tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36124413153521798222024-03-14T10:22:42.648+13:00Local BodiesPersonal views on politics, education and the environment from a Deep South perspective. Dave KennedyDave Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12428353657153292616noreply@blogger.comBlogger816125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3612441315352179822.post-20450074613478137332023-04-26T23:40:00.004+12:002023-05-26T16:56:47.603+12:00ANZAC DAY REFLECTIONS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyc2Mg_EUPARQtTg7h5ESOEcUoX_YOnflVYHI-XeFh7L2VJKRh9UfXBWYbs6cKYTsJY89w00MkKbYDfNaGi5px8etlxrtqEBVzRr4po6KDuvuB5-TwxxTS09oZeH6jrCLqasK35f1_m24ctL30fWRAF5zksyy13KsAA13H3UqZb0A7n4smFxhLw3tARA/s772/Screen%20Shot%202023-04-26%20at%2010.56.27%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="316" data-original-width="772" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyc2Mg_EUPARQtTg7h5ESOEcUoX_YOnflVYHI-XeFh7L2VJKRh9UfXBWYbs6cKYTsJY89w00MkKbYDfNaGi5px8etlxrtqEBVzRr4po6KDuvuB5-TwxxTS09oZeH6jrCLqasK35f1_m24ctL30fWRAF5zksyy13KsAA13H3UqZb0A7n4smFxhLw3tARA/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-04-26%20at%2010.56.27%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I find ANZAC Day creates a dilemma for me, consequently I rarely attend dawn parades.<br /><br />I fully support people recognising the human cost of wars and remembering family members who lost their lives on battlefields. A grandfather of mine fought in WW1 and was gassed in the French trenches, which compromised his health for the rest of his life. His wife (my grandmother) lost her young brother in WW2. The sacrifices and human costs of war should never be minimalised.<br /><br />However, while speeches at ANZAC parades are full of statements promoting peace and the futility of war, those who campaign hardest for peace, promote nonviolence and call for weapons reductions are often treated like criminals. Anyone who dares to mention our own war crimes or that of our allies are generally shut down or demonised. It has become a sort of cultural heresy to question the reputation and glorification of the ANZACs. <br /><br />I would love to see greater balance in how we talk about war and properly recognise those who have fought hardest for peaceful resolutions. <br /><br />We shouldn't be glorifying our New Zealand contribution in past wars when no country is immune from committing wartime atrocities. In 1918 New Zealand soldiers slaughtered 40 innocent Arab men in <a href="https://ww100.govt.nz/surafend-incident" target="_blank">Surafend</a> in retribution for the death of a soldier trying to apprehend an unidentified thief of his kitbag. Our soldiers were widely known to have regularly killed prisoners in both wars (<a href="https://theconversation.com/less-than-illustrious-remembering-the-anzacs-means-also-not-forgetting-some-committed-war-crimes-203043" target="_blank">and were ordered to do so by officers</a>), which went against the Hague directives for WW1 and the Geneva Convention signed in 1929. <br /><br />I would like to remember New Zealand pacifists, like <a href="https://nzhistory.govt.nz/people/archibald-baxter" target="_blank">Archibald Baxter,</a> who was severely punished for refusing to fight. <br /><br />We should also remember <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campaign_for_Nuclear_Disarmament_(NZ)" target="_blank">Elsie Locke's peace activism </a>that caused her to be viewed as a threat to democracy and be spied on for most of her life. Her son <a href="https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/17-01-2019/keith-locke-spy-chiefs-apology-to-me-reveals-scandalous-truth-about-the-sis" target="_blank">Keith</a> was subject to similar surveillance from the age of 11 and was subject to appalling abuse from other parliamentarians as a Green MP who promoted peaceful resolutions. <br /><br />Adrian Leason, Dominican Friar Peter Murnane, and farmer Sam Land were arrested for their protest against the <a href="https://www.newshub.co.nz/nznews/waihopai-spy-base-trial--protestors-not-guilty-2010031717" target="_blank">Waihopai spy base</a>. They had good cause to believe the base was enabling war activity and causing human suffering. While a jury found them not guilty of wilful damage and burglary, their pacifist beliefs were widely viewed as dangerous. <br /><br />We should be thanking investigative journalists like <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/354824/nicky-hager-over-the-moon-about-govt-inquiry-into-sas" target="_blank">Nicky Hager</a> for exposing the war crimes perpetrated by our own forces in Afghanistan, and yet he was publicly demonised by military leaders and the government of the day. Nicky also revealed our <a href="https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2018/03/02/nzir-m02.html" target="_blank">military and government's dishonesty</a> in providing misinformation regarding our combat involvement in the Iraq war. <br /><br />We should be taking a stronger stand to support <a href="https://www.amnesty.org/en/petition/julian-assange-usa-justice/" target="_blank">Julian Assange</a> who exposed US war crimes and is still subject to persecution as a genuine journalist. Around <a href="http://sf.org/en/1668-journalists-killed-past-20-years-2003-2022-average-80-year#:~:text=Journalists%20killed%20in%20war%20zones&text=The%20five%20deadliest%20years%20were,2015%20and%2053%20in%202016.&text=Some%20slight%20encouragement%20can%20be,during%20the%20past%20three%20years." target="_blank">1700 journalists have been killed </a>around the world while reporting on military conflicts over the last 20 years.<br /><br />We should be decrying all governments using military force to further political and immoral objectives. We should be denouncing Indonesia's genocidal activity in West Papua (<a href="https://www.genocidewatch.com/single-post/country-report-west-papua" target="_blank">around 500,000 killed)</a>, Saudi Arabia's <a href="https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/04/18/yemen-latest-round-saudi-uae-led-attacks-targets-civilians" target="_blank">war crimes in Yemen</a>, Israel's <a href="https://www.globalr2p.org/countries/israel-and-the-occupied-palestinian-territory/" target="_blank">ongoing persecution and annexation</a> of Palestinians... and these are just describing three examples of armed conflict occurring in <a href="https://wisevoter.com/country-rankings/countries-currently-at-war/" target="_blank">32 different countries </a>this year.<br /><br />We should be speaking out against the <a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/267131/market-share-of-the-leadings-exporters-of-conventional-weapons/" target="_blank">highly profitable arms market</a>. The United States is the world's largest arms exporter. The top 10 arms exporters include, France, Germany, the UK and Israel. Encouraging and supporting armed conflict means increased exports and profits. <br /><br />Current global military expenditure is estimated at <a href="https://www.sipri.org/news/2023/world-military-expenditure-reaches-new-record-high-european-spending-surges-0#:~:text=World%20military%20spending%20grew%20for,time%20high%20of%20%242240%20billion." target="_blank">$2240 billion</a> while only <a href="https://devinit.org/resources/global-humanitarian-assistance-report-2022/volumes-of-humanitarian-and-wider-crisis-financing/" target="_blank">$31 billion </a>was spent on humanitarian aid. Almost 100 times more is being spent on having the means to kill people then save them. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />The "war to end all wars" has never eventuated because, despite all the public rhetoric around the need for peace and diplomacy - personal egos, greed and self-interest dominate.<br /><br />I struggle with the hypocrisy around ANZAC Day when our military leaders and government spokespeople promote peace while persecuting peace activists and supporting the very systems and alliances that do the opposite. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div></div><br /><br /><p></p>Dave Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12428353657153292616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3612441315352179822.post-38020165494141082422022-12-05T17:26:00.005+13:002022-12-05T21:58:00.337+13:00Is 3 Waters entrenchment really a stupid idea? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPeLmQvUmnxWdFaa6JpjvZRVBxsOupHbzOL27hGAg413j6gD2fyHUj00MGkCtNdUHOPSL9Lkr-qjYhqHIwzikJf2MgGa0MNXN3iANVoKgkzU0kZbD8kCyMalSg5Urf4fC4WlcwI3rgm8P9rjDCoGxbZDOyo_6vHqNMzD3dXWe_aBCNlE6MZcWsWrgOfg/s1080/Screen%20Shot%202022-12-05%20at%205.02.59%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="808" data-original-width="1080" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPeLmQvUmnxWdFaa6JpjvZRVBxsOupHbzOL27hGAg413j6gD2fyHUj00MGkCtNdUHOPSL9Lkr-qjYhqHIwzikJf2MgGa0MNXN3iANVoKgkzU0kZbD8kCyMalSg5Urf4fC4WlcwI3rgm8P9rjDCoGxbZDOyo_6vHqNMzD3dXWe_aBCNlE6MZcWsWrgOfg/s320/Screen%20Shot%202022-12-05%20at%205.02.59%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><p>The 2023 elections will potentially be one of the most ideologically divided elections we will experience. The real solutions for most pressing social and environmental issues confronting us at the moment will involve systemic change and will necessarily challenge the neoliberal mindset that has dominated governance over the last four decades. The 3 Waters debate is a good example of how difficult introducing systems change is and how partisan politics limits productive discourse. <br /><br />Nanaia Mahuta's intent when developing 3 Waters was to address a rapidly growing crisis. The demands on local government to provide clean drinking water and manage human waste and storm water was becoming too great a financial burden. There have been <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/83457130/poisoning-the-wells-a-history-of-infected-drinking-water-in-canterbury" target="_blank">numerous examples</a> of whole communities experiencing serious health consequences because of contaminated drinking water and for some time local authorities have struggled to maintain core water and waste infrastructure from a limited rates base. The status quo would result in increasing health risks and environmental damage. <br /><br />The 3 Waters journey has been a fraught one. Not working more directly with councils in the early stages, so that sticking points could have been identified, is probably a core reason for the strong reaction. The <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/opinion/300444760/what-is-three-waters-and-why-is-everyone-so-angry" target="_blank">two main areas of contention</a> are the shifting of locally owned assets and governance authority to four new regional entities and the proposed co-governance with mana whenua. <br /><br />While there has been a good deal of constructive work on ensuring councils have greater governance input in the new entities, it is <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Māori</span></span><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #5f6368; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold;"> </span>co-governance that continues to raise the hackles of conservative farmers (<a href="https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2022/06/groundswell-co-founders-haven-t-read-three-waters-bill-they-re-against.html" target="_blank">Groundswell</a>) and the <a href="https://www.act.org.nz/press-releases/more-co-governance-bureaucracy-in-new-three-waters-bill" target="_blank">ACT Party</a>. However, a new controversy appeared when it was revealed that the bill had included an entrenchment clause that would limit the ability of future governments to privatise water. </p><p>Entrenchment clauses are currently <a href="https://teara.govt.nz/en/constitution/page-3" target="_blank">only applied to electoral law</a> and ensures that a governing party has to achieve broad consensus and a 75% threshold to progress change. This ensures that a governing party cannot ram through changes that would be in its self-interest rather than supporting sound democratic process. </p><p>The Green Party and the Labour Party were concerned that water should remain a public resource and wanted some protection against a future government supporting privatisation. <a href="https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2022/12/three-waters-government-dumps-controversial-entrenchment-clause.html" target="_blank">Eugenie Sage</a> was able to get support for an entrenchment clause that would require a 60% threshold. This clause flew under the radar of the opposition parties and when finally exposed created a firestorm. Constitutional experts were concerned that the use of entrenchment for other than electoral law would create a dangerous precedent and any party could then include its use to embed a political agenda. <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/130660392/a-mistake-controversial-three-waters-entrenchment-clause-to-go" target="_blank">Labour has quickly acted to remove the clause</a> and publicly admit to a mistake. </p><p>I believe the knee jerk reaction and the removal of the entrenchment clause was ill-considered. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Over the years we have experienced numerous occasions where a government has rammed through massive change through a slim majority that has had disastrous consequences. Many of these have involved public assets that provide a core service or infrastructure. It makes sense to set a higher bar to protect public assets from the extreme ideological whims of a governing party with minimal mandate.<br /><br />I present three examples of where a 60% entrenchment clause may have benefited our country if it been applied at the time neoliberal economics was adopted by successive Labour and National Governments:<br /><br />1. ELECTRICITY SUPPLY</p><p style="text-align: left;">Prior to 1987 The Electricity Department of New Zealand (EDNZ) managed our country's electricity production and transmission. This state controlled entity managed to provide a reliable service at relatively low cost in comparison to the majority of the developed world. The numerous hydro electric power stations also ensured we had the cleanest production too. <br /><br />As the world became infected by neoliberal economic models the 4th Labour Government changed the EDNZ into the Electricity Corporation of New Zealand (ECNZ) a State Owned Enterprise. This was the start of a journey in which core government services were expected to model private enterprise and produce a profit.<br /><br />In 1998 Max Bradford took it a step further and broke ECNZ into seperate line and retail energy businesses. He claimed that competition would provide a better deal to consumers. What we got instead was each entity having to fund and employ seperate governance boards and management at private sector rates and return a profit. While some competition did occur, costs increased and there was some subtle collusion to ensure the systems benefited their profit margins. For instance power companies are able to charge consumers at a rate based on the most expensive source of supply at any given time (not an average). Consequently the use of Huntly was supported by all because it was the most expensive to run. <br /><br />A Commerce Commission report in 2009 revealed that over a six year period power companies had raked in <a href="https://comcom.govt.nz/news-and-media/media-releases/archive/commerce-commission-finds-that-electricity-companies-have-not-breached-the-commerce-act" target="_blank">$4.3 billion of excessive earnings</a>. When power outages occurred in the North Island last year it was revealed that the break in supply was <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/126023657/the-new-zealand-electricity-market-explained" target="_blank">caused by commercial considerations</a> rather than the need to provide a consistent service. Despite the low production costs, New Zealand's household electricity charges are considered to be <a href="https://www.globalpetrolprices.com/New-Zealand/electricity_prices/" target="_blank">more expensive than average </a>when compared to other countries.<br /><br />It would be near impossible to undo Max Bradford's failed changes to our electricity supply and the current systems impact hugely on household expenses and business costs. It has contributed to poor health in struggling households and removed a potential competitive advantage for our exporting businesses. It will also be harder for us to meet our emission targets when clean energy and the introduction of domestic solar compromises energy company profits. <br /><br />If a 60% entrenchment clause had been applied to Bradford's damaging bill it would have increased the level of scrutiny on the possible impacts and avoided the current mess.<br /><br />2. RAILWAYS</p><p style="text-align: left;">New Zealand's railway network began through provincial investments from 1863 through to 1876 when the service was brought into central government control under the New Zealand Railways Department. As with our electricity supply the the railways became corporatised in 1982 and became a state owned enterprise in 1986. With the removal of the service model all the 'unprofitable' lines were removed and thousands of staff laid off.<br /><br />With the reduction of our provincial rail networks and the 1983 land transport deregulation there was a dramatic shift to carrying freight on roads and greater reliance on private cars. New Zealand now has the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_vehicles_per_capita" target="_blank">6th highest rate of car ownership</a> per capita in the world and 75% of our freight is carried on our roads (table is from 2017-18).<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJpBgGiChl6IZ6_6mGAg2_lEYyNAoAhVazFf0m_wvn88wgvkZ1DdEz5SBjlxgMlC7VVIq1wJQKUeJtVvWYD8dBsWJWkSzGabuMrOAgivGzu07j16lY4JIlZW-d_Vm1uKeKEdRQiUniZCTbzcwHtVXvtSwTqLgqBQ7hHhUcJwTIjJWPmnG6Y-YIQ9tSdQ/s873/Screen%20Shot%202022-12-05%20at%202.22.05%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="873" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJpBgGiChl6IZ6_6mGAg2_lEYyNAoAhVazFf0m_wvn88wgvkZ1DdEz5SBjlxgMlC7VVIq1wJQKUeJtVvWYD8dBsWJWkSzGabuMrOAgivGzu07j16lY4JIlZW-d_Vm1uKeKEdRQiUniZCTbzcwHtVXvtSwTqLgqBQ7hHhUcJwTIjJWPmnG6Y-YIQ9tSdQ/w556-h171/Screen%20Shot%202022-12-05%20at%202.22.05%20PM.png" width="556" /></a></div><p></p>New Zealand rail was privatised in 1993 and became Tranz Rail. While there was an increase in rail freight initially, it became difficult for rail to compete with roads because the rail network was considered a private asset, roads were not. Road maintenance was removed from the cost equation for trucking companies as this was covered by the state 'for the public good'. <br /><br />There was little investment into Tranz Rails infrastructure and rolling stock as a series of largely overseas owners struggled to create a sustainable business and the service became increasingly degraded. For three successive years (2000-2002) Tranz Rail won the Roger Award for being the worst transnational corporation operating in New Zealand and was the first to be inducted in the 'Hall of Shame'. The company was besieged by a series of reports exposing: lax safety standards, inadequate maintenance, asset stripping and insider trading.<br /><br />In 2008 the government bought back the company for $665 million (it was sold it for $328 million 15 years earlier).<br /><br />If a 60% entrenchment clause existed when our state owned rail system was privatised in 1993 it may have saved us over $300 million and provided us with a much better rail service today.<br /><br />3. STATE HOUSING<div><br /></div><div>For the first Labour Government, housing was a high priority and it embarked on a massive state funded housing build. Between 1937 and 1978 100,000 houses were built, and average of almost 2500 houses a year (we are currently building 1200 pa). While many were sold to tenants (to support increased home ownership and allow an update of housing stock) by 1990 there were <a href="https://nzhistory.govt.nz/culture/state-housing-in-nz" target="_blank">70,000 state houses in the books</a> and a goal of maintaining almost 6% of all housing to be owned by the state for those in need (the current goal is to return to just over 3%). <br /><br />For many generations state houses ensured that no matter one's financial status and personal circumstances, almost all families could have the security of living in a healthy, well maintained home. Government investment into housing meant an ongoing supply of high quality houses for those on lower incomes and to meet the demands of a growing population. The government was able to build at scale and for a lower cost than a private developer. <br /><br />The support of the state housing model ended in 1991 when neoliberal ideals impacted again with the introduction of market rents and the New Zealand Housing corporation was expected to return a profit. State house building and maintenance was pared back and numbers dropped as stock was sold off. <br /><br />While Labour reversed the National Government's market rents in 1999 there was little determination to increase building and restore the levels of maintenance that existed pre 1990. Income from rents was still expected to provide a dividend back to government coffers rather than being invested into new builds. </div><div><br /></div><div>By the year 2000 state housing stock had dropped to 59,000 from the 1990 peak of 70,000 and we only have 65,000 state rentals at present. <br /><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjta8zvJU4c5P6iK2MYoBxWZwffeCT3RfKI-_IjU6ddmH6aybrvTp76wzPZA0sU6gGJzfgwArbv87PkdrfMKpizIzJi0GwSqumd2e4PR94CRxnZDEhBjYV8AkATQMnHTzrKqUg0Gp45xbqJy0XTYq2pWrpttOnDgAnBcVrx0AFkLrKsD8uEpWq_VhBKOw/s1051/Screen%20Shot%202022-12-05%20at%204.14.13%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="246" data-original-width="1051" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjta8zvJU4c5P6iK2MYoBxWZwffeCT3RfKI-_IjU6ddmH6aybrvTp76wzPZA0sU6gGJzfgwArbv87PkdrfMKpizIzJi0GwSqumd2e4PR94CRxnZDEhBjYV8AkATQMnHTzrKqUg0Gp45xbqJy0XTYq2pWrpttOnDgAnBcVrx0AFkLrKsD8uEpWq_VhBKOw/w646-h152/Screen%20Shot%202022-12-05%20at%204.14.13%20PM.png" width="646" /></a></div><br /></div><div>New Zealand now has <a href="https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/money/2022/03/new-zealand-ranked-sixth-least-affordable-country-to-buy-a-house-report.html" target="_blank">the 6th least affordable </a>housing in the world, rapidly growing housing inequity and plummeting levels of home ownership. At the time of writing, 25,000 households (or around 75,000 individuals) are on the <a href="https://www.msd.govt.nz/about-msd-and-our-work/publications-resources/statistics/housing/housing-register.html#DownloadthelatestnumbersfortheHousingRegister3" target="_blank">MSD housing register</a>. Without a growing population or increased need we will meet this demand in 20 years at the current rate of building. It seems that we have accepted that current levels of homelessness will never be addressed, Michael Joseph Savage must be turning in his grave!</div><div><br /></div><div>If a 60% entrenchment clause existed in 1991 to stop the introduction of market rents and shift away from the support of state housing provision we would have no waiting lists and at least 100,000 state houses. <br /><br />CONCLUSION</div><div><br /></div><div>While I can understand the principle behind the 75% entrenchment clause for electoral reform I don't understand why other forms of entrenchment can't exist to protect natural resources and valuable state assets. <br /><br />I thought Eugenie's 60% threshold made sense as it isn't an insurmountable number but would involve greater public engagement and cross party collaboration before privatisation could occur. I cannot see how the alternative of a written commitment from each party to not privatise can be considered a robust alternative.<br /><br />I do understand the academic concerns of creating a precedent that may be exploited in other legislation that could embed a dangerous policy like ACT's 3 strikes law or unfair employment law. However, this could be addressed though a public conversation around the resources and state assets that we value the most and some predetermined criteria of where a threshold could apply. Legislated guidelines could be supported by independent legal and academic advice and there could be a transparent nonpartisan process established to determine the value of an entrenchment clause in each case.<br /><br />Surely we can learn from the damaging mistakes of the past and protect ourselves from rash ideological decisions in the future. Is 51% really a mandate or a reasonable majority to enable far-reaching legislation? <br /><br />Ka mua, ka muri<br />(We should look to the past to inform the future) <br /><br />Another view along similar lines: <a href="http://norightturn.blogspot.com/2022/12/entrenching-entrenchment.html" target="_blank">http://norightturn.blogspot.com/2022/12/entrenching-entrenchment.html <br /> </a><p><br /></p></div></div><br />Dave Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12428353657153292616noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3612441315352179822.post-6320818731112457122022-08-13T14:53:00.003+12:002022-08-20T13:59:58.901+12:00<p><b> CLIMATE CHANGE UPDATE IN IMAGES 2022</b></p><p>I am just wondering how hot is too hot before we commit to real global action to reduce our emissions and save our climate and natural environment. The images below are what has occurred in the northern hemisphere summer and it is likely we will experience something similar in the southern hemisphere in a few months. </p><p>The Loire River is the longest in France and in 2022 it has almost disappeared. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjze6AzYNGX_riFPbdXSwSFvBfV0C-kR88hhnLVPyOQlr53LFt17vwS122GfJcjZujRmz8lrYvisWuajizc0U7NU_09ongemn-nwrj0eY8ihBaUYViXlSVSFeI8R0m7fjcUSEOUCIQCDJT-h3zk8nul__jJDdzhypU3o_opbviogrr2Xx1XiL1gebPJ2A/s571/Screen%20Shot%202022-08-13%20at%2012.48.12%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="530" data-original-width="571" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjze6AzYNGX_riFPbdXSwSFvBfV0C-kR88hhnLVPyOQlr53LFt17vwS122GfJcjZujRmz8lrYvisWuajizc0U7NU_09ongemn-nwrj0eY8ihBaUYViXlSVSFeI8R0m7fjcUSEOUCIQCDJT-h3zk8nul__jJDdzhypU3o_opbviogrr2Xx1XiL1gebPJ2A/w536-h498/Screen%20Shot%202022-08-13%20at%2012.48.12%20PM.png" width="536" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The source of the Thames dried up. <br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-2yFbdU7pVepLCaLjK7onWftYTFMSMwgM1ivlzsfjOBOsdz6SSWlW8Xx_CGQq9utmbeDeq2Rj48HsQWD3JNJOgUjB4ZtmDiYUx3hw47LJmisoMEtJ_3u2qeYULQCUuvU7vCOWDo0ugU7RkfFFBZPx6zVVXYKfBbNX3da3xJpS34lfNGtEP58CxEbZcQ/s773/Screen%20Shot%202022-08-13%20at%2012.53.52%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="464" data-original-width="773" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-2yFbdU7pVepLCaLjK7onWftYTFMSMwgM1ivlzsfjOBOsdz6SSWlW8Xx_CGQq9utmbeDeq2Rj48HsQWD3JNJOgUjB4ZtmDiYUx3hw47LJmisoMEtJ_3u2qeYULQCUuvU7vCOWDo0ugU7RkfFFBZPx6zVVXYKfBbNX3da3xJpS34lfNGtEP58CxEbZcQ/w514-h297/Screen%20Shot%202022-08-13%20at%2012.53.52%20PM.png" width="514" /></a></div><br />Lake Mead The United States' largest reservoir is at its lowest level since first filled in 1937.