Novopay going from bad to worse

Mr Fixit Steven Joyce has been handed the Novopay fiasco, and the first pay round under his watch is the worst yet. Teachers are currently owed almost $12 Million in missing wages. Is this a conspiracy, or just a good old fashioned cock up?

Incompetent and insulting

The government’s handling of the RWC opening and the resulting chaos has been both incompetent and insulting to Auckland.  “Seizing control” is simply adding insult to injury.

Couldn’t organise a party at Party Central

Keen to shift the blame for the RWC opening fracas Murray McCully has used reserve powers under his very own CERA-like powers to seize control of the whole Auckland waterfront. John Key wants it run like Party Central, which he says “worked absolutely perfectly”. Yeah, tell that to the waka paddlers who were assaulted by a drunken mob there.

The broadband revolt

One of the Nats’ few constructive policies at the last election was Steven Joyce’s ultra-fast broadband project.  The Nats promised $1.5 Billion investment to deliver UFB to 75% of New Zealand homes within 10 years.  Almost 3 years in, their proposals have just been met with almost universal rejection from industry  and consumer groups.

What a balls-up

Competent government’s a bit like oil in your car’s engine. It’s easy to take it for granted – until it’s not there. Look […]