Archive for February, 2011

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  Nats’ work-first welfare all stick and no carrot - by Catherine Delahunty

  
  
  
  Last week I got quite a response to my post on crime and access to welfare, so I thought I would write a little more about why many beneficiaries can’t get ahead financially without breaking the law, however hard they may try. I’ve had a look at what happens to a single sickness beneficiary aged [...] read more
  February 9, 2011 2:46 pm - 27 Comments
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  Māori statutory board needs funding to work - by David Clendon

  
  
  
  There have been some predictable howls of outrage about the operational funding approved for the Māori Statutory Board set up under the ‘Super City’ legislation rammed through Parliament by Rodney Hide last year. Apparently the Auckland Transition Agency estimated a budget of $400,000 for the Board’s operation, which has in fact been set at a [...] read more
  February 9, 2011 1:02 pm - 5 Comments
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  Auckland Bridge walk and cycleway – $10 a pop! - by frog

  
  
  
  The latest proposal for a walk/cycle way across Auckland Harbour Bridge would involve charging tourists $10 a pop. Seems a little crazy to me… read more
  February 9, 2011 11:11 am - 17 Comments
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  New approach to minimum wage needed - by Keith Locke

  
  
  
  The procedure for increasing the minimum wage is all wrong. Those on it never know when it might be increased or by how much. It is at the whim of the government of the day. And the National government is quite scrooge-like. read more
  February 9, 2011 10:51 am - 32 Comments
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  Blue Greens addition to Lake Ellesmere Te Waihora - by Russel Norman

  
  
  
  One of the initiatives of National’s Blue Greens was to extend the length of time that one farmer could continue to graze the edges of Lake Ellesmere Te Waihora near Christchurch. This is what they are adding to the lake: Yep, that’s a lot of cow pats next to the lake (photo from 2005) - faeces just waiting [...] read more
  February 8, 2011 10:02 pm - 4 Comments
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  Govt too chicken to help hens - by Sue Kedgley

  
  
  
  The government quietly released the Hen Code of Animal Welfare today (two years late) –probably hoping that no one would notice it amidst all the fuss about Hone and the opening of Parliament. read more
  February 8, 2011 4:44 pm - 25 Comments
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  For my Father - by frog

  
  
  
  Metiria just delivered a powerful and tear jerking speech about her father and her journey into politics. Her personal story illustrates the need to build a fairer society in New Zealand for our children and grandchildren. Here are some of the highlights I used the training incentive allowance to help with study costs, I shared [...] read more
  February 8, 2011 4:03 pm - 13 Comments
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  Minimum wage rise not enough - by Metiria Turei

  
  
  
  The Government has announced that the minimum wage will go up by 25c an hour, to $13 an hour, on 1 April. This is not enough. A sole parent working 40 hours a week on $13 an hour will earn just $520 per week before tax – not much to pay rent, feed kids, and [...] read more
  February 7, 2011 6:12 pm - 288 Comments
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  On the ground in Waitangi - by Catherine Delahunty

  
  
  
  I am always astonished by the contrast between the media reporting on Waitangi and the experience on the ground. This year was no exception. There has been a lot of media talk about Hone Harawira’s “State of the Maori Nation” speech. Actually, he was a member of a panel which included Metiria Turei and Parekura [...] read more
  February 7, 2011 2:54 pm - 21 Comments
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  General debate, February 7, 2011 - by frog

  
  
  
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  February 7, 2011 7:16 am - 30 Comments
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  The Taniwha of the Tarawera - by Russel Norman

  
  
  
  Yesterday (3-2-11) I rafted down the Tarawera River in the Bay of Plenty. As we came around a bend on the river we came across a series of large steel beams sticking out of the water - ”The Taniwha of the Tarawera” muttered Tipene Marr stting next to me on the raft. These steel posts anchor the discharge pipes for the Kawerau pulp [...] read more
  February 4, 2011 1:31 pm - 26 Comments
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  Crime and access to welfare - by Catherine Delahunty

  
  
  
  Paula Bennett is horrified that people claim to have committed crimes because of poverty and difficulties accessing welfare. She claims welfare is accessible for those in need and is enough to live on. Newsflash Paula: There’s a huge black-market out there of people struggling to survive on low wages and benefits who do all kinds of things to supplement an inadequate income. read more
  February 4, 2011 12:55 pm - 57 Comments
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  Manufacturing Bullshit - by frog

  
  
  
  Every year in New Zealand the alcohol industry spends $73 million on alcohol advertising. That’s $73 million spent manufacturing an image. The facts presented in this video are startling. It’s time the Government regulated alcohol advertising and took New Zealand’s heavy drinking culture seriously. Have your say on regulating alcohol advertising on yourshout.org.nz by 18 [...] read more
  February 4, 2011 10:41 am - 11 Comments
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  What is a real education? - by Catherine Delahunty

  
  
  
  I asked young people directly what they need from their education. Their answers are summarised in our report, ‘What is a real education’, released today. read more
  February 4, 2011 9:25 am - 12 Comments
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  Key lets down the Egyptian people - by Keith Locke

  
  
  
  Most New Zealanders have been inspired by the huge mobilisation of Egyptians against the Mubarak dictatorship. “Mubarak must go now” has been the cry from the streets, but not from the White House – or the Beehive. When street protests began Hillary Clinton asked Mubarak to bring in ‘reforms’. As the protests grew American officials [...] read more
  February 3, 2011 10:32 am - 44 Comments
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  State of the Planet speech 2011 - by frog

  
  
  
  Last Sunday Russel gave the annual State of the Planet speech to a packed and excited crowd at Te Mahurehure Marae in Auckland. It was a great and powerful speech that clearly defined the Green vision for Aotearoa. Russel also attacked National and Labour for bludging off our grandchildren and pulling the ladder of opportunity [...] read more
  February 3, 2011 9:22 am - 11 Comments
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  Can you pick the odd man out? - by frog

  
  
  
  “Boorish and unbecoming of a Prime Minister” was Sue Kedgley’s take on John Key’s Radio Sport interview with Tony Veitch in which the PM revealed his sexual fantasies. I’m with Sue on this one. read more
  February 2, 2011 1:47 pm - 47 Comments
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  No return on PPP investment - by Catherine Delahunty

  
  
  
  John Key’s Government is poised to start tendering for public private partnerships (PPPs) to build and run our schools. I’ve said before what a terrible idea this is – overseas research suggests that no matter how you cut the PPP cake, the public ends up funding the projects while the private companies cream profit off [...] read more
  February 2, 2011 10:58 am - 26 Comments
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  ECE vs motorways – which is the better investment? - by Catherine Delahunty

  
  
  
  John Key’s cuts to early childhood education come into affect today. John Key says don’t worry, it will only effect centres with the most qualified staff. Very reassuring! Meanwhile fees will go up and kids will miss out. NZEI has launched a petition today urging the Government to reverse the ECE cuts, and the Greens [...] read more
  February 1, 2011 12:46 pm - 99 Comments
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  Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement: Release the text - by frog

  
  
  
  The governments of nine countries are currently negotiating in secret for a far-reaching agreement called the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA). John Key’s Government doesn’t want us to see the NZ position or any of the text until it is signed and sealed and cannot be changed. read more
  February 1, 2011 11:17 am - 15 Comments