Have you ever seen or used one of these?
Tait Handsets
April 05, 2025
Tait Communications
Will the EU Crush America?
Err, I doubt the EU has the economic muscle to defeat the US in a trade war, but I guess we are about to find out. What is more likely to happen is the whole world decides to deal with one another and move away from the US dollar.
April 04, 2025
New Zealand's Tariff Rate - Liberation Day USA
I see reports on New Zealand being listed as charging the US a 20% tariff on its goods. In fact, NZ charges about 1.9% on average, plus 15% GST. The total of the two is 16.9%, the tariff being paid by the end-user, while the GST is refunded to the importer when they file their periodic GST return.
However, this is NOT the methodology America appears to have used. How did NZ get listed at 20%? The US appears to have looked at the trade balance, currently NZ exports to the US, about $1.1 billion more than it imports from the US ($4.5 billion). Thus, the $1.1 billion surplus represents 19.65% of NZ's exports ($5.6 billion). They've rounded that 19.65% up to 20%.
Any country whose surplus increases from hereon will likely face increases in tariffs if that surplus becomes a greater percentage of its exports to the US. The US is effectively saying, you need to buy more from us, if you want to sell more to us. You cannot buy nothing and expect to sell more. Do you see?
I'm sure NZ officials do not understand this methodology, so if you're reading this, please contact the NZ government and inform them.
April 03, 2025
Kea Aerospace
New Zealand are world leaders in private high altitude aerospace development. Kea Aerospace is another company with aircraft up and running from its base in Christchurch. Clever idea this one; they're making aircraft that fly perpetually, with solar panels charging batteries during the day. Being in the air so long, they can do accurate testing, provide cost-effective communications, you name it. One of the founders is Mark Rocket, who was also a founder of Rocket Lab. Mark Rocket is a clever guy and I've spoken to him previously, he complimented me once by saying I had good ideas (heh).
In the below video at about the 1:03 mark, you can get a good aerial view over Banks Peninsula with Akaroa Harbour on full display. This harbour is massive, you could lose several cruise ships in it, wondering where did they go?
Trump Tariff List
Here is a list of what each country faces. Brexit seems to have avoided the worst since it has left the EU.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1jxrnl9xe2o
10% baseline for all countries, with the following only facing that baseline rate (amongst others):
- United Kingdom
- Singapore
- Brazil
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Turkey
- Colombia
- Argentina
- El Salvador
- United Arab Emirates
- Saudi Arabia
Punitive rates, as follows on some countries:
- European Union: 20%
- China: 54%
- Vietnam: 46%
- Thailand: 36%
- Japan: 24%
- Cambodia: 49%
- South Africa: 30%
- Taiwan: 32%
Plus; 25% tariff on all car imports to the US.
Canada and Mexico have nothing added to the measures already introduced against them.
April 02, 2025
Dawn Aerospace
I have previously mentioned that New Zealand leads the world in private companies accessing space. Rocket Lab is fully operational and launches satellites on its NZ built conveyance from its launch facility on the Mahia Peninsula, near Gisborne in the North Island.
Now, almost up and running and currently testing is Dawn Aerospace in Canterbury, the South Island's largest province. The vehicle is a purpose built rocket aircraft for launching payloads into space. The aircraft has approval and can potentially launch from any airport in the world.
Their aircraft, the Mk-II Aurora became the first civil aircraft to go supersonic since Concorde, when it went supersonic on the 12th November, 2024.
https://www.dawnaerospace.com/latest-news/certifiedsupersonic
Dawn Aerospace, proudly announces that the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has awarded it a certificate to fly the Mk-II Aurora at unlimited speeds, including supersonic, up to 80,000 feet altitude. This certification permits operations beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) without the need for restricted airspace.
The Mk-II Aurora is a rocket-powered aircraft, designed to be the first vehicle ever to fly to 100 km altitude, the edge of space, twice in a single day. It is rapidly reusable and low cost, making it well suited for a variety of applications in microgravity, high speed flight research, earth observation, as well as other defence and civil uses.
“This unlocks the next major performance milestone for the Mk-II vehicle, namely supersonic flight,” said CEO, Stefan Powell. “To the best of our knowledge, this would be the first privately funded UAV to break the sound barrier.”
April 01, 2025
Liberation Day
April 2nd., 2025 is almost here and we will soon find out what effect Trump's tariff regime will have on world trade. While I think it unlikely, I wouldn't be surprised if some overseas based manufacturers pull out of the US market altogether, just to make doing business simpler.
As he announced 25% auto tariffs last week, he alleged that America has been ripped off because it imports more goods than it exports.
“This is the beginning of Liberation Day in America,” Trump said. “We’re going to charge countries for doing business in our country and taking our jobs, taking our wealth, taking a lot of things that they’ve been taking over the years. They’ve taken so much out of our country, friend and foe. And, frankly, friend has been oftentimes much worse than foe.”
