JFC I just can't with these people.
"The government is considering abolishing its clean vehicle emissions standard altogether, RNZ's Kate Newton reports, months after cutting the penalties charged to importers of high-emissions vehicles by nearly 80%. A targeted consultation – not open to the public – has just closed, with submitters asked whether the standard should be retained or "abolished". The move would leave New Zealand as one of only two OECD countries without a vehicle emissions standard, alongside Russia."
This aligns with Trump gutting the EPA so I guess we can expect more horrendous monster trucks from the US and become a dumping ground for second hand bangers. Unreal.
#nzgov

The government is banning credit and debit card surcharges -- and that's a win for accessibility.

For many disabled people, digital payments aren't a choice -- they're a necessity. Surcharges meant we were paying more just to access the same services.

This move makes things fairer, more inclusive, and more accessible for everyone.

Affordability is an access issue.👏

#AccessibilityMatters #DisabilityInclusion #FairPayments #Accessibility #NZGov #DigitalInclusion

A great write up by The Guardian about the current seabed mining situation in Taranaki.

The fight for iron sands: the bitter battle to protect New Zealand’s sea-floor riches https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/aug/19/deep-sea-mining-new-zealand-south-taranaki-bight-ocean-seabed-patea-beach-ntwnfb?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other #NewZealand #nzgov #nzpol

The fight for iron sands: the bitter battle to protect New Zealand’s sea-floor riches

Government’s push to fast-track projects in NZ stirs fears deep-sea mining off Taranaki, long opposed by the community, could go ahead

The Guardian

Yeah Bro. So excited aye. Luxon is bringing back semi automatic guns!!!!!

Can't wait. Then I can go back and buy the ten that I had. I need them because um, yeah, just trust me, I need them bad.

All I have to do is join some bullshit sports club thing. That can't be hard. I could even make my own club probably.

Muslims? Massacres? Public safety?

Meh. I'm stale, pale, and male. No my problem they don't understand my needs, just gimme my guns already!

Yeah haaa!

#wtf #nzgov #shootmenow

The sales are getting bigger. 40-60% off. 2024 is going to be tough judging by this. Will the new year bring 70% off regular goods in an effort to get people to part with their cash?

What is going to be in the mini mini budget? Higher GST? They need to raise the money somehow to give to their donors.
#nzeconomy #nzgov

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Three NZ
Well done Jane Shearer! This commentary (typical of her blog) is spot on: https://www.janeshearer.com/can-i-sell-you-a-bridge (she's not yet in the #Fediverse, but working on it). And she asks a fair question of #NZGov - is anyone really listening?
Can I sell you a bridge?

Can New Zealand afford a new bridge across Auckland harbour? And is such a bridge visionary thinking or an impediment to a sustainable future?

Hah, on #RNZ they're just noting that the #NZGov't used #GoogleAnalytics among other (foreign) 3rd party #SurveillanceCapitalist services on its online census service. https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2018885595/privacy-analysts-worried-about-use-of-google-analytics It's embarrassing that we're still dealing with this. Thanks @thomasbeagle for being sensible - yes, we could host GDPR-compliant #FOSS analytics here in NZ trivially. Gov't staff assurances "that everything is compliant" are BS - the people giving them clearly don't have the skills to credibly offer them.
Privacy analysts worried about use of Google Analytics

Privacy experts and analysts warn government departments' use of Google Analytics may be allowing the world's biggest marketing company to harvest New Zealanders' private data. Statistics New Zealand, Inland Revenue, the police, the Ministry of Social Development, Te Whatu Ora, councils and even RNZ are among the agencies using the service to track and report web traffic. Ruth Hill reports. In a statement Google has told RNZ Google Analytics does not identify individuals or track them across the web. It says website owners, not Google, control what data is collected and how it is used, and the multinational complies with all local laws. Government agencies using Google Analytics have told RNZ they have safeguards in place to ensure New Zealanders' privacy is protected.

RNZ