Don’t panic. Its three years – to the day – since the National Ltd™ “Job Summit” finished. Won’t be long now . . . I’m really looking forward to the 3000km Kaitaia-to-Bluff cycle way, the nine-day fortnight, and the $1 billion contribution from the banks plus $8 billion from government to invest in job-producing industry. I mean there’s been such a great start on the freeze on regulation and enforcement activity to achieve minimum stanards in all sorts of areas. Can’t be long now before we start to see jobs being created . . . John promised.
You really need to get to grips with recent political history. Labour ran like the clappers from closing the gaps when it became controversial (whanau ora will probably be a rerun) and the wave was barely a ripple.
Direct from the States – a big reason why charter schools are such a horrible idea… unless of course you want to increase your OT levels from an early age…
Direct from the States – a big reason why charter schools are such a horrible idea… unless of course you want to increase your OT levels from an early age…
How about that Otago Union eh. Posting losses for years, a number of bad decisions and gone owing millions. I get the feeling this is an easy way to isolate losses knowingly being racked up in one entity which the NZRU can sidestep and do it all over again with their own muppets.
Hell, the DCC has bailed them out to the tune of millions for years (not including the stadium), and then the NZRFU has the balls to suggest that maybe the “community can get behind it”.
I don’t begrudge community funding sport and recreation by any means, but those cocks were pissing money away and expecting to be bailed out because the sun shines out of their arse. Now most of the ORFU supporting councillors are out, the dickheads were to incompetent to stand alongside every other sport in the community. Good riddance. Pity it didn’t happen before we near bankrupted ourselves on the stadium.
People down these Canterbury parts aren’t too happy about Phil Heatley’s ramblings and ignorance over proposed fracking here. Examples of his stupidity and hypocrisy and bullshit…
1. He says he has no reason to suspect there is a risk in Canterbury over the two main risks with fracking, namely ground water contamination and induced earthquake activity. (despite there already being earthquakes ffs, as well as issues arising from ground water thanks to cowshit)
2. He says he is confident in the Council’s ability to manage the fracking (despite having no confidence in Ecan or the City Council and despite the nats general aversion to all things council-wise and despite one of the Council’s requesting a moratorium on fracking)
These sorts of bullshit lies make the blood boil. How do these wankers get away with such bullshit?
for the last 3 years and 3 months. My mouth has been in gaping awe at the stupidity displayed every time a minister or JK opens their mouths, so much that my mouth has dried up over this time.
I get it Rosie. So true. Was my reaction to the Ministry of Ed woman talking about National Standards this morning National Radio before 10am. I had to drink a cup of tea to get my mouth moistened. (And the Shouty O’Reilly clip was huge fun too.)
The casings are necessary no argument. But all wells are cased. What you need to show is that fracked wells have more issues/failures than non fracked.
Do you understand what frakking does? It breaks up the ground so that gas and liquids travel through it faster. The casing isn’t going to do anything to prevent contamination of ground water because of that fracturing. Considering that earthquakes are a release of stress within the mantle we can see how it could possibly lead to more of them as well.
Hi vto, I did happen to hear Phil Heatleys talk about his complete lack of concern for fracking. There was a couple of are you serious faces going on in our living room at the time. Its mindblowing isn’t it.
Seriously though, I have been trying to work out why there isn’t a resistance to the cascade of stupidity and consequent policy and so far I can only put it down to ignorance, apathy and cogntive dissonance. Almost everyone I know has no idea what is going on and nor do they care. If they do have an opinion its a sound bite brainwashed one that make apologies for our govt. What can you do?
Totally relate to what you are saying, people are alseep quoting soundbites, if anything, which is allowing the agenda to continue, and leaving those who pay attention and bother to research underlying issues, feeling very frustrated. Knowing that the apathy of others is going to have an impact on you and your family is a horrible feeling to have, so what you can do is keep trying to understand the issues, the agenda, and look for ways in the system of your local council etc that you can lodge your concerns. Write emails continually to MP’s, councillors etc, research the decisions of France and Bulgaria to ban fracking, and include this info in your communications. Illustrate the numerous examples around the world of protests against fracking, such as is going on in Ohio currently.
Also look for active people in your part of the country, you might be surprised how many like minded people there are. Being in touch with others who care, and share the same concerns you do Rosie, really helps to stop people feeling alone in their feelings of frustrated helplessness..
Taking some pro-active approach really helps I find. I hope this response helps you out!
There is a resistance, Rosie, it just isn’t advertised. There are no leaders or organisation as such and everyone acts alone. All you have to do to join is to understand your area of concern; where it fits into the overall picture of the common good; and commit to actively stopping any in-roads by the government or people who support their ideology/perspective into your area of concern. Apply as much pressure as you like, noisy or quietly, legal or illegal, the choice is yours. Then when you’re ready, take the offensive and push back as you see fit – undermine, sabotage, road-block. It’s very simple and completely covert. If anyone stands up and starts yapping about it, spectators just think they’re crazy. We don’t exist. Nothing can be proved. I’m just a crazy person on an internet site.
Thanks Muzza and Uturn:-) They are thoughtful responses. My family and friends do shake their heads at me because I am the one writing the letters to the MP’s, reading, watching documentaries, watching alternate news channels online, attending rallies and even at one stage working within the Union movement. I guess I got a bit tired of the rhetoric and division that I see exist within some of the activist movements, and I get impatient for change. Also I’ve found, but would like to be proved wrong there is lack of positive energy within some groups and a bit of hating going on and absolutely no sense of humour.
Hey U turn, I’m also a crazy person on an internet site. Lol. In saying that before the Occupy movement got any media coverage I had some amazing on line chats with folks from the UK and USA. I was damn impressed at the vision, courage and collective strength of those people. Bigger populations of course, but same deal as us.
I’ve just recently come onto the Standard so I can access some solidarity with like mindeds like yourselves, and I’m enjoying the intelligent discussions folks post.
Rosie, good on you for getting actively involved, its feels like a thankless task at times, but the option of not doing anything, I assume is not really an option for you?
The active community can be their own worst enemy at times, and from my experiences in AKL the same points you make apply. The underlying messages are there, but the strategy to deliver is , so far as I have seen not there. Of course you get the egos and infighting, which is only serving to derail the impact of any effort that is made.
Keep in touch with the active people though Rosie, because it will allow you get a feel for where there are peole or agendas that are best avoided, or that are serving only to relieve you of energy, and desire to help. I would suggest the same applies to working online, as it can become as big a distraction, as it can be a helpful mechanism for information, networking etc…Balance is the key , as with all things.
Never let other peoples ignorance impact on you Rosie, hard as that might be. Teh other option is for you to put your head int he sand the same way they do, but I guess , like me, that is not an option, and so we just have to accept that people genuinley do not care in the same way!
Thanks again Muzza:-) Yes, sometimes I do stand back as all those ego’s and energy sappers get a bit much. I think acting out and living your moral code is important too, like actually walking the talk to use a corny US term.I’ve met some folks in active groups that can be quite uncool and hypocritical in their actions which leaves them open to ridicule from the those they are trying convince of a better way of living/thinking.
So funny you used the term “put your head in the sand”. I’ve just used that term over on stuff.co.nz on their comments section about a UMR phone research poll that showed that being right wing made you happier…………..I would have included a reference for people to check my point I made but all my psychologhy text books are locked away in our storage unit.
You get to be online when you’re unemployed! haha. BTW, troll force that might be lurking here, I’m not entitled to any benefit so we are struggling along on one income, but at least I’m one less benefit bludging parasite eh?
In my case, being online when I am unemployed is a psychological necessity! As a result I sacrifice other things to afford dial up, and of course the landline I need to run it. If I ever get a job, I will have the money for a decent connection but not the time.
Lots of ironies there…
It might be worth shopping around a bit for broadband deals. The entry level bundles (phone and net) at Slingshot are $80 pcm and Telstra have a $75 pcm special on now which looks excellent. I’m guessing that you pay around $50-55 now and I do appreciate that still means finding another fiver each week, but it will be worth it if you can afford it.
