40 years ago there was an authoritarian PM who was also Minister of Finance.
He regulated the banking sector and wanted low unemployment – and people like Bob Jones wanted him gone – they wanted the "socialist" gone and a classic free market economy.
And Roger Douglas delivered. Others gave us the nuclear policy, and the Treaty in legislation. The succeeding government kept all three and thus came the iwi settlements (and they added benefit cuts, a low wage economy and market rents for state houses – all while removing the estate tax – thus increasing rather than reducing inequality was the goal)
In the 1970s, Māori protest about unresolved Treaty grievances was increasing and sometimes taking place outside the law. By establishing the Waitangi Tribunal, Parliament provided a legal process by which Māori Treaty claims could be investigated.
National brought in Kohanga Reo, Mana Enterprises and Tu Tangata programmes and Muldoon gave PEP jobs to urban Maori "gangs".
The Waitangi Tribunal Act `1985
From 1985 the Waitangi Tribunal was empowered to investigate Treaty claims dating back to 1840. The tribunal also gained the ability to commission research and appoint legal counsel for claimants. Māori have since lodged many new claims against the Crown, and a number of major reports have been released.
Back in 1984 Maori were more employed more hours than others, this was how they afforded home ownership.
In those times older folk were landlords – either converting bank account savings into a property ownership or using super payout to buy. They owned the house and paid tax on the rent income. There was no speculation with borrowed money.
Lack of secure tenancy. Struggling to afford rent and remain in a home. a risible 25 cents an hour MW increase. A one off tax cut for workers of $10 a week.
The legacy of Rogergnomics, Ruthinasia, Birch and Jimville English.
40 years ago they closed down a business in Willis Street. Where pigs could not sweat while on duty.
In those times older folk were landlords – either converting bank account savings into a property ownership or using super payout to buy. They owned the house and paid tax on the rent income. There was no speculation with borrowed money.
Without borrowing is how investment should be done in the housing market – paying interest just tends to push up rental prices. I think TOP, at the last election, had a policy something along those lines.
Luxury Luxon and his cronies apparently care about the squeezed middle . ( I have grave doubts about that and IMO their attentions will make no difference.! )
"Why is that commitment to tax relief so important?" said Prime Minister Christopher Luxon earlier this month.
"Because those Kiwis struggling with the cost of living – what I call the squeezed middle – deserve support."
"Because those Kiwis struggling with the cost of living – what I call the squeezed middle – deserve support."
Clearly, in his warped mind, only the "right" sort of Kiwi struggling with the cost of living deserves support. (Read: if you don't work then you're obviously not affected by the cost of living, right?)
Government 48.5 against opposition 47.0 With the TMP overhang, assuming they win 6 Maori seats, this is neck and neck.
Labour is closing on the Nats. The Greens continue to poll well despite all the (mostly unjustified) crap that is being thrown at them.
Thanks BG. In spite of criticism even from own ranks, it may be that Hipkin's softly softly might be the way to go. Let the COC die from self inflicted wounds.
I can't imagine gleefully sacking people , pulling the rug out from under first home buyers feet and starving poor kids sits well with your average decent citizen.
You 'misunderestimate' the nett tax payer's loathing of bureaucrats – especially the vast number 'given' positons by the previous majority Labour government.
That is the audience the present ruling coalition is playing to … and the need for reduction in government spending precipitated by $100 BILLIONS of recent borrowing (much of it channeled to the private individual during covid lockdowns). Eventually the uncontrolled flow has to be restricted.
They believe that there is still 20,000 plus extras to be dealt with.
(p.s. Have been made redundant three times in my working life – each due to a government economic failure.)
Not only the nett taxpayer, most of the working class (the much-derided Waitakere Man and small town NZ, rather than the urban liberal unionists) regard Wellington-based bureaucrats as freeloaders. Bureaucrats in Wellington losing their (very well paid) jobs, aren't going to gain much sympathy outside their support circle.
Ahhh bureaucrats. Love the smell of bureaucrats roasting on an open fire!
Oh wait it’s the passport office.
Oh wait it’s the teacher aid who works with my neighbor’s kid.
Oh wait, it’s the post office and RD has been cut back again.
Oh wait it’s our local surgery waiting lists and the cancellation of surgeries.
Oh wait it’s the disability support person who checks accessibility.
Oh f- me it’s all the construction projects that have been stopped and subs laid off because there’s no government certainty.
Oh f- me it’s an industry that had ratcheted up just drop off a cliff.
Oh f- me it’s the team that monitors and stops noxious weeds.
Oh f- me immigration have closed all their offices near us and their phone wait times are crazy and one of our workers wants to go home because his mother’s sick. Real good no shit guy.
Oh f- me it’s the wife’s contract to supply fresh veges to get friends who make lunches for the local school.
Oh f- me I just want to finish work eat my dinner and watch the news- where’s Paddy gone?
It doesn’t feel a lot better having got rid of all the woke lot- just a lot more money gone to their big business mates and even less for us.
Always appreciate your input. Especially now you’ve moved from concern trolling to simply RW positions. Much more honest of you.
Yes the construction industry was geared up on a lot of projects because the government prioritised building houses. This had at least plateaued prices. Now the uncertainty has seen the industry creak to a halt because of the lack of certainty around projects.
And even your and Chris Trotter’s best friends can see that cutting jobs gleefully does nothing for the long term sustainability of the economy or the cost of living crisis, it simply goes to their mates’ back pockets as they avoid paying for the things we collectively need.
"Among others, local authorities are conveying to us their challenging financial predicaments, citing either a lack of funds or a need to await direction or decisions from central government before proceeding with planned works."
And we’ll find we’re paying more to borrow as the government isn’t guaranteeing water infrastructure.
/angrywithTINAandherpoisonousmates
Attempting to smear people with troll or RW labels – does no favours for your actual arguments.
