I see that if John Key is returned to power he intends to ring fence the power company share proceeds into a special fund that will be used to obtain productive infrastructure.
I have just the investment for him to consider. This investment is in an area that is strategically vital to the country. Its value will only increase as the price of oil continues its irreversible path higher. The investment will save overseas funds, and local control will benefit local industry as well as Kiwis personally.
The return on this investment is very good and within nine years it will pay for itself. From then on all income will be pure profit. And there is no purchase cost, no risk and miraculously the cost of privatizing the power companies will disappear.
The investment is to retain the power companies in public ownership. This should be a very easy decision to make.
If he is so keen to have an infrastructure fund then why not ring fence the revenue from the assets now?
The problem he has is that he has taken out of the revenue $2 billion in tax cuts for the rich and he has failed to energise the economy in such a way that he could use the revenue to pay for standard budget items.
Throw in the fact that he is trapped by promising sales to the RWNJs in National, who want wholesale asset sales, and you find he is supporting an unpopular policy.
I see that the ‘ring fencing’ is in areas that National hopes to introduce greater private sector involvement.
Apparently, there will be $400m for internet network between schools. I wonder who will get the contract to put that in and ‘maintain’ the system (perhaps with a rent).
Key needs to be pushed on how this ring fenced money will actually result in publicly owned and operated assets, rather than just public money being put into projects for private companies to make a profit.
If he wants to assuage concerns that there will be an overall loss of public ownership of assets then, presumably, he’d be happy to give assurances that none of this saved money will end up in private pockets?
Sending kids to school seems like a good idea to me. Having hospitals where sick people might be made better – that seems like a reasonable service in a modern economy too.
Turns out the prime minister thinks services like schools and hospitals are optional extras. Families will only get education and health care if we go along with his plans to flog the power companies and Air New Zealand.
Perhaps Mr Key could tell us what previous governments had to sell to pay for them? He might find that back in the old days before we began “modernising and transforming”, whatever that means, we didn’t sell our assets to pay our grocery bills.
How does the prime minister propose to pay for schools and hospitals once the money from asset sales runs out?
Remember, people on the prime minister’s income have received tax cuts worth a thousand dollars a week since he took office, and now on his own admission we don’t have enough money.
Ha! Ha! Jonkey is afraid to debate with Phil Goff on RadioNZ Morning Report this morning…. he needs “more time to prepare”…. He’s had 3 years?!!! So Shonkey will just do an interview next week. SHAME… is this the most inadequate PM NZ has ever had?
Bok bok bok…..
It’s one thing not to have your picture on a billboard but a whole other thing to run from facing up in debates.
What is he afraid of? Slurring his words? Not shaking Goff’s hand properly? People might say bad things about him and not give him the validation he craves?
This is definitely a harm minimisation approach.
I think today, every time John Key is mentioned I will let loose a “bok bok bok”.
(Yes, my life is that sad but I will make me feel good – until the sun goes over the yardarm).
Very hard to understand Key’s reluctance to front – unless he knows that to front is to expose his shallowness.
I wonder if TV1 tonight will prevent shouting over the top of other speakers is controlled by switching off microphones, as they do in the House?
More likely Key can be wired with an earpiece for TV. I know he couldn’t for radio, or at least that’s my limited tech understanding, happy to be corrected.
Key’s reluctance to front may be part of National Party elections strategy.
If you’re too frightened to speak because people might think you’re an idiot, best to keep quiet rather than confirm it.
MANA MEDIA RELEASE
31 October 2011
PAULA BENNETT ON THE RUN?
Mana’s Waitakere candidate Sue Bradford says Paula Bennett appears to be running away from public debates with her.
“I know of several organisations now who have tried to organise public debates between the local candidates, including Paula Bennett, but she keeps backing out of them.
“Waitakere residents want to hear what Paula has to say, particularly on issues like welfare where she is pushing a very controversial agenda.
Ms Bradford says the TV7 programme ‘Back Benches’ wanted to do a special programme with Labour candidate Carmel Sepuloni, herself and Paula Bennett last week.
“However, it had to be cancelled because Bennett would not front,” she says
Then last week the Minister of Social Development – and local member for Waitakere – pulled out of an NZEI West Auckland Election Forum due to be held 7.00pm this Tuesday 1 November, despite having told organisers that she would certainly attend.
As soon as advertisements for the meeting appeared in local paper the Western Leader, Ms Bennett pulled out.
‘Nor have I seen Paula Bennett on the platform at other West Auckland candidate meetings – so far,’ says Ms Bradford.
“The people of Waitakere deserve better. Paula will be implementing a big chunk of National’s War on the Poor if National returns to power.
“If she is reelected as MP for Waitakere, the rest of the country are going to hold local voters here responsible for her actions.
“It’s just not fair to them that she refuses to front in these circumstances.’
In fact he was in that world right up until March 2001 and left after having helped Merrill Lynch set up their derivatives department and well after the repeal of the Glass Steagall and the housing bubble well on its way act mentioned in the second part of this nice little mini doco.
Sound track for a New Labour party ad featuring Phil, Trevor, the two Davids, Grant and Damien, full leathers, Harleys, high speed, an empty country road, and a town in the distance. Phil’s bike just out ahead and those pants are tiigght! Cut to shot of Key mincing in an all black Jersey……
The debate tonight at 7.00 on TV1 Should be good. Shonkey will not be able to hide behind his favourate game of blame shifting, and will have to be accountable, if he uses his normal method of debating, like he does in parlimentry question time he will only confirm that he and his mates are well and truly in the mire, and will have pressed the self destruct button.
National has even closed the school where they shot John Keys 2008 election campaign video… you know the one where all those kids are singing about a brighter future.
Not normal, PG, just stuffy. Face it, we’re part of yesterday’s generation. However, you do show occasional signs of fruitloopery, maybe because you’re tone deaf when it comes to yoof and their dis-ease with the sensible elderly types who’ve survived very nicely, thanks, on trying to keep the golden showers flowing. Only fruitloops jive to the band on the Titanic.
Hooten just said on Nine to Noon that Key was mobbed in ChCh on Saturday, with people queuing for hours to have thier photo taken with him.
Any truth in this? Or more deflecting BS from Hooten?
The Sunday star times is running a 2011 elections banner across the top of political pages in National party blue complete with National party stars in the background.
I think a complaint to the electoral commission is in order – the impartial colour for referencing the elections is the orange employed by the electoral commission itself.
Same stars as the NZ flag, but no union jack – looks like a national party banner flapping in the wind with the ‘N’ obscured to me.
Either way the dominant presence of a colour block and stylistic features that match the branding of one of our political parties creates an impression of dominance or authority and this in turn influences opinion.
This is why we have election orange for the electoral commission – because their voice must not endorse a particular political party. The Sunday Star Times is supposed to adhere to similar principles and not resort to cheap psych tricks to big up their buddies.
KABUL — Across the street from U.S. military headquarters in Kabul, shrouded from view by concrete walls, the Afghan intelligence agency runs a detention facility for up to 40 terrorism suspects that is known as Department 124. So much torture took place inside, one detainee told the United Nations, that it has earned another name: “People call it Hell.”
But long before the world body publicly revealed “systematic torture” in Afghan intelligence agency detention centers, top officials from the State Department, CIA and U.S. military received multiple warnings about abuses at Department 124 and other Afghan facilities, according to Afghan and Western officials with knowledge of the situation.
Despite the warnings, the United States continued to transfer detainees to Afghan intelligence service custody, the officials said. Even as other countries stopped handing over detainees to problematic facilities, the U.S. government did not.
U.S. Special Operations troops delivered detainees to Department 124. CIA officials regularly visited the facility, which was rebuilt last year with American money, to interrogate high-level Taliban and al-Qaeda suspects, according to Afghan and Western officials familiar with the site. Afghan intelligence officials said Americans never participated in the torture but should have known about it.
When the United Nations brought allegations of widespread detainee abuse on Aug. 30 to Gen. John Allen, the top U.S. military commander here, he took swift action ahead of the public release of the findings. Coalition troops stopped transferring detainees to Department 124 and 15 other police and intelligence agency prisons. They also hastily began a program to monitor those facilities and conduct human rights classes for interrogators.
A young woman was about to finish her first year of university. Like so many others her age, she considered herself to be leftish/socialist, and she was very much in favour of higher taxes to support more government programs – in other words, the redistribution of wealth.
She was ashamed that her father was a business owner, a feeling she openly expressed. Based on the lectures that she had attended, and the occasional chat with a professor, she felt that her father had for years harboured a selfish desire to keep what he thought should be his.
One day she was challenging her father on his opposition to higher taxes on the rich and the need for more government programs.
The self-professed objectivity proclaimed by her professors had to be the truth, and she indicated so to her father. He responded by asking how she was doing at university.
