Open Mike 30/08/2017

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, August 30th, 2017 - 77 comments
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77 comments on “Open Mike 30/08/2017 ”

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  1. Sanctuary 1
    30 August 2017 at 6:43 am

    Are we in a state of denial about the politicisation of our civil service?

    – The cold hearted cruelty of HNZ evictions that further Bill English’s mad idea of privatising the provision of public (<—- Bill, the clue is in the name!) housing.

    – The ideological fanaticism of Treasury, the place where we all know pure market orthodoxy will make it’s last stand.

    – Top civil servants colluding with the National party to try and take out government opponents (Natasha Fuller, and now Winston Peters).

    – The viciousness of WINZ, an organisation that nowadays seems to be run by sociopaths and sadists in the image of their various National ministers.

    – Organisations like DOC with senior leadership supporting market driven solutions that undermine the very reason the department exists.

    – A state TV channel that runs a thirty minute pro-National advertorial during prime time.

    I think we are in complete denial.

    I think our democracy nowadays would be better served adopting the US system, where the top half-dozen or so senior civil servants offer their resignation automatically on the election of a new government.

    I’d also sideline treasury – strip it of any ability to offer policy advise, or forecasting or briefing – turn it into a bunch of book keepers. Replace it with a new finance ministry that is less ideologically driven.

    Thoughts? Reform or replace?

    • CoroDale 1.1
      30 August 2017 at 8:15 am

      “I’d also sideline treasury – strip it of any ability to offer policy advise, or forecasting or briefing – turn it into a bunch of book keepers. Replace it with a new finance ministry that is less ideologically driven. ” (San)

      Spot on! Just add Reserve Bank to that list.
      Probably both reform, and partially replace.

      I believe the Greens would develop an Investment Bank. Could this not receive some of Treasuries funding and be developed as an alternative source of advice to Minister of Finance. Plus cherry picked Commissioners for Commissions, independent of Treasury, Commissions on Tax, UBI, Sovereign Money, etc.

    • tc 1.2
      30 August 2017 at 8:57 am

      Gut the upper levels of nat cronies for professionals who will realign each area.

      They are full of good people under the jackboot doing as told so once the boots removed normality will flow back under competant managers.

    • tracey 1.3
      30 August 2017 at 9:01 am

      I bet the public serbice are pissed off. If they dont tell Mi isters stufff they get into trouble. If they do they get into trouble. If they are particularly annoying their names get slipped to the media attracting death threats.

      Has Wayne been interviewed? He was implicated in stuff whenhe worked for Key?

    • tracey 1.4
      30 August 2017 at 9:10 am

      I bet the public service are pissed off. If they dont tell Ministers stufff they get into trouble. If they do they get into trouble. If they are particularly annoying their names get slipped to the media attracting death threats.

      Has Wayne been interviewed? He was implicated in stuff when he worked for Key?

    • Ad 1.5
      30 August 2017 at 9:12 am

      I think you’re confusing the public sector privacy stories for your simple impatience for a change of government.

      If there is a change of government in September, the public service and the public sector more broadly will go through some capacity pains.

      But that just reflects the scale of difference of the proposed policies from the current administration – who haven’t asked them to do much for many years.

  2. AsleepWhileWalking 2
    30 August 2017 at 6:57 am

    I think Labour went a step too far with one year free tertiary Ed. It’s brought back memories of shoddy free courses where students sat around smoking and whilst some kind of certificate was obtained nothing was really learnt.

    • Cinny 2.1
      30 August 2017 at 8:29 am

      Parents and kids at the local decile one school are over the moon about the announcement, all of a sudden there is hope for them and their families to have better lives by being educated.

      Both of my kids want to be teachers, and I’m happy to live in poverty to fund their education if that’s what it takes, kids come first, now all of a sudden I won’t have to go hungry or sell the house to make it happen for them.

      Jacinda is coming to Nelson to speak to the grey power on 13th sept in the morning, my girls have asked if I can take them out of school that morning so they can meet her and say thank you to her for the education opportunities that labour is offering. Sure darlings, we can go and meet the Red Princess.

    • tracey 2.2
      30 August 2017 at 9:13 am

      I am for it. Undrr the current system we are held hostage by student and parent claims they are not getting what they paid for.

      Students being encourage to repeat papers 3 times they will not pass to attract funding.

      So many students getting degrees who arent even at Diploma level. Tertiary standards have slipped in the name of a business model

      • AsleepWhileWalking 2.2.1
        30 August 2017 at 9:35 am

        Mmm. I look at tertiary Ed with a high degree of suspicion because of such things.

        We can learn a lot about what not to do from the US. Horror stories abound like one of the first ever student loan applicants still in debt in her 80s and forced to make repayments she couldn’t afford.

