Open mike 30/05/2019

Written By: - Date published: 7:00 am, May 30th, 2019 - 116 comments
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Open mike is your post.

For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose.

The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy).

Step up to the mike …

116 comments on “Open mike 30/05/2019 ”

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  1. Macro 1
    30 May 2019 at 7:20 am

    And now for something completely different:

    https://twitter.com/dnvolz/status/1133778119767330816?s=21

  2. johnm 2
    30 May 2019 at 8:03 am

    Assange reportedly gravely ill, but court refuses reschedule

    • johnm 2.1
      30 May 2019 at 8:17 am

      Write To
      Julian Assange

      https://writejulian.com/

      Support Assange From the above the poor man is breaking down under the lies and relentless persecution aimed at him.

      • johnm 2.1.1
        30 May 2019 at 9:45 am

        Julian Assange's Legal Struggle Has Gotten More Complicated, But Also There's A Positive

        John Dickerson 2 hours ago

        These war mongerers are making a big mistake. By going after Assange they are bringing attention to their sordid war crimes which will very likely end up being their undoing and lead to their own prosecution. The US elecorate and world are waking up. It is more than Assange. It is our freedom s being eroded by sordid war criminals. The people will rise up against any act to incarcerate Assange. One Love.

        Trianabfine

        Trianabfine 1 hour ago

        Jamarl, have you heard the news that Assange is unresponsive in Belmarsh hospital? Stranger Than Fiction News is saying he was poisoned. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6_6WitHlK0

        • johnm 2.1.1.1
          30 May 2019 at 10:03 am

          https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2019/05/julian-assange-now-in-hospital-wing-of-british-prison-in-such-bad-shape-that-he-cant-conduct-normal-conversations/

          The doctors wrote, “experience tells us that the prolonged uncertainty of indefinite detention inflicts profound psychological and physical trauma above and beyond the expected stressors of incarceration. These can include severe anxiety, pathological levels of stress, dissociation, depression, suicidal thoughts, post-traumatic stress disorder and chronic pain, among others.”

          • johnm 2.1.1.1.1
            30 May 2019 at 10:17 am

            A source close to Assange confirmed the reports about his health to The Gateway Pundit.

            “We have been watching the slow-motion assassination of Julian Assange. They have been choking him to death by tactical psyops, siege tactics, and wilful neglect as surely as if they placed a noose tied around his neck, not just in Belmarsh Prison but in the embassy as well. The only difference between his execution and someone on death row is the same as the difference between covert and overt warfare, which makes sense because the intelligence, judicial and military agencies who are carrying out his death sentence operate within the same power structure which carries out war. First came the smears (propaganda), then came the siege (sanctions), and they staged their coup (dragged him out of the embassy) and now they’ve got him in their clutches and they can do what they want behind closed doors. That’s how you kill a nation while still looking like a nice guy, and that’s how they’re killing Assange,” independent journalist Caitlin Johnstone wrote of his conditions.

            • francesca 2.1.1.1.1.1
              30 May 2019 at 11:04 am

              There would be very few of us able to withstand the constant and universal smearing and character assassination that Assange has undergone.

              The slight shift in the media conglomerate's attitude towards Assange's predicament is too little , too late.

              They are complicit in his decline

            • johnm 2.1.1.1.1.2
              31 May 2019 at 2:29 am

  3. Peter 3
    30 May 2019 at 8:36 am

    The oracle Mike Hosking has saved me considerable listening, watching, reading, discussion and pondering time today and over coming weeks.

    I see his Herald headline has it, "This will be a waffle budget, not a well being budget."

    Thanks Mike, I know I can rely on you for intelligent analysis. Is there somewhere I can contribute, a sort of paywallthinkingwallontoeverythingwall thing so I can acknowledge your contribution to my life and its style?

    Better than sliced bread, better than instant coffee and even betterer than really soft toilet tissue!

  4. millsy 4
    30 May 2019 at 9:40 am

    I wouldnt get too excited about the Budget if I were anyone around here. Its going to be a fizzer just like the last one. And that is without reading the spoilers.

    "Wellbeing" is just another meaningless buzzword, kinda like "Oppurtunity".

    • Rosemary McDonald 4.1
      30 May 2019 at 9:47 am

      I'm expecting "aspirational", "forward thinking" and "foundation".

      In other words….SSDD

      • Gabby 4.1.1
        30 May 2019 at 11:58 am

        Going forward Horeskin isn't top of mind but ennathaday he's probably right. Robbo seems comfortable with a bit of poverty among low types.

        • Rosemary McDonald 4.1.1.1
          30 May 2019 at 12:10 pm

          ….seems comfortable with a bit of poverty among low types.

          'Because, like, if the poor worked as hard as me they could drive a flash car….'

          Meritocracy Mike.

          • KJT 4.1.1.1.1
            31 May 2019 at 6:40 pm

            If Hosking was paid according to his effort and usefulness, he couldn't afford a bicycle.

    • greywarshark 4.2
      30 May 2019 at 10:15 am

      This is our song for now. The Beatles performance was a historic occasion.

      So is this one for NZs. Don't talk it down anyone, look for the positives. National want to shoot it down. Don't let us on the left be sitting ducks.

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCtzkaL2t_Y

    • The Chairman 4.3
      30 May 2019 at 10:44 am

      @millsy (at 4)

      I’m expecting it will be another failure to deliver, with the Government falling short as usual.

  5. The Chairman 5
    30 May 2019 at 10:07 am

    Robertson says he is "very disappointed" with Treasury but doesn't call for resignation nor did he offer his.

    I'm guessing Jacinda backs him.

    Should Peters step down for his performance in this?

    • Rosemary McDonald 5.1
      30 May 2019 at 10:20 am

      Should Peters step down for his performance in this?

      Well, he most certainly got out his biggest spoon and gave the pot a good old stir.

      Can find it on Stuff, but Anne quoted on Daily Review….

      "From the Stuff ‘live’ news site. (A pity you didn't provide a link Anne)

      Winston Peters’ take on the hacking scandal. Reckon he’s right on the money:

      Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters, is claiming he knows how National got the ‘leaked’ documents but not revealing details.

      He told reporters what they were saying was wrong – the facts were different.

      “Are you saying the cleaner got hold of stuff, I don’t think so … the facts are different to that. The facts are very, very bad for the National party.”

      “The information came to them in circumstances where the behaviour was totally illegal and they should have known it. That’s all I can say right now … it’s my job to know.”

      He said Bridges was being “thoroughly unethical” and cashed in on the material.

      “He has been found out and made a right fool of himself.”

      Bridges should have called up Minister of Finance Grant Robertson to warn him about the documents and tell him something untoward was going on, Peters said.

      “He’s [Bridges] gone-burger now because of this. He had a chance to show that he had ethical views, that he was fit to be a leader …”

      He had no doubt the police would investigate.

      https://thestandard.org.nz/daily-review-29-05-2019/#comment-1622405"

      I reckon he may have stirred so enthusiastically a little slopped over onto the stove top. Going to be a bugger to get the burnt bits off.

      Never mind….I'll bet the lollies in the Budget will be of comfort.

      • The Chairman 5.1.1
        30 May 2019 at 10:38 am

        Well, he most certainly got out his biggest spoon and gave the pot a good old stir

        He did indeed, Rosemary. And you're right, the burnt bits will be hard to get off.

        As Winston said, it's his job to know and it is now evident his assertion (re how National obtained the info) was an outright lie.

      • Anne 5.1.2
        30 May 2019 at 11:01 am

        I reckon he may have stirred so enthusiastically a little slopped over onto the stove top.

        I readily concede he did.

        Sorry about no link. Was tired at end of a busy day.

