Open mike 30/04/2015

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, April 30th, 2015 - 99 comments
Categories: open mike - Tags:

openmikeOpen mike is your post.

For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy).

Step up to the mike …

99 comments on “Open mike 30/04/2015 ”

  1. Ennui 1

    Gloriavale. A place run by a convicted sex offender and his patriarchal mates. Heres what they take from you and me. http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/68145084/education-researcher-calls-for-gloriavale-school-to-be-closed

    In effect this place pays no tax because the workers work for free (so no PAYE) and despite being worth $38 million and turning $1.8 million profit last year paid no tax. This is because they are registered as a charity. And then they take $199K from you and me to “educate” their children. That (given that they say the outside world is evil) is really taking the piss.

    I dont feel charitable. What are our MPs and the IRD doing to ensure they fulfill their obligations as we must as citizens? What is being done to protect the vulnerable young people from these patriarchal predators?

    • Nothing.

      I look forward to hearing sometime in the near future that there has been a police visit with CYFS and any other necessary social services in accompaniment.

      Just as long as this is not left to drag. The more media coverage there is the more edgy the elders will get, and there might be open hostility when the authorities eventually do visit.

  2. jenny kirk 2

    You gotta hand it to the PM – he’s a supreme actor. Look how gleeful he was on TV3 News last night telling the MSM that shouting to the world the whereabouts of our troops was not “news”. He’d just made it THE news ! and I bet he’s pushed the ponytail saga off the front page by doing so. Distraction politics at its best !

    • sckiwireddevil 2.1

      Your right Jenny, Wag the Dog at its best, thats what they do, just like the supposed letters of milk powder contamination….we didnt get to see those or hear anything else about them…..remember the letters were brought to our attention just prior to the Northland bi-election, but that backfired on them, ha.

    • Barbara 2.2

      I call it big noting – a little man on the world stage getting his jollies off – he is not a very insightful person – a hollow man.

    • Tracey 2.3

      My partner thought he looked and sounded embarrassed but was trying to cover it with nonchalance. She didn’t think it worked. Red face… cracking voice…

      • Tigger 2.3.1

        He always does this. He is desperate to impress those in power so he runs his mouth off.

      • seeker 2.3.2

        I thought he had been drinking just a little too much.
        Whatever, it was disgraceful, careless behaviour from the ‘leader’ who has sent 143 brave soldiers into unknown dangers and just handed their so called ‘secure’ whereabouts to the enemy on a platter……. and in enemies part of the world!

        This apology of a man is fast becoming a real liability for our country and it’s citizens.

        I am so mad at him and his blind followers.

  3. Tautoko Mangō Mata 3

    Here are some interesting articles all of which indicate the fallout from bad US policies.

    1. Corporate money (political donations to members of the Senate Finance Committee) is being used to influence the Fast Track vote on TTPA bypass democracy in US.

    http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/04/29/corporate-cash-vs-rest-us-fast-track

    2. An example of how US foreign policy created the incentive for a journalist to become a terrorist.

    https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2015/04/29/life-death-al-qaeda-spokesman/

    3. Yet another report on the rorts of Charter Schools in the US
    http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/04/29/fraud-waste-and-lies-charter-schools-cheating-communities-out-millions-dollars

  4. rawshark-yeshe 4

    shame on them all trying to cover this up and I hope brownlie is called out on this today. criminals the lot of them.

    “The Earthquake Commission (EQC) is trying to shut down adverse findings about its top engineer Graeme Robinson to avoid reopening his 2500 Canterbury assessments.

    EQC is worried the findings, if allowed to stand, will have “serious and far reaching implications” for itself and other insurers.

    Robinson was found negligent and incompetent by a disciplinary committee of the Institution of Professional Engineers last year. It also found he did not act honestly and with objectivity and integrity, and cancelled his registration.

    The findings have not been released officially, although it is understood most of the complaints from 11 Canterbury homeonwers have been fully or partly upheld. Robinson did more than 2500 assessments in Canterbury for EQC after September 4, 2010, and the commission now faces demands for all his assessments to be reopened.

    Robinson appealed the disciplinary committee decisions at a Chartered Professional Engineers Council (CPEC) hearing in Wellington last week. Although the hearing was closed to the media, EQC asked to observe and make submissions but its request was declined.

    If the appeal fails, Robinson can still appeal to the District Court.

    In a December 2014 letter to the CPEC chairman Graham Shaw, obtained by The Press, EQC chief executive Ian Simpson asked the council to keep decisions about Robinson confidential until any appeal of the decisions was completed.

    The letter also said EQC believed the disciplinary committee findings were not supported by the evidence and failed to “properly understand and consider the role of EQC and Mr Robinson”.

    Public demands to reopen all Robinson’s assessments illustrated “the difficulties which the decisions will inevitably cause for EQC if they are allowed to stand”.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/68135509/eqc-fights-adverse-findings-against-its-top-engineer

  5. Mickomarvel 5

    Dear John,

    I read about your “horsing about” and it made me realise you may be able to help me with some answers I need in a hurry.
    You see, a couple of weeks ago I was in this café, meeting up with a mate. It was a beautiful Saturday morning and the place was pumping, with friends hooking up at the end of a hectic week. I couldn’t help noticing a very attractive young woman sitting at a table on the other side of the room. Her hair, her beautiful, lustrous, enticing hair; caught up in a pertly perfect pony tail which flicked and twitched as she nodded and smiled with her companion. Oh! How my fingers itched, just to touch that hair!

