Treasury and Parata in an unholy alliance---just what do they plan for NZ education?

Education has always been a difficult portfolio for Minister in Cabinet, no matter what party holds that position. Political agendas are often hidden in the detail and it is only when the public’s ire is stirred that we get more of the picture. The latest claim by the NZ Herald that Minister Parata is being advised by Treasury to ‘slowdown’ changes and to keep them secret for as long as possible to lessen the impact. Yes, the words may not be exact but the intent is obvious. Parata and her cohorts are about to unleash widespread changes in NZ education that are based on political philosophy emanating from the ‘right’ and driven by monetary considerations more than what is best for our students.

We have seen this Minister drive policy in an arrogant manner many times now and if the reports are correct then we are in for a torrid time. The two unions will not just sit and take what comes, particularly the PPTA. Whilst they have not always endeared themselves to the public and especially the Government, they do nave the interests of their ‘charges’ at the forefront of any actions they take, despite what politicians claim.

Expect upheaval within the education sector if Parata pushes her agenda and tries to change the New Zealand education system to one that benefits those at the top and penalizes those who have less. This lady just does not get it! There are many reasons why kids fail and no amount of cheap fix- ups or policy announcements of the type she promulgates will make any difference, especially when she tries to spend less to get more. In this case ‘less is not more,’ it is simply a shoddy attempt to save money, all under the guise of ‘educational research’ that she has dragged up from some failed system overseas; like the Charter School experiment and increased class size proposals.

Yes, keep an eye on what is about to happen and use your votes wisely at the election next year. A message to any ‘wannabe Government;’ tread carefully my friends, because you too have had a few hiccups in the past and if you have not learnt, then the students of NZ lose even more. Someone has to stick up for them and value the work of teachers. Let’s look to politicians who really care about our students.

www.authorneilcoleman.com  

Nearly seven months after bariatric surgery---the verdict! It's all the 7's now---77.7 kilos.

If anyone asks me whether my bariatric surgery journey has been worth it I have an easy answer. That answer is a resounding yes. If you asked me if I would recommend my journey for you, I would not say yes quite so loudly, because I am not you. What has worked for me does not necessarily translate as a fix-all for others. Each person considering BS should get good advice from their doctor and do a great deal of thinking. My experience has been relatively easy and I was well prepared. I leant as much as I could about the process and I had lots of support from family, friends and the medical fraternity.
From a medical point of view, my health issues have either hugely lessened or disappeared altogether.
Type 2 diabetes---gone. No medication needed.
High blood pressure---way down--normal with very little medication required.
Sleep Apnoea--gone. No CPAC machine needed now.
Cholesterol-----normal and medication soon to be ditched.
Other issues---under control.
Energy and fitness---walking is fun now, not a chore and the dog thinks it's great.

Financial and fashion considerations: My food bill is way down and my clothing bill way up. I have had to ditch three lots of clothing but now that I have settled on about 77 kilos (I lost 42 kilos which represents about 33% of my body weight---BMI down from 41 to 26.
I now feel that I can make plans. I have always dreamed about buying a campervan. When I weighed 120 kilos, just getting into the van was an issue. Now I can easily climb up and driving it would be easier. I just have to sell heaps of books (Hint hint--download them on your Kindle or reading App by accessing my website and following the link  www.authorneilcoleman.com) before I even think seriously about buying a fully contained campervan. Then, I can hit the road in my weekends; fishing, writing and seeing NZ in full are dreams that now seem possible.
I could not have done this without the incredible support from my sister and my partner. Then of course there is Perdy, our crazy Jack Russell. Being able to keep up with her is a reward that has to be made in heaven.
In summary, I feel that I haver a second chance in life. yes, food is still important and very enjoyable, just the ration has changed. The world really does look brighter. I am happy to talk to anyone direct about 'my' experience but I will never say what is good for you. That has to be your decision. Contact me via my website and follow the link. www.authorneilcoleman.com

Just, get on with the job of 'fixing' Auckland, Len Brown and forget about the noisy 'hollier than thou' brigade.

Yes, we all know Len Brown used poor judgment when he allowed himself to be ruled by the regions of his body below the belt, but now it’s time to get on and deal with what we elected him to do---‘fix Auckland.’ He laid the basis for this in his first term and surprised a few opponents by what he achieved. Leave his family to deal to him re his recent transgression and let’s all move on. If we don’t we risk the on-going development of Auckland, simply because an irate group wants to see political blood on the floor.

Now is the time to complete and further the transport needs of Auckland, to address some ‘social’ housing issues and to plan for a future whereby Auckland truly deserves the name, ‘Queen City.’ Auckland is going to grow and even of the ‘regions’ of New Zealand follow the example of our biggest city, we are still going to see Auckland be the main recipient of the increased migration from overseas. Auckland is diverse and Len Brown’s understanding of that term is hard to fault.

