China,” he said in a statement.’
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11580883
I don’t know about anyone else’s experience but in my personal sphere of life I have yet to come across a man-made climate change denier who isn’t male, white and over 30. I am going to speculate that this is an indirect offshoot of the “white men are right” school of thought (sometimes known as “the white man’s burden) that permeated Anglo-Saxon colonised countries over the past 100-150 years. Today, remnants of this philosophy are expressed in the individual viewpoints of white males, who actually have no more power as individuals in society than women, other cultures etc, but still presume that they possess an innate wisdom thanks to their race and sex that is superior to science and the general facts of the matter.
Perhaps, the same psychological tendency (the cult of superior knowingness due to one’s sex and race) are expressed in other forms in other parts of the world.
I’ve come across one early 20s white female, educated in an engineering field, that appeared to be a climate change denier. Not a definite sighting of a very rare species, I didn’t get a chance to fully confirm it.
Interesting observation. I’d hazard a guess that some of it is the fact that AGW is going to fuck the patriarchy’s stranglehold on things and the older white men who have benefited the most from the patriarchy have the most to lose. Cognitive dissonance. Probably the sociopathic effect too (white men having more socialisation in that direction).
Interesting and plausible theory pineapple. Certainly I have observed this phenomenon in this category of people many many times.
For the record however, I do know of at least 3 women who are active climate change deniers, ages between 45- 55. They are all nat voters and think climate change is a con made up by the loony left to make us feel bad and “bad weather” happens. I kid you not.
To test for the trend amongst conservative white males, the researchers compared the demographic to “all other adults.” Results showed, for instance, that 29.6 percent of conservative white males believe the effects of global warming will never happen, versus 7.4 percent of other adults. In holding for “confident” conservative white males, the study showed 48.4 percent believe global warming won’t happen, versus 8.6 percent of other adults.
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-conservative-white-maes-are-more-likely-climate-skeptics/
It looks like it’s not a white dude thing so much as a conservative white dude thing.
I really hope they got this wrong:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/12117736/NUT-leaders-colluding-to-undermine-anti-terror-policies.html
Little has to drop Shearer from any spokesman role and sanction him if Shearer votes for TPP.
+100
Yes, with any luck Goff will be gone but there’s still the group of dissenters, saboteurs and general trouble makers for Labour: Shearer, Nash, Cosgrove , Mallard, King.
Any more ?
Can Labour risk, financially that is, one possibly two by-elections?
There is a small risk that Shearer would use any punishment by Little to resign from Labour and go to his true home, National. There is nothing Mrs & Mr Shearer will not do to become Min for Foreign Affairs or at least an Ambassador.
So who blinks first? Of course the most likely outcome is that nothing will actually happen…
AVAAZ have just sent out a request for support for their petition about bee protection to the USA. This is really important, and I need to do more about it so am going to add my name and I give the link here. And this below is what they say:
https://secure.avaaz.org/en/save_the_bees_global_2016sam/?bRtXRcb&v=71926&cl=9333005379
Neonicotinoids — the pesticides threatening bees — are a vicious neurotoxin used on 100 million acres of farmland, lawns, and gardens across the US. Bees can’t avoid them because they are everywhere. They spread through soil and water, and cannot be washed off of food. A government study even found them in 29% of baby food!
The US is considering action after releasing a study showing that one of the most common neonics is “very highly toxic to adult honey bees.” But without pressure the government may only limit the use of these toxins — even though studies show that low doses can disrupt bees’ learning, memory and motor functions. We’ve already begun by funding leading scientists and engaging stakeholders. Now is the time for millions of voices to demand the US environment agency and the White House stop the use of these dangerous chemicals altogether.
