You will die. That is a given. Now would you rather go it alone or be able to plan aspects and make choices along the way with loved ones; have some control at your end of life? This sounds dignified to me.
There is so much that this treaty money could go towards to help ALL New Zealanders (instead of going to lawyers and Maori at the top). Healthcare- a lot of procedures (even those for chronic pain) and drugs (eg for cancer) are not publicly funded; the wealthy can afford insurance but those with less money miss out. We could pay nurses and teachers decent wages...
An assisted dying law would not result in more people dying, but fewer people suffering. Agree one hundred percent. How some people believe that they should make such important decisions about other peoples lives is unfathomable. If you want to suffer, than suffer. If others dont want to suffer, then stand aside and let them make decisions about their own lives and dying process.
The writer of this has misinterpreted Heather DPA. She was not referring to Pacific Islanders (the people) but was commenting on the policy of giving money to the islands and the fact that it is eaten up by corruption.
As he is a politician, surely the public has the right to know about his acceptance of superannuation overpayments? And now he wants to punish the people who outed him? This whole situation says a lot about the quality of politicians in this country. I only hope he is paying his own legal costs.
Agree. Hamilton is facing a similar problem since council raised rates AND changed from land to capital valuation which meant a huge increase for some. Those who had budgeted for x amount are now due to pay well over what they planned for. The mayor and council turned a blind eye; the mayor himself gaining personally from the rates change. Corruption. Poor people who are in this situation of being homeless, most likely through no fault of their own. Terrible.
Answers: 1) lawyers and Maori elite, 2) it wont (but if the treaty claims stopped and this money instead went into healthcare and education, poor Maori would benefit)
The government always responds with the message; there is no more money. Yet there is money for their high salaries and all their extras, there is money for a judge to get $3 million upon retirement.... there IS money, but an abundance goes to those in government positions and much is poorly spent in other ways. Maybe NZs priorities are all wrong.
Councils have too much power. An idiot mayor can have a real negative impact (just look at Hamilton). The Airbnb tax is wrong- homeowners should be able to have whomever they want use their home and council should butt out. Find income elsewhere. A tourist tax at the airport sounds perfect.
Most teachers have 3-4 year degrees. Secondary teachers have a degree in their specialist area plus a post-grad teaching diploma. The possible reason schools have to hire applicants with just diplomas is that they are not getting suitably qualified applicants? Hence the reason to make teaching more attractive as a profession?! Yes, pay does matter. Just look at the MPs who get pay rises every year in addition to their cozy salaries and perks!
I have witnessed a recent experiment in schooling. A large new school was to open up (the open-planned variety) and an enthusiastic new teaching staff planned the future of schools based on the theory that extremely engaging lessons would alleviate the need for rules and consequences. Three years down the track and management is being brought into reality, having to implement more and more rules and consequences (detentions). Behaviour is less than ideal if not kept in check.
An honest account of how things are. So good to see a principal who supports her staff! When a schools staff are working together and supporting each other, the pupils pick up on it.
It is about time the government pays skilled people (nurses, teachers) what they deserve. The cost of living has risen hugely and these backbone workers of NZ deserve the pay to live reasonably comfortably. The alternative is losing all our skilled workers to foreign countries.
Wow...gone are the days of a little Kiwi ingenuity! The councils are all over it to make money on every possible scenario... and so many Stuff commenters are happy to see the small person knocked down. Very sad.
Yes, but if you eat out the idea is to pay for a chefs expertise which often takes training and many years to acquire. It doesnt take any special skill to buy a donut and some chocolates and throw them into a box.
Nowhere does he mention how people will be attracted into teaching. The brightest (who he claims are needed in the profession- yes, agree) are going to have an idea of salaries and will go elsewhere. The only teachers who do well financially are those who; came to teaching later in life (after earning real money), teach overseas, or have spouses who earn real money. It is a rewarding job but I am not going to recommend my own children go down the teaching path, having to beg the government for a decent wage every few years.
Chris Hipkins is happy to take his very high (by comparison) salary with all the accompanying perks and talk about the greed of teachers. Maybe its time the MPs and PM lead by example and allow their own perks/salaried to be reduced. How can we justify the PM salary being one of the highest in the world yet we have one of the lowest populations???