        • tracey 2.2.1.1
          30 August 2017 at 11:20 am

          Joyce has cut a swathe through academic integrity in return for mobey from International students BUT the drop in standards applies to locals too. Those of us who speak up, get bullied, isolated and then forced out. Problem solved.

    • millsy 2.3
      30 August 2017 at 10:19 am

      These ‘shoddy free courses’ are a symptom of the wider issues in place in our universities and polytechs since the sector was reformed 3 decades ago. The National Qualifications Framework, Unit Standards, forcing polytechs to compete with each other, allowing any provider to offer a degree, deregulating teacher training, allowing the private sector to enter the market have all played a part of this mess.

      • tracey 2.3.1
        30 August 2017 at 11:24 am

        The private providers shonky practices, imo, have “forced” public tertiaries to drop to the gutter to compete. Remove the private providers. I read Clare Bradley bemoaning Labour policy because her company had made a 100m investment. I used to work with Bradley and do not doubt her integrity BUT you dive into education as a business and your model will need to be robust enough to withstand political change.

        Education and Health need to be run well and not waste money but you do not privatise them because ethics are lacking in parts of the private sector and education stanss or falls on academic integrity

      • tracey 2.3.2
        30 August 2017 at 11:28 am

        The privatising allowed some providers to “sell” degrees whoch entitled overseas students to 2 year work visas and which got them enough points to get PR. Many of the jobs lasted only the two years and thy paid minimum wage, or less. Once PR obtained the job was offered to another graduate. Completing Diplomas and Degrees in “business” which were low skill and empty.

  3. Ed 3
    30 August 2017 at 7:31 am

    We keep hearing about National’s brighter future and Bill English’s sound management of the economy.
    So how come New Zealand has stories and stats like this?

    Housing NZ orders eviction after grandmother’s death
    http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/338294/housing-nz-orders-eviction-after-grandmother-s-death

    Auckland teen couple face sleeping in car
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11913229

    Damp, overcrowded homes bigger threat to kids than car crashes
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11913397

    Beneficiaries feeling bite of Palmerston North rental scarcity
    http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/337874/beneficiaries-feel-bite-of-palmerston-north-rental-scarcity

    Study calls for improved renters’ rights
    http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/337872/walls-so-moist-they-crumble-like-feta-cheese

    ‘I had spores and fungi in my system’ – Wellington renter
    http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/337423/i-had-spores-and-fungi-in-my-system-wellington-renter

  4. Adrian 4
    30 August 2017 at 8:30 am

    This must be serious for the Nats, Fairfax/Stuff leads with dog finding a old mortar shell and greatest mystery of all time..why Lorde can’t dance.
    When it looked like Winstons was dog tucker they were all over it now it’s like
    ” nothing to see here, move on. Oh , look, over there, Lorde! “.
    Murphy has said this is the sibling of the MoaS, and it would be a Royal Flush and
    ” collateral damage “.
    All one party ,A,K,Q, J and Joker.
    ‘

  5. tracey 5
    30 August 2017 at 8:42 am

    Paula Bennett just said on TVNZ that all she can do is keep “telling the truth”. I didn’t know she had started?

    Tolley seems to be being kept away from the media. Does she need 2 days of media training before she fronts?

  7. Pete 7
    30 August 2017 at 9:14 am

    Dear Mike Hosking,

    I see on the Herald today you feel ‘used’. The recent election stuff has got to you. Oh dear, I’m saddened. And shocked of course.

    But Mike, if you felt a thousand times worse, you wouldn’t be feeling half as bad many of us do, not just for this a couple of weeks before they election, but perpetually.

    I know your delicate sensibilities are special and different than ours, but we have feelings too.

    You continually use us to make yourself feel great. You abuse the position you are in by insulting our intelligence, sneering at common sense, and flaunting your lack of humanity and intellect by throwing it in our faces and ears. You use us to exercise and build your superiority complex.

    I’m not sure I can suggest medication or therapy for your ailment Mike. Maybe if you’d spent more time in the sun in years gone by rather than up John Key’s arse, you’d be more at one with the real world. (You know that world you are wont to mention.)

    So at this stage all I can suggest is, get fucked.

  8. AsleepWhileWalking 8
    30 August 2017 at 9:31 am

    Didn’t know about the credit…or couldn’t afford to save (much note likely IMHO)?

