Open mike 29/10/2010

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, October 29th, 2010 - 53 comments
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53 comments on “Open mike 29/10/2010 ”

  1. The Chairman 1

    Maori Party “kowtowing” to iwi elite?

    An “iwi elite caste” system emerging with a right wing economic agenda showing no immediate trickle down benefits for Maori?

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/maori/news/article.cfm?c_id=252&objectid=10683273&ref=rss

    • Colonial Viper 1.1

      Maori are NZ’s largest exporters of meat. That’s a lot of foreign currency.

    • The Chairman 1.2

      How will an emerging right wing agenda sit with a possible Labour – Maori coalition?

    • KJT 1.3

      Is this suddenly news. The Maori party are a good fit with National. Same born to rule exploitative attitudes. I am beginning to have more and more time for Hone.

      Just waiting for Maori to wake up to the Maori Moneyocracy.

      They will hopefully take less time than it takes for Pakeha to wake up NACT.

      • The Chairman 1.3.1

        Re: suddenly news

        Hardly.

        However, it’s good to see the party’s principles being questioned

        And it does bring into question any possible coalition deals. How will this emerging right-wing agenda sit with Labour’s new policy shift?

  2. BLiP 2

    _ _ – – = = F O R S A L E = = = – – – _ _ _

    A sovereign nation’s self-respect and democracy

    . . . are human rights, justice and worker protections, those pesky and pernicious prohibitions to potential profit hampering your avarice . . .

    WE HAVE THE SOLUTION – –ELIMINATE THEM

    at just $US500 million per enactment, you can’t go past this deal

    But wait, there’s more . . .

    Guaranteed 10% C A S H rebate for foreign-owned multinational corporations – just speak to our in-store sales consultant John – do it today and save save save

    ♪ ♫ . . . .the Beehive, the Beehive, where everyone gets a bargain . . . . ♫ ♪

    • Bored 2.1

      You have made my day, I would encourage everybody to sing along today, so subtle, so catchy, so effective!

    • LynW 2.2

      Exactly! Now that song will stay in my head all day ….not that I need reminding!

    • prism 2.3

      Have you been in business Blip? What was/is your trade? There is a term called ‘horse trading’. Sales just don’t happen. People ask for discounts for cash etc. Many considerations come into it.

      I paid more for my second-hand car because I decided it was worth it but got an enhanced guarantee. That might not have been needed because of the Fair Trading Act. But it was the best deal going at the time. I had consulted the AA advice person to check car-make profile and general reliability, also got pre-sale scrutiny at a reliable garage. Seemed a goer, though not perfect. I wanted it, it would probably work out well. The price wasn’t too bad. I bought it. The car still goes well by the way.

      • BLiP 2.3.1

        Would you sleep with me for $US500 million?

        Sure.

        Would you sleep with me for five bucks?

        What . . . who do you think you’re talking to?

        Madam, we know what you are, at the moment we’re just haggling.

      • Draco T Bastard 2.3.2

        You know, last time I sold a car the potential buyer had the AA guys check it out. They picked up a couple of things wrong one of which was the oil. According to them it hadn’t been changed for at least 10,000km. The last oil change was less 5000km before. I know, I was the one who did it.

    • Jim Nald 2.4

      Mickey & McCully arrived in Vietnam last night
      East Asian Summit’s delight
      For a price and deals you taxpayers underwrite
      Mickey & McCully are anyone’s tonight

      ♪ ♫ . . . .the Beehive, the Beehive, where everyone gets a bargain . . . . ♫ ♪

      Fanks, BLiP.

    • Draco T Bastard 3.1

      Hopefully it’s deep enough to produce real changes in the banking ponzi scheme.

  3. Rodel 4

    On Momentum.
    Interesting that the media aren’t probing into the momentumgate scandal.Why aren’t the national party owners of momentum, Michelle Boag, Jenny Shipley and co -who recruited John Key and Steven Wilk being interviwed?
    When. oh when will we get some proper journalists?

  4. Carol 5

    Mallard just held up in the House a print out of an image emailed to him over night from a Kiwi in Japan. It’s an image of the NZ flag with the UK Union flag removed from the top left hand corner and a Warner Brothers’ logo inserted in its place.