From a fact-checked article:
There’s been an increase between 2017 and 2022 in both the size of the core public service, and the proportion of the workforce who are public servants.
If that resulted in such a spectacular improvement in public services – which according to you are of such benefit – then the left (which really means Labour, since the other left parties increased their representation) – wouldn't have lost the election. They did.
The coalition went into government having campaigned on, and therefore with a mandate to, trim the public sector.
I fail to see why this is such a surprise. This is something that National does every time they are in government, just as Labour bumps up the public sector employment, every time they are in government.
According to the Wellington cafes not enough public servants were frequenting their cafes making it hard to make money charging stupid prices for a muffin.
The World is not run and controlled by 'decent' people – all that matters is which tribe are they from – Ours …. or the Others. We get to pillage or they do.
You can't really expect luxury Luxon to have much sympathy, or empathy, for "freeloading" "Wellington-based bureaucrats" and "urban liberal unionists". As for empathy-free Seymour and his merry band of MPs, decency “don’t enter into it.”
Nicola 'ruthless' Willis can do ‘faux empathy’, but not well.
have revealed Bill English was signed on to head the $500k review of Kāinga Ora weeks before Chris Bishop got official sign-off on the review. The arrangement was made via text messages with Bishop promising no involvement from Kāinga Ora in the review of Kāinga Ora.
Newshub can reveal Sir Bill English was signed on to head a half-million-dollar review of Kāinga Ora through a couple of simple text messages with the Minister – weeks before he even got Cabinet signoff for the review.
Kāinga Ora's response to the scathing report said they were hardly consulted and Newshub's obtained text messages showing it was the Minister's preference they had no involvement.
[…]
"Kāinga Ora is underperforming and not financially viable," Bishop said.
Newshub can reveal how the former Prime Minister came to head the half-million-dollar probe.
Here is the text exchange:
Sir Bill: Chris will there be a review of KO.
Bishop: We are going to do an independent review into finances, performance, cost, etc. Commence it asap, hopefully get terms of reference and reviewers sorted before Christmas.
Sir Bill: I could help with that.
Bishop: Excellent lets do that.
Bishop told Newshub he "absolutely" followed proper processes in appointing Sir Bill.
The message saying "excellent let's do that" to the review was sent on November 29 but the review was only taken to the Cabinet 100-day plan committee to sign off two weeks later on December 13.
And English failed to point out that the $2.5 billion per year has resulted in $45 billion in asset growth. Funny that. Must have forgotten that small detail.
Some of that is the post-Covid shift in retail patterns (fewer people working in the CBD). Some is the longer term shift away from CBD shopping to local malls. Both economic trends that it's difficult to fight against.
But a huge amount is the ongoing misery that is the (seemingly endless) disruption caused by the CRL; the frankly dangerous vibe of Queen St and surrounding areas – not only after dark, but during the daytime; and the war against the car that AT have engaged in with their bus-only streets (with poor signage combined with high fines).
The City Council needs to put their hand up and take ownership of all of these.
I'll be sad to see the grand old lady of Queen St go – but I think that she's past saving in the current economic climate. I only fear what horror will be imposed on the Queen St facade when the building is vacated – we still have the gaping eyesore of the St James theatre, rotting across the road, as a dreadful warning. I guess the best we can hope for is conversion into luxury apartments – $2 million for a single bedroom – because the cost of conversion, heritage protection and rates won't allow for anything less expensive.
Same shit, different day. Hysterical reaction about protests being illegal because you’re not allowed to strike against racism and corruption, you don’t have those entitlements in your contracts! This is me at AIRNZ hitting them with their employment agreements. I was a king! And a better one than Joffrey, though perhaps not Robert…
Top civil servant Dick Schoof has just agreed to become PM of the Netherlands. This is good news because it means the fascist Geert Wilders will not have the job, despite being leader of the largest party.
Liberal, pro-Israel, Biden supporting non-profit J Street has had enough.
.
Mr. President, enough is enough.
Jeremy Ben-Ami
on May 28, 2024
For eight months, we have watched in abject horror the catastrophic war that has followed Hamas’ barbaric October 7 attack.
[…]
Hamas and the terrorists who attacked Israel on October 7 can and must be defeated. But that will only happen through a political resolution of the underlying Israeli-Palestinian conflict – one that rallies international support to deprive Hamas of financial, political and popular support and charts a clear, alternate, peaceful path toward Palestinian liberation. The path which President Biden is being led down by Prime Minister Netanyahu will bring only more death and destruction, a more radicalized and angry Palestinian population, and greater enemies for not just Israel but the United States as well.
And – let’s be clear – the political damage the President is suffering by going down this path is so deep that it could cost him the November election and all of us our democracy.
So we say to President Biden: Demand an end to this war now and lay out the choice clearly for Prime Minister Netanyahu. Either resolve this war and the underlying conflict the right way – in a manner that brings lasting peace, security and freedom to both peoples – or go it alone on the path of never-ending violence and bloodshed.
For four years now, orcas have been ramming and sinking luxury yachts in European waters, and scientists have struggled to work out just why these smart, social animals had learnt this destructive new trick. But, sadly, it's not their anticapitalist 'eat the rich' agenda, nor is it to do with territory and aggression. The truth is, well, it's child's play.
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The Government knew its changes to the school lunch programme would risk achievement, attendance, nutrition and wellbeing of New Zealand children, as well as having wider impacts on reducing child poverty, and made the changes anyway, new documents show. ...
Two months have passed since the National Government said it was a question of ”when, not if” New Zealand would recognise Palestine, in response to Labour’s call. ...
Today the coalition government has announced that a select committee inquiry into banking competition will be led by the Finance and Expenditure Select Committee.New Zealand First campaigned to take on foreign owned banks, and we committed to that in our coalition agreement by ensuring the inquiry has a broad ...
