52 Comments
23 April 2010
Remembering our Anzac heroes
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REMEMBERING OUR ANZAC HEROES
I'll be in Gallipoli on Anzac Day to commemorate the 95th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings. The Gallipoli campaign saw New Zealand suffer the highest percentage of casualties of any military campaign in our history.
Anzac Day is a day to honour all Kiwis, both living and gone, who served in war. I'm delighted that I'll be in Gallipoli to mark their courage and sacrifice.
After Turkey I'm going to Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates to strengthen business and economic ties between our countries. I'll be joined by Trade Minister Tim Groser and a 90-strong business delegation.
For photos from my trip to Turkey, click here.
BOOSTING OUR ECONOMY IN BUDGET 2010
National was elected to deliver a step change in the New Zealand economy. We are determined to grow the economy, create sustainable new jobs, and help Kiwi families get ahead.
Yesterday Finance Minister Bill English announced that the Budget on May 20 will make sure taxpayer money is spent more wisely.
We're redirecting another $1.8 billion of lower quality government spending into high priority frontline services - such as health, education, and law and order.
TACKLING CLIMATE CHANGE
National believes New Zealand must do its fair share to reduce carbon emissions. That's why the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) is going ahead.
The ETS balances our economic opportunities with our environmental responsibilities.
Compared to Labour's scheme, we've halved the increase in fuel and power costs for families and businesses.
New data shows that because of the ETS, the trend towards deforestation has reversed, and we're planting more trees. This is great news.
The Government is continuing to monitor international developments. Next year we'll have a formal review of the ETS.
SUPPORTING THE UN DECLARATION ON INDIGENOUS RIGHTS
This week Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples visited New York to affirm the Government's support for the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
New Zealand has always supported the overall aspirations of this declaration. It is non-binding and aspirational. Supporting it does not alter our existing legal and constitutional frameworks.
LIFTING ACHIEVEMENT IN OUR SCHOOLS
As we start the second school term, it's great that the vast majority of primary and intermediate schools are putting National Standards into practice. Schools have rushed to sign up for workshops to help them implement the Standards.
National Standards are benchmarks showing what children should be able to achieve in reading, writing, and maths, and by when. Schools are required to report each child's progress to parents, in plain language, twice a year.
I know that many parents will be looking forward to receiving their first report. Learn more about National Standards here.
HAVING YOUR SAY ON MMP
National is delivering on our election promise to hold a referendum on the MMP system. Yesterday the Electoral Referendum Bill passed its first reading.
We want to give New Zealanders the second say on MMP many felt they were promised when the system was adopted. We will hold the referendum in conjunction with the 2011 general election.
FROM MY DIARY
I returned from a successful trip to the United States and Canada early this week. It was great to attend President Obama's Nuclear Security Summit with almost 50 other world leaders, and catch up with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. See photos here.
On Tuesday I met with Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare. We held an official welcome at Parliament. See photos here.
Best wishes
John Key
Prime Minister
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#1 - Mark 2010-04-23 15:57 - (Reply)
I'm sorry, but support for an ETS in the curent economic climate, and with little to no support from overseas justictions is simply wrong. National was very pragmatic on the scheme when coming in to office - NZ should be fast followers, not leaders on this issue. Suddenly we find ourselves way out ahead with no one following...
#1.1 - J Blair 2010-04-23 16:57 - (Reply)
I have to agree 100% with Mark's comments. It is absolute madness loading the extra financial burden of the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) onto the shoulders of New Zealanders. This new tax cannot be justified in times when the science behind Global Warming is under scrutiny and while New Zealand's trading partners adopted a wait and see attitude.
#1.2 - Hugh C 2010-04-23 17:11 - (Reply)
The ETS is adding another Tax on our whole population, for absolutely now benefit to any of us. Except possibly the Power Generation Companies in a perverse sort of way. While Australia, USA and other major players are holding back, why should we be the only country to begin this pointless process? The carbon trading scheme has collapsed, and reports are that NZX lost $20 mill when it canned their fledgling operation. How much more money must be wasted before National get real, and accept that what was once a vote catcher, is dead and needs to be well buried!