    Pure genius.

  5. Quoth the Raven 6

    In the strange world of American politics recently we’ve seen Log cabin Republicans challenge Don’t ask don’t tell in court. The Judge orders it to abandoned immediately. The Obama administration who supposedly wants to repeal it and have just lost a vote on it is granted a stay on the injunction to prepare their one would have to say embarrassing argument against the injunction of a policy they supposedly want repealed.
    Obama opposes gay marriage instead, like Labour here, he, without a hint of irony regarding the historical significance, takes a separate but equal position. Meawhile a gay judge in California overturns a ban on gay marriage, a judge who was originally nominated by Reagan, but whose nomination was opposed by the Democrats because of his “insensitivity” towards gays.
    Then there is Proposition 19. A lot of “progressives” have come out in support of it. However the Obama administration, who appointed a drug warrior to head the DEA, has vowed to continue to enforce prohibition federally in California. At least Obama has the war mongering and corporatist part of being a “progressive” down.

    • Quoth the Raven 6.1

      Just to again highlight the inanity of the factionalism that pervades American politics (and politics in general see our own Labour-Natioal absurdities) Glenn Greenwald has a recent article: Obama finds support from the right

      Let’s hear one more time from the Supremely Crazy Witch Christine O’Donnell on this: “I support Obama’s decision to send troops to Afghanistan. I support Obama’s decision for drones. I support Obama’s decision to treat the American who is recruiting terrorists on American soil, who is hiding in Yemen, I support the decision for our intelligence agencies to do whatever it takes to take him out.”

      And Glenn Greenwald reminds us that the inequity in regards to gay rights which Obama opposes, whilst holding his illiberal “same but equal” position was enshrined in law by Bill Clinton in the form of DOMA and the Obama administration, once again despite Obama’s own ostensible opposition to it actually defended the constitutionality of it.

      In July of this year, a federal judge ruled that the Defense of Marriage Act — the 1996 law enacted with overwhelming bipartisan support and signed into law by President Clinton — was unconstitutional. Among other things, DOMA bars the federal government and all federal agencies from issuing any marriage-based benefits — including immigration rights — to same-sex couples, even if those couples are legally married in the U.S. It effectuates that ban by restricting federal recognition of spousal relationships to “a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife.” The court ruled that this provision was unconstitutional because it violates the rights of states under the Tenth Amendment to define “marriage” for themselves, and independently violates the Equal Protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

      As if anyone really needed another reminder of the sheer absurdity of the messianic Obama presidency and the mindless factionalism in politics.

      Another article today: Obama hope was all hype Although why anyone would have hope in a politician in the first place is beyond me.

      “Political action involves mental vulgarity, not merely because it entails the occurrence and support of those who are mentally vulgar, but because of the simplification of human life implied in even the best of it purposes.”
      Michael Oakeshott

  6. just saying 7

    An outstanding post by Maia at ‘The Hand Mirror’ about the Hobbit: A must-read for even those as Hobbit-weary as I am. Do watch the quick clip at the end if you can too.

    http://thehandmirror.blogspot.com/

    • ianmac 9.1

      “Yeah. What that mum needs is a good belt round the ears, and the little monster needs a good thrashing! It worked for me and now I’m a good God-fearing right minded Citizen. Hey! Leave my computer alone you bastards! I didn’t download that stuff. Not mine! Some one else must have…… God help me!”

  7. KJT 10

    Too late. Should have started disciplining him earlier.

    • Draco T Bastard 10.1

      Should have started teaching him self-discipline earlier.

      FIFY

      And I disagree that it’s too late to teach him that discipline. It’ll be harder but not impossible.

  8. Bored 11

    I see Trotter has got into Labour and Goff for their feable failure to come to the aid of workers rights etc in the whole St Peter / Warners rip off fiasco. Well done Chris, to Goff please just go!

    Anybody else feel the same?

    • Lazy Susan 11.1

      I think this was really a case of falling at the first fence for Goff/Labour although admittedly a very tough call.