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKvGUGePBQaOuO8vnO0kv1dd0VJl3nnmtHceRDNgJUzuNfgDxMLku2x5jyPqyqML0EmBqS0D3KRglOu1rXwcTSdLSpj732oG2u_K6lDxSGZ73BVivRRXPOtz372PdAzTkP_3tVH8A2W2vcGOHiW-vzhIyS8U6LXB_EISjdlgYYlraRip9KBK1pFbOXYg/s776/Screen%20Shot%202022-08-13%20at%2012.57.34%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="646" data-original-width="776" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKvGUGePBQaOuO8vnO0kv1dd0VJl3nnmtHceRDNgJUzuNfgDxMLku2x5jyPqyqML0EmBqS0D3KRglOu1rXwcTSdLSpj732oG2u_K6lDxSGZ73BVivRRXPOtz372PdAzTkP_3tVH8A2W2vcGOHiW-vzhIyS8U6LXB_EISjdlgYYlraRip9KBK1pFbOXYg/w524-h436/Screen%20Shot%202022-08-13%20at%2012.57.34%20PM.png" width="524" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Great Salt Lake in Utah is disappearing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Pan8eprnJQn0l71q5ftBxqKqliMTvj1tUIK6jX62Mh_lkEvP0YcEVDlL0jk-gpLpnUkT3RWus-kgiXso-jSs6hUfYkDxZES0ZD6yqctKtIHW3HHYicq_W81cBb0iGuW5LNeXz5Mu2rjp14mdwq9IRtPFm9A-Fl4HPsCYBwBvSnc9FYG4q49mKfEHxQ/s869/Screen%20Shot%202022-08-13%20at%201.03.12%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="577" data-original-width="869" height="343" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Pan8eprnJQn0l71q5ftBxqKqliMTvj1tUIK6jX62Mh_lkEvP0YcEVDlL0jk-gpLpnUkT3RWus-kgiXso-jSs6hUfYkDxZES0ZD6yqctKtIHW3HHYicq_W81cBb0iGuW5LNeXz5Mu2rjp14mdwq9IRtPFm9A-Fl4HPsCYBwBvSnc9FYG4q49mKfEHxQ/w517-h343/Screen%20Shot%202022-08-13%20at%201.03.12%20PM.png" width="517" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Heat wave in Europe breaks all records.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMdLy_Rz_43EQX7zAPEgwRzZ45ZqNsQ6YW_hjQ_PoFzFCazFemOby4a--6pr7TXpNhdAMrFX3mRlnXTq8-gBUibqdq3jwzWsgtE8mrxJ2G4MmgMN93b6OxALrsb5zM1LJ9fkQ-XSZ8JBhba5rcwdhZjEfjJpA2OVv0U4oBHzusxoa1MizlHNDoVUs_cQ/s799/Screen%20Shot%202022-08-13%20at%201.11.34%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="652" data-original-width="799" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMdLy_Rz_43EQX7zAPEgwRzZ45ZqNsQ6YW_hjQ_PoFzFCazFemOby4a--6pr7TXpNhdAMrFX3mRlnXTq8-gBUibqdq3jwzWsgtE8mrxJ2G4MmgMN93b6OxALrsb5zM1LJ9fkQ-XSZ8JBhba5rcwdhZjEfjJpA2OVv0U4oBHzusxoa1MizlHNDoVUs_cQ/w525-h428/Screen%20Shot%202022-08-13%20at%201.11.34%20PM.png" width="525" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Arctic is heating up 4 times faster than the rest of the planet.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVSOAB_u7mJ3KamLFPzPMcbcrnKh80dZHq9z5qgK84V5ZhGBs9rd7kuERCZa3RnhaFkWoMON9zWf-i42QSQvp8DONFkfHblSttaOrV1ZArhiwSbglLJXW6fA8clsi46_TN5u5L6sfcw9g5x_R1Ed6nzOPFmutJDdHNtvjLrsPywlfVckb5ob9ncFrPbw/s829/Screen%20Shot%202022-08-13%20at%202.05.01%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="829" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVSOAB_u7mJ3KamLFPzPMcbcrnKh80dZHq9z5qgK84V5ZhGBs9rd7kuERCZa3RnhaFkWoMON9zWf-i42QSQvp8DONFkfHblSttaOrV1ZArhiwSbglLJXW6fA8clsi46_TN5u5L6sfcw9g5x_R1Ed6nzOPFmutJDdHNtvjLrsPywlfVckb5ob9ncFrPbw/w547-h308/Screen%20Shot%202022-08-13%20at%202.05.01%20PM.png" width="547" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Italy has declared a state of emergency in its drought stricken north.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8un9FEluSeLRZa9oHJf_YOyctcQMQlmtuGGe7BDorGXY1kCOUng_8Y6vqqPdJ9cIkpArKDPEeImEHNGK4_xspLw42CGAQa_6N3NqowxoXi9Br-w-PRrFAWLB1fE9yceB5t8HPTJd0mlkv9dPeujV3enHKXC0P4dqhUDeJjAulxn01h9b-GAe_brX6vw/s868/Screen%20Shot%202022-08-13%20at%202.11.30%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="577" data-original-width="868" height="363" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8un9FEluSeLRZa9oHJf_YOyctcQMQlmtuGGe7BDorGXY1kCOUng_8Y6vqqPdJ9cIkpArKDPEeImEHNGK4_xspLw42CGAQa_6N3NqowxoXi9Br-w-PRrFAWLB1fE9yceB5t8HPTJd0mlkv9dPeujV3enHKXC0P4dqhUDeJjAulxn01h9b-GAe_brX6vw/w546-h363/Screen%20Shot%202022-08-13%20at%202.11.30%20PM.png" width="546" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">East Africa is suffering from a severe drought. Almost 16 million people in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia are in need of urgent food assistance.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIPacF2IHylYtIvL3z2ytlXROKCVI9yFannwn1mHwG8NGrIG0rAHbcCh80eGgBQFZhfd49s71LOEdGGqRCEuCeRMzlixW7UoG7JeU9g_w_X1jSXPr6zeTB8eaplG4o-kzD8P5JttMDEziaVuddcAZm1d5XRPCC5skCd7mqsg5yGPFL944w9WsoDXeltw/s787/Screen%20Shot%202022-08-13%20at%202.17.48%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="590" data-original-width="787" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIPacF2IHylYtIvL3z2ytlXROKCVI9yFannwn1mHwG8NGrIG0rAHbcCh80eGgBQFZhfd49s71LOEdGGqRCEuCeRMzlixW7UoG7JeU9g_w_X1jSXPr6zeTB8eaplG4o-kzD8P5JttMDEziaVuddcAZm1d5XRPCC5skCd7mqsg5yGPFL944w9WsoDXeltw/w541-h406/Screen%20Shot%202022-08-13%20at%202.17.48%20PM.png" width="541" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>Southwest China is suffering from the worst drought in a decade.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTb0fuySu-bpcJ74jY3mbAIwEapjXfYs61YFfY5bnrpY4poH9mpIX2FRw7fxAcEU7gSE0BYlLMdXHZXYKHAGYirFWyya3OBCehzHV1nlMohFcmKgbHvwUA9Ak7clThSHeYi4ynDHGFG8PBF8pCDKBKpzbE5LX6SrwdTehQFPS8balcTRAh6raQQ1g0OQ/s1020/Screen%20Shot%202022-08-13%20at%202.20.21%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="1020" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTb0fuySu-bpcJ74jY3mbAIwEapjXfYs61YFfY5bnrpY4poH9mpIX2FRw7fxAcEU7gSE0BYlLMdXHZXYKHAGYirFWyya3OBCehzHV1nlMohFcmKgbHvwUA9Ak7clThSHeYi4ynDHGFG8PBF8pCDKBKpzbE5LX6SrwdTehQFPS8balcTRAh6raQQ1g0OQ/w539-h302/Screen%20Shot%202022-08-13%20at%202.20.21%20PM.png" width="539" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Around 150,000 ha of land has been scorched in Europe this year from wildfires.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW87PIizz8uPQ04uK2XMDLTlri-QxjY0XS8nsia3SvFLIpuAQoemW_Mprst1NYLaOMjJWSWcw_L40L8IG4aJ24Q5qeJs4CIgsrE4jEgF_QBtrptpKpCFP3AFB_fsNxHDDMf2_CMmC3H5H9Tch6E2LezRg7atGVfn21un4kALMYmInqfcdBY3j9Bu9B0Q/s937/Screen%20Shot%202022-08-13%20at%202.35.13%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="937" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW87PIizz8uPQ04uK2XMDLTlri-QxjY0XS8nsia3SvFLIpuAQoemW_Mprst1NYLaOMjJWSWcw_L40L8IG4aJ24Q5qeJs4CIgsrE4jEgF_QBtrptpKpCFP3AFB_fsNxHDDMf2_CMmC3H5H9Tch6E2LezRg7atGVfn21un4kALMYmInqfcdBY3j9Bu9B0Q/w545-h307/Screen%20Shot%202022-08-13%20at%202.35.13%20PM.png" width="545" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2,000 people died in Spain and Portugal from the heat in a single week.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsLi1ndc_ayyg2rLON-Jn3zimugveABOO2AD8_p7XV1TYZP8SAed7KUlJRdL6CrQ39wvM_nYl49BIqLYL82VLqTnEFZQJpPkHSbbJ1eO1Rg7k6zLqeLFnpO_t0n5kWeBXvMLZmd-0r4ZqZhxrl_gU8givRZ36P-KZ0bvhXDdrpeLyddcPnP4lcM_PQ0w/s862/Screen%20Shot%202022-08-13%20at%202.43.03%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="486" data-original-width="862" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsLi1ndc_ayyg2rLON-Jn3zimugveABOO2AD8_p7XV1TYZP8SAed7KUlJRdL6CrQ39wvM_nYl49BIqLYL82VLqTnEFZQJpPkHSbbJ1eO1Rg7k6zLqeLFnpO_t0n5kWeBXvMLZmd-0r4ZqZhxrl_gU8givRZ36P-KZ0bvhXDdrpeLyddcPnP4lcM_PQ0w/w549-h309/Screen%20Shot%202022-08-13%20at%202.43.03%20PM.png" width="549" /></a></div></div>Dave Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12428353657153292616noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3612441315352179822.post-72244930899319804462021-07-21T18:35:00.006+12:002021-07-25T10:56:03.498+12:00Climate Crisis Intensifies Dramatically in 2021<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EYgsfOqt-uQ/YPe-R0BvbzI/AAAAAAAAHhg/pdH1M2MPXsEyVRg2P3PIJyWseCeJAHR1ACNcBGAsYHQ/s974/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-07-21%2Bat%2B6.22.35%2BPM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="557" data-original-width="974" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EYgsfOqt-uQ/YPe-R0BvbzI/AAAAAAAAHhg/pdH1M2MPXsEyVRg2P3PIJyWseCeJAHR1ACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-07-21%2Bat%2B6.22.35%2BPM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />In 2007 an <a href="https://350.org/about/" target="_blank">organisation</a> chose its name based on the scientific consensus that 350 parts per million of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere was the uppermost level to avoid a climate tipping point. We are currently just short of 420pp of carbon and the last seven years have been the hottest on record. 2021 is breaking more records of extreme weather events and the rate of climate change is occurring faster than scientists have predicted. We have clearly passed the tipping point and the impacts are increasingly obvious.<br /><br />Here is an attempt at an overview, using reputable links (click on them for more detail), of what we are experiencing in 2021 as we move well beyond the tipping point towards a climate armageddon:<p></p><p>RATE OF CHANGE</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-49689018" target="_blank">Faster pace of change is 'scary', former chief scientist says.</a></li><li><a href="https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-08/uoc-nsw082620.php">New Study Warns: We have underestimated the pace at which the Arctic is melting</a></li><li><a href="https://news.mongabay.com/2021/02/new-study-warns-that-sea-levels-will-rise-faster-than-expected/" target="_blank">New study warns that sea levels will rise faster than expected</a></li><li><a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/is-global-warming-happening-faster-than-expected/" target="_blank">Loss of ice, melting of permafrost and other climate effects are occurring at an alarming pace</a></li><li>New Zealand: <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/climate-news/125584384/study-finds-lyttelton-sea-levels-rising-faster-than-thought" target="_blank">Study finds Lyttelton sea levels rising faster than thought</a></li></ul><p></p><p>HOTTEST TEMPERATURES</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/2020-tied-for-warmest-year-on-record-nasa-analysis-shows" target="_blank">2020 tied for warmest year on record, NASA analysis shows</a></li><li><a href="https://www.lifeinnorway.net/arctic-region-bakes-in-record-heatwave/" target="_blank">Arctic region bakes in record heatwave</a></li><li><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/weather/2021/jul/08/weatherwatch-canada-records-its-highest-temperature#:~:text=Temperatures%20soared%20in%20western,country%2C%20a%20staggering%2049.6C." target="_blank">Canada records its highest temperature (49.6C)</a></li><li><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2021/07/08/heat-wave-west-california-nevada/" target="_blank">Severe heat wave builds across Western US after nation's hottest June on record.</a></li><li><a href="https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/859976-heatwave-hits-nordic-countries-34c-recorded-in-arctic" target="_blank">Heat wave hits Nordic countries, 34C recorded in Arctic</a></li><li>New Zealand: <a href="https://time.com/6078012/new-zealand-warmest-june-winter/" target="_blank">It's Winter in New Zealand and June was the warmest on record</a></li></ul><div>GLOBAL FIRES</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/7/20/canada-bc-declares-state-of-emergency-as-wildfires-surge" target="_blank">Canada's BC declares state of emergency as wildfires surge</a></li><li><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jul/13/us-wildfires-california-oregon-washington" target="_blank">More than 60 wildfires rage across US west - including blaze bigger than Portland</a></li><li><a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/148238/wildfires-and-smoke-in-siberia" target="_blank">Wildfires and smoke in Siberia</a></li><li><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jul/14/amazon-rainforest-now-emitting-more-co2-than-it-absorbs" target="_blank">Fires cause Amazon rainforest to emit more CO2 than it absorbs</a></li><li><a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2021/07/16/weather/western-us-wildfires/index.html" target="_blank">The largest wildfire in the US has grown about 1,000 acres every hour</a></li><li><a href="https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20210704-several-dead-homes-evacuated-as-cyprus-experiences-worst-forest-fire-in-decades" target="_blank">Several dead, homes evacuated as Cyprus experiences worst forest fire in decades</a></li><li>New Zealand: <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/climate-news/123108362/wildfires-in-gore-likely-to-increase-according-to-report" target="_blank">Wildfires in Gore likely to increase according to report</a></li></ul><div>FLOODING</div></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/20/heavy-flooding-hits-central-china-affecting-tens-of-millions" target="_blank">Deadly flooding hits central China effecting tens of millions</a></li><li><a href="https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/07/europe-s-deadly-floods-leave-scientists-stunned" target="_blank">Europe's deadly floods leave scientists stunned</a></li><li><a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/german-belgian-flood-deaths-rise-157-search-continues-2021-07-17/" target="_blank">Death toll rises to 170 in Germany and Belgium floods</a></li><li><a href="https://floodlist.com/africa/kenya-floods-update-may-2021" target="_blank">Kenya, 40,000 displaced by floods</a></li><li>New Zealand: <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/447172/hundreds-in-flood-hit-west-coast-spend-another-night-out-of-their-homes" target="_blank">Hundreds in flood hit West Coast spend another night out of their homes</a></li></ul><div>STORMS</div></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.nesdis.noaa.gov/content/tropical-storm-elsa-sets-records-2021-atlantic-hurricane-season" target="_blank">This Atlantic hurricane season is already setting records</a></li><li><a href="https://mkweather.com/round-of-severe-storms-hits-europe-between-16-22-june-2021-violent-storms/" target="_blank">Round of severe storms hit Europe</a></li><li><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/01/tropical-cyclone-ana-fiji-suffers-second-deadly-storm-in-a-month" target="_blank">Fiji suffers 2nd deadly storm in a month</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-57605651" target="_blank">Czech Republic: Deadly tornado sweeps through villages</a></li><li><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/weather/2021/apr/29/strongest-tropical-cyclone-ever-recorded-for-april-hits-pacific-philippines" target="_blank">Strongest tropical cyclone ever recorded for April hits Pacific</a></li><li>New Zealand: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0CjcNQSlBI" target="_blank">Tornado rips through south Auckland suburb of Papatoetoe</a></li></ul><div>DEATH RATE</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Currently the global death rate for COVID 19 is 530 deaths for every 1,000,000 people. <a href="https://time.com/5876229/climate-change-death-rate/" target="_blank">It is predicted </a>that in the next 70 or so years the deaths from increased heat alone (excluding storms and floods etc) will be 850 deaths for every 1,000,000. In a generation we will have more deaths from climate change than infectious diseases. <br /><br />FRUSTRATION!<br /><br />All global citizens should be aware of the growing climate crisis that is already impacting on us all and want to take urgent action. This is not evident where I live. Our farmers protested against the expectation that they should reduce their emissions by <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/125780015/pm-wont-comment-on-farmer-protests-as-groundswell-nz-gridlocks-gore" target="_blank">driving into town in their massive tractors and utes</a>. The Southland District Council has no climate policy and are enthusiastically supporting the expansion of a coal mine to fuel a Canterbury Dairy factory.<br /><br />We all live on the same fragile planet but appear to live in parallel universes. Some of us wish to provide a safe climate for future generations and others stubbornly want to maintain fossil fuelled, methane emitting business as usual. Jeanette Fitzsimons analogy comes to mind:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VK46pNmw_C0/YPe8MzXRmdI/AAAAAAAAHhY/KKyXisiZ5o069FiaoCg67EMPrKketQnmwCNcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="318" data-original-width="451" height="438" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VK46pNmw_C0/YPe8MzXRmdI/AAAAAAAAHhY/KKyXisiZ5o069FiaoCg67EMPrKketQnmwCNcBGAsYHQ/w623-h438/image.png" width="623" /></a></div>New Zealand may be small as regards our contribution to global emissions but per capita we are <a href="https://environment.govt.nz/publications/new-zealands-greenhouse-gas-inventory-1990-2019-snapshot/how-new-zealand-compares-to-other-countries/" target="_blank">the six worst out of almost 200 countries</a>. If we are to pull our weight as global citizens we need to do much more than we are. Other countries are already questioning our lack of substantial action up to now and <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/climate-news/113673075/climate-change-action-how-nzs-insufficient-targets-stack-up-against-other-countries" target="_blank">Climate Tracker</a> assesses our targets as "insufficient". <br /><br /><a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/climate-news/125630651/climate-change-commission-taken-to-court-for-lack-of-ambition" target="_blank">The recommendations of the Climate Commission are being challenged in court </a>by 300 climate concerned lawyers, backed by scientists. They claim that the Commission applied some creative accounting by inappropriately mixing gross and net emissions that allowed us to take a less urgent path. <br /><br />As Jeanette described, we are currently arguing whether to change down a gear (arguing about Utes and EVs and how we can keep our cows), and delaying the urgent action we need. While many farmers are demanding that they should be able to continue as they are, this is actually highly unlikely as the impacts of climate change are already disrupting their lives. <br /></div><p></p>Dave Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12428353657153292616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3612441315352179822.post-24813296978700875942020-10-16T12:51:00.015+13:002020-10-16T23:35:51.579+13:00Polls show regret for not voting Green<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dyeZReh9qjE/X4jdLgIMp-I/AAAAAAAAHbo/90xkrh62vrgRgmqzuvIiNGoWENDsewzXQCNcBGAsYHQ/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-10-16%2Bat%2B12.36.29%2BPM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="171" data-original-width="1036" height="88" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dyeZReh9qjE/X4jdLgIMp-I/AAAAAAAAHbo/90xkrh62vrgRgmqzuvIiNGoWENDsewzXQCNcBGAsYHQ/w533-h88/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-10-16%2Bat%2B12.36.29%2BPM.png" width="533" /></a></div><br />I have looked at election polling for the last four elections and have noticed a concerning pattern. The Green Party's polling leading up to each election is stronger than what they actually achieve, then the poll immediately afterwards is always considerably higher. For most parties the opposite is generally the case. For New Zealand First and Act this is especially true. <br /><br /><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opinion_polling_for_the_2011_New_Zealand_general_election" target="_blank">In 2008</a> the Green Party's vote was 6.72% and the post election poll showed 9.5% support, almost 3 points higher. However, NZ First lost 1.2% in the after-match poll.<p></p><p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opinion_polling_for_the_2014_New_Zealand_general_election" target="_blank">In 2011</a> the Green vote was 11.06 and post election it jumped to 14.5. NZ First dropped 1.59 points and Act dropped by 1.4.</p><p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opinion_polling_for_the_2017_New_Zealand_general_election" target="_blank">In 2014</a> The Green vote was 10.7 but post election it leaped to 17.5. NZ First dropped 1.66 points and Act dropped .19 after not even getting 1% support. </p><p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opinion_polling_for_the_2020_New_Zealand_general_election" target="_blank">In 2017</a> The Green Party vote was 6.3 and post election it jumped to 11. NZ First dropped .7 and Act remained the same at .5%.<br /><br />I remember in 2014 that Labour was doing particularly badly in the polls, having even recorded a 22.5 result in a Fairfax Media poll. While the Greens were performing particularly well in opposition, and had a number of high performing MPs, there was a general concern that a weak Labour Party would create too much of a parliamentary imbalance. Sadly a number of Green supporters switched to Labour at the last minute and denied the election of many strong Green Party candidates who would have provided excellent value in parliament.<br /><br />New Zealand First and Act rely heavily on the personality and media grabbing stunts of their leaders to get them over the line. The fact that both parties dip in support after each election could be because once voters are able to see the teams they manage to pull into parliament and their actual capability, they are underwhelmed. I wonder how many NZ First MPs people can name compared to Green MPs despite the fact that NZ First has more. <br /><br />The Act Party looks as though it won't need National's support in Epsom this election as conservative voters look for alternatives to a struggling National Party. However, David Seymour will have his work cut out supporting a number of new MPs as they get to grips with their roles. It also appears that a number of Act's higher ranking candidates are driven by <a href="https://www.newsroom.co.nz/nicole-mckee-firearms-freedom-and-family" target="_blank">a single issue</a>. <br /></p><p>I cannot claim to know definitively why the Green support dips for the election and jumps up immediately after. I surmise that because good news and general competency doesn't grab headlines, that the <a href="https://www.greens.org.nz/our_achievements" target="_blank">hard work of Green MPs </a>often flies under the radar. However, a good number of voters do recognise the value that the Green MPs bring to parliament and when our representation is lower than expected, the disappointment shows in the following poll.<br /><br />Aotearoa New Zealand has some major challenges ahead, regardless of Covid-19: climate change, child poverty, housing shortages, struggling health and education systems, polluted waterways, species and biodiversity loss, degraded marine environments, food security... If we imagine a parliament, or government, without a strong Green presence it is clear that the innovative, progressive ideas and capability needed to address the challenges will be much reduced. <br /><br />In many surveys from groups representing <a href="https://www.psa.org.nz/media/releases/green-party-policy-good-for-workers-good-for-families-psa/" target="_blank">workers</a>, <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/123085593/election-2020-which-parties-have-the-best-public-health-policies?fbclid=IwAR3iomzt687NgHfOMPBLH1b90Qd3Sk6A7jsX_qpvACsGBwWDfBOwvGk4v4g" target="_blank">health</a> and the <a href="https://www.newsroom.co.nz/youth-group-grades-environmental-policies" target="_blank">environment</a> the Green Party's costed policies top the lists. <br /><br />For those who have yet to vote, don't have regrets...party vote <span style="color: #6aa84f;">GREEN<br /><br /><br /></span></p>Dave Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12428353657153292616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3612441315352179822.post-16743310572933086992020-10-15T11:22:00.016+13:002020-10-15T16:20:37.899+13:00Judith Collins' little green lies<p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2ca-cL1GTIE/X4d4b1urTqI/AAAAAAAAHbc/-iBdg0I-pa4iohVNPqTy_cTxD0UCUVcKwCNcBGAsYHQ/EXNdtgjUcAAgP0v.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1200" height="244" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2ca-cL1GTIE/X4d4b1urTqI/AAAAAAAAHbc/-iBdg0I-pa4iohVNPqTy_cTxD0UCUVcKwCNcBGAsYHQ/w468-h244/EXNdtgjUcAAgP0v.jpg" width="468" /></a></div><br />New Zealand is not the United States, thank goodness. We don't have the same level of political partisanship nor public media outlets that blatantly display political bias. However, during the closing weeks of this campaign I do feel an infection of trumpism is evident. Judith Collins and her National Party are clearly struggling in the polls, there have been a number of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/14/new-zealand-national-party-leader-judith-collins-calls-obesity-a-personal-choice" target="_blank">campaign clangers</a> and she has resorted to personal attacks. Attacking a popular Prime Minister who is globally revered has been problematic so she has resorted to venting her spleen at the Green Party instead. <p></p><p><a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300132572/election-2020-judith-collins-lashes-out-at-unemployable-greens-while-discussing-her-backup-career" target="_blank">According to Collins</a> the Green's dreaded wealth tax is the biggest threat to the world as we know it, most of the Greens are unemployable and god help our country if James Shaw or Marama Davidson became Deputy Prime Minister. Her ludicrous assertions reminded me of when Bill English, several elections ago, asked an audience to imagine a Green Minister of anything, clearly implying that it would be a national catastrophe.</p><p>For the past three years the country has experienced Green ministers and the world hasn't ended, in fact the opposite has happened.The Green Party Ministers have proved to be <a href="https://www.pressreader.com/new-zealand/the-new-zealand-herald/20201006/281642487629566?fbclid=IwAR1ZqeJHOjxgRqWvpn_4qyBEuhF30j6reAkG8THplKAZ7y_ObTkjBOxsJao" target="_blank">amongst the stronger performers in this government</a>:</p><p>James Shaw achieved what would have been thought impossible a few years ago by getting <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/zero-carbon-bill-passes-with-almost-unanimous-support-in-parliament/EV6BTTOIFQSAHF74UVQBEXDRYI/" target="_blank">cross-party support for the Zero Carbon Bill</a>, even getting Federated Farmers on board. Convincing our major parties and industries that the climate crisis is real and that urgent action is needed was an essential beginning point. Thanks to James, we have shifted from being a country <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/278582/nz's-climate-change-target-condemned" target="_blank">globally slated for dragging our heels</a> on emission targets to one that is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/nov/08/we-are-a-role-model-how-james-shaw-pushed-new-zealand-towards-a-zero-carbon-future" target="_blank">now regarded as leading the charge</a>. </p><p>Eugenie Sage has managed to reverse the decade of <a href="http://localbodies-bsprout.blogspot.com/2017/06/maggie-barrys-fake-facts.html" target="_blank">underfunding and misdirection</a> of the Department of Conservation under a National Government. Eugenie is well regarded as an informed, hard working Minister who <a href="https://www.doc.govt.nz/news/media-releases/2020-media-releases/new-strategy-to-ensure-nature-thrives/" target="_blank">fully understands her portfolio</a>. When attending a Federated Farmers initiated candidate meeting in the heart of Southland recently, one farmer felt compelled to announce to all that after working directly with Eugenie on an issue important to him, he came away very impressed with her knowledge and capability. </p><p>Waste management has become a huge issue in New Zealand since we can no longer send our waste offshore to be <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/116083000/recycled-plastic-dumped-overseas-is-being-sent-back-and-residents-want-no-more" target="_blank">supposedly processed</a>. Eugenie Sage has been leading a strategy that will see better regulated product stewardship where the end of life for priority products will <a href="https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/government-regulate-environmentally-harmful-plastic-packaging-tyres-e-waste" target="_blank">involve recovery, recycling and reuse</a> (and new industries and jobs). </p><p>Associate Transport Minister Julie Anne Genter has used her knowledge and experience as an Australasian transport consultant to shift our previous transport focus on building motorways (<a href="https://thespinoff.co.nz/auckland/23-06-2017/i-have-not-quantified-the-benefits-the-astonishing-truth-about-nzs-most-expensive-road-ever/" target="_blank">that didn't pass benefit cost analysis</a>) to an investment in road safety and more public transport. In its last term National's <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roads_of_National_Significance" target="_blank">Roads of National Significance</a> were an ideological, rather than fiscally sound policy that pulled money away from regional road maintenance. It appears <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/421465/national-s-31b-transport-plan-pricey-but-worth-it-bishop" target="_blank">they still want to stick to their fossil fuelled ideology</a> rather than follow evidence and address our growing transport emissions.