‘Socialism closer to Gospel than free enterprise.’
Pity Bill English can’t see this……
‘A retired High Court judge who donated $115,000 to Labour says the party’s principles reflect those of his religion.
In Labour’s first large donation for some time, Robert Smellie, QC, gave $100,000 this month, on top of the $15,000 he gave in December.
Smellie told the Herald one reason was his religion. “[Former PM] Michael Joseph Savage once said, ‘Labour is Christianity in action’. And I am a practising Anglican and as such I see socialism as being far closer to the Gospel than free enterprise.”’
Stephen Joyce’s budget is so going to give money to most vulnerable…….
‘Agency that put up rent ‘week on week’ accused of price gouging’
‘One of Auckland’s biggest rental agencies hiked rents on vacant apartments by five percent a week for several weeks earlier this year when demand from students surged to record levels.
Ray White agent Krister Samuel said demand for apartments was unprecedented in February.
The seasonal surge was caused by thousands of tertiary students and was exacerbated by a big rise in first home buyers snapping up apartments, shrinking the rental pool, he said.
“We were getting 30 to 40 applicants turning up to a one or two-bedroom apartment, and all with good credit history, and testimonials and landlord references.
“So the only response was to put the rent up,” Mr Samuel said.
“For the landlords that we were representing, and we represent about 1000 individual landlords in the city, we were putting the rent up about five percent a week, week on week for about six weeks.”‘
Krister Samuels of Ray White is touting for business via a free advertorial. If I owned a CBD apartment and needed management I’d read Krister’s comments and think ‘Gee looks like this outfit can get me top dollar for my pad.’
If the apartments were previously priced at fair market value and he is pumping the ask by 5% week on week Krister is breaking the law.
There appears to be room for some active advocates in this area. People au fait with the Residential Tenancy Act that can go in to bat for pocket raped tenants. Then Krister can ring some of his owners and advise them …”Ummm you’ve just been fined $2000.” (The contract Ray White has with owners will push the responsibility for payment of any exemplary damages onto owners.)
Money for more tax cuts for the rich, but none for our health.
A wretched government.
Vote them out in September.
‘Government not helping our region recover from Havelock North water crisis.’
It appears the National Government has decided the water crisis that struck down Havelock North is “yesterday’s problem”.
The public health cost alone from the poisoning of our town water supply is more than $1 million, but this Government has refused to help cover the gastro cost to our Hawke’s Bay District Health Board……’
The Budget had over $800 million extra for health in the coming year, an increase of 5.5%. In the last nine years health expenditure has increased in real terms by 10% per capita. That is the reason why the news is not pack filled with terrible stories on health, and why Labors health spokespeople make very little headway. In fact I can’t even recall who the new Labour spokesperson is.
It is very different to the 1990’s when Annette King was completely dominant as opposition spokesperson. She owned the territory. And it clearly signalled a change of government.
A smart guy, but a bit invisible. I should know who is Labour’s health person, but even after thinking about I didn’t. I know Dr Clark has a reputation as a thinker, but he is quiet. In key roles opposition people need to do what it takes so we know who they are. Ardern, Twyford and Davis, have all done that.
Wayne
It’s strange how Ed’s subject, the health budget needing more money, morphs away as you seem to answer it, into an opinion as to whether the Labour Healthperson has enough visibility.
And come on. Waving health statistics with percentages at us just doesn’t wash. (Health warning, after handling any statistics from National wash and dry your hands thoroughly.)
In the last nine years health expenditure has increased in real terms by 10% per capita.
This means that the amount allocated to each person in NZ has gone up during the last nine years, at about 1.1% a year, which may or may not be the equivalent of counted inflation or CPI each year. This means that if CPI
exceeds 1.1% a year, then there is no rise to match the fall in spending value of the NZ$.
I know that the left likes to parrot the line that National does not care about people, health, welfare or education, but it is a silly line.
Voters know that National is in their own way broadly representative of New Zealanders. They all have families and use public schools and public health. So at an intuitive level voters know that National is as involved in these things as other parties, though obviously with their own perspective.
That is why that sort of criticism does not cut through. It belies peoples actual experience.
To succeed you have to do what King was able to do in the 1990’s. Show comprehensive failings, not just spout mantras.
Good morning, Wayne. I agree with much you say in your reply to ed; parroting the line, broadly representative, criticism does not cut through, however Ed knows, I think, that there’s a serious problem with the ideological “planet” you and your and National Party pals inhabit and pontificate from. I’ve a question for you; you talk of “peoples actual experience”, implying that New Zealanders are comfortable with the “National Way”, but how do you accommodate such things as our distressingly high domestic violence rates and youth suicide statistics? You may claim that New Zealanders support your world view and management, but don’t those aspects; violence and a severe crisis for our young people, whisper to you that something you are collectively doing is desperately wrong? I haven’t included the appalling incarceration statistics, alcohol harm etc. etc. as these topics are covered here on The Standard in some detail and I’m guessing you read those posts.
Thanks in anticipation of your answers.
Health is going to be a bottomless pit for any government in the next few years. As a boomer it scares me to think about it. The system cannot cope with a diabetes epidemic, more poverty related diseases, mental health shortfalls, more cancer, sports injuries, more expensive treatment procedures and ,finally, countless old bastards.
We’re in for trouble big time re health.
You know very well that a large proportion of the increase is a consequence of the National “government” being forced to obey the law regarding pay equity, not increased healthcare provision.
As for the news, have you missed the crisis in mental health? Or the rate of preventable “third world” diseases? Or the increase in new HIV cases? Or doctors and nurses on strike?
