Background on the new candidate for UN Sec Gen: http://www.dw.com/en/why-kristalina-georgieva-is-the-best-choice-for-un-secretary-general/a-35917687 Georgieva’s home, Bulgaria, is on the front line of the refugee crisis, a neighbor to Turkey and a mere 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) away from Aleppo in Syria, the symbol of one of the most terrifying conflicts in the world. Bulgaria is also very close to Ukraine and Moldova, two countries locked in a frozen conflict with Russia. Georgieva brings the experience of having seen the iron curtain fall and the subsequent changes in Eastern Europe. She has the support of many countries in the region. And she might even be acceptable to Moscow: Georgieva lived there for two years during her time at the World Bank, she speaks good Russian and knows who is who.
I do feel a certain sense of schadenfreude at the rod the House and Senate are making for the US government’s own back. As the head of the CIA points out:
The most damaging consequence would be for those US government officials who dutifully work overseas on behalf of our country. The principle of sovereign immunity protects US officials every day, and is rooted in reciprocity. If we fail to uphold this standard for other countries, we place our own nation’s officials in danger.
Yup. If those suits against Saudi Arabia go ahead, expect a chain of sovereign immunity removal in other countries. The US has a lot to lose from this. Maybe the representatives and senators are imagining the USA can intimidate other countries that want to reciprocate its removal of sovereign immunity, but if so they’ll be in for an unpleasant surprise.
The significance of this event should not be underestimated, because it means that at last America is moving towards a position where it could be held accountable for its warmongering and other crimes against humanity. . . .
That is what Obama is referring to in his comment on “unintended consequences” in the video clip,
EVERYONE should view the clip in the” Zero Hedge” link given above in CV’s posting.
And then sit back with a pottle of popcorn to watch as the USA worms its way out of the dilemma that they have now gotten themselves into.
Colonial Viper, Bang on mate.
No bloody thanks to Obama eh! He blocked their rights so he should be tried for war crimes?
Obama has the Government stacked with Muslims already in very high places did you know?
Sounds a bit frightening !!!
I know that some of you aren’t enthused about Donald Trump but it does explain some things.
This is absolutely unthinkable that nobody, especially the CIA, would have noticed this….Trump is starting to look better all the time.
This information has all been checked, then double checked… it is 100% Correct.
That’s why there is such an alarm within US government, since Trump’s statement about temporary suspension of migration of Muslims to US until US authorities make sure there is a proper concept of safe penetration of US territory.
People are stunned to learn that the head of the U.S. CIA is a Muslim! Do hope this wakes up some! Until it hits you like a ton of bricks read it again, until you understand!
We now have a Muslim Government in the US !
John Brennan, current head of the CIA converted to Islam while stationed in Saudi Arabia.
Obama’s top adviser, Valerie Jarrett, is a Muslim who was born in Iran where her parents still live.
Hillary Clinton’s top adviser, Huma Abedin is a Muslim, whose mother and brother are still involved in the now outlawed Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt!
Assistant Secretary for Policy Development for Homeland Security, Arif Aikhan, is a Muslim .
Homeland Security Adviser, Mohammed Elibiary, is a Muslim .
Obama adviser and founder of the Muslim Public Affairs Council, Salam al-Marayati, is a Muslim.
Obama’s Sharia Czar, Imam Mohamed Magid, of the Islamic Society of North America is a Muslim .
Advisory Council on Faith-Based Neighbourhood Partnerships, Eboo Patel, is a Muslim .
Nancy Pelosi announced she will appoint Rep Andre Carson, D-Ind, a Muslim , as the first Muslim lawmaker on the House of Representatives Permanent Select
Committee on Intelligence, of all things!
It would make Carson the first Muslim to serve on the committee that receives intelligence on the threat of Islamic militants in the Middle East!
He has suggested that U.S. schools should be modelled after Islamic madrassas,
where education is based on the Quran!!!
Last but not least, our closet Muslim himself, Barack Hussein Obama.
It’s questionable if Obama ever officially took the oath of office when he was sworn in.
He did not repeat the oath properly to defend our nation and our Constitution.
Later the Democrats claimed he was given the oath again, in private.
Yeah, right.
CIA director John Brennan took his oath on a copy of the Constitution, not a Bible??
Valarie Jarret wrote her college thesis on how she wanted to change America into a Muslim friendly nation and she is an Obama top advisor! Congressman, Keith Ellison took his oath on a copy of the Qur’an, NOT the Bible!
Conservative Congresswoman Michele Bachman, R-MN, was vilified and verbally tarred and feathered by Democrats when she voiced her concern about Muslims taking over our government!
Considering all these appointments, it would explain why Obama and his minions are systematically destroying our nation, supporting radical Muslim groups worldwide, opening our southern border, and turning a blind eye to the genocide being perpetrated on Christians all over Africa and the Middle East!
The more damage Obama does, the more arrogant he’s become! Our nation and our government has been infiltrated by people who want to destroy us!
It can only get worse!
In his book Obama said, “if it comes down to it, I will side with the Muslims”.
If you fail to pass this one on, there’s something wrong……somewhere !
Common sense doesn’t grow in everyone’s garden !
[Dude, please don’t cut and paste whole sections of other people’s material. If you are going to use other people’s words, identify that you are quoting them, so it’s clear which is your opinion and which is the opinion of others. And if you are going to post racist, bigoted and highly inaccurate blatherings again, you can expect to be asked to prove your assertions or piss off. Cheers. TRP]
It’s more of a problem for the rest of us though, given that National don’t seem to give a shit about getting caught. In fact, they’ve become increasingly blatant as the years have rolled on. These days, Key is just like, “You know what New Zealand, I just DGAF anymore. Suck it up and move on.”
It will now take a typical Auckland couple nearly eight years to save a 20% deposit on their first home, compared to about four years in other main centres, according to Interest.co.nz’s Home Loan Affordability Report.
The report tracks how long it would take typical first home buyers in each region to save a 20% deposit on the REINZ’s lower quartile selling price in their region.
The income calculations assume both partners work full time and earn the median weekly wage for people of their age group (25-29) in each region and are able to save 20% of their take home pay to put towards a deposit. … read more via hyperlink above …
Pollsters Roy Morgan says National Party support is at its lowest level since before 2013 election; now behind potential Labour/ Greens Alliance | interest.co.nz
Things are at a contrary stage when a National leader is praising a former Labour leader to the skies, a Green Party co-leader is boasting about being embraced by big business and a Labour leader is denying the centre exists.
There is another well-known historical figure who had the same surname as Little and a similar problem with fear of things that didn’t exist. His first name was Chicken.
Perhaps if you got out and about a bit more Puckish Rogue, you’d understand what Andrew Little has been saying. There’s more to politics than just aiming at the mythical ‘centre’.
He’s been meeting a heap of people – from all sorts of different backgrounds – and they’re all telling him the same thing – NZ has become the land of the rich, and they cannot get ahead – even tho they work hard.
He also said “there’s talk about the centre of politics but that’s not how most people see politics …. and it says nothing about values, principles or a vision of the country and the future we might aspire to.
“The people I meet are a mix of views and backgrounds and most describe themselves as being in the middle. …. What they care about is to have a government delivering on housing, education, health, community safety, the economy.
“In all of these areas, people in the middle are missing out under National ….”
To paraphrase the obvious: “Well he would say that wouldn’t he”
“He’s been meeting a heap of people – from all sorts of different backgrounds – and they’re all telling him the same thing – NZ has become the land of the rich, and they cannot get ahead – even tho they work hard.”
Maybe he needs to speak to people outside of union meetings?
Sorry to drop the vibe. Morena the tv program – my gods it is absolute fucken shit – aimed at vacuous aucklanders who want baby botox, and interspersed with te reo Māori which is probably how they got the funding. Maybe I b harsh.
I have offered this before but a TV has a use for your final suggestion of “just staring off into space”.
If you turn on your TV and tune it to a frequency that has no broadcast you get, or at least you did on an old analogue unit, “snow”.
About 1% of the “snow” comes from the microwave background radiation that is a remnant of the big bang.
You are not just looking into space. You are looking at the creation of the Universe. If that doesn’t impress you nothing will.
Matua Brash is back. He’s calling for “Democracy” and Maori are “privileged” this time round & has a bunch of suckers signed up already. Who’s going to buy into this shit this time round? … http://www.hobsonspledge.nz
Theres one sure way to put the brakes on anyone talking about this – ask them if they will give up their lifestyles to take on that which fits the stats for average maori
pretty sure brash wont be giving up his life of privilege to do that in a hurry
“….Yesterday, at the start of what is expected to be a seven-week trial at the High Court at Auckland, fringe mayoral candidate and self-styled anti-corruption campaigner Penny Bright sat for a while in the front row of the public gallery. …”
I’m the only Auckland Mayoral candidate who has been ‘blowing the whistle’ for years about, in my view, the corrupt ‘conflicts of interest’ at Auckland Council, and with Auckland Council Controlled Organisations (CCOs).
I’ve also attended 5 International Anti-Corruption Conferences, and put hundreds of hours into my one A4 page ‘Action Plan for transparency and accountability for local and central government and judiciary’.
Ask how many from mainstream media have asked for an interview with me, as an Auckland Mayoral candidate on this issue?
Yep – NONE.
In my view, the effective mainstream media manipulation of this 2016 Auckland Mayoral election, in order to help steer the majority of electors into voting for the candidate the major of BIG business (and commercial property developers) want you to have (Phil Goff), is simply beyond belief.
I’m a third-time Auckland Mayoral candidate, who polled 4th in the only poll that counts, the 2013 election with 12,723 votes.
Hardly ‘fringe’ Matt Nippert!
Unlike all the other 2016 Auckland Mayoral candidates, I’ve had 20 years experience in Auckland local government, as a full-time, self-funded ‘Public Watchdog’ community activist, helping to defend the public and the public interest.
I’m not doing this for the money.
Which arguably makes me VERY dangerous politically, because nobody ‘owns’ me.
If you want an Auckland Mayor with a proven track record of standing up to, in my view, the corrupt corporate 1% who are bleeding Auckland locals and local communities dry, it’s really simple.
