Classic…a “Catch 22” for the 21st century…to have tax cuts, first you must pay more tax–but–as you pose, who is going to pay and who is going to benefit.
"The public service have shared with me that they think that the government has been very lax in its management of taxpayers money. They have shared with me that they think that there is a lot of waste across the system, and that it would start with ministers being clear about what they actually want to achieve – something that has been sorely lacking from the Labour cabinet."
Oh, so now we know what we already knew in private. The Nats have their stooges planted in the Public Service. Be assured that is nothing new. They've been there since God made little apples. I can attest to that.
As for the rest of her statement… they've been pushing that meme/soundbite for months. They shared it with themselves.
Yea I pretty much knew there be a fair proportion of "Govt employees" would be right wing (IMO MSD, Armed Forces, Police etc) And yea you having been there..nothing be different now…,
Their "political leanings"..no problem…its what they do with it.
Not all members of the Police, Prison Service NZDF are Right Wing Supporters most actually vote Labour than National.
Me personally I would vote Green, but the Greens Defence Policy is written by a bunch clowns who haven't done a days Peacekeeping/ Peace Stabilisation in their life and I doubt these Muppets would even read the AWM Official History on INTERFET which the Australian DFAT tried to get banned from being published!
"Born of Fire & Ash, Australia Operations in to the East Timor crisis 1999-2000."
Vol 1.
Official History of Australia Peacekeeping Operations in East Timor.
By Craig Stockings.
It's got a fair bit of the NZ Naval Task Group incl actions on by the Frigates with the TNI Airforce attacks & those 2 Type 209 Subs.
RNZAF Air Group & NZ Army NZ Batt1 especially when the over the Beach Landing at Suai went tits up.
Highly recommended for anyone especially those who advocate for a Peacekeeping style Defence Force.
Matey, I was not intending to offend you…or other Left supporting members of NZ Armed Forces etc. I have/had Family members in same. Sorry if that was your impression.
Hence why I wrote….
a fair proportion
Anyone who has previously read my comments on NZ's Services…will know I have supported their Service.
And while political talk was very limited, because of being apolitical, I would have said the proportions supporting Labour in their private lives was exactly the opposite to what you are saying. Many more supported Labour than National.
This supports to an extent the ethos of the PS that was more about greater good than making money salary-wise. I know when I joined the PS was one of the few work places, perhaps the only one, where there were no special rates or limitations on what women could do. This was such a relief as I had spent several holidays working in factories that had special women’s rates, no overtime for women etc trying to save for uni fees etc while any male was able to get jobs in the same factories doing the same jobs for about twice the money.
My ex husband who was in the RNZN in the 1970s said those who did support National were fully aware that, paradoxically, they got a better deals in pay & materiel when Labour was in.
Hopefully we are not going to get much more of this slagging off at public servants who traditionally are not able to defend themselves.
PS work for the govt that is in power. Their personal thoughts and preferences are immaterial though as in any workplace the wider the talent pool or the community that PS are drawn from the better.
I would actually be interested in which departments that you worked in had these opinionated employees that let their personal opinions colour their day to day work and advice to their Minister.
What you hear over a beer and barbeque bears no relation to the apolitical work public/govt servants (as a former PS etc you will be aware of the difference) do in their day to day work.
I left in 2017 finally……at the end of my time I was not aware of any political stuff but of how much the PS had gone back in its support for women including bad mouthing, unchecked dirty joke telling, higher hills for women to climb etc.
I don't believe that in 6 years since I left the public service it has become a hot bed of political ideologies.
Your experience Shanreagh was not mine. I was with the Public Service in one capacity or another for 35 years. But I left the Service 30 years ago.
It wasn't colleagues so much as the management team. They were inclined to take it out on anyone who were supporters of Labour. It was no coincidence that these people found themselves near the bottom of the promotion list – as if they considered such political ideology was unsuited to senior positions. And women in that category even less so…
Some of the blame lay in the remnants of the Cold War years where anyone to the left of Genghis Khan was presumed to be Communist. 🙂
About to pay we are already paying for huge windfall profits from the corporate world.Causing 55% of inflation. Come on Hipkins and Greens windfall profits demand windfall taxes while everyone else in NZ is doing it tough with nearly 60% of the population not able to pay all their bills these Corporate grifters are making record profits then blaming it on govt spending.National wheeling out tax cuts that will leave a few crumbs on the table while the Rich get rewarded after already making billions in tax free Capital Gains paying less taxes than beneficiaries. Nationals history has always been give a little teaser tax cut for the.middle income swing voter and much more to the already very well off.But like under Key we will increase spending on Health every year but not adjusted for inflation or population growth effectively cutting health spending by more than 20%.Luton has wheeled out the same old spin we will increase health spending every year but no detail like match inflation or population growth let alone the cost of a rapidly aging population.Hipkins and the Greens need to remind voters of Nationals history of continually cutting health,education,police,Defence etc.
I personally don't see tax cuts happening (short term) under a change of government. Robertson's eleventh hour ploy to voters that he is fiscally competent smells of another Labour party success story (Phil Goff) when he left the Auckland mayoral.
I predict if/when National take power and the veil of secrecy and spin is lifted that the extent of financial incompetence will be unmasked. It is not going to be pretty for NZ and will take many years and political terms to steer the ship away from the rocks (again).
There's a chasm between "an opinion different to one's own" and mindless trolling. "Watchful" indicated clearly in his second paragraph he was doing the latter.
I didn't know being 'mentally challenged' called into question one's psychological state. One can be psychologically sound but still be brainless.
My prediction is that should the Nats get in, heaven forbid, they will find all sorts of magnified 'things that have gone wrong' that are unquantifiable/unjustifiable matters of opinion that will give the Nats the free rein to introduce austerity measures that will set NZ and its people back by years.
If it is not this, then it will be some 'dry as' initiatives like the Neo- lib schemozzle, selling off of what remains of the family silver, that NZ is still recovering from all these years later.