It might be worth shopping around a bit for broadband deals
Thanks, I’ll look into that! Presently, I pay $10.00 a month (pre-pay) for dial up, and I suppose $48 a month for my phone, so putting those two together, it’s more than I tend to think it is… So, it might be worthwhile!
My take very simple, we bail out banks, we bail out creditors for SCF and other corporate scoundrels….where is the ORFUs bail out? And the bail out to students? And to every other person?
Over at Kiwipolitico (posted 30 January) “Pablo” asks: Does NZ have a culture of impunity?
I quote the following passage from the post:
They can buy silence and name suppression when they misbehave; with a wink and a nod they accommodate employment for their friends and provide sinecures for each other (think of various Boards); they consider themselves better informed, in the know, more worldly and therefore unaccountable to the popular masses when it comes to making policy (think of the use of parliamentary urgency to ram through contentious legislation and the NZDF command lies about what the SAS is actually doing in Afghanistan); they award themselves extraordinary powers in some times of crisis (Christchurch) while absolving themselves of responsibility in others (Rena). They use the Police for their own purposes (Teapot Tapes and Occupy evictions, the latter happening not because of public consensus but done by summary executive fiat).
I was listening to that slime ball Farrar on National radio yesterday; have we evidence that he and Key are not the same person who can shape shift from slim ball to weasel, but the voice remains the same? Has anyone actually got evidence they are not the same entity?
CONFIRMED!
The Occupy Auckland endorsed petition which requests: “That the House conduct an urgent inquiry into the decisions regarding prosecutions relating to the Huljich Kiwisaver Scheme registered prospectuses dated 22 August 2008 and 18 September 2009” is being presented to the House at 2pm today – Tuesday 28 February 2012.
Thank you Labour MP for Auckland Issues, Phil Twyford who is the MP who presented this petition.
This should help cast a HUGE national and international public spotlight on the fact that the balance of power in New Zealand ‘perceived’ to be the ‘least corrupt country in the world’ (according to Transparency International’s 2011 ‘Corruption Perception Index’ – is currently being held by an arguably yet-to-be charged or convicted ‘white collar’ criminal John Banks – ACT MP for Epsom.
ACT purportedly believe in ‘ONE LAW FOR ALL’ – so how come that hasn’t yet applied to the current and former Leaders of the ACT Party?
For more background information (including – the Huljich Kiwisaver Scheme registered prospectuses dated 22 August 2008 and 18 September 2009) check out http://www.pennybright4epsom.org.nz
Paula Bennett says that cleaning and fast food jobs are ‘noble’. I agree but why isn’t caring for children ‘noble’? Mums and Dads on benefits who have to spend time on courses that assist in their roles, child psychology, cooking, putting up shelves, the right use of tools would be good and could open to other education and jobs. Go into an entry level job and it prepares you for other – entry level jobs. And they are poorly paid. The government never faces how they may force people into greater poverty when they take them off benefits and give them an any-job.
Cleaning is an odd one to choose. It’s a very despised job, as I know having been one, and often carried out at or after dinner time, or early in the morning, no good if you have children. (The government says that children cannot be left at home under age fourteen. ) Or it’s on-call say with a motel, and that makes it very difficult to have a life, or to cater for family duties and child supervision and care.
Trying to understand propaganda with logic or life experience isn’t going to work – as you discover. It’s just meaningless words, based around current cultural myths and cliché, used to cover malicious intent. There isn’t meant to be any reference to reality at all.
Good news!
Trevor Mallard announced in Question Time that Murray McCully has been found in “the building”. He must have chewed through the restraints and escaped the party whips.
Occupy London is being closed down by the cops right about now. Nothing like dealing to sleeping people in the early hours of the morning to make policing fun.
Someone yesterday said a survey in NZ concluded that RWingers were happier. So add that to the mix and we find RWNJs are Jovial Sociopathic Simpletons. Sounds exhausting!
Funnily enough this is taken from a Stuff commentor regarding the UMR research finding that people with a right wing bent are happier…………………..
Thw whole ignorance is bliss thing
It’s alive and well Felix, Paula Bennett has caused an ambitious rush of people seeking employment in cleaning and fast-food industries in an effort to obtain nobility.
Paula Bennett has stopped short of saying how many babies a woman on welfare can have. I am deeply concerned for the welfare of children in a single parent home when their mother has to look for part-time work if she has an another child when the second child is 12 months old.
1. Day care for children under age two needs to be of a high standard.
2. Attachment is ongoing (mother/baby) and mothers with post natal depression cannot be pressured.
3. Single parenting is very different to a two parent household.
4. Some woman have multiple births or they are very fertile.
5. Some children do not sleep well at night, so the single parent has to be up for them to avoid an accident.
Every child needs to be put at the top of the pyramid and their needs assessed because of how individual every life circumstance is. For some children to be put into a category just to satisfy a no gain welfare policy is mindless.
A study was carried out in Dunedin and it proved that child abuse increased when single parents were work tested when their child turned 6. (I need to search for the study).
The government have an arse about face solution to helping single parents as they have FAILED to do research as to what single parents want and need within reason and what they think about being turned into a second class citizen because they are raising a potential tax payer.
If I could tomorrow I would take for every minister in cabinet a 12 month old baby and get them to do a diary for a month on looking after them 24/7.
Totally agree with Paula we have to stop the 16 years olds becoming baby factories for cash, Which leads to huge Social Problems down the Line. Labour did nothing about this in its time 9 years. They just seem very content to keep people on the Dole so Social unrest may come at a Later date. As the saying goes if you want to see how a child will turn out take a good look at the Mother totally agree many of them dont paint avery good picture
Totally agree with Paula we have to stop the 16 years olds becoming baby factories for cash
Wow! Where’s your evidence that any such thing as “the 16 years olds becoming baby factories for cash” actually happens? Michael Moore (not the American film guy, but the NZ former PM) did a study years ago, that showed the overwhelming majority of DPB women to be 30-something, formerly partnered mothers of at most, 2 children. Teenage women on DPB were outnumbered 2-1 by teenage boys on DPB! (Talking of which, the daughter of the girlfriend of my late brother, became a 16 year old mother, in 1998. This girl planned to have the baby adopted – an adoptive family were all lined up – and then 2 things happened. The baby was born with huge heart defects, and the 16 year old father sued for sole custody. When Therese explained to the would-be adopters and the mother of the teen father, that her new grandson G., would need special care and on-going surgery for most of his childhood, both the would-be adopters and the teen daddy, immediately lost interest. Teen daddy wanted a cashflow, it seemed, not a responsibility.)
Treetop no not saying that but would I would like to see is limit the DPB to one child just like Clinton did in the states.
National havent had the balls to do it yet. When Clinton did it yes a democrat. The teenage pregnancy rate fell markedly they suddenly found cotraceptives because they werent going to get paid for anyh extra kids.
Some are making a living out of it now ,more than a blue collar worker gets for working 40 hours,and it isnt right.
Already explained to you James that you can’t get more on benefit working and referred you to the maths (and given your right wing idiocy you should wash your mouth out for even mentioning blue collar workers as an example – like you give a shit for them).
Still I have a solution to the baby factory that should meet your right wing daddy state desires – sterilise all men. That should solve the problem and result in lots of sex occurring as well without the pregnancy risk ( STD’S etc will still be an issue though).
Women actually don’t need men to have children now – eggs can be fertilised with other eggs and sperm can be created artificially now as well. Men as a source of population maintainer is pretty old school in this modern world.
If that’s too strong an option we should just imprison any men who gets a girl pregnant – after all it should be a crime to impregnate a woman and not take financial responsibility for the resulting child.
Why those bloody men expect the taxpayer to top up the pittance that some of them pay in child support I don’t know.
They should have to pay the total cost of any benefit that the women gets – their child – their cost.
Ryall needs to improve the cost and access of contraception for every woman and in some areas e.g Whanganui delivery services are being eroded. This is what reduces the birth rate and the cost of care of complicated deliveries.
james 111 benefit bashing is not the answer. Policies which give good outcomes for children is.
I am waiting to see what is proposed for ALL children in the green paper and for inadequate parents so integenerational problems are not repeated.
