Wiles has a good piece on the new UK variant, which isn't too technical. Main takeaway is that while this strain is concerning, it is the Johnson government's response to the pandemic that is really worrying.
The more a virus infects, and thus the more it replicates, the more mutations will occur. Have to wonder what is happening in the USA, where there are more cases and less testing.
It is theoretically possible that current PCR tests will fail to pick up new variants but it is unlikely because PCR tests test for multiple regions of the virus genome. In any case, it is relatively easily rectified by changing the target regions of the PCR test. Different PCR test-kits target different regions, anyway, which is an argument not to rely on one test only and put all your eggs in one basket.
BTW, those 14 mutations may not have occurred in one month.
According to BBC Radio 5 last night this mutation has been around since September and is one of many Covid mutations-all virus's mutate. This mutation will have spread around the world by now-the Guardian just reported that someone in Italy has the mutant virus.
In reality the "mutant virus" story is a diversion tactic for yet another massive Boris cock-up/u-turn in relation to the abandoning of the stupid 5-day period of relaxation of the Covid rules at Christmas.
Yup. Maybe it's more infectious in practise, maybe not. Either way, super-covid is a great excuse for incompetent governments to start doing what they should have done nine months ago.
Scientists seemed to be saying yesterday that "super-covid" was no more virulent than standard covid and vaccines will protect against it. (No links sorry-just random media statements I heard)
It might not even be that, so much as there's limited utility in isolating and testing someone before they go through some of the most high-traffic buildings in the world.
A person with a false-negative result can unknowingly infect so many people at the gate, in the airbridge, in the plane, at the stopover, at the baggage claim…
Thanks for this link Ed. I had read the truncated ODT version earlier, but that stops just after the "Ideally…" paragraph. NZH ads are pretty annoying though.
Just when you think that Covid is being managed it throws something at you. Usually 2 mutations per month, there have been 14 with B.1.1.7 the new variant.
why? We have no community transmission, and if anyone coming into the country brings covid in it gets dealt with by border control.
Europe still has community transmission and an inadequate covid response.
I mean, I'm all for lessening flights further due to climate change, also happy for NZ to be forced by covid into a more regenerative way of living, but those are different rationales.
Ive been thinking about international air travel, I like the idea of a progressive taxation system as you dont want to make it impossible for people to visit family etc so for example you get one 'free' flight per year then for every subsequent flight you are taxed at an ever increasing percentage of the ticket value say 10 20 40 80 160….
Interesting idea. One of my concerns atm is that with the covid response we're creating a class division for flying. Wealthier people can afford to come and go and pay the MIQ costs (fees, time off work). Lower income people can't. Taxation would make that even more so.
Otoh, lots of people already can't afford to fly, and beneficiaries get 'taxed' if they stay out of the country too long (lose their income in fact).
I suspect that at this point, a big push on educating people around flying and the ecological impacts is needed before we can do much else. Then strategies on how to adapt lifestyles without feeling unduly deprived.
Wikipedia still not addressing the 1985 declassification of the Gouzenko documents , which came up with nothing
It's a great little gag though, your own intelligence agencies provide intelligence that can't be publicly verified for security reasons, and give cover for waging war on a perceived adversary.
Not that I see any chance of counter measures around this government.
And there are still 192,000 work visa holders in the country or having their visa extended again – supposedly while we "train" people – but in reality undermining our local labour market. There has been quite few months now to train people and unless we start dropping these visa numbers steadily by 20K or so a month the labour market will never start to adjust to provide proper jobs and conditions for locals.
If we sent the 192,000 home just exactly how much work do you think would get done? There are very few NZers who are available to do the work offered even with the quite generous incentives. It is dreaming to think that even a few thousand inner city unemployed are able or willing to move to do all the work that is out there.
Most importantly, the billions of dollars lost if agricultural work is not done is billions that will not be available to pay for the vaccines and other essential medicines and all manner of other stuff that we now deem essential.
We used to manage this stuff ourselves – local owners employed local people – I've done the work – but a lot is now in overseas ownership and just wants to have a captive low paid disposable workforce before sending profits offshore. So it's debatable whether we retain a decent amount for the balance of payments anyway.
And if you are a strawberry grower you are complaining about lack of workers while there is a glut of picked fruit on the local market. Somehow I don' t see the workforce as part of that problem. It is simply a mind blowing set of inconsistent statements.
As the ODT story said -growers weren't even answering the people applying for jobs. Plus I'm not suggesting we drop them all in one go – just phase them down.
A $6000 fine for two years of deliberate neglect is just $8/day. Pathetic disincentive.
