I'm liking the buildup of supportive protest and social media noise within all those Arab autocracies who ruthlessly enforce Handmaids Tale-scale patriarchy and murder any dissenter.
It's a good internal pressure to see, and shows those states who signed up with Israel over the last year to have in reality zero diplomatic sway with Israel. They sold so much diplomatic integrity and receive near nothing in return. Great lesson in autocratic exchange.
That plus not having enough money to study and rent a place and live, plus the student loans that need to be paid by hook n by crook.
But we have come full circle, our own leave to work somewhere else for better wages and higher living standard, and we import poor workers f rom over seas who see us as better wages and higher living standard. And thus we all have become economic migrants. Priced out by our own Greed.
Funny how we always seem to have nurse shortages but police – not so much. Why is that – wage structures for an historically female occupation – cost of training?
New Zealand has for many years sought immigrants with professional qualifications as a substitute for training enough of our own people. So we have doctors and nurses from India, the Philippines, etc; with transition difficulties relating to professional qualifications. My dentist is currently working 6 days a week; one of the dentists in the practice has left to start a family, and it is very hard to attract new dentists. We allowed some doctors to enter during the Covid crisis. A balance is needed; we do not want to stop the useful exchange of ideas from having overseas trained professionals. but I believe we should be a little closer to being self-sufficient . . .
You are so out of date. As Minister Nash has announced people like Thiel are the ones we want to come to this country. There are going to be a couple of hundred special visas to attract people like him to come to New Zealand.
""We want targeted, high-quality investment that establishes frontier firms, brings skills and technology to New Zealand, Nash said."
"These [border exemptions] would allow more than 200 wealthy international investors to come to New Zealand over the next 12 months, Nash said."
So no more disparaging comments by anyone about Mr Thiel. He is, according to our Government, a leader in the saving of New Zealand. Make him welcome and throw rose petals in his path. Don't you dare make him think he is not welcome.
alwyn, if "total incompetance" is your descriptor of choice for our current government, how would you describe the current opposition National party? Just curious, as a phrase more damning than "total incompetance" might come in handy.
With the variants’ spread outpacing vaccination in many places, the Asia-Pacific region’s success at eliminating and keeping out Covid means its economies continue to dominate the Ranking. The top three—Singapore, New Zealand and Australia—are able to provide a pre-pandemic quality of life for their populations, with the exception of international travel, which is basically shut down to prevent the virus from slipping back in.
Alwyn if we followed National and ACTs prescription for dealing with the pandemic our country would be an economic basket case. Drowsy M Kram Given Singapore is now having an outbreak of Covid these measurements are BS. We should be proud of our efforts.
Alwynger your myopic views are laughable and NZ voters show how much of dreeb you are. Desperately flailing around like Crushed Collins self inflicted unpopularity gives us all much hilarity.
Given Singapore is now having an outbreak of Covid these measurements are BS.
Hope they're not BS – I've been reassured (and proud, not that it’s a competition) by Bloomberg's 'COVID Resilience Ranking' which (with the exception of the most recent ranking) has put NZ on top since its inception.
A combination of nailing the virus and rolling out vaccines at one of the fastest rates in Asia saw Singapore top Bloomberg’s Covid Resilience Ranking this month, dethroning New Zealand for the first time in our measure of the best and worst places to be in the pandemic era.
Maybe that ranking is updated monthly(?) – who knows what the future holds.
Seven of the 38 community cases have tested "preliminarily positive" for the B1617 variant, which was first detected in India.
SINGAPORE: A total of 38 new community COVID-19 infections were confirmed in Singapore as of noon on Sunday (May 16), of which seven were "preliminarily positive" for the B1617 variant from India.
This is the highest number of community cases reported since Apr 14 last year when 40 community infections were reported. Singapore's "circuit breaker" started on Apr 7, 2020.
Twenty-one of the new community cases are linked to previous infections and the remaining 17 are unlinked. Of the new community
Much-needed COVID-19 vaccines should be coming to Taiwan soon, the GAVI Vaccine Alliance said on Monday, as the chip-producing island's limited supplies run short during a spike in cases that has left the government scrambling for supplies.
A surge of coronavirus infections in Taiwan, one of the world's COVID-19 mitigation success stories, has led to its stock of 300,000 doses rapidly running out, with only about 1% of its 23 million people vaccinated.
But Alwyn is correct in so far that if it is ok for one government to import rich people for something, then it is ok for another government to do the same and people should simply no longer moan about our rich people importing rich people for the supposed better of the country.
Also, everyone here should keep in mind, that closed doors only work so long. And we here in NZ are as vulnerable to an outbreak today as we were last year.
I'm sure that a majority of New Zealand people don't see things my way. So what? I think that Mahatma Gandhi got it right when he said "Even if you are a minority of one, the truth is the truth".
What do I think of the current Opposition? Pretty useless but not nearly as bad as the current Government. I think they would at least be getting people vaccinated in much larger numbers that is happening today. Why are they not using the facilities at the Medical Centres around the country? Why do they want to set up completely independent organisations when all the Medical Centres have nurses who are trained in providing vaccinations? I had my flu jab there. No problem, no waiting and no semi-trained person doing it.
Why can't I get my Covid 19 vaccination there? What is with this useless lot that they can't even use the available facilities?
When Covid 19 gets free in the community, as it will with the open borders to Australia, we will see whether people remain happy with the flim-flam from our leaders. We have been promised the vaccine is available. Well get on with it. A rate of 2% fully vaccinated doesn't cut it.
By the way my description was "total incompetence" not "total incompetance". I wouldn't generally comment on spelling errors, as I am guilty almost every time I post something but if you are going to quote me at least get the quote right.
What do I think of the current Opposition? Pretty useless but not nearly as bad as the current Government.
We can agree to disagree – OK?
When Covid 19 gets free in the community, as it will with the open borders to Australia, we will see whether people remain happy with the flim-flam from our leaders.
Ever hopeful alwyn – may all your dreams come true
A combination of nailing the virus and rolling out vaccines at one of the fastest rates in Asia saw Singapore top Bloomberg’s Covid Resilience Ranking this month, dethroning New Zealand for the first time in our measure of the best and worst places to be in the pandemic era.
The tiny city state has gotten locally-transmitted cases down to near zero thanks to border curbs and a strict quarantine program, allowing citizens to largely go about their everyday lives, even attending concerts and going on cruises. At the same time, Singapore has already administered vaccines equivalent to cover a fifth of its population, an aspect of pandemic control that other virus eliminators like New Zealand, Australia and Taiwan are lagging on.
But if there’s one lesson from April, it’s that vaccination alone isn’t ending the pandemic.
"Ever hopeful alwyn – may all your dreams come true"
That is, for me, a nightmare, not a dream. I am in my middle 70's and hence in the group for whom Covid 19 is a very serious, and possibly fatal disease.
I would have the vaccination at once, if I could. As it is, in spite of all the rubbish being spouted by our "leaders" it isn't available to me. In fact none of my friends and acquaintances, except for those living in care facilities have had a chance to be vaccinated. Why not? Seeing Hipkins, Little, Verrall and Henare bravely getting an injection on TV doesn't help people in my age group does it?
As for your last comment. Of course vaccination doesn't end the pandemic. It is likely to keep a lot more people alive though, isn't it? It isn't going to help us if we shut down the country and the economy either, unless we lock it off from the world completely and permanently. Our rulers aren't going to do that are they. There is nothing as restless as a politician who can't get their jollies from going on world trips.
Was very easy to find for someone who can use Google and has more than just a passing interest in it. Unless it doesn’t suit your narrative to look it up, in which case you’re just trolling again. But you’d never do that, would you now. Alwyn?
The original statement from Hipkins, back in March, was that the vaccinations would start in May. That has now drifted back to telling us that we can expect to hear something from the end of May. Not even in May, but from the end of May. That is quite different to what we were being told 2 months ago I would say.
It isn't terribly reassuring that it is followed by the rather wooly "Time frames are approximate and may overlap. The actual start dates will depend on …….."
Sorry but it has slipped and is slipping further it appears.
It shows that it pays to stay up to date, instead of whingeing & whining here that “it isn't available to [you]” and blaming our "leaders" for your ignorance. Meanwhile, your risk of contracting the disease is pretty low, wouldn’t you agree? Your risk of getting the flu is probably higher; did you get your flu shot? If I were you, I’d stay home and avoid electronic devices because they’re known breeding places for all sorts of nasties, worse than toilet seats.
"avoid electronic devices because they’re known breeding places for all sorts of nasties, worse than toilet seats."
Please God. Don't tell me are one of those people who think the height of jocularity is to take a photocopy of your arse while sitting on a Xerox machine?
Alwyn, please put down the device and go wash your hands and your mouth with hot soapy water. Quarantine for 14 days before you touch the device again. Bye now.
Toilet seats are known to be dirty, so get cleaned regularly.
Keyboards, mice, remotes, even touch screens… no so often. But they are often good places for moisture and bacteria from our (and other people's) fingertips.
That is, for me, a nightmare, not a dream. I am in my middle 70's and hence in the group for whom Covid 19 is a very serious, and possibly fatal disease.
Agreed alwyn, it would indeed be a nightmare for some. The difference between us (and apologies in advance if I'm misreading you here) is that you seem to see that nightmare as inevitable (under this apparently incompetent Government at least), whereas I believe it's avoidable. I'm basing my belief on NZ's Covid-19 health outcomes to date.
No community cases today; that's getting on to three months since the last reported COVID-19 case in the community – go Team Five Million!
As for your last comment. Of course vaccination doesn't end the pandemic.
It wasn't my comment, but I would have been happy to make it. Don't drop your guard.
Alwynger the Truth is the Truth 10% of Adults 389,000 have received the first dose of Vaccine in NZ .given one dose is enough to give a high rate of immunity 60% .You are not living up to your own high standard.
Alwyn trolling just for the sake of trolling.Our most vulnerable the elderly have been vaccinated by the end of July those over 65 and those with medical conditions that make them vulnerable will have been vaccinated.out breaks before that time could be bad but not as bad as before the initial vaccination role out.NZ is still in one of the best situations in the world.
Scaremongers like yourself Alwyn take great pride in spreading BS.but as history has shown purveyors of misinformation are despised.
Look at your leader crushless Collins crushed by the weight of the BS she has been spreading
" the elderly have been vaccinated by the end of July". Really? You mean they might be, not that they have been don't you. If you knew it to be the case can you please tell me the Lotto numbers for this week?
We were told back in March that Group 3 would start being vaccinated "in May" and the implication was certainly that it would begin at the beginning of May. Now it is that it will start by the end of May. Rather different isn't it?
Is it? Maybe vaccine rollout plans will need to be revised, possibly more than once – it’s not always going to be plain sailing, so don’t bet the farm.
People who are at risk of getting very sick from COVID-19
If you’re in group 3, you can expect an invitation to be vaccinated from your local DHB from late May. There are about 1.7 million people in group 3, so you may not get an invitation immediately.
With such a large group of people, DHBs need the flexibility to respond to the needs of their local communities. At times, this could mean vaccinating some priority groups ahead of others.
You'll be able to get more information on your local DHB’s website once vaccinations for group 3 start.
No complaints from our little rural community of 1000 people – 40% of us across all age groups vaccinated already! We have a medical centre with an aged care facility so staff and residents were high priority. So as not to waste any precious doses it was offered to the wider community. Awesome organisation from Nelson Marlborough DHB – if this is a taste of how good the new Health NZ will be, bring it on!
Boo hoo Alwynger very few countries have had their vaccine rollout on time most of the few countries who have,actually needed it rolled out early because of high rates of covid deaths and over run health systems.
Your self centered selfishness rules your life.
While countries where variants are mutating which could undo any vaccination program leaving your cohort no better off maybe worse off as newer variants seem to be more easily transmitted.
Given most people get up to date news from around the world your obsession with denigrating anything to do with this govt with your lies and 1/2 truths ie propaganda.this makes you look like a perpetual whynger and no one likes a whinger.
He is, according to our Government, a leader in the saving of New Zealand.
Labour want investors who donate millions to Republicans? I doubt Labour have said anything about Thiel. Which means you are either lying, again, or trolling. Give it a rest.
I think his comment is more about People here being very unhappy that Peter Thiel got a citizenship from national and now it seems we are doing the same but under Labour, and for both its under the guise of 'investment'.
Peter Thiel has made money of NZ, i doubt he has made any investment that trickled down, and i am sure the same can be said of the 200 hand picked individuals that are allowed in under Labour. Time will tell, as time always does.
Your first paragraph is exactly what I meant Sabine.
