Labour / NZ First Government

[Raz]

Seems like a basic idea to me. Even I could mark papers and free up primary school teachers from a load of assessments. Figure out a decent hourly rate and pay on a piece basis- that would be productive.

A large part of the paper work is incident reports for special needs children within the classroom.

[minimoke]

A large part of the paper work is incident reports for special needs children within the classroom.Thats an even more basic task that can be completed by a person on Minimum wage. If its a regular thing then a simple check box for could be filled in in about 10 seconds. Sounds to me like teaching is a Make Work scheme.

[BlackPeter]

Sounds to me like teaching is a Make Work scheme.

Well, yes - there is a longstanding unholy alliance between the Ministry against Education, who work hard to create year after year more useless paperwork for schools and teachers to complete (instead of teaching) and the teachers unions who work hard to prevent new people and ideas (like charter schools) from gaining access to the industry. Classical loose - loose for students and parents.

Ah yes - and special needs students belong on special schools (as in most civilised countries). The NZ system is serving neither them nor the other students. Again - loose-loose for everybody.

Lets do it!

[westerly]

Ah yes - and special needs students belong on special schools (as in most civilised countries). The NZ system is serving neither them nor the other students. Again - loose-loose for everybody.

Not sure, though it can be cured by government policies - it well might be as difficult to cure like the quarter of an acre disease, the 6 foot high board fence disease or the urge to fix everything with No 8 wire ...

!

You don,t like the locals, that is fairly obvious . I am not sure what country you are trying to change us into but it must be a wonderful place to live in.

As for teachers and their troubles, modern society and its treatment of children as young gods is responsible for most of their so called problems.
Teacher shortages, most men would run from teaching these days, the risk of being fingered by a child with a grudge being too great. Bring back the strap etc.

Obviously I am a product of the “ children should be seen and not heard generation “:)

westerly

[BlackPeter]

Entire contents deleted by an annoyed STMOD.

[macduffy]

About time to leave this subject?

(Thread is: "Labour/NZ First Government")

[minimoke]

About time to leave this subject?

(Thread is: "Labour/NZ First Government")
Good idea. NZ First been a bit silent of late. No surprise given Shane Jones shredding cash in his forestry balls up. "Here you go, have a million trees" "Oops make that one hundred thousand - shame the land is full of scrub and weeds. Shoulda thought about that"

So Shane - are you just throwing cash at a Maori Trust that lost $264k last year when its income was only $1.1m

[Bjauck]

Well, yes - there is a longstanding unholy alliance between the Ministry against Education, who work hard to create year after year more useless paperwork for schools and teachers to complete (instead of teaching) and the teachers unions who work hard to prevent new people and ideas (like charter schools) from gaining access to the industry. Classical loose - loose for students and parents.

Ah yes - and special needs students belong on special schools (as in most civilised countries). The NZ system is serving neither them nor the other students. Again - loose-loose for everybody.

Lets do it! Top rate education, teacher aides and good special education cost money.

I am not sure what you mean by "most civilised countries". However does that mean you support a CGT if the "most civilised" have a CGT too?

[Raz]

Thats an even more basic task that can be completed by a person on Minimum wage. If its a regular thing then a simple check box for could be filled in in about 10 seconds. Sounds to me like teaching is a Make Work scheme.

That the most lack of though comment I have seen in a long time, if you understood the legal approach that has to be taken you would not be so flippant 😊 each has a certain approach that legally has to report to the MOE and Board. We are talking often serious asssalts often resulting in people in hospital.

[BlackPeter]

Top rate education, teacher aides and good special education cost money.

I am not sure what you mean by "most civilised countries". However does that mean you support a CGT if the "most civilised" have a CGT too?

Various quite different education themes linked into a quite complicated and unrelated tax issue - and this in just two lines ...

so - what do you really want to know - if anything?

Lets see ...

1) "top rate education .... cost money". True, however - not necessarily as much money as we currently spend. Our school system suffers under the typical problems of any bureaucracy. More bureaucrats create more bureaucracy requiring more money. Does not improve the education, though. Smart spending of money would be preferrable and we don't need a tax hike.

2) "teacher aids ... cost money". True. Have seen countries with a better educations system and without (or with less) teacher aids - i.e. they are not necessarily a reflection on the quality of the education system, more a reflection on the non standard tasks our standard schools have to deal with. A better and smarter task allocation (like e.g. concentrating special needs children in purpose build schools) would actually save money. What are we doing with the freed up funds - reduce taxes?

3) "good special education costs money". True, however significantly less than the current system where basically every school needs to spend huge amounts of money for a very small number of special needs children. Our local primary school had to pay more than one million dollars to cater for one single special needs child which moved into the township. After completion of the building activities moved the family on and the facilities have never been used. Mindboggling inefficiency.

Not mentioned by you, but I have seen many classes with suboptimal education for everybody because the teacher had to cater for one or two special needs children as well who loved to disturb the class. Absolutely brain dead approach to have all children suffer just because they don't want to concentrate the special needs children.

4) Capital gains tax: While we don't need more money for education (see above) do I have no problems with the introduction of a capital gains tax if it is fair (i.e. no exceptions, no loopholes) and efficent (i.e. cost to collect the tax is significantly lower than the collected tax). I have not yet seen though a fair and efficient capital gains tax in any country. Have you?

Discl: have seen three children through the NZ school system and served as well on a board of trustees and on a community board. I do know the system.

[Bjauck]

Various quite different education themes linked into a quite complicated and unrelated tax issue - and this in just two lines ...


I have not yet seen though a fair and efficient capital gains tax in any country. Have you?
Discl: have seen three children through the NZ school system and served as well on a board of trustees and on a community board. I do know the system.
True I covered several fields in the one post. I was most intrigued by your negative comparison of NZ special needs accommodation with “most civilised countries.”


Which are these civilised countries and what makes them “civilised”?


Dedicated special needs schools may be cost effective and feasible in large population centres but in less densely populated areas it could be impractical and inadvisable to dislocate the pupils?


I totally agree with you in relation to a non-comprehensive CGT...but I wondered if you would need to apply your “what happens in most civilised countries” test to tax and topics other than education too? This thread is not limited to education.


Disc: I have no experience of special needs education in NZ or in other countries (civilised or not).

[BlackPeter]

True I covered several fields in the one post. I was most intrigued by your negative comparison of NZ special needs accommodation with “most civilised countries.”


Which are these civilised countries and what makes them “civilised”?


Dedicated special needs schools may be cost effective and feasible in large population centres but in less densely populated areas it could be impractical and inadvisable to dislocate the pupils?


I totally agree with you in relation to a non-comprehensive CGT...but I wondered if you would need to apply your “what happens in most civilised countries” test to tax and topics other than education too? This thread is not limited to education.


Disc: I have no experience of special needs education in NZ or in other countries (civilised or not).



Happy to have with you a discussion about special needs education or about the CGT. However - if this is just about your special need in nit-picking ... life is too short for that. Enjoy your life!

[Bjauck]

Disc: I had nits when I was a child. It was a relief when they were cleared up and my hair was nit-free!

[winner69]

Q&A last night had (worrying) interview with Prof Brady re Chinese influence on our politics

https://www.tvnz.co.nz/shows/q-and-a/clips/q-a-with-prof-anne-marie-brady


Answer to last question quite telling - seems quite brave in speaking out.

Prof Brady tweeted this today

Anne-Marie Brady (@Anne_MarieBrady)
16/11/18, 10:20 AM
Yesterday my car was sabotaged, two tyres had been interfered with; someone broke in to my garage to do it. It was only be chance I took the car into the mechanic for the six-monthly warrant and he noticed it straight away.

[winner69]

And Jacinda again repeating NZ is not taking sides in South China Sea dispute

Not taking sides is a way of supporting the aggressor ...shame

Not just Labour but previous National government as well

[iceman]

This is not really related to the headline of this thread but political. It is clear that privacy laws have become ridiculously restrictive and the rights of offenders have become much higher placed than rights of previous or potential victims. We need a law change https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12160069

[JBmurc]

And Jacinda again repeating NZ is not taking sides in South China Sea dispute

Not taking sides is a way of supporting the aggressor ...shame

Not just Labour but previous National government as well

well they are comrades to her globalism socialism

[westerly]

And Jacinda again repeating NZ is not taking sides in South China Sea dispute

Not taking sides is a way of supporting the aggressor ...shame

Not just Labour but previous National government as well

The USA is the most aggressive country in the world and has been for a long time.

westerly

[iceman]

Dangerous idea from Parker. They should leave the Guardians of the Super Fund alone to do what they are meant to do. https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/108742825/government-could-give-push-nz-super-fund-into-venture-capital

Their mandate is simple and we don't need political interference:


"Mandate
Under the Act, the Guardians must invest the Fund on a prudent, commercial basis and, in doing so, must manage and administer the Fund in a manner consistent with:

best practice portfolio management;
maximising return without undue risk to the Fund as a whole; and
avoiding prejudice to New Zealand’s reputation as a responsible member of the world community."

[Bjauck]

Dangerous idea from Parker. They should leave the Guardians of the Super Fund alone to do what they are meant to do. https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/108742825/government-could-give-push-nz-super-fund-into-venture-capital

Their mandate is simple and we don't need political interference:
... I think the whole construct and circumstance of the Superfund is political - Cullen being the architect. National suspended payments into the fund during its time in office. As a result of previous lack of planning, Today's taxpayers are not only paying for today's pensions but they are also paying into the fund for the provision for tomorrow's pensions. The fund exists even though NZ continues to have government debt.

As it does exist, I agree with the proposition that it should be involved in funding NZ venture capital and I think too the fund should finance and invest in only NZ based companies and business. At least that way it could compensate for past NZ policies and circumstances that have seen the NZ share market hollowed out and many NZ businesses relocating overseas in order to access capital.

It is shameful that only 15% of the super funds assets are in NZ. That means that NZ taxpayers taxes have been diverted overseas. If the money had been left in the hands of taxpayers, taxpayers would probably have spent more than the Superfund has on investing in NZ or supporting NZ business. As all the delisting companies attest, NZ companies have been finding it difficult to raise capital in NZ and the tax-funded Superfund, as it now stands, may have added to that difficulty.

Instead of the Superfund, the half-hearted Kwisaver should be boosted. At the moment tax breaks are limited with little incentive for taxpayers to boost their annual contributions beyond the minimum to get the annual tax credit or to build up a sizeable balance. There should also be greater incentives/tax breaks for kiwisavers to invest in NZ-only investments.

[macduffy]

Yes, 15% invested in NZ businesses is far too little but to restrict the fund to NZ-only investments in an attempt to remedy past issues in the NZ capital markets would also be inappropriate. The purpose of the NZ Super Fund, despite political tinkering, is first and foremost, to achieve the best possible return for superannuation.

[minimoke]

Yes, 15% invested in NZ businesses is far too little but to restrict the fund to NZ-only investments in an attempt to remedy past issues in the NZ capital markets would also be inappropriate. The purpose of the NZ Super Fund, despite political tinkering, is first and foremost, to achieve the best possible return for superannuation.NZ Business (or at least those that can withstand financial scrutiny) are already well served by NZ Super and ACC investments as well as various Kiwisaver schemes.. This is a bit like the whole nonsense "diversity" argument. We dont want quotas - we need sound financial investments. Wherever in the world that might be. We most certainly do not need politicians meddling.

[Bjauck]

NZ Business (or at least those that can withstand financial scrutiny) are already well served by NZ Super and ACC investments as well as various Kiwisaver schemes.. This is a bit like the whole nonsense "diversity" argument. We dont want quotas - we need sound financial investments. Wherever in the world that might be. We most certainly do not need politicians meddling.
Best way to reduce Politicians meddling - if that is ever possible - would be to scrap the Superfund and give KiwiSaver some more teeth. The current Superfund balance should be applied to reduce government debt.

I think current institutional investments on NZ shares and business is insufficient. We should have been able to keep many of the companies that have swum to the other side of the ditch. KiwiSaver is a minnow for an OECD economy of NZ's size.

[minimoke]

The current Superfund balance should be applied to reduce government debt.
.Interest rates are so low at the moment debt isn't a problem. Indeed govt should be borrowing more and dealing with infrastructure issues impacting productivity. Get things up an running now, then begin paying down debt. Rather than leaving it until debt is even more expensive and we have lost more years in productivity.

[Bjauck]

Interest rates are so low at the moment debt isn't a problem. Indeed govt should be borrowing more and dealing with infrastructure issues impacting productivity. Get things up an running now, then begin paying down debt. Rather than leaving it until debt is even more expensive and we have lost more years in productivity. Good point. Although as asset prices are (falling but still) high I would suggest not taking on more debt now but liquidating and using the superfund for the much needed infrastructure catch-up. If there is a gfc mkII that may be when NZ will need to take on more debt.

