As DV points out below. A good example of climate change.
You seem to chant global warming over and over again like a mantra without ever engaging your brain to think what that means in the real world. Which is why you find weather disconcerting.
I suspect from your previous comments that you’d prefer the the wold operated on simple models like black body radiative models or daisyworld that have no real world equivalents. Then you don’t have to consider that increasing warmth in the artic (the polar regions are those that are warming fastest) provide the energy to push colder air masses to lower latitudes. This is the process of atmospheric and oceanic thermal mixing. It is chaotic and you have to deal with itin terms of probabilities.
Oh and whoever is in the way of a warming polar region pushing out cold air masses will get colder than usual weather..
I think it’s you that are the dumbarse Lprent. Blind to your own ignorance of the cycles of this planet. The circumventing going on at the Polar Regions is nothing more than an after effect of the axial tilt of the earth changing as we go through precession.
Eventually, the polar regions will move to a different area in the northern hemisphere. The way that it’s going means that Greenland will probably become ice free again, but another landmass will no doubt replace Greenland as an ice covered region.
How about opening your blinkers and looking at the long game. Global warming is DEAD. Climate Change is a crock of shit with those two words being bandied about by scientists and people like you, who really have no idea. You can talk all you like about feedback loops and radiative models, but when you ignore the biggest thing that makes us human, intuition, then you’re losing out on quite a bit more that science can’t explain. I’m going to stake my flag quite firmly and say that this country will get a second snowstorm similar to last year again this year.
It’s useless trying to educate those like you, who believe they’re all knowing just because they got a degree in Earth Science in the 1930’s. Newsflash: The Sun is the biggest driver of temperature in our Solar System. Of course you’ve already poo pooed that idea, so I’d love to hear where you think our temperature rates on this planet come from.
Perhaps you should read up a little bit more about precession and axial tilt which causes ice ages and interglacials. It’s no coincidence that the poles have both moved so far from where they originally were a few thousand years ago, and still were until recently. Read here, and get a bit more open minded
It’s not so much “Read here, and get a bit more open minded” but Read here, and lose all tough with reality. I’d suggest you lay off the mind altering substances but it’s obviously already far too late.
Have you looked at the time period that earth’s orbital precession takes? Something like 25k years. Now explain to me how we can see effects in decades? I expect that your “intuition” tells you that it happens almost daily…
Did you read my answer to grumpy about why they’re getting cold air masses moving further south? It is the same reason as it has happened before. Umm here is a post from 2009 A note to the idiots. Weather is not climate. and this was the polar view chart of oddities of heat that month.
Notice that then there were higher than usual temps in the polar areas and colder than usual areas in the continental landmasses adjacent? That is what happens when a pile of cold air gets pushed south at the north pole.
Rather than expending all of that energy on ‘intuition’ and getting my attention. Why don’t you exert enough effort that I don’t have to point out stuff I wrote two years ago.
Suzanne Goldenberg reports for ‘The Guardian’:
(Forwarded from the respected website, ‘Common Dreams’.)
The The Wall Street Journal has received a dressing down from a large group of leading scientists for promoting retrograde and out-of-date views on climate change.
In an opinion piece run by the Journal on Wednesday, nearly 40 scientists, including acknowledged climate change experts, take on the paper for publishing an article disputing the evidence on global warming.
The offending article, No Need to Panic About Global Warming, which appeared last week, argued that climate change was a cunning ploy deployed by governments to raise taxes and by non-profit organisations to solicit donations to save the planet.
It was signed by 16 scientists who don’t subscribe to the conventional wisdom that climate change is happening and is largely man-made – but as Wednesday’s letter points out, many of those who signed don’t actually work on climate science.
In major blow to the fossil fuel industry roading lobby in this country, the Labour Party has just issued a press release attacking the concept of continueing to build more motorways.
Press Release – New Zealand Labour Party
The Government’s ‘roads of national significance’ are tipped to become increasingly insignificant as high oil prices take their toll on road use, Labour’s Transport spokesperson Phil Twyford says.
This is a definite policy shift for Labour, considering that when they were in office, they approved the $billions for the unloved Victoria Park tunnel and the, still to be built, gigantic Waterview motorway and tunnel project.
We should praise the Labour Party when they stand up to corporate lobbyists to advocate for sensible public policy.
But as well as this, we have a duty to call on Labour to go a little bit further. And agree to take this new policy direction into the real world.
Now would be the perfect time to get Labour to agree to scrap the Waterview tunnel, and advocate for the $2 billion put aside for this project, to be instead used to fund free and frequent public transport.
This would achieve three public goods.
1) Protect the local community and environment from the wholesale destruction caused by the construction of a motorway and tunnel through houses and sensitive wetlands.
2) Get tens of thousands of Aucklanders out of their private cars, dramatically cutting traffic congestion and fossil fuel use at the same time.
3) Create permanent ongoing jobs
Though Phil Twyford’s concern is peak oil, the need to cut back fossil fuel use intersects with the environmental destruction caused by continued use of fossil fuel.
The Un-aligned Left, Greenpeace, the Green Party and concerned locals, all opposed to the Waterview motorway extension need to link up with the Labour Party to finally drive a stake through the Waterview motorway extension project, and divert the $2 billion already put aside for this project, into public transport, instead.
The Waterview Motorway extension is one of the Roads of National Significance, or RONS that the powerful roading lobby who call themselves “The Well Connected Group” want the taxpayer to shell out for.
Already the self serving “Well Connected Group” have got the public to shell out half a $billion for the boondoggle, that is the Victoria Park tunnel. (The unloved, gold bricked tunnel to nowhere, except under a relatively small corner of Victoria Park.) Even if you like motorways, for a fraction of the cost they could have gone over the surface.
Time to catch a plane to Berlin – my work here is done…………
Talking to people here, Berlin -16c, by the way, they realise they have Ben conned and taxed in the name of global warming.
They are not stupid and see through the rising defensive hysteria of the wealth distribution/global warming activists and their attempt to rename as climate change.
Oh give it a rest grumpy….have you read any of my replies? Or have you reverted to your bad old days of being a fire and forget troll. You know what happens….. Responded to at least some of someone’s replies
Be aware that I am making allowances for the pain of access whilst travelling…
Thanks for your indulgence lprent, but working, living and travelling in -16c conditions does make AGW/Climate Change/Weather/Climate issues float to the top of the heap (as it were).
BTW Waitangi Day made the news over here again. Just finished convincing half a dozen to come over for Christmas but had to do a bit more work after that news item!!!!
If it is better weather, it is difficult to believe that Christmas in Summer needs the hard sell to anyone in Europe this week
It’s all relative, hey? I was up at 05.00 to get my friend Daisy on to the Welly train this morning, and she was wearing a massive parka – she’s just returned from a year teaching in Brazil. It’s Feb 6 and we were both freezing cold. “Summer” this year has been spent in jumpers and coats, even the mosquitoes have found it too cold to appear for the past 3 years (I am thankful, but still, some warmth would be nice!) Ah, but it’s global warming isn’t it? 😀
Try and think of it like this grumpy. The AGW argument hinges around relatively slow climate temperature trends in the order of about 1 degC/decade.
Right now Europe is many 10’s of degC lower than normal… that’s not climate. It simply means that on average while it’s cold in Europe it MUST be warmer than usual somewhere else. Probably the Arctic.
I trust you also understand Conservation of Energy?
And last year there were heat waves and massive peat and grass fires throughout the north. Amazing how extreme the weather gets when quite small amounts of energy are added to the system….
An Economistarticle from the last cold snap in Europe…
Europe’s cold winters and the warmth of the planet as a whole might even be linked. There is some evidence that the summer heat stored in the newly ice-free seas north of Siberia may induce shifts in the atmosphere’s circulation, when the heat is given up to the air in subsequent autumns and winters. Those shifts might in turn encourage seasonal patterns in which the Arctic is warm and the continents below it cold, as in early 2010. Since the sea-ice area looks likely to go on shrinking, such a link, if indeed it exists, would probably mean more cold winters in Britain and much of Europe.
Other analysis of weather patterns show that while it’s cold, it’s not as cold as it might have been.
Yeah but this isn’t like that. That is black body type system.
You have to think vertically and with average densities in the air column. Strong warm air systems tend to push cold air because of evaporated water densities in warmer air are higher in the column. But unlike a evaporative cooler there is also a horiziontal mechanism as well
So rising heat in the poles locks heat in water particles and physically pushes relatively cool air masses down latitude. All driven by the heat locked in water particles
This is the type of commentray now coming up in all the European countries. Perhaps lprent should explain things to them before people start believing it’s all smoke and mirrors.