#1.3 - Michelle Hagar 2010-04-23 18:03 - (Reply)
Mr Key Why is it that some of the suggestions from Focus groups for the Families Commission have been said to of been worth nothing, not good enough??? Mr Key, these focus groups which I am a part of are Very Valuable, in My Mind, Because these Focus groups are telling Our Government what we NEED!! Maybe you and a few of your collueges perhaps could take the time to meet some of these people, who all are from different backgrounds, different stories, experiences, a variety of people, but OUR ideas are used, but worth nothing?? Excuse Me! I'm very offended by the such statement. We volunteer our time etc to be at these focus groups, so I beleive they are worth the whole of New Zealand. I look forward to your reply. Michelle
#1.4 - David White 2010-04-23 19:55 - (Reply)
National on ETS = "epic fail". National on Indigenous UN = "epic fail".
#1.5 - Peter Smith 2010-04-24 12:02 - (Reply)
Wholeheartedly agree with Mark concerning the ETS scheme - why are you crippling N.Z. We will never get ahead at this rate. You are letting National Voters down. Also fancy signing up for this Indigenous Rights thing - you must be losing your mind or are you a Maori and not letting on. This country will never be one people when there are so many exceptions made.
#2 - Darrell Comber 2010-04-23 16:07 - (Reply)
John Key. You are in danger of losing a large share of Nationals base support with your decision on Indigenous Rights and your decion to commit this country to the ETS. You are giving the impression of listening to minorities and ignoring the people who voted you in. The last thing we want is another Labour Govt but I believe you are playing in to their hands.
#2.1 - Wal Gordon 2010-04-24 05:05 - (Reply)
Darrell is right you are giving the impression of listening to minorities and ignoring the people who voted you in. The pressue your putting on productive members of society is out of hand and we are getting fed up. This week alone I know of two plumbers who left the trade and one business that closed putting four plumbers out of work. How can your Government talk about stimulating growth and helping families in New Zealand when you let the Plumbers Gasfitters and Drainlayers board implement licensing criteria that will cost plumbers 10% of their take home pay to licence each year. Is this you next step where we have to pay to do our jobs?. Will this mean politicians will pay 25K a year each to say they are competent to do their jobs? The 900% increase in licensing costs will mean a 3% increase in plumbers rates to cover the costs. The cost to the consumer is over 16 million a year and you talk about helping people. I think my next vote will simply be "None of the above"
#2.2 - Kevin Davison 2010-04-26 08:48 - (Reply)
I totaly agree. My membership is of the national party is being seriously challenged.
#3 - Jo Newdick said:
2010-04-23 16:10 - (Reply)
My father fought in the war you are about to see commemorated. He fought for an equal fair society. You are puting his hard fought for wishes in jepordy. Maori Heath Maoris this and that. And di you know the Maori kids in Blenheim get a Omaka van to take them to Nelson for grommets for thier glue ear - when white/ chinese and other can't do that. A fair society - never when when have politians that only care is to get back into power. Have some guts - Maori will NEVER be equal while we treat then like babies that need us. How come NZ society allowas Boob on Bikes on the day my father remembers his mates?? And white poppies? no wonder kids don't care who they hurt thier parenst have no rules. Jo Jo
#4 - Ruth Gibson 2010-04-23 16:50 - (Reply)
I cannot understand why you insist on going ahead with the ETS. We emit so little in the world scene and yet you cripple the people of this country to continue to pursue this folly and do 'our' bit. Please tell me where the money goes that you tax from us.
#5 - andrea 2010-04-23 17:46 - (Reply)
The decsision to proceed with the ETS at this time is so wrong on so many levels. As a small business owner I am still in recovery mode and cannoy afford to be pying more for this ill advised project.
