Open mike 16/12/2020
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6:00 am, December 16th, 2020 - 104 comments
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- Bernard’s pick ‘n’ mix 6 @ 6:06am on Sunday, May 19
TL;DR: Here’s six links that stood out to me in the last day in Aotearoa’s political economy to 6:06am on Sunday, May 19:Aotearoa-NZ is the seventh worst in the OECD’s homelessness rankings, just behind the United States and just ahead of Australia. BlackRock thinks rate hikes actually worsen inflation because ...8 hours ago - Lords of the flies
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...19 hours ago - Release: 4,500 jobs lost – and countingMore than 4,500 jobs are set to go as the National Government continues its deep cuts to services to pay for irresponsible and ill-timed tax cuts. ...2 days ago
- No-cause evictions leave no hope for renters
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- Government ignorant of evidence in neglect of tamarikiToday’s justification from the Minister for Children for scrapping protections for our tamariki was either a case of ignorance or deliberate deception. ...5 days ago
- Gang policy setting communities up for failureThe Green Party says the Government’s misguided policy on gangs will fail, following the announcement of the establishment of a national gang unit and district gang disruption units to target gang activities. ...5 days ago
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- Charter schools not a serious solutionWe need serious investment and solutions into our education system, not a vanity project from David Seymour. ...5 days ago
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- Release: Govt’s stubbornness will harm Māori childrenGovernment has remained stubborn and is ramming its Bill into the House today, which the Waitangi Tribunal has said will hurt vulnerable children. ...6 days ago
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- Release: Sexual violence prevention among hundreds of job cuts at ACCThe National Government plans to cut 390 jobs at ACC, including roles in the areas of prevention of sexual violence, road safety and workplace safety. ...1 week ago
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- Release: Backtrack on school lunches a win for Kiwi kidsDavid Seymour has failed to get the sweeping cuts he wanted to the free and healthy school lunch programme, Labour education spokesperson Jan Tinetti said. ...2 weeks ago
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- TIKANGA IS NOT LAW. IT IS CULTURAL INDOCTRINATION.A senior, highly respected King’s Counsel with decades of experience in our law courts, Gary Judd KC, has filed a complaint about compulsory tikanga Māori studies for law students - highlighting the utter depths of absurdity this woke cultural madness has taken our society. The tikanga regulations will compel law ...2 weeks ago
- Release: National won’t commit to full Nelson Hospital upgradeThe Government needs to be clear with the people of the Nelson Marlborough region about the changes it is considering for the Nelson Hospital rebuild, Labour health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall said. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour calls for fast track list to be releasedMinisters must front up about which projects it will push through under its Fast Track Approvals legislation, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: National gaslights women fighting for equal payNational has scrapped the pay equity taskforce that fights for equal pay for women and looks at ethnic pay gaps. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: More job cuts, fewer houses under NationalThe Government is again adding to New Zealand’s growing unemployment, this time cutting jobs at the agencies responsible for urban development and growing much needed housing stock. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Children fall deeper through the cracks in Govt cutsWith Minister Karen Chhour indicating in the House today that she either doesn’t know or care about the frontline cuts she’s making to Oranga Tamariki, we risk seeing more and more of our children falling through the cracks. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour honours memory of Sir Robert MartinThe Labour Party is saddened to learn of the death of Sir Robert Martin, a globally renowned disability advocate who led the way for disability rights both in New Zealand and internationally. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: 130,000 cattle saved from live exportLabour is calling for the Government to urgently rethink its coalition commitment to restart live animal exports, Labour animal welfare spokesperson Rachel Boyack said. ...3 weeks ago
- Central Bank makes clear Government is pouring fuel on housing crisis fireToday’s Financial Stability Report has once again highlighted that poverty and deep inequality are political choices - and this Government is choosing to make them worse. ...3 weeks ago
- New unemployment figures paint bleak pictureThe Green Party is calling on the Government to do more for our households in most need as unemployment rises and the cost of living crisis endures. ...3 weeks ago
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- Release: National hiking transport costs for families and young New ZealandersWeekly expenses will grow for more than 1.6 million New Zealanders as the Government ends free and half price public transport fares tomorrow. ...3 weeks ago
- Release: Labour welcomes EU free trade agreementThe New Zealand Labour Party welcomes the entering into force of the European Union and New Zealand free trade agreement. This agreement opens the door for a huge increase in trade opportunities with a market of 450 million people who are high value discerning consumers of New Zealand goods and ...3 weeks ago
- Surprise: Landlord tax cuts don’t trickle downThe Green Party is renewing its call for rent controls following reports of rental prices hitting an all-time high. ...3 weeks ago
- Release: $1.7b for no increase in access to medicineThe National-led Government continues its fiscal jiggery pokery with its Pharmac announcement today, Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall says. “The government has increased Pharmac funding but conceded it will only make minimal increases in access to medicine”, said Ayesha Verrall “This is far from the bold promises made to fund ...3 weeks ago
- Release: National should heed Tribunal warning and scrap coalition commitment with ACTThis afternoon’s interim Waitangi Tribunal report must be taken seriously as it affects our most vulnerable children, Labour children’s spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime. ...3 weeks ago
- New measures to protect powerlines from trees
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced that the Government will make it easier for lines firms to take action to remove vegetation from obstructing local powerlines. The change will ensure greater security of electricity supply in local communities, particularly during severe weather events. “Trees or parts of trees falling on ...1 day ago - Wairarapa Moana ki Pouakani win top Māori dairy farming awardWairarapa Moana ki Pouakani were the top winners at this year’s Ahuwhenua Trophy awards recognising the best in Māori dairy farming. Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka announced the winners and congratulated runners-up, Whakatōhea Māori Trust Board, at an awards celebration also attended by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Finance Minister ...1 day ago
- DJ Fred Again – Assurance report received"On the 27th of March, I sought assurances from the Chief Executive, Department of Internal Affairs, that the Department’s correct processes and policies had been followed in regards to a passport application which received media attention,” says Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden. “I raised my concerns after being ...2 days ago
- District Court Judges appointedAttorney-General Judith Collins has announced the appointment of three new District Court Judges, to replace Judges who have recently retired. Peter James Davey of Auckland has been appointed a District Court Judge with a jury jurisdiction to be based at Whangarei. Mr Davey initially started work as a law clerk/solicitor with ...2 days ago
- Unions should put learning ahead of ideologyAssociate Education Minister David Seymour is calling on the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) to put ideology to the side and focus on students’ learning, in reaction to the union holding paid teacher meetings across New Zealand about charter schools. “The PPTA is disrupting schools up and down the ...2 days ago
