A very good post on the Green Party website by Meteiria Turei condemning the government for pimping out our beautiful coastal environment to the highest bidder.
The Green Party is condemning the Government for announcing the tender process today for new permits to conduct exploratory deep sea drilling in New Zealand waters off the west coast of the North Island and the east coast of the South Island. Much of the area is in deep water.
“The Government is putting the economic interests of the oil companies over the environmental values of the people of New Zealand,”
“The Government’s argument of an economic boon are rubbish. There is little evidence that there would be many jobs from these deep sea rigs and they put at risk the local economies if there is a spill.
“With deep sea drilling the Government is pursuing a failed economic agenda that runs totally counter to our real economic advantages and opportunities.”
Metiria Turei
To have any meaning words need to be backed up with actions.
The Green Party if they choose, could stop deep sea oil drilling now.
A united opposition stand in parliament against deep sea oil exploration and drilling would have the effect of killing off the oil company investors enthusiasm to take up the current government’s offer.
This is the time for the Green Party to put in a serious real world effort to win the Labour Party over to oppose deep sea oil drilling.
To back up her words Meteiria Turei needs to take immediate action in the house, with a Green Party private member’s bill calling for a moratorium on all deep sea oil and gas drilling. And seriously lobby the Labour Party to back it.
This needs to be dealt with now. Not in the closed, heated, hot house environment of rushed coalition talks held behind closed doors following an election.
If the Green Party Bill is drawn from the ballot and the Labour Party refuse to support it and instead choose to stand with the Nats, instead of their future coalition partner, then the respective parties will know where they all stand, and will be able to make their future coalition decisions based on that.
Likewise the voting public will know where to place an informed vote, instead of being kept in the dark and crossing their fingers as they vote, hoping that it works out.
If on the other hand……
The Labour Party do agree to back the Green Party private members bill to turn it into an opposition members bill to banish deep sea oil drilling from our economic zone then this as well as driving investors off, would set the strong foundations for a principled coalition that will stand the test of time.
Mark my words
For the Green Party to ignore this major policy difference between the two major opposition parties at this time and place and leave it for later, will be a major tactical error that will see Turiana’s good words being turned into empty rhetoric in the name of pragmatism and under the pressure of “real politik”, to be left on the cutting room floor, during future coalition talks, to the disappointment of Green Party members and supporters.
Trouble about the jobs burble. They are temporary construction stuff and when done they are gone and the new ones arising are fewer and may not be available to locals, but the often tenuous economy of the surrounding towns has changed and life is more difficult, houses dearer etc and still not many jobs.
So Auckland Council wants to consult with Aucklanders about our transport future. There is a significant funding hole if all important projects are proceeded with.
There needs to be a debate about how these projects are funded and it is proper to put the evidence in front of the people and ask them for their view.
So what does the Government do? It effectively sabotages the consultation on day one by ruling out most of the possible funding mechanisms.
Why can’t it wait for the evidence to be properly analysed and for the people to speak? What is it afraid of?
Sometimes I am so glad I live in Levin, No traffic Jams, (No Car) cheap rents, can get everywhere by bike. Yep no jobs I know, also no 2 hour stress fest morning and night either.
But it’s also way safer to bring up my 2 year old, very few cars. But I do know one thing my Blood pressure has gone down since I left the Capital, and it’s rat race. But my littley does keep it bouncing now he can climb.
It’s a damn site better than what was offered before and all under the same roof. and it will be good when it’s all finished. Oh well I seem to work when Labour is in power, and am on the dole when the Nats get in, and fuck up the economy again.
Yes David H. We too in Marlborough have all those that you have (but so far we have only roundabouts- no traffic lights where you have 2 sets.) I am bemused that so many people choose to live in big cities! They seem to have so much against making their lives enjoyable. I don’t get it.
Some of us were born in cities, and have our roots there. It’s also where the jobs are. There are also many other exciting benefits to living in cities, if they were organised for the benefit of all, and not dominated by the wealthiest of the propertied classes.
Hah! Worked and studied in that area back in the 80s and early 90s – cycled many times between Newcross, Walthamstow and Stockwell – sometimes doing a whole round trip to those areas on the same day, and into the evening. Cycling seemed relatively safe back then too.
I know being London born and bred. Now there’s a city full of history, I used to go to all the Museums (Not fussed on the stately homes) Growing up in South east London in the 60’s was fun working down the Markets at Deptford. I think we got out at the right time 1969.
Well Karol I was born in Sydenham in a hovel owned bybthe Duke of Westminster ,
We were hard up,but happy Then along came Hitler who seemed to have grudge for me bombing us out three times . 3 new places in 6 years finished up in a flat above The shops in Lordship Lane in Dulwich , Then served my apprenticeship in Newmarket . later on moved to Epsom and courted my wife who lived in the East End by biking from Epsom 3 or 4 nights a week . Married and lived in the country ever since ,60m years inFeb.
Used to stop for pie at a pie stall in New Cross on the way back .
Were you born within the sound of Bow Bells Pink Postman? My father was… although his family shifted soon afterwards. He loved telling Kiwis he was a Cockney even though he had no Cockney accent. As a child I never tired of listening to the stories and songs of old London. Seen the Julie Andrews film ‘Mary Poppins’ half a dozen times.
Damn, you’ve seen some changes, TPP. Epsom to the East End is a long commute by bike.
I remember hearing some of the Blitz stories when I lived in London. 60 years married! Congratulations – a full, productive and interesting life so far.
Hi Pink Postman Like to hear others tales about where they come from. You mentioned New Cross I used to go to New Cross as that was where Millwall had there football ground. Great childhood days prior to the Thatcher shit with a lot of care by the so called “lower” classes. I remember as a kid the grown ups putting their hands on the wall of the exit stairs forming a tunnel so all us kids could get out safely. just like today eh. I think it would do good for some of these right wing prats to live in that type of community, it might teach them that there is more to life than screwing everybody for a dollar.
And the Winkle stall, with the Jellied eels, and Pie and Mushy Peas. Ahhh theMemories
My stepfather ran the Centurian public house in Deptford, A 3 story edifice Well to a 11 year old it was, with lots of rooms to play in, and the roof to sit, and get soaked in the Thunderstorms.
David H
Your remark about roundabouts triggered a thought I’ve had for a while. Courtesy on the roads – could be a great facilitator for better conditions and less accidents.
And one thing would be that at roundabouts a driver should slow a little say 10km or change down, which gives time for other traffic to enter or pass safely. The extra seconds provided by just a more deliberate approach to a roundabout, give way etc. would allow other traffic to go. Instead people often maintain a 50 kmh speed up to and through, and hardly seem aware of others around them. Get them up in a high 4WD and they’re like royalty in a world of their own.
In my experience the practices of (mainly Auckland) drivers are puzzling. When there are road works, with signs showing the stretch of road has a 30 or 40 kph speed limit, I seem to be one of the few drivers that actually slow down. And I usually feel pressured by other drivers to go faster.
Usually there are clear reasons why there is a temporarily low speed limit – workers working near to the stream of traffic, uneven road surface, narrowed road with little space for diverging in case of a collision, etc.
Ditto for people slowing down when approaching a pedestrian crossing. Some drivers seem to have no respect for anyone else, just an attitude of getting to their destination as fast as possible. Why the constant need for so much haste?
I thought I was the only one who actually slows down to 30.
Pisses me right off seeing people ignore those signs. I don’t mind that they aren’t concerned for their own safety, but they could give a thought to the people working within feet of their hurtling block of steel.
My apologies for spelling your name wrong. My arthritis does not get my fingers on the right keys at times, and I find this site a shit to edit.
Regards
karol
Is the behaviour we mostly display as drivers an indication of national character? Some people are unwilling to limit or control themselves for their, and others, safety.
That can be applied to more situations than that of driving too.
Drivers seem to be very self-centred – who lifts a hand for a thank-you gesture to a car that makes way for you when not legally obliged, who gives a couple of short toots to a large vehicle that moves over to let you past etc. I usually do, but don’t notice many others though it used to be common in my younger days. (I’m probably thinking prior to 1984 when we were sprayed and saturated with the propaganda of – ‘There is no such thing as society.’)
CHH may be looking for temps, if its any help. It’s not the busy season yet, but they do have a regular turnover in the casual pool. Reasonably well paid, unionised site. They use the temp pool to assess whether to hire workers as permanents, so it might be a foot in the door for you or other family members who are looking for a long term job.
And if you can ever get a start at Graphic Press, you’ve won the job lottery! One of the most amazing worksites I’ve ever been in, with a genuine commitment to profit sharing and total respect for their workers. Lovely place.
30G is just stingy, the rent seeker in our elites just can’t seem to understand, their greed is a corruption of our economic health, and we’d all be richer should they remove the private tax shackles evident in all areas of our economy. In order for them to get rich, they need to leverage their existing capital to multipliers of what is sensible, and to maintain their solvency they need mum and dad nz to pay the interest on the debt. Its wrong, its extortion, its bad economics.
Broadband will open up small town NZ with huge opportunities to have the lifestyle and the means to sustain it. Well it would if the rent seekers weren’t so stingy with 30G a month.
Thanks, micky. I have been thinking of doing another Auckland post, particularly on how the NZ herald is blatantly opposed to the Auckland Unitary Plan. Just too many things happening right now.
But the Auckland Transport Blog has done some very good posts on the NZ Herald’s blatant bias against the AUP and the City Central Rail Loop – so many NZH articles opposed to the AUP that it is looking like a concerted campaign.
It is interesting Karol that out west the Unitary Plan is not raising anything like the sort of opposition that central and north Auckland is showing.