    “Earth to Micko”, said my friend, “you’re drooling, mate”, and the spell was broken.

    Later, I needed the loo, so I got up to go. Without even realising it, I found myself passing directly behind the young woman and couldn’t help myself saying, as I passed behind her, “Your hair looks so enticing” and, just to emphasise the point, I gave her pony tail a little tug. She swung round in her seat, looking to do battle, so I did my “cheeky schoolboy” grin and said, ” Just horsing about.” She continued to stare, but I could tell she was feeling flattered behind the ice-maiden gaze.
    On the way back out I had to pass behind her, again. She saw me coming and turned her face towards me, which meant that the pony tail was out of my reach.
    “Playing hard to get, are we?” I thought, as I passed, so I waited until I had gone right past her then, when she wasn’t expecting it, reached back in and gave her another little tug. “Ha, Gotcha” I said, flashing her the old million watt smile.

    I got back to my table and my friend leaned in close and hissed in my ear, “Hey, Bro! Settle! Can’t you see she doesn’t like it?”
    “Nah, she’s lovin’ it”, I said. Well, I could tell she was ‘cos of the way she was still switching that enticing little ponytail, all over the place.

    A bit later we got to the stage of arguing over whose turn it was to pay. He held out for a while, insisting it was his turn but eventually, as I knew he would, he gave in and I got up to go and flash the plastic. Can’t have Bill thinking I owe him anything.

    On the way back I was taking a look at the young woman’s face when she glanced up and we made eye contact for just a second. She looked away so quickly that I just knew she was being coquettish. Well, inspiration struck, and I went into “Cookie-Bear” monster mode, advancing on her and humming the theme from Jaws. It had just the effect I wanted. She played along beautifully, turning in her chair, so her back was to the wall, and feigning mock horror.
    “I’ll still get you”, I thought, as I reached to get my hand between her head and the wall.

    Next thing, I’m face down on the floor. My wrist is somewhere between my shoulder blades, there’s a knee in my back, and the end of a ponytail is flicking in my eyes, while the young woman is barking in my ear, “I am a police officer and I’m arresting you for assault”.

    So, now my questions for you, John.

    Do you think that if I offer this police woman a couple of bottles of nice red wine and explain how I didn’t realise, do you think that might help my case? Or do I risk being done for attempted bribery?

    And what about my broken nose? My lawyer says it will go worse for me if I continue to maintain that the bit about me stumbling into the cell door isn’t actually true. He reckons I should just do a brain fade on the issue. Says it works for you. So should I put in a complaint to the IPCC or should I just stay schtum?

    He also says that if I was to openly acknowledge my trichophilia, and seek help for it, then the court might be favourably inclined towards leniency. What do you think?

    Hoping you can provide me with some answers,

    Yours, with much feeling,

    Mickomarvel.

    I originally posted this on TDB, but don’t want it to disappear so I’m reposting here, slightly edited.

    • Reality 5.1

      Mickomarvel – very funny. Perhaps you can meet up at a cafe to discuss your mutual fascination with ponytails! ?

    • vto 5.2

      Mickomarvel, you’re on planet earth remember, not planet key

    • Murray Rawshark 5.4

      Nice one.

    • rawshark-yeshe 5.5

      Best ‘Dear John” letter ever written lol .. please ensure you will advise us any reply received from said ‘john’.

    • Clemgeopin 5.6

      How about you sending it to John Key, all the National MPs, leaders of all parties, Tv1, TV3 and some radio stations too? And may be to NZ Herald or some other publications who might even pay you for the article!

    • Michele Gardner 5.7

      You could try a little honey applied to the bruises to ease the pain, Mick, it’s a lot cheaper than counselling. And if you’ve run out you could get in touch via Farcebook instead of TM, I have a few spare jars. Definitely don’t stay schtum though, you know what happens if you bottle it up. Messy, very messy…

  6. Wonderpup 6

    I’m so proud of the Dunedin City Council progressively voting for divesting from investments in oil and guns. It nice to see something positive for a change. The Councillors who voted against the move range from the short sighted and crusty, through the plain bonkers, on to the right wing libertarian.

    • weka 6.1

      Which way did the vote go?

    • Pasupial 6.2

      the council would also no longer invest in tobacco, arms, gambling and pornography, but it was the issue of whether to include fossil fuels which prompted the most vigorous debate.

      http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/340505/dcc-quitting-its-fossil-fuel-shares

      That debate continues with; Woodhouse against, Turei supportive, while Clark & Curran (the actual electorate MPs, not just MPs resident in the electorate) were either not asked for, or didn’t provide, comment.

      Mr Woodhouse said the council’s decision to dump fossil fuels from the city’s $82.5 million Waipori Fund was ”narrow minded idealism” that would cause ”significant harm to the city it purports to serve”.

      ”This decision sends a strong message that [oil and gas companies] are not welcome in Dunedin…

      Mr Woodhouse admitted he had not spoken to anyone in the oil and gas industry about whether divestment would affect a choice on where to base operations…

      Mr Woodhouse’s comments also appeared to show he was unaware of his own Government’s policy.

      ”The Government is a signatory to the United Nation’s Framework Convention on climate change and recently that convention endorsed fossil fuel divestment.”

      The council was acting on the wishes of Dunedin people, which had been evidenced clearly through a consultation process last year.