#6 - Joseph 2010-04-23 17:57 - (Reply)
I agree with the criticism from those here about the ETS. It's pure foolishness. It seems New Zealand (or those in power) are still suffering from 'little brother' syndrome, in that we're small and somehow feel inferior to other countries so we have to jump up and volunteer for the stupidest things in order to appear to be taking the lead. As far as the Indigenous Peoples document - that is another foolishness. John, you seem to have this idea that even though we've signed something (this or making the smacking bill law) that it somehow doesn't mean anything. Would this work in your past jobs? If someone had signed a cheque does that mean they can then come out and say that they didn't mean it? What's written is written, and from the way the Maori are celebrating (Hone compared it to the Treaty of Waitangi in terms of the significance to Maori) it's something they are going to be taking rather seriously.
#7 - gilli 2010-04-23 18:31 - (Reply)
How much is the ETS going to cost us per person and how it is going to be collected could you please let us know soon
#8 - gilli 2010-04-23 18:33 - (Reply)
Your spam prevention is the stupidest one I have seen half the time it is to hard to read the letters. Could you change that please
#9 - Julian 2010-04-23 18:46 - (Reply)
ETS is based on extremely shonky science (although the word science is not justified here). How can it be that NZ is the ONLY country in the Universe to have an ETS? Doesn't that worry you? Now the majority of law abiding and responsible drinkers are going to be penalised with increased cost and restrictions rather than target the few irresponsible drunkards. The UN Treaty - what right does the PM have to make a decision to sign and bind us in a treaty? I thought we lived in a democracy. First the ignoring of the wishes of a clear majority regarding the 'smacking bill' (a majority larger than that which changed our system of voting) and now signing us up to a treaty that doesn't have the assent of Parliament or the GG. Mr Key, I think you are not being democratic. (Don't worry though, none of the opposition are either!)
#10 - Brian O'Connor 2010-04-23 18:54 - (Reply)
Mr Key, the E.T.S.must not go ahead. You are flying against the wishes of the majority of N.Z.'s. This was designed to fall in line with, and support Australia,who have decided not to ratify .Why should we? I read somewhere that"N.Z. will lead the world in this matter." We are the only idiots doing so . Please do not inflict this imposition on N.Z. WE can not afford it. Please listen to the people.
#11 - Allan Grant 2010-04-23 19:55 - (Reply)
Mr Key, you have said in the past you would not go where NZ's trading partners had not already gone. But you have, and little old New Zealand’s ETS is the most extreme of the just two state run schemes in the world. The EU’s ETS covers 4% of economic activity with all manner of exemptions, ours covers 100% with no exemptions (unless you count some sectors delayed starts as exemptions). Not stated is something which I suspect most Kiwis are not aware of, which is that money from the ETS goes to the World bank which takes between 8 and 14% of each transaction. The government gets nothing. Can you please tell me why we should penalize our (sometimes fragile) industries, compared to the rest of the world, and reduce the ability of those industries to compete internationally?
#12 - Teapotjane 2010-04-23 21:06 - (Reply)
My Dad is veteran of the Crete invasion and had many experiences, including escaping, living in the hills and then a village sheltered by a family. He returned there last year with my brother for the first time at the age of ninety and found the family who he thought had been shot by the Germans. Sadly, the lady who hid him, died just 6 years ago. The Creteian people treated him like a hero on his return and I am very sad that our Government has done nothing to help these old soldiers cope with the trauma of those times. As a family, we are now quite disfunctional in many ways, due to having lived with his changed personality. We had always tried to get him to go back there, but two things prevented it happening, he could not face going back thinking this family had died because of him and the cost. He is in a War Vets home and although he spent all of the little money he had left to get back to Crete, he was pleased he went and so are we all. The Creteian are opening a museum next year to honour the Kiwi Soliders and It would be a great honour to be there, however, none of us can go as the cost is prohibitive. It would be great if at least a representative could go, but I feel New Zealand should send a group there to continue the bond wich has endured through the years between the peoples of our two countries. I feel strongly, that in the past, Government officials have arrogantly attended these events and the people who were there and whose lives were changed by the war, have always been overlooked. The Government must remember that it is a servant and the people are the reason for the need of a Government, not the other way around. I hope you are taking with you, people who are decendants of ‘the Gallipoli landings’.
