Weekend social 21/12/2012
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2:00 pm, December 21st, 2012 - 47 comments
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Weekend social is for non political chat. What’s on for the weekend, gigs, film or book reviews, sports, or whatever.
No politics, no aggro, why can’t we all just get along?
47 comments on “Weekend social 21/12/2012”
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- PGF reset helps regional economiesThe Provincial Growth Fund will play a vital role in New Zealand’s post-COVID-19 recovery by creating jobs in shorter timeframes through at least $600 million being refocused on projects with more immediate economic benefits, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones has announced. The funding is comprised of repurposed Provincial Growth ...2 days ago
- Government exempts some home improvements from costly consentsGovernment exempts some home improvements from costly consents Homeowners, builders and DIYers will soon have an easier time making basic home improvements as the Government scraps the need for consents for low-risk building work such as sleep-outs, sheds and carports – allowing the construction sector to fire back up quicker ...2 days ago
- Concern at introduction of national security legislation for Hong KongForeign Affairs Minister Winston Peters says the New Zealand Government has reacted with concern at the introduction of legislation in China’s National People’s Congress relating to national security in Hong Kong. “We have a strong interest in seeing confidence maintained in the ‘one country, two systems’ principle under which Hong ...3 days ago
- Samoa Language Week theme is perfect for the post-COVID-19 journeyThe Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio, says the theme for the 2020 Samoa Language Week is a perfect fit for helping our Pacific communities cope with the unfolding COVID-19 crisis, and to prepare now for the journey ahead as New Zealand focuses on recovery plans and rebuilding New ...3 days ago
- Adult kakÄ«/black stilt numbers soarA nearly 40-year programme to protect one of New Zealand’s most critically endangered birds is paying off, with a record number of adult kakī/black stilt recently recorded living in the wild, the Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage announced today. “Thanks to the team effort involved in the Department of Conservation’s ...3 days ago
- Waikato-Tainui settlement story launched on 25th anniversary of Treaty signingThe story of the Waikato-Tainui Treaty process and its enduring impact on the community is being told with a five-part web story launched today on the 25th anniversary of settlement, announced Associate Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Carmel Sepuloni. “I am grateful to Waikato-Tainui for allowing us to help capture ...4 days ago
- Taita College to benefit from $32 million school redevelopmentTaita College in the Hutt Valley will be redeveloped to upgrade its ageing classrooms and leaky roofs, Education Minister Chris Hipkins announced today. “The work is long overdue and will make a lasting difference to the school for generations to come,” Chris Hipkins said. “Too many of our schools are ...4 days ago
- Redeployment for workers in hard-hit regionsThe Government is allocating $36.72 million to projects in regions hard hit economically by COVID-19 to keep people working, Economic Development Minister Phil Twyford and Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones announced today. Projects in Hawke’s Bay, Northland, Rotorua and Queenstown will be funded from the Government’s $100 million worker ...4 days ago
- $35m to build financial resilience for New ZealandersA $35m boost to financial capability service providers funded by MSD will help New Zealanders manage their money better both day to day and through periods of financial difficulty, announced Social Development Minister Carmel Sepuloni. “It’s always been our position to increase support to key groups experiencing or at risk ...5 days ago
- New District Court Judge appointedDunedin barrister Melinda Broek has been appointed as a District Court Judge with Family Court jurisdiction to be based in Rotorua, Attorney-General David Parker announced today. Ms Broek has iwi affiliations to Ngai Tai. She commenced her employment in 1996 with Scholefield Cockroft Lloyd in Invercargill specialising in family and ...5 days ago
- $206 million investment in upgrades at Ohakea Air Force BaseThe Coalition Government has approved a business case for $206 million in upgrades to critical infrastructure at Royal New Zealand Air Force Base Ohakea, with the first phase starting later this year, Defence Minister Ron Mark announced today. The investment will be made in three phases over five years, and ...5 days ago
- Review of CAA organisational culture releasedTransport Minister Phil Twyford today released the Ministry of Transport’s review of the organisational culture at the Civil Aviation Authority. Phil Twyford says all employees are entitled to a safe work environment. “I commissioned this independent review due to the concerns I had about the culture within the CAA, and ...5 days ago
- New Board appointed at Stats NZEnsuring that Stats NZ’s direction and strategy best supports government policy decisions will be a key focus for a new Governance Advisory Board announced today by the Minister for Statistics, James Shaw. The new Governance Advisory Board will provide strategic advice to Stats NZ to ensure it is meeting New ...5 days ago
- New Principal Environment JudgeEnvironment Judge David Kirkpatrick of Auckland has been appointed as the Principal Environment Judge, Attorney-General David Parker announced today. Judge Kirkpatrick was appointed an Environment Judge in February 2014. From December 2013 to July 2016 he was Chair of the Auckland Unitary Plan Independent Hearings Panel. Prior to appointment he ...6 days ago
- Digital connectivity boost for urban maraeA programme to connect marae around the country to the internet has received $1.4 million to expand to include urban marae in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, Broadcasting, Communications and Digital Media Minister Kris Faafoi and Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones announced today. The funding for the Marae Connectivity Programme ...6 days ago
- Govt increases assistance to drought-stricken Hawkeās Bay farmersThe Government will provide $500,000 to the Hawke’s Bay Mayoral Drought Relief Fund to help farmers facing one of the worst droughts in living memory, says Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor. “Yesterday afternoon I received a letter from Hawke's Bay's five local Government leaders asking me to contribute to the Fund. ...7 days ago
