Stuff commentors continue to show themselves up to be the most backwater, bully type, consevative bunch in New Zealand. Perhaps question yourselves when you start defending this type of behaviour from any country leader. If Jacinda started this nonsense you would jump up and down about the immaturity. No matter what side of the political spectrum you sit, this behaviour is not even appropriate for a pre schooler, let alone someone who should be busy running a country.
Okay, so I have been annoyed at a lot of things the Labour party have done this year, but this is actually good. It is a responsible thing to do while other very important services are scrabbling for modest pay rises on top of their modest incomes. When you hear that MPs salaries used to be tied with teachers wages, you can see how absolutely out of control things have become. If MPs receive thousands more dollars (that, lets face it, they dont need) while denying teachers and nurses (who really do need it) that would have been a hard pill to swallow. Good move Labour.
You can teach courage, respect, forgiveness, friendship, bravery and how to make good choices without having to teach that the earth was made in 6 days and that if you are naughty you can be tortured for eternity. Religious studies is actually quite interesting, but should be taught in the context that it is... religion. There are many religions that span many cultures and centuries. If you are going to teach Christianity, also teach Buddhism, Hinduism, greek mythology, even Nihilism. It is a great chance for kids to learn about multiple cultures, and history and how religion has affected society throughout time. Get into the philosophy around religions, it teaches great debating skills. Dont let the opportunity be wasted so you can go on about how Jesus woke up from the dead then rose to heaven on a cloud.
The whole world has seen the top booming, and then telling the rest of the public, who are struggling, that the economy is going great. Businesses used to pay a living wage, now theyre aiming for minimum. Theyve pocketed all the economic growth for themselves, and now want to threaten non investment because their workers might want to eat something other than two minute noodles. Look, I see both sides, but this is what happens when businesses are greedy for a decade. If they want to avoid worker action like this, they need to continue to make workers happy, give them some of the profit pie. So theyve got themselves to blame, really.
What? The grammar on this post is non existent. Perhaps put more thought into what you write, so that people can actually understand you. But then I guess anyone supporting this infantile behaviour from the apparent leader of the free world should be backed up by lack of thought.
Bit concerning though, that National are prepared to get rid of people, just so that they can give positions to a couple of Asians who just bought their way in. Our politicians are corrupted. Or at least this one.
For that lavish lifestyle in America, people are remortgaging their homes because they get sick. People are dying because insurance companies find loopholes. Sure, you may have a big house. But to get there, many others had to lose theirs first.
As absolutely gut wrenching as this would be for his family and for himself, he is occupying a three bedroom home in a time where there is a massive housing shortage. If they could build three or four homes on his section, there is three or four families that could have a roof over their head, where otherwise they may not. Or at least security of a home, whereas now they do not. Whichever government has been in, I still support the decision to make more homes, for the inconvenience of one family having to move. Waiting for him to die to build homes, is a bit morbid, and he could live for another ten years, who knows.
A kiwi experience... in Queenstown? when was the last time you were in Queenstown? It is definitely a tourist town now, where foreigners not only visit, but also work all the shops. Kiwis are far outnumbered in Queenstown now.
Oh but its raaaaacist if you want to protect New Zealanders and our homeland. You cant possibly turn down a foreigner who wants our country because thats mean. Foreigners dont need our government to protect them, they have their own governments. We are a small population in a big, big world... we need our government to protect us. Its not racist. Its pragmatic.
This is ridiculous. Theyre actors. They play roles... this time, shes a trans. Are we now supposed to use an actual homeless person, if the role is about sleeping on the streets? Poor people dont get jobs in Hollywood either, so why not cast Joe Bloggs from Bridge One? This is ridiculous. The reality is, is that movies cant get made, if they cant draw an audience, and to be fair, this movie wouldnt get much of an audience without her. The fact it is being made at all, should be celebrated. Stop being offended at EVERYTHING.
What kind of family life are those bullies having to think that it is even close to okay to do this to another kid? But then, if they get kicked out from school their life course will continue strongly towards a life of anti social behaviour, more victims, and perpetual users of the social security system. Times like this I wish the parents of such vicious children were seriously examined. The justice system needs to be involved to help future victims of these kids. Either the parents need help to deal with their own behaviour, or help to deal with mental issues the kids have. This disgusting behaviour had to come from somewhere. Something more needs to be done other than just kicking the kids out of school. Ambulance at the top of the hill, not the bottom.
Gosh, theyre complaining about it now. In 30 years time we will have 65 year olds who spent half their working lives paying back student loans, and the other half paying off a house... It will be rare to see retirees with savings at all, let alone a paid off house.
I am sick and tired of hearing how the US is getting a raw deal. The US, the worlds bully, is complaining how the world is big and mean to them. We are a global community. You benefit from other countries sometimes, and at other times, other countries benefit. It is called being part of earth. America cant just run around and expect to win all the time. Who would want to trade with a country who you cannot benefit from? Think world leaders need to get a little tougher with this guy. Like a child, if you let them get away with bad behaviour once, you can be sure to see that behaviour manifest itself time and time again.
Oh good, the north island gets another deal. Come on south island branches. Do something nice for us folk down here who have been ripped off for years.
It has obviously been a rough decade for the teachers. Yet, throughout all these tough years under national, not one strike. Nothing. Silence. Zilch. They sat back and just kept getting angrier and angrier. I find it insanely difficult to feel sorry for either nurses, or teachers, or any other profession that has suddenly realised their pay isnt enough and so must strike, the second National was gone. If your pay was so dire, strike under any government. Dont wait for Labour to get in to finally fight for more, because at this rate, this will be the last time youll be able to as you make many left wing supporters regret voting Labour. And when National ignores your pleas for the next decade or two as they maintain power under a pretense of stability, helped by your silence, and you slip further behind everyone else, I will feel less sympathy.
He calls her weak, yet what happened to the Nat MP that leaked his travel expenses? As a feminist myself, he is hardly sexist, rather just a hypocrite. By the way, I am sick of sexism being thrown out every time anything slightly untoward happens to a female, from Serena to this Stuff journalist. There are far more important issues that are actually sexist, without muddying the waters with this tripe.
Good, it is 1% of their cost to get here. If they cant afford 35 bucks, then they arent the tourists we need. The fact that we cover them with our taxes, in terms of ACC, transport/roading etc. They can help out with small change. Stop trying to make this policy sound worse than it is. New Zealanders are being ripped off, it is about time other people contributed to what they use.
He has family and friends who are grieving for his loss. These are times where you put aside the disagreements and focus on those things that are good... because no one is all evil, even McCain, even Trump. And fighting for your country has to be acknowledged. Surviving POW should be acknowledged. You do it for those who are still alive and are hurting. You act like a civil human being, who has empathy for others.
Well I thought foreign buyers werent influencing property prices... thats what all the experts and National (under the guise of us all being a bunch of racists) would have us believe 12 months ago, and that they were only 3% of the market. Funny how suddenly that 3% has gone from unfounded targeting based solely on being a bunch of unfair racists to actually influencing the unsustainable growth in some regions.
Whether you are female or male, if you are the working parent and your partner is on the benefit, you are treated grossly unfair if you have split custody. Usually, it is the father, but in my case, I am the working mother, so I know all too well your plight with IRD. As for the other stuff, I cannot relate. It is terrible that work places do not encourage men to be fathers, they do not have the same support structure, same with paternity leave. While this country has fought hard for mothers rights, it has a long way to go for fathers. Children do need their dads. It is a good time to start changing attitudes, and I do hope, with the current political situation, that dads are given a better go. But im probably just dreaming.
Most pregnancies end in miscarriages. Most you never even realise. How far should they take it? One day you take a test and find out youre pregnant and the next your period starts, its ridiculous. Even at 11 weeks youve only known for 2 months. Employers should be able to discriminate to whom they give leave. It shouldnt be an automatic right
I love this comment. A good, sound, middle ground comment, that has sense. We cant move forward by stifling business, but we also cant move forward with poverty and the poor clogging up the health system. A few less one eye politicians and voters and Id be a happy camper.
ACC needs to support people as soon as possible into better health so that person can get back to work, pay their taxes, have independence again, and everyone is happy. It serves no one trying to find loopholes so you can deny people rehabilitation services. It is a no-brainer.
