Search found 2920 matches

by Gordon Bennett
Tue Mar 19, 2024 4:52 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: NZ Politics Thread
Replies: 51671
Views: 3437560

Re: NZ Politics Thread

Sounds like the National Party accidentally voted for a Labour amendment to reduce the RUC charges for Electric/Petrol hybrids. Not the worst mistake to make as the amendment makes some logical sense when those hybrids would be paying two taxes compared to Diesel or Electric vehicles, but still. Al...
by Gordon Bennett
Tue Mar 19, 2024 2:43 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: NZ Politics Thread
Replies: 51671
Views: 3437560

Re: NZ Politics Thread

Sounds like the National Party accidentally voted for a Labour amendment to reduce the RUC charges for Electric/Petrol hybrids. Not the worst mistake to make as the amendment makes some logical sense when those hybrids would be paying two taxes compared to Diesel or Electric vehicles, but still. Als...
by Gordon Bennett
Mon Mar 18, 2024 10:37 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: NZ Politics Thread
Replies: 51671
Views: 3437560

Re: NZ Politics Thread

Hells bells, there are some utter, self entitled, dog owning fuckwits getting about in their four wheel drives these days. https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/350213606/devastated-dog-owner-wants-more-1080-awareness-after-deaths I have a reasonable amount of sympathy for the dogs here - eating 1080 wou...
by Gordon Bennett
Fri Mar 15, 2024 12:57 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: NZ Politics Thread
Replies: 51671
Views: 3437560

Re: NZ Politics Thread

Really pissed off with Simian Brown talking about moving to a user pays model for rail. He's really trying hard to kill off rail completely. Absolutely no recognition of the amount of traffic that rail removes from the roads and how that's to the benefit of every road user. Basically, another tax in...
by Gordon Bennett
Tue Mar 12, 2024 7:27 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: NZ Politics Thread
Replies: 51671
Views: 3437560

Re: NZ Politics Thread

simon7 wrote: Tue Mar 12, 2024 5:26 am - The current 45 days leave accumulation reduced to 35 days
I hate this bullshit. They've earned the leave, employers shouldn't be able to limit it - just encourage them to take it. Particularly galling in those sectors who are either on call, do unpaid overtime or both.
by Gordon Bennett
Sat Mar 09, 2024 2:16 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: NZ hosting Australia 2024- Cricket series thread
Replies: 571
Views: 18394

Re: NZ hosting Australia 2024- Cricket series thread

I read yesterday that Matt Henry is the highest wicket taker this series (both sides) and NZ’s second highest run scorer. That is a great game and a half for him but an indictment on the NZ batting. Hes been the standout bowler. Southee and kugel shouldn't be there and haven't threatened at all. So...
by Gordon Bennett
Fri Mar 08, 2024 10:27 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: NZ hosting Australia 2024- Cricket series thread
Replies: 571
Views: 18394

Re: NZ hosting Australia 2024- Cricket series thread

We have to test some youngsters at some point otherwise half this team will retire at the same time and the guys that then get selected will be totally thrown under the bus. As it is, Southee looks spent, Latham needs some time to work on his game and the SP just isn’t good enough. Great to see O’Ro...
by Gordon Bennett
Fri Mar 08, 2024 10:16 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: NZ hosting Australia 2024- Cricket series thread
Replies: 571
Views: 18394

Re: NZ hosting Australia 2024- Cricket series thread

I'm assuming they'll give rapeface another series as no one else is banging down the door and judging performance purely in a series vs australia is pretty harsh. No one's banging down the door? What about Nathan Smith. 28 wickets at 15.92 in the Plunket Shield this season and is also a better bats...
by Gordon Bennett
Fri Mar 08, 2024 3:31 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: NZ hosting Australia 2024- Cricket series thread
Replies: 571
Views: 18394

Re: NZ hosting Australia 2024- Cricket series thread

8 down. Kugelrapist, Blundell and Latham continuing to show why they're considered weak links. Williamson, Ravindra, Philips, Mitchell and Young showing the little brother mentality we need to shake against Aussie. At what point do Stead and Southee come under scrutiny. They have earned goodwill bu...
by Gordon Bennett
Thu Mar 07, 2024 10:36 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: NZ Politics Thread
Replies: 51671
Views: 3437560