Basically they live in strange climate caused by the heat transported north by the gulf stream. Because of vitamin D deficiencies which causes neotonous effects…
Delingpole is simple minded idiot who has been proven wrong so any times that the real question is why the mail puts up with him. Helps sell tabloid format papers before they hit the fish and chip shop would be my guess.
I see some are suggesting that UnitedFuture has abruptly changed its position on asset sales since the election, having previously been opposed to all such sales. This is simply not true.
(detailed explanation)
UnitedFuture’s confidence and supply agreement, negotiated with National after the election, confirms all these points and is therefore consistent in every regard with our pre-election policy. That is why UnitedFuture will support the Government’s plans to introduce a mixed-ownership model for the four energy companies and Air New Zealand.
Consistency explained. If the usual suspects are consistent here they will attack people and party and ignore facts. Futile facing facts.
Meh. It’s no surprise that the Hair was committed to selling out Kiwis before the election, Pete. I think that was pointed out to you on a daily basis.
I am not sure of anyone here Petey who thought that the coiffured one had changed his position. I had always thought that his position was supportive of the selling off to overseas interests of our assets it is just he was being a bit disingenuous by suggesting that because only 49% would be sold that things would not change. So your angsty complaint is a bit misplaced.
I see that Dunne is suggesting that this is to allow the power companies to raise capital. So Petey which of it is it? Are the share sales to:
1. Reduce debt,
2. Be spent on schools and irrigation schemes,
3. Allow the power companies to raise capital?
Peter Dunne changed his position, albeit prior to the election, not out of personal conviction, but to accommodate National. He should change his name to Dr Faustus.
Yip. Dunne is on record as saying he personally doesn’t agree with asset sales, but is going to go ahead with them anyway. Because that way he gets a nice ministerial salary.
While wholesale asset sales are not UnitedFuture policy, we had as long ago as the 2005 general election promoted selling shares in selected state assets to promote their expansion. This was similar to the mixed ownership model National was to promote at last year’s election.
All Crown Ministers have access to Beemers, by the way, so I presume you are being typically disingenuous and you were riding in one of his privately owned vehicles at the time, not the Ministerial one.
How much does Dunne pay you to cruise the web making apologies for his selfish choice of policy support? Must be more than just the odd road trip in his car, or is the opportunity to be in the presence of your hero enough?
Hes got you under a spell PG…WAKE UP!
If it’s been “promoted” since 2005, why is the only quote he has from last year?
And the only quote he has is for “expanding the capital base” of the companies, not paying down needless debt.
And, more importantly, why does that quote not actually state whether United Future would support partial asset sales?
He’s done what you do, Pete – asked a number of questions, provided banal answers, and the tried to point out that all the other parties had said pretty much the same thing. This does not indicate a policy platform.
So the question I have is: are you two kindred spirits, or did you pay to go to a Pete Dunne’s Say A Lot But Mean Fuck-all Training Seminar?
As the late Roger Kerr pointed out in 2005, Peter Dunne went into the election that year advocating the 40% selldown of the government’s stake in most SOEs. So Dunne can hardly be accused of not being a consistent advocate of the partial privatisation model – he could more accurately claim that it was his idea in the first place.
Faboo.
Your half-arsed attempt (as a former #3 on list candidate) at providing evidence of party policy pissed me off so much that I actually trawled through scoop – amazingly, you are correct.
Back in the day when United Future had more than one MP, it sold out on policies then, too.
Now, some of us love to follow the minutae of policies and press releases from every single party over the last 2 or 3 elections in order to determine our vote for the upcoming, but I’m not sure many people are like that. Many people tend to follow what people say during the current campaign on the lead issues of the campaign.
SO as a former candidate and current party activist, what indications did United Future give as to their support of National’s asset sales plan during the 2011 election campaign? As far as I can tell, Dunne promised to be a moderating force and drew a line in the sand, as it were (a line that was, luckily, beyond what Key had proposed).
Link summarised previously as “And, more importantly, why does that quote not actually state whether United Future would support partial asset sales?
He’s done what you do, Pete – asked a number of questions, provided banal answers, and the tried to point out that all the other parties had said pretty much the same thing. This does not indicate a policy platform.”.
And, bugger me – number 8? My apologies. Obviously, at number 8 on the list, we wouldn’t expect you to know a damned thing about what your party explicitly promised during the campaign.
Yesterday, he acknowledged he had campaigned on saying that “in principle we were not in favour of the sale of assets”.
“We don’t as a principle think the case can be made across the board for selling state assets.
“But we recognised that the Government had nominated the energy companies and Air New Zealand for partial sale and, on that basis, we said provided there were controls around the level of ownership and the level to be sold, we would support them.”
In principle he doesn’t agree with asset sales, but because the government has chosen specific things and is only going to sell some of it, he’ll go along with the ride (because he’ll get a ministerial salary out of it).
“Because that way he gets a nice ministerial salary”
A friend said to me the other day that Dunne has to be being paid to not go against asset sales. They lived in his electorate for 25 years and everytime they saw him, they raised the run down Johnsonville Mall and Transmission Gully.
Interesting that the Key Group laud the 51% as maintaining control of State Assets.
Yet it is said that Mrs Rheingold in buying 5%+ of Fairfax with the belief that she will have influence over this media. She paid over $200 million in spite of a falling share price. Wonder what she would be able to do with 49% influence?
So National and its supporters continue to beat up the racism/xenophobia angle on the Crafar farms sale. How did we get to this, and why hasn’t there been a more considered and in-depth public debate about the sale of NZ land, especially productive land, to wealthy foreign individuals and corporations?
Fears that China is gobbling up New Zealand land are misplaced, official figures show.
Americans, Canadians and even Liechtensteinians are buying far more land.
Figures released by the Overseas Investment Office show that of the 872,313 hectares of gross land sold to foreign interests over the past five years, only 223ha were sold to Chinese.
People from the landlocked principality of Liechtenstein had purchased 10 times more land than the Chinese – 2,144ha in the same period.
The top buyers were the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and Israel. The United States had 194 purchases for a total of 193,208ha.
The figures do not show if there are any New Zealand ownership shares involved.
I am appalled that this much productive NZ land is being sold to wealthy foreign interests, whether it be Liechtensteinians, Canadians or Israelis.
But I also think we should look more closely at the differing impact on NZ from sale of non-productive compared with productive land; and to wealthy individuals versus big coporations; to expats setting up home and business in NZ versus people continuing to live elsewhere; and to independent individuals/organisations compared with sales subsidised by powerful foreign governments.
The big question for me is NOT why Crafar has resulted in such an outcry, but why there hasn’t been similar criticisms of some of the other sales?
As far as I’m aware, there are some specific issues that have resulted in the Crafar sale getting media attention. Some of it is likely related to be anti-Chinese attitudes from some. But also, there have been some Kiwi farmers who were a little peeved they they were not able to buy one of the farms, beacuse they were sold as one job lot.
But also, there was a fair bit of media attention a while back, because the first main contender to buy the farms was a dodgy Hong Kong based outfit that misrepresented themselves.
The alleged web of lies a Chinese consortium wove to try to buy up 16 North Island farms then sell them for a profit has become more tangled, with a third arrest yesterday.
[…]
Wang acted as the face of Natural Dairy in New Zealand when trying to buy the former Crafar farms from receivers through her own company UBAH. She and Chen allegedly conspired to purchase them and on-sell them, for a profit, to Natural Dairy.
Hong Kong officials say Yee worked with Wang and Chen to fudge the earnings of Crafar farms, proffering fake documents to Natural Dairy showing that the farms had made a profit of $18.5 million in the year to May 2009. They actually made a loss of about $30m.
On the basis of this allegedly false financial information, Natural Dairy made a $230m bid to the Overseas Investment Office for the properties.
But lets have more in-depth and critical public debate about the benefits and damages to NZ of the sale of different kinds of land, productive land and other assets to wealthy foreigners, which ever country they are from.
Does what benefits or damages NZ (whatever that construct might actually be) have a corresponding positive or negative impact on you and me? Surely that’s the first question that needs answered.
My initial response might be based on a cursory glance at the impoverished state of British people at the height of empire when Britain was enjoying enormous benefits. Or then again, I might consider the lot of the majority of US citizens given that the US is the worlds most succesful economy. And the conclusion would have to be that what’s good for a country (ie an economy) does not automatically bestow corresponding benefits on a citizenry.
I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again…it doesn’t matter two hoots who owns land. We are excluded from any and all say over the use of the land and its resources regardless of who the owner is. And all owners (restrictive legislation aside and whether state or private entities) are generally in it for the money.
