Open mike 24/09/2019
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- 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #21
A listing of 34 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, May 19, 2024 thru Sat, May 25, 2024. Story of the week This week's typiclal compendium of stories we'd rather were plot devices in science ficition novels but instead ...6 hours ago - National’s bulldozer dictatorship bill
This National government has been aggressively anti-environment, and is currently ramming through its corrupt Muldoonist "fast-track" legislation to give three ministers dictatorial powers over what gets built and where. But that's not the only thing they're doing. On Thursday they introduced a Resource Management (Freshwater and Other Matters) Amendment Bill, ...9 hours ago - Bryce Edwards: The Negative social impact of taxpayer-funded partisan charities
Whenever politicians dole out taxpayer funding to groups or individuals, they must do so in a wholly transparent way with due process to ensure conflicts of interest don’t occur and that the country receives value for money. Unfortunately, it’s not clear that this has occurred in the announcement this week ...10 hours ago - My Lovely Man.
Last night began earlier than usual. In bed by 6:30pm, asleep an hour later. Sometimes I do sleep odd hours, writing late and/or getting up very early - complemented with the occasional siesta, but I’m usually up a bit later than that on a Saturday night. Last night I was ...17 hours ago - Pressing the Big Red Button
Early in the COVID-19 days, the Boris Johnson government pressed a Big Red Button marked: act immediately, never mind about the paperwork.Their problem was: not having enough PPE gear for all the hospital and emergency staff. Their solution was to expedite things and get them the gear ASAP.This, along with ...21 hours ago - Of Pensioners and Student Loans: An Indictment on New Zealand
Up until 1989, you could attend a New Zealand University, and never need to pay a cent for your education. That then changed, of course. The sadists of the Fourth Labour Government introduced substantial fees for study, never having had to pay a cent for their own education. The even ...22 hours ago - Putting children first
Ele Ludemann writes – Minister for Children Karen Chhour is putting children first: Hon KAREN CHHOUR: I move, That the Oranga Tamariki (Repeal of Section 7AA) Amendment Bill be now read a first time. I nominate the Social Services and Community Committee to consider the bill. It’s a privilege ...2 days ago - Te Pati Maori go personalDavid Farrar writes – Newshub reports: Applause and cheers erupted in the House on Wednesday afternoon as Children’s Minister Karen Chhour condemned Te Pāti Māori’s insults about her upbringing. Chhour, who grew up in state care, is repealing section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act – sparking uproar from ...2 days ago
- Threads of Corruption
I could corrupt youIt would be uglyThey could sedate youBut what good would drugs be?Good Morning all,Today there’s a guest newsletter from Gerard Otto (G). By which I mean I read his post this morning and he has kindly allowed me to share it with you.If you don’t already I ...2 days ago - The days fly by
2 days ago - Aotearoa, you’re being dismantled… so take the blinkers off and start talking honestly about it.
Is the solution to any of the serious, long term issues we all have to face as a nation, because many governments of all stripes we can probably all admit if we’re deeply truthful with ourselves haven’t done near enough work at the very times they should have, to basically ...2 days ago - Has Labour Abandoned the Welfare State They Created in 1938?
The 2018 Social Security Act suggests that Labour may have retreated to the minimalist (neo-liberal) welfare state which has developed out of the Richardson-Shipley ‘redesign’. One wonders what Michael Joseph Savage, Peter Fraser and Walter Nash would have thought of the Social Security Act passed by the Ardern Labour Government ...2 days ago - Bryce Edwards: MPs’ financial interests under scrutinyMPs are supposed to serve the public interest, not their own self-interest. And according to the New Zealand Parliament’s website, democracy and integrity are tarnished whenever politicians seek to enrich themselves or the people they are connected with. For this reason, the Parliament has a “Register of Pecuniary Interests” in ...2 days ago
- Mastering FLICC – A Cranky Uncle themed quizBy now, most of you will have heard about the FLICC taxonomy of science denial techniques and how you can train your skills in detecting them with the Cranky Uncle game. If you like to quickly check how good you are at this already, answer the 12 quiz questions in the ...2 days ago
- Shane Jones has the zeal, sure enough, but is too busy with his mining duties (we suspect) to be ava...
Buzz from the Beehive The hacks of the Parliamentary Press Gallery have been able to chip into a rich vein of material on the government’s official website over the past 24 hours. Among the nuggets is the speech by Regional Development Minister Shane Jones and a press statement to announce ...2 days ago - Cut the parliamentary termWhen Labour was in power, they wasted time, political capital, and scarce policy resources on trying to extend the parliamentary term to four years, in an effort to make themselves less accountable to us. It was unlikely to fly, the idea having previously lost two referendums by huge margins - ...2 days ago
- More terrible media ethicsDavid Farrar writes – The Herald reports: When Whanau Ora chief executive John Tamihere was asked what his expectations for the Budget next Thursday were, he said: “All hope is lost.” Last year Whānau Ora was allocated $163.1 million in the Budget to last for the next four years ...2 days ago
- Bringing our democracy into disreputeOn Monday the government introduced its racist bill to eliminate Māori represntation in local government to the House. They rammed it through its first reading yesterday, and sent it to select committee. And the select committee has just opened submissions, giving us until Wednesday to comment on it. Such a ...2 days ago
- The censors who’ll save us from ourselves… yeah right!Nick Hanne writes – There’s a common malady suffered by bureaucracies the world over. They wish to save us from ourselves. Sadly, NZ officials are no less prone to exhibiting symptoms of this occupational condition. Observe, for instance, the reaction from certain public figures to the news ...3 days ago
- The case for commissioners to govern the capital cityPeter Dunne writes – As the city of Tauranga prepares to elect a new Mayor and Council after three and a half years being run by government-appointed Commissioners, the case for replacing the Wellington City Council with Commissioners strengthens. The Wellington City Council has been dysfunctional for years, ...3 days ago
- Thoughts about contemporary troubles.
This will be s short post. It stems from observations I made elsewhere about what might be characterised as some macro and micro aspects of contemporary collective violence events. Here goes. The conflicts between Israel and Palestine and France and … Continue reading ...3 days ago - Gordon Campbell On Blurring The Lines Around Political Corruption
It may be a relic of a previous era of egalitarianism, but many of us like to think that, in general, most New Zealanders are as honest as the day is long. We’re good like that, and smart as. If we’re not punching above our weight on the world stage, ...3 days ago - MPs own 2.2 houses on averageBryce Edwards writes – Why aren’t politicians taking more action on the housing affordability crisis? The answer might lie in the latest “Register of Pecuniary Interests.” This register contains details of the various financial interests of parliamentarians. It shows that politicians own real estate in significant numbers. The ...3 days ago
- King Mike & Mike King.
I built a time machine to see you againTo hear your phone callYour voice down the hallThe way we were back thenWe were dancing in the rainOur feet on the pavementYou said I was your second headI knew exactly what you meantIn the country of the blind, or so they ...3 days ago - Bryce Edwards: MPs own 2.2 houses on averageWhy aren’t politicians taking more action on the housing affordability crisis? The answer might lie in the latest “Register of Pecuniary Interests.” This register contains details of the various financial interests of parliamentarians. It shows that politicians own real estate in significant numbers. The register published on Tuesday contains a ...3 days ago
- How much climate reality can the global financial system take without collapsing?Microsoft’s transparency about its failure to meet its own net-zero goals is creditable, but the response to that failure is worrying. It is offering up a set of false solutions, heavily buttressed by baseless optimism. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Here’s the top six news items of note in ...3 days ago
- Weekly Roundup 24-May-2024
Another Friday, another Rāmere Roundup! Here are a few things that caught our eye this week. This Week in Greater Auckland On Monday, our new writer Connor Sharp roared into print with a future-focused take on the proposed Auckland Future Fund, and what it could invest in. On ...3 days ago - Earning The Huia Feather.
