What’s really going on at Ports of Auckland

Written By: James Henderson - Date published: 7:42 pm, January 9th, 2012 - 125 comments
Categories: capitalism, class war, workers' rights - Tags:

The Right is up to its old tricks over the Ports of Auckland. It’s the usual pattern: make up some bullshit about how the workers are spoiled and unreasonable, cry that the sky will fall if the company doesn’t get its way, and (this is the long-game) suggest privatisation as the solution. What you haven’t heard is the cause of the ‘crisis’: the Port’s attempt to cut the workers’ conditions and pay.

Under the existing collective, which expired in September, port workers are employed either are permanents – who are entitled to at least 40 hours’ work a week and can specify one day preferred off but must be available 24/7 – P24s – who are permanent employees guaranteed only 3 8-hour shifts a week – and casuals – who can be called in any time but only if permanent workers aren’t available, who aren’t allowed to drive cranes, and get at least an 8-hour shift if they are called in. To protect the livelihoods of the permanent staff, the collective limits the percentage of P24s to 27.5% of the workforce and casuals to 25%.

At the basic pay rate of $27 an hour, a permanent stevedore works 260 8 hour shifts a year for $57,000. Overtime is common because the Port doesn’t want to employ enough permanents for its needs, and workers have to be available around the clock, on public holidays, and weekends. In theory, a stevedore could earn the mythic $90,000 that the Port talks about, but it would only be by working 64 hours a week, every week.

Far from being unskilled, easy work with plenty of breaks, as the Right has portrayed it, port work is dangerous (Tauranga, the ‘model’ port had 3 deaths in the last year) and high skill, with many of the workers having multiple qualifications. There are safety rules that mean staff have paid breaks from their work, but this means better safety and more productivity in the end.

The system works. Ports of Auckland is highly profitable (and, more importantly, provides a well-functioning piece of infrastructure to the economy). Workers boosted productivity by 4.1% last year. The CEO rewarded staff with a barbeque and bonuses.

What the Port wants to do is reduce its wage bill by reducing the amount of time that workers spend on paid breaks. How does it want to go about that?

It wants to completely remove restrictions on the employment of permanents, casuals or part timers and provides for no guaranteed shifts, hours, days off or stable work.
It would remove protection for workers required to work consecutive shifts. It would allow skilled driving work to be carried out by casuals.
It wants to change the minimum shift for a casual to 3 hours from 8. Coupled with casuals’ lower pay rates, this would mean the Port would save money by casualising its workforce and making them come in four shorter shifts.
The Port wants to give workers no choice at all about any days off and reduce break times to the minimums provided in the ERA regardless of how many shifts a worker has worked or how long that shift might be.

The carrot the Port is offering is a 10% wage hourly pay increase but this would be more than wiped out for most workers due to their reduced hours. Accidents and injuries would likely increase due to staff being tired, under-skilled, and under more pressure to perform.

So what do the big bad stevedores want instead?

They want to keep their current work rights, and a 2.5% increase.

For this, they are being painted as devils by the Right.

Let’s get serious here. The workers have struck for a total of 5 days. Their strike action is for a small, inflation-matching wage increase and to keep their current conditions. When CMP locked out workers for 65 days to try to extort a 20% wage cut out of them, the business community didn’t say a word in protest but workers strike for 5 days to protect what they already have and it’s the end of the world.

So, what’s the long game here? Why is a profitable, publicly-owned company picking a fight with workers who are increasing their productivity rapidly. Well, part of it is that there is major over capitalisation in New Zealand ports. Because there’s been no national coordination of port investment and many ports are privatised, ports have tried to out-compete each other in attracting larger ships. But there’s only so many ships coming to New Zealand. It’s a negative-sum game for New Zealand – no extra ships, more capital invested. So, having sunk all this money on capital, ports are now competing against each other for a limited pool of ships and the way to get them is to offer lower costs, at the expense of workers’ pay.

The other factor is privatisation. I’m not sure how actively involved in this angle the Port’s management is but they have been leaking to Whaleoil and CitiRats, who are now moving on to proposing a ‘lasting solution’ to the manufactured ‘crisis’ – partial privatisation. Len Brown – who has cravenly caved to the Right’s line and attacked the stevedores – won’t have a bar of that, fortunately, unless CitiRats can succeed in their efforts to drive is administration into deeper deficit. This is the long-term objective of the crisis that has been cooked up by the Right and the Port management: strip a skilled and professional workforce of their job security and safety conditions to cut wage costs, privatise the company, and let the profits flow to the elite.

It’s the same old game played by the same old elites who aren’t interested in ‘growing the pie’ but merely grabbing more of it for themselves. If they win in Port’s of Auckland, it could be your workplace next.

125 comments on “What’s really going on at Ports of Auckland ”

Comments are now closed

daphna 1

9 January 2012 at 8:11 pm

The great strength of the wharfies is that they have old fashioned rank and file style unionism. The members attend the monthly stop work meetings and there is real engagement with the the decision making. There’s a consciousness that they aren’t just fighting for themselves but for a bigger cause (This goes back to the days of Jock Barnes). They are always the most generous when it comes to supporting other strikes. They have the added advantage of an international network of waterfront workers. This dispute may end up costing the ship owners a lot if ships are held up at various other ports.

http://rdln.wordpress.com/
Policy Parrot 2

9 January 2012 at 8:13 pm

Len and City Vision need to threaten to sack the entire POAL board. It is their alleged insistence on unreasonable financial returns that are causing this dispute. The board can bring this dispute to resolution any time they want.

Len, whats the point of being in power if you don’t use your power to influence how the council acts? POAL may be supposed to operate at arms length, but don’t think for a second that if there was a pro-union CEO insisting on continued stability in employment at POAL, a C+R majority would fire them day one.

Even do it just to send a signal. That Auckland will not be bitchslapped around the block by a bunch of ballless bastards, who can’t accept that they don’t control Rodney’s wet dream. Put in a board that will actually run the port, not engage in ideological bullshit.
- lprent 2.1
  
  9 January 2012 at 8:30 pm
  
  They appear to be picking a fight and losing business over it without anything more than a wish to employ more casual labour. I’ve seen the port working, it is not an environment that you want too many casuals in. You need the experienced staff. Putting too many casual workers in looks to me like a recipe for killing people.
  
  The wages cost doesn’t look like a significiant component to the cost structure of the port. But stopping for injury or death would be. I think that the managers and the board should focus on areas that they can get productivity gains from.
  
  It really does feel like the board is just doing this for ideological reasons. To date the board hasn’t offered up a single reason that makes sense so far.
  
  Sack the board. Start with a clean slate, and this time keep bloody Rodney Hide’s rapicious buddies off it.
- mickysavage 2.2
  
  9 January 2012 at 9:07 pm
  
  Agreed PP. I think some of them have got sucked in by the rhetoric.
- handle 2.3
  
  10 January 2012 at 1:06 pm
  
  Auckland has been set up so the Council can’t sack the Board of the port or any of the other CCOs. Yet.
Colonial Viper 3

9 January 2012 at 8:25 pm

Yes it is the Board and the CEO who are the real unproductive parasites here. They can’t keep their major clients, they damage workforce productivity and motivation, all in all they are losing their shareholders money every day.

Until labour is valued in this economy, this economy will continue to stagnate and workers will continue to leave for other shores. Yes that is a threat.
- RedLogix 3.1
  
  9 January 2012 at 9:04 pm
  
  Until labour is valued in this economy, this economy will continue to stagnate and workers will continue to leave for other shores. Yes that is a threat.
  
  Oh its been going on for some time already.
RedLogix 4

9 January 2012 at 8:30 pm

And what I want to know is why can we not get a simple, factual breakdown of the claims in the media as we have here?

Well done James on getting this published.
- Colonial Viper 4.1
  
  9 January 2012 at 8:46 pm
  
  And what I want to know is why can we not get a simple, factual breakdown of the claims in the media as we have here?
  
  1) They can’t, or
  2) They won’t.
  
  I wonder which it is.
- Lanthanide 4.2
  
  9 January 2012 at 11:04 pm
  
  Yes, I think Radio New Zealand in particular has been quite biased in it’s presentation of this story so far.
Hilary 5

9 January 2012 at 8:52 pm

Matt McCarten’s op ed piece in the Herald was the first MSM piece I had seen which actually looked at both sides. Even RNZ news only reports the point of view of that nice Mr Gibson that those nasty over paid workers are being unreasonable.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10777330
- Colonial Viper 5.1
  
  9 January 2012 at 8:54 pm
  
  The left needs its own MSM – hard copy, online, and on the airwaves.
  - Salsy 5.1.1
    
    10 January 2012 at 8:02 am
    
    +1
    - PoliticallyCorrected 5.1.1.1
      
      11 January 2012 at 4:11 am
      
      +2
ropata 6

9 January 2012 at 9:03 pm

As I mentioned in Open Mike: May the the ghost of Bruce Jesson haunt these mad privateers.

Early in 1992, the ARC, under pressure from the Government and the usual suspects (Fay Richwhite was the sales agent) was poised to sell its 80% shareholding of the Ports of Auckland … the National government was grimly determined to push through legislation to break the ARC in half and to strip its assets.
[…]

To the consternation of the political establishment a viable alternative to privatisation had been created – holding on to public assets – and managing them to create public wealth in the public interest. “Economic Jessonism” – perhaps we might call it. This completely flew in the face on neo liberal conventional wisdom. I have absolutely no doubt that the remarkable success of the ARST between 1992 and 1995 was to have an important influence on the Labour-led government some ten years later. Since that time the profits from the Port and other regional assets have been a key funder of Auckland transport and storm water projects – and are now virtually taken for granted in Auckland. It is hard to imagine how we could have embarked on the recent transport and other infrastructure upgrades without it.
mickysavage 7

9 January 2012 at 9:10 pm

Thanks James. Good detailed analysis of what is actually happening. I think this is showing a major weakness though, the Maritime Union’s use of the MSM and especially Social Media sucks. They need help.

Cactus Kate stalked the area with her “$91k average wage” line that the usual suspects picked up on. The Union should have responded quickly and directly.

