'Smaller' New Zealand banks at risk according to IMF!

The IMF has put 8 smaller NZ banks on notice that they have a one in two chance of being at risk. They followed this up by warning of downgrading these institutions. Should those who have their money and businesses with these banks be worried? Who knows? The IMF has also warned us in recent days that our housing market is overheated and overvalued. That we should already know. If the drought and the effects of that persist then any other ‘shock’ to the NZ economy could well push us over the edge according to the above forecasts. That other banks that have strong ‘overseas parents’ could weather any storm is partly comforting to those who deal with such banks. It would be a sad day if the utterings and actions of the IMF serve to undermine some of these fine institutions. The TSB has been around for a long time and it is slowly reaching into areas beyond its initial base in Taranaki. There is no doubt that many people are loyal to this and other banks but we need to be mindful of these warnings. Whether the Government through economic policy can avert any undue ‘failings’ in our economy is a moot point. I am sure that they will not want to see our smaller banks failing any more than the customer. This stance, should be taken as proven, but the connections amongst the National Party members may well serve us a different result. When it comes down to profits and money in the pocket, who knows what well-heeled members of the National Party will chose; the best interests of New Zealand or their own agendas. That the housing stock is overvalued, is a worry and perhaps the answer to our possible predicament means a realigning of that situation---where more realistic expectations are put in place.

I could write about the budget, but-------

Yeah, we all know that the debate surrounding the initial release of the budget is one that is mainly tied to the political fortunes of our MPs and the looming election in 2014. Yes, we have contributions from the business sector and other interested parties, once again linked into their particular stands. If it’s not the representatives of workers, beneficiaries or housing sectors (be they private or State tenants) it will be someone else.

The yearly budget represents an opportunity for every person and their dogs to have a say. The media reports the comments of the high and mighty while social media gives us minions a chance to quote and comment and generally stir things up.

We have heard the critics of Charter Schools (I am one of them) point out that funds have been diverted from the State sector and put into the Government’s pet projects (read CS and Private Schools). We know that a good deal of money will be ear-marked for the Christchurch re-build and not many will complain about that.

Any Government, of any political hue is rarely onto a winner. If they spend too much they are labelled as being ‘irresponsible’ or trying to capture the vote for upcoming elections. If they don’t spend enough on any particular area they are labelled as mean and short-sighted. Bill English is fairly thick-skinned so I doubt that he will be too worried about the fingers pointed, possible upwards, towards him.

We witnessed the usual response from Opposition Parties whereby, one had the distinct impression that Mr Shearer wrote (or had someone write it for him) well before he read the actual budget. I don’t see any problems with that, because lets’ face it, the hours and next few days after the release of the budget are just a ‘staging phase,’ so we will have to wait a few days to get to the real issues about what the 2013 budget actually means for New Zealand’s future. Hell, don’t worry--- I am not going to get too serious today, and that risks me being labelled as non-consequential in my response to yesterday’s effort from Bill English.

Wait until the weekend and we shall see the real analysis(s) reveal themselves as the many knowledgeable people put forward their versions of what is really needed in New Zealand. Just a word of caution about that too-----take what they say too as words that spring from their particular philosophies. I am looking forward to the words of wisdom and I hope to garner a semblance of where we should be heading as a nation. I also know that the biggie at the end of next year, the General Election will be the main targets for most interest groups. Would we have it any other way? NO======= just look beyond our borders and I think that most of us will shrug and elect to stay with our system, ‘warts and all.’

Star Wars had it wrong!

