Stayed at the Taufua Fale at Lalomanu, Upolu, Samoa, couple of years ago. Recall sitting on the beautiful beach there looking out to Nu’utele Island – the site of a leper colony 1916-1918 – http://samoa.southpacific.org/upolu/eastern.html
As I gloried in the warmth of Lalomanu and lively, embracing Samoan hospitality I would contemplatively muse – “How must life have been for those poor souls ?”
It is a bitter, bitter irony that our Minister of Corrections Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga is Samoan. How must life be Sam……in the SERCO establishments you continue to licence……thus smartening the investment portfolios of the British upper-middle class……gifting wealth way beyond need ?
Deploying for a moment the risibly fake ‘Everyman’ diction of The Ponce-Key……”I reckon” if SERCO had been around in Germany and Poland in the 30s and 40s……there would have been some magnificent profit turned.
Sam……like a boy you do your masters’ bidding and you truck with the corporate beast SERCO, seemingly without shame. You do that in our name. No ! No ! Where is Fa’a Samoa in you Sam ?
Mmmm……a National Party politician…….he and Alfred Ngaro, the fiapalagi bait The Ponce-Key patronisingly disported before Pasifika of South Auckland last election…….that turned out beautifully, didn’t it ?
It’s that time of year again – when Britain’s “poppy fascism” dominates public life. Television presenters are perhaps the most conspicuous exponents, whereby the paper facsimile of the little red flower must be donned on all lapels.
Now weeks ahead of the official commemoration day, more and more Britons, including TV personalties, are pinning the poppy in public.
It may seem innocuous, but there is a disturbing authoritarianism to the increasing custom. Those who don’t wear the symbol commemorating Britain’s war dead are liable to be castigated and abused for being “traitors”.
The BBC is a classic example. The publicly owned state broadcaster says that its presenters and reporters have the option of not wearing the red poppy. But in practice such is the peer pressure and jingoistic mood of modern Britain that all BBC staff will have to conform to a personal display of the red floral tribute. Bet on it.
Some brave television figures refuse to go along with the established “norm”. It was Channel 4 news presenter Jon Snow who coined the phrase “poppy fascism” a few years ago when he was publicly berated by BBC journalists and other media outlets for refusing to don the flower during his nightly broadcasts. It remains to be seen if the Channel 4 news anchor will this year cave to public pressure – a pressure which seems to be growing every year.
Ever since 1919, Britain and its Commonwealth states, including Australia, Canada and New Zealand hold Remembrance Day on November 11.
It marks the armistice of the First World War in 1918. The first commemoration was held by Britain’s King George V who wore a red poppy, thus inaugurating a tradition that continues to this day. The delicate flower was commonly seen on the battlefields of Belgium and France and came to symbolise the millions of soldiers killed during the four-year-old war.
Across Britain, Remembrance Day is marked by sombre ceremonies in towns and cities during which poppy wreathes are laid at war memorials. The biggest event is held at the Cenotaph in London’s Whitehall. Queen Elizabeth, Prime Minister David Cameron and other political leaders will be among the chief dignitaries, along with senior members of Britain’s armed forces.
So what, you may ask, is objectionable about Britain’s annual Remembrance?
In its early observance, the event was indeed a momentous mourning for the millions who died in the First World War. It was an occasion to vow “never again” should mankind be plagued with such horror.
However, the massive demonstration of grieving and repudiation of war has since given way to an obscene glorification of war. The danger of such co-option was there from the beginning when King George V led the first Remembrance Day. For the British monarch – whose cousins included Germany’s Kaiser Wilhelm II and other European aristocrats – personified the basic background to the conflict. It was an imperialist squabble that exploded into a conflagration that consumed up to 18 million ordinary civilians among the warring nations. ….
On Remembrance Day I’d agree with you – pride or sorrow for the loss of lives spent in war or for futures than never were. But it’s not even November yet and the poppy is everywhere (peer pressure? It’s not meant to be a fashion statement). I feel this devalues the day itself.
Agreed. It’s like that beautiful word “awesome”. Once apon a time it was used in it’s correct sense. Something that filled one with awe. Now it has been debased by it’s gross overuse (young people especially) and it’s lost it’s status.
The same will happen with the poppy remembrance. For that reason I refuse to wear it on any other day other than the 25th April.
I’d agree with you if you’d said you wore it in sorrow.
DULCE ET DECORUM EST
Bent double, like old beggars under sacks,
Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge,
Till on the haunting flares we turned our backs
And towards our distant rest began to trudge.
Men marched asleep. Many had lost their boots
But limped on, blood-shod. All went lame; all blind;
Drunk with fatigue; deaf even to the hoots
Of gas-shells dropping softly behind.
Gas! GAS! Quick, boys!—An ecstasy of fumbling
Fitting the clumsy helmets just in time,
But someone still was yelling out and stumbling
And flound’ring like a man in fire or lime.—
Dim, through the misty panes and thick green light,
As under a green sea, I saw him drowning.
In all my dreams before my helpless sight
He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning.
If in some smothering dreams you too could pace
Behind the wagon that we flung him in,
And watch the white eyes writhing in his face,
His hanging face, like a devil’s sick of sin,
If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood
Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs,
Bitter as the cud
Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues,—
My friend, you would not tell with such high zest
To children ardent for some desperate glory,
The old Lie: Dulce et decorum est
Pro patria mori.
The article you link to jumps from reasoned debate to an utter ugly and ill founded rant to fit the event to the author’s very public and well known counter-positions on monarchy, armed forces and UK government.
As a retired serviceman the ceremonies are a tiny moment of peace and stillness to reflect as a nation upon the futility of war and the loss of friends and comrades through the years. It remembers, for example, the fight against Nazi Fascism and in all the other conflicts in which we are caught up – mostly as a result of the failure of Politicians and Diplomats.
Those who shout loudest against events such as this have largely never worn uniform and put their lives in the hands of others. They do not recognise the value of service, they don’t see value at all, only cost. That is why, for example, the Monarchy that gives so many millions of people so much pleasure and generates so much for our nation, is the easy target for small minded and jealous writers whose own lives are monotonously dull and grey. For those of us who wore uniform, and who continue to do so, we do so for a variety of reasons – and not all are nationalistic or idealism – but ultimately because we are prepared to do so detractors are able to contort their faces into anger and shout their spittle laced messages from the safety of their own lives. The Poppy is a dignified sign of respect and thanks. If you don’t wear it that is up to you – freedom to exercise such rights is after all part of what we fought so hard for (unlike those compelled to wear a yellow star for example) – and frankly if you are so blinded by ugly rhetoric and cannot see the humanity beneath the November ceremonies you should not and neither are you decent enough person to be a Poppy wearer. Keep shouting – few are listening but many gave their lives that you could
Do you think it acceptable that the RSA never spoke out against the massacre, and in fact published doggerel in its magazine in praise of the murderers?
Certainly not about nationalism, not about the ugly military and their armies, not about government, not about the frikkin’ crown, not about politicians. Those things are all responsible for war and should be arsed out of the commemorations. Fuck them.
Unfortunately today, it has morphed into nationalism, militarism, government, crown and politicians.
It is fucked in the head and leading straight back to more war and death.
I knew a simple soldier boy
Who grinned at life in empty joy,
Slept soundly through the lonesome dark,
And whistled early with the lark.
In winter trenches, cowed and glum,
With crumps and lice and lack of rum,
He put a bullet through his brain.
No one spoke of him again.
You smug-faced crowds with kindling eye
Who cheer when soldier lads march by,
Sneak home and pray you’ll never know
The hell where youth and laughter go.
Wellington employers Chamber of commerce wants to take action against the city council for issues around the living wage.
On the board -detail on website -are
Daniel Fielding – Minter Ellison Rudd Watts
Richard Stone – JacksonStone & Partners
Pierre Woolridge – Optimum Websites Ltd
Charles Finny – Saunders Unsworth
Zane Fulljames – NZ Bus.
Linda Sissons – Wellington Institute of Technology (WelTec)
Peter Cullen – Cullen Law, President
Cas Carter – Massey University, Vice-President
Olivier Lacoua – CQ Hotels
Ian Cassels – The Wellington Company
Brent Callaghan – Westpac
John Dow – Agenda Limited
Not exactly your small local business’s are they – wonder if the membership looks the same.
You’d have though that on behalf on their members they would be more likely to support an increase in lower level pay and a hold on the upper level pay.
After all that would mean more people outside their door with money to spend. Looking at the CV’s I suspect a number of them may have council contracts – is there a conflict of interets? Go on journo’s do your stuff – ask the questions.
The hysteria around this move by the WCC is incredible. What is it about people not electing the “right” local government that so gets under the skin of the neo-libs? Farrar is practically demanding a judicial coup against the democratically elected councillors complete with blood curdling threats of hefty fines – and all over less than $3,000,000 a year in extra wages?