Taken aback, she answered rather haughtily that she had a 90% average, and let him know that it was tough to maintain, insisting that she was taking a very difficult course load and was constantly studying, which left her no time to go out and party like other people she knew. She didn’t even have time for a boyfriend, and didn’t really have many university friends because she spent all her time studying.
Her father listened and then asked, “How is your friend doing?” She replied, “She is barely getting by. All she takes are easy classes, she never studies and she barely has a 50% average. She is so popular on campus; university for her is a blast. She’s always invited to all the parties, and lots of times she doesn’t even show up for classes because she’s too hung over.”
Her father asked his daughter, “Why don’t you go to the Dean’s office and ask him to deduct 20% off your average and give it to your friend who only has 50%. That way you will both have a 70% average, and certainly that would be fair and equal.”
The daughter, visibly shocked by her father’s suggestion, angrily fired back, “That’s a crazy idea, how would that be fair! I’ve worked really hard for my grades! I’ve invested a lot of time, and a lot of hard work! Audrey has done next to nothing toward her degree. She played while I worked my tail off!”
The father slowly smiled, winked and said gently, “welcome to socialist reality.”
No policy so intent is to leave interest as is – and to have zero fees and abolish student allowances to stop taking and giving money-go-round and abuse by business people.
Student loans still for living expenses, but they will be substantially reduced.
Would you say the attitude displayed by your fictional student could be found in any political group or any group at all? What would it’s name be and what are its causes?
Have you demonstrated your character to be a Socialist as you say, or have you discovered that your evidence points elsewhere.
Are you suggesting that educated people cannot be socialists?
Are you saying that older people in business cannot be socialists? Where is the cut off age?
What makes a socialist, Pete? Where’s the specific turning point?
What indicators are there that she was ashamed of her Father?
If the Father was already intending to trick his daughter, was he really listening to her ideas?
What is a good definition of listening, Pete?
Why was the daughter “taken aback” at her Father asking about her grades? Did he not usually speak to her?
Are you suggesting that the only route open to humans is to “selfishly take” what one thinks to be their own?
Evolutionary Altruism, Pete. Discuss and offer alternatives.
Socialist idealism usually falls over in the face of real life.
Apart from the common peril of power socialism never works due to inherent incentive lacking large scale laziness. Capitalism’s biggest problem is greed but that can be controlled if there is enough will.
So you’d be spending your twilight years staying in bed until noon and watching tele, were it not for the “incentive’ of a big fat politicians pay cheque for all this industrious campaigning, Pete? Not so much about a passionate desire to reeallllly represent people after all, Pete?
Pete, many of us work very had for a wage that is far lower than we could command for less thrilling work in the private sector; your childish story is quite simply that, childish.
Some of us actually do stuff that benefits others, not shareholders.
Here’s a ‘Epilogue’ to your morality tale, Pete George.
“And then she remembered. Her friend had just had her parents divorce after a long five years when her father was made redundant twice and her mother had been diagnosed with depression. On top of that the friend had had to take out a large student loan because her home was no longer a safe place for her.
She turned to her father and said, “You’re just being heartless and taking no account of the circumstances that ordinary people have to deal with. That’s what makes you say such simplistic rubbish. Personally, I’d be happy to have my student fees go up if I knew that the University would provide more affordable, live-in accommodation, free health checks and the other supports to nurture those qualities that I see in my friend … and the reason I call her ‘friend’!
You could learn a thing or two about reality, Dad. There’s still hope for you!!”
How does your laziness theory, explain that when the work was available, at a time when benefits were relatively a lot higher than now, the Prime Minister could say he knew every one of the unemployed by name.
“How do you tell a communist? Well, it’s someone who reads Marx and Lenin. And how do you tell an anti-Communist? It’s someone who understands Marx and Lenin.”
So now reading something makes you the thing described and understanding makes you anti? This could prove hilariously problematic.
Like most right wing propaganda you forget the real story.
At university it was the rich kids who were partying, infesting the ski-fields and having gap years.
While investing their student allowance/loan. Their marks are generally not that good. But it doesn’t matter because they went to Kings with the right people.
The kids with working class parents couldn’t afford to bag off and are in lectures every day after working a 10 hour shift at the supermarket.
On average hard working business owners do not earn much more than wage earners.
Dominance by big corporates of finance and markets ensures that.
Most wealthy are people who do no work whatsoever while the accumulate more money, from pre-existing wealth, than they can ever spend in their lifetimes.
Or business managers/directors who, in NZ anyway, have proved so incapable of actually running or starting a business they want to steal ours.
You forgot to add that the rich kid then got the better job post-degree than the poor kid, as the bosses of the business sent their kids to the same fee paying school. The system sucks, time to change it.
With money/tax/benefits ome redistribution is essential, it’s a matter of getting the right balance – and making everyone “equal” is not the right balance.
Many people would work fine within socialism (I’m not particularly money driven), as many people work fine within capitalism. But significant numbers don’t.
The commune experiments in the 70s often failed because a few hardworking idealists found couldn’t support (and eventually didn’t want to support) the number of freeloaders wanting an easy life for little input.
Capitalism is failing now because we hard workers cannot support the financial system that is freeloading off our work.
The system, that in the USA, now owes more money than US real productivity can repay in 1000 years.
Actually, Anglo Saxon capitalism’s biggest mistake, IMHO, is that we let accountants off the stools in the back office and let them foster the delusion they can run anything.
“Accountants know the cost of everything and the value of nothing”.
Anyway. Who is arguing for making everyone’s income equal. I am not.
However. There is no justification for someone earning 100’s of times more than someone else. No one works that much harder.
I applaud people who earn more from their own efforts and contribution to society.
Unlike you, I do not support those who gain an income from society, out of all proportion to their contribution, simply because they have money capital. Or find ever more useless ways of increasing their share.
It’s not a strange conclusion. The comment above suggests income redistribution can never work because it will merely be providing money to those who are lazy and not working hard enough. It doesn’t go into the complexities of the real life situation at all. Thus, it seems to me that you think that redistribution is a load of crock and can never work.
If you post simplistic comments, expect simplistic conclusions.
Pete George your parable is a pile of shit with virutally zero features that are comparable with what you are trying to compare it to.
I had some time for your relatively shallow musings before but this has really taken that esteem down a peg or three. All those cliches about the quality of our politicians srping to mind again thanks to this shit.
Good luck in the election – I suspect that even with all the luck in the world it wont be enough …
This story says much about your lack of understanding about Socialism and it’s not particularly original either. If you wish to run a critique on Socialism by all means go ahead, but please do some basic research first before commiting keyboard to screen.
Fish evolve immunity to toxic sludge, or rather they woke up a dominent
more costly gene put to sleep. So what would Brash had done? Well
fish were hurting and so Brash would have thrown them a life line,
kept fish from toxic sludge and so left them better able to survive
in clean seas. Well that doesn’t sound like free market theory, that
sounds more like national socialism, protectionism, Australian,
British companies directly competing with NZ companies pay
CGT, have to pay more to attract those who can deal with the
complexity, and they also don’t have to pay workers as much
because workers get the first 5,000 off excempt of tax, and
workers don’t pay tax on fresh food. But Brash can’t understand
it, or can MSM, how could food being less than sugary drinks
actually help the economy avoid costs like diabeties, poverty,
obsecity.
Whehn the MSM give these reckless right wing idiots too much
time, they manufacture consent for inane seat warmers of the
right, they do our economy a deep disservice. I have a really
dim view of Victoria University, their economic department
cannot serious condone what Brash says in any shape or form.
red herring pete geroge. all societys except eastern despotisms and out and out tyranny’s are a mixture of socilaism/ capitalism. they are not mirro images or each other and neither are they an either or proposition. the major problem with capitalism is that it alloows the accumulators of capital to keep increasing their wealth without actually doing anything. then the f*ckers begin to think they did it all themselves. worst of all are the accountants who just want everything because they are like that. i.e. too much is not enough.
Don’t you like anyone encouraging discussion? Or do you want just want restricted discussionto suot your preferences.
Plenty of jumping to conclusion about my intent, you don’t even know what I think about the parable. Attack first, don’t think later seems to be a common theme here.
Instead of saying what you think about the parable, you take 7 posts to tell us we don’t know what you think? You’re a troll and have entered my ignore list.
Reading through a Kiwiblog thread on tax cuts for the rich offered by Labour, today, and I find this:
Pete George (11,634) Says:
October 31st, 2011 at 1:16 pm
Mark’s parable is very good, but it doesn’t just apply to staunch right versus left, most of the centre would probably also acknowledge the message in that.
A comment in reply to the same parable you posted here 10 mins afterwards. So that’s what’s you think of it. It’s “very good” and since you identify with the centre on yours and UF blog, you agree with it’s message. You’re a troll. You come here to troll.
Please do not jump to the conclusion that I agree with you in any way but this Pete George – but it’s sadly true that people here are very good at attacking first, and not asking questions later…
… it also found that while 98.4 per cent of respondents believed it was important for the Government to have a co-ordinated plan of action that raised New Zealand’s economic performance, only 34.5 per cent thought it had one.
