Nicky Hager's application for review of police decisions is being heard today in the High Court. The case essentially is about whether information seized by the police should have been seized at all, or whether it was covered by journalistic privilege. In what may be a first…
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 …
We have two options before us, New Zealand. Either Michael Woodhouse still hasn't had anyone explain the difference between zero hour contracts - which are exploitative trash - and casual employment - which is casual - to him. Or, Michael Woodhouse knows damn well that…
Rob Salmond at Polity has explained the process and the science behind yesterday's revelation that massive numbers of Auckland houses are being sold to overseas speculators. Both blog posts are worth reading as they explain in detail how the conclusion that speculatory money from China…
I must admit it does not feel the best watching Labour being accused of engaging in dog whistle politics. Is it true? The social media response is mixed with many pouring scorn on the Auckland Housing analysis methodology used without, it appears, even understanding what the…
Turns out are state houses are in a shocking state of disrepair. The Nation's Nicola Kean: Are warrants unwarranted for state houses? In February last year, Housing Minister Nick Smith launched a trial Warrant of Fitness scheme for state houses. Inspectors would take a look…
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 …
That's the Nats' message to Auckland - Public to have no say in SkyCity convention centre A resource consent applications for SkyCity's new convention centre will proceed without the public having a say. The commissioners said they did not consider there were any "special circumstances"…
Sometimes you're wrong in a way which completely proves the point you were making! So it was with yesterday's post, lamenting the lack of a clear set of principles for the Labour Party to build its policy and campaigning around. Well, as commenter Scintilla pointed…
The big story this morning is Labour's analysis of Auckland property purchase data. It was just covered on The Nation, and features in no less than three articles in The Herald this morning: Special investigation: Auckland house prices Exclusive: Leaked figures support claims that Chinese…
As widely reported yesterday, Labour has lodged a formal complaint over John Key's most recent lie to Parliament: Labour complains to Speaker over John Key's KiwiSaver claims Prime Minister John Key is facing a breach of privilege complaint over his claim Inland Revenue told him…
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.
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?
First up, a rare thing; mild praise for the National Government. In ignoring Treasury's advice to do fully to KiwiRail what the troika is doing to Greece, Bill English has thrown our rail network a two year lifeline. This is a very good thing. Well,…
If there’s a sure bet in New Zealand politics (besides “don’t rule out Winston”) it's this: when a Labour candidate wants to reassure a Labour audience that they’ve got the right stuff, they’ll say one thing: “My values are Labour values.” It sets the bar.…
Looks like we have another entry for BLiP's ongoing series of Key Fibs. This post will not need many words. Stuff reports that on May 25 John Key told Parliament that the budget cuts to Kiwisaver would not make any difference to the numbers enrolled. In…
The financial elite have set us all on course for Global Financial Crisis episode 2, as the limits of financial "extend and pretend" seem close to being breached. And boy is it going to be a biggie. Will "Grexit" trigger it? Or perhaps massive losses…
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 breaking news: Government strengthens residential tenancy laws Every rental property in New Zealand will have to be fully insulated within four years, Government has confirmed. Housing Minister Nick Smith announced plans this morning to strengthen residential tenancy laws, including requirements for landlords to provide…
Canterbury's rebuild has been going on for a number of years now. The country's economy has benefitted. Without the disaster it is likely the economy would have slipped into recession a while ago. But rebuilding a major urban area after the trauma and disaster of multiple earthquakes…
I/S at No Right Turn writes... No democracy for Canterbury Back in March, National announced a public consultation on whether democracy would be restored to Canterbury. Today, they released their foregone conclusion: nope: Environment Canterbury (ECan) will move to a mixed governance council of seven…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MN5DZC4MimQ During this week the Labour Party enjoyed its 99th birthday. Formed in 1916 after the trade union movement had suffered significant defeat at the hands of capital workers decided that if they were going to improve their plight they had to use political means.…
Max Rashbrooke has a major article in The Guardian today looking at poverty in NZ and the UK. In New Zealand, 18% of children – some 200,000 – live in households unable to meet basic needs, such as keeping their house warm, replacing worn-out clothes…
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.
The on again off again surplus is on again: Budget roars back into surplus Vernon dear the time to "roar" back in to surplus was about 4 years ago. What we're doing now is crawling back. Hopes of a Budget surplus have soared after Treasury…
On Stuff today: Blankets in demand as families turn off heaters Christchurch families are turning off heaters and bundling up in blankets to save money, leading to a waiting list for the basic item among social agencies. For the first time since starting a blanket…