Frogblog

MMP review submission guide - by Holly Walker

If you’re thinking of submitting to the MMP review, and you’d like to be heard in person, look sharp! There’s only a week left to get your submission in (deadline 5 April). If you just want to make a written submission, relax, you’ve got until 31 May. We’ve created a submission guide that outlines the submission process and the issues under review. read more
March 29, 2012 9:00 am - No Comments
Serious process failures by ACC: Bronwyn Pullar’s list - by Kevin Hague

As you scan this list, please reflect on the fact that every one of these reminds me of issues other claimants have brought to me, and are endorsed by claimant organisations, lawyers and service providers who deal with ACC on a regular basis. And ask yourself if it is okay for this catalogue of issues [...] read more
March 28, 2012 8:44 pm - 32 Comments
All’s not well in Auckland - by Denise Roche

Poor Auckland! I hate it when the Government meddles in our city. It was bad enough that we had a forced amalgamation of our local councils to create the supercity. Now we have the Prime Minister selling our law to increase the number of pokies at SkyCity casino in exchange for a mega convention centre. read more
March 28, 2012 1:55 pm - 5 Comments
The Tongan King’s funeral: a photo diary by Jan Logie - by Jan Logie

The plane was full with MPs, Auckland City representatives, Tongan leaders, diplomats from missions based in NZ, Military leaders and Kaumātua. Got a ride with Councillor Alf Filipaina We gave our condolences to the Crown Prince on arrival. Most houses and properties wore mourning colours. The [...] read more
March 28, 2012 11:22 am - 2 Comments
Transport news round-up - by Julie Anne Genter

So much is happening in transport that it’s a bit hard to keep up and put out an informed post on each happening, so here’s a round-up: First, the bad news: The Napier—Gisborne line is hanging by a thread after being washed out. This is a huge blow to the regional freight line, which thanks [...] read more
March 27, 2012 6:09 pm - 34 Comments
The link between environmentalism and social justice - by Holly Walker

I’ve been doing some thinking about the links between the environment, the economy, and social justice. So have Ban Ki-moon and Tim Flannery. read more
March 24, 2012 10:30 am - 24 Comments
General debate, March 24, 2012 - by frog

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March 24, 2012 8:50 am - 84 Comments
Creating debt to justify privatisation - by Russel Norman

The National Government has consistently used the argument of government debt and the budget deficit as the primary reason for partially privatising our state-owned energy companies: Genesis, Mighty River Power, Meridian, and Solid Energy. Yet the debt and deficit have been made much worse as a result of the decisions of this Government. Our debt [...] read more
March 22, 2012 7:23 pm - 49 Comments
Don’t frack up our health - by Gareth Hughes

Yesterday new research was released by the Colorado School of Public Health in the US linking air pollution from fracking with serious health problems for those who live near wells. read more
March 22, 2012 4:51 pm - 1 Comment
Christchurch housing crisis needs Govt action - by Holly Walker

A rental housing crisis in the aftermath of the Christchurch earthquakes came to a head this week. The Government’s response? Let the market sort it out. Not good enough! read more
March 22, 2012 1:54 pm - 7 Comments
ACC: what we really need to ask - by Kevin Hague

There’s nothing quite like a ministerial resignation to send political insiders and journalists into a frenzy. There are big issues arising from Nick Smith’s interference in Bronwyn Pullar’s ACC claim. Such as: Are the four letters that Nick Smith wrote concerning Ms Pullar’s claim the extent of his interference in her claim, or is there [...] read more
March 22, 2012 11:32 am - 19 Comments
Women in politics, in pictures - by Jan Logie

Women’s Futures Month was inspired by this year’s International Women’s Day theme ‘connecting girls, inspiring futures.’ While Women’s Futures Month events are Christchurch based, Zo and Erin hope to generate widespread discussion on their Facebook page. The panel discussion held last week at Canterbury University featured the Minister of Women’s Affairs Hon Jo Goodhew, Local [...] read more
March 22, 2012 10:12 am - 4 Comments
Time for a coordinated child poverty strategy - by Holly Walker