      Dunedin based Green Party co leader Metiria Turei said the council had shown ”great leadership” in choosing to divest.

      ”I’m sure that other councils will be looking at this decision very closely.”

      http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/340602/dcc-fossil-fuel-divestment-decision-raises-row

      Weka

      The vote was split 7/7 for/against amongst the councilors, with the mayor casting the deciding vote for divestment.

  7. Brother Lee Love 7

    Hallelujah brothers and you sinful sisters…we God fearing righteous Christians here at Gloriavale must keep the sins of the world at bay! Creatures of Satan, worshippers of Mammon.
    Verily did you not hear an evil satanic follower of the false prophet Feminism said unto us that our Christian school should be shut down, that the nearly $200,000 of tainted money we receive from the evil devil infested government should be denied us, for our blessed childrens learning!
    Have we not rendered unto Ceasar what is Ceasars? Perhaps not in full, Caesar after all has said that we don’t as a charity owe him a thing, that our Gods mercy in the form of $1.8 million this year we can keep. No taxes to the evil rabble out in the world, no, generous devil Caesar, he blesses us with the additional money to educate our children in the ways of the Lord. Hallelujah.
    Now brothers and sisters, the Lords work awaits you, go forth and toil, give your labour to the Lord, no taxes, forth slothful servants. To the greater glory of God and Hopeful Christian…..let’s take from the Devils world what evil tainted Mamman that we can and save it for the Lord (plus Hopefuls legal bills for the next evil accusations of sexual deviancy…)
    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/68145084/education-researcher-calls-for-gloriavale-school-to-be-closed

  8. Russell Brand and Ed Miliband on the Trews. Guardian link

  9. Tracey 9

    “Further detail on the deployment of troops would not be provided “in accordance with our policy on non-identification of personnel and for reasons of operational security,” Brownlee said.

    Prime Minister John Key said the first detachment of New Zealand troops – a “fraction” of the total deployment – would go “soonish” but he would not confirm the date.

    He said he would not name the exact date for security reasons, on the advice of the Defence Force.

    “They don’t go in one group of 106 people, they go in sub-groups of that.”

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/67756596/first-new-zealand-troops-set-to-deploy-to-iraq

    Oh… and human rights issues in the Middle East and a claim that Key spotted over 70 NZ products during a visit to a local supermarket…. if his lips are moving… there’s a deal to be made.

    http://english.alarabiya.net/en/business/economy/2015/04/27/New-Zealand-ISIS-fighters-prompt-security-talks.html

  10. SNP will take every seat in Scotland.
    Labour will get roughly the same percentage as the Tories: 16-18%
    Sturgeon does not need to mention Independence: if every seat in Scotland is an SNP one then seperation has commenced.

    This is a bloodless revolution. Where is the party on the 8th May? The results will start around 11am on that Friday morning.

    • Lanthanide 10.1

      538’s projection shows Lib Dems and Labour are highly likely to each win 1 seat in Scotland. There are two other very-close seats for Labour as well, and the southern-most seat only has SNP a hair ahead of both Conservatives and Labour, and Conservatives winning 2 other seats in the south, although one is only just ahead of the Lib Dems:

      http://fivethirtyeight.com/interactives/uk-general-election-predictions/

      Based solely on these predictions, the chances of SNP winning all seats in Scotland is essentially nil.

      • Bill 10.1.1

        Either William Hill or Ladbrooks (can’t remember which one) are only offering odds of 3 – 1 for the SNP winning all 59 seats. As way of comparison, they were offering 1000 – 1 at the time of the last election.

        Regardless, I guess their up for far more than their present 6 😉

      • Northsider 10.1.2

        Are you a betting person Lanthanide?

        The Scotsman -Edinburgh: SNP on course to win every Scottish Seat.
        http://www.scotsman.com/news/snp-on-course-to-win-every-scottish-seat-1-3757713

        The Herald – Glasgow: Poll: SNP could win all 59 Scottish seats in general election.
        http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/scottish-politics/poll-snp-could-win-all-59-scottish-seats-in-general-election.1430300172

        The Independent – London: “….as new poll predicts SNP will win all seats north of the border”
        http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/generalelection/general-election-2015-labours-scottish-leader-predicts-cameron-will-remain-as-pm-as-new-poll-predicts-snp-will-win-all-seats-north-of-the-border-10214211.html

        What say I buy you an pint for every non SNP seat and you buy me a pint for every SNP seat over 50?

        • Lanthanide 10.1.2.1

          1. I don’t drink beer.

          2. Bill Drees said they will win all seats, to which I pointed out some evidence that they won’t. The wager you are offering has you profit, even if SNP doesn’t win all of the seats. So you’re offering a wager on different terms than the claim that I disputed.

          3. 538’s model takes into account a lot of available polling data, as well as demographic information. This makes it more reliable than any single poll, especially polls that are written up by media outlets in order to attract readers.

          • Northsider 10.1.2.1.1

            1. Wine?
            2. A counter offer wager?
            3. I’ve been watching many polls covering Scotland since the beginning of last year. The pollsters have very solid tested data on which to model due to the IndyRef last year. 95% were enrolled and 85% of them voted.
            Many, and particularly Ashcroft, have done extensive polling in individual seats around Scotland. Different polling methods, i.e. Phone, Online, Inteview, are coming up with the same trends and similar results. The “Poll of Polls” that Ashcroft presents uses ComRes, ICM, Ipsos-Mori, Opinium, Populus, Survation, TNS-BMRB and YouGov as well as Ashcroft funded polling.
            Though I’ve never heard of “538” they are another one to add to the mix. Thank you for drawing them to our attention.

