I think you will find that your response proves his point. You have been duped and that you instantly spit out a vacuous response showing that you are duped or colluding only makes you look, well, foolish.
some nat supporters start to be exposed for supporting something they don’t know about or understand… they BELIEVE the government is doing a good job but why, when you scratch beneath the repeated slogans of their chosen team, they don’t know…
“The person has a problem with a slogan and spends paragraphs saying they don’t get it.”
No, the person uses the whole article to write a satirical piece on the extent to which we are being screwed by the National Govt. The Emperor has no clothes. If you believe the Emperor when he says he has this beautiful new coat you won’t be able to understand what Ganesh Nana is saying.
see below for an explanation of why you might not get it… but in case you don’t scroll down. You and NZ are being lied to. Because you have chosen to believe everything you are being told about the economic management of this country, you don’t think we are being lied to. That means you are being duped.
Ganesh also had a close look through the budget docs and he was in the lock up.
He couldn’t FIND the plan. Not that he didn’t understand it. He couldn’t find IT!!!!
Chris have you found the plan – if so help by telling us please.
“”What with the foundation economic forecasts resting on an assumed 60% rebound in export dairy prices over the next 18 months,””
I can 100% bet that not one farmer in nz is budgeting on a 60%rebound in dairy and people still believe these idiots are a safe pair of hands.
Yep, I guffawed when I read that. Considering the way the rest of the world is ramping up dairy production I’d expect a continuing decline in world dairy prices.
“I can 100% bet that not one farmer in nz is budgeting on a 60%rebound in dairy”
Of course they wouldn’t! They will be forecasting based on a far more conservative figure to give themselves room for the unexpected, however this forecast will be built on long term trends and modelling (think weather vs climate).
“and people still believe these idiots are a safe pair of hands”
Far safer than the idiot that doesn’t understand the concept above!
I believe the main reason the nats missed surplus this year is because old trader john gambled on the futures of dairy and lost ,still when its not his money I’m sure he shrugs his shoulders and thinks better luck next time.
I have no doubts Collins is undermining Key’s leadership by first pulling the strings behind Williamson’s little tantrum the other day. And now she defiantly openly discusses talk at the caucus table. Key is being criticised for being too conservative which gives Judy doll an opening to apply pressure right up Johnny boys arse. The crack is starting to show.
Sheesh, I just cannot picture Collins as PM material…. she is more of the rabid dog scrapping and snarling…. and none of the mana that is required for the top job …. mind you that didn’t stop that piece of nothing John Key in the National Party
No one often asks me about the revolution, and when it might come.
It’s been coming a long time. Marx himself estimated 400 years, starting sometime last century. Don’t ask which year we’re at on that timeframe: it’d be like trying to pinpoint a Muslim event on the Roman calendar, with no recourse to events in the zodiac.
But some serious dudes, and even more serious dudettes, have been pushing the revolution for all their lives. Ben Morea was one of many in a constantly evolving American anarchist group in the late sixties called, at times, Black mask, The Family and later, as a collective, “Up Against the Wall Motherfucker!”.
Here’s an interview with him in 2006 , which, at least theoretically, gave him plenty of time to reflect on the past.
On the subject of his understanding of societal revolution, he says,
“From my perspective and that of the people I worked with we saw a need to change everything from the way we lived to the way we thought to the way we even ate. Total Revolution was our way of saying that we weren’t going to settle for political or cultural change, but that we want it all, we want everything to change. Western society had reached a stalemate and needed a total overhaul. We knew that wasn’t going to happen, but that was our demand, what we were about.
It also meant seeing that you need all types of people involved, not just political activists. Poets and artists are just as important. Revolution comes about as a cumulative effect and part of that is a change in consciousness, a new way of thinking.”
Sound familiar? The whole interview is illuminating for those who either believe change will come from the top down, the bottom up, or from the street. It’s not clear whether he believes any of that, anymore, but what is most important is that the process continues. People often ask who will save them, who will provide the new answer, who will become the next leader of XYZ party – and if they can’t, then to hell with them. It’s missing the point: Start Something. Anything. Begin your revolution today.
How? Where’s the plan?
What fucking plan?
Where’s the bunting and trumpets?
What fanfare?
Where’s the heavily-armed tribe?
You’re most likely on your own, armed only with what you have.
Do anything that matches your style of politics. Like a good religion, you have to live it. Start small and easy.
Nothing will turn out the way we think. And nothing turned out the way Ben Morea thought, but Jesus, he had one hell of a life. Some of the things he remembered don’t match recorded moments of the actual event. That also sounds familiar, and that’s important too. We have to risk looking a bit dumb, to observers, sometimes. Ben says,
“…We believed in what we were doing, but we didn’t want to be too serious. We could laugh at ourselves. The best influence we felt we could have was not just to inject militancy, but also joy and humour into the struggles of the time…”.
And they didn’t scrimp on the militancy. Seriously. The people who he calls the “fighters” of his group were fist-fighting armed police and street gangs, and he openly supported the attempted murder of Andy Warhol – for reasons clear to them,
“After she shot him I wrote a pamphlet supporting her. I may have been the only person who did that publicly. I went up to MOMA and handed it out there. Everybody I met was very negative about it, but, hey, I disliked Andy Warhol immensely and I loved Valerie. I felt she was right in her anger and that he was way more destructive than she was because he was helping to destroy the whole idea of creativity in art. Some people dislike the term, but I feel that creativity is a kind of spiritual act, a profound thing for people to do. Warhol was the exact opposite, he tried to deny and purge the core of creativity and put it on a commercial basis. As a person he was really despicable, as well, and that’s why Valerie hated him. He used and manipulated people.
…Even the people who liked her feminist approach couldn’t deal with the fact that she would harm Andy. Black Mask and The Family drove the political people nuts because we didn’t fit into any of their blueprints, because we were loose cannons, so you can imagine how they looked upon Valerie…”
He is clear that in including anyone, they weren’t just looking for the shouty-punchy types with a chip on their shoulder. If you weren’t a fighter, you were under no obligation to get your ass-whipped in a situation far above your abilities. Getting beat up for the sake of it wasn’t the point, or a point of honour.
“…Whoever felt inspired would come along and we’d all collaborate. People who have reprinted our work, both at the time and since, often failed to appreciate our sense of humour. …
We had our own mimeograph machine so people were constantly running off leaflets and posters. A lot of the time I would see one on the street that I didn’t even know had come out. The beauty of our family was that it was multi-armed and had no central brain so people were often doing actions and producing things that the rest knew little about…”
If we accept his version of events, they were compassionate people too. Their compassion for what he called the “runaways” and homeless that crowded into the Lower East Side during the sixties, that were harassed and beaten by the good polite people and vigilantes of mainstream society, his “affinity groups” supported their basic needs and artistic (spiritual) requirements and finally, when things got too hot, found safe homes for as many as they could, out of the danger zone.
One of the “doesn’t quite match the actual” recollections, is the time they “assassinated” the… what would now be called, Hipster Poet… Kenneth Koch. Ironically, his second name is pronounced, Coke,
“…Koch was a symbol to us of this totally bourgeois, dandy world. Myself, Dan Georgakas, Alan Van Newkirk and some of the other Black Mask people went to one of his readings. I think I came up with idea to shoot him with a blank pistol. Alan looked like the classic image of the bomb throwing anarchist. He was about six foot three, long and thin with a gaunt face and always dressed in black – the anarchist incarnate. So we decided “You’re the one, you’re going to shoot him.” (laughter) We printed a leaflet and all it had on it was a picture of Leroi Jones with the words `Poetry is revolution.’ On the night when Alan shot the blank Koch fainted and everyone in the audience assumed he was dead and started screaming . Some people threw the leaflet from the balcony into the crowd and then we all left.
Reactions after the event were split between people who thought it was the greatest thing they’d ever heard and those that thought we were a bunch of sophomoric assholes. Which was great because so much of what Black Mask and The Family was about was pushing people to decide “Do I belong with this group of people or this one?” We were determined to be outrageous in order to force people to decide where they stood on things. We wanted to push people, force them to think. “Why shoot Koch? He’s just a nice poet…”
Here is an actual recording of that night. One version of this event has no visual evidence, but has sounds, and is clearly edited; the other version no sound and relies on memory. One claims symbolic victory, the other claims courage under fire. What do you think?
