Written By:
- Date published:
6:00 am, July 8th, 2026 - 56 comments
Categories: open mike -
Tags:
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 …
https://www.greens.org.nz/tax_system_for_all – – – https://vote.nz/
[Time to] Move-On!
https://natlib.govt.nz/records/37956246
Exactly.
DoubleDown News exposes the huge influence of its new owners on changing the TikTok algorithm to islamophobic and pro-Israel messaging. It also shows the embedding of Oracle in the Israeli military.
"We have some really profoundly scarey technology at Oracle and we wanted to make it available for the effort [of the IDF]" VP Catz told zionist Americans.
https://www.doubledown.news/watch/2026/june/18/lowkey-exposes-netanyahu-terrifying-14-billion-plan-to-control-your-mind
Using a good-guy/bad-guy binary won't get them far but the situation has interesting wrinkles around zionism as hate speech…
With a jewish mother one may expect sympathy, yet he seems more agnostic than strategically aligned. Media operating in accord with owner priorities is normal.
Public opinion will pivot upon user experiences as they exhibit a Bell curve of normalcy, but the tertiary group who are non-aligned to the binary will determine the future progress of the whole body politic…
I note that Bell curve mention. It comes to mind more and more frequently in relation to our country's and the world situation and trajectory at present. (Checked the reference and find more to learn than I expected. Isn't that the way today – when do our brains explode when trying to cope and outmaneouvre AI?)
Then of course comes consideration of and measurement of, what is considered intelligence, and the influences on the means of utilising and advancing it in an individual, at school or home. Could it be that our methods of education are agents in causing this intelligence division?
And another posit – what about ‘The Peter Principle’
in politics? “In a hierarchy, every employee tends to rise to his level of incompetence.” This leads to Peter’s corollary: “In time, every post tends to be occupied by an employee who is incompetent to carry out its duties.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_principle#The_Peter_Principle
Yes, you got it. Marx did a 19th century triadic frame: lower/middle/upper classes. Neolibs use the middleman frame: buyer/money/seller. Johnny in the middle connnects the buyer/seller dyad via financial conduit to suit situation.
Trump leveraged middle-class outrage from the GFC due to the Dems being too stupid to do so: in between screwer and screwee you get politicians trying to please both the elite control system and victims simultaneously…
Gee DennisF, that's a very gnomic sentiment. Who's using the binary? Which body politic?
I watched the first half so dunno where he went with it. Just a preliminary impression (is what I went with). The good/evil binary uses Jungian shadow psychology but rarely to good effect. Mutual projection embeds polarity via reciprocity. Body politic is a trad framing from way back, useful as tacit holism.
Applied holism is often tricky: the body politic diversifies naturally so we get sub-groups as emergent via severality (like the law of the few which Gladwell famously framed as a triad of mavens/connectors/salespeople).
Interesting rumination on the effect of climate change on mass outlook:
Angst-driven activism tends not to get traction unless in accord with zeitgeist. Microcosm merges with macrocosm in holistic consciousness, which usually freaks out any zealot bystander who notices the effect. False consciousness!
The philosopher gathers points to ponder here. I'd go with paradox at the core of human nature since so many contemporary authors have done so. Users of paradox seek to induce transcendence via realisation of how to relativise the dyad within.
Ah ha, bigger clunky thoughts than the paper bag can withstand. People will load those up beyond the capacity to manage their weight and sharp edges. Thinking ahead they might take out some and put them into smaller bags to enable the ongoing useful to be carried forward, with some in reserve. Spread the load amongst reliable keepers and doers who take a role in thinking, conserving and utilising well, the useful tools.
It seems the only way when confronted by this plethora of problems and practices (nice alliteration – need some humour also – making pulchitrude turn into pulchritude!) How's that for symbolic thinking or allegorical?
The fascists (Trump, Farage, Peters) are scape-goaters and rage pushers. The political change movement in response (Mamdani, Polanski, Swarbrick) push hope, inclusiveness and social justice. Catch more flies with sugar than vinegar.
I think that you’re so liberal with the F-word that it loses [much of] its meaning & impact.
Perhaps you could suggest a label that does encompass the politics of using out-groups to polarise the electorate?
Fucknuckery would be good. A riff on this… https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Fuckery&page=4
Why? Do you really need a label or some other poorly-defined umbrella term to sweep together some hard-Right populists who sow division and manufacture outrage?
