Bill English has given up any pretense of closing the gap with Australia by 2025. Now, he is claiming the wage gap is a good thing and admitting higher productivity isn't the cause of the wage gap. Meanwhile, Fran O'Sullivan slams Key and English's 'fingers…
Following the release of OIA documentation and questioning in the House, John Key has recanted his earlier statement that he hadn't met with MediaWork's Brent Impey to discuss a $43 million Government loan. The PM has now admitted that he did indeed meet with the head…
The first cracks are appearing in the agreement between Hone Harawira and the Maori Party not to stand against each other in electorates. The 3News report is fairly tentative: Maori Party rules out contesting Harawira seat The Maori Party is ruling out standing against Hone…
When I went to China on a private visit in 2008, Helen Clark sent me a text message telling me on no account to leave my cellphone or computer unattended. Over the last few years I noticed baskets in Ministers' offices for visitors and officials…
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The latest Roy Morgan poll shows little impact from the Darren Hughes affair to date. We still don't know how the investigation will play out but the poll suggests dithering leadership matters less than economic fundamentals. The big news, though, is that New Zealand First…
Weekend social is for non political chat. What's on for the weekend, gigs, film or book reviews, sports, or whatever. No politics, no aggro, why can't we all just get along?
As it is the end of the working week many people are likely in need of a good laugh. With the budget due out next month it's worth reviewing the words of well known comedian and magician (able to make economic growth disappear before your…
As I move around the Wairarapa electorate people are telling me the same story. They are struggling just to make ends meet. It is something I am aware of personally. My Subaru costs me around $110 to fill the tank. Last year it cost only…
Another week, another massive corporate bailout as National reaches into our pockets to aid a company. He's got the pot out and is saying 'right, I need another $125 each from you, but keep your wallets out, it could be $250 in the end'. Whatever…
Christchurch. Quake + 45 days and counting: Homeless may have access to campervans "within a week", with costs starting at $190 per week. Temporary houses are planned, with a decision on who gets the contract to build them expected "within a week". Japan. Quake +…
Danyl and Lew have already made very good posts about the end of NZPA. I'd only note that the closure is bad for our democracy as NZPA is one of the only media outlets that covered every bill and provided an encompassingly broad first draft…
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John Armstrong is losing patience with the Nats: John Armstrong: Age of Austerity? We're still spending on plastic So much for Bill English's much-heralded Age of Austerity. The close to $2 million in taxpayers' money for Auckland's "plastic waka" suggests the Old Age of Waste…
Wgtn Public Meeting & Fundraiser – After the quake: community responses in Christchurch Public Meeting 7pm, Friday April 8th Upstairs @ Thistle Hall (cnr Cuba and Arthur Streets), Wellington Entry by koha Following the devastating earthquake in Christchurch on February 22nd, a number of organisations…
The PSA is the frontline in our fight against National's plans to savagely cut our public services. Much in the same vein as the sticker campaign that Eddie posted on yesterday, the PSA has used humour to get across an incisive message: what the rich…
If you'll oblige me, this post is largely by Dominique Strauss-Kahn, head of the IMF - an institution famed in the past for forcing third world countries to sell off their water supplies etc on the grounds that the market knows best... IMF press release…
Meant to write about this at the time. Tuesday evening, the top two headlines on Newsroom were as follows: CURRENT HEADLINES at 5:57 pm, 05 Apr 2011 QUAKE RECOVERY: Dole Numbers Unknown - Social Development and Employment Minister Paula Bennett says she has not sought…
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Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee has unveiled plans to construct a giant inflatable plastic CBD and inflatable plastic suburbs to replace buildings damaged in the Christchurch earthquake. The inflatable CBD will include a number of office buildings and a bouncy castle. To save costs, the…
The New Zealand Press Association is to be closed down: NZPA to close down, 42 jobs will go The New Zealand Press Association, the organisation that services newspapers with news, is to close down after more than 130 years. The organisation will wind up its…
Shivering in your earthquake-damaged home, wondering how you'll come up with $190 a week for a campervan after your emergency benefit ends? Living on cat food because GST and price hikes put real food out of reach? Don't worry, Pita Sharples to the rescue: he's…
Before the last election the usual right wing spinsters tried to paint Labour as financially incompetent for buying back KiwiRail. Never mind that we had to rescue this vital piece of infrastructure from oblivion. Never mind that spending on KiwiRail became part of the stimulus…
John Key says the thousands of Kiwi families turning to foodbanks to get by are made 'poor choices'. Among the 'poor choices' that poor people allegedly make according to righties is spending all their money on alcohol and cigarettes, rather than on food. As with…
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...
Actually Phil Goff has it right - these clowns should resign - all they seem to be able to do is screw the economy and cut juicy public-money deals for their mates. Oh yeah, and photo ops. Can't forget the photo ops.
As I've pointed out previously "Steven Joyce: still living in the 20th century", virtually every Aucklander I have spoken to about a new harbor crossing is aghast at the attitude of National MP's in Wellington. Even considering putting in a new harbor crossing without the…