Today we shall find out the spine count among Supercity Councillors–if several are even allowed to vote of course–the Natzo dirty politics department never sleeps…
I am as opposed to genuine conflicts of interest as anyone else into politics, but really share ownership since 1984 has been seen almost as a patriotic act in the neo liberal state.
Given John Key’s considerable shareholdings while Prime Minister–and media channels still giving him the hot towel and back rub treatment–it is rather obvious that Mayor Brown is being supported big time by his backers on flogging off a valuable asset, likely to roaming investment funds or venture capitalists.
If Auckland Councillors do not ensure “Brown goes down” on this Budget vote, they may as well go on gardening leave for the rest of their terms.
It should be added that during his time as Auckland DHB Chair, one of Brown’s first acts was to suspend standing orders in respect of declaration of conflicts of interest!–in a Metro magazine article which is no longer on line, but which I have posted previously.
If one reads the brief article below, “Browny’s” bumpkin style was more than apparent way back. So many were asleep at the wheel during the election with regard to his suitability.
Tamaki Makaurau iwi Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei has an easy out for Auckland mayor Wayne Brown’s financial crisis: sell back the port land that was stolen from Māori.
Brown said he had no comment at this stage but this was something the council could look at long-term.
Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei deputy chairman Ngarimu Blair said the iwi has made the offer to all former Auckland supercity mayors, including John Banks, to release the 55 hectares locked up at the Auckland waterfront.
He says the iwi has long sought the return of its harbours, which were taken without the tribe’s consent.
I have much sympathy for these people. The Insurance companies, despite their lovely friendly ads…could give a rats arse about them.
Best luck to those trying to fight to get it done.
Anyway…a not so small thing. I kinda wonder if climate change and its consequences..will be any part of their thinking? Maybe..I refer to the people flooded. (of course Insurance will go up..and /or uninsurable will increase . Money of course )
The problem with insuring now, and the removal of full replacement type insurance, is that you have to consider two quite distinct possibilities.
1. My house burns down.
This you can insure by working out the cost of replacement based on current costings. Bit of work but can be done.
2. There is a major event and lots of houses are affected e.g. flooding or earthquake.
Now you have to factor in that the cost will significantly increase post a major event and up your insurance accordingly.
You are forced into making a decision to pay the insurance companies a great deal more to cover off 2 – or to pay less on the basis of 1 being more likely but leaving yourself under-insured if 2 happens.
This despite the insurance companies having lifted your premiums if you are in a risk assessed area.
Previous full-replacement policies covered either risk.
This isn't particularly transparent. Maybe there needs to be better clarity with small event cover the norm and large event cover being a top up.
the results are in! SUFW commissioned a poll to see where NZ voters stood on gender self ID. Only 20% support this legislation. Only 30% of Labour voters support gender self ID.
Even of the Green party members only 41% support it
"Of the 6,609 submissions, 73% are against the changes with just 25% supportive of them!
The remaining 2% represent duplicated/ supplemental/ unclear submissions."
Survey number was 1000, but seems to indicate a stable percentage when compared to that analysis.
The latest global survey from Ipsos – the LGBT+ Pride 2023 survey – shows that 84% of New Zealanders believe transgender people should be protected from discrimination in employment, housing and access to businesses.
…
With the exception of health insurance subsidies, there was a global majority in favour of trans people accessing gender-affirming care, public facilities and having official documents offer more options than male and female for those who don’t identify as either.
"The latest global survey from Ipsos – the LGBT+ Pride 2023 survey – shows that 84% of New Zealanders believe transgender people should be protected from discrimination in employment, housing and access to businesses." From Arkies post and most if not all gender critical women would support that too.
I think that shows that NZ is a very tolerant space and the vast majority of people only want fairness for trans people. This is good news.
But that is different from trans women (biological males) trampling on the hard fought rights of women to their own spaces.
Do Ipsos normally poll in NZ? I have just scrolled through the political polls i.e. who would you vote for, conducted of late and I can't see IPSOS there. But perhaps they poll on other things. Curias result are within the margin of error for the other big polling companies e.g Reid research and the TV one poll.
Do you know how Ipsos conducted their research? How they recruited their samples?
"The latest global survey from Ipsos – the LGBT+ Pride 2023 survey – shows that 84% of New Zealanders believe transgender people should be protected from discrimination in employment, housing and access to businesses."
I'd be one of the 84%.
I don't support:
1. Males in female single-sex provisions,
2. Prioritisation of a fluid and undefined gender identity over the binary and immutable category of sex when sex matters – in policy and law;
3. The iatrogenic harm that is resulting from adoption of protocols from organisations such as WPATH, AAP and the the Endocrine Society which as mentioned in this comment are legally banding together to refuse providing the clinical evidence behind their recommendations: .https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-19-04-2023/#comment-1946321
5. Compelled language. The deliberate misuse of language which attempts to avoid clear discussion, and the danger of enshrining the use of such language in policy and legislation.
6. Failed safeguarding. Not just for women, but for children and young people too. The elimination of appropriate boundaries, and understanding of child development that sees them introduced to inappropriate and perhaps harmful to development material and ideas, that has been embedded in our recent RSE education.
7. The impact on lesbians, gays and bisexuals who have also lost their language, and have been force-teamed with those who have taken it, and appropriated the preceding good work that the LGB have done.
8. The spectacle of the left political parties taking an authoritarian position on this issue, actively promoting a #NoDebate stance, and vilifying – without evidence – anyone who did not comply. There is an added danger here, which will manifesting with the return of the hate speech legislation.
…slightly more than 50% of the population are generally considered ‘old school’ women with uteruses rather than “those new trendy women with cocks and balls” as comedian Ricky Gervais put it.
From a class left position I support the human rights of all oppressed and exploited people bar open fascists.
With the trans debate however, like any movement, there is the sharp end of the spear which is represented by certain activists. Some of them are just alienating previous and potential allies. Women fought hard for their own spaces and lives. Some of the staunchest allies in struggle you will ever encounter are politicised lesbian women. Trans activism too often appears to support the patriarchy and the ruling class divide and rule strategy.
Until anti capitalism prevails, these types of identity stoushes will be with us, but no one should be shut down for trying to work it all out in a positive manner.
I support those who are protesting at the woll being pulled over our eytes as far as discrimination and trans people is concerned.
My view is that there is a sizeable dose of misogyny and a not so big but still apparent dose of age-ism, floating around in the 'traniverse'. So older females cop the abuse on the grounds of sex plus age…..as we can see with the references to 'Karen'. The Karen trope is known as being aimed at older women.
But the most apparent anti voices are those who have taken the chance to indulge in a little bit of misogyny ie women hate, perhaps under the belief that they can do a snow job/smokescreen by referencing the rights argument as a cover. I'm sorry but that won't work.
There is excellent reason for the NZ anti-conversion therapy Bill 2022:
'Meaning of conversion practice (1) In this Act, conversion practice means any practice, sustained effort, or treatment that— (a) is directed towards an individual because of the individual’s sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression; and (b) is done with the intention of changing or suppressing the individual’s sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.'
For those who are interested, Caelan Conrad posed for a year as a concerned parent with a trans child. Starting with innocuous sounding support groups, they worked their way further into 'inner circles' where the mask was off. The anti-trans affirmation groups Caelan entered included people like Posie Parker as regular members.
Caelan's in-depth description of their investigation is important viewing to see the nasty (and illegal, depending on juristiction) 'conversion' practices pushed at these sites. Some parents even consider having their adult children declared mentally incompetent. For teenagers, the advice includes social isolation from the child's friends, and also neighbours or teachers who might report parents to child protection services. Not surprisingly, a section of the posters are parents who not longer have contact with their adult trans children.
