Open mike 30/06/2016
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6:00 am, June 30th, 2016 - 90 comments
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Opposition MP Michael WoodhouseLast week, the current National Party leader, Simon Bridges, claimed that the Minister of Health wasn’t leading on ‘significant issues that matter to New Zealanders within his Health portfolio’ when commenting about the Government’s response to the Coronavirus outbreak.This silly comment was made despite David Clark working ...6 hours ago - Fluoridation and sex steroid hormones – or the mouse that roared
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- NZ’s trade aims advanced at Davos meetingsA proposal to cut “trade and production-distorting subsidies” in the agricultural sector by 2030 has set out important measures to ensure a fair agricultural trading system. Speaking after attending meetings of trade ministers in Davos, Switzerland, Minister for Trade and Export Growth David Parker welcomed the joint proposal from the ...3 days ago
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- New Zealand least corrupt country in the worldNew Zealand has regained its position as the least corrupt country in the world for the second time under this Coalition Government, says Justice Minister Andrew Little. “New Zealanders can be proud that our reputation as one of the least corrupt countries in the world has been restored,” says Andrew ...4 days ago
- Boost for Rēkohu/Wharekauri/Chatham Islands Community ConservationCommunity conservation in Rēkohu/Wharekauri/the Chatham Islands is receiving a boost, with grants to support local projects announced today by Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage. “Rēkohu/Wharekauri/ the Chatham Islands are home to 20 per cent of New Zealand’s threatened bird species and 11 per cent of New Zealand’s threatened plant species. ...4 days ago
- Rātana Pā goes high-tech with UFBIwi, hapu and visitors to Rātana Pā near Whanganui now have access to ultra-fast broadband following its connection, completed in time for annual Rātana celebrations, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones says. The connection and associated hardware were funded from the Provincial Growth Fund’s $21 million Marae Digital Connectivity programme, ...4 days ago
- Govt’s strong financial management acknowledgedThe Government’s strong financial management and plan to future proof the economy with new infrastructure investment has gained further recognition from an international ratings agency. Credit rating agency Fitch has upgraded one of its main metrics assessing the Government’s books, lifting its foreign currency AA rating outlook to ‘positive’ from ...4 days ago
- Boost in Whānau Ora funding to keep changing livesWhānau throughout New Zealand are set to benefit from an extra three million dollars that will go directly to Whānau Ora Commissioning Agencies, the Minister for Whānau Ora Peeni Henare announced today. Including previous funding boosts, the Agencies will now receive $87 million this year between them. In Budget 2019 ...4 days ago
- More people getting into workThe December quarter benefit numbers released today show the Government’s plan to get people off the benefit and into work is starting to pay off,” Social Development Minister Carmel Sepuloni said. “Nearly 19,000 people cancelled their benefit and went into work in the last few months of the year – ...4 days ago
- Wairoa gets up to $6.1m to rebuild heart of CBDThe Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) is investing up to $6.1 million to revitalise business and tourism opportunities in Wairoa, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Regional Economic Development Fletcher Tabuteau announced today. The PGF is funding: Up to $4.8 million for the Wairoa Integrated Business and Tourism Facility Up to $960,000 for the ...5 days ago
- Major Events support for creative and cultural eventsCreative and cultural events that highlight New Zealand’s diverse culture and build national pride are set to get a funding boost through the Major Events Fund, Economic Development Minister Phil Twyford said today. The new Creative and Cultural Events Incubator, which is funded through the Major Events Fund, will open ...5 days ago
- Classroom internet in hundreds of schools to get a boostThe Government has begun a massive IT upgrade to provide more seamless internet access to 200 schools around the country. Te Mana Tūhono – Technology in Schools work programme will launch with a pilot of 10 smaller state schools early this year. IT equipment that gives students access to the ...5 days ago
- Construction workforce, apprenticeships hit record highsWorking with industry and committing to rebuild New Zealand’s infrastructure has produced a record high number of Kiwis working in the construction industry and learning trades, says Minister for Building and Construction Jenny Salesa. New figures available today from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and the Tertiary Education ...5 days ago
- NZ concludes digital economy trade talks with Singapore and ChileA new trade agreement concluded today helps New Zealand exporters and consumers take advantage of opportunities from digital trade. Minister for Trade and Export Growth David Parker together with Chile’s Vice Minister of Trade Rodrigo Yañez and Singapore’s Minister of Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing, have announced conclusion of ...6 days ago
- Provincial Growth Fund to fund Waipukurau cultural development and tourismThe Ngā Ara Tipuna - Waipukurau Pā Site Interpretation project will receive $2.798 million from the Provincial Growth Fund to create an authentic cultural tourism experience, Under-Secretary for Regional Economic Development Fletcher Tabuteau announced today “The project will inform visitors about the history of six pā sites in Waipukurau with a combination ...6 days ago