It is a bizarrely over the top authoritarian response from an increasingly intolerant and Fascistic right wing that seems to think anyone who doesn’t agree with them has no right to govern.
So you are for it now that we have cleared that up?
Westpac
“Cash earnings in the New Zealand business rose to $441 million in the six months ended March 31, from $432 million a year earlier, the Sydney-based bank said in a statement. Net interest income rose 6 per cent to $832 million as the local lender grew its mortgage loan book 5 per cent to $40.7 billion and business lending expanded 5 per cent to $24 billion. Impairment charges on bad debts rose to $31 million from $4 million a year earlier, when the bank benefitted from provision recoveries.
“We achieved good growth in New Zealand, supported by changes to our distribution network and the increased use of digital channels,” group chief executive Brian Hartzer said.” May 2015
“…The Australian parent reported a small dip in first-half profit to A$3.61 billion, from A$3.62 billion a year earlier, with cash earnings flat at A$3.77 billion. “
Can I suggest that the Wellington Chamber of Commerce should be asked to come up with a weekly household budget for a person living on the minimum wage to support their argument with the Wellington Council.
That line-up shows the chamber of commerce is just another rightwing front like the Taxpayer Union. Using the credibility of local business owners to push their agenda.
Despite the Chamber of Commerces’ hysterical (good word Sanctuary) reaction to the vote to retain the living wage for council staff and get council contractors on board with the living wage too, the main contractor in question, Recon, who provide noise control services to the WCC and whose staff would benefit from moving to the living wage haven’t said a word about it as yet. (Maybe they have and I missed it – or is Recon a member of the Chamber of Commerce and they want to stay under the radar?)
It is absurd that their ideological viewpoint would prevent them from putting $$$ into potential customers hands to spend at their stores (eg John MIlford used to be CE of Kirkaldie and Stains, and look where that store has ended up after 150 years of trading – down the tubes, no customers!)
Absurd too that Nicola Young, right wing councillor for Lambton Ward, in her opposition to introducing the living wage to council staff last year, said those on minimum wage get benefits from the government to top up their existence. I thought those nats thought people who receive benefits are bludgers, draining their precious tax payer $$$?
By opposing the living wage in their blind mean spirited way, these guys are in fact opposing increased trade, let alone the reduction of financial stress in people’s lives, that which of course they couldn’t care about.
hi rosie,
re. living wage being paid: there is a great ted talk that covers this amongst other things.
put “plutocrats and the pitchforks are coming” into the search.
essentially he helps to define capitalism and deals with inequality, arguing that the middle class is where jobs and growth are generated.
while he is at it he smashes a few of those neo-liberal myths, eg.tricledown, raising minimum wages costs jobs etc.
Thanks gsays. I’ve heard of Ted Talks but never listened to one. Do I just google ted talk and who is the speaker I look for? Ta.
The other thing that just occurred to me is that is would make sense for a banker, ie, Brent Callaghan from Westpac of the board of the Chamber of Commerce, to oppose a living wage. If people could actually afford to live they would use their credit cards less and less for essential and non essential items.
People like Brent, I would assume, would want workers to remain on low wages and be dependent on the bank for credit. The business of debt is big business for them. It’s pure profit.
Imagine if wages in general went up. You’d get more side orders at your cafe, in addition to orders for mains, and more covers. People, once their debt is under control could do nice things like go out and enjoy themselves. Your business would increase, then you can all have wage increase too!!!
Hey, go the whole hog, abolish GST and theres more money for everyone!!!
The speaker is billionaire Nick Hanauer and he makes some excellent points. Video here. He’s got an article up here as well covering the same ground.
People like Brent, I would assume, would want workers to remain on low wages and be dependent on the bank for credit. The business of debt is big business for them. It’s pure profit.
That is pretty much exactly how our financial system works.
https://vimeo.com/71074210
The poor are in debt because they can’t afford to live and the interest that they pay goes to the rich and then stays there because our banks create money to loan out rather than loaning out money that they have on deposit.
Imagine if wages in general went up. You’d get more side orders at your cafe, in addition to orders for mains, and more covers. People, once their debt is under control could do nice things like go out and enjoy themselves.
And they become nicer to everyone else as well as competition between people decreases. This is another reason why our government should be bringing back full employment as a policy setting.
Thanks Draco. I’ve got 5 minutes into the Nick Hanauer talk, before I have to dash off and do things, and he’s talking alot of sense.
Those boofheads at the Chamber of Commerce need to listen to what he says about inequality being bad for business, regardless of your moral stance – sort of what I was getting to above, in a less articulate way.
In Robert Reich’s “Inequality for all” that same theme is covered: (Trailer)
I’ve seen you post that “A flaw in the monetary system” video before and will give it a look later. And re the poor being in debt, I think it’s increasingly more the middle classes too. Everything points to out current system holding us back financially which affects us personally and socially. I believe our society is under a great strain but here in Nu Zuland I think those pitchforks are going to stay safely tucked away in their garden sheds for quite some time.
PS: Stephanie has a good post on her blog Boots Theory about the living wage Vs the chamber of Commerce.
Oh the injustice, Council are SUCH bastards, paying a living wage to security guards. Westpac make billions a year in profit but pay their security guards 14.70 (gross) per hour to guard the loot
Will there be a spin off for Fonterra in baby formula sales due to China increasing the population?
In 1979 China introduced the one child policy, 400 million less births have occurred due to the policy. Not sure when but there has been a relaxation in some provinces to allow a second child due to an aging population. Knowing how many extra children have been born in the provinces with a second child would interest me as it would give an estimation of how many people may elect to have a second child.
In rural areas often the parents go into the cities to work and leave their children in the care of grandparents.
Increasing the birth rate is part of China’s vision for the next five years. I can now see why establishing the production of milk solids in NZ is important for China.
At some point the population in China will reach 2 billion, it is currently 1.4 billion.
During the year of the dragon the birth rate increases and during the year of the sheep it decreases. Planning maternity services for an extra child is just the start, next is housing, child care, education, health, jobs etc.
There was a bit more on TV 3 news at 6 pm about the one child policy. A woman dared to have a second child, the child was deemed to not exist as there was no entitlement to health care, education or travel documents. I was left thinking how forward thinking this mother was.
I would like to see all children who were born under the one child policy, treated the same as a first born.
A neighbour mentioned to me that many children overseas have elderly parents in China. I also think that there could be a shortage of females.
“Court Orders USTR To Justify Industry Advisor Confidentiality In TPP”
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) next week is expected to provide justification for withholding from a Freedom of Information Act request the communications with its industry advisors as confidential commercial or financial information. The case involves communications in the lead-up to completion of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement, and could set a precedent for exemptions of communications with lobbyists. http://www.ip-watch.org/2015/10/29/ustr-called-on-to-justify-industry-advisor-confidentiality-in-tpp/
Good and about time! In addition there needs to be a political donations disclosure requirement from lobbyists.
Wonder who wrote this Editorial? Interesting to see the connection between Slater and Hager.
“Blogger Cameron Slater and author Nicky Hager have much in common, even beyond the emails one wrote and the other obtained, possibly illegally, now the Supreme Court has ruled computer files are property.
Both claim to be journalists, and both have found their work subject to the scrutiny of the High Court……….
…..The Supreme Court’s ruling suggests receiving illegally obtained email may be a crime.
Although data might be property is is clearly pretty different from physical property in the sense that the person still has the data even if it is copied. Also someone who wipes out data from the original should be treated differently than someone who just copies data.
Also it should take into account where the data came from, is it Facebook? (already face book and many other sites keep copies on their servers even if they are deleted).
In the Hager case, nobody can prove where it came from anyway. There is no proof it was stolen apart from what contempt of court Slater has said. Slater could have printed it out and lost it at the park or accidentally sent it to the wrong person – or what ever. Plenty of SIS and ACC scandals about this.
The rumours are that Slater records everything like his conversations with the prime minister for example. He is not going to admit he ‘lost or accidentally’ sent the data off to the wrong person rather say it was not his fault and it was stolen.
So I don’t think some sort of receipt of ‘stolen goods’ is applicable in the Hager case as a defence at all. So many holes in it.
I just don’t think the police can prove anything on that one. In fact the police have always said Hager is NOT a suspect for criminal activity in the media.
And even if the data was copied from Slater then the ‘for the public good’ will apply.
TPP- the latest news and ongoing saga.
TPP Text Needs Further Work After Japan; Release Not Expected For Weeks
Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) officials will not be able to finalize the text of the agreement by Oct. 30, when a drafting and legal scrub session is slated to wrap up in Tokyo, meaning the release of the final text is still several weeks away, according to informed sources. http://insidetrade.com/
A further David Fisher article on the Hager/Westpac information release is on the Herald’s website today, which is a good round-up of the overall situation re banks and others providing information to NZ Police. It is somewhat hidden on the site, and I had missed it earlier and only heard about it through another blog site.