Keep spinning, Wayne, I’d hate the National Party to get out of the gutter.
the news is not pack filled with terrible stories on health
What, you mean stories like “Hospital staff show strain”, “Unexplained death on Palmerston North Hospital grounds raises questions”, “NZ records highest-ever number of HIV diagnoses in 2016”, “Patients head to Aussie for treatment”, “Third of Kiwi women have chlamydia by age 38: study”, or “Man suffers heart attack just after leaving Christchurch’s Burwood Hospital”? /sarc
Wake up New Zealand! That is very appropriate at 6.30 am! Though your point is very true, however this is the Nu Zild kulcha, which is actively promoted to stop the masses waking up. It’s all part of the on going “bread and circuses”.
It’s possible. They probably realise how much they’ve screwed up and getting out now would allow them to blame the next government when it all goes in the crapper.
“Look at what we’ve delivered from Opposition with the warm up our homes scheme – which unfortunately National has now abandoned, but also national cycleways. We’ve managed to achieve a lot from Opposition, and now we’re ready to be in government – and it is with Labour.”
The Warm Up New Zealand scheme provides grants for home insulation and is due to come to an end in June 2018. The scheme has subsidised insulation for up to 300,000 homes so far.
Research institute Motu Economics says the Warm Up NZ Programme has a 6:1 benefit-to-cost ratio.
Philippa Lynne Howden-Chapman, Professor of Public Health at the University of Otago, told Newshub keeping houses warm and dry is the foundation of ‘social investment’.
“It’s clearly cost-effective. It’s inexplicable that the Government has turned their backs on the insulation policy,” Ms Howden-Chapman said.
I wonder where Bill English stands on this, the withdrawl of a key component of ‘social investment’? Too busy on social media to keep an eye on Joyce?
Increasing insulation on homes will decrease power usage and thus decrease profits for the new shareholders that National created by selling our assets against our will.
Or the other option is that the power companies, determined to maintain profit levels with decreasing power usage, boost prices.
The first one can be hidden whereas the second will be come back on National for selling the power companies.
I can’t see where it shows that. It does show imo an arrogant little man ramming stuff through without suffient process or accord or even assessment of success. Dirty bullshit by that little man.
Sam Coates Times Verified account @SamCoatesTimes
Tonight: we reveal YouGov’s first seat by seat projection of the campaign – suggests Tories fall 16 seats short of overall majority
.
Nick Faith @nickfaith82 1h
Would love to see a seat by seat break down showing how they got to this.
.
Sam Coates TimesVerified account @SamCoatesTimes
Replying to @nickfaith82
Tomorrow on YouGov website
Tonight: we reveal YouGov's first seat by seat projection of the campaign – suggests Tories fall 16 seats short of overall majority pic.twitter.com/8ouPRHTZ7m
It will be noticed I think that an earlier comment I made was in response to one of Wayne’s which lauded 10% per capita increase in health spending over 9 years. I said that was only 1.1% p.a. which would be less than CPI, so therefore it would still be a drop.
Now we all don’t understand economics perfectly, and as he said it was 10% in real terms, he meant that was allowing for inflation, so providing 1.1% rise in each year.
If you thought that meant all was right because I was wrong in not allowing for the calculations showing a rise in real terms, then you are a shallow thinker.
Because there is an error in understanding of the figures, it does not mean that there is assuredly an error in the commenter’s opinion and conclusions Because 1.1 rise a year per capita from a low base, does not sound sufficient to cope with our growing diseases from overseas, and our growing incapacitation for long periods as we are forced to grind out our lives to the last sigh.
So you have to read things carefully to form your own opinions. I would direct you to the discussion on the terms of banking by Dr Don Brash, ex-governor of the Reserve Bank. Who has stated certain understandings which are not agreed by the Bank of England, and Bryan Gould who knows a few things, one of which is that Dr Brash has been proceeding on a faulty presumption. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=11845670 If this is “nonsense”, the “peddlers” include some very distinguished economists. My legal training has taught me the value of being able to turn to reliable authority to support what I say.
In my original piece, I referred to a Bank of England research paper, published in the bank’s first Quarterly Bulletin 2014, which describes in detail the process by which banks create money.
And quite a few thinkers of repute have been stating that our whole economic system is run on twisted lines. They say economists have proposed procedures from theories they have formulated, and when they don’t work because people haven’t followed the expected lines of approach, they arrange to change the laws and utilised PR to change people’s behaviour so they match the theories which then shown to be right.
I’m glad that we can start to take tsunamis more seriously and I suspect once people (public, journos) start trawling through and seeing the stark reality of quake and tsunami, we might get better prepared.
I see Rex Tillerson (ex Exxon and now US Secretary of State is coming to NZ next week where he will meet Bill English and Gerry Brownlee.
Tillerson will head to Wellington where Brownlee said a meeting would be held to discuss “some of the world’s most pressing issues and to further promote our economic ties”.
Climate Change and World are surely the most pressing issues at this point in time.
I would like Gerry Brownlee to tell Rex Tillerson that NZ does not want to have any close ties with the USA until:
1. The USA honours its commitment on Climate Change
2. It cancels its arms deal to Saudi Arabia and takes responsibility for its own part in fuelling terrorism in the world.
“Eighty percent of the country’s native bird species are in bad shape, with some on the brink of extinction, and the environment watchdog is recommending genetic engineering and tourist taxes to tackle the problem.
Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Jan Wright has released the report Taonga of an island nation: Saving New Zealand’s birds, which provides seven recommendations to government”.
What is reality Bill? seriously, man, no one can predict shit, we may all die in some climate-induced apocalypse or we may not for a myriad of unknown reasons.
This reading chicken guts, tea leaves predictions is a complete waste of time, the future is unwritten, it can be anything, live in the present don’t get hung up on the future.