Many of us watched the Star War movies and were possibly excited by the full-on action that the films were famous for. We may even remember the space-version dog fights that still have pilots as the main focus. The stories were about people as much as they were about 'events.' The advent of drones in the 21st Century (and a little before) has possibly changed the face of warfare.  The USA has been using drones in Afghanistan and elsewhere for quite some time and there has been much criticism about the deahts of civillians as a result of the strikes on possible insurgents. We see today that the USA has gone one step further with the launch of an even more advanced drone; one that is capable of even more destruction to those who oppose American policies. The USA justifies the new drones as 'saving the lives of pilots' and that is possibly correct, but it also brings to question, just where we are going? Is warfare going to become even more 'impersonal?' Will this new trend mean that someone in an airbase in part of rural USA going to be conducting the war, just like in some Sci-Fi movie? Well it looks like that is exactly the scenario that we are facing. We can be sure that other nations will be watching and trying to emulate the USA example. The trend will not stop with drones and the technology will rapidly change and move to other unimaginable weapons, all controlled from afar. God knows what we are unleashing. Warfare has always been revolting in the detahs it causes, but with these new weapons, the one thing that had a controlling factor was that epople were at the 'frontline.' Then again, the wars of the past do not stand out as anything but destructive and nearly always it is the ordinary people who suffer, be they the 'canon fodder' at the front lines or the civillians who pay the ultimate price, on all sides. Wars are not going to suddnely disappear; it is the method by which they are conducted that will change!

Maybe Air New Zealand needs a clause that 'reserves the right to----etc.

The report in the New Zealand Heralth this morning that a female passenger stubbornly refused to give up her 'elite' seat to a dissabled passenger show us that there are still people out there with no understanding or empahty for those less fortunate. It would should have been a simple matter of human decency for the woamn who was desribed as a 40ish blond' to simply move to the seat that was offered just a short distance away. What made matters worse was the fact that she was accompanied by two teenagers. What message did her behaviour give to those children? Do they now accpet as 'normal,' her slefish behaviour or were they maybe a little embarrased by the selfish actions of thier parent? Does this incident mean that Air Zealand need to have a clause in the 'condiotns of flight' that clearly states that in certain instances, passnegers may be 'required' to move at the requests of airline staff. This in itself is rather sad that such changes are actually necessary. I guess we have always had selfish people and no doubt we are going to hear from this woman who will come up with an excuse that puts her side. It will need to be be one 'big heartfelt' piece of reasoning to convince me that her actions were justified. In the meantime she has taught her kids that it is all about ME ME ME!

Sell Air New Zealand-- a brilliant move----why?---read on.

Yes, the goverment should sell Air New Zealand. We can get a few hundred million (My definition of few is an 'extended' one.) and then---hey, when it all goes to custard, again, we can buy back Air New Zealand for ONE DOLLAR.  Didn't we do that last time? Gosh, what a gravy train this could be. Sell, buy, sell, buy, pocket the profit each time, all good capitalism at its best. Bottom line for me.-----DON'T SELL ANY STATE ASSETS! We, the tax payer should continue to own them, not some 2.5% of the population. Shame on you National and your 'suck it up' little friends.

Thats a good idea! Converting State houses into larger houses.

Good on you Government. I know that many will still say that the proposal to convert some State Houses  to reflect large family needs is too little, but it is a start and an acknowledgment that things need to chnage. Sure, there is need for more, but if making better use of exisiting stock and adding capacity is followed through then that is something to build on. If Labour and the Greens wnat to extend that in next years election, good on them too. I am often very critical of Government moves, but this one receives my support. Now, just lets see more of them, even if they can be a cynical repsonse to a real need at times. It is the result that counts and I don't particularly care who brings that about. It is about people, people, people. Mmm---I am sure I have heard that before.

Is Aaron Gilmore going to have one last balst at his 'colleagues?

‘Utu,’ he said. Aaron Gilmore may well have a last blast at his colleagues today in Parliament as he tries to put his perspective on the vents that have finally led to his downfall. I think that most of us would like to forget him and move on and maybe hope that our politicians will address real issues, like selling of Sate assets and getting NZ onto a fairer footing for all. Maybe they will look at training NZers for the jobs in Christchurch or addressing the Charter Schools issue. By that I mean, just forget about CSs.

However if things go like we expect in parliament today, we may be on for a bit of petulance on a grand scale. I may of course have to pull back because it could all just be another fizzer.

Hey Aaron, why not use your vote and stay in a bit longer and get some real Utu-----vote against the Government and stuff up their asset sales programme and the CS initiative!  Damn, that’s way too much to hope because deep down, you are just another Tory party hack without a party now.