Caelan has a good 6 hours of content, and has archived many conversations from these sites. The second 'conversion' video is most relevant to this discussion, and I admit, it's a committment to watch through it, even at 1.5 speed. However, I find Caelan's content is thorough and humane. Unlike the dehumanising hate speech sprinkled through posts on these 'inner circle' sites that actively sell anti-trans parenting practices .
If trans people were not protected under NZ law, their parents could legally apply the harmful conversion practices advocated at these sites. They could also be pushed into religious 'conversion' practices, such as have been applied to homosexual children and young adults that are harmful.
Once again no doubt there are practices aimed at both parents and children from both pro and anti trans. The key point for me, and it comes within the concept of parenting, and that is the idea of watchful waiting and the saying 'this too will pass'. Many of us will recall having ideas that were possibly agin those of our parents or where parents sought to exercise wise counsel. many of us are grateful that we were under the care and control of our parents when these ideas arose. Being ok to explore ideas and issues where the results can be undone such as haircuts, haircolours, clothes pale into insignificance when parent allow, for whatever reason, their children to partake/experience in actions that cannot be undone.
Parenting also comes with the idea of safeguarding and that is not inflicting or allowing concepts or actions to be inflicted on people who are not at an age to make up their own minds because of youth or lack of life experiences.
We also know about the social contagion evident at the moment.
Being part of child mutilation, that may result in a child being so damaged that they are not able to experience orgasm as an adult must be one of the most cruel things a parent can allow to be inflicted on a child.
So I am not against slowing down the process of transition to watchful waiting, and that includes counselling etc for gender disphoria, by whatever legal means our country has at its disposal.
Please be aware that there is a great difference from being pro women and children to being anti trans. Many pro trans supporters seem to conflate the two. It diminishes the strength of any argument if the argument can only work by slanging off at another group.
I feel that once a child has reached the age of majority then they can do what they like subject only to the advice from their parents. Children never stop being our children no matter what the age. I was for ever grateful for the advice of parents who always had my best at the forefront even if we may have differed on what happened, as an adult.
For me the teen years come with many pressures for child & parent and if we can get through with children who are able to see the issues from both sides then that is good. That is why it grieves me that some families lose touch over what has happened in those teen years, not just trans issues.
So I guess this undercover this or that leaves me cold really….are we in any shape or form better off? No.
Would any funds have been better spent on keeping doors open for both parent/child through access to good counselling etc, of course.
I will bookmark it – but I am more of a reader than a watcher.
This one may be of interest to you. As I haven't watched your links, it may be irrelevant but I'll post it here, because it is a logical link for the thread, and it means either of us can find it easily:
Thanks Molly for posting, but I don't want to listen to Helen Joyce, whose position is that trans people should be repressed and their numbers reduced because they are damaged and are too much trouble to accomodate 'in a sane world'.
Perhaps it may surprise you, but those on the trans inclusionary side of the debate do critically rebut GC arguments. That means presenting those arguments in the first place. So I am already aware of Joyce's ideas and the position of many other GC anti-trans advocates.
And it may surprise you also, but it has taken me a while to find in-depth pro-trans commentators and video essayists who discuss these ideas. When I first started commenting here on this topic months ago, it was my own interpretation of the material being posted at TS.
For example, I did my own research on the trans women are dangerous in toilets question in terms of data; I followed the 'autogynephilia' term to its original shonky paper, to the disgusting twitter site of the still-living coiner of that term, and to the careful studies that debunked his 'theory' that all female-attracted trans women have a perversion; and I hated Posie Parker's vlogged opinions and outright lies from first listen.
Guess what, it took time, but I eventually discovered that my self-formed opinions on the content I read at TS are also held by many others, feminists included. So I have not been brainwashed to my position. I have merely found people who have said it better, mostly.
I find sometimes the way GC beliefs are expressed here to be dehumanising, and to repeat accusations without providing scientific proof. I personally, through my lived experience, don't ascribe to gender essentalism ideas of womanhood and of the innate destructive power of the penis. So, much of the basis of the GC argument I find irrelevant. I see it for the philosophical ideology it is, and not an immutable fact embedded in our XY genes.
"Thanks Molly for posting, but I don't want to listen to Helen Joyce, whose position is that trans people should be repressed and their numbers reduced because they are damaged and are too much trouble to accomodate 'in a sane world'."
I haven't got much time at the moment, but a couple of responses to your comment.
"Helen Joyce, whose position is that trans people should be repressed and their numbers reduced because they are damaged and are too much trouble to accomodate 'in a sane world'."
This paraphase is out of context of the discussion which was about the iatrogenic harm that is occurring due to significant medical interventions after self-diagnosis. The numbers reduced in in regards to the numbers experiencing iatrogenic harm, which I would think everyone would be on board with.
I post the original source here, for people to make up their own mind, even though I am aware some will retain your perspective:
"Perhaps it may surprise you, but those on the trans inclusionary side of the debate do critically rebut GC arguments. That means presenting those arguments in the first place. "
It doesn't surprise me that you think you understand GC arguments. You repeatedly state this.
However, Gender Critical is as much use as the terms left-wing, feminist etc at the moment. There are so many different viewpoints and perspectives within that idea, that it is not useful to apply a certain viewpoint to all that claim it, or those you might label with it.'
I do feel that we have the possibilities that commenters here are perhaps not clear in articulating their position, that you understand it completely and provide robust responses to their actual positions, or that you miss the salient points and provide responses to assumed positions. Or of course a combination of the above.
I appreciate TS for the opportunity to converse person to person, without a need for a declaration of sides. Thanks for continuing your engagement.
With that in mind, can you please provide an example of this:
"I find sometimes the way GC beliefs are expressed here to be dehumanising" -and why you think that example is dehumanising, because while I aim for clarity – dehumanisation is a strong criticism – and should be considered to see whether it is justified.
In good faith, I attempted to watch the video clips you have posted twiggle, but after 45 minutes I gave up. This man makes many claims including gender critical thinking is a cult, but provides no definition of what a cult is, nor does he thing give any examples of how gender critical groups meet the criteria for being a cult.
The flashing of screen shots from gender critical sites, many at once does not give the opportunity to read what the screen shots are saying at all. After 35 plus minutes of this, I had had enough and couldn't be bothered waiting for this guy to present things in a way that back up any of his claims. (btw other than GC being a cult I wasn't sure what he is claiming.
One thing he said he came across in a GC parents group was words to the effect "of so you thnk your child is trans, well thats great, but have you thought of xxx" why that would be a problem is beyond me. There was a mention of autogynaphilia, which of course is a helpful theoretical psychological construct that tries to make sense of cross dressing.
My last criticism is that the guy himself is rather over the top and doesn't present in a serious way. Of course if in watching it for 45 minutes, I had of gleened there was useful or important information he had, I would have over looked his style. But there wasn't.
GC is very simply the idea that biological sex matters and it is not possible to change your sex. Therefore women's sex based rights need to be protected from men who identify as women. Other commenters on her might put it better, but I think that is a reasonable reflection of GC thinking. That the vast majority of people believe this and it has always been the case isn't a cult I am sorry.
In my research into what a cult is I was surprised to find it's a very broad definition. Institutions such as a School, or the Military or the Family share many of the characteristics of cults as far as people diagnosing them go. Because of this cults are better separated along the category of harmful cults.
This may be the rhetorical device being exploited by this reference.