We have an open set of books etc and I very much doubt if there are secret sets of accounts that will send 'shock horror' through the populace.
Micky Savage’s “Be Afraid…” piece yesterday was most apt. The USA clearly illustrates what can happen to women's reproductive rights for example, when fruitcakes of various stripes hook up with religious nutters and authoritarian inclined politicians.
It is a class issue obviously too–as per signalled NActFirst attacks on the public sector, minimum wage, PPL, renters!, ECA MkII union busting…
Another attack on the NZ working class unfortunately comes from Labour itself. The NZLP is not helping its electoral case one little bit with Robbo clinging to a revered neo lib mantra…debt must not exceed 30% of GDP…bollocks if you check out the debt level ratios of other OECD countries, though the COVID period did change things. Bastion of world capitalism the US, is sitting on debt at 144% of GDP in a graph in link below.
Tiger Mountain, I think it is to indicate to the Public that Government (Labour) is being as fair as possible while bringing down inflation.
They are indicating the cost of any further cuts would be unaffordable and cost jobs.
bwaghorn is correct, if Willis and Nat/Act take the 11billion needed for tax cuts, it would lead to a spiral of job losses asset losses as the moneyed swoop in to buy up cheaply.
In true style the Nacts will create a case for private profit and public taxpayer top up.
Voting out this Government might mean those grumpy at lock downs vaccinations and general restrictions, believing the sponsored rants about crime, believing the Government has not done enough may find the change would make them worse off.
We get reports of huge earnings by some sectors who want the Public to believe their massive price rises stem from wages costs but never greed.
We have been dealing with nature, volatile oil prices, supply line failures, war impacts and geopolitical pressures, plus the world orgs chiming in with "advice" along with Treasury's failure to read the tea leaves, meanwhile Willis says we can have tax cuts. Yeah right!! Pull the other one.!! What will get removed?
The truth is a mix of higher costs lower earnings more careful spending and a banking credit crunch causing lesser tax take leading to a revised spend in the budget
The arrogant behaviour by some media inferring the election is already won rather than discussing policies is unhelpful, and muddies the waters.
I am pleased to see some asking probing questions and seeking answers not pat replies. Who are these candidates? What do they believe?
The government could take its deficit beyond the 30% “debt limitation” by using fiat money to cover some of its deficit. Providing the deficit is matched by production thee shouldn't be any inflation.
We may have a lower level of government debt than most countries, but commentators often refer to the high debt levels of companies – and my impression is that we are more prepared to support companies through temporary problems like Covid and floods and slips. My thinking is that some support should be given by buying shares at less than an assessed market value for some companies, including foreign owned companies, but the unwinding could then be difficult.
"Maybe" part of "our" NZ debt is due in part to this..
For example, gambling giant SkyCity reported a 60 per cent drop in normalised profits, but still made $66.3m. This was considerably boosted by $31.1m contributed by various government wage subsidy schemes. The same story is true of retirement village operator Summerset, which took a wage subsidy of $8.7m, before announcing an interim profit to June 30 of $45m, down just 5 per cent on the previous year. Foley Wines, run by Trump mega-donor Bill Foley, nearly doubled its profit to $6.9m, despite claiming a wage subsidy of more than $600,000.
Impressive that Robertson is leaving it to public service chiefs to find the headcount cuts so he can get to $4billion of savings.
I expect Act will remind him that he could always start with the Human Rights Commission, Ministry for Women, Ministry of Ethnic Affairs, Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs, and keep going into Te Puni Kokiri, Maori Language Commission and the rest.
Don't like the idea of random unspecified headcount cuts.
I suggest the the Human Rights Commission and the Ministry for Women, as you label them, wouldn't be missed in the slightest. If Bob Jones is to be believed the only trouble you would have would be finding the people to tell them that they are no longer required. They are, according to Bob, Working from Home.
Closing these Agencies would have another advantage. We could stop paying anything to Jones for rental of his buildings to provide the unused Office Space.
There a great way to kill two bids with one stone. (I hope nobody reports me to the police for using a phrase that might be interpreted as advocating killing protected species. I am not Nga Puhi leader Sonny Tau).
Lovely joke there Alwyn – your best yet. Bob Jones, as readers as old as me may recall, once wrote a stupid, detestable novel called Full Circle: a Modern Morality Tale. In it, a scientist, (scientists are disparagingly referred to as "beards") is ridiculed as an exemplar of extravagant and wasteful government spending because he is paid to go to Antarctica to study penguin sh*t.
Why did an oaf like Jones write this pretend novel? I have two theories and I think both are true:
he was jealous that his much younger brother Lloyd, who is a genuine literary talent, was so celebrated while Bob's feeble attempts at writing did not receive similar critical acclaim (to put it mildly.) He unfortunately proved the critics right by trying to prove them wrong.
he was so stupid that he did not realise that penguin sh*t might tell you what penguins ate, and therefore what was in the ocean and in what relative abundance year to year. and that this data might be correlated with other information like (oh I don't know) maybe sea temperature variations, ice cover or reported commercial fish catches.
In the current context of dying emperor penguin chicks due to Antarctic sea ice loss, this blessedly forgotten 'novel' only reinforces how many of the climate problems we are beginning to face are due to the negligence and selfishness of daft old dudes like Bob Jones. Every statement he makes should be treated as risible by default.
You would appear to have read Bob's work, so it certainly wasn't completely unheeded.
On the other hand Bob wasn't jealous of his brother's success. It was he who insisted that Lloyd should, like Bob himself, go to University. He also thought that his brother should do an Arts degree, rather than a trade school qualification. In order to encourage that Bob, who is about 15 years older than his brother and was already wealthy paid him a quite generous salary to go there.
To be fair Sir Robert has some faults. He is a friend of Trevor Mallard and was a generous donor to Trevor's Political campaigns. God knows why.