Exactly, all business confidence is is national in, or labour? they need to get over themselves and stop tantruming. If they actually made sure trickle down economics worked, then theyd probably get national for eternity, but trickle down economics doesnt work, it has ended up in major inequality since the 80s, so people will get tired and vote for change (from whoever goes too far down the neoliberal route - both labour and national are guilty). Employees lost a lot of rights under national, and employees out number employers.
If they were required to read as many books as we were when I went to school, they would have learnt words like trivial. Their vocabulary would be longer. You wouldnt have to tiptoe around small words in the fear that 17 year olds dont know them.
Im going to let you in on a little secret, Dave. It is a long lost knowledge that some of us still possess, yet many commentors on Stuff seem to lack. Located somewhere in your living room, perhaps hidden in a crevice, or on your wifes chair, is a remote control. It doesnt control the entire universe, but it can control the flashy box in your room that emits these images that hurt your eyes. When you push a button you can make it all go away. TV appeals to a range of people out there. I for one, cannot stand Shortland Street, and now it is on 6 nights a week! But luckily for myself, I do possess the knowledge of the little secret remote, and dont need to expect that the entire of New Zealand wants to watch what I want to watch. As painful as it is, that Shortland Street even exists, people watch it. Who am I to take away that nonsense from their minds?
It is so sad people purchase a dog and expect it to live its days within the section boundaries. Why on earth get a dog if youre not going to walk it? I take mine out every day, mostly it is for more than an hour. Wake up earlier if you dont have time. Whatever you have to do, its not your dogs fault
Some men are never satisfied, just as some women are not. Being female does not automatically put you in this category. Personally I am perfectly satisfied. Many friends I know of have been married for 20+ years and are still smitten with their husbands. One of my past partners stole my money, lied and cheated. My sister had a partner who sent her into bankruptcy. Do I now claim the entire 3.5 billion male population are all liars and cheaters and terrible with money? No, that is absurd.
Funnily enough, I used to get annoyed seeing women always portrayed as a gender who cant have fun, who stay at home and look after the children while the men play golf, go to space, or have other grand adventures. Marge Simpson was one of these. I never really saw the portrayal of Homer as being negative, as men have experienced. Same with Tim off Home Improvement, always free and fun and had a life, Jill, always boring, cant cook and a bit of a nag, never really saw his bumbling behaviour as an insult. Raymond of Everybody loves Raymond, always out playing golf having fun, his wife, cant remember her name, just stayed home... and nagged. Even the makers of Despicable me said all the minions were male because females cant be silly like that. We all view the world through our own lenses. Marge was a grumpy nagging wife who had no life and Homer was a bumbling idiot. Neither gender is portrayed in comedy well. The rise in the victimhood of females is heart breaking though. When there are genuine matters out there, they muddy the waters with this clap trap of how Serena is being bullied and how men are all rapists. I certainly hope that this culture doesnt become big here in NZ. Lets listen to both sides, see Homer how men see him, and Marge how women see her. A great way to move on from this battle of the sexes and put it behind us.
How can she know throughout the entire campaign that she was pregnant... considering this was a June baby, pregnancy is 9 months and people dont know theyre pregnant until theyre a month into the pregnancy, even then there is a high chance of miscarriage at the very beginning. So there is a good chance she didnt know at election. And wasnt even pregnant during the campaign. You dont need to exaggerate to get your point across.
Margie is a nag with a gambling problem and no life outside her kids and husband. Lisa is a nerd with no friends who is completely self righteous with her religion and vegetarianism. No one on the show is perfect. Stop creating drama to be offended at
I gave up looking in Dunedin, wed be looking at a house and getting our hopes up, then in rolls a fancy car... to look at a house worth 200k. It was gutting... every time.
im surprised Otago didnt get a mention In your report. It actually gets cold in Otago, unlike Auckland. And a whopping 69% of people ration power in Otago! Thats terrible. But beneficiaries in Auckland will get the winter payment, while working people in Otago wont.
This is a disgusting comment. Complete strawman to be a troll and nothing more. At no point point has anyone asked for a free house. Stop being ridiculous. But requiring 1.5 incomes to save/pay for a house is not sustainable, it is not okay. 1 income used to support a family.
Come on, its been a year, already Dunedin hospital has moved further in a year than it did in NINE with national. Students have first year free tuition, people got a winter payment for power, theres the best start package for new borns, extended parental leave, houses have been built, trees planted. Things have happened, and if anyone was expecting everything done after one year they arent those who voted for this govt but national supporters who expect everything NOW, any later and this govt has failed.
Lets be honest here, people. Both Labour and National have done this to us. National increased tax on petrol, they increased tax on alcohol and increased tax on cigarrettes. Both parties tax peoplel until they are blind, and Isee many right wing people have become so. The people to blame are the oil companies themselves. Raking in record profits, yet cant stomach a $5 increase on oil. Also, it is more than likely that the rest of New Zealand, YET AGAIN are subsidising Auckland petrol.... AGAIN. The sooner electric vehicles become more affordable the better. Get these leaching oil companies in the past. Ive had enough of them.
I came from Blenheim and moved to Dunedin. Dunedin is a fantastic city. It has beautiful scenery. Beautiful old buildings. Its the gateway to central otago. It has stuff to do, unlike crusty Blenheim where the grey hair brigade shot down any advancement for youth in the town. The people are friendly here, and coming from the sunniest town in NZ, I really cannot complain too much about the weather, it isnt as bad as some gloomy, negative nancy people from Blenheim have to say.
If you would be honest with yourself you would realise that Trump raised the flag again, not because one day is enough but because he did not care for McCain at all. It was Trump that has let the world know how much he doesnt care for McCain, and how any words or actions would be perceived as shallow, because everyone knows he doesnt like him. Using Trumps own words, he sees the lowering of the flag as something he doesnt want to do. He raised it again, because he doesnt like doing things he doesnt want to do. It is okay Phil. You dont have to defend Trump, he is doing it himself... all over the internet... every single day...
Most politicians can put aside their differences and act in a responsible, civil way when their adversaries pass. Look at the National party, paying tribute to Jim Anderton. Because the National party acted in a respectful way, everything became focused on Jim Anderton, respecting the feelings of those still alive who loved Jim, and were hurting. Imagine if the Nat MPs sat sulking about it, then everyone will be focused on their behaviour, rather than the person who has passed. Therefore, making it about them. This is exactly what Trump has done. He has behaved childish. And now because of his inability to grow up, everyone becomes focused on him.
Pretty sure most brits want the monarchy. Theyre only a thing while they have public support, thats why they go into serious public relations to try and win the people back - case in point, after Diana died. France used to have a monarchy too... until the populace got sick of them. So while not democratically installed, the monarchy still has more support than Trump.
Sounds like the parent let their child get carried away with it. As a parent you can instill some sense of understanding. If you let your kids just overreact at any little thing how are they supposed to function in the wider world? Go and buy some crazy teeth from the $2 shop, put on some black makeup, something for a wig, and have a funny dress up. Lighten the mood, dont let the kid escalate it
Oh no, poor financial decision. Dont put your winnings into student loan debt. Unless the government brings back incentives to pay it off faster, a no - interest loan is better paid off slowly, as time value of money means your loan is worth less every year anyway (3,000 was a lot more money in 1970 than it is in 2018, same with 20,000, will be worth less in the future). Pay the minimum amount on your student loans and forget about it. Eventually it will be paid off.
It isnt pulled because someone has an opinion. It is misusing facts, twisting expert findings and pushing fairy tales as facts. I dont believe it should have been pulled, like a parent making sure their impressionable kids dont watch Power Rangers though. It could have been put under another category other than factual documentary. maybe get some good mocumentaries into a category, there are some good ones out there.
Humans brains began to significantly evolve once we started eating meat and sucking out the bone marrow. We are where we are today because our ancient ancestors saw a dead animal and ate its flesh. We then graduated into eating fresh dead animals. Actually, studies have shown that vegan brains are shrinking. Its 1, go look it up.
Student allowance barely increased. Rent is far higher in comparison, and Once you earn over 80 (?), govt takes dollar for dollar off your student allowance. Different times. Hardly comparable.