” The simple act of transparency is likely to reduce the practice. That was TradeMe’s experience with its Transparency Report.”
Interestingly, once a company publishes the number of requests it receives (but no identifying names), Fisher suggests it reduces the number of attempts the police make….
Overseas investors are deserting Auckland’s property market as the Government crack down on foreign buyers works, but experts say asking prices now remain too high for the remaining local buyers.
There Idiot/Savant draws and almost correct conclusion:
But the fact that it has had such a noticeable effect tells us something about the sort of money we’ve been playing haven too, and how a deregulated market enables foreign crime and corruption.
A deregulated will also enable our own crime and corruption which is why the psychopaths like it so much.
Love the way the politicians denied it was foreign investors and some money laundering issue for so long in Auckland.
Now there are some basic ways to curb foreign investment in place to buy a property and people are going to be taxed if it is resold before 2 years – we don’t have the run away prices.
If they had bothered to do it 4 years ago, there wouldn’t be the mess!
Take it you haven’t watched the first series of Continuum then?
Admittedly, the idea there was to map the patterns of reflections of existing wifi and cellphone towers.
And it’s not as if they’ve discovered anything – RADAR has been around awhile. It’s just now that they’ve developed the technological capability needed to do it.
So, Lord Lloyd-Webber, what would Jesus do about tax credits cuts?
If there’s one thing he couldn’t stand, it was the poor whining on about being hungry.
by MARK STEEL, The Independent, 29 October 2015
George Osborne should be aware of his achievement, because he must be one of the first people to be warned he’s being too mean to the poor by a body made up of the aristocracy, people dressed in ermine and bishops.
This proves his leadership potential, similar to a burglar being so determined he’s told by his colleagues: “Hang on, George, leave them the Sugar Puffs. We can’t take everything off the poor sods.” But instead of taking credit, he’s humble enough to explain the main issue of this uneasiness about cutting the income of the poorest people, which is that it creates a “constitutional crisis”.
That’s the real pain that will be felt by the families who lose £1,300 a year. When children ask: “Why have we got to go without breakfast from now on, Mummy?” they’ll be told: “Because if we’re allowed to keep getting tax credits it would disturb an unspecified constitutional legislative protocol that may or may not have been established in 1910. Do you want to ruin that just for a boiled egg? Now remember, if you faint at school, chew on a finger.”
Some of us might wonder how you can spoil a constitution when there isn’t a constitution. He might as well say: “The House of Lords has drawn over the masterpiece I painted, and murdered my stegosaurus.” But the most important thing is he’s explained thoroughly that the cuts won’t make people poorer at all, although they will save £4.4bn.
To be fair, this is genius and if we all did it we would be much better off. To start with, we could call the electricity company and say: “I have to make essential savings, so from now on, I’ll only be paying half my bill. But don’t listen to anyone who suggests this will make you worse off, they’re all extremists.” Then you can get a trolley full of shopping from Sainsbury’s and insist you’re only giving them £2 as you have to make essential savings, but it’s fine because they’re not getting any less than if you gave them £70.
Because, as Osborne says about tax credits: “It’s ridiculous that we give with one hand and take it away with the other.” So it’s much more efficient if we dispense with the “giving” bit of that process – which, after all, is the expensive bit – and stick to the taking away, which makes everything much more manageable.
In any case, as the Government repeats about every issue, we all benefit from these savings because they create a strong economy which makes us all better off. So if you’re receiving tax credits, the most sensible thing to do is accept these cuts, then demand they take more off you, forcing you to place your floorboards on eBay and put a great aunt on the game, then you’ll be living the dream.
This is why so many lords and ladies selflessly gave up their time to vote with the Government. Lord Lloyd-Webber, for example, hasn’t bothered voting for two years, because nothing in the past two years has really mattered. But this week he flew in from New York and cast his vote, because cutting tax credits to the poorest people in work is the one issue where he had to make a stand. And he’s so dedicated I don’t suppose he even checked to see whether he qualifies for tax credits himself, because for him it’s all about the principle. …..
Mark Reason: New Zealand “deserved” to have that sixteenth man in 2011 The Panel, Radio NZ National, Friday 30 October 2015, 4:50 p.m.
Horrible, braindead, unsporting rhetoric from Reason and Farrar. All their faux-patriotic, one-eyed bullshit fails to convince Gayford or Mulligan, however….
MARK REASON:[speaking slowly and carefully to show how serious he is] The appointment of the referee is very important. Think back to 2011: we all thanked the Lord that Craig Joubert didn’t penalize New Zealand once in that last twenty minutes. We DESERVED to have a hometown referee for our home final! ….
DAVID FARRAR: I don’t think anybody will care if the Australians are complaining after the match, AS LONG AS WE WIN! Ha ha ha ha!
I will admit I never knew there was/is any dessent over the last final due to the fact that I don’t watch much sport “news” ,sport to me is entertainment pure and simple and as a ex rugby player that’s my chosen entertainment.
I’d put farrars comment down to a bit of pre game sledging .
What do you get if you take the AB’s out of wallabies??
It’s only a game of footy Morrissey a bit of light hearted banter is getting your knickers in a twist, chill as I have counselled you before, build a bridge re the 2011 rwc final, the result ain’t going to change
It’s only a game of footy [sic] Morrissey a bit of light hearted banter is getting your knickers in a twist,
First point: adults say “football”. Please don’t use puerile language.
Second point: I don’t see anything lighthearted about systematic cheating, a referee who colludes in that cheating, and commentators like Mark Reason who claim that “we” deserved to have a “hometown referee” for that farcical match.
the result ain’t going to change
Lance Armstrong still has those Tour de France titles to his name. But perception of the worth and validity of his victories has changed. It wasn’t immediately apparent that he’d cheated; it was and is immediately apparent that the All Blacks did in 2011. Our pyrhhic victory in 2011 was immediately condemned by the French players, and in France generally. That this country has maintained a Soviet-level official silence over the scandal doesn’t mean people don’t actually know what happened—as Reason’s words so clearly demonstrate.
Epic match. I presume you are hinting at Laurie Mains’s muttering about “Suzy”. I wouldn’t trust Mains as far as I could kick him.
I suggest you take a look some time at the 1999 final, which was in many ways a grim foreshadowing of the 2011 final. The commentators for Television New Zealand’s live coverage—Keith Quinn, John McBeth and Wayne Graham—were all clearly disturbed by the performance of another South African referee, Andre Watson.
I’ll post more on that débâcle some time in the future.
You’re very willing to condemn kiwis yet you seem to not think it possible that the fledgling rainbow nation wouldn’t see winning the world cup by any means as plausible. Why so down on nz?
I don’t condemn “Kiwis”. Most of my analysis concerns the performance or non-performance of South African referees in 1999 and 2011. I’ve acknowledged that while the All Blacks, led by McCaw, cheated flagrantly in 2011, so would have any team that was granted such carte blanche immunity by a “referee”. Read my posts again.
yet you seem to not think it possible that the fledgling rainbow nation wouldn’t see winning the world cup by any means as plausible.
Maybe it happened. I don’t trust South Africa any more than any other country. But there’s never been anything more than allegations about “Suzy”. I wouldn’t trust anything Mains said or says on that matter or any other.
Why so down on nz?
Once again: look at my posts carefully. My criticisms are mainly of the referees, both of them South African. The beneficiaries of Andre “The Warbler” Watson’s extraordinary 1999 RWC final performance—a chilling preview in many ways of what happened 16 years later—were not the All Blacks but the Wallabies.
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Rob MacCullough writes – Pundits from the left and the right are arguing that National’s Fast Track Bill that is designed to speed up infrastructure decisions could end up becoming mired in a cesspool of corruption. Political commentator ...
Looking at the headlines this morning it’s hard to feel anything other than pessimistic about the future of humanity.Note that I’m not speaking about the future of mankind, but the survival of our humanity. The values that we believe in seem to be ebbing away, by the day.Perhaps every generation ...
Swabbing mixed breed baby chicks to test for avian influenzaUh oh. Bird flu – often deadly to humans – is not only being transmitted from infected birds to dairy cows, but is now travelling between dairy cows. As of last Friday, Bloomberg News reports, there were 32 American dairy herds ...
On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
What is it with the mining industry? Its not enough for them to pillage the earth - they apparently can't even be bothered getting resource consent to do so: The proponent behind a major mine near the Clutha River had already been undertaking activity in the area without a ...
Photo # 1 I am a huge fan of Singapore’s approach to housing, as described here two years ago by copying and pasting from The ConversationWhat Singapore has that Australia does not is a public housing developer, the Housing Development Board, which puts new dwellings on public and reclaimed land, ...
Buzz from the Beehive Reactions to news of the government’s readiness to make urgent changes to “the resource management system” through a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) suggest a balanced approach is being taken. The Taxpayers’ Union says the proposed changes don’t go far enough. Greenpeace says ...