And that money and any benefits that may flow from it are under the control of the owners (and the state insofar as taxes are paid) We simply don’t have a look in.
So all this stramash about who should own what comes down to expressions of mere emotive preference for particular masters. But aren’t they all more or less the same in the end? And isn’t the position of any and all of them illegitimate in the final analysis?
Bill said: Does what benefits or damages NZ (whatever that construct might actually be) have a corresponding positive or negative impact on you and me? Surely that’s the first question that needs answered.
Yes, good question. As a non-land owner, I do tend to assume that “good for NZ” means good for all the citizenry. IMO, there’s something wrong with an economic analysis or theory that is used to show that a country is economically successful, when there is no widespread benefit to all or most of the people living in that country.
However, as well as the international divisions between the ruling elite and the rest, there is an overlapping and intersecting hierarchy of more and less powerful/wealthy nation states. The results is that there is an added impact on struggling Kiwis (in a country that is somewhere in the middle of the global hierarchy) when wealthy foreigners push up the price of land (and subsequently rents, while lowering wages, employment etc), and siphons off profits overseas.
While globalisation has weakend the power of nation states, it’s still largely through national political processes and struggles that the relatively powerless majority can exercise any influence and control over their circumstances.
But, I agree, such local struggles are set within a wider global struggle against the transnational elites.
. . . and thinking of the way that Ironbridge loaded Mediaworks with debt to finance their purchase, it might also be a good idea to have a look at how overseas buyers structure these investments after the sale goes through.
Are these sales actually contributing to the country’s high levels of private overseas debt that are being used to justify further asset sales to overseas buyers?
Secretary of State Waitangi Day Statement
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesperson
For Immediate Release
February 4, 2012
2012/167
STATEMENT BY SECRETARY CLINTON
New Zealand Waitangi Day
On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I am delighted to send best wishes to the people of New Zealand as you commemorate the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, this February 6. This is a time to reflect on New Zealand’s rich history and promising future.
The United States and New Zealand share a vibrant partnership, shaped by the Wellington Declaration and our years of friendship and cooperation. We look forward to continuing to deepen our relationship in the coming year as we work together promoting peace and stability, protecting the fragile Pacific environment, expanding economic opportunity, and standing up for global human rights. The United States stands by New Zealand as you continue to face the challenges brought by earthquakes in the Canterbury region. Your resilience and strength have set an example for the world.
As you observe this special day in New Zealand and in places around the world, I wish all New Zealanders a happy Waitangi Day, and a year filled with peace and prosperity.
Not sure what ‘the conversation’ refers to – the protest of the moment? Bbut who is trying to shut conversations down? Those shouting over invited guests?
I suspect those involved in organising the events at Waitangi get a bit sick of their conversation being hijacked. Free speech is principle that should be applied evenly, yes?
You can’t have a conversation if only a few are allowed to speak. Or, to put it another way, if only those who were organised to speak spoke then there wouldn’t be a conversation.
Maybe those shouting over others are pissed off that they’re not being heard any other way.
Activist Tame Iti and the Maori Party’s Te Tai Tonga MP Rahui Katene accompanied Labour leader David Shearer onto the marae after 11am, by which time most of the protesters had left. Mr Shearer was joined by Labour MPs Parekura Horomia, Shane Jones, and Andrew Little.
I wonder if it may have been Rino Tirikatene, Labour MP for Te Tai Tonga since Nov 26, who was walking with Shearer.
John Key said he wasn’t going to cry… that’s because he ran away instead. Key also said he hadn’t run away because he was scared, however people attending Waitangi said they’d seen fear in his eyes.
Oh dear when that nice Mr Key wants to speak at Waitangi he is unable to be heard due to creating a backlash by not respecting section 9 of the SOE legislation. When he sits in a public cafe and converses he gets upset when he can be heard.
Were there covert police cameras operating at Waitangi?
I personally would not have used my invitation to go to Waitangi to discuss section 9 of the SOE legislation as this was not appropriate. Only a desperate impatient person would be so stupid.
Great that Key said he will return!! because he wont let a few activists put him off. Seem to remember Hulun not returning to Waitangi ,and you guys supporting her fully. Slightly hypocritical one would have to think
Dunno if its working, mik e. The rural red necks down my local have started calling the PM some nasty names of late, mostly variations on Egg Foo John. That’s the most polite one, the others are much less tasteful.
Offshore investors rob local investors of opportunity and resources.
Offshore owners rob control and increase political influence that can lead to local law changes.
Offshore investors also borrow money locally, crowding out and limiting funding for local businesses.
The more profitable the project, the smaller the net inflow of foreign funds and the larger the outflow of profits.
Profits repatriated by offshore investors tend to exceed total funds invested. Exacerbated by transfer pricing and other forms of creative accounting. Often offsetting any claims of large local tax benefits eventuating.
Offshore owners tend to restructure and layoff staff.
In many cases, jobs that are created would be created whether or not the project was offshore or locally owned.
The only benefit seems to be it encourages the transfer of management skills, intellectual property, and technology. However, they can also be bought, hired or developed.
If foreign investment was as good as Joyce claims then he’d be able to prove it with facts & figures from existing foreign investment in NZ. After all, there is over $300billion already invested in this country by foreigners. Perhaps someone should tell Joyce we can see for ourselves how wealthy it has made us all & how the economy is roaring alone because of it.
How much more overwhelming evidence does Joyce want before he wakes up that it’s not doing us any good? Is $400billion enough, maybe a $trillion?
(NB – Aussie investment alone is said to be +$100billion, overseas lenders have invested over $150billion so the final tally must be well over $300billion.)
A new economic recovery tax to address our capital shortfall?
If the Government were to introduce a new economic recovery tax at say a mere one dollar a week, that would produce around two million dollars a week, 8 million a month, or around 100 million a year, to invest in new value added exporting ventures.
A two dollar a week tax would double that amount with most workers not even noticing the loss from their pay.
This would stimulate the local economy (jobs) and generate new wealth while reducing our over reliance of foreign capital.
Three things about that Mr Chairman:
1. It would deny the Government the excuse to make further cuts.
2. It would be too easy.
3. How would the rich get richer.
Much better to hire some investment banking consultants to draw up the contracts you need to sell off the country, you don’t even need your own Ministery staff to do that work, so you can gut the public sector out at the same time.
And all the foreign Banksters money will never be seen in this country again and you can bet your bottom dollar they come from countries that are deliberately keeping their currency low[printing or devaluing theirs + subsidising fuel and agriculture]!
The New Black: is Cut and Run going to be this year’s Smile and Wave?
Political obituaries often feature moments like Key’s cowardice this morning as being pivotal in public perception. Given the inevitability of Key’s departure to Honolulu in this term, I’m picking that we will see the phrases ‘John Key’ and ‘cut and run’ in close proximity right up until the plane leaves. Hell, the title of the cash in biography writes itself: From Smile and Wave to Cut and Run; the John Key story.
Can someone find the TV video clip of John Key ridiculing Helen Clark for refusing to return to Waitangi Treaty celebrations after her experiences? It was well aired at the time – was it 2007? It would be pleasurable to watch again after his ‘cut and run’ this morning!
I bet he blames it on his minders. He will say they made him do it.
Please John Key – just take tomorrow off. There’s nothing to be gained by going back to Waitangi.
Let the rich Maori explain to the poor Maori how they’re going to reduce inequality among their own people. Give them their sovereignty and let them do to each other what their warrior customs proscribe.
Helen Clark was verbally abused by that convicted violent criminal Titiwhai Harawira. You know, the one surgically attached to John Key the minute he steps onto the Marae.
an investigation by a court-appointed liquidator into the relationship between Johnston’s parent company, a plethora of interlinked companies and Ashcroft’s British Caribbean Bank (BCB), is raising as many questions as it answers. Even MPs are taking an interest in an obscure company that only a few weeks ago they had never heard of.
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The gloves are off. That might seem to be the undertone of surprisingly tough talk from New Zealand’s foreign and trade ministers. Winston Peters, the foreign minister, may be facing legal action after making allegations about former Australian foreign minister Bob Carr on Radio New Zealand. Carr had made highly ...
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Is the economy in another long stagnation? If so, why?This is about the time that the Treasury will be locking up its economic forecasts to be published in the 2024 Budget Economic and Fiscal Update (BEFU) on budget day, 30 May. I am not privy to what they will be ...
The annual list of who's been bribing our politicians is out, and journalists will no doubt be poring over it to find the juiciest and dirtiest bribes. The government's fast-track invite list is likely to be a particular focus, and we already know of one company on the list which ...
