In his post Doha blah blah blah, Anthony Robins wrote;
Perhaps the only moment of genuine passion was the tears of the delegation from the Philippines, in the wake of typhoon Bopha, which left 600 dead and nearly 1000 missing. (Didn’t get as much coverage as Sandy for some reason.)
The figures are, over 300 dead and over 900 missing, 400,000 have been left homeless. The death and destruction dwarfs that caused by Hurricane Sandy. Yet got the barest coverage possible in the Western media.
I don’t think that the difference in reporting this huge human tragedy can all be explained by euro-centric racism in the MSM.
The footprint of global warming is all over this one. For the media to look too closely at the tragedy in the Philippines is to risk opening up a huge political controversy that the MSM don’t know how to cover, without offending the authorities and vested interest.
Even in Hurricane Sandy in which climate change was only possibly implicated by the mainstream media, the questions and debate about climate change threatened to spiral out of the authorities’ control and disrupt the carefully stage managed presidential elections in which all mention of climate change had been scripted out.
The same thing threatened to occur at Dohar when the current round of climate talks where briefly disrupted by the intrusion of reality by the unfolding disaster in the Philippines, when the lead representative of the Philippines called on world leaders to stand up to “our political masters“. Apart from the alternative media this emotional call for revolt was greeted with silence by the MSM.
“As we sit here in these negotiations, even as we vacillate and procrastinate here, the death toll is rising. There is massive and widespread devastation. Hundreds of thousands of people have been rendered without homes. And the ordeal is far from over, as typhoon Bopha has regained some strength as it approaches another populated area in the western part of the Philippines…..
“I appeal to the whole world, I appeal to leaders from all over the world, to open our eyes to the stark reality that we face. I appeal to ministers. The outcome of our work is not about what our political masters want.
Naderev Saño, the lead negotiator of the Philippines delegation to Dohar.
Unfortunately Naderev Sano’s plea went unheeded and the Dohar talks delivered exactly what “our political masters” wanted.
Who are “our political masters” that Sano is appealing to the government “ministers” and political “leaders” of the world to stand up to?
Would I be wrong in supposeing that they are the same political masters who influence our mainstream media outlets to play up some stories and play down others?
Are they the same “political masters” that influence even Green Party politicians to play down and ignore climate change?
That last sentence: there’s the problem, see? Reading this false claim makes me wonder how many other lies your comment contains. Undermines its effectiveness. Y’know, like when John Key’s lips are moving.
Be careful who you call a liar, you risk looking foolish. You know as well as I that the Green Party leadership are playing down climate change and that they are doing it for narrow political advantage. i.e. bums on seats. They are not even in government yet, and already they are selling out. There can be little doubt, that with all the compromises they are prepared to make to get cabinet positions the Green Party in government will be a big disappointment.
In a previous thread I asked weka to explain why the Green Party was playing down climate change.
This is what he wrote:
……I just don’t think it’s the job or responsibility of the GP to do this at this point. Time for others to step up.
weka
In reply I asked weka a simple question; Who?
Who weka are these “others” you think should “step up”, now that the Greens are standing down?
Weka has not replied to me. Maybe weka should consider the words of Naderev Sano, though addressed to the government reps gathered at Doha it could just as easily be asked of the Greens.
Please, let 2012 be remembered as the year the world found the courage to find the will to take responsibility for the future we want. I ask of all of us here, if not us, then who? If not now, then when? If not here, then where?”
Naderev Saño, lead negotiator of the Philippines delegation to Dohar.
the Green Party leadership are playing down climate change
Citation needed. Students are advised that “playing down” is normally read as an active move on the part of the sentence’s subject, and arguments based on a lack of sufficiently-robust press releases on the topic will be marked down as disingenuous.
Um, it is really hard to report things that didn’t happen. Like the fact that climate change was never mentioned by the Green Party as an election issue in the last election. And looks likely not to be raised again in the next elections by the Green Party.
I suppose I could link to a blank sheet of paper if that would satisfy you.
Never mentioned? Five press releases specifically mentioning climate change in the last 3 months before the 2011 election. Here, here, here, here, and here. Almost one a fortnight through the campaign. On top of every other issue mentioned during the campaign.
I’m never going to vote Green, but I am prepared to spend 20 seconds to do a basic search of the interwebz.
What were you saying about reporting things that didn’t happen?
Probably because we had just spent a whole lot of time and effort providing links that demonstrated you were lying about Russell Norman and grossly misrepresenting the GP as a way of manipulating reality to suit your agenda.
Or maybe it’s because I don’t believe that the GP are ARE downplaying CC, so there was no clear way to answer your somewhat idiotic and manipulative question.
I also find it weird that you don’t already know who the other parties are that should be challenging climate change AS WELL AS the GP. See that? – AS WELL AS. That was my point – that the GP has done massive amounts of work to address climate change, and they still do but they have changed their focus a bit. Hence my suggestion that others step up (political parties, NGOs, industry etc, duh).
You have an odd sense of responsibility IMO. You think that the GP should abandon its attempt to form government (which includes abandoning an attempt to effect real change within parliament on all those other equally important issues), and instead put CC at the forefront and stay in parliament as a CC lobby group. Well too bad. The GP doesn’t exist to suit your agenda, and as already amply demonstrated is doing its bit to address CC.
Thank you weka for attempting to answer my question. I am glad to see that you think that it is the time that other political parties, (presumably Labour and National), step up to the campaign against climate change. I agree totally. But for this to happen requires leadership from the Greens. Labour and National will never change their current positions unless they are challenged, and challenged strongly and repeatedly. But how can this happen when in your words, “<i>the Greens have changed their focus….</i>”? (in your opinion “a bit” in my opinion an “awful lot”). Your reply is contradictory. You say that you “<i>don’t believe that the GP are downplaying CC</i>”. But you admit that the Green Party have “<i>changed their focus a bit</i>”. A concession to the truth. You argue that the Green Party should attempt to enter government that supports deep seas oil drilling and prospecting, and open cast coal mining, and fracking. And that, to not do so means, “<i>abandoning an attempt to effect real change within parliament on all those other equally important issues</i>” (Without saying what those other equally important issues are.) It doesn’t really matter what they are, because you are full of it, just making excuses before time, for selling out. I imagine that by “<i>equally important issues</i>” you mean social issues of justice and equality and relief for the poor etc. All highly commendable and high minded, of course, and who could object? Except that by leveling them equal to climate change each one of these other issues will be worsened, not alleviated. Making your stand hypocritical.
Weka if you haven’t already, you should listen to the words of Naderev (Yeb) Sano talking about Typhoon Bopha: <blockquote>”….. heartbreaking tragedies like this are not unique to the Philippines, because the whole world, especially developing countries struggling to address poverty and achieve social and human development, confront these same realities. <b>Naderev Sano</b> Lead negotiator, Philippines delegation to Dohar round on climate change. </blockquote> You say that by not staying outside of government to fight against climate change includes abandoning an attempt to effect real change within parliament on all those other equally important issues. I say you will be following in the well trod path of <a href=’http://bowalleyroad.blogspot.co.nz/2012/12/an-appointment-with-reality.html’>Joshka Fischer</a> and <a href=’http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/clegg-sold-out-to-get-power-say-voters-2083293.html’>Nick Clegg</a>. To keep the pressure on the Labour and National Parties the Green Party need to abandon attempting to form a government that will allow deep sea oil drilling and fracking and new open cast strip mining of coal for export.
(For some reason my ability to use html has failed. I will try reposting again) Thank you weka for attempting to answer my question. I am glad to see that you think that it is the time of the Labour Party and National parties to take over the campaign against climate change. I agree totally. But for this to happen requires leadership from the Greens. Labour and National will never change their current positions unless they are challenged, and challenged strongly and repeatedly. Inside parliament and out. But how can this happen when in your words, “<i>the Greens have changed their focus….</i>”? (in your opinion “a bit” in my opinion an “awful lot”). Your reply is contradictory. You say that you “<i>don’t believe that the GP are downplaying CC</i>”. But you admit that the Green Party have “<i>changed their focus a bit</i>”. A concession to the truth. You argue that the Green Party should attempt to enter government that supports deep seas oil drilling and prospecting, and open cast coal mining, and fracking. And that, to not do so, <i>”means abandoning an attempt to effect real change within parliament on all these other equally important issues</i>” (Without saying what those other equally important issues are.) It doesn’t really matter what they are, because you are full of it, just making excuses before time, for selling out. I imagine that by “<i>equally important issues</i>” you mean social issues of justice and equality and relief for the poor etc. All highly commendable and high minded, of course, and who could object? Except that by leveling them equal to climate change each one of these other issues will be worsened, not alleviated. Weka if you haven’t already, you should listen to the words of Naderev (Yeb) Sano talking about Typhoon Bopha: <blockquote> “…….heartbreaking tragedies like this are not unique to the Philippines, because the whole world, especially developing countries struggling to address poverty and achieve social and human development, confront these same realities. <b>Naderev Sano</b> Lead negotiator, Philippines delegation to Dohar round on climate change. </blockquote> You say that by not staying outside of government to fight against climate change includes abandoning an attempt to effect real change within parliament on all those other equally important issues. I say you will be following in the well trod path of <a href=’http://bowalleyroad.blogspot.co.nz/2012/12/an-appointment-with-reality.html’>Joshka Fischer</a> and <a href=’http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/clegg-sold-out-to-get-power-say-voters-2083293.html’>Nick Clegg</a>. To keep the pressure on the Labour and National Parties the Green Party need to abandon attempting to form a government that will allow deep sea oil drilling and fracking and new open cast strip mining of coal for export. By staying outside of such a government you can vote on each issue, case by case. In a coalition you will be bound by collective responsibility, forced to swallow many dead rats.