Embarrassment is nothing. The world wants us dead, the political opposition wants us living in fear and poverty, that much is clear. What useful advantage would it be to feel embarrassed in the face of that kind of enemy? To ourselves, we’ll always seem the very best of everything good… (a bit like GenXers thinking they’re better than Boomers… something for next time perhaps)… we will fall short, we’ll look dumb, feel uncomfortable, but it doesn’t mean the end of our personal revolution. There is no way to know what it will start when we’re gone. No point squabbling over it.
There aren’t many hippies any more, and modern-day anarchists are considered more delusional than teenage girls who say they’re feminists.
The dramatically sounding “Up Against the Wall Mother Fucker!” finally splintered and literally disappeared off into the hills on horseback to discover new ways of living, for a few years, or a decade, before returning to whatever was left.
They “failed” by our contemporary consumer standards, because they don’t now occupy the White House and drive Porsches. That wasn’t ever their goal.
The reason our world is the way it is now was contributed to by what the people before us thought and did and lived. Like a hundred-thousand other unknown political groups, their influence is here, now. Their ideas aren’t a rigid design for today, they’re an enduring example of what happens when we do something. Revolution is slow and starts small. In politics, everything happens slowly. It can still be exciting.
Today the U.S. ordered Swiss police to raid, incarcerate and extradite to the U.S. six FIFA officials for alleged corruption. The raid, with obviously pre-alarmed New York Times reporters on the scene, comes shortly before a FIFA vote to expel Israel from the association.
This Friday the world football association FIFA is meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, for its 65th regular World Congress. One of the votes on the agenda (pdf) is about the “Suspension or expulsion of a member”. There is also an “Update on Israel-Palestine”.
The Palestinian Football Association has called for a vote to suspend Israel from FIFA:
The Palestinian group objects to Israeli teams playing in the West Bank. They also say Israel restricts movements of Palestinian players between the West Bank and Gaza as well as for international matches.
“They keep bullying here and there, and I think they have no right to keep being the bully of the neighborhood,” Palestinian Football Association President Jibril Rajoub said of Israel. “If the Israelis are using the issue of security, I can say that their security concern is mine. I am ready to fix parameters for security concerns, but security should not be used … as a tool in order to keep this racist, apartheid policies.”
He declared the situation in the West Bank far worse than apartheid that existed in South Africa because right-wingers and extremists in Israel want to “delete Palestine.” In the 1960s, FIFA suspended South Africa for decades after it failed to comply with the association’s nondiscrimination policies. The nation was also expelled from FIFA a month after the Soweto Youth Uprising of 1976.
“I am not asking for the suspension of the Israeli association; I am asking to end the suffering of the Palestinian footballers,” Rajoub said. “I am asking to end the grievances, the humiliation we are facing.”
The vote requires a 75% majority of the 209 FIFA members. There was a good chance that it was going to be successful.
But now, just by chance, the U.S. government ordered the Swiss police to raid the hotel where the main FIFA functionaries are residing to arrest some of them on corruption charges going back to the early 1990s. The U.S. wants these to be extradited to face a U.S. court.
Also, just by chance, reporters and photographers of the New York Times happen to be in that very Swiss hotel lobby, at 6 am, to capture the incident live….
The intersection between NSA, sports and politics. A very interesting article, and it’s hard not to agree with both his summary of human nature and his conslusions.
“Imagine that someone knows about almost every case of corruption in the world, and given NSA’s programs we recently heard about, it is not such a complete fantasy. This “someone” could easily use this information to remove inconvenient people, and keep or install convenient ones, almost everywhere. At least, he could change 10% of the composition of all similar bodies “immediately” and replace additional heads through the officials’ responsibility for their subordinates.
Is it right that the arrests took place two days before the selection of the new FIFA head?
I think that the timing suggests that it’s no coincidence. It surely looks like someone wanted to maximize the impact of the theater. In other words, someone apparently wanted to reduce the chances of Mr Blatter to be reelected. He had some information about the bribery and decided to use it at the optimum time. I don’t have a proof of this motive but you would have to present a rather accurate and complete alternative explanation if you wanted me not to think that this is the most likely explanation of the timing.
It also makes sense to think that the target isn’t necessarily Mr Blatter himself but the decisions that were made under his supervision, like the decision to move the 2022 World Cup to Qatar and especially the 2018 World Cup to Russia. If someone wanted to reverse those decisions, this could be an optimal strategy. No explicit charges related to these future world cups are known at this moment”
Is it possible that this Government is steadily and quietly restricting their exposure to scrutiny? Hidden in the Budget according to Myles Thomas:
“…And in the Budget the Government has tightened the screws further. Just as NZ on Air was making noises about possibly funding more current affairs, the 2015 Budget introduces new targets that require 70 per cent of its prime-time programmes on TVOne, TV2 and TV3 to reach more than 200,000 viewers…..
TV3 – their brand-new show 3D just scraped in over 200,000 viewers last Sunday.
“….Our loss is the Government’s gain – the prevalence of government-friendly hosts and entertainment shows means it’s unlikely any government minister will face a series of awkward questions on prime-time television. Most people would agree that’s not a good thing either….” http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=11455661
I turned off Kathryn Ryan and nine-to-noon when i heard her interviewing ‘Cunliffe the Horrible’
( not the nice Labour Xian one that got crucified )
….and ‘Cunliffe the Horrible’ was telling nine-to- noon listeners what unhealthy sweet treats Media Works had in store for us New Zealanders
( “PUKE ” I thought …and click went my index finger on the button….and then I got myself a nice cup of tea….”I dont have to listen to that bilge” I thought. Amazing how a click of the button can make you feel good. Sorry Kathryn Ryan because i DO like your programme.)
“Would he be at home speaking on a marae, to farmers or to trade unionists, Mr Hague asked, and could the wider population relate to a Wellington-based, metrosexual MP who doesn’t drive?”
I wonder if New Zealand politicians are also receiving money and bribes by the corporates to fast track the TPPA….against New Zealanders’ wishes and without New Zealand parliamentary democratic agreement
Money talked and the people’s representatives caved…
Mind you, in a so-called confidential negotiation where the people cannot know (to preserve negotiating positions), the US had over 400 corporate agents at meetings to negotiate TPP so clearly it wasn’t a need to keep it secret from everyone, just the people.
Dr Mapp tells us that receiving donations doesn’t make any difference to politicians, it doesn’t determine how they vote/work…
Perhaps this is a form of evidence that he is wrong. And precisely because he knows he was talking BS when he wrote that he could confidently say that the congress would give Obama the fast-track…. I am sure he will say the money is just a coincidence.
For those who cannot be bothered reading katipo’s link here is some of what it reveals.
“Using data from the Federal Election Commission, this chart shows all donations that corporate members of the US Business Coalition for TPP made to US Senate campaigns between January and March 2015, when fast-tracking the TPP was being debated in the Senate:
Out of the total $1,148,971 given, an average of $17,676.48 was donated to each of the 65 “yea” votes.
The average Republican member received $19,673.28 from corporate TPP supporters.
The average Democrat received $9,689.23 from those same donors.
The amounts given rise dramatically when looking at how much each senator running for re-election received.
Two days before the fast-track vote, Obama was a few votes shy of having the filibuster-proof majority he needed. Ron Wyden and seven other Senate Democrats announced they were on the fence on 12 May, distinguishing themselves from the Senate’s 54 Republicans and handful of Democrats as the votes to sway.
In just 24 hours, Wyden and five of those Democratic holdouts – Michael Bennet of Colorado, Dianne Feinstein of California, Claire McCaskill of Missouri, Patty Murray of Washington, and Bill Nelson of Florida – caved and voted for fast-track.
Bennet, Murray, and Wyden – all running for re-election in 2016 – received $105,900 between the three of them. Bennet, who comes from the more purple state of Colorado, got $53,700 in corporate campaign donations between January and March 2015, according to Channing’s research.
Almost 100% of the Republicans in the US Senate voted for fast-track – the only two non-votes on TPA were a Republican from Louisiana and a Republican from Alaska.
Senator Rob Portman of Ohio, who is the former US trade representative, has been one of the loudest proponents of the TPP. He received $119,700 from 14 different corporations between January and March, most of which comes from donations from Goldman Sachs ($70,600), Pfizer ($15,700), and Procter & Gamble ($12,900). Portman is expected to run against former Ohio governor Ted Strickland in 2016 in one of the most politically competitive states in the country.