Deloitte chief executive Murray Jack said it was “disturbing” that the No.1 issue emerging from the survey was the lack of a “clear, well understood economic plan”.
also
The survey also showed only 19 per cent of respondents thought the Government’s current infrastructure spending plans would deliver the best economic outcomes for New Zealand against 23.6 per cent who thought they wouldn’t. But significantly, more than half – 57.4 per cent – were unsure.
and (saving the best till last)
Labour deserved credit for “grasping the nettle” by saying it would raise the eligibility for NZ Super and Mr Jack said he was encouraged there was now more debate on the issue.
However, he said Labour’s policy was flawed, partly as the changes did not take effect until the baby-boomer generation had retired.
Labour at least recognised the link between KiwiSaver and NZ Superannuation, he said.
So, the business community is getting word about the Nats!
Solid rumour around the traps down these parts is that Brownlee is threatening the Christchurch City Council with an Ecan-style sacking post-election.
He needs to be called on it. Pre-election. Perhaps during the debate tonight with Key.
If he does go through with this threat I predict all hell will break loose and it will leave the protests around the Ecan sacking looking like a picnic in the park in comparison.
I haven’t decided who to vote for yet Mana or the Greens
depends if hone looks like getting in, amongst other things
Order at Moment
Greens
Mana
Labour
Despite John Key refusing to be a part of the actual debate, I thought the Native Affairs election kick off on Maori television was very good. Overall it was well produced and insightful, making me hopeful that this years campaigning would be worth watching…
3News tonight, (Patrick Gower’s article for those who want to see the vision), Key and Goff shake hands. Goff is genuine and makes eye contact. Key ducks and dives and scurries away.
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From the United-For-Now States of America comes the thrilling news that a New Zealander may be at the very heart of the current coup. Punching above our weight on the world stage once more! Wait, you may be asking, what New Zealander? I speak of Peter Thiel, made street legal ...
Even Stevens: Over the 33 years between 1990 and 2023 (and allowing for the aberrant 2020 result) the average level of support enjoyed by the Left and Right blocs, at roughly 44.5 percent each, turns out to be, as near as dammit, identical.WORLDWIDE, THE PARTIES of the Left are presented ...
Back in 2023, a "prominent political figure" went on trial for historic sex offences. But we weren't allowed to know who they were or what political party they were "prominent" in, because it might affect the way we voted. At the time, I said that this was untenable; it was ...
I'm going, I'm goingWhere the water tastes like wineI'm going where the water tastes like wineWe can jump in the waterStay drunk all the timeI'm gonna leave this city, got to get awayI'm gonna leave this city, got to get awayAll this fussing and fighting, man, you know I sure ...
Waitangi Day is a time to honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi and stand together for a just and fair Aotearoa. Across the motu, communities are gathering to reflect, kōrero, and take action for a future built on equity and tino rangatiratanga. From dawn ceremonies to whānau-friendly events, there are ...
Subscribe to Mountain Tūī ! Where you too can learn about exciting things from a flying bird! Tweet.Yes - I absolutely suck at marketing. It’s a fact.But first -My question to all readers is:How should I set up the Substack model?It’s been something I’ve been meaning to ask since November ...
Here’s the key news, commentary, reports and debate around Aotearoa’s political economy on politics and in the week to Feb 3:PM Christopher Luxon began 2025’s first day of Parliament last Tuesday by carrying on where left off in 2024, letting National’s junior coalition partner set the political agenda and dragging ...
The PSA have released a survey of 4000 public service workers showing that budget cuts are taking a toll on the wellbeing of public servants and risking the delivery of essential services to New Zealanders. Economists predict that figures released this week will show continued increases in unemployment, potentially reaching ...
The Prime Minister’s speech 10 days or so ago kicked off a flurry of commentary. No one much anywhere near the mainstream (ie excluding Greens supporters) questioned the rhetoric. New Zealand has done woefully poorly on productivity for a long time and we really need better outcomes, and the sorts ...
President Trump on the day he announced tariffs against Mexico, Canada and China, unleashing a shock to supply chains globally that is expected to slow economic growth and increase inflation for most large economies. Photo: Getty ImagesLong stories short, the top six things in our political economy around housing, climate ...
Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on UnsplashHere’s what we’re watching in the week to February 9 and beyond in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty:Monday, February 3Politics: New Zealand Government cabinet meeting usually held early afternoon with post-cabinet news conference possible at 4 pm, although they have not been ...
Trump being Trump, it won’t come as a shock to find that he regards a strong US currency (bolstered by high tariffs on everything made by foreigners) as a sign of America’s virility, and its ability to kick sand in the face of the world. Reality is a tad more ...
A listing of 24 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, January 26, 2025 thru Sat, February 1, 2025. This week's roundup is again published soleley by category. We are still interested in feedback to hone the categorization, so if ...
What seems to be the common theme in the US, NZ, Argentina and places like Italy under their respective rightwing governments is what I think of as “the politics of cruelty.” Hate-mongering, callous indifference in social policy-making, corporate toadying, political bullying, intimidation and punching down on the most vulnerable with ...
If you are confused, check with the sunCarry a compass to help you alongYour feet are going to be on the groundYour head is there to move you aroundSo, stand in the place where you liveSongwriters: Bill Berry / Michael Mills / Michael Stipe / Peter Buck.Hot in the CityYesterday, ...
Shane Jones announced today he would be contracting out his thinking to a smarter younger person.Reclining on his chaise longue with a mouth full of oysters and Kina he told reporters:Clearly I have become a has-been, a palimpsest, an epigone, a bloviating fossil. I find myself saying such things as: ...
Warning: This post contains references to sexual assaultOn Saturday, I spent far too long editing a video on Tim Jago, the ACT Party President and criminal, who has given up his fight for name suppression after 2 years. He voluntarily gave up just in time for what will be a ...
Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park from the Gigafact team in collaboration with members from our team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Is global warming ...
Our low-investment, low-wage, migration-led and housing-market-driven political economy has delivered poorer productivity growth than the rest of the OECD, and our performance since Covid has been particularly poor. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāLong stories short, the top six things in our political economy around housing, climate and poverty this ...
..Thanks for reading Frankly Speaking ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.As far as major government announcements go, a Three Ministers Event is Big. It can signify a major policy development or something has gone Very Well, or an absolute Clusterf**k. When Three Ministers assemble ...
One of those blasts from the past. Peter Dunne – originally neoliberal Labour, then leader of various parties that sought to work with both big parties (generally National) – has taken to calling ...
Completed reads for January: I Am Legend, by Richard Matheson The Black Spider, by Jeremias Gotthelf The Spider and the Fly (poem), by Mary Howitt A Noiseless Patient Spider (poem), by Walt Whitman August Heat, by W.F. Harvey Charlotte’s Web, by E.B. White The Shrinking Man, by Richard Matheson ...
Do its Property Right Provisions Make Sense?Last week I pointed out that it is uninformed to argue that the New Zealand’s apparently poor economic performance can be traced only to poor regulations. Even were there evidence they had some impact, there are other factors. Of course, we should seek to ...
Richard Wagstaff It was incredibly jarring to hear the hubris from the Prime Minister during his recent state of the nation address. I had just spent close to a week working though the stories and thoughts shared with us by nearly 2000 working people as part of our annual Mood ...
Odd fact about the Broadcasting Standards Authority: for the last few years, they’ve only been upholding about 5% of complaints. Why? I think there’s a range of reasons. Generally responsible broadcasters. Dumb complaints. Complaints brought under the wrong standard. Greater adherence to broadcasters’ rights to freedom of expression in the ...
And I said, "Mama, mama, mama, why am I so alone"'Cause I can't go outside, I'm scared I might not make it homeWell I'm alive, I'm alive, but I'm sinking inIf there's anyone at home at your place, darlingWhy don't you invite me in?Don't try to feed me'Cause I've been ...
Climate Change Minister Simon Watts’ star is on the rise, having just added the Energy, Local Government and Revenue portfolios to his responsibilities - but there is nothing ambitious about the Government’s new climate targets. Photo: SuppliedLong stories short, the top six things in our political economy around housing, climate ...
It may have been a short week but there’s been no shortage of things that caught our attention. Here is some of the most interesting. This week in Greater Auckland On Tuesday Matt took a look at public transport ridership in 2024 On Thursday Connor asked some questions ...
The East Is Red: Journalists and commentators are referring to the sudden and disruptive arrival of DeepSeek as a second “Sputnik moment”. (Sputnik being the name given by the godless communists of the Soviet Union to the world’s first artificial satellite which, to the consternation and dismay of the Americans, ...
