No Right Turn gets stuck into the CoC’s transport plan, and quite rightly so. I don’t think climate change registers at all with this collection of deniers!
Mr ‘Anglo-Saxon simple’ Brown is making a strong case that he, and not Ms. Costello is by far and away the worst MP and minister.
Though with the third (?) introduction of military style boot camps (exactly what people who’ve experienced head trauma need more of) Ms. Chour is doing her best.
But ‘King and Country’ Brown not only has virtue signaling evidence free twaddle for his policy, but its effects will reach every New Zealander and their children and be felt for decades. Tough luck if you own a shanks pony! It’s been made redundant in a brave American suburb style sweep.
The smoking issue will only kill a few thousand people many of you haven’t met, much as air pollution and poor housing standards etc etc.
This is without doubt the worst government for at least two decades.
Victoria Nuland, the warmongering viper is retiring:
“The rat is leaving the sinking ship.
Victoria Nuland’s Ukraine project has utterly failed and the shadow President of Ukraine resigns from the US Govt in disgrace. She will be remembered as the coup manager, proxy war aficionado, NordStream plotter and “Fuck the EU” lunatic who has killed hundreds of thousands and wrecked Ukraine.”
Looks like the Kremlin's tentacles have reached the NYTimes.
Putin's long held assertion that the US has been developing Ukraine as a launching pad against Russia for years was lambasted as Kremlin propaganda , but has now been shown to be true.By The NY Times no less, Putin's puppet
Dotcom has a grudge against Hollywood agent Obama (2008-2016 – 2014) and apparently by association American Democrats, international liberalism and a rules based international order?
Thus is in the camp of each and every enemy – of a pro EU Ukraine, of a EU pro Ukraine, of a USA pro Ukraine and a USA pro NATO.
Schadenfreude is not wisdom, it is just a way of lashing out, or venting bitterness.
Sure those who can enforce "rules" are often partisan. American government protection of intellectual property – American monopoly corporations (global scale tax evasion and lifting media content worldwide) that facilitate information gathering by the US Deep State. And via extradition of "publishers" a form of global censorship of "whistleblowing" of their secrets (while "Five Eyes" on everyone else).
The UN was to end the age of empire, but internationalism requires agency. Empire only ends, if that agency is effective and multi-lateral or altruist – but the USA MIC, a capitalist market agenda and "western civilisation remnant" nationalism (albeit it might be returning to isolationism of a global strong man cartel type) all undermine altruism.
Sarah helms from drug foundation on p'rnz reporting on latest wastewater testing..
And the takeaway is that cocaine use in nz is greater than 'p' use….
And this is very good news..!
'cos p is the vilest of drugs..that fucks people's brains…(is used usually with heavy alcohol use)..and the withdrawals are horrendous…(so the literature says)..
Whereas in comparison cocaine is almost benign…
(and from personal experience easy as to stop using…this after fairly heroic use ..over many years…)
So what I would like to happen is for cocaine to again be brought under the aegis of the medical profession..
And for it to be used as a tool to help p addicts kick that muck..
'cos cocaine could be used much as methadone was used for heroin addicts (but not this one)..in that it could be prescribed to p addicts to see them thru the ghastly p withdrawals.,and (unlike methadone) the substitute is a breeze to stop…
To me..given my quite extensive experience in the field..the above is a no-brainer..
The case can also be made for doctors to be able to prescribe cocaine to the aged/infirmed..
When using cocaine I thought that it would be a great drug to use when old…
And the argument here can be made on the quality of life grounds ..
The main side-effect from cocaine use is that it makes you feel good/energised..and would be strong enough to overcome the effects of all the pills the aged/infirmed are usually taking..
I actually feel as strongly about this as I do the efficies of this drug to help p addicts break their chains…
To deprive the elderly from this salve to their ongoing aches/ills..to me is pretty much a case of elder abuse..
And I am not asking for radical law reform…no need for the complications of legislation..
All that is needed is to allow doctors to again be allowed to prescribe cocaine..
And to then let the medical professionals evaluate whether cocaine would help/provide relief for their patients..
It would be even better if the government legalised sale of low THC marijuana (and MDMA to ensure testing for use) for health purposes. And allowed growing for personal use and decriminalise possession of marijuana. And why not … allow legal use of cocaine on prescription and in drug treatment programmes.
Cannabis remains the most common drug – more than half a million people used it last year.
Helm said 64- to 75-year-olds are using the drug 10 times more (6.4 percent) than the same age group a decade ago.
"We think the reasons might be, over the last five to six years we've known more about the therapeutic benefits or uses of cannabis, perhaps the older age group are using for pain relief, perhaps it's an ageing out of a group that have previously used cannabis in their life when they were younger."
If that is the case, the landlord will have no difficulty in tenanting Bowen House outside the public service.
My suspicion is that there has been a degree of charging what the government will bear, rather than what the market will bear.
We'll see what solution MBIE comes up with for housing the civil service offices until the new building is operational. (It's not covered in the article, which is not surprising if they're still negotiating with landlords)
So the damage to the man's future was taken into account.Hobson now faces an uncertain future , with ongoing psychological damage, sleeplessness, headaches,forgetfulness, loss of pleasure in activities like reading and listening to music.Her husband will also be affected by this.
Has a mathematical calculation been made ?
The attacker has his whole life ahead of him, the woman not many years left?She is no longer an economic unit ? Her trauma of no consequence?
If so , I am frightened for women and the elderly in this brave new world of ours
TBH – it's pretty much in line with many of the minimal sentences handed out to violent criminals – especially those who assault women and children. Including those with a long-standing history of violence (not, apparently, the case here) – and even including cases which result in death.
The judge's decision doesn't seem to be out of line in the circumstances of this offence. The diversion + apology + reparation + counselling + community work seems normal for a first time offender.
Read what I wrote. I said name suppression is vital because of angry people*. Not my fault if you read that that’s what the court said.
*Of course both deputy prime ministers have been whipping up this anger on X and through proxy statements by backbench MPs. These are very worrying developments because they should know better.
Likely one was charged with a more serious offence than the other.
.
192 Aggravated assault
[…]
Every one is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years who assaults any constable or any person acting in aid of any constable, or any person in the lawful execution of any process, with intent to obstruct the person so assaulted in the execution of his or her duty.
[…]
196 Common assault
Every one is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 1 year who assaults any other person.
Somehow the young man evaded the common assault sentencing .Good lawyers cost money.That is also a factor
Good to see you upholding the law Joe, and having such belief in it's impartiality as per sentencing.Must be great to be you , so in line with the status quo
Try being a woman ( you know you can) , try being a brown person , facing justice today
Here is a better film of what actually happened to Judith as opposed to the deniers' minimisation.
Here is footage of the event from the Womens Rights Party (this is from an email to me & I don't want to link as this will identify me)
'You can see Judith tried to stop a woman in camo pants from tearing out the rope barrier, having led the charge in pushing over the metal barriers. There is some pushing between the two women. Then the attacker comes at Judith, punching her over and over again.'
Last night I had futile exchanges with supporters of the assailant who have used as his justification & his 'sentence' their view that 'Judith is not a nice person'. How the assailant could have worked that out in the twinkling of an eye is mind boggling. Paraphrasing the legal truism that 'prostitutes do not deserve to raped' to 'not nice people don't deserve to be bashed' is little comfort for those of us who like to see the law administered impartially and not on 'niceness' or 'work status'
What is really concerning to me is the up front view that women have no rights and don't deserve them anyway. Elderly women are held in even less regard.
My mother, an ardent womens rights person & 'see througher' of most of the male tricks about womens status, did say that the anonymity of elderly women makes us invisible and that has positives and negatives. But why should that be? Esp the negatives which in this case mean don't go out in broad daylight, don't expect the Police to support you…. Don't we just want to go and listen to someone?
The misogyny that floats just below the surface here in NZ is terrifying.
The one of tape – was intended to create a visual no-man's land between the metal barrier and the attendees of the LetWomenSpeak event.
Some context:
Event wardens passed on the (questionable) police advice to attendees, to ensure they stayed within the fenced off area, and to only face the rotunda. They said that making eye contact with any protestors may trigger violence. This may explain the reaction of Judith when she turned and found both the metal barrier breached and someone deliberately pulling up the tape barrier, effectively destroying the barrier between the attendees and those protesting women's right to speak and/or listen.
The man who assaulted Judith travelled several hundred km in order to stop women speaking or listening, without any idea of the content of their speech. It is unlikely that this excursion was taken in the spirit of knowledge seeking and camaderie. The vilification of the event beforehand(and those attending) was intense, carried out by politicians, media and talking heads, despite their obvious lack of knowledge of the event or the LetWomenSpeak format.