Seventy out of the world’s top 100 food crops are pollinated by bees! We would have food in a world without bees, but the vivid diversity of native plants, fruits and vegetables would be lost. …ps. Bees are just totally amazing. They form matriarchal societies that communicate with each other by dancing … their honeycombs are one of the most efficient structures in nature … and their brains can actually stop aging (possibly giving us signs on how to stop dementia)! Let’s help save these incredible creatures together: https://secure.avaaz.org/en/save_the_bees_global_2016sam/?bRtXRcb&v=71926&cl=9333005379
SOURCES
Neonicotinoids are the new DDT killing the natural world (The Guardian)
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/georgemonbiot/2013/aug/05/neonicotinoids-ddt-pesticides-nature
Bees threatened by a common pesticide, EPA finds (LA Times)
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-pesticide-bees-20160106-story.html
The public consultation has just opened. Join the call below to protect bees, and the foods and plants we love — and tell everyone.
https://secure.avaaz.org/en/save_the_bees_global_2016sam/?bRtXRcb&v=71926&cl=9333005379
The chemical companies would like us to believe that what happens to insects has no impact on people. But in our interconnected ecosystem the death of even tiny creatures like bees ripples through us too. As Rachel Carson, who led the charge against DDT, said: “In nature nothing exists alone.” We all depend on each other. We need the bees and the bees need us.
With hope,
Nell, Dalia, Ari, Ben, Emma, Alice, Emily and the entire Avaaz team
BACKGROUND
The EPA Finally Admitted That the World’s Most Popular Pesticide Kills Bees—20 Years Too Late (Mother Jones)
http://m.motherjones.com/tom-philpott/2016/01/epa-finds-major-pesticide-toxic-bees
EPA Study Finds Insecticide Imidacloprid Poses Threat to Bees (Bloomberg)
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-01-06/epa-study-finds-insecticide-imidacloprid-poses-threat-to-bees
What Is Killing America’s Bees and What Does It Mean for Us? (Rolling Stone)
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/what-is-killing-americas-bees-and-what-does-it-mean-for-us-20150818#ixzz3x4W3XznX
i have a nice garden with lots of fruit trees and i don’t use anything ever. Let nature sort it is my motto and so far it worked. However this year i have not seen a single bee, and many people that I know that garden for food are also not seeing them, but are hand pollinating, or contemplating getting someone in with a hive in the future or establishing their own hive. This is not an option for me as I rent in town, but i am contemplating a hive set up once i move permanently to the paddock of paradise.
we should worry.
Grow some lavender in your garden, it attracts bees like moths to a flame, the ones that are left that is!
Parata closes Whangaruru, we lose $4.2 million dollars, vulnerable students face further upheaval and discontinuity of education.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/76334545/hekia-parata-closes-whangaruru-charter-school-after-two-years
Any winners here? The guy who the board bought the farm off, I suppose. Well done him!
Parata closes Whangaruru, we lose $4.2 million dollars, vulnerable students face further upheaval and discontinuity of education.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/76334545/hekia-parata-closes-whangaruru-charter-school-after-two-years
Any winners here? The guy who the Whangaruru board bought the farm off, I suppose. Well done him!
Since it’s not clear that assets return to the government that paid for them, there may be trustees or trust beneficiaries that get a windfall.
Good little earthquake in Christchurch just now, 4.2. Haven’t felt one in about a year.
A little bit of a shake out near Rolleston
On this matter – I agree with Chris Trotter.
The 0.004% Mandate: Why opponents of the TPPA should boycott Real Choice’s “blockade” on 4 February
– See more at: http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2016/01/28/the-0-004-mandate-why-opponents-of-the-tppa-should-boycott-real-choices-blockade-on-4-february/#.dpuf
Please be reminded:
On Thursday 4 February 2016 – from 12 noon till 1pm a non-violent, family- friendly peaceful protest against the proposed signing of the TPPA is being organised in Auckland – from Aotea Square to Britomart.
Hopefully THOUSANDS of concerned New Zealanders will fill Queen Street over this one hour lunch break – to show our opposition to the proposed signing of the TPPA.
This peaceful protest, called by the ‘It’s Our Future’ group – is NOT going to Sky City – it is going up Queen Street, in hopefully a MASSIVE display of ‘people power’.