        Btw. Thanks for lols @ 4.1
        Think I might make a list of all the cliches this arvo.

        • Rosemary McDonald 5.1.2.1
          30 May 2019 at 1:56 pm

          The only worry about you not putting the link up last night is that now I can't find it…maybe lost in the live steam thingy?

      • Shadrach 5.1.3
        30 May 2019 at 12:41 pm

        “The information came to them in circumstances where the behaviour was totally illegal and they should have known it. That’s all I can say right now … it’s my job to know.”

        But he didn't know, did he? Egg all over his face now.

      • gsays 5.1.4
        30 May 2019 at 2:53 pm

        You are forgetting the burnt bits are only a hassle when there is no Teflon involved…

  6. mosa 6
    30 May 2019 at 10:15 am

    When health and safety is so strictly enforced in most work places why do we not enforce it on our roads with sensible sentences for those who kill or maim ?

    I can now understand why there are so many fatal accidents every day that we read about in the news – because no one is taking this seriously," she said.

    Sia Mosaferi lost her two young boys who were killed in the back seat of their car by a truck driver who did not stop.

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/checkpoint/audio/2018697328/it-s-made-the-pain-all-so-much-worse

    • gsays 6.1
      30 May 2019 at 2:58 pm

      It would be appropriate (and novel) if those at the top of the chain: directors, CEO 's etc, were in the dock too, if it can be demonstrated they allowed 'unreasonable' pressure come to bear on the poorly renumerated driver.

    • Gabby 6.2
      30 May 2019 at 6:49 pm

      We're not blessed with a high quality judiciary.

  7. greywarshark 7
    30 May 2019 at 10:29 am

    Education – it is the advisors, head stuffed with inadequate precepts and administrative strictures, and the politicians with no clear idea of what its for or its uses to everyone, that need re-educating. We would like something different than the way it happened in China. They had to turn themselves around, so do we. But in a kind and practical way with outcomes of people who can think widely and not seize some policy being done 'overseas' in a bigger country.

    Now we have special needs teachers telling us the present provision doesn't match up to the vaunted possibilities and ideals. The meat in the sandwich is potted fishy paste. When someone suffers permanent nerve damage because the education system turns special needs classes into a sort of ultimate fight arena, unmatched volunteers of 6 foot and 5 foot; it wouldn't be allowed if it was animal animals but when it is human animals yes the Department has said that's okay, get on with it.

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/390860/special-needs-teacher-suffers-permanent-damage-after-incident

    She said she had been left with permanent nerve damage after a 15-year-old with severe autism punched her in the back last October.

    "He came up behind me, raised his arm – he's six-foot tall, I'm five-foot-one and a bit; dropped his arm into the centre of my back; I face-planted into the desk with horrific pain and the outcome is permanent nerve-damage now from the impact of the punch."

    The attack happened last October and she was still having physiotherapy, Mrs Dickson said.

    But it's not the first time she has been injured by an agitated student.

    "Eighteen months ago, another (severely) autistic child lost the plot a little bit; he was over-sensitised in the room, lost it and just started punching and kicking me and just managed to get me on the side, dislocated my knee-cap and put me on crutches."

    Another of her students is a child who is non-verbal and used a wheelchair, who had seizures up to 50 times a day, sometimes requiring an ambulance.

    "She's at school for 32 hours a week and she gets 18 hours of teacher-aid funding, and the ministry say it's OK for her to be in my classroom with me, with two high-needs autistic boys that can kick off, and at times I have to deal with all that with no teacher aid. "

    She said special education students needed more teacher-aid hours, and better-designed classrooms to keep them calm and teachers and students safe.

  8. adam 8
    30 May 2019 at 10:32 am

    I see business as usual for the beige revolution – selling out Aucklanders asap.

    https://www.waateanews.com/waateanews/x_news/MjE4MzI/National%20News/Stop-Panuku-%E2%80%9Cfire-sale%E2%80%9D

    Thank goodness there is a mayoral race on, otherwise the old boys network would have done this dirty deal already.

    • greywarshark 8.1
      30 May 2019 at 10:53 am

      This is what adam’s above link is about – and basically it is about government delegating its authority as the people's representatives to unaccountable yoiks and pirates who are selling up the people's assets to people they feel a deep closeness to, united by recognising their type by the $ signs in others' eyeballs.

      Auckland mayoral candidate John Tamihere is supporting a move by Councillor Mike Lee to halt the sale of the primely located 18 storey Civic Administration Building in Aotea Square until a complete commercial report is publicly tabled and discussed by elected council members.

      Lee, Waitemata ward Councillor, has tabled a Notice of Motion at today’s governing body meeting demanding the council suspend any sale or transfer of ownership of the building. Lee wants a full report made public of any commercial details of the proposed transaction, including price and how heritage concerns of the listed building are resolved before full council discussion.

      Tamihere said the cloak and dagger approach by Panuku – the council’s property arm – is a disgrace and as Mayor, he will ensure Council Controlled Organisations are more transparent.

  9. greywarshark 9
    30 May 2019 at 11:04 am

    This is another bad look on Wellbeing Budget day. How could the Housing Minister not be on top of this sort of thing. Everyone in Labour Coalition should know that the civil service isn't; the managers have been generically trained in best practice for shuffling people to the sidelines out of the way of their grand schemes. (The Arthur Dent method.)

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/first-up/audio/2018697388/wellbeing-budget-tamaki-residents-don-t-have-time-to-wait-for-discussion-debate-and-promises

    The students said their families were forced to pay more for private rentals in South Auckland on top of extra costs for travel and they're families are now struggling even more than they were before.

    National's Simon O'Connor, the MP for Tamaki, is urging families who have been forced out of his electorate due to housing redevelopment to come to him, saying they shouldn't have been forced out.
    .

    .South Auckland people have been stuck with private rentals, a housing problem for poor people shifted away after spending a generation in their locale and community. But it's a mistake says Housing NZ boss; (it was a wrong move on the chess board, perhaps the pawns can move back).

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/112513739/councillor-says-families-misadvised-over-moving-home-by-housing-new-zealand

    About 365 state-owned homes in the Auckland suburb of Oranga are being converted into a mix of 1000 affordable dwellings, homes for sale and social housing.

    Maungakiekie-Tāmaki ward councillor Josephine Bartley said families living in Oranga Housing New Zealand homes were recently given 90-day eviction notices and were told they could not stay in the area….

    Telling families they had to leave the area went "against [HNZ's] public commitment", Bartley said.

    She was later told by HNZ chief executive Andrew McKenzie there had been a "staff mistake and they are re-training their staff to help families stay in this area", Bartley said.

    • Muttonbird 9.1
      30 May 2019 at 11:55 am

      National's Simon O'Connor, the MP for Tamaki, is urging families who have been forced out of his electorate due to housing redevelopment to come to him, saying they shouldn't have been forced out.

      🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣

    • OnceWasTim 9.2
      30 May 2019 at 5:09 pm

      "Everyone in Labour Coalition should know that the civil service isn't; the managers have been generically trained in best practice for shuffling people to the sidelines out of the way of their grand schemes. (The Arthur Dent method.)"

      It's something I've been wondering about for quite a while @grey. We're talking about the Senior and Muddle management of course, and NOT the little peons at the coalface usually, although there are one or two in the lower ranks that should be in uniform.

      About the only thing I've ever agreed with Mathew Hooter over is the comments he made once on RNZ N2N – they have a vested interest in preserving the status quo. From memory it was with regard to MBIE's Post Election Briefing.

      I continue to wonder whether some Ministers aren't that good a judge of character, or whether they're just masochists.

