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GREENS WANT INQUIRY OVER HAGER CLAIMS
Nicky Hager’s latest book, Other People’s Wars, should prompt a parliamentary review of our Defence and Intelligence relations with the United States, says Green Party Defence Spokesperson Keith Locke.
“’Other People’s Wars’ contains evidence that officials within Defence, Foreign Affairs, and Intelligence actively pushed for closer ties with the United States military,” he says.
“Mr Hager’s book reveals how New Zealand’s peacekeeping base at Bamiyan hosts a number of foreign policy has been subverted by Government officials.”
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GREENS SLATE REGIONAL COUNCIL ON HELP FOR OTAKI’S PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Speaking before more talks on Otaki’s public transport, Green Party Otaki candidate Michael Gilchrist says the Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) must do more for local people.
He says: “Suggested changes to bus timetables must be genuine improvements. Additional services in one area cannot come at the cost of reductions in another area.
“This has already caused major problems for the community when the addition of the Waikanae train service caused cuts in the 290 bus service to Paraparaumu.
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NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL RESTORE FAITH IN BRITAIN
Our London correspondent Tom Aitken says the Notting Hill carnival has attracted a quarter of a million people of all colour and ethnicities — and they enjoyed themselves in a largely peaceful and exuberant atmosphere.
It’s restoring his faith in Britain’s ability to recover from the devastating riots of last month and the widespread disorder.
And it’s a useful reminder that Enoch Powell’s crackpot racist vision of ‘rivers of blood’ is being proved wrong…again.
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TANGATA WHENUA FAREWELL TAKAHE AS THEY HEAD NORTH
A special karakia by Ngati Toa kaumatua has been held to mark the departure of two endangered takahë, members of Mana Island’s successful breeding population.
Takahë, a ground dwelling bird that looks like a chunky version of a pukeko, are one of the world’s rarest birds
In the photo at left, tangata whenua member Aunty Rihia Kenny is holding ‘Haeata’, one of the two birds selected to leave Mana Island.
They’ve headed north with DOC to help start a new population on Auckland’s recently declared predator free Motutapu Island in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park.
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PROTESTERS GATHERING IN CAPITAL AGAINST ASIA/PACIFIC TRADE DEAL
Following earlier protests (see pic),the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) Action Group is holding another demonstration outside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade on Lambton Quay in Wellington at lunchtime tomorrow.
It’s protesting against the next round (Chicago 6-15 September) of TPP talks, which it says could threaten Pharmac and NZ digital media rights.
The United States is expected to propose what could be controversial patent provisions and could also table a chapter that would place disciplines on pharmaceutical pricing. Intellectual property rights will also be on the table.
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ULTRA FAST BROADBAND COMING TO A TOWN NEAR YOU
Mana list National MP, Hekia Parata, says several areas in Mana will have ultra-fast broadband access as early as July next year.
“Like many of you I have long been frustrated by slow or unreliable internet connections so I was delighted when our Government signed contracts to roll out ultra-fast broadband to 75 percent of New Zealanders by 2019,’’ Hekia Parata says.
“Porirua, Plimmerton, Papakowhai and Whitby, are included in the first year rollout plans with work scheduled to start before Christmas.
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Wood fires causing serious pollution, says Kapiti campaign group
The Kapiti Clean Air Campaign says Raumati South is suffering serious chemical pollution from woodfires, and this includes traces of arsenic.
Campaign spokesperson Kimbra Taylor says on calm, cold days wood fire smoke hangs in the air, creating an’ extremely unhealthy environment’
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REAL EFFECTS OF ENGLISH RIOTS COMING INTO FOCUS
Tom Aitken in London reports the long-term political and social consequences of the English riots are now becoming apparent.
The rapid action courts seem to be imposing jail sentences on a high proportion of those passing through them, some of them surprisingly severe.
Before the riots there was talk of reducing sentences to reduce overcrowding and save money. 2000 jail places were to be cut.
All of that has apparently been forgotten or is simply being ignored….Read More
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BRITISH DISCONTENTS ARE WARNING FOR NEW ZEALAND POLITICIANS
The devastating riots in several English cities should now be worrying all New Zealanders, and especially our politicians, argues our columnist Mandy Hager.
She says we have the same sort of unequal society as Britain does — and where greed and self-interest prevail over the interests of a mass of people with insufficient means, there’s a recipe for trouble.
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Expressway protesters give the message to PM Key and MP Guy
Story by Alan Tristram; photos by Jack Penman(c)
A small group of anti-Expressway protesters met Prime Minister John Key and associate Transport Minister Nathan Guy at Waikanae Station today.
Mr Key and Mr Guy, MP for Otaki, had arrived at Waikanae on one of the new Matangi electric units during a visit to several sites on the Kapiti Coast, where they were generally given a warm welcome.
But at the Station protesters chanted ”John Key please go away, we dono’ want your motorway”.
However,Mr Key said the Expressway is a priority for the Government.
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Kapiti Independent
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