As John Wight so succinctly states on his Twitter page
”There is a way to put an end to the death, economic destruction and misery that the coronavirus has brought us. Eliminate the virus. Its possible to eliminate the virus – learn the lessons from China, New Zealand, South Korea and others who have pursued a #ZeroCovid strategy. “
Unfortunately, Johnson’s government and 40 years of free market fanaticism has meant the UK is more vulnerable to its effects.
Firstly, the cult of the individual has meant people are less willing to act in solidarity with others.
Secondly, the physical effects of neoliberalism has resulted in greater poverty, poorer health and more obesity, making more citizens vulnerable to worse effects from the virus.
[Again, no link 🙁
I made a genuine attempt to find the quote on Twitter or John Wright but nada.
Have five days off to practice linking – Incognito]
New Zealand is at least as individualistic as Britain, is on average poorer, is much more unequal as a society, and has a far weaker and unsophisticated state.
We have won so far because geographical isolation gave us about a week of decision-making space to lock down hard. We had very narrow vectoral gateways that were easy to shut, and they held.
And as NSW and Victoria shows, in the words of Han Solo, "Great kid, don't get cocky."
I don't accept this Treetop. Where a pandemic is causing hundreds of thousands of deaths the UK government could have evoked special powers to protect the population.
But Boris is no Jacinda-he listened to the money-men and left the borders open while supposedly attempting to control Covid with a chaotic and inconsistent rules that seemed to change every few days. Surprisingly this resulted in complete failure.
The best example is the tracing system used in the UK. 22 billion pounds (!!) has been spent on this-it was a complete disaster; never worked.
The latest Boris bollocks is the new super-infective Covid story-this is to cover for the latest u-turn on the stupid 5-day Christmas relaxation of Covid controls. According to the BBC last night this mutant (all viruses mutate) has been around since September so doubtless has long since spread around the world.
"We have won so far because geographical isolation gave us about a week of decision-making space to lock down hard."
The extra week was helpful – but much more important was being prepared to make that decision to lock-down hard. The Tory party would have been incapable of such a decision no matter how many extra weeks they were handed – and that was Ed's point. A National government here would have (most likely) been unable to make that decision. Scomo looked like he wasn't capable of that decision – but fortunately state premiers took it out of his hands. It took some guts to defy the belief of the most powerful sectors of society that they have an unfettered right to ongoing capital accumulation under all circumstances. Ardern had the guts and humanity to do it. However this remarkable effort at kicking business into line looks like it was just a one-off.
Yes AB, for a few glorious weeks the PM and Robbo did substantially put public health before private profit–which millions will likely regard with fondness for some time.
But, the lockdowns were accompanied by all manner of “COVID Capitalism”–billions in high trust model bailouts to employers, and millions for second tier $490 pw beneficiaries–while the historical poor languished.
If the PM cannot recover that approach, COVID will be back with bells on via unwise international bubbles, and her legacy will be “Blair Lite”, and unnecessarily miserable lives for hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders.
"New Zealand … as Britain…is much more unequal as a society, …"
Do you have any evidence for that assertion? Last time I saw reports on this NZ was almost identical with the UK (eg on Gini) and on some other measures less unequal than some Scandinavian countries.
The reason most Kiwi European ancestors came here in the first place was to escape the limitations of the feudal English class system & its associated atrocities ( in my ancestors case the Highland Clearances & the Irish Famine). On my visits to the UK over the years it didn't seem that much had changed in 200 years.
Covid has the potential to bring the health system of heavily infected countries to its knees. The main defence is a level 4 lockdown and this requires the cooperation of the citizens in that country.
Unemployment is the second biggest problem and for the 1-10 who get long Covid (unwell after 3 months from being infected) the road ahead is a more uncertain one. The health system and housing is put under further strain.
The more limited basic resources become, stress levels increase and for some finding enough to eat is going to preoccupy them on a daily basis.
Even with vaccinations Covid is going to be an ongoing threat as seen with the latest highly infectious strain likely to have come from mink.
2021 is going to require a shift in resources to have a functioning health system in heavily infected countries.
[You’re correct that I have an agenda, which is to entice commenters here to use links when/where appropriate.
Can you please tell us what personal problem you have with linking?
As I mentioned, I cannot find that particular tweet, tweeter, or a reference to it, and I did make an effort and although I got the name of the tweeter wrong, the quoted text didn’t give me a result. How much time should I have to spend on finding a bloody tweet that you failed to link to?
In addition, you made the same error in your e-mail address again 🙁
You’re making working for Moderators here when we want to wind back and relax.
Stop the nonsense and provide links when appropriate/required and you’ll disappear off my radar, it’s that simple.
On the other hand, if you see an ‘agenda’, you will stick to your MO and turn it into a self-fulfilling prophecy.
I will move you to Pre-Moderation to give you one more chance to provide a LINK.
Take it or leave it and take your ‘agenda’ BS with you, thank you – Incognito]
Please try to sort out linking on your phone. FYI, I’m not on Twitter and I have troubles with that medium as well. It’s ok to ask for help and if it gets too technical, and the problem is on this site’s side, we call for the SYSOP 😉
For those interested in a medium-long read on the geopolitical implications of the COVID19 epidemic, here's a good one from the EU's Policy Department for External Affairs (kind-of like the State Department).
The first section assesses the geopolitical trends antedating the pandemic and measures its present and expected impact on them, while the second section lays out the space for action and change created by the disruption.
In the third section, the interplay of trends and uncertainties is explored in three scenarios set in 2025:
Interesting read but somewhat overtaken by events, it was released in Sept 20 so predates the US election and the December Covid surge.
The prospect of a new cold / somewhat warm war of democracies vs the rest (China + Russia, in that order) would be a rather precarious place in our part of the world.