- Investment in New Zealandās historyBudget 2020 provides a major investment in New Zealand’s documentary heritage sector, with a commitment to leasing a new Archives Wellington facility and an increase in funding for Archives and National Library work. “Last year I released plans for a new Archives Wellington building – a purpose-built facility physically connected ...7 days ago
- Driving prompt payments to small businessesGovernment Ministers are asking significant private enterprises to adopt prompt payment practices in line with the state sector, as a way to improve cashflow for small businesses. The Ministers of Finance, Small Business, Commerce and Consumer Affairs have written to more than 40 significant enterprises and banking industry representatives to ...1 week ago
- Rotorua tourist icon to be safeguardedMaori Arts and Crafts will continue to underpin the heart of the tourism sector says Minister for Maori Development Nanaia Mahuta. “That’s why we are making a core investment of $7.6 million to Te Puia New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute, over two years, as part of the Government’s ...1 week ago
- $14.7m for jobs training and educationThe Government is funding more pathways to jobs through training and education programmes in regional New Zealand to support the provinces’ recovery from the economic impacts of COVID-19, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones and Employment Minister Willie Jackson have announced. “New Zealand’s economic recovery will be largely driven by ...1 week ago
- Is it time to further recognise those who serve in our military?Minister for Veterans Ron Mark has announced the launch of a national conversation that aims to find out whether New Zealanders think there should be a formal agreement between service people, the Government, and the people of New Zealand. “This year marks the 75th anniversary of the end of World ...1 week ago
- Paving the way for a fully qualified early learning workforceThe Government’s drive to improve the quality of early childhood education (ECE) is taking another step forward with the reintroduction of a higher funding rate for services that employ fully qualified and registered teachers, Education Minister Chris Hipkins has announced. “Research shows that high-quality ECE can improve young people’s learning ...1 week ago
- Sport Recovery Package announcedThe Sport and Recreation sector will receive a multi-million dollar boost as part of the COVID-19 response funded at Budget 2020. Grant Robertson says the Sport and Recreation Sector contributes about $5 billion a year to New Zealand’s GDP and employs more than 53,000 people. “Sport plays a significant role ...1 week ago
- Major boost in support for caregivers and childrenA major increase in funding and availability of support will improve the incomes and reduce the pressure on 14,000 caregivers looking after more than 22,000 children. Children’s Minister Tracey Martin says that caregivers – all those looking after someone else’s children both in and outside the state care system – ...1 week ago
- Great Walks recovery on track for summerVital conservation and visitor infrastructure destroyed by a severe flood event in Fiordland earlier this year is being rebuilt through a $13.7 million Budget 2020 investment, announced Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage. “This investment will mean iconic Great Walks such as the Routeburn track and the full length of ...1 week ago
- MÄori – Government partnership gives whÄnau a new housing dealThe Government is investing $40 million in a partnership with Māori to get more whānau into warm, dry and secure accommodation, Associate Minister for Housing (Māori Housing) Hon Nanaia Mahuta says.. “We are partnering with Māori and iwi to respond to the growing housing crisis in the wake of COVID-19. ...1 week ago
- Keeping New Zealanders Safe In The WaterKeeping New Zealanders safe in the water Our lifeguards and coastguards who keep New Zealanders safe in the water have been given a funding boost thanks to the 2020 Budget, Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector Poto Williams has announced. The water safety sector will receive $63 million over ...1 week ago
- Legal framework for COVID-19 Alert Level referred to select committeeThe COVID-19 Public Health Response Act 2020, which set a sound legal framework ahead of the move to Alert level 2, has been referred to a parliamentary select committee for review. Attorney-General David Parker said the review of the operation of the COVID-19 specific law would be reported back to ...2 weeks ago
- New Zealand condemns shocking attacks on hospital and funeral in AfghanistanForeign Affairs Minister Winston Peters says New Zealand condemns the targeting of civilians in two terrorist attacks in Afghanistan earlier this week. “The terrorist attacks on a hospital in Kabul and a funeral in Nangarhar province are deeply shocking. The attacks were deliberate and heinous acts of extreme violence targeting ...2 weeks ago
- Government to close tobacco tax loopholeThe Government will close a loophole that allowed some people to import cigarettes and loose leaf tobacco for manufacturing cigarettes and ‘roll your owns’ for sale on the black market without excise tax being paid, says Minister of Customs Jenny Salesa. The legislation, which doesn’t affect duty free allowances for ...2 weeks ago
- $62 million package to support families through the Family CourtThe Coalition Government has made a significant $62 million investment from the COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund to start the reform of the Family Court and enable it to respond effectively to the increased backlog caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Today Justice Minister Andrew Little introduced the Family Court (Supporting ...2 weeks ago
- Tailored help supports new type of job seeker – reportThe Government’s expanded services to support people into jobs will help an emerging cohort of New Zealanders impacted by COVID-19. The impacted group are relatively younger, have a proportionately low benefit history and have comparatively higher incomes than most who seek support, as captured in a report published today from ...2 weeks ago
- A modern approach to night classesNew funding to boost Government-funded Adult and Community Education (ACE) will give more than 11,000 New Zealanders more opportunities to learn, Education Minister Chris Hipkins said. “This includes a modern approach to rebuilding night classes, which were slashed in the middle of our last economic crisis in 2010,” Chris Hipkins ...2 weeks ago