I don’t think that the difference in reporting this huge human tragedy can all be explained by euro-centric racism in the MSM.
Most of the difference can be explained by reference to the fact that Sandy bore down on the highest concentration of big media producers in the english speaking world, a few days before a US presidential election, combine that with this:
So is this how the gathering global disaster of climate change will be reported? The hundreds of deaths now, which in the future will be millions, will get less media attention than the passing milestones of the yet unborn heir to the British throne.
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2012/12/12-0 “The honchos of America’s establishment media are quick to blame such external causes as the Internet for their problems. But if they looked internally, they might notice that they’re damn near eaten-up with a bad case of conventional wisdomitis. The problem with conventional wisdom is that more often than not it’s nothing more than the contrived “wisdom” of the corporate powers.
Associated Press. March 2023.
Sir Trevor Mallard of Wainuiomata has returned from London after six years as a highly successful and very popular High Commissioner. Sir Trevor is expected to continue to bring his unique talents to bear on assignments for the UN and the Olympics Movement.
Sir Trevor took of the London position after three hectic years as Speaker of the House during the first Cunliffe Government. He successfully guided the house through the historic period of economic reform that has led the country to its new export led prosperity and low employment. Sir Trevor is New Zealand’s last High Commissioner. The role will now be titled Ambassador, given New Zealand’s new status of a republic.
Sir Trevor was greeted at the Airport by his BFFL, Tau Henare.
NZHerald. April 2023
Premier Lady Jacinta Ardern flew back from Australasia’s capital Canberra for the annual Federation Heads meeting where she was greeting with 400 young schoolchildren who ran across the airport as she emerged from the plane. In a well choreographed display of affection with long red ribbons on sticks they all sang The People’s Flag is Deepest Red, We Praise You For Our Room And Bed.
She confirmed in a written statement that “Our decision to join in union with Australia after the ANZAC centenary has been proven the only and the best way to ensure our national sovereignty is secure, our labour rights improved, and our strategic assets retained within Canberra’s more generous banking framework. Our discussions on the New Guinea question were fruitful.”
Lady Ardern was formally welcomed by New Zealand’s last Governor-General Lord Key of Thorndon at Premier House, where the security cordon against what he described last month as “Those filthy Hobbitses” remained tight as over half the country is now officially in poverty and the vast steaming camp outside Premier House remains, in the words of the Chief of Welfare and Goodness, “Too fetid to consider seriously until they all just get a job.”
Correction for Lady Ardern – “Our discussion on the New Guinea question of overpopulation of fruitbats was sterile I’m sorry to report.” Nothing else of import was addressed.
Trevor has just issued a statement in which, in a very Statesmanlike tone, he recommends Maurice Williamson for the Speaker Role.
This great act by Sir Trevor should be applauded.
Jaysus…I just had a thought: Trevor would be a great speaker. Cunliffe should propose Trevor for that role.
And while Cunliffe is being so generous he should endorse Annette for the Wellingtom Mayoralty… Lady Annette has a certain ring to it.
Eh Cunners? Why not give Phil Goff the nod for Secretaty General of the Commonwealth? Lord Goff of Pukekohe has a certain ring to it.
Shearer you ask eh Cunners? No the UN don’t want him back. A little bit embarrassing….
These appointments have been well earned by our leaders. They are now ready to retire their seats. They have all insisted that they will not parachute in any staffers from the Parliamentary office it the Labour HQ. They would like to encourage candidates who will engage with the Membership in a respectful manner.
KMan (Absolutely Fabulous)
Very good. Interesting though how you happy republicans believe that life will be better with the type of elected uber-leader that we would get when we can’t even attract the quality under leaders we absolutely need. All in all the Monarchy is mainly monetarily supported by the Brits, does her or his best to think responsibly and behave with integrity and graciousness, and aren’t lawyers or con-men out to help their friends to chisel any money you have accumulated in the naive belief that this is the proper financial duty according to the seen laws and the general meme.
RNZ – The Panel – yesterday.
Jim Mora and his guests appeared to countenance the practice of “prank” phone calls. They are apparently part of the social fabric and have been for years, and they even interviewed a former DJ from a “pop” radio station who was world-famous-in-NZ for this type of phone call.
What is the justification for the calls to be made at all.
I wasn’t sure whether they were advocating that Radio New Zealand National start doing it. Further, I wonder if they would approve. If they were uncomfortable with that notion, then the question might be why.
I was astonished to hear that Holmes did it before ubiquitous global communications had twittered into every area of life. The basic observation was lacking in Moro, radio used to have the ability to control the message (a switch to cut the caller off), but now we all get to pile in to the bullying of shock jocks, that their meanness isn’t a bitchy corner of the media space where a few listen in, its a world where their efforts are redistributed on utube, their master complex creates copy cats from timbucktoo to alaska. This poor nurse, unable to reply, unable to remedy the offense to her own professional standing, was caught in an off moment, to the riddle of the world. That could be anyone next if we allow this incidient to go unpunished, and its striking that Moro would come to their defense, surely what’s good for the goose is good for the gander? Well no, it just continues the original reckless ridiculing. This was wrong, lawyers should have long since shutdown this debate pending criminal charges of the editors of the radio show. They were just gunning for spectacle royal stories to feed into the killing frenzy, the blood was in the water, and they wanted a bite too.
Another example of this Government’s refusal to adhere to even a basic understanding of natural justice is Judith Collins’ handling of the recommendation to pay David Bain compensation.
he has criticised the report prepared by overseas Jurist Ian Binnie but has not released it. She has asked the Solicitor General to have a critique prepared but has refused to let Bain’s lawyers see it. This is giving the side who lost the chance to undermine the proposal for compensation.
Binnie has released the most scathing response I have ever seen from a Western Jurist.
He has said that he expected Collins to follow a fair and even-handed process, yet she has taken advice from the Solicitor-General who for almost 17 years tried to uphold the guilty verdict from David Bain’s first trial.
He stated that the minister is searching for reasons that support her preferred disposition of the Bain claim.
He said says it is unfair that his report has been given to the police and other officials but Bain has not been able to see it.
Binnie finished by saying that by Collins insisting his report remain confidential she seems to have a “curiously one-sided view of confidentiality”. He believes the report should be made public so people can judge the merits of the minister’s concerns.
I don’t know, Micky. I am deeply suspicious of the Binnie report (no, I haven’t seen it). Two things – firstly it’s been reported that Binnie interviewed Bain while compiling the report. Is this normal? I would rather have thought a judge should be making decisions based on the evidence, not trying to form their own impressions of the accused at that stage of the process.
And secondly, I really doubt that it’s possible to find David Bain innocent on the balance of probabilities. There’s enough for reasonable doubt, definitely, but on balance of probabilities I think you’d have to be Joe Karam in disguise to come to Binnie’s conclusion.
“I would rather have thought a judge should be making decisions based on the evidence, not trying to form their own impressions of the accused at that stage of the process.”
The questioning was known and attended by all parties so presumably fine. Further, the report is around compensation rather than another trial over his guilt. The issue is compensation for what has occurred – the issue is not whether he is innocent or guilty.
But seriously, this bunch of neanderthals in government simply buy the recommendations and opinions that suit their political requirements. Examples – Wyatt Creech’s Ecan report, John Key’s Hardtalk interview which gave his game away, and now Judith Collins and Binnie.
Heard Justice Binnie on Checkpoint. An understated, truly authoritative, quintessential, impeccable, judicial analysis of the ignorant backwoodsman behaviour of Judith Collins. Collins…… the true, leathered, impervious to mature thought, redneck.
Was left thinking that Collins is much like George Dubya – “I say, therefore it is”.
Agreed Blue about the complexity of the Bain case and I am not sure that he should qualify for compensation. But the process is appalling. If a Minister asks a Judge for an opinion and he gives her one she should follow it. If she is not going to she should at least release the decision and set out her concerns and then let Bain have a chance to respond.
Which begs a second question. With Parata, Power, Bennett and now Collins out of the running by dint of incompetence, retirement or plain stupidity, does that leave Joyce as the next leader of the Nat party?
Thanks for that. It’s a pity Binnie referred to his expertise as an “opinion” – “just one judge’s opinion and I can show you another that will give you a counterview”.
Look in Nz the law is to simple, you become
entangled in a crime scene, and the evidence
does not stack up, in fact, starts shrinking
as time passes, but courts being run by
humans make the mistake and convict.
Now if you appreciate this,
and argue that courts should be judicious,
bring all matters (and appeals) in timely
fashion, then commonly held (other nations)
this would be considered a credit to a nation.
But in NZ we ignore incompetence, and in
ignoring end up rewarding the failures
(who fail to learn).
Look at neo-conservatist neo-liberalist
deregulation, that contributed not only to
Pike River, CTV, SCF, but now Bain.
Judith Collins, by ignoring, by not humbling
herself, and admitting the horrendously long
time for justice to be done, is bringing the
case back to life, and re-litigating it.
So I ask when will the law council start
proceedings to disbar Judith Collins.
Now, of course, it could just be political
and Collins needing the prosecutors to sign
on to compensation too.
The Bain case says more about us as a country than
of a soulless Justice Minister or the patently
incapable legal fraternity of admitting error.
Do we believe as a nation, that if you walk into
a murder scene where nearly all your family have
been murdered, and fight for your life also,
then at trial the wrong verdict, guilty, was
announced. Leads to you losing your family
wealth, incarcerated for over a decade, all the
time you are declaring your innocence. How would
you see the case? when you finally vindicated
that the state had not given you a fair trial,
a speedy process that uncovers guilt?