The force of the punches (as would be expected from a young man) on the fragility of an older woman's skull, resulted in fractures of the skull and eye socket. Any kind of head trauma, can result in long-lasting and permanent effects. The psychological trauma of this occurring because someone is irate at the thought of women speaking in NZ, should not be lightly dismissed.
This was not the only act of violence against women who were there on that day. Police have been reluctant to charge any who committed violence, and had advised Judith any charges would be unlikely. It was only due to public identification of the man charged that charges went ahead. She was advised to accept diversion more than once. Other incidents did not result in charges at all, or indeed a notable amount of police interest."
yes, two metal gate bits on the concrete path, and tape fence on either side in the grass.
You can see them here too, it's where the person pulling up the tape fence gets to then stops and turns back. Hobson can be seen standing on the park bench just to the left of mid screen.
Who'd want to be a judge… Without know much in the way of the offenders background, taking the long term societal view maybe the outcome is the best one within the confines of the options available to the judge.
Between the mob mentality on the day which was fanned by media and politicians in the lead up and the police absolutly sitting on their hands and completely failing to prepare for, or control the situation as it unfolded there are a heap of places to look for blame.
The assault in many ways was almost inevitable taking all the factors into account and perhaps the judge took into account police failures in the descision after all they should have been the to protect both sides.
"On a longer term view there is room for debate for a bunch of reasons."
This is an interesting perspective.
What do you see as "a bunch of reasons", and what outcomes would you expect from each one in relation to reducing physical violence against others?
(I’ll just note that some commenting on various platforms, have difficulty recognising that physical violence took place, so deterring future violence at least requires that acknowledgement.)
Mainly relating to the long term conseqeunces of conviction at a young age and taking into account the autism diagnosis.
As an example i'm familiar with three people I went to school with severly assualted someone oversome percieved slight. Two were convicted (not jailed) the third had a very expensive lawyer that managed to secure diversion. The paths the respective offenders lives took are very different at least in part due to the convictions closing a heap of doors at a critical point in life.
Convictions without imprisonment and with associated successful violence prevention programmes being completed, makes more sense.
There is the added component of signalling to wider society – the level of tolerance for violence as an accepted reaction – that also needs to be taken into account.
The victim impact statement was also redacted by the police, which I had never heard of before. The images of the original statement with the police redactions can be seen here:
The focus on the individual is notable, and also notable for not having a requirement to be measured, assessed and determined if the outcome is as expected.
However, there is a wider societal impact of each individual court cases and sentencing, that will have influence on others decision making and choices, based on this outcome. IIRC, there were two thousand people protesting women meeting to talk and listen. The aggression was high, and many will be reassured to have evidence of the high level of police and judiciary tolerance for violence.
He was in the male changing area with an unaccompanied child who was changing into clothes.
Judge Glubb said the man proceeded to remove his own clothes, strip naked and begin masturbating while watching the child changing.
there's a problem with MSM reporting as well. How did the Judge get from masturbated in a public place while watching an unattended child getting dressed to "the man posed a low risk of reoffending"?
I don't think prison or lifting name suppression is useful to society in cases like that or the dude that punched Hobson (because it increases their risk of offending), but the cases do point to how ineffective our justice system is that we can't come up with things better than prison or slaps on the wrist with a wet bus ticket.
Yep no arguement from me, I would really like to see some sort of investigation into the dreadful police response cant decide if it was incompetence or something more delibrate.
The IPCA investigation report is due out in the next few months.
I have spoken to someone who has participated in it. They are not reassured it will address the failings of the day, or identify whether the police deliberately created a situation where people were not protected, by not adhering to organised meetings and expectations.
I was seriously assaulted about 4 years ago, by middle class professionals, 3 on 1 while I was seated btw. I was off work for a month with concussion and it was another 6 or 7 months before I could work full time.
The judge basically dismissed the case without conviction and granted name suppression because it would result in the dismissal of those involved.
My experience with the official system was dehumanising. As a person I didn’t count. However the individual police officers were fantastic as well as the prosecutor and victim support.
I read the comments on here last night, and my heart was breaking.
Thank you, the incident did take some time to get over, concussion is bad enough, but for me it was the psychological effects that took time to recover. I’m forever grateful that my employer was fully supportive during my recovery and I was on full pay throughout.
At the time of the assault I was recovering from a mountain bike accident so I just couldn’t defend myself. The feeling of helplessness while listening to the defence lawyer telling lies about me in court to the judge, and the judge making no acknowledgment to me as the victim. I can certainly understand why we hear of victims/families/friends getting very upset when this happens.
It must have been appalling to realise that three people ganged up on you and for no good reason (not that there ever is a good reason except self defence) didn't think twice about brutalising you.
I am sorry to hear of your experience, David. It is a poor judicial outcome for you, and I hope you have been able to overcome that aspect in your recovery.
Thank you, the incident did take some time to get over, concussion is bad enough, but for me it was the psychological effects that took time to recover. I’m forever grateful that my employer was fully supportive during my recovery and I was on full pay throughout.
At the time of the assault I was recovering from a mountain bike accident so I just couldn’t defend myself. The feeling of helplessness while listening to the defence lawyer telling lies about me in court to the judge, and the judge making no acknowledgment to me as the victim. I can certainly understand why we hear of victims/families/friends getting very upset when this happens.
Before their Super Rugby Aupiki season opener against the Chiefs Manawa, the Wellington-based team used an altered haka which included the words "karetao o te Kāwana kakiwhero", translating to "puppets of this redneck government".
No surprise it got the rednecks frothing, and suddenly interested in te reo Māori.
There's some amazing stuff going on at the moment.
Not only are we no longer able to express political views if employed as a publicly funded academic (Joanna Kidman), but we are also not allowed to express political views if employed by a sponsored sports organisation (Hurricanes Poua). And you even say it's not a good idea to express political views while employed at all.
Who then left to express political opinion, the retired and the unemployed?
Where does this leave the Labour movement, union representation, strike action, the very reason for this forum?
Proessor Joanna Kidman holds the posistion of Director at the anit-extremism centre. and her salary in this role is paid for by the Prime Minister's Department (DPMC).
She should criticise the govt on things she has expertise in, however its highly questionable if calling the coalition govt a death cult that hates children meets this criteria. Her language is hyperbolie and many of her statements before she was appointed to the role showed that she held rather extreme views herself, e.g trying to get Treliese Cooper cancelled because of calling a dress "trail of tears"
Academics sure they should be outspoken critiques of the government because in theory that have some special expertise. They need to use this expertise rather than personal opinions.
Sports stars are their to entertain and excite. The political views of the Hurricane are of no interest to me. But if those women want to join a protest, sign a petition, lobby MPs that's fine. I apologise if I didn't express my views very well before. I take Molly's point about Israel Folau, he was asked about homosexuality within the context of his christian believes and he chose to answer.
BTW in my last job, I had to keep an extremely low political profile. That's why the Standard suited me, I could express my views annonymously. But I knew the deal was I mostly had to keep my views to myself and I accepted that.
Jobs such as being a trade unionist, charities and NGOs of course its part of the job to express political views.
Proessor Joanna Kidman holds the posistion of Director at the anit-extremism centre. and her salary in this role is paid for by the Prime Minister's Department (DPMC).
He said this.
In response, ACT public service spokesman Todd Stephenson called for Prof Kidman to be fired.
"Dr Kidman's salary is paid by taxpayers via the Prime Minister's department, which means Christopher Luxon has just been delivered some potential savings on a silver platter. The board of the centre must move immediately to sack the extremist in their midst," Stephenson said.
"The irony of an anti-extremism campaigner using such extreme rhetoric should be obvious.
Something more evidence based
In response to Prof Kidman's comments, the DPMC has "conveyed to the university… Professor Kidman's comments may bring the centre into disrepute", National Security Group executive director Bridget White told Newshub.
The centre was established following the March 15 terrorist attack in Christchurch, in response to recommendation 14 of the Royal Commission of Inquiry report on the attack to "establish a programme to fund independent New Zealand-specific research on the causes of, and measures to prevent, violent extremism and terrorism".
White said the DPMC funds the centre through a charitable trust, which operates independently.
"The centre is not a Government agency. Funding for the centre for [the[ year ending June 2024 was $1.325 million."
Appropriating a public platform, or using an organisation's reach to express a personally held opinion, is not a requirement of free speech.
