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brutustheduck

166 comments · +2,401 / −1,683 · rank #1453 of 40,276

What is Winston Peters up to in refugee spat?

I am more left than right leaning but in this case I disagree strongly with our prime minister. We need to look after our people first before we can help others. If of say 1,500 refugees 300 are mums and dads and the rest children then we would need at least 300 houses/flats each year and that whilst we have a housing crises. Mental health services are incredibly stretched right now and refugees will need support. So, give it a rest Labour/Greens till we have sorted out our mess. I totally agree with Winston on this issue. No time for grandstanding at present and trying to look good in the eyes of others.

+191−9

Diner owner offers job to tip jar thief

Whats wrong with people? I cant understand the down votes. Would be good if they left a message about their reason. The cafe owner is to be applauded for trying to get one of these youngsters on the right track. Well done.

+132−20

It's a hard life living on the pension

Dont be too hasty in your judgment. There are plenty of people who have only ever earned enough to pay the bills and lived modestly but never had enough income to set aside the sizeable amount that is needed to top up the pension. I feel for those people.

+24−0

Prime Minister's business confidence push back: 'I'm interested in the reality'

I absolutely agree with your comments. It really irks me that debates get shut down. You are not allowed to question. Look at Germany for instance. That country is now grappling with problems it never had to confront before mass immigration from Muslim faith based countries occurred. Why cant you question the wisdom of accepting so many people from countries that are culturally so different. I just shake my head. If you want to call me a racist because I question certain decisions, so be it.

+19−1

Jacinda Ardern and Winston Peters on making their relationship work

Under-everything. You are so right. You might have read that we are having a mid-wife crisis here in Wanaka and there is Jacqui Dean, who has been representing our area for jonks, demanding that the Government need to deal with it urgently. What has she/National done to rectify this in the past few years?

+21−5

"Jonathan Milne: If these are Kiwi values, I don't want a bar of them",

That also begs the question that if numbers of a religion we are avoiding to mention will flex their muscle and we will roll over when demands are made that pork for instance cant be taken to school or preschool, that Easter or Christmas will not be celebrated openly in institutions for fear of offending. Look at the mess the UK is in. It is a numbers game and yes, I feel newcomers need to adopt some of our values. No use mocking what we have. It could be gone if we are not vigilant. Look at Germany now and what has happened in the space of just a few years. Some Muslims who were secular and had been living peacefully there for ages have discovered their religion again, at least the aspects that we do not want.

+23−7

It's a hard life living on the pension

I retired 10 years ago. We down-sized and built a modest but very comfortable retirement home, thereby freeing up capital to supplement our pension. We have a vegetable garden and planted as many fruit trees as we could fit onto our section and that has been of great help. We dont stint on good food and we only have meals out on special occasions. Living in a resort town brings variety to our lives and we dont go holidays. I am not complaining because we are doing ok. Unfortunately, a bit of money In the bank earns so very little interest so we have to be careful. I fear for the future though because dwindling home ownership means that many people have got nothing to downsize from and the very high rents asked will possibly impede saving. Sad state of affairs.

+16−1

Chelsea Manning granted special direction to apply for visa

I am not a fan of Southern and Molineux but I think you are out of line calling them chronic racists. I am worried that the word racist gets bandied about far too easily and that to raise legitimate concern about for instance immigration from certain countries makes you a racist.

+12−1

Hunter Valley: The rough road to paradise

Catch your breath for a moment. You are casting a very wide net here for what you perceive as the misdeeds of the current government. Stick to the issue at hand. Yes, Mr Cochrane came across as very reasoned in the interview but not too long ago he even tried to block access to Kidds Bush which is easy to get to and a favourite picnic and camping place for locals. Where do you think the current upset has come from? This has been festering for decades and needs to be sorted once and for all. Shame Mr Lauer got caught up in this.