Seven Republicans who voted “yea” to fast-track and are also running for re-election next year cleaned up between January and March. Senator Johnny Isakson of Georgia received $102,500 in corporate contributions. Senator Roy Blunt of Missouri, best known for proposing a Monsanto-written bill in 2013 that became known as the Monsanto Protection Act, received $77,900 – $13,500 of which came from Monsanto.
Arizona senator and former presidential candidate John McCain received $51,700 in the first quarter of 2015. Senator Richard Burr of North Carolina received $60,000 in corporate donations. Eighty-one-year-old senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa, who is running for his seventh Senate term, received $35,000. Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, who will be running for his first full six-year term in 2016, received $67,500 from pro-TPP corporations.”
…”the big fight over TPP is really about corporate power and who’s going to write the rules about the global game, so to speak…the people who are most outspoken about being against this deal are trade unions and worker’s rights groups and environmentalists – those are the ones, the people who traditionally are on Obama’s side.
President Obama is essentially fighting the core elements of his own party. … This coalition has learned from history, workers have learned on their own backs, communities have died, jobs have gone, factories closed – but others are now standing up and saying: “enough! We want true enforcement mechanisms of labor and environmental protection; we want to know what’s in the agreement.” How is this truly American to have agreements, conceived in secret with private corporate courts overseeing and arbitrating agreements? No, enough!
…TPP means loss of jobs and sinking middle class, extreme inequality…
“The RBNZ’s latest national breakdown of mortgage lending by borrower type for April showed that of the $5.66 billion loaned on houses, some $1.84 billion (32.5%) was advanced to property investors.”
Almost $2b speculative house purchases in Auckland in April alone. Incredible. No bubble here then.
NB “property investor” doesn’t necessarily mean property speculator. Investors, properly understood, are an important part of the mix in providing long term rental accommodation. Sensible policy should be designed to discourage speculation (eg. capital gains tax) but not long term investment. It would seem the term used by the Reserve Bank encompasses both in this instance so I’m not downplaying the issue.
It is, as you can guess, a look at the biased reporting of the MSM but this bit stood out:
But is a 90 percent top rate “obviously too high”? Is it something one should instinctively “flinch” at? Not really, says Bryce Covert:
Last year, economists found that the point at which the top tax rate is high enough to maximize government revenues but not so high that it discourages the rich from trying to earn more is quite high: about 95 percent for the 1 percent. History bears that out. Economists have pointed out that post-war American growth has been higher during periods with much higher top marginal tax rates and lower when tax rates were substantially lower. When the top rate was more than 90 percent in the 50s, economic growth averaged more than 4 percent a year. But recently when the top rate has been closer to 35 percent, growth has been less than 2 percent a year on average.
So, yeah, all these RWNJs complaining that 30% tax is too high are just talking out their arse (as per normal) and history shows that we really do need that higher 90+ percent tax rate to boost growth.
…””The war in Iraq has never been seen as popular, especially in Scotland, and the Scottish Parliament in 2003 voted against British forces going into Iraq,” the classified briefing paper says.
“The conflict in Afghanistan has more support, but that is also waning. Salmond is firmly against the war, and as both MSP and MP he has been quite vocal in his opposition in both Houses,” the paper says, adding that the fourth First Minister of Scotland was also opposed to the UN-sanctioned actions in Kosovo and Iraq, “so his opposition to Iraq and Afghanistan is not surprising.”
The motivation for this charge is a recent report about the monetary system by member of parliament Frosti Sigurjónsson, commissioned by the Prime Minister’s Office. The report states very clearly that banks have in fact been creating new money when they issue loans in the form of new deposits which add to the supply of money already in circulation.
Anyone counterfeiting money for the purpose of putting it into circulation as legal tender and anyone acquiring counterfeit money for himself or others with the selfsame end in view shall be subject to imprisonment for up to 12 years.
In case counterfeiting be performed in such a manner as to reduce the specific value of legal tender the penalty shall consist of imprisonment for up to 4 years.
What happens when the bankers get put into jail for counterfeiting?
Dita de Boni’s column excellent as usual. This comment from a reader was of interest to me. Wonder if it can be validated? “At a hui with Blinglish yesterday. He confirmed a few things.
1. We’re officially in a recession – and recovery is dependent on the global economy which is in the toilet!
2. From 2010 onwards, the government borrowed more than $40bn offshore and have spent it all and some and are still borrowing $300m/week
3. The only way to pay for the benefit increase of $25 was to cancel kiwisaver contributions
4. Plan for the future …. make it up as we go! I mean, he said they will manage the country prudently! Haha!”
Must see climate change presentation ? maybe ??
This presentation uses temperature data over three decades ending in 2011 to demonstrate the exponential nature of climate change and shows that climate change is now accelerating in an extremely dangerous way.
Folks,
This is one of the most clear and startling presentations on climate change that I have ever seen. The graphs presented are sort of intimidating at first, but it is thoroughly explained so even a math/statistics dummy like myself can understand. Run-time is a little over 12 minutes in length.
Hamlet
Alas Babylon co-owner
Reading “The Standard” these days is like looking at a deflated balloon. Once it was full of (hot) air, and could (in hope) rise above the ground. Now, it lies forlorn, unable to escape the force that weighs it down. Kinda like the the Labour Party and the Green movement.
Oh but for the days when hope did flower
Now wilted but the Right’s exalted power
His information was interesting, backed up by some moderately credible evidence, but Ben appeared too erratic to do much with. The chains of evidence weren’t that obvious, but quite intriguing and compelling. Clearly enough to warrant a criminal investigation against Cameron Slater.
When I get some time, I’ll probably lay a complaint myself against that stupid arsehole Cameron Slater for attempting to hire someone to crack into my systems. That way I’d at least get some idea of if the investigation is ongoing.
If the police don’t do something about it, then I’d have to assume that cracking into computers isn’t a criminal offence…. In which case the way that Nicky Hager was turned over by the police gets rather politically messy for the police.
Dunedin’s summer thus far has been warm and humid… and it looks like we’re in for a grey Christmas. But it is now officially Christmas Day in this time zone, so never mind. This year, I’ve stumbled across an Old English version of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen: It has a population of just under 3.5 million inhabitants, produces nearly 550,000 tons of beef per year, and boasts a glorious soccer reputation with two World ...
Morena all,In my paywalled newsletter yesterday, I signed off for Christmas and wished readers well, but I thought I’d send everyone a quick note this morning.This hasn’t been a good year for our small country. The divisions caused by the Treaty Principles Bill, the cuts to our public sector, increased ...
This morning’s six standouts for me at 6.30 am include:Kāinga Ora is quietly planning to sell over $1 billion worth of state-owned land under 300 state homes in Auckland’s wealthiest suburbs, including around Bastion Point, to give the Government more fiscal room to pay for tax cuts and reduce borrowing.A ...
Hi,It’s my birthday on Christmas Day, and I have a favour to ask.A birthday wish.I would love you to share one Webworm story you’ve liked this year.The simple fact is: apart from paying for a Webworm membership (thank you!), sharing and telling others about this place is the most important ...
The last few days have been a bit too much of a whirl for me to manage a fresh edition each day. It's been that kind of year. Hope you don't mind.I’ve been coming around to thinking that it doesn't really matter if you don't have something to say every ...
The worms will live in every hostIt's hard to pick which one they eat the mostThe horrible people, the horrible peopleIt's as anatomic as the size of your steepleCapitalism has made it this wayOld-fashioned fascism will take it awaySongwriter: Twiggy Ramirez Read more ...
Hi,It’s almost Christmas Day which means it is almost my birthday, where you will find me whimpering in the corner clutching a warm bottle of Baileys.If you’re out of ideas for presents (and truly desperate) then it is possible to gift a full Webworm subscription to a friend (or enemy) ...
This morning’s six standouts for me at 6.30am include:Rachel Helyer Donaldson’s scoop via RNZ last night of cuts to maternity jobs in the health system;Maddy Croad’s scoop via The Press-$ this morning on funding cuts for Christchurch’s biggest food rescue charity;Benedict Collins’ scoop last night via 1News on a last-minute ...