- Christchurch Call makes significant progressSignificant progress has been delivered in the year since the Christchurch Call to Action brought governments and tech companies together in Paris with a single goal to eliminate terrorist and violent extremist content online, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardent says. On its first anniversary, Ardern and French President Emmanuel Macron as ...2 weeks ago
- Christchurch Call: One year AnniversaryJoint statement: the Right Honourable Jacinda Ardern Prime Minister of New Zealand and His Excellency Emmanuel Macron President of the French Republic. One year since we launched, in Paris, the Christchurch Call to Action, New Zealand and France stand proud of the progress we have made toward our goal to eliminate terrorist ...2 weeks ago
- Budget 2020: Jobs and opportunities for the primary sector$19.3 million to help attract and train recently unemployed New Zealanders and grow the primary sector workforce by 10,000 people. $128 million for wilding pine and wallaby control, providing hundreds of jobs. $45.3m over four years to help horticulture seize opportunities for future growth. $14.9 million to reduce food waste ...2 weeks ago
- New registration system for forestry advisers and log tradersA new log registration scheme and practice standards will bring us one step closer to achieving ‘value over volume’ in our forestry sector, Forestry Minister Shane Jones says. New legislation introduced as part of Budget 2020 will require forestry advisers, log traders and exporters to register and work to nationally ...2 weeks ago
- Finance Minister’s Budget 2020 s Budget SpeechMr Speaker, I move that the Appropriation (2020/21 Estimates) Bill be now read a second time. From its very beginning this Coalition Government has committed to putting the wellbeing of current and future generations of New Zealanders at the heart of everything we do. There is no time in New ...2 weeks ago
- NZ Trade Balance (April) Release
The NZ Trade Balance for April has just been released. They came in very close to expectations: NZ Trade Balance: Trade Balance (Apr) $1267mio surplus Consensus $1235mio surplus - Imports (Apr) $5.26bio Consensus $5.30bio - Exports (Apr) $3.99bio ...19 mins ago - Lockdown made us rethink how we value productivity āĀ so letās make the most of it
Over lockdown, school, home and the office all merged into one place, affecting how we worked and when. The NZIER public good team explains why we need to rethink how we measure productivity.How productive was your lockdown? Now we’re in level two, it’s the perfect time to pause and reflect on ...1 hour ago - Letās hope Europeās economic policies are better than its approach to lockdown
So just how effective were the different lockdown policies implemented by Europe’s diverse states? Bloomberg has tried to make a comparison using an index complied by the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford. “While not a gauge of whether the decisions taken were the right ones, nor ...2 hours ago - Rich and poor donāt recover equally from epidemics ā target: rebuild fairly
ANALYSIS: By Ilan Noy of Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Since the Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004, disaster recovery plans are almost always framed with aspirational plans to “build back better”. It’s a fine sentiment – we all want to build better societies and economies. But, as ...2 hours ago - The deserving and the undeserving: The two-tier benefits as seen by a beneficiaryA tax free payment of $490 a week would be life-changing for people like me, writes beneficiary Eamonn Marra.The government’s decision to give those made redundant by Covid-19 $490 tax free a week for 12 weeks is a good one. When you lose your job your income stops but your ...2 hours ago
- Dominic Cummings went to Durham in lockdown, and bared his arse at BritainThe chief propagandist of rage against the privileged Westminster elite has proved himself the epitome of the privileged Westminster elite, writes Elle Hunt from London.He is the prime minister’s top adviser, he unambiguously broke the rules around lockdown, and people have already been fired for less. But I never really ...3 hours ago
- Third timeās the charm for Joe Biden: now he has an election to win and a country to saveSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Bruce Wolpe, Non-resident Senior Fellow, United States Study Centre, University of Sydney At age 77, in his twilight years, the third time was the charm for Joe Biden. He prevailed over a field of 24 Democrats from across the political spectrum and ...3 hours ago
- If you took to growing veggies in the coronavirus pandemic, then keep it up when lockdown endsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrea Gaynor, Associate Professor of History, University of Western Australia The COVID-19 pandemic produced a run on the things people need to produce their own food at home, including vegetable seedlings, seeds and chooks. This turn to self-provisioning was prompted in part ...3 hours ago
- Coronavirus recovery: public transport is key to avoid repeating old and unsustainable mistakesSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hussein Dia, Professor of Future Urban Mobility, Swinburne University of Technology The coronavirus pandemic has affected our cities in profound ways. People adapted by teleworking, shopping locally and making only necessary trips. One of the many challenges of recovery will be to ...3 hours ago
- P is for Pandemic: kidsā books about coronavirusSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Shih-Wen Sue Chen, Senior Lecturer in Writing and Literature, Deakin University With remarkable speed, numerous children’s books have been published in response to the COVID-19 global health crisis, teaching children about coronavirus and encouraging them to protect themselves and others. Children’s literature ...3 hours ago
- National has a ‘fresh start’ and will run the ruler over all policies, Willis says
MP Nicola Willis jumped from number 45 to 14 on the party's list in leader Todd Muller's caucus reshuffle. ...3 hours ago - Live updates, May 26: Boris Johnsonās aide refuses to resignFor all The Spinoff’s latest coverage of Covid-19 see here. Read Siouxsie Wiles’s work here. New Zealand is currently in alert level two – read The Spinoff’s giant explainer about what that means here. For official government advice, see here.The Spinoff’s coverage of the Covid-19 outbreak is funded by The Spinoff Members. To support this ...4 hours ago
- Business Wrap: Is China vs US Cold War II?
