TDB Post Roll | The Daily Blog

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October 18, 2017

Labour weekend, the start of the New Zealand rodeo season, will see calves, horses and bulls subjected to stress and fear in the name of entertainment. To coincide with the season’s start, SAFE has unveiled striking billboards and a hard-hitting video, with confronting images depicting dogs being roped around their necks.

Over the weekend, rodeos will be held in the Canterbury towns of Methven and Winchester.

“There would be overwhelming national outrage if dogs were treated the way farmed animals are,” says Mandy Carter, campaigns director. “However, this is exactly the type of brutal treatment calves will be subjected to at rodeos across New Zealand over the rodeo season. We aim to challenge the double-standards over animal treatment by showing what wouldn’t be allowed by law (dog roping), compared with animal cruelty that is still allowed (calf roping).”

As the web page Dogrodeo.co.nz explains, whilst dog roping doesn’t happen, something equally as abhorrent does – calf roping (also known as ‘rope and tie’). In calf roping, the young animal is forced to burst out of a chute at top speed, chased by a rider on horseback, only to be stopped short with a choking rope around their neck. The rider then dismounts, throws the calf to the ground and ties three legs together as quickly as possible.

“Every year, vulnerable young calves are put through this highly stressful ordeal for the sake of entertainment and ‘fun’ for rodeo participants,” says Ms Carter. “A peer reviewed study, funded by an Australian rodeo association, concluded that calf roping causes an acute stress response. In light of this and with animals being put at risk with every rodeo event, the government needs to urgently re-examine the issue of a rodeo ban.”

Previously unseen footage showing distressed calves, steers, bulls and horses at the Mataura and Southland rodeos provides more evidence that animal welfare is compromised each time a rodeo is held.

“Rodeo teaches people, especially impressionable children, that it’s OK to abuse animals for fun. We know there is a link between violence towards animals and violence towards people. There are many more positive ways to bring together local communities,” added Ms Carter.

In 2016, over 62,000 people signed a petition calling for a ban on rodeo and presented it to parliament. A Horizon poll also showed that 59% of Kiwis supported a ban on rodeo. Only 25% wanted this cruel entertainment to remain.

“Caring New Zealanders have spoken loud and clear. It’s time for this bullying of animals to be canned,” says Ms Carter.

List of terrorism powers passed since Urewera raids & the real truth of Helen Clark

Martyn Bradbury

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October 18, 2017

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Let’s look at all the legislation that has been passed to ‘protect’ us from ‘terrorism’ since the 10 years of the Urewera ‘terrorism’ case.

2007 – Terrorism Suppression Amendment Bill

2011 – SIS Amendment Bill

2012 – Search and Surveillance Bill

2013 – GCSB and Related Legislation Amendment Bill

2013 – Telecommunications Interception Capability and Security Bill

In an event that actually mirrored the original Tūhoe land confiscation, the State sent troops into Tūhoe land on the 15th October, 2007 on the pretence of hunting down a criminal. They illegally spied on and arrested and detained hundreds of people using trumped up charges of terrorism.

Helen Clark has always said she wasn’t aware of this, but that’s a lie. As the head of the SIS and GCSB, of course she was informed of such a delicate operation. Rather than challenge the bullshit case that it was, Clark allowed it to happen.

The Police had been told by the US to start looking inside post 9/11 for domestic terrorists, so off they hopped to find some monsters.

After blowing $14million on illegal surveillance, the Police had to try and make a big deal of the case and invaded Tūhoe land and illegally arrested and detained hundreds to create the sense that the case was far more damning than it really was.

In the end most of the evidence was thrown out because it was sourced illegally and the case fell over to a far lesser one of a few arms charges.

Now while I have always said that activists should never pick up guns and train with them, these activists were as much terrorists as I am. It was a trumped up case and an abuse of power.

How were the Police punished by John Key over their illegal spying when he became Prime Minister? Why he passed retrospective law to wipe their records clean and protect them from being arrested AND John Key gave them vast new search and surveillance powers that would allow them to erode civil liberties.

Feeling safe yet NZ?

This entire fiasco of a case was conducted to justify the spending of $14million and the Government, instead of punishing the Police for their ridiculous monster hunt, ended up letting them all off the hook with retrospective legislation and they gave the Police even more power, despite having proven that they couldn’t manage the huge powers they already have.

The fact that much of what I have written above may be absolutely new knowledge for many readers is proof of just how ignorant we are of what really happens in this country.

