National voted for the Zero Carbon Bill. Will they now scaremonger, undermine public confidence in the Bill in order to amass votes at the coming election?
Of course they will! And they'll focus on the regions, getting MPs to dog-whistle like demented shepherds, at meetings, in local newspapers and on their many, many billboards, spreading the fear that the Government's climate change plans will bring economic ruin to all of us. Imo. Today's cartoon in The Southland Times captures the situation perfectly. It shows Simon Bridges at the pulpit, declaring, "We take climate change seriously! But we would rather see everyday New Zealanders burn in the fiery hell of global warming than pay money to stop it! Luxton pipes in, "I hear you Brother Simon!"
The issue with OK Boomer I've touched on elsewhere.
"The problem is people, often young people, buying into the right wing meme, of "intergenerational warfare, or theft" used to pit people against each other, and ignore the real cause, the rich and powerful of all generations. No one who sees National's entitled young prats, can think it is "boomers". I'm an enthusiastic supporter of Chloe Swarbrick, but i think her usual deft touch deserted her on this occasion. Lowering to the tone of the National idiot she was replying to".
I agree, the generational-divide is a red-herring in the search for "whodunnit", but Chloe's call was elegantly done, so I'm forgiving of it. The culprit, in my opinion, is the psychological "black hole" we created then fell into over 10 000 years ago and are presently trying to identify and climb out of. It's variously described as "greed" or "civilisation" etc, but however we call it, it's brought us to a dangerous place. Only when we identify it for what it is will we be able to do something about it. Finger-pointing's one thing; humans did bring this on, and when a finger's pointed at you, it's a good idea to explore the charges levelled, but a wide-view has to be taken, lest we end up in-fighting, skirmishing, winning battles but losing the war.
The evidence shows the shape of the curve and 10000 years ago it was flat.
Boomers, and I am one, have to own up to the shit that has happened in our lifetimes, that we have contributed to, that we still contribute to TODAY. Alas not taking responsibility is a trait of our little cohort – easier to blame others or blaming no one is even better – as long as the mirror is put away.
I don't think I said that I was speaking for all boomers – weird you'd get that so wrong. Good distraction from my point though. It is a false duality to go for enemies and friends – the point is acceptance of the reality and that is very hard especially for boomers who have so much justifiable guilt on our hands.
Robert – you and I have both much better things to do than argue in this way. I respect much of what you have done and say and you are an idiot sometimes.
I tend to be a "seek forgiveness rather than ask permission" type of person so I am always seeking forgiveness from others for my transgressions. I use a lot of IMO's (in my opinion) in my comments usually because I only ever want to speak from me and my experience – that's identity politics for ya.
We have rain coming – Tasman at about -19% rainfall for the year and we are even less. Thinking of getting another watertank for rain water as the drought last year was tough and this year I suspect will be even tougher. Also I am enjoying being alive. Have a nice day Robert.
Marty, I think you may have missed the signal sent by the line that begins, "Addicts…"
All groups that find it difficult to "own up to their failings" are addicted to the culture they are part of. Do we require those addicted to substances to "own up" before we help them, or do we recognise the difficultly they may have in doing that and get on with helping them anyway?
"Like much of online culture, “OK Boomer” tells us something about the cultural dominance of upper-middle-class youth. These young people are surrounded by baby boomers who’ve “hoarded all the wealth” and polluted the planet in the process. They haven’t had to witness – or deal with the ramifications of – old age and precarity for millions of working people in that generational cohort. Instead they get to revel without self-reflection in oedipal angst about their elders – many of whom were kind enough to pass them their ill-gotten privileges".
… Furthermore, as an economist I see the word "boom" as having a generally positive connotation.
On the negative side, I worry that those who deploy "OK Boomer" are putting themselves down and signalling their own impotence. I am not arguing for "[Expletive Deleted] Boomer," even though it would have a vitality and rebellious spirit very much reminiscent of the 1960s or 1970s (which of course were quintessential boomer eras).
But when I read or hear "OK Boomer," I start to think there might be something special about baby boomers after all. We boomers may not be different in kind from other generations, but we do seem to inspire rhetorical creativity in our critics.
Marty. I think you are reacting, without trying to understand.
Māori were powerless to do anything about colonization for years. So I don't blame many older Māori for not doing anything. Also I don't blame those in the boomer generation who had no power to change things, either. It is not as though they didn't try. Which was why 1984 Labour only got two terms.
Environmental and economic destruction is hardly the fault of the type of people who spent their lives, opposing both.
I see lots of boomers who did well out of the neolib reforms and were/are uninterested in changing that. But I just don't see millennials as significantly better (eg if they really wanted to make change, then mobilise the vote). Each generation has its share of selfish people and those that will do the mahi to effect good change.
Millennials were raised by people to be more progressive than the previous generation, and they will become more conservative as they grow older, just like every other generation before them (including the radical boomers). I find the whole gen war stupid, and at this point in history it's dangerous.
I agree with you about the elite leading the way and that that is a 'class' issue for want of a better term. I think western countries are in the 'elite' group although groups within that are disadvantaged and vulnerable. The boomer label and ok boomer in particular are just another classification.
It is a bit low bringing colonisation into the argument – boomers PARTICIPATED they weren't dragged kicking and screaming as their culture was ridiculed and attempted to be destroyed.
Ngai Tahu participated, "marrying" off some of their wahine to sealers and whalers, making alignments and alliances through binding Maori and Pakeha into whanau. It was a wise strategy, instigated by tangata whenua. Whenua Hou served as the "melting pot" for many families who live in this part of the world. Holders of mana whenua were not "dragged kicking and screaming" into that relationship. IMO
what the hell would you know – lol – it is irrelevant to the discussion but it appears you have started dirty tactics eh – talk about your own heritage not mine Robert ok.
Should we discount Michael King's and Vincent O'Malley's writings because they aren't of Maori descent but they have written about your heritage and educated us all?
it was a pointed comment and he and I know it – your opinions are yours and bully for you – hint – not everything is as blunt and obvious as you suppose
On Boomers, many PARTICIPATED because they/we were born into the culture. It takes time to unravel that culture, see beyond it and move beyond it, if that's even possible. Are you critical of how boomers behaved when they were children? Do you have a cut-off point at which you expect boomers to reject their culture? And which boomer behaviours do you believe are wrong? All of them? How about altruism? Many boomers are altruistic . Intermarriage? Many boomers are married outside of their race. Environmental sensitivity? Many boomers are actively improving and protecting the wild environment. It's not as simple as requiring that boomers "accept responsibility for their actions". IMO
I think we were. Our culture of fairness, egalitarianism, and equal opportunity, was destroyed. In a very few short years. We did believe in a “fair go” for everyone.
It was like we were colonized by yet another strange culture. In this case the Chicago Boys.
And. Some of the boomers who suffered the most, were fairly prosperous boomer Māori working class, who were absolutely marginalised, along with many others who started work, young. Forced out of jobs like train driving, onto the dole.
We didn't participate, at least I didn't. Kicked and screamed all the way.
Ok boomer. Only stupid old boomers don’t get the meme. It’s not inter-generational warfare, it’s an ironic thank you for the mess the boomer generation left us, yet deny us any of our complaints because apparently things were so amazing in your times and we don’t do what you do. We do what we can in the world you left us, as you dreamily remember the good old days as if it was perfect, with no racism or sexism or misogyny, and feel a stirring in your loins at the outdated hate speech associated with class war.
you Just don’t get it do you? Your boomer mentality sees it as perhaps an age thing, along with the hairy old socialist trying to equate ok boomer as right wing meme so boomers like yourselves can feel above being mocked about being a boomer.
I've always said, "Respect my authoritah!" and having a young whipper-snapper like you speaking out of turn and criticising those who brought you this wonderful way of life is mighty galling!
Generational warfare, IS a right wing meme. To distract from the real problem, which is class.
Are you trying to tell me that the boomers who lost their livelihood in the 80's and never had a decent job since, are the cause of anything. I know many that are entering retirement with absolutely, nothing.
I suggest that many of the University educated commenters on here are somewhat divorced from the reality of the over 40% of boomers entering retirement, without a house in their name.
Particularly galling when it is young upper middle class, who have benefited from all the wrongs that were done, and very often vote for it’s continuation, use it.
'Boomer' is now a cultural group, no longer just a demographic fact.
'OK' is merely what younger-at-heart folk say when tired of responding rationally for the umpeenth time to someone saying they just need to stop eating avocados and do what we did 'in our day'.
Imagine constructing a negating meme around women, or disabled people, and then arguing that those are now cultural groups not just demographics.
That blurring of Boomer as old person and Boomer as selfish, regressive privilege holder is a problem because ageism is a real thing (esp for Pākehā) and we don't have good progressive politics around it. We generally leave it to Grey Power and the chuckle when they do something that's not oldie.
I have less of a problem with Ok Boomer, than I do with lefties and progressives largely ignoring the problems with old ageism in way they'd never tolerate with any other marginalised group and not being willing to bring old ageism into the conversation.
A really good example is the politics around Generation Rent that never talks about what happens to elderly people who are basically on the dole with high rents and shivering in their homes in winter.
