Slightly redesigned in support of #CampbellLives. Daily review is also your post. This provides Standarnistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other.
Well, this is downright scary. https://twitter.com/helenkellyCTU/status/610175109781811200 Whenever unionists talk about the bad employers who put profit over people's lives, the right are quick to wave it away as fear-mongering, blowing a few small examples out of proportion. Well, here are the words of a man…
Hope folk are staying away from the Wellington coastline today: Huge waves smash Wellington rubberneckers amid fears for coastal roads' survival ... More than 3m swells are forecast to continue to hit the Lyall Bay after large waves washed debris and boulders onto Moa Point…
It only seems like yesterday that John Key was forced to admit a series of assaults on a young cafe worker. It is now possible that Key has broken the law again. It is a significant offence to conspire to smuggle migrants into New Zealand…
Nick Smith's handling of Auckland's housing crisis had added pressure applied today. Ngati Whatua and Tainui have announced they will be seeking a declaration from the High Court in an attempt to clarify the nature of their right of first refusal of Crown land for housing…
Nick Smith, who Duncan Garner astutely characterised as "the cold-hearted politician", is at it again: Nick Smith defends 'affordable' homes The Building and Housing Minister is defending the use of the word "affordable" for around 200 new Auckland homes. Nick Smith has announced a third…
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
I wrote yesterday about our heartless, penny-pinching government, which emphasises Getting To Surplus at all costs even if that means kids dying in cold state houses. This is the true irony of National governments. Their entire platform is one of "fiscal responsibility" and "good economic…
There has been some talk this week about Tony Blair's third way politics. Some think that he has the ability to walk on water because he succeeded twice at general elections even though it was against a tired dispirited Conservative Party that had clearly gone past…
The death of Emma-Lita Bourne is not just a personal tragedy for the family: it is an event that should make New Zealand angry with the powerful people in our society who control the purse strings. They are responsible for condemning thousands of children to…
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
A few stories of recent weeks which show exactly what kind of government we have. Last August, Emma-Lita Bourne died of pneumonia because the state house her family lived in was cold and damp. Soesa Tovo died after being admitted to hospital with heart and…
I grew up in Thatcherite Briton where property ownership was not just seen as something to aspire to but more of a birth rite. A 25/30 year mortgage was a badge of honour as you had provided security for your family and a perpetual hobby…
Since the inexcusable axing of Campbell Live (and reinforced by the circumstances in which Mihingarangi Forbes left Maori TV) there has been lots of talk of boycotting TV3 - see for example the energetic Mr Bradbury at TDB. The anger at TV3 is understandable, but…
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Slightly redesigned in support of #CampbellLives. Daily review is also your post. This provides Standarnistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other.
Perfect for a Friday... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naqdZWjgak0 Includes the clearest explanation you will ever hear on why raising taxes is A Bad Thing! If you missed them, check out the YouTube channel for earlier episodes...
“Rock-star economy” is a catch-phrase that has served very well to persuade us that we are doing well in economic terms. But “chickens coming home to roost” and “living in a fool’s paradise” may be nearer the truth about our economic performance. First, those chickens. …
The Nat's grand plan to free up Auckland land is a complete shambles. First it turned out that some of it is occupied by cemeteries, substations and the like. Then it emerged that iwi had first right of refusal to the land, and the government…
I can't tell you how relieved and pleased I was to read this yesterday by Pattrick Smellie: Business Leaders' Health and Safety Forum backs reform Big business backers of controversial health and safety reforms say New Zealand "risks forgetting" the Pike River mine disaster if…
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Slightly redesigned in support of #CampbellLives. Daily review is also your post. This provides Standarnistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other.
During the Labour leadership contest I had the opportunity to share a few minutes and a couple of thoughts with Andrew Little. One thing I asked him, nay urged him to do, was to pay attention to the situation of the SNP and the Labour…
The Combined Trade Unions (CTU) released a tribute to Peter Conway today The staff at the NZCTU, those in its affiliated unions and their members lost more than a dear dear friend this week. They lost someone who genuinely wanted them to succeed. Someone who…
National would have us believe that our Government paid over $11.5 million to a Saudi sheep farmer in the hope and expectation that he would not sue us for $30 million based on a cause of action that has still not been identified. The more likely…
Thanks to Wikileaks: Today, Wednesday 10 June 2015, WikiLeaks publishes the Healthcare Annex to the secret draft "Transparency" Chapter of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP), along with each country's negotiating position. The Healthcare Annex seeks to regulate state schemes for medicines and medical devices. It…
Here (ht Brian Rudman) is Nick Smith in 2013: HOUSING WOF TO BE DEVELOPED AND TRIALLED The Government is to develop a Housing Warrant of Fitness system and trial it on Housing New Zealand properties, Housing Minister Nick Smith says. “There are real gains for…
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …