Only got as far as the EROI comparison to get to the first dishonesty. Essentially they assume the wind energy can be directly used at every moment it's being generated which is not always true – to the the H2 case where the energy has been stored and can be used when you need it. In other words they've discounted the value of the energy storage to zero and gotten to a stupid answer.
Second dishonest comparison, they take the high price of a new tech, low volume car and use that to inflate the cost of conversion. In any real world scenario the maturity, volumes and costs of H2 vehicles would be considerably better, just as the first EV's were too expensive but became affordable over time. And more importantly would be part of the usual vehicle fleet replacement price which a quick back of envelope calculation already costs us around $5b pa, not an incremental new cost they present it as.
Third dishonest claim is platinum catalyst availability limit – as if this was not well understood and being actively researched. (Far too many links to be bothered posting here.)
Fourth dishonest claim is hydrogen embrittlement in metals is equally blinkered – there are good alternatives to using metals already in production. Nor was there any attempt at qualifying the issue which is not the deal breaker they're pretending it is.
Fifth dishonesty is to go all in on ‘the world’s largest hydroliser at 10MW’ as if this was some kind of limit. It’s not.
Finally their 100MW example is pathetically small compared to the projects underway. All at a GW scale with considerable investment; maybe their engineers know something this pair don't. For example most of this first H2 is not destined to power cars, but other applications like de-carbonising steel and concrete production, or large vehicles where the very low energy density of batteries is a deal breaker. But none of this mentioned.
Summary – hit piece easily pulled apart with a few moments on a search engine. The only upside is I did learn a couple of new things.
That's very interesting. Another rumour I spotted a few weeks back is that FMG are looking at using the Marsden Point infrastructure for some kind of H2 project.
I don't want to oversell H2, it's not a silver bullet, but part of a mix of technologies that we will need to decarbonise. I spent most of last year commissioning at a lithium plant and this year looks like it may be H2 – so I'm not biased. Just diversified
Why do they call it "green" hydrogen? This is greenwash. Complete bollocks.
We don't say I'm going to put green solar panels on my roof to help power my green house or to feed the grid to power my green EV that uses green batteries.
The evidence in the video looks pretty compelling to me. Hydrogen makes no sense at all compared to the far cheaper and more efficient (and getting rapidly more efficient) battery storage model.
The real question is how we generate and distribute electricity in the first place to meet future demand; I have posted before on TS about how wind turbines destroy landscape values, meaning they are only a very limited option IMHO. Solar and offshore wind turbines are the best options.
Green hydrogen is extracted using a method that does not produce GHG emissions. As the name suggests, its production is sustainable and environmentally friendly. Green hydrogen is most commonly produced using a device called an electrolyser. Electrolysers use electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. The key to this method of producing green hydrogen is that the electricity that powers the electrolyser comes from renewable sources, such as wind, solar, which have no associated GHG emissions. There are also pathways to produce green hydrogen from waste biomass.
Blue hydrogen
Blue hydrogen is produced using a process called ‘steam reforming’, which uses steam to separate hydrogen from natural gas. This process does produce GHGs, but carbon capture and storage technologies capture and store those emissions.
Grey hydrogen
Grey hydrogen is also extracted from natural gas using steam reforming but in this case, relevant technologies don’t capture resulting emissions. Instead, they are released into the atmosphere.
Brown and black hydrogen
Brown hydrogen (made from brown coal) and black hydrogen (made from black coal) are produced via gasification. It’s an established process used in many industries that converts carbon-rich materials into hydrogen and carbon dioxide. As a result, gasification releases those by-products into the atmosphere.
However, if technology ends up storing those emissions, that hydrogen can sometimes be called blue.
There are other colours too
Turquoise hydrogen
Turquoise hydrogen describes hydrogen produced when natural gas is broken down into hydrogen and solid carbon via pyrolysis. This method uses heat to break down a material’s chemical make up. It’s seen as ‘low carbon’ as the hydrogen production process doesn’t emit any GHGs. But there can beemissions associated with the mining and transport of natural gas that is used as the starting product.
Yellow, purple and pink hydrogen
But wait, there’s more! We occasionally see yellow hydrogen describing hydrogen made from direct water splitting, or purple (or pink) for hydrogen derived using nuclear power. There are also murmurings of white hydrogen, which may be extractable from underground.
There is a bit more to it than 'bollocks'
The evidence in the video looks pretty compelling to me.
Ah OK I didn't know that. But it alters little as the description you give says:
As the name suggests, its production is sustainable and environmentally friendly. Green hydrogen is most commonly produced using a device called an electrolyser. Electrolysers use electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. The key to this method of producing green hydrogen is that the electricity that powers the electrolyser comes from renewable sources, such as wind, solar, which have no associated GHG emissions. There are also pathways to produce green hydrogen from waste biomass.
Again I say this is greenwash-the inefficiencies of needing huge amounts of power (compared with the alternatives) to to make and store hydrogen means it is not green at all.
You've found a use for the crazy pedestrian crossing we have in Wellington. We can update each line by writing in the amount of that type of hydrogen that we are using. Perhaps we can update the numbers every 6 months or so.
It won't be graffiti I will simply be a means of keeping the public up to date. I hope there are enough colours.
No problem with the green hydrogen – provided you look back up the whole supply chain, especially with GHG producing energy sources.
But blue hydrogen can only be described as being useless.
This process does produce GHGs, but carbon capture and storage technologies capture and store those emissions.
As someone who was trained in earth sciences, I have enormous scepticism about getting the kinds of long term storage required. Just as I have about highly radioactive waste.
I don't think that it can be done safely at anything apart from exorbitant cost. If at all. After all we are talking about near to geological time scales required for sequestration. You want a reliable way of storing without environmental leakage for centuries at a bare minimum. In environment where climate change alone creates a major risk.
Basically humans simply don't have any technology that could make that safe. They also don't appear to be developing any that would met a cost/benefit analysis over simply not creating greenhouse gases by changing to known and working technologies.
For instance, the most common delusion, stuffing carbon in any form into expired gas or oil fields is just a deferral for a few years or decades. Those formations leak like crazy after they have been penetrated, partially collapsed or fractured under pressure pushing hydrocarbons out. Even to get them into the ground, they'd have to force out the junk that they stuck in the domes to get the last of the hydrocarbons out. And that is before considering the regular earthquakes.
Same problem for almost every other way that I have ever seen to sequester carbon.
The need for hydrogen power is pretty clear. It is as RL said
For example most of this first H2 is not destined to power cars, but other applications like de-carbonising steel and concrete production, or large vehicles where the very low energy density of batteries is a deal breaker. But none of this mentioned.
Concrete and steel (each about ~8% of emissions) de-carbon are a major climate change targets. Steel has already been demonstrated to be relatively easy to convert to virtually no carbon if there was sufficient H2. Cement a lot less so because you can use it reduce heating costs, but it doesn't help at all with CO2 process emissions driven off the clinker.
With high load vehicles like trucks, ships, aircraft, and most construction equipment. Electric power is pretty useless for really heavy loads and is unlikely to get much better. It'd probably require decades to get the required increases in density steps if there is a possible way to do it and to make them safe enough to use widely.
All of those are industrial level equipment and can afford to install the large levels of protection that storing and transporting large quantities of hydrogen entail. That is several orders of magnitude more of distribution and storage problem than with virtually all of the current hydrocarbons in use.
But shifting hydrogen is also something that is already done on an industrial scale. Just not something that I'd consider as being safe enough to put into a personal vehicle with an average young kiwi driver. Doesn't look that problem is going to be fixed in the coming decades as well – most of the approaches looks like it is decades away from widespread engineering.
For cars, light load vans, light load trucks and buses – EV is already viable and starting to be in widespread use.
The problem there is mostly in the power supply chain – mostly that a lot of generation worldwide isn't green. Plus that electricity grids aren't designed to handle stored electrical power or micro-generated electrical power. To me that looks to be more of an issue about investment and software than basic science or engineering. Lots of lithium storage bunkers dotted around like the traditional ammo bunkers are in your future.
Yes – I'm not much of a fan of CO2 capture and underground reservoir storage. I wasn't promoting it, just pointing out what the various 'hydrogen colours' actually meant.
My rant was more about the issues. but I see that I used the 'you' word in there once – sorry. I'm trying to break myself of that habit.
One of the things that I tend to dislike about a lot of discussion and policy about climate change is the dependence on on unproven GHG reduction or mitigation technologies. That may have been a valid policy use in the 1990s. Now more than 20 years later it really only qualifies as wilful obstruction.
And yet when you look at COP-26 that is mostly what is on the table. Including by our government. The farming community has had the last 20 years to figure out how to decrease methane, yet have managed to increase the total volume of emissions of the most dangerous short term GHG gases of methane by ~8% between 1990 and 2018, and nitrous oxide by more.
Right now we need to concentrate on using technologies that are at least working and dropping emissions as fast as possible. Not exactly what we promised in our largest GHG problem over the next 30 years – agricultural policy was all about tech that neither exists nor shows that much promise based on what has been proven not to work at any scale. We should just start doing back taxes on agriculture backdated to the introduction of the ETS.
As is pointed out by juice media, at this point policies incorporating future tech promises are just bullshit. I must start donating to that crew.
Right now we need to concentrate on using technologies that are at least working and dropping emissions as fast as possible.
I've repeatedly said I've no problem with the Solar/Wind/Battery crowd and I wish them the best. I expect we will push what can be achieved in that mode as far as possible. But equally we don't hear a lot from them around the very real limits of what can be achieved with renewables either. They can definitely play a role now, but they cannot take the whole 8 or 9b of humanity into anything like an acceptable future.
De-carbonising is not going to be a set of 'one off, drop in and done' replacements for our existing modes of production. It will be successive waves of evolution, starting with the SWB mode we're in right now and then over the next decade or so we'll see a host of other technologies that are in the research or development stage now – start to appear in production.
Yes it would be nice if the development of all of this had happened decades ago – but then I have my own views on why that never happened.
De-carbonising is not going to be a set of 'one off, drop in and done' replacements for our existing modes of production.
But planning on future technologies to bridge the gaps 20-30 years down the line (like the aussie and our government) is just a recipe for increasing the total GHG emissions between now and then. It just increases risk and at present those risks are starting to get into the mode of being in the big upswing of a S curve.
It is a classic investment problem. Putting in a relatively shit technology like lithium battery banks next to variable power sources for fats load balancing isn't optimal.
Even with the rapid battery replacement, it is even better than having to fire up a old coal powered power station or installing a new gas powered station with a 30 year investment life span and a need to find a new field, or trying to rush in a SMR without a viable waste disposal plan.
In GHG terms it probably even beats putting in a new dam because those have a very large build carbon footprint.
Yes it would be nice if the development of all of this had happened decades ago – but then I have my own views on why that never happened.
Who doesn't. But mostly I think it is just investors wanting to realise returns from current investments, and not wanting to get taxed for the benefit of the future.
Also I'd point out that very few of the current H2 generation projects are 'Green Hydrogen'. Almost all of them apart from a few bleeding edge projects using brand new tech (ie requiring decades of debugging) have a hydrocarbon feed stock.
The relevant information about sequestration of carbon for these projects that I am aware of could be taken apart by anyone who has studied any earth sciences in minutes. Most of them are simply ways to effectively throw the pollutant costs on to later generations because they rely on shonky and engineering and science that has never been even remotely tested.
They really need to do the equivalent of crash test testing on it.
Rather than using electricity to split water into its constituent parts, heat can do it.
Electricity generated by wind towers or photo electric solar cells is not the only way to split water into Hydrogen and Oxygen to release Green Hydrogen.
Concentrated solar arrays can produce extremely high temperatures where water disasocciates, no electicity or electolysers needed.
Install Ivanpah sized solar collectors in the hot Australian interior feed them with water. Voila.
Summary…they take actual existing real world data for the basis of their assessment and you continue to assume future capabilities that may never occur.
"Hydrogen’s viability as a fuel source — regardless of industry — depends on rapid development of a variety of transport, delivery and storage technologies that are young but fast-evolving. Commercializing these technologies will not be simple, but they are being addressed. Below is a summary of some work being done."
"Industrial gas giant Linde will build and operate what it claims will be the “world’s largest PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane) electrolyser” plant to produce green hydrogen once it is operational at the Leuna chemical complex in Germany.'
And how long do you wish to wait for these grand technical advances?….never mind the basic EROI of hydrogen production isnt going to change irrespective.
The calculation of EORI used in that video is the wrong calculation when the source of the energy is solar/wind. The correct term to be using is not the energy produced (which is essentially free), but the energy embedded in the solar panel/wind turbine infrastructure. That's a quite different calculation to the simplistic one presented.
It is a different calculation…and one that makes the EROI even worse, they have been generous by only measuring the operational EROI rather than the embedded and operational energy costs.
They make the very common mistake of including the operational wind/solar energy in the EORI calculation, when for renewables you don't care about that at all. There is nothing 'generous' about this at all – it's simply irrelevant.
Also it wasn't clear to me how their numbers added up, but that could be my fault.
Can i reproduce it?….I imagine so, however i dont need to because the calculation has been reproduced by many and often…it is generally accepted that for every unit of energy from hydrogen produced 4 units of energy are involved in its production…..do you wish to prove otherwise?
It adds up…its not perhaps the way I'd choose to present it but I havnt had the opportunity to ask why it was presented thus….but i see no fundamental flaw.
Again I refer you to the previous chart…an EROI of essentially 0.25.
EROI stands for energy returned on energy invested. It's not the flow of energy through the system.
If the energy flow is essentially free and limitless as sunshine is – then you don't care about it, it's not a cost or investment of any kind. But apparently the calculation in the video includes it in the H2 case – although apparently not in the battery case.
But it's your reference – if you cannot defend it then just say so.
Are you suggesting there is no energy cost to storing hydrogen?….or that it dosnt need to be stored for use?….either way it would seem an odd proposition.
I had a machine with a DuPont SPE PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane). Meant to be one of the best on the market. The problem is PEM filters block up depending on water quality. That can lead to plate wear.
Looks like an epic scam to me – preferred route of manufacture is natural gas – not a renewable. No reticulation infrastructure, and pretty significant issues to overcome with safety – all so people can pretend to drive green vehicles instead of stepping away from them.
There is no 'preferred route' – methane was merely the conventional method of producing H2 for industrial purposes. Then there is the Hazer process that's running at pilot scale and shows another pathway.
Meh – the government is funding it because they see possible export $ – there has been no mature consideration of viable green technologies – it's on a par with Brazilian carbon credits – what governments do instead of rising to meet the challenges (and opportunities) of the 21st century.
What 'viable green technologies'? The left rules them out just as soon as they realise they're not compatible with their wild dreams of reverting to a pre-industrial utopia.
Whatever you like always seems to be broadbrush smears of the left as a whole. What you claim the left believes is not remotely accurate, it's just intellectually lazy provocation. Such wild claims about such a diverse group as an entire wing of the political spectrum aren't useful if we want to have any kind of rational political debate here.
There was your opportunity to make the effort to outline what you meant by 'viable green technologies' – instead you throw a little rant.
I've put in a decent effort today to explain what H2 has to offer and why it has a place in the wider decarbonising scheme. In response there's been nothing but ill-informed negativity and repeated claims that 'it can't be done'.
I didn’t mean anything by ‘viable green technologies’ because I didn’t make that comment, that was Stuart Munro.
What I am objecting to is your unfounded and un-cited claim about the beliefs of the left as a whole. We all should be discouraged from making such ridiculous claims about our political oppenents, it doesn’t make our arguments any stronger nor does it make us seem rational.
Butanol for one – you make it from a cellulose feedstock – ie it soaks up carbon before you burn it – it runs in existing engines and reticulation infrastructure.
But no, it has to be hydrogen. I suppose we're meant to be grateful it's not fusion.
They're green enough – they just struggle against subsidized petrochemicals at present.
The cost of inputs however, is very low, and that means in first principles terms, that given sufficient development this technology will be competitive with fossil fuels.
The big missing factor of your preference, hydrogen, is the energy source. Even given all the multifarious issues of hydrogen were resolved, absent a cheap energy surplus, hydrogen fails. Moreover, if there is a way to use cheap surplus energy without the conversion to hydrogen, that use will invariably be much more efficient, and likely much greener too.
Or maybe, it now seems – after reading RL's contribution above. From his last link:
Despite all the challenges that 2020 has brought, a staggering 50GW of green-hydrogen electrolysis projects have been announced this year, out of a current global total of 80GW, as more and more countries announce ambitious clean-hydrogen strategies to help them decarbonise transport, heating and heavy industry.
Many of these projects are gigawatt-scale, with the hope that their immense size will quickly bring down the cost of green hydrogen through economies of scale — in the same way that the prices of wind and solar power have fallen exponentially over the past decade.