      One down though (James Casson), hopefully a few more to follow

  10. Professor Longhair 10
    30 May 2019 at 11:40 am

    Try not to vomit



    • greywarshark 10.1
      30 May 2019 at 1:26 pm

      Blair is talking a lot about being honest and dealing with people's real concerns. He sounds so wise. Pity that he didn't take the whole Dorian Gray package. He kept his mindset but didn't take up the facial option. If he still looked fresh, young and relatively innocent (or simple) people might be able to overlook his malpractices and believe his utterings. But he is aged and now is just an ageing would-be statesman, who isn't sure what state he's in. But he sounds confident and knowledgable and with integrity, and BY God, wealthy men like integrity and are willing to buy it.

      • Incognito 10.1.1
        30 May 2019 at 11:04 pm

        But he sounds confident and knowledgable and with integrity, and BY God, wealthy men like integrity and are willing to buy it.

        One can sound confident and knowledgable and with integrity and still end up on the wrong side of history.

  11. Gabby 11
    30 May 2019 at 12:10 pm

    Can't imagine Tone would be entirely on board with the prospect of BlobbyJobby having to front up in court and account for his 350m per week lies. What's the world coming to when you have to be truthful?

  12. The Chairman 12
    30 May 2019 at 12:10 pm

    What are you going to do Grant Robertson, defamation case or stand down?

    'Vicious and orchestrated' attempt by Grant Robertson to gag Opposition – Matthew Hooton

    https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2019/05/vicious-and-orchestrated-attempt-by-grant-robertson-to-gag-opposition-matthew-hooton.html

    • Muttonbird 12.1
      30 May 2019 at 12:15 pm

      Option 3: Ignore

      Pretty safe to ignore Matthew Hooton, I think.

      • The Chairman 12.1.1
        30 May 2019 at 12:20 pm

        Ignoring it will merely confirm (in the general public's eye) the negative perception being painted.

        • Muttonbird 12.1.1.1
          30 May 2019 at 12:24 pm

          Nah. People recognise Matthew Hooton as a shrill Nimby agitator. A RWNJ, and he has described that beautifully today.

          No-one listens to him.

          • The Chairman 12.1.1.1.1
            30 May 2019 at 12:32 pm

            Nah. People recognise Matthew Hooton as a shrill Nimby agitator.

            Perhaps on here, but he's generally accepted out in the real world.

            And I'm guessing he won't be the only one beating this drum. Grant is going to have to make a move, or Jacinda may have to do it for him.

            • Muttonbird 12.1.1.1.1.1
              30 May 2019 at 3:16 pm

              I think you are over-estimating Hooton's reach. Or, perhaps he does resonate in the circles you move in..?

          • I feel love 12.1.1.1.2
            30 May 2019 at 2:50 pm

            "ignore" – pretty much.

        • Sam 12.1.1.2
          30 May 2019 at 12:28 pm

          Guys, please. It's not all doom and gloom. Robertson is on track to average 3% growth, 4% unemployment, 20% debt. Wtf??? That's good as. The dollars doing well against the U.S as everyone else is talking about China vs America. The only ones that care about there tiny whinny little mounds of paper is Simon bridges. Iv had traffic fines more serious that I just toor up and threw in the bin.

          • The Chairman 12.1.1.2.1
            30 May 2019 at 12:37 pm

            Robertson is on track to average 3% growth, 4% unemployment, 20% debt

            Yet, as a Nation we struggle to feed and house the poor and sufficiently care for the ill and well being of many.

            • Sam 12.1.1.2.1.1
              30 May 2019 at 12:51 pm

              Mmhmm. So let's not let Simons little bit of paper over shadow the big picture. For 20 years the mantra of finance ministers has been a little bit of pain for some gains. Today's budget has a lot to deliver over the next 12 months.

              • The Chairman …
                30 May 2019 at 1:06 pm

                We can discuss the Budget once it has been released. In the meantime, people are wondering who's heads will roll?

                Will Jacinda show leadership and demand accountability before the public start demanding it of her?

                • The Al1en …
                  30 May 2019 at 1:10 pm

                  No one apart from nats are demanding heads.

                  No one apart from nats are demanding accountability off the PM.

                  No one apart from nats are pushing the issue on The Standard.

                  • The Chairman …
                    30 May 2019 at 1:22 pm

                    Total rubbish. And I have proven all three in this thread discussion.

                    Now you are resorting to lying.

                • Sam …
                  30 May 2019 at 1:20 pm

                  @Chairman

                  You're asking a guy who once imagined a proposal to disband WINZ so to bring in a UBI. Ask away. I'd demote the head of treasury straight out. Robertson didn't stab anyone in the back so nothing really to get upset at him. I'd much prefer Jacinda seek her revenge like any other independent woman would – by succeeding.

                  • The Chairman …
                    30 May 2019 at 1:46 pm

                    I support a UBI as a structure for our so-called safety net, making benefits similar to obtaining a pension at a similar or above (for those deemed more in need) rate.

                    At this stage their is no concrete evidence Robertson knew the so-called hack was merely the constant use of a search feature, but it is highly unlikely he wasn't informed being in his position. Moreover, we know he overreached when he inferred National was in possession of hacked material. Further suggesting he was in on painting this as a hack. Making him a liability. Jacinda can't afford to have the mess laying around her, thus needs to show leadership and tidy it up.

                    • Sam …
                      30 May 2019 at 2:21 pm

                      Robertson increased the governments operating expenditure by 3.2 billion that's on top of last years 2 billion increase. Think of all that money and opportunities to grab some. Robertson ain't going no where.

                    • The Chairman …
                      30 May 2019 at 2:34 pm

                      Robertson ain't going no where.

                      Does Labour want to keep him around for a bullseye? Can they handle the barrage he will attract. There will be further questions on how dirty are his hands.

                      Robertson increased the governments operating expenditure by 3.2 billion that's on top of last years 2 billion increase.

                      Can't see that being enough to address our many urgent needs.

                    • Sam …
                      30 May 2019 at 6:25 pm

                      The greater the need the greater the work ethic. So like, you'd reform taxes, okay that should be done. New Zealand is a small to medium sized business haven anyway so all those guys you despise can go into a gulag. Oops did I say that?

    • The Chairman 12.2
      30 May 2019 at 12:17 pm

      With this negative perception now being painted in the public domain, it looks like Robertson is now becoming a liability, what will Jacinda do?

    • The Al1en 12.3
      30 May 2019 at 12:26 pm

      Jizz proof shorts – Check.

      All good to go for another day of playing at concerted effort to undermine the government.

      🙄

      • The Chairman 12.3.1
        30 May 2019 at 12:41 pm

        The Government undermined themselves.

        And are further undermining themselves by doing little to correct it.

        And the perception is not looking good. For example, this is what Martyn Bradbury says, if Grant doesn’t sack someone immediately from Treasury, Jacinda should sack Grant.

        And this is from a left leaning commentator.

        • The Al1en 12.3.1.1
          30 May 2019 at 12:45 pm

          In your and Hooton's opinion.

          • The Chairman 12.3.1.1.1
            30 May 2019 at 12:54 pm

            After what has been revealed, I'm positive plenty more will agree.

            Couple this with the let down I'm sure the Budget will produce, come the end of the day, it's not going to be a good day for Labour.

            The Budget is of their own doing and they should have owned this mishap re the Budget info from day one.

            • The Al1en 12.3.1.1.1.1
              30 May 2019 at 1:01 pm

              Maybe nat voters, a few nat party hacks in the press, perhaps even a tv presenter or two, but no left wingers – Well, not real left wingers anyway.

              Again, you're not fooling anyone here in what you're up to with a clear and obvious anti government, anti left agenda. 100% fake concern troll.

              No free dentist visits or doubling of the benefit in this budget. You're gonna need more vitamin e, stat.

