It is essentially what happens when you pump prime the economy with an influx of insurance money and Nationals traditional election year cookie crumb droppings, and offset by the price of rising interest costs flooding in from offshore.
It will be essentially jobless – so as fragile as hell. Not to mention the numbers of milk powder production facilities coming online throughout the world at present making an impact on Fonterra’s commodity business.
If the “recovery” makes an impact, then I’d expect it to dissipate by the end of the year. But that is what we all knew anyway eh?
The various articles predicting an economic boom next year IMO are partly wishful hoping – although I have no doubt there will be those putting a lot into trying to make this happen in an election year.
And I agree that any gains will not flow through to those in the lower middle class and bottom – eg just more of the same in terms of lack of jobs, bene bashing etc.as Lprent says in his reply.
But not all are predicting a boom year without reservation.
This Herald article today on predictions for the NZ stock market in 2014 is very interesting. It starts out with a positive perspective in the heading and first few paragraphs, but then moves to a more cautious stance from Mark Lister, head of research at Craigs Investments Partners – New Zealand’s largest retail broker – who believes that the stockmarket will not perform as strongly next year.
It then ends on a negative note from JBWere strategist Bernard Doyle who is convinced New Zealand may not be the best place for investors.
This month, Doyle recommended clients lower their exposure to New Zealand because of concerns about high local share prices, rising interest rates and the pending general election.
“This backdrop leaves us underwhelmed with the risk-reward presented by the local market,” he said.
“This does not mean we think New Zealand equities are necessarily going to decline in 2014.
“It simply reflects that we don’t believe investors are likely to be adequately rewarded for the risks they bear in this market.”
Instead, Doyle is recommending clients invest more in global listed companies, and he even prefers Australia to New Zealand.
“Global equities are top of the pile, Australia second, and New Zealand last.”
Middle-class mortgage holders will be sensitive to rising interest rates. The Nats probably have plans about how to throw some ‘assistance’ their way to reduce anxiety before the election.
But most benefits of increased economic activity will continue to flow to business owners and investors rather than staff. The latter and their representatives will put up with it like always. The Nats don’t need their votes. Other parties must do a far better job of winning those or we get the next stage of our return to the 1990s.
And we all know how well the Nats would handle GFC2, they would put their fingers in their ears and refuse to admit it’s happening. Until it’s too late!
I have been thinking about TPPA and the fact that Wayne Mapp admitted that there would be some loss of sovereignty for NZ but it would be worth it for the benefits. It appears to me that loss of sovereignty would not be to other countries but to Big Corporations- Big Pharma, Tobacco, Biotech (GE/GM) etc who have written the TPPA. As far as I am concerned, if Tim Groser agrees to investor-state dispute settlements then he should be tried as a traitor.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10876782 (New Zealand’s infant mortality rate – babies who die before their first birthdays – has fallen steadily from 25 for every 1000 births in the early 1950s to 4.8 for every 1000 in the Unicef data, and to 4.2 in the latest Statistics NZ figures for 2012.)
The key line Sacha is this:
“with recorded offences down for the third fiscal year in a row, and a massive 17.4 per cent drop in crimes in the past three years”
If you starve front-line police of funding and manpower, this is what you would also see. There is data here but no actual correlation proving that recorded offences can be equated with a falling crime rate as there are so many other factors in play (especially under the Nacts)
It shows that NZ is finally reaping the rewards for Labour’s hard work over 9 years in power. That is the kind of timescale these things have to be judged on.
National has tended to simply maintain the status quo they inherited on many of these issues, apart from ridiculous and useless laws like 3-strikes and car crushing.
Mostly reputable but you can go to stats nz to check the figures if you dont believe them but really the main point is to highlight the good things thats happening to this country 🙂
Half of which national get in the way of or institutionally fabricate, and the rest are pathetically outnumbered by the housing crisis alone.
But you don’t give a shit about that, because it’s all just a game to you – as long as the blue team win, you’re happy. No matter how many forestry workers die.
Although there is some evidence that the police are just dismissing some complaints and of course in the DV area it looks like they don’t bother to charge just hand out the wet bus ticket Police safety order – so that the kids are made homeless. Takes thousands of offences off the books.
c73
Spend your time learning facts about what is happening and also the facts of reports on conjecture about likely happenings in the world and NZ instead of just seeking good news from the past. You aren’t doing anything useful. If you want to be useful and don’t want to run in the looming marathon future event yourself, you might offer something useful to help the runners to bolster their strength and understanding of how to combat the hazards to be faced. Not hand-picked good news statistics. They won’t be aids in preventing the damage to life we are facing.
I disagree, I think theres some good and useful facts in there. I do understand that any good news for National is considered bad however along with the doom and gloom the left is promoting its also good to have some good news as well.
chris73
You silly person – we here are not playing your stupid game of political tiddlywinks. When we talk doom and gloom we are trying to face real problems and look for real answers. Stay with your game of who is going to win the 2014 test match, your side or those upstart others. Those who can’t think beyond sporting games are lacking brain activity in the part of the brain that can objectively and logically look at things to come, and the real outcomes of present happenings. You waste your and our time with your inane mumbles.
I see your name coming up here like fertile weeds in my garden. Aaaahhh! Try reading a book, alot of books, why don’t you. lprent doesn’t need your input to boost the site’s stats over snakeoil and taniwhablog.
If you want a giggle, pop over to pundit and read another confused piece from Josie Pagani about religion. Honestly, that women is the very definition of the immodestly clueless.
Oh goddammit, Sanc, I have no self-restraint when it comes to reading Josie Pagani’s attempts at commentary, and now I feel like I’ve been zapped with Will Smith’s neuralyzer.
In December politicians try as hard as they want, there’s no out-polling the man with the white beard. No press release can compete with our collective obsession with an obese man in Labour red, handing out free gifts to everyone including the 800,000 people who didn’t vote in the last election.
Get it? Santa Claus is a fat socialist… handing out money and pressies willy-nilly with no thought to the cost. Quick, somebody tell the 800,000 voters who never voted. We’re home and hosed!
Well she had one good thing to say in reminding us that we dont have to put up with Jim Mora and his stupid panel for a while.
Always be thankful for small mercies
SCENE: Friday December 6, 2013. The Public Address Academy, Auckland. The headmaster, the venerable Mr Brown, can be seen walking across the quad to the Hard News classroom, accompanied by a boy dressed in a King’s Prep uniform. Mr Brown is the foundation headmaster of his school, and has been running it for many years—too many years, some would say. He has in recent times been prone to some appalling lapses in judgement, and is increasingly given to irascible outbursts when criticized for that lack of judgement.
MR BROWN: Wait outside the classroom, Matthew. I’ll call you in after I’ve established a few ground rules.
MR BROWN enters the classroom.
Today there is an air of sadness hanging over the P.A. Academy; the heroic anti-apartheid activist and former president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, has died, and the pupils know they will be expected to compete with one another to say how sad they are. Mr Brown sets the tone authoritatively….
MR. BROWN: I remember seeing Nelson Mandela at Wembley Stadium, shortly after his release, in 1990.
….Several pupils stifle yawns, several exhale loudly and slump in their chairs, others roll their eyes. Mr Brown is oblivious to all of these signs, however…
MR. BROWN: Mandela came to the front of the stage to speak and, after three solid minutes of cheering, the crowd began to sing ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’. Never has that song sounded so resonant. I think I cried.
….Several pupils snicker, and several more can be seen rolling their eyes sardonically…..
MR. BROWN: You will have other thoughts and memories and you are welcome to share them here. Please be respectful of each other. Michael, you were the first to put your hand up. Please stand up and share with the class how sad you are. MIKE O’CONNELL: What can one say, others will say it better in the eulogies that will pour out. Simply RIP Nelson Mandela, the world is a poorer place without you but your legacy will remain for a long, long time. MR. BROWN: Good, good. That was so sincere. Paul? PAUL CAMPBELL: I cried the day he was released, tears are flowing now – what more can I say. HEBE: I am so happy for him that he died at home, at 95, with his people. Who would have thought in 1981 that could happen? LUCY TELFAR BARNARD He was so great a man it was a privilege even to walk on the same planet as him. MR. BROWN:[visibly moved] Right on. Just a minute. I have someone waiting outside who wants to tell you how upset HE is at the death of Madiba.
Mr Brown leaves the classroom and re-enters with the boy in the King’s Prep uniform. The boy is smirking unpleasantly, and arrogantly looks down his nose at the children in the class, who seem to already know him….
SEVERAL VOICES: Fuck off, Hooton! MR BROWN: Class, this is Matthew. He’s joining you today to join in with your tributes to Nelson Mandela. MURMURING FROM CLASS: What?!!???!? …. HE’S A NOTORIOUS RACIST!!! …. How COULD you invite HIM of all people to talk about Mandela? MR BROWN:[reproachfully] I did ask you to show respect for each other. UPROAR FROM CLASS:…. Totally inappropriate! …. Brown has lost his fucking marbles!…. That’s Matthew fucking Hooton, the racist prick!… Russell Brown needs to be put out to pasture NOW!!!… Silly old bastard! MR BROWN:[tired and at his wits’ end] I have repeatedly asked everyone here to show good faith and respect. If you can’t do that, please leave the discussion. SEVERAL VOICES: This is a fucking JOKE! This guy is a RACIST, yet Brown is letting him speak about Nelson Mandela!??!!?!? MATTHEW HOOTON: Isn’t it a strange, melancholy and nostalgic day? Mandela really was the greatest figure of the 20th century. SEVERAL VOICES: Fuck off, racist!…. He’s a friend of John Ansell, for Chrissakes!… SHUSH! He’s starting to speak… MATTHEW HOOTON: In the way I view the world, being a child of the 1980s, he was alongside Reagan, Thatcher and Gorbachev in the sense of bringing tyranny to an end…
OUTRAGE AND UPROAR FROM CLASS: What the FUCK!!!?!?!!?…. W-w-w-what did that smirking, smarmy prick just say?!!???!