I have no idea about whether anything he might have invested in in New Zealand has been good or bad. I'm not really interested in the man. However he is exactly what the Labour Government has just said they are interested in attracting to NZ.
Actually it is probably a little unfair to blame Nash personally. I see he was simply giving a speech written by, or at least for, Kris Faafoi., who was ill and needed a substitute at the event.
Alwyn’s comment wasn’t so much about that as using the issues to slur Labour and troll TS
I will be interested to see who Labour have invited in. I’d be surprised if there were people as politically problematic as Thiel, although I can see that mistake being made. More likely the issue will be that they chose growth over climate action, ecology and social concerns.
At this point i consider all people that are at the richness level of Thiel to some extend 'faschist'. It comes with the power, the money, the class. You and i are not part of that world.
And to be honest, i don't think much more about that. The rich will make way for the rich, it has always been like this. What gets me about this 'express process' of applications is that we have people here in this country whose spouses can't still get here for various reasons. And these are people who are here on a skilled visa, many of whom work in our health sector and other crucial areas and we have no issues of NOT bringing these people in.
The announcement also follows increasing pressure on the Government to reunite migrant families split up after the borders closed to non-residents last year.
Nash said little about this, except that the Government acknowledged the difficulties those families faced, and they were working on solutions as circumstances allowed.
And this is happening currently under a Labour Majority Government.
I’m not a fan of wealth visas and I’d prefer the money was secondary to family, community and culture in the settings , but given most of NZ wants this govt I guess the smaller picture is who are they courting? They could do a better or worse version of the neoliberal position. Preparing myself to be disappointed although tbf that might be influenced by the fact that Nash ended up doing the announcement.
These guys will do no more good then Thiel has done. And i would like to point out that Thiel is considered polite and connected company among his peers and the worlds governments. And that should tell us a lot about our governments.
Well it looks like this is how it is going to work for "rich investors". They get residency, invited to speak at a major business conference, want to bring their workforce in from overseas. Total entitlement.
What is in this for the ordinary resident here. Less than nothing. Where is the "training locals", donations to the community, tax payments. It's all about what we are going to do for him not what he is going to contribute to the well being of the country.
The government has made one negative signal to local investors about housing, but failed to provide a positive signal about what they would like locals to invest in instead.
From the valuations that have occurred in New Zealand, there are hundreds of billions of dollars waiting to be fruitfully reinvested in productive enterprises.
Well due for this government to set out an investment plan for New Zealanders about what they want, not just what they don't want.
Wealth should be a disqualification for immigration to this country. With wealth comes unacceptable levels of economic power and political influence – frequently bolted on to loony RW ideas. It effectively creates a new category of uber-citizen, with power over the lives of people already here. Disappointing that Labour's imminent immigration 'reset' appears not to have understood this.
Misunderstand or know damn well what is highly likely to happen?
Peter Thiel after all trousered $30 mill on a $7 mill investment, via a “buy back option” with New Zealand Venture Investment Fund (NZVIF) that Steven Joyce helped set up.
That $30 million plus interest neatly covers the cost of his NZ bolthole house and land, and the two $10 million donations to GOP candidates.
Those sums also give an idea of the influence that kind of money can buy, and lets us be aware that his resources are huge, and he has an interest in New Zealand at least as a citizen.
Totally agree about the wealthy investors. We could test and see how genuine they are by stating upfront that no individual investor will get a residence visa or passport out of this. Then lets see if they want to continue – in which case they want to take advantage of a community that can work together.
They should also be required to make substantial and ongoing gifts to the NZ community. Let's see what they would propose! Over the years we have had successful New Zealanders give some very substantial donations to the country out of the wealth they made. Wellington is currently getting a children's hospital built thanks to one of these gifts( all credit to Mark).
As an aside I'm a little surprised that there hasn't been more delving into what, why and how we decided to co-operate and how we can turn these community characteristics into successful economic policy.
Citizen Thiel is a psychopath. He cares not for human-kind except those who are, or have the ability in the future to be useful to him. He has the potential to be the Heinrich Himmler of the 21st century. Mind you, there are a few contenders for that.
The NZ Govt. would do well to follow his progress carefully and ensure that he can never interfere in New Zealand's political future. He will do so surreptitiously if he thought it was going to be of advantage in some future scenario.
And some fool let him in and gave him NZ citizenship.
Thiel invests in global businesses that don't pay tax ,he wants to keep it that way so robber barons can profiteer at will right wing nationalist governments legislate in favour of these Vampire Capitalists.
Question – is it time to remove Chris Trotter from the update feed on the right side banner?
His latest two pieces are doubling down on his determination to see a "pizza restaurant and child sex ring" conspiracy hidden in the He Puapua report and indicate a rapidly steepening decline into a red pilling of himself.
Do we really need ramblings about conspiracies and news media plots represented as "left wing" opinion? Like, I don’t belong to Billy TK’s FB page and so I don’t get notifications from that…
Or am I being over-zealous in my cancel culture impluses?
It's fine to hear from the RSA Left sometimes, but he's just so out of touch with contemporary policy formation and of Labour's internal contests there's not much grounding to him any more.
I would leave the link there. As someone about the same age as Chris, it's a useful reminder that being of a mature age will not make me immune from occasional outbursts of idiocy. And removing the link would only confirm his fevered misconceptions about 'free speech' being under threat.
"And after that, it’s hard not to see cancel culture as a Molotov cocktail in a Bollinger bottle. Something that’s lobbed between the two elite wine bars on the left and right side of the street, while everyone in the middle just wanders on unbothered."
"And after that, it’s hard not to see cancel culture as a Molotov cocktail in a Bollinger bottle. Something that’s lobbed between the two elite wine bars on the left and right side of the street, while everyone in the middle just wanders on unbothered."
It is Christchurch. If any place in New Zealand lends sympathy to Gaughan's views, it's there.
think this is a mist read article on cancel culture and how it applies to the
“The slogan (trans women are women) functions not as an empirical statement, but as a demand to adhere to the ontological position that claims about people’s gender identity trump claims about their biological sex”
”we will argue that the current conflicts around gender and sex are not about trans rights, which we fully support”
the article then outlines the shutting down of academic voices, particularly women by activists groups.
it is the best article I have read that elucidates the issues. Written by a philosopher and sociologist.
whether this is happening in NZ Unix, I can’t be sure, but it is definitely happening within the LBGTQ cmty in NZ
Like a lot of phrases, they soon get bandied about, often in a pejorative context. I suppose this is langauge evolving but I can't help feel it is a symptom of the binary, othering and pigeon holing way of discourse nowadays, especially on line.
Full disclosure, a lot of my interest came because I often struggle with the angle Verity Johnson comes from. More about me than anything else.
I mean, the author places a lot on the assurance of the guy who claims online sales boomed over the weekend. Obviously the companies who cancelled their distribution orders got their market wrong. Or maybe not. I guess we'll see.
Additionally, the permanence of "cancel culture" is not as absolute as its critics would suggest – Johnson opens with Justine Sacco, but doesn't mention that Sacco was back at the company that fired her within a few years, having continued to work in the comms industry during her time in the cold. Hardly a "beheading".
McFlook, here’s a challenge for you. Free to take it or not of course. I posted an article above about the gender/sex debate for want of a better description. Two UK academics write about it and the impact of debate being shut down, or cancelled
The one that included death threats as part of cancel culture, alongside boycotts?
What's the challenge? Seemed to be much of the same, with more flowery language.
For the record, no, death threats and harrassing families are not ok.
Not taking someone's course because of what you heard about them is simply a boycott, rather than an attack upon academic freedom. Students avoid certain lecturers all the time, because of everything from political views to simply hearing the lecturer is a harsh marker and they wanted a good grade average.
“Flowery language “. ….oh come on McFlook I am sure you have a bit more intellectual grunt than that!
the authors are talking about a situation where activists shut down debate. Where academics, especially women feel too scared to speak up. Where gender ideology trumps biology (ie we are mammals and there are two sexes)…..And if you don’t chant the mantra “Trans women are women”. You are accused of being trans phobic. Btw do you agree with that statement? That if your internal feeling is that you are a women, then you are? And if anyone challenges you or doesn’t allow gender identity to trump a biological sex category then you are trans phobic.
btw the cancelling and harassment of women in the LBGTQ community who refuse to chant the mantra of “trans women are real women” is nothing short of despicable
Frankly, I find trans people less surreal and perplexing than people who choose to marginalise and exclude them while still claiming to be part of the LGBTQ community.
In general I suspect that being transgender/sexual is more complex, long term, and visceral than just framing it as "if your internal feeling is that you are a women, then you are".
edit: and I was a bit hazy on terms like “ontological” when I was studying philosophy, let alone 20-odd years later.
FirstlyMcFlock , I am not a member of the LBGTQ community.
but I have close associates who are. Some lesbian women wanted the right to meet as lesbian biological women, not all the time, but they wanted the ability to do this. My understanding is that they were accused of being transphobic for this. Back in the 70s lesbians met on their own without het feminists and there were also groups of lesbian separatist feminists who met separately. No one was insisting that they be allowed to be part of these groups else they were being excluded.
a significant number of lesbian women who support sexed based rights for women and refuse to say trans women are real women were excluded from pride. One woman who wasn’t part of that group, was on a stall inside the pride event. In her break, she went to support her partner who was protesting outside as part of the group who were being excluded. When she went to return to her stall, she was confronted by 4 large security guards forbidding her to return to her stall. This woman is frail and has terminal cancer. Remarkably she stood her ground, but they called the police to remove her. So rather than trans people being excluded, it is the other way around
I don’t know what you mean by not on board with the trans community. But my understanding is that it became a problem for some women when they were told they were trans phobic if they didn’t chant the mantra trans women are real women. And on occasion the lesbian biological women wanted the right to meet on their own. They never wanted anyone excluded by the LBGTQ community, they just didn’t want to be forced to chant a mantra they didn’t believe.
The despicable part of the protest was the man handling and calling the police on the elderly women who is frail, breathless, wears a hat (think cancer treatment) and told them she needed to get her medication which was in her bag at the stall she was staffing. Four burly security guards and when remarkably she stood her ground (ie refused to budge), the bastards called the police. She had a legitimate right to be at pride, was not a member of the protesting group, had worked hard for homosexual rights all her adult life and is a thoroughly good person
So really it is those who cry exclusionary that are doing the exclusion.
I mean, calling it a "mantra" is a little bit more hostile than simply not participating in the discussion.
As for the incident you are talking about, assisting protestors outside and then expecting to get back in is a bit like turning up to a coal-mining conference, going out to protest with the zero-carbon folk, and then expecting to go back in. Trying to play both sides will end up in one side not wanting you back.
Chris Trotter is hopefully at the back of the queue for cancellation. He can spell, uses punctuation, and has an impressive recall of NZ political history–from an insiders perspective to boot.
As for his opinions…take ’em or leave ’em. Long distance columnists regularly argue views they may not personally hold to keep the show on the road. But it is pretty obvious from prolific pieces lately, that Chris is genuinely worried about the “Māori question” as some older lefties might put it. And Chris is an older lefty, who really can stop worrying about a white backlash. A critical mass of younger people these days are not as hateful and fearful of Māori empowerment and justice as many boomers were or are.
Chris Trotter does allow free speech and rousing discussion. And he monitors his posts to some extent with few posses of damning opposites that attempt to wipe out other opinions. Those with differing opinions generally have quotes from published articles even if one doesn't agree with them and discussion does take place, with the rightists. Some of the leftists here seem to find discussion distasteful. The posse system has been seen on certain topics here, and some people seem prone to pop out with a cosh for anyone they disagree with.
Trotter comparing today's stance against that of the past is a worthy task, and an antidote to know-alls who dismiss others out of hand. As it seems that human thinking seems to go in cycles, it is wise to be in touch with the past, so that one can be ahead of the new thinking that is deja vu all over again. The cliche's are too good to dispense with.
Sobering punch line a European might be fine to move on but .The brewery owner's comments were vicious and nasty .I wonder how many Maori went to his pub.unfair Consequences is what the opinion writer equated to cancel culture,political correctness was the previous excuse for bad behaviour now rednecks have a new word to avoid blame for their actions.the author said in the end it made no difference to the business as people came to his pub willing to forgive I wonder if there were any Maori amongst those patrons.
But she was lying about not making any difference to his business as Retailers dropped all his product from their shelves .
Most of what the right call cancel culture is cancelling mysoginistic racist sexist behaviour.
In other words society is becoming more civilised and that's been happening since we devolved from Neanderthal 's
“That’s a misnomer,” Burton continued. “I think we have a consequence culture, and that consequences are finally encompassing everybody in this society, whereas they haven’t been ever in this country.”