That’s why they sideline you, Penny. That’s why they roll their eyes, and say, “Oh, that’s just Penny Bright. She’s “a bit of a character”, which is a euphemism for calling you a loon, basically. When they control the narrative and have the media treating alternative candidates as fringe elements, then the establishment gets a big grin on its face and a warm, cosy feeling in its gut.
The admission of bribery (coupled with the fact the culture of corruption has become so inbred it has been described as normalised) strongly indicates there’s good reason to be concerned with the council’s fiscal expenditure.
Therefore, I see little merit in your asserted alternative, Red.
In fact, in light of the current exposure, I’m surprised more ratepayers aren’t joining Penny in her crusade.
It’s always been interesting that Penny makes more sense than any of the candidates put together but nobody’s got the guts to say she’s on to something. It’s very easy for the numb nuts status quo to dismiss her because she doesn’t quite fit their frame. It’s a never-ending modern day Emperor’s Clothes.
Do you have any reason, apart from jealousy of his success, for picking on Bob Jones? You’ve seen him bashing flight attendants have you?
I think it would be a much more likely behaviour by someone like Mallard, who started a brawl in Parliament with another MP, or one of Hone’s family, where a number of them seemed to get their kicks at Waitangi by attacking senior National MPs.
“seen bob jones punch”
I don’t think you did in fact.
Unless you were one of the TV people who chased Bob when he was fishing.
The blow wasn’t caught by the camera when Bob was pestered by TVNZ reports when he was fishing.
It appears as if the cameraman was pushed over by Bob who then headed into the bush. A reporter then followed him into the bush.
He came back with blood coming down his face after Bob had apparently hit him but the blow wasn’t, I understand, captured on camera.
Who hasn’t been tempted to punch one of the TV reporters? I’ll bet Helen Clark was very tempted to belt John Campbell in 2002. https://www.nzonscreen.com/title/eyewitness-news-bob-jones-punches-reporter-rod-vaughan-1985
I was told of Bob’s remark in court after he was charged and fined. Apparently he asked the magistrate whether he could pay twice the amount and hit the reporter again.
Do you have any reason, apart from jealousy of his success, for picking on Bob Jones?
You think I’m jealous of Bob Jones? Have you ever noticed how deeply angry and unhappy he is? As his recently traumatised friend Donald J. Trump can attest, all the money in the world can’t get you peace of mind, or respect.
2.) You’ve seen him bashing flight attendants have you?
I’ve seen him bashing—cold cocking—a completely unprepared television journalist in 1985. I’ve also heard one of Jones’s fawning acolytes, Richard Griffin, admiringly recount to Jim Mora about an occasion where Jones snatched a cell-phone off a man in a restaurant and threw it into a rubbish bin. And, just last year, a snarling, drooling Jones was forced off an Air New Zealand flight because of his loutish and illegal behaviour.
3.) I think it would be a much more likely behaviour by someone like Mallard, who started a brawl in Parliament with another MP,
How do you know Mallard started that? The “other MP” was that arch-provocateur Tau Henare, a waste of space if ever there was one in parliament.
4.) ….or one of Hone’s family, where a number of them seemed to get their kicks at Waitangi by attacking senior National MPs.
Hone’s family pick on flight attendants and random strangers in restaurants, do they? They unleash coward punches on unsuspecting journalists, do they? Do please provide the evidence….
“Have you ever noticed how deeply angry and unhappy he is”.
Well no actually. He seems a very happy chappie to me.
“I’ve seen him bashing”. I suggest that, unless you were one of the TVNZ television crew you didn’t see it at all. There is no doubt he did assault the obnoxious reporter who had been told in no uncertain terms to leave Jones alone to his fishing.
“How do you know Mallard started that”
That was a line Helen Clark tried. She, like you couldn’t get it to fly. I suppose you think Michael Cullen marched Mallard over to the National offices and made him apologise even though Henare had started it?
Or that Trevor pleaded guilty in Court, even though he was an innocent, wronged party?
“Hone’s family pick on flight attendants and random strangers in restaurants, do they? They unleash coward punches on unsuspecting journalists”
Why on earth should you expect me to produce evidence for things you seem to be claiming? Did you even read what I said and which you quote? I said senior National Party figures, although I could probably have included senior Maori Party figures as well.
Try ” More recently, brothers John and Wikitana Popata assaulted Prime Minister John Key at Te Tii Marae in 2009 – an act that their uncle, Hone Harawira, then a Maori Party MP, gave every impression of excusing.” from http://www.listener.co.nz/commentary/features/give-peace-a-chance-2/
I think it is a ploy by Lyn.
This guarantees that he will forever be recorded as having had the last word.
At least I assume that everyone else sees “lprent” as the top comment?
Where on earth did the Green Party get the dopey David Clendon?
And how did they ever make him the spokesman for anything?
He came out with this stupid press release last week and hasn’t had the common sense to withdraw it. https://www.greens.org.nz/news/press-release/disastrous-corrections-department-needs-overhaul
The Corrections Department was using an interpretation of the law that had been approved, I understand on four occasions, by the Court of Appeal.
Then when the Supreme Court come up with a different opinion Clendon blames them for a “disastrous mistake”.
Just what did he expect Corrections to do?
Ignore the decisions by the Court of Appeal when they were the most senior court to pronounce on the matter.
I e-mailed him asking this question but he hasn’t deigned to reply. With Parliament in recess I suppose he has toddled of to sunnier climes to rest up from the exhausting time list MPs have to tolerate when they come out of their slumber and have to attend Parliament again and actually do something.
Could the right wing people who visit please rip into Sir John Kirwan who has apologised to its victims for and on behealf of rugby? Just that some consistency would be great after the hysterical bashing of David Cunliffe for doing the same.
“I would just firstly like, on behalf of all rugby people, to apologise to the victims. Personally I think what’s happened is terrible. There’s a wider issue that you guys need to take up, a 17-year-old drinking in town,” Kirwan said.
“If you go into any city centre at the moment our youngsters are binge drinking so there’s a wider issue.
“What’s happened has been horrible for the game and we need to stand up and take responsibility for it. I think they are doing that, however late, but we don’t know the details either.”
I missed the part were Sir John Kirwin said “sorry for being a rugby player”.
Cunliffe never apologised to victims of abuse, he apologised for being a man which apparently made him an abuser, and by inference, all men are abusers. Massive difference.
Guys and girls, today’s set up and beat down of Don Brash’s trip back to Orewa is a 9th floor strategy which has crept in recently. It involves far right ACT, ACT sympathisers, or ex-ACT personages putting forward policy clearly unacceptable to the middle, ordinary voter. The next step is the current government (preferably the prime minister) then criticises said far right thinkings, thereby appearing moderate and socially responsible.
Recent examples:
Economists calling for a deliberate crashing of house prices.
Seymour claiming National to the left of Clark and calling for a ministry for men.
Brash today rehashing his Orewa speech for Key to gleefully knock down.
Also today the productivity commission calling for deregulation of tertiary education (a day or so after NZ universities performed well in an international study).
The far right libertarians are a useful tool for the current government to portray themselves as moderate and caring.
Plus a distraction, of course, Muttonbird, from reports like this showing the middle-class being affected by the housing crisis.
Headline in Herald Business News – Middle income earners locked out of housing
“So it is not just the lowly paid who are being kept out of home ownership by Auckland’s inflated house prices and low income growth, it is now middle income earners as well,” http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11718983
Brash has suggested that his anti-Maori party may make a contribution to
NZ1. Even the suggestion should alert the Labour party of the danger of having any coalition with Peters or his Party . Labour needs to strive for very vote without any help from the the Tory party in drag NZ1.
Brash is a liability and a sideshow, Peters is too savvy to go anywhere near that fool. Peters has only contempt for the bankster set who have sold NZ down the river for the last 30 years (sadly Labour has been a big part of that)
Just another white-supremacist shitbag who should be sent back to whatever third-world hole his ancestors came from. Although (assuming the radio announcement was right when they said it was being donor-funded) this time it’s only more white-supremacist shitbags who’ll be wearing the cost of yet another Don Brash failure…
This bill aims to encourage certain offenders to complete their community-based sentences. The bill would allow all or part of an offender’s benefit to be stopped if they have repeatedly failed to comply with a community-based sentence.
Because making people, who already can’t afford to live, even worse off will most definitely cause them not to commit more crime.
here’s OBAMA saying, in effect,: We don’t want to be held “ACCOUNTABLE” for all the “Good” (his words)/WARMONGERING (my words) that we have done around the world.”
And there, in a nutshell, is America’s legacy for the 20th/21st Century.
(I hope John Key has been sitting up and listening!)
And its also a fine example of how “GLOBALISATION” can come back to bight you in the arse. (Unintended consequences”, as Obama put it, without admitting as much . . . .)
Karma’s a bitch!
But then again, it won’t be those “Champions of globalisation”, the corporations, who end up paying . . .; .it’ll be you, and me, the little taypayers.
But then again, it won’t be those “Champions of globalisation”, the corporations, who end up paying . . .; .it’ll be you, and me, the little taypayers.
Yesterday I posted footage of Clinton doing a rare campaign rally, at a large community college in N.C.
A total of 70,000 students attend the various campuses of Wake Technical College, with staff and faculty numbers on top of that.
She got 1,440 people in her audience on campus.
At yesterdays Trump rally in Melbourne Florida, Trump got a turn out of 10,000 to 12,000.
And today, Gallup released a poll suggesting that interest in turning out to vote amongst Democratic voters – particularly younger ones – is declining steeply compared to 2004, 2008 and 2012.
Registered Democrats who will definitely vote at 16 year low
Just 65 percent of Democrats plan to vote in the election, and it’s just 47 percent among all voters aged 18-34, a trend that has the party worried about the lack of enthusiasm for Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Open access notables A survey of interventions to actively conserve the frozen North, van Wijngaarden et al., Climatic Change:The frozen elements of the high North are thawing as the region warms much faster than the global mean. The dangers of sea level rise due to melting glacier ice, increased ...
Bryce Edwards writes – New Zealand’s biggest-ever political donations scandal is finally at an end. But what is the conclusion? No one can really be sure. The Court of Appeal released its judgement on Tuesday about the Serious Fraud Office case against the NZ First Foundation. On ...
In 2015, then-Prime Minister John Key announced plans for a huge ocean sanctuary around the Kermadec Islands, banning fishing and mining from 15% of Aotearoa's EEZ. It was bold, it was ambitious, and it suggested that National might actually care about the environment. Except they fucked it up: Key failed ...
