Archive for January, 2010

  • Kevin Hague

    Let’s Share the Road - by Kevin Hague



    Recent incidents highlight the need to foster a culture of mutual respect and sharing from all road users. read more
    January 30, 2010 5:47 pm - 50 Comments
  • frog

    General debate, 30 January, 2010 - by frog



    read more
    January 30, 2010 7:12 am - 95 Comments
  • David Clendon

    What do we know about the new Tertiary Education Minister? - by David Clendon



    We heard earlier this week that Steven Joyce is to replace Anne Tolley as Tertiary Education Minister. Leaving any unkind comment on the reasons for Mrs Tolley’s replacement aside for now, I’ve been wondering what this means for the Tertiary Education portfolio. Is Mr Joyce’s appointment good news, or bad? Well, on the one hand, [...] read more
    January 29, 2010 5:08 pm - 40 Comments
  • frog

    Having fun isn’t hard if you’ve got a library card - by frog



    “Having fun isn’t hard if you’ve got a library card,” or so sang Arthur on a TV show the tadpoles used to watch. News that that Tauranga City council plans to charge for adult loans has taken a bit of that fun out of having a card. read more
    January 29, 2010 11:02 am - 49 Comments
  • Keith Locke

    At long last, a bit more openness about the SAS - by Keith Locke



    I’ve welcomed the government’s move to let us know something about what the SAS is doing in Afghanistan. For eight years we’ve had to rely totally on leaks in the foreign media, or what Kiwi journalists like Jon Stephenson have been able to dig up. For eight years I’ve peppered New Zealand ministers and Defence [...] read more
    January 28, 2010 2:33 pm - 4 Comments
  • Catherine Delahunty

    Cabinet chooses inaction on illegal and unsustainable logging - by Catherine Delahunty



    Cabinet decisions addressing illegal and unsustainable logging imports released last week claim to be a package of actions. In fact they are a long list of inactions. The National Government has backed away from the previous Government’s 2008 requirement to label the tropical timber used in outdoor furniture – kwila – which is being illegally [...] read more
    January 28, 2010 1:15 pm - 3 Comments
  • Metiria Turei

    Trevor defriended me on FB and I’m a bit sad about that - by Metiria Turei



    Trevor Mallard defriended me on Facebook last night and I have to tell you the story. He also defriended another person for asking the same questions I did. Not terribly sporting, I would have thought. Here are the clipped out comments between he and I: Trevor Mallard: 25c/hour. $10 week for 40 hours then minus [...] read more
    January 28, 2010 1:11 pm - 58 Comments
  • frog

    Send a tribute to Jeanette - by frog



    I never thought I’d be writing this post. Nevertheless, as I write, Jeanette is in Wellington announcing that she is stepping down as an MP. This post is a place for frogblog readers to send a personal message to Jeanette or recall a favourite memory. If you would like to debate the consequences or your [...] read more
    January 28, 2010 10:01 am - 51 Comments
  • frog

    Jeanette steps down from Parliament - by frog



    The headline kind of says everything, doesn’t it? It’s heartbreaking news to me, even if Jeanette has signalled since stepping down as co-leader that she would go before the next election. This is the post where we can discuss what it all means. Judging from past events, we will once again have to field all [...] read more
    January 28, 2010 10:00 am - 13 Comments
  • frog

    A mean and silly decision on the minimum wage - by frog



    The Government, in raising the minimum wage by a paltry 25 cents an hour, seems hell-bent on maintaining massive state subsidisation of low wages. Isn’t it time employers, who profit from the work done, contribute a greater share? read more
    January 28, 2010 8:03 am - 72 Comments
  • Keith Locke

    Motorway madness continues with money losing Puhoi to Wellsford - by Keith Locke



    There has been a lot in the news lately about big motorway projects like Waterview being rushed through by the government without proper  community consultation. The latest announcement Stephen Joyce has made is about prioritizing the upgrade of SH1 between Puhoi to Wellsford. The Minister talks a lot about how this project will increase regional [...] read more
    January 27, 2010 5:44 pm - 19 Comments
  • frog