He of course answered to Meghan McCain in regards to the Dr. Seuss brouhahah.
But i for one can not stop replacing every time i see 'cancel culture' trotted out as if it had any meaning with 'consequence culture'.
As the Stuff opinion piece above says, we used to call this 'cancel culture' by the term 'boycotting'.
So, like, going forward, we're like 'it's cancel culture'.
Why rename it? Does it thereby disguise, by renaming and associating it with a modern denigratory term 'wokeness', what we accepted as being a justifiable and moral reaction called 'boycotting? Thereby seek to make unacceptable what was a normal and effective personal rejection of a wrong action?
A similar example might be to call what was once 'white racism' something like 'teutonic culture', or 'anti-agism' called 'boomerism'?
Interesting article from The Detail outlining and expanding on the discussion around mtf transgender athletes and the testosterone level rules that are putting these athletes health at risk.
Mtf transgender athlete Kritsen Worley is supporting Hubbard and says…
…she believes the Olympics are not ready for Hubbard. She thinks the system is still failing her, due to the strict testosterone limits which put Hubbard's health at risk.
"It’s like taking the gas out of the car," says Worley. "When you lose testosterone in your physiology it’s like the car starts to shake when you take the petrol out of it. Certain functions of the body decrease or even stop functioning altogether."
Worley says the IOC has been caught up with the social side of the debate over transgender athletes.
"Everybody needs hormones, it’s just that we need different types of hormones depending on what chromosome type you are. And that's the problem, we've tried to homogenise gender and we've tried to compare apples with oranges.
She says the thinking was that "if you lower an athlete's testosterone levels (of someone) who was XY chromosome that somehow that is going to match somebody who is XX. No, you're making that XY chromosome person completely unwell, long term in sport and to end of life, thinking that's going to somehow assimilate to somebody who is XX chromosome (who doesn't need testosterone to stay well)."
The hope is, for Worley, that one day sex segregated sport will be no more.
...desn’t the removal of physiological criteria effectively, if not intentionally, abolish the means of objective distinction integral to male/female categories in sport? Is Worley content to see these categories disappear?
“It would be great to move more toward the Paralympic model — ability-based categories… It’s going to take time for that evolution to occur, but the discussion needs to begin.”
In certain sports, the gap between men’s and women’s performances has been closing for years, and Worley believes that de-segregating men and women athletes would further “raise the game” for women and catalyse progress towards parity in funding and profile.
What this mtf transgender athlete sees as 'evolution', sportswomen (ie non-trans women) are going see as erasure. The real tragedy here is that any discussion involving pleas to slow down and consider the long term ramifications of these profound changes will inevitably have on women's competitive sport is met with howls of protest and accusations of transphobia.
"In certain sports, the gap between men’s and women’s performances has been closing for years".
Do you know what sports she had in mind? The only ones I know much about are Rugby and Track and Field Athletics. Non segregation by sex would mean no top level competition at all for women. The best performance by woman in any of the Athletic events, and I mean the woman's world record has been exceeded by 14 or 15 year old boys in every event I am aware of. Women really don't have a chance in a non-segregated competition.
I remember as a school boy I competed in club athletics. We had a woman member who was good enough to compete in the (then) Empire and Commonwealth Games. Some of the boys could regularly beat her, and none of us were really very good. One boy I was at school with could long jump further that Yvette William's World Record.
That might sound like boasting but it merely reflects the facts. I am thoroughly in favour of woman's sports but they have to be separate from the men's events if they are going to be played at the top level.
Alwyn because most sports are suited more to males.
Simone Biles can do more than any Male on the planet.
Women Golfers are catching up with men many Women Drive the ball as far as the men these days but are better on chipping and putting.
The problem is Women are told they will never be as good as men.It made me laugh when Beartrice Faumoina out bench pressed all the current Allblack fowards.
"many Women Drive the ball as far as the men these days"
That is simply untrue. On the PGA tour this year the average drive by the longest hitter is 322 yards. For the 20th longest it is 306.9 yards and for the 100th it is 296.6 yards.
On the LPGA tour the longest hitter averages 292 yards, number 20 is 269.8 yards and number 100 is 253.7 yards.
If we allow transgender athletes to compete we could possibly have the oldest ever athletics winner.
I wonder what Caitlyn Jenner, who must be over 70, could achieve in the Heptathlon? After all she was the the Olympic Decathlon champion in 1976 when she was Bruce.
This morning I was sent a link to statistics on hospital beds/1000 people in NZ. Freaking heck, no wonder there are problems! Note how there is a steady drop since the year 2000. It's not like the population is getting healthier.
That's shocking – from 8.5 beds per 1000 in 1990, to 2.3 beds per 1000 in 2011.
include[s] inpatient beds available in public, private, general, and specialized hospitals and rehabilitation centers
Wonder if that trend has continued over the last 10 years – hope not.
Not meeting increasing demand: crisis in hospital emergency departments Hospitals across the country have reached crisis point, with several emergency departments at capacity. People are being treated in corridors, increasing numbers of staff are reporting burnout and wait times are becoming longer.
Capital & Coast DHB said Wellington Hospital had an emergency department that was too small to meet the increasing acute demand. There were not enough inpatient beds across the hospital, it said.
Some of that, but not all of course could be accounted for by de-institutionalization of psychiatric hospitals. The spend on schizophrenia use to be greater than heart disease and cancer. Of course now the govt is spending $ on housing and emergency housing for a lot of these people no longer in hospital
There’s a very good reason for the drop in bed numbers, research has shown that the less time spent in hospital, with sick people, the better the outcome for patients. I have had 2 replacement hips 10 years apart and was out the door in less than 2 days to recuperate at home, mind you if I had had my way I would have been home 10 minutes after the anaesthetic wore off. I did notice though a few malingerers who after an extended stay needed to be removed with a block and tackle.
Thanks Adrian, that's a good explanation of the trends.
Still think a few more strategically-placed hospital beds wouldn't go amiss, particularly after two false starts for an AAA repair in Wellington hospital.
But of course tax dollars are limited – NZ's a wealthy country, just not as wealthy as some. Hence the public appeal from Starship Hospital to fix a shortage of beds – donated last week ("He gave it for others so that others may live!")
Some of things said in that article make me wonder if it explains why the Government is not offering Covid 19 vaccinations at Medical Centres. They would appear to be perfectly equipped to do the vaccinations. After all they have RNs who are fully experienced in giving vaccinations and have done ones like the flu jab for years.
As this article says “Any agreement to use a private provider for any outsourcing of any public maternity services would be considered only after a government sanctioned procurement process was undertaken." and "Because DHBs have been under the pump financially, they’re trying to keep contracts down and that makes it harder for privately owned birthing centres to remain viable".
Could it be that the reason we cannot get a Covid vaccination at our local Medical Centre, with an experienced nurse, doctors on site who would be immediately available in the unlikely event of an adverse reaction, and with full access to our medical records, is because they are privately owned and therefore not welcomed by the DHB.
well, not in the DHB's budget. Gotta love health sector underfunding.
Also, the throughput of a vaccination centre is pretty impressive when it's up and running. My employer does one for the flu jab every year – hundreds of people going through a day, forms all sorted in advance, any contraidnications or questions or first-timers go to a doctor at the side, final review by doc, then to the jabber, then a wait and a lolly. Batch numbers and people all recorded, consents all filed, a marvel of organisation.
Vaccinations will be available at a range of locations, including pop-up centres, GPs, Māori and Pacific healthcare providers, mobile clinics and community clinics.
Classify giving birth as an Olympic Sport and do a league table each day with a weekly prize ,of …. – most number of groans, least time, strict control of pushing reflex etc. Make it more interesting to the general public, let them feel involved. Then pregnant women will get the proper glamour treatment. Just an idea!
It is well past the time that the Minister of Foreign Affairs should have expressed the concerns of NZers regarding Israel’s actions to the Israeli Ambassador, with a firm hint that expulsion would not be untoward. The US Ambassador should also be called in on the basis of the President's endorsement of Israel's transgressions of basic humanitarian decency and respect of international laws. Failure to act suggests that the Government is an Israeli Occupied Territory. Ironically, that description was shaken loose at the UN when NZ sponsored Resolution 2334 at the UN, one that was negotiated when NZ had a Jewish PM.
Pulled due to pressure from somewhere? Very disappointing not to have it available.
I was speaking last week to a friend who has a family member with Waldenstroms which is a fairly rare cancer that only occurs in those over 70. The fascinating thing is that overseas one group of old people rebuffed Covid…they were taking medication for Waldenstroms.
When I went straight to daily mail Australia it came up. I sent someone an email of it. There was a longer link to it. Then I googled select words it came up and talked about trials in mice and scientists from the US are also involved.
A homicide in Ponsonby, a manhunt with a killer on the run. The nation’s leader stands before a press conference reassuring a frightened nation that he’ll sort it out, he’ll keep them safe, he’ll build some new prison spaces.Sorry what? There’s a scary dude on the run with a gun ...
Hi,I know it’s been awhile since there’s been any Webworm merch — and today that all changes!Over the last four months, I’ve been working with New Zealand artist Jess Johnson to create a series of t-shirts, caps and stickers that are infused with Webworm DNA — and as of right ...
The OECD’s chief economist yesterday laid it on the line for the new Government: bring the deficit under control or face higher Reserve Bank interest rates for longer. And to bring the deficit under control, she meant not borrowing for tax cuts. But there was more. Without policy changes—introducing a ...
After a hiatus of over four months Selwyn Manning and I finally got it together to re-start the “A View from Afar” podcast series. We shall see how we go but aim to do 2 episodes per month if possible. … Continue reading → ...
In 2008, the UK Parliament passed the Climate Change Act 2008. The law established a system of targets, budgets, and plans, with inbuilt accountability mechanisms; the aim was to break the cycle of empty promises and replace it with actual progress towards emissions reduction. The law was passed with near-universal ...
Buzz from the Beehive Local Water Done Well – let’s be blunt – is a silly name, but the first big initiative to put it into practice has gone done well. This success is reflected in the headline on an RNZ report:District mayors welcome Auckland’s new water deal with ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate ConnectionsA farmworker cleans the solar panels of a solar water pump in the village of Jagadhri, Haryana Country, India. (Photo credit: Prashanth Vishwanathan/ IWMI) Decisions made in India over the next few years will play a key role in global ...
Lindsay Mitchell writes – The Children’s Minister, Karen Chhour, intends to repeal Section 7AA from the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989 because it creates conflict between claimed Crown Treaty obligations and the child’s best interests. In her words, “Oranga Tamariki’s governing principles and its act should be colour ...
Geoffrey Miller writes – The gloves are off. That might seem to be the undertone of surprisingly tough talk from New Zealand’s foreign and trade ministers. Winston Peters, the foreign minister, may be facing legal action after making allegations about former Australian foreign minister Bob Carr on Radio New Zealand. ...
Brian Easton writes – This is about the time that the Treasury will be locking up its economic forecasts to be published in the 2024 Budget Economic and Fiscal Update (BEFU) on budget day, 30 May. I am not privy to what they will be (I will report on them ...
TL;DR:Winston Peters is reported to have won a budget increase for MFAT. David Seymour wanted his Ministry of Regulation to be three times bigger than the Productivity Commission. Simeon Brown is appointing a Crown Monitor to Watercare to protect the Claytons Crown Guarantee he had to give ratings agencies ...
The gloves are off. That might seem to be the undertone of surprisingly tough talk from New Zealand’s foreign and trade ministers. Winston Peters, the foreign minister, may be facing legal action after making allegations about former Australian foreign minister Bob Carr on Radio New Zealand. Carr had made highly ...
I could be a florist'Round the corner from Rye LaneI'll be giving daisies to craziesBut, baby, I'll wrap you up real safe Oh, I can give you flowers At the end of every dayFor the center of your table, a rainbowIn case you have people 'round to stay Depending on ...
TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to May 12 include:PM Christopher Luxon is scheduled to hold a post-Cabinet news conference at 4 pm today. Finance Minister Nicola Willis will give a pre-budget speech on Thursday.Parliament sits from Question Time at 2pm on ...
The price of the foreign affairs “reset” is now becoming apparent, with Defence set to get a funding boost in the Budget. Finance Minister Nicola Willis has confirmed that it will be one of the few votes, apart from Health and Education and possibly Police, which will get an increase ...
A listing of 26 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 28, 2024 thru Sat, May 4, 2024. Story of the week "It’s straight out of Big Tobacco’s playbook. In fact, research by John Cook and his colleagues ...