So happy to see post from PLA. I had just been wondering this morning about the very same thing. How many companies managed to root this system even though abundantly clear they probably didn’t need it. Did many of these grifters pay back any of these subsidies when they opened up (never closed down) for business. I bet not many if any. We had a very small lawn mowing business which we could not work in at the time because of lockdown. We were refused puddly little subsidy because business is in joint name and IRD and Winz between could not work out who was the employee and who was the employer. Very difficult I know.👀🤔but they probably spent more on giving us the runaround than what they should have paid out. We gave up in the end as there is only two of us in the household and we had hens for eggs and a healthy vegetable garden. We already had a large stock of toilet paper due to my stockpiling my favourite brand when on special. It never fails to amaze me that people will fawn at the feet of the most despicable, dishonest, arrogant abhorrent jumped up never came down pricks (just jokes lol) , but maybe not! that ever walked this earth because they HAVE A LOT OF MONEY! Sorry for shouting. Money, I might add that is generally made by ripping off those at the bottom of the financial tip. If we stopped buying and concentrated on recycling our possessions we would be so much better off and the dregs at the top would run screaming to our Government to save them from this unexpected downturn in profits. Pretty much everything we have second hand if not more and nobody turns their noses up at our *poverty?) whoops. I did go on. 😞. Off now.
" Accredited Employer Work Visa scheme. As at August 14, 80,576 Accredited Employer Work Visas have been approved since the new visa opened in July last year, and there are approximately 27,892 accredited employers."
Cheers Ffloyd. That was a good rant. You are telling it how it is. I don't mind people having more, it is when they are never satisfied I get peeved.
Quite correct about recycling and reusing. It helps makes the money go further.
We have a second hand dining room suite lounge suite and outdoor furniture. They are regularly admired. We used an online site to source items near us after our painting job was finished. A new bed and 'fridge were our only new things. Cheers. Prefer older well made items. Our dresser is 2nd hand Queen Anne with dovetail joints. "She" talks when the temperature changes more than 10deg lol.
Totally agree about the beauties of older furniture. I have only 3 items of furniture in my house that I actually purchased – 2 easy chairs and one of the two beds.
I have managed nearly 50 years of "family" furniture. I sleep in my Grandmother's bed – Art Deco (1924), oak headboard and footer. Has the matching dressing table – and a "po cupboard".
I am reminded of the line from some Tory MP about someone he did not like – "he is so nouveau riche that he had to buy his own furniture".
Hi Ffloyd. As one of the "working poor" myself, and having also been there, done that, with some of what youve said….youre allgood. having a vent at times..is what you have to do.
I certainly relate to what you say re our consumer/throwaway system.
Labour's 'savings' include taking supposed ring-fenced climate change funds… Without informing the Climate Change Minister.
While some of the money will come from trimming future Budget operating allowances, as well as a directive to public sector agencies to cut their baseline spending and reduce their use in consultants and contractors, $1.018b will come from immediate savings.
Some $236m will come from the Climate Emergency Response Fund, which is supposed to be ring-fenced for climate spending, but instead will be returned to the general savings pool.
According to Newsroom, James Shaw knew the government was doing a savings exercise and was briefed on a $10m cut to a waste priority – but only found out about the remaining $226m at the same time the public did.
Labour governing alone are unprepared to do what is necessary to protect our environment, our lifestyle and our future. This election is the climate election. Party vote Green.
There is a bill currently being debated in parliament about reducing the voting age in local body (not general) elections to 16 years
It is not extended to general elections because it requires a parliamentary super majority which wouldn't be possible because the NACTS predictably oppose it, but for local body elections it requires a simple majority.
I had to laugh at National's Michael Woodhouse's argument against: 16 year olds are not allowed to own a house, therefore they are not ratepayers and local body elections are primarily for ratepayers.
Just because you don't pay rates directly doesn't mean you don't pay them at all. Every time you pay your rent you are indirectly paying rates.
For me that rather sums up National – in it for those who own properties. Those who rent are second class who don't really deserve to vote. I remember way back in 1977 I went to register to vote in the local body elections and being told scornfully (and wrongly) that since I wasn't a ratepayer I couldn't vote.
Pre the great 1832 Reform Bill. That's where National get their inspiration.
Given the generally low participation rate in recent Local Government elections some might say it makes no odds…but…property owners are of the cohort that tend to vote, unlike renters of overpriced dumps.
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…it has a restricted jurisdiction which must not be abused: it is not an inquisitionNOTE – this article was published before the High Court ruled that Karen Chhour does not have to appear before the Waitangi Tribunal Gary Judd writes – The High Court ...
Lindsay Mitchell writes – One of reasons Oranga Tamariki exists is to prevent child neglect. But could the organisation itself be guilty of the same?Oranga Tamariki’s statistics show a decrease in the number and age of children in care. “There are less children ...
David Farrar writes: Graeme Edgeler wrote in 2017: In the first five years after three strikes came into effect 5248 offenders received a ‘first strike’ (that is, a “stage-1 conviction” under the three strikes sentencing regime), and 68 offenders received a ‘second strike’. In the five years prior to ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesn’t normally happen in politics. That’s refreshing and will be extremely ...
TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the two days to 6:06am on Thursday, April 25:Politics: PM Christopher Luxon has set up a dual standard for ministerial competence by demoting two National Cabinet ministers while leaving also-struggling ...
Hi,Today I mainly want to share some of your thoughts about the recent piece I wrote about success and failure, and the forces that seemingly guide our lives. But first, a quick bit of housekeeping: I am doing a Webworm popup in Los Angeles on Saturday May 11 at 2pm. ...
It is hard to see what Melissa Lee might have done to “save” the media. National went into the election with no public media policy and appears not to have developed one subsequently. Lee claimed that she had prepared a policy paper before the election but it had been decided ...