My first priority is breaking an unhealthy cycle regardless of the issue. This cannot be done over night and it requires the necessary resources.
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New data released by the Treasury shows that the economic policies of this Government have made things worse in the year since they took office, said NZCTU Economist Craig Renney. “Our fiscal indicators are all heading in the wrong direction – with higher levels of debt, a higher deficit, and ...
At the 2023 election, National basically ran on a platform of being better economic managers. So how'd that turn out for us? In just one year, they've fucked us for two full political terms: The government's books are set to remain deeply in the red for the near term ...
AUSTERITYText within this block will maintain its original spacing when publishedMy spreadsheet insists This pain leads straight to glory (File not found) Read more ...
The NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi are saying that the Government should do the right thing and deliver minimum wage increases that don’t see workers fall further behind, in response to today’s announcement that the minimum wage will only be increased by 1.5%, well short of forecast inflation. “With inflation forecast ...
Oh, I weptFor daysFilled my eyesWith silly tearsOh, yeaBut I don'tCare no moreI don't care ifMy eyes get soreSongwriters: Paul Rodgers / Paul Kossoff. Read more ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Bob HensonIn this aerial view, fingers of meltwater flow from the melting Isunnguata Sermia glacier descending from the Greenland Ice Sheet on July 11, 2024, near Kangerlussuaq, Greenland. According to the Programme for Monitoring of the Greenland Ice Sheet (PROMICE), the ...
In August, I wrote an article about David Seymour1 with a video of his testimony, to warn that there were grave dangers to his Ministry of Regulation:David Seymour's Ministry of Slush Hides Far Greater RisksWhy Seymour's exorbitant waste of taxpayers' money could be the least of concernThe money for Seymour ...
Willis is expected to have to reveal the bitter fiscal fruits of her austerity strategy in the HYEFU later today. Photo: Lynn Grieveson/TheKakaMōrena. Long stories short, the six things that matter in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Tuesday, December 17 in The Kākā’s Dawn Chorus podcast ...
On Friday the government announced it would double the number of toll roads in New Zealand as well as make a few other changes to how toll roads are used in the country. The real issue though is not that tolling is being used but the suggestion it will make ...
The Prime Minister yesterday engaged in what looked like a pre-emptive strike designed to counter what is likely to be a series of depressing economic statistics expected before the end of the week. He opened his weekly post-Cabinet press conference with a recitation of the Government’s achievements. “It certainly has ...
This whooping cough story from south Auckland is a good example of the coalition government’s approach to social need – spend money on urging people to get vaccinated but only after you’ve cut the funding to where they could get vaccinated. This has been the case all year with public ...
And if there is a GodI know he likes to rockHe likes his loud guitarsHis spiders from MarsAnd if there is a GodI know he's watching meHe likes what he seesBut there's trouble on the breezeSongwriter: William Patrick Corgan Read more ...
Here’s a quick round up of today’s political news:1. MORE FOOD BANKS, CHARITIES, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTERS AND YOUTH SOCIAL SERVICES SET TO CLOSE OR SCALE BACK AROUND THE COUNTRY AS GOVT CUTS FUNDINGSome of Auckland's largest foodbanks are warning they may need to close or significantly reduce food parcels after ...
Iain Rennie, CNZMSecretary and Chief Executive to the TreasuryDear Secretary, Undue restrictions on restricted briefings This week, the Treasury barred representatives from four organisations, including the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi, from attending the restricted briefing for the Half-Year Economic and Fiscal Update. We had been ...
This is a guest post by Tim Adriaansen, a community, climate, and accessibility advocate.I won’t shut up about climate breakdown, and whenever possible I try to shift the focus of a climate conversation towards solutions. But you’ll almost never hear me give more than a passing nod to ...
A grassroots backlash has forced a backdown from Brown, but he is still eyeing up plenty of tolls for other new roads. And the pressure is on Willis to ramp up the Government’s austerity strategy. Photo: Getty ImagesMōrena. Long stories short, the six things that matter in Aotearoa’s political economy ...
Hi all,I'm pretty overwhelmed by all your messages and emails today; thank you so very much.As much as my newsletter this morning was about money, and we all need to earn money, it was mostly about world domination if I'm honest. 😉I really hate what’s happening to our country, and ...
A listing of 23 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, December 8, 2024 thru Sat, December 14, 2024. Listing by Category Like last week's summary this one contains the list of articles twice: based on categories and based on ...
I started writing this morning about Hobson’s Pledge, examining the claims they and their supporters make, basically ripping into them. But I kept getting notifications coming through, and not good ones.Each time I looked up, there was another un-subscription message, and I felt a bit sicker at the thought of ...
Once, long before there was Harry and Meghan and Dodi and all those episodes of The Crown, they came to spend some time with us, Charles and Diana. Was there anyone in the world more glamorous than the Princess of Wales?Dazzled as everyone was by their company, the leader of ...
The collective right have a problem.The entire foundation for their world view is antiscientific. Their preferred economic strategies have been disproven. Their whole neoliberal model faces accusations of corporate corruption and worsening inequality. Climate change not only definitely exists, its rapid progression demands an immediate and expensive response in order ...
Just ten days ago, South Korea's president attempted a self-coup, declaring martial law and attempting to have opposition MPs murdered or arrested in an effort to seize unconstrained power. The attempt was rapidly defeated by the national assembly voting it down and the people flooding the streets to defend democracy. ...
National has only been in power for a year, but everywhere you look, its choices are taking New Zealand a long way backwards. In no particular order, here are the National Government's Top 50 Greatest Misses of its first year in power. ...
The Government is quietly undertaking consultation on the dangerous Regulatory Standards Bill over the Christmas period to avoid too much attention. ...
The Government’s planned changes to the freedom of speech obligations of universities is little more than a front for stoking the political fires of disinformation and fear, placing teachers and students in the crosshairs. ...
The Ministry of Regulation’s report into Early Childhood Education (ECE) in Aotearoa raises serious concerns about the possibility of lowering qualification requirements, undermining quality and risking worse outcomes for tamariki, whānau, and kaiako. ...
A Bill to modernise the role of Justices of the Peace (JP), ensuring they remain active in their communities and connected with other JPs, has been put into the ballot. ...
Labour will continue to fight unsustainable and destructive projects that are able to leap-frog environment protection under National’s Fast-track Approvals Bill. ...
The Green Party has warned that a Green Government will revoke the consents of companies who override environmental protections as part of Fast-Track legislation being passed today. ...
The Green Party says the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update shows how the Government is failing to address the massive social and infrastructure deficits our country faces. ...
The Government’s latest move to reduce the earnings of migrant workers will not only hurt migrants but it will drive down the wages of Kiwi workers. ...
Te Pāti Māori has this morning issued a stern warning to Fast-Track applicants with interests in mining, pledging to hold them accountable through retrospective liability and to immediately revoke Fast-Track consents under a future Te Pāti Māori government. This warning comes ahead of today’s third reading of the Fast-Track Approvals ...
The Government’s announcement today of a 1.5 per cent increase to minimum wage is another blow for workers, with inflation projected to exceed the increase, meaning it’s a real terms pay reduction for many. ...
All the Government has achieved from its announcement today is to continue to push responsibility back on councils for its own lack of action to help bring down skyrocketing rates. ...
The Government has used its final post-Cabinet press conference of the year to punch down on local government without offering any credible solutions to the issues our councils are facing. ...
The Government has failed to keep its promise to ‘super charge’ the EV network, delivering just 292 chargers - less than half of the 670 chargers needed to meet its target. ...
The Green Party is calling for the Government to stop subsidising the largest user of the country’s gas supplies, Methanex, following a report highlighting the multi-national’s disproportionate influence on energy prices in Aotearoa. ...
The Green Party is appalled with the Government’s new child poverty targets that are based on a new ‘persistent poverty’ measure that could be met even with an increase in child poverty. ...
New independent analysis has revealed that the Government’s Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP) will reduce emissions by a measly 1 per cent by 2030, failing to set us up for the future and meeting upcoming targets. ...
The loss of 27 kaimahi at Whakaata Māori and the end of its daily news bulletin is a sad day for Māori media and another step backwards for Te Tiriti o Waitangi justice. ...