All you are really seeing is the result of a few people who live in your vicinity, who happen to not be embarrassed about what punishment they dolled out last night, thats it. To come to the conclusion, based on this select group, that NZ culture of parenting is based in the 1800s is terribly flawed. First, maybe it is the result of New Zealanders being more open with what punishments they give than Australians, or British people are (the british are terribly polite and do not air their dirty laundry). Second, these are people who live in your immediate vicinity. You cant judge an entire culture based on such a small, select group of anecdotes. Third, it is far more memorable hearing about someone making their kid sleep in the hallway than a hundred stories about cuddles. Memory is selective, and unless you started a little tally up, we have no idea what the ratio is between tough love parents and cuddle love parents.
I have to say that I feel the same, so it doesnt seem nonsensical to me. It is weird, but can happen. I dont know if this is what she has, but a good analogy is kind of like working out at the gym is fantastic, I love it! Its the forcing myself to actually go that is the problem. Wanting the gym, and not, at the same time. Just like wanting sex, and not, at the same time can happen too.
Wow.... just.... wow. Your comment is disgusting. I live in a small house with an old run down kitchen from 1950 something and I still think this is a good idea. |If you want to cram the poor into run down, unhealthy homes, then you have the foresight of a mole. By making sure these people are warm, dry and have a little tiny bit less stress, then they, and their children can achieve far more things in society as a whole, move off benefits and move forward in life. But then, I only have research on my side. Not stigma.
Humans have been drinking milk for millennia. Our bodies are used to it now (most of us), and so it is a cemented staple in our diets (Id say 8000 years is a good amount of time to be a normal part of our diet, dont you?). It is necessary in our hot drinks, our cooking/baking, and just a delicious drink especially for children as a filling alternative to water.
Are you serious?? Nurses and rest home workers deal with abuse and all types of bodily excretions, im sure it is close to impossible to not break a nail, or mess up your hair while running around trying to help people, or holding back a dementia patient or drunk who wants to hurt you. Most women in employment fall into this category of healthcare worker. The next highest category is teachers. Running around after 30 kids all day every day sounds like a nightmare to me, and I doubt many end the day with prim and proper hair dos and all nails intact. At the same time Im sure plenty of IT people dont break too many nails, or mess up many hairs. Generalising women into some barbie, or Kim Kardashian cut out is ridiculous. Your comment shows complete misunderstanding of many of this gender, your comment is so caricaturist, I doubt you are in fact a woman.
A dentist has to have far more study behind their belt than a teacher does. They can end up leaving study with a 6 figure debt. I dont blame dentists who try and recoup that incredibly massive debt they had to carry themselves, so we could all have pain free mouths.
Actually, last I saw, Vegans required B12 supplements so their bodies could keep functioning. Sorry, but if you have to purchase store sourced vitamins so your body can do what it is meant to do, then veganism isnt healthy, or natural for our bodies.
Actually that isnt the case. Studies have shown that there is a barrier there for women that exists solely on being a woman. One study had CVs being sent out. Everything on the CV was exactly the same, the only thing different was the name at the top, either male or female. The CVs with female names were responded to far less frequently than the male named CVs. Another study along those lines in programming, if people saw it was a female who programmed it, they were more likely to be turned down, when the identification is hidden, they are selected more often. Other studies looked at the perception of women in power and men in power and women tend to be looked at less favourably than men. When women negotiate higher pay they are also looked at less favourably than men. There are so many studies out there and continually they come to the same types of conclusions. Glass ceilings remain. Certainly not on purpose, but they are there.
What a bunch of complainers. Every industry has standards... now you do too. But these standards increase the value of your slum to reasonably respectable house. The government doesnt set healthy temp levels... the World Health Organisation does. Stop complaining that you cant rent out cold, damp homes to families anymore. Enjoy your increases in capital value, and invest in your investment. Youre all coming across as spoiled children tantruming because you no longer get desert without doing your chores first.
I think proving that you can afford the rent via showing payslips I see fine. Judging their spending by getting bank statements is crossing the line. Perhaps some tenants start withdrawing cash at the start of the week and just spend cash. I feel having cash makes me spend less anyway because I see it disappear
So they use excerpts from her book, obviously the bit about lean-in and not about the other wider systemic factors she talked about, completely biasing their study, and they are surprised the women who read the cherry picked excerpts think it is 100% in the realm of women to fix and 100% womens fault? This sounds like a really well rounded book she has written. It is 1, there are some ingrained traits women seem to posses that do not help their cause. Studies in the past have shown that women tend to work harder for less reward than men, they tend to devalue themselves more than men (paying themselves less) and on a wider real world note, they do tend to not fight as hard for positions and money than men do. So to some degree, women do have to put their big pants on and fight for more money. We cant all sit here and wait for the system to change, making ourselves further victims.
Oh i hope Dunedin gets this. The area needs a spruce up and this is definitely a fabulous addition to this beautiful city. Sick of the naysayers here always turning down any development in this city. We will fall to rack and ruin if these doddery people continue to dampen any effort to invest.
I dont think people here are saying it is purely luck, but pointing out that you say it is completely based on hard work. Of course hard work comes into it. But also, circumstances out of your own complete control, helped. You say you invested in the right property, market forces out of your control have done you well. Many smart, hard working people have lost money in property. Unless you can see into the future, decisions you make, while educated, still contain an ounce of luck.Yes, be proud of where your hard work has gotten you, but be aware that there is always luck, somewhere.
You should feel safe in your own car, you should never feel safe standing in the middle of the road in such a dangerous spot that even robotic sensors cant pick you up until it is too late. The car should always protect the passengers.
i have a friend that is doing keto. About as polar opposite to veganism as you can get while on a weight loss healthy diet. Keto is where you eat fats, meat ect, and cut carbs, which includes your potato and carrot, banana and most fruits. She would also proclaim she has plenty of energy, she has also lost a lot of weight. She would claim your potato that you are feeding your kids is causing inflamation in the body, spiking blood sugar, and feeding cancer cells. I am sick to death of all of these diet fads. They all have their body of research, they all provide results... but what is actually healthy? Ugh, I cant take it any more. The stress you get while trying to cut out a particular food group is probably giving you all cancer anyway.
They dont need to go to the mosque to get married, because they are Christians, or at least one is, and they want their own church. This has nothing to do with Muslims, or Jews, or Hindus. This story is about a Christian.By the way, bible is also against divorce, but the whole Anglican Church is founded in divorce. And the church and congregation happily support 2nd or 3rd marriages. People would understand more if Christians werent so hypocritical
Last season of NZ married at first sight was a train wreck. You all know you didnt go into it looking for love. You all wanted your 15 minutes of fame so you could apply to be a presenter on Bravo. And it showed. The tantrums, the teenage drama, the absolute lack of effort. Absolutely terrible. And on top of that, professionals who were anything but. It had about the level of analysis of heres the only two gay guys, well put them together. Actually, I watched the first season I ever watched for the science, the actual analysis of what could work, they studied their lives, dna, questioned family, looked at pheromones. It was incredibly in depth. Slowly, as this show has moved across the world, it has turned into the shallow, drama queen drunken nonsense that NZ dished up.
Based on what study? It has shown in actual real life, using actual science and actual human behaviour that it isnt more money that leads to poor decisions - it is higher stress, typically caused by LACK of money. Those poor decisions do lead to more poverty. You remove a lot of stress by giving more money, (that has been shown in other studies to go directly to supporting children (clothes, food etc.)), people make better decisions and can invest in things to help them better themselves, like education, proper clothes/transport to get to work, healthier food and less addiction. Look guys, can we just stop beneficiary bashing here? It doesnt help. Baseless claims do not help. Stop throwing out nonsense that sounds good but is absolutely unfounded.
Help three or four families by building three or four homes (helping possibly 12ish people) or help one person, by not inconveniencing him for a few weeks. I think this decision makes them more of a peoples party
This statement is based solely on caricatures of beneficiaries and not fact. I get it, it is easy to put people into a hole and define them by whatever makes you feel superior. Thats psychology, from beneficiary bashing to victim blaming, we all want to feel better than anyone we can. Unfortunately for you, the facts dont support your claim. it was found after testing that the number of beneficiaries that had drugs in their system was so ridiculously small it was practically a non issue. I know, you know a lot of beneficiaries who spend all day shooting up. But whatever unbelievable claim you wish to make up, it doesnt fit the facts.