Open access notablesIce acceleration and rotation in the Greenland Ice Sheet interior in recent decades, Løkkegaard et al., Communications Earth & Environment:In the past two decades, mass loss from the Greenland ice sheet has accelerated, partly due to the speedup of glaciers. However, uncertainty in speed derived from satellite products ...
Buzz from the Beehive A statement from Children’s Minister Karen Chhour – yet to be posted on the Government’s official website – arrived in Point of Order’s email in-tray last night. It welcomes the High Court ruling on whether the Waitangi Tribunal can demand she appear before it. It does ...
Mr Bombastic:Ironically, the media the academic experts wanted is, in many ways, the media they got. In place of the tyrannical editors of yesteryear, advancing without fear or favour the interests of the ruling class; the New Zealand news media of today boasts a troop of enlightened journalists dedicated to ...
It's hard times try to make a livingYou wake up every morning in the unforgivingOut there somewhere in the cityThere's people living lives without mercy or pityI feel good, yeah I'm feeling fineI feel better then I have for the longest timeI think these pills have been good for meI ...
In 1974, the US Supreme Court issued its decision in United States v. Nixon, finding that the President was not a King, but was subject to the law and was required to turn over the evidence of his wrongdoing to the courts. It was a landmark decision for the rule ...
Every day now just seems to bring in more fresh meat for the grinder.In their relentlessly ideological drive to cut back on the “excessive bloat” (as they see it) of the previous Labour-led government, on the mountains of evidence accumulated in such a short period of time do not ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Megan Valére SosouMarket gardening site of the Itchèléré de Itagui agricultural cooperative in Dassa-Zoumè (Image credit: Megan Valère Sossou) For the residents of Dassa-Zoumè, a city in the West African country of Benin, choosing between drinking water and having enough ...
Buzz from the Beehive Melissa Lee – as may be discerned from the screenshot above – has not been demoted for doing something seriously wrong as Minister of ...
Morning in London Mother hugs beloved daughter outside the converted shoe factory in which she is living.Afternoon in London Travelling writer takes himself and his wrist down to A&E, just to be sure. Read more ...
Mike Grimshaw writes – The recent announcement of the University Advisory Group, chaired by Sir Peter Gluckman, makes very clear where the Government’s focus and priorities lie. The remit of the Advisory Group is that Group members will consider challenges and opportunities for improvement in the university sector including: ...
Eric Crampton writes – The Reserve Bank of New Zealand desperately wants to find reasons to have workstreams in climate change. It makes little sense. They’ve run another stress test on the banks looking to see if they could find a prudential regulation case. They couldn’t. They ...
Rob MacCullough writes – Pundits from the left and the right are arguing that National’s Fast Track Bill that is designed to speed up infrastructure decisions could end up becoming mired in a cesspool of corruption. Political commentator ...
Unemployment is on the rise and it’s only going to get worse under this Government, Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said. Stats NZ figures show the unemployment rate grew to 4.3 percent in the March quarter from 4 percent in the December quarter. “This is the second rise in unemployment ...
This afternoon’s interim Waitangi Tribunal report must be taken seriously as it affects our most vulnerable children, Labour children’s spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime. ...
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Te Pāti Māori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. “This act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.” Said Te Pāti Māori Oranga Tamariki ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi, and Mema Paremata mō Tāmaki-Makaurau, Takutai Tarsh Kemp, will travel to the Gold Coast to strengthen ties with Māori in Australia next week (15-21 April). The visit, in the lead-up to the 9th Australian National Kapa haka Festival, will be an opportunity for both ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure. The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say. “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...
Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff. “Access to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwis’ lives. We’ve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...
Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says. “Every day, ...
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges. “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service. It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
Distinguished guests - It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order. “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today. I am delighted ...
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions. “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. “It is good ...
The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
“China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
Happy May Day. Join a union. Q: What’s worse than a staff break room where the only place to sit and have a cup of tea is on a teetering stack of old pornography magazines? A: Your boss replacing the magazine stacks with chairs that are “heartily encrusted with ...
By Koroi Hawkins, RNZ Pacific editor Former opposition leader Matthew Wale has been announced as the second prime ministerial candidate ahead of the election in Solomon Islands tomorrow. He will face off against former foreign affairs minister Jeremiah Manele, who was announced by the Coalition for National Unity and Transformation ...
We get but one birthday a year – why not make it last as long as possible by scheduling as many meals with friends and family as you can? This is an excerpt from our weekly food newsletter, The Boil Up. How do you celebrate your birthday? Do you celebrate at ...
A Koi Tū discussion paper released today proposes sweeping changes to New Zealand’s media industry. The principal’s key author, Gavin Ellis, explains how journalists have a key role to play in making others value their role in society. This is an abridged version of a piece first published on knightlyviews.com ...
The Government’s spending cuts are again targeting support for Māori with proposed reform of the agency charged with advising on Māori wellbeing and development. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Douglas, Honorary Senior Lecturer, UNSW Aviation., UNSW Sydney The history of budget jet airlines in Australia is a long road littered with broken dreams. New entrants have consistently struggled to get a foothold. Low-cost carrier Bonza has just become the industry’s ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rosalind Dixon, Director, Gilbert + Tobin Centre of Public Law, UNSW Sydney Australia is finally having a sustained conversation about violence against women and what we can do about it. It is more than time. Australian women and girls continue to experience ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Duckett, Honorary Enterprise Professor, School of Population and Global Health, and Department of General Practice and Primary Care, The University of Melbourne stockfour/Shutterstock Preliminary bulk billing data released this week shows a 2.1% rise in bulk billing up to March. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Samantha Schulz, Senior Lecturer, University of Adelaide Australia is once again grappling with how we can stop gendered violence in our country. Protests over the weekend show there is enormous community anger over the number of women who are dying and National ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Martin, Visiting Fellow, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University AnastasiaDudka/Shutterstock What if the government was doing everything it could to stop thieves making off with our money, except the one thing that could really work? That’s how it ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Erin Harrington, Senior Lecturer in English and Cultural Studies, University of Canterbury The Conversation It seems to be a time of old favourites. This month our experts have recommended two new seasons – the second season of Alone Australia (although ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jonti Horner, Professor (Astrophysics), University of Southern Queensland A bright Eta Aquariid meteor photobombed this photo of comet C/2020 F8 (SWAN) in May 2020.Jonti Horner Meteors – commonly known as shooting stars – can be seen on any night of the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tim Flannery, Honorary fellow, The University of Melbourne Shutterstock Current concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in Earth’s atmosphere are unprecedented in human history. But CO₂ levels today, and those that might occur in coming decades, did occur millions of years ago. ...