I admire her. So many disgruntled comments in Stuff about rates increases, crazy spending and council corruption throughout the country. Maybe she could have gone about things differently but at least she did something, unlike most of us who just pay up and carry on like sheep.
The beauty of seeing things from afar- you see things as they are. Too many kiwis are stuck in short-sided battles against each other, fighting over peanuts. Yes, there IS money in the country but it is not channeled towards what is important. Overseas, nursing and teaching are professions in which you can hold your head up high and live a comfortable life. Not here.
An individual should be able to purchase a house, pay off the mortgage and then live comfortably when they are older and (for many) no longer have the income they once had. But rates attach an ongoing cost to the property. Fine if the cost is small, but city rates are becoming more like leasehold rates- expensive! And for what? To line the pockets of councillors and contractors and to spend frivolously. Back to basics, please!
If the government would stop wasting money then they would not need to look into every avenue of taxation. The so-called rich, who are often just people who have worked hard and sacrificed over many years, deserve a chance to reap the reward of their hard work. There are plenty of countries that do not have tall poppy syndrome, where the high achievers would be welcome. This country is getting ridiculous.
This is a shame. It would be in their best interest to encourage young children/families to toboggan and to make it an inexpensive, pleasant experience for them. They will get money off the parents when they ski and the children in later years if they grow up loving the snow. Also, it makes sense for them to provide comfortable places to sit and eat food from home. If the cafe is any good, people will opt for the convenience and hot food and go there. But lack of choice just causes resentment.
Agree. But the point is; why do they not supply eating spaces inside the lodge but not in the cafe. I spent years skiing on smaller ski fields in the US and there would be a cafe if you chose to eat there AND tables inside for eating either cafe food (most opted for this as was reasonably priced and hot) or your own. No-one seemed to police this. I always loved the environment of the slopes and the lodge.
Yep, I dont know anything about this council but if its like most, they need more money to pay their increasing councillors wages and benefits. And then, because this woman could not supplement her income to meet the costs of living, the government will then have to fork out welfare grants to help her out?
So hotels obviously feel threatened by Airbnb which led to the new rates. Maybe instead the hotels need to look at ways of improving their service and pricing. I usually travel with a family of four which means renting two hotel rooms. Works out MUCH cheaper to rent a whole house and you get the kitchen plus living spaces to boot. No comparison, really.
Yes, but the important point is that NOT enough graduates are choosing teaching as a career. So the conditions must improve to attract and retain good teachers.
Yet there is money to pay MPs large salaries and many perks...and our prime minister has a higher salary than most of the developed world. When this changes, I will actually believe there is no more money. After all, good leaders lead by example.
Private school parents back the teacher/school when their darling does wrong. Many (but not all) public school parents go to bats for their darling, putting stress on the teacher who has to defend her/his actions and giving darling the message that the school/teacher is in the wrong.
Ive found the reviews and overall rating scores to be pretty spot-on. We ate at some pretty awful places in Europe and then decided to only eat at places that reviewed 4.5 or over in TripAdvisor. Much better experiences after that! My only issue with TA is that they lead you into buying attraction tickets through their site and they are often not the best value. As with hotels, its best to go directly to the companys web-site.
Did a few years in Asia. Higher salaries and very low taxes compared with NZ. Also, no duopoly supermarkets and other inflated prices to waste your income on. Saved up and came back in NZ for the lifestyle, a lifestyle we could not have afforded had we not worked in Asia. The overseas experiences were enriching and... priceless.
Why feel sorry for him? Hes getting on with his life and does not want a handout. He can hold his head up high and be proud that he is making his own way in life and not sucking off the taxpayers through treaty claims.
NZ politician rakes up huge travel expenses, and another takes years of superannuation he is not entitled to. But the perpetrators twist things to make it look like whoever went to the media is in the wrong! LCorruption?
Work standard professional hours? I cant begin to tell you the work that would not get done, or the amount of time that teachers could charge extra for, if locked into âstandard professional hoursâ.
It is a good system for those who have insurance and for doctors and nurses who work there. NZs is more broken in that many drugs are not available and if you want anything done within reasonable timeframe, you have to pay - lots.