Yesterday the Government passed cruel legislation through first reading to establish a new beneficiary sanction regime that will ultimately mean more households cannot afford the basic essentials. ...
Today's passing of the Government's Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill–which allows landlords to end tenancies with no reason–ignores the voice of the people and leaves renters in limbo ahead of the festive season. ...
After wasting a year, Nicola Willis has delivered a worse deal for the Cook Strait ferries that will end up being more expensive and take longer to arrive. ...
Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick has today launched a Member’s Bill to sanction Israel for its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, as the All Out For Gaza rally reaches Parliament. ...
After years of advocacy, the Green Party is very happy to hear the Government has listened to our collective voices and announced the closure of the greyhound racing industry, by 1 August 2026. ...
In response to a new report from ERO, the Government has acknowledged the urgent need for consistency across the curriculum for Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE) in schools. ...
The Green Party is appalled at the Government introducing legislation that will make it easier to penalise workers fighting for better pay and conditions. ...
Thank you for the invitation to speak with you tonight on behalf of the political party I belong to - which is New Zealand First. As we have heard before this evening the Kinleith Mill is proposing to reduce operations by focusing on pulp and discontinuing “lossmaking paper production”. They say that they are currently consulting on the plan to permanently shut ...
Auckland Central MP, Chlöe Swarbrick, has written to Mayor Wayne Brown requesting he stop the unnecessary delays on St James Theatre’s restoration. ...
Kiwis planning a swim or heading out on a boat this summer should remember to stop and think about water safety, Sport & Recreation Minister Chris Bishop and ACC and Associate Transport Minister Matt Doocey say. “New Zealand’s beaches, lakes and rivers are some of the most beautiful in the ...
The Government is urging Kiwis to drive safely this summer and reminding motorists that Police will be out in force to enforce the road rules, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“This time of year can be stressful and result in poor decision-making on our roads. Whether you are travelling to see ...
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says Health New Zealand will move swiftly to support dozens of internationally-trained doctors already in New Zealand on their journey to employment here, after a tripling of sought-after examination places. “The Medical Council has delivered great news for hardworking overseas doctors who want to contribute ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has appointed Sarah Ottrey to the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC). “At my first APEC Summit in Lima, I experienced firsthand the role that ABAC plays in guaranteeing political leaders hear the voice of business,” Mr Luxon says. “New Zealand’s ABAC representatives are very well respected and ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced four appointments to New Zealand’s intelligence oversight functions. The Honourable Robert Dobson KC has been appointed Chief Commissioner of Intelligence Warrants, and the Honourable Brendan Brown KC has been appointed as a Commissioner of Intelligence Warrants. The appointments of Hon Robert Dobson and Hon ...
Improvements in the average time it takes to process survey and title applications means housing developments can progress more quickly, Minister for Land Information Chris Penk says. “The government is resolutely focused on improving the building and construction pipeline,” Mr Penk says. “Applications to issue titles and subdivide land are ...
The Government’s measures to reduce airport wait times, and better transparency around flight disruptions is delivering encouraging early results for passengers ahead of the busy summer period, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Improving the efficiency of air travel is a priority for the Government to give passengers a smoother, more reliable ...
The Government today announced the intended closure of the Apollo Hotel as Contracted Emergency Housing (CEH) in Rotorua, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. This follows a 30 per cent reduction in the number of households in CEH in Rotorua since National came into Government. “Our focus is on ending CEH in the Whakarewarewa area starting ...
The Government will reshape vocational education and training to return decision making to regions and enable greater industry input into work-based learning Tertiary Education and Skills Minister, Penny Simmonds says. “The redesigned system will better meet the needs of learners, industry, and the economy. It includes re-establishing regional polytechnics that ...
The Government is taking action to better manage synthetic refrigerants and reduce emissions caused by greenhouse gases found in heating and cooling products, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds says. “Regulations will be drafted to support a product stewardship scheme for synthetic refrigerants, Ms. Simmonds says. “Synthetic refrigerants are found in a ...
People travelling on State Highway 1 north of Hamilton will be relieved that remedial works and safety improvements on the Ngāruawāhia section of the Waikato Expressway were finished today, with all lanes now open to traffic, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“I would like to acknowledge the patience of road users ...
Tertiary Education and Skills Minister, Penny Simmonds, has announced a new appointment to the board of Education New Zealand (ENZ). Dr Erik Lithander has been appointed as a new member of the ENZ board for a three-year term until 30 January 2028. “I would like to welcome Dr Erik Lithander to the ...
The Government will have senior representatives at Waitangi Day events around the country, including at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, but next year Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has chosen to take part in celebrations elsewhere. “It has always been my intention to celebrate Waitangi Day around the country with different ...
Two more criminal gangs will be subject to the raft of laws passed by the Coalition Government that give Police more powers to disrupt gang activity, and the intimidation they impose in our communities, Police Minister Mark Mitchell says. Following an Order passed by Cabinet, from 3 February 2025 the ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Justice Christian Whata as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Whata’s appointment as a Judge of the Court of Appeal will take effect on 1 August 2025 and fill a vacancy created by the retirement of Hon Justice David Goddard on ...
The latest economic figures highlight the importance of the steps the Government has taken to restore respect for taxpayers’ money and drive economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Data released today by Stats NZ shows Gross Domestic Product fell 1 per cent in the September quarter. “Treasury and most ...
Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds and Associate Minister of Education David Seymour today announced legislation changes to strengthen freedom of speech obligations on universities. “Freedom of speech is fundamental to the concept of academic freedom and there is concern that universities seem to be taking a more risk-averse ...
Police Minister, Mark Mitchell, and Internal Affairs Minister, Brooke van Velden, today launched a further Public Safety Network cellular service that alongside last year’s Cellular Roaming roll-out, puts globally-leading cellular communications capability into the hands of our emergency responders. The Public Safety Network’s new Cellular Priority service means Police, Wellington ...
State Highway 1 through the Mangamuka Gorge has officially reopened today, providing a critical link for Northlanders and offering much-needed relief ahead of the busy summer period, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“The Mangamuka Gorge is a vital route for Northland, carrying around 1,300 vehicles per day and connecting the Far ...
The Government has welcomed decisions by the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) and Ashburton District Council confirming funding to boost resilience in the Canterbury region, with construction on a second Ashburton Bridge expected to begin in 2026, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Delivering a second Ashburton Bridge to improve resilience and ...
The Government is backing the response into high pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Otago, Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says. “Cabinet has approved new funding of $20 million to enable MPI to meet unbudgeted ongoing expenses associated with the H7N6 response including rigorous scientific testing of samples at the enhanced PC3 ...
Legislation that will repeal all advertising restrictions for broadcasters on Sundays and public holidays has passed through first reading in Parliament today, Media Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “As a growing share of audiences get their news and entertainment from streaming services, these restrictions have become increasingly redundant. New Zealand on ...
Today the House agreed to Brendan Horsley being appointed Inspector-General of Defence, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “Mr Horsley’s experience will be invaluable in overseeing the establishment of the new office and its support networks. “He is currently Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security, having held that role since June 2020. ...
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government has agreed to the final regulations for the levy on insurance contracts that will fund Fire and Emergency New Zealand from July 2026. “Earlier this year the Government agreed to a 2.2 percent increase to the rate of levy. Fire ...
The Government is delivering regulatory relief for New Zealand businesses through changes to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act. “The Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Amendment Bill, which was introduced today, is the second Bill – the other being the Statutes Amendment Bill - that ...
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed further progress on the Hawke’s Bay Expressway Road of National Significance (RoNS), with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) Board approving funding for the detailed design of Stage 1, paving the way for main works construction to begin in late 2025.“The Government is moving at ...
The Government today released a request for information (RFI) to seeking interest in partnerships to plant trees on Crown-owned land with low farming and conservation value (excluding National Parks) Forestry Minister Todd McClay announced. “Planting trees on Crown-owned land will drive economic growth by creating more forestry jobs in our regions, providing more wood ...
