I had forgotten the Greens were even part of this government. Imagine the leverage they would have had if they had gone with National. They sold out the environment in NZ for an archaic righteousness that does not fit with the MMP system they believe so much in. A ship of fools.
I support the idea around Me Too but now Im just feeling battered. My son is 19 he is a real nice guy but said to be recently that because he is a male he feels he has to take the blame for a small minority of fools, I didnt have a counter argument to give him. I see women behaving badly towards men but this is pretty much a no go area now because its almost treated as impossible. Alienation of the majority of good guys is going to be good for no one. But its starting to happen.
The trouble this coalition has is that it is struggling to find quality front benchers little own those at the back. The intellectual and economic fire power is in short supply and Labours coalition partners certainly offer little in this area as well. Without Ardern they would never have gotten near governing, its populist politics and now has the potential to impact the country in terms of confidence and economic growth.
Can we please get back to the politics of it all thats why she is where she is. Most of us would like to know what policy direction we are actually heading in because its pretty vague. We were told a baby would not impact on her ability to deliver the promises her coalition made but has anyone told the media this?
I wonder if an historical performance had been written and performed by females for centuries that men could demand inclusion like this without there being an uproar?
Ive painted three houses we have lived in, built decks, planted and maintained lawns and gardens, oiled cedar walls, trimmed hedges, run kids to sports for years, been a coach, helped with homework, shared the cooking and always do the dishes, do all the ironing, do all the vacuuming, replaced parts of roofs, pained roofs changed countless nappies, cleaned the house most most weekends, always washed the cars, always taken out the rubbish............... And a good chunk of it as a full time working solo father. Im over the women v men rubbish. People do huge amounts of unpaid work. traditionally women have carried the majority but that has certainly changed in recent years. Lets calculate what people do as unpaid work.
To quote Winston Churchill the law can be an ass We have accepted many who have broken the law in their own country as migrants and refugees. They have broken unfair laws, corrupt laws, laws that inhibit free speech, laws that persecute minorities, laws that support the rich and powerful, laws that justify the crimes of rich and powerful etc.... Because she took on the US military one of the most corporate and corrupt institutions around means she probably deserves a medal. I have no faith in the justice system in the US just ask those in the black lives matter campaign and thats just the tip of the ice berg. Let her in. The hypocritical Woodhouse and his party can suck eggs.
The vast majority of victims of violence are men, just because a minority of men commit this violence doesnt make them any less victims. Who is derailing what?
This situation does not surprise me at all. Hypocrisy is alive and well. Men dont do enough to look after their children but we will also put barriers in to making that really difficult.
Poor driving sure but there is no doubt our poorly funded narrow roads are a problem. We carry more heavy trucks than any first world country as a ratio to cars. The roads are narrow, based on old designs, ripped up by heavy traffic and poorly maintained. It took over 2 hours to drive from Greytown to Levin today and over 2 hours back we traveled at between 70-80 the vast majority of the way on the open road. There were hundreds of frustrated drivers and in any other first world country it would have been mainly dual laned. A chinese colleague has often said that it takes so long in NZ to get anywhere, and they are right. Travelling the central NI is slow, frustrating and dangerous. 50 years of under funding of roads and rail infrastructure is a considerable cause of the problem.
Rural NZ is basically a truck Route. At times Ive counted more trucks than cars. We have a large number of trucks on our roads and they are big in relation to the narrow and poorly maintained roads we have. Roads throughout the North Island are crowded with these vehicles because we have no rail infrastructure. A 25 minute commute trip over the Rimutakas saw 6 giant logging trucks not to mention the other stock trucks, supermarket transports .... That road is basically a goat track, Truck v car crashes are going to become more common with results that are pretty obvious, but business must role on. This all makes the article quite a concern.
History is continually rewritten by those who want to gain from a particular interpretation of the past. Our continual naval gazing is holding this country back. The Treaty is a media click bait topic at the moment and by looking back multiple generations to lay blame or drive some guilt wedge between people in what is now a multi-cultural society is destructive. We look back we divide, look forward together all, Maori, European, Asian, Pacifica etc. Most New Zealanders now are only so by a couple of generations, laying some guilt on Asian migrants or even Europeans whose families arrive generations after 1840 is backward looking, divisive and potentially dangerous for race relations in this country.
Why is this writer trying to impose their values on someone else? Open free societies allow choice including new and old ideas. New is certainly not always a winner, there are numerous examples of that. One form of social engineering being replaced by another s not moving forward.