A listing of 25 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, December 15, 2024 thru Sat, December 21, 2024. Based on feedback we received, this week's roundup is the first one published soleley by category. We are still interested in ...
Well, I've been there, sitting in that same chairWhispering that same prayer half a million timesIt's a lie, though buried in disciplesOne page of the Bible isn't worth a lifeThere's nothing wrong with youIt's true, it's trueThere's something wrong with the villageWith the villageSomething wrong with the villageSongwriters: Andrew Jackson ...
ACT would like to dictate what universities can and can’t say. We knew it was coming. It was outlined in the coalition agreement and has become part of Seymour’s strategy of “emphasising public funding” to prevent people from opposing him and his views—something he also uses to try and de-platform ...
Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park from the Gigafact team in collaboration with members from our team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Are we heading ...
So the Solstice has arrived – Summer in this part of the world, Winter for the Northern Hemisphere. And with it, the publication my new Norse dark-fantasy piece, As Our Power Lessens at Eternal Haunted Summer: https://eternalhauntedsummer.com/issues/winter-solstice-2024/as-our-power-lessens/ As previously noted, this one is very ‘wyrd’, and Northern Theory of Courage. ...
The Natural Choice: As a starter for ten percent of the Party Vote, “saving the planet” is a very respectable objective. Young voters, in particular, raised on the dire (if unheeded) warnings of climate scientists, and the irrefutable evidence of devastating weather events linked to global warming, vote Green. After ...
The Government cancelled 60% of Kāinga Ora’s new builds next year, even though the land for them was already bought, the consents were consented and there are builders unemployed all over the place. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMōrena. Long stories short, the six things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political ...
Photo by CHUTTERSNAP on UnsplashEvery morning I get up at 3am to go around the traps of news sites in Aotearoa and globally. I pick out the top ones from my point of view and have been putting them into my Dawn Chorus email, which goes out with a podcast. ...
Over on Kikorangi Newsroom's Marc Daalder has published his annual OIA stats. So I thought I'd do mine: 82 OIA requests sent in 2024 7 posts based on those requests 20 average working days to receive a response Ministry of Justice was my most-requested entity, ...
Welcome to the December 2024 Economic Bulletin. We have two monthly features in this edition. In the first, we discuss what the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update from Treasury and the Budget Policy Statement from the Minister of Finance tell us about the fiscal position and what to ...
The NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi have submitted against the controversial Treaty Principles Bill, slamming the Bill as a breach of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and an attack on tino rangatiratanga and the collective rights of Tangata Whenua. “This Bill seeks to legislate for Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles that are ...
I don't knowHow to say what's got to be saidI don't know if it's black or whiteThere's others see it redI don't get the answers rightI'll leave that to youIs this love out of fashionOr is it the time of yearAre these words distraction?To the words you want to hearSongwriters: ...
Our economy has experienced its worst recession since 1991. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMōrena. Long stories short, the six things that matter in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Friday, December 20 in The Kākā’s Dawn Chorus podcast above and the daily Pick ‘n’ Mix below ...
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The podcast above of the weekly ‘Hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers on Thursday night features co-hosts & talking about the year’s news with: on climate. Her book of the year was Tim Winton’s cli-fi novel Juice and she also mentioned Mike Joy’s memoir The Fight for Fresh Water. ...
The Government can head off to the holidays, entitled to assure itself that it has done more or less what it said it would do. The campaign last year promised to “get New Zealand back on track.” When you look at the basic promises—to trim back Government expenditure, toughen up ...
Open access notables An intensification of surface Earth’s energy imbalance since the late 20th century, Li et al., Communications Earth & Environment:Tracking the energy balance of the Earth system is a key method for studying the contribution of human activities to climate change. However, accurately estimating the surface energy balance ...
Photo by Mauricio Fanfa on UnsplashKia oraCome and join us for our weekly ‘Hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kākā for an hour at 5 pm today.Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream for our chat about the week’s news with myself , plus regular guests and , ...
“Like you said, I’m an unreconstructed socialist. Everybody deserves to get something for Christmas.”“ONE OF THOSE had better be for me!” Hannah grinned, fascinated, as Laurie made his way, gingerly, to the bar, his arms full of gift-wrapped packages.“Of course!”, beamed Laurie. Depositing his armful on the bar-top and selecting ...
Data released by Statistics New Zealand today showed a significant slowdown in the economy over the past six months, with GDP falling by 1% in September, and 1.1% in June said CTU Economist Craig Renney. “The data shows that the size of the economy in GDP terms is now smaller ...
One last thing before I quitI never wanted any moreThan I could fit into my headI still remember every single word you saidAnd all the shit that somehow came along with itStill, there's one thing that comforts meSince I was always caged and now I'm freeSongwriters: David Grohl / Georg ...
Sparse offerings outside a Te Kauwhata church. Meanwhile, the Government is cutting spending in ways that make thousands of hungry children even hungrier, while also cutting funding for the charities that help them. It’s also doing that while winding back new building of affordable housing that would allow parents to ...
It is difficult to make sense of the Luxon Coalition Government’s economic management.This end-of-year review about the state of economic management – the state of the economy was last week – is not going to cover the National Party contribution. Frankly, like every other careful observer, I cannot make up ...
This morning I awoke to the lovely news that we are firmly back on track, that is if the scale was reversed.NZ ranks low in global economic comparisonsNew Zealand's economy has been ranked 33rd out of 37 in an international comparison of which have done best in 2024.Economies were ranked ...
Remember those silent movies where the heroine is tied to the railway tracks or going over the waterfall in a barrel? Finance Minister Nicola Willis seems intent on portraying herself as that damsel in distress. According to Willis, this country’s current economic problems have all been caused by the spending ...
Similar to the cuts and the austerity drive imposed by Ruth Richardson in the 1990’s, an era which to all intents and purposes we’ve largely fiddled around the edges with fixing in the time since – over, to be fair, several administrations – whilst trying our best it seems to ...
String-Pulling in the Dark: For the democratic process to be meaningful it must also be public. WITH TRUST AND CONFIDENCE in New Zealand’s politicians and journalists steadily declining, restoring those virtues poses a daunting challenge. Just how daunting is made clear by comparing the way politicians and journalists treated New Zealanders ...
Dear Nicola Willis, thank you for letting us know in so many words that the swingeing austerity hasn't worked.By in so many words I mean the bit where you said, Here is a sea of red ink in which we are drowning after twelve months of savage cost cutting and ...
The Open Government Partnership is a multilateral organisation committed to advancing open government. Countries which join are supposed to co-create regular action plans with civil society, committing to making verifiable improvements in transparency, accountability, participation, or technology and innovation for the above. And they're held to account through an Independent ...
Today I tuned into something strange: a press conference that didn’t make my stomach churn or the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. Which was strange, because it was about the torture of children. It was the announcement by Erica Stanford — on her own, unusually ...
This is a must watch, and puts on brilliant and practical display the implications and mechanics of fast-track law corruption and weakness.CLICK HERE: LINK TO WATCH VIDEOOur news media as it is set up is simply not equipped to deal with the brazen disinformation and corruption under this right wing ...
NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi Acting Secretary Erin Polaczuk is welcoming the announcement from Minister of Workplace Relations and Safety Brooke van Velden that she is opening consultation on engineered stone and is calling on her to listen to the evidence and implement a total ban of the product. “We need ...
The Government has announced a 1.5% increase in the minimum wage from 1 April 2025, well below forecast inflation of 2.5%. Unions have reacted strongly and denounced it as a real terms cut. PSA and the CTU are opposing a new round of staff cuts at WorkSafe, which they say ...
The decision to unilaterally repudiate the contract for new Cook Strait ferries is beginning to look like one of the stupidest decisions a New Zealand government ever made. While cancelling the ferries and their associated port infrastructure may have made this year's books look good, it means higher costs later, ...
Hi there! I’ve been overseas recently, looking after a situation with a family member. So apologies if there any less than focused posts! Vanuatu has just had a significant 7.3 earthquake. Two MFAT staff are unaccounted for with local fatalities.It’s always sad to hear of such things happening.I think of ...
Today is a special member's morning, scheduled to make up for the government's theft of member's days throughout the year. First up was the first reading of Greg Fleming's Crimes (Increased Penalties for Slavery Offences) Amendment Bill, which was passed unanimously. Currently the House is debating the third reading of ...