#13 - david a l grant 2010-04-23 21:09 - (Reply)
many years ago Social Credit won about 12% of the national vote.Imagine the number of seats they would have had under MMP. For 9 years we had a minister of finance who couldn't even find an electorate to support him.MMP. Now we get parties with considerably less than 5% who have seats in the house.MMP When I lived in Aussie in the 60's I thought their sysstem was the best.This,coupled with the fact that voting was compuslary made the vote MEAN something. MMP is for idiots !
#14 - John Goodman 2010-04-23 21:16 - (Reply)
It is good to have positives happening between Maori & the rest of us, but they are not the first New Zealanders. The Moriori was. We should stick to the truth, not incorrect stuff for the sake of political correctness. I am adopted into a Maori tribe & proud of it,but truth should prevail here.
#15 - teapotjane 2010-04-23 21:21 - (Reply)
From the Websters Dictionary. In-dig'e-nous Born in a country; native;Produced naturally in a country or climate; not exotic; as corn and cotton are indigenous to North America. Syn.- Original, native,aboriginal. So as every human living in New Zealand is exotic to this land, not one of us is indigenous. This ruling must therefore apply to all who are born here (in NZ), or to none.
#16 - Paul Taylor 2010-04-23 21:25 - (Reply)
The justification for an ETS scheme that 'New Zealand must do its share to reduce carbon emissions' is based on discredited 'science' and goes against not only our national interests but also against reason. Carbon emissions add a miniscule proportion of the natural flows of the carbon cycle, the causative link between carbon dioxide and 'warming' has just not been shown [in fact otherwise], and the temperatures are heading back down again following a natural cycle. Surely John Key has read something in the last few months since the debacle at Copenhagen and realises that the wool was being pulled over our eyes with the claims for 'Catastrophic man-made global warming'? If the ETS scheme goes ahead, no review in a year's time will be able to unravel all the tangled threads of liability and entitlement that it has generated in the meantime. Now is the time to re-evaluate the need for an ETS and decide firmly that there is none! Paul
#17 - allan b 2010-04-23 22:47 - (Reply)
Have to agree with many of the posts. Stupidity to go ahead with ETS.With probable increase in GST (also silly)all the added costs are going to screw producers and exporters when they are are against the wall now. Indigenous rights move as well as the way it was done appalling and ranks with the Waikato River anti democratic setup as some of the worst moves ever carried out in this country.Have to say John your advisors have got it wrong!
#18 - Paul 2010-04-23 23:03 - (Reply)
Sorry but I don't believe in the ETS and I think the UNDIR is a scam! MMP has made NZ a country of ignoring the will of the silent majority and your government should beware of waking them up!
#19 - John Chant 2010-04-24 08:36 - (Reply)
JK, For the love of God drop the ETS tout d'suite. At the very least delay it until the Aussies come on board. We are already battling economically without shooting ourselves in the foot to boot. With the GST increase on top and the relatively high dollar we will continue to struggle.
#20 - Paul Taylor 2010-04-24 20:17 - (Reply)
Australia has recently entered into a multi-billion dollar agreement with China to export coal for electricity generation. China will be building new coal-burning generation plants at the rate of about one per week for the next twenty-five years. ___ http:// tinyurl.com/2dhf5hr ___ Even if CO2 or CH4 in the atmosphere were a problem [which they are not], surely the contribution from New Zealand's farming is not the first that should be penalised, their emissions cannot be reduced significantly, and even their entire elimination would make no measurable difference to the atmosphere. Wake up to reality, John!
#21 - John Chant 2010-04-25 09:09 - (Reply)
I am an Englishman who has had the pleasure of living in this country for the last 35 years. I was born in London before WW2 and spent those dreadful years in England. I shall be ascending Stockade Hill in Howick today to honour the ANZACs and also to remember my father who was in the RAF during the conflict. I also served in the RAF in the mid-fifties. Kiwis should also remember, as I do, the great contribution made by their own Keith Park in organising the fighter defence of south-east England which led to the final defeat of the Luftwaffe and turned the tide of war. Had Britain fallen then it would have been a different world for the Empire.
#22 - Myles 2010-04-25 12:28 - (Reply)
Having been uplifted by your government's policies at the time of the last election, I am have been sadly disillusioned with your recent decisions regarding the ETS scheme, and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. I strongly agree with the opinions of the others who vehemently oppose these policies.