Hi,Back on inauguration day we launched a ridiculous RFK Jr. “brain worms” tee on the Webworm store, and I told you I’d be throwing my profits over to Mutual Aid LA and Rainbow Youth New Zealand. Just to show I am not full of shit, here are the receipts. I ...
The podcast above of the weekly ‘Hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers on Thursday night features co-hosts & talking about the week’s news with regular and special guests, including: on the week in geopolitics, including the latest from Donald Trump over Gaza and Ukraine.Health expert and author David Galler ...
In an uncompromising paper Treasury has basically told the Government that its plan for a third medical school at Waikato University is a waste of money. Furthermore, the country cannot afford it. That advice was released this week by the Treasury under the Official Information Act. And it comes as ...
Back in November, He Pou a Rangi provided the government with formal advice on the domestic contribution to our next Paris target. Not what the target should be, but what we could realistically achieve, by domestic action alone, without resorting to offshore mitigation. Their answer was startling: depending on exactly ...
Photo by Mauricio Fanfa on UnsplashKia oraCome and join us for our weekly ‘Hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kākā for an hour at 5 pm today.Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream for our chat about the week’s news with myself , plus regular guest David Patman and ...
I don't like to spend all my time complaining about our government, so let me complain about the media first.Senior journalistic Herald person Thomas Coughlan reported that Treasury replied yeah nah, wrong bro to Luxon's claim that our benighted little country has been in recession for three years.His excitement rose ...
Back in 2022, when the government was consulting internally about proactive release of cabinet papers, the SIS opposed it. The basis of their opposition was the "mosaic effect" - people being able to piece together individual pieces of innocuous public information in a way which supposedly harms "national security" (effectively: ...
Our originating document, theTreaty of Waitangi, was signed on February 6, 1840. An agreement between Māori and the British Crown. Initially inked by Ngā Puhi in Waitangi, further signatures were added as it travelled south. The intention was to establish a colony with the cession of sovereignty to the Crown, ...
Te Whatu Ora Chief Executive Margie Apa leaving her job four months early is another symptom of this government’s failure to deliver healthcare for New Zealanders. ...
The Green Party is calling for the Prime Minister to show leadership and be unequivocal about Aotearoa New Zealand’s opposition to a proposal by the US President to remove Palestinians from Gaza. ...
The latest unemployment figures reveal that job losses are hitting Māori and Pacific people especially hard, with Māori unemployment reaching a staggering 9.7% for the December 2024 quarter and Pasifika unemployment reaching 10.5%. ...
Waitangi 2025: Waitangi Day must be community and not politically driven - Shane Jones Our originating document, theTreaty of Waitangi, was signed on February 6, 1840. An agreement between Māori and the British Crown. Initially inked by Ngā Puhi in Waitangi, further signatures were added as it travelled south. ...
Despite being confronted every day with people in genuine need being stopped from accessing emergency housing – National still won’t commit to building more public houses. ...
The Green Party says the Government is giving up on growing the country’s public housing stock, despite overwhelming evidence that we need more affordable houses to solve the housing crisis. ...
Before any thoughts of the New Year and what lies ahead could even be contemplated, New Zealand reeled with the tragedy of Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming losing her life. For over 38 years she had faithfully served as a front-line Police officer. Working alongside her was Senior Sergeant Adam Ramsay ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson will return to politics at Waitangi on Monday the 3rd of February where she will hold a stand up with fellow co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick. ...
Te Pāti Māori is appalled by the government's blatant mishandling of the school lunch programme. David Seymour’s ‘cost-saving’ measures have left tamariki across Aotearoa with unidentifiable meals, causing distress and outrage among parents and communities alike. “What’s the difference between providing inedible food, and providing no food at all?” Said ...
The Government is doubling down on outdated and volatile fossil fuels, showing how shortsighted and destructive their policies are for working New Zealanders. ...
Green Party MP Steve Abel this morning joined Coromandel locals in Waihi to condemn new mining plans announced by Shane Jones in the pit of the town’s Australian-owned Gold mine. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to strengthen its just-announced 2030-2035 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement and address its woeful lack of commitment to climate security. ...
Today marks a historic moment for Taranaki iwi with the passing of the Te Pire Whakatupua mō Te Kāhui Tupua/Taranaki Maunga Collective Redress Bill in Parliament. "Today, we stand together as descendants of Taranaki, and our tūpuna, Taranaki Maunga, is now formally acknowledged by the law as a living tūpuna. ...
Labour is relieved to see Children’s Minister Karen Chhour has woken up to reality and reversed her government’s terrible decisions to cut funding from frontline service providers – temporarily. ...
It is the first week of David Seymour’s school lunch programme and already social media reports are circulating of revolting meals, late deliveries, and mislabelled packaging. ...
The Green Party says that with no-cause evictions returning from today, the move to allow landlords to end tenancies without reason plunges renters, and particularly families who rent, into insecurity and stress. ...
The Government’s move to increase speed limits substantially on dozens of stretches of rural and often undivided highways will result in more serious harm. ...
In her first announcement as Economic Growth Minister, Nicola Willis chose to loosen restrictions for digital nomads from other countries, rather than focus on everyday Kiwis. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to stand firm and work with allies to progress climate action as Donald Trump signals his intent to pull out of the Paris Climate Accords once again. ...
The Government’s commitment to get New Zealand’s roads back on track is delivering strong results, with around 98 per cent of potholes on state highways repaired within 24 hours of identification every month since targets were introduced, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says. “Increasing productivity to help rebuild our economy is ...
The former Cadbury factory will be the site of the Inpatient Building for the new Dunedin Hospital and Health Minister Simeon Brown says actions have been taken to get the cost overruns under control. “Today I am giving the people of Dunedin certainty that we will build the new Dunedin ...
From today, Plunket in Whāngarei will be offering childhood immunisations – the first of up to 27 sites nationwide, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. The investment of $1 million into the pilot, announced in October 2024, was made possible due to the Government’s record $16.68 billion investment in health. It ...
New Zealand’s strong commitment to the rights of disabled people has continued with the response to an important United Nations report, Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston has announced. Of the 63 concluding observations of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), 47 will be progressed ...
Resources Minister Shane Jones has launched New Zealand’s national Minerals Strategy and Critical Minerals List, documents that lay a strategic and enduring path for the mineral sector, with the aim of doubling exports to $3 billion by 2035. Mr Jones released the documents, which present the Coalition Government’s transformative vision ...
Firstly I want to thank OceanaGold for hosting our event today. Your operation at Waihi is impressive. I want to acknowledge local MP Scott Simpson, local government dignitaries, community stakeholders and all of you who have gathered here today. It’s a privilege to welcome you to the launch of the ...
Racing Minister, Winston Peters has announced the Government is preparing public consultation on GST policy proposals which would make the New Zealand racing industry more competitive. “The racing industry makes an important economic contribution. New Zealand thoroughbreds are in demand overseas as racehorses and for breeding. The domestic thoroughbred industry ...
Business confidence remains very high and shows the economy is on track to improve, Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis says. “The latest ANZ Business Outlook survey, released yesterday, shows business confidence and expected own activity are ‘still both very high’.” The survey reports business confidence fell eight points to +54 ...
Enabling works have begun this week on an expanded radiology unit at Hawke’s Bay Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital which will double CT scanning capacity in Hawke’s Bay to ensure more locals can benefit from access to timely, quality healthcare, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. This investment of $29.3m in the ...
The Government has today announced New Zealand’s second international climate target under the Paris Agreement, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand will reduce emissions by 51 to 55 per cent compared to 2005 levels, by 2035. “We have worked hard to set a target that is both ambitious ...
Nine years of negotiations between the Crown and iwi of Taranaki have concluded following Te Pire Whakatupua mō Te Kāhui Tupua/the Taranaki Maunga Collective Redress Bill passing its third reading in Parliament today, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “This Bill addresses the historical grievances endured by the eight iwi ...
As schools start back for 2025, there will be a relentless focus on teaching the basics brilliantly so all Kiwi kids grow up with the knowledge, skills and competencies needed to grow the New Zealand of the future, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “A world-leading education system is a key ...
Housing Minister Chris Bishop and Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson have welcomed Kāinga Ora’s decision to re-open its tender for carpets to allow wool carpet suppliers to bid. “In 2024 Kāinga Ora issued requests for tender (RFTs) seeking bids from suppliers to carpet their properties,” Mr Bishop says. “As part ...
Associate Education Minister David Seymour has today visited Otahuhu College where the new school lunch programme has served up healthy lunches to students in the first days of the school year. “As schools open in 2025, the programme will deliver nutritious meals to around 242,000 students, every school day. On ...
Minister for Children Karen Chhour has intervened in Oranga Tamariki’s review of social service provider contracts to ensure Barnardos can continue to deliver its 0800 What’s Up hotline. “When I found out about the potential impact to this service, I asked Oranga Tamariki for an explanation. Based on the information ...
