Spot the difference! Stating the nation
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10:19 am, January 23rd, 2014 - 97 comments
Categories: child welfare, class, climate change, cost of living, david cunliffe, democratic participation, economy, education, election 2014, equality, greens, john key, labour, poverty, russel norman, same old national, sustainability -
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The MSM are talking up the contest between the up-coming 2 speeches by John Key today, and David Cunliffe on Monday. Both are targeting West Auckland for their first speech, setting the platform for their upcoming election campaigns. Key was chosen the Trusts Stadium in Henderson – Paula Bennett’s territory. Cunliffe has chosen Kelston – location of the new Kelston electorate, seen as solid Labour territory.
But there are other differences – too obvious for the stating:
John Key’s event as in an invite on the Accountant Blog:
The West Auckland Business Club and ATEED are proud to present a lunch with special guest speaker Prime Minister the Rt Hon John Key – in his first address of 2014.
The first Business Forum of the year on 23 January will be the sixth occasion the Prime Minister has agreed to speak to a Business Forum.
The lunch will be an ideal opportunity to network with leaders of the West Auckland business community, catch up with Business Club members after the holidays, and host your team and key clients at a table.
Come along and enjoy a buffet lunch amid lively conversations prompted by the Prime Minister’s insights.
Please register quickly before this event sells out.
The West Auckland Business Club is a not-for-profit organisation and for the past 21 years, all profits from events have been donated to the West Auckland community.
Date: Thursday 23 January 2014, 11:00am – 1.30pm
Venue: Genesis Lounge, The Trusts Arena, 65 Central Park Drive, Henderson
Cost: $90 + GST each, or book a table of 10 for $850 + GST (includes lunch)
Register here.
According to National Party cheerleader, John Armstrong, Key will:
Key has chosen education as the main focus of his speech because he believes elections are won and lost on how governments handle matters fundamental to people’s daily lives, such as law and order and economic management.
Last year’s disappointing PISA results showing that New Zealand school students’ performance in reading, maths and science had slipped against some countries has left National vulnerable in a portfolio area where it had previously felt it held the advantage over Labour in terms of putting forward policies that parents wanted to see implemented but which did not square with Labour ideology.
Cunliffe’s speech is a free, no frills event at Kelston Girls College:
Join Labour leader David Cunliffe for the State of the Nation Speech 2014: A Nation of Opportunity.
Be there at the new venue, Kelston Girls’ College Auditorium, Corner Great North Road and Archibald Road, Kelston, West Auckland.
If you can’t be there in person catch up later on YouTube. Have your say on Facebook, with Twitter#Labour2014 or email stateofthenation@cunliffe.co.nz.
This event is for members and supporters of the New Zealand Labour Party.
According to the Labour Party website,
State of the Nation
Join David Cunliffe for his State of the Nation address – at the new venue, Kelston Girls’ College Auditorium.
David will speak about creating opportunities for every New Zealander, no matter who they are or where they were born.
Cunliffe has already indicated some of the possibly less palatable parts of his policy platform: GGST to remain on fruit and vege; no $5000 tax free zone; superannuation age will stay ay 67 years with some adjustments for gender and social equity. And he has put some distance between Labour and the Greens in not totally opposing deep sea oil drilling.
Russel Norman has expressed disappointment about Cunliffe’s support of deep sea oil drilling (with legislation ensuring strong safety measures), and called it a huge mistake. This will test the Labour-Green relationship (as micky has posted on The Standard), but I don’t see it as insurmountable. It is one of the reasons why my party vote will still be for the Green Party. It also shows a clear difference betwen the two potential coalition partners, even though they have similar aims for society: a good thing about MMP, is that significant issues need be given some public airing, and the public can have some input on it.
What other differences will there be between these two upcoming important speeches by Key and Cunliffe?
[Update] Metiria Turei’s speech, Sunday: Picnic for the Planet
When: Sunday, January 26, 2014 – 11:00am – 3:00pm
Where: Waitangi Park, Wellington
Join Metiria and the Green team for Picnic for the Planet 2014.
Metiria will give her State of New Zealand speech at 12pm followed by performances by Nelson’s own Minuit and special guests.
There’ll be plenty of food and drink stalls to keep you refreshed, kids entertainment for the little ones and friendly NGO stalls sharing their good green message.
Picnic for the Planet is free so bring the family, your mates and enjoy the sun, music and hear about our Green vision for 2014.
No clues so far as to what will be in Turei’s speech.
[UPDATE] Key’s speech defensively slammed Greens and Labour then focused on the corporatising of education.
Key starts his speech by hoping everyone had a good Christmas like him – playing golf! He then put a diversionary gloss on the (to him on-) growth of the income inequality gap: he said it’s not tru what the opposition say: “”It’s not true that the rich are getting richer and the poor getting poorer.”
key attacked Lab-green power policy; Labour on taxes, super, decreasing competition; Lab-green power policy;
He got into a muddled attempt to reiterate the “neoliberal” focus on individual responsibility, with reference to his own, state-house-to-bankster-PM myth. He said Lab-green want to take us back to the 70s – the 70s from which he got far better support from NZ’s welfare state than low income people today.
Key claims he’s strong on trust and integrity
Then he got onto education – claimed NZ’s record has gone backwards since 2000. So, to help the kids, he’ll put the focus on improving teaching first, and leadership 2nd. His policy – outlined in this Nat press release, is about corporatising education, and increasing competition within the system: a system with extra layers of bureaucracy and hierarchy; with “Executive Principals” and “Lead Teachers” paid extra on top of their salaries.
[Update] Tweet from Metiria Turei:Vote Green and you get both – great education policy and protected beaches. I’m making an education announcement in Sunday mx
Winston Peters responds to Key’s speech:
Rt Hon Winston Peters says the Prime Minister presented a particularly self-serving, selective view of what is actually happening in New Zealand.
Newstalk ZB: Transcript of Key’s speech.
Green Party responds to Key’s speech: ‘National fails to address inequality in education‘
Cunliffe’s stand up today – Key’s speech was “a six page apology for Hekia Parata”.