#23 - Richard Treadgold said:
2010-04-25 13:48 - (Reply)
Mr Key, It is significant that there are so many voices raised against the ETS. Rodney Hide confirms this, saying that he has never received such a high level of public support on any other issue. He says Kiwis around the country are annoyed. They know there's no need for an expensive ETS that will deliver no benefits whatsoever. It behoves you to listen to us and very smartly do something about our concerns or next year you will find yourself back in the loneliness of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition. Our ETS will do nothing for the environment, will diminish the budgets of hard-working families and will require a monstrous create-nothing bureaucracy. In addition, though the ETS purports to be based on movements of carbon dioxide into and out of almost every large-scale process in the country, there is no way to measure such movements. If you don't believe me, ask your officials; uptake and emission of CO2 are based predominantly on computer models. Since it can't be measured, everyone can overstate with impunity the quantities involved and has an incentive to do so. Fraud is rife in the overseas schemes and there's no reason to think it won't occur here, too. Because of our power generation structure, even the price of renewable electricity will go up because of the ETS, giving windfall profits of millions of dollars to the generators. It's too much to pay; and we refuse to stroke the over-anxious egos of comfortable, middle-class, socialist greenies. Pay attention: We don't want an ETS. Richard Treadgold, Convenor, Climate Conversation Group.
#24 - Meg Bayley 2010-04-26 10:00 - (Reply)
I completely agree with the above over the ETS . See the latest New Scientist on the effect of the sun that caused the lastest very cold winter in the Northern hemisphere. Re taxation. I would like to see us being able to claim for Medical insurance. My Southern Cross has just gone to $314 a month and that is hospital and specialist only. Also I think we should be able to claim for rates (which is a tax on a tax).After years of hard work, plus sometimes huge taxes in the Muldoon years (I'm 80 this year ) All my hard earned saving are taxed again on the interest in the bank (which goes up and down like a yo yo)I cheered you on In the USA - you did a fine job but do become real as Australia has on this ETS system. It is so flawed. Forests? what forests? beech, pine deciduous , tropical?. cows -yes they give off gasses but what about the grass it takes in CO2 Too many snags Meg
#25 - max wagstaff 2010-04-26 10:44 - (Reply)
Mr Key, The current mindset of the National party in regard to the ETS is disturbing. Regardless of whether the National Governments version is less expensive than that of the previous Labour led administration,the logic behind the whole scheme is flawed. While the feel good warm fuzzies about planting trees may seem nice it has no bearing on the ruinous cost of the ETS on the citizens of this country. No other nation has adopted a similar scheme and there is absolutely nothing of any value in being the "first country to do so".
#26 - David Gash 2010-04-26 11:57 - (Reply)
Mr Key, Regarding National Standards, Many principals already had thorough testing regimes in place before this initiative. They have had to spend a lot of time familiarising themselves with these, only to find that they had to make minute adjustments to their current practice. No doubt ERO has reports on all schools which includes data on their testing regime. It would have saved the time of a lot of busy principals if ERO had simply targeted the schools with an inadequate testing regime, or poor achievement levels in reading directing thrm to make changes. They could have then followed these up when they visited the school.
#27 - Peter 2010-04-27 12:48 - (Reply)
Mr Key - sending people away secretly in the dead of night to sign declarations is not a good look. Remember when a previous National Government knocked down Broadcasting House in the middle of the night? A few months later they were history and the green space is still there to remind everyone of the 'carpark' this space was so desperately needed for. Is there something to hide? If not, then there's no need to be secretive. As families struggle to survive, the threat of raising GST with the promise of compensatory increases in other benefits (that may or may not compensate) coupled with increases in 'naughty taxes' (alcohol), removing the right of sensible people to buy a glass of wine after work if they're a little too young (but old enough to vote, go to war, drive a car), secretive travels and secret document signings would seem to be a recipe for disaster.
