Open mike 30/09/2022

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, September 30th, 2022 - 67 comments
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67 comments on “Open mike 30/09/2022 ”

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  1. Ad 1
    30 September 2022 at 7:55 am

    A really bad case of design hitting reality: Old Mangere Bridge replacement.

    When designed a few years ago it was all about 'Safe, welcoming spaces", bringing together "the Onehunga and Mangere communities"

    Investing in New Zealand: Old Māngere Bridge replacement | Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (nzta.govt.nz)

    When opened a month ago, voluminous streams of similar rhetoric about this numinous thing called community. Bounteous cornucopia of mana whenua partnership.

    Ngā Hau Māngere connects communities across the harbour | Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (nzta.govt.nz)

    But within days of it opening, it was in reality an unsafe, unlit, no-camera dead end encouraging any lowlife to party hearty and fuck things up. Community formation, sure. A community of antisocial crime.

    Fearful, frustrated Māngere Bridge locals block night traffic (1news.co.nz)

    Now sure, many projects don't get design right first time. You adjust.

    But this has got to be one of the larger 'why didn't we expect that' design disasters on a major new asset.

  2. Tiger Mountain 2
    30 September 2022 at 8:15 am

    Yes Minister…
    Heh, what can you say…even Minister Nanaia has not received her Local Govt. Election voting papers!

    https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2022/09/local-government-minister-nanaia-mahuta-issues-please-explain-after-voting-papers-for-local-election-fail-to-turn-up.html

    • Ad 2.1
      30 September 2022 at 8:31 am

      If we don't get to 20% of registered voters this election, there will need to be a ministerial inquiry.

      It could start off with:

      • Minister stripping voter ability to hold politicians accountable for water services
      • Cabinet stripping councils of powers to control density in urban areas, disempowering local accountability
      • Minister failing to define what local government is for, despite being under review for several years
      • Minister of Transport, NZTA and AT ensuring that local politicians are just in input into speed restrictions
      • Consistent stripping of democracy from New Zealanders in health eg removal of district board vote, removal of all public reporting
      • Little central government support for local elections
      • No post-COVID recovery plan from central government that would encourage civic belief to re-grow
      • Deep inability of public to trust that current political order can deliver

      That's just a start.

      If anyone can remember what Councils were actually accountable for prior to 1989, that's what it would take to bring democracy back.

      • Tiger Mountain 2.1.1
        30 September 2022 at 9:06 am

        It is rather obvious that the vast majority, if not all, of those declared elected soon after October 8 will be there on minority votes of a minority turnout, including the Supercity and Wellington Mayors.

        The causes imo…
        –Increasing shift from public participation in community affairs and collectivism generally, to individualism since the 80s. Including all the neo lib contracting out and LATE fiascos etc. which basically pummelled County Councils previous roles as providers of full time employment and responsibility for local infrastructure.
        –Successive Govt.s make it quite clear that Local Government is pretty well despised by Central Govt. which plays into the hands of parochialism as 3 Waters illustrates.
        –Local Govt. in the provinces is often seen by locals as crony based and full of local blowhards and reactionaries, the usual response for those trying to get by is to avoid, the comfortable vote for status quo.
        –sinking lid postal system, removal of post boxes, shorter hours, apart from Couriers for online shopping. Who under 35 has ever mailed a letter except for student loans etc.?
        –Transient renters–less likely to enrol or receive papers, alienated/switched off ditto.

        What to do?
        –Reverse the above!
        –Online voting, and or a voting day public holiday. Cynics have decryed online voting on technical or potential tampering grounds, and given the last Census who could blame them in a way. But if online is good enough for finance capital to zing billions around the globe, surely it can be used for local democracy.
        –Restore a Public Works Dept. with local depots, restore the mana of local Govt.

      • Bearded Git 2.1.2
        30 September 2022 at 9:16 am

        Where do you get 20% from Ad? Sources please.

      • tinderdry6 2.1.3
        30 September 2022 at 5:14 pm

        Hi Ad.

        I have had a regular engagement with individual Auckland Councillors, a number of local boards, and the council bureaucracy over the past 3 years. With a few notable exceptions, I have found the 'machine' to be an oppressive beast.

