The trouble with MMP

Written By: - Date published: 10:11 am, March 3rd, 2020 - 93 comments
Categories: nz first, politicans, Shane Jones, uncategorized - Tags:

The trouble with MMP is that some politicians view it as an opportunity to court support amongst people holding decidedly minority views.  Media attention is beneficial no matter what kind when all you want is minority support.  When your goal is just over 5% party support there are a lot of people you can annoy when campaigning.

The system of MMP Government relies on dealings between parties who are part of a coalition to be based on good will. You cannot tear up a coalition just because a member of a partner’s party is being a jerk.  Even if they are confronted about being a jerk and then refer to those upset as belonging to Ngati Woke or claim that their clearly racist comments where they denigrate members of a different ethnicity are somehow not racist.

And claiming that their rights of freedom of speech are being attacked by people saying they should apologise is not an attack on freedom of speech, it is actually an exercise in counter speech.

The problem is that the coalition agreement expressly recognises the respective parties’ independent political identities. And base shtick is part of NZ First’s independent political identity.

If you want to do something about this make sure you do not vote for NZ First this coming election.

93 comments on “The trouble with MMP ”

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  1. Jimmy 1
    3 March 2020 at 10:33 am

    I just wish Jacinda had a bit more back bone and actually put Shane Jones in his place. Helen Clark or John Key did not suffer fools and at least took swift decisive action when needed. Shane just keeps thumbing his nose at her and doing and saying whatever he likes which unfortunately just makes NZF look more powerful than the Labour party. Labour are by far the largest party in the coalition and should have more say / control.

    • Sacha 1.1
      3 March 2020 at 11:35 am

      Where are the calls for Winston to discipline his loudmouth MP. Why is it always mummy's problem?

      • Jimmy 1.1.1
        3 March 2020 at 12:17 pm

        It's Jacinda's problem because she is the Prime Minister and leader of the coalition.

        That makes Jacinda his boss doesn't it?

        • Sacha 1.1.1.1
          3 March 2020 at 2:12 pm

          Winston is the leader of Jones' caucus and party.
          That makes him the boss, doesn't it?

          • Jimmy 1.1.1.1.1
            3 March 2020 at 3:27 pm

            The prime minister is the boss (or should be). That's Jacinda. Winston is the deputy PM (and should answer to her!). Jones is a minister in Jacinda's government.

            You are right though, it is making Winston look like he is in charge and not just of NZF but the coalition govt.

            • Louis 1.1.1.1.1.1
              3 March 2020 at 3:56 pm

              Sacha didnt say that, you are putting words in his mouth. Not the first time the PM has told Jones off but she is not the leader of NZ First.

              • Jum …
                3 March 2020 at 7:05 pm

                Well Jimmy, you can't have been following the earlier attacks by a nat govt on Ardern when she was still finding her way in parliament. Nasty and vicious and she just weathered them. Like Clark says – iron in the glove.

                My mum always said 'pick your battles'. This is not one of them.

            • Sacha 1.1.1.1.1.2
              3 March 2020 at 7:18 pm

              More than one 'boss' in MMP coalitions. Get used to it.

              • Jimmy …
                3 March 2020 at 10:55 pm

                There is only one prime minister of NZ and that is Jacinda. She needs to act like she is the one in charge

                • Louis …
                  4 March 2020 at 9:31 am

                  She already does and its no act.

                  • Jimmy …
                    4 March 2020 at 11:35 am

                    Well i guess we will just have to agree to disagree as Shane Jones has "taken it on the chin" and is now continuing to do and say just what he likes and has been endorsed by Winston!

                    • Sacha …
                      4 March 2020 at 11:43 am

                      So Winston is not acting like the one in charge of his caucus? People must be appalled by his lack of leadership.

    • Psycho Milt 1.2
      3 March 2020 at 12:54 pm

      Helen Clark or John Key did not suffer fools and at least took swift decisive action when needed.

      Really? Clark's government's just a faded memory for me now, but Key's one felt like it was full of obnoxious loudmouths that he was quite OK with. He did dismiss a few ministers, but not in any situation that would have put his government's majority at risk. Ardern's been dealt a much tougher hand than Key ever was and is making a real success of it against the odds – that's "backbone" for you.

      • Jimmy 1.2.1
        3 March 2020 at 1:58 pm

        Maybe I am older or have a better memory than you…..but I don't think Helen (or H2) were to be crossed. John Key was nick named the silent assassin and as you say, a few found out the hard way why.

        I do agree Ardern has been dealt a much tougher hand as the experience of Labour MP's IMO is not as good as Clark had around her, and on top of that, another two parties MP's to keep in line (the greens no problem, but NZF are hard work). I do think Winston and Shane go out of their way to make Ardern look weak on purpose.

    • Louis 1.3
      3 March 2020 at 4:04 pm

      There's no doubt PM Jacinda has a backbone and she uses it.

      Suggest you watch the PM's post cab presser @ 23:20 where she speaks about Shane Jones.

      https://www.beehive.govt.nz/feature/postcab

    • Unicus 1.4
      3 March 2020 at 5:36 pm

      What a bunch of nervy precious little finger pointers we’ve become

      How dare this politician cultivate an unorthodox profile for himself or give free reign to a comical somewhat bombastic temperament .

      But those sins of character pale into insignificance when we consider his worst and utterly unforgivable misdeed of parading his elevated intellect and thumbing his nose in the faces of his quivering do nothing critics

      • Psycho Milt 1.4.1
        3 March 2020 at 6:54 pm

        …parading his elevated intellect…

        You left out the word "alleged" there. Nothing in his public statements suggests he has an elevated intellect – self-importance, lack of empathy, all kinds of things, but not intellect.

        • Unicus 1.4.1.1
          3 March 2020 at 8:20 pm

          A Masters Degree and admission to Harvard as a Harkness Fellow might indicate SJ. has a reasonable level of intelligence

      • Sacha 1.4.2
        3 March 2020 at 7:21 pm

        Plenty of people are 'unorthodox' without being dickheads. Jones lacks the talent.

        • Unicus 1.4.2.1
          3 March 2020 at 8:28 pm

          Unorthodox like ……? Or. Perhaps…..?