[winner69]

Net migration was 61,800 over last 12 months.....which many reckon is way too high and the cause of our housing woes and all that

Weird nobody seems to talk about migration numbers anymore

[winner69]

That was an expensive train ride ....must offer to take Jacinda out on my mates boat

https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/108806035/passenger-trains-restart-on-coastal-pacific-between-picton-and-christchurch

[macduffy]

That was an expensive train ride ....must offer to take Jacinda out on my mates boat

https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/108806035/passenger-trains-restart-on-coastal-pacific-between-picton-and-christchurch

Only if your mate is going to start a new tourist venture with his boat!

;)

[iceman]

Good point. Although as asset prices are (falling but still) high I would suggest not taking on more debt now but liquidating and using the superfund for the much needed infrastructure catch-up. If there is a gfc mkII that may be when NZ will need to take on more debt.

Well that I agree with. I see no problems with the Superfund investing in infrastructure in NZ but it would need to be in PPP and on a commercial basis (user pays). Not by Ministers of the day directing them to do so. This is very different to what was being suggested in the link I posted a few posts back, where they were talking about Ministers ordering the Superfund to invest seed funding in startups. That's crazy.

[winner69]

If I was Prof Brady I’d conclude from this interview with the OM that the PM knows that somebody is trying to stop her speaking out ...talk about being evasive with her answers

https://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2018672981/ardern-won-t-intervene-in-chinese-intimidation-case

[BlackPeter]

If I was Prof Brady I’d conclude from this interview with the OM that the PM knows that somebody is trying to stop her speaking out ...talk about being evasive with her answers

https://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2018672981/ardern-won-t-intervene-in-chinese-intimidation-case

I think the interview only indicates that the PM does not want to get on the wrong side of the second most powerful nation of the world, no matter whether they behave right or wrong.

Some might call it weak, others might call it Realpolitik? (actually - the words ryhme ... I must be a poet ;);

[minimoke]

If I was Prof Brady I’d conclude from this interview with the OM that the PM knows that somebody is trying to stop her speaking out ...talk about being evasive with her answers

https://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2018672981/ardern-won-t-intervene-in-chinese-intimidation-caseCould just be some norty students

[winner69]

Interesting

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12167798

[minimoke]

Whats Shane Jones doing with our money. Westland co-op dairy, 2017 $586m in assets. Net assets of $146m. $629m in revenue and $1.5m in profit. Why do they need a loan from us?

[fungus pudding]

Whats Shane Jones doing with our money. Westland co-op dairy, 2017 $586m in assets. Net assets of $146m. $629m in revenue and $1.5m in profit. Why do they need a loan from us?

Winston First need to win a seat because when Winston ain't there anymore - neither is the party unless they can win an electorate. Maybe they're targeting the coast in case the Northland spend-up doesn't work.

[iceman]

Winston First need to win a seat because when Winston ain't there anymore - neither is the party unless they can win an electorate. Maybe they're targeting the coast in case the Northland spend-up doesn't work.

Pretty obvious that's what the the slush fund is all about. It is about buying a future for NZF generously funded by us taxpayers.

[minimoke]

Don't be silly.
Even if he couldn't be bothered reading the whole report, he had sufficient facts to chuck him out of the country - good and proper.
As posted elsewhere.
https://www.scribd.com/document/391829444/Letter-to-Karel-Sroubek-from-Iain-Lees-GallowayWe should close the week with a clear understanding of how shallow Aderns talent pool is.

Lees-Galloway stuffed up and tried to blame officials. He said there would be a report in three weeks and the PM instructed that it be done in significantly less time. It was more than 3 weeks.

The PM assured us we just needed to Read Between The Lines.

ILG has bought NZ Immigration into disrepute, he is lazy and arrogant (no apology from him) yet the PM back him. Proof no-one left in teh pool to replace him

[RGR367]

Iain Lees-Galloway should at least be made to wear a dunce hat in parliament for the rest of the year on what he has done re K. Sroubek case.

[Joshuatree]

Sounds like an archaic middle earth corporal punishment petty political great leap backwards sorta attitude. Sroubek is a goner , thats good mutual ground.

[macduffy]

Sounds like an archaic middle earth corporal punishment petty political great leap backwards sorta attitude. Sroubek is a goner , thats good mutual ground.

Could you put that in real English, please, J? Lost me after the middle earth bit.

;)

[Joshuatree]

As long as you are relaxed being lost you are on a great journey.;)

[minimoke]

Sounds like an archaic middle earth corporal punishment petty political great leap backwards sorta attitude. Sroubek is a goner ,.Dont be sure about that. Bet the Greens Garonganrahn (whats her name) will be up in arms. She knows all about terror and the risk of death back home. Also the pursuit of justice. Not really fair to have a lazy Minister make a decision and then he gets a second bite at reading the file

[Joshuatree]

Speaking of Greens ,great to see we will have food origin identification.
Consumer NZ doesn’t buy it (https://www.consumer.org.nz/articles/majority-support-country-of-origin-labelling)

[RGR367]

Speaking of Greens ,great to see we will have food origin identification.
Consumer NZ doesn’t buy it (https://www.consumer.org.nz/articles/majority-support-country-of-origin-labelling)

That I will applaud but ILG should still be punished and wearing a dunce hat in parliament for the rest of the year is just about right for someone thick enough not to resign on what he has done about NZ immigration.

[Joshuatree]

Strapped as well, or caned, 10 of the best;)

[minimoke]

Strapped as well, or caned, 10 of the best;)Or Mallard will just take him out the back and deal to him like he did to Tau Henare (any one else notice the irony of Mallard pushing for the enquiry into bullying and harassment. I'd add to that Willie Jackson in charge of employment and bullying as well. Two foxes well into the chook house)

[iceman]

Winnie and Shane Jones look after their millionaire mates thanks to Labour and the Greens https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12163955

[Joshuatree]

Im amazed we don't already have all weather tracks, about time! (Or do we?)
About time bullies in parliament got dealt to too. Will it make any difference though

. "It doesn't have the power to subpoena documents, and will rely heavily on self-disclosure from affected staff. Most of the information gathered will never be released to either the public or Parliamentary Services"
Exclusive: Bullying claims rock National MP Maggie Barry (https://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=12169084)
Editorial: Inquiry should help define bullying (https://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=12169043)


Retirement Commissioner accused of bullying (https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/377218/retirement-commissioner-accused-of-bullying)
.

[BlackPeter]

Im amazed we don't already have all weather tracks, about time! (Or do we?)
About time bullies in parliament got dealt to too. Will it make any difference though

. "It doesn't have the power to subpoena documents, and will rely heavily on self-disclosure from affected staff. Most of the information gathered will never be released to either the public or Parliamentary Services"
Exclusive: Bullying claims rock National MP Maggie Barry (https://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=12169084)
Editorial: Inquiry should help define bullying (https://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=12169043)


Retirement Commissioner accused of bullying (https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/377218/retirement-commissioner-accused-of-bullying)
I heard Amy adams mentioned on RNZ today,as well.

Intersting that you forgot to refer to all the Labour, Green and NZ First bullies - talking about one eyed?

Interesting insinuation re Amy Adams. I haven't seen or heard yet anything which would put Amy in the "bully bin" - and knowing her personally I would be surprised if this is true. I guess she was as justice minister responsible for the anti cyber bullying act, but probably not even you would hold that against her.

Do you want to clarify this statement?

[Joshuatree]

No mention of any but national MP's in the articles that i scanned.I'd be surprise if some members from the coalition are not pulled up besides whats her name, its all about power and power goes to some peoples heads.

[blackcap]

No mention of any but national MP's in the articles that i scanned.I'd be surprise if some members from the coalition are not pulled up besides whats her name, its all about power and power goes to some peoples heads.

What about Trevor Mallard punching Tau Henare? I think Trevor is Labour. What about Mega Fightery? I think bullying happens on both sides in equal proportions. Not sure what you mean about Amy Adams?

[Joshuatree]

Have listened to several radio NZ news items again and cant find a reference to Amy Adam so withdraw that.

[Joshuatree]

Another step in the right direction re cannabis use for pain etc.
Chronic pain sufferer: 'We've been shown no compassion at all' (https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/377142/chronic-pain-sufferer-says-cannabis-bill-not-enough-we-ve-been-shown-no-compassion)

[stoploss]

Nats back in front in the polls( Just need a partner now ) , looks like ILG has done some damage .....

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/109032048/national-overtakes-labour-in-latest-colmar-brunton-poll

[Joshuatree]

Maybe it has temporarily,the petrol issue maybe too, and the strikes and wage increases which most of us know have to happen.

Meanwhile the good work carries on ,new family laws are being quietly brought in.

Significant milestone in victim safety (http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1812/S00006/significant-milestone-in-victim-safety.htm)
"Three new family violence offences have been introduced: strangulation, coercion to marry, and assault on a person in a family relationship. These new offences criminalise behaviours .."

[fungus pudding]

Maybe it has temporarily,the petrol issue maybe too, and the strikes and wage increases which most of us know have to happen.

Meanwhile the good work carries on ,new family laws are being quietly brought in.



Indeed. I see they've made it illegal to strangle someone. Another infringement on our liberty.

[BlackPeter]

Maybe it has temporarily,the petrol issue maybe too, and the strikes and wage increases which most of us know have to happen.

Meanwhile the good work carries on ,new family laws are being quietly brought in.

Significant milestone in victim safety (http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1812/S00006/significant-milestone-in-victim-safety.htm)
"Three new family violence offences have been introduced: strangulation, coercion to marry, and assault on a person in a family relationship. These new offences criminalise behaviours .."

Must be pretty desperate - criminalising actions under a different act which are already felonies won't improve anything. At worst they will further increase our prison population because there are now still more redundant laws around offering opportunities for false accusations and convictions.

Labour had a chance to improve our so called "justice system". So many things broken. It is just about locking up somebody (remember: "somebody has to pay") and to train offenders and turn them into career criminals instead of helping them and reduce crime rates.

Labour made big promises before they got elected and delivered nothing. Instead of reforming the justice system they generate still more offenders they are going to lock up. Talk about jumping as a tiger and landing as a bedside rug. Useful for nothing.

[Joshuatree]

Wow thats pretty sad .Maybe you havn't actually read it. Strangulation is a very common way for one partner to control the other.And people still die later with no outward signs of injuries, their internal throat injuries swell up and block breathing.

[BlackPeter]

Wow thats pretty sad .Maybe you havn't actually read it. Strangulation is a very common way for one partner to control the other.And people still die later with no outward signs of injuries, their internal throat injuries swell up and block breathing.

Sure - there are many ways to attack people, to injure them and to kill them. Does Labour intend to create a separate law to prohibit each of them?

This does not help anybody but bureaucracy. It is simply not allowed to assault people and never was. Sure - there is always lowlife around who don't care about the law, but why do you think they will make a difference for the new law?

Are you saying that the people who killed others so far by strangulation didn't know that this is not allowed? This is really sad. But in this case maybe some education might have gone a long way instead of just making another law the bad guys either ignore or perhaps don't know about.

Labour are just clueless about how to improve our justice system - aren't they?

[777]

Wow thats pretty sad .Maybe you havn't actually read it. Strangulation is a very common way for one partner to control the other.And people still die later with no outward signs of injuries, their internal throat injuries swell up and block breathing.

So how does having a law stop this?

[artemis]

Wow thats pretty sad .Maybe you havn't actually read it. Strangulation is a very common way for one partner to control the other.And people still die later with no outward signs of injuries, their internal throat injuries swell up and block breathing.

Also very common in consensual erotic foreplay. And can go wrong. Like many things in life - falling out of bed, crossing the road while texting, septicaemia from peeling the spuds ....

[Joshuatree]

Are you for real!. Acceptable to you ,oh my god!!!:eek2::ohmy:. Here be monsters.

[minimoke]

Indeed. I see they've made it illegal to strangle someone. Another infringement on our liberty.B"stards! Cant assault anyone in a family relationship now either.

[fungus pudding]

B"stards! Cant assault anyone in a family relationship now either.

You're right. There's just no stopping these control freaks.

[minimoke]

You're right. There's just no stopping these control freaks.
Cant bash the kids. Cant smack the kids. Now cant assault the kids. What am I supposed to do now?

[Joshuatree]

Beat yourself up again:ohmy:

Report out on mental Health AND addiction

What you need to know about the mental health inquiry report (https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/04-12-2018/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-mental-health-inquiry-report/)


"One thing the report made clear was that pretty much everyone agreed things had to change. It’s remarkable for such a major report to come back with anything like that sort of consensus, which indicates it was probably a good idea to have it in the first place."

[minimoke]

Beat yourself up again:ohmy:


I'd probably get charged with something.

[fungus pudding]

Cant bash the kids. Cant smack the kids. Now cant assault the kids. What am I supposed to do now?

You can always beat up the cat.

[minimoke]

You can always beat up the cat.Shame on you. What makes you think I think it would be acceptable to beat up the cat!

[BlackPeter]

You can always beat up the cat.