Winston Peters has been keen to dismiss speculation on our involvement in Aukus but will give a speech tonight on the direction of our foreign policy, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Patrick Usmar, Lecturer in Critical Media Literacies, Auckland University of Technology Getty Images With the coalition government’s ban of student mobile phones in New Zealand schools coming into effect this week, reaction has ranged from the sceptical (kids will just get ...
Hospitals around the country are not allowed to make a single hiring decision without the approval of Te Whatu Ora's head office, including for cleaners and administration staff. ...
A new report on protecting journalism and democracy in New Zealand recommends a levy be charged on global platforms like Facebook and Google to fund media firms undertaking public interest reporting. It also calls for the reinstatement of a powerful Broadcasting Commission to distribute public funding for journalism and other ...
On International Workers' Day, also known as May Day, the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi and the wider union movement are celebrating the proud history of the labour movement during a tough time for working people. ...
From bills to beards, a walk through the former Green co-leader’s time in politics. After close to a decade in politics, James Shaw is preparing to bid farewell to parliament. Tonight will see the former minister deliver his valedictory address, certain to be a speech filled with Shaw’s trademark wit ...
Two months ago, MPs unanimously voted to give themselves a week off in Efeso Collins’ honour. On Tuesday, most were too busy to give even an hour of their time. The day Fa’anānā Efeso Collins died, parliament felt different. In a building that operates at a breakneck pace, everyone stopped ...
India’s election involves hundreds of millions of people and is a months-long affair. Here’s how voting works and what’s at stake.The biggest-ever election in world history started on April 19, with more than 10% of the world’s population eligible to vote. Elections in India, the world’s most populous country ...
Comment: Journalists are very good at telling other people’s stories, but they fall well short when writing about their own profession. Perhaps that is why it is so undervalued. Every successive poll on the public’s attitude toward journalism is more alarming than the last. In the last month we have ...
Opinion: A young Māori woman and her Pacific partner arrive at their local hospital by ambulance. She has gone into labour at just under 24 weeks, but the couple haven’t recognised the symptoms – and don’t know the risks of premature birth for their baby. By the time they arrive, ...
Behind closed doors, NZ First will be arguing fiercely against any watering down of the ministerial decision-making powers in the Bill The post Bishop backtracks after fast-track backlash appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Emotional scenes played out in the Invercargill courthouse on the first two days of the coronial inquest into the death of Gore toddler Lachlan Jones, in which the boy’s mother was accused of disposing of her son’s body. The second season of Newsroom’s award-nominated podcast The Boy in the Water ...
Opinion: The impression from the carpark is very inviting. The area is well fenced but barred so there is easy visibility of loved ones. Inside, the spaces are welcoming and clean and staff are friendly and clearly comfortable. I am greeted by ‘Kim’. She has worked here for three years, ...
After the Christchurch earthquake, the then-national civil defence boss compared his experience to “putting a team on the rugby field who have never ever played together before”. Now, eight years later – and following a damning inquiry into the emergency response of cyclones Gabrielle, Hale and the Auckland anniversary weekend floods – ...
“I had just come off the end of a major robbery case which I had been working on for six months when I got a call on the afternoon of September 1, 1992, that some remains had been found at a building site in Devonport, so I drove over with ...
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Asia Pacific Report A Pacific civil society alliance has condemned French neocolonial policies in Kanaky New Caledonia, saying Paris is set on “maintaining the status quo” and denying the indigenous Kanak people their inalienable right to self-determination. The Pacific Regional Non-Governmental Organisations (PRNGOs) Alliance, representing some 15 groups, said in ...
Koi Tū New Zealand cannot sit back and see the collapse of its Fourth Estate, the director of Koi Tū: The Centre for Informed Futures, Sir Peter Gluckman, says in the foreword of a paper published today. The paper, “If not journalists, then who?” paints a picture of an industry ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Foreign investment proposals with implications for Australia’s strategic or economic security will face tougher scrutiny, under a policy overhaul to be announced by Treasurer Jim Chalmers on Wednesday. At the same time, the government ...
A Waitangi Tribunal inquiry report has warned government that a repeal of Section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act could cause harm to children in care. ...
The Treasury has published today three new papers covering government consumption multipliers, automatic stabilisers and the impacts of global shocks on New Zealand’s economy. ...
Asia Pacific Report The Pacific state of Hawai’i’s House of Representatives has joined the state’s Senate in calling for a ceasefire in Israel’s war on Gaza, becoming the first state to pass such a resolution, reports Hawaii News Now. In March, the Senate passed a ceasefire resolution with a 24–1 ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christopher Ferrie, A/Prof, UTS Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Research and ARC DECRA Fellow, University of Technology Sydney PsiQuantum The Australian government has announced a pledge of approximately A$940 million (US$617 million) to PsiQuantum, a quantum computing start-up company based in Silicon Valley. Half ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hunter Bennett, Lecturer in Exercise Science, University of South Australia Cameron Prins/Shutterstock If you spend a lot of time exploring fitness content online, you might have come across the concept of heart rate zones. Heart rate zone training has become more ...
