Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: The Cullen investment

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  • Russell Brown,

    Just getting y'all started ...

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Dowden,

    You can't be tempted by a replacement?

    BTW Kevin has beaten John to it

    Canberra • Since Dec 2007 • 38 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    BTW Kevin has beaten John to it

    Except he's gone for the plan National rejected: a single monolithic PPP. These things always seem easier in Australia.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Sam F,

    We saw various traders' trucks in Point Chevalier at 10am on Sunday morning, collecting anything metallic. If you could stick a magnet to it it was gone within hours onto the back of a truck, baled up with old bike frames, car bodywork, fridges...

    My folks' neighbour put out two old aluminium windows. They took the metal and left the panes of glass on the verge. There was as a result very little left on the verges at all, except for the real garbage. As a sometime greenie I would have found it encouraging if the broader ramifications weren't so freaking scary.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1611 posts Report Reply

  • Matthew Poole,

    Related to the recycling theme, 'Spy' plane to identify Christchurch energy wasters says Granny. Weren't we assured that this kind of "Nanny State-ism" was a thing of the past now that that meddling Aunty Helen Klark is gone?

    Auckland • Since Mar 2007 • 4097 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    We saw various traders' trucks in Point Chevalier at 10am on Sunday morning, collecting anything metallic.

    Yeah, we saw the same thing.

    As a sometime greenie I would have found it encouraging if the broader ramifications weren't so freaking scary.

    Yep. Like I said, it was different this time.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Kyle Matthews,

    Related to the recycling theme, 'Spy' plane to identify Christchurch energy wasters says Granny.

    I found using a plane to spot energy wasters kinda silly.

    Surely a balloon with the camera attached to the bottom would do the trick? And use about 100th of the energy?

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report Reply

  • Josh Addison,

    Two years ago, the inorganic colelction came just after we'd moved into our house, giving us the perfect opportunity to haul out a lifetime's worth of rubbish the previous owners had stuffed under the deck.
    We also put out the old BBQ they'd left behind, which was little more than a heap of rust. We were then a little surprised when the heap was snatched up right quick, but the perfectly sturdy and serviceable wooden trolley it was mounted in was left behind. Weird.

    Onehunga, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 298 posts Report Reply

  • Emma Hart,

    I found using a plane to spot energy wasters kinda silly.

    All kinds of irony, especially seeing as the council has just restricted elligibility to insulation subsidies. Though most of those 'wasting' households will be rental properties anyway.

    The thing that got me was Tracey Island.

    Ours is still in the pile of masses of half-munted toys we keep for other people's kids. Which is a fairly transparent excuse for not being able to bear to part with them.

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 4651 posts Report Reply

  • Matthew Poole,

    seeing as the council has just restricted elligibility to insulation subsidies.

    Ah, so they'll shame people without giving them access to funding to rectify the issue? Bravo.

    This would be a great way to identify starting points for the national insulation fund. Oh, right, ignore that. Fucking National :/

    Auckland • Since Mar 2007 • 4097 posts Report Reply

  • Lucy Stewart,

    Though most of those 'wasting' households will be rental properties anyway.

    We have been blessed with a landlord who had insulation installed in the walls and floor, and by God, is it ever going to make a difference to our power bill this winter. It makes the various cut-backs to insulation subsidy schemes seem criminal - and on the back of rising power prices, too.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2105 posts Report Reply

  • James Green,

    The spy plane idea seems silly, or at least the shaming part of it. I'd be really happy, however, if someone was to offer free infra-red photography so I could find any obvious heat leaks I've failed to plug. Why not offer it to people who want to insulate?

    Limerick, Ireland • Since Nov 2006 • 703 posts Report Reply

  • Zippy Gonzales,

    Zeppelins are making a comeback.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 186 posts Report Reply

  • Lyndon Hood,

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1115 posts Report Reply

  • Kyle Matthews,

    seeing as the council has just restricted elligibility to insulation subsidies.

    Oh that's double classy then.

    Rodney Hide really needs to get in and sort these councils out *cough*

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report Reply

  • Matthew Poole,

    Cullen To Chair NZ Post And Kiwibank

    DPF, much as I disagree with him on most things, makes the valid point on Facebook that it's pretty outrageous to do this while Cullen's still an MP on the Opposition benches. Isn't being an MP a disqualifier from holding such offices? If it's not, it really ought to be.

    Auckland • Since Mar 2007 • 4097 posts Report Reply

  • Danielle,

    Waitakere has changed its inorganic collection process - you now pay eleven dollars to book a collection some time in the two weeks they cover your neighbourhood, and you stack all your stuff *within* your property. They come inside your fence and get it all on the booked day.

    It makes everything look much tidier, but I always liked the way people came and collected stuff from the piles by the street. At least our junk is doing someone some good that way.

    Charo World. Cuchi-cuchi!… • Since Nov 2006 • 3828 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    DPF, much as I disagree with him on most things, makes the valid point on Facebook that it's pretty outrageous to do this while Cullen's still an MP on the Opposition benches. Isn't being an MP a disqualifier from holding such offices? If it's not, it really ought to be.

    But he won't be an MP when he takes up the posts.

    And besides, reading the Kiwiblog regulars' anguished howls of betrayal is priceless .

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • insider outsider,

    i'm with Russell on Tracey Island. We got rid of ours recently - a sad moment and it was second hand.

    As for Christchurch, more southern madness. This illustrates the dangers of a supercity even more. THe council should not be trying to manage people's lifestyles in such a way and, from what I have read, on some shaky assiumptions. If our central people find this kind of analysis difficult why would trust some council officer.

    A good example of unnecessary rates expense

    nz • Since May 2007 • 142 posts Report Reply

  • Danyl Mclauchlan,

    Isn't being an MP a disqualifier from holding such offices? If it's not, it really ought to be.

    I imagine he'll announce his resignation later today. He probably won't be an opposition MP when he takes up the new roles.

    Kiwiblog is going crazy!

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 927 posts Report Reply

  • Matthew Poole,

    But he won't be an MP when he takes up the posts.

    That does make sense. I had wondered.

    And besides, reading the Kiwiblog regulars' anguished howls of betrayal is priceless .

    Dare I venture into that foetid cesspit, even for the purposes of self-indulgent amusement?
    One of the comments following up DPF's post on FB is "And now there's one less jonh Key on my facebook. What a way to thank his supporters." Way to spit the dummy. English's ascension is looking more certain by the day :P

    Auckland • Since Mar 2007 • 4097 posts Report Reply

  • Lucy Stewart,

    Zeppelins are making a comeback.

    Excellent. I'm just about ready for an alternate universe, this one's getting a bit run-down.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2105 posts Report Reply

  • Tom Semmens,

    "Dare I venture into that foetid cesspit, even for the purposes of self-indulgent amusement?"



    Dooooooooooo eeeeeeeeeet!

    Sevilla, Espana • Since Nov 2006 • 2217 posts Report Reply

  • Graeme Edgeler,

    Isn't being an MP a disqualifier from holding such offices?

    This section of the Electoral Act is as close as you get:

    55 How vacancies created

    (1) The seat of any member of Parliament shall become vacant—

    ...

    (e) if he or she becomes a public servant ...

    Wellington, New Zealand • Since Nov 2006 • 3215 posts Report Reply

  • Matthew Poole,

    Cheers, Graeme. That's the provision that was lurking in the back of my mind.

    Auckland • Since Mar 2007 • 4097 posts Report Reply

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