I believe it is because locally we have been talking about intensification around Henderson and New Lynn and in a smaller way around Glen Eden for the past decade as well as at the same time trying to preserve the Waitakere Ranges by holding the MUL in place. The area is already developing the way that the rest of the city will hopefully.
The alternative of uncontrolled urban sprawl is too awful to comprehend. You just have to think about the problems associated with uncontrolled sprawl with a lack of community infrastructure to realise how stupid this is.
We should have learned about this from suburbs such as Kelston, Otara, Managere, Flat Bush, Birkdale etc where they basically plonked a whole lot of houses in with no cultural centre. These areas are full of good people but they are handicapped because they are just a collection of roads and houses and have not social centre.
Surely we should have learned from the experience.
Why does there need to be a debate – Just issue the funds required, at close to zero %, for the key transport programmes to go ahead, get it done!
This continued nonsense of *manufactured scarcity*, and having to raise steal the funds, by borrowing and/or picking the pokets of Aucklanders, even further!
Only debate needs to be , which projects to get moving first!
The Wellington mandarin’s and the Agri lobby block do not want Auckland to have an dffective tax raising power. And they collectively manipulate Smith et al.
Why stop Auckland have an effective tax base and control over its destiny?
It looks like it will be controlled by leftish people for the foreseeable future.
It is not controlled by big business.
It owes no allegiances to the primary industries sector.
Yup, scot free for Hotchin/Watson etc not even any corporate breach charges on care of duty issues against boys club members like Muir. Wish I could’ve laid odds at the TAB on it, a shoe in.
This is one reason why we can’t attract foreign investment, no effective policing of the cowboys club. The SFO is a F’n joke just the way neo lib’s like it while they PPP up more incarceration capacity for the masses.
However foreign investors will line up for the family silverware such as MRP etc.
The questions in the poll said: “The Government Communications Securities Bureau the GCSB is responsible for defending New Zealand against an increasing number of cyber attacks, but it’s been caught up in controversy, including potentially illegal spying on 88 people including New Zealand citizens and residents. Can our GCSB spies be trusted to act in the best interests of New Zealanders?”
There is a load of bias in the lead up to the question. And the question should really be about the spy boss and the role of the PM in providing oversight, not the spy-workers who are most likely following orders or set parameters for their activities.
On Backbenches last week that horrible little turd Jamie Lee Ross once again repeated his favourite trite Thatcherism about how “the problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people’s money to spend”.
Apparently he’s too thick to notice that the slogan implies that the people who oppose socialism are the ones who want to spend other people’s money.
Repeating such pure cliché, is the sign of a very ill-informed individual, who was *selected* for his ability to bend over, and to repeat the messages he has been brainwashed into believing!
As felix points out, very thick, but a supporter of evil none the less!
Listening to the news this a.m. First Hanover – after lengthy examination there isn’t enough evidence to hang a criminal case on. Shouldn’t tricksters and negligent and deliberately ignorant businesspeople have a lifetime ban or near, on running any business that involves providing finance! They could open a garage and repair cars, or buy a property and farm, but keep them away from being directors or owners of any other company where they can carpet the floor with NZ’s venture capital and retirement savings.
And second. The politicians have been treated like businesses, limited liability entities. If they couldn’t just step out of the spotlight and into some well-paid job and vanish from sight, leaving their detritus behind them for the people, they might think twice. If John Key and his band of degenerates think they are going to open us up to deep water disasters and ruin our livelihoods for at least a generation, and get off scot-free they are mistaken. The passion that goes into opposing abortion by the febrile fervent, may be a small example of what will come.
‘Climate Collision Course: CO2 Levels About to Hit 400 PPM
In a first in human history, “it looks like the world is going to blow through the 400-ppm level without losing a beat.” ‘
‘Now we know that the Earth has shown a remarkable ability to regulate its temperature within a range conducive to Life, and that several natural carbon cycles have served as temperature regulators. When humans extract carbon from geologic reservoirs hundreds of millions of years old, dumping it into the surface reservoirs (especially the air), we are attacking the Earth’s metabolism.
There’s no known means of getting rid of the excess carbon we’ve already disgorged. The only secure way to sequester carbon is to leave it in the ground. Fossil fuel extraction must stop.’
‘The truth is, we are in terrible, terrible times on every front. Judge that however you wish, call me whatever, but we are in terrible times and they are going to get a lot worse. Climate change is not for the faint of heart, that is for sure. There is a growing number of credible people who are convinced, based on science, that we have very few years left on the planet. Maybe fewer than 10, and certainly no more than 35.
Global warming alone is sufficient to cause extinction of all life, and it is far worse than most people know because all our information is so filtered and politicized. We have triggered between 8 and 12 feedback loops that contribute to increased warming, depending on which expert you pay attention to. Living beings are dying, forests, the oceans, hundreds of species per day are going extinct, plants are dying, rivers are dying, aquifers are depleted, and the dying is going to get a lot bigger before it gets smaller. The things that are causing the dying, including the CO2, are increasing every year. Every year we put however much percentage again over last year’s amount of CO2 into the atmosphere. If we could stop right now, which is not possible, the earth would continue to warm because of the melting glaciers, ice caps and permafrost that have been triggered. The role in climate stability that the ice caps and ice sheets play is critical to understanding what is occurring and what will occur. ‘
The book—titled The Body Economic: Why Austerity Kills, written by David Stuckler, an Oxford University political economist, and Sanjay Basu, an epidemiologist at Stanford University—uses historical case studies from around the globe and throughout history to show “how government policy becomes a matter of life and death” during deep or prolonged financial crises.
‘Discovering that the cure to the financial crisis of 2008 was in some ways worse than the affliction, Stucklet and Basu argue that countries “turned their recessions into veritable epidemics” by championing austerity measures that ultimately “ruined or extinguished” thousands of lives in series of “misguided” attempts to balance budgets, appease financial markets, and bow to the economic elite.’
‘New Research: Economic Austerity in US and Europe ‘Is Killing People’
HIV/AIDS, malaria outbreaks, shortages of essential medicines, lost healthcare access, and an epidemic of drug abuse, depression and suicide.’
‘Citing examples from the historical and current record, Stuckler and Basu show that many countries have weathered financial and other crises by investing in public health and innovative social programs.
“Ultimately what we show is that worsening health is not an inevitable consequence of economic recessions. It’s a political choice,” said Professor Basu.’
A bankrupt and in huge debt to the US Socialist UK brought in the NHS and Unemployment benefits.
And more on the appointment of Susan Devoy as Race Relations Commissioner.
TVNZ sought more information on the appointment and ‘other applicants’ and – surprise, surprise – Devoy was not the only sports star considered for the role.
“Rugby legend Michael Jones and netballer Irene Van Dyk were both shortlisted for the position before it was given to Devoy earlier this year.
The revelation has prompted fresh questions over what qualifications are needed for the job. …
As I/S at NRT says
Like Devoy, its hard to see how either of these people could possibly have been regarded as qualified for the role. Their sole qualification seems to be fame (and in Jones’ case, his strong links with the National Party).
The Human Rights Commission is an important body and a vital watchdog in our society. It deserves better than National’s celebrity crony-appointments.
I was remembering Paul Henry’s sensitive comment about our Governor General with an Indian name not being a real New Zealander. Well Irene Van Dyk was South African wasn’t she, certainly not born and bred in our fair land. But rugby players know how to handle pesky racist name callers etc.
In Paul Henry’s world, white South Africans are real New Zealanders. Unless of course, they’re white South Africans who fought apartheid. I have no idea what van Dyk’s history is in that respect.
Michael Jones probably knows a bit more about race relations than many of the previous holders of the position – what with knowing the oppression first hand and such.
Yup and his religious beliefs caused him issues so he actually would’ve been OK IMO, but he’s too smart to sully his persona being Collins lapdog, Devoy on the other hand….
When is NZ Prime Minister John Key going to stand down John Banks as a Minister?
The John Banks Private Prosecution has been referred to the Solicitor General with a request that the Crown take over the prosecution and appear for the Informant when Banks is summonsed to appear in the Auckland District Court sometime in May or early June 2013.
“When is NZ Prime Minister John Key going to stand down John Banks as a Minister?”
When the ref sends him off, not before.
I’m looking forward to Banks’ day in court, the media scrums where he bleats on and on in his bully/shouty way about how he’s the victim as narcissists typically do. I’m looking forward to Banks doing the walk of shame out of court followed by yet another ‘I am standing tall’ speech. And I’m looking forward to John Key matter-of-factly announcing in the house that he is standing Banks down as a minister as if it’s just an other one of his ‘corrections’.
Also the John Key press conference afterwards where he acts like it’s just some technical thing between Banks and ‘the courts’, like it’s nothing to do with him anyway, like he’d rather talk about ‘jobs’, and like ackshully, he’s not bovvered about it.
The link provides a further link to the Judge’s decision to allow the case to go forward.
I had been meaning to read the decision in full and found it well worth reading in terms of how the Judge very fully dealt with the (weak IMO) arguments of Banks’ counsel seeking to have the case thrown out.
Looking forward to the next round. Referral to the Solicitor General leaves the SG and Key etc in a real conundrum!
Another sign that the honeymoon is over? I don’t usually read Travel pieces as my travel days are essentially over, but was drawn to read this one in the Herald by the title – “Why the PM’s wandering eye does matter”.
It’s none of our business if any old Minister of Tourism – or any old Prime Minister, for that matter – chooses to take his family holidays in Hawaii each year.
But when John Key chose to pick up the tourism portfolio he was making a marque declaration about the industry’s importance to New Zealand. Like David Lange baggsying the education portfolio back in the 1980s, this sends a powerful message – look Rest Of The World, this stuff is so important to us that the Prime Minister runs the shop … er, when he’s not tanning himself on Waikiki, of course.