[did you edit out my moderation note when you edited your comment? Interesting, never had that before, please don’t do that again. Let me repeat then, Stop Trolling. Good to see you trying to make an actual point in the edit, maybe just start with that next time so I don’t end up wasting my time. – weka]
They conclude that the budget will reduce health spending over 5 years by 7.5% and this with an increasing number of elderly people and DHBs struggling to meet their budgets.
Hence I find Wayne’s comment at 6.49am that “The Budget had over $800 million extra for health in the coming year, an increase of 5.5%.” misleading at best.
I’d much rather have a well funded health system than a tax cut. I just can’t imagine what it’s like having to wait several hours at emergency with a sick child especially if you live in a car.
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Border workers in quarantine facilities will be offered voluntary daily COVID-19 saliva tests in addition to their regular weekly testing, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said today. This additional option will be rolled out at the Jet Park Quarantine facility in Auckland starting on Monday 25 January, and then to ...
The next steps in the Government’s ambitious firearms reform programme to include a three-month buy-back have been announced by Police Minister Poto Williams today. “The last buy-back and amnesty was unprecedented for New Zealand and was successful in collecting 60,297 firearms, modifying a further 5,630 firearms, and collecting 299,837 prohibited ...
Upscaling work already underway to restore two iconic ecosystems will deliver jobs and a lasting legacy, Conservation Minister Kiri Allan says. “The Jobs for Nature programme provides $1.25 billion over four years to offer employment opportunities for people whose livelihoods have been impacted by the COVID-19 recession. “Two new projects ...
The Government has released its Public Housing Plan 2021-2024 which outlines the intention of where 8,000 additional public and transitional housing places announced in Budget 2020, will go. “The Government is committed to continuing its public house build programme at pace and scale. The extra 8,000 homes – 6000 public ...
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has congratulated President Joe Biden on his inauguration as the 46th President of the United States of America. “I look forward to building a close relationship with President Biden and working with him on issues that matter to both our countries,” Jacinda Ardern said. “New Zealand ...
A major investment to tackle wilding pines in Mt Richmond will create jobs and help protect the area’s unique ecosystems, Biosecurity Minister Damien O’Connor says. The Mt Richmond Forest Park has unique ecosystems developed on mineral-rich geology, including taonga plant species found nowhere else in the country. “These special plant ...
To further protect New Zealand from COVID-19, the Government is extending pre-departure testing to all passengers to New Zealand except from Australia, Antarctica and most Pacific Islands, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said today. “The change will come into force for all flights arriving in New Zealand after 11:59pm (NZT) on Monday ...
Bay Conservation Cadets launched with first intake Supported with $3.5 million grant Part of $1.245b Jobs for Nature programme to accelerate recover from Covid Cadets will learn skills to protect and enhance environment Environment Minister David Parker today welcomed the first intake of cadets at the launch of the Bay ...
The Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern and the Prime Minister of the Cook Islands Mark Brown have announced passengers from the Cook Islands can resume quarantine-free travel into New Zealand from 21 January, enabling access to essential services such as health. “Following confirmation of the Cook Islands’ COVID ...
Jobs for Nature funding is being made available to conservation groups and landowners to employ staff and contractors in a move aimed at boosting local biodiversity-focused projects, Conservation Minister Kiritapu Allan has announced. It is estimated some 400-plus jobs will be created with employment opportunities in ecology, restoration, trapping, ...
The Government has approved an exception class for 1000 international tertiary students, degree level and above, who began their study in New Zealand but were caught offshore when border restrictions began. The exception will allow students to return to New Zealand in stages from April 2021. “Our top priority continues ...
Today’s deal between Meridian and Rio Tinto for the Tiwai smelter to remain open another four years provides time for a managed transition for Southland. “The deal provides welcome certainty to the Southland community by protecting jobs and incomes as the region plans for the future. The Government is committed ...
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has appointed Anna Curzon to the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC). The leader of each APEC economy appoints three private sector representatives to ABAC. ABAC provides advice to leaders annually on business priorities. “ABAC helps ensure that APEC’s work programme is informed by business community perspectives ...
The Government’s prudent fiscal management and strong policy programme in the face of the COVID-19 global pandemic have been acknowledged by the credit rating agency Fitch. Fitch has today affirmed New Zealand’s local currency rating at AA+ with a stable outlook and foreign currency rating at AA with a positive ...
The Government is putting in place a suite of additional actions to protect New Zealand from COVID-19, including new emerging variants, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said today. “Given the high rates of infection in many countries and evidence of the global spread of more transmissible variants, it’s clear that ...
$36 million of Government funding alongside councils and others for 19 projects Investment will clean up and protect waterways and create local jobs Boots on the ground expected in Q2 of 2021 Funding part of the Jobs for Nature policy package A package of 19 projects will help clean up ...
The commemoration of the 175th anniversary of the Battle of Ruapekapeka represents an opportunity for all New Zealanders to reflect on the role these conflicts have had in creating our modern nation, says Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Kiri Allan. “The Battle at Te Ruapekapeka Pā, which took ...
By Lulu Mark in Port Moresby Papua New Guinea’s biggest hospital is straining to provide medical services to the growing population of the capital Port Moresby – with an estimated growth rate of 3 percent annually, a medical executive says. Port Moresby General Hospital chief executive officer Dr Paki Molumi ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Nationals who attend Thursday’s memorial service in Tweed Heads for Doug Anthony, who died last month aged 90, may muse on the contrast between the state of their party when he led it and now. ...
Returning to quarantine-free travel in 2021 doesn't just need a vaccine, but a way to check whether arriving passengers are actually immune to the virus. A smart Kiwi science start-up is working with a global biometrics giant to make that happen. A deal signed between Kiwi research and development company Orbis Diagnostics, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Caitlyn Forster, PhD Candidate, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney This summer’s wetter conditions have created great conditions for flowering plants. Flowers provide sweet nectar and protein-rich pollen, attracting many insects, including bees. Commercial honey bees are also thriving: ...