The point to boxing is to try and effectively hit someone so you hurt them, the primary point scoring coming from the head shot. Even better if you can knock them out. Comparing that to other sports, other that combat sports like cage fighting is ludicrous. Mt biking does not have hurting someone as its primary goal neither does league etc... If you enjoy watching people trying to knock each other out I suppose thats for you to decide but dont try and dress it up. Those who take part need to be aware of the risks and take the consequences, pretty simple. I for one have a similar reaction to base jumpers, Im not particularly shocked when they crash and kill themselves, not much different here.
Its a brave new world lived on the internet and its not going to get any better. Im using it less for purchases like this. My son keeps buying sports gear on the net and is continually burnt. Still does it saying its saves time and hassle. Ive watched him repack so many items and spend so much time contacting companies who are often quite unhelpful. I buy in town all good and I interact with real people. And no Im not anti internet.
Sounds all fine until someone wants to take your personal choice away. You cant have freedom of choice unless you share it. Well I suppose you can but thats called a .... dictatorship
So because of this we justify paying super wealthy people from other countries to visit NZ? Doesnt make sense. I dont get the attraction of swooning over people superior to you by birth.What are the people needing to do this missing? If there is this gravy train that justifies the royals then at least share it around New Zealanders.
I wouldnt hold my breath around any investment near what is needed for a fast efficient train service, labour promises around alternative transport were fake news.
Totally agree. use to live down south and Queenstown was the place to be, no more. It is sprawling suburbia dumped in the middle of a unique vista that has now virtually disappeared. On a much much smaller local example Greytown in the Wairarapa was voted best small town in NZ 2017 mostly because of natural beauty and concern about nature, Now they are considering 4 story apartments, taking out orchards to build retirement villages, opening up suburbian sub-divisions and cutting down numerous trees around the village. It wont be in the running for that award again. Some locals have said the reason they left bigger places is now following them here. A small number of pushy developers and its gone for good.
I can have healthy happy unvaccinated kids paid for by me, that are no burden on the health system, fact. I can be fined but a parent who feeds their kids rubbish, neglects them part time but gets a state paid vaccination is all good and gets a benefit? A ship of fools?
They probably will anyway but at least they could have had some genuine clout even just for a while. This way they didnt even get a chance to become politically relevant.
They are probably taking your kids sports teams, that is not my school car park. Hope your kids have enjoyed or are enjoying training college so they they can put the teaching world to right. I work 50 hour weeks in a communication heavy industry, its a factory, I work half my holidays 40 hours a week. A well paid lawyer friend agrees he works less. I reiterate if you are a young teacher use your initial degree and move on or move over seas there are plenty of experts out there willing to jump in and take your place.
An idea. All those wanting to have royal visits can pay into a special fund. They will then all get a little badge of the queen. I wonder what percentage of New Zealander would actually end up contributing? This is superfluous and should be user pays.
I encouraged my two young adult children to avoid this service industry (its no longer a profession), they now earn much more than they would have a get more respect because they are the not seen as the cause of all societies ills. Everyone is an expert because they went to school. Modern schools are a high stress low financial reward industry. Male numbers are plummeting and intake quality is dropping. If its such a cruise why arent high quality people lining up? If you want to stay teaching move to Australia it is way ahead of NZ for remuneration and societies attitudes to the job. And Michelle Im sure theres a teaching course you can join not far from you.
The only decent pay rises gained by teachers in the last 25 years was through industrial action in the mid 90s. Good faith bargaining has got teacher no where but added empty promises about the next pay round. Teachers have slowly slipped behind as others including MPs have surged ahead. Ardens decision to give MPs no pay rise this year would need to continue for 15 years to give the same pay differential of 25 years ago. I would just love to see that.
Good to see a range of options for consumers. You can buy a quality baked and ingredient positive bread or a cheap poor quality mass produced preservative filled one dollar version. Just like a Mercedes v Seat or an eco house v quick build prefabs or a bike you can ride down a mountain v a bike that would hardly last a decent forest track ....... Choice!!
Would be nice for government to get the train services already running into the 21 century. The Wairarapa line to Wellington is packed to over capacity, slow and unreliable. How about Labour following through on its election promises around regions and alternative transport, but of course its not Auckland so Jacinda wont be too concerned, not enough votes.
Will this make the Wairarapa line run anywhere near on time? I suppose if the wages are brought out of the 80s then the quality of service might too, maybe?