A lot of those migrants are ex pat kiwis moving home. So all those 74,000 people, many are deserving of arriving in this country by birth. However, immigration is hurting our rental stock. Businesses who want to pay slave wages are our real problem. Theyre the ones who want to hire 100 immigrants for the price of one kiwi. They target low wage economies and bring these people in en masse. You cant blame the people who are arriving, if you were offered far more than your slave wage country, youd move too. Target the reason why businesses can get away with slavery, and that reason is the power imbalance and lack of information that these low wage immigrants have. And perhaps the best way is unionisation. If you are a big importer of foreign labour, you should have a strong union to make sure these people are paid appropriately. If suddenly an immigrant costs the same as a kiwi, perhaps businesses will start investing in our own working stock, instead of flooding us with people from low wage countries. There is no reason why you need to import an indian to lay fibre cables (for example) when plenty of New Zealanders can do it (Other than you want to pay with scraps).
The level of scientific understanding from Stuff Commentors astounds me, when it is the person who denies climate change, and who apparently knows more than those who have spent their lives studying it, gets the up vote. Please dont tell me New Zealand is turning into scared of science, believe in fairies, America Please, for the love of god, dont turn us into the bible belt.
Well what if you are a pacific island female farm labourer... would you still get super 5 years later than a white, IT professional male? Because there are far too many holes to start dividing people up based on sex, when socio economic status, race and genes play probably an even larger role in how long you will live. If you are a maori male you live a whole 7 years less than a non maori male.
Its basically the exact same story line every single season. It is scripted nonsense. The program tries to market itself as a renovation show, where at best it is shortland street.
Gangs? Gangs have been around forever, in fact, the 30s saw more gang violence/warfare than today. I doubt in the 80s and before youd have heard of gangs starting feeding kids in school. Our gangs, while I agree should be gone, are far more timid now than way back. People need to take off their rose tinted glasses to our history.
We did suffer. Have you not heard of any of the deathly outbreaks throughout history that spread far faster when you pack people in like sardines? Or are you just generalising our comparitively healthy society now to all of the millenia? Just because we all didnt die, doesnt make it okay.
stop speaking for 99.5% of New Zealanders. You are not our representative, I dont remember any survey, so you are far from qualified to speak of what 99.5% of people in this country want, or care about.
Actually, it was in the investors interest to have property prices sky rocket. Investors from home (just like all the blue politicians who all owned investment property), and from overseas (their Chinese mates, who now happen to be purchasing political power with a mere 100,000). Thats why there was never any housing crisis at all. So says the blue politicians.
Because it is different now. Have you been living under a rock? Power increasing by more than incomes, housing crisis, etc. what you went through, pre GFC which you admit was tough, was far more favourable than post GFC.
It isnt that people dont want to play the game it is that they cant. You have to be wealthy to make the levels of untaxed income listed above. You are more likely to be rich if you are born into a wealthy household (benefiting from private education, achievable role models, healthy home/food, insider contacts, inheritance etc.) It is like starting a game of monopoly, but one person gets 10,000 and another gets 5 bucks. And because these people can make hundreds of thousands of dollars a year (tax free), that tax burden is put more on the PAYE earner. The people who can least afford it. Making it even harder to even start playing the game.
Yes it is life. It doesnt have to be though. We could accept it, like yourself and continue towards a more and more unequal society, or do something about it. In the end, inequality hurts us all. You see it in graphs, the higher the inequality, the greater the social ills, drug taking, teenage pregnancy, crime etc. Loan sharks spiraling the poor into eternal debt leading to a higher likelihood of crime and depression. And who are the victims of the crime? You and me. Who are the victims of mass depression in a huge sector of society? All of society as a whole. Yes, this is life. But it doesnt have to be. And the norm is only changed by those who stand up and say No, this is not okay, we all deserve better.
Well, apparently a leashed dog has also been spat at, so it is probably more likely the guy hates dogs, and is a bit of a feral himself, regardless of what the dog is doing, leashed or not, he is more than happy to share his fluids.
You know what idont want to see? A bunch of twenty year olds acting like twenty year olds, immature, stupid and unappealing. Oh, they have one team that is old, bet theyll act like children too, like the dads did eventually last season. How about having teams that represent more than one sector of society?? This year it is even worse, as every single one of them live in the north island. Iwant to watch a home reno show that focuses on the skill, the design, the before and afters... not the brain numbing jokes, the rolling around secret sabotage of 1am, the typical nasty one, the funny one, the blokey bloke the princess ugh. I cant watch this season. I cant bring myself to.
US President Donald Trump rips LeBron James' smarts hours before rally
Stuff commentors continue to show themselves up to be the most backwater, bully type, consevative bunch in New Zealand. Perhaps question yourselves when you start defending this type of behaviour from any country leader. If Jacinda started this nonsense you would jump up and down about the immaturity. No matter what side of the political spectrum you sit, this behaviour is not even appropriate for a pre schooler, let alone someone who should be busy running a country.
Government freezes MPs pay amid multiple pay negotiations with educators, police
Okay, so I have been annoyed at a lot of things the Labour party have done this year, but this is actually good. It is a responsible thing to do while other very important services are scrabbling for modest pay rises on top of their modest incomes. When you hear that MPs salaries used to be tied with teachers wages, you can see how absolutely out of control things have become. If MPs receive thousands more dollars (that, lets face it, they dont need) while denying teachers and nurses (who really do need it) that would have been a hard pill to swallow. Good move Labour.
Bible lessons provoke one mother's wrath and she is not alone
You can teach courage, respect, forgiveness, friendship, bravery and how to make good choices without having to teach that the earth was made in 6 days and that if you are naughty you can be tortured for eternity. Religious studies is actually quite interesting, but should be taught in the context that it is... religion. There are many religions that span many cultures and centuries. If you are going to teach Christianity, also teach Buddhism, Hinduism, greek mythology, even Nihilism. It is a great chance for kids to learn about multiple cultures, and history and how religion has affected society throughout time. Get into the philosophy around religions, it teaches great debating skills. Dont let the opportunity be wasted so you can go on about how Jesus woke up from the dead then rose to heaven on a cloud.
Bypassed by the economic boom, workers are pushing back
The whole world has seen the top booming, and then telling the rest of the public, who are struggling, that the economy is going great. Businesses used to pay a living wage, now theyre aiming for minimum. Theyve pocketed all the economic growth for themselves, and now want to threaten non investment because their workers might want to eat something other than two minute noodles. Look, I see both sides, but this is what happens when businesses are greedy for a decade. If they want to avoid worker action like this, they need to continue to make workers happy, give them some of the profit pie. So theyve got themselves to blame, really.
US President Donald Trump rips LeBron James' smarts hours before rally
What? The grammar on this post is non existent. Perhaps put more thought into what you write, so that people can actually understand you. But then I guess anyone supporting this infantile behaviour from the apparent leader of the free world should be backed up by lack of thought.
Jami-Lee Ross' tape of Simon Bridges makes headlines around the world
Bit concerning though, that National are prepared to get rid of people, just so that they can give positions to a couple of Asians who just bought their way in. Our politicians are corrupted. Or at least this one.
Kiwi couple nursing big bank accounts in the US
For that lavish lifestyle in America, people are remortgaging their homes because they get sick. People are dying because insurance companies find loopholes. Sure, you may have a big house. But to get there, many others had to lose theirs first.
Housing NZ tenant, 84, forced to move as newly renovated home set for demolition
As absolutely gut wrenching as this would be for his family and for himself, he is occupying a three bedroom home in a time where there is a massive housing shortage. If they could build three or four homes on his section, there is three or four families that could have a roof over their head, where otherwise they may not. Or at least security of a home, whereas now they do not. Whichever government has been in, I still support the decision to make more homes, for the inconvenience of one family having to move. Waiting for him to die to build homes, is a bit morbid, and he could live for another ten years, who knows.
Oscar Kightley: The royals should have at least gone halves in the Pacific tour
When you think that it cost 25 million to play with flag designs, at least this is only 1/25th of that, and it basically buys us global advertising.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to visit New Zealand
A kiwi experience... in Queenstown? when was the last time you were in Queenstown? It is definitely a tourist town now, where foreigners not only visit, but also work all the shops. Kiwis are far outnumbered in Queenstown now.