…
When quizzed at last week’s Trenz tourism conference about taking his big holidays in Hawaii rather than in New Zealand, Key – who takes shorter breaks at his holiday home in Omaha – had a smart enough answer.
“The reason I go is not because I don’t love New Zealand. The reason I go is because if I truly want to have a couple of weeks where it’s just me and the family – given the other 50 weeks it’s seven days a week 360-odd days a year – I can’t do that in New Zealand because you can’t switch off being Prime Minster.”
Yep, a smart enough answer. A smarter one might have been to say, “You know what, funny you mention it, next summer we are staying in New Zealand.”
Go on, John, there are plenty of places a millionaire can hole up for a week or two of privacy in Nelson or Coromandel.
Key’s reply also suggests that the Hawaii holidays are only two weeks a year???? Cannot be bothered checking but IIRC, their summer breaks there are definitely longer than two weeks.
“Go on, John, there are plenty of places a millionaire can hole up for a week or two of privacy in Nelson or Coromandel”
or closer to home even, there is a big place in his own electorate that seems perfect to hide away unknown and unseen, worked for that german billionaire, JK never even knew he was there
In other STUFF news:
SFO will not be prosecuting Hotchins or Golden Boy *juxtaposed* against the jailing of the ‘dirty filthy’ for drug offences.
I was just thinking (and NOT that I’m an advocate for so called ‘dealers’): Which of the two has caused its victims greater long term damage – given that the Polis generally over-value drug hauls’ street value?
Oh yea – Eric Watshis name!
Just a thought. Let’s imagine for a moment that 100,000 Americans all up and off to some right wing state in the US, there they stole each others phones, three times, and all got locked away for life. How long would the three strikes law last under the weight of that many inmates. The reason why the right wing exists is they know that Americans no longer want to standup and be counted to defend their constitution. geez, like there aren’t 100,000 people jobless in the US.
the message is out, guess we all were wrong. looks like NZ is fine
funny how it does not mention 57 billion dollars of new debt and where oh where do they get the after tax wage increase of 22% since 2008. Aside from a couple of high-end ad guys I know of no-one whose pay jumped by a fifth.
Oh, please! the last thing Aucklanders need is Maurice Williamson being let loose on it. In such a case I will likely fast-forward my retirement out of Auckland. Enough is Enough!
I just saw Gerry Brownlee on TV3 explaining why the Government ill not do anything for Auckland’s transport intentions. He ruled out everything except increased rates.
Labour should focus on this. They need to designate someone, eg Phil Twyford as spokesperson for Auckland issues. This person should have no other obligations or roles. All they need to do is take care of Auckland issues, talk about Auckland issues and investigate Auckland issues. With a third of the country’s population in the area this person should, like Len Brown, just talk about Auckland.
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For a serial offender like Stuart Nash, it was inevitable that another skeleton would emerge from his closet, and end his ministerial career. This one though, was a whopper. Previously, Nash had tried to tell the Police how to do their job. He had also tried to tell the courts ...
Cabinet Minister Stuart Nash was sacked last night for violating Cabinet Collective Responsibility rules, when it was revealed he disclosed sensitive Government information to business supporters who had donated money to him. The breach of the Cabinet Manual was enough to land him in trouble, but the fact that it ...
Some good news last week with the Council confirming that Te Hā Noa – Victoria St Linear Park will go ahead and with construction starting on 11 April – though with a few fishhooks. Te Hā Noa, a renewed Victoria Street, is the next big project in Auckland Council’s Midtown ...
Stuart Nash’s assurances to Prime Minister Chris Hipkins that there were no further examples of him breaching the Cabinet Manual became meaningless with the release of emails from Nash sharing Cabinet discussions with business people. The Prime Minister had no choice but to sack Nash as a Minister with immediate ...
Hi,Just a quick online-only update after yesterday’s newsletter, How Michael Organ Weaponised the Family Court... and Sean Plunket. First up — wow. Thanks for all the support, and to all those who shared their own personal stories in the comments. And welcome to any new Webworm readers.I just wanted ...
Let that sink in for a moment - Christopher Luxon, who has spent the last year demonising Māori, wants Marama Davidson to apologise to white men.You will likely have seen the video, or read about it. Marama Davidson rushing along Princes St on Saturday evening, the road that runs between ...
Stuart Nash, the great-grandson of former Prime Minister Sir Walter Nash, has lost his political career. File Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Stuart Nash was sacked for telling donors what happened in Cabinet. Wellington’s City and Regional Councils are going cold on light rail plans. Wayne Brown is under ...
NZ First Leader Winston Peters is sympathising with Stuart Nash and defending him but dodging questions on whether he would be welcome in New Zealand First. Prime Minister Chris Hipkins last night sacked Nash from the Cabinet after an email he had sent to two of his campaign donors ...
So, after interfering with the police, and then interfering with immigration decisions, Stuart Nash has finally been sacked: Stuart Nash has been sacked as a minister, after Stuff revealed he had emailed business figures, including donors, detailing private Cabinet discussions. Prime Minister Chris Hipkins confirmed the people Nash emailed ...
Nearly 25% of mortgages in Auckland are deemed at risk in a 1-in-100 year flood event. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Once a year, every year, from now on, in our not-so-slow-cooking climate crisis, there will be a moment when the most important number in Aotearoa’s own personal, national ...
Item One: About a confected crisis Please bear with me for a moment, readers outside Auckland, I wish to sound the klaxon. Auckland, we have until 11pm today to have our say. About what? About this, as copied and pasted from Pippa Coom’s Facebook page:The "austerity" budget is built on ...
Buzz from the Beehive Yet again, the statement we were looking for could not be found on the Beehive website. Nor was it on the Scoop or Green Party websites. But – come to think of it – we are probably wasting our time by searching. Our quest is for the ...
The following is from a speech given by Arundhati Roy at the Swedish Academy on March 22, 2023, at a conference called Thought and Truth Under Pressure and reprinted from Literary Hub. I thank the Swedish Academy for inviting me to speak at this conference and for affording me the privilege ...
After almost two decades of racism, Australia is finally getting off its "stop the boats" bullshit. But don't worry, racists - Michael Wood has your back!The Government wants to increase the time it can detain without a warrant people seeking asylum en masse from four days to 28 ...
Last year, the Education and Workforce Committee recommended that the government legislate for pay transparency to prevent employers from secretly discriminating. This ought to be a bread and butter issue for Labour - discrimination sees women (and particularly Māori and Pasifika women) paid significantly less than men. But since then ...
Thomas Cranmer writes – ———— An unruly mob in Albert Park has catapulted New Zealand into the global headlines with ugly images that may become iconic in the debate about the dangers of transgenderism. ———— Bravo Kellie-Jay Keen. She did the job that needed to be done. For all the ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections Global warming is melting the Arctic ice cap, and that’s having unforeseen effects on the world’s weather — even thousands of miles away from the North Pole. Some climate scientists have begun to link increasingly common heat waves in Europe to what is ...
Hot on the heels of the demotion of former police Minister Stuart Nash for breaching the Cabinet Manual, Radio New Zealand has revealed the close links between lobbyists and politicians- an area of New Zealand politics that is completely unregulated. The evidence in Guyon Espiner’s series Mate, Comrade, Brother, the ...
At the Auckland Transport board meeting today a series of papers really highlight the cost of sprawl. For the last few years, the Supporting Growth work has been looking at designing the strategic transport networks for future greenfield areas in the South, Northwest, North (around Dairy flat) and in Warkworth. ...
Hi,Today’s newsletter is something I’ve wanted to report for ages, but I have been waiting on a New Zealand judge to make a ruling. That ruling has been made — so here we go.Enjoy.A scene from Mister Organ.Two Police Officers Knock on My DoorOn November 4 last year, I was ...
Only three days after Nanaia Mahuta had dinner with China’s Foreign Minister, New Zealand’s intelligence chiefs were talking about state actors interfering in New Zealand politics and using ethnic communities here for espionage purposes. Neither GSCB Director (and new SIS director) Andrew Hampton nor acting SIS CEO Phil McKee ...
In what has been one of her most important diplomatic mission, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta has opened the door for a visit to Beijing by Prime Minister Chris Hipkins later this year. Such a mission is regarded as vital with a new Prime Minister Li Qiang settling into office. ...
Saturday morning, we went to Albert Park.We were there to show support, to challenge words of demonisation.To repeat those words from Michèle A’Court:Making them sound “other” is a technique used by racists and homophobes to dehumanise whole groups of people who “aren’t like them”. If you dehumanise people, it is ...
Too Strong For The Law’s Web: But, if the USA is too big to punish, why isn’t the Russian Federation? Russia’s economy may be roughly the size of Italy’s, but it’s nuclear arsenal is more than capable of laying human civilisation to waste. Threatening to arrest Vladimir Putin - especially when ...
Nobody likes a fascist, except other fascist’s of course. Thankfully they were completely outnumbered in Auckland last Saturday when a supposed advocate for women’s rights, Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull aka Posie Parker, tried to give a public speech about how transgender people are worthy of persecution.You can understand why Parker and her ...
On Friday I sent out a newsletter called Posie Parker vs Transgender Rights to provide information about the visit to our shores of Ms Parker. I attempted to show there were multiple points of view but on balance my sympathies were strongly with the counter protest group standing up for ...
Brian Easton writes – Evaluating the recent crashes of Silicon Valley Bank in the US and Credit Suisse in Switzerland plus two other banks (perhaps more by the time you read this) needs to begin with a review of the inevitable instability in the financial sector. The financial sector ...