I think the right wing has been so successful in pitting the generations against each other that even lefties, who should know better, are adopting it.
I am not so concerned about Chloe because she is a person whose achievements I have considerable respect for, and I think she will come to understand why it is counterproductive to spread RW, rich kid, memes. I am sad that people who should be allies, are blaming each other.
The "selfish boomers" is no more true of a generation, than the "Young mums breeding for a living", "teenage dole bludgers" "Māori ferals", and "Avocado munchers" are of anyone else.. I find all those unthinking stereotypes false and offensive.
Over 80% of the pre boomer generation owned their own homes.
Less than 60% of boomers. And many, like me, are still mortgaged to help our Kids.
I think some like Climaction are a bit confused about who got the 3% loans and land grants, Certainly long gone by my day. Removed by the people in Parliament, who gained from them.
Maybe you should stop running with a pack of idiots? The generation that presided over the greatest increase in wealth and expansion of the middle class, after free education and cheap houses, now approaches retirement with nothing? Don’t look to you her generations for support. You left the world, and obviously your own lives, in a mess we are expected to fix without the benefits you enjoyed.
By the way, Neo-liberalism was bought to us by politicians in the generation before boomers. We tried to vote the buggers out, but there was only a choice of two Neo-liberal parties. Which is why we supported MMP. So the barstards couldn’t do it again. Unfortunately they did, anyway.
Cheap houses? It cost a greater percentage of our weekly wage to buy a house when we bought ours, than it does, now. After scrambling to get 30% deposits while inflation was over 15%.
And we paid 60% top tax rate on moderate incomes, more than you pay in student loans and tax combined, now. so the previous generation could retire at 60 and so 10% of us, the children of the rich, had free tertiary education.
KJT – "Boomers" is such a nebulous topic that I think some people are unable to discuss it sensibly, whether they are inside or outside of the "Boomer" tent. It's curious. I wonder if, had Chloe said, "Okay Willy Wonker", the candy-producers would be getting a thrashing on the blogs and comments sections of the country's rags
I have lot's of clues. clues from all your "NeO-Luberalism is the enemy" rants that you can't see the problems that face society require a more nuanced and inclusive approach. but being a boomer, you've always had it so easy and you're generation spent so much time culturally colonising the whole world you can't stop spluttering in indigantion when the youth don't like your proscriptions and don't accept your pearls of wisdom are valid.
you may as well work on fox news for all your "Good ol' days with the good ol' union lads" rants are relevant.
Just wondering, Climaction, if you see yourself as representative of Post-Boomers? Typical of them, that is, able to think the way they do, act the way they do, express yourself the way they do?
Funny thing is the yoof, are advocating the policies and progress I've been fighting for all along.
I doubt you are really one of them, though. In fact it seems like the "boomer" mindset you describe describes your position more accurately, than mine.
You’ve been well brainwashed, by right wing propaganda.
Due to our efforts, you can now vote for a non Neo-liberal party, the Greens, where we only had the choice of either of two, Neo-liberal stuffups.
So. FFS. Put your money where your mouth is and vote for them. Non boomers are over 70% of eligible voters. So statistically it looks like you are mostly voting for a continuation of the same policies you reckon are "boomer", stuffups.
" ..the 3% loans… Removed by the people in Parliament, who gained from them." e.g. Wayne Mapp
Our Housing Corp mortgage was initially floating at 7%. Within 5 years it had been sold to ANZ and rose to 18%.
By the mid 1990s (when I was studying) tertiary education was not free. I still owe $40k in student loans.
Incidentally we built our home and changed the head gasket on our 30 yr old cars. The generation that followed us seems unable to change a light bulb for fear being non compliant and having a lack of the no.8 wire mentality.
I belong to the baby boomer demographic.
How much plastic have you bought this week Climaction?
And who the target audience is (and therefore the demographic advertisers believe have the disposable cash in society).
The "ok boomer" thing isn't just about generational war, it is actually about the power dynamics within society. About how the media get clickbait from "dumb millennial" stories, with headlines like "millennials don't know hard work" and then "millennials killed the power lunch".
And most people called "boomer" tend to be of apparent European descent. Could just be my perception, but that hints at maybe another social power dynamic going on as well.
oh dear what a pity – the nazi cowards will be quaking in their jackboots – all those 'respectable' nazis will be so worried and they will be driven into the light where we will all be able to see them and their disguises.
An apparent online leak of materials from influential neo-Nazi website Iron March, which has linked to several murders and acts of extremist terrorism, has the potential to identify hundreds of extremists around the world.
…According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, Iron March was “affiliated with or offered support to at least nine fascist groups in nine different countries”, including Serbia, Greece, Australia and Ukraine. The chats, too, appear to feature users from a range of different countries.
The website was also central to the development of “accelerationist” neo-Nazi ideology – which seeks to destabilize and replace liberal democracy by exacerbating its tensions with violence – and aesthetic of so-called Siege culture, which takes in skull masks and violent and racist memes.
My wife has just finished an appeal hearing in the Whangarei District court. Byrne Vs NZTA, 4-6 nov, 2019. we are awaiting judgment.
During this hearing evidence was produced by nzta that confirmed they were spying on my wife and family,(including our 6yr old son).
They used a male employee to spy on a female employee of a nzta supplier (wsp opus) condoned by senior nzta management, with a special mention under oath for acting ceo of the time, brett gliddon.
They did not inform their supplier wsp opus that they were spying on an employee of theirs.
This male employee has a colourful police history. He also testified that he is spying on other families in our isolated community.
the spying is still continuing, and my wife has had to move away for work.
she fears for her safety from this male employee,
This has been ongoing for almost two years now.
they have spent in excess of $150,000 on this, while offering my wife $7,500 to shut up and go away.
a man from the agency said he was scared of my wife, she is 5; 4" and 45kgs. he is ex military.the nzta believed him and then ordered my wifes dismissal. she is a professional engineer with 20yrs experience. she took them to the era and the era found in nzta favour. my wife appealed and this is the hearing.
This is really a big problem – our society is not giving people what they want or need. So many people are suffering. The canaries in the coalmine are dying in front of our eyes.
A study by the New Zealand Medical Association published in the New Zealand Medical Journal on Friday analysed the number of antidepressants dispensed to those aged 24 and under between 2007 and 2016.
It showed the rate had increased by 83 per cent, from 1361 lots of antidepressants being dispensed to those aged between 13 and 17 for every 100,000 New Zealanders in that age group to 2494 per 100,000 young people.
…Rates were highest among women aged 18 to 24 but had also increased for children aged 12 and under by 15 per cent.
…Young Pākehā were being given antidepressants at nearly twice the rate of Māori and four times the rate of Pasifika and Asians.
No its not. My doctor clinic charges $18.50. The ones that charge $45 plus ARE in well off areas , as the funding is based in socio-economic status of the patients/neighbourhood.
Climaction. Above, has NFA, how devastating the 80's reforms were to so many working class families. Followed of course by Richardsons, welfare cuts, devastating communities even more.
wow – so bad imo – just resign – hasn't even watched the video about her departments utter disgraceful actions wtf?
The attempted removal was captured on film by Newsroom who brought the story to public attention, but Ms Martin and Oranga Tamariki's head questioned the video at the time. However, Ms Martin told Morning Report's Corin Dann she did not believe an apology was required and still had not watched it.
"I personally won't ever accept that trial by social media is the way to do care and protection … I don't need to watch the video."
She said she did not need to watch the video in order to conduct her job.
When you skim through the report on Oranga Tamariki’s attempted removal of a newborn baby in Hawkes Bay you could be forgiven for thinking it was a governmental introduction to Māori language and culture.There’s smatterings of Māori words and cultural terminology liberally sprinkled throughout. It looks like an attempt to hide behind a façade of Maori culture while completely missing the point of the cultural values it’s trying to co-opt.
Because then there’s the jarring phrases that admit they screwed it up.
Whānau Ora Commissioning Chair Merepeka Raukawa-Tait says a fish rots from the head and Oranga Tamariki leadership needs to take responsibility for its systemic failures – not throw its staff under the bus.
…She said the response by Children’s Minister Tracy Martin and OT CEO Grainne Moss to blame their own social workers’ frontline practices is indicative of the toxic culture that is deeply entrenched and imbued within the failing system.
“The hypocrisy is not lost on us. Here you have a state agency destructively making its own determination on what’s best for whānau riding rough shot without any consideration of the far reaching intergenerational devastating impacts,” Raukawa-Tait says.
“Yet ironically it is perpetuating a violent act which is what it seeks to protect the pēpi from.”
You follow politics , you follow NZ politics to the nth degree, you you still dont follow that the Ministers arent involved in these sort of operational decisions. Nor would they want to.
Why would she resign? Sure if it was a 'process' that required ministerial signoff , sure . It wasnt.
Where was Raukawa Tait of Te Pou Matakana/WOCA when this happened –
“One of three commissioning agencies, Te Pou Matakana receives around $40 million in Whānau Ora funding each year.