The National Government is doing everything it can to delay taking action on climate as it announces that years of work on agricultural emissions will start from scratch. ...
Tens of thousands of people showed up to have their voices heard and march against National’s unpopular Fast Track Approvals Bill in Auckland over the weekend. ...
The Government deciding to lift the oil and gas ban in the middle of a climate crisis is a severe step backwards that will have serious consequences for our future. ...
This week the Justice Select Committee has heard numerous submissions on the removal of Māori Wards. “I am feeling invigorated by the powerful oral submissions that I have heard throughout the week.” Said Local Government spokesperson, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “People from all facets of life: whānau Māori, whānau Pākehā, rangatahi, kaumātua, ...
Today’s March for Nature sends a clear message that our country is deeply against the Fast Track Approvals Bill proceeding because the cost to the environment would be unacceptable. ...
The recent attacks on Te Pāti Māori and its MP’s are part of a continuing narrative of attack on all matters Māori. If we could respond to baseless inuendo we would. If there is any evidence then show us so we have a reason to engage in a conversation. The ...
The Government’s move to pour billions into potholes whilst remaining inactive on climate change does nothing to solve our transport system's core problems. ...
“The Government needs to provide leadership for New Zealand’s mental health sector, which appears to have lost out in the Budget despite the promises Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey made on the campaign trail,” said Labour mental health spokesperson Ingrid Leary. ...
Today’s announcement that would see some workers’ entitlement to sick leave reduce flies in the face of yet another promise National made during the election campaign. ...
Cutting a third of the staff at Ministry for the Environment will undermine years of work to clean up our fresh water and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and leave us unprepared for a changing climate. ...
School attendance data released today shows an increase in the number of students regularly attending school to 61.7 per cent in term one. This compares to 59.5 per cent in term one last year and 53.6 per cent in term four. “It is encouraging to see more children getting to ...
The Government has announced a record 41 per cent increase in indicative funding for public transport services and operations, and confirmed the rollout of the National Ticketing Solution (NTS) that will enable contactless debit and credit card payments starting this year in Auckland, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“This Government is ...
GDP figures for the March quarter reinforce the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Data released today by Stats NZ shows GDP has risen 0.2 per cent for the quarter to March. “While today’s data is technically in ...
Women’s representation on public sector boards and committees has reached 50 per cent or above for the fourth consecutive year, with women holding 53.9 per cent of public sector board roles, Acting Minister for Women Louise Upston says. “This is a fantastic achievement, but the work is not done. To ...
The Coalition Government is supporting Māori to boost development and the Māori economy through investment in projects that benefit the regions, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones and Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka say. “As the Regional Development Minister, I am focused on supporting Māori to succeed. The Provincial Growth Fund ...
Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk has announced that the review into better managing the risks of earthquake-prone buildings has commenced. “The terms of reference published today demonstrate the Government’s commitment to ensuring we get the balance right between public safety and costs to building owners,” Mr Penk says. “The Government ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has just finished a successful three-day visit to Japan, where he strengthened political relationships and boosted business links. Mr Luxon’s visit culminated in a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio followed by a state dinner. “It was important for me to meet Prime Minister Kishida in person ...
Significant business deals have been closed during the visit of Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to Japan this week, including in the areas of space, renewable energy and investment. “Commercial deals like this demonstrate that we don’t just export high-quality agricultural products to Japan, but also our world-class technology, expertise, and ...
Minasan, konnichiwa, kia ora and good afternoon everyone. Thank you for the invitation to speak to you today and thank you to our friends at the Institute for International Socio-Economic Studies and NEC for making this event possible today. It gives me great pleasure to be here today, speaking with ...
The National Infrastructure Pipeline, which provides a national view of current or planned infrastructure projects, from roads, to water infrastructure, to schools, and more, has climbed above $120 billion, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop says. “Our Government is investing a record amount in modern infrastructure that Kiwis can rely on as ...
The Government is modernising the Public Works Act to make it easier to build infrastructure, Minister for Land Information Chris Penk announced today. An independent panel will undertake an eight-week review of the Act and advise on common sense changes to enable large scale public works to be built faster and ...
New Zealand will enhance its defence contributions to monitoring violations of sanctions against North Korea, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. The enhancement will see the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) increase its contributions to North Korea sanctions monitoring, operating out of Japan. “This increase reflects the importance New Zealand ...
Good afternoon everyone. It’s great to be with you all today before we wrap up Day One of the annual Safeguard National Health and Safety Conference. Thank you to the organisers and sponsors of this conference, for the chance to talk to you about the upcoming health and safety consultation. ...
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone for the Ōtaki to north of Levin Road of National Significance (RoNS), following the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) signing interim alliance agreements with two design and construction teams who will develop and ultimately build the new expressway.“The Government’s priority for transport ...
The Department of Internal Affairs [Department] is making a significant upgrade to their Digital Child Exploitation Filtering System, which blocks access to websites known to host child sexual abuse material, says Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden. “The Department will incorporate the up-to-date lists of websites hosting child sexual ...
A vaccine to prevent an infectious disease that costs New Zealand cattle farmers more than $190 million each year could radically improve the health of our cows and boost on-farm productivity, Associate Agriculture Minister Andrew Hoggard says. The Ministry for Primary Industries is backing a project that aims to develop ...
The Government has today announced that it is making it easier for people to build granny flats, Acting Prime Minister Winston Peters and RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop say. “Making it easier to build granny flats will make it more affordable for families to live the way that suits them ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Auckland King’s Counsel Gregory Peter Blanchard as a High Court Judge. Justice Blanchard attended the University of Auckland from 1991 to 1995, graduating with an LLB (Honours) and Bachelor of Arts (English). He was a solicitor with the firm that is now Dentons ...