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/338300/nz-s-unclaimed-kiwisaver-300m

    • Dirk Meatwhistle 8.1
      30 August 2017 at 9:52 am

      I’d suggest its more likely that parents started it up for kids to get the government kick in and have then forgotten about the rest of it

      Shame really as its a pretty good scheme (well done Labour)

  9. Dirk Meatwhistle 9
    30 August 2017 at 9:55 am

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11913751

    I’m glad our politicians don’t face the same scrutiny as those overseas

    • Ed 9.1
      30 August 2017 at 9:59 am

      Why?
      Because people might question Bennett and Tolley more directly?

      • Dirk Meatwhistle 9.1.1
        30 August 2017 at 10:07 am

        Why well because I didn’t know she was married to a transgender person and I follow politics reasonably well and if I don’t know then I’d suggest most people don’t know and that’s good because I, and others, don’t need to know but the media probably would have tried to make something of it or he more strident critics would have tried something as well

      • mary_a 9.1.2
        30 August 2017 at 3:02 pm

        @ Ed (9.1) …. if Bennett is questioned more directly about the leaking of the Winston superannuation overpayment issue, some bright, objective journalist (are there any left?), just might push a little bit further, taking her back to her life on the DPB!

        For instance, a few subtle questions such as having been a “struggling” beneficiary herself, how does she feel about Winston’s pension overpayment being exposed in the public domain, wouldn’t go amiss! Might cause her to slip up maybe …

  10. The Chairman 10
    30 August 2017 at 11:14 am

    Insurance costs to soar in what brokers are calling a ‘perfect storm’. Which will drive up private and commercial rents, thus inflation as costs are passed on.

    Recent earthquakes, the growing illegal use of methamphetamine and rises in the fire service levy and EQC cover are being blamed.

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/96256505/eqc-fire-levies-industry-cover-due-to-rise-by-half

    We often see the finger pointed at the rising cost of houses for the increasing cost of rents, tending to forget about the role of increasing insurance costs.

    Moreover, the increase in insurance cover will also impact upon council premisses/assets, thus ratepayers.

    Rates (with their disproportionally larger than inflation increases) being another factor at play when it comes to the increasing cost of rents.

    So as businesses and landlords struggle to maintain margins, consumers and tenants will face higher costs. Which will no doubt drive more below the poverty line.

    Any suggestions on how we can address this?

    • The Chairman 10.1
      30 August 2017 at 11:53 am

      Soaring insurance costs will challenge Labour’s ability to lift more kids out of poverty.

      In hindsight, Labour may want to reconsider dropping KiwiAssure. 

    • Pat 10.3
      30 August 2017 at 4:17 pm

      there is no redress….risks (and therefore costs ) are increasing and the model is unsustainable whether administered publicly or privately

    • tracey 10.4
      30 August 2017 at 4:21 pm

      I cut my young legal teeth on insurance work. I learned many things at that time including that insurance companies win even when they lose. Despite being underwritten, the underwriters will be upping their premiums and the insured up theres and so we all pay, again…

      This is why we MUST hang on to ACC at all costs.

  11. Ed 11
    30 August 2017 at 11:14 am

    ‘The cost of National: third-world diseases and dead kids’

    ‘…….this is National’s fault. The graph of hospitalisations for bronchiectasis makes that clear. As for the why, its because they’ve reduced access to both social housing and benefits, effectively grinding the poor even deeper into poverty. And they’re paying a serious price for it.

    It is utterly obscene that this is allowed to happen. These diseases and this death toll are perfectly preventable. We know what is needed to prevent them: a warrant of fitness and mandatory insulation and heating standards for rental homes, more and better social housing, easier access to primary health care. National opposes all that, preferring instead to support the interests of landlords (which many National MPs happen to be). Its a perfect example of the moral bankruptcy of the government – and why we need to throw them out.’

    http://norightturn.blogspot.co.nz/2017/08/the-cost-of-national-third-world.html

    • Draco T Bastard 11.1
      30 August 2017 at 4:16 pm

      These diseases and this death toll are perfectly preventable.

      Which is why all the MPs in this government and their coalition partners need to be held accountable and jailed. There are several possible charges:

      1. Terrorism
      2. Mass murder
      3. Recklessness causing death
      4. Carelessness causing death

      It is not ok to say that they shouldn’t be so held accountable for their actions just because they’re the government.

  12. Treetop 12
    30 August 2017 at 11:35 am

    I think Dunne left because he knew about Peters, knew about the NZ Super over payment, and did not act on it, (for IRD to advise Peters).

    Dunne may of not wanted a repeat of the Andrea Vance emails.

    IRD pays the NZ Super.

    Does SSC pay MPs?

    If the above is the case, does IRD and SSC share information?

    • Treetop 12.1
      31 August 2017 at 10:24 am

      It was Peters who tried to get to the bottom of Dunne leaking a GCSB report to Andrea Vance.

      Is Dunne a serial leaker?