Yes, children cost money. Why should the taxpayer pay to raise mine? Parenting is a choice; parents should be in the financial position to adequetely house, feed and educate their own.
Yes, but if someone is claiming on behalf of a (often very large) group, every member of the group is entitled to know where the money goes. Is this happening?
Interesting that hotels feel threatened - maybe they need to up their game. I no longer stay in hotels because they are too greedy. With a family of four wed have to rent two hotel rooms which works out WAY more expensive than an entire house through Airbnb. No comparison, really.
And would you like a tall fence built right next to your property, blocking your light? If it wasnt given consent, it should come down. The concrete retaining wall with plantings was given consent, and this should be constructed in its place.
You simply cannot force anyone to learn any thing. They either want to learn or they dont. I see the government paying for MÄori teachers to train, existing MÄori teachers moving to consultancy roles, and a lot of disengaged pupils wishing they could have picked up a different sixth subject.
T1NT1N, Yes, you would expect a business renting multiple rooms all year round to complete GST and tax paperwork and comply with codes, but a private home is different. I stayed in Airbnb properties in many European countries recently; some had access issues that would not have complied with NZ regulations, eg steep stairs and access in event of a fire... BUT, as an adult I was happy to assess potential risks and we decided benefits outweighed the small risk. Perhaps NZ is over-regulated? Ive read plenty of reports on trip Advisor about theft in motels to know that no place is secure. Wrap consumers in cotton wool? No thanks!
Yes, and the stats did not even include international schools (a huge network of schools all over the world that cater to expats) and other government programmes for overseas teaching that have pay and conditions that for surpass NZ!
Yes, people should try to work things out with the business first. But if this fails and the business provided an exceptionally bad product or service and refused to remedy the situation, then its fair to let others know.
A close relative doctor worked in the US for many years. They would not turn away people who did not have insurance. My relatives practice wrote off almost half their potential income due to people who could not pay. Not sure if this happens everywhere, though.
Yes, rates need to be controlled. A household cannot increase its income just because the family members want to spend more. So why should councils be able to take more, more, more just by snapping their fingers? Some councils (eg..Hamilton) no longer represent the people.
Completely agree. I had louvres installed that bent the metal framework they were attached to, plus the business owner failed to deliver on a verbal agreement. Tribunal referee did not think he should fix things. I wrote an online review to warn others and they had it removed because the web site belonged to their manufacturing company.
There have been plenty of ill-doings to groups of people of ALL races throughout history. There is a time to let past grievances die and move on. Earn your own way instead of aiming to financially benefit from possible injustices done to ones ancestors. There is a sense of pride that comes with this.
Why on earth make pay and conditions better for those who already work here when there are plenty from overseas willing to take positions? Same thing happening in nursing and teaching. Keep pay low and import, import, import...
Are there no family members who can help, maybe a teenager to mow the laws? I agree with other commenters that it would be helpful to know the illnesses you are working with.
The resorts have a captive market and charge a fortune for drinks and meals. Also, recommend getting a place with laundry facilities if there for more than a few days.
Completely different. Architecture is an art. It takes creativity and vision. Building is a craft. The building is an expression of the architect, not the builder.
The point is that the reviews average out. So if there is one unhappy customer (bad review), many positive reviews mean a business can still have a high rating. I have found when travelling in unfamiliar places that I cant go wrong when going to a place with 4.5 plus rating average from many reviews. Prefer to not risk a bad meal when have limited time to sample local cuisine in a exotic locations!
MPs should earn similar to those they represent, or they lose touch with the people they are representing. I think their wages should be similar to nurses and teachers as they all represent educated and hardworking people. If you are in the job for the right reasons- why should the salary be huge? Oh, and not to mention the perks the MPs get...
Well said. This guy made his money in a high-paying job and has no right on commenting on pay and conditions for career teachers in NZ. Basically, teaching here is a job in which you need a high-payed spouse or its something to take up after you have made money through a better-payed career.
We will run out of words to claim. I think only newly invented words/terms should be trademarked, not existing words. Technically someone else invented them, or they have evolved through the ages, so why should one person be able to own and profit from what others came up with?
