from Concerned Ratepayers Kapiti

At a recent meeting in Kapiti, Shane Jones stated that NZ First’s preference was for each region to come to a conclusion that worked for the majority of people in a region.  His stated preference was to replicate the approach used in the late 1980s when Brian Elwood chaired an independent Local Government Commission that worked through what amalgamations should take place and made recommendations to Government. 

He said that was a better approach than a top-down, central Government imposed solution.  He said that NZ First would not force Councils to merge but then immediately qualified that by saying that if local government did not sort out its problems, its ‘dysfunctionalisms’,  then someone else would do it for them.   Although he did not state this, this would presumably mean a forced amalgamation if central government deemed it necessary.

We weren’t able to ask Shane Jones about the NZ First position on rates capping, or why we have to wait until 2029, but we have asked local NZ First candidate Penny Gaylor that question in an e-mail, but we are still awaiting her reply [don’t hold your breath —Eds]

DISCLAIMER:   CRK is not aligned to any political party. Our focus is on how Central Government decisions affect local government — and ultimately, the rates we all pay.  We’ll continue asking the questions and reporting back on what the political parties are actually proposing.

German society is collapsing.

So fabricating a story about a "Russian" drone in Leipzig is Merz's desperate attempt to hold it all together.

That's what his handlers told him to do. https://t.co/1E4Uw5KXsr pic.twitter.com/GHS3xP44dk

— Chay Bowes (@BowesChay) September 3, 2026

Some arrived earlier than others, that’s all.

Note that rhododendrons are highly poisonous to pets, including dogs, cats, and horses.

BREAKING:

Mass-protests in Madrid tonight as Spaniards take to the streets across the country against illegal migration and the invasion of Ceuta.

🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/IVl8Q8cr1Z

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) September 2, 2026

from CairnsNews.org

The Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Criminal and Migration Laws) Bill 2026 is the most dangerous yet of Labor’s legislative attack against Australia which, when enacted could see any group or political party banned by two Ministers and the Director General of ASIO.

This totalitarianism by Labor seems to be a knee-jerk reaction by the Labor lefties to permanently get rid of opposition parties and to entrench the two-party system.

Topher Field looks at the bill’s ramifications for non-Labor voters who want to restore Australia to Constitutional government. It should be noted that apart from Labor’s attempt to rewrite parts of the Commonwealth Constitution of Australia by Attorney General Michael Lavarch, 1993- 96, there has been no referendum to allow lawful, binding change to the Constitution.

It remains today, in force, just as it was when Governor General John Kerr sacked the Labor government in 1975. Therefore the present GG, a lawyer and close friend of Albanese, regardless of her misleading prattle she can’t sack the government, the fact is she can.

The GG is sitting on a petition of 530,000 names calling on her to get rid of the Labor Party and call a fresh election, but she likes her $700,000 pay packet a little too much. And of course her Commo mates.

Read the rest

He’s obviously been watching what the dictators of the EuroReich have been trying to do.

Not only in NZ but in several countries.

from KC News

Kapiti Coast District Council yesterday approved in an 8 -3 vote an additional $5.1 million to move ahead with the redevelopment of Ōtaki Pool, delivering a more modern and versatile facility for the growing Ōtaki community.

The additional funding takes the total investment from $11.1 million to an estimated $16.2 million and will come from within Council’s capital works programme.

Ōtaki Pool is busier than ever, with annual visits increasing from around 47,000 to 66,500 over the past three years. Demand for learn-to-swim, water safety and community programmes also continues to grow. Mayor Holborow says the Ōtaki Pool plays an essential role in delivering learn-to-swim programmes, and it’s critical that it remains available locally. “For a community like Ōtaki, having a local pool facility is vital. Many families can’t simply walk, bike, or catch a bus to another town. We have a responsibility to make sure children can access these life-saving skills close to home,” says Mayor Holborow.

“A pool is much more than swimming. It’s a place where rangatahi [youth] can connect, families can spend time together, and people can stay active and healthy. Those opportunities are available in the southern part of the district, and it is important that Ōtaki residents have access to them too.”

This is not a new project. Funding was included in Council’s Long-term Plan for essential upgrades, including replacing ageing heating systems, upgrading water treatment and filtration equipment and improving energy efficiency.

Following community feedback in 2024, Council also agreed to improvements including larger changing rooms, a new spa and sauna, new entrance and reception facilities and a multi-purpose community room.

With the pool needing to close for around 12 to 15 months for this work, Council then asked staff to look at what other improvements could be delivered at the same time. This includes splitting the existing 33-metre main pool to create a warmer learn-to-swim and programme pool alongside a 25-metre lane pool and adding a new deep-water manu pool.

The deep-water pool will be the only facility of its kind in the lower North Island, supporting water safety and rescue training, boat safety, waka ama, aquafit and recreation. It will also provide a dedicated space for manu, an activity already part of Ōtaki’s cultural and recreational DNA.

Read the whole article

This popped up on one our mobile phones–

from Gemini:

This advertisement is highly likely to be a lead-generation funnel or a potential scam, and you should treat it with extreme caution. The company “rcicfinder” is not an official entity, and the image itself is a generic stock or AI-generated photo designed to bait people into clicking. [1, 2]

Why You Should Avoid It

• It Is Not Official: The government body responsible for Canadian visas is Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Their official website is canada.ca. Any third-party platform using sponsored social media ads to screen your “eligibility” is usually trying to capture your data or sell you overpriced, unnecessary consulting fees. [1, 2, 3, 4]
• “RCIC” Mimicry: RCIC stands for Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant. True RCICs are individual professionals regulated by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC). Legitimate consultants do not typically market themselves under generic mass-advertising catchphrases like “rcicfinder.” [1]
• Guaranteed Success Baits: Scams and shady agencies often bait users with easy eligibility questionnaires. In reality, no private company can guarantee faster processing, high-paying jobs, or automated visa approval. [1, 2]

How to Safely Check Eligibility

1. Use the Official Government Site: You do not need to pay anyone or use an ad link to check if you can move to Canada. IRCC provides a completely free tool directly through the Official Canada Immigration Portal. [1, 2]
2. Verify the Consultant: If you do choose to hire an immigration lawyer or consultant later, always look up their name directly on the CICC Public Register to ensure they are a member in good standing. [1]

Never input your passport details, phone number, or payment information into sponsored ad pop-ups like this one. [1]