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says new data released today shows encouraging growth in the health workforce, with a continued increase in the numbers of doctors, nurses and midwives joining Health New Zealand. “Frontline healthcare workers are the beating heart of the healthcare system. Increasing and retaining our health workforce ...
Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee has today announced a comprehensive programme to reform New Zealand's outdated and complicated firearms laws. “The Arms Act has been in place for over 40 years. It has been amended several times – in a piecemeal, and sometimes rushed way. This has resulted in outdated ...
The coalition Government is delivering record levels of targeted investment in specialist schools so children with additional needs can thrive. As part of Budget 24, $89 million has been ringfenced to redevelop specialist facilities and increase satellite classrooms for students with high needs. This includes: $63 million in depreciation funding ...
A substantial consultation on work health and safety will begin today with a roadshow across the regions over the coming months, says Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden. This the first step to deliver on the commitment to reforming health and safety law and regulations, set out in ...
Forestry Minister Todd McClay, today announced the start of the Government’s plan to restore certainty and confidence in the forestry and wood processing sector. “This government will drive investment to unlock the industry’s economic potential for growth,” Mr McClay says. “Forestry’s success is critical to rebuilding New Zealand’s economy, boosting ...
Annual service charges in the forestry Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) will be cancelled for 2023/24, Forestry Minister Todd McClay says. “The sector has told me the costs imposed on forestry owners by the previous government were excessive and unreasonable and I agree,” Mr McClay says. “They have said that there ...
Introduction Thank you for having me here today and welcome to Wellington, the home of the Hurricanes, the next Super Rugby champions. Infrastructure – the challenge This government has inherited a series of big challenges in infrastructure. I don’t need to tell an audience as smart as this one that ...
Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay and Food Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard welcomed outcomes to boost agricultural and food trade between New Zealand and China. A number of documents were signed today at Government House that will improve the business environment between New Zealand and China, and help reduce barriers, including on infant formula ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay, and China’s Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, today announced the official launch of Negotiations on Services Trade between the two countries. “The Government is focused on opening doors for services exporters to grow the New Zealand’s economy,” Mr McClay says. As part of the 2022 New Zealand-China Free Trade Agreement Upgrade ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang at Government House in Wellington today. “I was pleased to welcome Premier Li to Wellington for his first official visit, which marks 10 years since New Zealand and China established a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” Mr Luxon says. “The Premier and ...
The coalition Government is taking action to reduce the gender pay gap in New Zealand through the development of a voluntary calculation tool. “Gender pay gaps have impacted women for decades, which is why we need to continue to drive change in New Zealand,” Acting Minister for Women Louise Upston ...
The coalition Government is boosting funding for Rural Support Trusts to provide more help to farmers and growers under pressure, Rural Communities Minister Mark Patterson announced today. “A strong and thriving agricultural sector is crucial to the New Zealand economy and one of the ways to support it is to ...
Spending on contractors and consultants continues to fall and the size of the Public Service workforce has started to decrease after years of growth, according to the latest data released today by the Public Service Commission. Workforce data for the quarter from 31 December 23 to 31 March 24 shows ...
Thank you to the Law Association for inviting me to speak this morning. As a former president under its previous name — the Auckland District Law Society — I take particular satisfaction in seeing this organisation, and its members, in such good heart. As Attorney-General, I am grateful for these ...
New Zealand is committed to working closely with Timor-Leste to support its prosperity and resilience, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “This year is the 25th anniversary of New Zealand sending peacekeepers to Timor-Leste, who contributed to the country’s stabilisation and ultimately its independence,” Mr Peters says. “A quarter ...
Promoting robust competition in the banking sector is vital to rebuilding the economy, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. “New Zealanders deserve a banking sector that is as competitive as possible. Banking services play an important role in our communities and in the economy. Kiwis rely on access to lending when ...
Regulation Minister David Seymour, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds, and Food Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard have today announced a regulatory sector review on the approval process for new agricultural and horticultural products. “Red tape stops farmers and growers from getting access to products that have been approved by other OECD countries. ...
The Coalition Government will reverse Labour’s blanket speed limit reductions by 1 July 2025 through a new Land Transport Rule released for public consultation today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. The draft speed limit rule will deliver on the National-ACT coalition commitment to reverse the previous government’s blanket speed limit ...
Minister Paul Goldsmith is making major leadership changes within both his Arts and Media portfolios. “I am delighted to announce Carmel Walsh will be officially stepping into the role of Chair of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, having been acting Chair since April,” Arts Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “Carmel is ...
Food and fibre export revenue is tipped to reach $54.6 billion this year and hit a record $66.6b in 2028 as the Government focuses on getting better access to markets and cutting red tape, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay and Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones say. “This achievement is testament ...
A new export exemption proposal for food businesses demonstrates the coalition Government’s commitment to reducing regulatory barriers for industry and increasing the value of New Zealand exports, which gets safe New Zealand food to more markets, says Food Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard. “The coalition Government has listened to the concerns ...