The balance of probabilities test does not
access the fairness of the trial, the
the court system ability to discern truth,
or hold them to account when they inevitably gone wrong.
A persons life, their family murdered, then
can be destroyed by the system on top? where
the courts are used by the real murderer to
continue the criminality?
So as the evidence shrinks, the possibility
of another perpetrator rises, the pronounced
reality that the system is aiding and abetting
them.
Its not beyond possibility that a murderer can
wipe out their family, inadvertantly frame the
sole survivor. Murder suicides do not go to plan.
And if you haven’t noticed, you cannot make a
case on the balance of probabilites if you
don’t have the initial weights of those possibilites
before the evidence is added in.
We cannot have a situation where the less
evidence there is, the more definitive we can be
about merits of our own case. Its like declaring
the classic invisible pink unicorn is both pink and
has just one horn, having a discussion that the
balance of probabilities tells us that it must be
just the one horn is nonsense, not none or many.
Our court system has too
streams, civil and criminal, we remove incarceration
as civil punishments. Just by admitting the need
to discuss probabilities should mean we compensate
for the incarceration. Bain should get some
compensation no matter what, even if its just
to safeguard the surviving relatives from paying
back inheritances.
Should we let one innocent person go to jail, who
lost their whole family, their inheritance,
their right to a judicious court process, time
having destroyed the evidence of innocence?
Do we live in a nation where innocent till proven otherwise?
Do we live in a nation of law, or of a lawyer pandering
to their political needs?
Impeach Judith Collins. Sick sad. How is it my
problem that see cannot understand a competent
legalist and has to call in ‘help’ from partial
lawyers? Why do we as a nation have to talk
Judith collins done from her high horse again.
The idea that anyone of us could walk into
a crime, be wrongly convicted, fight for justice
languishing in jail for over a decade, only to
be vindicated, and then be ignored by a sad sick
lawyer more worried about her political career
than her oath to uphold the integrity of the legal
system, to not bring parliament into disrepute,
by micro managing to political ends, what now is
clear to all, even the impartial third party expert
believes compensation is merited.
There’s been excuses all over the news channels about how they weren’t in cahoots with the drug-runners, it’s just their systems weren’t robust enough. The man in charge at the time, Stuart Green is now the UK Minister of State for Trade and Investment.
No such thing as a sacking or accountability for these types, just a life peerage and a seat in the House of Lords
That is weird. The flag to display it or not is stored in a cookie from your system that is sent to the server.
It literally doesn’t write the code for the HTML page that it sends back unless it see that coming through. Nothing is meant to be caching the HTML at the server side or at cloudflare.
Ummm just tried myself and it turned it on and off on chrome / ubuntu.
Something odd but not a problem.
Just left a comment. Hit submit, which took me to the comment in final form in the thread. Hit the “back’ button to get out and it took me to the comment in the thread with the draft underneath it. never happened like that before, usually the “back” takes me back in time to before the comment was posted on my way out and back to the site as a whole.
As i say, it didn’t cause a problem, I just mention it in case the difference indicates some kind of problem.
edit: same thing happened as I tried to exit this comment. Guess this is the new normal.
That will be your browser. It probably had an upgrade of some type as well. Those history operations are usually completely done on the client and they have all kinds of odd behaviours.
There is something incredibly boring about the current labour leadership. They have no spark or imagination. How they ever think they could win an election beats me. That cheshire cat (Chris Hipkins) makes me want to vomit when I see and hear him on the tv. Nothing logical or sensible comes out of his mouth. He looks like a schoolboy and has about the same level of appeal as a teenage boy to what was once loyal labour voters.
Stale, stayed and lacking vision is what this labour leadership is all about. They chopped off the only tall poppy so they are all as dull as each other now.
I remember some old Radio NZ or NZBC(?) comedy show about a vain doctor. In one episode, as he left for his holiday, he told the others in the practise, “Now remember: don’t do anything I can’t do.” Since the ABC gang are saying that… nobody’s doing anything.
Determining the hardest sport in the world is a subjective matter, as the difficulty level can vary depending on individual abilities, physical attributes, and experience. However, based on various factors including physical demands, technical skills, mental fortitude, and overall accomplishment, here is an exploration of some of the most challenging ...
The allure of sport transcends age, culture, and geographical boundaries. It captivates hearts, ignites passions, and provides unparalleled entertainment. Behind the spectacle, however, lies a fascinating world of financial investment and expenditure. Among the vast array of competitive pursuits, one question looms large: which sport carries the hefty title of ...
Introduction Pickleball, a rapidly growing paddle sport, has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions around the world. Its blend of tennis, badminton, and table tennis elements has made it a favorite among players of all ages and skill levels. As the sport’s popularity continues to surge, the question on ...
Abstract: Soccer, the global phenomenon captivating millions worldwide, has a rich history that spans centuries. Its origins trace back to ancient civilizations, but the modern version we know and love emerged through a complex interplay of cultural influences and innovations. This article delves into the fascinating journey of soccer’s evolution, ...
Tinting car windows offers numerous benefits, including enhanced privacy, reduced glare, UV protection, and a more stylish look for your vehicle. However, the cost of window tinting can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article provides a comprehensive guide to help you understand how much you can expect to ...
The pungent smell of gasoline in your car can be an alarming and potentially dangerous problem. Not only is the odor unpleasant, but it can also indicate a serious issue with your vehicle’s fuel system. In this article, we will explore the various reasons why your car may smell like ...
Tree sap can be a sticky, unsightly mess on your car’s exterior. It can be difficult to remove, but with the right techniques and products, you can restore your car to its former glory. Understanding Tree Sap Tree sap is a thick, viscous liquid produced by trees to seal wounds ...
The amount of paint needed to paint a car depends on a number of factors, including the size of the car, the number of coats you plan to apply, and the type of paint you are using. In general, you will need between 1 and 2 gallons of paint for ...
Jump-starting a car is a common task that can be performed even in adverse weather conditions like rain. However, safety precautions and proper techniques are crucial to avoid potential hazards. This comprehensive guide will provide detailed instructions on how to safely jump a car in the rain, ensuring both your ...
Graham Adams writes about the $55m media fund — When Patrick Gower was asked by Mike Hosking last week what he would say to the many Newstalk ZB callers who allege the Labour government bribed media with $55 million of taxpayers’ money via the Public Interest Journalism Fund — and ...
Note: this blog post has been put together over the course of the week I followed the happenings at the conference virtually. Should recordings of the Great Debates and possibly Union Symposia mentioned below, be released sometime after the conference ends, I'll include links to the ones I participated in. ...
The following was my submission made on the “Fast Track Approvals Bill”. This potential law will give three Ministers unchecked powers, un-paralled since the days of Robert Muldoon’s “Think Big” projects.The submission is written a bit tongue-in-cheek. But it’s irreverent because the FTAB is in itself not worthy of respect. ...
One Could Reduce Child Poverty At No Fiscal CostFollowing the Richardson/Shipley 1990 ‘redesign of the welfare state’ – which eliminated the universal Family Benefit and doubled the rate of child poverty – various income supplements for families have been added, the best known being ‘Working for Families’, introduced in 2005. ...
Buzz from the Beehive A few days ago, Point of Order suggested the media must be musing “on why Melissa is mute”. Our article reported that people working in the beleaguered media industry have cause to yearn for a minister as busy as Melissa Lee’s ministerial colleagues and we drew ...
1. What was The Curse of Jim Bolger?a. Winston Peters b. Soon after shaking his hand, world leaders would mysteriously lose office or shuffle off this mortal coilc. Could never shake off the Mother of All Budgetsd. Dandruff2. True or false? The Chairman of a Kiwi export business has asked the ...
Jack Vowles writes – New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’. ...
Chris Trotter writes – MELISSA LEE should be deprived of her ministerial warrant. Her handling – or non-handling – of the crisis engulfing the New Zealand news media has been woeful. The fate of New Zealand’s two linear television networks, a question which the Minister of Broadcasting, Communications ...
TL;DR: The podcast above features co-hosts and , along with regular guests Robert Patman on Gaza and AUKUS II, and on climate change.The six things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the ...
Policymakers rarely wish to make plain or visible their desire to dismantle environmental policy, least of all to the young. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s the top five news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above between Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent ...
I like to keep an eye on what’s happening in places like the UK, the US, and over the ditch with our good mates the Aussies. Let’s call them AUKUS, for want of a better collective term. More on that in a bit.It used to be, not long ago, that ...
TL;DR: The global economy will be one fifth smaller than it would have otherwise been in 2050 as a result of climate damage, according to a new study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) and published in the journal Nature. (See more detail and analysis below, and ...
New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’. The data is from February this ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters is understood to be planning a major speech within the next fortnight to clear up the confusion over whether or not New Zealand might join the AUKUS submarine project. So far, there have been conflicting signals from the Government. RNZ reported the Prime Minister yesterday in ...
Life throws curveballs, and sometimes, those curveballs necessitate wiping your iPhone clean and starting anew. Whether you’re facing persistent software glitches, preparing to sell your device, or simply wanting a fresh start, knowing how to factory reset iPhone without a computer is a valuable skill. While using a computer with ...
Gone are the days when communication was limited to landline phones and physical proximity. Today, computers have become powerful tools for connecting with people across the globe through voice and video calls. But with a plethora of applications and methods available, how to call someone on a computer might seem ...