- 21 new judges boost diversity, improve access to justiceTwenty-one new District Court judges have been appointed in a move that will improve access to justice and boost diversity on the bench. The new judges include replacements for retirements and 10 new positions. Attorney-General David Parker today announced the 14 judges who can immediately be named, with the remainder ...6 days ago
- Puhinui to Auckland Airport in 10 minutesAucklanders are another step closer to getting rapid transit to the airport, with the start of construction to upgrade State Highway 20B to the airport, Transport Minister Phil Twyford announced today. SH20B will be upgraded with additional lanes in each direction, dedicated to bus and high-occupancy vehicles between Pukaki Creek ...6 days ago
- Advancing New Zealand’s trade agenda focus of Europe meetingsWorld Trade Organisation reform, agricultural trade and a free trade agreement with the United Kingdom will be the focus of Minister for Trade and Export Growth David Parker’s visit to Europe this week. David Parker leaves on Tuesday for a series of meetings in the UK and Switzerland that aim ...1 week ago
- Minister of Defence to visit counterparts in US and CanadaThe Minister of Defence, Ron Mark, departed today for the United States and Canada where he will meet with his counterparts. While in Canada Minister Mark will meet with his counterpart, Minister of National Defence Harjit Sajjan. “New Zealand and Canada are close friends, and share an instinctive like-mindedness on ...1 week ago
- Government to deliver family carers $2000 pay rise, expand scheme to spouses this yearThe Coalition Government is delivering this year the changes to Funded Family Care the disability sector has long-asked for, says Associate Minister of Health Jenny Salesa. “Today we are announcing the details of our big changes to Funded Family Care, including an annual average pay boost of $2,246.40 for funded ...1 week ago
- Ko te reo kua mū: Piri SciasciaMinister for Māori Development Nanaia Mahuta joins te ao Māori in their sorrow as they learn of the loss of one of the great orators and spokespersons of a generation – Piri Sciascia. “The son of Pōrangahau was a staunch advocate for Māori development and served his people for over ...1 week ago
- Minister opens new ecosanctuary at Cape FarewellA new ecosanctuary with a predator proof fence on Golden Bay’s Cape Farewell, which will restore a safe home for sea birds, rare native plants, giant snails, and geckos, was officially opened today by the Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage. “There has been a fantastic community effort supported by the ...1 week ago
- Pacific partners work together to provide additional support to AustraliaThe NZDF continues to support the Australian Defence Force (ADF) as it battles fires in Victoria and New South Wales, including by transporting Republic of Fiji Military engineers from Nadi to Australia, announced Defence Minister Ron Mark. On Saturday morning a NZDF Boeing 757 will depart New Zealand to uplift ...1 week ago
- Kaikōura $10.88 million boost in tourism & businessThe Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) is investing $10.88 million to boost business and tourism opportunities in Kaikōura, Parliamentary Undersecretary for Regional Economic Development, Fletcher Tabuteau announced today. As part of the Kaikōura Marina Development Programme, the following two projects will receive PGF funding: A $9.88 million investment to begin the ...1 week ago
- Govt accounts in surplus, debt remains lowThe Government’s books are in good shape with the accounts in surplus and expenses close to forecast, Finance Minister Grant Robertson says. The Treasury today released the Crown accounts for the five months to November. The operating balance before gains and losses (OBEGAL) was above forecast by $0.7 billion resulting ...1 week ago
- Auckland focus for first Police graduation of 2020The number of Police on the Auckland frontline is increasing with the graduation today of a special locally-trained wing of new constables. Police Minister Stuart Nash says the graduation of eighteen officers from Recruit Wing 333-5 means that more than 1900 new Police have been deployed since the Coalition Government ...2 weeks ago
- Wairarapa gets $7.11m PGF water boostThe Provincial Growth Fund is putting $7.11 million into creating a sustainable water supply for Wairarapa, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Regional Economic Development Fletcher Tabuteau announced today. The following two projects will receive Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) funding: A $7 million investment in Wairarapa Water Limited for the pre-construction development of ...2 weeks ago
- Progress with new Police station in MahiaCommunity safety and crime prevention in the East Coast community of Mahia has moved forward with the opening of a new Police station to serve the growing coastal settlement. Police Minister Stuart Nash has officially opened the new station, which was relocated almost 20 kilometres along the coast from the nearby ...2 weeks ago
- Plans to protect the future of whitebaiting announcedWith several native whitebait species in decline the Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage has today released proposals to standardise and improve management of whitebait across New Zealand. “The need for action for a healthy whitebait fishery has never been greater,” Eugenie Sage said. “Four of the six whitebait species are ...2 weeks ago
- New resource for schools to increase awareness and understanding of climate changeA new Ministry of Education resource available for schools in 2020 will increase awareness and understanding of climate change, Education Minister Chris Hipkins said today. “The resource, Climate Change – prepare today, live well tomorrow, will help students understand the effects of climate change at a local, national and global ...2 weeks ago
- Getting more out of our most productive firmsFinance Minister Grant Robertson has approved the terms of reference for an Inquiry into the economic contribution of New Zealand's frontier firms. Frontier firms are the most productive firms in the domestic economy within their own industry. “These firms are important as they diffuse new technologies and business practices into ...2 weeks ago
