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Thinking about road congestion measures near Nelson. Good points.
https://www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/360870370/roads-bankrupt-new-zealand-and-our-region
OPINION: The proposed Hope Bypass – a 1960s-style highway upgrade to Richmond’s main arterial route – is projected to cost between $1.1 billion and $1.4 billion for just 4km of road.
While there’s no doubt that Richmond’s lower Queen Street intersection with State Highway 6 needs improvements for safety and traffic flow, this project represents an unaffordable step backwards in terms of fiscal and environmental responsibility.
The bypass is intended to fix congestion, yet it doesn’t address the root causes: dispersed development, low-density housing located far from jobs and services, and a lack of safe and affordable transport alternatives – all of which combine to give us among the world’s highest rates of car ownership and dependency.
Put simply, the Hope Bypass is an extremely expensive attempt to solve congestion with the same outdated reliance on road-building that caused it in the first place.
The project is likely to make matters worse, by encouraging people to live even farther from work and entrenching an expensive, inefficient, car-dependent transport system.
Not only is this approach contrary to our climate goals, it also locks in sky-high costs for councils, ratepayers, and the country at a time when many residents already suffer from a cost-of-living crisis….
The Hope Bypass isn’t a vision for the future – it’s a costly repeat of past mistakes. In a time of tightening public budgets, every dollar must deliver maximum public value, not just disappear into asphalt.
If we want thriving towns, better housing, and strong local economies, it’s time to stop sinking billions into outdated planning and politics – and start investing in a smarter future.
Why is the identity of the NZDF Liaison officer being sent to work with the IDF being kept secret?
Is the NZDF ashamed?
Is the NZDF’s concern that their officer’s identity, if revealed, may subject him to international and local legal proceedings for complicity in genocide?
Why aren’t any of our Lame Stream journalists asking why the identity of the NZDF Liaison officer being sent to work with the IDF is being kept secret?
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/577215/nz-defence-force-deploys-liaison-officer-to-israel
NZAO, Israel and events lately – quick listing of news and dates.
(Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA).)
Nov.3/25
PSNA accuses NZ of giving ‘political cover’ to genocidal …
Asia Pacific Report
https://asiapacificreport.nz › Asia Report
3 days ago — A national pro-Palestinian advocacy group has accused the New Zealand government of providing political cover and rewarding the Israeli genocide by deploying a …
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https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/nzdf-liaison-officer-deployed-israel
29 October 2025
NZDF liaison officer deployed to Israel
Hon Judith Collins KC
Defence
The New Zealand Defence Force has deployed a liaison officer to Israel to help inform the Government on possible next steps on the Gaza peace deal, Defence Minister Judith Collins says.
“The liaison officer will work out of a United States-led centre focused on the next steps to implementing the peace plan in Gaza,” Ms Collins says.
“The Government agreed that the deployment should initially be for six weeks.”
United States Central Command opened the Civil Military Coordination Centre in Israel on 17 October. It will act as a coordination hub for support to Gaza, monitor the implementation of the ceasefire agreement, and support the implementation of the 20 Point Peace Plan to end the war in Gaza.
“The deployment will improve New Zealand’s understanding of coordination efforts on the ground and enable us to better assess options for any potential future contributions to the centre or other initiatives in support of sustained peace in Gaza,” Ms Collins says.
“Any future deployment will be a decision for the Government.”
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Government deploys NZDF officer to Israel amid Gaza …
NZ Herald
https://www.nzherald.co.nz › New Zealand › Politics
5 days ago — A New Zealand Defence Force officer is on the ground in Israel to report back to the Government on the progress being made towards a peace deal in Gaza,…
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Israeli minister who trolled Christopher Luxon visits …
Stuff
https://www.stuff.co.nz › politics › israeli-minister-who-…
6 days ago — An Israeli minister who hit out at Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has made an unofficial trip to Auckland, where she met with the leaders of Destiny Church.
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Israel and the Palestinians: History of the conflict explained
BBC
https://www.bbc.com › news › articles
14 Oct 2025 — About a million Palestinians in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem came under Israel’s control. Getty Images A group of armed Israeli military commanders …
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Network empire: how advanced military tech is reshaping …
Newsroom
https://newsroom.co.nz › Foreign Affairs
10 Oct 2025 — NZ links to Five Eyes military technology could become tripwires if conflict breaks out, undermining our sovereignty.
