miket12
ποΈ
They're loading records on to the "Managemyhealth" site.... one year after the tests
Politics π³οΈ NZ Politics
- Thread starter wizard of Tauranga
- Start date
wizard of Tauranga
π
- Thread starter
- #15,462
I think councils and regional councils are broken and I donβt know the solution.What the country really needs.......... NOT!!!!!
Act Party looking to stand candidates in local elections for first time
The Act Party will today announce it is looking to stand candidates in the upcoming local council elections, saying itβs βtime for a clean-outβ.
Leader David Seymour is expected to hold a press conference in Wellington later on Tuesday to call for expressions of interest from New Zealanders to stand for their local council under the Act Party banner. Local elections will be held in October.
This will be the first time Act has looked to put forward candidates in local elections.
Seymour described it as an βexploratory campaignβ. He said national political parties putting forward local candidates hasnβt always been popular, but he reckoned βbetter representationβ is needed on councils.
βIf good people show up wanting to stand and we think we can win some, we will go for it,β he said.
βI think itβs better to be trying new things even if they donβt work out the first time than never try at all.β
Act wonβt be considering challenging mayoral seats as Seymour said the party needed to be βrealisticβ. He believed people needed to βshow what you can deliver before you try and take on big prizesβ.
βStart with people that can get around the council, learn the skills, and then work their way up,β he said.
Candidates would be expected to raise money to fund their own campaigns.
βYouβre not going to see helicopter candidates funded from outside your town ... If you canβt fundraise money for your campaign, maybe people are trying to tell you something.β
He will highlight Actβs key focuses in government, such as addressing the cost of living, wasteful spending, and co-governance, and suggest Act councillors would prioritise core issues like these, such as lowering rates and scrapping βnice-to-havesβ.
βWe want to end wasteful spending, end massive rate rises, end the war on cars, and start treating people respectfully regardless of race,β Seymour said.
Heβs expected to say councils have missed the memo that Kiwis voted for βreal changeβ in 2023 and believes it is βtime for a clean-outβ in local politics.
Act has grown its support significantly over the past decade in central government elections.
In 2017, it received just 0.5% of the vote. That jumped to 7.6% in 2020 and then 8.64% in the 2023 election, enough to help National and NZ First form a government.
Seymour has held the Epsom seat since 2014. In 2023, the partyβs deputy, Brooke van Velden, scored the partyβs second electorate seat with TΔmaki.
Although Act hasnβt had councillors elected under its banner previously, that hasnβt stopped the party making its thoughts heard on local politics.
Just last week, Seymour issued a statement saying local councils should ditch complex procurement policies in favour of new rules from central government.
One of his MPs, Mark Cameron, lodged a Memberβs Bill last year that would restore provisions to the Resource Management Act prohibiting councils from considering climate change as a factor in their plans.
A policy of Actβs at the 2023 election was to share GST with councils to fund local infrastructure. The partyβs coalition agreement with National commits to considering this.
βTime for a clean-outβ: Act reveals major election move
David Seymour is expected to speak to media later about the announcement.www.nzherald.co.nz
They are incapable of keeping increases at or below inflation and seem to prioritise special projects before the basics. Is it a result of the election process and cost and self promotion involved to get there that you become self centred?
Itβs so bad hardly anyone bothers voting which is a vote of no confidence in the system or anything ever changing.
John Nick
π₯
Yeah.Seems pretty simple to CC in my Doctors email for my results would free up a lot of staff.Yeah, you have to specifically ask them to send results to the doc. The different depts in the hospitals don't communicate well with each other either. Witnessed a stand up between my cardiologist and urologist over blood thinners. Thought there might be a bit of Biffo.As for using private hospitals for public work, no problem, wouldn't surprise me if the cost was cheaper as they are probably more efficient. Had a few ops on the state done here in Southern Cross, surgeons are the same across the board anyway.
miket12
ποΈ
Not related to medical but I witnessed two council employees nearly come to blows over a development in East Auckland. There was an old oak tree on the site but it wasn't on the council's Protected Tree Schedule. The developer wanted to leave the oak tree three and build five new townhouses around it, leaving the tree as a "common area" for all the owners/occupants to use/enjoy. The problem was, leaving the tree meant that the site coverage for the units and the private outdoor space for three of the five didn't comply with the District Plan.Yeah, you have to specifically ask them to send results to the doc. The different depts in the hospitals don't communicate well with each other either. Witnessed a stand up between my cardiologist and urologist over blood thinners. Thought there might be a bit of Biffo.