I’m starting to wonder if Anna Burns-Francis might be the best political interviewer we’ve got. That might sound unlikely to you, it came as a bit of a surprise to me.Jack Tame can be excellent, but has some pretty average days. I like Rebecca Wright on Newshub, she asks good ...
Chris Trotter writes – Willie Jackson is said to be planning a “media summit” to discuss “the state of the media and how to protect Fourth Estate Journalism”. Not only does the Editor of The Daily Blog, Martyn Bradbury, think this is a good idea, but he has also ...
Graeme Edgeler writes – This morning [April 21], the Wellington High Court is hearing a judicial review brought by Hon. Karen Chhour, the Minister for Children, against a decision of the Waitangi Tribunal. This is unusual, judicial reviews are much more likely to brought against ministers, rather than ...
Both of Parliament’s watchdogs have now ripped into the Government’s Fast-track Approvals Bill. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s political economy and beyond on the morning of Tuesday, April 23 are:The Lead: The Auditor General,John Ryan, has joined the ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Sarah SpengemanPeople wait to board an electric bus in Pune, India. (Image credit: courtesy of ITDP) Public transportation riders in Pune, India, love the city’s new electric buses so much they will actually skip an older diesel bus that ...
The infrastructure industry yesterday issued a “hurry up” message to the Government, telling it to get cracking on developing a pipeline of infrastructure projects.The hiatus around the change of Government has seen some major projects cancelled and others delayed, and there is uncertainty about what will happen with the new ...
Hi,Over the weekend I revisited a podcast I really adore, Dead Eyes. It’s about a guy who got fired from Band of Brothers over two decades ago because Tom Hanks said he had “dead eyes”.If you don’t recall — 2001’s Band of Brothers was part of the emerging trend of ...
Buzz from the Beehive The 180 or so recipients of letters from the Government telling them how to submit infrastructure projects for “fast track” consideration includes some whose project applications previously have been rejected by the courts. News media were quick to feature these in their reports after RMA Reform Minister Chris ...
It would not be a desirable way to start your holiday by breaking your back, your head, or your wrist, but on our first hour in Singapore I gave it a try.We were chatting, last week, before we started a meeting of Hazel’s Enviro Trust, about the things that can ...
Calling all journalists, academics, planners, lawyers, political activists, environmentalists, and other members of the public who believe that the relationships between vested interests and politicians need to be scrutinised. We need to work together to make sure that the new Fast-Track Approvals Bill – currently being pushed through by the ...
Feel worried. Shane Jones and a couple of his Cabinet colleagues are about to be granted the power to override any and all objections to projects like dams, mines, roads etc even if: said projects will harm biodiversity, increase global warming and cause other environmental harms, and even if ...
Bryce Edwards writes- The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. ...
Michael Bassett writes – If you think there is a move afoot by the radical Maori fringe of New Zealand society to create a parallel system of government to the one that we elect at our triennial elections, you aren’t wrong. Over the last few days we have ...
Without a corresponding drop in interest rates, it’s doubtful any changes to the CCCFA will unleash a massive rush of home buyers. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate on Monday, April 22 included:The Government making a ...
Sunday was a lazy day. I started watching Jack Tame on Q&A, the interviews are usually good for something to write about. Saying the things that the politicians won’t, but are quite possibly thinking. Things that are true and need to be extracted from between the lines.As you might know ...
In our Weekly Roundup last week we covered news from Auckland Transport that the WX1 Western Express is going to get an upgrade next year with double decker electric buses. As part of the announcement, AT also said “Since we introduced the WX1 Western Express last November we have seen ...
TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to April 29 include:PM Christopher Luxon is scheduled to hold a post-Cabinet news conference at 4 pm today. Stats NZ releases its statutory report on Census 2023 tomorrow.Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivers a pre-Budget speech at ...
A listing of 29 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 14, 2024 thru Sat, April 20, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week hinges on these words from the abstract of a fresh academic ...
The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. The Government says this will ...
This is a column to say thank you. So many of have been in touch since Mum died to say so many kind and thoughtful things. You’re wonderful, all of you. You’ve asked how we’re doing, how Dad’s doing. A little more realisation each day, of the irretrievable finality of ...
Identifying the engine type in your car is crucial for various reasons, including maintenance, repairs, and performance upgrades. Knowing the specific engine model allows you to access detailed technical information, locate compatible parts, and make informed decisions about modifications. This comprehensive guide will provide you with a step-by-step approach to ...
Introduction: The allure of racing is undeniable. The thrill of speed, the roar of engines, and the exhilaration of competition all contribute to the allure of this adrenaline-driven sport. For those who yearn to experience the pinnacle of racing, becoming a race car driver is the ultimate dream. However, the ...
Introduction Automobiles have become ubiquitous in modern society, serving as a primary mode of transportation and a symbol of economic growth and personal mobility. With countless vehicles traversing roads and highways worldwide, it begs the question: how many cars are there in the world? Determining the precise number is a ...
Maintaining a safe and reliable vehicle requires regular inspections. Whether it’s a routine maintenance checkup or a safety inspection, knowing how long the process will take can help you plan your day accordingly. This article delves into the factors that influence the duration of a car inspection and provides an ...
Mazda Motor Corporation, commonly known as Mazda, is a Japanese multinational automaker headquartered in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The company was founded in 1920 as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd., and began producing vehicles in 1931. Mazda is primarily known for its production of passenger cars, but ...
Your car battery is an essential component that provides power to start your engine, operate your electrical systems, and store energy. Over time, batteries can weaken and lose their ability to hold a charge, which can lead to starting problems, power failures, and other issues. Replacing your battery before it ...
In most states, you cannot register a car without a valid driver’s license. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Exceptions to the RuleIf you are under 18 years old: In some states, you can register a car in your name even if you do not ...
Mazda, a Japanese automotive manufacturer with a rich history of innovation and engineering excellence, has emerged as a formidable player in the global car market. Known for its reputation of producing high-quality, fuel-efficient, and driver-oriented vehicles, Mazda has consistently garnered praise from industry experts and consumers alike. In this article, ...
Struts are an essential part of a car’s suspension system. They are responsible for supporting the weight of the car and damping the oscillations of the springs. Struts are typically made of steel or aluminum and are filled with hydraulic fluid. How Do Struts Work? Struts work by transferring the ...
Car registration is a mandatory process that all vehicle owners must complete annually. This process involves registering your car with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and paying an associated fee. The registration process ensures that your vehicle is properly licensed and insured, and helps law enforcement and other authorities ...
Zoom is a video conferencing service that allows you to share your screen, webcam, and audio with other participants. In addition to sharing your own audio, you can also share the audio from your computer with other participants. This can be useful for playing music, sharing presentations with audio, or ...
Building your own computer can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to get a high-performance machine tailored to your specific needs. However, it also requires careful planning and execution, and one of the most important factors to consider is the time it will take. The exact time it takes to ...
Sleep mode is a power-saving state that allows your computer to quickly resume operation without having to boot up from scratch. This can be useful if you need to step away from your computer for a short period of time but don’t want to shut it down completely. There are ...
Introduction Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) has revolutionized the field of translation by harnessing the power of technology to assist human translators in their work. This innovative approach combines specialized software with human expertise to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of translations. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the ...
In today’s digital age, mobile devices have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Among the vast array of portable computing options available, iPads and tablet computers stand out as two prominent contenders. While both offer similar functionalities, there are subtle yet significant differences between these two devices. This ...
A computer is an electronic device that can be programmed to carry out a set of instructions. The basic components of a computer are the processor, memory, storage, input devices, and output devices. The Processor The processor, also known as the central processing unit (CPU), is the brain of the ...
Voice Memos is a convenient app on your iPhone that allows you to quickly record and store audio snippets. These recordings can be useful for a variety of purposes, such as taking notes, capturing ideas, or recording interviews. While you can listen to your voice memos on your iPhone, you ...
Laptop screens are essential for interacting with our devices and accessing information. However, when lines appear on the screen, it can be frustrating and disrupt productivity. Understanding the underlying causes of these lines is crucial for finding effective solutions. Types of Screen Lines Horizontal lines: Also known as scan ...
Right-clicking is a common and essential computer operation that allows users to access additional options and settings. While most desktop computers have dedicated right-click buttons on their mice, laptops often do not have these buttons due to space limitations. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to right-click ...
Powering up and shutting down your ASUS laptop is an essential task for any laptop user. Locating the power button can sometimes be a hassle, especially if you’re new to ASUS laptops. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on where to find the power button on different ASUS laptop ...
Dell laptops are renowned for their reliability, performance, and versatility. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone who needs a reliable computing device, a Dell laptop can meet your needs. However, if you’re new to Dell laptops, you may be wondering how to get started. In this comprehensive ...