Yesterday I received come lovely feedback following my Star Wars themed newsletter. A few people mentioned they’d enjoyed reading the personal part at the beginning.I often begin newsletters with some memories, or general thoughts, before commencing the main topic. This hopefully sets the mood and provides some context in which ...
April 30 was going to be the day we’d be calling Mum from London to wish her a happy birthday. Then it became the day we would be going to St. Paul's at Evensong to remember her. The aim of the cathedral builders was to find a way to make their ...
Rob MacCulloch writes – Can’t remember the last book by a Kiwi author you read? Think the NZ government should spend less on the arts in favor of helping the homeless? If so, as far as Newsroom is concerned, you probably deserve to be called a cultural ignoramus ...
Eric Crampton writes – Grudges are bad. Better to move on. But it can be fun to keep a couple of really trivial ones, so you’re not tempted to have other ones. For example, because of the rootkit fiasco of 2005, no Sony products in our household. ...
A new report warns an estimated third of the adult population have unmet need for health care.Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāHere’s the six key things I learned about Aotaroa’s political economy this week around housing, climate and poverty:Politics - Three opinion polls confirmed support for PM Christopher Luxon ...
Today is May the fourth. Which was just a regular day when my mother took me to see the newly released Star Wars at the Odeon in Rotorua. The queue was right around the corner. Some years later this day became known as Star Wars Day, the date being a ...
Buzz from the Beehive Much more media attention is being paid to something Winston Peters said about former Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr than to a speech he delivered to the New Zealand China Council. One word is missing from the speech: AUKUS. But AUKUS loomed large in his considerations ...
Is the economy in another long stagnation? If so, why?This is about the time that the Treasury will be locking up its economic forecasts to be published in the 2024 Budget Economic and Fiscal Update (BEFU) on budget day, 30 May. I am not privy to what they will be ...
The annual list of who's been bribing our politicians is out, and journalists will no doubt be poring over it to find the juiciest and dirtiest bribes. The government's fast-track invite list is likely to be a particular focus, and we already know of one company on the list which ...
In the weeks after the October 7 Hamas attacks on Southern Israel I wrote about the possible 2nd, 3rd and even 4th order effects of the conflict. These included new fronts being opened in the West Bank (with Hamas), Golan … Continue reading → ...
Peter Dunne writes – It is one of the oldest truisms that there is never a good time for MPs to get a pay rise. This week’s announcement of pay raises of around 2.8% backdated to last October could hardly have come at a worse time, with the ...
David Farrar writes – Newshub reports: Newshub can reveal a fresh allegation of intimidation against Green MP Julie-Anne Genter. Genter is subject to a disciplinary process for aggressively waving a book in the face of National Minister Matt Doocey in the House – but it’s not the first time ...
The Treasury has published a paper today on the global productivity slowdown and how it is playing out in New Zealand: The productivity slowdown: implications for the Treasury’s forecasts and projections. The Treasury Paper examines recent trends in productivity and the potential drivers of the slowdown. Productivity for the whole economy ...
Winston Peters’ comments about former Australian foreign minister look set to be an ongoing headache for both him and Luxon. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for subscribers features co-hosts and , along with regular guests on Gaza and ...
These puppet strings don't pull themselvesYou're thinking thoughts from someone elseHow much time do you think you have?Are you prepared for what comes next?The debating chamber can be a trying place for an opposition MP. What with the person in charge, the speaker, typically being an MP from the governing ...
The land around Lyme Regis, where Meryl Streep once stood, in a hood, on the Cobb, is falling into the sea.MerylThe land around Lyme Regis, around the Cobb that made it rich, has always been falling slowly but surely into the sea. Read more ...
Buzz from the Beehive Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters was bound to win headlines when he set out his thinking about AUKUS in his speech to the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. The headlines became bigger when – during an interview on RNZ’s Morning Report today – he criticised ...
The Post reports on how the government is refusing to release its advice on its corrupt Muldoonist fast-track law, instead using the "soon to be publicly available" refusal ground to hide it until after select committee submissions on the bill have closed. Fast-track Minister Chris Bishop's excuse? “It's not ...
As pressure on it grows, the livestock industry’s approach to the transition to Net Zero is increasingly being compared to that of fossil fuel interests. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / Getty ImagesTL;DR: Here’s the top five news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above ...
The New Zealand Herald reports – Stats NZ has offered a voluntary redundancy scheme to all of its workers as a way to give staff some control over their “future” amidst widespread job losses in the public sector. In an update to staff this morning, seen by the Herald, Statistics New Zealand ...
On Werewolf/Scoop, I usually do two long form political columns a week. From now on, there will be an extra column each week about music and movies. But first, some late-breaking political events:The rise in unemployment numbers for the March quarter was bigger than expected – and especially sharp ...
David Farrar writes – The Herald reports: TVNZ says it is dealing with about 50 formal complaints over its coverage of the latest 1News-Verian political poll, with some viewers – as well as the Prime Minister and a former senior Labour MP – critical of the tone of the 6pm report. ...
Muriel Newman writes – When Meridian Energy was seeking resource consents for a West Coast hydro dam proposal in 2010, local Maori “strenuously” objected, claiming their mana was inextricably linked to ‘their’ river and could be damaged. After receiving a financial payment from the company, however, the Ngai Tahu ...
Alwyn Poole writes – “An SEP,’ he said, ‘is something that we can’t see, or don’t see, or our brain doesn’t let us see, because we think that it’s somebody else’s problem. That’s what SEP means. Somebody Else’s Problem. The brain just edits it out, it’s like a ...
Our trust in our political institutions is fast eroding, according to a Maxim Institute discussion paper, Shaky Foundations: Why our democracy needs trust. The paper – released today – raises concerns about declining trust in New Zealand’s political institutions and democratic processes, and the role that the overuse of Parliamentary urgency ...
This article was prepared for publication yesterday. More ministerial announcements have been posted on the government’s official website since it was written. We will report on these later today …. Buzz from the BeehiveThere we were, thinking the environment is in trouble, when along came Jones. Shane Jones. ...
New Zealand now has the fourth most depressed construction sector in the world behind China, Qatar and Hong Kong. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 8:46am on Thursday, May 2:The Lead: ...
Hi,I am just going to state something very obvious: American police are fucking crazy.That was a photo gracing the New York Times this morning, showing New York City police “entering Columbia University last night after receiving a request from the school.”Apparently in America, protesting the deaths of tens of thousands ...
Winston Peters’ much anticipated foreign policy speech last night was a work of two halves. Much of it was a standard “boilerplate” Foreign Ministry overview of the state of the world. There was some hardening up of rhetoric with talk of “benign” becoming “malign” and old truths giving way to ...
Graham Adams assesses the fallout of the Cass Review — The press release last Thursday from the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls didn’t make the mainstream news in New Zealand but it really should have. The startling title of Reem Alsalem’s statement — “Implementation of ‘Cass ...
This open-for-business, under-new-management cliché-pockmarked government of Christopher Luxon is not the thing of beauty he imagines it to be. It is not the powerful expression of the will of the people that he asserts it to be. It is not a soaring eagle, it is a malodorous vulture. This newest poll should make ...
The latest labour market statistics, showing a rise in unemployment. There are now 134,000 unemployed - 14,000 more than when the National government took office. Which is I guess what happens when the Reserve Bank causes a recession in an effort to Keep Wages Low. The previous government saw a ...
Three opinion polls have been released in the last two days, all showing that the new government is failing to hold their popular support. The usual honeymoon experienced during the first year of a first term government is entirely absent. The political mood is still gloomy and discontented, mainly due ...
National's Finance Minister once met a poor person.A scornful interview with National's finance guru who knows next to nothing about economics or people.There might have been something a bit familiar if that was the headline I’d gone with today. It would of course have been in tribute to the article ...
Rob MacCulloch writes – Throughout the pandemic, the new Vice-Chancellor-of-Otago-University-on-$629,000 per annum-Can-you-believe-it-and-Former-Finance-Minister Grant Robertson repeated the mantra over and over that he saved “lives and livelihoods”.As we update how this claim is faring over the course of time, the facts are increasingly speaking differently. NZ ...
Chris Trotter writes – IT’S A COMMONPLACE of political speeches, especially those delivered in acknowledgement of electoral victory: “We’ll govern for all New Zealanders.” On the face of it, the pledge is a strange one. Why would any political leader govern in ways that advantaged the huge ...
Bryce Edwards writes – The list of former National Party Ministers being given plum and important roles got longer this week with the appointment of former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett as the chair of Pharmac. The Christopher Luxon-led Government has now made key appointments to Bill ...
TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 10:06am on Wednesday, May 1:The Lead: Business confidence fell across the board in April, falling in some areas to levels last seen during the lockdowns because of a collapse in ...
Over the past 36 hours, Christopher Luxon has been dong his best to portray the centre-right’s plummeting poll numbers as a mark of virtue. Allegedly, the negative verdicts are the result of hard economic times, and of a government bravely set out on a perilous rescue mission from which not ...
Auckland Transport have started rolling out new HOP card readers around the network and over the next three months, all of them on buses, at train stations and ferry wharves will be replaced. The change itself is not that remarkable, with the new readers looking similar to what is already ...
Completed reads for April: The Difference Engine, by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling Carnival of Saints, by George Herman The Snow Spider, by Jenny Nimmo Emlyn’s Moon, by Jenny Nimmo The Chestnut Soldier, by Jenny Nimmo Death Comes As the End, by Agatha Christie Lord of the Flies, by ...
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 ...
Have a story to share about St Paul’s, but today just picturesPopular novels written at this desk by a young man who managed to bootstrap himself out of father’s imprisonment and his own young life in a workhouse Read more ...
The list of former National Party Ministers being given plum and important roles got longer this week with the appointment of former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett as the chair of Pharmac. The Christopher Luxon-led Government has now made key appointments to Bill English, Simon Bridges, Steven Joyce, Roger Sowry, ...
Newsroom has a story today about National's (fortunately failed) effort to disestablish the newly-created Inspector-General of Defence. The creation of this agency was the key recommendation of the Inquiry into Operation Burnham, and a vital means of restoring credibility and social licence to an agency which had been caught lying ...
Holding On To The Present:The moment a political movement arises that attacks the whole idea of social progress, and announces its intention to wind back the hands of History’s clock, then democracy, along with its unwritten rules, is in mortal danger.IT’S A COMMONPLACE of political speeches, especially those delivered in ...
Stuck In The Middle With You:As Christopher Luxon feels the hot breath of Act’s and NZ First’s extremists on the back of his neck and, as he reckons with the damage their policies are already inflicting upon a country he’s described as “fragile”, is there not some merit in reaching out ...
The unpopular coalition government is currently rushing to repeal section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act. The clause is Oranga Tamariki's Treaty clause, and was inserted after its systematic stealing of Māori children became a public scandal and resulted in physical resistance to further abductions. The clause created clear obligations ...
Buzz from the Beehive The government’s official website – which Point of Order monitors daily – not for the first time has nothing much to say today about political happenings that are grabbing media headlines. It makes no mention of the latest 1News-Verian poll, for example. This shows National down ...
It Takes A Train To Cry:Surely, there is nothing lonelier in all this world than the long wail of a distant steam locomotive on a cold Winter’s night.AS A CHILD, I would lie awake in my grandfather’s house and listen to the traffic. The big wooden house was only a ...
Packing A Punch: The election of the present government, including in its ranks politicians dedicated to reasserting the rights of the legislature in shaping and determining the future of Māori and Pakeha in New Zealand, should have alerted the judiciary – including its anomalous appendage, the Waitangi Tribunal – that its ...
Ministers must front up about which projects it will push through under its Fast Track Approvals legislation, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
The Government is again adding to New Zealand’s growing unemployment, this time cutting jobs at the agencies responsible for urban development and growing much needed housing stock. ...
With Minister Karen Chhour indicating in the House today that she either doesn’t know or care about the frontline cuts she’s making to Oranga Tamariki, we risk seeing more and more of our children falling through the cracks. ...
The Labour Party is saddened to learn of the death of Sir Robert Martin, a globally renowned disability advocate who led the way for disability rights both in New Zealand and internationally. ...
Labour is calling for the Government to urgently rethink its coalition commitment to restart live animal exports, Labour animal welfare spokesperson Rachel Boyack said. ...
Today’s Financial Stability Report has once again highlighted that poverty and deep inequality are political choices - and this Government is choosing to make them worse. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to do more for our households in most need as unemployment rises and the cost of living crisis endures. ...
Unemployment is on the rise and it’s only going to get worse under this Government, Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said. Stats NZ figures show the unemployment rate grew to 4.3 percent in the March quarter from 4 percent in the December quarter. “This is the second rise in unemployment ...