It not only matters that you are right, it also matters that you are perceived to be right.
Shona 8

9 January 2012 at 9:14 pm

Duly forwarded this excellent summary to Nat Radio. Don’t hold your breath folks!
grumpy 9

9 January 2012 at 9:44 pm

Reminds me of the “Hobbit” fiasco. Union bluster, poor tactics and presto!

No union and private contractors………………………….
- Colonial Viper 9.1
  
  9 January 2012 at 9:54 pm
  
  Oh yeah the half billionaire union member who wanted to bust worker unions. Trust you to pick him as an idol.
  - millsy 9.1.1
    
    9 January 2012 at 11:37 pm
    
    Put a sack of spuds in that director’s chair and that film would still be spectacular…
Penny Bright 10

9 January 2012 at 9:53 pm

NOW FOR THE WORKERS’ SIDE OF THE STORY!

http://www.munz.org.nz/ports-of-auckland-dispute/

Port of Auckland Dispute Fact Sheet, 8 January 2012

Prepared by NZCTU and MUNZ
…Continue Reading
Ports of Auckland dispute | Maritime Union of New Zealand
http://www.munz.org.nz
Port of Auckland Dispute Fact Sheet, 8 January 2012 Prepared by NZCTU and MUNZ A PDF version of this fact sheet can be downloaded here…”

Penny Bright
[email deleted]
Jenny 11

9 January 2012 at 9:58 pm

So, what’s the long game here?

JAMES HENDERSON

Simply, James “the long game”, as you put it, is to get rid of the Maritime Workers Union.

Ports Of Auckland Ltd. management are determined.

Any concessions from the workers will be ignored.

POAL will hire contractors to do the work currently being done by the union members.

MUNZ members will be made redundant.

If they collectively refuse to take redundancy, they will be locked out. Their redundancy entitlements will be withheld, till they concede.

The end goal, total de-unionisation.

Time line, 3 months.

(Or so they think)
- Colonial Viper 11.1
  
  9 January 2012 at 10:12 pm
  
  Its not difficult for workers to cause POAL to lose tens of millions of dollars over that 3 month timeframe. Geeee we have a really stupid executive management and board of directors. Don’t think that they are even worth minimum wage, the loss in value that they are causing POAL.
John Dalley 12

9 January 2012 at 10:12 pm

I see the international wharfies unions getting involved shortly.
- Jenny 12.1
  
  9 January 2012 at 11:04 pm
  
  I see the international wharfies unions getting involved shortly.
  
  John Dalley
  
  This is good news John. The support of the international is great. But unfortunately, is unlikely to be decisive.
  
  The international will always be an auxiliary in support of local trade union solidarity action in each member country.
  
  Before they embarked on this campaign, you can guarantee that POAL have already weighed, the cost of any blow back from solidarity actions by overseas unions, and have factored this into their equations.
  
  Victory in this dispute, will firstly depend on what support MUNZ gets from their fellow New Zealand trade unionists.
dave brownz 13

9 January 2012 at 10:32 pm

International solidarity is welcome but it won’t stop the defeat of MUNZ. In 1951 ILWU refused to handle ships loaded by scab labour in NZ, but that didnt win the fight.
What is needed is mass pickets to stop scabs who are working the wharves, and to prove to the NACTs that the working people of Auckland don’t take this shit lying down. The Port is owned by the people of Auckland who have seen off several attempts to flog it off. Basic infrastructure like ports should always be in public ownership. The so-called ‘left’ majority of Auckland Council under Brown quickly caved in to the right so that now a ‘majority’ of council are supporting management and calling for better profits returned to the council!
When Occupy Oakland was evicted by the cops it met and called for a General Strike on Nov 2 last.. 30,000 people turned out to blockade the docks. Then the US West Coast Occupies shut down the West Coast ports on Dec 12. Occupy Oakland and other West Coast Occupies are currently supporting a mass picket at Longview against a grain MNC that wants to ‘outsource’ ILWU jobs to a tame company union.
The ILWU leadership will not call for all the docks to shut down as that will break the US labor law that means that the unions can be sued and lose their assets. Despite this legal position, rank and file groups are calling for wildcat strikes to hit the port owners where it hurts. The way to make this happen is for Occupy to take up the cause mobilise tje 99% and build massive community public pickets of the docks.
Whose Port! Our Port! That’s the cry of Occupy.
- dave brownz 13.1
  
  10 January 2012 at 10:43 am
  
  This is so obviously a setup to take on the union with a strong record of militancy in NZ – the WWU now in MUNZ. It has all the hallmarks of the 1951 lockout which was a setup between the Holland Govt and the US to use the ‘red scare’ to break the unions and enforce the direct rule of capital in NZ.
  Expect to see the NACT regime use this fight to bring in new legislation to effectively smash the unions as the only really effective opposition to privatisation, and return to the law of the jungle in the labour market.
  The reason for this is not the greed or bloody mindedness of the 1%, but the drive for profits in a worsening global crisis where is it necessary to force down wages and working conditions for the ruling class to survive. Their financial crisis was a symptom of a decline in their profits in industry which produced a flood of speculative fictitious capital. And having baled out their banks, and some countries, they are now forced to restructure industry to screw out more profits from the working people.
  It’s global, and as usual the NACTs are following the US and Britain in imposing these attacks on workers.
  But things are now changing, the unions have got support from the Occupy movement. The mass picket is now a reality. The bosses have no option but to criminalise the unions but in the process they lose their legitimacy with the 99%.
  Keep a close eye on the big fight at Longview, Washington where the big shipowners are trying to smash the ILWU and bring in scab labour to handle grain shipments.
  http://libcom.org/news/appeal-join-solidarity-caravan-longview-washington-06012012
  - dave brownz 13.1.1
    
    11 January 2012 at 11:38 am
    
    A good informed view of the convergence of Labor movement and Occupy movement on West Coast of US to fight the 1% finance capitalists.
    http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2011/12/29/18703559.php
    
    The parallels to the Auckland Port fight are obvious. The 1% has to destroy the unions before they join forces with the 99%. Its class warfare.
    
    Fran O’Sullivan’s article in todays NZH identifies the members of the 1% who have taken over the POA Board following the NACTs creation of their Supercity for the privatisation of city assets. Chairman Richard Pearson with a history of running private ports in Hong Kong and Rotterdam; Rob Campbell, former leading trade unionist who defected to property development and ruination of the waterfront etc.
    Smashing the union is a precondition to privatising the port in the interests of the 1%.
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10777949
randal 14

9 January 2012 at 10:49 pm

this reminds me of the novel from the 50’s, “the tribe that lost its head”.
this country has gone completely on the wonk.
poal seem to want to wreck everything just for the sake of it.
have they gone completely stark raving mad?
the so called leaders are no better than well paid nincompoops.
and as for the analysis of the reasons I am appalled at the expose of overinvestment by idiots.
it seems to be just a fricken game for them where they use up resources and people just to amuse themselves.
the people of new zealand deserve better than this.
Lanthanide 15

9 January 2012 at 11:02 pm

I think the casuals being required to come in for a minimum shift of 8 hours is a little excessive and the union should perhaps negotiate on that point (no lower than 5 hours minimum IMO). But the rest, absolutely agree with the union.
- Jenny 15.1
  
  9 January 2012 at 11:19 pm
  
  Lanthanide for the workers to agree to cutting their casual colleague’s hours will split off support from the union for this (already marginalised) group of workers.
  
  An injury to one, is an injury to all.
  
  Solidarity is strength.
  
  Division is treachery.
  
  Anyway Lanthanide, as I have pointed out, and has been shown in practice. POAL continue to ignore all concessions from the union, determined as they are, to contract out the union jobs, and get rid of the union.
  - Grumpy 15.1.1
    
    9 January 2012 at 11:27 pm
    
    I suggest they get Robyn Malcolm in to lead the negotiations…..”..
    - Fotran 15.1.1.1
      
      10 January 2012 at 2:21 pm
      
      Why pick a loser like Malcolm ?
  - Lanthanide 15.1.2
    
    10 January 2012 at 8:35 am
    
    “Anyway Lanthanide, as I have pointed out, and has been shown in practice. POAL continue to ignore all concessions from the union”
    
    Ignore all concessions *so far*. Maybe the union just hasn’t really given POAL any particularly useful concessions.
    - Jenny 15.1.2.1
      
      10 January 2012 at 10:54 pm
      
      Maybe the union just hasn’t really given POAL any particularly useful concessions.
      
      Lanthanide
      
      Lanthanide, you obviously haven’t being paying attention. The company don’t want the union to make concessions, the company want to contract out all union jobs.
      
      POAL don’t care what concessions the union offer, they are hell bent on completely removing the union from the waterfront.
      
      It will cost the company $23 million to make all the unionists redundant.
      
      But this figure is chicken feed compared to huge increase in book value of the company when it comes up for sale.
      
      Private investors are more readily prepared to shell out to buy a non-union ports company than a fully unionised one.
millsy 16

9 January 2012 at 11:41 pm

Looks like POA is going to contract out the workforce, so we will have expendable AWF workers waiting all day by the phone to come in and do their 2 hour shifts for minimum wage, and as usual, those at the top, along with their bovver boys will be celebrating at the fact that they destroyed more high wage secure jobs because they resented the fact that unionised workers had a comfortable standard of living.
- Sweetd 16.1
  
  10 January 2012 at 2:33 am
  
  Yep, cause those cargo ships just appear on the horizon with no notice at all eh?
  - Lanthanide 16.1.1
    
    10 January 2012 at 8:36 am
    
    Well that seems to be what POAL is saying by their insistence on having more flexible working hours.
millsy 17

9 January 2012 at 11:42 pm

I think the union needs to take to the streets over this. And be prepared to use force against:

Cameron Slater
David Farrar
Len Brown
George Wood
Christine Fletcher.

