Excellent article Nick. Those two robots need to be turned off and scrapped immediately. It’s a tragically predictable response from Seymour to the schools doing something constructive for their communities. Seymour is hilariously tragically evil.
Don't forget, that although "average" inflation is 3.1%, the things that poorer people have to spend wages on have increased at a faster rate so this is even worse for minimum wage earners. I think RBNZ might have a "personal inflation calculator" where you put in what you spend your money on and it calculates how much your spending has had to increase (Must go check that!)
I hope that ALL workers on minimum wage at very least ask their employer why they won't pay living wage - if every single worker at least asked the question then we might see a slow shift to better pay.
I am a shareholder of a few small businesses, and this has actually prompted me to check in with each of them to make sure they pay living wage as a minimum - they SHOULD be, but I have assumed without actually checking! So, now I will. If I find any of them not paying Living Wage I will be surprised, but then motivated to make them change
Oh yes Marilyn, you’re quite correct. There is a risk and it’s important to weigh that up for ourselves.
I think of all the non-disclosure agreements that the former-CEO of Te Whatu Ora / Health NZ Margie Apa insisted staff signed on the behest of the Professor of ‘milk of human kindness’ Lester Levy.
Those who could walk away did so, holding their heads high, with their integrity intact.
There will be some still working within Health NZ who may be considering being a whistle blower, but I imagine it’s a very hard thing to do…to expose oneself to such a toxic work culture and ‘management’ practices.
It won’t be everyone’s cup of tea to ask difficult questions. Just like it is not my cup of tea to work inside a prison. I take my hat off to the men and women who can be a corrections officer.
And if their employer says they can't afford to pay the living wage, the next question is: are you comfortable that your workers are effectively subsidising your business?
A great question Maxine. An intelligent and interesting question stretches us; challenges us; invites us to draw more deeply on our knowledge, understandings and our values.
And yes, a great question like the one you suggest being asked might make some feel uncomfortable! And that’s okay in my book.
When someone asks me a great question, I usually need to pause and reflect, and to think more about my answer.
And so, it’s no surprise that I enjoy the act and process of reflection. This really asks more of me that any simple question might require.
In this crazy, busy world, seemingly dominated by the weird and destructive actions of a few loose cannons…more space and time set aside for reflection (before any automatic, hasty or habitual response) is a healthier opportunity to give ourselves (and others)!
Thank you again for the excellent question you pose 🙏
The power that the marginal political parties have over decision makers has made me angry and disappointed in the coalition leadership. Brooke and David are motivated to disempower and criminalise people in need and make it easier to exploit them for corporate and commercial control. It stinks!
I always find it interesting that those sort of ideas get so much support from the public - similar to "protecting" landlords. Given only a small proportion of the population own businesses or own rental properties, how come they can convince another 30 or 40% of people to support their position?
I get that - but surely at some point they realise the club is closed to them, always was and always will be - are they then too invested to turn away - has it become an integtal part of their very being? I do see MAGA influencers turning on Trump, so maybe there is a glimmer of hope that people will realise they were duped and.turn against the 1%
The sooner people are educated to realise that we exist in a society where the wealthy and 'sorted' have decided to intensify the 'class sruggle', and mass impoverishment, the sooner we can remove their parasitic representatives from political power.
Surely it could not be more obvious - any vote for the Right is a vote to destroy humanity as we can clearly see from the economic performance of the present lot! We can only rely on shared resources, no super elite rich and sorted will consider sharing anything they have, all the while they rely on human support for all their needs and desires.
I am really interested why so many people are convinced to vote Right, when it is against their own best interests - how do the Right keep managing to get 30% of people to vote for them when only 10 to 20% ever really benefit? How do we actually get that 30% to finally open their eyes to the fact they are being lied to and manipulated, by the rich and sorted, who laugh all the way to the bank (and to the bach/boat/BMW)
Having said that, I benefit financially from the Right's selfish decisions, but I vote against my own best interests by voting Left - but that is because there is way more than money to a good life and having a good society to live in requires less inequality, not more
I would suggest Martin, that people are deceived by two aspects - One being the political spin and propaganda, and two the competitive and overwhelming flood of other diversion interests. Examples being sport, entertainment, fashion etc. Just more on the same - eat cake and be happy, as there is plenty on money in the system, at last RBNZ count $166 billion in household deposit accounts!
It is hard enough to.counter spin and propaganda, as presenting actual facts doesnt even seem to work anymore, in the alternative-fact world Trump helped ceeate, but countering "cake" - impossible in a consumer society until we are all too broke to eat the cake we like
Are these numpties to stupid to realise that we peasants spend all our money. It then keeps circulating so the sorted and govt can clip the ticket on the way past. We don't spend money overseas, we don't spend money on non income earning beach houses, we don't hide it away in tax free havens.