          I understand ‘ Dickhead ‘has ended up in the threadbare epithet file along with ‘Cindy’ racist’ and honkey’

  2. Siobhan 2
    3 March 2020 at 10:44 am

    Question time..as a Minister is Shane Jones not answerable to the Prime Minister?…and if not, which seems weird, then surely he is answerable to the Governor-General Patsy Reddy. (and yes, I had to Google to find out who our GG is..I simply cannot recal the last time I heard her speak up about anything..).

    Or are Ministers who are not members of the primary political Party in an MMP Government really free agents?

    • New view 2.1
      3 March 2020 at 2:52 pm

      Of course you are exactly right S but most on this forum would prefer to blame National or talk about what National did three years ago. JA won’t keep her Ministers in line especially NZF and we know why. Is it weak leadership yes.

      • observer 2.1.1
        3 March 2020 at 3:19 pm

        Whereas Bill English would have sacked numerous Ministers in the 2017-20 Nat-ACT-NZF government, such as …

        – JLR and Simon Bridges for their public war

        – Winston Peters for the NZF foundation saga

        – Shane Jones for being Shane Jones

        – David Seymour for opposing government's gun reforms

        etc

        (But obviously PM English wouldn't have done that at all, he would have played the same "different hat" game as Key and Ardern, which is tiresome but no more tiresome than pretending that wouldn't happen).

      • Muttonbird 2.1.2
        3 March 2020 at 3:48 pm

        What's new about that view?

        • New view 2.1.2.1
          3 March 2020 at 9:50 pm

          There’s nothing new about what I’ve said. That’s the point. We have a PM who can’t bring herself to say SJ is racist. It’s nothing to do with National or anyone but JA. If you lot choose not to see that as a problem don’t drag National into it who haven’t been the Government for three years. Just keep ignoring the reality.

          • observer 2.1.2.1.1
            3 March 2020 at 10:29 pm

            Hardly ignoring the reality. The opposite, in fact.

            Nobody can be surprised by Jones/Peters doing what they do. The question is the same as it was after the votes were counted in 2017. It hasn't changed. Two options, and one had to be chosen.

            Should Ardern/Labour accommodate NZF – with entirely predictable baggage – or not? There was another option, to stay in opposition and subject the country to the most reactionary government in a generation who would still be stuck with Peters and Jones, as I outlined above (and you studiously ignored, as if the alternative somehow doesn't matter).

            She decided the cost to the people was too high, too cruel – the compromise cost of government was predictable but preferable. I'd say she got it right, but you may have been happier with the horrendous alternative, I don't know.

            But soon we can have a Labour-Green majority. All we need to do is vote for it.

    • Hanswurst 2.2
      3 March 2020 at 3:00 pm

      Question time..as a Minister is Shane Jones not answerable to the Prime Minister?

      Not as an NZ First MP, however, and I don't think he has any ministerial responsibility for ethnic minorities on university campuses.

  3. adam 3
    3 March 2020 at 11:02 am

    Come on micky, uninhibited immigration which is effectively what has been happening, just empowers the right, and alienates māori.

    The response is not to go around calling them racist, which for labour is a bit rich anyway – who can forget the Chinese names house list. But to actually talk about immigration.

    Then again, why talk about an issue when you can dog whistle and gaslight individuals.

    • Siobhan 3.1
      3 March 2020 at 11:09 am

      You forgot the 'uninhibited exploitation of immigrants'..both in the work place and in the housing market…but no one in power is willing to go there..because the exploitation of labour and the exploitation of people with the temerity to expect a roof over their head, be they immigrants or not, is pretty much the backbone of our economic 'growth'..

  5. bwaghorn 5
    3 March 2020 at 12:10 pm

    So no indian students are using education as a back door entry to citizenship??

    • OnceWasTim 5.1
      3 March 2020 at 2:31 pm

      Of course some are – and ALL based on a system of false promises and lack of oversight that "we" designed or copied and which we still try to pass off as "best practice".

      It really baffles me how some Ministers still seem to be taken in. They really should be asking themselves a few basics about the advice they're given before they utter "I have complete faith in my officials" another time.

      – Why is it that INZ had/has such a big turnover of staff

      – Why is it that there is a huuuuuuuuuuge backlog of visa applications in various categories that cannot be dealt with given the resources, and who was it that chose to structure their Ministry in the way they did and prioritise its resources.

      – Why is it that a bit of tinkering here, and a bit there doesn't seem to be working.

      – Why is it that we're losing people with various skills that we profess to want and need

      – How is it that a 'SCUM' screaming racist was allowed to exercise his ego for as long as he did before being 'managed' out of the place while colleagues apparently knew nothing.

      – Why is it that "restructuring" didn't seem to go so well

      – Why is it that 'lil 'ole NuZull that punches above its weight is starting to get a very bad name, (and things will get worse), and why is it that it'll be a long row to hoe before Winnie and Parker make any progress, and why is it that some are LOLing after their departure
      – why is it that a technophiles approach (a little like the approach to online voting) hasn’t worked thus far

      – the questions go on but even this morning's NinetoNoon (re shipping) was a testament to INZ's brilliance.

    • Paul Campbell 5.2
      3 March 2020 at 11:35 pm

      Every Western Country does this, cherry picks bright students from 3rd world countries, educates them, and hopes they'll stay and boost their economy.

      I used to work designing chips in Silicon Valley, probably 1/3-1/2 of the people I worked with had come from India, most educated in the US, very smart people. India is 1/6 of the world's population, it contains 1/6 of the world's smart people, far far more than here.

      We'd be mugs to not try and lure as many of those smart people here to become citizens

      • bwaghorn 5.2.1
        4 March 2020 at 11:45 am

        So jones was just pointing out the truth of the matter? That the education system is a back door entry to citizenship

        • Sacha 5.2.1.1
          4 March 2020 at 11:46 am

          Yet he chose only one nationality to name, didn't he.

          • bwaghorn 5.2.1.1.1
            4 March 2020 at 12:08 pm

            International students would have been a better phrase although no one would have heard it then .

            • Sacha 5.2.1.1.1.1
              4 March 2020 at 12:59 pm

              He knows exactly what he was doing. No point trying to defend the indefensible.