Still Waiting: Māori land remains in the hands of Non-Māori. The broken promises of the Treaty remain broken. The mana of the tangata whenua languishes under racist neglect. The right to wear the huia feather remains as elusive as ever. Perhaps these three transformations are beyond the power of a ...3 days ago - Bernard’s Dawn Chorus and pick ‘n’ mix for Friday, May 24
Posters opposing the proposed Fast-Track Approvals legislation were pasted around Wellington last week. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: One of the architects of the RMA and a former National Cabinet Minister, Simon Upton, has criticised the Government’s Fast-Track Approvals bill as potentially disastrous for the environment, arguing just 1% ...3 days ago - The Hoon around the week to May 243 days ago
- Beijing troubleshooter’s surprise visitThe importance of New Zealand’s relationship with China was surely demonstrated yesterday with the surprise arrival in the capital of top Chinese foreign policy official Liu Jianchao. The trip was apparently organized a week ago but kept secret. Liu is the Minister of the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) International Liaison ...3 days ago
- UK election a foregone conclusion? That’s why it’s interesting
With a crushing 20-plus point lead in the opinion polls, all the signs are that Labour leader Keir Starmer will be the PM after the general election on 4 July, called by Conservative incumbent Rishi Sunak yesterday. The stars are aligned for Starmer. Rival progressives are in abeyance: the Liberal-Democrat ...3 days ago - Skeptical Science New Research for Week #21 2021Open access notables How much storage do we need in a fully electrified future? A critical review of the assumptions on which this question depends, Marsden et al., Energy Research & Social Science: Our analysis advances the argument that current approaches reproduce interpretations of normality that are, ironically, rooted in ...3 days ago
- Days in the life
We returned last week from England to London. Two different worlds. A quarter of an hour before dropping off our car, we came to a complete stop on the M25. Just moments before, there had been six lanes of hurtling cars and lorries. Now, everything was at a standstill as ...3 days ago - Forget about its name and focus on its objective – this RMA reform bill aims to cut red tape (and ...Buzz from the Beehive A triumvirate of ministers – holding the Agriculture, Environment and RMA Reform portfolios – has announced the introduction of legislation “to slash the tangle of red and green tape throttling development in key sectors”, such as farming, mining and other primary industries. The exact name of ...3 days ago
- More National corruptionIn their coalition agreement with NZ First, the National Party agreed to provide $24 million in funding to the charity "I Am Hope / Gumboot Friday". Why were they so eager to do so? Because their chair was a National donor, their CEO was the son of a National MP ...3 days ago
- Submit!The Social Services and Community Committee has called for submissions on the Oranga Tamariki (Repeal of Section 7AA) Amendment Bill. Submissions are due by Wednesday, 3 July 2024, and can be made at the link above. And if you're wondering what to say: section 7AA was enacted because Oranga Tamariki ...3 days ago
- Reading the MPS numbers thinking about the fiscal situationMichael Reddell writes – The Reserve Bank doesn’t do independent fiscal forecasts so there is no news in the fiscal numbers in today’s Monetary Policy Statement themselves. The last official Treasury forecasts don’t take account of whatever the government is planning in next week’s Budget, and as the Bank notes ...4 days ago
- Charter Schools are a worthwhile addition to our school system – but ACT is mis-selling why they a...Rob MacCulloch writes – We know the old saying, “Never trust a politician”, and the Charter School debate is a good example of it. Charter Schools receive public funding, yet “are exempt from most statutory requirements of traditional public schools, including mandates around .. human capital management .. curriculum ...4 days ago
- Paranoia On The Left.How Do We Silence Them? The ruling obsession of the contemporary Left is that political action undertaken by individuals or groups further to the right than the liberal wings of mainstream conservative parties should not only be condemned, but suppressed.WEB OF CHAOS, a “deep dive into the world of disinformation”, ...4 days ago
- Budget challengesMuriel Newman writes – As the new Government puts the finishing touches to this month’s Budget, they will undoubtedly have had their hands full dealing with the economic mess that Labour created. Not only was Labour a grossly incompetent manager of the economy, but they also set out ...4 days ago
- Rishi calls an Election.
Today the British PM, Rishi Sunak, called a general election for the 4th of July. He spoke of the challenging times and of strong leadership and achievements. It was as if he was talking about someone else, a real leader, rather than he himself or the woeful list of Tory ...4 days ago - Photo of the Day: GNR4 days ago
- Choosing landlords and the homeless over first home buyersThe Government may struggle with the political optics of scrapping assistance for first home buyers while also cutting the tax burden on landlords, increasing concerns over the growing generational divide. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The Government confirmed it will dump first home buyer grants in the Budget next ...4 days ago
- Orr’s warning; three years of austerityYesterday, the Reserve Bank confirmed there will be no free card for the economy to get out of jail during the current term of the Government. Regardless of what the Budget next week says, we are in for three years of austerity. Over those three years, we will have to ...4 days ago
- An admirable U-turnIt doesn’t inspire confidence when politicians change their minds. But you must give credit when a bad idea is dropped. Last year, we reported on the determination of British PM Rishi Sunak to lead the world in regulating the dangers of Artificial Intelligence. Perhaps he changed his mind after meeting ...4 days ago
- Climate Adam: Can we really suck up Carbon Dioxide?This video includes conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Adam Levy. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). Is carbon dioxide removal - aka "negative emissions" - going to save us from climate change? Or is it just a ...4 days ago
- Public funding for private operators in mental health and housing – and a Bill to erase a bit of t...Headed for the legislative wastepaper basket… Buzz from the Beehive It looks like this government is just as ready as its predecessor to dip into the public funds it is managing to dispense millions of dollars to finance – and favour – the parties it fancies. Or ...4 days ago
- Why has Einstein Medalist Roy Kerr never been Knighted?Rob MacCulloch writes – National and Labour and ACT have at various times waxed on about their “vision” of NZ as a high value-added world tech center What subject is tech based upon? Mathematics. A Chicago mathematician just told me that whereas last decade ...5 days ago
- Contestable adviceEric Crampton writes – Danyl McLauchlan over at The Listener on the recent shift toward more contestability in public policy advice in education: Education Minister Erica Stanford, one of National’s highest-ranked MPs, is trying to circumvent the establishment, taking advice from a smaller pool of experts – ...5 days ago
- How did it get so bad?Ele Ludemann writes – That Kāinga Ora is a mess is no surprise, but the size of the mess is. There have been many reports of unruly tenants given licence to terrorise neighbours, properties bought and left vacant, and the state agency paying above market rates in competition ...5 days ago
- How serious is an MP’s failure to declare $178k in donations?Bryce Edwards writes – It’s being explained as an “inadvertent error”. However, National MP David MacLeod’s excuse for failing to disclose $178,000 in donations for his election campaign last year is not necessarily enough to prevent some serious consequences. A Police investigation is now likely, and the result ...5 days ago
- Gordon Campbell on the privatising of state housing provision, by stealthThe scathing “independent” review of Kāinga Ora barely hit the table before the coalition government had acted on it. The entire Kāinga Ora board will be replaced, and a new chair (Simon Moutter) has been announced. Hmm. No aspersions on Bill English, but the public would have had more confidence ...5 days ago
- Our House.I'll light the fireYou place the flowers in the vaseThat you bought todayA warm dry home, you’d think that would be bread and butter to politicians. Home ownership and making sure people aren’t left living on the street, that’s as Kiwi as Feijoa and Apple Crumble. Isn’t it?The coalition are ...5 days ago
- Getting to NoPolitics is about compromise, right? And framing it so the voters see your compromise as the better one. John Key was a skilful exponent of this approach (as was Keith Holyoake in an earlier age), and Chris Luxon isn’t too bad either. But in politics, the process whereby an old ...5 days ago
- At a glance – How does the Medieval Warm Period compare to current global temperatures?On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...5 days ago
- Bryce Edwards: How serious is an MP’s failure to declare $178k in donations?It’s being explained as an “inadvertent error”. However, National MP David MacLeod’s excuse for failing to disclose $178,000 in donations for his election campaign last year is not necessarily enough to prevent some serious consequences. A Police investigation is now likely, and the result of his non-disclosure could even see ...5 days ago
- Get your story straight, buddy
The relentless drone coming out of the Prime Minister and his deputy for a million days now has been that the last government was just hosing money all over the show and now at last the grownups are in charge and shutting that drunken sailor stuff down. There is a word ...5 days ago - A govt plane is headed for New Caledonia – here’s hoping the Kiwis stranded there get better ser...Buzz from the Beehive Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed a New Zealand Government plane will head to riot-torn New Caledonia in the next hour in the first in a series of proposed flights to begin bringing New Zealanders home. Today’s flight will carry around 50 passengers with the most ...5 days ago
- Who is David MacLeod?