It has been a remarkably rapid development for green hydrogen when you consider that the world’s largest electrolyser currently in operation is only 10MW, and that most of these gigawatt-scale H2 projects will also be among the planet’s largest renewables plants.
I was a bit harsh above. Green H2 is not a magic bean that will solve all our problems, it has to be understood in it's correct context before it makes sense.
Read Reds links and you will see his claims are grossly overstated AND based on expectation rather than existence…..we can all create futures where the improbable occurs
A interesting case unfolds. I don't have enough information to make a judgement. But I think police will need to be 100% confident their actions were justified. I would also like to know who made the complaint. Police have been know in recent times to turn up on certain gun owners doors and ask about their political views.
I agree. If this pastor is found to be in the wrong and a threat, that's fine – one less nutter in society. If the police are found to be wrong, or acted on flimsy information to curtail someone who spouts unpopular views in public, that's not fine. Should that be the case I would expect the media to be onto this like a rabid dog. But they won't. It may not even get a mention.
Personally i have no use for guns generally, but as per the article, he gun was locked away in a safe and that safe was ripped of the wall and then opened with a key that was found elsewhere. Ah, good old terrorism laws that can be used so easily against non criminal law abiding contrarians.
The story reminds me of Rachel Stewart and her merry go round with the Police in regards to her weapons that came courtesy of activists that use the Police to bully 'contrarians' all legally and government sanctioned.
Well per the article they managed to rip it of the wall, but then found a key and opened it. go figure.
His instinct was to check if his gun was still in the safe, he said, but it had been ripped from a wall and opened using a key found in a drawer.
The guy seems to bit of a tosser- but as far as i know we are still allowed to hold believes other then the official puree served by highly paid PR figures. This whole article describes something that I would consider as government sanctioned harassment and intimidation. And if government thinks that the police overstep its boundaries it can check its lazy law making and maybe tighten some screws so that overzealous cops will know when to stop.
That is exactly the point. They should have waited for him to show up, demand entry, ask about the weapons, ask a few general questions to see if he is any danger and in the end simply confiscate said weapon and ammunition on the laws provided.
He was and still is a law abiding citizen.
If this article is correct, that was incredibly stupid on the parts of the police.
He had only recently bought the gun and 500 rounds of ammunition.
He has been showing more extreme views recently obvious to someone within the church or maybe his wife was worried.
[RL: You are still in pre-mod until you acknowledge the requirement to gives cites or references when needed. Please acknowledge this. If not the usual practice is to turn the pre-mod into a ban.]
Appeal rights – if the police have confiscated your gun after deciding you are not a fit and proper person to possess a firearm and ammunition under the Arms Act 1983 (& revoking or suspending your firearms licence, which they haven't done yet) – are:
Right of review of licensing decisions
There are changes to the right of appeal section.
The main change is if a decision is made to refuse a person a firearms licence, or to revoke a person’s firearms licence, that person may first apply to the Commissioner of Police for a review of the decision (s62). They can also appeal the decision to the District Court, provided they have first applied to the Commissioner for a review and received the Commissioner’s decision on that review (s62B(2)).
If they do cancel his firearms licence, I shouldn't imagine he'd have much joy appealing to Police Commissioner Andy Coster. He'd probably have to take it to the District Court.
But the article says police raided his place after they had received information “relating to concerns around an individual’s wellbeing and the likelihood the man was armed” – which suggests to me that they consider he might be mentally unstable.
(I personally find it hard to believe he intends to "go possum shooting at some point". More likely he wants the gun for protection.)
Hope Stuff follows up on this story. It's piqued my interest.
Just because some calls the police to your house claiming you are mentally unstable and should not own any kitchen knifes, or guns, or other sharp objects does not mean that you are mentally unstable. You might just be a contrarian that does not sing to he official tune, and someone might be quite happy to use the Police to harras and intimidate other wise law abiding citizens, such as Rachel Stewart and this Priest.
I would again not be surprised if this is exactly the same. Some disgruntled activist using the Police as their personal private little enforces. Btw, how is the Police doing on Gang Crime, on anti social and dangerous social housing tenants, on drink driving, etc?
Going up against a group of individuals that fight, that are physically aggressive, have numbers, have public relations people, are lawyered up, have political allies
''I personally find it hard to believe he intends to "go possum shooting at some point". More likely he wants the gun for protection.''
Yes, I would say he's received serious threats from people who are more likely to carry out violent acts than he is. The gun is probably for self protection.
As the self defence saying goes: ''It's better to be judged by 12, than carried by 6''
Self defence laws need overhauling, especially for Indian dairy owners who have been threatened in the past with possible prosecution for defending themselves.
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’[a] 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.
No, I didn't say he was a pastor. Nor was he a Catholic priest ( for balance).
The biblical verses you mention were teachings that Jesus taught to stop the innocent making karmic links with people who were doing them wrong. However, I think his teachings would have had exceptions that haven't been historically recorded for a variety of reasons.
You are welcome to turn the other cheek to someone wanting to harm you or a loved one. I'm not.
As I understand it – at the time & place when Jesus lived, striking backhand a person of a lower class was a means of asserting authority and dominance. If the struck inferior "turned the other cheek," this is therefore seen by some Christians as a challenge. By turning the other cheek, the person struck was showing courage and demanding equality, not being a doormat.
Yes that is one interpretation the concept of non-violent resistance to oppression. So it was a fairly radical idea then, and even now. The subsequent verse of giving your shirt and your coat as well carries the same message. While you may blush in your subsequent nakedness, you also bring shame onto the one who forces you into this situation. The sermon on the Mount (or on the Plain) – depending on whether its Matthew or Luke – contains some pretty radical stuff for its time.
As a general principle, and in cases of minor harms, it seems a good policy to "absorb" the harm and bury it, karmically; revenge, equalising and the escalation that usually follows, is something to be avoided wherever possible, imo.
Agreed. There are methods whereby you absorb the wrong (energy) into your body and transmute it into neutral energy for your advantage.
Taoists and Western Alchemy use such methods. No karma is produced; and the offender is giving you a free boost of energy at his expense, plus still having to carry the karmic load for his wrongs. That's true justice.
Yes and no. Hard to explain. First you must see/feel everything as energy. Remember what Tesla is reputed to have said:
''If you want to find the secrets of the Universe, think in terms of energy, frequency and vibration.’''
That's very hard to do because we live in a material world…and toast is toast. Even though it's not.
The next thing is to have the right mindset (very very important). The last thing is to experience the results for yourself. The only part imagination plays is to kick start the process because energy follows thought. Eg,think of crime…do the crime.
At the end of his talk, someone from the audience asked His Holiness Dalai Lama, “Why didn’t you fight back against the Chinese?” His Holiness looked down, swung his feet just a bit, then looked back up at us and said with a gentle smile,
“Well, war is obsolete, you know”. Then, after a few moments, his face grave, he said, “Of course the mind can rationalize fighting back…but the heart, the heart would never understand for it. Then you would be divided in yourself, the heart and the mind, and the war would be inside you.”
— Dalai Lama
SETH: "There are deeply hidden areas of human behavior far below the surface of actions, and these cause the actions. They are psychic exchanges. Before the beginning of any war, subconsciously each individual knows not only that a war will occur, but its precise outcome. Battles like other physical acts exist first in the mental realm. When this realm is peaceful there are no wars. All of your physical activities, from the political to the economic and to the most insignificant individual concerns have their origin in mental existence, and their outcome is known.
To create a harmonious inner existence is a positive act with far-reaching effects, and not an act of isolation. To desire peace strongly is to help achieve it. To accept war helps prolong its physical existence. These are not idle words nor are they meant symbolically."
Seth( I'm assuming the spirit entity that was channelled), has put it succinctly. And so has the Dali Lama. They are right. It's not for nothing South American shamans do their most important work early in the morning before the mass of humanity awakens and their astral and mental angst starts polluting the atmosphere a little more than the day before.
"I would say he's received serious threats from people who are more likely to carry out violent acts than he is" thats about as good as a reckon on zbshoutback . do you know this person personally blade or is this you putting your "mana" on the line again?
Talking of talkback, I believe Heather Du Plessis-Allen is back this afternoon. Good solid Tory commentary. It almost makes reading your comment bearable.
'His .22 rifle had been taken, along with 500 rounds of ammunition.'
Well that can cover everything from a single shot .22 rimfire that you'd teach your kids to shoot rabbits with to a 223 AR that's really only got one purpose and that's not recreational hunting. (Yes you can use them for hunting but for anything other than shooting masses of goats from a chopper there's much better )
If the guy's sitting on an AR and 500 rounds, really what's his lawful purpose.
'Well that can cover everything from a single shot .22 rimfire that you'd teach your kids to shoot rabbits with to a 223 AR that's really only got one purpose and that's not recreational hunting.'
No thats incorrect, let me explain:
A .22LR rimfire round assuming thats what he has and it most likely is because its the most popular ammunition in the world is very different to a .223 (or 5.56) centrefire round
A picture speaks a thousand words so they say so here is a .22LR rimfire and a .223 centrefire side by side
A semi auto .22 rimfire rifle with a ten round magazine is perfectly legal in NZ to own (I should know because I own one)
Semi-auto centrefire rifles are banned for general use in NZ, you can use AR-15s for professional pest control in NZ but I'd imagine there'd be some stringent hoops to jump through.
So if he has an AR-15 then he really is up s**t creek however I don't think it is an AR-15 type rifle because the media love to report on that type of thing
It's illegal if he loses his rag and kills someone or ones.
And the man who has a gun for his own good reasons, which we infer from what he said, does that? The world would go crazy about the cops doing nothing about to stop him.
The Christchurch Mosque murderer legally had a gun. He wasn't a mass murderer until he was. If the police had some reservations about him having a gun and entered his home and taken it?
There are a lot of nutcases around preaching how terrible things are in the country.
Could the hysteria and lunacy see someone who has a gun they've never used and seem to not really know why they've got it, see themselves as some sort of Pastor Rittenhouse and go out to save the world?
So we should allow the police to go into the house of everyone and confiscate every weapon – even those locked in safes and such? Would that also include knifes, axes, saws, needles, pots n pans and such? Cause all that can be used to hurt / harm others. And when can the Police start with the Gangs? Today maybe? Or is that in the too hard and too dangerous category and thus is not ‘helpful’?
Maybe we need a law that allows us a few blunt items – no steak knives though, just hold the steak in your hands and bite of it that should do the trick – to prepare food etc, maybe a "single use allocation" for a saw and other handy tools, like you fill out a form for the intended use, the duration of the use and when done bring it back to he local Mitre 10/Bunnings legally authorized and police certified Saw/Axe/Grinder/Machete lender, to be registered as returned and entered back into stock?
Surely such a law can be quickly passed under urgency to protect the people of currently law abiding citizens who may or may not be tossers, but who openly don't agree with the government on all things?
Depends what he was saying in public and to other people. Having a weapon and ammo isn't unlawful if you have an firearms license. However there are a pile of responsibilities that go with it.
It isn't a right to 'bear arms' in NZ it is a privilege – one that can and should be withdrawn any time that someone shows even a smidgen of a lack of responsibility about their usage or intentions about usage. Read the firearms act.
As PR pointed out above, he can go to a internal judicial review by the head of police – who ultimately has full responsibility for the misuse of firearms, and then to court to resolve. The police making the decision have to present evidence to explain their actions and so does the person that has had their arms licence revoked or constrained.
Personally I'd far prefer that the police are preemptive about firearms rather than (metaphorically) winding up in a ambulance at yet another massacre.
His instinct was to check if his gun was still in the safe, he said, but it had been ripped from a wall and opened using a key found in a drawer.
His .22 rifle had been taken, along with 500 rounds of ammunition.
Bromley said he was given the gun only a few months ago, but wouldn’t say by whom, and said he had bought the ammunition in the last month because “things are going up in price”.
Explaining why he owns a weapon, Bromley said he is not a hunter but may go possum shooting at some point.
Just that of which sounds to me that he is entirely too casual about the responsibility of owning firearms. Doesn't matter if he is a loudmouth as well.
The police are likely to be aware of even moderate ammo purchases. Sellers log purchases against firearms licences because they are required to only sell ammo to firearms licence holders. Police will be checking those often these days.
I also have to wonder if he had had his storage looked at and approved by a firearms officer. It is required for all firearms licence holders. If he hadn't, then the police would be wondering about it.
One of the first questions for someone who wasn't known to have firearms and a reason to use plus who was buying ammo would be:- if he was reselling ammunition so someone who didn't have a firearms licence. Which is unlawful except in a few specified exceptions.
f the police received any complaint about him with some supporting evidence, then a large purchase of a ammunition from someone who (by the sounds of it) hasn't purchased ammunition previously would be of interest.
Overall this guy doesn't read like someone who I'd want living a few suburbs over, apparently untrained, and without any obvious reason to need to use a weapon.
On the face of it and without looking at any other evidence other than the news report, I'd say that the police have a good prima facie reason to search and remove. Also well within their duties with their responsibilities as our arms officers.
While I haven't held a firearms licence in decades, I did pest control on my parents farm, got trained in the army, and recently spent years building training systems for upgrading the skills of soldiers with their use of weapons.
I don't like people being casual around firearms. I know of entirely too many ways that can end badly.
Marginally economical per round. FFS looking at the most popular .22LR at Gun City Penrose
CCI .22LR Stinger 32gr Copper Plated Hollow Point 1640fps
50 rounds = $21.99
500 rounds = $199.00
Nett bulk saving is $20.90 buying 10×50 vs buying 50 rounds or about 4.2c per round.
I suppose he could have gotten a cheap value pack of about 500 subsonic rounds, which usually retail at something like $70-80. Great if you want to learn how to clean the weapon and what drop looks like.
For someone who'd apparently just gotten a 0.22 given to him. It just seems weird when he didn't seem to know what he'd gotten it for. I'd have thought that the message should have penetrated even the thickest of people that having a firearm is fraught with responsibilities, and there are lot of people (including the police) intent on making sure the irresponsible idiots don't play with them.
The day the 'balance' in NZ tips to a point where frontline police and/or the general public don't feel 'safe/safer' unless they carry/own a gun is not a good day, imho – are we there yet? If the answer to a problem is "more guns" then we have a real problem, because guns make it easier to kill people.
Adult gun enthusiasts (law-abiding or not) puzzle me, just as my enthusiasm for more progressive and less rortable taxation systems puzzles some here.
To me, "a gun enthusiast" is a person filled with enthusiasm for (owing/using/viewing) guns. Some, but not necessarily all gun enthusiasts might become ardently absorbed in their gun interests or hobbies, possibly even to the extent of encouraging others of all ages to share in their interests.
Definition of enthusiast : a person filled with enthusiasm: such as
a : one who is ardently attached to a cause, object, or pursuit
// a sports car enthusiast b : one who tends to become ardently absorbed in an interest
Don't think that there is anything intrinsically wrong with enthusiasm for guns (as long as it's a healthy), although the appeal eludes me.
I would be interested in trying to understand the appeal of private gun ownership, which seems to have moderately strong hold on some. After all, we live in a relatively safe society. One way to change that, imho, would be to increase private gun ownership above the current 7 – 8% (350,000 – 400,l000) level, imho.
But for me personally firearms are fun and the combination of human, rifle and round all working in synch to hit the target just appeals to me
First-person shooter video games may appeal for similar reasons – a combination of human, computer and mouse/controller all working in synch to hit a target. Each to their own – can't imagine a situation in my life that would require firearm skills, although I did enjoy firing rubbish into the bin – missing not so much.
Other activities have greater appeal to me – find your own best path.
The puzzle remains (for me) – why might some people find a real rifle in the hand fun and just better than other pastimes. Is there a nuture (environmental) component, or is it mostly down to nature, i.e. you were always going to be attracted to target shooting as a pastime.
I'm all in favour of diversity, and would be concerned if NZ society was moving in directions that gave more people cause to acquire and/or use gun(s), simply because I believe that more guns in private ownership, and normalising gun use, are undesirable trends. Just a personal opinion, based on the possibly erroneous idea that as the number of guns and gun users in a community increases, so does the (admittedly very remote) chance that I will be shot.
Associations between men’s and women’s conformity to masculine role norms and firearm ownership: Contributions beyond, race, gender, and political ideology. [2021, in Psychology of Men & Masculinities] A negative binomial regression revealed that firearm ownership was best explained by a combination of being White, a man, politically conservative, and reporting more conformity to masculine role norms emphasizing violence, risk taking, and power over women, as well as (for women only) less conformity to playboy norms. These results suggest that owning a firearm may be a behavioral manifestation of a broader traditional gender role identity.
