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Tuesday, June 17, 2025

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The Daily Blog Open Mic – 17th June 2025

Announce protest actions, general chit chat or give your opinion on issues we haven’t covered for the day.

The Editor doesn’t moderate this blog,  3 volunteers do, they are very lenient to provide you a free speech space but if it’s just deranged abuse or putting words in bloggers mouths to have a pointless argument, we don’t bother publishing.

All in all, TDB gives punters a very, very, very wide space to comment in but we won’t bother with out right lies or gleeful malice. We leave that to the Herald comment section.

EDITORS NOTE: – By the way, here’s a list of shit that will get your comment dumped. Sexist abuse, homophobic abuse, racist abuse, anti-muslim abuse, transphobic abuse, Chemtrails, 9/11 truthers, Qanon lunacy, climate deniers, anti-fluoride fanatics, anti-vaxxer lunatics, 5G conspiracy theories, the virus is a bioweapon, some weird Bullshit about the UN taking over the world  and ANYONE that links to fucking infowar.

In Occupied Palestine – 14 June 2025

In Occupied Palestine

Zionism in practice

Israel’s Daily Toll on Palestinian Life, Limb, Liberty and Land

08:00, 14 June 2025 until 08:00, 15 June 2025

Gaza Strip

Merciless blitz on starving Gaza growing numbers

of dead and injured

Victims 14 June 15 June 2025:

65 more killed and 315 wounded

Since dawn, Israeli air strikes, missile launches and gunfire on homes, as well as medical and other facilities, have resulted in 65 dead and 315 wounded. Civil Defence crews retrieved eight more bodies from underneath bomb-damaged property, bringing the total number now killed in Gaza, since 7 October 2023, to at least 55,362. The total wounded is now at least 128,741. The daily average number of men, women and children killed in Gaza is at least 89 and, that of those injured, is more than 208. A UN report states that, as of 14 January 2025, around 70% of those killed in Gaza were women and children.

West Bank

Israeli Army attack – 2 wounded: Jerusalem – noon, Israeli Occupation forces, firing live ammunition, wounded two people in the town of al-Ram.

Israeli Army attacksrefugee camp: Jenin – Israeli forces, firing live ammunition and stun grenades, continued storming the city and the refugee camp.

Israeli Army attack – 1 wounded: Jenin – 11:10, the Israeli Army, firing live ammunition, stormed the town of Qabatiya, wounding one person.

Israeli Army attacks2 wounded – home invasionsrefugee camp: Tulkarem – Israeli forces have continued their storming of the city as well as the Tulkarem and Nur Shams refugee camp, opening livefire, raiding and searching many homes.

Home invasions and Occupation: Jenin – Israeli Occupation forces occupied a number of homes in the village of Rumana and turned them into military posts.

Home invasion and Occupation: Tulkarem – 18:05, Israeli forces raided the village of Shufa, occupied a home and turned it into a military post.

Home invasion and Occupation: Tulkarem – 18:35, the Israeli Army raided the town of Kafr al-Labad, occupied a home and turned it into a military post.

Home invasions: Tulkarem – 23:50, Israeli troops raided the town of Zeita and searched several homes.

Home invasions and Occupation: Qalqiliya20:05, Israeli Occupation forces raided the town of Azzun and invaded several homes, turning them into military posts.

Home invasions: Jericho – 01:1506:35, Israeli forces raided the city and searched a number of homes.

Home invasions: Nablus – 23:05, the Israeli Army raided the village of Duma and invaded several homes.

Home invasions: Bethlehem – 05:30, Israeli troops searched a number of homes during raids on al-Khadr and the village of Marah Rabah.

Israeli military mosque violation: Jerusalem – Since dawn on 13 June, Israeli Occupation forces have continued to close all of the Al-Aqsa Mosque entry gates, preventing worshippers from entering, following a declared state of emergency because of the Israeli attack on Iran.

Israeli Army assault with rubber-coated bullets, stun grenades fired: Jerusalem – 16:00, Israeli forces fired rubber-coated bullets and stun grenades at people, in the al-Tur neighbourhood.

Israeli Army assault with rubber-coated bullets and stun grenades: Jerusalem – 01:30, Israeli Occupation forces fired rubber-coated bullets and stun grenades at people, in the village of al-Issawiya.

Israeli Army populationcontrol: Nablus – 17:55, the Israeli Army took prisoner a man, Riyad Hani Hashash, when he reported, as ordered, for interrogation at Israeli Military Intelligence.

Israeli Army populationcontrol: Nablus – 23:50, Israeli troops took prisoner two people, Abdul Karim Abdul Amir and Muhammad Al-Nabrisi, when they reported, as ordered, for interrogation at Israeli Military Intelligence.

Israeli Army violence, injury and populationcontrol: Nablus – 13:25, the Israeli military severely beatup and hospitalised a man, Walid Khaled Ahmed Hamayel, as he was making his way to work across the Green Line.

Israeli Army violence and robbery: Hebron – 22:15, Israeli soldiers assaulted a man, Ibrahim Al-Ja’bra Al-Haroub, and seized his motor vehicle.

Israeli Army violence 2 injured: Hebron – 15:30, Israeli Occupation forces beatup and hospitalised two people, Abdul Shabana and Bilal Shabana, in the Old City Karantina district.

Israeli military mosque violation: Hebron – On June 14 June, Israeli Occupation forces closed the Ibrahimi Mosque in the Old City, preventing worshippers from entering, following a declared state of emergency because of the Israeli attack on Iran.

Occupation settler violence and robbery: Jerusalem – Israeli Occupation settlers, on the Mikhmas Road, held up a vehicle belonging to the Jerusalem District Electricity Company, beating-up the driver and plundering the contents of the vehicle.

Occupation settler violence: Jerusalem – Israelis, from the Adam Occupation settlement, invaded the Bedouin community, assaulting and injuring four residents.

Occupation settler arson: Ramallah – evening, Israeli settlers raided the outskirts of al-Mazra’a al-Sharqiya, setting fire to the office of an industrial facility and smashing the windows of a motorvehicle.

Occupation settler arson and agricultural sabotage: Tubas – 17:55, Occupation settlers set fire to crops on Bardala village agricultural land,

Occupation settler arson and agricultural sabotage: Salfit – 12:55, Israeli settlers set fire to crops on land, between the city and the town of Bruqin.

Occupation settler invasion: Jericho – Israeli Occupation settlers invaded the al-Auja Waterfall community, bringing their sheep to graze between people’s homes and watered them from the community’s resource.

Raid – 1 taken prisoner: Jerusalem – 13:45, Israeli Occupation forces raided the town of Kafr Aqab, taking prisoner one person.

Raid – 2 taken prisoner: Jerusalem – 16:00, Israeli forces raided the town of Abu Dis, taking prisoner two people.

Raid – 1 taken prisoner: Ramallah – 09:30, the Israeli Army raided Ein Qiniya village, taking prisoner one person.

Raid: Ramallah – 17:05, Israeli troops raided and patrolled Rantis village.

Raid: Ramallah – 00:35, the Israeli military raided and patrolled Turmusaya.

Raid – 3 taken prisoner in refugee camp: Ramallah – 01:35, Israeli soldiers raided the Jalazoun refugee camp, taking prisoner three people.

Raid – 1 taken prisoner: Ramallah – 02:40, Israeli Occupation forces raided Jifna village, taking prisoner one person.

Raid – 4 youngsters abducted: Ramallah – 03:15, Israeli forces raided al-Mughayir village and and abducted four minors, 15-year-old Thaer Tamer Abdul-Hay Al-Na’san, two 16-year olds, Yazan Mahmoud Abu Aliya and Hussein Imad Al-Na’san, as well as Muhammad Qasrawi (aged 17).

Raid – 1 taken prisoner: Ramallah – 04:00, the Israeli Army raided Abu Shukheidem village, taking prisoner one person.