Precious declaration saysYours is yours and mine you leave alone nowPrecious declaration saysI believe all hope is dead no longerTick tick tick Boom!Unexploded ordnance. A veritable minefield. A National caucus with a large number of unknowns, candidates who perhaps received little in the way of vetting as the party jumped ...6 days ago - The Four KnightsRex Ahdar writes – The Rt Hon Winston Peters, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, likes to trace his political lineage back to the pioneers of parliamentary Maoridom. I will refer to these as the ‘big four’ or better still, the Four Knights. Just as ...6 days ago
- Could Willie Jackson be the populist leader that Labour need?Bryce Edwards writes – Willie Jackson will participate in the prestigious Oxford Union debate on Thursday, following in David Lange’s footsteps. Coincidentally, Jackson has also followed Lange’s footsteps by living in his old home in South Auckland. And like Lange, Jackson might be the sort of loud-mouth scrapper ...6 days ago
- UnacceptableThat is the only way to describe an MP "forgetting" to declare $178,000 in donations. The amount of money involved - more than five times the candidate spending cap, and two and a half times the median income - is boggling. How do you just "forget" that amount of money? ...6 days ago
- Justice for Gaza!It finally happened: the International Criminal Court prosecutor is seeking an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for war crimes in Gaza: The chief prosecutor of the international criminal court has said he is seeking arrest warrants for senior Hamas and Israeli officials for war crimes and ...6 days ago
- Media Link: AVFA on the implications of US elections.In this week’s “A View from Afar” podcast Selwyn Manning and spoke about the upcoming US elections and what the possibility of another Trump presidency means for the US role in world affairs. We also spoke about the problems Joe … Continue reading ...6 days ago
- Web of Chaos, Secret Dolphins & Monster Truck Madness
Hi,Two years ago I briefly featured in Justin Pemberton’s Web of Chaos documentary, which touched on things like QAnon during the pandemic.I mostly prattled on about how intertwined conspiracy narratives are with Evangelical Christian thinking, something Webworm’s explored in the past.(The doc is available on TVNZ+, if you’re not in ...6 days ago - How Government’s road obsession is ruining Auckland’s transport plans“TL;DR: The reality is that Central Government’s transport policy and direction makes zero sense for Auckland, and if the draft GPS doesn’t change from its original form, then Auckland will be on a collision course with Wellington.” Auckland’s draft Regional Land Transport Plan (RLTP) 2024 is now out for consultation, ...6 days ago
- Bernard’s Dawn Chorus and pick ‘n’ mix for Tuesday, May 21The Government is leaving the entire construction sector and the community housing sector in limbo. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The Government released the long-awaited Bill English-led review of Kāinga Ora yesterday, but delayed key decisions on its build plan and how to help community housing providers (CHPs) build ...6 days ago
- Climate change is affecting mental health literally everywhereThis is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Daisy Simmons Farmers who can’t sleep, worrying they’ll lose everything amid increasing drought. Youth struggling with depression over a future that feels hopeless. Indigenous people grief-stricken over devastated ecosystems. For all these people and more, climate change is taking a clear toll ...6 days ago
- The Ambassador and Luxon – eye to eyeNew Zealand’s relationship with China is becoming harder to define, and with that comes a worry that a deteriorating political relationship could spill over into the economic relationship. It is about more than whether New Zealand will join Pillar Two of Aukus, though the Chinese Ambassador, more or less, suggested ...6 days ago
- Fast track to environmental degradation
Been hoping we would see something like this from Sir Geoffrey Palmer. This is excellent.The present Bill goes further than the National Development Act 1979 in stripping away procedures designed to ensure that environmental issues are properly considered. The 1979 approach was not acceptable then and this present approach is ...6 days ago - Leading Labour Off The Big Rock Candy Mountain.He’s Got The Moxie: Only Willie Jackson possesses the credentials to meld together a new Labour message that is, at one and the same moment, staunchly working-class, union-friendly, and which speaks to the hundreds-of-thousands of urban Māori untethered to the neo-tribal capitalist elites of the Iwi Leaders Forum.IT’S ONE OF THE ...6 days ago
- Priority is given to powerlines – govt strikes another blow for the economy while Jones fends off ...Tree-huggers may well accuse the Government of giving them the fingers, after Energy Minister Simeon Brown announced new measures to protect powerlines from trees, rather than measures to protect trees from powerlines. It can be no coincidence, surely, that this has been announced at the same as Fisheries Minister Shane Jones ...6 days ago
- Climate Change: The question we need to be askingOne of National's first actions in government was to dismantle climate change policy, scrapping the clean car discount and overturning the Government Investment in Decarbonising Industry, which had given us Aotearoa's biggest-ever emissions reduction. But there's an obvious problem: we needed those emissions reductions to meet our carbon budgets: ...7 days ago
- Bryce Edwards: Could Willie Jackson be the populist leader that Labour need?Willie Jackson will participate in the prestigious Oxford Union debate on Thursday, following in David Lange’s footsteps. Coincidentally, Jackson has also followed Lange’s footsteps by living in his old home in South Auckland. And like Lange, Jackson might be the sort of loud-mouth scrapper who could take over the Labour ...7 days ago
- New Zealand First Member’s Bill to protect Freedom of Speech
Today New Zealand First will introduce a Member’s Bill that will protect New Zealanders' right of free speech. The “Protection of Freedom of Expression Bill” will ensure that no organisation or individual, when acting within the law, is unreasonably denied use of a public venue for an organised event or ...3 days ago - Government trying to rush Māori wards legislation through without public say
The Green Party unequivocally condemns the governing parties’ attempts to limit the public’s say on the controversial Māori wards legislation, after the select committee considering the legislation set a deadline for submissions of just five days. ...3 days ago - Release: Statement from housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty
“Today it sounds like the Minister for Housing and his associate are announcing 500 homes that already exist,” Kieran McAnulty said. ...3 days ago - Release: Mining on conservation land will take NZ backwardsShane Jones’s speech today demonstrates once again that he will put his political theatrics ahead of New Zealand’s workers and their futures. ...3 days ago
- Release: Disabled children latest to lose access to fundingDisabled children and families nationwide have recently found out they’re no longer able to use disability support funding for programmes during school hours in another quiet update from the Government. ...3 days ago
- Coalition of coal will prove catastrophic for climateThe Government’s plans to ramp up coal mining in the heat of a climate crisis will see our chances of a liveable future melt away. ...3 days ago
- Aotearoa must follow in the footsteps of countries recognising Palestinian statehoodThe Green Party is calling on the Government to follow in the footsteps of Ireland, Spain and Norway in recognising Palestinian statehood. ...4 days ago
- Release: Time to make stalking a crimeFollowing a horrific case of stalking that ended in tragedy, Labour’s police spokesperson Ginny Andersen has drafted a bill that would add stalking to the Crimes Act. ...4 days ago
- $24 million for free mental health counselling for young kiwisThe Rt Hon Winston Peters, joined by Mike King, has announced $24 million over four years for the ‘I Am Hope Foundation’, and will provide young people aged between 5 to 25 years with free mental health counselling services. This funding will help I Am Hope’s ‘Gumboot Friday’ initiative give ...5 days ago
- Release: Strong support for disability fundingTwo thirds of Kiwis in a new poll want funding flexibility reinstated for disabled people and carers. ...5 days ago
- Petition launched to save Māori babies and their right to be with whakapapaTe Pāti Māori have launched a petition to stop the repeal of Section 7AA from the Oranga Tamariki Act. This announcement comes prior to the first reading of the Section 7AA repeal bill in Parliament today. “Section 7AA forces the Government to adhere to Te Tiriti o Waitangi with respect ...5 days ago
- Government introduces Bill to roll back Māori WardsThe Green Party has sounded the alarm over the Government’s introduction of legislation to remove Māori Wards and roll back years of progress. ...6 days ago
- Release: Pre-Budget Speech: Barbara Edmonds...6 days ago