            • Lanthanide 10.1.2.1.1.1

              1. Wine comes in Pints?

              2. The only wager I would consider is my assertion that SNP will not win 100% of the seats in Scotland.

              3. 538 correctly predicted the outcome of all 50 states in the 2012 US presidential election, and 49/50 in 2008, far more accurate than any other prediction. Their UK prediction actually comes from this site: http://electionforecast.co.uk/ which rather than a simple ‘poll of polls’, is a mathematical model of UK voting intention, taking the latest polls into account.

  11. greywarshark 11

    Further interesting on Radionz interview with Brit on coming elections there. It sounds hopeful for Labour et al. And apparently there are enough et al to make it work. And there’s more – Ed is talking, now, about limiting ownership of media, capping it or the like. The Brit said that Murdoch’s papers are having a war of words!

    UK election race neck and neck – columnist ( 8′ 16″ )
    08:41 With eight days to go until the UK General Election, opposition leader Ed Miliband has made a pitch for the youth vote by visiting actor Russell Brand for what’s being called “a kitchen chat” in the comedian’s multi million pound London flat.

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/audio/player/201752458

  12. Gosman 12

    I was reminded by my discussion with Tracey yesterday when I read this article. Seems some people want to wrap themselves in cotton wool and not confront anything that they dislike.

    http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/22/opinion/sunday/judith-shulevitz-hiding-from-scary-ideas.html?_r=0

    • felix 12.1

      Yes mean the way you refuse to discuss anything you can’t quantify as an economic equation?

    • tracey 12.2

      All you have done with that link is show me that you completely missed my point, not only in that thread but for posting as I do on this topic (sexual abuse). Which is fine, I need to try to be clearer in my communication of what I mean so that you don’t go off on a wrong tangent in your understanding of my point of view. I did try hard, but must do better to make my writing more understandable for some people..

      • Gosman 12.2.1

        It wasn’t neccessarily what you personally stated but a number of other commenters expressed opinions around that subject that reflect the views discussed in that article. One person argued that Rugby promotes violence and therefore should not be promoted. You might like to keep a narrow focus but it is an easy step to demanding massive cultural change to accomodate people’s need to feel “Safe” as per the ridiculous attempts outlined in that article.

        • tracey 12.2.1.1

          Then why name me specifically if it was what “other commenters expresed opinions around”?

          Sigh, cos asking to be respected requires a “massive” cultural change just so lsome people can feel “safe” … do you ever re-read what you write?

          • Gosman 12.2.1.1.1

            Because the discussion was around a topic you kicked off.

            • McFlock 12.2.1.1.1.1

              Lol
              On Planet Key a “conversation with Tracey” includes any conversation that Tracey was even slightly involved with before subsequent statements were made, but a “text conversation with the Prime Minister” does not exist if the person who has the job of being Prime Minister declares he was actively texting but only in a private capacity…

  13. felix 13

    Starting right now on Nine to Noon, Muslim women’s rights with Mona Eltahawy, Egyptian author of Headscarves and Hymens.

  14. need a laff..?

    hooton and little are clawing at each other..

    ..little has called hooton a ‘total nutbar’…

    http://whoar.co.nz/2015/andrew-little-and-matthew-hooton-have-a-twit-spat-little-calls-hooton-a-total-nutbar/

    • Lanthanide 14.1

      Thems fighting words!

      Can’t imagine Cunliffe would’ve said something like that.

      • felix 14.1.1

        I think Cunliffe, Shearer before him, and Goff before him all genuinely believed that if they were matey enough with people like Hooton and Farrar they’d eventually come onside (or at least go easy on them).

        It’s a sad delusion and I’m pleased that Andrew doesn’t appear to suffer from it.

  15. joe90 15

    Māori Television takes the lead, again.

    Taika Waititi is returning to the small screen in Brown Eye, a satirical look at the news with a Maori perspective which is starting on Maori Television next month.

    […]

    Waititi is a producer on the show with Bailey Mackey. He will appear on the show as Uncle Isaac, giving his insight into subjects such as the Treaty of Waitangi.

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=11440530

  16. joe90 16

    Something to look forward to on Māori Television.

    Taika Waititi is returning to the small screen in Brown Eye, a satirical look at the news with a Maori perspective which is starting on Maori Television next month.

    […]

    Waititi is a producer on the show with Bailey Mackey. He will appear on the show as Uncle Isaac, giving his insight into subjects such as the Treaty of Waitangi.

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=11440530

  17. Draco T Bastard 17

    Baltimore activist ‘kidnapped’ on live TV is in jail despite having hands up ‘the whole time’

    “You’ll see on the video he walked very slow so there was nothing aggressive about him. He didn’t see the humvee coming, he didn’t hear the humvee coming,” Beatty said. “All he knew was that suddenly he was cut off from the cameras. Then he was grabbed by multiple people in riot gear.”

    It’s a video and shows that the police went to a great deal of effort to hide their actions from the camera. I suppose this is what to expect in a police state.

  18. Philip Ferguson 18

    Today marks the 40th anniversary of the Vietnamese victory over imperialism and the day the last American military and ‘diplomatic’ forces left Vietnam, scurrying away on their choppers. A day of abject humiliation for Washington, as they had too many choppers and not enough aircraft carriers, so a whole bunch of Hueys had to be pushed off the aircraft carriers and into the sea.