Raid – 2 taken prisoner: Ramallah – 04:10, Israeli troops raided the cities of Ramallah and al-Bireh, taking prisoner two people.

Raid – 2 taken prisoner: Ramallah – dawn, Israeli soldiers invaded the village of Deir Ghassaneh, taking prisoner two people.

Raid – 1 injured – 3 taken prisoner: Jenin – 11:1012:50, Israeli Occupation forces raided the town of Qabatiya, injuring one resident and taking prisoner another three.

Raid – 1 taken prisoner: Jenin – 20:35, Israeli forces raided the village of Kafr Qud, taking prisoner one person.

Raid 1 taken prisoner: Tulkarem – 01:55, the Israeli military raided the Shweika suburb, taking one person prisoner.

Home invasions and occupation: Tulkarem – dawn, Israeli soldiers raided the town of Quffin, taking prisoner four people.

Raid: Nablus – 10:35, Israeli Occupation forces raided and patrolled the village of Burqa.

Raid – stun grenades fired: Nablus – 17:40, Israeli forces, firing stun grenades, raided the town of Asira al-Shamaliya.

Raid – stun grenades fired: Nablus – 19:15, the Israeli Army, firing stun grenades, raided and patrolled the village of Odala.

Raid – 3 taken prisoner: Nablus – 00:55, Israeli troops raided the town of Qusra, taking prisoner three people.

Raid – 6 taken prisoner: Nablus – 01:1504:35, the Israeli military raided the city, taking prisoner six people.

Raid: Salfit – 20:15, Israeli soldiers raided and patrolled the town of Deir Istiya.

Raid – 4 taken prisoner: Bethlehem – 07:00, Israeli Occupation forces raided the village of al-Asakra, taking prisoner four people.

Raid – 5 taken prisoner: Hebron – dawn, Israeli forces raided the town of Dura, taking prisoner five people.

Raid – 7 taken prisoner: Hebron – 18:00, the Israeli Army raided the city, taking prisoner seven people.

Raid – 1 taken prisoner: Hebron – 01:50, Israeli troops raided the town of Sa’ir, taking prisoner one person.

Raid – 8 taken prisoner: Hebron – 02:55, the Israeli military raided the town of al-Dhahiriya, taking prisoner eight people.

Rai – 1 taken prisoner: Hebron – 03:45, Israeli soldiers raided the al-Arroub refugee camp, taking prisoner one person.

Rai – 1 taken prisoner: Hebron – dawn, Israeli Occupation forces raided the town of Idhna, taking prisoner one person.

Palestinian Monitoring Group Since midnight on 07 October 2023, Occupation forces have been imposing a complete closure around the whole of the West Bank, preventing people (even including permit-holders) from entering both Jerusalem City as well as Israel, other than for especially-negotiated exceptions. Permanent military checkpoints impose severe travel restrictions within the Occupied West Bank.s

Government Turns Its Back On Workers’ Safety – NZCTU

The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi is dismayed by the Government’s decision to abstain from the new International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention on biological hazards that would strengthen worker protections.

“This Convention provides a comprehensive framework for preventing and managing biological workplace health and safety issues,” said NZCTU President Richard Wagstaff.

“Representatives of Government, employers’ and workers’ organizations at the 113th International Labour Conference have resoundingly voted for the adoption this new Convention and accompanying Recommendation on protection against biological hazards in the working environment.

“There is strong international support for this Convention which has been ratified by more than 95% of representatives from the 187 ILO member states. The New Zealand workers’ delegation voted in favour of this convention which embeds the importance of healthy and safe work as a fundamental aspect of good work for everyone.

“Unfortunately, the New Zealand Government has joined Bangladesh, Djibouti, Panama, Algeria, Guatemala, and India as the only Governments to vote against or abstain in the vote for the Convention. New Zealand Business representatives did not vote at all.

“The failure of the Government to support this convention reflects its total disregard and disinterest in workers’ safety and health and shows how isolated New Zealand has become from global efforts to improve safeguards at work,” said Wagstaff.

James Ritchie, the Spokesperson for the biological hazards Convention stated:

“This is the first international instrument that specifically addresses biological hazards in the working environment at the global level. It follows the Covid pandemic, and the 2022 decision to include a safe and healthy working environment in the ILO’s framework of fundamental principles and rights at work.

“The New Zealand Government rejection of this historic convention is not a theoretical exercise, implementing its provisions would save lives now and during future outbreaks of infectious diseases,” said Ritchie.

Concern over signs Govt will reduce sick leave for workers – Green Party

The Green Party is calling on the Prime Minister to stand up for workers’ rights for once and rule out reducing sick leave entitlements.

“This Government for the wealthy keeps finding new ways of eviscerating workers’ rights and tilting power to employers,” says the Green Party spokesperson for Workplace Relations and Safety, Teanau Tuiono.

“Our economy is built upon the backs of our workers, so to erode their rights to sick leave is nothing short of an attack on the morale and productivity of our workforce.

“The Government is making a habit of revealing such changes at the start of Winter when seasonal illnesses, flu and Covid are placing many families under strain.

“Women workers in particular will be disproportionately affected by this cruel policy as they tend to take more sick leave because of childcare responsibilities. For the Government to be considering reducing sick leave is another way to attack women workers following its Pay Equity bombshell.

“The fact that the Prime Minister hasn’t ruled out halving the number of sick days for part-time workers speaks to a pattern of decision-making of a Government that doesn’t listen to, nor care about, workers.

“The Coalition has unapologetically pushed its anti-worker agenda this term – gutting the Pay Equity process, scrapping fair pay agreements, reinstating 90-day trials, and changing the law so that Uber and other gig work platforms can keep their workers from getting their entitlements in already precarious job arrangements.

“More must be done to support our workers. The Green Party campaigned on five weeks of annual leave for everyone so that people have more time to connect with their whānau, communities, and things that matter to them.

“The Green Party will keep fighting for everyone in Aotearoa to have access to strong rights, secure work, and decent pay, to ensure workers can thrive,” says Teanau Tuiono.

SICK LEAVE IS A RIGHT, NOT A REWARD- NGAREWA-PACKER – Maori Party

Te Pāti Māori is calling out the Government’s proposed changes to sick leave entitlements as a cruel step backwards that punishes low-income, part-time, single parents and essential workers. We staunchly support the concerns raised by PSA National Secretary, Fleur Fitzsimons, that this move will disproportionately harm wāhine, who are most likely to take time off to care for sick children and whānau.

“This Government’s obsession with attacking women, predominantly Māori and Pacific women, ignores equity and endangers public health” said Te Pāti Māori Co-leader, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer.

“Sick leave is a right, not a reward. Cutting sick leave reinforces inequality, fuels presenteeism, and increases the risk of outbreaks in workplaces and schools. It’s a betrayal of the frontline workers this country relied on during COVID-19.

“The increase to 10 days was a hard-won gain. Workers need time to recover, not punishment for being sick. Reversing this isn’t ‘long-needed reform’ it’s short-sighted austerity” said Ngarewa-Packer.

Te Pāti Māori urges all parties to oppose any erosion of sick leave entitlements and stand with the workers who carry this country every day.

UNOC3: “Fine words must now translate into action”, Greenpeace comment

Nice, France, The UN Ocean Conference (UNOC) concluded yesterday with significant progress made towards the ratification of the High Seas Treaty and a strong statement on a new plastics treaty signed by 95 governments.

Once ratified, the Treaty will be the only legal tool that can create protected areas in international waters, making it fundamental to protecting 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030. To date 50 countries, plus the European Union, have now ratified the Treaty.

New Zealand has signed but is yet to ratify.

Deep sea mining rose up the agenda in the conference debates, demonstrating the urgency of opposing this industry. The expectation from civil society and a large group of states, including both co-hosts of UNOC, was that governments would make progress towards stopping deep sea mining in Nice.

UN Secretary General Guterres said the deep sea should not become the wild west. French President Macron said a deep sea mining moratorium is an international necessity. Four new countries pledged their support for a moratorium at UNOC bringing the total to 37. Attention now turns to what actions governments will take in July to stop this industry from starting.