Court timeliness, access to justice, and improving the quality of existing regulation are the focus of a series of law changes introduced to Parliament today by Associate Minister of Justice Nicole McKee. The three Bills in the Regulatory Systems (Justice) Amendment Bill package each improve a different part of the ...
A total of 41 appointments and reappointments have been made to the 12 community trusts around New Zealand that serve their regions, Associate Finance Minister Shane Jones says. “These trusts, and the communities they serve from the Far North to the deep south, will benefit from the rich experience, knowledge, ...
The Government has confirmed how it will provide redress to survivors who were tortured at the Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital Child and Adolescent Unit (the Lake Alice Unit). “The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care found that many of the 362 children who went through the Lake Alice Unit between 1972 and ...
It has been a busy, productive year in the House as the coalition Government works hard to get New Zealand back on track, Leader of the House Chris Bishop says. “This Government promised to rebuild the economy, restore law and order and reduce the cost of living. Our record this ...
“Accelerated silicosis is an emerging occupational disease caused by unsafe work such as engineered stone benchtops. I am running a standalone consultation on engineered stone to understand what the industry is currently doing to manage the risks, and whether further regulatory intervention is needed,” says Workplace Relations and Safety Minister ...
Mehemea he pai mō te tangata, mahia – if it’s good for the people, get on with it. Enhanced reporting on the public sector’s delivery of Treaty settlement commitments will help improve outcomes for Māori and all New Zealanders, Māori Crown Relations Minister Tama Potaka says. Compiled together for the ...
Mr Roger Holmes Miller and Ms Tarita Hutchinson have been appointed to the Charities Registration Board, Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Louise Upston says. “I would like to welcome the new members joining the Charities Registration Board. “The appointment of Ms Hutchinson and Mr Miller will strengthen the Board’s capacity ...
More building consent and code compliance applications are being processed within the statutory timeframe since the Government required councils to submit quarterly data, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “In the midst of a housing shortage we need to look at every step of the build process for efficiencies ...
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey is proud to announce the first three recipients of the Government’s $10 million Mental Health and Addiction Community Sector Innovation Fund which will enable more Kiwis faster access to mental health and addiction support. “This fund is part of the Government’s commitment to investing in ...
New Zealand is providing Vanuatu assistance following yesterday's devastating earthquake, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. "Vanuatu is a member of our Pacific family and we are supporting it in this time of acute need," Mr Peters says. "Our thoughts are with the people of Vanuatu, and we will be ...
The Government welcomes the Commerce Commission’s plan to reduce card fees for Kiwis by an estimated $260 million a year, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says.“The Government is relentlessly focused on reducing the cost of living, so Kiwis can keep more of their hard-earned income and live a ...
Regulation Minister David Seymour has welcomed the Early Childhood Education (ECE) regulatory review report, the first major report from the Ministry for Regulation. The report makes 15 recommendations to modernise and simplify regulations across ECE so services can get on with what they do best – providing safe, high-quality care ...
The Government‘s Offshore Renewable Energy Bill to create a new regulatory regime that will enable firms to construct offshore wind generation has passed its first reading in Parliament, Energy Minister Simeon Brown says.“New Zealand currently does not have a regulatory regime for offshore renewable energy as the previous government failed ...
A separate passport, citizenship and membership of the United Nations are only available to fully independent nations, Winston Peters' office says. ...
By Emma Andrews, Henare te Ua Māori Journalism Intern at RNZ News The New Zealand fuel company Z Energy is swapping out street names for “correct” kupu on service stops around the country, with the help of local hapū. When Z took over 226 fuel sites from Shell in 2010, ...
Summer reissue: Was it a false measurement, a full-blown conspiracy or just some mild incompetence? Mad Chapman uncovers the truth of Maddi Wesche’s final throw. The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter and ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julie Old, Associate Professor, Biology, Zoology, Animal Science, Western Sydney University Dmitry Chulov, Shutterstock At this time of year, images of reindeer are everywhere. I’ve had a soft spot for reindeer ever since I was a little girl. Doesn’t everyone? ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Grozdana Manalo, Career Services Manager (Education), University of Sydney hedgehog94/Shutterstock Getting casual work over summer, or a part-time job that you might continue once your tertiary course starts, can be a great way to get workplace experience and earn some extra ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ty Ferguson, Research associate in exercise, nutrition and activity, University of South Australia Peera_Stockfoto/Shutterstock It’s never been easier to stay connected to work. Even when we’re on leave, our phones and laptops keep us tethered. Many of us promise ourselves we ...
The NZ Media Council upheld the complaint under principle four: comment and fact On 5 September 2024, The Spinoff published a brief article titled Made in Palestine, found in 1970s Hastings, which highlighted an upcoming art exhibition featuring photographs of vintage cosmetic products labelled “Made in Palestine.” The piece, described ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kasey Symons, Lecturer of Communication, Sports Media, Deakin University We are well and truly in cricket season. The Australian men’s cricket team is taking centre stage against India in the Border Gavaskar Trophy series while the Big Bash League is underway, as ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Woods, Lecturer, Nursing, Faculty of Health, Southern Cross University FTiare/Shutterstock Summer is here and for many that means going to the beach. You grab your swimmers, beach towel and sunscreen then maybe check the weather forecast. Did you think to ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Saman Khalesi, Senior Lecturer and Discipline Lead in Nutrition, School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, CQUniversity Australia Dean Clarke/Shutterstock The holiday season can be a time of joy, celebration, and indulgence in delicious foods and meals. However, for many, it ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ari Mattes, Lecturer in Communications and Media, University of Notre Dame Australia Late Night With The Devil. Maslow Entertainment Marketing is critical to the success of commercial films, and companies will often spend half as much again on top of the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Francisco Jose Testa, Lecturer in Earth Sciences (Mineralogy, Petrology & Geochemistry), University of Tasmania The Conversation As a kid, it was tough for me to grasp the massive time scale of Earth’s history. Now, with nearly two decades of experience as ...
Te Pāti Māori has had to adopt a new way of debating, operating and even thinking in Parliament in response to the Government’s “onslaught” against te ao Māori, co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer says.In an end-of-year interview with Newsroom, the Te Tai Hauauru MP reflected on how 2024 has differed from her ...
Opinion: The latest Trends in International Mathematics and Science report was announced earlier this month, yet it didn’t get the flurry of media attention and political hand-wringing that typically accompanies these announcements. This might be because it presented good news, or you could argue, no news; the results paint a ...
NewsroomBy Dr Lisa Darragh, Dr Raewyn Eden and Dr David Pomeroy
At long last, The Spinoff shells out for a nut ranking. The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter and sign up to be a member today.It recently came to The Spinoff’s attention ...
I was one of hundreds of people who lost my government job this week. Here’s exactly how it played out. The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter and sign up to be a ...
Summer reissue: One anxiously attentive passenger pays attention to an in-flight safety video, and wonders ‘Why can’t I pick up my own phone?’ The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter and sign up ...
Summer reissue: Why do those Lange-Douglas years cast such a long shadow 40 years on? The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter and sign up to be a member today. First published June ...
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp');Got a good quiz question?Send Newsroom your questions.The post Newsroom daily quiz, Monday 23 December appeared first on Newsroom. ...
The Government’s social housing agency has backed out of a billion-dollar infrastructure alliance that would have built about 6000 new homes in Auckland – less than 18 months after signing a five-year extension.Labour says the decision to rip up the contract and sell off existing state houses could lead to ...
An unrelenting faith in “swift transition” has driven Tauranga Whai to their first Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa championship. At a boisterous Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre, the visiting Tokomanawa Queens were blown away 90-71 in the final.Whai led by 20 points at halftime as their urgent movement and unflinching faith in three-point shooting from anywhere ...
ByKoroi Hawkins, RNZ Pacific editor New Zealand’s Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) says impending bad weather for Port Vila is now the most significant post-quake hazard. A tropical low in the Coral Sea is expected to move into Vanuatu waters, bringing heavy rainfall. Authorities have issued warnings to people ...
Cosmic CatastropheThe year draws to a close.King Luxon has grown tired of the long eveningsListening to the dreary squabbling of his Triumvirate.He strolls up to the top floor of the PalaceTo consult with his Astronomer Royal.The Royal Telescope scans the skies,And King Luxon stares up into the heavensFrom the terrestrial ...
