Just one (or two) days in Paradise
Transport Minister’s warning: Roads may need to be abandoned
The Transport Minister admits some roads may need to be abandoned as a result of climate change, and the extreme weather it will bring.
Last week, RNZ revealed Waka Kotahi had, until recently, not been factoring climate change and the need for resilience into its transport projects.
The agency was said to be swamped by the need to respond to crisis.
Transpower warns of potential tight power supply during winter, may have to disconnect customers during peak times https://t.co/dVb3IHa0dr
— Newshub (@NewshubNZ) May 23, 2023
Government launches campaign to help Kiwis save money on power bills
The Government is launching a new public information campaign with tips on how New Zealanders can save up to $500 on their annual power bills.
Energy and Resources Minister Megan Woods said the ideas “aren’t new” but will be “meaningful to families” as “small steps can add up to savings that make a real difference”.
“There is an immediate need to support Kiwi families with information on energy saving,” Woods said.
The ‘Find Money in Weird Places’ campaign is a partnership between the Government agency Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority’s (EECA) Warmer Kiwi Homes programme and Consumer NZ, with support from the Electricity Authority.
It has five key tips which the Government says could help Kiwis save up to $500 on their annual power bills.
The tips are:
- Checking you’re on the best power plan for you and your whānau
- Switching off appliances at the wall when you’re not using them
- Setting your heat pump to a maximum of 21 degrees
- Changing your washing machine settings to cold wash
- Shortening showers to five minutes.
They are pretending inflation is getting better.
Reserve Bank raises OCR to 5.5%
The Reserve Bank has raised the official cash rate by 25 basis points to 5.5 percent and signalled it has likely reached the end of its tightening cycle.
The decision had been seen as finely balanced between a rise of either 25 or 50 basis points because of increased government spending in the budget and the impact of strong immigration.
The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), voted five to two for a smaller rate rise as it assessed that its 12 consecutive rate rises since October 2021 had taken the sting out of inflation and the overheated economy.
“The committee agreed the level of interest rates are constraining spending and inflation pressure.”
Hundreds more job cuts at Auckland Council
More than 500 job losses have been confirmed at the Auckland Council and its agencies as part of Mayor Wayne Brown’s cost-cutting budget.
Auckland Council chief executive Jim Stabback has announced 160 jobs will be lost and about 200 fulltime equivalent jobs are going at the council’s economic development agency Tātaki Auckland Unlimited.
Stabback said this was the first phase of a structural change to move the council towards a more simple and efficient organisation, and a “second phase” of further changes will begin after the budget in July.
Stabback has long signalled that plans for a “leaner organisation” and becoming “more financially sustainable” would lead to job cuts.
Hundreds of jobs facing the chop at Victoria University due to multimillion dollar loss
Staff at the Victoria University of Wellington (VUW) have been told to brace for job cuts as the University strives to cut costs even further.
An email to staff from vice-chancellor Nic Smith, seen by the Herald, said VUW is forecasting a deficit of $33 million this year and as a result, costs must be cut.
“Staff have already done a significant amount to reduce spending, taking into account the need to ensure the best possible experience for our students – unfortunately, we need to do more,” Smith said.
Smith said the cost-cutting measures being discussed will result in redundancies among professional and academic staff, and there will also likely be programme closures.
Auckland’s anti-flooding plan now ‘on steroids’
Houses may have to be removed, waterways opened up and new rules passed as part of an ambitious $1 billion plan to sort Auckland’s flood-prone neighbourhoods within six years
Auckland Council wants to accelerate 30 years of planned action on flood plains, stormwater drains and creeks into just six years as part of its response to the devastating floods of January and February.
The plan, called Making Space for Water, will almost certainly need funding from the central government to buy and remove homes as the council funds new above-ground pathways for extreme water volumes expected as the climate changes.
After having to say that there’s no big crime, just ‘better reporting’
Police Minister concedes increase in crime isn’t just down to more reporting
The Police Minister concedes the increase in crime isn’t just down to more reporting of crime.