Megan Randles, Greenpeace Head of Delegation regarding the High Seas Treaty and progress towards stopping deep sea mining said: “High Seas Treaty ratification is within touching distance, but the progress made here in Nice feels hollow as this UN Ocean Conference ends without more tangible commitments to stopping deep sea mining.

“We’ve heard lots of fine words here in Nice, but these need to turn into tangible action. Countries must be brave, stand up for global cooperation and make history by stopping deep sea mining this year. They can do this by committing to a moratorium on deep sea mining at next month’s International Seabed Authority meeting. We applaud those who have already taken a stand, and urge all others to be on the right side of history by stopping deep sea mining.”

Following this UNOC, attention now turns to the International Seabed Authority (ISA) meetings in July. In the face of The Metals Company teaming up with Trump to mine the global oceans, the upcoming ISA provides a space where governments can come together to defend the deep ocean by adopting a moratorium to stop this destructive industry.

Negotiations on a Global Plastics Treaty resume in August.

John Hocevar, Oceans Campaign Director, Greenpeace USA said: “The majority of countries have spoken when they signed on to the Nice Call for an Ambitious Plastics Treaty that they want an agreement that will reduce plastic production. Now, as we end the UN Ocean Conference and head on to the Global Plastics Treaty negotiations in Geneva this August, they must act. The world cannot afford a weak treaty dictated by oil-soaked obstructionists.

“The ambitious majority must rise to this moment, firmly hold the line and ensure that we will have a Global Plastic Treaty that cuts plastic production, protects human health, and delivers justice for Indigenous Peoples and communities on the frontlines. Governments need to show that multilateralism still works for people and the planet, not the profits of a greedy few.”

Nichanan Thantanwit, Project Leader, Ocean Justice Project said: “Coastal and Indigenous communities, including small-scale fishers, have protected the ocean for generations. Now they are being pushed aside by industries driving ecological collapse and human rights violations.

“As the UN Ocean Conference ends, governments must recognise small-scale fishers and Indigenous Peoples as rights-holders, secure their access and role in marine governance, and stop destructive practices such as bottom trawling and harmful aquaculture. There is no ocean protection without the people who have protected it all along.”

The anticipated Nice Ocean Action Plan, which consists of a political declaration and a series of voluntary commitments, will be announced later today at the end of the conference. None will be legally binding, so governments need to act strongly during the next ISA meeting in July and at plastic treaty negotiations in August.

Moriori Challenge Crown Over “Tino Rangatiratanga” – Moriori Imi Settlement Trust

The Moriori Imi Settlement Trust (MIST), supported by the Hokotehi Moriori Trust (HMT), has filed proceedings in the High Court at Wellington challenging the Crown’s proposal to recognise Ngāti Mutunga o Wharekauri’s (NMOW) tino rangatiratanga over Rēkohu (the Chatham Islands).

In 1870, the Native Land Court and colonial government gave 97.3% of all land on the Chatham Islands to NMOW (who arrived on an English sailing ship in only 1835), completely disregarding Moriori custom and the ancient, peaceful occupation of the islands. Instead, they applied the New Zealand Māori custom of take raupatu (claim by conquest).

The Waitangi Tribunal found in 2001 that Moriori should have received “at least 50% of the land” on Rēkohu and that “redress by far was due to Moriori” (Tribunal recommends compensation for Moriori). Despite this, NMOW have continued to claim exclusive mana whenua and tino rangatiratanga over Rēkohu. Now, the Crown appears ready to repeat these past injustices.

When Moriori settled their historic Treaty claims with the Crown in 2020, the Crown gave clear and repeated assurances that it would remain strictly neutral between imi and iwi on matters of mana whenua and tino rangatiratanga over Rēkohu. For this reason, those terms do not appear in the Moriori Deed of Settlement.

However, in 2022, MIST was formally advised that the Crown intended to include in the NMOW Deed of Settlement an explicit acknowledgement of NMOW’s tino rangatiratanga over Rēkohu. This contradicts prior commitments made to Moriori and represents a serious breach of trust and the terms of our own Deed. The Crown maintains this does not amount to recognition of mana whenua—a position strongly rejected by MIST and supported by respected Māori legal and tikanga experts. In their view, tino rangatiratanga clearly implies exclusive chiefly authority over land.

Moriori (MIST & HMT) consider the Crown’s position not only disingenuous—but outrageous. Tino rangatiratanga is not a term the Crown has the right to define, limit, or politically reinterpret to suit its convenience.

The implications of this recognition are profound. It would undermine the integrity and intent of the Moriori Treaty settlement—an outcome Moriori worked toward for generations. It would also risk legitimising the 1835 invasion, where two mainland tribes used violence to kill, enslave, and displace the peaceful Moriori. Under tikane Moriori, land was never taken through warfare. Even under tikanga Māori, NMOW’s claims to take raupatu were not found valid by the Waitangi Tribunal.

This situation raises an unsettling question: Why is this happening at all? Why would the Crown give such clear assurances to Moriori, only to reverse course and grant the very recognition it swore it would withhold? This contradiction cuts to the core of the Crown’s integrity and the trust that should underpin the Treaty settlement process.

This legal challenge is not intended to delay or block NMOW’s redress. Moriori supports their right to a settlement—provided it does not impinge upon or undermine Moriori rights. We offered a solution: remove the offending phrase from NMOW’s Deed. The Crown refused.

Moriori are now calling on the Crown to honour its promise of neutrality and refrain from taking any steps that would undermine the Treaty settlement signed with us just five years ago. Anything less risks eroding trust in the Crown’s commitments.

With all other avenues exhausted, Moriori will now seek to be heard in the court of law. We do so reluctantly, but with a firm commitment to uphold the dignity of our karapuna (ancestors) and protect the legacy we leave for future generations of our imi (people).

Me rongo
(In peace)

BetPokies NZ Is the Number One Choice of Gambling Guide in New Zealand

If you are a Kiwi gambler, you may have already referred to BetPokies.co.nz for a casino review or a guide to a game, provider, casino bonus, payment option, etc. Now, BetPokies New Zealand is one of the most trusted and reliable gambling guides in New Zealand. It was founded in 2020 by a gambler who has been in the industry for more than 10 years, John Gold, and it belongs to ZehrMedia LTD. Over the years in the industry, Gold has gained a lot of knowledge and experience, and now he shares it via the comprehensive content on BetPokies NZ, together with a team of experts, including the site’s main author, Charlotte Wilson.  

Unbiased and Trustworthy Casino Reviews

Initially, BetPokies NZ was a platform where John Gold planned to share his casino ratings. Ever since the first casino review that was published on BetPokies (NZ), the high quality and reliability of the review have been obvious, and since 2020, it has only developed and become even better and more up-to-date. The site is famous for its high standards for all content, though the team is especially meticulous when it comes to the safety of players who follow the recommendations of BetPokies NZ when choosing a gambling platform. We contacted the BetPokies NZ author, Charlotte Wilson, directly to find out about the team’s standards for rating casinos.

 

I am really demanding when it comes to our content, as in BetPokies New Zealand, we value quality over quantity. That’s why when it comes to evaluating casinos, we have quite high standards, and we always verify all possible aspects. The first thing that we always check is the license under which the casino operates since it’s important for us to ensure that the platform is legal and secure, also we check if there are any certificates from bodies like eCOGRA. Another thing that we always check is the reviews from gamblers that the casino received on X, Reddit, or Trustpilot; this is the best way to find out about the nuances of the casino’s operation from real people. Of course, we always mention the specifics of gameplay, including game library, providers, available promotions, tournaments, bonus shop, and other aspects. Moreover, we always test the payment process, including the speed and security of both deposits and withdrawals. Last but not least, we always check the website; whether it has any bags or drawbacks is an important thing to know for players before starting to play.” — she shared. 