- Craig Stobo appointed as chair of FMACommerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly today announced the appointment of Craig Stobo as the new chair of the Financial Markets Authority (FMA). Mr Stobo takes over from Mark Todd, whose term expired at the end of April. Mr Stobo’s appointment is for a five-year term. “The FMA plays ...2 days ago
- Budget 2024 invests in lifeguards and coastguardSurf Life Saving New Zealand and Coastguard New Zealand will continue to be able to keep people safe in, on, and around the water following a funding boost of $63.644 million over four years, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Associate Transport Minister Matt Doocey say. “Heading to the beach for ...2 days ago
- New Zealand and Tuvalu reaffirm close relationshipNew Zealand and Tuvalu have reaffirmed their close relationship, Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters says. “New Zealand is committed to working with Tuvalu on a shared vision of resilience, prosperity and security, in close concert with Australia,” says Mr Peters, who last visited Tuvalu in 2019. “It is my pleasure ...3 days ago
- New Zealand calls for calm, constructive dialogue in New CaledoniaNew Zealand is gravely concerned about the situation in New Caledonia, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The escalating situation and violent protests in Nouméa are of serious concern across the Pacific Islands region,” Mr Peters says. “The immediate priority must be for all sides to take steps to de-escalate the ...3 days ago
- New Zealand welcomes Samoa Head of StatePrime Minister Christopher Luxon met today with Samoa’s O le Ao o le Malo, Afioga Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II, who is making a State Visit to New Zealand. “His Highness and I reflected on our two countries’ extensive community links, with Samoan–New Zealanders contributing to all areas of our national ...3 days ago
- Island Direct eligible for SuperGold Card fundingTransport Minister Simeon Brown has announced that he has approved Waiheke Island ferry operator Island Direct to be eligible for SuperGold Card funding, paving the way for a commercial agreement to bring the operator into the scheme. “Island Direct started operating in November 2023, offering an additional option for people ...3 days ago
- Further sanctions against RussiaForeign Minister Winston Peters today announced further sanctions on 28 individuals and 14 entities providing military and strategic support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “Russia is directly supported by its military-industrial complex in its illegal aggression against Ukraine, attacking its sovereignty and territorial integrity. New Zealand condemns all entities and ...3 days ago
- One year on from Loafers LodgeA year on from the tragedy at Loafers Lodge, the Government is working hard to improve building fire safety, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “I want to share my sincere condolences with the families and friends of the victims on the anniversary of the tragic fire at Loafers ...3 days ago
- Pre-Budget speech to Auckland Business ChamberKa nui te mihi kia koutou. Kia ora and good afternoon, everyone. Thank you so much for having me here in the lead up to my Government’s first Budget. Before I get started can I acknowledge: Simon Bridges – Auckland Business Chamber CEO. Steve Jurkovich – Kiwibank CEO. Kids born ...4 days ago
- New Zealand and Vanuatu to deepen collaborationNew Zealand and Vanuatu will enhance collaboration on issues of mutual interest, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “It is important to return to Port Vila this week with a broad, high-level political delegation which demonstrates our deep commitment to New Zealand’s relationship with Vanuatu,” Mr Peters says. “This ...4 days ago
- Penk travels to Peru for trade meetingsMinister for Land Information, Chris Penk will travel to Peru this week to represent New Zealand at a meeting of trade ministers from the Asia-Pacific region on behalf of Trade Minister Todd McClay. The annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers Responsible for Trade meeting will be held on 17-18 May ...4 days ago
- Minister attends global education conferencesMinister of Education Erica Stanford will head to the United Kingdom this week to participate in the 22nd Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers (CCEM) and the 2024 Education World Forum (EWF). “I am looking forward to sharing this Government’s education priorities, such as introducing a knowledge-rich curriculum, implementing an evidence-based ...4 days ago
- Education Minister thanks outgoing NZQA ChairMinister of Education Erica Stanford has today thanked outgoing New Zealand Qualifications Authority Chair, Hon Tracey Martin. “Tracey Martin tendered her resignation late last month in order to take up a new role,” Ms Stanford says. Ms Martin will relinquish the role of Chair on 10 May and current Deputy ...4 days ago
- Joint statement of Christopher Luxon and Emmanuel Macron: Launch of the Christchurch Call FoundationNew Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and President Emmanuel Macron of France today announced a new non-governmental organisation, the Christchurch Call Foundation, to coordinate the Christchurch Call’s work to eliminate terrorist and violent extremist content online. This change gives effect to the outcomes of the November 2023 Call Leaders’ Summit, ...5 days ago
- Panel announced for review into disability servicesDistinguished public servant and former diplomat Sir Maarten Wevers will lead the independent review into the disability support services administered by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. The review was announced by Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston a fortnight ago to examine what could be done to strengthen the ...5 days ago
- Minister welcomes Police gang unitToday’s announcement by Police Commissioner Andrew Coster of a National Gang Unit and district Gang Disruption Units will help deliver on the coalition Government’s pledge to restore law and order and crack down on criminal gangs, Police Minister Mark Mitchell says. “The National Gang Unit and Gang Disruption Units will ...5 days ago
- New Zealand expresses regret at North Korea’s aggressive rhetoricForeign Minister Winston Peters has today expressed regret at North Korea’s aggressive rhetoric towards New Zealand and its international partners. “New Zealand proudly stands with the international community in upholding the rules-based order through its monitoring and surveillance deployments, which it has been regularly doing alongside partners since 2018,” Mr ...5 days ago
- New Chief of Defence Force appointedAir Vice-Marshal Tony Davies MNZM is the new Chief of Defence Force, Defence Minister Judith Collins announced today. The Chief of Defence Force commands the Navy, Army and Air Force and is the principal military advisor to the Defence Minister and other Ministers with relevant portfolio responsibilities in the defence ...5 days ago
- Government puts children first by repealing 7AALegislation to repeal section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act has been introduced to Parliament. The Bill’s introduction reaffirms the Coalition Government’s commitment to the safety of children in care, says Minister for Children, Karen Chhour. “While section 7AA was introduced with good intentions, it creates a conflict for Oranga ...5 days ago
- Defence Minister to meet counterparts in UK, ItalyDefence Minister Judith Collins will this week travel to the UK and Italy to meet with her defence counterparts, and to attend Battles of Cassino commemorations. “I am humbled to be able to represent the New Zealand Government in Italy at the commemorations for the 80th anniversary of what was ...5 days ago
- Charter schools to lift educational outcomesThe upcoming Budget will include funding for up to 50 charter schools to help lift declining educational performance, Associate Education Minister David Seymour announced today. $153 million in new funding will be provided over four years to establish and operate up to 15 new charter schools and convert 35 state ...5 days ago
- COVID-19 Inquiry terms of reference consultation results received“The results of the public consultation on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons has now been received, with results indicating over 13,000 submissions were made from members of the public,” Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says. “We heard feedback about the extended lockdowns in ...6 days ago