Markets are nervous as China vs US 'Cold War II' rhetoric grows over Beijing's tighter controls on Hong Kong. ...4 hours ago - Government Move In The Right DirectionNew Conservative supports the idea of scrapping consent requirements for small, low risk building as proposed by the government. "This is a step in the right direction of reducing government control and removing barriers for productivity," ...4 hours ago
- The Bulletin: Criticism over new ātwo-tierā welfare paymentsGood morning and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Criticism over new ‘two-tier’ welfare payments, National announces reshuffle, and a day of differing fortunes in the media world.The government has announced a brand new income support scheme for those who have lost work – but in many ways, it ...5 hours ago
- Fish & Game council embraces Feds, ungags boss
Fish & Game is extending an olive branch to Federated Farmers, against the advice of its chief executive. David Williams reports The national Fish & Game council continues to try and cleanse itself of a tough stance against agricultural pollution, demanding a softer line from staff on public statements as ...6 hours ago - Green Party says govt broke promise to overhaul welfare systemThe Greens have accused Labour of breaking a core promise to overhaul the welfare system, a commitment made in 2017 during negotiations to form a government. ...6 hours ago
- Green Party ‘won’t give up’ pushing for benefits increaseThe Greens have accused Labour of breaking a core promise to overhaul the welfare system, a commitment made in 2017 during negotiations to form a government. ...6 hours ago
- Muller plays it safe with National reshuffle
Todd Muller’s first reshuffle as National Party leader was more about the return of a political veteran than any new stars, while an awkward exchange with deposed leader Simon Bridges offered a hint of a worst-case scenario With just over three months until advance voting begins, new National leader Todd ...6 hours ago - Scoring victories for women in cricket
David Leggat meets the two women who've collected national cricket honours traditionally won by men. Among the 26 New Zealand Cricket awards handed out this year over video linkup - celebrating the great, the good, the promising and the honest servants of the game - there were two which stood out ...6 hours ago - Los Angeles is burning: part 1
New Zealand writer Anna Rankin thinks her way through the craziness and desperation of Los Angeles, in the first of a two-part essay. It occurs to me this evening as I sit in the heat of my Los Angeles apartment beside a window, which faces the almond-pale stucco of the ...6 hours ago - Hamish Coney: Before and after
The exhibition Split Level View Finder: Theo Schoon and New Zealand Art at Te Uru Waitakere Contemporary Gallery in Titirangi opened in early March, a week before the world changed. The gallery is open again - Hamish Coney suggests a post lockdown visit might provide a lens through which to ...6 hours ago - What do we want to leave for our children?