The New Zealand Labour Party welcomes the entering into force of the European Union and New Zealand free trade agreement. This agreement opens the door for a huge increase in trade opportunities with a market of 450 million people who are high value discerning consumers of New Zealand goods and ...
The National-led Government continues its fiscal jiggery pokery with its Pharmac announcement today, Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall says. “The government has increased Pharmac funding but conceded it will only make minimal increases in access to medicine”, said Ayesha Verrall “This is far from the bold promises made to fund ...
This afternoon’s interim Waitangi Tribunal report must be taken seriously as it affects our most vulnerable children, Labour children’s spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime. ...
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Te Pāti Māori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. “This act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.” Said Te Pāti Māori Oranga Tamariki ...
Minister for Trade Todd McClay today announced that New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will commence negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA). Minister McClay met with his counterpart UAE Trade Minister Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi in Dubai, where they announced the launch of negotiations on a ...
New Zealand Sign Language Week is an excellent opportunity for all Kiwis to give the language a go, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. This week (May 6 to 12) is New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) Week. The theme is “an Aotearoa where anyone can sign anywhere” and aims to ...
Six tertiary students have been selected to work on NASA projects in the US through a New Zealand Space Scholarship, Space Minister Judith Collins announced today. “This is a fantastic opportunity for these talented students. They will undertake internships at NASA’s Ames Research Center or its Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), where ...
New Zealanders will be safer because of a $1.9 billion investment in more frontline Corrections officers, more support for offenders to turn away from crime, and more prison capacity, Corrections Minister Mark Mitchell says. “Our Government said we would crack down on crime. We promised to restore law and order, ...
The OECD’s latest report on New Zealand reinforces the importance of bringing Government spending under control, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The OECD conducts country surveys every two years to review its members’ economic policies. The 2024 New Zealand survey was presented in Wellington today by OECD Chief Economist Clare Lombardelli. ...
The Government has delivered on its election promise to provide a financially sustainable model for Auckland under its Local Water Done Well plan. The plan, which has been unanimously endorsed by Auckland Council’s Governing Body, will see Aucklanders avoid the previously projected 25.8 per cent water rates increases while retaining ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters discussed the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and enhanced cooperation in the Pacific with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock during her first official visit to New Zealand today. "New Zealand and Germany enjoy shared interests and values, including the rule of law, democracy, respect for the international system ...
The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop today released his decision on four recommendations referred to him by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, opening the door to housing growth in the area. The Council’s Plan Change 92 allows more homes to be built in existing and new ...
Thank you, John McKinnon and the New Zealand China Council for the invitation to speak to you today. Thank you too, all members of the China Council. Your effort has played an essential role in helping to build, shape, and grow a balanced and resilient relationship between our two ...
The Government is modernising insurance law to better protect Kiwis and provide security in the event of a disaster, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly announced today. “These reforms are long overdue. New Zealand’s insurance law is complicated and dated, some of which is more than 100 years old. ...
The coalition Government is refreshing its approach to supporting pay equity claims as time-limited funding for the Pay Equity Taskforce comes to an end, Public Service Minister Nicola Willis says. “Three years ago, the then-government introduced changes to the Equal Pay Act to support pay equity bargaining. The changes were ...
Structured literacy will change the way New Zealand children learn to read - improving achievement and setting students up for success, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “Being able to read and write is a fundamental life skill that too many young people are missing out on. Recent data shows that ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay says Canada’s refusal to comply in full with a CPTPP trade dispute ruling in our favour over dairy trade is cynical and New Zealand has no intention of backing down. Mr McClay said he has asked for urgent legal advice in respect of our ‘next move’ ...
The rights of our children and young people will be enhanced by changes the coalition Government will make to strengthen oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, including restoring a single Children’s Commissioner. “The Government is committed to delivering better public services that care for our most at-risk young people and ...
The Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can ...
New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
Good evening – Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us. ...
From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure. The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say. “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...
Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff. “Access to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwis’ lives. We’ve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...
Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says. “Every day, ...
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges. “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service. It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
Distinguished guests - It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
Lili Tokaduadua was only 15 when she left her family in Fiji to pursue her netball dream in New Zealand. She’d been playing the sport for 10 years and was offered a netball scholarship at Auckland’s Howick College. Now, in her first year out of high school, the 19-year-old defender ...
The beloved local grocers lost a legal challenge to stop a new cycleway outside their store. Joel MacManus reports. In the annals of New Zealand legal history, there are a few brave people who have dared to stand up to the powers that be, no matter how bleak the odds ...
How what we produce and what we eat connects us to the world beyond our shores, visualised. Walking around a supermarket or vege shop, it might be obvious that everything on the shelves came from somewhere. But you might ...
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The following interview with auto electrician and former caver Stu Berendt, 68, of Charleston on the West Coast, came about because he was part of the caving team that found the rare and amazing fossil remains of the giant Haast eagle, the subject of one of the year’s best books, ...
A $1.8b funding boost for Pharmac still won’t enable it to buy more drugs, raising questions about the Government’s approach to the agency The post Can Pharmac do more with the same pot of money? appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Professor Jemma Geoghegan, of the University of Otago, Otakou Whakaihu Waka, co-leads a Te Niwha project aimed at understanding how and where avian influenza could affect Aotearoa New Zealand, as the highly infectious H5N1 virus spreads globally. The virus has now spread to all continents except Oceania and was recently ...
Thirty years on from Rwanda’s genocide, is guilt over the atrocities is blinding the world to the true nature of its current leadership? The post The repressive underside of Rwanda’s regime appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Opinion: Last week, important recommendations for our criminal justice system were made by the international community. Every five years, each member of the United Nations has its human rights practices reviewed. This rolling event – the Universal Periodic Review – is the culmination of a government reporting on its human ...
Highly pathogenic avian influenza – H5N1, or bird flu – has been flying around the world since the late 1990s. New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific Islands are so far free of it, but now it’s been discovered in mainland Antarctica and scientists say it’s only a matter of time ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Eric Stokan, Assistant Professor of Political Science, University of Maryland, Baltimore County If you live in one of the most economically deprived neighborhoods in your city, you might think the government is directing a smaller share of public funds to your community. ...
Wansolwara The news media’s crucial role in climate change and environment journalism was the focus of The University of the South Pacific’s Journalism Programme 2024 World Press Freedom Day celebrations. The European Union Ambassador to the Pacific, Barbara Plinkert, and Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Henry Puna were the chief ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Adams, Professor of Corporate Law & Academic Director of UNE Sydney campus, University of New England Last August, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) launched legal proceedings against Qantas. The consumer watchdog accused the airline of selling thousands of tickets ...
This episode of A View From Afar was recorded LIVE on May 6, 2024 (NZST) which is Sunday evening, May 5, 2024 at 8:30pm (USEST). In an analytical essay titled ‘A moment of friction’ political scientist Dr Paul Buchanan wrote how we are living within a decisive moment ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alison Taylor, Assistant Professor, Bond University Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures At the crux of the critical response to Luca Guadagnino’s new movie Challengers is one word: “sexy”. The film charts a love triangle between three up-and-coming tennis players: Tashi (Zendaya), ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jenny Stewart, Professor of Public Policy, ADFA Canberra, UNSW Sydney For years, First Nations people have been telling governments they want to be listened to. In particular, they want more ownership of the programs and services that are supposed to help them. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gregory Moore, Senior Research Associate, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne Why do trees have bark? Julien, age 6, Melbourne. This is a great question, Julien. We are so familiar with bark on trees, that most of us ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anthony Nasser, Senior Lecturer in Physiotherapy, University of Technology Sydney PeopleImages.com – Yuri A/Shutterstock The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is an important ligament in the knee. It runs from the thigh bone (femur) to the shin bone (tibia) and helps stabilise ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne I covered the May 2 United Kingdom local government elections for The Poll Bludger. The Blackpool South parliamentary byelection was also held, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Deanna Grant-Smith, Professor of Management, University of the Sunshine Coast The federal government has announced a “Commonwealth Prac Payment” to support selected groups of students doing mandatory work placements. Those who are studying to be a teacher, nurse, midwife or social ...
We round up everything coming to streaming services this week, including Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, Apple TV+, ThreeNow, Neon and TVNZ+. If you love a dark comedy: Bodkin (Netflix, May 9)An English podcaster, an Irish podcaster and American podcaster walk into a pub and…make a TV show? ...
By Eleisha Foon, RNZ Pacific senior journalist A Pacific regionalism academic has called out New Zealand’s Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters for withholding information from the public on AUKUS and says the security deal “raises serious questions for the Pacific region”. Auckland University of Technology academic Dr Marco de Jong ...
How worried should we be about the cloud? This is an excerpt from our weekly environmental newsletter Future Proof. Sign up here. I currently have a few thousand unread emails languishing in my inbox, mostly old marketing newsletters and piles of unread science journal press releases. I have a similar number ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nuurrianti Jalli, Assistant Professor of Communication Studies College of Arts and Sciences Department of Languages, Literature, and Communication Studies, Northern State University Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Southeast Asian governments not only have to deal with the virus but also with the false ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Murakami Wood, Professor of Critical Surveillance and Securities Studies, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa The skyline of Riyadh, the capital and largest city of the Kingdom of Saudia Arabia.(Shutterstock) There is a long history of planned city building by both governments ...
The LIVE Recording of A View from Afar podcast will begin today at 12:45pm May 6, 2024 (NZST) which is Sunday evening, 8:30pm (USEST). In an analytical essay titled ‘A moment of friction’ political scientist Dr Paul Buchanan wrote how we are living within a decisive moment of ...
The Boil Up’s Lucinda Bennett considers the oyster – from freshness to pearls to the joy of shucking your own. This is an excerpt from our weekly food newsletter, The Boil Up. In Carmen Maria Machado’s short story ‘Eight Bites’, a woman begins her last supper before bariatric surgery with “a cavalcade ...
Asia Pacific Report A group of 65 Auckland University academics have written an open letter to vice-chancellor Dawn Freshwater criticising the institution’s stance over students protesting in solidarity with Palestine. They have called on her administration to “support” the students who were denied permission to establish an “overnight encampment” by ...
The Student Volunteer Army is on the march, generating approximately 1.6 million hours of volunteering from roughly 35,000 secondary school students in just five years. For Rebekah Brown, the pathway to volunteering started with her singing coach. With a passion for the arts, the suggestion to volunteer at Acting Antics, ...
Keeping up with online communication can be exhausting, so Fran Barclay enlisted the help of Meta’s new ‘intelligent assistant’ to respond to all her messages. Could her mates tell the difference? For centuries, technology has ruled the ways in which we communicate. From the dawn of written language, to the ...
Jamie Arbuckle, a councillor who has become an member of parliament, says he has settled into having two roles so comfortably he's going to keep both pay cheques. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Luis Gómez Romero, Senior Lecturer in Human Rights, Constitutional Law and Legal Theory, University of Wollongong Fifty years ago, Australian feminist Anne Summers denounced “the ideology of sexism” governing over so many women’s lives. Unfortunately, sexism is as lethal today as it ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jose Antonio Lara-Hernandez, Senior Researcher in Architecture, Auckland University of Technology Getty Images The COVID-19 pandemic and the hybrid work patterns it fostered have changed the way we think about office space, and central business districts in general. While fears ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dale Boccabella, Associate Professor of Taxation Law, UNSW Sydney There’s a good reason your local volunteer-run netball club doesn’t pay tax. In Australia, various nonprofit organisations are exempt from paying income tax, including those that do charitable work, such as churches. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marina Deller, Casual Academic, Creative Writing and English Literature, Flinders University NetflixComedy is opening up spaces for silences to be broken and trauma stories to be told. In 2018, Hannah Gadsby started a revolution with Nanette, asking audiences to rethink ...
The workplace can be a minefield of bad comms and passive aggression. Kinksters can help you navigate it. A friend and colleague recently gave me a compliment I loved. They told me I’d always been good at emotional communication and making people feel comfortable. “But I feel like it’s really ...
Even if some students are now just texting on their laptops. Stewart Sowman-Lund writes in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. ...
Councils from Horowhenua, Kāpiti, Wairarapa, the Hutt Valley, Porirua and Wellington City will meet this Friday to work together on a plan for a Greater Wellington region water deal. ...
Renowned musician, advocate, and proud born and raised daughter of Tauranga, Ria Hall, is announcing her candidacy for Mayor of Tauranga and Pāpāmoa Ward for the upcoming election on July 20th. ...
