Earthquake opportune for National - but won't save them from oblivion...

Image via WikipediaJohn Key and his merry men have been sidetracked by the terrible second earthquake in Christchurch. They will have to spend millions of tax dollars to get the city running again.

I find it rather ironic that during the same week the fascist National Party Government announced its attacks on beneficiaries, thousands of Cantabrians will need significant social welfare to recover from the effects of the second and terrible killer earthquake.

Employers will again need financial support to get their businesses back into operation. While many business premises were  damaged and repaired, and eventually able to get back working after Sept 4, many of these have totally  lost their  buildings and will have to find alternative premises to get back into operation. Tens of thousands of Christchurch people will need a job to be able to support their families, or else sign up for National's  'hated welfare'

Key and his merry men will strut their stuff around Christchurch and up in Wellington, but all Kiwis know they are false and don't represent the interests of a majority of New Zealanders. They will kick people off the dole and other benefits when it suits them. Its all about votes in November.

The earthquake has come at an opportune time for National - the opposition will find it difficult to gain traction for some considerable time. But National will be on their own after the elections without a coalition partner. They will become dog-tucker! Then Key will leave New Zealand to live in his affluent Hawaiin properties and count his tens of millions of dollars without the glare of an expectant media.

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Maori Party faces new rebellion - are they dog tucker?

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Maori Party faces new rebellion  -  are they dog tucker?



Tamaki Makaurau elders have moved a vote of no confidence in the party's support for the Marine and Coastal Area Bill


Maori Party leaders are facing a rebellion from some of their strongest supporters, over the new Marine and Coastal Area Bill.

Tamaki Makaurau elders have moved a vote of no confidence saying the party's support for the new legislation, in the face of substantial objections is like trampling on the mana of their ancestors.

Spokeswoman, Ngaire Te Hira, says the new bill isn't what people marched the length of the country for back in 2004."This is not just about the Maori party" she told Newstalk ZB, "This is about the bill that has violated against every Maori and every New Zealander."

Meanwhile, the Maori Party's also moving to clarify how it'll handle the complaint against Hone Harawira.

Its disputes and disciplinary committee began proceedings in Wellington this week, but adjourned to allow Mr Harawira the weekend to discuss issues with his electorate.

Committee Chair, Te Orohi Paul, says the disputes committee won't be present at a hui in Te Tai Tokerau, but it's hearing for Mr Harawira will continue early next week.



Acknowledgements: © 2011 NZCity, NewsTalkZB

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Taita women earn reprieve from Housing New Zealand stupidity...

Image by Getty Images via @daylife
Lower Hutt women win reprieve from eviction therough the stupidity of Housing New Zealand...

Three Lower Hutt women given 24 hours to vacate their homes by Housing New Zealand on Monday have won a reprieve.

Robyn Winther, Huia Tamaka and Billy Taylor were first issued with 90-day eviction notices in March 2009.

Notices mistakenly attached to the orders described the women as partners of gang members who were facing charges of burglary or intimidation, which were later dropped.

The women claimed Housing New Zealand acted unlawfully by terminating the tenancies in the suburb of Taita and in doing so breached the Bill of Rights.

The Tenancy Tribunal upheld the eviction notices, but the women appealed to the District Court, the High Court and the Court of Appeal, which dismissed their appeal in December last year.

Earlier, bailiffs with a police escort served them with notices to leave within 24 hours or be forcibly evicted.

However, on Monday afternoon they were granted an interim injunction, pending the full hearing of their case by the Human Rights Review Tribunal.

KR says:
The women actually live in the Pomare community of North Taita a  suburb in Lower Hutt city and have only survived through the stupidity of Housing New Zealand staff. The so-called gang members were not tenants of the properties and as a consequence the women involved were not treated fairly under the 'law'. They are entitled to be protected under the Bill of Rights. That shows how stupid this government is as well. And the 'mincing'  PM John Key as well. This is the stupid sort of things being experienced in the liberal conservative regime of New Zealand.