Can you not see that nurses have been backed into a corner? You may think people are hurt by a strike but people will be far more hurt if we have no nurses, or the quality of nurses deteriorates.
The wonderful experience convinced him it was time for a career change - which also meant turning his back on a six-figure salary and an annual 20 per cent bonus.So he cannot comment. He made his money in the corporate world, most likely got himself set up, and now teaches because, yes, it is a brilliant job. Unfortunately, those who teach in NZ straight out of uni are not able to get ahead, buy a house, etc. Hence the need for higher pay to attract and retain great teachers without losing them to other careers and overseas.
No human dignity in killing or being killed
You will die. That is a given. Now would you rather go it alone or be able to plan aspects and make choices along the way with loved ones; have some control at your end of life? This sounds dignified to me.
Primary teachers and principals strike for first time since 1994
Yes, the poor parenting is done by the same parents who think they know everything about teaching and complain the loudest.
Officials advised the Government to keep quiet about large Treaty of Waitangi payments, unless asked
There is so much that this treaty money could go towards to help ALL New Zealanders (instead of going to lawyers and Maori at the top). Healthcare- a lot of procedures (even those for chronic pain) and drugs (eg for cancer) are not publicly funded; the wealthy can afford insurance but those with less money miss out. We could pay nurses and teachers decent wages...
No dignity in euthanasia? Suffering is not dignified
An assisted dying law would not result in more people dying, but fewer people suffering. Agree one hundred percent. How some people believe that they should make such important decisions about other peoples lives is unfathomable. If you want to suffer, than suffer. If others dont want to suffer, then stand aside and let them make decisions about their own lives and dying process.
Don't let Heather du Plessis-Allan's 'Pacific leeches' ideas take us back to the 1970s
The writer of this has misinterpreted Heather DPA. She was not referring to Pacific Islanders (the people) but was commenting on the policy of giving money to the islands and the fact that it is eaten up by corruption.
With Winston Peters in charge, it seems everything could be up for grabs
As he is a politician, surely the public has the right to know about his acceptance of superannuation overpayments? And now he wants to punish the people who outed him? This whole situation says a lot about the quality of politicians in this country. I only hope he is paying his own legal costs.
Older people forced to sleep in car as housing crisis bites
Agree. Hamilton is facing a similar problem since council raised rates AND changed from land to capital valuation which meant a huge increase for some. Those who had budgeted for x amount are now due to pay well over what they planned for. The mayor and council turned a blind eye; the mayor himself gaining personally from the rates change. Corruption. Poor people who are in this situation of being homeless, most likely through no fault of their own. Terrible.
How breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi are settled
Answers: 1) lawyers and Maori elite, 2) it wont (but if the treaty claims stopped and this money instead went into healthcare and education, poor Maori would benefit)
New offer for teachers is misleading, heres the truth
The government always responds with the message; there is no more money. Yet there is money for their high salaries and all their extras, there is money for a judge to get $3 million upon retirement.... there IS money, but an abundance goes to those in government positions and much is poorly spent in other ways. Maybe NZs priorities are all wrong.
Auckland's Airbnb rate, pot of gold or problem?
Councils have too much power. An idiot mayor can have a real negative impact (just look at Hamilton). The Airbnb tax is wrong- homeowners should be able to have whomever they want use their home and council should butt out. Find income elsewhere. A tourist tax at the airport sounds perfect.
Nurses' strike called off after district health boards improve offer
Ah, perhaps nurses were caught between a rock and a hard place. Do you really think anyone WANTS to strike?
Striking teachers have lost the war, even if they win a small pay battle
Most teachers have 3-4 year degrees. Secondary teachers have a degree in their specialist area plus a post-grad teaching diploma. The possible reason schools have to hire applicants with just diplomas is that they are not getting suitably qualified applicants? Hence the reason to make teaching more attractive as a profession?! Yes, pay does matter. Just look at the MPs who get pay rises every year in addition to their cozy salaries and perks!
Alison Mau: New Zealand needs to shut down its prisons – or blow them up
I have witnessed a recent experiment in schooling. A large new school was to open up (the open-planned variety) and an enthusiastic new teaching staff planned the future of schools based on the theory that extremely engaging lessons would alleviate the need for rules and consequences. Three years down the track and management is being brought into reality, having to implement more and more rules and consequences (detentions). Behaviour is less than ideal if not kept in check.