Firearm Instrumentality: Do Guns Make Violent Situations More Lethal? [14 Sept 2020] Studies on the lethality of guns, the likelihood of injury by weapon type, offender intent, and firearm availability provide considerable evidence that guns contribute to fatalities that would otherwise have been nonfatal assaults. The increasing lethality of guns, based on size and technology, and identifiable gaps in existing gun control policies mean that new and innovative policy interventions are required to reduce firearm fatalities and to alleviate the substantial economic and social costs associated with gun violence.
"why might some people find a real rifle in the hand fun and just better than other pastimes."
Is it just firearms or any pastime in general?
For instance substitute firearms for stock car racing and would you feel the same.
'Is there a nuture (environmental) component, or is it mostly down to nature, i.e. you were always going to be attracted to target shooting as a pastime.'
Again just speaking for myself but I had virtually no experiences with firearms growing up.
I enlisted in the army more out of having nothing better to do at the time.
Mind you I do love action movies and will happily ramble on about them at a drop of a hat (especially Predator and Aliens)
I do think the nature is a more likely aspect, for me anyway.
I remember playing branding at school (basically tag with tennis balls) so hand eye coordination plus hitting a target
got bored at work so me and my mate throw stones at a target to see who'd win.
Got bored in East Timor so practised free throws (my best was 8/10 after a couple of days)
I think a lot of people like aiming at things and seeing if they can hit them and firearms are a natural extension of that.
"why might some people find a real rifle in the hand fun and just better than other pastimes."
Is it just firearms or any pastime in general?
For instance substitute firearms for stock car racing and would you feel the same.
Might not be understanding your question. If you're asking would I be puzzled about why some people find stock car racing fun and just better than other pastimes, then yes, I am also be puzzled by that.
But I wouldn't really care if stock car racing became a more common pastime – the increased noise and carbon emissions might give me pause, but racing doesn’t give me real concerns for my safety.
And thanks for that explanation of the personal appeal of 'target-related activities' – makes sense. I remember (as a kid) occasionally chucking stones at inanimate targets, typically as part of a group activity, and enjoying that even though I wasn't crash hot. Guess I sorta grew out of it – found other things that were more enjoyable and that I was better at (there’s probably a correlation).
Still can't help feeling uneasy about the possibility of increased 'casual' gun use in NZ. Imho a loaded gun it something to be feared, not fondled, but (as you rightly observe) we're all different.
Many years ago a took a Cop to the IPCA. I too got calls from a private number that I disregarded.
I got a full apology, written and in person from that cops boss – for harrasment, stalking, and just plain unprofessional behaviour, threats of unwarranted legal actions and arrest at my work place. . Just saying. Maybe Cops should not use private numbers when calling people, unless it is now a crime to not answer every call that comes to your phone?
Ripping a save of a wall should count as 'rampage' considering that they could also have shown up personally, knock on the door, and have a chat. And is it illegal to own 500 rounds? Is there a limit to what one can own?
If not, i can see the Police again send someone to offer excuses, and even pay to replace a safe and fix what ever damage was done.
well if it was just recently, would you then also assume that hte police did not do due diligence and missed him going 'troppo'? And if that is the case, you need to get hold of a terrorism law, and break and enter the dwelling of a law abiding citizen, and then break open a safe – because you could not find the weapon anywhere (telling me his a safety conscious gun owner) and then upon finding the gun declare victory?
Sure, he totally could have gone 'troppo' since. maybe after he complaint to the police about threats he received that were responded to with "We are too busy". You did see that part at the end of the article, yes?
Anyone who is not totally buried in the myth of the current – all is well bullshit from the US coming out of the white house and d-shop – knows that the US is a cinder block waiting to explode. Heck the people in the US know it.
Of course, because we are all mature political observers here on TS, we all understand that the 'great divide' in US politics and society is itself fueled just as relentlessly by these same Liberal news outlets who pretend to somehow float above it, as it is by any right wing press….
99% of modern main stream liberal press have no asserted moral high ground over any rightwing press, and deserve none, they are just as divisive, destructive and in case you haven't noticed spew out the same pro war western imperialist lies and propaganda. It should go without saying that without doubt that these liberal news outlets (like The Guardian) are more effective enemies of any serious progressive Left wing movement than the right wing media could have ever have dreamt of being.
I don’t have the time to read all of the first link, but this paragraph seems to sum up the US situation:
The United States today is, once again, headed for civil war, and, once again, it cannot bear to face it. The political problems are both structural and immediate, the crisis both longstanding and accelerating. The American political system has become so overwhelmed by anger that even the most basic tasks of government are increasingly impossible.
A good broad summation. Anyone who has been around on this planet for a good few decades would surely recognise the wisdom of those words. It's been brewing since the start of the Cold War years when US manufactured paranoia saw many thousands of innocent US citizens – and elsewhere – disenfranchised because they dared question the wisdom of their overly-indulged Cold War mentality.
Sadly, its been downhill ever since but, as has been acknowledged, they can't and won't see it.
Very good response Anne. The situation in the US today is pretty dire politically.I don't know where other commentators above get their ideas from that the Democrats are all happy and think everything is sweet. One only has to look at the current plea by Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer to push for the Voting Rights Bill
The next month in the Senate will shape whether Democrats can pass a voting-rights bill before the 2022 midterm elections.
If Republicans block a Democratic-backed elections plan this month, the Senate will debate potential changes to filibuster rules, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said.
Many Democrats have made voting rights a priority as states push restrictive elections laws and the U.S. approaches the one-year anniversary of the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.
To expand Americans’ access to the ballot box and reduce the influence of big money in politics, and for other purposes.
Frankly despite Manchin being a signatory to the Bill I don't hold out much hope for its passing as he could well be the one who sends it to the the dustbin of political history. The result will be a far more repressive regime for voting rights in red wing states enshrining the continuation of government by the minority.
Just how low can the BBC go?…well how about inviting friend of Jeffrey Epstein and accused sex offender Alan Dershowitz on to comment on the Ghislaine Maxwell Verdict FFS….
Here is one from the archives to cleanse the palette a little…though keep in mind this public humiliation of Dershowitz cost Norman Finkelstein his career…
Norman Finkelstein VS Alan Dershowitz
American Radical: The Trials of Norman Finkelstein
But he only got one massage and he stayed fully clothed. And he is a constitutional lawyer. And he is a teacher at a fancy million dollar 'elite' university. Don't you think it is funny that the only one who will see the inside of a prison for this mess is a non male. Lol. Public entertainment, here have a drink, some chips, get saturated peasants.
Wow great debate nice to see a younger amy goodman and the impromtu kinda studio setup amy,s gestures for example to turn the sound down an dershowitz,s gesture to get a drink of water love it everythings so damn perfect in studios these days an so damn boring !Thanks for that adrian .On the show trial itself the whole thing makes me sick especially the part that millions of americans applaud the putting of a woman in prison for sixty years as if thats gonna change something !
Well. They're probably breathing slightly easier at NATO H.Q. "Funny" how everyone seemed to forget 1990s Belgium and so didn't look for any 'threads' through time….
In the 1990s there was a huge child sex ring scandal in Belgium. Initially, protests brought the country to a standstill. But over time, the victims speaking up were vilified and everything got swept under the carpet.
One of the children (much later) was the subject of a BBC doc that used to be available on youtube. An enlightening watch.
Ok so the test isn't going as well as expected unless you're from Bangladesh then its going not too bad at all, just imagine if one of the premier all rounders playing today were playing (Shakib Al Hasa, 40 with the bat and 31 with the ball)
However I'm going to predict that the Boss will help salvage a draw.
So why is this happening, because Kane isn't playing?
No, of all the decisions Kane not playing has, imho, the least effect on the game.
I'll start with the biggest and that is the retirement of BJ Watling. BJ is not only NZs greatest wicketkeeper/batter (by a country mile) he would also walk into most of other teams of any era
He averages (I'm rounding) overall 38 with the bat but that jumps to 42 (with a high of 205) at the number 6 position and this is the key.
BJ is top six batter, historically wicketkeeper/batters were number 7 or down but because BJ also fulfils a role as a top order batter that means theres an extra space for a a bowler, a batter who bowls a bit, a bowler who bats a bit, a bits and pieces type bowler etc
Or the ability to play 4 medium-fast to fast-medium bowlers
BJs gone and it looks like Blundell is struggling. I don't want the Blackcaps to go back to throwing players on the scrap heap but Blundell looks like (for now) he's too high at 6 and needs to go down the order to 7 or 8
The other issue we have (and this is harder) is that we have no genuine all rounders. Chris Cairns averaged 43 batting at the number 7 position and averaged 29 with the ball. Dan Vettori averaged 40 with the bat at number 8 and averaged 34 with the ball
At the moment we have bowlers who can bat a bit and batters who can bowl a bit but no balance.
Ravindra is a very good, young player and will no doubt become a NZ great in time but to use him as the spin option is to do him a disservice (I do approve batting him down the order though) as his FC bowling stats are nothing to write home about.
So we need to have a spinner in the team, and show faith in that spinner, can anyone think of a spinner thats doing pretty good at the moment..?
But to fit Patel in and because BJs retired one of the big four bowlers would need to be dropped to make way for Patel, first headache.
Second headache is the batting is looking fragile, Blundell needs to go lower in the order whichs means, unfortunately, Ravindra has to go as theres just no place for him, at the moment, plus hes young. So here is, imho, the strongest all round team NZ can put out for the next test.
1. Latham
2. Young
3. Conway
4. Taylor
5. Nicholls
6. Mitchell
7. Blundell
8. Jamieson
9. Wagner
10. Boult
11. Patel
Tim Southee draws the short straw but we also need to rest and rotate our bowlers. I'm still not happy in that I think Jamieson is batting too high
The other thing NZ has to do is start preparing pitches that offer a little to our spinners
What it might do is make the pitches a bit more even, a bit of something for everyone.
It got me thinking during the T20 world cup what a huge, massive advantage winning the toss was and how unfair it is that luck has such a big determining factor in the game.
mod note. I’ll be pushing this to the ban list soon. We’ve been here many times before Tricledrown, you *have to check the Replies to see if there is a moderation.
Yes Puckish all power to the Bangladeshis. I think they will take this test out, though Ravindra was batting well last night.
I'm not sure about Mitchell. More of a one-day player perhaps. He has 1-142 in his test bowling to date.
Agree about BJ-not only was he a fine keeper and batsman, he also got fought to get runs when conditions were tough. People always remember Brendon's 302, but I watched every ball as BJ and Brendon put on 352 to take NZ from a hopeless position at 94-5 to 446-6. (BJ 124).
If it were rugby the main focus would be on chucking the coach out. Respect for the ability of the other team and how they played wouldn't come into it.
Home conditions, home circumstances and not performing anywhere near max against far lower ranked opposition would have had everyone going berserk.
The coaching staff is very, very good. World test champions, well beaten finalist in the T20, unluckily beaten in the 50 over world cup is something that may not be done again for a very long time.
100% Bearded Git. I agree. We won that game. Referee not knowing the rules + stupid rule change (that has since been changed back) to have a super over.
'Huh! I queried bringing Patel in on you last cricket column…..'
I think that unless there extenuating circumstances you should always have a spinner in the time but the NZ bowling attack has been going very well however I'm also man enough to admit when I'm wrong
I'm wrong and Patel should always be in the team unless there is absolutely no chance of any assistance at all in the pitch
'Interesting analysis that the team are missing BJ……makes sense. Could Latham be wicket keeper?'
I'm old school in that, to me, the wicketkeeper should be good, very good.
If catches win matches then I'd rather have a wicketkeeper that takes his chances and maybe doesn't bat as well than a wicketkeeper that bats well but may put down a couple more chances over the entire test.
Captaining, opening and keeping is a pretty big ask for anyone
'I must sayBangladesh do deserve to win this and I would be pleased for them.'
They haven't won yet
'But for me, win or lose, the Black Caps can do no wrong. Love the boys'
The Lord of the Rings is the best trilogy ever put to screen so he deserves everything hes got, although I understand why some might not like the movies.
The Hobbit should have only been one film, maybe two at the very most but even so when the TV series comes out it'll show exactly how impressive The Lord of the Rings really was
Why there was no 20 year anniversary release is beyond me
and like the dude in Norway, this dude should also NOT go to prison.
He may be a truly abhorrent person, but these are his private ideas, his own believes and rather then send complaints the people in attendance of his speech should have simply boo'ed him down, publicly.
Citing a biased media, Trump cancels his planned press conference on the anniversary of the storming of the US Capitol by his supporters. Promising to air his grievances on the result of the 2020 election at a later public rally on the 15th of Jan.
Statement by Donald J. Trump, 45th President of the United States of America
In light of the total bias and dishonesty of the January 6th Unselect Committee of Democrats, two failed Republicans, and the Fake News Media, I am canceling the January 6th Press Conference at Mar-a-Lago on Thursday, and instead will discuss many of those important topics at my rally on Saturday, January 15th, in Arizona……
Classic Trump: "In light of the total bias and dishonesty of the January 6th Unselect Committee of Democrats, two failed Republicans, and the Fake News Media…"
His hordes of doting, manipulable clods will remain in awe of the intellectual giant.
In his signature garbled delivery Trump, in his statement announcing the cancellation of his planned January 6 press conference, says the January 6 Select Committee should not investigate his supporters violent storming of the US Capitol. Instead the Select Committee should be investigating, "the Crime of the Century" The 'Crime of the Century', according to Trump, is his oft repeatedly stated, but provenly false accusation, that the 2020 presidential election was stolen by the Democrats.
Trump CANCELS Jan. 6 Presser at Mar-a-Lago
Caleb Howe 12 mins ago
"…..the fraud of the 2020 Presidential Election, not the primary topic of the Unselect Committee’s investigation? This was, indeed, the Crime of the Century.
I look forward to seeing our Great American patriots in Arizona next weekend for a big rally to Save America!
We will have to wait to see, whether the January 15 rally will be a further incitement by Trump of his supporters to attack US democracy.
I often read of prisoners not getting parole because they won't admit guilt for the crime they've been imprisoned for. I wonder about saying you didn't do it for the simple reason that you didn't do it.
I regularly see people opining about the death penalty and the fact it should be used more. I regularly see of cases in the USA similar to one in the news today.
'US man freed from prison 37 years after witness lied and took police bribe of drugs and sex'
A listing of 26 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 28, 2024 thru Sat, May 4, 2024. Story of the week "It’s straight out of Big Tobacco’s playbook. In fact, research by John Cook and his colleagues ...
Yesterday I received come lovely feedback following my Star Wars themed newsletter. A few people mentioned they’d enjoyed reading the personal part at the beginning.I often begin newsletters with some memories, or general thoughts, before commencing the main topic. This hopefully sets the mood and provides some context in which ...
April 30 was going to be the day we’d be calling Mum from London to wish her a happy birthday. Then it became the day we would be going to St. Paul's at Evensong to remember her. The aim of the cathedral builders was to find a way to make their ...
Rob MacCulloch writes – Can’t remember the last book by a Kiwi author you read? Think the NZ government should spend less on the arts in favor of helping the homeless? If so, as far as Newsroom is concerned, you probably deserve to be called a cultural ignoramus ...
Eric Crampton writes – Grudges are bad. Better to move on. But it can be fun to keep a couple of really trivial ones, so you’re not tempted to have other ones. For example, because of the rootkit fiasco of 2005, no Sony products in our household. ...
A new report warns an estimated third of the adult population have unmet need for health care.Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāHere’s the six key things I learned about Aotaroa’s political economy this week around housing, climate and poverty:Politics - Three opinion polls confirmed support for PM Christopher Luxon ...
Today is May the fourth. Which was just a regular day when my mother took me to see the newly released Star Wars at the Odeon in Rotorua. The queue was right around the corner. Some years later this day became known as Star Wars Day, the date being a ...
Buzz from the Beehive Much more media attention is being paid to something Winston Peters said about former Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr than to a speech he delivered to the New Zealand China Council. One word is missing from the speech: AUKUS. But AUKUS loomed large in his considerations ...
Is the economy in another long stagnation? If so, why?This is about the time that the Treasury will be locking up its economic forecasts to be published in the 2024 Budget Economic and Fiscal Update (BEFU) on budget day, 30 May. I am not privy to what they will be ...
The annual list of who's been bribing our politicians is out, and journalists will no doubt be poring over it to find the juiciest and dirtiest bribes. The government's fast-track invite list is likely to be a particular focus, and we already know of one company on the list which ...
In the weeks after the October 7 Hamas attacks on Southern Israel I wrote about the possible 2nd, 3rd and even 4th order effects of the conflict. These included new fronts being opened in the West Bank (with Hamas), Golan … Continue reading → ...
Peter Dunne writes – It is one of the oldest truisms that there is never a good time for MPs to get a pay rise. This week’s announcement of pay raises of around 2.8% backdated to last October could hardly have come at a worse time, with the ...