We're going backwardsIgnoring the realitiesGoing backwardsAre you counting all the casualties?We are not there yetWhere we need to beWe are still in debtTo our insanitiesSongwriter: Martin Gore Read more ...
Willis blamed Treasury for changing its productivity assumptions and Labour’s spending increases since Covid for the worsening Budget outlook. Photo: Getty ImagesMōrena. Long stories short, the six things that matter in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Wednesday, December 18 in The Kākā’s Dawn Chorus podcast above ...
Today the Auckland Transport board meet for the last time this year. For those interested (and with time to spare), you can follow along via this MS Teams link from 10am. I’ve taken a quick look through the agenda items to see what I think the most interesting aspects are. ...
Hi,If you’re a New Zealander — you know who Mike King is. He is the face of New Zealand’s battle against mental health problems. He can be loud and brash. He raises, and is entrusted with, a lot of cash. Last year his “I Am Hope” charity reported a revenue ...
Probably about the only consolation available from yesterday’s unveiling of the Half-Yearly Economic and Fiscal Update (HYEFU) is that it could have been worse. Though Finance Minister Nicola Willis has tightened the screws on future government spending, she has resisted the calls from hard-line academics, fiscal purists and fiscal hawks ...
The right have a stupid saying that is only occasionally true:When is democracy not democracy? When it hasn’t been voted on.While not true in regards to branches of government such as the judiciary, it’s a philosophy that probably should apply to recently-elected local government councillors. Nevertheless, this concept seemed to ...
Long story short: the Government’s austerity policy has driven the economy into a deeper and longer recession that means it will have to borrow $20 billion more over the next four years than it expected just six months ago. Treasury’s latest forecasts show the National-ACT-NZ First Government’s fiscal strategy of ...
Come and join myself and CTU Chief Economist for a pop-up ‘Hoon’ webinar on the Government’s Half Yearly Economic and Fiscal Update (HYEFU) with paying subscribers to The Kākā for 30 minutes at 5 pm today.Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream to watch our chat. Don’t worry if ...
In 1998, in the wake of the Paremoremo Prison riot, the Department of Corrections established the "Behaviour Management Regime". Prisoners were locked in their cells for 22 or 23 hours a day, with no fresh air, no exercise, no social contact, no entertainment, and in some cases no clothes and ...
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 ...
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 ...
The Court of Appeal has dismissed Mike Smith’s “ambitious” climate claim against Attorney-General Judith Collins.Smith, a Māori climate activist, and Ngāpuhi and Ngāti Kahu elder, appealed a High Court decision that found his claims against the Crown – that its action on climate change was inadequate – untenable.The Appeal Court’s ...
Trish McKelvey is listed 139 times in the index of the New Zealand women’s cricket tome The Warm Sun On My Face, authored by Trevor Auger and Adrienne Simpson.She wrote the foreword for the book and headlines two chapters addressing crucial events in the evolution of the sport.McKelvey’s appointment as New Zealand ...
Summer reissue: 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. The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please ...
Summer reissue: You really won’t guess how it ends. 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 October 4, 2024. Parliament’s Economic Development, Science ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mary-Rose McLaren, Professor of Teaching and Learning and Head of Program, Early Childhood Education, Victoria University Collin Quinn Lomax/ Shutterstock Some years ago, my daughter was set a maths problem: how much does it cost to drive a family of ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Catherine E. Wood, Associate Professor and Clinical Psychologist, Swinburne University of Technology Asier Romero/ Shutterstock Christmas is coming, and with it many challenges for parents of young children. You likely have one festive event after another, late nights, party ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Laura Nicole Driessen, Postdoctoral Researcher in Radio Astronomy, University of Sydney Tayla Walsh/Pexels With billions of children around the world anxiously waiting for their presents, Father Christmas (or Santa) and his reindeer must be travelling at breakneck speeds to deliver them ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Daryl Higgins, Professor & Director, Institute of Child Protection Studies, Australian Catholic University Feeling unsure about your child going to a sleepover is completely normal. You might be worried about how well you know the host family, how they manage supervision or ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Milad Haghani, Senior Lecturer of Urban Risk & Resilience, UNSW Sydney Exactly 50 years ago, on Christmas Eve 1974, Cyclone Tracy struck Darwin and left a trail of devastation. It remains one of the most destructive natural events in Australia’s history. Wind ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Irmine Keta Rotimi, Doctoral Candidate, Marketing and International Business department, Auckland University of Technology Videos of children opening boxes of toys and playing with them have become a feature of online marketing – making stars out of children as young as two. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joanna Nicholas, Lecturer in Dance and Performance Science, Edith Cowan University Tatyana Vyc/Shutterstock Once the end-of-year dance concert and term wrap up for the year it is important to take a break. Both physical and mental rest are important and taking ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kit MacFarlane, Lecturer, Creative Writing and Literature, University of South Australia Capitol Records For those looking to introduce some musical conflict into the holidays, Bob Dylan’s Christmas in the Heart remains a great choice in its 15th anniversary – like it ...
Opinion: It was February 2024 when my friends started getting in touch with me to suggest I run for the Tauranga City Council mayoralty. At the time, the council was governed by four Government-appointed commissioners, who had been in their roles since 2021. Their terms were coming to an end ...
Opinion: As the year winds down and we pause for some reflection, I find myself, as chair of the Holocaust Centre of New Zealand, contemplating the unprecedented hatred aimed at Jewish New Zealanders. Antisemitism – the prejudice, discrimination or hostility directed at Jews – has snowballed to record levels, so much ...
Summer reissue: Joy Cowley reveals her enthralling life story, from a difficult childhood, to getting drunk with Roald Dahl, to encountering an Arctic polar bear. 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 ...
Summer reissue: Alex Casey chats to Nadia Lim and Carlos Bagrie about the challenges of life on a 1,200-acre farm in Central Otago, and why they continue to share it with the nation in Nadia’s Farm. The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue ...
Summer reissue: Dominion Road has made a name for itself as a destination for authentic, regionally-specific Chinese food. How did it get here?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 ...
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http://pundit.co.nz/content/yes-at-long-last-we-have-a-plan-–-its-a-secret-but-it-is-working
Really worth the read.
Ganesh Nana
Writing about “the plan thats working” and his search for the plan.
“I got to work, spending the next 90 minutes trawling through the documents searching for a plan”
He found the plan, I won’t spoil what he found
I don’t get the point of the article.
The first half is pointless and the second doesn’t actually say anything.
“The first half is pointless and the second doesn’t actually say anything.
Sort of like “The plan is working”
Pointless and doesn’t say anything
The person has a problem with a slogan and spends paragraphs saying they don’t get it.
Every major organisation, corporation, political party uses slogans when announcing things. Labour and National at elections for example.
I think the most valid point in the thing is this.
“Perhaps illustrating my somewhat naive experiences in these matters,”
Is that you Bill? Bill, is that you?
I think you will find that your response proves his point. You have been duped and that you instantly spit out a vacuous response showing that you are duped or colluding only makes you look, well, foolish.
OK then Chris what is the actual plan?
Don’t ask me. I don’t know.
Political parties use buzz words. This is hardly a new phenomenon.
Is it working?
Is there a plan?
If there is a plan how come you don’t know Chris?
And why are we not told.
That was whole point of the Nana article
some nat supporters start to be exposed for supporting something they don’t know about or understand… they BELIEVE the government is doing a good job but why, when you scratch beneath the repeated slogans of their chosen team, they don’t know…
Yes the plan to hatch a plan some day will happen. However Commercial sensitivity forbids the release.
Garesh found it
The plan was clearly there for all to see in the Budget speech. And I quote:
“Looking beyond our present circumstances, our future depends on our ability to export.”
Yes, there it is – on page 7, Budget Speech, delivered by the Minister of Finance, to the New Zealand House of Representatives, 01 June, 1978.
“The person has a problem with a slogan and spends paragraphs saying they don’t get it.”
No, the person uses the whole article to write a satirical piece on the extent to which we are being screwed by the National Govt. The Emperor has no clothes. If you believe the Emperor when he says he has this beautiful new coat you won’t be able to understand what Ganesh Nana is saying.