Spinoff editor Mad Chapman and books editor Claire Mabey debate Carl Shuker’s new novel about… an editor. Claire: Hello Mad, you just finished The Royal Free – overall impressions? Mad: Hi Claire, I literally just put the book down and I would have to say my immediate impression is ...
Christmas and its buildup are often lonely, hard and full of unreasonable expectations. Here’s how to make it to Jesus’s birthday and find the little bit of joy we all deserve. Have you found this year relentless? Has the latest Apple update “fucked up your life”? Have you lost two ...
Despite overwhelming public and corporate support, the government has stalled progress on a modern day slavery law. That puts us behind other countries – and makes Christmas a time of tragedy rather than joy, argues Shanti Mathias. Picture the scene on Christmas Day. Everyone replete with nice things to eat, ...
Asia Pacific Report “It looks like Hiroshima. It looks like Germany at the end of World War Two,” says an Israeli-American historian and professor of holocaust and genocide studies at Brown University about the horrifying reality of Gaza. Professor Omer Bartov, has described Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza as an ...
The New Zealand government coalition is tweaking university regulations to curb what it says is an increasingly “risk-averse approach” to free speech. The proposed changes will set clear expectations on how universities should approach freedom of speech issues. Each university will then have to adopt a “freedom of speech statement” ...
Report by Dr David Robie – Café Pacific. – COMMENTARY: By Caitlin Johnstone New York prosecutors have charged Luigi Mangione with “murder as an act of terrorism” in his alleged shooting of health insurance CEO Brian Thompson earlier this month. This news comes out at the same time as ...
Pacific Media Watch The union for Australian journalists has welcomed the delivery by the federal government of more than $150 million to support the sustainability of public interest journalism over the next four years. Combined with the announcement of the revamped News Bargaining Initiative, this could result in up to ...
MONDAY“Merry Xmas, and praise the Lord,” said Sheriff Luxon, and smiled for the camera. There was a flash of smoke when the shutter pressed down on the magnesium powder. The sheriff had arranged for a photographer from the Dodge Gazette to attend a ceremony where he handed out food parcels to ...
It’s a little under two months since the White Ferns shocked the cricketing world, deservedly taking home the T20 World Cup. Since then the trophy has had a tour around the country, five of the squad have played in the WBBL in Australia while most others have returned to domestic ...
“Prime Minister John Key remains confident the economy will pick up and increase the number of jobs available” NZ Herald 28/2/12
How many jobs and when?
That same confidence that’s been shown in their budgetary forecasts and spin for over 3 years now….roaring out if recession etc.
Their inclusion of the 6 billion guess is fraud, how many boards would be allowed that behaviour……oh hang on, plenty in this corporate culture.
More BS from the shonkster, move along sheeple nothing to see
Don’t panic. Its three years – to the day – since the National Ltd™ “Job Summit” finished. Won’t be long now . . . I’m really looking forward to the 3000km Kaitaia-to-Bluff cycle way, the nine-day fortnight, and the $1 billion contribution from the banks plus $8 billion from government to invest in job-producing industry. I mean there’s been such a great start on the freeze on regulation and enforcement activity to achieve minimum stanards in all sorts of areas. Can’t be long now before we start to see jobs being created . . . John promised.
OHHH! Please don’t forget … I am so very excited and optimistic about the budget delivering another 170,000 jobs.
which budget?
Could have been this one: http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/budget-2011-govt-predicts-170-000-new-jobs-4181124
Or these ones: http://thestandard.org.nz/stop-me-if-youve-already-heard-this-one/
I’m still waiting to catch the knowledge wave and to have my gaps closed.
national standards and loan restrictions stuffed one, and the other was being progressed before key came in.
You really need to get to grips with recent political history. Labour ran like the clappers from closing the gaps when it became controversial (whanau ora will probably be a rerun) and the wave was barely a ripple.
I see the rewrite is progressing well…
A
He was talking about Australian jobs.
http://crooksandliars.com/karoli/charter-school-or-indoctrination-center-edu
Direct from the States – a big reason why charter schools are such a horrible idea… unless of course you want to increase your OT levels from an early age…
http://crooksandliars.com/karoli/charter-school-or-indoctrination-center-edu
Direct from the States – a big reason why charter schools are such a horrible idea… unless of course you want to increase your OT levels from an early age…
How about that Otago Union eh. Posting losses for years, a number of bad decisions and gone owing millions. I get the feeling this is an easy way to isolate losses knowingly being racked up in one entity which the NZRU can sidestep and do it all over again with their own muppets.
TYPICAL FUCKING UNION SCUM
my thoughts exactly… dump ya debts and carry on, as some are known to do
its only a sports club, cue govt bailout
Hell, the DCC has bailed them out to the tune of millions for years (not including the stadium), and then the NZRFU has the balls to suggest that maybe the “community can get behind it”.
I don’t begrudge community funding sport and recreation by any means, but those cocks were pissing money away and expecting to be bailed out because the sun shines out of their arse. Now most of the ORFU supporting councillors are out, the dickheads were to incompetent to stand alongside every other sport in the community. Good riddance. Pity it didn’t happen before we near bankrupted ourselves on the stadium.
Crazy . . .
WikiLeaks denounces UNESCO after WikiLeaks banned from UNESCO conference on WikiLeaks
I’m really starting to think that the UN has passed its use-by date as well. It seems that the US dominates it.
Excellent email just read out on Morning Report.
“I feel so sorry for John Key and Paula Bennett. So many people on benefits and no poor houses to throw them into …”
We were discussing the same at morning tea; this recovery must be about to happen; maybe I blinked and missed it?
Don’t worry, Fletcher’s will be building them some time soon, probably using Filipino trades people
People down these Canterbury parts aren’t too happy about Phil Heatley’s ramblings and ignorance over proposed fracking here. Examples of his stupidity and hypocrisy and bullshit…
1. He says he has no reason to suspect there is a risk in Canterbury over the two main risks with fracking, namely ground water contamination and induced earthquake activity. (despite there already being earthquakes ffs, as well as issues arising from ground water thanks to cowshit)
2. He says he is confident in the Council’s ability to manage the fracking (despite having no confidence in Ecan or the City Council and despite the nats general aversion to all things council-wise and despite one of the Council’s requesting a moratorium on fracking)
These sorts of bullshit lies make the blood boil. How do these wankers get away with such bullshit?
Becauase the sheep sit on their daggs, and go baa baa baa
Hey vto, I completely understand that feeling of your blood boiling. I understand becuase I have been in perpetual state of
http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/are-you-serious-face-seriously
for the last 3 years and 3 months. My mouth has been in gaping awe at the stupidity displayed every time a minister or JK opens their mouths, so much that my mouth has dried up over this time.
Yep, Rosie, the are you serious face…
But the problem remains. Just like the goon in that clip these people just keep on going and going and going. Stating their lies and bullshit.
Lies lies lies… heatley heatley heatley… are you serious face are you serious face are you serious face…
Brilliant! AYSF! Ditto Rosie & vto.
I get it Rosie. So true. Was my reaction to the Ministry of Ed woman talking about National Standards this morning National Radio before 10am. I had to drink a cup of tea to get my mouth moistened. (And the Shouty O’Reilly clip was huge fun too.)
fracking creates no more risk to water than any other form of drilling. The issue is poor casing not fracking.
And the casing is needed because…?
Oh, and don’t forget, no seal is ever perfect.
The casings are necessary no argument. But all wells are cased. What you need to show is that fracked wells have more issues/failures than non fracked.
Do you understand what frakking does? It breaks up the ground so that gas and liquids travel through it faster. The casing isn’t going to do anything to prevent contamination of ground water because of that fracturing. Considering that earthquakes are a release of stress within the mantle we can see how it could possibly lead to more of them as well.
Hi vto, I did happen to hear Phil Heatleys talk about his complete lack of concern for fracking. There was a couple of are you serious faces going on in our living room at the time. Its mindblowing isn’t it.