"Following a record 106,000 submissions, oral hearings conducted at breakneck speed, with sometimes as few as two MPs present, the New Zealand “conversion therapy: bill was presented for its second reading on 8 February as the first item of business for 2022 and was passed into law a week later. (NZ Government, 2022 Ministry of Justice 2022.) This undue haste speaks to the influence that the LGBTQIA++ lobby has both in and outside of Parliament, as was the case with the Births, Deaths, Marriages and Relationships Registration (BDMRR) legislation. Together with the BDMRR Act, this new law is part of a suite of legislation embedding gender identity in New Zealand law that cement the idea that there are ‘transgender children’ in New Zealand who need medicine and new legal identities.
The main concern of opponents is not opposition to conversion therapy, but the way in which the new law conflates the concepts of gender identity and sexual orientation. In addition, there is international evidence of a strong thrust to equate exploratory counselling with conversion therapy (D’Angelo, 2020) that is reflected in the law. Unlike being gay or heterosexual, claiming a transgender identity is not a stable phenomenon, especially in children and young people. International research shows that most gender transitioners are actually same-sex attracted and/or have faced significant adverse childhood events and suffer from high levels of co-morbid mental health conditions including Autism Spectrum Disorder(ASD)…"
The entire set of Caelan's video essay lay out why they think aspects of the GC movement are a cult. I admit, and said, it's a hard, but worthy watch. Again, I am posting on this topic to provide balance. I certainly don't expect those of you here with such fervent beliefs will change your ideas because of my position. I do appreciate that you take the time to engage with the material I post.
Personally I admire the depth of Caelan's investigative work, and kinda like the personality they inject into their vlog. Chacune à son goût.
tWiggle you do realise that since the Conversion therapy bill has been past there have been no complaints made don't you? This is despite the govt giving two million dollars to the HRC to hear complaints.
Perhaps that is because conversion therapy is mostly pushed on people by their family or church community, and those on the receiving end may want to retain some ongoing relationship, rather than cut out that part of their lives?
Or perhaps that it was never actually about "Gay" conversion as most of the things that were objected to about those practices are not lawful these days anyway.
Perhaps it was actually about making sure that nothing other than the Affirmation Only model is practiced when it comes to children and young people with sex based bodily dysmorphia.
I think it is more likely that as the govt RSE said there isn't much evidence that people are practicing conversion therapy on gays and lesbians and certainly no evidence of the sinister conversion therapy of the 1940s, 50, 60s and 70s.
I think the real conversion therapy that this bill enables is through gender affirming care. Most dysphoric teens turn out to be gay. But the rapidity with which their "gender identity" is affirm and the fast tracking them on to puberty blockers, then cross sex hormones is the thing that needs to be addressed. Do you realise the drugs that were prescribed to Alan Turing after he was found engaging in homosexual acts is one of the same drugs given to kids to supress their puberty? As you likely know, Alan was given the choice of having chemically castrating drugs or going to jail.
These drugs are not licences for use as puberty blockers to dysphoric teens
The PM would’ve said nothing to see, as would have Barry Sooner, DPF etc etc who are all part of the lynch mob. It wouldn’t have got legs the way this has.
The outrage is not the 1300 dollars that Wood might have made, but as always the incredible double standard with investment housing.
We’ve seen a leader of the opposition make policy on the fly which stands to make him significantly more wealthy. I’m at least the tens of thousands and possibly the millions.
An apology and a correction is all that would have happened to this if it were a Nat.
The way Hipkins has handled this has made it worse than it is and hints at him attempting to wound a future rival.
The promotion of a temporary transport minister with little connection to Auckland suggests cold feet on proper transport and density which will allow the middle class and below a chance in Auckland and a concern that there are no bottom lines.
Instead of just a privileged few politicians and other rich people owning shares, just imagine if every citizen in Auckland had a share in Auckland Airport.
That's precisely what it was like in the 1990s.
It was an actual citizen shareholding.
The New Zealand government and then the Auckland Regional Council developed that airport from the 1960s through to the 1980s, paid by our rates and taxes.
Central government should stand and buy the 18% off them as of today.
Why would Auckland ratepayers want the government to own their airport shares?
The assessment is the dividend return compared to cost of debt.
The Council should ask that council borrowing constraints are based on net debt and retain ownership of assets that deliver a return and sell those that do not – golf course land.
And talk to iwi with money and advocate their cause to government so that they have more money still.
I thought it was top 3 on the online Herald, but that article and headline is proving difficult to track down now! Maybe it’s the one Psycling has kindly put below from RNZ declaring the plan ‘dead’.
Climate Change Minister James Shaw told RNZ discussions have not stopped and National was "speculating into the void" for political gain.
"National are fighting with ACT over votes in the regions and in farming and rural communities and the ACT Party of course don't, as far as we know, even think climate change is real."
Yes, they certainly did. The only possibility. The Russians had blown the bridge from the Ukrainian side of the dam. So the only way explosives could have been fitted was from the Russian side. And, it was well known they had this set up since October last year.
From reports I have seen, it appears the Russians were intending a smaller result, enough to flood Ukrainian troops on centre islands on the river. But they blew up a lot more than intended, and ended up flooding a lot of their own troops as well.
Raging Canada wildfires threaten critical infrastructure, force evacuations
About 3.8 million hectares have already burned, some 15 times the 10-year average, said Federal Minister of Emergency Preparedness Bill Blair.
"Across the country as of today, there are 414 wildfires burning, 239 of which are determined to be out of control," he told a briefing. The giant eastern province of Quebec is among the worst affected.
The IAEA is aware of reports of damage at #Ukraine’s Kakhovka dam; IAEA experts at #Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant are closely monitoring the situation; no immediate nuclear safety risk at plant.#ZNPP
"I encourage all of you to go out there and have more babies if you wish, that would be helpful.”
Someone should ask him if this is a reversal to the last National government's policy where sole parents having more babies was punished. Maybe "all of you" might be inclusive of sole parents.
Luxon and Willis are like a couple of very bad stand up comedians with their baby/worker statements.
Willis contradicting Luxon here. If it's a joke now as Willis says, why did Luxon use good oxygen saying it in the first place then, when he's supposed to be talking serious policy?
Keep it up guys (oops, no pun intended). This is great for Labour
The NIMBYs say no densification AND no sprawl, but they quite like the population growth and the cheaper services that go with that. They just don’t want them living anywhere near them, or on land that grows their food.
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And Wellington City Council has just discovered there are 25 more of these high density boarding houses in Wellington, four of which aren’t even approved as fire safe or fit for human habitation.
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Something odd happened yesterday, and I’d love to know if there’s more to it. If there was something which preempted what happened, or if it was simply a throwaway line in response to a journalist.Yesterday David Seymour was asked at a press conference what the process would be if the ...
Hi,From time to time, I want to bring Webworm into the real world. We did it last year with the Jurassic Park event in New Zealand — which was a lot of fun!And so on Saturday May 11th, in Los Angeles, I am hosting a lil’ Webworm pop-up! I’ve been ...
Education Minister Erica Standford yesterday unveiled a fundamental reform of the way our school pupils are taught. She would not exactly say so, but she is all but dismantling the so-called “inquiry” “feel good” method of teaching, which has ruled in our classrooms since a major review of the New ...
Exactly where are we seriously going with this government and its policies? That is, apart from following what may as well be a Truss-Lite approach on the purported economic “plan“, and Victorian-era regression when it comes to social policy.Oh it’ll work this time of course, we’re basically assured, “the ...