+1
T Chris obviously believes that the Emperor has a shiny coat.
see below for an explanation of why you might not get it… but in case you don’t scroll down. You and NZ are being lied to. Because you have chosen to believe everything you are being told about the economic management of this country, you don’t think we are being lied to. That means you are being duped.
T Chris
The first half is pointless and the second doesn’t actually say anything.
Are you talking about the article or National’s economic strategy or both?
He doesn’t know what Nat’s strategy is, and he didn’t understand the article… so is there a third option?
The whole article is about the author not understanding it. And nothing else
So in that case perhaps you could clearly elucidate what YOU believe the plan to be?
Ganesh also had a close look through the budget docs and he was in the lock up.
He couldn’t FIND the plan. Not that he didn’t understand it. He couldn’t find IT!!!!
Chris have you found the plan – if so help by telling us please.
“”What with the foundation economic forecasts resting on an assumed 60% rebound in export dairy prices over the next 18 months,””
I can 100% bet that not one farmer in nz is budgeting on a 60%rebound in dairy and people still believe these idiots are a safe pair of hands.
Yep, I guffawed when I read that. Considering the way the rest of the world is ramping up dairy production I’d expect a continuing decline in world dairy prices.
“I can 100% bet that not one farmer in nz is budgeting on a 60%rebound in dairy”
Of course they wouldn’t! They will be forecasting based on a far more conservative figure to give themselves room for the unexpected, however this forecast will be built on long term trends and modelling (think weather vs climate).
“and people still believe these idiots are a safe pair of hands”
Far safer than the idiot that doesn’t understand the concept above!
I believe the main reason the nats missed surplus this year is because old trader john gambled on the futures of dairy and lost ,still when its not his money I’m sure he shrugs his shoulders and thinks better luck next time.
You, along with National, appear to be that idiot.
He must be an extreme left wing activist, right?
https://www.3news.co.nz/nznews/andrew-little-judith-collins-vying-for-top-job-2015052718
🙂
I’d suggest he might to watch his own back but then I’m sure theres no one in the Labour caucus that’d want to knife Little
I have no doubts Collins is undermining Key’s leadership by first pulling the strings behind Williamson’s little tantrum the other day. And now she defiantly openly discusses talk at the caucus table. Key is being criticised for being too conservative which gives Judy doll an opening to apply pressure right up Johnny boys arse. The crack is starting to show.
Sheesh, I just cannot picture Collins as PM material…. she is more of the rabid dog scrapping and snarling…. and none of the mana that is required for the top job …. mind you that didn’t stop that piece of nothing John Key in the National Party
I wouldn’t worry about Key getting rolled anytime soon unless his personal ratings drop and Nationals drop
No one often asks me about the revolution, and when it might come.
It’s been coming a long time. Marx himself estimated 400 years, starting sometime last century. Don’t ask which year we’re at on that timeframe: it’d be like trying to pinpoint a Muslim event on the Roman calendar, with no recourse to events in the zodiac.
But some serious dudes, and even more serious dudettes, have been pushing the revolution for all their lives. Ben Morea was one of many in a constantly evolving American anarchist group in the late sixties called, at times, Black mask, The Family and later, as a collective, “Up Against the Wall Motherfucker!”.
Here’s an interview with him in 2006 , which, at least theoretically, gave him plenty of time to reflect on the past.
https://libcom.org/history/against-wall-motherfucker-interview-ben-morea
On the subject of his understanding of societal revolution, he says,
“From my perspective and that of the people I worked with we saw a need to change everything from the way we lived to the way we thought to the way we even ate. Total Revolution was our way of saying that we weren’t going to settle for political or cultural change, but that we want it all, we want everything to change. Western society had reached a stalemate and needed a total overhaul. We knew that wasn’t going to happen, but that was our demand, what we were about.
It also meant seeing that you need all types of people involved, not just political activists. Poets and artists are just as important. Revolution comes about as a cumulative effect and part of that is a change in consciousness, a new way of thinking.”
Sound familiar? The whole interview is illuminating for those who either believe change will come from the top down, the bottom up, or from the street. It’s not clear whether he believes any of that, anymore, but what is most important is that the process continues. People often ask who will save them, who will provide the new answer, who will become the next leader of XYZ party – and if they can’t, then to hell with them. It’s missing the point: Start Something. Anything. Begin your revolution today.
How? Where’s the plan?
What fucking plan?
Where’s the bunting and trumpets?
What fanfare?
Where’s the heavily-armed tribe?
You’re most likely on your own, armed only with what you have.
Do anything that matches your style of politics. Like a good religion, you have to live it. Start small and easy.
Nothing will turn out the way we think. And nothing turned out the way Ben Morea thought, but Jesus, he had one hell of a life. Some of the things he remembered don’t match recorded moments of the actual event. That also sounds familiar, and that’s important too. We have to risk looking a bit dumb, to observers, sometimes. Ben says,
“…We believed in what we were doing, but we didn’t want to be too serious. We could laugh at ourselves. The best influence we felt we could have was not just to inject militancy, but also joy and humour into the struggles of the time…”.
And they didn’t scrimp on the militancy. Seriously. The people who he calls the “fighters” of his group were fist-fighting armed police and street gangs, and he openly supported the attempted murder of Andy Warhol – for reasons clear to them,
“After she shot him I wrote a pamphlet supporting her. I may have been the only person who did that publicly. I went up to MOMA and handed it out there. Everybody I met was very negative about it, but, hey, I disliked Andy Warhol immensely and I loved Valerie. I felt she was right in her anger and that he was way more destructive than she was because he was helping to destroy the whole idea of creativity in art. Some people dislike the term, but I feel that creativity is a kind of spiritual act, a profound thing for people to do. Warhol was the exact opposite, he tried to deny and purge the core of creativity and put it on a commercial basis. As a person he was really despicable, as well, and that’s why Valerie hated him. He used and manipulated people.
…Even the people who liked her feminist approach couldn’t deal with the fact that she would harm Andy. Black Mask and The Family drove the political people nuts because we didn’t fit into any of their blueprints, because we were loose cannons, so you can imagine how they looked upon Valerie…”
He is clear that in including anyone, they weren’t just looking for the shouty-punchy types with a chip on their shoulder. If you weren’t a fighter, you were under no obligation to get your ass-whipped in a situation far above your abilities. Getting beat up for the sake of it wasn’t the point, or a point of honour.
“…Whoever felt inspired would come along and we’d all collaborate. People who have reprinted our work, both at the time and since, often failed to appreciate our sense of humour. …
We had our own mimeograph machine so people were constantly running off leaflets and posters. A lot of the time I would see one on the street that I didn’t even know had come out. The beauty of our family was that it was multi-armed and had no central brain so people were often doing actions and producing things that the rest knew little about…”
If we accept his version of events, they were compassionate people too. Their compassion for what he called the “runaways” and homeless that crowded into the Lower East Side during the sixties, that were harassed and beaten by the good polite people and vigilantes of mainstream society, his “affinity groups” supported their basic needs and artistic (spiritual) requirements and finally, when things got too hot, found safe homes for as many as they could, out of the danger zone.
One of the “doesn’t quite match the actual” recollections, is the time they “assassinated” the… what would now be called, Hipster Poet… Kenneth Koch. Ironically, his second name is pronounced, Coke,
“…Koch was a symbol to us of this totally bourgeois, dandy world. Myself, Dan Georgakas, Alan Van Newkirk and some of the other Black Mask people went to one of his readings. I think I came up with idea to shoot him with a blank pistol. Alan looked like the classic image of the bomb throwing anarchist. He was about six foot three, long and thin with a gaunt face and always dressed in black – the anarchist incarnate. So we decided “You’re the one, you’re going to shoot him.” (laughter) We printed a leaflet and all it had on it was a picture of Leroi Jones with the words `Poetry is revolution.’ On the night when Alan shot the blank Koch fainted and everyone in the audience assumed he was dead and started screaming . Some people threw the leaflet from the balcony into the crowd and then we all left.