- Release: Another announcement, still no funding for more public housesThe Government has yet again failed to do the one thing that needs to happen to ensure houses can be built – commit to ongoing funding, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...6 days ago
- Government must build more public houses, not find excuses to sell themThe Green Party says the Government must use the review of Kāinga Ora as a platform to build more homes, not an excuse to sell them off. ...6 days ago
- Government must build more public houses, not find excuses to sell themThe Green Party says the Government must use the review of Kāinga Ora as a platform to build more homes, not an excuse to sell them off. ...6 days ago
- Release: Treasury advice show flaws in Fast Track Approvals BillTreasury officials have outlined many ways in which the Fast Track Approvals Bill is deeply flawed, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking says. ...7 days ago
- State of the Planet speeches, 2024Green Party co-leaders Marama Davidson and Chlöe Swarbrick used this year's State of the Planet to call on the Government to prioritise people and planet as the delivery of the Budget approaches. A full transcript of their speeches can be found below. ...1 week ago
- State of the Planet: Government must be guided by values not moneyGreen Party co-leaders Marama Davidson and Chlöe Swarbrick have used their State of the Planet speeches to challenge the Government to prioritise people and planet over profit as the delivery of the Budget approaches. ...1 week ago
- Release: Chris Hipkins’ speech: New Zealand in 2040 – A vision worth fighting for...1 week ago
- Release: 4,500 jobs lost – and countingMore than 4,500 jobs are set to go as the National Government continues its deep cuts to services to pay for irresponsible and ill-timed tax cuts. ...1 week ago
- No-cause evictions leave no hope for rentersThe Government’s introduction of legislation that would enable landlords to end tenancies with no reason marks a dark day for the 1.4 million people who rent their home in Aotearoa. ...1 week ago
- Release: National winding back mental health workThe Minister for Mental Health has found the Suicide Prevention Office and mental health support for 111 calls slipping through his fingers, says Labour spokesperson for Mental Health Ingrid Leary. ...2 weeks ago
- Government ignorant of evidence in neglect of tamarikiToday’s justification from the Minister for Children for scrapping protections for our tamariki was either a case of ignorance or deliberate deception. ...2 weeks ago
- Gang policy setting communities up for failureThe Green Party says the Government’s misguided policy on gangs will fail, following the announcement of the establishment of a national gang unit and district gang disruption units to target gang activities. ...2 weeks ago
- Statement from police spokesperson Ginny Andersen“With Police pay negotiations still unresolved after six months in Government, Mark Mitchell has today rolled the Commissioner out for a rebrand of their approach to gang crime,” Labour police spokesperson Ginny Andersen said. ...2 weeks ago
- Charter schools not a serious solutionWe need serious investment and solutions into our education system, not a vanity project from David Seymour. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Ideological charter schools won’t increase achievementThe 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. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Visas needed for Palestinians with family in New ZealandThe Government must show some compassion and create a special visa to allow Palestinians with family in New Zealand to be reunited with them here. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Govt’s stubbornness will harm Māori childrenGovernment has remained stubborn and is ramming its Bill into the House today, which the Waitangi Tribunal has said will hurt vulnerable children. ...2 weeks ago
- ‘Lucky dip’ process too casual for hearing critical submissions on Fast Track approvals billTe 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 ...2 weeks ago
- New Zealand First Member’s Bill to protect women’s spacesToday New Zealand First will introduce a Member’s Bill that will protect women’s spaces. The ‘Fair Access to Bathrooms Bill’ will require, primarily in the interest and safety of women and girls, that all new non-domestic publicly accessible buildings provide separate, clearly demarcated, unisex and single sex bathrooms. This Bill ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Support for climate adaptation inquiryLabour supports a Notice of Motion in the House today to move the Finance and Expenditure Committee to conduct an inquiry on climate adaptation. ...2 weeks ago
- Greens welcome cross-party approach to climate adaptationThe 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. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Sexual violence prevention among hundreds of job cuts at ACCThe National Government plans to cut 390 jobs at ACC, including roles in the areas of prevention of sexual violence, road safety and workplace safety. ...2 weeks ago
- Government shows allergy to evidence in benefits crackdownThe 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. ...3 weeks ago
- Minister of Finance reheats austerity politicsThis morning’s pre-Budget speech from the Minister of Finance offered no “meaningful” news on the Government’s trickle-down economics based plans. ...3 weeks ago
- A win for Wellington – Greens welcome more housingThe 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. ...3 weeks ago
- Release: Backtrack on school lunches a win for Kiwi kidsDavid Seymour has failed to get the sweeping cuts he wanted to the free and healthy school lunch programme, Labour education spokesperson Jan Tinetti said. ...3 weeks ago
- Release: Hon Willie Jackson to debate at the Prestigious Oxford UnionHon 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. ...3 weeks ago
- Major investment in teacher supply through Budget 24
Over the next four years, Budget 24 will support the training and recruitment of 1,500 teachers into the workforce, Education Minister Erica Stanford announced today. “To raise achievement and develop a world leading education system we’re investing nearly $53 million over four years to attract, train and retain our valued ...18 hours ago - Joint statement on the New Zealand – Cook Islands Joint Ministerial Forum – 20241. New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Rt Hon Winston Peters; Minister of Health and Minister for Pacific Peoples Hon Dr Shane Reti; and Minister for Climate Change Hon Simon Watts hosted Cook Islands Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Hon Tingika Elikana and Minister of Health Hon Vainetutai Rose Toki-Brown on 24 May ...2 days ago
- Middle East, Africa deployments extendedThe Government has approved two-year extensions for four New Zealand Defence Force deployments to the Middle East and Africa, Defence Minister Judith Collins and Foreign Minister Winston Peters announced today. “These deployments are long-standing New Zealand commitments, which reflect our ongoing interest in promoting peace and stability, and making active ...2 days ago
- Climate Change Commission Chair to retireThe Climate Change Commission Chair, Dr Rod Carr, has confirmed his plans to retire at the end of his term later this year, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “Prior to the election, Dr Carr advised me he would be retiring when his term concluded. Dr Rod Carr has led ...2 days ago
- Inaugural Board of Integrity Sport & Recreation Commission announcedNine highly respected experts have been appointed to the inaugural board of the new Integrity Sport and Recreation Commission, Sport & Recreation Minister Chris Bishop says. “The Integrity Sport and Recreation Commission is a new independent Crown entity which was established under the Integrity Sport and Recreation Act last year, ...3 days ago
- A balanced Foreign Affairs budgetForeign Minister Winston Peters confirmed today that Vote Foreign Affairs in Budget 2024 will balance two crucial priorities of the Coalition Government. While Budget 2024 reflects the constrained fiscal environment, the Government also recognises the critical role MFAT plays in keeping New Zealanders safe and prosperous. “Consistent with ...3 days ago
- New social housing places to support families into homesNew social housing funding in Budget 2024 will ensure the Government can continue supporting more families into warm, dry homes from July 2025, Housing Ministers Chris Bishop and Tama Potaka say. “Earlier this week I was proud to announce that Budget 2024 allocates $140 million to fund 1,500 new social ...3 days ago
- New Zealand’s minerals futureIntroduction Today, we are sharing a red-letter occasion. A Blackball event on hallowed ground. Today we underscore the importance of our mineral estate. A reminder that our natural resource sector has much to offer. Such a contribution will not come to pass without investment. However, more than money is needed. ...3 days ago
- Government sets out vision for minerals futureIncreasing national and regional prosperity, providing the minerals needed for new technology and the clean energy transition, and doubling the value of minerals exports are the bold aims of the Government’s vision for the minerals sector. Resources Minister Shane Jones today launched a draft strategy for the minerals sector in ...3 days ago