Think teachers are whingeing? Visit my school, says Auckland decile-1 principal
An honest account of how things are. So good to see a principal who supports her staff! When a schools staff are working together and supporting each other, the pupils pick up on it.
Tinker Bell's wings clipped by Air New Zealand
The tattoo was a choice. Many other aspects of appearance are not.
Nurses' strike called off after district health boards improve offer
It is about time the government pays skilled people (nurses, teachers) what they deserve. The cost of living has risen hugely and these backbone workers of NZ deserve the pay to live reasonably comfortably. The alternative is losing all our skilled workers to foreign countries.
Rates bill jumps $1000 after council reviews status of granny flat
Wow...gone are the days of a little Kiwi ingenuity! The councils are all over it to make money on every possible scenario... and so many Stuff commenters are happy to see the small person knocked down. Very sad.
Treaty and Me: It 'represents legitimised theft'
Maori have been brainwashed into thinking this. I do not know any Maori (with the exception of a lawyer) who have benefited from treaty claims.
Commerce Commission dealing with complaints about Celebration Box
Yes, but if you eat out the idea is to pay for a chefs expertise which often takes training and many years to acquire. It doesnt take any special skill to buy a donut and some chocolates and throw them into a box.
Striking teachers have lost the war, even if they win a small pay battle
Nowhere does he mention how people will be attracted into teaching. The brightest (who he claims are needed in the profession- yes, agree) are going to have an idea of salaries and will go elsewhere. The only teachers who do well financially are those who; came to teaching later in life (after earning real money), teach overseas, or have spouses who earn real money. It is a rewarding job but I am not going to recommend my own children go down the teaching path, having to beg the government for a decent wage every few years.
Dad incensed by mobility pass 'shame' note on windscreen
Have you been asked to control these parking spaces? Why would you take this on as your business?
New offer for teachers is misleading, heres the truth
Chris Hipkins is happy to take his very high (by comparison) salary with all the accompanying perks and talk about the greed of teachers. Maybe its time the MPs and PM lead by example and allow their own perks/salaried to be reduced. How can we justify the PM salary being one of the highest in the world yet we have one of the lowest populations???
Auckland activist Penny Bright 'will battle to the last second'
I admire her. So many disgruntled comments in Stuff about rates increases, crazy spending and council corruption throughout the country. Maybe she could have gone about things differently but at least she did something, unlike most of us who just pay up and carry on like sheep.
Bypassed by the economic boom, workers are pushing back
The beauty of seeing things from afar- you see things as they are. Too many kiwis are stuck in short-sided battles against each other, fighting over peanuts. Yes, there IS money in the country but it is not channeled towards what is important. Overseas, nursing and teaching are professions in which you can hold your head up high and live a comfortable life. Not here.
Affordability of rates worsens, new figures show
An individual should be able to purchase a house, pay off the mortgage and then live comfortably when they are older and (for many) no longer have the income they once had. But rates attach an ongoing cost to the property. Fine if the cost is small, but city rates are becoming more like leasehold rates- expensive! And for what? To line the pockets of councillors and contractors and to spend frivolously. Back to basics, please!
"Tax Working Group plan for baches a wealth tax that will rob Kiwis of their dream",
If the government would stop wasting money then they would not need to look into every avenue of taxation. The so-called rich, who are often just people who have worked hard and sacrificed over many years, deserve a chance to reap the reward of their hard work. There are plenty of countries that do not have tall poppy syndrome, where the high achievers would be welcome. This country is getting ridiculous.
Skifield company RAL is trying to exert its rights on Mt Ruapehu, causing tension
This is a shame. It would be in their best interest to encourage young children/families to toboggan and to make it an inexpensive, pleasant experience for them. They will get money off the parents when they ski and the children in later years if they grow up loving the snow. Also, it makes sense for them to provide comfortable places to sit and eat food from home. If the cafe is any good, people will opt for the convenience and hot food and go there. But lack of choice just causes resentment.