1. Who has just been given the accolade New Zealander of the Year?a. The Kokakob. The Cook Strait Ferryc. Fair God. Dr Jim Salinger 2. Which of these is an affront to decent society?a. Dame Edna Everageb. Mrs Doubtfire c. Dr. Frank-N-Furterd. Brian 3. Who is Penny Simmonds?a. The aspiring actress in Big ...
New Zealand’s biggest-ever political donations scandal is finally at an end. But what is the conclusion? No one can really be sure.The Court of Appeal released its judgement on Tuesday about the Serious Fraud Office case against the NZ First Foundation. On the face of it, the court found ...
Buzz from the Beehive Waves of rain are set to lash much of the North Island during Easter Weekend as a low-pressure system forms east of New Zealand, according to a weather forecast published in the past day or so. Niwa was warning of a “moisture-laden” long weekend, with rain expected ...
Look around us…Nicola Willis’ promises of balancing the books, of cutting spending without reducing services, and of delivering game changing tax cuts are disappearing before her eyes.Everyday we see stories of violent crime ending in horrific injuries, or worse. The cost of living worsens, whereas the PM claimed renters would ...
TL;DR: My top six news of note on the morning of Thursday, March 28 include:The Government will have to borrow between $10 billion to $15 billion more than previously expected in order to make up for a slowing economy and to pay for $14.9 billion of tax cuts, according to ...
This story by Naveena Sadasivam and Kate Yoder was originally published by Grist and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. The long-awaited jobs board for the American Climate Corps, promised early in the Biden administration, will open next month, according to details shared exclusively ...
Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don’t think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of ...
Treasury’s first report on the economy since the change of government presents a damning indictment of Labour’s economic management. The problem for National is that it is so damning that logically, coupled with a rapidly slowing economy, Finance Minister Nicola Willis should respond to it by postponing or even cancelling ...
Budget tensions are becoming evident within the Coalition Government. Winston Peters made numerous political points in his speech to the NZF annual conference. But the attack on his own government’s fiscal policies raised issues of substance. ‘Today in the Sunday Star Times, journalist and former advisor to the Labour ...
Buzz from the Beehive The media – sure enough – have been binging on Finance Minister Nicola Willis’ release of the Budget Policy Statement and a statement headed Government announces Budget priorities This assures us – or rather, this parrots the Luxon team mantra – that the Budget “will deliver ...
The Ides of March brought me COVID followed by a bereavement. No wonder they tell you to be careful of them.I’m home now and have resumed the interrupted recuperation. Very much looking forward to getting back to regular things. Meanwhile, some thoughts…OneThis new Prime Minister guy just keeps getting more dire. ...
News that the Chinese ATP 40 cyber-hacking unit penetrated parliamentary internet networks in 2021 has renewed concerns about the PRC’s malign intentions in Aotearoa. But is the hack that significant given the length of time that has passed since its … Continue reading → ...
When Parliament passed the Intelligence and security Act in 2017, they assured us all that it was full of safeguards. Any intrusive surveillance of New Zealanders would be subject to a "triple lock", requiring the approval of the Minister and (supposedly independent) Commissioner of Intelligence Warrants, as well as post-facto ...
Eric Crampton writes – Richard Harman’s Politik newsletter provides a bit of the context that ought to have been showing up in other media reports on potential reductions in public service staffing. Media has been reporting on staffing cuts on the order of about 7%. Is that ...
Mike Grimshaw writes – It’s becoming increasingly apparent that many perceive free speech to have become the preserve of the politically right wing, the religiously conservative, the libertarian fringe, the anti-trans, the anti-Māori and…. well, just fill in with whatever groups or individuals you don’t like and don’t ...
Don Brash writes – As everybody who is not blind and deaf is aware, there is a huge political preoccupation with climate change at the moment, a widespread (though by no means unanimous) belief that global temperatures are rising mainly as a result of the greenhouse gases created ...
TL;DR: My six things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy on Wednesday, March 27 include:Chris Bishop laid out his vision for filling Aotearoa-NZ’s $100 billion infrastructure deficit in a speech yesterday, emphasising user pays and private funding, but failed to say how to achieve bipartisanship on population, public borrowing and ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Former Finance Minister Grant Robertson and former Prime Minister Chris Hipkins have been conveying how unhappy they are with the tax system. Last week in his valedictory speech, Robertson called for the introduction of a wealth or capital gains tax. And this week Hipkins ...
On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
Buzz from the Beehive China has loomed large in Beehive considerations over the past 24 hours, largely because of that country’s mischief-making in the cyber espionage department. Two media statements emerged on that subject hard on the heels of the PM baulking at questions put to him on RNZ’s Morning ...
Chris Trotter writes – WHY IS THE NATIONAL PARTY doing so much for landlords, property developers, trucking, and construction companies, and so little for everybody who isn’t already pretty well-off? It’s as if protecting landlords’ investments and building apartments and roads now constitute the whole of National’s ...
Bryce Edwards writes – When she was campaigning to be Minister of Finance last year, Nicola Willis pledged that she would resign from the job if she failed to deliver tax cuts in her first Budget. Now, it’s that pledge, along with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s ...
Robert MacCulloch writes – The Reserve Bank has doubled staff numbers in five years to 510, with personnel costs rising to $80 million in 2023 from $32 million in 2018 – up by a whopping 150%. I guess when you print $50 billion and flood markets with liquidity, ...
The furore. In case you didn’t notice there was a controversy in the weekend involving dolphins in a little town off the South Island. Don’t panic, they haven’t declared independence and resumed whaling, this was simply a sailing event.The problem began when racing was cancelled on the opening day of ...
For 20 years or more, the case for a meaningful capital tax gains has been mulled over and analysed to death, including by the tax working group chaired by Sir Michael Cullen. More than once, the International Monetary Fund has said a CGT would be a good idea for New ...
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This story was originally published by Grist and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. This story is part of a collaboration with Grist and WABE to demystify the Georgia Public Service Commission, the small but powerful state-elected board that makes critical decisions about everything from raising ...
This is a guest post from Robert McLachlan Global warming is accelerating; 2023 was off the charts. We need to stop burning fossil fuels. In New Zealand, transport accounts for half of all fossil fuels burnt. In the Emissions Reduction Plan, transport emissions fall 41% by 2035. As the ...
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TL;DR: The key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to April 2 include:Today, Parliament resumes sitting at 2pm for the second week of a two-week session. Officials for SIS and GCSB report their annual reviews in public to the Intelligence and Security Select Committee from 5.10pm.Tomorrow, ...
Faced with a barrage of criticism over the promised tax cuts from usually supportive commentators, Finance Minister Nicola Willis yesterday reaffirmed her intention to include them in this year’s Budget. The Government is up against it over the cuts just about every way it turns. Commentators like Fran O’Sullivan, Matthew ...
Here’s my pick of today’s substack posts as of 6:26pm on Monday, March 25: writes via his substack that Market-rate housing will make your city cheaper writes via his substack about the problems talking to double-cab ute (truck) drivers about their vehicles. today about moments of radicalisation in ...
Buzz from the Beehive Just before Christmas, Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivered something that was pitched as a mini-budget and brayed about the decisive action being taken to repair the Government books and support income tax relief in Budget 2024. In a statement headed Fiscal repair job underway. she introduced ...
My sister Belinda asked Dad yesterday what one word would describe Mum best. He said: vivacious.If you only knew her from the photos on the slideshow we've made for today,you might wonder about that, because the camera tended to lie with Mum.If ever she saw a camera pointed at her, she ...
There are two major public consultations closing in the next week, Auckland Council’s Long Term Plan (LTP), and the draft Government Policy Statement on Land Transport (GPS). Closing dates and times: LTP closes Thursday 28 February, at 11.59pm – a minute to midnight! GPS closes Tuesday 2 April, at 12pm noon – note that’s ...
From Kiwiblog’s David Farrar – Bryce Wilkinson writes: Senior Fellow Bryce Wilkinson’s analysis reveals that since March 2009, New Zealand has spent $158 billion more overseas than it has earned, but its NIIP has only fallen by $32 billion.Statistics New Zealand shows that receipts from overseas reinsurers have ...
Is she hinting that the Coalition Government will have to back down on key promises it made in Opposition? Brian Easton writes – The Minister of Finance, Nicola Willis, is telling an evolving story about her fiscal challenges. In Opposition she was confident that she could ...
Dear Nicola Willis,Right now you’ve probably got lots of competing demands coming at you. Ministers who’ve inherited quite a mess, or so you’ve told us, looking for money in the budget to improve things. I imagine that’s why they came to parliament - to make things better.You’ll have to make ...
The Local Government, Transport and Auckland Minister hasthreatened councils with intervention if they don’t merge water assets to take them off balance sheet, just as the now-repealed Three Waters plan directed. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: My six things of note this morning for Monday, March 25 include:Simeon ...
A listing of 36 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 17, 2024 thru Sat, March 23, 2024. Story of the week Thanks to John Mason having the stamina to sit down to watch "Climate - the Movie" ...
This morning the Q&A programme had Simeon Brown on to talk about National’s replacement for Three Waters. In case anyone’s forgotten the three are - drinking water, waste water, and sewerage. It’s quite important not to get them mixed up. In much the same way that you wouldn’t want to ...
Today’s newsletter comes with a mini-podcast conversation between me and my buddy Liv Tennet, talking about her time as a child actor in Lord of the Rings. It’s a conversation with a lot of giggles as she talks about falling off a horse, and becoming a meme. Read ...
The Desmog Climate Disinformation Database documents, "individuals and organisations that have helped to delay and distract the public and our elected leaders from taking needed action to reduce greenhouse gas pollution and fight global warming." It's a who's who of the organised climate change denial movement, in other words. In ...
Bob Edlin writes – A High Court judge has decided miscreants who have mana – or who claim to have mana – should be treated differently from miscreants who have none. It’s a ruling that suggests indigenous law-breakers have a better chance of securing a discharge without conviction ...
Welcome to the first, and possibly last, edition of Brickbats, Bouquets and Bull’s Wool. In which I’ll take a look at the events of the last week or so, and rate them.In such ratings the numbers usually have more to do with the opinions of the reviewer, than the actual ...