David Farrar writes – Newshub reports: Newshub can reveal a fresh allegation of intimidation against Green MP Julie-Anne Genter. Genter is subject to a disciplinary process for aggressively waving a book in the face of National Minister Matt Doocey in the House – but it’s not the first time ...
The Treasury has published a paper today on the global productivity slowdown and how it is playing out in New Zealand: The productivity slowdown: implications for the Treasury’s forecasts and projections. The Treasury Paper examines recent trends in productivity and the potential drivers of the slowdown. Productivity for the whole economy ...
Winston Peters’ comments about former Australian foreign minister look set to be an ongoing headache for both him and Luxon. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for subscribers features co-hosts and , along with regular guests on Gaza and ...
These puppet strings don't pull themselvesYou're thinking thoughts from someone elseHow much time do you think you have?Are you prepared for what comes next?The debating chamber can be a trying place for an opposition MP. What with the person in charge, the speaker, typically being an MP from the governing ...
The land around Lyme Regis, where Meryl Streep once stood, in a hood, on the Cobb, is falling into the sea.MerylThe land around Lyme Regis, around the Cobb that made it rich, has always been falling slowly but surely into the sea. Read more ...
Buzz from the Beehive Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters was bound to win headlines when he set out his thinking about AUKUS in his speech to the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. The headlines became bigger when – during an interview on RNZ’s Morning Report today – he criticised ...
The Post reports on how the government is refusing to release its advice on its corrupt Muldoonist fast-track law, instead using the "soon to be publicly available" refusal ground to hide it until after select committee submissions on the bill have closed. Fast-track Minister Chris Bishop's excuse? “It's not ...
As pressure on it grows, the livestock industry’s approach to the transition to Net Zero is increasingly being compared to that of fossil fuel interests. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / Getty ImagesTL;DR: Here’s the top five news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above ...
The New Zealand Herald reports – Stats NZ has offered a voluntary redundancy scheme to all of its workers as a way to give staff some control over their “future” amidst widespread job losses in the public sector. In an update to staff this morning, seen by the Herald, Statistics New Zealand ...
On Werewolf/Scoop, I usually do two long form political columns a week. From now on, there will be an extra column each week about music and movies. But first, some late-breaking political events:The rise in unemployment numbers for the March quarter was bigger than expected – and especially sharp ...
David Farrar writes – The Herald reports: TVNZ says it is dealing with about 50 formal complaints over its coverage of the latest 1News-Verian political poll, with some viewers – as well as the Prime Minister and a former senior Labour MP – critical of the tone of the 6pm report. ...
Muriel Newman writes – When Meridian Energy was seeking resource consents for a West Coast hydro dam proposal in 2010, local Maori “strenuously” objected, claiming their mana was inextricably linked to ‘their’ river and could be damaged. After receiving a financial payment from the company, however, the Ngai Tahu ...
Alwyn Poole writes – “An SEP,’ he said, ‘is something that we can’t see, or don’t see, or our brain doesn’t let us see, because we think that it’s somebody else’s problem. That’s what SEP means. Somebody Else’s Problem. The brain just edits it out, it’s like a ...
Our trust in our political institutions is fast eroding, according to a Maxim Institute discussion paper, Shaky Foundations: Why our democracy needs trust. The paper – released today – raises concerns about declining trust in New Zealand’s political institutions and democratic processes, and the role that the overuse of Parliamentary urgency ...
This article was prepared for publication yesterday. More ministerial announcements have been posted on the government’s official website since it was written. We will report on these later today …. Buzz from the BeehiveThere we were, thinking the environment is in trouble, when along came Jones. Shane Jones. ...
New Zealand now has the fourth most depressed construction sector in the world behind China, Qatar and Hong Kong. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 8:46am on Thursday, May 2:The Lead: ...
Hi,I am just going to state something very obvious: American police are fucking crazy.That was a photo gracing the New York Times this morning, showing New York City police “entering Columbia University last night after receiving a request from the school.”Apparently in America, protesting the deaths of tens of thousands ...
Winston Peters’ much anticipated foreign policy speech last night was a work of two halves. Much of it was a standard “boilerplate” Foreign Ministry overview of the state of the world. There was some hardening up of rhetoric with talk of “benign” becoming “malign” and old truths giving way to ...
Graham Adams assesses the fallout of the Cass Review — The press release last Thursday from the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls didn’t make the mainstream news in New Zealand but it really should have. The startling title of Reem Alsalem’s statement — “Implementation of ‘Cass ...
This open-for-business, under-new-management cliché-pockmarked government of Christopher Luxon is not the thing of beauty he imagines it to be. It is not the powerful expression of the will of the people that he asserts it to be. It is not a soaring eagle, it is a malodorous vulture. This newest poll should make ...
The latest labour market statistics, showing a rise in unemployment. There are now 134,000 unemployed - 14,000 more than when the National government took office. Which is I guess what happens when the Reserve Bank causes a recession in an effort to Keep Wages Low. The previous government saw a ...
Three opinion polls have been released in the last two days, all showing that the new government is failing to hold their popular support. The usual honeymoon experienced during the first year of a first term government is entirely absent. The political mood is still gloomy and discontented, mainly due ...
National's Finance Minister once met a poor person.A scornful interview with National's finance guru who knows next to nothing about economics or people.There might have been something a bit familiar if that was the headline I’d gone with today. It would of course have been in tribute to the article ...
Rob MacCulloch writes – Throughout the pandemic, the new Vice-Chancellor-of-Otago-University-on-$629,000 per annum-Can-you-believe-it-and-Former-Finance-Minister Grant Robertson repeated the mantra over and over that he saved “lives and livelihoods”.As we update how this claim is faring over the course of time, the facts are increasingly speaking differently. NZ ...
Chris Trotter writes – IT’S A COMMONPLACE of political speeches, especially those delivered in acknowledgement of electoral victory: “We’ll govern for all New Zealanders.” On the face of it, the pledge is a strange one. Why would any political leader govern in ways that advantaged the huge ...
Bryce Edwards writes – The list of former National Party Ministers being given plum and important roles got longer this week with the appointment of former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett as the chair of Pharmac. The Christopher Luxon-led Government has now made key appointments to Bill ...
TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 10:06am on Wednesday, May 1:The Lead: Business confidence fell across the board in April, falling in some areas to levels last seen during the lockdowns because of a collapse in ...
Over the past 36 hours, Christopher Luxon has been dong his best to portray the centre-right’s plummeting poll numbers as a mark of virtue. Allegedly, the negative verdicts are the result of hard economic times, and of a government bravely set out on a perilous rescue mission from which not ...
Auckland Transport have started rolling out new HOP card readers around the network and over the next three months, all of them on buses, at train stations and ferry wharves will be replaced. The change itself is not that remarkable, with the new readers looking similar to what is already ...
Completed reads for April: The Difference Engine, by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling Carnival of Saints, by George Herman The Snow Spider, by Jenny Nimmo Emlyn’s Moon, by Jenny Nimmo The Chestnut Soldier, by Jenny Nimmo Death Comes As the End, by Agatha Christie Lord of the Flies, by ...
On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
Have a story to share about St Paul’s, but today just picturesPopular novels written at this desk by a young man who managed to bootstrap himself out of father’s imprisonment and his own young life in a workhouse Read more ...
The list of former National Party Ministers being given plum and important roles got longer this week with the appointment of former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett as the chair of Pharmac. The Christopher Luxon-led Government has now made key appointments to Bill English, Simon Bridges, Steven Joyce, Roger Sowry, ...
Newsroom has a story today about National's (fortunately failed) effort to disestablish the newly-created Inspector-General of Defence. The creation of this agency was the key recommendation of the Inquiry into Operation Burnham, and a vital means of restoring credibility and social licence to an agency which had been caught lying ...
Holding On To The Present:The moment a political movement arises that attacks the whole idea of social progress, and announces its intention to wind back the hands of History’s clock, then democracy, along with its unwritten rules, is in mortal danger.IT’S A COMMONPLACE of political speeches, especially those delivered in ...
Stuck In The Middle With You:As Christopher Luxon feels the hot breath of Act’s and NZ First’s extremists on the back of his neck and, as he reckons with the damage their policies are already inflicting upon a country he’s described as “fragile”, is there not some merit in reaching out ...
The unpopular coalition government is currently rushing to repeal section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act. The clause is Oranga Tamariki's Treaty clause, and was inserted after its systematic stealing of Māori children became a public scandal and resulted in physical resistance to further abductions. The clause created clear obligations ...
Buzz from the Beehive The government’s official website – which Point of Order monitors daily – not for the first time has nothing much to say today about political happenings that are grabbing media headlines. It makes no mention of the latest 1News-Verian poll, for example. This shows National down ...
It Takes A Train To Cry:Surely, there is nothing lonelier in all this world than the long wail of a distant steam locomotive on a cold Winter’s night.AS A CHILD, I would lie awake in my grandfather’s house and listen to the traffic. The big wooden house was only a ...
Packing A Punch: The election of the present government, including in its ranks politicians dedicated to reasserting the rights of the legislature in shaping and determining the future of Māori and Pakeha in New Zealand, should have alerted the judiciary – including its anomalous appendage, the Waitangi Tribunal – that its ...
Dead Woman Walking: New Zealand’s media industry had been moving steadily towards disaster for all the years Melissa Lee had been National’s media and communications policy spokesperson, and yet, when the crisis finally broke, on her watch, she had nothing intelligent to offer. Christopher Luxon is a patient man - but he’s not ...
Chris Trotter writes – New Zealand politics is remarkably easy-going: dangerously so, one might even say. With the notable exception of John Key’s flat ruling-out of the NZ First Party in 2008, all parties capable of clearing MMP’s five-percent threshold, or winning one or more electorate seats, tend ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is ...
Luxon will no doubt put a brave face on it, but there is no escaping the pressure this latest poll will put on him and the government. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political ...
This is a re-post from The Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler In the wake of any unusual weather event, someone inevitably asks, “Did climate change cause this?” In the most literal sense, that answer is almost always no. Climate change is never the sole cause of hurricanes, heat waves, droughts, or ...
Something odd happened yesterday, and I’d love to know if there’s more to it. If there was something which preempted what happened, or if it was simply a throwaway line in response to a journalist.Yesterday David Seymour was asked at a press conference what the process would be if the ...
Hi,From time to time, I want to bring Webworm into the real world. We did it last year with the Jurassic Park event in New Zealand — which was a lot of fun!And so on Saturday May 11th, in Los Angeles, I am hosting a lil’ Webworm pop-up! I’ve been ...
Education Minister Erica Standford yesterday unveiled a fundamental reform of the way our school pupils are taught. She would not exactly say so, but she is all but dismantling the so-called “inquiry” “feel good” method of teaching, which has ruled in our classrooms since a major review of the New ...
Exactly where are we seriously going with this government and its policies? That is, apart from following what may as well be a Truss-Lite approach on the purported economic “plan“, and Victorian-era regression when it comes to social policy.Oh it’ll work this time of course, we’re basically assured, “the ...
Hey Uncle Dave, When the Poms joined the EEC, I wasn't one of those defeatists who said, Well, that’s it for the dairy job. And I was right, eh? The Chinese can’t get enough of our milk powder and eventually, the Poms came to their senses and backed up the ute ...
Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is higher than for any other mayor ...
Buzz from the Beehive Pharmac has been given a financial transfusion and a new chair to oversee its spending in the pharmaceutical business. Associate Health Minister David Seymour described the funding for Pharmac as “its largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff”. ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its ...
TL;DR: Here’s my top 10 ‘pick ‘n’ mix of links to news, analysis and opinion articles as of 10:10am on Monday, April 29:Scoop: The children's ward at Rotorua Hospital will be missing a third of its beds as winter hits because Te Whatu Ora halted an upgrade partway through to ...
span class=”dropcap”>As hideous as David Seymour can be, it is worth keeping in mind occasionally that there are even worse political figures (and regimes) out there. Iran for instance, is about to execute the country’s leading hip hop musician Toomaj Salehi, for writing and performing raps that “corrupt” the nation’s ...
The Government is again adding to New Zealand’s growing unemployment, this time cutting jobs at the agencies responsible for urban development and growing much needed housing stock. ...
With Minister Karen Chhour indicating in the House today that she either doesn’t know or care about the frontline cuts she’s making to Oranga Tamariki, we risk seeing more and more of our children falling through the cracks. ...
The Labour Party is saddened to learn of the death of Sir Robert Martin, a globally renowned disability advocate who led the way for disability rights both in New Zealand and internationally. ...
Labour is calling for the Government to urgently rethink its coalition commitment to restart live animal exports, Labour animal welfare spokesperson Rachel Boyack said. ...
Today’s Financial Stability Report has once again highlighted that poverty and deep inequality are political choices - and this Government is choosing to make them worse. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to do more for our households in most need as unemployment rises and the cost of living crisis endures. ...
Unemployment is on the rise and it’s only going to get worse under this Government, Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said. Stats NZ figures show the unemployment rate grew to 4.3 percent in the March quarter from 4 percent in the December quarter. “This is the second rise in unemployment ...
The New Zealand Labour Party welcomes the entering into force of the European Union and New Zealand free trade agreement. This agreement opens the door for a huge increase in trade opportunities with a market of 450 million people who are high value discerning consumers of New Zealand goods and ...
The National-led Government continues its fiscal jiggery pokery with its Pharmac announcement today, Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall says. “The government has increased Pharmac funding but conceded it will only make minimal increases in access to medicine”, said Ayesha Verrall “This is far from the bold promises made to fund ...
This afternoon’s interim Waitangi Tribunal report must be taken seriously as it affects our most vulnerable children, Labour children’s spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime. ...
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Te Pāti Māori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. “This act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.” Said Te Pāti Māori Oranga Tamariki ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
The Government has delivered on its election promise to provide a financially sustainable model for Auckland under its Local Water Done Well plan. The plan, which has been unanimously endorsed by Auckland Council’s Governing Body, will see Aucklanders avoid the previously projected 25.8 per cent water rates increases while retaining ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters discussed the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and enhanced cooperation in the Pacific with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock during her first official visit to New Zealand today. "New Zealand and Germany enjoy shared interests and values, including the rule of law, democracy, respect for the international system ...
The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop today released his decision on four recommendations referred to him by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, opening the door to housing growth in the area. The Council’s Plan Change 92 allows more homes to be built in existing and new ...
Thank you, John McKinnon and the New Zealand China Council for the invitation to speak to you today. Thank you too, all members of the China Council. Your effort has played an essential role in helping to build, shape, and grow a balanced and resilient relationship between our two ...
The Government is modernising insurance law to better protect Kiwis and provide security in the event of a disaster, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly announced today. “These reforms are long overdue. New Zealand’s insurance law is complicated and dated, some of which is more than 100 years old. ...
The coalition Government is refreshing its approach to supporting pay equity claims as time-limited funding for the Pay Equity Taskforce comes to an end, Public Service Minister Nicola Willis says. “Three years ago, the then-government introduced changes to the Equal Pay Act to support pay equity bargaining. The changes were ...
Structured literacy will change the way New Zealand children learn to read - improving achievement and setting students up for success, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “Being able to read and write is a fundamental life skill that too many young people are missing out on. Recent data shows that ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay says Canada’s refusal to comply in full with a CPTPP trade dispute ruling in our favour over dairy trade is cynical and New Zealand has no intention of backing down. Mr McClay said he has asked for urgent legal advice in respect of our ‘next move’ ...
The rights of our children and young people will be enhanced by changes the coalition Government will make to strengthen oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, including restoring a single Children’s Commissioner. “The Government is committed to delivering better public services that care for our most at-risk young people and ...
The Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can ...
New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
Good evening – Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us. ...
From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure. The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say. “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...
Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff. “Access to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwis’ lives. We’ve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...
Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says. “Every day, ...
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges. “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service. It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
Distinguished guests - It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra A new Commonwealth Prac Payment will provide students with $319.50 a week when they are on clinical and professional placements. The payment will be means tested and start from July 1 next year, which ...
Asia Pacific Report About 500 people honoured Palestinian journalists in the heart of the New Zealand city of Auckland today for their brave coverage of Israel’s War on Gaza, now in its seventh month with almost 35,000 people killed, mostly women and children. Marking the annual May 3 World Press ...
The Government Communications Security Bureau denies hosting a foreign spying capability flagged by the watchdog, differentiating it from the system recently criticised. ...
RNZ News A group of academic staff at New Zealand’s largest university have expressed concern at the administration’s move to block a protest encampment that was planned to take place on campus calling for support for the rights of Palestinians. This week, the University of Auckland warned that while it ...
