thedailyblog--2020-04-01--Life in Lock Down: Day 7

Life in Lock Down: Day 7

April 1 : Day seven of living in lock-down… This morning I had a brief chat with one of my neighbours , “ D ” ( social distance between us , a good three or four metres ) .
I learned he had resigned from his previous job and had been hired by another company – just as the country went into Level 4 Lock-down .
His new employer had declined to honour his commitment to hire my neighbour .
This leaves “ D ” in limbo with a wife , four weeks away from delivery of their first child @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be able to access the government wage subsidy ?
“ D ” will follow that up .
In the meantime , “ D ” has advised his landlord he can not pay the rent until his finances are sorted – and the landlord has expressed understanding of his situation .
Later that morning , as I sip my third ( or fourth ? )
coffee , I ’ m staring out the window , planning my day .
It ’ s a fine , clear autumn say .
My companion animal is asleep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; As I drink my coffee and state out the window , a big red coca cola branded truck rattles past .
Considering everything I ’ ve written about them the last few days , I ’ m wondering , “ Ok , now they ’ re trolling me ?
!
” I smile wryly to myself : it ’ s a weird way to start the day .
At the nearby Park ’ N ’ Ride , there are only two cars parked – half of yesterday ’ s tally .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ white motorhome is still parked on the side of the road .
The owners have either decamped , or have parked up and are taking the “ Stay where you are ” edict seriously .
SH2 has only light , sporadic traffic – and at several points is utterly empty ; I turn right at the Kelson lights turn-off to dump some cardboard at the recycling station .
I forgot : the recycling bins for cardboard and glass were removed shortly after Aotearoa went into Level four lockdown .
There ’ s nothing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bins have been turned around so people can ’ t deposit unwanted clothes ; Back on the motorway there is marginally more traffic near the Melling lights-interection .
It thins out again , as I proceed further south toward Wellington .
During the half hour drive , I see a police car at Silverstream ; another big red coca cola branded truck ; STMS ( Shepherd Traffic Management System ) ; a Fisher & Paykel truck ; a red “ Jina ’ s ” fruit and veg van ; a Mainfreight double-tandem ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Management truck ; two Waste Management trucks ; two Downer vans ; three more Mainfreight trucks ; a “ Service Foods ” branded car ; a container-laden truck ; a ute marked “ Interstall ” ; two firewood laden trucks at Melling ; a Naylor Love van ; ambulance ; Fulton Hogan truck ; a car transport carrying three cars ( really ?
that ’ s “ essential ” ?
! )
; a scrap metal truck fully laden ( again , essential ?
! )
; a Gilmour ’ s truck ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a “ V ” energy-drink truck .
The Terrace Tunnel is empty save for one on-coming SUV ; It is late morning by now , so what constitutes “ rush hour ” traffic in these strange times has long since disappeared .
Exiting the tunnel , I get into Wellington and Vivian Street is deserted ; The only thing missing from the scene is a tumbleweed rolling across the road… Looking back toward the tunnel , more of the eerie emptiness ; The “ Z ” fuel station in Vivian Street has it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third or fourth ( ? )
day in a row .
Either it doesn ’ t want to publicise outrageously expensive fuel or the signage has malfunctioned and they ’ re finding it difficult to get an electrician to repair it ; Returning to my car , I see three or four vehicles exiting the Terrace Tunnel .
For some reason , I find it reassuring ; The dead quiet – novel at first – starts to wear on the nerves .
It is human nature to seek out others and perhaps more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teeming with other people .
It ’ s just after mid-day .
Radio NZ ’ s Mid Day Report is on ; it ’ s a warm sunny day , and I decide to take the alternative route through Oriental Parade .
I want to check out if the beaches are once again beginning to fill up with people .
Oriental Parade has pedestrians strolling the wide walkway with joggers zipping past them .
Everyone is valiantly trying to maintain the two metre protocol and ( as I discover later that afternoon ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through .
And they ’ re not empty by accident .
Two constables are on duty , and I spot them just as they finish chatting with two other people ; The two are on obvious patrol and are willing to stop for a brief chat .
Both agree to pose for a photo and they ’ re happy when I tell them it ’ s for The Daily Blog ; As we part , they thank me .
Shaking my head , I reply , “ No , thank !
Good to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way , two constables out on the streets is a return to old-school community policing when , once-upon-a-time ( and not that long ago ) we had the Bobby On The Beat .
Walking amongst us , they are a part of the community .
Our community .
It is unfortunate that we need policing resources diverted from their more critical work because some a too complacent to realise the deadly nature of the enemy confronting us .
As covid19 cases globally have reached 862,234 , with 42,404 deaths , we can ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Not unless this is the scenario we want for our country ; Let ’ s hope the gentle reminders of our police will serve to remind people to behave appropriately .
As infectious disease epidemiologist , Jonathan Smith wrote recently ; “ Stay strong and in solidarity knowing that what you are doing is saving lives , even as people continue getting sick and dying .
This outbreak will not be overcome in one grand , sweeping gesture , but rather by the collection of individual choices we make in the coming months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ choices.
” At Evans Bay , I discover that public facilities have been closed for The Duration .
The signages states ; “ All facilities are closed temporarily to help stop the spread of covid 19.
” It ’ s obvious of course .
The virus is highly infectious and public toilets may facilitate transmission .
( A possibility I hadn ’ t considered until I read the signs .
So many things we take for granted… ) At the round-a-bout on Cobham Drive , one of Wellington ’ s busiest thoroughfares servicing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eerily quiet ; I have to wait a few minutes before vehicles eventually appear ; What must the residents of Strathmore , Kilbirnie , and Miramar be thinking as air travel becomes practically non-existent , and near-silence descends over their neighbourhoods .
Perhaps , if I have time I should find a way to interview some of the locals ( without my physical presence , of course ! )
.
Later in the day , as I ’ m out walking with a client in Strathmore , I begin to notice that nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ observe the two metre rule .
Families have begun walking in single-file to lessen their “ bubble ” as others walk past .
There is plenty of considerate behaviour .
No one is taking the mickey .
And another thing that suddenly occurs to me .
There are families with young children out on bikes ; Big bike for the adults ; little bikes for the “ littlies ” .
They ’ re mostly on the road .
I ’ ve never seen this before because up till now it has rarely happened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were dominated by vehicles and parents would rarely risk taking their young children out on bikes .
But this afternoon , it was a common sight .
It was safe .
The roads were now for families .
Imagine if that could be the new normal .
Johns Hopkins University : Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering ( CSSE ) Business Insider : Spain ’ s coronavirus crisis is so uncontrollable that some care-home residents have been abandoned or left dead in their beds and Madrid is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ morgue RNZ : Covid-19 lockdown – NZers in their 20s are ‘ the ones that pass it on ’ – PM The Warehouse – where everyone gets a virus This blogpost will be re-published on “ Frankly Speaking “ .
Reader ’ s comments may be left here ( The Daily Blog ) or there ( Frankly Speaking ) .