Crockers should be held accountable too. Property management companies should be regulated into ensuring their clients abide by the rules, or face penalties.
It all depends on how comprehensively the findings of the report have been acted on and the deficiencies around the border corrected. My impression is that they have been.
Government commissioned the report to find out what wasn't working. We'd never done this before so there's a very high chance some things wouldn't be working as well as they should, so find them and fix them. That's government / management.
Sitting on the report until the end is also government / management. It reduces the time that the opposition and media can attack the things that happened in the past and distract and divert the Government from governing and keeping us safe. National were very adept at this as well, but usually it was around feathering their mates' nests.
The report recommendations were reported on some time ago. In the lead up to the election. It was a report commissioned to look at lessons learnt rather than to fulfilling your critic’s blame game tactics. That is why you can see a pile of recommendations about how to make the system better and look at the limits on the approach rather tha trying to crucify people..
Don’t you think that it is better to report on how actually fix problems? Rather than being a ineffectual simpleton critic who drools at the thought of political blood sports and eating red meat of victims?
If you think that last was offensive to you – then think on how offensive I view your lazy arse comment as being. Pigfucker comments deserve the same in response.
any labour loyalists at all uncomfortable about any of that..?
That walked right over the edge into making you appear to have the ethics of Cameron Slater.
That is a pigfucker question of the style of “when did you last fuck your favourite sow?” It works on the principle that explaining is losing. Has nothing to do with debate.
eg; “Aren’t you discouraged that you don't appear to have ever managed to do anything effectual politically in your lifetime?”
It is often directed at a group so that the coward using it can say “but I wasn’t meaning you” when people take it personally. If you don’t like getting called on doing it, then don’t come here.
I’m perfectly comfortable with treating you the same as I did with Cameron.
Heard Ryan's splenetic positioning (link @7.2.1.1) – not unreasonable on a semi-political blog, but OTT for a RNZ interviewer don't you think? Maybe our Government understands the importance of sustaining the hugely successful health outcomes of NZ's COVID response into 2021 – here's hoping.
I lay NZ’s comparatively excellent COVID health outcomes at least partly at the feet of our Government, our public health service professionals and boarder control workers et al. Always room for improvement, and yet there's no place I'd rather be right now.
We don't know how fortunate we are to have that place
We don't know how propitious are the circumstances Frederick
So if things are looking really bad
you're thinking of givin' it away
Remember New Zealand's a cracker
and I reckon come what may
If things get appallingly bad
and we all get atrociously poor
If we stand in the queue with our hats on
we can borrow a few million more.
We don't know how lucky we are, mate We don't know how lucky we are.
Ryan has certainly 'bonfired' some of my trust in her impartiality. She has a guest 'from the left' and a guest 'from the right' in that weekly timeslot – maybe she thought her guest 'from the right' wasn't splenetic enough.
NZ has been lucky, but our comparatively excellent COVID-19 health outcomes aren't all down to luck – there's been some good management too. NZ is well on the way to breaking its previous record of 102 days without a case of COVID-19 from an unknown source, and we've had more NZers repatriated during the current run of nearly 3 months.
Here's hoping the team of nearly five million can get through to the New Year without another case of community transmission to establish a new (year's) record
Mismanaged? Nah, not so. NZ has no community transmission and has one of the best Covid19 responses in the world. Look at what is happening around the world, NZ is the best place to be right now. Dont know why youre bitching about it, there was no rule book for this pandemic, the govt have learnt along the way, like everyone else, and have corrected what ever needed to be adjusted to shore up NZ's response and its working. The facts prove it.
Well this would be the 3rd or 4th go at launching this project. It's on the windiest, driest and most rabbit infested bit of land in the basin. The same sort of development has been proposed, and attempted by at least four other developers on other sites down the Valley of Debt, sorry, Gibbston Valley, without success, they usually get a very windswept vineyard that cost money to run, a few building platforms and the 'resort' bit never seems to eventuate.
The valley is also renown for it's water wars, which hop off into another dimension without equal.
For some light relief here's compost's marketing video. Warning : swallow your coffee first
As for Key and McCullum's involvement, probably got a section / shares for the use of their 'brands' in the marketing.
I'd be surprised if this really goes where they are planning, the site isn't even close to what Millbrook can offer and not where you'd want to have your 5 million mansion.
I’ve just read that so called “A listers,” are lining up for a gated community in the Gibbston Valley. Houses cost $4 million upwards. Apparently John Key is one of them. What Fuckers!! When we have families living in cars that is beyond obscene! Fuck off to the USA where money is worshipped, you won’t get that from this Kiwi.