- NZDF sends more support to AustraliaThe New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) is sending an Environmental Health Team, a Primary Health Care Team and a Chaplain to Australia, boosting New Zealand support for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) as it battles bush fires in Victoria and New South Wales, Defence Minister Ron Mark announced today. The ...2 weeks ago
- New Zealand joins partners in calling for full investigation into air crash in IranActing Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Rt Hon Winston Peters says that developments suggesting a surface-to-air missile is responsible for the downing of the Ukrainian International Airlines flight in Iran is disastrous news. “New Zealand offers its deepest sympathies to the families of the 176 victims. It is ...2 weeks ago
- Grounds established to reassess neonicotinoids
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has determined that grounds exist to reassess approvals of substances containing neonicotinoids used in New Zealand. ...17 mins ago - Withdrawal agreement – done; Brexit – happening; now for the EU – UK trade deal …
As Britain ticks closer to its formal departure from the European Union on 31 January, attention is focusing on negotiations for a trade and economic treaty. Britain’s PM, Boris Johnson, has said a deal has to be done before transitional arrangements expire at the end of 2020. European leaders are ...37 mins ago - Adulttoymegastore supports Australian bushfire reliefAdulttoymegastore is proud to have supported a major fundraiser for Red Cross Australia’s bushfire relief efforts. ...47 mins ago
- Businesses in central NZ more confident economy will improve
Business confidence has improved in the central provinces despite ongoing labour shortages. ...56 mins ago - Synlait increases forecast milk payout
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Leading construction figures acknowledge a degree of cynicism in the sector at a newly touted Transformation Plan, but say it's the best shot of tackling long-standing problems. ...2 hours ago - What’s on RNZ News at midday – Jan 27
The Tourism Minister Kelvin Davis has declined to comment on the impact of the virus on the country’s biggest export industry. ...3 hours ago - Ihumātao deal looks dirtier by the dayThe New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is calling on Winston Peters and Auckland Councillors to veto the rumoured dirty deal at Ihumātao. Taxpayers’ Union spokesman Louis Houlbrooke says, “If Grant Robertson funnels $45 million through Auckland Council ...5 hours ago
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The Police Minister Stuart Nash says it is investing in a long term plan to fight gangs and stop them recruiting new members. ...7 hours ago - What’s in the newspapers – Jan 27
New Zealand authorities have stepped up measures to combat the deadly coronavirus as it spreads to more countries and the global death toll climbs. ...7 hours ago - How smart were our ancestors? Turns out the answer isn’t in brain size, but blood flow
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Roger S. Seymour, Professor Emeritus of Physiology, University of Adelaide How did human intelligence evolve? Anthropologists have studied this question for decades by looking at tools found in archaeological digs, evidence of the use of fire and so on, and changes in ...8 hours ago - Yes, this continent was invaded in 1788 – an international law expert explainsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rowan Nicholson, Associate Lecturer and Co-director of the Sydney Centre for International Law, University of Sydney Should we remember January 26 1788 as “Invasion Day”? The colonisation of Australia was an invasion from an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspective. But critics ...8 hours ago
- 29,000 cancers overdiagnosed in Australia in a single yearSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexandra Barratt, Professor of Public Health, University of Sydney Almost one in four cancers detected in men were overdiagnosed in 2012, according to our new research, published today in the Medical Journal of Australia. In the same year, we found that approximately ...8 hours ago
- How a year of trying to buy nothing made me a smarter shopper and a better teacherSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ellen Heyting, PhD student in Education and Head of Years 11 and 12, Monash University It started as a New Year’s resolution driven by guilt and a touch of sibling rivalry – but by the end of the year, it taught me ...8 hours ago
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- How is Christchurch now, after everything?At a recent wedding I was asked how Christchurch is doing now. It turns out that question is more difficult to answer than I thought.On a warm autumn night in Melbourne, a nice man wearing a nice suit has two questions. The first is easy: Where do you live?“Christchurch,” I ...11 hours ago
- Indonesia releases US Mongabay journalist held on visa chargePacific Media Watch An American environmental journalist accused of violating the terms of his visa has been freed after three days in jail and is likely to be deported soon, a top Indonesian government minister said, reports The New York Times. The journalist, Philip Jacobson, 30, who works for ...19 hours ago
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- The Wuhan coronavirus is now in Australia – here’s what you need to knowSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sanjaya Senanayake, Associate Professor of Medicine, Infectious Diseases Physician, Australian National University New South Wales Health has confirmed three men in their 30s, 40s and 50s in Sydney have tested positive to the new Wuhan coronavirus after returning from China. This follows ...1 day ago