- The Pacific family of nations – the changing security outlookForeign Minister, Defence Minister, other Members of Parliament Acting Chief of Defence Force, Secretary of Defence Distinguished Guests Defence and Diplomatic Colleagues Ladies and Gentlemen, Good afternoon, tēna koutou, apinun tru It’s a pleasure to be back in Port Moresby today, and to speak here at the Kumul Leadership ...6 days ago
- NZ and Papua New Guinea to work more closely togetherHealth, infrastructure, renewable energy, and stability are among the themes of the current visit to Papua New Guinea by a New Zealand political delegation, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “Papua New Guinea carries serious weight in the Pacific, and New Zealand deeply values our relationship with it,” Mr Peters ...6 days ago
- Driving ahead with Roads of Regional SignificanceThe coalition Government is launching Roads of Regional Significance to sit alongside Roads of National Significance as part of its plan to deliver priority roading projects across the country, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The Roads of National Significance (RoNS) built by the previous National Government are some of New Zealand’s ...6 days ago
- New Zealand congratulates new Solomon Islands governmentA high-level New Zealand political delegation in Honiara today congratulated the new Government of Solomon Islands, led by Jeremiah Manele, on taking office. “We are privileged to meet the new Prime Minister and members of his Cabinet during his government’s first ten days in office,” Deputy Prime Minister and ...7 days ago
- New Zealand supports UN Palestine resolutionNew Zealand voted in favour of a resolution broadening Palestine’s participation at the United Nations General Assembly overnight, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The resolution enhances the rights of Palestine to participate in the work of the UN General Assembly while stopping short of admitting Palestine as a full ...1 week ago
- Speech to the 2024 Infrastructure SymposiumIntroduction Good morning. It’s a great privilege to be here at the 2024 Infrastructure Symposium. I was extremely happy when the Prime Minister asked me to be his Minister for Infrastructure. It is one of the great barriers holding the New Zealand economy back from achieving its potential. Building high ...1 week ago
- $571 million for Defence pay and projectsDefence Minister Judith Collins today announced the upcoming Budget will include new funding of $571 million for Defence Force pay and projects. “Our servicemen and women do New Zealand proud throughout the world and this funding will help ensure we retain their services and expertise as we navigate an increasingly ...1 week ago
- Climate change – mitigating the risks and costsNew Zealand’s ability to cope with climate change will be strengthened as part of the Government’s focus to build resilience as we rebuild the economy, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “An enduring and long-term approach is needed to provide New Zealanders and the economy with certainty as the climate ...1 week ago
- Getting new job seekers on the pathway to workJobseeker beneficiaries who have work obligations must now meet with MSD within two weeks of their benefit starting to determine their next step towards finding a job, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “A key part of the coalition Government’s plan to have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker ...1 week ago
- Accelerating Social InvestmentA new standalone Social Investment Agency will power-up the social investment approach, driving positive change for our most vulnerable New Zealanders, Social Investment Minister Nicola Willis says. “Despite the Government currently investing more than $70 billion every year into social services, we are not seeing the outcomes we want for ...1 week ago
- Getting Back on TrackCheck against delivery Good morning. It is a pleasure to be with you to outline the Coalition Government’s approach to our first Budget. Thank you Mark Skelly, President of the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce, together with your Board and team, for hosting me. I’d like to acknowledge His Worship ...1 week ago
- NZ – European Union ties more critical than everYour Excellency Ambassador Meredith, Members of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassadors from European Union Member States, Ministerial colleagues, Members of Parliament, and other distinguished guests, Thank you everyone for joining us. Ladies and gentlemen - In diplomacy, we often speak of ‘close’ and ‘long-standing’ relations. ...2 weeks ago
- Therapeutic Products Act to be repealedThe Therapeutic Products Act (TPA) will be repealed this year so that a better regime can be put in place to provide New Zealanders safe and timely access to medicines, medical devices and health products, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello announced today. “The medicines and products we are talking about ...2 weeks ago
- What Is Behind The Turmoil In The New Zealand Green Party?
The instability comes as the party tries to refresh its brand after six years of being part of a right-wing, pro-imperialist government with both the Labour Party and, from 2017-2020, the far-right NZ First Party. ...40 mins ago - Wake Up Call: Government Debt Hits $90,000 Per Household Today – “$90k Debt Day”Based on the latest Treasury forecasts, New Zealand Government debt will tick above $90,000 per household for the first time ever at 10pm today, Sunday 19 May 2024. The Taxpayers’ Union is calling it “$90k Debt Day”. Commenting on this, Taxpayers’ ...43 mins ago
- Watch: Christopher Luxon speaks at National Party conference
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will be talking at the Palmerston North Function Centre on Sunday morning. ...4 hours ago - Iwi Leaders Group united against Oranga Tamariki scrapping Treaty obligationsIf the government really wants Oranga Tamariki to continue working with Māori groups, it should leave the law as it is, leader says. ...6 hours ago
- Government IT Systems Need A $800 Million OverhaulThe government is facing a bill of more than $800 million to overhaul back-office IT systems, and attempts to lessen its impact have hit delays. ...7 hours ago
- Bolstering support for Asian personnel in the NZ Defence ForceThe founder of a Pan-Asian network in the New Zealand Defence Force hopes to support Asian personnel in their defence careers. ...8 hours ago
- 'Increasingly Activist' Waitangi Tribunal Faces Its Future Under Renewed Attack From Senio...David Seymour has renewed attacks on what he says is an 'increasingly activist' Tribunal as it faces questions about its future. ...8 hours ago
- An Ode to .. Shane Jones
Arawata Shane Arawata Shane had wandered long In the wild tangled hills of the West Coast. He came to a stop on the mighty range And looked down at the wide river flats. He breathed in the clean air, And he took in the shadows playing across The face of ...8 hours ago - Fiji’s Jo Nata reflects on the 2000 coup: ‘We let the racism genie out of the bottle’
SPECIAL REPORT: Islands Business in Suva Today is the 24th anniversary of renegade and failed businessman George Speight’s coup in 2000 Fiji. The elected coalition government headed by Mahendra Chaudhry, the first and only Indo-Fijian prime minister of Fiji, was held hostage at gunpoint for 56 days in the country’s ...13 hours ago - Rule change to protect powerlines from being hit by treesEnergy Minister Simeon Brown wants a 'clear to the sky' zone to prevent vegetation hanging over lines. ...18 hours ago
- New Caledonia riots: Tear gas, stun grenades used as protesters swarm airport runwayBy Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific journalist and Kelvin Anthony, RNZ Pacific digital journalist Police have used tear gas and stun grenades on rioters at an airport near Nouméa as the chaos in New Caledonia stretched into its sixth day. Five people, including two police officers, have died and hundreds of ...20 hours ago
- Government faces further legal action over Māori Health Authority axingIt is the second High Court action into the government's policies affecting Māori. ...23 hours ago
- Kanaky New Caledonia: Amnesty calls on France to ‘uphold rights’ of indigenous peopleAsia Pacific ReportThe global human rights watchdog Amnesty International has called on France to not “misuse” a crackdown in the ongoing unrest in the non-self-governing French Pacific territory of Kanaky New Caledonia in the wake of a controversial vote by the French Parliament to adopt a bill changing the territory’s ...1 day ago
- Revamped school lunches may be less healthy – principalA major provider of school lunches fears the government's new $3 limit for most students will see them eating more pre-packaged and processed food. ...1 day ago