    I’ve written about the Vietnam War, or as the Vietnamese called it, The Great Patriotic War, here: https://rdln.wordpress.com/2015/04/29/vietnam-40th-anniversary-of-the-triumph-over-imperialism/

    Phil

    • Gosman 18.1

      Not quite. They wanted to make room for the many hundreds of Vietnamese who understandably didn’t want to live under a communist dictatorship. Aircraft Carriers aren’t usually designed to take the land based choppers that were being flown.

      • Murray Rawshark 18.1.2

        They didn’t want to leave too many collaborators behind because (1) many of them had paid huge bribes, and (2) it would look bad next time they invaded a country if they were seen to abandon the torturers and black marketeers who had helped them. A bit like what they’ve done with their little helpers in Afghanistan, in fact.

        There is absolutely no reason a land based helicopter can’t be accommodated on an aircraft carrier. Many makes have air force and navy versions, usually differing in the alloys used in some parts. There were just too many trying to land.

        • cyclonemike 18.1.2.1

          They left very many “collaborators” behind, to their eternal shame.
          And as to the local losers in that tragic war, the suffering goes on.
          In the 1990s if you rode a cycle-rickshaw in Ho Chi Minh City there was every chance it was being pedaled by a former South Vietnam military officer. It was the only sort of work permitted them.
          Similarly, the various hill tribes lived under cruel and restrictive laws for many years after the war. Probably still do.
          And as to the helicopters – you can’t operate an aircraft carrier with the decks covered in other people’s aircraft. The US Navy had no use for Vietnamese helicopters, land-based or not.

      • McFlock 18.1.3

        Indeed. And it wasn’t a “war” and it was a draw not a loss /sarc
        :pokey tongue out face:

  19. aerobubble 19

    Library access to scoop.co.nz denied

  20. tracey 20

    Independent of what/who

    “Dame Jenny Shipley says her appointment as the first independent chair of Oravida is an important move for the company as it seeks to expand its presence in China.”

    • rawshark-yeshe 20.1

      must go specially alongside her chair of the Chinese bank in Auckland and how well she did as chair of Mainzeal.

      maybe someone can investigate the more secret chinese holdings she held previously with drapac … how did they get the lab space at the old DSIR in Mt Albert ? Hard to imagine without largesse and her matronage.

    • Kiwiri 20.2

      Shipley would be the ideal candidate to be independent of integrity, accountability, honesty, public service, and ethics.

  21. rawshark-yeshe 21

    Engish as NZ traitor: headline says it all.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/68152582/government-offloads-2800-state-houses-to-auckland-development-company

    nb: use of the verb “offload’ in the headline.

    nb2: English’s action includes givng the developer a $200 million instant line of credit to get them start !

  22. Bearded Git 22

    I love the way Fonterra is calling milk prices “volatile”. Prices have plummeted.

    And the way they blame the fall on overproduction and lack of demand. NZ milk production has gone from 9.8 billion litres to 20.7 billion litres between 1996-2015

  23. lprent 23

    Power problem. Fallback failed yet again.
    Sneaker fallback worked. May as well take lunch back with me.

  24. Bob 24

    When are Labour going to learn!

    Press release this morning from Grant Robertson:

    Govt inaction on housing keeping rates high
    The Government’s failure to rein in the housing crisis means the Reserve Bank Governor cannot lower interest rates despite inflation being at 15-year lows, says Labour’s Finance spokesperson Grant Robertson.
    “Inflation is below the target band and the economy has actually deflated in the past two quarters, yet we have among the highest interest rates in the developed world.
    “As the Reserve Bank has repeatedly pointed out the biggest reason for that is the Government’s refusal to tackle the housing crisis.
    “If it wasn’t for skyrocketing housing prices in Auckland and the increased spending that comes off the back of that, there’s no doubt the Governor would be looking to lower rates.
    “That would lower our overvalued dollar, make our exporters more competitive, create jobs and boost incomes, as well as lower mortgage costs for stretched families. Not to mention reduce the serious financial stability risk the Reserve Bank Governor is so worried about.
    “In his commentary today, it is clear the Governor is very concerned about the impact of a high dollar on our exporters.
    “National is failing to build enough houses and refuses to take action on property speculators. That failure is keeping rates high which is hurting businesses, homeowners, and all Kiwis looking to get ahead.

    This is all a brilliant angle from Grant Robertson, he is actually showing he is a better Finance Spokesperson than I thought he was going to be, but then he ruins it all with his last paragraph:
    “The decision on interest rates is usually seen as a headache for the Reserve Bank Governor. It’s quickly turning into a headache for everyone, thanks to John Key,” says Grant Robertson.

    Come on Grant! You have just put forward a reasoned argument for why National should be doing more to tackle the housing issue, then instead of finishing with what Labour plan to do about it, or just leave it as a well reasoned attack on National’s credibility, he has to bring the political battle back to John Key vs Andrew Little rather than National vs Labour!
    National use this tactic because john Key has an almost 4:1 preferred Prime Minister advantage over Andrew Little (according to the latest Colmar Brunton poll), so bringing the arguments back to man against man works for them, but the tenuous links back to John Key at the end of this Media Release is one of the reasons Labour is making no traction in the polls, lot’s of complaints about National using personality politics, then try to counter it with personality politics when you don’t have an overly popular person leading the party (only 1/3rd of his own voters want him as PM)!