Wonder what your ideology is Matthew. By the way this overseeing of the economics of the country is what they are elected for left or right. Socialism is working pretty well in Scandinavia. Australia and in fact much of Europe has similar legislation. It seems to work pretty well. I get the impression that if Key had suggested this you would be all for it.
A large number of those working now have little way of saving with low wages and a high cost society. People fall into need for a number of reasons often beyond their control. It doesnt sound like this women has lived a first class life. But then again it sounds like a number here might hope that their lives dont suddenly collapse around them, they might receive the same sympathy they are dishing out here.
NZ issues around building standards continues, is it something in the air that means this country produces shortcuts and shoddy workmanship across all construction sectors?
Number one keep the trains running efficiently, other wise the station has no purpose anyway. At the moment thats not happening. I have moved from the Wairarapa train to my car recently because off over crowding and reliability issues, I know others who have as well. Let them sell the station and investment in their core business.
No social media. Still the same old story. Its called the opium of the people being able to paper over the cracks in our own lives by drooling over our superiors. It was sad 100s of years ago its still sad now, Kate and Will are just new versions of the same.
The Beautiful game? English crowds rioted after they beat Sweden attacking Swedish stores (English commentators called them exuberant fans as they trashed property). If rugby crowds did 5% of what soccer fans do they would be swamped with condemnation. It seems to be part of the game.
This is cowardly given the context, show some backbone. Maybe its because this DP cruises in their senior management job. Maybe its about time they moved back into the class room and did the hard yards of 150 students a day everyday, the factory floor so to speak. Its interesting how senior management can be away for days and the school carries on as usual but a class room teacher has to be replaced and also set work for the day even if ill. I have been in both and I know who is the backbone of a school. My advice to young teachers is move off shore where you will be appreciated, Australia, Britain, International schools ... you owe the doubters nothing. Maybe some of the critics should grab a 4 year degree and go teaching?
Tried a road trip through the central North Island in April, Wellington up through SH2 and through across to Auckland. While the saddle road can be partly excused as it takes the heat for the closed Whanganui Gorge the road conditions were awful and certainly not first world. Narrow but busy country lanes, crumbling corners, pot holes and disintegrating road surfaces were common. Sign positing is for locals only, everyone else guesses (a NZ issue) and very large trucks in vast numbers the most scary being the huge and fast logging trucks often in convoy. I look at at our road toll related to the 2nd world roading system outside major cities and think we probably do ok. Probably fly or go to Aussie from now, not putting my family in harms way like that.
A brave new ecological world is a long way off, remember the mass suicide of the Dodos, we are heading blindly to the cliff in an ego boosting, greenhouse ignorant, turbo boosted ride of self denial.
They are privileged by birth, they are history and a sign we cant grow up as a country. Super rich and paid for by average kiwis many on low wages, damn lets move on.
Too many right wing reactionaries here that dont seem to have considered that these protesters might be right. Civil rights, anti apartheid, women rights, anti nuclear, Vietnam ... theses all involved some kind of obstruction and social unrest. They all changed things for the better. They also had right wing reactionaries labeling them lefties, criminals, stirrers .... how things havent changed.
I earn way less than that yearly, Im post 40s with a 4 year degree. I cant claim tax back or gst against my costs or losses or expenses. Sorry little sympathy here.
Is this a have? The biggest selling vehicle in the country is a large Ford Ute, has been for two years, second a Toyota ute!! Most of these are Remuera tractors. Cars are getting bigger and SUVs and Utes dominate sales in a buoyant market. New Zealanders are turning into Greenhouse deniers simply with their purchase choices. It will take some major economic downturn to change this mindset. I think its sad and quite an indictment on the attitude of many kiwis but its real.
The flag is 114 years old and represents a time when were were subservient to Britain. Surely we have moved on. It has a close resemblance to Australias flag and has a British flag as the main symbol. It has little to do with NZ in 2018. We didnt change it when we should have because we were too afraid to develop a sense of our own identity and were too sacred to release the apron strings of the past. It does not represent me as a New Zealander even being 5th generation, burn the lot of them.
The US president is said here to be using his business skills to make America great. Im presuming this is the bankrupt bully who ground out his wealth on the back of shafting others and using the threat of drawn out litigation to avoid paying what he owed to small businesses. He has no class and little intellect. He threatens other countries, alienates traditional friends and lies openly, much the same skills he uses in business. He is now in a job that requires some diplomacy, intellect, broad understanding of the world and some moral fortitude, he bereft of these. He is a narcissist with power and fear of the truth. The press he despises and fears is the only real barrier he faces i would be fighting for its survival if I was living there or maybe booking the next plane out.