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Secret defence notes pointing to sensitive China …
Newsroom
https://newsroom.co.nz › Investigations
9 Oct 2025 — The public does not know what New Zealand military staff are discussing in secret meetings. … military space technologies entwined with Israel and the United …
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New Zealand activists ‘kidnapped’ by Israel, so how will …
The Spinoff
https://thespinoff.co.nz › the-bulletin › new-zealand-act…
3 Oct 2025 — A fleet of ships attempting to deliver aid to Gaza with New Zealanders on board, have been captured by Israeli forces.
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OH no. With unclear guidelines on how to interpret values anybody can complain and feel justified. This has been a concern of mine since joining a so-called principled group and finding each had their own individual take on what was meant by the stated values. I see in the article below a similar situation.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/577630/te-pati-maori-electorate-branch-calls-for-party-president-john-tamihere-s-resignation
Maori are as vulnerable as anyone, what they all mean by the tikanga they are agreeing to be bound by must be spelt out, in Maori and in English just to be sure that all understand completely. Otherwise there is likely to be at least one fervent person who can persuade others to their view, and in some cases could go from passionate, to zealous, even fanatical.
Be careful not to be open to a ‘firebrand’. (One who inflames factions, or causes contention and mischief; an incendiary. )
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/577671/minister-warned-of-crime-advisory-group-chair-s-concerning-behaviour
And some interesting points about this and Sunny Kaushal.
https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360605193/how-sunny-kaushal-came-have-ear-government-retail-crime
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Sean Plunket (Loose Lips?) – Shop theft, Ramraids, Citizens arrest.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLAR2VsTvTg
About Sunny Kaushal who has come to NZ from India? and has become a well-paid advisor. So how do immigrants manage this when we are struggling for jobs?
https://img.scoop.co.nz/media/pdfs/1402/Sunny_Kaushal.pdf
* The Labour Party has criticised government spending on an advisory group on retail crime launched by Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith in September.
Labour police spokesperson Ginny Andersen criticised the government for paying advisory group chair Sunny Kaushal $920 a day for his work.
In a reply to a parliamentary question in August, Goldsmith confirmed Kaushal’s daily remuneration rate.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/542958/labour-criticises-retail-crime-advisory-group-spend
* A former Labour Party candidate for Pakuranga in 2011 and a List MP candidate in the last election has joined the National Party.
* Father and son Shail Kaushal and Sunny Kaushal are supporting rival political parties Labour and National. 19 July 2017 New Zealand Herald photograph by Doug Sherring.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/familys-labour-and-national-supporters-steer-clear-of-politics-at-the-dinner-table/AQFMTTSIXFT4PTIVM7BBJTI27I
2016 – 9 years ago and now getting $920 a day about, (nice work if you can get it, so keep trying, working, talking.)
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/voices/audio/201818068/on-the-door-knock-young-indian-and-ground-breaking
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The Detail: Aug.2019
https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/destinations/nz/115413693/migrants-experiences-of-new-zealand-expectation-versus-
…When Sunil Kaushal first moved to Tauranga from India in the mid nineties,..
“I think New Zealand is one of the best places in the world to live, work and study… We are one of the happiest countries in the world and that is why we are also one of the most resilient countries. There are systems and opportunities to ensure citizens are looked after in the best way possible. Certainly, when you compare to other countries, we should be grateful.”
We now apparently have gone to the dogs, in such a short time. But coping with crime has been a winner for Kaushal.
Other migrants found it expensive but liked the country.
https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360797172/pity-poor-small-business-owners-aucklands-albert-st
In the news with good points, smooth, talks the victim, yet wins a good outcome ($920 a day, or have I got that wrong.)
Advising Victoria, Australia with himself as leader of effective procedures.
https://indiannews.nz/2025/08/25/sunny-kaushal-making-news-in-aussie-media/
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We are under budget”: Retail crime advisory group chair …
Newstalk ZB
https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/sunny-kaushal-retail-crime-ministerial-advisory-group-chair-defends-the-500-thousand-cost-of-the-group/
17 Jul 2025 — It’s been revealed $500 thousand has been spent on the Retail Ministerial Advisory Group in the last 100 days. Chair Sunny Kaushal is …
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It would be good if our government could stop encouraging rising prices and we could enjoy our own country more,; one way would be by reducing GST by half, which would be anti-inflationary for a start if across the board.