More excellent work from David Fisher in The Herald. We recently learned that the government illegally spied on Kim Dotcom spied for two months longer than previously admitted. Yesterday: Court papers claim Bill English acted 'unlawfully' on Dotcom Bill English's role in trying to "cover…
Russia is already the issue that will permanently mark the Donald Trump Presidency’s first term. He will live or die on how he and his team come out of the inquiries that are going on (Sure bigger than Monica Lewinsky was to President Clinton). So…
It is great that Metiria Turei has put the spotlight on WINZ and the plight of beneficiaries in this country. Most people would be shocked to learn that each WINZ case manager is assigned a target of getting a specified number of people off the…
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 Standardistas 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 …
Over in England a recent story on how much senior BBC staffers were paid attracted a fair bit of attention. The basic answer was lots and lots, far more than is even conceivable necessary for someone to have a full and rewarding live. Questions have…
John Key has gone onto what conservatives and neoliberals believe are bigger and better things. Leading your country and trying to make New Zealand a better place does not compare to having a more complete CV or the chance to take up lucrative directorships. But…
Green Party press release. Metiria Turei MP on Monday, July 24, 2017 - 10:43 A study highlighted by Grandparents Raising Grandchildren is even more proof that National’s ‘penal welfare’ approach is failing kids, failing caregivers and failing New Zealand, the Green Party said today. The…
National is fond of claiming that the economy is adding plenty of new jobs. Bruce Munro has written an excellent piece in the ODT that looks in to the hard truth behind the numbers. It will surprise no on here to be told that National's…
I am a oddity in Auckland. I grew up here and only of my parents was a migrant - from the King country. Which probably demonstrates where my parochialisms lie. I like having a city in NZ that is big enough to be diverse enough…
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 Standardistas 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 …
I'm becoming more and more impressed with Jacinda Ardern. No, I don't think she should be leader of the Labour Party, they already have a competent leader (and no I don't think that opinion polls should determine who gets to be leader of political parties,…
The OREWA Speech: on a hot summer’s night, the 24th of January 2004, Don Brash, the then leader of the National Party, shattered a consensus. Willie Jackson will present his Orewa Speech at the same location on Saturday 29th of July. The fun will commence…
The announcement that National were granting infrastructure funds to develop housing projects in the far north and south of Auckland caused me some amusement. The Auckland council has wisely been resisting this particular boondongle that only benefits land bankers , speculators and their political party…
' It's election hoardings time again and high-traffic spots are at a premium. Its usually a case of first-up, best placed, unless you're National Ltd™'s list MP Tutehounuku "Nuk" Korako. For Nuk, missing out on a premium spot isn't a big deal . . . you…
Full marks to Nathaniel Watson for what Newshub called "an incredible work of graphic design satire", see National's election signs perfect Photoshop opp The only thing missing is a can of spaghetti. And the very best thing about this billboard is that it annoys Matthew…
As reported last night: Government may back down on immigration changes The Government seems likely to back down on changes to immigration law due to come into effect next month. ... Several regional employers and the Canterbury Mayoral Forum have pleaded with the government to reconsider the…
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 …
While NZ goes through another increasingly frequent round of flooding and evacuations (how many has it been this year?), I thought it might be good to look at how sustainable design responds to water in the landscape. Back in April, when Australia had some very…
I can remember a time when George H. W. Bush’s administration did a good job of handling the collapse of the U.S.S.R., the reunification of Germany, and sought a clear mandate for the first Gulf War. A review of that U.N. mandate is here. The…
If you're an ordinary Kiwi the government will pursue you to the ends of the earth for every last tax dollar. If you're a big wealthy multinational corporation - meh. Govt shies away from 'draconian' penalty to stop multinational tax dodgers Tax avoidance by multinationals…
Looks like Saturday was the first day that election billboards were allowed up. Political parties were out having fun. Here's a selection, https://twitter.com/jjpalethorpe/status/888525752840273920 https://twitter.com/h_yd_n/status/888575041943642112 https://twitter.com/flamed_one/status/888517924192870400 https://twitter.com/IainLG/status/888511243950080000 https://twitter.com/michaelwoodnz/status/888549304809308160 https://twitter.com/MarjaLubeck/status/888635569080647680 Couldn't find much of National that was worth posting. https://twitter.com/Nathanielnw/status/888626469001285632 https://twitter.com/moylea/status/888589040642965504 I also found this from…
Just saw this in an article about Gareth Morgan possibly standing for Epsom, Morgan indicated the party would sit on the cross benches and give their confidence to whichever party could take on the most of TOP's policies. So, nice and clear now. Nevermind the…
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 …
There's a current state of emergency happening in Dunedin, Otago, Waitaki and Canterbury due to heavy rainfall and flooding. Wishing everyone affected all the best. That's the short emergency. Here's the long one. James Hansen and a team of climate scientists just published this, Abstract. Global temperature…
Prepare to be SHOCKED - IPCA won't pursue Barclay investigation complaint. The police watchdog has decided not to pursue a complaint about the handling of last year's investigation into embattled Clutha-Southland MP Todd Barclay. At the time Mr Barclay declined to co-operate with the police…
New Zealand has been declared to be the top of the world rankings in something. But it is nothing to be proud of. From Radio New Zealand: Social Housing Minister Amy Adams is rejecting an American University survey that puts New Zealand at the top…
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 …
Civil Defence have declared states of emergency in Dunedin, Otago, Waitaki and Timaru and evacuations are happening in some areas. Keep safe folks. Advice from TS commenter Sabine, essentially if you live in an area that you might have to evacuate, have your survival bag…