Its simply fair, a few kiwis and it doesnt surprise me are quite happy to have a little bit more at the expense of someone else. Most would be the first to cry out at benefit fraud but this takes from the legitimate NZ tax base just as much. If oversees companies can make money through sales to NZ GST free then we need to take it off similar products in NZ. That I could live with but Im not sure about the economy could.
New Zealand needs fairer pay for a large number of lower paid workers. As stated Australia already does it and it is one of the reasons why so many kiwis live there. Ardern made this an election issue now she is flapping about muddying the water. Stick to you guns and show some backbone labour, Your reason for being in power is being whittled down to a populist leader and nothing else. If you cant show some leadership and fortitude then move on.
Wheres our car industry or any industry? They have a higher standard of living, higher GDP, less poverty and homeless per-capita, much better infrastructure, the list goes on. They have not left the poorest paid 15% of workers behind like we have. For all their brashness and political intrigue they actually seem to care more.
Greens push for 'water test' on foreign land sales in bid to stop bottling plants
I had forgotten the Greens were even part of this government. Imagine the leverage they would have had if they had gone with National. They sold out the environment in NZ for an archaic righteousness that does not fit with the MMP system they believe so much in. A ship of fools.
Michelle Duff: We don't need men telling us how to #MeToo
I support the idea around Me Too but now Im just feeling battered. My son is 19 he is a real nice guy but said to be recently that because he is a male he feels he has to take the blame for a small minority of fools, I didnt have a counter argument to give him. I see women behaving badly towards men but this is pretty much a no go area now because its almost treated as impossible. Alienation of the majority of good guys is going to be good for no one. But its starting to happen.
Stacey Kirk: Labour's issues come back to one word - credibility
The trouble this coalition has is that it is struggling to find quality front benchers little own those at the back. The intellectual and economic fire power is in short supply and Labours coalition partners certainly offer little in this area as well. Without Ardern they would never have gotten near governing, its populist politics and now has the potential to impact the country in terms of confidence and economic growth.
Jacinda Ardern faces mounting problem in business confidence on her return
and the significance ... ?
Jacinda Ardern is going back to work. Other women don't have to
Can we please get back to the politics of it all thats why she is where she is. Most of us would like to know what policy direction we are actually heading in because its pretty vague. We were told a baby would not impact on her ability to deliver the promises her coalition made but has anyone told the media this?
Alice Snedden: The AM Shows Mark Richardson has an old-fashioned way of thinking
The last paragraph is socialist twaddle that is idealistically driven.
"Kiwis would rather insure their car, house and contents than themselves
Too expensive to have them all in a low wage economy, pretty simple really.
Pop-up Globe to include women, bringing an end to all-male Shakespeare
I wonder if an historical performance had been written and performed by females for centuries that men could demand inclusion like this without there being an uproar?
"Women's unpaid work is worth billions of dollars: study",
Ive painted three houses we have lived in, built decks, planted and maintained lawns and gardens, oiled cedar walls, trimmed hedges, run kids to sports for years, been a coach, helped with homework, shared the cooking and always do the dishes, do all the ironing, do all the vacuuming, replaced parts of roofs, pained roofs changed countless nappies, cleaned the house most most weekends, always washed the cars, always taken out the rubbish............... And a good chunk of it as a full time working solo father. Im over the women v men rubbish. People do huge amounts of unpaid work. traditionally women have carried the majority but that has certainly changed in recent years. Lets calculate what people do as unpaid work.
National wants Chelsea Manning barred from New Zealand
To quote Winston Churchill the law can be an ass We have accepted many who have broken the law in their own country as migrants and refugees. They have broken unfair laws, corrupt laws, laws that inhibit free speech, laws that persecute minorities, laws that support the rich and powerful, laws that justify the crimes of rich and powerful etc.... Because she took on the US military one of the most corporate and corrupt institutions around means she probably deserves a medal. I have no faith in the justice system in the US just ask those in the black lives matter campaign and thats just the tip of the ice berg. Let her in. The hypocritical Woodhouse and his party can suck eggs.
I'm a woman, the world is a dangerous place for me
The vast majority of victims of violence are men, just because a minority of men commit this violence doesnt make them any less victims. Who is derailing what?