        Council itself uses it's enormous powers to fight against it's own citizens, rather than engaging in authentic conversations with them. There is an unhealthy level of 'tethering' of councillors (this is described by this piece by Chris Trotter) by the ironically named 'democracy services' division of Auckland Council (and I'm sure others). And then there's the 'consultation' process, that Aucklanders now realise is nothing more than a box ticking exercises designed to achieve a particular predetermined outcome.

        I have found the LGOIMA process is one way to hold Council to account, but this is a time consuming and laborious process, particularly when some parts of the 'machine' (notably the Tūpuna Maunga Authority) behave in a secretive and belligerent manner. What is reassuring is that our current Ombudsman is very effective in unlocking the subterfuge.

        I get the sense that Aucklanders are sick of being ignored by their own elected leadership, and are disengaging from the democratic process as a result. It's an irrational response, to be sure, but there it is.

        • Ad 2.1.3.1
          30 September 2022 at 5:38 pm

          I worked inside the machine for 5 years.

          Elected members are less than .5% of what occurs there.

          The disengagement is very strong.

          Killing off democracy was in the design and very, very hard to bring back.

    • Jenny are we there yet 2.2
      30 September 2022 at 12:33 pm

      We live in a low decile part of Papakura. We didn't receive our voting papers. Neither did our neighbours. My partner was convinced it was a voting suppression conspiracy. He phoned every agency he could, to find out what happened to our voting papers and could get no answers.

      In the end we both went down to the Papakura Marae where a walk in voting booth had been set up. After showing our driver licence to prove who we were, the election official checked that our names were on the electoral roll. (And sure enough they were). Nothing had changed from last Local Body elections. But we both still had to fill out the forms to cast a 'Special Vote'.

      Nanaia Mahuta didn’t receive her voting papers?

      Half the people I saw diligently going to the effort to enroll to make a special vote were Maori.

      • Belladonna 2.2.1
        30 September 2022 at 12:40 pm

        Not just in Papakura. Family friends in Northcote – husband and wife, both in their 70s, lived in the same house for the last 40 years (so clearly electoral details haven't changed). He received his voting pack in the mail; her one never arrived.
        Phone calls got nowhere. Finally, she had to go down and register for a special vote.

        Luckily she's in active good health, and has the time and energy to follow up – as well as being a committed voter (no idea for what party, but believes it's her civic duty to vote).

        I agree, Jenny, many people simply won't have bothered.

      • Ad 2.2.2
        30 September 2022 at 5:40 pm

        Impressive effort. Sacred right.

  3. Blazer 3
    30 September 2022 at 9:27 am

    Does NZ have any funny comedians?

    Watched a stand up comedy show last night on T.V….nothing.

    Guy Williams can be amusing at times but 'names' like Urzilla Carson,Rhys Darby,Tom Sainsbury seem mediocre at best.

    • Tiger Mountain 3.1
      30 September 2022 at 9:43 am

      Well Blazer, you do pretty well here on The Standard, put some Converses on and give it a go!

      “Funny Comedians”–think about it…

    • Jimmy 3.2
      30 September 2022 at 9:47 am

      I actually prefer Urzilla Carson to Guy Williams. I think Paul Ego, Dai Henwood and Ben Hurley are quite good but I agree we do not have a great talent pool of comedians.

      Try watching 8 out of 10 Cats do Countdown to see the British comedians. IMO they are far funnier and cleverer than our comedians.

    • Incognito 3.3
      30 September 2022 at 12:05 pm

      Does NZ have any funny comedians?

      Yup, they call themselves the National Party, led by a clown who thinks he can fly.

  4. Ad 4
    30 September 2022 at 9:57 am

    I know a few people that bought lifetime Ruapehu ski passes.

    The ski pass that is the worst $4000 I've ever spent | Stuff.co.nz

    Sic transit gloria mundi.

    • Tiger Mountain 4.1
      30 September 2022 at 10:07 am

      yay, sarcasm in Latin.

    • Belladonna 4.2
      30 September 2022 at 10:08 am

      So do I. However, most have had their money's worth over 5-6 years. They live locally (or within a 3 hour drive) – so head down for weekends.

