Posts by Paul Williams
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Cooks and Stewards union, not Cook Islands
Thanks for clarifying, I'm still not sure I understand DeepRed's argument though? If wages weren't the issue here really - and I think I now understand they weren't even for the actors themselves - then how are we on a race to the bottom - surely not in film?
Incidentally, I don't know the export value of NZ film and TV but I do know I've enjoyed noticing more and more NZ TV and film in Australia - bro'town, Gormsby and OF for instance and Boy was playing at a number of cinemas near me. Perhaps we're not far from the point where Australian actors come to NZ to make themselves?
Edit:
@ Paul W: Granted, the film sector seems to be a unique standout. Racing to the bottom is an issue that goes far beyond the film sector, but rather the wider NZ political economy as a whole.
Thanks for this, I'm still not sure I agree. Tourism is low-wage, low-value add and high impact but we've got to do it. Our low trade-intensity is a function of the mix of exports - commodities largely - but I'm far more optimistic about the future of our food industry particularly. It's been a while since I was closely involved, but the Seafood industry was one I had some engagement with and it was incredibly innovative and competitive.
It's a sad state of affairs when for every Sam Morgan and Peter Jackson, there are dozens of Fay Richwhites.
Hell yes!
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As it stands, NZ Inc is in real danger of becoming like the Cooks & Stewards et al it purportedly despised.
Hang on, is that this case here? I thought - and I've not followed the thread closely recently - that the wages paid were competitive internationally? Is your point about the additional inducements?
I certainly agree that a low-wage, low-value added economy is no future for NZ (but rapidly developing an ETM industry is a stretch) however, I'd thought the film industry in NZ was established because of its unique and innovative services as well as scenery and talent? If that's the case, I'm not sure how we're heading towards being the Cooks?
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So...we are doing the right thing by having child care centres so that parents (both...?) can go out to work and be acceptable contributors to society.
It's a question my wife and I wrestle with. We've got two kids at home, one 5+ and one almost eighteen months, and we struggle as we work collectively 9 working days a week (my wife has one day away from the office). Last night my wife worked until 2am - that's unusual but not unheard of.
Is this the best option? I don't know. For the moment, it feels necessary. For a period, I worked fewer days including one from home but I can't do that now. Living in Sydney is expensive, but we chose to be here.
Critically, my two daughters have had fantastic child care and have flourished. Had they not, had they struggled or been distressed by the days away from us, things might've been different. We're lucky that we were able to access great care provided by wonderful teachers (and it's not work I could do and is woefully inadequately financially rewarded).
What's right can't be simply or uniformly stated surely? What's right depends on the individuals concerned. I don't think having kids in care is necessarily worse than being at home fulltime provided the care is good and the children benefit. In my situation, I believe that's been the case. It's also meant my wife and I can both maintain our careers - which are important to us both.
Regarding solo parenting, I know only a few, they are dead-set heros and I'll indulge no criticism of them from Tony Ryall, Peter Cresswell or Rosemay McLeod for that matter.
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I will call them out.
Thanks Jackie, you've bought facts and experience to debunk myth and prejudice. I spent most of the first 18 years of my life in Mangere, living and going to school. I get heartily sick of the shit that's heaped on my home town.
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Fair enough - anyway, I have found this to be a much more pleasant a place than the the rest of the blog sites.
Grand, please avoid calling, or quoting, people round here as scabs, otherwise, opine away.
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But, hey, funny how you're a Grinch-i-licious right wing buzz-kill one day, and then... Anything much changed besides the Government?
C'mon Craig, you've never killed a buzz; amplified, diverted, perverted... never killed.
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You know this thread has had almost 1600 posts?
Is that some sort of record on here?
Not nearly and it's because the participants give a damn and listen... it's a feature of this community that's highly valued (and defended). You have a view, please convey it, but please also drop the judginess and insults
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No Tim, sadly Brendon's class warrior routine's academic.
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Brendon, speaking exclusively for myself, fuck off.
Not a phrase I often use but I entirely resent your cartoon views on this. I don't want to see the NZ prostituted for no sustainable benefit but that simply hasn't happened here and it's ridiculous to suggest otherwise.
This isn't a forum where Helen Kelly's evil and John Key's a saviour. That being the case, keep your (or Trotter's) offensive epithets to yourself.
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I'd very much like to add something but I've just read Kracklite's contribution and can't possibly say it better... any of it. Thanks.
(Hand-wringing teachers don't carry much weight at the moment I'm afraid.)
Oh hang on now... I'm pretty critical of teacher unions but that's quite unfair. In my not inconsiderable experience, teachers work incredibly bloody hard at a very difficult task that has enormous value and meaning for us all... some can be a bit precious, more often than necessary in fact, but can we keep this in context...