Urinal survey suggests homophobia and transphobia issues among Christchurch male pubgoers
Unscientific is an understatement. Guys drinking in Christchurch bars, that sort of covers the range of males available to survey, really!
Wellington dad barred from parents' room at Queensgate Mall by another parent
This situation does not surprise me at all. Hypocrisy is alive and well. Men dont do enough to look after their children but we will also put barriers in to making that really difficult.
Deadly deja-vu as toll soars with five more deaths across country
Poor driving sure but there is no doubt our poorly funded narrow roads are a problem. We carry more heavy trucks than any first world country as a ratio to cars. The roads are narrow, based on old designs, ripped up by heavy traffic and poorly maintained. It took over 2 hours to drive from Greytown to Levin today and over 2 hours back we traveled at between 70-80 the vast majority of the way on the open road. There were hundreds of frustrated drivers and in any other first world country it would have been mainly dual laned. A chinese colleague has often said that it takes so long in NZ to get anywhere, and they are right. Travelling the central NI is slow, frustrating and dangerous. 50 years of under funding of roads and rail infrastructure is a considerable cause of the problem.
Police defend big drop in commercial vehicle inspections
Rural NZ is basically a truck Route. At times Ive counted more trucks than cars. We have a large number of trucks on our roads and they are big in relation to the narrow and poorly maintained roads we have. Roads throughout the North Island are crowded with these vehicles because we have no rail infrastructure. A 25 minute commute trip over the Rimutakas saw 6 giant logging trucks not to mention the other stock trucks, supermarket transports .... That road is basically a goat track, Truck v car crashes are going to become more common with results that are pretty obvious, but business must role on. This all makes the article quite a concern.
How Don Brash's Orewa speech changed the way governments talk about Treaty of Waitangi
History is continually rewritten by those who want to gain from a particular interpretation of the past. Our continual naval gazing is holding this country back. The Treaty is a media click bait topic at the moment and by looking back multiple generations to lay blame or drive some guilt wedge between people in what is now a multi-cultural society is destructive. We look back we divide, look forward together all, Maori, European, Asian, Pacifica etc. Most New Zealanders now are only so by a couple of generations, laying some guilt on Asian migrants or even Europeans whose families arrive generations after 1840 is backward looking, divisive and potentially dangerous for race relations in this country.
Verity Johnson: I love it when middle-aged white men just wanna have fun
Sexist, full stop.
How Mount Maunganui turned from paradise to prison
I agree100% with this writer
Michelle Duff: We don't need men telling us how to #MeToo
Really, you started it so were going to finish it, great. Check out a few history books , see how that worked out.
Infidelity site Ashley Madison still has people flocking to it - here's why
Great advertising for Ashley Madison.
Chinese investors spooked by foreign buyer ban, says website
Not in our lifetime
Why did baby Neve get Clarke's surname?
Why is this writer trying to impose their values on someone else? Open free societies allow choice including new and old ideas. New is certainly not always a winner, there are numerous examples of that. One form of social engineering being replaced by another s not moving forward.
NZ Medical Association calls for ban on boxing
The point to boxing is to try and effectively hit someone so you hurt them, the primary point scoring coming from the head shot. Even better if you can knock them out. Comparing that to other sports, other that combat sports like cage fighting is ludicrous. Mt biking does not have hurting someone as its primary goal neither does league etc... If you enjoy watching people trying to knock each other out I suppose thats for you to decide but dont try and dress it up. Those who take part need to be aware of the risks and take the consequences, pretty simple. I for one have a similar reaction to base jumpers, Im not particularly shocked when they crash and kill themselves, not much different here.
Duncan Garner: Say no to Viagogo and shut it down now
Its a brave new world lived on the internet and its not going to get any better. Im using it less for purchases like this. My son keeps buying sports gear on the net and is continually burnt. Still does it saying its saves time and hassle. Ive watched him repack so many items and spend so much time contacting companies who are often quite unhelpful. I buy in town all good and I interact with real people. And no Im not anti internet.
Jacinda Ardern faces mounting problem in business confidence on her return
And the job of any opposition is??
Police call for booze ban as beach becomes 'Queenstown's largest garden bar'
Love the square black heads alot of these folk are wearing!
Nearly half of Kiwis think the royals visit is a bad use of taxpayer money
fair call
Dr Lance O'Sullivan: Penalise parents who won't vaccinate their kids
Sounds all fine until someone wants to take your personal choice away. You cant have freedom of choice unless you share it. Well I suppose you can but thats called a .... dictatorship
New Zealander of the year Kristine Bartlett left 'ropeable' by labour law campaign
And?