Hey Uncle Dave, When the Poms joined the EEC, I wasn't one of those defeatists who said, Well, that’s it for the dairy job. And I was right, eh? The Chinese can’t get enough of our milk powder and eventually, the Poms came to their senses and backed up the ute ...
Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is higher than for any other mayor ...
Buzz from the Beehive Pharmac has been given a financial transfusion and a new chair to oversee its spending in the pharmaceutical business. Associate Health Minister David Seymour described the funding for Pharmac as “its largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff”. ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its ...
TL;DR: Here’s my top 10 ‘pick ‘n’ mix of links to news, analysis and opinion articles as of 10:10am on Monday, April 29:Scoop: The children's ward at Rotorua Hospital will be missing a third of its beds as winter hits because Te Whatu Ora halted an upgrade partway through to ...
span class=”dropcap”>As hideous as David Seymour can be, it is worth keeping in mind occasionally that there are even worse political figures (and regimes) out there. Iran for instance, is about to execute the country’s leading hip hop musician Toomaj Salehi, for writing and performing raps that “corrupt” the nation’s ...
Yesterday marked 10 years since the first electric train carried passengers in Auckland so it’s a good time to look back at it and the impact it has had. A brief history The first proposals for rail electrification in Auckland came in the 1920’s alongside the plans for earlier ...
Right now, in Aotearoa-NZ, our ‘animal spirits’ are darkening towards a winter of discontent, thanks at least partly to a chorus of negative comments and actions from the Government Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on ...
You make people evil to punish the paststuck inside a sequel with a rotating castThe following photos haven’t been generated with AI, or modified in any way. They are flesh and blood, human beings. On the left is Galatea Young, a young mum, and her daughter Fiadh who has Angelman ...
April has been a quiet month at A Phuulish Fellow. I have had an exceptionally good reading month, and a decently productive writing month – for original fiction, anyway – but not much has caught my eye that suggested a blog article. It has been vaguely frustrating, to be honest. ...
A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 21, 2024 thru Sat, April 27, 2024. Story of the week Anthropogenic climate change may be the ultimate shaggy dog story— but with a twist, because here ...
Hi,I spent about a year on Webworm reporting on an abusive megachurch called Arise, and it made me want to stab my eyes out with a fork.I don’t regret that reporting in 2022 and 2023 — I am proud of it — but it made me angry.Over three main stories ...
The new Victoria University Vice-Chancellor decided to have a forum at the university about free speech and academic freedom as it is obviously a topical issue, and the Government is looking at legislating some carrots or sticks for universities to uphold their obligations under the Education and Training Act. They ...
Do you remember when Melania Trump got caught out using a speech that sounded awfully like one Michelle Obama had given? Uncannily so.Well it turns out that Abraham Lincoln is to Winston Peters as Michelle was to Melania. With the ANZAC speech Uncle Winston gave at Gallipoli having much in ...
She was born 25 years ago today in North Shore hospital. Her eyes were closed tightly shut, her mouth was silently moving. The whole theatre was all quiet intensity as they marked her a 2 on the APGAR test. A one-minute eternity later, she was an 8. The universe was ...
Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park in collaboration with members from our Skeptical Science team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Is Antarctica gaining land ice? ...
Images of US students (and others) protesting and setting up tent cities on US university campuses have been broadcast world wide and clearly demonstrate the growing rifts in US society caused by US policy toward Israel and Israel’s prosecution of … Continue reading → ...
Barrie Saunders writes – Dear Paul As the new Minister of Media and Communications, you will be inundated with heaps of free advice and special pleading, all in the national interest of course. For what it’s worth here is my assessment: Traditional broadcasting free to air content through ...
Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its arguments for such a bold reform. ...
Peter Dunne writes – The great nineteenth British Prime Minister, William Gladstone, once observed that “the first essential for a Prime Minister is to be a good butcher.” When a later British Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan, sacked a third of his Cabinet in July 1962, in what became ...
Ele Ludemann writes – New Zealanders had the OECD’s second highest tax increase last year: New Zealanders faced the second-biggest tax raises in the developed world last year, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) says. The intergovernmental agency said the average change in personal income tax ...
We all know something’s not right with our elections. The spread of misinformation, people being targeted with soundbites and emotional triggers that ignore the facts, even the truth, and influence their votes.The use of technology to produce deep fakes. How can you tell if something is real or not? Can ...
This video includes conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Simon Clark. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). This year you will be lied to! Simon Clark helps prebunk some misleading statements you'll hear about climate. The video includes ...
It is all very well cutting the backrooms of public agencies but it may compromise the frontlines. One of the frustrations of the Productivity Commission’s 2017 review of universities is that while it observed that their non-academic staff were increasing faster than their academic staff, it did not bother to ...
Buzz from the Beehive Two speeches delivered by Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters at Anzac Day ceremonies in Turkey are the only new posts on the government’s official website since the PM announced his Cabinet shake-up. In one of the speeches, Peters stated the obvious: we live in a troubled ...
1. Which of these would you not expect to read in The Waikato Invader?a. Luxon is here to do business, don’t you worry about thatb. Mr KPI expects results, and you better believe itc. This decisive man of action is getting me all hot and excitedd. Melissa Lee is how ...
…it has a restricted jurisdiction which must not be abused: it is not an inquisitionNOTE – this article was published before the High Court ruled that Karen Chhour does not have to appear before the Waitangi Tribunal Gary Judd writes – The High Court ...
Lindsay Mitchell writes – One of reasons Oranga Tamariki exists is to prevent child neglect. But could the organisation itself be guilty of the same?Oranga Tamariki’s statistics show a decrease in the number and age of children in care. “There are less children ...
David Farrar writes: Graeme Edgeler wrote in 2017: In the first five years after three strikes came into effect 5248 offenders received a ‘first strike’ (that is, a “stage-1 conviction” under the three strikes sentencing regime), and 68 offenders received a ‘second strike’. In the five years prior to ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesn’t normally happen in politics. That’s refreshing and will be extremely ...
TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the two days to 6:06am on Thursday, April 25:Politics: PM Christopher Luxon has set up a dual standard for ministerial competence by demoting two National Cabinet ministers while leaving also-struggling ...
Hi,Today I mainly want to share some of your thoughts about the recent piece I wrote about success and failure, and the forces that seemingly guide our lives. But first, a quick bit of housekeeping: I am doing a Webworm popup in Los Angeles on Saturday May 11 at 2pm. ...
It is hard to see what Melissa Lee might have done to “save” the media. National went into the election with no public media policy and appears not to have developed one subsequently. Lee claimed that she had prepared a policy paper before the election but it had been decided ...
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 ...
Labour is calling for the Government to urgently rethink its coalition commitment to restart live animal exports, Labour animal welfare spokesperson Rachel Boyack said. ...
Today’s Financial Stability Report has once again highlighted that poverty and deep inequality are political choices - and this Government is choosing to make them worse. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to do more for our households in most need as unemployment rises and the cost of living crisis endures. ...
Unemployment is on the rise and it’s only going to get worse under this Government, Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said. Stats NZ figures show the unemployment rate grew to 4.3 percent in the March quarter from 4 percent in the December quarter. “This is the second rise in unemployment ...
The New Zealand Labour Party welcomes the entering into force of the European Union and New Zealand free trade agreement. This agreement opens the door for a huge increase in trade opportunities with a market of 450 million people who are high value discerning consumers of New Zealand goods and ...
The National-led Government continues its fiscal jiggery pokery with its Pharmac announcement today, Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall says. “The government has increased Pharmac funding but conceded it will only make minimal increases in access to medicine”, said Ayesha Verrall “This is far from the bold promises made to fund ...
