One A320 load of NZers leaves permanently every weekday; Like the rest of the economy, the housing market is settling in for a deep freeze; Rising nitrates in Canterbury water alarms scientists
Thank you Bernard for all your work, even if it's a bit like taking unpalatable but required medicine. I am after today's news in extra need of the cartoons and a photo of a stick. Lynn's airport photo is lovely too.
A question for Luxon: - "Why are a thousand hard working Kiwis leaving NZ every week? It's not Labour's fault. The ones who didn't like what Labour was doing left when they were in power. The ones leaving now are because of what you are doing".
For the first time in my long life, I want to leave too as every day there is something that disturbs my belief in democracy. This coalition is acting like a dictatorship, imo, it is very scary.
My other half in the UK with our daughter wants to stay there. But looking into it we'd absolutely be worse off. I agree the trajectory here is depressing but I keep asking myself would it be better for all metrics somewhere else? Obviously it's an individual thing but anywhere you look has lots of things to put on both sides of the ledger
I think it's happening pretty well everywhere. And the UK lot are not at all better. They have just sent a very repressive Rwanda regime billions of pounds to resettle Asylum Seekers in a scheme which is surely taken out of Australias playbook. I think we must protest, join political parties ring our MPs offices and make Bernards work public. And send it to the MPs too! Democracy is under threat. But let's fight back! By the way went to an authors talk on Waiheke last night about Rwanda - absolutely chilling. But important. Do Not Disturb by Michaela Wrong.
We left during Labour but had we not been pushed then would’ve certainly left now. It’s a cross political problem, built up over years. Bottom line, if it costs too much to live, working just isn’t cutting it, then people will leave regardless of whether a complete diddle is running the country or not
I recently contemplated re-leaving the shores of Aotearoa for Aussie Aussie Aussie oi oi oi. I've been there before as a young tāne many moons ago. Worked in the mines up in Newman, loved it. But in my mid fifties i never thought about seriously going back and working. But every time i travel over there for a holiday, they ALL just seem to be doing so flipping well! They all know how to work hard and are rewarded for their efforts. They have homes, the vibe is always great, the weathers great, people just seem f'ing happier....and that's all we want isn't it? but under this grumpy, arrogant, ego driven, unsympathetic, unempathetic, non give a rats Government that seems impossible. I'll not wear the Wallabies rugby jersey though but you may take my All Black jersey when you pry it from my cold, dead hands" :)
Not all great. There is a wonderful intelligent friendly quality in many NZers, and of course many Aussies are great but the sheer size and anonymity precludes such general warmth. Also, not so great if you are Aboriginal. Extreme racism is alive and well in many sectors, and there are deprived communities with extreme multigenerational problems. Albo is lovely but not all are like him..
That said, I think overall there are2x the GPs per capita we have, it is wealthier etc..
Your whakaaro provides a broader, more in depth view for all people who see emigration as an option towards a better life for their whānau. Based on its history Australia would be one of the most racist countries on the planet towards its indigenous people's. And yet it is also the home to thousands of Māori because it provides for them there, what they struggle to get here. Simple things, like getting their first home. Earning a six figure income. Bring respected and recognised as being bloody good workers and so much more. I encourage all my nieces and nephews to travel far and travel wide. But never ever forget your tūrangawaewae.
Harping back to my comment the other day about ultra processed food, why is there so little political will to regulate it? The excess salt is just one more example of how broken our food supply is, if you can even call it food. It honestly feels like they’re ok with slowly poisoning people.
Waiting for the charter schools to end in inevitable conclusion - attracting power hungry corporations and power hungry people who are more likely to abuse kids. I mean, why else are they wanting the set up outside normal Education systems with the checks and oversights?
Changing public schools to charter schools supported by public subsidies and not having to meet the standards of public schools is (a) just looting public wealth, (b) without any mandate, (c) going to be at a cost to the pupils of those schools that are converted who want to stay in the public education system, and (d) directly undermines the Minister of Education's intentions for public schools.
And this attempted looting of public assets is not an isolated incident under this government.
We already have that with special character schools and schools using NCEA alternatives. What is the point of having charter schools? The money would be better spent providing much-needed classrooms and fixing unhealthy and/or dangerous school buildings.
I wouldn't say it is power hungry corporations and people. I would more say it is people with an alternate agenda; most probably based on religion or ideology. This isn't an opportunity to make heaps of profit.
So, we'll see Saudi funding for Muslim schools, Iwi funding for language immersion, fringe "christian" organisations for teaching the old testament, and others.