I like this one of 'neo-fascism' from wiki
""The single party, the secret police, the public displays of Caesarism, even the presence of a Führer are not necessarily attributes of fascism. … The famous fascist methods are constantly revised and will continue to be revised. More important than the mechanism is the idea which fascism has created for itself of man and freedom."
and
"The psychologist David Pavón-Cuéllar…has argued that the emergence of neoliberalism in the late-twentieth century prompted neoliberalist politicians to utilize neo-fascism as a means to remove all limits to capital (including labor laws, social rights and tariffs). According to Pavón-Cuéllar, this is done by employing the aestheticization of politics and by using the narcissism of small differences to find a target for hate, maintain a social hierarchy instead of protecting all individuals" Sorry, comes with embedded formatting.
Note the big emphasis on scape-goating identifiable groups and of being a superior culture that differentiates neo-fascism from neo-liberalism.
Politics prof takes a look at our morphing political terrain:
He ends with the balance of power scenario (TOP as pivot). Contingent upon Nat/Lab mutual-underwhelming continuance – but feasible as ongoing normalcy, via mass expectation of election outcome. This is the self-fulfilling prophecy dimension.
What does Kaianga Ora being financially sustainable mean? Maybe one of our neo-liberal adjacent Standardistas could explain.
“The government is limiting further Kāinga Ora development to ensure the agency’s financial sustainability…”
This is cruel and offensive more so because it is down to a failing ideology. Growing homeless and rough sleepers. The key word in Emergency Housing is Emergency.
450 on the waiting list and a 30 flat apartment sits empty.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics/684450/extremely-frustrated-government-struggles-to-find-buyer-for-napier-flats-sitting-empty-for-year
My suspicion is that 'financial sustainability' for KO comes down to counting only one side of its balance sheet and then pretending to be shocked by the result, i.e. counting the debt it incurs to buy land and build houses, but not counting either the land or the houses as assets (once the latter are built). Therefore, 'financial sustainability' for KO is a sleight of hand to justify shrinking the social housing sector and thereby maximising opportunities for private landlords to make capital gains in residential property.
Sounds about right.
I'm yet to meet a bean counter that accounts for the benefit of a family having secure dwelling to grow and contribute to society in their balance sheet.
On the subject of money, it would make the asset more desirable for a purchaser if it was tenanted.
With current winter temperatures I'm surprised the squatters haven't moved in.
Typical that Mr Tobacco gets to have a rant and there's no response from Labour as the buyers of the site for social housing which the coalition put a wrecking ball through.
So if " the government is limiting further Kāinga Ora development…..meaning the number of Kāinga Ora properties is not expected to grow from this year.
It instead wanted to rely on community housing providers to supply desperately needed social homes. "
Bishop needs to answer the question his govt has created i.e. which community providers, how many houses have been provided so far ?
Haters and wreckers need to be held accountable, Mr Tobacco and that slippery Tama Potaka.
#BinItToWinIt Please.
NEW: Labour, the Conservatives, and the Liberal Democrats are expected to stand down in the Clacton by-election, describing it as a "stunt" The only confirmed candidates so far are Nigel Farage and Count Binface
https://x.com/GBPolitcs/status/2074531078153306166
https://www.hansardsociety.org.uk/publications/guides/why-can-mps-not-simply-resign-their-seats-why-must-they-apply-for-the-chiltern-hundreds
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/world/684428/uk-hard-right-leader-nigel-farage-resigns-as-mp-to-force-snap-vote-in-finances-row
"Make Your Vote Count" – – – "Bindependence Day has come"
I loathe to give Winston Peters any oxygen when he’s playing us with his fiddle and us-versus-them tunes. The false narrative he’s propagating is that voting in democratic elections is a privilege rather than a [democratic] right, which is much stronger. His aim is to absorb our attention with his polarising polemic that divides NZ society into worthy & deserving vs the others whilst leaving out the sub-text that he means immigrants. (NB immigrants from certain countries are not immigrants as such, they’re ex-pats in Peters’ narrative)
One argument offered as justification for this radical regressive change is that other countries don’t allow residents to vote. This is a particularly weak argument and paints the current situation in NZ as negative and backward. Arguably, NZ is more advanced in this sense and other countries could do worse than following NZ’s leading example, for whatever (historical?) reasons this country implemented such an inclusive system.
One wonders if Peters is also going to vet submissions to Parliamentary Select Commissions, for example, as this would seem a logical example of his populist approach. This question is entirely rhetorical because logic (and critical thinking) has no place in lapping up Peters’ slop.
https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/08-07-2026/idea-we-should-let-people-vote
There is another issue, and that is what defines the benefits of citizenship in NZ, a debate I think we sorely need to have.
I’m not following you here.