Re: NZ Politics Thread

What the heck is going on back home? First newshub and now TVNZ gutted? Quite concerning. I think at this point the govt may need to step in, NZ needs functional media and reporting. I'm not sure how the government stepping in will help. Seymour blamed Newshub's demise on TVNZ, only to see TVNZ she...
by Gordon Bennett
Thu Mar 07, 2024 3:05 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: NZ Politics Thread
Replies: 51671
Views: 3437560

Re: NZ Politics Thread

Interested in what posters think about cutting the free school lunches scheme ? Makes a huge difference to the quality of learning those kids would get. I can see argument for some kind of means testing - but that sounds administratively complicated and expensive - unless you just wish to exclude h...
by Gordon Bennett
Thu Mar 07, 2024 2:46 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: NZ Politics Thread
Replies: 51671
Views: 3437560

Re: NZ Politics Thread

Interested in what posters think about cutting the free school lunches scheme ? Makes a huge difference to the quality of learning those kids would get. I can see argument for some kind of means testing - but that sounds administratively complicated and expensive - unless you just wish to exclude h...
by Gordon Bennett
Thu Mar 07, 2024 1:42 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: NZ Politics Thread
Replies: 51671
Views: 3437560

Re: NZ Politics Thread

I don't know the full story about the academic's statement and the context in which it was made, however I'm keen to know whether it's normal for academics to cop a serve from the government. Do you know? It's not unknown. There are a couple of examples I can think of off the top of my head - the g...
by Gordon Bennett
Wed Mar 06, 2024 10:32 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: Unplanned rapid disassembly
Replies: 21
Views: 571

Re: Unplanned rapid disassembly

The latest trick of the 14-18 year old age group in my fair city is to ride around on a push bike at unGodly hours of the morning with a speaker the size of a small car attached to the front of the bike. Down in the Hutt, I haven't yet experienced this joy at night, but I've definitely seen these a...
by Gordon Bennett
Wed Mar 06, 2024 9:48 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: NZ Politics Thread
Replies: 51671
Views: 3437560

Re: NZ Politics Thread

Haha. Prof Joanna Kidman is under the gun from ACT about disparaging comments made about their policy for children. What happened to the need for free speech, Seymour? Academic freedom in enshrined in the Education Act anyway. Unless she’s broken the law, she’s on pretty firm ground I would expect....
by Gordon Bennett
Wed Mar 06, 2024 5:59 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: NZ Politics Thread
Replies: 51671
Views: 3437560

Re: NZ Politics Thread

Haha. Prof Joanna Kidman is under the gun from ACT about disparaging comments made about their policy for children. What happened to the need for free speech, Seymour? Academic freedom in enshrined in the Education Act anyway. Unless she’s broken the law, she’s on pretty firm ground I would expect.
by Gordon Bennett
Wed Mar 06, 2024 4:49 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: NZ Politics Thread
Replies: 51671
Views: 3437560

Re: NZ Politics Thread

Ayn Rand died on this day 42 years ago. I imagine this government has her resting easy in her grave. I wonder if the ACT party are holding some sort of memorial junket ? Not sure about that. I thought taxes were considered evil by Libertarian thought, so ACT being part of a government which is comm...
by Gordon Bennett
Wed Mar 06, 2024 2:44 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: NZ Politics Thread
Replies: 51671
Views: 3437560

Re: NZ Politics Thread

It’s a complete con , a jib , a scam , a snow job, an out and out swindle ! Worse these stupid bloody tax cuts mean stuff like the ferries can’t be properly replaced . Weirdest first 100 days ever ? All they need to do is cut one of the RoNS (please, Petone to Granada) and the ferry can be replaced...
by Gordon Bennett
Sun Mar 03, 2024 4:39 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: NZ Politics Thread
Replies: 51671
Views: 3437560

Re: NZ Politics Thread

Wtf are you on about tubby? The new ferries were planned to be rail enabled to continue to allow cargo to travel North to South island by train. The "Toyota Corolla" version that Nicola Willis has been talking about would be RORO which would mean no longer would rail freight be able to travel seaml...
by Gordon Bennett
Sun Mar 03, 2024 1:50 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: NZ Politics Thread
Replies: 51671
Views: 3437560