Actually, he’s more than just a friend; Hooton was a co-conspirator in the cynical, disgusting campaign of race-baiting that constituted the bulk of Don Brash’s doomed campaign in 2005. For the gruesome and incriminating details, read Nicky Hager’s The Hollow Men.
He told them to tone it down at the time, purely as a practical measure: Hooton, unlike many in the National Party, does have a brain and realised the revulsion that most people would have for the kind of racial hatred being pushed by Ansell.
Hooton made a public show of pinching his nose to show his disapproval after they carried on despite his “pushing against the race-baiting”. If he’d had any decency at all, he would have had nothing to do with that racist campaign.
I’m not surprised to see you spinning for Hooton, however. You went out of your way to make the same point in that infamously stupid thread on Public Address, when so many of that forum’s “liberals” bent over backwards to praise Hooton’s hypocrisy, and to pretend that he really meant what he had written.
Spinning?
Call it what it used to be called then: you were apologizing for him.
You clearly have too much time on your hands, chap.
That comment makes no sense whatsoever. What if I had 24 hours a day free? What difference would it make?
Hooton doesn’t have opinions, he has brand management and he saw PA as an opportunity, no more, – and in doing so, he proved that liberals believe what they want to believe.
He never misses an opportunity to race-bait, saying the Labour is full of “stupid maori” (RNZ), that Mana is full of “dumb bros” (NBR), he thinks that the Kahui child murder was a great opportunity to make a “hilarious” political joke (RNZ)… well the Penguin and his fan club had a good giggle over that one at least.
If he had any decency – which he doesn’t – he’d dog-whistle at a higher pitch.
Hooton’s not a racist? Wanna buy a bridge? I got one to sell…
Oh, by the way, I’m not sure that he’s like to be defended by Nicky Hagar – he likes to call him a [Snip]
Some musings beautifully done on what Christmas can mean even in these times of confusion and questioning of false norms and traditions. Tim Minchin, combined with great graphics makes a lovely tribute to people who care about each other coming together at Christmas.
Tim Minchin
White Wine in the Sun
(Muvizu Animdation)
Espiner? Is that the guy that’s slightly to the right of Gengis Khan.
I think Paul Thompson was having a joke for Gods sake Espiner even has ‘Spin’ as part of his name.
C73 regional police commanders massage crime figures.
New technology ie cctv DNA cellphone cameras aging population are the main reasons.
But sacking a large swathe of paper shufflers has changed frontline policing ,Police Now reluctant to deal with crime because they have to do heaps more paperwork.
I wondered about those lower crime figures. Normal response – bloody paperwork so don’t feed details through unless necessary. So less crime BEING REPORTED. Important words.
cool..i never pay enough attention to know who’s right/left..if their actual words don’t indicate..
..now i will know..
..(btw..i think i’m kinda left..but not old skool bbq-stalinist left..and i guess the soak-the-rich/end-poverty/stop-eating-fucken-animals and legalise pot while you are at it..makes me kinda left-left..
..more green than most of the greens..
(especially ‘more green than ‘please-pass-me-that-bowl-of-pig-fat turei..eh..?)..but really..i shouldn’t single turei out..most green mp’s are in that basket..certainly not a vegan to be seen amongst them..)
..more labour/left than most of the labour/left here..(and especially more so than the current mob of labour mp’s..)
(c.f partial-nationalisation-plan/idea..)
..and mana are so so hangi-heavy..so far from even vegetarian..that i despair..(sigh..!..)
..and all of the political parties in complete denial about the implications/impacts of what they eat..
..and somehow..i think that dotcoms’ party will also be kinda heavy on the charred animal-flesh..eh..?
C73 most of your links contradict your claims.
Child deaths we are the worst in the developed world only the US is worse.
Suicides only 2 less per year than longterm average.
Those figures jump up and down.
Violent and domestic abuse continues to climb.
Unreported crime figures are researched by Police.
So are massaged.
Burglaries are down.
Yeah right.
Most people have a $300 to $1000 no claim ryder on their insurance policy so their is no point in reporting minor crime to police and waste time.
You had better come up with better spin .
Captive 73.
Ackshully the Left will need better spin because the swing and undecided voters will be getting their information from the MSM and not from political blogs which means they’ll be reading the headlines and the headlines are saying good, positive things about NZ
Less “real” crime actioned, but a lot more traffic notices trying to be issued. The 4km allowance is because there were a lot less tickets issued last year and financial targets not met. BTW quotas are now called targets and even very senior and CIB staff expected to meet them.
How are they doing it, night shift officers are sitting on CCTV cameras and issuing tickets for parking ,passing etc without leaving the office.
If it’s happening in Nelson it must be the same countrywide.
Whaleoil is not a journalist, in the same way a writer for a
church newsletter is not, preaching to a select audience of
believers doth not maketh it so. There is a public interest in a
broad sheet having such protection. The protection applies
to media that serves all groups, an impartiality in the media outlet. This of course would also
mean the Herald would also lose such protection IMHO. Nz independence
in news has taken huge loses as pro-wealthy only views have taken over.
Now whether the story is merited protection is a different question.
You rarely see an positive argument against the wealthy that harms general wealth,
made with any vigor.
Middle class and higher is where elections are won or lost. If the MSM keep pumping out the good news, then Labour will have a harder job of getting into government. There is also more consumer confidence out there in the middle class overall, making the current status-quo more likely in the next election.
Do I care? Yes I do and thats why National will (hopefully) get another term, the left like to think they have a mortgage on caring well they don’t thats just arrogance from the left.
The left are very good at spending other peoples money but not quite so good when it comes to their own pockets, National is getting the economy moving and that will translate into more jobs which will do more for poverty then any hand-wringing the Left would do
Have to agree with chris73. The left is very good at spending other peoples money until it runs out. Then its up to the centre-right to clean up the mess
Do you have a $20 or $50 note in your wallet, McGrath?
Simple question: where did that note originate? The Government, right? So the realisation for you is that it’s not “your” money, you did not create that money, neither do “you” have any ability to give that money any value whatsoever. The Government fulfils all those functions.
Then its up to the centre-right to clean up the mess
A fiscal moron requiring education…
I saw Cullen move heaven and earth to finally pay back the government debt that Muldoon squandered in the 80’s because of this problem with Muldoon’s superannuation policy (from 2008).
Then I saw National get in, and now I’m seeing English in another National government try to run the country with debt again. See this chart from here (derived from the budgets)..
So English’s fiscally irresponsible policy is making it difficult if not impossible to pay for Muldoon’s fiscally irresponsible superannuation policy of 1975.
Perhaps you should learn to read accounts rather than pulling bullshit out of your arse… Mind you I suspect that you’re probably too stupid to even know which governments were in what years.
Just as an aside, if I see you make moronic statements like that again without a supporting link or argument you will be booted as being a stupid and ignorant troll trying to start a flamewar. Read the policy
What say you now funny guy McGrath? Or did you close your eyes to 1prent’s graphs? Most libertarian nutters and rwnj’s do… because they don’t really want to know the truth.
Cullen paid off Government debt with money sourced by the private sector going eyeballs deep into debt.
English absolutely had to increase government debt and spend into the country, because in the last few years, the private sector has been removing money from circulation in order to pay off its debt.
If English had not done so, we would have crashed into a severe recession.
TL:DR both Labour and National are playing the international money supply game where only the banksters win.
Take away the banks ability to create money, make it so that the government can’t borrow and that all the money they create must be spent into the economy with offsetting taxes and you’ll see pretty quickly just whose money it is.
Hint: Money doesn’t belong to the rich no matter how much that they would like think that it does,
..it is the key/tory govt that has blown our foreign debt out from $12 billion when they took office..to over $60 billion now..and a continuation of those borrow to give to the rich policies will see that rise to over $100 billion..
..how does that fit with yr ‘the left are very good at spending other peoples’ money’ lowest-orifice-pluck..?
It’s been a good day for chris 73 – has 38 comments on this site today. Fairly short ones, not requiring much work, though he has supplied a few links showing that NZ is doing well so apparently trying to spread Good Cheer in the Holiday Season and throughout the coming year.
they are just mouthpieces for slogans they dont care are lies.
chris you dont care. If you did you would have a better idea than you do of answers to some of my questions. You aree merely a parrot. One masquerading as intelligent but still a parrot.
The problem with the left in general is they think they’re the only ones who care therefore everyone who isn’t left-wing don’t care
The left want to keep people poor (otherwise no one would vote for them) so the lefts policies are about keeping people dependent on the govt whereas the Right want people to be successful
Carion73
A monetarist like you would cut out the middle man .
And end up poisoning yourself.
Gold price hits the skids
Coal price likwise
Oil discoveries nil
Recovering oil from deep water won’t happen for at least 20 years that’s if they find any.
Betting on loosers.
Something HawaiiKey said he would never do.
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A chronological listing of news articles linked to on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, Sep 6, 2020 through Sat, Sep 12, 2020Editor's ChoiceWith California ablaze, Newsom blasts Trump administration for failing to fight climate change Trinity River Conservation Camp crew members drown ...
Dear Sir, As we head into the run up to the upcoming election I feel it is my duty to draw your attention to the lack of fun we are currently forced to ensure by the Adern regime. In their efforts to keep the nation’s essential workers, health compromised people, ...
It finally happened: about 13 years after first watching Al Gore’s documentary “An Inconvenient Truth” (AIT) in 2007 when it became available in Germany, I recently completed the Climate Reality Leadership Corps Training! Participating in this particular training had been on my to-do list for quite some time but it ...
Windows 95 is famous for requiring the shutting down the system by clicking ‘start, like stopping your car by turning the ignition key on. Why are so many interfaces so user-unfriendly? The Covid app to register your entering premises can be so clumsy. Sometimes I have signed in, sat down ...
