The situation of advising from the sidelines is well known to nursing. Consistently directors of nursing are moved to advisory positions where they provide endless advice which is generally ignored on the grounds of budgetary constraints. This means in effect that nursing which holds legal accountability for its practice has little control over the conditions in which it delivers services. Unsafe staffing levels being a core example. It will be exactly the same for disability advice. As Nick says; every day I wake up and think it cannot get worse...and most days it does. Thanks Nick for your tireless energy but my growing feeling is we all need to do more but its hard to know how best to do it.
Jenny, you are so right about the flaws in the 'advice' model and things getting worse each day. The networks that used to exist, that fostered action, are largely broken and it's hard to get a handle on how to stand against what's happening.
Tautoko Jenny. I am also despairing. With the findings of the Royal commission right in front of us offering so many stories of advice into the future of health care and the role of us as nurses I cannot believe we are at this place now. Already I am hearing stories of funding freezes and halts on admissions to community providers. This then will put more strain on secondary services. An applalling tine in our history.
Utterly disgraceful and beyond comprehension. Those National voters in the motu should be ashamed to have ushered in such appallingly callous government. Upston deserves to be publicly vilified for the rest of her time on this earth. Such a callous disregard for our most vulnerable citizens.
You’re correct Nick - every day something unbelievably bad happens! People are hurt, deeply wounded, by the behaviour of our elected representatives, whose task is to care for, and protect all of us!! Are we living on a foreign planet? How did this eventuate?
I agree Judith. I said to someone yesterday that this isn't my Aotearoa. It's some alternate universe where the bullies get to kick, and kick, and kick whomever they please 🥺
Totally agree Judith, I just feel unbelievably sad at what’s going on in our beautiful Aotearoa as this crowd of alien bully’s decide daily who and what they can destroy next 🥲🥲🥲
I feel like the coalition needs to be sent to /dev/null at this point.
So many people fail to realise they are only one layoff away from being on a benefit or one diagnosis away from disability. Basic morality means we should care even if not directly affected, but if you can't manage that then at least have some self-interest!
Yes as the song says 'there but for fortune go you or I.' Many smug folk who currently have had good fortune don't seem to get that at all. The 'I've worked hard for what I've got ' brigade!!
I worked in the disability sector for 13 years as a Service Manager. Parents whose expectations of the support for their offspring in services are now thwarted will not stay silent once this news and the repercussions sink in. This is a heartless vindicative government run by fools and idiots who ignore or don't read evidence or listen to submissions to select committees. It is the way of fascist governments to silence the people by overwhelming them with changes by legislating and changing systems as fast as they can, all the while ignoring the democratic process. We cannot ignore these cruel actions even though we would like to for our own well being.
It can't hurt, but only Parliament decides on votes of no confidence. The GG can't act independently of that. And of course turkeys don't vote against themselves and these turkeys have the numbers.
Good morning, Nick (if there is such a thing under this coalition). For a moment I hoped that Whaikaha CEO Paula Tesoriero would give Louise Upston a well-deserved broadside when interviewed together on TV. But Paula’s stunned expression probably indicated that she is under strict marching orders. It certainly came across as a public beheading. Vile stuff indeed from Luxon’s Ice Queen.
Deplorable! It was another of their ‘independent’ inquiries that justified their latest attack - where does the coal-ition find theses inquisitors (medieval Spain?), and when will media start pointing out that the evidence has all the credibility of a Curia Poll (that’s not being covered in MSM either).
My biggest horror in this entire phase of Rsole govt is that they appear to be appealing directly to a certain type of sociopath voter, as if they know there are lots of them out there. I most sincerely hope they are wrong, and if they are not we will find out in 2026 I guess. Not sure if i would be able to cope if they are returned to power in any shape or form. The fear of THAT happening and knowing that I live surrounded by these types of people is real.
We've been worn down by the continuing cruelty of these sociopaths to the extent that we cannot fight back. Sadly I'm surrounded by people whose attitude is "we don't want to talk about politics". 10 months in and they've slashed and burned the caring society, helped by a fast asleep msm owned by big business. I'm in despair, to be honest. How do we fight these people? If the msm isn't doing it's job as the fourth estate and many people are taking the attitude of Niemoller's immortal words, we're doomed to follow in the footsteps of the UK tory government that destroyed itself - eventually.
Crying, like Paula Tesoriero. It must be hard, Nick, to write this dreadful stuff, day after day, but we need to hear your thoughts on it. How else will we know the truth? Not from the media, because they're bought and sold, or at best toothless. And you're right, the monstrous streak of cruelty in the New Zealand psyche is down to hard men and number eight wire and the baked in belief that we can take care of our problems, no handouts thanks. That was all very well when we had communities but decades of neoliberalism have hardened hearts and minds. It seems all the worse after the shining moment when Jacinda gave us kindness. We can only hope it gets bad enough to bite the swing voters in their back pockets so they again turn their coats, and that the rest of us survive it.
Was Upstart bullied at school? Its like she has a personal vendetta against society. It concerns me that the opposition are conspicuous by their absence, or perhaps utterly shell shocked by this near fascism, or muzzled by the press. This CoC get more grotesque by the day.