Will be good to see the December or March updates as much as an Asia / Pacific focused version, which I suspect could be rather dark reading. We are living in interesting times
It seems astounding that we are using seasonal worker accommodation as emergency housing and that we are now kicking vulnerable families out to accommodate seasonal workers coming in to pick fruit.
There is something very wrong in that equation…
This is going to get very ugly very quickly… the damage from the housing shortage is going to be intergenerational. Its pretty clear kids need a stable home environment to do well at school etc. Keeping the landlord class happy is not a solution…
A mass building programme is needed… not cheap money pumped into the market lifting price on an already constrained supply.
Will they learn anything from the enormous expense of dealing with the fallout of mistreating people in state care?
More generations of righteously angry dysfunctional adults. Billions more for the taxpayer to shell out. So long as the landholders make a killing today, right? Figures to tout to the press. Look at our GDP! (but do not look in the gutter there, where your fellow citizens now live).
Many lives with potential being limited due to being callously treated. The outcome is clear due to being harmed and reharmed by not being listened to and having to fight government agencies for neglect and criminal acts occurring.
This was done to children at the hands of the state.
I stopped my MP the other day on a road near by to his electoral office and told him how frustrated with ACC I was and that the government need to pull the act apart for mental injury and to rewrite it. Gave me 10 mins of his time. It will take time to work through was his response. I then told him that my gut bleeds with GAVE and that I need to avoid stress. I asked him if he was aware of a correlation between autoimmune conditions and PTSD? I have grown very impatient with the system and I feel as though nothing will change for me unless I review in the district court.
I will not give in to a system which has treated me so appallingly. Shame that my energy is being used up on fighting for my rights. I keep hitting a brick wall because of how ACC are not dealing with all of the components and separate incidents.
If that Chinese collected fishing fleet comes Australia's way, it will certainly come the way of the Pacific islands which we protect – so our navy is going to have its work cut out for it.
Lysenko served as a captain in that country's fishing fleet for 17 years and then in the merchant marine. In this book as much argument as memoir he accuses the U.S.S.R. of depleting the oceans of the world by overfishing; having by now ruined many of its own territorial waters, he charges, the Soviet fleet is turning to other areas. The nations involved, asserts Lysenko, must face down the Soviets before their fishing grounds, too, are destroyed.
This should concern all NZ’ers, at the prospect of the Chinese Fishing Fleet establishing a base in PNG. But given silence of the NZG & political party’s during the election of the activities of the Chinese in& around Galápagos Islands and it intrusions in NZ’s EEZ Nth- Nth East of the Kermadec Islands was quite deafening. This only the thin edge of China’s attempt to destroy the fishing grounds of Sth PAC, Tasman Sea & the Southern Ocean through their shameful practice of unreported, unlicensed & over catching all fish species it pillage
I must add the Chinese Fishing Fleet also escorted by it’s Coastguard Ships which are just as big as the RNZN ANZAC’s & would be able to out Gun the RNZN OPV’s. The sensor fit on those ships are similar to what our ANZAC’s have. The new SOPV with an option for a 2nd one is now must be a Priority for this NZG or else the NZG will lose control, access and it’s ability to enforce the rules to open sea fishing. As the Chinese don’t give a shit because all Liberal Democracies are all talk & no action and what I mean by that not prepared to give the order to use lethal deadly
force even when they are in the right.
With the effects of CC we are nolonger living in a “Benign Strategic Environment” & in fact I don’t believe we were never in such a an environment because the world see’s NZ as the gateway to the Southern Ocean. It only going to get worst with the effects of CC for the under resourced, undermanned NZDF in our region to the Nth, West, east and South especially the Southern Ocean including the Antarctic itself.
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This is one of the (extra) weekly columns on music or movies. Plenty of solid analyses of Possession exist online and most of them – inevitably – contain spoilers. This column is more in the way of a first-timer’s aid to getting your initial bearings. You don’t need to have ...
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The Green Party says the Government’s misguided policy on gangs will fail, following the announcement of the establishment of a national gang unit and district gang disruption units to target gang activities. ...
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The Government bringing back 50 charter schools will not increase achievement and is a distraction from the core mission of the education system, Labour education spokesperson Jan Tinetti said. ...
Te Pāti Māori is showing extreme concern over the Environment Select Committees adoption of a lucky dip draw to determine hearings for the Fast Track Approvals bill. Of the 27,000 submissions, 2,900 requested to present. All organisations will be heard; however, the remaining 2,350 submitters will be subject to a ...
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The Green Party is welcoming Climate Change Minister Simon Watts’ continuation of Hon. James Shaw’s cross-party work on climate adaptation, now in the form of a Finance and Expenditure Committee Inquiry. ...
The National Government plans to cut 390 jobs at ACC, including roles in the areas of prevention of sexual violence, road safety and workplace safety. ...
The Government has been caught in opposition to evidence once again as it looks to usher in tried, tested and failed work seminar obligations for job-seeking beneficiaries. ...
The Green Party is welcoming the announcement by the Minister Responsible for RMA Reform Chris Bishop to approve most of the Wellington City Council’s District Plan recommendations. ...
David Seymour has failed to get the sweeping cuts he wanted to the free and healthy school lunch programme, Labour education spokesperson Jan Tinetti said. ...
Hon Willie Jackson has been invited by the Oxford Union to debate the motion “This House Believes British Museums are not Very British’ on May 23rd. ...
Green Party MP Hūhana Lyndon says her Public Works (Prohibition of Compulsory Acquisition of Māori Land) Amendment Bill is an opportunity to right some past wrongs around the alienation of Māori land. ...
A senior, highly respected King’s Counsel with decades of experience in our law courts, Gary Judd KC, has filed a complaint about compulsory tikanga Māori studies for law students - highlighting the utter depths of absurdity this woke cultural madness has taken our society. The tikanga regulations will compel law ...
The Government needs to be clear with the people of the Nelson Marlborough region about the changes it is considering for the Nelson Hospital rebuild, Labour health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall said. ...
