http://www.nationalblog.co.nz Chronicalling the state of the nation Sun, 20 Sep 2009 21:32:46 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Garth McVicar recently made comment that New Zealand ought to adopt a system of judicial election. Presently judicial appointment is governed merely by convention. Candidates are drawn from a pool of experienced senior counsel and appointed by the Executive after a not insignificant amount of vetting. This longstanding approach seeks; amongst ... http://www.nationalblog.co.nz/?p=254 Public funding for tertiary education comes from a limited pool, as do the academics and multitude of other resources that comprise a good tertiary qualification. The Tertiary Education Commission report to the incoming Minister stated that one of the key challenges facing tertiary education planning in New Zealand is how, ... http://www.nationalblog.co.nz/?p=244 Granting creators of content a temporary monopoly over their content in order to derive financial return is part of fostering a creative New Zealand and upholding our international intellectual property agreements. Development of content takes considerable effort and if we value the fruits of professional commercial creativity (questions of legitimacy aside) ... http://www.nationalblog.co.nz/?p=215 The imposition of an average 10-15% holiday surcharge began with the passing of the Holidays Act 2003. 'The Act' entitled workers to time and a half and a day in lieu, meaning payroll costs are increased some 150% where merchants choose to open on a public holiday. A worker previously ... http://www.nationalblog.co.nz/?p=204   Fiji has a history of civil unrest over the divisive issue of how political power is to be distributed between 'Fijian-Indians' and the ethnic or indigenous Fijian population.  The Fijian-Indian population is the legacy of the British attempt to establish an economic base for the ex-colony. Between 1879 and 1916 Indians ... http://www.nationalblog.co.nz/?p=187 Upon reading my local paper I noticed an editorial by Pat Booth suggesting that we ought to review the ‘right to silence’ afforded to defendants in criminal trials. Nemo tenetur seipsum accusare, that no man is bound to accuse himself, does not denote any single right, but rather refers to a ... http://www.nationalblog.co.nz/?p=176 As it stands employees can bring a 'personal grievance' where they are unjustifiably dismissed, that is, dismissed outside of how a fair and reasonable employer as objectively assessed would act. This means that a reason for dismissal should be given as well as proper procedures followed, it's a bit of ... http://www.nationalblog.co.nz/?p=169 Vince Siemer is a name seldom discussed beyond the walled garden of New Zealand’s legal community. Behind the name however is a man who loudly expounds what he believes to be the injustice done to him by the judiciary. Or perhaps just a man who has no concept of, or simply no respect for ... http://www.nationalblog.co.nz/?p=112 The recent civil unrest in Thailand brings in to question just how onerous is the duty owed to our citizens abroad, if any. Michael Jenkins and Tessa Welsh of Morrinsville were less than happy with the level of assistance provided by the NZ consulate in Thailand. Having been delayed by the ... http://www.nationalblog.co.nz/?p=101 "Neither a borrower nor a lender be" was the advice given by Lord Polonius at Act I, Scene III of Shakespeares Hamlet. It is said that Polonius, the mouthpiece of this advice, was created by Shakespeare so as to mock those dispensing such homespun wisdom. With this in mind I'm going to ... http://www.nationalblog.co.nz/?p=63