But none of the extracurricular teachings will be for the benefit of the children; more it will be indoctrination to keep the child within the belief structure of the ideology of adults.
You're probably right. My first thought came from your use of the word corporation and that a charter school would be a way for a corporation to make a bigger profit than doing something different, which I doubt.
I don’t doubt it. Why not use the current special character School system like many religious schools currently do? What’s the purpose of charter schools other than to funnel public money into private hands?
Or brainwashing like Gloriavale. Born and raised to believe that God wants them to be slaves or they go to Hell. Only possible with alternative schooling.
They can start a church, with the added financial bonus - no tax. Destiny Church's leader / thug and self proclaimed Bishop tried to start a charter school the last time they were introduced. He was turned down for funding. Praise the Lord.
I was in the street when Tamaki's convoy went past. It was heartbreaking and gross to witness, and intimidating as a straight woman - so I imagine doubly threatening for a queer person of any gender or culture.
Tamaki is a misogynist creep of the highest order.
We do not want Tamaki's gang rehabilitating our vulnerable prisoners, preaching to any congregation, or running a school.
Māori have been colonised once - brought to their knees by the missionaries, systematically stripped of their reo and Tīkanga by colonial thinking. Let's not allow damaged goods like Tamaki to keep repeating that history.
Talking as a Jewish person, Miriam Margolyes recently said:
"....to me, it seems as if Hitler has one. He's changed us Jews from being compassionate and caring and 'do unto others as you would have them do unto you', into this vicious, genocidal nationalistic Nation."
If Tamaki with his prosperity gospel homophobic religiosity is empowered to further indoctrinate vulnerable people (who will of course disproportionately be Māori and Pasifika) then it will be the missionaries, the colonisers, with their bibles and muskets, who will have won in Aotearoa New Zealand.
A second strike on Tīkanga Māori. A second strike on our collective humanity.
So, building a Mega-prison’s without a business case, eh? Which episode of Utopia is that? Is it after the one about building a four-lane highway under central Wellington or the one about building a bridge to Stuart Island?
I fished through the Pacific Islands for many years and then settled in NZ for a better and safer life… I definitely got that, and I’ll always be very thankful for the opportunity. I got lucky to get into paying for a place at the right time… I met someone here and started a family like the one I didn’t have, and my kids grew happy here in Waiheke.
Yet the reality is gut-wrenching. My recently graduated son lined up a dream job at the National Archives that got canned a couple of months ago, and he is wondering what to do. He did not graduate with honours to work in hospitality and fix bikes… so the lure of the Netherlands (where his mum comes from) is getting shinier by the day. Plus, he had the chance to do postgraduate studies there, and my daughter is considering studying and living in Australia.
I know they love it here in Waiheke and want to be close to us. Yet, for no fault of their own, they are really facing the dilemma I had to face… leaving all that is known and loved behind and starting again in a different world…. It would be heartbreaking for me and them.
Your family has similarities to mine except we’re several years older. Have come to the conclusion that we have genes that keep us prepared to move to what we need. I hated it at first but now see it as just one world and we’re all on the same sea - I learned the same sea idea from someone else who’s family was also way spaced out.
Thankyou Francisco. I feel many of the same things for the same reasons. I know I’m very lucky through sheer luck of when I was born. I’m using that luck to help my daughters, and to use whatever skills and energy I have to try and change things for a wider group of people. I’ll go down fighting. My fear is wasting my luck.
The barbarians are no longer at the gates but now plundering the land. Ghastly barbarians! Have to lock the doors and think what to do.
Trouble with Australia is that it's great on the surface before you think of its climate and indigenous issues. Do we really want to be that superficial? Yes please.
A Government celebrating building more prisons tells you all you need to know
Thank you Bernard for all your work, even if it's a bit like taking unpalatable but required medicine. I am after today's news in extra need of the cartoons and a photo of a stick. Lynn's airport photo is lovely too.
My European whanau used to be envious of New Zealand and how we live. They now express worry and concern 🙁
A question for Luxon: - "Why are a thousand hard working Kiwis leaving NZ every week? It's not Labour's fault. The ones who didn't like what Labour was doing left when they were in power. The ones leaving now are because of what you are doing".
For the first time in my long life, I want to leave too as every day there is something that disturbs my belief in democracy. This coalition is acting like a dictatorship, imo, it is very scary.