      The party conference presented Labour’s new direction as firmly wed to the union movement and the rights of workers and a stark contrast to the neo-liberal anti-worker positioning of NAct. To then allow, in the following week, a full scale assault on the whole of the union movement to go largely unchallenged was a big mistake. It made Labour look weak and insincere.

      It would have taken guts to go up against the scared cow that was PJ but that is what true leadership is all about. As the dust settles around this whole fiasco there is much disquiet about the sell-out this government has enacted and the motivations of Peter Jackson and associates (read today’s Herald edititorial and letters section). Had Labour made loud noises very early on they would have provided a platform for this disquiet and have been seen as defenders of working people and our national sovereignity.

      • Bored 11.1.1

        I take your points as well considered BUT if I was sitting on a Board of Directors (as I do) and had this type of scenario explained to me by incompetent management at every other meeting I would probably fire the CEO. Its a case of once is a mistake, twice unfortunate, three times unforgivable.

    • The Voice of Reason 11.2

      You’re kidding, right? Why on earth would Phil Goff want to climb aboard a sinking ship? If he’d said anything about the merits of the AE case, he’d be copping similar misinformed crap as has been thrown at Helen Kelly for the last two weeks and there would be every chance of a snap election next month where the main point of discussion wouldn’t be policy platforms on the economy, unemployment, health or education, it’d be be who loves hobbits more.

      Sometimes the best thing to say is nothing at all. I wish Chris Trotter would take the hint, too.

      • Jim Nald 11.2.1

        King John seeks PR advice: Snap election for NZ? What campaign slogan to run? How about “A hobbit, a hobbit, my kingdom for a hobbit” ?

      • Bored 11.2.2

        Your Reasonable Voice is right that Goff should not climb onto a sinking ship: his “crime” is that he (and whoever his staff are) never gave himself a chance to get in before the whole thing was sinking. Never there in time, never before the event, never in a safe position to be heard, never driving. Never there or heard, never never never to ever be PM.

      • Anne 11.2.3

        Phil Goff did the sensible thing. He waited for the story to play out, and the facts to emerge before he climbed on board. I agree with you TVoR. I get the feeling that sometimes Chris Trotter wades in before thinking through the consequences properly. So easy to criticise with the benefit of hindsight.

        • Colonial Viper 11.2.3.1

          Phil could have waded in much earlier to help the unions get airtime for the points they were desperately, but essentially failing to make, without going into the specifics of the dispute between SPADA/AE/Jackson/Warner e.g.

          The fact that people expected to perform as employees should have employee protections. The fact that successful film making countries like Australia, Canada, US, UK and Ireland have heavily unionised film workforces and as our industry develops we should fall into line with best practice. The fact that asking for a meeting to discuss issues is really a simple demand for any good employer to meet. And the fact that NZ workers deserve certainty on minimum terms and conditions of work and that minimum working conditions must be sacrosanct.

          • Anne 11.2.3.1.1

            Okay CV take your point. Goff could have waded in a bit sooner – like 4 or 5 days. On the other hand, for all we know someone from the union movement (won’t name names because I don’t know) told him to stay out of it until after Key’s meeting with WB. After all, it wasn’t until that point that some of the murk surrounding this affair started to clear.

          • The Voice of Reason 11.2.3.1.2

            No argument with your second para, but I maintain that Goff was best advised to stay schtumm. The ERA is still, for the time being, Labour’s law. He’d have been hit with ‘you had nine years to fix this, blah, blah blah’. It was obvious pretty early on that it was not a winner and I’d have to think his advisers would have said leave it to the CTU to sort it out. Which they did, actually, but based on the assumption that the rules of good faith behaviour applied outside of the ERA. Apparently Warners and Jackson knew better.

            If Goff had said a word, Key would have had his second term sown up.

            • Carol 11.2.3.1.2.1

              I waver on this issue, but timing is important, and it’s hard to know what the short & long term impact would have been, with the hysteria & the anti-union line taken by the press. It could have solidified attitudes and slowed down the responses against Key’s selling of our soul’s to Warners.

              Mallard said something about this in the House today, but I’m not totally clear of what sort of (non) comments and when he was referring to. I also don’t remember his exact wording. It was during (near the begiining of?) the last stage of the discussion about the change of employment law, just after the bill had finished the committee stage and was returned to the whole parliament.