This afternoon’s interim Waitangi Tribunal report must be taken seriously as it affects our most vulnerable children, Labour children’s spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime. ...
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Te Pāti Māori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. “This act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.” Said Te Pāti Māori Oranga Tamariki ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
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. ...
New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
Good evening – Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us. ...
From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure. The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say. “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...
Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff. “Access to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwis’ lives. We’ve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...
Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says. “Every day, ...
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges. “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service. It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
Distinguished guests - It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
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 ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Radhika Raghav, Teaching Fellow, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Otago Netflix Indian director Sanjay Leela Bhansali is known for his big-budget Bollywood production, featuring grand sets, star casts, meticulously choreographed dance sequences and lavish costumes, jewellery and furnishings. ...
Sir Robert devoted his life to disability rights after living in institutions in his younger years, says Kaihautū Tika Hauātanga | Disability Rights Commissioner Prudence Walker. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anastasia Powell, Professor, Family and Sexual Violence, RMIT University Violence against women is not a women’s problem to solve, it is a whole of society problem to solve; and men in particular have to take responsibility. Those were the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jessica Allen, Senior Lecturer in Chemical and Renewable Energy Engineering, University of Newcastle Snapshot freddy/ShutterstockPlans to revive an old coal-fired power station using bioenergy are being considered in the Hunter region of New South Wales. Similar plans for the station ...
Responding to the long-awaited release of judges’ special allowances, including free air travel and hotels for spouses, generous sabbaticals, and access to limousines, Taxpayers’ Union spokesman Alex Murphy said: “In what world does your employer ...
Analysis - The United States has unveiled plans to boost the weapons trade with Australia and the UK, on the same day that Winston Peters is expected to sketch NZ's position on AUKUS. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrea Carson, Professor of Political Communication, Department of Politics, Media and Philosophy, La Trobe University Since Australia’s First Nations Voice to Parliament referendum in October 2023, diverse commentaries have sought to explain why it failed. But what does an analysis of media ...
Lawyers representing two iwi as well as the Māori Women’s Welfare League on Wednesday asked the Court of Appeal to overturn last week’s High Court decision on the Waitangi Tribunal’s decision to summons Children’s Minister Karen Chhour. The Tribunal is currently investigating the Government’s decision to repeal section 7AA of ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The Albanese government will introduce legislation to ban deepfake pornography and provide more funding for the eSafety Commission to pilot age-assurance technologies. The contribution of internet sites to gender-based violence was one major issue ...
Average ordinary time hourly earnings, as measured by the Quarterly Employment Survey (QES), increased 5.2 percent in the year to the March 2024 quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ today. Annual wage cost inflation, as measured by the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dimitrios Salampasis, FinTech Capability Lead | Senior Lecturer, Emerging Technologies and FinTech, Swinburne University of Technology Clem Onojeghuo/Unsplash In the digital era, the job market is increasingly becoming a minefield – demanding and difficult to navigate. According to the Australian Bureau ...
As of the March 2024 quarter, we can now look back on 20 years of data related to youth not in employment, education, or training (NEET), as collected by the Household Labour Force Survey (HLFS), according to figures released by Stats NZ today. "The ...
Thousands of workers attended public events in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch today to celebrate International Workers’ Day (May Day), but union representatives are urging caution and vigilance over the Government’s blatantly "anti-worker" ...
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.3 percent in the March 2024 quarter, compared with 4.0 percent in the previous quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ today. ...
The PSA is warning the Government that the sensitive information of New Zealanders held by various agencies will fall into the wrong hands if the latest round of proposed cuts goes ahead. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Talitha Best, Professor of Psychology, CQUniversity Australia Victoria Rodriguez/Unsplash How do sugar rushes work? – W.H, age nine, from Canberra What a terrific question W.H! Let’s explore this, starting with some of the basics. What is sugar? ...
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Today we shall find out the spine count among Supercity Councillors–if several are even allowed to vote of course–the Natzo dirty politics department never sleeps…
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/local-government/300898850/second-auckland-councillor-declares-spouse-owns-shares-in-auckland-airport-hours-before-budget-vote
I am as opposed to genuine conflicts of interest as anyone else into politics, but really share ownership since 1984 has been seen almost as a patriotic act in the neo liberal state.
Given John Key’s considerable shareholdings while Prime Minister–and media channels still giving him the hot towel and back rub treatment–it is rather obvious that Mayor Brown is being supported big time by his backers on flogging off a valuable asset, likely to roaming investment funds or venture capitalists.
If Auckland Councillors do not ensure “Brown goes down” on this Budget vote, they may as well go on gardening leave for the rest of their terms.
Can't help thinking that Woods is just collateral damage from 'flush him down browns 'search for dirt on the anti sale councillors.
Yes, it will be interesting when or if a decent journalist, like Gordon Campbell say, follows the trail and timeline.
Whoever was doing the searching sure got a ‘bonus score’ when Michael Woods name popped up.
It should be added that during his time as Auckland DHB Chair, one of Brown’s first acts was to suspend standing orders in respect of declaration of conflicts of interest!–in a Metro magazine article which is no longer on line, but which I have posted previously.
If one reads the brief article below, “Browny’s” bumpkin style was more than apparent way back. So many were asleep at the wheel during the election with regard to his suitability.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/local-body-elections/130052175/auckland-mayoralty-doctors-dispute-browns-claims-of-dhb-success
Selling golf courses and selling stolen land back seem better options.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/kahu/ngati-whatua-orakei-offers-wayne-brown-an-alternative-to-massive-rates-rise-or-auckland-airport-share-sell-off
Tamaki Makaurau iwi Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei has an easy out for Auckland mayor Wayne Brown’s financial crisis: sell back the port land that was stolen from Māori.
Brown said he had no comment at this stage but this was something the council could look at long-term.
Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei deputy chairman Ngarimu Blair said the iwi has made the offer to all former Auckland supercity mayors, including John Banks, to release the 55 hectares locked up at the Auckland waterfront.
He says the iwi has long sought the return of its harbours, which were taken without the tribe’s consent.
I have much sympathy for these people. The Insurance companies, despite their lovely friendly ads…could give a rats arse about them.
Best luck to those trying to fight to get it done.
Anyway…a not so small thing. I kinda wonder if climate change and its consequences..will be any part of their thinking? Maybe..I refer to the people flooded. (of course Insurance will go up..and /or uninsurable will increase . Money of course )
Government go to advisors McKinsey Group developed the practice.
https://inthesetimes.com/article/mckinsey-insurance-scandal-before-buttigieg-joined
National and farmers say and you’re not getting a cent from our emissions, gfy!
The problem with insuring now, and the removal of full replacement type insurance, is that you have to consider two quite distinct possibilities.
1. My house burns down.
This you can insure by working out the cost of replacement based on current costings. Bit of work but can be done.
2. There is a major event and lots of houses are affected e.g. flooding or earthquake.
Now you have to factor in that the cost will significantly increase post a major event and up your insurance accordingly.
You are forced into making a decision to pay the insurance companies a great deal more to cover off 2 – or to pay less on the basis of 1 being more likely but leaving yourself under-insured if 2 happens.
This despite the insurance companies having lifted your premiums if you are in a risk assessed area.
Previous full-replacement policies covered either risk.
This isn't particularly transparent. Maybe there needs to be better clarity with small event cover the norm and large event cover being a top up.
Hi, thanks for detailed/insight reply. Yes, I think this Insure/unInsure will become a major issue in our ever changing (Climate change ) future..
https://www.speakupforwomen.nz/post/majority-of-new-zealanders-do-not-support-sex-self-id
the results are in! SUFW commissioned a poll to see where NZ voters stood on gender self ID. Only 20% support this legislation. Only 30% of Labour voters support gender self ID.