</p><p>Julie Anne, as Minister for Women, has also overseen a reduction in the gender pay gap. In the public sector that <a href="https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/public-service-gender-pay-gap-continues-close-and-more-women-leadership" target="_blank">gap has been halved</a> from what it was under National. <br /><br />As a Parliamentary Undersecretary for Justice, Jan Logie battled to provide support for those experiencing domestic violence. New Zealand leads the world for having amongst the <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/101711501/tainted-love--a-look-into-nzs-homegrown-family-violence-epidemic" target="_blank">highest levels of family violence</a>. Jan's legislation to provide paid domestic violence leave provided <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/26/new-zealand-paid-domestic-violence-leave-jan-logie" target="_blank">world-wide recognition</a> for a ground breaking approach to the problem. <br /><br />The Green Party has only eight MPs in parliament and yet our three ministers and undersecretary have been <a href="https://www.greens.org.nz/our_achievements" target="_blank">responsible for a good many of this government's achievements</a>. It has also been the Greens who have introduced greater transparency of ministerial activity by <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/362477/green-party-releases-ministerial-diaries" target="_blank">opening their diaries to public scrutiny</a>. Sadly an earlier attempt to set up part of treasury to <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/76249279/green-party-proposes-unit-to-cost-all-political-party-promises-to-voters" target="_blank">independently cost parties' campaign policies</a> each election was not supported by the National Party. However, the Green Party continues to have its policies independently scrutinised and it is interesting to note that the party that claims to be the most fiscally responsible <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300113657/election-2020-nationals-fiscal-hole-appears-to-double-to-8-billion-as-paul-goldsmith-denies-double-count-mistake" target="_blank">struggles with its costings credibility</a>. <br /><br />So let's return to Judith Collins' last desperate bid to frighten voters away from the Greens:</p><p><b>Is the wealth tax really that bad? </b></p><p>New Zealand has experienced the fastest growing inequity in the developed world and we now have a situation where <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/31/new-zealands-astounding-wealth-gap-challenges-our-fair-go-identity" target="_blank">the top 10% now control 59% of our nation's wealth</a> and 50% of our population have to share 2% between them. The fact that New Zealanders over-invest in property to make capital gain has helped create the <a href="https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/money/2017/03/new-zealand-housing-most-unaffordable-in-the-world-the-economist.html" target="_blank">most unaffordable housing in the world</a> and fuelling even greater inequity and housing poverty. </p><p>A wealth tax isn't easy to apply and has its issues, but given that Labour has refused to consider a capital gains tax there is little left to gain some revenue from capital gains and take the heat out of non productive investments. The Green Party is the only party that fully recognises that we <a href="https://thespinoff.co.nz/money/16-09-2020/everything-youve-ever-wanted-to-know-about-taxes-but-were-too-afraid-to-ask/" target="_blank">tax our poor more heavily than most other developed nations</a> and our wealthiest manage to largely avoid paying their share. Only the richest 6% would have to pay any wealth taxes under the Greens plan and at 1% of net wealth over $1m (or $2m for a couple) most will pay less than under a capital gains tax anyway. </p><p>Judith's claim that Labour will cave in to the Greens wealth tax policy is also not a certainty (although something similar is needed), given Jacinda's strong commitment not to introduce a CGT. <br /><br /><b>The Green Party Co-leaders wouldn't have paid tax before entering parliament and "most of them are unemployable I would have thought."<br /></b><br />This statement is just silly. As a <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/twelve-questions-james-shaw/CNO4YVOGO4VMJ5RBTRGWYD6ARI/" target="_blank">successful business owner and past PwC consultant </a><br />James would have paid tax and Marama would have been taxed on the salary she received when working for the Human Rights Commission. </p><p>As for the employability of the rest of our Green MPs and candidates, practically all are well qualified and have strong employment records. Chloe Swarbrick ran numerous successful businesses from the age of eighteen, Golriz Gharaman was a barrister before entering parliament and I would have thought the occupations of others in<a href="https://www.greens.org.nz/our_2020_candidates" target="_blank"> the top 20 of the Green's list</a> easily contradicts the claim of unemployability: teacher, mental health researcher, NGO co-ordinator, senior solicitor, general manager of an energy company, registered psychotherapist, IT professional, university lecturer, small business owner...<br /><br /><b>The prospect of James Shaw or Marama Davidson being Deputy Prime Minister.</b><br /><br />To begin with the Green Party has never stated that the deputy role would be part of future negotiations and policy gains rather than specific roles tend to be the priority. However, James Shaw is widely recognised for his calm and steady demeanour when under pressure and his ability to build consensus across party divides. John Campbell called him the most polite man in parliament. He does appear to have many attributes that would make a useful deputy.<br /><br />Marama Davidson isn't number one on the Green List for nothing. Marama's personal warmth and empathy, especially for the many struggling families in Aotearoa, would be an asset. When those on the right demonise taxation and even <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxation_as_theft" target="_blank">refer to it is theft</a>, Marama's "tax is love" statement was designed to change the tone of the tax discourse. In reality tax helps build a civilised society and provides the wrap around supports for those in need. Taxation provides our schools and teachers, doctors and nurses and our police. It also provides the infrastructure like roads and power supply that helps our economy function. Cutting tax as National wishes to do would necessarily mean cuts to essential services that support vulnerable people as they have done before. <br /><br />It is concerning when the heartless dismissal of those who struggle with poverty or obesity can be seen as political strength and expressions of love and compassion are seen as weakness. It has been recognised that most of the countries that have managed the Covid-19 epidemic best have had female leaders and other research supports the fact that <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300133132/election-2020-why-gender-stereotypes-still-affect-perceptions-of-jacinda-ardern-and-judith-collins-as-leaders">traditional male leadership styles are ineffective</a>. I guess it all depends on what sort of society we want to live in, one driven by GDP or one that wants our economy to support our collective wellbeing. The realisation of these two approaches can be clearly seen by comparing the United States approach to Covid-19 to our own. </p><h1 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Source Sans Pro", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.5px; line-height: 1.1; margin: 0px 0px 11px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He aha te mea nui o te ao. He tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata</span></h1><h1 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Source Sans Pro", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: -0.5px; line-height: 1.1; margin: 0px 0px 11px;"><div class="post-content" style="box-sizing: border-box; letter-spacing: normal;"></div></h1><h2 style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: -0.5px; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 11px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people.</span></h2><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p> </p>Dave Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12428353657153292616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3612441315352179822.post-50009143606909224012020-08-31T01:02:00.009+12:002020-09-01T20:29:09.959+12:00School decision tests Green principles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jZJng5Ig2f4/X0tuJwvLCGI/AAAAAAAAHa4/FXSAFtU0ai4RMHz-TSN_j4B9N-zZFUmHwCNcBGAsYHQ/s720/eight_col_thumbnail_LRM_EXPORT_117966956021404_20191024_094709607.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="720" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jZJng5Ig2f4/X0tuJwvLCGI/AAAAAAAAHa4/FXSAFtU0ai4RMHz-TSN_j4B9N-zZFUmHwCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/eight_col_thumbnail_LRM_EXPORT_117966956021404_20191024_094709607.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I was appalled when James Shaw announced the $11.7 million funding for a private school. The fact that it was a 'Green School" promoting strong environmental credentials made no difference to me. Having worked in education for most of my career, and many years on the executive of <a href="https://www.nzei.org.nz/" target="_blank">NZEI Te Riu Roa</a>, the value of a strong public education system was a fundamental concept.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I spent many years fighting against the <a href="http://localbodies-bsprout.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-destruction-of-new-zealands-public.html#:~:text=A%20National%20led%20Government%20was,(4%25%20of%20students).&text=%2425%20million%20slashed%20from%20the,is%20the%20worst%20performing%20ministry)." target="_blank">destructive, ideological policies of the last National led Government</a> and its wasteful spending on Charter Schools. Any support of private education is an anathema to me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/new-zealand-herald-150-years/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503278&objectid=11141612" target="_blank">Clarence Beeby's 1940's vision</a> of a quality education was one where teachers were expected to meet the individual needs of each child in equitably resourced schools ensured New Zealand was a world leader for many decades.<br /><br /><span style="background-color: white;">"Every person, whatever the level of his academic ability, whether he be rich or poor, whether he live in town or country, has the right, as a citizen, to a free education of a kind for which he is best suited and to the fullest extent of his powers."</span></span><br />
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A <a href="https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/08/nz-election-2020-multi-million-dollar-funding-for-private-green-school-in-taranaki-going-ahead-despite-backlash.html" target="_blank">private school that has fees of between $11,000 and $43,000</a> a year would not fit with Beeby's vision and while it may generate income from foreign students, it has no place in an equitable education system. I can perfectly understand the <a href="https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/08/new-plymouth-principal-writes-scathing-letter-over-elitist-government-funding-for-private-school.html" target="_blank">angst from public schools</a> with serious funding and building issues when they saw this amount of public money being diverted to this private school.<br />
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However, I could also see how James could be caught out by the 'shovel ready' project financial bubble he was operating in. As he explained during a <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/424732/james-shaw-apologises-for-signing-off-on-funding-for-green-private-school" target="_blank">Zoom meeting of around 460 Green Party members</a>, the lens he was applying to the thousands of applicants was a carbon neutral, environmental one. This was a construction project that ticked multiple green boxes and was supported by the local council. <br />
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James' background is a <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11485190" target="_blank">business and environmental one</a>, while many in the party are primarily driven by social justice issues and environmental activism. I believe strongly that the Green Party is a more effective political force when it has a diverse membership with connections to a range of different communities and sectors. If we want to make progress in addressing climate change and reducing social inequity we need to have influence across the board of New Zealand society.<br />
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James is an able communicator, who has operated effectively in the business world from a sustainability perspective. He has worked with some of the largest multinationals as a PwC consultant. His career experiences and perspectives would clearly be quite different from a Green community activist, but his primary goals are largely the same. While I have disagreed with his views and approaches on other occasions, his value to the Green Party is substantial. His ability to get <a href="https://www.interest.co.nz/news/102476/national-throws-its-support-behind-james-shaws-zero-carbon-bill-commits-tweaking" target="_blank">cross party support for the Zero Carbon Bill</a> was essential to ensure it has longevity and impact despite who is in government. It was a great achievement to start a journey that will hopefully lead to substantial action.<br />
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The decision to fund the private school was unfortunate, but I was impressed by how James owned his error of judgment within the party and publicly. Obviously I wish it had never happened, especially in the middle of an election campaign, but it ended up as another test of our party's principles and internal processes. This is not the first time since the party has been part of the current government that <a href="http://localbodies-bsprout.blogspot.com/2018/06/its-not-easy-being-green-and-even.html" target="_blank">decisions by our Ministers</a> have caused members to question the price of compromise.<br />
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Some members and <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12360695" target="_blank">commentators</a> have predicted dire consequences each time a supposed impasse has occurred and, while a degree of collateral damage occurs each time, the Party manages to work through the issues and move on. Climate change is still occurring with steady relentlessness, our rivers are still contaminated and inequality and poverty continue to infect our society. No other party is as dedicated or resolute in its determination to address these crises as the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand. <br />
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We are all human, mistakes happen, but it is how we deal with mistakes that truly tests our principles, the resilience of the Party and our fitness to govern. <br />
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<b>Postscript: </b><a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/424944/green-party-co-leader-james-shaw-apologises-for-error-of-judgement-over-green-school-funding">James' public apology and media questions link</a><br />
<br />Dave Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12428353657153292616noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3612441315352179822.post-39066686471751292172020-05-14T16:52:00.001+12:002020-05-14T20:36:18.772+12:00Will Job Budget Address Inequities? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G5vkyTGRDts/XrzGHkUxQPI/AAAAAAAAHY0/XOPpVaqG6HIOb09GNzWhf9h9TdRExtr_ACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/T3EDJKVUVJFVXE6RPBHI7AVQZM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="349" data-original-width="620" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G5vkyTGRDts/XrzGHkUxQPI/AAAAAAAAHY0/XOPpVaqG6HIOb09GNzWhf9h9TdRExtr_ACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/T3EDJKVUVJFVXE6RPBHI7AVQZM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Covid-19 lockdown has enabled us to examine work, social inequities and essential infrastructure from some useful perspectives.<br />
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The first observation was regarding our ability to manage a national health crisis. I remember an interview recently with a surgeon who became emotional when describing his relief that we had managed to avoid a total collapse of our medical system (a real concern). If we had not locked down as soon as we had, it would have revealed how little real capacity we had in the system.<br />
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The lack of investment in our hospital infrastructure has meant we are now ranked in the <a href="https://data.oecd.org/healtheqt/hospital-beds.htm">bottom 25%</a> in the OECD for beds per 1,000 people. For example we have 2.6 beds for every 1,000 inhabitants and Italy (which was overwhelmed) had 3.2. Germany (with 8 beds per 1,000) has coped well with the sudden increase in patients and its death rate is well below Spain (3 beds) and France (6 beds). Before the pandemic our hospital system was already struggling to meet demand as our population increased, became older and diseases like <a href="https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2019/08/06/711560/diabetes-new-zealands-greatest-epidemic">diabetes reached crisis levels</a>.<br />
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One positive that did occur regarding infrastructure, was the easing of the homeless crisis. Those previously struggling to find rental properties, or forced to live on the streets because of the lack of social housing, discovered airbnbs suddenly becoming available to rent long-term and moteliers gladly opening their empty units to homeless individuals and families. There were around 1,000 rough sleepers in Auckland alone and to have most housed should make a huge difference in lifting their circumstances to one where they may be able to make permanent changes for the better. This will also allow some breathing space to get on top of the housing construction shortfall.<br />
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We can see for ourselves, from what is occurring in other countries, that we only just missed a major catastrophe through an early lockdown. The value of a well functioning public health system has been well established when viewing what is happening in the United States. When a population is reliant on for-profit health provision there is a reluctance to do what is really necessary if it negatively impacts shareholders and certain demographics (Blacks, Latinos) fall through the gaps. Socialised systems allow for cohesive action, while systems reliant on multiple businesses and insurers, and through complicated supply chains, are doomed to fail in a crisis.<br />
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The inequities within the US society are easily revealed when looking at the ethnic breakdown of Covid deaths. Blacks have <a href="https://www.apmresearchlab.org/covid/deaths-by-race">died at over double the rate</a> of white citizens. Of course, it is not just the medical system that had an impact but the fact that blacks are more likely to live in crowded homes and were forced to continue working with few protections. There could have been similar inequities in New Zealand as our Maori and Pasifika communities experience similar challenges as the Blacks in the US. However, the current infection statistics have shown that <a href="https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-current-situation/covid-19-current-cases">ethnicity</a> has not been such a defining factor here.<br />
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Serious inequities in New Zealand were revealed, however, when regarding education and work. <br />
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When students were forced to stay at home and connect with their teachers online it revealed that around <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/413882/covid-19-online-learning-poses-challenge-for-low-decile-schools">100,000 students had no internet</a>. In one school, 65% of students had no access to wifi or a connecting device. This reality had been known for some time and had been ignored as our education system had developed into one of the most unequal in the OECD <a href="http://localbodies-bsprout.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-destruction-of-new-zealands-public.html">under the previous government</a>. There is a growing gap, not only between the resourcing of schools, but in what homes can provide for supporting learning.<br />
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The realities of living and working during the lockdown were also different depending on income and type of job. Those in white collar jobs, or the 20% most affluent, were more likely to be able to continue working and to do so from home. This was revealed through <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/300011189/coronavirus-there-were-two-quite-different-covid19-lockdowns-in-new-zealand">cellphone data derived from tracking movement</a>. Those in the top 20% had an almost 50% drop in general mobility, while those in the bottom 20% were around 25%.<br />
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The work deemed essential was a bit of a wake up call, because a good percentage of our essential workers were our lowest paid (or even volunteers) and yet were forced to expose themselves to possible infection to carry out their jobs. Most had no access to personal protection equipment (PPE) and had to continue working as cleaners, care givers, rest home workers, waste collection, mail and goods deliveries, supermarket workers...and if the virus had spread we would have been reliant on volunteer ambulance staff and firemen.<br />
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Those most likely to lose their jobs will also largely be those on minimum wages within service industries, especially those connected to tourism.<br />
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I recently joined a webinar where the Infometrics Senior Economist, <a href="https://www.infometrics.co.nz/team_member/brad-olsen/">Brad Olson</a>, shared his thoughts on our economic situation in the short and medium term. The importance of retraining for many workers was discussed and Brad was asked what industry would be offering the most jobs when considering courses and qualifications, he thought there could be many jobs related to social services.<br />
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When we look at an economic recovery post-Covid, there will clearly be a focus on the construction industry and other <a href="https://www.crowninfrastructure.govt.nz/iirg/">"shovel ready"</a> projects (hopefully most will have climate and community resilience criteria applied). However, if we really want our domestic economy to thrive in the short and long term, then valuing all our essential workers from now on, with appropriate recognition and remuneration, is essential.<br />
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Last year <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2019/05/28/countries-with-the-widest-gaps-between-rich-and-poor/39510157/">Wall Street included New Zealand</a> amongst the 15 countries that had the widest gaps between rich and poor. When looking through the list, levels of unemployment were not considered an indicator of wealth distribution.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #303030;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>"Higher labor force participation can help drive down income inequality as a higher share of working people can reduce the poverty rate and shrink the gap between rich and poor. Yet this is not the case in New Zealand, which still has among the highest income inequalities despite having one of the highest labor force participation rates. More than 70% of New Zealanders aged 15 and older are in the labor force –- the second highest rate among OECD member states and affiliates"</i></span></span><br />
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New Zealand does not have a large number of "lazy dole bludgers" as many right wing commentators promote. We probably have one of the harder-working labour forces in the OECD and many are actually <a href="https://www.stats.govt.nz/news/one-in-five-part-timers-are-underemployed">underemployed and actively looking for more work</a>. We also have amongst the <a href="https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2016/12/new-zealand-employment-how-hard-kiwis-are-working.html">longest working hours</a> on average. In an earlier linked Stuff article cleaner <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/300011189/coronavirus-there-were-two-quite-different-covid19-lockdowns-in-new-zealand">Rose Cavapalu was featured</a>. Rose is a cleaner who works two jobs and averages 65 hours per week. Her working day starts at 7:30am and finishes at 10:30pm. It took two jobs and long hours to cover basic necessities.<br />
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The financial benefits of New Zealand's economic growth leading up to the pandemic were <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12195043">not evenly shared</a>. From 2015-18 the richest fifth of households saw their net worth increase by 26% while those in the bottom fifth probably saw their net worth drop. The<a href="https://www.livingwage.org.nz/about"> living wage</a> is currently established as $21.15 an hour and yet the minimum wage is set at $18.90. The youth rate or "starting out" wage is $15.12 an hour. <a href="https://nzinitiative.org.nz/reports-and-media/opinion/wealth-is-complicated/">The richest 10% </a>in New Zealand have captured 53% of the nation's wealth. Many of our <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/money/106288425/supermarket-owners-banking-super-profits-nbr-rich-list-shows">richest individuals own supermarkets</a> and <a href="https://www.seniortrustcapital.co.nz/about-us/why-we-invest-retirement-sector">rest homes</a> that provide great returns but employ essential workers on the lowest wages possible.<br />