- Shane Jones: Pay heed to the dignity of womenAt the annual gathering at Rātana pā last Friday, Shane Jones unleashed an unhinged attack on Pania Newton. He referred to Pania as, “a young putiputi (flower)” then doubled down on his diatribe against Pania by stating that “Pania must not ...1 day ago
- Lucy Lawless as Stevie Nicks is New Zealand’s forgotten comedy masterpieceTwenty-two years ago, Lucy Lawless wasn’t just playing Xena, she was part of one of SNL’s greatest ever sketches. Sam Brooks pays tribute to Stevie Nicks Fajita Round-Up.The year is 1998. Jenny Shipley is prime minister, we win zero medals at the Olympics, and an actress named Lucy Lawless is the ...1 day ago
- Recipe: Best-ever potato saladEveryone needs a good spud salad recipe in their repertoire, and this herb-packed offering is hard to beat. This is my go-to potato salad recipe and it was one I had never written down nor considered sharing. Until before Christmas, that is, when we headed inland to celebrate the festive season ...1 day ago
- A handy guide to being a good friend to a new mumThe fourth trimester is exhausting for new parents. Here’s how you can help.There are no visitors, only staff. This was the most empowering advice I got as a new māmā because it gave me permission to let go of the people-pleasing and embrace the generosity of those around me.They call ...1 day ago
- Island FútbolFar from home, the Latin American football fanatics of Waiheke Island are fighting to regain their place on the New Zealand football league. It’s a tale of passion, pride and love for the beautiful game, writes Michael Andrew.This story was made possible by Spinoff Members. To support independent, homegrown journalism, ...1 day ago
- Minto calls for ‘mobilisation’ backing peace, justice in Middle EastJohn Minto praises Iraqi protests against US aggression in the Middle East and calls for NZ troops to be recalled at a rally in Auckland’s Aotea Square today. Video: David Robie/Cafe Pacific Pacific Media Centre Veteran campaigner John Minto, UNITE union national director Mike Treen and other speakers today ...2 days ago
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- Faster broadband comes to Rātana – and now they are better connected to the world than many peopl...
The Jones boy is back in the business of making good-news announcements about the Provincial Growth Fund, rather than being asked to explain his role in one of hundreds of applications made by business people keen to slurp a few million from the $3 billion trough. Today our Regional Development ...2 days ago - Make it so-so: Star Trek: Picard, reviewedThe Frenchest man to helm a starship is back! The first episode of Star Trek: Picard is out, and José Barbosa and Josie Adams have some thoughts.Warning: contains spoiler (kind of a big one)Josie AdamsCaptain Jean-Luc Picard was a father figure to me for a couple of years, so seeing ...2 days ago
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- India, Aoteaora, and the road beyond colonisationAnd in the effort to decolonise, each can learn from the other, writes Gaurav Sharma, editor of the Multicultural Times.For nation-states that emerged from centuries of brutal colonial rule, decolonisation is needed, in all its forms. The coloniser left India in 1947, and still the country is struggling. In Aotearoa, ...2 days ago
- How anxiety and illiteracy inspired a young adult fantasy seriesA new fantasy series by Isa Pearl Ritchie focuses on a girl who struggles with anxiety and panic attacks. Here, Ritchie explains how her own childhood sparked Awa and the Dreamrealm. I was confused a lot of the way through my schooling. I would zone out a lot in class and ...2 days ago
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- What we learn from a fish that can change sex in just 10 daysSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jenny Graves, Distinguished Professor of Genetics, La Trobe University The bluehead wrasse is a fish that lives in small social groups in coral reefs in the Caribbean. Only the male has a blue head – signalling his social dominance over a harem ...3 days ago
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National Party Leader Simon Bridges says the Government has not delivered for Māori as promised ...3 days ago - Tanks, torpedoes and tasers: Why weapons are a conundrum for KiwiSaversYou don’t want your retirement savings invested in nuclear bombs, sure. But what about conventional defence equipment that’s also used for essential civilian purposes?This month’s assassination of Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani and the Australian navy’s evacuation of people escaping bushfires are two very different events, but they highlight the dilemma ...3 days ago
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- Jack McDonald: Why I’m endorsing a Māori Party candidate this electionWe need Māori voices in parliament who aren’t beholden to the major parties, writes former Green Party policy co-convenor and candidate Jack McDonald (Taranaki, Ngāti Haupoto).I was one of those kids that was always interested in politics. I have early blurry memories of excitedly watched election night results. In our ...3 days ago
Another day in John Key’s neo-liberal nightmare.
We have become a cruel, greedy, uncaring and selfish nation under his wretched leadership.
Cruel
This government.
Govt again vetoes paid parental leave bill
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/307590/govt-again-vetoes-paid-parental-leave-bill
Another day in John Key’s neo-liberal nightmare.
We have become a cruel, greedy, uncaring and selfish nation under his wretched leadership.
Selfish.
This government’s lack of action on climate change.
Emmerson’s cartoon today sums it up.
http://media.nzherald.co.nz/webcontent/image/jpg/201627/cartoon1.jpg
Maybe our Climate Change Minister Bennett could think of these people….
http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/south-pacific/81601127/i-worry-about-family-all-the-time–a-nz-student-from-kiribati-and-the-future-of-his-homeland
Another day in John Key’s neo-liberal nightmare.