It is an interesting phenomenon to witness those who champion this poorly thought out act utilising an organisation's reach, with those expressed by Israel Folau who answered a specific question about his religious beliefs in a personal capacity:
I can't accept the premise of your argument equating Folau's homophobia with Maori and PI women from disadvantaged backgrounds criticising this reckless government.
It's pretty disgraceful really.
Being gay isn’t a choice, is it? Ripping out support for low income communities for tax cuts and demoting te ao Maori is a choice, a deliberate and malevolent choice.
That might be a convenient distraction and simplification which the far right are using at the moment but it's important to recognise what the speech is:
One is harmful to private individuals simply because of their sexual identity. The other is critical of punitive reforms by a reckless, racist coalition of purchased populists.
Maori and P I woman should definitely criticise this govt, but not using the professional to do so.
Come on didn't people express outrage on this site when Ma Nonu tweeted support for John Key before the election? Imagine what you would think if the All Blacks did a Haka that criticised Labour and the lockdowns, covid vacinnes anything you likely really.
You are literally parroting lines from David Farrar and that's fine, but it's important to recognise.
The comparison is a typical Farrar propaganda trick*, a straight reversal without even considering the likelihood of the reverse happening. In his and your stated case you'd have accept the entire ABs team were pandemic-denying, anti-vaxx nut jobs. There might be one or two but not the whole team.
Total fantasy.
*Similarly, Farrar will try flip the plate by declaring there would be outrage if something said by a minority activist against white privilege were reversed. He fails to see that if you reverse that circumstance you must also reverse historical circumstance and consider white people indigenous and disenfranchised, and brown people the authoritarian colonisers.
Kinda hoping this 1st 100 days its not going to end in incoming govts spending a huge chunk or time and money cancelling everything the previous govt has done.
THE WPATH FILES Advocates of gender-affirming care say it’s evidence-based. But now, newly released internal files from the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) prove that the practice of transgender medicine is neither scientific nor medical. American Medical Association, The Endocrine Society, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and thousands of doctors worldwide rely on WPATH. It is considered the leading global authority on gender medicine. And yet WPATH’s internal files, which include written discussions and a video, reveal that its members know they are creating victims and not getting “informed consent.” Victims include a 10-year-old girl, a 13-year-old developmentally delayed adolescent, and individuals suffering from schizophrenia and other serious mental illnesses. The injuries described in the WPATH Files include sterilization, loss of sexual function, liver tumors, and death. WPATH members indicate repeatedly that they know that many children and their parents don’t understand the effects that puberty blockers, hormones, and surgeries will have on their bodies. And yet, they continue to perform and advocate for gender medicine. The WPATH Files prove that gender medicine is comprised of unregulated and pseudoscientific experiments on children, adolescents, and vulnerable adults. It will go down as one of the worst medical scandals in history.
I'm not really writing posts atm, and that one is too much for my brain currently. Do you feel like doing a Guest Post? If you see anything that I can cross post, let me know.
If that was the only concern, this this medical disaster could have been stopped in its tracks, by looking for and demanding high quality clinical evidence for such significant psychological, medial and surgical interventions.
The problem was that anyone querying the harm, was given the appendage – "-wing", as if no further response was necessary.
It's all very DARVO. If you think that perhaps gay kids should perhaps not be experimented on, then you're trans/homophobic. If you think that perhaps women should control the word "woman" and have the right to exclude men, and perhaps not be punched in the face, you're a misogynist because you're not including trans women (who are men).
I am not sure it is a gay kids thing – it is about gender stereotypes and about presumption that "children/a problem with a child" can be fixed by making a diagnosis categorisation – a wider field of neurodiversity/autism etc is also involved.
Then there is the medical profession interfering in psycho-sexual development to manage outcomes – as they did before the DSM 1980 with homosexuality. Thus culture and politics.
SPC, there has been numerous indications that gay children looking for support or information about their realisation of their homosexuality, are not receiving such support.
They are introduced to the concept that an unidentifiable "gender identity" takes precedence over biological sex, and thus, this adoption of a shifting concept allows coercive methods of denying the exclusion of the sex they have no attraction to.
Gender clinics – including the Tavistock in the UK – have clinicians reporting that they are "transing the gay away". I had a social media conversation with someone who counsels within the Rainbow Youth organisation here in NZ, that sent me to this article when I asked what support he provided to young lesbians that reached out to him for support and guidance:
Please take the time to read it. In between the assumed – and not expressed by anyone that I know – view that excluding trans people from your dating pool is ignorant, is the more subtle – but visible – declarations that hiding your sex from sexual partners is a matter of personal choice not deception, and that sexual orientation is flexible when gender identities come into it, thus resulting in a bisexual orientation for all.
Homosexuals of both sexes – as with women and girls – have to fight to retain the language that both accurately defines and protects their group.
My point was, and remains that it is not just a "gay kids" thing.
Those identifying as "gay" are generally not the younger "kids". While many gay come to a realisation as teens, some do not until older.
Given many of the non conformist to gender stereotype children are not in fact gay, some Tavistock people may have been operating under a misapprehension of what they were doing.
The wider of issue, as per gender and sexuality, is for mine (as it includes the whole of society) separate from the issue of the health of the children pre puberty/adolescence. Where the politics comes into it.
Even so, most of the non conforming to gender stereotypes are heterosexual – as per sporty active girls and the non active outdoorsy artistic boys thing.
And many homosexual adults conform to gender stereotypes easily enough.
Yes its appalling how Wpath have got away with this.
About three years ago when commenting on this site, someone said to me "your on the wrong side of history".. I said I didn't care, I was expressing my view on gender ideology. But really we will be shown to be on the right side of history
Barak voted in favor of two measures included in the decision: requiring Israel to do everything “within its power to prevent and punish the direct and public incitement to commit genocide in relation to members of the Palestinian group in the Gaza Strip,” and ordering “immediate and effective measures to enable the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance to address the adverse conditions of life faced by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.”
The thing is extremists had already called for the removal of Palestinians from Gaza as a goal, not to fight Hamas without civilians around.
Barak voted in favor of two measures included in the decision: requiring Israel to do everything “within its power to prevent and punish the direct and public incitement to commit genocide in relation to members of the Palestinian group in the Gaza Strip,” and ordering “immediate and effective measures to enable the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance to address the adverse conditions of life faced by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.”
While it would not be genocide (by violence or starvation), it would be ethnic cleansing.
The Israeli approach is to build pressure for aid delivery to Gaza civilians in the Sinai/Egypt.
Their problem is obvious, their lack of track record in allowing refugees to return to land controlled by the IDF.
Only the USA is in the position to guarantee that every civilian would be allowed to return to Gaza. And one way for the current coalition government in Israel to provide reassurance to the world community is to remove all those who called for an ethnic cleansing of Gaza from its Cabinet.
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Open access notablesIce acceleration and rotation in the Greenland Ice Sheet interior in recent decades, Løkkegaard et al., Communications Earth & Environment:In the past two decades, mass loss from the Greenland ice sheet has accelerated, partly due to the speedup of glaciers. However, uncertainty in speed derived from satellite products ...
Buzz from the Beehive A statement from Children’s Minister Karen Chhour – yet to be posted on the Government’s official website – arrived in Point of Order’s email in-tray last night. It welcomes the High Court ruling on whether the Waitangi Tribunal can demand she appear before it. It does ...
Mr Bombastic:Ironically, the media the academic experts wanted is, in many ways, the media they got. In place of the tyrannical editors of yesteryear, advancing without fear or favour the interests of the ruling class; the New Zealand news media of today boasts a troop of enlightened journalists dedicated to ...
It's hard times try to make a livingYou wake up every morning in the unforgivingOut there somewhere in the cityThere's people living lives without mercy or pityI feel good, yeah I'm feeling fineI feel better then I have for the longest timeI think these pills have been good for meI ...
In 1974, the US Supreme Court issued its decision in United States v. Nixon, finding that the President was not a King, but was subject to the law and was required to turn over the evidence of his wrongdoing to the courts. It was a landmark decision for the rule ...
Every day now just seems to bring in more fresh meat for the grinder.In their relentlessly ideological drive to cut back on the “excessive bloat” (as they see it) of the previous Labour-led government, on the mountains of evidence accumulated in such a short period of time do not ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Megan Valére SosouMarket gardening site of the Itchèléré de Itagui agricultural cooperative in Dassa-Zoumè (Image credit: Megan Valère Sossou) For the residents of Dassa-Zoumè, a city in the West African country of Benin, choosing between drinking water and having enough ...