Roger Partridge writes – My earlier column this month, New Zealand’s highest court could be facing a turning point, prompted a flood of feedback from business readers and lawyers alike. A common query was what Parliament can do to restrain an overreaching judiciary. This week I discuss two steps Parliament ...
TL;DR: In today’s ‘six-stack’ of substacks at 6.16pm on Friday, March 22: writes about New Zealand's Building Boom—And What the World Must Learn From It over at his substack. challenges the Auckland Council’s use of a 3.8 degrees of warming forecast to oppose a wave-park and data centre project ...
Is she hinting that the Coalition Government will have to back down on key promises it made in Opposition?The Minister of Finance, Nicola Willis, is telling an evolving story about her fiscal challenges. In Opposition she was confident that she could deliver her promised income tax cuts. Appointed minister, she ...
Buzz from the Beehive Ministers of the Crown have drawn attention to one sector of the science sector which is unlikely to be subjected to heavy spending cuts, a state-funded broadcaster which is doing nicely, thank you, and a sporting event that had $5.4 million from the public purse puffed ...
Abbott’s Freestyle Libre sensors allow continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). The sensor is applied to the back of the patient’s arm, with a thin filament under the skin measuring glucose levels constantly. But it costs around $100 per sensor and must be replaced once every 14 days. Photo by BSIP/Universal Images ...
The Inspector General of Intelligence and Security (IGIS) recently released a report in which he exposes the existence of a foreign intelligence partner-controlled technological “capability” inside the headquarters of the GCSB, NZ’s 5 Eyes-affiliated signals intelligence collection and analysis agency. … Continue reading → ...
Peter Dunne writes – Nearly three decades after the introduction of MMP and multiparty governments there should be a greater level of understanding about their finer points than often appears to be the case. The reaction to the despicable outburst from the Deputy Prime Minister at the weekend highlights ...
The sweet kisses from fruit of summerHave slowly been turning dullerYou say, "those times"And "remember the daysWhen we went outside and there still was the shade?"Taking no reason into play…Autumn. Clear, blue days shortening to longer nights, growing colder. Aotearoa.That’s us. The temperature dropping, the looming car crash - so ...
Bryce Edwards writes – “It is often said that behind every great man is a great woman”. This is the pitch by the National Party Botany electorate branch to attend their “Ladies Afternoon Tea with Amanda Luxon”. For $110 including GST, you can turn up on Saturday 20 April ...
David Farrar writes – The Electoral Commission has published the expense returns for political parties for the 2023 election. I’ve put them in a table with how many votes a party got so we can see the spend per vote. National only spent $3.34 for every vote they got, almost ...
Winston Peters’ headline-making actions over the past week may have been a show of political power intended to strengthen his hand in Budget negotiations. It was no accident that his State of the Nation speech was as it was. He made it as New Zealand First Leader, not as Deputy ...
Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:Former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson bowed out of politics this week, giving a series of exit ...
Graham Adams writes — If you love the law or sausages, as the saying goes, best not to look too closely at how they are made. And after watching the orgy of self-pity when Newshub’s closure was announced on February 28, television journalism should definitely be added to the list of those ...
Venerable New Zealand political commentator, Chris Trotter (https://bowalleyroad.blogspot.com/), is a sad creature these days. Once one of the most reliable Leftist writers out there – Economic Left at that – Trotter seems to have absorbed the worldview of Auckland culture-war obsessives. It is not for me to categorise what he ...
The cruelty of short-term memory loss is that each time you ask where she is, you get the fresh shock and grief of the news. That was Dad's day yesterday.Comfortingly, it seems to be less so today. Last night he looked crumpled, today he seems more settled. There's a card ...
Photo by Alvan Nee on UnsplashIt’s that new day of the week (Thursday rather than Friday) when and I co-host our ‘hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kākā for an hour at 5 pm. Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream for our chat about the week’s news ...
Buzz from the Beehive One minister is talking tough while a colleague – whose ministry had acted tough and drawn a barrage of flak – has shown an official softening. Some ministers are doing what Labour was good at, which is distributing public funds to causes regarded as worthy or ...
A ballot for 4 Member's Bills was held today, and the following bills were drawn: Insurance Contracts Bill (Duncan Webb) Income Tax (Clean Transport FBT Exclusion) Amendment Bill (Julie Anne Genter) Crimes (Increased Penalties for Slavery Offences) Amendment Bill (Greg Fleming) Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) ...
One of the strongest narratives about "our" spy agencies is that they are basically institutional traitors, working for foreign powers (or just themselves), without any control or oversight by the elected government. And today, we have yet another report from the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security which explicitly confirms this. ...
“It is often said that behind every great man is a great woman”. This is the pitch by the National Party Botany electorate branch to attend their “Ladies Afternoon Tea with Amanda Luxon”. For $110 including GST, you can turn up on Saturday 20 April to meet the Prime Minister’s ...
The Coalition Government’s plan to ‘get Auckland moving’ is a cuts cover-up that will ultimately cost Aucklanders more to move around the city, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Slashing the Ministry of Pacific Peoples by 40% will have a devastating impact on pacific communities and further highlights how little this government cares about anything other than cutting taxes for the wealthiest few. ...
Labour has proposed an urgent inquiry to investigate the ever-increasing profits of supermarkets, aiming to lower costs for shoppers and food producers alike, says Labour Spokesperson for Commerce and Consumer Affairs Arena Williams and Primary Production Spokesperson Cushla Tangaere-Manuel. ...
With 14% of jobs on the line at the Ministry for Ethnic Communities, the responsible Minister Melissa Lee is failing to stand up for the very communities she’s meant to be representing. ...
COURT OF APPEAL: TRIFECTA OF VICTORY FOR NZ FIRST, TRIFECTA OF FAILURE FOR OPPONENTS For the third time since April 2020, New Zealand First has defeated the Serious Fraud Office and all those complicit in a malicious attack against a political party going about its lawful business in a lawful ...
The Green Party stands with people who live in public housing, people in dire housing need, experts and advocates in demanding better than the Government’s archaic approach to housing those who need our support the most. ...
New Zealand has recently lost the hosting rights of some major international sporting events including the America’s Cup, the Rugby Championship, Netball World Cup, and the Wellington Sevens. We are now at a huge risk of losing SailGP as well. And it won’t stop there. The recent issues with SailGP ...
A Member’s Bill drawn this week would modernise insurance law and make things fairer and more transparent for consumers, Christchurch Central MP Duncan Webb said. ...
The Minister for Disability Issues has confirmed she was aware of funding issues in mid-December and did nothing to stop it. On 14 March, she signed off on changes that were announced and implemented on 18 March without any consultation with disability communities. ...
Green Party MP Julie Anne Genter says her members' bill is an opportunity for the coalition government to plug the gap in electric vehicle incentives. ...
The National Government continues to talk about irresponsible tax cuts that will only drive up inflation, despite the country entering a technical recession. ...
The Minister for Disability Issues must act urgently to reinstate flexibility around the funding for disability support and apologise to disabled carers. ...
This story has been initiated by a leftie shill reporter who proactively sought to call a member of a former band, which disbanded twelve years ago, give their biased appraisal of what was said in my speech, and concocted a ham-fisted attempt at a story that does nothing but show ...
The Government has accepted Labour’s change to the Road User Charge (RUC) discount for hybrid vehicles, meaning there will still be some incentive for people to buy greener vehicles. ...
Many in the mainstream media have taken what was said in New Zealand First’s State of the Nation Speech in Palmerston North on Sunday and deliberately, deceitfully, and ignorantly misrepresented what I said and why I said it. The headlines and commentary on the news stated that I compared ‘co-governance ...
Kicking the most vulnerable people out of state housing and pushing them towards homelessness will result in a proliferation of poverty and trauma across our most vulnerable communities. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader and MP for Waiariki, Rawiri Waititi has penned a letter asking MPs to support his members bill to remove GST from all food. The bill is expected to go through its first reading in parliament this Wednesday. “I’m calling on all political parties to support my ...
Good afternoon. Thank you for, in your very busy lives, turning up to this meeting today. On October 14th last year New Zealanders overwhelmingly voted for change. That is exactly what this new government is bringing. New Zealand First campaigned to ‘take back our country’ and stop the disastrous economic ...
This year is about getting real with Kiwis and discussing the tough issues, as the National Government exacerbates inequality and divides New Zealand, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said ...
The Government adding Significant Natural Areas (SNAs) to its already roaring environmental policy bonfire is an assault on the future of wildlife that makes Aotearoa unique. ...
After 12 years of fighting to protect our moana we are finding ourselves back at square one and back at court. Today, the Environmental Protection Agency is sitting in Hawera to reconsider an application from Trans-Tasman Resources to dig up 50 million tonnes of the seabed in South Taranaki. This ...
Minister Shane Jones’ decision to step away from a seabed mining project is evidence of the murky waters surrounding the Government’s fast-track legislation. ...
The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last government in a bid to get greater coherence in the publicservice on Treaty matters. When ministers first considered the need for tighter oversight in 2021, there ...
The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last government in a bid to get greater coherence in the publicservice on Treaty matters. When ministers first considered the need for tighter oversight in 2021, there ...
The Coalition Government’s miscalculation saga continues as it has forgotten an eyewatering $90 million gap in its interest deductibility cost figures, say Labour Finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds and Revenue Spokesperson Deborah Russell. ...
He Pou a Rangi Climate Change Commission has today released advice that says if the Government doesn’t act now New Zealand is at risk of not meeting its climate goals. ...
The Coalition Government has today confirmed it is abandoning first home buyers who are struggling to get ahead, says Labour Finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds. ...
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the passing of legislation to move light electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) into the road user charges system from 1 April. “It was always intended that EVs and PHEVs would be exempt from road user charges until they reached two ...
New Zealand is strengthening its ability to combat illegal fishing outside its domestic waters and beef up regulation for its own commercial fishers in international waters through a Bill which had its first reading in Parliament today. The Fisheries (International Fishing and Other Matters) Amendment Bill 2023 sets out stronger ...
Economists Carl Hansen and Professor Prasanna Gai have been appointed to the Reserve Bank Monetary Policy Committee, Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced today. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is the independent decision-making body that sets the Official Cash Rate which determines interest rates. Carl Hansen, the executive director of Capital ...