Two-thirds of the country think that “New Zealand’s economy is rigged to advantage the rich and powerful”. They also believe that “New Zealand needs a strong leader to take the country back from the rich and powerful”. These are just two of a handful of stunning new survey results released ...
In today’s digital world, screenshots have become an indispensable tool for communication and documentation. Whether you need to capture an important email, preserve a website page, or share an error message, screenshots allow you to quickly and easily preserve digital information. If you’re an Asus laptop user, there are several ...
A factory reset restores your Gateway laptop to its original factory settings, erasing all data, apps, and personalizations. This can be necessary to resolve software issues, remove viruses, or prepare your laptop for sale or transfer. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to factory reset your Gateway laptop: Method 1: ...
“You talking about me?”The neoliberal denigration of the past was nowhere more unrelenting than in its depiction of the public service. The Post Office and the Railways were held up as being both irremediably inefficient and scandalously over-manned. Playwright Roger Hall’s “Glide Time” caricatures were presented as accurate depictions of ...
Roger Partridge writes – When the Coalition Government took office last October, it inherited a country on a precipice. With persistent inflation, decades of insipid productivity growth and crises in healthcare, education, housing and law and order, it is no exaggeration to suggest New Zealand’s first-world status was ...
Rob MacCulloch writes – In 2022, the Curriculum Centre at the Ministry of Education employed 308 staff, according to an Official Information Request. Earlier this week it was announced 202 of those staff were being cut. When you look up “The New Zealand Curriculum” on the Ministry of ...
Chris Bishop’s bill has stirred up a hornets nest of opposition. Photo: Lynn Grieveson for The KākāTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate from the last day included:A crescendo of opposition to the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill is ...
Monday left me brokenTuesday, I was through with hopingWednesday, my empty arms were openThursday, waiting for love, waiting for loveThe end of another week that left many of us asking WTF? What on earth has NZ gotten itself into and how on earth could people have voluntarily signed up for ...
Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.State of humanity, 20242024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?Full story Share ...
Determining the hardest sport in the world is a subjective matter, as the difficulty level can vary depending on individual abilities, physical attributes, and experience. However, based on various factors including physical demands, technical skills, mental fortitude, and overall accomplishment, here is an exploration of some of the most challenging ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
The Government’s newly announced review of methane emissions reduction targets hints at its desire to delay Aotearoa New Zealand’s urgent transition to a climate safe future, the Green Party said. ...
Distinguished guests - It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order. “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today. I am delighted ...
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions. “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. “It is good ...
The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
“China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector. "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
Asia Pacific Report Chief Mandla Mandela, a member of the National Assembly of South Africa and Nelson Mandela’s grandson, has joined the Freedom Flotilla in istanbul as the ships prepare to sail for Gaza, reports Kia Ora Gaza. Mandela is also the ambassador for the Global Campaign to Return to ...
Pacific Media Watch Journalists who report on environmental issues are encountering growing difficulties in many parts of the world, reports Reporters Without Borders. According to the tally kept by RSF, 200 journalists have been subjected to threats and physical violence, including murder, in the past 10 years because they were ...
Analysis by Dr Bryce Edwards, Democracy Project (https://democracyproject.nz)Political scientist, Dr Bryce Edwards. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesn’t normally happen in ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra BagzhanSadvakassov/Upsplash, CC BY-SA Australia’s inflation rate has fallen for the fifth successive quarter, and it’s now less than half of what it was back in late 2022. ...
ACT's Rural Communities and Veterans spokesman Mark Cameron responds to cancellations and protests of ANZAC Day commemorations in Wellington. He says, "These pitiful attempts to detract from ANZAC Day are not at all indicative of the feelings of mainstream ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Meighen McCrae, Associate Professor of Strategic & Defence Studies, Australian National University American and Australian stretcher bearers working together near the front line during the Battle of Hamel in 1918.Australian War Memorial While the AUKUS alliance is new, the Australian-American partnership ...
Pōneke based peace activists staged a silent protest at the ANZAC day service to highlight New Zealand’s complicity in war and genocide, and urge the government to take concrete steps to stop the genocide in Palestine. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Magdalena M.E. Bunbury, Postdoctoral Researcher, James Cook University Burial with a horse at the Rákóczifalva site, Hungary (8th century AD).Sándor Hegedűs, Hungarian National Museum, CC BY How do we understand past societies? For centuries, our main sources of information have been ...
Amanda Thompson doesn’t really do Anzac Day. But what she does do is remember the people she knew who had a lifetime to remember stuff they didn’t really want to, because of a war they didn’t ask for. And she does make Anzac biscuits.First published in 2021.All my ...
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Until this month, Auckland swimmer Hazel Ouwehand had never met a qualifying time in an Olympic event for a New Zealand team, even as a junior. Now she’s very likely off to the Paris Olympics after swimming well under the qualifying standard in the 100m butterfly twice – both in ...
While Anzac Day has experienced a resurgence in recent years, our other day of remembrance has slowly faded from view.The Sunday Essay is made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand. Original illustrations by Hope McConnell.First published in 2022.The high school’s head girl and ...
Australian and New Zealand volunteers fought together in the Waikato War, yet still its place in the Anzac tradition is unacknowledged by our defence forces or Returned Services Association.First published in 2018.When I was a boy cub I attended Anzac Day services in the South Auckland suburb of ...
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There are three books I have wolfed down in one sitting over the last two years. Colleen Maria Lenihan’s gorgeous and sad debut Kōhine, Noelle McCarthy’s memoir Grand about becoming her mother and then unbecoming her, and now Hine Toa, a staunch yet gentle self-portrait by living legend Ngāhuia te ...
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[quiz],DIV[quiz],A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question?Send Newsroom your questions. The post Newsroom daily quiz, Thursday 25 April appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Asia Pacific Report Students and activist staff at Australia’s University of Sydney (USyd) have set up a Gaza solidarity encampment in support of Palestinians and similar student-led protests in the United States. The camp was pitched as mass graves, crippled hospitals, thousands of civilian deaths and the near-total destruction of ...
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Olli Hellmann, Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Waikato Getty Images When New Zealanders commemorate Anzac Day on April 25, it’s not only to honour the soldiers who lost their lives in World War I and subsequent conflicts, but also ...
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In its terms this Waatea News article doesn’t sufficiently indicate that SERCO runs Christmas Island –
http://www.waateanews.com/Waatea+News.html?story_id=MTEzNDQ%3D&v=291#.Vi7jsfkk3-k.facebook
This workpermit.com article expressly confirms that fact –
http://www.workpermit.com/news/2015-01-22/serco-wins-5-year-australian-immigration-contract
Stayed at the Taufua Fale at Lalomanu, Upolu, Samoa, couple of years ago. Recall sitting on the beautiful beach there looking out to Nu’utele Island – the site of a leper colony 1916-1918 – http://samoa.southpacific.org/upolu/eastern.html
As I gloried in the warmth of Lalomanu and lively, embracing Samoan hospitality I would contemplatively muse – “How must life have been for those poor souls ?”
It is a bitter, bitter irony that our Minister of Corrections Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga is Samoan. How must life be Sam……in the SERCO establishments you continue to licence……thus smartening the investment portfolios of the British upper-middle class……gifting wealth way beyond need ?
Deploying for a moment the risibly fake ‘Everyman’ diction of The Ponce-Key……”I reckon” if SERCO had been around in Germany and Poland in the 30s and 40s……there would have been some magnificent profit turned.
Sam……like a boy you do your masters’ bidding and you truck with the corporate beast SERCO, seemingly without shame. You do that in our name. No ! No ! Where is Fa’a Samoa in you Sam ?
He’s a politician, North. His primary loyalty is to the National Party.
Mmmm……a National Party politician…….he and Alfred Ngaro, the fiapalagi bait The Ponce-Key patronisingly disported before Pasifika of South Auckland last election…….that turned out beautifully, didn’t it ?
Britain’s Poppy Fascism
by Finian Cunningham, 29 October 2015
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article43274.htm
It’s that time of year again – when Britain’s “poppy fascism” dominates public life. Television presenters are perhaps the most conspicuous exponents, whereby the paper facsimile of the little red flower must be donned on all lapels.
Now weeks ahead of the official commemoration day, more and more Britons, including TV personalties, are pinning the poppy in public.
It may seem innocuous, but there is a disturbing authoritarianism to the increasing custom. Those who don’t wear the symbol commemorating Britain’s war dead are liable to be castigated and abused for being “traitors”.
The BBC is a classic example. The publicly owned state broadcaster says that its presenters and reporters have the option of not wearing the red poppy. But in practice such is the peer pressure and jingoistic mood of modern Britain that all BBC staff will have to conform to a personal display of the red floral tribute. Bet on it.