              Mallard said he had told other Labour MPs to stay silent on the issue. His explanation had something to do with it being an international issue, and when the government is still dealing with such issues, the rest of parliament should present some sort of unity and not provide opposition. i’m also not sure why he would be dishing out that sort of advice & not Goff.

              Maybe someone has a record of what he actuallly said?

              • Anne

                @ Carol
                I’ve followed the arguments for and against whether Goff should have spoken sooner but, on balance, I think TVoR has got it in a nutshell. If Goff had spoken before the WB meeting, he would have been on a hiding to nothing. The media would have misrepresented what he said, and given the emotive hysteria surrounding this debate he would have been a goner. Much better to stay quiet until the MSM (and others) started to figure the truth out for themselves. It’s happening albeit slowly. A good example is today’s NZ Herald editorial.

                • Anne

                  I forgot to add… it’s something we’re never going to know for sure. 😉

                  • Carol

                    yes, I guess. Though I just thought Mallard’s comment added an extra dimension to the discussion. The other thing is that it’s not just a question of when a party leader (or any MP) should take a stand, but how it’s done.

                    I see that Mallard’s visual aid of the WB version of the NZ flag, made it to both TV One & TV3 news. That is something people will remember, and it has a clear point/message.

    • The Voice of Reason 11.3

      Spookily, the weekly roundup email just popped into my inbox from Phil Goff and it includes this:

      THE HOBBIT DISPUTE COSTS NZ DEARLY
      The resolution of The Hobbit dispute is good news.

      The original threat of a boycott, resolved and gone before Warner Bros arrived, was nevertheless the pretext for demanding more money, but the Government hadn’t anticipated it. National hadn’t maintained the relationship and was faced with crisis management and no preparation. John Key simply gave in to the demands.

      His panicked response has cost New Zealand taxpayers more than it should with the Government handing over an extra $33m in subsidies on top of the $60m already promised to the movie giant.

      It’s crystal clear now that money was the main motivation behind Warner Bros’ threat to move The Hobbit film to another country.

      But the Government also caved in to demands from the film company that changes be made to our employment laws. These changes were essentially rammed through at the behest of a foreign-owned, multi-billion dollar movie giant without any chance for kiwis to comment on whether it was necessary. That is a move that sets a very dangerous precedent.

      We have been used as pawns in a game that’s all about profit for Warner Bros not what is best for New Zealand.

      • Bored 11.3.1

        Never ever in time, never ever before the event and able to make an impression in a timely manner, always after the event when the horse has bolted, always a spook, invisible and unheard…..

  9. joe90 12

    Private prisons writing their own laws.

    That’s because prison companies like this one had a plan — a new business model to lock up illegal immigrants. And the plan became Arizona’s immigration law

    • Quoth the Raven 12.1

      In relation: Public sector unions making the system work for them:

      Throughout the 1980s and ’90s, the CCPOA lobbied the state government to increase California’s prison facilities—since more prisons would obviously mean more jobs for corrections officers. And between 1980 and 2000, the Golden State constructed 22 new prisons for adults (before 1980, California had only 12 such facilities). The CCPOA also pushed for the 1994 “three strikes” sentencing law, which imposed stiff penalties on repeat offenders. The prison population exploded—and, as intended, the new prisoners required more guards. The CCPOA has been no less successful in increasing members’ compensation: In 2006, the average union member made $70,000 a year, and more than $100,000 with overtime. Corrections officers can also retire with 90% of their salaries as early as age 50. Today, an amazing 11% of the state budget—more than what is spent on higher education—goes to the penal system. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger now proposes privatizing portions of the prison system to escape the unions’ grip—though his proposal has so far met with predictable (union supported) political opposition.

  10. Pascal's bookie 13

    Yeah baby.

    http://abcnews.go.com/print?id=11974168

    How Rove is working that Supreme court decision that corporations are people too:

    In the bitter U.S. Senate race in Kentucky, a local millionaire has helped launch a barrage of ads attacking the Democratic candidate  a candidate who, as the state’s attorney general, is prosecuting the businessman’s nursing home for allegedly covering up sexual abuse, records show.