A bill to make revenue collection on imported and exported goods fairer and more effective had its first reading in Parliament, Customs Minister Casey Costello said today. “The Customs (Levies and Other Matters) Amendment Bill modernises the way in which Customs can recover the costs of services that are needed ...
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Department of Internal Affairs [the Department] has achieved significant progress in completing applications for New Zealand citizenship. “December 2024 saw the Department complete 5,661 citizenship applications, the most for any month in 2024. This is a 54 per cent increase compared ...
Reversals to Labour’s blanket speed limit reductions begin tonight and will be in place by 1 July, says Minister of Transport Chris Bishop. “The previous government was obsessed with slowing New Zealanders down by imposing illogical and untargeted speed limit reductions on state highways and local roads. “National campaigned on ...
Finance Minister Nicola Willis has announced Budget 2025 – the Growth Budget - will be delivered on Thursday 22 May. “This year’s Budget will drive forward the Government’s plan to grow our economy to improve the incomes of New Zealanders now and in the years ahead. “Budget 2025 will build ...
For the Government, 2025 will bring a relentless focus on unleashing the growth we need to lift incomes, strengthen local businesses and create opportunity. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today laid out the Government’s growth agenda in his Statement to Parliament. “Just over a year ago this Government was elected by ...
Associate Education Minister David Seymour welcomes students back to school with a call to raise attendance from last year. “The Government encourages all students to attend school every day because there is a clear connection between being present at school and setting yourself up for a bright future,” says Mr ...
The Government is relaxing visitor visa requirements to allow tourists to work remotely while visiting New Zealand, Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis, Immigration Minister Erica Stanford and Tourism Minister Louise Upston say. “The change is part of the Government’s plan to unlock New Zealand’s potential by shifting the country onto ...
The opening of Kāinga Ora’s development of 134 homes in Epuni, Lower Hutt will provide much-needed social housing for Hutt families, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I’ve been a strong advocate for social housing on Kāinga Ora’s Epuni site ever since the old earthquake-prone housing was demolished in 2015. I ...
Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay will travel to Australia today for meetings with Australian Trade Minister, Senator Don Farrell, and the Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum (ANZLF). Mr McClay recently hosted Minister Farrell in Rotorua for the annual Closer Economic Relations (CER) Trade Ministers’ meeting, where ANZLF presented on ...
A new monthly podiatry clinic has been launched today in Wairoa and will bring a much-needed service closer to home for the Wairoa community, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.“Health New Zealand has been successful in securing a podiatrist until the end of June this year to meet the needs of ...
The Judicial Conduct Commissioner has recommended a Judicial Conduct Panel be established to inquire into and report on the alleged conduct of acting District Court Judge Ema Aitken in an incident last November, Attorney-General Judith Collins said today. “I referred the matter of Judge Aitken’s alleged conduct during an incident ...
Students who need extra help with maths are set to benefit from a targeted acceleration programme that will give them more confidence in the classroom, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “Last year, significant numbers of students did not meet the foundational literacy and numeracy level required to gain NCEA. To ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has announced three new diplomatic appointments. “Our diplomats play an important role in ensuring New Zealand’s interests are maintained and enhanced across the world,” Mr Peters says. “It is a pleasure to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and ...
Ki te kahore he whakakitenga, ka ngaro te Iwi – without a vision, the people will perish. The Government has achieved its target to reduce the number of households in emergency housing motels by 75 per cent five years early, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. The number of households ...
The opening of Palmerston North’s biggest social housing development will have a significant impact for whānau in need of safe, warm, dry housing, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. The minister visited the development today at North Street where a total of 50 two, three, and four-bedroom homes plus a ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced the new membership of the Public Advisory Committee on Disarmament and Arms Control (PACDAC), who will serve for a three-year term. “The Committee brings together wide-ranging expertise relevant to disarmament. We have made six new appointments to the Committee and reappointed two existing members ...
Ka nui te mihi kia koutou. Kia ora, good morning, talofa, malo e lelei, bula vinaka, da jia hao, namaste, sat sri akal, assalamu alaikum. It’s so great to be here and I’m ready and pumped for 2025. Can I start by acknowledging: Simon Bridges – CEO of the Auckland ...
The Government has unveiled a bold new initiative to position New Zealand as a premier destination for foreign direct investment (FDI) that will create higher paying jobs and grow the economy. “Invest New Zealand will streamline the investment process and provide tailored support to foreign investors, to increase capital investment ...
Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins today announced the largest reset of the New Zealand science system in more than 30 years with reforms which will boost the economy and benefit the sector. “The reforms will maximise the value of the $1.2 billion in government funding that goes into ...
Turbocharging New Zealand’s economic growth is the key to brighter days ahead for all Kiwis, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says. In the Prime Minister’s State of the Nation Speech in Auckland today, Christopher Luxon laid out the path to the prosperity that will affect all aspects of New Zealanders’ lives. ...
The latest set of accounts show the Government has successfully checked the runaway growth of public spending, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. “In the previous government’s final five months in office, public spending was almost 10 per cent higher than for the same period the previous year. “That is completely ...
The Government’s welfare reforms are delivering results with the number of people moving off benefits into work increasing year-on-year for six straight months. “There are positive signs that our welfare reset and the return consequences for job seekers who don't fulfil their obligations to prepare for or find a job ...
Jon Kroll and Aimee McCammon have been appointed to the New Zealand Film Commission Board, Arts Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “I am delighted to appoint these two new board members who will bring a wealth of industry, governance, and commercial experience to the Film Commission. “Jon Kroll has been an ...
Finance Minister Nicola Willis has hailed a drop in the domestic component of inflation, saying it increases the prospect of mortgage rate reductions and a lower cost of living for Kiwi households. Stats NZ reported today that inflation was 2.2 per cent in the year to December, the second consecutive ...
Two new appointed members and one reappointed member of the Employment Relations Authority have been announced by Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden today. “I’m pleased to announce the new appointed members Helen van Druten and Matthew Piper to the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) and welcome them to ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The weekend byelection in the outer suburban seat of Werribee saw the widely-anticipated slap-in-the-face to Victorian Labor, which is absolutely on the nose. The question is: to what degree were electors venting against federal Labor ...
Mediawatch -Trump's alarmed the world with trade tariffs, turning off aid and proposing to take over Gaza. But New Zealand's had diplomatic drama in the news too - with the media in the middle of it. ...
By Rachel Helyer Donaldson, RNZ News journalist New Zealand should be robust in its response to the “unacceptable” situation in Gaza but it must also back its allies against threats by the US President, says an international relations academic. Otago University professor of international relations Robert Patman said the rest ...
A Christchurch man who lost 55 relatives in three Israeli airstrikes on Gaza says his remaining family will never leave, despite a US proposal to remove them. ...
Asia Pacific Report A national Palestine advocacy group has hit back at critics of its “genocide hotline” campaign against soldiers involved in Israel’s war against Gaza, saying New Zealand should be actively following international law. The Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA) dismissed a “predictable lineup of apologists for Israel” for ...
ACT Party leader David Seymour said he wrote to police about the treatment of Philip Polkinghorne because it's an electorate MP's job to pass on the concerns of their constituents. ...
MEDIAWATCH:By Colin Peacock, RNZ Mediawatch presenter By the time US President Donald Trump announced tariffs on China and Canada last Monday which could kickstart a trade war, New Zealand’s diplomats in Washington, DC, had already been deployed on another diplomatic drama. Republican Senator Ted Cruz had said on social ...
By Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific journalist Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown says New Zealand is asking for too much oversight over its deal with China, which is expected to be penned in Beijing next week. Brown told RNZ Pacific the Cook Islands-New Zealand relationship was reciprocal. “They certainly did ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne Byelections occurred on Saturday in the Victorian state seats of Prahran and Werribee. The Liberals gained Prahran from the Greens by a ...
A long time ago, Brian Turner wrote a poem in which, among the mountains, as he slept on a river flat … My speechless ancestors played like mice among my dreamsand he woke to the river running over my bed of stone. I have come to know that where a ...
Pacific Media Watch President Donald Trump has frozen billions of dollars around the world in aid projects, including more than $268 million allocated by Congress to support independent media and the free flow of information. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has denounced this decision, which has plunged NGOs, media outlets, and ...
Otago University professor of international relations Robert Patman says New Zealand should provide a robust response to Donald Trump's Gaza plan, and also "should stop tip-toeing" around Trump. ...
The new minister of transport has opened the door for public consultation on at least some of the speed limit changes the government said would be automatic. ...
Officially, they’re called ‘memecoins,’ but Kōura Wealth founder Rupert Carlyon says the crypto world has another name for them: ‘shitcoins’.In digital finance, that phrase is used for tokens that have no true value – in essence, a money-grab.A few days before his inauguration, US President Donald Trump launched his own ...
Madeleine Chapman reflects on the week that was. Guy Williams has made a whole show off the joke that he is a “volunteer” journalist. So getting publicly owned by David Seymour while trying to act as a journalist is a good and timely reminder not to underestimate the nuance and ...