              • The Chairman …
                30 May 2019 at 1:18 pm

                Maybe nat voters, a few nat party hacks in the press, perhaps even a tv presenter or two,

                See that's plenty more just there and I've already shown the comments of one left leaner. Thus, I'm confident there will be more. Only the one eyed left will have trouble seeing it for what it was/is.

                And course when you and others have no argument you roll out the old fake concern troll crap.

                As for your assertion there will be no free dentist visits or doubling of the benefit in this budget, as I said before, it is expected to be a let down, thus fall short.

                • The Al1en …
                  30 May 2019 at 1:25 pm

                  Yeah, the amount and content of your anti govt comments dictate it's not a crap accusation.

                  You can't kid a kidder, Kiddo. Really, you can't.

                  My prediction for the budget – You'll make dozens of post slagging the government, labour and the green party.

                  • marty mars …
                    30 May 2019 at 1:45 pm

                    Yep the marechin will have got a brand new 3 pack of ankle socks for this occasion – gonna be a looong night.

                  • The Chairman …
                    30 May 2019 at 1:56 pm

                    The amount and content of my anti govt comments dictates how badly our government is performing. So your accusation is still crap and you continue to state it cause plainly you still have no argument.

      • McFlock 12.3.2
        30 May 2019 at 2:43 pm

        hah

  13. Jimmy 13
    30 May 2019 at 12:39 pm

    Mallard will be pleased about all this budget leak / hacking news as everyone has forgotten he accused a person of rape

  14. Muttonbird 14
    30 May 2019 at 1:24 pm

    Fascinating story behind the cover shot of the Wellbeing Budget.

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12235798

    • Puckish Rogue 14.1
      30 May 2019 at 3:00 pm

      "I would vote Greens because I'm a bit of gypsy and I don't get into what's going on."

      I'm sure shes representative of a lot of Green voters 🙂

      • Muttonbird 14.1.1
        30 May 2019 at 3:17 pm

        Single issue voter? Nothing wrong with that.

        Perhaps you’d like people to pass a test before becoming eligible for the electoral roll?

        • Puckish Rogue 14.1.1.1
          30 May 2019 at 3:19 pm

          Shes probably a very nice person but in the interview shes comes across as a bit of a dingbat

          • Muttonbird 14.1.1.1.1
            30 May 2019 at 3:20 pm

            I wonder what people make of you, a prison guard.

            • Puckish Rogue 14.1.1.1.1.1
              30 May 2019 at 3:24 pm

              I'm sorry I don't know what a prison guard is as there is no such thing as a prison guard in NZ

              There are Corrections Officers though 🙂

              • Muttonbird …
                30 May 2019 at 3:34 pm

                Whatever makes you feel better. 😆

                • Puckish Rogue …
                  30 May 2019 at 3:42 pm

                  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corrections_Association_of_New_Zealand

                  3000 of my brothers and sisters watching each others backs while we look after the people let down, and sentenced, by society is what makes me feel better

                  • Muttonbird …
                    30 May 2019 at 3:59 pm

                    Oops, sorry if I offended you.

                    😂

                    • Puckish Rogue …
                      30 May 2019 at 4:05 pm

                      I don't mind taking any opportunity to point out that I have chosen to take on a role that most people couldn't, or wouldn't, be able to handle

                      Yourself included

                    • Muttonbird …
                      30 May 2019 at 4:06 pm

                      How could you possibly know that?

                    • McFlock …
                      30 May 2019 at 4:09 pm

                      You say that, but then most people couldn't manage to stay awake in a 45 minute meeting where the topic of debate was which circumstances required writers to use an em-dash, a hyphen, or an en-dash, respectively. Feel my pain.

                    • Puckish Rogue …
                      30 May 2019 at 4:14 pm

                      Hey don't get me wrong, its not a bad thing you just don't seem the type to be able to handle the pressure,

                      If I am wrong and you think you can handle it then think about applying

                      https://corrections.nga.net.nz/cp/index.cfm?event=jobs.listJobs&jobListid=9C635771-AA94-5ACC-5AB1-9AFBFE2CE8C2

                      Plenty of roles available all over the country especially in Auckland, Waikato and Canterbury

                    • gsays []
                      30 May 2019 at 4:30 pm

                      Hey PR, I am keen to know what you reckon the top three attributes/skills of a good corrections officer are.

                    • Puckish Rogue …
                      30 May 2019 at 4:16 pm

                      Thats true McFlock and I do feel your pain 🙂

                    • Muttonbird …
                      30 May 2019 at 4:28 pm

                      I'd make a fine Prison Guard.

                      🔓🔒

                      See, easy!

                    • Puckish Rogue …
                      30 May 2019 at 4:55 pm

                      To gsays thats a very good question, I don't know how accurate this will be but at the moment:

                      I think the most important attribute is the ability to keep your cool and not panic when the pressure goes on (might be two different attributes in hindsight) like its one thing to think you can handle it but its another when you have a heavily tattooed gangster in your face threatening/yelling at you

                      If you're attacked by a prisoner the prisoner may get extra time added to their sentence, may get sent to maximum security, may lose privileges but if a CO is found to have attacked a prisoner, no matter the provocation, then you'll find yourself in court and, if found guilty, lose your job, probably go to prison and find it harder to find a new job once out so the repercussions are much worse for a CO

                      Another useful attribute is being able to "go with the flow" in that in Corrections its rare when things go to plan because you're with people, the very worst people this country has so while we have schedules and such like things can and do change rapidly so if you like having a set schedule and knowing what will happen at any given time then you probably won't find Corrections a good fit

                      Next up would be a good memory because Corrections still seems to be stuck in the "throw them in deep end" mode of training people. By this I mean you will be given roles where you haven't had any specific training in or given a hand over or indeed any explanation of what to actually do and you'll be expected to do it so you'll have to ask around of what to do so being able to remember what people tell you would be very advantageous (I wish I was making this up)

                      The ability to "let it go" would be a fantastic attribute as well, the things you'll hear, the things people will say to you directly, the frustration, the fear, the adrenaline and everything else that builds up over a day is huge so being able to "shake it off" when it happens or when your shifts over would be very helpful

                      Good question

                    • The Al1en …
                      30 May 2019 at 6:02 pm

                      I don't mind taking any opportunity to point out that I have chosen to take on a role that most people couldn't, or wouldn't, be able to handle

                      So on par with septic tank cleaners. Thanks.

                    • McFlock …
                      30 May 2019 at 6:14 pm

                      I always found "letting it go" (which helps avoid attacking people, too) was pretty simple as a bouncer. All that abuse was just irrelevant to me, because they would have aimed it at anyone who was dealing with them.

                      The two big differences in prisons are the highly structured environment and the ability for the prisoners to observe/connect with their COs over extended periods of time and find the chinks in the emotional armour, e.g. young kids or cancer or whatever.

                    • Puckish Rogue …
                      30 May 2019 at 6:25 pm

                      To McFlock

                      Prisoners are generally, by their very nature, manipulative and self-centered so yeah 'getting got' is a big thing but fortunately you just have to remember that they're in prison for a reason

                      Andy Dufresne is fictional for a reason

                  • Sabine …
                    30 May 2019 at 4:38 pm

                    so sad that locking people up makes you feel better.

                    The money wasted on the prison walls, your 'brothers and sisters' and people like Judith – Crusher of one car, would be better spend in prevention of crime rather.

                    Mind to an extend you and all your brothers and sister jailers are equally locked up. You just get to go home at the end of the shift.

              • Sabine …
                30 May 2019 at 4:35 pm

                well…………
                A corrections officer is an officer responsible for the custody, safety, security, and supervision of inmates in a prison or any other correctional facility. Traditionally, terms such as jailer, jail guard, prison guard, and turnkey were used to refer to a corrections officer.

                never mind, i am sure Judith likes a man in uniform. 🙂 irrespective of the uniform.