Some brave television figures refuse to go along with the established “norm”. It was Channel 4 news presenter Jon Snow who coined the phrase “poppy fascism” a few years ago when he was publicly berated by BBC journalists and other media outlets for refusing to don the flower during his nightly broadcasts. It remains to be seen if the Channel 4 news anchor will this year cave to public pressure – a pressure which seems to be growing every year.
Ever since 1919, Britain and its Commonwealth states, including Australia, Canada and New Zealand hold Remembrance Day on November 11.
It marks the armistice of the First World War in 1918. The first commemoration was held by Britain’s King George V who wore a red poppy, thus inaugurating a tradition that continues to this day. The delicate flower was commonly seen on the battlefields of Belgium and France and came to symbolise the millions of soldiers killed during the four-year-old war.
Across Britain, Remembrance Day is marked by sombre ceremonies in towns and cities during which poppy wreathes are laid at war memorials. The biggest event is held at the Cenotaph in London’s Whitehall. Queen Elizabeth, Prime Minister David Cameron and other political leaders will be among the chief dignitaries, along with senior members of Britain’s armed forces.
So what, you may ask, is objectionable about Britain’s annual Remembrance?
In its early observance, the event was indeed a momentous mourning for the millions who died in the First World War. It was an occasion to vow “never again” should mankind be plagued with such horror.
However, the massive demonstration of grieving and repudiation of war has since given way to an obscene glorification of war. The danger of such co-option was there from the beginning when King George V led the first Remembrance Day. For the British monarch – whose cousins included Germany’s Kaiser Wilhelm II and other European aristocrats – personified the basic background to the conflict. It was an imperialist squabble that exploded into a conflagration that consumed up to 18 million ordinary civilians among the warring nations. ….
Read more….
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article43274.htm
+1
Personally I find it the most respectful representation of war that I’ve seen.
And I definitely wear it with pride.
+1
“And I definitely wear it with pride”
On Remembrance Day I’d agree with you – pride or sorrow for the loss of lives spent in war or for futures than never were. But it’s not even November yet and the poppy is everywhere (peer pressure? It’s not meant to be a fashion statement). I feel this devalues the day itself.
Agreed. It’s like that beautiful word “awesome”. Once apon a time it was used in it’s correct sense. Something that filled one with awe. Now it has been debased by it’s gross overuse (young people especially) and it’s lost it’s status.
The same will happen with the poppy remembrance. For that reason I refuse to wear it on any other day other than the 25th April.
I’d agree with you if you’d said you wore it in sorrow.
DULCE ET DECORUM EST
Bent double, like old beggars under sacks,
Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge,
Till on the haunting flares we turned our backs
And towards our distant rest began to trudge.
Men marched asleep. Many had lost their boots
But limped on, blood-shod. All went lame; all blind;
Drunk with fatigue; deaf even to the hoots
Of gas-shells dropping softly behind.
Gas! GAS! Quick, boys!—An ecstasy of fumbling
Fitting the clumsy helmets just in time,
But someone still was yelling out and stumbling
And flound’ring like a man in fire or lime.—
Dim, through the misty panes and thick green light,
As under a green sea, I saw him drowning.
In all my dreams before my helpless sight
He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning.
If in some smothering dreams you too could pace
Behind the wagon that we flung him in,
And watch the white eyes writhing in his face,
His hanging face, like a devil’s sick of sin,
If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood
Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs,
Bitter as the cud
Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues,—
My friend, you would not tell with such high zest
To children ardent for some desperate glory,
The old Lie: Dulce et decorum est
Pro patria mori.
Which war did you both (Ad and Poppy with pride) serve in, if you don’t mind me asking.
Not at all. None. Thank God.
Poppy fascism 🙄 what drivel
Poppy fascism what drivel
??
Could you back up your rather emotional statement with an argument please?
The article you link to jumps from reasoned debate to an utter ugly and ill founded rant to fit the event to the author’s very public and well known counter-positions on monarchy, armed forces and UK government.
As a retired serviceman the ceremonies are a tiny moment of peace and stillness to reflect as a nation upon the futility of war and the loss of friends and comrades through the years. It remembers, for example, the fight against Nazi Fascism and in all the other conflicts in which we are caught up – mostly as a result of the failure of Politicians and Diplomats.
Those who shout loudest against events such as this have largely never worn uniform and put their lives in the hands of others. They do not recognise the value of service, they don’t see value at all, only cost. That is why, for example, the Monarchy that gives so many millions of people so much pleasure and generates so much for our nation, is the easy target for small minded and jealous writers whose own lives are monotonously dull and grey. For those of us who wore uniform, and who continue to do so, we do so for a variety of reasons – and not all are nationalistic or idealism – but ultimately because we are prepared to do so detractors are able to contort their faces into anger and shout their spittle laced messages from the safety of their own lives. The Poppy is a dignified sign of respect and thanks. If you don’t wear it that is up to you – freedom to exercise such rights is after all part of what we fought so hard for (unlike those compelled to wear a yellow star for example) – and frankly if you are so blinded by ugly rhetoric and cannot see the humanity beneath the November ceremonies you should not and neither are you decent enough person to be a Poppy wearer. Keep shouting – few are listening but many gave their lives that you could
What is your assessment of the New Zealand soldiers who murdered all those boys and men in Surafend in 1918, after the war had finished?
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/2675357/Old-words-cast-fresh-light-on-Anzac-atrocity
Do you think it acceptable that the RSA never spoke out against the massacre, and in fact published doggerel in its magazine in praise of the murderers?
It is about the people who died, nothing else.
Certainly not about nationalism, not about the ugly military and their armies, not about government, not about the frikkin’ crown, not about politicians. Those things are all responsible for war and should be arsed out of the commemorations. Fuck them.
Unfortunately today, it has morphed into nationalism, militarism, government, crown and politicians.
It is fucked in the head and leading straight back to more war and death.
I knew a simple soldier boy
Who grinned at life in empty joy,
Slept soundly through the lonesome dark,
And whistled early with the lark.
In winter trenches, cowed and glum,
With crumps and lice and lack of rum,
He put a bullet through his brain.
No one spoke of him again.
You smug-faced crowds with kindling eye
Who cheer when soldier lads march by,
Sneak home and pray you’ll never know
The hell where youth and laughter go.
Thanks Grant. Said in a nutshell.
Wellington employers Chamber of commerce wants to take action against the city council for issues around the living wage.
On the board -detail on website -are
Daniel Fielding – Minter Ellison Rudd Watts
Richard Stone – JacksonStone & Partners
Pierre Woolridge – Optimum Websites Ltd
Charles Finny – Saunders Unsworth
Zane Fulljames – NZ Bus.
Linda Sissons – Wellington Institute of Technology (WelTec)
Peter Cullen – Cullen Law, President
Cas Carter – Massey University, Vice-President
Olivier Lacoua – CQ Hotels
Ian Cassels – The Wellington Company
Brent Callaghan – Westpac
John Dow – Agenda Limited
Not exactly your small local business’s are they – wonder if the membership looks the same.
You’d have though that on behalf on their members they would be more likely to support an increase in lower level pay and a hold on the upper level pay.
After all that would mean more people outside their door with money to spend. Looking at the CV’s I suspect a number of them may have council contracts – is there a conflict of interets? Go on journo’s do your stuff – ask the questions.
The hysteria around this move by the WCC is incredible. What is it about people not electing the “right” local government that so gets under the skin of the neo-libs? Farrar is practically demanding a judicial coup against the democratically elected councillors complete with blood curdling threats of hefty fines – and all over less than $3,000,000 a year in extra wages?
It is a bizarrely over the top authoritarian response from an increasingly intolerant and Fascistic right wing that seems to think anyone who doesn’t agree with them has no right to govern.
You think Farrar is neo-liberal? You know he is called “Pinko” right?
only by the insane fringes of torydom that you inhabit.
I thought that was reference to his skin colour?
http://www.arkive.org/star-nosed-mole/condylura-cristata/image-G76377.html
Lovely people aren’t they.
Pushing to pay people less than it costs to live.
Fucking bludgers
Does that include the Councillors who voted for the living wage, but refuse to pay their own business staff it? e.g. Mark Peck
everyone
yes.
So you are for it now that we have cleared that up?
Westpac
“Cash earnings in the New Zealand business rose to $441 million in the six months ended March 31, from $432 million a year earlier, the Sydney-based bank said in a statement. Net interest income rose 6 per cent to $832 million as the local lender grew its mortgage loan book 5 per cent to $40.7 billion and business lending expanded 5 per cent to $24 billion. Impairment charges on bad debts rose to $31 million from $4 million a year earlier, when the bank benefitted from provision recoveries.
“We achieved good growth in New Zealand, supported by changes to our distribution network and the increased use of digital channels,” group chief executive Brian Hartzer said.” May 2015
“…The Australian parent reported a small dip in first-half profit to A$3.61 billion, from A$3.62 billion a year earlier, with cash earnings flat at A$3.77 billion. “
Can I suggest that the Wellington Chamber of Commerce should be asked to come up with a weekly household budget for a person living on the minimum wage to support their argument with the Wellington Council.