[lprent: Advocating the use of force is stupid when there are legitimate channels available. It is also unlawful and not tolerated here. Pull your head in. ]
- Colonial Viper 17.1
  
  10 January 2012 at 12:04 am
  
  I always find it interesting that the Right wing thinks it OK to
  
  – eliminate workers jobs
  – eliminate the livelihoods of families
  – steal the economic surplus from workers while making them feel like shit
  – cause domestic stress, relationship break ups and cause people to lose their homes
  – force people to abandon their chosen careers
  – make entire families relocate to try and find decent work
  
  without karma all coming back to smack them in the face one day not too far off.
  - Craig GlenEden 17.1.1
    
    10 January 2012 at 7:01 am
    
    Very good points CV and the right will be out campaigning at the next election on family values.
    It makes me sick quite frankly the Rights attack on working families never stops its about time we started marching for workers families. The word Union has been stigmatized and we need to change our language we need to start talking more about workers families and we need to see families on picket lines.
- chris73 17.2
  
  10 January 2012 at 6:56 am
  
  Snigger
  
  As I recall you’ve got a body like a half-sucked mintie, you going to lead this strike force or hide at the back?
  - felix 17.2.1
    
    10 January 2012 at 10:45 am
    
    “body like a half-sucked mintie”
    
    Don’t know many people who use that turn of phrase, but I do know one.
    
    Oops.
    - chris73 17.2.1.1
      
      10 January 2012 at 5:12 pm
      
      Its a good line so I used it.
    - marty mars 17.2.1.2
      
      10 January 2012 at 11:30 pm
      
      chuckle
      
      nice felix – oops indeed
- Grumpy 17.3
  
  10 January 2012 at 7:25 am
  
  What do you mean by force?
- higherstandard 17.4
  
  10 January 2012 at 8:41 am
  
  Um what ?
  
  Millsy you’re a very confused and angry chap.
Hulun Shearer 18

9 January 2012 at 11:43 pm

Last May decent Kiwis took to the streets and marched against Trade Union sabotage of a multi-billion dollar Kiwi industry.

Trade Unionism is Treason! was the cry from the crowd and they knew that they were right. Decent Kiwis stood up and fought back against the enemies of freedom, to protect our country, our jobs and our industries.

Another Mayday is months away. Looks like decent Kiwis will take to the streets again.

[I’m putting you on notice as a probable troll….RL]
- millsy 18.1
  
  9 January 2012 at 11:48 pm
  
  Fuck off, workers should be able to join unions if they goddamn well want, so they can bargain for better wages and conditions. People like you would bring slavery back by lunchtime.
  - Bafacu 18.1.1
    
    10 January 2012 at 10:31 am
    
    I have no problems with people joining unions to collectively bargain (for their members) as long as they don’t preclude the employers from engaging workers who are not of the group – otherwise it’s a dictatorship rule.
    
    Ever thought of engaing (positively) with your employers? You may be surprised they they (jusy like you I presume) want a workforce who are happy to come to work as that means that they work more productively. Looking at industrial relations as a battlefield with “adversaries” slugging it out will never be in either’s best interest!
  - Brett Dale 18.1.2
    
    10 January 2012 at 5:54 pm
    
    Millsy:
    
    Yes everybody should have the right to join a Union, its the right to choose that is most important, and everybody also has the right NOT to join a Union without taking verbal or physical abuse in the workplace.
  - Colonial Viper 18.1.3
    
    10 January 2012 at 5:57 pm
    
    Nah everyone should join a union or get an inferior contract on lesser pay.
    - Brett Dale 18.1.3.1
      
      10 January 2012 at 6:01 pm
      
      Seriously Colonial Viper, sounds like a Tony Soprano thing?
      - Frank Macskasy 18.1.3.1.1
        
        10 January 2012 at 11:20 pm
        
        I get what CV is saying…
        
        Why should non-members get the same benefits that Union members reeceive?
        
        That’d be like you expecting to get the same insurance payout I do – even though you haven’t contributed a single cent to paying for premiums.
- Colonial Viper 18.2
  
  9 January 2012 at 11:58 pm
  
  Hulun Shearer: student of Goebbels.
  
  Basically your kids and grandkids deserve the $3/hr slave labour McJobs that you are setting the NZ economy up for.
- ropata 18.3
  
  10 January 2012 at 2:02 am
  
  HS could you go elsewhere to wank over your Randian fantasies?
  
  Ewwww
- Frank Macskasy 18.4
  
  10 January 2012 at 11:04 pm
  
  Hulun Shearer – do you use your left or right hand?
Bazar 19

10 January 2012 at 4:50 am

Care to explain why these employees have a right to demand they should be the only ones working?

Because that’s what this is boiling down to.
The union wants to keep the entire pie for themselves, no exception.

Just reading this article, if you read between the lines, its basically advocating a big bloated ineffective buessiness is better then one that evolves when jobs come into the line.

So again, i’ll ask
Why do these unionists have the “right” do demand all the work. There is no such right.

And i’ll take the last thing said in the article and correct it.

“It’s the same old game played by the same old unionists who aren’t interested in ‘growing the pie’ but merely keeping most of it for themselves. If they win in Port’s of Auckland, it could be your workplace next.”
- Colonial Viper 19.1
  
  10 January 2012 at 6:06 pm
  
  No mate, its the elite 0.1% who want it all, and to get it all they must take it from the working 99.9%.
RedLogix 20

10 January 2012 at 6:55 am

Why do these unionists have the “right” do demand all the work.

If you truly believe this, you would actively approach your own employer today and demand that he ‘shares’ your current job with other unemployed people. And insist that in the interests fo the company that they are paid much less than you.
- Grumpy 20.1
  
  10 January 2012 at 7:30 am
  
  But isn’t that the point of the whole equality thing, the occupy movement etc. surely the unequal port workers, being good unionists, would be only too willing to share with the lower paid?
  - RedLogix 20.1.1
    
    10 January 2012 at 8:04 am
    
    I’ll take you seriously when businesses start approaching their clients, or customers … whatever.. demand that they ‘share’ the business with their competitors.
    
    Nah… you and Bazar are just playing at being dicks, pretending that workers on a fairly ordinary $27/hr base rate are somehow ‘privileged’ to have the job.
    
    If you want to insist others should share around the jobs, work or business… start with yourselves. Anything else is hypocrisy.
    - Bazar 20.1.1.1
      
      10 January 2012 at 3:54 pm
      
      “Nah… you and Bazar are just playing at being dicks, pretending that workers on a fairly ordinary $27/hr base rate are somehow ‘privileged’ to have the job.”
      
      You seem to be the one getting mixed up. You’ve taken what I’ve asked, and reflected it.
      
      I’ve asked why they are so “privileged”, that they should get all the work.
      You’ve then told me I’m a dick because I’ve suggested they are privileged to have such work.
      
      That’s not logical, but i guess it fits with your name.
      
      There is no reason i can think of, that unionists have the right to demand all working arrangements as they see fit. And you have utterly failed to demonstrably prove otherwise.
      
      “If you want to insist others should share around the jobs, work or business… start with yourselves. Anything else is hypocrisy.”
      
      And so you’ve constructed a strawman, and used it to accuse me of hypocrisy.
      This isn’t about “sharing” the jobs around.
      - felix 20.1.1.1.1
        
        10 January 2012 at 4:05 pm
        
        Correct, it’s about paying fewer people less money to do more work.
      - Tangled up in blue 20.1.1.1.2
        
        10 January 2012 at 7:03 pm
        
        There is no reason i can think of, that unionists have the right to demand all working arrangements as they see fit. And you have utterly failed to demonstrably prove otherwise.
        
        Why should companies have the right to demand all working arrangements as they see fit?
        
        What’s good for maximising profits isn’t always good for workers, their families, the wider community and the country as a whole.
  - Colonial Viper 20.1.2
    
    10 January 2012 at 8:27 am
    
    surely the unequal port workers, being good unionists, would be only too willing to share with the lower paid?
    
    Thats called ‘free riding’ you dimwit, where non-union members try and secure the same benefits as union members for no extra effort. Unions do not like that.
    
    Its what you call ‘bludging’ in case you didn’t recognise it.
    
    Just like what the CEO of POAL is doing off his workforce. The workers are adding value to POAL he is destroying it – in spades.
Jonstanz 21

10 January 2012 at 7:55 am

missing from the argument is the externalized environmental costs of switching ports and congesting roads. When the fonterras of this world switch ports to save money they do so because they are not paying the real costs of road transport, we and our grandchildren are
Tom Gould 22

10 January 2012 at 8:21 am

Anyone know who the CE of the Port company is, and moreover, how much his salary is? They have released the workers’ salaries. Why can’t we know the bosses salaries and benefits packages too? It’s only fair. Also who is on the Board, and how much do they get paid? And do they meet in public? And what does the Board chair say about the IR policy they decide? How come the company spin is run without question, and the board is invisible?
- higherstandard 22.1
  
  10 January 2012 at 8:28 am
  
  All the info should be here
  
  http://www.poal.co.nz/about_us/
  - Colonial Viper 22.1.1
    
    10 January 2012 at 8:38 am
    
    Thanks for that hs.
    
    Looks like CEO Tony Gibson was Managing Director of Maersk NZ for the last 3 years, and thinks he is still working on behalf of the big freight companies to break the unions.
    
    Fucking privateers.
    - higherstandard 22.1.1.1
      
      10 January 2012 at 8:47 am
      
      I on’t know of him or about him, but it doesn’t strike me as odd that he was previously Managing Director of Maersk before taking on MD at POAL.
      - Colonial Viper 22.1.1.1.1
        
        10 January 2012 at 8:52 am
        
        No I don’t think it’s odd, either. Tony has an extensive background in logistics and shipping. I wonder what his bosses the Board think they are playing at here. They’ve set the POAL on an extremely confrontational path – but to what end?
        
        Do they see having a unionised work force as an impediment to selling off POAL at top rates, sometime in the future?
HappyGoLucky 23

10 January 2012 at 8:22 am

I feel sick to my stomach – Len Brown caving in to the right and backing the bosses over workers. Why do we bust our guts to help politicians when they betray us?
higherstandard 24

10 January 2012 at 8:27 am

Good luck with supporting MUNZ in this stoush, as it will be a battle for the hearts and minds of the public I would suggest this is about as stupid a battle to pick as backing actors equity and attempting to demonise Peter Jackson and at let’s not forget Darien Fenton’s brainfart social media attack on the Mad Butcher.
- RedLogix 24.1
  
  10 January 2012 at 8:38 am
  
  A battle where only one side is given all the media soft-cocking?
  
  And as with the Hobbit debacle the employers will be shown to be lying mendacious arses after the event.
  
  I can only suppose you’re proud of how things get done in your world hs.
  - higherstandard 24.1.1
    
    10 January 2012 at 8:46 am
    
    Red like many on this site you’re a sad old ideologue fighting battles past.
    
