Open Mike 28/10/2017

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, October 28th, 2017 - 40 comments
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40 comments on “Open Mike 28/10/2017 ”

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  1. Fred 1
    28 October 2017 at 8:31 am

    So… Why is no-one talking about the geoengineering which is so evident in our skies around the world??

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNeOTOytEeA

    [TheStandard: A moderator moved this comment to Open Mike as being off topic or irrelevant in the post it was made in. Be more careful in future.]

  2. Andre 2
    28 October 2017 at 9:37 am

    Something I’ve wondered about for a while is how much New Zealand’s mass sell-off to foreigners has contributed to keeping NZ’s dollar higher than it should be based on economic trading fundamentals.

    Consider: when a foreign investor buys a block of land or a company in NZ, in most cases they need to pay in NZ dollars. So they need to buy a big chunk of NZD with their foreign cash. Which increases the demand for NZD, and therefore bids up the price.

    Anyone with actual economics expertise care to comment?

    • Draco T Bastard 2.1
      28 October 2017 at 12:40 pm

      It probably has some effect upon the dollar. It would be hard to say how much without research into it.

      Of course, when the new government puts in place the restrictions that they’re talking about we should get a practical example of just how it much difference it makes.

      Will still need that research though.

    • Graeme 2.2
      28 October 2017 at 1:58 pm

      It would be fair to say that National led governments run policies that result in the NZD being around 0.75 USD. This makes it good for consumers and hard work for agriculture and tourism. Labour led governments tend to run policies that have NZD around 0.55 USD.

      In 1999 the election of the Clark government sent the RWNJs into such a spin that we went below 0.5 USD. Tourism spending absolutely took off at this exchange rate, we got it both ways from overseas visitors who got 30% better value, and from New Zealanders who found it better value to stay at home.

      It was great entertainment watching our NBR subscribing neighbour bleating that the economy was being ruined by “That Woman” and almost run his business into the ground, while our business thrived.

      We’re expecting, and hopeful of a similar outcome this time. The generational elements this time could make it doubly entertaining.

    • KJT 2.3
      29 October 2017 at 7:02 am

      It has some effect, but the main reason our dollar remains stubbornly high, is the reserve bank act running higher interest rates than our trading partners. To the detriment of local manufacturing and exporters.
      http://kjt-kt.blogspot.co.nz/2013/05/the-reserve-bank-debt-and-property.html?m=0

      National likes the dollar high, because it helps the delusion that the economy is doing well, when we can buy cheap TV’s.

  3. Eco maori 3
    28 October 2017 at 9:41 am

    First I no that I use a lot of I and my in my writing .
    But that,S because I’m in this by myself I have no one else to help me I’m battling the system by my self so this is all about my ideas and my life experience.
    We are all HUMAN’s you put a male an a female from two totally different cultures together and you get a baby human . Let’s forget the word race.
    My greatgrand mother taught me to own my choices and be responsible for my action she had a nice little stick to teach me this.
    Some people don,t want to own there choices and blame other,S for there loss and I don’t think it’s right to behave like that on TV as this teaches our moko that its ok to behave like this.
    Also some people of Maori culture have not figure out that when they behave badly there actions damage all of our Maori people and Maori culture thanks this is fact . And I read that it is intelligent to change one’s mind as other choice are found . Ka pai

  4. greywarshark 4
    28 October 2017 at 9:43 am

    Tom Scott cartoonist being interviewed by Kim Hill – very fine to hear these two great people chatting on Radionz now.

  5. greywarshark 5
    28 October 2017 at 10:04 am

    Headline –
    Spain follows NZ’s lead in demolishing local autonomy.

    Central government in Spain has sacked political leaders in Catalonia and replaced with their own people.

    Just like NZ’s own National Party did it to Christchurch!

    Heard about Spain on Radionz news after 10 am.

  6. adam 6
    28 October 2017 at 10:10 am

    Body Count still slamming it out. Lots of profanity, but right on the money.

  7. Draco T Bastard 7
    28 October 2017 at 10:18 am

    Episode 82: Dr Michelle Dickinson and David Downs
    Goes on about how the old #8 wire thinking is actually holding us back and how we’re not as innovative as we’d like to believe. Points out that our R&D is lagging far behind every other country. Raises the question as to why some of our most innovative people have dropped out of university/tertiary with an answer that we need to shift from the old ‘teaching’ into more ‘play’, i.e, away from National Standards type forced moulding.

    Makes the mistake of propagating the lie that government can’t pick winners despite the fact that governments have been doing so forever. In fact, Apple is only where it is because of the US federal government picking winners.

    Starts at 16:46

    • Drowsy M. Kram 7.1
      28 October 2017 at 12:20 pm

      Thanks for that interesting link – NZ can only benefit from more opportunities for creative intellectual play in the STEM and other fields. Unfortunately, some NZ universities are only paying lip service to supporting creativity and innovation, while their ‘mission’ lies elsewhere.

    • KJT 7.2
      28 October 2017 at 10:17 pm

      The number eight wire thinking is gone, along with an education system that taught people how to innovate and make things.