SPECIAL REPORT:By Eugene Doyle He is the most popular Palestinian leader alive today — and yet few people in the West even know his name. Absolutely no one in Gaza or the West Bank does not know him. That difference speaks volumes about who dominates the media narrative that ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Will McCallum, PhD Candidate – School of Communication and Creative Arts, Deakin University Earlier this year, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton accused Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of not supporting Operation Sovereign Borders – the military-led border security operation that has “closed Australia’s borders ...
By Melyne Baroi in Port Moresby A Papua New Guinea MP, Peter Isoaimo, who had been ousted by the National Court in an alleged bribery case, has been reinstated by the Supreme Court on appeal. A three-member Supreme Court bench found that the National Court had erred in finding that ...
Publisher Chris Holdaway reflects on the unique project of collecting the work of the late, terrific poet Schaeffer Lemalu. One of the nice things you can do as a truly independent publisher is to make the books that writers want to make, whatever they happen to be. That’s how I’ve ...
Those profiled in the stamp series served on overseas deployments from 1995 onwards, and all have been awarded theNew Zealand Operational Service Medal. ...
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Willis is teasing new taxs to pay for tax cuts??
What's the odds poor people are about to pay??
Classic…a “Catch 22” for the 21st century…to have tax cuts, first you must pay more tax–but–as you pose, who is going to pay and who is going to benefit.
Willis…..
Ol' Nic…IMO a snake. Straight up : Ive never liked her….I reckon she's got more than a bit of "Ruthless" Ruth Richardson about her…
Fark having those NAct slime in power again. The clock would turn back..very quickly.
We must fight back to stop them.
"The public service have shared with me…"
Oh, so now we know what we already knew in private. The Nats have their stooges planted in the Public Service. Be assured that is nothing new. They've been there since God made little apples. I can attest to that.
As for the rest of her statement… they've been pushing that meme/soundbite for months. They shared it with themselves.
Yea I pretty much knew there be a fair proportion of "Govt employees" would be right wing (IMO MSD, Armed Forces, Police etc) And yea you having been there..nothing be different now…,
Their "political leanings"..no problem…its what they do with it.
I take offence to your comment!
Not all members of the Police, Prison Service NZDF are Right Wing Supporters most actually vote Labour than National.
Me personally I would vote Green, but the Greens Defence Policy is written by a bunch clowns who haven't done a days Peacekeeping/ Peace Stabilisation in their life and I doubt these Muppets would even read the AWM Official History on INTERFET which the Australian DFAT tried to get banned from being published!
"Born of Fire & Ash, Australia Operations in to the East Timor crisis 1999-2000."
Vol 1.
Official History of Australia Peacekeeping Operations in East Timor.
By Craig Stockings.
It's got a fair bit of the NZ Naval Task Group incl actions on by the Frigates with the TNI Airforce attacks & those 2 Type 209 Subs.
RNZAF Air Group & NZ Army NZ Batt1 especially when the over the Beach Landing at Suai went tits up.
Highly recommended for anyone especially those who advocate for a Peacekeeping style Defence Force.
Matey, I was not intending to offend you…or other Left supporting members of NZ Armed Forces etc. I have/had Family members in same. Sorry if that was your impression.
Hence why I wrote….
Anyone who has previously read my comments on NZ's Services…will know I have supported their Service.
I had 40 odd years in the NZ PS.
And while political talk was very limited, because of being apolitical, I would have said the proportions supporting Labour in their private lives was exactly the opposite to what you are saying. Many more supported Labour than National.
This supports to an extent the ethos of the PS that was more about greater good than making money salary-wise. I know when I joined the PS was one of the few work places, perhaps the only one, where there were no special rates or limitations on what women could do. This was such a relief as I had spent several holidays working in factories that had special women’s rates, no overtime for women etc trying to save for uni fees etc while any male was able to get jobs in the same factories doing the same jobs for about twice the money.
My ex husband who was in the RNZN in the 1970s said those who did support National were fully aware that, paradoxically, they got a better deals in pay & materiel when Labour was in.
Hi. Yet again, I said..
And..as you say that is your experience. Fair enough.
Again an unquantifiable smear.
Hopefully we are not going to get much more of this slagging off at public servants who traditionally are not able to defend themselves.
PS work for the govt that is in power. Their personal thoughts and preferences are immaterial though as in any workplace the wider the talent pool or the community that PS are drawn from the better.
I would actually be interested in which departments that you worked in had these opinionated employees that let their personal opinions colour their day to day work and advice to their Minister.
What you hear over a beer and barbeque bears no relation to the apolitical work public/govt servants (as a former PS etc you will be aware of the difference) do in their day to day work.
I left in 2017 finally……at the end of my time I was not aware of any political stuff but of how much the PS had gone back in its support for women including bad mouthing, unchecked dirty joke telling, higher hills for women to climb etc.
I don't believe that in 6 years since I left the public service it has become a hot bed of political ideologies.
Your experience Shanreagh was not mine. I was with the Public Service in one capacity or another for 35 years. But I left the Service 30 years ago.
It wasn't colleagues so much as the management team. They were inclined to take it out on anyone who were supporters of Labour. It was no coincidence that these people found themselves near the bottom of the promotion list – as if they considered such political ideology was unsuited to senior positions. And women in that category even less so…
Some of the blame lay in the remnants of the Cold War years where anyone to the left of Genghis Khan was presumed to be Communist. 🙂
About to pay we are already paying for huge windfall profits from the corporate world.Causing 55% of inflation. Come on Hipkins and Greens windfall profits demand windfall taxes while everyone else in NZ is doing it tough with nearly 60% of the population not able to pay all their bills these Corporate grifters are making record profits then blaming it on govt spending.National wheeling out tax cuts that will leave a few crumbs on the table while the Rich get rewarded after already making billions in tax free Capital Gains paying less taxes than beneficiaries. Nationals history has always been give a little teaser tax cut for the.middle income swing voter and much more to the already very well off.But like under Key we will increase spending on Health every year but not adjusted for inflation or population growth effectively cutting health spending by more than 20%.Luton has wheeled out the same old spin we will increase health spending every year but no detail like match inflation or population growth let alone the cost of a rapidly aging population.Hipkins and the Greens need to remind voters of Nationals history of continually cutting health,education,police,Defence etc.