This actually would infringe on the animal welfare act ...

[blackcap]

This actually would infringe on the animal welfare act ...

Are you serious? You cannot beat your cat anymore if its misbehaving? I never knew.

[fungus pudding]

This actually would infringe on the animal welfare act ...

Even without strangulation?

[Joshuatree]

We propose major changes in current policies and laws, supported by significant increases in funding. Our recommendations cover 12 broad areas.

1 Expand access and choice from the current target of 3% of the population being able to access specialist services to provide access to the ‘missing middle’ of people with mental illness or significant mental distress who cannot access the support and care they need. Given current prevalence data suggesting one in five people experience mental health and addiction challenges at any given time, an indicative access target may be 20% within the next five years. New Zealand has deliberately focused on services for people with the most serious needs, but this has resulted in an incomplete system with very few services for those with less severe needs, even when they are highly distressed.
‘Once in a generation’: The crucial passages from the mental health inquiry (https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/04-12-2018/once-in-a-generation-the-crucial-passages-from-the-mental-health-inquiry/)

[Joshuatree]

Intersting that you forgot to refer to all the Labour, Green and NZ First bullies - talking about one eyed?

Interesting insinuation re Amy Adams. I haven't seen or heard yet anything which would put Amy in the "bully bin" - and knowing her personally I would be surprised if this is true. I guess she was as justice minister responsible for the anti cyber bullying act, but probably not even you would hold that against her.

Do you want to clarify this statement?


You mean the media is one eyed?

Jesse Mulligan: Maggie Barry's secretly recorded comments about me sign of a bigger issue (https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2018/12/jesse-mulligan-maggie-barry-s-secretly-recorded-comments-about-me-sign-of-a-bigger-issue.html)
Exclusive: Bullying claims rock National MP Maggie Barry (https://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=12169084)
Retirement Commissioner accused of bullying (https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/377218/retirement-commissioner-accused-of-bullying)

[Joshuatree]

In action already, great to see.


First strangulation charge laid (https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/109098351/auckland-man-first-person-charged-under-new-strangulation-law)"

"We know that strangulation is a serious risk marker in family harm situations. There is obviously significant risk to victims, and it is often a precursor for more serious violence, including homicide," Ellwood said.

[minimoke]

In action already, great to see.


First strangulation charge laid (https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/109098351/auckland-man-first-person-charged-under-new-strangulation-law)"

"We know that strangulation is a serious risk marker in family harm situations. There is obviously significant risk to victims, and it is often a precursor for more serious violence, including homicide," Ellwood said.Thank You Labour. I never realised strangling your partner was wrong before. Shame on previous governments for not implementing a law to cover such violence.

[fungus pudding]

Thank You Labour. I never realised strangling your partner was wrong before. Shame on previous governments for not implementing a law to cover such violence.

Next thing they'll be passing laws banning stabbing and shooting.

[BlackPeter]

Next thing they'll be passing laws banning stabbing and shooting.

Sigh - there always will be loop holes. Wondering why Labour didn't yet ban kicking, hitting, biting and poisoning your partner. As well - it seems to be quite ok to push them over a cliff or sabotage their cars. No special law created yet. Quite sloppy work, I must say.

[westerly]

Thank You Labour. I never realised strangling your partner was wrong before. Shame on previous governments for not implementing a law to cover such violence.

Suggest you read wikipedia "Strangulation Domestic Violence"

westerly.

[winner69]

Where’s Jacinda next big Regional Fund Handout function

She’s been taking the limelight from Shane lately

Good for the ratings though

[macduffy]

Sigh - there always will be loop holes. Wondering why Labour didn't yet ban kicking, hitting, biting and poisoning your partner. As well - it seems to be quite ok to push them over a cliff or sabotage their cars. No special law created yet. Quite sloppy work, I must say.

Please, BP, stop giving them more ideas!

:ohmy:

[Joshuatree]

Thank You Labour. Shame on previous governments for not implementing a law to cover such violence.

Cynical but so right.

[fungus pudding]

Suggest you read wikipedia "Strangulation Domestic Violence"

westerly.

Any good tips there?

[minimoke]

Where’s Jacinda next big Regional Fund Handout function

She’s been taking the limelight from Shane lately

Good for the ratings thoughToday shes handing out $100m in lollies to Greenies (In a reindeer powered sleigh no doubt)

[minimoke]

Any good tips there?
A good hosing down in the shower and lock the bathroom door works well. No marks and no laws.

[777]

National sticking it to Jacinda.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/109117323/national-leader-simon-bridges-kicked-out-of-the-house-after-questioning-pm-on-sroubek

[westerly]

Any good tips there?

Not for you.

westerly

[Joshuatree]

National sticking it to Jacinda.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/109117323/national-leader-simon-bridges-kicked-out-of-the-house-after-questioning-pm-on-sroubek

Bridges is sinking into his unliked mire, spat the dummy and got booted out.Good Job:t_up: Poor sour grapes leadership.

[777]

Bridges is sinking into his unliked mire, spat the dummy and got booted out.Good Job:t_up: Poor sour grapes leadership.

Jacinda's minder should also be booted out

[Joshuatree]

Cometh the finest hour cometh the man.This is fantastic for Shaw the Greens the Govt and NZ. i will look closely at this and aim to invest.

New $100m green fund launched by government (https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/377540/new-100m-green-fund-launched-by-government)
"No one can opt out of the impacts of climate change. This fund helps business to opt in to the solution."

[minimoke]

Bridges is sinking into his unliked mire, spat the dummy and got booted out.Good Job:t_up: Poor sour grapes leadership.Just as well you don't get booted out for "um"'s and "ah"s. Adern would be out in the blink of an eye. Mallard doing his best to destroy democratic process by booting people out on a whim - Labour can feel very happy they have such a guardian angel sitting up there ready to put an end to those pesky questions.

[BlackPeter]

National sticking it to Jacinda.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/109117323/national-leader-simon-bridges-kicked-out-of-the-house-after-questioning-pm-on-sroubek

Interesting that the "biggest bully of all" (Trevor Mallard) is now making the rules. I guess it is all about power. He is not just a proven bully, but as well well known for physical attacks on his adversaries if he is running out of arguments. Poor form, Labour, but what else would we expect from a party with such little talent. Shame to not just leave him in parliament but to even make him speaker.

https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2018/11/he-was-a-bully-christine-rankin-accuses-crude-trevor-mallard-of-bullying.html

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10483091

[minimoke]

Jacinda's minder should also be booted outGot to give him credit. He sees a PM under pressure and in the midst of lies so hes done the loyal thing and drawn matters to a close. Adern is clearly telling porkies (in her befuddled, best Clare Curran imitation) when she answered she did not know who made representations on Sroubeks behalf. It was her (and Stay-at-home Dad's) mate Richie Hardcore.

[winner69]

Got to give him credit. He sees a PM under pressure and in the midst of lies so hes done the loyal thing and drawn matters to a close. Adern is clearly telling porkies (in her befuddled, best Clare Curran imitation) when she answered she did not know who made representations on Sroubeks behalf. It was her (and Stay-at-home Dad's) mate Richie Hardcore.

Hardcore ....surely not his real name?

But he’s been photographed with Jacinda a few time ....probably just photobombed herbeh

[minimoke]

Ian Lees Galloway seems to be getting deeper into the poo. So he didn't read much of the Sroubek file when he made his decision. Wouldn't have mattered if the Dept had put more paper in the file . He wouldn't have read it. So a lazy and incompetent minster has been found out.

But it seems that Sroubeks wife is in a "safe House" living in great fear. But we now have Immigration officials knocking on her door. They were announced, uninvited and ought not to have known the address. What has ILG done with his Dept to get more information to support his position. How has he (or the Prime Minster) managed to get the police to divulge what out to have been a secret address. Why is the Prime Minister continuing to support him. Why are her mates backing Sroubek? Why is the Leader of The House protecting the Prime Minister. Something very fishy happening here.

[winner69]

Ian Lees Galloway seems to be getting deeper into the poo. So he didn't read much of the Sroubek file when he made his decision. Wouldn't have mattered if the Dept had put more paper in the file . He wouldn't have read it. So a lazy and incompetent minster has been found out.

But it seems that Sroubeks wife is in a "safe House" living in great fear. But we now have Immigration officials knocking on her door. They were announced, uninvited and ought not to have known the address. What has ILG done with his Dept to get more information to support his position. How has he (or the Prime Minster) managed to get the police to divulge what out to have been a secret address. Why is the Prime Minister continuing to support him. Why are her mates backing Sroubek? Why is the Leader of The House protecting the Prime Minister. Something very fishy happening here.

That guy Steward seems an interesting character

[minimoke]

How wierd. I thought Captain Calls were the sole prerogative of the Captain. Seems like Twyford has been a very norty boy. Hes been and gone and changed the penalties on Kiwibuild property flickers. Remember all the fuss about capital gains and how Labour woudlnt allow kiwibuild to be flicked within 5 years of buying. Well turns out Twyford made the Captains Call to change to time frame to less than 3 years with reduced penalties. Didnt run this policy change past the Prime Minister. She found out about it by watching the TV news. Bet he's in the dogbox

[westerly]

Interesting that the "biggest bully of all" (Trevor Mallard) is now making the rules. I guess it is all about power. He is not just a proven bully, but as well well known for physical attacks on his adversaries if he is running out of arguments. Poor form, Labour, but what else would we expect from a party with such little talent. Shame to not just leave him in parliament but to even make him speaker.

https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2018/11/he-was-a-bully-christine-rankin-accuses-crude-trevor-mallard-of-bullying.html

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10483091

Gerry Brownlee would leave Mallard far behind in the bullying competition. Mallard an Henare was about personal comments made in Parliament. Brownlee ejected a protestor at a National party meeting using what was considered excessive force. It proved quite expensive for Brownlee.
Poor form National, shame he is still in parliament.
All good entertainment :)

westerly

[minimoke]

Gerry Brownlee would leave Mallard far behind in the bullying competition. No dissention from me on that point. Brownlee is a truly horrid man. But he learnt from the master (Mallard) and has now set the new bar. The problem is Mallard. He is Speaker and supposed to be impartial. I bet hes still a card carrying member of the Rail and Maritime Transport Union.

[Joshuatree]

Trouble is we have a national leader under intense pressure who carries on like a prosecutor who cares nothing about the truth of anything and is also offensive and rude as hell, challenges the speaker in a stunt to get attention, knowing he will get thrown out, knowing the media will give him prime time and the $100 million green fund gets little to none, i guess that was a success but he is just not leadership material, dead man walking imo.

[BlackPeter]

Trouble is we have a national leader under intense pressure who carries on like a prosecutor who cares nothing about the truth of anything and is also offensive and rude as hell, challenges the speaker in a stunt to get attention, knowing he will get thrown out, knowing the media will give him prime time and the $100 million green fund gets little to none, i guess that was a success but he is just not leadership material, dead man walking imo.

Real problem is we have a speaker who clearly is not up to his job ...

Not sure about your description of Bridges, but than, just remind me how many "dead men walking" Labour had at their helm during the oppositon period. They changed their leaders more frequently than some people change their shirts ...

But than, I think it was clearly a winning strategy for Labour to get Goff / Shearer / Cunnliffe / Little to take all the flak and keep their real PM candidate hidden from any public scrutiny up to 6 weeks before the elections by lulling everybody in the safe knowledge that Little is never going to cut it anyway.

Bridges much better than Little in his job as opposition leader and doing a great job at the right time - and just look at Nationals ratings. Remember me where the Labour party was in opposition - wasn't it something like 20+ percent? Based on that National is poised to take next time the absolute majority ...

We will find out whether he is as well the right PM candidate - maybe National learned from Labours strategy (though I think in Labours case it was just sheer luck born from desperation). I am sure you find out early enough who will replace Cindy in her seat - assuming that next time our very own populist and king maker might have other problems than helping her again :P - Peters never made it back into the second term of a government he was part of, no matter who stood against him - and who would be Cindy without Peters? Right, at best an opposition politician.

[minimoke]

Trouble is we have a national leader under intense pressure who carries on like a prosecutor who cares nothing about the truth of anything and is also offensive and rude as hell, challenges the speaker in a stunt to get attention, knowing he will get thrown out, knowing the media will give him prime time and the $100 million green fund gets little to none, i guess that was a success but he is just not leadership material, dead man walking imo.Unlike the Speaker, who only the day before (in a most un-bullying manner - not!) called the Leader of the Opposition a "Smart Arze". You don't get much more un-parliamentary than that!

Save me a job will you, and remind us of just where National sits in the latest polls?

[minimoke]

That guy Steward seems an interesting characterCertainly has a haron for Jacinda. In 2017 he said "Oh my god I love the way Jacinda conducted this interview; she's so intelligent and articulate, I can't wait for her to be our Prime Minister leading a Labour Green Government." And when Jacinda in the House yesterday said she didnt know any of the people making representations on Sroubeks behalf the photos tell a different story.