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The Green Party welcomes the coronation of the new Maaori Kuiini, Te Arikinui Nga Wai Hono i te Po, today in Turangawaewae. ...4 days ago
- ECE teachers deserve better than this Government
The Green Party is unsurprised but disappointed by today’s announcement from the Government that will see our Early Childhood Centre teachers undermined and pay parity pushed further out of reach. ...5 days ago
- Urgent intervention needed on supermarkets
The Green Party is calling on the Government to intervene in the supermarket duopoly dominating our supply of groceries following today’s report from the Commerce Commission. ...5 days ago
- Release: Rainbow youth neglected in mental health funding
Labour backs the call from The Rainbow Support Collective members for mental health funding specifically earmarked for grassroots and peer led community organisations to be set up in a way that they are able to access. ...6 days ago
- Release: Transport in NZ has to be more than just roads
As expected, the National Land Transport Programme lacks ambition for our cities and our country’s rail network and puts the majority of investment into roads. ...6 days ago
- Speech: Barbara Edmonds Building Nations 2024
Tēnā koutou katoa, Thank you for your warm welcome and for having my colleagues and I here today. Earlier you heard from the Labour Leader, Chris Hipkins, on our vision for the future of infrastructure. I want to build on his comments and provide further detail on some key elements ...6 days ago
- Govt transport plan deepens fossil fuel fix
The Green Party says the Government’s new National Land Transport Programme marks another missed opportunity to take meaningful action to fight the climate crisis. ...1 week ago
- Greens call for public to back Wrybill in BOTY and beyond
The Green Party is calling on the public to support the Ngutu Pare Wrybill not just in this year’s Bird of the Year competition but also in pushing back against policies that could lead to the destruction of its habitat and accelerate its extinction. ...1 week ago
- Building consents data bad news for construction
News that the annual number of building consents granted for new homes fell by more than 20 percent for the year ended July 2024, is bad news for the construction industry. ...1 week ago
- Te Pāti Māori Pay Tribute to Kiingi Tūheitia Pōtatau Te Wherowhero VII
Papā te whatitiri, hikohiko te uira, i kanapu ki te rangi, i whētuki i raro rā, rū ana te whenua e. Uea te pou o tōku whare kia tū tangata he kapua whakairi nāku nā runga o Taupiri. Ko taku kiri ka tōkia ki te anu mātao. E te iwi ...1 week ago
- Release: Gaps still to be addressed in callouts response
The Government must guarantee New Zealanders will not be at risk after making changes to the way mental health callouts are handled. ...1 week ago
- Poroporoaki: Kiingi Tuheitia passing
Haere e te Kīngi o te kotahitangi Haere ki o nui, ki o rahi I te pō ...1 week ago
- Green Party pays respects to Kiingi Tuuheitia
The Green Party is paying tribute to the Māori King, Kiingi Tuuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero XVII, after he passed away earlier this morning. ...1 week ago
- Potaka Brings Whakaata Māori to its Knees
Today’s Whakaata Māori announcement is yet another colossal failure from Minister Potaka, who has turned his back on te reo Māori, forcing a channel offline, putting whānau out of jobs, and cutting Māori content, says Te Pāti Māori. “A Senior Māori Minister has turned his back on Te Reo Māori. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: National restricts access to disability care homes
With disability communities still reeling from the diminishing of Whaikaha, a leaked document now reveals another blow with National restricting access to residential care homes. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Govt must help save 230 manufacturing jobs
Labour is calling on the Government and Mercury Energy to find a solution to the proposed Winstone Pulp mill closure and save 230 manufacturing jobs. ...2 weeks ago
- Govt shirks its responsibility to Whakaata Māori
The Green Party has called out the Government for allowing Whakaata Māori to effectively collapse to a shell of its former self as job cuts and programming cuts were announced at the broadcaster today. ...2 weeks ago
- NZ First Member’s Bill To Disestablish Auckland Transport
Today New Zealand First has introduced a Member’s Bill that will restore democratic control over transport management in Auckland City by disestablishing Auckland Transport (AT) and returning control to Auckland Council. The ‘Local Government (Auckland Council) (Disestablishment of Auckland Transport) Amendment Bill’ intends to restore democratic oversight, control, and accountability ...2 weeks ago - Release: PM fails in constitutional role and leadership
The failure of the Prime Minister to condemn his Minister for personally attacking the judiciary is another example of this Government riding roughshod over important constitutional rules. ...2 weeks ago
- Waititi urges Rotorua Lakes Council to immediately stop works at Lake Rotokākahi
Te Pāti Māori co-leader and Member of Parliament for Waiariki, which includes Rotorua, has written to Rotorua Lakes Councillors requesting they immediately stop sewerage piping works at Lake Rotokākahi in Rotorua. “Mana whenua have been urging Rotorua Lakes Council to stop works and look at alternative plans to protect the ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Patient care at risk from redundancies
Patient care could suffer as a result of further cuts to the health system, which could lose thousands of staff who keep our hospitals and clinics running. ...2 weeks ago
- Greens call on Govt to wake up on child poverty
The Green Party says the latest statistics on child poverty in this country highlight the callous approach that the Government is taking on this issue of national shame. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Police are off the beat under National
Foot patrols around the country have decreased 15 percent since National took office, despite National’s Mark Mitchell claiming otherwise. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Climate denial is an insult to Pacific leaders
Winston Peters’ climate denialism at the Pacific Islands’ Forum is an embarrassing new low. ...2 weeks ago
- Govt must end solitary confinement
The Green Party is urging the Government to end the use of solitary confinement within our prisons after new research revealed some prisoners have been held in confinement for more than 900 days. ...2 weeks ago
- Fossil fuels never the answer in climate crisis
The Government’s moves to enable the import of Liquefied Natural Gas is another step away from the sustainable and affordable energy network that this country needs. ...2 weeks ago
- Government must respect Court’s Uber employee decision
Today’s court ruling upholding the rights of Uber drivers is a message to the Government that it must not tamper with employment protections. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Uber court decision recognises workers’ rights
The Court of Appeal decision that Uber drivers are entitled to employee rights such as minimum wage, sick leave, holiday pay and collective bargaining is welcome news for the drivers involved and their unions. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour calls on Govt to divest from illegal settlements
The Labour Party is calling on the Government to tell the two major wealth funds, the NZ Super Fund and ACC, to withdraw investments from companies listed by the United Nations as complicit in Israel’s illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Govt backtrack on fast-track still not enough
Labour welcomes news that the National Government is backing down on its reckless proposal to give Ministers final sign-off on significant projects, but it’s still not enough. ...2 weeks ago
- Fast track still on track to environmental destruction
Our environment remains at risk despite the Government's proposed changes to its controversial fast-track legislation. ...2 weeks ago
- Ohinemuri River pollution highlights mining risks
The harrowing images of the severely polluted Ohinemuri River caused by an old mining shaft could become a more common occurrence under the mining regime the Government is looking to roll out. ...2 weeks ago
- Action to grow the rural health workforce
Scholarships awarded to 27 health care students is another positive step forward to boost the future rural health workforce, Associate Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “All New Zealanders deserve timely access to quality health care and this Government is committed to improving health outcomes, particularly for the one in five ...7 hours ago - Pharmac delivering more for Kiwis following major funding boost
Associate Health Minister with responsibility for Pharmac David Seymour has welcomed the increased availability of medicines for Kiwis resulting from the Government’s increased investment in Pharmac. “Pharmac operates independently, but it must work within the budget constraints set by the Government,” says Mr Seymour. “When our Government assumed office, New ...7 hours ago
- Sport Minister congratulates NZ’s Paralympians
Sport & Recreation Minister Chris Bishop has congratulated New Zealand's Paralympic Team at the conclusion of the Paralympic Games in Paris. “The NZ Paralympic Team's success in Paris included fantastic performances, personal best times, New Zealand records and Oceania records all being smashed - and of course, many Kiwis on ...9 hours ago
- Government progresses response to Abuse in Care recommendations
A Crown Response Office is being established within the Public Service Commission to drive the Government’s response to the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care. “The creation of an Office within a central Government agency was a key recommendation by the Royal Commission’s final report. “It will have the mandate ...3 days ago
- Passport wait times back on-track
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says passport processing has returned to normal, and the Department of Internal Affairs [Department] is now advising customers to allow up to two weeks to receive their passport. “I am pleased that passport processing is back at target service levels and the Department ...3 days ago
- New appointments to the FMA board
Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister has today announced three new appointments and one reappointment to the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) board. Tracey Berry, Nicholas Hegan and Mariette van Ryn have been appointed for a five-year term ending in August 2029, while Chris Swasbrook, who has served as a board member ...3 days ago