Seriously though, I have been trying to work out why there isn’t a resistance to the cascade of stupidity and consequent policy and so far I can only put it down to ignorance, apathy and cogntive dissonance. Almost everyone I know has no idea what is going on and nor do they care. If they do have an opinion its a sound bite brainwashed one that make apologies for our govt. What can you do?
Totally relate to what you are saying, people are alseep quoting soundbites, if anything, which is allowing the agenda to continue, and leaving those who pay attention and bother to research underlying issues, feeling very frustrated. Knowing that the apathy of others is going to have an impact on you and your family is a horrible feeling to have, so what you can do is keep trying to understand the issues, the agenda, and look for ways in the system of your local council etc that you can lodge your concerns. Write emails continually to MP’s, councillors etc, research the decisions of France and Bulgaria to ban fracking, and include this info in your communications. Illustrate the numerous examples around the world of protests against fracking, such as is going on in Ohio currently.
Also look for active people in your part of the country, you might be surprised how many like minded people there are. Being in touch with others who care, and share the same concerns you do Rosie, really helps to stop people feeling alone in their feelings of frustrated helplessness..
Taking some pro-active approach really helps I find. I hope this response helps you out!
here is a fracking cache that might help..
..consider it a primer on the subject..
http://whoar.co.nz/?s=fracking
phil-at-whoar.
There is a resistance, Rosie, it just isn’t advertised. There are no leaders or organisation as such and everyone acts alone. All you have to do to join is to understand your area of concern; where it fits into the overall picture of the common good; and commit to actively stopping any in-roads by the government or people who support their ideology/perspective into your area of concern. Apply as much pressure as you like, noisy or quietly, legal or illegal, the choice is yours. Then when you’re ready, take the offensive and push back as you see fit – undermine, sabotage, road-block. It’s very simple and completely covert. If anyone stands up and starts yapping about it, spectators just think they’re crazy. We don’t exist. Nothing can be proved. I’m just a crazy person on an internet site.
http://www.interest.co.nz/bonds/58080/auckland-council-plans-increase-its-net-debt-percentage-total-revenue-limit-275-175
Hmmmm
Thanks Muzza and Uturn:-) They are thoughtful responses. My family and friends do shake their heads at me because I am the one writing the letters to the MP’s, reading, watching documentaries, watching alternate news channels online, attending rallies and even at one stage working within the Union movement. I guess I got a bit tired of the rhetoric and division that I see exist within some of the activist movements, and I get impatient for change. Also I’ve found, but would like to be proved wrong there is lack of positive energy within some groups and a bit of hating going on and absolutely no sense of humour.
Hey U turn, I’m also a crazy person on an internet site. Lol. In saying that before the Occupy movement got any media coverage I had some amazing on line chats with folks from the UK and USA. I was damn impressed at the vision, courage and collective strength of those people. Bigger populations of course, but same deal as us.
I’ve just recently come onto the Standard so I can access some solidarity with like mindeds like yourselves, and I’m enjoying the intelligent discussions folks post.
Rosie, good on you for getting actively involved, its feels like a thankless task at times, but the option of not doing anything, I assume is not really an option for you?
The active community can be their own worst enemy at times, and from my experiences in AKL the same points you make apply. The underlying messages are there, but the strategy to deliver is , so far as I have seen not there. Of course you get the egos and infighting, which is only serving to derail the impact of any effort that is made.
Keep in touch with the active people though Rosie, because it will allow you get a feel for where there are peole or agendas that are best avoided, or that are serving only to relieve you of energy, and desire to help. I would suggest the same applies to working online, as it can become as big a distraction, as it can be a helpful mechanism for information, networking etc…Balance is the key , as with all things.
Never let other peoples ignorance impact on you Rosie, hard as that might be. Teh other option is for you to put your head int he sand the same way they do, but I guess , like me, that is not an option, and so we just have to accept that people genuinley do not care in the same way!
Thanks again Muzza:-) Yes, sometimes I do stand back as all those ego’s and energy sappers get a bit much. I think acting out and living your moral code is important too, like actually walking the talk to use a corny US term.I’ve met some folks in active groups that can be quite uncool and hypocritical in their actions which leaves them open to ridicule from the those they are trying convince of a better way of living/thinking.
So funny you used the term “put your head in the sand”. I’ve just used that term over on stuff.co.nz on their comments section about a UMR phone research poll that showed that being right wing made you happier…………..I would have included a reference for people to check my point I made but all my psychologhy text books are locked away in our storage unit.
You get to be online when you’re unemployed! haha. BTW, troll force that might be lurking here, I’m not entitled to any benefit so we are struggling along on one income, but at least I’m one less benefit bludging parasite eh?
Waht was that about ignorance being bliss………..
In my case, being online when I am unemployed is a psychological necessity! As a result I sacrifice other things to afford dial up, and of course the landline I need to run it. If I ever get a job, I will have the money for a decent connection but not the time.
Lots of ironies there…
It might be worth shopping around a bit for broadband deals. The entry level bundles (phone and net) at Slingshot are $80 pcm and Telstra have a $75 pcm special on now which looks excellent. I’m guessing that you pay around $50-55 now and I do appreciate that still means finding another fiver each week, but it will be worth it if you can afford it.
Thanks, I’ll look into that! Presently, I pay $10.00 a month (pre-pay) for dial up, and I suppose $48 a month for my phone, so putting those two together, it’s more than I tend to think it is… So, it might be worthwhile!
On another note Granny herald today asks “Should the government bail out the Otago RFU?”
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=10788548
My take very simple, we bail out banks, we bail out creditors for SCF and other corporate scoundrels….where is the ORFUs bail out? And the bail out to students? And to every other person?
Over at Kiwipolitico (posted 30 January) “Pablo” asks: Does NZ have a culture of impunity?
I quote the following passage from the post:
They can buy silence and name suppression when they misbehave; with a wink and a nod they accommodate employment for their friends and provide sinecures for each other (think of various Boards); they consider themselves better informed, in the know, more worldly and therefore unaccountable to the popular masses when it comes to making policy (think of the use of parliamentary urgency to ram through contentious legislation and the NZDF command lies about what the SAS is actually doing in Afghanistan); they award themselves extraordinary powers in some times of crisis (Christchurch) while absolving themselves of responsibility in others (Rena). They use the Police for their own purposes (Teapot Tapes and Occupy evictions, the latter happening not because of public consensus but done by summary executive fiat).
Yes, we now have a culture of impunity.
Epic truth Anne
Damm, I forgot to add link
http://www.kiwipolitico.com/2012/01/a-culture-of-impunity/
I was listening to that slime ball Farrar on National radio yesterday; have we evidence that he and Key are not the same person who can shape shift from slim ball to weasel, but the voice remains the same? Has anyone actually got evidence they are not the same entity?
The Stuff.co.nz photo of Farrar looks very similar, in terms of lighting, to the billboard photo of John Key from last year.
Anyone listening to Rod Oram slating the union at the port on Nine to Noon?
Hell no!!!
Yes, and I was disgusted… 🙁
CONFIRMED!
The Occupy Auckland endorsed petition which requests: “That the House conduct an urgent inquiry into the decisions regarding prosecutions relating to the Huljich Kiwisaver Scheme registered prospectuses dated 22 August 2008 and 18 September 2009” is being presented to the House at 2pm today – Tuesday 28 February 2012.
Thank you Labour MP for Auckland Issues, Phil Twyford who is the MP who presented this petition.
This should help cast a HUGE national and international public spotlight on the fact that the balance of power in New Zealand ‘perceived’ to be the ‘least corrupt country in the world’ (according to Transparency International’s 2011 ‘Corruption Perception Index’ – is currently being held by an arguably yet-to-be charged or convicted ‘white collar’ criminal John Banks – ACT MP for Epsom.
ACT purportedly believe in ‘ONE LAW FOR ALL’ – so how come that hasn’t yet applied to the current and former Leaders of the ACT Party?
For more background information (including – the Huljich Kiwisaver Scheme registered prospectuses dated 22 August 2008 and 18 September 2009) check out http://www.pennybright4epsom.org.nz
Cheers!
