Comments on: Green MPs line up to defend Easter Bunny and workers http://blog.greens.org.nz/2009/12/09/green-mps-line-up-to-defend-easter-bunny-and-workers/ hopping along the corridors of power Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:39:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: Drakula http://blog.greens.org.nz/2009/12/09/green-mps-line-up-to-defend-easter-bunny-and-workers/#comment-98871 Drakula Fri, 11 Dec 2009 08:26:44 +0000 http://blog.greens.org.nz/?p=8398#comment-98871 I don't usually condone LSD, but I think that with regards to the Max Bradfords and the Tod McClays and their ilk it would be very theraputic. Especially in large doses!!!! They are very sick people. We all need time out to 'drop out' into the bush and read a good book, go fishing and listen to all the amazing bird calls.

I don’t usually condone LSD, but I think that with regards to the Max Bradfords and the Tod McClays and their ilk it would be very theraputic. Especially in large doses!!!! They are very sick people.

We all need time out to ‘drop out’ into the bush and read a good book, go fishing and listen to all the amazing bird calls.

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]]> By: rimu http://blog.greens.org.nz/2009/12/09/green-mps-line-up-to-defend-easter-bunny-and-workers/#comment-98825 rimu Thu, 10 Dec 2009 21:09:45 +0000 http://blog.greens.org.nz/?p=8398#comment-98825 Oh :) I guess planning ahead and buying enough basic necessities to last a few days is a bit beyond us? I'm not too fazed either way.

Oh :)

I guess planning ahead and buying enough basic necessities to last a few days is a bit beyond us?

I’m not too fazed either way.

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]]> By: photonz1 http://blog.greens.org.nz/2009/12/09/green-mps-line-up-to-defend-easter-bunny-and-workers/#comment-98823 photonz1 Thu, 10 Dec 2009 20:54:48 +0000 http://blog.greens.org.nz/?p=8398#comment-98823 rimu said "Maybe they should do warbirds over wanaka on a saturday instead?" It's held over the whole Easter weekend - three days. People come from around the world for it. And they can't even buy basic necessities. They have to spend a few hours going to Queenstown and back to get stuff (where the shops are open). Workers are forced by law to stop working, and told by polititians to spend the day with their families, whether or not they want to, and whether or not they actually have family in Wanaka (a lot don't). And what can they do with their forced day off - not a lot - everything is closed. Having the New Zealand's number one easter tourist destination closed at easter makes NZ look backwards. And in a decade, polititians have failed to fix this rediculous situation. And they just failed again. Now that we all have four weeks holiday, we can have more time with our families than ever before. To use religion and the time with families excuse to forcably make everyone take exactly the same day off is draconian government inteferance in peoples lives.

rimu said “Maybe they should do warbirds over wanaka on a saturday instead?”

It’s held over the whole Easter weekend – three days.

People come from around the world for it.

And they can’t even buy basic necessities.

They have to spend a few hours going to Queenstown and back to get stuff (where the shops are open).

Workers are forced by law to stop working, and told by polititians to spend the day with their families, whether or not they want to, and whether or not they actually have family in Wanaka (a lot don’t).

And what can they do with their forced day off – not a lot – everything is closed.

Having the New Zealand’s number one easter tourist destination closed at easter makes NZ look backwards.

And in a decade, polititians have failed to fix this rediculous situation. And they just failed again.

Now that we all have four weeks holiday, we can have more time with our families than ever before. To use religion and the time with families excuse to forcably make everyone take exactly the same day off is draconian government inteferance in peoples lives.

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]]> By: Trevor29 http://blog.greens.org.nz/2009/12/09/green-mps-line-up-to-defend-easter-bunny-and-workers/#comment-98812 Trevor29 Thu, 10 Dec 2009 19:03:25 +0000 http://blog.greens.org.nz/?p=8398#comment-98812 Thanks Toad. That is really weird. Trevor.

Thanks Toad. That is really weird.

Trevor.

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]]> By: toad http://blog.greens.org.nz/2009/12/09/green-mps-line-up-to-defend-easter-bunny-and-workers/#comment-98810 toad Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:49:00 +0000 http://blog.greens.org.nz/?p=8398#comment-98810 Trevor - Easter Friday already is a public holiday - the anomaly is that Easter Sunday is not.

Trevor – Easter Friday already is a public holiday – the anomaly is that Easter Sunday is not.