The new Aotearoa histories curriculum is rich with potential. There’s still work to be done, but the education minister’s criticisms about ‘balance’ miss the mark, argues primary school teacher Jessie Moss. In 2015, Ōtorohanga College students presented to parliament a petition signed by more than 10,000 people calling for a ...
For too long our so-called national bird has maintained its stranglehold on the economy of regional New Zealand. Thanks to the fast track legislation, we will have our revenge. Theories abound on what ails New Zealand’s economy. National leader Chris Luxon has posited that we’re negative, wet, whiny, and inward-looking; ...
Late one afternoon in March 1860 a man in a thin green velveteen jacket and a wide-awake hat arrived on foot at a sheep station named Glenmark, about 65 kilometres north of Christchurch. The man was in his mid-fifties but he looked older. Several people who met him that day ...
If building one of Auckland’s possible waterfront stadiums was funded privately, it would need to hold a sold-out Ed Sherran concert every weekday for 25 years. That’s Rob Hamlin’s finding – he’s a senior marketing lecturer at the University of Otago. “It’s not going to happen; forget about it,” he ...
Comment: The debate over the future relationship between news and social media is bringing us closer to a long-overdue reckoning. Social media isn’t trying to kill journalism, because social media has never really cared about journalism. Social media is resolutely in the attention business. News propels some attention — perhaps ...
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For the past 12 years, Georgia-Rose Brown has balanced on the brink of making an Olympic Games – but always landed gracefully on the wrong side. Reaching the Olympics is a dream the gymnast has harboured since she was a six-year-old; a dream that would dwindle every four years, yet ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra A new Commonwealth Prac Payment will provide students with $319.50 a week when they are on clinical and professional placements. The payment will be means tested and start from July 1 next year, which ...
Asia Pacific Report About 500 people honoured Palestinian journalists in the heart of the New Zealand city of Auckland today for their brave coverage of Israel’s War on Gaza, now in its seventh month with almost 35,000 people killed, mostly women and children. Marking the annual May 3 World Press ...
The Government Communications Security Bureau denies hosting a foreign spying capability flagged by the watchdog, differentiating it from the system recently criticised. ...
I'm liking the buildup of supportive protest and social media noise within all those Arab autocracies who ruthlessly enforce Handmaids Tale-scale patriarchy and murder any dissenter.
It's a good internal pressure to see, and shows those states who signed up with Israel over the last year to have in reality zero diplomatic sway with Israel. They sold so much diplomatic integrity and receive near nothing in return. Great lesson in autocratic exchange.
The booby trapped “Abraham Accord” adds to the steaming pile of Trump era legacies.
'Scene setting' immigration speech labelled confusing by critics (msn.com)
"He said the sector is short of between 300-500 nurses despite campaigns to employ New Zealanders and paying well above the minimum wage."
How much above minimum wage do they pay and why are NZ'ers not interested in working. Must be more to it.
Not wanting to take on student loan debt?
That plus not having enough money to study and rent a place and live, plus the student loans that need to be paid by hook n by crook.
But we have come full circle, our own leave to work somewhere else for better wages and higher living standard, and we import poor workers f rom over seas who see us as better wages and higher living standard. And thus we all have become economic migrants. Priced out by our own Greed.
Yes.
Anyone trained to be a nurse should be being paid WAY over the minimum wage! And way over the living wage too.
Remember – the minimum wage ensures poverty while the living wage is the absolute bare minimum for a dignified life.
A big part of the problem is having 'nurses' and minimum wage in the same sentence.
Funny how we always seem to have nurse shortages but police – not so much. Why is that – wage structures for an historically female occupation – cost of training?
New Zealand has for many years sought immigrants with professional qualifications as a substitute for training enough of our own people. So we have doctors and nurses from India, the Philippines, etc; with transition difficulties relating to professional qualifications. My dentist is currently working 6 days a week; one of the dentists in the practice has left to start a family, and it is very hard to attract new dentists. We allowed some doctors to enter during the Covid crisis. A balance is needed; we do not want to stop the useful exchange of ideas from having overseas trained professionals. but I believe we should be a little closer to being self-sufficient . . .
Citizen Thiel is “hard at it” again, supporting two Republican US Senate candidates to the tune of $10 mill per head…
https://www.politico.com/news/2021/05/17/peter-thiel-senate-megadonor-488799?nname=playbook-pm&nid=0000015a-dd3e-d536-a37b-dd7fd8af0000&nrid=0855f150-c6ca-431b-b014-64492f5df1de&nlid=964328&fbclid=IwAR3xD2tsgn2RYv4o-DP9WBORAvS4cV8OCAUO2ZSOY91siSVyoNlvIXnVJhQ
Halt. About Turn. Quick March.
You are so out of date. As Minister Nash has announced people like Thiel are the ones we want to come to this country. There are going to be a couple of hundred special visas to attract people like him to come to New Zealand.
""We want targeted, high-quality investment that establishes frontier firms, brings skills and technology to New Zealand, Nash said."
"These [border exemptions] would allow more than 200 wealthy international investors to come to New Zealand over the next 12 months, Nash said."
So no more disparaging comments by anyone about Mr Thiel. He is, according to our Government, a leader in the saving of New Zealand. Make him welcome and throw rose petals in his path. Don't you dare make him think he is not welcome.
God knows, considering the total incompetence of the current Government, we need someone to save us.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/covid-19-coronavirus-government-targets-rich-investors-as-part-of-its-reset-of-immigration-settings/N2JNFH4LSZ4ETYFPHXDUL7JIB4/
alwyn, if "total incompetance" is your descriptor of choice for our current government, how would you describe the current opposition National party? Just curious, as a phrase more damning than "total incompetance" might come in handy.
NZ has lost the top spot (just) to Singapore in Bloomberg's 'COVID Resilience Ranking', but it's crystal clear that a majority of NZ voters simply don't see things alwyn's way.
Patience little alwyn, patience
Alwyn if we followed National and ACTs prescription for dealing with the pandemic our country would be an economic basket case. Drowsy M Kram Given Singapore is now having an outbreak of Covid these measurements are BS. We should be proud of our efforts.
Alwynger your myopic views are laughable and NZ voters show how much of dreeb you are. Desperately flailing around like Crushed Collins self inflicted unpopularity gives us all much hilarity.
Hope they're not BS – I've been reassured (and proud, not that it’s a competition) by Bloomberg's 'COVID Resilience Ranking' which (with the exception of the most recent ranking) has put NZ on top since its inception.
Maybe that ranking is updated monthly(?) – who knows what the future holds.
Singapore today
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/covid-19-new-community-cases-linked-cases-b1617-variant-14820456
as for the other class favorite Taiwan
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/taiwan-scrambles-vaccines-domestic-covid-19-cases-rise-2021-05-17/
But Alwyn is correct in so far that if it is ok for one government to import rich people for something, then it is ok for another government to do the same and people should simply no longer moan about our rich people importing rich people for the supposed better of the country.
Also, everyone here should keep in mind, that closed doors only work so long. And we here in NZ are as vulnerable to an outbreak today as we were last year.
I'm sure that a majority of New Zealand people don't see things my way. So what? I think that Mahatma Gandhi got it right when he said "Even if you are a minority of one, the truth is the truth".
What do I think of the current Opposition? Pretty useless but not nearly as bad as the current Government. I think they would at least be getting people vaccinated in much larger numbers that is happening today. Why are they not using the facilities at the Medical Centres around the country? Why do they want to set up completely independent organisations when all the Medical Centres have nurses who are trained in providing vaccinations? I had my flu jab there. No problem, no waiting and no semi-trained person doing it.
Why can't I get my Covid 19 vaccination there? What is with this useless lot that they can't even use the available facilities?
When Covid 19 gets free in the community, as it will with the open borders to Australia, we will see whether people remain happy with the flim-flam from our leaders. We have been promised the vaccine is available. Well get on with it. A rate of 2% fully vaccinated doesn't cut it.
By the way my description was "total incompetence" not "total incompetance". I wouldn't generally comment on spelling errors, as I am guilty almost every time I post something but if you are going to quote me at least get the quote right.
We can agree to disagree – OK?
Ever hopeful alwyn – may all your dreams come true
"Ever hopeful alwyn – may all your dreams come true"
That is, for me, a nightmare, not a dream. I am in my middle 70's and hence in the group for whom Covid 19 is a very serious, and possibly fatal disease.
I would have the vaccination at once, if I could. As it is, in spite of all the rubbish being spouted by our "leaders" it isn't available to me. In fact none of my friends and acquaintances, except for those living in care facilities have had a chance to be vaccinated. Why not? Seeing Hipkins, Little, Verrall and Henare bravely getting an injection on TV doesn't help people in my age group does it?
As for your last comment. Of course vaccination doesn't end the pandemic. It is likely to keep a lot more people alive though, isn't it? It isn't going to help us if we shut down the country and the economy either, unless we lock it off from the world completely and permanently. Our rulers aren't going to do that are they. There is nothing as restless as a politician who can't get their jollies from going on world trips.
Sounds like you’re in Group 3, which means:
https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-vaccines/covid-19-getting-vaccine/covid-19-when-you-can-get-vaccine
Was very easy to find for someone who can use Google and has more than just a passing interest in it. Unless it doesn’t suit your narrative to look it up, in which case you’re just trolling again. But you’d never do that, would you now. Alwyn?
The original statement from Hipkins, back in March, was that the vaccinations would start in May. That has now drifted back to telling us that we can expect to hear something from the end of May. Not even in May, but from the end of May. That is quite different to what we were being told 2 months ago I would say.
It isn't terribly reassuring that it is followed by the rather wooly "Time frames are approximate and may overlap. The actual start dates will depend on …….."
Sorry but it has slipped and is slipping further it appears.
It shows that it pays to stay up to date, instead of whingeing & whining here that “it isn't available to [you]” and blaming our "leaders" for your ignorance. Meanwhile, your risk of contracting the disease is pretty low, wouldn’t you agree? Your risk of getting the flu is probably higher; did you get your flu shot? If I were you, I’d stay home and avoid electronic devices because they’re known breeding places for all sorts of nasties, worse than toilet seats.
"avoid electronic devices because they’re known breeding places for all sorts of nasties, worse than toilet seats."
Please God. Don't tell me are one of those people who think the height of jocularity is to take a photocopy of your arse while sitting on a Xerox machine?
Alwyn, please put down the device and go wash your hands and your mouth with hot soapy water. Quarantine for 14 days before you touch the device again. Bye now.
Funny thing, really.
Toilet seats are known to be dirty, so get cleaned regularly.
Keyboards, mice, remotes, even touch screens… no so often. But they are often good places for moisture and bacteria from our (and other people's) fingertips.
Agreed alwyn, it would indeed be a nightmare for some. The difference between us (and apologies in advance if I'm misreading you here) is that you seem to see that nightmare as inevitable (under this apparently incompetent Government at least), whereas I believe it's avoidable. I'm basing my belief on NZ's Covid-19 health outcomes to date.
No community cases today; that's getting on to three months since the last reported COVID-19 case in the community – go Team Five Million!
It wasn't my comment, but I would have been happy to make it. Don't drop your guard.
We followed the directions in the govt pamphlet emailed and received a reply, and a confirmation email with date time and venue 48 hrs later.
Pretty good, as Lakes is running behind!!
Alwynger the Truth is the Truth 10% of Adults 389,000 have received the first dose of Vaccine in NZ .given one dose is enough to give a high rate of immunity 60% .You are not living up to your own high standard.
Alwyn trolling just for the sake of trolling.Our most vulnerable the elderly have been vaccinated by the end of July those over 65 and those with medical conditions that make them vulnerable will have been vaccinated.out breaks before that time could be bad but not as bad as before the initial vaccination role out.NZ is still in one of the best situations in the world.
Scaremongers like yourself Alwyn take great pride in spreading BS.but as history has shown purveyors of misinformation are despised.
Look at your leader crushless Collins crushed by the weight of the BS she has been spreading
" the elderly have been vaccinated by the end of July". Really? You mean they might be, not that they have been don't you. If you knew it to be the case can you please tell me the Lotto numbers for this week?
We were told back in March that Group 3 would start being vaccinated "in May" and the implication was certainly that it would begin at the beginning of May. Now it is that it will start by the end of May. Rather different isn't it?
Is it? Maybe vaccine rollout plans will need to be revised, possibly more than once – it’s not always going to be plain sailing, so don’t bet the farm.
https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-vaccines/covid-19-getting-vaccine/covid-19-when-you-can-get-vaccine
Our tax dollars at work.
No complaints from our little rural community of 1000 people – 40% of us across all age groups vaccinated already! We have a medical centre with an aged care facility so staff and residents were high priority. So as not to waste any precious doses it was offered to the wider community. Awesome organisation from Nelson Marlborough DHB – if this is a taste of how good the new Health NZ will be, bring it on!