- District Court judges appointed
Attorney-General Hon Judith Collins today announced the appointment of two new District Court judges. The appointees, who will take up their roles at the Manukau Court and the Auckland Court in the Accident Compensation Appeal Jurisdiction, are: Jacqui Clark Judge Clark was admitted to the bar in 1988 after graduating ...3 days ago
- Government makes it faster and easier to invest in New Zealand
Associate Minister of Finance David Seymour is encouraged by significant improvements to overseas investment decision timeframes, and the enhanced interest from investors as the Government continues to reform overseas investment. “There were about as many foreign direct investment applications in July and August as there was across the six months ...3 days ago
- New Zealand to join Operation Olympic Defender
New Zealand has accepted an invitation to join US-led multi-national space initiative Operation Olympic Defender, Defence Minister Judith Collins announced today. Operation Olympic Defender is designed to coordinate the space capabilities of member nations, enhance the resilience of space-based systems, deter hostile actions in space and reduce the spread of ...4 days ago
- Government commits to ‘stamping out’ foot and mouth disease
Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says that a new economic impact analysis report reinforces this government’s commitment to ‘stamp out’ any New Zealand foot and mouth disease incursion. “The new analysis, produced by the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research, shows an incursion of the disease in New Zealand would have ...4 days ago
- Improving access to finance for Kiwis
5 September 2024 The Government is progressing further reforms to financial services to make it easier for Kiwis to access finance when they need it, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Financial services are foundational for economic success and are woven throughout our lives. Without access to finance our ...4 days ago
- Prime Minister pays tribute to Kiingi Tuheitia
As Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII is laid to rest today, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has paid tribute to a leader whose commitment to Kotahitanga will have a lasting impact on our country. “Kiingi Tuheitia was a humble leader who served his people with wisdom, mana and an unwavering ...4 days ago
- Resource Management reform to make forestry rules clearer
Forestry Minister Todd McClay today announced proposals to reform the resource management system that will provide greater certainty for the forestry sector and help them meet environmental obligations. “The Government has committed to restoring confidence and certainty across the sector by removing unworkable regulatory burden created by the previous ...4 days ago
- More choice and competition in building products
A major shake-up of building products which will make it easier and more affordable to build is on the way, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Today we have introduced legislation that will improve access to a wider variety of quality building products from overseas, giving Kiwis more choice and ...4 days ago
- Joint Statement between the Republic of Korea and New Zealand 4 September 2024, Seoul
On the occasion of the official visit by the Right Honourable Prime Minister Christopher Luxon of New Zealand to the Republic of Korea from 4 to 5 September 2024, a summit meeting was held between His Excellency President Yoon Suk Yeol of the Republic of Korea (hereinafter referred to as ...5 days ago
- Comprehensive Strategic Partnership the goal for New Zealand and Korea
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Republic of Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol. “Korea and New Zealand are likeminded democracies and natural partners in the Indo Pacific. As such, we have decided to advance discussions on elevating the bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive ...5 days ago
- International tourism continuing to bounce back
Results released today from the International Visitor Survey (IVS) confirm international tourism is continuing to bounce back, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Matt Doocey says. The IVS results show that in the June quarter, international tourism contributed $2.6 billion to New Zealand’s economy, an increase of 17 per cent on last ...5 days ago
- Government confirms RMA reforms to drive primary sector efficiency
The Government is moving to review and update national level policy directives that impact the primary sector, as part of its work to get Wellington out of farming. “The primary sector has been weighed down by unworkable and costly regulation for too long,” Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. “That is ...5 days ago
- Weak grocery competition underscores importance of cutting red tape
The first annual grocery report underscores the need for reforms to cut red tape and promote competition, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “The report paints a concerning picture of the $25 billion grocery sector and reinforces the need for stronger regulatory action, coupled with an ambitious, economy-wide ...5 days ago
- Government moves to lessen burden of reliever costs on ECE services
Associate Education Minister David Seymour says the Government has listened to the early childhood education sector’s calls to simplify paying ECE relief teachers. Today two simple changes that will reduce red tape for ECEs are being announced, in the run-up to larger changes that will come in time from the ...6 days ago
- Over 2,320 people engage with first sector regulatory review
Regulation Minister David Seymour says there has been a strong response to the Ministry for Regulation’s public consultation on the early childhood education regulatory review, affirming the need for action in reducing regulatory burden. “Over 2,320 submissions have been received from parents, teachers, centre owners, child advocacy groups, unions, research ...6 days ago
- Government backs women in horticulture
“The Government is empowering women in the horticulture industry by funding an initiative that will support networking and career progression,” Associate Minister of Agriculture, Nicola Grigg says. “Women currently make up around half of the horticulture workforce, but only 20 per cent of leadership roles which is why initiatives like this ...6 days ago
- Government to pause freshwater farm plan rollout
The Government will pause the rollout of freshwater farm plans until system improvements are finalised, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds and Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard announced today. “Improving the freshwater farm plan system to make it more cost-effective and practical for farmers is a priority for this ...6 days ago
- Milestone reached for fixing the Holidays Act 2003
Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety Brooke van Velden says yesterday Cabinet reached another milestone on fixing the Holidays Act with approval of the consultation exposure draft of the Bill ready for release next week to participants. “This Government will improve the Holidays Act with the help of businesses, workers, and ...6 days ago
- New priorities to protect future of conservation
Toitū te marae a Tāne Mahuta me Hineahuone, toitū te marae a Tangaroa me Hinemoana, toitū te taiao, toitū te tangata. The Government has introduced clear priorities to modernise Te Papa Atawhai - The Department of Conservation’s protection of our natural taonga. “Te Papa Atawhai manages nearly a third of our ...6 days ago
- Faster 110km/h speed limit to accelerate Kāpiti
A new 110km/h speed limit for the Kāpiti Expressway Road of National Significance (RoNS) has been approved to reduce travel times for Kiwis travelling in and out of Wellington, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy. ...6 days ago
- IVL increase to ensure visitors contribute more to New Zealand
The International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) will be raised to $100 to ensure visitors contribute to public services and high-quality experiences while visiting New Zealand, Minister for Tourism and Hospitality Matt Doocey and Minister of Conservation Tama Potaka say. “The Government is serious about enabling the tourism sector ...6 days ago
- Delivering priority connections for the West Coast
A record $255 million for transport investment on the West Coast through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will strengthen the region’s road and rail links to keep people connected and support the region’s economy, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The Government is committed to making sure that every ...1 week ago
- Road and rail reliability a focus for Wellington
A record $3.3 billion of transport investment in Greater Wellington through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will increase productivity and reduce travel times, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Delivering infrastructure to increase productivity and economic growth is a priority for our Government. We're focused on delivering transport projects ...1 week ago
- Record investment to boost economic and housing growth in the Waikato
A record $1.9 billion for transport investment in the Waikato through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will create a more efficient, safe, and resilient roading network that supports economic growth and productivity, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “With almost a third of the country’s freight travelling into, out ...1 week ago
- Building reliable and efficient roading for Taranaki
A record $808 million for transport investment in Taranaki through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will support economic growth and productivity, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Taranaki’s roads carry a high volume of freight from primary industries and it’s critical we maintain efficient connections across the region to ...1 week ago
- Supporting growth and resilience in Otago and Southland
A record $1.4 billion for transport investment in Otago and Southland through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will create a more resilient and efficient network that supports economic growth and productivity, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Transport is a critical enabler for economic growth and productivity in Otago ...1 week ago
