Archive for May, 2009

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  Hooray for Turei - by frog

  
  
  
  Metiria Turei is the new co-leader of the Green Party. The official announcement, made a couple of hours ago, is here. Congrats to Metiria and also to Sue Bradford.  Together they ran a dignified and mature campaign that involved the Party in some calm self-reflection. Spoiled for choice, the Party’s membership opted for Metiria in [...] read more
  May 30, 2009 6:13 pm - 283 Comments
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  Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow… - by Catherine Delahunty

  
  
  
  After 20 years it’s high time to reflect on the value of the “Tomorrow Schools” model and exactly who has benefited? This is particularly important when the new Government and especially their coalition partner are making worrying noises about reform of the public system. “Tomorrow’s Schools” was a Labour baby and ostensibly an opportunity for [...] read more
  May 29, 2009 12:10 pm - 21 Comments
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  Warm Healthy Homes Confirmed - by frog

  
  
  
  Ok, here’s the facts on the home insulation fund.  It’s effectively a bigger, faster programme than the one the Greens negotiated last year with Labour. It’s $323 million over four years.  Clever readers have deduced that $323m does not equal $1billion, but as Russel explained in the House this afternoon: there is only enough money [...] read more
  May 28, 2009 3:40 pm - 41 Comments
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  Insulating the Budget - by frog

  
  
  
  Well, it’s happened again. Budget stuff has leaked from Wellington, stealing the thunder of Greens and Tories alike ahead of tomorrow’s announcement. No one is immune, and all sorts of theories can develop about who may gain an advantage by leaking such stuff. First of all, after a thorough hop around the corridors of power, [...] read more
  May 27, 2009 5:43 pm - 23 Comments
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  Granny’s Peculiar approach to Pecuniary Interests - by frog

  
  
  
  The Herald on Sunday ran a story this week claiming a ‘conspiracy of silence’ over MP expenses. Granny Sunday didn’t mention that the newspaper demanded an enormous amount of information and demanded it within 24 hours.   It also didn’t mention that the Green Party at least forwarded all 9 MPs’ pecuniary interest statements that cover [...] read more
  May 27, 2009 10:07 am - 41 Comments
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  There She Goes: Jeanette Steps Down - by frog

  
  
  
  As the Green Party AGM approaches, Jeanette Fitzsimons enjoys her last few days as the Co-leader of the Greens. I wondered what must be going through her mind as she readies herself to hand over the reins of power? What have been some of her highlights? Who are some of the people she most admires? [...] read more
  May 27, 2009 8:22 am - 94 Comments
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  It ended miserabLee….again - by frog

  
  
  
   More self-inflicted wounds for National’s Mt Albert candidate Melissa Lee yesterday when an attempt at humour went wrong.  She had to explain that a suggestion to shoot the media was not hers – it was someone else answering email on her behalf (really, your honour, I wasn’t there). Fortunately, a lamington stole the spotlight, but [...] read more
  May 26, 2009 1:59 pm - 26 Comments
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  Oakley Waterfall – Oasis of Calm under threat - by frog

  
  
  
  Tucked away in a valley that seems a world away from the concrete and asphalt of Waterview Straight is a spectacular local attraction. Oakley Creek Waterfall cascades into Oakley Creek, its distinctive roar creating a dramatic ambience. Green Party Co-Leader Russel Norman’s guided tour along the Creek opened his eyes to its fragile ecosystem. Wendy John of [...] read more
  May 26, 2009 11:12 am - 4 Comments
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  The JAFA Roll - by frog

  
  
  
  This little gem was sent to Russel by Joe Bell of Golden Bay, and is used with his permission. I think the idea has merit and is worthy of some debate here. The intention of a Presidential-style mayor and elite council for Auckland is scary. Imagine instead an alternative model of inclusive ‘bottom up’ governance [...] read more
  May 26, 2009 10:21 am - 4 Comments
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  General Debate, 26 May, 2009 - by frog

