Gordon Campbell: On The Budget

Christchurch Considers Cathedral, Stadium: Cathedral Working Group Report Released

“About half of Christchurch wants to see the cathedral reinstated, the other half wants something new and more modern, but really, everyone just needs a decision." More>>

ALSO:

• NZ Govt - Scope of multi-use arena study released - Speech to Public Relations Institute of New Zealand
• NZ First - Speech: Peters - Christ Church Cathedral
• NZ Transport Agency - Drone footage shows great progress Western Belfast Bypass
• Image - Wikipedia: ChristChurch Cathedral, Christchurch

Auditor-General Stands Down For Investigation: Gordon Campbell On (Not) Taking Responsibility

So Martin Matthews, our current Auditor-General wishes he could have detected “earlier” the fraud that occurred on his watch at the Ministry of Transport. Hmmm. But he could have detected it earlier, surely? That’s the point. More>>

ALSO:

• Office of the Auditor-General - Auditor-General standing aside for independent review
• BusinessDesk - SSC to probe Ministry's treatment of whistleblowers
• State Services Commission - SSC investigation of whistle blower treatment
• Public Service Association - An important step towards restoring faith
• Werewolf - Gordon Campbell on the Navy’s dealings with Fat Leonard, and Twin Peaks
• NZ First - Speaker Misrepresents New Zealand First on Inquiry Decision - On the Auditor-General: Stand Down Only Option - English Should Stand Down Matthews Immediately - Whistle-Blowers the Victims – And Pressure on Them Again
• Public Service Association - PSA supports independent inquiry into MoT fraud
• NZ Taxpayers' Union - SSC investigation should be wide and thorough
• Out-Link - Is fraudster Joanne Harrison’s old boss really fit to lead NZ’s top public watchdog? | The Spinoff

Auckland Port To Recapture Gas: Union Calls On Ports To Stop Spewing Methyl Bromide

The Maritime Union of New Zealand welcomes the decision by Ports of Auckland to stop releasing methyl bromide emissions into the air. The move to fully recapture the toxic gas after fumigation sets a new benchmark for industry best practice. More>>

ALSO:

• Ports of Auckland - Ports of Auckland to Eliminate Methyl Bromide Emissions
• Labour - Ports of Auckland decision a win for workers and the environment
• Greens - Port’s decision a win for workers and environment

Retail: Banks Shoes Calls In Receiver

Banks Group, which runs 14 stores across the country under the brands including Banks Shoes and Shoe Connection, has been tipped into receivership at the request of director John Bank. More>>

ALSO:

• PricewaterhouseCoopers - Banks Group Limited (In Receivership)

Binoy Kampmark: Anzac As Apologia And Religion

Each year, the secular religion of Anzac (the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) receives more adherents, gathers a few more followers, and nabs a few more converts among the young. More>>

Anzac Day:

• NZ Govt - Hon Amy Adams: Dawn Service, Gallipoli - Speech: Bennett - Address to Porirua City Anzac Day Service - Kiwis encouraged to recognise service with service - Adams to commemorate Anzac Day in Gallipoli
• United Future - ANZAC Day a day for tolerance and understanding
• NZ First - ANZAC Day Protests
• NZ Defence Force - Remembrance for Navy Chaplain on Western Front - ‘Always Take the Weather with You’ – an Anzac Garden in Iraq
• Peace Action Wellington - Wreath laying for Afghan civilians
• Auckland Peace Action - Alternative Anzac Day Event
• Christchurch Progressive Network - Silent vigil and wreath laying at Burnham Military Camp
• Auckland Transport - Use public transport to get to Anzac Day Dawn Service
• MetService - A Showery Start to a Fine Week - 23 April 2017
• Department Of Corrections - Community Offenders Contribute To Anzac Day Commemorations
• NZ Police - ANZAC ‘friendly’ for Kiwi and Aussie rugby-playing cops
• Returned Services Association - Wounded Warrior new RSA patron
• Events - Thames - Auckland - Auckland War Memorial Museum - Maungakiekie-Tamaki - Sky Tower - Ports of Auckland - St David’s, Auckland - Hastings - Waikato - Palmerston North - Hutt - World Masters Games - Marlborough

Gordon Campbell: On The French Election Result

Macron is shaping as the third major test case, after Bill Clinton, after Tony Blair – on whether the aim of ‘progressive social policy’ and realities of ‘neo-liberal economic settings’ can be made to credibly co-exist within the same sentence, let alone within the decrees from the Elysee Palace. More>>

Werewolf: The Maverick On Moloka’i

Monday, April 17 was Moloka’i’s turn for some face-to-face time with Tulsi Gabbard, who is part Samoan and part haole (pakeha), a practising Hindu, and a Middle East combat veteran. More>>

Gordon Campbell: On The Snap Election In Britain

The election call is entirely opportunistic and self-serving and will – regardless of the outcome – put Britain in a worse negotiating position for managing its Brexit. More>>

Wellington Rugby Zeroes: Sevens To Move To Hamilton

Wellington Mayor Justin Lester: “The Sevens has been a big part of recent Wellington history but it was time for the event to move on… Wellingtonians have been voting with their feet in the last few years and we’ve seen the result in dwindling crowd numbers and lower ticket sales.” More>>

ALSO:

• Wellington.Scoop - After 18 years of good times, Sevens moving from Wgtn to Hamilton
• Wellington Chamber Of Commerce - Hard work ahead to replace Sevens, says Chamber
• Image 2009 - Scoop Images: Sevens Costumes Part 2

Matafeo & Dravid: The Billy T And Fred Award Winners For 2017

At the final show of the 2017 NZ International Comedy Festival powered by Flick Electric Co. the Festival came to a close after 115 shows in Auckland and 68 shows in Wellington. More>>