We have become a cruel, greedy, uncaring and selfish nation under his wretched leadership.
Uncaring.
This government’s lack of funding for Lifeline Aotearoa.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/307597/lifeline-counselling-service-may-have-to-close
What’s the medium-run stats for NZ suicide?
Better or worse than say 1980 per capita?
Or just another bleating NGO?
Where’s the measure?
I’d say the increase in farmer suicide, and our long term youth suicide rate bring one of highest in the OECD suggest that Lifeline aren’t bleating.
Mind you, you could probably make an argument for Lifeline having had its day, being a relic from before neoliberalism, and that its financial problems are a sign of its inability to get with the programme. Too many sheep, not enough wolves. /sarc
jeeze ad wtf is wrong with you
Are you unaware of the suicide statistics in this country – the youth rates, the 12 year old killing himself, the underreporting because someone killing themselves isn’t considered suicide, the high rate of Māori suicide – youth and adult.
here is some fucking facts for you
http://wakahourua.co.nz/suicide-facts
read it and weep
Just a simple tracker overtime is what I asked for.
Plenty of health ngo’s bleat but honestly make little measurable difference.
“Plenty of health ngo’s bleat but honestly make little measurable difference”
so says you – and what would you know? 0:0
Thanks marty. Ad’s comment was callous. I’m surprised that an intelligent person is unaware of just how high our rates of suicide are here in NZ.
Also insensitive given the high number, for Ad to not to consider how many people reading may have been suicidal at a point in their lives or lost someone to suicide.
Yes Rosie – not many of us unaffected. I work with people who struggle with suicide ideation daily so I’m a little sensitive on this subject 🙂
Understand you feel alert to the subject of suicide given your work – and you do valuable and worthy work, probably very tough some days. Big bless to you for the changes you may facilitate in people’s lives.
Thanks Rosie – we work hard to help people here and the results with very vulnerable people can be magical.
! ! ! R and MM.
Children between the ages of 5-9 commit suicide in NZ, imagine being that young & even knowing how to kill yourself! This is truly NZs deep dark shame.
“Maria Bradshaw, whose 17-year-old son Toran Henry took his own life in 2008, said she was aware of a six-year-old girl and seven-year-old boy who had committed suicide in the past 12 months.”
Interesting here too that more unemployed people kill themselves than those in work.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10831455
Let’s say I found a tracker in a 10second google.
How would its information affect your position?
What would you say if the suicide rate had been increasing over time, or decreasing, or was static?
Because I don’t see how it’s relevant to whether lifeline is a valuable service.
Latest UK Poll Stats
YouGov (just released – via tweet from UK polling expert. Nothing on YouGov site yet)
Corbyn should Resign ?
………………………………………Yes………….No……….Unsure
Entire Sample………………49%………..30%………..21%
Labour Voters……………..35%…………54%………..11%
YouGov
Second EU Referendum ?
Entire Sample….Yes 31%….No 58%….Unsure 11%
Those Opposed include not only 91% of Leave voters but also just under 30% of Remain supporters.
A second question shows that even if Scotland left the UK, respondents still opposed a Second Referendum by 51% to 30%.
Fun Brexit Stats
A total of 9084 people voted for BOTH Remain and Leave on their ballot paper in the EU Referendum. Rates of double-voting were highest in the London borough of Brent (0.13%).
I suspect they were just taking the piss.
“Labour Voters……………..35%…………54%………..11%” – Well that is interesting isn’t it?
The 200 Labour party MPs who are pushing for Corbyn to go do not represent the country or their own party. They are Tony Blair’s creatures. It is they who should resign.
But all the right wing trolls say Corbyn should resign? They wouldn’t be speaking with forked tongues would they? I noticed they shut up pretty quick last night when Shewan was proven to be another disingenuous wanker. Little comes out smelling like roses again.
I hope Corbyn will keep his leadership & let the cards fall where they may come election time, what are the right so scared about? Labour winning? But that’s impossible under Corbyn they say, then wouldn’t it be better for them to shut up about it? One would think so wouldn’t one (I couldn’t possibly comment).
Almost impossible to hear the views of working class people in England such is the stranglehold of the corporate mainstream media. The Guardian has proven a lackey of Blairite interests ( its bias was also clear during Corbyn’s selection and also during the Scottish referendum last year. The independent has proved it is anything but.
So here are some links for those of you wanting to hear the people’s voice, as opposed to the 200 career Labour MPs.
http://labourlist.org/2016/06/the-plot-to-oust-corbyn-is-anti-democratic-and-offensive-to-labour-members/
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jun/29/labour-mps-vs-corbyn-war-party-members-tories-brexit
https://twitter.com/hashtag/deselectthem?src=hash
https://twitter.com/hashtag/imwithCorbyn?src=hash
I feel love & Paul
Corbyn won’t be the first J.C. To be crucified by selfish power brokers & self serving politicians who ignore the wishes of the silenced majority.