Buzz from the Beehive Melissa Lee – as may be discerned from the screenshot above – has not been demoted for doing something seriously wrong as Minister of ...
Morning in London Mother hugs beloved daughter outside the converted shoe factory in which she is living.Afternoon in London Travelling writer takes himself and his wrist down to A&E, just to be sure. Read more ...
Mike Grimshaw writes – The recent announcement of the University Advisory Group, chaired by Sir Peter Gluckman, makes very clear where the Government’s focus and priorities lie. The remit of the Advisory Group is that Group members will consider challenges and opportunities for improvement in the university sector including: ...
Eric Crampton writes – The Reserve Bank of New Zealand desperately wants to find reasons to have workstreams in climate change. It makes little sense. They’ve run another stress test on the banks looking to see if they could find a prudential regulation case. They couldn’t. They ...
Rob MacCullough writes – Pundits from the left and the right are arguing that National’s Fast Track Bill that is designed to speed up infrastructure decisions could end up becoming mired in a cesspool of corruption. Political commentator ...
Looking at the headlines this morning it’s hard to feel anything other than pessimistic about the future of humanity.Note that I’m not speaking about the future of mankind, but the survival of our humanity. The values that we believe in seem to be ebbing away, by the day.Perhaps every generation ...
Swabbing mixed breed baby chicks to test for avian influenzaUh oh. Bird flu – often deadly to humans – is not only being transmitted from infected birds to dairy cows, but is now travelling between dairy cows. As of last Friday, Bloomberg News reports, there were 32 American dairy herds ...
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 ...
What is it with the mining industry? Its not enough for them to pillage the earth - they apparently can't even be bothered getting resource consent to do so: The proponent behind a major mine near the Clutha River had already been undertaking activity in the area without a ...
Photo # 1 I am a huge fan of Singapore’s approach to housing, as described here two years ago by copying and pasting from The ConversationWhat Singapore has that Australia does not is a public housing developer, the Housing Development Board, which puts new dwellings on public and reclaimed land, ...
Buzz from the Beehive Reactions to news of the government’s readiness to make urgent changes to “the resource management system” through a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) suggest a balanced approach is being taken. The Taxpayers’ Union says the proposed changes don’t go far enough. Greenpeace says ...
I’m starting to wonder if Anna Burns-Francis might be the best political interviewer we’ve got. That might sound unlikely to you, it came as a bit of a surprise to me.Jack Tame can be excellent, but has some pretty average days. I like Rebecca Wright on Newshub, she asks good ...
Chris Trotter writes – Willie Jackson is said to be planning a “media summit” to discuss “the state of the media and how to protect Fourth Estate Journalism”. Not only does the Editor of The Daily Blog, Martyn Bradbury, think this is a good idea, but he has also ...
Graeme Edgeler writes – This morning [April 21], the Wellington High Court is hearing a judicial review brought by Hon. Karen Chhour, the Minister for Children, against a decision of the Waitangi Tribunal. This is unusual, judicial reviews are much more likely to brought against ministers, rather than ...
Both of Parliament’s watchdogs have now ripped into the Government’s Fast-track Approvals Bill. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s political economy and beyond on the morning of Tuesday, April 23 are:The Lead: The Auditor General,John Ryan, has joined the ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Sarah SpengemanPeople wait to board an electric bus in Pune, India. (Image credit: courtesy of ITDP) Public transportation riders in Pune, India, love the city’s new electric buses so much they will actually skip an older diesel bus that ...
The infrastructure industry yesterday issued a “hurry up” message to the Government, telling it to get cracking on developing a pipeline of infrastructure projects.The hiatus around the change of Government has seen some major projects cancelled and others delayed, and there is uncertainty about what will happen with the new ...
Hi,Over the weekend I revisited a podcast I really adore, Dead Eyes. It’s about a guy who got fired from Band of Brothers over two decades ago because Tom Hanks said he had “dead eyes”.If you don’t recall — 2001’s Band of Brothers was part of the emerging trend of ...
Buzz from the Beehive The 180 or so recipients of letters from the Government telling them how to submit infrastructure projects for “fast track” consideration includes some whose project applications previously have been rejected by the courts. News media were quick to feature these in their reports after RMA Reform Minister Chris ...
It would not be a desirable way to start your holiday by breaking your back, your head, or your wrist, but on our first hour in Singapore I gave it a try.We were chatting, last week, before we started a meeting of Hazel’s Enviro Trust, about the things that can ...
Calling all journalists, academics, planners, lawyers, political activists, environmentalists, and other members of the public who believe that the relationships between vested interests and politicians need to be scrutinised. We need to work together to make sure that the new Fast-Track Approvals Bill – currently being pushed through by the ...
Feel worried. Shane Jones and a couple of his Cabinet colleagues are about to be granted the power to override any and all objections to projects like dams, mines, roads etc even if: said projects will harm biodiversity, increase global warming and cause other environmental harms, and even if ...
Bryce Edwards writes- The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. ...
Michael Bassett writes – If you think there is a move afoot by the radical Maori fringe of New Zealand society to create a parallel system of government to the one that we elect at our triennial elections, you aren’t wrong. Over the last few days we have ...
Without a corresponding drop in interest rates, it’s doubtful any changes to the CCCFA will unleash a massive rush of home buyers. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate on Monday, April 22 included:The Government making a ...
Sunday was a lazy day. I started watching Jack Tame on Q&A, the interviews are usually good for something to write about. Saying the things that the politicians won’t, but are quite possibly thinking. Things that are true and need to be extracted from between the lines.As you might know ...
In our Weekly Roundup last week we covered news from Auckland Transport that the WX1 Western Express is going to get an upgrade next year with double decker electric buses. As part of the announcement, AT also said “Since we introduced the WX1 Western Express last November we have seen ...
TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to April 29 include:PM Christopher Luxon is scheduled to hold a post-Cabinet news conference at 4 pm today. Stats NZ releases its statutory report on Census 2023 tomorrow.Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivers a pre-Budget speech at ...
A listing of 29 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 14, 2024 thru Sat, April 20, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week hinges on these words from the abstract of a fresh academic ...
The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. The Government says this will ...
This is a column to say thank you. So many of have been in touch since Mum died to say so many kind and thoughtful things. You’re wonderful, all of you. You’ve asked how we’re doing, how Dad’s doing. A little more realisation each day, of the irretrievable finality of ...
Identifying the engine type in your car is crucial for various reasons, including maintenance, repairs, and performance upgrades. Knowing the specific engine model allows you to access detailed technical information, locate compatible parts, and make informed decisions about modifications. This comprehensive guide will provide you with a step-by-step approach to ...
Introduction: The allure of racing is undeniable. The thrill of speed, the roar of engines, and the exhilaration of competition all contribute to the allure of this adrenaline-driven sport. For those who yearn to experience the pinnacle of racing, becoming a race car driver is the ultimate dream. However, the ...
Introduction Automobiles have become ubiquitous in modern society, serving as a primary mode of transportation and a symbol of economic growth and personal mobility. With countless vehicles traversing roads and highways worldwide, it begs the question: how many cars are there in the world? Determining the precise number is a ...
Maintaining a safe and reliable vehicle requires regular inspections. Whether it’s a routine maintenance checkup or a safety inspection, knowing how long the process will take can help you plan your day accordingly. This article delves into the factors that influence the duration of a car inspection and provides an ...
Mazda Motor Corporation, commonly known as Mazda, is a Japanese multinational automaker headquartered in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The company was founded in 1920 as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd., and began producing vehicles in 1931. Mazda is primarily known for its production of passenger cars, but ...
Your car battery is an essential component that provides power to start your engine, operate your electrical systems, and store energy. Over time, batteries can weaken and lose their ability to hold a charge, which can lead to starting problems, power failures, and other issues. Replacing your battery before it ...
In most states, you cannot register a car without a valid driver’s license. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Exceptions to the RuleIf you are under 18 years old: In some states, you can register a car in your name even if you do not ...
Mazda, a Japanese automotive manufacturer with a rich history of innovation and engineering excellence, has emerged as a formidable player in the global car market. Known for its reputation of producing high-quality, fuel-efficient, and driver-oriented vehicles, Mazda has consistently garnered praise from industry experts and consumers alike. In this article, ...
Struts are an essential part of a car’s suspension system. They are responsible for supporting the weight of the car and damping the oscillations of the springs. Struts are typically made of steel or aluminum and are filled with hydraulic fluid. How Do Struts Work? Struts work by transferring the ...