.
.
April 1: Day seven of living in lock-down…
This morning I had a brief chat with one of my neighbours, “D” (social distance between us, a good three or four metres). I learned he had resigned from his previous job and had been hired by another company – just as the country went into Level 4 Lock-down. His new employer had declined to honour his commitment to hire my neighbour. This leaves “D” in limbo with a wife, four weeks away from delivery of their first child.
I suggested his new employer should be able to access the government wage subsidy? “D” will follow that up. In the meantime, “D” has advised his landlord he cannot pay the rent until his finances are sorted – and the landlord has expressed understanding of his situation.
Later that morning, as I sip my third (or fourth?) coffee, I’m staring out the window, planning my day. It’s a fine, clear autumn say. My companion animal is asleep on the pathway handrail enjoying the sunshine;
TDB Recommends NewzEngine.com
.
.
As I drink my coffee and state out the window, a big red coca cola branded truck rattles past. Considering everything I’ve written about them the last few days, I’m wondering, “Ok, now they’re trolling me?!” I smile wryly to myself: it’s a weird way to start the day.
At the nearby Park’N’Ride, there are only two cars parked – half of yesterday’s tally.
On the main thoroughfare to SH2, the white motorhome is still parked on the side of the road. The owners have either decamped, or have parked up and are taking the “Stay where you are” edict seriously.
SH2 has only light, sporadic traffic – and at several points is utterly empty;
.
.
.
I turn right at the Kelson lights turn-off to dump some cardboard at the recycling station. I forgot: the recycling bins for cardboard and glass were removed shortly after Aotearoa went into Level four lockdown. There’s nothing there. Even the remaining two clothing bins have been turned around so people can’t deposit unwanted clothes;
.
.
Back on the motorway there is marginally more traffic near the Melling lights-interection.
.
.
It thins out again, as I proceed further south toward Wellington.
During the half hour drive, I see a police car at Silverstream; another big red coca cola branded truck; STMS (Shepherd Traffic Management System); a Fisher & Paykel truck; a red “Jina’s” fruit and veg van; a Mainfreight double-tandem; an Armourguard car; AEL; Booths Management truck; two Waste Management trucks; two Downer vans; three more Mainfreight trucks; a “Service Foods” branded car; a container-laden truck; a ute marked “Interstall”; two firewood laden trucks at Melling; a Naylor Love van; ambulance; Fulton Hogan truck; a car transport carrying three cars (really? that’s “essential”?!); a scrap metal truck fully laden (again, essential?!); a Gilmour’s truck; Linfox truck; Bidfood truck; and a “V” energy-drink truck.
The Terrace Tunnel is empty save for one on-coming SUV;
.
.
.
It is late morning by now, so what constitutes “rush hour” traffic in these strange times has long since disappeared.
Exiting the tunnel, I get into Wellington and Vivian Street is deserted;
.
.
The only thing missing from the scene is a tumbleweed rolling across the road…
Looking back toward the tunnel, more of the eerie emptiness;
.
.
The “Z” fuel station in Vivian Street has it’s fuel-price board dark for the third or fourth (?) day in a row. Either it doesn’t want to publicise outrageously expensive fuel or the signage has malfunctioned and they’re finding it difficult to get an electrician to repair it;
.
.
Returning to my car, I see three or four vehicles exiting the Terrace Tunnel. For some reason, I find it reassuring;
.
.
The dead quiet – novel at first – starts to wear on the nerves. It is human nature to seek out others and perhaps more so in a city that should be teeming with other people.
It’s just after mid-day. Radio NZ’s Mid Day Report is on; it’s a warm sunny day, and I decide to take the alternative route through Oriental Parade. I want to check out if the beaches are once again beginning to fill up with people.
Oriental Parade has pedestrians strolling the wide walkway with joggers zipping past them. Everyone is valiantly trying to maintain the two metre protocol and (as I discover later that afternoon), the message seems to be getting through.
Both beaches are empty;
.
.
.
And they’re not empty by accident. Two constables are on duty, and I spot them just as they finish chatting with two other people;
.
.
The two are on obvious patrol and are willing to stop for a brief chat. Both agree to pose for a photo and they’re happy when I tell them it’s for The Daily Blog;
.
.
As we part, they thank me. Shaking my head, I reply,
“No, thank you ! Good to see you both here.”
In a way, two constables out on the streets is a return to old-school community policing when, once-upon-a-time (and not that long ago) we had the Bobby On The Beat. Walking amongst us, they are a part of the community. Our community.
It is unfortunate that we need policing resources diverted from their more critical work because some a too complacent to realise the deadly nature of the enemy confronting us. As covid19 cases globally have reached 862,234, with 42,404 deaths, we can’t afford to take this lightly.
Not unless this is the scenario we want for our country;
.
.
Let’s hope the gentle reminders of our police will serve to remind people to behave appropriately. As infectious disease epidemiologist, Jonathan Smith wrote recently;
“Stay strong and in solidarity knowing that what you are doing is saving lives, even as people continue getting sick and dying.
[…]
This outbreak will not be overcome in one grand, sweeping gesture, but rather by the collection of individual choices we make in the coming months. This virus is unforgiving to unwise choices.”
At Evans Bay, I discover that public facilities have been closed for The Duration. The signages states;
“All facilities are closed temporarily to help stop the spread of covid 19.”
It’s obvious of course. The virus is highly infectious and public toilets may facilitate transmission. (A possibility I hadn’t considered until I read the signs. So many things we take for granted…)
At the round-a-bout on Cobham Drive, one of Wellington’s busiest thoroughfares servicing the Airport, the road is again eerily quiet;
.
.
I have to wait a few minutes before vehicles eventually appear;
.
.
What must the residents of Strathmore, Kilbirnie, and Miramar be thinking as air travel becomes practically non-existent, and near-silence descends over their neighbourhoods. Perhaps, if I have time I should find a way to interview some of the locals (without my physical presence, of course!).
Later in the day, as I’m out walking with a client in Strathmore, I begin to notice that nearly everyone is making a concerted effort to observe the two metre rule. Families have begun walking in single-file to lessen their “bubble” as others walk past.
There is plenty of considerate behaviour. No one is taking the mickey.
And another thing that suddenly occurs to me. There are families with young children out on bikes; Big bike for the adults; little bikes for the “littlies”. They’re mostly on the road.
I’ve never seen this before because up till now it has rarely happened. Up till last Wednesday, roads were dominated by vehicles and parents would rarely risk taking their young children out on bikes. But this afternoon, it was a common sight. It was safe. The roads were now for families.
Imagine if that could be the new normal.
.
Current covid19 cases: 708
Number of deaths: 1
.
.
.
.
References
Johns Hopkins University: Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE)
Mediaworks/Newshub: First hearse arrives at Spain’s ice-rink morgue
Elemental: Hold the Line
Business Insider: Spain’s coronavirus crisis is so uncontrollable that some care-home residents have been abandoned or left dead in their beds and Madrid is using an ice rink as a makeshift morgue
RNZ: Covid-19 lockdown – NZers in their 20s are ‘the ones that pass it on’ – PM
Must Read
Elemental: Hold the Line
Previous related blogposts
The Warehouse – where everyone gets a virus
Life in Lock Down: Day 1
Life in Lock Down: Day 2
Life in Lock Down: Day 3
Life in Lock Down: Day 4
Life in Lock Down: Day 5
Life in Lock Down: Day 6
.
.
.
.
This blogpost will be re-published on “Frankly Speaking“. Reader’s comments may be left here (The Daily Blog) or there (Frankly Speaking).
.
= fs =