Lotto scratchie tickets featuring the pop band Six60 are being withdrawn after a public backlash. In a statement, Lotto NZ said there had been a mutual decision made with the band to remove the tickets from sale following the negative feedback, and it offered an apology. The band faced criticism, both ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Russell Dean Christopher Bicknell, Post-doctoral researcher in Palaeobiology , University of New England Shell-crushing predation was already in full swing half a billion years ago, as our new research published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B reveals. A hyena devouring ...
Vodafone has suspended advertising on the radio station amid calls for talkback host John Banks to be taken off air after yet another racist outburst. Alex Braae reports. In an alarming segment of talkback radio, former Auckland mayor John Banks endorsed the views of a caller who described Māori as a ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Welch, Senior Lecturer, University of Auckland When a COVID-19 case was found in Northland last Sunday, Aotearoa’s second-longest period with no detected community case came to an end. ESR scientists worked late into Sunday night to obtain a whole genome sequence ...
He has the perfect moustache, an exceptional mullet, and he uses terms like ‘face hole’ on national TV. Who or what is Dr Joel Rindelaub?I was drawn in by the moustache, but it was the mullet that really kept me there. Watching TVNZ’s Breakfast yesterday morning I was fixated. Often, ...
We’ll never be royals with nearly a quarter of declined baby names featuring “Royal” in some form or another. Te Tari Taiwhenua Department of Internal Affairs has released the list of names declined in 2020 by the Registrar-General of Births, Deaths and ...
After a raft of inquiries delving into and recommending what should be done about the politically beleaguered Orangi Tamaraki, along with the briefing papers we suppose he has been given, we imagined Children’s Minister Kelvin Davis would have no more need for expert advice. Wrong. He has ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vincent Ho, Senior Lecturer and clinical academic gastroenterologist, Western Sydney University There’s a common assumption men take longer than women to poo. People say so on Twitter, in memes, and elsewhereonline. But is that right? What could explain it? And if ...
Just as sexuality is a spectrum, so too is asexuality. In Ace of Hearts, members of New Zealand’s asexual community talk about the challenges and misconceptions of identifying as ace.First published November 17, 2020.Ace of Hearts is part of Frame, a series of short documentaries produced by Wrestler for The Spinoff.“A ...
Sam Brooks wasn’t allowed to watch kids TV as a kid. Now, as a 30 year old man, he watches it for the first time.My mother’s approach to parenting was unorthodox. I wrote weekly book reports on top of my actual homework, I did maths equations in Roman numerals and ...
Pacific Media Watch newsdesk More leading Indonesian figures have made racial slurs against Natalius Pigai, former chair of the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) – and all West Papuans, says United Liberation Movement of West Papua (ULMWP) interim president Benny Wenda. “Since the illegal Indonesian invasion in 1963, Indonesian ...
“The Government’s failure to even conduct a standard cost-benefit analysis for the most expensive infrastructure project in New Zealand’s history is mind-bogglingly arrogant,” says New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union spokesman Louis Houlbrooke. “A ...
The Ministry of Health is today drawing backlash from the local New Zealand vaping industry following its release of proposed regulations for the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Act. Vaping Trade Association New Zealand (VTANZ) President, ...
Sophie Gilmour and Simon Day are joined by special guest Hugo Baird, co-owner of Grey Lynn’s Honey Bones and Lilian, to talk about opening new pub Hotel Ponsonby.Auckland is a city of many bars but few really good pubs – the kind of places you’d be just as comfortable going ...
The appointment of an advisory board for Oranga Tamariki is welcome and should be a step toward a total transformation of the care and protection system to a by Māori, for Māori approach, Children’s Commissioner Andrew Becroft said today. Minister ...
Taking control of your financial wellbeing can have cascading positive impacts for your life and it can also be fun. With the help of the team at Kiwi Wealth, we’ve compiled some simple tricks for balancing your books in 2021. There’s something about the beginning of a new year, especially after ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kris Gledhill, Professor of Law, Auckland University of Technology As we know, getting into New Zealand during the COVID-19 pandemic is difficult. There are practicalities, such as high airfare and managed isolation costs. And there are legal requirements, including pre-flight testing, mandatory ...
New Zealand faces the risk of a generation being locked out of the housing market unless land is freed up and more houses built, National Party leader Judith Collins says. ...
On Sunday, Stuff published a months-long investigation by Alison Mau detailing allegations of harassment and exploitation within the local music industry.The piece, ‘Music industry professionals demand change after speaking out about its dark side’, includes allegations of inappropriate behaviour and abuse of power by male artists, international acts and executives; ...
“The Government is all at sea on timelines for Australia and New Zealand’s respective vaccine roll-outs, with the worst news coming from the mouth of Pfizer Australia CEO Anne Harris,” says ACT Leader David Seymour. “Yesterday, under increasing ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Claire Higgins, Senior Research Fellow, Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law, UNSW As a presidential candidate, Joe Biden promised the US would demonstrate “global leadership on refugees”. Once elected, he pledged to vastly increase refugee resettlement in the US. If history is ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alex Baumann, Casual Academic, School of Social Sciences & Psychology, Western Sydney University Among the many hard truths exposed by COVID-19 is the huge disparity between the world’s rich and poor. As economies went into freefall, the world’s billionaires increased their already ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jan Lanicek, Senior Lecturer in Modern European History and Jewish History, UNSW On January 27 communities worldwide commemorate the liberation of Auschwitz — the largest complex of concentration camps and extermination centres during the Holocaust. This is the first year the International ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lorinda Cramer, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Australian Catholic University The summer break is over, marking a return to the office. For some, this ends almost a year of working from home in lockdown. Some analysts are predicting it might also mark an enduring ...