  
  
  
  Any specific predictions for what will be in the budget? read more
  May 26, 2009 9:08 am - 108 Comments
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  Russel and Katya at Pacific Music Awards - by frog

  
  
  
  Green Party Co-Leader Russel Norman and his partner Katya Paquin enjoyed attending the 5th annual Pacific Music Awards at the Telstra Clear Pacific Events Centre in Manukau City on Saturday night. Russel’s attendance was noted in speeches by Pacific Island Affairs Minister Georgina Te Heuheu and Vui Mark Gosche. And Niu FM’s Sela Alo – [...] read more
  May 25, 2009 3:43 pm - 1 Comment
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  Grand Theft Auckland - by frog

  
  
  
  Russel serves it up hot in his guest post over on Public Address. I don’t want to steal too much of the thunder, so here is just a snippet: Those select few who make a whole lot of money from the Growth Machine – the property developers, the motorway builders, the corporate investors – are [...] read more
  May 25, 2009 10:13 am - 15 Comments
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  Greens, like most, are optimists - by frog

  
  
  
  Some people like to paint the Greens as gloom merchants. I have found that Greens are, at their worst; realists, and at their best; optimists. There is a universal undercurrent of optimism and enthusiasm for life at every Green function I attend. No doubt I’ll see the optimism overflowing this weekend at our annual AGM, [...] read more
  May 25, 2009 9:42 am - 11 Comments
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  A walk across a bridge - by Russel Norman

  
  
  
  They say that revolutions start with small actions. Today the people of Auckland started a transport revolution by walking over a bridge. They refused to be intimidated by the NZ Transport Agency and walked and rode across their iconic bridge on its 50th birthday. It was small thing – 10,000 men women and children strode [...] read more
  May 24, 2009 3:14 pm - 203 Comments
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  General Debate, 24 May, 2009 - by frog

  
  
  
  Seems like winter is everywhere, so do stay warm. read more
  May 24, 2009 12:58 pm - 32 Comments
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  Russel Norman on Public Address Radio - by frog

  
  
  
  Just discovered this fine interview with our Russ by Damian Christie and Russell Brown.  It’s worth a listen. read more
  May 23, 2009 7:51 am - 4 Comments
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  Forget Melissa’s indiscretions, what about National’s? - by frog

  
  
  
  The Melissa Lee sideshow keeps rolling with her bold announcement today of a plan to come second in Mt Albert. The continued foot-in-mouth distractions may be welcomed by the National Party leadership because it keeps attention away from questions about their electoral expense returns. You’ll recall that Lee produced promotional videos for National before the election. [...] read more
  May 23, 2009 6:37 am - 17 Comments
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  The summer of ’69 is still with us - by frog

  
  
  
  1969 – the year the PLO appointed Yasser Arafat leader; Vietnam protests were raging; Yoko and John were bedding-in again; Apollo 11 lands on the moon; Woodstock opened; the Beatles released Abbey Road; two computers were first networked; and capital punishment was abolished in the UK. The same year, an article by G R Fish* [...] read more
  May 22, 2009 3:14 pm - 12 Comments
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  Melissing the point - by frog

  
  
  
  A lot has been said already about Melissa Lee’s comment that the motorway would keep South Auckland criminals out of Mt Albert. While she did eventually apologise, I was surprised to hear her comment when she was pressed on the issue by Auckland University students yesterday. “You guys are students so you obviously don’t watch [...] read more
  May 22, 2009 6:20 am - 45 Comments
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  Crapfarms – how many times? - by frog

  
  
  
  So, dairy farming company CraFarms has been charged yet again for alleged dirty dairying on a farm near Hamilton. They were in court yesterday in Te Awamutu, prosecuted by Environment Waikato. Their defence: “the farm’s effluent system had difficulties managing the herd size.” Imagine if Air NZ said, “sorry the landing gear collapsed due to [...] read more
  May 21, 2009 8:00 pm - 6 Comments