In the weeks after the October 7 Hamas attacks on Southern Israel I wrote about the possible 2nd, 3rd and even 4th order effects of the conflict. These included new fronts being opened in the West Bank (with Hamas), Golan … Continue reading → ...
Peter Dunne writes – It is one of the oldest truisms that there is never a good time for MPs to get a pay rise. This week’s announcement of pay raises of around 2.8% backdated to last October could hardly have come at a worse time, with the ...
David Farrar writes – Newshub reports: Newshub can reveal a fresh allegation of intimidation against Green MP Julie-Anne Genter. Genter is subject to a disciplinary process for aggressively waving a book in the face of National Minister Matt Doocey in the House – but it’s not the first time ...
The Treasury has published a paper today on the global productivity slowdown and how it is playing out in New Zealand: The productivity slowdown: implications for the Treasury’s forecasts and projections. The Treasury Paper examines recent trends in productivity and the potential drivers of the slowdown. Productivity for the whole economy ...
Winston Peters’ comments about former Australian foreign minister look set to be an ongoing headache for both him and Luxon. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for subscribers features co-hosts and , along with regular guests on Gaza and ...
These puppet strings don't pull themselvesYou're thinking thoughts from someone elseHow much time do you think you have?Are you prepared for what comes next?The debating chamber can be a trying place for an opposition MP. What with the person in charge, the speaker, typically being an MP from the governing ...
The land around Lyme Regis, where Meryl Streep once stood, in a hood, on the Cobb, is falling into the sea.MerylThe land around Lyme Regis, around the Cobb that made it rich, has always been falling slowly but surely into the sea. Read more ...
Buzz from the Beehive Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters was bound to win headlines when he set out his thinking about AUKUS in his speech to the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. The headlines became bigger when – during an interview on RNZ’s Morning Report today – he criticised ...
The Post reports on how the government is refusing to release its advice on its corrupt Muldoonist fast-track law, instead using the "soon to be publicly available" refusal ground to hide it until after select committee submissions on the bill have closed. Fast-track Minister Chris Bishop's excuse? “It's not ...
As pressure on it grows, the livestock industry’s approach to the transition to Net Zero is increasingly being compared to that of fossil fuel interests. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / Getty ImagesTL;DR: Here’s the top five news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above ...
The New Zealand Herald reports – Stats NZ has offered a voluntary redundancy scheme to all of its workers as a way to give staff some control over their “future” amidst widespread job losses in the public sector. In an update to staff this morning, seen by the Herald, Statistics New Zealand ...
On Werewolf/Scoop, I usually do two long form political columns a week. From now on, there will be an extra column each week about music and movies. But first, some late-breaking political events:The rise in unemployment numbers for the March quarter was bigger than expected – and especially sharp ...
David Farrar writes – The Herald reports: TVNZ says it is dealing with about 50 formal complaints over its coverage of the latest 1News-Verian political poll, with some viewers – as well as the Prime Minister and a former senior Labour MP – critical of the tone of the 6pm report. ...
Muriel Newman writes – When Meridian Energy was seeking resource consents for a West Coast hydro dam proposal in 2010, local Maori “strenuously” objected, claiming their mana was inextricably linked to ‘their’ river and could be damaged. After receiving a financial payment from the company, however, the Ngai Tahu ...
Alwyn Poole writes – “An SEP,’ he said, ‘is something that we can’t see, or don’t see, or our brain doesn’t let us see, because we think that it’s somebody else’s problem. That’s what SEP means. Somebody Else’s Problem. The brain just edits it out, it’s like a ...
Our trust in our political institutions is fast eroding, according to a Maxim Institute discussion paper, Shaky Foundations: Why our democracy needs trust. The paper – released today – raises concerns about declining trust in New Zealand’s political institutions and democratic processes, and the role that the overuse of Parliamentary urgency ...
This article was prepared for publication yesterday. More ministerial announcements have been posted on the government’s official website since it was written. We will report on these later today …. Buzz from the BeehiveThere we were, thinking the environment is in trouble, when along came Jones. Shane Jones. ...
New Zealand now has the fourth most depressed construction sector in the world behind China, Qatar and Hong Kong. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 8:46am on Thursday, May 2:The Lead: ...
Hi,I am just going to state something very obvious: American police are fucking crazy.That was a photo gracing the New York Times this morning, showing New York City police “entering Columbia University last night after receiving a request from the school.”Apparently in America, protesting the deaths of tens of thousands ...
Winston Peters’ much anticipated foreign policy speech last night was a work of two halves. Much of it was a standard “boilerplate” Foreign Ministry overview of the state of the world. There was some hardening up of rhetoric with talk of “benign” becoming “malign” and old truths giving way to ...
Graham Adams assesses the fallout of the Cass Review — The press release last Thursday from the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls didn’t make the mainstream news in New Zealand but it really should have. The startling title of Reem Alsalem’s statement — “Implementation of ‘Cass ...
This open-for-business, under-new-management cliché-pockmarked government of Christopher Luxon is not the thing of beauty he imagines it to be. It is not the powerful expression of the will of the people that he asserts it to be. It is not a soaring eagle, it is a malodorous vulture. This newest poll should make ...
The latest labour market statistics, showing a rise in unemployment. There are now 134,000 unemployed - 14,000 more than when the National government took office. Which is I guess what happens when the Reserve Bank causes a recession in an effort to Keep Wages Low. The previous government saw a ...
Three opinion polls have been released in the last two days, all showing that the new government is failing to hold their popular support. The usual honeymoon experienced during the first year of a first term government is entirely absent. The political mood is still gloomy and discontented, mainly due ...
National's Finance Minister once met a poor person.A scornful interview with National's finance guru who knows next to nothing about economics or people.There might have been something a bit familiar if that was the headline I’d gone with today. It would of course have been in tribute to the article ...
Rob MacCulloch writes – Throughout the pandemic, the new Vice-Chancellor-of-Otago-University-on-$629,000 per annum-Can-you-believe-it-and-Former-Finance-Minister Grant Robertson repeated the mantra over and over that he saved “lives and livelihoods”.As we update how this claim is faring over the course of time, the facts are increasingly speaking differently. NZ ...
Chris Trotter writes – IT’S A COMMONPLACE of political speeches, especially those delivered in acknowledgement of electoral victory: “We’ll govern for all New Zealanders.” On the face of it, the pledge is a strange one. Why would any political leader govern in ways that advantaged the huge ...
Bryce Edwards writes – The list of former National Party Ministers being given plum and important roles got longer this week with the appointment of former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett as the chair of Pharmac. The Christopher Luxon-led Government has now made key appointments to Bill ...
TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 10:06am on Wednesday, May 1:The Lead: Business confidence fell across the board in April, falling in some areas to levels last seen during the lockdowns because of a collapse in ...
Over the past 36 hours, Christopher Luxon has been dong his best to portray the centre-right’s plummeting poll numbers as a mark of virtue. Allegedly, the negative verdicts are the result of hard economic times, and of a government bravely set out on a perilous rescue mission from which not ...
Auckland Transport have started rolling out new HOP card readers around the network and over the next three months, all of them on buses, at train stations and ferry wharves will be replaced. The change itself is not that remarkable, with the new readers looking similar to what is already ...
Completed reads for April: The Difference Engine, by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling Carnival of Saints, by George Herman The Snow Spider, by Jenny Nimmo Emlyn’s Moon, by Jenny Nimmo The Chestnut Soldier, by Jenny Nimmo Death Comes As the End, by Agatha Christie Lord of the Flies, by ...
On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
Have a story to share about St Paul’s, but today just picturesPopular novels written at this desk by a young man who managed to bootstrap himself out of father’s imprisonment and his own young life in a workhouse Read more ...
The list of former National Party Ministers being given plum and important roles got longer this week with the appointment of former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett as the chair of Pharmac. The Christopher Luxon-led Government has now made key appointments to Bill English, Simon Bridges, Steven Joyce, Roger Sowry, ...
Newsroom has a story today about National's (fortunately failed) effort to disestablish the newly-created Inspector-General of Defence. The creation of this agency was the key recommendation of the Inquiry into Operation Burnham, and a vital means of restoring credibility and social licence to an agency which had been caught lying ...
Holding On To The Present:The moment a political movement arises that attacks the whole idea of social progress, and announces its intention to wind back the hands of History’s clock, then democracy, along with its unwritten rules, is in mortal danger.IT’S A COMMONPLACE of political speeches, especially those delivered in ...
Stuck In The Middle With You:As Christopher Luxon feels the hot breath of Act’s and NZ First’s extremists on the back of his neck and, as he reckons with the damage their policies are already inflicting upon a country he’s described as “fragile”, is there not some merit in reaching out ...