Car registration is a mandatory process that all vehicle owners must complete annually. This process involves registering your car with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and paying an associated fee. The registration process ensures that your vehicle is properly licensed and insured, and helps law enforcement and other authorities ...
Zoom is a video conferencing service that allows you to share your screen, webcam, and audio with other participants. In addition to sharing your own audio, you can also share the audio from your computer with other participants. This can be useful for playing music, sharing presentations with audio, or ...
Building your own computer can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to get a high-performance machine tailored to your specific needs. However, it also requires careful planning and execution, and one of the most important factors to consider is the time it will take. The exact time it takes to ...
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. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi, and Mema Paremata mō Tāmaki-Makaurau, Takutai Tarsh Kemp, will travel to the Gold Coast to strengthen ties with Māori in Australia next week (15-21 April). The visit, in the lead-up to the 9th Australian National Kapa haka Festival, will be an opportunity for both ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
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 ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order. “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today. I am delighted ...
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions. “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. “It is good ...
The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
“China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
Asia Pacific Report From France to Australia, university pro-Palestine protests in the United States have now spread to several countries with students pitching on-campus camps. And students at Columbia and other US universities remain defiant as campuses have witnessed the biggest protests since the anti-Vietnam war and anti-apartheid eras in ...
Analysis by Dr Bryce Edwards, Democracy Project (https://democracyproject.nz)New Zealand Government’s Fast Track legislation. 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 ...
Tara Ward talks to presenter Naomi Toilalo about the new TV show that turns food waste into a three course feast. Naomi Toilalo is standing in the warehouse at Good Neighbour Tauranga, helping unpack the two-and-a-half tonnes of rejected food that will arrive at the community support hub that day. ...
Scout is our latest Dog of the Month. This feature was offered as a reward during our What’s Eating Aotearoa PledgeMe campaign. Thank you to Scout’s human, Avril, for her support. Dog name: Scout (named after the little girl in To Kill a Mockingbird – she inherited the independent spirit ...
Megan Alatini takes us through her life in TV, including ‘terrible’ daytime TV, the class of Carol Hirschfeld and her most embarrassing TrueBliss moment. When she responded to a vague newspaper ad asking “do you have what it takes to be a popstar?” 25 years ago, Megan Alatini never guessed ...
A new exhibition in Wellington showcases the faces behind your local goods and services. Back in 1977, when I was a fine arts student at the University of Canterbury, I took a series of photographs of Christchurch shopkeepers. The photos were for a calendar – a project for my end ...
Toomaj and his resistance to tyranny through his songs have become an icon for the youth of Iran, so his sentence has hit the nation hard. Toomaj Salehi is not the first artist to pay the price for standing with the people. ...
My cousin Dylan and I spotted these big eels under the bridge that summer. We watched them lounging under the dark weed, facing into the flow of water, their mouths frozen open. Dylan and I couldn’t stop thinking about those eels. The night we went down to the creek, we ...
Newsroom, home of satire. My long-running weekly satirical series The Secret Diary has moved to Newsroom and will appear every Saturday, with Victor Billot’s wildly popular satirical Odes continuing to appear every Sunday. Diaries, Odes – while serious political columnists toil at meaningful opinions and stroke their chins to an ...
Tara Ward unravels the many nuanced layers of a cartoon about talking dogs.This is an excerpt from our weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. It’s not often an episode of a children’s cartoon has adults sobbing into their sleeves, but that’s exactly what happened this week when ...
Working as a doctor in developing countries to help communities achieve better health outcomes is nothing short of a life goal for Jessica Tater. The University of Otago medical student has her sights firmly set on joining the international humanitarian organisation Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) when she qualifies ...
There’s an island in the far reaches of Auckland’s territory, sitting off the tip of the Coromandel Peninsula, 30 minutes by air from the city or four hours on the slow boat. Aotea Great Barrier is off-grid, it has a population of fewer than a thousand people … and most ...
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No Right Turn gets stuck into the CoC’s transport plan, and quite rightly so. I don’t think climate change registers at all with this collection of deniers!
https://norightturn.blogspot.com/search/label/Climate%20Change
But, here’s the thing: people don’t understand the exponential factor, which is in play here.
If 2023 was bad, climate wise, 2024 is going to be twice as bad. Then 2025 is going to be four times as bad as 2023, and 2026 eight times as bad.
I don’t think, frankly, that humans (and all other species) can cope with that much bad!
The CoC may have just made their contribution to assigning us all to the scrapbook of history.
Mr ‘Anglo-Saxon simple’ Brown is making a strong case that he, and not Ms. Costello is by far and away the worst MP and minister.
Though with the third (?) introduction of military style boot camps (exactly what people who’ve experienced head trauma need more of) Ms. Chour is doing her best.
But ‘King and Country’ Brown not only has virtue signaling evidence free twaddle for his policy, but its effects will reach every New Zealander and their children and be felt for decades. Tough luck if you own a shanks pony! It’s been made redundant in a brave American suburb style sweep.
The smoking issue will only kill a few thousand people many of you haven’t met, much as air pollution and poor housing standards etc etc.
This is without doubt the worst government for at least two decades.
Victoria Nuland, the warmongering viper is retiring:
“The rat is leaving the sinking ship.
Victoria Nuland’s Ukraine project has utterly failed and the shadow President of Ukraine resigns from the US Govt in disgrace. She will be remembered as the coup manager, proxy war aficionado, NordStream plotter and “Fuck the EU” lunatic who has killed hundreds of thousands and wrecked Ukraine.”
Great news from Kim Dotcom
https://x.com/kimdotcom/status/1765052871392063828?s=46&t=Mb3vWtlQ9iVITzFN3xvWAQ
Interesting that John Bass, in charge of the orderly…sarc.. retreat from Afghanistan temporarily replaces her
Look at these stunners!
Nuland and husband
https://www.the-sun.com/news/10583083/victoria-nuland-husband-robert-kagan/
Kim Dotcom!
The tentacles of russian disinformation reach all the way to The Standard in little ol' New Zealand.
Not surprising, given the vast sums (billions) russia spends on disinformation, both internally and globally.
‘Kremlin Leaks’: Files detail Putin’s €1 billion propaganda effort ahead of presidential vote
Inside Russia’s Notorious ‘Internet Research Agency’ Troll Farm
Coining lies. Kremlin spends 1.5 Billion per year to spread disinformation and propaganda
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_disinformation
And your link proving a dotcom connection with Kremlin is where?
uh oh U.S.
Looks like the Kremlin's tentacles have reached the NYTimes.
Putin's long held assertion that the US has been developing Ukraine as a launching pad against Russia for years was lambasted as Kremlin propaganda , but has now been shown to be true.By The NY Times no less, Putin's puppet
Who woulda thunk?
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/25/world/europe/cia-ukraine-intelligence-russia-war.html
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/cia-ukraine-russia/
Of course the proud owner of a Hitler-signed copy of Mein Kamp had to go there.
/
Wikipedia had to go there too , in the entry under her early life
Oh God those tentacles!
They're everywhere!
Actually Joe, I agree with you, it's repellent , and coming from a German , even more so
Dotcom has a grudge against Hollywood agent Obama (2008-2016 – 2014) and apparently by association American Democrats, international liberalism and a rules based international order?
Thus is in the camp of each and every enemy – of a pro EU Ukraine, of a EU pro Ukraine, of a USA pro Ukraine and a USA pro NATO.
Schadenfreude is not wisdom, it is just a way of lashing out, or venting bitterness.
I was with you SPC until rules based order
International law is one thing , the rules based order purposely vague.We know whose rules they are , and who has to obey those orders ….or else
Sure those who can enforce "rules" are often partisan. American government protection of intellectual property – American monopoly corporations (global scale tax evasion and lifting media content worldwide) that facilitate information gathering by the US Deep State. And via extradition of "publishers" a form of global censorship of "whistleblowing" of their secrets (while "Five Eyes" on everyone else).
The UN was to end the age of empire, but internationalism requires agency. Empire only ends, if that agency is effective and multi-lateral or altruist – but the USA MIC, a capitalist market agenda and "western civilisation remnant" nationalism (albeit it might be returning to isolationism of a global strong man cartel type) all undermine altruism.
Sarah helms from drug foundation on p'rnz reporting on latest wastewater testing..
And the takeaway is that cocaine use in nz is greater than 'p' use….
And this is very good news..!
'cos p is the vilest of drugs..that fucks people's brains…(is used usually with heavy alcohol use)..and the withdrawals are horrendous…(so the literature says)..