          • veutoviper 5.2.1.1.2
            4 March 2020 at 12:50 pm

            Probably because Winston Peters and David Parker had just returned from a 4 day trade/business mission to India last week where as well as trade between NZ and India, the increases in services between the two countries were high on the agenda, including tourism – and education.

            This provides a bit of an outline of the visit – plenty more via Google etc
            https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO2003/S00021/india-mission-2020.htm

            • Sacha 5.2.1.1.2.1
              4 March 2020 at 12:58 pm

              Weren't they still there when he burped to the media?

              • veutoviper …
                4 March 2020 at 1:26 pm

                Jones was on TV3's The Nation on Sat morning 29 Feb. The 4 day mission to India ended on Fri 28 Feb. Even if The Nation was pre-recorded (I think it is on the Friday afternoon), I have no doubt WP, DP and the whole team would have been in touch with their colleagues in NZ throughout the visit to India by email, phone etc and even god forbid, the good old NZFAT cable system presuming it still exists. Way back 50+ years ago when I was a DiploBrat (or rather a Trade Brat) the international communications lines ran hot during such missions – and certainly still did when I was on similar overseas govt missions/negotiations 20 years ago in the first half of my career.

  6. observer 6
    3 March 2020 at 12:58 pm

    What the PM should say:

    "Under the National government immigration and international education were a shameful scam, designed to exploit workers of all ethnicities, including Indians. They do not deserve to be made the scapegoat by Shane Jones or anybody else – they are at the bottom of the pile, unlike the ones who ran the scam, like John Key."

    And it's still going on …

    NZ immigration policy, the blunt truth

    Extract: “Singh’s experience was a far cry from how New Zealand Inc first pitched the experience to him through offshore education agents in 2012.

    “In India in those days there was lots of advertisements that all you’ve got to do is one year’s study, once you’ve finished your one year study you will get your residence,” Singh said.

    Kaloti said the families of students often got into debt on the back of those promises and scraped together the money for the single year of study that would be their gateway to residency here.”

    • Graeme 6.1
      3 March 2020 at 1:30 pm

      National put in place an immigration policy that allowed a lot of people to make a shed load of money out of bringing 'students' in to study. The reaction to Jones' comment is as much a distraction to avoid any scrutiny of the previous government's policy, I doubt they want to go anywhere near that right now.

      Would be interesting to know how many $14, 999.99 donations National got from persons associated with the immigration / education industry ex the sub-continent. The sea of light blue turbans Bill English walked through entering Sky City Auditorium on election night could be clue.

    • gsays 6.2
      3 March 2020 at 6:43 pm

      Good read, thanks observer.

      It's important to remember this is happening to people. Not 'others'.

      I don't envy Lee's-Galloway trying to reconcile Greens and NZ1st concerning immigration.

  7. indiana 7
    3 March 2020 at 1:18 pm

    Shane Jones is the 5th type of Racist (https://youtu.be/KSAFiNzdNDI) and Winston is his enabler, claiming that the Indian people he talks too, that NZ First are only repeating their views (https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12313439)

  8. Enough is Enough 8
    3 March 2020 at 2:37 pm

    "If you want to do something about this make sure you do not vote for NZ First this coming election.

    And tell all your friends as well.

    • Janet 8.1
      3 March 2020 at 4:08 pm

      Better still , ask for a referendum on what level of immigration is acceptable to New Zealanders and what criteria should be met before an immigrant can apply to come to NZ. New Zealanders have been tricked by our governments regarding immigration matters in many ways over the last more than 20 years. Contrary to what they indicated just prior to the last elections, Labour has instead shied away from really addressing what has become a huge mess for this country. It is time for the people of New Zealand to have their voices clearly heard and for an immigration policy that is mandated by the people of New Zealand. It is not racist in any way to want immigration numbers significantly reduced and I am tired of "racisr" being used to stultify objections to the current immigration situation.

      • Enough is Enough 8.1.1
        3 March 2020 at 4:21 pm

        Shane was only referring Indians, not immigrants.

        One is racist – one is not

        See the difference?

  9. Janet 9
    3 March 2020 at 4:49 pm

    Shane was referring to the number of Indian students in our education system …….

    "I think the number of students that have come from India have ruined many of those [educational] institutions."

    Briefly speaking to media this morning, Peters said the comments couldn't have been racist as they "come from the Indian people themselves".

    So when is a reporter going to go in and investigate what he is going on about…..

    Does he mean "Indian" or does he mean "the large number of Indians " …..

    Why particularly Indian ?

    How are they ruining our educational institutions ?

    I am waiting, I am interested to know.

    Remember there would not be a NZFirst Party had the governments of the days/years past been mindful of New Zealanders wishes instead of tricking and running rough shod over us…. for why …. the mess we have?

    • observer 9.1
      3 March 2020 at 4:58 pm

      "So when is a reporter going to go in and investigate what he is going on about….. "

      There have been many such investigations, including the one linked to at #6 on this thread.

  10. Adrian 10
    3 March 2020 at 5:30 pm

    Just because people from one country or another are singled out for behaviours that are a bit of a rort does not make allegations racist. The word is used far too often and will lose its power if used loosely, racism is in essense the denial of a particular persons access to services and the like that others get for granted, as well as abuse for simply being different.

    Jones is alluding to something different, NZ has made a fair arrangement whereby access to qualifications, medical among them, are available to people to meet certain criteria with an expectation that the resulting residency/citizenship attraction implies a quid pro quo deal to stay on and work in our system, something I disagree with, India for instance needs these highly qualified people far more than we do, we are raiding their best and brightest which I think is morally questionable. The fact is they are not staying, most are going to Australia to work where the pay is higher. We are training Australia's workforce and we get Oz bred arseholes in return.

    But then "morally questionable"and immigrants are blank stare territory to Aussies.

  11. David Mac 11
    3 March 2020 at 6:26 pm

    NZ First need to walk a bit of a tight-rope as they ramp up for this election. They're traditionally obliged to spotlight ethnic minority issues and this time round they need to avoid the black cloud of hypocrisy whilst handing out work visas from the back door.

  12. pat 12
    3 March 2020 at 6:43 pm

    https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/mar/01/violence-in-delhi-is-not-a-riot-it-is-targeted-anti-muslim-brutality

    That Jones is a dick is beyond dispute but he has asked a pertinent question….when was anybody asked about our immigration policy?