Re: NZ Politics Thread

Wtf are you on about tubby? The new ferries were planned to be rail enabled to continue to allow cargo to travel North to South island by train. The "Toyota Corolla" version that Nicola Willis has been talking about would be RORO which would mean no longer would rail freight be able to travel seamle...
by Gordon Bennett
Sat Mar 02, 2024 11:01 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: NZ Politics Thread
Replies: 51671
Views: 3437560

Re: NZ Politics Thread

And sooner or later government house will have to be fixed up , but it’s hardly unliveable now . Just like the many school buildings that are now waiting in vain, but are in far worse state . Or ferries that are going to be replaced by second hand junk , which will soon undoubtedly be needing fixin...
by Gordon Bennett
Wed Feb 28, 2024 5:34 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: NZ hosting Australia 2024- Cricket series thread
Replies: 571
Views: 18394

Re: NZ hosting Australia 2024- Cricket series thread

True, but he's fit right now, surely that's what matters? Definitely not suggesting selecting him over O'Rourke, but I'd have him over Kuggeleijn every time. Absolutely agree that I'd take him over Kuggeleijn. I'd take anyone over Kuggeleijn tbph. But, Stead is really, really conservative - remembe...
by Gordon Bennett
Wed Feb 28, 2024 4:27 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: NZ hosting Australia 2024- Cricket series thread
Replies: 571
Views: 18394

Re: NZ hosting Australia 2024- Cricket series thread

Harsh. Last year Southee had 24 wickets at 27 in tests, he's bowling as well as ever in red ball cricket imo. He and Henry won't be the problem IMO, it'll be whether the bowlers behind them can back it up now we're missing Wagner, Jamieson, Boult et al. Did you see him bowl against South Africa. Do...
by Gordon Bennett
Wed Feb 28, 2024 4:25 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: NZ hosting Australia 2024- Cricket series thread
Replies: 571
Views: 18394

Re: NZ hosting Australia 2024- Cricket series thread

Sears has good FC numbers when he stays fit and on the field. His non-selection is a bit baffling to me. Sears has had regular injury issues. That's how O'Rourke, rightly, got ahead of him. Similarly, Fisher for ND seems to be injured with regularity and a big risk to play Australia and potentially...
by Gordon Bennett
Wed Feb 21, 2024 6:31 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: NZ Politics Thread
Replies: 51671
Views: 3437560

Re: NZ Politics Thread

I believe I've read this before . Trounson Park is a 'feature' project for the Dept. of Conversation Whangarei office - - ideally placed for day trips and no need to clean the shiny ute afterwards. They've squandered a fortune there with minimal return whilst the finest stand of remanant Kauri at O...
by Gordon Bennett
Tue Feb 20, 2024 10:29 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: NZ Politics Thread
Replies: 51671
Views: 3437560

Re: NZ Politics Thread

Sad news about Efeso Collins. Terrible.
by Gordon Bennett
Tue Feb 20, 2024 2:49 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: NZ Politics Thread
Replies: 51671
Views: 3437560

Re: NZ Politics Thread

Now here's the rub . The fallacy is " they're everywhere" in the 'bush' and aerial broadcasting is the most effective way of delivering a fatal feed to the maximum number . Trichosurus vulpecula are highly developed socially and, for want of a better description prefer to hang around together . Mal...
by Gordon Bennett
Mon Feb 19, 2024 10:01 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: NZ Politics Thread
Replies: 51671
Views: 3437560

Re: NZ Politics Thread

With a personal tally of over 10k of the furry vermin , this device has the most promise. For some reason, not supported by DOC or Forest & Bird. Can be loaded with 1080 for predator specific targeting and timing. https://www.connovation.co.nz/products/enviromate100tm-automated-bait-station The cos...
by Gordon Bennett
Sun Feb 18, 2024 5:00 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: NZ Politics Thread
Replies: 51671
Views: 3437560

Re: NZ Politics Thread

Point of information: NZF were in Government and party to organising mass vaccination. They were not party to , and opposed mandatory Mass vaccination . Winston's rhetoric in the recent campaign was NOT anti-vax , but anti-mandate . Not that I agreed with it entirely, I thought it was just common s...
by Gordon Bennett
Sat Feb 17, 2024 5:38 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: NZ Politics Thread
Replies: 51671
Views: 3437560