Come on folks!
We need Queen PACKED with New Zealanders who care about our country and OUR future!
Be there!
Stand up and be counted for yourself, your family, your children and grandchildren!
Together – in our THOUSANDS let’s show this John Key led Government and THE WORLD how many genuine, caring Kiwis are opposed to increasing global corporate control over our land, our resources and our sovereignty!
Because – on 4 February 2016 – the world WILL be watching …
Please help to pass the word!
Penny Bright
The UK Government taking our Governments fawning relationship with the Saudi Regime to the next level…
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jan/27/un-report-into-saudi-led-strikes-in-yemen-raises-questions-over-uk-role
Anyone got any idea why the herald on the eve of wisharts book has suddenly decided to print a flood of sounds murder stuff they have been sitting on?
As an experiment
Does anyone here agree with ignoring a referendum where 99.8% voted for the status quo? Are is it just Jeremy Corbyn who is anti-democratic?
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/argentina/12117755/Jeremy-Corbyn-wants-a-Northern-Ireland-style-power-sharing-deal-for-the-Falklands.html
Ignoring referenda is de rigueur for the John Key government.
You could have saved yourself the trouble of typing John Key.
“Ignoring referenda is de rigueur for the Government”
There have been, if my memory is correct, five referenda that got through to a vote. Everyone of them passed and was then ignored by Parliament.
One went to the Bolger Government, two to the Clark Government and two to the Key Government.
Ignoring the results of referenda is common to the lot of them, isn’t it?
So why are you surprised Corbyn might do the same?
I fear you may be confusing me with someone else.
Nothing Corbyn might do would surprise me.
I think he is a total idiot.
I also haven’t the slightest interest in the Falklands except to feel sorry for the people who live in that god-forsaken place.
What happens to them is up to Britain.
Apologies, you all sound the same to me.
A constant drone.
that is still 3 for National and 2 for Labour.
Your guys win. 🙂
True, your arithmetic is impeccable.
On the other hand it was 13 years National and only 9 for Labour. The scheme started in 1993.
It is quite amazing really how few got right through the process.
There were about 45 that were proposed.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Referendums_in_New_Zealand#Table_of_petitions_and_referendums
Hard to say without a full background on how the Falklands ended up in British hands.
So the people living on the island and have lived there for generations don’t have a say in the matter?
If the occupation was fine, then they probably should. But if they’ve been living on stolen land for a couple of hundred years, then it’s still stolen land.
If that is the case we are going to have to hand it back to France then, although I doubt that Hollande would be keen on the idea.
According to Wiki
“The islands were uninhabited when discovered by Europeans. France established a colony on the islands in 1764. In 1765, a British captain claimed the islands for Britain. In early 1770 a Spanish commander arrived from Argentina with five ships and 1400 soldiers forcing the British to leave Port Egmont. Britain and Spain almost went to war over the islands, but the British government decided that it should withdraw its presence from many overseas settlements in 1774. Spain, which had a garrison at Puerto Soledad on East Falklands, ruled the islands from Buenos Aires until 1811 when it was forced to withdraw. In 1833, the British returned to the Falkland Islands. Argentina invaded the islands on 2 April 1982. The British responded with an expeditionary force that forced the Argentines to surrender.”
You work it out. If I read it correctly then Spain abandoned the place in 1811 and Britain has been there continuously from when they came back in 1833.
That’s about as cut and dried as you’re likely to get in international relations I’d have thought
lol
what’s this “we”?
Anyhoo, not really my problem to work out. That’s what diplomatic processes and international conventions are for. Of course, if bilateral talks manage to resolve the issue to the satisfaction of both parties, for example maybe Britain negotiating compensation to Argentina to keep the territory, and agreeing some sort of sharing thing on mineral rights and fisheries, then none of those processes need to be worked through.
No reason not to talk about it – sticking to some sort of neoThatcherite jingoism might well cost a shedload more than acting like a reasonable human being.