- Delivering connected and resilient roading for Northland
A record $991 million for transport investment in Northland through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will strengthen the region’s connections and support economic growth and productivity, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “We are committed to making sure that every transport dollar is spent wisely on the projects and ...1 week ago
- Top of the South to benefit from reliable transport infrastructure
A record $479 million for transport investment across the top of the South Island through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will build a stronger road network that supports primary industries and grows the economy, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “We’re committed to making sure that every dollar is ...1 week ago
- Government delivering reliable roads for Manawatū-Whanganui
A record $1.6 billion for transport investment in Manawatū-Whanganui through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will strengthen the region’s importance as a strategic freight hub that boosts economic growth, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Delivering infrastructure to increase productivity and economic growth is a priority for our Government. ...1 week ago
- Restoring connections in Hawke’s Bay
A record $657 million for transport investment in the Hawke’s Bay through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will support recovery from cyclone damage and build greater resilience into the network to support economic growth and productivity, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “We are committed to making sure that ...1 week ago
- Transport resilience a priority for Gisborne
A record $255 million for transport investment in Gisborne through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will support economic growth and restore the cyclone-damaged network, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “With $255 million of investment over the next three years, we are committed to making sure that every transport ...1 week ago
- Prioritising growth and reduced travel times in Canterbury
A record $1.8 billion for transport investment Canterbury through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will boost economic growth and productivity and reduce travel times, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Christchurch is the economic powerhouse of the South Island, and transport is a critical enabler for economic growth and ...1 week ago
- Supporting growth and freight in the Bay of Plenty
A record $1.9 billion for transport investment in the Bay of Plenty through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will boost economic growth and unlock land for thousands of houses, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Transport is a critical enabler for economic growth and productivity in the Bay of ...1 week ago
- Getting transport back on track in Auckland
A record $8.4 billion for transport investment in Auckland through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will deliver the infrastructure our rapidly growing region needs to support economic growth and reduce travel times, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Aucklanders rejected the previous government’s transport policies which resulted in non-delivery, phantoms projects, ...1 week ago
- What is 3-phase power? And how do I know if my house needs it?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Asma Aziz, Senior Lecturer in Power Engineering, Edith Cowan University If you’re building, renovating or planning to install a solar battery, your builder or installer might ask whether you’ve considered upgrading from single-phase to three-phase power. This upgrade often comes with a ...2 hours ago - MSG is back. Is the idea it’s bad for us just a myth or food science?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Evangeline Mantzioris, Program Director of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Accredited Practising Dietitian, University of South Australia Dr. Victor Wong/Shutterstock MSG is making a comeback. The internet’s favourite cucumber salad recipe includes fish sauce, cucumber, garlic and – as the video’s creator ...2 hours ago
- South Australia is proposing a law to ban kids under 14 from social media. How would it work?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lisa M. Given, Professor of Information Sciences & Director, Social Change Enabling Impact Platform, RMIT University Artie Medvedev/Shutterstock The South Australian government is moving ahead with plans to ban children under 14 from social media. Under the proposal, teens aged 14 ...2 hours ago
- Australia’s construction industry needs more hands on deck – so why is it ignoring skilled migra...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Martin Loosemore, Professor of Construction Management, University of Technology Sydney Shutterstock Australia’s construction industry is facing a perfect storm: enormous targets for building – 1.2 million new homes and A$230 billion worth of infrastructure over the next five years – at ...3 hours ago
- At Melaka Art & Performance Festival I watched dancers overcome by a trance in the rain, and the...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jonathan W. Marshall, Associate Professor & Postgraduate Research Coordinator, Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, Edith Cowan University Feifei Liao performing in the village ruins. Photo by and courtesy of Teo Swee An. Melbourne-based Tony Yap is a leading figure in ...3 hours ago
- Google is facing another crucial court case in the US – and it could have major consequences for o...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Barbora Jedlickova, Senior Lecturer, School of Law, The University of Queensland One month after a US court ruled Google had illegally maintained its monopoly on internet search, the tech giant will this week face the start of yet another important antitrust case. ...4 hours ago
- Christopher Luxon refuses to speak about Treaty Principles Bill after it was handed to Cabinet
The Prime Minister says ACT leader David Seymour will have more to say on the Bill soon. ...4 hours ago - Jesus’s vision fulfilled: David Seymour restores unity to the church
The Christian church has had quite a few dust-ups with itself over the last 20 centuries. This week, the Act Party brought it together. Since Jesus prayed that his followers may all be one (John 17:20-21), Christians have barely stopped fighting. Yes, they’ve occasionally broken off to slaughter people in ...4 hours ago - PODCAST: The Politics of Desperation – Trump, Netanyahu, Maduro, Ortega
Podcast: A View from Afar with Paul G Buchanan and Selwyn Manning. Building upon recent episodes of A View from Afar, Political Scientist Paul G Buchanan and journalist Selwyn Manning discuss The Politics of Desperation. This episode flows on from our discussions about long transitions and the moment ...5 hours ago
- Pope Francis’ visit to Timor-Leste is powerful and symbolic, but also political
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Shannon Brincat, Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Relations, University of the Sunshine Coast Author provided, Author provided Timor-Leste has had much to celebrate recently. August 30 marked 25 years since the Popular Consultation – or “The Referendum”, as many call ...5 hours ago
- What’s the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest? One’s about plumbing, the other...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Todorovic, Associate Professor of Medicine, Bond University Explode/Shutterstock In July 2023, rising US basketball star Bronny James collapsed on the court during practice and was sent to hospital. The 18-year-old athlete, son of famous LA Lakers’ veteran LeBron James, had ...5 hours ago
- If we truly want our Paralympic athletes to shine, their coaches need more support
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Bennie, Associate Professor, Health and Physical Education/Sport Development, Western Sydney University The 2024 Paris Paralympics delivered heightened attention and awareness of a pinnacle sporting event for para athletes. Australia has often set the standard for para sport, consistently achieving top ...6 hours ago
- New to streaming: What to watch on Netflix NZ, Neon and more this week
We round up everything coming to streaming services this week, including Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, Apple TV+, ThreeNow, Neon and TVNZ+. If you love celebs out of their comfort zone: Celebrity Treasure Island (TVNZ+, starting September 9) We’re back on the beach for a new season of celebrity ...7 hours ago
- Harris’ lead dips in national US polls and it’s very close in the key states
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne The United States presidential election will be held on November 5. In analyst Nate Silver’s aggregate of national polls, Democrat Kamala Harris ...8 hours ago
- Rewriting history: how the Treaty ‘principles’ evolved and why they don’t stand up to scrutiny
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jane Kelsey, Emeritus Professor of Law, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Getty Images ACT Party leader David Seymour has said the goal of his Treaty Principles Bill is to stimulate an overdue conversation on te Tiriti o Waitangi/Treaty of Waitangi. ...8 hours ago
- Surge in non-disclosure agreements at Health NZ sparks Labour complaint
Nearly 70 staff at Te Whatu Ora have signed non-disclosure agreements since the end of November. ...8 hours ago
- ‘Numerous questions’, but Fiji govt sticks with new anti-corruption chief
By Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific journalist The Fiji government is backing the appointment of the country’s new anti-corruption chief who was under investigation by the office she now heads, which has left Fijians asking questions. Barbara Malimali — who was also the Electoral Commission chairperson — was revealed as the ...9 hours ago
- Pope Francis calls for end to tribal ‘spiral of violence’ in PNG visit
Inside PNG reports that Papua New Guinea is blessed with an abundance of natural resources, a proclamation even Pope Francis acknowledges. But Papua New Guinea is also challenged with socio-economic developments that do not reach the rural majority despite the presence of numerous extractive industries. The Pontiff in his remarks ...9 hours ago
- Anne Salmond: A Cabinet of principles?