The unpopular coalition government is currently rushing to repeal section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act. The clause is Oranga Tamariki's Treaty clause, and was inserted after its systematic stealing of Māori children became a public scandal and resulted in physical resistance to further abductions. The clause created clear obligations ...
Buzz from the Beehive The government’s official website – which Point of Order monitors daily – not for the first time has nothing much to say today about political happenings that are grabbing media headlines. It makes no mention of the latest 1News-Verian poll, for example. This shows National down ...
It Takes A Train To Cry:Surely, there is nothing lonelier in all this world than the long wail of a distant steam locomotive on a cold Winter’s night.AS A CHILD, I would lie awake in my grandfather’s house and listen to the traffic. The big wooden house was only a ...
Packing A Punch: The election of the present government, including in its ranks politicians dedicated to reasserting the rights of the legislature in shaping and determining the future of Māori and Pakeha in New Zealand, should have alerted the judiciary – including its anomalous appendage, the Waitangi Tribunal – that its ...
Dead Woman Walking: New Zealand’s media industry had been moving steadily towards disaster for all the years Melissa Lee had been National’s media and communications policy spokesperson, and yet, when the crisis finally broke, on her watch, she had nothing intelligent to offer. Christopher Luxon is a patient man - but he’s not ...
Chris Trotter writes – New Zealand politics is remarkably easy-going: dangerously so, one might even say. With the notable exception of John Key’s flat ruling-out of the NZ First Party in 2008, all parties capable of clearing MMP’s five-percent threshold, or winning one or more electorate seats, tend ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is ...
Luxon will no doubt put a brave face on it, but there is no escaping the pressure this latest poll will put on him and the government. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political ...
This is a re-post from The Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler In the wake of any unusual weather event, someone inevitably asks, “Did climate change cause this?” In the most literal sense, that answer is almost always no. Climate change is never the sole cause of hurricanes, heat waves, droughts, or ...
Something odd happened yesterday, and I’d love to know if there’s more to it. If there was something which preempted what happened, or if it was simply a throwaway line in response to a journalist.Yesterday David Seymour was asked at a press conference what the process would be if the ...
Hi,From time to time, I want to bring Webworm into the real world. We did it last year with the Jurassic Park event in New Zealand — which was a lot of fun!And so on Saturday May 11th, in Los Angeles, I am hosting a lil’ Webworm pop-up! I’ve been ...
Education Minister Erica Standford yesterday unveiled a fundamental reform of the way our school pupils are taught. She would not exactly say so, but she is all but dismantling the so-called “inquiry” “feel good” method of teaching, which has ruled in our classrooms since a major review of the New ...
Exactly where are we seriously going with this government and its policies? That is, apart from following what may as well be a Truss-Lite approach on the purported economic “plan“, and Victorian-era regression when it comes to social policy.Oh it’ll work this time of course, we’re basically assured, “the ...
Hey Uncle Dave, When the Poms joined the EEC, I wasn't one of those defeatists who said, Well, that’s it for the dairy job. And I was right, eh? The Chinese can’t get enough of our milk powder and eventually, the Poms came to their senses and backed up the ute ...
Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is higher than for any other mayor ...
The Government is again adding to New Zealand’s growing unemployment, this time cutting jobs at the agencies responsible for urban development and growing much needed housing stock. ...
With Minister Karen Chhour indicating in the House today that she either doesn’t know or care about the frontline cuts she’s making to Oranga Tamariki, we risk seeing more and more of our children falling through the cracks. ...
The Labour Party is saddened to learn of the death of Sir Robert Martin, a globally renowned disability advocate who led the way for disability rights both in New Zealand and internationally. ...
Labour is calling for the Government to urgently rethink its coalition commitment to restart live animal exports, Labour animal welfare spokesperson Rachel Boyack said. ...
Today’s Financial Stability Report has once again highlighted that poverty and deep inequality are political choices - and this Government is choosing to make them worse. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to do more for our households in most need as unemployment rises and the cost of living crisis endures. ...
Unemployment is on the rise and it’s only going to get worse under this Government, Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said. Stats NZ figures show the unemployment rate grew to 4.3 percent in the March quarter from 4 percent in the December quarter. “This is the second rise in unemployment ...
The New Zealand Labour Party welcomes the entering into force of the European Union and New Zealand free trade agreement. This agreement opens the door for a huge increase in trade opportunities with a market of 450 million people who are high value discerning consumers of New Zealand goods and ...
The National-led Government continues its fiscal jiggery pokery with its Pharmac announcement today, Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall says. “The government has increased Pharmac funding but conceded it will only make minimal increases in access to medicine”, said Ayesha Verrall “This is far from the bold promises made to fund ...
This afternoon’s interim Waitangi Tribunal report must be taken seriously as it affects our most vulnerable children, Labour children’s spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime. ...
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Te Pāti Māori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. “This act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.” Said Te Pāti Māori Oranga Tamariki ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
The Government has delivered on its election promise to provide a financially sustainable model for Auckland under its Local Water Done Well plan. The plan, which has been unanimously endorsed by Auckland Council’s Governing Body, will see Aucklanders avoid the previously projected 25.8 per cent water rates increases while retaining ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters discussed the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and enhanced cooperation in the Pacific with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock during her first official visit to New Zealand today. "New Zealand and Germany enjoy shared interests and values, including the rule of law, democracy, respect for the international system ...
The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop today released his decision on four recommendations referred to him by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, opening the door to housing growth in the area. The Council’s Plan Change 92 allows more homes to be built in existing and new ...
Thank you, John McKinnon and the New Zealand China Council for the invitation to speak to you today. Thank you too, all members of the China Council. Your effort has played an essential role in helping to build, shape, and grow a balanced and resilient relationship between our two ...
The Government is modernising insurance law to better protect Kiwis and provide security in the event of a disaster, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly announced today. “These reforms are long overdue. New Zealand’s insurance law is complicated and dated, some of which is more than 100 years old. ...
The coalition Government is refreshing its approach to supporting pay equity claims as time-limited funding for the Pay Equity Taskforce comes to an end, Public Service Minister Nicola Willis says. “Three years ago, the then-government introduced changes to the Equal Pay Act to support pay equity bargaining. The changes were ...
Structured literacy will change the way New Zealand children learn to read - improving achievement and setting students up for success, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “Being able to read and write is a fundamental life skill that too many young people are missing out on. Recent data shows that ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay says Canada’s refusal to comply in full with a CPTPP trade dispute ruling in our favour over dairy trade is cynical and New Zealand has no intention of backing down. Mr McClay said he has asked for urgent legal advice in respect of our ‘next move’ ...
The rights of our children and young people will be enhanced by changes the coalition Government will make to strengthen oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, including restoring a single Children’s Commissioner. “The Government is committed to delivering better public services that care for our most at-risk young people and ...
The Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can ...
New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
Good evening – Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us. ...
From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure. The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say. “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...
Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff. “Access to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwis’ lives. We’ve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...
Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says. “Every day, ...
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges. “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service. It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
Distinguished guests - It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Even if some students are now just texting on their laptops. Stewart Sowman-Lund writes in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. ...
Councils from Horowhenua, Kāpiti, Wairarapa, the Hutt Valley, Porirua and Wellington City will meet this Friday to work together on a plan for a Greater Wellington region water deal. ...
Renowned musician, advocate, and proud born and raised daughter of Tauranga, Ria Hall, is announcing her candidacy for Mayor of Tauranga and Pāpāmoa Ward for the upcoming election on July 20th. ...
The new Aotearoa histories curriculum is rich with potential. There’s still work to be done, but the education minister’s criticisms about ‘balance’ miss the mark, argues primary school teacher Jessie Moss. In 2015, Ōtorohanga College students presented to parliament a petition signed by more than 10,000 people calling for a ...
For too long our so-called national bird has maintained its stranglehold on the economy of regional New Zealand. Thanks to the fast track legislation, we will have our revenge. Theories abound on what ails New Zealand’s economy. National leader Chris Luxon has posited that we’re negative, wet, whiny, and inward-looking; ...
For the past 12 years, Georgia-Rose Brown has balanced on the brink of making an Olympic Games – but always landed gracefully on the wrong side. Reaching the Olympics is a dream the gymnast has harboured since she was a six-year-old; a dream that would dwindle every four years, yet ...
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Lets start off with the effects of Global Warming on the other side of the world……
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2096372/UK-weather-forecast-15cm-snow-way-Met-Office-issues-severe-weather-warning.html
As DV points out below. A good example of climate change.