The Children’s Commissioner has announced a new Expert Advisory Group on Solutions to Child Poverty. While it’s great to see a focus on solutions, there are now so many processes looking into the issues of child poverty and vulnerable children, we risk botching the opportunity to address the crisis. If there was ever a time for a coordinated Government strategy to end child poverty in, it’s now. read more
March 22, 2012 9:00 am - 33 Comments
When Nanny Goat Gruff gets a whipping: Domestic violence and welfare reform – Part 6 - by Jan Logie

According to research, one in three women in New Zealand will experience physical intimate partner violence in their lifetime. There is an incident reported to the police every 7 minutes and only 18% of cases are reported. I don’t think it’s an overstatement to suggest this is an epidemic, and that we should seriously consider [...] read more
March 20, 2012 9:28 am - 50 Comments
The Court and the Council: Interfacing power and law; peace and justice - by Kennedy Graham

The International Criminal Court and the UN Security Council contemplate each other like estranged wedding partners proceeding out of the church. Each needs the other, yet guards its prerogatives jealously. read more
March 19, 2012 1:19 pm - 1 Comment
New (private) prisons for old? - by David Clendon

The Government’s announcements about prisons old and new are becoming more and more difficult to comprehend. We recently heard that despite a levelling off of the prison muster, and the government’s professed confidence that they have in place strategies to reduce offending and recidivism, Ministers Tolley and English have nevertheless determined that we need yet [...] read more
March 19, 2012 1:06 pm - 13 Comments
Green Party urges moratorium on fracking - by Gareth Hughes

The Green Party is renewing its calls for a moratorium on fracking following a recently released European Union report ‘Impacts of shale gas and shale oil extraction on the environment and on human health’ read more
March 19, 2012 10:52 am - 8 Comments
General debate, March 19, 2012 - by frog

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March 19, 2012 6:35 am - 17 Comments
Nanny Goat Gruff does coercion, corruption, and corporate greed – Part 5 of many - by Jan Logie

In the confidence and supply agreement with Act, the Government agreed to open up employment services to non-governmental organisations (NGO). Usually NGOs are not-for-profit organisations. Social Development Minister Paula Bennett talked last month about the likely providers of these employment services being community based organisations such as the Salvation Army and iwi. I spoke to [...] read more
March 17, 2012 8:04 am - 1 Comment
Fukushima II - by Russel Norman

As I posted earlier, I was able to spend a day in Fukushima on Wednesday. I was able to talk with a couple of the local Mayors as well as a number of locals known to the MP I was travelling with. It was illuminating and I’d like to record a few observations. The first is at [...] read more
March 16, 2012 9:31 pm - 11 Comments
Industrial disputes explained… - by frog

This one goes out to all the workers in Oceania rest homes, AFFCO meat works across the country, and at the Ports of Auckland where the legacy of Rodney Hide’s Superpoopercity is now doing you over: Fight the good fight for decent wages and conditions. The Green Party will back you all the way. read more
March 16, 2012 7:33 pm - 5 Comments
Education that works for students - by Catherine Delahunty

This week John Key and David Shearer made key note speeches which included references to education. The rhetoric around education flowed freely but I couldn’t hear any depth or real excitement in either speech. Setting targets for NCEA improvement (which is the Government’s plan) and getting of bad schools and bad teachers (which is Labour’s [...] read more
March 16, 2012 5:13 pm - 54 Comments
Nanny Goat Gruff does employment prep – Part 4 of many - by Jan Logie

Among the changes proposed for sole parent benefits is the ability for Work and Income to require a parent to engage in preparation for work once their child is three or four. Exactly what this might mean is somewhat unclear. It appears to include work experience, budgeting, short courses as well as training which may [...] read more
March 16, 2012 7:01 am - 2 Comments
Fukushima Diary - by Russel Norman

Photos and tweets from my March 14th trip to the Fukushima Prefecture in Japan, where they are still feeling the devastating effects of the 2011 tsunami and nuclear accident one year on. read more
March 15, 2012 4:17 pm - 7 Comments
Better Public Services – or just round two of slash and burn? - by Denise Roche

Today the Government released its vision for public sector reform. Prime Minister John Key has announced major reforms including the establishment of a super-ministry – the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment – merging the Ministries of Economic Development, Science and innovation, the Department of Labour, and, somewhat strangely, the Department of Building and Housing. [...] read more
March 15, 2012 3:03 pm - 4 Comments