New Zealand Listener Issue 18, 2022

The Labour government is advocating Fair Pay Agreements (FPAs) to raise wages. There’s opposition despite the fact that our economy, one of the world’s best, can’t seem to generate living-wage compensation and worker happiness for a lot of people working 36-40 hours a week. This shortfall is probably a result of most wages not being determined in truly free markets. Rather, most workers negotiate individually, not collectively, with companies that have more power than they do. Corporations and conservatives suggest that we have “freely competitive” wage determination. Why fix it if it ain’t broke? they ask. They argue that free markets fairly allocate compensation to each person according to their contribution to production. Market-determined wages are therefore “just” or “fair”. But an ironclad requirement for this is that each firm operating in…

WINNING CAPTION Paul Kelly, Palmerston North FINALISTS Nicole Kidman: “Whoopee cushion me once more, Urban, and you’re gone!” – Brian Farrant, Blenheim Kidman: “Keith! My right boob’s disappeared.” – Richard Laimbeer, Dunedin Kidman: “OMG – the zip on my dress has disintegrated!” – Margaret Cannon, Palmerston North Keith Urban: “Yes, I know you should have won, darling, but Jessica Chastain was very good.” – Graeme Burnard, Carterton Kidman: “OMG! She’s wearing Armani Privé as well!” – Conal Atkins, Nelson Kidman: “Oh, my God, where’s Keith?” – Leonard Bell, Auckland…

In his article on the decline in primary student performance (Upfront, April 16), Keith Williamson’s focus is maths. But the same is true for literacy and many other subjects. One of the causes he identifies is the takeover, about 20 years ago, of teacher training by the universities. As principal of a large “normal” school situated next to the local College of Education at the time, I agree wholeheartedly. Normal schools were set up to provide in-depth, hands-on experience for teacher trainees. At my school, trainees poured in to take part in small-group teaching opportunities, observation of experienced teachers, and postings with a skilled associate teacher. These gave trainees a chance to build relationships with a class, observe the curriculum in action and do some actual teaching. This developed over their three-year…

“There is nothing like the taste of burnt shit, especially when it’s someone else’s.” – Bromley resident Barbara Byers on the lasting stench caused by the fire at the Christchurch wastewater treatment plant“If people day by day are faced with sad news about death, about blood, about bombs, they need to feel other emotions.” – Ostap Hromysh on resuming limited events at the Lviv National Opera as war ravages Ukraine“We have plumbers working in our house. I just heard one of them say, ‘Lefty loosey, righty tighty.’ I know we’re in good hands.” – Seen on Twitter“He could do so much with that money. Fix world hunger. Address climate change. Get a decent haircut.” – Stephen Colbert on Elon Musk’s attempts to buy Twitter“The first problem for all of us,…

1. True or false? A human body exposed to the vacuum of space without a space suit would instantly freeze solid. ❑ True ❑ False 2. Pancake, dump, floater and wipe are all terms used in which sport? ❑ Volleyball ❑ Rowing ❑ Swimming ❑ Diving 3. True or false? Tarring and feathering was a punishment used frequently in history. ❑ True ❑ False 4. What is the approximate lifespan of an adult housefly? ❑ One day ❑ One week ❑ One month ❑ One year 5. The hit Simple Minds song Don’t You (Forget About Me) was written for the soundtrack to which film? ❑ Stand By Me ❑ Back to the Future ❑ The Shining ❑ The Breakfast Club 6. Which British TV drama starred actor Robbie Coltrane playing the role of a criminal psychologist? ❑ Cracker ❑ Prime Suspect ❑ Bergerac ❑ Taggart 7. Which hit Kiwi song begins: “Asian cigarettes/A long talk,…

Adam Bandt is a wispy-bearded former lawyer able to snap out a killer line. His “google it, mate!” response to a gotcha question from an imperious Australian Financial Review journalist who demanded the Australian Greens leader recite the Wage Price Index drew laughing approval from an audience in Canberra this month. And forced his wounded questioner off Twitter for a day, the blow-back too much to bear. Doubtless inspired by the ignominy that befell the Labor leader, Anthony Albanese, in the first week of this election campaign when he was unable to recall the unemployment rate, the journalist was expecting to stump Bandt, a 50-year-old former barrister who fought workers’ rights cases in Melbourne before entering Parliament 12 years ago. He is one of 11 MPs with a PhD. There are softer targets. Bandt’s…