Genterwocky After a hard days marching, Sir Doocey calls in at the Village Tavern For a pint of ale and a pork pie. The grim villagers stare at him. “Do not be travelling on the forest road,” warns a crusty old beak. “And why is that, antique peasant?” Grins Sir ...
Political conferences after a party returns to power are usually a chance for some healthy, even unhealthy backslapping. Yet National Party president Sylvia Wood’s address to its mainland representatives on Saturday hardly contained the unalloyed delight that one might have expected following National’s escape from the wilderness of opposition. Yes, ...
Comment: Almost half the world is voting in national elections this year and artificial intelligence is the elephant in the room. There are genuine fears AI-generated or AI-edited deepfakes will potentially manipulate election outcomes not just in the US and UK, but critically in countries such as India. For that ...
Ahead of the reality franchise’s return to New Zealand, allow us to introduce the eight brides and grooms. Chuck on a veil and tie back your man bun, because it’s time to say “I do” to a new season of Married at First Sight NZ. The reality TV “social experiment” ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Norton, Professor in the Practice of Higher Education Policy, Australian National University Every year on June 1, student debt in Australia is indexed to inflation. In 2023, high inflation pushed the indexation rate to 7.1%, the highest since 1990. This ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Changes in the May 14 budget will cut the student debt of more than three million people, wiping more than $3 billion from what people owe. The government will cap the HELP indexation rate ...
Asia Pacific Report The prosecutor’s office at the International Criminal Court (ICC) has appealed for an end to what it calls intimidation of its staff, saying such threats could constitute an offence against the “administration of justice” by the world’s permanent war crimes court. The Hague-based office of ICC Prosecutor ...
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk A women’s union in New Caledonia has staged a sit-in protest this week to support senior Kanak indigenous journalist Thérèse Waia, who works for public broadcaster Nouvelle-Calédonie la Première, after a smear attack by critics. The peaceful demonstration was held on ...
New Zealand Food Safety is monitoring overseas recalls of Indian packaged spice products manufactured by MDH and Everest due to concerns over a cancer-causing pesticide. ...
By Stephen Wright and Stefan Armbruster of BenarNews Fiji’s ranking in a global press freedom index has jumped into the top tier of countries with free or mostly free media after its government last year repealed a draconian law that threatened journalists with prison for doing their jobs. Fiji’s improvement ...
We might be in Invercargill but all anyone can talk about is Gore. Specifically, Salford Street. That’s where three-year-old Lachlan Jones lived, south of the centre of town, between the A&P Showgrounds and the Mataura River. Roughly 1.2 km away from the single level home he lived in with his ...
MONDAY I lined up the latest round of civil servants from city hall against the wall, and signalled for the firing squad to drop their rifles. I stepped up onto a wooden crate to look at the office workers in the eye. But that didn’t feel right, so I found ...
Keen hiker and second-year MSc student Liam Hewson wears two hats when he’s in the great outdoors. “The scientist in me appreciates nature and goes, ‘Oh, there’s that thing and there’s another thing,’ but then the tramper and the outdoorsy person in me thinks, ‘Cool bush.’” Born and bred in ...
After a long and illustrious career as a goal kicker, Dan Carter’s favourite way to unwind is… kicking goals. Why can’t he get enough of it? And what it’s like to watch him do it for an hour straight? A semicircle of people wielding cameras and phones has formed in ...
Dame Susan Devoy takes us through her life in television, including late night ER debriefs, her proudest CTI moment and the show she watches in secret. Quite aside from her four world champion squash titles, Dame Susan Devoy will likely go down in history as one of the best Celebrity ...
Hera Lindsay Bird reveals the best places in Ōtepoti to score more for your apocalypse-prep book hoard.Sometimes I get the feeling I’ve been killed in a car crash, and this second half of my life is just the brain unspooling itself, like one of those episodes of a hospital ...
ThreeNow’s new murder mystery series takes us on a dark, damp journey into the Australian wilderness.This is an excerpt from our weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. High Country is ThreeNow’s new Australian eight-part crime drama, set in a remote part of the Victorian highlands. It tells ...
Introducing a new way to read The Spinoff every weekend. After nearly 10 years of being an online magazine, we’re finally embracing the weekend liftout. Despite our best efforts to convince you otherwise, writers and editors at The Spinoff don’t work weekend. It is through the sheer power of technology ...
Tip one: let yourself be nurtured by this big old man. Tip two: don’t ask him to adopt you. So, you’ve arrived at your first session with a new therapist. He tells you to make yourself comfortable and you opt for the tweed armchair, hoping it makes you look like ...
I didn’t know books could open you back up; that there were books that stayed with you, where reading was like a chemical event. I knew nothing.The Sunday Essay is made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand.Not too long ago, I was listening to the American ...
Former Olympic swimmer James Magnussen has already started training for the Enhanced games, though says he won’t start taking performance enhancing substances until about nine months out from the competition. The Australian world champion was the first athlete to be announced by Enhanced, but he says the organisation has had ...
Everyone thinks he’s dead. Every day they expect his body to be washed up along the coast. Most likely up Karitane way, the way the tide’s running. But nobody’ll be too surprised if his body’s never found. Even in death he wouldn’t have wished for such attention. He would have ...
Council members voted 21 to 4 in favour of Ahluwalia returning to the Laucala campus following a much-awaited meeting in Vanuatu this week. It comes as USP and its two unions — the Association of the University of the South Pacific Staff (AUSPS) and the Administration and Support Staff Union ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nicola Henry, Professor & Australian Research Council Future Fellow, Social and Global Studies Centre, RMIT University Shutterstock Following an emergency meeting of the National Cabinet this week, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a raft of measures to tackle the problem ...
Analysis - A poll showing the opposition is more popular than the government raises questions, politicians go through their 'trial by pay rise' and a Green MP loses her cool in the debating chamber. ...
The entire stretch of Tokomaru Bay on the East Coast will be subject to a joint customary marine title for two hapū, and extending up to four miles out to sea. A High Court judge has found the two groups, who during the case settled a dispute over boundaries for ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Hall, Lecturer, Media & Cultural Studies, Edith Cowan University A longstanding feud between TikTok and Universal Music Group seems to have finally reached an end, with both parties signing a deal that will see Universal-backed music returned to the social media ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Siobhan O’Dean, Postdoctoral Research Associate, The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, University of Sydney After several highly publicised alleged murders of women in Australia, the Albanese government this week pledged more than A$925 million over five years ...
Political parties have now fully disclosed the donations they received last year - with National getting more than double the cash of any other party. ...
A Pacific regionalism expert has called out New Zealand's Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters for withholding information from the public on AUKUS military pact. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Richard de Grijs, Professor of Astrophysics, Macquarie University Bruno Scramgnon/Pexels All systems are “go” for tonight’s launch of China’s next step in a carefully planned lunar exploration program. Placed on top of a powerful Long March 5 rocket, the Chang’e 6 ...
National returned a massive donation the day after a Newsroom story linked the donors to a property being investigated for operating unlawfully as a migrant workers’ hostel. The party’s 2023 donation filings, released on Friday, show it returned a $200,000 donation from Buen Holdings on August 23. That was the ...
Pacific Media Watch New Zealand has slumped to an unprecedented 19th place in the annual Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index survey released today on World Press Freedom Day — May 3. This was a drop of six places from 13th last year when it slipped out of its ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joshua Black, Political Historian and Administrator Officer, Australian Historical Association, Australian National University Australia has had its fair share of public record-keeping controversies in recent years. Some have been mere farce, as in the case of two formerly government-owned filing cabinets (containing ...
Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), a United Nations-affiliated organization dedicated to fostering peace through civilian-led initiatives, has issued a statement in response to the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. ...
A poem by Tessa Keenan, from AUP New Poets 10. Mātou These days we are a photograph; one of a farm strewn with cows that used to be bright harakeke or swamp. The kids point at it and say the sun sits behind a smudge (left by someone at Christmas); ...
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan (Faber & Faber, $25)The masterful Irish writer ...
Marriage and civil union statistics record the number of marriages and civil unions registered in New Zealand each year, and divorce statistics record the number of divorces granted in New Zealand each year. Key facts Marriages and civil unions In ...
Marriage and civil union statistics record the number of marriages and civil unions registered in New Zealand each year, and divorce statistics record the number of divorces granted in New Zealand each year. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lennon Y.C. Chang, Associate Professor of Cyber Risk and Policy, Deakin University Taiwan stands out as a beacon of democracy, innovation and resilience in an increasingly autocratic region. But this is under growing threat. In recent years, China has used a variety ...
In this excerpt from her new memoir, Dame Susan Devoy remembers her turn as star contestant on the 2022 season of Celebrity Treasure Island. The most anxious time of every day was pre-elimination, when you knew this could be your final day on the show. I felt such contradictory emotions, ...
A week that began in triumph ended in an all-too-familiar disaster for the Green Party. Duncan Greive asks if there’s something in the mission that breaks its best and brightest. A long, strange week for the Green party began with a fantastic poll result. On one level this is hardly ...
By Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific journalist Vanuatu’s former prime minister and opposition MP Ishmael Kalsakau has stepped down — just two days after he confirmed he was the rightful opposition leader. Kalsakau, MP for Port Vila, confirmed to ABC’s Pacific Beat, and the Vanuatu Daily Post on Thursday that he ...
What’s to blame for the coalition’s choppy start? Six months in, and the mojo meter is in the doldrums. A new poll would put National out of power and sees its leader, Chris Luxon, sliding in popularity. How much is it about policy, how much coalition management and a perception ...
The striking report goes far beyond the proposed repeal of the Oranga Tamariki Act’s Treaty of Waitangi provision, and its impact should be felt far beyond the unique circumstances of the claim it addresses. Earlier this week, the Waitangi Tribunal released an interim report on the government’s proposed repeal of ...
The world has been experiencing a productivity slowdown, from which New Zealand has not been exempt. COVID-19 temporarily boosted labour productivity, but more recently, productivity has retreated. The overall trend since 2007 has been one of slow productivity ...
What’s more wasteful than spending $315k on syrup and machine maintenance? Trying to drum up a controversy about it.Cast your mind back to the pre-pandemic idylls of 2019. A “rat” was a disgusting rodent and not a self-administered plague test; the sixth Labour government was in power; and the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kate Fitz-Gibbon, Professor of Social Sciences, Faculty of Arts, Monash University, Monash University Ken stocker/Shutterstock In the wake of numerous killings of women allegedly by men’s violence in 2024, thousands of Australians have joined rallies across the country to demand action ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Henry Cutler, Professor and Director, Macquarie University Centre for the Health Economy, Macquarie University Oleg Ivanov IL/Shutterstock Waiting times for public hospital elective surgery have been in the news ahead of this year’s federal budget. That’s the type of non-emergency surgery ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Konstantine Panegyres, McKenzie Postdoctoral Fellow, Historical and Philosophical Studies, The University of Melbourne Amna Artist/Shutterstock One of the earliest descriptions of someone with cancer comes from the fourth century BC. Satyrus, tyrant of the city of Heracleia on the Black Sea, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Rose, Professor of Sustainable Future Transport, University of Sydney LanaElcova/Shutterstock Electric vehicles are often seen as the panacea to cutting emissions – and air pollution – from transport. Is this view correct? Yes – but only once uptake accelerates. Despite the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Giselle Natassia Woodley, Researcher and Phd Candidate, Edith Cowan University There is widespread agreement Australia needs to do better when it comes to gender-based violence. Anger and frustration at the numbers of women being killed saw national rallies over the weekend and ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Graham, Lecturer in Economics, University of Sydney Mark and Anna Photography/Shutterstock As home ownership moves further out of reach for many Australians, “rentvesting” is being touted as a lifesaver. Rentvesting is the practice of renting one property to live ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sukhmani Khorana, Associate Professor, Faculty of Arts, Design and Architecture, UNSW Sydney Netflix The new season of Heartbreak High is garnering mixed reviews. Critics are writing about the racy story lines, comparing it to other coming-of-age series about teenage relationships and ...
Bob Carr intends to launch legal action against Winston Peters and Julie Anne Genter is facing a second allegation of bullying. Both sucked the air out of an announcement on education, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in ...
Green Hydrogen…
or not.
Only got as far as the EROI comparison to get to the first dishonesty. Essentially they assume the wind energy can be directly used at every moment it's being generated which is not always true – to the the H2 case where the energy has been stored and can be used when you need it. In other words they've discounted the value of the energy storage to zero and gotten to a stupid answer.
Second dishonest comparison, they take the high price of a new tech, low volume car and use that to inflate the cost of conversion. In any real world scenario the maturity, volumes and costs of H2 vehicles would be considerably better, just as the first EV's were too expensive but became affordable over time. And more importantly would be part of the usual vehicle fleet replacement price which a quick back of envelope calculation already costs us around $5b pa, not an incremental new cost they present it as.
Third dishonest claim is platinum catalyst availability limit – as if this was not well understood and being actively researched. (Far too many links to be bothered posting here.)
Fourth dishonest claim is hydrogen embrittlement in metals is equally blinkered – there are good alternatives to using metals already in production. Nor was there any attempt at qualifying the issue which is not the deal breaker they're pretending it is.
Fifth dishonesty is to go all in on ‘the world’s largest hydroliser at 10MW’ as if this was some kind of limit. It’s not.
Another dishonesty is to pretend their pathway is the only one possible, while there are many other options being actively explored. Or this process that is at pilot scale now. They’re assuming that the process technology will not and cannot be improved.
Finally their 100MW example is pathetically small compared to the projects underway. All at a GW scale with considerable investment; maybe their engineers know something this pair don't. For example most of this first H2 is not destined to power cars, but other applications like de-carbonising steel and concrete production, or large vehicles where the very low energy density of batteries is a deal breaker. But none of this mentioned.
Summary – hit piece easily pulled apart with a few moments on a search engine. The only upside is I did learn a couple of new things.
The Firstgas plan to convert New Zealand's total gas pipeline to hydrogen has plenty of government and industry support.
Everyone's motivated to tell Genesis where to go for the bulk customers.
That's very interesting. Another rumour I spotted a few weeks back is that FMG are looking at using the Marsden Point infrastructure for some kind of H2 project.
I don't want to oversell H2, it's not a silver bullet, but part of a mix of technologies that we will need to decarbonise. I spent most of last year commissioning at a lithium plant and this year looks like it may be H2 – so I'm not biased. Just diversified
No vested interest there….lol.
It's my observation that people who indulge in little but cynicism – deliver nothing useful.
And its my observation that healthy cynicism is an important function of planning…..and not much happens without that.
Why do they call it "green" hydrogen? This is greenwash. Complete bollocks.
We don't say I'm going to put green solar panels on my roof to help power my green house or to feed the grid to power my green EV that uses green batteries.
The evidence in the video looks pretty compelling to me. Hydrogen makes no sense at all compared to the far cheaper and more efficient (and getting rapidly more efficient) battery storage model.
The real question is how we generate and distribute electricity in the first place to meet future demand; I have posted before on TS about how wind turbines destroy landscape values, meaning they are only a very limited option IMHO. Solar and offshore wind turbines are the best options.
Why do they call it "green" hydrogen? This is greenwash. Complete bollocks.
The colours are shorthand descriptions that have a specific technical meaning:
There is a bit more to it than 'bollocks'
The evidence in the video looks pretty compelling to me.
It was meant to be compelling.
Ah OK I didn't know that. But it alters little as the description you give says:
As the name suggests, its production is sustainable and environmentally friendly. Green hydrogen is most commonly produced using a device called an electrolyser. Electrolysers use electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. The key to this method of producing green hydrogen is that the electricity that powers the electrolyser comes from renewable sources, such as wind, solar, which have no associated GHG emissions. There are also pathways to produce green hydrogen from waste biomass.
Again I say this is greenwash-the inefficiencies of needing huge amounts of power (compared with the alternatives) to to make and store hydrogen means it is not green at all.
You've found a use for the crazy pedestrian crossing we have in Wellington. We can update each line by writing in the amount of that type of hydrogen that we are using. Perhaps we can update the numbers every 6 months or so.
It won't be graffiti I will simply be a means of keeping the public up to date. I hope there are enough colours.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/wellington/127422011/new-paint-job-for-wellingtons-rainbow-crossing
No problem with the green hydrogen – provided you look back up the whole supply chain, especially with GHG producing energy sources.
But blue hydrogen can only be described as being useless.
As someone who was trained in earth sciences, I have enormous scepticism about getting the kinds of long term storage required. Just as I have about highly radioactive waste.
I don't think that it can be done safely at anything apart from exorbitant cost. If at all. After all we are talking about near to geological time scales required for sequestration. You want a reliable way of storing without environmental leakage for centuries at a bare minimum. In environment where climate change alone creates a major risk.