Penny Bright
Well done Penny
nice one Pen
Congratulations Penny Bright.
Paula Bennett says that cleaning and fast food jobs are ‘noble’. I agree but why isn’t caring for children ‘noble’? Mums and Dads on benefits who have to spend time on courses that assist in their roles, child psychology, cooking, putting up shelves, the right use of tools would be good and could open to other education and jobs. Go into an entry level job and it prepares you for other – entry level jobs. And they are poorly paid. The government never faces how they may force people into greater poverty when they take them off benefits and give them an any-job.
Cleaning is an odd one to choose. It’s a very despised job, as I know having been one, and often carried out at or after dinner time, or early in the morning, no good if you have children. (The government says that children cannot be left at home under age fourteen. ) Or it’s on-call say with a motel, and that makes it very difficult to have a life, or to cater for family duties and child supervision and care.
Trying to understand propaganda with logic or life experience isn’t going to work – as you discover. It’s just meaningless words, based around current cultural myths and cliché, used to cover malicious intent. There isn’t meant to be any reference to reality at all.
Good news!
Trevor Mallard announced in Question Time that Murray McCully has been found in “the building”. He must have chewed through the restraints and escaped the party whips.
i did a commentary on questiontime..
..and the ‘joke’ for me was ‘where’s the bloody opposition..?’..
..with the exception of parker…(and a one-liner retort from peters to bennett,,that must have stung..)..
..every opposition party/speaker was as lame-as..
..i grade each questiontime on watchability..and other factors..
..this one got 1/10..
..and a caustic-summary..
phil-at-whoar.
@ uturn
+1
Occupy London is being closed down by the cops right about now. Nothing like dealing to sleeping people in the early hours of the morning to make policing fun.
A couple of weeks ago there was an article telling us if you are of a lower IQ you are more likely to be a RWNJ; even more evidence emerging
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2012/feb/27/upper-class-people-behave-selfishly
So if you are a Tory toff you are more likely to be greedy, a cheat and less caring; now there’s a surprise!
Someone yesterday said a survey in NZ concluded that RWingers were happier. So add that to the mix and we find RWNJs are Jovial Sociopathic Simpletons. Sounds exhausting!
Here’s another similar article Ianupnorth
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2095549/Right-wingers-intelligent-left-wingers-says-controversial-study–conservative-politics-lead-people-racist.html
Funnily enough this is taken from a Stuff commentor regarding the UMR research finding that people with a right wing bent are happier…………………..
Thw whole ignorance is bliss thing
Just one question today: What happened to “ambitious”?
It’s alive and well Felix, Paula Bennett has caused an ambitious rush of people seeking employment in cleaning and fast-food industries in an effort to obtain nobility.
Paula Bennett has stopped short of saying how many babies a woman on welfare can have. I am deeply concerned for the welfare of children in a single parent home when their mother has to look for part-time work if she has an another child when the second child is 12 months old.
1. Day care for children under age two needs to be of a high standard.
2. Attachment is ongoing (mother/baby) and mothers with post natal depression cannot be pressured.
3. Single parenting is very different to a two parent household.
4. Some woman have multiple births or they are very fertile.
5. Some children do not sleep well at night, so the single parent has to be up for them to avoid an accident.
Every child needs to be put at the top of the pyramid and their needs assessed because of how individual every life circumstance is. For some children to be put into a category just to satisfy a no gain welfare policy is mindless.
A study was carried out in Dunedin and it proved that child abuse increased when single parents were work tested when their child turned 6. (I need to search for the study).
The government have an arse about face solution to helping single parents as they have FAILED to do research as to what single parents want and need within reason and what they think about being turned into a second class citizen because they are raising a potential tax payer.
If I could tomorrow I would take for every minister in cabinet a 12 month old baby and get them to do a diary for a month on looking after them 24/7.
Totally agree with Paula we have to stop the 16 years olds becoming baby factories for cash, Which leads to huge Social Problems down the Line. Labour did nothing about this in its time 9 years. They just seem very content to keep people on the Dole so Social unrest may come at a Later date. As the saying goes if you want to see how a child will turn out take a good look at the Mother totally agree many of them dont paint avery good picture
james 111 are you saying that every female age 16 (legal age of consent) should not have sex incase they fall pregnant?
If so how do you propose to stop a 16 year old female having sex?
What I want to see is the budget forecast in 2012 INPARTICULAR job training/growth of jobs.
Women don’t have “babies for cash” as it costs far more than what they get.
james 111 you may find that baby factories is a myth like so many claims by National.
Read this:-
http://werewolf.co.nz/2011/02/ten-myths-about-welfare/
Hardly a big problem as less than 2% on the DPB are 16.
And. If you think that becoming pregnant to get an income is such a good choice, give them better choices. Such as a minimum wage they can live on!
Wow! Where’s your evidence that any such thing as “the 16 years olds becoming baby factories for cash” actually happens? Michael Moore (not the American film guy, but the NZ former PM) did a study years ago, that showed the overwhelming majority of DPB women to be 30-something, formerly partnered mothers of at most, 2 children. Teenage women on DPB were outnumbered 2-1 by teenage boys on DPB! (Talking of which, the daughter of the girlfriend of my late brother, became a 16 year old mother, in 1998. This girl planned to have the baby adopted – an adoptive family were all lined up – and then 2 things happened. The baby was born with huge heart defects, and the 16 year old father sued for sole custody. When Therese explained to the would-be adopters and the mother of the teen father, that her new grandson G., would need special care and on-going surgery for most of his childhood, both the would-be adopters and the teen daddy, immediately lost interest. Teen daddy wanted a cashflow, it seemed, not a responsibility.)
Treetop no not saying that but would I would like to see is limit the DPB to one child just like Clinton did in the states.
National havent had the balls to do it yet. When Clinton did it yes a democrat. The teenage pregnancy rate fell markedly they suddenly found cotraceptives because they werent going to get paid for anyh extra kids.
Some are making a living out of it now ,more than a blue collar worker gets for working 40 hours,and it isnt right.
Dear James,
Please come to grips with the concept of writing on internet forums (helpful note: writing is different from talking).
Your badly misspelled and grammatically incorrect ‘stream of consciousness’ rants are burning my eyes.
Sincerely yours,
Frustrated and annoyed
the concept of writing on internet forums (sic)
You meant to write “internet fora”.
Damn! I knew I’d make an embarrassing, Latin-related, mistake.
We’ll let you off with a warning this time.
Muphrey in full effect!
Already explained to you James that you can’t get more on benefit working and referred you to the maths (and given your right wing idiocy you should wash your mouth out for even mentioning blue collar workers as an example – like you give a shit for them).
Still I have a solution to the baby factory that should meet your right wing daddy state desires – sterilise all men. That should solve the problem and result in lots of sex occurring as well without the pregnancy risk ( STD’S etc will still be an issue though).
Women actually don’t need men to have children now – eggs can be fertilised with other eggs and sperm can be created artificially now as well. Men as a source of population maintainer is pretty old school in this modern world.
If that’s too strong an option we should just imprison any men who gets a girl pregnant – after all it should be a crime to impregnate a woman and not take financial responsibility for the resulting child.
Why those bloody men expect the taxpayer to top up the pittance that some of them pay in child support I don’t know.
They should have to pay the total cost of any benefit that the women gets – their child – their cost.
Ryall needs to improve the cost and access of contraception for every woman and in some areas e.g Whanganui delivery services are being eroded. This is what reduces the birth rate and the cost of care of complicated deliveries.
james 111 benefit bashing is not the answer. Policies which give good outcomes for children is.
I am waiting to see what is proposed for ALL children in the green paper and for inadequate parents so integenerational problems are not repeated.
My first priority is breaking an unhealthy cycle regardless of the issue. This cannot be done over night and it requires the necessary resources.
trotter has made the claim shearer and his coterie plan to take labour further to the right…
..is this correct..?
phil-at-whoar.
Trotter who?
meanwhile.. back at the topic/question…
..is he correct..?
phil-at-whoar.
Did you track down this “Trotter” fellow? What did he say?
Wouldn’t trust a guy named Trotter, sounds like he’d walk all over you.
heh