Is the 2020 election result really the foregone conclusion that the polls and commentators are suggesting? Josh Van Veen suggests otherwise, pointing to some of the shortcomings of opinion polling, which could ready some politicians to say “bugger the pollsters” on election night. In November 1993, opinion polls foretold ...
Back in 2019, six select committees of the UK Parliament established a Citizen's Assembly to investigate how to respond to climate change. The Assembly's deliberations were forced online by the pandemic, but it has finally reported back, and overwhelmingly supports strong action: Taxes that increase as people fly further ...
I am feeling a bit impish today and so for no particular reason I thought I would share this thought, which I first posted over on twitter: “Hurricanes, wildfires, floods, heatwaves, street protests, armed vigilante militias, a lethal pandemic and a corrupt authoritarian using the federal government for partisan and ...
Wayne Mapp (Photo: Tsmith.nz via Wikimedia) A former Minister of Defence says the government was too slow to involve the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) in New Zealand’s response to Covid-19. But Wayne Mapp, a National MP from 1996-2011 who served as Minister of Defence for three ...
Transport is our second biggest polluter after agriculture, making up 17% of our national emissions. Cars and trucks emit 15 million tons of CO2 every year. So, if we're serious about tackling climate change, we need to eliminate this entirely. Public transport and better urban design will be a key ...
Five things we’ve learnt 1. We know where the virus ultimately came from We know that the virus originally came from bats, and most probably a species of horseshoe bat in South East Asia. However, the spike protein in SARS-CoV-2, which allows the virus to attach to cells and infect ...
The Greens' greatest disappointment while in government this term has been the failure to implement a ban on mining on conservation land. Promised by Jacinda Ardern immediately after gaining power, it had long been assumed that the problem was NZ First (who have a long history of environmental vandalism). But ...
If they get into Parliament, everyone expects the Greens to form a coalition with Labour. But James Shaw has said that that might not be the case, and that they might instead choose to sit on the cross-benches: The Greens are prepared to forego a coalition or confidence and ...
Chantal Denise Pagel, Auckland University of Technology; Mark Orams, Auckland University of Technology, and Michael Lueck, Auckland University of TechnologyThree people were injured last month in separate humpback whale encounters off the Western Australia coast. The incidents happened during snorkelling tours on Ningaloo Reef when swimmers came too close ...
Den Of Thieves: They describe themselves, and the money-making rackets they dignify with the name of church, “Christian”, but these ravening wolves are no such thing. The essence of the Christian faith is the giving of love – not the taking of money. It is about opening oneself to the ...
David Pomeroy, University of Canterbury; Kay-Lee Jones, University of Canterbury; Mahdis Azarmandi, University of Canterbury, and Sara Tolbert, University of CanterburyAcademic streaming in New Zealand schools is still common, but according to recent reports it is also discriminatory and racist. Also known as tracking, setting and ability grouping, streaming ...
A New Holy-Day: Perhaps, by accepting this gift of Matariki from the first arrivals in Aotearoa, we late arrivals, shorn of our ancestors’ outlandish fleeces, can draw strength from the accumulated human wisdom of our adopted home. Perhaps, by celebrating Matariki, we can learn to take ownership of our colonial ...
If there was any doubt left, we can surely call it now. Time and date. End of. Finito. Perhaps you thought you saw a flickering eyelid or a finger move? You were wrong. Labour has given up on tax reform for the foreseeable future. One of the key remaining left/right ...
Will the rich get richer under Labour’s latest tax policy? Based on the analysis in reaction to yesterday’s announcement, the answer would seem to be yes. The consensus from commentators is that inequality and severe economic problems will remain unchanged or even be made worse by Labour’s new policy. Although ...
Labour has released its energy policy, and its basicly business as usual: bring forward the 100% renewable target to 2030, build pumped storage if the business case stacks up, restore the thermal ban and clean car standard (but not the feebate scheme), and spread a bit of money around to ...
What's wrong with Labour? The end of yesterday's RNZ health debate says it all: Do you have private health insurance? Reti: "I do." Hipkins: "Yes, I do." Hipkins is Minister of Health. But it turns out that he won't be waiting in the queue with the rest ...
McKayla HollowayThe helicopter carries a team of four Lakes380 scientists and me; we hug the Gneiss rock walls that tower over Lake Manapouri. It’s arguably one of New Zealand’s most well-known lakes – made famous by the ‘Save Manapouri’ campaign of the 1970s. My chest is drawn back into ...
Rainy-Day Man: Is Labour’s tax policy a disappointment? Of course it is! But it’s the best the Traditional Left is going to get. Why? because Labour’s pollsters are telling them that upwards of 200,000 women over the age of 45 years have shifted their allegiance from National to Labour. (Where else, ...
When we last left our intrepid Drow Rogue, he was sitting in a tavern with his companions, only for a crazy Paladin to burst in, and start screaming about the Naga. It soon turned out that ...
Slight tweak to New Research Articles in NR are categorized by domain, roughly. This introduces the problem of items that don't neatly fit in one slot, or that have significance in more than one discipline (happily becoming more frequent as the powerful multiplier of interdisciplinary cooperation is tapped more frequently). ...
Today AstraZeneca pushed the pause button on its late-stage trials of a COVID-19 vaccine. A clinical trial participant has experienced a serious health event and an investigation is underway to determine the cause. What does it mean? A cautious approach – trials can halt to assess safety data With over ...
Kaya Klop-Toker, University of Newcastle; Alex Callen, University of Newcastle; Andrea Griffin, University of Newcastle; Matt Hayward, University of Newcastle, and Robert Scanlon, University of NewcastleOn an island off the Queensland coast, a battle is brewing over the fate of a small population of goats. The battle positions the ...
Dr Ben Gray* This blog discusses what will be needed to operationalise the End of Life Choice Act in the event that it is approved at referendum. It argues that this will take significant resources. Judging by the experience in Oregon it is likely that this may only benefit ...
Nau mai, haere mai – welcome to our newest addition to Sciblogs: Tuhia ki te rangi. Over the eleven years Sciblogs has been operating, the face of science communication has changed dramatically. Where a decade ago there was a burgeoning number of scientists and other experts looking to stretch their ...
I'm grappling with my sheer fucking anger over Labour's pathetic tax policy. Yes, it utterly contradicts their pretence of being a "centre-left" party and shows that they have no interest whatsoever in fixing any of the problems facing New Zealand. Yes, its self-inflicted helplessness, which will allow them to cry ...
Ariadna Matamoros-Fernández, Queensland University of Technology and D. Bondy Valdovinos Kaye, Queensland University of TechnologyA disturbing video purporting to show a suicide is reportedly doing the rounds on the popular short video app TikTok, reigniting debate about what social media platforms are doing to limit circulation of troubling material. ...
Labour announced its tax policy today: a new top tax rate of 39% on income over $180,000. And that's it. No intermediate rate between the current top rate of 33% at $70,000 and the new one. No land tax. No wealth tax. Nothing (in fact worse than nothing, because they ...
Climate Explained is a collaboration between The Conversation, Stuff and the New Zealand Science Media Centre to answer your questions about climate change.If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, please send it to climate.change@stuff.co.nzMethane is a shorter-lived greenhouse gas – why do we ...
Most mornings, when we’re at home, my wife and I will have coffee on our deck. I am the barista of the household and I make the coffee, the way we like it, on our espresso machine. This winter we have sat with our coffee, day after day, in glorious ...
National’s ‘alternative budget’ that includes huge cuts to the government’s operating allowance would risk gutting critical public services, and put health, education and nature at dire risk. ...
Data released this week shows that, while New Zealand is not immune to the economic impacts of the global pandemic, our strong health response has meant we’ve been able to get our economy going faster than many other countries. ...
This year’s election is on 17 October - and it’s coming up fast! With one month to go until Election Day, we’ve come up with 17 ways you, your friends and family can get involved in our campaign and help Labour keep New Zealand moving. ...
PREFU has given a good insight into what was required to ensure New Zealanders were largely supported to continue work and remain healthy during COVID-19, but it is clear we need additional revenue raising measures ongoing, Green Party Co-leader James Shaw said today. ...
The Green Party is disappointed with the Labour Party’s decision to reverse their three free years education policy and back down on their commitment to postgraduate student allowances. ...
In the first two years of our term in Government, we gave teachers record pay rises as a way of recognising the lack of adequate adjustments over the previous decade and the significant role they play in the lives of children and young people. We also increased the number of ...
Labour has a proud history of supporting working New Zealanders, whether through the implementation of the 40hr work week or the introduction of the Working for Families package. ...
The Green Party welcome Labour’s commitment to extend the living wage to Government contractors, but will push for Fair Pay Agreements across industries in the next Government so more New Zealanders can earn a dignified income. ...
The Green Party is urging the Government to act on its commitment to te reo Māori, by making it a core subject up to year 10, and including te reo courses in the Targeted Training and Apprenticeships scheme. ...
We're officially back to the campaign for the 2020 General Election. The campaign may look a little different this year, but our candidates are still getting out and about in their communities and spreading the word about how another term of Labour will keep New Zealand moving in the right ...
You might have heard a bit of discussion about Government debt lately, as experts weigh in on the COVID-19 economic recovery. If you’re wondering why it’s such a contested topic, or even if you’re unsure of what Government debt actually is, then read on - we’ve got you covered! ...
The Green Party has released its Farming for the Future Plan, including a $297m fund to support farmers and growers to transition to climate-friendly practices. ...
We believe every New Zealander deserves the chance to make an informed decision on Election Day. We’ve answered some of the most common questions on our 2020 tax policy, including how much money will be raised from our new top tax rate, and how this will be used to control ...
The Green Party says Labour’s energy policy is a step in the right direction, but the Greens would go further and faster to meaningfully tackle the climate crisis. ...
All this tax talk leaving you a bit dazed and confused? Read below to find out more about our progressive tax system and what Labour's policy means for you. ...