Many of Sāmoa’s beloved dishes are the result of cultural collaboration, writes Madeleine Chapman. All photos by Jin FelletIf you ever find yourself at a barbecue in a Sāmoan home, there’s 99% chance that sapasui (chop suey) will be on the table. For the past century, sapasui has ...
The funnyman takes us through his life in television, including Jono and Ben mayhem, live Telethon flubs, and funnelling all those experiences into his new comedy Vince. There’s an inciting incident in Three’s new comedy Vince where morning television presenter Vince Walters (Jono Pryor) is visiting sick kids in hospital ...
People often claim they just want Waitangi Day to be a celebration. At Waitangi, away from the headlined political acrimony and the marae ātea, celebrating is what most people are doing. The Spinoff Essay showcases the best essayists in Aotearoa, on topics big and small. Made possible by the generous ...
Is there anything more fashionable than a Māori get together? One of the best things about Northland is that nobody cares what they look like — probably because they’re all naturally more stylish than the rest of us, famously. Māori from the Far North, especially. In 27 degree heat, wearing ...
I’ve been in love with him since last July, but it’s only now in this tepid hotel room that I find myself wondering why. The first thing he does when we arrive is smoke a cone in the bathroom – he emerges, hacking up a lung, fists thrust into his ...
MONDAY“Name,” barked a representative of the lower orders.I regarded him with a look of stern disapproval, and told him from up high, “May I remind you that I have name suppression. I shall also thank you to ask with more respect as befits a former president of the Act Party, ...
Books of Mana: 180 Māori-Authored Books of Significance, edited by Jacinta Ruru, Angela Wanhalla and Jeanette Wikaira has just been released by Otago University Press. In this essay, Books are Taonga, Jeanette Wikaira explores her personal relationship to books and their value.For me, books are taonga. The knowledge ...
Get to know Tara, our latest Dog of the Month. This feature was offered as a reward during our What’s Eating Aotearoa PledgeMe campaign. Thank you to Tara’s human for their support! Dog name: Tara Age: Two Breed: Mostly Border Collie and a little bit Catahoula Leopard dog If dog ...
Health NZ's CEO has resigned, but frontline healthworkers are sceptical that installing new leadership will make any difference to a system grappling with problems. ...
Health NZ's CEO has resigned, but frontline healthworkers are sceptical that installing new leadership will make any difference to a system grappling with problems. ...
Gail Duncan, Chairperson of the St Peter’s on Willis Social Justice Group, one of the organisations invited to submit on the Bill, says the Government’s actions are unprecedented. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amani Kasherwa, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, The University of Queensland In late January, a rebel group that has long caused mayhem in the sprawling African nation of Democratic Republic of Congo took control of Goma, a major city of ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yee-Fui Ng, Associate Professor, Faculty of Law, Monash University An ad falsely depicting independent candidate Alex Dyson as a Greens member.ABC News/Supplied The highly pertinent case of a little-known independent candidate in the Victorian seat of Wannon has exposed a gaping ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lauren Ball, Professor of Community Health and Wellbeing, The University of Queensland Nik/Unsplash You might have heard that eating too many eggs will cause high cholesterol levels, leading to poor health. Researchers have examined the science behind this myth again, and ...
Everything you missed from the third day of the Treaty principles bill hearings, when the Justice Committee heard four hours of oral submission. Read our recaps of day one of the hearings here, and day two here. Parliament was quiet on Friday for the third day of hearings on the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Thomas Jeffries, Senior Lecturer in Microbiology, Western Sydney University Tijana Simic/Shutterstock The news last week that three people in Sydney were hospitalised with botulism after receiving botox injections has raised questions about the regulation of the cosmetic injectables industry. The ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jens Blotevogel, Principal Research Scientist and Team Leader for Remediation Technologies, CSIRO Mino Surkala, Shutterstock Lithium-ion batteries are part of everyday life. They power small rechargeable devices such as mobile phones and laptops. They enable electric vehicles. And larger versions store ...
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I see that if John Key is returned to power he intends to ring fence the power company share proceeds into a special fund that will be used to obtain productive infrastructure.
I have just the investment for him to consider. This investment is in an area that is strategically vital to the country. Its value will only increase as the price of oil continues its irreversible path higher. The investment will save overseas funds, and local control will benefit local industry as well as Kiwis personally.
The return on this investment is very good and within nine years it will pay for itself. From then on all income will be pure profit. And there is no purchase cost, no risk and miraculously the cost of privatizing the power companies will disappear.
The investment is to retain the power companies in public ownership. This should be a very easy decision to make.
I love the smell of sarcasm in the morning…..
If he is so keen to have an infrastructure fund then why not ring fence the revenue from the assets now?
The problem he has is that he has taken out of the revenue $2 billion in tax cuts for the rich and he has failed to energise the economy in such a way that he could use the revenue to pay for standard budget items.
Throw in the fact that he is trapped by promising sales to the RWNJs in National, who want wholesale asset sales, and you find he is supporting an unpopular policy.
I see that the ‘ring fencing’ is in areas that National hopes to introduce greater private sector involvement.
Apparently, there will be $400m for internet network between schools. I wonder who will get the contract to put that in and ‘maintain’ the system (perhaps with a rent).
Key needs to be pushed on how this ring fenced money will actually result in publicly owned and operated assets, rather than just public money being put into projects for private companies to make a profit.
If he wants to assuage concerns that there will be an overall loss of public ownership of assets then, presumably, he’d be happy to give assurances that none of this saved money will end up in private pockets?
The PM’s admission of failure
That seems to sum it up well enough.
Brilliant MS! Too simple for Key, but…
Ha! Ha! Jonkey is afraid to debate with Phil Goff on RadioNZ Morning Report this morning…. he needs “more time to prepare”…. He’s had 3 years?!!! So Shonkey will just do an interview next week. SHAME… is this the most inadequate PM NZ has ever had?
Bok bok bok…..
It’s one thing not to have your picture on a billboard but a whole other thing to run from facing up in debates.
What is he afraid of? Slurring his words? Not shaking Goff’s hand properly? People might say bad things about him and not give him the validation he craves?
This is definitely a harm minimisation approach.
I think today, every time John Key is mentioned I will let loose a “bok bok bok”.
(Yes, my life is that sad but I will make me feel good – until the sun goes over the yardarm).
I’m liking this bok bok bok thing…
bok bok bok ?
like …
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=bok
Bok.Bok.Bok.
Why hasnt sombody come up with that definition before, suits Key down to the ground.
Hey, I did it the other day … but mine was like this …
book book
But that may be a bit too intellectual for Key, our most chicken PM ever.
Check the number four of meanings of the word. Maybe he’s expected to do that to his masters. ROFL!
I was made up with Phil Goff, he was awesome… despite the hostility of the 3 interviewers…
Very hard to understand Key’s reluctance to front – unless he knows that to front is to expose his shallowness.
I wonder if TV1 tonight will prevent shouting over the top of other speakers is controlled by switching off microphones, as they do in the House?
More likely Key can be wired with an earpiece for TV. I know he couldn’t for radio, or at least that’s my limited tech understanding, happy to be corrected.
If that’s the case, Goff could win a point by mentioning that unlike Key, he can run his own lines.
Key’s reluctance to front may be part of National Party elections strategy.
If you’re too frightened to speak because people might think you’re an idiot, best to keep quiet rather than confirm it.
MANA MEDIA RELEASE
31 October 2011
Saisbury complaained of the same last week on closeup.
Someone should maintain a register of each of his chickenshit no-shows. And publish it.
book book book bok
Had an appointment with Jenny Craig
A brilliant look at the Anthropologist who was instrumental in the start of and the horizontal style of OWS…
http://thebrowser.com/articles/david-graeber-anti-leader-occupy-wall-street
And an interesting development, @occupymarines teaching tactics to protestors when faced with riot police..
http://occupymarines.org/occupyomc-occupy-america/occupied-riot-resistance-orr/occupied-riot-resistance-1/
Thanks for the David Graeber article link – I will be looking out for his book “Debt: The first 5,000 years”.
The Decade Wall St Went Insane Pt 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVUEcqiyoB0
And this is why the financial world is in the shit, and why worker pension funds are now under funded by hundreds of billions.
These ‘traders’ decided to go to Las Vegas with other peoples’ money. This is John Key’s background.
In fact he was in that world right up until March 2001 and left after having helped Merrill Lynch set up their derivatives department and well after the repeal of the Glass Steagall and the housing bubble well on its way act mentioned in the second part of this nice little mini doco.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ham6vFy8v2I
Sound track for a New Labour party ad featuring Phil, Trevor, the two Davids, Grant and Damien, full leathers, Harleys, high speed, an empty country road, and a town in the distance. Phil’s bike just out ahead and those pants are tiigght! Cut to shot of Key mincing in an all black Jersey……
The debate tonight at 7.00 on TV1 Should be good. Shonkey will not be able to hide behind his favourate game of blame shifting, and will have to be accountable, if he uses his normal method of debating, like he does in parlimentry question time he will only confirm that he and his mates are well and truly in the mire, and will have pressed the self destruct button.