- ‘Stop laughing, I’m trying to kill someone’: Cohen Holloway on playing a serial murderer
The star of Dark City: The Cleaner takes us through his life in TV, including the VHS revolution and the John Campbell impression that started it all. Best known for his comedic roles, Cohen Holloway says he struggled at times to maintain the stone cold facade of serial killer on ...1 day ago - A life storyDavid Hill remembers an old friend, who you’ve probably never heard of. My friend Doug never travelled; he had little interest in the world beyond his own tiny rural town. I’ve rarely known anyone who radiated such contentment. Doug (I’ll call him that) died in March. You won’t know him. ...1 day ago
- Do you recognise anybody in these 150-year-old photographs?Some of the earliest photos of life in Aotearoa are on display at Auckland Museum right now – but the identities of some of the people in them are a mystery. What was it like to be one of the first people in New Zealand to have their photo taken? ...1 day ago
- The indie books fest bringing big ideas to small town WairarapaSince its founding almost a decade ago, Featherston Booktown has grown into one of the country’s most interesting and idiosyncratic literary events. Erin Banks reports from the audience. “Come in, have you had lunch? I’m about to make a cheese toastie.” Mary Biggs, operations manager of Featherston Booktown Karukatea Festival, ...1 day ago
- Enduring the voyage of the tatauAfter 33 years abroad, Loveni Enari recently returned to Aotearoa and Samoa in what a friend joked was an “existential crisis”. He learnt and re-learnt so much about his family, friends and both countries. Almost as an afterthought, he got a Samoan tatau. This is his story. (Accompanying it are ...1 day ago
- Bearing witness to a confession of murderNearly 30 years ago, two people told me they’d killed a woman they knew. I thought the truth would come out, that others would tell it. In the end, I had to. The Sunday Essay is made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand. Fact: in 1995, Angela Blackmoore ...1 day ago
- The Weekend: A landmark case for trans rights in AotearoaEditor Madeleine Chapman looks back at the week and shines a light on some increasingly rare longform journalism. Mōrena and welcome to The Weekend where there will sadly be no aurora to see. After a busy week last week of short, sharp pieces, this week we swung the other way, ...1 day ago
- Tourists trapped by New Caledonia unrest feel ‘abandoned’ by NZBy Lauren Crimp , RNZ News reporter New Zealanders stuck among riots and civil unrest in New Caledonia’s capital say they feel abandoned by their own country, having received little help from the government. Nouméa descended into chaos on Monday, with clashes between indigenous Kanak pro-independence protesters and French security ...1 day ago
- Kanaky in flames: Five takeaways from the New Caledonia independence riotsANALYSIS: By David Robie, editor of Asia Pacific Report Jean-Marie Tjibaou, a revered Kanak visionary, was inspirational to indigenous Pacific political activists across Oceania, just like Tongan anthropologist and writer Epeli Hao’ofa was to cultural advocates. Tragically, he was assassinated in 1989 by an opponent within the independence movement during ...2 days ago
- When body positivity becomes problematicForget thin is in, apparently now bigger is better … or is it? After over a decade of body positivity, girls, teens and women are even more confused about what body positivity actually is. The movement began with women confronting unrealistic expectations of how their bodies should look. But sub-strands ...2 days ago
- Short story: Ruin, by Ockham winner Emma HislopGrace always sat at the bar at the back of The Cambridge, where she could watch who came in. A huge mirror ran the length of the pub, so you could sometimes watch people without them knowing. The mirror made the place seem a lot bigger than it really was. ...2 days ago
- The Secret Diary of .. Sheriff Mark MitchellMONDAY Sheriff Mark Mitchell rose at dawn. He had a long day’s ride ahead of him. He was headed for Waikeria. Waikeria! Even the name itself stirred his blood, and set root in his imagination. There was nothing and no one in Waikeria. But he would bend it to his ...2 days ago
- The Boy in the Water: A forensic examination, at lastThe first phase of the inquest into the death of Gore toddler Lachlan Jones finished this week, turning up plenty of revelations and few answers. But through all the confusion, heartbreak and antipathy on display, the simple fact at the heart of this case remains: if little Lachie’s body had ...2 days ago
- How Many Public Sector Roles Are Going, And From Where?Public servants' jobs are on the chopping block as the sector scrambles to meet the Finance Minister's cost-cutting targets. ...2 days ago
- Can you control your image? Gina Rinehart, King Charles and ‘moral portraits’Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Roger Benjamin, Professor in Art History, University of Sydney “She’s no oil painting”. Those were the unkind words of a colleague commenting on the subject of Vincent Namatjira’s acrylic painting, Gina. Every one of the prominent Australians and cultural heroes in Namatjira’s ...2 days ago
- Government plans for Māori wards breach The Treaty of Waitangi -TribunalGovernment plans to require local councils hold a referendum on whether to have Māori wards breaches the Treaty of Waitangi, a Waitangi Tribunal report has found. ...2 days ago
- Threatened species have declined 2% a year since 2000. Nature positive? Far from it.Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Megan C Evans, Senior Lecturer, Public Sector Management, School of Business, UNSW Sydney Martin Tobias Aakesson/Shutterstock Our government has great aspirations. It has committed to end extinctions and expand our protected areas to cover 30% of every Australian ecosystem by 2030. ...2 days ago
- Rugby league in Perth and Papua New Guinea? Here’s what could be next for the NRLSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tim Harcourt, Industry Professor and Chief Economist, University of Technology Sydney This year the National Rugby League (NRL) opened its season in Las Vegas. It was an audacious move by the league’s ambitious head honcho Peter V’Landys to showcase the game in ...2 days ago
- The budget has earmarked $8.6 million for live music. Is it enough to save the flailing industry?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Catherine Strong, Associate Professor, Music Industry, RMIT University Leading music organisations have praised the federal budget for its investment in the live music sector. The budget includes A$8.6 million for a program called Revive Live: to provide essential support to ...2 days ago
- The Week in Politics: Charter schools, special police units and a tricky problem for the governmentThe Week in Politics: ACT brings back a signature policy, while NZ First mulls how to fulfil a promise. ...2 days ago
- There’s $110 million for Indigenous education in the budget. But where’s the evidence it will wo...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marnee Shay, Associate Professor, Principal Research Fellow, The University of Queensland The 2024 federal budget contains A$110 million for Indigenous education. This includes funding for various different organisations to represent and help Indigenous people as well as scholarships in a bid to ...2 days ago
- New Caledonia’s Nouméa airport closed until Tuesday, says Air New ZealandAir New Zealand has confirmed Nouméa’s Tontouta International airport in New Caledonia is closed until Tuesday. The airline earlier told RNZ it would update customers as soon as it could. Earlier today, Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters told RNZ Morning Report government officials had been working on an “hourly basis” ...2 days ago
- Cameras reveal wombat burrows can be safe havens after fire and waterholes after rainSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Grant Linley, PhD Candidate in Ecology, Charles Sturt University Grant Linley Australia’s unprecedented Black Summer bushfires in 2019–20 created ideal conditions for misinformation to spread, from the insidious to the absurd. It was within this context that a bizarre story ...2 days ago
- ChatGPT is now better than ever at faking human emotion and behaviourSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marcel Scharth, Lecturer in Business Analytics, University of Sydney OpenAI executive Mira Murati launching GPT-4o. OpenAI Earlier this week OpenAI launched GPT-4o (“o” for “omni”), a new version of the artificial intelligence (AI) system powering the popular ChatGPT chatbot. GPT-4o is promoted ...2 days ago