    Obama makes liveability central to transport funding - by frog



    President Obama’s administration has recently announced progressive new changes to the way future transport projects will be funded. Obama’s administration is now adding “liveability” to the measures used to evaluate new transport projects. “We want to base our decisions on how much transit helps the environment, how much it improves development opportunities, and how it [...] read more
    January 27, 2010 9:13 am - 9 Comments
  • Keith Locke

    Popping the balloon of secrecy around Waihopai - by Keith Locke



    Last weekend’s protest at Waihopai was the usual colourful affair. It began with a march through Blenheim, and speeches from Murray Horton, John Minto and myself. We then adjourned to the spy base itself, up the beautiful Waihopai Valley. More speeches and chants followed by the ceremonial popping of 13 white ballons, each displaying a [...] read more
    January 26, 2010 2:29 pm - 54 Comments
  • frog

    You can’t have your human rights because they cost too much - by frog



    The Government says it’s appealing against a ruling of the Human Rights Review Tribunal because the country cannot afford to pay people to look after their own severely disabled family members. What’s next, I wonder? Repeal the Equal Pay Act so employers can pay their women workers less and claim it is justified discrimination on the grounds that it would improve productivity? read more
    January 26, 2010 11:26 am - 69 Comments
  • frog

    General debate, 26 January, 2010 - by frog



    A few interesting links to start your day: New Scientist addresses the misunderstanding some have that cold weather means climate change isn’t real: Errors and lies thrive in cold weather Mother Jones on Climate Change’s Low-Hanging Fruit From the Guardian: Shell faces shareholder revolt over Canadian tar sands project And for art lovers, this 2010 [...] read more
    January 26, 2010 6:34 am - 160 Comments
  • Keith Locke

    Bearded Apiata on NZ Army website - by Keith Locke



    There are two (related) debates raging following the decision of the Herald and other newpapers to publish the photo of VC winner Willie Apiata on active duty in Kabul following a Taliban attack. The Christchurch Press argues this morning that it was just sharing a photo ‘that anyone could see on the internet’. The Press [...] read more
    January 25, 2010 12:04 pm - 14 Comments
  • frog

    A friendly reminder to Aucklanders – your democracy is under threat - by frog



    Just before the summer break, the Government pushed Rodney Hide’s Local Government (Auckland Law Reform) Bill through its First reading and sent it to Select Committee. I blogged about it at the time, but many frogblog readers may have missed it in the pre-Christmas rush.  So here’s a friendly reminder – submissions close on 12 [...] read more
    January 22, 2010 6:14 pm - 10 Comments
  • Russel Norman

    Hutt river full of it too… - by Russel Norman



    Hawkes Bay DHB is worried about people getting sick from shit in our rivers and beaches, and now Hutt River too will give you diarrhoea, vomiting, cramps and skin infections according to this press release half an hour ago….. Greater Wellington Regional Council, Upper Hutt City Council and Regional Public Health are advising river users [...] read more
    January 22, 2010 5:09 pm - 18 Comments
  • Kevin Hague

    Green Party at Out in the Square – Saturday - by Kevin Hague



    What used to be the Newtown Gay and Lesbian Fair is nowadays Out in the Square, and this Saturday celebrates its 25th Anniversary. Last year saw a great day, with thousands of people coming to Civic Square for the day. read more
    January 22, 2010 2:08 pm - 42 Comments
  • frog

    Tax working group supports universal child benefit - by frog



    Russel Norman is right to criticise the TWG for its main recommendation of aligning top personal tax rates with a corporate tax rate of 30% as creating a chasm of social inequality between the richest and poorest in New Zealand and for its shyness on taxing capital gain. But the TWG’s suggestion of reintroducing a universal child benefit deserves serious consideration. read more
    January 21, 2010 10:27 pm - 73 Comments
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