  13. patricia bremner 13
    30 August 2017 at 12:43 pm

    Rachael Smalley pouring venom at the education policy, and lying about how the health situation came about.

    You’ve got it “Blamed Helen and Labour” (Herald)

    What happened in the last 9 years???? Austerity budget cuts and lies. Piss off!!!

  14. Ed 14
    30 August 2017 at 12:52 pm

    Rachel Smalley shows her true Tory colours.
    These media puppets are the lowest.
    What they would write and do for lucre….

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11913703

  15. Eco maori 15
    30 August 2017 at 1:34 pm

    Well the Muppets are pouring on the intimidation while I’m mowing my lawns in Paramus Tauranga .Because of what’s happening to me about 3 months ago I tried to get 100 k life insurance so if anything happened to me my family would get something but the bank declined my application you can guess whom interfered in that the Muppets

  16. Ed 16
    30 August 2017 at 2:04 pm

    Looking at Simon Bridges in this clip , I am concerned for his health…

    https://www.facebook.com/Stuff.co.nz/videos/10155709952589268/

    • joe90 16.1
      30 August 2017 at 2:20 pm

      Over at the sewer they’re experts in this concern trolling shit, so you’d fit right in.
      /

      • Ed 16.1.1
        30 August 2017 at 2:37 pm

        Was that necessary?

        • joe90 16.1.1.1
          30 August 2017 at 3:02 pm

          As part of life processes and as he becomes more and more like his father a bloke grows a little around the jowls, you took the opportunity to weigh in with the stuff of the sewer – innuendo and faux concern about his appearance. So yes, it was.

          • Ed 16.1.1.1.1
            30 August 2017 at 3:19 pm

            Innuendo?
            None intended.

            And false concern.
            If he’s unwell, then I am concerned.
            Genuinely.
            You can disagree with someone politically and still care for them as a human being.

  17. Eco maori 17
    30 August 2017 at 2:57 pm

    The Muppets are using there what do you call them confidant witness or contracted lyers even one of my clients told me about a van going slowly past me with tinted Windows I told him not to worry about it I didn’t want to stress him out there are using them so that no one can track there GPS on there vehicle .
    They will do any thing to stop me holding them accountable FOR THERE breaches to my privacy rights

  18. Stephen Doyle 18
    30 August 2017 at 3:12 pm

    If a Labour/Green coalition is only 1 or 2 seats away from a majority, what chance of splitting off a Shane Jones/Tracey Martin from NZ first?

  19. Penny Bright 19
    30 August 2017 at 3:13 pm

    2017 INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE FOR TAMAKI
    Penny Bright

    FIRST MEDIA INTERVIEW!

    StopTheTamakiGentrificationSCAM!

    Radio Waatea – Titewhai Harawira 30 August 2017
    (19 minutes).

    (Correction – Tamaki Regeneration Ltd have built 213 new houses – NOT 2130.)

    “Kia ora Penny thanks for speaking on Titewhai’s show this morning. Here is the link:

    http://www.waateanews.com/play_podcast?podlink=NTcxOTk= ”

    Authorised by Penny Bright
    86A School Rd, Kingsland, Auckland 1021.

  20. patricia bremner 20
    30 August 2017 at 3:58 pm

    I see TDB is putting forward some provocative ideas re Winston.

    Thought you might have some of these same ideas Bill. Never know with these characters!!

    Timing and purpose and possible outcomes.

    A distraction from Jacinda?? A diversion from Barclay/ English lies??

  21. Ed 21
    30 August 2017 at 4:13 pm

    Yuk.
    Stephen Franks on the Panel.
    Why does RNZ give so much airtime to a spokesperson for the ACT Party which only gets 0.4 % of the vote?
    0.4 = 4 out of a thousand. So Franks should be invited by Mora once every 3 years to be proportional. And if he is, no other ACToids on.

  22. Ed 22
    30 August 2017 at 4:16 pm

    Now Tim Murphy on the Panel.
    And as usual Mora is incapable and unwilling to use the forum to ask Murphy any difficult questions. Indeed he allows Franks to take over.

    Mora is such a tragic Tory.

    RNZ has become a puppet station and Mora quite insipid and pathetic.

    We deserve a better media.

    • Ed 22.1
      30 August 2017 at 4:31 pm

      4.30 pm – Mora still not challenging the extreme right wing views of Franks.
      Such a cowardly man.

  23. adam 23
    30 August 2017 at 4:40 pm

    It would appear it was not an attack by the Russians, but a leak by an inside in the DNC. Who would have guessed. The pesky MSM and their lies.

    https://www.thenation.com/article/a-new-report-raises-big-questions-about-last-years-dnc-hack/