      • Draco T Bastard 7.2.1
        29 October 2017 at 12:46 am

        They do have a point. #8 wire thinking, the idea that an individual with a length of wire and pair of pliers doesn’t cut it any more. What we need now is high tech cooperative thinking and capitalism is really bad at that because it tends to reward the wrong people and discourages cooperative thinking.

        • McFlock 7.2.1.1
          29 October 2017 at 1:13 am

          I disagree – no8 wire thinking can translate well into the tech sector. It’s a bloody good accessory to advanced education.

          The best example I heard was a physics experiment that we were amongst the first in the world to replicate – first dozen or so.

          One of the tools required was a shield that MIT had fabricated with something like bespoke fabricated titanium parts for hundreds of thousands of dollars.

          We used corrugated cardboard painted black.

          We don’t do enough research or fund enough diversity in startups (although measuring it by patent numbers and entrepreneurs is a bit blinkered), but our real advantage is innovation and independent development – we shouldn’t turn away from that, nor rest on our laurels because Bob Semple commissioned a tank.

        • Sam aka clump 7.2.1.2
          29 October 2017 at 1:19 am

          You kind of have to make sure the solution to the problem makes sense with in the environmental context of the problem you’re trying to solve. You know there are great companies like Tesla who provide off grid power solutions, the batteries, the panels, charge converter, and installation. So long as the system meets the energy requirements you should be able to set it and forget it, except for maybe when a wire comes lose behind the socket (stuff like that does happen) but you should be able to wake up and say yeah, it does work.

          Then there are companies like Victron Energy who sell components of off grid solar solutions for those who are more advanced with a bit of institutional knowledge who can save a bit of cash on buying components instead of a final product. Knowing the components even though it might be a Frankenstein system that doesn’t mater because when the smarter guys can make it work.

        • KJT 7.2.1.3
          29 October 2017 at 6:36 am

          60% of New Zealand houses need major repairs. Not to mention the extra needed for our fast growing population.
          We need skilled and innovative builders, machinists and manufacturing technicians.
          Not more “designers”, lawyers and real estate agents.

          Doing current tec better is always going to beat so called hi tec.

          Ref. “The shock of the old”. And “The entrepreneurial State”.

    • Exkiwiforces 7.3
      29 October 2017 at 2:00 am

      New Zealand’s innovation disappeared when the 91 National Party got rid of the DSIR, MoW, completely bugger up the MoD along with farm cadet scheme, the apprenticeships scheme, brought in the ECA, WHS act and they also did something else that was really dumb as well but can’t remember what that was now. Might’ve have the cuts the to industry levy’s that pay for R& D etc.

      There was a really good podcast over at the Wings over the New Zealand Forum site where one of the speakers talked about how the techs at the Avionics Maintenance Squadron (Ohakea) during and after the Kahu Project were building their own Test and Repair Kits for a faction of price you would buy from the States. The Yanks from Foreign Military Sales office that look after the A4’s were godsmack at was being achieved by the techs at the time and couldn’t believe at what they were seeing. The story goes if we and any user have a problem with A4’s we’ll send me down the Kiwi’s AVMS or to Safe Air. When the Macchi’s were brought the Airforce tried to the same thing as the Kahu Project, but someone in the MoD shit themselves and played the WHS card along with poorly written servicing contact for Macchi’s.

      When the draft planning for the Project Rigel 2 (upgrade for P3’s) which started just before the change Government in 91. The Airforce went to Lockheed about re- winging, tail fin of the P3’s and Lockheed’s reply was “you are nuts and it can’t be
      done”. The Airforce and along Safe Air said it can be done and are the technical drawings, paper work (someone smart somewhere manage to get copyright/ patent for Rigel 2 Project) etc to Lockheed. Lockheed went FMS office for P3’s for advice and was told if the Kiwi’s say it can be done it can be done. Lockheed came back saying we can using your techical papers/ drawings etc only to find out that the Kiwis had out a copyright/ patent and was going to cost Lockheed some money. In the end it saved the taxpayer a few quid at Lockheed’s expense and any monies from the license given to Lockheed went back to the Airforce/ MoD. Some of the knowledge gained from Rigel 2 actually saved the C130 upgrade project that was start under the last Labour Government from almost going tits up and benefits other nations as well for example the Yanks went a step further with their C130 upgrades and did a full engine change using the same engine on the C130J Models.

      About 95-96 onwards a lot of Projects went south until the massive cockup with Project Protector which cost a life of a sailor. After that inquire and a few others that
      innovation has come back into MoD and wider NZDF, but it being held back by people who are ass shit themselves by a lack of SMK/SME, the lack of education (the drop of education standards from high school upwards), and ass shitting over WHS/OHS. All this flows in the wider public and private sector areas as well.

      In some case I know of people who have done two papers to get a Project off the ground and first one is the proposal and the 2nd one on the actual project that has taken place during testing because of the ass shitters.

      KTJ, has pretty will knock the nail on the head with his or hers comment. The dumbing down of education hasn’t help.