Apartment owners and buyers will soon have greater protections as further changes to the law on unit titles come into effect, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “The Unit Titles (Strengthening Body Corporate Governance and Other Matters) Amendment Act had already introduced some changes in December 2022 and May 2023, and ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to Egypt and Europe from this weekend. “This travel will focus on a range of New Zealand’s traditional diplomatic and security partnerships while enabling broad engagement on the urgent situation in Gaza,” Mr Peters says. Mr Peters will attend the NATO Foreign ...
Transport Minister Simeon Brown is encouraging all road users to stay safe, plan their journeys ahead of time, and be patient with other drivers while travelling around this Easter long weekend. “Road safety is a responsibility we all share, and with increased traffic on our roads expected this Easter we ...
About 1.4 million New Zealanders will receive cost of living relief through increased government assistance from April 1 909,000 pensioners get a boost to Superannuation, including 5000 veterans 371,000 working-age beneficiaries will get higher payments 45,000 students will see an increase in their allowance Over a quarter of New Zealanders ...
Ensuring social housing is being provided to those with the greatest needs is front of mind as the Government restarts social housing tenancy reviews, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. “Our relentless focus on building a strong economy is to ensure we can deliver better public services such as social ...
The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary will not go ahead, with Cabinet deciding to stop work on the proposed reserve and remove the Bill that would have established it from Parliament’s order paper. “The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill would have created a 620,000 sq km economic no-go zone,” Oceans and Fisheries Minister ...
Dam safety regulations are being amended so that smaller dams won’t be subject to excessive compliance costs, Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on reducing costs and removing unnecessary red tape so we can get the economy back on track. “Dam safety regulations ...
The coalition Government is expanding the medium-scale adverse event classification to parts of the North Island as dry weather conditions persist, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced today. “I have made the decision to expand the medium-scale adverse event classification already in place for parts of the South Island to also cover the ...
The passing of legislation giving effect to coalition Government tax commitments has been welcomed by Finance Minister Nicola Willis. “The Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill will help place New Zealand on a more secure economic footing, improve outcomes for New Zealanders, and make our tax system ...
Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins and Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds today announced plans to transform our science and university sectors to boost the economy. Two advisory groups, chaired by Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, will advise the Government on how these sectors can play a greater ...
The Budget will deliver urgently-needed tax relief to hard-working New Zealanders while putting the government’s finances back on a sustainable track, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The Finance Minister made the comments at the release of the Budget Policy Statement setting out the Government’s Budget objectives. “The coalition Government intends ...
The coalition Government will look at options to address a zoning issue that limits how much financial support Queenstown residents can get for accommodation. Cabinet has agreed on a response to the Petitions Committee, which had recommended the geographic information MSD uses to determine how much accommodation supplement can be ...
Cabinet has agreed to a short extension to the final reporting timeframe for the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care from 28 March 2024 to 26 June 2024, Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says. “The Royal Commission wrote to me on 16 February 2024, requesting that I consider an ...
The coalition Government is delivering an $18 million boost to New Zealanders needing to travel for specialist health treatment, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says. “These changes are long overdue – the National Travel Assistance (NTA) scheme saw its last increase to mileage and accommodation rates way back in 2009. ...
The Government is recognising the innovative and rising talent in New Zealand’s growing space sector, with the Prime Minister and Space Minister Judith Collins announcing the new Prime Minister’s Prizes for Space today. “New Zealand has a growing reputation as a high-value partner for space missions and research. I am ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity, attributed to groups sponsored by the Chinese Government, targeting democratic institutions in both New ...
Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry Education Minister Erica Stanford today announced the appointment of three independent reviewers to lead the Ministerial Inquiry into the Ministry of Education’s School Property Function. The Inquiry will be led by former Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully. “There is a clear need ...
State Highway 1 across the Brynderwyns will be open for Easter weekend, with work currently underway to ensure the resilience of this critical route being paused for Easter Weekend to allow holiday makers to travel north, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Today I visited the Brynderwyn Hills construction site, where ...
Introduction Good morning to you all, and thanks for having me bright and early today. I am absolutely delighted to be the Minister for Infrastructure alongside the Minister of Housing and Resource Management Reform. I know the Prime Minister sees the three roles as closely connected and he wants me ...
New Zealand stands with the United Kingdom in its condemnation of People’s Republic of China (PRC) state-backed malicious cyber activity impacting its Electoral Commission and targeting Members of the UK Parliament. “The use of cyber-enabled espionage operations to interfere with democratic institutions and processes anywhere is unacceptable,” Minister Responsible for ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced New Zealand will provide logistics support for the upcoming Solomon Islands election. “We’re sending a team of New Zealand Defence Force personnel and two NH90 helicopters to provide logistics support for the election on 17 April, at the request ...
The European Union Free Trade Agreement Legislation Amendment Bill received Royal Assent today, completing the process for New Zealand’s ratification of its free trade agreement with the European Union. “I am pleased to announce that today, in a small ceremony at the Beehive, New Zealand notified the European Union ...
Public consultation on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons has concluded, Internal Affairs Minister Hon Brooke van Velden says. “I have been advised that there were over 11,000 submissions made through the Royal Commission’s online consultation portal.” Expanding the scope of the Royal Commission of ...
Hardworking families are set to benefit from a new credit to help them meet their early childcare education (ECE) costs, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. From 1 July, parents and caregivers of young children will be supported to manage the rising cost of living with a partial reimbursement of their ...
A specialised Independent Technical Advisory Group (ITAG) tasked with preparing and publishing independent non-binding advice on the design of a "green" (sustainable finance) taxonomy rulebook is being established, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “Comprising experts and market participants, the ITAG's primary goal is to deliver comprehensive recommendations to the ...
Defence Minister Judith Collins has thanked the Chief of Army, Major General John Boswell, DSD, for his service as he leaves the Army after 40 years. “I would like to thank Major General Boswell for his contribution to the Army and the wider New Zealand Defence Force, undertaking many different ...
25 March 2024 Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders Small Business, Manufacturing, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly will travel to Australia for a series of bi-lateral meetings and manufacturing visits. During the visit, Minister Bayly will meet with his Australian counterparts, Senator Tim Ayres, Ed ...
Government commits almost $3 million for period products in schools The Coalition Government has committed $2.9 million to ensure intermediate and secondary schools continue providing period products to those who need them, Minister of Education Erica Stanford announced today. “This is an issue of dignity and ensuring young women don’t ...
Good morning, it’s great to be here. First, I would like to acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of Building Surveyors and thank you for the opportunity to be here this morning. I would like to use this opportunity to outline the Government’s ambitious plan and what we hope to ...
Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti has announced the Government’s commitment to the Auckland Secondary Schools Māori and Pacific Islands Cultural Festival, more commonly known as Polyfest. “The Ministry for Pacific Peoples is a longtime supporter of Polyfest and, as it celebrates 49 years in 2024, I’m proud to ...
Before moving onto the substance of today’s address, I want to recognise the very significant and ongoing contribution the Breast Cancer Foundation makes to support the lives of New Zealand women and their families living with breast cancer. I very much enjoy working with you. I also want to recognise ...
New Zealand has notched up a first with the launch of University of Canterbury research to the International Space Station, Science, Innovation and Technology and Space Minister Judith Collins says. The hardware, developed by Dr Sarah Kessans, is designed to operate autonomously in orbit, allowing scientists on Earth to study ...
Introduction Thank you for inviting me to speak with you today and I’m sorry I can’t be there in person. Yesterday I started in Wellington for Breakfast TV, spoke to a property conference in Auckland, and finished the day speaking to local government in Christchurch, so it would have been ...
The Coalition Government is contributing more than $1 million to support the establishment of an emergency multi-agency coordination centre in Northland. Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced the contribution today during a visit of the Whangārei site where the facility will be constructed. “Northland has faced a number ...
New Zealanders have enjoyed a broader range of voices telling the story of Aotearoa thanks to the creation of Whakaata Māori 20 years ago, says Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka. The minister spoke at a celebration marking the national indigenous media organisation’s 20th anniversary at their studio in Auckland on ...
Commercial catch limits for some fisheries have been increased following a review showing stocks are healthy and abundant, Ocean and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The changes, along with some other catch limit changes and management settings, begin coming into effect from 1 April 2024. "Regular biannual reviews of fish ...
EDITORIAL:The Jakarta Post It happens again and again; indigenous Papuans fall victim to Indonesian soldiers. This time, we have photographic evidence for the brutality, with videos on social media showing a Papuan man being tortured by a group of plainclothes men alleged to be the Indonesian Military (TNI) members. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robyn J. Whitaker, Director of the Wesley Centre for Theology, Ethics, and Public Policy & Associate Professor, New Testament, Pilgrim Theological College, University of Divinity A strange and eclectic range of activities takes place across these few weeks of the year. Some ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Panizza Allmark, Professor Visual & Cultural Studies, Edith Cowan University It’s Easter weekend, which means many of us will be kicking back with the greatest hits on repeat. But whether you’re a boomer, or an ‘80s or ’90s kid, you might be ...
RNZ Pacific Fiji’s Acting Public Prosecutor has filed an appeal against the sentences of former prime minister Voreqe Bainimarama and suspended police chief Sitiveni Qiliho in their corruption case. Bainimarama was granted an absolute discharge for attempting to pervert the course of justice while Qiliho received a conditional discharge with ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Arosha Weerakoon, Senior Lecturer and General Dentist, School of Dentistry, The University of Queensland Casezy idea/Shutterstock How does toothpaste work? What did people use before toothpaste was invented? – Amelia, age 7, Meanjin (Brisbane) Thanks for your ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brett Hallam, Associate professor, UNSW Sydney IM Imagery/Shutterstock Solar SunShot is well named. The Australian government announced today it would plough A$1 billion into bringing back solar manufacturing to Australia, boosting energy security, swapping coal and gas jobs for those ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Clare Dix, Research Fellow in Nutrition & Dietetics, The University of Queensland Easter is the time for chocolate. The shops are full of fantastically packaged and shiny chocolates in all shapes and sizes, making trips to the supermarket with children more challenging ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Emma Felton, Adjunct Senior Researcher, University of South Australia Even in a stubborn cost-of-living crisis, it seems there’s one luxury most Australians won’t sacrifice – their daily cup of coffee. Coffee sales have largely remained stable, even as financial pressures have ...