thedailyblog--2020-04-02--New Zealand’s Government Must Save New Zealand’s Media

I ’ M NOT SURE , after today , if we ’ re going to come through this global pandemic in one piece .
I just don ’ t think this government contains enough decisive individuals to guarantee that what emerges on the other side of this crisis will still be recognisably “ us ” .
Where , for example , was the outrage ; the cold fury ; the swift and ruthless response to the reckless cultural vandalism of the German media conglomerate , Bauer ’ s , decision to destroy the New Zealand magazine industry ?
This government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to protect the people of New Zealand from the worst effects of the Covid-19 virus .
That mandate must go beyond simply looking after their physical well-being .
If it is to mean anything at all , it must extend to emotional and cultural well-being also .
If we are to surrender our civil rights to the broader cause of defeating the virus , then foreign corporations must , likewise , surrender their right to inflict immense economic and cultural harm on New Zealanders ’ simply because it improves their bottom line .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minister of Heritage and Culture , the Finance Minister , and the Attorney-General when we needed them ?
Where was the cease and desist instruction to Bauer ?
Where was the threat of instant nationalisation if it failed to heed the Government ’ s clear directive ?
Where was the reassurance to all of Bauer ’ s New Zealand employees that this nation ’ s most venerable and beloved periodicals would not be permitted to simply blip-off the nation ’ s radar screen like so many downed airliners ?
The answer , of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responses were in evidence .
It impresses me not one whit that Kris Faafoi released a media statement clearly signalling his displeasure at Bauer ’ s decision .
It might have made him feel better , but it did nothing to preserve The Listener , North & South , Metro , and the NZ Woman ’ s Weekly – or the jobs of the journalists , artists , designers and administrators involved in their publication .
New Zealanders are now entitled to know why the need for a functioning national airline ( however @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but the need for a functioning media industry ( without which no democracy can long survive ) was not .
If close to a billion dollars could be diverted more-or-less instantly to the preservation of Air New Zealand , then why wasn ’ t $ 100 million made available to purchase – at the very least – the mastheads and the archives of Bauer ’ s New Zealand operation ?
The preservation of these iconic magazines ’ archives is especially vital .
The NZ Woman ’ s Weekly ’ s first issue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zealand Listener ’ s in 1939 .
The files and back issues of these two , and all the other magazines in Bauer ’ s possession , contain a priceless and irreplaceable record of this country ’ s cultural , social and political history .
To let a boardroom of foreigners living on the other side of the planet consign these taonga to the skip would be a crime .
A truly New Zealand Government would have grasped these issues immediately and moved decisively to stop Bauer in its tracks .
But then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never have acquiesced in the almost complete deregulation of their country ’ s news media in the first place .
It may have been a National Party cabinet minister , Maurice Williamson , who oversaw this process in the early 1990s , but in the nine years that the Labour Party was in control of the country ’ s fortunes not the slightest effort was made to re-regulate the media industry .
Had they done so , New Zealand would never have ended up in the situation where a roomful of German businesspersons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eliminate a swathe of its most iconic publications .
Nor would it be in a position where the fate of its second television network rested in the talons of a bunch of vulture capitalists .
Or , where the future of all its daily newspapers south of Auckland and north of Dunedin depended on the whim of a cabal of Aussie media moguls who really couldn ’ t give a rat ’ s arse whether the Kiwis ’ daily press lives or dies .
What sort of country behaves like this ?
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of country which agrees to lend its national carrier $ 900 million , but then lumbers it with an interest rate roughly twice as high as the current bank rate .
Yes , that ’ s right , Air New Zealand is being charged 9 percent on its majority shareholder ’ s loan .
Why ?
Because , that way , it will be incentivised to follow only the most cold-blooded and ruthless path to recovery .
If the private shareholders in Air New Zealand wish to avoid a complete government takeover of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Nothing could illustrate with more clarity the neoliberal strangle-hold Treasury still has over government decision-making .
Even when the market fails ; even facing the fallout of a global pandemic ; the Treasury boffins are there to ensure that the logic of neoliberalism marches on regardless .
Like the American commander in Vietnam , they will not flinch from the necessity of destroying the village in order to save it .
Any New Zealand Finance Minister looking to Treasury for support as his cultural heritage goes up in flames – will look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks more bad news is almost certain to emerge from New Zealand ’ s collapsing media organisations .
What ’ s needed is a comprehensive rescue plan : something along the lines of a government takeover of the entire industry pending a more considered re-organisation when the pandemic has passed .
Is there no one in the Labour-NZ First-Green Government with the vision and courage to step in and save the single most important guarantee of our democratic political system ?
I know there are tens-of-thousands of New Zealand workers who also need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that many of them will forcefully object that there are more important things to save that a handful of magazines with weak balance-sheets and dwindling readerships .
My answer to them is simple : “ You ’ re right !
And I will be just as loud in my criticism of this government if it fails to protect your jobs .
But , I also know how fragile a nation ’ s culture becomes in moments of crisis .
That ’ s why I am so vehement in my objections to the seeming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ save New Zealand ’ s daily newspapers and its very best periodicals .
Our country is on fire .
The first priority is to get its people safely away from the flames .
The next most important move , however , is to save as much of the people ’ s house and its contents as possible .
To just stand there and watch it burn to the ground , especially when the hoses and water necessary to save it are at hand , would be an unforgiveable dereliction of political duty .