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]]> By: Trevor29 http://blog.greens.org.nz/2009/12/09/green-mps-line-up-to-defend-easter-bunny-and-workers/#comment-98809 Trevor29 Thu, 10 Dec 2009 11:14:23 +0000 http://blog.greens.org.nz/?p=8398#comment-98809 The emphasis has been on Easter Sunday but could Easter Friday be made a half-day, like Anzac day. Given that Easter can fall close to Anzac day, there can be 2 1/2 non-shopping days in a row, making the few shopping days in between absolutely chaotic. I used to do weekly shopping on Saturdays and dreaded Easter, when those who usually shopped on a Friday night or on Sunday tried shopping on Saturday too - absolutely packed! I haven't heard any reason not to make these two days into public holidays so those who do need to work then get appropriately paid. Trevor.

The emphasis has been on Easter Sunday but could Easter Friday be made a half-day, like Anzac day. Given that Easter can fall close to Anzac day, there can be 2 1/2 non-shopping days in a row, making the few shopping days in between absolutely chaotic. I used to do weekly shopping on Saturdays and dreaded Easter, when those who usually shopped on a Friday night or on Sunday tried shopping on Saturday too – absolutely packed!

I haven’t heard any reason not to make these two days into public holidays so those who do need to work then get appropriately paid.

Trevor.

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]]> By: Drakula http://blog.greens.org.nz/2009/12/09/green-mps-line-up-to-defend-easter-bunny-and-workers/#comment-98803 Drakula Thu, 10 Dec 2009 08:57:29 +0000 http://blog.greens.org.nz/?p=8398#comment-98803 I am in with Josh make Easter Sunday a public holiday and I will go even further and claim every Sunday a public holiday!!!!!!! I am not at all religious but I do think that some things are sacred; every family has a right to be together for that very special day every seven days. It seems to me that 'Sweeney' Tod McClay takes after Max Bradford who wanted everyone to 'sell' thier Christmas's. These miserable people must be really sick, they are nothing but a pack of whores at the feet of Mamon.

I am in with Josh make Easter Sunday a public holiday and I will go even further and claim every Sunday a public holiday!!!!!!!

I am not at all religious but I do think that some things are sacred; every family has a right to be together for that very special day every seven days.

It seems to me that ‘Sweeney’ Tod McClay takes after Max Bradford who wanted everyone to ‘sell’ thier Christmas’s. These miserable people must be really sick, they are nothing but a pack of whores at the feet of Mamon.

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]]> By: toad http://blog.greens.org.nz/2009/12/09/green-mps-line-up-to-defend-easter-bunny-and-workers/#comment-98777 toad Thu, 10 Dec 2009 01:34:52 +0000 http://blog.greens.org.nz/?p=8398#comment-98777 <a href="http://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2009/12/wellington_refuses_to_let_communities_decide.html#comment-641199" rel="nofollow">Posted by Nat MP Katrina Shanks</a> on The Blog That Shall Not Be Named: <blockquote>I was one of the few National MPs who voted against the bill. I did so for the following reasons. Family time is a precious commodity these days and continual pressure on retailers to open longer hours, has IMO already seriously eroded the time working parents can spend with their children. As a mother of three young children myself and an MP, I am acutely aware of the stresses and strains that long working hours can have on family life. There are currently only three and a half days when New Zealanders are unable to shop, Christmas Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Anzac Day morning. These days reflect the special character of our society. Ensuring that they remain “commerce free” is I believe an important step in helping to strengthen family relationships. I have had a number of emails to my office this morning thanking me for my “independence over this issue” and for taking a “good sense and family-minded stance” By the way I note that Ohariu’s Peter Dunne voted for Easter Sunday trading while Labour’s Charles Chauvel, also based in Ohariu voted for against it.</blockquote> Guess that's her chances of ever becoming a Minister down the gurgler - insufficient commitment to unrestrained capitalism.
Posted by Nat MP Katrina Shanks on The Blog That Shall Not Be Named:

I was one of the few National MPs who voted against the bill.

I did so for the following reasons. Family time is a precious commodity these days and continual pressure on retailers to open longer hours, has IMO already seriously eroded the time working parents can spend with their children.

As a mother of three young children myself and an MP, I am acutely aware of the stresses and strains that long working hours can have on family life.

There are currently only three and a half days when New Zealanders are unable to shop, Christmas Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Anzac Day morning. These days reflect the special character of our society. Ensuring that they remain “commerce free” is I believe an important step in helping to strengthen family relationships.