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If we are to give a boost to our domestic economy there needs to be a redistribution of wealth that better reflects the value of essential work. I was really pleased to see that the government has not been forthcoming in supporting landlords who have profited hugely from increasing rents and pocketing largely untaxed capital gains. The wealthy spend much of their disposable income on overseas luxury items such as <a href="https://www.mta.org.nz/radiatorgo/luxury-car-market/">new cars</a> or international travel, while the average worker spends almost all their income on essential items and services from local businesses.<br />
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An increase in the minimum wage creates an immediate boost to the domestic economy and local businesses. While some may claim that small businesses will suffer if they have to increase wages, the reality is that many small businesses pay well above the minimum wage and it is <a href="https://www.odt.co.nz/business/menu-hundreds-fast-food-workers-strike">the businesses that can most afford it that don't</a>.<br />
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The lockdown also revealed that a good number of jobs could still be done through more family friendly, flexible hours. Many workers struggle with family commitments and work. New Zealand's low productivity is an ongoing issue and flexible hours and the ability to work from home may help address that. Removing the costs and time spent traveling, reducing workplace running costs, and opening the door to many high qualified workers currently excluded because of inflexible hours must make a difference. For many sole parents(mainly women), more flexible hours may allow them to better use their skills and experience and increase their household incomes. A high percentage of <a href="https://thehub.swa.govt.nz/assets/Uploads/Multiple-disadvantage-sole-parents-report-FINAL.pdf">our poorest families are sole parent ones</a>.<br />
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The budget has set aside $15.9 billion for supporting jobs. The details behind what it will really involve have still to be fully determined. I would hope that we can finally address the issues that the pandemic helped highlight:<br />
<ul>
<li>Essential workers need to be paid much more.</li>
<li>The minimum wage needs to at least match the living wage and we no longer exploit our youth workers. </li>
<li>The wealthiest 10% should be expected to do their bit rather than receiving unnecessary <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/121215598/coronavirus-more-than-16-million-in-wage-subsidy-to-be-refunded-after-government-audit?rm=a">corporate welfare</a>.</li>
<li>Supporting family friendly, flexible hours will help lift many household incomes and increase productivity.</li>
<li>Job creation should have a greater purpose by also addressing climate change mitigation and and dealing with our environmental and social crises. </li>
<li>Jobs should be sustainable and future focussed. </li>
<li>Training and education opportunities should prioritise areas of need in the health, education and social service sectors.</li>
<li>Recognising that by increasing the earning capacity of our poorest families it is also an investment in their children and our future citizens and workforce. </li>
</ul>
It would be great to have some specified targets to address goals such as these to best track progress. There is always the concern that the same people who have profited most from the pre-Covid economy will soak up more than their share when the $15.9 billion is distributed. Perhaps we should be scrutinising the luxury car market as one indicator.<br />
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<br />Dave Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12428353657153292616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3612441315352179822.post-20484801066720271802020-04-15T17:10:00.004+12:002021-03-29T00:46:05.439+13:00Composting - the circular economy starts at home.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">My two bin composting system</span></div>
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The Covid-19 pandemic has forced many households to look at how they can operate more sustainably and reduce the need to venture outside the safety of their home "bubble". During my last visit to a local garden centre before Level 4, I was pleasantly surprised that there had been great demand for vegetable plants. Obviously growing food at home was seen as an essential element of lock down self-sufficiency.<br />
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It is great to see more people wishing to grow their own food, as it such a rewarding thing to do. Food that is harvested fresh from a home garden has so many advantages compared to supermarket bought produce:<br />
<ul>
<li>You know where it has come from </li>
<li>The food miles or carbon foot print needed to get it to you are minimal</li>
<li>You can grow produce that is not common in supermarkets (gooseberries, rhubarb, heritage varieties...)</li>
<li>Fully ripened, freshly harvested produce tastes so much better than store bought</li>
<li>More health giving nutrients are contained in fresh food than produce that has often been harvested a week or more before (B and C vitamins degrade when exposed to air, heat and light).</li>
</ul>
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It is easy to grow food in any sized property, whether you have a large garden or tiny flat, all you need is soil, water and sunlight. In a smaller property with very restricted space containers or <a href="https://www.1millionwomen.com.au/blog/how-to-make-your-own-vertical-pallet-garden-in-three-easy-steps/">pallets</a> can be used. </div>
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With a large property you can build a mini market garden with an extensive variety of fruit and vegetables.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Our veggie garden, early spring planting and sowing</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Summer harvest</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Autumn harvest</span></div>
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Growing your own food can be as simple or as complex as you like, however, the more you invest in it, the more food you can grow. There are a number of variables that can limit production, some can be controlled and others can't. Plants need sunlight, warmth, soil and water to thrive and optimising each of these supports the growth and health of a plant. Sunlight, warmth and water are a case of accepting what is naturally provided and adding to that if possible. If you have pots you can move them around to capture more sun, you can put plants inside or use a greenhouse to increase warmth and providing more water is generally straight forward (unless you have a drought). Of the four elements, providing good soil is the most complex.<br />
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If you have ample sunlight, water and warmth, it is the quality of your soil that then determines plant health and there are a multitude of variables that need to be taken into account:<br />
<ul>
<li>Soil pH is the acidity or alkalinity of the soil and this can vary a lot depending on the geology of your area or past land use. Most plants thrive in a pH range of 5.5-7.5, but some plants <a href="https://www.offthegridnews.com/survival-gardening-2/25-fruits-and-vegetables-to-grow-in-acidic-soil/">prefer more acid soils </a> and some <a href="https://homeguides.sfgate.com/vegetables-grow-ph-75-alkaline-soil-105274.html">prefer slightly more alkaline soils</a>. </li>
<li>Soil structure is determined by the natural dominance of clay or sand etc (<a href="https://learn.eartheasy.com/articles/know-your-garden-soil-how-to-make-the-most-of-your-soil-type/">there are six main soil types</a>) and whether you have good drainage or a history of overuse or high inputs of different materials. A simple squeeze test can help determine the type of soil you have and again, different plants thrive in different soils. </li>
</ul>
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You can do testing to determine the pH level of your soils and you can add fertilisers and other additives from garden centres. However, this can be costly and complicated to get the best results and there is a more straight forward system of improving general soil quality and health...COMPOST!<br />
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In the end the most important element for healthy soil is the amount of humus it contains. <a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/humus/">Humus</a> is the dark brown organic material created by decaying plant and animal matter. In natural circumstances it provides the topsoil on top of the sand, clay, gravel etc that may dominate your local geology. Humus readily absorbs and holds water, supports worms and contains heaps of nitrogen and minerals essential for plant health. It can take centuries to naturally build a good layer of humus in a top soil and many farmers are rediscovering the value of humus (<a href="https://thespinoff.co.nz/business/04-11-2019/with-the-walls-closing-in-regenerative-farming-is-a-way-forward-for-agriculture/">regenerative farming</a>) after a reliance on <a href="https://te-awa.partica.co.nz/te-awa/te-awa-issue-65/greens-have-their-say/regenerative-agriculture-is-our-best-hope">artificial fertilisers and sprays which had depleted it</a>. However, for home gardeners building a healthy layer of humus rich topsoil is relatively easy and cheap by just adding compost.<br />
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The environmental challenges created by our increasing consumerism and high waste economy are beginning to hit home. Increasing amounts of waste are ending up in landfill and New Zealand currently produces around <a href="https://www.recycle.co.nz/problemsize.php">15.5 million tonnes of waste a year</a> and around a tonne a year for each household. Obviously plastic is a huge problem, but so is the amount of organic waste we produce.<br />
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Many people are discussing the need to change the way our linear global and national economies currently operate (extraction - production - consumerism - waste) so that we end up with a circular economy. In a circular economy there is no "end of life" for products and produce and we consider what was previously waste as a resource for feeding back into the economy. Rare metals and plastics etc can be recycled and repurposed and food waste can be deliberately used to produce energy or to make compost.<br />
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Most western countries throw out around a third of total food produced and a good amount goes to landfill where it is mixed up with other waste and produces methane. At an individual level we can make a difference by only buying what we can reasonably consume and then use our food scraps in more productive ways.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">HOW TO MAKE COMPOST</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Collection</span></b><br />
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Depending on the system you plan to use there is potentially a wide variety of material that is compostable.<br />
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<b>Basic</b><br />
We have a large bucket under our kitchen sink where we place all food scraps (apart from pumpkin seeds and potato peelings - which tend to sprout - and fruit stones that don't break down quickly). We also include paper towels used for cooking purposes. Any sized container, with a lid, could be used depending on what is practical in your own situation.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">our compost bucket</span></div>
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If you are keen to try some more sophisticated systems you could try the Bokashi system or a worm farm.<br />
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<b>Bokashi</b><br />
This is basically <a href="https://compostcollective.org.nz/bokashi/#The-Sprinkle">a process that ferments or pickles your waste</a>. It produces a fluid that can be added to water to use as a liquid fertiliser and the fermented scraps can be then added to another composting system. Because a composting process has already been started it is a useful turbo charge for your compost heap. You can buy commercially made buckets and a "sprinkle" or starter that is regularly added to the contents to cause the fermenting process. This process creates a sweet smelling concoction. <br />
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However, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=26&v=D2Ld_O45xGs&feature=emb_logo">you can make your own</a> by fitting one bucket into another so that there is a space between them at the bottom and making some holes in the bottom of the top bucket. This allows the fluid to drain through into the outside bucket, which can then be poured out for future use. The sprinkle can be made from a variety of material but an easy recipe uses sawdust and molasses.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Composting systems</span></b><br />
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<b>Worm farm</b><br />
<a href="https://compostcollective.org.nz/worm-farming/">This system</a> is a step up from bokashi because the worms turn the food scraps directly into compost and a rich "worm tea" is also produced which is an excellent liquid fertiliser. Tiger worms are at the centre of this system and they are very efficient, eating their own weight each day and quickly turning food waste into compost. However, they can't manage large quantities (unless you have a large system) and they cannot digest dairy products, processed food, citrus fruit, or members of the onion family.<br />
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<b>Trenching</b><br />
This requires no bins and allows you to add your gathered material directly to to the garden. If my compost bins are full, I use this method but it can be used as your main system.<br />
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All you have to do is dig a trench in your garden bed, place the scraps in it then cover with soil. You can plant above it but it is best done in a bed that will be used a month or so later. It doesn't quite work as well as adding already made compost to your garden but requires no seperate bin.<br />
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This method can also be used for large pots if you place a small amount of soil at the bottom of the pot, add some food scraps than fill again with the majority of the soil.<br />
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<b>Easy bin system</b><br />
This is my current system that I have developed over the years, requires minimal management and produces great compost.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Compost bin design using boards and pegs that allow layers with gaps for better air circulation</span></div>
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I use two square bins that are around 80-90 cm wide (see top image). These can be made of a variety of materials as long as you can add or remove layers relatively easily. You could use wood from free pallets but macrocarpa would last longer and I wouldn't use treated wood because of the arsenic and other chemicals used in the treatment process. I also use some heavy duty black polythene to cover them to retain heat and limit pests and place bricks on top to hold it down.<br />
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In one of the two bins I throw all my food scraps, lawn clippings, leaves and weeds in no specific order. I try and minimise the seed heads, but many weed seeds are destroyed if you can get some good heat generated from your compost. I usually cover food scraps with a layer of lawn clippings or weeds to discourage pests like rats. Some general tips:<br />
<ul>
<li>I use our lawn mower to run over hedge clippings, large leaves or twigs to break them down to a more easily compostable consitency.</li>
<li>Woody brassica stalks should be crushed (I use a brick) or chopped up to speed their decomposition. </li>
<li>I grow<a href="https://www.tenthacrefarm.com/comfrey-uses/"> comfrey</a> which has multiple uses as a natural fertiliser, but its leaves are a great additive to a compost heap as a starter and activator. </li>
<li>I collect small woody branches and twigs that cannot easily be mowed over and use an electric chipper to turn them into chip that can be then added to the compost. </li>
<li>If I prune a tree I remove all the small twigs and leaves for composting (these can be mowed over too) and chop up the largest parts for firewood. </li>
<li>Our compost bins are full of ordinary worms and these have become naturally present over time. However, finding a few elsewhere in your garden and adding them to your compost would be helpful in the beginning. They will breed quickly. </li>
<li>You will find that once you have a fully functioning bin that the worms and heat etc will quickly break things down and more space will be created.</li>
<li>Lawn and hedge clippings add some useful mass and nitrogen that also helps create heat. </li>
<li>Seaweed gathered from a local beach is a very useful addition to your compost. Larger hunks of kelp etc should be chopped up.</li>
</ul>
Once my first bin is full and struggles to contain any more material, I transfer it to the second bin (which obviously has to be empty and most compost from the earlier transference used). This transference is useful for the following reasons:<br />
<ul>
<li>It places the most recent material to the bottom and the mostly composted material to the top, this can be used immediately.</li>
<li>It allows you to break up larger clumps and add more air to the heap generally.</li>
<li>If the heap is too dry you can add water and if it is too wet you can ensure it is transferred loosely to help reduce moisture levels.</li>
<li>The other bonus of transferring the compost is discovering the odd teaspoon, vegetable peeler or secateurs that were accidentally thrown out. They can be more readily rescued if they haven't been embedded too long in the heap. </li>
</ul>
I find that I have a turn around time, from when I first start a heap to when I can use the compost, of around three months. With our larger garden I use four bins (two pairs) and often end up with more compost than I can use.<br />
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<b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKK9hF_TIXo" target="_blank">A short video about my two bin system</a></b></div><div><b><br /></b>
<b>These are some other alternatives that could be considered:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Rotating compost bin</b><br />
If you have limited space a rotating bin can produce a good amount of heat and some quick compost, however, you will always end up with a mixture of good compost and material not fully composted.<br />
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You can purchase commercially made bins <a href="https://www.permaculture.co.uk/readers-solutions/make-low-heat-retaining-diy-compost-tumbler">or make one</a> from a plastic barrel a few boards and some wheels.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iq1Zk0GnxQc/XpaKsun4awI/AAAAAAAAHXk/GZdnHU3eIQYBkhO21vzrcuc0SUY4xbTTwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/compost-tumbler2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="460" height="208" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iq1Zk0GnxQc/XpaKsun4awI/AAAAAAAAHXk/GZdnHU3eIQYBkhO21vzrcuc0SUY4xbTTwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/compost-tumbler2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Plastic Compost barrel</b><br />
These can be purchased at hardware stores but I have had limited success with them. It is difficult to get air circulation and you need to ensure that you have a good mixture or layers, including woody material that is high in carbon. If not managed well you can end up with a mass of smelly anaerobic mush. I would advise that you place them on the ground to allow contact with the soil and allow the entry of worms etc.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5XMNyDflo8o/XpaOlifH18I/AAAAAAAAHXw/xcXyLtjmNG8jfXPGo4bp_Ef0G_ig6E9vACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2bins-684x512.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="623" height="205" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5XMNyDflo8o/XpaOlifH18I/AAAAAAAAHXw/xcXyLtjmNG8jfXPGo4bp_Ef0G_ig6E9vACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2bins-684x512.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Compost use</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
There are many ways to use compost.<br />
<ul>
<li>Spread as a mulch around plants to better retain moisture</li>
<li>Added to raised beds before planting</li>
<li>Replace tired soil in a greenhouse. I do this every three years and spread the old green house soil around our flower garden.</li>
<li>Sift the compost through a bought or <a href="https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/diy/how-to-make-a-soil-sieve/">home made sieve</a> to create a finer potting or seedling mix. </li>
<li>Spread thinly on your lawn for natural fertiliser if you regularly use a catcher. </li>
<li>Build mounds around your potato plants to increase yields. </li>
<li>If you have a surplus it is great to fill sacks and give away. </li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">fresh compost in the green house</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">POSTSCRIPT</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
A lot of my links are to the Auckland website <a href="https://compostcollective.org.nz/">https://compostcollective.org.nz/</a> which contains lots of very useful information and tips on different composting systems.<br />
<br />
Another useful NZ site is from the Wanaka Wastebusters, who have a number of practical videos from "Dr Compost": <a href="https://www.wastebusters.co.nz/compost/">https://www.wastebusters.co.nz/compost/</a></div>
</div>
Dave Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12428353657153292616noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3612441315352179822.post-18399486543592955812019-08-09T23:57:00.001+12:002020-04-18T14:37:49.112+12:00The muddied waters of the winter grazing debate<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WrCvYvMCxUE/XU1fO7djBJI/AAAAAAAAHSU/OTi-Mm-tIXoBAtwgEbZ9iSYHBFBiFs6uQCLcBGAs/s1600/cows%2Blie%2Bin%2Bmud_close%2Bfor%2BDB_1SDzdf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1025" data-original-width="1600" height="205" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WrCvYvMCxUE/XU1fO7djBJI/AAAAAAAAHSU/OTi-Mm-tIXoBAtwgEbZ9iSYHBFBiFs6uQCLcBGAs/s320/cows%2Blie%2Bin%2Bmud_close%2Bfor%2BDB_1SDzdf.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
winter grazing issue is becoming a highly-sensitised one that I hope will not
become so politicised that it delays solutions and results in the suicides of
some very stressed farmers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
Winter grazing has hit the headlines after a <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/114821455/cows-in-mud-taskforce-to-tackle-winter-grazing">determined
campaign, including the release of a video</a> of some very common scenes
around the country at this time of year. It recorded many examples of poorly
managed grazing causing discomfort and stress to stock and graphically
demonstrating the environmental degradation that this method causes. The campaign
helped to motivate the Agriculture Minister Damien O'Connor into announcing the
formation of a task force to respond to the issues around the practice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
There has been some politically questionable responses to the campaign and the
Minister's announcement and most especially from Clutha Southland MP Hamish
Walker. He described the taskforce as "more money down the drain" and
unfortunately related the conditions of <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/114846766/mp-likens-ihumtao-protesters-to-dairy-cows-standing-in-mud">winter
grazing as similar to those protesting at Ihumātao</a>. This displayed a
good deal of ignorance of both issues.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
The Southland region has suffered massively from the environmental impacts of
dairying. To put the growth of the industry in perspective, the number of cows
in Southland has grown over 500% between 1994 and 2015, the fastest growth of any region.
The total population of dairy cattle in the region is now over 600,000. Each cow
produces <a href="https://www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/Community/Your-community/For-Farmers/Effluent-management/Applying-effluent-to-land/">the
same quantity of effluent as 14 people</a> and this means that our
Southland dairy herd is the largely untreated effluent equivalent of 8.4
million people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
Most of our rivers are now deemed unswimmable and <a href="https://www.es.govt.nz/community/swimming/Pages/default.aspx">Environment
Southland warns people not to swim or collect shellfish</a> for at least
two days after heavy rain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
The New River estuary beside Invercargill has suffered hugely from farm
sediment and nutrients to the extent that it is eutrophying at a shocking rate.
A 2013 <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/opinion/8169687/Editorial-Our-degraded-estuaries">Southland
Times editorial</a> graphically described the situation:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "times";">"Anyone
who regards the warnings about Southland's sick estuaries as alarmist should
take their head out of the sand and insert it into some of the eutrophic
nastiness of Daffodil Bay. Such a popular recreational area, it is now redolent
of Rotorua and not in a good way." </span></i><span style="font-family: "times";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "times";"><br />
</span></i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Six years later things have got
exponentially worse, to the extent that it will take a massive investment to
remove tonnes of toxic black sludge if we were to make any difference. A
summary of <a href="https://www.es.govt.nz/Document%20Library/Research%20and%20reports/Estuarine%20reports/New%20River%20Estuary%20-%20Macroalgal%20Monitoring%20-%202017_2018.pdf">a
2018 macroalgal monitoring report</a> includes this statement:</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "times";">"In
short, the estuary is exhibiting significant problems associated with excessive
nutrient fuelled nuisance macroalgal growth and likely represents the largest
impact of this type to have occurred in a NZ SIDE estuary. Unless nutrient
inputs to the estuary are reduced significantly, it is expected that there will
be a continuation of these very difficult to reverse adverse impacts in the
estuary."</span></i><span style="font-family: "times";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dairy
farming and winter grazing are also seriously threatening <a href="https://localbodies-bsprout.blogspot.com/2011/04/sun-shone-on-waituna.html">New
Zealand's most significant and internationally recognised wetland</a>.
