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Why let politicians have all the fun? Now the British public can get in on the service slashing action too - via Facebook. The government there has launched a Facebook group to support the Treasury's "Spending Challenge" - where the public is invited to share…
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"Major festival events linked to the 2011 Rugby World Cup could be shifted to Wellington because of Auckland's party central fiasco, Government sources say." - Tracy Watkins Wait, "Auckland's party central fiasco"? Whose idea was "party central" again? Oh right. John Key: "The current agreement…
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By David Farrar, Keith Ng, Rob Salmond, and Tim Watkin. Many people are concerned about the quality of public affairs journalism in New Zealand. Being concerned is a good start, but how can you take the next step? How can you help make it better?…
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New Zealand hero Pete Bethune isn't one for mincing his words - now that he's free to speak them. He's described the New Zealand Government as a "fat little lapdog" to Japan, eager to roll over and submit to the bullying of any power, no matter…
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NZPA reports Bill English is lining up more cuts for public services under the cover of getting the books in the black. According to English: In our first two Budgets, the Government took early steps to bring deficits and Government debt under control. We will…
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I think I decided quite some time ago that I don't want to be an MP. I was reminded of the decision recently when I had an interesting chat with someone who does want the job (and will very likely have it in 2011). The…
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Judith Collins is lauding the supposed economic benefits of the private prison at Wiri in South Auckland (soon to be filled with people sentenced under all these new laws the Nats, the party of freedom, are passing with no impact on the crime rate). Apparently,…
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Open mike is your post. It's open for discussing topics of interest, making announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. Comment on whatever takes your fancy. The usual good behaviour rules apply (see the link to Policy in the banner). Step right up to the mike...
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A couple of headlines on the topic of National Standards caught my eye this morning. At time of writing the front page of Newsroom has the following: National Standards Support - Education Minister Anne Tolley says the overwhelming message from principals and school trustees gathered…
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In case you didn't spot it in the papers (who for reason seem to be covering it this time), the latest New Zealand Roy Morgan Poll shows support for John Key's National-led Government has strengthened to 58.5% (up 3%), comprising National Party 53% (up 2.5%),…
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Something that really boiled my blood a few weeks back, but which I haven't had a chance to write about yet was this post by National Party pollster David Farrar on the topic of a recent lull in homicides in a single police district. It…
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Open mike is your post. It's open for discussing topics of interest, making announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. Comment on whatever takes your fancy. The usual good behaviour rules apply (see the link to Policy in the banner). Step right up to the mike...
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Can someone explain to me this 'deepening the stockmarket' line that the Right uses for privatisation? I consider myself reasonably well informed on these issues but I just can't see the value to the country of the government selling public assets to a handful of…
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In this RSA Animate, radical social theorist David Harvey asks if it is time to look beyond capitalism towards a new social order that would allow us to live within a system that really could be responsible, just, and humane? This is based on a…
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A while back I suggested that I might do the occasional Sunday post on good news, a change from the usual diet of politics, policy, and depressing news. So here's some good news - the success of an amazing solar powered aircraft: Solar plane lands…
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Minor bits of "people news" this weekend. Andrew Williams has thrown his hat in to the ring for Supercity mayor. Andrew Williams: I want to be Super Mayor North Shore Mayor Andrew Williams is standing for the Super City mayoralty, promising to inject his own…
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Normally I can't stand reading Kerre Woodham or the Herald on Sunday. Both encapsulate the lowest common denominator of the 'news' that is trivial and banal. However I have to agree with Kerre's 'analysis'* today in the Herald on Sunday - "'Party central' has all…
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Open mike is your post. It's open for discussing topics of interest, making announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. Comment on whatever takes your fancy. The usual good behaviour rules apply (see the link to Policy in the banner). Step right up to the mike...
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Kiwi* Dad Michael Fay and his wife Sarah announced today that they would be keen to invest in any SOEs the government privatises. "My old mate David Richwhite and myself made $500 million off the last round privatisation." said Fay, "It was a great success.…
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This guy writes what I would aspire to write if I had the time and the cojones. For a lazy Saturday morning rant, read on. -- r0b Waltzing at the Doomsday Ball Capitalism is dead, but we still dance with the corpse By Joe Bageant…
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Last week The Herald ran this interesting piece: Rent to start flowing for iwi land Thousands of tenants in Auckland's CBD face rent rises from next year as hundreds of millions of dollars worth of waterfront land begins returning income to its Maori owners. Leasehold…
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Open mike is your post. It's open for discussing topics of interest, making announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. Comment on whatever takes your fancy. The usual good behaviour rules apply (see the link to Policy in the banner). Step right up to the mike...
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It seems John Key is now belatedly wading in to look at whether it's at last time to cut Andy Haden loose as a Rugby World Cup Ambassador. Apparently it was ok for Haden to talk about "darkie quotas" in the Crusaders and still remain…
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Anne Tolley is on record. She told the Principals gathered at their annual conference that rather than run to the media that they need to talk to her directly. Lets see some of those who have voiced their opposition to Nationals Standards so far: 38,000…
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The ODT has obtained a report from the Crown Law Office via the OIA, which rather diplomatically suggests there will need to be some very "carefully worded" specifications of the arrangement to merge Archives NZ into the Department of Internal Affairs. It states the Chief Archivist will require "protection…
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Some topics always generate passionate debate - contentions issues relating to deeply held personal beliefs that cannot be shifted by reason. Abortion is one such topic, in the news again recently, and discussed in Julie's post here at The Standard. Like the burden of bearing…
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Emmerson's take on Party Central at The Herald:
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Open mike is your post. It's open for discussing topics of interest, making announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. Comment on whatever takes your fancy. The usual good behaviour rules apply (see the link to Policy in the banner). Step right up to the mike...
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Newspaper and magazine readerships continue to plummet despite the end of the recession. The mags have taken a big hit. Nearly all of them are down. NBR and Investigate are typical having lost 10% of their readership over the last year, on top of losses…
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God knows what the National Standards are designed to do - it can't be to lift achievement. Even the Minister says that is not the case. It can't be to identify those behind - schools already do that. Anyway there is no money or extra…