The lesson from the Urewera raids is the dangerous cocktail of unbridled Police security powers with no real checks and balances in place.

It isn’t the activists who were playing soldier in the mountains that should concern us, it’s the Police State that manufactured terrorism via agent provocateurs to justify budget blow outs that should concern us. It is the Police State that rather than being punished was rewarded with even more powers that should keep us up at night.

Review: The Winterreise Project

Martyn Bradbury

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October 18, 2017

A Goth Opera Cabaret?

I’m there.

Basement Theatre maintains its crown as the best venue in Auckland for experimental theatre that really does manage to change perspective with The Winterreise Project.

A woman who worked on the Hillary Clinton campaign reflects on the horror and shock of Trump’s win by retreating into the world of Schubert.

Operatic German sung in a Cabaret setting with Gothic makeup manages to transport you immediately to 1930s Berlin and the shock of progressives at the rise and rise and rise of Hitler. That same shockwave with Trump creates a tension of suddenly stepping into the shadows with only a hint at the evil that darkness hides.

Frances Moore as the lead, Alex Taylor as the director and writer, Joshua Wilson’s lighting and Justin Gregory’s production and writing assemble to create a spine tingling experience that is deeply emblematic of where we stand culturally and politically right now.

Book tickets now.

Political Caption Competition

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October 18, 2017

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Gower has stolen my bloody look again that freakish homicidal chipmunk! That’s the last fucking time I tell him where I buy my suits!

The Daily Blog Open Mic – Wednesday 18th October 2017

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October 18, 2017

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

Moderation rules are more lenient for this section, but try and play nicely.

EDITORS NOTE: – By the way, here’s a list of shit that will get your comment dumped. Sexist language, homophobic language, racist language, anti-muslim hate, transphobic language, Chemtrails, 9/11 truthers, climate deniers, anti-fluoride fanatics, anti-vaxxer lunatics and ANYONE that links to fucking infowar.

NZMA policy on bullying adopted by World Medical Association

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October 18, 2017

The New Zealand Medical Association (NZMA) believes the medical profession must take a leadership role in condemning bullying and harassment, says NZMA Deputy Chair Prof Harvey White. “We are delighted that, at its recent meeting in Chicago, the World Medical Association (WMA) adopted the policy we put forward last year. The WMA is now providing leadership at an international level and encouraging other medical associations around the world to follow suit.”

The WMA has formally adopted the policy condemning bullying and harassment in the medical profession proposed by the NZMA at last year’s General Assembly.

“Bullying in the health workplace is entirely unprofessional and destructive, and should not be tolerated. It is time the profession took steps to prevent, confront, report and eliminate such behaviour at any level,” says WMA President, Dr Yoshitake Yokokura.

“This policy is based firmly on our 2010 position statement on this serious issue,” says NZMA Deputy Chair Prof Harvey White. “We believe it’s the responsibility of all in the profession to ensure that this destructive behaviour is not tolerated.

Delegates in Chicago agreed on a statement condemning bullying under any circumstances and encouraged all national medical association members, medical schools, employers and medical colleges to establish and implement anti-bullying and harassment policies.

“As the statement notes, professionalism is not just how we treat our patients, but how we treat each other. We recognise the significant barriers that exist to prevent people speaking out, but it is the responsibility of all of us to take action when we see bullying behaviour. We owe that to both our colleagues and patients.”

Remuneration for CEO of Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation – State Services Commissioner

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October 18, 2017

Statement from State Services Commissioner Peter Hughes

The Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation, a Crown Entity operating as part of the State Services, has today publicly released information on its decision to increase the Chief Executive’s 2016/17 remuneration.

Crown Entity boards make decisions on the remuneration of their Chief Executives.

The State Services Commission provides annual guidance on remuneration for Crown Entity Chief Executives and boards are required to consult me before making final decisions. This guidance is based on the Government’s pay expectations for the State Services.

My expectation on pay for Public Service leaders is one of fairness. It’s a balance between being fair to individual chief executives, recognising the jobs they do, and being fair to the taxpayers who pay the bill.

In this particular case, my advice to the board was that an increase of the size proposed was not justified. The board made its own decision and did not follow my advice. I acknowledge that this year’s increase was closer to recommended levels than the previous year’s increase in total potential remuneration of 35.6 per cent.

I expect public transparency around the remuneration for public sector chief executives and that includes Crown Entities. Boards of Crown Entities are responsible for and accountable for their decisions. When board decisions on chief executive remuneration are not consistent with my advice I will ensure that it is transparently recorded in the annual disclosure of State sector chief executive remuneration. This will commence with this year’s State Sector Senior Pay report.