Mining company Trans-Tasman Resources has unexpectedly withdrawn its application for a consent to suck the valuable metals vanadium and titanium from the Taranaki seafloor, as it apparently wagers on the Government’s new fast-track process. It had spent two-and-a-half days putting its case to the Environmental Protection Agency’s decision-making committee, at ...
Contrary to the Associate Minister of Education’s claims, analysis of Healthy School Lunches Programme - Ka Ora, Ka Ako assessments has revealed it provides excellent value for the taxpayer dollar, as a groundswell of public opposition to Government ...
Greenpeace says wannabe Taranaki seabed miner Trans-Tasman Resources is likely banking on Christopher Luxon’s fast-track process to side-step proper scrutiny of its Taranaki seabed mining proposal by bailing out of the Environmental Protection Agency hearing ...
Kiwis Against Seabed mining today slammed Australian owned would-be seabed miner Trans Tasman Resources (TTR) for abandoning its application to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to mine the seabed of the South Taranaki Bight. The company ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Katie Attwell, Associate Professor, School of Social Sciences, The University of Western Australia Ground Picture/Shutterstock Months after COVID vaccines were introduced in 2021, governments and private organisations mandated them for various groups. Health and aged care workers were among the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Dzurak, Scientia Professor Andrew Dzurak, CEO and Founder of Diraq, UNSW Sydney Diraq For decades, the pursuit of quantum computing has struggled with the need for extremely low temperatures, mere fractions of a degree above absolute zero (0 Kelvin or ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne A national Essential poll, conducted March 20–24 from a sample of 1,150, gave the Coalition a 50–44 lead including undecided, a reversal ...
The Taxpayers’ Union has today made a formal request under the Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on Open Government Information () for information held about how New Zealand Members of Parliament are spending taxpayer ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robert Nelson, Honorary Principal Fellow, The University of Melbourne A Byzantine depiction of the Eucharist in Saint Sophia Cathedral, Kyiv.Jacek555/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA A nasty quarrel arose in the 11th century over what kind of bread should be used in holy ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Patrick Hesp, Professor, Flinders University Patrick Hesp In some parts of Australia, coastal dunes are retreating from the ocean at an alarming rate, as waves carve up the beach and wind blows the sand inland. But coastal communities are largely ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Luke Heemsbergen, Senior Lecturer, Digital, Political, Media, Deakin University With an impressive 60% of the US smartphone market, Apple is undeniably big, but not a clear monopoly. Yet, years of innovation by Apple have effectively given the company its own exclusive ...
Whether you’re facing layoffs or are just an emotional junior staffer, it’s always a good idea to scout out a good crying place before you need it. It’s an incredibly hard time for Wellington. Across the city, thousands of public servants are hearing tough news about redundancies and layoffs. Government ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Miller-Jones, Professor, Curtin University Nuclear explosions on a neutron star feed its jets. Danielle Futselaar and Nathalie Degenaar, Anton Pannekoek Institute, University of Amsterdam, CC BY-SA How fast can a neutron star drive powerful jets into space? The answer, it ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Daryl Adair, Associate Professor of Sport Management, University of Technology Sydney Earlier this week, independent MP Andrew Wilkie accused the AFL of conducting “off the books” illicit drug testing to identify players using substances of abuse, then inappropriately withdrawing them from matches ...
The Government’s announcement that it will scrap plans for a vast marine sanctuary around the Kermadec Islands is ‘shameful’ and will make it impossible for Aotearoa New Zealand to meet its international commitments, says the World Wide Fund for Nature ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Quiggin, Professor, School of Economics, The University of Queensland Shutterstock The federal government has bowed to pressure from the car industry, announcing it will relax proposed emissions rules for utes and vans and delay enforcement of the new standards ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Suzanne Rutland, Professor Emerita, University of Sydney In his latest book, Jewish Life in Medieval Spain, Jonathan Ray focuses on the tumult of the 14th century in Spain – a time of the plague, civil strife and war between the two largest ...
While creating a slate of world-class shows, Whakaata Māori also developed a generation of world-class creatives. Television is an odd word. It mixes the Ancient Greek and Latin languages, and its most literal meaning is “far-off sight”. In the contemporary and living language of te reo Māori, “whakaata” as a ...
Yesterday the UN Security Council passed a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Israel’s war on Gaza. This significant step and the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza prompted an urgent debate in the New Zealand Parliament. Leader ...
The Government’s decision to reduce access to continuous glucose monitors (CGM) not only threatens the lives of children with type 1 diabetes and increases the potential for ‘Dead in Bed’ syndrome, but also threatens the health of their parents an ...
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Background on the new candidate for UN Sec Gen:
http://www.dw.com/en/why-kristalina-georgieva-is-the-best-choice-for-un-secretary-general/a-35917687
Georgieva’s home, Bulgaria, is on the front line of the refugee crisis, a neighbor to Turkey and a mere 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) away from Aleppo in Syria, the symbol of one of the most terrifying conflicts in the world. Bulgaria is also very close to Ukraine and Moldova, two countries locked in a frozen conflict with Russia. Georgieva brings the experience of having seen the iron curtain fall and the subsequent changes in Eastern Europe. She has the support of many countries in the region. And she might even be acceptable to Moscow: Georgieva lived there for two years during her time at the World Bank, she speaks good Russian and knows who is who.
A former World Bank senior exec, that explains why the globalists back her.
US House and Senate veto Obama’s protection of 9/11 sponsor Saudi Arabia.
9/11 victims families can now take Saudi Arabia to court.
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-09-28/senate-overrides-obamas-veto-sept-11-bill
I do feel a certain sense of schadenfreude at the rod the House and Senate are making for the US government’s own back. As the head of the CIA points out:
The most damaging consequence would be for those US government officials who dutifully work overseas on behalf of our country. The principle of sovereign immunity protects US officials every day, and is rooted in reciprocity. If we fail to uphold this standard for other countries, we place our own nation’s officials in danger.
Yup. If those suits against Saudi Arabia go ahead, expect a chain of sovereign immunity removal in other countries. The US has a lot to lose from this. Maybe the representatives and senators are imagining the USA can intimidate other countries that want to reciprocate its removal of sovereign immunity, but if so they’ll be in for an unpleasant surprise.
Quite so PM and CV.
The significance of this event should not be underestimated, because it means that at last America is moving towards a position where it could be held accountable for its warmongering and other crimes against humanity. . . .
That is what Obama is referring to in his comment on “unintended consequences” in the video clip,
EVERYONE should view the clip in the” Zero Hedge” link given above in CV’s posting.
And then sit back with a pottle of popcorn to watch as the USA worms its way out of the dilemma that they have now gotten themselves into.
Can’t wait to see John Olliver’s take on it!
Oh, and by the way, just where exactly were OUR sovereign rights while Obama and co. were trying to ram the PPTA and TISA down our throats?
What comes around goes around, perhaps?
Gee, thanks, Timmy boy and Johnny boy.
Idiots, one and all!
Colonial Viper, Bang on mate.
No bloody thanks to Obama eh! He blocked their rights so he should be tried for war crimes?
Obama has the Government stacked with Muslims already in very high places did you know?
Sounds a bit frightening !!!
I know that some of you aren’t enthused about Donald Trump but it does explain some things.
This is absolutely unthinkable that nobody, especially the CIA, would have noticed this….Trump is starting to look better all the time.
This information has all been checked, then double checked… it is 100% Correct.
That’s why there is such an alarm within US government, since Trump’s statement about temporary suspension of migration of Muslims to US until US authorities make sure there is a proper concept of safe penetration of US territory.
People are stunned to learn that the head of the U.S. CIA is a Muslim! Do hope this wakes up some! Until it hits you like a ton of bricks read it again, until you understand!
We now have a Muslim Government in the US !
John Brennan, current head of the CIA converted to Islam while stationed in Saudi Arabia.
Obama’s top adviser, Valerie Jarrett, is a Muslim who was born in Iran where her parents still live.
Hillary Clinton’s top adviser, Huma Abedin is a Muslim, whose mother and brother are still involved in the now outlawed Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt!
Assistant Secretary for Policy Development for Homeland Security, Arif Aikhan, is a Muslim .
Homeland Security Adviser, Mohammed Elibiary, is a Muslim .
Obama adviser and founder of the Muslim Public Affairs Council, Salam al-Marayati, is a Muslim.
Obama’s Sharia Czar, Imam Mohamed Magid, of the Islamic Society of North America is a Muslim .
Advisory Council on Faith-Based Neighbourhood Partnerships, Eboo Patel, is a Muslim .
Nancy Pelosi announced she will appoint Rep Andre Carson, D-Ind, a Muslim , as the first Muslim lawmaker on the House of Representatives Permanent Select
Committee on Intelligence, of all things!
It would make Carson the first Muslim to serve on the committee that receives intelligence on the threat of Islamic militants in the Middle East!
He has suggested that U.S. schools should be modelled after Islamic madrassas,
where education is based on the Quran!!!
Last but not least, our closet Muslim himself, Barack Hussein Obama.
It’s questionable if Obama ever officially took the oath of office when he was sworn in.
He did not repeat the oath properly to defend our nation and our Constitution.
Later the Democrats claimed he was given the oath again, in private.
Yeah, right.
CIA director John Brennan took his oath on a copy of the Constitution, not a Bible??
Valarie Jarret wrote her college thesis on how she wanted to change America into a Muslim friendly nation and she is an Obama top advisor! Congressman, Keith Ellison took his oath on a copy of the Qur’an, NOT the Bible!
Conservative Congresswoman Michele Bachman, R-MN, was vilified and verbally tarred and feathered by Democrats when she voiced her concern about Muslims taking over our government!
Considering all these appointments, it would explain why Obama and his minions are systematically destroying our nation, supporting radical Muslim groups worldwide, opening our southern border, and turning a blind eye to the genocide being perpetrated on Christians all over Africa and the Middle East!
The more damage Obama does, the more arrogant he’s become! Our nation and our government has been infiltrated by people who want to destroy us!
It can only get worse!
In his book Obama said, “if it comes down to it, I will side with the Muslims”.
If you fail to pass this one on, there’s something wrong……somewhere !