We’re committed to managing the Government’s books responsibly and keeping debt under control while supporting our people and our economy through the 1-in-100 year shock caused by COVID-19. ...
The Labour Party has moved towards more progressive income tax, but is not addressing the growing wealth gap and inequality in Aotearoa. Labour’s new revenue policy also doesn’t help pay for the necessary response to the COVID-19 crisis, Green Party Co-leader James Shaw said today. ...
As New Zealanders we are proud of who we are, what we stand for, and the way we weave together different worlds and cultures to create our unique national identity. ...
It is appalling and negligent that landlords are being encouraged to keep their properties cold and damp until after the election, as advised by the NZ Property Investors Federation, Green Party Co-leader Marama Davidson said today. ...
The Government will provide up to $1.69 million through the One Billion Trees programme to Māori landowners to make their whenua more productive through the planting of forests, both native and exotic, and improve economic and environmental outcomes, Forestry Minister Shane Jones has announced. “Around 1.5 million ha of land ...
People planning to head outdoors now have a resource that lets them know how accessible an area is for people with varying levels of mobility, Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage announced today. The Halberg Foundation, Sensibel, and the Department of Conservation (DOC) have launched Accessibel, a new tool which helps ...
One of the most significant battle sites of the 1860s Land Wars will receive $2.96 million from the Provincial Growth Fund to improve the site and help tell the New Zealand story to visitors, Māori Development Minister Nanaia Mahuta and Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones have announced. Nanaia Mahuta ...
The journey towards recognising Māori as an official language and taonga has been captured as a web series and launched today during Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, announced Associate Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Carmel Sepuloni. “Te reo Māori is a living language, and understanding its significance, and pathways to ...
Today’s better-than-forecast GDP figures show the expected impact of the decision to act quickly to protect New Zealanders from the global COVID-19 pandemic. GDP fell 12.2% in the June quarter from March, reflecting decisions to close New Zealand’s borders and enter Alert Level 4. “This result was better than the ...
The Government is investing $39.7 Million over four years to support the educational needs of Pacific learners and families in the regions hardest hit by COVID-19, with Auckland getting an immediate boost, Associate Minister of Education Jenny Salesa says. “Like all New Zealanders Pacific families want learners to do well ...
New Zealand’s goal of 100,000 kiwi by 2030 is being helped by an extra $19.7 million in funding to accelerate iwi and community efforts to protect kiwi, Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage announced. “$19.7 million of Jobs for Nature funding is being invested in kiwi conservation activities including increased predator ...
Ensuring New Zealanders can get the best deal on their electricity takes a step in the right direction today with the South Island launch of the EnergyMate pilot run by the Electricity Retailers’ Association, says Minister of Energy and Resources, Dr Megan Woods. EnergyMate is an industry-led programme providing coaching ...
Minister for Women Julie Anne Genter announced today that the Government has reached its target of 50 percent on women on state sector board and committees – setting a new record level of women on state sector boards. “This Government is committed to having more women in leadership roles - ...
Transport Minister Phil Twyford released today the final Government Policy Statement on land transport (GPS) 2021 which outlines the planned $48 billion investment in services and infrastructure over the next decade. “The final GPS supports our Government’s five-point plan for economic recovery by confirming our record investments in transport infrastructure ...
Three ambitious and cutting-edge research programmes that will lift New Zealand’s advanced energy technology research capability over seven years, have been supported by Government today, says Research, Science and Innovation Minister Megan Woods. The projects will each receive a share of $40.7 million investment from the Strategic Science Investment Fund. ...
The critical area for forensic examination known as Pit Bottom in Stone has been reached in what is a major milestone for the Pike River re-entry project, Minister Responsible for Pike River Re-entry Andrew Little announced. “The infrastructure located in Pit Bottom in Stone is of very significant interest in ...
The Government is working on how New Zealand’s retirement income policies and settings can best support Kiwis in light of the COVID-19 economic recovery, with the help of the Retirement Commissioner’s latest review, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Kris Faafoi said. “The Retirement Commissioner’s three-yearly review into New Zealand’s retirement ...
A new digital hub and development centre in Murupara will be instrumental in growing the region’s productivity, said Under-Secretary for Regional Economic Development Fletcher Tabuteau at the official opening of two community initiatives today. “I’m pleased to be here celebrating a significant milestone for two projects set to make a ...
PREFU shows economy doing better than forecast Unemployment to peak at 7.8%, down from 9.8% forecast in the Budget Year-to-June accounts show tax revenue, debt and OBEGAL better than forecast Global forecast downgraded as COVID-19 second waves and uncertainty grows Balanced plan to support critical public services, manage debt and ...
The Kāpiti Coast town of Ōtaki will receive $1.4 million in Government funding for two projects providing scores of jobs for locals while improving community facilities, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones has announced. The Māoriland Charitable Trust will receive a $900,000 Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) grant to upgrade the ...
The Provincial Growth Fund will provide $11.88 million to fund fencing and waterway projects nationwide that will improve the environment and create jobs in their communities, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones has announced. “These projects will create more than 100 jobs nationwide with work starting within the next couple ...
As part of the COVID-19 recovery, the Government has strengthened its procurement rules to ensure its annual $42 billion spend creates more jobs, uses more sustainable construction practices and results in better outcomes for Māori and Pasifika, Government Ministers announced today. Economic Development Minister Phil Twyford says the $42 ...
The Government is supporting a major upgrade of Timaru’s iconic Theatre Royal and the construction of a new connected Heritage Facility museum and exhibition space with $11.6 million from the Government’s Infrastructure Fund, Jacinda Ardern announced today. “We heard the call from the community and the council. The Theatre Royal ...
Chrissy Montague (formerly Armstrong), barrister of Auckland has been appointed as a District Court Judge with Family Court jurisdiction to be based in Wellington, Attorney-General David Parker announced today. Ms Montague commenced practice in Auckland in 1987 and went into general practice dealing with Wills, Estates, Trusts, Conveyancing, Relationship Property ...
A Proposal to provide for the development and operation of commercial film and video production facilities in areas of Christchurch has been given the go ahead. Hon Poto Williams, Associate Minister for Greater Christchurch Regeneration, has approved the Proposal, which was prepared and submitted by Regenerate Christchurch. Minister Williams ...
As part of the Government’s focus on building closer partnerships with Māori and enhancing the quality of, and access to, Māori medium education, a payment of $8 million will be made to Te Wānanga o Raukawa in partial recognition of its Waitangi Tribunal claim (WAI 2698), Associate Education Minister Kelvin ...
The Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage has announced a $19 million investment over four years in an important forest restoration project involving a partnership between the Department of Conservation, iwi/hapū, the Bay of Plenty and Waikato Regional Councils, community conservation groups and organisations such as Forest and Bird across the ...
New Zealand will be the first country in the world to require the financial sector to report on climate risks, the Minister for Climate Change James Shaw announced today. The changes build on the huge progress this Government has made to tackle the climate crisis. “Today is another step on ...
Economic activity across the Auckland region and the country bounced back to levels experienced under Alert Level 1 following Auckland’s move out of Alert Level 3, analysis in the Treasury’s latest Weekly Economic Update shows. The analysis of economic data since Auckland’s move out of Level 3 shows: Auckland card ...
Takiri mai te ata, ka ao, ka ao, ka awatea, tihei mauriora! Tātou katoa ngā iwi o Aotearoa, tēnā koutou! Tēnā tātou e whakanuia ana i te wiki nei, te wiki o te reo Māori Greeting to you all from Otepoti, Dunedin. This week is the Māori Language week and ...
More mental health and addiction services are available for young New Zealanders in Rotorua and Taupō, Wairarapa, South Canterbury, Dunedin and Southland from next month, Health Minister Chris Hipkins and Associate Health Minister Julie Anne Genter say. “The Government is serious about making sure New Zealanders struggling with mental health ...
The Manuherekia catchment in Central Otago is the third exemplar catchment to be targeted as part of the Government’s plan to clean up waterways by supporting community-led programmes. Environment Minister David Parker said the Manuherekia catchment is vitally important to the people of Central Otago. “The Manuherekia rises in the ...
The Government has agreed on a preferred design for the new Dunedin Hospital featuring two separate buildings, and has provided funding for the next stages of work. Minister of Health Chris Hipkins says Cabinet has approved in principle the detailed business case for the new hospital, giving people in ...
New Zealanders across the country are set to mark history as part of the Māori Language Week commemorations led by Te Taura Whiri i te reo Māori this year. Māori Development Minister, Nanaia Mahuta says the initiative will mark history for all the right reasons including making te reo Māori ...
More than 1000 teachers, support staff and school leaders have graduated from a programme designed to grow their capability to use te reo Māori in their teaching practice, as part of the Government’s plan to integrate te reo Māori into education, Associate Education Minister Kelvin Davis announced today. Being trialled ...
The Minister for Pacific Peoples, Aupito William Sio, says the Toloa Tertiary Scholarships which aims to encourage more Pacific student numbers participating and pursuing STEM-related studies in 2021, are now open. “These tertiary scholarships are administrated by the Ministry for Pacific Peoples (MPP), and are part of MPP’s overall Toloa ...
Four Bay of Plenty timber businesses will receive investments totalling nearly $22 million through the Provincial Growth Fund to boost the local economy and create jobs, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones has announced. Rotorua-based sawmill Red Stag Wood Solutions will receive a $15 million loan to develop an engineered ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has announced that New Zealand is exploring the viability of working with partners to conduct a search for the black box on the Gulf Livestock 1. “We know how much it would mean to the families of those on the ship to understand more about ...
Infrastructure Minister Shane Jones has today announced the Government is supporting the creation of new marine infrastructure in northern Te Tairāwhiti on the North Island’s East Coast. The Government has approved in principle an allocation of up to $45 million to support the construction of a marine transport facility at ...