@Tautoko Mangō Mata – and then the chamber of commerce people have to live on it for a month.
and their families.
lol…t’would be fun to watch……
A month wouldn’t be long enough. Needs to be a year at the very least.
That line-up shows the chamber of commerce is just another rightwing front like the Taxpayer Union. Using the credibility of local business owners to push their agenda.
yup ‘Charles Finny – Saunders Unsworth’ stands out amongst others.
And rent a place paying the average rent in Auckland.
Despite the Chamber of Commerces’ hysterical (good word Sanctuary) reaction to the vote to retain the living wage for council staff and get council contractors on board with the living wage too, the main contractor in question, Recon, who provide noise control services to the WCC and whose staff would benefit from moving to the living wage haven’t said a word about it as yet. (Maybe they have and I missed it – or is Recon a member of the Chamber of Commerce and they want to stay under the radar?)
It is absurd that their ideological viewpoint would prevent them from putting $$$ into potential customers hands to spend at their stores (eg John MIlford used to be CE of Kirkaldie and Stains, and look where that store has ended up after 150 years of trading – down the tubes, no customers!)
Absurd too that Nicola Young, right wing councillor for Lambton Ward, in her opposition to introducing the living wage to council staff last year, said those on minimum wage get benefits from the government to top up their existence. I thought those nats thought people who receive benefits are bludgers, draining their precious tax payer $$$?
By opposing the living wage in their blind mean spirited way, these guys are in fact opposing increased trade, let alone the reduction of financial stress in people’s lives, that which of course they couldn’t care about.
hi rosie,
re. living wage being paid: there is a great ted talk that covers this amongst other things.
put “plutocrats and the pitchforks are coming” into the search.
essentially he helps to define capitalism and deals with inequality, arguing that the middle class is where jobs and growth are generated.
while he is at it he smashes a few of those neo-liberal myths, eg.tricledown, raising minimum wages costs jobs etc.
thoroughly reccommended 20mins.
Thanks gsays. I’ve heard of Ted Talks but never listened to one. Do I just google ted talk and who is the speaker I look for? Ta.
The other thing that just occurred to me is that is would make sense for a banker, ie, Brent Callaghan from Westpac of the board of the Chamber of Commerce, to oppose a living wage. If people could actually afford to live they would use their credit cards less and less for essential and non essential items.
People like Brent, I would assume, would want workers to remain on low wages and be dependent on the bank for credit. The business of debt is big business for them. It’s pure profit.
Imagine if wages in general went up. You’d get more side orders at your cafe, in addition to orders for mains, and more covers. People, once their debt is under control could do nice things like go out and enjoy themselves. Your business would increase, then you can all have wage increase too!!!
Hey, go the whole hog, abolish GST and theres more money for everyone!!!
We’d get our financial independence back!!!
The speaker is billionaire Nick Hanauer and he makes some excellent points. Video here. He’s got an article up here as well covering the same ground.
That is pretty much exactly how our financial system works.
https://vimeo.com/71074210
The poor are in debt because they can’t afford to live and the interest that they pay goes to the rich and then stays there because our banks create money to loan out rather than loaning out money that they have on deposit.
And they become nicer to everyone else as well as competition between people decreases. This is another reason why our government should be bringing back full employment as a policy setting.
Thanks Draco. I’ve got 5 minutes into the Nick Hanauer talk, before I have to dash off and do things, and he’s talking alot of sense.
Those boofheads at the Chamber of Commerce need to listen to what he says about inequality being bad for business, regardless of your moral stance – sort of what I was getting to above, in a less articulate way.
In Robert Reich’s “Inequality for all” that same theme is covered: (Trailer)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9REdcxfie3M
I’ve seen you post that “A flaw in the monetary system” video before and will give it a look later. And re the poor being in debt, I think it’s increasingly more the middle classes too. Everything points to out current system holding us back financially which affects us personally and socially. I believe our society is under a great strain but here in Nu Zuland I think those pitchforks are going to stay safely tucked away in their garden sheds for quite some time.
PS: Stephanie has a good post on her blog Boots Theory about the living wage Vs the chamber of Commerce.
‘Imagine if wages in general went up. You’d get more side orders at your cafe, in addition to orders for mains, and more covers.’
that is one of points nick hanauer (thanks draco) makes;
its a good thing if you pay your staff enough so they can afford to eat at your place.
Fighting to keep paying people what is regarded as insufficient to lead a decent life…
Oh the injustice, Council are SUCH bastards, paying a living wage to security guards. Westpac make billions a year in profit but pay their security guards 14.70 (gross) per hour to guard the loot
By evening this article had dropped way down stuffs online presence to near invisibilty-
maybe not such a good idea by the Chamber?
Will there be a spin off for Fonterra in baby formula sales due to China increasing the population?
In 1979 China introduced the one child policy, 400 million less births have occurred due to the policy. Not sure when but there has been a relaxation in some provinces to allow a second child due to an aging population. Knowing how many extra children have been born in the provinces with a second child would interest me as it would give an estimation of how many people may elect to have a second child.
In rural areas often the parents go into the cities to work and leave their children in the care of grandparents.
Increasing the birth rate is part of China’s vision for the next five years. I can now see why establishing the production of milk solids in NZ is important for China.
At some point the population in China will reach 2 billion, it is currently 1.4 billion.
During the year of the dragon the birth rate increases and during the year of the sheep it decreases. Planning maternity services for an extra child is just the start, next is housing, child care, education, health, jobs etc.
There was a bit more on TV 3 news at 6 pm about the one child policy. A woman dared to have a second child, the child was deemed to not exist as there was no entitlement to health care, education or travel documents. I was left thinking how forward thinking this mother was.
I would like to see all children who were born under the one child policy, treated the same as a first born.
A neighbour mentioned to me that many children overseas have elderly parents in China. I also think that there could be a shortage of females.
“Court Orders USTR To Justify Industry Advisor Confidentiality In TPP”
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) next week is expected to provide justification for withholding from a Freedom of Information Act request the communications with its industry advisors as confidential commercial or financial information. The case involves communications in the lead-up to completion of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement, and could set a precedent for exemptions of communications with lobbyists.
http://www.ip-watch.org/2015/10/29/ustr-called-on-to-justify-industry-advisor-confidentiality-in-tpp/
Good and about time! In addition there needs to be a political donations disclosure requirement from lobbyists.
These guys are raising money to make a documentary about TPP.
https://www.pledgeme.co.nz/projects/4209-beautiful-democracy-documentary-on-activism-through-art
Wonder who wrote this Editorial? Interesting to see the connection between Slater and Hager.
“Blogger Cameron Slater and author Nicky Hager have much in common, even beyond the emails one wrote and the other obtained, possibly illegally, now the Supreme Court has ruled computer files are property.
Both claim to be journalists, and both have found their work subject to the scrutiny of the High Court……….
…..The Supreme Court’s ruling suggests receiving illegally obtained email may be a crime.
On this basis, Hager’s challenge to the police search of his house may be harder to sustain. But since his book served a public interest, free speech should prevail.”
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11537132
Although data might be property is is clearly pretty different from physical property in the sense that the person still has the data even if it is copied. Also someone who wipes out data from the original should be treated differently than someone who just copies data.
Also it should take into account where the data came from, is it Facebook? (already face book and many other sites keep copies on their servers even if they are deleted).
In the Hager case, nobody can prove where it came from anyway. There is no proof it was stolen apart from what contempt of court Slater has said. Slater could have printed it out and lost it at the park or accidentally sent it to the wrong person – or what ever. Plenty of SIS and ACC scandals about this.
The rumours are that Slater records everything like his conversations with the prime minister for example. He is not going to admit he ‘lost or accidentally’ sent the data off to the wrong person rather say it was not his fault and it was stolen.
So I don’t think some sort of receipt of ‘stolen goods’ is applicable in the Hager case as a defence at all. So many holes in it.
I just don’t think the police can prove anything on that one. In fact the police have always said Hager is NOT a suspect for criminal activity in the media.
And even if the data was copied from Slater then the ‘for the public good’ will apply.
That Slater is th only person to get a public apology from our PM suggest to me that he does indeed KEEP. EVERYTHING.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/288342/dotcom's-bid-to-stop-hearing-rejected
Good to see common sense has prevailed and finally a decision will be made.
Please come and join us on the Q&A with Alastair Thompson post…
just had my comment not appear, presumably into moderation. Is that the random bug?
edit, nevermind, it’s there now 🙂
Audrey young very wise not to open her opinion piece to comments. Lovely photo of esteemed pm with his stubby in his hand.
TPP- the latest news and ongoing saga.