Ministers must front up about which projects it will push through under its Fast Track Approvals legislation, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
The Government is again adding to New Zealand’s growing unemployment, this time cutting jobs at the agencies responsible for urban development and growing much needed housing stock. ...
With Minister Karen Chhour indicating in the House today that she either doesn’t know or care about the frontline cuts she’s making to Oranga Tamariki, we risk seeing more and more of our children falling through the cracks. ...
The Labour Party is saddened to learn of the death of Sir Robert Martin, a globally renowned disability advocate who led the way for disability rights both in New Zealand and internationally. ...
Labour is calling for the Government to urgently rethink its coalition commitment to restart live animal exports, Labour animal welfare spokesperson Rachel Boyack said. ...
Today’s Financial Stability Report has once again highlighted that poverty and deep inequality are political choices - and this Government is choosing to make them worse. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to do more for our households in most need as unemployment rises and the cost of living crisis endures. ...
Unemployment is on the rise and it’s only going to get worse under this Government, Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said. Stats NZ figures show the unemployment rate grew to 4.3 percent in the March quarter from 4 percent in the December quarter. “This is the second rise in unemployment ...
The New Zealand Labour Party welcomes the entering into force of the European Union and New Zealand free trade agreement. This agreement opens the door for a huge increase in trade opportunities with a market of 450 million people who are high value discerning consumers of New Zealand goods and ...
The National-led Government continues its fiscal jiggery pokery with its Pharmac announcement today, Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall says. “The government has increased Pharmac funding but conceded it will only make minimal increases in access to medicine”, said Ayesha Verrall “This is far from the bold promises made to fund ...
This afternoon’s interim Waitangi Tribunal report must be taken seriously as it affects our most vulnerable children, Labour children’s spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime. ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced that the Government will make it easier for lines firms to take action to remove vegetation from obstructing local powerlines. The change will ensure greater security of electricity supply in local communities, particularly during severe weather events. “Trees or parts of trees falling on ...
Wairarapa Moana ki Pouakani were the top winners at this year’s Ahuwhenua Trophy awards recognising the best in Māori dairy farming. Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka announced the winners and congratulated runners-up, Whakatōhea Māori Trust Board, at an awards celebration also attended by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Finance Minister ...
"On the 27th of March, I sought assurances from the Chief Executive, Department of Internal Affairs, that the Department’s correct processes and policies had been followed in regards to a passport application which received media attention,” says Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden. “I raised my concerns after being ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins has announced the appointment of three new District Court Judges, to replace Judges who have recently retired. Peter James Davey of Auckland has been appointed a District Court Judge with a jury jurisdiction to be based at Whangarei. Mr Davey initially started work as a law clerk/solicitor with ...
Associate Education Minister David Seymour is calling on the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) to put ideology to the side and focus on students’ learning, in reaction to the union holding paid teacher meetings across New Zealand about charter schools. “The PPTA is disrupting schools up and down the ...
Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly today announced the appointment of Craig Stobo as the new chair of the Financial Markets Authority (FMA). Mr Stobo takes over from Mark Todd, whose term expired at the end of April. Mr Stobo’s appointment is for a five-year term. “The FMA plays ...
Surf Life Saving New Zealand and Coastguard New Zealand will continue to be able to keep people safe in, on, and around the water following a funding boost of $63.644 million over four years, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Associate Transport Minister Matt Doocey say. “Heading to the beach for ...
New Zealand and Tuvalu have reaffirmed their close relationship, Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters says. “New Zealand is committed to working with Tuvalu on a shared vision of resilience, prosperity and security, in close concert with Australia,” says Mr Peters, who last visited Tuvalu in 2019. “It is my pleasure ...
New Zealand is gravely concerned about the situation in New Caledonia, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The escalating situation and violent protests in Nouméa are of serious concern across the Pacific Islands region,” Mr Peters says. “The immediate priority must be for all sides to take steps to de-escalate the ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon met today with Samoa’s O le Ao o le Malo, Afioga Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II, who is making a State Visit to New Zealand. “His Highness and I reflected on our two countries’ extensive community links, with Samoan–New Zealanders contributing to all areas of our national ...
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has announced that he has approved Waiheke Island ferry operator Island Direct to be eligible for SuperGold Card funding, paving the way for a commercial agreement to bring the operator into the scheme. “Island Direct started operating in November 2023, offering an additional option for people ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters today announced further sanctions on 28 individuals and 14 entities providing military and strategic support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “Russia is directly supported by its military-industrial complex in its illegal aggression against Ukraine, attacking its sovereignty and territorial integrity. New Zealand condemns all entities and ...
A year on from the tragedy at Loafers Lodge, the Government is working hard to improve building fire safety, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “I want to share my sincere condolences with the families and friends of the victims on the anniversary of the tragic fire at Loafers ...
Ka nui te mihi kia koutou. Kia ora and good afternoon, everyone. Thank you so much for having me here in the lead up to my Government’s first Budget. Before I get started can I acknowledge: Simon Bridges – Auckland Business Chamber CEO. Steve Jurkovich – Kiwibank CEO. Kids born ...
New Zealand and Vanuatu will enhance collaboration on issues of mutual interest, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “It is important to return to Port Vila this week with a broad, high-level political delegation which demonstrates our deep commitment to New Zealand’s relationship with Vanuatu,” Mr Peters says. “This ...
Minister for Land Information, Chris Penk will travel to Peru this week to represent New Zealand at a meeting of trade ministers from the Asia-Pacific region on behalf of Trade Minister Todd McClay. The annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers Responsible for Trade meeting will be held on 17-18 May ...
Minister of Education Erica Stanford will head to the United Kingdom this week to participate in the 22nd Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers (CCEM) and the 2024 Education World Forum (EWF). “I am looking forward to sharing this Government’s education priorities, such as introducing a knowledge-rich curriculum, implementing an evidence-based ...