- Menopause can bring increased cholesterol levels and other heart risks. Here’s why and what to do ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Treasure McGuire, Assistant Director of Pharmacy, Mater Health SEQ in conjoint appointment as Associate Professor of Pharmacology, Bond University and as Associate Professor (Clinical), The University of Queensland Speedkingz/Shutterstock Menopause is a natural biological process that marks the end of a ...2 days ago
- The Friday Poem: ‘Xiāng’ by Hannah PattersonA new poem by Hannah Patterson. Xiāng There’s a pear tree in our backyard And Xiāng tells me She can’t eat them anymore Not after some things that have happened in her life. She tells me, in Mandarin The word for pear sounds the same as the word for disassociation ...2 days ago
- Cycle lanes are good for business, actually‘Cycling Works’ aims to show business support for citywide cycle infrastructure. This is an excerpt from our weekly environmental newsletter Future Proof. Sign up here. Last week, supermarket giant Foodstuffs lost its attempt to block the construction of a cycle lane outside Thorndon New World in Wellington. The Spinoff’s Wellington editor ...2 days ago
- The Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending May 17The 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. AUCKLAND 1 Slow Productivity by Cal Newport (Penguin, $40) Taking out the top spot in Auckland this ...2 days ago
- Nuclear subs are coming to Australia. Now the Coalition wants reactors, too. We’re not ready for i...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Lowe, Emeritus Professor, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University For decades, Australia has exported uranium – but not used it, other than in the Lucas Heights research reactor. But change is coming. We now face a rapidly deepening commitment to ...2 days ago
- After 180 years, new clues are revealing just how general anaesthesia works in the brainSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adam D Hines, Research fellow, Queensland University of Technology Sergey Mironov/Shutterstock Over 350 million surgeries are performed globally each year. For most of us, it’s likely at some point in our lives we’ll have to undergo a procedure that needs general ...2 days ago
- 'I can do much better': Green MP Julie Anne Genter promises to improve conduct"In future I should walk away," Green MP Julie Anne Genter says after complaints over an exchange in Parliament and from two members of the public. ...2 days ago
- Call to protect asylum seekers who may arrive in New Zealand by boatA group of more than 40 refugees, charities and advocates want better protections for asylum seekers arriving by boat. ...2 days ago
- Homo Pentecostus: on queer intimacies, religion, ancestry and the human need for connectionSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jonathan Graffam, PhD Candidate in Theatre, Monash University Gianna Rizzo/Malthouse Music pumps; lights pulsate; two sweaty bodies sway together, touching, breathing in each other’s scent. A male body framed by downlight restlessly shifts between stances and gestures. He undresses. The intensity ...2 days ago
- Want to be buried on your own land, at sea or in a forest? A guide to unconventional send-offsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sandra van der Laan, Professor of Accounting, University of Sydney Mtaya/Shutterstock At some point, you or someone else will need to make a decision about your “send-off”. Most Australians die in an institution, such as a hospital or aged care facility. ...2 days ago
- Vanuatu, MSG chief reaffirms support for FLNKS, blames France over unrestAsia Pacific Report Vanuatu Prime Minister Charlot Salwai — who is also Chairman of the Melanesian Spearhead Group — has reaffirmed MSG’s support of the pro-independence umbrella group Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS) stance opposing the French government’s constitutional bill “unfreezing” the New Caledonia Electoral Roll. It is ...2 days ago
- Blazing a trail: the Leonard family legacy in Māori televisionProducer Susan Leonard remembers her father Ernie, a pioneer of Māori television, and how his legacy lives on in Pathfinders. My father was a fabulous man. His name was Ernie Leonard and he started in TV in the 1970s when it was still glamorous – when TVNZ made behind the ...2 days ago
- Home detention for New Caledonia’s unrest ringleaders, Tiktok bannedBy Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk, and Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific journalist The suspected ringleaders of the unrest in New Caledonia have been placed in home detention and the social network TikTok has been banned as French security forces struggle to restore law and order. The French ...2 days ago
- Review finds big increase in multi-year government spends, use not always justifiedMulti-year appropriations - which give the government authority to spend money without reapplying annually - are loosening Parliament's control of the public purse, auditor-general says. ...2 days ago
- $63.6m for Surf Life Saving and Coastguard in Budget 2024"New Zealand has a tragically high drowning toll," Transport Minister Simeon Brown said at the announcement. ...2 days ago
- Dr. Eric Chuah Standing For Mayor Of TaurangaDr. Eric Chuah who stood for a centrist NZ political party in the October 2023 NZ Elections for Maungakiekie Auckland will stand as a candidate for Tauranga City Council Ward of Matua-=Otumoetai and Mayor of Tauranga. ...2 days ago
- How to enjoy a comedy festival in your own loungeIf you can’t get to the comedy fest, let us bring the comedy fest to you. This is an excerpt from our weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. The New Zealand International Comedy Festival is in full swing at the moment, with a veritable smorgasboard of comedy treats ...2 days ago
- Poll Shows Three Quarters Of Wellingtonians Oppose Airport SaleA new poll commissioned by Unions Wellington shows an overwhelming majority of Wellingtonians oppose the Council’s plan to sell the 34% public stake in Wellington Airport. ...2 days ago
- $63.6m boost for Surf Life Saving and Coastguard in Budget 2024"New Zealand has a tragically high drowning toll," Transport Minister Simeon Brown said at the announcement. ...2 days ago
- Nearly 1300 homes on hold amid government reviewNewly released documents show building has been paused on 690 KiwiBuild homes and 593 market homes. ...2 days ago
- At the heart of the budget is the sad truth the economy is weak. That’s one reason inflation will ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Aruna Sathanapally, Chief Executive, Grattan Institute, Grattan Institute A central focus of this week’s budget is the treasury’s forecast for inflation. By this time next year, inflation is projected to be back within the Reserve Bank’s 2-3% target range. Inflation has ...2 days ago
- Denser housing can be greener too – here’s how NZ can build better for biodiversitySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yolanda van Heezik, Professor of Ecology, University of Otago Getty Images Cities across Aotearoa New Zealand are trying to solve a housing crisis, with increasing residential density a key solution. But not everyone is happy about the resulting loss of natural ...2 days ago
- Clean energy slump – why Australia’s renewables revolution is behind schedule, and how to fix itSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alison Reeve, Deputy Program Director, Energy and Climate Change, Grattan Institute WDG Photo/Shutterstock For years, the electricity sector has been the poster child for emissions cuts in Australia. The sector achieved a stunning 26% drop in emissions over the past 15 ...2 days ago
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I know that some people live without dogs in their lives..
but I find it hard to figure out why..?
why would you do that..?
I know! I've got 8 of the buggers .
yr giving me dog-envy here…I only have two..
with five having been my dog-peak in the past..
Birds
?
It's not really the dogs that are the problem it's their dimwitted owners. I live on an estuary and get sick of owners letting their dogs chase wading birds who are minding their own business and having lunch. I stay sometimes at Piha where I watch entitled owners walk past the signs that say no dogs because of nesting penguins – belonging, I presume to the 'my dog wouldn't' brigade. I also have issues with being sniffed at in the street while the owner tries to reassure me that it won't bite. That's not the point – I don't want to be sniffed either!
well..I get yr point..
but as it turns out mine 'wouldn't'..
they are both re-homed ex pig-hunting dogs ..
and pig hunting dogs are trained to hunt wild pigs..