What an appalling government we are experiencing - they were bad enough at the beginning but now they are hardening into a Coalition of Cruelty - you think they've hit bottom in their treatment of the vulnerable but no, the floor falls away yet again and they continue to descend - a soulless money driven collective of sociopaths :/
I am so very sure you will have much to write about over coming months Nick! Unless WE, people take up some action, then we are supporting what they are doing. But what action? We can bring a Civil legal case against the Govt, for Conflict of Interest, and their individual position with understanding of altruism, as they do for job applications, and others. If they are not suitably qualified they should not be in some roles. A far-fetched idea to take legal action? Why not we can all participate, passively or actively, if 1 million of us put up $1 each we could employ a legal counsel, we could give them something to think about!
For a start we can take to the streets, gather at Parliament on sitting days, make some noise! There will be no problem gathering a crowd because everyone here in Wellington knows a family that has been affected by redundancy. The mental health of many in the community has been deeply impacted, and the ramifications of these decisions will continue for years. Shame, shame, shame!
Yes, but, I notice the reluctance of Kiwi to actually do more than like or comment, while action seems to have some reluctance?. Hence the idea of participating with minimal effort and minimal individual cost. If we had the voice of 1 million, as recorded and not hypothetical, maybe they would take notice? Even if the voice was loud they could ignore it, but a million votes... would they?
I would be quite happy to see all the public servants who still have jobs brought down by a mysterious virus which would keep them at home for about three days. That would show the Coalition of Cynical Conivance where the power really lies in the administration. Anybody feeling a bit queasy?
Paula Tesoriero's face said it all. She looked shattered by this latest effort by the government to out-cruel the worst they had already done. I am outraged.
And more broadly, substituting vouchers instead for cash for anyone who is due an entitlement is the ultimate degradation and mental health stessor I would think.
The situation of advising from the sidelines is well known to nursing. Consistently directors of nursing are moved to advisory positions where they provide endless advice which is generally ignored on the grounds of budgetary constraints. This means in effect that nursing which holds legal accountability for its practice has little control over the conditions in which it delivers services. Unsafe staffing levels being a core example. It will be exactly the same for disability advice. As Nick says; every day I wake up and think it cannot get worse...and most days it does. Thanks Nick for your tireless energy but my growing feeling is we all need to do more but its hard to know how best to do it.
Jenny, you are so right about the flaws in the 'advice' model and things getting worse each day. The networks that used to exist, that fostered action, are largely broken and it's hard to get a handle on how to stand against what's happening.
I’m with you 100% Jenny. I feel helpless and despairing in my own country which is becoming unrecognisable. Tears of sadness and anger.
Tautoko Jenny. I am also despairing. With the findings of the Royal commission right in front of us offering so many stories of advice into the future of health care and the role of us as nurses I cannot believe we are at this place now. Already I am hearing stories of funding freezes and halts on admissions to community providers. This then will put more strain on secondary services. An applalling tine in our history.
Well said.
Utterly disgraceful and beyond comprehension. Those National voters in the motu should be ashamed to have ushered in such appallingly callous government. Upston deserves to be publicly vilified for the rest of her time on this earth. Such a callous disregard for our most vulnerable citizens.
You’re correct Nick - every day something unbelievably bad happens! People are hurt, deeply wounded, by the behaviour of our elected representatives, whose task is to care for, and protect all of us!! Are we living on a foreign planet? How did this eventuate?
I agree Judith. I said to someone yesterday that this isn't my Aotearoa. It's some alternate universe where the bullies get to kick, and kick, and kick whomever they please 🥺
Totally agree Judith, I just feel unbelievably sad at what’s going on in our beautiful Aotearoa as this crowd of alien bully’s decide daily who and what they can destroy next 🥲🥲🥲
I feel like the coalition needs to be sent to /dev/null at this point.
So many people fail to realise they are only one layoff away from being on a benefit or one diagnosis away from disability. Basic morality means we should care even if not directly affected, but if you can't manage that then at least have some self-interest!
Yes as the song says 'there but for fortune go you or I.' Many smug folk who currently have had good fortune don't seem to get that at all. The 'I've worked hard for what I've got ' brigade!!
I worked in the disability sector for 13 years as a Service Manager. Parents whose expectations of the support for their offspring in services are now thwarted will not stay silent once this news and the repercussions sink in. This is a heartless vindicative government run by fools and idiots who ignore or don't read evidence or listen to submissions to select committees. It is the way of fascist governments to silence the people by overwhelming them with changes by legislating and changing systems as fast as they can, all the while ignoring the democratic process. We cannot ignore these cruel actions even though we would like to for our own well being.
Would there be any value in as many people as possible writing to the Governor General expressing a complete lack of confidence in this government?
It can't hurt, but only Parliament decides on votes of no confidence. The GG can't act independently of that. And of course turkeys don't vote against themselves and these turkeys have the numbers.
I like your thinking here Diana. Nick is this a useful notion?
