As our media becomes increasingly shallow, you might be looking for some solid content reading on a quiet Sunday. Check out Briefing Papers from AUT: This website will host a series of Briefing Papers from early in 2014. The papers will focus on assessing the…
Twelve months ago today New Zealand experienced the 2014 election. It was a bitterly disappointing day. It provided an insight into the sophistication of National's campaign apparatus. Despite dirty politics and National wanting to sell off much of the remaining state assets they were returned…
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 …
The Nation has been putting highlights up on Youtube. They emailed us with them. The one that caught my attention was Paddy Gower not listening, and redefining his question partway through from 'Labour's big idea' to 'Andrew Littles's big idea'. You will see what I mean…
I have watched a few clips of the latest republican "debate" with a backdrop of the Airforce 1 plane! ( I think that is the image to which it alludes?) Donald Trump is now being targeted by all-comers for the Republican race. He provides plenty…
Cameron Slater has to be his own worst enemy in court. David Fisher at the Herald reported on the current latest saga. The breaches have cost Slater $1500 in a judgment in which he was told "there is a strong expectation that those who ignore…
National's mismanagement of the economy has left us in the economic doldrums. Here's Brian Rudman: Unemployment is heading back above 6 per cent, having never fallen below the 5.5 per cent recorded in September last year. Growth also peaked last year. It has been boosted…
The "Roy Morgan roundabout" poll has swung round to the left again, with National at 44.5% (down 6), Labour 31% (up 4) and Greens 15% (up 4). Looking at the last 6 Roy Morgans they have alternated apparently large swings to the left and 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 …
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.
Twitter rumours seem to be true. The NBR reports: Experienced journos excluded from NZME integration ... On Wednesday, media company NZME trumpeted plans to bring its “print, digital and radio news teams ... together in one integrated, multi-platform, 24/7 operation” that will be lead by managing…
Weekend social is for non political chat. What's on for the weekend, gigs, film or book reviews, sports, or whatever. No politics, no aggro, why can't we all just get along?
I try to stay away from the flag debate because I think it is a distraction from important issues but ... This morning's Herald editorial contains that many mistakes that I felt the urge to respond. Here is a brief non comprehensive list of some…
The left is running a fundraiser for the Auckland Refugee Council this weekend with guests poet Whaitiri M Mikaere, musicians The Neo-Kalashnikovs, Jack and Jenny Lange, and MANIC SEEDS, Green Party MP Marama Davidson, Labour Party MP Louisa Wall, Arabian refugee Mustafa Steve, Bosnian social justice…
Grant McLachlan (a former Parliamentary researcher and a Nat campaign director) recently spoke out about National's well resourced and well organised spin machine. Last night he appeared again in The Herald, with some home-truths for National on the bungled flag process: The flag process 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 …
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.
As widely reported: Ministers reject advice - halt China Lochinver Station sale Government ministers Paula Bennett and Louise Upston have gone against a recommendation by the Overseas Investment Office and turned down a $88 million bid by Chinese billionaire Jiang Zhaobai's flagship firm to buy…
Eight days ago I posted about how National was strip mining Housing Corporation by being paid $118 million in dividends when the need for social housing was so great. Well hang onto your hats because this news is so much worse. From the Labour website:…
Let's hear it for MMP! Last night in Parliament Labour MP Sue Moroney's bill extending paid parental leave to 26 weeks passed its first reading by one vote (let's hear it for the voters of Northland!). Only National and ACT opposed. Good news: Paid Parental…
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/S at No Right Turn... The Great WINZ ripoff You're a beneficiary. Because they're muppets, WINZ overpays you a day's benefit when you start. When they notice, you're forced to repay the money (which is fair enough) - and tagged as a "fraudster" for good…
The subtle and not so subtle demonisation of Jeremy Corbyn by England's establishment media is going to be something to behold. How about this yesterday in The Times? The new Labour leader treated himself to a black cab at his home yesterday, abandoning the Chairman…
In an unfortunate juxtaposition of events it has been shown that this Government is happy to write off debts properly owed to it by Serco but unwilling to pay debts properly owed by it to New Zealand social welfare beneficiaries. Firstly Serco has been let…
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.