Welcome to The Spinoff’s live updates for January 27, keeping you up to date with the latest local and international news. Reach me on stewart@thespinoff.co.nzOur members make The Spinoff happen! Every dollar contributed directly funds our editorial team – click here to learn more about how you can support us ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexander Gillespie, Professor of Law, University of Waikato New Zealand has a strong history of protecting and promoting human rights at home and internationally, and prides itself on being an outspoken critic and global leader in this area. So, when the most ...
Good morning and welcome to the Bulletin. In today’s edition: Collins outlines the plan forward for National, no spread of Covid spotted yet in Northland, and students return for climate protest.In front of a Rotary Club at the Ellerslie Racecourse in Auckland, National leader Judith Collins yesterday set out her ...
*This articlefirst appeared on RNZ and is republished with permission. The tourism industry isn't holding its breath for a trans-Tasman travel bubble being in place after Australia temporarily closed its borders to New Zealand. New Zealanders could be waiting even longer for a full trans-Tasman bubble, with the ...
We continue our week-long examination of New Zealand writer Roderick Finlayson with an essay by Anahera Gildea on cultural appropriation Every night at 7pm sharp, my Irish Catholic father and his eight siblings would have to kneel on the carpet of the living room, facing the freshly polished nudity of ...
Children's Minister Kelvin Davis will have independent eyes and ears across Oranga Tamariki over the next five months as the Government tries to change the work and practices of the ministry. The Government has created a Māori-led watchdog to oversee how the children's ministry, Oranga Tamariki, deals with parents and ...
A Covid reset will force costly and inflexible cities to take a hard look at their planning systems, or people will vote with their feet. Broken urban planning systems make for misery even in the best of times. If land use and housing regulations prevent metropolitan areas from growing up or out as ...
When an Auckland school classroom went up in flames in December last year, exploding asbestos over neighbouring houses, five separate government agencies were involved. Yet stressed residents dealing with the aftermath on their homes say the response felt chaotic and uncoordinated; even local MPs who got involved couldn't get the information they wanted. Hundreds of thousands of ...
The pandemic has accelerated the trend of doing our banking online instead of in person. This rapid digital embrace has, in turn, sped up the closure of many smaller bank branches. But, as Mark Jennings writes, there are new branches springing up with a different look and purpose. Auckland’s Wynyard ...
Corrina Gage has represented New Zealand in a trio of water sports. But it's her love for waka ama - and the opportunities it gives paddlers from 5 to 85 - that keeps her racing and coaching around the world. Lake Karāpiro is quiet and still now. But last week, it was all noise ...
Telling a Rotary Club audience that housing is a serious problem and they should care deeply about it landed flat but took some daring from the National leader, writes Justin Giovannetti.Judith Collins’ level of control over the National Party is still a question best answered by a shrug.Elevated to her ...
A gang turf war gripped the South Auckland suburb in late 2020, forcing schools to lock down and armed police to patrol the streets. Community leaders are now warning the cycle of violent retribution could continue in 2021, unless radical interventions are made.The violent altercations that loomed large in Ōtara ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Véronique Duché, A.R. Chisholm Professor of French, University of Melbourne In this series, writers pay tribute to fictional detectives on the page and on screen. When I first heard that Rowan Atkinson was to put on Maigret’s velvet-collared overcoat, I wondered ...
Auckland writer Olivia Hayfield* explains how she resurrected 16th-century playwright Christopher Marlowe to star in her new novel, Sister to Sister. Olivia Hayfield is a pen name. Real name: Sue Copsey. When I’m planning my modern retellings of historical tales, I read widely on the characters and see who leaps out at ...
The Pfizer/BioNTech mRNA vaccine could be approved as early as next week, Marc Daalder reports Medsafe will be asked to approve the Pfizer/BioNTech mRNA vaccine against Covid-19 on February 2, the Government has announced. The Medicines Assessment Advisory Committee (MAAC) is an independent panel that provides advice on some medicine approvals in ...
COMMENT:By Bryan Kramer, PNG’s Minister of Police who has defended Commissioner Manning’s appointment today in The National My last article, announcing that I intend to make a submission to the National Executive Council (NEC) to amend the Public Service regulation to no longer require the Commissioner of Police to ...
The Point of Order Trough Monitor was triggered today by the announcement of a $9 million handout for Southlanders – sorry, some Southlanders. The news came from the office of Grant Robertson who, as Minister of Finance, prefers to invest public money rather than give it away – especially when ...
Few people outside of her campaign team gave Chlöe Swarbrick any chance of winning in Auckland Central this year – but the Green Party MP was too busy to listen. Here’s how they turned the electorate green.First published November 12, 2020.Three Ticks Chlöe is part of Frame, a series of short ...
Interactions between parents and healthcare providers could have a big impact on the wellbeing of our children, according to new research. The way parents and healthcare providers interact has lasting implications for children’s health, new research has found – and that includes immunisation uptake.Released today, the report is based on research ...
The Opposition starts the political year calling for emergency, temporary legislation to free up house building National leader Judith Collins has set five priorities for her party over the next three years - but excluded climate change, education and Crown-Māori relations. Giving her first 'state of the nation' speech as party ...
One of the biggest challenges facing the Ardern government is in public health. New Zealand may have escaped the pressures heaped on other health systems by the Covid-19 pandemic but its health service has had its problems, not least those exposed in the first report from Heather Simpson and her ...
New Zealand’s Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins has revealed that 14 close contacts of the Northland community case have returned negative test results. Yesterday he announced two close contacts – her husband and hair dresser – were negative. In his tweet, Hipkins described the news as “encouraging”. However, New ...
Pacific Media Watch newsdesk Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has condemned the arbitrary and opaque experiments that Google is conducting with its search engine in Australia, with the consequence that many national news websites are no longer appearing in the search results seen by some users. The Australian, ABC, Australian Financial ...
Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta says councils can take stronger action against companies dumping contaminated waste water, even though they have identified loopholes in the law on fines. ...
Drag Race Down Under, part of the popular RuPaul’s Drag Race franchise, is filming in New Zealand. In their own words, local drag talent share what drag means to them and how it might be impacted by the show.RuPaul’s Drag Race is, quite simply, a television phenomenon. Love it or ...
For a long time, weighted blankets were considered a specialist device. Now they’re popular with even the most normal sleepers.Growing up, Temple Grandin spent time on her aunt’s cattle ranch in America, watching cow after stressed cow enter a squeeze chute and come out calm as the dead sea. She ...
Increased provisional tax thresholds, immediate low-value asset write offs and allowing the deferral of tax payments and use of money interest (UOMI) write offs were the most popular tax measures introduced by the Government to help businesses survive ...
The latest fleeing driver statistics show the numbers of incidents sky-rocketing out of control through 2020 with Police deciding the only tactic is to give up on chasing altogether, says Sensible Sentencing Trust. “The inconvenient truth is ...
With new revelations of the appalling racism behind Israel’s refusal to provide Covid-19 vaccines to 4.5 million Palestinians under its occupation and control, PSNA has renewed our call for the government to speak out alongside the United Nations ...
The Youth of NZ will be standing up for climate action once again, on January 26th outside of Parliament for School Strike 4 Climate NZ’s 100 Days 4 Action campaign rally. “COVID-19 may have stopped us in our tracks in the past. However, I tend ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Parwinder Kaur, Associate Professor | Director, DNA Zoo Australia, University of Western Australia Koalas are unique in the animal kingdom, living on a eucalyptus diet that would kill other creatures and drinking so little their name comes from the Dharug word gula, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By S. Anna Florin, Research fellow, University of Wollongong Archaeological research provides a long-term perspective on how humans survived various environmental conditions over tens of thousands of years. In a paper published today in Nature Ecology and Evolution, we’ve tracked rainfall in northern ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Binoy Kampmark, Senior Lecturer in Global Studies, Social Science & Planning, RMIT University Since 2005, Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel has been one of the most stable and enduring of political forces, both in Europe and on the global stage. During her 16 ...
‘Socialism closer to Gospel than free enterprise.’
Pity Bill English can’t see this……
‘A retired High Court judge who donated $115,000 to Labour says the party’s principles reflect those of his religion.
In Labour’s first large donation for some time, Robert Smellie, QC, gave $100,000 this month, on top of the $15,000 he gave in December.
Smellie told the Herald one reason was his religion. “[Former PM] Michael Joseph Savage once said, ‘Labour is Christianity in action’. And I am a practising Anglican and as such I see socialism as being far closer to the Gospel than free enterprise.”’
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11866294
Thanks for putting your money where your heart is Bob.
Stephen Joyce’s budget is so going to give money to most vulnerable…….
‘Agency that put up rent ‘week on week’ accused of price gouging’
‘One of Auckland’s biggest rental agencies hiked rents on vacant apartments by five percent a week for several weeks earlier this year when demand from students surged to record levels.
Ray White agent Krister Samuel said demand for apartments was unprecedented in February.
The seasonal surge was caused by thousands of tertiary students and was exacerbated by a big rise in first home buyers snapping up apartments, shrinking the rental pool, he said.
“We were getting 30 to 40 applicants turning up to a one or two-bedroom apartment, and all with good credit history, and testimonials and landlord references.
“So the only response was to put the rent up,” Mr Samuel said.
“For the landlords that we were representing, and we represent about 1000 individual landlords in the city, we were putting the rent up about five percent a week, week on week for about six weeks.”‘
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/331952/auckland-agency-price-gouging-over-weekly-rent-rise
“So the only response was to put the rent up,” Mr Samuel said.
Of course it was! Responsible citizens that estate agents are – not capable of any other kind of response.
Supply and Demand in full effect!
If we a actually used supply and demand the businesses would be paying more for power than homes. After all, they do actually demand more.
Krister Samuels of Ray White is touting for business via a free advertorial. If I owned a CBD apartment and needed management I’d read Krister’s comments and think ‘Gee looks like this outfit can get me top dollar for my pad.’
If the apartments were previously priced at fair market value and he is pumping the ask by 5% week on week Krister is breaking the law.
There appears to be room for some active advocates in this area. People au fait with the Residential Tenancy Act that can go in to bat for pocket raped tenants. Then Krister can ring some of his owners and advise them …”Ummm you’ve just been fined $2000.” (The contract Ray White has with owners will push the responsibility for payment of any exemplary damages onto owners.)
Money for more tax cuts for the rich, but none for our health.
A wretched government.
Vote them out in September.
‘Government not helping our region recover from Havelock North water crisis.’
It appears the National Government has decided the water crisis that struck down Havelock North is “yesterday’s problem”.
The public health cost alone from the poisoning of our town water supply is more than $1 million, but this Government has refused to help cover the gastro cost to our Hawke’s Bay District Health Board……’
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11866242
The Budget had over $800 million extra for health in the coming year, an increase of 5.5%. In the last nine years health expenditure has increased in real terms by 10% per capita. That is the reason why the news is not pack filled with terrible stories on health, and why Labors health spokespeople make very little headway. In fact I can’t even recall who the new Labour spokesperson is.
It is very different to the 1990’s when Annette King was completely dominant as opposition spokesperson. She owned the territory. And it clearly signalled a change of government.
It’s David Clark.
A smart guy, but a bit invisible. I should know who is Labour’s health person, but even after thinking about I didn’t. I know Dr Clark has a reputation as a thinker, but he is quiet. In key roles opposition people need to do what it takes so we know who they are. Ardern, Twyford and Davis, have all done that.