Because the Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation has decided to make this matter public now, before the annual disclosure of chief executive remuneration, I have today released correspondence that shows the Commission did not support the board’s decision.

I do not accept the argument that Crown Entities such as Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation should be able to make decisions free of any public sector oversight or accountability. This is a public agency investing public money for the good of the public. And the Chief Executive’s remuneration is paid by taxpayers. Crown Entities have a strong element of public service attached to their work and executives should reasonably expect to earn less than in a private sector company.

Plastic bottle sea monsters take on Coca-Cola – Kiwi Bottle Drive

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October 18, 2017

Sea monsters made out of plastic bottles and cans by children over the school holidays are being hand-delivered to Coca-Cola’s Auckland headquarters this afternoon, calling on the beverage giant to get serious about plastic waste.

The sea monsters, created by children in a series of craft workshops, are being delivered by environmental organisation The Kiwi Bottle Drive as part of a campaign to clean up oceans and communities by introducing a bottle deposit system for New Zealand.

Jordan Hoyle, 8, who created one of the sea monster being delivered to Coca-Cola executives today says it’s pretty simple why he wants bottle deposits.

“If we don’t have clean oceans, we don’t have fish,” he says, adding he has a message for Coca Cola:

“Coke – stop that plastic bottle business.”

Campaign coordinator Rowan Brooks says the creative action is a fun way to show Coca Cola how important it is to look after the ocean.

“We had loads of fun making these sea monsters with the kids – and now it’s time to deliver their message; the ocean and all the sea creatures – and monsters – living in it are sick of plastic bottles and cans destroying their way of life.”

“Coca Cola is responsible for billions of plastic bottles ending up on our streets and in the ocean, choking marine life,” he says.

“Quite frankly, we’re sick of seeing Coke cans in the gutter, and that’s why we are calling on them to step up and support a bottle deposit initiative – it’s proven to be the best way to skyrocket recycling rates and decrease litter rates overnight and we have no time to waste.”

“Bottle deposit schemes are used around the world to combat litter problems whereby a ten cent refund is given to a container of any kind, including glass, tetra packs, plastic and aluminium, and it’s had incredible results. New Zealand needs to join in if we want to get real about solving our litter problem,” he says.

Right now New Zealand is only one step away from getting bottle deposits – it’s already part of current waste legislation – but Brooks says companies like Coca Cola are stalling the process by being part of the group that lobby’s against the schemes.

“Coca Cola internationally has come out in support of bottle deposits but right now Coca Cola Amitil New Zealand is letting everyone down by supporting the opponents of deposits – just so it doesn’t have to be responsible for its waste.”

The Kiwi Bottle Drive has spent the last two weeks on a project called ‘Coke in the gutter’, getting members of the public to share their pictures of Coke cans and bottles found where they shouldn’t be – in gutters, at the beach and on the streets.

“It’s simple, if we had bottle deposits we would be finding Coke cans and bottles in recycling bins instead of the gutter,” says Brooks.

“This is where they should be, not choking our oceans and killing marine life. It’s a very clear message we’ll be carrying to Coca-Cola today; our children want clean oceans and healthy communities.”

“As one of the kids said – what would we do without oceans?.”

E tū bitterly disappointed over demise of Kiwi-made Cadbury

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October 18, 2017

The union, E tū is highly critical of the decision by Mondelez International to move all production of Cadbury products from its Dunedin production plant to Australia.

E tū’s Director of Industries, Neville Donaldson says the decision will be bitterly disappointing for the more than 300 Dunedin workers who will lose their jobs.

“Mondelez has shown no compunction about closing a very profitable factory in Dunedin at the cost of quality, full-time jobs for New Zealand workers,” says Neville.

“There are companies which would have given their right arm to be able to run the Cadbury factory and enjoy the profits it was making when the decision was made to close, he says.
Mondelez had said some local production of iconic kiwi brands might continue if it found a suitable manufacturer, but today said that wasn’t possible.

However, Neville says the union is sceptical about whether Mondelez ever intended to find an alternative local manufacturer.

“We do question whether there was a genuine effort to keep that work here. What was that exercise really about? Was it about trying to keep 10 percent of that production in New Zealand – or was it really about brand-protection and easing public anger over this closure?
“We had hoped for better, but it’s no surprise things have turned out as they have, given Mondelez’s record overseas,” says Neville.