Now is our chance to examine nature on our own urban doorstep, and to think ahead to what kind of nature we want to encourage and bequeath to our children, write James Beattie and Bruce Clarkson Across the globe, millions of people have been interacting with nature on their doorstep, ...6 hours ago - National doesn’t need a John Key 2.0
New National leader Todd Muller's message sounds like the party's old brand under John Key and Bill English. To solve its problems, the party will need to deliver a broad new campaign message that takes post-Covid needs into account. National has changed the messenger, but it also needs to change the message: It’s ...6 hours ago - Bigger payouts for Covid beneficiaries could end up benefitting everyoneThere’s more to the finance minister’s controversial move than meets the eye, argues Max Rashbrooke.If you’re a current beneficiary, I can see how it looks like a slap in the face. Finance minister Grant Robertson yesterday announced that people rendered unemployed by the coronavirus will receive a 12-week benefit of ...6 hours ago
- How Muller-mentum could change the political landscapeNational has a new leader and it could upend parts of the political map that previously looked much more stable. So how could things change as a result?Under Simon Bridges, National needed to get exceptionally lucky to win the next election. While the party’s polling at the start of the ...7 hours ago
- The sale of Stuff sets the stage for a new independent media in New ZealandThe big media companies just want to get married. Duncan Greive makes the case for dozens of divorces instead.For the last few years, all the talk in New Zealand’s media has been of a need for consolidation. That our big for-profit media companies – TVNZ, Sky, MediaWorks, NZME and Stuff ...7 hours ago
- Travel in a post-Covid world
Sharon Brettkelly looks at what is likely to be a slow and stuttering return to international travel Stay at home. Don’t leave your region. Don’t leave the country. We’ve all got the message. The coronavirus epidemic has shut down global tourism, leaving airlines, travel companies and the tourism trade crippled. ...7 hours ago - Former PM OāNeill blames current government for āpoliticisedā arrestBy EMTV News Former Prime Minister Peter O’Neill says the National Executive Council of the then Papua New Guinea government approved the purchase of two heavy duty power generators for PNG Power to solve longstanding blackouts in Lae and Port Moresby. The allegation against him is that due process was ...9 hours ago
- Australian economy must come āout of ICUā: Scott MorrisonSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Scott Morrison says it is vital to get the Australian economy “out of ICU” and “off the medication” of government support “before it becomes too accustomed to it”. In speech on his government’s plans to ...11 hours ago
- Eden-Monaro byelection to be on July 4Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Speaker Tony Smith has announced July 4 for the byelection in the Labor NSW seat of Eden-Monaro, which will be the first electoral test between Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese. For health reasons this will ...15 hours ago
- No post-Covid green ‘nirvana’
Our infrastructure minister says the Government's $3b infrastructure fund is not the way to usher in a post-Covid green nirvana. ...15 hours ago - National’s Amy Adams on returning as Covid-19 recovery leadCheckpoint - National MP Amy Adams has cancelled plans to retire from Parliament to instead take the number three spot in the party's shadow cabinet. ...16 hours ago
- Stuff chief executive Sinead Boucher restores NZ ownership for $1By RNZ News Stuff chief executive Sinead Boucher has purchased Stuff from its Australian owners Nine Entertainment for $1 to return the media company to New Zealand ownership. The sale is expected to be completed by May 31. “Our plan is to transition the ownership of Stuff to give staff ...16 hours ago
- Was lockdown the right choice?
In the face of multiple sources of uncertainty, what were policymakers to do? ...16 hours ago - Coronavirus lockdown made many of us anxious. But for some people, returning to ānormalā might b...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amy Dawel, Lecturer, Australian National University Many Australians have welcomed the gradual easing of coronavirus restrictions. We can now catch up with friends and family in small numbers, and get out and about a little more than we’ve been able to for ...17 hours ago
- Labour Undermining The Election By Keeping Us At Level 2...17 hours ago
- China is taking a risk by getting tough on Hong Kong. Now, the US must decide how to respondSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hui Feng, ARC Future Fellow and Senior Research Fellow, Griffith University Beijing’s recent announcement it would authorise the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress – China’s rubber-stamp parliament – to draft a national security law for Hong Kong caught most off ...18 hours ago
- IrrigationNZ Congratulates David BennettIrrigationNZ wishes to congratulate David Bennett as he takes on the agricultural portfolio for the National Party. The announcement came today as new National Party Leader, Todd Muller, revealed the line-up of the new look National Party caucus. ...18 hours ago
- Behold, Saint Sinead of Stuff
The management buyout of Stuff turns out to be a 'manager buyout' as the chief executive takes on the momentous job of owning the publisher on her own. Tim Murphy says it is a hell of a task. Next Monday, Sinead Boucher should find herself the sole owner of Stuff, our biggest ...18 hours ago - China bypasses the govt in Canberra to engage in an infrastructural flirtation with Victoria
Our good friends from Beijing are at it again. China has done a deal with the state of Victoria under its “Belt and Road” project. Infrastructure and other projects are under consideration. This has fired up the Australian Federal government — and the United States. US Secretary of State Mike ...18 hours ago - Performers and sole traders find it hard to get JobKeeper in part because they get behind on their p...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ann Kayis-Kumar, Senior Lecturer and Tax Clinic Director, School of Taxation & Business Law, UNSW Performers and sole traders find it hard to get JobKeeper in part because they are behind on their paperwork Are sole traders falling through the JobKeeper cracks? ...18 hours ago
- MediaWorks takes razor to radio
MediaWorks is cutting its radio staff numbers despite being the biggest beneficiary of the Government’s media support package. But, as Mark Jennings writes, it has spared its struggling TV arm – at least for now. Staff at MediaWorks TV must be thankful the owners are still trying to sell that part of ...18 hours ago - Keith Rankin Chart Analysis ā Financial Signatures: JapanAnalysis by Keith Rankin. Surpluses and Deficits of Different Economic Sectors This new series of weekly charts looks at forty years of surpluses and deficits in different countries, showing what makes these countries tick, and why they were where they were – financially speaking – at the end of the ...19 hours ago