                • Puckish Rogue …
                  30 May 2019 at 5:02 pm

                  https://www.correctionsone.com/careers/articles/180412187-Why-COs-hate-being-called-guard/

                  I do need to point out I don't hate being called a guard because the person saying it is most likely is saying it out of ignorance rather than malice

                  • joe90 …
                    30 May 2019 at 5:21 pm

                    You're a screw/screw cunt/fucking screw.

                    • Puckish Rogue …
                      30 May 2019 at 5:23 pm

                      Still am according to some prisoners

                    • joe90 …
                      30 May 2019 at 5:27 pm

                      Is the F/O still a thing?

                    • Puckish Rogue …
                      30 May 2019 at 5:28 pm

                      Whats F/O?

                    • joe90 …
                      30 May 2019 at 6:03 pm

                      First Officer.

                      Back in the day when being a Prison Officer was akin to being in the services, P/Os held rank and went on parade for inspection, management was a quasi officer class, the F/O was akin to an RSM and ruled the roost. F/Os were directly answerable to the Superintendent and were both an inmate's best friend and worst enemy and responsible for all boob discipline. They were fucking martinets and any P/O who ran afoul of the F/O was in deep shit, too.

                    • Puckish Rogue …
                      30 May 2019 at 6:16 pm

                      Now called PCO (principle corrections officer)

                  • fender …
                    30 May 2019 at 6:36 pm

                    There are good and bad Corrections Officers. I'd like to think you are a good one, but your unwavering support for that nasty woman Collins who has an unpleasant punitive attitude towards prisoners causes me to have doubt.

                  • gsays …
                    30 May 2019 at 6:52 pm

                    Chur for up thread.

                    I&#039’d imagine having each other'(?)s back would be big part of the role.

                  • Sabine …
                    30 May 2019 at 7:32 pm

                    you might call yourself as you wish, but at the end of the day no matter how much sugar coating you want to use to make it palatable you are a prisoners guard.

                    You guard people that are locked up. You are a turn key. You keep people locked up in cells, and you open the cells for recreation or something. In fact, the saddest thing about our society is that people like you have that job in the first place. If our society would do its job right we would not need you in the numbers that we obviously have atm. But then i guess for profit prisons need the beds occupied……:) or else there is no profit? right?

                    nothing to do with ignorance, just a different term. And frankly, if the guys and girls hate it so much they could get a different job, right? Free market and such.

                    But you are no officer of anything, you are a prison guard. Heck, according to the Corrections absolutely anyone who can sign on the dotted line can be a jailer. https://www.corrections.govt.nz/careers/types_of_careers/offender_facing_roles/corrections_officer2.html

                    • Puckish Rogue …
                      30 May 2019 at 8:24 pm

                      I might have this wrong but you either seem to be looking for a reaction or you seem to be trying to convince yourself of what you're saying or maybe you just want to get something off your chest

                      I am proud to be a Corrections Officer, I'm proud to be doing a job that contributes to NZ, I'm proud of being part of a group that, mostly, runs towards danger rather than away from, metaphorically but also physically, that I've found a way to use the experiences in my life to, in some small way, correct (hence the name) someones negative behaviour

                      I understand that some people don't like the idea of prisons and therefore Corrections Officers, I get that people don't like the idea of people wearing uniforms and locking people away and curtailing freedom and I get that some people will think that can lead to abuse, I get all that

                      Nothing I say will change your mind about anything I'm sure but believe me when I say that if I could wave a magic wand and make prisons obsolete I would, I will celebrate the day I'm made redundant from Corrections because theres no more prisoners

                      I'll enjoy not having shift work, I'll enjoy not driving to work and then getting a text or phone call telling me I'm going to a different prison, I'll enjoy not being threatened, I'll enjoy my family not being threatened, I'll enjoy not having to worry if its my day to be assaulted at work and who knows there maybe a day when I call it quits but until that time comes there'll be a need for men and women like me to do what we do because someone has to do it (I will miss working with a great bunch of people)

                      Also before you start making assumptions you should check your facts, I don't work for Serco, I work for the Dept of Corrections so whatever your point was about prison profit it completely missed it

                    • mfinhamburg []
                      31 May 2019 at 5:19 am

                      Good on you PR.

                      Many years ago I spent 3 evenings at the old Mt Eden Prison interviewing CO’s as part of the switch over to Serco for the facility. I was, and remain, incredibly impressed by the dedication of these people to the well being and care of those who would more often than not literally stab them in the back with little or no reason. At other times I have been involved in physical works inside AWRCF (Wiri) and Pare, and have been close up to those that inhabit these places. I doubt I’d be brave enough to do your job, and am certain that none of the keyboard warriors here would last more than a day. Ironic really, as it’s their misguided and destructive social policies/ideology that ensure high levels of dangerous criminality in our society. It should be compulsory for all lefties to see close up what they do to human behaviour. Big ups to you.

                    • Puckish Rogue …
                      31 May 2019 at 9:17 am

                      Its more like I just had a vague idea of wanting to help, of wanting to help make NZ a better place (or at least leave no worse off after I'm gone) and looking at what I can do and am willing to do Corrections seems the best place for me

                      I mean I couldn't do what nurses do, to me thats a really tough job. I couldn't be a teacher (who wants to hang around kids all day) and I can't be arsed getting my fitness up to join the police but I can do this so I do it

                      Since you've already seen the worst Corrections has to offer I reckon you would be able to handle it

                      The shift work and rosters are a big pain in the butt though to be fair…

                    • Muttonbird …
                      31 May 2019 at 9:29 am

                      mfinhamburg. You started off ok, then just a massive train crash.

                      🤣

                    • Puckish Rogue …
                      31 May 2019 at 9:39 am

                      I thought some good points were made 🙂

                    • mauī …
                      31 May 2019 at 10:18 am

                      mfinhamburg – "It should be compulsory for all lefties to see close up what they do to human behaviour. "

                      Yes, just look at the marxist, communist USA for example. Huge crime rate… cause Bernie… or something.

  15. Eco maori 15
    31 May 2019 at 11:22 am

    Some Eco Maori music for the minute.

    https://youtu.be/DgGr_n4fgyI

  16. Eco maori 16
    31 May 2019 at 3:26 pm

    We must do more to help our Pacific cousins survive sea level rising cause by Global warming climate change the Papatuanuku owes them as they have not caused as much damage to our environment as the advanced economies of Papatuanuku have to be fair .

    Before, the sand used to stretch out far, and when we swam we could see the sea floor, and the coral. Now, it is cloudy all the time, and the coral is dead. Tuvalu is sinking.”

    “Tuvalu is sinking” is the local catch-all phrase for the effects of climate change on this tiny island archipelago on the frontline of global warming. A Polynesian country situated in Oceania, Tuvalu is no more than a speck in the Pacific ocean, midway between Hawaii and Australia.

    The fourth smallest nation in the world, Tuvalu is home to just 11,000 people, most of whom live on the largest island of Fongafale, where they are packed in and fighting for space. Tuvalu’s total land area accounts for less than 26 sq km.