[minimoke]

Good onya Ian LG. You got your industrial relations law reform through which takes us back to the 1970's. The irony in the fact you did this without ever having held down a real job isn't lost on me. (Heres an example of a guy who did enough to get through his 90 day trial period as Minister of Immigration and then showed his true lazy colours)

[Joshuatree]

Meanwhile the government presses on with real issues.

Defence Force sets its sights on climate change (https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/377634/defence-force-sets-its-sights-on-climate-change)

"The assessment released today identifies the particular security impacts which may arise, including vulnerable populations losing their economic livelihoods, increased food and water scarcity, malnutrition, climate migration, health related crises, competition for resources, land disputes and the potential for increased violence from mismanaged adaptation or migration."

[fungus pudding]

How wierd. I thought Captain Calls were the sole prerogative of the Captain. Seems like Twyford has been a very norty boy. Hes been and gone and changed the penalties on Kiwibuild property flickers. Remember all the fuss about capital gains and how Labour woudlnt allow kiwibuild to be flicked within 5 years of buying. Well turns out Twyford made the Captains Call to change to time frame to less than 3 years with reduced penalties. Didnt run this policy change past the Prime Minister. She found out about it by watching the TV news. Bet he's in the dogbox

That could prove to be the first real test of Taxcinda's boot; it's bound to cause a fair bit of internal strife although I doubt if we'll hear any public squeaking from Labour.

[minimoke]

Meanwhile the government presses on with real issues.

Defence Force sets its sights on climate change (https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/377634/defence-force-sets-its-sights-on-climate-change)

"The assessment released today identifies the particular security impacts which may arise, including vulnerable populations losing their economic livelihoods, increased food and water scarcity, malnutrition, climate migration, health related crises, competition for resources, land disputes and the potential for increased violence from mismanaged adaptation or migration."
Looks like Santas elves are preparing the pressies for NZ First now.

Seriously - do you believe this dross "Climate Change Minister James Shaw said the report really hammered home why it was important New Zealand acted now to combat climate change in our region."If we don't, communities will suffer, and this government will not stand by doing nothing."

I remain unconvinced NZ can do anything to alter climate change at a global level and even less convinced we can do anything at a local level.

What are we going to do: everyone has Electric Cars so we can stop the climate changing over the Pacific Islands.

[Joshuatree]

FYI whats actually happening in the world ,and reality is different to yours. You won't make a difference, thats your choice, you dont count, thats your choice.

[minimoke]

FYI whats actually happening in the world ,and reality is different to yours. You won't make a difference, thats your choice, you dont count, thats your choice.I know I wont make a difference. Basic numbers tell you NZ wont make a difference. I'm still waiting for a list of accolades Jacinda received at the recent Greenie meeting. Her cancelling of oil exploration was supposed to send a strong message to global leaders. The silence suggests to me the world sees NZ as irrelevant. Which of course it is

That I dont count is my choice and I am perfectly comfortable with it. What I object to is greeneies exercising their choice and expecting me to carry the cost of their wooly headed thinking. Anyone care to point me to the research nutbar James Shaw is relying on when he thinks NZ's efforts will make a change to the Pacific. Of course there is none because such an idea is ludicrous.

Everone knows (or ought to) Ron Mark is a military man and he wants more toys. If James Shaw was serous about making a difference he would ensure Ron Marks toys were loaded with nukes and then fired upon Beijing and a few other Chinese cities. They in turn would retaliate and wipe NZ of the face of the earth. Then, and only then might we be remembered for making something a little larger than an insignificant difference.

[Bjauck]

I know I wont make a difference. Basic numbers tell you NZ wont make a difference. I'm still waiting for a list of accolades Jacinda received at the recent Greenie meeting. Her cancelling of oil exploration was supposed to send a strong message to global leaders. The silence suggests to me the world sees NZ as irrelevant. Which of course it is

That I dont count is my choice and I am perfectly comfortable with it. What I object to is greeneies exercising their choice and expecting me to carry the cost of their wooly headed thinking. Anyone care to point me to the research nutbar James Shaw is relying on when he thinks NZ's efforts will make a change to the Pacific. Of course there is none because such an idea is ludicrous.

Everone knows (or ought to) Ron Mark is a military man and he wants more toys. If James Shaw was serous about making a difference he would ensure Ron Marks toys were loaded with nukes and then fired upon Beijing and a few other Chinese cities. They in turn would retaliate and wipe NZ of the face of the earth. Then, and only then might we be remembered for making something a little larger than an insignificant difference.

The cost of not acting now will be greater. If not for us, it will be much greater for the next generations. Is it an excuse if you know that something is harmful, yet continue to do it because others do?

Philospohies and ideas often start out as being the preserve of minorities and yet some of them end up becoming dominant when others realise that they make sense for society.

If you believe that climate change is occurring as the result of pollution and that NZ cannot make a difference by introducing these “woolly headed” policies by itself, then shouldn’t NZ be doing more to urge the US and China to act with us. Shouldn’t we be convincing them that climate change would be devastating for their economies and people as well as for the islands of the Pacific?

[macduffy]

Puts me in mind of Thermopylae. Gallant little NZ, making a stand against impossible odds as an example to the world.

But good on us!

[minimoke]

then shouldn’t NZ be doing more to urge the US and China to act with us. Shouldn’t we be convincing them that climate change would be devastating for their economies and people as well as for the islands of the Pacific?Jacinda made the brilliant captains call of cancelling oil exploration. Now that's a pretty hard hitting message for our local economy. And look how China and America reacted - along with the rest of the world. Total silence. In exactly the same way the world shuddered and changed course with nukes after Langes Atomic Moment - which of course did nothing what soever.

The first problem your idealism of convincing China and the USA to change is to let them know where NZ is. The next challenge is to convince them our fair lands aren't full of hobbits.


Anyone who thinks NZ has an ability to influence China and USA on anything is quite simply living in Cloud Cuckoo Land and than must be a god awful place to be. What with all the doom and gloom and the lala airheads devoid of any ability of rational thought.

You can bang on about"The cost of not acting now will be greater. If not for us, it will be much greater for the next generations." as much as you like - but no-one (and I mean no-one) as provided one single workable example of anything that NZ can do the wil make at least an insignificant change.

Take for example this utter drivel from James shaw "“At the 2018 Pacific Islands Forum, leaders affirmed that climate change presents the single greatest threat to the livelihood, security and wellbeing of Pacific people. Defence has stepped up and is thinking very seriously about how this will impact us here in New Zealand and our region as a whole, and how we will need to respond,” says James Shaw"

I'd argue the first and greatest threat to the Islands is population growth. Estimated to grow from 11m to 18 m in the next 30 years. The islands do not have the infrastructure to support such growth. What will happen is there will be a bulge in the youth demographic and this will bring all sorts of problems with a lack of employment opportunities. Youth will migrate - either to cities or offshore. Migration to cities isnt going to be helpful - lack of infrastructure and dodgy politics. Expect all sorts of problems as these countries go through various iterations of governance. Even today the Islands livelihood, security and wellbeing is totally reliant of overseas grants. They are not self-sustaining economies. Then we have their health systems which are far from healthy. People will be lucky to survive current health issues - they wont even live to see the effects of climate change. Then add in "diversity" with simmering issues of "man" over "woman" - they haven't even got close to achieving equal rights.

If it was me and i was really and truly interested in the people of the pacific islands is be spending your money on health, gender equality and governance.

So what we can see from this is that the Pacific Island leaders are spouting a PR Spin bull****. They know they cant be honest and come out and say "we are over breeding" - who will give them money for that? Instead you get cesspits like Kiribati latching onto this new river of money "Global warming" or as it is more correctly known today "climate change"

[BlackPeter]

The cost of not acting now will be greater. If not for us, it will be much greater for the next generations. Is it an excuse if you know that something is harmful, yet continue to do it because others do?

Philospohies and ideas often start out as being the preserve of minorities and yet some of them end up becoming dominant when others realise that they make sense for society.

If you believe that climate change is occurring as the result of pollution and that NZ cannot make a difference by introducing these “woolly headed” policies by itself, then shouldn’t NZ be doing more to urge the US and China to act with us. Shouldn’t we be convincing them that climate change would be devastating for their economies and people as well as for the islands of the Pacific?

The picture of an ant trying to stem an elephant stamped springs to mind. No matter whether we individually believe in man made global warming or not - it probably would be more sensible if we get out of the way instead of getting squashed. The populist masses obviously don't care or don't believe in man made global warming, be it Trumps hate chorus, France's yellow vests or just the billions of Indians, Chinese, SE-Asian and African people who just want to catch up with our wasteful way of living. Instead of adding costs to our production and removing us this way from the markets we might spend our money better in preparing for any effects of global warming. Starting to plan for higher temperatures and sea levels would be a sensible political step. Look at our building standards (houses should be able to resist stronger winds), improve coastal protection and look at our district plans to prevent further building activity in flood prone areas and don't repeat the nonsense to pour billions into rebuilding cities like Christchurch so close to the sea level.

In history it doesn't matter who is right, but who is surviving. Maybe this is something our politicians should worry about instead of trying to set for others a (for us) very expensive example nobody else in the world will care about ...

[winner69]

Meanwhile the Government presses on with real issues

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/109164492/tomorrows-schools-taskforce-calls-for-transformational-change-to-our-education-system-reducing-communities-responsibilities

[BlackPeter]

Meanwhile the Government presses on with real issues

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/109164492/tomorrows-schools-taskforce-calls-for-transformational-change-to-our-education-system-reducing-communities-responsibilities

Hmm - not sure I'd see this as the most pressing issue for this government, but I would see the proposed redefinition of the role of the board of trusteess as an improvement.

The existing system is highly inefficient (every board must re-invent the wheel), gives parents very little leverage or opportunity to complain if they have real grievances against the school and it is prone to abuse by individual principals who typically pick a bunch of trustees who are dependant on them. Nobody wants their children disadvantaged - so better be nice to the principle ...

Discl: been there myself (as trustee as well as complainant).

[Joshuatree]

Any good tips there?

You really are quite a sick being .

"There is a great deal of evidence that strangling is a serious harm and this week's law change is exactly the kind of evidence-based reform of criminal law this country needs."
Strangulation the edge of homicide (https://www.stuff.co.nz/opinion/109116027/editorial-strangulation-the-edge-of-homicide)

[Joshuatree]

Workplace law finally passed (https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/109133354/workplace-relations-law-finally-passed-after-tortured-journey)

Much ado about nothing.


"The new law mostly takes workplace relations law back to where it was when Labour was last in Government."

[minimoke]

Workplace law finally passed (https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/109133354/workplace-relations-law-finally-passed-after-tortured-journey)

Much ado about nothing.


"The new law mostly takes workplace relations law back to where it was when Labour was last in Government."Its a great shame for the marginalised and vulnerable in society. The loss of the 90 day trial provision will see employers much less inclined on taking risks employing such folk.

Dim wit government doesn't even comprehend part time work. If you have 20 part time workers that your 20 employee quota filled - so a shame for those wanting part time (like mums returning to work) work as well.

Kudos to NZ First. Even though Ian Lees Galloway wants his Stalinist opportunity to have union reps absolute and free access to any workplace good old Winnie put paid to that idea.

[Joshuatree]

$9m package for Parihaka (https://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/109139884/9m-reconciliation-package-for-parihaka-announced)

137 years its taken but we have got there!

[minimoke]

$9m package for Parihaka (https://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/109139884/9m-reconciliation-package-for-parihaka-announced)

137 years its taken but we have got there!Hopefully they will return some of it to the ancestors of Pakeha farmers whose land was vandalised

[winner69]

Wonder when Robertson and Labour will introduce measures like “Non-Accelerating Sea Level Rate of Unemployment”

[fungus pudding]

Hopefully they will return some of it to the ancestors of Pakeha farmers whose land was vandalised

Surely it should all be given to adam.

[iceman]

I fail to understand why the PM apologises on behalf of all New Zealanders for a young couples Tinder date gone horribly wrong. We all feel very sorry for the families affected but we are in no way responsible for this

[minimoke]

I fail to understand why the PM apologises on behalf of all New Zealanders for a young couples Tinder date gone horribly wrong. We all feel very sorry for the families affected but we are in no way responsible for thisSadly, New Zealanders are murdered every week and we dont have a Prime Minister apologising. In the absence of facts I have no idea what she is apologising for. Seems like every Tom, Dick and No-body is full of angst over this murder, but devoid of it for others.

Might have something to do with her being a "wealthy" young white woman rather than a poor old black guy. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missing_white_woman_syndrome

[Joshuatree]

Wonder when Robertson and Labour will introduce measures like “Non-Accelerating Sea Level Rate of Unemployment”

Thats witty:)

[Joshuatree]

Ministerial diaries opened (https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/109217171/government-to-release-ministerial-diaries-from-january)
"There is a public interest in the meetings held by ministers and proactively releasing the summary information promotes accountability," Hipkins said.
It follows his announcement in September that the Government would be proactively releasing Cabinet papers.

