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LEADERSHIP - CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME - HRRA Opinion Post - (Picture - Hamilton City Councillors 2020)
Plaudits should be given to those to whom it is due. It is great to see a small but growing number of community leaders following the lead of government ministers and the Director of Health and … View moreLEADERSHIP - CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME - HRRA Opinion Post - (Picture - Hamilton City Councillors 2020)
Plaudits should be given to those to whom it is due. It is great to see a small but growing number of community leaders following the lead of government ministers and the Director of Health and agreeing to donate a % of their exorbitant salaries. We do not use the exorbitant term lightly, by almost any measure NZ’s public servants’ salaries are massively disproportional to the population sizes, or more importantly incomes, of those they ‘serve’.
These massive salaries have been driven by a clever system of setting those salaries based upon % increases, and interesting benchmarks being made with a select group of top executives. So in a time where hundreds of thousands are destined to lose their jobs and have difficulty putting food on the table, or paying their rates in order to keep a roof over their heads, it is laudable that some of these high paid leaders are showing empathy.
We think this is a good start and call on it to go further on two fronts. First, in these very difficult times pay cuts across all senior levels of the public sector should be universal. The commentary from many political ‘leaders’ is that these cuts or donations are merely a drop in the bucket. This is an interesting commentary, and some might say self-serving. It is hardly a drop in the bucket when there are over 80 senior officials in the Auckland City Council who earn over $250,000 (1 Stuff 20th Apr 2020).
While we acknowledge Auckland is our biggest city, up and down the country we have council employees (of what would be considered almost villages in many countries), earning hundreds of thousands, not to mention all of the senior public servants in central government and senior executives in council-controlled organisations. We could add to this director’s fees and the list goes on and on. Some of these employees are also drawing superannuation, and/or a raft of other taxpayer funded perks. As some commentators point out ‘if you add up the smashed avocado’s you can save big’. In this case we are talking about hundreds of millions of smashed avocados. If we are to boost our economy through spending to get through this crisis, then let it come from our empathetic leaders, not be forced onto desperate taxpayers or future generations.
On the second front we also applaud the government fast tracking legislation to allow public servants to take pay cuts (2 Stuff 21st Apr 2020). Many of our local body politicians have stated that they are willing to make donations, to family members, their own organisations, or existing charities that they support (3 NZ Herald 20th Apr 2020). This is great but we are sure they will all agree that it is much better for them as leaders of their community to take this money as an actual pay cut as soon as the law allows. While we in no way doubt the integrity of our current group of councillors or senior public officials, in less ethical hands donating to your family, an organisation you control, or your own select charitable group may not have clear and transparent results. We therefore look forward to all Councillors and senior executives taking an actual and lasting pay cut to help us through this crisis. After all - We are All in This Together.
Finally, we would like to echo the words of our Prime Minister and thank the True Essential Workers. This crisis has put the focus on who our essential workers are. As the Prime Minister said in her Covid-19 announcement on Wednesday, we need to thank all the cleaners. Those people on the front line who often earn minimum wage. They risk their lives by going to clean and disinfect our workplaces and public spaces of this virus. Maybe those senior public ‘servants’ can go onto the front line and truly earn their massive salaries…
It could be two-to-five years before tourism operators see international airline passenger numbers r…
The emptiness on the streets - and in the buses - has been eerie for Hamilton driver John Ritchie.
He's been driving for nearly 50 years and works for Go Bus.
Read more here. Have you been on a bus during lockdown?
The unmistakable sound of Anzac Day is about to ring out around Jodi Albery's neighbourhood in Hamil…
Create a simple hanging bird feeder from a few pieces of plywood and a terracotta pot and saucer.
Make the most of this weekend with this easy step by step project idea from Resene. Find out how to create this quick and easy project yourself
Introducing Mighty Local – our new space where we proudly promote and profile everything local across the Mighty Waikato region.
Here we will be sharing how you can support local Waikato businesses during COVID-19 by getting your fav foods delivered and keeping up your fitness routines with … View moreIntroducing Mighty Local – our new space where we proudly promote and profile everything local across the Mighty Waikato region.
Here we will be sharing how you can support local Waikato businesses during COVID-19 by getting your fav foods delivered and keeping up your fitness routines with local gyms and studios. You’ll also be able to explore some of our fabulous Waikato destinations and attractions virtually and be entertained online by Waikato artists and performers.
He waka eke noa: we are all in this together. #mightylocal
Do you know your tenants' rights during alert level four and level three? Are you familiar with your responsibilities as a landlord during this time?