Reactions after the event were split between people who thought it was the greatest thing they’d ever heard and those that thought we were a bunch of sophomoric assholes. Which was great because so much of what Black Mask and The Family was about was pushing people to decide “Do I belong with this group of people or this one?” We were determined to be outrageous in order to force people to decide where they stood on things. We wanted to push people, force them to think. “Why shoot Koch? He’s just a nice poet…”
Here is an actual recording of that night. One version of this event has no visual evidence, but has sounds, and is clearly edited; the other version no sound and relies on memory. One claims symbolic victory, the other claims courage under fire. What do you think?
http://www.poetryfoundation.org/features/audioitem/30 (actual webpage)
http://www.poetryfoundation.org/download-file?file=/audio/PoetryFoundation.orgPodcast.04.28.06.mp3 (podcast of the event)
Embarrassment is nothing. The world wants us dead, the political opposition wants us living in fear and poverty, that much is clear. What useful advantage would it be to feel embarrassed in the face of that kind of enemy? To ourselves, we’ll always seem the very best of everything good… (a bit like GenXers thinking they’re better than Boomers… something for next time perhaps)… we will fall short, we’ll look dumb, feel uncomfortable, but it doesn’t mean the end of our personal revolution. There is no way to know what it will start when we’re gone. No point squabbling over it.
There aren’t many hippies any more, and modern-day anarchists are considered more delusional than teenage girls who say they’re feminists.
The dramatically sounding “Up Against the Wall Mother Fucker!” finally splintered and literally disappeared off into the hills on horseback to discover new ways of living, for a few years, or a decade, before returning to whatever was left.
They “failed” by our contemporary consumer standards, because they don’t now occupy the White House and drive Porsches. That wasn’t ever their goal.
The reason our world is the way it is now was contributed to by what the people before us thought and did and lived. Like a hundred-thousand other unknown political groups, their influence is here, now. Their ideas aren’t a rigid design for today, they’re an enduring example of what happens when we do something. Revolution is slow and starts small. In politics, everything happens slowly. It can still be exciting.
Hawkes Bay DHB votes to keep food preperation in-house
Good to see one DHB drawing a red line on the creeping privatisation in our health sector.
TG at least one DHB has seen reason.
Ahead Of Israel Expulsion Vote U.S. Orders Raid On FIFA
May 27, 2015
http://www.moonofalabama.org/
Today the U.S. ordered Swiss police to raid, incarcerate and extradite to the U.S. six FIFA officials for alleged corruption. The raid, with obviously pre-alarmed New York Times reporters on the scene, comes shortly before a FIFA vote to expel Israel from the association.
This Friday the world football association FIFA is meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, for its 65th regular World Congress. One of the votes on the agenda (pdf) is about the “Suspension or expulsion of a member”. There is also an “Update on Israel-Palestine”.
The Palestinian Football Association has called for a vote to suspend Israel from FIFA:
The Palestinian group objects to Israeli teams playing in the West Bank. They also say Israel restricts movements of Palestinian players between the West Bank and Gaza as well as for international matches.
“They keep bullying here and there, and I think they have no right to keep being the bully of the neighborhood,” Palestinian Football Association President Jibril Rajoub said of Israel. “If the Israelis are using the issue of security, I can say that their security concern is mine. I am ready to fix parameters for security concerns, but security should not be used … as a tool in order to keep this racist, apartheid policies.”
He declared the situation in the West Bank far worse than apartheid that existed in South Africa because right-wingers and extremists in Israel want to “delete Palestine.” In the 1960s, FIFA suspended South Africa for decades after it failed to comply with the association’s nondiscrimination policies. The nation was also expelled from FIFA a month after the Soweto Youth Uprising of 1976.
“I am not asking for the suspension of the Israeli association; I am asking to end the suffering of the Palestinian footballers,” Rajoub said. “I am asking to end the grievances, the humiliation we are facing.”
The vote requires a 75% majority of the 209 FIFA members. There was a good chance that it was going to be successful.
But now, just by chance, the U.S. government ordered the Swiss police to raid the hotel where the main FIFA functionaries are residing to arrest some of them on corruption charges going back to the early 1990s. The U.S. wants these to be extradited to face a U.S. court.
Also, just by chance, reporters and photographers of the New York Times happen to be in that very Swiss hotel lobby, at 6 am, to capture the incident live….
Read more….
http://www.moonofalabama.org/
The intersection between NSA, sports and politics. A very interesting article, and it’s hard not to agree with both his summary of human nature and his conslusions.
http://motls.blogspot.co.nz/2015/05/raid-on-fifa-extradition-timing-are.html?m=1
Excerpt:
“Imagine that someone knows about almost every case of corruption in the world, and given NSA’s programs we recently heard about, it is not such a complete fantasy. This “someone” could easily use this information to remove inconvenient people, and keep or install convenient ones, almost everywhere. At least, he could change 10% of the composition of all similar bodies “immediately” and replace additional heads through the officials’ responsibility for their subordinates.
Is it right that the arrests took place two days before the selection of the new FIFA head?
I think that the timing suggests that it’s no coincidence. It surely looks like someone wanted to maximize the impact of the theater. In other words, someone apparently wanted to reduce the chances of Mr Blatter to be reelected. He had some information about the bribery and decided to use it at the optimum time. I don’t have a proof of this motive but you would have to present a rather accurate and complete alternative explanation if you wanted me not to think that this is the most likely explanation of the timing.
It also makes sense to think that the target isn’t necessarily Mr Blatter himself but the decisions that were made under his supervision, like the decision to move the 2022 World Cup to Qatar and especially the 2018 World Cup to Russia. If someone wanted to reverse those decisions, this could be an optimal strategy. No explicit charges related to these future world cups are known at this moment”
Is it possible that this Government is steadily and quietly restricting their exposure to scrutiny? Hidden in the Budget according to Myles Thomas:
“…And in the Budget the Government has tightened the screws further. Just as NZ on Air was making noises about possibly funding more current affairs, the 2015 Budget introduces new targets that require 70 per cent of its prime-time programmes on TVOne, TV2 and TV3 to reach more than 200,000 viewers…..
TV3 – their brand-new show 3D just scraped in over 200,000 viewers last Sunday.
“….Our loss is the Government’s gain – the prevalence of government-friendly hosts and entertainment shows means it’s unlikely any government minister will face a series of awkward questions on prime-time television. Most people would agree that’s not a good thing either….”
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=11455661
I turned off Kathryn Ryan and nine-to-noon when i heard her interviewing ‘Cunliffe the Horrible’
( not the nice Labour Xian one that got crucified )
….and ‘Cunliffe the Horrible’ was telling nine-to- noon listeners what unhealthy sweet treats Media Works had in store for us New Zealanders
( “PUKE ” I thought …and click went my index finger on the button….and then I got myself a nice cup of tea….”I dont have to listen to that bilge” I thought. Amazing how a click of the button can make you feel good. Sorry Kathryn Ryan because i DO like your programme.)
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11455774
“Would he be at home speaking on a marae, to farmers or to trade unionists, Mr Hague asked, and could the wider population relate to a Wellington-based, metrosexual MP who doesn’t drive?”
Really Kevin?
Instead people would be much more likely to get behind a homosexual, uncharismatic Green leader…
Just thought that was a bit of howler like imagine if James Shaw had said something similar about Kevin Hague
The media would be all over it
http://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/may/27/corporations-paid-us-senators-fast-track-tpp
From the Gaurdian
“Critics of the controversial Trans-Pacific Partnership are unlikely to be silenced by an analysis of the flood of money it took to push the pact over its latest hurdle”
…..
I wonder if New Zealand politicians are also receiving money and bribes by the corporates to fast track the TPPA….against New Zealanders’ wishes and without New Zealand parliamentary democratic agreement
Questions in the House?…Labour?….Greens? …NZF?
Thanks katipo.
Money talked and the people’s representatives caved…
Mind you, in a so-called confidential negotiation where the people cannot know (to preserve negotiating positions), the US had over 400 corporate agents at meetings to negotiate TPP so clearly it wasn’t a need to keep it secret from everyone, just the people.
Dr Mapp tells us that receiving donations doesn’t make any difference to politicians, it doesn’t determine how they vote/work…
http://thestandard.org.nz/nrt-there-is-too-much-money-in-our-politics/#comment-1010727
Perhaps this is a form of evidence that he is wrong. And precisely because he knows he was talking BS when he wrote that he could confidently say that the congress would give Obama the fast-track…. I am sure he will say the money is just a coincidence.
For those who cannot be bothered reading katipo’s link here is some of what it reveals.