Acknowledgements: © 2011, Radio New Zealand

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Hobbit films will be made in NZ - but at what cost to this country?

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The Hobbit films are to be made in New Zealand - but at what cost to New Zealand?



Prime Minister John Key made the announcement on Wednesday night, following two days of talks with Warner Bros executives in Wellington.



Mr Key said an agreement had been reached with the US studio which is financing the two films. They will be directed by Sir Peter Jackson.



The Government says it will introduce legislation in Parliament on Thursday to clarify the employment situation of independent contractors and employees as it relates to the film production industry in New Zealand.  Now NZ legislation is to be influenced from outside NZ. Will China be next to influence change in other areas?



Warner Bros had warned its concerns over industrial relations issues in New Zealand could see it move the project to another country.



"The industrial issues that have arisen over the past several weeks have highlighted a significant set of concerns for the way in which the international film industry operates," Mr Key said.



"We will be moving to ensure that New Zealand law in this area is settled to give film producers like Warner Bros the confidence they need to produce their films in this country."



Mr Key confirmed the Government will widen the qualifying criteria for its Large Budget Screen Production Fund "to improve New Zealand's competitiveness as a film destination for large budget films."



The Hobbit films will receive an extra tax rebate of $US7.5 million each, depending on box office takings, he said.



The Government will also offset $US10 million of the films' promotion by Warner Bros as part of a strategic partnership to publicise New Zealand.



One of the films will have its world premiere in New Zealand.


KR says:


Peter Jackson's credibilty has been changed for ever in this country. Since  I have lost all  respect for him I will refuse to refer him as Sir, in much the same way as I refuse to refer to Roger Douglas as Sir, too! Jackson's claims that a 'gun was held to his head' is exaggerated claptrap.

There is no doubting Jackson's brilliance as a film-maker, but he has nailed his political affiliation to the rightwing National Party mast. The National Government won't be in power for too  much longer Mr Jackson; it could well be  next year as there are signs that the tide is going out for them. Really, it all depends on Phil Goff's performance as opposition leader in coming months. He would  never change legislation as Key has done to allow employees to become contractors in a New Zealand context. That is something I'm certain about.







Acknowledgements: © 2010, Radio New Zealand

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New clue in 1984 Wellington Trades Hall bombing that killed Ernie Abbott...

Who killed Ernie Abbott in the 1984 Wellington Trades hall bombing? Poor Ernie was the elderly caretaker who was in the wrong place at the wrong time? There is a new clue that could lead to the bomber and killer!

Go to  'Down by the HuttRiver' and read now:  http://peter-petterson.blogspot.com/

Plea for a blogger to be arrested. Just the blogger...

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Image via Wikipedia

Plea for blogger to be arrested. Just the blogger?



A Wellington lawyer wants a blogger who has breached the name suppression of his client to be arrested for being in contempt.



A Wellington lawyer is calling for an Auckland blogger to be arrested after intentionally breaking name suppression.



The blogger has published the name of a high-profile Wellingtonian currently on trial for assault on a teenager, relating to an incident in central Wellington in August 2008.



The man's lawyer Mike Antunovic has raised his concern about the publication in the Wellington District Court. He asked the judge to consider issuing a warrant for the arrest of the blogger for being in contempt of court.



Meanwhile the wife of the high-profile Wellingtonian has given evidence at his trial. The Crown claims the accused hit the teenager after he had run away and stolen money.



The man's wife has told a jury at the Wellington District Court he had to manhandle and drag the teenager back to the car. She says the events leading up to the incident had been stressful and upsetting.



The trial is expected to continue into next week.


So its alright to beat up drag back, and detain an alleged thief in your car? I thought assault was assault was assault? Is this how things are done in the wonderful new world of John Key and his Nationl administration. Thank Christ I don't have too many years to live in this bullshit world. If somebody steals from you use your cell phone and call the police you bloody dickhead.


Good on the blogger in question for naming names!








Acknowledgements: © 2010 NZCity, NewsTalkZB

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