You seem to chant global warming over and over again like a mantra without ever engaging your brain to think what that means in the real world. Which is why you find weather disconcerting.
I suspect from your previous comments that you’d prefer the the wold operated on simple models like black body radiative models or daisyworld that have no real world equivalents. Then you don’t have to consider that increasing warmth in the artic (the polar regions are those that are warming fastest) provide the energy to push colder air masses to lower latitudes. This is the process of atmospheric and oceanic thermal mixing. It is chaotic and you have to deal with itin terms of probabilities.
Oh and whoever is in the way of a warming polar region pushing out cold air masses will get colder than usual weather..
Dumbarse.
I think it’s you that are the dumbarse Lprent. Blind to your own ignorance of the cycles of this planet. The circumventing going on at the Polar Regions is nothing more than an after effect of the axial tilt of the earth changing as we go through precession.
Eventually, the polar regions will move to a different area in the northern hemisphere. The way that it’s going means that Greenland will probably become ice free again, but another landmass will no doubt replace Greenland as an ice covered region.
How about opening your blinkers and looking at the long game. Global warming is DEAD. Climate Change is a crock of shit with those two words being bandied about by scientists and people like you, who really have no idea. You can talk all you like about feedback loops and radiative models, but when you ignore the biggest thing that makes us human, intuition, then you’re losing out on quite a bit more that science can’t explain. I’m going to stake my flag quite firmly and say that this country will get a second snowstorm similar to last year again this year.
Did you hear about the Black Sea freezing? How do you corroborate that to CO2 causing freezing. Dick.
It’s useless trying to educate those like you, who believe they’re all knowing just because they got a degree in Earth Science in the 1930’s. Newsflash: The Sun is the biggest driver of temperature in our Solar System. Of course you’ve already poo pooed that idea, so I’d love to hear where you think our temperature rates on this planet come from.
Perhaps you should read up a little bit more about precession and axial tilt which causes ice ages and interglacials. It’s no coincidence that the poles have both moved so far from where they originally were a few thousand years ago, and still were until recently. Read here, and get a bit more open minded
Good Star Trek script mate.
Still, I think that general economic collapse will sort out greenhouse gas emissions more effectively than 10 Kyoto Protocols.
It’s not so much “Read here, and get a bit more open minded” but Read here, and lose all tough with reality. I’d suggest you lay off the mind altering substances but it’s obviously already far too late.
Have you looked at the time period that earth’s orbital precession takes? Something like 25k years. Now explain to me how we can see effects in decades? I expect that your “intuition” tells you that it happens almost daily…
Did you read my answer to grumpy about why they’re getting cold air masses moving further south? It is the same reason as it has happened before. Umm here is a post from 2009 A note to the idiots. Weather is not climate. and this was the polar view chart of oddities of heat that month.
Notice that then there were higher than usual temps in the polar areas and colder than usual areas in the continental landmasses adjacent? That is what happens when a pile of cold air gets pushed south at the north pole.
Rather than expending all of that energy on ‘intuition’ and getting my attention. Why don’t you exert enough effort that I don’t have to point out stuff I wrote two years ago.
Peak Oil – Climate Crisis vs. More Motorways
“Yes. Do Panic about Global Warming”
Suzanne Goldenberg reports for ‘The Guardian’:
(Forwarded from the respected website, ‘Common Dreams’.)
In major blow to the fossil fuel industry roading lobby in this country, the Labour Party has just issued a press release attacking the concept of continueing to build more motorways.
http://auckland.scoop.co.nz/2012/02/road-use-falling-yet-roading-a-major-priority/
This is a definite policy shift for Labour, considering that when they were in office, they approved the $billions for the unloved Victoria Park tunnel and the, still to be built, gigantic Waterview motorway and tunnel project.
We should praise the Labour Party when they stand up to corporate lobbyists to advocate for sensible public policy.
But as well as this, we have a duty to call on Labour to go a little bit further. And agree to take this new policy direction into the real world.
Now would be the perfect time to get Labour to agree to scrap the Waterview tunnel, and advocate for the $2 billion put aside for this project, to be instead used to fund free and frequent public transport.
This would achieve three public goods.
1) Protect the local community and environment from the wholesale destruction caused by the construction of a motorway and tunnel through houses and sensitive wetlands.
2) Get tens of thousands of Aucklanders out of their private cars, dramatically cutting traffic congestion and fossil fuel use at the same time.
3) Create permanent ongoing jobs
Though Phil Twyford’s concern is peak oil, the need to cut back fossil fuel use intersects with the environmental destruction caused by continued use of fossil fuel.
The Un-aligned Left, Greenpeace, the Green Party and concerned locals, all opposed to the Waterview motorway extension need to link up with the Labour Party to finally drive a stake through the Waterview motorway extension project, and divert the $2 billion already put aside for this project, into public transport, instead.
The Waterview Motorway extension is one of the Roads of National Significance, or RONS that the powerful roading lobby who call themselves “The Well Connected Group” want the taxpayer to shell out for.
Already the self serving “Well Connected Group” have got the public to shell out half a $billion for the boondoggle, that is the Victoria Park tunnel. (The unloved, gold bricked tunnel to nowhere, except under a relatively small corner of Victoria Park.) Even if you like motorways, for a fraction of the cost they could have gone over the surface.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boondoggle
Grumpy sure doesnt look like Global warming to me (your words) LMFAO
Time to catch a plane to Berlin – my work here is done…………
Talking to people here, Berlin -16c, by the way, they realise they have Ben conned and taxed in the name of global warming.
They are not stupid and see through the rising defensive hysteria of the wealth distribution/global warming activists and their attempt to rename as climate change.
Oh give it a rest grumpy….have you read any of my replies? Or have you reverted to your bad old days of being a fire and forget troll. You know what happens….. Responded to at least some of someone’s replies
Be aware that I am making allowances for the pain of access whilst travelling…
Thanks for your indulgence lprent, but working, living and travelling in -16c conditions does make AGW/Climate Change/Weather/Climate issues float to the top of the heap (as it were).
BTW Waitangi Day made the news over here again. Just finished convincing half a dozen to come over for Christmas but had to do a bit more work after that news item!!!!
Why, were they planning on going to Te Tii with John Key next Waitangi Day?
If it is better weather, it is difficult to believe that Christmas in Summer needs the hard sell to anyone in Europe this week 😉
It’s all relative, hey? I was up at 05.00 to get my friend Daisy on to the Welly train this morning, and she was wearing a massive parka – she’s just returned from a year teaching in Brazil. It’s Feb 6 and we were both freezing cold. “Summer” this year has been spent in jumpers and coats, even the mosquitoes have found it too cold to appear for the past 3 years (I am thankful, but still, some warmth would be nice!) Ah, but it’s global warming isn’t it? 😀
*grin*
Try and think of it like this grumpy. The AGW argument hinges around relatively slow climate temperature trends in the order of about 1 degC/decade.
Right now Europe is many 10’s of degC lower than normal… that’s not climate. It simply means that on average while it’s cold in Europe it MUST be warmer than usual somewhere else. Probably the Arctic.
I trust you also understand Conservation of Energy?
And last year there were heat waves and massive peat and grass fires throughout the north. Amazing how extreme the weather gets when quite small amounts of energy are added to the system….
An Economist article from the last cold snap in Europe…
Other analysis of weather patterns show that while it’s cold, it’s not as cold as it might have been.
…and, BTW……I do know how an evaporative chiller works 🙂
Yeah but this isn’t like that. That is black body type system.
You have to think vertically and with average densities in the air column. Strong warm air systems tend to push cold air because of evaporated water densities in warmer air are higher in the column. But unlike a evaporative cooler there is also a horiziontal mechanism as well
So rising heat in the poles locks heat in water particles and physically pushes relatively cool air masses down latitude. All driven by the heat locked in water particles
I understand the physics and the stored energy in water and like all arguments there are always differing interpretations.
however, after years of predicting rising temperatures and see levels we now have lower temps and stable sea levels.
perhaps the science still has some settling to do.
This is the type of commentray now coming up in all the European countries. Perhaps lprent should explain things to them before people start believing it’s all smoke and mirrors.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2096277/Global-warming-James-Delingpole-claims-green-zealots-destroying-planet.html
Europeans don’t seem to understand much out how unique and fragile their climate is… I wrote about it.
http://thestandard.org.nz/those-childish-people-of-northern-european-descent/
Basically they live in strange climate caused by the heat transported north by the gulf stream. Because of vitamin D deficiencies which causes neotonous effects…
Delingpole is simple minded idiot who has been proven wrong so any times that the real question is why the mail puts up with him. Helps sell tabloid format papers before they hit the fish and chip shop would be my guess.