Boo hoo Alwynger very few countries have had their vaccine rollout on time most of the few countries who have,actually needed it rolled out early because of high rates of covid deaths and over run health systems.
Your self centered selfishness rules your life.
While countries where variants are mutating which could undo any vaccination program leaving your cohort no better off maybe worse off as newer variants seem to be more easily transmitted.
Given most people get up to date news from around the world your obsession with denigrating anything to do with this govt with your lies and 1/2 truths ie propaganda.this makes you look like a perpetual whynger and no one likes a whinger.
Labour want investors who donate millions to Republicans? I doubt Labour have said anything about Thiel. Which means you are either lying, again, or trolling. Give it a rest.
I think his comment is more about People here being very unhappy that Peter Thiel got a citizenship from national and now it seems we are doing the same but under Labour, and for both its under the guise of 'investment'.
Peter Thiel has made money of NZ, i doubt he has made any investment that trickled down, and i am sure the same can be said of the 200 hand picked individuals that are allowed in under Labour. Time will tell, as time always does.
Your first paragraph is exactly what I meant Sabine.
I have no idea about whether anything he might have invested in in New Zealand has been good or bad. I'm not really interested in the man. However he is exactly what the Labour Government has just said they are interested in attracting to NZ.
I'm in agreement with Alwyn here; Nash's announcement concerned me greatly.
Actually it is probably a little unfair to blame Nash personally. I see he was simply giving a speech written by, or at least for, Kris Faafoi., who was ill and needed a substitute at the event.
Perhaps so; the authorship doesn't interest me, it's the thinking that concerns me.
Two left wing critiques:
1. Thiel’s ties to fascism
2. letting rich people buy residency
Alwyn’s comment wasn’t so much about that as using the issues to slur Labour and troll TS
I will be interested to see who Labour have invited in. I’d be surprised if there were people as politically problematic as Thiel, although I can see that mistake being made. More likely the issue will be that they chose growth over climate action, ecology and social concerns.
At this point i consider all people that are at the richness level of Thiel to some extend 'faschist'. It comes with the power, the money, the class. You and i are not part of that world.
And to be honest, i don't think much more about that. The rich will make way for the rich, it has always been like this. What gets me about this 'express process' of applications is that we have people here in this country whose spouses can't still get here for various reasons. And these are people who are here on a skilled visa, many of whom work in our health sector and other crucial areas and we have no issues of NOT bringing these people in.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/covid-19-coronavirus-government-targets-rich-investors-as-part-of-its-reset-of-immigration-settings/N2JNFH4LSZ4ETYFPHXDUL7JIB4/
And this is happening currently under a Labour Majority Government.
It's funny how Thiel funds white supremacy and christian fundamentalism when they are both anti gay in a big way.
He is in the robber baron category and can run to a bolt hole like Liberally minded NZ should the US turn to shit.
Different meanings of fascist I guess.
I’m not a fan of wealth visas and I’d prefer the money was secondary to family, community and culture in the settings , but given most of NZ wants this govt I guess the smaller picture is who are they courting? They could do a better or worse version of the neoliberal position. Preparing myself to be disappointed although tbf that might be influenced by the fact that Nash ended up doing the announcement.
These guys will do no more good then Thiel has done. And i would like to point out that Thiel is considered polite and connected company among his peers and the worlds governments. And that should tell us a lot about our governments.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300308009/covid19-gaming-billionaire-and-john-key-outline-very-different-postpandemic-futures
Well it looks like this is how it is going to work for "rich investors". They get residency, invited to speak at a major business conference, want to bring their workforce in from overseas. Total entitlement.
What is in this for the ordinary resident here. Less than nothing. Where is the "training locals", donations to the community, tax payments. It's all about what we are going to do for him not what he is going to contribute to the well being of the country.
Why do people think Key's opinion matters? He's a money man. He doesn't know about anything else but money and how to screw pople out of it.
Indeed.
The government has made one negative signal to local investors about housing, but failed to provide a positive signal about what they would like locals to invest in instead.
From the valuations that have occurred in New Zealand, there are hundreds of billions of dollars waiting to be fruitfully reinvested in productive enterprises.
Well due for this government to set out an investment plan for New Zealanders about what they want, not just what they don't want.
Where should wealthy people be investing rather than housing?
Wealth should be a disqualification for immigration to this country. With wealth comes unacceptable levels of economic power and political influence – frequently bolted on to loony RW ideas. It effectively creates a new category of uber-citizen, with power over the lives of people already here. Disappointing that Labour's imminent immigration 'reset' appears not to have understood this.
Misunderstand or know damn well what is highly likely to happen?
Peter Thiel after all trousered $30 mill on a $7 mill investment, via a “buy back option” with New Zealand Venture Investment Fund (NZVIF) that Steven Joyce helped set up.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/billionaire-peter-thiel-makes-fortune-after-sweetheart-deal-with-government/B22JSOU3762DJCI53XCR4MLRHU/
That $30 million plus interest neatly covers the cost of his NZ bolthole house and land, and the two $10 million donations to GOP candidates.
Those sums also give an idea of the influence that kind of money can buy, and lets us be aware that his resources are huge, and he has an interest in New Zealand at least as a citizen.
Totally agree about the wealthy investors. We could test and see how genuine they are by stating upfront that no individual investor will get a residence visa or passport out of this. Then lets see if they want to continue – in which case they want to take advantage of a community that can work together.
They should also be required to make substantial and ongoing gifts to the NZ community. Let's see what they would propose! Over the years we have had successful New Zealanders give some very substantial donations to the country out of the wealth they made. Wellington is currently getting a children's hospital built thanks to one of these gifts( all credit to Mark).
As an aside I'm a little surprised that there hasn't been more delving into what, why and how we decided to co-operate and how we can turn these community characteristics into successful economic policy.
Citizen Thiel is a psychopath. He cares not for human-kind except those who are, or have the ability in the future to be useful to him. He has the potential to be the Heinrich Himmler of the 21st century. Mind you, there are a few contenders for that.
The NZ Govt. would do well to follow his progress carefully and ensure that he can never interfere in New Zealand's political future. He will do so surreptitiously if he thought it was going to be of advantage in some future scenario.
And some fool let him in and gave him NZ citizenship.
Thiel invests in global businesses that don't pay tax ,he wants to keep it that way so robber barons can profiteer at will right wing nationalist governments legislate in favour of these Vampire Capitalists.
Question – is it time to remove Chris Trotter from the update feed on the right side banner?
His latest two pieces are doubling down on his determination to see a "pizza restaurant and child sex ring" conspiracy hidden in the He Puapua report and indicate a rapidly steepening decline into a red pilling of himself.
Do we really need ramblings about conspiracies and news media plots represented as "left wing" opinion? Like, I don’t belong to Billy TK’s FB page and so I don’t get notifications from that…
Or am I being over-zealous in my cancel culture impluses?
Interested to hear other views on this.
You don't have to click and read his ramblings. Or are we running the risk of having some sort of purity darkened with specks of 'other think'"
There are plenty of alternatives I agree.
It's fine to hear from the RSA Left sometimes, but he's just so out of touch with contemporary policy formation and of Labour's internal contests there's not much grounding to him any more.
I would leave the link there. As someone about the same age as Chris, it's a useful reminder that being of a mature age will not make me immune from occasional outbursts of idiocy. And removing the link would only confirm his fevered misconceptions about 'free speech' being under threat.
like alot of older men, trotter is struggling to remain relevant. maybe he should think about forming a duet with a redneck like nark richardson.
Remarkable confidence you equally old or nearly so people possess, to be sure that your judgement is so superior.
I think you dislike his erudition because he occasionally contradicts your pet theories.
While not directly addressing Trotter's utterings, I found this an interesting take on cancel culture:
https://i.stuff.co.nz/opinion/125153512/david-gaughan-represents-a-sobering-tale-about-cancel-culture
From the article:
"And after that, it’s hard not to see cancel culture as a Molotov cocktail in a Bollinger bottle. Something that’s lobbed between the two elite wine bars on the left and right side of the street, while everyone in the middle just wanders on unbothered."
It is Christchurch. If any place in New Zealand lends sympathy to Gaughan's views, it's there.
True
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1467-9752.12549
i
think this is a mist read article on cancel culture and how it applies to the
“The slogan (trans women are women) functions not as an empirical statement, but as a demand to adhere to the ontological position that claims about people’s gender identity trump claims about their biological sex”
”we will argue that the current conflicts around gender and sex are not about trans rights, which we fully support”
the article then outlines the shutting down of academic voices, particularly women by activists groups.
it is the best article I have read that elucidates the issues. Written by a philosopher and sociologist.
whether this is happening in NZ Unix, I can’t be sure, but it is definitely happening within the LBGTQ cmty in NZ
I will have a look at the article, thanks.
Like a lot of phrases, they soon get bandied about, often in a pejorative context. I suppose this is langauge evolving but I can't help feel it is a symptom of the binary, othering and pigeon holing way of discourse nowadays, especially on line.
Full disclosure, a lot of my interest came because I often struggle with the angle Verity Johnson comes from. More about me than anything else.
I mean, the author places a lot on the assurance of the guy who claims online sales boomed over the weekend. Obviously the companies who cancelled their distribution orders got their market wrong. Or maybe not. I guess we'll see.
Additionally, the permanence of "cancel culture" is not as absolute as its critics would suggest – Johnson opens with Justine Sacco, but doesn't mention that Sacco was back at the company that fired her within a few years, having continued to work in the comms industry during her time in the cold. Hardly a "beheading".
McFlook, here’s a challenge for you. Free to take it or not of course. I posted an article above about the gender/sex debate for want of a better description. Two UK academics write about it and the impact of debate being shut down, or cancelled
The one that included death threats as part of cancel culture, alongside boycotts?
What's the challenge? Seemed to be much of the same, with more flowery language.
For the record, no, death threats and harrassing families are not ok.
Not taking someone's course because of what you heard about them is simply a boycott, rather than an attack upon academic freedom. Students avoid certain lecturers all the time, because of everything from political views to simply hearing the lecturer is a harsh marker and they wanted a good grade average.
Frankly, I find trans people less surreal and perplexing than people who choose to marginalise and exclude them while still claiming to be part of the LGBTQ community.
In general I suspect that being transgender/sexual is more complex, long term, and visceral than just framing it as "if your internal feeling is that you are a women, then you are".
edit: and I was a bit hazy on terms like “ontological” when I was studying philosophy, let alone 20-odd years later.
FirstlyMcFlock , I am not a member of the LBGTQ community.
but I have close associates who are. Some lesbian women wanted the right to meet as lesbian biological women, not all the time, but they wanted the ability to do this. My understanding is that they were accused of being transphobic for this. Back in the 70s lesbians met on their own without het feminists and there were also groups of lesbian separatist feminists who met separately. No one was insisting that they be allowed to be part of these groups else they were being excluded.
a significant number of lesbian women who support sexed based rights for women and refuse to say trans women are real women were excluded from pride. One woman who wasn’t part of that group, was on a stall inside the pride event. In her break, she went to support her partner who was protesting outside as part of the group who were being excluded. When she went to return to her stall, she was confronted by 4 large security guards forbidding her to return to her stall. This woman is frail and has terminal cancer. Remarkably she stood her ground, but they called the police to remove her. So rather than trans people being excluded, it is the other way around
If they're not on board with the trans community, they're dropping the "T" from the community they feel part of.
But either way, it's not "despicable" when people having a protest to exclude others are shouted down by a counter protest to exclude them.
BTW, health conditions aren't always obvious – or relevant.
I don’t know what you mean by not on board with the trans community. But my understanding is that it became a problem for some women when they were told they were trans phobic if they didn’t chant the mantra trans women are real women. And on occasion the lesbian biological women wanted the right to meet on their own. They never wanted anyone excluded by the LBGTQ community, they just didn’t want to be forced to chant a mantra they didn’t believe.
The despicable part of the protest was the man handling and calling the police on the elderly women who is frail, breathless, wears a hat (think cancer treatment) and told them she needed to get her medication which was in her bag at the stall she was staffing. Four burly security guards and when remarkably she stood her ground (ie refused to budge), the bastards called the police. She had a legitimate right to be at pride, was not a member of the protesting group, had worked hard for homosexual rights all her adult life and is a thoroughly good person
So really it is those who cry exclusionary that are doing the exclusion.
I mean, calling it a "mantra" is a little bit more hostile than simply not participating in the discussion.