    Already, two of Tuvalu’s nine islands are on the verge of going under, the government says, swallowed by sea-rise and coastal erosion. Most of the islands sit barely three metres above sea level, and at its narrowest point, Fongafale stretches just 20m across

    Children play near beach defences along the beach in the Funafuti lagoon

    During storms, waves batter the island from the east and the west, “swallowing” the country, in the words of the locals. Many say they have nightmares that the sea will soon gobble them up for good, and not just as a distant fear in their slumber – but by the next generation. Scientists predict Tuvalu could become uninhabitable in the next 50 to 100 years. Locals say they feel it could be much sooner Ka kite ano link below.

    https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/may/16/one-day-disappear-tuvalu-sinking-islands-rising-seas-climate-change

  17. Eco maori 17
    31 May 2019 at 4:58 pm

    I think it a bad joke fossil fuel being subsidized by the many tangata TAX dollars giving hundreds of billions to billionaire oil barons so they can mount propaganda campaigns to turn lies into their realities. The neanderthal are climate change deniers. They don't care about the 99. % of tangata wellbeing. It's all about the power and money first in there World.

    The head of the United Nations has reiterated his call to end fossil fuel subsidies after first spelling out the idea during his Pacific tour earlier this month.

    Antonio Guterres was speaking in Vienna at the world summit of the environmental group, the R20 Coalition

    Ka kite ano link below.

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/390964/un-head-calls-again-for-end-to-fossil-fuel-subsidies

  18. Eco maori 18
    31 May 2019 at 6:23 pm

    Kia ora Newshub.

    The snow looks heavy down the south island .

    There is a problem of bullies at some schools it not on tamariki being hit by their pears.

    That shows me how much trump likes to control things making requests to have the SSSMcain hidden to keep him happy.

    The Rantan 2 crew were lucky to be rescued. I seen a story about a billionaire super yacht dropping off a container ship and floating close to the surface lost to Tangaroa.

    Ka kite ano

  19. Eco maori 19
    31 May 2019 at 6:55 pm

    Kia ora te ao Maori news.

    shane its good investment in the region is well over due they have been forgotten for the last ten years.

    The wellbeing budget is awesome for the people but I agree totally immersion Maori language tamariki needed more.

    Papatuanuku smoke free day cool

    I say that's correct the East coast has higher rates of smoking than the rest of the motu that also tells me that East coast has higher poverty rates than the rest of the country that is sad because 20 years ago that was not the case.

    Cool Maori Radio station getting a extra million for content that will help tau toko te reo and Maori Culture

    Congratulations to Mrs King becoming a judge were needed all the tangata whenua we can get in the justice system to give the organization a way to respect tangata whenua ka kite ano

  20. Eco maori 20
    1 June 2019 at 4:25 pm

    Some Eco Maori music for the minute.

    https://youtu.be/h4DFXUndvbw

    I'm having the day off

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    Renting for life: Shared ownership initiatives are unlikely to slow the slide in home ownership by much. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:A Deloitte report for Westpac has projected Aotearoa’s home-ownership rate will ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Let's Win This

    You're broken down and tiredOf living life on a merry go roundAnd you can't find the fighterBut I see it in you so we gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsWe gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsAnd I'll rise upI'll rise like the dayI'll rise upI'll rise unafraidI'll rise upAnd I'll ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Waimahara: The Singing Spirit of Water

    There’s been a change in Myers Park. Down the steps from St. Kevin’s Arcade, past the grassy slopes, the children’s playground, the benches and that goat statue, there has been a transformation. The underpass for Mayoral Drive has gone from a barren, grey, concrete tunnel, to a place that thrums ...
    Greater AucklandBy Connor Sharp
    4 days ago
  • A major milestone: Global climate pollution may have just peaked

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections Global society may have finally slammed on the brakes for climate-warming pollution released by human fossil fuel combustion. According to the Carbon Monitor Project, the total global climate pollution released between February and May 2024 declined slightly from the amount released during the same ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Tuesday, July 23 are:Deep Dive: Penlink: where tolling rhetoric meets reality BusinessDesk-$$$’s Oliver LewisScoop: Te Pūkenga plans for regional polytechs leak out ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Tuesday, July 23, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Health: Shane Reti announced the Board of Te Whatu Ora- Health New Zealand was being replaced with Commissioner Lester Levy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • HealthNZ and Luxon at cross purposes over budget blowout

    Health NZ warned the Government at the end of March that it was running over Budget. But the reasons it gave were very different to those offered by the Prime Minister yesterday. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon blamed the “botched merger” of the 20 District Health Boards (DHBs) to create Health ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • 2500-3000 more healthcare staff expected to be fired, as Shane Reti blames Labour for a budget defic...

    Long ReadKey Summary: Although National increased the health budget by $1.4 billion in May, they used an old funding model to project health system costs, and never bothered to update their pre-election numbers. They were told during the Health Select Committees earlier in the year their budget amount was deficient, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    4 days ago
  • Might Kamala Harris be about to get a 'stardust' moment like Jacinda Ardern?

    As a momentous, historic weekend in US politics unfolded, analysts and commentators grasped for precedents and comparisons to help explain the significance and power of the choice Joe Biden had made. The 46th president had swept the Democratic party’s primaries but just over 100 days from the election had chosen ...
    PunditBy Tim Watkin
    5 days ago
  • Solutions Interview: Steven Hail on MMT & ecological economics

    TL;DR: I’m casting around for new ideas and ways of thinking about Aotearoa’s political economy to find a few solutions to our cascading and self-reinforcing housing, poverty and climate crises.Associate Professor runs an online masters degree in the economics of sustainability at Torrens University in Australia and is organising ...
    The KakaBy Steven Hail
    5 days ago
  • Reported back

    The Finance and Expenditure Committee has reported back on National's Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Bill. The bill sets up water for privatisation, and was introduced under urgency, then rammed through select committee with no time even for local councils to make a proper submission. Naturally, national's select committee ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Vandrad the Viking, Christopher Coombes, and Literary Archaeology

    Some years ago, I bought a book at Dunedin’s Regent Booksale for $1.50. As one does. Vandrad the Viking (1898), by J. Storer Clouston, is an obscure book these days – I cannot find a proper online review – but soon it was sitting on my shelf, gathering dust alongside ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell On The Biden Withdrawal

    History is not on the side of the centre-left, when Democratic presidents fall behind in the polls and choose not to run for re-election. On both previous occasions in the past 75 years (Harry Truman in 1952, Lyndon Johnson in 1968) the Democrats proceeded to then lose the White House ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    5 days ago
  • Joe Biden's withdrawal puts the spotlight back on Kamala and the USA's complicated relatio...

    This is a free articleCoverageThis morning, US President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the Presidential race. And that is genuinely newsworthy. Thanks for your service, President Biden, and all the best to you and yours.However, the media in New Zealand, particularly the 1News nightly bulletin, has been breathlessly covering ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    5 days ago
  • Why we have to challenge our national fiscal assumptions

    A homeless person’s camp beside a blocked-off slipped damage walkway in Freeman’s Bay: we are chasing our tail on our worsening and inter-related housing, poverty and climate crises. Photo: Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Existential Crisis and Damaged Brains

    What has happened to it all?Crazy, some'd sayWhere is the life that I recognise?(Gone away)But I won't cry for yesterdayThere's an ordinary worldSomehow I have to findAnd as I try to make my wayTo the ordinary worldYesterday morning began as many others - what to write about today? I began ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • A speed limit is not a target, and yet…

    This is a guest post from longtime supporter Mr Plod, whose previous contributions include a proposal that Hamilton become New Zealand’s capital city, and that we should switch which side of the road we drive on. A recent Newsroom article, “Back to school for the Govt’s new speed limit policy“, ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Monday, July 22 are:Today’s Must Read: Father and son live in a tent, and have done for four years, in a million ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Monday, July 22, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:US President Joe Biden announced via X this morning he would not stand for a second term.Multinational professional services firm ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #29

    A listing of 32 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, July 14, 2024 thru Sat, July 20, 2024. Story of the week As reflected by preponderance of coverage, our Story of the Week is Project 2025. Until now traveling ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago
  • I'd like to share what I did this weekend

    This weekend, a friend pointed out someone who said they’d like to read my posts, but didn’t want to pay. And my first reaction was sympathy.I’ve already told folks that if they can’t comfortably subscribe, and would like to read, I’d be happy to offer free subscriptions. I don’t want ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • For the children – Why mere sentiment can be a misleading force in our lives, and lead to unex...

