Open Mike 08/10/25

Written By: notices and features - Date published: - 17 comments
Categories: open mike


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17 comments on “Open Mike 08/10/25”

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    1. 1.1

      AI

      Since Nixon closed the gold window in 1971

      The End of the Gold Standard:

      In 1971, President Nixon removed the dollar's direct link to gold, a system known as the Bretton Woods system, which allowed governments to exchange dollars for gold at a fixed rate.

      ending the dollar's convertibility to gold, the price of gold has risen dramatically, from approximately $35

      due to factors like fiat currency, inflation, and economic uncertainty. Major rallies occurred in the 1970s (from $35 to $850 by 1980) and again in the 2000s (doubling in value), peaking around $1,895 in 2011 (doubling again to 4000 this decade).

      (my italics or bold).

      The full detail is in the gold price chart – it is shown within this article

      https://www.investopedia.com/gold-price-history-highs-and-lows-7375273

      4 times in value

      The big jumps were in the 1970’s and 2001 – 2012 (nearly 8 times in value)

  5. 5

    Curia poll has the left bloc on 61 seats. Good to see the GP and TPM numbers, and Hipkins as preferred PM.

    BREAKING Party Vote | Taxpayers' Union-Curia.

    Labour: 31.2% (-2.6)

    National: 29.6% (-3.5)

    Greens: 12% (+1.3)

    NZF: 10.6% (+2.5)

    ACT: 6.6% (-0.1)

    TPM: 4.4% (+0.1)

    PPM:

    Chris Hipkins: 20.9% (+3.2)

    Christopher Luxon: 19.8% (-1.9)

    +/- September

    https://x.com/120Aotearoa/status/1975698464878305618

  6. 6

    The return of Beltway insider trading (gossip) finally getting some questions answered?

    This missed connection was convenient for both parties.

    It kept Labour from looking like it had real input on a decision that would have alienated much of its support base. It kept the Government from worrying about that position leaking. And it let both parties pretend that they had pushed for a bit of bipartisan foreign policy consensus, which is supposedly a New Zealand tradition.

    Such subtlety and yet the the government is left with this, when there is a Palestine State, New Zealand will recognise it, as its policy.

    No worries then, Gone with the Wind, in 2026. The world will move on and Peter Fraser will watch on a little less embarrassed.

    https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360844983/we-havent-had-foreign-policy-consensus-60-years

  8. 8

    I'm looking to group source a question about elder support in the home.

    My Mum had quite the turn and is needing support in her home and I was wondering where I could find out what sorts of things WINZ might fund.

    The family is rallying around but there are a few things like showering and being with her, particularly lunch time to encourage her to eat.

    It comes as a shock to hear she is borderline malnourished especially when you have tea with her twice a week.

    Thanks in advance.

    3. 8.3

      Is she over 65? Then she can get a needs assessment from the health system. How much support she will get will depend on her assets, if she lives alone, and the degree of disability. But showering and help taking medication are both things that a care worker can come and help her with. Look for the NASC in your area.

      If she is having trouble eating that might need more specialist care. Again, talk with the NASC. Tell them it is urgent, eg if she is losing weight, or deterioriating on other ways.

      If the family can afford this, you can get in private care from one of the care agencies. Even in the short term until your mum has a needs assessment.

      WINZ payments that she might be able to get include disability allowance (capped at around $68/week) and TAS (a hardship grant where they pay 30% of costs). TAS is income and asset tested. You can look up the details in arkie's second link, and feel free to ask more specifics if you get bogged down. It's worth understanding entitlements before you engage with WINZ, sometimes they won't tell you what the entitlements are. It's also worth figuring out if it's worth even approaching them.

      1. 8.3.1

        If she's under 65, she can get assistance from the DHB or whatever they are called now, which is a different thing than the NASC system.

        Has she been in hospital? there should be follow up support. You might also be able to access a medical social worker who can help you figure out all the things in the system.

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