John Key's glib advice to the homeless is to go and see WINZ. This is a WINZ that (while no doubt containing caring individuals, as an institution) has been deliberately set up to be as slow, difficult and unpleasant to access as possible, and will…
One News has a scoop this morning: Panama Papers: Kiwi trust rules help exiled Kazakh leader keep luxury London mansion The details are complex and not likely to attract much excitement in NZ, but once again we have been shown to be involved in dirty…
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 …
Winona LaDuke is an Anishinaabekwe mother of three, environmentalist, indigenous rights’ activist, economist, writer and past two time vice-presidential candidate (with Ralph Nader). In a speech last year, LaDuke presented an overview of the key areas of expertise that indigenous peoples bring to the table.…
In June there are workshops being held about the Electricity Authority’s transmission pricing proposal. Yawn, perhaps, until you get the power bill. Check the relevant dates in the link, and show you can attend by confirming to this email address. They will of course be…
Can you believe this? The Government is lurching from there is no housing crisis to it is all Auckland Council's fault to it is like Christchurch's housing crisis and the Government solved that one. Between the there is no problem to the we will sell…
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 …
Good advice for Labour from Standard author Simon Louisson, writing on The Spinoff: The left will go on losing as long as it is so muddled and apologetic on tax National gets away with mixed messages over tax cuts because Labour has failed to grasp…
We all want a solution to the housing crisis. But this isn't the way: Key gets tough on Auckland with new policy forcing councils to release land The Prime Minister has come down hard on Auckland saying a new policy will force the city's council…
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 …
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 …
Homeless could be offered up to $5000 to leave Auckland Social Housing Minister Paula Bennett announced in Parliament yesterday that homeless families would be offered up to $5000 to move to empty state homes outside Auckland. $3000 offer for beneficiaries to move The Government will…
It appears that Donald Trump has finally secured the Republican Party nomination, with the latest estimate of delegate numbers confirming he has achieved an outright majority. Bernie Sanders appears to be on the brink of defeat, with Hillary Clinton only a handful of delegates short…
John Key has given a powerful speech on NZ's housing crisis: Today, I want to talk in some depth about the declining rates of home ownership in New Zealand. ... It wasn’t so long ago, in the 1990s, in fact, that New Zealand had a…
As MS has already noted, Deborah Russell has the best summary of the budget: Russell's piece is here: Budget 2016 - How do we look after all New Zealanders? Very quietly, a cut here and a decrease there, a failure to keep up with inflation…
The 2016 budget has been delivered. The best analysis has been provided by Deborah Russell. Her conclusion is captured by the opening paragraph of her article published in the Herald. Crosby Textor dreams of having this quality of succinct analysis. The added bonus is that it is…
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 …
All budgets, whether actually implemented by Government, or those of Opposition Parties highlighting their priorities and strategies, are contingent upon the only budget that really matters these days. Oddly enough, from all I’ve read, our leaders and would be leaders, have been assiduously ignoring the…
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 …
Live coverage of the budget starts around 2pm. Check out: Scoop: Budget 2016 - Scoop Full Coverage Stuff: Budget 2016: Live coverage as Bill English reveals his spending plan Herald: Bill English delivers 2016 Budget - Live coverage, news updates and analysis Other links and…
Budget day! Here's a little light reading to get us started. Budget 2016: The risk of not investing in children Budget 2016: An opportunity to put children first Budget 2016: Everything you need to know What we know about Budget 2016 Budget 2016: Can we…
Sue Moroney's bill to extend paid parental leave passed its second reading last night - bravo to all those who supported it! Unfortunately the bill is progressing towards inevitable veto: Increased paid parental leave a no-go as Government promises to veto it Getting 26 weeks…
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 …
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 …
"News" today: Social Housing Minister: Homeless could be offered up to $5000 to leave Auckland Homeless people could be offered up to $5000 to leave Auckland and resettle in a state house in the provinces, Social Housing Minister Paula Bennett has confirmed. The policy was…
Quite apart from falling to his lowest level ever as preferred PM, the Newshub poll had more bad news for King John: John Key's Govt has failed New Zealand on housing The verdict is in: John Key's government has failed the New Zealand public when…
The Government is engaged in a review of budget advice services offered throughout the country and some of the services' funding is threatened. The review involves the use of classic Orwellian doublespeak. From Radio New Zealand: Budgeting services are facing an uncertain future, as the government…
Paula Bennett sought leave yesterday to make a personal explanation to Parliament so that she could correct an answer that was, how do you say, incorrect. She said this: In response to a supplementary question asked during question No. 5 on 10 May, I said…
Budgets are about priorities and choices. NZ is the worst country in the world for domestic violence, but the budget is going to ignore on-the-ground support organisations. Green Party MP Jan Logie calls out the Nats in this piece on Stuff: Govt delivers 'devastating news'…