Open access notables Glacial isostatic adjustment reduces past and future Arctic subsea permafrost, Creel et al., Nature Communications:Sea-level rise submerges terrestrial permafrost in the Arctic, turning it into subsea permafrost. Subsea permafrost underlies ~ 1.8 million km2 of Arctic continental shelf, with thicknesses in places exceeding 700 m. Sea-level variations over glacial-interglacial cycles control ...
The operating system (OS) is the heart and soul of a computer, orchestrating every action and interaction between hardware and software. But have you ever wondered where on a computer is the operating system generally stored? The answer lies in the intricate dance between hardware and software components, particularly within ...
Laptops have become essential tools for work, entertainment, and communication, offering portability and functionality. However, with rising energy costs and growing environmental concerns, understanding a laptop’s power consumption is more important than ever. So, how many watts does a laptop use? The answer, unfortunately, isn’t straightforward. It depends on several ...
Screen recording has become an essential tool for various purposes, such as creating tutorials, capturing gameplay footage, recording online meetings, or sharing information with others. Fortunately, Dell laptops offer several built-in and external options for screen recording, catering to different needs and preferences. This guide will explore various methods on ...
A cracked or damaged laptop screen can be a frustrating experience, impacting productivity and enjoyment. Fortunately, laptop screen repair is a common service offered by various repair shops and technicians. However, the cost of fixing a laptop screen can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article delves into the ...
Gaming laptops represent a significant investment for passionate gamers, offering portability and powerful performance for immersive gaming experiences. However, a common concern among potential buyers is their lifespan. Unlike desktop PCs, which allow for easier component upgrades, gaming laptops have inherent limitations due to their compact and integrated design. This ...
The annual inventory report of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions has been released, showing that gross emissions have dropped for the third year in a row, to 78.4 million tons: All-told gross emissions have decreased by over 6 million tons since the Zero Carbon Act was passed in 2019. ...
Experiencing a locked computer can be frustrating, especially when you need access to your files and applications urgently. The methods to unlock your computer will vary depending on the specific situation and the type of lock you encounter. This guide will explore various scenarios and provide step-by-step instructions on how ...
While the world has largely transitioned to digital communication, faxing still holds relevance in certain industries and situations. Fortunately, gone are the days of bulky fax machines and dedicated phone lines. Today, you can easily send and receive faxes directly from your computer, offering a convenient and efficient way to ...
In our increasingly digital world, home computers have become essential tools for work, communication, entertainment, and more. However, this increased reliance on technology also exposes us to various cyber threats. Understanding these threats and taking proactive steps to protect your home computer is crucial for safeguarding your personal information, finances, ...
In the ever-evolving world of technology, server-based computing has emerged as a cornerstone of modern digital infrastructure. This article delves into the concept of server-based computing, exploring its various forms, benefits, challenges, and its impact on the way we work and interact with technology. Understanding Server-Based Computing: At its core, ...
The absolute brass neck of this guy.We want more medical doctors, not more spin doctors, Luxon was saying a couple of weeks ago, and now we’re told the guy has seven salaried adults on TikTok duty. Sorry, doing social media. The absolute brass neck of it. The irony that the ...
Buzz from the Beehive Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones relishes spatting and eagerly takes issue with environmentalists who criticise his enthusiasm for resource development. He relishes helping the fishing industry too. And so today, while the media are making much of the latest culling in the public service to ...
Having written, taught and worked for the US government on issues involving unconventional warfare and terrorism for 30-odd years, two things irritate me the most when the subject is discussed in public. The first is the Johnny-come-lately academics-turned-media commentators who … Continue reading → ...
Eric Crampton writes – Kainga Ora is the government’s house building agency. It’s been building a lot of social housing. Kainga Ora has its own (but independent) consenting authority, Consentium. It’s a neat idea. Rather than have to deal with building consents across each different territorial authority, Kainga Ora ...
Muriel Newman writes – The Coalition Government says it is moving with speed to deliver campaign promises and reverse the damage done by Labour. One of their key commitments is to “defend the principle that New Zealanders are equal before the law.” To achieve this, they have pledged they “will not advance ...
Chris Trotter writes – The absence of anything resembling a fightback from the public servants currently losing their jobs is interesting. State-sector workers’ collective fatalism in the face of Coalition cutbacks indicates a surprisingly broad acceptance of impermanence in the workplace. Fifty years ago, lay-offs in the thousands ...
Mariupol, on the Azov Sea coast, was one of the first cities to suffer almost complete destruction after the start of the Ukraine War started in late February 2022. We remember the scenes of absolute destruction of the houses and city structures. The deaths of innocent civilians – many of ...
Lindsay Mitchell writes – Ten years ago, I wrote the following in a Listener column: Every year around one in five new-born babies will be reliant on their caregivers benefit by Christmas. This pattern has persisted from at least 1993. For Maori the number jumps to over one in three. ...
Climate change is expected to generate more and more extreme events, delivering a sort of structural shock to inflation that central banks will have to react to as if they were short-term cyclical issues. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s ...
It’s a simple deal. We pay taxes in order to finance the social services we want and need. The carnage now occurring across the public sector though, is breaking that contract. Over 3,000 jobs have been lost so far. Many are in crucial areas like Education where the impact of ...
Hi,A friend had their 40th over the weekend and decided to theme it after Curb Your Enthusiasm fashion icon Susie Greene. Captured in my tiny kitchen before I left the house, I ending up evoking a mix of old lesbian and Hillary Clinton — both unintentional.Me vs Hillary ClintonIf you’re ...
This is a re-post from Andrew Dessler at the Climate Brink blogIn 2023, the Earth reached temperature levels unprecedented in modern times. Given that, it’s reasonable to ask: What’s going on? There’s been lots of discussions by scientists about whether this is just the normal progression of global warming or if something ...
The schools are on holiday and the sun is shining in the seaside village and all day long I have been seeing bunches of bikes; Mums, Dads, teens and toddlers chattering, laughing, happy, having a bloody great time together. Cheers, AT, for the bits of lane you’ve added lately around the ...
Today in our National-led authoritarian nightmare: Shane Jones thinks Ministers should be above the law: New Zealand First MP Shane Jones is accusing the Waitangi Tribunal of over-stepping its mandate by subpoenaing a minister for its urgent hearing on the Oranga Tamariki claim. The tribunal is looking into the ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. ...
Citizen Science writes – Last week saw two significant developments in the debate over the treatment of trans-identifying children and young people – the release in Britain of the final report of Dr Hilary Cass’s review into gender healthcare, and here in New Zealand, the news that the ...
One night while sleeping in my bed I had a beautiful dreamThat all the people of the world got together on the same wavelengthAnd began helping one anotherNow in this dream, universal love was the theme of the dayPeace and understanding and it happened this wayAfter such an eventful day ...
This is a guest post by Oscar Simms who is a housing activist, volunteer for the Coalition for More Homes, and was the Labour Party candidate for Auckland Central at the last election. ...
Turning what Labour called the “holiday highway” into a four-lane expressway from Auckland to Whangarei could bring at least an economic benefit of nearly two billion a year for Northland each year. And it could help bring an end to poverty in one of New Zealand’s most deprived regions. The ...
Tonight’s six-stack includes: launching his substack with a bunch of his previous documentaries, including this 1992 interview with Dame Whina Cooper. and here crew give climate activists plenty to do, including this call to submit against the Fast Track Approvals bill. writes brilliantly here on his substack ...
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 ...
You're in the mall when you hear it: some kind of popping sound in the distance, kids with fireworks, maybe. But then a moment of eerie stillness is followed by more of the fireworks sound and there’s also screaming and shrieking and now here come people running for their lives.Does ...
Karl du Fresne writes – There’s a crisis in the news media and the media are blaming it on everyone except themselves. Culpability is being deflected elsewhere – mainly to the hapless Minister of Communications, Melissa Lee, and the big social media platforms that are accused of hoovering ...
I don’t normally send out two newsletters in a day but I figured I’d say something about… the news. If two newsletters is a bit much then maybe just skip one, I don’t want to overload people. Alternatively if you’d be interested in sometimes receiving multiple, smaller updates from me, ...
Buzz from the Beehive David Seymour and Winston Peters today signalled that at least two ministers of the Crown might be in Wellington today. Seymour (as Associate Minister of Education) announced the removal of more red tape, this time to make it easier for new early learning services to be ...
Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. Our political system is suffering from the ...
David Farrar writes – The Broadcasting Standards Authority ruled: Comments by radio host Kate Hawkesby suggesting Māori and Pacific patients were being prioritised for surgery due to their ethnicity were misleading and discriminatory, the Broadcasting Standards Authority has found. It is a fact such patients are prioritised. ...
PRC and its proxies in Solomons have been preparing for these elections for a long time.A lot of money, effort and intelligence have gone into ensuring an outcome that won’t compromise Beijing’s plans. Cleo Paskall writes – On April 17th the Solomon Islands, a country of ...
Is speeding up the trip to and from Wellington airport by 12 minutes worth spending up more than $10 billion? Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me in the last day to 8:26 am today are:The Lead: Transport Minister Simeon Brownannounced ...
You're a fraud, and you know itBut it's too good to throw it all awayAnyone would do the sameYou've got 'em goingAnd you're careful not to show itSometimes you even fool yourself a bitIt's like magicBut it's always been a smoke and mirrors gameAnyone would do the sameForty six billion ...
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. ...
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. ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
The Government’s newly announced review of methane emissions reduction targets hints at its desire to delay Aotearoa New Zealand’s urgent transition to a climate safe future, the Green Party said. ...
The Government must commit to the Maitai School building project for students with high and complex needs, to ensure disabled students from the top of the South Island have somewhere to learn. ...