Top-Notch Guides on Every Topic

BetPokies NZ is known for the high-quality and unique guides that it provides players with. The site covers every aspect of gambling, including casino types, games, providers, bonuses, and payment options. All guides offer an in-depth analysis of all features of any aspect, covering the process of registration, main pros and cons, usability, etc. Each page is also complemented by a list of top casinos that offer a particular feature and expert opinion and advice from the site’s author, Charlotte Wilson.

 

In addition, there are many unique guides on BetPokies New Zealand that highlight interesting topics. For example, the site has top-notch guides for low-deposit casinos that accept minimal deposits of $1, $2, $3, $5, $10, and $20. The pages will surely come in handy for newbies or those of you who’d like to practise their skills. Moreover, the site also has a unique NZD casinos page that tells about the best casinos that accept players from New Zealand and the peculiarities of their work.  

Fresh News in the Blog Tab

To get valuable and expert insights on all news from the gambling world, you should visit a Blog page on BetPokies NZ, where all writers share their opinions and analysis of all the most exciting events in the iGaming industry. From the latest news featured on BetPokies (NZ), for example, you can find out about new vouchers available in casinos, how to choose the best payment method, how to win in casinos with low minimal deposits, and many other exciting insights on the industry from the experts who spent years in the field. The articles will help players broaden their understanding of many processes and become pros in gambling.     

More than Just an Affiliate Platform

BetPokies NZ is a great example of a successful affiliate platform. The site doesn’t provide any paid reviews and ensures that all content there remains unbiased, yet the platform cooperates with online casinos by sharing links to them in their reviews. 

Affiliate form of a platform is perfect for BetPokies NZ, as this way we are not limited by the expectations of casinos from our reviews, and therefore we can share our honest and unbiased opinion, which is the main principle of working with all gambling platforms for the whole team. Moreover, before providing an affiliate link to any casino, we always verify everything about the brand and its security to make sure that the recommendations that we give our readers are completely safe for them”  — shares John Gold

Once again, such great care for the safety of players shows that BetPokies (NZ) is more than just a platform with casino recommendations; it is a must-use guide to the industry for all players from New Zealand.  




Strengthening NZ–China Ties Amid U.S. Trade Volatility

In recent years, the U.S. government’ s frequently changing trade policies have raised significant concerns among smaller economies globally, with nations like New Zealand—heavily dependent on trade with major powers—feeling particularly vulnerable. In a recent webinar, former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark and other former trade ministers discussed the potential impact of the U.S. tariffs on New Zealand and the broader international trade system.

The U.S. government’ s decision to impose a 50% tariff on steel and aluminum imports, along with additional tariffs on a range of other goods, has raised alarm. Although New Zealand, as a small economy, has thus far largely avoided the direct impact of these tariffs, there is ongoing uncertainty regarding how long it can continue to sidestep further trade disruptions stemming from shifts in U.S. policy. Former Labour Party Trade Minister Phil Goff pointed out that such tariff-driven policies have the potential to suppress global economic growth and erode market confidence. The OECD’ s recent downward revision of its 2025 global growth forecast highlights the widespread economic ramifications of these protectionist measures.

New Zealand has long been a proponent of free trade, positioning itself as an early advocate of global trade liberalization. The New Zealand-China Free Trade Agreement (NZCFTA) and its role as a founding member of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) have provided New Zealand with a solid foundation for engaging in trade with a diverse range of partners. Additionally, New Zealand has expanded its trade relationships through bilateral free trade agreements with countries like Australia, the UK, and the EU, reducing its dependency on any single market and diversifying its economic interests.

While New Zealand’ s economy has benefited from its broad network of trade agreements, the fluctuations in the U.S. market still present a source of concern. The countrys consistent approach has been to balance strong ties with major powers like the U.S. and China, while also participating actively in multilateral trade frameworks. This strategy has helped New Zealand maintain stable economic growth, particularly as it continues to deepen its relationships with regional partners.

This year marked the 50th anniversary of New Zealand’ s engagement with ASEAN, emphasizing its commitment to promoting regional economic integration.

However, the U.S. government’ s use of tariffs as a tool of trade negotiation, coupled with its broader protectionist stance, poses a significant challenge to global trade order. While such policies may serve specific strategic interests, for smaller economies like New Zealand, they represent a risk to stability and prosperity. New Zealand’s long-standing commitment to multilateralism and economic openness continues to serve as a guiding principle for its foreign policy, one that aims to safeguard the countrys economic interests through cooperation, not isolation.

In light of the global uncertainty surrounding trade policies, New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Luxon’s forthcoming visit to Beijing presents an opportunity to reaffirm the strategic partnership between New Zealand and China, while also exploring further opportunities for economic collaboration. This balanced approach aligns with New Zealand’s broader strategy of maintaining strong, diversified relationships with key global players.

Since the signing of the New Zealand-China Free Trade Agreement in 2008, the agreement has played an important role in shaping the economic ties between the two countries. This deal marked

New Zealand’s first free trade agreement with a developing country and was one of Chinas earliest such agreements. Over the years, the NZCFTA has helped eliminate trade barriers and boosted trade in sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, and services. China has also provided New Zealand businesses with greater market access, particularly in sectors such as finance, education, and tourism, ensuring fair competition for New Zealand exporters.

Despite facing global economic volatility and disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic, both countries have remained committed to the agreement. New Zealand continues to maintain a competitive edge in key sectors like agriculture and dairy products within the Chinese market.

Looking ahead, as global economic dynamics shift, the potential for enhanced cooperation in emerging areas like digital trade and green economics remains significant.

Furthermore, New Zealand and China can build on their existing relationship through multilateral platforms like the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). These platforms offer ample opportunities for deepening regional economic integration, cross-border investment, and cooperation in e-commerce. Given the ongoing restructuring of global supply chains and the digital transformation underway, both countries are well-positioned to work together to foster a more open, fair, and sustainable global trade system.

Ultimately, New Zealand’s approach is one of balance—seeking to maintain strong and productive relationships with both the U.S. and China while also participating in broader multilateral initiatives.

Prime Minister Luxon s visit to Beijing represents an opportunity to reaffirm New Zealand’s commitment to a stable and open international trade system, where cooperative partnerships can help mitigate the risks posed by shifting trade policies and foster long-term global prosperity.

Safeguard NZ Homes Against Flood Damage Now

If you live in New Zealand, you probably know how quickly weather can take a turn for the worse. Floods can strike unexpectedly, leaving you to deal with the aftermath. 

It’s a smart idea to learn about ways to prepare your home and, if necessary, connect with experienced professionals like the water damage specialist team, who regularly help homeowners recover after flood events.

Urgency in Proactive Measures

Flooding is a real and growing threat to homeowners across New Zealand. Reacting after a disaster isn’t enough—proactive, preventative steps are necessary to reduce your home’s vulnerability to water damage.

Understanding the Immediate Risks

Taking time now to identify potential flood hazards pays off down the line. Early action can make a dramatic difference in your home’s resilience against unpredictable weather events.

Impact of Delayed Responses

Waiting until flooding begins can result in devastating property loss and overwhelming insurance claims. Peace of mind comes from being prepared before the first heavy drops of rain hit.

Empowering Your Household

Involving everyone in your household in flood risk education and emergency planning ensures swift, organised responses should trouble arise. Proactive teamwork makes response not just faster, but far safer.

Why is New Zealand Prone?

When you live in New Zealand, recognising why flooding is so prevalent is your first critical step in protection. The unique landscape and changing environment play significant roles in flood risk here.

  • Floodplains: About two-thirds of Kiwis reside in areas classified as floodplains, increasing susceptibility to water intrusion and property loss.
  • Weather Patterns: Extreme rainfall is on the rise, and coastal regions face additional threats from sea level rise and storm surges.
  • Geography: New Zealand’s mix of coastal, river, and hilly terrains means both urban and rural zones face varying flood risks.

Short-term fixes help, but sustainable, forward-thinking strategies are essential as climate and urbanisation patterns evolve.