Southland's Waituna Lagoon has been close to flipping for almost a decade
and <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/103593596/toxic-algae-in-waituna-lagoon-a-risk-to-duck-hunters">almost
did last year</a> when it suffered a toxic algae bloom. A combination of
an unusually hot summer and high nutrient load caused the bloom. With climate change
increasing the likelihood of future hot summers, we can only really look at
reducing nutrient levels if we want to avoid a repeat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
Urgent action is needed but the consequences for farmers are massive. The growth
of our dairy herds was enthusiastically supported by Fonterra, the <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/wanganui-chronicle/rural/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503421&objectid=11141498">previous
government</a> and banks, with little regard to the environmental
consequences. Farmers were actively encouraged to increase production and <a href="https://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/outrage-decision-sack-ecan-councillors">Environment
Canterbury was sacked</a> when councillors were deemed too slow to provide
water rights to the expanding dairy industry. During the main growth phase of
dairying in Southland the regional council largely acted as an enabler and few
restrictions were applied to sensitive catchments. The current council is able
to better manage recent consent applications but retrospective action is hugely
problematic. <a href="https://localbodies-bsprout.blogspot.com/2013/07/dairy-farmers-object-to-accountability.html">Southland
Federated Farmers</a> have fiercely fought any initiatives to restrict and
manage the industry. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">However,
it is unreasonable to lay the blame totally on farmers who set up and grew
their businesses under a regime that encouraged growth and ignored the external
impacts of the industry. Many are trapped with high debt and the label
"Dirty Dairy". Farmers have told me that they are now reluctant to
admit their occupation because of the social stigma and feel that they are
becoming the fall guys (and gals) as environmental awareness within the
public grows. Many farmers do not share the Federation's hard ball approach
and there have been a number of farmers who have <a href="https://localbodies-bsprout.blogspot.com/2011/07/dairy-story-with-happy-ending.html">embraced
the environmental challenges</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
It is hard to change years of practice without cost-effective alternatives but
there is a high level of urgency to find these for farmers and share the
practical solutions that exist. Environment Southland have changed intensive
winter grazing from a permitted activity to one that can only be permitted if a
number of criteria are met. It is clear that many have ignored this and I am
not aware of what consequences are being applied to those who do. A carrot and
stick approach may be necessary to encourage some change of practice in the
short term. However, even the best managed intensive winter grazing has
negative impacts on soil health and ground water. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Many
believe that we have gone beyond "peak cow" with regards to
environmental sustainability. We were recently importing around a million
tonnes of palm kernel per annum because herd sizes grew beyond the capacity of
many farms to support. A reduction in herd size would be an instant solution
(and would also reduce our troubling methane emissions) but the economic
consequences would be drastic to many unless there were other ways of
increasing income with reduced stock numbers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
Farmers shouldn't have to be left alone to find solutions. The Minister's task
force may be some help but there should be a considerable financial investment
and a collaborative approach from industry, government, Agresearch and local
communities. We have to get alongside farmers to create change before they
completely lose their social licence to operate and their declining mental
health has serious consequences. This may be both an environmental and social
disaster if not managed well and quickly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
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POST SCRIPT:<br />
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A couple of campaigners, one of whom has been photographing winter grazing for a number of years, had their vehicle rammed during the weekend. <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/southland-top-stories/114918187/allegations-of-trespassing-and-intimidation-as-southland-winter-grazing-protest-escalates">Enraged farmers</a> also smashed a vehicle window and around a dozen of them blockaded a property to stop the activists from leaving. This is a concerning escalation.<!--EndFragment--><br />
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<br />Dave Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12428353657153292616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3612441315352179822.post-84030618892787876582019-08-07T14:13:00.000+12:002019-08-08T10:46:28.794+12:00Green Party's tranparency questioned<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-amBSG57Y8aY/XUoxJVQFzAI/AAAAAAAAHR8/vO4F5Aj88jAo2jZ3C1EPqmiprAPtRTEowCLcBGAs/s1600/eight_col_Julie_Ann_Genter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="720" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-amBSG57Y8aY/XUoxJVQFzAI/AAAAAAAAHR8/vO4F5Aj88jAo2jZ3C1EPqmiprAPtRTEowCLcBGAs/s320/eight_col_Julie_Ann_Genter.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Green Part has been accused of lack of transparency in two recent situations. The first was the claimed <a href="https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2019/08/greens-annual-conference-in-media-lockdown-over-caricature-fears.html">media lockdown</a> during Green's annual conference and the second was <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/396101/ombudsman-investigates-after-julie-anne-genter-refuses-to-make-letter-public?fbclid=IwAR3lUXDTWRtpkONtrczSfo372CgFwVelVx35Et86IiJDRiMa2iU_58Yu5TA">Julie Ann Genter's refusal to release a letter </a>she had sent to Phil Twyford.<br />
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I do get frustrated when journalist's succumb to emotive reporting and do not apply due diligence to ensure balance and logic.<br />
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The majority of the 2019 conference was dominated by the Party's Annual General Meeting, this involved some substantial remits and election of officers, including all leadership positions. I have attended Green Party AGM's for the last fourteen years and can't remember one that allowed a media presence. This was not an unprecedented "lock down" but standard practice, as it is for many other organisations that enforce member only restrictions.<br />
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<a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/395876/transparency-falters-at-greens-annual-conference">James Shaw's concerns</a> about balanced reporting of our conferences are completely valid from my experience. I have noted that media in the past were overly-keen to reinforce stereotypes and it was common for film crews to hone in on individuals with beards or "hippy" style clothes. The Greens have a diverse membership and most present as ordinary kiwis. <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/10108802/Once-upon-a-Green-party-conference">A 2014 report on that year's Green conference</a> did acknowledge that the Party didn't fit past characterisations and also described the closed sessions that have always been a feature.<br />
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Julie Ann Genter's refusal to make public a letter to Phil Twyford is another beat up that is similar in substance to the fabricated controversy around <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/99295323/government-denies-theres-an-official-coalition-document-still-to-be-made-public">Winston Peters' refusal to release a document</a> of policy commitments that were still being negotiated with Labour. As both the Prime Minister and Peters' explained any agreement would be made public but the negotiations are an internal process.<br />
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Genter's letter was written using her Associate Minister letterhead, which may have been an error, but the contents were part of an internal negotiation process, not the operations of a Ministry. Not releasing the letter protected the ability to have free and frank discussions. Given that the final decisions around Wellington's transport plan were widely supported there seems to be little purpose (other than mischief-making) to scrutinise the internal discussions that led to the plan.<br />
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These beat ups distract people from appreciating the Green Party's constant push for increasing Government transparency:<br />
<ul>
<li>When <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/2463884/Green-MPs-to-reveal-their-expenses">Green MPs released their expenses</a> it forced the <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10576092">John Key led government to follow suit</a>. We can now scrutinise each MP's spending and I'm sure it has led to a more circumspect approach from MPs when they spend public funds. </li>
<li>When there has been little transparency regarding the Government's contact with lobbyists <a href="https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2018/07/23/163686/greens-release-ministerial-meetings">Green Ministers have publicly released their ministerial diaries</a> to encourage others to follow suit. This did occur in December last year when it became <a href="https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/government-proactively-release-ministerial-diaries">an expectation for all ministerial diaries</a>. </li>
<li>The Green Party has also been advocating for greater transparency around the costing of election policies. The suggestion of Treasury being given the ability to do an <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11581777">independent cost/benefit analysis of campaign policies</a> would provide some voter confidence around the practicalities of promises. If this had been done when the National Party promoted its "Roads of National Significance" it would have immediately stopped the <a href="https://thespinoff.co.nz/auckland/23-06-2017/i-have-not-quantified-the-benefits-the-astonishing-truth-about-nzs-most-expensive-road-ever/">waste of public money on a number of nonviable projects</a>. </li>
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One of the Green Party's four principles is Appropriate Decision Making and that includes transparency and inclusion of those who will be impacted by any decision. When decisions are made and public funds are spent, then these need to have public scrutiny. However, free and frank internal discussions are difficult to have under a media spotlight and the knowledge that anything said may be misinterpreted for political gain or the purpose of audience titillation. It would be nice to have complete transparency of all meetings and discussions but this clearly isn't a possibility within the real world of politics and social media gossip. </div>
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<br />Dave Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12428353657153292616noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3612441315352179822.post-83799309972651604762019-05-29T00:51:00.000+12:002019-05-29T09:18:10.686+12:00The Teacher Strikes and the Fiscal Cap<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The teacher strike has a back story that should not be dismissed or ignored. This is much more than two of our larger unions (NZEI and PPTA) flexing their collective muscles just to get a pay rise. As a retired teacher and <a href="https://www.whaleoil.net.nz/2013/07/not-for-profit-in-education/#more-101107">past member of NZEI's Executive</a> I know how much it takes to push our teachers into strike action, in its 136 year history this has occurred only a handful of times.<br />
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I recently left teaching myself after over 30 years of service in a range of roles that included special needs and five years as a deputy principal. Lack of resourcing, little government recognition, very long hours (60-70 per week) and stress caused me to pursue political solutions. The steady decay of our world-leading public education system began with the neoliberal Tomorrow's Schools model and culminated with relentless attacks from the last National Government. I listed much that has been inflicted on our education system over the past decade in this widely viewed and circulated <a href="http://localbodies-bsprout.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-destruction-of-new-zealands-public.html">blog post</a>.<br />
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Most teachers see their job as a vocation and when many changes like National Standards are forced on the profession they soldier on and try and manage as best as they can. Martin Thrupp's <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=11163764">internationally recognised research</a> into National Standards described the lengths many schools went to in protecting their children from a flawed and untested system. Experienced teachers who have already committed much of their lives to their career battled on but many new teachers do not have the same resilience and over 40% leave the profession after only five years. Consequently the average age of teachers has been steadily rising, it is now 57 years for primary teachers and <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11867471">similar for secondary teachers</a>.<br />
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We are already experiencing a teacher shortage and the government has resorted to <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/110090896/nz-schools-need-376-teachers-in-2019-as-overseas-recruitment-drive-falls-short">importing teachers</a> to make up the shortfall. When we get to a desperate situation of just getting people in front of classes there is the inevitable compromising of quality. Teachers who struggled to get jobs before are gratefully snapped up, those ready to retire hang on and overseas teachers will not be conversant with our curriculum or culture. The pressure on already overworked experienced teachers will increase as they have to provide advice and guidance to support this inflow.<br />
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I cannot see how we are going to properly replace half of the teaching workforce as they retire over the next ten years. According to the Ministry of Education there are around 70,000 in the teaching workforce. If half retire over the next decade and we are losing over 40% of beginning teachers after five years, then I calculate that we will need to train around 5,000 a year to also cater for rapidly growing school rolls (an <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/363420/auckland-schools-struggling-as-rolls-reach-capacity">increase of 3,455</a> for 2017-18). <a href="http://www.education.govt.nz/news/teacher-supply-update-more-teachers-in-our-classrooms/">Current training numbers are 500 short of this</a>, and again I worry about quality. I used to be part of a selection panel for a local teacher training campus and I once remember our recommendation not to accept a student was overruled by the University when there was a drive to increase numbers. We were told that they didn't have to be professional or inspiring, just "safe in a classroom". I fear this scenario will be repeated.<br />
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If we want a quality education system for our kids we need quality teachers, not gap fillers. To attract the best into the profession it will need to have a high status, remuneration that can compete well with other jobs requiring similar academic qualifications and working conditions that will lead to job satisfaction and retention. All this has to be addressed immediately if we are to save our already compromised system and teachers understand this. The Education Minister Chris Hipkins and our Finance Minister are intent on maintaining a <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/362382/govt-urged-to-scrap-self-imposed-spending-cap">flawed understanding of fiscal responsibility</a> and have created an impasse. The spending cap must be substantially lifted to effectively address the huge crises we are facing. A delay will only cause even more expensive solutions later and is actually not fiscally responsible.<br />
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My wife is a GP and her profession has <a href="https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/gps-calling-government-intervene-doctor-shortage-looms">a similar looming crisis</a> of an ageing workforce with few wanting to replace them. This is obviously no coincidence and a reflection of decades of underfunding and not properly valuing those at the frontlines of education and health. The neoliberal juggernaut that got us here needs an immediate change of direction and a slow turn under budget caps won't be enough to avoid the inevitable crash.<br />
<br />Dave Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12428353657153292616noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3612441315352179822.post-39577016886725172552019-05-15T12:41:00.000+12:002019-05-16T10:28:09.211+12:00Highway to Hell!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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(fire, California)</div>
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Some time ago <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/322927/protesters-chain-themselves-to-fonterra-factory-gate">Jeanette Fitzsimons</a> described our action on climate change like a car driving rapidly to a precipice while the occupants argue about whether they should maybe change down a gear. If we are to continue with this analogy I would say that the cliff edge is now very visible, the car is still in top gear and we have only a slight chance of stopping in time if we hit the brakes now.<br />
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<a href="http://350.org/">350.org</a> named itself after the parts per million of carbon in the atmosphere that was considered a safe level. At the time the organisation was formed in 2008 that level had not been reached, but <a href="https://climate.nasa.gov/climate_resources/24/graphic-the-relentless-rise-of-carbon-dioxide/">five years later we passed 400 ppm</a>.<br />
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It's not as though we haven't had ample warning, there has been scientific consensus for decades and even <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/political-science/2013/apr/09/margaret-thatcher-science-advice-climate-change">Margaret Thatcher</a> was making speeches on climate change thirty years ago. The evidence of rapid climate change is constantly in our faces. We are globally experiencing extreme weather events on a far more regular basis and t<a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/10/10/hurricane-michael-threatens-florida-150mph-winds-live/">he intensity of these are growing</a>. Australia had to introduce a new colour to their <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2013/01/08/australia-is-so-hot-they-had-to-add-new-colors-to-the-weather-map/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.2f57de74e215">weather maps to include temperatures above 50 degrees </a>celsius that were occurring more regularly. 18 of the 19 warmest years on record have occurred since the year 2000.<br />
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It has just been reported that a Russian city on <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/climate-news/112724015/it-was-289-degrees-celcius-near-the-arctic-ocean-this-weekend-as-carbon-dioxide-hit-its-highest-level-in-human-history">the edge of the Arctic Ocean recorded a temperature of 28.9 degrees</a> (more than twice the average high of 12 degrees for the time of year). The latest reading of carbon in our atmosphere is 415 ppm and I am concerned that while it was reported in Stuff, it wasn't a headlining piece.<br />
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While visiting New Zealand the <a href="https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/we-not-track-un-secretary-general-gives-stern-warning-climate-change-after-touching-down-in-new-zealand">UN Secretary General expressed concern</a> that action to address climate change is being frustrated due to a lack of political will. While the Secretary General praised our leadership on climate action, we should be taking a lead anyway. We are the <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/341903/revealed-nz-s-emissions-fifth-highest-in-oecd">5th worse in the OECD for per capita emissions</a> and the worst for methane (6 times the global average). While methane doesn't remain in the atmosphere permanently like carbon, it is<a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/03/140327111724.htm"> 30 times more potent </a>as a heat trapping gas. In terms of our impact on the climate we are possibly the worst in the world per capita.<br />
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At a local level The <a href="https://localbodies-bsprout.blogspot.com/2018/01/climate-change-just-got-personal.html">2018 Summer in Invercargill</a> was the hottest for 100 years, trees died in our garden and the sea temperatures at Oreti Beach were 7 degrees celsius warmer than usual. Our local politicians are also dragging their heels on climate change. Mayor Tim Shadbolt had no idea whether his council had any climate change policy when<a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/111303411/ten-year-old-leads-invercargill-school-strike-4-climate-march"> challenged by student protestors</a> (it hasn't). It was clearly an issue that rarely enters his mind.<br />
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Climate Change Minister James Shaw is trying to get <a href="https://www.newsroom.co.nz/@politics/2019/05/09/575599/zero-carbon-bill-lives-or-dies-on-politics">cross party support for the Zero Carbon Bill</a> and yet politics and economic self-interest have already ensured that it will be too little, too late. We still have a "softly softly" approach to deal with <a href="https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/science/greenhouse-gases/agricultural-greenhouse-gases/methane-emissions">our agricultural emissions</a>, Oil and Gas company <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/111926571/oil-and-gas-exploration-company-omv-applies-to-discharge-waste-from-offshore-drilling-operation-in-great-south-basin">OMV have an application to discharge waste while drilling</a> off the Otago coast and <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12221417">our transport emissions still grow steadily</a>. We currently have business as usual when delaying action is not an option.<br />
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If we really cared about the future for our children and future generations we should demand more from our politicians and give them a clear mandate to make the necessary decisions. We are on a highway to hell and we need to hit the brakes on our emissions immediately!Dave Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12428353657153292616noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3612441315352179822.post-11794919134713851642019-02-28T02:17:00.001+13:002019-03-02T02:08:00.059+13:00NZ dilemma as US empire disintegrates and China dominates. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ATcKty_LsCU/XHaJ6Dj71-I/AAAAAAAAHPg/gaB4-lFwFWYWlXGRJGK65bWwAL90Lt7CgCLcBGAs/s1600/china-guided-tours-shanghai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="310" data-original-width="550" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ATcKty_LsCU/XHaJ6Dj71-I/AAAAAAAAHPg/gaB4-lFwFWYWlXGRJGK65bWwAL90Lt7CgCLcBGAs/s320/china-guided-tours-shanghai.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The United States of America is undergoing a a gradual decline as the leading developed nation. It once dominated the world with its culture, global franchises and political and military interventions, however, fewer now wish to emulate the ultimate consumer society and celebration of capitalism. Greed has proved to be an unsustainable vision and the wheels are falling off.<br />
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The so called "Champion of the Free World" is finding itself increasingly isolated as <a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2018/08/24/sorry-america-free-world-has-moved/g3kzeNROvHH5HyX2p5IucP/story.html">the free world moves on</a> without it. The multilateral systems that the US often dominated to support its own interests (Nato, the United Nations and free trade agreements) are being abandoned for the pursuit of simple nationalism. The US no longer provides leadership for two major issues that currently confront the world, climate change and the increasing numbers of displaced people (there are <a href="https://www.unhcr.org/blogs/statistics-refugee-numbers-highest-ever/">currently around 20 million refugees</a> - the most since World War Two). President Donald Trump's rejection of climate science and his passion for building border walls to keep out genuine refugees are his contribution to both issues.<br />
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Like many empires before, the United States has invested hugely in its military and costly wars and too little on its own people and internal infrastructure. It <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3612441315352179822#editor/target=post;postID=1179491913471385164;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=0;src=postname">spends more on its military than the combined spending</a> of the next nine military powers. By the end of this year the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com.au/the-war-on-terror-has-cost-the-us-nearly-6-trillion-2018-11?r=US&IR=T">War On Terror will have cost $6 trillion dollars</a>. The $716 billion military budget for 2019 will make up around <a href="https://www.freedomworks.org/content/almost-62-percent-federal-spending-2018-baked-budgetary-cake">15% of the Federal budget</a> and the military activity in the Middle East and Afghanistan often comes from other budgets. The total national security budget (including military spending) is <a href="https://www.pogo.org/investigation/2018/02/americas-national-security-budget-nearing-12-trillion/">approaching $1.2 trillion</a>, over 25% of the total Federal Budget of $4.4 trillion.<br />
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President Donald Trump's 2019 budget <a href="https://www.thebalance.com/u-s-federal-budget-breakdown-3305789">contains a deficit of almost $1 trillion</a> and debt servicing makes up around 7% of expenditure. Trump's corporate tax cuts have seen <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/17/business/trump-tax-cuts-revenue.html">federal revenue drop even more than expected</a>.<br />
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While national security sucks an increasing amount of federal funds the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/asce-gives-us-infrastructure-a-d-2017-3/?r=AU&IR=T/#aviation-d-1">United States infrastructure is in a shocking state</a>:<br />
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<li>Airports are highly congested and air traffic control is in badly need of an upgrade.</li>
<li>One third of US bridges are over 50 years old and 56,000 are structurally deficient.</li>
<li>There are 15,500 high hazard dams.</li>
<li>2 trillion gallons of treated water is lost each year because of ageing infrastructure (many pipes are over 100 years old).</li>
<li>Most power lines in the US were built 60-70 years ago when the expected life was around 50 years.</li>
<li>More than half of the US population lives within 5km of a hazardous waste site.</li>
<li>Ageing water transport networks (locks and dams) are causing delays for 50% of vessels using them.</li>
<li>Flood protection levees need an $80 billion dollar investment.</li>
<li>The Department of the Interior (includes the National Parks Service) has <a href="https://www.doi.gov/ocl/nps-maintenance-backlog">$16 billion worth of deferred maintenance</a>. </li>
<li>$25 billion will be necessary to repair and grow the rail service.</li>
<li>32% of urban roads and 14% of rural roads are in poor condition, there's an $836 billion backlog of unmet capital needed to repair highways and bridges.</li>
<li>Public schools lack basic funding and almost a quarter have buildings that are in fair or poor condition. </li>
<li>Solid waste and recycling systems are needing investment.</li>
<li>Public transport is seriously underfunded and $90 billion is needed to fix the backlog of transit system projects.</li>
<li>Waste water systems will need a $271 billion investment over the next 25 years. </li>
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While Trump recognises the need for investment into infrastructure, <a href="https://www.thefiscaltimes.com/2018/12/03/Trump-Ready-Spend-Buckets-Money-Infrastructure-Report">his earlier package to address it was not received favourably</a>. Given his wall priority, commitment to building a stronger military and the current deficit he is unlikely to achieve much on the infrastructure front. </div>
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While the US experiences an under-investment, China has developed increasingly modern and high functioning infrastructure and it <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2018/07/19/income-inequality-continues-to-grow-in-the-united-states.html">spends more on this than North America and Western Europe combined</a>. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-speed_rail_in_China">Two thirds of the world's high speed rail services exist in China</a> while <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-speed_rail_in_the_United_States">the US has no high speed rail services</a> at all (services that travel over 250 km per hour). California's attempt to build one has just been abandoned, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3612441315352179822#editor/target=post;postID=1179491913471385164;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=0;src=postname">much to Trump's pleasure as he holds fast to the inefficiency and individualism of cars (he probably believes that public transport is a "socialist" construct).</a> </div>
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In terms of its global influence the US has become a bit of a joke as Trump continues to <a href="https://armenianweekly.com/2018/10/09/trump-administration-cancels-two-more-international-treaties/">remove the US from long established international treaties and agreements</a>. He has openly favoured <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2018/03/trump-xi-jinping-dictators/554810/">building relationships with autocratic leadership</a> and has taken a <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/23/us/politics/nationalist-president-trump.html">nationalistic approach</a> to diplomacy. Trump has overseen a rapid reduction of foreign affairs specialists (<a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2018/02/tillerson-trump-state-foreign-service/553034/">12% in the first 8 months</a>). His version of diplomacy is bullying others into submission with <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/16/us/politics/trump-military-parade-costs.html">superior military capabilit</a>y or to<a href="https://taskandpurpose.com/trump-bomb-shit-afghanistan-isis">"bomb the shit out of 'em"</a> to express his diplomatic approach in his own words.<br />
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The diplomatic vacuum being created by absence of the US is being largely filled by China, which is <a href="https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2018/04/the-worlds-biggest-economies-in-2018/">predicted to become the world's largest economy by 2050</a>. While one could point to the different democratic freedoms between the two countries and the human rights abuses and <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/ralphjennings/2018/03/15/corruption-in-china-gets-stuck-half-way-between-the-worlds-best-and-worst/#3793ad2a73d1">corruption of local government in China</a>, there is an interesting difference in how national wealth is shared with ordinary citizens. While China does have an increasing wealthy elite, it is unlikely to replicate the <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2018/07/19/income-inequality-continues-to-grow-in-the-united-states.html">inequalities present within the US</a>. While <a href="http://www.nccp.org/topics/childpoverty.html">around 21% of US children live below the poverty line</a> and 43% live in low income families, <a href="https://www.business.hsbc.com/belt-and-road/china-s-plan-to-elimate-proverty?cid=HBUK:DM:S2:CMB:L11:O:1:1806:008:ChinaIntl">China has a plan to eliminate all poverty by 2020</a>. Over the past three years the <a href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/us-life-expectancy-drops-third-year-row-reflecting-rising-drug-overdose-suicide-rates-180970942/">US life expectancy has been in steady decline</a> while <a href="https://knoema.com/atlas/China/topics/Demographics/Population-forecast/Life-expectancy">China is experiencing the opposite</a>. At the current rates Chinese will live longer (on average) than US citizens within the next five years.<br />
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For over a decade China has used a <a href="https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/chinas-soft-power-initiative">soft power approach</a> to increase its global influence, especially in the third world. As the US sees its power erode and attempts to use it's military might to maintain dominance, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/aug/17/pentagon-claims-china-military-likely-training-strikes-us-targets">China has been forced to flex and grow its military muscle</a>. A potential flash point is the <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2018/11/10/us-presses-china-to-halt-militarization-of-south-china-sea.html">South China Sea</a>.</div>
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The changing global power dynamics make it difficult for New Zealand. We have had a long and close relationship with the US through ANZUS and the Five Eyes. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/aug/01/its-time-to-face-the-truth-about-anzus-its-worse-than-no-treaty-at-all">ANZUS is a largely historic agreement now</a> and the Five Eyes alliance appears to mainly exist to limit China's trade dominance, as in the <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/opinion-analysis/109348046/how-five-eyes-cooked-up-campaign-to-kill-off-huawei">joint attack on tech giant Huawei</a>. New Zealand is being torn between its reliance on China for trade (we export more to China than the US and Australia combined) and respecting historic alliances with old friends that are struggling with internal issues. </div>
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Despite cultural differences, its human rights abuses and expansionist policies, China is increasingly becoming our most stable and reliable trading partner and it is understandable that it would be irked when we joined forces to attack one of its most successful companies. Our Five Eyes friends have hardly treated us with respect over the last few decades and their global influence diminishes:</div>
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<ul>
<li>The US punished us for our nuclear stance and continues to make it difficult for our agricultural exports. </li>
<li>The <a href="https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/336103/australian-state-premier-ignores-nz-agreement">Closer Economic Relations agreement with Australia is routinely ignored</a> and the basic <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-new-zealanders-are-feeling-the-hard-edge-of-australias-deportation-policy-99447">rights of New Zealanders living in Australia are continuously being trampled on</a>. Australia is also experiencing internal political turmoil and its economic future is looking shaky as its agricultural and mining sectors struggle with the realities of climate change. </li>
<li>The United Kingdom largely <a href="https://teara.govt.nz/en/overseas-trade-policy/page-4">ditched us as a trading partner when they joined the EEC</a> and Brexit impacts on its economic future. </li>
<li>Jacinda Ardern appears to have a positive relationship with Justin Trudeau, <a href="https://tradingeconomics.com/new-zealand/exports-by-country">but Canada is ranked 18th for our exports</a> (and do we really want to be part of <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12191245">Canada's Huawei controversy</a>?). </li>