It’s not like Corbyn demanded the islands be turned over to the Argentines as soon as possible, but curse him for daring to mention having a conversation to resolve a longstanding international dispute…
You actually sounded interested in the subject and were presenting an either/or scenario when you said
“If the occupation was fine, then they probably should. But if they’ve been living on stolen land for a couple of hundred years, then it’s still stolen land”
Being a good hearted chap I decided to try and get you something that might help resolve the confusion you were in.
I see you are one of those who do not wish to have that confusion caused by your ignorance alleviated. I shall try and abstain from taking part in your education in future. I reserve the right to point out any excessively silly comments you make though.
Technically of course it seems to me that they were never part of Argentina. They were ruled by Spain until they abandoned them in 1811. Argentina didn’t exist until 1816, I think.
The question was regarding how much weight should be given to the wishes of 1600 voting-eligible residents.
The answer is pretty simple: if the land is stolen, then very little.
The issue of ownership is a legal question that can be avoided via diplomatic negotiations.
Our opinions of the legality of the British occupation are irrelevant: I know you like thinking that you know better than multiple judicial systems, but the fact is that you probably don’t. Neither do I. And the legal opinions of commenters on a NZ blogsite will almost certainly not affect the policies of either Britain or Argentina.
Spain abandoned them to fight the Argentine war of independence. Territorial legitimacy went from Spain to the newly independent Argentina, according to their point of view. The British left them well before the Spanish did. Even the yanks had a tilt.
But that’s all irrelevant to what was asked: the easiest way to provide long term security for the residents is for Britain to negotiate with Argentina and come to some sort of settlement.
I do like the fact the Islanders were asked, though – that’s something the Chagos islanders never got from Britain.
Well there is one thing we agree on. Neither of us is a lawyer.
As far as “The British left them well before the Spanish did.” goes though it looks as if the British were forced out by the Spanish, if my Wiki extract is accurate.
That was being mean talking about the “Chagos islanders”. I had to google it. If you had said Diego Garcia I wouldn’t have needed to.
Lots of bad things have happened to people living in offshore places of course.
I don’t think the people of Goa had any say in their annexation by India.
The people of Hong Kong didn’t get a choice did they?
Neither did all the countries dominated by the USSR after WW2. At least not until the USSR collapsed.
Russia sold Alaska to the USA. Did anyone ask the residents.
Where do you want to stop. Can we send all the Scots back to Ireland?
I merely mentioned DG/Chagos because I found it humourous that a mere 40 years later the British government/media is pretending to care about what 1600 residents think.
Basically, yeah, it goes back as long as the effects go back. That’s why Canada’s working to redress wrongs against First Nations folk by creating a new province. That’s why Mt McKinly is back to being called Denali. The resolution isn’t “sending people back where they came from”, the resolution is accepting that parties feel wrongs happened and providing some manner of individual, national or systemic reparation to resolve the wrongs that occurred. It’s not being a pushover, it’s just having a conversation to see the other party’s point of view and see if the issue can be addressed, rather than letting it fester so three jerks with a license plate don’t cause a riot.
Ad the referendum results to alwns link below and I would go with leave it with the brits.
News flash Fox news becomes Trumps punching bag, how distracting, how boring, how predictable, how did this become headline TV news? Spin cycle USA has no place here
And speaking about TPPA protests, John Mitford from the Wellington Chamber of Commerce says…
‘It’s time to stand up and be counted on the TPPA’
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/76349813/john-milford-time-to-stand-up-and-be-counted-on-tppa
with a nice inspiring pic of anti TPP protesters….wtf???
Don’t panic! All is well, stuff’s attempt at humour….or…are the only pics they have on file associated with John Mitford protest oriented?
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/73778014/Wellington-City-Council-will-have-to-defend-its-living-wage-policy-in-court
John Milford is pants. I don’t know how or why he gets so much media space. He has been growing his right wing lobbying power for over a decade now, mainly at a local level here in Wellington but alarmingly he seems to be given column space for national political issue which he knows nothing of, eg, the TPPA.