E Epineha. Ka tangi te iwi, ki a koe e ngaro nei i te kitenga kanohi. Kua mokemoke to whānau, to iwi, te motu whanui. Haere ki o matua, tipuna. Haere ki te okiokinga tuturu mo te tangata. Haere i runga i te aroha o ngā reanga kei muri i ...
Catch limits will be increased for 26 fisheries and reduced for three fisheries as part of a regular round of reviews designed to ensure ongoing sustainability of fisheries resources. Fisheries Minister Stuart Nash has announced decisions following a review of catch limits and management controls for 29 fish stocks. The ...
The Sport and Recreation Minister Grant Robertson says while it is disappointing the Rugby Championship will not be held in New Zealand, the country will host two Bledisloe Cup games in October and has the capacity in managed isolation facilities to host other international sporting events. “We offered flexible quarantine ...
Up to 350 more people in regional New Zealand will gain a pathway to trades training through a $14 million government investment in apprenticeships, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones announced today. The apprenticeships are part of the $40 million Regional Apprenticeship Initiative (RAI) announced in June. The funding comes ...
A Government brokered solution to the parking woes at Christchurch Hospital will deliver more than 1000 new car parks near the Hospital for staff and visitors while also ensuring the completion of the Metro Sports Facility, say Minister for Christchurch Regeneration, Dr Megan Woods. The new parking package is made ...
17 registered political parties and 677 candidates will be contesting the 2020 General Election Nominations have now closed and the Electoral Commission has released the electorate and party list candidates for 2020 online at vote.nz . Advance voting ...
Recently I was invited by a friend to watch a three hour YouTube discussion between Joe Rogan of the Joe Rogan Experience and Johann Hari on the topic of drug law reform. I thought it would be very relevant on our referendum issue coming up. After watching ...
A new poll shows Green MP Chloe Swarbrick is coming third in the contest for the Auckland Central seat, which could be crucial in ensuring her party stays in Parliament. ...
The Government has made another pitch for the Maori vote (presumably with borrowed money) by dipping into the One Billion Trees trough. It has proclaimed it is backing Maori landowners with this contribution to their wellbeing (and the environment’s) and it is fair to suppose it would appreciate the landowners ...
Apple has finally announced its long-anticipated content bundle Apple One. So what do you get, and for how much?What is Apple One? Apple One is a new content “bundle” that gives you access to the company’s music, TV, games and storage offerings via a single subscription. It was announced this week ...
It’s one of the most high-profile, and marginal, electorates in the country, and is jam-packed with hospitality and retail businesses. So which Auckland Central haunts do the three front-runners like to frequent?This story was originally published by EnsembleWhat do your favourite things say about you? Where you buy your regular ...
Published on the behalf of the Labour Party Union Affiliates The Labour Party Union Affiliates are celebrating today’s release of the party’s 2020 workplace relations policy, which reflects the hard work of the wider labour movement. Highlights of ...
The Labour Party’s Workplace Relations and Safety policy release today will see workers across the country being much better off. Policies announced include doubling minimum sick leave entitlements, continued minimum wage increases, implementing Fair ...
The Council of Trade Unions is applauding today's launch of the Labour Party’s industrial relations 2020 election policy by spokesperson Andrew Little. "Working people in unions have been campaigning for better treatment at work. Labour’s industrial ...
By Zedaiah Kanau in Port Moresby A Papua New Guinean businessman who caused the death of his girlfriend by punching her, forcing her to jump out of the car he was driving, has been jailed for 15 years. Richard Namaliu, 28, of Vunapope village in Kokopo, East New Britain was ...
By France 24 Since coming to power in 2012, Chinese President Xi Jinping has launched an unprecedented crusade against press freedom. Facing censorship, threats from police and sometimes jail, the last few independent reporters – those who do not work for state media serving Communist Party propaganda – are no ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By C Raina MacIntyre, Professor of Global Biosecurity, NHMRC Principal Research Fellow, Head, Biosecurity Program, Kirby Institute, UNSW Production of the reality TV show The Masked Singer was shut down last month after several crew members were infected with COVID-19. It’s one of ...
In the latest in our series chronicling the ins and outs of dating in 2020, Alie Benge explains her reliance on the ‘friend committee’ to judge the suitability of every love interest.Abby came to my desk in a panic. She was meeting Sia that weekend. For the first time, she’d ...
Welcome to The Spinoff’s Election Live for September 19, bringing you the latest on election 2020 and other NZ news. The essential campaign dates are here. For all you need to know about the cannabis referendum click here. For the assisted dying referendum click here. Explore the parties’ pledges at Policy. I’m ...
On this week's Extra Time, White Ferns cricketer Suzie Bates reckons the trials and tribulations of quarantine in Brisbane ahead of matches against Australia are all worth it. It may take them an hour a day to get the team up and down the service lift in their hotel, they're only ...
"Coffee plus office equals coffice": a short story set in a deranged New Zealand of stern baristas and rebel forces, by Auckland writer Sharni Wilson “This is not an office.” The barista’s voice was hard and cold with aggression, with a frighteningly wide smile: the kind of smile that you ...
In the second of a weekly election diary, Labour MP Deborah Russell eases back into campaign mode after a Covid-enforced break. Tomorrow is National's Chris Bishop. This week the on-again, off-again election campaign is on again. Well, sort of. Politicians are out and about all over the country, suitably bemasked ...
National's surprise tax cut announcement has given the party a burst of relevance, even though it's far from clear how the policy will sit with voters, Sam Sachdeva writes For much of the Covid-interrupted election campaign to date, the National Party has been sleepwalking towards defeat. The party’s plethora of ...
Labour says this will be the Covid election. National says it’s about the economy. There’s something big being missed in the middle, writes Justin Giovannetti.It was the week the economy took centre stage. The scene was set in the pre-election fiscal update, which on Wednesday offered a sobering snapshot of ...
What do a mosque shooting victim in Christchurch and a Hollywood supermodel have in common? Anke Richter looks at the mental health fallout of cult-like conspiracy movements.Three weeks ago, I sat in the High Court in Christchurch for the sentencing of the mosque terrorist and listened to 91 victim impact ...
By RNZ News New Zealand reported no new cases of covid-19 today – for the first time since early August. There was no media conference today. In a statement, the Health Ministry said the number of active cases had dropped to 70, with seven more people now recovered from the ...
By RNZ Pacific Pro-independence advocates in New Caledonia say a vote for full sovereignty next month would allow the country to step up onto the international stage. The next referendum on independence from France will be held on October 4 and determine whether New Caledonia will obtain the powers still ...
With the Māori Party and the Advance Party both vying to push out Labour's Kelvin Davis from the northern-most Māori seat, RNZ asked Te Tai Tokerau voters who they would vote for. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marcus Carter, Senior Lecturer in Digital Cultures, SOAR Fellow., University of Sydney Facebook has announced the latest version of its successful standalone virtual reality (VR) headset, the Oculus Quest 2. The new device packs more computing power and a sharper screen than ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Hayen, Professor of Biostatistics, University of Technology Sydney A preliminary study, posted online this week by researchers at the Australian National University and elsewhere, estimates 71,000 Australians had COVID-19 by mid-July — 60,000 more than official number of cases diagnosed by ...
Analysis by Keith Rankin. Israel, Czechia, and French Polynesia. Chart by Keith Rankin. In mid-September, new cases of Covid19 are higher than they have ever been. (See here for previous weekly charts, which included the ‘little’ countries.) While this still-rising incidence is partly due to more testing, ...
News about the Provincial Growth Fund, which often features in our daily Latest from the Beehive reports, typically involve announcements of the latest grants or loans. Today Māori Development Minister Nanaia Mahuta and Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones announced a battle site of the 1860s Land Wars will receive ...
Labour’s attack on National’s prudent plan to grow the economy, pay down debt faster, and put more money in Kiwis’ pockets shows how clueless they are when it comes to plotting a roadmap out of this economic crisis, National’s Finance spokesperson ...
Netflix drama Ratched aims to rehabilitate the villain from One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, but would do better in the electric chair.Nurse Ratched is, quite rightly, one of the most famous movie villains of all time. The source of all of McMurphy’s despair and angst in One Flew Over ...
Board chair Simon Gutschlag in a statement said they would contribute "vast, real-world experience to steering New Zealand out of the trouble it's in". ...
Learning Māori is first and foremost about having fun, according to Precious Clark, director of Maurea Consulting LTD, in a Newshub report on learning te reo Maori and embracing tikanga. “It’s about giving people the tools so they can pronounce our words correctly and it’s about giving them the confidence ...
The Fold host Duncan Greive speaks to NZ On Air’s new chief executive Cameron Harland about his first six months in the job and the findings of the recent Where Are the Audiences? report.Cameron Harland started his new job as the chief executive of NZ On Air in March, the ...
New Conservative is incredibly proud to announce its 24-strong party list for the 2020 General Election, and to confirm that the party is standing a candidate in every electorate. This includes candidates in every Maori electorate, at the request of ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra University of Canberra Professorial Fellow Michelle Grattan and University of Canberra Assistant Professor Caroline Fisher discuss the week in politics. This week the pair discuss the numerous energy announcements made by the government, including a ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Catherine Speck, Professor, Art History, University of Adelaide Review: If the future is to be worth anything, curated by Patrice Sharkey and Rayleen Forester, ACE Open “If the future is to be worth anything” rings true as a question for many in ...
The Forest Owners Association says taxpayers are likely to have to pay billions of dollars for imported carbon credits, if planting production forests is to be restricted with the idea of protecting farming. The Environment Minister, David Parker has said ...
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By RNZ Pacific Bougainville’s retiring president says some candidates are bullying or offering inducements to buy their way into the new parliament. John Momis first raised his concerns while speaking during Papua New Guinea’s 45th anniversary celebrations on Wednesday. Momis praised the success of PNG’s constitution, and contrasted this with ...