Even of the Green party members only 41% support it
How about posting the questions asked…?
Further details on Anker's provided link.
That's less than the submissions made in support of the legislation:
https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FSpeakUp4WomenNZ%2Fposts%2F1210846262756868&show_text=true&width=500"
Survey number was 1000, but seems to indicate a stable percentage when compared to that analysis.
https://thespinoff.co.nz/society/02-06-2023/vast-majority-of-new-zealanders-believe-trans-people-should-be-protected-from-discrimination-poll
"The latest global survey from Ipsos – the LGBT+ Pride 2023 survey – shows that 84% of New Zealanders believe transgender people should be protected from discrimination in employment, housing and access to businesses." From Arkies post and most if not all gender critical women would support that too.
I think that shows that NZ is a very tolerant space and the vast majority of people only want fairness for trans people. This is good news.
But that is different from trans women (biological males) trampling on the hard fought rights of women to their own spaces.
Of course Arkie, this is not the point. I don't think many would support discrimination in employment, housing etc against trans people.
Asking for the rights of women to safe same sex spaces and in sport is not discrimination.
The whole and singular point is whether trans people should usurp the rights of others esp women.
But nice try as a diversion/red herring.
The results are not surprising, I believe the majority of submitters from the public did not support Self ID. The politicians ignored that.
Do Ipsos normally poll in NZ? I have just scrolled through the political polls i.e. who would you vote for, conducted of late and I can't see IPSOS there. But perhaps they poll on other things. Curias result are within the margin of error for the other big polling companies e.g Reid research and the TV one poll.
Do you know how Ipsos conducted their research? How they recruited their samples?
I'd be one of the 84%.
I don't support:
1. Males in female single-sex provisions,
2. Prioritisation of a fluid and undefined gender identity over the binary and immutable category of sex when sex matters – in policy and law;
3. The iatrogenic harm that is resulting from adoption of protocols from organisations such as WPATH, AAP and the the Endocrine Society which as mentioned in this comment are legally banding together to refuse providing the clinical evidence behind their recommendations: .https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-19-04-2023/#comment-1946321
4. The determination to avoid providing quality exploratory therapy when assessing those that present at clinics for help. Baldly stated by a gender clinician Dame Sue Bagshaw – https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/475757/puberty-blocker-use-jumps-as-expert-backs-results – and further exacerbated by the passing of the conversion therapy bill, and the establishment of a centre aimed to prosecute those who may attempt to do so.
5. Compelled language. The deliberate misuse of language which attempts to avoid clear discussion, and the danger of enshrining the use of such language in policy and legislation.
6. Failed safeguarding. Not just for women, but for children and young people too. The elimination of appropriate boundaries, and understanding of child development that sees them introduced to inappropriate and perhaps harmful to development material and ideas, that has been embedded in our recent RSE education.
7. The impact on lesbians, gays and bisexuals who have also lost their language, and have been force-teamed with those who have taken it, and appropriated the preceding good work that the LGB have done.
8. The spectacle of the left political parties taking an authoritarian position on this issue, actively promoting a #NoDebate stance, and vilifying – without evidence – anyone who did not comply. There is an added danger here, which will manifesting with the return of the hate speech legislation.
Agree. And despite Stats NZ new approach…
https://www.stats.govt.nz/methods/data-standard-for-gender-sex-and-variations-of-sex-characteristics/
…slightly more than 50% of the population are generally considered ‘old school’ women with uteruses rather than “those new trendy women with cocks and balls” as comedian Ricky Gervais put it.
From a class left position I support the human rights of all oppressed and exploited people bar open fascists.
With the trans debate however, like any movement, there is the sharp end of the spear which is represented by certain activists. Some of them are just alienating previous and potential allies. Women fought hard for their own spaces and lives. Some of the staunchest allies in struggle you will ever encounter are politicised lesbian women. Trans activism too often appears to support the patriarchy and the ruling class divide and rule strategy.
Until anti capitalism prevails, these types of identity stoushes will be with us, but no one should be shut down for trying to work it all out in a positive manner.
I support those who are protesting at the woll being pulled over our eytes as far as discrimination and trans people is concerned.
My view is that there is a sizeable dose of misogyny and a not so big but still apparent dose of age-ism, floating around in the 'traniverse'. So older females cop the abuse on the grounds of sex plus age…..as we can see with the references to 'Karen'. The Karen trope is known as being aimed at older women.
But the most apparent anti voices are those who have taken the chance to indulge in a little bit of misogyny ie women hate, perhaps under the belief that they can do a snow job/smokescreen by referencing the rights argument as a cover. I'm sorry but that won't work.
There is excellent reason for the NZ anti-conversion therapy Bill 2022:
'Meaning of conversion practice (1) In this Act, conversion practice means any practice, sustained effort, or treatment that— (a) is directed towards an individual because of the individual’s sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression; and (b) is done with the intention of changing or suppressing the individual’s sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.'
For those who are interested, Caelan Conrad posed for a year as a concerned parent with a trans child. Starting with innocuous sounding support groups, they worked their way further into 'inner circles' where the mask was off. The anti-trans affirmation groups Caelan entered included people like Posie Parker as regular members.
Caelan's in-depth description of their investigation is important viewing to see the nasty (and illegal, depending on juristiction) 'conversion' practices pushed at these sites. Some parents even consider having their adult children declared mentally incompetent. For teenagers, the advice includes social isolation from the child's friends, and also neighbours or teachers who might report parents to child protection services. Not surprisingly, a section of the posters are parents who not longer have contact with their adult trans children.
Caelan has a good 6 hours of content, and has archived many conversations from these sites. The second 'conversion' video is most relevant to this discussion, and I admit, it's a committment to watch through it, even at 1.5 speed. However, I find Caelan's content is thorough and humane. Unlike the dehumanising hate speech sprinkled through posts on these 'inner circle' sites that actively sell anti-trans parenting practices .
If trans people were not protected under NZ law, their parents could legally apply the harmful conversion practices advocated at these sites. They could also be pushed into religious 'conversion' practices, such as have been applied to homosexual children and young adults that are harmful.
Once again no doubt there are practices aimed at both parents and children from both pro and anti trans. The key point for me, and it comes within the concept of parenting, and that is the idea of watchful waiting and the saying 'this too will pass'. Many of us will recall having ideas that were possibly agin those of our parents or where parents sought to exercise wise counsel. many of us are grateful that we were under the care and control of our parents when these ideas arose. Being ok to explore ideas and issues where the results can be undone such as haircuts, haircolours, clothes pale into insignificance when parent allow, for whatever reason, their children to partake/experience in actions that cannot be undone.
Parenting also comes with the idea of safeguarding and that is not inflicting or allowing concepts or actions to be inflicted on people who are not at an age to make up their own minds because of youth or lack of life experiences.
We also know about the social contagion evident at the moment.
Being part of child mutilation, that may result in a child being so damaged that they are not able to experience orgasm as an adult must be one of the most cruel things a parent can allow to be inflicted on a child.
So I am not against slowing down the process of transition to watchful waiting, and that includes counselling etc for gender disphoria, by whatever legal means our country has at its disposal.
Please be aware that there is a great difference from being pro women and children to being anti trans. Many pro trans supporters seem to conflate the two. It diminishes the strength of any argument if the argument can only work by slanging off at another group.