Not sure. There is probably a legal Parliamentary process to follow.
Good morning, Nick (if there is such a thing under this coalition). For a moment I hoped that Whaikaha CEO Paula Tesoriero would give Louise Upston a well-deserved broadside when interviewed together on TV. But Paula’s stunned expression probably indicated that she is under strict marching orders. It certainly came across as a public beheading. Vile stuff indeed from Luxon’s Ice Queen.
It certainly did and looked like she was told what to say.
Deplorable! It was another of their ‘independent’ inquiries that justified their latest attack - where does the coal-ition find theses inquisitors (medieval Spain?), and when will media start pointing out that the evidence has all the credibility of a Curia Poll (that’s not being covered in MSM either).
My biggest horror in this entire phase of Rsole govt is that they appear to be appealing directly to a certain type of sociopath voter, as if they know there are lots of them out there. I most sincerely hope they are wrong, and if they are not we will find out in 2026 I guess. Not sure if i would be able to cope if they are returned to power in any shape or form. The fear of THAT happening and knowing that I live surrounded by these types of people is real.
We've been worn down by the continuing cruelty of these sociopaths to the extent that we cannot fight back. Sadly I'm surrounded by people whose attitude is "we don't want to talk about politics". 10 months in and they've slashed and burned the caring society, helped by a fast asleep msm owned by big business. I'm in despair, to be honest. How do we fight these people? If the msm isn't doing it's job as the fourth estate and many people are taking the attitude of Niemoller's immortal words, we're doomed to follow in the footsteps of the UK tory government that destroyed itself - eventually.
God forbid we have to put up with this lot for 14 years like the UK had to endure the Tories.
Crying, like Paula Tesoriero. It must be hard, Nick, to write this dreadful stuff, day after day, but we need to hear your thoughts on it. How else will we know the truth? Not from the media, because they're bought and sold, or at best toothless. And you're right, the monstrous streak of cruelty in the New Zealand psyche is down to hard men and number eight wire and the baked in belief that we can take care of our problems, no handouts thanks. That was all very well when we had communities but decades of neoliberalism have hardened hearts and minds. It seems all the worse after the shining moment when Jacinda gave us kindness. We can only hope it gets bad enough to bite the swing voters in their back pockets so they again turn their coats, and that the rest of us survive it.
Not just hard men, some hard women too. I’m appalled by the women in this CoCup government who have hearts of cold, hard, stone.
These are the weakest and most vulnerable in our Society , what does this say of us as a nation ???
Nothing good.
Was Upstart bullied at school? Its like she has a personal vendetta against society. It concerns me that the opposition are conspicuous by their absence, or perhaps utterly shell shocked by this near fascism, or muzzled by the press. This CoC get more grotesque by the day.
Chris Hipkins replied and Carmel gave a great reply. I dont blame the opposition I blame the revolting owners of our media.
What an appalling government we are experiencing - they were bad enough at the beginning but now they are hardening into a Coalition of Cruelty - you think they've hit bottom in their treatment of the vulnerable but no, the floor falls away yet again and they continue to descend - a soulless money driven collective of sociopaths :/
I am so very sure you will have much to write about over coming months Nick! Unless WE, people take up some action, then we are supporting what they are doing. But what action? We can bring a Civil legal case against the Govt, for Conflict of Interest, and their individual position with understanding of altruism, as they do for job applications, and others. If they are not suitably qualified they should not be in some roles. A far-fetched idea to take legal action? Why not we can all participate, passively or actively, if 1 million of us put up $1 each we could employ a legal counsel, we could give them something to think about!
For a start we can take to the streets, gather at Parliament on sitting days, make some noise! There will be no problem gathering a crowd because everyone here in Wellington knows a family that has been affected by redundancy. The mental health of many in the community has been deeply impacted, and the ramifications of these decisions will continue for years. Shame, shame, shame!
Yes, but, I notice the reluctance of Kiwi to actually do more than like or comment, while action seems to have some reluctance?. Hence the idea of participating with minimal effort and minimal individual cost. If we had the voice of 1 million, as recorded and not hypothetical, maybe they would take notice? Even if the voice was loud they could ignore it, but a million votes... would they?
I would be quite happy to see all the public servants who still have jobs brought down by a mysterious virus which would keep them at home for about three days. That would show the Coalition of Cynical Conivance where the power really lies in the administration. Anybody feeling a bit queasy?
I'm in
Paula Tesoriero's face said it all. She looked shattered by this latest effort by the government to out-cruel the worst they had already done. I am outraged.
I felt sorry for her having to sit there as Louise Upston trashed everything she and her staff had done.
They did a straw poll on 3 news last night (self-selecting) and 83% were opposed to the changes in the disability sector.
The Tories came for those with a disability in the UK some years ago and people regularly talk about the stats for how many people died as a result. https://www.theguardian.com/society/article/2024/may/22/inquiry-to-begin-into-dwps-treatment-of-ill-and-disabled-people-on-benefits
And more broadly, substituting vouchers instead for cash for anyone who is due an entitlement is the ultimate degradation and mental health stessor I would think.