My other half in the UK with our daughter wants to stay there. But looking into it we'd absolutely be worse off. I agree the trajectory here is depressing but I keep asking myself would it be better for all metrics somewhere else? Obviously it's an individual thing but anywhere you look has lots of things to put on both sides of the ledger
I think it's happening pretty well everywhere. And the UK lot are not at all better. They have just sent a very repressive Rwanda regime billions of pounds to resettle Asylum Seekers in a scheme which is surely taken out of Australias playbook. I think we must protest, join political parties ring our MPs offices and make Bernards work public. And send it to the MPs too! Democracy is under threat. But let's fight back! By the way went to an authors talk on Waiheke last night about Rwanda - absolutely chilling. But important. Do Not Disturb by Michaela Wrong.
We left during Labour but had we not been pushed then would’ve certainly left now. It’s a cross political problem, built up over years. Bottom line, if it costs too much to live, working just isn’t cutting it, then people will leave regardless of whether a complete diddle is running the country or not
My kids are too poor to even think about leaving. Depression is setting in as wave after wave of bad news hits.
I recently contemplated re-leaving the shores of Aotearoa for Aussie Aussie Aussie oi oi oi. I've been there before as a young tāne many moons ago. Worked in the mines up in Newman, loved it. But in my mid fifties i never thought about seriously going back and working. But every time i travel over there for a holiday, they ALL just seem to be doing so flipping well! They all know how to work hard and are rewarded for their efforts. They have homes, the vibe is always great, the weathers great, people just seem f'ing happier....and that's all we want isn't it? but under this grumpy, arrogant, ego driven, unsympathetic, unempathetic, non give a rats Government that seems impossible. I'll not wear the Wallabies rugby jersey though but you may take my All Black jersey when you pry it from my cold, dead hands" :)
Not all great. There is a wonderful intelligent friendly quality in many NZers, and of course many Aussies are great but the sheer size and anonymity precludes such general warmth. Also, not so great if you are Aboriginal. Extreme racism is alive and well in many sectors, and there are deprived communities with extreme multigenerational problems. Albo is lovely but not all are like him..
That said, I think overall there are2x the GPs per capita we have, it is wealthier etc..
Your whakaaro provides a broader, more in depth view for all people who see emigration as an option towards a better life for their whānau. Based on its history Australia would be one of the most racist countries on the planet towards its indigenous people's. And yet it is also the home to thousands of Māori because it provides for them there, what they struggle to get here. Simple things, like getting their first home. Earning a six figure income. Bring respected and recognised as being bloody good workers and so much more. I encourage all my nieces and nephews to travel far and travel wide. But never ever forget your tūrangawaewae.
So true. NZ has f**d up the foundations of life for so many here… water, shelter, etc. Everything else is secondary to the essentials of life.
Harping back to my comment the other day about ultra processed food, why is there so little political will to regulate it? The excess salt is just one more example of how broken our food supply is, if you can even call it food. It honestly feels like they’re ok with slowly poisoning people.
Covered at length in Dirty Politics - food industry lobbying - profit before health
Waiting for the charter schools to end in inevitable conclusion - attracting power hungry corporations and power hungry people who are more likely to abuse kids. I mean, why else are they wanting the set up outside normal Education systems with the checks and oversights?
Changing public schools to charter schools supported by public subsidies and not having to meet the standards of public schools is (a) just looting public wealth, (b) without any mandate, (c) going to be at a cost to the pupils of those schools that are converted who want to stay in the public education system, and (d) directly undermines the Minister of Education's intentions for public schools.
And this attempted looting of public assets is not an isolated incident under this government.
Instead of charter schools, just allow state schools to teach a different curriculum when nedded to suit the needs of some students.
We already have that with special character schools and schools using NCEA alternatives. What is the point of having charter schools? The money would be better spent providing much-needed classrooms and fixing unhealthy and/or dangerous school buildings.
Charter schools are the beginning of Act's attempt to privatise the public education system - boiling the frog one degree at a time.
Hi Julie
I wouldn't say it is power hungry corporations and people. I would more say it is people with an alternate agenda; most probably based on religion or ideology. This isn't an opportunity to make heaps of profit.
So, we'll see Saudi funding for Muslim schools, Iwi funding for language immersion, fringe "christian" organisations for teaching the old testament, and others.
But none of the extracurricular teachings will be for the benefit of the children; more it will be indoctrination to keep the child within the belief structure of the ideology of adults.
That’s still about power though. Power and control of children’s access to information
You're probably right. My first thought came from your use of the word corporation and that a charter school would be a way for a corporation to make a bigger profit than doing something different, which I doubt.
I don’t doubt it. Why not use the current special character School system like many religious schools currently do? What’s the purpose of charter schools other than to funnel public money into private hands?