Oh, the irony. Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull has made a career out of inciting public hostility against the trans community, only to find herself on the receiving end of public hostility at her Auckland rally. In a further case of karmic justice, the people who brought her into the country ended up ...
In 1972, British soldiers tortured a false confession out of Liam Holden, resulting in him being given Britain's last death sentence. While it was commuted to life imprisonment, Holden was wrongly imprisoned for 17 years. Now, the courts have finally recognised that it was torture: In 1973 Liam Holden ...
Taxpayers are not only subsidising already-very-profitable private banks via the cheap ‘Funding For Lending’ loans that helped pumped up house prices in 2021, but are also paying the banks upwards of $2 billion a year in interest for cash kept with the Reserve Bank. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: ...
This weekend saw a showdown between two tribes of contemporary gender politics: those in favour of progressing transgender rights versus women wishing to defend their spaces. It’s a debate with huge passion, outrage and consequences. The figure at the centre of the clash was the British “trans-exclusionary radical feminist” Posie ...
Tomorrow the Auckland Transport board meet again. Here are some of the highlights from their board papers. The open session starts at 9am and can be watched on this Teams link. Closed Session The closed session is typically where the most interesting items are discussed. Items for Approval ...
Mutual Support: Democracy in New Zealand will not be saved by pitting Pakeha against Māori, but by joining together with every other citizen who still understands the meaning of working together to build something good that will last. Call that co-governance if you like, or call it something else – ...
Imagine being a great big business success enjoying your lavish Waiheke island property with infinity pool and ballroom and riparian rights and heli-pad. Sweeeet. But imagine, also, having to take orders from some little bureaucratic oik about how often you can land a chopper on it.I can’t, really, but it ...
Hi,New Zealand’s Life megachurch has confirmed to Webworm it was paid $10,000 by Hillsong for investigating Brian Houston’s sexual misconduct allegations.Following Webworm publishing this piece about the $10,000 payment, Life’s Corporate Communications Manager Phil Irons has confirmed what it was for:Paul [de Jong] was engaged by Hillsong to assist in ...
A chronological listing of news articles posted on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, Mar 19, 2023 thru Sat, Mar 25, 2023. Story of the Week Q&A: IPCC wraps up its most in-depth assessment of climate change The final part of the world’s most comprehensive assessment of ...
by Daphna Whitmore I thought the #LetWomenSpeak meeting would be a good time to talk about free speech and why it is important for the left. Then the mob stampeded the open-air gathering and no one got to speak. Here’s what I was had prepared. Today I want to talk ...
By Don Franks Today my friend Ani O’Briien went to a meeting in Auckland and wrote: “No sooner had Kellie-Jay Keen Minshull arrived at the Rotunda, a protestor (who had managed to get past the barrier) ran at her and threw a red substance all over her and a security ...
Jonathan Milne, managing editor for Newsroom Pro, has expressed his indignation about the outcome of a court decision yesterday in an article headed Posie Parker wins the beautiful freedom to make an ugly argument.Newsroom Pro laments: High Court Justice David Gendall has regretfully allowed an outspoken anti-trans activist to enter New ...
imagine my surprise this week when the National Party, in their infinite wisdom, decided to release an education policy. As you can imagine, this got us so riled up here in the office that we dusted off our Windows XP laptop, waiting 17 hours for all the updates to be ...
Following decades of work by the Green Party alongside the organics sector, people will finally be able to be confident that products labelled organic have met standards. ...
The Green Party supports immediate Government action to close the pay gap as called for in an open letter released today by the Human Rights Commission and 50 other organisations. ...
The Green Party is today welcoming the release of the Government’s waste strategy, but says it has a big gap without action on the container return scheme for beverage containers. ...
The Government’s decision to introduce ‘mass arrivals’ legislation goes against the values we all share of Aotearoa as a place where all people are treated fairly, the Green Party says. ...
MINISTER DAVIDSON MUST RESIGN AFTER 'VIOLENCE' COMMENTS Marama Davidson should stand down as ‘Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence’ for the clear and outrageous statement she made at the Posie Parker protest that ‘white straight men’ are the cause of violence. Her offensive, racist, and sexist remarks ...
In response to Newshub and Amelia Wade’s obvious and ham-fisted attempt at a typical and predicted political hit job. As any politically aware reporter would know, any Cabinet subcommittee has a duty and obligation as a part of any government to respond to any UN declaration, in this case ...
Good afternoon. Thank you for the invitation to speak with you today and in your busy lives turning up to this meeting. Forty five years ago, in Howick, often described as racist, and where few Maori lived because it had been a ‘Fencible’ settlement at the time of the Anglo-Maori ...
The Green Party has marked the National Party’s new education policy and given it a fail, especially for its failure to address the underlying drivers of school performance. ...
“This is it; 2023 will be the last opportunity New Zealand has to get a government that will confront the climate emergency with the urgency it demands,” says the Green Party’s co-leader and climate change spokesperson, James Shaw. ...
Political parties that want to negotiate with the Green Party must come to the table with much faster, bolder climate action, co-leaders James Shaw and Marama Davidson emphasised in their State of the Planet speech today. ...
Political parties that want to negotiate with the Green Party after the election must come to the table with much faster, bolder climate action, co-leaders James Shaw and Marama Davidson emphasised today. ...
You will never truly understand, from the pictures you’ve seen in the newspapers or on the six o-clock news, the sheer scale of the devastation wrought by Cyclone Gabrielle. ...
We’re boosting incomes and helping ease cost of living pressures on Kiwis through a range of bread and butter support measures that will see pensioners, students, families, and those on main benefits better off from the start of next month. ...
The error Labour Ministers made by stopping work on a beverage container return scheme will be reversed by the Greens at the earliest opportunity as part of the next Government. ...
“Cabinet needs to do better - and today has shown exactly why we need Green Ministers in cabinet, so we can prioritise action to cut climate pollution and support people to make ends meet,” says Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson. ...
Biggest increase in food prices for over three decades shows the need for an excess profit tax on corporations to help people put food on the table. ...
Minister for Pacific Peoples Barbara Edmonds has announced the 2023 Pacific Language week series, highlighting the need to revitalise and sustain languages for future generations. “Pacific languages are a cornerstone of our health, wellbeing and identity as Pacific peoples. When our languages are spoken, heard and celebrated, our communities thrive,” ...
880,000 pensioners to get a boost to Super, including 5000 veterans 52,000 students to see a bump in allowance or loan living costs Approximately 223,000 workers to receive a wage rise as a result of the minimum wage increasing to $22.70 8,000 community nurses to receive pay increase of up ...
Over 8000 community nurses will start receiving well-deserved pay rises of up to 15 percent over the next month as a Government initiative worth $200 million a year kicks in, says Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall. “The Government is committed to ensuring nurses are paid fairly and will receive ...
Tākiri mai ana te ata Ki runga o ngākau mārohirohi Kōrihi ana te manu kaupapa Ka ao, ka ao, ka awatea Tihei mauri ora Let the dawn break On the hearts and minds of those who stand resolute As the bird of action sings, it welcomes the dawn of a ...
The Government is introducing a scheme which will lift incomes for artists, support them beyond the current spike in cost of living and ensure they are properly recognised for their contribution to New Zealand’s economy and culture. “In line with New Zealand’s Free Trade Agreement with the UK, last ...
New Zealand is welcoming a decision by the United Nations General Assembly to ask the International Court of Justice to consider countries’ international legal obligations on climate change. The United Nations has voted unanimously to adopt a resolution led by Vanuatu to ask the ICJ for an advisory opinion on ...
More Police officers are being deployed to the frontline with the graduation of 59 new constables from the Royal New Zealand Police College today. “The graduation for recruit wing 364 was my first since becoming Police Minister last week,” Ginny Andersen said. “It was a real honour. I want to ...
Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta met with Vanuatu Foreign Minister Jotham Napat in Port Vila, today, signing a new Statement of Partnership — Aotearoa New Zealand’s first with Vanuatu. “The Mauri Statement of Partnership is a joint expression of the values, priorities and principles that will guide the Aotearoa New Zealand–Vanuatu relationship into ...
The Government has passed new legislation amending the Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) levy regime, ensuring the best balance between a fair and cost effective funding model. The Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Levy) Amendment Bill makes changes to the existing law to: charge the levy on contracts of ...
The Government has passed the Organic Products and Production Bill through its third reading today in Parliament helping New Zealand’s organic sector to grow and lift export revenue. “The Organic Products and Production Bill will introduce robust and practical regulation to give businesses the certainty they need to continue to ...
The Digital Identity Services Trust Framework Bill, which will make it easier for New Zealanders to safely prove who they are digitally has passed its third and final reading today. “We know New Zealanders want control over their identity information and how it’s used by the companies and services they ...
The full Cyclone Gabrielle Recovery Taskforce has met formally for the first time as work continues to help the regions recover and rebuild from Cyclone Gabrielle. The Taskforce, which includes representatives from business, local government, iwi and unions, covers all regions affected by the January and February floods and cyclone. ...
Changes have been made to legislation to give subcontractors the confidence they will be paid the retention money they are owed should the head contractor’s business fail, Minister for Building and Construction Megan Woods announced today. “These changes passed in the Construction Contracts (Retention Money) Amendment Act safeguard subcontractors who ...
Transport Minister Michael Wood has unveiled five scenarios for one of the most significant city-shaping projects for Tāmaki Makaurau in coming decades, the additional Waitematā Harbour crossing. “Aucklanders and businesses have made it clear that the biggest barriers to the success of Auckland is persistent congestion and after years of ...
The Government has passed new legislation that ensures New Zealand’s civil aviation rules are fit for purpose in the 21st century, Associate Transport Minister Kiri Allan says. The Civil Aviation Bill repeals and replaces the Civil Aviation Act 1990 and the Airport Authorities Act 1966 with a single modern law ...