I feel that once a child has reached the age of majority then they can do what they like subject only to the advice from their parents. Children never stop being our children no matter what the age. I was for ever grateful for the advice of parents who always had my best at the forefront even if we may have differed on what happened, as an adult.
For me the teen years come with many pressures for child & parent and if we can get through with children who are able to see the issues from both sides then that is good. That is why it grieves me that some families lose touch over what has happened in those teen years, not just trans issues.
So I guess this undercover this or that leaves me cold really….are we in any shape or form better off? No.
Would any funds have been better spent on keeping doors open for both parent/child through access to good counselling etc, of course.
I will bookmark it – but I am more of a reader than a watcher.
This one may be of interest to you. As I haven't watched your links, it may be irrelevant but I'll post it here, because it is a logical link for the thread, and it means either of us can find it easily:
https://youtu.be/4gK48usGi7o
Thanks Molly for posting, but I don't want to listen to Helen Joyce, whose position is that trans people should be repressed and their numbers reduced because they are damaged and are too much trouble to accomodate 'in a sane world'.
Perhaps it may surprise you, but those on the trans inclusionary side of the debate do critically rebut GC arguments. That means presenting those arguments in the first place. So I am already aware of Joyce's ideas and the position of many other GC anti-trans advocates.
And it may surprise you also, but it has taken me a while to find in-depth pro-trans commentators and video essayists who discuss these ideas. When I first started commenting here on this topic months ago, it was my own interpretation of the material being posted at TS.
For example, I did my own research on the trans women are dangerous in toilets question in terms of data; I followed the 'autogynephilia' term to its original shonky paper, to the disgusting twitter site of the still-living coiner of that term, and to the careful studies that debunked his 'theory' that all female-attracted trans women have a perversion; and I hated Posie Parker's vlogged opinions and outright lies from first listen.
Guess what, it took time, but I eventually discovered that my self-formed opinions on the content I read at TS are also held by many others, feminists included. So I have not been brainwashed to my position. I have merely found people who have said it better, mostly.
I find sometimes the way GC beliefs are expressed here to be dehumanising, and to repeat accusations without providing scientific proof. I personally, through my lived experience, don't ascribe to gender essentalism ideas of womanhood and of the innate destructive power of the penis. So, much of the basis of the GC argument I find irrelevant. I see it for the philosophical ideology it is, and not an immutable fact embedded in our XY genes.
"Thanks Molly for posting, but I don't want to listen to Helen Joyce, whose position is that trans people should be repressed and their numbers reduced because they are damaged and are too much trouble to accomodate 'in a sane world'."
No problem, if you have no wish to watch. Others might. I've posted an article by Jan Rivers below as well – .https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-08-06-2023/#comment-1953376 – benefit of quick read.
I haven't got much time at the moment, but a couple of responses to your comment.
"Helen Joyce, whose position is that trans people should be repressed and their numbers reduced because they are damaged and are too much trouble to accomodate 'in a sane world'."
This paraphase is out of context of the discussion which was about the iatrogenic harm that is occurring due to significant medical interventions after self-diagnosis. The numbers reduced in in regards to the numbers experiencing iatrogenic harm, which I would think everyone would be on board with.
I post the original source here, for people to make up their own mind, even though I am aware some will retain your perspective:
https://www.youtube.com/live/8_u1MQFjxvI?feature=share&t=283
"Perhaps it may surprise you, but those on the trans inclusionary side of the debate do critically rebut GC arguments. That means presenting those arguments in the first place. "
It doesn't surprise me that you think you understand GC arguments. You repeatedly state this.
However, Gender Critical is as much use as the terms left-wing, feminist etc at the moment. There are so many different viewpoints and perspectives within that idea, that it is not useful to apply a certain viewpoint to all that claim it, or those you might label with it.'
I do feel that we have the possibilities that commenters here are perhaps not clear in articulating their position, that you understand it completely and provide robust responses to their actual positions, or that you miss the salient points and provide responses to assumed positions. Or of course a combination of the above.
I appreciate TS for the opportunity to converse person to person, without a need for a declaration of sides. Thanks for continuing your engagement.
With that in mind, can you please provide an example of this:
"I find sometimes the way GC beliefs are expressed here to be dehumanising" -and why you think that example is dehumanising, because while I aim for clarity – dehumanisation is a strong criticism – and should be considered to see whether it is justified.
In good faith, I attempted to watch the video clips you have posted twiggle, but after 45 minutes I gave up. This man makes many claims including gender critical thinking is a cult, but provides no definition of what a cult is, nor does he thing give any examples of how gender critical groups meet the criteria for being a cult.
The flashing of screen shots from gender critical sites, many at once does not give the opportunity to read what the screen shots are saying at all. After 35 plus minutes of this, I had had enough and couldn't be bothered waiting for this guy to present things in a way that back up any of his claims. (btw other than GC being a cult I wasn't sure what he is claiming.
One thing he said he came across in a GC parents group was words to the effect "of so you thnk your child is trans, well thats great, but have you thought of xxx" why that would be a problem is beyond me. There was a mention of autogynaphilia, which of course is a helpful theoretical psychological construct that tries to make sense of cross dressing.
My last criticism is that the guy himself is rather over the top and doesn't present in a serious way. Of course if in watching it for 45 minutes, I had of gleened there was useful or important information he had, I would have over looked his style. But there wasn't.
GC is very simply the idea that biological sex matters and it is not possible to change your sex. Therefore women's sex based rights need to be protected from men who identify as women. Other commenters on her might put it better, but I think that is a reasonable reflection of GC thinking. That the vast majority of people believe this and it has always been the case isn't a cult I am sorry.
In my research into what a cult is I was surprised to find it's a very broad definition. Institutions such as a School, or the Military or the Family share many of the characteristics of cults as far as people diagnosing them go. Because of this cults are better separated along the category of harmful cults.
This may be the rhetorical device being exploited by this reference.
I gave it ten minutes, then another five scanning the timestamps.
Not my cup of tea for similar reasons as yours.
For anyone who i more of a reader, I had this 2022 article by Jan Rivers bookmarked:
https://genspect.org/nzs-conversion-practices-prohibition-law-a-wolf-in-wolfs-clothing/
The entire set of Caelan's video essay lay out why they think aspects of the GC movement are a cult. I admit, and said, it's a hard, but worthy watch. Again, I am posting on this topic to provide balance. I certainly don't expect those of you here with such fervent beliefs will change your ideas because of my position. I do appreciate that you take the time to engage with the material I post.
Personally I admire the depth of Caelan's investigative work, and kinda like the personality they inject into their vlog. Chacune à son goût.
By the way Caelan is a trans ally, not trans, as they are genderqueer.
"By the way Caelan is a trans ally, not trans, as they are genderqueer."
What relevance is this to the quality of their contribution?
tWiggle you do realise that since the Conversion therapy bill has been past there have been no complaints made don't you? This is despite the govt giving two million dollars to the HRC to hear complaints.
Perhaps that is because conversion therapy is mostly pushed on people by their family or church community, and those on the receiving end may want to retain some ongoing relationship, rather than cut out that part of their lives?
Or perhaps that it was never actually about "Gay" conversion as most of the things that were objected to about those practices are not lawful these days anyway.
Perhaps it was actually about making sure that nothing other than the Affirmation Only model is practiced when it comes to children and young people with sex based bodily dysmorphia.
I think it is more likely that as the govt RSE said there isn't much evidence that people are practicing conversion therapy on gays and lesbians and certainly no evidence of the sinister conversion therapy of the 1940s, 50, 60s and 70s.