New Zealand and Philippines are continuing to elevate our relationship, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The leaders of New Zealand and Philippines agreed in April 2024 to lift our relationship to a Comprehensive Partnership by 2026,” Mr Peters says. “Our visit to Manila this week has been an excellent ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Chris Kirkland, Professor of Geochronology, Curtin University Lukas Gojda / Shutterstock Our planet was born around 4.5 billion years ago. To understand this mind-bendingly long history, we need to study rocks and the minerals they are made of. The oldest rocks ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra No one doubts Peter Dutton has a huge task to sell his radical nuclear plan, with many experts throwing buckets of cold water over it. But on Thursday the opposition leader received some welcome backing. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jordana Hunter, School Education Program Director, Grattan Institute The Victorian Auditor-General has just released an audit of Victoria’s A$1.2 billion tutoring program designed to help struggling students post-COVID. The report found the program “did not significantly improve students’ learning compared to ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marta Khomyn, Lecturer, University of Adelaide Jonathan Borba/Pexels The Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) has just seen the listing of its first bitcoin spot exchange-traded fund – “ETF” for short. Issued by investment management firm VanEck, the new investment product is ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alana Lentin, Professor in Cultural and Social Analysis, Western Sydney University Prudence Upton/Sydney Theatre Company Anchuli Felicia King’s new one-performer piece, American Signs, written for the talented Catherine Văn-Davies, thrusts us into the world of a campus hire at “The Firm”, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Parmeter, Research Scholar, Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies, Australian National University Among the many sayings attributed to Winston Churchill is, “Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” This sentiment seems appropriate as Israel potentially appears ...
New Zealand Nurses Organisation Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa (NZNO) have voiced concerns about Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora restricting the employment of graduate nurses into their workforce due to budget constraints. ...
The NZCTU is slamming a decision by the Government in Budget 2024 to cut a programme which ensured that disabled workers are paid the minimum wage. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Lowe, Emeritus Professor, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University Martin Lisner/Shutterstock It is very difficult to take Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s nuclear announcement seriously. His proposal for seven nuclear power stations is, at present, legally impossible, technically improbable, economically ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Milad Haghani, Senior Lecturer of Urban Mobility, Public Safety & Disaster Risk, UNSW Sydney Each year, millions of Muslims from across the world embark on the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. The mass migration is unparalleled in scale, and pilgrims ...
The Committee has recommended that the Bill be passed with minor amendments. The bill will create 12 new high protection areas, 5 new seafloor protection areas and 2 extensions to existing marine reserves. ...
“The Green Party campaigned on protecting 30 percent of our oceans. We will continue to fight for our marine environment so it can be enjoyed across future generations,” says Marama Davidson. ...
We asked public organisations for an update on their response to the recommendations in our 2022 report Improving value through better Crown entity monitoring. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra After beating a first-term South Australian Liberal government in 2022, Labor premier Peter Malinauskas has gone on to be a reform advocate on issues including social media and politcal donations. His government is looking ...
The economy keeps limping along, and people keep getting poorer. GDP per capita has fallen yet again, and it's now been in freefall for well over a year. ...
Alex Casey and Tara Ward look back at the best and brightest New Zealanders to appear in the greatest reality franchise of all time. It’s the hugely addictive reality show with a little bit of everything. “It’s got the high octane Hell’s Kitchen action in the chef’s galley, the nouveau ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kate Galloway, Professor of Law and Social Justice, Australian Catholic University Commonwealth Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus has announced that the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) would review the Native Title Act to “rectify any inefficacy, inequality or unfairness”. The purpose of the ...
COMMENTARY:By Nick Rockel in Tāmaki Makaurau This morning I did something I seldom do, I looked at the Twitter newsfeed. Normally I take the approach of something that I’m not sure is an American urban legend, or genuinely something kids do over there. The infamous bag of dog poo ...
The Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA) has issued the government a "letter of demand" for complicity with Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza. ...
You might say the best way not to be an arsehole is to avoid leaving any notes on cars, but if you must, here’s the etiquette. A fun fact that never fails to make me laugh is that something like 90% of drivers believe they’re in the top 5% of ...
Criminal justice advocacy group JustSpeak and human rights movement Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand are raising alarm bells about the social justice issues highlighted in this year’s data. ...
By Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific journalist All parties, including West Papuan pro-independence fighters who took Phillip Mehrtens hostage, want the New Zealand pilot released but freeing him is “complicated”. In February 2023, Mehrtens, a husband and father from Christchurch, was working for Indonesian airline, Susi Air, when he landed his ...
The current coalition not lasting beyond this parliamentary term is an idea that’s been seized on by its opponents. History suggests it’s unlikely – but not impossible. Gabi Lardies explains.‘We have a very good chance of making this a one-term government,” said Labour leader Chris Hipkins at his party’s ...
FIRST Union members at St John have voted to take further strike action that commences today, with the aim of seeking public support for a fully functioning ambulance service before industrial action intensifies to the point of withdrawing labour. ...
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk New Caledonia’s security forces have arrested eight people believed to be involved in the organisation of pro-independence-related riots that broke out in the French Pacific territory last month. The eight include leaders of the so-called Field Action Coordinating Cell (CCAT), a ...
New Zealand air traffic controller trainees who previously spent up to 18 months training without being treated or paid as employees will now be considered employees ...
Close to a million artefacts found in post-quake Christchurch are now available to be viewed by the public. Alex Casey speaks to the founder of Museum of Archeology Ōtautahi.Charles Henry Cox would’ve got away with it, if it hadn’t been for those damn meddling archeologists. The talented grifter proudly ...
The director and actor shares what it means to commit to the work.Anapela Polataivao ONZM is an award-winning director and actor. She is a recipient of the Arts Foundation New Generation Award (2014), the Contemporary Pacific Art Award (2019), and Best Director at the Auckland Theatre Awards (2016). Her ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Liam Byrne, Honorary Fellow, School of Historical and Philosophical Studies, The University of Melbourne When British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the UK general election outside 10 Downing Street in the pouring rain last month, the ignominy of the moment was compounded ...