#28 - Simon 2010-04-27 16:50 - (Reply)
Mr Key - how is the ETS going to improve a Company's (and ultimately the Country's) productivity, profitability and help reduce unemployment?? Answer is it is only going to increase costs to the community and not deliver any benefits and we do not need this needless legislation. It should be scrapped.
#28.1 - Alan Fletcher 2010-04-29 09:21 - (Reply)
Mr Key - Nick Smith & you have both previously opposed the introduction of an ETS when in opposition. This stand primarily convinced both my wife & me to vote for National last year, as we both believe that carbon trading schemes are a scam. No-one has yet satisfactorily explained where the money goes - it would appear that the funds appropriated from July 1 will be a windfall for your government. Your recently stated affirmation to proceed with an ETS in spite of widespread opposition will cost you votes - ours at least.
#29 - Trish 2010-04-29 10:01 - (Reply)
Mr Key,I think you have been doing a great job representing New Zealnd on the world front.I have been a National supporter for many years but find the track the party is going down now with the Climate Change unbelievable!We are wanting to keep New Zealanders(and other educated people from other nations) here not encourange than to go overseas.Other countries are postponing their emissions tax but we are forging ahead with it.The last government ignored the wishes of the majority of the voters and it seems to me nothing has changed.Plese wake up before it is too late....
#30 - Robert and Hilary Howard 2010-04-29 17:47 - (Reply)
Mr Key, Your stated intention to implement an ETS is a complete reversal of both yours abd Dr Smith's pre election stance. You made sense then and gained many votes as a result. If you now proceed, you will damage your credibility, that of your government and the economy of this country to such an extent, you will put at risk the outcome of the next election. The whole concept of an ETS is deeply flawed and unproven science. The 0.2% of world emissions supposedly emitted by us is neither here nor there in the overall scheme of things. To tax NZ businesses and individuals for this is completely unwarranted, especially at a time of fragile recovery from recession. And what would government do with the tax monies so collected? That has not been properly explained Listen to public opinion before it is too late.
#31 - chris 2010-05-07 19:12 - (Reply)
scrap the ETS system, i will not vote for anyone that supports it at this time!!
#32 - Gary Westwood 2010-05-07 21:50 - (Reply)
Mr Key, I applaud you on your visit to Afghanistan & in particular your contact there with our young servicemen and women. Your early return to New Zealand to attend the funerals of our airmen will not be forgotten by their families, the RNZAF and by the vast majority of New Zealanders. That exemplified your standing as a man of the people. Having said that whether National will retain my vote at the next election is doubtful given your stance on ETS. Why NZ's economy should be put at such a disadvantage & why all of us, rich or poor, should be burdened with a tax (yes, it is a tax) that cannot be justified is totally beyond me. Exactly what political favours are being repaid? neither do I like your support of Dr Sharples sneaking off to New York like a thief in the night to announce to the world (an an empty UN Assembly) an issue not raised with his fellow New Zealanders. I can forgive that as necessary pragmatism in the murky deals that go with MMP. I fear PM that the stance taken by the left wing of the party on ETS may well prove your downfall in 2011.
#33 - Warwick Wroe 2010-05-08 10:41 - (Reply)
Good to see you out and about with our troops,keep up the good job
#34 - Neil Hendeson 2010-05-08 22:26 - (Reply)
In May 2005 you said "I rise on behalf of the National Party to give the good news to the people of New Zealand—that is, the Climate Change Response Amendment Bill is a load of rubbish and the National Party will not be supporting it, for very, very good reasons indeed." In November 2005 Mr, Nick Smith said “The appetite of Dr Cullen and this Government for more taxes is legendary, ....The latest is the carbon tax. It will add 6c per litre to the price of petrol, 7c per litre to diesel, 6% to all power bills and put the price of coal and gas up by 9%.... “The madness of the Government’s new carbon tax is that New Zealanders will be the only people in the world paying it. It will drive up the costs of living and undermine the competitiveness of New Zealand business for negligible environmental gain.... “A further concern of the carbon tax is its impact on inflation, interest rates and the exchange rate. It will add to the costs of fuel and power and these flow right through the economy to basics like food. This puts pressure on inflation, which in turn drives up interest rates and the kiwi dollar. The Government’s carbon tax is a classic example of the way the Government is making things tougher for the productive exporting sector.” He concludes the article by saying: “The fart tax was killed off by people power and the carbon tax could fall the same way.” The pair of you have demonstrated that you are absolute hypocrites. All power corrupts. You have been corrupted absolutely. I voted for a change of direction- a direction that made us a follower and not a leader and aligned us with Australia, not three years ahead. You toned down Labour's legislation but the world has toned down its programme even more. Your refusal to concede you need to move further shows a total lack of ability to recognise the current international scene both scientifically and politically. Australia announcing the delay of their climate change legislation was the absolute last chance you had to exit our ETS graciously. You have made your bed and now you can sleep in it. You deserve to be remembered as New Zealand's worst Prime Minister. Once Kiwis feel the bite of the ETS on their household budgets this will happen. Act now before it is too late.