    • KJT 12.1
      7 March 2020 at 10:31 am

      Jones is correct on the results, but not the culprits. He should have directed his anger at the University "managers" running the "education for residency scam, and the New Zealand employers exploiting them. Indian students are victims of exploitative employers and tertiary providers, not the cause.

  13. Sabine 13
    3 March 2020 at 9:08 pm

    MMP reflects the population.

    So maybe the trouble is with the electorate and not MMP.

    And again, what has Labour done to look at immigration for profit, what have the Greens done to address this issue? Because if they had, Shane Jones wuld have nothing much to say.

    But again, it is easier to complain about the 'others' be they the no mates party, the hologram party, or the winston peters party, rather then actually admit that Labour and the Greens are lacking. And they are.

    • solkta 13.1
      3 March 2020 at 9:47 pm

      I don't think Jones will have a problem finding other angles for his racist rants. In fact i expect many before the election. You are just being an apologist for him here.

    • roblogic 13.2
      3 March 2020 at 11:10 pm

      Yes Lab/Greens are lacking. They promised to cut immigration but did not deliver. Exacerbating multiple crises in housing and services and infrastructure. But keeping property values and the education scam afloat. I am deeply offended that foreigners seem to take priority over working Kiwis in our politicians tiny minds. The current deeply corrupt system enables human trafficking and exploitation (e.g. estimates that 40% of liquor store workers are underpaid/exploited).

      https://twitter.com/Biorealism/status/1234689125183156224

      • Sacha 13.2.1
        4 March 2020 at 8:53 am

        They promised to cut immigration but did not deliver

        Really? What direction is this official graph heading? https://www.stats.govt.nz/topics/migration

        • Janet 13.2.1.1
          4 March 2020 at 9:35 am

          Yep I looked, seems that migrants are chasing NZ citizens out of NZ, and look at who and how many have not gone back to their country's after one year in NZ .

          For migrant arrivals in the December 2019 year, New Zealand citizens were the largest group with 34,200 (± 700) arrivals. The next largest groups were citizens of:

          • China – 13,000 (± 300)
          • India – 12,500 (± 300)
          • South Africa – 11,400 (± 200)
          • Philippines – 8,500 (± 200)
          • Australia – 7,200 (± 500.)

          For migrant departures in the December 2019 year, New Zealand citizens were the largest group with 43,300 (± 900) departures. The next largest groups were citizens of:

          • China – 11,300 (± 500)
          • United Kingdom – 5,500 (± 100)
          • India – 5,300 (± 300)
          • Australia – 3,700 (± 300).
        • roblogic 13.2.1.2
          4 March 2020 at 9:59 pm

          Not good enough. A bandaid in the middle of a housing crisis.

          https://twitter.com/Light42Lime/status/1234271014076350469?s=20

          • Muttonbird 13.2.1.2.1
            4 March 2020 at 10:03 pm

            We can't increase supply. We won't regulate Airbnb. We must reduce demand.

            • roblogic 13.2.1.2.1.1
              4 March 2020 at 10:17 pm

              Agreed, but it's a bit rich for knobhead Jones to be making rude remarks when his party is presumably responsible for govt paralysis to keep the oldies onside

              • Muttonbird …
                4 March 2020 at 10:30 pm

                Sure. There have been some adjustments reducing net incoming numbers which is good. Basically the country can't handle it…

                …or more clearly, the country refuses to put in place a system where those who profit from housing and housing development, and those who enter the country with cash pay their fair share with respect to the wider infrastructure required to support that increased housing.

  14. solkta 14
    4 March 2020 at 7:44 am

    There is a typo on his hat. There should be another "first" after the first first.

  15. Climaction 15
    4 March 2020 at 8:29 am

    All your saying Mickey is that you just have to put up with racist friends, saying racist things, as long as you are in government. That it’s not worth standing up and calling out the type of language that empowers lower profile racists to indulge in more racists behaviour, in case the coalition agreement is torn up.

    which is fucking weak from a “new, kind, form of government” that is supposedly built on caring

    • Incognito 15.1
      4 March 2020 at 9:27 am

      A coalition government under MMP is not a Borg Collective or Hive.

      You obviously do not understand MMP politics nor this Post.

      • Climaction 15.1.1
        4 March 2020 at 9:31 am

        Judging by your constant carping that the government is three individual entities, I think it’s you who doesn’t understand MMP. You seem to think that being in government is more important than having standards and standing up for your values.

        i know what the outcome will be if our PM rebukes Shane Jones in a meaningful way.
        But the rest of us can judge the government by the company it keeps.

        • Sacha 15.1.1.1
          4 March 2020 at 11:25 am

          rebukes Shane Jones in a meaningful way

          What would that look like, for you?

        • Incognito 15.1.1.2
          4 March 2020 at 12:41 pm

          You seem to think that being in government is more important than having standards and standing up for your values.

          Au contraire mon frère, you comment applies to that lot that’s currently in Opposition and they, just like you, refuse to accept MMP. It is about time you grow up, don’t you think? MMP has been in place in NZ since 1994.

          But the rest of us can judge the government by the company it keeps.

          Wow! Shane Jones is a Minister in and of this Government; what “company” is he keeping?

          • Climaction 15.1.1.2.1
            5 March 2020 at 5:19 pm

            Blah blah blah opposition. I was referring to your understanding of MMP.

            I accept MMP. Because I accept that labour greens standing on their own, shorn of the corrupt racist burden that is nz1, will form a better government than has been seen yet under MMP.

            your pale and stale belief that NZ1 is somehow a necessity of government shows a concerning lack of values and belief in upholding them.

            in answer to what your question, the company Shane jones keeps is cabinet. And no one is covering themselves in glory there

            • Incognito 15.1.1.2.1.1
              5 March 2020 at 5:29 pm

              You accept MMP. That’s a good start. Unfortunately, you seem to have a problem with accepting the reality of MMP and the current coalition Government, which still includes NZF. You eliminate NZF, you eliminate this Government. Capisce?

              If Labour and the Greens will form the new Government after the election, it will be a different coalition Government than the current one. My pale and stale belief in reading the tea leaves is non-existent.