Covid should have taught us all that a functioning society very much depends on those who toil away on the minimum or living wage, doing difficult, essential and sometimes unpleasant work, or in all weathers, for the benefit of everyone. Time Seymour and Van Vampire developed some decency and respect for those they choose to pretty well ignore.
It is amazing how many politicians of the likes of Seymour and Van Velden this coalition govt has in its ranks. Have never seen such a collection of incompetent, corrupt, uncaring and entitled hypocrites. Trust those voting this year wake up in time to ditch them all.
It’s very hard to express the disgust, the anger, the frustration, disbelief and despair that Seymour and BVV are causing among desperate people who only want the right to be treated as if they’re actually human beings and not “social benefit units” or unworthy of care, respect and dignity, by the
apparently very superior and very self important, self serving members of the ACT party who really don’t give a damn about anything other than spreading their Atlas Network propaganda to the masses, (or the more worthy ones, anyway).
You’re right Nick. Foolish Games is indeed a beautiful song. I bought the CD on the strength of it and have loved it for years. You’re also right in saying that DS and BVV don’t deserve it or anything else but our disdain and disrespect for everything they stand for.
You picked my least liked politician - Brooke Van Velden. The minimum wage increase is pathetic and we all said so when she announced it. But that's been the pattern of this government. You have to go back to the Labour led government to see minimum wage increases of 5%+. And oh the wailing from Business. "We can't afford it ; it's going to ruin us". There are other things coming on 1 April ; Kiwisaver contributions increase to 3.5% which means a take home pay cut for most. And the annual government tax credit is halved. Workers on "total remuneration" contracts (where the employer contribution is taken from the total salary) will see a significant reduction in take-home pay as their contributions rise. Pensions and those on benefits will get a small increase on 1 April based on the higher of the Consumer Price Index (inflation) or the average wage growth (net average wage).
She really is just awful Russ. She has that totally superior look on her face constantly and shows little emotion. She's like a plastic talking doll. It's quite clear that she has very little empathy for others and it would be interesting to learn of her background. To be so passively uncaring at a young age is unusual I think.
I was so offended by Nicola's example of the cleaner coming from South Auckland to clean the airport. Cleaners are everywhere ; they dont all live in South Auckland, they are low paid, pretty near to minimum wage, and there's a whole lot of workers in South Auckland and the rest of the country who she doesnt give a toss about.
Yes Darien. Sadly I think not many employees understand total remuneration packages in their Individual Employment Contracts. And even if they do, in recent weak job markets are not in a position to negotiate.
Excellent article Nick. I absolutely despise ACT, we get the big rant from Seymour regarding the school meals and yet when Chris Bishop helped himself to the money designated for Kainga Ora and used it for his pedestrian bridge, Hypocrite Seymour said nothing. The country can't afford another 3 years of their crap.
As much as I despise ACT (a lot) never forget it was the 'superior negotiating powers' of the National Party, Mr Luxon, who gave them and NZF so much power.
🤦🤮 Sometimes seems "the world" (as in politicians 🤷) has gone to hell in a handbasket, with all the worst people either being elected or accumulating such obscene (and unearned) wealth that they can dictate to the worst people their selfish and anti-democracy agendas 🤬 But 💯% the obscenity of the ACT party having such power is due to ONE person - our weak-as-dishwater pretend PM who gave up ALL of his own power just to get the empty title. What has HE actually done ⁉️ He has no portfolios, no discernible leadership, no back bone, no empathy, no redeeming qualities that are on show for the top job in govt (at least in most previous govts that is 🤔) which means these horrible ACT & NZLast people know they can say and do the most unforgiveable things for Cabinet Ministers & have complete impunity from any quarter, except possibly the electors 😱
🤞🤞🤞 They & their Nats govt mates need to be comprehensively dumped this year, or I fear their damage will be compounded & entrenched - when I feel such despair I try to turn it into RESOLVE to do my bit to ditch the 💉in '26 💪
Excellent article Nick. Those two robots need to be turned off and scrapped immediately. It’s a tragically predictable response from Seymour to the schools doing something constructive for their communities. Seymour is hilariously tragically evil.
He is like a smug version of Mr. Punch, from Punch and Judy, punching down on everyone he considers beneath him (almost everyone it seems)
How about 8% from the 8% ATLAS funded party.
Vote these pricks out in 26
Don't forget, that although "average" inflation is 3.1%, the things that poorer people have to spend wages on have increased at a faster rate so this is even worse for minimum wage earners. I think RBNZ might have a "personal inflation calculator" where you put in what you spend your money on and it calculates how much your spending has had to increase (Must go check that!)