In the first of a weekly column on the campaign trail, James Elliott looks at the art of the slogan during a Covid election, and warns not to count political chickens before they've hatched There’s an election campaign on. Apparently. It’s an election campaign unlike any other. Shopping malls are not ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle O’Shea, Senior Lecturer Management, Western Sydney University The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has long tried to insulate itself from politics in society, but wider issues have always been a part of sport – including the Olympics. Sometimes political statements have been ...
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The Ministry of Health’s notification that disability support providers will receive a paltry 1% contract price increase after 3 years of nil increases shows the need for political parties to step up with increased disability funding this election. ...
The former wetland of Cranford Basin was all set to create 400 new properties as part of an exciting, and much needed, regeneration plan in Christchurch. Three years on, the land remains empty. What went wrong?Picture this: it’s the year 2020. In the north of Christchurch, the first of over ...
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Rural road users are in for a continued bumpy ride with no extra money for local road improvements in the final Government Policy Statement on Land Transport 2021. "The final GPS released this week has investment in local road improvements ...
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Open mike 30/12/2013 
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Apparently this country is tipped for a big economic boom this year.
Whats the bet that those in the lower middle and the bottom will get bugger all or nothing and that those at the top will capture all the benefits?
It is essentially what happens when you pump prime the economy with an influx of insurance money and Nationals traditional election year cookie crumb droppings, and offset by the price of rising interest costs flooding in from offshore.
It will be essentially jobless – so as fragile as hell. Not to mention the numbers of milk powder production facilities coming online throughout the world at present making an impact on Fonterra’s commodity business.
If the “recovery” makes an impact, then I’d expect it to dissipate by the end of the year. But that is what we all knew anyway eh?
The various articles predicting an economic boom next year IMO are partly wishful hoping – although I have no doubt there will be those putting a lot into trying to make this happen in an election year.
And I agree that any gains will not flow through to those in the lower middle class and bottom – eg just more of the same in terms of lack of jobs, bene bashing etc.as Lprent says in his reply.
But not all are predicting a boom year without reservation.
This Herald article today on predictions for the NZ stock market in 2014 is very interesting. It starts out with a positive perspective in the heading and first few paragraphs, but then moves to a more cautious stance from Mark Lister, head of research at Craigs Investments Partners – New Zealand’s largest retail broker – who believes that the stockmarket will not perform as strongly next year.
It then ends on a negative note from JBWere strategist Bernard Doyle who is convinced New Zealand may not be the best place for investors.
This month, Doyle recommended clients lower their exposure to New Zealand because of concerns about high local share prices, rising interest rates and the pending general election.
“This backdrop leaves us underwhelmed with the risk-reward presented by the local market,” he said.
“This does not mean we think New Zealand equities are necessarily going to decline in 2014.
“It simply reflects that we don’t believe investors are likely to be adequately rewarded for the risks they bear in this market.”
Instead, Doyle is recommending clients invest more in global listed companies, and he even prefers Australia to New Zealand.
“Global equities are top of the pile, Australia second, and New Zealand last.”
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11179215
Middle-class mortgage holders will be sensitive to rising interest rates. The Nats probably have plans about how to throw some ‘assistance’ their way to reduce anxiety before the election.
But most benefits of increased economic activity will continue to flow to business owners and investors rather than staff. The latter and their representatives will put up with it like always. The Nats don’t need their votes. Other parties must do a far better job of winning those or we get the next stage of our return to the 1990s.
There’s a solid chance of GFC 2 occurring next year.
China’s shadow banking system is out of control. See:
http://blogs.wsj.com/chinarealtime/2013/09/09/video-illustrating-chinas-shadow-banking-problem/
This could well cause Australian mineral prices and NZ dairy prices to fall in 2014, and may even bring GFC2.
And we all know how well the Nats would handle GFC2, they would put their fingers in their ears and refuse to admit it’s happening. Until it’s too late!
More tax payer funded bail outs of their bankster friends!
I have been thinking about TPPA and the fact that Wayne Mapp admitted that there would be some loss of sovereignty for NZ but it would be worth it for the benefits. It appears to me that loss of sovereignty would not be to other countries but to Big Corporations- Big Pharma, Tobacco, Biotech (GE/GM) etc who have written the TPPA. As far as I am concerned, if Tim Groser agrees to investor-state dispute settlements then he should be tried as a traitor.
http://www.whaleoil.co.nz/2013/12/ten-indicators-things-coming-right/
– A collection of links from reputable sources, more good news
There’s a problem with your link. It appears to be to a spam site.
No problemo, let me help you out
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/286672/big-reduction-assaults-police
http://www.3news.co.nz/NZ-cot-death-rates-decline/tabid/423/articleID/324289/Default.aspx
http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/crime-continues-tumble-biggest-reduction-auckland
http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/comment/editorials/9556219/Editorial-War-on-smoking-progress-plain-to-see
http://lindsaymitchell.blogspot.co.nz/2013/04/the-falling-teenage-birth-rate.html
http://home.nzcity.co.nz/news/article.aspx?id=176180 (Low road toll part of downward trend)
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10876782 (New Zealand’s infant mortality rate – babies who die before their first birthdays – has fallen steadily from 25 for every 1000 births in the early 1950s to 4.8 for every 1000 in the Unicef data, and to 4.2 in the latest Statistics NZ figures for 2012.)
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1308/S00365/chief-coroner-releases-nz-annual-suicide-figures-2013.htm
Still plenty of work to do in a lot of areas but its a good start
Falling crime is driven by demographic changes as much as anything. Though our decade-long over-investment in prisons must be playing some part.
The key line Sacha is this:
“with recorded offences down for the third fiscal year in a row, and a massive 17.4 per cent drop in crimes in the past three years”
If you starve front-line police of funding and manpower, this is what you would also see. There is data here but no actual correlation proving that recorded offences can be equated with a falling crime rate as there are so many other factors in play (especially under the Nacts)
They can only go by the recorded data but what say you about the other links?
It shows that NZ is finally reaping the rewards for Labour’s hard work over 9 years in power. That is the kind of timescale these things have to be judged on.
National has tended to simply maintain the status quo they inherited on many of these issues, apart from ridiculous and useless laws like 3-strikes and car crushing.
Nice one 🙂
They’ve also changed the reporting to reduce domestic violence stats.
There have been a number of reports about this, but still National brag about the success. They are truly an Orwellian government. Agencies express concerns over crime statistics
Yeah you ever tried to get a cop to come to your house for a Burglary? Yeah right! It’s more like “Here’s a Event number for your Insurance Company”
Yep! Unless of course you can provide them with the video – then they’re there in seconds to tock up one to the cleanup stats.
Yet rising crime is a very good signal of inequality and other social dysfunctions so if crime is falling under National…
“reputable sources … lindsaymitchell.blogspot.co.nz”
I question your assumptions.
Mostly reputable but you can go to stats nz to check the figures if you dont believe them but really the main point is to highlight the good things thats happening to this country 🙂
Half of which national get in the way of or institutionally fabricate, and the rest are pathetically outnumbered by the housing crisis alone.
But you don’t give a shit about that, because it’s all just a game to you – as long as the blue team win, you’re happy. No matter how many forestry workers die.
Although there is some evidence that the police are just dismissing some complaints and of course in the DV area it looks like they don’t bother to charge just hand out the wet bus ticket Police safety order – so that the kids are made homeless. Takes thousands of offences off the books.
c73
Spend your time learning facts about what is happening and also the facts of reports on conjecture about likely happenings in the world and NZ instead of just seeking good news from the past. You aren’t doing anything useful. If you want to be useful and don’t want to run in the looming marathon future event yourself, you might offer something useful to help the runners to bolster their strength and understanding of how to combat the hazards to be faced. Not hand-picked good news statistics. They won’t be aids in preventing the damage to life we are facing.
I disagree, I think theres some good and useful facts in there. I do understand that any good news for National is considered bad however along with the doom and gloom the left is promoting its also good to have some good news as well.
chris73
You silly person – we here are not playing your stupid game of political tiddlywinks. When we talk doom and gloom we are trying to face real problems and look for real answers. Stay with your game of who is going to win the 2014 test match, your side or those upstart others. Those who can’t think beyond sporting games are lacking brain activity in the part of the brain that can objectively and logically look at things to come, and the real outcomes of present happenings. You waste your and our time with your inane mumbles.
I see your name coming up here like fertile weeds in my garden. Aaaahhh! Try reading a book, alot of books, why don’t you. lprent doesn’t need your input to boost the site’s stats over snakeoil and taniwhablog.
Ok but only because you said it
“You silly person – we here are not playing your stupid game of political tiddlywinks.”
Actually you are playing chris’s stupid game. And so is anyone who replies to him.
God only knows why the mods here continue to let him link-whore his stupid whaleoil posts, and that’s pretty much all he ever does here.
If you want a giggle, pop over to pundit and read another confused piece from Josie Pagani about religion. Honestly, that women is the very definition of the immodestly clueless.
Thanks but no thanks.
Oh goddammit, Sanc, I have no self-restraint when it comes to reading Josie Pagani’s attempts at commentary, and now I feel like I’ve been zapped with Will Smith’s neuralyzer.
Her ability to be wrong about more than politics is oddly reassuring. Just wait until she tackles science.
Get it? Santa Claus is a fat socialist… handing out money and pressies willy-nilly with no thought to the cost. Quick, somebody tell the 800,000 voters who never voted. We’re home and hosed!
and that’s just for starters:
http://pundit.co.nz/content/no-we%E2%80%99re-not-the-most-secular-nation-in-the-world
And ssshhh, nobody tell the Republicans that Red is a socialist colour.
“Quick, somebody tell the 800,000 voters who never voted. We’re home and hosed!”
And the other big man – no beard though, and always wears black ( OMG is he a NZF supporter?) – is working on a solution to non-voters.
KDC Tweet on 26 Dec
New Zealand politics will get exciting in 2014. My advanced non-voter activation alogarithm is genius. You’ll see 🙂
LOL
Well she had one good thing to say in reminding us that we dont have to put up with Jim Mora and his stupid panel for a while.