    The businessman’s name is Terry Forcht. And like many super-wealthy conservative donors who are quietly stoking the GOP’s mid-term election surge around the nation, the extent of his investment in the 2010 campaign is both vast and, for now at least, largely unknown.

    In addition to donating personally to Republican Rand Paul’s upstart campaign, Forcht is the banker handling funds for American Crossroads. The conservative group was founded by Republican strategist Karl Rove and has, through its non-profit arm, American Crossroads GPS, channeled millions into this year’s campaigns without identifying its donors.

    American Crossroads GPS and other outside groups that shield the identity of their donors have emerged as a fixture of the 2010 campaign season, thanks to a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that loosened restrictions on political giving. The case of Forcht’s opaque role in the Kentucky contest offers a glimpse at why some election reform groups believe anonymous donations are so problematic.

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    How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log on iPhone Without a Computer: A StepbyStep Guide Losing your iPhone call history can be frustrating, especially when you need to find a specific number or recall an important conversation. But before you panic, know that there are ways to retrieve deleted call logs on your iPhone, even without a computer. This guide will explore various methods, ranging from simple checks to utilizing iCloud backups and thirdparty applications. So, lets dive in and recover those lost calls! 1. Check Recently Deleted Folder: Apple understands that accidental deletions happen. Thats why they introduced the Recently Deleted folder for various apps, including the Phone app. This folder acts as a safety net, storing deleted call logs for up to 30 days before permanently erasing them. Heres how to check it: Open the Phone app on your iPhone. Tap on the Recents tab at the bottom. Scroll to the top and tap on Edit. Select Show Recently Deleted. Browse the list to find the call logs you want to recover. Tap on the desired call log and choose Recover to restore it to your call history. 2. Restore from iCloud Backup: If you regularly back up your iPhone to iCloud, you might be able to retrieve your deleted call log from a previous backup. However, keep in mind that this process will restore your entire phone to the state it was in at the time of the backup, potentially erasing any data added since then. Heres how to restore from an iCloud backup: Go to Settings > General > Reset. Choose Erase All Content and Settings. Follow the onscreen instructions. Your iPhone will restart and show the initial setup screen. Choose Restore from iCloud Backup during the setup process. Select the relevant backup that contains your deleted call log. Wait for the restoration process to complete. 3. Explore ThirdParty Apps (with Caution): ...
    1 day ago
  • How to Factory Reset iPhone without Computer: A Comprehensive Guide to Restoring your Device
    Life throws curveballs, and sometimes, those curveballs necessitate wiping your iPhone clean and starting anew. Whether you’re facing persistent software glitches, preparing to sell your device, or simply wanting a fresh start, knowing how to factory reset iPhone without a computer is a valuable skill. While using a computer with ...
    2 days ago
  • How to Call Someone on a Computer: A Guide to Voice and Video Communication in the Digital Age
    Gone are the days when communication was limited to landline phones and physical proximity. Today, computers have become powerful tools for connecting with people across the globe through voice and video calls. But with a plethora of applications and methods available, how to call someone on a computer might seem ...
    2 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #16 2024
    Open access notables Glacial isostatic adjustment reduces past and future Arctic subsea permafrost, Creel et al., Nature Communications: Sea-level rise submerges terrestrial permafrost in the Arctic, turning it into subsea permafrost. Subsea permafrost underlies ~ 1.8 million km2 of Arctic continental shelf, with thicknesses in places exceeding 700 m. Sea-level variations over glacial-interglacial cycles control ...
    2 days ago
  • Where on a Computer is the Operating System Generally Stored? Delving into the Digital Home of your ...
    The operating system (OS) is the heart and soul of a computer, orchestrating every action and interaction between hardware and software. But have you ever wondered where on a computer is the operating system generally stored? The answer lies in the intricate dance between hardware and software components, particularly within ...
    2 days ago
  • How Many Watts Does a Laptop Use? Understanding Power Consumption and Efficiency
    Laptops have become essential tools for work, entertainment, and communication, offering portability and functionality. However, with rising energy costs and growing environmental concerns, understanding a laptop’s power consumption is more important than ever. So, how many watts does a laptop use? The answer, unfortunately, isn’t straightforward. It depends on several ...
    2 days ago
  • How to Screen Record on a Dell Laptop A Guide to Capturing Your Screen with Ease
    Screen recording has become an essential tool for various purposes, such as creating tutorials, capturing gameplay footage, recording online meetings, or sharing information with others. Fortunately, Dell laptops offer several built-in and external options for screen recording, catering to different needs and preferences. This guide will explore various methods on ...
    2 days ago
  • How Much Does it Cost to Fix a Laptop Screen? Navigating Repair Options and Costs
    A cracked or damaged laptop screen can be a frustrating experience, impacting productivity and enjoyment. Fortunately, laptop screen repair is a common service offered by various repair shops and technicians. However, the cost of fixing a laptop screen can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article delves into the ...
