Andrew Dickens Afternoons

A report out from Property listings website Realestate.co.nz says Auckland's housing market is a buyers market.
The average asking price in Auckland dipped 1.3 per cent from September, to $964,936.
Jeremy told Andrew Dickens he is skeptical on the report, as he has seen the same thing happen over and over again.
" I think the real estate institute likes to create a bit of noise to get people interested and prick up their ears."
LISTEN ABOVE AS TALKBACK CALLERS SPEAK TO ANDREW DICKENS

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Talkback callers to the Andrew Dickens Afternoons Show expressed anger and disappointment over the way drug-smuggler and gang associate Karel Sroubek has been treated, with many believing he deserves a stronger punishment. 
Ian Lees-Galloway has been under pressure since it emerged he granted residency to Sroubek, even though Sroubek was found guilty of using a fake passport and is currently serving a prison term for smuggling MDMA.
Caller Henry told Andrew Dickens he thinks it is another example of the government making decision on a whim.
“If the Immigration Minister had just been open with the information he had at the time, this wouldn’t of blown up in his face."
Jeff believes that Lees-Galloway deserves to face some sort of punishment for the way he handled the case
“ My view is this guy should be sent back to the Czech Republic, preferably handcuffed to Lees-Galloway .
LISTEN TO THE AUDIO ABOVE OF CALLERS SPEAKING WITH ANDREW DICKENS

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

And so we come to the last day of the Royal Tour and thankfully Harry and Meghan are getting some good weather at last.
This is great news, not just for the royals who are enjoying the scenic wonders of Rotorua, the Redwoods, Rainbow Springs and a walkabout around Government gardens, which is one of my favourite places. 
But it’s also good news for New Zealand Inc, because as the press pool spreads their pictures around the world and it’s always good when the pictures feature blue skies.
And make no mistake, that’s what all this should be about.
Yes, the royal tour is good for New Zealanders as members of the Commonwealth to see the royal family, and we seem strangely overwhelmed by what in all honesty is just two humans and not even frontline royals. But what is with the walkabout and everyone waving the Union Jack – why weren’t they waving the New Zealand flag?
But fortunately the rest of the world is also quite interested.  Harry has always been popular as the lovable tearaway who came right.  But add in an American actress from a well-loved show with a bit of colour thrown in, then the couple have a star power that is fully disproportionate to the influence of their position.
They are the perfect power couple of 21st royalty.  They are the Kardashians of blue bloods. They’re influencers of the highest order. Their royals in a social media world.
Already our fashion designers are seeing the benefit.  Karen Walker’s trench coats sells out. Boh Runga’s jewellery sells out.  Meghan Markle wore a 1737 brooch to promote our helpline services.
But, despite their undoubted power, there are some who still quibble about the bill, which we foot.  For this tour is reportedly around $1.2 million.
To that I say: chill out.
Firstly much of the expense is part of daily use of state resources. The wages of the security forces, the drivers, the helicopter pilots, the cost of the helicopter to Abel Tasman National park itself.  Those costs exist whether Harry and Meghan were here or not.
And it’s important that these events are not seen as spending and as costs to the taxpayer, which carries negative attitude.
This Royal tour has been an investment.  An investment in visibility and it’s come pretty cheap and its payoffs are real.  And it’s been loads of fun.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It feels like a while since I’ve mentioned the Coalition government. For obvious reasons. As National took the heat for their messy internal problems the Government wisely slunk out the back door and had a beer and kept a low profile. But being the Government, eventually you come back into focus.
And every time they’ve come back into focus this week, I’ve realised that my biggest criticism of the Government is not what they have done, but it’s what they haven’t done.
Nowhere is that more so that in housing.
This week Labour celebrated the first owners of a Kiwibuild house receiving their keys. The young couple will soon graduate as a doctor and a marketer and are now the proud owners of a $650,000 four bedroom. Six Cabinet Ministers turned up in six government limos. This is a government who likes the optics and the six wanted to share the limelight. An austere government might have used a minibus but this is a petty quibble.
But the optics have been turning sour all week. Why, in the middle of a housing crisis affecting families, were the first recipients of a four bedroom house a childless couple? Sure they may soon get busy filling those three extra bedrooms but still not a good look.
Then there’s the Housing Minister admitting that Kiwibuild houses are not for low income families. Of course they’re not.  Some of us knew that from the start. They’re cheaper houses but that doesn’t mean they’re cheap. The whole point of a state building programme in a housing crisis, outside of state house construction, is to increase supply to satisfy demand, bringing house prices down through market pressure. That’s not a silly idea and it’s one that various government’s have embarked on. But Labour couldn’t help themselves. 
Their love of a slogan means they appear to have over promised and under delivered.
It’s the same story with their support of the so called airport tram. The architects of the light rail tram system for Auckland never called it an airport tram because it’s not. It’s a public transport and housing solution for the centre of the isthmus. So if you live in the soon to be intensified Mount Roskill you can get to your job in the city or the airport quickly. You’d have to have rocks in your head if you’re a tourist taking it to the airport.  
Again the government knew this but they love a slogan.
Slogans are good when you’re in opposition but not when you’re in charge. They keep coming back to bite you  because you need a bit more detail when you’re the government.
Labour like to claim it’s a transformative government but it’s hard to find any evidence of transformation other than their 5 billion dollar November boost to benefits.
Everything else is trapped in Working groups or over-hyped minor adjustments. Even their reputation as a taxation government has been over egged.  The tax increases announced by Labour will amount to 250 million dollars extra revenue by the end of June 2019. A drop in the ocean really but in the eyes of the electorate it looks like a tsunami.
This government is getting some bad press, but it’s not because they’ve actually done anything. It’s because they keep on talking about it way too much.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One royal fan is 'on a real high' after shaking Harry and Meghan's hands yesterday.
Beryl told Andrew Dickens that she was fortunate to get up close and personal with the Duke and Duchess yesterday afternoon when they were at the Pukeahu War Memorial yesterday.
"It was worth every penny, whatever it cost me of my tax," she told Dickens.
Beryl says that the royals were drawn towards her section as a little boy called Harry had a sign reading "Hi Harry, I'm Harry".
She called them a really lovely couple, but that there was an "intense pressure" on them due to the crowds pushing forwards.
LISTEN TO BERYL TALK WITH ANDREW DICKENS ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are a lot of urban legends circulating the internet about Disneyland – and it turns out one of the darkest is actually true.
Back in 2007, it was first reported that attendees at the famous theme park had spotted other guests spreading ashes amongst the rides.
It has long been considered a disturbing rumour, but now, an investigation by The Wall Street Journal has found that it is real – and happens at least once a month. It is such a common occurrence that it is referred to amongst Disney staff as a ‘HEPA cleanup’.
The report suggests that it is easy to sneak ashes in, using pill bottles and zip-lock bags, but if you get caught scattering them, staff simply vacuum the ashes up and then kick you out.
The Journal spoke with families who have attempted this alongside Disney employees. They found that people have scattered ashes around some of the park’s most famous attractions, including at Magic Kingdom and during the Pirates of the Caribbean ride.
“The Haunted Mansion probably has so much human ashes in it that it’s not even funny,” one custodian told the Journal.
LISTEN TO RAYLENE RAMSAY TALK WITH ANDREW DICKENS ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So to end the week some observations.
 
