Speaking as a Rightie I can say that I don't have much confidence in this government to turn things around, primarily because I think they'll get stymied by the bureaucracies and because National is less pro-capitalist than pro-business. I can't see them ...
Looks like National has ended the "war on farmers" so those farmers, or at least a good proportion of them, can continue the war on our environment: https://www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/community/whats-happening/news/media-releases/green-stream-complaints-...
Greenpeace has organised a march to protest against the Fast-track Approvals Bill. It will be on Saturday 8 June, at Aotea Square, Queen St, Auckland at 1 pm. Attend if you can.
Sad truths... https://i.imgflip.com/8pkl6w.jpg
I'm sure the good people of Texas would agree the hydrological cycle has been disrupted. “In nature, there are neither rewards or punishments; there are consequences". Robert Greene Ingersoll - 1881
The deadline for public submissions on the Fast-track Approvals Bill has passed, but citizens can still express their views on it by writing to their local MP. Copy the message to the PM as well.
Forgot to add that: * our public hospitals have been told to cut $105 million from their budgets by July. * the navy is in a "fragile" state. Despite all that, we should count our blessings.
Today's NZ Herald also carried stories about: * car thieves stealing a Porsche from a Parnell address and leading the police a merry dance thru' the Waikato before they were stopped * overworked after-hours medical centres and stressed GPs * a man who ...
The trucking company's operating methods, as described in the High Court in 2019, don't inspire confidence about safety for other road users: http://www.nzlii.org/cgi-bin/sinodisp/nz/cases/NZHC/2019/1133.html?query=semenoff
Good point about the phoney "war" (which non-farmers would call justified regulation). Federated Farmers has played the role of innocent victim perfectly.
Like all governments, they'll fix the environment as soon as they've fixed the economy. So don't worry folks, it's on the list.
The unspoken premise underlying the FTA Bill is that when it comes to major projects for the national benefit, the politicians know what is best for all of us. There is no need for any public debate; just cut the red tape. Well, they don't. In his book "A ...
Friday 19 April is the last day for making a submission on the Fast-track Approvals Bill, now before Parliament. The Environmental Defence Society has stated in its submission: “What is clear from the Bill is that it’s a fake premise, purporting to speed ...
Having experienced a major traffic jam the other day on Auckland Harbour bridge, I sympathise with those who call for a second bridge. But where do the cars go once they make the crossing? NZTA will have to bulldoze many houses in suburbs each side of the ...
The other day, Stats NZ provided this report on erosion-prone land across the country: https://stats.govt.nz/news/more-than-half-of-highly-erodible-land-located-in-the-north-island-in-2022/#:~:text=Island%20in%202022-,More%20than%20half%20of%20highly%...
People have until Friday 19 April to make a submission to Parliament's Environment select committee on the Fast-track Approvals Bill. The Bill, if enacted, will mean a government minister has almost unfettered discretion when deciding whether an ...
Heard him speak at a public meeting. He was the sort of man who advanced well-analysed arguments to support his case. In short, the voice of reason.
Wrong! Shane Jones's proposed Resource Management Act rules (aka "Anything Goes") will see many new and wonderful projects get the green light. Unemployment will disappear overnight, along with the environment.
Anyone with aspirations to be a financial genius should first read Niall Ferguson's book "The Ascent of Money" (2008). Most illuminating.
They are not there to get the views of people, they are there to push their own views which are almost invariably right wing. I see this constantly on Left-wing blogs and social media accounts so it seems an accepted truth. But were that true then right-...
Every New Zealander should be greatly concerned about the proposed Bill, which leaves enormous power in the hands of ministers to authorise projects. But will those projects be in the national interest, or merely in the interests of National? The ...
The White Island fatalities have resulted in the companies involved being fined some $10 million in total. Will those fines be paid? (Reparations to victims and their families are included). We are told one company is a corporate trustee with no bank ...
TV news at 6pm today (29 Feb) featured an item critical of allegedly unfair contract terms in retirement home contracts. I see Southern Cross has retirement care villages in some Oz states, but apparently none in NZ. Presumably SC would be a cheaper option...
Sounds like that approach could be worth a try. The authorities could test its effectiveness, maybe? I just hope NZ doesn't follow the USA and Canada and get a wave of fentanyl, which is impossible to get off once you start on it. Apparently the dealers ...
Forest & Bird stopped the Ruataniwha project in Hawkes Bay, but only after expensive litigation. As I understand it, the dam proposal was blocked under the RMA process. But a senior DoC official then concocted a deal with the dam developer for a land swap,...
Just seen a Greenpeace news item noting that Luxon wants to pass legislation promoting irrigation dams on more of our rivers. I guess it'll be called the "Favours for our Rural Mates" Bill or some such. Irrigated land can quadruple in value, so it is often...
There are plenty of Aussie visitors we definitely don't want to sneak in, such as cane toads. If we get those, our wildlife is stuffed. Mind you, it wouldn't matter to Tourism NZ. As far as that body is concerned, this country has no pollution, no child ...
Reading about Grant Robertson got me thinking about NZ politics as compared to the rest of the world. We are fortunate that NZ still has people who enter politics for the good of the nation, not to enrich themselves. In some other countries people don't ...
Grant Robertson will need to exhibit some fancy footwork if he is to succeed at Otago Uni. Last year, that institution spent $1.3 million on a "rebranding" exercise, complete with new logo, but also made more than 100 staff redundant. Nothing wrong with ...
Does anyone else get tired of how PR people use the word "welcome" in their media releases? It is usually applied by politicians when an official report is released which reflects badly on a government department. The officials involved always "welcome" ...
The rural sector (dairy industry in particular) has already made huge steps towards privatising the nation's water. Some of them just steal it: https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/81191467/millions-of-litres-of-water-illegally-taken-is-ecan-doing-...
Recent Comments