Minister of Education Erica Stanford has today thanked outgoing New Zealand Qualifications Authority Chair, Hon Tracey Martin. “Tracey Martin tendered her resignation late last month in order to take up a new role,” Ms Stanford says. Ms Martin will relinquish the role of Chair on 10 May and current Deputy ...
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and President Emmanuel Macron of France today announced a new non-governmental organisation, the Christchurch Call Foundation, to coordinate the Christchurch Call’s work to eliminate terrorist and violent extremist content online. This change gives effect to the outcomes of the November 2023 Call Leaders’ Summit, ...
Distinguished public servant and former diplomat Sir Maarten Wevers will lead the independent review into the disability support services administered by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. The review was announced by Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston a fortnight ago to examine what could be done to strengthen the ...
Today’s announcement by Police Commissioner Andrew Coster of a National Gang Unit and district Gang Disruption Units will help deliver on the coalition Government’s pledge to restore law and order and crack down on criminal gangs, Police Minister Mark Mitchell says. “The National Gang Unit and Gang Disruption Units will ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today expressed regret at North Korea’s aggressive rhetoric towards New Zealand and its international partners. “New Zealand proudly stands with the international community in upholding the rules-based order through its monitoring and surveillance deployments, which it has been regularly doing alongside partners since 2018,” Mr ...
Air Vice-Marshal Tony Davies MNZM is the new Chief of Defence Force, Defence Minister Judith Collins announced today. The Chief of Defence Force commands the Navy, Army and Air Force and is the principal military advisor to the Defence Minister and other Ministers with relevant portfolio responsibilities in the defence ...
Legislation to repeal section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act has been introduced to Parliament. The Bill’s introduction reaffirms the Coalition Government’s commitment to the safety of children in care, says Minister for Children, Karen Chhour. “While section 7AA was introduced with good intentions, it creates a conflict for Oranga ...
Defence Minister Judith Collins will this week travel to the UK and Italy to meet with her defence counterparts, and to attend Battles of Cassino commemorations. “I am humbled to be able to represent the New Zealand Government in Italy at the commemorations for the 80th anniversary of what was ...
The upcoming Budget will include funding for up to 50 charter schools to help lift declining educational performance, Associate Education Minister David Seymour announced today. $153 million in new funding will be provided over four years to establish and operate up to 15 new charter schools and convert 35 state ...
“The results of the public consultation on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons has now been received, with results indicating over 13,000 submissions were made from members of the public,” Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says. “We heard feedback about the extended lockdowns in ...
Foreign Minister, Defence Minister, other Members of Parliament Acting Chief of Defence Force, Secretary of Defence Distinguished Guests Defence and Diplomatic Colleagues Ladies and Gentlemen, Good afternoon, tēna koutou, apinun tru It’s a pleasure to be back in Port Moresby today, and to speak here at the Kumul Leadership ...
Health, infrastructure, renewable energy, and stability are among the themes of the current visit to Papua New Guinea by a New Zealand political delegation, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “Papua New Guinea carries serious weight in the Pacific, and New Zealand deeply values our relationship with it,” Mr Peters ...
The coalition Government is launching Roads of Regional Significance to sit alongside Roads of National Significance as part of its plan to deliver priority roading projects across the country, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The Roads of National Significance (RoNS) built by the previous National Government are some of New Zealand’s ...
A high-level New Zealand political delegation in Honiara today congratulated the new Government of Solomon Islands, led by Jeremiah Manele, on taking office. “We are privileged to meet the new Prime Minister and members of his Cabinet during his government’s first ten days in office,” Deputy Prime Minister and ...
New Zealand voted in favour of a resolution broadening Palestine’s participation at the United Nations General Assembly overnight, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The resolution enhances the rights of Palestine to participate in the work of the UN General Assembly while stopping short of admitting Palestine as a full ...
Introduction Good morning. It’s a great privilege to be here at the 2024 Infrastructure Symposium. I was extremely happy when the Prime Minister asked me to be his Minister for Infrastructure. It is one of the great barriers holding the New Zealand economy back from achieving its potential. Building high ...
Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced the upcoming Budget will include new funding of $571 million for Defence Force pay and projects. “Our servicemen and women do New Zealand proud throughout the world and this funding will help ensure we retain their services and expertise as we navigate an increasingly ...
New Zealand’s ability to cope with climate change will be strengthened as part of the Government’s focus to build resilience as we rebuild the economy, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “An enduring and long-term approach is needed to provide New Zealanders and the economy with certainty as the climate ...
Jobseeker beneficiaries who have work obligations must now meet with MSD within two weeks of their benefit starting to determine their next step towards finding a job, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “A key part of the coalition Government’s plan to have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker ...
A new standalone Social Investment Agency will power-up the social investment approach, driving positive change for our most vulnerable New Zealanders, Social Investment Minister Nicola Willis says. “Despite the Government currently investing more than $70 billion every year into social services, we are not seeing the outcomes we want for ...
Check against delivery Good morning. It is a pleasure to be with you to outline the Coalition Government’s approach to our first Budget. Thank you Mark Skelly, President of the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce, together with your Board and team, for hosting me. I’d like to acknowledge His Worship ...
Your Excellency Ambassador Meredith, Members of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassadors from European Union Member States, Ministerial colleagues, Members of Parliament, and other distinguished guests, Thank you everyone for joining us. Ladies and gentlemen - In diplomacy, we often speak of ‘close’ and ‘long-standing’ relations. ...
The Therapeutic Products Act (TPA) will be repealed this year so that a better regime can be put in place to provide New Zealanders safe and timely access to medicines, medical devices and health products, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello announced today. “The medicines and products we are talking about ...
Arawata Shane Arawata Shane had wandered long In the wild tangled hills of the West Coast. He came to a stop on the mighty range And looked down at the wide river flats. He breathed in the clean air, And he took in the shadows playing across The face of ...