Nearly half of Kiwis think the royals visit is a bad use of taxpayer money
So because of this we justify paying super wealthy people from other countries to visit NZ? Doesnt make sense. I dont get the attraction of swooning over people superior to you by birth.What are the people needing to do this missing? If there is this gravy train that justifies the royals then at least share it around New Zealanders.
Labour MP Jamie Strange confident Hamilton-Auckland commuter train cash coming
I wouldnt hold my breath around any investment near what is needed for a fast efficient train service, labour promises around alternative transport were fake news.
Dropping dollar makes travel more expensive
With such a rubbish Winter in the NI there is no choice, wet and wet and a bit of cold or head to the warmth and sunshine.
100% Pure NZ ad man says subdivision will destroy goose that laid the golden egg
Totally agree. use to live down south and Queenstown was the place to be, no more. It is sprawling suburbia dumped in the middle of a unique vista that has now virtually disappeared. On a much much smaller local example Greytown in the Wairarapa was voted best small town in NZ 2017 mostly because of natural beauty and concern about nature, Now they are considering 4 story apartments, taking out orchards to build retirement villages, opening up suburbian sub-divisions and cutting down numerous trees around the village. It wont be in the running for that award again. Some locals have said the reason they left bigger places is now following them here. A small number of pushy developers and its gone for good.
Dr Lance O'Sullivan: Penalise parents who won't vaccinate their kids
I can have healthy happy unvaccinated kids paid for by me, that are no burden on the health system, fact. I can be fined but a parent who feeds their kids rubbish, neglects them part time but gets a state paid vaccination is all good and gets a benefit? A ship of fools?
Greens push for 'water test' on foreign land sales in bid to stop bottling plants
They probably will anyway but at least they could have had some genuine clout even just for a while. This way they didnt even get a chance to become politically relevant.
Teaching is a 'sweet gig' - there's no reason to strike, says deputy principal
They are probably taking your kids sports teams, that is not my school car park. Hope your kids have enjoyed or are enjoying training college so they they can put the teaching world to right. I work 50 hour weeks in a communication heavy industry, its a factory, I work half my holidays 40 hours a week. A well paid lawyer friend agrees he works less. I reiterate if you are a young teacher use your initial degree and move on or move over seas there are plenty of experts out there willing to jump in and take your place.
Plastic bags battle won but the war against non-recyclables far from over
Not good for the burner nor the quality of air for everyone else.
Nearly half of Kiwis think the royals visit is a bad use of taxpayer money
An idea. All those wanting to have royal visits can pay into a special fund. They will then all get a little badge of the queen. I wonder what percentage of New Zealander would actually end up contributing? This is superfluous and should be user pays.
Property investors: Capital gains tax wouldn't work
Its a no brainer it has to happen, property investors who pay no tax on this income will cry foul but no surprises there.
Striking teachers have lost the war, even if they win a small pay battle
I encouraged my two young adult children to avoid this service industry (its no longer a profession), they now earn much more than they would have a get more respect because they are the not seen as the cause of all societies ills. Everyone is an expert because they went to school. Modern schools are a high stress low financial reward industry. Male numbers are plummeting and intake quality is dropping. If its such a cruise why arent high quality people lining up? If you want to stay teaching move to Australia it is way ahead of NZ for remuneration and societies attitudes to the job. And Michelle Im sure theres a teaching course you can join not far from you.
Samsung Galaxy Note 9 struggles to standout
Ive just remortgaged my house to grab one!!!
Striking teachers have lost the war, even if they win a small pay battle
The only decent pay rises gained by teachers in the last 25 years was through industrial action in the mid 90s. Good faith bargaining has got teacher no where but added empty promises about the next pay round. Teachers have slowly slipped behind as others including MPs have surged ahead. Ardens decision to give MPs no pay rise this year would need to continue for 15 years to give the same pay differential of 25 years ago. I would just love to see that.
Breaking Bread: The things you didn't know about supermarket bread
Good to see a range of options for consumers. You can buy a quality baked and ingredient positive bread or a cheap poor quality mass produced preservative filled one dollar version. Just like a Mercedes v Seat or an eco house v quick build prefabs or a bike you can ride down a mountain v a bike that would hardly last a decent forest track ....... Choice!!