..and to be nice to/studiously ignore all other living creatures…
and so…unlike cats…they don't prey on native birds..
Don't do cats either because – birds
Nice one JanM Agree 200%, especially the,
" I don't want to be sniffed either!" bit.
I remember a few years ago some snot got most upset as I did not want his slobbering dog rubbing its filthy face up against my clothing I didn't want to go home smelling of this dog. something a lot of dog owners don't get.
Dogs. Husbands. Whatever. Give me a cat any day.
Agree
Yeah, dogs are for people searching for a subservient pet to control, those who don't have the personality to deal with living with an independent apex predator.
when did you meet my ex..?
Patience of a saint awards ceremony
that'd be that time I got my award..
Sure, you seem like a believable sort of guy lol
I think Winston Churchill had it right.
He said "I am fond of pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals".
He might, of course, have been thinking of the people he met in the House of Commons. There aren't many cats or dogs there.
pigs are awesome…
so so clever..
… so so tasty… mmmmm, bacon …
so so original…
It is indeed, with bacon being one of the oldest cuts of meat, dating back to around 1500bc.
You should look at how pigs are farmed nowadays.
Your pleasure = their pain.
…. mmmmm, shoulder roast …
https://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/recipes/recipe-collections/roast-pork-recipes-17931
mmm..!..bowel cancer…
but idiots won't be told..
will they..
Y'know, I actually eat very little meat. Maybe 150g a week, on average. As much as anything else, because I really can’t be arsed learning about how to ensure I get enough of all the nutrients needs from a vegetarian diet, and even if I did get the knowledge, I wouldn’t be arsed following it when just a small amount of meat easily provides those nutrients that are hard to get from a vegetarian diet.
But somehow, sanctimonious twattery against meat-eating always gives me an irresistable urge to go snarf down a big chunk of gruesomely murdered and hacked up dead animal.
BTW, there are lots of good arguments for reducing meat consumption, or at least biasing the mix away from beef and lamb towards chicken and pork. But the colon cancer thing is really one of the feeblest of the many arguments against eating meat.
fact..nz has very high consumption of animal flesh..
nz has very high rates of bowel cancer…
you join the dots..eh..?
like I said: 'idiots can't be told'..
I don't eat a lot of red meat now, but I enjoy a good steak about once every two weeks. Eating more chicken, fish and pork these days. But certainly do not want to give it up.
they don't fucken care about that..
they can't claim to not know..
so they just don't care..
their cannablistic addiction to eating flesh over-rules that..
then there are the idiots who preen that (middle-class boast) that they 'only eat organic' chickens/whatever..
they seem deluded to such a degree that they think they are the 'good guys'..and that the exploiters who peddle these organic animals are somehow green/good guys…
..which is bullshit in both cases..
as just one example…what do they think happens to all the male chicks on 'organic'farms..?
..like on the blatantly cruel chicken farms..these cute little chicks are fed(still alive) into the macerator..
this grinds them up…as I said..while they are still alive..
use that nugget of knowledge to wash down your next mouthful of chicken flesh..eh..?
organic..or not..
and think about what is done in your name..
the unholy trinity ..
cruelty..cancer…and fucking the planet…
just to eat flesh…
what a deal..!
On that note, I've just been inspired to head into town to find some kind of bogan joint to chow down a month's worth of my normal consumption in one sitting.
I'll very likely regret it later tonight and tomorrow morning, but I'll blame that on you, too.
Having read through everything that followed from my Churchillian quote I'm not sure I should have offered it.
That is particularly the case since I have just finished dinner where I had an truly excellent fillet steak. Cooked about halfway between saignant and bleu. Quite wonderful. It absolutely melted in the mouth.
Sorry Phillip, but that is not something I am willing to give up.
addictions are like that..
I used to feel the same way about heroin and cocaine mixed together in a syringe..
..addictions are like that..
The Silence of the Lambs.
That's a bit hard Rosie, dogs are not that bad.
Mmmm. Maybe not. But husbands?
You obviously were not brought up on a farm before Hydatdids was erradicated. I still feel uneasy with dogs near me. I have had to give up on cats because I live in an area of ecological importance. I am hoping for a big rabbit for Xmas !
I am hoping for a big rabbit for Xmas !
Yum! Might I suggest…http://allrecipes.com.au/recipes/tag-1232/rabbit.aspx
Little ones taste sweeter but much less meat than a biggie.
https://www.motherearthnews.com/real-food/rabbit-sausage-recipe-zmaz78mjzgoe
https://www.yummly.com/recipes/rabbit-sausage
Amazing that ~2/3rds of NZ households manage ‘sans dog’ – some will have cats!
Used to care for a 'pet', but it was a bit of a luxury. https://www.petplan.co.nz/
Will the new Minister of Transport pull some reins around Waka Kotahi NZTA?
I am hearing multiple signature projects that I won't list here are billions over budget with many pushed out a decade due to redesign and others with governance changes. This is on top of the billion-plus blowout we've already seen this week.
This is the agency now in charge of changing the largest proportion of our CO2 emissions.
Chair Brian Roche is far more powerful than the Minister of Transport.
Bomber Bradbury has made some interesting predictions for 2021.
He predicts significant social unrest, a crime wave, a dangerous expansion of the meth trade and unemployment, poverty, homelessness and inequality to rise.
Our extreme centrist neoliberal government does not have the tools to fix the issues.
Only a people’s republic of Aotearoa will be able to implement the necessary economic, social and ecological revolution to prepare us for the tsunami of challenges climate change will present us.
https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2020/12/16/2021-the-year-sht-hits-the-fan-predictions/
I agree with your last paragraph..
neoliberal governments are too in thrall to vested interests..to be up for the job..
('exempting agriculture' being a recent potent example of that thrall/vested interests neoliberal paradigm..)
..and we are fishing out the oceans..and the current reformist activity is to try to let those ocean predators allow us to film them doing this..
how seriously fucked up/impotent is that..?
b.t.w….fish have central nervous systems remarkably similar to ours..
so..if you can imagine the hook thru the cheek/in the stomach…then the hauling in../then the drowning in air..
..you kinda get the idea/picture..
Much kinder to use a priest
Idiot Savant, the author of the No Right Turn, is an excellent and succinct commentator who does not subscribe to the failed liberal ideology.
In a recent blog, he pointed out the world can see through our bullshit about climate change. He records that …..
”Over the weekend, countries which are serious about climate change got together virtually at the international Climate Ambition Summit 2020. But New Zealand pointedly was not invited:”
The Green Party leaders should not have signed up to this government.
http://norightturn.blogspot.com/2020/12/climate-change-calling-us-on-our.html
Truth?
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/12/jacinda-ardern-hits-back-at-speculation-over-new-zealand-s-absence-from-climate-action-summit.html
According to that story our emissions have increased. Is it because we have had a solid population increase for the transport increase ? or something else?
Signed up? This is a Labour government, not a Labour led government. The Greens are irrelevant and this government can do what it wants.
Which means more of the neo lib bloody same.
I don’t think you understand the Green Party and NZ politics. Why don’t you read The Standard for a while before you start commenting here?
