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Open mike 26/04/2013
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Archives · 2013-04-01 to 2013-04-30 · Page 2
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Searching: posts Sorted by: newest Results: 31–60 of 199
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Two videos & a documentary
So, as reported today on Stuff, Peter Jackson has released a video; probably part of John Key's deal to undermine NZ workers in exchange for using The Hobbit to promote tourism in NZ. The scenery is breath-taking, and shows what we are losing as a result…
accountability brand key capitalism Conservation energy Mining same old national sustainability tourism
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Monbiot on our misplaced faith in “the market”
Relevant in so many ways to current events in NZ, here are extracts from an excellent article by George Monbiot. Read the full piece in The Guardian or at monbiot.com. This faith in the markets is misplaced: only governments can save our living planet The…
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“He Toki Huna New Zealand In Afghanistan” – Maori TV
Last night Maori TV screened an excellent documentary He Toki Huna New Zealand in Afghanistan (by Kay Ellmers and Annie Goldson). It is now available for viewing on Maori TV's website. It explores the role of NZ in Afghanistan, particularly through following the investigations of jounrlait Jon…
accountability afghanistan International Maori Issues news spin us politics war
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Open mike 25/04/2013
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...
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A silent war – mental health in the NZDF
lprent: On the eve of ANZAC day, I thought that it was appropriate to publish this guest post by a soldier on their reasons for departing the Defense Force. There are few organisations these days who spend as much resource and effort on training as…
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Communicating policy
We're seeing more of these "infographic" approaches to communicating policy. Labour's most recent effort on NZ Power seems like a good one: (Compare and contrast with a recent National effort.) Now that we're getting past National's histrionics, we're also seeing some good simple presentations of…
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Fletcher-Key meetings: networks of influence
Well, now it comes out that Key met with Ian Fletcher on several occasions before and immediately after Fletcher was appointed to the top job at the GCSB. As I argued previously, in "Networks of influence". Key works to make the most of the (not…
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Random thoughts on NZ Power
I'm not surprised that the finance crew are so upset about the gently social democratic policy that is NZ Power (the latest stupid claim is that it'll mean higher mortgages). But what is surprising is the way in which they've made it very clear that…
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Open mike 24/04/2013
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...
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Colin Craig vs The Civilian
The Civilian is a new satirical blog that has making waves lately. If you haven't visited The Civilian yet you should - add it to your bookmarks! Because after all, you know a blog has really made it when it provokes a bizarre and heavy-handed…
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Axe-grinders of the world unite…
Brokers and analysts, you have nothing to lose but your fees. (Never mind, there's always the $200million Bill English and the Treasury have already slipped your way from the taxpayer.) Following Labour and the Greens unforeseen announcement about NZPower, a host of the usually uncontested…
cost of living energy Privatisation Steven Joyce uncategorized
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Homes for all (1945)
I came across this 33 minute film, Housing in New Zealand (1945) on Archives NZ's youtube channel. It is a film produced by Public Works Department Film unit, and graphically shows the massive building of state houses that swung into operation after the war. It…
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Economic sabotage
The Nats don't seem to be able to debate the Labour / Green electricity sector plans rationally. Here we are five days later and still the best that they can muster is desperate ranting. It started with Joyce's "the commies are coming" press release: Labour…
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On the new spy laws
This doesn't need any extra comment: New spy laws comparable to Big Brother Planned changes for surveillance a step towards totalitarianism, claims professor New laws to allow spying on New Zealand citizens is a step towards totalitarianism, says a professor of cyber security and forensics.…
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Loss of wealth? No, a redistribution of wealth
Eddie explored yesterday who stands to lose from falling asset values in electricity companies resulting from lower power prices. The answer: the Crown and foreign investors. Now, JBWere has estimated those book value losses at up to $1.4b for Contact and Trustpower, meaning $4b all…
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Meanwhile, in the real world…
So, John Key, Bill English, and Steven Joyce are now devoting all their energy into trying to stop the asset sales programme collapsing after the Greens and Labour gave notice the excessive profits are going to end, and National confirmed they're for real by suspending…
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Open mike 23/04/2013
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...
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Power profits and the consumer
New Zealand's energy pricing over the last twenty years was thoroughly canvassed by Dr Geoff Bertram last year in a paper presented to the Fabian Society as part of its "Light-handed Regulation" series. The paper can be found here, and in the light of the…
cost of living david shearer energy equality greens labour russel norman treasury
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MRP share offer suspended til tomorrow
The government announced about an hour ago, that it has suspended the share offer for Mighty River Power until tomorrow, while it devises a supplementary disclosure in the light of the Labour-Green NZ Power policy. Monday, 22 April 2013, 4:05 pm Press Release: New Zealand Government Minister…
activism assets capitalism energy privatisation same old national sustainability
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When they’re laughing at you…
You know it's getting near time to go. Saturday's DomPost Diary (not on-line) reports : When actress Chelsie Preston Crayford spotted Prime Minister John Key at a recent event, she leapt at the opportunity to get a photo with him - not because she's a…
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ImperatorFish: Joyce catches Labour leader buying coffee
Scott at Imperator Fish has kindly given us permission to syndicate posts from his blog – the original of this post is here. Energy Minister Steven Joyce has condemned the “socialist lunacy” of both Labour and the Greens, after Labour Party leader David Shearer was spotted buying coffee…
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National Day of Action vs Asset Sales: Sat 27 April
Aotearoa is Not for Sale is counting down to the National Day of Action this Saturday 27 April. Some people have posted explanations of why they will be participating in the Day of Action. Martyn Bradbury: My disgust at allowing those who have benefited most from tax…
activism assets class war democratic participation energy privatisation
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12,000 posts
I just noticed that we passed 12,000 posts a few days ago. Appropriately, it was our stalwart, Anthony, who hit the mark with a post on Mini 'W'. Funnily enough, it didn't get all that many comments. Nowadays, the average post gets over 70 comments…
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Space and density: Auckland Unitary Plan
The draft Auckland Unitary Plan is a massive (and impressive) collection of documents, and is hard for an Auckland lay person like me to get my head around. One of the main elements of it, is that it focuses perhaps incorrectly, on the presumed continuing growth of the Auckland region.…
auckland supercity climate change housing infrastructure national public transport sustainability
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An honest man?
New Zealanders put their trust in John Key. As the 2008 election neared, New Zealanders sensed a positive change was in the offing, a change driven by optimism which held out the reassurance that the darkening and ominous clouds heralding financial meltdown gathering around previously…
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Nats still at panic-stations over NZ Power
Can there be a greater sign of the threat that National sees in NZ Power than the fact they have put out 5 press releases condemning it in 4 days? Joyce has even come out of his undisclosed location to pooh-pooh it - although he…
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Whose interests are the Nats working for?
If Labour and the Greens were talking about nationalising the dairies or taking over the factories, I could understand their cries of 'protect property rights' but, actually, Labour and the Greens aren't nationalising anything, they're just changing the system that National invented in the 1990s.…
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Open mike 22/04/2013
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...
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It’s Not Enough To Be Nice
Being a good employer takes a collective effort. Being nice, inquiring about the kids and genuinely taking an interest in your employees is good but does not a good employer make. Good employers are a result of what the business model allows them to do,…