[iceman]

Ministerial diaries opened (https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/109217171/government-to-release-ministerial-diaries-from-january)
"There is a public interest in the meetings held by ministers and proactively releasing the summary information promotes accountability," Hipkins said.
It follows his announcement in September that the Government would be proactively releasing Cabinet papers.

Haha. What a joke for a Government where Ministers regularly forget to record their meetings, such as Shane Jones and Claire Curran.

[minimoke]

Jacinda should really be fired for bringing our poor country into disrepute. There she was, grandstanding and apologising for New Zealanders the other day for the unfortunate death of a foreign white woman. With her crocodile tears and all. There was no need to apologise. She be celebrating the fact that NZ is the second safest place in the whole world (just behind Iceland) according to the Global Peace Index - analysis used by NZ Police.

Her sexist / racial bias was shining through. She was clearly ignoring the fact that more men are killed that women. Wheres the apology to men for their appalling death rate. What about Maori / PI's. More of them are killed than Europeans. And no apology to the Maori / PI community. To get on the PM's radar of self serving grandstanding it helps if you are a white woman. Which is why a death in Christchurch in the weekend gets no mention.

[BlackPeter]

Well said.

While obviously every homicide is terrible and most are inexcusable, it is pretty distasteful that she appologises for this particular murder where the victim was a young white and foreign female but not for all the other murders happening in New Zealand under her watch.

It appears that the other gender and other races and age groups are less deserving of her protection.

[Raz]

Well said.

While obviously every homicide is terrible and most are inexcusable, it is pretty distasteful that she appologises for this particular murder where the victim was a young white and foreign female but not for all the other murders happening in New Zealand under her watch.

It appears that the other gender and other races and age groups are less deserving of her protection.

Media profile of the victim and PM are the driver here.

[Joshuatree]

i agree with that. A tragedy for her family but If she hadn't been so photogenic would the media have driven it so much?

[Joshuatree]

Haha. What a joke for a Government where Ministers regularly forget to record their meetings, such as Shane Jones and Claire Curran.

Umm , try forgOt. Will national do something similar;)

[Joshuatree]

A good first step that the medicinal cannabis bill has been passed albeit in a too watered down version imo.
all palliative care patients would be allowed to use illicit cannabis (https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/377129/palliative-care-patients-given-green-light-to-use-cannabis)

[Joshuatree]

Good job.Think i read about $100 million in savings for us, but cant find the link atm.
.Govt to drop fluctuating ACC levies on vehicles (https://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2018675047/govt-to-drop-fluctuating-acc-levies-on-vehicles)
"The Government has also rejected ACC's proposal to increase the petrol levy and the motor vehicle levy, saying motorists are already feeling a lot of pain at the pump."

[BlackPeter]

Good job.Think i read about $100 million in savings for us, but cant find the link atm.
.Govt to drop fluctuating ACC levies on vehicles (https://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2018675047/govt-to-drop-fluctuating-acc-levies-on-vehicles)
"The Government has also rejected ACC's proposal to increase the petrol levy and the motor vehicle levy, saying motorists are already feeling a lot of pain at the pump."

So - does this mean the government is emptying ACC's coffers to fill it's own?

The only one responsible for motorists pain so far is this government by hiking taxes all over the place ... and if ACC does need more money and the government is refusing it, than the the only result can be a later and more hefty fee hike. Or is Cindy proposing to grant ACC the right to print money?

[Joshuatree]

saving us citizens $100 mill or so, great stuff.

[777]

saving us citizens $100 mill or so, great stuff.

Good short term thinking.

$20 per head. Will go to cover the increase in your first 13 odd hrs in an Auckland City Council car park.

[Joshuatree]

Thats pretty elitist thinking there 777 maybe you need to learn what philanthropic and donating means and give little before you go.

[Joshuatree]

Big Tick
Eighty new constables graduate tomorrow (http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1812/S00142/eighty-new-constables-graduate-tomorrow.htm)
"This graduation marks the milestone of more than 1,000 recruits to graduate in the past 14 months."

[777]

Thats pretty elitist thinking there 777 maybe you need to learn what philanthropic and donating means and give little before you go.

Why do you speak in riddles? What is elitist in my posting? They are giving you in one hand and someone (ACC) is taking it with the other. No gain.

[777]

Big Tick
Eighty new constables graduate tomorrow (http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1812/S00142/eighty-new-constables-graduate-tomorrow.htm)
"This graduation marks the milestone of more than 1,000 recruits to graduate in the past 14 months."

I can use the same argument here. How many extra police does that put on the street after replacing those that have retired and resigned.

Mind you they will need them to police the speed limit in the Auckland streets in the near future. Real crime will continue.

[minimoke]

saving us citizens $100 mill or so, great stuff.
ACC is a pretty simple scheme. If there are $100m worth of accident costs ACC has to collect $100m of levies from motorists.Those costs can be collected today or tomorrow. Doesnt matter - but they will be collected

[minimoke]

Whats Ian Lees Galloway hiding? When you make a submission to Govt your name becomes public - its searchable in the records. For some reason he is hiding he names of people who made submissions on behalf of Scroubek. Why was Richie Hardcore (Jacindas BFF) named in parliament today?

[Joshuatree]

Are you guys paid to do this or just wearing the same tinted glasses as BC.

[winner69]

Whats Ian Lees Galloway hiding? When you make a submission to Govt your name becomes public - its searchable in the records. For some reason he is hiding he names of people who made submissions on behalf of Scroubek. Why was Richie Hardcore (Jacindas BFF) named in parliament today?

See hor Hardcore got his name now (not his real name is it)

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12175727

[minimoke]

See hor Hardcore got his name now (not his real name is it)

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12175727
Looks like Jacinda and Lees Galloway have misled parliament. Time for Mallard to get independent and seek a review of the answers to questions in teh house, who the submitters were and just how they influenced Adern who then plainly has given a nod to Lees Galloway.

How many favours does Adern owe to Mates. She was caught trying to get Drongo Handley a job, now trying to keep Sroubek in the country,

Seems to me in one week Adern has shown herself to be a racist, a sexist, and a liar.

Its hard to contemplate but maybe Winston is teh only honest senior politician in our government.

[Baa_Baa]

This'll get the self righteous anti government tribe crowing from the roof tops https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/109332722/public-servant-numbers-jump-under-labour

Pity is that at even these salary levels there are bugger all decent applicants for jobs and way less successful placements. Government is competing in a hot employment market, they're on the back foot attracting competent talent to key roles mainly due to inadequate remuneration.

In spite of that they belligerently persist with "it's not about the money (yeah right), it's about the good we're doing and your contribution to society". Well good luck with that. Government in this job climate progressively detriment recruitment policies to ultimately attract the least capable, and place them creating a workforce delivering ever decreasing minimal outcomes.

Don't ask me how I know, I'm not telling.

[Raz]

This'll get the self righteous anti government tribe crowing from the roof tops https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/109332722/public-servant-numbers-jump-under-labour

Pity is that at even these salary levels there are bugger all decent applicants for jobs and way less successful placements. Government is competing in a hot employment market, they're on the back foot attracting competent talent to key roles mainly due to inadequate remuneration.

In spite of that they belligerently persist with "it's not about the money (yeah right), it's about the good we're doing and your contribution to society". Well good luck with that. Government in this job climate progressively detriment recruitment policies to ultimately attract the least capable, and place them creating a workforce delivering ever decreasing minimal outcomes.

Don't ask me how I know, I'm not telling.


It is chump change for highly skilled people however for those that are looking for the average & mid range professional job it often pays better combined with conditions than the private sector...crowding out from that level down is growing..even at the lower social level jobs they farm out to the Ngo's... the funding difference and as a consequence remuneration able to be offered is marked.

What is worse is the closed thinking that comes from their numbers increasing...

Dislike attending events with theses pc people living in their small bubbles working the social engineering ideals and have no idea of the wider world we actually live in and have to consider.

[iceman]

I think we all should be concerned that in one year this Government has increased the number of public servants by 5.2% and spends about $700k a day on enquiries. These are not insignificant numbers.

[minimoke]

This'll get the self righteous anti government tribe crowing from the roof tops https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/109332722/public-servant-numbers-jump-under-labour

Pity is that at even these salary levels there are bugger all decent applicants for jobs and way less successful placements. Government is competing in a hot employment market, they're on the back foot attracting competent talent to key roles mainly due to inadequate remuneration.
.
They don't get decent applicants because they don't have decent jobs.

Sensible rational people just want to get on with what it is they enjoy doing and what they are good at. They don't want to be bogged down in beacracracy and platitudes. You couldn't pay me enough to join the public service. I have zero interest in attending a powhiri every time a new staff member starts and the rest of the clap trap that goes on that doesn't focus on working on core business. Jump on a plane and spot all those with some great hunk of bone or stone hanging around their necks (Yes I'm looking at you white boy) and you know where they are heading. And I would stuff their sick leave stats - an average of 8.4 days a year. They are having a laugh. I'm not sure I've had 8.4 days in my whole working life - and that is pretty long.

I have relatives who have worked for the same government dept in the same town for decades and I realise its a safety net for the unambitious. Its a worry that govt is increasing in numbers - I doubt we are seeing a comparitv improvement in services the public receive.

(Disc - used to be a public servant. But that was back in the day when women got paid the same, we worked equally along side Maori /PI's, nothing much was thought of the gay and transvestites we worked with, and the chicks were the sexual pursuers.)

[Joshuatree]

Watered down , but a good start for sufferers of pain , spasms, sleeplessness etc etc.

We won, sort of: A medicinal cannabis user at yesterday's historic vote (https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/12-12-2018/we-won-sort-of-a-medicinal-cannabis-user-at-yesterdays-historic-vote/)

"'also expect that many medicinal patients will now shift our energies to campaigning for the referendum on full legalisation of cannabis. One of the biggest disappointments of the new law is that there is no provision for patients and caregivers to grow our own medicine. This leaves us lagging well behind patient rights in Canada and much of the US. But could the referendum fix this by just granting home-growing rights to everyone?"

[777]

Watered down , but a good start for sufferers of pain , spasms, sleeplessness etc etc.

We won, sort of: A medicinal cannabis user at yesterday's historic vote (https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/12-12-2018/we-won-sort-of-a-medicinal-cannabis-user-at-yesterdays-historic-vote/)

"'also expect that many medicinal patients will now shift our energies to campaigning for the referendum on full legalisation of cannabis. One of the biggest disappointments of the new law is that there is no provision for patients and caregivers to grow our own medicine. This leaves us lagging well behind patient rights in Canada and much of the US. But could the referendum fix this by just granting home-growing rights to everyone?"

By the sound of your repetitive posts on the matter, you must be a regular high user and not for medical purposes.

[Joshuatree]

Assumptions are for idiots.I wish you no pain , spasms, etc ever. Good luck, you deserve it. Compassion to you too.

ps the bill has just been passed.

[Joshuatree]

Solid growth underpins govt spending plans (https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/378183/solid-growth-underpins-govt-spending-plans)

So far so very very good , Maximas merrumas.

[777]

Solid growth underpins govt spending plans (https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/378183/solid-growth-underpins-govt-spending-plans)

So far so very very good , Maximas merrumas.

Yeah, well you can blame National for that.

[winner69]

Did you write this mini?

https://www.msn.com/en-nz/news/national/she-may-not-be-but-ardern-looks-dodgy/ar-BBR3Ddp?ocid=spartandhp

[minimoke]

Did you write this mini?

https://www.msn.com/en-nz/news/national/she-may-not-be-but-ardern-looks-dodgy/ar-BBR3Ddp?ocid=spartandhpTova and I are like Jacinda and Richies - BFF's. So yes she did seek a few of my opinions before righting this piece. She did however miss a few key points.

Firstly if it looks like a turd and smells like a turd then it more than like is a turd. No-one wants an open or transparent turd. Which is why this is getting protection from the Speaker of the House

I reminded Tova that Jacinda said we could "read between the". Dodgy open and transparent approach if there ever was one. Just tell us.

I also reminded Tova that at the beginning of November Jacinda said three weeks was "far to long" for an immigration report. But as more dodgy stuff is uncovered teh longer teh report is taking to produce.

We have now passed the "dodgy" stage. This report is now further delayed until just before Christmas. At a time when the PM hopes we are on holiday. I wont be - and will make sure details are made public.

This is a shameful process not smelling like a turd any longer. Its got the rotten lingering stench of corruption.

Adern and Curran obviously went to the same School Of Devious Communications Its not hard. Have one email and one phone and anything on those gets released in the public interest. But no - hide, hide hide and delay seems to be Aderns modus operandi. Making her "open and transparent government" just pure bvll****.