A Bill aimed at helping to reduce delays in the coronial jurisdiction passed its third reading today. The Coroners Amendment Bill, amongst other things, will establish new coronial positions, known as Associate Coroners, who will be able to perform most of the functions, powers, and duties of Coroners. The new ...
The Prime Minister has asked the Cabinet Secretary to conduct a review into communications between Stuart Nash and his donors. The review will take place over the next two months. The review will look at whether there have been any other breaches of cabinet collective responsibility or confidentiality, or whether ...
The new Recovery Visa to help bring in additional migrant workers to support cyclone and flooding recovery has attracted over 600 successful applicants within its first month. “The Government is moving quickly to support businesses bring in the workers needed to recover from Cyclone Gabrielle and the Auckland floods,” Michael ...
Bills to ensure non-teaching employees and contractors at schools, and unlicensed childcare services like mall crèches are vetted by police, and provide safeguards for school board appointments have passed their first reading today. The Education and Training Amendment Bill (No. 3) and the Regulatory Systems (Education) Amendment Bill have now ...
Wānanga will gain increased flexibility and autonomy that recognises the unique role they fill in the tertiary education sector, Associate Minister of Education Kelvin Davis has announced. The Education and Training Amendment Bill (No.3), that had its first reading today, proposes a new Wānanga enabling framework for the three current ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta will travel to Vanuatu today, announcing that Aotearoa New Zealand will provide further relief and recovery assistance there, following the recent destruction caused by Cyclones Judy and Kevin. While in Vanuatu, Minister Mahuta will meet with Vanuatu Acting Prime Minister Sato Kilman, Foreign Minister Jotham ...
The Government is backing Police and making communities safer with the roll-out of state-of-the-art tools and training to frontline staff, Police Minister Ginny Andersen said today. “Frontline staff face high-risk situations daily as they increasingly respond to sophisticated organised crime, gang-violence and the availability of illegal firearms,” Ginny Andersen said. ...
The Government has provided Police with more tools to crack down on gang offending with the passing of new legislation today which will further improve public safety, Justice Minister Kiri Allan says. The Criminal Activity Intervention Legislation Bill amends existing law to: create new targeted warrant and additional search powers ...
The Government today announced far-reaching changes to the way we make, use, recycle and dispose of waste, ushering in a new era for New Zealand’s waste system. The changes will ensure that where waste is recycled, for instance by households at the kerbside, it is less likely to be contaminated ...
New legislation passed by the Government today will make it harder for gangs and their leaders to benefit financially from crime that causes considerable harm in our communities, Minister of Justice Kiri Allan says. Since the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act 2009 came into effect police have been highly successful in ...
This evening I have advised the Governor-General to dismiss Stuart Nash from all his ministerial portfolios. Late this afternoon I was made aware by a news outlet of an email Stuart Nash sent in March 2020 to two contacts regarding a commercial rent relief package that Cabinet had considered. In ...
Legislation to enable more build-to-rent developments has passed its third reading in Parliament, so this type of rental will be able to claim interest deductibility in perpetuity where it meets the requirements. Housing Minister Dr Megan Woods, says the changes will help unlock the potential of the build-to-rent sector and ...
A law passed by Parliament today exempts employers from paying fringe benefit tax on certain low emission commuting options they provide or subsidise for their staff. “Many employers already subsidise the commuting costs of their staff, for instance by providing car parks,” Environment Minister David Parker said. “This move supports ...
Today marks the 40th anniversary of Closer Economic Relations (CER), our gold standard free trade agreement between New Zealand and Australia. “CER was a world-leading agreement in 1983, is still world-renowned today and is emblematic of both our countries’ commitment to free trade. The WTO has called it the world’s ...
The Government is making procedural changes to the Immigration Act to ensure that 2013 amendments operate as Parliament intended. The Government is also introducing a new community management approach for asylum seekers. “While it’s unlikely we’ll experience a mass arrival due to our remote positioning, there is no doubt New ...
The Government welcomes progress on public sector pay adjustment (PSPA) agreements, and the release of the updated public service pay guidance by the Public Service Commission today, Minister for the Public Service Andrew Little says. “More than a dozen collective agreements are now settled in the public service, Crown Agents, ...
The Government has introduced the Severe Weather Emergency Recovery Legislation Bill to further support the recovery and rebuild from the recent severe weather events in the North Island. “We know from our experiences following the Canterbury and Kaikōura earthquakes that it will take some time before we completely understand the ...
Further assistance is now available to businesses impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle, with Customs able to offer payment plans and to remit late-payments, Customs Minister Meka Whaitiri has announced. “This is part of the Government’s ongoing commitment to assist economic recovery in the regions,” Meka Whaitiri said. “Cabinet has approved the ...
More than 41,000 sole parent families will be better off with a median gain of $20 a week Law change estimated to help lift up to 14,000 children out of poverty Child support payments will be passed on directly to people receiving a sole parent rate of main benefit, making ...
A major investment by Government-owned New Zealand Green Investment Finance towards electrifying the public bus fleet is being welcomed by Climate Change Minister James Shaw. “Today’s announcement that NZGIF has signed a $50 million financing deal with Kinetic, the biggest bus operator in Australasia, to further decarbonise public transport is ...
A world-leading payments system is expected to provide a significant cash flow boost for Kiwi innovators, Minister of Research, Science, and Innovation Ayesha Verrall says. Announcing that applications for ‘in-year’ payments of the Research and Development Tax Incentive (RDTI) were open, Ayesha Verrall said it represented a win for businesses ...
Minister of Transport Michael Wood joined crowds of keen cyclists and walkers this morning to celebrate the completion of the Te Awa shared path in Hamilton. “The Government is upgrading New Zealand’s transport system to make it safer, greener, and more efficient for now and future generations to come,” Michael ...
Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Andrew Little has delivered the Crown apology to Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tāmaki nui-a-Rua for its historic breaches of Te Tiriti of Waitangi today. The ceremony was held at Queen Elizabeth Park in Masterton, hosted by Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tāmaki nui-a-Rua, with several hundred ...
Minister of Foreign Affairs Nanaia Mahuta has concluded her visit to China, the first by a New Zealand Foreign Minister since 2018. The Minister met her counterpart, newly appointed State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Qin Gang, who also hosted a working dinner. This was the first engagement between the two ...
World-class satellite positioning services that will support much safer search and rescue, boost precision farming, and help safety on construction sites through greater accuracy are a significant step closer today, says Land Information Minister Damien O’Connor. Damien O’Connor marked the start of construction on New Zealand’s first uplink centre for ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gary Mortimer, Professor of Marketing and Consumer Behaviour, Queensland University of Technology Media Whale Stock/Shutterstock What would you do to get more likes or shares on your favourite social media platform this April Fool’s Day? Would you blast an airhorn ...
New Zealand Politics Daily is a collation of the most prominent issues being discussed in New Zealand. It is edited by Dr Bryce Edwards of The Democracy Project. Today’s contentSTUART NASH, OIA Thomas Coughlan (Herald): Stuart Nash scandal boils down to cock-up vs ‘conspiracy’ (paywalled) Marc Daalder (Newsroom): The opaque transparency of the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tara McAllister, Research Fellow, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Shutterstock/Guy Hasler As global environmental challenges grow, people and societies are increasingly looking to Indigenous knowledge for solutions. Indigenous knowledge is particularly appealing for addressing climate change because ...
The rules for overseas voting are changing from today for this year’s General Election to recognise the effect the pandemic has had on international travel. ‘This is a temporary change made by Parliament for New Zealanders living overseas who have ...
Auckland Council has proposed significant budget cuts without assessing the potential impacts on the region’s environment and climate change efforts, an official response reveals. No assessment was made as Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown never asked for one, ...
Greenpeace is welcoming the National Party’s new renewable energy policy - ‘Electrify NZ’ - with its focus on increasing renewable electricity generation to replace coal, gas and petrol-fuelled transport. But the organisation is calling on National ...
The National Party has pledged to “cut red tape” in the electricity sector through a new policy that it claims will double New Zealand’s supply of renewable energy. Dubbed “Electrify NZ”, the policy was unveiled this morning by party leader Christopher Luxon. “National wants a future where buses and trains ...
By Tom Peters, Socialist Equality Group 30 March 2023 Original url: https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2023/03/30/jspf-m30.html About 20,000 secondary teachers at public schools in New Zealand held a nationwide strike on March 29. It followed a much larger one-day strike on March 16 involving ...
In his first two months as Prime Minister Chris Hipkins impressed for his directness, clarity and determination, and the assured way in which he transitioned into his new role. His everyman style, from the hoodie to the more than occasional meat pie, ...
Recreational craft users are being reminded of their skipper responsibilities following the sentencing of a boatie in Invercargill this week. A skipper was this week sentenced in the Invercargill District Court in relation to a grounding of their vessel on ...
Morning Report - RNZ and the NZ Herald's political editors discuss potential law-breaking by a now-sacked minister, and Marama Davidson's comments. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alice Hayward, Molecular Biologist, The University of Queensland Shutterstock If you’re like me, you’ve managed to kill even the hardiest of indoor plants (yes, despite a doctorate in plant biology). But imagine a world where your plants actually told you ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Centaine Snoswell, Senior Research Fellow Health Economics, The University of Queensland Di Vincenzo/Shutterstock Telehealth has been a game changer for many First Nations people globally, including in Australia. It has allowed First Nations people to access health care close to ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kevin Davis, Emeritus Professor of Finance, The University of Melbourne Allen & UnwinThe Millionaires’ Factory, subtitled “the inside story of how Macquarie Bank became a global giant” by financial journalists Joyce Moullakis and Chris Wright is an impressive, informative ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sierra Keung, Lecturer in Sport and Recreation, Auckland University of Technology With this year’s National Rugby League (NRL) season now up and running, the prevalence of Pacific players in the tournament is again obvious to see. All NRL teams now feature stars ...