              • Climaction …
                5 March 2020 at 9:01 pm

                Capisce?

                Righto tony soprano

                want to talk gangster and be a tough guy? Tell nz1 they’re not welcome and go to the polls.

                Quisling

                • Incognito …
                  5 March 2020 at 9:33 pm

                  Never watched The Sopranos but you obviously did. Why don’t you do your Dirty Harry impersonation and tell Shane Jones yourself, to his face, you tough guy?

                  You have made great leaps in understanding MMP: in order to get rid of NZF you need an (snap) election. As it so happens, the PM has called an election. Comprendo?

                  • Climaction …
                    5 March 2020 at 9:42 pm

                    Easy on the italics button mr big stuff

                    So we should sit here for 6 months and let nz1 posture around? That’s a foolish strategy.

                    headlines, media air time, Seats in parliament after the election with no guarantee they’ll work with lab greens?
                    So progressive of you as long as you keep National out right?

                    Quisling

                    • Incognito …
                      5 March 2020 at 9:55 pm

                      Oh, I see. You want the PM to go for the nuclear moment and nuke her Coalition Government before 19 September. Riktig?

                    • McFlock …
                      5 March 2020 at 9:58 pm

                      As long as NZ1 keep being the difference between a national-led govt and a labgrn-led govt, labour telling NZ1 to piss off is a guaranteed national govt. Either it's nat/nz1 or the tory dream of a "grand coalition" labnat (puke).

                      National tried it last time. It's a major reason they're in opposition at the moment.

  16. Muttonbird 16
    4 March 2020 at 9:47 am

    Let's not forget that in modern times it's the people who decide what is or isn't worth a sacking.

    Drawing on reality TV for a moment, we had Hannah Tamaki dumped from DWTS for her views on the Rainbow community.

    And we had Chris Mansfield axed and deleted from MAFS for a history of domestic abuse.

    We also had Robert Jones folding in court and retreating to his high cave after realising he is in fact a racist.

    These outcomes were all due to public pressure, largely on social media, not pressure from journalists looking for a story. And not pressure from opposition politicians and bloggers looking to score political points.

    I think Shane Jones is a complete prick but the public pressure isn't at boiling point yet so he stays for the time being.

  17. Geoff 17
    4 March 2020 at 7:04 pm

    The trouble with MMP is that it essentially a corrupt system that employs a raft of party partisan list MP's totally unaccountable to the electorate.

    With STV there are no list parasites and each member is directly selected and accountable to those electorate voters, plus it also allows independents a much better chance at getting elected to parliament.

    • KJT 17.1
      7 March 2020 at 11:02 am

      The trouble with FPP, MMP, and STV, is that we are stuck with whatever old boys club, time servers political parties want to stick us with.

      Only the Greens even allow members to vote who gets on the list. Which shows in the general high quality of Green MP'S, compared with the many nitwits in the other parties, lineups

      Fixed it for you.

      "Representative democracy" is an oxymoron when politicians consider themselves "managers" not representatives.

      Effectively our system allows the illusion of public democratic control, when, in reality, we just get the opportunity to change the names of the current Dictator's.

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • Stop the panic – we’ve been here before
    Jack Vowles writes – New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 hour ago

  • Melissa Lee and the media: ending the quest
    Chris Trotter writes –  MELISSA LEE should be deprived of her ministerial warrant. Her handling – or non-handling – of the crisis engulfing the New Zealand news media has been woeful. The fate of New Zealand’s two linear television networks, a question which the Minister of Broadcasting, Communications ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 hours ago

  • The Hoon around the week to April 19
    TL;DR: The podcast above features co-hosts and , along with regular guests Robert Patman on Gaza and AUKUS II, and on climate change.The six things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 hours ago

  • The ‘Humpty Dumpty’ end result of dismantling our environmental protections
    Policymakers rarely wish to make plain or visible their desire to dismantle environmental policy, least of all to the young. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s the top five news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above between Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 hours ago

  • Nicola's Salad Days.
    I like to keep an eye on what’s happening in places like the UK, the US, and over the ditch with our good mates the Aussies. Let’s call them AUKUS, for want of a better collective term. More on that in a bit.It used to be, not long ago, that ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 hours ago

  • Study sees climate change baking in 19% lower global income by 2050
    TL;DR: The global economy will be one fifth smaller than it would have otherwise been in 2050 as a result of climate damage, according to a new study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) and published in the journal Nature. (See more detail and analysis below, and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 hours ago

  • Weekly Roundup 19-April-2024
    It’s Friday again. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week on Greater Auckland On Tuesday Matt covered at the government looking into a long tunnel for Wellington. On Wednesday we ran a post from Oscar Simms on some lessons from Texas. AT’s ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    5 hours ago

  • Jack Vowles: Stop the panic – we’ve been here before
    New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’.  The data is from February this ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    7 hours ago

  • Clearing up confusion (or trying to)
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters is understood to be planning a major speech within the next fortnight to clear up the confusion over whether or not New Zealand might join the AUKUS submarine project. So far, there have been conflicting signals from the Government. RNZ reported the Prime Minister yesterday in ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    8 hours ago

  • How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log iPhone Without Computer
    How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log on iPhone Without a Computer: A Step–by–Step Guide Losing your iPhone call history can be frustrating, especially when you need to find a specific number or recall an important conversation. But before you panic, know that there are ways to retrieve deleted call logs on your iPhone, even without a computer. This guide will explore various methods, ranging from simple checks to utilizing iCloud backups and third–party applications. So, let‘s dive in and recover those lost calls! 1. Check Recently Deleted Folder: Apple understands that accidental deletions happen. That‘s why they introduced the “Recently Deleted“ folder for various apps, including the Phone app. This folder acts as a safety net, storing deleted call logs for up to 30 days before permanently erasing them. Here‘s how to check it: Open the Phone app on your iPhone. Tap on the “Recents“ tab at the bottom. Scroll to the top and tap on “Edit“. Select “Show Recently Deleted“. Browse the list to find the call logs you want to recover. Tap on the desired call log and choose “Recover“ to restore it to your call history. 2. Restore from iCloud Backup: If you regularly back up your iPhone to iCloud, you might be able to retrieve your deleted call log from a previous backup. However, keep in mind that this process will restore your entire phone to the state it was in at the time of the backup, potentially erasing any data added since then. Here‘s how to restore from an iCloud backup: Go to Settings > General > Reset. Choose “Erase All Content and Settings“. Follow the on–screen instructions. Your iPhone will restart and show the initial setup screen. Choose “Restore from iCloud Backup“ during the setup process. Select the relevant backup that contains your deleted call log. Wait for the restoration process to complete. 3. Explore Third–Party Apps (with Caution): ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    10 hours ago