I’m a vegan who adores vegetables and he’s a big meat-eater totally suspicious of them. Help me! Want Hera’s help? Email your problem to helpme@thespinoff.co.nzKia ora Hera,I need my partner to eat some vegetables and I don’t know how.I have a lovely partner: he’s caring, supportive and meets me where ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hussein Dia, Professor of Future Urban Mobility, Swinburne University of Technology algre/Shutterstock Just last year, data suggested plug-in hybrid cars were on the way out in Australia. But they’re back. New data shows plug-in hybrids and conventional hybrids combined have overtaken ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robyn Schofield, Associate Professor and Associate Dean (Environment and Sustainability), The University of Melbourne ESA Communications companies such as Starlink plan to launch tens of thousands of satellites into orbit around Earth over the next decade or so. The growing swarm ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ganna Pogrebna, Executive Director, AI and Cyber Futures Institute, Charles Sturt University Shutterstock In the ever-evolving online gaming landscape, one seemingly simple online game has captivated players. The free-to-play clicker Banana has amassed more than 850,000 concurrent players on the gaming ...
Data this morning will reveal whether or not the country has pulled out of recession, writes Stewart Sowman-Lund in this extract from The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. Have ...
There is no suggestion the contents of Seymour’s messages were inappropriate, but some of his former correspondents say the interactions shouldn’t have happened The post Seymour fronts up on Snapchats with school kids appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Never fear! The rogue Māori is here! To be honest I’m pretty fūcken peeved at having to join the chorus, late, of witless Pākehā who have thoughts on Paul Moon’s book Ans Westra: A Life In Photography. Steve Braunias is all right, we are friends, but I wasn’t happy about ...
A housing minister willing to publicly discuss house price falls is encouraging, but true affordability is likely to remain a long way off, writes Max Rashbrooke. House prices must always rise. For as long as I can recall, this has been one of the core assumptions of Kiwi politics. It ...
Lange and Muldoon clash, two days after the election. Our live updates editor is on the case. In a ranking of the most dramatic, unhinged days in New Zealand politics, July 16, 1984 would be right up there. David Lange would later call the day “perhaps the most extraordinary of ...
Health and education saw the biggest increases in spending after tax cuts in the Budget, with housing and tertiary education facing the largest cuts The post Who got Budget cash and who lost it appeared first on Newsroom. ...
The debt owed by hundreds of thousands of people to government agencies has soared in recent years but a plan to tackle it has been put on hold. Figures from the Ministry of Social Development show that total debt has climbed by more than $1 billion since 2018 to $2.61 ...
Opinion: According to UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, a record 117.3 million peoples were forcibly displaced at the end of 2023 due to conflict, violence, or climate-related disasters. This is nearly equivalent to the populations of the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia combined. Alarmingly, the number of forcibly displaced peoples ...
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Opinion: Most of us know that getting old is not for the faint-hearted, but readers may not know that older New Zealanders who aren’t well-off are better provided for than children growing up in poor families. To our shame, at least 150,000 children live below the lowest poverty line ...
MARTINA SALMON – PULSE From out of the netball wilderness, Martina Salmon has been the unexpected rock at the end of the court for the Pulse – and may prove to be the revelation of the season. The Auckland-born, Australian-raised Salmon took on the goal shoot bib when Silver Fern ...
The Government is trying to incentivise tertiary completion rates by shifting fees free to the final year, but hasn’t based this decision on any hard evidence The post No hard data to back up fees-free final year change appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Nicola Willis has confirmed five agencies were externally reviewed ahead of Budget 2024 due to concerns their efforts to make savings hadn’t gone far enough. She told members of the finance and expenditure select committee “rapid reviews” for education, social development, environment, police (head office) and the Ministry of Business ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra New ABC chair Kim Williams has said the public broadcaster should become a reimagined “National Campfire”, fostering a stronger sense of community togetherness and conversation in a world increasingly fragmented by social media. Williams ...
Asia Pacific Report French police and gendarmes force were deployed around the political headquarters of the pro-independence Caledonian Union in Kanaky New Caledonia’s Nouméa suburb of Magenta in a crackdown today. The public prosecutor confirmed that eight protesters had been arrested, including the leader of the CCAT action groups, Christian ...
40 years ago there was an authoritarian PM who was also Minister of Finance.
He regulated the banking sector and wanted low unemployment – and people like Bob Jones wanted him gone – they wanted the "socialist" gone and a classic free market economy.
And Roger Douglas delivered. Others gave us the nuclear policy, and the Treaty in legislation. The succeeding government kept all three and thus came the iwi settlements (and they added benefit cuts, a low wage economy and market rents for state houses – all while removing the estate tax – thus increasing rather than reducing inequality was the goal)
The Waitangi Tribunal was formed in 1975.
https://www.waitangitribunal.govt.nz/about/past-present-future-of-waitangi-tribunal/
National brought in Kohanga Reo, Mana Enterprises and Tu Tangata programmes and Muldoon gave PEP jobs to urban Maori "gangs".
The Waitangi Tribunal Act `1985
Back in 1984 Maori were more employed more hours than others, this was how they afforded home ownership.
In those times older folk were landlords – either converting bank account savings into a property ownership or using super payout to buy. They owned the house and paid tax on the rent income. There was no speculation with borrowed money.
2024.
Banking and a landlord class.
https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/the-life/looking-back-the-nz-housing-boom-when-and-how-it-all-began
Lack of secure tenancy. Struggling to afford rent and remain in a home. a risible 25 cents an hour MW increase. A one off tax cut for workers of $10 a week.
The legacy of Rogergnomics, Ruthinasia, Birch and Jimville English.
40 years ago they closed down a business in Willis Street. Where pigs could not sweat while on duty.
Animal Farm and a Brave New World.
In those times older folk were landlords – either converting bank account savings into a property ownership or using super payout to buy. They owned the house and paid tax on the rent income. There was no speculation with borrowed money.
Without borrowing is how investment should be done in the housing market – paying interest just tends to push up rental prices. I think TOP, at the last election, had a policy something along those lines.
Luxury Luxon and his cronies apparently care about the squeezed middle . ( I have grave doubts about that and IMO their attentions will make no difference.! )
On the other hand the very squeezed are going to be wrung out…
Its going down hill fast…
The only squeezed middle is Gerry Brownlees.