  25. When the Prime Minister says the movement of New Zealand forces through a foreign country is not newsworthy, that is the surest signal he no longer trusts the media.

    If the Prime Minister, the most accountable public servant, no longer trusts the media, his/her days with that title should be numbered.

    • rawshark-yeshe 25.1

      the photographic and video images of him they have selected today makes it very clear how they all feel about his ‘middle finger’ to them.

      oh, surprise surprise, they have all been changed !! But the Herald one of him with stretching jaws wide open stuffing a burger in his mouth was a perfect derogation of the hollow man.

      also, stuff had a most unflattering image of him, but no links .. all gone !! funny that.

      the ice is thinning under key’s feet.

  26. rawshark-yeshe 26

    ‘Gather you cynics throughout all the land,
    and don ‘t criticise what you can’t understand …. ‘
    ( with apologies to Mr Bob Zimmerman), but this:

    “The Swiss government has a long and widely-respected history of neutrality, and therefore, reports from this government on controversial subjects need to be taken more seriously than other reports from countries that are more strongly influenced by present economic and political constituencies. When one considers that two of the top five largest drug companies in the world have their headquarters in Switzerland, one might assume that this country would have a heavy interest in and bias toward conventional medicine, but such assumptions would be wrong.

    In late 2011, the Swiss government’s report on homeopathic medicine represents the most comprehensive evaluation of homeopathic medicine ever written by a government and was just published in book form in English (Bornhoft and Matthiessen, 2011).

    This breakthrough report affirmed that homeopathic treatment is both effective and cost-effective and that homeopathic treatment should be reimbursed by Switzerland’s national health insurance program.

    The Swiss government’s inquiry into homeopathy and complementary and alternative (CAM) treatments resulted from the high demand and widespread use of alternatives to conventional medicine in Switzerland, not only from consumers but from physicians as well. Approximately half of the Swiss population have used CAM treatments and value them. Further, about half of Swiss physicians consider CAM treatments to be effective. Perhaps most significantly, 85 percent of the Swiss population wants CAM therapies to be a part of their country’s health insurance program.”

    Full article here:

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dana-ullman/homeopathic-medicine-_b_1258607.html

    “For the times, they are a changin’ ” …

  27. adam 27

    Well worth watching – Good work by the activist. Great media work.

    Also good analysis from the folks from Young Turks.

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

  28. greywarshark 28

    I mention that I did a piece honouring Ettie Rout late yesterday which probably will drop out of sight. She was a WW1 war heroine who receved little ackowledgement and lost her position in society and friends resuting in her taking her life.
    http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-29042015/#comment-1007830

  29. Draco T Bastard 29

    Updated: Sexist peer review elicits furious Twitter response, PLOS apology

    Earlier today, Ingleby, a postdoc at the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom, posted two excerpts of the anonymous review. “It would probably … be beneficial to find one or two male biologists to work with (or at least obtain internal peer review from, but better yet as active co-authors)” to prevent the manuscript from “drifting too far away from empirical evidence into ideologically biased assumptions,” the reviewer wrote in one portion.

    Bold mine and all I can say to that is: WTF???

  30. tinfoilhat 30

    Is Len Brown a corporate stooge or is it just that he’s overly thick and mendacious ?

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11441189

    • Draco T Bastard 30.1

      A bit of both?

      It doesn’t matter how many extensions there are as it’s the length of the wharves that’s the problem. One will still be narrowing the width of the harbour.

      • tinfoilhat 30.1.1

        @Draco..yes pretty much.

        They say we get the leaders we deserve… not sure what we did to deserve our current local and government leaders.

  31. Clemgeopin 31

    Boycott McDonald’s Tomorrow : May 1 :

    “The workers and their union are asking New Zealanders not to eat at McDonald’s on May Day, and if you drive past a picket line, please toot your horn and wave in support.”

    See more at:
    http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2015/04/30/guest-blog-anonymous-mcdonalds-worker-old-mcdonalds-had-a-strike/#sthash.cBVnfPll.dpuf

    • tinfoilhat 31.1

      I’m glad to say that will be very easy for me…never eaten there and never intend to do so.

  32. ianmac 32

    “Louise Upston spouts meaningless waffle when she talks about women’s issues.”
    Dita de BonI writes:
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=11440715
    Felix Geiringer: “Will ‘bit of fun’ end up like pate polishing? “A very funny look at the Hair Pulling Brigade. Sounds just like Fisi or Bob Jones.
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=11440603
    (Funny thing is that to click on the agree hand the vote evaporates when reloading page.)

    • rawshark-yeshe 32.1

      Felix Geiringer is so tongue in cheek it’s easy to miss what he really means … he is neither fisi or bob jones … suffice to know he was tweeting the other day that he was very happy to help Amanda Bailey if she needed legal advice or representation ? -)

      • ianmac 32.1.1

        Oh rawshark-yeshe. I immediately and fully understood that Felix was demonstrating just how absurd the Key supporters position is. (Just in case anyone thought I took him seriously. But Fisi and Jones do sound just like Felix writes.) And being very funny as well. The Geiringer family has a long and noble history of doing the right thing

        • rawshark-yeshe 32.1.1.1

          it was the fisi reference that had me fooled ! no insult to you intended ianmac!