Climate Change Impact

Climate change now accelerates the intensity and frequency of floods. Recognising environmental changes can help you stay ahead of potential risks and adjust your home’s defenses accordingly.

Rising Sea Levels

As global temperatures climb, higher sea levels and more violent storm surges put coastal properties at increased risk of flooding and erosion.

Increased Rainfall Events

New Zealand is projected to experience far more “red alert” rainfall days, leading to higher flood probabilities and less time to prepare for incoming water.

Community Collaboration

Engage with local authorities to better understand your changing flood risk profile. Knowledge-sharing supports community-wide resilience against a future filled with climate uncertainties.

Protecting Your Property

No two properties are quite alike. Evaluating your home’s unique vulnerabilities gives you a powerful advantage when tailoring flood protection strategies that truly work.

  • Elevation assessment: Determine if your house is at risk due to its location relative to rivers, lakes, or the coast.
  • Historic flood data: Learn how often your area floods and how severe past incidents have been for long-term planning.
  • Expert surveys: Professional property inspections uncover weaknesses and provide bespoke recommendations for robust defense.
  • Regular self-checks: Check for cracks, gaps, or drainage issues that could let water leak in, especially before the rainy season.

An ounce of prevention here is worth far more than a cure once flooding starts damaging your home and possessions.

Flood-Resistant Materials Selection

Using flood-resistant materials is an investment that pays off every time heavy weather strikes. Incorporate them wherever possible when renovating or repairing.

Materials Designed to Withstand Water

Opt for waterproof wall claddings, treated timber, and elevated electrical components, especially for lowest-level rooms within your home.

Flooring That Resists Swelling and Mold

Surfaces such as ceramic tiles, concrete, and other non-porous floors provide superior protection against water damage and are easier to clean post-flood.

Consulting Building Codes

Review national and local guidelines on flood-resistant construction to ensure each improvement aligns with best practice and maximises insurance eligibility.

Flood Barriers and Fences

Physical barriers can stop water from even reaching your home. Effective installation is key, combining short-term and permanent fixtures.

  • Temporary barriers: Deploy mobile floodgates and sandbags during emergencies for fast, effective protection.
  • Permanent installations: Invest in custom flood walls or raised perimeter fencing, tailored to your property’s specific risk points.
  • Maintenance routines: Regularly inspect and test your barriers, as even the strongest materials wear down with time and weather exposure.

Flood gates and fences, when chosen and maintained wisely, give you that additional layer of security in high-alert situations.

Essential Emergency Preparation

No matter how prepared your property is, emergencies still demand quick, ordered actions for maximum safety. Develop your household plan now before you ever need it.

Creating an Emergency Kit

Packing torches, batteries, water, medications, and non-perishable foods ensures your family stays safe and self-sufficient even if roads are impassable for days.

Establishing Evacuation Routes

Know your exits. Practice safe evacuation paths from home and community, and identify elevated shelters or friends’ houses where you can regroup.

Staying Informed

Sign up for emergency alert systems and local civil defense notifications to always be aware of evolving threats and community resources.

Landscape Modifications

How you design your yard can strongly affect how floodwaters move across your property. Small adjustments pay major dividends during torrential downpours.

  • Rain gardens: Planting areas with deep-rooted native vegetation helps soak up excess water and relieves strain on public drainage systems.
  • Swales and berms: Gentle slopes and trenches guide water away from foundations, keeping your basement and crawl spaces drier.
  • Permeable paths: Swap traditional concrete for permeable pavers or gravel, encouraging stormwater to filter down instead of flowing across hard surfaces.
  • Sump pumps: Install these in low-lying spots to pump water away before it can build up and enter indoors.

Partnering with Experts

Hiring professionals who specialise in water damage remediation makes a crucial difference if the worst happens. Their expertise ensures efficient restoration and supports future flood resistance.

Specialised Assessment and Advice

Experienced contractors identify hidden water entry points and suggest targeted improvements based on years of hands-on problem-solving in your specific region.

Streamlined Recovery Process

Restoration experts act quickly, deploying high-grade drying equipment and sanitising affected areas to forestall mold, property loss, and potential health risks.

Insurance Navigation Assistance

Turn to industry leaders such as Water Damage Specialist for seamless coordination with insurers and detailed documentation, ensuring maximum claim recoveries and a faster return to normalcy.

Act Now, Stay Safe

Delay risks greater losses. By strengthening your home against floods, preparing emergency plans, and seeking expert advice, you give yourself the best chance to withstand climate challenges. Your proactive choices today are vital for minimizing tomorrow’s threats and preserving your property’s safety for the uncertain times ahead.



Māori Marginalised By Changes To Pae Ora Act – PSA

The Government’s Cabinet-approved amendments to the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act represent yet another attack on Māori aspirations for equitable health outcomes and self-determination the PSA says.

The sweeping changes announced by Minister of Health Simeon Brown on 14 Pipiri (June) 2025 are regressive and undermine the intent and spirit of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the hard-fought recognition of Māori leadership in health delivery, Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi – the Public Service Association Kaihautū Māori, Janice Panoho, says.

“The Pae Ora Act was a step towards correcting decades of inequity and systemic failure in health. These amendments strip away the very mechanisms Māori advocated for and were promised, particularly the ability to shape local service design and delivery through Iwi-Māori Partnership Boards IMPBs),” says Panoho.

“This is a heartless government, pushing through draconian policy under the guise of efficiency. What they call ‘streamlining’ is in fact the deliberate sidelining of Māori voices from decisions about Māori health.

“Rather than enhancing Te Tiriti partnerships, the changes weaken Māori influence by making iwi-Māori Partnership Boards (IMPBS) mere advisors to the Hauora Māori Advisory Committee, removing their direct role in shaping services that affect their own communities.

“This top-down, centralised approach reverts us to the very system that failed Māori for generations.

“By repealing the Health Charter and diluting the role of IMPBs, this government is erasing the commitments to equity, kaupapa Māori, and the lived realities of whānau. It is deeply concerning,” Panoho said.

“We are not just stakeholders. We are tangata whenua. Health equity cannot be achieved if Māori are shut out of the rooms where decisions are made. These changes are a betrayal.

Panoho says the PSA stands with Māori communities, health workers and iwi organisations in calling for the government to halt these amendments, engage in genuine consultation with Māori, and honour the promises made through Pae Ora and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

“The Government’s emphasis on targets, infrastructure, and performance data ignores what Māori have said for decades, that meaningful, lasting health outcomes come from whānau-centred services designed with us, not for us.

“The health system can’t deliver for Māori while continuing to marginalise us.

The PSA urges all political leaders, health professionals, and communities to scrutinise these changes and hold the Government accountable for actions that risk entrenching inequities even further.

“He tangata akona ki te whare, tūnga ki te marae, tau ana. One who is trained at home will stand with confidence in the world. Let Māori solutions stand strong within our health system, not be cast aside once again.”

Brooke saying she doesn’t want to steal your sick pay is like Israel saying they’re only targeting terrorists

Government is considering changes to how much sick leave workers get

You just have to give it to Crook van Velden – Girlfriend just wants it more.

After crippling Unions with anti-Union laws, gutting work safe and kneecapping pay parity, she’s now coming for sick days and the Unions only response is a stern telling off.

She’ll listen to that.

Brooke saying she doesn’t want to steal your sick pay is like Israel saying they’re only targeting terrorists – no one believes them.

ACT believe in allowing the market to decide if children should go up chimneys level deregulation so she will almost certainly steal your sick days the way she robbed pay parity workers.

How does it feel to be so slavishly supporting the Bosses Kiwis?

It’s weird because most of the political right are anti-vaccine, hate Māori and despise trans, but who picked simpering prostitutes for Corporations?

This Government with its anti-worker agenda and a budget where they literally took from the pockets of workers to stuff it into the pockets of the bosses is surprising because it speaks to the ease with which the right have manipulated your post Covid bitterness  by parading culture war revenge fantasies in front of you while they implement their donors interests.