The Town Planner wanted the tree to be removed so we could make the design meet the District Plan requirements while the council arborist wanted the tree to remain. Let's say, the meeting we had with the two of them got quite heated. In the end, the arborist won and the tree remained because we argued that, as the houses were going to be built and sold as specs, potential buyers wouldn't want to buy them if they were concerned about the town planning infringements.
miket12
ποΈ
From my experience dealing with councils, the issues seem to relate more to the bureaucracy below the mayors and councillors. While we can "vote" out the bad ones, it's those who make the decisions below them that are the issue.
While some don't like it, I'm actually surprised how Wayne Brown is changing that in Auckland.
miket12
ποΈ
Some parts of Health NZ really do need a shake up.....
Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora has refused to disclose rental costs for a sick baby unit that has never been delivered.
In November 2022, Health NZ announced it had leased space at the former Te Awakairangi Birthing Centre in Lower Hutt for the transitional care unit.
The purpose-built primary birthing facility had previously been funded through the Wright Family Foundation and closed the year before despite community efforts to save it.
However, the Herald revealed earlier this year that the unit was quietly shelved. Local MPs were dismayed and Health Minister Simeon Brown requested a briefing about why it had not been delivered.
Hutt South MP Chris Bishop said at the time he was disappointed in Health NZ.
βI went to the launch of the transitional care unit and there was huge community excitement.
βHealth NZ need to deliver what they said they would do and utilise this purpose-built birthing facility that they are currently paying rent on every month.β
The Herald asked Health NZ under the Official Information Act how much rent has been paid.
Health NZ declined to release that information because doing so would βbe likely unreasonably to prejudice the commercial position of the person who supplied or who is subject of the informationβ.
Head of land and property Monique Fouwler said Health NZ is now in active negotiations with another health provider to take on the lease.
βDue to commercial sensitivity, we are unable to share further details but are committed to communicating the decision on the new health service provider once available.β
The Herald has complained to the Ombudsman.
Labour list MP Ginny Andersen said: βTe Whatu Ora has a responsibility to be transparent to the public on how much is being spent to lease this facilityβ.
Health Minister Simeon Brown did not address questions about whether he was comfortable with the rent costs being kept secret.
However, Brown did reveal that the decision not to proceed with the unit was made in August 2023.
βThis decision was made under the previous government who promised but didnβt deliver this and failed to communicate the decision prior to the election.β
This was news to Andersen whose written parliamentary questions to former Health Minister Shane Reti about the issue left her with more questions than answers.
The revelation that the decision was made in August 2023 was not included in any of Retiβs answers.
Health NZ funding and hospitals director Rachel Haggerty said the decision was made without direction from the then-Minister of Health Ayesha Verrall.
βGiven it was an operational matter for Health NZ, the decision was made without ministerial direction and the then-Minister of Health was subsequently informed.β
Haggerty added: βHealth NZ remains committed to the continued delivery of maternity services in the Hutt Valley and to increasing access to and enhancement of services for mothers and their babiesβ.
Bishop said it was not surprising it wasnβt announced at the time.
βI think people can figure out why,β he said.
βBottom line, I want the purpose-built facility to be used for primary health care for the Hutt and I have been making this point as a local MP for many years.β
www.nzherald.co.nz
Health NZ refuses to release rent costs for Lower Hutt sick baby unit that doesnβt exist
Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora has refused to disclose rental costs for a sick baby unit that has never been delivered.
In November 2022, Health NZ announced it had leased space at the former Te Awakairangi Birthing Centre in Lower Hutt for the transitional care unit.
The purpose-built primary birthing facility had previously been funded through the Wright Family Foundation and closed the year before despite community efforts to save it.
However, the Herald revealed earlier this year that the unit was quietly shelved. Local MPs were dismayed and Health Minister Simeon Brown requested a briefing about why it had not been delivered.
Hutt South MP Chris Bishop said at the time he was disappointed in Health NZ.
βI went to the launch of the transitional care unit and there was huge community excitement.
βHealth NZ need to deliver what they said they would do and utilise this purpose-built birthing facility that they are currently paying rent on every month.β
The Herald asked Health NZ under the Official Information Act how much rent has been paid.
Health NZ declined to release that information because doing so would βbe likely unreasonably to prejudice the commercial position of the person who supplied or who is subject of the informationβ.
Head of land and property Monique Fouwler said Health NZ is now in active negotiations with another health provider to take on the lease.
βDue to commercial sensitivity, we are unable to share further details but are committed to communicating the decision on the new health service provider once available.β
The Herald has complained to the Ombudsman.
Labour list MP Ginny Andersen said: βTe Whatu Ora has a responsibility to be transparent to the public on how much is being spent to lease this facilityβ.
Health Minister Simeon Brown did not address questions about whether he was comfortable with the rent costs being kept secret.
However, Brown did reveal that the decision not to proceed with the unit was made in August 2023.