Basically humans simply don't have any technology that could make that safe. They also don't appear to be developing any that would met a cost/benefit analysis over simply not creating greenhouse gases by changing to known and working technologies.
For instance, the most common delusion, stuffing carbon in any form into expired gas or oil fields is just a deferral for a few years or decades. Those formations leak like crazy after they have been penetrated, partially collapsed or fractured under pressure pushing hydrocarbons out. Even to get them into the ground, they'd have to force out the junk that they stuck in the domes to get the last of the hydrocarbons out. And that is before considering the regular earthquakes.
Same problem for almost every other way that I have ever seen to sequester carbon.
The need for hydrogen power is pretty clear. It is as RL said
Concrete and steel (each about ~8% of emissions) de-carbon are a major climate change targets. Steel has already been demonstrated to be relatively easy to convert to virtually no carbon if there was sufficient H2. Cement a lot less so because you can use it reduce heating costs, but it doesn't help at all with CO2 process emissions driven off the clinker.
With high load vehicles like trucks, ships, aircraft, and most construction equipment. Electric power is pretty useless for really heavy loads and is unlikely to get much better. It'd probably require decades to get the required increases in density steps if there is a possible way to do it and to make them safe enough to use widely.
All of those are industrial level equipment and can afford to install the large levels of protection that storing and transporting large quantities of hydrogen entail. That is several orders of magnitude more of distribution and storage problem than with virtually all of the current hydrocarbons in use.
But shifting hydrogen is also something that is already done on an industrial scale. Just not something that I'd consider as being safe enough to put into a personal vehicle with an average young kiwi driver. Doesn't look that problem is going to be fixed in the coming decades as well – most of the approaches looks like it is decades away from widespread engineering.
For cars, light load vans, light load trucks and buses – EV is already viable and starting to be in widespread use.
The problem there is mostly in the power supply chain – mostly that a lot of generation worldwide isn't green. Plus that electricity grids aren't designed to handle stored electrical power or micro-generated electrical power. To me that looks to be more of an issue about investment and software than basic science or engineering. Lots of lithium storage bunkers dotted around like the traditional ammo bunkers are in your future.
Yes – I'm not much of a fan of CO2 capture and underground reservoir storage. I wasn't promoting it, just pointing out what the various 'hydrogen colours' actually meant.
My rant was more about the issues. but I see that I used the 'you' word in there once – sorry. I'm trying to break myself of that habit.
One of the things that I tend to dislike about a lot of discussion and policy about climate change is the dependence on on unproven GHG reduction or mitigation technologies. That may have been a valid policy use in the 1990s. Now more than 20 years later it really only qualifies as wilful obstruction.
And yet when you look at COP-26 that is mostly what is on the table. Including by our government. The farming community has had the last 20 years to figure out how to decrease methane, yet have managed to increase the total volume of emissions of the most dangerous short term GHG gases of methane by ~8% between 1990 and 2018, and nitrous oxide by more.
Right now we need to concentrate on using technologies that are at least working and dropping emissions as fast as possible. Not exactly what we promised in our largest GHG problem over the next 30 years – agricultural policy was all about tech that neither exists nor shows that much promise based on what has been proven not to work at any scale. We should just start doing back taxes on agriculture backdated to the introduction of the ETS.
As is pointed out by juice media, at this point policies incorporating future tech promises are just bullshit. I must start donating to that crew.
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=173372838258055
Right now we need to concentrate on using technologies that are at least working and dropping emissions as fast as possible.
I've repeatedly said I've no problem with the Solar/Wind/Battery crowd and I wish them the best. I expect we will push what can be achieved in that mode as far as possible. But equally we don't hear a lot from them around the very real limits of what can be achieved with renewables either. They can definitely play a role now, but they cannot take the whole 8 or 9b of humanity into anything like an acceptable future.
De-carbonising is not going to be a set of 'one off, drop in and done' replacements for our existing modes of production. It will be successive waves of evolution, starting with the SWB mode we're in right now and then over the next decade or so we'll see a host of other technologies that are in the research or development stage now – start to appear in production.
Yes it would be nice if the development of all of this had happened decades ago – but then I have my own views on why that never happened.
But planning on future technologies to bridge the gaps 20-30 years down the line (like the aussie and our government) is just a recipe for increasing the total GHG emissions between now and then. It just increases risk and at present those risks are starting to get into the mode of being in the big upswing of a S curve.
It is a classic investment problem. Putting in a relatively shit technology like lithium battery banks next to variable power sources for fats load balancing isn't optimal.
Even with the rapid battery replacement, it is even better than having to fire up a old coal powered power station or installing a new gas powered station with a 30 year investment life span and a need to find a new field, or trying to rush in a SMR without a viable waste disposal plan.
In GHG terms it probably even beats putting in a new dam because those have a very large build carbon footprint.
Who doesn't. But mostly I think it is just investors wanting to realise returns from current investments, and not wanting to get taxed for the benefit of the future.
Yes – but you do know I'm trying not to say the n-word
Also I'd point out that very few of the current H2 generation projects are 'Green Hydrogen'. Almost all of them apart from a few bleeding edge projects using brand new tech (ie requiring decades of debugging) have a hydrocarbon feed stock.
The relevant information about sequestration of carbon for these projects that I am aware of could be taken apart by anyone who has studied any earth sciences in minutes. Most of them are simply ways to effectively throw the pollutant costs on to later generations because they rely on shonky and engineering and science that has never been even remotely tested.
They really need to do the equivalent of crash test testing on it.
Talking about bleeding edge technologies.
Rather than using electricity to split water into its constituent parts, heat can do it.
Electricity generated by wind towers or photo electric solar cells is not the only way to split water into Hydrogen and Oxygen to release Green Hydrogen.
Concentrated solar arrays can produce extremely high temperatures where water disasocciates, no electicity or electolysers needed.
Install Ivanpah sized solar collectors in the hot Australian interior feed them with water. Voila.
https://scitechdaily.com/engineers-develop-water-splitting-solar-thermal-system-to-produce-hydrogen-fuel/
Oh dear….claiming dishonesty with your own.
Summary…they take actual existing real world data for the basis of their assessment and you continue to assume future capabilities that may never occur.
"Hydrogen’s viability as a fuel source — regardless of industry — depends on rapid development of a variety of transport, delivery and storage technologies that are young but fast-evolving. Commercializing these technologies will not be simple, but they are being addressed. Below is a summary of some work being done."
https://www.compositesworld.com/articles/cfrp-pressure-vessels-for-hydrogen
"Industrial gas giant Linde will build and operate what it claims will be the “world’s largest PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane) electrolyser” plant to produce green hydrogen once it is operational at the Leuna chemical complex in Germany.'
https://www.rechargenews.com/transition/linde-to-build-world-s-largest-electrolyser-to-produce-green-hydrogen/2-1-944080
Hope is a wonderful thing….delusion not so much.
I've seen this argument before – it rests on the idea that no technical progress ever happens.
And how long do you wish to wait for these grand technical advances?….never mind the basic EROI of hydrogen production isnt going to change irrespective.
The calculation of EORI used in that video is the wrong calculation when the source of the energy is solar/wind. The correct term to be using is not the energy produced (which is essentially free), but the energy embedded in the solar panel/wind turbine infrastructure. That's a quite different calculation to the simplistic one presented.
It is a different calculation…and one that makes the EROI even worse, they have been generous by only measuring the operational EROI rather than the embedded and operational energy costs.
I went back and checked their claims.
They make the very common mistake of including the operational wind/solar energy in the EORI calculation, when for renewables you don't care about that at all. There is nothing 'generous' about this at all – it's simply irrelevant.
Also it wasn't clear to me how their numbers added up, but that could be my fault.
Mistake?…look at the first calculation…essentially an EROI of 0.25….no calculation for energy source….energy in v energy out.
Its a dog….and we dont have energy to spare
Can you reproduce the basis for this calculation?
Time stamped?…i think not, youve linked to the beginning of the video i linked.
Can i reproduce it?….I imagine so, however i dont need to because the calculation has been reproduced by many and often…it is generally accepted that for every unit of energy from hydrogen produced 4 units of energy are involved in its production…..do you wish to prove otherwise?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrogen_economy
I've given you the video link above, timestamped to the relevant moment in the discussion. I'm interested to see how it's done.
"look at the first calculation…essentially an EROI of 0.25….no calculation for energy source….energy in v energy out."
You wish to prove otherwise?…remembering shes a published, peer reviewed engineer of decades standing.
Time stamped?…I think not ..youve provided nothing more
than a re link to the video I attached.
If you think your calculations can show otherwise then by all means present them.
t=6:57
And a student of (i suspect) of Al Bartlett….you have quite some pedigree to contest….go for it.
Doesn't make any sense does it?
It adds up…its not perhaps the way I'd choose to present it but I havnt had the opportunity to ask why it was presented thus….but i see no fundamental flaw.
Again I refer you to the previous chart…an EROI of essentially 0.25.
Woof
EROI stands for energy returned on energy invested. It's not the flow of energy through the system.
If the energy flow is essentially free and limitless as sunshine is – then you don't care about it, it's not a cost or investment of any kind. But apparently the calculation in the video includes it in the H2 case – although apparently not in the battery case.
But it's your reference – if you cannot defend it then just say so.
Are you suggesting there is no energy cost to storing hydrogen?….or that it dosnt need to be stored for use?….either way it would seem an odd proposition.
I had a machine with a DuPont SPE PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane). Meant to be one of the best on the market. The problem is PEM filters block up depending on water quality. That can lead to plate wear.
Looks like an epic scam to me – preferred route of manufacture is natural gas – not a renewable. No reticulation infrastructure, and pretty significant issues to overcome with safety – all so people can pretend to drive green vehicles instead of stepping away from them.
Butanol is a better system.
There is no 'preferred route' – methane was merely the conventional method of producing H2 for industrial purposes. Then there is the Hazer process that's running at pilot scale and shows another pathway.
Or the Australian National Roadmap. There's plenty to chew on in that.
Meh – the government is funding it because they see possible export $ – there has been no mature consideration of viable green technologies – it's on a par with Brazilian carbon credits – what governments do instead of rising to meet the challenges (and opportunities) of the 21st century.
What 'viable green technologies'? The left rules them out just as soon as they realise they're not compatible with their wild dreams of reverting to a pre-industrial utopia.
This canard again. Tilting at straw men.
What "viable green technologies'? You don't explain what you mean – so I get to fill the vacuum with whatever I like.
Whatever you like always seems to be broadbrush smears of the left as a whole. What you claim the left believes is not remotely accurate, it's just intellectually lazy provocation. Such wild claims about such a diverse group as an entire wing of the political spectrum aren't useful if we want to have any kind of rational political debate here.
There was your opportunity to make the effort to outline what you meant by 'viable green technologies' – instead you throw a little rant.
I've put in a decent effort today to explain what H2 has to offer and why it has a place in the wider decarbonising scheme. In response there's been nothing but ill-informed negativity and repeated claims that 'it can't be done'.
You brought nothing.
I didn’t mean anything by ‘viable green technologies’ because I didn’t make that comment, that was Stuart Munro.
What I am objecting to is your unfounded and un-cited claim about the beliefs of the left as a whole. We all should be discouraged from making such ridiculous claims about our political oppenents, it doesn’t make our arguments any stronger nor does it make us seem rational.
OK so you're objecting to my tone.
No, not tone. You made the claim:
This surely requires a citation or the caveat that this is entirely in your imagination.
This entire thread more or less proves my contention.
Where are the wild dreams of reverting to a pre-industrial utopia in this thread? Or in fact anywhere? Cite it or retract it.
lol – I'll retract it.
Butanol for one – you make it from a cellulose feedstock – ie it soaks up carbon before you burn it – it runs in existing engines and reticulation infrastructure.
But no, it has to be hydrogen. I suppose we're meant to be grateful it's not fusion.
I'm skeptical – biomass schemes don't have a sparkly track record to date, why would this one be different?
They're green enough – they just struggle against subsidized petrochemicals at present.
The cost of inputs however, is very low, and that means in first principles terms, that given sufficient development this technology will be competitive with fossil fuels.
The big missing factor of your preference, hydrogen, is the energy source. Even given all the multifarious issues of hydrogen were resolved, absent a cheap energy surplus, hydrogen fails. Moreover, if there is a way to use cheap surplus energy without the conversion to hydrogen, that use will invariably be much more efficient, and likely much greener too.
Not, it seems.
Or maybe, it now seems – after reading RL's contribution above. From his last link:
I was a bit harsh above. Green H2 is not a magic bean that will solve all our problems, it has to be understood in it's correct context before it makes sense.
Nevertheless I take your point their analysis appears does not appear to recognise all the current research and projects underway.
Read Reds links and you will see his claims are grossly overstated AND based on expectation rather than existence…..we can all create futures where the improbable occurs
A interesting case unfolds. I don't have enough information to make a judgement. But I think police will need to be 100% confident their actions were justified. I would also like to know who made the complaint. Police have been know in recent times to turn up on certain gun owners doors and ask about their political views.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/127426117/police-seize-rifle-500-ammunition-rounds-from-controversial-christchurch-pastor-in-new-years-eve-raid
I guess it is much easier ransacking a priests home rather then going after gang members that real havoc rather then just someone who is outspoken.
I agree. If this pastor is found to be in the wrong and a threat, that's fine – one less nutter in society. If the police are found to be wrong, or acted on flimsy information to curtail someone who spouts unpopular views in public, that's not fine. Should that be the case I would expect the media to be onto this like a rabid dog. But they won't. It may not even get a mention.
Personally i have no use for guns generally, but as per the article, he gun was locked away in a safe and that safe was ripped of the wall and then opened with a key that was found elsewhere. Ah, good old terrorism laws that can be used so easily against non criminal law abiding contrarians.
The story reminds me of Rachel Stewart and her merry go round with the Police in regards to her weapons that came courtesy of activists that use the Police to bully 'contrarians' all legally and government sanctioned.
They ripped it off the wall instead of using a key?!?!
To me thats…I'm not sure what you call it but hopefully he takes the police to court for damages or something
Well per the article they managed to rip it of the wall, but then found a key and opened it. go figure.
The guy seems to bit of a tosser- but as far as i know we are still allowed to hold believes other then the official puree served by highly paid PR figures. This whole article describes something that I would consider as government sanctioned harassment and intimidation. And if government thinks that the police overstep its boundaries it can check its lazy law making and maybe tighten some screws so that overzealous cops will know when to stop.
So I'm guessing he wasn't there at the time because if the police want to see whats in my cabinet I'll just open it up for them
That is exactly the point. They should have waited for him to show up, demand entry, ask about the weapons, ask a few general questions to see if he is any danger and in the end simply confiscate said weapon and ammunition on the laws provided.
He was and still is a law abiding citizen.
If this article is correct, that was incredibly stupid on the parts of the police.
Agreed
He had only recently bought the gun and 500 rounds of ammunition.
He has been showing more extreme views recently obvious to someone within the church or maybe his wife was worried.
[RL: You are still in pre-mod until you acknowledge the requirement to gives cites or references when needed. Please acknowledge this. If not the usual practice is to turn the pre-mod into a ban.]
Mod note
Perfectly all right to be anti society and illegally armed, don’t dare be anti government and legally armed with one hunting rifle.
Interesting indeed.
Appeal rights – if the police have confiscated your gun after deciding you are not a fit and proper person to possess a firearm and ammunition under the Arms Act 1983 (& revoking or suspending your firearms licence, which they haven't done yet) – are:
https://www.police.govt.nz/advice-services/firearms-and-safety/new-firearms-laws-and-what-they-mean/24-december-2020/graduated-response
If they do cancel his firearms licence, I shouldn't imagine he'd have much joy appealing to Police Commissioner Andy Coster. He'd probably have to take it to the District Court.
But the article says police raided his place after they had received information “relating to concerns around an individual’s wellbeing and the likelihood the man was armed” – which suggests to me that they consider he might be mentally unstable.
(I personally find it hard to believe he intends to "go possum shooting at some point". More likely he wants the gun for protection.)
Hope Stuff follows up on this story. It's piqued my interest.
And then Rachel Stewart took the police to court and got her weapons back and yes, she is legally totally fit to own her weapons.
https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2021/08/12/rachel-stewart-gets-her-guns-back/
Just because some calls the police to your house claiming you are mentally unstable and should not own any kitchen knifes, or guns, or other sharp objects does not mean that you are mentally unstable. You might just be a contrarian that does not sing to he official tune, and someone might be quite happy to use the Police to harras and intimidate other wise law abiding citizens, such as Rachel Stewart and this Priest.
I would again not be surprised if this is exactly the same. Some disgruntled activist using the Police as their personal private little enforces. Btw, how is the Police doing on Gang Crime, on anti social and dangerous social housing tenants, on drink driving, etc?