<snip>
The Republican president plans to tax imported pharmaceutical drugs, copper and lumber. He has put forth a 25% tariff on any country that imports oil from Venezuela, even though the United States also does so. Imports from China are being charged an additional 20% tax because of its role in fentanyl production. Trump has imposed separate tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico for the stated reason of stopping drug smuggling and illegal immigration. Trump also expanded his 2018 steel and aluminum tariffs to 25% on all imports.
March 31, 2025
Benjamin Doyle NZ Greens MP
New Zealand has plumbed the depths once again. Yet another Greens MP, of course:
https://centrist.nz/open-letter-to-nz-media-on-green-mp-benjamin-doyle/
The rest of the legacy media, who each continually claim to be trusted keepers of editorial independence, have published nothing. Normally quick to explode at the sight of an overripe banana in a school lunch, or an MP from a party they don’t favour touching a staffer’s arm, or an off colour tweet that some National MP posted when they were, like, 10, the mainstream media have stayed silent this weekend as allegations of child abuse swirl around proudly queer Green MP Benjamin Doyle.
<snip>
Despite state broadcasters RNZ and TVNZ having huge staffs and budgets to match, with editorial mission statements up the wazoo, none of them or their so-called investigative teams were brave enough to cover a breaking story which, at best, proves that Doyle’s future is no longer tenable as a spokesperson for the Greens on Early Childhood Education and sex education in schools.
<snip>
Over the weekend, however, I’ve investigated further and I believe Doyle has messed up so badly that there needs to be a formal investigation launched immediately by Police and Oranga Tamariki.
You see, I believe the evidence now in the public domain indicates that Doyle is dog-whistling pedophilia. At worst, I believe there is now sufficient reason for authorities to investigate the welfare of his child.
You see, I believe the evidence now in the public domain indicates that Doyle is dog-whistling pedophilia. At worst, I believe there is now sufficient reason for authorities to investigate the welfare of his child.
March 30, 2025
Food Unaffordable in New Zealand
New Zealand produces enough food to feed a population of 60 million. But it only has 5 million. Despite that, Kiwis pay ridiculously high food prices, and that's because the food chain is controlled by a duopoly, two big supermarket chains.
Successive governments always promise retail reform, threatening to break up these two giants. Why don't they do it? They promise, conduct inquiries, and constantly look into it. Endless looking, never any doing.
So, the government does the usual again, announcing possible changes. Maybe, in a couple of years time. Is this announcement because National are behind the opposition Labour party in recent polls? That's probably it, because National will never actually do anything.
The government says all options are on the table to introduce more competition into the supermarket sector, which could include the break-up or restructuring of the two existing supermarket chains.
Currently the Woolworths and Foodstuffs chains dominate New Zealand's supermarket sector.
Cabinet has also agreed to a formal request for information (RFI) to accelerate improved competition.
<snip>
"Officials are working with the appointed advisors to consider options including a possible demerger of existing entities."
Willis said there were a range of views about what that design would look like.
"Do you separate the wholesale from the retail? Do you split the existing brands up? And if you do that, what is required in terms of their wholesaling and warehousing and logistics, how would they be broken up to match the new brands?"
The advice she is seeking asks "what actually is the ideal market structure" and how can that be achieved.
See what passes for government in New Zealand? They really are useless.
Sentebale: Prince William to the Rescue?
I see one of the new trustees of Sentebale is Iain Rawlinson, who was a trustee and Chair of Prince William's Tusk Trust. Prince William may be necessary to rescue the charity that was set up, at least in part, to honour his mother.
There is an article in the Financial Times adding to what has already become known about what is going on at Sentebale, it reveals that Prince Harry's toxic brand was making fundraising difficult.
https://www.ft.com/content/8fc9561d-c145-4542-a32a-1707573c012b
Edit to add: Sophie Chandauka has recently spoken to Sky News UK:
March 29, 2025
Bob Woodward on Trump
In summary: fear. Trump is using fear to silence dissent, and to ensure he takes complete control. Does Donald Trump see himself as king, and how will this end?
March 28, 2025
March 27, 2025
Free School Meals - New Zealand
New Zealand's right wing politicians currently have an issue with free school meals. They're not supplied everywhere, but are made available in poorer areas where nutrition is a real issue.
In the embedded video, Richard Prebble is being interviewed by Leah Panapa. Prebble is a politician who was part for the Labour government of the 1980's that destroyed the modern post-war NZ economy, while Panapa should know better, but she doesn't as she's ignorant.
Prebble says, 'real facts'. Oh really, he's wrong, the facts are that NZ has always fed its vulnerable children. From the 1930's up until the late 1960's every primary school child in NZ had to drink half a pint of milk each school day. That's about 300ml every day Monday to Friday. Then, across the whole country up until, I think, the 1980's dairy products for human consumption were heavily subsidised. It was cheaper to buy milk and cheese than it was to drink a Coke or Sprite.
Additionally, every mother in New Zealand was paid a sum of money each week to feed their children. They got paid for every child, and this money went to mothers so that fathers didn't spend the money down at the pub.
Then, finally, health camps operated across the country. Children found to be malnourished were taken to these camps and given food and exercise. These health camps operated for most of the twentieth century.