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span class=”dropcap”>As hideous as David Seymour can be, it is worth keeping in mind occasionally that there are even worse political figures (and regimes) out there. Iran for instance, is about to execute the country’s leading hip hop musician Toomaj Salehi, for writing and performing raps that “corrupt” the nation’s ...
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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 ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
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 ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Genterwocky After a hard days marching, Sir Doocey calls in at the Village Tavern For a pint of ale and a pork pie. The grim villagers stare at him. “Do not be travelling on the forest road,” warns a crusty old beak. “And why is that, antique peasant?” Grins Sir ...
Political conferences after a party returns to power are usually a chance for some healthy, even unhealthy backslapping. Yet National Party president Sylvia Wood’s address to its mainland representatives on Saturday hardly contained the unalloyed delight that one might have expected following National’s escape from the wilderness of opposition. Yes, ...
Comment: Almost half the world is voting in national elections this year and artificial intelligence is the elephant in the room. There are genuine fears AI-generated or AI-edited deepfakes will potentially manipulate election outcomes not just in the US and UK, but critically in countries such as India. For that ...
Ahead of the reality franchise’s return to New Zealand, allow us to introduce the eight brides and grooms. Chuck on a veil and tie back your man bun, because it’s time to say “I do” to a new season of Married at First Sight NZ. The reality TV “social experiment” ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Norton, Professor in the Practice of Higher Education Policy, Australian National University Every year on June 1, student debt in Australia is indexed to inflation. In 2023, high inflation pushed the indexation rate to 7.1%, the highest since 1990. This ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Changes in the May 14 budget will cut the student debt of more than three million people, wiping more than $3 billion from what people owe. The government will cap the HELP indexation rate ...
Asia Pacific Report The prosecutor’s office at the International Criminal Court (ICC) has appealed for an end to what it calls intimidation of its staff, saying such threats could constitute an offence against the “administration of justice” by the world’s permanent war crimes court. The Hague-based office of ICC Prosecutor ...
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk A women’s union in New Caledonia has staged a sit-in protest this week to support senior Kanak indigenous journalist Thérèse Waia, who works for public broadcaster Nouvelle-Calédonie la Première, after a smear attack by critics. The peaceful demonstration was held on ...
New Zealand Food Safety is monitoring overseas recalls of Indian packaged spice products manufactured by MDH and Everest due to concerns over a cancer-causing pesticide. ...
By Stephen Wright and Stefan Armbruster of BenarNews Fiji’s ranking in a global press freedom index has jumped into the top tier of countries with free or mostly free media after its government last year repealed a draconian law that threatened journalists with prison for doing their jobs. Fiji’s improvement ...
We might be in Invercargill but all anyone can talk about is Gore. Specifically, Salford Street. That’s where three-year-old Lachlan Jones lived, south of the centre of town, between the A&P Showgrounds and the Mataura River. Roughly 1.2 km away from the single level home he lived in with his ...
MONDAY I lined up the latest round of civil servants from city hall against the wall, and signalled for the firing squad to drop their rifles. I stepped up onto a wooden crate to look at the office workers in the eye. But that didn’t feel right, so I found ...
Keen hiker and second-year MSc student Liam Hewson wears two hats when he’s in the great outdoors. “The scientist in me appreciates nature and goes, ‘Oh, there’s that thing and there’s another thing,’ but then the tramper and the outdoorsy person in me thinks, ‘Cool bush.’” Born and bred in ...
After a long and illustrious career as a goal kicker, Dan Carter’s favourite way to unwind is… kicking goals. Why can’t he get enough of it? And what it’s like to watch him do it for an hour straight? A semicircle of people wielding cameras and phones has formed in ...
Dame Susan Devoy takes us through her life in television, including late night ER debriefs, her proudest CTI moment and the show she watches in secret. Quite aside from her four world champion squash titles, Dame Susan Devoy will likely go down in history as one of the best Celebrity ...
Hera Lindsay Bird reveals the best places in Ōtepoti to score more for your apocalypse-prep book hoard.Sometimes I get the feeling I’ve been killed in a car crash, and this second half of my life is just the brain unspooling itself, like one of those episodes of a hospital ...
ThreeNow’s new murder mystery series takes us on a dark, damp journey into the Australian wilderness.This is an excerpt from our weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. High Country is ThreeNow’s new Australian eight-part crime drama, set in a remote part of the Victorian highlands. It tells ...
Introducing a new way to read The Spinoff every weekend. After nearly 10 years of being an online magazine, we’re finally embracing the weekend liftout. Despite our best efforts to convince you otherwise, writers and editors at The Spinoff don’t work weekend. It is through the sheer power of technology ...