<li><a href="https://nzhistory.govt.nz/politics/nuclear-free-new-zealand/rainbow-warrior">None of our Five Eyes friends supported us </a>when we suffered an attack on our sovereignty through France's Rainbow Warrior bombing. Our economy is too small for them to make a stand in support of us against against larger economies. We are only useful in a diplomatic sense when we hold powerful roles in the UN or they want our support in the flawed war against terror.</li>
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Despite our trade agreement with China and our previously good relationship, we are still expected to do as they dictate, whether it be <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/68303140/null">supporting their suppression of minorities</a> in our own country or accepting their businesses with open arms. <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/7837743/Chinese-security-forces-attack-NZ-MP-with-umbrella.html">The attack on Russel Norman </a>a few years ago when he protested against Chinese oppression in Tibet showed a complete disregard for the sovereign rights of our citizens. A closer relationship with China also has its dangers.<br />
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I do sympathise with our government as they walk a shaky diplomatic tightrope while global power dynamics change. We need to forge our own path based on sound moral principles and an element of pragmatism. I would rather we removed ourselves from the Five Eyes surveillance alliance because it was <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11948852">always a dodgy arrangement that ignored human rights</a> and we owe nothing to the other partners as we have given more proportionally than we have received in the relationships so far. We must also be far smarter in our relationship with China and not give up too much to secure ongoing trade.<br />
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There is also strength in forging our own path and taking moral stances. Jacinda Ardern received a good deal of global support for <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/110124051/jacinda-ardern-showcases-new-zealands-wellbeing-budget-at-davos">promoting wellbeing as an economic driver</a>. While we repair the damage to our own country caused by neoliberal governments we can earn respect by doing so and being an honest player on the global stage. </div>
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Dave Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12428353657153292616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3612441315352179822.post-34076740924949956802019-02-19T16:54:00.000+13:002019-02-22T09:59:35.495+13:00A Green New Deal for Aotearoa<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has caused much angst amongst many conservative republicans in the US by promoting a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/feb/11/green-new-deal-alexandria-ocasio-cortez-ed-markey">Green New Deal (GND)</a>. The deal is attractive to progressives and those on the left because it is a package or political manifesto that encapsulates the environmental and social goals that many feel are essential to shift to a sustainable and fair economy. Republicans have labeled it a <a href="https://stream.org/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-green-new-deal-a-socialist-suicide-pact-worthy-of-rev-jim-jones/">"Socialist Manifesto"</a> and emotively suggest that it will destroy America.<br />
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The key elements of the GND are:<br />
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<li>A ten year mobilisation plan.</li>
<li>Building resiliency against climate change-related disasters.</li>
<li>Meeting energy demands with clean, renewable zero-emission energy sources.</li>
<li>Expanding energy efficiency and access to power.</li>
<li>working with farmers to cut emissions.</li>
<li>Overhaul the transport sector with electric vehicles, public transportation and high-speed rail.</li>
<li>Planting forests to remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.</li>
<li>Fair pay and improved working conditions.</li>
<li>Universal, high-quality healthcare.</li>
<li>Access to affordable, safe and adequate housing.</li>
<li>Stronger labour standards (health and safety, minimum pay, hours...).</li>
<li>Cleaning hazardous sites.</li>
<li>Free higher education.</li>
<li>Access to clean water and air, health food and clean, natural environments.</li>
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The GND concept is based on <a href="https://www.history.com/topics/great-depression/new-deal">Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal</a> that was hugely successful in lifting the US out of an economic depression and improving the quality of life for working people. In New Zealand <a href="https://localbodies-bsprout.blogspot.com/2012/06/lessons-in-history.html">Michael Savage's Labour Government enacted similar policies</a> that also lifted living standards and opportunities for most citizens. </div>
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What is important to note is that history proved the wisdom of investing in people and shifting the balance of power away from big business and the rich. For its time the policies were revolutionary in scope and much condemned by the rich and powerful who were reluctant to give up their power and influence and share their wealth. The policies created a new normal that saw housing, healthcare and quality public education an expectation for all and most families could thrive on a single income.</div>
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The dominance of neoliberal economics over the last three to four decades has caused a growth of inequality in developed countries with a <a href="http://fortune.com/longform/shrinking-middle-class/">rapid diminishing of the middle class</a> and a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/jan/21/world-26-richest-people-own-as-much-as-poorest-50-per-cent-oxfam-report">shift in wealth to a smaller percentage of the population</a>. 26 individuals have now captured the same wealth as the poorest 50% of the world's population (3.9 billion people). </div>
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Many of the social issues that existed in Roosevelt and Savage's day need to be readdressed. We again have huge inequality in health, housing and education and employment rights and conditions have been eroded. Here, in Aotearoa, we currently have amongst <a href="http://localbodies-bsprout.blogspot.com/2017/06/nz-now-ranks-at-bottom-of-developed.html">the worst statistics in the developed world</a> for the health and safety of our children and youth.<br />
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What is different from the situation in the 1930s is that we have the added environmental crises of climate change and the waste produced from our noncyclic economies. All reliable science and statistics indicate that we have little time to turn things around environmentally and already we are witnessing a downward spiral of ecosystem health, globally and in New Zealand. We are <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/17/un-environment-programme-_n_684562.html">losing species world wide at a rate of around 150-200 a day</a>, (1000 time more than what is considered natural) and climate change is already having a huge <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/niallmccarthy/2018/10/12/the-cost-of-climate-related-disasters-soared-in-the-21st-century-infographic/#2376b5cf7976">social, environmental and economic impact</a>. </div>
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Our current global economic systems involve high levels of resource extraction and environmental degradation through unsustainable farming practices and poor waste management. Our finite planet is being choked and destroyed by our lack of foresight, urgent action is needed!</div>
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Ocasio-Cortez has captured international attention through becoming the leading spokesperson for the GND in the US. She has used her media profile to champion what <a href="https://www.jill2016.com/greennewdeal">US Green Party presidential candidate, Jill Stein, championed in 2016</a>. The idea is not new, Van Jones wrote about <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Green_Collar_Economy">The Green Collar Economy</a></i> in 2008 and the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand also <a href="https://www.greens.org.nz/sites/default/files/GreenTimesApr_09_final_0.pdf">promoted a GND in 2009</a>. </div>
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Interestingly many of the proposal's in the Green Party's 2009 GND are actually being progressed in some form under New Zealand's current government. However, I believe that it is being done in a piecemeal fashion and lacks the urgency or coordination to be as effective as the new deals in the 1930s. We need to be bolder and appreciate the power of true leadership.</div>
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Apart from Donald Trump and a handful of similarly thinking autocratic leaders, the world's governments generally understand that business as usual will no longer work and champions of new approaches are being watched with interest. When John Key was Prime Minister he was hugely reluctant having New Zealand lead on climate change (or anything else in the environmental or social arenas), <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/comment/editorials/63187414/null">he wanted us to be a fast follower</a>. I believe there is more to be gained by leading and already Jacinda Ardern is gaining international respect for her stances on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLKtfK5pzns">climate change</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yHqctvMtEM">individual wellbeing</a>. It will not hurt our global reputation or economy to lead on climate change and social justice, it will most likely open export markets and increase our influence on the global stage. </div>
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Ocasio-Cortez became more palatable and influential face for the GND in the US than Jill Stein could ever achieve. Her youthful energy, attractive image and influence within Congress and the Democratic party have provided her with advantages that Stein will never achieve in such a flawed political system. Jacinda Ardern is a strong and articulate communicator and is sincere about achieving progressive change but the Labour Party she leads has strong conservative elements, coalition partner New Zealand First has real conservative elements too, so that the Green Party is the real champion of progressive politics.</div>
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What really makes the Green Party stand out from other parties is its holistic approach to policy development and regarding society, the environment and the economy as intrinsically connected (one element can never be regarded without reference to the others). However, Green campaigns in past elections have tended to focus on siloed campaign policies that were often too pragmatic to capture an overall vision.</div>
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The advantage of a GND package is that it supports a vision and makes connections. If the Green Party is to <a href="https://www.nbr.co.nz/article/labour-20-year-low-greens-surge-new-poll-ck-205869">reclaim the 11-15% support</a> that it often received in the years before 2017, then a strong GND type package needs to be developed. The Party can't compete with Ardern's popularity, but it can lead on vision and be seen as the essential progressive conscience of the next government. </div>
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I would suggest that any New Zealand GND could contain the following:</div>
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<li>Advocate for a cyclic economy (an economy that is focussed on sustainability and waste minimisation and recognises the futility of endless growth). This will include reducing the dominance of the big four Australian banks by increased regulation and supporting local banks and alternative money systems. </li>
<li>Championing a transport revolution that increases the efficiency and availability of public transport, increases the numbers of electric vehicles and strengthening regional economies to reduce truck miles. Also working towards making train travel between major cities a viable option to using planes. </li>
<li>Making good housing a human right rather than a means to increasing wealth (this would include housing developments that support energy efficiency and building communities).</li>
<li>Create an entity to research best practice and most economical ways of building healthy, efficient houses and commercial buildings and retro-fitting existing ones. A focus on local resources and sustainability would be a priority. This entity can provide support and advice for local councils to speed up consents and encourage useful innovation. </li>
<li>Shifting away from intensive animal farming by supporting alternatives. Currently horticulture (especially organics) is the more profitable land use but there needs to be support for transitioning for those financially committed to dairying. Currently over 40% of our total land area is used for farming animals and <a href="http://archive.stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/environment/environmental-reporting-series/environmental-indicators/Home/Land/land-use.aspx">only 1% for fruit and vegetables</a>. This would involve boosting research and education. </li>
<li>Review and change our energy supply systems so that they are more sustainable, efficient and much cheaper for consumers. The current model is highly flawed and does not support individual or regional efforts to better manage energy supply. </li>
<li>Lift the status and incomes of those who work in education, health and care sectors to properly recognise what they do to support wellbeing and our economy.</li>
<li>Develop a warrant of fitness for businesses to ensure that good employment practices are in place and sustainability is a core element. New businesses will be supported in this and it should a foundational element of business qualifications.</li>
<li>Lift the status and importance of our natural water systems and soils so that the external effects of industrial practices on our environment is properly accounted for in business activities. </li>
<li>Te Reo will be a core part of school curricula in schools and Te Tiriti education and the colonisation of New Zealand is taught well at all levels (based on actual historic experience and knowledge).</li>
<li>Shift our education system to one that supports individual development and meeting individual need rather than complying to arbitrary assessments. Life skills (healthy eating, financial management, healthy relationships, values education...). </li>
<li>Champion fair tax systems so that the wealth our country produces is more equitably shared.</li>
<li>Overhaul our justice system so that it is an equitable one that provides fair and humane processes for all.</li>
<li>Establish clear economic, environmental and social well-being priorities that are complimentary and relevant to creating a fair and sustainable society. These would direct government budgets and policy priorities.</li>
<li>Develop and support global trade guidelines that support fair trade and socially responsible working environments.</li>
<li>Develop a tourist industry that enhances and celebrates our unique environment. Budget tourism could involve working on environmental projects operating in a similar way to the Wwoof scheme and wealthy tourists should expect to pay a reasonable environmental levy. </li>
<li>Establish pest free ecosanctuaries (like Orokanui) in every region as an essential part of our conservation system. </li>
<li>Champion nonviolent global diplomacy.</li>
</ul>
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Obviously these are my personal ideas and I am open to challenges and welcome debate from inside and outside the Green Party.<br />
<br />
What have I missed? What have I got wrong? </div>
</div>
Dave Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12428353657153292616noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3612441315352179822.post-48942607103269215232019-02-02T00:25:00.001+13:002019-02-15T12:35:14.712+13:00Fair pay will not destroy the economy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7IBqrZHOf8c/XFQPeUEayuI/AAAAAAAAHPI/GV-d8NzySpAyZ50MDGYTWsnsNHEDPJItgCLcBGAs/s1600/FUU6WRPFDZGB5HKZVORSJ5RFZ4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="674" data-original-width="1200" height="179" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7IBqrZHOf8c/XFQPeUEayuI/AAAAAAAAHPI/GV-d8NzySpAyZ50MDGYTWsnsNHEDPJItgCLcBGAs/s320/FUU6WRPFDZGB5HKZVORSJ5RFZ4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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One would think the proposal to <a href="https://www.interest.co.nz/business/97869/jim-bolger-chaired-group-details-proposed-fair-pay-agreements-system-report-workplace">advance fair pay via industry standards</a> will mean the end of the world <a href="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2019/01/the_terrible_terrible_fair_pay_proposals.html">when reading some commentators</a>. The angst from many employers is predictable when the normal state of employment affairs for the last thirty years or so has heavily favoured them. The adjustment period will be a fraught one until a new and fairer normal is established.<br />
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The main arguments against what is being proposed can be easily rebutted:<br />
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<b>1) Many businesses have low profit margins and raising wages will be unaffordable. </b> <br />
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Although New Zealand productivity is low, wages have not kept up with productivity gains. When productivity and profits have increased few businesses have shared gains with their employees and there has been an increase in the percentage of profits that goes to shareholders and management and a decrease in what is passed on to employees.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wRDzlMz5HdY/XFOKpti3ppI/AAAAAAAAHO8/i9lUnG4b1PsXrsd6nvK70NO9mrCXHgDmACLcBGAs/s1600/wage-and-productivity-gap.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="362" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wRDzlMz5HdY/XFOKpti3ppI/AAAAAAAAHO8/i9lUnG4b1PsXrsd6nvK70NO9mrCXHgDmACLcBGAs/s400/wage-and-productivity-gap.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://theconversation.com/how-shareholder-profits-conquered-capitalism-and-how-workers-can-win-back-its-benefits-for-themselves-103781">This has been an international trend</a> that has also happened here. New Zealand has had the <a href="https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/261349/nz-gap-between-rich-and-poor-growing">fastest growth of income inequality in the OECD</a> and this has largely been due to stagnating wages, increased earnings for shareholders and upper management and our overly heated property market.<br />
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Businesses have deliberately focussed on reducing wage costs to increase profit margins as a business strategy and the tender process for contract work encourages this too. The public transport problems in Wellington is largely because the most successful tender relied on reducing driver wages to be competitive, if there was an award for bus drivers they would have been protected and more realistic tenders would have resulted.<br />
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New Zealand's lack of productivity is not because of a lazy workforce (New Zealanders are generally hard workers and <a href="https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2016/12/new-zealand-employment-how-hard-kiwis-are-working.html">work longer hours than many</a>). Our low productivity is because our economy is largely based on producing and exporting high volumes of raw commodity (milk, wood chip) and open slather tourism, rather than adding value. Our current economy is not reliant on a highly skilled and educated workforce and we have not even bothered to ensure that we have enough qualified tradespeople to build the houses we need. <a href="https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/hillside-end-era">Offshore government procurement</a> has destroyed a good deal of our skilled workforce.<br />
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Our economy has become dependent on a low wage workforce and workers have become commodified. Too many workers are expected to survive on pay well beneath the <a href="https://www.livingwage.org.nz/what_is_the_living_wage">living wage of $20.55</a>. The Working for Families tax credit is recognition that many working families cannot survive on their wages and the credit is effectively a wage subsidy.<br />
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There are many large businesses that can afford to pay their workers far more that are making sizeable profits on the back of their low wage workforce. For example, the <a href="https://www.seniortrustcapital.co.nz/about-us/why-we-invest-retirement-sector">aged care industry is considered a highly profitable</a> one for investors, while <a href="https://www.payscale.com/research/NZ/Job=Caregiver/Hourly_Rate">workers are still underpaid</a> despite recent increases. <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/103740035/bank-profits-race-ahead-of-rest-of-nzs-earnings">Banks are possibly amongst the most profitable businesses in NZ</a> and yet most <a href="https://www.payscale.com/research/NZ/Job=Bank_Teller/Salary">bank tellers will earn less than the living wage</a>. Supermarkets employ many at the youth rate and consequently the average checkout pay is <a href="https://www.payscale.com/research/NZ/Industry=Grocery_Store_or_Supermarket/Hourly_Rate">less than the adult minimum wage</a>, while many supermarket owners are <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/money/106288425/supermarket-owners-banking-super-profits-nbr-rich-list-shows">high on our rich list</a>.<br />
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Tourism is currently our biggest industry and low waged service workers are its backbone. Queenstown is a great example of the low value and support given to those who are at the frontline of the tourist industry. Most earn less than the living wage and living costs in our pre-eminent tourist destination make it <a href="https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/375960/housing-crisis-in-central-otago-and-queenstown-lakes-forces-young-families-out-of-region">impossible to live and work there for an extended period</a>. Basing our major industry on a transient/casual workforce is not sustainable.<br />
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Those businesses that genuinely can't afford to pay good wages do exist and I would argue that if they can't pay at least a living wage than they clearly aren't a viable business. Some large employers that could fit this category would include some fruit growers who rely on <a href="https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/business/357040/exploitation-of-kiwifruit-workers-is-rife-union">underpaying migrant workers to remain profitable</a>. Rather than exploiting the workforce the industry needs to look at other ways of increasing profits, perhaps getting supermarkets to pay more for their produce or adding value. There is no moral justification for basing any business on the exploitation of workers.<br />
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<b>2) Fair Pay Agreements won't be fair to employers and won't recognise regional differences.</b><br />
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Currently employers hold the majority of the power in an employment relationship. <a href="https://www.victoria.ac.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/1235562/New-Zealand-Union-Membership-Survey-report-2016FINAL.pdf">Less than 20% of our workers are union members </a>and most of them are in the public sector. The huge majority of workers in the private sector have little bargaining clout and are on individual contracts. The causal labour force is huge and despite changes in legislation zero hour contracts probably still effectively exist. <a href="https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/350032/nz-would-be-shocked-by-modern-day-slavery-numbers-researcher">New Zealand does have a slave labour problem</a> for many migrant workers.<br />
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Many employers like to apply "divide and rule" and collective bargaining is not something that they like to encourage. Given the current low levels of worker organisation it doesn't makes sense to demand a high percentage of worker participation as threshold for establishing a sector award rate. It will take time for many workers to feel the process is safe for them to engage in without experiencing employer reprisal. <a href="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2019/01/the_terrible_terrible_fair_pay_proposals.html">David Farrar is fearful of a return to compulsory unionism</a> but he is really just reflecting the fear that unions may re-establish themselves. I also find it a hypocritical view that employer (EMA) and farmer unions (Feds) are considered acceptable but worker unions and collective bargaining are bad.<br />
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The diminished significance of unions also increased the likelihood of unsafe and bullying working environments (<a href="https://www.union.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/130725-Health-and-Safety-Pike-River-Implementation-Bill.pdf">Pike River</a>, <a href="https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/338149/five-forestry-deaths-this-year-spurs-new-safety-call">forestry</a>, <a href="https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/302364/poor-farm-working-conditions-rife-unions">farming</a>). It is much easier to advance and protect worker rights through collective action.<br />
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The claim that national wage rates won't reflect regional cost of living differences does not take into account multiple variables that actually support a standard award rate. It is often harder to attract workers to smaller centres and a lower cost of living would be a useful attraction. Also outside of Auckland and Queenstown there will probably be little real difference in the cost of living in the regions. It would make more sense to have <a href="https://educationcentral.co.nz/school-may-build-houses-to-stop-teachers-fleeing-aucklands-high-housing-costs/">an extra weighting or housing allowance for those having to work in places that have a high cost of living</a>.<br />
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<b>3) Increasing wages and strengthening unions will negatively impact on our Economy</b><br />
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Historically this doesn't make sense. In the US and in New Zealand raising minimum wages and supporting workers lifted both economies out of the 1930s depression. Roosevelt's <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Deal">New Deal</a> and the reforms of the <a href="https://localbodies-bsprout.blogspot.com/2012/06/lessons-in-history.html">Savage government</a> were hugely successful after the failed austerity measures used before. It is <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/francescoppola/2017/08/31/fiscal-austerity-after-the-great-recession-was-a-catastrophic-mistake/#2be847a612fe">again recognised that austerity does not work</a>. When ordinary workers have a reduced disposable income the domestic economy suffers.<br />
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<br />
I fully support the proposed fair pay recommendations and my only concern is that they may need to be even bolder to get the changes we need. There will be substantial push back from the National Party and their privileged business friends but we need to stand firm if we want a more equitable society and a vibrant and resilient economy.Dave Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12428353657153292616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3612441315352179822.post-75851343590260759072019-01-08T10:26:00.001+13:002019-05-31T13:04:46.294+12:00The US is actually unique for not valuing life!<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n-5mUjEYVPo/XDPDyB_kXGI/AAAAAAAAHOw/23Ee33J6MsMi8XDtvtBOTVCkHh7YBGzQgCLcBGAs/s1600/181113093731-05-sarah-sanders-lead-image-super-tease.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="619" data-original-width="1100" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n-5mUjEYVPo/XDPDyB_kXGI/AAAAAAAAHOw/23Ee33J6MsMi8XDtvtBOTVCkHh7YBGzQgCLcBGAs/s320/181113093731-05-sarah-sanders-lead-image-super-tease.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #111111; font-family: "georgia" , "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 19.4048px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #111111; font-family: inherit; font-size: 19.4048px;">"...that’s what sets America apart from every other country; we value life. That is what makes us unique.” - <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/01/06/sarah-sanders-valuing-life-is-what-sets-america-apart-every-other-country/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.b9b939ad35b1">Sarah Sanders</a></span><br />
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<span style="color: #111111; font-size: 19.4048px;">There is a high level of delusion operating in the White House. The stream of mistruths that come out of President Trump and Sarah Sanders' mouths are clearly blatant lies but millions of US citizens believe them. With daily diets of Fox News and <a href="https://www.insidehighered.com/views/2015/03/23/essay-problems-american-ignorance-world">living in a very insular culture</a>, there is little that challenges these false perceptions of US "greatness". </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #111111; font-size: 19.4048px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #111111; font-size: 19.4048px;">When comparing the United States of America with most other developed nations it becomes clear that it probably places less value on life than most and doesn't compare well with many developing countries too:</span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "georgia" , "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 19.4048px;">If the US really valued life then it would abolish the death penalty, it is the <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-45835584">only Western Country that executes people</a> under law (<a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/271100/number-of-executions-in-the-us/">23 people were executed in 2018</a>). </span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "georgia" , "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 19.4048px;">If the US really valued life then it would have an equitable and universal health care system. The current system is considered <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2014/06/16/once-again-u-s-has-most-expensive-least-effective-health-care-system-in-survey/?utm_term=.fd47e9aeddae">the most expensive and ineffective</a> and it is <a href="https://data.oecd.org/healthstat/life-expectancy-at-birth.htm#indicator-chart">ranked 28th in the OECD</a> for life expectancy. The US is ranked <a href="https://data.oecd.org/healthstat/infant-mortality-rates.htm#indicator-chart">33rd in the OECD for infant motality</a>. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "georgia" , "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 19.4048px;">If the US really valued life then it would have stricter gun laws. In 2017 almost <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/dec/13/us-gun-deaths-levels-cdc-2017">40,000 people were killed by a gun</a>. The US love affair with weapons has resulted in a gun ownership level of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/dec/13/us-gun-deaths-levels-cdc-2017">120 guns for every 100 people</a>. One is 12 times more likely to be killed by a gun in the US than New Zealand. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "georgia" , "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 19.4048px;">If the US really valued life then it would have less violent ways of policing. The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Lives_Matter">Black Lives Matter</a> campaign started because of the concerning numbers of black people shot in the US by police and the prevalence of discriminatory racial profiling. There seems to be a common culture of shoot first ask questions later, but given the level of weapon ownership it is almost understandable. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "georgia" , "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 19.4048px;">If the US really valued life then it would cease using drone executions in other countries. <a href="https://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/projects/drone-war">Between 8,000 and 12,000 people have been killed by US drones on foreign soil</a>, including around 300 children. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "georgia" , "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 19.4048px;">If the US really valued life then it wouldn't provide military support for countries that blatantly don't. The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_United_States%E2%80%93Saudi_Arabia_arms_deal">$350 billion arms deal</a> with Saudi Arabia is morally obscene, especially considering the country's <a href="https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2018/country-chapters/saudi-arabia">shocking human rights record</a> and the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/28/world/middleeast/un-yemen-war-crimes.html">war crimes it is committing in Yemen</a>. The US is also the strongest supporter for Israel's persecution of Palestinians resulting in <a href="https://www.vox.com/2014/7/14/5898581/chart-israel-palestine-conflict-deaths">thousands of unnecessary deaths</a>. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "georgia" , "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 19.4048px;">If the US really valued life then it would have a more compassionate response to refugees on its southern border and wouldn't separate families or cause the <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/guatemalan-girl-dies-border-control-custody-us-mexico-migrant-lordsburg-el-paso-a8682891.html">deaths and ill-treatment of children</a>. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "georgia" , "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 19.4048px;">If the US really valued life then it would be more proactive in managing climate emissions and having greater environmental protections. Under Trump <a href="https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/03/how-trump-is-changing-science-environment/">environmental protections have been scaled back</a> and the US President is possibly the only world leader who questions climate science. </span></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="color: #111111; font-family: "georgia" , "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 19.4048px;">It is hard to know what measure Sarah Sanders was using when she made the outrageous claim because by any measure I looked at the US did not perform well. Perhaps if you only consider rich white Republicans as those most deserving of life then it may stack up. </span></span></div>
Dave Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12428353657153292616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3612441315352179822.post-87422744046113385992018-07-06T13:23:00.002+12:002018-07-07T22:10:49.503+12:00Invercargill's Deepening Housing Crisis<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9jaX19CMtsQ/Wz6jYpAwH9I/AAAAAAAAHKg/tqqEcqFdkr45mbyUlTBJ3IFeL8HRXDz_QCLcBGAs/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-07-06%2Bat%2B1.27.45%2BAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="477" data-original-width="1600" height="95" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9jaX19CMtsQ/Wz6jYpAwH9I/AAAAAAAAHKg/tqqEcqFdkr45mbyUlTBJ3IFeL8HRXDz_QCLcBGAs/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-07-06%2Bat%2B1.27.45%2BAM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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There is an old saying that "to assume will make an ASS of U and ME" and this is so true of Invercargill and Southland's housing. Invercargill is experiencing a <a href="http://population.city/new-zealand/invercargill/">slow population growth</a> compared to the rest of the country and <a href="https://www.qv.co.nz/suburb/invercargill-8801/sold">house prices are amongst the lowest</a> too. Add that to the facts that Invercargill's population was around 2,000 greater in 1980, <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/schools/8603283/Abandoned-schools-tell-a-tale">11 schools were closed in 2005 </a>and the <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/94082647/southland-on-track-for-10000-extra-people-by-2025">Southland Regional Development Strategy's key goal</a> was to increase the region's population by 10,000 by 2025, it would be reasonable to presume that housing supply would not be an issue.<br />