Yes I do follow politics ta Ministers can resign for all sorts of reasons such as this example
On 30 May 1996 Denis Marshall resigned as minister of conservation as an 'expression of sorrow' for the Cave Creek tragedy of the previous year, in which 14 people had been killed when a Department of Conservation viewing platform collapsed. He had chosen not to resign at the time, but to stay on and rectify matters in his department – an interpretation of ministerial vicarious responsibility that had some support from other politicians. However, some of those affected by the tragedy, and members of the public, felt he should have resigned earlier.
The minister today can't even watch the recording of the events which led to the inquiry and severe reprimand for her department – so severe that practices of staff have been changed immediately!!! She should go imo.
Capital is hard to find in NZ. No. Not the hidden away city at the bottom of the N.Island. No, financing businesses. Seems that if we advantage capital gain it sucks investment capital for other projects. Labour have said No. National think benefitaries can get us back, yeah like a few hundred beanies if only they were in work… ..no, the problem is our parliament is hidden away on a fault line waiting to be moved to S. Auckland. Next big shake…
12% business interest rates, when overseas competitors are paying less than 3% is a big margin to make up. Unless you are buying land for capital gains tax free farming, of course.
Well. The ChCh shake sure paved the way for some well overdue development investment in the area.
I keep spare, fresh drinking water in the shed and in a wardrobe in the house just in case. And I live within walking distance of a fresh water river.
A small burner, a lighter, a torch and a sealed plastic box full of long life basic beverage additives (cordial, tea, coffee, whatever and some sugar) may not seem much day to day. But you may really need it after a major event.
[lprent: Just what every useless unsafe dimwit needs – right? Along with vitamin deficiencies and bad breath and other hygiene issues.
*sigh* – Any irresponsible dickhead who says something like that is someone who should never hold a firearms license or a weapon. At the very least they need to gets some arms training, and some socialisation training in how to deal with people without waving a surrogate penis as if it was magic talisman. Clearly their parents failed in the socialisation, hygiene or installation of common sense. ]
Well put (gun, that is). However, I understand the emotive posts in response though.
But bluntly, many do say that most societies are only three meals from anarchy, so firearms (or other weapons) as protection tools do make sense. Although cohesive communities (as opposed to general society) that are geared towards survival in a crisis might look to other ways of managing that crisis.
Guns, traps, fishing nets and lines in times of civil emergency would at least provide some means to acquire protein and nourishment by way of animal, fish and bird as prey.
Perhaps your post might have been somewhat misconstrued by others.
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Time To Choose: Like it or not, the Kiwis are either going into AUKUS’s “Pillar 2” – or they are going to China.HAD ZHENG HE’S FLEET sailed east, not west, in the early Fifteenth Century, how different our world would be. There is little reason to suppose that the sea-going junks ...
Henry Ergas writes – When in Randall Jarrell’s Pictures from an Institution, a college president is accused of being a hypocrite, the novel’s narrator retorts that the description is grossly unfair. After all, the man is still far from the stage of moral development at which the charge ...
David Farrar writes – Radio NZ reports: The Education Review Office says too many new teachers feel poorly prepared for their jobs. In a report published on Monday, the review office said 60 percent of the principals it interviewed said their new teachers were not ready. ...
New Zealand’s economic performance and the PM’s vision Michael Reddell writes – When I wrote yesterday morning’s post, highlighting how poorly both New Zealand and its Anglo peer countries have been doing in respect of productivity in recent times (ie, in the case of New ...
Hi all,Firstly - thank you! You guys are awesome. The response I’ve received to last night’s mail has been quite overwhelming. It’s a ghastly day outside, but there are no clouds in here.In case you didn’t read my email and are wondering what on earth I’m talking about you can ...
If there was still any doubt as to who is actually running this government – and it isn’t the buffoon from Botany – then this week’s announcement of a huge spend up on charter schools has settled the matter. While jobs and public services continue to be cut in the ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Gaye Taylor As widespread drought raises expectations for a repeat of last year’s ferocious wildfire season, response teams across Canada are grappling with the rapidly changing face of fire in a warming climate. No longer quenched by winter, nor quelled by the ...
Half of Christchurch City Holdings Ltd’s directors and its chair resigned en masse last night in protest at Christchurch City Council’s demand to front-load dividends File Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The chair of Christchurch City Council’s investment company and four of its independent directors resigned in protest last ...
The University of Waikato has reworded an advertisement that begins the tender process for its new $300 million-plus medical school even though the Government still needs to approve it. However, even the reworded ad contains an architect’s visualisations of what the school might look like. ACT leader David Seymour told ...
As a follow-up to the Rings of Power trailer discussion, I thought I needed to add something. There has been some online mockery about the use of the same actor for both the Halbrand and Annatar incarnations of Sauron. The reasoning is that Halbrand with a shave and a new ...
This isn’t quite as dramatic as the title might suggest. I’m not going anywhere, but there is something I wanted to talk to you about.Let’s start with a typical day.Most days I send out a newsletter in the morning. If I’ve written a lot the previous evening it might be ...
Buzz from the Beehive The promise of tax relief loomed large in his considerations when the PM delivered a pre-Budget speech to the Auckland Business Chamber. The job back in Wellington is getting government spending back under control, he said, bandying figures which show that in per capita terms, the ...
Yesterday de facto Prime Minister David Seymour announced that his glove puppet government would be re-introducing charter schools, throwing $150 million at his pet quacks, donors and cronies and introducing an entire new government agency to oversee them (the existing Education Review Office, which actually knows how to review schools, ...
Seeing that, in order to discredit the figures and achieve moral superiority while attempting to deflect attention away from the military assault on Rafa, Israel supporters in NZ have seized on reports that casualty numbers in Gaza may be inflated … Continue reading → ...
David Farrar writes – Newstalk ZB report: The man responsible for a horror hit and run in central Wellington last year was on a suspended licence and was so drunk he later asked police, “Did I kill someone?” Jason Tuitama injured two women when he ran a red ...
Muriel Newman writes – Former US President Ronald Reagan once said, “Freedom is a fragile thing and it’s never more than one generation away from extinction. It is not ours by way of inheritance; it must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation.” The fight for ...
Why Courts should have said Waitangi Tribunal could not summons Karen Chhour Gary Judd writes – In the High Court, Justice Isacs declined to uphold the witness summons issued by the Waitangi Tribunal to compel Minister for Children, Karen Chhour, to appear before it to be ...
Bryce Edwards writes – The number of voices raising concerns about the Government’s Fast-Track Approvals Bill is rapidly growing. This is especially apparent now that Parliament’s select committee is listening to submissions from the public to evaluate the proposed legislation. Twenty-seven thousand submissions have been made to Parliament ...
An average of 166 New Zealand citizens left the country every day during the March quarter, up 54% from a year ago.Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The economy and housing market is sinking into a longer recession through the winter after a slump in business and consumer confidence in ...
The government has made it abundantly clear they’re addicted to the smell of new asphalt. On Tuesday they introduced a new term to the country’s roading lexicon, the Roads of Regional Significance (RoRS), a little brother for the Roads of National (Party) Significance (RoNS). Driving ahead with Roads of Regional ...
School is outAnd I walk the empty hallwaysI walk aloneAlone as alwaysThere's so many lucky penniesLying on the floorBut where the hell are all the lucky peopleI can't see them any moreYesterday morning, I’d just sent out my newsletter on Tama Potaka, and I was struggling to make the coffee. ...
Hi,I wanted to check in and ask how you’re doing.This is perhaps a selfish act, of attempting to find others feeling a similar way to me — that is to say, a little hopeless at the moment.Misery loves company, that sort of deal.Some context.I wish I could say I got ...
I have hitherto been fairly quiet on the new season of Rings of Power, on the basis that the underwhelming first season did not exactly build excitement – and the rumours were fairly daft. The only real thing of substance to come out has been that they have re-cast Adar ...
On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
“The thing is,” Chris Luxon says, leaning forward to make his point, “this has always been my thing.”“This goes all the way back to the first multinational I worked for. I was saying exactly the same thing back then. The name of our business needs to be more clear; people ...
Buzz from the Beehive It’s been a momentous few days for Children’s Minister Karen Chhour. The Court of Appeal has overturned a High Court decision which blocked a summons order from the Waitangi Tribunal for her. And today she has announced the Government is putting children first by introducing to ...
In 2014 former Australian army lawyer David McBride leaked classified military documents about Australian war crimes to the ABC. Dubbed "The Afghan Files", the documents led to an explosive report on Australian war crimes, the disbanding of an entire SAS unit, and multiple ongoing prosecutions. The journalist who wrote the ...
Rob MacCulloch writes – According to the respected Pew Research Centre, “In seven of eight [European] countries surveyed, the most trusted news outlet asked about is the public news organization in each country”. For example, “in Sweden, an overwhelming majority (90%) say they trust the public broadcaster SVT”. ...
David Farrar writes – Kata MacNamara reports: Details of Tony Blakely’s involvement in the New Zealand Government’s response to the pandemic raise serious questions about the work of the Covid-19 Royal Commission of Inquiry over which he presides. It has long been clear that Blakely, a ...
Chris Trotter writes – Are you a Brahmin or a Merchant? Or, are you merely one of those whose lives are profoundly influenced by the decisions of Brahmins and Merchants? Those are the questions that are currently shaping the politics of New Zealand and the entire West. ...