Tip one: let yourself be nurtured by this big old man. Tip two: don’t ask him to adopt you. So, you’ve arrived at your first session with a new therapist. He tells you to make yourself comfortable and you opt for the tweed armchair, hoping it makes you look like ...
I didn’t know books could open you back up; that there were books that stayed with you, where reading was like a chemical event. I knew nothing.The Sunday Essay is made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand.Not too long ago, I was listening to the American ...
Former Olympic swimmer James Magnussen has already started training for the Enhanced games, though says he won’t start taking performance enhancing substances until about nine months out from the competition. The Australian world champion was the first athlete to be announced by Enhanced, but he says the organisation has had ...
Everyone thinks he’s dead. Every day they expect his body to be washed up along the coast. Most likely up Karitane way, the way the tide’s running. But nobody’ll be too surprised if his body’s never found. Even in death he wouldn’t have wished for such attention. He would have ...
Council members voted 21 to 4 in favour of Ahluwalia returning to the Laucala campus following a much-awaited meeting in Vanuatu this week. It comes as USP and its two unions — the Association of the University of the South Pacific Staff (AUSPS) and the Administration and Support Staff Union ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nicola Henry, Professor & Australian Research Council Future Fellow, Social and Global Studies Centre, RMIT University Shutterstock Following an emergency meeting of the National Cabinet this week, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a raft of measures to tackle the problem ...
Analysis - A poll showing the opposition is more popular than the government raises questions, politicians go through their 'trial by pay rise' and a Green MP loses her cool in the debating chamber. ...
The entire stretch of Tokomaru Bay on the East Coast will be subject to a joint customary marine title for two hapū, and extending up to four miles out to sea. A High Court judge has found the two groups, who during the case settled a dispute over boundaries for ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Hall, Lecturer, Media & Cultural Studies, Edith Cowan University A longstanding feud between TikTok and Universal Music Group seems to have finally reached an end, with both parties signing a deal that will see Universal-backed music returned to the social media ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Siobhan O’Dean, Postdoctoral Research Associate, The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, University of Sydney After several highly publicised alleged murders of women in Australia, the Albanese government this week pledged more than A$925 million over five years ...
Political parties have now fully disclosed the donations they received last year - with National getting more than double the cash of any other party. ...
A Pacific regionalism expert has called out New Zealand's Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters for withholding information from the public on AUKUS military pact. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Richard de Grijs, Professor of Astrophysics, Macquarie University Bruno Scramgnon/Pexels All systems are “go” for tonight’s launch of China’s next step in a carefully planned lunar exploration program. Placed on top of a powerful Long March 5 rocket, the Chang’e 6 ...
National returned a massive donation the day after a Newsroom story linked the donors to a property being investigated for operating unlawfully as a migrant workers’ hostel. The party’s 2023 donation filings, released on Friday, show it returned a $200,000 donation from Buen Holdings on August 23. That was the ...
Pacific Media Watch New Zealand has slumped to an unprecedented 19th place in the annual Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index survey released today on World Press Freedom Day — May 3. This was a drop of six places from 13th last year when it slipped out of its ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joshua Black, Political Historian and Administrator Officer, Australian Historical Association, Australian National University Australia has had its fair share of public record-keeping controversies in recent years. Some have been mere farce, as in the case of two formerly government-owned filing cabinets (containing ...
Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), a United Nations-affiliated organization dedicated to fostering peace through civilian-led initiatives, has issued a statement in response to the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. ...
A poem by Tessa Keenan, from AUP New Poets 10. Mātou These days we are a photograph; one of a farm strewn with cows that used to be bright harakeke or swamp. The kids point at it and say the sun sits behind a smudge (left by someone at Christmas); ...
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 Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan (Faber & Faber, $25)The masterful Irish writer ...
Marriage and civil union statistics record the number of marriages and civil unions registered in New Zealand each year, and divorce statistics record the number of divorces granted in New Zealand each year. Key facts Marriages and civil unions In ...
Marriage and civil union statistics record the number of marriages and civil unions registered in New Zealand each year, and divorce statistics record the number of divorces granted in New Zealand each year. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lennon Y.C. Chang, Associate Professor of Cyber Risk and Policy, Deakin University Taiwan stands out as a beacon of democracy, innovation and resilience in an increasingly autocratic region. But this is under growing threat. In recent years, China has used a variety ...
In this excerpt from her new memoir, Dame Susan Devoy remembers her turn as star contestant on the 2022 season of Celebrity Treasure Island. The most anxious time of every day was pre-elimination, when you knew this could be your final day on the show. I felt such contradictory emotions, ...