What we don’t need is to see  night after night on our TV screens, the screams from strident protestors at every public appearance or the grandstanding ‘screechers’ at council meetings, all there solely to pass judgment on Len Brown. If they wish to do that, then maybe they should cast their eyes just a little further to other politicians and leaders (business an Governmental) and the war would be ‘on’ in every sense of the word. We want our leaders to govern, manage and plan for a better future, not get bogged down in looking over their shoulders, should something come up about their past. Focus, Len Brown, and keep doing (in your elected role) what we put you there for!

www.authorneilcoleman.com

Don't bend over too far, Mr Putin. Yes, we know gays are welcome in Russia, just for the Olympics!

Fabulous dears! Isn't Mr gay Icon, Putin wonderful, making gays welcome to Russia for the Winter Olympics? I can hear gay people all over the world getting  ready for a gay old time in every sense of the word that 'was,' but after the Olympics, good God my dears, watch out! Don't dare talk to anyone under 18 or you will be charged with spreading gayness to the youth of Mother Russia. It's OK, for the brief period when the world actually takes notice of what is happening in Russia, Putin and his cronies will be so sensitive and use words like 'sexual orientation,' before throwing up at their dachas. They will smile and appear to be welcoming, underscoring the policies that all must follow. Will Russians be sucked in by Putin's cynical manoeuvring to placate the world press? Of course most of them will. Why should they give a stuff about the plight of Russian gays? They have enough on their plate. Those who dare to speak out only need to look at what happened when Pussy Riot did their thing in a church, not the most sensible way to endear themselves to the Russian authorities. The Olympics will be like the old 'show trials,' staged to fool public opinion, both inside and on the wider international stage. Come the end of the Olympics and Russian gays will head back to the closet from whence they came, to hide or face the wrath of  Putin. The sad things is that most Russians simply don't  or can't care. Those who do, will need to look over their shoulders. Back to the past for a dim future!
www.authorneilcoleman.com

Good on you, Mike Lee!

I applaud the actions of Mike Lee re his reaction to the plaque the Auckland waterfront and its depiction of ‘thugs’ who help to bring about the end of the 1023 strike by workers fighting for their rights. This was at a time when workers were struggling to achieve the most basic of living standards. That the ‘strike-breakers’ be put up there as ‘lovers of Auckland’ is beyond belief when we see the current struggle of workers to keep those hard won rights in many sectors of the economy. That anyone could deny the rights of workers to struggle for a living wage, either in the last or now, is tantamount to supporting the ever widening gap between those at the top and the huge majority who are having to struggle to make ends meet. That the plaque featured in an Auckland setting is doubly insulting, given the real situation faced by many Aucklanders and a Government that does nothing to support the Provincial areas to remain viable. Well done, Mike Lee. That is what we elected you for.

www.authorneilcoleman.com

'USA not spying on me', says Prime mInister Key!

I had to hold on fast and true to my steering wheel as I listened to PM Key being interviewed on the radio this morning. He was asked if he was being spied on by the USA. His response really did test me. What utter arrogance. His reply that he ‘knew’ that he wasn’t being spied on by the USA was pathetic, not just in the manner of his reply and the smugness that dripped from every orifice, but in his body language that oozed through the airwaves. Come-on Mr Key. Who in the hell do you think you are, if you think that you have some sort of special relationship with the USA that transcends that of every other leader in the world. Oops, maybe I am wrong! Perhaps you are so insignificant in that the USA ranks you so lowly that you do not warrant any particular attention. I better apologise then for not recognising your ‘actual’ stature. Damn, I should have known that mentions of NZ in the Lonely Planet are about as good as it gets re mentioning NZ in anything re the USA. So, go back to your enjoyment of living in the belief that you are ‘special to the USA and that they do not spy on you because you are--- ‘special.’ Nah---you just don’t rate!

www.authorneilcoleman.com

Forget Russia's claims about Greenpeace 'piracy,' and just look at Tournament Parking in NZ!

I know that many people are angry at the Russian Government's original claims that Greenpeace activists were carrying out 'acts' of piracy and even now that those charges have been reduced to 'hooliganisms,' we only need to look closer to home to see the money grabbing selfish and nasty company that is taking extreme action re parking. That company is Tournament Parking and despite being a signatory to some sort of code of conduct, it constantly appears in the media as being a total bully.
When a man took action, and yes, damaged one of their clamps they immediately charged him. Their actions are being repeated on a daily basis. It is time that the Government manned up and passed legislation to force this company and others who clearly  carry out acts of piracy, all in the name of profit gouging to play fair. Force them to return to a more 'New Zealand way' of conducting business and not emulating the actions of a despotic Government. Tournament Parking should be ashamed of themselves and the public should avoid wherever possible using their facilities, even if that means, dare I say it, taking the bus or train. Either way, we must give them the message that 'enough is enough.'
www.authorneilcoleman.com