    The PoA wharfies have for many decades been renowned around town as being very well reimbursed both financially and non-financially and have overplayed their hand here quite significantly. Like it or not most around town will look at them and MUNZ and think they are a greedy bunch of pricks who are trying to hold Auckland to ransom.
    
    Oh and thank goodness the Hobbit is going ahead in NZ, word is there’s money and jobs flowing as a result.
    - RedLogix 24.1.1.1
      
      10 January 2012 at 8:51 am
      
      So are you proud that the Hobbit was filmed here because the government gave a US studio a nice fat increased subsidy to do so?
      
      And Jackson and co been proven in writing to have lied in order to get what they wanted? As Gibson is lying about the stevedores being paid the mythical $90k for 26 hours work a week? Is lying just business as usual to you hs?
      
      Yes or no?
      - higherstandard 24.1.1.1.1
        
        10 January 2012 at 9:34 am
        
        I’m proud that the Hobbit is being filmed here due to the employment and finances that have flowed into the country as a result. the new benefit is quite considerable.
        
        Who knows what the real average annual take home is for Stevedores in Auckland, I expect it is somewhere between Gibson’s figure and that of the spin of James above.
        
        As I said before the PoA wharfies have for many decades been renowned around town as being very well reimbursed both financially and non-financially and have overplayed their hand here quite significantly. Like it or not most around town will look at them and MUNZ and think they are a greedy bunch of pricks who are trying to hold Auckland to ransom.
        
        RedLogix 24.1.1.1.1.1
        
        10 January 2012 at 9:44 am
        
        I’m proud that the Hobbit is being filmed here due to the employment and finances that have flowed into the country as a result. the new benefit is quite considerable.
        
        So I must conclude that you are also proud that Jackson and the studio simply lied over the entire matter.
        
        As did Gibson’s. He is a liar as well. The kind of liar that you should spit in their face, and contemptously demand they leave the room because you can no longer believe a word they say.
        
        As I said before the PoA wharfies have for many decades been renowned around town as being very well reimbursed both financially and non-financially
        
        For the hours they work, an income somewhere between $60-80k is perfectly ordinary; pretending otherwise is just another lie.
        
        Like it or not most around town will look at them and MUNZ and think they are a greedy bunch of pricks
        
        Negotiating to retain your existing conditions and rosters (that currently allow PoAL to be profitable and productive)… and a 2.5% inflation adjustment is greedy how? Suggesting otherwise is just another lie from you hs.
        
        But as I said before; lying is just business as usual for you. As with all sociopaths.
        
        higherstandard …
        
        10 January 2012 at 9:53 am
        
        I must conclude you are a sad old chardonnay swilling socialist.
        
        Jackson and the studio did not lie the film could have been moved offshore.
        
        How did Gibson lie ? I’d put money on it that the example he gave is of an actual employee – one at the top end no doubt so as put his spin on it but hardly a lie.
        
        For the hours they work……. well there’s the crux of the matter is it not someone from the union of the PoA needs to open up the whole thing to public scrutiny. I doubt the PoA management can without the employees say so – perhaps sunlight is the best disinfectant. I do note they were overly desperate to retain their existing existing conditions and rosters which should as with the management of PoA be open to public scrutiny.
        
        And as for accusing me of lying and being a sociopath – ho hum sticks and stones and all that especially when it’s from the likes of you and CV.
        
        Colonial Viper …
        
        10 January 2012 at 9:59 am
        
        Peter Jackson, the half billion dollar union member (actually he is a member of at least 3 unions) who breaks NZ workers unions for fun – which of course makes him a hypocrite- on behalf of the miltibillion dollar Hollywood movie studios.
        
        You must be so proud of him as your idol.
        
        higherstandard …
        
        10 January 2012 at 10:00 am
        
        He’s done well for himself and the country – good on him.
        
        Colonial Viper …
        
        10 January 2012 at 10:32 am
        
        He’s done well for himself and his Hollywood paymasters – good on him
        
        FIFY
        
        Of course I would trust you to hypocritically back a half billionaire union member.
        
        higherstandard …
        
        10 January 2012 at 11:16 am
        
        Well he’s done more for NZ than most, so Yes I appreciate his efforts.
        
        Colonial Viper …
        
        10 January 2012 at 11:35 pm
        
        He’s a hypocritical back stabbing union member. Who could easily afford to give his workers collective representation at the bargaining table.
        
        But chose not to because of his own ego and because of foreign investors who couldn’t bare to see NZ workers get another dime out of the hundreds of millions of profits expected.
        
        RedLogix …
        
        10 January 2012 at 10:04 am
        
        I must conclude you are a sad old chardonnay swilling socialist.
        
        Never swilled chardonnay in my life. Lie #1
        
        I’d put money on it that the example he gave is of an actual employee – one at the top end no doubt so as put his spin on it but hardly a lie.
        
        Using one extreme example to imply that this is the norm is another lie. #2
        
        For the hours they work.
        
        And that is no doubt the problem here. The port wants their workers available for duty, either on standby or onsite but stood down, but doesn’t want to pay them for it. Suggesting that workers being not paid for not working, when they are….is another lie. #3
        
        And as for accusing me of lying and being a sociopath
        
        We’ve caught you in so many lies (ok you like to call it spin) that it’s obvious it comes to you like breathing. Just naming what I see.
        
        lprent …
        
        10 January 2012 at 10:35 am
        
        How did Gibson lie ? I’d put money on it that the example he gave is of an actual employee – one at the top end no doubt so as put his spin on it but hardly a lie.
        
        So following your logic and applying it to a different situation….
        
        if we look at Gibson’s wage packet as a CEO then we can assume that he gets the same as the top wages paid for all CEO’s in NZ? That means that PoA can massively improve their efficiency by simply sacking their CEO because obviously at 3 odd million in salaries paid by the port he is the ONLY person drawing a salary.
        
        Just following your “logic” and applying it elsewhere shows how ludicrous it is. And how self-serving Gibson’s selective “wharfie’s wage” is.
        
        What a stupid line of argument you’re reduced to pathetically using. Quite simply Gibson was deliberately lying. The fools like Cactus and Whale choose to be gullible fools. I guess you must be as well?
        
        higherstandard …
        
        10 January 2012 at 10:43 am
        
        Ha ha all the support trolls are out in force.
        
        MUNZ and POAL are playing exactly the same game on this issue
        
        Tell you what Lynn get MUNZ and their members to release the average and median annual gross take home pay for the wharfies at POAL then everyone can see whether the strike is justified or not.
        
        lprent …
        
        10 January 2012 at 10:56 am
        
        Why would the union know that? They don’t hold the wage records or the hours worked for company employees. The company holds that information.
        
        Your question should be given to the PoA, who coincidentally haven’t released that information. Now I realise you’re not exactly fast on these matters, but that the company hasn’t released such summary data into the public domain suggest that it is quite different to the maximum that someone may have earned after working extra shifts at penal rates.
        
        From the few wharfies that I have run across over the years, the take-home wage packets are ok, but not that good. Someone said about $57k if you worked normal sorts of hours and from the ones I have talked to, that’s be in the right order.
        
        You can probably figure out a rough average if the company puts numbers of waged employees and the total wages in the annual report. But that’d be the only public data I know of.
        
        higherstandard …
        
        10 January 2012 at 11:00 am
        
        I doubt the POAL can release the information without the agreement of the employees and MUNZ.
        
        If the information supports the employees and MUNZ’s position I would be gobsmacked as to why the have not pressured the POAL into releasing the information or at least making it up themselves instead of the weak spin done by James – at present MUNZ is losing the PR battle and thus serving their members very poorly indeed.
        
        Frank Macskasy …
        
        10 January 2012 at 11:08 pm
        
        Tell you what Lynn get MUNZ and their members to release the average and median annual gross take home pay for the wharfies at POAL then everyone can see whether the strike is justified or not.
        
        “Justified”? “Justified” to whom?
        
        This is a democracy. Last time I looked, people were free to join associations; make contracts; and expect those contracts to be upheld. That includes agreements between unions and employers.
        
        What else would you advocate?
        
        And why does it bother you that other people are trying to save their jobs? What possible concern does it make to you? And would you like others to comment on the contract you have with your employer?
    - Colonial Viper 24.1.1.2
      
      10 January 2012 at 8:55 am
      
      hs: I bet the executive team at PoA gets paid a shitload. Whats the bet that Tony Gibson’s renumeration exceeds $750K pa. Who knows what its Board members are on for meeting once a month. But I bet you its more than $13/hr.
      
      When you talk about a greedy bunch of pricks, its a shame you always point the finger at ordinary workers.
      
      Why are you such a loser.
      - higherstandard 24.1.1.2.1
        
        10 January 2012 at 9:37 am
        
        Their financial accounts are on the PoA site link that I posted above – I agree that the renumeration for management and the board should be limited in the current environment and strongly linked to the performance of the PoA.
        
        It really is sad that your life revolves around this ‘class war’ drivel.
        
        RedLogix 24.1.1.2.1.1
        
        10 January 2012 at 9:46 am
        
        But the Board’s renumeration IS secret. And Gibson’s almost certainly WAY higher than any of the port workers.
        
        That IS class war. You just want to pretend it isn’t happening.
        
        higherstandard …
        
        10 January 2012 at 9:59 am
        
        Directors fees are published here.
        
        http://www.poal.co.nz/news_media/publications/POAL_financial%20_review_2011.pdf
        
        Class war smarsh war, take it up with Auckland Council ‘Auckland Council Investments Limited (ACIL) owns and manages Auckland Council’s major investment assets. It has an independent Board of Directors and is a council-controlled organisation (CCO). The ultimate controlling party of Auckland Council Investments Limited is Auckland Council.”
        
        http://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/EN/ABOUTCOUNCIL/HOWCOUNCILWORKS/CCO/Pages/council_investments.aspx
        
        RedLogix …
        
        10 January 2012 at 10:20 am
        
        Scanned the report and all it mentions is this:
        
        (c) Key management personnel compensation
        Key management personnel compensation for the years ended 30 June 2011 and 2010 is set out below. The key management personnel are all the directors of the company and the direct reports to the Managing Director whom have the greatest authority for the strategic direction and management of the company.
        The Group does not provide any non cash benefits to directors and key management
        
        It then lists the total Director fees as $425,000. This is aprox $70k ea which is pretty normal for director fees.
        