A week that began in triumph ended in an all-too-familiar disaster for the Green Party. Duncan Greive asks if there’s something in the mission that breaks its best and brightest. A long, strange week for the Green party began with a fantastic poll result. On one level this is hardly ...
By Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific journalist Vanuatu’s former prime minister and opposition MP Ishmael Kalsakau has stepped down — just two days after he confirmed he was the rightful opposition leader. Kalsakau, MP for Port Vila, confirmed to ABC’s Pacific Beat, and the Vanuatu Daily Post on Thursday that he ...
What’s to blame for the coalition’s choppy start? Six months in, and the mojo meter is in the doldrums. A new poll would put National out of power and sees its leader, Chris Luxon, sliding in popularity. How much is it about policy, how much coalition management and a perception ...
The striking report goes far beyond the proposed repeal of the Oranga Tamariki Act’s Treaty of Waitangi provision, and its impact should be felt far beyond the unique circumstances of the claim it addresses. Earlier this week, the Waitangi Tribunal released an interim report on the government’s proposed repeal of ...
The world has been experiencing a productivity slowdown, from which New Zealand has not been exempt. COVID-19 temporarily boosted labour productivity, but more recently, productivity has retreated. The overall trend since 2007 has been one of slow productivity ...
What’s more wasteful than spending $315k on syrup and machine maintenance? Trying to drum up a controversy about it.Cast your mind back to the pre-pandemic idylls of 2019. A “rat” was a disgusting rodent and not a self-administered plague test; the sixth Labour government was in power; and the ...
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Rose, Professor of Sustainable Future Transport, University of Sydney LanaElcova/Shutterstock Electric vehicles are often seen as the panacea to cutting emissions – and air pollution – from transport. Is this view correct? Yes – but only once uptake accelerates. Despite the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Giselle Natassia Woodley, Researcher and Phd Candidate, Edith Cowan University There is widespread agreement Australia needs to do better when it comes to gender-based violence. Anger and frustration at the numbers of women being killed saw national rallies over the weekend and ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Graham, Lecturer in Economics, University of Sydney Mark and Anna Photography/Shutterstock As home ownership moves further out of reach for many Australians, “rentvesting” is being touted as a lifesaver. Rentvesting is the practice of renting one property to live ...
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Bob Carr intends to launch legal action against Winston Peters and Julie Anne Genter is facing a second allegation of bullying. Both sucked the air out of an announcement on education, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in ...
In 1995, Sally Clark went out on her own in a bold and unorthodox attempt to join an illustrious group of equestrian riders conquering the world. In the days of glovebox road maps, brick cell phones, and the hit song How Bizarre, Clark refused to follow Sir Mark Todd, Blyth ...
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I have been thinking about the new variant of Covid 19.
1. Should NZ stop flights from Britain until more is known about the variant?
2. Does the new variant of Covid-19 require a longer isolation period?
3. Would the new variant of Covid-19 be more lethal in the NZ population due to having less infections of the previous variant?
About a month ago I raised the government being prepared over the Christmas/holiday period to make decisions about Covid if required.
Treetop
Wiles has a good piece on the new UK variant, which isn't too technical. Main takeaway is that while this strain is concerning, it is the Johnson government's response to the pandemic that is really worrying.
https://thespinoff.co.nz/science/21-12-2020/siouxsie-wiles-just-how-worrying-is-the-new-covid-19-strain-for-britain-and-the-rest-of-us/
The more a virus infects, and thus the more it replicates, the more mutations will occur. Have to wonder what is happening in the USA, where there are more cases and less testing.
Thanks for the link, I will read it.
Johnson has a lot going on with Brexit having a no deal exit as of today.
I did wonder if the PCR test being used would detect the new variant B.1.1.7
Wonder no longer.
And the next big jump of mutations with a new variant?
Are you a doomscroller?
It is theoretically possible that current PCR tests will fail to pick up new variants but it is unlikely because PCR tests test for multiple regions of the virus genome. In any case, it is relatively easily rectified by changing the target regions of the PCR test. Different PCR test-kits target different regions, anyway, which is an argument not to rely on one test only and put all your eggs in one basket.
BTW, those 14 mutations may not have occurred in one month.
I looked up doomscoller.
Whatever.
Iran has suspended flights to the U.K. for 2 weeks.
We must follow their example.
No
I am a yes for a month. In saying this the new variant B.1.1.7 could come in from anywhere.
According to BBC Radio 5 last night this mutation has been around since September and is one of many Covid mutations-all virus's mutate. This mutation will have spread around the world by now-the Guardian just reported that someone in Italy has the mutant virus.