This is who we is now, this simpering coward for the boss man is what we have become.

 

 

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Can this guy act any more guilty?

‘Despicable monster’ jailed for life, victim’s daughter says: ‘You took my mummy’

Christchurch real estate agent Yanfei Bao’s killer will spend at least 17-and-a-half years behind bars following an unruly court hearing that laid bare Bao’s young daughter’s grief and the murderer’s bizarre and “chilling” behaviour.

Tingjun Cao, 54, sat quietly for 15 minutes in the High Court at Christchurch before standing up in the dock, pointing, waving and yelling in Mandarin. Justice Lisa Preston had just started outlining the timeline of his sentencing.

Cao, who was flanked in the dock by interpreters and a three-strong team of Corrections guards, was briefly removed from court.

When he returned from the break, Cao was told by Justice Preston that she would not tolerate any further interruptions. He began yelling again. The judge ordered he be removed and Cao was taken away by the guards, tearing up documents and throwing them to the floor as he left.

He watched the rest of the hearing from another courtroom.

This clown has acted in a way that just screams ‘guilty’ doesn’t it?

I’ve followed the case because the sudden disappearance was so odd and all the evidence seemed to point in one direction.

I always want to hear their defence, and Tingjun Cao’s defence was such a joke.

It amounts to everyone is lying and framing him.

Ok, sure, but what about all the forensic evidence and the phone tracking evidence and evidence evidence?

According to Tingjun Cao it’s all been a campaign against him.

His frustration as his bullshit lies melted in the heat of scrutiny has resulted in immature behaviour you would expect from a child rather than an adult.

There are times when you are certain of a persons guilt by the way they behave when challenged, and based on that alone, without even looking at all the corresponding evidence of his guilt, Tingjun Cao is very guilty.

 

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Why sectarian farmer culture plus Agricultural Industry must face legal warfare over the environment

The polling numbers don’t lie, Farmers are culturally sectarian in their allegiance to the polluters and they will never, ever, ever change…

How would farmers vote if an election were held today? The results might surprise you

    • National:54%
    • ACT:19%
    • NZ First:8%
    • Labour:3%
    • Greens:2%
    • Te Pati Māori:1%
    • Other:1%
    • Unsure:12%

…THEY CAN NOT BE NEGOTIATED WITH!

They are sectarian!

Labour foolishly (enabled by James Shaw) tried to cut deals with Farmers and Farmers turned and shat in our face!

Dark money from the agricultural industry soaks into the astro-turf Taxpayer’s Union stable of clients and enables Groundswell to stop any environmental improvements.

National disgracefully appointed a Dairy Industry Stooge as the Chief Scientist while bring back the 100% Pure greenwash tourism campaign!

The truth is the Left need to be brutal on one hand and supportive with the other.

Just consider the manner in which Corporate Dairy have seized control of NZ’s political right

The Climate Change Commission recommends methane cuts of 35-47%. However, under pressure from lobby groups like Federated Farmers – whose ex-President Andrew Hoggard is now an ACT Party MP – the Government established a separate panel to review the methane target in line with this controversial tool. That panel landed on a much weaker methane target.

Larsson says, “The Luxon Government chose to sideline its independent, science-based climate advisory body by setting up a separate review panel with the very narrow task of giving it the answers it wanted. No wonder international climate scientists are raising the alarm.”

Further OIA documents show that the Methane Review Panel only met with agribusiness stakeholders, including a Groundswell-linked lobby group.

Greenpeace says this is just the tip of the iceberg. The organisation has unveiled documents showing the startling level of influence that groups like Federated Farmers, Dairy NZ and Beef+Lamb NZ have had over government policy. This includes writing draft policy and communications plans for Ministers. 

…consider the criticisms of Professor MacCulloch

Perhaps the most under-explored aspect of MacCulloch’s critique is his consistent condemnation of corporate New Zealand’s underperformance. He argues that the real drag on New Zealand’s productivity isn’t just government bureaucracy, but the incompetence of private sector leadership.

Business is too focused on getting either special legislative deals from the government of the day, or else corporate subsidies from the taxpayer. According to MacCulloch, the last Government’s Covid Wage Subsidy Scheme was a giant transfer of $18bn to some of the wealthiest businesses in the country, most of whom didn’t need it.

Pointing to the stagnation of the NZX50 and the dismal share performance of dominant companies like Fletcher Building and Air New Zealand, he suggests that cushy directorships and an old boys’ club mentality have entrenched mediocrity.

…this total policy capture by polluter interests is the reason we are being attacked on the global stage by International Climate Scientists…

Scientists accuse New Zealand and Ireland of trying to cover up livestock emissions

Leading climate scientists have accused politicians in New Zealand and Ireland of using an “accounting trick” to back their sheep and cattle industries, warning their support for methane-emitting livestock could undermine global efforts to fight climate change. In an open letter shared with the Financial Times, 26 climate scientists from around the world warned that New Zealand’s proposed new methane targets risk setting a dangerous precedent. 

…that’s right!

The Corporate Dairy industry has spent millions donating to National and putting dark money into Right Wing astroturf organisations to shut down any meaningful climate emissions targets that the rest of the world has noticed the policy corruption and are now calling us out.

We are being attacked internationally for being a climate criminal all because National refuse to stand up to their Corporate Dairy interests.

The Carbon Capture ‘technology’ that National have banked all our emission offsets on doesn’t work…

Carbon capture: Pivotal project for cutting greenhouse gas emissions looks shaky

A critical part of the government’s plan for cutting greenhouse gas emissions over the next five years appears to have fallen over.

…and in the last budget National cut 50% to climate finance, barely any cuts to emissions, all while slashing foreign aid for our Pacific brothers and sisters by cutting climate aid by $100m.

This Government is a Climate Denial Government who are refusing to do anything about the coming adaptation because they are paid by the polluters.

So how does the Left respond?

The truth is the Left need to be brutal on one hand and supportive with the other.

NZ Dairy farms were forced to take on huge debt for Dairy intensification that our environment couldn’t sustain WHILE enslaving us to our new Chinese Economic Overlords.

We are pissed off at Corporate Farmers over how John Key sold 49% of our Hydro Assets to create a $400million irrigation slush fund that was used to intensify dairy farming while polluting our water and generating climate changing gasses!

Enjoying those new power price bills? That’s because of what Key did for the Farmers!

We pay a price for NZ dairy and NZ meat that is set by an international market, so we are competing with the 400million others wanting that product!

A cow shits the same as 14 humans, we have 10 million cows, that’s the equivalent of 140million humans pissing and shitting into our rivers.

A recent report on food security found NZ had incredibly low food security because it was so open market driven and refused to subsidise farmers.

Which is where we on the Left must drive the debate.

We should absolutely consider subsidising food grown by NZ farmers and horticulturalists and our seafood and meat and dairy that generates a 15% price reduction for all NZ produce consumed here.

For growers we need to protect our most productive growing land for food by giving those producers tax breaks to ensure they can continue to feed NZers first.

Rebuilding a direct link between the harvest grown here, the people who grow it and a grateful local market who enjoy the product WITH a 15% price reduction.

Climate change will kill global free market supply chains, we are locked into hyper-regionalism. We need to build new economic structures, subsidising NZ kai for the domestic market would lock in certainty for producers while strengthening food security for the population.

So we should work with Farmers to ensure stable food production and prices for our own people AND we must brutally take the Framing Industry ti court for their environmental crimes, which is exactly what happened this week…

Climate Legal Action Necessary Response To Govt Inaction – NZCTU

The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi welcomes the legal action taken against the Minister of Climate Change by a coalition of legal experts as an important step in ensuring that Aotearoa meets its climate action obligations.

“We strongly support legal action to ensure that the Government is held to account for its legal obligations under the Climate Change Response Act,” said NZCTU President Richard Wagstaff.