Retirees spend $20k battling to remove council's wilding pines
Not just gone nowhere...gone backwards. Typical council.
Skifield company RAL is trying to exert its rights on Mt Ruapehu, causing tension
Agree. But the point is; why do they not supply eating spaces inside the lodge but not in the cafe. I spent years skiing on smaller ski fields in the US and there would be a cafe if you chose to eat there AND tables inside for eating either cafe food (most opted for this as was reasonably priced and hot) or your own. No-one seemed to police this. I always loved the environment of the slopes and the lodge.
Rates bill jumps $1000 after council reviews status of granny flat
Yep, I dont know anything about this council but if its like most, they need more money to pay their increasing councillors wages and benefits. And then, because this woman could not supplement her income to meet the costs of living, the government will then have to fork out welfare grants to help her out?
Auckland's Airbnb rate, pot of gold or problem?
So hotels obviously feel threatened by Airbnb which led to the new rates. Maybe instead the hotels need to look at ways of improving their service and pricing. I usually travel with a family of four which means renting two hotel rooms. Works out MUCH cheaper to rent a whole house and you get the kitchen plus living spaces to boot. No comparison, really.
Primary teachers and principals strike for first time since 1994
Maybe some could come out of her own massive salary?
Kiwis unwittingly buying written-off vehicles
Cycletreads sold a bad bike and admit that the correct labelling was not displayed (for whatever reason). They should just pay up! Really bad form.
New offer for teachers is misleading, heres the truth
Yes, but the important point is that NOT enough graduates are choosing teaching as a career. So the conditions must improve to attract and retain good teachers.
Part owner of Marvin Gaye song sues Ed Sheeran over hit song
Yeah a little bit similar but new music/art always relates to and builds on that from the past. It is still a fresh, original song.
Wind will determine fate of North Island cities in massive Central Plateau eruption
Could have used the plastic bags to shelter from the ash. Theyll be kicking themselves for the ban.
Primary teachers and principals confirm nationwide strike after facilitation talks fail
Yet there is money to pay MPs large salaries and many perks...and our prime minister has a higher salary than most of the developed world. When this changes, I will actually believe there is no more money. After all, good leaders lead by example.
Teacher shortage a catastrophe in 2017 - now its worse
Private school parents back the teacher/school when their darling does wrong. Many (but not all) public school parents go to bats for their darling, putting stress on the teacher who has to defend her/his actions and giving darling the message that the school/teacher is in the wrong.
'Mischievous' data dump reveals 4850 local council employees earn more than $100,000
Yes. A shame nurses and teachers wages do not even come close to this. At least they are providing a real service.
"Do Kiwis really get a $32K pay rise by moving overseas?
Switzerland sounds like Auckland.
Dad incensed by mobility pass 'shame' note on windscreen
You ask people to report, but the point is; how can they be sure its someone misusing? The do-gooders do more harm than good.
Women booed because we can all relate to Serena Williams
The sexism thing went totally over my head. I guess you could also see it as a wealthy person with fame/status bullying a less wealthy person without.
The 'must-do' recommendation that made me swear off TripAdvisor
Ive found the reviews and overall rating scores to be pretty spot-on. We ate at some pretty awful places in Europe and then decided to only eat at places that reviewed 4.5 or over in TripAdvisor. Much better experiences after that! My only issue with TA is that they lead you into buying attraction tickets through their site and they are often not the best value. As with hotels, its best to go directly to the companys web-site.
Tinker Bell's wings clipped by Air New Zealand
David Beckham is in the position that he will never need to conform to an employer.
"Do Kiwis really get a $32K pay rise by moving overseas?
Did a few years in Asia. Higher salaries and very low taxes compared with NZ. Also, no duopoly supermarkets and other inflated prices to waste your income on. Saved up and came back in NZ for the lifestyle, a lifestyle we could not have afforded had we not worked in Asia. The overseas experiences were enriching and... priceless.
Officials advised the Government to keep quiet about large Treaty of Waitangi payments, unless asked
Why feel sorry for him? Hes getting on with his life and does not want a handout. He can hold his head up high and be proud that he is making his own way in life and not sucking off the taxpayers through treaty claims.