  • How to Factory Reset iPhone without Computer: A Comprehensive Guide to Restoring your Device
    Life throws curveballs, and sometimes, those curveballs necessitate wiping your iPhone clean and starting anew. Whether you’re facing persistent software glitches, preparing to sell your device, or simply wanting a fresh start, knowing how to factory reset iPhone without a computer is a valuable skill. While using a computer with ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    17 hours ago

  • How to Call Someone on a Computer: A Guide to Voice and Video Communication in the Digital Age
    Gone are the days when communication was limited to landline phones and physical proximity. Today, computers have become powerful tools for connecting with people across the globe through voice and video calls. But with a plethora of applications and methods available, how to call someone on a computer might seem ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    18 hours ago

  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #16 2024
    Open access notables Glacial isostatic adjustment reduces past and future Arctic subsea permafrost, Creel et al., Nature Communications: Sea-level rise submerges terrestrial permafrost in the Arctic, turning it into subsea permafrost. Subsea permafrost underlies ~ 1.8 million km2 of Arctic continental shelf, with thicknesses in places exceeding 700 m. Sea-level variations over glacial-interglacial cycles control ...
    Skeptical Science
    18 hours ago

  • Where on a Computer is the Operating System Generally Stored? Delving into the Digital Home of your ...
    The operating system (OS) is the heart and soul of a computer, orchestrating every action and interaction between hardware and software. But have you ever wondered where on a computer is the operating system generally stored? The answer lies in the intricate dance between hardware and software components, particularly within ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    18 hours ago

  • How Many Watts Does a Laptop Use? Understanding Power Consumption and Efficiency
    Laptops have become essential tools for work, entertainment, and communication, offering portability and functionality. However, with rising energy costs and growing environmental concerns, understanding a laptop’s power consumption is more important than ever. So, how many watts does a laptop use? The answer, unfortunately, isn’t straightforward. It depends on several ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    18 hours ago

  • How to Screen Record on a Dell Laptop A Guide to Capturing Your Screen with Ease
    Screen recording has become an essential tool for various purposes, such as creating tutorials, capturing gameplay footage, recording online meetings, or sharing information with others. Fortunately, Dell laptops offer several built-in and external options for screen recording, catering to different needs and preferences. This guide will explore various methods on ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    18 hours ago

  • How Much Does it Cost to Fix a Laptop Screen? Navigating Repair Options and Costs
    A cracked or damaged laptop screen can be a frustrating experience, impacting productivity and enjoyment. Fortunately, laptop screen repair is a common service offered by various repair shops and technicians. However, the cost of fixing a laptop screen can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article delves into the ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    18 hours ago

  • How Long Do Gaming Laptops Last? Demystifying Lifespan and Maximizing Longevity
    Gaming laptops represent a significant investment for passionate gamers, offering portability and powerful performance for immersive gaming experiences. However, a common concern among potential buyers is their lifespan. Unlike desktop PCs, which allow for easier component upgrades, gaming laptops have inherent limitations due to their compact and integrated design. This ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    18 hours ago

  • Climate Change: Turning the tide
    The annual inventory report of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions has been released, showing that gross emissions have dropped for the third year in a row, to 78.4 million tons: All-told gross emissions have decreased by over 6 million tons since the Zero Carbon Act was passed in 2019. ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    19 hours ago

  • How to Unlock Your Computer A Comprehensive Guide to Regaining Access
    Experiencing a locked computer can be frustrating, especially when you need access to your files and applications urgently. The methods to unlock your computer will vary depending on the specific situation and the type of lock you encounter. This guide will explore various scenarios and provide step-by-step instructions on how ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    21 hours ago

  • Faxing from Your Computer A Modern Guide to Sending Documents Digitally
    While the world has largely transitioned to digital communication, faxing still holds relevance in certain industries and situations. Fortunately, gone are the days of bulky fax machines and dedicated phone lines. Today, you can easily send and receive faxes directly from your computer, offering a convenient and efficient way to ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    21 hours ago

  • Protecting Your Home Computer A Guide to Cyber Awareness
    In our increasingly digital world, home computers have become essential tools for work, communication, entertainment, and more. However, this increased reliance on technology also exposes us to various cyber threats. Understanding these threats and taking proactive steps to protect your home computer is crucial for safeguarding your personal information, finances, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    21 hours ago

  • Server-Based Computing Powering the Modern Digital Landscape
    In the ever-evolving world of technology, server-based computing has emerged as a cornerstone of modern digital infrastructure. This article delves into the concept of server-based computing, exploring its various forms, benefits, challenges, and its impact on the way we work and interact with technology. Understanding Server-Based Computing: At its core, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    21 hours ago

  • Vroom vroom go the big red trucks
    The absolute brass neck of this guy.We want more medical doctors, not more spin doctors, Luxon was saying a couple of weeks ago, and now we’re told the guy has seven salaried adults on TikTok duty. Sorry, doing social media. The absolute brass neck of it. The irony that the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    21 hours ago

  • Jones finds $410,000 to help the government muscle in on a spat project
    Buzz from the Beehive Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones relishes spatting and eagerly takes issue with environmentalists who criticise his enthusiasm for resource development. He relishes helping the fishing industry too. And so today, while the media are making much of the latest culling in the public service to ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    22 hours ago

  • Again, hate crimes are not necessarily terrorism.
    Having written, taught and worked for the US government on issues involving unconventional warfare and terrorism for 30-odd years, two things irritate me the most when the subject is discussed in public. The first is the Johnny-come-lately academics-turned-media commentators who … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    1 day ago