      • Philg 7.3.2
        29 October 2017 at 2:14 pm

        Exkiwi F,
        You hit a lot of nails there bro! Good to know that I’m not alone in thinking the devolution of government I. E. DSIR, apprenticeshops etc etc. were the start of the rot. Was it that long ago? Yes. And the knock on affects of the last gov will reverberate for for at least another 20 years.

        • Exkiwiforces 7.3.2.1
          29 October 2017 at 2:40 pm

          The knock on effects are plain see in CHCH atm and parts of Wellington after the Earthquakes.

          I forgot to add the Railways as well there was some interesting stuff that was about to come out from them or was still on the drawing broad before it was flog off and ran into the ground.

          What National did in the 90”s is the reasons why I left NZ along with goose mallard’s comment “you working class wankers can fuck off from the Labour Party” he’s Latte sipping muppet anyway.

  8. Cinny 8
    28 October 2017 at 10:45 am

    Went to a fantastic local gathering last night to congratulate our awesome local MP, he is such a humble man and we are all so very proud of him.

    Its the little things that mean so much to so many, he went around and personally thanked everyone there, none of it was for show, it was all genuine. Many hugs and happy faces.

    Congrats to our new Minister for Agriculture !!! 🙂

    • Matiri 8.1
      28 October 2017 at 1:48 pm

      Absolutely Cinny, Damien is great! We went out last night to a play, and our local National party organisers (couple in their 80s) were moaning to a local dairy farmer about 7% holding the country to ransom, will all fall over in two years etc etc. A few minutes later the elderly lady was telling us about a man begging in Murchison, the first time she has seen it here; she brushed him off saying she didn’t have any change. My husband had the perfect reply ‘That’s 9 years of a National government for you’. She spluttered 😉

    • Craig H 9.1
      28 October 2017 at 2:09 pm

      I was going to post that as well, agree that it’s a good article. Nice to see Duncan Garner being positive about the new government!

  10. Eco maori 10
    28 October 2017 at 12:43 pm

    That’s the way Labour it’s not like we charge LADY,S
    less for anything they purchase they deserve to be payed full time for there efforts And it’s about time Ka Pai .
    In any culture the 1 percent have a different view on reality to the minority. one of my goals is to support our new government and raise the mana of Maori and get these people whom hide behind-the NZ Courts into court and get equally in our society Kia kaha

  11. greywarshark 11
    28 October 2017 at 3:48 pm

    Vanuatu – This is where our water will be needed. And we won’t suffer a loss because we aren’t being paid for it now. Isn’t that good. Except that doltish people will have signed contracts to give it away to brighter types than us. Water – it’s only for when there isn’t whisky or Dragon’s Breath cans that put a light on the end of your flame-thrower.

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/342486/water-a-key-worry-for-returning-ambae-islanders

    Strange, these people don’t look happy as hey are returned to their island paradise.They look anxious, tense./sarc

    • Eco maori 11.1
      28 October 2017 at 6:00 pm

      I been thinking that our Pacific islands cousins need to build houses that can cope with hurricanes maybe half round like a ball cut in half as I think this design will resist the high win.s and send some one around our world to find cultures that are living in a semi flooded environment and copy them in there Technical ways around the problems of living in this semi flooded environment and they need our help to survive climate change they could still attract tourist they just mite be holidaying in poll houses or whatever they need to advertise to the world of there holiday packages ECT Ka kaha

      • tracey 11.1.1
        28 October 2017 at 6:41 pm

        I know someone involved in building earth homes in Rarotonga

        • Eco maori 11.1.1.1
          28 October 2017 at 9:31 pm

          Yes those types of houses mite cope with hurricanes strength winds are they rammed earth these have wall,S about a foot thick But I think a new innovative design is required for the strong winds that are forecast for our future.

  12. McFlock 12
    28 October 2017 at 4:20 pm

    So the National Front tried to have a wee rally at parliament. Failed dismally, and got an appropriate response.

    • marty mars 12.1
      28 October 2017 at 4:45 pm

      Yeah saw that – good job anti racist attendees. I wonder is sad little kluess klassless Kyle was there – always good to see that turd running away like a little doggy.

    • Stuart Munro 12.2
      28 October 2017 at 5:54 pm

      Well done. Someone needs to show it to the Americans – this is how you stop them.

    • Naki man 12.3
      28 October 2017 at 6:37 pm

      Did you hear that idiot say they support Winston and got him into government?
      Another fuckwit says i am Maori how can i be racist.

      • One Anonymous Bloke 12.3.1
        28 October 2017 at 7:08 pm

        Yeah. Everyone knows the Orewa speech brought people who think that way back to their natural home.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 12.4
      28 October 2017 at 7:12 pm

      Too few of them to even be worth sponsoring.

      The neo-Nazis weren’t informed about their charitable giving until they crossed the finish line, where they were greeted with a sign thanking them for their donations. Adding further insult to injury, the proceeds were donated to EXIT Deutschland, an organization that assists people who want to leave extremist groups.