A Google search returned these benefits (AI Overview only, so buyer beware):
PR ('Power Rank' / mobility score) of the
AotearoaNew Zealand Aotearoa passport:22nd – 23rd group (Power Rank 6) in 2015
22nd – 30th group (Power Rank 5) in 2019
18th – 25th group (Power Rank 5) in 2023
36th – 39th group (Power Rank 7) in 2026.
https://www.passportindex.org/byRank.php
We been in the PR red as of late. https://www.passportindex.org/byChanges.php
What do members here think of Labour's Solar Policy?
I just had a look and it shines brightly!
https://www.labour.org.nz/solarsaver
I have loads of little questions about (technical) detail such as admin-management, etc., but the big picture is clear & solid. Labour seems to have put a lot of thought into this.
Long time coming but not too bad.
Demand for both will be huge. Beware of cowboy installers.
And both will see the Government's take of return from power companies drop going forward. So one will need to check if they have budgeted for the shortfall
Both?
It does look like eligibility has a very low threshold [for applicants, but hopefully not for installers] and there’s no cap!? This may end up being massively over-subscribed like the Clean Car Discount scheme but benefitting quite a different demographic.
Both National and Labour have new policy on this.
Yes, both have low eligibility for applicants and both are removing requiring consent.
Both being massively over-subscribed is my expectation.
This looks concerning https://www.solarreviews.com/blog/dont-invest-in-plug-in-solar-panels
National’s policy is much narrower and more limited (restricted, if you like). It doesn’t included provision for renters and people with < 20% equity in their property, for example. I don’t find National’s attempt genuine and more like cynical tokenism to score points in election year.
What concerns you about plug-in panels?
Yes, National's is limited in comparison but still opens it up to far more than current settings.
Safety is the big concern. There is good reason why they are currently illegal.
There is fire, electrocution and wind hazards that require to be overcome
Then there is the oversight required to ensure there are no poorly made and faulty products being brought in and cowboys installing them poorly.
There is also the question of how will insurance companies treat them?
I beg to differ; it’s easy, lazy, and superficial, aimed to be easy on the eye & ear for quick points.
I think all your questions are valid but not all warrant concern as such; many issues need to properly addressed and adequately dealt with. Labour NZ is not blazing a trail.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2019040740/solar-panels-for-the-balcony
Would you need an installer (‘cowboy’) to get a plug-in panel? I didn’t think so.
The oversight issue is quite important and Labour isn’t oblivious to that, as you can tell from their policy.
You can "beg" all you like but facts backing your stance is required to convince me.
Bank rejections are currently rather high and National's offering will largely improve this as would Labours. Hence, opening it up to far more than current settings
As for your claim it doesn’t include provision for renters. They (National) are also offering it to landlords so renters will obtain it that way
There are lot of elderly in NZ, some (not to mention the largely bed ridden sick or disabled) will need assistance having the panels brough in, setup and put in place.
And with the expected high uptake and lack of installers, I expect cowboys will try to take advantage with the rooftop ones as well.
One would hope Labour isn’t oblivious to that, but getting it right is important as there is potentially lives on the line.
Have they answered why plugins when the savings are so small and risk so high?
Those balcony ones are a real eyesore, thus I can see some complaining about that. Which may result in some apartments prohibiting them.
Darn! I really thought we were finally having a constructive convo here but you’ve fallen backwards hard into your old groove and there’s way too much to unpack & counter here.
FWIW, I very rarely comment here to ‘convince’ anybody else and your rather odd response & regression are quite telling.
Darn! I also really thought we were finally having a constructive convo but it didn't take you long to fall back to playing the man and not the ball.
Too much to unpack? Yeah right.
Describing ‘the man’ falling backwards into his old habits isn’t playing the man and as I said, there’s too much in your comment that is way off the mark to counter, unfortunately. I can only hope that TS readers won’t be sucked in and ‘convinced’ by your relentless negativity & antagonism, destructive & cynical criticism, and idiosyncratic fear-mongering even though you started off in this thread on such a positive & constructive note.
Instead of lashing out at me, can you find some more fault with Labour’s policy and find some more good points with National’s?
For me Labour's subsidy for solar for lower income people is the most important thing.
Others also like it. Local Government NZ and the Green Building Council have come out in strong support of labour's policy.
Labour's SolarSaver fund is based on the Ratepayer Assistance Scheme (RAS), a local government-led, low-cost loan model. It has been developed by LGNZ and key partners such as the Local Government Funding Agency (LGFA) and Rewiring Aotearoa, with Cameron Partners acting as lead advisor. A number of councils have also supported the development of the scheme.