I think the real conversion therapy that this bill enables is through gender affirming care. Most dysphoric teens turn out to be gay. But the rapidity with which their "gender identity" is affirm and the fast tracking them on to puberty blockers, then cross sex hormones is the thing that needs to be addressed. Do you realise the drugs that were prescribed to Alan Turing after he was found engaging in homosexual acts is one of the same drugs given to kids to supress their puberty? As you likely know, Alan was given the choice of having chemically castrating drugs or going to jail.
These drugs are not licences for use as puberty blockers to dysphoric teens
Share debate on rnz…for the first time ever I agree with what maurice williamson sez..
And c'mon..!..if a tory minister had done what wood dun…we'd be peeling you all off the ceiling…
The wood thing is totally self-induced..
Doubtful.
The PM would’ve said nothing to see, as would have Barry Sooner, DPF etc etc who are all part of the lynch mob. It wouldn’t have got legs the way this has.
The outrage is not the 1300 dollars that Wood might have made, but as always the incredible double standard with investment housing.
We’ve seen a leader of the opposition make policy on the fly which stands to make him significantly more wealthy. I’m at least the tens of thousands and possibly the millions.
An apology and a correction is all that would have happened to this if it were a Nat.
The way Hipkins has handled this has made it worse than it is and hints at him attempting to wound a future rival.
The promotion of a temporary transport minister with little connection to Auckland suggests cold feet on proper transport and density which will allow the middle class and below a chance in Auckland and a concern that there are no bottom lines.
The issue is not the shares…it is him ignoring 12 requests to divest…
It's as simple as that..
And to claim that hipkins is trying to kneecap a rival..when in fact hipkins is having a week from hell…is really groin-stretching..
And it is all woods own work…no right wing conspiracies needed here…
And now we are told he lied to.the media re conflict of interest…
Wood has to be dead man walking… surely..?
Instead of just a privileged few politicians and other rich people owning shares, just imagine if every citizen in Auckland had a share in Auckland Airport.
That's precisely what it was like in the 1990s.
It was an actual citizen shareholding.
The New Zealand government and then the Auckland Regional Council developed that airport from the 1960s through to the 1980s, paid by our rates and taxes.
Central government should stand and buy the 18% off them as of today.
That makes sense…
Why would Auckland ratepayers want the government to own their airport shares?
The assessment is the dividend return compared to cost of debt.
The Council should ask that council borrowing constraints are based on net debt and retain ownership of assets that deliver a return and sell those that do not – golf course land.
And talk to iwi with money and advocate their cause to government so that they have more money still.
Surprise!
Farmers refuse to even do a token amount in the battle against the consequences of climate change.
The National party honours this pledge with its flip flop today.
link
Apologies Rory.
I thought it was top 3 on the online Herald, but that article and headline is proving difficult to track down now! Maybe it’s the one Psycling has kindly put below from RNZ declaring the plan ‘dead’.
And yea re the infight. Ex Fed Farm joins act…I have linked before
as Mr… Hoggard nails his dairyshit brown colours to acts mast…
Youd think all this..Climate Change an all ! , would be way more important than Wood's minor share issue.
Anyway….Nacts true blue Climate change denial is certain.
Russia mined the dam, and blew it up. The world knows.
[…]
https://texty.org.ua/fragments/109844/kakhovka-hpp-was-designed-withstand-nuclear-attack-there-no-question-its-self-destruction/
Yes, they certainly did. The only possibility. The Russians had blown the bridge from the Ukrainian side of the dam. So the only way explosives could have been fitted was from the Russian side. And, it was well known they had this set up since October last year.
From reports I have seen, it appears the Russians were intending a smaller result, enough to flood Ukrainian troops on centre islands on the river. But they blew up a lot more than intended, and ended up flooding a lot of their own troops as well.
Joe 90 thinks the russians blew the dam and the super sized font PROVES IT !!!!!
If you had a fucking clue you'd be able to identify screen grabs.
If you had a fucking clue you'd be able to identify propaganda !!
Climate Change…
In NZ Nact fiddle/twerk/deny….meanwhile…
Nact….its happening. Climate Change. Deny all you like..you canutes !
Hang in there Chippie, you're the only hope of a Labour-led government in 2023.
You old alien blue-tongued lizard you.
Do you want to be the board "QAd".
It's of a certain Christian dominionism on earth school to pose liberal opposition as reptilian – someone to have the mother's son foot on their head.
I guess this is the good news.
@iaeaorg
The IAEA is aware of reports of damage at #Ukraine’s Kakhovka dam; IAEA experts at #Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant are closely monitoring the situation; no immediate nuclear safety risk at plant.#ZNPP
https://twitter.com/iaeaorg/status/1665956258317496323
https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/pressreleases/iaea-director-general-statement-to-the-iaea-board-of-governors
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/132262022/national-leader-christopher-luxon-says-we-should-have-more-babies
"I encourage all of you to go out there and have more babies if you wish, that would be helpful.”
Someone should ask him if this is a reversal to the last National government's policy where sole parents having more babies was punished. Maybe "all of you" might be inclusive of sole parents.
Damage control again:
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/491585/christopher-luxon-urges-kiwis-to-have-more-babies-saying-it-would-be-helpful
Yeah it's a joke if you aren't aware of this. I'm pretty sure he is – particularly as he has spent time in the US.
https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/how-the-fight-to-ban-abortion-is-rooted-in-the-great-replacement-theory/
So this is why Luxon and Willis think women should pay for prescribed contraceptives ????
I think that what he really wanted to say was "more white babies".
Yep…!…all part of the white evangelical push to make more babies to counter the high birthrates of the brown people..
A telling look behind the luxon mask..
And Willis going 'its a joke..'..is in itself a joke…
As noted above..luxon is spouting the beliefs of adherents to the great replacement theory…
Which is racism wrapped in a religious robe…
Ew…!…just ew..!
Look on the bright side, all the old grey boomers will probably die trying, that should wipe a few percent off the vote.
Robert De Niro and Al Pacino are still alive. Must be the Mediterranean Diet.
I'm still alive..
Must be the vegan diet…
Its no use spilling seed on barren land
obligatory
"Oh Yeah".
Did he lift his left or right eyebrow?
The old patriarchal trick… telling women what to do with their bodies.
Why doesn't someone ask him to put his money where his mouth is and father more babies.
He’s an idiot!
The wig industry would thank him.
It is hereditary..isn't it..?
Boom..!..boom..!
Luxon and Willis are like a couple of very bad stand up comedians with their baby/worker statements.
Willis contradicting Luxon here. If it's a joke now as Willis says, why did Luxon use good oxygen saying it in the first place then, when he's supposed to be talking serious policy?
Keep it up guys (oops, no pun intended). This is great for Labour
Did he lift his left or right eyebrow?
What does woods say to luxons call for more woodies…?
Viagra
Viagra and national super… fighting it out for the title of best thing to happen for old people..
And formaldehyde.
I've held off on the formaldehyde….so far…
Maybe someone brighter than me can explain why they hasn’t been an uprising against this oligarchy?
from Bernard Hickey:
https://substack.com/@bernardchickey/note/c-16688462
The NIMBYs say no densification AND no sprawl, but they quite like the population growth and the cheaper services that go with that. They just don’t want them living anywhere near them, or on land that grows their food.
So they end up in the backs of cars and in boarding houses and lodges. Five of them burned to death a couple of weeks ago in one of those lodges, which was approved by regulators as fire safe, even though it had no sprinklers and the front door was barred.
And Wellington City Council has just discovered there are 25 more of these high density boarding houses in Wellington, four of which aren’t even approved as fire safe or fit for human habitation.
What the Actual Fuck Aotearoa.