Since the devastation of Cyclone Gabrielle, insurers have begun rapidly repricing the land beneath homes for flood risk, creating a Wild West for home owners impatient to find out if their land is going to continue to be insurable. In the new episode of When the Facts Change, Bernard Hickey talks ...
Dr Rangi Mātāmua has been announced as the 2023 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year for his work in communicating the importance of mātauranga Māori.Aotearoa boasts an exceptionally rich cultural heritage, with our indigenous Māori population contributing significantly to our unique identity. It hasn’t always been a celebrated part ...
The 2020 email to donors that prompted Nash’s firing had not been turned over following an OIA request for correspondence between Nash and his donors, Newsroom reports. The email had been deemed “out of scope” by the prime minister’s office (PMO) because it was not written in Nash’s ministerial responsibility. Writes Toby Manhire ...
Today FM isn’t on air today after it’s sudden closure at about 9.30am yesterday morning. A document leaked to media has confirmed Mediaworks’ plans to shut the station down, leaving key on-air staff like Tova O’Brien without a job. Interestingly, the document also confirmed the swift timeframe put in place ...
A pinch and a punch for the first of the month – and for higher minimum wages, increased benefits, new Covid boosters and more, writes Catherine McGregor in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. ...
As of tomorrow, everyone in Aotearoa aged in their 30s or 40s is eligible for a second booster shot – and it’s a new variety. A good deal of the population will struggle to remember when they had their first Covid-19 booster (hint: if you were quick off the mark, ...
Aucklanders, would you like a tunnel, two tunnels or a tunnel and a bridge?My nana was one of the first people ever to cross Te Waitematā on foot. In 1959, as a schoolgirl, she walked across the newly constructed Auckland Harbour Bridge before it opened to traffic. Back ...
The latest revelations in the Stuart Nash saga extend Chris Hipkins' political headache but also spotlight the lack of transparency on freedom of information decisions, Marc Daalder writesAnalysis: For Chris Hipkins, Stuart Nash's many and varied indiscretions are the headache that just won't stop. We're now more than two weeks ...
A conference on Māori housing held in Rotorua was attended by over 900 people who are on the front line of dealing with homelessness and providing solutions. By Aaron Smale. Speakers at a conference on Māori housing highlighted how major events like Covid-19 and Cyclone Gabrielle have exposed serious housing ...
The sudden closure of Today FM is recognition by MediaWorks that it doesn’t have the resources to stay in the fight with Newstalk ZB. The on-air disaster that saw an emotional Tova O’Brien lower the curtain on Today FM can be traced back to its owners – fund managers and ...
Because many of us find it hard to adjust, the idea of abandoning daylight saving gets attention every year, but it's shift workers and teenagers we should be concerned about, who live with this type of jet lag all the timeOpinion: Much of the population is likely to feel a ...
Evidence is piling up that the prevalence of our packaged food offerings is not just damaging our health, but shortening our lives. Almost 70 percent of the packaged foods in our supermarkets are classed as ultra-processed - and in some food categories, nearly all products are. They're high in ...
After injury put her on the back foot last year, Olympic triathlete Nicole van der Kaay is on a stirring winning streak to start her journey to the 2024 Paris Olympics. Suzanne McFadden writes. In the days since Nicole van der Kaay won the first World Cup gold medal of her ...
The latest Nielsen BookScan New Zealand bestseller list, described by Steve Braunias (plus giveaway of a $75 masterpiece)FICTION 1 Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton (Te Herenga Waka University Press, $38) Number one for the seventh consecutive week; but, I think, maybe for the last time, or at least ...
The Posie Parker campaign, and a surprise bill this week dramatically extending possible asylum seeker detentions, show it's critical to keep fighting for human rights ...
New Zealanders, especially NZ businesses, should temper their expectations of a strong relationship with ChinaOpinion: Last week, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta made the first ministerial visit since 2019 to the People’s Republic of China for high-level meetings. With few concrete deliverables announced, the key achievement was stabilising bilateral relations ...
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A very good post on the Green Party website by Meteiria Turei condemning the government for pimping out our beautiful coastal environment to the highest bidder.
http://www.greens.org.nz/press-releases/govt-exposing-auckland-dangers-deep-sea-drilling
But doesn’t the Labour Party as well as the National Party in Government currently also support deep sea oil drilling and exploration?
Could this be the deal breaker for a Labour/Green coalition government?
To have any meaning words need to be backed up with actions.
The Green Party if they choose, could stop deep sea oil drilling now.
A united opposition stand in parliament against deep sea oil exploration and drilling would have the effect of killing off the oil company investors enthusiasm to take up the current government’s offer.
This is the time for the Green Party to put in a serious real world effort to win the Labour Party over to oppose deep sea oil drilling.
To back up her words Meteiria Turei needs to take immediate action in the house, with a Green Party private member’s bill calling for a moratorium on all deep sea oil and gas drilling. And seriously lobby the Labour Party to back it.
This needs to be dealt with now. Not in the closed, heated, hot house environment of rushed coalition talks held behind closed doors following an election.
If the Green Party Bill is drawn from the ballot and the Labour Party refuse to support it and instead choose to stand with the Nats, instead of their future coalition partner, then the respective parties will know where they all stand, and will be able to make their future coalition decisions based on that.
Likewise the voting public will know where to place an informed vote, instead of being kept in the dark and crossing their fingers as they vote, hoping that it works out.
If on the other hand……
The Labour Party do agree to back the Green Party private members bill to turn it into an opposition members bill to banish deep sea oil drilling from our economic zone then this as well as driving investors off, would set the strong foundations for a principled coalition that will stand the test of time.
Mark my words
For the Green Party to ignore this major policy difference between the two major opposition parties at this time and place and leave it for later, will be a major tactical error that will see Turiana’s good words being turned into empty rhetoric in the name of pragmatism and under the pressure of “real politik”, to be left on the cutting room floor, during future coalition talks, to the disappointment of Green Party members and supporters.
Nobody can say it hasn’t happened before.
Trouble about the jobs burble. They are temporary construction stuff and when done they are gone and the new ones arising are fewer and may not be available to locals, but the often tenuous economy of the surrounding towns has changed and life is more difficult, houses dearer etc and still not many jobs.
So Auckland Council wants to consult with Aucklanders about our transport future. There is a significant funding hole if all important projects are proceeded with.
There needs to be a debate about how these projects are funded and it is proper to put the evidence in front of the people and ask them for their view.
So what does the Government do? It effectively sabotages the consultation on day one by ruling out most of the possible funding mechanisms.
Why can’t it wait for the evidence to be properly analysed and for the people to speak? What is it afraid of?
What is it afraid of? My guess would be, reality
Sometimes I am so glad I live in Levin, No traffic Jams, (No Car) cheap rents, can get everywhere by bike. Yep no jobs I know, also no 2 hour stress fest morning and night either.
and we have Te Takere !
but yeah, the dearth of employment opportunities is a growing concern
But it’s also way safer to bring up my 2 year old, very few cars. But I do know one thing my Blood pressure has gone down since I left the Capital, and it’s rat race. But my littley does keep it bouncing now he can climb.
It’s a damn site better than what was offered before and all under the same roof. and it will be good when it’s all finished. Oh well I seem to work when Labour is in power, and am on the dole when the Nats get in, and fuck up the economy again.
Yes David H. We too in Marlborough have all those that you have (but so far we have only roundabouts- no traffic lights where you have 2 sets.) I am bemused that so many people choose to live in big cities! They seem to have so much against making their lives enjoyable. I don’t get it.
Some of us were born in cities, and have our roots there. It’s also where the jobs are. There are also many other exciting benefits to living in cities, if they were organised for the benefit of all, and not dominated by the wealthiest of the propertied classes.
I know Carol being born and bred London style. Now that’s a city. I used to go on the train from Deptford to new Cross and then
Hah! Worked and studied in that area back in the 80s and early 90s – cycled many times between Newcross, Walthamstow and Stockwell – sometimes doing a whole round trip to those areas on the same day, and into the evening. Cycling seemed relatively safe back then too.
I know being London born and bred. Now there’s a city full of history, I used to go to all the Museums (Not fussed on the stately homes) Growing up in South east London in the 60’s was fun working down the Markets at Deptford. I think we got out at the right time 1969.
“I think we got out at the right time 1969.”
You did. What happened next wasn’t pretty.
Well Karol I was born in Sydenham in a hovel owned bybthe Duke of Westminster ,
We were hard up,but happy Then along came Hitler who seemed to have grudge for me bombing us out three times . 3 new places in 6 years finished up in a flat above The shops in Lordship Lane in Dulwich , Then served my apprenticeship in Newmarket . later on moved to Epsom and courted my wife who lived in the East End by biking from Epsom 3 or 4 nights a week . Married and lived in the country ever since ,60m years inFeb.
Used to stop for pie at a pie stall in New Cross on the way back .
Were you born within the sound of Bow Bells Pink Postman? My father was… although his family shifted soon afterwards. He loved telling Kiwis he was a Cockney even though he had no Cockney accent. As a child I never tired of listening to the stories and songs of old London. Seen the Julie Andrews film ‘Mary Poppins’ half a dozen times.
Damn, you’ve seen some changes, TPP. Epsom to the East End is a long commute by bike.