- Government progresses Māori wards legislationThe coalition Government’s legislation to restore the rights of communities to determine whether to introduce Māori wards has passed its first reading in Parliament, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown says. “Divisive changes introduced by the previous government denied local communities the ability to determine whether to establish Māori wards.” The ...3 days ago
- First RMA amendment Bill introduced to ParliamentThe coalition Government has today introduced legislation to slash the tangle of red and green tape throttling some of New Zealand’s key sectors, including farming, mining and other primary industries. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop says the Government is committed to unlocking development and investment while ensuring the environment is ...3 days ago
- Government welcomes EPA decisionThe decision by Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to approve the continued use of hydrogen cyanamide, known as Hi-Cane, has been welcomed by Environment Minister Penny Simmonds and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay. “The EPA decision introduces appropriate environmental safeguards which will allow kiwifruit and other growers to use Hi-Cane responsibly,” Ms ...3 days ago
- Speech to Employers and Manufacturers Association: Relief for today, hope for tomorrowKia ora, Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou kātoa Tāmaki Herenga Waka, Tāmaki Herenga tangata Ngā mihi ki ngā mana whenua o tēnei rohe Ngāti Whātua ō Ōrākei me nga iwi kātoa kua tae mai. Mauriora. Greetings everyone. Thank you to the EMA for hosting this event. Let me acknowledge ...3 days ago
- Government invests in 1,500 more social homesThe coalition Government is investing in social housing for New Zealanders who are most in need of a warm dry home, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. Budget 2024 will allocate $140 million in new funding for 1,500 new social housing places to be provided by Community Housing Providers (CHPs), not ...5 days ago
- $24 million boost for Gumboot FridayThousands more young New Zealanders will have better access to mental health services as the Government delivers on its commitment to fund the Gumboot Friday initiative, says Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters and Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey. “Budget 2024 will provide $24 million over four years to contract the ...5 days ago
- Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill passes first readingThe Coalition Government’s Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill, which will improve tenancy laws and help increase the supply of rental properties, has passed its first reading in Parliament says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “The Bill proposes much-needed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 that will remove barriers to increasing private ...5 days ago
- Montecassino Commemorative Address, Cassino War CemeteryStanding here in Cassino War Cemetery, among the graves looking up at the beautiful Abbey of Montecassino, it is hard to imagine the utter devastation left behind by the battles which ended here in May 1944. Hundreds of thousands of shells and bombs of every description left nothing but piled ...5 days ago
- First Reading – Repeal of Section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989I present a legislative statement on the Oranga Tamariki (Repeal of Section 7AA) Amendment Bill Mr. Speaker, I move that the Oranga Tamariki (Repeal of Section 7AA) Amendment Bill be now read a first time. I nominate the Social Services and Community Committee to consider the Bill. Thank you, Mr. ...5 days ago
- First reading of 7AA’s repeal: progress for childrenThe Bill to repeal Section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act has had its first reading in Parliament today. The Bill reaffirms the Coalition Government’s commitment to the care and safety of children in care, says Minister for Children Karen Chhour. “When I became the Minister for Children, I made ...5 days ago
- China Business Summit 2024Kia ora koutou, good morning, and zao shang hao. Thank you Fran for the opportunity to speak at the 2024 China Business Summit – it’s great to be here today. I’d also like to acknowledge: Simon Bridges - CEO of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce. His Excellency Ambassador - Wang ...5 days ago
- Assisted depatures from New CaledoniaForeign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed a New Zealand Government plane will head to New Caledonia in the next hour in the first in a series of proposed flights to begin bringing New Zealanders home. “New Zealanders in New Caledonia have faced a challenging few days - and bringing ...6 days ago
- Assisted departures from New CaledoniaForeign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed a New Zealand Government plane will head to New Caledonia in the next hour in the first in a series of proposed flights to begin bringing New Zealanders home. “New Zealanders in New Caledonia have faced a challenging few days - and bringing them ...6 days ago
- Government to rollout roadside drug testingThe Coalition Government will introduce legislation this year that will enable roadside drug testing as part of our commitment to improve road safety and restore law and order, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Alcohol and drugs are the number one contributing factor in fatal road crashes in New Zealand. In ...6 days ago
- Minister responds to review of Kāinga OraThe Government has announced a series of immediate actions in response to the independent review of Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “Kāinga Ora is a large and important Crown entity, with assets of $45 billion and over $2.5 billion of expenditure each year. It ...6 days ago
- Pseudoephedrine back on shelvesAssociate Health Minister David Seymour is pleased that Pseudoephedrine can now be purchased by the general public to protect them from winter illness, after the coalition government worked swiftly to change the law and oversaw a fast approval process by Medsafe. “Pharmacies are now putting the medicines back on their ...6 days ago
- New Zealand-China Business SummitTēnā koutou katoa. Da jia hao. Good morning everyone. Prime Minister Luxon, your excellency, a great friend of New Zealand and my friend Ambassador Wang, Mayor of what he tells me is the best city in New Zealand, Wayne Brown, the highly respected Fran O’Sullivan, Champion of the Auckland business ...7 days ago
- New measures to protect powerlines from treesEnergy Minister Simeon Brown has announced that the Government will make it easier for lines firms to take action to remove vegetation from obstructing local powerlines. The change will ensure greater security of electricity supply in local communities, particularly during severe weather events. “Trees or parts of trees falling on ...1 week ago
- Wairarapa Moana ki Pouakani win top Māori dairy farming awardWairarapa Moana ki Pouakani were the top winners at this year’s Ahuwhenua Trophy awards recognising the best in Māori dairy farming. Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka announced the winners and congratulated runners-up, Whakatōhea Māori Trust Board, at an awards celebration also attended by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Finance Minister ...1 week ago
- DJ Fred Again – Assurance report received"On the 27th of March, I sought assurances from the Chief Executive, Department of Internal Affairs, that the Department’s correct processes and policies had been followed in regards to a passport application which received media attention,” says Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden. “I raised my concerns after being ...1 week ago
- District Court Judges appointedAttorney-General Judith Collins has announced the appointment of three new District Court Judges, to replace Judges who have recently retired. Peter James Davey of Auckland has been appointed a District Court Judge with a jury jurisdiction to be based at Whangarei. Mr Davey initially started work as a law clerk/solicitor with ...1 week ago
- Unions should put learning ahead of ideologyAssociate Education Minister David Seymour is calling on the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) to put ideology to the side and focus on students’ learning, in reaction to the union holding paid teacher meetings across New Zealand about charter schools. “The PPTA is disrupting schools up and down the ...1 week ago
- Craig Stobo appointed as chair of FMACommerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly today announced the appointment of Craig Stobo as the new chair of the Financial Markets Authority (FMA). Mr Stobo takes over from Mark Todd, whose term expired at the end of April. Mr Stobo’s appointment is for a five-year term. “The FMA plays ...1 week ago
- Budget 2024 invests in lifeguards and coastguardSurf Life Saving New Zealand and Coastguard New Zealand will continue to be able to keep people safe in, on, and around the water following a funding boost of $63.644 million over four years, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Associate Transport Minister Matt Doocey say. “Heading to the beach for ...1 week ago