And just think what happens if NZ doesn't feed its vulnerable children. The cost of this is enormous, the country would end up with a segment of uneducated and sickly people. The cheapest way to deal with it is to feed the children at school and put these children in a position where they can learn. A hungry child doesn't learn, it's as simple as that.
Tesla Shares Drop
Tesla's share price dropped in the last trading session (Yahoo Finance) and down 28% for the year-to-date. But, I did notice a rise in price over the previous few days leading to this latest dip. What's up with that? Tesla make the world's worst automobile, and one model, the Cybertruck is a disgrace to trucks everywhere. It is probably the worst car ever built.
The conclusion I have come to is that Tesla is a Ponzi scheme, and fools tip money in to try and extract some value. The shareholders left at the end, when it call comes crashing down, will be the ones left holding the bag. One clever commentator explained that Tesla doesn't make its money on the cars, but on crypto currency and taxpayer subsidies. I can believe that, but have no special insight on the matter, I just look at how bad the car is and think the company must go bust.
Tesla shares fell almost 6% on Wednesday as data from Europe showed slowing sales last month, and investors grew increasingly concerned about President Donald Trump’s plan for tariffs.
The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) revealed on Tuesday that Tesla saw a 40% year-over-year drop in new vehicle registrations in Europe in February, while overall battery electric vehicle sales were up 26%.
Sentebale Resignations
Sentebale, the charity in southern Africa that Prince Harry established along with the prince of Lesotho, is in turmoil as every trustee resigns. Its chairperson has issued a damning statement, strongly implying irregularities in the way it has been run.
Has this got anything to do with the USAID shutdown? I do notice that the High Court in England and Wales agreed to hear the matter, effectively preventing the removal of the board chair.
Sentebale chair, Dr Sophie Chandauka has issued a statement:
'I chose to join Sentebale first and foremost as a proud African who understands that, in the spirit of ubuntu: to whom much is given, much is expected. Everything I do at Sentebale is in pursuit of the integrity of the organisation, its mission, and the young people we serve.
'My actions are guided by the principles of fairness and equitable treatment for all, regardless of social status or financial means. There are people in this world who behave as though they are above the law and mistreat people, and then play the victim card and use the very press they disdain to harm people who have the courage to challenge their conduct.
'Discerning readers will ask themselves: why would the Chair of the Board report her own Trustees to the Charity Commission? Why would the High Court of England and Wales accept her application to hear the matter at all if the case had no merit?
'Well, because beneath all the victim narrative and fiction that has been syndicated to press is the story of a woman who dared to blow the whistle about issues of poor governance, weak executive management, abuse of power, bullying, harassment, misogyny, misogynoir – and the coverup that ensued. I could be anyone.
'I just happen to be an educated woman who understands that the law will guide and protect me. I will say nothing further on this matter at this time. I have one job. I must focus on fundraising for the very important work of the young people who inspire the incredible team at Sentebale who make sacrifices daily at a time when geopolitics is severely impacting funding for development work in Africa.
'For me, this is not a vanity project from which I can resign when I am called to account. I am an African who has had the privilege of a worldclass education and career. I will not be intimidated. I must stand for something. I stand for those other women who do not have the ways and means.
'I am indebted to those who have stood by me and picked up my urgent call for help so that we can continue the mission at Sentebale. I will continue to faithfully perform my role as Chair of the Board, and I look forward to the opportunity to work with others who are interested in issues of health, wealth and climate resilience for young people in Africa.'
March 26, 2025
Snow White RIP?
What's wrong with Disney, do they want to kill off the Snow White franchise? Disney, destroying childhood dreams everywhere:
March 24, 2025
Lydia Ko Vogue Korea Cover
New Zealand sporting great, Lydia Ko finds herself on the cover of Vogue Korea. I cannot think of another Kiwi who has done more to put New Zealand on the map this decade, than Lydia Ko. She's special, and humble with it. Not only that, she's gorgeous.
https://www.lpga.com/news/2025/lydia-ko-appears-on-cover-of-vogue-korea
Ko made history last season after taking home a gold medal in the women’s golf competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics to earn automatic entry into the LPGA Hall of Fame. She also won three LPGA Tour titles at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, the AIG Women’s Open at the Old Course at St Andrews and the Kroger Queen City Championship presented by P&G, her 20th, 21st and 22nd career victories, respectively.
With her win last year in Scotland, the New Zealand native became a three-time major champion, and along with her gold medal, Ko also has both silver and bronze medals in her possession, claiming the former at the 2016 Rio Olympics and earning the latter at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The 27-year-old is the only player in Olympic golf history to complete the medal trifecta.
Ko is a three-time Race to the CME Globe champion, a two-time Rolex Player of the Year winner and a two-time Vare Trophy recipient. She was the Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year in 2014 and has been recognized with two peer-voted LPGA awards – the 2021 Founders Award and the 2024 Heather Farr Perseverance Award.
Most recently, Ko was made a Dame by New Zealand at the end of last year, and on Feb. 18, she was named the New Zealand Sportswoman of the Year and recognized with the Supreme Halberg Award in honor of her achievements during the 2024 golf season.
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| Lydia Ko Vogue Korea |