RNZ reports – It’s supposed to be a haven of healing and spiritual awakening but residents of the Kawai Purapura community say they’ve been hurt and deceived. It’s the successor to the former Centrepoint commune, and has been on the bush block opposite Albany shopping centre since 2008. It ...
TL;DR : Here’s the top six items climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, as selected by Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent Cathrine Dyer. Usually we have a video chat to go with this wrap, but were unable to do one this week. We’ll be back next week.Several reports ...
The Transport Minister has set a hard 'fiscal envelope' of $6.54 billion for transport capital spending. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The economy is settling into a state of suspended animation as the Government’s funding freezes and job cuts chill confidence and combine with stubbornly high interest rates to ...
To be precise, the term “anti- Zionism” refers to (a) criticism of the political movement that created a modern Jewish state on the historical land of Israel, and to (b)the subjugation of Palestinians by the Israeli state. By contrast, the term “anti-Semitism” means bigotry and racism directed at Jewish people, ...
This is a re-post from the Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler Because hurricanes are one of the big-ticket weather disasters that humanity has to face, climate misinformers spend a lot of effort muddying the waters on whether climate change is making hurricanes more damaging. With the official start to the hurricane ...
Yesterday the Mayor released what he calls his “plan to save public transport” which is part of his final proposal for the Council’s Long Term Plan (LTP). This comes following consultation on the draft version that occurred in March which showed, once again, that people want more done on transport, especially ...
And it's a pleasure that I have knownAnd it's a treasure that I have gainedAotearoa’s coalition government is fragile. It’s held together by the obsequious sycophancy of Christopher Luxon, who willingly contorts his party into the fringe positions of his junior coalition partners and is unwilling to contradict them. The ...
The Select Committee hearing submissions on the fast-track consenting legislation is starting to become a beat-up of regional councils. The inflexibility and slow workings of the Councils were prominent in two submissions yesterday. One, from the Coromandel Marine Farmers Association, simply said that the Waikato Regional Council’s planning decisions were ...
Back in April, the High Court surprised everyone by ruling that Ministers are above the law, at least as far as the Waitangi Tribunal is concerned. The reason for this ruling was "comity" - the idea that the different branches of government shouldn't interfere with each other's functions. Which makes ...
Buzz from the BeehiveTolling was mentioned when Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced the government was re-introducing the Roads of National Significance (RoNS) programme, with 15 “crucial” projects to support economic growth and regional development across New Zealand. All RoNS would be four-laned, grade-separated highways, and all funding, financing, and ...
or the past 14 years, ever since the Spanish government cheated on an autonomy deal, Catalonia has reliably given pro-independence parties a majority of seats in their regional parliament. But now that seems to be over. Catalans went to the polls yesterday, and stripped the Catalan parties of their majority. ...
David Farrar writes – Radio NZ report: Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins said the Electoral Commission should make sure the system ran smoothly and “taking away the right of thousands of people to vote” was not the answer. “Thousands of people enroled and voted on the day. If ...
The Government’s introduction of legislation that would enable landlords to end tenancies with no reason marks a dark day for the 1.4 million people who rent their home in Aotearoa. ...
The Minister for Mental Health has found the Suicide Prevention Office and mental health support for 111 calls slipping through his fingers, says Labour spokesperson for Mental Health Ingrid Leary. ...
Today’s justification from the Minister for Children for scrapping protections for our tamariki was either a case of ignorance or deliberate deception. ...
The Green Party says the Government’s misguided policy on gangs will fail, following the announcement of the establishment of a national gang unit and district gang disruption units to target gang activities. ...
“With Police pay negotiations still unresolved after six months in Government, Mark Mitchell has today rolled the Commissioner out for a rebrand of their approach to gang crime,” Labour police spokesperson Ginny Andersen said. ...
The Government bringing back 50 charter schools will not increase achievement and is a distraction from the core mission of the education system, Labour education spokesperson Jan Tinetti said. ...
Te Pāti Māori is showing extreme concern over the Environment Select Committees adoption of a lucky dip draw to determine hearings for the Fast Track Approvals bill. Of the 27,000 submissions, 2,900 requested to present. All organisations will be heard; however, the remaining 2,350 submitters will be subject to a ...
Today New Zealand First will introduce a Member’s Bill that will protect women’s spaces. The ‘Fair Access to Bathrooms Bill’ will require, primarily in the interest and safety of women and girls, that all new non-domestic publicly accessible buildings provide separate, clearly demarcated, unisex and single sex bathrooms. This Bill ...
The Green Party is welcoming Climate Change Minister Simon Watts’ continuation of Hon. James Shaw’s cross-party work on climate adaptation, now in the form of a Finance and Expenditure Committee Inquiry. ...
The National Government plans to cut 390 jobs at ACC, including roles in the areas of prevention of sexual violence, road safety and workplace safety. ...
The Government has been caught in opposition to evidence once again as it looks to usher in tried, tested and failed work seminar obligations for job-seeking beneficiaries. ...
The Green Party is welcoming the announcement by the Minister Responsible for RMA Reform Chris Bishop to approve most of the Wellington City Council’s District Plan recommendations. ...
David Seymour has failed to get the sweeping cuts he wanted to the free and healthy school lunch programme, Labour education spokesperson Jan Tinetti said. ...
Hon Willie Jackson has been invited by the Oxford Union to debate the motion “This House Believes British Museums are not Very British’ on May 23rd. ...
Green Party MP Hūhana Lyndon says her Public Works (Prohibition of Compulsory Acquisition of Māori Land) Amendment Bill is an opportunity to right some past wrongs around the alienation of Māori land. ...
A senior, highly respected King’s Counsel with decades of experience in our law courts, Gary Judd KC, has filed a complaint about compulsory tikanga Māori studies for law students - highlighting the utter depths of absurdity this woke cultural madness has taken our society. The tikanga regulations will compel law ...
The Government needs to be clear with the people of the Nelson Marlborough region about the changes it is considering for the Nelson Hospital rebuild, Labour health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall said. ...
Ministers must front up about which projects it will push through under its Fast Track Approvals legislation, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
The Government is again adding to New Zealand’s growing unemployment, this time cutting jobs at the agencies responsible for urban development and growing much needed housing stock. ...
With Minister Karen Chhour indicating in the House today that she either doesn’t know or care about the frontline cuts she’s making to Oranga Tamariki, we risk seeing more and more of our children falling through the cracks. ...
The Labour Party is saddened to learn of the death of Sir Robert Martin, a globally renowned disability advocate who led the way for disability rights both in New Zealand and internationally. ...
Labour is calling for the Government to urgently rethink its coalition commitment to restart live animal exports, Labour animal welfare spokesperson Rachel Boyack said. ...
Today’s Financial Stability Report has once again highlighted that poverty and deep inequality are political choices - and this Government is choosing to make them worse. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to do more for our households in most need as unemployment rises and the cost of living crisis endures. ...
Unemployment is on the rise and it’s only going to get worse under this Government, Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said. Stats NZ figures show the unemployment rate grew to 4.3 percent in the March quarter from 4 percent in the December quarter. “This is the second rise in unemployment ...
The New Zealand Labour Party welcomes the entering into force of the European Union and New Zealand free trade agreement. This agreement opens the door for a huge increase in trade opportunities with a market of 450 million people who are high value discerning consumers of New Zealand goods and ...
The National-led Government continues its fiscal jiggery pokery with its Pharmac announcement today, Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall says. “The government has increased Pharmac funding but conceded it will only make minimal increases in access to medicine”, said Ayesha Verrall “This is far from the bold promises made to fund ...
This afternoon’s interim Waitangi Tribunal report must be taken seriously as it affects our most vulnerable children, Labour children’s spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime. ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced that the Government will make it easier for lines firms to take action to remove vegetation from obstructing local powerlines. The change will ensure greater security of electricity supply in local communities, particularly during severe weather events. “Trees or parts of trees falling on ...
Wairarapa Moana ki Pouakani were the top winners at this year’s Ahuwhenua Trophy awards recognising the best in Māori dairy farming. Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka announced the winners and congratulated runners-up, Whakatōhea Māori Trust Board, at an awards celebration also attended by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Finance Minister ...
"On the 27th of March, I sought assurances from the Chief Executive, Department of Internal Affairs, that the Department’s correct processes and policies had been followed in regards to a passport application which received media attention,” says Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden. “I raised my concerns after being ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins has announced the appointment of three new District Court Judges, to replace Judges who have recently retired. Peter James Davey of Auckland has been appointed a District Court Judge with a jury jurisdiction to be based at Whangarei. Mr Davey initially started work as a law clerk/solicitor with ...
Associate Education Minister David Seymour is calling on the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) to put ideology to the side and focus on students’ learning, in reaction to the union holding paid teacher meetings across New Zealand about charter schools. “The PPTA is disrupting schools up and down the ...
Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly today announced the appointment of Craig Stobo as the new chair of the Financial Markets Authority (FMA). Mr Stobo takes over from Mark Todd, whose term expired at the end of April. Mr Stobo’s appointment is for a five-year term. “The FMA plays ...
Surf Life Saving New Zealand and Coastguard New Zealand will continue to be able to keep people safe in, on, and around the water following a funding boost of $63.644 million over four years, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Associate Transport Minister Matt Doocey say. “Heading to the beach for ...