Having done business in this part of the world for 20 years – I agree with the “childish” bit.
The fridge door has been left open.
Yes that is an excellent example of the CLIMATE CHANGE the earth is experiencing.
Well picked up.
This subject has been raised here so for those who are genuinely interested Peter Dunne explains:
Consistency explained. If the usual suspects are consistent here they will attack people and party and ignore facts. Futile facing facts.
Meh. It’s no surprise that the Hair was committed to selling out Kiwis before the election, Pete. I think that was pointed out to you on a daily basis.
I am not sure of anyone here Petey who thought that the coiffured one had changed his position. I had always thought that his position was supportive of the selling off to overseas interests of our assets it is just he was being a bit disingenuous by suggesting that because only 49% would be sold that things would not change. So your angsty complaint is a bit misplaced.
I see that Dunne is suggesting that this is to allow the power companies to raise capital. So Petey which of it is it? Are the share sales to:
1. Reduce debt,
2. Be spent on schools and irrigation schemes,
3. Allow the power companies to raise capital?
Which is it?
Signed
Confused, Auckland
Peter Dunne changed his position, albeit prior to the election, not out of personal conviction, but to accommodate National. He should change his name to Dr Faustus.
Yip. Dunne is on record as saying he personally doesn’t agree with asset sales, but is going to go ahead with them anyway. Because that way he gets a nice ministerial salary.
This is what he is on record as saying:
I don’t know what record you are claiming.
Dunne is in favour of a Ministerial BMW.
Fallacy. I’ve travelled with him in his car, it’s not a BMW.
How did the chauffeur’s uniform fit, Pete?
All Crown Ministers have access to Beemers, by the way, so I presume you are being typically disingenuous and you were riding in one of his privately owned vehicles at the time, not the Ministerial one.
I don’t know if he uses the BMW service much or at all.
I do know for a fact he self drives a supplied non-BMW. The BMW accusations so far are nothing other than unsubstantiated dissing.
How much does Dunne pay you to cruise the web making apologies for his selfish choice of policy support? Must be more than just the odd road trip in his car, or is the opportunity to be in the presence of your hero enough?
Hes got you under a spell PG…WAKE UP!
Hulun and Heather Simpson signed us up to the BMWS if I remember correctly
Those were the cheap really fuel efficient ones that were remarkably cheap to run.
BTW your spelling is atrocious.
James doesn’t like powerful women. They might take his todger away and leave him nothing to think with.
If it’s been “promoted” since 2005, why is the only quote he has from last year?
And the only quote he has is for “expanding the capital base” of the companies, not paying down needless debt.
And, more importantly, why does that quote not actually state whether United Future would support partial asset sales?
He’s done what you do, Pete – asked a number of questions, provided banal answers, and the tried to point out that all the other parties had said pretty much the same thing. This does not indicate a policy platform.
So the question I have is: are you two kindred spirits, or did you pay to go to a Pete Dunne’s Say A Lot But Mean Fuck-all Training Seminar?
Gordon Campbell on Peter Dunne’s casting vote on asset sales
As the late Roger Kerr pointed out in 2005, Peter Dunne went into the election that year advocating the 40% selldown of the government’s stake in most SOEs. So Dunne can hardly be accused of not being a consistent advocate of the partial privatisation model – he could more accurately claim that it was his idea in the first place.
Referencing: http://m.nbr.co.nz/article/privatisation-a-third-rail
You may recall that United Future was in coalition with Labour from 2005-2008.
Faboo.
Your half-arsed attempt (as a former #3 on list candidate) at providing evidence of party policy pissed me off so much that I actually trawled through scoop – amazingly, you are correct.
Back in the day when United Future had more than one MP, it sold out on policies then, too.
Now, some of us love to follow the minutae of policies and press releases from every single party over the last 2 or 3 elections in order to determine our vote for the upcoming, but I’m not sure many people are like that. Many people tend to follow what people say during the current campaign on the lead issues of the campaign.
SO as a former candidate and current party activist, what indications did United Future give as to their support of National’s asset sales plan during the 2011 election campaign? As far as I can tell, Dunne promised to be a moderating force and drew a line in the sand, as it were (a line that was, luckily, beyond what Key had proposed).
How is providing the single needed vote to pass irreversible policy unaltered going to “keep a government to a reasonable, centrist path“?
what indications did United Future give as to their support of National’s asset sales plan during the 2011 election campaign?
Read the link that was at the start of this thread.
http://www.unitedfuture.org.nz/unitedfuture-on-asset-sales/
(as a former #3 on list candidate)
Another incorrect claim.
Link summarised previously as “And, more importantly, why does that quote not actually state whether United Future would support partial asset sales?
He’s done what you do, Pete – asked a number of questions, provided banal answers, and the tried to point out that all the other parties had said pretty much the same thing. This does not indicate a policy platform.”.
And, bugger me – number 8? My apologies. Obviously, at number 8 on the list, we wouldn’t expect you to know a damned thing about what your party explicitly promised during the campaign.
Didn’t take too long to find it, Pete:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/6123338/Dunne-holds-key-to-asset-sales-vote
In principle he doesn’t agree with asset sales, but because the government has chosen specific things and is only going to sell some of it, he’ll go along with the ride (because he’ll get a ministerial salary out of it).
“Because that way he gets a nice ministerial salary”
A friend said to me the other day that Dunne has to be being paid to not go against asset sales. They lived in his electorate for 25 years and everytime they saw him, they raised the run down Johnsonville Mall and Transmission Gully.
Interesting that the Key Group laud the 51% as maintaining control of State Assets.
Yet it is said that Mrs Rheingold in buying 5%+ of Fairfax with the belief that she will have influence over this media. She paid over $200 million in spite of a falling share price. Wonder what she would be able to do with 49% influence?
So National and its supporters continue to beat up the racism/xenophobia angle on the Crafar farms sale. How did we get to this, and why hasn’t there been a more considered and in-depth public debate about the sale of NZ land, especially productive land, to wealthy foreign individuals and corporations?
So today Stuff is beating up the racism angle.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/6368089/Who-is-really-buying-New-Zealand
I am appalled that this much productive NZ land is being sold to wealthy foreign interests, whether it be Liechtensteinians, Canadians or Israelis.
But I also think we should look more closely at the differing impact on NZ from sale of non-productive compared with productive land; and to wealthy individuals versus big coporations; to expats setting up home and business in NZ versus people continuing to live elsewhere; and to independent individuals/organisations compared with sales subsidised by powerful foreign governments.
The big question for me is NOT why Crafar has resulted in such an outcry, but why there hasn’t been similar criticisms of some of the other sales?
As far as I’m aware, there are some specific issues that have resulted in the Crafar sale getting media attention. Some of it is likely related to be anti-Chinese attitudes from some. But also, there have been some Kiwi farmers who were a little peeved they they were not able to buy one of the farms, beacuse they were sold as one job lot.
But also, there was a fair bit of media attention a while back, because the first main contender to buy the farms was a dodgy Hong Kong based outfit that misrepresented themselves.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/6286635/Third-arrest-over-failed-Crafar-farm-bid
But lets have more in-depth and critical public debate about the benefits and damages to NZ of the sale of different kinds of land, productive land and other assets to wealthy foreigners, which ever country they are from.
Does what benefits or damages NZ (whatever that construct might actually be) have a corresponding positive or negative impact on you and me? Surely that’s the first question that needs answered.
My initial response might be based on a cursory glance at the impoverished state of British people at the height of empire when Britain was enjoying enormous benefits. Or then again, I might consider the lot of the majority of US citizens given that the US is the worlds most succesful economy. And the conclusion would have to be that what’s good for a country (ie an economy) does not automatically bestow corresponding benefits on a citizenry.
I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again…it doesn’t matter two hoots who owns land. We are excluded from any and all say over the use of the land and its resources regardless of who the owner is. And all owners (restrictive legislation aside and whether state or private entities) are generally in it for the money.
And that money and any benefits that may flow from it are under the control of the owners (and the state insofar as taxes are paid) We simply don’t have a look in.
So all this stramash about who should own what comes down to expressions of mere emotive preference for particular masters. But aren’t they all more or less the same in the end? And isn’t the position of any and all of them illegitimate in the final analysis?
Bill said:
Does what benefits or damages NZ (whatever that construct might actually be) have a corresponding positive or negative impact on you and me? Surely that’s the first question that needs answered.
Yes, good question. As a non-land owner, I do tend to assume that “good for NZ” means good for all the citizenry. IMO, there’s something wrong with an economic analysis or theory that is used to show that a country is economically successful, when there is no widespread benefit to all or most of the people living in that country.