New Zealand is not vigilant enough about creeping corruption
NZ politician rakes up huge travel expenses, and another takes years of superannuation he is not entitled to. But the perpetrators twist things to make it look like whoever went to the media is in the wrong! LCorruption?
School a ‘babysitting service’ because of lack of relief teachers, principals say
Work standard professional hours? I cant begin to tell you the work that would not get done, or the amount of time that teachers could charge extra for, if locked into âstandard professional hoursâ.
How breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi are settled
Maybe it is Maori who have seen no benefit wanting to know. Do you not think they deserve to know?
Kiwi couple nursing big bank accounts in the US
It is a good system for those who have insurance and for doctors and nurses who work there. NZs is more broken in that many drugs are not available and if you want anything done within reasonable timeframe, you have to pay - lots.
Calls for Government to scrap NCEA fees and pay students' course-related costs
Yes, children cost money. Why should the taxpayer pay to raise mine? Parenting is a choice; parents should be in the financial position to adequetely house, feed and educate their own.
How breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi are settled
You are assuming that people do not know what it is about. People may be educated in what it is about but still disagree with what is happening now.
How breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi are settled
Yes, but if someone is claiming on behalf of a (often very large) group, every member of the group is entitled to know where the money goes. Is this happening?
Auckland's Airbnb rate, pot of gold or problem?
Interesting that hotels feel threatened - maybe they need to up their game. I no longer stay in hotels because they are too greedy. With a family of four wed have to rent two hotel rooms which works out WAY more expensive than an entire house through Airbnb. No comparison, really.
'Like a red flag to a bull': Principals criticise new pay offers
It would be interesting to hear the perspective of the mature teachers. Those with experience often work more effectively.
Neighbours cant get over problem fence dividing their properties
And would you like a tall fence built right next to your property, blocking your light? If it wasnt given consent, it should come down. The concrete retaining wall with plantings was given consent, and this should be constructed in its place.
Sharon Harvey: The question of compulsory te reo MÄori in schools
You simply cannot force anyone to learn any thing. They either want to learn or they dont. I see the government paying for MÄori teachers to train, existing MÄori teachers moving to consultancy roles, and a lot of disengaged pupils wishing they could have picked up a different sixth subject.
Auckland's Airbnb rate, pot of gold or problem?
T1NT1N, Yes, you would expect a business renting multiple rooms all year round to complete GST and tax paperwork and comply with codes, but a private home is different. I stayed in Airbnb properties in many European countries recently; some had access issues that would not have complied with NZ regulations, eg steep stairs and access in event of a fire... BUT, as an adult I was happy to assess potential risks and we decided benefits outweighed the small risk. Perhaps NZ is over-regulated? Ive read plenty of reports on trip Advisor about theft in motels to know that no place is secure. Wrap consumers in cotton wool? No thanks!
Primary teachers union appears to back down on rolling strike threat
Yes, and the stats did not even include international schools (a huge network of schools all over the world that cater to expats) and other government programmes for overseas teaching that have pay and conditions that for surpass NZ!
Dad incensed by mobility pass 'shame' note on windscreen
Who elected this person to be warden of mobility parks? Sometimes people need to mind their own business.
The cafe that calls itself home of terrible Trip Advisor reviews
Yes, people should try to work things out with the business first. But if this fails and the business provided an exceptionally bad product or service and refused to remedy the situation, then its fair to let others know.
Kiwi couple nursing big bank accounts in the US
A close relative doctor worked in the US for many years. They would not turn away people who did not have insurance. My relatives practice wrote off almost half their potential income due to people who could not pay. Not sure if this happens everywhere, though.
Councillor accuses his own council of needless corporate welfare
Not relevent to this
Rate rises continually outstrip incomes and inflation - do they need an overhaul?
Yes, rates need to be controlled. A household cannot increase its income just because the family members want to spend more. So why should councils be able to take more, more, more just by snapping their fingers? Some councils (eg..Hamilton) no longer represent the people.
Unreasonable shops trying to buck the Consumer Guarantees Act
Completely agree. I had louvres installed that bent the metal framework they were attached to, plus the business owner failed to deliver on a verbal agreement. Tribunal referee did not think he should fix things. I wrote an online review to warn others and they had it removed because the web site belonged to their manufacturing company.