    2 days ago
  • How Long Do Gaming Laptops Last? Demystifying Lifespan and Maximizing Longevity
    Gaming laptops represent a significant investment for passionate gamers, offering portability and powerful performance for immersive gaming experiences. However, a common concern among potential buyers is their lifespan. Unlike desktop PCs, which allow for easier component upgrades, gaming laptops have inherent limitations due to their compact and integrated design. This ...
    2 days ago
  • Climate Change: Turning the tide
    The annual inventory report of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions has been released, showing that gross emissions have dropped for the third year in a row, to 78.4 million tons: All-told gross emissions have decreased by over 6 million tons since the Zero Carbon Act was passed in 2019. ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago
  • How to Unlock Your Computer A Comprehensive Guide to Regaining Access
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    2 days ago
  • Faxing from Your Computer A Modern Guide to Sending Documents Digitally
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    2 days ago
  • Protecting Your Home Computer A Guide to Cyber Awareness
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    2 days ago
  • Server-Based Computing Powering the Modern Digital Landscape
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    2 days ago
  • Vroom vroom go the big red trucks
    The absolute brass neck of this guy.We want more medical doctors, not more spin doctors, Luxon was saying a couple of weeks ago, and now we’re told the guy has seven salaried adults on TikTok duty. Sorry, doing social media. The absolute brass neck of it. The irony that the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • Jones finds $410,000 to help the government muscle in on a spat project
    Buzz from the Beehive Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones relishes spatting and eagerly takes issue with environmentalists who criticise his enthusiasm for resource development. He relishes helping the fishing industry too. And so today, while the media are making much of the latest culling in the public service to ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago
  • Again, hate crimes are not necessarily terrorism.
    Having written, taught and worked for the US government on issues involving unconventional warfare and terrorism for 30-odd years, two things irritate me the most when the subject is discussed in public. The first is the Johnny-come-lately academics-turned-media commentators who … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    2 days ago
  • Despair – construction consenting edition
    Eric Crampton writes – Kainga Ora is the government’s house building agency. It’s been building a lot of social housing. Kainga Ora has its own (but independent) consenting authority, Consentium. It’s a neat idea. Rather than have to deal with building consents across each different territorial authority, Kainga Ora ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • Coalition promises – will the Govt keep the commitment to keep Kiwis equal before the law?
    Muriel Newman writes – The Coalition Government says it is moving with speed to deliver campaign promises and reverse the damage done by Labour. One of their key commitments is to “defend the principle that New Zealanders are equal before the law.” To achieve this, they have pledged they “will not advance ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • An impermanent public service is a guarantee of very little else but failure
    Chris Trotter writes –  The absence of anything resembling a fightback from the public servants currently losing their jobs is interesting. State-sector workers’ collective fatalism in the face of Coalition cutbacks indicates a surprisingly broad acceptance of impermanence in the workplace. Fifty years ago, lay-offs in the thousands ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • What happens after the war – Mariupol
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    2 days ago
  • Babies and benefits – no good news
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – Ten years ago, I wrote the following in a Listener column: Every year around one in five new-born babies will be reliant on their caregivers benefit by Christmas. This pattern has persisted from at least 1993. For Maori the number jumps to over one in three.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • Should the RBNZ be looking through climate inflation?
    Climate change is expected to generate more and more extreme events, delivering a sort of structural shock to inflation that central banks will have to react to as if they were short-term cyclical issues. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours, as of 9:16 am on Thursday, April 18 are:Housing: Tauranga residents living in boats, vans RNZ Checkpoint Louise TernouthHousing: Waikato councillor says wastewater plant issues could hold up Sleepyhead building a massive company town Waikato Times Stephen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the public sector carnage, and misogyny as terrorism
    It’s a simple deal. We pay taxes in order to finance the social services we want and need. The carnage now occurring across the public sector though, is breaking that contract. Over 3,000 jobs have been lost so far. Many are in crucial areas like Education where the impact of ...
    2 days ago
  • Meeting the Master Baiters
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    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago
  • How extreme was the Earth's temperature in 2023
    This is a re-post from Andrew Dessler at the Climate Brink blog In 2023, the Earth reached temperature levels unprecedented in modern times. Given that, it’s reasonable to ask: What’s going on? There’s been lots of discussions by scientists about whether this is just the normal progression of global warming or if something ...