As for the incident you are talking about, assisting protestors outside and then expecting to get back in is a bit like turning up to a coal-mining conference, going out to protest with the zero-carbon folk, and then expecting to go back in. Trying to play both sides will end up in one side not wanting you back.
Chris Trotter is hopefully at the back of the queue for cancellation. He can spell, uses punctuation, and has an impressive recall of NZ political history–from an insiders perspective to boot.
As for his opinions…take ’em or leave ’em. Long distance columnists regularly argue views they may not personally hold to keep the show on the road. But it is pretty obvious from prolific pieces lately, that Chris is genuinely worried about the “Māori question” as some older lefties might put it. And Chris is an older lefty, who really can stop worrying about a white backlash. A critical mass of younger people these days are not as hateful and fearful of Māori empowerment and justice as many boomers were or are.
Trotter has been moaning on about Maori politics since i first read his crap several decades ago.
Chris Trotter does allow free speech and rousing discussion. And he monitors his posts to some extent with few posses of damning opposites that attempt to wipe out other opinions. Those with differing opinions generally have quotes from published articles even if one doesn't agree with them and discussion does take place, with the rightists. Some of the leftists here seem to find discussion distasteful. The posse system has been seen on certain topics here, and some people seem prone to pop out with a cosh for anyone they disagree with.
Trotter comparing today's stance against that of the past is a worthy task, and an antidote to know-alls who dismiss others out of hand. As it seems that human thinking seems to go in cycles, it is wise to be in touch with the past, so that one can be ahead of the new thinking that is deja vu all over again. The cliche's are too good to dispense with.
eyup, he caused a boom in online sales and now he's gone from the company.
Sobering punch line a European might be fine to move on but .The brewery owner's comments were vicious and nasty .I wonder how many Maori went to his pub.unfair Consequences is what the opinion writer equated to cancel culture,political correctness was the previous excuse for bad behaviour now rednecks have a new word to avoid blame for their actions.the author said in the end it made no difference to the business as people came to his pub willing to forgive I wonder if there were any Maori amongst those patrons.
But she was lying about not making any difference to his business as Retailers dropped all his product from their shelves .
Most of what the right call cancel culture is cancelling mysoginistic racist sexist behaviour.
In other words society is becoming more civilised and that's been happening since we devolved from Neanderthal 's
https://www.nydailynews.com/snyde/ny-meghan-mccain-levar-burton-the-view-cancel-culture-20210427-aa6u2i6xb5eplgyuvziui7iniy-story.html
Le Var Burton on cancel culture.
He of course answered to Meghan McCain in regards to the Dr. Seuss brouhahah.
But i for one can not stop replacing every time i see 'cancel culture' trotted out as if it had any meaning with 'consequence culture'.
As the Stuff opinion piece above says, we used to call this 'cancel culture' by the term 'boycotting'.
So, like, going forward, we're like 'it's cancel culture'.
Why rename it? Does it thereby disguise, by renaming and associating it with a modern denigratory term 'wokeness', what we accepted as being a justifiable and moral reaction called 'boycotting? Thereby seek to make unacceptable what was a normal and effective personal rejection of a wrong action?
A similar example might be to call what was once 'white racism' something like 'teutonic culture', or 'anti-agism' called 'boomerism'?
They changed "respect & good manners" to "political correctness".
Absolutely correct, I Feel Love.
Interesting article from The Detail outlining and expanding on the discussion around mtf transgender athletes and the testosterone level rules that are putting these athletes health at risk.
Mtf transgender athlete Kritsen Worley is supporting Hubbard and says…
…she believes the Olympics are not ready for Hubbard. She thinks the system is still failing her, due to the strict testosterone limits which put Hubbard's health at risk.
"It’s like taking the gas out of the car," says Worley. "When you lose testosterone in your physiology it’s like the car starts to shake when you take the petrol out of it. Certain functions of the body decrease or even stop functioning altogether."
Worley says the IOC has been caught up with the social side of the debate over transgender athletes.
"Everybody needs hormones, it’s just that we need different types of hormones depending on what chromosome type you are. And that's the problem, we've tried to homogenise gender and we've tried to compare apples with oranges.
She says the thinking was that "if you lower an athlete's testosterone levels (of someone) who was XY chromosome that somehow that is going to match somebody who is XX. No, you're making that XY chromosome person completely unwell, long term in sport and to end of life, thinking that's going to somehow assimilate to somebody who is XX chromosome (who doesn't need testosterone to stay well)."
The hope is, for Worley, that one day sex segregated sport will be no more.
...desn’t the removal of physiological criteria effectively, if not intentionally, abolish the means of objective distinction integral to male/female categories in sport? Is Worley content to see these categories disappear?
“It would be great to move more toward the Paralympic model — ability-based categories… It’s going to take time for that evolution to occur, but the discussion needs to begin.”
In certain sports, the gap between men’s and women’s performances has been closing for years, and Worley believes that de-segregating men and women athletes would further “raise the game” for women and catalyse progress towards parity in funding and profile.
What this mtf transgender athlete sees as 'evolution', sportswomen (ie non-trans women) are going see as erasure. The real tragedy here is that any discussion involving pleas to slow down and consider the long term ramifications of these profound changes will inevitably have on women's competitive sport is met with howls of protest and accusations of transphobia.
"In certain sports, the gap between men’s and women’s performances has been closing for years".
Do you know what sports she had in mind? The only ones I know much about are Rugby and Track and Field Athletics. Non segregation by sex would mean no top level competition at all for women. The best performance by woman in any of the Athletic events, and I mean the woman's world record has been exceeded by 14 or 15 year old boys in every event I am aware of. Women really don't have a chance in a non-segregated competition.
I remember as a school boy I competed in club athletics. We had a woman member who was good enough to compete in the (then) Empire and Commonwealth Games. Some of the boys could regularly beat her, and none of us were really very good. One boy I was at school with could long jump further that Yvette William's World Record.
That might sound like boasting but it merely reflects the facts. I am thoroughly in favour of woman's sports but they have to be separate from the men's events if they are going to be played at the top level.
Alwyn because most sports are suited more to males.
Simone Biles can do more than any Male on the planet.
Women Golfers are catching up with men many Women Drive the ball as far as the men these days but are better on chipping and putting.
The problem is Women are told they will never be as good as men.It made me laugh when Beartrice Faumoina out bench pressed all the current Allblack fowards.
"many Women Drive the ball as far as the men these days"
That is simply untrue. On the PGA tour this year the average drive by the longest hitter is 322 yards. For the 20th longest it is 306.9 yards and for the 100th it is 296.6 yards.
On the LPGA tour the longest hitter averages 292 yards, number 20 is 269.8 yards and number 100 is 253.7 yards.
https://www.pgatour.com/stats/stat.101.html
https://www.lpga.com/statistics/driving/average-driving-distance
Men can’t handle losing to women, especially in a
phallicmanly sport.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhang_Shan
If we allow transgender athletes to compete we could possibly have the oldest ever athletics winner.
I wonder what Caitlyn Jenner, who must be over 70, could achieve in the Heptathlon? After all she was the the Olympic Decathlon champion in 1976 when she was Bruce.
Women beat men at their sport. Suck it up, boy, and take it on the chin.
Think we are heading towards game separation, with transgender having their own olympics, or the end of the olympics. .
Everybody needs hormones, it’s just that we need different types of hormones depending on what chromosome type you are
So now the very word "woman "is being reduced to a chromosome type
I see that as an attempt at erasure
But what is so wrong with having a sporting category of transwomen..or transmen?
Trans seems to be a perfectly acceptable word.
This morning I was sent a link to statistics on hospital beds/1000 people in NZ. Freaking heck, no wonder there are problems! Note how there is a steady drop since the year 2000. It's not like the population is getting healthier.
https://www.ceicdata.com/en/new-zealand/health-statistics/nz-hospital-beds-per-1000-people
We don't seem to be dying,with deaths down 4.6% in march year.
https://www.stats.govt.nz/information-releases/births-and-deaths-year-ended-march-2021-infoshare-tables
That's shocking – from 8.5 beds per 1000 in 1990, to 2.3 beds per 1000 in 2011.
Wonder if that trend has continued over the last 10 years – hope not.
Some of that, but not all of course could be accounted for by de-institutionalization of psychiatric hospitals. The spend on schizophrenia use to be greater than heart disease and cancer. Of course now the govt is spending $ on housing and emergency housing for a lot of these people no longer in hospital
There’s a very good reason for the drop in bed numbers, research has shown that the less time spent in hospital, with sick people, the better the outcome for patients. I have had 2 replacement hips 10 years apart and was out the door in less than 2 days to recuperate at home, mind you if I had had my way I would have been home 10 minutes after the anaesthetic wore off. I did notice though a few malingerers who after an extended stay needed to be removed with a block and tackle.
Thanks Adrian, that's a good explanation of the trends.
Still think a few more strategically-placed hospital beds wouldn't go amiss, particularly after two false starts for an AAA repair in Wellington hospital.
But of course tax dollars are limited – NZ's a wealthy country, just not as wealthy as some. Hence the public appeal from Starship Hospital to fix a shortage of beds – donated last week ("He gave it for others so that others may live!")
A young June Whitfield no less.
Here is Monty Python summing up the neo liberal impact on health in 20 seconds.
Very funny summation. And not only June Whitfield, but also Frank Thornton.
Tony Hancock great. Thank goodness he was one of a kind.
In NZ David McPhail has died. RIP to another great.
Is time spent in beds the same as actual beds though?
Major population bumps during that 11 year period
Build it and they will come, but only if there’s a contract with the DHB.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300310336/despite-community-need-mngeres-absolutely-wonderful-birthing-unit-remains-halffull
Some of things said in that article make me wonder if it explains why the Government is not offering Covid 19 vaccinations at Medical Centres. They would appear to be perfectly equipped to do the vaccinations. After all they have RNs who are fully experienced in giving vaccinations and have done ones like the flu jab for years.
As this article says “Any agreement to use a private provider for any outsourcing of any public maternity services would be considered only after a government sanctioned procurement process was undertaken." and "Because DHBs have been under the pump financially, they’re trying to keep contracts down and that makes it harder for privately owned birthing centres to remain viable".
Could it be that the reason we cannot get a Covid vaccination at our local Medical Centre, with an experienced nurse, doctors on site who would be immediately available in the unlikely event of an adverse reaction, and with full access to our medical records, is because they are privately owned and therefore not welcomed by the DHB.
well, not in the DHB's budget. Gotta love health sector underfunding.
Also, the throughput of a vaccination centre is pretty impressive when it's up and running. My employer does one for the flu jab every year – hundreds of people going through a day, forms all sorted in advance, any contraidnications or questions or first-timers go to a doctor at the side, final review by doc, then to the jabber, then a wait and a lolly. Batch numbers and people all recorded, consents all filed, a marvel of organisation.
But then they've perfected it over years.
https://covid19.govt.nz/health-and-wellbeing/covid-19-vaccines/how-to-get-a-covid-19-vaccination/booking-your-vaccination-appointments/vaccine-rollout-information-by-dhb/
And your problem is?
Classify giving birth as an Olympic Sport and do a league table each day with a weekly prize ,of …. – most number of groans, least time, strict control of pushing reflex etc. Make it more interesting to the general public, let them feel involved. Then pregnant women will get the proper glamour treatment. Just an idea!
It is well past the time that the Minister of Foreign Affairs should have expressed the concerns of NZers regarding Israel’s actions to the Israeli Ambassador, with a firm hint that expulsion would not be untoward. The US Ambassador should also be called in on the basis of the President's endorsement of Israel's transgressions of basic humanitarian decency and respect of international laws. Failure to act suggests that the Government is an Israeli Occupied Territory. Ironically, that description was shaken loose at the UN when NZ sponsored Resolution 2334 at the UN, one that was negotiated when NZ had a Jewish PM.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article/9589611/Queensland-researchers-huge-Covid-19-breakthrough-way-kill-99-9-virus.html
Not sure why the article has not come up. In Queensland scientists have found a way to stop Covid replicating in the lungs. A major breakthrough.
Pulled due to pressure from somewhere? Very disappointing not to have it available.
I was speaking last week to a friend who has a family member with Waldenstroms which is a fairly rare cancer that only occurs in those over 70. The fascinating thing is that overseas one group of old people rebuffed Covid…they were taking medication for Waldenstroms.
When I went straight to daily mail Australia it came up. I sent someone an email of it. There was a longer link to it. Then I googled select words it came up and talked about trials in mice and scientists from the US are also involved.
This it?
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/300310668/antiviral-drug-designed-as-heatseeking-missile-to-target-covid19
Yes, a version of it.
I really hope it works as well in humans that it does in mice.