      A reporter who bought her pass 6 years ago, and has lived overseas ever since – what did she expect?

    • AB 4.3
      30 September 2022 at 11:46 am

      But when the guy bought the pass in 2016 we'd already had 25 years of warnings about climate change. Was he about 12 at the time? If so, I'd sympathise. This morning – shock and horror about what's happening with the record hurricane in Florida – by now we've had 30 years of warnings. What the hell does it take?

    • joe90 4.4
      30 September 2022 at 2:01 pm

      I know someone who's well into a multi-unit chalet development in Ohakune.

  5. Robert Guyton 5
    30 September 2022 at 11:55 am

    Looking for an admirable, eloquent candidate in these local body elections?

    This guy is genius!

    https://www.facebook.com/watch?v=426114809631081

  6. Descendant Of Smith 6
    30 September 2022 at 12:15 pm

    For those who suggest not much is happening with housing and that they are just building ghettos for gang members.

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/video/local-focus-more-social-housing-is-on-the-way/M77F2JEQW43I2JFFJV2H4BSP5Y/

    • Patricia Bremner 6.1
      30 September 2022 at 12:33 pm

      That is uplifting and reaffirming. D.O.S. Thank you.yessmiley

      • Tiger Mountain 6.1.1
        30 September 2022 at 1:17 pm

        Nice.

        In Whangārei recently 37 new homes and apartments will soon ready for occupation in Puriri Park Rd. An open day was held recently for neighbours to have a look. Local Labour MP Emily Henderson says 500 more are planned by Kainga Ora.

        • Red Blooded One 6.1.1.1
          30 September 2022 at 5:48 pm

          Yes, they are a nice selection of houses, all different sizes, complimentary but not cookie cutter.

  7. Ad 7
    30 September 2022 at 1:06 pm

    Tough time to be a Russian soldier, surrounded in Lyman.

    Maybe they hold out for a week, maybe they are overrun.

    Either ain't pretty.

    • Sanctuary 7.1
      30 September 2022 at 1:22 pm

      Even worse if last week you were a 52 year old tubby tractor driver from Tyuman who gets puffed walking up the stairs to his second floor apartment thinking of nothing more than how to mash the potatoes for dinner and this week you are sitting in a muddy hole in the rain in a dark forest with a rusty AK-47 that you haven't used in thirty years and with a whole bunch of battle hardened Ukrainians less than 200m away…

      • Bearded Git 7.1.1
        30 September 2022 at 3:29 pm

        I think that (if you look at the map in the article below) the Russians were not over-run in Kharkiv as were led to believe by the western propaganda, but that they (largely) strategically withdrew. Putin seems to have decided to annex just the 4 provinces along the Russian frontier (see map-I think these are largely Russian speaking?) and call it a day. Peace talks to follow next year?

        The problem is he still has to keep the war going to finish off conquering Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia-he has probably moved forces from Kharkiv to attack these.

        https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/sep/29/putin-to-sign-treaty-annexing-territories-in-ukraine-kremlin-says

        • aj 7.1.1.1
          30 September 2022 at 4:56 pm

          Putin seems to have decided to annex just the 4 provinces along the Russian frontier

          Minsk outcome? but with much bloodshed and continuing outbreaks of violence into the future. Not to mention economic damage to EU.

          Some people look at Ukraine today and see a rousing success for US policy. I see more than six months of propaganda like the world has never seen, of death and destruction, of economic fiasco in the EU, a vast military-industrial boondoggle, scary nuclear brinksmanship and escalatory spiral with the recent destruction of gas lines in international waters. The EU in particular is between a rock and a hard place.

  8. Adrian 8
    30 September 2022 at 1:30 pm

    Serve him right for being a Putin supporter ( if he is of course, but at 98% approval the odds are good).

  9. Jenny are we there yet 9
    30 September 2022 at 4:25 pm

    ‘
    Now here’s a great Idea. Even better, how about a permanent Climate War Crimes Tribunal, to hear evidence against all alleged climate war criminals for crimes against the climate?

    I could think of a some New Zealanders who could be arraigned on this charge.