- Apollo Foods moves on to the second course ā and is served a $2.9m helping from the PGF
Apollo Foods Limited, incorporated in 2013 and based in Hastings, has become one of the early beneficiaries of the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) since its administrators were given new marching orders – or should we say serving orders? Apollo Foods, at first blush, doesn’t seem desperately in need of a ...19 hours ago - All Those Without Jobs Deserve Decent Income SupportToday’s announcement of an income relief payment goes in the right direction, but leaves behind those that most need help right now. “Unite Union welcomes extra support for some redundant workers. Hundreds of our members will be better off, but ...19 hours ago
- NZ to move to full Level 2, with gatherings of 100
Jacinda Ardern announced on Monday that the country would move to the full Level 2, in which gatherings of up to 100 people are permitted, Marc Daalder reports From Friday, funerals, tangihanga and religious services will be permitted to operate with up to 100 people and will no longer have ...19 hours ago - PM Jacinda Ardern reveals move to gatherings of 100 under alert level 2Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has revealed the government plans to allow gatherings of up to 100 from midday on Friday, 29 May. ...19 hours ago
- Live: PM Jacinda Ardern and Ashley Bloomfield reveal whether level 2 rules changeWatch live: Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield joins Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern for today's post Cabinet press conference. ...20 hours ago
- Never let a good crisis go to waste: How our food sector can save NZās economyThe world will always need food, and New Zealand is enviably positioned to capitalise on this, writes future foods expert Rosie Bosworth – but we need to take a few big steps first. It’s a bittersweet moment for New Zealand. As a nation we’ve collectively worked hard to successfully flatten the ...20 hours ago
- MÄori Party Co-leader Calls On Government To Lift Incomes Of All BeneficiariesMāori Party Co-leader calls on Government to lift incomes of all beneficiaries, not just those out of work from COVID-19 Māori Party Co-leader and Te Tai Hauāuru candidate Debbie Ngarewa-Packer is calling on the Government to double the incomes ...21 hours ago
- NZ Covid Tracer wonāt help open a travel bubble with Australia anytime soonAn Australian technology expert looks at the pros and cons of New Zealand’s contact tracing app, and compares it with the Australian version, COVIDSafe.New Zealanders finally have access to the government’s new tracing app to help people monitor their movements as lockdown continues to ease.As businesses can now open, the ...21 hours ago
- Pay Cut Law Failure: Remuneration Authority Refuses To Use New PowersThe Remuneration Authority’s refusal to cut salaries for councillors and mayors paid under $100,000 makes a joke of the Government’s much-vaunted pay cut legislation, says the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union . Taxpayers’ Union spokesman Jordan Williams ...21 hours ago
- If you donāt benefit from DIY without having to jump consent hurdles, you might be in line for rep...The way is being opened for householders to avoid council poohbahs and revenue grabbers. when they want to do a bit of do-it-yourself building work on their properties. It is being opened, too, for the promoters of projects promising to quickly employ plenty of people to get their snouts into ...21 hours ago
- National leader Todd Muller reshuffles caucus: Adams rises, Tolley falls in new lineupSenior National MP Amy Adams has backtracked on her retirement plans after a change of leadership last week and is ranked third in caucus following a minor reshuffle. ...21 hours ago
- NZ Can Look To East Asia To Prepare For Next PandemicWellington, 25 May 2020 - To prepare for the next virus pandemic, New Zealand has plenty to learn from the successes of three East Asian states, according to a summary report from The New Zealand Initiative. Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan all successfully ...21 hours ago
- Fisheries New Zealand Looking For Feedback On New Catch LimitsFisheries New Zealand starts consultation today on proposed changes to catch limits on a range of fisheries for the new fishing year beginning 1 October. The consultation is part of a regular cycle of catch limit reviews that take place twice each year ...21 hours ago
- New leader eases tensions between National and NZ FirstThe animosity between National and NZ First shows signs of dissipating after new Opposition leader Todd Muller left the door open to working with Winston Peters and his MPs. ...21 hours ago
- Amy Adams reverses retirement plans under Todd Muller
New National leader Todd Muller has revealed his new line-up for the 2020 election, with some detractors demoted, loyalists rewarded - and a somewhat surprising un-retirement Senior National MP Amy Adams has reversed her retirement plans following Simon Bridges’ ousting from the leadership, agreeing to serve as the party’s Covid-19 ...22 hours ago - Be still, my beating wings: hunters kill migrating birds on their 10,000km journey to AustraliaSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Eduardo Gallo-Cajiao, PhD Candidate, The University of Queensland It is low tide at the end of the wet season in Broome, Western Australia. Shorebirds feeding voraciously on worms and clams suddenly get restless. Chattering loudly they take flight, circling up over Roebuck ...22 hours ago
- Would Muller Undo Labourās Rental Property Errors?Since any promises made by former National Party leader Simon Bridges are effectively void, the new leader, Todd Muller, should tell New Zealand’s 290,000 residential rental property owners whether he supports Labour's disastrous experiments or whether ...23 hours ago
- New benefit leaves out migrants, existing beneficiaries
A new benefit for people who lost their job on or after March 1 due to Covid-19 leaves out existing beneficiaries and migrants, Marc Daalder reports The Government has effectively extended the Covid-19 wage subsidy to those who have lost their jobs due to the pandemic. A new Covid-19 Income ...23 hours ago - Canāt resist splurging on online shopping? Hereās whySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian R. Camilleri, Senior Lecturer in Marketing, University of Technology Sydney The demand for online shopping has obviously increased since COVID-19 restrictions were put in place. But less obvious are the subtle psychological drivers behind our collective online shopping splurge. In fact, ...23 hours ago
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Getting ready for Easter
Can’t wait for Labour day.