  • Despair – construction consenting edition
    Eric Crampton writes – Kainga Ora is the government’s house building agency. It’s been building a lot of social housing. Kainga Ora has its own (but independent) consenting authority, Consentium. It’s a neat idea. Rather than have to deal with building consents across each different territorial authority, Kainga Ora ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago

  • Coalition promises – will the Govt keep the commitment to keep Kiwis equal before the law?
    Muriel Newman writes – The Coalition Government says it is moving with speed to deliver campaign promises and reverse the damage done by Labour. One of their key commitments is to “defend the principle that New Zealanders are equal before the law.” To achieve this, they have pledged they “will not advance ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago

  • An impermanent public service is a guarantee of very little else but failure
    Chris Trotter writes –  The absence of anything resembling a fightback from the public servants currently losing their jobs is interesting. State-sector workers’ collective fatalism in the face of Coalition cutbacks indicates a surprisingly broad acceptance of impermanence in the workplace. Fifty years ago, lay-offs in the thousands ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago

  • What happens after the war – Mariupol
    Mariupol, on the Azov Sea coast, was one of the first cities to suffer almost complete destruction after the start of the Ukraine War started in late February 2022. We remember the scenes of absolute destruction of the houses and city structures. The deaths of innocent civilians – many of ...
    Open ParachuteBy Ken
    1 day ago

  • Babies and benefits – no good news
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – Ten years ago, I wrote the following in a Listener column: Every year around one in five new-born babies will be reliant on their caregivers benefit by Christmas. This pattern has persisted from at least 1993. For Maori the number jumps to over one in three.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago

  • Should the RBNZ be looking through climate inflation?
    Climate change is expected to generate more and more extreme events, delivering a sort of structural shock to inflation that central banks will have to react to as if they were short-term cyclical issues. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago

  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours, as of 9:16 am on Thursday, April 18 are:Housing: Tauranga residents living in boats, vans RNZ Checkpoint Louise TernouthHousing: Waikato councillor says wastewater plant issues could hold up Sleepyhead building a massive company town Waikato Times Stephen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago

  • Gordon Campbell on the public sector carnage, and misogyny as terrorism
    It’s a simple deal. We pay taxes in order to finance the social services we want and need. The carnage now occurring across the public sector though, is breaking that contract. Over 3,000 jobs have been lost so far. Many are in crucial areas like Education where the impact of ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    1 day ago

  • Meeting the Master Baiters
    Hi,A friend had their 40th over the weekend and decided to theme it after Curb Your Enthusiasm fashion icon Susie Greene. Captured in my tiny kitchen before I left the house, I ending up evoking a mix of old lesbian and Hillary Clinton — both unintentional.Me vs Hillary ClintonIf you’re ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    1 day ago

  • How extreme was the Earth's temperature in 2023
    This is a re-post from Andrew Dessler at the Climate Brink blog In 2023, the Earth reached temperature levels unprecedented in modern times. Given that, it’s reasonable to ask: What’s going on? There’s been lots of discussions by scientists about whether this is just the normal progression of global warming or if something ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 day ago

  • Backbone, revisited
    The schools are on holiday and the sun is shining in the seaside village and all day long I have been seeing bunches of bikes; Mums, Dads, teens and toddlers chattering, laughing, happy, having a bloody great time together. Cheers, AT, for the bits of lane you’ve added lately around the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago

  • Ministers are not above the law
    Today in our National-led authoritarian nightmare: Shane Jones thinks Ministers should be above the law: New Zealand First MP Shane Jones is accusing the Waitangi Tribunal of over-stepping its mandate by subpoenaing a minister for its urgent hearing on the Oranga Tamariki claim. The tribunal is looking into the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago

  • What’s the outfit you can hear going down the gurgler? Probably it’s David Parker’s Oceans Sec...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point  of Order first heard of the Oceans Secretariat in June 2021, when David Parker (remember him?) announced a multi-agency approach to protecting New Zealand’s marine ecosystems and fisheries. Parker (holding the Environment, and Oceans and Fisheries portfolios) broke the news at the annual Forest & ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago

  • Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Bryce Edwards writes  – Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Matt Doocey doubles down on trans “healthcare”
    Citizen Science writes –  Last week saw two significant developments in the debate over the treatment of trans-identifying children and young people – the release in Britain of the final report of Dr Hilary Cass’s review into gender healthcare, and here in New Zealand, the news that the ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • A TikTok Prime Minister.
    One night while sleeping in my bed I had a beautiful dreamThat all the people of the world got together on the same wavelengthAnd began helping one anotherNow in this dream, universal love was the theme of the dayPeace and understanding and it happened this wayAfter such an eventful day ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago

  • Texas Lessons
    This is a guest post by Oscar Simms who is a housing activist, volunteer for the Coalition for More Homes, and was the Labour Party candidate for Auckland Central at the last election. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    2 days ago

  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links at 6:06 am
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours as of 6:06 am on Wednesday, April 17 are:Must read: Secrecy shrouds which projects might be fast-tracked RNZ Farah HancockScoop: Revealed: Luxon has seven staffers working on social media content - partly paid for by taxpayer Newshub ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Fighting poverty on the holiday highway
    Turning what Labour called the “holiday highway” into a four-lane expressway from Auckland to Whangarei could bring at least an economic benefit of nearly two billion a year for Northland each year. And it could help bring an end to poverty in one of New Zealand’s most deprived regions. The ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago

  • Bernard's six-stack of substacks at 6:26 pm
    Tonight’s six-stack includes: launching his substack with a bunch of his previous documentaries, including this 1992 interview with Dame Whina Cooper. and here crew give climate activists plenty to do, including this call to submit against the Fast Track Approvals bill. writes brilliantly here on his substack ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • At a glance – Is the science settled?
    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 ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago

  • Apposite Quotations.
    How Long Is Long Enough? Gaza under Israeli bombardment, July 2014. This posting is exclusive to Bowalley Road. ...
    Bowalley Road
    3 days ago