"Because those Kiwis struggling with the cost of living – what I call the squeezed middle – deserve support."
Clearly, in his warped mind, only the "right" sort of Kiwi struggling with the cost of living deserves support. (Read: if you don't work then you're obviously not affected by the cost of living, right?)
Oh yeah the "squeezed middle class".
What we used to call "yuppies" back in the 80s.
The only squeezing that affects them is bodily functions.
The latest Roy Morgan is interesting:
Nat 33.5
ACT 9.5
NZF 5.5
Lab 30.0
Gr 14.0
TMP 3.0
Government 48.5 against opposition 47.0 With the TMP overhang, assuming they win 6 Maori seats, this is neck and neck.
Labour is closing on the Nats. The Greens continue to poll well despite all the (mostly unjustified) crap that is being thrown at them.
https://www.roymorgan.com/findings/nz-national-voting-intention-may-2024
Thanks BG. In spite of criticism even from own ranks, it may be that Hipkin's softly softly might be the way to go. Let the COC die from self inflicted wounds.
I can't imagine gleefully sacking people , pulling the rug out from under first home buyers feet and starving poor kids sits well with your average decent citizen.
You 'misunderestimate' the nett tax payer's loathing of bureaucrats – especially the vast number 'given' positons by the previous majority Labour government.
That is the audience the present ruling coalition is playing to … and the need for reduction in government spending precipitated by $100 BILLIONS of recent borrowing (much of it channeled to the private individual during covid lockdowns). Eventually the uncontrolled flow has to be restricted.
They believe that there is still 20,000 plus extras to be dealt with.
(p.s. Have been made redundant three times in my working life – each due to a government economic failure.)
Not only the nett taxpayer, most of the working class (the much-derided Waitakere Man and small town NZ, rather than the urban liberal unionists) regard Wellington-based bureaucrats as freeloaders. Bureaucrats in Wellington losing their (very well paid) jobs, aren't going to gain much sympathy outside their support circle.
Ahhh bureaucrats. Love the smell of bureaucrats roasting on an open fire!
Oh wait it’s the passport office.
Oh wait it’s the teacher aid who works with my neighbor’s kid.
Oh wait, it’s the post office and RD has been cut back again.
Oh wait it’s our local surgery waiting lists and the cancellation of surgeries.
Oh wait it’s the disability support person who checks accessibility.
Oh f- me it’s all the construction projects that have been stopped and subs laid off because there’s no government certainty.
Oh f- me it’s an industry that had ratcheted up just drop off a cliff.
Oh f- me it’s the team that monitors and stops noxious weeds.
Oh f- me immigration have closed all their offices near us and their phone wait times are crazy and one of our workers wants to go home because his mother’s sick. Real good no shit guy.
Oh f- me it’s the wife’s contract to supply fresh veges to get friends who make lunches for the local school.
Oh f- me I just want to finish work eat my dinner and watch the news- where’s Paddy gone?
It doesn’t feel a lot better having got rid of all the woke lot- just a lot more money gone to their big business mates and even less for us.
And all those services are markedly better since the numbers of public servants increased vastly under the last government /sarc/
Always appreciate your input. Especially now you’ve moved from concern trolling to simply RW positions. Much more honest of you.
Yes the construction industry was geared up on a lot of projects because the government prioritised building houses. This had at least plateaued prices. Now the uncertainty has seen the industry creak to a halt because of the lack of certainty around projects.
https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/04/29/construction-workers-leaving-nz-in-droves-amid-big-project-delays/
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/518174/construction-industry-leaders-plead-for-acceleration-of-infrastructure-projects
And even your and Chris Trotter’s best friends can see that cutting jobs gleefully does nothing for the long term sustainability of the economy or the cost of living crisis, it simply goes to their mates’ back pockets as they avoid paying for the things we collectively need.
"Among others, local authorities are conveying to us their challenging financial predicaments, citing either a lack of funds or a need to await direction or decisions from central government before proceeding with planned works."
And we’ll find we’re paying more to borrow as the government isn’t guaranteeing water infrastructure.
/angrywithTINAandherpoisonousmates
Attempting to smear people with troll or RW labels – does no favours for your actual arguments.
From a fact-checked article:
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/the-whole-truth/131057183/the-whole-truth-has-the-proportion-of-public-servants-grown
If that resulted in such a spectacular improvement in public services – which according to you are of such benefit – then the left (which really means Labour, since the other left parties increased their representation) – wouldn't have lost the election. They did.
The coalition went into government having campaigned on, and therefore with a mandate to, trim the public sector.
I fail to see why this is such a surprise. This is something that National does every time they are in government, just as Labour bumps up the public sector employment, every time they are in government.
According to the Wellington cafes not enough public servants were frequenting their cafes making it hard to make money charging stupid prices for a muffin.
Clearly we needed more………..
I did day decent people, only needs to be 5% shift
The World is not run and controlled by 'decent' people – all that matters is which tribe are they from – Ours …. or the Others. We get to pillage or they do.
You can't really expect luxury Luxon to have much sympathy, or empathy, for "freeloading" "Wellington-based bureaucrats" and "urban liberal unionists". As for empathy-free Seymour and his merry band of MPs, decency “don’t enter into it.”
Nicola 'ruthless' Willis can do ‘faux empathy’, but not well.
https://experteditor.com.au/blog/subtle-signs-someone-is-faking-their-empathy-and-kindness/
Similar thing happening in the UK with the tories throwing unjustified crap at Labours deputy leader Angela Rayner.
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/may/28/angela-rayner-cleared-of-criminal-wrongdoing-over-sale-of-home
The key thing is Labour-Green 44% – National-ACT 43%.