Whereas in comparison cocaine is almost benign…
(and from personal experience easy as to stop using…this after fairly heroic use ..over many years…)
So what I would like to happen is for cocaine to again be brought under the aegis of the medical profession..
And for it to be used as a tool to help p addicts kick that muck..
'cos cocaine could be used much as methadone was used for heroin addicts (but not this one)..in that it could be prescribed to p addicts to see them thru the ghastly p withdrawals.,and (unlike methadone) the substitute is a breeze to stop…
To me..given my quite extensive experience in the field..the above is a no-brainer..
The case can also be made for doctors to be able to prescribe cocaine to the aged/infirmed..
When using cocaine I thought that it would be a great drug to use when old…
And the argument here can be made on the quality of life grounds ..
The main side-effect from cocaine use is that it makes you feel good/energised..and would be strong enough to overcome the effects of all the pills the aged/infirmed are usually taking..
I actually feel as strongly about this as I do the efficies of this drug to help p addicts break their chains…
To deprive the elderly from this salve to their ongoing aches/ills..to me is pretty much a case of elder abuse..
And I am not asking for radical law reform…no need for the complications of legislation..
All that is needed is to allow doctors to again be allowed to prescribe cocaine..
And to then let the medical professionals evaluate whether cocaine would help/provide relief for their patients..
I rest my case..
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2018928914/cocaine-use-increases-by-93-percent-in-past-year
It would be even better if the government legalised sale of low THC marijuana (and MDMA to ensure testing for use) for health purposes. And allowed growing for personal use and decriminalise possession of marijuana. And why not … allow legal use of cocaine on prescription and in drug treatment programmes.
https://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/cocaine-use-doubles-new-zealand
How about those 64-75 yr olds..?
Bloody stoners..!
The black market price for cocaine has also plunged….
The remueras of nz have always had access to cocaine..
In the past paying up to $1,200 a gram..
I was recently told by someone who should know..that good quality cocaine can be had these days for about $300 a gram…
It's the market, stupid:
https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/350201635/parliament-gouged-over-bowen-house-rent-brownlee-says?cx_testId=1&cx_testVariant=cx_1&cx_artPos=5&cx_experienceId=EXLK9YLJ8JM4&utm_content=end-of-article-test&cx_qa=true#cxrecs_s
If that is the case, the landlord will have no difficulty in tenanting Bowen House outside the public service.
My suspicion is that there has been a degree of charging what the government will bear, rather than what the market will bear.
We'll see what solution MBIE comes up with for housing the civil service offices until the new building is operational. (It's not covered in the article, which is not surprising if they're still negotiating with landlords)
Let it out to the Wellington homeless.
It's just another empty state-owned housing stock.
Some red-paint graffiti on it would help:
Tenants Wanted, No Bond, Free Piano
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/kahu/posie-parker-nana-bashing-victim-gets-international-support-from-british-singer-alison-moyet-and-tennis-great-martina-navratilova/7SV5THSPYZGQHDZL3RZHHSQOCY/
Support from overseas icon for Judith. Hobson who was repeatedly punched in the face at the Let Women Speak rally in Albert Park last year
So the damage to the man's future was taken into account.Hobson now faces an uncertain future , with ongoing psychological damage, sleeplessness, headaches,forgetfulness, loss of pleasure in activities like reading and listening to music.Her husband will also be affected by this.
Has a mathematical calculation been made ?
The attacker has his whole life ahead of him, the woman not many years left?She is no longer an economic unit ? Her trauma of no consequence?
If so , I am frightened for women and the elderly in this brave new world of ours
TBH – it's pretty much in line with many of the minimal sentences handed out to violent criminals – especially those who assault women and children. Including those with a long-standing history of violence (not, apparently, the case here) – and even including cases which result in death.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/overseas-visitor-who-killed-partner-with-one-slap-at-auckland-party-sentenced-to-five-months-home-detention/NUZCQCDYGFEZ3BZPJP57DJX7PI/
https://www.odt.co.nz/southland/southland-express/man-who-dragged-partner-along-driveway-receives-home-detention
No wonder people have less and less faith in the court system.
thanks.
once upon a time it would have been lefties pointing that out.
The judge's decision doesn't seem to be out of line in the circumstances of this offence. The diversion + apology + reparation + counselling + community work seems normal for a first time offender.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/auckland-posie-parker-protest-man-granted-discharge-without-conviction-after-punching-71-year-old-woman/RSV75S5IEBCHNNGYEH7V77BE2Q/
The permanent name suppression which police didn't oppose is vital because the kid is in serious danger from some very angry people.
"The permanent name suppression which police didn't oppose is vital because the kid is in serious danger from some very angry people."
Is that reason in the court documents?
Not sure, but if it wasn't it should be.
You seem to make a lot of declarative statements based on reckons.
Duly noted.
pretty much. I also noted this piece of fact-free gender identity activism (basic propaganda)
https://thestandard.org.nz/daily-review-05-03-2024/#comment-1991884
A pattern we are well familiar with in the gender/sex wars.
Read what I wrote. I said name suppression is vital because of angry people*. Not my fault if you read that that’s what the court said.
*Of course both deputy prime ministers have been whipping up this anger on X and through proxy statements by backbench MPs. These are very worrying developments because they should know better.
Humpty Dumpty must be tearing his hair out.
nothing wrong with clarifying.
It's out of line with his own pattern of sentencing
https://thestandard.org.nz/open-letter-to-judge-glubb/
What could have made the difference?
The 20 year old sent to jail was brown?
Surely not
Likely one was charged with a more serious offence than the other.
.
192 Aggravated assault
[…]
Every one is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years who assaults any constable or any person acting in aid of any constable, or any person in the lawful execution of any process, with intent to obstruct the person so assaulted in the execution of his or her duty.
[…]
196 Common assault
Every one is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 1 year who assaults any other person.
https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1961/0043/latest/whole.html
Somehow the young man evaded the common assault sentencing .Good lawyers cost money.That is also a factor
Good to see you upholding the law Joe, and having such belief in it's impartiality as per sentencing.Must be great to be you , so in line with the status quo
Try being a woman ( you know you can) , try being a brown person , facing justice today
Dog forbid someone notes differing tariffs for similar offences, eh.
/
Here is a better film of what actually happened to Judith as opposed to the deniers' minimisation.
Here is footage of the event from the Womens Rights Party (this is from an email to me & I don't want to link as this will identify me)
'You can see Judith tried to stop a woman in camo pants from tearing out the rope barrier, having led the charge in pushing over the metal barriers. There is some pushing between the two women. Then the attacker comes at Judith, punching her over and over again.'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dos0FlaWIxM&list=PLGgXu42XHnjMTvEb56kUjHuMatEPxrXd4&index=1
Last night I had futile exchanges with supporters of the assailant who have used as his justification & his 'sentence' their view that 'Judith is not a nice person'. How the assailant could have worked that out in the twinkling of an eye is mind boggling. Paraphrasing the legal truism that 'prostitutes do not deserve to raped' to 'not nice people don't deserve to be bashed' is little comfort for those of us who like to see the law administered impartially and not on 'niceness' or 'work status'
What is really concerning to me is the up front view that women have no rights and don't deserve them anyway. Elderly women are held in even less regard.
My mother, an ardent womens rights person & 'see througher' of most of the male tricks about womens status, did say that the anonymity of elderly women makes us invisible and that has positives and negatives. But why should that be? Esp the negatives which in this case mean don't go out in broad daylight, don't expect the Police to support you…. Don't we just want to go and listen to someone?
The misogyny that floats just below the surface here in NZ is terrifying.
Snap. Just responded to you with the same video link on yesterday's thread:
https://thestandard.org.nz/daily-review-05-03-2024/#comment-1991875
Reposting the relevant points here:
there's a good view of the space and two fences here.
https://youtu.be/fXYXH8J3dTc?list=PLGgXu42XHnjMTvEb56kUjHuMatEPxrXd4&t=77
On that film there seem to be two metal fences then the tape/rope fence that were breached by the protestors.
yes, two metal gate bits on the concrete path, and tape fence on either side in the grass.
You can see them here too, it's where the person pulling up the tape fence gets to then stops and turns back. Hobson can be seen standing on the park bench just to the left of mid screen.
https://youtu.be/DLhhEdGkB8s?list=PLGgXu42XHnjMTvEb56kUjHuMatEPxrXd4&t=10
Who'd want to be a judge… Without know much in the way of the offenders background, taking the long term societal view maybe the outcome is the best one within the confines of the options available to the judge.
Between the mob mentality on the day which was fanned by media and politicians in the lead up and the police absolutly sitting on their hands and completely failing to prepare for, or control the situation as it unfolded there are a heap of places to look for blame.