  • What’s a life worth now?
    You're in the mall when you hear it: some kind of popping sound in the distance, kids with fireworks, maybe. But then a moment of eerie stillness is followed by more of the fireworks sound and there’s also screaming and shrieking and now here come people running for their lives.Does ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • Howling at the Moon
    Karl du Fresne writes –  There’s a crisis in the news media and the media are blaming it on everyone except themselves. Culpability is being deflected elsewhere – mainly to the hapless Minister of Communications, Melissa Lee, and the big social media platforms that are accused of hoovering ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Newshub is Dead.
    I don’t normally send out two newsletters in a day but I figured I’d say something about… the news. If two newsletters is a bit much then maybe just skip one, I don’t want to overload people. Alternatively if you’d be interested in sometimes receiving multiple, smaller updates from me, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • Seymour is chuffed about cutting early-learning red tape – but we hear, too, that Jones has loose...
    Buzz from the Beehive David Seymour and Winston Peters today signalled that at least two ministers of the Crown might be in Wellington today. Seymour (as Associate Minister of Education) announced the removal of more red tape, this time to make it easier for new early learning services to be ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. Our political system is suffering from the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago

  • Was Hawkesby entirely wrong?
    David Farrar  writes –  The Broadcasting Standards Authority ruled: Comments by radio host Kate Hawkesby suggesting Māori and Pacific patients were being prioritised for surgery due to their ethnicity were misleading and discriminatory, the Broadcasting Standards Authority has found. It is a fact such patients are prioritised. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • PRC shadow looms as the Solomons head for election
    PRC and its proxies in Solomons have been preparing for these elections for a long time. A lot of money, effort and intelligence have gone into ensuring an outcome that won’t compromise Beijing’s plans. Cleo Paskall writes – On April 17th the Solomon Islands, a country of ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Climate Change: Criminal ecocide
    We are in the middle of a climate crisis. Last year was (again) the hottest year on record. NOAA has just announced another global coral bleaching event. Floods are threatening UK food security. So naturally, Shane Jones wants to make it easier to mine coal: Resources Minister Shane Jones ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • Is saving one minute of a politician's time worth nearly $1 billion?
    Is speeding up the trip to and from Wellington airport by 12 minutes worth spending up more than $10 billion? Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me in the last day to 8:26 am today are:The Lead: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Long Tunnel or Long Con?
    Yesterday it was revealed that Transport Minister had asked Waka Kotahi to look at the options for a long tunnel through Wellington. State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    3 days ago

  • Smoke And Mirrors.
    You're a fraud, and you know itBut it's too good to throw it all awayAnyone would do the sameYou've got 'em goingAnd you're careful not to show itSometimes you even fool yourself a bitIt's like magicBut it's always been a smoke and mirrors gameAnyone would do the sameForty six billion ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • What is Mexico doing about climate change?
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections The June general election in Mexico could mark a turning point in ensuring that the country’s climate policies better reflect the desire of its citizens to address the climate crisis, with both leading presidential candidates expressing support for renewable energy. Mexico is the ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago

  • State of humanity, 2024
    2024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?When I say 2024 I really mean the state of humanity in 2024.Saturday night, we watched Civil War because that is one terrifying cliff we've ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Govt’s Wellington tunnel vision aims to ease the way to the airport (but zealous promoters of cycl...
    Buzz from the Beehive A pet project and governmental tunnel vision jump out from the latest batch of ministerial announcements. The government is keen to assure us of its concern for the wellbeing of our pets. It will be introducing pet bonds in a change to the Residential Tenancies Act ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • The case for cultural connectedness
    A recent report generated from a Growing Up in New Zealand (GUiNZ) survey of 1,224 rangatahi Māori aged 11-12 found: Cultural connectedness was associated with fewer depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms and better quality of life. That sounds cut and dry. But further into the report the following appears: Cultural connectedness is ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Useful context on public sector job cuts
    David Farrar writes –    The Herald reports: From the gory details of job-cuts news, you’d think the public service was being eviscerated.   While the media’s view of the cuts is incomplete, it’s also true that departments have been leaking the particulars faster than a Wellington ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell On When Racism Comes Disguised As Anti-racism
    Remember the good old days, back when New Zealand had a PM who could think and speak calmly and intelligently in whole sentences without blustering? Even while Iran’s drones and missiles were still being launched, Helen Clark was live on TVNZ expertly summing up the latest crisis in the Middle ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    4 days ago

  • Govt ignored economic analysis of smokefree reversal
    Costello did not pass on analysis of the benefits of the smokefree reforms to Cabinet, emphasising instead the extra tax revenues of repealing them. Photo: Hagen Hopkins, Getty Images TL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me at 7:26 am today are:The Lead: Casey Costello never passed on ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • True Blue.
    True loveYou're the one I'm dreaming ofYour heart fits me like a gloveAnd I'm gonna be true blueBaby, I love youI’ve written about the job cuts in our news media last week. The impact on individuals, and the loss to Aotearoa of voices covering our news from different angles.That by ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • Who is running New Zealand’s foreign policy?
    While commentators, including former Prime Minister Helen Clark, are noting a subtle shift in New Zealand’s foreign policy, which now places more emphasis on the United States, many have missed a key element of the shift. What National said before the election is not what the government is doing now. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago

  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #15
    A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 7, 2024 thru Sat, April 13, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week is about adults in the room setting terms and conditions of ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • Feline Friends and Fragile Fauna The Complexities of Cats in New Zealand’s Conservation Efforts

    Cats, with their independent spirit and beguiling purrs, have captured the hearts of humans for millennia. In New Zealand, felines are no exception, boasting the highest national cat ownership rate globally [definition cat nz cat foundation]. An estimated 1.134 million pet cats grace Kiwi households, compared to 683,000 dogs ...

    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    5 days ago

  • Or is that just they want us to think?
    Nice guy, that Peter Williams. Amiable, a calm air of no-nonsense capability, a winning smile. Everything you look for in a TV presenter and newsreader.I used to see him sometimes when I went to TVNZ to be a talking head or a panellist and we would yarn. Nice guy, that ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • Fact Brief – Did global warming stop in 1998?
    Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park in collaboration with members from our Skeptical Science team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Did global warming stop in ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago

  • Arguing over a moot point.
    I have been following recent debates in the corporate and social media about whether it is a good idea for NZ to join what is known as “AUKUS Pillar Two.” AUKUS is the Australian-UK-US nuclear submarine building agreement in which … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    6 days ago

  • No Longer Trusted: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.
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