[minimoke]

So the PM's mate Richie BadAss supports a wife threatener as well. Audio release today shows an unsavoury side to Sroubeks character "Seriously do you want me to do something stupid? Do you want me to send somebody to talk to you because you are doing crazy stuff?" Who would he send? His gang mates or Ritchie?

As for Aderns "transparent" government, shes now running off to the Ombudsman to get guidance on what messages sent by the public to the PM can be released. Answer is patently simple. If it it is to the PM, release it. She seems to be working particularly hard to keep this particular txt out from public scrutiny and still has not been forthcoming about what other messages she is involved in which try to influence her.

It is clear Sroubek was leaning on his wife to make a submission on his behalf. I wonder if he had something on HardAss to get him to make his submission.

[minimoke]

Ian Lees Galloway now says ""That from his wife (the support letter) who spoke highly of him and stated that even though they had separated, she was still supporting him financially and mentally." So he now has a convicted drug smuggling fraudster in jail who isnt mentally stable and has to rely on his ex- wife financially. And he still gets an "import" tick. Is ILG the MOST useless Minister ever? I cant believe he would be so incompetent - "reading between the lines" there must be more. And indeed there is. This is the story that just keeps on giving.

[Joshuatree]

Scraping the empty barrel, more national bull dust, boy what rubbish and misinformation , matey!.
Never even made it to the editors table on most media sites ive looked at, pump it up hottie, free beersies for mm?. Mud flavoured ones at that, strained through a GUTTER.

Far more interesting , real,important valid stuff going on.

article.cfm (https://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=12178923) US /NZ agree to pool resources for pacific aid.

[fungus pudding]

Ian Lees Galloway now says ""That from his wife (the support letter) who spoke highly of him and stated that even though they had separated, she was still supporting him financially and mentally." So he now has a convicted drug smuggling fraudster in jail who isnt mentally stable and has to rely on his ex- wife financially. And he still gets an "import" tick. Is ILG the MOST useless Minister ever? I cant believe he would be so incompetent - "reading between the lines" there must be more. And indeed there is. This is the story that just keeps on giving.

I think he's competing with Phil Twyford for top plonker govt. minister of all time. Although, looking back over the years, Tirikatne Sullivan and Mat Rata would possibly give them a run for their money.

[minimoke]

Never even made it to the editors table on most media sites ive looked at,.No surprise there given the left leaning media we have.

Also see Jacinda playing schoolyard name calling tricks on Bridges. Yeah its all right to bully in jest. Now we have the Not So Open, Not So Kind government.

[westerly]

No surprise there given the left leaning media we have.

Also see Jacinda playing schoolyard name calling tricks on Bridges. Yeah its all right to bully in jest. Now we have the Not So Open, Not So Kind government.

Left leaning media? You must be kidding.
As for the PM bullying Simon. Kidding again. Keep it up though Seymour will be pleased.

westerly

[minimoke]

Left leaning media? You must be kidding.
You might be right. Even Tova has moved away from her fawning adulation of the PM. When she implies eh PM is dodgy you know things arent good in the Labour camp (we never did find out who supplied the alcohol - so much for independent investigation and openness)

[iceman]

Interesting article in NBR today written by Rodney Hide. He talks about the $1.4 B the Government has announced it will put into roads to cut deaths on our roads. Sadly, there is no plan that comes with the money, on how to achieve it. We should just trust Phil Twyford and his assistant Julie Anne Genter. Another Tui please

[westerly]

You might be right. Even Tova has moved away from her fawning adulation of the PM. When she implies eh PM is dodgy you know things arent good in the Labour camp (we never did find out who supplied the alcohol - so much for independent investigation and openness)

I note your surprising lack of comment on the aftermath of the young Nationals event which resulted in charges of inappropriate touching. Underage drinking in a public bar and no comment?

westerly

[minimoke]

I note your surprising lack of comment on the aftermath of the young Nationals event which resulted in charges of inappropriate touching. Underage drinking in a public bar and no comment?

westerlyCare to provide a link and I'll comment.

[Joshuatree]

Interesting article in NBR today written by Rodney Hide. He talks about the $1.4 B the Government has announced it will put into roads to cut deaths on our roads. Sadly, there is no plan that comes with the money, on how to achieve it. We should just trust Phil Twyford and his assistant Julie Anne Genter. Another Tui please

Rubbish out rubbish in. Do some homework and see what the swedish model has done and how many lives are saved but you have no interest in lives being saved, thats obvious.

ps AA any help for you?

[minimoke]

I note your surprising lack of comment on the aftermath of the young Nationals event which resulted in charges of inappropriate touching. Underage drinking in a public bar and no comment?

westerlyIts a quiet day so I will save you the trouble.

Alleged event happen on 20 November. Within a week the Leader of the National Party was aware. Unlike Labour who apparently did not think the event important enough to alert their Leader. (Shes good like that - "I know nothing"!)

The event allegedly occurred in a private house. Unlike the Labour event which was at a Labour organised accommodation.

The event occurred after a Young National Eventy. Unlike the Labour event which occurred during the Labour organised function.

It appears alcohol was provided after the National event at a commercial bar. Unlike Labour where it was provided during the event by some as yet unnamed party.

The alleged victim was not a member of Young Nats, whereas the alleged victims in the Labour Sex Camp were members of Labour.

There was one alleged victim vs 2 males and 2 female alleged victims in the Labour event.

There have been no reports of Young Nats spewing their guts out after the event. Whereas some at the Labour Camp were really crook.

There were no reports of Young Nats playing drunken party games at the pub. The Labour folk were so drunk they were dancing on the tables.

There were no reports of the Young Nats organizer going to bed "early". Who knows why the Labour organizer felt the need for an early night - due to the report not being made public. Perhaps we should read between the lines on that one.

National immediately provided support to the alleged victim and no attempt has been made to keep this quiet. Labour did all it could to keep their event quiet and the support that was provided was done by a Labour supporter - thus keeping it all "in-house"

Seems to me chalk and cheese events.

[winner69]

Ms Genter’s partner doing OK with this new government

Probably deserves every cent

https://mailchi.mp/4471cabeca72/revealed-taxpayer-dosh-paid-to-ministerial-spouses-firm-with-no-open-tender

[Joshuatree]

Looking up - December 2018 (PDF 216kB) (https://www.anz.co.nz/resources/0/4/04e55145-15cf-4d88-81cb-e2c22fe043bf/ANZ-BusinessOutlook-20181218.pdf?MOD=AJPERES)

Good bounce in business confidence , Regulation worries dropping , skilled staff shortage up

[westerly]

Its a quiet day so I will save you the trouble.

Alleged event happen on 20 November. Within a week the Leader of the National Party was aware. Unlike Labour who apparently did not think the event important enough to alert their Leader. (Shes good like that - "I know nothing"!)

The event allegedly occurred in a private house. Unlike the Labour event which was at a Labour organised accommodation.

The event occurred after a Young National Eventy. Unlike the Labour event which occurred during the Labour organised function.

It appears alcohol was provided after the National event at a commercial bar. Unlike Labour where it was provided during the event by some as yet unnamed party.

The alleged victim was not a member of Young Nats, whereas the alleged victims in the Labour Sex Camp were members of Labour.

There was one alleged victim vs 2 males and 2 female alleged victims in the Labour event.

There have been no reports of Young Nats spewing their guts out after the event. Whereas some at the Labour Camp were really crook.

There were no reports of Young Nats playing drunken party games at the pub. The Labour folk were so drunk they were dancing on the tables.

There were no reports of the Young Nats organizer going to bed "early". Who knows why the Labour organizer felt the need for an early night - due to the report not being made public. Perhaps we should read between the lines on that one.

National immediately provided support to the alleged victim and no attempt has been made to keep this quiet. Labour did all it could to keep their event quiet and the support that was provided was done by a Labour supporter - thus keeping it all "in-house"

Seems to me chalk and cheese events.

It really wasn't worth all that effort :)

westerly

[Joshuatree]

Minimum wage boost to benefit 210,000 people (https://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=12179428)
More than 200,000 people will benefit from an extra $48 a week next year in the biggest boost to the minimum wage in its history.
The minimum wage rate will rise from $16.50 an hour to $17.70, taking effect on April 1 next year, Workplace Relations Minister Iain Lees-Galloway and NZ First employment relations spokesman Clayton Mitchell announced today.

[BlackPeter]

Ms Genter’s partner doing OK with this new government

Probably deserves every cent

https://mailchi.mp/4471cabeca72/revealed-taxpayer-dosh-paid-to-ministerial-spouses-firm-with-no-open-tender

Corruption? Nah, I am sure our socialist friends find a nicer word for this behaviour. Anyway - saves us paying the dole.

[fungus pudding]

Minimum wage boost to benefit 210,000 people (https://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=12179428)
More than 200,000 people will benefit from an extra $48 a week next year in the biggest boost to the minimum wage in its history.
The minimum wage rate will rise from $16.50 an hour to $17.70, taking effect on April 1 next year, Workplace Relations Minister Iain Lees-Galloway and NZ First employment relations spokesman Clayton Mitchell announced today.


Those wage increases inevitably cause the inflation cycle to kick in, leaving wage earners no better off, but of great benefit to those who own their own property.

[minimoke]

Minimum wage boost to benefit 210,000 people (https://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=12179428)
More than 200,000 people will benefit from an extra $48 a week next year in the biggest boost to the minimum wage in its history.
The minimum wage rate will rise from $16.50 an hour to $17.70, taking effect on April 1 next year, Workplace Relations Minister Iain Lees-Galloway and NZ First employment relations spokesman Clayton Mitchell announced today.
And where will the increase in productivity come from?

More investment in plant which will see less jobs and lower skills.

Just keeps adding overhead to NZ business who will at some stage decide making a loss is no fun and they will close down.

[Joshuatree]

Living wage here we come at last and business confidence has bounced.:t_up:

[minimoke]

Living wage here we come at last and business confidence has bounced.:t_up:Living wage is no good if you are out of a job

[777]

Ms Genter’s partner doing OK with this new government

Probably deserves every cent

https://mailchi.mp/4471cabeca72/revealed-taxpayer-dosh-paid-to-ministerial-spouses-firm-with-no-open-tender

And I thought he must have been in the bicycle importing business.

[Joshuatree]

Living wage is no good if you are out of a job


Just not enough workers atm!. $20 an hour here we come, a living wage for kiwis at last.

[winner69]

Minimum wage wil always be less than this fandangled thing called a ‘living wage’

[fungus pudding]

Just not enough workers atm!. $20 an hour here we come, a living wage for kiwis at last.

Well, if you can solve the old problem of increasing wages without increasing costs, and therefore consumer prices, you will have achieved 2 things.

(1) You will have made wage earners genuinely better off.
(2) You will do something that no-one else has never managed to do.

And once you've achieved that, then double the minimum wage to $40 an hour - imagine how much better off we'd all be! Come to think of it - $100 per hour would be better still.

[Joshuatree]

Yeah $100 an hour seems to be the norm for accountants, sparkies and tradesmen and mechanics these days already.

[fungus pudding]

Yeah $100 an hour seems to be the norm for accountants, sparkies and tradesmen and mechanics these days already.

That's interesting. I know a few tradesmen. They'd be rightly annoyed at not being paid anything like that. Most don't even have a charge-out rate that high.

[minimoke]

Yeah $100 an hour seems to be the norm for accountants, sparkies and tradesmen and mechanics these days already.All people who have studied towards trade qualifications. They should get paid more than your school leaver - significantly more. But what we will now see is a blossoming of labour costs or a retraction on relativities. Which ends up being a disincentive for further study or skill improvement.

[Joshuatree]

Living wage of $20 is still a bit of a joke imo, more of a subsistence..
So many things labour have done this year its hard to keep up. same next year as all the needed reviews of the previous govts neglect bring about action.

Jacinda Ardern’s Child Poverty Reduction Bill passes third reading in Parliament (https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2018/12/jacinda-ardern-s-child-poverty-reduction-bill-passes-third-reading-in-parliament.html)

[minimoke]

Living wage of $20 is still a bit of a joke imo, more of a subsistence..
So many things labour have done this year its hard to keep up. same next year as all the needed reviews of the previous govts neglect bring about action.

Jacinda Ardern’s Child Poverty Reduction Bill passes third reading in Parliament (https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2018/12/jacinda-ardern-s-child-poverty-reduction-bill-passes-third-reading-in-parliament.html)Did you see the tweetagram of teh Royal Child watching Mum pass the Bill on TV? Great parenting eh. Absent Mum and the kid stuck in front of the TV watching dross. Thats what I call Poverdy.

[winner69]

Did you see the tweetagram of teh Royal Child watching Mum pass the Bill on TV? Great parenting eh. Absent Mum and the kid stuck in front of the TV watching dross. Thats what I call Poverdy.

That’s cool

[JBmurc]

Those wage increases inevitably cause the inflation cycle to kick in, leaving wage earners no better off, but of great benefit to those who own their own property.