I’M NOT SURE, after today, if we’re going to come through this global pandemic in one piece. I just don’t think this government contains enough decisive individuals to guarantee that what emerges on the other side of this crisis will still be recognisably “us”. Where, for example, was the outrage; the cold fury; the swift and ruthless response to the reckless cultural vandalism of the German media conglomerate, Bauer’s, decision to destroy the New Zealand magazine industry?
This government has voted itself almost unlimited emergency powers to protect the people of New Zealand from the worst effects of the Covid-19 virus. That mandate must go beyond simply looking after their physical well-being. If it is to mean anything at all, it must extend to emotional and cultural well-being also. If we are to surrender our civil rights to the broader cause of defeating the virus, then foreign corporations must, likewise, surrender their right to inflict immense economic and cultural harm on New Zealanders’ simply because it improves their bottom line.
Where were the Prime Minister, the Minister of Heritage and Culture, the Finance Minister, and the Attorney-General when we needed them? Where was the cease and desist instruction to Bauer? Where was the threat of instant nationalisation if it failed to heed the Government’s clear directive? Where was the reassurance to all of Bauer’s New Zealand employees that this nation’s most venerable and beloved periodicals would not be permitted to simply blip-off the nation’s radar screen like so many downed airliners?
The answer, of course, is that none of these responses were in evidence. It impresses me not one whit that Kris Faafoi released a media statement clearly signalling his displeasure at Bauer’s decision. It might have made him feel better, but it did nothing to preserve The Listener, North & South, Metro, and the NZ Woman’s Weekly – or the jobs of the journalists, artists, designers and administrators involved in their publication.
New Zealanders are now entitled to know why the need for a functioning national airline (however shrunken) was accepted by this government, but the need for a functioning media industry (without which no democracy can long survive) was not. If close to a billion dollars could be diverted more-or-less instantly to the preservation of Air New Zealand, then why wasn’t $100 million made available to purchase – at the very least – the mastheads and the archives of Bauer’s New Zealand operation?
The preservation of these iconic magazines’ archives is especially vital. The NZ Woman’s Weekly’s first issue came out in 1932, the New Zealand Listener’s in 1939. The files and back issues of these two, and all the other magazines in Bauer’s possession, contain a priceless and irreplaceable record of this country’s cultural, social and political history. To let a boardroom of foreigners living on the other side of the planet consign these taonga to the skip would be a crime.
A truly New Zealand Government would have grasped these issues immediately and moved decisively to stop Bauer in its tracks. But then, a truly New Zealand Government would never have acquiesced in the almost complete deregulation of their country’s news media in the first place. It may have been a National Party cabinet minister, Maurice Williamson, who oversaw this process in the early 1990s, but in the nine years that the Labour Party was in control of the country’s fortunes not the slightest effort was made to re-regulate the media industry.
Had they done so, New Zealand would never have ended up in the situation where a roomful of German businesspersons could, in one fell stroke, eliminate a swathe of its most iconic publications. Nor would it be in a position where the fate of its second television network rested in the talons of a bunch of vulture capitalists. Or, where the future of all its daily newspapers south of Auckland and north of Dunedin depended on the whim of a cabal of Aussie media moguls who really couldn’t give a rat’s arse whether the Kiwis’ daily press lives or dies.
TDB Recommends NewzEngine.com
What sort of country behaves like this? The answer, sadly, is the sort of country which agrees to lend its national carrier $900 million, but then lumbers it with an interest rate roughly twice as high as the current bank rate. Yes, that’s right, Air New Zealand is being charged 9 percent on its majority shareholder’s loan. Why? Because, that way, it will be incentivised to follow only the most cold-blooded and ruthless path to recovery. If the private shareholders in Air New Zealand wish to avoid a complete government takeover of the airline they will demand nothing less.
Nothing could illustrate with more clarity the neoliberal strangle-hold Treasury still has over government decision-making. Even when the market fails; even facing the fallout of a global pandemic; the Treasury boffins are there to ensure that the logic of neoliberalism marches on regardless. Like the American commander in Vietnam, they will not flinch from the necessity of destroying the village in order to save it. Any New Zealand Finance Minister looking to Treasury for support as his cultural heritage goes up in flames – will look in vain.
Over the next few weeks more bad news is almost certain to emerge from New Zealand’s collapsing media organisations. What’s needed is a comprehensive rescue plan: something along the lines of a government takeover of the entire industry pending a more considered re-organisation when the pandemic has passed. Is there no one in the Labour-NZ First-Green Government with the vision and courage to step in and save the single most important guarantee of our democratic political system?
I know there are tens-of-thousands of New Zealand workers who also need help from their government. I know that many of them will forcefully object that there are more important things to save that a handful of magazines with weak balance-sheets and dwindling readerships. My answer to them is simple: “You’re right! And I will be just as loud in my criticism of this government if it fails to protect your jobs. But, I also know how fragile a nation’s culture becomes in moments of crisis. That’s why I am so vehement in my objections to the seeming unwillingness of Jacinda and her colleagues to save New Zealand’s daily newspapers and its very best periodicals.
Our country is on fire. The first priority is to get its people safely away from the flames. The next most important move, however, is to save as much of the people’s house and its contents as possible. To just stand there and watch it burn to the ground, especially when the hoses and water necessary to save it are at hand, would be an unforgiveable dereliction of political duty.