SPECIAL REPORT:Islands Business in Suva Today is the 24th anniversary of renegade and failed businessman George Speight’s coup in 2000 Fiji. The elected coalition government headed by Mahendra Chaudhry, the first and only Indo-Fijian prime minister of Fiji, was held hostage at gunpoint for 56 days in the country’s ...
By Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific journalist and Kelvin Anthony, RNZ Pacific digital journalist Police have used tear gas and stun grenades on rioters at an airport near Nouméa as the chaos in New Caledonia stretched into its sixth day. Five people, including two police officers, have died and hundreds of ...
Asia Pacific ReportThe global human rights watchdog Amnesty International has called on France to not “misuse” a crackdown in the ongoing unrest in the non-self-governing French Pacific territory of Kanaky New Caledonia in the wake of a controversial vote by the French Parliament to adopt a bill changing the territory’s ...
A major provider of school lunches fears the government's new $3 limit for most students will see them eating more pre-packaged and processed food. ...
The star of Dark City: The Cleaner takes us through his life in TV, including the VHS revolution and the John Campbell impression that started it all. Best known for his comedic roles, Cohen Holloway says he struggled at times to maintain the stone cold facade of serial killer on ...
David Hill remembers an old friend, who you’ve probably never heard of. My friend Doug never travelled; he had little interest in the world beyond his own tiny rural town. I’ve rarely known anyone who radiated such contentment. Doug (I’ll call him that) died in March. You won’t know him. ...
Some of the earliest photos of life in Aotearoa are on display at Auckland Museum right now – but the identities of some of the people in them are a mystery.What was it like to be one of the first people in New Zealand to have their photo taken? ...
Since its founding almost a decade ago, Featherston Booktown has grown into one of the country’s most interesting and idiosyncratic literary events. Erin Banks reports from the audience. “Come in, have you had lunch? I’m about to make a cheese toastie.” Mary Biggs, operations manager of Featherston Booktown Karukatea Festival, ...
After 33 years abroad, Loveni Enari recently returned to Aotearoa and Samoa in what a friend joked was an “existential crisis”. He learnt and re-learnt so much about his family, friends and both countries. Almost as an afterthought, he got a Samoan tatau. This is his story. (Accompanying it are ...
Nearly 30 years ago, two people told me they’d killed a woman they knew. I thought the truth would come out, that others would tell it. In the end, I had to. The Sunday Essay is made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand.Fact: in 1995, Angela Blackmoore ...
Editor Madeleine Chapman looks back at the week and shines a light on some increasingly rare longform journalism. Mōrena and welcome to The Weekend where there will sadly be no aurora to see. After a busy week last week of short, sharp pieces, this week we swung the other way, ...
ANALYSIS:By David Robie, editor of Asia Pacific Report Jean-Marie Tjibaou, a revered Kanak visionary, was inspirational to indigenous Pacific political activists across Oceania, just like Tongan anthropologist and writer Epeli Hao’ofa was to cultural advocates. Tragically, he was assassinated in 1989 by an opponent within the independence movement during ...
Forget thin is in, apparently now bigger is better … or is it? After over a decade of body positivity, girls, teens and women are even more confused about what body positivity actually is. The movement began with women confronting unrealistic expectations of how their bodies should look. But sub-strands ...
Grace always sat at the bar at the back of The Cambridge, where she could watch who came in. A huge mirror ran the length of the pub, so you could sometimes watch people without them knowing. The mirror made the place seem a lot bigger than it really was. ...
MONDAY Sheriff Mark Mitchell rose at dawn. He had a long day’s ride ahead of him. He was headed for Waikeria. Waikeria! Even the name itself stirred his blood, and set root in his imagination. There was nothing and no one in Waikeria. But he would bend it to his ...
The first phase of the inquest into the death of Gore toddler Lachlan Jones finished this week, turning up plenty of revelations and few answers. But through all the confusion, heartbreak and antipathy on display, the simple fact at the heart of this case remains: if little Lachie’s body had ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Roger Benjamin, Professor in Art History, University of Sydney “She’s no oil painting”. Those were the unkind words of a colleague commenting on the subject of Vincent Namatjira’s acrylic painting, Gina. Every one of the prominent Australians and cultural heroes in Namatjira’s ...
Government plans to require local councils hold a referendum on whether to have Māori wards breaches the Treaty of Waitangi, a Waitangi Tribunal report has found. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tim Harcourt, Industry Professor and Chief Economist, University of Technology Sydney This year the National Rugby League (NRL) opened its season in Las Vegas. It was an audacious move by the league’s ambitious head honcho Peter V’Landys to showcase the game in ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Catherine Strong, Associate Professor, Music Industry, RMIT University Leading music organisations have praised the federal budget for its investment in the live music sector. The budget includes A$8.6 million for a program called Revive Live: to provide essential support to ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marnee Shay, Associate Professor, Principal Research Fellow, The University of Queensland The 2024 federal budget contains A$110 million for Indigenous education. This includes funding for various different organisations to represent and help Indigenous people as well as scholarships in a bid to ...
Air New Zealand has confirmed Nouméa’s Tontouta International airport in New Caledonia is closed until Tuesday. The airline earlier told RNZ it would update customers as soon as it could. Earlier today, Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters told RNZ Morning Report government officials had been working on an “hourly basis” ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Grant Linley, PhD Candidate in Ecology, Charles Sturt University Grant Linley Australia’s unprecedented Black Summer bushfires in 2019–20 created ideal conditions for misinformation to spread, from the insidious to the absurd. It was within this context that a bizarre story ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marcel Scharth, Lecturer in Business Analytics, University of Sydney OpenAI executive Mira Murati launching GPT-4o.OpenAI Earlier this week OpenAI launched GPT-4o (“o” for “omni”), a new version of the artificial intelligence (AI) system powering the popular ChatGPT chatbot. GPT-4o is promoted ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Treasure McGuire, Assistant Director of Pharmacy, Mater Health SEQ in conjoint appointment as Associate Professor of Pharmacology, Bond University and as Associate Professor (Clinical), The University of Queensland Speedkingz/Shutterstock Menopause is a natural biological process that marks the end of a ...