“The union movement is deeply concerned by the Emissions Reduction Plan 2026-2030, which contains no significant policies to reduce emissions and will fail to get New Zealand meaningfully closer to our 2050 net-zero commitment.

“The actions – or lack of them – by this Government on climate change are the actions of climate deniers, not responsible leaders.

“Workers and communities need real political leadership that combats global emissions and invests in creating a just transition for industries and workers. We need leadership that develops and upholds long term consensus, not more U-turns.

“Instead, we have a government that cancelled 35 climate policies without consulting the public first, as required by law. Robust public engagement is essential.

“Climate policy is yet another area where this Government is prioritising corporate interests over democratic accountability and the interests of working people.

“Evidence is clear that a near-total focus on tree planting through vast pine forests is not a sufficient response – we must reduce emissions at source.

“Alongside the weak emissions budget, in Budget 2025 we saw a total abdication of responsibility on climate change and ensuring a Just Transition for working people in an increasingly volatile world.

“The NZCTU supports bold climate action to reduce emissions, adapt to the changing climate, and transition to a zero emissions economy that provides full employment for workers,” said Wagstaff.

…we need to work with Framers to ensure our local food security but we must forget negotiating with them and use the law to force them to change their polluter ways.

LOOK AT THOSE NUMBER AGAIN

  • National:54%
  • ACT:19%
  • NZ First:8%
  • Labour:3%
  • Greens:2%
  • Te Pati Māori:1%
  • Other:1%
  • Unsure:12%

You can’t negotiate with a sectarian culture like that, Federated Farmers thought they were being clever promoting this poll, what they have in fact shown us is the Farming community are slaves to the polluters interests and will never ever take their climate change obligations seriously.

Send in the lawyers, use the law to force the polluters to change, no more negotiations!

 

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Iran trusted the West – Israel exploited that and started a war

Let.

Me.

Be.

Clear.

I have zero time for political Muslims preaching an absurdly paranoid and angry Islam, but I understand how American intervention helped create that mutation in Iran.

I don’t support the Iranian abuse of civil rights, or the killing of women in custody by the religious police or their persecution of the rainbow community – but I understand how it came to be thanks to America’s coup!

Ironically the crippling economic sanctions have only allowed the Theocracy to maintain their power over the people.

That said, this war on Iran is baseless and illegal and immoral.

I don’t agree with any theocracy and I am appalled by the abuse of human rights in Iran, but this war is wrong.

Ever since America led the 1953 coup in Iran to ensure dominance over oil, the Iranians should never have trusted America.

It really does say something about the cruelty of the Shar under the CIA coup reign that the only ones left standing in Iran after the purges were the extremist Mullahs who took over the country and mutated it into the Theocracy it is now.

That’s American exceptionalism for you, believe you are God and are immune to blowback.

Iran should have known better than to trust the West.

Republican fixers asked Iran to only release the hostages after Regan won to deprive Jimmy Carter of any victory and the double dealing over the Iran-Contra affair should have taught Iran that America could never be trusted.

After Obama cut a deal to prevent Iranian uranium enrichment and the return of money America stole during the 1953 coup, Trump ripped it all up and Iran are where they are now.

Under attack by Israel with the empowerment of America.

Iran should have built a nuclear bomb to defend itself from the West when they had the chance, they trusted us and our fake sense of honour and the rule of law and now they can’t stop the naked aggression being applied to them.

Iran should never ever ever trust the West.

We, the West, are the aggressors here in a never ending massacre of Muslim lives for Christian/Zionist ends that we didn’t agree to.

 

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The Regulatory Standards Bill will allow corporations to directly influence NZ law – why are Kiwis such simps for corporations?

Experts warn Regulatory Standards Bill threatens future public health laws

Public health experts are worried the government’s proposed Regulatory Standards Bill will act as a disincentive for future law-makers to limit harmful industries.

A group of scholars in health and policy have worked together on a briefing, titled “Regulatory Standards Bill threatens the public interest, public health and Māori rights”. It’s authors are Jonathan Boston, Michael Baker, Andrew Geddis, Carwyn Jones and Geoffrey Palmer.

The Regulatory Standards Bill was introduced to Parliament in May, and is now being considered by the finance and expenditure committee.

It would set up a Regulatory Standards Board to consider how legislation measures up to the principles.

Let’s be very clear, the Regulatory Referendum Bill is Class War in action…

The Origins: ACT’s Neoliberal Dream

To understand the Regulatory Standards Bill, we must start with ACT. Founded in the 1990s as the ideological successor to Roger Douglas’s Rogernomics project, the ACT Party exists to finish what the Fourth Labour Government started: the total commodification of public life. With its roots in Chicago School economics, ACT idolises the free market, loathes the state (except when protecting capital), and views regulation as an obstacle to “freedom” — defined narrowly as consumer and investor liberty.

In 2009, the National-ACT confidence and supply agreement commissioned a taskforce led by arch-neoliberal Graham Scott to look into “regulatory responsibility.” Its conclusion: regulation should conform to a strict set of principles designed to prevent the state from interfering too much with market activity. This taskforce gave birth to the Regulatory Standards Bill.

Rodney Hide introduced the first version in 2011. It was met with scepticism, even from centrist legal scholars, who warned that the bill would judicialise politics and constitutionalise neoliberalism. While the bill didn’t pass, its zombie-like persistence over the years shows how committed the New Zealand right remains to embedding capitalist ideology in law.

What the Bill Proposes: Rights for Capital, Not People

At first glance, the RSB reads like a list of nice-sounding principles: laws should not be retrospective, should respect property rights, should avoid creating unnecessary costs, and should be clear and accessible. But a closer look reveals its insidiousness.

1. “Property Rights” as Sacred

One of the central tenets of the bill is that laws should not “take or impair property” unless justified. This may sound reasonable, but in practice, it elevates private property above public interest. It would give courts — not the people — the power to decide whether environmental protections, housing controls, or land use laws unduly infringe on property rights. It shifts power from democratically accountable institutions to unelected judges, many of whom are steeped in commercial law and capitalist ideology.

This is a direct threat to mana whenua struggles for land justice. Imagine if land reform legislation, urban rent controls, or even a future law to nationalise fossil fuel companies were struck down because they infringed on “property rights.” The bill constitutionalises the most reactionary legal principle of all: that the right to own and profit from land or capital is inviolable.

2. “No More Than Necessary”

Another clause says that regulation should not impose “obligations, costs, or risks” that are more than “reasonably necessary.” But who decides what’s “necessary”? Under capitalism, this often means what’s necessary for profit. Environmental laws, workplace protections, or rent freezes could all be challenged for being “too costly” to business. The bill invites judicial activism — not in the progressive sense, but as a means of protecting capitalist interests from redistributive policies.

3. Parliamentary Veto in Disguise

The bill would require that every new law be accompanied by a “certification” that it complies with these principles. If it doesn’t, it must be justified — and could be challenged in court. This sets up a system where legislation is no longer judged on its social merit, but on how well it conforms to market logic.

In essence, it’s a regulatory veto wrapped in legal procedure. The aim is to make it politically and legally risky for any future government to pass redistributive or transformative laws.

Embedding Capitalist Ideology into Law

What makes the RSB especially dangerous is not just its content, but its method. It doesn’t ban socialism outright. Instead, it sets up legal roadblocks that make any move toward economic democracy more difficult, expensive, or outright unconstitutional.

This is classic capitalist strategy: not just win political battles, but rig the rules. It’s the same logic behind investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) clauses in trade agreements, which allow corporations to sue states for regulating in the public interest. It’s the logic behind independent central banks, which remove monetary policy from democratic control. And it’s the logic behind “fiscal responsibility” laws that force governments to prioritise debt repayment over social investment.

The RSB is part of this neoliberal constitutionalism. It transforms what should be political questions – Who owns the land? Should rent be controlled? Should fossil fuels be nationalised? – into legal technicalities. It makes revolution, or even reform, illegal by stealth.