Matt Lauer row: We've sold off our slice of paradise
Oh but its raaaaacist if you want to protect New Zealanders and our homeland. You cant possibly turn down a foreigner who wants our country because thats mean. Foreigners dont need our government to protect them, they have their own governments. We are a small population in a big, big world... we need our government to protect us. Its not racist. Its pragmatic.
Scarlett Johansson slammed for 'trash' response to anger over trans role
This is ridiculous. Theyre actors. They play roles... this time, shes a trans. Are we now supposed to use an actual homeless person, if the role is about sleeping on the streets? Poor people dont get jobs in Hollywood either, so why not cast Joe Bloggs from Bridge One? This is ridiculous. The reality is, is that movies cant get made, if they cant draw an audience, and to be fair, this movie wouldnt get much of an audience without her. The fact it is being made at all, should be celebrated. Stop being offended at EVERYTHING.
'My son doesn't feel safe there' - mother of boy assaulted at south Auckland school
What kind of family life are those bullies having to think that it is even close to okay to do this to another kid? But then, if they get kicked out from school their life course will continue strongly towards a life of anti social behaviour, more victims, and perpetual users of the social security system. Times like this I wish the parents of such vicious children were seriously examined. The justice system needs to be involved to help future victims of these kids. Either the parents need help to deal with their own behaviour, or help to deal with mental issues the kids have. This disgusting behaviour had to come from somewhere. Something more needs to be done other than just kicking the kids out of school. Ambulance at the top of the hill, not the bottom.
NZ Super isn't enough for 'no frills' lifestyle, but Kiwis are bridging the gap
Gosh, theyre complaining about it now. In 30 years time we will have 65 year olds who spent half their working lives paying back student loans, and the other half paying off a house... It will be rare to see retirees with savings at all, let alone a paid off house.
US President Donald Trump threatens to withdraw United States from WTO
I am sick and tired of hearing how the US is getting a raw deal. The US, the worlds bully, is complaining how the world is big and mean to them. We are a global community. You benefit from other countries sometimes, and at other times, other countries benefit. It is called being part of earth. America cant just run around and expect to win all the time. Who would want to trade with a country who you cannot benefit from? Think world leaders need to get a little tougher with this guy. Like a child, if you let them get away with bad behaviour once, you can be sure to see that behaviour manifest itself time and time again.
Review finds two-tier power market developing
Hang on, this review comes to the conclusion that households switch frequently, rarely or never.... I could have told you that for free.
Petrol below $2 sign of downward trend
Oh good, the north island gets another deal. Come on south island branches. Do something nice for us folk down here who have been ripped off for years.
Are teachers' salaries falling behind other Kiwi workers?
It has obviously been a rough decade for the teachers. Yet, throughout all these tough years under national, not one strike. Nothing. Silence. Zilch. They sat back and just kept getting angrier and angrier. I find it insanely difficult to feel sorry for either nurses, or teachers, or any other profession that has suddenly realised their pay isnt enough and so must strike, the second National was gone. If your pay was so dire, strike under any government. Dont wait for Labour to get in to finally fight for more, because at this rate, this will be the last time youll be able to as you make many left wing supporters regret voting Labour. And when National ignores your pleas for the next decade or two as they maintain power under a pretense of stability, helped by your silence, and you slip further behind everyone else, I will feel less sympathy.
Simon Bridges says criticism of PM Jacinda Ardern not sexist
He calls her weak, yet what happened to the Nat MP that leaked his travel expenses? As a feminist myself, he is hardly sexist, rather just a hypocrite. By the way, I am sick of sexism being thrown out every time anything slightly untoward happens to a female, from Serena to this Stuff journalist. There are far more important issues that are actually sexist, without muddying the waters with this tripe.
Tourists could be taxed to enter New Zealand under new proposal
Good, it is 1% of their cost to get here. If they cant afford 35 bucks, then they arent the tourists we need. The fact that we cover them with our taxes, in terms of ACC, transport/roading etc. They can help out with small change. Stop trying to make this policy sound worse than it is. New Zealanders are being ripped off, it is about time other people contributed to what they use.
Donald Trump turns John McCain's death into another political firestorm about him
He has family and friends who are grieving for his loss. These are times where you put aside the disagreements and focus on those things that are good... because no one is all evil, even McCain, even Trump. And fighting for your country has to be acknowledged. Surviving POW should be acknowledged. You do it for those who are still alive and are hurting. You act like a civil human being, who has empathy for others.
Bank predicts foreign buyer ban will add further chill to property market
Well I thought foreign buyers werent influencing property prices... thats what all the experts and National (under the guise of us all being a bunch of racists) would have us believe 12 months ago, and that they were only 3% of the market. Funny how suddenly that 3% has gone from unfounded targeting based solely on being a bunch of unfair racists to actually influencing the unsustainable growth in some regions.
Whale continues to star in Wellington, but fireworks could be canned
Matariki fireworks, $150,000, postponing Matariki $??%, seeing a rare whale breaching in Wellington Harbour? Priceless
As a working dad, I'm always treated differently to mums
Whether you are female or male, if you are the working parent and your partner is on the benefit, you are treated grossly unfair if you have split custody. Usually, it is the father, but in my case, I am the working mother, so I know all too well your plight with IRD. As for the other stuff, I cannot relate. It is terrible that work places do not encourage men to be fathers, they do not have the same support structure, same with paternity leave. While this country has fought hard for mothers rights, it has a long way to go for fathers. Children do need their dads. It is a good time to start changing attitudes, and I do hope, with the current political situation, that dads are given a better go. But im probably just dreaming.
Woman who miscarried 'stunned' to learn she did not qualify for bereavement leave
Most pregnancies end in miscarriages. Most you never even realise. How far should they take it? One day you take a test and find out youre pregnant and the next your period starts, its ridiculous. Even at 11 weeks youve only known for 2 months. Employers should be able to discriminate to whom they give leave. It shouldnt be an automatic right
New state house opened in Timaru as part of state home project
I love this comment. A good, sound, middle ground comment, that has sense. We cant move forward by stifling business, but we also cant move forward with poverty and the poor clogging up the health system. A few less one eye politicians and voters and Id be a happy camper.
Are non-Aucklanders paying the regional fuel tax?
Typical Auckland centric, naive to the rest of the country comment.
ACC claimant says he will never give up fighting
ACC needs to support people as soon as possible into better health so that person can get back to work, pay their taxes, have independence again, and everyone is happy. It serves no one trying to find loopholes so you can deny people rehabilitation services. It is a no-brainer.
NZ economy may not be as slow as business confidence suggests - for now
Exactly, all business confidence is is national in, or labour? they need to get over themselves and stop tantruming. If they actually made sure trickle down economics worked, then theyd probably get national for eternity, but trickle down economics doesnt work, it has ended up in major inequality since the 80s, so people will get tired and vote for change (from whoever goes too far down the neoliberal route - both labour and national are guilty). Employees lost a lot of rights under national, and employees out number employers.
Generational divide highlighted by exam is far from trivial
If they were required to read as many books as we were when I went to school, they would have learnt words like trivial. Their vocabulary would be longer. You wouldnt have to tiptoe around small words in the fear that 17 year olds dont know them.
Blokes are watching The Bachelor Australia in record numbers - this is why
Im going to let you in on a little secret, Dave. It is a long lost knowledge that some of us still possess, yet many commentors on Stuff seem to lack. Located somewhere in your living room, perhaps hidden in a crevice, or on your wifes chair, is a remote control. It doesnt control the entire universe, but it can control the flashy box in your room that emits these images that hurt your eyes. When you push a button you can make it all go away. TV appeals to a range of people out there. I for one, cannot stand Shortland Street, and now it is on 6 nights a week! But luckily for myself, I do possess the knowledge of the little secret remote, and dont need to expect that the entire of New Zealand wants to watch what I want to watch. As painful as it is, that Shortland Street even exists, people watch it. Who am I to take away that nonsense from their minds?
ACC should cover sickness and disability, says Sir Geoffrey Palmer
Move to America then, and remortgage your house to get healthcare. Youre in the minority.