France and the UK getting serious about fusion …
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20201214-the-uks-quest-for-affordable-fusion-by-2040
Geez, we have had fusion for ever!!
Its called the sun.
They've been serious about fusion power since the 1950s, still haven't got sustained fusion. Always been 10 to 20 years away.
(https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20201214-the-uks-quest-for-affordable-fusion-by-2040)
(Swift 1726. Gulliver's Travels)
IMO bottled sunshine isn't the only thing these projects have in common …
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20201214-the-uks-quest-for-affordable-fusion-by-2040
Put the quote in context.
Still a boondoggle that has consumed a huge amount of research funding over several decades (and looks like it will continue to do so). That funding, IMO, would have (and would be) better spent elsewhere.
For mine, it's the more options we have the better.
This story is becoming more harrowing by the day:
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/432925/250-000-estimated-to-have-been-abused-in-state-and-faith-based-care
As a child and teenager, I lived within walking distance of two such homes.
One was the Owairaka Boys Home in Mt Albert where the "bad boys" lived which has been cited as one of those where serious abuse was occurring. The other in Allendale Rd, Mt Albert where the "bad girls" were housed. The house itself was up a long driveway and couldn't be seen from the road. We were told to cross the road when walking past this address yet in all those years I never saw a single girl coming in or out of them.
They were not bad kids of course, they were abused kids.
As a young person I remember sensing something was wrong about both of them but it is only now the truth is coming out.
Okay this data farm would take only 8% of the Manapouri power in the long term for only 25 permanent jobs. But do we want more data farms ? and do we want to sell more power cheaply to them? Or should we sell power at a much higher rate because these places thrive on cheap power. The rest of the story is pretty much overblown PR to disguise the lack of long term country benefits.
So what would be the best over all economic use for New Zealand for the power the smelter no longer uses? Would it be best to give all NZ households a basic dob of cheap / nearly free power (charge higher usages!) to improve the well being of low income households in particular? It would be the same as a modest benefit increase? Or do we look for manufacturing we could do here that provides good jobs and needs reasonable power prices? Some how I think all this decision making should not be left in the hands of the directors of a power company given the input of the taxpayer in the original build.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/123714254/up-to-1200-workers-would-be-needed-to-build-south-island-data-centre
Laugh all you like but the most enviromently sensible thing to do with the spare Manapouri power ( the current smelter doesn't use all of it ) is to build another aluminium smelter and retire one elsewhere in the world that is powered by electricity produced from coal.
We have enough wind farm consents approved and ready to go to meet all of our needs for the foreseeable future, including EV transport. Storage is where we are short at the moment.
I had a brief look at the that . As far as I can see most of the remaining smelters are in Canada powered by hydro or China. There may be a strategic issue there if too much of the refining is done in China – but I don't see them closing smelters.I'm assuming future mining will use solar on the spot to stop the shipping costs.
So enviroment apart what is the best economic use for the power in NZ?
I think solar might be a bit of a problem as smelting must be a continuous process and with solar and indeed wind overnight and non-wind times would require enormous storage capacity.
There are efforts underway to make smelting more flexible and adaptable to variable electricity supply. Energia Potior (a spinoff from Auckland University) is just one:
A solar plant that is likely to significantly supply a smelter may be better suited as a concentrating solar thermal plant, rather than photovoltaic. Concentrating solar thermal plants can easily have their storage sized to give continuous overnight operation, and can also be easily adapted to gas emergency backup to keep things ticking along if really needed.
Got to store those cat photos somewhere
Luv It!
data farms? lol, never heard that before.
Having more datacenters here in NZ and bringing more of this tech to NZ in general is a good thing.
I remember the hell that broke out here when Fibre was announced and rolled out around the country. Fast forward to now, and I think it was one of the best decisions National ever made. I recall at the time a whole bunch of people here compared it to 'just being able to download faster'. Well, covid proved that shit wrong.
Another foot note, Hyper Fibre is going in to my place tomorrow. NZ needs to focus more on tech.
We have a growing gaming industry here now with growth predictions of 1BN of revenue by 2025. It's all exports.
It's not tech as such. Just a big warehouse of computers operated from overseas. My beef about the fibre broadband is that payment by the taxpayer doesn't seem to mean ownership. But that's the Nats. Business socialism
I would like to see acknowledgement for the damage and harm done to children, information disclosed to complainants, categorisation headings used under the Crimes Act 1961 of offending against every child sexually abused in state care or out of state care and the years of the offending since 1940.
I am appalled at how files have been treated by the government. In 1986 I tried to get a file of a rape trial and the lawyer told me the file was dumped in a warehouse in boxes and gave a date of a hearing. I did get confirmation from the police in 1990 that there was a trial but the police file had been destroyed. I intend to follow this up. If it is the case the present and past government, MSD and police need to clean this up.
And Ryman healthcare want to hang on to the $14.2mill of subsidies received because
Ryman Healthcare, the country’s largest retirement village operator, paid $44m in first-half dividends to its shareholders after taking $14.2m in wage subsidies. It has not paid it back.
Ryman justified the payments by saying it had spent three times the subsidy amount on PPE gear and other procedures such as additional cleaning and extra staff to protect residents and staff.
Well those reasons above where not the basis on which claims could be made – they were to protect staff wages if they could not work. I'd expect them to be getting a very stiff letter demanding repayment ASAP.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/123721687/retirement-village-operator-summerset-to-repay-86m-covid19-wage-subsidy
rnz news reporting that ryman is also paying back..
who else is on that list of the undeserving..?
Ryman had no other option but to repay it after Summerset came out of the blocks first and said they'd repay it.
I think that a citizen based campaign to publicise who these companies are..will be effective..
(social media..phone calls..picket line..)
..and for many who took it..the economic upturn must mean they are doing fine ..
so…pay it back..!
And publicly admitted they hadn't used the correct criteria? Some lawyer must have given a few words of advice.
That just about cleans out the NZX top 50. There is another retirement company still to go I think. But – do they have to be humiliated one by one in the media before they think of paying it back. – some moral compass. Even ones that are well within the claim boundary Z say and Auckland Int airport – could look at repaying at some future date when they have recovered a bit more and not rule it out entirely.
That now just leaves all the listed companies outside the NZX top 50 plus overseas and other privately held organisations. It would be good if the super fund and ACC and other government investment pools holding shares made it clear that as shareholders they expect ethical action and repayment.
And the IRD needs to publish the whole list because they made it clear from the beginning that they would. Not just give it to the media.
Taxpayers funds and I bet they’d get at least some people exposed for having claimed without employees being onpaid.
Our Child Poverty statistics are appalling.
Bryan Bruce has written an open letter to the Prime Minister.
“According to the 2018 census there are an estimated 4,833 children living in dwellings with no amenities.
Think – that’s the equivalent of the total number of pupils of at least 5 New Zealand High Schools who live in dwellings that have zero….
Cooking facilities
Tap water that is safe to drink
Kitchen sink
Refrigerator
Electricity supply
Refrigerator
Bath or shower
Toilet
Tell me again how addessing Child Poverty in our country is a priority.”
https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2020/12/16/guest-blog-bryan-bruce-dear-prime-minister/
Chris Trotter wrote an excellent article a month or so ago describing the Professional Managerial Class. Political careerists ( who make up the majority of parliament) should be added to his list of abetters of neoliberalism.