Reports of several categories of crime like serious assaults, acts intended to cause injury, robberies, burglaries and thefts have increased in the past five years.
On Sunday, Ginny Andersen says that was partly due to it becoming easier to report crime, such as through a new app.
But she told Mike Hosking she accepts incidents of crime are also increasing.
The police double down on Ginny’s earlier (and preposterous) claim
Reporting of crime up, actual crime hasn’t increased, police say
Police are putting the latest spike in crime down to an increase in reporting rather than an increase in actual crime.
It comes after a couple of nasty public brawls in the past two weeks. One which saw members of the Mongrel Mob attacking rival gang members in broad daylight in Palmerston North, leaving shocked onlookers scrambling to get out of the way.
In another attack on Saturday, May 13, about six adults viciously beat another person lying motionless on the ground, in broad daylight, outside Auckland’s Downtown Ferry Terminal. National’s Mark Mitchell slammed the attack, while Auckland Business Chamber’s CEO Simon Bridges had a similar reaction labelling it “barbaric”.
Superintendent Phil Taikato told AM on Wednesday he “understands” these events “may concern” the public but wants to reassure Kiwis police are doing everything they can to stop these attacks.
Number of recorded crimes increasing in New Zealand’s major centres despite millions of dollars in Government intervention
Newshub can reveal a gas station minutes from an Auckland post shop closing due to skyrocketing crime has itself been ram-raided every year since buying the business.
Meanwhile, Police data covering our main centres showed crime rates are trending the wrong way despite millions of dollars in Government intervention.
Here is just TWO days of headlines
ALLEGED CAR INTERFERING DISRUPTED IN TAKANINI OVERNIGHT
WESTERN BAY OF PLENTY POLICE TARGETED BOY RACERS AND ILLEGALLY MODIFIED VEHICLES WITH HUGE SUCCESS OVER THE WEEKEND AS PART OF AN OPERATION FOCUSING ON DISRUPTING ANTI-SOCIAL ROAD USER BEHAVIOUR.
THE SCENE EXAMINATION AT LOAFERS LODGE HAS CONTINUED TODAY.
Police are making good progress covering ground in the building, but it is methodical and deliberate and will take time.
The northbound lane of Adelaide Road remains closed at this time. We are grateful for the public’s patience while we carry out critical work at the scene which requires the continued closure of the northbound lane.
Police have now formally identified three victims.
‘We extend our condolences to their families at this extremely difficult time’ said Inspector Dion Bennett, Acting Wellington District Commander
‘The formal identification process continues for two further victims.
‘The scene examination will continue until it is completed.’
TARANAKI POLICE LOCATE SEVEN YOUTHS RESPONSIBLE FOR CAR THEFTS AND ASSAULTS
TWO MEN HAVE BEEN CHARGED AND ARE NOW BEFORE THE COURT FOLLOWING A SERIOUS ASSAULT IN HILLSBOROUGH LAST MONTH.
HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION LAUNCHED IN WHAKATANE FOLLOWING DEATH OF MAN IN HOSPITAL
A HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN LAUNCHED FOLLOWING THE DEATH OF A MAN IN HOSPITAL ON 21 MAY.
57-year-old George Maaka of Whakatane was found with serious injuries in a car park on Garaway Street, Whakatane, in the early hours of the morning, Thursday 18 May. Sadly, he has died as a result of his injuries.
A 64-year-old man appeared in Whakatane District Court on 20 May charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. He has been remanded in custody.
While the Left yawns (or blames the last National government) this is what makes their blood boil with indignation.
Opposition party says AI was ‘an innovative way to drive our social media’ and said it was ‘committed to using it responsibly’
Māori media won’t be measured by audience share because it’s a Treaty obligation – Willie Jackson
This is dreamland. 4% of 16% speak Maori a bit.
That's about 35k presently. A million by 2040.I don't think so.
Just spending money we don't have. For what!! https://t.co/Li5EK4jAVl— K J Booth (@KJBooth312580) May 23, 2023