    Climate Scientist Demands 'War Crimes' Charges for Whoever Ordered Pipeline Sabotage

    The call from Stanford University climate scientist Rob Jackson came as a fourth Nord Stream leak was discovered, intensifying fears of an unprecedented release of planet-heating methane emissions.

    JAKE JOHNSON

    September 29, 2022

    …..Since the leaks were first detected earlier this week, scientists have voiced alarm about the climate disaster that could result, given the quantity of gas pouring out of the pipelines and the planet-warming potency of methane.

    Danish authorities have estimated that the two pipelines contained a combined 778 million cubic meters of gas when they were breached—and gas is still flowing out of the pipelines days after the leaks were detected.

    https://www.commondreams.org/news/2022/09/29/climate-scientist-demands-war-crimes-charges-whoever-ordered-pipeline-sabotage?

    In comparison New Zealand's annual CO2 equivalent emissions are over 82.3 million tonnes, year in, year out. Those responsible for this shocking statistic would definitely be in the dock.

    In 2019 New Zealand’s gross greenhouse gas emissions were 82.3 million tonnes of CO₂-e, 0.2 percent lower than 2005 and 26.4 percent higher than 1990.

    https://www.stats.govt.nz/indicators/new-zealands-greenhouse-gas-emissions

    • Blazer 9.1
      30 September 2022 at 4:57 pm

      The capability to sabotage these pipelines narrows down the suspects.

      My pick either the U.S Navy or the RN.

      • Francesca 9.1.1
        30 September 2022 at 5:19 pm

        What about the motives?

        Who gains?

        Russia has just lost its leverage over an energy hungry Germany in particular.

        Previously it had the option of turning gas on or off, (citing technical problems to give itself plausible deniability) now its lost that , probably for ever

        Germany has lost, probably for ever , the cheapest form of presently available energy to fuel its economy

        The US has just bolstered its expensive LNG sales and dealt a blow to both the Russian economy and the Eu.

        I dunno,I just can't make my mind up …lol

        • Jenny are we there yet 9.1.1.1
          30 September 2022 at 11:30 pm

          No surprise that long time deniers of Assad's genocide and Putin's mass murder in Syria also support Putin's slaughter in Ukraine.

          Denial and distortion: Obscuring Assad's genocide in Syria

          7 min read

          Sam Hamad 28 Feb, 2018

          If there was one word, apt to summarise the speeches of both Bashar Jaafari, Assad's envoy to the UN, and his former Russian counterpart Vasily Nebenzya's speeches to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) regarding their current murderous efforts in Ghouta, it would be "denial"….

          It's a cliché to say that truth is the first casualty of war, but the simple act of denying truth is an extremely effective weapon not merely of war, but of genocide and mass murder…..

          https://english.alaraby.co.uk/opinion/obscuring-assads-genocide-syria

          To all you pro-Putin war mongers; you will be pleased to hear that some Russian draftees can't wait to get to their local recruiting office.

      • Scud 9.1.2
        30 September 2022 at 7:52 pm

        Well I'm going for the Swedish Assessment atm, who said that there were 2-3 Russian Special Operations Vessels (A more fancy/ upmarket name for a spy/covert ship) design for Grey Warfare Operations.

        Who were in close proximity to were gas pipelines ruptures as they had their Transponders turned off & were caught/ spotted inside the Swedish EEZ.

        Every other Tom, Dick & Harry had their Nav Transponders on apart from these larrikins.

        Heck even the Norwegian's in the last 72hrs have picked up some dodgy shit since they've stepped up their Maritime Security/ Defence Posture in the Nth Sea which they can't explain either.

        Just waiting for the Dane's & Finn's now who are more on ball than the Boxheads these days. IRT the coming & going on's in the Baltic To build up the intelligence picture.

        Also there is not alot they can do about either, unless they catch whatever country in the act as most of what has or is happening is international waters & not ones EEZ where a Nation does have the right to search suspect vessels.

        • Blazer 9.1.2.1
          30 September 2022 at 8:48 pm

          It occurred a long way from Russia.Would have thought submarines would be employed.

          Not sure how Russia benefits from this.

          Of course—-'

          ABC News (2/7/2022): Pres. Biden: "If Russia invades…then there will be no longer a Nord Stream 2. We will bring an end to it." Reporter: "But how will you do that, exactly, since…the project is in Germany's control?" Biden: "I promise you, we will be able to do that."