βThis decision was made under the previous government who promised but didnβt deliver this and failed to communicate the decision prior to the election.β
This was news to Andersen whose written parliamentary questions to former Health Minister Shane Reti about the issue left her with more questions than answers.
The revelation that the decision was made in August 2023 was not included in any of Retiβs answers.
Health NZ funding and hospitals director Rachel Haggerty said the decision was made without direction from the then-Minister of Health Ayesha Verrall.
βGiven it was an operational matter for Health NZ, the decision was made without ministerial direction and the then-Minister of Health was subsequently informed.β
Haggerty added: βHealth NZ remains committed to the continued delivery of maternity services in the Hutt Valley and to increasing access to and enhancement of services for mothers and their babiesβ.
Bishop said it was not surprising it wasnβt announced at the time.
βI think people can figure out why,β he said.
βBottom line, I want the purpose-built facility to be used for primary health care for the Hutt and I have been making this point as a local MP for many years.β
Health NZ refuses to release rent costs for sick baby unit that doesnβt exist
Negotiations are under way with another health provider to take on the lease.
This seems like a very important point.
My experience with Aus govt employees is thereβs 2:1 ratio of useless staff to frontline workers. They are also the most entrenched, and otherwise unemployable people.
miket12
ποΈ
Depends on whether you think hearing a string ensemble playing "Nearer my God to thee" is a good thing as the front part of the ship is going down into the Atlantic or not.
But then you get the case of Wayne Brown who got slammed as soon as he got voted in and lambasted for raising very pertinent points. People were almost brain washed with ideology and then had their eyes opened the further he went in to his term. To the point he will likely get re-elected next term
miket12
ποΈ
And I think he'll get an increased majority too.
Wairoa schoolsβ lunch success: Students enjoy fresh, local meals
By Jack RiddellMultimedia journalistΒ·Hawkes Bay TodayΒ·
17 Mar, 2025 03:56 PM3 mins to read
Chops and coleslaw is one of the many meals made on-site for students of Tiaho School. Photo / Lisa Grant
- Students at Wairoa schools are enjoying fresh, healthy lunches.
- TΔ«aho Primary employs a chef for on-site meals, with a budget of $4.50 per meal.
- Wairoa Primary receives lunches from Rocket Cafe, with students saying theyβre happy with the service.
Two Wairoa school principals say their students are loving the lunches theyβre being served, rather than sending them to pig buckets like they have been up the road in NΕ«haka.
Lisa Grant, principal of TΔ«aho Primary School, says her school currently operates on the Ministry of Educationβs internal model of school lunches, where she employs a chef to create meals for the students, rather than having meals cooked off-site and shipped in.
According to the ministry, schools choose whether to go with internally or externally supplied meals. Lunches are made internally at 270 schools with their own kitchen in NZ, while 61 schools have an iwi/hapΕ« model for lunch supply.
βTo do this we had to gussy up our old canteen and make it a commercial kitchen, which ... we invested some money into,β Grant says.
Grant says her students are βflourishingβ as a result.
βThey love their lunches now,β she said.
βThey didnβt at the start, it was a bit tricky β we call them our chicken and chips kids, theyβre used to having chicken and chips all the time.
βFor them this programme has been awesome in introducing new tastes and textures ... which theyβve slowly come around to.β
Under the external school lunch model, each meal is budgeted to $3, whereas each meal on the internal model is budgeted to $4.
βBecause we had a bit in the reserves from last year, weβre doing $4.50 [per meal] at the moment,β Grant said.
βWeβre sitting pretty with that and it means our kids eat really, really well.β
Grants says her students have so far been served up sandwiches and wraps, mac and cheese, burgers, sliders, and other healthy meal options.
βWhatever is fresh and seasonal we serve,β she says.
Grant says currently the kids really βenjoy the mealsβ, thereβs typically enough for seconds, and thereβs minimal food waste.
βWe all eat together as a school in the hall and the kids dish out as well and serve and its part of their responsibilities and theyβre loving it.β
Down the road from TΔ«aho School, Wairoa Primary School is on the external model, but the kids receive their lunches from Rocket Cafe in Mahia.
Principal Richard Lambert says he has surveyed students and they are happy with βevery aspectβ of their school lunches.
βWeβre pleased where things are for us and just very happy we still have a local person that we can contact who daily is touching base around the delivery, letting us know what is coming up, letting us know when things will be changing,β he said.
βWe donβt have that nationwide issue that seems to be going on.
βWeβre hoping it can continue.β
School transforming their 'chicken and chips kids' with healthier lunches
'This programme has been awesome in introducing new tastes and textures.'