    2 days ago
  • Backbone, revisited
    The schools are on holiday and the sun is shining in the seaside village and all day long I have been seeing bunches of bikes; Mums, Dads, teens and toddlers chattering, laughing, happy, having a bloody great time together. Cheers, AT, for the bits of lane you’ve added lately around the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Ministers are not above the law
    Today in our National-led authoritarian nightmare: Shane Jones thinks Ministers should be above the law: New Zealand First MP Shane Jones is accusing the Waitangi Tribunal of over-stepping its mandate by subpoenaing a minister for its urgent hearing on the Oranga Tamariki claim. The tribunal is looking into the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • What’s the outfit you can hear going down the gurgler? Probably it’s David Parker’s Oceans Sec...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point  of Order first heard of the Oceans Secretariat in June 2021, when David Parker (remember him?) announced a multi-agency approach to protecting New Zealand’s marine ecosystems and fisheries. Parker (holding the Environment, and Oceans and Fisheries portfolios) broke the news at the annual Forest & ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Bryce Edwards writes  – Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Matt Doocey doubles down on trans “healthcare”
    Citizen Science writes –  Last week saw two significant developments in the debate over the treatment of trans-identifying children and young people – the release in Britain of the final report of Dr Hilary Cass’s review into gender healthcare, and here in New Zealand, the news that the ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • A TikTok Prime Minister.
    One night while sleeping in my bed I had a beautiful dreamThat all the people of the world got together on the same wavelengthAnd began helping one anotherNow in this dream, universal love was the theme of the dayPeace and understanding and it happened this wayAfter such an eventful day ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Texas Lessons
    This is a guest post by Oscar Simms who is a housing activist, volunteer for the Coalition for More Homes, and was the Labour Party candidate for Auckland Central at the last election. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    3 days ago
  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links at 6:06 am
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours as of 6:06 am on Wednesday, April 17 are:Must read: Secrecy shrouds which projects might be fast-tracked RNZ Farah HancockScoop: Revealed: Luxon has seven staffers working on social media content - partly paid for by taxpayer Newshub ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Fighting poverty on the holiday highway
    Turning what Labour called the “holiday highway” into a four-lane expressway from Auckland to Whangarei could bring at least an economic benefit of nearly two billion a year for Northland each year. And it could help bring an end to poverty in one of New Zealand’s most deprived regions. The ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago
  • Bernard's six-stack of substacks at 6:26 pm
    Tonight’s six-stack includes: launching his substack with a bunch of his previous documentaries, including this 1992 interview with Dame Whina Cooper. and here crew give climate activists plenty to do, including this call to submit against the Fast Track Approvals bill. writes brilliantly here on his substack ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • At a glance – Is the science settled?
    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 ...
    4 days ago
  • Apposite Quotations.
    How Long Is Long Enough? Gaza under Israeli bombardment, July 2014. This posting is exclusive to Bowalley Road. ...
    4 days ago
  • What’s a life worth now?
    You're in the mall when you hear it: some kind of popping sound in the distance, kids with fireworks, maybe. But then a moment of eerie stillness is followed by more of the fireworks sound and there’s also screaming and shrieking and now here come people running for their lives.Does ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • Howling at the Moon
    Karl du Fresne writes –  There’s a crisis in the news media and the media are blaming it on everyone except themselves. Culpability is being deflected elsewhere – mainly to the hapless Minister of Communications, Melissa Lee, and the big social media platforms that are accused of hoovering ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Newshub is Dead.
    I don’t normally send out two newsletters in a day but I figured I’d say something about… the news. If two newsletters is a bit much then maybe just skip one, I don’t want to overload people. Alternatively if you’d be interested in sometimes receiving multiple, smaller updates from me, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Seymour is chuffed about cutting early-learning red tape – but we hear, too, that Jones has loose...
    Buzz from the Beehive David Seymour and Winston Peters today signalled that at least two ministers of the Crown might be in Wellington today. Seymour (as Associate Minister of Education) announced the removal of more red tape, this time to make it easier for new early learning services to be ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. Our political system is suffering from the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago
  • Was Hawkesby entirely wrong?
    David Farrar  writes –  The Broadcasting Standards Authority ruled: Comments by radio host Kate Hawkesby suggesting Māori and Pacific patients were being prioritised for surgery due to their ethnicity were misleading and discriminatory, the Broadcasting Standards Authority has found. It is a fact such patients are prioritised. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • PRC shadow looms as the Solomons head for election