          That is quite a definitive statement from the U.S President.

          • joe90 9.1.2.1.1
            30 September 2022 at 9:10 pm

            It occurred a long way from Russia.

            It occurred in the vicinity of Baltic Fleet bases in Kaliningrad, Leningrad and Saint Petersburg.

          • Scud 9.1.2.1.2
            30 September 2022 at 9:22 pm

            You need to bush up on your geography sport & while you are doing that read up on the USSR Covert activities in Baltic during the Cold War in-particular in the Swedish EEZ including inside it's 12m limit.

            The Swedish Military weren't dropping live depth charges for shits & giggles either.

          • Scud 9.1.2.1.3
            30 September 2022 at 10:00 pm

            You need to bush up on your geography sport & while you are doing that read up on the USSR Covert activities in Baltic during the Cold War in-particular in the Swedish EEZ including inside it's 12m limit.

            The Swedish Military weren't dropping live depth charges for shits & giggles either.

            Oh btw the Baltic Sea is just as busy as the Channel in terms of Shipping Volume. Turning off your Navigation Transponder is a rather a idiotic & stupid thing to do in Peacetime as it has the potential to put countless lives at risk & let alone the potential environmental damage within the Baltic Sea.

      • Jenny are we there yet 9.1.3
        30 September 2022 at 10:25 pm

        Blazer

        30 September 2022 at 4:57 pm

        The capability to sabotage these pipelines narrows down the suspects.

        My pick either the U.S Navy or the RN.

        Pretty short. short list there Blazer. What are you trying to say?

        That Russia doesn't have this capability?

        Or just venting your one eyed partisan support for the Russian aggressor?

        • aj 9.1.3.1
          30 September 2022 at 11:10 pm

          Not sure I understand the tactical advantage of Russia attacking it’s own pipeline which was its biggest bargaining chip with the EU

          Does this not make the US the largest LNG producer?

          Machiavelli was Italian, not Russian.

          • SPC 9.1.3.1.1
            1 October 2022 at 12:01 am

            Nord Stream 2 was developed and is operated by Nord Stream 2 AG, a subsidiary of the Russian state energy company Gazprom. Nord Stream 2 AG filed for bankruptcy on 1 March 2022. Half the costs of Nordstrom Stream 2 was financed via a loan from Uniper, Wintershall Dea, OMV, Engie, and Royal Dutch Shell.

            Presumably Gazprom will not being paying the loan back. And presumably they are now looking to supply gas to others via other pipelines.

            • joe90 9.1.3.1.1.1
              1 October 2022 at 6:43 pm

              Numerous Gazprom connected businessmen have met sticky ends this year.

              Trashing assets and walking away from debt would tidy things up rather nicely.

        • Blazer 9.1.3.2
          1 October 2022 at 9:20 am

          Read this and…w..

          ABC News (2/7/2022): Pres. Biden: "If Russia invades…then there will be no longer a Nord Stream 2. We will bring an end to it." Reporter: "But how will you do that, exactly, since…the project is in Germany's control?" Biden: "I promise you, we will be able to do that."

          That is quite a definitive statement from the U.S President.

      • Stuart Munro 9.1.4
        1 October 2022 at 6:14 am

        Probably not as hard as you think – they're only 500m down – any modern trawler could drop gear on them.

  10. Eco Maori 10
    3 October 2022 at 10:59 am

    Ki te aha whano.

    Well I tryed must best to use other avenues to get a message to the sandflys bosses but one cannot get a direct ph to contact them.

    As I can see there are consequences from using Eco Maori blog??????.

    Sandflys bosses this is my message tell your boys to stop stuffing with my Daughters and my mokopuna.

    You see whanau they don't care that they are affecting my mokopuna negatively just some bloody Maori in their small minds i can see the negative effects on all 3 of my daughter so get your boys to heel or there will be consequences.

    I know how they work cheat do what ever they want they know the bosses will cover it all up can't have negative news about the popo.

    Just have as much negative as much news about Tangata Whenua as they can get away with.

    Ka kite Ano