    National: The Party of ‘Law and Order’ IntroductionThis weekend, the Government formally kicked off one of their flagship policy programs: a military style boot camp that New Zealand has experimented with over the past 50 years. Cartoon credit: Guy BodyIt’s very popular with the National Party’s Law and Order image, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • A friend in uncertain times

    Day one of the solo leg of my long journey home begins with my favourite sound: footfalls in an empty street. 5.00 am and it’s already light and already too warm, almost.If I can make the train that leaves Budapest later this hour I could be in Belgrade by nightfall; ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • The Chaotic World of Male Diet Influencers

    Hi,We’ll get to the horrific world of male diet influencers (AKA Beefy Boys) shortly, but first you will be glad to know that since I sent out the Webworm explaining why the assassination attempt on Donald Trump was not a false flag operation, I’ve heard from a load of people ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • It's Starting To Look A Lot Like… Y2K

    Do you remember Y2K, the threat that hung over humanity in the closing days of the twentieth century? Horror scenarios of planes falling from the sky, electronic payments failing and ATMs refusing to dispense cash. As for your VCR following instructions and recording your favourite show - forget about it.All ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Bernard’s Saturday Soliloquy for the week to July 20

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts being questioned by The Kākā’s Bernard Hickey.TL;DR: My top six things to note around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the week to July 20 were:1. A strategy that fails Zero Carbon Act & Paris targetsThe National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government finally unveiled ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Pharmac Director, Climate Change Commissioner, Health NZ Directors – The latest to quit this m...

    Summary:As New Zealand loses at least 12 leaders in the public service space of health, climate, and pharmaceuticals, this month alone, directly in response to the Government’s policies and budget choices, what lies ahead may be darker than it appears. Tui examines some of those departures and draws a long ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 week ago
  • Flooding Housing Policy

    The Minister of Housing’s ambition is to reduce markedly the ratio of house prices to household incomes. If his strategy works it would transform the housing market, dramatically changing the prospects of housing as an investment.Leaving aside the Minister’s metaphor of ‘flooding the market’ I do not see how the ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    1 week ago
  • A Voyage Among the Vandals: Accepted (Again!)

    As previously noted, my historical fantasy piece, set in the fifth-century Mediterranean, was accepted for a Pirate Horror anthology, only for the anthology to later fall through. But in a good bit of news, it turned out that the story could indeed be re-marketed as sword and sorcery. As of ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā's Chorus for Friday, July 19

    An employee of tobacco company Philip Morris International demonstrates a heated tobacco device. Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy on Friday, July 19 are:At a time when the Coalition Government is cutting spending on health, infrastructure, education, housing ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 8:30 am on Friday, July 19 are:Scoop: NZ First Minister Casey Costello orders 50% cut to excise tax on heated tobacco products. The minister has ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Roundup 19-July-2024

    Kia ora, it’s time for another Friday roundup, in which we pull together some of the links and stories that caught our eye this week. Feel free to add more in the comments! Our header image this week shows a foggy day in Auckland town, captured by Patrick Reynolds. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Climate Wrap: A market-led plan for failure

    TL;DR : Here’s the top six items climate news for Aotearoa this week, as selected by Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent Cathrine Dyer. A discussion recorded yesterday is in the video above and the audio of that sent onto the podcast feed.The Government released its draft Emissions Reduction ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Tobacco First

    Save some money, get rich and old, bring it back to Tobacco Road.Bring that dynamite and a crane, blow it up, start all over again.Roll up. Roll up. Or tailor made, if you prefer...Whether you’re selling ciggies, digging for gold, catching dolphins in your nets, or encouraging folks to flutter ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Trump’s Adopted Son.

    Waiting In The Wings: For truly, if Trump is America’s un-assassinated Caesar, then J.D. Vance is America’s Octavian, the Republic’s youthful undertaker – and its first Emperor.DONALD TRUMP’S SELECTION of James D. Vance as his running-mate bodes ill for the American republic. A fervent supporter of Viktor Orban, the “illiberal” prime ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 19, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:The PSA announced the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) had ruled in the PSA’s favour in its case against the Ministry ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago

  • Joint statement from the Prime Ministers of Canada, Australia and New Zealand

    Australia, Canada and New Zealand today issued the following statement on the need for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and the risk of expanded conflict between Hizballah and Israel. The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The human suffering is unacceptable. It cannot continue.  We remain unequivocal in our condemnation of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago
  • AG reminds institutions of legal obligations

    Attorney-General Judith Collins today reminded all State and faith-based institutions of their legal obligation to preserve records relevant to the safety and wellbeing of those in its care. “The Abuse in Care Inquiry’s report has found cases where records of the most vulnerable people in State and faith‑based institutions were ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago
  • More young people learning about digital safety

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government’s online safety website for children and young people has reached one million page views.  “It is great to see so many young people and their families accessing the site Keep It Real Online to learn how to stay safe online, and manage ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago
  • Speech to the Conference for General Practice 2024

    Tēnā tātou katoa,  Ngā mihi te rangi, ngā mihi te whenua, ngā mihi ki a koutou, kia ora mai koutou. Thank you for the opportunity to be here and the invitation to speak at this 50th anniversary conference. I acknowledge all those who have gone before us and paved the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    24 hours ago
  • Employers and payroll providers ready for tax changes

    New Zealand’s payroll providers have successfully prepared to ensure 3.5 million individuals will, from Wednesday next week, be able to keep more of what they earn each pay, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Revenue Minister Simon Watts.  “The Government's tax policy changes are legally effective from Wednesday. Delivering this tax ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Experimental vineyard futureproofs wine industry

    An experimental vineyard which will help futureproof the wine sector has been opened in Blenheim by Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson. The covered vineyard, based at the New Zealand Wine Centre – Te Pokapū Wāina o Aotearoa, enables controlled environmental conditions. “The research that will be produced at the Experimental ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Funding confirmed for regions affected by North Island Weather Events

    The Coalition Government has confirmed the indicative regional breakdown of North Island Weather Event (NIWE) funding for state highway recovery projects funded through Budget 2024, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Regions in the North Island suffered extensive and devastating damage from Cyclone Gabrielle and the 2023 Auckland Anniversary Floods, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Indonesian Foreign Minister to visit

    Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi, will visit New Zealand next week, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.   “Indonesia is important to New Zealand’s security and economic interests and is our closest South East Asian neighbour,” says Mr Peters, who is currently in Laos to engage with South East Asian partners. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Strengthening partnership with Ngāti Maniapoto

    He aha te kai a te rangatira? He kōrero, he kōrero, he kōrero. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the aspirations of Ngāti Maniapoto, Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka says. “My thanks to Te Nehenehenui Trust – Ngāti Maniapoto for bringing their important kōrero to a ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Transport Minister thanks outgoing CAA Chair

    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has thanked outgoing Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority, Janice Fredric, for her service to the board.“I have received Ms Fredric’s resignation from the role of Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority,” Mr Brown says.“On behalf of the Government, I want to thank Ms Fredric for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Test for Customary Marine Title being restored

    The Government is proposing legislation to overturn a Court of Appeal decision and amend the Marine and Coastal Area Act in order to restore Parliament’s test for Customary Marine Title, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says.  “Section 58 required an applicant group to prove they have exclusively used and occupied ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Opposition united in bad faith over ECE sector review