"New research says most Kiwis walk their dogs less than once a day",
It is so sad people purchase a dog and expect it to live its days within the section boundaries. Why on earth get a dog if youre not going to walk it? I take mine out every day, mostly it is for more than an hour. Wake up earlier if you dont have time. Whatever you have to do, its not your dogs fault
Dear Jennifer: I'm married to a good guy but I'm bored
Some men are never satisfied, just as some women are not. Being female does not automatically put you in this category. Personally I am perfectly satisfied. Many friends I know of have been married for 20+ years and are still smitten with their husbands. One of my past partners stole my money, lied and cheated. My sister had a partner who sent her into bankruptcy. Do I now claim the entire 3.5 billion male population are all liars and cheaters and terrible with money? No, that is absurd.
Dear Jennifer: I'm married to a good guy but I'm bored
Great work lumping 3.5 billion people into one category.
Mark Reason: Serena's sexism reflects America's culture of misandry
Funnily enough, I used to get annoyed seeing women always portrayed as a gender who cant have fun, who stay at home and look after the children while the men play golf, go to space, or have other grand adventures. Marge Simpson was one of these. I never really saw the portrayal of Homer as being negative, as men have experienced. Same with Tim off Home Improvement, always free and fun and had a life, Jill, always boring, cant cook and a bit of a nag, never really saw his bumbling behaviour as an insult. Raymond of Everybody loves Raymond, always out playing golf having fun, his wife, cant remember her name, just stayed home... and nagged. Even the makers of Despicable me said all the minions were male because females cant be silly like that. We all view the world through our own lenses. Marge was a grumpy nagging wife who had no life and Homer was a bumbling idiot. Neither gender is portrayed in comedy well. The rise in the victimhood of females is heart breaking though. When there are genuine matters out there, they muddy the waters with this clap trap of how Serena is being bullied and how men are all rapists. I certainly hope that this culture doesnt become big here in NZ. Lets listen to both sides, see Homer how men see him, and Marge how women see her. A great way to move on from this battle of the sexes and put it behind us.
Pensioners just want a fair deal
Thats okay Johnny, weve been told many times to expect nothing. Which makes articles like this harder to accept.
Family pays price for Mark Richardson's baby spat with Jacinda Ardern
How can she know throughout the entire campaign that she was pregnant... considering this was a June baby, pregnancy is 9 months and people dont know theyre pregnant until theyre a month into the pregnancy, even then there is a high chance of miscarriage at the very beginning. So there is a good chance she didnt know at election. And wasnt even pregnant during the campaign. You dont need to exaggerate to get your point across.
Why when things become unsayable, the joke is on us
Margie is a nag with a gambling problem and no life outside her kids and husband. Lisa is a nerd with no friends who is completely self righteous with her religion and vegetarianism. No one on the show is perfect. Stop creating drama to be offended at
First-home buyers - and investors - look to Dunedin
I gave up looking in Dunedin, wed be looking at a house and getting our hopes up, then in rolls a fancy car... to look at a house worth 200k. It was gutting... every time.
Being cold and rationing heating is now normal in New Zealand
im surprised Otago didnt get a mention In your report. It actually gets cold in Otago, unlike Auckland. And a whopping 69% of people ration power in Otago! Thats terrible. But beneficiaries in Auckland will get the winter payment, while working people in Otago wont.
Being cold and rationing heating is now normal in New Zealand
This is a disgusting comment. Complete strawman to be a troll and nothing more. At no point point has anyone asked for a free house. Stop being ridiculous. But requiring 1.5 incomes to save/pay for a house is not sustainable, it is not okay. 1 income used to support a family.
Being cold and rationing heating is now normal in New Zealand
If people say they ration their power, that doesnt mean, theyd use less because they need less, it means theyre using less because they have to
"Clarke Gayford's never seen before photos of the moment the coalition government was born",
Come on, its been a year, already Dunedin hospital has moved further in a year than it did in NINE with national. Students have first year free tuition, people got a winter payment for power, theres the best start package for new borns, extended parental leave, houses have been built, trees planted. Things have happened, and if anyone was expecting everything done after one year they arent those who voted for this govt but national supporters who expect everything NOW, any later and this govt has failed.
Petrol prices hit new record as another tax increase approaches
Lets be honest here, people. Both Labour and National have done this to us. National increased tax on petrol, they increased tax on alcohol and increased tax on cigarrettes. Both parties tax peoplel until they are blind, and Isee many right wing people have become so. The people to blame are the oil companies themselves. Raking in record profits, yet cant stomach a $5 increase on oil. Also, it is more than likely that the rest of New Zealand, YET AGAIN are subsidising Auckland petrol.... AGAIN. The sooner electric vehicles become more affordable the better. Get these leaching oil companies in the past. Ive had enough of them.
The (vegan) kids are all right
My kids eat meat. They also are very rarely sick. Theyre healthy, smart, energetic kids.
Dancing With The Stars: Samantha Hayes' concerns it could impact her credibility
Some people like sports, others like drama, others like reality. Heres a tip, Tvs come with remotes now, making it even easier to change the channel
First-home buyers - and investors - look to Dunedin
I came from Blenheim and moved to Dunedin. Dunedin is a fantastic city. It has beautiful scenery. Beautiful old buildings. Its the gateway to central otago. It has stuff to do, unlike crusty Blenheim where the grey hair brigade shot down any advancement for youth in the town. The people are friendly here, and coming from the sunniest town in NZ, I really cannot complain too much about the weather, it isnt as bad as some gloomy, negative nancy people from Blenheim have to say.
Donald Trump turns John McCain's death into another political firestorm about him
If you would be honest with yourself you would realise that Trump raised the flag again, not because one day is enough but because he did not care for McCain at all. It was Trump that has let the world know how much he doesnt care for McCain, and how any words or actions would be perceived as shallow, because everyone knows he doesnt like him. Using Trumps own words, he sees the lowering of the flag as something he doesnt want to do. He raised it again, because he doesnt like doing things he doesnt want to do. It is okay Phil. You dont have to defend Trump, he is doing it himself... all over the internet... every single day...
Donald Trump turns John McCain's death into another political firestorm about him
Most politicians can put aside their differences and act in a responsible, civil way when their adversaries pass. Look at the National party, paying tribute to Jim Anderton. Because the National party acted in a respectful way, everything became focused on Jim Anderton, respecting the feelings of those still alive who loved Jim, and were hurting. Imagine if the Nat MPs sat sulking about it, then everyone will be focused on their behaviour, rather than the person who has passed. Therefore, making it about them. This is exactly what Trump has done. He has behaved childish. And now because of his inability to grow up, everyone becomes focused on him.
No code compliance certificate discovery a shock for townhouse owners
The leaky homes fiasco was most certainly NOT in the early 90s. It became a fiasco in the early 00s
Was the Queen subtly trolling Trump with her jewellery?
Pretty sure most brits want the monarchy. Theyre only a thing while they have public support, thats why they go into serious public relations to try and win the people back - case in point, after Diana died. France used to have a monarchy too... until the populace got sick of them. So while not democratically installed, the monarchy still has more support than Trump.
Wellington Paranormal poster too 'confronting' for kids, advertising authority rules
Sounds like the parent let their child get carried away with it. As a parent you can instill some sense of understanding. If you let your kids just overreact at any little thing how are they supposed to function in the wider world? Go and buy some crazy teeth from the $2 shop, put on some black makeup, something for a wig, and have a funny dress up. Lighten the mood, dont let the kid escalate it
The Block NZ houses go up for sale as Amy and Stu say 'we didn't do it to win'
Oh no, poor financial decision. Dont put your winnings into student loan debt. Unless the government brings back incentives to pay it off faster, a no - interest loan is better paid off slowly, as time value of money means your loan is worth less every year anyway (3,000 was a lot more money in 1970 than it is in 2018, same with 20,000, will be worth less in the future). Pay the minimum amount on your student loans and forget about it. Eventually it will be paid off.
Holiday park owner with six guests a night says freedom camping spots to blame
What?
Grand National winning jockey hit with eight-week ban for unnecessary whip use
so says the person not getting continuously slapped in the side with one
TVNZ doco claiming Celts were here before MÄori has been removed from OnDemand service
It isnt pulled because someone has an opinion. It is misusing facts, twisting expert findings and pushing fairy tales as facts. I dont believe it should have been pulled, like a parent making sure their impressionable kids dont watch Power Rangers though. It could have been put under another category other than factual documentary. maybe get some good mocumentaries into a category, there are some good ones out there.