I worry that the ongoing teacher’s strikes are going to go on forever. I am of the belief that the government has offered as much as it can and they are supportive of teachers. This is as good as it gets right now.  But I think the teachers have a massive chip on their shoulders after 15 years of change. I hope that after a bit more summer teachers will accept the offer by negotiating a second round in the short to middle term. Two parties standing around in deadlock helps no-one.
 
I’ve been amused at the conclusion drawn from the 2000 overseas teachers that have applied to help with next years shortages. 2000 may have applied but are they any good?  315 have been assessed and just over 100 have started interview processes. But there’s no guarantee that any of these guys will be fit for purpose.  
 
These guys could be losers that can’t get jobs in their own country, they could be slackers wanting a working holiday. It’s like we suddenly forgot how many new Kiwi teachers struggle to find jobs. With the pressures and demands and bureaucracy now placed on teachers, principals are reluctant to hire inexperienced newbies. And these imports despite their experience in their own countries will be inexperienced newbies. I have the feeling that the overseas teacher drive is a desperate measure being done for the optics.
 
On the e-scooters, I was intrigued to hear the San Diego councilor this morning on Mike’s show. San Diego has the same problems we’ve experienced over the past week. Now this woman was a former High Cap venture capitalist and says the e-scooter business model is brilliant and they’re making loads of money. She wants them paying for infrastructure and community activities and all sorts. Now as best as I can determine Lime paid a massive $186 to the Christchurch City Council for the permit to make loads of money, injure our idiots and scare our elderly. Get the feeling you’re being ripped off?
 
And finally congratulations to TJ Perenara for nabbing the starting halfback spot in this weekend’s Bledisloe. I’ve been waiting for this all year. TJs been on fire and with all our opponents choose the rush defense and physicality to beat us he’s the sort of halfback we need. This is no slur on Aaron Smith, it’s just that this is TJ’s time.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Solo artist Miller Yule has been hard at work on new material.
He is releasing “Miller Yule Live”, his first live video EP since his acclaimed debut EP “Shoot Me in the Heart” in 2016. “Miller Yule Live” comprises seven live music and video recordings featuring Miller Yule with his band, including a stunning rendition of Six60's 2018 hit "Don't Give it Up".
Yule told Andrew Dickens that 2018 has been a year of consistently being in the studio and recording music.
"We worked on this project throughout the year and thought why not release this as a live EP. It all worked out well"
Celebrating the new release, Miller will perform a free showcase at The Kingslander with his band on Wednesday 28 November 2018. A limited run of physical CDs will be available for purchase.
LISTEN ABOVE AS MILLER YULE SPEAKS TO ANDREW DICKENS

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the interview above as professional Gasfitter Gary explains to Andrew Dickens all of the tips and tricks on using your BBQ properly.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealander's love of outdoor cooking has grown in record numbers over the past few years. 
American style BBQ devotees are starting to flock to the  Facebook page - NZ BBQ Pit Masters which is gaining about 300 every month.
Talkback caller Mike told Andrew Dickens he has always been a fan of smoking meat.
"I have recently got back into smoking with wood and charcoal, it is more entertaining that way." 
LISTEN ABOVE AS MIKE SPEAKS TO ANDREW DICKENS

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.