The assault in many ways was almost inevitable taking all the factors into account and perhaps the judge took into account police failures in the descision after all they should have been the to protect both sides.
That excuses the judge – (which I don't think is valid, or should be necessary, but by-the-by.) He does have form for questionable judgement:
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/122289420/auckland-man-escapes-conviction-after-masturbating-in-front-of-child-at-pool
However, it does not address the actual violence enacted on the day towards women meeting to speak and listen.
It also does not address the dismissal of such violence by many in society, including some on this platform.
Agreed, in the here and now conviction seems the only sane descision. On a longer term view there is room for debate for a bunch of reasons.
What is certain is that provacation is not an excuse or defence for assault.
"On a longer term view there is room for debate for a bunch of reasons."
This is an interesting perspective.
What do you see as "a bunch of reasons", and what outcomes would you expect from each one in relation to reducing physical violence against others?
(I’ll just note that some commenting on various platforms, have difficulty recognising that physical violence took place, so deterring future violence at least requires that acknowledgement.)
Mainly relating to the long term conseqeunces of conviction at a young age and taking into account the autism diagnosis.
As an example i'm familiar with three people I went to school with severly assualted someone oversome percieved slight. Two were convicted (not jailed) the third had a very expensive lawyer that managed to secure diversion. The paths the respective offenders lives took are very different at least in part due to the convictions closing a heap of doors at a critical point in life.
Like I say who would want to be a judge.
Convictions without imprisonment and with associated successful violence prevention programmes being completed, makes more sense.
There is the added component of signalling to wider society – the level of tolerance for violence as an accepted reaction – that also needs to be taken into account.
The victim impact statement was also redacted by the police, which I had never heard of before. The images of the original statement with the police redactions can be seen here:
https://x.com/SimonRAnderson/status/1764795430393782588?s=20
I do wonder if theres room something similar to clean slate or a way to have a conviction not entered / discharged on completion on relevant programs.
No matter what happens its often the victim that has to live with the worst of the consequences of an assault.
What we do with the offender should focus on how to stop them doing it again.
@Cricklewood
The focus on the individual is notable, and also notable for not having a requirement to be measured, assessed and determined if the outcome is as expected.
However, there is a wider societal impact of each individual court cases and sentencing, that will have influence on others decision making and choices, based on this outcome. IIRC, there were two thousand people protesting women meeting to talk and listen. The aggression was high, and many will be reassured to have evidence of the high level of police and judiciary tolerance for violence.
fucking hell. This is child sex abuse.
there's a problem with MSM reporting as well. How did the Judge get from masturbated in a public place while watching an unattended child getting dressed to "the man posed a low risk of reoffending"?
I don't think prison or lifting name suppression is useful to society in cases like that or the dude that punched Hobson (because it increases their risk of offending), but the cases do point to how ineffective our justice system is that we can't come up with things better than prison or slaps on the wrist with a wet bus ticket.
"fucking hell. This is child sex abuse."
Clarity in language helps, thanks weka.
Much better video that shows the context.
Its appalling watching the brutally of the assault
Yep no arguement from me, I would really like to see some sort of investigation into the dreadful police response cant decide if it was incompetence or something more delibrate.
The IPCA investigation report is due out in the next few months.
I have spoken to someone who has participated in it. They are not reassured it will address the failings of the day, or identify whether the police deliberately created a situation where people were not protected, by not adhering to organised meetings and expectations.
I guess we will have to wait and see.
I was seriously assaulted about 4 years ago, by middle class professionals, 3 on 1 while I was seated btw. I was off work for a month with concussion and it was another 6 or 7 months before I could work full time.
The judge basically dismissed the case without conviction and granted name suppression because it would result in the dismissal of those involved.
My experience with the official system was dehumanising. As a person I didn’t count. However the individual police officers were fantastic as well as the prosecutor and victim support.
I read the comments on here last night, and my heart was breaking.
Cheers David. Sorry to hear about your assault. So frightening. I am glad the police were o.k.
We have increasingly tolerated violence and unsuprisingly it is increasing.
Thank you, the incident did take some time to get over, concussion is bad enough, but for me it was the psychological effects that took time to recover. I’m forever grateful that my employer was fully supportive during my recovery and I was on full pay throughout.
At the time of the assault I was recovering from a mountain bike accident so I just couldn’t defend myself. The feeling of helplessness while listening to the defence lawyer telling lies about me in court to the judge, and the judge making no acknowledgment to me as the victim. I can certainly understand why we hear of victims/families/friends getting very upset when this happens.
It must have been appalling to realise that three people ganged up on you and for no good reason (not that there ever is a good reason except self defence) didn't think twice about brutalising you.
I am sorry to hear of your experience, David. It is a poor judicial outcome for you, and I hope you have been able to overcome that aspect in your recovery.
Thank you, the incident did take some time to get over, concussion is bad enough, but for me it was the psychological effects that took time to recover. I’m forever grateful that my employer was fully supportive during my recovery and I was on full pay throughout.
At the time of the assault I was recovering from a mountain bike accident so I just couldn’t defend myself. The feeling of helplessness while listening to the defence lawyer telling lies about me in court to the judge, and the judge making no acknowledgment to me as the victim. I can certainly understand why we hear of victims/families/friends getting very upset when this happens.
Cheers David
Traumatizing all over again reading comments like that
I think we need a post on how much this government is energised by hate for the oppressed and for anything progressive.
The speed and depth at which they are pulling away the social supports and progressive policies of the Labour government 2017-2023 is startling.
The silence of protest after the Kingitanga hui and Waitangi Day is also surprising.
Maybe we have to wait for the May Budget for this to come more sharply into frame.
There was a protest at the weekend:
No surprise it got the rednecks frothing, and suddenly interested in te reo Māori.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/510976/hurricanes-poua-won-t-be-allowed-to-repeat-haka-criticising-government
Those women are entitled to their opinion and to express it outside the job i.e. playing rugby.
Most jobs it is not a good idea to express political views. Imagine if you went to see you Dr and her started on about the woke left.
There's some amazing stuff going on at the moment.
Not only are we no longer able to express political views if employed as a publicly funded academic (Joanna Kidman), but we are also not allowed to express political views if employed by a sponsored sports organisation (Hurricanes Poua). And you even say it's not a good idea to express political views while employed at all.
Who then left to express political opinion, the retired and the unemployed?
Where does this leave the Labour movement, union representation, strike action, the very reason for this forum?
The fake left have been fully captured…
Proessor Joanna Kidman holds the posistion of Director at the anit-extremism centre. and her salary in this role is paid for by the Prime Minister's Department (DPMC).
She should criticise the govt on things she has expertise in, however its highly questionable if calling the coalition govt a death cult that hates children meets this criteria. Her language is hyperbolie and many of her statements before she was appointed to the role showed that she held rather extreme views herself, e.g trying to get Treliese Cooper cancelled because of calling a dress "trail of tears"
Academics sure they should be outspoken critiques of the government because in theory that have some special expertise. They need to use this expertise rather than personal opinions.
Sports stars are their to entertain and excite. The political views of the Hurricane are of no interest to me. But if those women want to join a protest, sign a petition, lobby MPs that's fine. I apologise if I didn't express my views very well before. I take Molly's point about Israel Folau, he was asked about homosexuality within the context of his christian believes and he chose to answer.
BTW in my last job, I had to keep an extremely low political profile. That's why the Standard suited me, I could express my views annonymously. But I knew the deal was I mostly had to keep my views to myself and I accepted that.
Jobs such as being a trade unionist, charities and NGOs of course its part of the job to express political views.
here's the tweet. Seems reasonable expression of opinion to me, and within her realm of academic work.
From,
https://twitter.com/actparty/status/1764900808813134323
also noting that her twitter account doesn't name or link to her job or employer.
https://twitter.com/JoannaKidman
a useful comparison here might be the Forstater case.
It is a mistake to believe ACT MP's
He said this.
"The irony of an anti-extremism campaigner using such extreme rhetoric should be obvious.
Something more evidence based
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2024/03/department-of-pm-and-cabinet-responds-amid-feud-between-david-seymour-and-government-funded-centre-director-over-death-cult-comments.html
Appropriating a public platform, or using an organisation's reach to express a personally held opinion, is not a requirement of free speech.