Youth-adjacent leadership

We ’ re just over a week into our national lockdown in what continues to be some of the most historic developments of our time .
Covid-19 has the world in a state of shock , torment and disarray .
Quite frankly , we have no answers .
Each night as I go about my usual news channel surfing between BBC World , France 24 Live , ABC Australia , Sky News UK and Aljazeera , the stories are all the same .
Doctors expressing their sense of hopelessness , political leaders desperately trying to look calm and people falling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
These are indeed extraordinary times .
NZ has not been exempted by the spread and effects of coronavirus .
Each day the PM and Director General of Health bring the nation up to speed on the numbers of people tested for the disease and messages on how to slow its transmission with the desire to flatten the curve .
The framework of four alert levels was useful in giving people an understanding of where we were headed if the global coronavirus pandemic was to take a real stranglehold in NZ .
Moving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pill to swallow , but in light of what we ’ re seeing overseas , a necessary approach .
PM Jacinda Ardern has done an excellent job of taking the nation with her on accepting the profound effects of a coronavirus outbreak in NZ .
Her messages have been clear and compassionate .
Her public demeanour has been caring and confident .
Her leadership has been exemplary .
There ’ s the adage of ‘ cometh the hour , cometh the leader ’ ( or something like that ) .
Ardern has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Often flanked by the Minister of Finance and Director General of Health , both of these men have also shown the highest levels of competence and commitment .
It has been reassuring to observe .
Ardern is a self described youth-adjacent individual .
A millennial .
She represents a leadership style that is keen to listen , does so with ease and gathers all the evidence .
It ’ s a style that takes on all the advice around her and considers it carefully .
She has the unique ability to present @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is clear , riding on a linguistic tone that espouses empathy and understanding .
She has been quick to address concerns of how particular requirements affect people on the street and how they might be rectified .
Moreover , she believes in what she is doing – as has already been described in a recent post by Grant Robertson – and driven by a genuine concern for New Zealanders .
Her leadership style has arguably been in contrast to some of her international counterparts .
NZ will be a very different place when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And whether that happens in another four weeks or six months , our nation will be very different .
Actually , the world will be very different .
It might be too early to be thinking about how different things will be when we ’ re able to step out of our bubbles but you can already see hints of political leaders trying to encourage some of that thinking .
Just yesterday the government announced that it was looking for ‘ shovel-ready ’ projects that would get companies up and running , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peculiar period .
The time that we get to spend indoors or on our close-to-home jogs in the community , will give us the space to think about what that new , NZ will be like .
Interestingly , the panel of experts the government has asked to look over all the shovel-ready projects , is made up of four , white , men .
In the midst of the greatest international crises of our time , the people who will oversee how we kickstart our construction industry and reboot our economy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are , or more importantly , will be .
True youth-adjacent leadership demands us to rethink and reimagine our approaches .
The other side of this pandemic , for all our sakes , can not and should not look like this side .
The other side needs to be diverse and dynamic ; anchored on equity and focused on climate change .
These will become the foundational pillars of the new NZ we ’ ll be in the next little while .
Admittedly and sadly , there is yet more pain to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ark .
But while it ’ s raining , let ’ s reflect on who we are , and lift our sights to who and what we could be .

We’re just over a week into our national lockdown in what continues to be some of the most historic developments of our time. Covid-19 has the world in a state of shock, torment and disarray. Quite frankly, we have no answers. Each night as I go about my usual news channel surfing between BBC World, France 24 Live, ABC Australia, Sky News UK and Aljazeera, the stories are all the same. Doctors expressing their sense of hopelessness, political leaders desperately trying to look calm and people falling sick. Very sick. Many dying. These are indeed extraordinary times.
NZ has not been exempted by the spread and effects of coronavirus. Each day the PM and Director General of Health bring the nation up to speed on the numbers of people tested for the disease and messages on how to slow its transmission with the desire to flatten the curve. The framework of four alert levels was useful in giving people an understanding of where we were headed if the global coronavirus pandemic was to take a real stranglehold in NZ. Moving through the stages rapidly was a tough pill to swallow, but in light of what we’re seeing overseas, a necessary approach.
PM Jacinda Ardern has done an excellent job of taking the nation with her on accepting the profound effects of a coronavirus outbreak in NZ. Her messages have been clear and compassionate. Her public demeanour has been caring and confident. Her leadership has been exemplary. There’s the adage of ‘cometh the hour, cometh the leader’ (or something like that). Ardern has been just the leader needed for these times. Often flanked by the Minister of Finance and Director General of Health, both of these men have also shown the highest levels of competence and commitment. It has been reassuring to observe.
Ardern is a self described youth-adjacent individual. A millennial. She represents a leadership style that is keen to listen, does so with ease and gathers all the evidence. It’s a style that takes on all the advice around her and considers it carefully. She has the unique ability to present that knowledge and information with language that is clear, riding on a linguistic tone that espouses empathy and understanding. She has been quick to address concerns of how particular requirements affect people on the street and how they might be rectified. Moreover, she believes in what she is doing – as has already been described in a recent post by Grant Robertson – and driven by a genuine concern for New Zealanders. Her leadership style has arguably been in contrast to some of her international counterparts.
NZ will be a very different place when we all come out of lockdown. And whether that happens in another four weeks or six months, our nation will be very different. Actually, the world will be very different. It might be too early to be thinking about how different things will be when we’re able to step out of our bubbles but you can already see hints of political leaders trying to encourage some of that thinking. Just yesterday the government announced that it was looking for ‘shovel-ready’ projects that would get companies up and running, and people employed as we exit this most peculiar period. The time that we get to spend indoors or on our close-to-home jogs in the community, will give us the space to think about what that new, NZ will be like.
Interestingly, the panel of experts the government has asked to look over all the shovel-ready projects, is made up of four, white, men. In the midst of the greatest international crises of our time, the people who will oversee how we kickstart our construction industry and reboot our economy, just don’t reflect the society we are, or more importantly, will be. True youth-adjacent leadership demands us to rethink and reimagine our approaches.
The other side of this pandemic, for all our sakes, cannot and should not look like this side. The other side needs to be diverse and dynamic; anchored on equity and focused on climate change. These will become the foundational pillars of the new NZ we’ll be in the next little while. Admittedly and sadly, there is yet more pain to endure before we make it out of the ark. But while it’s raining, let’s reflect on who we are, and lift our sights to who and what we could be.