Take our quiz and see how you score – if you find yourself stumped, give our property management team a call, they are up to date on all… View moreDo you know your tenants' rights during alert level four and level three? Are you familiar with your responsibilities as a landlord during this time?
Take our quiz and see how you score – if you find yourself stumped, give our property management team a call, they are up to date on all the latest regulations and can help you navigate this time.
So contact Jason and put him to the test.
Mobile 021 880 805 | Email jasonw@lodge.co.nz
Anzac Day is being celebrated differently this year, with virtual services and online events, all from our own living rooms, balconies and driveways. Download this pdf of a poppy, by award-winning illustrator Sharon Murdoch, to print off and stick in a front window - To show that even in lockdown, … View moreAnzac Day is being celebrated differently this year, with virtual services and online events, all from our own living rooms, balconies and driveways. Download this pdf of a poppy, by award-winning illustrator Sharon Murdoch, to print off and stick in a front window - To show that even in lockdown, in our small bubbles, we shall not forget. That we can still say thank you for the sacrifices, we can still pay tribute to the bravery of so many.
Discover the innovative ways Hamilton's CBD businesses are staying connected with customers across the city and find what businesses have on offer as we look to move to alert level 3 next week!
The Government has announced New Zealand will move out of Alert Level 4 lockdown at 11.59pm on… View moreDiscover the innovative ways Hamilton's CBD businesses are staying connected with customers across the city and find what businesses have on offer as we look to move to alert level 3 next week!
The Government has announced New Zealand will move out of Alert Level 4 lockdown at 11.59pm on Monday 27 April. We are still in Alert Level 4 until we wake up on Tuesday 28 April.
Missing your haircut, your morning coffee or dinner out? We've set up a site where you can support your local small business by buying a voucher now for a service you will get in the future - give these small businesses the money they need now to keep the lights on while they have the doors … View moreMissing your haircut, your morning coffee or dinner out? We've set up a site where you can support your local small business by buying a voucher now for a service you will get in the future - give these small businesses the money they need now to keep the lights on while they have the doors shut. Lots of great places to support across Hamilton and the Waikato here...
sosbusiness.nz...
EarthDiverse is pleased to announce its Term 2 lineup of language and religious diversity classes beginning the week of Monday 4 May. Language classes on offer this Term are Arabic 101; Hebrew 104; Hindi 101, 102 and 104; and Urdu 102. Religious Diversity classes on offer this Term are ʻReligious … View moreEarthDiverse is pleased to announce its Term 2 lineup of language and religious diversity classes beginning the week of Monday 4 May. Language classes on offer this Term are Arabic 101; Hebrew 104; Hindi 101, 102 and 104; and Urdu 102. Religious Diversity classes on offer this Term are ʻReligious Fundamentalism, Extremism & Terrorismʻ and ʻWorld Religions: Islamʻ. Both “on-line live-streaming” and “in-person” classes are available. All “in-person” classes are live-streamed during Covid-19 lockdown restrictions. Those living outside of the Waikato may now register for our “on-line live-streamed” classes! Please check our website for details www.earthdiverse.org.nz....
As a first-home buyer it pays to weigh up your options to see whether buying new or buying 'character' is best for you.
We’ve been privileged to help Kiwis get the essentials needed to work, study, and stay connected. It’s led to huge demand and some orders are taking longer to deliver. We’d really like to apologise to the customers who’ve experienced these delays.
To help get it sorted faster we’ve … View moreWe’ve been privileged to help Kiwis get the essentials needed to work, study, and stay connected. It’s led to huge demand and some orders are taking longer to deliver. We’d really like to apologise to the customers who’ve experienced these delays.
To help get it sorted faster we’ve quadrupled our Customer Care team, and expanded our order fulfilment network so we can get thousands more orders delivered each day. Plus our remote Tech Solutions service will be free until May 11 to lend customers a hand with technology advice or setting up.
Thanks for your patience, everyone. We’re getting there.
View Hamilton Harcourts' latest interactive Blueprint.
If you'd like to receive Blueprint in your inbox each week, subscribe here.
Fraser High School is the hub of Adult Learning in Hamilton and the Waikato district.
New online classes have been added to our Adult and Community Education programme. Our tutors will support you to get connected, get learning and enjoy a whole new adventure.
You can look, book and pay … View moreFraser High School is the hub of Adult Learning in Hamilton and the Waikato district.
New online classes have been added to our Adult and Community Education programme. Our tutors will support you to get connected, get learning and enjoy a whole new adventure.
You can look, book and pay online at www.fraserace.ac.nz or just email us on comed@fraser.school.nz Easy! Very easy!
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