The effrontery of David Seymour’s riposte to Church leaders over his Treaty Principles Bill is breathtaking. He accuses them of being undemocratic. When the Act Party took the idea of a referendum on Te Tiriti to a general election in 2023, it won just 8.6 percent of the vote. The other ...9 hours ago - Public feedback sought on new tolls for lower North Island
Consultation on the proposed tolling schemes for the Manawatū Tararua Highway and the Ōtaki to north of Levin highway is now open. ...9 hours ago
- A new festival celebrates the art of the picture book
Picture Me is a brand new book festival happening in Wellington and Christchurch between 11–28 September. Here’s the inside scoop on the international headliners and what they’ll be doing while in Aotearoa. A good picture book has a timeless quality: a story you don’t mind reading over, and over and ...9 hours ago
- Minister tried to hide NZDF criticism of boot camp comments
The criticism was revealed to RNZ in an official information act response, but new documents show Judith Collins asked for them to be redacted. ...9 hours ago
- LIVE@12:45pm – The Politics of Desperation – Trump, Netanyahu, Maduro, Ortega
The LIVE Recording of A View from Afar podcast will begin today at 12:45pm September 9, 2024 (NZST) which is Sunday evening, 8:45pm (USEDT). Building upon recent episodes of A View from Afar, Political Scientist Paul G Buchanan and journalist Selwyn Manning will discuss The Politics of Desperation. ...10 hours ago
- David Seymour hits out at church leaders over Treaty Principles Bill
The ACT leader says churches are abandoning their core beliefs, after 400 Christian leaders condemned his controversial Treaty Principles Bill. ...10 hours ago
- Some home truths about gene technologies
In response to criticism of proposed changes to our GM settings, scientist Revel Drummond says we should discuss the issue of regulatory change from a position of educated debate, not fear-mongering. New technologies often get pushback from sectors of society. In the 19th century people feared the unknown effects on ...10 hours ago
- Dane and Stacey on making travel a business, owning half a dog, and finding balance
Earning money while you travel sounds like a dream to many of us – so how hard is it to make the dream a reality? Travel content creators Dane and Stacey joined Kiwibank’s This is Kiwi podcast to talk about documenting their adventures online, and remembering to sometimes put the ...10 hours ago
- Councils’ credit ratings downgraded over debt, rising costs
A reduced rating will mean higher borrowing costs for two major city councils. ...10 hours ago
- Is America ready to elect a Black woman president?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Emma Shortis, Adjunct Senior Fellow, School of Global, Urban and Social Studies, RMIT University It’s the big question that has loomed over Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign from the start: is the United States ready for a Black woman president? I get ...12 hours ago
- Murdoch to Musk: how global media power has shifted from the moguls to the big tech bros
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Matthew Ricketson, Professor of Communication, Deakin University Until recently, Elon Musk was just a wildly successful electric car tycoon and space pioneer. Sure, he was erratic and outspoken, but his global influence was contained and seemingly under control. But add the ...12 hours ago
- Africa desperately needs mpox vaccines. But donations from rich countries won’t fix this or the ne...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joel Lexchin, Professor Emeritus of Health Policy and Management, York University, Canada Africa says it needs an estimated ten million doses of mpox vaccine to control this public health emergency. The situation is particularly concerning in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, ...12 hours ago
- Plot twist: how giving old graveyards new life as parks can improve our cities
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rob Stokes, Industry Professor, Environment and Sustainability, Macquarie University Camperdown Cemetery in Newtown, Sydney Rose Marinelli/Shutterstock Old graveyards are a forgotten land asset that can find new life as urban parks in crowded cities. As the density of our cities increases, efficient ...12 hours ago
- 91% of Australian teens have a phone – but many are not keeping their identity and location secure
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Thanks Karol
In my humble opinion it is inevitable that there will be policy differences between Labour and the Greens and on some occasions they will just have to agree to disagree.
This issue may show how important it is that if Labour and the Greens are to become Government they do not rely on NZ First for confidence and supply. I am sure that the continuation of deep sea drilling will be something that NZ First will not budge on.
At least Labour and Greens don’t appear to have hugely divergent views on the causes and consequences of climate change. It’s only in their response to it where they significantly differ.
In comparison, National doesn’t know what it thinks about Climate change, whatever is convenient on the day seem to be their MO.
Geoff – “It’s only in their response to it where they (Labour and Greens) significantly differ.”
Don’t walk into the minefield of divide and conquer.
National’s spin is “the Left is a bunch of disorganized crazies who couldn’t organize a piss-up in a brewery.”
Churchill and Roosevelt had differences. But like them, we must remain clear about the evil we must defeat.
I belong to one of these parties: Labour, Green, or Mana. I don’t care which you belong to as long as you vote for one of them.
I’m not walking into any minefield, it was just a statement of fact.
But don’t you worry, I will be voting for one of those parties! ;P
Now that National feels free to treat ACT like a niche-market branch, which goes against the spirit of MMP, they also feel free to squawk about the differences between Labour and the Greens. Of course are differences – they are different political parties. But this does not mean they cannot work well together.
There are also differences between Dunne and the Nats – RMA for instance. Yesterday on Stuff: ‘Dunne signals no progress on RMA reforms’:
Differences with Craig and his Conservative Party on many things.
Conservative website on issues:
Differences between Nats and Maori Party
And, the Nats’ fall-back position: differences between Peters & the Nats – e.g. asset sales.