thedailyblog--2020-04-03--Life in Lock Down: Day 9

Life in Lock Down: Day 9

Another late-start to my work day .
Everything is temporarily upended as clients are shuffled around so we can minimise our “ bubble ” by reducing the number of people we help .
One of my colleagues has been removed from his clients ; his wife works for a super-market and he helps out with her work as well .
I feel sorry for him .
But it ’ s too much of a risk .
He could easily carry something back to older clients – many of who have some serious underlying medical conditions .
Several would not survive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ usual route , I drive past the Park ’ N ’ Ride carpark : only three cars .
The white motorhome is still parked where I first noticed it on 31 March .
Onto SH2 for the now quick ride into Wellington .
It ’ s around mid-day .
Traffic seems… marginally “ busier ” ?
By “ busier ” , I mean an increase from three of four vehicles on the road with me , to six or eight .
And it seems to be more cars than commercial trucks , vans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s my imagination .
Noting commercial vehicles ; an “ InterGroup ” branded truck carrying a holding tank and heavy pumping equipment ; an ambulance ; a large , empty scrap metal haulage double-tandem truck ( essential ?
!
really ?
! )
; “ Countdown-branded covered truck ; a Highway Patrol police car parked on the side of the motorway ( one of only two police cars I see throughout the entire day ) ; a “ Bidfood ” truck ; “ McFall ” oil tanker truck ; a skip-bin truck ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trucks ; “ ACM ” security truck ; “ Steinlager ” branded truck ; a “ Chemdry ” van ( carpets got ta be cleaned even during a virus apocalypse so we meet our Maker with clean shagpile ) ; “ Frost ” -branded van ; a fire-fighting appliance and fire service van , on the side of the motorway ; two container-hauling trucks ( empty ) ; a “ FMS – Food Machinary ” service van ; “ New World ” branded truck ; a “ Waste Management ” truck ; a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; “ Beaurepaires ” van ; an empty hi-ab flat deck truck ; “ Hirepool ” truck ; more roadworks with “ Fulton Hogan ” vehicles , north of The Terrace tunnel ; a “ Bosco ” heavy-gravel hauling truck ; in the city , a “ Dawson ” s grease-trap truck ; a SCL Wellington ( laboratories ) car ; a MTA car ; a “ Cricket Wellington ” car in Vivian Street .
In Miramar , a van branded with “ Vital ” is parked in a spot and I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there yesterday .
The garish orange colouring makes it hard to blend in with other vehicles nearby and kinda gives it away .
Another individual or business for whom the lock-down is non-applicable ?
On the radio , RNZ was carrying a story that Moodys credit rating agency had left New Zealand ’ s sovereign-rating unchanged .
As a foreign financial website reported ; In its latest review report on New Zealand ’ s ( NZ ) sovereign credit ratings , Moody ’ s Investors Service affirmed the NZ long-term issuer and senior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stable outlook .
“ The drivers behind the rating affirmation include Moody ’ s assessment of New Zealand ’ s strong governance , including sound monetary and fiscal institutions with track records of proactive and effective policymaking .
Moody ’ s expects the New Zealand economy to remain resilient in the face of shocks , given its trade openness , diverse and competitive agricultural export base , flexible labor and product markets , high wealth levels , and favorable demographics , driven by robust migration trends.
” That made me smile .
Aside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like to hear ( because it made the Labour-led government look like sound fiscal managers ) – it stood in stark contrast for when the Key-led government racked up a massive debt of at least $ 71.6 billion by June 2011 – three years after it had taken office .
Splurging on borrowing billions after two unaffordable tax cuts in 2009 and 2010 , two other ratings agencies ( Standard & Poors and Fitch downgraded New Zealand ’ s sovereign credit ratings thereafter .
All the while , the current government will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep the economy afloat .
The lesson from this is simple enough ; the capitalists on Wall Street were not impressed with National having to borrow to sustain their promised tax cuts .
( In effect , National borrowed other people ’ s savings to put money into our back pockets .
A quasi-socialist money transfer under the cloak of “ tax cuts ” . )
The capitalists on Wall Street , however , recognise that the current government is borrowing , not for consumption , but for stimulus .
The difference is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Meanwhile , focusing back on the road… Despite only emergency road works supposedly permitted during the lock down , a roading gang with vehicles was operating just north of the Ngauranga inter4change .
“ Downer ” vans were parked nearby .
Driving in toward the city , a low cloud-fog had enveloped most of the entrance to the harbour and eastern suburbs .
Irony of ironies , even without covid19 , the airport would have been closed this afternoon ; The Terrace Tunnel which , in the last few days was almost empty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least six or eight cars were present any one time as I drove through .
There seemed fewer people on the streets .
Hardly surprising ; it was a gray , over-cast day and entering the city it began to lightly drizzle .
Not a day for a casual stroll through the city , lock down or not .
At Kilbirnie Pak N Save , a client required assistance with their shopping .
This is not a task normally assigned to us – but these are unusual times requiring different solutions .
Even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff , to prevent over-crowding in the supermarket aisles , there were still “ bottlenecks ” ; places where popular products were kept on shelves .
The two-metre phyical distancing rule became also impossible to maintain .
This was not just because a small number ignored the protocol – but because one person in the middle of an aisle effectively blocked it with their two-metre “ bubble ” .
Which was sufficient to give real cause for concern to let smaller retail outlets open , or even larger outlet which had narrower aisles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wasn ’ t just butchers , Jenny Craig , storage facilities , and sundry assorted other businesses clamouring for the coveted title of “ essential service ” .
As of Monday , the Covid-19 website ’ s list of additional services stated : “ Turf maintenance is not considered an essential service and should not be undertaken at this time.
” NZG have asked for essential and critical maintenance to be carried out in a solo manner by an individual , who either lives on course or outside the golf facility .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ save lives here .
Obviously growing grass isn ’ t that , but we ’ re worried about the damage at the end of it , ” Murphy said .
“ If we can do a little bit of essential maintenance by individuals doing solo work , we think that ’ s a reasonable exemption.
” “ Our greens are our babies and if we stay away from those for too long there will be repercussions down the other end with job losses and probably club closures , ” New Zealand Golf Course @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Is there anyone in Aotearoa New Zealand who isn ’ t running an “ essential service ” ?
!
Who is next in line ?
Sex toy shops ?
Oh , wait… it had to happen .
Meanwhile , as some people have yet to understand the full deadly nature of this disease , there are now over a million cases of covid19 worldwide , and nearly 53,000 people have died .
By sheer fortune , we have ( thus far ) escaped the worst of it .
Golf courses can be fixed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peddling its illusory promises of a svelte figure .
None of which is worth a single human life .
Tonight , after I left Wellington , heading home , I realised I could no longer avoid going to the supermarket for my own grocery needs .
Like something out of a Stephen King supernatural thriller , supermarkets have become a place of dread .
Especially as we learn how easily the covid19 virus can be transmitted by a cough or sneeze .
Or even – as it may be the case – by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I “ suit up ” in my most-basic hazmat protective gear : a pair of blue latex gloves and a paper face mask that may or may not work .
And there ’ s three more weeks ( at least ! )
of this to go .
Mediaworks/Newshub : Coronavirus – Exclusion of butchers as essential service will cause ‘ animal welfare crisis ’ says pork sector RNZ : Jenny Craig and storage facility staff told they are essential service Fairfax/Stuff : Coronavirus – Golf clubs could perish if greenkeepers barred from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ breathing or talking may be enough to spread COVID-19 after all RNZ : Covid-19 update – 71 new cases , down from yesterday ’ s high , but clusters increase Democracy Now : Madrid ’ s Ice Rink Turned to Morgue as Spain Exceeds China in Coronavirus Deaths It ’ s official – National is a poor manager of the Economy .
The Warehouse – where everyone gets a virus This blogpost will be re-published in five days on “ Frankly Speaking “ .
Reader ’ s comments may be left here ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Frankly Speaking ) .