Start hiding your eggs now.
Who can afford eggs anymore?
Me. Back on a protien diet again… Gained 23kgs since hospital last year that I need to start getting off.
Ah those distant beloved potatoes. š
Surely just a couple of new potatoes on xmas day?
With butter, rosemary and thyme. Mmmmm.
Oh yeah. We’re off the diet over xmas – bloody pointless when you just know that the food is all going to violate the guidelines.
Lyn was (almost) drooling contemplating chocolate and white wine (ie bad grape juice) last night. Baked spuds…. Ummm
Pretty tough timing to start a diet however I’m sure there’ll be lots of meat to select from!
Ah, glorious potatoes! So many ways to prepare this most noble, yet humble vegetable. Unfortunately they are high ranking in their glycemic index and partner perfectly with fats such as oil for frying, butter for smothering, or cheese for decadance. Sigh. A distant memory for me too.
However, there is a way around it for a treat. At this time in our calendar we have our lovely waxy new season’s potatoes whose GI is much lower than the starchy agria etc varieties that we tend to bake, mash or chip. A good treat recipe I use in summer is this one:
Par boil some small waxy new season’s potatoes such as the perla. Drain and leave aside to cool. Make a dressing from olive oil, tarragon vinegar and a massive handful of fresh mint that has been blanched in boiling water for no more than 10 seconds, Blitz in a blender. Take your tatties, oil them slightly and grill them on the BBQ until you get some nice grill lines. Put them in bowl and when cooled a bit put the dressing over. Add sugar snap peas, fresh basil and cherry toms and there you have it.
Haven’t figured out a way around the dairy cravings and the wine that goes so nicely with it……….
I just pulled some baby agria out of the garden. They, too, are quite waxy and great for salads when they are small.
Your potato salad sounds delicious. My mother makes up her special potato salad recipe on Christmas day. Divine. Must get that recipe too.
I’m surprised at those of you who will be adhering to a diet over Christmas – even on the day. Feast – diet, the two just don’t got together in my book.
Warm wishes to those of you who won’t be celebrating over the holidays, whatever the reason. Arohanui.
Love spud comments: I have been served recently (by Mrs Ennui) smashed potatoes (not quite mashed) into which she has drizzled lemon juice and olive oil with a little mint. Wonderful.
We are yet to crop the Jersey Bs we grew in tyres for the first time, they have flowered and are probably ready. Three tyres high, they push ever higher, hoping for a bumper harvest courtesy
Well tonight I think I will cook my Partner Dinner You have inspired me.
Steak Mushroom and Carrot Casserole, with a rich brown gravy, Steamed Red and Green Cabbage With Mashed Potatoes. Mine are minimally dairy. I use Margarine and Mayonnaise.( The cheap Buget salad dressing at about 4 bucks for a 700gram jar)
” So many ways to prepare this most noble, yet humble vegetable. ”
Thinking of potatoes as a vegetable just doesn’t seem right. Technically maybe it is..but..but..its a fucking potato damn it. Not a vegetable!
Grumble, Grumble, get the fuck off my lawn.
calm down fulla, its only martinborough mr
and mr s
I’ll never calm down. I’m the last angry man and I wanna rattle a few cages. Bah!
Yeah I’m with you there. Plants are only vegetables when you eat the leafy bits.
And don’t get me started on the whole “tomato is a fruit” shit….and what is the fucking deal with peanuts being a legume?
Fucking Mayans.
Nice talking with you man. Charming as usual I see.
Merry Christmas.
Hoping the humidity levels and heat stay down, but not looking too promising.
Hi David. If I recall correctly, you’re up Horowhenua way? Yes the humidity and heat has been a bit over the top this week. Tuesday reminded me of living in Akld. Forecast looks like much of the same over the next few days. We have a fog going on here all this morning but thankfully the wind turned south. No wind as such but just the slightest breeze.
Yes I am in the Horowhenua and I am cooking and going thru Inhalers too at 5 bucks a pop is not cheap.
Well done on your dinner making plans:-) Lucky partner.
I guess from your comment that you have asthma and the humidity is getting to you. Sorry to hear that. My husband is asthmatic and different things trigger him – this year it was stress. He got a new prescription a while ago and it wasn’t the same one as usual. Doc said rules changed and there is new supplier. The doc doesn’t sound like a fan of pharmac and made the remark that the inhaler cost 4 cents to make in India and its made by children. Don’t know what the previous history is around their manufacturing but the Doc wasn’t happy about the new ones.
Hope you find some respite in this weather and that your health improves.