NZF has never had a second term in a coalition government and probably will not be back in parliament (2008 and 2020).
Greens now have support agreement experience (2017-2020). And 2026 could be their time to step up into a coalition government role.
Presumably such a coalition would have TPM as support partners.
Nope, nothing to see here..
/
@StrayDogNZ
@NewshubNZ
have revealed Bill English was signed on to head the $500k review of Kāinga Ora weeks before Chris Bishop got official sign-off on the review. The arrangement was made via text messages with Bishop promising no involvement from Kāinga Ora in the review of Kāinga Ora.
https://x.com/StrayDogNZ/status/1795341814440046638
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2024/05/revealed-the-simple-texts-between-sir-bill-english-and-chris-bishop-that-led-to-k-inga-ora-review.html
And English failed to point out that the $2.5 billion per year has resulted in $45 billion in asset growth. Funny that. Must have forgotten that small detail.
https://newsroom.co.nz/2024/05/29/a-crisis-at-kainga-ora/
Mr Hickey lays nationals shit out on the table for all to see through
Chis Bishop hatched the hatchet job and already buried the twitching corpse even before the hit job.
https://newsroom.co.nz/2024/05/29/maligned-board-hits-back-over-kainga-ora-report/
Smith and Caugheys closing.
Could someone put a fire under the Auckland mayor?
Our largest city has poured over $6 billion into the CBD and downtown.
It's a crime hole. Sky City+Britomart+Commercial Bay are the winners out of this.
Revenue down 40% in 5 years I just heard on RNZ.
Some of that is the post-Covid shift in retail patterns (fewer people working in the CBD). Some is the longer term shift away from CBD shopping to local malls. Both economic trends that it's difficult to fight against.
But a huge amount is the ongoing misery that is the (seemingly endless) disruption caused by the CRL; the frankly dangerous vibe of Queen St and surrounding areas – not only after dark, but during the daytime; and the war against the car that AT have engaged in with their bus-only streets (with poor signage combined with high fines).
The City Council needs to put their hand up and take ownership of all of these.
I'll be sad to see the grand old lady of Queen St go – but I think that she's past saving in the current economic climate. I only fear what horror will be imposed on the Queen St facade when the building is vacated – we still have the gaping eyesore of the St James theatre, rotting across the road, as a dreadful warning. I guess the best we can hope for is conversion into luxury apartments – $2 million for a single bedroom – because the cost of conversion, heritage protection and rates won't allow for anything less expensive.
Spot the difference in focus?
Be honest Luxon is the worst kind of partisan hack, here trying to criminalise basic protest. ‘You can’t leave work, we own you!’
Here’s him in the fire starters and the focus? It’s all so frustrating!
https://www.1news.co.nz/2022/02/15/parliament-protest-symptomatic-of-immense-frustration-luxon/
Same shit, different day. Hysterical reaction about protests being illegal because you’re not allowed to strike against racism and corruption, you don’t have those entitlements in your contracts! This is me at AIRNZ hitting them with their employment agreements. I was a king! And a better one than Joffrey, though perhaps not Robert…
https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/05/28/luxon-warns-going-on-strike-to-join-budget-hui-would-be-illegal/
Oh and Hipkins is speaking…but his microphone isn’t working well. Great people on all sides apparently?
There is a strong chance that Luxon has motivated more people to get out and protest. Thanks Luxon for the free publicity.
I have been wondering what Luxon lacks as he listens to the other two.
Mana. The man has no Mana.
Top civil servant Dick Schoof has just agreed to become PM of the Netherlands. This is good news because it means the fascist Geert Wilders will not have the job, despite being leader of the largest party.
https://apnews.com/article/wilders-coalition-netherlands-government-schoof-f43f6ad97e38a837851a439d9cd3d6b5
Liberal, pro-Israel, Biden supporting non-profit J Street has had enough.
.
Mr. President, enough is enough.
Jeremy Ben-Ami
on May 28, 2024
For eight months, we have watched in abject horror the catastrophic war that has followed Hamas’ barbaric October 7 attack.
[…]
Hamas and the terrorists who attacked Israel on October 7 can and must be defeated. But that will only happen through a political resolution of the underlying Israeli-Palestinian conflict – one that rallies international support to deprive Hamas of financial, political and popular support and charts a clear, alternate, peaceful path toward Palestinian liberation. The path which President Biden is being led down by Prime Minister Netanyahu will bring only more death and destruction, a more radicalized and angry Palestinian population, and greater enemies for not just Israel but the United States as well.
And – let’s be clear – the political damage the President is suffering by going down this path is so deep that it could cost him the November election and all of us our democracy.
So we say to President Biden: Demand an end to this war now and lay out the choice clearly for Prime Minister Netanyahu. Either resolve this war and the underlying conflict the right way – in a manner that brings lasting peace, security and freedom to both peoples – or go it alone on the path of never-ending violence and bloodshed.
Mr. President, enough is enough.
Jeremy Ben-Ami
President, J Street
https://act.jstreet.org/mailings/view/352452
https://jstreet.org/
Israel's capacity to keep the war going would quickly diminish if the US stopped sending them weapons and money.
Biden is too scared to act decisively because of the coming election and fears that the not inconsiderable Jewish vote will go to Trump.
It's a no win problem for Biden.
Some registered Democrats may not vote. And some Independents may vote for Israel whatever GOP.
And with housing a rising cost in the US – 7% 30 year loans – he has it tough anyhow.
Orca just wanna have fun.
.
For four years now, orcas have been ramming and sinking luxury yachts in European waters, and scientists have struggled to work out just why these smart, social animals had learnt this destructive new trick. But, sadly, it's not their anticapitalist 'eat the rich' agenda, nor is it to do with territory and aggression. The truth is, well, it's child's play.
https://newatlas.com/biology/orcas-killer-whales-boats/