A new poem by Hannah Patterson. Xiāng There’s a pear tree in our backyard And Xiāng tells me She can’t eat them anymore Not after some things that have happened in her life. She tells me, in Mandarin The word for pear sounds the same as the word for disassociation ...
‘Cycling Works’ aims to show business support for citywide cycle infrastructure. This is an excerpt from our weekly environmental newsletter Future Proof. Sign up here. Last week, supermarket giant Foodstuffs lost its attempt to block the construction of a cycle lane outside Thorndon New World in Wellington. The Spinoff’s Wellington editor ...
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 Slow Productivity by Cal Newport (Penguin, $40)Taking out the top spot in Auckland this ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Lowe, Emeritus Professor, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University For decades, Australia has exported uranium – but not used it, other than in the Lucas Heights research reactor. But change is coming. We now face a rapidly deepening commitment to ...
"In future I should walk away," Green MP Julie Anne Genter says after complaints over an exchange in Parliament and from two members of the public. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jonathan Graffam, PhD Candidate in Theatre, Monash University Gianna Rizzo/Malthouse Music pumps; lights pulsate; two sweaty bodies sway together, touching, breathing in each other’s scent. A male body framed by downlight restlessly shifts between stances and gestures. He undresses. The intensity ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sandra van der Laan, Professor of Accounting, University of Sydney Mtaya/Shutterstock At some point, you or someone else will need to make a decision about your “send-off”. Most Australians die in an institution, such as a hospital or aged care facility. ...
Asia Pacific Report Vanuatu Prime Minister Charlot Salwai — who is also Chairman of the Melanesian Spearhead Group — has reaffirmed MSG’s support of the pro-independence umbrella group Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS) stance opposing the French government’s constitutional bill “unfreezing” the New Caledonia Electoral Roll. It is ...
Producer Susan Leonard remembers her father Ernie, a pioneer of Māori television, and how his legacy lives on in Pathfinders.My father was a fabulous man. His name was Ernie Leonard and he started in TV in the 1970s when it was still glamorous – when TVNZ made behind the ...
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk, and Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific journalist The suspected ringleaders of the unrest in New Caledonia have been placed in home detention and the social network TikTok has been banned as French security forces struggle to restore law and order. The French ...
Multi-year appropriations - which give the government authority to spend money without reapplying annually - are loosening Parliament's control of the public purse, auditor-general says. ...
Dr. Eric Chuah who stood for a centrist NZ political party in the October 2023 NZ Elections for Maungakiekie Auckland will stand as a candidate for Tauranga City Council Ward of Matua-=Otumoetai and Mayor of Tauranga. ...
If you can’t get to the comedy fest, let us bring the comedy fest to you. This is an excerpt from our weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. The New Zealand International Comedy Festival is in full swing at the moment, with a veritable smorgasboard of comedy treats ...
A new poll commissioned by Unions Wellington shows an overwhelming majority of Wellingtonians oppose the Council’s plan to sell the 34% public stake in Wellington Airport. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Aruna Sathanapally, Chief Executive, Grattan Institute, Grattan Institute A central focus of this week’s budget is the treasury’s forecast for inflation. By this time next year, inflation is projected to be back within the Reserve Bank’s 2-3% target range. Inflation has ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yolanda van Heezik, Professor of Ecology, University of Otago Getty Images Cities across Aotearoa New Zealand are trying to solve a housing crisis, with increasing residential density a key solution. But not everyone is happy about the resulting loss of natural ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alison Reeve, Deputy Program Director, Energy and Climate Change, Grattan Institute WDG Photo/Shutterstock For years, the electricity sector has been the poster child for emissions cuts in Australia. The sector achieved a stunning 26% drop in emissions over the past 15 ...
It’s often the last thing people want to do, but asking someone if they’re having suicidal thoughts is a critical first step to helping them. Content warning: this story discusses suicide and suicidal ideation. For a list of resources that can help if you or someone you know is feeling ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Timothy J. Ralph, Associate Professor, Macquarie University The pyramids at Giza, like dozens of others, are located several kilometres west of the current path of the Nile.Alex Cimbal / Shutterstock The largest field of pyramids in Egypt – consisting of 31 ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sarah Diepstraten, Senior Research Officer, Blood Cells and Blood Cancer Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute ABO PHOTOGRAPHY/Shutterstock Receiving a cancer diagnosis is life-changing and can cause a range of concerns about ongoing health. Fear of cancer returning is one ...
Winston Peters has been on tour around the Pacific while two unrelated crises unfolded, explains Stewart Sowman-Lund in this extract from The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. Two separate ...
This is the Mount Everest of artificial meatcraft.Ah, bacon. Pig’s gold. Toast’s consolation. Dawn’s savoury embrace. If meat was a currency, bacon would be the Benjamin Franklin. Or if you’re feeling patriotic, the Lord Rutherford. When it comes to fake bacon, the obvious question is: why bother? In the ...
From illegal milk to sprinkler bans and airplane ticket scams, Tyrone Barugh is on a one-man mission through New Zealand’s most obscure legal loopholes. I’m deep undercover, investigating Wellington’s criminal underworld. Inside this store, I’ve been told there is a million-dollar trade in illicit substances. A man dressed in black ...
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New Zealand’s drug legislation hasn’t been overhauled in nearly 50 years, in spite of a recommendation from the Law Commission in 2011 to do so. Our Misuse of Drugs Act was passed in 1975 and is based on a United Nations framework set in 1961. Now a new organisation, Harm ...
I feel for the people of the U.K.
As John Wight so succinctly states on his Twitter page
”There is a way to put an end to the death, economic destruction and misery that the coronavirus has brought us. Eliminate the virus. Its possible to eliminate the virus – learn the lessons from China, New Zealand, South Korea and others who have pursued a #ZeroCovid strategy. “
Unfortunately, Johnson’s government and 40 years of free market fanaticism has meant the UK is more vulnerable to its effects.