However, as well as the international divisions between the ruling elite and the rest, there is an overlapping and intersecting hierarchy of more and less powerful/wealthy nation states. The results is that there is an added impact on struggling Kiwis (in a country that is somewhere in the middle of the global hierarchy) when wealthy foreigners push up the price of land (and subsequently rents, while lowering wages, employment etc), and siphons off profits overseas.
While globalisation has weakend the power of nation states, it’s still largely through national political processes and struggles that the relatively powerless majority can exercise any influence and control over their circumstances.
But, I agree, such local struggles are set within a wider global struggle against the transnational elites.
Yes they are. Privatisation and capitalism is the cause of the growing poverty that we see in the world.
+1 Carol
. . . and thinking of the way that Ironbridge loaded Mediaworks with debt to finance their purchase, it might also be a good idea to have a look at how overseas buyers structure these investments after the sale goes through.
Are these sales actually contributing to the country’s high levels of private overseas debt that are being used to justify further asset sales to overseas buyers?
A nice shout out from Hillary Clinton:
Secretary of State Waitangi Day Statement
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesperson
For Immediate Release
February 4, 2012
2012/167
STATEMENT BY SECRETARY CLINTON
New Zealand Waitangi Day
On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I am delighted to send best wishes to the people of New Zealand as you commemorate the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, this February 6. This is a time to reflect on New Zealand’s rich history and promising future.
The United States and New Zealand share a vibrant partnership, shaped by the Wellington Declaration and our years of friendship and cooperation. We look forward to continuing to deepen our relationship in the coming year as we work together promoting peace and stability, protecting the fragile Pacific environment, expanding economic opportunity, and standing up for global human rights. The United States stands by New Zealand as you continue to face the challenges brought by earthquakes in the Canterbury region. Your resilience and strength have set an example for the world.
As you observe this special day in New Zealand and in places around the world, I wish all New Zealanders a happy Waitangi Day, and a year filled with peace and prosperity.
A pity then that most of the shouting here is disgraceful, and overshadows any good that some are trying to achieve with it.
The bitch spiral seems out of control in Waitangi. Have to look elsewhere for positive aspirations.
Disgracful? Yeah, and that’s without the pitchforks, torches, guillotines and gallows!
Not quite as disgraceful as those who are trying to shut the conversation down.
Not sure what ‘the conversation’ refers to – the protest of the moment? Bbut who is trying to shut conversations down? Those shouting over invited guests?
I suspect those involved in organising the events at Waitangi get a bit sick of their conversation being hijacked. Free speech is principle that should be applied evenly, yes?
You can’t have a conversation if only a few are allowed to speak. Or, to put it another way, if only those who were organised to speak spoke then there wouldn’t be a conversation.
Maybe those shouting over others are pissed off that they’re not being heard any other way.
re Asset Sales :-
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1202/S00046/marchrally-to-oppose-asset-sales.htm
Good one Herald – Rahui Katene does NOT hold the seat of Te Tai Tonga any more: You got the Wrong Maori!
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10783561
I wonder if it may have been Rino Tirikatene, Labour MP for Te Tai Tonga since Nov 26, who was walking with Shearer.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rino_Tirikatene
Well spotted, CV, that’s a classic. I also like this quote from Key after he was forced to cut and run:
“I come to pay my respects to the elders of the marae and at the end of the day I’m just not a Prime Minister that cuts and runs.”
when he had done exactly that cut and run!
John Key said he wasn’t going to cry… that’s because he ran away instead. Key also said he hadn’t run away because he was scared, however people attending Waitangi said they’d seen fear in his eyes.
Oh dear when that nice Mr Key wants to speak at Waitangi he is unable to be heard due to creating a backlash by not respecting section 9 of the SOE legislation. When he sits in a public cafe and converses he gets upset when he can be heard.
Were there covert police cameras operating at Waitangi?
I personally would not have used my invitation to go to Waitangi to discuss section 9 of the SOE legislation as this was not appropriate. Only a desperate impatient person would be so stupid.
Great that Key said he will return!! because he wont let a few activists put him off. Seem to remember Hulun not returning to Waitangi ,and you guys supporting her fully. Slightly hypocritical one would have to think
Go on post a few links showing that the Standard’s writers supported Helen’s decision not to return to Waitangi. Go on, I dare you …
Key has learned from Dr Maori brash[bash] bad publicity is good publicity get the red necks on side.
Divide and conquer.
Dunno if its working, mik e. The rural red necks down my local have started calling the PM some nasty names of late, mostly variations on Egg Foo John. That’s the most polite one, the others are much less tasteful.
I’ve seen him cutting and running from the House when he couldn’t/wouldn’t answer the questions put to him by the opposition.
Goodness me. It isn’t as if they look very alike, I mean, there is the obvious gender difference, then there is the height and …..
Joyce is trying to lead a debate to gain greater acceptance of foreign investment
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10783089
So let the debate begin:
Offshore investors rob local investors of opportunity and resources.
Offshore owners rob control and increase political influence that can lead to local law changes.
Offshore investors also borrow money locally, crowding out and limiting funding for local businesses.
The more profitable the project, the smaller the net inflow of foreign funds and the larger the outflow of profits.
Profits repatriated by offshore investors tend to exceed total funds invested. Exacerbated by transfer pricing and other forms of creative accounting. Often offsetting any claims of large local tax benefits eventuating.
Offshore owners tend to restructure and layoff staff.
In many cases, jobs that are created would be created whether or not the project was offshore or locally owned.
The only benefit seems to be it encourages the transfer of management skills, intellectual property, and technology. However, they can also be bought, hired or developed.
If foreign investment was as good as Joyce claims then he’d be able to prove it with facts & figures from existing foreign investment in NZ. After all, there is over $300billion already invested in this country by foreigners. Perhaps someone should tell Joyce we can see for ourselves how wealthy it has made us all & how the economy is roaring alone because of it.
How much more overwhelming evidence does Joyce want before he wakes up that it’s not doing us any good? Is $400billion enough, maybe a $trillion?
(NB – Aussie investment alone is said to be +$100billion, overseas lenders have invested over $150billion so the final tally must be well over $300billion.)
A new economic recovery tax to address our capital shortfall?
If the Government were to introduce a new economic recovery tax at say a mere one dollar a week, that would produce around two million dollars a week, 8 million a month, or around 100 million a year, to invest in new value added exporting ventures.
A two dollar a week tax would double that amount with most workers not even noticing the loss from their pay.
This would stimulate the local economy (jobs) and generate new wealth while reducing our over reliance of foreign capital.
Three things about that Mr Chairman:
1. It would deny the Government the excuse to make further cuts.
2. It would be too easy.
3. How would the rich get richer.
Much better to hire some investment banking consultants to draw up the contracts you need to sell off the country, you don’t even need your own Ministery staff to do that work, so you can gut the public sector out at the same time.
That’s what I call efficiency!
And all the foreign Banksters money will never be seen in this country again and you can bet your bottom dollar they come from countries that are deliberately keeping their currency low[printing or devaluing theirs + subsidising fuel and agriculture]!
There ain’t 2 million net taxpayers in NZ
The New Black: is Cut and Run going to be this year’s Smile and Wave?
Political obituaries often feature moments like Key’s cowardice this morning as being pivotal in public perception. Given the inevitability of Key’s departure to Honolulu in this term, I’m picking that we will see the phrases ‘John Key’ and ‘cut and run’ in close proximity right up until the plane leaves. Hell, the title of the cash in biography writes itself: From Smile and Wave to Cut and Run; the John Key story.
Your comment is no better than this “Shearer’s weasel words” post.
Can someone find the TV video clip of John Key ridiculing Helen Clark for refusing to return to Waitangi Treaty celebrations after her experiences? It was well aired at the time – was it 2007? It would be pleasurable to watch again after his ‘cut and run’ this morning!
I bet he blames it on his minders. He will say they made him do it.
Please John Key – just take tomorrow off. There’s nothing to be gained by going back to Waitangi.
Let the rich Maori explain to the poor Maori how they’re going to reduce inequality among their own people. Give them their sovereignty and let them do to each other what their warrior customs proscribe.
Helen Clark was verbally abused by that convicted violent criminal Titiwhai Harawira. You know, the one surgically attached to John Key the minute he steps onto the Marae.
In better news today http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/6369711/Soldier-who-collapsed-during-SAS-trial-wakes
promising.
I hope so 🙂
Oh that’s good news! 🙂
The national party’s favourite donor and secret visitor might have to defend himself against financial skullduggery again