I’m not sure why fairfax look to him as such an oracle of economic wisdom when he was CE of Kirkcaldies and Staines all this time and for so long yet managed to run a successful iconic business that had been standing for over 150 years, into the ground, only to bought out by the aussies.
What an oaf. He’s really got it in for the workers too. It’s just sheer mean spiritedness to take WCC to court over their extension of the payment of the living wage from council staff to their contractors too.
Respect for the WCC.
How many other councils have had the guts to try and install a Living Wage culture?
Mean, miserable and short -sighted Mr Mitford.
To be honest Rosemary, I’ve discovered how dysfunctional and ineffective our council is, during my constant dealings with them over the last year. I could write an essay about the hypocrisy, undeclared conflicts of interest and arrogance from council managers, council officials and councillors themselves. Quite shocking as I naively thought I’d been voting in the right people over the last two terms.
I think the only thing they have managed to get right in that time is the move to the living wage for council employee’s and the recent extension of that living wage to their contractors – only for Milford to come and stick his oar in……..
That version of what happened to Kirks is a bit distorted Rosie.
It went the way of every small department store. It was to small to have the buying power of the large companies like David Jones or Myer in Australia.
Lots of them died. I remember Daimaru and Georges in Melbourne went the same way. Georges was a wonderful shop but their customers, so the firm said, stopped buying goods from Italy and France from them because they could go to Europe themselves 2 or 3 times a year.
I think Kirks did amazingly well to last as long as they did. You cannot blame the CEO for something that was inevitable.
True, the CE was only part of it, but he could have done more. I met the guy some time ago and was surprised at how out of touch he was with the reality of day to day retailing, for someone in his position.
There were changes in the retail sector and Kirks were faced with a valid challenge but a smart cookie could have done more. He could have started by listening to the floor managers.
PS. As one of our frequent WCC bashers you may be interested to read my response to Rosemary, from the other side of the ideological fence 🙂
Para one I agree with you.
However Para two.
I don’t think very much of the “Living Wage”.
It is calculated on the basis of a hypothetical married couple with two kids if I remember rightly. Then it is supposed to be paid to everyone.
I am a believer that you pay, with a limited minimum, the wage to get people to do the job. Then the state makes up, by things like working for families, the income for those who have dependents and who can’t live on the pay they receive.
Why does a 20 year old single person living with his parents need the hypothetical “living wage”.
When a Council do it it is also being paid by a lot of pensioners whose only income is National Super and whose only asset is their house, to people who are getting a higher income than they are.
alwyn, perhaps you might like to invent an explanation as to why the failed K. & S. CEO has also managed to lose half the members of the Chamber of Commerce since taking over there. It is about time he was relegated to the persona non grata status that his incompetence deserves.
I have no intention of attempting any such thing.
I don’t know the man. I have no way of knowing whether what you say about the CoC is correct and I wasn’t really talking about him at all.
I was talking about what happened to Kirks. Exactly the same thing that happened to the DIC, Radfords and James Smiths in Wellington.
It died in exactly the same way as all singleton department stores died. It was simply too small to compete with the chains and couldn’t match the range of goods in the various specialist shops. It was a business model which had passed its use by date.
Milford happened to be the CEO at the time. However it wouldn’t have mattered who it was. It didn’t fold BECAUSE of him. RIP.
TPPA: chances of support from US politicians ‘extremely remote’
http://i.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/politics/76317668/TPPA-chances-of-support-from-US-politicians-extremely-remote
So folks – where’s the fire?’
What’s the rush for New Zealand to sign the TPPA when the USA may never pass the TPPA through Congress?
If YOU are opposed to NZ signing the TPPA – there will be a one hour, peaceful protest in Auckland on Thursday 4 February 2016.
Starting at Aotea Square and going up Queen Street to Britomart.