I hope that ALL workers on minimum wage at very least ask their employer why they won't pay living wage - if every single worker at least asked the question then we might see a slow shift to better pay.
Excellent points you raise Martin. Speaking up and asking questions is an empowering way to live one’s life
I am a shareholder of a few small businesses, and this has actually prompted me to check in with each of them to make sure they pay living wage as a minimum - they SHOULD be, but I have assumed without actually checking! So, now I will. If I find any of them not paying Living Wage I will be surprised, but then motivated to make them change
Join the Living Wage movement. They have a list of accredited employers. It's free to have a look.
Agree but it could be considered to be dangerous strategy with no notice/no reason sacking and a weak employment market.
Oh yes Marilyn, you’re quite correct. There is a risk and it’s important to weigh that up for ourselves.
I think of all the non-disclosure agreements that the former-CEO of Te Whatu Ora / Health NZ Margie Apa insisted staff signed on the behest of the Professor of ‘milk of human kindness’ Lester Levy.
Those who could walk away did so, holding their heads high, with their integrity intact.
There will be some still working within Health NZ who may be considering being a whistle blower, but I imagine it’s a very hard thing to do…to expose oneself to such a toxic work culture and ‘management’ practices.
It won’t be everyone’s cup of tea to ask difficult questions. Just like it is not my cup of tea to work inside a prison. I take my hat off to the men and women who can be a corrections officer.
There is dignity in whatever we choose to do.
And if their employer says they can't afford to pay the living wage, the next question is: are you comfortable that your workers are effectively subsidising your business?
A great question Maxine. An intelligent and interesting question stretches us; challenges us; invites us to draw more deeply on our knowledge, understandings and our values.
And yes, a great question like the one you suggest being asked might make some feel uncomfortable! And that’s okay in my book.
When someone asks me a great question, I usually need to pause and reflect, and to think more about my answer.
And so, it’s no surprise that I enjoy the act and process of reflection. This really asks more of me that any simple question might require.
In this crazy, busy world, seemingly dominated by the weird and destructive actions of a few loose cannons…more space and time set aside for reflection (before any automatic, hasty or habitual response) is a healthier opportunity to give ourselves (and others)!
Thank you again for the excellent question you pose 🙏
The power that the marginal political parties have over decision makers has made me angry and disappointed in the coalition leadership. Brooke and David are motivated to disempower and criminalise people in need and make it easier to exploit them for corporate and commercial control. It stinks!
I always find it interesting that those sort of ideas get so much support from the public - similar to "protecting" landlords. Given only a small proportion of the population own businesses or own rental properties, how come they can convince another 30 or 40% of people to support their position?
The other 30-40% are green-eyed wannabes of the 1% wealthy club
I get that - but surely at some point they realise the club is closed to them, always was and always will be - are they then too invested to turn away - has it become an integtal part of their very being? I do see MAGA influencers turning on Trump, so maybe there is a glimmer of hope that people will realise they were duped and.turn against the 1%
The sooner people are educated to realise that we exist in a society where the wealthy and 'sorted' have decided to intensify the 'class sruggle', and mass impoverishment, the sooner we can remove their parasitic representatives from political power.
Surely it could not be more obvious - any vote for the Right is a vote to destroy humanity as we can clearly see from the economic performance of the present lot! We can only rely on shared resources, no super elite rich and sorted will consider sharing anything they have, all the while they rely on human support for all their needs and desires.
I am really interested why so many people are convinced to vote Right, when it is against their own best interests - how do the Right keep managing to get 30% of people to vote for them when only 10 to 20% ever really benefit? How do we actually get that 30% to finally open their eyes to the fact they are being lied to and manipulated, by the rich and sorted, who laugh all the way to the bank (and to the bach/boat/BMW)
Having said that, I benefit financially from the Right's selfish decisions, but I vote against my own best interests by voting Left - but that is because there is way more than money to a good life and having a good society to live in requires less inequality, not more
You can say the same about people in the USA who consistently vote for the Republicans. It makes zero sense!
I would suggest Martin, that people are deceived by two aspects - One being the political spin and propaganda, and two the competitive and overwhelming flood of other diversion interests. Examples being sport, entertainment, fashion etc. Just more on the same - eat cake and be happy, as there is plenty on money in the system, at last RBNZ count $166 billion in household deposit accounts!
It is hard enough to.counter spin and propaganda, as presenting actual facts doesnt even seem to work anymore, in the alternative-fact world Trump helped ceeate, but countering "cake" - impossible in a consumer society until we are all too broke to eat the cake we like
Well said Martin
More good work, Nick,keeping us up to date on the news from the home front.
I believe that schools should take an executive decision on what to do with leftover food.
Ignore the likes of Seymour or van Velden who have never experienced hunger.