Aotearoa’s Class War by Other Means

The Regulatory Standards Bill must be understood in the context of Aotearoa’s broader class structure. We live in a settler-colonial capitalist state where wealth is concentrated among a small elite – disproportionately Pākehā – while working-class, Māori, and Pasifika communities struggle under the weight of exploitation, housing precarity, and intergenerational poverty.

In such a context, regulation is one of the few remaining tools communities have to fight back. Whether it’s tenant protections, limits on corporate land use, environmental regulations, or worker rights, regulation is one of the few levers available within capitalist democracy to redistribute power and resources.

The RSB seeks to destroy that lever. It cloaks itself in legal neutrality, but in reality, it is a ruling class weapon designed to foreclose collective action. It represents the judicialisation of class war. One where the capitalist class doesn’t need tanks or cops to crush resistance, just well-written legislation and friendly judges.

The Limits of Parliamentary Critique

It’s important to note that opposition to the RSB has come not just from the left, but from mainstream legal figures and centrists worried about the erosion of parliamentary sovereignty. The New Zealand Law Society, in a rare political statement, warned that the bill would shift power from Parliament to the judiciary, undermining democratic accountability.

But for anarcho-communists, the issue goes deeper than defending Parliament. Parliamentary democracy in a capitalist state is already limited, corrupt, and structurally skewed toward the ruling class. Our concern is not that the RSB undermines Parliament per se, but that it further consolidates capitalist power within the state, making radical transformation through any legal means even harder.

In this sense, the RSB is not an aberration but a logical outcome of a capitalist democracy reaching its authoritarian phase. As global inequality deepens and ecological collapse accelerates, capitalist states are preemptively locking in protections for the wealthy – insulating themselves from the possibility of revolt.

…the Regulatory Referendum Bill is Class War in action!

Firstly, the Consultation time for a law as enormous as the Regulatory Standards Bill had a tiny window open over the holidays, and of the 20 000 submissions, barely .3% agreed with it!

Submitters oppose David Seymour’s regulation law. Why he’s charging forward anyway

David Seymour is intending to turn “up the heat on bad lawmaking” with a new piece of legislation outlining principles of good regulatory practice and establishing a board to keep politicians accountable for any red tape they impose.

A discussion document on the proposal drew significant attention over summer, pulling in more than 20,000 submissions. It coincided, however, with Seymour’scontentious Treaty Principles Bill also being out for public feedback, itself receiving a record number of submissions.

A just-released summary of that feedback found 88% of submitters opposed the bill, with just 0.33% supporting or partially supporting it. The rest didn’t have a clear position.

…only .3% supported out because it is such an egregious abuse of democratic power in favour of corporate power!

David has responded to this by attempting to claim a ‘Bot Army’ had falsified the real numbers…

ACT leader David Seymour suggested ‘bots’ drove ‘fake submissions’ against his Regulatory Standards Bill

ACT leader David Seymour has claimed 99.5 percent of the submissions received on the Regulatory Standards Bill were created using “bots”.

The Ministry for Regulation received approximately 23,000 submissions regarding a discussion document about the bill in January.

Submissions on the bill itself are open until June 23

In summarising the feedback, it found 88 percent of submitters opposed the proposed regulations, and 0.33 percent supported or partially supported them.

But in an interview on this week’s episode of 30 with Guyon Espiner, the newly-appointed deputy prime minister claimed most of the opposing submissions weren’t valid.

“You’re smart enough to know that those 23,000 submissions, 99.5 percent of them, were because somebody figured out how to make a bot make fake submissions that inflated the numbers,” Seymour said.

The figures quoted were “meaningless” and represented nothing more than somebody “running a smart campaign with a bot”.

When asked what evidence Seymour had that the submissions were fake, he said it’s because “we’ve looked at them. Because we know what the contents of them is”.

In a subsequent written statement to RNZ, Seymour said he was referring to “online campaigns” that generate “non-representative samples” that don’t reflect public opinion.

“Any decent journalist would know the online campaigns I was referring to, I suspect the general public certainly will. Any decent journalist would also know that presenting non-representative samples as reflecting public opinion is breaching basic standards of journalism,” the statement said.

“Thankfully I think most Kiwis see right through this, which might reflect RNZ’s declining listenership.”

…ummmm. I submitted against this terrible Bill and I’m not a Bot.

What evidence does David have that Bots were creating fake submissions because using Bot Farms would be incredibly dishonest and an affront to the democratic process…

In a statement, Ministry for Regulation deputy chief executive policy Andrew Royle would not address Seymour’s claims about bots directly.

Royle said the ministry undertook a “robust process” to analyse all of the submissions received.

“Our approach was carefully designed to reflect all submissions in the final analysis, noting there were many similar points made across most of the submissions,” he said.

The ministry’s summary shows its process included a “qualitative” analysis of about 1000 individual submissions. Group submissions and submissions over 10,000 words were read separately. The rest were summarised using AI.

There was nothing in the report about bots or other interference in the submissions process.

…so David has no evidence?

Maybe he should talk to his mates at the Taxpayers’ Union, because they seem to have the details on Bot Farms.

Interestingly

…hmmmm.

The Regulatory Referendum Bill is Class War in action!

It is Property Rights over Human Rights!

ACT have tailored an economic straight jacket that will make it impossible to counter corporate interests ever again.

If this passes, Corporations will be able to stop any environmental or taxation policy they don’t like.

The radical nature of this should terrify every New Zealander. It is a brake pedal for corporate interests and a gag for democratically elected change.

We require regulated capitalism not free market fantasies!

This is a blatant power grab by those fearful climate change will provoke electoral demands they don’t want to pay for!

Why on earth are we placing democratic break peddles on legislation the people have mandated by popular vote?

The Regulatory Standards Bill is an ideological vanity project that will have the real world impact of strangling off the popular will of the people!

Creating a Board of Corporate Warlords to vet all legislation to ensure it doesn’t impact their property rights is so crazy, why would you allow this to happen Kiwi?

Why?

Once upon a time, Kiwis stood on their own two feet on this land, they bowed to no one and I remember those NZers and those Kiwis, but the way post-Covid bitterness burnt us, something changed didn’t it?

Somehow you have all gotten so twisted by the trans debate, by Māori road signs and orange road cones that you have dropped to your knees to kiss corporate arse.

Look at how National, ACT and NZF ram through deregulation policy for their donors interests.

Look at how the Agricultural Industry bought and paid for the environmental policy under this government!

Look at how ACT destroyed 2000 local jobs for school lunches so they could give the multi hundred million dollar contract to a large international transnational.

Look at how the NZ Initiative plus the Atlas Network are pushing the deregulation agenda for National, ACT and NZFs donors interests!

You are willingly being slaves to corporations because fuck that Trans kid right?

You are handing over your personal sovereignty to corporations because Māori is spoken during the weather!

You are agreeing to be a prostitute for corporate profit margins because a vaccine against a once in a century pandemic somehow doesn’t  meet you standards?

Comrades, your enemy isn’t some kid transitioning, it’s not a Māori woman in politics, Māori women in media, Māori women outside walking (we really do have a problem with giving our Māori women comrades crap)

Your enemy isn’t drag queen story time, it’s not environmentalists, it’s not beneficiaries, it’s not state tenants, it’s not renters, it’s not the Treaty.

Your enemy is who it’s always been, the banks, the billionaires, the corporations, the powerful who use social media hate algorithms to warp you into believing their interests are your interests when nothing can be further from the truth!

How have you allowed you post-covid bitterness, hatred of trans, fury at vaccines and rage at Māori to blind you all to being whores for corporations?

Get off your knees Kiwi!

I demand you stand Kiwi!

You bow to no one, especially not the fucking corporations.

Stand Kiwi, stand!

We may have disagreements over social policy, but to be tricked as easily as you have been for corporate interests?

Your rage and anger has been manipulated by the Right and put into empowering the corporations.

What have you allowed your hate to make you Kiwi?

What have you self mutilated yourself into?

 

 

 

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