I might have abandoned Duncan Webb as my local MP but it’s good to know he’s finally got what he wanted and has “Hon” in front of his name. He is the Minister of SOE’s amongst other portfolios. Now that he has power, he has the chance to implement big reforming ideas. The Government could win huge … [Read more...]
What does left wing really mean?
An article by Ian Powell last week had an interesting slant on left/right debate. Here’s a portion of the article: “Being left-wing is about wanting to end, or even significantly curtail, the dynamic of wealth accumulation as a driver of societies. This might be through evolutionary or … [Read more...]
King Charles and Architecture
I confess that my years and years as an altar boy made me a great admirer of ceremony. So, despite having COVID, I sat down at 7pm on Saturday night to watch the Coronation. The pomp and ceremony were fantastic. I went to bed at 12.30….. Amongst the many blogs I read is one called “From the other … [Read more...]
Retirement Villages – Wealth Tax by Stealth?
No Happy Residents means no Industry - of course John Collyns as executive director of Retirement Villages would be expected to have such an answer to hand. Of course it is in their business interests to keep residents happy. Published letter in The Press 5 May 2023 My friend Patricia Allan … [Read more...]
Citizens – Why the key to fixing everything is all of us
by Jon Alexander and Ariane Conrad with foreword by Brian Eno Published by Canbury Press (2022) Reviewed by Vivian Hutchinson This book is not just about the importance and urgency of active citizenship amidst today's challenges. The book itself acts as a window through which to look at our … [Read more...]
Garry writes 2 May 2023
I’m a big fan of Dame Anne Salmond. When she opens her mouth or writes an article, she talks to me... Rob Campbell had written an article in Newsroom headed I’m pro-public sector, but health money wasted on empty offices shows problem": Dame Anne wrote a reply which said: The … [Read more...]
Plan Change 14 due by 3 May
Generation Zero Provide a Quick Submission guide To follow up on the email we sent out in late February 2023 asking you to email our Christchurch City Councillors to vote for Plan Change 14 (PC14), the council has voted in favour of more medium and high density housing in our city! Now the plan … [Read more...]
Three Waters – 10 Waters: will the changes make a difference?
I refrained from commenting on the latest iteration on 3 Waters until I had reflected quietly on what changes the Government were proposing. I was also interested in what commentator’s thoughts were on the restructured 3 Waters plan. From what was written on many sites it’s easy to jump to the … [Read more...]
National Party steps Backward on Farming
I know I’m not voting for Labour next election, and that I’ve never voted National. But now I have an even better reason for continuing my “never-vote-for-National” stance. I was appalled to read their latest farming policy. My comments are in brackets: ‘Getting back to farming’ - This … [Read more...]
Everything is local – Lianne Dalziel
Lianne Dalziel is writing superbly on a range of topics in Newsroom ... In an article in Newsroom last week there’s lots of lessons for both bureaucracies and elected reps. It emphasises the “local”. I spoke to a former elected rep from Auckland, and they talked about their Council’s knowledge … [Read more...]
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