In reality the "mutant virus" story is a diversion tactic for yet another massive Boris cock-up/u-turn in relation to the abandoning of the stupid 5-day period of relaxation of the Covid rules at Christmas.
Yup. Maybe it's more infectious in practise, maybe not. Either way, super-covid is a great excuse for incompetent governments to start doing what they should have done nine months ago.
Scientists seemed to be saying yesterday that "super-covid" was no more virulent than standard covid and vaccines will protect against it. (No links sorry-just random media statements I heard)
Europe has banned flights. We should too.
Europe doesn't have MIQ. That said, there are too many people returning to this country. Needs to be managed.
Michael Baker has expressed concerns that we are entering a most dangerous phase.
He thinks we need more controls.
I agree with him.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/that-could-be-us-tomorrow-top-epidemiologist-warns-what-sydneys-covid-19-outbreak-means-for-aotearoa/AG3HG7DBDV22UTH5XHIJRXDZWM/
He's been talking about the traffic light system for a while but I can't see how if MIQ is done properly here it would make a difference.
He's asking for a three day supervised isolation and negative test in high risk countries of origin. Great on paper but how is that going to work?
Weren't the Russian fishing crews tested beforehand? Don't lots of airlines already demand preflight tests?
I’m all for defense-in-depth, but the preflight isolation and testing system doesn’t seem to have much effect.
Yes, the problem with testing at source is that there is no warrant against corruption and poor procedure.
We know the rest of the world’s standards are woefully inadequate compared to our own.
It might not even be that, so much as there's limited utility in isolating and testing someone before they go through some of the most high-traffic buildings in the world.
A person with a false-negative result can unknowingly infect so many people at the gate, in the airbridge, in the plane, at the stopover, at the baggage claim…
Another slice of gruyere wouldn't be excessive.
Thanks for this link Ed. I had read the truncated ODT version earlier, but that stops just after the "Ideally…" paragraph. NZH ads are pretty annoying though.
Just when you think that Covid is being managed it throws something at you. Usually 2 mutations per month, there have been 14 with B.1.1.7 the new variant.
Link at 1.1
why? We have no community transmission, and if anyone coming into the country brings covid in it gets dealt with by border control.
Europe still has community transmission and an inadequate covid response.
I mean, I'm all for lessening flights further due to climate change, also happy for NZ to be forced by covid into a more regenerative way of living, but those are different rationales.
Ive been thinking about international air travel, I like the idea of a progressive taxation system as you dont want to make it impossible for people to visit family etc so for example you get one 'free' flight per year then for every subsequent flight you are taxed at an ever increasing percentage of the ticket value say 10 20 40 80 160….
Interesting idea. One of my concerns atm is that with the covid response we're creating a class division for flying. Wealthier people can afford to come and go and pay the MIQ costs (fees, time off work). Lower income people can't. Taxation would make that even more so.
Otoh, lots of people already can't afford to fly, and beneficiaries get 'taxed' if they stay out of the country too long (lose their income in fact).
I suspect that at this point, a big push on educating people around flying and the ecological impacts is needed before we can do much else. Then strategies on how to adapt lifestyles without feeling unduly deprived.
Nothing much has changed
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/20/russian-hack-suspected-role-biden-mulls-punishment
Propaganda that isn't defrocked until decades after it's done its corrosive work .And generation after generation falls for it
https://fort-russ.com/2020/12/todays-china-espionage-scandals-revive-the-gouzenko-hoax-that-unleashed-the-cold-war/
Wikipedia still not addressing the 1985 declassification of the Gouzenko documents , which came up with nothing
It's a great little gag though, your own intelligence agencies provide intelligence that can't be publicly verified for security reasons, and give cover for waging war on a perceived adversary.
No, nothing. Former CIA Agent John Stockwell Talks about How the CIA Worked in Vietnam and Elsewhere
He's starting the right way. Fingers crossed it will continue:
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/us-president-elect-joe-biden-introduces-team-to-tackle-climate-change/CMMG3LE3DNJVHKGSDZQIJX22WE/
If the US turns it around and takes the lead on climate change… that will be a big incentive for other countries to follow suit.
Biden announced it in nice clear terms:
"We're in a crisis. Just like we need to be a unified nation in response to Covid19, we need a unified national response to climate change."
Almost stating the obvious, except so few elected leaders are stating it.
Biden’s rhetoric is misleading, to say the least, on two counts. Biden does not bode well.
Here's his plan:
https://joebiden.com/climate-plan/
Let's see how much of it gets through Congress and the Senate.