New Zealand and Tuvalu have reaffirmed their close relationship, Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters says. “New Zealand is committed to working with Tuvalu on a shared vision of resilience, prosperity and security, in close concert with Australia,” says Mr Peters, who last visited Tuvalu in 2019. “It is my pleasure ...
New Zealand is gravely concerned about the situation in New Caledonia, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The escalating situation and violent protests in Nouméa are of serious concern across the Pacific Islands region,” Mr Peters says. “The immediate priority must be for all sides to take steps to de-escalate the ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon met today with Samoa’s O le Ao o le Malo, Afioga Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II, who is making a State Visit to New Zealand. “His Highness and I reflected on our two countries’ extensive community links, with Samoan–New Zealanders contributing to all areas of our national ...
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has announced that he has approved Waiheke Island ferry operator Island Direct to be eligible for SuperGold Card funding, paving the way for a commercial agreement to bring the operator into the scheme. “Island Direct started operating in November 2023, offering an additional option for people ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters today announced further sanctions on 28 individuals and 14 entities providing military and strategic support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “Russia is directly supported by its military-industrial complex in its illegal aggression against Ukraine, attacking its sovereignty and territorial integrity. New Zealand condemns all entities and ...
A year on from the tragedy at Loafers Lodge, the Government is working hard to improve building fire safety, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “I want to share my sincere condolences with the families and friends of the victims on the anniversary of the tragic fire at Loafers ...
Ka nui te mihi kia koutou. Kia ora and good afternoon, everyone. Thank you so much for having me here in the lead up to my Government’s first Budget. Before I get started can I acknowledge: Simon Bridges – Auckland Business Chamber CEO. Steve Jurkovich – Kiwibank CEO. Kids born ...
New Zealand and Vanuatu will enhance collaboration on issues of mutual interest, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “It is important to return to Port Vila this week with a broad, high-level political delegation which demonstrates our deep commitment to New Zealand’s relationship with Vanuatu,” Mr Peters says. “This ...
Minister for Land Information, Chris Penk will travel to Peru this week to represent New Zealand at a meeting of trade ministers from the Asia-Pacific region on behalf of Trade Minister Todd McClay. The annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers Responsible for Trade meeting will be held on 17-18 May ...
Minister of Education Erica Stanford will head to the United Kingdom this week to participate in the 22nd Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers (CCEM) and the 2024 Education World Forum (EWF). “I am looking forward to sharing this Government’s education priorities, such as introducing a knowledge-rich curriculum, implementing an evidence-based ...
Minister of Education Erica Stanford has today thanked outgoing New Zealand Qualifications Authority Chair, Hon Tracey Martin. “Tracey Martin tendered her resignation late last month in order to take up a new role,” Ms Stanford says. Ms Martin will relinquish the role of Chair on 10 May and current Deputy ...
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and President Emmanuel Macron of France today announced a new non-governmental organisation, the Christchurch Call Foundation, to coordinate the Christchurch Call’s work to eliminate terrorist and violent extremist content online. This change gives effect to the outcomes of the November 2023 Call Leaders’ Summit, ...
Distinguished public servant and former diplomat Sir Maarten Wevers will lead the independent review into the disability support services administered by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. The review was announced by Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston a fortnight ago to examine what could be done to strengthen the ...
Today’s announcement by Police Commissioner Andrew Coster of a National Gang Unit and district Gang Disruption Units will help deliver on the coalition Government’s pledge to restore law and order and crack down on criminal gangs, Police Minister Mark Mitchell says. “The National Gang Unit and Gang Disruption Units will ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today expressed regret at North Korea’s aggressive rhetoric towards New Zealand and its international partners. “New Zealand proudly stands with the international community in upholding the rules-based order through its monitoring and surveillance deployments, which it has been regularly doing alongside partners since 2018,” Mr ...
Air Vice-Marshal Tony Davies MNZM is the new Chief of Defence Force, Defence Minister Judith Collins announced today. The Chief of Defence Force commands the Navy, Army and Air Force and is the principal military advisor to the Defence Minister and other Ministers with relevant portfolio responsibilities in the defence ...
Legislation to repeal section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act has been introduced to Parliament. The Bill’s introduction reaffirms the Coalition Government’s commitment to the safety of children in care, says Minister for Children, Karen Chhour. “While section 7AA was introduced with good intentions, it creates a conflict for Oranga ...
Defence Minister Judith Collins will this week travel to the UK and Italy to meet with her defence counterparts, and to attend Battles of Cassino commemorations. “I am humbled to be able to represent the New Zealand Government in Italy at the commemorations for the 80th anniversary of what was ...
The upcoming Budget will include funding for up to 50 charter schools to help lift declining educational performance, Associate Education Minister David Seymour announced today. $153 million in new funding will be provided over four years to establish and operate up to 15 new charter schools and convert 35 state ...
“The results of the public consultation on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons has now been received, with results indicating over 13,000 submissions were made from members of the public,” Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says. “We heard feedback about the extended lockdowns in ...
Foreign Minister, Defence Minister, other Members of Parliament Acting Chief of Defence Force, Secretary of Defence Distinguished Guests Defence and Diplomatic Colleagues Ladies and Gentlemen, Good afternoon, tēna koutou, apinun tru It’s a pleasure to be back in Port Moresby today, and to speak here at the Kumul Leadership ...
Health, infrastructure, renewable energy, and stability are among the themes of the current visit to Papua New Guinea by a New Zealand political delegation, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “Papua New Guinea carries serious weight in the Pacific, and New Zealand deeply values our relationship with it,” Mr Peters ...
The coalition Government is launching Roads of Regional Significance to sit alongside Roads of National Significance as part of its plan to deliver priority roading projects across the country, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The Roads of National Significance (RoNS) built by the previous National Government are some of New Zealand’s ...
A high-level New Zealand political delegation in Honiara today congratulated the new Government of Solomon Islands, led by Jeremiah Manele, on taking office. “We are privileged to meet the new Prime Minister and members of his Cabinet during his government’s first ten days in office,” Deputy Prime Minister and ...
New Zealand voted in favour of a resolution broadening Palestine’s participation at the United Nations General Assembly overnight, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The resolution enhances the rights of Palestine to participate in the work of the UN General Assembly while stopping short of admitting Palestine as a full ...
Introduction Good morning. It’s a great privilege to be here at the 2024 Infrastructure Symposium. I was extremely happy when the Prime Minister asked me to be his Minister for Infrastructure. It is one of the great barriers holding the New Zealand economy back from achieving its potential. Building high ...
Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced the upcoming Budget will include new funding of $571 million for Defence Force pay and projects. “Our servicemen and women do New Zealand proud throughout the world and this funding will help ensure we retain their services and expertise as we navigate an increasingly ...
New Zealand’s ability to cope with climate change will be strengthened as part of the Government’s focus to build resilience as we rebuild the economy, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “An enduring and long-term approach is needed to provide New Zealanders and the economy with certainty as the climate ...
Jobseeker beneficiaries who have work obligations must now meet with MSD within two weeks of their benefit starting to determine their next step towards finding a job, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “A key part of the coalition Government’s plan to have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker ...
A new standalone Social Investment Agency will power-up the social investment approach, driving positive change for our most vulnerable New Zealanders, Social Investment Minister Nicola Willis says. “Despite the Government currently investing more than $70 billion every year into social services, we are not seeing the outcomes we want for ...
Check against delivery Good morning. It is a pleasure to be with you to outline the Coalition Government’s approach to our first Budget. Thank you Mark Skelly, President of the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce, together with your Board and team, for hosting me. I’d like to acknowledge His Worship ...
Your Excellency Ambassador Meredith, Members of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassadors from European Union Member States, Ministerial colleagues, Members of Parliament, and other distinguished guests, Thank you everyone for joining us. Ladies and gentlemen - In diplomacy, we often speak of ‘close’ and ‘long-standing’ relations. ...
The Therapeutic Products Act (TPA) will be repealed this year so that a better regime can be put in place to provide New Zealanders safe and timely access to medicines, medical devices and health products, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello announced today. “The medicines and products we are talking about ...
The instability comes as the party tries to refresh its brand after six years of being part of a right-wing, pro-imperialist government with both the Labour Party and, from 2017-2020, the far-right NZ First Party. ...
Based on the latest Treasury forecasts, New Zealand Government debt will tick above $90,000 per household for the first time ever at 10pm today, Sunday 19 May 2024. The Taxpayers’ Union is calling it “$90k Debt Day”. Commenting on this, Taxpayers’ ...
Arawata Shane Arawata Shane had wandered long In the wild tangled hills of the West Coast. He came to a stop on the mighty range And looked down at the wide river flats. He breathed in the clean air, And he took in the shadows playing across The face of ...
SPECIAL REPORT:Islands Business in Suva Today is the 24th anniversary of renegade and failed businessman George Speight’s coup in 2000 Fiji. The elected coalition government headed by Mahendra Chaudhry, the first and only Indo-Fijian prime minister of Fiji, was held hostage at gunpoint for 56 days in the country’s ...
By Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific journalist and Kelvin Anthony, RNZ Pacific digital journalist Police have used tear gas and stun grenades on rioters at an airport near Nouméa as the chaos in New Caledonia stretched into its sixth day. Five people, including two police officers, have died and hundreds of ...
Asia Pacific ReportThe global human rights watchdog Amnesty International has called on France to not “misuse” a crackdown in the ongoing unrest in the non-self-governing French Pacific territory of Kanaky New Caledonia in the wake of a controversial vote by the French Parliament to adopt a bill changing the territory’s ...
A major provider of school lunches fears the government's new $3 limit for most students will see them eating more pre-packaged and processed food. ...
The star of Dark City: The Cleaner takes us through his life in TV, including the VHS revolution and the John Campbell impression that started it all. Best known for his comedic roles, Cohen Holloway says he struggled at times to maintain the stone cold facade of serial killer on ...
David Hill remembers an old friend, who you’ve probably never heard of. My friend Doug never travelled; he had little interest in the world beyond his own tiny rural town. I’ve rarely known anyone who radiated such contentment. Doug (I’ll call him that) died in March. You won’t know him. ...
Some of the earliest photos of life in Aotearoa are on display at Auckland Museum right now – but the identities of some of the people in them are a mystery.What was it like to be one of the first people in New Zealand to have their photo taken? ...
Since its founding almost a decade ago, Featherston Booktown has grown into one of the country’s most interesting and idiosyncratic literary events. Erin Banks reports from the audience. “Come in, have you had lunch? I’m about to make a cheese toastie.” Mary Biggs, operations manager of Featherston Booktown Karukatea Festival, ...
After 33 years abroad, Loveni Enari recently returned to Aotearoa and Samoa in what a friend joked was an “existential crisis”. He learnt and re-learnt so much about his family, friends and both countries. Almost as an afterthought, he got a Samoan tatau. This is his story. (Accompanying it are ...
Nearly 30 years ago, two people told me they’d killed a woman they knew. I thought the truth would come out, that others would tell it. In the end, I had to. The Sunday Essay is made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand.Fact: in 1995, Angela Blackmoore ...
Editor Madeleine Chapman looks back at the week and shines a light on some increasingly rare longform journalism. Mōrena and welcome to The Weekend where there will sadly be no aurora to see. After a busy week last week of short, sharp pieces, this week we swung the other way, ...
ANALYSIS:By David Robie, editor of Asia Pacific Report Jean-Marie Tjibaou, a revered Kanak visionary, was inspirational to indigenous Pacific political activists across Oceania, just like Tongan anthropologist and writer Epeli Hao’ofa was to cultural advocates. Tragically, he was assassinated in 1989 by an opponent within the independence movement during ...
Forget thin is in, apparently now bigger is better … or is it? After over a decade of body positivity, girls, teens and women are even more confused about what body positivity actually is. The movement began with women confronting unrealistic expectations of how their bodies should look. But sub-strands ...
Grace always sat at the bar at the back of The Cambridge, where she could watch who came in. A huge mirror ran the length of the pub, so you could sometimes watch people without them knowing. The mirror made the place seem a lot bigger than it really was. ...
MONDAY Sheriff Mark Mitchell rose at dawn. He had a long day’s ride ahead of him. He was headed for Waikeria. Waikeria! Even the name itself stirred his blood, and set root in his imagination. There was nothing and no one in Waikeria. But he would bend it to his ...
The first phase of the inquest into the death of Gore toddler Lachlan Jones finished this week, turning up plenty of revelations and few answers. But through all the confusion, heartbreak and antipathy on display, the simple fact at the heart of this case remains: if little Lachie’s body had ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Roger Benjamin, Professor in Art History, University of Sydney “She’s no oil painting”. Those were the unkind words of a colleague commenting on the subject of Vincent Namatjira’s acrylic painting, Gina. Every one of the prominent Australians and cultural heroes in Namatjira’s ...
Government plans to require local councils hold a referendum on whether to have Māori wards breaches the Treaty of Waitangi, a Waitangi Tribunal report has found. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tim Harcourt, Industry Professor and Chief Economist, University of Technology Sydney This year the National Rugby League (NRL) opened its season in Las Vegas. It was an audacious move by the league’s ambitious head honcho Peter V’Landys to showcase the game in ...
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anyone else getting a sustained barrage of climate change denier paid adv on facebook ?
Ok boomer…Who still uses Facebook? Let mark melting man stutterberg harvest your dets and get paid
Guilty. I am getting these adv because I am "over 40 and live in NZ"
And who still comments on blogs???
roflnui.
No but I am noticing an increase in denier trolling for sure on facecloth
Doesn't come to me. But I don't read facebook much.
However I suspect that with the passing of the bill that the ads will diminish again for a while.
National voted for the Zero Carbon Bill. Will they now scaremonger, undermine public confidence in the Bill in order to amass votes at the coming election?
Of course they will! And they'll focus on the regions, getting MPs to dog-whistle like demented shepherds, at meetings, in local newspapers and on their many, many billboards, spreading the fear that the Government's climate change plans will bring economic ruin to all of us. Imo. Today's cartoon in The Southland Times captures the situation perfectly. It shows Simon Bridges at the pulpit, declaring, "We take climate change seriously! But we would rather see everyday New Zealanders burn in the fiery hell of global warming than pay money to stop it! Luxton pipes in, "I hear you Brother Simon!"
very true the adv are specifically scaremongering rural NZ and the agricultural sector
The issue with OK Boomer I've touched on elsewhere.
"The problem is people, often young people, buying into the right wing meme, of "intergenerational warfare, or theft" used to pit people against each other, and ignore the real cause, the rich and powerful of all generations. No one who sees National's entitled young prats, can think it is "boomers". I'm an enthusiastic supporter of Chloe Swarbrick, but i think her usual deft touch deserted her on this occasion. Lowering to the tone of the National idiot she was replying to".
OK now, Woman?
I agree, the generational-divide is a red-herring in the search for "whodunnit", but Chloe's call was elegantly done, so I'm forgiving of it. The culprit, in my opinion, is the psychological "black hole" we created then fell into over 10 000 years ago and are presently trying to identify and climb out of. It's variously described as "greed" or "civilisation" etc, but however we call it, it's brought us to a dangerous place. Only when we identify it for what it is will we be able to do something about it. Finger-pointing's one thing; humans did bring this on, and when a finger's pointed at you, it's a good idea to explore the charges levelled, but a wide-view has to be taken, lest we end up in-fighting, skirmishing, winning battles but losing the war.
Ko tenei the ra o te Pakanga Nui!
The evidence shows the shape of the curve and 10000 years ago it was flat.
Boomers, and I am one, have to own up to the shit that has happened in our lifetimes, that we have contributed to, that we still contribute to TODAY. Alas not taking responsibility is a trait of our little cohort – easier to blame others or blaming no one is even better – as long as the mirror is put away.
Are you speaking on behalf of all boomers, Marty?
"I have seen the enemy, and he is us" can be said by boomers and non-boomers alike
I don't think I said that I was speaking for all boomers – weird you'd get that so wrong. Good distraction from my point though. It is a false duality to go for enemies and friends – the point is acceptance of the reality and that is very hard especially for boomers who have so much justifiable guilt on our hands.
"Boomers have to…"
Probably better to say, "I have to…", or it will seem as though you're speaking on behalf of…
I notice when someone says, "Group "A" needs to…or Group "B" must… or Group "C" has to…"
Do you, also, feeling uncomfortable when you read those kinds of statements?
lol jeeze anything other than the point eh – sad and stupid
Your point being that boomers need to own up?
Yes?
Robert – you and I have both much better things to do than argue in this way. I respect much of what you have done and say and you are an idiot sometimes.
Yeah, and I think those "sometimes" are drawing closer and closer together the more I tune in to the thoughts of the wider community
Never had the experience of someone misinterpreting your meaning, Marty?
I admire your clarity of thought and expression and seek to be more like you. And reduce my moments of idiocy with it.
I agree that we both have better things to do. In-between comments, I'm planting hebe. 50 so far this morning, 150 to go; better get busy!
He be planting hebe.
(sorry, the best I could do, although it has a nice scan to it)
I tend to be a "seek forgiveness rather than ask permission" type of person so I am always seeking forgiveness from others for my transgressions. I use a lot of IMO's (in my opinion) in my comments usually because I only ever want to speak from me and my experience – that's identity politics for ya.
We have rain coming – Tasman at about -19% rainfall for the year and we are even less. Thinking of getting another watertank for rain water as the drought last year was tough and this year I suspect will be even tougher. Also I am enjoying being alive. Have a nice day Robert.
That's very good, weka.
Yoda would have said, "Planting hebe, he be. "
Boomers find it hard to own up to their failings.
Privileged people find it hard to own up to their failings.
Colonists find it hard to own up to their failings.
Men find it hard to own up to their failings.
Patriarchs find it hard to own up to their failings.
Greedy people find it hard to own up to their failings.
Addicts find it….hang on!
I swear there's a pattern here!
lol – you just checkmated yourself ta
Marty, I think you may have missed the signal sent by the line that begins, "Addicts…"
All groups that find it difficult to "own up to their failings" are addicted to the culture they are part of. Do we require those addicted to substances to "own up" before we help them, or do we recognise the difficultly they may have in doing that and get on with helping them anyway?