Wayne
It’s strange how Ed’s subject, the health budget needing more money, morphs away as you seem to answer it, into an opinion as to whether the Labour Healthperson has enough visibility.
And come on. Waving health statistics with percentages at us just doesn’t wash. (Health warning, after handling any statistics from National wash and dry your hands thoroughly.)
In the last nine years health expenditure has increased in real terms by 10% per capita.
This means that the amount allocated to each person in NZ has gone up during the last nine years, at about 1.1% a year, which may or may not be the equivalent of counted inflation or CPI each year. This means that if CPI
exceeds 1.1% a year, then there is no rise to match the fall in spending value of the NZ$.
It’s Wayne and you – both of whom are National Party apologists.
The figures show that National has always kept the increase below that of inflation and population growth.
The government does not care about the people’s health. Spin and shill for them if you want….
Ed,
I know that the left likes to parrot the line that National does not care about people, health, welfare or education, but it is a silly line.
Voters know that National is in their own way broadly representative of New Zealanders. They all have families and use public schools and public health. So at an intuitive level voters know that National is as involved in these things as other parties, though obviously with their own perspective.
That is why that sort of criticism does not cut through. It belies peoples actual experience.
To succeed you have to do what King was able to do in the 1990’s. Show comprehensive failings, not just spout mantras.
Good morning, Wayne. I agree with much you say in your reply to ed; parroting the line, broadly representative, criticism does not cut through, however Ed knows, I think, that there’s a serious problem with the ideological “planet” you and your and National Party pals inhabit and pontificate from. I’ve a question for you; you talk of “peoples actual experience”, implying that New Zealanders are comfortable with the “National Way”, but how do you accommodate such things as our distressingly high domestic violence rates and youth suicide statistics? You may claim that New Zealanders support your world view and management, but don’t those aspects; violence and a severe crisis for our young people, whisper to you that something you are collectively doing is desperately wrong? I haven’t included the appalling incarceration statistics, alcohol harm etc. etc. as these topics are covered here on The Standard in some detail and I’m guessing you read those posts.
Thanks in anticipation of your answers.
Health is going to be a bottomless pit for any government in the next few years. As a boomer it scares me to think about it. The system cannot cope with a diabetes epidemic, more poverty related diseases, mental health shortfalls, more cancer, sports injuries, more expensive treatment procedures and ,finally, countless old bastards.
We’re in for trouble big time re health.
Are you this “honest” in your day job?
You know very well that a large proportion of the increase is a consequence of the National “government” being forced to obey the law regarding pay equity, not increased healthcare provision.
Per capita health expenditure is on exactly the same trend it’s been on all this century, and as you very well know, this is a consequence of demographics.
As for the news, have you missed the crisis in mental health? Or the rate of preventable “third world” diseases? Or the increase in new HIV cases? Or doctors and nurses on strike?
Keep spinning, Wayne, I’d hate the National Party to get out of the gutter.
What, you mean stories like “Hospital staff show strain”, “Unexplained death on Palmerston North Hospital grounds raises questions”, “NZ records highest-ever number of HIV diagnoses in 2016”, “Patients head to Aussie for treatment”, “Third of Kiwi women have chlamydia by age 38: study”, or “Man suffers heart attack just after leaving Christchurch’s Burwood Hospital”? /sarc
And, ffs, there are people in the Southern DHB region going blind because of waiting lists.
Doesn’t vote health cover the cost of dr visits and pharmaceuticals in Hawke’s Bay ?
Troll
Hate crime !
Ambulance at bottom of cliff thinking exemplified.
Meanwhile New Zealand is asleep, distracted by sports ‘news’….
Rugby: British & Irish Lions madness to begin
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11866436
and celebrity ‘news’……………
Police: Tiger Woods ‘asleep at wheel’ of stationary car, alcohol levels zero
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/golf/93166630/police-tiger-woods-asleep-at-wheel-of-stationary-car-alcohol-levels-zero
and clickbait….
‘Woman criticised for super car bonnet climb’
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11865908
Wake up New Zealand!
Wake up New Zealand! That is very appropriate at 6.30 am! Though your point is very true, however this is the Nu Zild kulcha, which is actively promoted to stop the masses waking up. It’s all part of the on going “bread and circuses”.
Back again Paul.
Ah, a RWNJ complaining about National’s depredations on the country being brought to light.
He’s complaininf about spammy ed whose way of getting some point across is similar to pauls who was banned for a long time.
Looks like it – soaking OM again with bullshit
UK Itunes No. 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQFwxw57NBI
Anyone else scratching their heads over news coming out of Britain and wondering if Theresa May is trying to lose the up-coming election?
We can only hope.
It’s possible. They probably realise how much they’ve screwed up and getting out now would allow them to blame the next government when it all goes in the crapper.
what did she do?
Good start – te waikoropupu will be protected we wont stop until it is and tangata whenua and everyone will work together to do it.
https://www.maoritelevision.com/news/regional/nelson-iwis-fight-protect-te-waikoropupu-springs
Keeping te puna tapu ra safe from the extractors is vital work – many thanks to those who are doing just that.
Please stop spamming on om.
Yep I’d expect that infantile response – what a sad loser you are – and you pretend to be so high and mighty lol you’re having a laugh…
I wonder where Bill English stands on this, the withdrawl of a key component of ‘social investment’? Too busy on social media to keep an eye on Joyce?
http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2017/05/new-green-candidates-not-keen-on-national-coalition.html
Worth looking at the body language throughout that clip of Paul Henry wannabe, Mark Richardson.
Increasing insulation on homes will decrease power usage and thus decrease profits for the new shareholders that National created by selling our assets against our will.
Or the other option is that the power companies, determined to maintain profit levels with decreasing power usage, boost prices.