.
.
April 3: Day 9 of living in lock-down…
Another late-start to my work day. Everything is temporarily upended as clients are shuffled around so we can minimise our “bubble” by reducing the number of people we help. One of my colleagues has been removed from his clients; his wife works for a super-market and he helps out with her work as well.
I feel sorry for him. But it’s too much of a risk. He could easily carry something back to older clients – many of who have some serious underlying medical conditions. Several would not survive a covid19 infection.
As per my usual route, I drive past the Park’N’Ride carpark: only three cars.
The white motorhome is still parked where I first noticed it on 31 March.
TDB Recommends NewzEngine.com
Onto SH2 for the now quick ride into Wellington. It’s around mid-day. Traffic seems… marginally “busier”? By “busier”, I mean an increase from three of four vehicles on the road with me, to six or eight. And it seems to be more cars than commercial trucks, vans, etc. I hope it’s my imagination.
Noting commercial vehicles; an “InterGroup” branded truck carrying a holding tank and heavy pumping equipment; an ambulance; a large, empty scrap metal haulage double-tandem truck (essential?! really?!); “Countdown-branded covered truck; a Highway Patrol police car parked on the side of the motorway (one of only two police cars I see throughout the entire day); a “Bidfood” truck; “McFall” oil tanker truck; a skip-bin truck (empty); 4 “Mainfreight” trucks; “ACM” security truck; “Steinlager” branded truck; a “Chemdry” van (carpets gotta be cleaned even during a virus apocalypse so we meet our Maker with clean shagpile); “Frost”-branded van; a fire-fighting appliance and fire service van, on the side of the motorway; two container-hauling trucks (empty); a “FMS – Food Machinary” service van; “New World” branded truck; a “Waste Management” truck; a hi-ab truck carting heavy metal/iron machine parts; “Beaurepaires” van; an empty hi-ab flat deck truck; “Hirepool” truck; more roadworks with “Fulton Hogan” vehicles, north of The Terrace tunnel; a “Bosco” heavy-gravel hauling truck; in the city, a “Dawson”s grease-trap truck; a SCL Wellington (laboratories) car; a MTA car; a “Cricket Wellington” car in Vivian Street.
In Miramar, a van branded with “Vital” is parked in a spot and I’m fairly certain it wasn’t there yesterday. The garish orange colouring makes it hard to blend in with other vehicles nearby and kinda gives it away. Another individual or business for whom the lock-down is non-applicable?
On the radio, RNZ was carrying a story that Moodys credit rating agency had left New Zealand’s sovereign-rating unchanged. As a foreign financial website reported;
In its latest review report on New Zealand’s (NZ) sovereign credit ratings, Moody’s Investors Service affirmed the NZ long-term issuer and senior unsecured ratings at Aaa and maintained the stable outlook.
“The drivers behind the rating affirmation include Moody’s assessment of New Zealand’s strong governance, including sound monetary and fiscal institutions with track records of proactive and effective policymaking.
[…]
Moody’s expects the New Zealand economy to remain resilient in the face of shocks, given its trade openness, diverse and competitive agricultural export base, flexible labor and product markets, high wealth levels, and favorable demographics, driven by robust migration trends.”
That made me smile. Aside from not being the news National would like to hear (because it made the Labour-led government look like sound fiscal managers) – it stood in stark contrast for when the Key-led government racked up a massive debt of at least $71.6 billion by June 2011 – three years after it had taken office.
Splurging on borrowing billions after two unaffordable tax cuts in 2009 and 2010, two other ratings agencies (Standard & Poors and Fitch downgraded New Zealand’s sovereign credit ratings thereafter.
All the while, the current government will be borrowing at least $25 billion to keep the economy afloat.
The lesson from this is simple enough; the capitalists on Wall Street were not impressed with National having to borrow to sustain their promised tax cuts. (In effect, National borrowed other people’s savings to put money into our back pockets. A quasi-socialist money transfer under the cloak of “tax cuts”. )
The capitalists on Wall Street, however, recognise that the current government is borrowing, not for consumption, but for stimulus. The difference is subtle, but nevertheless, real.
Meanwhile, focusing back on the road…
Despite only emergency road works supposedly permitted during the lock down, a roading gang with vehicles was operating just north of the Ngauranga inter4change. “Downer” vans were parked nearby.
Driving in toward the city, a low cloud-fog had enveloped most of the entrance to the harbour and eastern suburbs. Irony of ironies, even without covid19, the airport would have been closed this afternoon;
.
.
The Terrace Tunnel which, in the last few days was almost empty, had more traffic today. At least six or eight cars were present any one time as I drove through.
There seemed fewer people on the streets. Hardly surprising; it was a gray, over-cast day and entering the city it began to lightly drizzle. Not a day for a casual stroll through the city, lock down or not.
At Kilbirnie Pak N Save, a client required assistance with their shopping. This is not a task normally assigned to us – but these are unusual times requiring different solutions. Even with careful management by Pak N Save staff, to prevent over-crowding in the supermarket aisles, there were still “bottlenecks”; places where popular products were kept on shelves.
