Open Mike 26/01/2026

3 comments on “Open Mike 26/01/2026 ”

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1. ianmac 1

   26 January 2026 at 2:50 pm

   What Mr Goldsmith? Your excuse for cutting off the time for voting would speed up the count. Rubbish! Thanks to No Right Turn,

   But the Electoral Commission’s chief electoral officer Karl Le Quesne made clear to The Post the date would not change.

   “We need to plan for what could happen. We have allowed 20 days to declare the official results because we are forecasting an increase in special votes, including overseas votes. Even with the enrolment change, we expect many people to enrol or update their details after writ day which results in special votes,” Le Quesne said.

   “The date for the release of the official results is not legislated or set in stone, but it’s important to allow time to get the final results right.”

   https://norightturn.blogspot.com/2026/01/the-electoral-commission-refuses-to.html

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2. greywarshark 2

   26 January 2026 at 3:43 pm

   Local councils appear to have been given a choice at some time, whether they will be Opt-in for Citizens and carry out work for us ordinaries as lead 'clients' or Opt-out. Opt-out means they act as a central procurement agency allocating community needs requirements to contracted private services. Right?

   (And this follows Central Government's direction too. Do we agree? Is that we expect in a modern country? Are we modern? If so, do we want this sort of modern? And what are we paying our taxes for? For a sort of street-theatre by pollies smiling and making speeches, or looking serious and making speeches? Better we just shut off and play an old clip of Peter Jackson's The Frighteners! (There is a great 2m clip with Michael J Fox on youtube.)

   https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/584999/fenz-warned-of-slip-near-mt-maunganui-camp-almost-4-hours-before-landslide

   So FENZ which has a management running on efficiency lines and a budget not actual need, (and which is being expected to do far more than just attend fires), reports to the local Council about a likely problematic event. But the Council which has adopted Opt-out just receives information of a slip and doesn't send an emergency check to note the problem and likely further concerns. The tragedy from the slip could have been avoided or mitigated. However Worksafe are looking into it and said:

   'We will be looking into the organisations that had a duty of care for everyone at the holiday park, and whether or not they were meeting their health and safety responsibilities." .

   And Mr Luxon is showing the obligatory face of caring a hoot that he practices to his bathroom mirror every morning.

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3. greywarshark 3

   26 January 2026 at 4:59 pm

   This is good news of a battle won for Wellingtonians who treasure their past achievements and style. The Begonia House was saved from the council administration termites and now…dah dah.

   https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK2601/S00526/begonia-house-closes-as-refurbishment-enters-next-phase.htm

   Begonia House has been a major feature of the Wellington Botanic Garden ki Paekākā for more than 60 years, showcasing unique plant collections from warmer climates, and providing a vibrant community space for events and activities.

   “Wellingtonians have told us loud and clear about how loved the Begonia House is. It houses some of the most stunning flora in the Capital and gives delight to so many locals and visitors,” says Mayor Andrew Little.

   This was decided I think, before Little was elected Mayor. By the way, the past mayor has gone to Australia for I don't know how long.

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