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey and his Government colleagues have made a meal of their mental health commitments, showing how flimsy their efforts to champion the issue truly are, says Labour Mental Health spokesperson Ingrid Leary. ...
Māori are yet to see anything from this Government except cuts, reversals and taking our people backwards, Māori Development spokesperson Willie Jackson said. ...
The Coalition Government’s refusal to commit to ongoing funding for social housing is seeing the sector pull back on developments and families watch their dreams of securing a home fade away, says Labour Housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty. ...
Changes to minimum wage and benefit indexation means many New Zealanders will get less this year, as the Government gives a big tax break to landlords instead. ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector. "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has made further appointments to the Board of Antarctica New Zealand as part of a continued effort to ensure the Scott Base Redevelopment project is delivered in a cost-effective and efficient manner. The Minister has appointed Neville Harris as a new member of the Board. Mr ...
Finance Minister Nicola Willis will travel to the United States on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Five Finance Ministers group, with counterparts from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. “I am looking forward to meeting with our Five Finance partners on how we can work ...
The coalition Government has today announced purrfect and pawsitive changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to give tenants with pets greater choice when looking for a rental property, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Pets are important members of many Kiwi families. It’s estimated that around 64 per cent of New ...
State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the Government has also asked NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to consider and provide advice on a Long Tunnel option, Transport Minister Simeon Brown ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel. “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says. "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...
Hundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board. “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti. “I have asked her to ...
The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to ...
New Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States. “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...
Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced that Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Pharmaceutical suppliers have indicated they may be able to supply the first products in June. “This is much earlier than the original expectation of medicines being available by 2025. The Government recognised ...
New Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...
April 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced further New Zealand cooperation with the United States in the Pacific Islands region through $16.4 million in funding for initiatives in digital connectivity and oceans and fisheries research. “New Zealand can achieve more in the Pacific if we work together more urgently and ...
Zoë Colling’s favourite piece in the ‘That’s So Last Century’ collection is a lubrication chart for a sewing machine from the ’60s. It’s about the size of a postcard, and carefully maintained. “I like it that this piece of ephemera highlights that manual and technical side of the skill involved ...
Kia Ora Gaza A passionate haka reverberated through Auckland International Airport as a medical team of three New Zealand doctors received an emotional farewell from a big crowd of supporters before flying to Turkey to join the international Freedom Flotilla to Gaza. The doctors, who left Auckland yesterday, hope to ...
With submissions closing today, Macassey-Pickard says groups around the country have been supporting a huge range of people to make their submissions. ...
Our response to the new legislation is informed by targeted conversations with practitioners working in the system and through an implementation lens. ...
The new ‘Fast-track Approvals Bill’ would give just three Ministers the power to approve or deny development projects. They would avoid the usual checks and balances that are in place to protect rivers, land, the ocean, and communities. ...
COMMENTARY:By Eugene Doyle Helen Clark, how I miss you. The former New Zealand Prime Minister — the safest pair of hands this country has had in living memory — gave a masterclass on the importance of maintaining an independent foreign policy when she spoke at an AUKUS symposium held ...
The government's released the list of organisations provided with information on how to apply - just hours before public submissions on the bill close. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Milton Speer, Visiting Fellow, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Technology Sydney Before climate change really got going, eastern Australia’s flash floods tended to concentrate on our coastal regions, east of the Great Dividing Range. But that’s changing. Now ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Elizabeth Finkel, Vice-Chancellor’s Fellow, La Trobe University Sia Duff / South Australian Museum In February, the South Australian Museum “re-imagined” itself. In the face of rising costs and inadequate government funds, CEO David Gaimster, who took the reins last June, declared ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alan Pearce, Professor, School of Allied Heath, Human Services & Sport, La Trobe University, La Trobe University This week, Collingwood AFL player Nathan Murphy announced his retirement, brought on by his concussion history and ongoing issues. The 24-year-old’s seemingly sudden retirement, ...
The Mental Health Foundation provides support and resources for those facing the loss of their job, so it’s wrong in the very week the Government adds another 1000 jobs to its tally of cuts, that this is happening. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexander Howard, Senior Lecturer, Discipline of English and Writing, University of Sydney Daniel Boud/Sydney Theatre Company Decay, terror, revulsion. These are three of the central themes of Thomas Bernhard’s rarely performed play The President. The Austrian is one of the greatest ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ye In (Jane) Hwang, Postdoctoral Research Associate at School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney Shutterstock You’d be hard pressed to find any aspect of daily life that doesn’t require some form of digital literacy. We need only to look back ten ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says threats by ministers Shane Jones and David Seymour to reform or close down the Waitangi Tribunal were “ill-considered”, as legal experts say the ministers may have breached Cabinet Manual conventions. “I think those comments are ill-considered and we expect all ministers to actually exercise good ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rob Newton, Professor of Exercise Medicine, Edith Cowan University Pexels/RDNE stock project You’re not in your 20s or 30s anymore and you know regular health checks are important. So you go to your GP. During the appointment they measure your waist. ...
A new poem by Evangeline Riddiford Graham. Mitochondrial Problem I. It was long drive to Kansas for the man and his dog but you have to understand he said She doesn’t fly. Which calls to mind not carsick shitting barking or whining but a dog who chooses not to as ...
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 Hemingway’s Goblet by Dermot Ross (Mary Egan Publishing, $38)Hot off the press, this debut ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Laura Wajnryb McDonald, PhD candidate in Criminology, University of Sydney Less than 24 hours after Ashlee Good was murdered in Bondi Junction, her family released a statement requesting the media take down photographs they had reproduced of Ashlee and her family without ...
Chief executive Shaun Robinson said it has not had any government funding cut, but government-funded contracts have not kept pace with rising costs. ...
The Ministry of Health has delayed the release of its evidence brief on the safety, reversibility and mental health and wellbeing outcomes for puberty blockers. While we wait, Julia de Bres speaks to those with firsthand experience. Best practice gender-affirming healthcare is based on trans people’s self-determination and agency. The ...
Barcelona’s city streets have gone from traffic-clogged to pedestrian-friendly. How? Superblocks. Ellen Rykers explains. This is an excerpt from our weekly environmental newsletter Future Proof. Sign up here. Last week I read a great interview with renowned urbanist Janette Sadik-Khan by The Spinoff’s Wellington editor Joel MacManus: “You can reimagine streets, ...
Student groups ‘Climate Action VUW’, Schools Strike 4 Climate and VUWSA will be on the street in Wellington today, the last day for submissions on the Fast-track Approvals Bill, with a message that the fight against the Government’s ‘War on ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sofia Ammassari, Research Fellow, Griffith University Since 2014, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s popularity has grown exponentially – and so has the formidable organisational machine of his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). These two factors will be key to delivering the BJP a ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brendon Hyndman, Associate Professor of Education (Adjunct) & Senior Manager (BCE), Charles Sturt University During COVID almost all Australian students and their families experienced online learning. But while schools have long since gone back to in-person teaching, online learning has not gone ...
Yes, they’re better for the environment. No, that’s not a good enough reason for me to use them. Once every 26 days or so, my period arrives, and if struck by an act of God, I am caught red-crotched without products. How, after 17 years of this, do I still ...
“It will cause significant harm to our environment and communities. It is completely at odds with New Zealanders’ relationship with nature and our need for a low-carbon, sustainable economic future." ...
The Chair of the National Maori Authority, Matthew Tukaki, has warned a Parliamentary Select Committee that fast-tracking legislation is a perilous practice that undermines the core tenets of democracy, transparency, and accountability. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tim Tenbensel, Associate Professor, Health Policy, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Getty Images Since coming into power, the coalition government has adopted a simple but shrewd see-how-fast-we-can-move political strategy. However, in the health sector this need for speed entails ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anastasia Hronis, Clinical Psychologist, University of Technology Sydney Darya Sannikova/Pexels Whether you’re watching TV, attending a footy game, or eating a meal at your local pub, gambling is hard to escape. Although the rise of gambling is not unique to Australia, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Wong, Forrest Fellow, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia Have you ever wondered if there are more insects out at night than during the day? We set out to answer this question by combing through the scientific ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Carol T Kulik, Research Professor, University of South Australia IR Stone/Shutterstock In Australia, it’s not the done thing to know – let alone ask – what our colleagues are paid. Yet, it’s easy to see how pay transparency can make pay ...
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is sounding a warning to migrants, that running foul of the law may see them leaving the country prematurely. ...
The government’s plan to get 50,000 people off jobseeker support by 2030 has had a rocky start, writes Catherine McGregor in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. Beneficiary numbers are up – and so are ...
Raglan Roast is a staple of Wellington coffee culture. But with five branches across the capital, which one is the best? I am a die-hard Raglan Roast fan. It’s consistently the most affordable cafe in Wellington, and one of the only places you can get a coffee after 3pm. So, ...
Residents of University of Auckland halls are being urged to withhold their accommodation fees from May 1, in a bid to force the university to take student concerns over rent hikes seriously.The University of Auckland is facing a strike from students over the cost of on-campus accommodation. The Students ...
Opinion: With maths understanding at 42 percent for Year 8 students, there’s no doubt something has to be done. But how? The post Financial literacy should be on all of us appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Hineaupounamu ‘Missy’ Nuku has been scaling mountains in Canada for her college basketball team, the Lakeland Rustlers. Alberta is currently home for the 20-year-old point guard, who is in her first year of a scholarship at Lakeland College, where she is studying for a business degree. She has certainly made ...