The two-metre phyical distancing rule became also impossible to maintain. This was not just because a small number ignored the protocol – but because one person in the middle of an aisle effectively blocked it with their two-metre “bubble”.
Which was sufficient to give real cause for concern to let smaller retail outlets open, or even larger outlet which had narrower aisles than a supermarket.
Meanwhile, it wasn’t just butchers, Jenny Craig, storage facilities, and sundry assorted other businesses clamouring for the coveted title of “essential service”.
Next in line; golf courses;
As of Monday, the Covid-19 website’s list of additional services stated: “Turf maintenance is not considered an essential service and should not be undertaken at this time.”
NZG have asked for essential and critical maintenance to be carried out in a solo manner by an individual, who either lives on course or outside the golf facility.
[…]
“We know the government is trying to save lives here. Obviously growing grass isn’t that, but we’re worried about the damage at the end of it,” Murphy said.
“If we can do a little bit of essential maintenance by individuals doing solo work, we think that’s a reasonable exemption.”
[…]
“Our greens are our babies and if we stay away from those for too long there will be repercussions down the other end with job losses and probably club closures,” New Zealand Golf Course Superintendents Association president Steve Hodson said.
Is there anyone in Aotearoa New Zealand who isn’t running an “essential service”?!
Who is next in line? Sex toy shops?
Oh, wait… it had to happen.
Meanwhile, as some people have yet to understand the full deadly nature of this disease, there are now over a million cases of covid19 worldwide, and nearly 53,000 people have died.
By sheer fortune, we have (thus far) escaped the worst of it.
Golf courses can be fixed up. Jenny Craig can temporarily halt peddling its illusory promises of a svelte figure. None of which is worth a single human life.
Tonight, after I left Wellington, heading home, I realised I could no longer avoid going to the supermarket for my own grocery needs. Like something out of a Stephen King supernatural thriller, supermarkets have become a place of dread. Especially as we learn how easily the covid19 virus can be transmitted by a cough or sneeze. Or even – as it may be the case – by exhaling.
For the second time today, I “suit up” in my most-basic hazmat protective gear: a pair of blue latex gloves and a paper face mask that may or may not work.
And there’s three more weeks (at least!) of this to go.
.
Current covid19 cases: 868
Number of deaths: 1
.
.
.
.
References
FX Street: Moody’s affirms New Zealand’s Aaa rating, maintains stable outlook – NZD/USD retests highs
Fairfax/Stuff media: Government debt rises to $71.6 billion
New Zealand Debt Management Office: New Zealand Sovereign Credit Ratings
Fairfax/Stuff media: Coronavirus – Government doubles borrowing forecast as economy worsens
Mediaworks/Newshub: Coronavirus – Exclusion of butchers as essential service will cause ‘animal welfare crisis’ says pork sector
RNZ: Jenny Craig defends stance as essential service
RNZ: Jenny Craig and storage facility staff told they are essential service
Fairfax/Stuff: Coronavirus – Golf clubs could perish if greenkeepers barred from caring for greens
Adult Toy Mega Store
RNZ: Covid-19 – Confirmed global cases pass one million
Science News: Just breathing or talking may be enough to spread COVID-19 after all
RNZ: Covid-19 update – 71 new cases, down from yesterday’s high, but clusters increase
Must Read
Elemental: Hold the Line
Democracy Now: Madrid’s Ice Rink Turned to Morgue as Spain Exceeds China in Coronavirus Deaths
Previous related blogposts
Questionable assumptions ‘bad for small democracies’
It’s official – National is a poor manager of the Economy.
The Warehouse – where everyone gets a virus
Life in Lock Down: Day 1
Life in Lock Down: Day 2
Life in Lock Down: Day 3
Life in Lock Down: Day 4
Life in Lock Down: Day 5
Life in Lock Down: Day 6
Life in Lock Down: Day 7
Life in Lock Down: Day 7 (sanitised version)
Life in Lock Down: Day 8
Life in Lock Down: Day 8 (sanitised version)
.
.
.
Acknowledgement: Rod Emmerson
.
This blogpost will be re-published on “Frankly Speaking“. Reader’s comments may be left here (The Daily Blog) or there (Frankly Speaking).
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= fs =


thedailyblog--2020-04-03--REDUNDANCY RIGHTS FOR ALL WORKERS NOW!

REDUNDANCY RIGHTS FOR ALL WORKERS NOW!

Over the years , Unite Union has fought for better redundancy terms for our workers at Skycity .
Many tens @ @ @ @ @ New Zealand will now lose their jobs without this cushion .
Unite argues for the @ @ @ @ @ rights for all workers by the Labour led Government , as this is also their @ @ @ @ @ I would like to tautoko the work of former Labour Party MP Darien Fentonwho tried @ @ @ @ @ law many years ago .
4 by 2 for all .

Over the years, Unite Union has fought for better redundancy terms for our workers at Skycity.
Many tens of thousands of workers in New Zealand will now lose their jobs without this cushion. Unite argues for the immediate provision of statutory redundancy rights for all workers by the Labour led Government, as this is also their own party policy.
Here I would like to tautoko the work of former Labour Party MP Darien Fentonwho tried to get this passed into law many years ago. 4 by 2 for all.