- New Zealand and Tuvalu reaffirm close relationshipNew Zealand and Tuvalu have reaffirmed their close relationship, Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters says. “New Zealand is committed to working with Tuvalu on a shared vision of resilience, prosperity and security, in close concert with Australia,” says Mr Peters, who last visited Tuvalu in 2019. “It is my pleasure ...1 week ago
- New Zealand calls for calm, constructive dialogue in New CaledoniaNew Zealand is gravely concerned about the situation in New Caledonia, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The escalating situation and violent protests in Nouméa are of serious concern across the Pacific Islands region,” Mr Peters says. “The immediate priority must be for all sides to take steps to de-escalate the ...1 week ago
- New Zealand welcomes Samoa Head of StatePrime Minister Christopher Luxon met today with Samoa’s O le Ao o le Malo, Afioga Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II, who is making a State Visit to New Zealand. “His Highness and I reflected on our two countries’ extensive community links, with Samoan–New Zealanders contributing to all areas of our national ...1 week ago
- Island Direct eligible for SuperGold Card fundingTransport Minister Simeon Brown has announced that he has approved Waiheke Island ferry operator Island Direct to be eligible for SuperGold Card funding, paving the way for a commercial agreement to bring the operator into the scheme. “Island Direct started operating in November 2023, offering an additional option for people ...2 weeks ago
- Further sanctions against RussiaForeign Minister Winston Peters today announced further sanctions on 28 individuals and 14 entities providing military and strategic support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “Russia is directly supported by its military-industrial complex in its illegal aggression against Ukraine, attacking its sovereignty and territorial integrity. New Zealand condemns all entities and ...2 weeks ago
- One year on from Loafers LodgeA year on from the tragedy at Loafers Lodge, the Government is working hard to improve building fire safety, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “I want to share my sincere condolences with the families and friends of the victims on the anniversary of the tragic fire at Loafers ...2 weeks ago
- Pre-Budget speech to Auckland Business ChamberKa nui te mihi kia koutou. Kia ora and good afternoon, everyone. Thank you so much for having me here in the lead up to my Government’s first Budget. Before I get started can I acknowledge: Simon Bridges – Auckland Business Chamber CEO. Steve Jurkovich – Kiwibank CEO. Kids born ...2 weeks ago
- Palestine protesters condemn Google, demand NZ action over Gaza genocide
Asia Pacific Report Pro-Palestinian protesters today condemned Google for sacking protesting staff and demanded that the New Zealand government immediately “cut ties with Israeli genocide”. Wearing Google logo masks and holding placards saying “Google complicit in genocide” and “Google drop Project Nimbus”, the protesters were targeting the global tech company ...15 mins ago - Reiki on a guinea pig and whatnot: Our first reactions to Married at First Sight NZ
Fresh off the back of episode one of Married at First Sight NZ’s new season, Alex Casey and Tara Ward fire up the chat to dissect what the hell we all just watched. Alex Casey: Tara, are you still screaming? I’m screaming. Tara Ward: I started screaming the moment I ...6 hours ago - Reiki on a guinea pig and whatnot: Our first reactions to Married at First Sight NZFresh off the back of episode one of Married at First Sight NZ’s new season, Alex Casey and Tara Ward fire up the chat to dissect what the hell we all just watched. Alex Casey: Tara, are you still screaming? I’m screaming. Tara Ward: I started screaming the moment I ...6 hours ago
- Top economists give budget modest rating and doubt inflation will fall as plannedSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Martin, Visiting Fellow, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Wes Mountain/The Conversation, CC BY-ND Asked to grade Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ third budget on his own criteria of delivering on “inflation in the near term and then growth ...7 hours ago
- Top economists take a modest view of the budget, and doubt inflation will fall as plannedSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Martin, Visiting Fellow, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Wes Mountain/The Conversation, CC BY-ND Asked to grade Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ third budget on his own criteria of delivering on “inflation in the near term and then growth ...8 hours ago
- West Papua independence group slams French ‘modern-day colonialism’Asia Pacific Report A West Papuan independence group has condemned French “modern-day colonialism in action” in Kanaky New Caledonia and urged indigenous leaders to “fight on”. In a statement to the Kanak pro-independence leadership, exiled United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) president Benny Wenda said the proposed electoral changes ...9 hours ago
- $53m extra for teacher training, recruitment, Education Minister Erica Stanford announces
The investment is designed to address teacher shortages, and moving training into the classroom, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. ...11 hours ago - Hunger Striker Destroys Christopher Luxon’s Defense Of Gaza Action
“The situation in Gaza is desperate,” Will Alexander said. “It’s obvious to everyone that if Christopher Luxon truly cared, our government could do a lot more.” ...13 hours ago - Parliament's election inquiry told blame lies in outdated lawsParliament begins its election inquiry with a double-header and finds that blame is something of a boomerang. ...14 hours ago
- ANALYSIS: By Nicole George, The University of Queensland New Caledonia’s capital city, Nouméa, has endured widespread violent rioting over the past three days. This crisis intensified rapidly, taking local authorities by surprise. Peaceful protests had been occurring across the country in the preceding weeks as the French National Assembly in ...14 hours ago
- The Fiji Times: Public outcry over Fijians’ MPs pay riseEDITORIAL: By Fred Wesley, editor-in-chief of The Fiji Times So 40 Fiji members of Parliament voted in favour of the Special Committee on Emoluments Report on the review of MPs’ salaries, allowances and benefits in Parliament on Friday. Now that’s not going down well with the masses, with many venting ...15 hours ago
- NZ spent $113m helping build and use US military satellitesThe money includes $15m towards sending up two new, much more powerful satellites. ...20 hours ago
- An Ode to .. Chris Bishop
First Hovel Grant Bishop Chris ventured out of the High Keep For his annual tour of the slums of the Holey Land. His litter bearers held his palanquin high Above the muck strewn and dilapidated alleys Of the Capital. The menials and peons swarmed around And pleaded for Alms from ...21 hours ago - A way forward for New CaledoniaOpinion: Following France’s President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to New Caledonia on Thursday, attention has turned to the country’s political future beyond the ongoing crisis. The uprising, which began on May 14, has demonstrated the capacity and determination of those involved to shut down the country and to inflict extensive economic ...21 hours ago
- Open letter from Kanaky: Things are really bad, we need to speed up decolonisationAsia Pacific Report By a Kanak from Aotearoa New Zealand in Kanaky I’ve been trying to feel cool and nice on this beautiful sunny day in Kanaky. But it has already been spoiled by President Emmanuel Macron’s flashy day-long visit on Thursday. Currently special French military forces are trying to ...1 day ago
- PNG landslide: Survivors of highlands disaster desperately seeking helpRNZ Pacific The survivors of a massive landslide in a remote village in Papua New Guinea’s highlands are still waiting for official help, more than 24 hours after the disaster. Hundreds are feared dead in Yambali village in Enga province after the landslide bulldozed homes and buried families alive early ...1 day ago
- Local officials fear fate of 300 missing people in remote PNG landslideBy Miriam Zarriga in Port Moresby The United States has said it is “ready to lend a helping hand” to the people of Mulitaka, Enga province, after a devasting landslide swallowed an entire village in Papua New Guinea’s highlands yesterday. US President Joe Biden and his wife said in a ...2 days ago
- Politics with Michelle Grattan: Andrew Bragg flags a coalition would use ‘coercion’ of the state...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Housing remains one of Australia’s most pressing issues in both state and federal politics. The RBA keeping rates up and high mortgage repayments have left many Australians struggling. For those Australians who don’t own a ...2 days ago
- Ours Not Mines Blasts Draft Minerals Plan Saying It Highlights The Current Government Lacks Economic...This plan lacks any thought on how to drive New Zealand forward. Giving away rare minerals owned by every New Zealander for a measly return of 2.1% to the crown last year is simply ludicrous. ...2 days ago