Ta
That’s one hell of a plan and not short on ambition (and also one of the most annoying webpages I’ve encountered in a while).
It’s not short either on anti-China rhetoric.
Repeating at risk of tedium;…
Push wealth down and society strengthens and prospers (e.g. the US 1950-1980)
Push wealth up and society weakens and fails (e.g. the US 1980-2020)
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/dec/20/joe-biden-trickle-down-economics-build-up
Not that I see any chance of counter measures around this government.
And there are still 192,000 work visa holders in the country or having their visa extended again – supposedly while we "train" people – but in reality undermining our local labour market. There has been quite few months now to train people and unless we start dropping these visa numbers steadily by 20K or so a month the labour market will never start to adjust to provide proper jobs and conditions for locals.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/123772445/covid19-desperate-hospitality-industry-welcomes-visa-changes
If we sent the 192,000 home just exactly how much work do you think would get done? There are very few NZers who are available to do the work offered even with the quite generous incentives. It is dreaming to think that even a few thousand inner city unemployed are able or willing to move to do all the work that is out there.
Most importantly, the billions of dollars lost if agricultural work is not done is billions that will not be available to pay for the vaccines and other essential medicines and all manner of other stuff that we now deem essential.
https://thestandard.org.nz/must-new-zealand-pay-back-all-this-public-debt/
We used to manage this stuff ourselves – local owners employed local people – I've done the work – but a lot is now in overseas ownership and just wants to have a captive low paid disposable workforce before sending profits offshore. So it's debatable whether we retain a decent amount for the balance of payments anyway.
And if you are a strawberry grower you are complaining about lack of workers while there is a glut of picked fruit on the local market. Somehow I don' t see the workforce as part of that problem. It is simply a mind blowing set of inconsistent statements.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/300185658/fear-strawberries-wont-be-back-next-christmas-fruit-growers-warn-they-cant-continue
As the ODT story said -growers weren't even answering the people applying for jobs. Plus I'm not suggesting we drop them all in one go – just phase them down.
exactly how much work do you think would get done?
None – NZ employers are so sour they'll watch their crops rot before they'll hire New Zealanders,
Another shill piece by a shill for neo-liberalism in a shill tabloid. \sarc
A $6000 fine for two years of deliberate neglect is just $8/day. Pathetic disincentive.
Crockers should be held accountable too. Property management companies should be regulated into ensuring their clients abide by the rules, or face penalties.
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2020/12/south-auckland-landlord-ordered-to-pay-tenants-6000-after-failing-to-repair-mouldy-water-damaged-home-for-two-years.html
Yes, Crockers do not come out of that smelling of roses.
everyone pretty relaxed about labour sitting on that damning report (commissioned by them) into how the border closedown was mis-managed..?
that they sat on it since september..then released it on the very last day possible in 2020..thus avoiding parliamentary questioning..?
any labour loyalists at all uncomfortable about any of that..?
and of course..seeing as they were re-elected on their handling of that issue..?
and all bullshitting on their part also..to add insult to injury..
how about all that..?
It all depends on how comprehensively the findings of the report have been acted on and the deficiencies around the border corrected. My impression is that they have been.
Government commissioned the report to find out what wasn't working. We'd never done this before so there's a very high chance some things wouldn't be working as well as they should, so find them and fix them. That's government / management.
Sitting on the report until the end is also government / management. It reduces the time that the opposition and media can attack the things that happened in the past and distract and divert the Government from governing and keeping us safe. National were very adept at this as well, but usually it was around feathering their mates' nests.
The report recommendations were reported on some time ago. In the lead up to the election. It was a report commissioned to look at lessons learnt rather than to fulfilling your critic’s blame game tactics. That is why you can see a pile of recommendations about how to make the system better and look at the limits on the approach rather tha trying to crucify people..
Don’t you think that it is better to report on how actually fix problems? Rather than being a ineffectual simpleton critic who drools at the thought of political blood sports and eating red meat of victims?
If you think that last was offensive to you – then think on how offensive I view your lazy arse comment as being. Pigfucker comments deserve the same in response.
'pigfucker comments'..for questioning this..?
really..?
would you say the same thing to Kathryn ryan..?
'cos she just lost it in her politics with bridget morton/mills segment on rnz..(available on rnz site later..)
I have never heard her more angry..
my comment is most polite..in comparison..
and so…if national did something like this…
you would be totally relaxed about that..?
to me it reeks of both hubris..and deeply cynical cover-up..
and light years away from the new way of doing politics..promised by j.ardern..
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2018778061/political-commentators-mills-and-morten
thank you..
Pigfucker. Just one part of that…
That walked right over the edge into making you appear to have the ethics of Cameron Slater.