The first one can be hidden whereas the second will be come back on National for selling the power companies.
More evidence the Maori Party, like their bedfellows the National Party, are for the elite and no-one else.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/331967/govt-hiring-before-maori-land-bill-passes-arrogant
I can’t see where it shows that. It does show imo an arrogant little man ramming stuff through without suffient process or accord or even assessment of success. Dirty bullshit by that little man.
This should be interesting, from The Times,
It will be noticed I think that an earlier comment I made was in response to one of Wayne’s which lauded 10% per capita increase in health spending over 9 years. I said that was only 1.1% p.a. which would be less than CPI, so therefore it would still be a drop.
Now we all don’t understand economics perfectly, and as he said it was 10% in real terms, he meant that was allowing for inflation, so providing 1.1% rise in each year.
If you thought that meant all was right because I was wrong in not allowing for the calculations showing a rise in real terms, then you are a shallow thinker.
Because there is an error in understanding of the figures, it does not mean that there is assuredly an error in the commenter’s opinion and conclusions Because 1.1 rise a year per capita from a low base, does not sound sufficient to cope with our growing diseases from overseas, and our growing incapacitation for long periods as we are forced to grind out our lives to the last sigh.
So you have to read things carefully to form your own opinions. I would direct you to the discussion on the terms of banking by Dr Don Brash, ex-governor of the Reserve Bank. Who has stated certain understandings which are not agreed by the Bank of England, and Bryan Gould who knows a few things, one of which is that Dr Brash has been proceeding on a faulty presumption.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=11845670
If this is “nonsense”, the “peddlers” include some very distinguished economists. My legal training has taught me the value of being able to turn to reliable authority to support what I say.
In my original piece, I referred to a Bank of England research paper, published in the bank’s first Quarterly Bulletin 2014, which describes in detail the process by which banks create money.
And quite a few thinkers of repute have been stating that our whole economic system is run on twisted lines. They say economists have proposed procedures from theories they have formulated, and when they don’t work because people haven’t followed the expected lines of approach, they arrange to change the laws and utilised PR to change people’s behaviour so they match the theories which then shown to be right.
Niwa publishes paleotsunami database
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC1705/S00087/new-database-sheds-light-on-prehistoric-nz-tsunamis.htm
http://ptdb.niwa.co.nz
that is very cool.
I’m glad that we can start to take tsunamis more seriously and I suspect once people (public, journos) start trawling through and seeing the stark reality of quake and tsunami, we might get better prepared.
I agree after the fiasco with the kaikoura event.
indeed. That was shocking.
I see Rex Tillerson (ex Exxon and now US Secretary of State is coming to NZ next week where he will meet Bill English and Gerry Brownlee.
Tillerson will head to Wellington where Brownlee said a meeting would be held to discuss “some of the world’s most pressing issues and to further promote our economic ties”.
Climate Change and World are surely the most pressing issues at this point in time.
I would like Gerry Brownlee to tell Rex Tillerson that NZ does not want to have any close ties with the USA until:
1. The USA honours its commitment on Climate Change
2. It cancels its arms deal to Saudi Arabia and takes responsibility for its own part in fuelling terrorism in the world.
Here is a useful video about the Saudi Arms deal,
That clip is so depressing Tautoko. What hope the World?
“Eighty percent of the country’s native bird species are in bad shape, with some on the brink of extinction, and the environment watchdog is recommending genetic engineering and tourist taxes to tackle the problem.
Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Jan Wright has released the report Taonga of an island nation: Saving New Zealand’s birds, which provides seven recommendations to government”.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/332000/four-out-of-five-nz-bird-species-in-trouble
Shocking, if we don’t get serious they will be gone soon.
Agreed Marty… I’m aware there are other pressing priorities…. among many others…
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/332003/urgent-changes-needed-in-mental-health-care
(A little unsure who the current AG is given circumstance…)
Regardless, will be interesting to see if the new Government “Watchdog”… Simon Upton, will have influence… and carry the mantle…
kia kaha
When are you moving to your cave Bill?
[TheStandard: A moderator moved this comment to Open Mike as being off topic or irrelevant in the post it was made in. Be more careful in future.]
When are you thinking of acknowledging reality or engaging your brain BM?
What is reality Bill? seriously, man, no one can predict shit, we may all die in some climate-induced apocalypse or we may not for a myriad of unknown reasons.
This reading chicken guts, tea leaves predictions is a complete waste of time, the future is unwritten, it can be anything, live in the present don’t get hung up on the future.
[did you edit out my moderation note when you edited your comment? Interesting, never had that before, please don’t do that again. Let me repeat then, Stop Trolling. Good to see you trying to make an actual point in the edit, maybe just start with that next time so I don’t end up wasting my time. – weka]
Sorry about that Blog Mum, I had no idea what’s going on behind the scenes anything that happened was completely unintentional.
Ok, no worries if you didn’t see it. Cheers.
When Dracos’ mum finally kicks them out of her basement 😉
Lol, so true.
G’night 😉
There’s an interesting article about “What Budget 2017 spending promises look like when adjusted for inflation and population growth” at
http://www.interest.co.nz/news/87936/what-budget-2017-spending-promises-look-when-adjusted-inflation-and-population-growth
They conclude that the budget will reduce health spending over 5 years by 7.5% and this with an increasing number of elderly people and DHBs struggling to meet their budgets.
Hence I find Wayne’s comment at 6.49am that “The Budget had over $800 million extra for health in the coming year, an increase of 5.5%.” misleading at best.
I’d much rather have a well funded health system than a tax cut. I just can’t imagine what it’s like having to wait several hours at emergency with a sick child especially if you live in a car.
Theresa Mussolini moving into panic mode…
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/may/30/corbyn-would-go-alone-and-naked-into-brexit-talks-says-theresa-may