New Zealand and the Philippines have signed a new maritime security agreement and stated their concerns over activity in the South China Sea, as Chinese vessels continue to flout international law. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Philippines President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos committed to signing a Mutual Logistics Supporting Arrangement by ...
The thousands of government “back-office” job cuts are causing widespread pain in the capital city. In today’s episode of The Detail, we speak to three journalists and a think tank researcher, looking at the larger picture around the cuts and what effect it will have on Wellington, a city that’s ...
Opinion: The famed American architect and urban designer Daniel Burnham once said, “Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men’s blood!” Burnham wouldn’t have been referring to the transport plans in Aotearoa New Zealand over the past five years; projects so big they hadn’t the credibility to ...
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[quiz],DIV[quiz],A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question?Send Newsroom your questions. The post Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 19 April appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra When ASIO boss Mike Burgess delivered his annual threat assessment earlier this year, he stressed the rising danger posed by espionage and foreign interference. “In 2024, threats to our way of life have surpassed ...
The Tribunal had called on Minister for Children Karen Chhour to provide evidence at an urgent inquiry into the repeal of Section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By T.J. Thomson, Senior Lecturer in Visual Communication & Digital Media, RMIT University Midjourney image by T.J. Thomson As more than half of Australian office workers report using generative artificial intelligence (AI) for work, we’re starting to see this technology affect every ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lisa Nicole Sharwood, Injury epidemiologist | Expert Witness, UNSW Sydney Sergey Novikov/Shutterstock Injuries are the leading cause of disability and death among Australian children and adolescents. At least a quarter of all emergency department presentations during childhood are injury-related. Injuries can ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Di Winkler, Adjunct Associate Professor, Living with Disability Research Centre, La Trobe University Shutterstock/Ground PictureMany Australians with disability feel on the edge of a precipice right now. Recommendations from the disability royal commission and the NDIS review were released late ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Salman Shooshtarian, Senior Lecturer, School of Property, Construction and Project Management, RMIT University Salman Shooshtarian Asbestos has been found in mulch used for playgrounds, schools, parks and gardens across Sydney and Melbourne. Local communities naturally fear for the health of their ...
Family First says that the latest abortion statistics make grim and upsetting reading, with a 25% increase in abortions since the decriminalisation of abortion in March 2020. According to an Official Information Act request received by Right to Life ...
In his post Doha blah blah blah, Anthony Robins wrote;
The figures are, over 300 dead and over 900 missing, 400,000 have been left homeless. The death and destruction dwarfs that caused by Hurricane Sandy. Yet got the barest coverage possible in the Western media.
I don’t think that the difference in reporting this huge human tragedy can all be explained by euro-centric racism in the MSM.
The footprint of global warming is all over this one. For the media to look too closely at the tragedy in the Philippines is to risk opening up a huge political controversy that the MSM don’t know how to cover, without offending the authorities and vested interest.
Even in Hurricane Sandy in which climate change was only possibly implicated by the mainstream media, the questions and debate about climate change threatened to spiral out of the authorities’ control and disrupt the carefully stage managed presidential elections in which all mention of climate change had been scripted out.
The same thing threatened to occur at Dohar when the current round of climate talks where briefly disrupted by the intrusion of reality by the unfolding disaster in the Philippines, when the lead representative of the Philippines called on world leaders to stand up to “our political masters“. Apart from the alternative media this emotional call for revolt was greeted with silence by the MSM.
http://www.democracynow.org/2012/12/4/as_typhoon_bopha_wreaks_havoc_philippine
Unfortunately Naderev Sano’s plea went unheeded and the Dohar talks delivered exactly what “our political masters” wanted.
Who are “our political masters” that Sano is appealing to the government “ministers” and political “leaders” of the world to stand up to?
Would I be wrong in supposeing that they are the same political masters who influence our mainstream media outlets to play up some stories and play down others?
Are they the same “political masters” that influence even Green Party politicians to play down and ignore climate change?
That last sentence: there’s the problem, see? Reading this false claim makes me wonder how many other lies your comment contains. Undermines its effectiveness. Y’know, like when John Key’s lips are moving.
Lift your game.
+1
Be careful who you call a liar, you risk looking foolish. You know as well as I that the Green Party leadership are playing down climate change and that they are doing it for narrow political advantage. i.e. bums on seats. They are not even in government yet, and already they are selling out. There can be little doubt, that with all the compromises they are prepared to make to get cabinet positions the Green Party in government will be a big disappointment.
In a previous thread I asked weka to explain why the Green Party was playing down climate change.
This is what he wrote:
In reply I asked weka a simple question; Who?
Who weka are these “others” you think should “step up”, now that the Greens are standing down?
Weka has not replied to me. Maybe weka should consider the words of Naderev Sano, though addressed to the government reps gathered at Doha it could just as easily be asked of the Greens.
…the Green Party leadership are playing down climate change…
It’s time for your reality check.
Oh look, here’s a press-release from five days ago. From Russell Norman. The co-leader.
“Looking foolish”? Yes, you are.
<blockquote>Oh look, here’s a press-release from five days ago. From Russell Norman. The co-leade
<b>One Tāne Viper</b>
</blockquote>
Oh look, there’s not a single word in this press release attributed to Russel Norman. The co-leader
Grabbing for straws are we not?
Um – the entire release is attributed to RN. He’s the primary contact for it.
Impressive
the Green Party leadership are playing down climate change
Citation needed. Students are advised that “playing down” is normally read as an active move on the part of the sentence’s subject, and arguments based on a lack of sufficiently-robust press releases on the topic will be marked down as disingenuous.
Um, it is really hard to report things that didn’t happen. Like the fact that climate change was never mentioned by the Green Party as an election issue in the last election. And looks likely not to be raised again in the next elections by the Green Party.
I suppose I could link to a blank sheet of paper if that would satisfy you.
Never mentioned? Five press releases specifically mentioning climate change in the last 3 months before the 2011 election.
Here, here, here, here, and here. Almost one a fortnight through the campaign. On top of every other issue mentioned during the campaign.
I’m never going to vote Green, but I am prepared to spend 20 seconds to do a basic search of the interwebz.
What were you saying about reporting things that didn’t happen?
“Weka has not replied to me.”
Probably because we had just spent a whole lot of time and effort providing links that demonstrated you were lying about Russell Norman and grossly misrepresenting the GP as a way of manipulating reality to suit your agenda.
Or maybe it’s because I don’t believe that the GP are ARE downplaying CC, so there was no clear way to answer your somewhat idiotic and manipulative question.
I also find it weird that you don’t already know who the other parties are that should be challenging climate change AS WELL AS the GP. See that? – AS WELL AS. That was my point – that the GP has done massive amounts of work to address climate change, and they still do but they have changed their focus a bit. Hence my suggestion that others step up (political parties, NGOs, industry etc, duh).
You have an odd sense of responsibility IMO. You think that the GP should abandon its attempt to form government (which includes abandoning an attempt to effect real change within parliament on all those other equally important issues), and instead put CC at the forefront and stay in parliament as a CC lobby group. Well too bad. The GP doesn’t exist to suit your agenda, and as already amply demonstrated is doing its bit to address CC.
Thank you weka for attempting to answer my question. I am glad to see that you think that it is the time that other political parties, (presumably Labour and National), step up to the campaign against climate change. I agree totally. But for this to happen requires leadership from the Greens. Labour and National will never change their current positions unless they are challenged, and challenged strongly and repeatedly. But how can this happen when in your words, “<i>the Greens have changed their focus….</i>”? (in your opinion “a bit” in my opinion an “awful lot”). Your reply is contradictory. You say that you “<i>don’t believe that the GP are downplaying CC</i>”. But you admit that the Green Party have “<i>changed their focus a bit</i>”. A concession to the truth. You argue that the Green Party should attempt to enter government that supports deep seas oil drilling and prospecting, and open cast coal mining, and fracking. And that, to not do so means, “<i>abandoning an attempt to effect real change within parliament on all those other equally important issues</i>” (Without saying what those other equally important issues are.) It doesn’t really matter what they are, because you are full of it, just making excuses before time, for selling out. I imagine that by “<i>equally important issues</i>” you mean social issues of justice and equality and relief for the poor etc. All highly commendable and high minded, of course, and who could object? Except that by leveling them equal to climate change each one of these other issues will be worsened, not alleviated. Making your stand hypocritical.
Weka if you haven’t already, you should listen to the words of Naderev (Yeb) Sano talking about Typhoon Bopha: <blockquote>”….. heartbreaking tragedies like this are not unique to the Philippines, because the whole world, especially developing countries struggling to address poverty and achieve social and human development, confront these same realities. <b>Naderev Sano</b> Lead negotiator, Philippines delegation to Dohar round on climate change. </blockquote> You say that by not staying outside of government to fight against climate change includes abandoning an attempt to effect real change within parliament on all those other equally important issues. I say you will be following in the well trod path of <a href=’http://bowalleyroad.blogspot.co.nz/2012/12/an-appointment-with-reality.html’>Joshka Fischer</a> and <a href=’http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/clegg-sold-out-to-get-power-say-voters-2083293.html’>Nick Clegg</a>. To keep the pressure on the Labour and National Parties the Green Party need to abandon attempting to form a government that will allow deep sea oil drilling and fracking and new open cast strip mining of coal for export.
are you putting markup tags in the WYSIWYG editor?
It’s a complete mystery to me. All paragraphs have been removed as well.