Boomers deserve help with humility just like every other group does.
'zakly
Yes – healing can only begin when we accept the truth of who we are and what we do. It starts with us all individually Robert. IMO
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/nov/06/ok-boomer-meme-older-generations
"Like much of online culture, “OK Boomer” tells us something about the cultural dominance of upper-middle-class youth. These young people are surrounded by baby boomers who’ve “hoarded all the wealth” and polluted the planet in the process. They haven’t had to witness – or deal with the ramifications of – old age and precarity for millions of working people in that generational cohort. Instead they get to revel without self-reflection in oedipal angst about their elders – many of whom were kind enough to pass them their ill-gotten privileges".
mate here is another one boomersplaining
Marty. I think you are reacting, without trying to understand.
Māori were powerless to do anything about colonization for years. So I don't blame many older Māori for not doing anything. Also I don't blame those in the boomer generation who had no power to change things, either. It is not as though they didn't try. Which was why 1984 Labour only got two terms.
Environmental and economic destruction is hardly the fault of the type of people who spent their lives, opposing both.
I see lots of boomers who did well out of the neolib reforms and were/are uninterested in changing that. But I just don't see millennials as significantly better (eg if they really wanted to make change, then mobilise the vote). Each generation has its share of selfish people and those that will do the mahi to effect good change.
Millennials were raised by people to be more progressive than the previous generation, and they will become more conservative as they grow older, just like every other generation before them (including the radical boomers). I find the whole gen war stupid, and at this point in history it's dangerous.
Hear hear!!
I agree with you about the elite leading the way and that that is a 'class' issue for want of a better term. I think western countries are in the 'elite' group although groups within that are disadvantaged and vulnerable. The boomer label and ok boomer in particular are just another classification.
It is a bit low bringing colonisation into the argument – boomers PARTICIPATED they weren't dragged kicking and screaming as their culture was ridiculed and attempted to be destroyed.
Ngai Tahu participated, "marrying" off some of their wahine to sealers and whalers, making alignments and alliances through binding Maori and Pakeha into whanau. It was a wise strategy, instigated by tangata whenua. Whenua Hou served as the "melting pot" for many families who live in this part of the world. Holders of mana whenua were not "dragged kicking and screaming" into that relationship. IMO
what the hell would you know – lol – it is irrelevant to the discussion but it appears you have started dirty tactics eh – talk about your own heritage not mine Robert ok.
"talk about your own heritage not mine Robert"
That's just bloody stupid.
Should we discount Michael King's and Vincent O'Malley's writings because they aren't of Maori descent but they have written about your heritage and educated us all?
fuksake man
it was a pointed comment and he and I know it – your opinions are yours and bully for you – hint – not everything is as blunt and obvious as you suppose
On Boomers, many PARTICIPATED because they/we were born into the culture. It takes time to unravel that culture, see beyond it and move beyond it, if that's even possible. Are you critical of how boomers behaved when they were children? Do you have a cut-off point at which you expect boomers to reject their culture? And which boomer behaviours do you believe are wrong? All of them? How about altruism? Many boomers are altruistic . Intermarriage? Many boomers are married outside of their race. Environmental sensitivity? Many boomers are actively improving and protecting the wild environment. It's not as simple as requiring that boomers "accept responsibility for their actions". IMO
ffs have a chamomile tea and go plant some more trees mate and get over yourself
Ice creams supposed to make you happy
Boomers love ice-cream – it'll have to go!
I think we were. Our culture of fairness, egalitarianism, and equal opportunity, was destroyed. In a very few short years. We did believe in a “fair go” for everyone.
It was like we were colonized by yet another strange culture. In this case the Chicago Boys.
And. Some of the boomers who suffered the most, were fairly prosperous boomer Māori working class, who were absolutely marginalised, along with many others who started work, young. Forced out of jobs like train driving, onto the dole.
We didn't participate, at least I didn't. Kicked and screamed all the way.
Ok boomer. Only stupid old boomers don’t get the meme. It’s not inter-generational warfare, it’s an ironic thank you for the mess the boomer generation left us, yet deny us any of our complaints because apparently things were so amazing in your times and we don’t do what you do. We do what we can in the world you left us, as you dreamily remember the good old days as if it was perfect, with no racism or sexism or misogyny, and feel a stirring in your loins at the outdated hate speech associated with class war.
"old" boomers?
Are there young boomers?
you Just don’t get it do you? Your boomer mentality sees it as perhaps an age thing, along with the hairy old socialist trying to equate ok boomer as right wing meme so boomers like yourselves can feel above being mocked about being a boomer.
What's a "meme"?
Mock the boomers! *Mock the boomers!
Mock! Mock! Mock!
*Always ends well
An old white male expressing borrow that he isn’t instantly shown respect… what a surprise
Your borrow is my sorrow, Climaction.
I've always said, "Respect my authoritah!" and having a young whipper-snapper like you speaking out of turn and criticising those who brought you this wonderful way of life is mighty galling!
RESPECT MY AUTHORITAH!
I'd wage Robert has done more for the climate in real practical actions than most in New Zealand.
Generational warfare, IS a right wing meme. To distract from the real problem, which is class.
Are you trying to tell me that the boomers who lost their livelihood in the 80's and never had a decent job since, are the cause of anything. I know many that are entering retirement with absolutely, nothing.
I suggest that many of the University educated commenters on here are somewhat divorced from the reality of the over 40% of boomers entering retirement, without a house in their name.
Particularly galling when it is young upper middle class, who have benefited from all the wrongs that were done, and very often vote for it’s continuation, use it.
'Boomer' is now a cultural group, no longer just a demographic fact.
'OK' is merely what younger-at-heart folk say when tired of responding rationally for the umpeenth time to someone saying they just need to stop eating avocados and do what we did 'in our day'.
It is this year's equivalent of 'whatever'.
Imagine constructing a negating meme around women, or disabled people, and then arguing that those are now cultural groups not just demographics.
That blurring of Boomer as old person and Boomer as selfish, regressive privilege holder is a problem because ageism is a real thing (esp for Pākehā) and we don't have good progressive politics around it. We generally leave it to Grey Power and the chuckle when they do something that's not oldie.
I have less of a problem with Ok Boomer, than I do with lefties and progressives largely ignoring the problems with old ageism in way they'd never tolerate with any other marginalised group and not being willing to bring old ageism into the conversation.
A really good example is the politics around Generation Rent that never talks about what happens to elderly people who are basically on the dole with high rents and shivering in their homes in winter.
I'm explaining what the term is, not agreeing with all of its implications. Today's younger people are more attuned to style as well as substance.
‘Not All Boomers’ looks like Not All Men’.
OK Sprog.
Nicest thing I've been called for ages
Happy to oblige. 🤣
I think the right wing has been so successful in pitting the generations against each other that even lefties, who should know better, are adopting it.
I am not so concerned about Chloe because she is a person whose achievements I have considerable respect for, and I think she will come to understand why it is counterproductive to spread RW, rich kid, memes. I am sad that people who should be allies, are blaming each other.
The "selfish boomers" is no more true of a generation, than the "Young mums breeding for a living", "teenage dole bludgers" "Māori ferals", and "Avocado munchers" are of anyone else.. I find all those unthinking stereotypes false and offensive.
Over 80% of the pre boomer generation owned their own homes.
Less than 60% of boomers. And many, like me, are still mortgaged to help our Kids.
I think some like Climaction are a bit confused about who got the 3% loans and land grants, Certainly long gone by my day. Removed by the people in Parliament, who gained from them.
Maybe you should stop running with a pack of idiots? The generation that presided over the greatest increase in wealth and expansion of the middle class, after free education and cheap houses, now approaches retirement with nothing? Don’t look to you her generations for support. You left the world, and obviously your own lives, in a mess we are expected to fix without the benefits you enjoyed.
talk about giving yourself an uppercut
You don't have a fucking clue, do you?
By the way, Neo-liberalism was bought to us by politicians in the generation before boomers. We tried to vote the buggers out, but there was only a choice of two Neo-liberal parties. Which is why we supported MMP. So the barstards couldn’t do it again. Unfortunately they did, anyway.
Cheap houses? It cost a greater percentage of our weekly wage to buy a house when we bought ours, than it does, now. After scrambling to get 30% deposits while inflation was over 15%.
And we paid 60% top tax rate on moderate incomes, more than you pay in student loans and tax combined, now. so the previous generation could retire at 60 and so 10% of us, the children of the rich, had free tertiary education.
KJT – "Boomers" is such a nebulous topic that I think some people are unable to discuss it sensibly, whether they are inside or outside of the "Boomer" tent. It's curious. I wonder if, had Chloe said, "Okay Willy Wonker", the candy-producers would be getting a thrashing on the blogs and comments sections of the country's rags
Not All Wonkas
And in any case, most of the Oompa Loompas know which side their Eskimo Sandwich is wafered on.