- Forest and Bird leader shut out of Shane Jones meeting by policeA West Coast conservation leader is lodging a complaint with Police after an officer barred her from a public meeting in Blackball, called by Resources Minister Shane Jones. The NZ First politician was in the historic coal-mining town on Thursday to launch the Government’s new draft minerals strategy, promising to ...2 days ago
- The Weekend: Working through life regrets in real timeEditor Madeleine Chapman meets an old rival and wonders what could’ve been. Mōrena and welcome to The Weekend, where dreams and regrets have time and space to flower. What’s the thing in your life that you wish you had given more energy to? It could be a relationship, an exam, ...2 days ago
- What it takes to be an Olympian and why you don’t have itThis year, Tori Peeters will compete at the Paris Olympics in the javelin. Ten years ago, Madeleine Chapman thought she might be in the same position. She talks to Peeters about what it takes to go all the way and mulls her own life decisions in the process. No New ...2 days ago
- ‘I was absolutely devastated’: Sara Wiseman on the moment she nearly quit actingThe star of High Country talks Tinkerbell, her love for Hawkeye Pierce and why a 98-year-old environmentalist is the most stylish man on television. Sara Wiseman has been a fixture on New Zealand television screens for nearly three decades. First appearing in Hercules and Xena Warrior Princess during the mid ...2 days ago
- At home with Brett and Angel, Married at First Sight NZ’s ‘fairytale’ coupleAlex Casey takes a trip to Lincoln to visit the only couple from the first season of Married at First Sight NZ that’s still together. To cross the threshold into Brett and Angel’s marital abode is to be greeted with a welcome that sums up the MAFSNZ season one golden ...2 days ago
- ‘There’s no better song to drink coffee to’: Troy Kingi’s perfect weekend playlistIn a new weekly interview series, we ask a different local artist to curate their dream weekend soundtrack. First up: Troy Kingi. Troy Kingi is a man on a well-documented mission to make 10 albums, in 10 genres, over 10 years. But finding himself creatively blocked while making his eighth ...2 days ago
- In the place I grew up, I am always lostReflections on a childhood split across Hong Kong and Auckland. The Sunday Essay is made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand. I arrive in Hong Kong with my mother in the middle of summer. t’s not a good time to travel here, she tells me. It’s June. We’re ...2 days ago
- Palestine protesters call for Gaza press ‘solidarity’ at NZ media awardsPacific Media Watch Pro-Palestinian protesters dressed in blue “press” vests tonight staged a vigil calling on New Zealand journalists to show solidarity with the media of Gaza who have suffered the highest death toll in any war. They staged the vigil at the Viaduct venue of NZ’s annual Voyager Media ...2 days ago
- Behind job cuts are people, and they’re hurtingOpinion: Outside my house, the autumn breeze blows crisp leaves off trees and leaks through the gap in my ranchslider while I slump on my couch listening to our CEO announcing our restructure. With many ums and ahs, he reads his script, talking of “prioritisation,” “working differently,” and “reconceiving the ...2 days ago
- Taiwan’s democratic challenge to ChinaJust days after Taiwan’s new president called on China to stop making threats, Beijing has launched “punishment” military drills around the island. Everyone was watching to see what China’s reaction to the swearing in of President William Lai Ching-te would be. On Thursday night we found out. China had already ...2 days ago
- Short story: The End Was Wide Open, by James PasleyFor the past six weeks Annie has been sleeping with a teacher named Patrick Drury. Twice he has tried to call it an affair. Twice she has considered correcting him. But she likes how he looks when he says it. She likes that he’s older than her. That he’s recently ...2 days ago
- The Secret Diary of .. Fast-Track JonesMONDAY Fast-Track Jones stood in the shade beneath an awning of a train station and waited for the 3:10 to Blackball. He narrowed his eyes and studied the view. A water tower. A windmill. A cattle fence. All else was empty land. Locomotive smoke rose over the horizon. The 3:10 ...2 days ago
- Newsroom wins two leading honours at national journalism awardsA groundbreaking investigative podcast into the death of Gore three-year-old Lachie Jones has won Melanie Reid and Bonnie Sumner two notable awards at the Voyager Media Awards. Their in-depth reporting and nine-part first season of The Boy in the Water, which led to the case being reopened twice and preceded ...2 days ago
- Hundreds feared dead after huge landslide in Papua New GuineaBy Eleisha Foon, RNZ Pacific senior journalist Scores of people have died in a huge landslide which has struck a remote village in the Papua New Guinean highlands. The landslide reportedly hit Yambali village in Enga Province, about 600 km north-west of Port Moresby. The landslip has buried homes and ...2 days ago
- Government extends Defence Force deployments to Middle East and AfricaThe extended deployments include supporting UN efforts on contested Israel and Arab country borders. ...2 days ago
- As COVID cases rise again, what do I need to know about the new FLiRT variants?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lara Herrero, Research Leader in Virology and Infectious Disease, Griffith University Red-Diamond/Shutterstock We’ve now been living with COVID for well over four years. Although there’s still much to learn about SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID) at least one thing seems ...2 days ago
- Why a new ruling on the law of the sea and climate change matters for Australia and especially our i...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Clive Schofield, Professor, Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security (ANCORS), University of Wollongong The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea has found countries are obliged to protect the oceans from climate change impacts under the law of the ...2 days ago
- The government’s cash splash aims to kickstart Australia’s battery industry. Has it flipped the ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Glen Thomas Currie, Energy Systems Program Impact Manager, Climateworks, Monash University, Monash University Basilico Studio Stock, Shutterstock Australia has a new National Battery Strategy, unveiled this week as a key part of the government’s Future Made in Australia agenda. The vision ...2 days ago
- Heavy water: how melting ice sheets and pumped groundwater can lower local sea levels – and boost...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rebecca McGirr, Postdoctoral research fellow, Australian National University Bernhard Staehli/Shutterstock Imagine you’re standing near the edge of the Antarctic Ice Sheet, gazing out over the ocean, when the ice near you starts to melt very rapidly. A surge of meltwater flows ...2 days ago
- The Week in Politics: Willis sails against strong headwindsThe Finance Minister prepares to present one of the most difficult budgets, National MP David MacLeod gets himself into trouble and the First Home Buyers Grant is scrapped. ...2 days ago
- Paul Henry To Address New Zealanders At ACT RallyACT's 2024 rally, Change Makers, will take place at Auckland's Viaduct Events Centre at 12:30pm on 9 June. ...2 days ago
- Regional Development and Resources Minister's mine visits not publicisedShane Jones visited two mines on Thursday without revealing it until afterwards - then had a private lunch with mining industry representatives. ...2 days ago
- Iranian Solidarity Group New Zealand's Meeting With NZ Minister For Foreign Affairs Rt. Hon. Wi...The Iranian Solidarity Group NZ met with Minister For Foreign Affairs Rt. Hon. Winston Peters, urging the NZ government to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (the IRGC) as a terrorist organisation. The group continues to advocate for justice ...2 days ago
- 105 Silenced Journalists Of Gaza Honoured Outside Voyager Media AwardsOn 24th May, 6pm, Palestinian journalists covering Gaza will be honoured in a silent and visually impactful vigil outside Shed 10, 89 Quay Street, Auckland, where the Voyager Media Awards are being held. ...2 days ago
- The Matildas and Socceroos are soaring, while participation is growing – but the A-League is missi...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tim Harcourt, Industry Professor and Chief Economist, University of Technology Sydney This should be a golden age for Australian soccer. After all, the big picture is good: the Matildas are waltzing, the Socceroos are well supported and Australia was just awarded hosting ...2 days ago
- The British election is Labour’s to lose. What would the UK–Australia relationship look like und...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ben Wellings, Associate Professor in Politics and International Relations, Monash University Assuming a Labour win in the UK general election – always a risky assumption given Labour’s proclivity for snatching defeat from the jaws of victory – the “Global Britain” bombast emanating ...2 days ago