I personally don't see tax cuts happening (short term) under a change of government. Robertson's eleventh hour ploy to voters that he is fiscally competent smells of another Labour party success story (Phil Goff) when he left the Auckland mayoral.
I predict if/when National take power and the veil of secrecy and spin is lifted that the extent of financial incompetence will be unmasked. It is not going to be pretty for NZ and will take many years and political terms to steer the ship away from the rocks (again).
Your mentally challenged and ignorant bull headedness is on show for all to see.
Do we now not allow people to have opinions that are different to ours?
Then rather than debating the opinion we call their pyschological competence into question.
I find that sad.
There's a chasm between "an opinion different to one's own" and mindless trolling. "Watchful" indicated clearly in his second paragraph he was doing the latter.
I didn't know being 'mentally challenged' called into question one's psychological state. One can be psychologically sound but still be brainless.
You have all sorts of predictions there Watchful.
My prediction is that should the Nats get in, heaven forbid, they will find all sorts of magnified 'things that have gone wrong' that are unquantifiable/unjustifiable matters of opinion that will give the Nats the free rein to introduce austerity measures that will set NZ and its people back by years.
If it is not this, then it will be some 'dry as' initiatives like the Neo- lib schemozzle, selling off of what remains of the family silver, that NZ is still recovering from all these years later.
We have an open set of books etc and I very much doubt if there are secret sets of accounts that will send 'shock horror' through the populace.
Micky Savage’s “Be Afraid…” piece yesterday was most apt. The USA clearly illustrates what can happen to women's reproductive rights for example, when fruitcakes of various stripes hook up with religious nutters and authoritarian inclined politicians.
It is a class issue obviously too–as per signalled NActFirst attacks on the public sector, minimum wage, PPL, renters!, ECA MkII union busting…
Another attack on the NZ working class unfortunately comes from Labour itself. The NZLP is not helping its electoral case one little bit with Robbo clinging to a revered neo lib mantra…debt must not exceed 30% of GDP…bollocks if you check out the debt level ratios of other OECD countries, though the COVID period did change things. Bastion of world capitalism the US, is sitting on debt at 144% of GDP in a graph in link below.
https://data.oecd.org/gga/general-government-debt.htm
Who does NZ Labour seek to impress–swing voters, finance capital & its crawlers–or the bulk of the NZ population, working class and middle class?
Tiger Mountain, I think it is to indicate to the Public that Government (Labour) is being as fair as possible while bringing down inflation.
They are indicating the cost of any further cuts would be unaffordable and cost jobs.
bwaghorn is correct, if Willis and Nat/Act take the 11billion needed for tax cuts, it would lead to a spiral of job losses asset losses as the moneyed swoop in to buy up cheaply.
In true style the Nacts will create a case for private profit and public taxpayer top up.
Voting out this Government might mean those grumpy at lock downs vaccinations and general restrictions, believing the sponsored rants about crime, believing the Government has not done enough may find the change would make them worse off.
We get reports of huge earnings by some sectors who want the Public to believe their massive price rises stem from wages costs but never greed.
We have been dealing with nature, volatile oil prices, supply line failures, war impacts and geopolitical pressures, plus the world orgs chiming in with "advice" along with Treasury's failure to read the tea leaves, meanwhile Willis says we can have tax cuts. Yeah right!! Pull the other one.!! What will get removed?
The truth is a mix of higher costs lower earnings more careful spending and a banking credit crunch causing lesser tax take leading to a revised spend in the budget
The arrogant behaviour by some media inferring the election is already won rather than discussing policies is unhelpful, and muddies the waters.
I am pleased to see some asking probing questions and seeking answers not pat replies. Who are these candidates? What do they believe?
The government could take its deficit beyond the 30% “debt limitation” by using fiat money to cover some of its deficit. Providing the deficit is matched by production thee shouldn't be any inflation.
We may have a lower level of government debt than most countries, but commentators often refer to the high debt levels of companies – and my impression is that we are more prepared to support companies through temporary problems like Covid and floods and slips. My thinking is that some support should be given by buying shares at less than an assessed market value for some companies, including foreign owned companies, but the unwinding could then be difficult.
"Maybe" part of "our" NZ debt is due in part to this..
IMO they….and their like (how many more?!) , should have been obliged to pay it back!
Whining Business'…has never actually stopped making money….through any "downturn". Its all BS.
Impressive that Robertson is leaving it to public service chiefs to find the headcount cuts so he can get to $4billion of savings.
I expect Act will remind him that he could always start with the Human Rights Commission, Ministry for Women, Ministry of Ethnic Affairs, Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs, and keep going into Te Puni Kokiri, Maori Language Commission and the rest.
Don't like the idea of random unspecified headcount cuts.
Just sounds like more whacka mole with national to me, ,
I suggest the the Human Rights Commission and the Ministry for Women, as you label them, wouldn't be missed in the slightest. If Bob Jones is to be believed the only trouble you would have would be finding the people to tell them that they are no longer required. They are, according to Bob, Working from Home.
Closing these Agencies would have another advantage. We could stop paying anything to Jones for rental of his buildings to provide the unused Office Space.
There a great way to kill two bids with one stone. (I hope nobody reports me to the police for using a phrase that might be interpreted as advocating killing protected species. I am not Nga Puhi leader Sonny Tau).
https://nopunchespulled.com/2023/08/25/working-from-home-2/
Lovely joke there Alwyn – your best yet. Bob Jones, as readers as old as me may recall, once wrote a stupid, detestable novel called Full Circle: a Modern Morality Tale. In it, a scientist, (scientists are disparagingly referred to as "beards") is ridiculed as an exemplar of extravagant and wasteful government spending because he is paid to go to Antarctica to study penguin sh*t.
Why did an oaf like Jones write this pretend novel? I have two theories and I think both are true:
In the current context of dying emperor penguin chicks due to Antarctic sea ice loss, this blessedly forgotten 'novel' only reinforces how many of the climate problems we are beginning to face are due to the negligence and selfishness of daft old dudes like Bob Jones. Every statement he makes should be treated as risible by default.
You would appear to have read Bob's work, so it certainly wasn't completely unheeded.
On the other hand Bob wasn't jealous of his brother's success. It was he who insisted that Lloyd should, like Bob himself, go to University. He also thought that his brother should do an Arts degree, rather than a trade school qualification. In order to encourage that Bob, who is about 15 years older than his brother and was already wealthy paid him a quite generous salary to go there.
To be fair Sir Robert has some faults. He is a friend of Trevor Mallard and was a generous donor to Trevor's Political campaigns. God knows why.
So happy to see post from PLA. I had just been wondering this morning about the very same thing. How many companies managed to root this system even though abundantly clear they probably didn’t need it. Did many of these grifters pay back any of these subsidies when they opened up (never closed down) for business. I bet not many if any. We had a very small lawn mowing business which we could not work in at the time because of lockdown. We were refused puddly little subsidy because business is in joint name and IRD and Winz between could not work out who was the employee and who was the employer. Very difficult I know.👀🤔but they probably spent more on giving us the runaround than what they should have paid out. We gave up in the end as there is only two of us in the household and we had hens for eggs and a healthy vegetable garden. We already had a large stock of toilet paper due to my stockpiling my favourite brand when on special. It never fails to amaze me that people will fawn at the feet of the most despicable, dishonest, arrogant abhorrent jumped up never came down pricks (just jokes lol) , but maybe not! that ever walked this earth because they HAVE A LOT OF MONEY! Sorry for shouting. Money, I might add that is generally made by ripping off those at the bottom of the financial tip. If we stopped buying and concentrated on recycling our possessions we would be so much better off and the dregs at the top would run screaming to our Government to save them from this unexpected downturn in profits. Pretty much everything we have second hand if not more and nobody turns their noses up at our *poverty?) whoops. I did go on. 😞. Off now.
And now this huge rip off by businesses.. leaving us with a whole lot of immigrant workers that clearly were not needed!
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/accredited-employer-work-visa-exploitation-allegations-immigration-minister-andrew-little-orders-review-after-serious-concerns/VIGRRIYWEJGQDBOMS5ZN5U56MY/
" Accredited Employer Work Visa scheme. As at August 14, 80,576 Accredited Employer Work Visas have been approved since the new visa opened in July last year, and there are approximately 27,892 accredited employers."
Cheers Ffloyd. That was a good rant. You are telling it how it is. I don't mind people having more, it is when they are never satisfied I get peeved.
Quite correct about recycling and reusing. It helps makes the money go further.
We have a second hand dining room suite lounge suite and outdoor furniture. They are regularly admired. We used an online site to source items near us after our painting job was finished. A new bed and 'fridge were our only new things. Cheers. Prefer older well made items. Our dresser is 2nd hand Queen Anne with dovetail joints. "She" talks when the temperature changes more than 10deg lol.
Totally agree about the beauties of older furniture. I have only 3 items of furniture in my house that I actually purchased – 2 easy chairs and one of the two beds.
I have managed nearly 50 years of "family" furniture. I sleep in my Grandmother's bed – Art Deco (1924), oak headboard and footer. Has the matching dressing table – and a "po cupboard".
I am reminded of the line from some Tory MP about someone he did not like – "he is so nouveau riche that he had to buy his own furniture".
Hi Ffloyd. As one of the "working poor" myself, and having also been there, done that, with some of what youve said….youre allgood. having a vent at times..is what you have to do.
I certainly relate to what you say re our consumer/throwaway system.
Completely unsustainable. Anway..take care : )
Labour's 'savings' include taking supposed ring-fenced climate change funds… Without informing the Climate Change Minister.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/496804/grant-robertson-offers-apology-to-james-shaw-over-climate-fund-cuts
Labour governing alone are unprepared to do what is necessary to protect our environment, our lifestyle and our future. This election is the climate election. Party vote Green.
Rosemary Penwarden. No matter what you think of her…..she sure has courage of her convictions.
The Nats….same as it ever was.
And….
Luxon….. "no plans to change it at this point".
Riiight. The NAct creeps will take NZ back in time.
We must fight back !
There is a bill currently being debated in parliament about reducing the voting age in local body (not general) elections to 16 years
It is not extended to general elections because it requires a parliamentary super majority which wouldn't be possible because the NACTS predictably oppose it, but for local body elections it requires a simple majority.
I had to laugh at National's Michael Woodhouse's argument against: 16 year olds are not allowed to own a house, therefore they are not ratepayers and local body elections are primarily for ratepayers.
Just because you don't pay rates directly doesn't mean you don't pay them at all. Every time you pay your rent you are indirectly paying rates.
For me that rather sums up National – in it for those who own properties. Those who rent are second class who don't really deserve to vote. I remember way back in 1977 I went to register to vote in the local body elections and being told scornfully (and wrongly) that since I wasn't a ratepayer I couldn't vote.
Pre the great 1832 Reform Bill. That's where National get their inspiration.
Another dirty little quirk of local Govt. elections is that multiple property owners can exercise more than one vote!
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/local-body-elections/129762476/call-to-block-property-owners-casting-more-than-one-local-election-vote
Given the generally low participation rate in recent Local Government elections some might say it makes no odds…but…property owners are of the cohort that tend to vote, unlike renters of overpriced dumps.
Labour, finally, gets it right for housing to be sorted, for the nactoids to cruise in and take all the credit…as per usual, of course.
https://www.oag.parliament.nz/2023/hud-leadership