+21−11

"'Bucket toilet' for garage tenants: The vulnerable Kiwis reforms won't help",

I rented while living in Germany. Generally a flat comes without a built in kitchen and you buy your own. IKEA is always a good starting point. for that. If the previous renter doesnt want to take the kitchen cabinets etc when moving out, then you negotiate a price for the purchase, otherwise if you dont want it, it gets removed. The flooring was parquet, so no carpet required. There was central heating. The flat was painted white and we had to have it professionally repainted for hand-over day. If you dont organise that yourself the landlord will and the cost comes out of your bond. Also, you would not get away with provision for just one heating appliance. Thats just substandard. I should add that renters usually stay for long periods in their rented accommodation and make it a real home. Also, there are strict house rules about parties, noise etc that you disobey at your peril. Sounds strict but makes for very peaceable living I can assure you. Good experience overall. Weve got something to learn.

+8−0

"'Bucket toilet' for garage tenants: The vulnerable Kiwis reforms won't help",

750 refugees a year is a huge burden for us and the increase to 1,500 a year will increase that pressure. If, for arguments sake, of that number 300 are adults and the rest children you will need annually 150+ houses/flats to accommodate them, assuming the 300 are family units. That is an intolerable burden I feel in the situation the country is finding itself in. Those refugees will be accommodated and looked after first to the detriment of families living in garages or bunking down in overcrowded places and could lead to resentment agains newcomers. I know how I would feel if the State abrogated its responsibility towards me but looked after refugees instead. The decision to increase numbers was misguided as far as I am concerned.

+9−1

Trying to house a family of nine in Aucklands rental market

Your suggestion implies that the breadwinners job is transferable to another, cheaper place and that buying a home is financially viable. Wanaka, where I moved to from Auckland, has just overtaken Auckland in the median house price and that brings the question where do the Wanaka workers move to? Try renting here and the same applies to the surrounding settlements. There is nothing to be had that is affordable for anyone who does not earn top dollar and, like in Auckland, your tenancy is not secure. In my opinion the sale of residential properties to non-residents has to stop. Its not the panacea for all the countrys ills but a good first step. However, I am not holding my breath.

+8−1

If more has been found for the nurses, unions will take the hint to add pressure

If being fiscally responsible with public money means that people are not being paid what they are worth but CEOs and Parliamentarians get paid handsomely, if it means that health and education are underfunded, if tax cuts are given at the expense of spending on infrastructure, than I for one vote for being fiscally irresponsible.

+14−8

Mum worries about keeping her four kids warm

Well said. From subsidies for extraordinarily high rents to subsidies for heating, it's just bandaid. The system needs overhauling. I am very disappointed that neither National nor Labour are determined to put an end to the exploitation of the taxpayer.

+7−1

Mum worries about keeping her four kids warm

You are absolutely right but have you checked out the price of woollen blankets? Eye watering and out of the reach of the poorly paid. Having said that, you can still find some in Hospice Shops and the like.

+6−1

Queenstown council calls for urgent bed tax pilot

As the article points out, a bed tax has been charged in desirable holiday locations for many years and is totally acceptable. We locals cannot provide through our rates the enormous sums that are required to maintain, let alone improve the infrastructure. Accommodation providers need to pull their heads in and actually support our Council in their efforts. Also, why exempt the Australian and Pacific Islanders. I strongly feel that everyone who comes to Queenstown and Wanaka needs to be charged a bed tax. I have never resented paying the tax when holidaying in Austria or Germany for instance. Its just part and parcel of the trip.

+8−3

"Jami-Lee Ross saga shows Peter Goodfellow betrayed Kiwi women",

Good on you, Alison for speaking out. As far as I am concerned, National cannot count on my vote any longer. Even if the bad smell from the alleged $100,000 donation does not cling to Simon Bridges, enough has come to light so far that has severely shaken my confidence in the Party. In some ways I am thankful that the despicable behaviour of Jami-Lee Ross has made me reflect on the odious behaviours by so many concerned. A shameful situation.

+21−16

Being cold and rationing heating is now normal in New Zealand

I don't agree with you at all. Collins didn't get anywhere with her enquiery into petrol prices but I am not holding my breath that this government will be able to reign power and petrol companies either. Also, the low wages that many workers receive don't help either. Also I believe that once wages rise prices will do so as well. I am feeling extremely disillusioned.

+7−4