The government unveiled their blueprint for Christchurch last night - beautifully in time for the 6 o'clock news, making it difficult for the media to organise covering the protests outside as they covered the story inside. 3 land owners who were positive about the plan…
Many of those who participate in the comments here at The Standard also run their own excellent blogs. We regularly feature No Right Turn and Imperator Fish. Today we're reposting (with permission) pieces from two other blogs that attracted some attention in Open mike recently.…
Many of those who participate in the comments here at The Standard also run their own excellent blogs. We regularly feature No Right Turn and Imperator Fish. Today we're reposting (with permission) pieces from two other blogs that attracted some attention in Open mike recently.…
I missed this last week: Key is now conceding that he doesn't have legal authority to give away shares for free in a looters' bonus. In June, Key and English arrogantly dismissed questions from Russel Norman on the legal authority to give away hundreds of…
What is it with this government and convention centres? The international convention market is dying. The Nats are already doing a bargain with the cancer in the heart of Auckland called SkyCity to build one there that won't be worth its cost to build. Now,…
Does Key respect the Waitangi Tribunal's call for a temporary halt to asset sales and its likely call for a further delay when it presents its full findings in September? If he does, he looks weak, gives the Keep Our Assets petition more time. If…
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the link to Policy in the banner). Step right up to the mike...
Finally the truth is out - politics are the real reason for asset sales. They make no sense economically. They are not about debt reduction - Ryall is careful always to talk about control of debt. According to John Armstrong in the weekend Herald: The…
Well now the cat is among the government's pigeons. Breaking news, on NZ Herald: "Tribunal: Asset sales should halt", and Stuff: "Tribunal says halt sale": In a report, out today, the Tribunal sums up both sides of the argument following an urgent hearing in Lower…
Scott at Imperator Fish has kindly given us permission to syndicate posts from his blog – the original of these posts are here and here. Family First Supports Marriage Equality Another controversy put to rest, thanks to my diligent efforts. Family First has issued a…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zoz5EuIF_y8 National is still promising more with less, and not achieving it. Of course, although you can't magic away waste, you can make choices with policies that can be good or bad. National's taken a lot of bad ones - RoNS, borrowing for tax cuts,…
The pay of CEOs in our largest listed companies increased at more than four times the rate of the pay of workers last year. And workers' pay actually went backwards after inflation. Meanwhile, the average CEO has pocketed more than $1,500 a week of tax…
Consultants SKM wrote a report in 2008 that said the Puhoi to Wellsford Holiday Highway wasn't worth the money it cost. Then, once National came in and decided the Holiday Highway was a 'Road of National Significance' they commissioned SKM to write a new report,…
A couple of interesting headlines recently. "NZ women overtake men's IQ scores". "John Key losing appeal among women". Coincidence? I don't think so...
In April, Christchurch Council revealed its plan for the CBD rebuild following an extensive period of public consultation. The chance to rebuild the CBD of our second-largest city was a once-in-generations opportunity to fit the city for our future challenges. The Council plan had its…
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the link to Policy in the banner). Step right up to the mike...