“ The PMC is distinguished by the role it plays in mediating Capitalism’s relationship with its most injured victims. Without the PMC army of lawyers, probation officers, social workers, health professionals, teachers, journalists and “communications specialists” to extinguish the fires ignited constantly by economic exploitation and social exclusion, the whole of capitalist society would soon be engulfed in flames. .”
does anyone else remember grant robertson assuring us we were near the head of the queue for a vaccine..?
I wonder how all that's going..
There is an upside to be getting it later.
And we are not the most at risk so I'd rather some in the USA/India/Brazil got it before me.
No, don't remember that – can you remember roughly when Robertson gave that assurance, or what the occasion/medium was? Could it have been a different government minister?
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/123501010/covid19-kiwis-will-have-to-wait-even-once-vaccine-is-approved-overseas
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/ministers-still-unsure-overseas-tourists-let-into-nz-countries-begin-covid-vaccine-roll
https://www.newsroom.co.nz/covid-19/nz-gets-in-line-for-covid-19-vaccine
it was robertson…back when the first talk about vaccines was happening..
and responding to the usual cries of ‘what about us?’..
and multi-media…and repeated/more than once…
Have you got a link Phillip? Did a Google search and couldn't find any evidence of "grant robertson assuring us we were near the head of the queue for a vaccine".
Or maybe you could point me in the right direction? Bit of a vaccine mystery
see what Adrian said below..
and just quietly..
I write under my own name..
..and I don’t fucken just make shit up ..
..take that as a given..
[Hi Phil,
Of course, you’re not making up shit and nobody was implying such thing. However, people’s memories are notoriously unreliable. In addition, many things are open to interpretation. Sometimes, people accidentally leave out important context, which can have a dramatic and profound impact on meaning and purpose. For these reasons, mainly, it is common courtesy and thus generally a good idea to include links, especially when specifically asked.
The last time you provided a link was 14 October, last year (!) as far as I can tell, i.e. 442 comments ago. Surely, by now you have mastered your new phone to enrich your comments with links.
Last time I moderated you (https://thestandard.org.nz/national-announces-terms-of-reference-for-its-election-campaign-review/#comment-1767959) it was also for not providing a link when specifically asked.
I’m going to have to up the stringency index and raise you to the Alert Level 2. I’m afraid your assurances and strong languages are no substitute for actual links, but I’m sure you will understand – Incognito]
Apologies Phillip – by asking for evidence of your recollection I wasn’t implying that you had a tendency to "fucken just make shit up". My reply to your question about what others remembered was in good faith – I didn't remember Robertson giving that assurance, and couldn’t find the evidence.
Obviously best for all concerned if I just accept your and Adrian's memories as evidence – no doubt you would be similarly unquestioning.
Who knows, maybe tomorrow I'll have a clear memory of Robertson giving that assurance too – stranger things have happened
See my Moderation note @ 6:35 PM.
Why should NZ be at the head of the queue given we no longer have community spread or people dying/disabled from covid?
Robertson said something along the lines of spending $37million? got us in the queue for a number of vaccines when they became available.
Another thing that pisses me off is the number of numb nuts who espouse that we should relax all covid rules now when it was always stated by the Government that the lockdowns were to secure the hospital and medical resources until it was safe and a vaccine was freely available. Which by the way is still a long way off.;
I agree. The number of new daily cases is still on the rise. And thought I've said this often – now is the most likely time for a random human to catch covid-19.
I've only said it often because the number of new cases keeps going up.
Remember this? Point about questioning motives is apposite, don't you think?
Forced labour supplying China's cotton
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/extra/nz0g306v8c/china-tainted-cotton
Watched the Trevor Mallard interview with the Select Committee. His version seemed reasonable and no matter how the Nats picked at him, he seemed confident. As for Bishop trying to be clever, he really is a self-serving prick. No substance to his questions and imagine him being highly ranked in his cabinet!!!
was he questioned about how dodgy it seems that after doing what he did..he got his deputy to change the law..to exempt him from any financial penalties..
and these penalties to be shouldered by the taxpayers..?
was he asked about that..?
Except that he didn't which you would know if you had listened to the select committee.
just for the record anne..
how was that timeline/those circumstances explained..?
Pay attention, it was Tolley who changed the law as the Speaker was not covered by the system like all other MPs.
yes…that is the point I am making…
The point you seem to be making is that Mallard gave Tolley instructions to make that decision in a certain way.
Whereas what seems to have happened is that he avoided an obvious conflict of interest by delegating a decision that directly affected him to the deputy speaker.
I must have been watching a different interview then. I don't think Mallard sounded very confident or convincing at all. It sounds likely this is going to cost the tax payer a lot more than $333k.
Agree, it may get worse considering he said that
"he interpreted misconduct as rape which it did not amount to rape"
A real claytons apology if ever I heard one, He basically still claims the mans actions as miss-conduct even when Parliamentary services found no evidence to support the accusations.
Ah well it's okay since he plays for the Red team, I can only imagine the outrage here if he was on the Blue team.
The accused has a seperate case against the Parl Services but that is about the way they suspended him. Nothing to do with Mallard at all.
When Mallard made his fateful remarks he was going on the just released Review of the unsafe Parl Environment. That was what he commented on and didn't know anything about the particular accused. At that time.
Knew he was wrong within 24 hours and makes no effort to retract – an effective Bishop skewering of the Mallard sausage before going on the babrie.
Now every National MP asked by the Speaker of the House to withdraw and apologise in the next three years can say – may I have 24 hours to think about that?
It's mighty impressive to see Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison complain about China banning the importation of their coal. Morrison has led a government that has repeatedly scorned attempts to mitigate climate change and in particular supporting a massive new coal mine in Queensland, and killing off any carbon trading effort,
Morrison is right to ask "Which one of Australia's sovereign national interests .. the government should have traded away" to appease China.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/15/scott-morrison-lashes-china-over-reported-ban-on-australian-coal-imports
Xi sure knows how to hit Australia where it hurts.
I suspect that their next target will be iron ore.
The best we can do right now is make small supportive noises.
Which side are we making small supportive noises to??
Both. Minister Mahuta is proposing to step in and be a peace-broker between Australia and China.
Rock and a hard place?
a list showcasing 15 of New Zealand’s top trade partners, countries that imported the most shipments by dollar value from New Zealand during 2019. Also shown is each trade partner’s percentage of total New Zealand exports.
http://www.worldstopexports.com/new-zealands-top-trade-partners/
The APEC conference will be hosted by Ardern and Mahuta next year.
While it will be virtual, it is still a big an opportunity we could get to enable China and Australia to talk properly.
They'll keep importing iron ore. And they'll tell Biden reducing the importation of coal is part of their GW mitigation effort.
Climate change , poverty and neo liberal fix it solutions to the housing crisis and other serious problems will not work.
If Adern and the rest of the cabinet had a conscience or a thread of decency they would resign.
But they won't of course as part of the privileged class with the super and other perks they are insulated from the extreme causes of deprivation.