(For some reason my ability to use html has failed. I will try reposting again) Thank you weka for attempting to answer my question. I am glad to see that you think that it is the time of the Labour Party and National parties to take over the campaign against climate change. I agree totally. But for this to happen requires leadership from the Greens. Labour and National will never change their current positions unless they are challenged, and challenged strongly and repeatedly. Inside parliament and out. But how can this happen when in your words, “<i>the Greens have changed their focus….</i>”? (in your opinion “a bit” in my opinion an “awful lot”). Your reply is contradictory. You say that you “<i>don’t believe that the GP are downplaying CC</i>”. But you admit that the Green Party have “<i>changed their focus a bit</i>”. A concession to the truth. You argue that the Green Party should attempt to enter government that supports deep seas oil drilling and prospecting, and open cast coal mining, and fracking. And that, to not do so, <i>”means abandoning an attempt to effect real change within parliament on all these other equally important issues</i>” (Without saying what those other equally important issues are.) It doesn’t really matter what they are, because you are full of it, just making excuses before time, for selling out. I imagine that by “<i>equally important issues</i>” you mean social issues of justice and equality and relief for the poor etc. All highly commendable and high minded, of course, and who could object? Except that by leveling them equal to climate change each one of these other issues will be worsened, not alleviated. Weka if you haven’t already, you should listen to the words of Naderev (Yeb) Sano talking about Typhoon Bopha: <blockquote> “…….heartbreaking tragedies like this are not unique to the Philippines, because the whole world, especially developing countries struggling to address poverty and achieve social and human development, confront these same realities. <b>Naderev Sano</b> Lead negotiator, Philippines delegation to Dohar round on climate change. </blockquote> You say that by not staying outside of government to fight against climate change includes abandoning an attempt to effect real change within parliament on all those other equally important issues. I say you will be following in the well trod path of <a href=’http://bowalleyroad.blogspot.co.nz/2012/12/an-appointment-with-reality.html’>Joshka Fischer</a> and <a href=’http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/clegg-sold-out-to-get-power-say-voters-2083293.html’>Nick Clegg</a>. To keep the pressure on the Labour and National Parties the Green Party need to abandon attempting to form a government that will allow deep sea oil drilling and fracking and new open cast strip mining of coal for export. By staying outside of such a government you can vote on each issue, case by case. In a coalition you will be bound by collective responsibility, forced to swallow many dead rats.
No luck
I don’t think that the difference in reporting this huge human tragedy can all be explained by euro-centric racism in the MSM.
Most of the difference can be explained by reference to the fact that Sandy bore down on the highest concentration of big media producers in the english speaking world, a few days before a US presidential election, combine that with this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CNN_effect
and it would have been a miracle if anything else happened.
Exactly. Occam’s Rasor, yes. Huge global conspiring new order cabals of racists, no.
So is this how the gathering global disaster of climate change will be reported? The hundreds of deaths now, which in the future will be millions, will get less media attention than the passing milestones of the yet unborn heir to the British throne.
I have no idea how that is supposed to relate to my comment, or the aspect of your comment I was responding to.
‘
http://www.janbrett.com/piggybacks/deep_tex.mid
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2012/12/12-0 “The honchos of America’s establishment media are quick to blame such external causes as the Internet for their problems. But if they looked internally, they might notice that they’re damn near eaten-up with a bad case of conventional wisdomitis. The problem with conventional wisdom is that more often than not it’s nothing more than the contrived “wisdom” of the corporate powers.
And again, while this is an interesting area, it doesn’t relate in any way to what we were talking about.
Associated Press. March 2023.
Sir Trevor Mallard of Wainuiomata has returned from London after six years as a highly successful and very popular High Commissioner. Sir Trevor is expected to continue to bring his unique talents to bear on assignments for the UN and the Olympics Movement.
Sir Trevor took of the London position after three hectic years as Speaker of the House during the first Cunliffe Government. He successfully guided the house through the historic period of economic reform that has led the country to its new export led prosperity and low employment. Sir Trevor is New Zealand’s last High Commissioner. The role will now be titled Ambassador, given New Zealand’s new status of a republic.
Sir Trevor was greeted at the Airport by his BFFL, Tau Henare.
NZHerald. April 2023
Premier Lady Jacinta Ardern flew back from Australasia’s capital Canberra for the annual Federation Heads meeting where she was greeting with 400 young schoolchildren who ran across the airport as she emerged from the plane. In a well choreographed display of affection with long red ribbons on sticks they all sang The People’s Flag is Deepest Red, We Praise You For Our Room And Bed.
She confirmed in a written statement that “Our decision to join in union with Australia after the ANZAC centenary has been proven the only and the best way to ensure our national sovereignty is secure, our labour rights improved, and our strategic assets retained within Canberra’s more generous banking framework. Our discussions on the New Guinea question were fruitful.”
Lady Ardern was formally welcomed by New Zealand’s last Governor-General Lord Key of Thorndon at Premier House, where the security cordon against what he described last month as “Those filthy Hobbitses” remained tight as over half the country is now officially in poverty and the vast steaming camp outside Premier House remains, in the words of the Chief of Welfare and Goodness, “Too fetid to consider seriously until they all just get a job.”
Hell 2060
Very warm welcomes are expected in Hell for the NZ members of the Australasian politburo lynched by a mob of “rabid hobbits”.
Correction for Lady Ardern – “Our discussion on the New Guinea question of overpopulation of fruitbats was sterile I’m sorry to report.” Nothing else of import was addressed.
Trevor has just issued a statement in which, in a very Statesmanlike tone, he recommends Maurice Williamson for the Speaker Role.
This great act by Sir Trevor should be applauded.
Jaysus…I just had a thought: Trevor would be a great speaker. Cunliffe should propose Trevor for that role.
And while Cunliffe is being so generous he should endorse Annette for the Wellingtom Mayoralty… Lady Annette has a certain ring to it.
Eh Cunners? Why not give Phil Goff the nod for Secretaty General of the Commonwealth? Lord Goff of Pukekohe has a certain ring to it.
Shearer you ask eh Cunners? No the UN don’t want him back. A little bit embarrassing….
I thought this post was taking the p**s – but here is the link to Mallard the Duck’s press release
– http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1212/S00228/new-speaker-must-want-the-job.htm
On the same subject, Tariana Turia’s response to Tau Henare’s blaming the MP for not now supporting his bid for Speaker
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1212/S00221/turia-corrects-record-regarding-contest-for-speaker.htm
LOL – love the other suggestions in your comment!
Moi? Take the P*ss?
These appointments have been well earned by our leaders. They are now ready to retire their seats. They have all insisted that they will not parachute in any staffers from the Parliamentary office it the Labour HQ. They would like to encourage candidates who will engage with the Membership in a respectful manner.
Laughed Out Loud
Another V
+1
…and another……
KMan (Absolutely Fabulous)
Very good. Interesting though how you happy republicans believe that life will be better with the type of elected uber-leader that we would get when we can’t even attract the quality under leaders we absolutely need. All in all the Monarchy is mainly monetarily supported by the Brits, does her or his best to think responsibly and behave with integrity and graciousness, and aren’t lawyers or con-men out to help their friends to chisel any money you have accumulated in the naive belief that this is the proper financial duty according to the seen laws and the general meme.
RNZ – The Panel – yesterday.
Jim Mora and his guests appeared to countenance the practice of “prank” phone calls. They are apparently part of the social fabric and have been for years, and they even interviewed a former DJ from a “pop” radio station who was world-famous-in-NZ for this type of phone call.
What is the justification for the calls to be made at all.
I wasn’t sure whether they were advocating that Radio New Zealand National start doing it. Further, I wonder if they would approve. If they were uncomfortable with that notion, then the question might be why.
I was astonished to hear that Holmes did it before ubiquitous global communications had twittered into every area of life. The basic observation was lacking in Moro, radio used to have the ability to control the message (a switch to cut the caller off), but now we all get to pile in to the bullying of shock jocks, that their meanness isn’t a bitchy corner of the media space where a few listen in, its a world where their efforts are redistributed on utube, their master complex creates copy cats from timbucktoo to alaska. This poor nurse, unable to reply, unable to remedy the offense to her own professional standing, was caught in an off moment, to the riddle of the world. That could be anyone next if we allow this incidient to go unpunished, and its striking that Moro would come to their defense, surely what’s good for the goose is good for the gander? Well no, it just continues the original reckless ridiculing. This was wrong, lawyers should have long since shutdown this debate pending criminal charges of the editors of the radio show. They were just gunning for spectacle royal stories to feed into the killing frenzy, the blood was in the water, and they wanted a bite too.
“Spectacle royal stories” – I hope I live to when New Zealand voters elect their Head of State.
This is for anybody who still thinks the Cullen fund is going to provide us with pensions for the rest of times.
Lovely rant there for the morning – great stuff in the interview.
Isn’t it just 🙂
Another example of this Government’s refusal to adhere to even a basic understanding of natural justice is Judith Collins’ handling of the recommendation to pay David Bain compensation.
he has criticised the report prepared by overseas Jurist Ian Binnie but has not released it. She has asked the Solicitor General to have a critique prepared but has refused to let Bain’s lawyers see it. This is giving the side who lost the chance to undermine the proposal for compensation.
Binnie has released the most scathing response I have ever seen from a Western Jurist.
He has said that he expected Collins to follow a fair and even-handed process, yet she has taken advice from the Solicitor-General who for almost 17 years tried to uphold the guilty verdict from David Bain’s first trial.
He stated that the minister is searching for reasons that support her preferred disposition of the Bain claim.
He said says it is unfair that his report has been given to the police and other officials but Bain has not been able to see it.
Binnie finished by saying that by Collins insisting his report remain confidential she seems to have a “curiously one-sided view of confidentiality”. He believes the report should be made public so people can judge the merits of the minister’s concerns.