Always be thankful for small mercies
Mr Brown’s Boys
Part 1 of 2
SCENE: Friday December 6, 2013. The Public Address Academy, Auckland. The headmaster, the venerable Mr Brown, can be seen walking across the quad to the Hard News classroom, accompanied by a boy dressed in a King’s Prep uniform. Mr Brown is the foundation headmaster of his school, and has been running it for many years—too many years, some would say. He has in recent times been prone to some appalling lapses in judgement, and is increasingly given to irascible outbursts when criticized for that lack of judgement.
MR BROWN: Wait outside the classroom, Matthew. I’ll call you in after I’ve established a few ground rules.
MR BROWN enters the classroom.
Today there is an air of sadness hanging over the P.A. Academy; the heroic anti-apartheid activist and former president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, has died, and the pupils know they will be expected to compete with one another to say how sad they are. Mr Brown sets the tone authoritatively….
MR. BROWN: I remember seeing Nelson Mandela at Wembley Stadium, shortly after his release, in 1990.
….Several pupils stifle yawns, several exhale loudly and slump in their chairs, others roll their eyes. Mr Brown is oblivious to all of these signs, however…
MR. BROWN: Mandela came to the front of the stage to speak and, after three solid minutes of cheering, the crowd began to sing ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’. Never has that song sounded so resonant. I think I cried.
….Several pupils snicker, and several more can be seen rolling their eyes sardonically…..
MR. BROWN: You will have other thoughts and memories and you are welcome to share them here. Please be respectful of each other. Michael, you were the first to put your hand up. Please stand up and share with the class how sad you are.
MIKE O’CONNELL: What can one say, others will say it better in the eulogies that will pour out. Simply RIP Nelson Mandela, the world is a poorer place without you but your legacy will remain for a long, long time.
MR. BROWN: Good, good. That was so sincere. Paul?
PAUL CAMPBELL: I cried the day he was released, tears are flowing now – what more can I say.
HEBE: I am so happy for him that he died at home, at 95, with his people. Who would have thought in 1981 that could happen?
LUCY TELFAR BARNARD He was so great a man it was a privilege even to walk on the same planet as him.
MR. BROWN: [visibly moved] Right on. Just a minute. I have someone waiting outside who wants to tell you how upset HE is at the death of Madiba.
Mr Brown leaves the classroom and re-enters with the boy in the King’s Prep uniform. The boy is smirking unpleasantly, and arrogantly looks down his nose at the children in the class, who seem to already know him….
SEVERAL VOICES: Fuck off, Hooton!
MR BROWN: Class, this is Matthew. He’s joining you today to join in with your tributes to Nelson Mandela.
MURMURING FROM CLASS: What?!!???!? …. HE’S A NOTORIOUS RACIST!!! …. How COULD you invite HIM of all people to talk about Mandela?
MR BROWN: [reproachfully] I did ask you to show respect for each other.
UPROAR FROM CLASS:…. Totally inappropriate! …. Brown has lost his fucking marbles!…. That’s Matthew fucking Hooton, the racist prick!… Russell Brown needs to be put out to pasture NOW!!!… Silly old bastard!
MR BROWN: [tired and at his wits’ end] I have repeatedly asked everyone here to show good faith and respect. If you can’t do that, please leave the discussion.
SEVERAL VOICES: This is a fucking JOKE! This guy is a RACIST, yet Brown is letting him speak about Nelson Mandela!??!!?!?
MATTHEW HOOTON: Isn’t it a strange, melancholy and nostalgic day? Mandela really was the greatest figure of the 20th century.
SEVERAL VOICES: Fuck off, racist!…. He’s a friend of John Ansell, for Chrissakes!… SHUSH! He’s starting to speak…
MATTHEW HOOTON: In the way I view the world, being a child of the 1980s, he was alongside Reagan, Thatcher and Gorbachev in the sense of bringing tyranny to an end…
OUTRAGE AND UPROAR FROM CLASS: What the FUCK!!!?!?!!?…. W-w-w-what did that smirking, smarmy prick just say?!!???!
….END OF PART ONE…..
http://publicaddress.net/hardnews/mandela/
“… He’s a friend of John Ansell, for Chrissakes!…”
heh..!
phillip ure..
Actually, he’s more than just a friend; Hooton was a co-conspirator in the cynical, disgusting campaign of race-baiting that constituted the bulk of Don Brash’s doomed campaign in 2005. For the gruesome and incriminating details, read Nicky Hager’s The Hollow Men.
Rubbish. Hagar says Hooten was pushing *against* the race-baiting. Read from p80.
He told them to tone it down at the time, purely as a practical measure: Hooton, unlike many in the National Party, does have a brain and realised the revulsion that most people would have for the kind of racial hatred being pushed by Ansell.
Hooton made a public show of pinching his nose to show his disapproval after they carried on despite his “pushing against the race-baiting”. If he’d had any decency at all, he would have had nothing to do with that racist campaign.
I’m not surprised to see you spinning for Hooton, however. You went out of your way to make the same point in that infamously stupid thread on Public Address, when so many of that forum’s “liberals” bent over backwards to praise Hooton’s hypocrisy, and to pretend that he really meant what he had written.
Spinning? You clearly have too much time on your hands, chap.
Spinning?
Call it what it used to be called then: you were apologizing for him.
You clearly have too much time on your hands, chap.
That comment makes no sense whatsoever. What if I had 24 hours a day free? What difference would it make?
Hooton doesn’t have opinions, he has brand management and he saw PA as an opportunity, no more, – and in doing so, he proved that liberals believe what they want to believe.
He never misses an opportunity to race-bait, saying the Labour is full of “stupid maori” (RNZ), that Mana is full of “dumb bros” (NBR), he thinks that the Kahui child murder was a great opportunity to make a “hilarious” political joke (RNZ)… well the Penguin and his fan club had a good giggle over that one at least.
If he had any decency – which he doesn’t – he’d dog-whistle at a higher pitch.
Hooton’s not a racist? Wanna buy a bridge? I got one to sell…
Oh, by the way, I’m not sure that he’s like to be defended by Nicky Hagar – he likes to call him a [Snip]
[Way off point and disruptive. Tone it down – MS]
Rhinocrates, you have a starring role in Part Two of Mr Brown’s Boys. I’ll put it up in the next day or so.
Blushing already.
Nothing to blush about, my friend. You’re one of the heroes.
Some musings beautifully done on what Christmas can mean even in these times of confusion and questioning of false norms and traditions. Tim Minchin, combined with great graphics makes a lovely tribute to people who care about each other coming together at Christmas.
Tim Minchin
White Wine in the Sun
(Muvizu Animdation)
The latest on NSA undermining of integrity of world governments and business and private citizens freedoms to live their lives without interference.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/12/20/us-usa-security-rsa-idUSBRE9BJ1C220131220
and
http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/catalog-reveals-nsa-has-back-doors-for-numerous-devices-a-940994.html
guyon espiner to become new morning report (nat-rad) co-host..
phillip ure..
Here’s the RNZ link to the announcement of Espiner’s appointment.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/232147/guyon-espiner-joins-morning-report
Espiner? Is that the guy that’s slightly to the right of Gengis Khan.
I think Paul Thompson was having a joke for Gods sake Espiner even has ‘Spin’ as part of his name.
Election year appointment.
Patsey public broadcasting.
Jim Mora would ask harder questions .
tricledrown: Election year appointment. Patsey public broadcasting. Jim Mora would ask harder questions .
JEREMY ELWOOD: Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!
SUSAN BALDACCI: He he he he he he he!
JIM MORA: Oh that’s very good! Tricledrown is with us on the Panel. Coming up: another survey and more quotes from the New York Times.
“..Jim Mora would ask harder questions..”
that’s funny..!
..not true..of course..but funny nonetheless..
phillip ure..
C73 regional police commanders massage crime figures.
New technology ie cctv DNA cellphone cameras aging population are the main reasons.
But sacking a large swathe of paper shufflers has changed frontline policing ,Police Now reluctant to deal with crime because they have to do heaps more paperwork.
I wondered about those lower crime figures. Normal response – bloody paperwork so don’t feed details through unless necessary. So less crime BEING REPORTED. Important words.
Just wanted to say thank you to Lprent for the new style Comments and Links. Very impressive, while clean and clear.
Thanks.
Hear, hear!
I liked it. Try pressing a handle…
Wonderful – straight to all comments by that handle! I tried Chris73 – does he do anything else, I wonder?
He likes to visit gun city to watch the ammo with Judith..
cool..i never pay enough attention to know who’s right/left..if their actual words don’t indicate..
..now i will know..
..(btw..i think i’m kinda left..but not old skool bbq-stalinist left..and i guess the soak-the-rich/end-poverty/stop-eating-fucken-animals and legalise pot while you are at it..makes me kinda left-left..
..more green than most of the greens..
(especially ‘more green than ‘please-pass-me-that-bowl-of-pig-fat turei..eh..?)..but really..i shouldn’t single turei out..most green mp’s are in that basket..certainly not a vegan to be seen amongst them..)
..more labour/left than most of the labour/left here..(and especially more so than the current mob of labour mp’s..)
(c.f partial-nationalisation-plan/idea..)
..and mana are so so hangi-heavy..so far from even vegetarian..that i despair..(sigh..!..)
..and all of the political parties in complete denial about the implications/impacts of what they eat..
..and somehow..i think that dotcoms’ party will also be kinda heavy on the charred animal-flesh..eh..?
..where do i belong..?
..phillip ure..
For some reason @Phillip, you just reminded me – I need to watch “Eat the Rich” again.
heh..!
phillip ure..
“most green mp’s are in that basket..certainly not a vegan to be seen amongst them”
really? do share your sources.
norman..vego..turei carnivore..hughes..vego..graham..carnivore..delahunty..carnivore..hague ..vego (i think..)..clendon vego..