Firstly, the cult of the individual has meant people are less willing to act in solidarity with others.
Secondly, the physical effects of neoliberalism has resulted in greater poverty, poorer health and more obesity, making more citizens vulnerable to worse effects from the virus.
[Again, no link 🙁
I made a genuine attempt to find the quote on Twitter or John Wright but nada.
Have five days off to practice linking – Incognito]
New Zealand is at least as individualistic as Britain, is on average poorer, is much more unequal as a society, and has a far weaker and unsophisticated state.
We have won so far because geographical isolation gave us about a week of decision-making space to lock down hard. We had very narrow vectoral gateways that were easy to shut, and they held.
And as NSW and Victoria shows, in the words of Han Solo, "Great kid, don't get cocky."
Nice Star Wars quote Ad! Don't forget Han Solo also said "I have a bad feeling about this".
Britain is an island. It could have locked down and closed the borders but chose not to for economic and political reasons.
Absolutely. Yes, many more gateways in. But proportionally many more resources to do so.
You don't need to be an island (China). You need the will to do it.
Does Britain only becomes independent when they leave Brexit?
If so closing the border would have been complicated.
I don't accept this Treetop. Where a pandemic is causing hundreds of thousands of deaths the UK government could have evoked special powers to protect the population.
But Boris is no Jacinda-he listened to the money-men and left the borders open while supposedly attempting to control Covid with a chaotic and inconsistent rules that seemed to change every few days. Surprisingly this resulted in complete failure.
The best example is the tracing system used in the UK. 22 billion pounds (!!) has been spent on this-it was a complete disaster; never worked.
The latest Boris bollocks is the new super-infective Covid story-this is to cover for the latest u-turn on the stupid 5-day Christmas relaxation of Covid controls. According to the BBC last night this mutant (all viruses mutate) has been around since September so doubtless has long since spread around the world.
Totally agree Ad with your summation.
"We have won so far because geographical isolation gave us about a week of decision-making space to lock down hard."
The extra week was helpful – but much more important was being prepared to make that decision to lock-down hard. The Tory party would have been incapable of such a decision no matter how many extra weeks they were handed – and that was Ed's point. A National government here would have (most likely) been unable to make that decision. Scomo looked like he wasn't capable of that decision – but fortunately state premiers took it out of his hands. It took some guts to defy the belief of the most powerful sectors of society that they have an unfettered right to ongoing capital accumulation under all circumstances. Ardern had the guts and humanity to do it. However this remarkable effort at kicking business into line looks like it was just a one-off.
Yes AB, for a few glorious weeks the PM and Robbo did substantially put public health before private profit–which millions will likely regard with fondness for some time.
But, the lockdowns were accompanied by all manner of “COVID Capitalism”–billions in high trust model bailouts to employers, and millions for second tier $490 pw beneficiaries–while the historical poor languished.
If the PM cannot recover that approach, COVID will be back with bells on via unwise international bubbles, and her legacy will be “Blair Lite”, and unnecessarily miserable lives for hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders.
[Fixed typo in user handle]
"New Zealand … as Britain…is much more unequal as a society, …"
Do you have any evidence for that assertion? Last time I saw reports on this NZ was almost identical with the UK (eg on Gini) and on some other measures less unequal than some Scandinavian countries.
The reason most Kiwi European ancestors came here in the first place was to escape the limitations of the feudal English class system & its associated atrocities ( in my ancestors case the Highland Clearances & the Irish Famine). On my visits to the UK over the years it didn't seem that much had changed in 200 years.
You must be almost as old as Methuselah; how many Super Gold Cards do you have?
Covid has the potential to bring the health system of heavily infected countries to its knees. The main defence is a level 4 lockdown and this requires the cooperation of the citizens in that country.
Unemployment is the second biggest problem and for the 1-10 who get long Covid (unwell after 3 months from being infected) the road ahead is a more uncertain one. The health system and housing is put under further strain.
The more limited basic resources become, stress levels increase and for some finding enough to eat is going to preoccupy them on a daily basis.
Even with vaccinations Covid is going to be an ongoing threat as seen with the latest highly infectious strain likely to have come from mink.
2021 is going to require a shift in resources to have a functioning health system in heavily infected countries.
See my Moderation note @ 8:42 AM.
I mentioned the link to John Wight.
Not John Wright.
Anyway, the decision has been made.
Happy Christmas.
i
[You’re correct that I have an agenda, which is to entice commenters here to use links when/where appropriate.
Can you please tell us what personal problem you have with linking?
As I mentioned, I cannot find that particular tweet, tweeter, or a reference to it, and I did make an effort and although I got the name of the tweeter wrong, the quoted text didn’t give me a result. How much time should I have to spend on finding a bloody tweet that you failed to link to?
In addition, you made the same error in your e-mail address again 🙁
You’re making working for Moderators here when we want to wind back and relax.
Stop the nonsense and provide links when appropriate/required and you’ll disappear off my radar, it’s that simple.
On the other hand, if you see an ‘agenda’, you will stick to your MO and turn it into a self-fulfilling prophecy.
I will move you to Pre-Moderation to give you one more chance to provide a LINK.
Take it or leave it and take your ‘agenda’ BS with you, thank you – Incognito]
See my Moderation note @ 11:08 AM.
I think this is the link.
John Wight (@JohnWight1) / Twitter
I am finding it hard to link from my phone.
From now onwards I shall link everything.
I was not meaning to cause you aggravation.
So sorry.
Thank you.
Please try to sort out linking on your phone. FYI, I’m not on Twitter and I have troubles with that medium as well. It’s ok to ask for help and if it gets too technical, and the problem is on this site’s side, we call for the SYSOP 😉
Have a good Christmas too.
