Guest and sponsored opinion pieces published on The Daily Blog, offering diverse perspectives within clear editorial guidelines.
As Kiwis, we like to think of these issues as ‘far away’ or not our problem to own. However, the truth is many New Zealand consumers purchase imported clothing and are therefore contributing to this problem without realising it. Rather than remaining naive, we propose that Kiwis become more accountable for their actions.
I trust the government is getting good advice on this proposal because the worry is that when it comes to choice of rail mode to the airport, it clearly doesn’t have good advice at all. Opting for widely criticised light rail (trams) instead of heavy rail (trains) to the airport is a very high-risk call; one taken on dubious technical advice and without a business case.
It also out of line with international best practice.
For those asking, yes, Todd Scott filed a Statement of Claim against me in the High Court today. He alleges that it was negligent for me to have sent NBR the column I did about Steven Joyce. Consequently, despite the column having been published in the NBR after being read and subedited by several NBR staff including editor Duncan Bridgeman, Todd says I should have to pay some or all NBR’s costs and any losses it suffers from Mr Joyce’s litigation.
The Daily Blog is right about Christchurch Prison’s problems and a lot hasn’t come out yet.
It’s appropriate that I give my view on our just released Budget. Already you have seen the misinformed and nonsensical views from the National and Māori Party on how ‘wonderful’ they were last time and how we ‘missed the boat’ this time. So let me tell you just how big the boat is that we have caught.
So why doesn’t New Zealand summon the Israeli Ambassador? Are we more indifferent to atrocities being committed? Also, as others have pointed out, the Working Holidays Scheme for young Israelis should be stopped.
The TWG has been set an impossible mission – improve the tax regime, make it more efficient and fair, but don’t recommend any changes to the tax treatment of owner occupied housing. And another – make the tax system fairer but don’t deal with the interface between tax rates and welfare (which is just negative tax after all).
Just to clear up the racist lies and propaganda that Hobsons Pledge are spreading about our founding national document the Treaty of Waitangi.
Reflecting on about 20 years of dealing with WINZ on and off, this is what I think needs to happen. Firstly, WINZ needs to be abolished. The mild reforms of the Clark years prove that it’s far too politicized to be reformed without just being deformed again by the next government. It’s a failed model. Just bin it.
A famous dead white man indulges us by coming back from the grave on his 200th birthday for a bit of celebrity haunting.