Yes, worst affected will be businesses that can't pass on costs like exporters > like horticulture many have very thin profit margins and more so lifestyle business sector large lower wage work forces..think we will see many go under>>

Nothing against lifting the min wage(we badly need it) but am much more a fan of free-markets economics ..ie.if businesses don't pay enough then they don't get workers etc...then more successive profitable businesses paying more take the workers etc.,.. but then if the worker don't mind doing the work for whatever reason..........

Under this Govt its all about feel-good policy .. but the bigger picture is continuing gutting of high wage labour jobs(Fishing/Farming/Mining etc) in turn for more min wage tourism operations so I guess this push for $20 min wage makes sense us kiwis lose jobs being paid $30-$50+ph .....

Property Construction will slow down much sooner than anyone expects IMHO then thats going to affect 1-10 Kiwi workers in the pocket very quickly in this very inflationally enviroment

[Joshuatree]

Its starting to happen.REvolt!.France is just the beginning imo. People have had enough , the gap is getting wider in most countries, luckily the govt here is really dedicated to looking after all kiwis and is proactive unlike Macron who has been forced to back down for the first time. Will it save him, i doubt it.

[minimoke]

Well, I'm finding this rise in the Minimum wage all a bit sad and tragic.

Every single piece of media and political coverage I have come across welcomes it as it will: help the families, help get rid of child poverty, put milk on the kids table, buy shoes for the kids. Even the Living Wage advocate (Murile Newman?) is harping on about how it wil lift family income which is great.

Not one single word on Working for Families. Not one!

Dont any of these people realise that the more you earn the less you get in Working for Families benefits?. There are going to be some very disappointed people mid april next year.

I guess on the positive side I should be thankful for labour reducing my tax obligations by shifting the WFF burdon off the taxpayer onto employers. That, along with more PAYE and GST I'm looking forward to my tax reduction on April.

[winner69]

And where will the increase in productivity come from?
.

Laying a few workers off ....getting those who remain to do more and earn that $1.20 an hour more

A 7% rise is pretty hefty

[777]

It is likely that some of those workers will get laid off or not replaced before the increase comes into effect.

There is a need to keep increasing the minimum wage though so that WFF is reduced. The announcement of the increase should have included the effect on WFF.

[minimoke]

Most sensible people know a leopard doesn't change his spots. But not Labour. Wally Haumaha is a changed man they reckon. No longer supports the raping ex police men. Is kind and considerate to all women and mankind. So it comes a no surprise he's actually a workplace bully and, surprisingly, the Independent Police Complaints Authority found against him.

[minimoke]

Its not looking good for those on the minimum wage. I reckon its better to have a wage than none at all. From Stats NZ today:

"Gross domestic product (GDP) rose 0.3 percent in the September 2018 quarter, down from 1.0 percent in the previous quarter, Stats NZ said today.
The latest growth is the lowest quarterly growth rate since December 2013.
Growth was mixed, with 11 of the 16 industries recording higher production in the September 2018 quarter.
“Primary industries grew 2.2 percent, while growth in service industries slowed to 0.5 percent. The goods-producing industries fell 1.0 percent, dragging down overall growth this quarter,” national accounts senior manager Susan Hollows said.
“Construction activity fell as repair work winds down on roads damaged in the Kaikōura earthquake. However, residential and non-residential construction continued to grow steadily.
“The largest contribution to the downturn in goods-producing industries was manufacturing, with food manufacturing down significantly,” Mrs Hollows said.

[winner69]

NZ has posted its biggest current account deficit with the rest of the world at $10.5b since 2009 GFC (3.6% of GDP).

Slowing economy as well.

[iceman]

NZ has posted its biggest current account deficit with the rest of the world at $10.5b since 2009 GFC (3.6% of GDP).

Slowing economy as well.

Now that's a big surprise. The Government has all the parties that had the phony "manufacturing inquiry" a few years ago as they were so concerned about the state of the then booming manufacturing industry. Now that industry is slowing down fast according to StatsNZ : "The largest contribution to the downturn in goods-producing industries was manufacturing, with food manufacturing down significantly,"

[Joshuatree]

Handed the minister a poisoned chalice!. Aah well he has weathered the pressure From the spiteful national stooges well and will be stronger and more seasoned for it.


Sroubek trip known (https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/109532801/new-information-shows-immigration-nz-knew-karel-sroubek-travelled-back-to-czech-republic)
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) are now undertaking a review on the decision-making process and INZ would now undertake reviews on how they prepared case files.

[minimoke]

Handed the minister a poisoned chalice!. Aah well he has weathered the pressure From the spiteful national stooges well and will be stronger and more seasoned for it.


Sroubek trip known (https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/109532801/new-information-shows-immigration-nz-knew-karel-sroubek-travelled-back-to-czech-republic)
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) are now undertaking a review on the decision-making process and INZ would now undertake reviews on how they prepared case files.
A few key pieces of information ILG missed.

He was a drug smuggler, smuggling drugs into NZ to be sold to NZ'ers who no doubt had families. (means he is at least dishonest)

He was a fraudster, so much so there is confusion about his name. (Means he is a liar)

AND HE WAS IN JAIL(Means hes a dumb fvck for getting caught)

And hes going to make a model NZ citizen worth a chance because...………….?

[artemis]

Handed the minister a poisoned chalice!. Aah well he has weathered the pressure From the spiteful national stooges well and will be stronger and more seasoned for it.


Sroubek trip known (https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/109532801/new-information-shows-immigration-nz-knew-karel-sroubek-travelled-back-to-czech-republic)
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) are now undertaking a review on the decision-making process and INZ would now undertake reviews on how they prepared case files.

Not sure if the Minister has really weathered this storm despite the spin. The issue will taint him for a very long time. His name and Mr Sroubek's will always be linked in the minds of the general public and on the interweb. Even if there are no more revelations to come.

[Joshuatree]

National have tried their hardest to taint him, with all that mud but he has weathered that battering bull dust integrity intact. Cynic in me thinks he may even have been set up by a public servant or two. How could they have omitted that critical piece of information and be that incompetent?

[fungus pudding]

National have tried their hardest to taint him, with all that mud but he has weathered that battering bull dust integrity intact. Cynic in me thinks he may even have been set up by a public servant or two. How could they have omitted that critical piece of information and be that incompetent?

How could anyone claim 'his integrity is intact'?

[RGR367]

National have tried their hardest to taint him, with all that mud but he has weathered that battering bull dust integrity intact. Cynic in me thinks he may even have been set up by a public servant or two. How could they have omitted that critical piece of information and be that incompetent?

His INTEGRITY is still INTACT? For the sake of X-mas let's save that for the year ahead but he should still be wearing a DUNCE hat when parliament reconvenes next year!

[Joshuatree]

Nope you should be, the facts are there and so is the bull dust smearing by national its all the fake news like bull dust noise from them has turned them into pathetic desperate at any expense , whale oil sad mini me trumpohiles, National's credibility and standing is tarnished by these smear tactics .

Unfortunately i see more of these lying smearing tactics ahead until prosecutor Bridges and dirty politics Collins are cleansed from the national party.

New Broom urgently needed if they are to survive.

[westerly]

[QUOTE=minimoke;741726]And where will the increase in productivity come from? QUOTE

You will just have to post more, could push productivity up by several points !

westerly

[minimoke]

[QUOTE=minimoke;741726]And where will the increase in productivity come from? QUOTE

You will just have to post more, could push productivity up by several points !

westerlySadly, a third of every point goes to govt - so a bit of a disincentive to get too productive.

[Joshuatree]

Immigration NZ didn't ask Karel Sroubek 'obvious' question (https://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=12182043)
Immigration NZ officials never asked convicted drug-smuggler Karel Sroubek if he had been back to the Czech Republic until they were ordered to review the case.
"This is despite Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway's specific queries about Sroubek's travel history, and the importance of the information which, if true, would have undermined Sroubek's case for residency."

Butt covering pathetic imo he needs to go imo (Dunstan) and i still think this may have been a sting.

[winner69]

Wonder who will be handed the gongs in this New Years Honours for services rendered?

[stoploss]

Wonder who will be handed the gongs in this New Years Honours for services rendered?
ILG must be up for a Community services medal for finally booting that crim out ....

[fungus pudding]

ILG must be up for a Community services medal for finally booting that crim out ....

He'd be more deserving of one if he simply stood down.

[winner69]

Somehow unemployment has become part of the RBNZ brief (since Labour got involved?)

Is that code for we'll endeavour to increase or lower the number of destitute people until we get it just right

Seems pretty vicious and morally bankrupt economic policy if so

[artemis]

Somehow unemployment has become part of the RBNZ brief (since Labour got involved?)

Is that code for we'll endeavour to increase or lower the number of destitute people until we get it just right

Seems pretty vicious and morally bankrupt economic policy if so

We do have a prob with unemployment here. It's too low. Wasn't it Ashburton and district that recently reported 500 jobs they couldn't fill?

[BlackPeter]

We do have a prob with unemployment here. It's too low. Wasn't it Ashburton and district that recently reported 500 jobs they couldn't fill?

Problem is not that unemployment is too low. Problem is that too many of the unemployed people either don't want to work, are not fit to do so or are not flexible enough to move to where the work is.

[iceman]

Problem is not that unemployment is too low. Problem is that too many of the unemployed people either don't want to work, are not fit to do so or are not flexible enough to move to where the work is.

Which is a problem you get when unemployment is too low :p

[BlackPeter]

Which is a problem you get when unemployment is too low :p

Sure ... but they are not caused by low unemployment, and there would be other ways to fix them than to increase the unemployment rate ;);

[iceman]

So Minister Iain Lees-Galloway has sneaked in a little tax increase via ACC. He's done that by cancelling the Vehicle Risk Rating system which gave owners of cars with higher safety ratings discounted registration fees. Cancelling a small incentive to get more safe cars on the roads seems a bit counter productive so it must be solely to do with increasing revenue

[fungus pudding]

So Minister Iain Lees-Galloway has sneaked in a little tax increase via ACC. He's done that by cancelling the Vehicle Risk Rating system which gave owners of cars with higher safety ratings discounted registration fees. Cancelling a small incentive to get more safe cars on the roads seems a bit counter productive so it must be solely to do with increasing revenue

Good heavens. How could you say such a thing!

[minimoke]

So Minister Iain Lees-Galloway has sneaked in a little tax increase via ACC. He's done that by cancelling the Vehicle Risk Rating system which gave owners of cars with higher safety ratings discounted registration fees. Cancelling a small incentive to get more safe cars on the roads seems a bit counter productive so it must be solely to do with increasing revenueThis isnt about increasing revenue. Its about wealth redistribution.

Essentially low income / "deprived" people pay more in ACC levies becasue they own old un-sasfge clangers. Wher as teh "Rich" peoepl can afford 4 - 5 Safetry Star rated vehicles adn for this they get to pay a lower ACC levly. In ILG's minf this is clearly unfair. We shoudl all pay the same.

What ILG has essentially doen is shoif $31 million of costs away from the poor and put that burden onto the shoulders of the rich. So this is essentially a tax increase for the wealthy, bu tno net income increase for ACC.

Makes a total mockery of Labours listening to "working parties" 68% of people who submitted on the proposed ACC changes reckoned the Vehicle Risk Rating System should stay. ILG chose to ignore this.

As well as ignoring the blazingly obvious. Motorcyclist create $129m in injury costs but only pay $34m in ACC levies. If ILG was really interested in a "fairer" system he would have raised motor cycle levies and helped stop car drivers subsidising middle aged twats on their Harleys

[fungus pudding]

This isnt about increasing revenue. Its about wealth redistribution.

Essentially low income / "deprived" people pay more in ACC levies becasue they own old un-sasfge clangers. Wher as teh "Rich" peoepl can afford 4 - 5 Safetry Star rated vehicles adn for this they get to pay a lower ACC levly. In ILG's minf this is clearly unfair. We shoudl all pay the same.

What ILG has essentially doen is shoif $31 million of costs away from the poor and put that burden onto the shoulders of the rich. So this is essentially a tax increase for the wealthy, bu tno net income increase for ACC.

Makes a total mockery of Labours listening to "working parties" 68% of people who submitted on the proposed ACC changes reckoned the Vehicle Risk Rating System should stay. ILG chose to ignore this.

As well as ignoring the blazingly obvious. Motorcyclist create $129m in injury costs but only pay $34m in ACC levies. If ILG was really interested in a "fairer" system he would have raised motor cycle levies and helped stop car drivers subsidising middle aged twats on their Harleys
Don't ever think that a car is any indicator of wealth. It isn't.

[minimoke]

Don't ever think that a car is any indicator of wealth. It isn't.NZTA research has a different view. The least deprived (wealthiest) have 25% of 5 Star Safety rated cars and only 13% of the most deprived have a 5 star cart. (Which makes me wonder how they can afford such cars). The most deprived have 35% of unsafe cars (1 star safety rated) whereas the wealthier have 24% 1 star cars - which helps explain why they might be wealthy. (They value less depreciating assets over safety ratings). Pretty much 50% of wealthy and poor have 2 - 4 safety star cars.

