Open mike 10/03/2015
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 …
The Bay Wide Boys
The Tribunal made specific mention of the apology Baywide Chief Executive Gavin Earle read to the victim during the hearing noting that it ” . . . was delivered without any detectable note of sincerity . . . “
New site – Evening Report
Selwyn Manning has set up and will edit a new site (eveningreport.nz). Nice to see another progressive net news and current affairs site being set up. It will be interesting to see how this one develops. But there is a lot of room for different media in the net space.
A little case study of media misrepresentation
A short case study of the kind of mainstream media reporting that drives me nuts!
Caption competition (animated!)
Polity: Pork bridges
A sudden enthusiasm for local infrastructure projects on the eve of a tight by-election. What a remarkable coincidence! I wonder whether the cost/benefit ratios on these bridges are up to scratch? Last year National bribed people in the general election. OIA time
Northland is not a “dirty deal”
Despite Mr Gower’s excitable tendencies, Andrew Little’s comments that Northland voters may wish to vote to send a signal to the government is not a “dirty deal”.
Save our kauri!
The clash between those who value our natural environment and those who think money is king is playing out in Titirangi this morning.
Open mike 09/03/2015
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Labour Listens in Newtown
Thousands came to Newtown today for the Annual Fair on a beautiful sunny Wellington day. The Labour party stall was right in the middle and instead handing out lots of leaflets had a big sign saying “Tell us what you think” – and they did – have a look.
Little: ACC levies need to come down
A National government which loves to cut taxs + workers and business being overcharged ACC levies = levy cuts, right? Wrong!
Little on Northland
Andrew Little on TVNZ’s Q&A: “They’ve got a vote they should use it. If they want to vote to send a message to the Government then they should use it”.
National has to win Northland (plus Armstrong’s amazing U-turn)
In which John Key denies the bleeding obvious, and John Armstrong risks whiplash with the speed of his U-turn.
Key’s credibility and the Snowden leaks
The Sunday Star Times has reported on the set up and reach of the Waihopai Spy Base. Key’s statement that the GCSB does not have the physical capability to conduct mass surveillance appears to be not true.
Helen Clark’s statement on International Women’s Day
“International Women’s Day (8 March) is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future.”
Open mike 08/03/2015
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TPP protest reports
For any accounts from the TPP protest marches today.
Gender pay gap still growing – of course
Tomorrow is International Women’s Day. In New Zealand the gender pay gap is growing – perhaps because National abolished the Department of Labour’s Pay and Employment Equity Unit.
Nudge Nudge in Northland
Two interesting changes in the Northland by-election overnight.
Open mike 07/03/2015
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Anti TPPA Rallies this Saturday
For details of protest action nearest to you check out the itsourfuture website.
Dita de Boni on zero-hour contracts
When Michael Woodhouse and the bosses’ lobby are talking about “workplace flexibility”, you know who’s flexing their muscles.
The Ferguson interview
An extraordinary interview with former director of the GCSB Sir Bruce Ferguson on RNZ this morning. He confirms that NZ is conducing mass surveillance. (Any help with transcription?)
Northland Polls; Horrorshow for National
The first polls in the Northland by-election are grim reading for National. It looks likely that Winston will win and National will lose their Parliamentary majority. Have the Tories snatched defeat from the jaws of victory?
National Ltd™ Battling Truth On Two Fronts
The lies and media pap being distributed for public consumption by the boys down at “The Club” are old and worn out now. Politicians, public commentators, and media heads who really think they can get away with this flimsy “rinse and repeat” justification of the indefensible are treated us with contempt.
Is mass surveillance of Kiwis occurring?
The latest Snowden revelations that New Zealand has been collecting bulk data from various Pacific Islands and handing it to the NSA suggests that mass surveillance of New Zealanders is happening, despite promises to the contrary.
Open mike 06/03/2015
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Key fails the leadership test
Fine work form David Fisher at The Herald. Does Key get to lie and deny his way through yet another crisis?
What has Michael Woodhouse actually got right about employment relations?
For someone responsible for managing employment relations in New Zealand, Michael Woodhouse doesn’t seem to understand what “employment relations” means.
Expect more zero-hours crisis cases
Today is not a good day for workers. Employment law changes that take effect today weaken workers’ rights and will result in more cases of zero-hour contract “excesses”. Labour’s Iain Lees-Galloway has been doing good work on this issue (sign the petition). In contrast National’s position now appears confused, with Workplace Relations & Safety Minister Michael Woodhouse acknowledging problems even as today’s changes make matters worse.
NZ spies on its Pacific neighbours
Nicky Hager and the Herald have reported that the GCSB has been collecting data en masse from New Zealand’s pacific neighbours and handed it over to the Americans for inclusion in xkeystore.
Open mike 05/03/2015
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Is Human Resource Management in New Zealand Ethical?
The behaviour at NZCU Baywide presents HRINZ with a rare opportunity to demonstrate that it is a body made up of professionals, serious about their work, concerned about standards, and intent on ensuring the safety of others
On Northland
I’ve been getting tired of the fantasy elections that some political commentators seem to enjoy playing. Currently the fantasises is in Northland, with the same old tiresome lines. It is a pity that most of those playing this game don’t ever seem to think about the behaviours of real voters, real candidates, and real parties.
Nats getting squeamish on zero hour contracts
Zero hour contracts are the logical end point of National’s agenda for employment legislation. But last night Workplace Relations & Safety Minister Michael Woodhouse promised legislation to “prohibit the worst excesses”. “Excesses” in the free market – who would have thought?
Why are we going to war?
National’s justification for going to war against ISIS suffers from two fundamental problems, it is supporting an Iraqi regime that is corrupt and working against the best interests of all of its people, and there is no plan to convert Iraq into a sustainable state.