Strong stuff.
I don’t know, Micky. I am deeply suspicious of the Binnie report (no, I haven’t seen it). Two things – firstly it’s been reported that Binnie interviewed Bain while compiling the report. Is this normal? I would rather have thought a judge should be making decisions based on the evidence, not trying to form their own impressions of the accused at that stage of the process.
And secondly, I really doubt that it’s possible to find David Bain innocent on the balance of probabilities. There’s enough for reasonable doubt, definitely, but on balance of probabilities I think you’d have to be Joe Karam in disguise to come to Binnie’s conclusion.
“I would rather have thought a judge should be making decisions based on the evidence, not trying to form their own impressions of the accused at that stage of the process.”
The questioning was known and attended by all parties so presumably fine. Further, the report is around compensation rather than another trial over his guilt. The issue is compensation for what has occurred – the issue is not whether he is innocent or guilty.
But seriously, this bunch of neanderthals in government simply buy the recommendations and opinions that suit their political requirements. Examples – Wyatt Creech’s Ecan report, John Key’s Hardtalk interview which gave his game away, and now Judith Collins and Binnie.
They are a joke this government
Judith Collins has just done a Parata. With hopefully the same result. Let’s hope Chauvel is up for it.
Heard Justice Binnie on Checkpoint. An understated, truly authoritative, quintessential, impeccable, judicial analysis of the ignorant backwoodsman behaviour of Judith Collins. Collins…… the true, leathered, impervious to mature thought, redneck.
Was left thinking that Collins is much like George Dubya – “I say, therefore it is”.
Embarrassing !
Agreed Blue about the complexity of the Bain case and I am not sure that he should qualify for compensation. But the process is appalling. If a Minister asks a Judge for an opinion and he gives her one she should follow it. If she is not going to she should at least release the decision and set out her concerns and then let Bain have a chance to respond.
Natural Justice requires no less.
mr micky, this latest grunting from the current NZ Government is simply mroe evidence that we have neanderthals in charge..
ooga booga, snort grunt stomp stomp stomp.
ug ug
oog oog oog
nothing more. there is no sophistication, no civility, no wisdom, no judgment, certainly no justice or fairness. There is just grunting and grabbing.
ooga booga
Have a listen to this. Sounds like Collins has bitten off more than she can chew with this guy.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/national/news/video.cfm?c_id=1503075&gal_cid=1503075&gallery_id=129782
Which begs a second question. With Parata, Power, Bennett and now Collins out of the running by dint of incompetence, retirement or plain stupidity, does that leave Joyce as the next leader of the Nat party?
Thanks for that. It’s a pity Binnie referred to his expertise as an “opinion” – “just one judge’s opinion and I can show you another that will give you a counterview”.
Look in Nz the law is to simple, you become
entangled in a crime scene, and the evidence
does not stack up, in fact, starts shrinking
as time passes, but courts being run by
humans make the mistake and convict.
Now if you appreciate this,
and argue that courts should be judicious,
bring all matters (and appeals) in timely
fashion, then commonly held (other nations)
this would be considered a credit to a nation.
But in NZ we ignore incompetence, and in
ignoring end up rewarding the failures
(who fail to learn).
Look at neo-conservatist neo-liberalist
deregulation, that contributed not only to
Pike River, CTV, SCF, but now Bain.
Judith Collins, by ignoring, by not humbling
herself, and admitting the horrendously long
time for justice to be done, is bringing the
case back to life, and re-litigating it.
So I ask when will the law council start
proceedings to disbar Judith Collins.
Now, of course, it could just be political
and Collins needing the prosecutors to sign
on to compensation too.
The Bain case says more about us as a country than
of a soulless Justice Minister or the patently
incapable legal fraternity of admitting error.
Do we believe as a nation, that if you walk into
a murder scene where nearly all your family have
been murdered, and fight for your life also,
then at trial the wrong verdict, guilty, was
announced. Leads to you losing your family
wealth, incarcerated for over a decade, all the
time you are declaring your innocence. How would
you see the case? when you finally vindicated
that the state had not given you a fair trial,
a speedy process that uncovers guilt?
The balance of probabilities test does not
access the fairness of the trial, the
the court system ability to discern truth,
or hold them to account when they inevitably gone wrong.
A persons life, their family murdered, then
can be destroyed by the system on top? where
the courts are used by the real murderer to
continue the criminality?
So as the evidence shrinks, the possibility
of another perpetrator rises, the pronounced
reality that the system is aiding and abetting
them.
Its not beyond possibility that a murderer can
wipe out their family, inadvertantly frame the
sole survivor. Murder suicides do not go to plan.
And if you haven’t noticed, you cannot make a
case on the balance of probabilites if you
don’t have the initial weights of those possibilites
before the evidence is added in.
We cannot have a situation where the less
evidence there is, the more definitive we can be
about merits of our own case. Its like declaring
the classic invisible pink unicorn is both pink and
has just one horn, having a discussion that the
balance of probabilities tells us that it must be
just the one horn is nonsense, not none or many.
Our court system has too
streams, civil and criminal, we remove incarceration
as civil punishments. Just by admitting the need
to discuss probabilities should mean we compensate
for the incarceration. Bain should get some
compensation no matter what, even if its just
to safeguard the surviving relatives from paying
back inheritances.
Should we let one innocent person go to jail, who
lost their whole family, their inheritance,
their right to a judicious court process, time
having destroyed the evidence of innocence?
Do we live in a nation where innocent till proven otherwise?
Do we live in a nation of law, or of a lawyer pandering
to their political needs?
Impeach Judith Collins. Sick sad. How is it my
problem that see cannot understand a competent
legalist and has to call in ‘help’ from partial
lawyers? Why do we as a nation have to talk
Judith collins done from her high horse again.
The idea that anyone of us could walk into
a crime, be wrongly convicted, fight for justice
languishing in jail for over a decade, only to
be vindicated, and then be ignored by a sad sick
lawyer more worried about her political career
than her oath to uphold the integrity of the legal
system, to not bring parliament into disrepute,
by micro managing to political ends, what now is
clear to all, even the impartial third party expert
believes compensation is merited.
Hekia Parata plagiarises the “Teaching 101” introduction to teaching textbook yet again ….
http://news.msn.co.nz/nationalnews/8578933/govt-blamed-for-poor-student-performance
DunnoKeyo still has great confidence in “His Team” 😀
Ho hum, another day, another “journalist” peddling wingnut spin.
…she revealed retired Canadian judge Ian Binnie went “well beyond”…
Revealed? Not “asserted” then?
Isn’t it time the electoral commission started totting up the value of these free services Fairfax media et al provide to the National Party?
Hello David, you are a part of this family and you are my child- ‘mine’ Forever.
“All for one, one for all”.
WE work together, that is the deal, we are family.
You have two choices- be a leader or be a loser?
At least I am getting the ball rolling!
You have to believe, both of you.
The art of magic, is the art of believing.
DON’T EVER DOUBT YOURSELVES!
So What?
Draco T Bastard gone too?
WTF is going on??
Journos on the tweet machine saying the Auditor General has sent draft report about the Sky City convention centre bizzo to interested parties.
Should be ready for release when everyone is sitting on the beach then.
you pretty much have to laugh at this shit by now:
http://t.co/pOr5cdcF
That’s some well written reportage there too, BTW.
There’s been excuses all over the news channels about how they weren’t in cahoots with the drug-runners, it’s just their systems weren’t robust enough. The man in charge at the time, Stuart Green is now the UK Minister of State for Trade and Investment.
No such thing as a sacking or accountability for these types, just a life peerage and a seat in the House of Lords
Now on WordPress 3.5. Tests worked ok. Leave me a message if any problems show…
Test message
I’m getting the wysiwyg editor for comments, never had it before. Haven’t got the box checked.
Chrome on xp.
That is weird. The flag to display it or not is stored in a cookie from your system that is sent to the server.
It literally doesn’t write the code for the HTML page that it sends back unless it see that coming through. Nothing is meant to be caching the HTML at the server side or at cloudflare.
Ummm just tried myself and it turned it on and off on chrome / ubuntu.
Try killing your TS cookies and/or cache
Test message2
Test message3, links are alive dead on wysiwg
Test message 4, testing not logged in.
Reedit appears to work
Something odd but not a problem.
Just left a comment. Hit submit, which took me to the comment in final form in the thread. Hit the “back’ button to get out and it took me to the comment in the thread with the draft underneath it. never happened like that before, usually the “back” takes me back in time to before the comment was posted on my way out and back to the site as a whole.
As i say, it didn’t cause a problem, I just mention it in case the difference indicates some kind of problem.
edit: same thing happened as I tried to exit this comment. Guess this is the new normal.
That will be your browser. It probably had an upgrade of some type as well. Those history operations are usually completely done on the client and they have all kinds of odd behaviours.
There is something incredibly boring about the current labour leadership. They have no spark or imagination. How they ever think they could win an election beats me. That cheshire cat (Chris Hipkins) makes me want to vomit when I see and hear him on the tv. Nothing logical or sensible comes out of his mouth. He looks like a schoolboy and has about the same level of appeal as a teenage boy to what was once loyal labour voters.
Stale, stayed and lacking vision is what this labour leadership is all about. They chopped off the only tall poppy so they are all as dull as each other now.
so they are all as dull as each other now
I remember some old Radio NZ or NZBC(?) comedy show about a vain doctor. In one episode, as he left for his holiday, he told the others in the practise, “Now remember: don’t do anything I can’t do.” Since the ABC gang are saying that… nobody’s doing anything.