I remember hearing some of the Blitz stories when I lived in London. 60 years married! Congratulations – a full, productive and interesting life so far.
Hi Pink Postman Like to hear others tales about where they come from. You mentioned New Cross I used to go to New Cross as that was where Millwall had there football ground. Great childhood days prior to the Thatcher shit with a lot of care by the so called “lower” classes. I remember as a kid the grown ups putting their hands on the wall of the exit stairs forming a tunnel so all us kids could get out safely. just like today eh. I think it would do good for some of these right wing prats to live in that type of community, it might teach them that there is more to life than screwing everybody for a dollar.
And the Winkle stall, with the Jellied eels, and Pie and Mushy Peas. Ahhh theMemories
My stepfather ran the Centurian public house in Deptford, A 3 story edifice Well to a 11 year old it was, with lots of rooms to play in, and the roof to sit, and get soaked in the Thunderstorms.
Centurian Pub – closed 2004.
But I have found that Roundabouts can be more hazardous to your health, than Traffic lights, especially when on a bike.
David H
Your remark about roundabouts triggered a thought I’ve had for a while. Courtesy on the roads – could be a great facilitator for better conditions and less accidents.
And one thing would be that at roundabouts a driver should slow a little say 10km or change down, which gives time for other traffic to enter or pass safely. The extra seconds provided by just a more deliberate approach to a roundabout, give way etc. would allow other traffic to go. Instead people often maintain a 50 kmh speed up to and through, and hardly seem aware of others around them. Get them up in a high 4WD and they’re like royalty in a world of their own.
In my experience the practices of (mainly Auckland) drivers are puzzling. When there are road works, with signs showing the stretch of road has a 30 or 40 kph speed limit, I seem to be one of the few drivers that actually slow down. And I usually feel pressured by other drivers to go faster.
Usually there are clear reasons why there is a temporarily low speed limit – workers working near to the stream of traffic, uneven road surface, narrowed road with little space for diverging in case of a collision, etc.
Ditto for people slowing down when approaching a pedestrian crossing. Some drivers seem to have no respect for anyone else, just an attitude of getting to their destination as fast as possible. Why the constant need for so much haste?
“More haste, less speed”.
I thought I was the only one who actually slows down to 30.
Pisses me right off seeing people ignore those signs. I don’t mind that they aren’t concerned for their own safety, but they could give a thought to the people working within feet of their hurtling block of steel.
Kasrol
Unfortunately that is the world today. Get out of my fucking way, you are stopping me from making or getting a another dollar.
[lprent: I think that I can help. Would you like to not be able to comment here? That would give you the time.
You really are a dickshit – do something that is more than stupid trolling. Or leave one way or another. ]
Karol
My apologies for spelling your name wrong. My arthritis does not get my fingers on the right keys at times, and I find this site a shit to edit.
Regards
I think halfcrown was echoing a current zeitgeist which he doesn’t agree with – being sarc/satirical.
karol
Is the behaviour we mostly display as drivers an indication of national character? Some people are unwilling to limit or control themselves for their, and others, safety.
That can be applied to more situations than that of driving too.
Drivers seem to be very self-centred – who lifts a hand for a thank-you gesture to a car that makes way for you when not legally obliged, who gives a couple of short toots to a large vehicle that moves over to let you past etc. I usually do, but don’t notice many others though it used to be common in my younger days. (I’m probably thinking prior to 1984 when we were sprayed and saturated with the propaganda of – ‘There is no such thing as society.’)
“a driver should slow a little say 10km” It’s not Rocket Science is it? And when I drove I always slowed down because of the danger.
CHH may be looking for temps, if its any help. It’s not the busy season yet, but they do have a regular turnover in the casual pool. Reasonably well paid, unionised site. They use the temp pool to assess whether to hire workers as permanents, so it might be a foot in the door for you or other family members who are looking for a long term job.
And if you can ever get a start at Graphic Press, you’ve won the job lottery! One of the most amazing worksites I’ve ever been in, with a genuine commitment to profit sharing and total respect for their workers. Lovely place.
Levana … not so much!
Thanks for that TRP will make a few inquiries.
I guess that CHH means Carter Holt Harvey?
30G is just stingy, the rent seeker in our elites just can’t seem to understand, their greed is a corruption of our economic health, and we’d all be richer should they remove the private tax shackles evident in all areas of our economy. In order for them to get rich, they need to leverage their existing capital to multipliers of what is sensible, and to maintain their solvency they need mum and dad nz to pay the interest on the debt. Its wrong, its extortion, its bad economics.
Broadband will open up small town NZ with huge opportunities to have the lifestyle and the means to sustain it. Well it would if the rent seekers weren’t so stingy with 30G a month.
Thanks, micky. I have been thinking of doing another Auckland post, particularly on how the NZ herald is blatantly opposed to the Auckland Unitary Plan. Just too many things happening right now.
But the Auckland Transport Blog has done some very good posts on the NZ Herald’s blatant bias against the AUP and the City Central Rail Loop – so many NZH articles opposed to the AUP that it is looking like a concerted campaign.
It is interesting Karol that out west the Unitary Plan is not raising anything like the sort of opposition that central and north Auckland is showing.
I believe it is because locally we have been talking about intensification around Henderson and New Lynn and in a smaller way around Glen Eden for the past decade as well as at the same time trying to preserve the Waitakere Ranges by holding the MUL in place. The area is already developing the way that the rest of the city will hopefully.
The alternative of uncontrolled urban sprawl is too awful to comprehend. You just have to think about the problems associated with uncontrolled sprawl with a lack of community infrastructure to realise how stupid this is.
We should have learned about this from suburbs such as Kelston, Otara, Managere, Flat Bush, Birkdale etc where they basically plonked a whole lot of houses in with no cultural centre. These areas are full of good people but they are handicapped because they are just a collection of roads and houses and have not social centre.
Surely we should have learned from the experience.
Why does there need to be a debate – Just issue the funds required, at close to zero %, for the key transport programmes to go ahead, get it done!
This continued nonsense of *manufactured scarcity*, and having to
raisesteal the funds, by borrowing and/or picking the pokets of Aucklanders, even further!Only debate needs to be , which projects to get moving first!
MS – which funding options has it ruled out?
The Wellington mandarin’s and the Agri lobby block do not want Auckland to have an dffective tax raising power. And they collectively manipulate Smith et al.
Why stop Auckland have an effective tax base and control over its destiny?
It looks like it will be controlled by leftish people for the foreseeable future.
It is not controlled by big business.
It owes no allegiances to the primary industries sector.
A handy resource for battling the privatisation of Education in New Zealand, and other issues of course http://saveourschoolsnz.wordpress.com/do-something/
Pissed off the Parekura isn’t given as much attention on the front page of Stuff as the Jamie’s World child.
Or the Hanover Thieves getting away with it.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/8610994/No-SFO-charges-over-Hanover
Yup, scot free for Hotchin/Watson etc not even any corporate breach charges on care of duty issues against boys club members like Muir. Wish I could’ve laid odds at the TAB on it, a shoe in.
This is one reason why we can’t attract foreign investment, no effective policing of the cowboys club. The SFO is a F’n joke just the way neo lib’s like it while they PPP up more incarceration capacity for the masses.
However foreign investors will line up for the family silverware such as MRP etc.
TV3 Reid poll – wrong & poorly constructed question.
There is a load of bias in the lead up to the question. And the question should really be about the spy boss and the role of the PM in providing oversight, not the spy-workers who are most likely following orders or set parameters for their activities.
On Backbenches last week that horrible little turd Jamie Lee Ross once again repeated his favourite trite Thatcherism about how “the problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people’s money to spend”.
Apparently he’s too thick to notice that the slogan implies that the people who oppose socialism are the ones who want to spend other people’s money.
Thatcher: evil and thick. Jamie: just thick.
“the problem with capitalism is that eventually you run out of other people’s money to steal”
too true!
Repeating such pure cliché, is the sign of a very ill-informed individual, who was *selected* for his ability to bend over, and to repeat the messages he has been brainwashed into believing!
As felix points out, very thick, but a supporter of evil none the less!
Listening to the news this a.m. First Hanover – after lengthy examination there isn’t enough evidence to hang a criminal case on. Shouldn’t tricksters and negligent and deliberately ignorant businesspeople have a lifetime ban or near, on running any business that involves providing finance! They could open a garage and repair cars, or buy a property and farm, but keep them away from being directors or owners of any other company where they can carpet the floor with NZ’s venture capital and retirement savings.
And second. The politicians have been treated like businesses, limited liability entities. If they couldn’t just step out of the spotlight and into some well-paid job and vanish from sight, leaving their detritus behind them for the people, they might think twice. If John Key and his band of degenerates think they are going to open us up to deep water disasters and ruin our livelihoods for at least a generation, and get off scot-free they are mistaken. The passion that goes into opposing abortion by the febrile fervent, may be a small example of what will come.
‘Climate Collision Course: CO2 Levels About to Hit 400 PPM
In a first in human history, “it looks like the world is going to blow through the 400-ppm level without losing a beat.” ‘
http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2013/04/29-2
‘Now we know that the Earth has shown a remarkable ability to regulate its temperature within a range conducive to Life, and that several natural carbon cycles have served as temperature regulators. When humans extract carbon from geologic reservoirs hundreds of millions of years old, dumping it into the surface reservoirs (especially the air), we are attacking the Earth’s metabolism.
There’s no known means of getting rid of the excess carbon we’ve already disgorged. The only secure way to sequester carbon is to leave it in the ground. Fossil fuel extraction must stop.’