No Reason for Partial Privatization
The National party would have us believe that without partial privatization of our power companies, we will not be able to fund new schools…
Why? hasnt national just closed a few of our schools, or was that just so he could give a reason to sell some of our other assets.
National has even closed the school where they shot John Keys 2008 election campaign video… you know the one where all those kids are singing about a brighter future.
I like imperator fish take.
Sell assets to pay for the schools leaky buildings. Who was it that changed the regs to allow leaky buildings?
John Cleese had a problem. I have a similar sort of problem 🙂
It”s just a fact of political life, the fruitier the loop the greater the media harvest.
Not normal, PG, just stuffy. Face it, we’re part of yesterday’s generation. However, you do show occasional signs of fruitloopery, maybe because you’re tone deaf when it comes to yoof and their dis-ease with the sensible elderly types who’ve survived very nicely, thanks, on trying to keep the golden showers flowing. Only fruitloops jive to the band on the Titanic.
Hooten just said on Nine to Noon that Key was mobbed in ChCh on Saturday, with people queuing for hours to have thier photo taken with him.
Any truth in this? Or more deflecting BS from Hooten?
Mobbed with people? Its not like the DPS to slack off.
Therefore sounds like BS.
But I hope Hooten keeps this up.
Delusoons of Grandeur from some one.
Peter Sinclair’s newest video looks at the fallout from UC Berkeley physicist Richard Muller’s research.
Nationals Propaganda on Rena
The NZ Herald has become a function of the current National government, providing spin to promote a regime of disinformation…
The Sunday star times is running a 2011 elections banner across the top of political pages in National party blue complete with National party stars in the background.
I think a complaint to the electoral commission is in order – the impartial colour for referencing the elections is the orange employed by the electoral commission itself.
I haven’t seen the actual paper but going on your description and what they have as the banner on the stuff website isn’t that the NZ flag?
Same stars as the NZ flag, but no union jack – looks like a national party banner flapping in the wind with the ‘N’ obscured to me.
Either way the dominant presence of a colour block and stylistic features that match the branding of one of our political parties creates an impression of dominance or authority and this in turn influences opinion.
This is why we have election orange for the electoral commission – because their voice must not endorse a particular political party. The Sunday Star Times is supposed to adhere to similar principles and not resort to cheap psych tricks to big up their buddies.
This makes me angry, pricks.
U.S. had advance warning of abuse at Afghan prisons.
KABUL — Across the street from U.S. military headquarters in Kabul, shrouded from view by concrete walls, the Afghan intelligence agency runs a detention facility for up to 40 terrorism suspects that is known as Department 124. So much torture took place inside, one detainee told the United Nations, that it has earned another name: “People call it Hell.”
But long before the world body publicly revealed “systematic torture” in Afghan intelligence agency detention centers, top officials from the State Department, CIA and U.S. military received multiple warnings about abuses at Department 124 and other Afghan facilities, according to Afghan and Western officials with knowledge of the situation.
Despite the warnings, the United States continued to transfer detainees to Afghan intelligence service custody, the officials said. Even as other countries stopped handing over detainees to problematic facilities, the U.S. government did not.
U.S. Special Operations troops delivered detainees to Department 124. CIA officials regularly visited the facility, which was rebuilt last year with American money, to interrogate high-level Taliban and al-Qaeda suspects, according to Afghan and Western officials familiar with the site. Afghan intelligence officials said Americans never participated in the torture but should have known about it.
When the United Nations brought allegations of widespread detainee abuse on Aug. 30 to Gen. John Allen, the top U.S. military commander here, he took swift action ahead of the public release of the findings. Coalition troops stopped transferring detainees to Department 124 and 15 other police and intelligence agency prisons. They also hastily began a program to monitor those facilities and conduct human rights classes for interrogators.
A remodeled parable:
A young woman was about to finish her first year of university. Like so many others her age, she considered herself to be leftish/socialist, and she was very much in favour of higher taxes to support more government programs – in other words, the redistribution of wealth.
She was ashamed that her father was a business owner, a feeling she openly expressed. Based on the lectures that she had attended, and the occasional chat with a professor, she felt that her father had for years harboured a selfish desire to keep what he thought should be his.
One day she was challenging her father on his opposition to higher taxes on the rich and the need for more government programs.
The self-professed objectivity proclaimed by her professors had to be the truth, and she indicated so to her father. He responded by asking how she was doing at university.
Taken aback, she answered rather haughtily that she had a 90% average, and let him know that it was tough to maintain, insisting that she was taking a very difficult course load and was constantly studying, which left her no time to go out and party like other people she knew. She didn’t even have time for a boyfriend, and didn’t really have many university friends because she spent all her time studying.
Her father listened and then asked, “How is your friend doing?” She replied, “She is barely getting by. All she takes are easy classes, she never studies and she barely has a 50% average. She is so popular on campus; university for her is a blast. She’s always invited to all the parties, and lots of times she doesn’t even show up for classes because she’s too hung over.”
Her father asked his daughter, “Why don’t you go to the Dean’s office and ask him to deduct 20% off your average and give it to your friend who only has 50%. That way you will both have a 70% average, and certainly that would be fair and equal.”
The daughter, visibly shocked by her father’s suggestion, angrily fired back, “That’s a crazy idea, how would that be fair! I’ve worked really hard for my grades! I’ve invested a lot of time, and a lot of hard work! Audrey has done next to nothing toward her degree. She played while I worked my tail off!”
The father slowly smiled, winked and said gently, “welcome to socialist reality.”
You should stick with bland non committal sanctimonious pronouncements Pete – they really are your forte.
I’m not surprised you don’t want to get it. You know what? Troll attacks don’t bother me.
What is United Futures position on retaining interest free student loans Pete?
No policy so intent is to leave interest as is – and to have zero fees and abolish student allowances to stop taking and giving money-go-round and abuse by business people.
Student loans still for living expenses, but they will be substantially reduced.
http://www.unitedfuture.org.nz/tertiary-education-1/
No policy = UF will not oppose interest on student loans – and not only that wants to remove student allowances as well.
Some friend to students you are – first saddling them with debt and then bleeding them dry with interest.
Exactly Campbell, “no policy” means “go along with whatever National wants”.
Pete do you always substitute parable for serious thought?
And why post something you borrowed off the sewer?
Wouldn’t you rather talk about policies or the ills of the world or what we should do to make the world a better place?
Would you say the attitude displayed by your fictional student could be found in any political group or any group at all? What would it’s name be and what are its causes?
Have you demonstrated your character to be a Socialist as you say, or have you discovered that your evidence points elsewhere.
Are you suggesting that educated people cannot be socialists?
Are you saying that older people in business cannot be socialists? Where is the cut off age?
What makes a socialist, Pete? Where’s the specific turning point?
What indicators are there that she was ashamed of her Father?
If the Father was already intending to trick his daughter, was he really listening to her ideas?
What is a good definition of listening, Pete?
Why was the daughter “taken aback” at her Father asking about her grades? Did he not usually speak to her?
Are you suggesting that the only route open to humans is to “selfishly take” what one thinks to be their own?
Evolutionary Altruism, Pete. Discuss and offer alternatives.
Socialist idealism usually falls over in the face of real life.
Apart from the common peril of power socialism never works due to inherent incentive lacking large scale laziness. Capitalism’s biggest problem is greed but that can be controlled if there is enough will.
Pete, please define:
Socialism
Real life
Laziness
modes of incentive
will
Please expand on your claim that greed can be effectively controlled. What methods exactly?
So you’d be spending your twilight years staying in bed until noon and watching tele, were it not for the “incentive’ of a big fat politicians pay cheque for all this industrious campaigning, Pete? Not so much about a passionate desire to reeallllly represent people after all, Pete?
I’m shocked, shocked!
Capitalisms biggest failure is it has to be heavily socialistically regulated to work in real life.
There. Fixed it for you! Again!
Pete, many of us work very had for a wage that is far lower than we could command for less thrilling work in the private sector; your childish story is quite simply that, childish.
Some of us actually do stuff that benefits others, not shareholders.
Here’s a ‘Epilogue’ to your morality tale, Pete George.
“And then she remembered. Her friend had just had her parents divorce after a long five years when her father was made redundant twice and her mother had been diagnosed with depression. On top of that the friend had had to take out a large student loan because her home was no longer a safe place for her.
She turned to her father and said, “You’re just being heartless and taking no account of the circumstances that ordinary people have to deal with. That’s what makes you say such simplistic rubbish. Personally, I’d be happy to have my student fees go up if I knew that the University would provide more affordable, live-in accommodation, free health checks and the other supports to nurture those qualities that I see in my friend … and the reason I call her ‘friend’!