Labour MP Jamie Strange confident Hamilton-Auckland commuter train cash coming
Would be nice for government to get the train services already running into the 21 century. The Wairarapa line to Wellington is packed to over capacity, slow and unreliable. How about Labour following through on its election promises around regions and alternative transport, but of course its not Auckland so Jacinda wont be too concerned, not enough votes.
Union proclaims KiwiRail pay deal a 'landmark'
Will this make the Wairarapa line run anywhere near on time? I suppose if the wages are brought out of the 80s then the quality of service might too, maybe?
Dairy farmers face a potential $78,000 income cut
Thats 78 gross, look into the tax, gst and expenses claims for a start. I was brought up in the industry I know how it works.
Governments attacks on private firms is troubling
Wonder what your ideology is Matthew. By the way this overseeing of the economics of the country is what they are elected for left or right. Socialism is working pretty well in Scandinavia. Australia and in fact much of Europe has similar legislation. It seems to work pretty well. I get the impression that if Key had suggested this you would be all for it.
Nearly half of Kiwis think the royals visit is a bad use of taxpayer money
Who is we? You can pay if you like but dip your hand in my pocket.
Wellington's faltering new bus network gets rethink after just three weeks
When most of them bother to vote.
Xena star Lucy Lawless sparks flag burning debate
Exactly!!
Older renters living in constant uncertainty
A large number of those working now have little way of saving with low wages and a high cost society. People fall into need for a number of reasons often beyond their control. It doesnt sound like this women has lived a first class life. But then again it sounds like a number here might hope that their lives dont suddenly collapse around them, they might receive the same sympathy they are dishing out here.
Shock finding: Shoddy wiring put vulnerable Housing NZ tenants at risk of dying in fire
NZ issues around building standards continues, is it something in the air that means this country produces shortcuts and shoddy workmanship across all construction sectors?
KiwiRail's $80m Wellington Railway Station headache
Number one keep the trains running efficiently, other wise the station has no purpose anyway. At the moment thats not happening. I have moved from the Wairarapa train to my car recently because off over crowding and reliability issues, I know others who have as well. Let them sell the station and investment in their core business.
Unlimited annual leave is taking off in Australia
I have to do admin for half my annual leave.
Nearly half of Kiwis think the royals visit is a bad use of taxpayer money
No social media. Still the same old story. Its called the opium of the people being able to paper over the cracks in our own lives by drooling over our superiors. It was sad 100s of years ago its still sad now, Kate and Will are just new versions of the same.
Rugby World Cup: Horror spear tackle earns Italy prop Andrea Lovotti red card
A bit of venting going on here.Â
Plastic bags battle won but the war against non-recyclables far from over
Small steps
1 News Europe correspondent recovering after being tear gassed in Paris World Cup riots
The Beautiful game? English crowds rioted after they beat Sweden attacking Swedish stores (English commentators called them exuberant fans as they trashed property). If rugby crowds did 5% of what soccer fans do they would be swamped with condemnation. It seems to be part of the game.
Plastic bags battle won but the war against non-recyclables far from over
Its also nice just nice to have plastic bag free NZ
Teaching is a 'sweet gig' - there's no reason to strike, says deputy principal
This is cowardly given the context, show some backbone. Maybe its because this DP cruises in their senior management job. Maybe its about time they moved back into the class room and did the hard yards of 150 students a day everyday, the factory floor so to speak. Its interesting how senior management can be away for days and the school carries on as usual but a class room teacher has to be replaced and also set work for the day even if ill. I have been in both and I know who is the backbone of a school. My advice to young teachers is move off shore where you will be appreciated, Australia, Britain, International schools ... you owe the doubters nothing. Maybe some of the critics should grab a 4 year degree and go teaching?
Driving home after the holidays? Here's how to make it fun
Tried a road trip through the central North Island in April, Wellington up through SH2 and through across to Auckland. While the saddle road can be partly excused as it takes the heat for the closed Whanganui Gorge the road conditions were awful and certainly not first world. Narrow but busy country lanes, crumbling corners, pot holes and disintegrating road surfaces were common. Sign positing is for locals only, everyone else guesses (a NZ issue) and very large trucks in vast numbers the most scary being the huge and fast logging trucks often in convoy. I look at at our road toll related to the 2nd world roading system outside major cities and think we probably do ok. Probably fly or go to Aussie from now, not putting my family in harms way like that.
When will the ute power war stop?