        It then list total “Salaries, other short term employee benefits” as $3,242 2,775.
        
        No mention of who or how many employees this relates to. So no we are still none the wiser as to how much Tony Gibson is paid to be a lying arse.
        
        Colonial Viper …
        
        10 January 2012 at 10:30 am
        
        But hs claimed that the level of directors fees were published in that document. Don’t tell me he was obfuscating.
        
        higherstandard …
        
        10 January 2012 at 10:47 am
        
        It is published as per the total – they will all be on around about the same apart from the chair who will usually be paid 10-20% more.
        
        Colonial Viper …
        
        10 January 2012 at 11:03 am
        
        So what is their hourly rate, compared to the wharfies, hs. Bet you its more than $27/hr for the company directors eh.
        
        Probably about 10x-12x more than the wharfies, eh, at a guess. For what, sitting on their ass, being parasites, not putting their lives on the line like real port workers.
        
        higherstandard …
        
        10 January 2012 at 11:14 am
        
        Board members are on a higher rate than the wharfies – gosh it is the biggest outrage in the history of the world.
        
        felix …
        
        10 January 2012 at 11:25 am
        
        I realise you’re taking the piss hs, but you’ve accidentally hit the nail on the head.
        
        People who do a small amount of very easy work getting paid 10x more than the people who do large amounts of difficult work is actually, in many ways, the “biggest outrage in the history of the world.”
        
        Colonial Viper …
        
        10 January 2012 at 11:54 am
        
        Board members are on a higher rate than the wharfies – gosh it is the biggest outrage in the history of the world.
        
        Don’t try and underplay the inherent unfairness with sarcasm. Like I said, these are parasites who clearly cannot keep their own management disciplined, who cannot keep major clients of the port, and who do not put their lives on the line working every day. The Board members don’t deserve $27 an hour let alone $270 an hour.
        
        I note that in terms of our current Class War, that $270/hour Board members are the very socioeconomic class that you are fighting for.
        
        Frank Macskasy …
        
        12 January 2012 at 2:29 pm
        
        So what?
        
        Workers aren’t entitled to manage their own affairs; act collectively; and negotiate together for mutual benefit?
        
        You better tell Fonterra that they are being collectivists!!
        
        Colonial Viper …
        
        10 January 2012 at 10:04 am
        
        Yep.
        
        HS, you’re a collaborator of the 1%.
        
        Let me remind you – your friends, neighbours, children and relatives are far more likely to be earning less than $50K pa, far less than these greedy pricks on $750K pa or more who then demand that their own workers do more for less.
        
        Why don’t you start demanding pay cuts for the Board and executive management, and longer working hours and more productivity from them, before you start targetting workers.
        
        But you won’t will you – since they are the class you are fighting for in this war.
        
        Gibson is destroying shareholder value at a massive rate of knots yet you back him ahead of his workforce.
        
        higherstandard …
        
        10 January 2012 at 10:45 am
        
        Yes I am the 1% and CV I am your father.
        
        I’m sure I have said that the board and executive management should be on performance pay and should therefore receive a serious kicking….. if not take it as so stated.
        
        Colonial Viper …
        
        10 January 2012 at 11:56 am
        
        🙂
        
        Now why don’t you support the workers in taking down POAL’s executive management and Board down a peg or two, as it is clear that those very high paid senior officers are not worth the money they are ‘earning’.
        
        higherstandard …
        
        10 January 2012 at 12:36 pm
        
        Believe it or not I’m not mired to the class war ideologyyou espouse that continues to see one side as right and the other as wrong – in this instance I view them all as a bunch of useless self serving troughers on the rate payers back.
        
        Frank Macskasy …
        
        10 January 2012 at 11:09 pm
        
        But HS…
        
        Didn’t John Key – the man whose Party you probably voted for – advocate raising wages to match Australia?
        
        Frank Macskasy 24.1.1.2.1.2
        
        10 January 2012 at 11:17 pm
        
        It really is sad that your life revolves around this ‘class war’ drivel.
        
        Of course it’s class war. What else would it be?
- Nightowl 24.2
  
  10 January 2012 at 10:21 am
  
  Here was I thinking the ‘leftylenny’ was in the pocket of Labour voters
Tom Gould 25

10 January 2012 at 10:54 am

So can this be right, a bunch of directors getting $70k a year for turning up to a few secret meetings, and their lapdog CE they pay $750k a year, reckon a wharfie on $60k is a lazy greedy prick? Can that be right?
- Colonial Viper 25.1
  
  10 January 2012 at 11:59 am
  
  The only way that executive management and Board members can be paid so much is because real workers, the wharfies, are generating an economic surplus at the front lines of the port.
  
  That worker generated economic surplus is being taken away from workers by parasitic executive management and an incompetent and greedy Board.
  - Gosman 25.1.1
    
    10 January 2012 at 4:51 pm
    
    You should form a collective of workers who are able to manage a multi-million dollar business without highly paid executives then CV. I somehow suspect though that you will come up with some sort of reason why the big bad nasty capitalists won’t let you.
  - Gosman 25.1.2
    
    10 January 2012 at 5:14 pm
    
    Actually the closest we have in NZ to your vision of a multi-million dollar business being managed for the benefit of the workforce is probably Fonterra. However I think even Fonterra pays top dollar for it’s Senior management team.
    
    For once I would like some lefties to actually get out there and show how it can be done differently rather than bemoaning how bad the current system is. Pool your capital and form a leftist investment collective. It would be interesting to see how you go.
    - Colonial Viper 25.1.2.1
      
      10 January 2012 at 5:53 pm
      
      Actually the closest we have in NZ to your vision of a multi-million dollar business being managed for the benefit of the workforce is probably Fonterra.
      
      Fonterra is managed for the benefit of its supplier-shareholders, not its workers.
      
      For once I would like some lefties to actually get out there and show how it can be done differently rather than bemoaning how bad the current system is. Pool your capital and form a leftist investment collective. It would be interesting to see how you go.
      
      I’ll make sure you get an invite. Launch night will be at Sky City.
    - chris73 25.1.2.2
      
      10 January 2012 at 5:59 pm
      
      Much easier to criticise what others do (I’m ignoring the contradiction of what I just typed) then to go out and do it yourself
    - Frank Macskasy 25.1.2.3
      
      10 January 2012 at 11:13 pm
      
      For once I would like some lefties to actually get out there and show how it can be done differently rather than bemoaning how bad the current system is.
      
      Nah, Goman. The “lefties” as you put it, are the ones doing the actual work. Y’know – getting their hands dirty and providing the labour that goes into making Fonterra’s (and others’) products and services.
      
      It’s not the PoA CEO who is handling the cranes that shifts hundreds of tonnes of freight around the Port – it’s the guys who turn up each day, to do this dangerous, dirty work.
      
      Personally, I wouldn’t do it. So they deserve whatever they earn.
      
      And as I said to someone above: what possible business is it of yours what other people earn?
    - Frank Macskasy 25.1.2.4
      
      12 January 2012 at 2:27 pm
      
      Pool your capital and form a leftist investment collective.
      
      Isn’t that what a Union is?
      
      A workers collective pooling their “investment” (labour)?
      
      You don’t seem too happy about it.
Gosman 26

10 January 2012 at 4:23 pm

This kind of dispute should be tailor made for left wingers . I mean we have big bad employers trying to screw the unionised workforce. However for some reason the mainstream political leadership of the left goes missing in these times. What is Len Brown’s and David Shearer’s position on this?
- Frank Macskasy 26.1
  
  10 January 2012 at 11:14 pm
  
  What is Len Brown’s and David Shearer’s position on this?
  
  And you would care because…?
  
  After all, I’d bet good money at the TAB that you’d never vote for either of them. So whatever their position is, should be utterly irrelevant to you.
- Frank Macskasy 26.2
  
  12 January 2012 at 2:25 pm
  
  Why “tailored made for left wingers “? Are workers not allowed to negotiate their working conditions?
  
  Are you saying that contracts are valid if only one side has input and the other takes-it or leaves-it?
  
  In effect, Gosman, that is precisely what you’re advocating; employers offer a contract and employees can lump it or leave it.
  
  Where does “negotiation” enter into it?
  
  And if contract negotiations between parties are sacrosanct – why are you – a self-professed libertarian – inclined to interfere?
Rick 27

10 January 2012 at 6:48 pm

So what youre saying is that instead of lworkers eaving their jobs if they dislike the pay and conditions that it is instead ok for them to resort to extortion to change the pay and conditions to one that suits?

BTW James, when I come and mow your lawns next time i’ll be there at 6am cause thats when it suits me and if you dont like it I’ll picket your driveway and let the grass go uncut and dont even think about contracting the lawn mowing job out to someone else.
- Frank Macskasy 27.1
  
  10 January 2012 at 11:28 pm
  
  Rick, your comments are nonsensical,
  
  So what youre saying is that instead of lworkers eaving their jobs if they dislike the pay and conditions that it is instead ok for them to resort to extortion to change the pay and conditions to one that suits?
  
  Since when is negotiating “extortion”?
  
  And why would it bother you what negotiations are taking place between people that don’t concern you? It’s a matter for the Union and PoA to sort out bwetween themselves.
  
  And imagine if all workers walked off their jobs – this country’s economy would collapse overnight!!
  
  BTW James, when I come and mow your lawns next time i’ll be there at 6am cause thats when it suits me and if you dont like it I’ll picket your driveway and let the grass go uncut and dont even think about contracting the lawn mowing job out to someone else.
  
  Rubbish. You’d be turning up at 6AM only if there was a contractual agreement in place. Just as there is a contractual agreement between the Union and PoA.
PortSupport 28

16 January 2012 at 1:47 am

the underlying fact remains, why should a company be managed by the employees, who has the right to manage?
The workplace is not a democracy. The port has a clear mandate to provide returns to the owners, why is this such an unusual request?
If you owned a business and the workers dictated to you that you made less profit than what you could make if you put the money in the bank, and on top of that drove your productivity at a point that your competitors slowly took away your customers, how would you feel?
That is exactly what is and has been happening at the Ports of Auckland for many years. Anyone that refutes this should pull their heads out of the sand.
Many of the stevedores are good guys, but have been blinded, bullied, and convinced that the only way to win is to fight, ask any MUNZ member and he will tell you that they only win, and they have their conditions by fighting. Tell me, is that anyway to work in a progressive society? the Port has tried every possible option over many years to find a reasonable solution to the low productivity at the port, the customers are voting with their feet and unless the model changes, there won’t be a port there in a few years. Auckland exists because of the Port, most of the jobs in the whole city rely in some way on the port. This is so much bigger than a handful of overpaid under-worked individuals.