Is there such thing as 'vegan depression'?
Humans brains began to significantly evolve once we started eating meat and sucking out the bone marrow. We are where we are today because our ancient ancestors saw a dead animal and ate its flesh. We then graduated into eating fresh dead animals. Actually, studies have shown that vegan brains are shrinking. Its 1, go look it up.
The new normal of students working jobs, on top of full time study
Student allowance barely increased. Rent is far higher in comparison, and Once you earn over 80 (?), govt takes dollar for dollar off your student allowance. Different times. Hardly comparable.
Tough love, an outdated parenting style that Kiwis favour
All you are really seeing is the result of a few people who live in your vicinity, who happen to not be embarrassed about what punishment they dolled out last night, thats it. To come to the conclusion, based on this select group, that NZ culture of parenting is based in the 1800s is terribly flawed. First, maybe it is the result of New Zealanders being more open with what punishments they give than Australians, or British people are (the british are terribly polite and do not air their dirty laundry). Second, these are people who live in your immediate vicinity. You cant judge an entire culture based on such a small, select group of anecdotes. Third, it is far more memorable hearing about someone making their kid sleep in the hallway than a hundred stories about cuddles. Memory is selective, and unless you started a little tally up, we have no idea what the ratio is between tough love parents and cuddle love parents.
Mrs Salisbury: I have lost desire for my partner who asks for 'favour' sex
I have to say that I feel the same, so it doesnt seem nonsensical to me. It is weird, but can happen. I dont know if this is what she has, but a good analogy is kind of like working out at the gym is fantastic, I love it! Its the forcing myself to actually go that is the problem. Wanting the gym, and not, at the same time. Just like wanting sex, and not, at the same time can happen too.
New state house opened in Timaru as part of state home project
Wow.... just.... wow. Your comment is disgusting. I live in a small house with an old run down kitchen from 1950 something and I still think this is a good idea. |If you want to cram the poor into run down, unhealthy homes, then you have the foresight of a mole. By making sure these people are warm, dry and have a little tiny bit less stress, then they, and their children can achieve far more things in society as a whole, move off benefits and move forward in life. But then, I only have research on my side. Not stigma.
Milking it: There's no such thing as a budget cow, so what is budget milk?
Humans have been drinking milk for millennia. Our bodies are used to it now (most of us), and so it is a cemented staple in our diets (Id say 8000 years is a good amount of time to be a normal part of our diet, dont you?). It is necessary in our hot drinks, our cooking/baking, and just a delicious drink especially for children as a filling alternative to water.
Women, don't 'lean in' - Sheryl Sandberg's advice may have done more harm than good
Are you serious?? Nurses and rest home workers deal with abuse and all types of bodily excretions, im sure it is close to impossible to not break a nail, or mess up your hair while running around trying to help people, or holding back a dementia patient or drunk who wants to hurt you. Most women in employment fall into this category of healthcare worker. The next highest category is teachers. Running around after 30 kids all day every day sounds like a nightmare to me, and I doubt many end the day with prim and proper hair dos and all nails intact. At the same time Im sure plenty of IT people dont break too many nails, or mess up many hairs. Generalising women into some barbie, or Kim Kardashian cut out is ridiculous. Your comment shows complete misunderstanding of many of this gender, your comment is so caricaturist, I doubt you are in fact a woman.
The new normal of students working jobs, on top of full time study
Uni was free, or close to it, power, food and rent were also more affordable.
Striking teachers have lost the war, even if they win a small pay battle
A dentist has to have far more study behind their belt than a teacher does. They can end up leaving study with a 6 figure debt. I dont blame dentists who try and recoup that incredibly massive debt they had to carry themselves, so we could all have pain free mouths.
Is there such thing as 'vegan depression'?
Actually, last I saw, Vegans required B12 supplements so their bodies could keep functioning. Sorry, but if you have to purchase store sourced vitamins so your body can do what it is meant to do, then veganism isnt healthy, or natural for our bodies.
New Zealand's divide over women's rights to vote led to a historic world moment
Actually that isnt the case. Studies have shown that there is a barrier there for women that exists solely on being a woman. One study had CVs being sent out. Everything on the CV was exactly the same, the only thing different was the name at the top, either male or female. The CVs with female names were responded to far less frequently than the male named CVs. Another study along those lines in programming, if people saw it was a female who programmed it, they were more likely to be turned down, when the identification is hidden, they are selected more often. Other studies looked at the perception of women in power and men in power and women tend to be looked at less favourably than men. When women negotiate higher pay they are also looked at less favourably than men. There are so many studies out there and continually they come to the same types of conclusions. Glass ceilings remain. Certainly not on purpose, but they are there.
Rental properties could end up better than landlords homes
What a bunch of complainers. Every industry has standards... now you do too. But these standards increase the value of your slum to reasonably respectable house. The government doesnt set healthy temp levels... the World Health Organisation does. Stop complaining that you cant rent out cold, damp homes to families anymore. Enjoy your increases in capital value, and invest in your investment. Youre all coming across as spoiled children tantruming because you no longer get desert without doing your chores first.
The Block NZ houses go up for sale as Amy and Stu say 'we didn't do it to win'
Good point boats, New Zealand is so awesome I forget some people want to leave :p
Affordability of rates worsens, new figures show
Thats what Dunedin did last elections. Ended up with pages of choice and far too long in debates. Too much choice lead to no change
Housing Minister Phil Twyford speaks out against 'KFC test' for tenants
I think proving that you can afford the rent via showing payslips I see fine. Judging their spending by getting bank statements is crossing the line. Perhaps some tenants start withdrawing cash at the start of the week and just spend cash. I feel having cash makes me spend less anyway because I see it disappear
Women, don't 'lean in' - Sheryl Sandberg's advice may have done more harm than good
So they use excerpts from her book, obviously the bit about lean-in and not about the other wider systemic factors she talked about, completely biasing their study, and they are surprised the women who read the cherry picked excerpts think it is 100% in the realm of women to fix and 100% womens fault? This sounds like a really well rounded book she has written. It is 1, there are some ingrained traits women seem to posses that do not help their cause. Studies in the past have shown that women tend to work harder for less reward than men, they tend to devalue themselves more than men (paying themselves less) and on a wider real world note, they do tend to not fight as hard for positions and money than men do. So to some degree, women do have to put their big pants on and fight for more money. We cant all sit here and wait for the system to change, making ourselves further victims.
Save 10 per cent of your income, or prepare for tough retirement
I just assumed while reading this article that they based it on average income.
Major announcement expected for ambitious Dunedin waterfront plan
Oh i hope Dunedin gets this. The area needs a spruce up and this is definitely a fabulous addition to this beautiful city. Sick of the naysayers here always turning down any development in this city. We will fall to rack and ruin if these doddery people continue to dampen any effort to invest.
One-in-10 Kiwis are 'relying on an inheritance'
I dont think people here are saying it is purely luck, but pointing out that you say it is completely based on hard work. Of course hard work comes into it. But also, circumstances out of your own complete control, helped. You say you invested in the right property, market forces out of your control have done you well. Many smart, hard working people have lost money in property. Unless you can see into the future, decisions you make, while educated, still contain an ounce of luck.Yes, be proud of where your hard work has gotten you, but be aware that there is always luck, somewhere.
Hands on, hands off, eyes off, mind off – and steering wheel optional
You should feel safe in your own car, you should never feel safe standing in the middle of the road in such a dangerous spot that even robotic sensors cant pick you up until it is too late. The car should always protect the passengers.
The (vegan) kids are all right
i have a friend that is doing keto. About as polar opposite to veganism as you can get while on a weight loss healthy diet. Keto is where you eat fats, meat ect, and cut carbs, which includes your potato and carrot, banana and most fruits. She would also proclaim she has plenty of energy, she has also lost a lot of weight. She would claim your potato that you are feeding your kids is causing inflamation in the body, spiking blood sugar, and feeding cancer cells. I am sick to death of all of these diet fads. They all have their body of research, they all provide results... but what is actually healthy? Ugh, I cant take it any more. The stress you get while trying to cut out a particular food group is probably giving you all cancer anyway.