Let’s see if this works:
https://twitter.com/Fio_edwards/status/1340379263409729536
For those interested in a medium-long read on the geopolitical implications of the COVID19 epidemic, here's a good one from the EU's Policy Department for External Affairs (kind-of like the State Department).
The first section assesses the geopolitical trends antedating the pandemic and measures its present and expected impact on them, while the second section lays out the space for action and change created by the disruption.
In the third section, the interplay of trends and uncertainties is explored in three scenarios set in 2025:
-Strategic Distancing;
-Europe in Self-isolation; and
-Lockdown World.
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2020/603511/EXPO_STU(2020)603511_EN.pdf
Hopefully the Lowy Institute will do something similar for the Asia-Pacific realm.
Interesting read but somewhat overtaken by events, it was released in Sept 20 so predates the US election and the December Covid surge.
The prospect of a new cold / somewhat warm war of democracies vs the rest (China + Russia, in that order) would be a rather precarious place in our part of the world.
Will be good to see the December or March updates as much as an Asia / Pacific focused version, which I suspect could be rather dark reading. We are living in interesting times
Agree – pretty hard moment for analysts to stay in front of this speed of social evolution. But it's a good source which will of course update.
https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/300188321/seasonal-workers-and-holidaymakers-to-displace-homeless
It seems astounding that we are using seasonal worker accommodation as emergency housing and that we are now kicking vulnerable families out to accommodate seasonal workers coming in to pick fruit.
There is something very wrong in that equation…
This is going to get very ugly very quickly… the damage from the housing shortage is going to be intergenerational. Its pretty clear kids need a stable home environment to do well at school etc. Keeping the landlord class happy is not a solution…
A mass building programme is needed… not cheap money pumped into the market lifting price on an already constrained supply.
Talking of house prices, how about a one million dollar home in Otara.
South Auckland's face is changing as house prices skyrocket | Stuff.co.nz
Will they learn anything from the enormous expense of dealing with the fallout of mistreating people in state care?
More generations of righteously angry dysfunctional adults. Billions more for the taxpayer to shell out. So long as the landholders make a killing today, right? Figures to tout to the press. Look at our GDP! (but do not look in the gutter there, where your fellow citizens now live).
Many lives with potential being limited due to being callously treated. The outcome is clear due to being harmed and reharmed by not being listened to and having to fight government agencies for neglect and criminal acts occurring.
This was done to children at the hands of the state.
I am getting kinda pissed about the failures of the media usual suspects to hold ard-robs' feet to the fire..
..for her/their failures to do anything about the fires raging around us..
..and if they do touch fleetingly on the subjects ..they seem happy to accept any old cloth ard-rob throw @ them.
('we already gave them $25' ..and other such dissembling bullshit/whines..
the art of the challenging follow-up question..
..seems to be on some sort of long leave…
is conspicuous by its' absence..
I stopped my MP the other day on a road near by to his electoral office and told him how frustrated with ACC I was and that the government need to pull the act apart for mental injury and to rewrite it. Gave me 10 mins of his time. It will take time to work through was his response. I then told him that my gut bleeds with GAVE and that I need to avoid stress. I asked him if he was aware of a correlation between autoimmune conditions and PTSD? I have grown very impatient with the system and I feel as though nothing will change for me unless I review in the district court.
I will not give in to a system which has treated me so appallingly. Shame that my energy is being used up on fighting for my rights. I keep hitting a brick wall because of how ACC are not dealing with all of the components and separate incidents.
If that Chinese collected fishing fleet comes Australia's way, it will certainly come the way of the Pacific islands which we protect – so our navy is going to have its work cut out for it.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/chinas-fishing-fleet-heading-for-australia-amid-trade-war/S5DVWRRFTB2IPAYSB3S3KWHFLI/
Very Malthusian
Maybe a touch of Vladil Lysenko.
Lysenko served as a captain in that country's fishing fleet for 17 years and then in the merchant marine. In this book as much argument as memoir he accuses the U.S.S.R. of depleting the oceans of the world by overfishing; having by now ruined many of its own territorial waters, he charges, the Soviet fleet is turning to other areas. The nations involved, asserts Lysenko, must face down the Soviets before their fishing grounds, too, are destroyed.
Maybe…if he notes the clamour for declining resources that increases the risk of conflict.
This should concern all NZ’ers, at the prospect of the Chinese Fishing Fleet establishing a base in PNG. But given silence of the NZG & political party’s during the election of the activities of the Chinese in& around Galápagos Islands and it intrusions in NZ’s EEZ Nth- Nth East of the Kermadec Islands was quite deafening. This only the thin edge of China’s attempt to destroy the fishing grounds of Sth PAC, Tasman Sea & the Southern Ocean through their shameful practice of unreported, unlicensed & over catching all fish species it pillage
I must add the Chinese Fishing Fleet also escorted by it’s Coastguard Ships which are just as big as the RNZN ANZAC’s & would be able to out Gun the RNZN OPV’s. The sensor fit on those ships are similar to what our ANZAC’s have. The new SOPV with an option for a 2nd one is now must be a Priority for this NZG or else the NZG will lose control, access and it’s ability to enforce the rules to open sea fishing. As the Chinese don’t give a shit because all Liberal Democracies are all talk & no action and what I mean by that not prepared to give the order to use lethal deadly
force even when they are in the right.
With the effects of CC we are nolonger living in a “Benign Strategic Environment” & in fact I don’t believe we were never in such a an environment because the world see’s NZ as the gateway to the Southern Ocean. It only going to get worst with the effects of CC for the under resourced, undermanned NZDF in our region to the Nth, West, east and South especially the Southern Ocean including the Antarctic itself.
This is a good read from the NZ Army’s KEA Learning Centre.
https://kea-learning.nz/editors-pick/security-of-new-zealands-maritime-domain-is-the-defence-force-postured-to-deter-illegal-unreported-and-unregulated-fishing/