    PRC and its proxies in Solomons have been preparing for these elections for a long time. A lot of money, effort and intelligence have gone into ensuring an outcome that won’t compromise Beijing’s plans. Cleo Paskall writes – On April 17th the Solomon Islands, a country of ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Climate Change: Criminal ecocide
    We are in the middle of a climate crisis. Last year was (again) the hottest year on record. NOAA has just announced another global coral bleaching event. Floods are threatening UK food security. So naturally, Shane Jones wants to make it easier to mine coal: Resources Minister Shane Jones ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Is saving one minute of a politician's time worth nearly $1 billion?
    Is speeding up the trip to and from Wellington airport by 12 minutes worth spending up more than $10 billion? Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me in the last day to 8:26 am today are:The Lead: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • PM’s South East Asia mission does the business
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 hours ago
  • $41m to support clean energy in South East Asia
    New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    19 hours ago
  • Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder list
    The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago
  • Judicial appointments announced
    Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    22 hours ago
  • Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
    Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa.  The summit is co-hosted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago
  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
    A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago
  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.    “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    24 hours ago
  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
    Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners.  “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government backing mussel spat project
    The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government focused on getting people into work
    Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
    Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
    Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
    Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector.    "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
    The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
    Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
    Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.   Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ ties
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.  During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Antarctica New Zealand Board appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has made further appointments to the Board of Antarctica New Zealand as part of a continued effort to ensure the Scott Base Redevelopment project is delivered in a cost-effective and efficient manner.  The Minister has appointed Neville Harris as a new member of the Board. Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Finance Minister travels to Washington DC
    Finance Minister Nicola Willis will travel to the United States on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Five Finance Ministers group, with counterparts from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.  “I am looking forward to meeting with our Five Finance partners on how we can work ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Pet bonds a win/win for renters and landlords
    The coalition Government has today announced purrfect and pawsitive changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to give tenants with pets greater choice when looking for a rental property, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Pets are important members of many Kiwi families. It’s estimated that around 64 per cent of New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being considered
    State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the Government has also asked NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to consider and provide advice on a Long Tunnel option, Transport Minister Simeon Brown ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • New Zealand condemns Iranian strikes
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel.    “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says.    "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plans
    Hundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand Chair
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board.   “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti.  “I have asked her to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Roads of National Significance planning underway
    The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Navigating an unstable global environment
    New Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States.    “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • NZ welcomes Australian Governor-General
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Pseudoephedrine back on shelves for Winter
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced that Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Pharmaceutical suppliers have indicated they may be able to supply the first products in June. “This is much earlier than the original expectation of medicines being available by 2025. The Government recognised ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • NZ and the US: an ever closer partnership
    New Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Joint US and NZ declaration
    April 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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