John Nick
π₯
Sounds like 2 sensible resolutionsWairoa schoolsβ lunch success: Students enjoy fresh, local meals
By Jack Riddell
Multimedia journalistΒ·Hawkes Bay TodayΒ·
17 Mar, 2025 03:56 PM3 mins to read
Chops and coleslaw is one of the many meals made on-site for students of Tiaho School. Photo / Lisa Grant
- Students at Wairoa schools are enjoying fresh, healthy lunches.
- TΔ«aho Primary employs a chef for on-site meals, with a budget of $4.50 per meal.
- Wairoa Primary receives lunches from Rocket Cafe, with students saying theyβre happy with the service.
Two Wairoa school principals say their students are loving the lunches theyβre being served, rather than sending them to pig buckets like they have been up the road in NΕ«haka.
Lisa Grant, principal of TΔ«aho Primary School, says her school currently operates on the Ministry of Educationβs internal model of school lunches, where she employs a chef to create meals for the students, rather than having meals cooked off-site and shipped in.
According to the ministry, schools choose whether to go with internally or externally supplied meals. Lunches are made internally at 270 schools with their own kitchen in NZ, while 61 schools have an iwi/hapΕ« model for lunch supply.
βTo do this we had to gussy up our old canteen and make it a commercial kitchen, which ... we invested some money into,β Grant says.
Grant says her students are βflourishingβ as a result.
βThey love their lunches now,β she said.
βThey didnβt at the start, it was a bit tricky β we call them our chicken and chips kids, theyβre used to having chicken and chips all the time.
βFor them this programme has been awesome in introducing new tastes and textures ... which theyβve slowly come around to.β
Under the external school lunch model, each meal is budgeted to $3, whereas each meal on the internal model is budgeted to $4.
βBecause we had a bit in the reserves from last year, weβre doing $4.50 [per meal] at the moment,β Grant said.
βWeβre sitting pretty with that and it means our kids eat really, really well.β
Students of Tiaho enjoy freshly made sandwiches for lunch that were made at the school by a hired chef. Photo / Lisa Grant
Chops and coleslaw is one of the many meals made on-site for students of TΔ«aho School. Photo / Lisa Grant
Grants says her students have so far been served up sandwiches and wraps, mac and cheese, burgers, sliders, and other healthy meal options.
βWhatever is fresh and seasonal we serve,β she says.
Grant says currently the kids really βenjoy the mealsβ, thereβs typically enough for seconds, and thereβs minimal food waste.
βWe all eat together as a school in the hall and the kids dish out as well and serve and its part of their responsibilities and theyβre loving it.β
Down the road from TΔ«aho School, Wairoa Primary School is on the external model, but the kids receive their lunches from Rocket Cafe in Mahia.
Principal Richard Lambert says he has surveyed students and they are happy with βevery aspectβ of their school lunches.
βWeβre pleased where things are for us and just very happy we still have a local person that we can contact who daily is touching base around the delivery, letting us know what is coming up, letting us know when things will be changing,β he said.
βWe donβt have that nationwide issue that seems to be going on.
βWeβre hoping it can continue.β
School transforming their 'chicken and chips kids' with healthier lunches
'This programme has been awesome in introducing new tastes and textures.'
wizard of Tauranga
π
- Thread starter
- #15,475
Tesla shares?
miket12
ποΈ
There was a time I could tell you (when it was with GMK and then KiwiWealth) but since it's been on sold to Fisher Funds, they don't release reports on which stocks/shares you "own".
The effects of neoliberalism
miket12
ποΈ
Good f'ing grief..... first it was Kate Shepard Seymour thought would vote ACT, then some of the Treaty signers and now he thinks Jesus might vote ACT..... and, this clown folks, is our Acting PM.
www.nzherald.co.nz
Jesus βvery well might support Actβ: David Seymour
The party would endorse a mayoral candidate if Christ hypothetically came back to stand.
miket12
ποΈ
Man Up bullies now afraid for their safety..... how sad, too bad, never mind!!!
www.nzherald.co.nz
βExposed yourself to scrutinyβ: Destiny Church-linked protesters at library pride event face court
But the seven defendants still cannot be identified.
wizard of Tauranga
π
- Thread starter
- #15,480
The enduring legacy of the bible is that everyone can take what they want out of it. Iβm sure all parties could make a case for Jesus as a voterβ¦Good f'ing grief..... first it was Kate Shepard Seymour thought would vote ACT, then some of the Treaty signers and now he thinks Jesus might vote ACT..... and, this clown folks, is our Acting PM.
Jesus βvery well might support Actβ: David Seymour
The party would endorse a mayoral candidate if Christ hypothetically came back to stand.
However only the mΔori party could claim Putin and Guy Fawkes as potential voters, so that tells you something