However the entirely reasonable point from the Greens is that since they are pretty close in policies between National and Labour, just put the policy up as a joint statement and take it off the election cycle altogether.
Green Party Calls On Parliament To Get On With Solar Loans Before Election | Scoop News
Unfortunately we are now deep into election cycle for cooperation.
Labour's subsidy for lower income people is what makes it far better than National's offering.
At least Labour's policy has something for low-middle income household, including renters, with the kickstart subsidy and plug-in panels. National, of course, never considered renters, leaving them to fall further behind with no option but to continue paying Gentailers for all power.
Plug in panels for renters will come with their own issues; suitable location (apartments, anyone?), safety, available power input, cables, reluctant landlords, etc.
It's something I guess, but why not mandate proper solar installation for all residential tenancies and subsidise that using the same mechanisms?
Labour only doing half the job here and National barely doing the minimum.
Let's all get together and call for the good of all the people like starlings me darlings.
Thanks Grey
We have thousands of starlings putting on shows like this for us every dusk .They roost in our bamboo, you hear the wingbeat before you see them ,and once there is a full muster the chattering can be quite deafening.A falcon always attends the performance , sweeping in circles , until they've all arrived.There must be some profit, but mostly he's thwarted.It is such a pleasure having this display of collectivism in the winter.
I read somewhere that all the starlings in Wellington region commute daily to and from Kāpiti Island. Quite a darwinian fitness test. In PN they just commute to the Square.
They used to roost on an island close to Kapiti, not the island itself. The peculiar roosting habits of starlings
OCR to increase by 25 basis points from 2.25% to 2.5%.
https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/emergency-generator-restores-power-snow-hit-otago-households
Not the most modern and wind/snow resistant power pole in New Zealand . . .
Infrastructure!
aj you might know some of the history of this? IMO an absolute screwup of quite astoundingly dodgy nature. And in the following Link the usual blame shifting/dodging, but also a Whistleblower.Thank fck for them ! )
March 21, 2019
Some years earlier …October 20, 2016 (Incl a death : (
Just disgusting.
I do recall some of that. Nothing surprises me.
Backwash on the right in Britain: https://unherd.com/2026/07/farages-clacton-reckoning/
Turn-out will be the key, eh? With 42% already alienated by the establishment, victory will go to whoever appeals more to remaining sheeple. The exciting thing is that democracy incorporates fake by-elections along with the real thing. Conservative leader doan wanna do the charade: https://order-order.com/2026/07/07/badenoch-says-tories-wont-stand-in-clacton/
News that democracy is both fake & real simultaneously depending on the viewer's angle will thrill all democratic zealots. May need to issue a primer for those kids approaching adolescence since teacher will try to make the kids realistic instead of fantastic. It would use intelligent design to explain relativity of a viewer's angle of perception, preferably in an appendix for budding cognoscenti. What if Binface wins? Policies that Count:
Way more good ideas in that eclectic mix. Britons with a sense of humour could go for it big-time, eh? Nigel will be running scared…
Led By Donkeys has a brilliant presentation showing earnings from Farage's 12 other jobs (he's basically absent from both Parliament and his electorate). They run the video trailer through Clackton, one of the poorest areas in Britain. He also picks up a pension from his years as an EU MP.
https://bsky.app/profile/ledbydonkeys.org/post/3m46h4jfkec2q
We are very lucky to make our MPs turn up to work, and to limit their non-MP activities. The more I learn of UK politics, the more smelly and corrupt the system is shown.
Canterbury and Kaikoura getting blasted by heavy rain, causing floods.
But if the meteorological people are correct and La Nina is going to give a dry summer, those flooded plains will be parched landscapes come Feb 2027.
Nature is going to provide more of these extremes, I think.
I again put forward Oz Mulloon Institute whose workings on land and water and vegetation will bear value for us if we bother to learn and apply what's right for us, even though different land form.
Mulloon Institute <info@themullooninstitute … and https://mullooninstitute.org/research/what-we-do/
Peter Andrews went for something now called Natural Sequence Farming – explained in 2011. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUDxycp7ayk 17.04m
And it isn't easy. He and the people who set up MI had to fight for the right to keep willows on river banks etc. In NZAO – https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/361002673/environment-award-winning-farmers-fined-creating-ponds-without-consent
I'll add to the above on climate change effects.
https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK2607/S00306/some-regions-expected-to-be-hit-harder-than-others-as-flood-damage-to-infrastructure-is-expected-to-grow.htm
Thursday, 9 July 2026, 8:59 am
Press Release: New Zealand Infrastructure Commission
Excerpts –