@I Feel Love (4.1.1.1) you post “…. I noticed they shut up pretty quick last night when Shewan was proven to be another disingenuous wanker. Little comes out smelling like roses again.”
Thanks for this info which I have missed. I am having trouble finding it and want to know what has come out about Shewan. Of course msm won’t have anything about it and if it does, it will be hidden away in the dark bowels of the publication!
Do you have more details please?
Ditto re Corbyn. Seems the ordinary people on the street want him to stay on as leader. It’s the dirty Blairites in Labour who want him gone! Dirty Politics!
http://www.newshub.co.nz/opinion/opinion-case-closed-in-andrew-little-v-john-shewan-stoush-2016062918#axzz4CurifRPg
“Until he produced that tiny piece of evidence it looked like he was lying. That’s something Mr Little calls the Prime Minister out on, and if Little’s a prime minister in waiting, then he needs to be able to show that he doesn’t lie.
Today he did that, and I take my hat off to him.
However, it shouldn’t have taken the public battle to get here, it was a simple case of “I did exactly what I was asked — here, let me show you.”
But you can guarantee when there are lawyers involved, things get arduous.
Anyway, it’s over now. Both parties seem happy. Case closed. “
@I Feel Love … Many thanks for the link 🙂
Its a good report eh? Just lays out some facts. Seems surprised to be dealing with an honest politician, something she must not be used to when dealing with the Govt I suppose.
Shewan claimed in a recent Herald editorial piece that there is no Australian money in zero rated company trusts. How does he know this! Does he have authority to request these trusts contents, or some inside network knowledge, or is he just parroting John Key.
For a PM who rarely does not do much in details,
Key seems to be right all over this report.
It begs the question did he actually write it.
People have a tell in how they write, and tone of style with their grammar.
I don’t know what you’re talking about specifically, but the NZ law on foreign trusts has special carve-outs for foreign trusts owned/controlled/whatevered by Australians, due to the Australian government putting pressure on us to change our law just for them.
So that is likely what Shewan basis his claims on.
hah so Aussies are banned from having trusts here.
How about John Key having written the report, Key usually doesnt do details, but he had the report down pat. Though, he has claimed not to be a expert in trusts.
No, they’re not banned, they just have extra rules that apply to them, that don’t apply to other countries.
I approve the sign saying “Eton Mess”.
Great clip thankyou Paul.
Swordfish
This is a good YouGov chart that shows the demographics of the Brexit vote. I can’t find the original (too many charts to sift through!), this is a repost from a(n Italian?) facebook page:
https://twitter.com/you_trend/status/746114516308606976/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Despite what “public servants” John Key and Bill English say, ordinary working Kiwis are struggling to make ends meet. Yet the problems of inequality and impoverishment continue to be NZ’s fastest growing industry! Disgraceful and disturbing!
Here is some evidence from RNZ.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/307607/three-jobs-but-still-struggling
After yesterday throwing her own ministry under the bus, today she throws Housing New Zealand under the bus.
http://www.newshub.co.nz/politics/greens-defend-housing-nz-over-under-occupied-properties-2016063007#axzz4CxfsstdI
The bus has now ground to a halt with the bodies of so many government agencies underneath.
Here is Guyon Espiner’s interview with Bill English this morning re the growing inequality in NZ!
It’s pure spun out arrogant, uncaring BS! I am so angry that someone like English is in such a prominent position where he and his government can do so much more for disadvantaged NZers. But he doesn’t and he won’t! Laugh or cry at his responses to the questioning, the choice is yours! I was close to tears listening to his cold hearted replies to Espiner!
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/201806441/porirua-family-can-only-afford-biscuits
Does anyone else sometimes find that the open comments page won’t load, that it just sometimes goes straight to a blank screen?
It’s just you.
Now that Andrew Little has proved John Shewan was happy with the statement Little made, would you like to offer an apology to Mr Little this morning for calling him a liar and political smearer?
I think he could have released this information at any time but he chose to try to make a big deal out of it for political gain
Amateurish at best but ok he didn’t lie in this particular instance
Sorry really is the hardest word eh Puckish?
Damn straight
“Amateurish at best but ok he didn’t lie in this particular instance”
When weasels speak, they use weasel words.
Andrew Little could have easily ended this right at the very beginning, he didn’t because he was trying to draw as much publicity as he could and to try to paint himself as the underdog
Amateurish and cynical as well
You know when you try to spin other peoples lies, you look like an idiot Puckish Rouge, and we both know you are not.
The problem was Paddy Gower, he is like a five year old demanding a toy, he stamps his feet and screams in the street. But really he is just a naughty little boy.
Ridiculous hypothesis. He’d want Shewan’s needy claim to go away as soon as possible.
More likely Andrew Little is very busy trying to make New Zealand a better place by holding this government to account (something which they themselves do not do), and by planning strategy to change the government next election.
He’s got better things to do than mollify over-sensitive trust accountants.