“Using data from the Federal Election Commission, this chart shows all donations that corporate members of the US Business Coalition for TPP made to US Senate campaigns between January and March 2015, when fast-tracking the TPP was being debated in the Senate:
Out of the total $1,148,971 given, an average of $17,676.48 was donated to each of the 65 “yea” votes.
The average Republican member received $19,673.28 from corporate TPP supporters.
The average Democrat received $9,689.23 from those same donors.
The amounts given rise dramatically when looking at how much each senator running for re-election received.
Two days before the fast-track vote, Obama was a few votes shy of having the filibuster-proof majority he needed. Ron Wyden and seven other Senate Democrats announced they were on the fence on 12 May, distinguishing themselves from the Senate’s 54 Republicans and handful of Democrats as the votes to sway.
In just 24 hours, Wyden and five of those Democratic holdouts – Michael Bennet of Colorado, Dianne Feinstein of California, Claire McCaskill of Missouri, Patty Murray of Washington, and Bill Nelson of Florida – caved and voted for fast-track.
Bennet, Murray, and Wyden – all running for re-election in 2016 – received $105,900 between the three of them. Bennet, who comes from the more purple state of Colorado, got $53,700 in corporate campaign donations between January and March 2015, according to Channing’s research.
Almost 100% of the Republicans in the US Senate voted for fast-track – the only two non-votes on TPA were a Republican from Louisiana and a Republican from Alaska.
Senator Rob Portman of Ohio, who is the former US trade representative, has been one of the loudest proponents of the TPP. He received $119,700 from 14 different corporations between January and March, most of which comes from donations from Goldman Sachs ($70,600), Pfizer ($15,700), and Procter & Gamble ($12,900). Portman is expected to run against former Ohio governor Ted Strickland in 2016 in one of the most politically competitive states in the country.
Seven Republicans who voted “yea” to fast-track and are also running for re-election next year cleaned up between January and March. Senator Johnny Isakson of Georgia received $102,500 in corporate contributions. Senator Roy Blunt of Missouri, best known for proposing a Monsanto-written bill in 2013 that became known as the Monsanto Protection Act, received $77,900 – $13,500 of which came from Monsanto.
Arizona senator and former presidential candidate John McCain received $51,700 in the first quarter of 2015. Senator Richard Burr of North Carolina received $60,000 in corporate donations. Eighty-one-year-old senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa, who is running for his seventh Senate term, received $35,000. Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, who will be running for his first full six-year term in 2016, received $67,500 from pro-TPP corporations.”
Not even Americans like the TPP…because it is a takeover of Democracy by the corporates
‘TPP agreement will deal mortal blow to democracy in US – Nation magazine chief’
http://rt.com/shows/sophieco/261033-obama-terrorist-threat-war/
…”the big fight over TPP is really about corporate power and who’s going to write the rules about the global game, so to speak…the people who are most outspoken about being against this deal are trade unions and worker’s rights groups and environmentalists – those are the ones, the people who traditionally are on Obama’s side.
President Obama is essentially fighting the core elements of his own party. … This coalition has learned from history, workers have learned on their own backs, communities have died, jobs have gone, factories closed – but others are now standing up and saying: “enough! We want true enforcement mechanisms of labor and environmental protection; we want to know what’s in the agreement.” How is this truly American to have agreements, conceived in secret with private corporate courts overseeing and arbitrating agreements? No, enough!
…TPP means loss of jobs and sinking middle class, extreme inequality…
Where is the NZ Labour Party on leading the charge opposing the TPP …. loud and clear !… and not fence sitting?
This from interest.co.nz today:
“The RBNZ’s latest national breakdown of mortgage lending by borrower type for April showed that of the $5.66 billion loaned on houses, some $1.84 billion (32.5%) was advanced to property investors.”
Almost $2b speculative house purchases in Auckland in April alone. Incredible. No bubble here then.
NB “property investor” doesn’t necessarily mean property speculator. Investors, properly understood, are an important part of the mix in providing long term rental accommodation. Sensible policy should be designed to discourage speculation (eg. capital gains tax) but not long term investment. It would seem the term used by the Reserve Bank encompasses both in this instance so I’m not downplaying the issue.
The media’s sickening Sanders double standard: How the socialist brings out their true colors
It is, as you can guess, a look at the biased reporting of the MSM but this bit stood out:
So, yeah, all these RWNJs complaining that 30% tax is too high are just talking out their arse (as per normal) and history shows that we really do need that higher 90+ percent tax rate to boost growth.
Washington kept tabs on the Scots
‘Secret US files reveal Washington’s interest in Scottish referendum – report’
http://rt.com/news/219827-scottish-referendum-us-interest/
…””The war in Iraq has never been seen as popular, especially in Scotland, and the Scottish Parliament in 2003 voted against British forces going into Iraq,” the classified briefing paper says.
“The conflict in Afghanistan has more support, but that is also waning. Salmond is firmly against the war, and as both MSP and MP he has been quite vocal in his opposition in both Houses,” the paper says, adding that the fourth First Minister of Scotland was also opposed to the UN-sanctioned actions in Kosovo and Iraq, “so his opposition to Iraq and Afghanistan is not surprising.”
Now this is going to be interesting:
What happens when the bankers get put into jail for counterfeiting?
Dita de Boni’s column excellent as usual. This comment from a reader was of interest to me. Wonder if it can be validated?
“At a hui with Blinglish yesterday. He confirmed a few things.
1. We’re officially in a recession – and recovery is dependent on the global economy which is in the toilet!
2. From 2010 onwards, the government borrowed more than $40bn offshore and have spent it all and some and are still borrowing $300m/week
3. The only way to pay for the benefit increase of $25 was to cancel kiwisaver contributions
4. Plan for the future …. make it up as we go! I mean, he said they will manage the country prudently! Haha!”
Must see climate change presentation ? maybe ??
This presentation uses temperature data over three decades ending in 2011 to demonstrate the exponential nature of climate change and shows that climate change is now accelerating in an extremely dangerous way.
Folks,
This is one of the most clear and startling presentations on climate change that I have ever seen. The graphs presented are sort of intimidating at first, but it is thoroughly explained so even a math/statistics dummy like myself can understand. Run-time is a little over 12 minutes in length.
Hamlet
Alas Babylon co-owner
+100 …very sobering
Reading “The Standard” these days is like looking at a deflated balloon. Once it was full of (hot) air, and could (in hope) rise above the ground. Now, it lies forlorn, unable to escape the force that weighs it down. Kinda like the the Labour Party and the Green movement.
Oh but for the days when hope did flower
Now wilted but the Right’s exalted power
you are not jonkey in a pink tutu are you…or Joyce in sparkley tights?
Why don’t you liven the place up by coming over to open mike and telling us all why this government is so good for the country.
Where the hell is Ben Rachinger?
Not a mention on TDailyBlog…
Not a mention on WhaleFilth…
CAn anyone help??
Daily Blog is still going strong…where have you been?!…under a rug ( whose ponytail are you pulling?)
As for Whaleoil dirty politics filth …it is unsurprisingly quiet now that its source in jonkey nactional has dried up
….and who the hell is Ben Rachiner?
Rachinger was a guy who came forward and said he had done some Dirty Politics stuff and been paid by Whale OIl
thanx for the info…must be a good guy to admit it
@ JeevesPOnzi…..ooops …i see i misunderstood/misread what you said ….sorry
His information was interesting, backed up by some moderately credible evidence, but Ben appeared too erratic to do much with. The chains of evidence weren’t that obvious, but quite intriguing and compelling. Clearly enough to warrant a criminal investigation against Cameron Slater.
When I get some time, I’ll probably lay a complaint myself against that stupid arsehole Cameron Slater for attempting to hire someone to crack into my systems. That way I’d at least get some idea of if the investigation is ongoing.
If the police don’t do something about it, then I’d have to assume that cracking into computers isn’t a criminal offence…. In which case the way that Nicky Hager was turned over by the police gets rather politically messy for the police.
Thanks L
🙂
He’s back on twitter. Use his real name account not the one with the odd characters in it.
weka if you have a e-reader – whilst this is a bit heavy going, still a great book.
https://libcom.org/files/Murray_Bookchin_The_Ecology_of_Freedom_1982.pdf
This is a great resource too
http://dorothyday.catholicworker.org/
Thanks. It’s a bit too long for me at the moment, but have had a read of the various wikipedia pages. Interesing.
What do you mean by anti-green rubbish?