I have had a number of emails to my office this morning thanking me for my “independence over this issue” and for taking a “good sense and family-minded stance”

By the way I note that Ohariu’s Peter Dunne voted for Easter Sunday trading while Labour’s Charles Chauvel, also based in Ohariu voted for against it.

Guess that’s her chances of ever becoming a Minister down the gurgler – insufficient commitment to unrestrained capitalism.

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]]> By: greenfly http://blog.greens.org.nz/2009/12/09/green-mps-line-up-to-defend-easter-bunny-and-workers/#comment-98770 greenfly Wed, 09 Dec 2009 23:52:19 +0000 http://blog.greens.org.nz/?p=8398#comment-98770 If <a href="//norightturn.blogspot.com/2009/12/easter-trading-defeated_10.html’" rel="nofollow">idiot/savant</a>, josh, toad, bluepeter and pentwig say it's a good idea, then I'm sold.

If idiot/savant, josh, toad, bluepeter and pentwig say it’s a good idea, then I’m sold.

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]]> By: toad http://blog.greens.org.nz/2009/12/09/green-mps-line-up-to-defend-easter-bunny-and-workers/#comment-98769 toad Wed, 09 Dec 2009 23:43:14 +0000 http://blog.greens.org.nz/?p=8398#comment-98769 Yep, kahikatea - weird, <a href="http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2003/0129/latest/DLM237120.html#DLM237120" rel="nofollow">but true</a>.
Yep, kahikatea – weird, but true.

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]]> By: kahikatea http://blog.greens.org.nz/2009/12/09/green-mps-line-up-to-defend-easter-bunny-and-workers/#comment-98767 kahikatea Wed, 09 Dec 2009 23:26:05 +0000 http://blog.greens.org.nz/?p=8398#comment-98767 Am I reading this right? do we currently have a situation where the shops aren't allowed to open on Easter Sunday, but it's not considered a public holiday for employment law purposes? That's just weird.
Am I reading this right? do we currently have a situation where the shops aren’t allowed to open on Easter Sunday, but it’s not considered a public holiday for employment law purposes? That’s just weird.

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]]> By: pentwig http://blog.greens.org.nz/2009/12/09/green-mps-line-up-to-defend-easter-bunny-and-workers/#comment-98765 pentwig Wed, 09 Dec 2009 22:46:57 +0000 http://blog.greens.org.nz/?p=8398#comment-98765 Josh That is a remarkably good idea. Good grief even the Toad agreed to it. Get the Fly to approve as well and it's a sure fly goer. Get the Frog on to it immediately, he seems to be doing buggar all lately!!

Josh

That is a remarkably good idea.
Good grief even the Toad agreed to it.
Get the Fly to approve as well and it’s a sure fly goer.

Get the Frog on to it immediately, he seems to be doing buggar all lately!!

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]]> By: BluePeter http://blog.greens.org.nz/2009/12/09/green-mps-line-up-to-defend-easter-bunny-and-workers/#comment-98754 BluePeter Wed, 09 Dec 2009 21:46:15 +0000 http://blog.greens.org.nz/?p=8398#comment-98754 <blockquote>Let’s take up Josh’s suggestion above about making Easter Sunday a public holiday so workers who have to work that day at least get a day in lieu to spend with their families. Once that’s achieved, we can address the issue of whether and where shops can open on that day.</blockquote> Sounds sensible to me.
Let’s take up Josh’s suggestion above about making Easter Sunday a public holiday so workers who have to work that day at least get a day in lieu to spend with their families. Once that’s achieved, we can address the issue of whether and where shops can open on that day.

Sounds sensible to me.

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]]> By: BluePeter http://blog.greens.org.nz/2009/12/09/green-mps-line-up-to-defend-easter-bunny-and-workers/#comment-98753 BluePeter Wed, 09 Dec 2009 21:44:50 +0000 http://blog.greens.org.nz/?p=8398#comment-98753 A holy alliance between religion and Unions. Too weird. If workers want to work, and people want to shop, then what is the problem?

A holy alliance between religion and Unions.

Too weird.

If workers want to work, and people want to shop, then what is the problem?