Church suffering from same-sex motion sickness
They dont need to go to the mosque to get married, because they are Christians, or at least one is, and they want their own church. This has nothing to do with Muslims, or Jews, or Hindus. This story is about a Christian.By the way, bible is also against divorce, but the whole Anglican Church is founded in divorce. And the church and congregation happily support 2nd or 3rd marriages. People would understand more if Christians werent so hypocritical
Prime minister looks to kill the elephant in the room with economic speech
National paid for skip bins too. But I guess this comment will be voted down because facts arent cool, only bashing labour is.
Married at First Sight NZ: 2017 contestants offer advice, warnings
Last season of NZ married at first sight was a train wreck. You all know you didnt go into it looking for love. You all wanted your 15 minutes of fame so you could apply to be a presenter on Bravo. And it showed. The tantrums, the teenage drama, the absolute lack of effort. Absolutely terrible. And on top of that, professionals who were anything but. It had about the level of analysis of heres the only two gay guys, well put them together. Actually, I watched the first season I ever watched for the science, the actual analysis of what could work, they studied their lives, dna, questioned family, looked at pheromones. It was incredibly in depth. Slowly, as this show has moved across the world, it has turned into the shallow, drama queen drunken nonsense that NZ dished up.
Beneficiaries get less in the hand as payment scheme ends
Based on what study? It has shown in actual real life, using actual science and actual human behaviour that it isnt more money that leads to poor decisions - it is higher stress, typically caused by LACK of money. Those poor decisions do lead to more poverty. You remove a lot of stress by giving more money, (that has been shown in other studies to go directly to supporting children (clothes, food etc.)), people make better decisions and can invest in things to help them better themselves, like education, proper clothes/transport to get to work, healthier food and less addiction. Look guys, can we just stop beneficiary bashing here? It doesnt help. Baseless claims do not help. Stop throwing out nonsense that sounds good but is absolutely unfounded.
Housing NZ tenant, 84, forced to move as newly renovated home set for demolition
Help three or four families by building three or four homes (helping possibly 12ish people) or help one person, by not inconveniencing him for a few weeks. I think this decision makes them more of a peoples party
Beneficiaries get less in the hand as payment scheme ends
This statement is based solely on caricatures of beneficiaries and not fact. I get it, it is easy to put people into a hole and define them by whatever makes you feel superior. Thats psychology, from beneficiary bashing to victim blaming, we all want to feel better than anyone we can. Unfortunately for you, the facts dont support your claim. it was found after testing that the number of beneficiaries that had drugs in their system was so ridiculously small it was practically a non issue. I know, you know a lot of beneficiaries who spend all day shooting up. But whatever unbelievable claim you wish to make up, it doesnt fit the facts.
I've found the solution to the housing crisis, and it's been here all along
A lot of those migrants are ex pat kiwis moving home. So all those 74,000 people, many are deserving of arriving in this country by birth. However, immigration is hurting our rental stock. Businesses who want to pay slave wages are our real problem. Theyre the ones who want to hire 100 immigrants for the price of one kiwi. They target low wage economies and bring these people in en masse. You cant blame the people who are arriving, if you were offered far more than your slave wage country, youd move too. Target the reason why businesses can get away with slavery, and that reason is the power imbalance and lack of information that these low wage immigrants have. And perhaps the best way is unionisation. If you are a big importer of foreign labour, you should have a strong union to make sure these people are paid appropriately. If suddenly an immigrant costs the same as a kiwi, perhaps businesses will start investing in our own working stock, instead of flooding us with people from low wage countries. There is no reason why you need to import an indian to lay fibre cables (for example) when plenty of New Zealanders can do it (Other than you want to pay with scraps).
"'Bucket toilet' for garage tenants: The vulnerable Kiwis reforms won't help",
The level of scientific understanding from Stuff Commentors astounds me, when it is the person who denies climate change, and who apparently knows more than those who have spent their lives studying it, gets the up vote. Please dont tell me New Zealand is turning into scared of science, believe in fairies, America Please, for the love of god, dont turn us into the bible belt.
Call to link NZ Super age to health expectancy could mean working until 70
Well what if you are a pacific island female farm labourer... would you still get super 5 years later than a white, IT professional male? Because there are far too many holes to start dividing people up based on sex, when socio economic status, race and genes play probably an even larger role in how long you will live. If you are a maori male you live a whole 7 years less than a non maori male.
Kiwi supermarket chain cuts cost of sanitary products in effort to tackle period poverty
Condoms are free at family planning. Women also shave.
The outlandish baby names US parents chose last year
Yes, but it is more likely to be named after the car, than a long dead physicist/inventor.
The Block NZ: Amy and Stu fined $5000 for cheating
Its basically the exact same story line every single season. It is scripted nonsense. The program tries to market itself as a renovation show, where at best it is shortland street.
Woman's tiny house stolen in Auckland weeks before she was to move in
Gangs? Gangs have been around forever, in fact, the 30s saw more gang violence/warfare than today. I doubt in the 80s and before youd have heard of gangs starting feeding kids in school. Our gangs, while I agree should be gone, are far more timid now than way back. People need to take off their rose tinted glasses to our history.
Editorial: An innovative approach to the housing problem
We did suffer. Have you not heard of any of the deathly outbreaks throughout history that spread far faster when you pack people in like sardines? Or are you just generalising our comparitively healthy society now to all of the millenia? Just because we all didnt die, doesnt make it okay.
The borrowers: Why you are speaking more MÄori than you think
stop speaking for 99.5% of New Zealanders. You are not our representative, I dont remember any survey, so you are far from qualified to speak of what 99.5% of people in this country want, or care about.
Falling Australian house prices a warning for NZ: commentator
Actually, it was in the investors interest to have property prices sky rocket. Investors from home (just like all the blue politicians who all owned investment property), and from overseas (their Chinese mates, who now happen to be purchasing political power with a mere 100,000). Thats why there was never any housing crisis at all. So says the blue politicians.
The new normal of students working jobs, on top of full time study
Because it is different now. Have you been living under a rock? Power increasing by more than incomes, housing crisis, etc. what you went through, pre GFC which you admit was tough, was far more favourable than post GFC.
Properties give their owners a tax-free windfall - is that fair?
It isnt that people dont want to play the game it is that they cant. You have to be wealthy to make the levels of untaxed income listed above. You are more likely to be rich if you are born into a wealthy household (benefiting from private education, achievable role models, healthy home/food, insider contacts, inheritance etc.) It is like starting a game of monopoly, but one person gets 10,000 and another gets 5 bucks. And because these people can make hundreds of thousands of dollars a year (tax free), that tax burden is put more on the PAYE earner. The people who can least afford it. Making it even harder to even start playing the game.
Electric vehicles a middle class and above option in NZ says Motor Trade Association
Yes it is life. It doesnt have to be though. We could accept it, like yourself and continue towards a more and more unequal society, or do something about it. In the end, inequality hurts us all. You see it in graphs, the higher the inequality, the greater the social ills, drug taking, teenage pregnancy, crime etc. Loan sharks spiraling the poor into eternal debt leading to a higher likelihood of crime and depression. And who are the victims of the crime? You and me. Who are the victims of mass depression in a huge sector of society? All of society as a whole. Yes, this is life. But it doesnt have to be. And the norm is only changed by those who stand up and say No, this is not okay, we all deserve better.
Cyclist who spits on dogs might be at it again
Well, apparently a leashed dog has also been spat at, so it is probably more likely the guy hates dogs, and is a bit of a feral himself, regardless of what the dog is doing, leashed or not, he is more than happy to share his fluids.
Being cold and rationing heating is now normal in New Zealand
People also live longer and are sick less. Yes, times have changed.
The Block NZ: What we might see this season, and what we don't want to see
You know what idont want to see? A bunch of twenty year olds acting like twenty year olds, immature, stupid and unappealing. Oh, they have one team that is old, bet theyll act like children too, like the dads did eventually last season. How about having teams that represent more than one sector of society?? This year it is even worse, as every single one of them live in the north island. Iwant to watch a home reno show that focuses on the skill, the design, the before and afters... not the brain numbing jokes, the rolling around secret sabotage of 1am, the typical nasty one, the funny one, the blokey bloke the princess ugh. I cant watch this season. I cant bring myself to.