It is an interesting phenomenon to witness those who champion this poorly thought out act utilising an organisation's reach, with those expressed by Israel Folau who answered a specific question about his religious beliefs in a personal capacity:
https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-15-07-2019/#comment-1637166
https://thestandard.org.nz/folaus-rights-to-free-speech-are-not-being-attacked/#comment-1632747
I can't accept the premise of your argument equating Folau's homophobia with Maori and PI women from disadvantaged backgrounds criticising this reckless government.
It's pretty disgraceful really.
Being gay isn’t a choice, is it? Ripping out support for low income communities for tax cuts and demoting te ao Maori is a choice, a deliberate and malevolent choice.
Point of relevance is free speech.
No it's not.
That might be a convenient distraction and simplification which the far right are using at the moment but it's important to recognise what the speech is:
One is harmful to private individuals simply because of their sexual identity. The other is critical of punitive reforms by a reckless, racist coalition of purchased populists.
But free speech doesn't mean you must never offend or hurt someone's feelings.
I am a believer that the only free speech that should be stopped is defamation or speech that directly incites violence.
When we shut people down, we the lose the opportuity to change their minds with good arguements
Maori and P I woman should definitely criticise this govt, but not using the professional to do so.
Come on didn't people express outrage on this site when Ma Nonu tweeted support for John Key before the election? Imagine what you would think if the All Blacks did a Haka that criticised Labour and the lockdowns, covid vacinnes anything you likely really.
You are literally parroting lines from David Farrar and that's fine, but it's important to recognise.
The comparison is a typical Farrar propaganda trick*, a straight reversal without even considering the likelihood of the reverse happening. In his and your stated case you'd have accept the entire ABs team were pandemic-denying, anti-vaxx nut jobs. There might be one or two but not the whole team.
Total fantasy.
*Similarly, Farrar will try flip the plate by declaring there would be outrage if something said by a minority activist against white privilege were reversed. He fails to see that if you reverse that circumstance you must also reverse historical circumstance and consider white people indigenous and disenfranchised, and brown people the authoritarian colonisers.
Would there be outrage then? Nope.
Kinda hoping this 1st 100 days its not going to end in incoming govts spending a huge chunk or time and money cancelling everything the previous govt has done.
Recipe for complete inertia.
Yes the women's Hurricanes team Haka and Professor Joanna Kidman have both been vocal.
Re no protests, its up to them to organise it. No one is stopping them
What about the hate the former govt and the Greens levelled at gender critical women?
If you are wanting to figure out some of the reasons Labour lost, that would be a good place to start
I hate being right.
https://twitter.com/shellenberger/status/1764799914918490287
Full report: https://environmentalprogress.org/big-news/wpath-files
Stella O'Malley speaking on the WPATH files webinar series, live rn. Don't know if there will be a replay.
https://twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1ynJOykbBdEKR
https://twitter.com/genspect/status/1765158765857243316
The abuse of children is pretty stomach-churning and I just had lunch. But, I will steel my guts and check it out.
Yep that was interesting. Thanks @weka
Are you planning on a standard article on this topic?
I'm not really writing posts atm, and that one is too much for my brain currently. Do you feel like doing a Guest Post? If you see anything that I can cross post, let me know.
I want to, but I can't. If there is some way to DM (or just email me) I can explain why.
"I hate being right."
If that was the only concern, this this medical disaster could have been stopped in its tracks, by looking for and demanding high quality clinical evidence for such significant psychological, medial and surgical interventions.
The problem was that anyone querying the harm, was given the appendage – "-wing", as if no further response was necessary.
Also various flavours of "-phobe" and "-ist".
It's all very DARVO. If you think that perhaps gay kids should perhaps not be experimented on, then you're trans/homophobic. If you think that perhaps women should control the word "woman" and have the right to exclude men, and perhaps not be punched in the face, you're a misogynist because you're not including trans women (who are men).
I am not sure it is a gay kids thing – it is about gender stereotypes and about presumption that "children/a problem with a child" can be fixed by making a diagnosis categorisation – a wider field of neurodiversity/autism etc is also involved.
Then there is the medical profession interfering in psycho-sexual development to manage outcomes – as they did before the DSM 1980 with homosexuality. Thus culture and politics.
SPC, there has been numerous indications that gay children looking for support or information about their realisation of their homosexuality, are not receiving such support.
They are introduced to the concept that an unidentifiable "gender identity" takes precedence over biological sex, and thus, this adoption of a shifting concept allows coercive methods of denying the exclusion of the sex they have no attraction to.
Gender clinics – including the Tavistock in the UK – have clinicians reporting that they are "transing the gay away". I had a social media conversation with someone who counsels within the Rainbow Youth organisation here in NZ, that sent me to this article when I asked what support he provided to young lesbians that reached out to him for support and guidance:
https://eveywinters.com/genital-preferences-or-bigotry/
Please take the time to read it. In between the assumed – and not expressed by anyone that I know – view that excluding trans people from your dating pool is ignorant, is the more subtle – but visible – declarations that hiding your sex from sexual partners is a matter of personal choice not deception, and that sexual orientation is flexible when gender identities come into it, thus resulting in a bisexual orientation for all.
Homosexuals of both sexes – as with women and girls – have to fight to retain the language that both accurately defines and protects their group.
My point was, and remains that it is not just a "gay kids" thing.
Those identifying as "gay" are generally not the younger "kids". While many gay come to a realisation as teens, some do not until older.
Given many of the non conformist to gender stereotype children are not in fact gay, some Tavistock people may have been operating under a misapprehension of what they were doing.
The wider of issue, as per gender and sexuality, is for mine (as it includes the whole of society) separate from the issue of the health of the children pre puberty/adolescence. Where the politics comes into it.
That's a great read, thanks Molly.
Gay kids are often (not always) gender non conforming. Some research about this and I know from my own family
Even so, most of the non conforming to gender stereotypes are heterosexual – as per sporty active girls and the non active outdoorsy artistic boys thing.
And many homosexual adults conform to gender stereotypes easily enough.
Brain fade by me, this was actually discussed in a previous OM.
But fucking hell. It's quite the read.
Yes its appalling how Wpath have got away with this.
About three years ago when commenting on this site, someone said to me "your on the wrong side of history".. I said I didn't care, I was expressing my view on gender ideology. But really we will be shown to be on the right side of history
UNRWA losing funding, the World Food Programme relief blocked at IDF checkpoint (slowing aid to the north), then looted.
The inefficiency of last resort air drops in the north.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-68478831
One wonders what a cease-fire would mean in practice for aid delivery.
Is it time to consider security for aid supply and delivery?
BASIC ANALYSIS
1.Lack of food aid to coerce a hostage release (rescue would cause death) – a negotiated cease-fire for a second tranche of hostage release.
2.The IDF is trying to starve out Hamas fighters in the north and then lure them out from tunnels with limited/controlled food aid (via oversight of).
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-68486248
The Israeli judge at the ICJ
https://www.timesofisrael.com/justice-barak-icj-ruling-based-on-scant-evidence-ugandan-judge-legal-case-a-desperate-bid/
Israeli citizens are also blocking aid getting through.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyGyrz06ljg
An Israeli attempt to force hostage release by hunger, meets Hamas intent to use that to reduce support for Israel.
Move from the north, move from the centre to either Rafah on the border, or an encampment on the southern coast.
Now it's go to as refugees into Egypt, so that the last of Hamas can be defeated in the north, centre and south of Gaza.
https://www.jewishpress.com/news/us-news/wsj-demands-egypt-opens-border-to-save-gaza-civilians/2024/03/04/
The thing is extremists had already called for the removal of Palestinians from Gaza as a goal, not to fight Hamas without civilians around.
While it would not be genocide (by violence or starvation), it would be ethnic cleansing.
The Israeli approach is to build pressure for aid delivery to Gaza civilians in the Sinai/Egypt.
Their problem is obvious, their lack of track record in allowing refugees to return to land controlled by the IDF.
Only the USA is in the position to guarantee that every civilian would be allowed to return to Gaza. And one way for the current coalition government in Israel to provide reassurance to the world community is to remove all those who called for an ethnic cleansing of Gaza from its Cabinet.
Ki Ora whano
I say Aoteoroa leaders should be looking around the world and plan for the future.
I,E plan for a long long winter caused buy a nuclear?
We have hydro we need to build out wind power as it still generates power when the sun doesn't shine. Not rocket science ne .
The iwi need to build wind power on their lakes very efficient way to do not so many roads to build also this type of investment is recession proof .
Our wind power resources are some of the best in the world.
Buy the turbines from China and they will be a 3rd cheaper than the rest of the world.
Ka kite ano
https://youtu.be/azuSxl9sHmc?si=ne4T6xvFHxuJspkT