PUBLIC SERVICE SHAKE UP - NEEDS MORE THAN THE WILL OF THE BOSSES

We are home with the snuffles after a 12 day break in Oz( party up with about 30 under fives and you are bound to get a bug!) so we were all ears and snuffles as we listened to the Treasury boss John Whitehead on RNZ this morning give the Public service a prod about productivity.

He is right and now Bill English has followed up saying the govt has given the public servants a year to get their shit together and deliver some efficiencies and productivity.

Anyway, we have been talking to others in the civil service and we are all of the same opinion. The boys at the top have been making some interesting decisions but its apparent some of them have lost touch with their departments and Ministries and its time they got out of their offices , walked the floor and had a bit of a chat with some of the staff who would be able to give them some pointers of how to improve things.

Most of the staff in the public service are well aware how well lubed the machinery of state has become and it is time that they be given the chance to add their two cents worth as to how savings and efficiencies can be made. Have a little faith guys and listen to people who work for you. They will give you answers you are looking for.

CLOTHING COMPANY FEELL ILL CHILL OF RECESSION

This is a bugger -NBR reports that Line 7 has gone into receivership. They are famous for good solid well made outdoor gear .

We have put some of that gear to the test at sea and on the muttonbird islands and its good rugged stuff lasts for bloody years.

They have also branched into fashion wear and cater for the well endowed sheilas like mois. I suggest that you take a look at their website they have some seriously reduced items on sale with 60% off - yip 60% off. And no we are not getting paid to promote it!

I have about 10 bits and pieces from their all weather outdoor gear and some fashion stuff.


Here's hoping the brand, that is linked to so many big sporting events, can be saved.

FRAN GIVES GOVT A NUDGE ON BIZ SUPPORT

We admire the work and musing of the primo financial and political commentator Fran O'Sullivan. Today she does a " tut tut" get on with it column to the govt

We think its worthy of a leisurely read.

RECESSION BUSTING

Great Stuff from Bernard Hickey at Interest.co.nz on how to hunker down in tough times

We have some more:

• Grow stuff- its as cheap as chips and even if it is just a few herbs on a window ledge it will save you money. If you have a garden grow stuff and dont waste a thing -make jams jellies and preserves so when you buy cheap meat and stuff you can tart it up.
• Get your shoes resoled. We have a pair of Prada sandals that are in their 4th year. Still great on the top just got thin at the heels. Outstanding, interesting shoes defy fashion cycles - treasure them.
• Make your own cool pies. Pies can be made out of left over stuff. And they freeze.
• Eat left overs - stop chucking good food out.
• Eat out Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays , restaurants always do deals on these nites. Like half price Taittingers at Boulcott St Bistro if you want a cheapish treat. ( dont take Cactus though - She will drink the place dry.)
• Buy second hand - if it is good enough for Peaches its good enough for us.

STICKY BUNS FOR LUNCH ANYONE?

Well knock us down with a feather. It appears the dirty girls in Christchurch are falling on hard times but not the hard times they want. Seems the recession made their market go soft. So they are whipping up some extras to entice the punters to spend half a hundy on a lunch time blowy rather than a steak and a Pinot down on the Strip.

And its the quick service lunch time trade that has become a winner with the Christchurch boys.

THE ECONOMIC TSUNAMI IS BUILDING

We are off to lunch at Shed 5 today . It is hard to grasp that our world is going to be impacted by the growing global economic crisis when its sunny, most people you know still have jobs and you have money in the bank, but the story in the Herald today clearly shows the impact the recession is having on export earnings and the news is real bad. Its the biggest drop in 20 years. We reckoned it will be June before the first cold chill of the Tsunami really hits our fair shores. We hope that everyone is getting ready - it aint gonna be pretty.

COUNTRY SEES THE DANGER IN MMP

It was way past BB's bedtime when the results of the MMP poll were announced on TVNZ and it was staggering - 75% want to see the end of MMP.

We did blog on our thoughts of the minors debate last night and we reckon that the Hydra is a cluster fuck in the making . We cannot afford in these troubled times to have the mini- minors being drip fed "nice to have" but ultimately not life changing policies in exchange for power - Firstly there is no money and secondly there isn't time to waste on crap. We need a stable govt to steer us through what will be the hardest economic times since the depression.

Wellington Hive has a wonderful contribution that says pretty much the same, but much more elegantly.