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • EV road user charges bill passes
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the passing of legislation to move light electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) into the road user charges system from 1 April.  “It was always intended that EVs and PHEVs would be exempt from road user charges until they reached two ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago
  • Bill targets illegal, unregulated fishing in international waters
    New Zealand is strengthening its ability to combat illegal fishing outside its domestic waters and beef up regulation for its own commercial fishers in international waters through a Bill which had its first reading in Parliament today. The Fisheries (International Fishing and Other Matters) Amendment Bill 2023 sets out stronger ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    16 hours ago
  • Reserve Bank appointments
    Economists Carl Hansen and Professor Prasanna Gai have been appointed to the Reserve Bank Monetary Policy Committee, Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced today. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is the independent decision-making body that sets the Official Cash Rate which determines interest rates.  Carl Hansen, the executive director of Capital ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    17 hours ago
  • Stronger protections for apartment owners
    Apartment owners and buyers will soon have greater protections as further changes to the law on unit titles come into effect, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “The Unit Titles (Strengthening Body Corporate Governance and Other Matters) Amendment Act had already introduced some changes in December 2022 and May 2023, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago
  • Travel focused on traditional partners and Middle East
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to Egypt and Europe from this weekend.    “This travel will focus on a range of New Zealand’s traditional diplomatic and security partnerships while enabling broad engagement on the urgent situation in Gaza,” Mr Peters says.   Mr Peters will attend the NATO Foreign ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago
  • Keep safe on our roads this Easter
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown is encouraging all road users to stay safe, plan their journeys ahead of time, and be patient with other drivers while travelling around this Easter long weekend. “Road safety is a responsibility we all share, and with increased traffic on our roads expected this Easter we ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    22 hours ago
  • Cost of living support for over 1.4 million Kiwis
    About 1.4 million New Zealanders will receive cost of living relief through increased government assistance from April 1 909,000 pensioners get a boost to Superannuation, including 5000 veterans 371,000 working-age beneficiaries will get higher payments 45,000 students will see an increase in their allowance Over a quarter of New Zealanders ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago
  • Tenancy reviews for social housing restart
    Ensuring social housing is being provided to those with the greatest needs is front of mind as the Government restarts social housing tenancy reviews, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. “Our relentless focus on building a strong economy is to ensure we can deliver better public services such as social ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago
  • Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary plan halted
    The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary will not go ahead, with Cabinet deciding to stop work on the proposed reserve and remove the Bill that would have established it from Parliament’s order paper. “The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill would have created a 620,000 sq km economic no-go zone,” Oceans and Fisheries Minister ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago
  • Cutting all that dam red tape
    Dam safety regulations are being amended so that smaller dams won’t be subject to excessive compliance costs, Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on reducing costs and removing unnecessary red tape so we can get the economy back on track.  “Dam safety regulations ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    24 hours ago
  • Drought support extended to parts of North Island
    The coalition Government is expanding the medium-scale adverse event classification to parts of the North Island as dry weather conditions persist, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced today. “I have made the decision to expand the medium-scale adverse event classification already in place for parts of the South Island to also cover the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Passage of major tax bill welcomed
    The passing of legislation giving effect to coalition Government tax commitments has been welcomed by Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “The Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill will help place New Zealand on a more secure economic footing, improve outcomes for New Zealanders, and make our tax system ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Lifting economy through science, tertiary sectors
    Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins and Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds today announced plans to transform our science and university sectors to boost the economy. Two advisory groups, chaired by Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, will advise the Government on how these sectors can play a greater ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government announces Budget priorities
    The Budget will deliver urgently-needed tax relief to hard-working New Zealanders while putting the government’s finances back on a sustainable track, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.  The Finance Minister made the comments at the release of the Budget Policy Statement setting out the Government’s Budget objectives. “The coalition Government intends ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government to consider accommodation solution
    The coalition Government will look at options to address a zoning issue that limits how much financial support Queenstown residents can get for accommodation. Cabinet has agreed on a response to the Petitions Committee, which had recommended the geographic information MSD uses to determine how much accommodation supplement can be ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government approves extension to Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care
    Cabinet has agreed to a short extension to the final reporting timeframe for the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care from 28 March 2024 to 26 June 2024, Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says.                                         “The Royal Commission wrote to me on 16 February 2024, requesting that I consider an ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • $18m boost for Kiwis travelling to health treatment
    The coalition Government is delivering an $18 million boost to New Zealanders needing to travel for specialist health treatment, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says.   “These changes are long overdue – the National Travel Assistance (NTA) scheme saw its last increase to mileage and accommodation rates way back in 2009.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • PM’s Prizes for Space to showcase sector’s talent
    The Government is recognising the innovative and rising talent in New Zealand’s growing space sector, with the Prime Minister and Space Minister Judith Collins announcing the new Prime Minister’s Prizes for Space today. “New Zealand has a growing reputation as a high-value partner for space missions and research. I am ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Concerns conveyed to China over cyber activity
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government.     “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity, attributed to groups sponsored by the Chinese Government, targeting democratic institutions in both New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry
    Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry Education Minister Erica Stanford today announced the appointment of three independent reviewers to lead the Ministerial Inquiry into the Ministry of Education’s School Property Function.  The Inquiry will be led by former Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully. “There is a clear need ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Brynderwyns open for Easter
    State Highway 1 across the Brynderwyns will be open for Easter weekend, with work currently underway to ensure the resilience of this critical route being paused for Easter Weekend to allow holiday makers to travel north, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Today I visited the Brynderwyn Hills construction site, where ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Speech to the Infrastructure Funding & Financing Conference
    Introduction Good morning to you all, and thanks for having me bright and early today. I am absolutely delighted to be the Minister for Infrastructure alongside the Minister of Housing and Resource Management Reform. I know the Prime Minister sees the three roles as closely connected and he wants me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Parliamentary network breached by the PRC
    New Zealand stands with the United Kingdom in its condemnation of People’s Republic of China (PRC) state-backed malicious cyber activity impacting its Electoral Commission and targeting Members of the UK Parliament. “The use of cyber-enabled espionage operations to interfere with democratic institutions and processes anywhere is unacceptable,” Minister Responsible for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • NZ to provide support for Solomon Islands election
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced New Zealand will provide logistics support for the upcoming Solomon Islands election. “We’re sending a team of New Zealand Defence Force personnel and two NH90 helicopters to provide logistics support for the election on 17 April, at the request ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ-EU FTA gains Royal Assent for 1 May entry to force
    The European Union Free Trade Agreement Legislation Amendment Bill received Royal Assent today, completing the process for New Zealand’s ratification of its free trade agreement with the European Union.    “I am pleased to announce that today, in a small ceremony at the Beehive, New Zealand notified the European Union ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • COVID-19 inquiry attracts 11,000 submissions
    Public consultation on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons has concluded, Internal Affairs Minister Hon Brooke van Velden says.  “I have been advised that there were over 11,000 submissions made through the Royal Commission’s online consultation portal.” Expanding the scope of the Royal Commission of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Families to receive up to $75 a week help with ECE fees
    Hardworking families are set to benefit from a new credit to help them meet their early childcare education (ECE) costs, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. From 1 July, parents and caregivers of young children will be supported to manage the rising cost of living with a partial reimbursement of their ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Unlocking a sustainable, low-emissions future
    A specialised Independent Technical Advisory Group (ITAG) tasked with preparing and publishing independent non-binding advice on the design of a "green" (sustainable finance) taxonomy rulebook is being established, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says.  “Comprising experts and market participants, the ITAG's primary goal is to deliver comprehensive recommendations to the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Chief of Army thanked for his service
    Defence Minister Judith Collins has thanked the Chief of Army, Major General John Boswell, DSD, for his service as he leaves the Army after 40 years. “I would like to thank Major General Boswell for his contribution to the Army and the wider New Zealand Defence Force, undertaking many different ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders
    25 March 2024 Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders Small Business, Manufacturing, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly will travel to Australia for a series of bi-lateral meetings and manufacturing visits. During the visit, Minister Bayly will meet with his Australian counterparts, Senator Tim Ayres, Ed ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Government commits nearly $3 million for period products in schools
    Government commits almost $3 million for period products in schools The Coalition Government has committed $2.9 million to ensure intermediate and secondary schools continue providing period products to those who need them, Minister of Education Erica Stanford announced today. “This is an issue of dignity and ensuring young women don’t ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Speech – Making it easier to build.
    Good morning, it’s great to be here.   First, I would like to acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of Building Surveyors and thank you for the opportunity to be here this morning.  I would like to use this opportunity to outline the Government’s ambitious plan and what we hope to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Pacific youth to shine from boost to Polyfest
    Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti has announced the Government’s commitment to the Auckland Secondary Schools Māori and Pacific Islands Cultural Festival, more commonly known as Polyfest. “The Ministry for Pacific Peoples is a longtime supporter of Polyfest and, as it celebrates 49 years in 2024, I’m proud to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • 2024 Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships announced
    ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Speech to Breast Cancer Foundation – Insights Conference
    Before moving onto the substance of today’s address, I want to recognise the very significant and ongoing contribution the Breast Cancer Foundation makes to support the lives of New Zealand women and their families living with breast cancer. I very much enjoy working with you. I also want to recognise ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Kiwi research soars to International Space Station
    New Zealand has notched up a first with the launch of University of Canterbury research to the International Space Station, Science, Innovation and Technology and Space Minister Judith Collins says. The hardware, developed by Dr Sarah Kessans, is designed to operate autonomously in orbit, allowing scientists on Earth to study ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Speech to the New Zealand Planning Institute
    Introduction Thank you for inviting me to speak with you today and I’m sorry I can’t be there in person. Yesterday I started in Wellington for Breakfast TV, spoke to a property conference in Auckland, and finished the day speaking to local government in Christchurch, so it would have been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Support for Northland emergency response centre
    The Coalition Government is contributing more than $1 million to support the establishment of an emergency multi-agency coordination centre in Northland. Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced the contribution today during a visit of the Whangārei site where the facility will be constructed.  “Northland has faced a number ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Celebrating 20 years of Whakaata Māori
    New Zealanders have enjoyed a broader range of voices telling the story of Aotearoa thanks to the creation of Whakaata Māori 20 years ago, says Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka. The minister spoke at a celebration marking the national indigenous media organisation’s 20th anniversary at their studio in Auckland on ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Some commercial fishery catch limits increased
    Commercial catch limits for some fisheries have been increased following a review showing stocks are healthy and abundant, Ocean and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The changes, along with some other catch limit changes and management settings, begin coming into effect from 1 April 2024. "Regular biannual reviews of fish ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-03-28T19:51:52+00:00