Neville says New Zealand consumers might now want to consider where they spend their money when it comes to a sweet treat.

“The question is, will they support Mondelez moving its operation overseas at the cost of Kiwi jobs, or should they buy Kiwi-made products and support jobs for Kiwi workers?”
Neville says Dunedin has lost more than 800 full-time, well-paid manufacturing jobs in recent years with the closure of the Hillside Railway workshops, Fisher and Paykel, Sealord and now Cadbury.

GUEST BLOG: 2 chain* – Happy Labour Day (except at Talley’s)

And, further, has vigorously opposed the National-led Government’s efforts to tie us to the military and foreign policy adventurism of the Americans in other areas such as Iraq.

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October 18, 2017

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The photo is the speaking notes used by the management stooge who put the ultimatum to the workers last Friday. The worker that took the snap took an incredible risk doing so.

A Talley’s owned meat plant has given their workers an ultimatum; sign a new contract that includes an effective 85 cents per hour pay cut or be paid as a casual, with no sick days, no holidays, no production bonus and no rights of ongoing work. Oh, and no pay this Labour Day either.

The workers at South Pacific Meat’s Malvern plant near the Burnham army camp have been given to Friday to sign the inferior deal, but in the meantime, they have been told their current conditions have been taken from them anyway and they are now regarded as casual workers. The attached photo shows the speaking notes from the supervisor who announced SPM’s brutal approach to bargaining.

Workers at SPM enjoy an hourly rate of $14.60, well below the legal minimum. This was usually topped up with piece rates and an attendance bonus, paid outside the contract. The company has now taken away the attendance bonus ($2 per hour) and lifted the minimum hourly rate to $15.75. So, an actual cut of 85 cents.

This coercion is on top of the fact that the company already treats staff as fixed term casuals, laying them off every 3 months and only re-hiring those it likes. These so called ‘seasons’ are designed to exert power and control over the workforce, many of whom are migrant visa workers.

In completely unrelated news, Talleys have been among the largest donors to the National Party in recent elections, but not this year, apparently. I’m guessing that’s because the Nats have refused to promise even more draconian employment laws and the Talley family have spat the dummy at this rank subordination from their usually compliant political lackeys.

Instead, they are content to push the current law to its boundaries and, in many cases, over the line of decency. How are they getting away with this in the NZ of the Brighter Future (™)?

Simple. They win by flouting the law to keep the union out. SPM are happy to pay court costs, including a recent $28,000 fine for assaulting a union official, because they are saving thousands of dollars each week on the usual rates paid in the meat industry.

The Talley’s family find being bastards is very, very profitable.

Don’t encourage third world employment practices. Please don’t buy Talley’s wage slave produced products.

2 Chain is the name of the road the plant is on. The Author wishes to be anonymous to protect themselves from Talley’s retribution.

Will The New Zealand Election Outcome Mean A Fair Go For Russia?

Curwen Ares Rolinson

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October 17, 2017

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[Author’s Note: this piece was originally prepared for an international audience; and is presented unaltered from its original form]

Late last month, New Zealanders went to the polls for our most recent General Election. The final results have just a few days ago been announced, and they place the nationalist New Zealand First party of Winston Peters in arguably the most powerful position – able to demand their price from either of the other ‘big two’ parties in exchange for their support in allowing a Government to be formed.

But what does this mean for Russia? And why should a mighty, slowly resurrecting Great Power be interested in the humdrum, run-of-the-mill conclusion to our most recent democratic process.

Well, for a start, New Zealand First has a solid record in recent years of advocating for closer economic links between our country and Russia. This may not sound like much given our relative size – but as pretty much the world’s leading producer of dairy products, and a foremost producer of other agricultural foodstuffs like beef, New Zealand is in a prime position to help fill the void left by the trade sanctions levied on Russia in recent years by Western governments.

Unfortunately, the previous [and now possibly outgoing, pending the result of coalition talks] National-led Government saw things differently; and was slavish in its adherence to both European Union embargos (despite not being anywhere near Europe either geographically or in terms of interests), as well as its preference for pursuing ‘white elephant’ economic engagement with the Americans and their cronies via mechanisms such as the TPPA rather than looking seriously at trade deals with Russia.

New Zealand First has criticized all of the above; calling specifically for New Zealand to ignore EU sanctions, look into the possibility of securing a mutually beneficial trade treaty, and continually dared to tell the truth about Russia’s strong economy in the face of lies and bluster designed to denigrate same.