Yes, the gulf between NZ First and the current Nats goes far deeper than the differences between Labour and the Greens. As to Craig I am not so sure – I suspect him of being yet another niche-market branch, disguised as an independent political party.
On the issue of the environment and deep sea oil drilling the Greens will have to get used to horse trading and compromising, that’s coalition government. Otherwise they’ll be on the cross benches.
P.S. I’ve given the Greens my party vote at the last three elections.
only if labour can play the greens and nz1 off against each other.
Otherwise the greens have the biggest horse in the room 🙂
Let’s not forget Metiria Turei’s Picnic for the Planet speech on Sunday, Karol.
BTW, so appropriate the the Nats have once again chosen a venue funded by gambling.
Oh. thanks, Toad. Will add it to the post.
Just got emailed a media release from Metiria (doesn’t appear to be online yet) indicating that her speech on Sunday will also relate to education, but will focus on the inequality kids suffer so teachers can focus on what they do best – educate our kids.
3 News has a livestream of the event– not sure if the speech has already happened.
Just a lot of people milling about.
Where – this link just takes me to a tv3 page of news videos. No live stream obvious.
The livestream has now finished. I’ve added a link to a transcript of the speech to the post. The speech started a little after 11am.
Key starts his speech by hoping everyone had a good Christmas like him – playing golf!
Starts with misinformation about supporting people on low incomes/beneficiaries.
key says, what opposition says is not true. Key says,”It’s not true that the rich are getting richer and the poor getting poorer.”
That’s a diversionary gloss on the growth of the income inequality gap.
Then attacks Lab-green power policy;
Key attacks Labour on taxes, super, decreasing competition – Lab-Green = step backwards.
Key claims he’s strong on trust and integrity – retells his state house to PM journey – as evidence his trust, integrity – shaped by up-bringing ashaped his views – belief in individual responsibility – plus state support for equal opportunity – now to education.
Education plays huge part in shaping lives of young people.
Focus strongly on quality of teaching in classroom as biggest influence – 2nd bigggest influence is school leadership.
Key-National have gone to the public cheque book early vote buying. Targeting the sometimes fickle bunch ‘teachers’ One of Joyce’s focus groups will have identified the influence a few carrots to this group and they’ll get votes from this block and of course a bit of dog whistling at parent interview time. Of course it also stops the minds of the middle classes waning at the polling booths.
Key is a genius at putting down the opposition with completely unsubstantiated lies.
MSM. If you are reading this, it’s your job to not let him get away with lies. Either don’t print his lies or point out they are lies.
Example: Despite overwhelming statistical evidence to the contrary, the PM claimed, “It’s not true that the rich are getting richer and the poor getting poorer.”
Looking at Nationals coalition options after this years election surely must be off putting especially Collin Craigs Conservative Party and Winston Peters NZF. Many voters wouldn’t want a bar of it, too unstable compared to a Labour-Green set up, I have reservations that Winston will join L/G’s, they probably won’t need him the rate things are going.
Key on education = corporatising the schools! Adding extra layers of admin – “Executive prinicples” with extra pay on top of salary – brings trickledown lie to education.
“Lead teachers” – extra pay on top of salaries. More pay for teacher development – especially writing, maths, science and digital literacy.
Nat press release on it’s education policies
I think there is some very good initiatives here.
I especially like the one for expert teachers, this enables good teachers to earn more whilst remaining in a valuable teaching role , rather than having to search for a principal type role for advancement. It will also enable highly skilled teachers to work across a number of schools in a more formal mentoring role.
Who decides who the highly skilled teachers are?
I do Geoff, I do….
Oh…it’s worse than i thought then
Actually, while I await the details, I’m not as negative about the education policies as you seem to be. For starters, we teachers have been saying for decades that we need more cooperation between schools and a wider range of opportunities for teachers who have strong teaching skills but want to stay in the classroom rather than going into management. There was a working group between PPTA and the Ministry looking at this issue under the last Labour government – it led to the creation of the Specialist Classroom Teacher role (very similar to what Key is describing as “Lead Teachers”) and of Subject Advisors (who were leading teachers working across schools trying to improve practice in their subject areas, taken out of their own schools for one year). This was meant to be the start of a more systemic set of changes, but Labour wouldn’t commit to anything more and the Subject Advisors were discontinued after one year (Trevor Mallard, angry at having to provide salary increases in the a new collective agreement, killed the trial) and the SCT positions remained fixed at 1-2 per school, depending on roll size (whereas they were meant to slowly increase in number, so that a school of 2000, for example, might have 4).
Of course, these changes may not dramatically strengthen out (already good) system, but I don’t think they should be seen as an attack, at this stage. At least it’s not the tired old (discredited) right wing argument that “successful” teachers should simply be paid more than “unsuccessful” teachers, and that somehow this will help to improve levels of engagement and achievement. That simplistic crap is what I feared from JK. Of course, there will still be issues over how people are selected, what level of responsibility they are given over their colleagues and how their performance is judged, and I’m sure the picture won’t be as rosy as JK presents it, but it’s not anywhere near as disastrous as it might have been.
I agree on this, rb:
we teachers have been saying for decades that we need more cooperation between schools and a wider range of opportunities for teachers who have strong teaching skills but want to stay in the classroom rather than going into management.
I’ve also spent the major part of my adult life working as a teacher.
The Nats have cleverly taken this demand, and worked it into a corporate model, stressing competion and hierarchy over collaboration.
It’s a clever attempt to get teachers on board, without addressing the major problems with the long tail of student under-achievement – that requires an strong emphasis on the interaction between teachers and the community.
I think there is more than enough details to see where this policy is heading.
The upside is that the Nats wouldn’t bring in this policy til after the election. It gives the opposition more than enough time to respond – hopefully with an improved career pathway for teachers.
Where’s the bloody live stream they promised? Idiots.
There were livestreams at TV3 & One.
Cunliffe said here they’ll be livestreaming the speech. Where is their freaking link on their bloody site. Morons. If they didn’t have a livestream sewn up he shouldn’t have said it was going to be livestreamed. FMD. I’ve been looking for the last 30 bloody minutes.
Cunliffe’s speech isn’t until Monday – usually such links don’t go live til a little while before the speech.
Whoops. Embarrassment. I’m not well at the moment. WTF was I thinking. I think I’d better go and lie down.
Breathe, count to 10, relax mate.
I’m living in another time zone. So sorry…so sorry…
That time zone must be a long long way away 😉
Shh…I’m hiding and hoping nobody noticed I said anything.
Yes, along with the rest of the contributors on this site.
Yes, though at least we are not living on another planet like some…
Do you mean Key’s speech or Cunliffe’s ?
Cunliffe’s speech is on Monday Arfamo,
and if you mean Key’s speech, why are you bitching at Cunliffe?
Apologies apologies apologies – oh lord. I really am feeling stupider than usual. I’ll just run away and hide for a bit.