This ‘family-friendly’ peaceful protest will NOT be going to Sky City.
Looking forward to THOUSANDS of New Zealanders ‘standing up to be counted’ for that one hour in Queen St, against more corporate control of our country, our assets and resources, our democracy and national sovereignty.
Penny Bright
2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate.
Who opposes New Zealand signing the TPPA.
This was interesting to see so far from Skycity and this far out from the 4th of February. Does anyone know of any other police intimidation tactics re the TPPA (other than announcing riot training)?
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/371216/cops-visit-activist-over-tpp-protest-plans
The talk is at 7pm tomorrow (friday 29th) at Burns Hall; 415 Lower Moray Place, Dunedin (Burlington St side of first church).
Thats a real worry Pasupial and very intimidating for someone that doesn’t even have anything to do with the anti TPP group. I wonder if Scout can find out if the police have been surveilling them – they must have been to turn up at their doorstep?
On top of that is the fact that police now carry tasers at protests:
http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2015/08/16/citizens-face-police-armed-with-tasers-at-wellington-tppa-protest-march/
but then withdraw the presence of their weapons at a later event:
https://fmacskasy.wordpress.com/2015/11/22/citizens-march-against-tppa-in-wellington-what-were-the-police-up-to/
Personally, I find this very intimidating and believe it demonstrates an unhealthy aggressive attitude from the police towards people peacefully exercising their democratic right to protest.
Something has changed. During the 2011 (2011? Lost track of time) Occupy movement, police were low key and generally fairly relaxed with people occupying civic square in Wellington. Now though, the level of police preparedness and sense of mild paranoia seems to have increased. Why?
Ha! It’s not like we’re fighting back, so whats changed?
Rosie
What’s changed? Well, in Dunedin this may provide some link:
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/371217/south-could-be-safest-place-world
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1210/S00006/key-dotcom-and-hollywood.htm
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503450&objectid=11084360
It does seem strange that when the ODT asked the Dunedin police for comment on their allegedly having harassed an activist, they; “could not immediately be reached with a request for comment”. Yet the very next story to this in the online ODT Dunedin section was a puff piece about how an establishment minion was all set to bring to peace to the region in some unspecified manner.
More on this at:
http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2016/01/28/police-noose-tightens-around-activists-before-tppa/
Which is largely based on this (if you don’t want to expose yourself to Bradbury’s words):
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11581217
Thanks Pasupial. Very interesting! I’m out of time now but want to return to this tomorrow. Saw the article on 3news about Scout, their dealings with police and Michael Bott’s response.
Who destabilised the Middle East and are they taking their share of the refugee crisis and chaos they have created?
‘US destabilized Europe’: Austrian record-holding athlete lashes out at ‘idiotic’ refugee policies
https://www.rt.com/news/330256-baumgartner-blasts-refugee-crisis-america/
“Austrian athlete and daredevil, Felix Baumgartner, known for his super-sonic leap from the stratosphere, has bashed EU politicians for their “idiotic” refugee policies in a lengthy post. He added that Washington is destabilizing Europe “on purpose.” “
It is sad to learn of the passing of the very colourful former Labour minister, Bob Tizard this afternoon. I knew Bob and his close friend the late Warren Freer very well in the 1970s and 80s, and they were two of the most likeable rogues that ever graced the treasury benches. Their various escapades over the years are legendary.
RIP Bob Tizard.
‘
RIP – Bob Tizard.
A good argument for keeping most of our names hidden for having an opposing view to the Govt http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11581217 Police knocking on doors of (so called) activists to give them a heads up they are keeping an eye on them with regard to TPPA protests.
Further evidence
A China bank contagion could blow up global markets
http://www.cnbc.com/2016/01/26/chinese-bank-outlook-in-2016.html
Paul give it a rest it’s becoming dull. Do you surf the Internet all day looking for doomsday articles, where do you find the time, do something a bit more cheerful some time it will be good for your spirit