[So, the workers should always give their employer whatever they demand? When your boss demands you go on casual hours and take a 30% pay hit, will you jump for joy? Or doesn’t it apply to you? Also, more fundamentally, why shouldn’t the place where we spend 2,000 hours plus a year be a democracy? Zet]
- Colonial Viper 28.1
  
  16 January 2012 at 7:35 am
  
  the underlying fact remains, why should a company be managed by the employees, who has the right to manage?
  The workplace is not a democracy. The port has a clear mandate to provide returns to the owners, why is this such an unusual request?
  
  Zet is spot on and you “PortSupport” (lol) are wrong.
  
  The workplace should be a democracy and could easily be. Both the elitist board and management are anti-worker and have shown to be a destroyer of long term value at the port.
  
  Members from a workers council should have 20% of the votes on the Board of Directors.
  
  The CEO and the other executive managers at the port should be voted in bi-annually by any worker who has been at the port at least 12 months. Those persons could come from the workforce or could be an outside candidate.
  
  Oh nice repetition of the “mandate” theme.
  
  Here’s another theme for you to consider: that of “legitimacy”. PoA management and directors have no legitimacy in the eyes of the workers because they are the ones at thte top who are destroying the long term value and viability of the port and of worker livelihoods.
  
  Fuck’m and fire’m. Getting rid of the CEO and the Board will increase port profits by 10.5%.
  
  HAVE LEN BROWN AND PORT DIRECTORS AGREED ON A PLAN TO PRIVATISE PoA.
  
  I ask this because Gibson is clearly executing a plan to break the union as a precursor to selling off the port. IMO this cannot have been done without explicit instruction from the Board and, due to the political risk, at least tacit approval by the City Council and Mayor.

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PunditBy Brian Easton
2 hours ago

A who’s who of New Zealand’s dodgiest companies
Submissions on National's corrupt Muldoonist fast-track law are due today (have you submitted?), and just hours before they close, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop has been forced to release the list of companies he invited to apply. I've spent the last hour going through it in an epic thread of bleats, ...
No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
3 hours ago

On Lee’s watch, Economic Development seems to be stuck on scoring points from promoting sporting e...
Buzz from the Beehive A few days ago, Point of Order suggested the media must be musing “on why Melissa is mute”. Our article reported that people working in the beleaguered media industry have cause to yearn for a minister as busy as Melissa Lee’s ministerial colleagues and we drew ...
Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
4 hours ago

New Zealand has never been closed for business
1. What was The Curse of Jim Bolger?a. Winston Peters b. Soon after shaking his hand, world leaders would mysteriously lose office or shuffle off this mortal coilc. Could never shake off the Mother of All Budgetsd. Dandruff2. True or false? The Chairman of a Kiwi export business has asked the ...
More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
5 hours ago

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
8 hours 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
9 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
9 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
10 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
11 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
11 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
12 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
14 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
15 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
17 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
23 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
1 day 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
1 day 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
1 day 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
1 day 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
1 day 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
1 day 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
1 day 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
1 day 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
1 day 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
1 day 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
1 day 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
1 day 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
1 day 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
1 day 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
2 days 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
2 days 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
3 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
3 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
4 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
4 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
5 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
5 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
5 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
6 days ago

Fast-track submissions period must be extended
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
Greens
3 hours ago

Release: Progress on climate will be undone by Govt
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
Labour Blog
4 hours ago

Release: Dark day for Kiwi kids as a third of Govt cuts affect them
News that 1000 jobs at the Ministry of Education and Oranga Tamariki could go is devastating for future generations of New Zealanders. ...
Labour Blog
2 days ago

Release: Alarm as Government signals further blow to school lunches
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Labour Blog
2 days ago

Release: Quick, submit – stop Govt’s dodgy approvals bill
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Labour Blog
3 days ago

Government throws coal on the climate crisis fire
The Government’s policy announced today to ease consenting for coal mining will have a lasting impact across generations. ...
Greens
3 days ago

Release: Public transport costs to double as National looks at unaffordable roading project instead
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
Labour Blog
4 days ago

Release: Cost of living in Auckland still not a priority
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Labour Blog
4 days ago

Greens look to fast-track submissions on harmful law
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
Greens
1 week ago

Release: Govt should stop making people’s lives harder and build more homes
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Labour Blog
1 week ago

Release: Melissa Lee missing in action on media
The action Melissa Lee promised to protect democracy and the media sector is missing, Media and Communications spokesperson Willie Jackson said. ...
Labour Blog
1 week ago

Landlord Government leaves little hope for renters
The Government’s announcement on tenancy rules prove that it does not care about renters. ...
Greens
1 week ago

Opportunity to build a more sustainable economy
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
Greens
1 week ago

Significant step forward in fixing cruel and unjust past
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
Greens
1 week ago

Missed opportunity but NZ will surely one day recognise the right to a sustainable environment
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Greens
1 week ago

Release: Don’t cut our lunches – clear message sent to Government
Tens of thousands of people are demanding the Government commits to fully funding free and healthy school lunches. ...
Labour Blog
1 week ago

Release: Govt makes U-turn on Suicide Prevention Office
Labour welcomes the Government’s U-turn on the closure of the Suicide Prevention Office, says Labour Mental Health spokesperson Ingrid Leary. ...
Labour Blog
1 week ago

CCC issues warning over further climate delay
Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Luxon targets lame and lousy example of leadership
If talk is cheap, Chris Luxon’s “targets” are bankrupt. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Luxon targets are lousy example of leadership
If talk is cheap, Chris Luxon’s “targets” are bankrupt. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Release: Commitment to disability communities missing from Govt priorities
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Methane target review is dangerous duplication
The Government’s newly announced review of methane emissions reduction targets hints at its desire to delay Aotearoa New Zealand’s urgent transition to a climate safe future, the Green Party said. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Release: Government must commit to school building project for disabled students
The Government must commit to the Maitai School building project for students with high and complex needs, to ensure disabled students from the top of the South Island have somewhere to learn. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Release: National must take mental health seriously
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey and his Government colleagues have made a meal of their mental health commitments, showing how flimsy their efforts to champion the issue truly are, says Labour Mental Health spokesperson Ingrid Leary. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Referendums for Māori wards a racist step backwards
The Government's imposed referendum on Māori wards is a racist step backwards for Māori representation, and disregards Te Tiriti o Waitangi. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Release: Job losses at Health not worth it for tax cuts
New Zealand will feel the harm of the National Government’s reckless cuts to jobs at the health ministry for generations, says Ayesha Verrall. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Press release: No Māori initiatives in Government’s nothing plan
Māori are yet to see anything from this Government except cuts, reversals and taking our people backwards, Māori Development spokesperson Willie Jackson said. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Thirty six point PR spin
The Government’s ‘36 point’ plan for the next three months is as pointless as it is hollow. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Thirty six point PR spin
The Government’s ‘36 point’ plan for the next three months is as pointless as it is hollow. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Thirty six point PR spin
The Government’s ‘36 point’ plan for the next three months is as pointless as it is hollow. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Release: Social housing off Government’s to-do list
The Coalition Government’s refusal to commit to ongoing funding for social housing is seeing the sector pull back on developments and families watch their dreams of securing a home fade away, says Labour Housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Release: Less money in most people’s pockets this April
Changes to minimum wage and benefit indexation means many New Zealanders will get less this year, as the Government gives a big tax break to landlords instead. ...
Labour Blog
3 weeks ago

$41m to support clean energy in South East Asia
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 hours ago

Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder list
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
6 hours ago

Judicial appointments announced
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
6 hours ago

Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
7 hours ago

Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
7 hours ago

Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
8 hours ago

Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
10 hours ago

Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
21 hours ago

Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 day ago

Taupō takes pole position
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 day ago

Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 day ago

Government backing mussel spat project
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 day ago

Government focused on getting people into work
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 day ago

Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 day ago

Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

Inflation coming down, but more work to do
Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector. "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 days ago

Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 days ago

RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 days ago

McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ ties
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

Antarctica New Zealand Board appointments
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has made further appointments to the Board of Antarctica New Zealand as part of a continued effort to ensure the Scott Base Redevelopment project is delivered in a cost-effective and efficient manner. The Minister has appointed Neville Harris as a new member of the Board. Mr ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

Finance Minister travels to Washington DC
Finance Minister Nicola Willis will travel to the United States on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Five Finance Ministers group, with counterparts from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. “I am looking forward to meeting with our Five Finance partners on how we can work ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

Pet bonds a win/win for renters and landlords
The coalition Government has today announced purrfect and pawsitive changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to give tenants with pets greater choice when looking for a rental property, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Pets are important members of many Kiwi families. It’s estimated that around 64 per cent of New ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being considered
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 Government has also asked NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to consider and provide advice on a Long Tunnel option, Transport Minister Simeon Brown ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
5 days ago

New Zealand condemns Iranian strikes
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel. “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says. "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
5 days ago

Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plans
Hundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand Chair
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board. “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti. “I have asked her to ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Roads of National Significance planning underway
The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Navigating an unstable global environment
New Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States. “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

NZ welcomes Australian Governor-General
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Pseudoephedrine back on shelves for Winter
Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced that Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Pharmaceutical suppliers have indicated they may be able to supply the first products in June. “This is much earlier than the original expectation of medicines being available by 2025. The Government recognised ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

NZ and the US: an ever closer partnership
New Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Joint US and NZ declaration
April 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

NZ and US to undertake further practical Pacific cooperation
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced further New Zealand cooperation with the United States in the Pacific Islands region through $16.4 million in funding for initiatives in digital connectivity and oceans and fisheries research. “New Zealand can achieve more in the Pacific if we work together more urgently and ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Government releases list of organisations shoulder-tapped for fast-track consents
The government's released the list of organisations provided with information on how to apply - just hours before public submissions on the bill close. ...
Radio NZ – political
54 mins ago