‘The truth is, we are in terrible, terrible times on every front. Judge that however you wish, call me whatever, but we are in terrible times and they are going to get a lot worse. Climate change is not for the faint of heart, that is for sure. There is a growing number of credible people who are convinced, based on science, that we have very few years left on the planet. Maybe fewer than 10, and certainly no more than 35.
Global warming alone is sufficient to cause extinction of all life, and it is far worse than most people know because all our information is so filtered and politicized. We have triggered between 8 and 12 feedback loops that contribute to increased warming, depending on which expert you pay attention to. Living beings are dying, forests, the oceans, hundreds of species per day are going extinct, plants are dying, rivers are dying, aquifers are depleted, and the dying is going to get a lot bigger before it gets smaller. The things that are causing the dying, including the CO2, are increasing every year. Every year we put however much percentage again over last year’s amount of CO2 into the atmosphere. If we could stop right now, which is not possible, the earth would continue to warm because of the melting glaciers, ice caps and permafrost that have been triggered. The role in climate stability that the ice caps and ice sheets play is critical to understanding what is occurring and what will occur. ‘
The book—titled The Body Economic: Why Austerity Kills, written by David Stuckler, an Oxford University political economist, and Sanjay Basu, an epidemiologist at Stanford University—uses historical case studies from around the globe and throughout history to show “how government policy becomes a matter of life and death” during deep or prolonged financial crises.
‘Discovering that the cure to the financial crisis of 2008 was in some ways worse than the affliction, Stucklet and Basu argue that countries “turned their recessions into veritable epidemics” by championing austerity measures that ultimately “ruined or extinguished” thousands of lives in series of “misguided” attempts to balance budgets, appease financial markets, and bow to the economic elite.’
‘New Research: Economic Austerity in US and Europe ‘Is Killing People’
HIV/AIDS, malaria outbreaks, shortages of essential medicines, lost healthcare access, and an epidemic of drug abuse, depression and suicide.’
http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2013/04/29-1
‘Citing examples from the historical and current record, Stuckler and Basu show that many countries have weathered financial and other crises by investing in public health and innovative social programs.
“Ultimately what we show is that worsening health is not an inevitable consequence of economic recessions. It’s a political choice,” said Professor Basu.’
A bankrupt and in huge debt to the US Socialist UK brought in the NHS and Unemployment benefits.
And more on the appointment of Susan Devoy as Race Relations Commissioner.
TVNZ sought more information on the appointment and ‘other applicants’ and – surprise, surprise – Devoy was not the only sports star considered for the role.
http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/sports-stars-shortlisted-race-relations-top-job-5422082
“Rugby legend Michael Jones and netballer Irene Van Dyk were both shortlisted for the position before it was given to Devoy earlier this year.
The revelation has prompted fresh questions over what qualifications are needed for the job. …
As I/S at NRT says
Like Devoy, its hard to see how either of these people could possibly have been regarded as qualified for the role. Their sole qualification seems to be fame (and in Jones’ case, his strong links with the National Party).
The Human Rights Commission is an important body and a vital watchdog in our society. It deserves better than National’s celebrity crony-appointments.
http://norightturn.blogspot.com/2013/04/nationals-celebrity-cronyism.html
What a joke. On us.
File under: ‘Contempt For Democracy.’
I was remembering Paul Henry’s sensitive comment about our Governor General with an Indian name not being a real New Zealander. Well Irene Van Dyk was South African wasn’t she, certainly not born and bred in our fair land. But rugby players know how to handle pesky racist name callers etc.
In Paul Henry’s world, white South Africans are real New Zealanders. Unless of course, they’re white South Africans who fought apartheid. I have no idea what van Dyk’s history is in that respect.
Michael Jones probably knows a bit more about race relations than many of the previous holders of the position – what with knowing the oppression first hand and such.
Yup and his religious beliefs caused him issues so he actually would’ve been OK IMO, but he’s too smart to sully his persona being Collins lapdog, Devoy on the other hand….
As recent history shows, that’s a completely incidental consideration.
Collins confuses “probably being good at running a race” with “being good at running Race Relations commission”?
At least Jones seemed aware that he was not the right crony for this job.
When is NZ Prime Minister John Key going to stand down John Banks as a Minister?
The John Banks Private Prosecution has been referred to the Solicitor General with a request that the Crown take over the prosecution and appear for the Informant when Banks is summonsed to appear in the Auckland District Court sometime in May or early June 2013.
http://www.dodgyjohnhasgone.com/uncategorized/john-banks-prosecution-referred-to-solicitor-general/
Penny Bright
‘Anti-corruption / anti-privatisation campaigner’
2013 Auckland Mayoral candidate
“When is NZ Prime Minister John Key going to stand down John Banks as a Minister?”
When the ref sends him off, not before.
I’m looking forward to Banks’ day in court, the media scrums where he bleats on and on in his bully/shouty way about how he’s the victim as narcissists typically do. I’m looking forward to Banks doing the walk of shame out of court followed by yet another ‘I am standing tall’ speech. And I’m looking forward to John Key matter-of-factly announcing in the house that he is standing Banks down as a minister as if it’s just an other one of his ‘corrections’.
Also the John Key press conference afterwards where he acts like it’s just some technical thing between Banks and ‘the courts’, like it’s nothing to do with him anyway, like he’d rather talk about ‘jobs’, and like ackshully, he’s not bovvered about it.
The government is trying to run the country on a knife-edge!
And the legs are slipping one slip too far and snjiick off they go.
Such an accurate painting of the totality of Shonkey Python there EM.
Bloody tragic isn’t it ? “That” is our Prime Minister.
Word of warning. I wouldn’t hold my breath over Botox Banks. Shonkey’s spooned with that boy. Would take a very sharp knife !
Thanks for the news and link, Penny.
The link provides a further link to the Judge’s decision to allow the case to go forward.
I had been meaning to read the decision in full and found it well worth reading in terms of how the Judge very fully dealt with the (weak IMO) arguments of Banks’ counsel seeking to have the case thrown out.
Looking forward to the next round. Referral to the Solicitor General leaves the SG and Key etc in a real conundrum!
Another sign that the honeymoon is over? I don’t usually read Travel pieces as my travel days are essentially over, but was drawn to read this one in the Herald by the title – “Why the PM’s wandering eye does matter”.
It’s none of our business if any old Minister of Tourism – or any old Prime Minister, for that matter – chooses to take his family holidays in Hawaii each year.
But when John Key chose to pick up the tourism portfolio he was making a marque declaration about the industry’s importance to New Zealand. Like David Lange baggsying the education portfolio back in the 1980s, this sends a powerful message – look Rest Of The World, this stuff is so important to us that the Prime Minister runs the shop … er, when he’s not tanning himself on Waikiki, of course.
…
When quizzed at last week’s Trenz tourism conference about taking his big holidays in Hawaii rather than in New Zealand, Key – who takes shorter breaks at his holiday home in Omaha – had a smart enough answer.
“The reason I go is not because I don’t love New Zealand. The reason I go is because if I truly want to have a couple of weeks where it’s just me and the family – given the other 50 weeks it’s seven days a week 360-odd days a year – I can’t do that in New Zealand because you can’t switch off being Prime Minster.”
Yep, a smart enough answer. A smarter one might have been to say, “You know what, funny you mention it, next summer we are staying in New Zealand.”
Go on, John, there are plenty of places a millionaire can hole up for a week or two of privacy in Nelson or Coromandel.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10880426
Key’s reply also suggests that the Hawaii holidays are only two weeks a year???? Cannot be bothered checking but IIRC, their summer breaks there are definitely longer than two weeks.
Key probably works ~40 weeks a year. Hard work, sure, but it’s not 50.
“Go on, John, there are plenty of places a millionaire can hole up for a week or two of privacy in Nelson or Coromandel”
or closer to home even, there is a big place in his own electorate that seems perfect to hide away unknown and unseen, worked for that german billionaire, JK never even knew he was there
LOL!
Somehow I don’t think Key would be welcome there from reading KDC’s twitters.
In other STUFF news:
SFO will not be prosecuting Hotchins or Golden Boy *juxtaposed* against the jailing of the ‘dirty filthy’ for drug offences.
I was just thinking (and NOT that I’m an advocate for so called ‘dealers’): Which of the two has caused its victims greater long term damage – given that the Polis generally over-value drug hauls’ street value?
Oh yea – Eric Watshis name!
Just a thought. Let’s imagine for a moment that 100,000 Americans all up and off to some right wing state in the US, there they stole each others phones, three times, and all got locked away for life. How long would the three strikes law last under the weight of that many inmates. The reason why the right wing exists is they know that Americans no longer want to standup and be counted to defend their constitution. geez, like there aren’t 100,000 people jobless in the US.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/397854_10151631553985429_867186158_n.jpg
the message is out, guess we all were wrong. looks like NZ is fine
funny how it does not mention 57 billion dollars of new debt and where oh where do they get the after tax wage increase of 22% since 2008. Aside from a couple of high-end ad guys I know of no-one whose pay jumped by a fifth.
Looks like National’s low pay policies and teacher cuts are already biting them in the bum.
That’s English pulling his bullshit “after tax” wages figure, which after the tax cuts to the wealthy did leap ahead.
Oh, please! the last thing Aucklanders need is Maurice Williamson being let loose on it. In such a case I will likely fast-forward my retirement out of Auckland. Enough is Enough!
I just saw Gerry Brownlee on TV3 explaining why the Government ill not do anything for Auckland’s transport intentions. He ruled out everything except increased rates.
Labour should focus on this. They need to designate someone, eg Phil Twyford as spokesperson for Auckland issues. This person should have no other obligations or roles. All they need to do is take care of Auckland issues, talk about Auckland issues and investigate Auckland issues. With a third of the country’s population in the area this person should, like Len Brown, just talk about Auckland.