If he wanted it to go away asap then he could have released everything right away rather then drip feed it out
What arrogance in you PR ! Not only do you reserve the right to tell everyone on the Left how they must ‘lose’, you also purport to tell Andrew Little how he should ‘win’. And when he wins in a way not approved of by you…….you’re down his throat. Who the fuck are you ? Concern troll.
The weasel, Puckish Rogue, I can smell it on your breath.
I didn’t think you’d be speciest, that’s not a good look you know.
I admire the weasel, but have no *truck with humans who behave as they do.
*no, I’m not vehicleist
Actually, the only people being amateurish is Shewan and the RWNJs who jumped on the Attack AL bandwagon.
PR
I don’t agree with you about much (especially trusting Shewan’s word about anything), but yes; I’ve been having OM and older posts go blank on me too this past week. Worse than usual I mean, there’d always be the odd glitch (probably when you try to open a page at the same time a comment is being posted); but these are persistent for hours, even with reopening the browser (firefox).
That’s interesting because I put it down to the server I’m on (govt) and that we have to use explorer but if its happening to others…
A government server, eh? So you are a paid troll.
If it helps you feel better, your taxes pay my wages 🙂
Get to work then!
I’m multi-tasking 🙂
Respect to Nanaia Mahuta and Kelvin Davis for challenging Te Ureroa Flavell on the efficacy and lack of accountability of the Maori Party flagship Whanau Ora.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/307598/whanau-ora-not-living-up-to-promise-labour
It is way past time that Whanau Ora was held to account….where the hell were the WO providers when Te Puea Marae was taking in homeless whanau???
And yet….while here in NZ, Whanau Ora has completely failed to address any of the issues affecting struggling Maori (in real measurable terms) it is a program that is being exported….http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/286073/whanau-ora-goes-international
“Mr Keung, of Maniapoto and Ngāti Porou, said the idea was to share key documents and learnings that tāngata whenua had gained in order to bring better health and social outcomes for American Indians and Alaskan Natives.
“It will be the things that have been developed with Waipareira, our owner, over 35 years of the work they’ve been doing, but more recently in the Whānau Ora space in delivering a more integrated and whānau-centric suite of services to our whānau.
“They are looking to get more strategically developed in the way they deliver services and they see this as an opportunity to do something.””
Hmmm…..
Again….Nanaia and Kelvin step up and do their job as elected representatives.
‘Confiscating the wealth’ a nice little Freudian slip from Bill English this morning during an interview with Guyon on RNZ’s morning report.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/201806441/porirua-family-can-only-afford-biscuits
Thanks Adrian-worth a listen. English is actually a nasty bit of work behind the spin. What he fails to mention is that it is this government that got the family into the situation in the first place.
There is billions for roading, billions for defence, billions in tax cuts for the better off, but peanuts for those in poverty.
The top rate of tax in Denmark is 59%-it is one of the most successful and happy countries in the world.
Of course as we know, most economic debates or discussions will quickly become a debate about class war.
What English essentially, and unwittingly said in that slip, was to deal with inequality in a real way, some wealth would need to be removed from those who own it now.
A very rare albeit brief look at the ideology in it’s pure form, of National and enabled by a neo liberal left.
I watched Henry this morning, for a change.
Henry had Don Mc Kinnon talking about Brexit. Man did Don Mc Kinnon have his finger on the pulse. He gave a very good opinion without the usual bullshit we have come to expect these days.
But there again Don Mc Kinnon is an officer and a gentleman, old school National who did care for NZ. Not like this shower of fucking incompetent crooks we have now who would sell their grandmothers for a quick Buck.
ahh,
what ya gonna do,
a grifter got to grift
after all that’s how a grifter makes a living
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/fec-complaint-trump-emails-foreign-fundraising
http://www.campaignlegalcenter.org/sites/default/files/FEC%20Complaint%20Against%20Trump.pdf
The Parliamentary Watchdog Dr Jan Wright is critical of the Government’s latest environmental report and says it doesn’t go far enough on climate change. As a subtle boot up the nether regions of the Government she has submitted her views on what should have been included in the report and she is very scathing about it.
Somehow methinks there will be another early retirement or a slur against her professionalism by our useless government for the temerity of her to question their report. They will say she is straying beyond the brief of the report and treat her like they did the Canadian Judge over his findings on the Bain Affair by rubbishing her professionalism and reputation. It will be sickening as per usual.
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/environmental-watchdog-says-nz-must-do-more-oceans-health?autoPlay=5005648246001
And No Right Turn is even more explicit Kate. The Environmental Report:
“The criticisms are serious. The report is poorly structured, which obfuscates key issues. The indicators are poorly chosen. There is no forecasting of future trends. But above all, there are no conclusions, and no assessment of the seriousness of problems.
That, of course, was the point: National wanted people to think it cared about the environment, so it had to produce reporting – but forecasts, assessment of seriousness, and conclusions are the last things it wanted….”
http://norightturn.blogspot.co.nz/2016/06/the-pce-on-environmental-reporting.html
OOps! From Dimpost:
“Te Papa has pulled the plug on the purchase of the singlet worn by Peter Snell in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.