The Week in Politics: Job cuts surge and Waitangi Tribunal trouble
Analysis - It's been a grim week for public servants, while trouble is also brewing between the government and Waitangi Tribunal. ...
Radio NZ – political
2 hours ago

It never rains but it pours: intense rain and flash floods have increased inland in eastern Australi...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Milton Speer, Visiting Fellow, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Technology Sydney Before climate change really got going, eastern Australia’s flash floods tended to concentrate on our coastal regions, east of the Great Dividing Range. But that’s changing. Now ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
2 hours ago

Watch: Christopher Luxon speaks to media in Manila
The PM has defended how he's talked up NZ trade on his trip to Southeast Asia, after criticism from his own delegation. ...
Radio NZ – political
2 hours ago

‘It could be the death of the museum’: why research cuts at a South Australian institution have ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Elizabeth Finkel, Vice-Chancellor’s Fellow, La Trobe University Sia Duff / South Australian Museum In February, the South Australian Museum “re-imagined” itself. In the face of rising costs and inadequate government funds, CEO David Gaimster, who took the reins last June, declared ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
3 hours ago

Government signs off $41m clean energy deal with Asian Development Bank
The government has committed $41 million to clean energy transition at the Asian Development Bank's Energy Transition Mechanism. ...
Radio NZ – political
3 hours ago

Are 2 mid-career AFL retirements a sign Australian athletes are taking brain health more seriously?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alan Pearce, Professor, School of Allied Heath, Human Services & Sport, La Trobe University, La Trobe University This week, Collingwood AFL player Nathan Murphy announced his retirement, brought on by his concussion history and ongoing issues. The 24-year-old’s seemingly sudden retirement, ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
5 hours ago

Luxon: Waitangi Tribunal comments from coalition parties 'ill considered'
Comments from ACT and NZ First ministers about the Tribunal were "ill considered" and "that message will be underscored" to them, the PM says. ...
Radio NZ – political
5 hours ago

Mental Health Foundation Facing Staff Cuts From Govt Funding Squeeze
The Mental Health Foundation provides support and resources for those facing the loss of their job, so it’s wrong in the very week the Government adds another 1000 jobs to its tally of cuts, that this is happening. ...
Scoop politics
5 hours ago

I wholeheartedly recommend The President: a brilliant revival of a play of decay, terror and revulsi...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexander Howard, Senior Lecturer, Discipline of English and Writing, University of Sydney Daniel Boud/Sydney Theatre Company Decay, terror, revulsion. These are three of the central themes of Thomas Bernhard’s rarely performed play The President. The Austrian is one of the greatest ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
6 hours ago

How the coolest little capital is shrinking
It's not the first time a government has targeted public servants for job cuts, but this time Wellington is really feeling it. ...
Radio NZ – political
6 hours ago

Many prisoners go years without touching a smartphone. It means they struggle to navigate life on th...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ye In (Jane) Hwang, Postdoctoral Research Associate at School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney Shutterstock You’d be hard pressed to find any aspect of daily life that doesn’t require some form of digital literacy. We need only to look back ten ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
6 hours ago

Ministers accused of Cabinet Manual breach with threats to Waitangi Tribunal
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says threats by ministers Shane Jones and David Seymour to reform or close down the Waitangi Tribunal were “ill-considered”, as legal experts say the ministers may have breached Cabinet Manual conventions. “I think those comments are ill-considered and we expect all ministers to actually exercise good ...
NewsroomBy Marc Daalder
6 hours ago

Good news: midlife health is about more than a waist measurement. Here’s why
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rob Newton, Professor of Exercise Medicine, Edith Cowan University Pexels/RDNE stock project You’re not in your 20s or 30s anymore and you know regular health checks are important. So you go to your GP. During the appointment they measure your waist. ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
6 hours ago

The Friday Poem: ‘Mitochondrial Problem’ by Evangeline Riddiford Graham
A new poem by Evangeline Riddiford Graham. Mitochondrial Problem I. It was long drive to Kansas for the man and his dog but you have to understand he said She doesn’t fly. Which calls to mind not carsick shitting barking or whining but a dog who chooses not to as ...
The SpinoffBy Evangeline Riddiford Graham
6 hours ago

The Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending April 18
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington. AUCKLAND 1 Hemingway’s Goblet by Dermot Ross (Mary Egan Publishing, $38) Hot off the press, this debut ...
The SpinoffBy The Spinoff Review of Books
6 hours ago

Department of Conservation closing Dunedin centre, but no jobs lost
Visitor habits are changing and DOC needs to adapt in a financially sustainable way, its operations director says. ...
Radio NZ – political
6 hours ago

Unions Collaborate With Thousands Of Job Cuts
With New Zealand officially in recession, a swathe of mass sackings is currently sending shockwaves through the entire working class. ...
Scoop politics
6 hours ago

Watch live: Christopher Luxon speaks to media in Manila
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is speaking to reporters in Manila after pledging greater defence cooperation with the Philippines. Watch live. ...
Radio NZ – political
7 hours ago

Government sent please explain letter to Wellington City Council over transport disagreement
The contents were revealed in correspondence from Simeon Brown and Chris Bishop to Wellington's Mayor. ...
Radio NZ – political
7 hours ago

Some families push back against journalists who mine social media for photos – they have every rig...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Laura Wajnryb McDonald, PhD candidate in Criminology, University of Sydney Less than 24 hours after Ashlee Good was murdered in Bondi Junction, her family released a statement requesting the media take down photographs they had reproduced of Ashlee and her family without ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
7 hours ago

Mental Health Foundation staff cuts loom, with funding falling behind rising costs
Chief executive Shaun Robinson said it has not had any government funding cut, but government-funded contracts have not kept pace with rising costs. ...
Radio NZ – political
7 hours ago

The ‘devil comet’ 12P/Pons-Brooks has finally become visible from Australia. What can we expect?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jonti Horner, Professor (Astrophysics), University of Southern Queensland Pons–Brooks visible from Utah, March 9 2024. James Peirce/Flickr, CC BY-NC-ND If you’re a fan of all things space, you’ve doubtless heard about the “devil comet”, which has been captivating keen-eyed observers in the ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
7 hours ago

Rugby stadiums are sold as an economic asset – but NZ needs to ask if they’re really worth it
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robert Hamlin, Senior Lecturer in Marketing , University of Otago A multi-billion dollar stadium precinct has been proposed for Auckland, one of three proposals in front of Auckland Council for a new stadium in the city. The council is also considering revamping ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
7 hours ago

Auckland dog attacks: Callouts for attacks on other animals going up
Roaming dogs are responsible for more than a thousand attacks on animals each year, and the number is growing. ...
Radio NZ – political
8 hours ago

What access to puberty blockers means for trans young people and their whānau
The Ministry of Health has delayed the release of its evidence brief on the safety, reversibility and mental health and wellbeing outcomes for puberty blockers. While we wait, Julia de Bres speaks to those with firsthand experience. Best practice gender-affirming healthcare is based on trans people’s self-determination and agency. The ...
The SpinoffBy Julia de Bres
8 hours ago

NZ and Philippines pledge defence cooperation amid rising tensions
The commitment came after a sit-down meeting between Christopher Luxon and President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Romualdez Marcos Jr overnight. ...
Radio NZ – political
9 hours ago

How superblocks can help reimagine city life
Barcelona’s city streets have gone from traffic-clogged to pedestrian-friendly. How? Superblocks. Ellen Rykers explains. This is an excerpt from our weekly environmental newsletter Future Proof. Sign up here. Last week I read a great interview with renowned urbanist Janette Sadik-Khan by The Spinoff’s Wellington editor Joel MacManus: “You can reimagine streets, ...
The SpinoffBy Ellen Rykers
9 hours ago

Fire engineering expertise may take a big hit with job cuts at MBIE
The public sector cuts are poised to take out a big chunk of expertise at the country's building regulator. ...
Radio NZ – political
10 hours ago

“Fast-track Law To Kill Kiwi”: Students Say Fight Against Anti-democracy Legislation Is Only Jus...
Student groups ‘Climate Action VUW’, Schools Strike 4 Climate and VUWSA will be on the street in Wellington today, the last day for submissions on the Fast-track Approvals Bill, with a message that the fight against the Government’s ‘War on ...
Scoop politics
11 hours ago

‘We have thousands of Modis’: the secret behind the BJP’s enduring success in India
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sofia Ammassari, Research Fellow, Griffith University Since 2014, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s popularity has grown exponentially – and so has the formidable organisational machine of his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). These two factors will be key to delivering the BJP a ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
11 hours ago

Online schooling is not just for lockdowns. Could it work for your child?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brendon Hyndman, Associate Professor of Education (Adjunct) & Senior Manager (BCE), Charles Sturt University During COVID almost all Australian students and their families experienced online learning. But while schools have long since gone back to in-person teaching, online learning has not gone ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
11 hours ago

Hear me out: You can shove your reusable period products
Yes, they’re better for the environment. No, that’s not a good enough reason for me to use them. Once every 26 days or so, my period arrives, and if struck by an act of God, I am caught red-crotched without products. How, after 17 years of this, do I still ...
The SpinoffBy Kristin Kelly
11 hours ago

Rip It Up And Start Over – Fast-Track Approvals Bill Needs To Be Scrapped
“It will cause significant harm to our environment and communities. It is completely at odds with New Zealanders’ relationship with nature and our need for a low-carbon, sustainable economic future." ...
Scoop politics
11 hours ago

Maori Authority Warns Government On Fast Track Legislation
The Chair of the National Maori Authority, Matthew Tukaki, has warned a Parliamentary Select Committee that fast-tracking legislation is a perilous practice that undermines the core tenets of democracy, transparency, and accountability. ...
Scoop politics
11 hours ago

Why the government’s haste in changing the health system could come back to haunt it
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tim Tenbensel, Associate Professor, Health Policy, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Getty Images Since coming into power, the coalition government has adopted a simple but shrewd see-how-fast-we-can-move political strategy. However, in the health sector this need for speed entails ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
11 hours ago