#35 - MG 2010-05-08 22:35 - (Reply)
Last December I had the pleasure of cruising from Singapore to Shanghai with three Turkish doctors for 23 days. Their mood was we welcome NZd’s in Turkey on a dark 25 April day for both of our countries history, but are getting very upset about the same problems we have in NZ with the uncontrolled tourists whom also take away rocks and other items. It is a universal problem but I think that at the very least each year before the 25 April, the New Zealand Government could at least issue an appropriate statement to all those young people wishing to put it on their OE list, for no other reason, that they are there at the pleasure of the people of Turkey and should respect their gratitude.
#36 - MG 2010-05-08 23:13 - (Reply)
I think the ETS should really be pushed ahead at full speed as our world leading spearhead approach in financial markets. The headlines on world news in 2015 will read – ‘Major Devaluation of NZ Currency due to Derivative Trading in ETS’. – In 2010 the very small NZ economy led by PM John Key, a financial wiz kid, led the world while Athens burned and ….
#37 - John Chant. 2010-05-09 10:02 - (Reply)
John, It's not too late for you to eat humble-pie and defer the ETS until the economy improves and others come on board. In your heart of hearts you know that you blundered in rushing off to Copenhagen to grandstand that we are leading the field. Copenhagen failed miserably and we are now wearing the king's new clothes, i.e. we are fiscally naked! Sorry John, to hear Nick Smith prattle on about the benefits of the imposition of this suicidal tax makes me wonder what planet you guys are on. Certainly it can't be Earth because I reside amongst people of common-sense and vision. I was overjoyed to help unseat the Clark administration. Now I'm not so sure.
#38 - Ross 2010-05-09 13:16 - (Reply)
With all Due Respect, Tariana Turia has only interests in Maori so, your Whanau Ora Scheme will only be in the interests of Maori, even though I keep hearing that it will be for all. National is rapidly losing favour over recent Maori issues and I would like to see you spend more than one term in Government. Let's quit throwing money away and invest in a fully employed population; that will knock poverty on the head more than anything.
#39 - mahira 2010-05-10 15:25 - (Reply)
Dear John hope you enjoyed your trip in my home country,(AFGHANISTAN). When i watched the news last week and saw you in Bamyan, it made me home sick. Thanks alot for sending your troops to Afghanistan to help our poor people. Your troops try everything they could to protect our people from hunger and poverty as Karzaiy cant do anything at all. Thanks again.