No problem, Arfamo — and the best speeches are yet to come.
lolz I enjoy your comments Arfamo, and lets face it – you were simply expressing great distraught at missing the highly anticipated amazing vision & policies that Cunliffe is going to speak of on Monday – (we hopes, otherwise being called ‘morons’ will be the mildest of criticisms Labour is going to face 🙂 )
(I’ve taken back the idiots and morons comments and am hanging on to these two titles today because I’ve earned them.)
😀
If you’re struggling with a flu-like illness then we’ve all been there, done that Arfamo. 😀
Yeah I was off for a number of days in december because of the damn thing. Felt bad with no particular symptoms apart from a higher temperature and a complete inability to think clearly (ie I couldn’t program). I was really grateful that I had the raised temperature to prove to myself that I wasn’t just going senile…
Nationals message is how much more donkeyote and his gang of graspers can get away with before they are chucked out of office.
One looks like – and has attitudes akin to – the Penguin from Batman, yet sounds like Daffy Duck.
The other looks, and sounds like the next Prime Minister of New Zealand.
Ah ha, amazing analysis when only one speech has occurred.
With my finely tuned skills of observation this is the prediction I arrive at. 🙂
You would get my vote.
…yes – that would be a very good choice if you had it (what a pity aye?)- ….there is more brilliance where that came from too
Yes, what this country needs is another millionaire suit living in one of Auckland’s most expensive suburbs.
If that’s really your criteria for disapproving of a PM (it’s not) then you must be livid about the current bloke.
here are great leader’s words,
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11190903
or at least the ones they are telling us he said 😉
brick walls for bashing your head against are all around you
Oh fuck. Take the teachers and principles who jumped aboard the ‘charter school’ bandwagon; who are happy to ‘teach the test’ in order to produce the right stats…and promote them into positions of authority where they can whip the rest of the profession into line.
That about right?
Well, there’s always the questions of who and how the “expert principals” & teachers are decided…. can be subjective, depend on the school they are in, etc.
It also is slipping perforamce pay in via the cover of providing a better career path for teachers.
I’m sure the Nats will make it work withtheir charter school policy.
Thought that summed it rather well there Bill. I also think it was wonderful how our PM lies so well. He does it with a smile and a wave – pooofff your all my slaves. Whoops wrong speech, no he’s not into neo-feudalism – he’d never create a situation were we all bend over for our corporate masters, not honest john key.
One question – How long do people put up with immoral psychopaths?
Usually until the person or targeted or the psychopath is publicly disgraced – perp walk, for example.
But typically it starts with the seduction phase (the psycho needs you so ingratiates themselves to you), then you get uneasy (usually a short period, where the psycho no longer needs you so stops trying), then you are targeted as quickly as possible and gone (e.g. fired, get other work, or tied to chair in basement – but it can take a while to realise that you are being targeted, and by whom).
That pretty much sums things up in a nutshell Bill, creating a corporate business style to schools. Money at the top and middle or should I say a whip at the top and a carrot in the middle. Fairly loose policy release with scant revelations of the detail. I don’t think Parata will front the details, she will make a hash of it, Key will rolling out their number one snake oil salesman Joyce.
You mean Joyce will roll out his usual frontpuppet. Election year, etc.
Yes Bill I believe that’s pretty much on the money.
Labour should largely ignore Keys’ bait re education.
Key is obviously comfortable debating education issues,
He would like nothing more ,than the MSM to focus on the “Nationals’ better education for all” policy v “Self serving teacher Unions” debate stealing all the oxygen .in the months leading upto the election.
Well, Cunliffe has ben slow to respond, but Vernon Small seems to have seen some comments from Cunliffe somewhere. Small tweeted:
And Small followed up with this:
Peters and Turei have come out more aggressively with immediate responses to Key’s education plan.
By even acknowledging that some teachers are better than others and that they deserve recognition that underperforming teachers do not, Cunliffe just conceded the education debate.
Or, on the other hand, your false frame could just be taken as evidence of dishonesty and bad faith.
Yeah, that seems more likely.
PS: Specifically “underperforming”. Let’s get a few facts established shall we?
1. To be a teacher requires earning qualifications. So they’ve already jumped a hurdle before they start. What qualifications are required to spout right-wing drivel on the internet? Obviously you need to save up enough to get your pre-frontal lobotomy, but what else?
2. Teachers are required to engage in professional development, and are rewarded for doing so.
3. The single most influential factor in student achievement is household income.
4. All these facts are publicly available.
5. Given these facts, is there a range of teacher ability. Sure, just like in every other field of human endeavour.
6. So why are you applying negative judgemental labels that just happen to parrot right wing lies? Coincidence?
Some teachers are excellent. They deserve recognition.
There are some teachers who are not excellent. They do not deserve the recognition that excellent teachers deserve.
Labour policy, 2014. Thanks Cunliffe.
I note the teachers’ unions are cautiously optimistic about Key’s announcement, let alone Cunliffe’s. Perhaps you can form a protest group to advance your personal perspective on this.
The devil will be in the detail. Watch the proposal turn to shit if the Nats try and use their deceitful “standards” as a benchmark.
If, of course, these new senior teachers are chosen the way they are now, it represents extra money and nothing else other than a win for the teachers.
A six page apology for Hekia Parata 😆
yeah that’s a nice way of putting it
I wonder how the excellent lead teachers will be chosen especially in a Primary School where each teacher teaches multiple subject areas?
Perhaps a prerequisite might be membership to the National Party.
Maybe those who can inflate test scores best.
Or maybe those who teach just like their best buddy, the Principal.
+1 ianmac.
This is divisive, cynical policy and I’ll be disappointed to see Labour mimic it.
Get ready for disappointment.
Policy details are not important. As already identified, this money is a right wing slush fund for divide and conquer tactics.
Not necessarily. If the new senior teachers are chosen the way they are now, this represents little other than more money for education, spun in a way that helps Hekia save face.
PS: the Nats are “throwing money at the problem” – not exactly their core philosophy now, is it?
It’s election year and money buys votes, in a capitalist age of self interest the fickle bunch that teachers are will take the bait. The only time you see this group at regional union meetings is when their CA is up and they want your solidarity for their blue, the time you need them they pull the neutrality card of political correctness. Labour will be forced with ‘me too’ + 1 only. That is better it and sum, Cunliffe is already talking this way.
Spot the difference. Helen was going to form a five headed monster. Key, out does her, on top of the five heads he’s going to have a potential sixth head, Colin Craig, virtual head. Politics answer to vaporware.
JOHN KEY, PRIME MINISTER, 2010
[deleted]
http://www.matuaplunketkindergarten.co.nz/Why_Trained_Teachers.html
http://www.beststart.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Anne-Smith-NZEI-ECE-hui-Oct-2013
[lprent: Repeatedly shouting slogans is discouraged. Save it for a protest. I muted it. Read the policy because I won’t do the particular favour of re-editing a comment to conform to the site rules too often. ]
Opps, sorry about that…. new to the game.