Many suicides are related to gambling. How can we tackle this problem?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anastasia Hronis, Clinical Psychologist, University of Technology Sydney Darya Sannikova/Pexels Whether you’re watching TV, attending a footy game, or eating a meal at your local pub, gambling is hard to escape. Although the rise of gambling is not unique to Australia, ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
11 hours ago

Things that go buzz in the night – our global study found there really are more insects out after ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Wong, Forrest Fellow, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia Have you ever wondered if there are more insects out at night than during the day? We set out to answer this question by combing through the scientific ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
11 hours ago

Why don’t Australians talk about their salaries? Pay transparency and fairness go hand-in-hand
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Carol T Kulik, Research Professor, University of South Australia IR Stone/Shutterstock In Australia, it’s not the done thing to know – let alone ask – what our colleagues are paid. Yet, it’s easy to see how pay transparency can make pay ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
11 hours ago

‘Character’ And Its Impact On Immigration Status
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is sounding a warning to migrants, that running foul of the law may see them leaving the country prematurely. ...
Scoop politics
11 hours ago

20,000 more on jobseeker benefits than this time last year
The government’s plan to get 50,000 people off jobseeker support by 2030 has had a rocky start, writes Catherine McGregor in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. Beneficiary numbers are up – and so are ...
The SpinoffBy Catherine McGregor
13 hours ago

All of the Raglan Roast cafes in Wellington, ranked from worst to best
Raglan Roast is a staple of Wellington coffee culture. But with five branches across the capital, which one is the best? I am a die-hard Raglan Roast fan. It’s consistently the most affordable cafe in Wellington, and one of the only places you can get a coffee after 3pm. So, ...
The SpinoffBy Zoë Mills
15 hours ago

Auckland uni students threaten rent strike over rising accommodation fees
Residents of University of Auckland halls are being urged to withhold their accommodation fees from May 1, in a bid to force the university to take student concerns over rent hikes seriously. The University of Auckland is facing a strike from students over the cost of on-campus accommodation. The Students ...
The SpinoffBy Stewart Sowman-Lund
15 hours ago

New Zealand transport planning has gone off the rails
Opinion: The famed American architect and urban designer Daniel Burnham once said, “Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men’s blood!” Burnham wouldn’t have been referring to the transport plans in Aotearoa New Zealand over the past five years; projects so big they hadn’t the credibility to ...
NewsroomBy Dr Timothy F Welch
15 hours ago

Daily crossword, Friday 19 April
The post Daily crossword, Friday 19 April appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Newsroom Puzzles
15 hours ago

Brakes on transport and logistics sector as demand for freight slows
The transport sector is currently in the slow lane The post Brakes on transport and logistics sector as demand for freight slows appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Emma Hatton
15 hours ago

Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 19 April
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[quiz],DIV[quiz],A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions. The post Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 19 April appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Newsroom Puzzles
15 hours ago

Financial literacy should be on all of us
Opinion: With maths understanding at 42 percent for Year 8 students, there’s no doubt something has to be done. But how? The post Financial literacy should be on all of us appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Bryce Marsden
15 hours ago

Missy rustles to stardom in Canada
Hineaupounamu ‘Missy’ Nuku has been scaling mountains in Canada for her college basketball team, the Lakeland Rustlers. Alberta is currently home for the 20-year-old point guard, who is in her first year of a scholarship at Lakeland College, where she is studying for a business degree. She has certainly made ...
NewsroomBy Aiden McLaughlin
15 hours ago

Emissions fall again – now NZ needs to up the pace
Official figures confirm New Zealand produced less climate pollution in 2022 than in any other year in the 21st century The post Emissions fall again – now NZ needs to up the pace appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Marc Daalder
15 hours ago

Warning of death from a million cuts as Oceans Secretariat dissolved
Shane Jones says people voted for change, but opponents say small cuts such as ending a special oceans secretariat are starting to add up The post Warning of death from a million cuts as Oceans Secretariat dissolved appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Andrew Bevin
15 hours ago

Defence deal to counter Beijing’s aggression in South China Sea
New Zealand and the Philippines have signed a new maritime security agreement and stated their concerns over activity in the South China Sea, as Chinese vessels continue to flout international law. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Philippines President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos committed to signing a Mutual Logistics Supporting Arrangement by ...
NewsroomBy Laura Walters
15 hours ago

Wellington’s ebb and flow of public servants
The thousands of government “back-office” job cuts are causing widespread pain in the capital city. In today’s episode of The Detail, we speak to three journalists and a think tank researcher, looking at the larger picture around the cuts and what effect it will have on Wellington, a city that’s ...
NewsroomBy Tom Kitchin
15 hours ago

Grattan on Friday: Ethnic tensions will complicate the Albanese government’s multicultural policy ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra When ASIO boss Mike Burgess delivered his annual threat assessment earlier this year, he stressed the rising danger posed by espionage and foreign interference. “In 2024, threats to our way of life have surpassed ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
21 hours ago

Group plans work to improve safety of female MPs
New research shows harassment of elected officials - especially women - is on the rise. ...
Radio NZ – political
22 hours ago

Ukraine warns of WW3 ahead of long-stalled Congress aid vote
Ukraine's Prime Minister says his country desperately needs the US to approve long-stalled security assistance. ...
Radio NZ – political
23 hours ago

PSA astonished Education Minister expects hiring of contractors to review curriculum
Hiring contractors is an appalling solution when people who could do the work are losing their jobs, the PSA says. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

Crown lawyers attempt to block Waitangi Tribunal summons to Minister for Children
The Tribunal had called on Minister for Children Karen Chhour to provide evidence at an urgent inquiry into the repeal of Section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

Luxon refuses to guarantee public consultation on AUKUS Pillar 2
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says it's "far too premature" to be confirming whether the public would be consulted on joining AUKUS Pillar 2. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

Visualising the 1800s or designing wedding invitations: 6 ways you can use AI beyond generating text
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By T.J. Thomson, Senior Lecturer in Visual Communication & Digital Media, RMIT University Midjourney image by T.J. Thomson As more than half of Australian office workers report using generative artificial intelligence (AI) for work, we’re starting to see this technology affect every ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 day ago

Falls, fractures and self-harm: 4 charts on how kids’ injury risk changes over time and differs fo...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lisa Nicole Sharwood, Injury epidemiologist | Expert Witness, UNSW Sydney Sergey Novikov/Shutterstock Injuries are the leading cause of disability and death among Australian children and adolescents. At least a quarter of all emergency department presentations during childhood are injury-related. Injuries can ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 day ago

Choice and control: will NDIS reforms mean people with disability don’t get to decide who they liv...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Di Winkler, Adjunct Associate Professor, Living with Disability Research Centre, La Trobe University Shutterstock/Ground Picture Many Australians with disability feel on the edge of a precipice right now. Recommendations from the disability royal commission and the NDIS review were released late ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 day ago

Asbestos in playground mulch: how to avoid a repeat of this circular economy scandal
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Salman Shooshtarian, Senior Lecturer, School of Property, Construction and Project Management, RMIT University Salman Shooshtarian Asbestos has been found in mulch used for playgrounds, schools, parks and gardens across Sydney and Melbourne. Local communities naturally fear for the health of their ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 day ago

Could Albanese’s bet on homegrown green industries be the boost our regions deserve?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Madeline Taylor, Senior Lecturer, Macquarie University Cloudy Designs/Shutterstock Right now, there’s a global race underway. The goal: bring back manufacturing and energy jobs as the energy transition speeds up. In 2022, America launched its mammoth Inflation Reduction Act and the ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 day ago

Watch: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon won't say if government will consult public on joining ...
Asked multiple times if the public will be consulted on joining the defence pact, Luxon repeatedly said that was yet to be worked through. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

Watch live: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon speaks in Philippines
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is speaking to reporters on the third leg of his Southeast Asia trip, from Manila in the Philippines. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

Māori lawyers call Shane Jones' Waitangi Tribunal comments 'inappropriate'
The Māori Law Society says his comments breach the principle of the separation of powers and the Cabinet Manual. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

Abortions Increase 25% Since Law Change
Family First says that the latest abortion statistics make grim and upsetting reading, with a 25% increase in abortions since the decriminalisation of abortion in March 2020. According to an Official Information Act request received by Right to Life ...
Scoop politics
1 day ago

Over Half Of New Zealanders Feel That The Country Is In Decline And That Our Society Is Broken
Ipsos New Zealand's inaugural participation in a global study on populism reveals a pervasive sense of societal and economic decline among New Zealanders. MORE DETAILS AND FULL REPORT HERE Ipsos New Zealand's inaugural participation in a global study ...
Scoop politics
1 day ago

Australia’s new defence strategy is big on ideas, but lacks one key ingredient: well-trained soldi...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Layton, Visiting Fellow, Strategic Studies, Griffith University There have been a lot of defence announcements recently about buying new equipment, building up Australia’s manufacturing capabilities, creating local jobs, new legislation to support AUKUS and even a new defence chief. In ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 day ago

What does Steve Smith’s Stateside signing mean for cricket in the US – and Australia?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tim Harcourt, Industry Professor and Chief Economist, University of Technology Sydney Steve Smith, one of this generation’s finest batters, has conquered much of the cricketing world during his career, and he now has set his sights on a new frontier: the United ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 day ago

A love letter to Wellington: when i open the shop by romesh dissanayake, reviewed
Madeleine Ballard reviews the debut novel from romesh dissanayake. when I open the shop, the debut novel by Naarm-based Aotearoa writer romesh dissanayake (Sri Lankan, Koryo Saram), is a narrative of grief. Devendra loses his mother, opens a noodle shop on The Terrace, grieves, and emerges changed. But just as ...
The SpinoffBy Madeleine Ballard
1 day ago

Minister Concedes Contractors Will Be Hired To Do Work Of Axed Ministry Of Education Staff
The PSA can’t believe that the Minister of Education is happy for her ministry to hire contractors at the same time it is dismissing 565 workers. ...
Scoop politics
1 day ago

Attempt to bar diplomat from Myanmar military junta fails
Myanmar community members applied to the courts to bar the diplomat from attending the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

LGNZ Welcomes Govt Earthquake-prone Buildings Decision
LGNZ has advocated for this decision as part of a remit led by Manawatū District Council. ...
Scoop politics
1 day ago

What’s really going on at Ports of Auckland

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