#40 - Philip 2010-05-10 17:06 - (Reply)
The ETS has become a joke. I don't need to go into all the reasons why as you must know them. Suffice it to say that even if the other nations had signed up there would have been caveats and that’s before all the clandestine non-compliance and duplicity starts. At 0.01% of emissions you affect nothing but our standard of living. Also, the Maori party are a racist party with a racist agenda - you can never please them. Their wants are insatiable. The Maori that I work and play with are not represented by them. Please remember that they are the extremists, i.e. the separatists. Strangely, they were against apartheid. The cost to our nation will be in the millions of dollars as signing of the UN accord on indigenous people will escalate court cases as some Maori “try it on”. If your government damage our race relations irreparably by your “good intentions” you will become a one term government and I (and the family) will be voting differently for the first time ever. This is a plea not a threat
#41 - John Ansell 2010-05-17 23:27 - (Reply)
John, I left your employ because it seemed to me your priority was not what you said it was. It was not New Zealand. It is not New Zealand. You have since broken promises on the ETS and on Maori issues. Your policies have widened the Tasman Wage Gap that you promised to close. You have ignored two sets of specific advice from skilled practitioners on how to close it. How long before we hear that your policies have taken us down the OECD ladder, not up as you said they would? You have ignored the public's will on the anti-smacking referendum. You have secretly signed us up to a UN convention that is bound to ignite still more racial tension. It's clear what you're doing. You're running the country for the Labour voters who came across to you on a three-year trial. And for the Maori voters who have never voted for you, and never will. You're ignoring the thousands of people who worked for your election, who supported your party with their money and their labour year after year. It may be clever politics to ignore all the people in this thread. After all, where can they go? But it's bad leadership. Ultimately it will not benefit the National Party. It will destroy it.
#42 - Sina Mumuta said:
2010-05-18 20:46 - (Reply)
This is very difficult time for you but stand high and believe in God that's the only one that stand in with you in your rough time.Remember you put too much for Maori ora what about us Pasifika people who work hard in this country,and other ethnic remember,we pay tax please stop this.My only help is think about people, help the poor in the country, most of our people were labour and they earn low income,and cant afford to buy a house,but they pay tax.If we fix our country first, every things will be alright. Please lets look at the law we are the slaves of these unrighteous law, please think hard before it passed,kids is from o to 21years old no smoke no drinking,but the wrong thing is last government aloud them to drink,and smoke, and kids should stay with their parents or grandparents until they have families,not to rush them to stay by them selves,that is where lots of trouble comes from,and please let mothers stay home and look after children, and the man go to work, and then we cut of all this other agenies because thats why children are very confuse too many people in their early life,and thats why is so hard for parents to correct their own child.violence was learn from school and friends but not from family,please we love our children one of my boy is loosing on the road because of the power of this agencies,and the people that using their job to empower them to take away children from the people they love them the best. Part of it is the power of gang people that they manipulate children to slave for them, please do something this children like my grandson are victim in this criminal people,my grand son was taken away from our house on January at night time. I called the police, I called the cyf,Im still waiting but every time he rang me in every evening I cry I scared this is a child is suffer and intimidate for his life.the morning they took my grandson away they send picture of the gang to my computer. please help me get back my baby home. God bless .
#43 - G Stevenson 2010-05-28 09:22 - (Reply)
How is it that money is being spread like water while we go into dept to the tune of millions of dollars a day? What do we forfeit when this money gets called in? How is it that money is being flashed around when very soon all money will be disolved and be replaced with another system that will not recognize or give credit for savings, insurance, property or any other financial security? How can we claim to be coming out of recession when our dept is not being addressed and based on the false hope that other countries will be in a position to buy our our products or visit our country in the future? How can education receive billions of dollars while childen are being denied accesss to schools because the system wont provide one on one tuition for those who need it?
#44 - Chris Townley said:
2010-06-30 18:27 - (Reply)
Hi John,Next year with RWC vistors we need to clean up our country.TOO much rubbish,cans bottles toss from cars on our roadsides,compared to places overseas Ive visited. Liverpool Nottingham and the south of France, singapore are cleaner and have less graffiti and roadside rubbish than parts of NZ.Take a drive up the Kaimai ranges between Matamata &Tauranga to see what I mean.I counted 48 bottles and cans on the roadside one day.Why dont we bring back refund scheme like the 70s for cans and bottles to encourage recycling and tidiness.? Nz is sadly becoming a tip and will not be a good advert to the world.Too many people here dont care enough about this beautiful country we have.If you tack on 30 or 50 cents to every coke,V,beer bottle etc sold with this amount refunded on return I am sure people will start to think twice about throwing it out their car window.It could also be used as a fund raising project for schools.Please think about this seriously.NZ has a reputation abroad as CLEAN and green and this needs to be preserved Look at Singapore and how that country with same size population to NZ controls litter.Thank you. CT