They have questioned its authenticity saying it is not the singlet that the Olympian wore when he won his gold medals….”
https://dimpost.wordpress.com/2016/06/30/f-for-fake-2/
BBC Radio 4’s Moral Maze is well worth a listen to. Discusses morality in context of winners and losers of Brexit. Raises some fundamental questions about belief sets in representative democracy. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07hgh5f
Slater standing down from his corrosive blog indefinitely.
Perhaps he might find time to get a real job which contributes to society instead of destroying it.
I believe that the writers who actually write the Whaleoil stuff are continuing so they say.
North.relax…he believes he’s just fomenting happy mischief…as they do.
John Key’s brighter future…
Homeless man forced to find shelter in a rubbish skip bin crushed to death.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11666202
There’s been an alarming increase in homelessness under John Key’s watch. Deaths will follow.
What a tragedy. I had wondered what the situation was with the man found crushed in the cardboard baling.
From the article I got the impression that it was speculation that the man was homeless. If he was, then it is extremely sad – it means his death would have been avoided and entirely preventable if he were in safe warm accommodation.
Amusing. Can easily be watched without sound:
Lorde donates $20,000 to struggling Hutt Valley charity feeding impoverished hungry Kiwi children.
Go Lorde. A star indeed in almost every respect.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=11666099
Did I entirely miss it or was Jo Cox’s funeral not covered in the media? Or did her family wish her funeral to remain private?
Quick google: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/jun/24/body-of-mp-jo-cox-released-to-family-for-funeral
Looks like the funeral was private.
Thanks Lanthanide. I was being remarkably lazy by not googling it myself. I was unaware that a 78 year old man was stabbed in the process of trying to defend Jo Cox.
if the banks & corporate war machine decide there’s profit in it, anything is possible, but need an excuse like 9/11 first
Spruiking his book or not Shirreff paints a rather dire picture.
[audio src="http://podcast.radionz.co.nz/ntn/ntn-20160531-0925-top_brass_warns_nato_on_course_for_war_with_russia-048.mp3" /]
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/201802711/top-brass-warns-nato-on-course-for-war-with-russia
sad, just sad
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/81607939/Bale-body-dad-had-been-laid-off-amid-dairy-slump?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
“When the dairy downturn started biting, Daniel Bindner’s world started unravelling.
The Waikato father lost his job as a farm worker, broke up with the mother of his children and ended up homeless before he disappeared.
It was almost a week after he was last seen that workers at a Hamilton recycling plant discovered the father of three’s body in a compressed bale of cardboard.”
= its the ultimate risk men take with being in any relationship, why isnt it tragic…?
@ Sabine yeah.
Hopefully they can figure out what happened pretty quickly.
Federated Farmers union are sure helping kiwi dairy workers, during this downturn,, retaining experienced workforce and all that.
Is John Key keeping the visa worker numbers high hoping for a dairy market swing upwards.
We don’t know what happened, yet.
So from a certain perspective you might blame fed farmers, or the lack of income support, or whatever your comment about relationship risks meant.
But really, it could be anything at this stage.
He lost his farm job, and his relationship broke up, drawing a conclusion they had a farm house thrown in. she moved.
Im just making a dig at Fed Far after Bill said kiwi’s didnt want to work hard.
So what happens to experienced farm workers forced out of the industry,
start importing foreign workers instead on the back of a recovery?
at the same time he couldn’t hold another job his previous boss had lined up, we don’t know why the relationship broke up, and so on.
I get you were making a dig at a convenient target, but the guy is still in the morgue and we have no idea wtf happened. So, good for you.
Brighter Future, innit?
Any chance of an off topic, general, meeting place type hangout here, so some of us can offer things like fridges dryers, or arrange meetings, declare our love, get married, have kids, you know more us who love democracy and share a passion for all things wonderful great and small can small talk.
As an idea.
There used to be Weekend Social posts where that sort of thing could be discussed. Haven’t seen one of those for quite a few months now, though. They were never particularly highly commented on, though.
A long time ago now there was also a movement called Drinking Liberally which I think was mainly in Wellington, a frequent get-together for lefties to go to bars and drink together.
Also The Standard has strict rules around pseudonymity, which puts a bit of a crimp on the sorts of things you list in this comment, although commentators are allowed to publicise their own identities if they choose to, in practice very few have chosen that.
The Drinking Liberally also happened in Dunedin for a while, but then they moved it from a bar to a vegan place and it became overly weighted with hippies for my taste so I stopped going.
There were also a few gatherings of standardistas in the botanic gardens, some people outing their pseudonyms and others not. Those were ok for a bit.
Im sure I’d score with love, it has to be better than nzdating, which has gone stale,
I dont have a smarter phone for Tinder 🙁 cries.
Thugs.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/81626052/hearing-impaired-man-didnt-know-why-police-were-arresting-him