The Treaty and Me: The settlement is as bruising as the grievance
There have been plenty of ill-doings to groups of people of ALL races throughout history. There is a time to let past grievances die and move on. Earn your own way instead of aiming to financially benefit from possible injustices done to ones ancestors. There is a sense of pride that comes with this.
My reality: Sick, poor and unable to work
If you read the comment, there was no presumption. It was a question.
Ministry of Education advertises NZ as having 'the Indian Ocean on its doorstep'
Why on earth make pay and conditions better for those who already work here when there are plenty from overseas willing to take positions? Same thing happening in nursing and teaching. Keep pay low and import, import, import...
My reality: Sick, poor and unable to work
Are there no family members who can help, maybe a teenager to mow the laws? I agree with other commenters that it would be helpful to know the illnesses you are working with.
Dutch court rules 'Pastafarians' cannot wear colanders for government ID photos
They should join forces with Scientologists. The stories kind of match.
When you should visit Fiji
The resorts have a captive market and charge a fortune for drinks and meals. Also, recommend getting a place with laundry facilities if there for more than a few days.
Striking teachers have lost the war, even if they win a small pay battle
Yeah, kind of like they couldnt care less if their MPs are performing well or not. At least teachers are not on huge salaries with all the perks.
Recycling bin request sees council discover house wasn't being charged rates
Really?? How petty.
Multifunctional architectural screens can also be a conversation piece
Completely different. Architecture is an art. It takes creativity and vision. Building is a craft. The building is an expression of the architect, not the builder.
The cafe that calls itself home of terrible Trip Advisor reviews
The point is that the reviews average out. So if there is one unhappy customer (bad review), many positive reviews mean a business can still have a high rating. I have found when travelling in unfamiliar places that I cant go wrong when going to a place with 4.5 plus rating average from many reviews. Prefer to not risk a bad meal when have limited time to sample local cuisine in a exotic locations!
Politicians' pay v yours: How MPs' salaries compare to other occupations
MPs should earn similar to those they represent, or they lose touch with the people they are representing. I think their wages should be similar to nurses and teachers as they all represent educated and hardworking people. If you are in the job for the right reasons- why should the salary be huge? Oh, and not to mention the perks the MPs get...
Teaching is a 'sweet gig' - there's no reason to strike, says deputy principal
Well said. This guy made his money in a high-paying job and has no right on commenting on pay and conditions for career teachers in NZ. Basically, teaching here is a job in which you need a high-payed spouse or its something to take up after you have made money through a better-payed career.
Kiwi couple nursing big bank accounts in the US
Yes, but you will find that their incomes are probably higher and their cost of living is so much cheaper so they can afford the insurance.
Striking teachers have lost the war, even if they win a small pay battle
Still is difficult to get into in some countries.
US businessman trademarks the Fijian greeting 'bula'
We will run out of words to claim. I think only newly invented words/terms should be trademarked, not existing words. Technically someone else invented them, or they have evolved through the ages, so why should one person be able to own and profit from what others came up with?
Kiwi couple nursing big bank accounts in the US
Good for them! Great to read about nurses doing well and earning a decent living.
Primary teachers and principals strike for first time since 1994
Even with a summer job, teachers do not come close to earning what like-educated people earn.
Why were going on strike: a Wellington nurses viewpoint
Can you not see that nurses have been backed into a corner? You may think people are hurt by a strike but people will be far more hurt if we have no nurses, or the quality of nurses deteriorates.
Teaching is a 'sweet gig' - there's no reason to strike, says deputy principal
The wonderful experience convinced him it was time for a career change - which also meant turning his back on a six-figure salary and an annual 20 per cent bonus.So he cannot comment. He made his money in the corporate world, most likely got himself set up, and now teaches because, yes, it is a brilliant job. Unfortunately, those who teach in NZ straight out of uni are not able to get ahead, buy a house, etc. Hence the need for higher pay to attract and retain great teachers without losing them to other careers and overseas.
"Politics is a dirty game and the National Party is losing",
Agree! Labour is going to ruin the country with their tall poppy syndrome- heading into communism. National needs to sort its leadership.