Some analysts are talking about risks of investing in Mighty River Power in the media today. Weather, electricity demand, overseas expansion. I'll tell you what would make me think twice if I was contemplating buying shares (like most Kiwis I couldn't afford to even if…
In recent posts in this series we've focused on the Children’s Social Health Monitor 2012 Update Report, see the the full report (pdf) here. Today we look at the the final Health and Wellbeing Indicator, and a wrap-up for the report. INJURIES ARISING FROM THE ASSAULT,…
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Id--ZFtjR5c 2002 documentary about the April 2002 Venezuelan coup attempt which briefly deposed Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez. A television crew from Ireland's national broadcaster, RTÉ happened to be recording a documentary about Chávez during the events of April 11, 2002. Shifting focus, they followed the…
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?
It's International Women's Day. Sue Moroney's semi-regular Women's Affairs newsletter sums it up well: International Women's Day has been observed since the early 1900's. Annually on 8 March, thousands of events are held throughout the world to inspire women and celebrate achievements. A global web…
Happy one-week anniversary to The Daily Blog. If you haven't checked it out yet I highly recommend it. I've been impressed with the launch and the first week. If Bradbury and crew can keep up the momentum over the long haul (and blogging is a…
"Wise Response" is an Otago based group set up to advocate for a serious and considered response to climate change - check out their website (and coverage in the ODT). Wise Response are calling for a "Risk Assessment for NZ in our Deteriorating World": Therefore,…
Farrar and Mallard want us to give the NZRU a statue to trade back one of Holyoake that the government accidentally sold them along with the old State Services building. How about saying to the NZRU, 'We accidentally sold you a statue but, hey, you…
John Key's decision to not attend Hugo Chavez's funeral is a snub of a major trade partner at a crucial time. Remember, this junket's justification is that, for some reason, Key's presence in these countries will improve trade. But, in snubbing Venezuela, he is insulting…
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In the news this afternoon, the "nice work if you can get it" bonuses for Mighty River bosses: Mighty River board getting extra $1200 a day ...It also emerged that Mighty River's directors were receiving additional fees of $1200 for each day they spend working…
Scott at Imperator Fish has kindly given us permission to syndicate posts from his blog – the original of this post is here. The government has announced a range of new measures targeting recipients of state assistance. Social Development Minister Paula Bennett announced today that those seeking assistance…
Nick Smith, freshly rejuvenated after is fall from grace, is now challenging Auckland council's plan for compact housing. Smith wants to increase the urban sprawl to deliver more land to private developers. This will do nothing to create more affordable housing or to defuse the…
Oh look - even Peter Dunne is getting disgusted with Key's arrogance: Dunne sends 'time-bomb warning' to Key Government support partner Peter Dunne has sent a "time bomb warning" to Prime Minister John Key, saying his "cut through" approach over the SkyCity convention centre and…
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the link to Policy in the banner). Step right up to the mike...
The recognition of the need to provide income support to farmers during this drought period is illustrative. It illustrates the importance of having a comprehensive social protection system that steps in when things go wrong including the weather as in this case. It illustrates the…
So Parata was warned by her ministry that it was too soon to make big Christchurch school changes and they should be rolled out in smaller groups. The demographics aren't settled, no-one knows quite which way people are going to move. We've certainly not got…
To a first approximation the protection of the environment in this country is managed by two distinct entities; inside the Conservation estate it falls to DoC and outside of that it falls onto the Regional Councils. Under this government both are being slowly dismantled. Over the last…
Scott at Imperator Fish has kindly given us permission to syndicate posts from his blog – the original of this post is here. As pre-registration opens for the Mighty River Power offer, people all around the country are gearing up to take shares in the company. The official…
Chavez was too young to die, but he is a significant figure in South American politics Chavez has been a controversial figure in Venezuela. The full story has yet to be written of his contribution to his country and his impact on the left and…
I know we're meant to make do with what we have. Sometimes wonder what we would have if a couple more MPs had thought beyond themselves, given the party membership the choice. Here's two guys. One talking Labour values, recognising injustice arises from an unjust…
Now that the government has ignored the opposition to their ill-fated asset stripping of SOE value, it appears that someone in the government is leaking private information from the sale. Is there a kickback system in operation? Perhaps to help fund the exorbitant upfront costs of sale?…
Amidst the froth of predatory "excitement" about the sale of our power generation assets, it was refreshing to read in The Herald yesterday a single lone voice who was thinking long term. Thank you Wayne Cartwright: Wayne Cartwright: Asset sale is 'strategic blunder' The Government's…
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That's how much we're paying for Lesley Longstone's being forced to resign on 19 December last year, hidden in the Christmas rush. At the time Hekia couldn't comment because she was going on holiday, was on holiday, was just back from holiday, was busy with…
A useful note from NRT (we should have covered this last week). The Constitutional Conversation The Constitutional Review launched its "Constitution Conversation" website [last Thursday], seeking submissions on key constitutional questions such as the length of the Parliamentary term, the role of the Treaty, and whether to…
A round of TTPA negotiations is underway in Singapore. The excellent Jane Kelsey is leading the critical discussion here in NZ. Meanwhile there is some disturbing information from across the ditch in Aussie, raising the issue of corporate dominance over women's health provisions and the…
A new Australian report has coined the phrase "angry summer": Angry Summer' made worse by climate change: Commission The latest report from the Federal Government's Climate Commission says the weather extremes experienced around the country this summer were made worse by climate change. The report…
National's going to spend a million taxpayer dollars just on advertising trying to convince Kiwis to sign up to buy something we already own and just in the 'pre-registration' phase of the Mighty River sale. God knows what the full cost of the sale will…