You're onto it.
Going up against a group of individuals that fight, that are physically aggressive, have numbers, have public relations people, are lawyered up, have political allies
or
people like Rachel Stewart
Can you whiners prove the police dont go after gangs.?
Its a fucking ridiculous argument, saying a fringe nutter should keep his guns ,because Gangs!!!
No, its saying the police can do both, at the same time.
best post here bwaghorn. too many on here add one and one and get eleven. outrage is their default setting!
''I personally find it hard to believe he intends to "go possum shooting at some point". More likely he wants the gun for protection.''
Yes, I would say he's received serious threats from people who are more likely to carry out violent acts than he is. The gun is probably for self protection.
As the self defence saying goes: ''It's better to be judged by 12, than carried by 6''
Self defence laws need overhauling, especially for Indian dairy owners who have been threatened in the past with possible prosecution for defending themselves.
And you say he is a Pastor?
No, I didn't say he was a pastor. Nor was he a Catholic priest ( for balance).
The biblical verses you mention were teachings that Jesus taught to stop the innocent making karmic links with people who were doing them wrong. However, I think his teachings would have had exceptions that haven't been historically recorded for a variety of reasons.
You are welcome to turn the other cheek to someone wanting to harm you or a loved one. I'm not.
And yet here
January 2022 at 7:48 am
your link says:
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/127426117/police-seize-rifle-500-ammunition-rounds-from-controversial-christchurch-pastor-in-n
Exactly. Including not protecting themselves from physical violence. Just as he behaved when arrested, striped naked, flogged, and crucified.
I was quoting what the article called him. I don't know if he's a pastor or a mechanic.
''Exactly. Including not protecting themselves from physical violence. Just as he behaved when arrested, striped naked, flogged, and crucified.''
You forgot to quote my rider.
''However, I think his teachings would have had exceptions that haven't been historically recorded for a variety of reasons.''
Now, if you are comparing the supposed pastor to the actions of Jesus, I can't argue against someone's interpretations and perceptions.
As I understand it – at the time & place when Jesus lived, striking backhand a person of a lower class was a means of asserting authority and dominance. If the struck inferior "turned the other cheek," this is therefore seen by some Christians as a challenge. By turning the other cheek, the person struck was showing courage and demanding equality, not being a doormat.
Yes that is one interpretation the concept of non-violent resistance to oppression. So it was a fairly radical idea then, and even now. The subsequent verse of giving your shirt and your coat as well carries the same message. While you may blush in your subsequent nakedness, you also bring shame onto the one who forces you into this situation. The sermon on the Mount (or on the Plain) – depending on whether its Matthew or Luke – contains some pretty radical stuff for its time.
"The biblical verses you mention were teachings that Jesus taught to stop the innocent making karmic links with people who were doing them wrong. "
By saying you are not willing to turn the other cheek, are you consenting to "making karmic links" with someone who might be doing you wrong?
Just interested to know.
Yes. However, we are talking degrees of wrongs. And what has, and hasn't, been left out of the bible ( in my opinion).
As a general principle, and in cases of minor harms, it seems a good policy to "absorb" the harm and bury it, karmically; revenge, equalising and the escalation that usually follows, is something to be avoided wherever possible, imo.
Agreed. There are methods whereby you absorb the wrong (energy) into your body and transmute it into neutral energy for your advantage.
Taoists and Western Alchemy use such methods. No karma is produced; and the offender is giving you a free boost of energy at his expense, plus still having to carry the karmic load for his wrongs. That's true justice.
These methods use imagination for their effectiveness?
Yes and no. Hard to explain. First you must see/feel everything as energy. Remember what Tesla is reputed to have said:
''If you want to find the secrets of the Universe, think in terms of energy, frequency and vibration.’''
That's very hard to do because we live in a material world…and toast is toast. Even though it's not.
The next thing is to have the right mindset (very very important). The last thing is to experience the results for yourself. The only part imagination plays is to kick start the process because energy follows thought. Eg,think of crime…do the crime.
"
At the end of his talk, someone from the audience asked His Holiness Dalai Lama, “Why didn’t you fight back against the Chinese?” His Holiness looked down, swung his feet just a bit, then looked back up at us and said with a gentle smile,
“Well, war is obsolete, you know”. Then, after a few moments, his face grave, he said, “Of course the mind can rationalize fighting back…but the heart, the heart would never understand for it. Then you would be divided in yourself, the heart and the mind, and the war would be inside you.”
— Dalai Lama
SETH: "There are deeply hidden areas of human behavior far below the surface of actions, and these cause the actions. They are psychic exchanges. Before the beginning of any war, subconsciously each individual knows not only that a war will occur, but its precise outcome. Battles like other physical acts exist first in the mental realm. When this realm is peaceful there are no wars. All of your physical activities, from the political to the economic and to the most insignificant individual concerns have their origin in mental existence, and their outcome is known.
To create a harmonious inner existence is a positive act with far-reaching effects, and not an act of isolation. To desire peace strongly is to help achieve it. To accept war helps prolong its physical existence. These are not idle words nor are they meant symbolically."
—TES8 Session 337 April 26, 1967"
Seth( I'm assuming the spirit entity that was channelled), has put it succinctly. And so has the Dali Lama. They are right. It's not for nothing South American shamans do their most important work early in the morning before the mass of humanity awakens and their astral and mental angst starts polluting the atmosphere a little more than the day before.
The mass of humanity…is asleep when it's morning in South America?
Curious!
this is always a good one to listen too.
TRY JESUS
Tobe Nwigwe
Try Jesus
Not me
'Cause I throw hands
Try Jesus
Please don't try me
Because I fight
I know what He said about getting slapped
But if you touch me or mine
We gon' have to scrap
So
Try Jesus
Please don't try me
Because I fight
I have no problem layin' these hands
Try Jesus
Don't try me
'Cause I throw hands
Try Jesus
Please don't try me
Because I fight
Oh, He said, "Turn the other cheek"
Oh, but that's one part of the Bible, that don't just sit right with me
So try Jesus
Please don't try me
'Cause I fight
I have no problem layin' these hands
"I would say he's received serious threats from people who are more likely to carry out violent acts than he is" thats about as good as a reckon on zbshoutback . do you know this person personally blade or is this you putting your "mana" on the line again?
Talking of talkback, I believe Heather Du Plessis-Allen is back this afternoon. Good solid Tory commentary. It almost makes reading your comment bearable.
They'd tried to contact him, and couldn't, what's the odds a angry anti vaxxer would claim hes been ransacked?
500 rounds!! That's alot of ammo.
Best to err on the side of caution imho.
If he proves to not be a dangerous nutter I'm sure hell get his license back,
Its not really that large an amount for a .22
'His .22 rifle had been taken, along with 500 rounds of ammunition.'
https://www.guncity.com/ammunition?facets=0~00003%7CRimfire%7CAmmunition&sort=price1%20desc
Its only $70 or so and cheaper than buying smaller amounts
(No I really don't think hes going out shooting possums either)
'His .22 rifle had been taken, along with 500 rounds of ammunition.'
Well that can cover everything from a single shot .22 rimfire that you'd teach your kids to shoot rabbits with to a 223 AR that's really only got one purpose and that's not recreational hunting. (Yes you can use them for hunting but for anything other than shooting masses of goats from a chopper there's much better )
If the guy's sitting on an AR and 500 rounds, really what's his lawful purpose.
'Well that can cover everything from a single shot .22 rimfire that you'd teach your kids to shoot rabbits with to a 223 AR that's really only got one purpose and that's not recreational hunting.'
No thats incorrect, let me explain:
A .22LR rimfire round assuming thats what he has and it most likely is because its the most popular ammunition in the world is very different to a .223 (or 5.56) centrefire round
A picture speaks a thousand words so they say so here is a .22LR rimfire and a .223 centrefire side by side
https://qph.fs.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-5933707761e7ee65c9a26d8e59001429-lq
https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/new-zealand-bans-military-style-semi-automatics-and-assault-rifles
A semi auto .22 rimfire rifle with a ten round magazine is perfectly legal in NZ to own (I should know because I own one)
Semi-auto centrefire rifles are banned for general use in NZ, you can use AR-15s for professional pest control in NZ but I'd imagine there'd be some stringent hoops to jump through.
So if he has an AR-15 then he really is up s**t creek however I don't think it is an AR-15 type rifle because the media love to report on that type of thing
PR That's what I was to advise,bloody hand wringers.
is it illegal to do so?
Of course it's not illegal.
It's illegal if he loses his rag and kills someone or ones.
And the man who has a gun for his own good reasons, which we infer from what he said, does that? The world would go crazy about the cops doing nothing about to stop him.
The Christchurch Mosque murderer legally had a gun. He wasn't a mass murderer until he was. If the police had some reservations about him having a gun and entered his home and taken it?
There are a lot of nutcases around preaching how terrible things are in the country.
Could the hysteria and lunacy see someone who has a gun they've never used and seem to not really know why they've got it, see themselves as some sort of Pastor Rittenhouse and go out to save the world?
Of course.
Its illegal to own a centrefire, semi auto rifle assuming thats what Graeme means by AR
So we should allow the police to go into the house of everyone and confiscate every weapon – even those locked in safes and such? Would that also include knifes, axes, saws, needles, pots n pans and such? Cause all that can be used to hurt / harm others. And when can the Police start with the Gangs? Today maybe? Or is that in the too hard and too dangerous category and thus is not ‘helpful’?
Maybe we need a law that allows us a few blunt items – no steak knives though, just hold the steak in your hands and bite of it that should do the trick – to prepare food etc, maybe a "single use allocation" for a saw and other handy tools, like you fill out a form for the intended use, the duration of the use and when done bring it back to he local Mitre 10/Bunnings legally authorized and police certified Saw/Axe/Grinder/Machete lender, to be registered as returned and entered back into stock?
Surely such a law can be quickly passed under urgency to protect the people of currently law abiding citizens who may or may not be tossers, but who openly don't agree with the government on all things?
Depends what he was saying in public and to other people. Having a weapon and ammo isn't unlawful if you have an firearms license. However there are a pile of responsibilities that go with it.
It isn't a right to 'bear arms' in NZ it is a privilege – one that can and should be withdrawn any time that someone shows even a smidgen of a lack of responsibility about their usage or intentions about usage. Read the firearms act.
As PR pointed out above, he can go to a internal judicial review by the head of police – who ultimately has full responsibility for the misuse of firearms, and then to court to resolve. The police making the decision have to present evidence to explain their actions and so does the person that has had their arms licence revoked or constrained.
Personally I'd far prefer that the police are preemptive about firearms rather than (metaphorically) winding up in a ambulance at yet another massacre.
Just that of which sounds to me that he is entirely too casual about the responsibility of owning firearms. Doesn't matter if he is a loudmouth as well.
The police are likely to be aware of even moderate ammo purchases. Sellers log purchases against firearms licences because they are required to only sell ammo to firearms licence holders. Police will be checking those often these days.
I also have to wonder if he had had his storage looked at and approved by a firearms officer. It is required for all firearms licence holders. If he hadn't, then the police would be wondering about it.
One of the first questions for someone who wasn't known to have firearms and a reason to use plus who was buying ammo would be:- if he was reselling ammunition so someone who didn't have a firearms licence. Which is unlawful except in a few specified exceptions.
f the police received any complaint about him with some supporting evidence, then a large purchase of a ammunition from someone who (by the sounds of it) hasn't purchased ammunition previously would be of interest.
Overall this guy doesn't read like someone who I'd want living a few suburbs over, apparently untrained, and without any obvious reason to need to use a weapon.
On the face of it and without looking at any other evidence other than the news report, I'd say that the police have a good prima facie reason to search and remove. Also well within their duties with their responsibilities as our arms officers.
While I haven't held a firearms licence in decades, I did pest control on my parents farm, got trained in the army, and recently spent years building training systems for upgrading the skills of soldiers with their use of weapons.
I don't like people being casual around firearms. I know of entirely too many ways that can end badly.
Iprent just to be clear,500 rounds otherwise known "as A Brick" is the most econonical way to purchase .22 ammo of this type.
Marginally economical per round. FFS looking at the most popular .22LR at Gun City Penrose
CCI .22LR Stinger 32gr Copper Plated Hollow Point 1640fps
50 rounds = $21.99
500 rounds = $199.00
Nett bulk saving is $20.90 buying 10×50 vs buying 50 rounds or about 4.2c per round.
I suppose he could have gotten a cheap value pack of about 500 subsonic rounds, which usually retail at something like $70-80. Great if you want to learn how to clean the weapon and what drop looks like.
For someone who'd apparently just gotten a 0.22 given to him. It just seems weird when he didn't seem to know what he'd gotten it for. I'd have thought that the message should have penetrated even the thickest of people that having a firearm is fraught with responsibilities, and there are lot of people (including the police) intent on making sure the irresponsible idiots don't play with them.
The day the 'balance' in NZ tips to a point where frontline police and/or the general public don't feel 'safe/safer' unless they carry/own a gun is not a good day, imho – are we there yet? If the answer to a problem is "more guns" then we have a real problem, because guns make it easier to kill people.
Adult gun enthusiasts (law-abiding or not) puzzle me, just as my enthusiasm for more progressive and less rortable taxation systems puzzles some here.
'Adult gun enthusiasts (law-abiding or not) puzzle me'
What, to you, constitutes a gun enthusiast?
To me, "a gun enthusiast" is a person filled with enthusiasm for (owing/using/viewing) guns. Some, but not necessarily all gun enthusiasts might become ardently absorbed in their gun interests or hobbies, possibly even to the extent of encouraging others of all ages to share in their interests.
Don't think that there is anything intrinsically wrong with enthusiasm for guns (as long as it's a healthy), although the appeal eludes me.
I would be interested in trying to understand the appeal of private gun ownership, which seems to have moderately strong hold on some. After all, we live in a relatively safe society. One way to change that, imho, would be to increase private gun ownership above the current 7 – 8% (350,000 – 400,l000) level, imho.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/From_my_cold,_dead_hands
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_law_in_New_Zealand
While I can appreciate the time and effort (and money) that goes into restoring old cars its not that something that appeals to me
But for me personally firearms are fun and the combination of human, rifle and round all working in synch to hit the target just appeals to me
Target shooting is great fun and can be as cheap (air rifle) or expensive (.50 cal) as you like
I don't own a shotgun (yet) but clay bird shooting is something I do every now and then and seeing the disc shatter is a good feeling.
I like using my .22 down at the range (must rejoin the range), getting it set up and popping off at 50 meters and cheaper than using my 7mm08 rifle
To me its similar to archery, darts, shooting hoops or throwing a stone at a tree
You aim, you shoot, you hit where you aim = fun and entertainment
First-person shooter video games may appeal for similar reasons – a combination of human, computer and mouse/controller all working in synch to hit a target. Each to their own – can't imagine a situation in my life that would require firearm skills, although I did enjoy firing rubbish into the bin – missing not so much.
Other activities have greater appeal to me – find your own best path.
'can't imagine a situation in my life that would require firearm skills'
Sometimes its just fun, doing something because you like it and not because its a skill or anything. Something frivolous.
I also enjoy video games but the only first person shooter I liked was the original Halo game because the story was just so compelling
I'm more of a of Elder Scrolls, Fallout, Saints Row type of guy.
I think because a real rifle in the hand is just better than sprites on a screen
The puzzle remains (for me) – why might some people find a real rifle in the hand fun and just better than other pastimes. Is there a nuture (environmental) component, or is it mostly down to nature, i.e. you were always going to be attracted to target shooting as a pastime.
I'm all in favour of diversity, and would be concerned if NZ society was moving in directions that gave more people cause to acquire and/or use gun(s), simply because I believe that more guns in private ownership, and normalising gun use, are undesirable trends. Just a personal opinion, based on the possibly erroneous idea that as the number of guns and gun users in a community increases, so does the (admittedly very remote) chance that I will be shot.
"why might some people find a real rifle in the hand fun and just better than other pastimes."
Is it just firearms or any pastime in general?
For instance substitute firearms for stock car racing and would you feel the same.
'Is there a nuture (environmental) component, or is it mostly down to nature, i.e. you were always going to be attracted to target shooting as a pastime.'
Again just speaking for myself but I had virtually no experiences with firearms growing up.
I enlisted in the army more out of having nothing better to do at the time.
Mind you I do love action movies and will happily ramble on about them at a drop of a hat (especially Predator and Aliens)
I do think the nature is a more likely aspect, for me anyway.
I remember playing branding at school (basically tag with tennis balls) so hand eye coordination plus hitting a target
got bored at work so me and my mate throw stones at a target to see who'd win.
Got bored in East Timor so practised free throws (my best was 8/10 after a couple of days)
I think a lot of people like aiming at things and seeing if they can hit them and firearms are a natural extension of that.