That is a pigfucker question of the style of “when did you last fuck your favourite sow?” It works on the principle that explaining is losing. Has nothing to do with debate.
eg; “Aren’t you discouraged that you don't appear to have ever managed to do anything effectual politically in your lifetime?”
It is often directed at a group so that the coward using it can say “but I wasn’t meaning you” when people take it personally. If you don’t like getting called on doing it, then don’t come here.
I’m perfectly comfortable with treating you the same as I did with Cameron.
so…back to Kathryn ryan..
have you listened to her anger…?
and my echoing her words..
..deserves me being called a pigfucker..?..and the rest of it..?
and now I am cameron slater…?
a tad over-reacting from you..?
and I was under the impression using such personal abuse is not allowed on this site..?
and am I meant to be cowed by that abuse…?
I ain't..
Heard Ryan's splenetic positioning (link @7.2.1.1) – not unreasonable on a semi-political blog, but OTT for a RNZ interviewer don't you think? Maybe our Government understands the importance of sustaining the hugely successful health outcomes of NZ's COVID response into 2021 – here's hoping.
I lay NZ’s comparatively excellent COVID health outcomes at least partly at the feet of our Government, our public health service professionals and boarder control workers et al. Always room for improvement, and yet there's no place I'd rather be right now.
that's why it stood out to me..
the high degree of splenetic in her rant…
(she had to pause to catch her breath a couple of times)
and no matter how it is trying to be spun after the event…I think some trust has been bonfired..
and I'm picking that the new year will see the end of that long honeymoon between j.ardern..and the media…
a harsher eye will be cast upon j.ardern/this gummint..
especially if they fail to move on the issues screaming out for urgent solutions..
Ryan has certainly 'bonfired' some of my trust in her impartiality. She has a guest 'from the left' and a guest 'from the right' in that weekly timeslot – maybe she thought her guest 'from the right' wasn't splenetic enough.
NZ has been lucky, but our comparatively excellent COVID-19 health outcomes aren't all down to luck – there's been some good management too. NZ is well on the way to breaking its previous record of 102 days without a case of COVID-19 from an unknown source, and we've had more NZers repatriated during the current run of nearly 3 months.
Here's hoping the team of nearly five million can get through to the New Year without another case of community transmission to establish a new (year's) record
Your behaviour. Your problem. You've been warned.
The proof of the pudding is in the eating.
Mismanaged? Nah, not so. NZ has no community transmission and has one of the best Covid19 responses in the world. Look at what is happening around the world, NZ is the best place to be right now. Dont know why youre bitching about it, there was no rule book for this pandemic, the govt have learnt along the way, like everyone else, and have corrected what ever needed to be adjusted to shore up NZ's response and its working. The facts prove it.
Only white people welcome?
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/property/123769946/luxury-resort-attracts-former-pm-john-key-and-cricket-coach-brendon-mccullum
Not one mention in that article about the Real Estate agent's very recent past.
Well this would be the 3rd or 4th go at launching this project. It's on the windiest, driest and most rabbit infested bit of land in the basin. The same sort of development has been proposed, and attempted by at least four other developers on other sites down the Valley of Debt, sorry, Gibbston Valley, without success, they usually get a very windswept vineyard that cost money to run, a few building platforms and the 'resort' bit never seems to eventuate.
The valley is also renown for it's water wars, which hop off into another dimension without equal.
For some light relief here's compost's marketing video. Warning : swallow your coffee first
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/750m-golfhousing-resort-planned-for-quiet-gibbston-valley/U3K2ZYAPRDXO3F4HMWUN5DC66I/
As for Key and McCullum's involvement, probably got a section / shares for the use of their 'brands' in the marketing.
I'd be surprised if this really goes where they are planning, the site isn't even close to what Millbrook can offer and not where you'd want to have your 5 million mansion.
Doomscrolling is a euphemism for moderating 😉
https://publicaddress.net/hardnews/public-address-word-of-the-year-2020-doomscrolling/
heh..!..
so that makes you a doomscroller..?
it deserves a costume/mask..
surely..?
My ACC claim is under review: psychological stress, neck & back & eye strain and digital OOS.
I’ve just read that so called “A listers,” are lining up for a gated community in the Gibbston Valley. Houses cost $4 million upwards. Apparently John Key is one of them. What Fuckers!! When we have families living in cars that is beyond obscene! Fuck off to the USA where money is worshipped, you won’t get that from this Kiwi.
Apparently, it’s a ‘honey trap’ AKA clever and manipulative marketing. See https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-21-12-2020/#comment-1771939