You could learn a thing or two about reality, Dad. There’s still hope for you!!”
How does your laziness theory, explain that when the work was available, at a time when benefits were relatively a lot higher than now, the Prime Minister could say he knew every one of the unemployed by name.
From that bastion of intelligent debate, conservapedia.
Moron.
I like this one:
“How do you tell a communist? Well, it’s someone who reads Marx and Lenin. And how do you tell an anti-Communist? It’s someone who understands Marx and Lenin.”
So now reading something makes you the thing described and understanding makes you anti? This could prove hilariously problematic.
Like most right wing propaganda you forget the real story.
At university it was the rich kids who were partying, infesting the ski-fields and having gap years.
While investing their student allowance/loan. Their marks are generally not that good. But it doesn’t matter because they went to Kings with the right people.
The kids with working class parents couldn’t afford to bag off and are in lectures every day after working a 10 hour shift at the supermarket.
On average hard working business owners do not earn much more than wage earners.
Dominance by big corporates of finance and markets ensures that.
Most wealthy are people who do no work whatsoever while the accumulate more money, from pre-existing wealth, than they can ever spend in their lifetimes.
Or business managers/directors who, in NZ anyway, have proved so incapable of actually running or starting a business they want to steal ours.
You forgot to add that the rich kid then got the better job post-degree than the poor kid, as the bosses of the business sent their kids to the same fee paying school. The system sucks, time to change it.
Thought I did mention Kings.
Sorry, meant the original poster 🙂 (The wonderful PG!)
🙂
So I take it from this ‘parable’ that you are against all forms of income redistribution?
Not at all, that’s a starnge conclusion.
With money/tax/benefits ome redistribution is essential, it’s a matter of getting the right balance – and making everyone “equal” is not the right balance.
Many people would work fine within socialism (I’m not particularly money driven), as many people work fine within capitalism. But significant numbers don’t.
The commune experiments in the 70s often failed because a few hardworking idealists found couldn’t support (and eventually didn’t want to support) the number of freeloaders wanting an easy life for little input.
Capitalism is failing now because we hard workers cannot support the financial system that is freeloading off our work.
The system, that in the USA, now owes more money than US real productivity can repay in 1000 years.
Actually, Anglo Saxon capitalism’s biggest mistake, IMHO, is that we let accountants off the stools in the back office and let them foster the delusion they can run anything.
“Accountants know the cost of everything and the value of nothing”.
Anyway. Who is arguing for making everyone’s income equal. I am not.
However. There is no justification for someone earning 100’s of times more than someone else. No one works that much harder.
Pete. If you are not money driven, why do you give so much support to those that are!
How much support do I give who KJT?
Do you not support anyone who is driven to earn more?
I applaud people who earn more from their own efforts and contribution to society.
Unlike you, I do not support those who gain an income from society, out of all proportion to their contribution, simply because they have money capital. Or find ever more useless ways of increasing their share.
It’s not a strange conclusion. The comment above suggests income redistribution can never work because it will merely be providing money to those who are lazy and not working hard enough. It doesn’t go into the complexities of the real life situation at all. Thus, it seems to me that you think that redistribution is a load of crock and can never work.
If you post simplistic comments, expect simplistic conclusions.
I didn’t say anything like that.
Yes you did, right here. Or are you now going to deny that you posted that simplistic clap trap?
Pete George your parable is a pile of shit with virutally zero features that are comparable with what you are trying to compare it to.
I had some time for your relatively shallow musings before but this has really taken that esteem down a peg or three. All those cliches about the quality of our politicians srping to mind again thanks to this shit.
Good luck in the election – I suspect that even with all the luck in the world it wont be enough …
simple is as simple does
91% income tax rate over 25x the median wage.
Land taxes and estate taxes on net property over $2M.
FTT @ 0.1%.
And a universal income for all NZ citizens.
Except that’s not socialist but normal RWNJ stupidity.
This story says much about your lack of understanding about Socialism and it’s not particularly original either. If you wish to run a critique on Socialism by all means go ahead, but please do some basic research first before commiting keyboard to screen.
Sigh, I first read a version of that in the Libertarian rag that briefly existed in 1984! The old-fashioned language is a dead giveaway…
Fish evolve immunity to toxic sludge, or rather they woke up a dominent
more costly gene put to sleep. So what would Brash had done? Well
fish were hurting and so Brash would have thrown them a life line,
kept fish from toxic sludge and so left them better able to survive
in clean seas. Well that doesn’t sound like free market theory, that
sounds more like national socialism, protectionism, Australian,
British companies directly competing with NZ companies pay
CGT, have to pay more to attract those who can deal with the
complexity, and they also don’t have to pay workers as much
because workers get the first 5,000 off excempt of tax, and
workers don’t pay tax on fresh food. But Brash can’t understand
it, or can MSM, how could food being less than sugary drinks
actually help the economy avoid costs like diabeties, poverty,
obsecity.
Whehn the MSM give these reckless right wing idiots too much
time, they manufacture consent for inane seat warmers of the
right, they do our economy a deep disservice. I have a really
dim view of Victoria University, their economic department
cannot serious condone what Brash says in any shape or form.
red herring pete geroge. all societys except eastern despotisms and out and out tyranny’s are a mixture of socilaism/ capitalism. they are not mirro images or each other and neither are they an either or proposition. the major problem with capitalism is that it alloows the accumulators of capital to keep increasing their wealth without actually doing anything. then the f*ckers begin to think they did it all themselves. worst of all are the accountants who just want everything because they are like that. i.e. too much is not enough.
Admins – please do a Big Bruv on pete!!
Don’t you like anyone encouraging discussion? Or do you want just want restricted discussionto suot your preferences.
Plenty of jumping to conclusion about my intent, you don’t even know what I think about the parable. Attack first, don’t think later seems to be a common theme here.
I like discussion. Just prefer the RWNJ’s would come up with some original thought for us to get our teeth into.
You don’t encourage discussion – you seem to do your damnedest to undermine it with you puerile non answers and assertions.
Pete, you just talk shit mate!
Instead of saying what you think about the parable, you take 7 posts to tell us we don’t know what you think? You’re a troll and have entered my ignore list.
snot your preferences pete you give the average troll a bad name
Reading through a Kiwiblog thread on tax cuts for the rich offered by Labour, today, and I find this:
Pete George (11,634) Says:
October 31st, 2011 at 1:16 pm
Mark’s parable is very good, but it doesn’t just apply to staunch right versus left, most of the centre would probably also acknowledge the message in that.
A comment in reply to the same parable you posted here 10 mins afterwards. So that’s what’s you think of it. It’s “very good” and since you identify with the centre on yours and UF blog, you agree with it’s message. You’re a troll. You come here to troll.
Please do not jump to the conclusion that I agree with you in any way but this Pete George – but it’s sadly true that people here are very good at attacking first, and not asking questions later…
Hot off the Herald website
Govt does not convince business
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10762942
also
and (saving the best till last)
So, the business community is getting word about the Nats!
Solid rumour around the traps down these parts is that Brownlee is threatening the Christchurch City Council with an Ecan-style sacking post-election.
He needs to be called on it. Pre-election. Perhaps during the debate tonight with Key.
If he does go through with this threat I predict all hell will break loose and it will leave the protests around the Ecan sacking looking like a picnic in the park in comparison.
I haven’t decided who to vote for yet Mana or the Greens
depends if hone looks like getting in, amongst other things
Order at Moment
Greens
Mana
Labour
Latest digipoll reported on RNZ this evening has Hone ahead.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/election-2011/89692/poll-puts-hone-harawira-in-lead-in-te-tai-tokerau
2011 Election Debate Fail
Despite John Key refusing to be a part of the actual debate, I thought the Native Affairs election kick off on Maori television was very good. Overall it was well produced and insightful, making me hopeful that this years campaigning would be worth watching…
3News tonight, (Patrick Gower’s article for those who want to see the vision), Key and Goff shake hands. Goff is genuine and makes eye contact. Key ducks and dives and scurries away.
Hhmmm…..telling.
And did you see Brash’s comment to Gower where he called him a “deceitful bastard”
Ah the wheels are starting to fall off when you start abusing the media 4 weeks out from an election. Smart, real Smart, there Don.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Brash-rattled-by-retirement-question/tabid/419/articleID/231294/Default.aspx
Oh and John Banks out in the Leathers today, No sign of the Harley. It’s sickening the stunts they will pull when they are desperate.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10762767
On TV3 website Top 10 oddest John Key moments
Ooooooooohhhhh crrrrrrrrraaaaaaaaaaapppppppppp
John Key’s announcing the welfare changes tomorrow.
The ones that will probably see mothers and their babies out on the street.
Recession – tick
Wages decreasing in real terms – tick
Profits sky rocketing – tick
There’s something seriously wrong with this picture.