16 Comments

Re 'The ban would apply only to new employment agreements in the first year after the Bill is passed, then extend to cover pre-existing agreements.'

Interesting the 'libertarian party' blanket changes existing employment agreements...

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Couldn't dismissals in breach of employment contracts still be challenged in the High Court? Also these hypocrites want to meddle in how people run their businesses while professing to be hands off.

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Sweet!

Thanks Bernard for including the links to the data for premix concrete.

Yes, it is remarkable that housing & poverty were not mentioned in the conference.

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Does Van Velden's anti-worker changes apply to collective agreements as well?

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Happy Sunday Bernard. I have to stop taking all your bullet points as critiques. At least two of them are positives: the housing stats, and the "residents can't buy homes."

On housing, unless we disagree, this is a good way to let the air out of the balloon instead of steep sharp drop. My neighbour is moving and just bought a house for 75K less than the previous owner paid for it. I'm sure it wasn't what the seller had in mind when they purchased, but it's a lot better outcome than it could be. A scratch instead of flesh wound?

And also, unless we disagree, if you're not going to come to NZ to live, you shouldn't be able to buy a house!

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I hesitantly agree with your sentiments about the housing market, but the vengeful, immature part of me wants to take a needle to that balloon & watch it blow ;-)

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I would like your view how or if this US view of economic measures might be relevant here.

"If you filter the statistic to include as unemployed people who can't find anything but part-time work or who make a poverty wage (roughly $25,000), the percentage is actually 23.7 percent. In other words, nearly one of every four workers is _functionally_ unemployed in America today -- hardly something to celebrate."

https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2025/02/11/democrats-tricked-strong-economy-00203464

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Thanks. Alas I have been unable to open your podcast to listen to your comments, this happens quite often, am I the only person who complains of this I wonder?

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Which operating system are you using?

I have seen people having issues with IOS.

If you haven't done so already, try restarting your device.

If not, clear your catch & storage for substack app. After you've done this & open up substack, you will have to sign in again.

Another option; check if you have the latest JavaScript.

Hope that helps

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Bernard and Lynn, I recommend you listen to the most recent Tech Won't Save us podcast. Interview is with Eoin Higgin's and goes into the history and evolution of the tech bros slow dismantling the media (both as a by-product of their efforts and some intentional efforts). Substack is covered in the second half of the interview. https://www.techwontsave.us/episode/263_the_tech_oligarchys_campaign_against_the_media_w_eoin_higgins

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Thanks.

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Seymour's handling of the whole Jago situation has disappeared. It should be as central to his shoddy record as Polkinghorne and the driving stunt.

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He has elevated ‘distraction’ to an art form, and the media fall for it every time. Even his ‘make it personal‘ rebuttal dilutes the main story…

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Picky I know, but referring to the public works act as nearly 50 years old is a big stretch, 45 yes but 50 (slightly biased as that is around the time i entered this world and don't want to feel that old 😉).

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Que ?

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Great photo @ Lynn Grieveson

A sign of the times. Multiple pointed signs.

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