Waste not want not
Are these numpties to stupid to realise that we peasants spend all our money. It then keeps circulating so the sorted and govt can clip the ticket on the way past. We don't spend money overseas, we don't spend money on non income earning beach houses, we don't hide it away in tax free havens.
Covid should have taught us all that a functioning society very much depends on those who toil away on the minimum or living wage, doing difficult, essential and sometimes unpleasant work, or in all weathers, for the benefit of everyone. Time Seymour and Van Vampire developed some decency and respect for those they choose to pretty well ignore.
It is amazing how many politicians of the likes of Seymour and Van Velden this coalition govt has in its ranks. Have never seen such a collection of incompetent, corrupt, uncaring and entitled hypocrites. Trust those voting this year wake up in time to ditch them all.
It’s very hard to express the disgust, the anger, the frustration, disbelief and despair that Seymour and BVV are causing among desperate people who only want the right to be treated as if they’re actually human beings and not “social benefit units” or unworthy of care, respect and dignity, by the
apparently very superior and very self important, self serving members of the ACT party who really don’t give a damn about anything other than spreading their Atlas Network propaganda to the masses, (or the more worthy ones, anyway).
You’re right Nick. Foolish Games is indeed a beautiful song. I bought the CD on the strength of it and have loved it for years. You’re also right in saying that DS and BVV don’t deserve it or anything else but our disdain and disrespect for everything they stand for.
BVV sounds like a disease.
She is.
You picked my least liked politician - Brooke Van Velden. The minimum wage increase is pathetic and we all said so when she announced it. But that's been the pattern of this government. You have to go back to the Labour led government to see minimum wage increases of 5%+. And oh the wailing from Business. "We can't afford it ; it's going to ruin us". There are other things coming on 1 April ; Kiwisaver contributions increase to 3.5% which means a take home pay cut for most. And the annual government tax credit is halved. Workers on "total remuneration" contracts (where the employer contribution is taken from the total salary) will see a significant reduction in take-home pay as their contributions rise. Pensions and those on benefits will get a small increase on 1 April based on the higher of the Consumer Price Index (inflation) or the average wage growth (net average wage).
Hi Darien, Van Velden has a dark heart. Seems soulless to me. Has zero empathy and as such should be nowhere near the levers of power.
She really is just awful Russ. She has that totally superior look on her face constantly and shows little emotion. She's like a plastic talking doll. It's quite clear that she has very little empathy for others and it would be interesting to learn of her background. To be so passively uncaring at a young age is unusual I think.
Hi Cheryl it's the eyes for me, soulless and totally lacking emotion
Totally agree.
And of course fuel taxes, vehicle registration increases etc and now of course huge petrol cost increases for those who MUST use their vehicles...
I was so offended by Nicola's example of the cleaner coming from South Auckland to clean the airport. Cleaners are everywhere ; they dont all live in South Auckland, they are low paid, pretty near to minimum wage, and there's a whole lot of workers in South Auckland and the rest of the country who she doesnt give a toss about.
Convenient stereotyping..
Yes Darien. Sadly I think not many employees understand total remuneration packages in their Individual Employment Contracts. And even if they do, in recent weak job markets are not in a position to negotiate.
Van Velden is a poster girl for how MMP has failed the nation.
What the hell is wrong with that woman and Seymour? Neither of those two or any of the Act MPs have an empathetic bone in their bodies.
Excellent article Nick. I absolutely despise ACT, we get the big rant from Seymour regarding the school meals and yet when Chris Bishop helped himself to the money designated for Kainga Ora and used it for his pedestrian bridge, Hypocrite Seymour said nothing. The country can't afford another 3 years of their crap.
As much as I despise ACT (a lot) never forget it was the 'superior negotiating powers' of the National Party, Mr Luxon, who gave them and NZF so much power.
🤦🤮 Sometimes seems "the world" (as in politicians 🤷) has gone to hell in a handbasket, with all the worst people either being elected or accumulating such obscene (and unearned) wealth that they can dictate to the worst people their selfish and anti-democracy agendas 🤬 But 💯% the obscenity of the ACT party having such power is due to ONE person - our weak-as-dishwater pretend PM who gave up ALL of his own power just to get the empty title. What has HE actually done ⁉️ He has no portfolios, no discernible leadership, no back bone, no empathy, no redeeming qualities that are on show for the top job in govt (at least in most previous govts that is 🤔) which means these horrible ACT & NZLast people know they can say and do the most unforgiveable things for Cabinet Ministers & have complete impunity from any quarter, except possibly the electors 😱
🤞🤞🤞 They & their Nats govt mates need to be comprehensively dumped this year, or I fear their damage will be compounded & entrenched - when I feel such despair I try to turn it into RESOLVE to do my bit to ditch the 💉in '26 💪