    Regulation Minister David Seymour says that opposition parties have united in bad faith, opposing what they claim are ‘dangerous changes’ to the Early Childhood Education sector, despite no changes even being proposed yet.  “Issues with affordability and availability of early childhood education, and the complexity of its regulation, has led ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Kiwis having their say on first regulatory review

    After receiving more than 740 submissions in the first 20 days, Regulation Minister David Seymour is asking the Ministry for Regulation to extend engagement on the early childhood education regulation review by an extra two weeks.  “The level of interest has been very high, and from the conversations I’ve been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government upgrading Lower North Island commuter rail

    The Coalition Government is investing $802.9 million into the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines as part of a funding agreement with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), KiwiRail, and the Greater Wellington and Horizons Regional Councils to deliver more reliable services for commuters in the lower North Island, Transport Minister Simeon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government moves to ensure flood protection for Wairoa

    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced his intention to appoint a Crown Manager to both Hawke’s Bay Regional and Wairoa District Councils to speed up the delivery of flood protection work in Wairoa."Recent severe weather events in Wairoa this year, combined with damage from Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023 have ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • PM speech to Parliament – Royal Commission of Inquiry’s Report into Abuse in Care

    Mr Speaker, this is a day that many New Zealanders who were abused in State care never thought would come. It’s the day that this Parliament accepts, with deep sorrow and regret, the Report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.  At the heart of this report are the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges torture at Lake Alice

    For the first time, the Government is formally acknowledging some children and young people at Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital experienced torture. The final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care “Whanaketia – through pain and trauma, from darkness to light,” was tabled in Parliament ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges courageous abuse survivors

    The Government has acknowledged the nearly 2,400 courageous survivors who shared their experiences during the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State and Faith-Based Care. The final report from the largest and most complex public inquiry ever held in New Zealand, the Royal Commission Inquiry “Whanaketia – through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Half a million people use tax calculator

    With a week to go before hard-working New Zealanders see personal income tax relief for the first time in fourteen years, 513,000 people have used the Budget tax calculator to see how much they will benefit, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “Tax relief is long overdue. From next Wednesday, personal income ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Paid Parental Leave improvements pass first reading

    Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says a bill that has passed its first reading will improve parental leave settings and give non-biological parents more flexibility as primary carer for their child. The Regulatory Systems Amendment Bill (No3), passed its first reading this morning. “It includes a change ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Rebuilding the economy through better regulation

    Two Bills designed to improve regulation and make it easier to do business have passed their first reading in Parliament, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. The Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Bill and Regulatory Systems (Immigration and Workforce) Amendment Bill make key changes to legislation administered by the Ministry ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • ‘Open banking’ and ‘open electricity’ on the way

    New legislation paves the way for greater competition in sectors such as banking and electricity, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Competitive markets boost productivity, create employment opportunities and lift living standards. To support competition, we need good quality regulation but, unfortunately, a recent OECD report ranked New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Charity lotteries to be permitted to operate online

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says lotteries for charitable purposes, such as those run by the Heart Foundation, Coastguard NZ, and local hospices, will soon be allowed to operate online permanently. “Under current laws, these fundraising lotteries are only allowed to operate online until October 2024, after which ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Accelerating Northland Expressway

    The Coalition Government is accelerating work on the new four-lane expressway between Auckland and Whangārei as part of its Roads of National Significance programme, with an accelerated delivery model to deliver this project faster and more efficiently, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “For too long, the lack of resilient transport connections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Sir Don to travel to Viet Nam as special envoy

    Sir Don McKinnon will travel to Viet Nam this week as a Special Envoy of the Government, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.    “It is important that the Government give due recognition to the significant contributions that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made to New Zealand-Viet Nam relations,” Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Grant Illingworth KC appointed as transitional Commissioner to Royal Commission

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says newly appointed Commissioner, Grant Illingworth KC, will help deliver the report for the first phase of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons, due on 28 November 2024.  “I am pleased to announce that Mr Illingworth will commence his appointment as ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ to advance relationships with ASEAN partners

    Foreign Minister Winston Peters travels to Laos this week to participate in a series of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-led Ministerial meetings in Vientiane.    “ASEAN plays an important role in supporting a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” Mr Peters says.   “This will be our third visit to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Backing mental health services on the West Coast

    Construction of a new mental health facility at Te Nikau Grey Hospital in Greymouth is today one step closer, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “This $27 million facility shows this Government is delivering on its promise to boost mental health care and improve front line services,” Mr Doocey says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ support for sustainable Pacific fisheries

    New Zealand is committing nearly $50 million to a package supporting sustainable Pacific fisheries development over the next four years, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones announced today. “This support consisting of a range of initiatives demonstrates New Zealand’s commitment to assisting our Pacific partners ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Students’ needs at centre of new charter school adjustments

    Associate Education Minister David Seymour says proposed changes to the Education and Training Amendment Bill will ensure charter schools have more flexibility to negotiate employment agreements and are equipped with the right teaching resources. “Cabinet has agreed to progress an amendment which means unions will not be able to initiate ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Commissioner replaces Health NZ Board

    In response to serious concerns around oversight, overspend and a significant deterioration in financial outlook, the Board of Health New Zealand will be replaced with a Commissioner, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti announced today.  “The previous government’s botched health reforms have created significant financial challenges at Health NZ that, without ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister to speak at Australian Space Forum

    Minister for Space and Science, Innovation and Technology Judith Collins will travel to Adelaide tomorrow for space and science engagements, including speaking at the Australian Space Forum.  While there she will also have meetings and visits with a focus on space, biotechnology and innovation.  “New Zealand has a thriving space ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Climate Change Minister to attend climate action meeting in China

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts will travel to China on Saturday to attend the Ministerial on Climate Action meeting held in Wuhan.  “Attending the Ministerial on Climate Action is an opportunity to advocate for New Zealand climate priorities and engage with our key partners on climate action,” Mr Watts says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Oceans and Fisheries Minister to Solomons

    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is travelling to the Solomon Islands tomorrow for meetings with his counterparts from around the Pacific supporting collective management of the region’s fisheries. The 23rd Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Committee and the 5th Regional Fisheries Ministers’ Meeting in Honiara from 23 to 26 July ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Government launches Military Style Academy Pilot

    The Government today launched the Military Style Academy Pilot at Te Au rere a te Tonga Youth Justice residence in Palmerston North, an important part of the Government’s plan to crackdown on youth crime and getting youth offenders back on track, Minister for Children, Karen Chhour said today. “On the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Nine priority bridge replacements to get underway

    The Government has welcomed news the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has begun work to replace nine priority bridges across the country to ensure our state highway network remains resilient, reliable, and efficient for road users, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“Increasing productivity and economic growth is a key priority for the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Update on global IT outage

    Acting Prime Minister David Seymour has been in contact throughout the evening with senior officials who have coordinated a whole of government response to the global IT outage and can provide an update. The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has designated the National Emergency Management Agency as the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New Zealand, Japan renew Pacific partnership

    New Zealand and Japan will continue to step up their shared engagement with the Pacific, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “New Zealand and Japan have a strong, shared interest in a free, open and stable Pacific Islands region,” Mr Peters says.    “We are pleased to be finding more ways ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New infrastructure energises BOP forestry towns

    New developments in the heart of North Island forestry country will reinvigorate their communities and boost economic development, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones visited Kaingaroa and Kawerau in Bay of Plenty today to open a landmark community centre in the former and a new connecting road in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • 'Pacific Futures'

    President Adeang, fellow Ministers, honourable Diet Member Horii, Ambassadors, distinguished guests.    Minasama, konnichiwa, and good afternoon, everyone.    Distinguished guests, it’s a pleasure to be here with you today to talk about New Zealand’s foreign policy reset, the reasons for it, the values that underpin it, and how it ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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