..dunno about the others..but hughes confirmed on a frogblog thread a while back that there were no vegans..
.and..y’know..some people who still eat fish call themseves vegetarians..(!)
phillip ure..
“a frogblog thread a while back”
Thanks.
should i start a ‘soak-the-rich/end-poverty/stop-eating-fucken-animals and legalise pot while you are at it!’- party..?
..surely that grab-bag of issues could muster 5%..?
phillip ure..
C73 most of your links contradict your claims.
Child deaths we are the worst in the developed world only the US is worse.
Suicides only 2 less per year than longterm average.
Those figures jump up and down.
Violent and domestic abuse continues to climb.
Unreported crime figures are researched by Police.
So are massaged.
Burglaries are down.
Yeah right.
Most people have a $300 to $1000 no claim ryder on their insurance policy so their is no point in reporting minor crime to police and waste time.
You had better come up with better spin .
Captive 73.
Ackshully the Left will need better spin because the swing and undecided voters will be getting their information from the MSM and not from political blogs which means they’ll be reading the headlines and the headlines are saying good, positive things about NZ
And that means 3 more years of National
tricledrowning
Less “real” crime actioned, but a lot more traffic notices trying to be issued. The 4km allowance is because there were a lot less tickets issued last year and financial targets not met. BTW quotas are now called targets and even very senior and CIB staff expected to meet them.
How are they doing it, night shift officers are sitting on CCTV cameras and issuing tickets for parking ,passing etc without leaving the office.
If it’s happening in Nelson it must be the same countrywide.
Whaleoil is not a journalist, in the same way a writer for a
church newsletter is not, preaching to a select audience of
believers doth not maketh it so. There is a public interest in a
broad sheet having such protection. The protection applies
to media that serves all groups, an impartiality in the media outlet. This of course would also
mean the Herald would also lose such protection IMHO. Nz independence
in news has taken huge loses as pro-wealthy only views have taken over.
Now whether the story is merited protection is a different question.
You rarely see an positive argument against the wealthy that harms general wealth,
made with any vigor.
“..You rarely see an positive argument against the wealthy that harms general wealth,
made with any vigor.
ahem..!
http://whoar.co.nz/
(just saying..!..)
phillip ure..
Middle class and higher is where elections are won or lost. If the MSM keep pumping out the good news, then Labour will have a harder job of getting into government. There is also more consumer confidence out there in the middle class overall, making the current status-quo more likely in the next election.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/9563814/Top-five-obesity-myths
– Food for thought (so to speak)
the meat in that story is this:
“..In the 19th century – when there were no controls on the quality of drinking water –
– infectious disease was a major cause of death.
Once standards were established – the number of these fatalities plummeted.
Similarly – if Americans did not live in a world filled with buffets – cheap fast food – soft drinks with corn syrup –
– and too many foods with excess fat – salt – and sugar –
– the incidence of obesity – heart disease – high blood pressure – and diabetes probably would plummet.
Education can help – but what’s really needed is regulation –
– for example –
– limits on marketing that caters to our addiction to sugar and fat..”
phillip ure..
We’re fucked.
Overall
1.Americas Cup
2.Paul Walker
3.Royal Baby
4.Cory Monteith
5.Lorde
http://www.google.com/trends/topcharts?hl=en&date=2013#geo=NZ&date=2013
Agreed…
You don’t really expect that Google engineered list to be accurate do you? 😈
Chris
how do you think this good news will translate to for those below median income and how long will it take to materialise fir them?
Depends on how long it takes to get more mining and drilling going so more money can come in to help them so probably sooner then Labours plan
Mining what – gold, coal?.
/
http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/business/9407022/Gold-mine-layoffs-raise-fears-for-Waihi-economy
http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/business/9048873/Heartbreak-for-Huntly-East-miners
Don’t forget oil
Yup, NZ Oil & Gas is creaming it.
/
http://www.nzog.com/investor-information/shareholders-information/investor-tools/share-price-graph/
edit: oh, Petrobras cut and ran too.
Comparison between who benefits from OIL: Norway vs Ireland
Well worth watching. NZ is going the losers way about this, of course.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76VOnzXQMsU
I didnt think that you
a. Would think about it and
b. Wouldn’t take it seriously
however your answer did confirm something I had been wondering about you and other national voters.
I’d imagine its probably similar to how I view others on here
Chris
“how do you think this good news will translate to for those below median income and how long will it take to materialise fir them?”
Do you care?
Do I care? Yes I do and thats why National will (hopefully) get another term, the left like to think they have a mortgage on caring well they don’t thats just arrogance from the left.
The left are very good at spending other peoples money but not quite so good when it comes to their own pockets, National is getting the economy moving and that will translate into more jobs which will do more for poverty then any hand-wringing the Left would do
Yeah, Terry Seripisos got things moving too.
/
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/9380846/Public-debt-climbs-by-27m-a-day
Have to agree with chris73. The left is very good at spending other peoples money until it runs out. Then its up to the centre-right to clean up the mess
nice slogan, shame it’s a complete fabrication.
Do you have a $20 or $50 note in your wallet, McGrath?
Simple question: where did that note originate? The Government, right? So the realisation for you is that it’s not “your” money, you did not create that money, neither do “you” have any ability to give that money any value whatsoever. The Government fulfils all those functions.
Whose money is it again, McGrath?
A fiscal moron requiring education…
I saw Cullen move heaven and earth to finally pay back the government debt that Muldoon squandered in the 80’s because of this problem with Muldoon’s superannuation policy (from 2008).
Then I saw National get in, and now I’m seeing English in another National government try to run the country with debt again. See this chart from here (derived from the budgets)..
So English’s fiscally irresponsible policy is making it difficult if not impossible to pay for Muldoon’s fiscally irresponsible superannuation policy of 1975.
Perhaps you should learn to read accounts rather than pulling bullshit out of your arse… Mind you I suspect that you’re probably too stupid to even know which governments were in what years.
Check out the current debt growth as at Nov 2013.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/9380846/Public-debt-climbs-by-27m-a-day
Just as an aside, if I see you make moronic statements like that again without a supporting link or argument you will be booted as being a stupid and ignorant troll trying to start a flamewar. Read the policy
What say you now funny guy McGrath? Or did you close your eyes to 1prent’s graphs? Most libertarian nutters and rwnj’s do… because they don’t really want to know the truth.
Cullen paid off Government debt with money sourced by the private sector going eyeballs deep into debt.
English absolutely had to increase government debt and spend into the country, because in the last few years, the private sector has been removing money from circulation in order to pay off its debt.
If English had not done so, we would have crashed into a severe recession.
TL:DR both Labour and National are playing the international money supply game where only the banksters win.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0f/New_Zealand_overseas_debt_1993-2010.svg/578px-New_Zealand_overseas_debt_1993-2010.svg.png
Take away the banks ability to create money, make it so that the government can’t borrow and that all the money they create must be spent into the economy with offsetting taxes and you’ll see pretty quickly just whose money it is.
Hint: Money doesn’t belong to the rich no matter how much that they would like think that it does,
what horseshit mcgrath..
..it is the key/tory govt that has blown our foreign debt out from $12 billion when they took office..to over $60 billion now..and a continuation of those borrow to give to the rich policies will see that rise to over $100 billion..
..how does that fit with yr ‘the left are very good at spending other peoples’ money’ lowest-orifice-pluck..?
..eh..?
..$48 billion to date..and fucken counting…eh..?
..phillip ure..
This.
http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2014/jan/09/financial-crisis-why-no-executive-prosecutions/
WTF .
http://www.buzzfeed.com/rosiegray/wikileaks-party-members-visited-top-syrian-regime-officials
C73. Do you think the air and water should be poisoned for bigger profits?
“C73. Do you think the air and water should be poisoned for bigger profits?”
– Yes but only if those profits are sent to me directly
It’s been a good day for chris 73 – has 38 comments on this site today. Fairly short ones, not requiring much work, though he has supplied a few links showing that NZ is doing well so apparently trying to spread Good Cheer in the Holiday Season and throughout the coming year.
C73. what is your opinion of the US health system and what aspects of it do you think should be adopted here.
Also, do you think workers should lose their sick leave,breaks and holidays.
“What is your opinion of the US health system and what aspects of it do you think should be adopted here.”
– Not much, it gets treated as a political football even worse then it does here.
– Off the top of my head theres nothing I can think of, under Tony Ryalls superb stewardship our health system is better then the USAs
“Also, do you think workers should lose their sick leave,breaks and holidays.”
– Yes however I would also add strictly enforced beatings from the master as well to keep the proles in line
“Guyon Espiner to replace Geoff Robinson on Morning Report”
-Granny.
I refuse to link to a Herald article after Jones’ snuff column, so look it up yourselves.
It looks like they’ve finally found a replacement for Key’s fluffer, Plunkett, not Geoff Robinson.
Well, the Concert Programme is a gentler wakeup anyway.
Lprent
they are just mouthpieces for slogans they dont care are lies.
chris you dont care. If you did you would have a better idea than you do of answers to some of my questions. You aree merely a parrot. One masquerading as intelligent but still a parrot.
The problem with the left in general is they think they’re the only ones who care therefore everyone who isn’t left-wing don’t care
The left want to keep people poor (otherwise no one would vote for them) so the lefts policies are about keeping people dependent on the govt whereas the Right want people to be successful
kindergarten politics.
best grow up
Naah if I grew up then I wouldn’t find this amusing:
http://cheezburger.com/7974075904
Talking about money:
Bitcoin is Evil
I’ve taken to disagreeing with Krugman on principle but that’s a pretty good summation of BitCoin.
Carion73
A monetarist like you would cut out the middle man .
And end up poisoning yourself.
Gold price hits the skids
Coal price likwise
Oil discoveries nil
Recovering oil from deep water won’t happen for at least 20 years that’s if they find any.
Betting on loosers.
Something HawaiiKey said he would never do.