A brave new ecological world is a long way off, remember the mass suicide of the Dodos, we are heading blindly to the cliff in an ego boosting, greenhouse ignorant, turbo boosted ride of self denial.
Nearly half of Kiwis think the royals visit is a bad use of taxpayer money
They are privileged by birth, they are history and a sign we cant grow up as a country. Super rich and paid for by average kiwis many on low wages, damn lets move on.
Princess Charlotte might look like Diana - but why do we care?
This is so lame! We need a republic .. fast!
What the Trump? POTUS's Kiwi supporters speak up
And this has what to do with how bad Trump is? You sound like a republican puppet.
Greenpeace activists oil ship protest was just 'low level disobedience'
Too many right wing reactionaries here that dont seem to have considered that these protesters might be right. Civil rights, anti apartheid, women rights, anti nuclear, Vietnam ... theses all involved some kind of obstruction and social unrest. They all changed things for the better. They also had right wing reactionaries labeling them lefties, criminals, stirrers .... how things havent changed.
Dairy farmers face a potential $78,000 income cut
I earn way less than that yearly, Im post 40s with a 4 year degree. I cant claim tax back or gst against my costs or losses or expenses. Sorry little sympathy here.
Almost half of Kiwis would consider buying an EV in next two years, says survey
Is this a have? The biggest selling vehicle in the country is a large Ford Ute, has been for two years, second a Toyota ute!! Most of these are Remuera tractors. Cars are getting bigger and SUVs and Utes dominate sales in a buoyant market. New Zealanders are turning into Greenhouse deniers simply with their purchase choices. It will take some major economic downturn to change this mindset. I think its sad and quite an indictment on the attitude of many kiwis but its real.
Xena star Lucy Lawless sparks flag burning debate
The flag is 114 years old and represents a time when were were subservient to Britain. Surely we have moved on. It has a close resemblance to Australias flag and has a British flag as the main symbol. It has little to do with NZ in 2018. We didnt change it when we should have because we were too afraid to develop a sense of our own identity and were too sacred to release the apron strings of the past. It does not represent me as a New Zealander even being 5th generation, burn the lot of them.
Natural toothpaste will lead to epidemic of dental decay: dentists
Those toothpaste multi-nationals will be loving this attack on choice, its saving them big money.
"Are women still judged for being child-free?",
We are such a selfish bunch.
What the Trump? POTUS's Kiwi supporters speak up
The US president is said here to be using his business skills to make America great. Im presuming this is the bankrupt bully who ground out his wealth on the back of shafting others and using the threat of drawn out litigation to avoid paying what he owed to small businesses. He has no class and little intellect. He threatens other countries, alienates traditional friends and lies openly, much the same skills he uses in business. He is now in a job that requires some diplomacy, intellect, broad understanding of the world and some moral fortitude, he bereft of these. He is a narcissist with power and fear of the truth. The press he despises and fears is the only real barrier he faces i would be fighting for its survival if I was living there or maybe booking the next plane out.
Australian supermarket Coles gives in to customer pressure over plastic bags
Aussie, no surprises there
"Internet shopping tax change unites politicians but divides consumers",
Its simply fair, a few kiwis and it doesnt surprise me are quite happy to have a little bit more at the expense of someone else. Most would be the first to cry out at benefit fraud but this takes from the legitimate NZ tax base just as much. If oversees companies can make money through sales to NZ GST free then we need to take it off similar products in NZ. That I could live with but Im not sure about the economy could.
Nearly half of Kiwis think the royals visit is a bad use of taxpayer money
It is my money and I dont want them. They pay for themselves or the brain dead who want to see them can user pays
Prime Minister says fair pay agreement development 'has left a bit of a vacuum'
New Zealand needs fairer pay for a large number of lower paid workers. As stated Australia already does it and it is one of the reasons why so many kiwis live there. Ardern made this an election issue now she is flapping about muddying the water. Stick to you guns and show some backbone labour, Your reason for being in power is being whittled down to a populist leader and nothing else. If you cant show some leadership and fortitude then move on.
Prime Minister says fair pay agreement development 'has left a bit of a vacuum'
Wheres our car industry or any industry? They have a higher standard of living, higher GDP, less poverty and homeless per-capita, much better infrastructure, the list goes on. They have not left the poorest paid 15% of workers behind like we have. For all their brashness and political intrigue they actually seem to care more.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle expecting their first child in northern spring
And about 5000 others in this country alone. This 17th century rubbish, why would you want to swoon over others born to privilege?