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Given the city's relatively static population the National Government chose Invercargill as <a href="https://www.landlords.co.nz/article/5371/state-houses-to-go-on-sale-in-tauranga-invercargill">one of the cities to lead its state housing asset sell off in 2015</a>. In the 1980s the region had over 800 state houses and after continuous divestment, the remaining 360 were to be sold to a private or NGO social housing provider. At that time only a handful of people in Invercargill were on Housing New Zealand's waiting list.<br />
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Of all the cities in New Zealand that one would think should be a low housing priority for central government, it would be Invercargill. However, all these rational assumptions have been hugely misleading and we are now facing a very real crisis due to a culmination of factors:<br />
<ul>
<li><b>State Housing</b>. No new state houses have been built in Invercargill since the early 90s and many of the remaining stock have not been well maintained. The waiting list is now five times larger than the previous year and rapidly growing. <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/103513637/high-demand-for-state-housing-in-invercargill">Housing NZ needs over fifty more houses to meet demand</a> and current trends indicate that double that may be required in another year. The national level of state housing per head of population is about <a href="https://hnzc.co.nz/assets/Publications/Research/Housing-Statistics-Managed-stock/December-2017/Managed-Stock-Dec-2017.pdf">1.3 houses for every 1,000 people</a>, but in Invercargill we have around .6 of a state house for every 1,000. As another comparison we have 354 state houses for 55,000 people while Nelson has 565 for 51,000 residents (see earlier link). </li>
<li><b>Deteriorating Housing Stock</b>. Invercargill's total housing stock is ageing, with a large proportion of deteriorating properties with little insulation and delayed maintenance. Despite the fact that the Southland region produces 12% of the nation's export income with around 3% of the population, <a href="http://localbodies-bsprout.blogspot.com/2014/11/government-responsible-for-invercargill.html">it is a low wage economy</a>. Many families and elderly can't afford to upgrade their homes and are forced to live in poorly insulated houses with high heating costs. There are a good number of houses that should be demolished (see images below) and are really unfit for habitation, sadly if they were demolished those living in them have nowhere to go. </li>
<li><b>Shortage of Retirement Housing</b>. <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/86466264/Southlands-ageing-population">The region's population is also ageing</a> and there is a shortage of smaller homes and town housing suitable to meet the needs of older residents. Those that do exist are in high demand and attract higher prices than the large three bedroom family homes our elderly are forced to retain. Many are not able to keep their large homes and gardens in good repair, which also reduces their value.</li>
<li><b>Developer's Dilemma</b>. The <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11702585">high cost of building in New Zealand</a> and the low returns achieved in Invercargill means that there is almost no profit in building new houses in low income communities. The average cost to build a 3 bedroom home in Invercargill would be around $250-$270 thousand and there is currently a <a href="https://www.trademe.co.nz/property/residential-property-for-sale/auction-1618860519.htm?rsqid=1eff7a4908a84f7182ad6129222e08c6">new 3 bedroom home for sale in South City with an asking price of $265,000</a>. The only way to wring out a profit would be to squeeze as many houses as possible onto a cheap section. I understand only one developer is currently attempting to do this. </li>
<li><b>Shrinking Rental Stocks</b>. Kiwi Saver and Invercargill's cheaper houses have meant that <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/101771320/rental-prices-ramped-up-in-southland-due-to-housing-shortage">rental properties are being rapidly sold off </a>to meet buyer demand. While this may be positive for some first home buyers, those who need to rent have to deal with shrinking availability and increasing rents. Those who have limited incomes and poor credit ratings have few options and many are now living in houses previously deemed uninhabitable. I have heard shocking stories of daylight visible through interior walls, baths and washing machines dropping through rotting floors and families cooking on BBQs because their electricity has been cut off. Only 33 rental properties are listed for Invercargill on Trade Me when I last looked. </li>
<li><b>Emergency Housing Stretched</b>. Emergency Housing providers are currently being run off their feet with demand. <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/103489195/poverty-levels-critical-in-invercargill-salvation-army-says">The Salvation Army</a> and other social providers are at their wits end trying to support and find accommodation for desperate individuals and families in Invercargill. Growing numbers are opting for <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/90295502/southlanders-choose-holiday-parks-instead-of-houses">camping grounds as long term accommodation</a>. Women's Refuge is also struggling to find accommodation and I have been made aware of numerous locations around the city where rough sleepers hide away at night.</li>
<li><b>Incoming pressures</b>. The <a href="https://www.sit.ac.nz/Home/About-Us/News/Articles/ID/331/Southland-economy-benefits-from-international-education">increased numbers of students being attracted to the city</a> by the Southern Institute of Technology have also added pressures to a limited rental market. Many landlords can get more rent from groups of students than a family. In the wider Southland Region the <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/98356611/te-anau-tourism-operators-feeling-the-pinch-of-airbnb">growth of tourism</a>, Airbnb and new industrial developments have also increased demand for housing. </li>
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While many may think that Invercargill's housing issues aren't unique and the numbers we are dealing with are small in a national sense, that is actually a large part of our problem and why we are often ignored by central government. Proportionately we are dealing with housing quality issues and availability that make us one of the most housing challenged communities in the country. Given the very recent and dramatic increase in housing demand it is a rapidly worsening situation as rotting homes continue to rot, rental numbers decline and very few houses are being built.<br />
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I am a member of the Southland Community Housing Group and our members include representatives from many social support providers, the Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, iwi, city councillors and at a recent meeting we were joined by staff representing three local MPs. The majority of our group have had direct connections to the housing deprived in our community and we have been meeting and s<a href="http://localbodies-bsprout.blogspot.com/2016/08/invercargill-has-housing-crisis-too.html">eeking solutions for over two years</a>. Initially the extent of our housing issues were concerning, but still short of a crisis. We are now dealing with a perfect storm and the term crisis may be too mild to describe what is confronting us.<br />
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The following are a sample of several hundred houses around Invercargill that would be considered unliveable in many developed countries where good housing is a basic human right. Few of these will be insulated or have double glazing and affordable heating would be impossible.<br />
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Dave Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12428353657153292616noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3612441315352179822.post-80108831198341563142018-06-20T22:30:00.002+12:002018-07-03T13:01:52.285+12:00The United States has gone rogue!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Under President Donald Trump (and <a href="https://www.economist.com/united-states/2018/01/11/swamp-inc.-is-not-only-surviving-donald-trump-it-is-thriving">his growing swamp of a government</a>) the United States of America has now become a fully identifiable "<a href="https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/rogue%20nation">rogue nation</a>" that ignores basic human rights and international agreements.<br />
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While the US constitution provides protections for civil and political rights, these are often ignored when corporate and political interests are challenged. The defence of an individual's rights are often dependent on a person's cultural and racial identity or being able to afford access to legal process (and an effective legal team). The United States has been internationally criticised for its poor human rights record for some time and is worsening under Trump:<br />
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<li><a href="https://www.fastcompany.com/3031015/the-best-and-worst-countries-for-workers"><b>Least protections for workers</b> in the developed world</a> and is ranked alongside Iraq, Iran and Sierra Leone and Honduras. It systemically <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jun/28/tobacco-child-labor-us-north-carolina">violates basic workers rights</a> and <a href="https://www.triplepundit.com/special/cotton-sustainability-c-and-a-foundation/forced-labor-united-states/">slave or forced labour is commonplace</a>. The <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2017/12/06/the-richest-1-percent-now-owns-more-of-the-countrys-wealth-than-at-any-time-in-the-past-50-years/?utm_term=.10ae5ee2ff1d">top 1% have now captured 40%</a> of the country's wealth. </li>
<li><a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-laws-cities-use-to-make-homelessness-a-crime"><b>Criminalisation of homelessness and poverty</b></a> is common. People are routinely imprisoned for being in debt and this includes the inability to pay fines or child support (fathers can even be forced to <a href="https://nypost.com/2017/07/23/man-ordered-to-pay-65k-in-child-support-for-kid-who-isnt-his/">pay child support for another's child</a>). </li>
<li><b>Invasion of privacy</b> through <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_surveillance_in_the_United_States">state sanctioned surveillance</a>. Whistleblower <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Snowden">Edward Snowden</a> had to seek asylum for revealing the extent of the NSA's mass-surveillance. </li>
<li><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/11/its-so-dangerous-to-be-a-black-american-ive-sought-asylum-in-canada"><b>Police brutality</b> <b>and racial profiling</b></a> impacts badly on coloured people in the US. Since Donald Trump has become President the treatment of Blacks, Latinos and Muslims has deteriorated. <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/national/police-shootings-2017/?noredirect=on">Almost 1,000 people were shot and killed </a>by police in 2017 (<a href="https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/do-police-kill-more-whites-than-black-people/">blacks are 2.5 times as likely to be shot than whites</a>). </li>
<li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incarceration_in_the_United_States#Privatization"><b>Private prisons profit from incarceration</b></a> and the US has a history of abuse and torture of prisoners. For decades the US taught torture techniques to other countries and the current President has advocated its use. He has just appointed <a href="http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/cia-torturer-gina-haspel-tops-list-alarming-trump-appointees-570426043">a Director of the CIA who oversaw torture</a> in a CIA "black site" in 2002.</li>
<li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Youth_incarceration_in_the_United_States"><b>Juvenile imprisonment</b> is the highest in the world</a> and 40% of youth prisons are for profit. Minority youth are often tried as adults and are much more likely to be incarcerated than white youths. </li>
<li><b>The Death Penalty</b> is still used and the US is the only remaining developed country that resorts to it. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_offenders_executed_in_the_United_States_in_2017">23 people were executed in the US in 2017</a>. </li>
<li><b>Support for</b> <b>countries with poor human rights records</b>. The United States has a history of supporting dictators and even influencing elections to favour them. Currently it supports (financially and diplomatically) <a href="https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2017/country-chapters/saudi-arabia">Saudi Arabia</a> and <a href="https://gulfnews.com/news/mena/palestine/israel-s-shooting-of-gaza-protesters-may-be-war-crime-1.2236345">Israel</a> despite their very poor human rights records. </li>
<li><b>Extrajudicial executions</b> instigated by the US routinely occur around the world. <a href="https://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/stories/2017-01-01/drone-wars-the-full-data">Drone executions</a> based on suspected guilt have killed thousands, many innocent civilians included. </li>
<li><b>Separating migrant families</b> at the border has achieved a new low for a nation that once welcomed all migrants who were escaping oppression. The US is now an oppressor.</li>
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While <a href="https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/01/09/barack-obamas-shaky-legacy-human-rights">some advances of human rights were made under President Obama</a> (and a public presentation of being a good global citizen), Trump has blatantly and deliberately headed in the opposite direction. His <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/America_First_(policy)">"America First"</a> approach has seen him criticise and remove the US from many multi-national agreements. While there could be some justification from pulling away from some free trade agreements that ignore workers rights and allow environmental degradation, these elements are not cited. Trump has an isolationist approach which will probably end up causing greater poverty for working people in the US and other countries.<br />
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The US has removed itself from the <a href="ps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_withdrawal_from_the_Paris_Agreement">Paris Climate Accord</a> (putting the US coal industry ahead of global health) and abandoned the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com.au/trump-withdraws-from-iran-deal-2018-5?r=US&IR=T">Iran Nuclear Deal</a>. Trump treats G7 leaders and current trade agreements with disdain. The US has just left the UN Human Rights Council, citing hypocrisy in the way the council has treated Israel compared to the likes of Cuba. This is actually hypocrisy in itself. Despite the fact that Cuba may not be a democracy and has its own human rights issues, <a href="https://localbodies-bsprout.blogspot.com/2016/11/cuba-vs-usa-what-castro-really-achieved.html">the small country proportionally provides more humanitarian aid internationally than the US</a>, has lower levels of poverty and a much more equitable health and education systems than the US. Cuba does not persecute people at the level that Israel oppresses Palestinians. </div>
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The US could influence world affairs positively and the best way to do this is through diplomacy and informed and considered engagement. It now appears that the US is removing itself from past alliances with developed countries and its previously closest allies: Britain, Canada and Australia. The leaders Trump admires are autocratic ones and he is frustrated that he doesn't receive the same blind loyalty as Russia's Putin, the Philippines' <a href="https://www.hrw.org/news/2018/01/18/philippines-dutertes-drug-war-claims-12000-lives">President Duterte</a> and recent mate<a href="https://www.rawstory.com/2018/06/trump-tells-fox-news-wants-americans-obey-like-north-koreans-obey-kim-jong-un/"> Kim Jong-un</a>. Trump has substantially cut the US diplomatic service in favour of using a strengthened military to bully others into submission. Like other dictators he wants <a href="https://theconversation.com/trump-puts-defence-before-diplomacy-and-wants-tanks-on-the-streets-of-washington-90642">public displays of military might</a> to assert his global authority. He only pulled back from the idea of dropping some big ones on North Korea's "Little Rocket Man" because Kim flattered him and he feels more comfortable dealing with a narcissistic dictator like himself than engaging with the diplomatic subtleties and intellectual detail that accompanies a G7 summit. </div>
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More and more power is now shifting to Trump after years of the dismantling the checks and balances that constrained executive powers. The three branches of government are: Congress (the legislative branch), the Supreme Court of the United States and Federal Courts (the judicial branch) and the President (executive branch), each are supposed to be equal and no one branch was supposed to dominate any other. Trump's extreme executive orders were initially stymied by Federal Courts and Congress but he is getting around this by appointing conservative judges, <a href="https://www.npr.org/2017/01/30/512534805/justice-department-wont-defend-trumps-immigration-order">sacking the Attorney General</a> and simply ignoring the law. After 9/11 <a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/who-gets-to-decide-when-we-go-to-war">congress gave up the right to decide when to use military force</a> and the President now has that unilateral power as Trump used <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2018/04/13/trump-to-address-the-nation-about-syria-nbc-news.html">when he ordered the bombing in Syria</a>.<br />
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The US also used to be the standard bearer for a Free Press, which could generally be relied on to expose corruption and poor behaviour from a President (Nixon, Reagan, Clinton), this is no longer the case under Trump. The current President calls legitimate news outlets that hold him to account "fake news". He constantly tweets disinformation and favours partisan journalists and outlets such as Fox News. A Republican congressional candidate was even able to be elected after <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/may/24/greg-gianforte-bodyslams-reporter-ben-jacobs-montana">body-slamming a journalist </a>he didn't like. In a media environment where there is such a fervent level of partisan reporting, they effectively cancel each other out. When there is a greater use of social media for accessing "news", it is harder for the US public to identify legitimate and factual reporting.<br />
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At first it seemed as though Trump's approval rate was plummeting and many thought that it was unlikely he would last his full term. However, despite revelations of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racial_views_of_Donald_Trump">racism</a>, fraud, <a href="http://poll2018.trust.org/">sexual harassment</a>, dishonesty, blatant narcissism, nepotism and conflicts of interest, <a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/Bad-news-for-Dems-Trump-s-rating-is-rising-12932492.php">Trump's popularity is on the rise</a>. The most immoral and corrupt US President to ever be elected is now commander in chief of the world's most powerful military force. This ignorant, climate denying narcissist has successfully <a href="https://www.macleans.ca/politics/washington/rating-the-sycophants-around-trump-from-one-to-five-bootlicks/">surrounded himself with sycophants</a> and has shaped the US into a rogue nation where future allies may be smarter dictators who will stroke his ego for their own advantage. The<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com.au/a-swedish-company-invited-americans-to-flee-trump-it-worked-too-well-2017-1?r=US&IR=T"> steady trickle of people leaving the US to escape Trump</a> is likely to grow and this will no doubt increase his support.<br />
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Some people may follow Trump's career with morbid amusement, but this President poses a real risk to the future of our planet and all who live on it. A very considered and united response is needed.<br />
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Dave Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12428353657153292616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3612441315352179822.post-79897683410328910992018-06-18T00:43:00.001+12:002018-06-27T12:11:53.208+12:00It's not easy being Green and even harder being a Green Minister<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Land Information Minister Eugenie Sage was s<a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/104668519/green-party-members-revolt-over-water-bottling-decision">ubjected to some angry comments</a> from party members on social media after her decision to allow (in principle) a large Chinese water bottling company to purchase land to extend their plant. The decision by the Green Minister went against what the party had campaigned on and seemed incomprehensible for many. Media quickly published some of the angry responses and ex Green MP <a href="https://www.pundit.co.nz/content/greens-in-mortal-danger">Sue Bradford predicts trouble ahead</a> for the Party as Green Ministers find themselves between "a rock and a hard place" as decisions they are forced to make clash with Party policy.<br />
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This isn't the first time that Green Party members have reacted passionately to decisions made by their caucus. Giving up their questions to the opposition and supporting the waka-jumping bill for the first reading resulted in some internal anguish and articles in the Green Party magazine (Te Awa) from past MPs and members voicing opposing views.<br />
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I can understand why political commentators would assume that the party is in some turmoil and there is always the past reality that smaller parties supporting Labour or National led Governments have suffered electorally (the <a href="https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2017/10/18/54130/the-rise-and-demise-of-the-maori-party">Maori Party is the most recent example</a>). I can also understand while some may think that the Green Party lacks internal discipline when there appears to be open questioning of MPs and Minister's decisions and a good deal of emotion in social media comments.<br />
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I actually celebrate that I am a member of a party that has a good deal of internal debate and members expressing passionate views. This is a sign that the party is alive and healthy and full of members who who feel passionate about environmental and social issues. Our MPs are held to account and bringing about change to the neoliberal systems that have devastated our environment and communities is a common driver. Most of the internal debates are around the speed of change and the levels of compromise on this journey.<br />
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eugenie_Sage"><br /></a>
Eugenie Sage's dilemma is useful to highlight what many Green members are grappling with. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eugenie_Sage">Eugenie has the experience and knowledge </a>to make a very competent Minister of Conservation and Land Information and an Associate Minister of the Environment. She studied Law, History and Journalism at University and was a member of ecology Action and Friends of the Earth. Her years as a Forest and Bird Field Officer and Environment Canterbury Councillor gave her a good understanding of the issues related to her current responsibilities.<br />
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For Eugenie the threats to our natural environment are very real as she has often physically engaged with the very places that are being compromised by human activity (<a href="https://www.newshub.co.nz/politics/minister-didnt-know-park-was-in-drilling-plan-2014040817">unlike Simon Bridges</a> who made sweeping decisions about places he had no knowledge of). When there was a proposal to build a monorail through Fiordland when she was in opposition, <a href="https://blog.greens.org.nz/2012/02/24/mad-monorail-proposal-in-southland-tussock-grasslands-and-beech-forests/">Eugenie walked the route</a> so that she understood what the impacts would be first hand. <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/7973768/Dirty-water-tour-kicks-off">I have also kayaked with her on a local Estuary</a> where research had revealed increasing levels of eutrophication.<br />
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As Minister of Land Information, Eugenie Sage was confronted with a land purchase request that would allow a large, overseas water bottling company to expand its plant. Given the fact that it was paying no royalties for the New Zealand water it was exporting and was an industry the Green Party had campaigned against, the decision wasn't taken lightly. The Overseas Investment Act requires benefits for New Zealand to result from any overseas proposal but does not require environmental considerations. Given the jobs that were proposed and the economic benefits for the local community, <a href="https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/hard-decision-green-party-minister-eugenie-sage-talks-water-bottling-plant-expansion-has-caused-outrage-members">Eugenie was constrained by her Ministerial responsibilities and approved it on principle</a>. <br />
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If Eugenie had done what many members would have wanted and rejected the request, the legal consequences could have been considerable and the fallout, substantial. The law needs to change to allow royalties to be charged and to have environmental considerations included in decisions. Eugenie is an experienced politician who looks at the long game, she is fully aware that there are likely to be numerous decisions that she will be obliged to make because of the constraints she is bound to work within as a Minister. However, it will be a lot harder to change the rules if she loses her ministerial positions.<br />
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Past ministers from other parties have found the right decisions too difficult to make and often sat back and enjoyed the baubles of office and the privileges that come with the role instead. Retaining power appeared all-consuming and pandering to lobbyists can make life so much easier and personally rewarding (<a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10807972">box seats at rugby games</a>). Jonathan Coleman was a great example of a Minister who actively ignored the issues confronting the health sector he was responsible for and did the least possible. As soon as he lost the power he revelled in, <a href="https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2018/03/former-health-minister-jonathan-coleman-hangs-up-on-interview.html">he abandoned ship and quickly gained a position in the private sector</a> where he was rewarded for his disregard for public health. During his time as Minister of Health I was never aware of National Party members voicing any concerns regarding his incompetence or lack of compassion. He even had the audacity to run for the leadership of the party.<br />
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Where were National Party members when it was revealed that Murray McCully paid an <a href="https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/274808/government-accused-of-bribery-over-farm">$11 million bribe to a Saudi farmer</a>? Where were the members when <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11823955">National cut around $2 billion from the early childhood education budget</a> since 2010? Where were the National Party members when National <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/93921384/ministry-of-education-apologises-to-canterbury-schools-after-scathing-ombudsman-report">closed schools in Christchurch using an appalling process</a> and causing great emotional damage to vulnerable children, families and staff?<br />
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It is not such a privileged life for Green Party ministers, they are expected to pay 10% of their salary back to the Party and be fully transparent about their expenses. I can't imagine any Green Minister making a lot of use of the Government limousines and public transport is used where possible. The Party's democratic processes allow members to rank and elect leaders, none are placed on a pedestal and all will have their performance scrutinised against Green policies and kaupapa. It is hard to rein in passion when members care deeply about important issues and there is a pervasive feeling of urgency to set things right as soon as possible. While I wish some were a little more circumspect, criticism is healthy. No one will be assessing Green Ministers' performances as strongly as the party itself and that is as it should be.<br />
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It's not easy being Green and even harder being a Green Minister.<br />
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Post Script: After receiving a good deal of flack for her previous decision Eugenie is now <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12072746">receiving criticism for blocking the expansion of coal mining</a> on the West Coast.<br />
<br />Dave Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12428353657153292616noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3612441315352179822.post-65481403660055911262018-05-21T00:51:00.002+12:002018-05-21T16:17:05.261+12:00Trump's Shotgun Diplomacy Dominates<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ignorance, arrogance, dishonesty and denial have dominated Donald Trump's presidency and his responses to school shootings epitomise this. Trump speaks tough, <a href="https://www.firstpost.com/world/donald-trump-skips-white-house-correspondents-dinner-attends-campaign-style-rally-in-michigan-instead-4449887.html">uses popularism to maintain support</a> and ignores evidence.<br />
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His approach to world diplomacy is also a simplistic one, believing that he can bully other countries into submission through the strength of the US military (<a href="http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-trump-defense-20180212-story.html">dramatically increasing military spending</a>). Under Trump and Tillerson the top management of <a href="https://www.vox.com/world/2017/11/8/16623278/trump-state-department-data-career">the State Department has been gutted by 60%</a>. The <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/17/pentagon-no-plans-to-scale-back-south-korea-operations-after-north-korea-threats.html">military leads diplomacy</a> now.<br />
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His solution for solving school shootings is similar to how he is dealing with global conflict, more guns (<a href="https://www.newyorker.com/news/our-columnists/trumps-idea-of-arming-teachers-is-crazy-but-clarifying">arm the teachers</a>). In Trump's world there are the bad guys and the good guys (like in a B grade Western), with no shades of grey. Leading up to his election Donald Trump ardently supported the National Rifle Association (NRA) and has done so since (despite the mass shootings) with <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/04/trump-nra-convention-dallas-gun-control">rallying speeches in support of gun rights</a>. The fake news culture thriving under Trump involves discrediting those speaking truth to power and the students leading the protests against gun laws have been <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/how-internet-s-conspiracy-theorists-turned-parkland-students-crisis-actors-n849921">subject to numerous rightwing conspiracy theories</a>.<br />
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The United States has <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_school_shootings_in_the_United_States">a long history of school shootings</a>, the first documented was 1764 in Greencastle Pennsylvania when <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enoch_Brown_school_massacre">a teacher was shot and nine children were killed </a>with tomahawks. Over the last hundred years the number of shootings, deaths and injuries have steadily increased, with each decade worse than the one before. This decade has over two more years to go but already there have been as many school shootings as the three previous decades combined.<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> SCHOOL SHOOTINGS</span></b><br />
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So far in 2018 (up to May 18) <a href="http://www.gunviolencearchive.org/">there have been 22,048 gun incidents</a>, 5,460 gun related deaths and almost 10,000 injuries. Donald Trump is spending billions to protect US citizens from external terrorism when <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terrorism_in_the_United_States">the actual risk is minimal</a> compared to the carnage caused by those within. 40% of US citizens own a gun or live in a household with one, there are 9 guns for every 10 people.<br />
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The gun culture in the US will be a difficult one to resolve when gun ownership is so imbedded in its culture and the <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/jurisprudence/2016/06/how_the_nra_perverted_the_meaning_of_the_2nd_amendment.html">flawed interpretation of the 2nd amendment</a> dominates. Bizarrely under Obama gun sales increased (possibly due to the fact that as gun laws tightened, many bought them before new regulations were embedded). However, if Obama had remained in the Whitehouse the initial purchasing flurry would have quickly diminished. Now that Trump is encouraging the use of armed force and vigilante behaviour, these weapons are more likely to be used. His first year in office ended with <a href="https://www.globalresearch.ca/trumps-first-year-ends-in-twice-as-many-mass-shootings-than-obamas/5629856">twice as many mass shootings as Obama's</a>. Three of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/feb/17/trump-american-carnage-florida-school-shooting">the worst mass shootings in modern history</a> have already occurred under Trump's presidency.<br />
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President Trump could be bold and <a href="http://fortune.com/2018/02/20/australia-gun-control-success/">do what Australia did</a> to dramatically reduce gun deaths, but proven solutions are blatantly ignored for political convenience. Ignorance, arrogance, dishonesty and denial will ensure the carnage continues.<br />
<br />Dave Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12428353657153292616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3612441315352179822.post-78494704041404237392018-05-03T17:41:00.000+12:002018-05-04T13:21:31.428+12:00Banks Behaving Badly <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VkWqxRREQ6s/WuqfBR8GkGI/AAAAAAAAHIY/vUqrRja8eD0sgy8un4tb_BcueDryuXYzACLcBGAs/s1600/westpacnzh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="379" data-original-width="675" height="179" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VkWqxRREQ6s/WuqfBR8GkGI/AAAAAAAAHIY/vUqrRja8eD0sgy8un4tb_BcueDryuXYzACLcBGAs/s320/westpacnzh.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Australia's biggest banks have had their behaviour forensically exposed and <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-04-29/decade-of-banks-behaving-badly-laid-bare-in-australian-inquiry">a decade of major fraud has been revealed</a>:<br />
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<li>Lying to regulators</li>
<li>Falsifying documents</li>
<li>Taking bribes</li>
<li>Extracting fees from long dead customers</li>
<li>Rigging interest rates</li>
<li>Enabling money laundering</li>
<li>Providing misleading financial advice</li>
<li>Failing to honour insurance claims</li>
<li>Mistreating small business owners</li>
<li>Issuing dodgy mortgages with incomplete documentation</li>
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The <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-42983881">"big four"</a> that dominate 80% of Australia's Banking, also dominate here: ANZ, Westpac, NAB (BNZ) and the the Commonwealth Bank of Australia owns ASB. Westpac is used for the majority of our government's banking needs. While all of these have an Australian owned parent company the New Zealand operations have local CEOs and they manage their banking activities within our regulatory frameworks. </div>