There is thus a strong potential that New Zealand First holding many if not all of the cards in this week’s Coalition negotiations to form our next Government might lead to a better and more pro-Russia fronting from New Zealand going forward; presuming that NZ First Leader Winston Peters continues to press these issues and others like them that he has rigorously campaigned on for the past few years.

Given Russia’s freshly renewed rise on the international stage, as well as her strong position as both a global ‘good citizen’ [as seen in, for instance, Syria], along with the strong potential for mutually beneficial economic links between our two countries – this is surely a development which ought be welcomed by all sides.

The days of the mutually-reinforcing Anglo-American dominance of New Zealand’s geopolitical positioning and economic destiny are coming to a close.

We can but hope that as applies trade and foreign policy, New Zealand’s incoming next Government adapts accordingly and in-line with New Zealand First’s previously announced thinking in this area.

Kindness should be child’s play – SAFE launches interactive children’s game today

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October 17, 2017

Dismayed by the prevalence of animal cruelty in New Zealand, SAFE has created an exciting new game on its new Animal Squad website as a tool to help teach young people compassion and empathy. The game is timely, given the spate of animal cruelty reports in the media, including school-sanctioned possum hunts. SAFE aims to break the well documented link between animal abuse committed by adolescents and children, and violent behaviour in their later life.

To get kids involved, SAFE developed a storytelling game – Animal Tales. The game is part of the Animal Tales Competition where children are encouraged to develop their own story about caring for animals. The game will be a great resource for educators to teach values through positive play.

“The need for humane education in New Zealand is huge and urgent,” says Nichola Kriek, Head of Education. “We have a terrible track record of bullying and violence in this country. Empathy and kindness need to be taught so that the next generation have the tools they need to express compassion towards all living beings.”

SAFE launches a new educational website – SafeAnimalSquad.org.nz – and game today for Kiwi kids, with the goal of teaching compassion and kindness for animals. Hundreds of Kiwi kids are already members of SAFE’s Animal Squad Youth Group and it is hoped that the new website will extend the message of kindness and compassion to reach thousands more.

Active member of SAFE Animal Squad, Holly (13) explains; “The supportive community of SAFE Animal Squad is the most educational and cool group I am in, and this website will boost us into the stratosphere!”

“The SAFE Animal Squad website is great because it has cool things like games, and lots of recipes so that people can get ideas on how to make food without meat”, says SAFE Animal Squad member, Nikolai (11).

SafeAnimalSquad.org.nz is aimed at children aged 8-14 years, as research suggests that these ages are an important time in the development of perspective taking and empathy. Empathy is linked with more prosocial behaviours and fewer negative social behaviours such as aggression. To play the game, visit SafeAnimalSquad.org.nz. More information on SAFE’s humane education programme is available at safe.org.nz.

InsideOUT Advocates for LGBTQIA+ Youth Rights In Schools

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October 17, 2017

National youth charity InsideOUT have released a new resource advocating for LGBTQIA+ young people’s legal rights at school.

The resource, titled ‘Legal Rights At School: For Young People of Minority Sexualities and Genders’ is aimed at high-school students and was created in partnership with Wellington & Hutt Valley Community Law.

InsideOUT’s new resource aims to answer students’ questions about what their legal rights are at school regarding issues around sexuality and gender diversity. It covers frequently asked questions regarding issues such as bullying, freedom of speech, queer straight alliances, support for transgender students and more.

“More and more young people are being open about their sexual orientation and gender identities in schools,” says Tabby Besley, National Coordinator of InsideOUT. “Schools have an obligation to provide a safe environment for all of their students, but many of them are still not fulfilling that.”

“We have young people contacting us all the time who are being discriminated against by their schools in ways that don’t correspond with the law. We still hear stories about students having to rewrite assignments because their homophobic teacher said it wasn’t okay to talk about queer issues, or being refused to set up a queer straight alliance when any other kind of club in the school is allowed. Some young people have to sign a disclaimer about how they identify to bring a same gender partner to the ball, and many trans students are in situations where their schools are not prioritising their safety and wellbeing.

“We want this resource help students, staff and whānau advocate for the right to safety and inclusion of LGBTQIA+ youth in all our schools. Many young people don’t know how the law supports their situation, or don’t have the tools to advocate for themselves. We believe this resource can provide that information and give young people the confidence to stand up for their rights.”

The resource is available for anyone to view and download for free online at: http://insideout.org.nz/legal-rights-at-school/

Moana Jackson at campaign against solitary confinement – PAPA

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October 17, 2017