Re: NZ Politics Thread

And interesting read about the history of NCEA for those (like me) who don't work in the education field. One interesting and perhaps unintended consequence of this change is that, it turns out (in general terms) that male school students are better at the "big bang exam" approach to assessment and...
by Gordon Bennett
Fri Feb 16, 2024 12:56 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: NZ Politics Thread
Replies: 51671
Views: 3437560

Re: NZ Politics Thread

Oh I see discussion has moved on from politics to corporal punishment. It is irrelevant in my view the fundamental problem is the attack on the nuclear family and the number of kids being brought up in single mother households without a father. Even if a male is present in the household he is more ...
by Gordon Bennett
Thu Feb 15, 2024 10:50 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: NZ Politics Thread
Replies: 51671
Views: 3437560

Re: NZ Politics Thread

And interesting read about the history of NCEA for those (like me) who don't work in the education field. Why was NCEA introduced? Reliance on exams Secondary school qualifications relied heavily on exams (external assessment) meaning not all a student’s learning throughout the year was considered....
by Gordon Bennett
Wed Feb 14, 2024 6:58 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: NZ Politics Thread
Replies: 51671
Views: 3437560

Re: NZ Politics Thread

I was dumbfounded however that (if it were true) the NZ education levels were so far behind an internationally recognised educational standard. None of this surprises me. NCEA doesn't gear up school leavers to succeed at university. If a school near me was offering Cambridge or IB, then I'd send my...
by Gordon Bennett
Wed Feb 14, 2024 1:50 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: NZ Politics Thread
Replies: 51671
Views: 3437560

Re: NZ Politics Thread

I was dumbfounded however that (if it were true) the NZ education levels were so far behind an internationally recognised educational standard. None of this surprises me. NCEA doesn't gear up school leavers to succeed at university. If a school near me was offering Cambridge or IB, then I'd send my...
by Gordon Bennett
Tue Feb 13, 2024 12:03 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: NZ Politics Thread
Replies: 51671
Views: 3437560

Re: NZ Politics Thread

It does sound increasingly like any tax cut that National provide is going to be rapidly swallowed up by rates increases required to address the water infrastructure deficit. The mayor of Buller District was on RNZ this morning talking about how the rates bill for an average home in Westport was lik...
by Gordon Bennett
Mon Feb 12, 2024 9:57 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: SA D side vs NZ A team test cricket
Replies: 423
Views: 13859

Re: SA D side vs NZ A team test cricket

And, like many NZ batsmen, he's been played as an opener when he's not really an opener. He's been in great ODI form. Whereas the alternative, Henry Nicholls, hasn't been.
by Gordon Bennett
Mon Feb 12, 2024 6:12 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: NZ Politics Thread
Replies: 51671
Views: 3437560

Re: NZ Politics Thread

UncleFB wrote: Mon Feb 12, 2024 5:38 am
Gordon Bennett wrote: Mon Feb 12, 2024 4:37 am
jono45 wrote: Mon Feb 12, 2024 3:59 am

Get some charter schools in ya !!!
PTEs have existed in the tertiary sector for years. Not sure that many of them are doing particularly flash these days either tbph.
PTE's aren't Charter schools though.
I know that, but PTEs are the 'private sector' providing to tertiary education.
by Gordon Bennett
Mon Feb 12, 2024 4:37 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: NZ Politics Thread
Replies: 51671
Views: 3437560

Re: NZ Politics Thread

The country's tertiary education system continues to report financial stress and falling domestic enrolments. What will the Government do? Get some charter schools in ya !!! PTEs have existed in the tertiary sector for years. Not sure that many of them are doing particularly flash these days either...
by Gordon Bennett
Sun Feb 11, 2024 9:57 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: NZ Politics Thread
Replies: 51671
Views: 3437560

Re: NZ Politics Thread

You can only assume the movement was from Greens to ACT & National. I suspect Mr Mike's assumption that there's been a bit of slip along the spectrum is more likely. More right-wing Greens shifting to Labour, more right-wing Labour shifting to National and then ACT picking up some National and NZF ...
by Gordon Bennett
Fri Feb 09, 2024 4:35 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: NZ Politics Thread
Replies: 51671
Views: 3437560

Re: NZ Politics Thread

Flying under the radar a little too easily, but the current government has nixed a proposal to draw various research organisation together in an effort to both maximise and boost funding for aging research infrastructure. I don't want to say too much about this, but this is like the IReX issue. It'...