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When <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/103353429/kiwi-banks-told-prove-youre-not-dodgy-too">asked by Stuff for reassurance</a>, our banks claim they are transparent and honest players and Commerce Minister Kris Faafoi believes that the extreme behaviour revealed in Australia isn't happening here. However, economist Shamubeel Eaqub isn't reassured and he recommends a New Zealand enquiry.</div>
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So what do we know about our largest banks? <a href="https://nzbanks.com/largest-banks-new-zealand">Our big four are (2016 figures)</a>:</div>
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<li>ANZ: Net assets $12.7 billion, <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11898293">CEO salary $4.3 million</a>, 2018 first 1/2, net profit $1.62 billion </li>
<li>BNZ: Net assets $7 billion, <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/personal-finance/news/article.cfm?c_id=12&objectid=11944157">CEO salary $3+ million</a>, net profit $913 million</li>
<li>ASB: Net Assets $6.8 billion, CEO salary $3 million <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11464131">($2.8 in 2012)</a>, net profit $908 million</li>
<li>Westpac: Net assets $6.6 billion,<a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/98682148/pay-drops-for-top-bank-bosses"> CEO salary $2.1 million</a>, net profit $851 million</li>
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The biggest New Zealand owned bank is Kiwi Bank: Net assets $1.13 billion, CEO salary unknown, net profit $124 million.<br />
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The shift of our banking to Australian owned banks began in the 1980s. In 1988 all our regional Trust Banks were corporatised and each bank was still owned by a regional trust. The majority of these ended up merging into one entity (Trust Bank New Zealand) with the community trusts remaining as individual shareholders. In 1996 the community trusts sold the bank to Westpac for $1.2 million.</div>
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The Bank of New Zealand began as a private bank in 1861 but in 1862 it gained the banking account for the NZ Government. In 1946 the bank was nationalised. </div>
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In 1987 the BNZ became the first cab off the rank for the privatisation of public-owned assets with a 15% stock offering. The government reduced its share to 51% in 1989, but had to bail it out with $380 million in 1990 to avoid collapse. In 1992 the bank was bought by the National Australia Bank and became a subsidiary.</div>
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This Neoliberal thinking that private enterprise and competition improved efficiency and provided better service <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=14695">was flawed and naive</a>. The 100% sales earned short term capital but shifted profits off shore to a few investors who did very well out of the deals and the government and the taxpayer lost out over the longer term. At the time it was believed that New Zealand owned banks couldn't survive but since then <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11915328">Kiwi Bank was established and lending and deposits are growing steadily.</a> <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11879899">SBS</a> (formally the Southland Building Society) rejected amalgamation with an Aussie bank and is also very successful as it merges with other Building Societies to try and r<a href="https://www.pressreader.com/new-zealand/the-press/20100728/281930244265850">eplicate the trust bank regional model</a>. </div>
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I believe that successive governments have continued to be naive around our banking system and Kris Faafoi has joined that complicit culture. There was a good deal of tolerance for corrupt behaviour under the previous National led government and John Key was deeply part of this. His Merrill Lynch background saw him treat money management as a game of monopoly rather than for public good and he very much supported wealth capture in private hands. Together with his personal lawyer, Key happily encouraged <a href="http://localbodies-bsprout.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/nz-tax-haven-quiet-little-achiever.html">New Zealand being used as a tax haven</a>. It is no surprise that after retiring as PM he quickly shifted across to chair ANZ's New Zealand subsidiary. </div>
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There is no end of evidence from customers, businesses, employees and even the IRD that our major banks are continually ripping us off:</div>
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<li>In 2009 the <a href="https://www.interest.co.nz/news/40814/banks-settle-structured-finance-tax-disputes-ird-nz22-bln-update-1">IRD wins two High Court rulings</a> involving $2.75 billion worth of tax fraud perpetrated by the big four Australian banks. The court process over many years would have cost the IRD a good deal but the banks only had to pay back 80% ($2.2 billion) and no penalties. Tax evasion and tax avoidance has been a big part of these banks operations and I'm sure it is continuing in many complex ways. </li>
<li>In 2013 <a href="https://www.interest.co.nz/personal-finance/63536/group-planning-class-action-against-banks-expects-20000-people-sign-within-48">11,000 people signed up for a possible class action</a> against NZ banks profiteering from unnecessary default fees that could involve around <a href="https://www.interest.co.nz/personal-finance/63514/parties-behind-largest-class-action-nzs-history-taken-against-major-banks-sta">$250 million</a>.</li>
<li>For years <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/9431795/Banks-accused-of-sales-terror-regime?rm=m">bank staff have complained about being forced to sell debt packages</a> to increase company profits and to meet targets that determined their pay. While bank CEOs earned over 100 times what their staff earned they put their employees under a good deal of stress as they were forced to push loans and insurance packages etc onto their customers that were unnecessary and many couldn't actually afford. <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/93787612/union-launches-campaign-to-ease-bank-sales-targets">This practice continues.</a></li>
<li>Banks have also profited hugely from being KiwiSaver providers. <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/personal-finance/news/article.cfm?c_id=12&objectid=11848078">ANZ is now managing more than $10 billion</a> in retirement savings and many believe banks could reduce their fees. Annual fees for $10,000 in savings can be as much as $174 and the total fees over the lifetime of a an average KiwiSaver would be around $54,700.</li>
<li>It is estimated that <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/personal-finance/news/article.cfm?c_id=12&objectid=11976453">New Zealanders paid around $700 million in credit card interest</a> last year and while some of this can be explained as poor money management, it is obvious that they are an example of yet more profiteering. Our consumer culture is increasingly shaped around quick credit and growing online purchases. </li>
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In 2017 Banks in New Zealand saw <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/101413524/new-zealand-banks-pulled-in-record-combined-profit-in-2017">a 7.35% profit boost </a>on the year before and a combined total profit of $5.19 billion. <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11755851">No other companies in New Zealand make anything like</a> that profit and none have achieved anything close to a billion (even Fonterra). If the parent banks in Australia are being castigated for fraudulent practices that aren't occurring here then I find it difficult to explain why the New Zealand subsidiaries are more profitable. <a href="https://www.interest.co.nz/business/88451/big-4-new-zealand-banks-still-near-top-international-profit-heap-despite-little-belt">New Zealand banks are constantly ranked at the top of the world </a>for profitability. </div>
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The increased privatisation of our largely government owned services and the expectation that they should also return a profit and dividend, <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/102558864/air-new-zealand-shuttering-one-of-last-engineering-hubs-in-regions-as-public-anger-grows">reduces the 'service' element </a>for most New Zealanders. With such a focus on making money, those who spend the most can generally access extra services and discounts and those with the least generally pay more in fees. This is not fair or equitable. The regions have often suffered the most with many bank branches closing.<br />
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The latest New Internationalist has identified a global shift away from the failed Neoliberal governance and many countries are <a href="https://newint.org/features/2018/05/01/public-ownership-rises">returning privately owned services back to public control</a>. There is a belief that banks are too big to challenge and too big to allow to fail. To deal with the Great Financial Crisis the US Government has given over $5 trillion to financial institutions and <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikecollins/2015/07/14/the-big-bank-bailout/#18ef11362d83">the total commitment will be $16.8 trillion</a>. This money is being diverted from useful infrastructure and social service spending and is propping up a corrupt financial system that caused the crisis in the first place. Huge bonuses for CEOs and managers continue and poverty increases.<br />
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Our banks may not have failed but a level of unnecessary profiteering has been a large element of their success. The fact that our government continues to favour a bank that was <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/2944357/IRD-wins-against-Westpac">forced to pay almost 1billion in owed tax</a> is a concern. New Zealand's <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11873204">total gross debt is now over half a trillion</a> and $250 billion of that is from household debt as people struggle wth having the most expensive housing in the world. Our households now have an income to debt ratio of 168%, which leaves us hugely vulnerable to another economic downturn or housing market collapse. Most of that debt is owed offshore.<br />
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Our government needs to review our current banking systems and tighten regulations. It also needs to start shifting elements of its banking to local providers and allow them to build capacity until all our banking needs can be delivered internally again. T<a href="https://www.greens.org.nz/news/govt-relents-green-party-pressure-banking-contract">he Green Party had already got the National Government to start this process</a>, but it could be ramped up. <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2017/03/14/icelands-recovery-shows-benefits-letting-over-reaching-banks/">We need to learn from Iceland</a> with regards to the ability to recover from a financial shakeup, our banks haven't failed they do need to be pulled into line and be forced to operate fairly. We have become trapped into thinking that the current banking system is our only choice and the big four can do as they wish, the world won't end if we embrace change.<br />
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As consumers we could use our collective power and shift our custom to regional, member owned banks like SBS and credit unions and recognise alternatives like <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=200024">green dollars</a> and alternative currencies like the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bristol_Pound">Bristol Pound</a> that can revitalise local economies.<br />
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<a href="http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1803/S00862/needs-mean-budget-responsibility-rules-too-tight-ctu.htm">The Budget Responsibility Rules</a> were a political ploy to calm conservative nerves leading into the election and we are now trapped into a straight jacket that will limit urgent investment. Setting up the <a href="https://www.greens.org.nz/policy/economic-policies/green-infrastructure-fund">Green Infrastructure Fund</a> and similar investments may help, but we actually need to rethink the sense of allowing banks to create money through debt for their own profit. The <a href="http://www.democrats.org.nz/Home/OriginsofSOCIALCREDIT.aspx">old Social Credit idea,</a> or something similar, may be worth seriously considering to make our money system work for the good of everyone rather than private profits as it clearly does now.<br />
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Dave Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12428353657153292616noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3612441315352179822.post-61922729922622838752018-04-09T16:35:00.003+12:002018-04-11T11:08:39.842+12:00Dire Predictions for NZ Green Party...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SF-zdx0AQyU/WsrtYtVo-sI/AAAAAAAAHHo/xicC2Nw3V8ccrDTAjz_6MN9xhF-bcULRACEwYBhgL/s1600/Marama-Co-leader-Web-banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="1260" height="118" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SF-zdx0AQyU/WsrtYtVo-sI/AAAAAAAAHHo/xicC2Nw3V8ccrDTAjz_6MN9xhF-bcULRACEwYBhgL/s320/Marama-Co-leader-Web-banner.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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One thing that I have learned about politics over many years is that it always lives in a microcosm of ignorance that has little connection or reference to the past. Very few political commentators use historical perspectives on which to base their opinions and the media generally prefers extreme and emotional reactions to those that are more measured and circumspect.<br />
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The Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand has just elected <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marama_Davidson">Marama Davidson</a> as its third ever Female Co-leader since the Party began in 1990. Here is a sample of the reactions to this news from mainstream media:<br />
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"The Greens swing left with Marama Davidson in the co-pilot seat" - <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/102923218/greens-swing-left-with-marama-davidson-in-the-copilot-seat">Henry Cooke</a><br />
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"Expect fireworks with Marama Davidson Elected Green co-leader", "...a radical social justice warrior..." - <a href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=12028759">Kate Hawkesby</a><br />
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"All they'll be is a far-left party that condones beneficiary fraud and wants to make it easier to stay on the dole", <i>Why the Green Party will be gone in a decade</i> - <a href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=12027293">Heather du Plessis-Allan </a><br />
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Before 1995 and the election of Jeanette Fitzsimons and Rod Donald, the party had no formal leaders and relied on official spokespeople. Since 1995 the Green Party has had a total of 6 Co-leaders, although only having one leader the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand_National_Party">National Party</a> has had 7 over the same period and the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand_Labour_Party">Labour Party</a> has had 6. The length of time the past Co-leaders remained in their positions ranges from 8 years for Metiria Turei, to 14 years for Jeanette Fitzsimons. The Green Party leadership has a history of stability.<br />
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What most commentators do not appreciate about the Green Party is that none of its leaders or MPs can dictate policy or our election campaigns. The Green Party's policies have to align with its <a href="https://www.greens.org.nz/charter">principles</a> and all policies are established through membership consultation and democratic process. While each leader will have their particular interests and personality, they are always constrained by the expectations and mandate provided by the membership. At every AGM the Co-leaders must be re-elected to continue in office. When political commentators make claims of wild changes in direction it just exposes their ignorance of the how the Green Party operates.<br />
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Much that is reported is also a just a reflection of spin from the two largest parties that wish to ensure the Green Party does not threaten their status. The highest the Green Party has polled is 17.5 % (just after the 2014 election), just 2.4% away from National's lowest election result in 2002. In a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opinion_polling_for_the_New_Zealand_general_election,_2017">May 2017 poll </a>(before Jacinda Arden become leader) the Green Party was snapping at Labour's heels with only 7.5 percentage points between them. In the month before the Greens had gone from 11% to 16.5% in successive polls, while Labour had plummeted from 30% to 23.75%. <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/92221867/national-tops-donations-with-almost-2m-given-to-the-party-in-2016">The Greens were already earning more in donations</a> than Labour at that time and must have made its members feel very vulnerable.<br />
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When Jacinda Adern became Labour's leader the priorities she championed in her speeches were <a href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11907789">green heavy </a>in a clear attempt to recapture the ground lost to the Greens (a successful ploy). Both Labour and National would rather the Green Party just focussed on the environment and had no aspirations other than being a useful support party to the big two.<br />
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National openly criticises the Green Party for having any social policy at all and many National supporters spin the idea that the Green Party is essentially a communist inspired party with a "green" facade (watermelons). <a href="http://www.newshub.co.nz/politics/key-labels-opposition-wacky-extreme-unusual-2013053016">John Key continually labeled the Greens as "wacky"</a> even when many Green policies had been adopted by National and claimed as their own, <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/9239685/Home-insulation-scheme-success">like the home insulation scheme</a>. <br />
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Most Green Party members don't join the party because they are environmentalists, they join because they understand that social and environmental issues are always connected and the solutions to the multiple crises we are faced with need to be addressed in holistic and sustainable ways. Social responsibility is a core part of the Global Green movement and the New Zealand Green Party has championed social justice issues successfully since its inception and this will never change.<br />
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No matter how much du Plessis-Allen and other conservative commentators attempt to dismiss and label the Greens, it is becoming clearer by the day that it is only green solutions that will solve our current problems. I can remember Bill English trying to scare voters with the threat "imagine a Green Minister..." as if such an outcome would threaten the very fabric of our society and tip us over the brink. Well, we now have four Greens with ministerial portfolios in the current government, dealing with multiple crises largely caused by the inaction of the previous one. Imagining what would have happened if National retained the government benches is now a more terrifying thought.<br />
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<a href="http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2018/04/national-needs-to-change-a-lot-to-get-greens-onside-marama-davidson.html">From media observations so far</a>, Marama Davidson continues the tradition of strong and capable Green leaders. She is obviously passionate about the issues of inequality, corruption and environmental degradation as were the leaders before her. Her election is clearly not the end of the Green Party, but a renewed commitment to what is important for the future of our country and the planet.<br />
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Kia kaha, Marama!Dave Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12428353657153292616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3612441315352179822.post-41551386319709134172018-03-26T17:09:00.000+13:002018-03-26T18:09:39.784+13:00NZ Politics, a rocky road ahead. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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After almost a decade under a National government we are now experiencing the inevitable adjustment period as a new government begins to assert itself and shape its work plan.<br />
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All those who received preferential treatment from the previous Government will be suffering from withdrawal symptoms. National's "old boy" networks have been well established throughout business communities and the individuals it placed on various influential boards and committees. It had an open door approach to big business lobbyists and investors with money and it's <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2010/oct/31/warner-bros-new-zealand-hobbit-film">willingness to limit or remove regulation</a> was appreciated by them. Even right wing commentators like <a href="https://www.nbr.co.nz/opinion/skycity-debacle-offers-morbid-fascination">Matthew Hooton</a> voiced concern at the level of corporate welfare that was naively supported by Key and Joyce. The changing of the guard and dismantling National's human infrastructure will be a messy business as many will object to losing their past influence and business opportunities. These people have the resources and media clout to make a lot of noise.<br />
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The Labour led government has some huge challenges in progressing its agenda and to deal with multiple crises caused by years of underfunding. National had promised to downsize the civil service and attacked many ministries and department with some gusto. <a href="http://localbodies-bsprout.blogspot.co.nz/2014/03/the-destruction-of-new-zealands-public.html">Education</a>, <a href="http://localbodies-bsprout.blogspot.co.nz/2017/06/maggie-barrys-fake-facts.html">conservation</a> and <a href="https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/269479/govt-to-spend-$1-point-5b-fixing-up-state-houses">state housing</a> were hit especially hard when massive cuts to funding saw essential institutional knowledge and expertise disappear. It takes a long time to replace human resources and rebuild capacity.<br />
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National had also discouraged the "free and frank" advice from civil servants and pushed its own ideological views and projects, despite little evidence to support them. For example, <a href="http://localbodies-bsprout.blogspot.co.nz/2013/11/national-standards-credibility-dives.html">National Standards in Eduction</a> ran roughshod over the new curriculum (that had taken years of collaborative work between the Ministry and the profession to construct) and Charter Schools were a flawed vanity project that had no voter mandate. New Zealand's rapid <a href="https://nzinitiative.org.nz/reports-and-media/opinion/new-zealands-pisa-shock/">drop in international education rankings</a> has been a clear example of what happens when you refuse to listen to the profession and use bureaucrats with limited educational knowledge to lead change.<br />
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This government is being criticised for the <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/102534509/taking-your-time-and-being-deliberative-can-avoid-policy-blunders-in-a-wired-world">39 reviews, working groups, advisory groups and investigations</a> it is setting up, but I would be very concerned if this didn't occur. What we have experienced recently is an erosion of democratic process and proper consultation. Donald Trump is displaying what the extreme of this looks like and it isn't pretty. Getting expert advice and actually implementing recommendations is what responsible governance looks like and it can't be rushed.<br />
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All those civil servants with the knowledge and expertise necessary to turn things around again will have retired or given up in disgust. Those who have survived, or were employed during the last nine years, will have little idea of how things could be done differently. Rebuilding civil service capacity will need to occur before embarking on major projects that will need strong leadership and comprehensive monitoring (<a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/101036282/nearly-seven-years-on-thousands-of-christchurch-earthquake-insurance-claims-remain">we don't want another Christchurch</a>).<br />
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We also lack capacity in our workforce. We don't have enough skilled workers in the construction industry (<a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/101682651/NZ-needs-another-51-000-construction-workers-and-its-set-to-get-worse">51,000 needed</a>) to build the numbers of houses we need in the short term and our <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/opinion-analysis/101439759/the-fletcher-building-debacle">largest construction firm is in a fragile state</a>. We also lack the <a href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12002771">qualified teachers</a>, medical staff and mental health and social workers to fill some caping employment holes.<br />
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The government will be under a good deal of pressure from the public to fix things quickly. The 40,000 homeless need houses and much of the country's crumbling, leaking infrastructure needs urgent attention. National, in opposition, will be gleefully highlighting lack of progress and perceived failures as if they had no part in creating the problem (and hoping voters have short memories).<br />
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Another challenge will be how the three parties in government will manage their relationship and maintain their identity. The larger party in any government is inclined to take credit for any successes achieved by one of their smaller partners, but also blame them for any failures.<br />
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New Zealand First takes a popular approach to politics, so Shane Jone's <a href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12020264">grandstanding against Air New Zealand's withdrawal from the regions</a> will win support and ruffle feathers at the same time. Shane is likely to be eying up Winston's job and needs to make his mark.<br />
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The Green Party scraped into Parliament with only 1.3 percentage points to spare. Although it has gained some valuable ministerial positions, it too needs to establish points of difference. It will take time to establish the competency of its Ministers, so following through on policies around democratic and transparent governance has been at the forefront. <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/101922537/green-party-to-open-diaries-refuse-lobbyistfunded-perks">Opening Ministerial diaries</a>, refusing perks and giving questions to the opposition show a determination to adhere to principles. At the same time the Party may be forced to swallow some inevitable dead rats with the Government's support of the CPTTP and NZ First's Party Hopping Bill.<br />
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It is interesting to follow where the retiring National Ministers go after stepping down from state service. Most are transitioning fairly quickly to plumb private sector positions where they can use their inside knowledge of government to advance private profit and personal incomes.<br />
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John Key will be the chair of the New Zealand ANZ board and will working for one of the Australian owned banks (NZ's largest). The bank has long treated <a href="http://www.sharechat.co.nz/article/d8a0082b/anz-throws-fraud-victims-to-wolves.html">local customers</a> and our IRD with contempt, and was forced to pay back <a href="https://www.interest.co.nz/news/40814/banks-settle-structured-finance-tax-disputes-ird-nz22-bln-update-1">almost half a billion in tax fraud in 2009</a>. With the inside knowledge Key will provide, their $1.78 net profit recorded last last year in NZ is likely to increase further.<br />
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Jonathan Coleman is credited with leading the running down of our health system to crisis level and will be necessitating an early by-election (a costly process for tax payers) so that he can <a href="https://www.acurity.co.nz/our-resources/news/acurity-health-group-welcomes-new-ceo">lead a private health care business</a> that will profit from his inside knowledge. Coleman's attitude to his role as Health Minister was exemplified by <a href="https://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2018637400/hospital-mould-jonathan-coleman-hangs-up-on-interview">his Radio NZ interview</a> when he hung up rather than defend his performance. His claim that he had no knowledge of <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/102490810/mould-in-middlemore-hospital-buildings-so-advanced-it-could-breach-walls-report-shows">Middlemore Hospital's building issues</a> defies belief.<br />
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It is also worth noting (in comparison) where ex Green MPs end up when leaving Parliament. Jeanette Fitzsimons continues to support the Green Party in different voluntary roles while also having a leadership role in <a href="http://coalaction.org.nz/">Coal Action Network Aotearoa</a>. Russel Norman heads <a href="http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/shows/2018/03/russel-norman-our-generation-s-nuclear-free-moment.html">Green Peace New Zealand</a> and Kevin Hague is <a href="http://www.forestandbird.org.nz/about-us/staff-offices/staff-profiles">Forest and Bird's CEO</a>. Catherine Delahunty <a href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11950488">continues to fight for human rights</a> and social justice. All had altruistic motivations to be involved in politics and have proven that with their activities since. This is clearly not the case for many in National.<br />
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It will be good to remember when things become difficult and challenges overwhelm, that what we are currently dealing with now came out of nine years under a National Government. Most Ministers in this government genuinely want to make a positive difference for struggling New Zealanders and address our neglected environmental and conservation issues. None of these really moved National's boats unless a profit could be measured and a business mate supported. The intent of the current government is very different.<br />
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It's going to be a rocky road ahead, but it will be worth hanging on as we travel to a better place.<br />
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<br />Dave Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12428353657153292616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3612441315352179822.post-46412604867514348372018-03-21T15:53:00.000+13:002018-03-22T09:26:58.979+13:00"Being a mum is not a job!" <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Mark Richardson, a former New Zealand cricketer and media personality, has made a valuable contribution by asking the "frilly undie crowd" to "shut up listen" to his latest attempt at mansplaining motherhood and parenting.<br />
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<a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/102383223">"Being a mum is not a job," he claimed.</a><br />
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Richardson acknowledged that it was hard work but had the view that it is simply a fact of life and what we have to do, but can't be considered a job.<br />
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I can understand his flawed reasoning that being a mum does not fit the normal definitions of a job: there is no formal employment process to take it on; no job description provided; no agreement to sign; no holidays or sick days provided and it certainly isn't automatically paid. However, by not viewing it as a job and a hugely valuable one at that, it has meant that it has little status or recognition. There is no training or qualifications needed to be a mother and it generally isn't considered useful to include on a CV under 'work experience'.<br />
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Looking after children then becomes no different from any other domestic tasks like taking out the rubbish, cleaning the toilet and washing the dishes, it is just part of life. We don't expect to be paid for cleaning the toilet despite it not being a pleasant task, why should looking after children be considered any differently? This reasoning is useful to some because it means that there should be no expectation of any income or support to do something that is just part of life and probably <a href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10530841">caring for any family members</a> should be regarded in the same way.<br />
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We have a good deal of evidence that Richardson's widely held views have been partly responsible for the<a href="http://localbodies-bsprout.blogspot.co.nz/2017/06/nz-now-ranks-at-bottom-of-developed.html"> huge problems of child poverty and domestic abuse</a>. For women to move out of paid employment to look after children it is considered as taking time out of work. Sole parents relying on a benefit are encouraged to return to paid employment as soon as possible and have their children placed in care.<br />
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Around <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/4945358/One-child-in-four-in-single-parent-home">25% of New Zealand children lived in one parent families</a> and the majority of sole parents are woman (85%). Children living in sole parent families are four times more likely to living under the poverty line. <a href="http://archive.stats.govt.nz/Census/2013-census/profile-and-summary-reports/qstats-families-households/one-parent-children.aspx">The majority of sole parent families have just one child</a> and 53% have full-time or part-time employment. No mother is unemployed or working part-time in reality as their day will generally be filled with work, but with different percentages being paid.<br />
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Sadly, the amount that is paid for work determines it's value. Parenting is largely done for free. Paid caring jobs (rest homes, home support and disability support workers) are on minimal wages and <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/91659079/Historic-pay-increase-for-workers-in-female-dominated-industry">are only recently gaining recognition</a> for pay discrimination. Most female dominated jobs are regarded the same as being a mother, of little economic value and not deserving to be well paid.<br />
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Obviously fathers are parents too but all research supports the fact that woman shoulder the majority of parenting responsibilities and it is men who have been largely responsible for the economic decisions that impact on mothers.<br />
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Mark Richardson is wrong! Being a mum is a hugely important and unrecognised job. The level of care that mothers provide has a huge bearing on the sort of adults their children become. If we want a capable workforce and a civil society then we should invest in our mothers. We should ensure all mothers can feed their children well, have warm healthy homes and have the resources to support a good education too. Being a Mum is an important job that requires diverse skills and abilities to do it well. I have no doubt that motherhood will make the Prime Minister's job more challenging, but it will probably result in her becoming a more empathetic PM.<br />
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<br />Dave Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12428353657153292616noreply@blogger.com5