You are making me feel guilty. My wife is a superb cook ,However way back when she was in hospital I cooked for our kids, All turned out pretty well .Just one day I burned the potatoes .
My youngest son could not get into the ward quickly enough to announce to one and “Dad burnt the potatoes.” Incidentally he has turned out to be an excellent cook bring up 3 boys on his own with a full time job but served great meals every day. Poor old me there is no justice.
I wish all our our readers and commentators the very best for the holiday .Lets all forget those bloody Tories for a few days,
Yeah they’re trying to palm off the so called new Inhaler’s but I won’t have a barof them. It costs me 5 bucks a pop, but I still get the Ventolin, and not that generic garbage they tried to replace Ventolin with.
I have friends who have tried this with some moderate, though imperfect, success.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buteyko_method
If you fancy yourself a wee jaunt around the slopes of Mount Everest…
http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/interactive/2012/dec/20/mount-everest-zoom-2bn-pixel-image
I continue to work over the holiday period, but am considering some time off during the better weather in Feb/March…. or April.
Yup. I get to work right through as well.
Personally I rather like it because it’s a few weeks of the year when I can get stuff done without anyone asking questions.
I normally would work on Christmas eve ’cause the boss would always come around and tell everyone to go home around 2-3pm. No point wasting a full day of leave on that š
Going down to Oamaru for my bf’s family this year so had to take it off though.
Since I seldom take holidays unless forced to (which is why I have about two months of leave available at present), I always have the opposite problem. If there is a awkward spare day around then I always take it as a holiday. Then I’ll have some serious time to work on non-income generating things at a low ‘cost’.
Three games of golf on three consecutive days and looking forward to Boxing day …
Getting ready for Xmas.
Finished work almost..one more day.
Been a very long and tiring year. The squeeze is on from bosses in these hard economic times.
Family and friends gathering and a few randoms
Time to be thankful, to remember and think of those in the world in need.
Parish priest from India at Xmas dinner will say grace and remind us all of the poverty that fill the world.
BBQ on boxing day and more fishing.
Time to be thankful, to remember and think of those in the world in need.
Like these people….
Spent the day hunting down suitable Xmas cards for a few people who sent me one but I hadn’t sent them one. Bloody nuisance when that happens. Got to Takapuna Beach eventually. Beautiful rollers coming in ahead of former Cyclone Evan. One more swim tomorrow before the weather turns to custard.
For EiR. Ended up with 4 budgie chicks. Full of mischief, but I think the oldies secretly enjoy it. Are your girls getting a Xmas present?
Snowed last week in saltzburg. What a beautiful place. So clean. So polite. So helpful. Cold but windless. Magical.
Enjoy! No white Christmas for us. It’s a good time to visit the salt mines at nearby Hallein too. Not swamped with tourists at this time of year.
Also great restaurants in Salzburg – Hangar 7, if they’re not overbooked, for breakfast and Carpe Diem if you have a fat wallet (otherwise just stop in for a drink ;-)).
Gidday Rosy Viper, best of both worlds since the beauty of snow cover, maybe a bit icy but not the vision blocking, smothering of footpaths. We have done the salt mines and the sleigh ride though the sleigh had wheels for the road rather than snow sliding. Fantastic trip through the valley heavy with snow. House fires wood burning but only steam – no smoke. Dairy farm of 10 cows a good size for a farm? EU subsidies? 100per cent Clean Green?
I must say I am enjoying this very first day of a new era.
Maybe they were right.
Peaceful, ain’t it?
Not in my neighbourhood it ain’t
Happy 14th Baktun everyone!
I get to travel on the bus to see family and get golden oldie rates. Whee great That’s a useful present. I need that after just putting down my unwell cat – the process was costly but done with much sensitivity. But I keep expecting him to come round the corner.
Sorry to hear about the cat, Noseviper. I remember that when I had to do the same, I did more than wipe my nose. It was done with sensitivity and some emotion, too, by my vet. The mercy was that it had to happen, it was quick and painless, and expensive. And yes, memories for others will be our legacies for our lifetimes, too. Golden oldie wisdom…..
I am acting as a Santa in a local store, finishing tomorrow. I keep reminding myself that the memory of how the children, and adults, perceive the Santa they meet will live on much longer than I might realise, and colour their next encounter. I hope you can get another cat and another good set of memories.
Thanks mac1. About cats – they are harder to know than dogs, yet they’ll be a warm, literally, constant companion. A gap before another one. Maybe a small dog, they are appealing. Saw an interesting cross at the vet, small dachsund and chihuahua. Small, long and with a soft fluffy look.
About Santa good on you for keeping Santa alive. Sure there is a commercial aspect to him and his elves and hangers on! But creating fun and mysterious surprises which Santa represents and the turn of attention towards children and family that goes with it all makes it all worthwhile. I remember that Santa always used to drink the cup of tea I left out for him and eat the Christmas cake as evidenced by the crumbs left. I must remember to thank my Dad for that memory.
It was a glass of beer and fruit for Santa in my day. And there was always a large orange in the
toe of the stocking that would be tossed aside without so much as a glance. If my mother was attempting to instil good habits she failed…