Fair point
You will get used to it…
I was HIGHLY impressed with the last two minutes of Cunliffe’s talk with the journalists today. Towards the end I felt a glimpse of the real Mr Cunliffe, PM and leader, when he spoke with real passion and conviction. Watch this link.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1401/S00054/cunliffe-underwhelmed-by-keys-state-of-the-nation-speech.htm
[P.S : Earlier, I posted this probably in the wrong topic]
Yes very good
It seems that John Key spent most of the years that Labour was last in government on excessively drinking whiskey and beer, with impaired senses and “foggy” observation, as there is no other explanation for what he claimed in his SON speech today!
Extract from his speech:
“It’s vitally important that over the next few years we continue to build on the hard-won gains we are making as a country. That includes a huge improvement in managing the country’s finances. We have made careful savings, been disciplined with spending, and run the public sector far more efficiently. That’s a lot different than the previous government, which increased spending by 50 per cent in just five years. That spending helped push mortgage rates to almost 11 per cent and crippled the internationally competitive parts of the economy. New Zealand can’t afford that approach again.
The Government will get back to running surpluses next year. At first they will be very small but they will build up over time. There might be some room for modest spending or revenue initiatives, but the top priority has to be getting our debt down. The Government has borrowed – on behalf of New Zealanders – around $50 billion over six years to get the country safely through a recession, the greatest financial crisis since the 1930s, and one of the most expensive natural disasters in history.
In better economic times we have to reduce that debt. That will lift national savings, and help keep a lid on interest rate rises as the economy heats up.”
So Labour in government increased spending, and that was supposedly the reason for interest rates going sky-high? What a load of rubbish, it was the excessive private borrowing during the housing and consumption boom, that drove up private debt and hence interest rates the banks charged!
At least he admits having borrowed heaps to “get the country safely through recession”, but that is also only a half truth, as there were tax cuts favouring the higher earners, leaving the budgets short, and there were corporate bailouts and more, looking after to the top end of the asset and wealth owning part of the country. There were giveaways for share buyers, there were some other measures, where National looked after their lobbyists and voters, while only taking some from the lower earners and beneficiaries in the way of 25 percent increase in GST, and borrowing the rest for the shortfall. Some borrowing has also been for the Christchurch rebuild, so to claim it was to simply see the country through recession is a LIE.
Also the interest rates will be set by the Reserve Bank, so how can he claim his government will keep a lid on them? Liar Key, liar Key, liar Key, caught out again, but the media failed to mention this!
Indeed the speech is full of LIES, if you go through it, and the only other explanation for Key’s claims is, his mind was “fogged” most the time, on booze and the “strange” effects it has.
Let us see how “sober” he will see himself and the government through 2014.
Thanks for this Xtasy
John Key’s speech full of lies and the media didn’t mention them?
Hmm now why does that not surprise me…..
The lies got a lot of comments on twitter – but the MSM journos just go for the education policy
Edit: and One News is treating it as a fait accompli – I thought it will only happen if the Nats get re-elected. In the speech Key said:
Tracy Watkins is saying that John Key has “stolen a march” on Labour
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/opinion/9642414/Key-steals-Labours-thunder
I think we need to coin the NZ equivalent of “drinking from the Kool-aid” because the way some of these jonolists act, it can be the only explanation for their deluded reporting. Maybe “drinking from the private reserve” with regards all this wine that the Nats just love to pass out to their “best mates”…
Yeah. i saw that Zorr – on her own planet is that Watkins.
3 News, even while Gower sort of talked it up, actually reinforced Cunliffe’s comment that it was an underwhelming policy – and opinions are pretty divided on it. The secondary teachers’ union liked it; the primary teachers union was more reticent, with some teachers not liking it at all; education acadmic said it was totally wrong; Cunliffe had the great line/sound bite about it being “a 6 page apology for Hekia Parata. And Gower also basically said it was a bit of a desperate attempt by Key to regain some lost support.
One News was more enthusiastic – but began assuming the policy would all happen in practice and framed it by how education would b changing for specific students. Did they not listen to and read the speech? It’s an election campaign policy, and wouldn’t be introduced til next year. And they did include some of the critics of the policy.
I saw a news clip of Keys speech the crowd were reserved, like they were listening to a politically ‘dead man’ talking. I guess the life expectancy of teflon must be 6 years.
Very interesting.
I’ve sensed he’s getting ready to move on.
“Edit: and One News is treating it as a fait accompli”
A key player in the MSM, TVNZ that is, seem to be committed to keep him in the job then?!
I heard the same enthusiastic approval coming from Duncan Garner on Radio Live this afternoon, and he hailed the comments from Angela Roberts from the PPTA, who showed some guarded positive response to the announcements by Key, while the NZEI was rather critical and negative.
No surprise that the whole speech is offered by 1ZB, and I wonder, whether they will give the same treatment to David Cunliffe, and other leaders of other parties.
I am sure that many in the MSM will do all to keep the positive reporting on Key and Nats going throughout this year.
Most of these jurno’s can be bought for a song, you often hear of the invites to National ‘good news’ parties, JK Xmas wine presents, Key taking the press out for dinner (Garner told that one) while on a overseas junkets.
You won’t have a shit show in hell of getting these National shysters on RNZ in election year, although they may jump in on a kind ear-Jim Morea’s afternoon show, painting some rosy picture.
Jim Morass will have someone like Key welcome, I think, and it will fit in nicely to let him (John) tell the listeners:
“Yeah, golf is a nice sport, you meet many great and influential people, that is how I got it made, and yes, my daughter and son are doing well, being “good” Kiwi kids, studied, now into this that and the other, I like the colour blue, black or purple, I really recommend this beer or wine, yeah, and I also share my experience when having been in such and such country, hell, can they drink, talk, laugh, lay it out, yeah, we Kiwis have got it made, we are the best and on top, yeah, just vote me again, and I will ensure more of all this.”
“And of course, we do this, that and the other, sports, yachting, cricket, rugby, all good, we work for NZ Inc, we have Hollywood in our homes, we have our friend Abbott (the “mad monk”) come and join us for dinner, it is all a real family affair, just as we Kiwis like it. Merry Xmas, Happy Easter, good success, enjoy your day, and week, and month, and do not forget to vote for ME, as I am one of yours.”
JK
How come labour and greens have to agree on everything but national act uf nzf mp dont?
so was key lying when he said the gap between rich and poor is not getting bigger? Did he quote his source? Did a journo ask for it before printing the statement?
What, no reduced class sizes, like in the school he chose from all others to send his son?
“Average English class size: 21 students per class”
The Pm could do worse than adhere to the vision of that school
Generosity of spirit
We value a culture of service and giving to others.
Gratitude
We value the opportunities available at the College and welcome life as a gift to be enjoyed.
Honesty
We value trust and truthfulness in all human relationships.
Moral courage
We value strength of character and leadership, guided by a strong moral code of behaviour.
Pursuit of Learning
We value the spirit of enquiry and the intellectual growth of students, including their different learning needs, to become creative, engaged and open-minded learners.
Respect
We value the fair treatment of all people and the preservation of human dignity.
Spirituality
We affirm the significance of the Christian spiritual journey which gives personal meaning to life.
Tolerance
We value the acceptance of all people and encourage a sense of belonging in our community.