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…
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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…
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 news today - Seven deaths in Kiwi synthetic cannabis epidemic this month Police, Coroner investigating multiple synthetic cannabis deaths: 'further people are going to die' There are still stockpiled supplies of synthetic cannabis from before it was made illegal. These stockpiles are obviously dangerous.…
Last week RNZ covered a conflict between residents of a coastal village and their local council over climate change action (video below). The Whakatane District Council wants to evict 34 households because it believes they are no longer safe in extreme weather event floods. They've offered…
Today in news that makes you want to scream: Govt admits it had 'no idea' of emergency housing costs Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett has admitted "in hindsight" the Government's response to the housing crisis has been too slow. At current spending rates, $50 million…
The following is a pamphlet that the Bishops of the Catholic Church in New Zealand is delivering to its parishioners. Looks like the Church is getting political. Good on it. Following is the text of the pamphlet. “Nothing else will change the world but people…
I've only just found out about this, or I would have written about it sooner: Making stand for homeless Moral judgements are not all that helpful when deciding who gets a house, Dunedin South MP Clare Curran says. "The bottom line is people need somewhere…
Auckland City Councilor Richard Hills was on to something yesterday when he tweeted: There's a few more things below need fixing before tax cuts. You might want to add your own in comments. Good thing Labour is promising to cancel the tax cuts and spend…
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 …
Why be a public servant? Why in particular work in a government department in Wellington? Twenty years ago there was still a mythology that such office jobs were cushy numbers with great perks. Ten years ago some could still say they had a calling to…
Hillary Clinton is currently less popular then Donald Trump. Yup. Not surprisingly, Bernie Sanders is still the most popular politician in the US. In the UK, Jeremy“unelectable”Corbyn would apparently become PM if a general election was to be held tomorrow. In pre-Corbyn Scotland, the SNP…
There's a certain kind of employer that just loves migrant workers - Kiwifruit worker exploitation only the tip of the iceberg, and see 2016 - Uncovered: Exploitation of migrant workers rife in NZ. They'll probably be pretty pleased at this gem from the Maori Party…
Voters have a clear choice this election - tax cuts for the already rich or more spending on social services. There's a good summary by Bernard Hickey on Newsroom - How Labour plans to spend $17bn and stay in surplus The key to Labour's spending…
Radio New Zealand is reporting that the State Services Commission review of the handling of the whistleblowers at the Ministry of Transport will conclude that they were forced out of their jobs by Joanne Harrison, the woman whose actions they complained about and who was…
If you know that feeling of dread when you find a letter from WINZ in your letter box, or if you've experienced the roiling anxiety that comes from being 'called in' for an interview by WINZ, or if you've sighed that sigh of relief when…
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 …
Two days ago at his party conference Winston Peters promised "explosive policy" and one in particular that red necks throughout the country would support, putting the future of the Maori seats up for a general referendum. From Stuff at the time: Speaking to media following…
It's on: Labour lays out financial plan with billions more for health, education Labour has run its numbers and opened its books, promising multi-billion-dollar injections into health and education. If elected, Labour leader Andrew Little said he would pump $8b more over four years into…