Archive for June, 2010

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  The Labour Party’s “Two Chinas” policy - by frog

  
  
  
  It seems the Labour Party has its own current version of the historic “Two Chinas” policy – but with respect to Tibet. Here are Labour MPs Raymond Huo and Phil Twyford, definitely not singing from the same songsheet. I’m with Phil on this one. read more
  June 30, 2010 8:56 pm - 137 Comments
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  What do you think about the Holiday Highway? - by Gareth Hughes

  
  
  
  The New Zealand Transport Agency is consulting on the proposed Puhoi to Wellsford “Holiday Highway.” It got that affectionate name because Transport Minister Steven Joyce has his holiday home up there and it’s only really busy on public holidays, when Aucklanders flee the city north. I urge you to make a submission, because if there [...] read more
  June 29, 2010 8:34 pm - 23 Comments
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  Illuminating research - by frog

  
  
  
  The Association of Community Retailers (ACR), friends of Big Tobacco and pro-whaling movements, sent out a release today hailing a new study that shows that by banning tobacco displays you damage the economy and destroy public health. There are a couple of things I would like to point out. Canada’s Ruinous Tobacco Display Ban- Economic [...] read more
  June 29, 2010 10:20 am - 7 Comments
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  Photo – frosty - by frog

  
  
  
  Around the country, we are being greeted by frosts in the morning. While we are warm and cosy in our houses, plants have to face the chill. This lawn daisy has hairs which may serve as protection against freezing by frost. Certainly the hairy leaves were unharmed following their icing-up. read more
  June 29, 2010 10:09 am - 4 Comments
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  Deep South has strong conservation message for Government - by Kevin Hague

  
  
  
  I’m sure that when the Government first developed its plan to “unlock” for mining conservation areas currently protected by Schedule 4 of the Crown Minerals Act, it anticipated that the plan would be opposed by conservationists and trendy lefties. But – the Government would have reasoned – such people don’t vote National anyway. What an [...] read more
  June 28, 2010 5:34 pm - 15 Comments
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  Making war ‘green’ - by frog

  
  
  
  The US Department of Defense is playing it’s part in helping clean up the planet by only buying bullets that are eco-friendly. The so called green bullets use no lead and are composed of a tungsten and tin alloy. Not only are they ‘greener’, but the bullets also travel faster, are more accurate and are [...] read more
  June 28, 2010 12:22 pm - 14 Comments
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  ACC “crisis” was all in Nick Smith’s head - by frog

  
  
  
  Remember the financial crisis with ACC? Remember Nick Smith describing ACC as “technically insolvent”, a claim that was rubbished at the time by NZ Herald economics editor Brian Fallow and actuary Jonathan Eriksen? Guess what? ACC is set to make a $2 billion surplus, and that’s before the levy increases and entitlement cuts have any impact, as they are only now beginning to phase in! read more
  June 28, 2010 9:38 am - 43 Comments
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  General debate 28th June 2010 - by frog

  
  
  
  Here’s where you decide the topics. read more
  June 28, 2010 7:34 am - 55 Comments
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  A protest march in support of corruption - by frog

  
  
  
  Whether they realised it or not, the protesters in Timaru yesterday were marching in support of someone being treated, because of his standing in the community and reputation as a philanthropist, more favourably by authorities than any other citizen would have been in the same circumstances. In effect, they were marching in support of corruption. read more
  June 26, 2010 8:24 am - 39 Comments
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  Tibetan environmentalist sentenced to 15 years jail - by Russel Norman

  
  
  
  Karma Sandrup, the Tibetan environmentalist I blogged about earlier, has been sentenced by Chinese Government court to 15 years jail according to an AP report. (AP Photo from UK Guardian article) The trumped up charge against him was grave robbing, but his real crime was to protest the imprisonment of his two brothers who were [...] read more
  June 25, 2010 5:35 pm - 11 Comments
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  Next Harbour crossing must include rail, walking and cycling options - by Keith Locke

  
  
  
  The Aucklander reported today that the Minister of Transport has asked consultants to conduct a study into whether the next Harbour crossing for Auckland should be a bridge or a tunnel.* Parallel tunnels for road and rail going under the Harbour are the preferred option that was selected by various stakeholders  (including the New Zealand [...] read more
  June 25, 2010 5:34 pm - 27 Comments
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  Once lost, integrity in one’s democracy cannot be easily restored - by frog

  
  
  
  The MPs on the Electoral Legislation Select Committee need to treat the threat to democracy posed by unfettered campaign spending seriously, and listen to New Zealanders urging spending limits for the 2011 electoral referendum. read more
  June 25, 2010 5:10 pm - 8 Comments
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  Whose story? History teachers exposed - by Catherine Delahunty

  
  
  
  Richard Manning of Canterbury University has done a doctoral thesis which exposes cold facts about history teachers avoiding teaching Maori issues and topics. Richard took the rohe of Te Atiawa and did in-depth research with history teachers. He found only 3 percent were teaching the Maori topics which are an option in the curriculum. His [...] read more
  June 25, 2010 4:04 pm - 92 Comments
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  Co-operating to compete - by David Clendon

  
  
  
  We had a ‘meet and greet’ this week with representatives from Zespri. (DISCLAIMER: the nice things I am going to say about them must be read in the full knowledge that we were gifted with and rapidly consumed some very tasty examples of Kiwifruit.  The slippery slope to bribery and corruption starts here?) But seriously, the [...] read more
  June 25, 2010 3:27 pm - 2 Comments
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  NZ scientists feature in next IPCC team - by frog

  
  
  
  The IPCC has announced the new team of scientists who will prepare its 5th Assessment Report (AR5), due in late 2013 or early 2014. There were 831 scientists named, including some notable New Zealand scientists. read more
  June 25, 2010 11:31 am - 3 Comments
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  “Whatever You Do, Keep Your Head Down”: The Non-Key to Non-Aggression - by Kennedy Graham

  
  
  
  The NZ Government under John Key has displayed its pusillanimity on the question of international law and security – once more. In answer to a question in the House yesterday, the Foreign Minister (actually the Attorney-General in his absence, which guaranteed an articulate exchange) stated that New Zealand will not ratify, over the next seven [...] read more
  June 24, 2010 5:36 pm - 5 Comments
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  Volunteer Awareness Week - by Catherine Delahunty

  
  
  
  In order to participate in Volunteer Awareness Week I went and volunteered today at the Wellington People’s Centre. Wellington Peoples Centre is an exceptional community organisation which provides affordable dental, health and counselling services as well a fantastic benefit rights service. The staff of volunteers and paid workers are literally lifesavers for many low-income families. [...] read more
  June 24, 2010 5:33 pm - 3 Comments
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  Nick Smith says ‘let them eat yellowcake!’ - by Gareth Hughes

  
  
  
  Nick Smith is undermining the blood sweat and tears of Kiwis in the 1980s that fought bravely to entrench New Zealand’s nuclear free status on the world stage. read more
  June 24, 2010 5:31 pm - 19 Comments
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  Nightmare at Nightcaps – a coal mine in town - by Catherine Delahunty

  
  
  
  I never knew what Nightcaps was. Nightcaps have had coal mining since the late 1880s and have experienced tragedy as well as identity through coal mining. read more
  June 24, 2010 11:35 am - 13 Comments
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  Jon Stewart on the BP oil spill - by frog

  
  
  
  A look at history puts Obama’s latest speech into context. Funny and sad at the same time. read more
  June 24, 2010 10:56 am - 8 Comments