Meming:
https://imgflip.com/i/3fmtxu
I have lot's of clues. clues from all your "NeO-Luberalism is the enemy" rants that you can't see the problems that face society require a more nuanced and inclusive approach. but being a boomer, you've always had it so easy and you're generation spent so much time culturally colonising the whole world you can't stop spluttering in indigantion when the youth don't like your proscriptions and don't accept your pearls of wisdom are valid.
you may as well work on fox news for all your "Good ol' days with the good ol' union lads" rants are relevant.
Just wondering, Climaction, if you see yourself as representative of Post-Boomers? Typical of them, that is, able to think the way they do, act the way they do, express yourself the way they do?
(coz I don't believe you are one
Funny thing is the yoof, are advocating the policies and progress I've been fighting for all along.
I doubt you are really one of them, though. In fact it seems like the "boomer" mindset you describe describes your position more accurately, than mine.
You’ve been well brainwashed, by right wing propaganda.
Due to our efforts, you can now vote for a non Neo-liberal party, the Greens, where we only had the choice of either of two, Neo-liberal stuffups.
So. FFS. Put your money where your mouth is and vote for them. Non boomers are over 70% of eligible voters. So statistically it looks like you are mostly voting for a continuation of the same policies you reckon are "boomer", stuffups.
" ..the 3% loans… Removed by the people in Parliament, who gained from them." e.g. Wayne Mapp
Our Housing Corp mortgage was initially floating at 7%. Within 5 years it had been sold to ANZ and rose to 18%.
By the mid 1990s (when I was studying) tertiary education was not free. I still owe $40k in student loans.
Incidentally we built our home and changed the head gasket on our 30 yr old cars. The generation that followed us seems unable to change a light bulb for fear being non compliant and having a lack of the no.8 wire mentality.
I belong to the baby boomer demographic.
How much plastic have you bought this week Climaction?
Boomer is an attitude. And it wasn't millenials who published all thoise media puffpieces about avocados and snowflakes.
Have a look at the age of many writing those clickbait, pieces.
Have a look at the age of the owners and editors – anyway it's no longer about age, it's attitude.
And who the target audience is (and therefore the demographic advertisers believe have the disposable cash in society).
The "ok boomer" thing isn't just about generational war, it is actually about the power dynamics within society. About how the media get clickbait from "dumb millennial" stories, with headlines like "millennials don't know hard work" and then "millennials killed the power lunch".
And most people called "boomer" tend to be of apparent European descent. Could just be my perception, but that hints at maybe another social power dynamic going on as well.
Some of you people on here need to eat some ice cream as it will make you happy.
I'm off to sue Red Bull as I drank a can and didn't get any wings.
You ought to have drunk the contents of the can, Jimmy! It's little wonder you failed to fly.
Next time, try pads.
oh dear what a pity – the nazi cowards will be quaking in their jackboots – all those 'respectable' nazis will be so worried and they will be driven into the light where we will all be able to see them and their disguises.
My wife has just finished an appeal hearing in the Whangarei District court. Byrne Vs NZTA, 4-6 nov, 2019. we are awaiting judgment.
During this hearing evidence was produced by nzta that confirmed they were spying on my wife and family,(including our 6yr old son).
They used a male employee to spy on a female employee of a nzta supplier (wsp opus) condoned by senior nzta management, with a special mention under oath for acting ceo of the time, brett gliddon.
They did not inform their supplier wsp opus that they were spying on an employee of theirs.
This male employee has a colourful police history. He also testified that he is spying on other families in our isolated community.
the spying is still continuing, and my wife has had to move away for work.
she fears for her safety from this male employee,
This has been ongoing for almost two years now.
they have spent in excess of $150,000 on this, while offering my wife $7,500 to shut up and go away.
I say , shame on you NZTA.
Talk to Radio NZ and tell them.
You'll find them sympathetic.
hi Ad, thank you for your comment.
we are not looking for sympathy.
i did get a fair airing on magic talk last week, and i thank steven for that.
RNZ are a little aloof for me.
The reason for the court case please ? Do they want to compulsory acquire your land or its it related to vehicle certification?
Regarding spying , wasnt that stopped after all the Thompson and Clark shady details came out. Look that up and ask how that decision affects you.
There is an employment dispute mentioned in the Herald.
a man from the agency said he was scared of my wife, she is 5; 4" and 45kgs. he is ex military.the nzta believed him and then ordered my wifes dismissal. she is a professional engineer with 20yrs experience. she took them to the era and the era found in nzta favour. my wife appealed and this is the hearing.
they were spying on us to get dirt on her.
Name not listed on Engineers NZ register
This is really a big problem – our society is not giving people what they want or need. So many people are suffering. The canaries in the coalmine are dying in front of our eyes.
At $45 plus a doctors visit, only the well off can afford to be healthy.
No its not. My doctor clinic charges $18.50. The ones that charge $45 plus ARE in well off areas , as the funding is based in socio-economic status of the patients/neighbourhood.
Mine charges $17, in a relatively average area. But there is no way any new patients can get in.
The one in the poor area in town charges $45, for new patients. As does the A and E.
I suspect in part because of a funding cut, when he was getting too loud supporting his patients.
wow – that creates an epiphany for me – so obvious once known
Not surprised.
And the many Māori Men put out of work by the Neo-liberal, "unfortunate experiment" shortly afterwards.
Yep – good to join the dots
Climaction. Above, has NFA, how devastating the 80's reforms were to so many working class families. Followed of course by Richardsons, welfare cuts, devastating communities even more.
Missing jigsaw piece, eh. NZ disability activism in the 1980s came from the same source – state residential institutions.
Comes with a trigger warning for 'moderates' as it's from RT.
It's humour and it's talking about Chile. 5 min long – In solidarity.
No more sitting at the beach in the Hiace with a cold Heineken.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/world/117261827/walmart-toyota-heineken-warehouse-workers-wear-trackers
wow – so bad imo – just resign – hasn't even watched the video about her departments utter disgraceful actions wtf?
Nice analysis
Good call
You follow politics , you follow NZ politics to the nth degree, you you still dont follow that the Ministers arent involved in these sort of operational decisions. Nor would they want to.
Why would she resign? Sure if it was a 'process' that required ministerial signoff , sure . It wasnt.
Where was Raukawa Tait of Te Pou Matakana/WOCA when this happened –
“One of three commissioning agencies, Te Pou Matakana receives around $40 million in Whānau Ora funding each year.
It distributes money to frontline providers. But it has been revealed a surplus of $600,000 was pocketed by the commissioning agency and paid out to its private shareholder.”
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/wh-nau-ora-minister-demands-explanation-after-commissioning-agency-pays-600k-its-shareholder
WOCA is a private company inspite of the ‘agency’ in the name
Yes I do follow politics ta Ministers can resign for all sorts of reasons such as this example
The minister today can't even watch the recording of the events which led to the inquiry and severe reprimand for her department – so severe that practices of staff have been changed immediately!!! She should go imo.
In the event of a sudden decompression passengers inside the Dreamliner might die from lack of oxygen. Good to know.
https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/incidents/exengineer-claims-boeings-dreamliner-could-be-dangerous/news-story/63af8c84a7cbe94db5655d64463edfc7
Ghost planes are a thing.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_plane
Not a reliable source . He seems to only have minor level job
If this story doesn't do a person's head in then there is something wrong with the person:
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/402840/abuse-survivor-raped-at-foster-homes-sexually-abused-by-nun
Capital is hard to find in NZ. No. Not the hidden away city at the bottom of the N.Island. No, financing businesses. Seems that if we advantage capital gain it sucks investment capital for other projects. Labour have said No. National think benefitaries can get us back, yeah like a few hundred beanies if only they were in work… ..no, the problem is our parliament is hidden away on a fault line waiting to be moved to S. Auckland. Next big shake…
Hamilton or Whangarei are safer, if that's the criteria.
12% business interest rates, when overseas competitors are paying less than 3% is a big margin to make up. Unless you are buying land for capital gains tax free farming, of course.
Well. The ChCh shake sure paved the way for some well overdue development investment in the area.
I keep spare, fresh drinking water in the shed and in a wardrobe in the house just in case. And I live within walking distance of a fresh water river.
A small burner, a lighter, a torch and a sealed plastic box full of long life basic beverage additives (cordial, tea, coffee, whatever and some sugar) may not seem much day to day. But you may really need it after a major event.
get a can opener and a…gun!
[lprent: Just what every useless unsafe dimwit needs – right? Along with vitamin deficiencies and bad breath and other hygiene issues.
*sigh* – Any irresponsible dickhead who says something like that is someone who should never hold a firearms license or a weapon. At the very least they need to gets some arms training, and some socialisation training in how to deal with people without waving a surrogate penis as if it was magic talisman. Clearly their parents failed in the socialisation, hygiene or installation of common sense. ]
Blazer.
Well put (gun, that is). However, I understand the emotive posts in response though.
But bluntly, many do say that most societies are only three meals from anarchy, so firearms (or other weapons) as protection tools do make sense. Although cohesive communities (as opposed to general society) that are geared towards survival in a crisis might look to other ways of managing that crisis.
Guns, traps, fishing nets and lines in times of civil emergency would at least provide some means to acquire protein and nourishment by way of animal, fish and bird as prey.
Perhaps your post might have been somewhat misconstrued by others.