[fungus pudding]

NZTA research has a different view. The least deprived (wealthiest) have 25% of 5 Star Safety rated cars and only 13% of the most deprived have a 5 star cart. (Which makes me wonder how they can afford such cars). The most deprived have 35% of unsafe cars (1 star safety rated) whereas the wealthier have 24% 1 star cars - which helps explain why they might be wealthy. (They value less depreciating assets over safety ratings). Pretty much 50% of wealthy and poor have 2 - 4 safety star cars.

Plenty of quite well off people drive older cars (they generally have respect for their money)- and plenty of absolute losers drive poncey expensive cars, ticked up to the max. Surveys in the states show that the most popular choice in cars for financially independent people is a second hand Ford.

[winner69]

Jacinda travelling the world again .....and making stuff up as she goes

New Zealand hopes the world will follow its wellness-based policies

https://www.ft.com/content/6b425632-18c1-11e9-b191-175523b59d1d

[minimoke]

Jacinda travelling the world again .....and making stuff up as she goes

New Zealand hopes the world will follow its wellness-based policies

https://www.ft.com/content/6b425632-18c1-11e9-b191-175523b59d1dShe obviously isnt very well informed. She was boring David Attenborough on the climate change panel with her "Climate change is the biggest threat to our world.

If you believe the World Health Organisation, they reckon one of the big current / future risks is air pollution. They reckon it kills 7 million people a year. Whereas between 2030 and 2050 they expect 250,000 peoepl to die from CLimate change things each year.

Then you have the anti-vaxers. Apparently there has been a 30% increase in global measles outbreak.

Or you can pick the 1.6 million people who die from antibiotic resistant Tuberculosis.

Theres also concern about a Flu pandemic. Not if but when. Or new outbreaks of Ebola. or the 390 million Dengue infections a year.

Thats without even thinking of global financial crisis, war, nano -technology or an ever increasing world population

[minimoke]

Jeez that Twyford is a twit. Everyone knew Labour would never get 1,000 Kiwibuilds done by July. Looks like he is going to struggle to even hit 300?

Totally blinkered by ideology in the total absence of common sense and bereft of any understanding of economic reality.

[winner69]

NZ Initiative report out yesterday said KiwiBuild has become Housing Minister Phil Twyford's tar baby .....whatever that means

Twyford liked that NZ Initiative when he was in Opposition.

[fungus pudding]

Jeez that Twyford is a twit. Everyone knew Labour would never get 1,000 Kiwibuilds done by July. Looks like he is going to struggle to even hit 300?

Totally blinkered by ideology in the total absence of common sense and bereft of any understanding of economic reality.

Twyford, Lees Galloway and Curran as ministers shows the lack of talent they had to pick from. Then of course there's Willy Jackson and Kelvin Davis ......
Somehow these no-hopers make even Andrew Little look good.

[BlackPeter]

Jeez that Twyford is a twit. Everyone knew Labour would never get 1,000 Kiwibuilds done by July. Looks like he is going to struggle to even hit 300?

Totally blinkered by ideology in the total absence of common sense and bereft of any understanding of economic reality.

Didn't they promise at some stage to build 10,000 houses a year (https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/308361/labour-pledges-10,000-houses-a-year)? At what stage did they reduce the number to only 1,000? But than - I heard they did finish so far only 37 (thirty seven) houses in the last 15 months.

Thats probably why they stream line the schooling system and kill off charter schools. Quality education is not anymore important - only that the so called teachers are union members. Give it a handful more years of socialist teaching and nobody will notice anymore that 37 is less than 10,000?


Labour's announcement included three main elements:

100,000 new affordable homes for first home buyers, half of them in Auckland
An Affordable Housing Authority to cut through red tape
A tax on speculators by extending the bright line test to five years
The Affordable Housing Authority would work with developers and use fast-tracked consenting to get on with building, Mr Little said.

"New Zealanders don't have time to wait and hope National will bumble their way into a solution. We've got to change the government."

Yeah, right ...

[minimoke]

Didn't they promise at some stage to build 10,000 houses a year .AS I recall it was 100,000 over 10 years with an initial 15,000 in the forst three years.

So some basic number phil. That was 10,000 per annum on average or 5,000 each year in the first three.

Here's what happens when you fail.

Your target is now 11,077 in the remaining 9 years. And 7,350 in each of the next two years.

Given he now doesn't have a CEO of Kiwibuild who rates his chances?

Looks to me like this is one bumble to the next.

[fungus pudding]

AS I recall it was 100,000 over 10 years with an initial 15,000 in the forst three years.

So some basic number phil. That was 10,000 per annum on average or 5,000 each year in the first three.

Here's what happens when you fail.

Your target is now 11,077 in the remaining 9 years. And 7,350 in each of the next two years.

Given he now doesn't have a CEO of Kiwibuild who rates his chances?

Looks to me like this is one bumble to the next.

How are they getting on with the 32 zillion trees they are going to plant?

[minimoke]

How are they getting on with the 32 zillion trees they are going to plant?that's 32 zillion less the ones that have already gone into the muncher

[westerly]

How are they getting on with the 32 zillion trees they are going to plant?

The NZ Initiative publish a biased report (they are after all a well to the right organization)
and the attack dogs who have been hibernating over Xmas answer the rallying cry and spring into action.
Minimoke with dubious statistics, (78 million die from air pollution each year. WHO says 7 million? )
Fungus with his usual claims of incompetent ministers.
BP is still upset charter schools are gone. Just like ACT
Winner as is usual just stirring. :)
All diverting attention from J. L. Ross wanting to return to the fold and Simon how long has he got?

westerly

[minimoke]

Minimoke with dubious statistics, (78 million die from air pollution each year. WHO says 7 million? )
Spastic fingers on my part. I stand corrected and have amended to correct.

Point remains: 7 million affected by air pollution vs 250 000 by climate change
“climate change is expected to cause 250,000 additional deaths per year, from malnutrition, malaria, diarrhea and heat stress.”


Edit: the only people we can expect diversion from is Jacind Adern and Phil Twyford for their preposterous lies to teh electorate of house building and ILG over his handling of Stoubek.

Spoiler alert - expect news of Marriage or another baby soon

[winner69]

Professor Brady is very brave

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/23/im-being-watched-anne-marie-brady-the-china-critic-living-in-fear-of-beijing

[BlackPeter]

Professor Brady is very brave

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/23/im-being-watched-anne-marie-brady-the-china-critic-living-in-fear-of-beijing

She is. Would be good to see our government step up as well ...

[winner69]

She is. Would be good to see our government step up as well ...

Sadly I never see our government stepping up in this issue ...except with the odd comforting statement which is rather hollow.

[BlackPeter]

Sadly I never see our government stepping up in this issue ...except with the odd comforting statement which is rather hollow.

that's just what they are ... "hollow woman"

[minimoke]

Professor Brady is very brave

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/23/im-being-watched-anne-marie-brady-the-china-critic-living-in-fear-of-beijingIs this an actual issue or paranoia. Houses get burgled all the time and laptops are a prime target. The reasons for a jar of cash remaining on a shelf are pure speculation. Tyre tampering is also conjecture. Tyres deflate - notice the lack of specifics on remaining PSI. She just references the hyperbolic "dangerously low levels.

I'm at a bit of a loss on why she would expect freedom of speech in academia when the issue of Massey University shutting down Don Brash remains unresolved.

[iceman]

How are they getting on with the 32 zillion trees they are going to plant?

About the same progress as Kiwibuild according to this report: https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/109810764/400-a-day-to-plant-trees-but-no-one-wants-the-job

[westerly]

that's just what they are ... "hollow woman"

Better than hollow talk. Which seems more appropriate to the right. :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sepnIuRbYF4

westerly

[minimoke]

Better than hollow talk. Which seems more appropriate to the right. :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sepnIuRbYF4

westerlyThanks for the youtube link - one of your better contributions!

[iceman]

Not only Kiwibuild that is a disaster for the Housing Minister https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2019/01/24/413522/government-builds-273-of-1600-houses

How long before he will be pushed ?

[artemis]

Not only Kiwibuild that is a disaster for the Housing Minister https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2019/01/24/413522/government-builds-273-of-1600-houses

How long before he will be pushed ?

Social housing register (households approved for taxpayer funded and subsidised housing) up 63% Sept 2107 to Sept 2018. Just under 10,000, and expected to be higher Dec 2018.

There is some sleight of hand with numbers. Late last year Housing NZ signed a lease arrangement with Wellington City Council for over 100 brand new Arlington apartments, and more such arrangements are in train.

What is not said publicly is that Wellington CC social housing does not get the very generous taxpayer income related rent subsidy but HNZ tenants do. Thanks taxpayers.

Also Housing NZ is likely to buy up Kiwibuild homes that don't sell.

[iceman]

Social housing register (households approved for taxpayer funded and subsidised housing) up 63% Sept 2107 to Sept 2018. Just under 10,000, and expected to be higher Dec 2018.

There is some sleight of hand with numbers. Late last year Housing NZ signed a lease arrangement with Wellington City Council for over 100 brand new Arlington apartments, and more such arrangements are in train.

What is not said publicly is that Wellington CC social housing does not get the very generous taxpayer income related rent subsidy but HNZ tenants do. Thanks taxpayers.

Also Housing NZ is likely to buy up Kiwibuild homes that don't sell.

What a classic. So Kiwibuild will build houses for Housing NZ. LOL

[fungus pudding]

Also Housing NZ is likely to buy up Kiwibuild homes that don't sell.

Oh how I wish eZ was still with us. He was a laugh a minute at explaining Labour's dopiest moves.

[westerly]

Is this an actual issue or paranoia. Houses get burgled all the time and laptops are a prime target. The reasons for a jar of cash remaining on a shelf are pure speculation. Tyre tampering is also conjecture. Tyres deflate - notice the lack of specifics on remaining PSI. She just references the hyperbolic "dangerously low levels.

I'm at a bit of a loss on why she would expect freedom of speech in academia when the issue of Massey University shutting down Don Brash remains unresolved.

Conspiracy theory could possibly indicate it is the CIA trying to discredit China :)

westerly

[elZorro]

Oh how I wish eZ was still with us. He was a laugh a minute at explaining Labour's dopiest moves.

Rumours of my demise are over-exaggerated, FP. I've been moving house for a few months. Anyway, things are going so well for the Labour-Led govt, I don't need to say much.

We'll have to wait to see what was behind KiwiBuild's previous CEO being let go. He sounds like a BS artist to me.

Meanwhile what is the National Party doing about investigating the $100,000 donation that JLR mentioned? The one that was split up illegally to stay below the radar? The one where the donor, Zhang, inexplicably ended up on the honours list soon afterwards, under National's watch. Where he may, or is likely to have, strong connections to the CCP.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12196315

[fungus pudding]

Rumours of my demise are over-exaggerated, FP. I've been moving house for a few months.

Did you pick up one of the unsold Kiwibuild huts?

[elZorro]

Did you pick up one of the unsold Kiwibuild huts?

There are plenty of two-storey huts being built in Hamilton and Auckland etc by the private sector, it's just they start at $800k, they all look the same and they're miles out of town. We didn't buy new, or build. Enough waste going on already, as the human impact on our planet runs it headlong into oblivion, don't you think?

KiwiBuild is at least a step in the right direction, it's more than National did in nine years. Give the policy some time. It will obviously have a lot to do with the social housing and land the govt already owns, and how that can be revamped at a lower cost than previously.

[artemis]

There are plenty of two-storey huts being built in Hamilton and Auckland etc by the private sector, it's just they start at $800k, they all look the same and they're miles out of town. We didn't buy new, or build. Enough waste going on already, as the human impact on our planet runs it headlong into oblivion, don't you think?

KiwiBuild is at least a step in the right direction, it's more than National did in nine years. Give the policy some time. It will obviously have a lot to do with the social housing and land the govt already owns, and how that can be revamped at a lower cost than previously.

Mate is working on a mixed private and Kiwibuild complex in Auckland. His opinion - Kiwibuild units meet code, just. Similar looking units, not Kiwibuild, exceed code sometimes significantly. That would impact sale price.

Plus Kiwibuild units come with some sort of financial floor for developers. Minimising risk and guaranteeing cash flow have value for developers, and is a good reason to poke some resources in that direction.

[elZorro]

Mate is working on a mixed private and Kiwibuild complex in Auckland. His opinion - Kiwibuild units meet code, just. Similar looking units, not Kiwibuild, exceed code sometimes significantly. That would impact sale price.

Plus Kiwibuild units come with some sort of financial floor for developers. Minimising risk and guaranteeing cash flow have value for developers, and is a good reason to poke some resources in that direction.

I agree, the idea of a known turnaround time must be good for spec home builders. Plus from the govt's point of view, the property sale recycles the cashflow to commission another. Surely it'll work.