TPP Text Needs Further Work After Japan; Release Not Expected For Weeks
Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) officials will not be able to finalize the text of the agreement by Oct. 30, when a drafting and legal scrub session is slated to wrap up in Tokyo, meaning the release of the final text is still several weeks away, according to informed sources.
http://insidetrade.com/
A further David Fisher article on the Hager/Westpac information release is on the Herald’s website today, which is a good round-up of the overall situation re banks and others providing information to NZ Police. It is somewhat hidden on the site, and I had missed it earlier and only heard about it through another blog site.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11537431
a cynic would suggest they didnt really want the spotlight on this… untilt hey discovered i tmight affect their bottom line
” The simple act of transparency is likely to reduce the practice. That was TradeMe’s experience with its Transparency Report.”
Interestingly, once a company publishes the number of requests it receives (but no identifying names), Fisher suggests it reduces the number of attempts the police make….
And more information coming to light that it was foreign investors pushing our housing bubble:
There Idiot/Savant draws and almost correct conclusion:
A deregulated will also enable our own crime and corruption which is why the psychopaths like it so much.
Love the way the politicians denied it was foreign investors and some money laundering issue for so long in Auckland.
Now there are some basic ways to curb foreign investment in place to buy a property and people are going to be taxed if it is resold before 2 years – we don’t have the run away prices.
If they had bothered to do it 4 years ago, there wouldn’t be the mess!
In creepy news, researchers discover how to use Wifi to see what’s happening inside your house.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3292246/Forget-X-rays-walls-using-WI-FI-Device-captures-silhouettes-identify-people-stood-CONCRETE.html
Take it you haven’t watched the first series of Continuum then?
Admittedly, the idea there was to map the patterns of reflections of existing wifi and cellphone towers.
And it’s not as if they’ve discovered anything – RADAR has been around awhile. It’s just now that they’ve developed the technological capability needed to do it.
So, Lord Lloyd-Webber, what would Jesus do about tax credits cuts?
If there’s one thing he couldn’t stand, it was the poor whining on about being hungry.
by MARK STEEL, The Independent, 29 October 2015
George Osborne should be aware of his achievement, because he must be one of the first people to be warned he’s being too mean to the poor by a body made up of the aristocracy, people dressed in ermine and bishops.
This proves his leadership potential, similar to a burglar being so determined he’s told by his colleagues: “Hang on, George, leave them the Sugar Puffs. We can’t take everything off the poor sods.” But instead of taking credit, he’s humble enough to explain the main issue of this uneasiness about cutting the income of the poorest people, which is that it creates a “constitutional crisis”.
That’s the real pain that will be felt by the families who lose £1,300 a year. When children ask: “Why have we got to go without breakfast from now on, Mummy?” they’ll be told: “Because if we’re allowed to keep getting tax credits it would disturb an unspecified constitutional legislative protocol that may or may not have been established in 1910. Do you want to ruin that just for a boiled egg? Now remember, if you faint at school, chew on a finger.”
Some of us might wonder how you can spoil a constitution when there isn’t a constitution. He might as well say: “The House of Lords has drawn over the masterpiece I painted, and murdered my stegosaurus.” But the most important thing is he’s explained thoroughly that the cuts won’t make people poorer at all, although they will save £4.4bn.
To be fair, this is genius and if we all did it we would be much better off. To start with, we could call the electricity company and say: “I have to make essential savings, so from now on, I’ll only be paying half my bill. But don’t listen to anyone who suggests this will make you worse off, they’re all extremists.” Then you can get a trolley full of shopping from Sainsbury’s and insist you’re only giving them £2 as you have to make essential savings, but it’s fine because they’re not getting any less than if you gave them £70.
Because, as Osborne says about tax credits: “It’s ridiculous that we give with one hand and take it away with the other.” So it’s much more efficient if we dispense with the “giving” bit of that process – which, after all, is the expensive bit – and stick to the taking away, which makes everything much more manageable.
In any case, as the Government repeats about every issue, we all benefit from these savings because they create a strong economy which makes us all better off. So if you’re receiving tax credits, the most sensible thing to do is accept these cuts, then demand they take more off you, forcing you to place your floorboards on eBay and put a great aunt on the game, then you’ll be living the dream.
This is why so many lords and ladies selflessly gave up their time to vote with the Government. Lord Lloyd-Webber, for example, hasn’t bothered voting for two years, because nothing in the past two years has really mattered. But this week he flew in from New York and cast his vote, because cutting tax credits to the poorest people in work is the one issue where he had to make a stand. And he’s so dedicated I don’t suppose he even checked to see whether he qualifies for tax credits himself, because for him it’s all about the principle. …..
Read more…
http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/so-lord-lloyd-webber-what-would-jesus-do-about-tax-credits-cuts-a6713916.html
Mark Reason: New Zealand “deserved” to have that sixteenth man in 2011
The Panel, Radio NZ National, Friday 30 October 2015, 4:50 p.m.
Horrible, braindead, unsporting rhetoric from Reason and Farrar. All their faux-patriotic, one-eyed bullshit fails to convince Gayford or Mulligan, however….
MARK REASON: [speaking slowly and carefully to show how serious he is] The appointment of the referee is very important. Think back to 2011: we all thanked the Lord that Craig Joubert didn’t penalize New Zealand once in that last twenty minutes. We DESERVED to have a hometown referee for our home final! ….
DAVID FARRAR: I don’t think anybody will care if the Australians are complaining after the match, AS LONG AS WE WIN! Ha ha ha ha!
CLARK GAYFORD: [dubious] Hmmmmmmm.
JESSE MULLIGAN: [deeply uncomfortable] Heh heh heh heh….
I will admit I never knew there was/is any dessent over the last final due to the fact that I don’t watch much sport “news” ,sport to me is entertainment pure and simple and as a ex rugby player that’s my chosen entertainment.
I’d put farrars comment down to a bit of pre game sledging .
What do you get if you take the AB’s out of wallabies??
Wallies!!:-)
What do you make of the 95 final??
It’s only a game of footy Morrissey a bit of light hearted banter is getting your knickers in a twist, chill as I have counselled you before, build a bridge re the 2011 rwc final, the result ain’t going to change
It’s only a game of footy [sic] Morrissey a bit of light hearted banter is getting your knickers in a twist,
First point: adults say “football”. Please don’t use puerile language.
Second point: I don’t see anything lighthearted about systematic cheating, a referee who colludes in that cheating, and commentators like Mark Reason who claim that “we” deserved to have a “hometown referee” for that farcical match.
the result ain’t going to change
Lance Armstrong still has those Tour de France titles to his name. But perception of the worth and validity of his victories has changed. It wasn’t immediately apparent that he’d cheated; it was and is immediately apparent that the All Blacks did in 2011. Our pyrhhic victory in 2011 was immediately condemned by the French players, and in France generally. That this country has maintained a Soviet-level official silence over the scandal doesn’t mean people don’t actually know what happened—as Reason’s words so clearly demonstrate.
I’d put farrars comment down to a bit of pre game sledging.
Fair comment.
What do you get if you take the AB’s out of wallabies?? Wallies!!:-)
http://static.commentcamarche.net/es.ccm.net/pictures/Ud6krzOUaQiVrbx4IWkuzUrMD8vWr4qbG1wMtmWKQ94r7Doi6fybXXnACJoLFtKR-lol.png
What do you make of the 95 final??
Epic match. I presume you are hinting at Laurie Mains’s muttering about “Suzy”. I wouldn’t trust Mains as far as I could kick him.
I suggest you take a look some time at the 1999 final, which was in many ways a grim foreshadowing of the 2011 final. The commentators for Television New Zealand’s live coverage—Keith Quinn, John McBeth and Wayne Graham—were all clearly disturbed by the performance of another South African referee, Andre Watson.
I’ll post more on that débâcle some time in the future.
You’re very willing to condemn kiwis yet you seem to not think it possible that the fledgling rainbow nation wouldn’t see winning the world cup by any means as plausible. Why so down on nz?
You’re very willing to condemn kiwis
I don’t condemn “Kiwis”. Most of my analysis concerns the performance or non-performance of South African referees in 1999 and 2011. I’ve acknowledged that while the All Blacks, led by McCaw, cheated flagrantly in 2011, so would have any team that was granted such carte blanche immunity by a “referee”. Read my posts again.
yet you seem to not think it possible that the fledgling rainbow nation wouldn’t see winning the world cup by any means as plausible.
Maybe it happened. I don’t trust South Africa any more than any other country. But there’s never been anything more than allegations about “Suzy”. I wouldn’t trust anything Mains said or says on that matter or any other.
Why so down on nz?
Once again: look at my posts carefully. My criticisms are mainly of the referees, both of them South African. The beneficiaries of Andre “The Warbler” Watson’s extraordinary 1999 RWC final performance—a chilling preview in many ways of what happened 16 years later—were not the All Blacks but the Wallabies.