Yesterday was the final sitting day in Parliament. In accordance with tradition there were speeches from the leaders marking the end of the political year. First there was Jacinda ... https://vimeo.com/307183287 Then there was Simon ... https://vimeo.com/307183658 He spoke for twice as long as [everyone…
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In Washington last week Winston Peters urged America to involve itself more in the Pacific, in a speech the Prime Minister was apparently unaware of. Referring to Africa, John Bolton outlined what that involvement would mean - American interests first and only. Dangerous with the…
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 …
The Court of Appeal has ruled on the Eminem v National case and reduced the damages from $600,000 to $225,000. The salient passage of the decision was this passage: [123] Mr Gough considered that the political use of the licensed work would not warrant an…
This Government gets criticised by the opposition for having so many inquiries, too many inquiries according to National. Why is it spending so much money? Well given the findings of one of the findings, the investigation into the actions of Security Firm Thompson and Clark…
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 …
In a landmark Employment Court decision yesterday, the requirement for meat workers to "don and doff" specialist hygiene and other equipment before and after their shifts, and before and after their rest breaks, including their unpaid meal breaks and in their own time has been…
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 …
News that a Hawkes Bay man, Viliamu Samu, AKA Joseph Matamata, has been charged with human trafficking and slavery should come as no surprise to fruit industry owners. I've talked to pack house operators who have moaned about having to pay the minimum wage to…
Tis the season to be jolly and good will to all men and women. Unless it appears you are former National MP of do you know who I am infamity and a poor former employee who took him to court for breach of her employment…
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 …
Emissions and global temperatures continue to rise, officials and children and activists decry how little is done, and still massive conferences on climate change take place. The easiest thing to do when faced with a really large human-made problem is to start fighting because it…
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzeekxtyFOY&feature=youtu.be And the text of the speech from DemocracyNow: My name is Greta Thunberg. I am 15 years old, and I’m from Sweden. I speak on behalf of Climate Justice Now! Many people say that Sweden is just a small country, and it doesn’t matter…
This post is a place for positive discussion of the future. Prompted by TS regular Robert Guyton who suggested we have a dedicated thread where “the way forward can be discussed, within parameters such as doable suggestions, successful examples, contributions from readers who support the…
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Welcome to the Standard's Politician of The Year 2018! The awards, which have been run annually since the blog's founding in 1894, are eagerly awaited by MP's, media hacks and comms flacks in NZ and worldwide. The SPOTY's provide an opportunity for the humble reader…
The Government has announced that the next budget will have wellbeing objectives, as well as financial objectives. Good move. We should be measuring more than just the country's financial performance when we take stock each year. Like how many kids are living in poverty. And…
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 …
There has not been a Trump post for a while, basically because there is so m much happening it has been hard to keep up and distill down the essential elements. But I get the strong impression that the walls are moving in and that…
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 …
As Theresa May promises to limp on as UK PM, Donald Trump can't bring himself to tweet about his attorney going to jail, Angela Merkel prepares to exit in Germany, Macron bows to the fascists in Hi Viz and the Australian Liberal Party heads toward…
For weeks National has been asking questions and hinting darkly at how there was inappropriate Labour support for Karel Sroubek's bid to remain in New Zealand. The information has now been released. And all that I feel is an irresistible urge to say Meh. https://twitter.com/nealejones/status/1072756940348878849…
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 …
Rejoice! The Labour led Government has just removed a completely unfair tax on accommodation renters, ending the practice of rental firms ripping off tenants by charging a bogus upfront 'letting' fee. No doubt the Taxpayers Onion will be overjoyed. Until today, most property management firms…
I think that this graphic on the mid-terms shows the only major effect of Trump on the American 'democracy' (actually it is really more of an elected monarchy) to date. He increased mid-term turnout. Just how much becomes obvious in this graphic from Fair Vote…