Common sense doesn’t grow in everyone’s garden !
[Dude, please don’t cut and paste whole sections of other people’s material. If you are going to use other people’s words, identify that you are quoting them, so it’s clear which is your opinion and which is the opinion of others. And if you are going to post racist, bigoted and highly inaccurate blatherings again, you can expect to be asked to prove your assertions or piss off. Cheers. TRP]
@ DISTURBED (2.2) Tim Groser, NZ’s ambassador to Washington is a Muslim convert. John Key appointed him to the position. What do you say to that?
Really ??? But I thought Tim had the odd drink?
Really odd drinks. Lots of mercury, possibly.
Mary_A Shit is that right, well well.
That blows me away.
They really are setting us up for a real takeover aren’t they!!!!!!!!
Is he still?
Does that mean they can sue Bush minor and his crew?
Is cronyism illegal?
http://www.msn.com/en-nz/news/national/national-accused-of-cronyism-over-loopy-rules-report/ar-BBwKxsW?li=BBqdmGR&ocid=iehp
or all good if you can get away with it?
As the song says:
Anything’s legal as long as you don’t get caught.
The problem that National has is that they’re getting caught.
It’s more of a problem for the rest of us though, given that National don’t seem to give a shit about getting caught. In fact, they’ve become increasingly blatant as the years have rolled on. These days, Key is just like, “You know what New Zealand, I just DGAF anymore. Suck it up and move on.”
+1
100% too Wensleydale. – Doesn’t Trump look like our saviour now?
Hugh Pavletich says all this:
NEW ZEALAND GOVERNMENT (DESERVEDLY) GETS HAMMERED IN ROY MORGAN POLL
Posted at … http://www.macrobusiness.com.au/2016/09/links-28-september-2016/
It’s not just the low paid who are being squeezed out of Auckland’s housing market, its affecting middle income earners too | interest.co.nz
https://www.interest.co.nz/property/83775/its-not-just-low-paid-who-are-being-squeezed-out-aucklands-housing-market-its
By Greg Ninness
It will now take a typical Auckland couple nearly eight years to save a 20% deposit on their first home, compared to about four years in other main centres, according to Interest.co.nz’s Home Loan Affordability Report.
The report tracks how long it would take typical first home buyers in each region to save a 20% deposit on the REINZ’s lower quartile selling price in their region.
The income calculations assume both partners work full time and earn the median weekly wage for people of their age group (25-29) in each region and are able to save 20% of their take home pay to put towards a deposit. … read more via hyperlink above …
Pollsters Roy Morgan says National Party support is at its lowest level since before 2013 election; now behind potential Labour/ Greens Alliance | interest.co.nz
https://www.interest.co.nz/news/83792/pollsters-roy-morgan-says-national-party-support-its-lowest-level-2013-election-now
Housing campaigner predicts spiralling house prices will be Key’s ‘Waterloo’ | Stuff.co.nz
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/83627043/Housing-campaigner-predicts-spiralling-house-prices-will-be-Keys-Waterloo
0 24 LOG IN TO REPLY REPORTSEPTEMBER 28, 2016 11:15AM
Hugh says this also:
Hugh Pavletich
Mood of the Boardroom: CEOs call for English to sort housing shortage – Business – NZ Herald News
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11716779
CEOs fear children won’t own homes – Business – NZ Herald News
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11716804
Mood of the Boardroom: Bosses to Government – act on housing – Business – NZ Herald News
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11717271
0 3 REPORTSEPTEMBER 28, 2016 7:18PM
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11718547
Things are at a contrary stage when a National leader is praising a former Labour leader to the skies, a Green Party co-leader is boasting about being embraced by big business and a Labour leader is denying the centre exists.
There is another well-known historical figure who had the same surname as Little and a similar problem with fear of things that didn’t exist. His first name was Chicken.
Perhaps if you got out and about a bit more Puckish Rogue, you’d understand what Andrew Little has been saying. There’s more to politics than just aiming at the mythical ‘centre’.
He’s been meeting a heap of people – from all sorts of different backgrounds – and they’re all telling him the same thing – NZ has become the land of the rich, and they cannot get ahead – even tho they work hard.
He also said “there’s talk about the centre of politics but that’s not how most people see politics …. and it says nothing about values, principles or a vision of the country and the future we might aspire to.
“The people I meet are a mix of views and backgrounds and most describe themselves as being in the middle. …. What they care about is to have a government delivering on housing, education, health, community safety, the economy.
“In all of these areas, people in the middle are missing out under National ….”
These quotes are on the NZLP Facebook 26 Sept.
To paraphrase the obvious: “Well he would say that wouldn’t he”
“He’s been meeting a heap of people – from all sorts of different backgrounds – and they’re all telling him the same thing – NZ has become the land of the rich, and they cannot get ahead – even tho they work hard.”
Maybe he needs to speak to people outside of union meetings?
Maybe you need to speak to someone other than your navel.
Ha!
Spot on.
I don’t spend a lot of time talking to my navel because it isn’t a very good conversationalist, the lint however is charming and witty 🙂
This is getting ridiculous, Don FKN Brash comes out saying he’s backing Winston to stop Maori bla bla bla bla..
Just what Winston wanted Don Brash telling everyone he’s great.
That’s real low from National
Sorry to drop the vibe. Morena the tv program – my gods it is absolute fucken shit – aimed at vacuous aucklanders who want baby botox, and interspersed with te reo Māori which is probably how they got the funding. Maybe I b harsh.
TV simply isn’t worth your time. Far better to play games on the PC, or board games or even just staring off into space.
True – and after a couple of long overnighters it is good to just be still. I think I’ll go to the beach soon. Ta
i think it was bill hicks who stated you drop one IQ point every hour of tv you watch.
Probably in negatives now – bummer ☺
I have offered this before but a TV has a use for your final suggestion of “just staring off into space”.
If you turn on your TV and tune it to a frequency that has no broadcast you get, or at least you did on an old analogue unit, “snow”.
About 1% of the “snow” comes from the microwave background radiation that is a remnant of the big bang.
You are not just looking into space. You are looking at the creation of the Universe. If that doesn’t impress you nothing will.
that impressed the hell out of me when i learnt it a while back
Damn…
Yep I often also consider the neutrinos passing through everything. Inner and outer it’s all a lot of space…
Matua Brash is back. He’s calling for “Democracy” and Maori are “privileged” this time round & has a bunch of suckers signed up already. Who’s going to buy into this shit this time round? … http://www.hobsonspledge.nz
Theres one sure way to put the brakes on anyone talking about this – ask them if they will give up their lifestyles to take on that which fits the stats for average maori
pretty sure brash wont be giving up his life of privilege to do that in a hurry
Yep the same old lies by the same obnoxious crew of had beens and never wases – it would be sad if it wasn’t so pathetic.
Little coverage of this ground-breaking bribery and corruption trial currently happening at the Auckland High Court?
How big is this corruption ‘iceberg’ that is being exposed regarding contracting by Auckland Transport?
“Corruption at council widespread, says Crown”
http://m.nzherald.co.nz/matt-nippert/news/article.cfm?a_id=644&objectid=11717850
“….Yesterday, at the start of what is expected to be a seven-week trial at the High Court at Auckland, fringe mayoral candidate and self-styled anti-corruption campaigner Penny Bright sat for a while in the front row of the public gallery. …”
I’m the only Auckland Mayoral candidate who has been ‘blowing the whistle’ for years about, in my view, the corrupt ‘conflicts of interest’ at Auckland Council, and with Auckland Council Controlled Organisations (CCOs).
I’ve also attended 5 International Anti-Corruption Conferences, and put hundreds of hours into my one A4 page ‘Action Plan for transparency and accountability for local and central government and judiciary’.
Ask how many from mainstream media have asked for an interview with me, as an Auckland Mayoral candidate on this issue?
Yep – NONE.
In my view, the effective mainstream media manipulation of this 2016 Auckland Mayoral election, in order to help steer the majority of electors into voting for the candidate the major of BIG business (and commercial property developers) want you to have (Phil Goff), is simply beyond belief.
I’m a third-time Auckland Mayoral candidate, who polled 4th in the only poll that counts, the 2013 election with 12,723 votes.
Hardly ‘fringe’ Matt Nippert!
Unlike all the other 2016 Auckland Mayoral candidates, I’ve had 20 years experience in Auckland local government, as a full-time, self-funded ‘Public Watchdog’ community activist, helping to defend the public and the public interest.
I’m not doing this for the money.
Which arguably makes me VERY dangerous politically, because nobody ‘owns’ me.
If you want an Auckland Mayor with a proven track record of standing up to, in my view, the corrupt corporate 1% who are bleeding Auckland locals and local communities dry, it’s really simple.
MAYOR tick BRIGHT!
TICK it and FLICK it.
One little tick to help make history!
Time for an Auckland ‘BREXIT’ moment?
I think so.
Penny Bright
2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate.
That’s why they sideline you, Penny. That’s why they roll their eyes, and say, “Oh, that’s just Penny Bright. She’s “a bit of a character”, which is a euphemism for calling you a loon, basically. When they control the narrative and have the media treating alternative candidates as fringe elements, then the establishment gets a big grin on its face and a warm, cosy feeling in its gut.
Or the alternative maybe she is a loon who does not pay her rates and then wants to represent the rate payers
Well, that’s a conversation you and Penny need to have. I’m sure she’ll feel overwhelmingly compelled to justify herself to you.
The admission of bribery (coupled with the fact the culture of corruption has become so inbred it has been described as normalised) strongly indicates there’s good reason to be concerned with the council’s fiscal expenditure.
Therefore, I see little merit in your asserted alternative, Red.
In fact, in light of the current exposure, I’m surprised more ratepayers aren’t joining Penny in her crusade.
It’s always been interesting that Penny makes more sense than any of the candidates put together but nobody’s got the guts to say she’s on to something. It’s very easy for the numb nuts status quo to dismiss her because she doesn’t quite fit their frame. It’s a never-ending modern day Emperor’s Clothes.