But thats just me
Might not be understanding your question. If you're asking would I be puzzled about why some people find stock car racing fun and just better than other pastimes, then yes, I am also be puzzled by that.
But I wouldn't really care if stock car racing became a more common pastime – the increased noise and carbon emissions might give me pause, but racing doesn’t give me real concerns for my safety.
And thanks for that explanation of the personal appeal of 'target-related activities' – makes sense. I remember (as a kid) occasionally chucking stones at inanimate targets, typically as part of a group activity, and enjoying that even though I wasn't crash hot. Guess I sorta grew out of it – found other things that were more enjoyable and that I was better at (there’s probably a correlation).
Still can't help feeling uneasy about the possibility of increased 'casual' gun use in NZ. Imho a loaded gun it something to be feared, not fondled, but (as you rightly observe) we're all different.
There's something approximately like a death a day on our roads
You're more likely to be killed while driving
Drunk drivers, inattentive drivers, speeding drivers, untrained and unlicensed drivers
All more likely to kill you than some random person with a firearm
Unlikely – I don't drive, nor do I belong to a minority faith community.
Many years ago a took a Cop to the IPCA. I too got calls from a private number that I disregarded.
I got a full apology, written and in person from that cops boss – for harrasment, stalking, and just plain unprofessional behaviour, threats of unwarranted legal actions and arrest at my work place. . Just saying. Maybe Cops should not use private numbers when calling people, unless it is now a crime to not answer every call that comes to your phone?
Ripping a save of a wall should count as 'rampage' considering that they could also have shown up personally, knock on the door, and have a chat. And is it illegal to own 500 rounds? Is there a limit to what one can own?
If not, i can see the Police again send someone to offer excuses, and even pay to replace a safe and fix what ever damage was done.
Part of the responsibility of being a legal gun owner is being visited by the police.
You would think that happens before you get the lisence.
Because it's not possible that hes gone troppo since he got his license?
well if it was just recently, would you then also assume that hte police did not do due diligence and missed him going 'troppo'? And if that is the case, you need to get hold of a terrorism law, and break and enter the dwelling of a law abiding citizen, and then break open a safe – because you could not find the weapon anywhere (telling me his a safety conscious gun owner) and then upon finding the gun declare victory?
Sure, he totally could have gone 'troppo' since. maybe after he complaint to the police about threats he received that were responded to with "We are too busy". You did see that part at the end of the article, yes?
Popcorn, my internet friend, pass the popcorn.
Nicely said Sabine. All your comments on this thread.
The Rachel Stewart comparison is just to striking to be ignored.
I've got a licence and I was visited by the police but you know what they didn't do?
Break into my house, wreck my cabinet and cause damage to my walls
Well said Puckish, all your above comments.
Frankly this whole issue could have been handled much better.
Not sure what to make of this. Alarmist or a true warning. Taken in conjunction with this Canadian professors opinion, interesting times ahead.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/04/next-us-civil-war-already-here-we-refuse-to-see-it?utm_term=61d4633af17fa0686a776f23c643c31a&utm_campaign=USMorningBriefing&utm_source=esp&utm_medium=Email&CMP=usbriefing_email
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/jan/03/us-rightwing-dictatorship-2030-trump-canada
Anyone who is not totally buried in the myth of the current – all is well bullshit from the US coming out of the white house and d-shop – knows that the US is a cinder block waiting to explode. Heck the people in the US know it.
Of course, because we are all mature political observers here on TS, we all understand that the 'great divide' in US politics and society is itself fueled just as relentlessly by these same Liberal news outlets who pretend to somehow float above it, as it is by any right wing press….
99% of modern main stream liberal press have no asserted moral high ground over any rightwing press, and deserve none, they are just as divisive, destructive and in case you haven't noticed spew out the same pro war western imperialist lies and propaganda. It should go without saying that without doubt that these liberal news outlets (like The Guardian) are more effective enemies of any serious progressive Left wing movement than the right wing media could have ever have dreamt of being.
I don’t have the time to read all of the first link, but this paragraph seems to sum up the US situation:
A good broad summation. Anyone who has been around on this planet for a good few decades would surely recognise the wisdom of those words. It's been brewing since the start of the Cold War years when US manufactured paranoia saw many thousands of innocent US citizens – and elsewhere – disenfranchised because they dared question the wisdom of their overly-indulged Cold War mentality.
Sadly, its been downhill ever since but, as has been acknowledged, they can't and won't see it.
Very good response Anne. The situation in the US today is pretty dire politically.I don't know where other commentators above get their ideas from that the Democrats are all happy and think everything is sweet. One only has to look at the current plea by Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer to push for the Voting Rights Bill
https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/03/voting-rights-bill-senate-to-consider-filibuster-rule-changes.html
key points of which are:
The Freedom to Vote Act can be read in full here:
https://www.congress.gov/117/bills/s2747/BILLS-117s2747pcs.pdf
It's intended purpose:
Frankly despite Manchin being a signatory to the Bill I don't hold out much hope for its passing as he could well be the one who sends it to the the dustbin of political history. The result will be a far more repressive regime for voting rights in red wing states enshrining the continuation of government by the minority.
Just how low can the BBC go?…well how about inviting friend of Jeffrey Epstein and accused sex offender Alan Dershowitz on to comment on the Ghislaine Maxwell Verdict FFS….
Here is one from the archives to cleanse the palette a little…though keep in mind this public humiliation of Dershowitz cost Norman Finkelstein his career…
Norman Finkelstein VS Alan Dershowitz
American Radical: The Trials of Norman Finkelstein
https://watchdocumentaries.com/american-radical-the-trials-of-norman-finkelstein/
But he only got one massage and he stayed fully clothed. And he is a constitutional lawyer. And he is a teacher at a fancy million dollar 'elite' university. Don't you think it is funny that the only one who will see the inside of a prison for this mess is a non male. Lol. Public entertainment, here have a drink, some chips, get saturated peasants.
Epstein was in prison when he killed himself wasn't he?
Hard to see how Sabine missed that…
Did he jump or was he pushed
Will we ever care?
yeah, funny that ey? Solitary confinement and sleeping guards. Pass the chips bro!
Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein were clearly one of those couples that like to finish each others sentences.
Ha!
Wow great debate nice to see a younger amy goodman and the impromtu kinda studio setup amy,s gestures for example to turn the sound down an dershowitz,s gesture to get a drink of water love it everythings so damn perfect in studios these days an so damn boring !Thanks for that adrian .On the show trial itself the whole thing makes me sick especially the part that millions of americans applaud the putting of a woman in prison for sixty years as if thats gonna change something !
as if thats gonna change something !
Well. They're probably breathing slightly easier at NATO H.Q. "Funny" how everyone seemed to forget 1990s Belgium and so didn't look for any 'threads' through time….
No idea what your alluding to there bill but if you feel like elaborating ?
In the 1990s there was a huge child sex ring scandal in Belgium. Initially, protests brought the country to a standstill. But over time, the victims speaking up were vilified and everything got swept under the carpet.
One of the children (much later) was the subject of a BBC doc that used to be available on youtube. An enlightening watch.
Many orgs. located in Belgium, including NATO.
https://i.imgur.com/eFdTNys.gif
Cricket, cricket, cricket!
Ok so the test isn't going as well as expected unless you're from Bangladesh then its going not too bad at all, just imagine if one of the premier all rounders playing today were playing (Shakib Al Hasa, 40 with the bat and 31 with the ball)
However I'm going to predict that the Boss will help salvage a draw.
So why is this happening, because Kane isn't playing?
No, of all the decisions Kane not playing has, imho, the least effect on the game.
I'll start with the biggest and that is the retirement of BJ Watling. BJ is not only NZs greatest wicketkeeper/batter (by a country mile) he would also walk into most of other teams of any era
He averages (I'm rounding) overall 38 with the bat but that jumps to 42 (with a high of 205) at the number 6 position and this is the key.
BJ is top six batter, historically wicketkeeper/batters were number 7 or down but because BJ also fulfils a role as a top order batter that means theres an extra space for a a bowler, a batter who bowls a bit, a bowler who bats a bit, a bits and pieces type bowler etc
Or the ability to play 4 medium-fast to fast-medium bowlers
BJs gone and it looks like Blundell is struggling. I don't want the Blackcaps to go back to throwing players on the scrap heap but Blundell looks like (for now) he's too high at 6 and needs to go down the order to 7 or 8
The other issue we have (and this is harder) is that we have no genuine all rounders. Chris Cairns averaged 43 batting at the number 7 position and averaged 29 with the ball. Dan Vettori averaged 40 with the bat at number 8 and averaged 34 with the ball
At the moment we have bowlers who can bat a bit and batters who can bowl a bit but no balance.
Ravindra is a very good, young player and will no doubt become a NZ great in time but to use him as the spin option is to do him a disservice (I do approve batting him down the order though) as his FC bowling stats are nothing to write home about.
So we need to have a spinner in the team, and show faith in that spinner, can anyone think of a spinner thats doing pretty good at the moment..?
But to fit Patel in and because BJs retired one of the big four bowlers would need to be dropped to make way for Patel, first headache.
Second headache is the batting is looking fragile, Blundell needs to go lower in the order whichs means, unfortunately, Ravindra has to go as theres just no place for him, at the moment, plus hes young. So here is, imho, the strongest all round team NZ can put out for the next test.
1. Latham
2. Young
3. Conway
4. Taylor
5. Nicholls
6. Mitchell
7. Blundell
8. Jamieson
9. Wagner
10. Boult
11. Patel
Tim Southee draws the short straw but we also need to rest and rotate our bowlers. I'm still not happy in that I think Jamieson is batting too high
The other thing NZ has to do is start preparing pitches that offer a little to our spinners
Do they go to morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea? Do they wear well knitted white jumpers? Do people still inspect the pitch?
I wouldn't be wearing a jumper today, its a bit warm but its good to follow traditions…some of them
Things aren't looking good, and we could well get cleaned out quickly and give Bangladesh a token run chase.
But, if we could get 150 ahead, things could get interesting:
Firstly, their opening batsman, Joy, has his arm in a sling with split webbing on his hand, so they are effectively one batsman down already.
Having to re-gig the opening role could make them vulnerable to a collapse.
And, the pitch is getting a lot more variable, so could be difficult for them to bat last.
Test cricket is always number 1 although I would like to see a removal of the toss. The visiting team chooses to bat or field.
That's an interesting idea PR. Visiting team, who are at a disadvantage for all sorts of reasons get to decide whether they bat or bowl first.
Well done Bangladesh! They deserved the win…..
Good bowling at the end from the BCs. Well be back!
What it might do is make the pitches a bit more even, a bit of something for everyone.
It got me thinking during the T20 world cup what a huge, massive advantage winning the toss was and how unfair it is that luck has such a big determining factor in the game.
Yes we will, payback begins in Christchurch!
[deleted]
[Tricledrown, you’re in premod until you respond to moderation. I’m letting this one through to tell you, but I’ve deleted your content. Please go here and respond https://thestandard.org.nz/bad-covid-takes/#comment-1845599 – weka]
mod note. I’ll be pushing this to the ban list soon. We’ve been here many times before Tricledrown, you *have to check the Replies to see if there is a moderation.
Yes Puckish all power to the Bangladeshis. I think they will take this test out, though Ravindra was batting well last night.
I'm not sure about Mitchell. More of a one-day player perhaps. He has 1-142 in his test bowling to date.
Agree about BJ-not only was he a fine keeper and batsman, he also got fought to get runs when conditions were tough. People always remember Brendon's 302, but I watched every ball as BJ and Brendon put on 352 to take NZ from a hopeless position at 94-5 to 446-6. (BJ 124).
I'm looking at Mitchell as a containing bowler, build the pressure at one end with maidens and let the other bowlers attack and take the wickets.
However in 7 test innings hes got one 100 and two 50s plus hes 30 so been around a bit
Yeah BJ should always been in the frame for best wicketkeeper/batters of all time.
If it were rugby the main focus would be on chucking the coach out. Respect for the ability of the other team and how they played wouldn't come into it.
Home conditions, home circumstances and not performing anywhere near max against far lower ranked opposition would have had everyone going berserk.
The coaching staff is very, very good. World test champions, well beaten finalist in the T20, unluckily beaten in the 50 over world cup is something that may not be done again for a very long time.
But it doesn't mean they're infallible.
I still don't accept NZ was not beaten in the ODI World Cup final.
I'm not going to disagree with you on this one
Have you worked out what that double negative is saying? It means you do think we were whipped doesn't it?
One could almost say – NZ beat NZ in the ODI final.
100% Bearded Git. I agree. We won that game. Referee not knowing the rules + stupid rule change (that has since been changed back) to have a super over.
NZ had bowled England out. Game over
"World test champions"
Yeah, but that was last year. What have you done for us recently?
"If it were rugby the main focus would be on chucking the coach out."
Except that they didn't – he is still there.
'Huh! I queried bringing Patel in on you last cricket column…..'
I think that unless there extenuating circumstances you should always have a spinner in the time but the NZ bowling attack has been going very well however I'm also man enough to admit when I'm wrong
I'm wrong and Patel should always be in the team unless there is absolutely no chance of any assistance at all in the pitch
'Interesting analysis that the team are missing BJ……makes sense. Could Latham be wicket keeper?'
I'm old school in that, to me, the wicketkeeper should be good, very good.
If catches win matches then I'd rather have a wicketkeeper that takes his chances and maybe doesn't bat as well than a wicketkeeper that bats well but may put down a couple more chances over the entire test.
Captaining, opening and keeping is a pretty big ask for anyone
'I must sayBangladesh do deserve to win this and I would be pleased for them.'
They haven't won yet
'But for me, win or lose, the Black Caps can do no wrong. Love the boys'
Agreed!
Always play your best keeper-England have discovered that in the current Ashes tests.
Yeah your keeper might score some runs but if he misses three chances over two innings then how much worse off are you…
Oops
Well one wkt to go lead 31.
Lunch??
Good to see the nz batting coach had a plan for today.!!!!!
And I thought I was a pessimist when I thought they would be all out for 217 in yesterday's daily review.
Well shit…
Forbes anoint Jackson Lord of the Bling.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/lisettevoytko/2021/11/12/bilbo-bags-a-billion-lord-of-the-rings-director-peter-jackson-is-officially-a-billionaire/?sh=53c4539012ca
Good on him.
The Lord of the Rings is the best trilogy ever put to screen so he deserves everything hes got, although I understand why some might not like the movies.
The Hobbit should have only been one film, maybe two at the very most but even so when the TV series comes out it'll show exactly how impressive The Lord of the Rings really was
Why there was no 20 year anniversary release is beyond me
and like the dude in Norway, this dude should also NOT go to prison.
He may be a truly abhorrent person, but these are his private ideas, his own believes and rather then send complaints the people in attendance of his speech should have simply boo'ed him down, publicly.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/belgian-surgeon-sentenced-to-10-months-in-prison-over-sexist-speech/JY2N6MD7YW64NNWKUFAFOLHAK4/
we need to get a grip on this.
Couldn't agree more Sabine (about the surgeon being sent to prison). His views are abhorant to me, but better out in the open than sent underground.
It seems like he expressed these views at a lecture, so a matter for the university or his professional body.
Most people would say what a sexist dick and be done with it. Or fair enough complain to his professional body.
Citing a biased media, Trump cancels his planned press conference on the anniversary of the storming of the US Capitol by his supporters. Promising to air his grievances on the result of the 2020 election at a later public rally on the 15th of Jan.
Classic Trump: "In light of the total bias and dishonesty of the January 6th Unselect Committee of Democrats, two failed Republicans, and the Fake News Media…"
His hordes of doting, manipulable clods will remain in awe of the intellectual giant.
In his signature garbled delivery Trump, in his statement announcing the cancellation of his planned January 6 press conference, says the January 6 Select Committee should not investigate his supporters violent storming of the US Capitol. Instead the Select Committee should be investigating, "the Crime of the Century" The 'Crime of the Century', according to Trump, is his oft repeatedly stated, but provenly false accusation, that the 2020 presidential election was stolen by the Democrats.
We will have to wait to see, whether the January 15 rally will be a further incitement by Trump of his supporters to attack US democracy.
I often read of prisoners not getting parole because they won't admit guilt for the crime they've been imprisoned for. I wonder about saying you didn't do it for the simple reason that you didn't do it.
I regularly see people opining about the death penalty and the fact it should be used more. I regularly see of cases in the USA similar to one in the news today.
'US man freed from prison 37 years after witness lied and took police bribe of drugs and sex'
https://www.stuff.co.nz/world/us-canada/300490676/us-man-freed-from-prison-37-years-after-witness-lied-and-took-police-bribe-of-drugs-and-sex