Or brainwashing like Gloriavale. Born and raised to believe that God wants them to be slaves or they go to Hell. Only possible with alternative schooling.
Could a gang start a charter school ?
They can start a church, with the added financial bonus - no tax. Destiny Church's leader / thug and self proclaimed Bishop tried to start a charter school the last time they were introduced. He was turned down for funding. Praise the Lord.
Well According to David seymour destiny church will be first off the rank
https://www.facebook.com/reel/796333015773528?fs=e&s=TIeQ9V&mibextid=LvJtn9
I was in the street when Tamaki's convoy went past. It was heartbreaking and gross to witness, and intimidating as a straight woman - so I imagine doubly threatening for a queer person of any gender or culture.
Tamaki is a misogynist creep of the highest order.
We do not want Tamaki's gang rehabilitating our vulnerable prisoners, preaching to any congregation, or running a school.
Māori have been colonised once - brought to their knees by the missionaries, systematically stripped of their reo and Tīkanga by colonial thinking. Let's not allow damaged goods like Tamaki to keep repeating that history.
Talking as a Jewish person, Miriam Margolyes recently said:
"....to me, it seems as if Hitler has one. He's changed us Jews from being compassionate and caring and 'do unto others as you would have them do unto you', into this vicious, genocidal nationalistic Nation."
If Tamaki with his prosperity gospel homophobic religiosity is empowered to further indoctrinate vulnerable people (who will of course disproportionately be Māori and Pasifika) then it will be the missionaries, the colonisers, with their bibles and muskets, who will have won in Aotearoa New Zealand.
A second strike on Tīkanga Māori. A second strike on our collective humanity.
*passed 🫣 yikes!
So, building a Mega-prison’s without a business case, eh? Which episode of Utopia is that? Is it after the one about building a four-lane highway under central Wellington or the one about building a bridge to Stuart Island?
Tough listening Bernard
I fished through the Pacific Islands for many years and then settled in NZ for a better and safer life… I definitely got that, and I’ll always be very thankful for the opportunity. I got lucky to get into paying for a place at the right time… I met someone here and started a family like the one I didn’t have, and my kids grew happy here in Waiheke.
Yet the reality is gut-wrenching. My recently graduated son lined up a dream job at the National Archives that got canned a couple of months ago, and he is wondering what to do. He did not graduate with honours to work in hospitality and fix bikes… so the lure of the Netherlands (where his mum comes from) is getting shinier by the day. Plus, he had the chance to do postgraduate studies there, and my daughter is considering studying and living in Australia.
I know they love it here in Waiheke and want to be close to us. Yet, for no fault of their own, they are really facing the dilemma I had to face… leaving all that is known and loved behind and starting again in a different world…. It would be heartbreaking for me and them.
That is heartbreaking Francisco, I truly hope we, the people of Aotearoa, can turn this around, whatever that takes.
Your family has similarities to mine except we’re several years older. Have come to the conclusion that we have genes that keep us prepared to move to what we need. I hated it at first but now see it as just one world and we’re all on the same sea - I learned the same sea idea from someone else who’s family was also way spaced out.
Ps have almost given up on Aotearoa. Am glad my kids elsewhere. It’s not perfect anywhere tho.
Thankyou Francisco. I feel many of the same things for the same reasons. I know I’m very lucky through sheer luck of when I was born. I’m using that luck to help my daughters, and to use whatever skills and energy I have to try and change things for a wider group of people. I’ll go down fighting. My fear is wasting my luck.
Bernard
Bernard, you are a wonderful, caring person - you are a national treasure!
Legend!
🙏🏻
Please make this public! Absolute craziness from our Govt in so many ways!
The barbarians are no longer at the gates but now plundering the land. Ghastly barbarians! Have to lock the doors and think what to do.
Trouble with Australia is that it's great on the surface before you think of its climate and indigenous issues. Do we really want to be that superficial? Yes please.
Love the stick of the day though! 😀
You made my day Alice! So many sticks I have pictures of….
Now I know they’re popular… ;)
Bernard
You keep a stick log, Bernard? Love it! 🥖
I’m trained to recognise good ones - my son has a “stick pile” where he stashes them 🙂
That really is a magnificent stick.
A320 seems very specific Bernard, portent of doom for Boeing?
Conveniently the Air NZ config that crosses the Tasman is 168 seats or 165 for the Pratt and Whitney engined ones
The only even mildly surprising thing about Jones dining with fossil fuel extractors is that it took so long for a kind of story to come out.
Ministerial override invites corruption so blatantly and yet its strongest advocate struggles to avoid even the slightest appearance of impropriety.