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]]> By: toad http://blog.greens.org.nz/2009/12/09/green-mps-line-up-to-defend-easter-bunny-and-workers/#comment-98752 toad Wed, 09 Dec 2009 21:44:13 +0000 http://blog.greens.org.nz/?p=8398#comment-98752 @photonz1 I agree that the law as it currently stands is ridiculous. The problem with Todd McClay's Bill is that it would have made it even more ridiculous, with local authorities deciding where shops can and cannot open and not even being required to consult with their communities in making that decision. Let's take up Josh's suggestion above about making Easter Sunday a public holiday so workers who have to work that day at least get a day in lieu to spend with their families. Once that's achieved, we can address the issue of whether and where shops can open on that day.
@photonz1

I agree that the law as it currently stands is ridiculous. The problem with Todd McClay’s Bill is that it would have made it even more ridiculous, with local authorities deciding where shops can and cannot open and not even being required to consult with their communities in making that decision.

Let’s take up Josh’s suggestion above about making Easter Sunday a public holiday so workers who have to work that day at least get a day in lieu to spend with their families. Once that’s achieved, we can address the issue of whether and where shops can open on that day.

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]]> By: kjuv http://blog.greens.org.nz/2009/12/09/green-mps-line-up-to-defend-easter-bunny-and-workers/#comment-98751 kjuv Wed, 09 Dec 2009 21:41:58 +0000 http://blog.greens.org.nz/?p=8398#comment-98751 Oh how we’ve readily embraced the runaway consumerist society! Delectable delights, electronic gadgets, fashion garments, cuddly toys, esoteric literature and indeed any accessory or service that takes our fancy must be available for us to purchase whenever we get the desire. We certainly don’t need the money to foot the bill as that can be put on the plastic. Of course this condition is virtually global, hence it is not surprising that some visitors will feel uneasy with our few lapses from the 24*7 trading creed.
Oh how we’ve readily embraced the runaway consumerist society! Delectable delights, electronic gadgets, fashion garments, cuddly toys, esoteric literature and indeed any accessory or service that takes our fancy must be available for us to purchase whenever we get the desire. We certainly don’t need the money to foot the bill as that can be put on the plastic.
Of course this condition is virtually global, hence it is not surprising that some visitors will feel uneasy with our few lapses from the 24*7 trading creed.

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]]> By: rimu http://blog.greens.org.nz/2009/12/09/green-mps-line-up-to-defend-easter-bunny-and-workers/#comment-98735 rimu Wed, 09 Dec 2009 20:35:40 +0000 http://blog.greens.org.nz/?p=8398#comment-98735 Maybe they should do warbirds over wanaka on a saturday instead?
Maybe they should do warbirds over wanaka on a saturday instead?

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]]> By: photonz1 http://blog.greens.org.nz/2009/12/09/green-mps-line-up-to-defend-easter-bunny-and-workers/#comment-98733 photonz1 Wed, 09 Dec 2009 20:18:14 +0000 http://blog.greens.org.nz/?p=8398#comment-98733 The law as it currently stands is rediculous. Take Warbirds over Wanaka held every two years. You've got 100,000 people who can't even buy toilet paper, tampons or food. We have shops that want to open, workers who want to work, people who need to eat, and someone elses religion is forced onto them so none of them can do anything. Is this New Zealand 2009 or the stone ages? Overseas visitors shake their head in disbelief at our backwardness.

The law as it currently stands is rediculous.

Take Warbirds over Wanaka held every two years. You’ve got 100,000 people who can’t even buy toilet paper, tampons or food.

We have shops that want to open, workers who want to work, people who need to eat, and someone elses religion is forced onto them so none of them can do anything.

Is this New Zealand 2009 or the stone ages?

Overseas visitors shake their head in disbelief at our backwardness.

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]]> By: toad http://blog.greens.org.nz/2009/12/09/green-mps-line-up-to-defend-easter-bunny-and-workers/#comment-98718 toad Wed, 09 Dec 2009 06:06:31 +0000 http://blog.greens.org.nz/?p=8398#comment-98718 Indeed, Josh. I agree completely.

Indeed, Josh. I agree completely.

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]]> By: Josh http://blog.greens.org.nz/2009/12/09/green-mps-line-up-to-defend-easter-bunny-and-workers/#comment-98715 Josh Wed, 09 Dec 2009 05:45:48 +0000 http://blog.greens.org.nz/?p=8398#comment-98715 The obvious solution (to me at least) is to just make Easter a public holiday.
The obvious solution (to me at least) is to just make Easter a public holiday.

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