The longest 90 minutes of Donald J. Trump’s life condensed to 24 seconds:
Hillary’s dressed as a man in this clip…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZibpW2NxGWc
Horrifying thought experiment: Imagine if “Sir” Robert Jones
was a woman. I believe she would be pretty much like THIS woman….
http://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/travel-troubles/82811152/passenger-slaps-flight-attendant-because-she-wouldnt-carry-her-bag
Do you have any reason, apart from jealousy of his success, for picking on Bob Jones? You’ve seen him bashing flight attendants have you?
I think it would be a much more likely behaviour by someone like Mallard, who started a brawl in Parliament with another MP, or one of Hone’s family, where a number of them seemed to get their kicks at Waitangi by attacking senior National MPs.
i’ve seen bob jones punch someone who got out of a helicopter.
“seen bob jones punch”
I don’t think you did in fact.
Unless you were one of the TV people who chased Bob when he was fishing.
The blow wasn’t caught by the camera when Bob was pestered by TVNZ reports when he was fishing.
It appears as if the cameraman was pushed over by Bob who then headed into the bush. A reporter then followed him into the bush.
He came back with blood coming down his face after Bob had apparently hit him but the blow wasn’t, I understand, captured on camera.
Who hasn’t been tempted to punch one of the TV reporters? I’ll bet Helen Clark was very tempted to belt John Campbell in 2002.
https://www.nzonscreen.com/title/eyewitness-news-bob-jones-punches-reporter-rod-vaughan-1985
I was told of Bob’s remark in court after he was charged and fined. Apparently he asked the magistrate whether he could pay twice the amount and hit the reporter again.
oops… yes, that recollection sounds right.
funny how we can convince ourselves that we have seen something we haven’t.
Do you have any reason, apart from jealousy of his success, for picking on Bob Jones?
You think I’m jealous of Bob Jones? Have you ever noticed how deeply angry and unhappy he is? As his recently traumatised friend Donald J. Trump can attest, all the money in the world can’t get you peace of mind, or respect.
2.) You’ve seen him bashing flight attendants have you?
I’ve seen him bashing—cold cocking—a completely unprepared television journalist in 1985. I’ve also heard one of Jones’s fawning acolytes, Richard Griffin, admiringly recount to Jim Mora about an occasion where Jones snatched a cell-phone off a man in a restaurant and threw it into a rubbish bin. And, just last year, a snarling, drooling Jones was forced off an Air New Zealand flight because of his loutish and illegal behaviour.
3.) I think it would be a much more likely behaviour by someone like Mallard, who started a brawl in Parliament with another MP,
How do you know Mallard started that? The “other MP” was that arch-provocateur Tau Henare, a waste of space if ever there was one in parliament.
4.) ….or one of Hone’s family, where a number of them seemed to get their kicks at Waitangi by attacking senior National MPs.
Hone’s family pick on flight attendants and random strangers in restaurants, do they? They unleash coward punches on unsuspecting journalists, do they? Do please provide the evidence….
“Have you ever noticed how deeply angry and unhappy he is”.
Well no actually. He seems a very happy chappie to me.
“I’ve seen him bashing”. I suggest that, unless you were one of the TVNZ television crew you didn’t see it at all. There is no doubt he did assault the obnoxious reporter who had been told in no uncertain terms to leave Jones alone to his fishing.
“How do you know Mallard started that”
That was a line Helen Clark tried. She, like you couldn’t get it to fly. I suppose you think Michael Cullen marched Mallard over to the National offices and made him apologise even though Henare had started it?
Or that Trevor pleaded guilty in Court, even though he was an innocent, wronged party?
“Hone’s family pick on flight attendants and random strangers in restaurants, do they? They unleash coward punches on unsuspecting journalists”
Why on earth should you expect me to produce evidence for things you seem to be claiming? Did you even read what I said and which you quote? I said senior National Party figures, although I could probably have included senior Maori Party figures as well.
Try ” More recently, brothers John and Wikitana Popata assaulted Prime Minister John Key at Te Tii Marae in 2009 – an act that their uncle, Hone Harawira, then a Maori Party MP, gave every impression of excusing.” from
http://www.listener.co.nz/commentary/features/give-peace-a-chance-2/
“Hone’s family pick on flight attendants and random strangers in restaurants, do they?”
No they prefer to follow a twelve year old boy home, beat the shit out of him then steal his whale bone necklace.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10894035
On my Mac – Firefox the columns on the right “Comments, Replies Opinions” is stuck on the 27th. Anyone else? Same on Chrome.
Me too.
I think it is a ploy by Lyn.
This guarantees that he will forever be recorded as having had the last word.
At least I assume that everyone else sees “lprent” as the top comment?
Yes. Good on Lyn. Determined Last Worder. 🙂
Where on earth did the Green Party get the dopey David Clendon?
And how did they ever make him the spokesman for anything?
He came out with this stupid press release last week and hasn’t had the common sense to withdraw it.
https://www.greens.org.nz/news/press-release/disastrous-corrections-department-needs-overhaul
The Corrections Department was using an interpretation of the law that had been approved, I understand on four occasions, by the Court of Appeal.
Then when the Supreme Court come up with a different opinion Clendon blames them for a “disastrous mistake”.
Just what did he expect Corrections to do?
Ignore the decisions by the Court of Appeal when they were the most senior court to pronounce on the matter.
I e-mailed him asking this question but he hasn’t deigned to reply. With Parliament in recess I suppose he has toddled of to sunnier climes to rest up from the exhausting time list MPs have to tolerate when they come out of their slumber and have to attend Parliament again and actually do something.
While TRP is poking CV with a stick on another thread 😉 …
heh
Could the right wing people who visit please rip into Sir John Kirwan who has apologised to its victims for and on behealf of rugby? Just that some consistency would be great after the hysterical bashing of David Cunliffe for doing the same.
http://m.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11719190
+1 Muttonbird though it was more the Media who thrashed David?
I thought it was a politically dumb ass thing to say and also quite insulting of him
Nice one Mb.
Good on Kirwan
I might be wrong but I thought he was apologising on behalf of an institution, an institution of which he is one of its most respected members
What position does he have in the “institution”?
I missed the part were Sir John Kirwin said “sorry for being a rugby player”.
Cunliffe never apologised to victims of abuse, he apologised for being a man which apparently made him an abuser, and by inference, all men are abusers. Massive difference.
US senate and congress tell obama to bugger off on 9/11 veto
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-37498033
They’re a bunch of fuckwits. Wait til half the bars in Boston get sued for collecting for the IRA.
Guys and girls, today’s set up and beat down of Don Brash’s trip back to Orewa is a 9th floor strategy which has crept in recently. It involves far right ACT, ACT sympathisers, or ex-ACT personages putting forward policy clearly unacceptable to the middle, ordinary voter. The next step is the current government (preferably the prime minister) then criticises said far right thinkings, thereby appearing moderate and socially responsible.
Recent examples:
Economists calling for a deliberate crashing of house prices.
Seymour claiming National to the left of Clark and calling for a ministry for men.
Brash today rehashing his Orewa speech for Key to gleefully knock down.
Also today the productivity commission calling for deregulation of tertiary education (a day or so after NZ universities performed well in an international study).
The far right libertarians are a useful tool for the current government to portray themselves as moderate and caring.
http://www.newshub.co.nz/politics/john-key-don-brash-a-broken-record-with-new-lobby-group-2016092914
Plus a distraction, of course, Muttonbird, from reports like this showing the middle-class being affected by the housing crisis.
Headline in Herald Business News – Middle income earners locked out of housing
“So it is not just the lowly paid who are being kept out of home ownership by Auckland’s inflated house prices and low income growth, it is now middle income earners as well,”
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11718983
Brash has suggested that his anti-Maori party may make a contribution to
NZ1. Even the suggestion should alert the Labour party of the danger of having any coalition with Peters or his Party . Labour needs to strive for very vote without any help from the the Tory party in drag NZ1.
Brash is a liability and a sideshow, Peters is too savvy to go anywhere near that fool. Peters has only contempt for the bankster set who have sold NZ down the river for the last 30 years (sadly Labour has been a big part of that)
Just another white-supremacist shitbag who should be sent back to whatever third-world hole his ancestors came from. Although (assuming the radio announcement was right when they said it was being donor-funded) this time it’s only more white-supremacist shitbags who’ll be wearing the cost of yet another Don Brash failure…
Social Security (Stopping Benefit Payments for Offenders who Repeatedly Fail to Comply with Community Sentences) Amendment Bill
Because making people, who already can’t afford to live, even worse off will most definitely cause them not to commit more crime.
/sarc.
You know how it is – it’s much cheaper to spend $70,000 on a year’s prison sentence than $11,000 on a year’s benefit…
Or potentially more profitable from a private prison perspective.
This is well worth a look . . . . (You need to look at the video clip)
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-09-28/obama-responds-veto-override
here’s OBAMA saying, in effect,: We don’t want to be held “ACCOUNTABLE” for all the “Good” (his words)/WARMONGERING (my words) that we have done around the world.”
And there, in a nutshell, is America’s legacy for the 20th/21st Century.
(I hope John Key has been sitting up and listening!)
Pffffffttttt.
If you’re worried about that then you probably shouldn’t be doing that work because the people you’re doing it to obviously don’t want you to.
Yep, DTB.
And its also a fine example of how “GLOBALISATION” can come back to bight you in the arse. (Unintended consequences”, as Obama put it, without admitting as much . . . .)
Karma’s a bitch!
But then again, it won’t be those “Champions of globalisation”, the corporations, who end up paying . . .; .it’ll be you, and me, the little taypayers.
QFT
Yesterday I posted footage of Clinton doing a rare campaign rally, at a large community college in N.C.
A total of 70,000 students attend the various campuses of Wake Technical College, with staff and faculty numbers on top of that.
She got 1,440 people in her audience on campus.
At yesterdays Trump rally in Melbourne Florida, Trump got a turn out of 10,000 to 12,000.
And today, Gallup released a poll suggesting that interest in turning out to vote amongst Democratic voters – particularly younger ones – is declining steeply compared to 2004, 2008 and 2012.
Registered Democrats who will definitely vote at 16 year low
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/gallup-democrats-who-will-definitely-vote-at-16-year-low/article/2602965
Wow did the crew from wake bus down or take their cars – hopefully they bused or car pooled to keep their emissions low.
Labour may well oppose the Social Security Legislation Rewrite Bill:
http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2016/09/27/social-security-legislation-rewrite-bill-carmel-sepuloni/#comments