- A rush on critical minerals is coming for our most remote and disadvantaged communitiesSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Deanna Kemp, Professor and Director, Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining, The University of Queensland King Ropes Access, Shutterstock The Australian mining industry was promised billions of dollars in last week’s federal budget to boost critical minerals such as lithium, copper ...2 days ago
- Greens Justice Spokesperson Tamatha Paul To Join Protest Against Waikeria ‘Megaprison’ At Mount ...The community group People Against Prisons Aotearoa is holding a protest against mass incarceration tomorrow against the Government’s proposed expansion of Waikeria prison. ...2 days ago
- Labour MP Willie Jackson becomes first Māori to take part in Oxford Union debateHe is the first MP since former prime minister David Lange to be asked to debate at Oxford. ...3 days ago
- What OpenAI’s deal with News Corp means for journalism (and for you)Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By T.J. Thomson, Senior Lecturer in Visual Communication & Digital Media, RMIT University Shutterstock OpenAI, the makers of ChatGPT, and News Corp, the international media conglomerate, have signed a deal that will let OpenAI use and learn from News Corp’s content. In ...3 days ago
- What is a virtual emergency department? And when should you ‘visit’ one?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jaimon Kelly, Senior Research Fellow in Telehealth delivered health services, The University of Queensland Shutterstock/Nils Versemann For many Australians the emergency department (ED) is the physical and emblematic front door to accessing urgent health-care services. But health-care services are evolving rapidly ...3 days ago
- Married at First Sight NZ pops the question: can the relaunch put a winning Kiwi spin on the global ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rebecca Trelease, Senior Lecturer in Communication Studies, Auckland University of Technology Getty Images Following the hugely successful recent season of Married At First Sight (MAFS) Australia, fans of the format – and the reality romance genre in general – will be ...3 days ago
- All surface, no substance. Kids will probably love Beings at ACMI. Pity about the rest of usSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dominic Redfern, Associate Professor, School of Art, RMIT University We Are All Unique by Universal Everything commissioned by Hyundai Motorstudio Senayan Park in Beings at ACMI. Image by Michelle Tran At this week’s launch of Beings by Universal Everything, ACMI board member ...3 days ago
- ‘People need to buckle up’: The experts reveal what to expect in MAFS NZAs Married at First Sight New Zealand returns to our screens this Sunday, Tara Ward speaks to the show’s new relationship experts about what lies ahead. This is an excerpt from our weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. John Aiken is teasing Jo Robertson about her cup of ...3 days ago
- The Friday Poem: ‘The body’s score’ by Erin DonohueA new poem by Wellington writer Erin Donohue. The body’s score Here is what happens if you starve yourself for years. Your body will forget herself. She will have to learn new how a heart beats and she will not get it right. She will need MRIs and a quiet ...3 days ago
- The Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending May 24The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington. AUCKLAND 1 Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi (Picador, $25) A charming, smash-hit book about ...3 days ago
- Select Committee aged care inquiry to begin by JulyThe coalition has confirmed the Health Select Committee will carry out an inquiry into aged care. ...3 days ago
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It will be interesting to see how this is handled by the CC council. Can't imagine the publicity is going to do Deon Swiggs chances of re-election much good.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/116008780/christchurch-councillor-accused-of-inappropriate-texts-should-come-forward-says-deputy-mayor
Oh dear. More accusations of inappropriate sexual behaviour aimed at a Labour Party member. Is this an indication that National are running scared and feel forced to plumb the depths for dirt…or does the Labour Party attract some with poor sexual manners. To be euphemistic.
Bad look.
He is an independent candidate although he used to be a labour party member. Of the other 2 candidates in the central ward, one is People's Choice – Labour and the other is Independent Citizens (actually National but not upfront about it).
He has been a good councillor and probably more left than right would be my impression. The mud will be thrown at labour no doubt because of Dalziel. I hope there will be some clarification about how this has been dealt with by council soon.
Interesting timing though for the release of this information.
National are arseholes who've figured out their next Dirty Politics play.
Labour like the rest of society aren't particularly good at dealing with rape culture. So even when shit is thrown at them that they don't deserve they're not on solid footing to deal with it.
Weka, you come across more angry that he has been caught and outed rather than being alarmed at what he has been doing . It reads like his behaviour is normal to you and that you are pissed that he is in trouble for it.
I am sure that I will get banned as a result of this, but I don't care who has politicised the issue in your book because predators like this need to be outed.
Don't know how you got that from my comment, which was about National and Labour not Swiggs. It was in response to Rosemary's comment which was likewise about National and Labour, and I had also read Pingau's comment that Swiggs isn't Labour. I haven't read the article, and don't know anything about the case.
Context is everything. I find it better to ask people when their comment doesn't makes sense. Either you know my position on rape culture, in which case your comment is way off, or you don't and you decided to have a go instead of clarifying. /shrug.
The National Party and friends called Jacinda's partner all sorts. Their accusations became so strident the Police had to declare there was "no issue they were investigating." That debacle sowed a seed IMO.
when was that Patricia?
Heres the 2016 CC election results
Central Ward Councillor – Electing 1 Councillor
Deon SWIGGS Independent – Let’s Get It Done ,1400
Vicki TAHAU-PATON The People’s Choice – Labour, 1051
Dora Roimata LANGSBURY Independent, 643
Lindon (Boycey) BOYCE, 479
So Swiggs was running against the Labour based Peoples Choice group
'top british barrister' calls for a new crime to be addressed – ecocide..
https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/eating-meat-illegal-vegans-michael-mansfield-qc-labour-conference-a9115656.html
(there is some interesting discussion on this topic in this thread..)
https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2019/09/22/lets-be-brutally-honest-those-vegan-protestors-are-right-and-why-confrontational-protests-are-the-future/
oh..!..and chris trotter pops up – showing what a reactionary dickwad he is on this..he gets bounced in a suitable manner…
Lovely ad lib ad hom there Phil, I have to give you credit for that one.
trotter usually tries to maintain an air of bemused superiority –
but i have seen that crack – as with his jowls in a state of high vibration..
his face an ever-deepening shade of purple..
he said/spat out – with undoubted vehemence/sincerity:
'i hate vegetarians..!'..
(which may in itself – garner him a new fan – in the form of ‘the allen’..
they could maybe form an anti-vegan coven…?..
..chants..?..incantations..?..)
Address the points, Philip, address the points. It's not about me, remember? It's about the bullshit Bradbury article, remember?
Didn't take long for you to revert to type since you've been back, like how you use to make an early post and then spend all day attacking and sniding out against those who disagree with it.
Like evolution, you appear in need of a bit of luck and ongoing incremental change.
why are you following him around trying to get a rise from him – what''s up with that?
Post 2.1.2 was my first and directly addressed the false premise proposed by the article Philip is peddling today.
Answering and responding to the content of follow ups is how debate works.
Why not just skip over if you've got nothing to add?
I think you're peeved cos he showed you up the other day lol – just funny cos you make a good straight man to his bent one.
I don't know what you're referring to, but it's obvious you just want to turn the debate into something it's not and make it a personal joust, for whatever reason.
I'll stick to the topic and leave you to mess with the silly buggery.
cool, good plan for you imo – I'll just keep a wee eye out and comment when needed
Yep, evolution is a wonderful thing.
The reason why you don’t add much to the debate, IMO, is that you even when you don’t frame it from the outset you usually end up framing it as us vs. them. Once the exchange has become sufficiently polarized, it quickly turns into a willy-waving tit-for-tat contest with snide remarks and worse/worsening ad homs. You seem to think that you’re addressing the point(s) by attacking your adversary. Unfortunately, we’re all guilty of this but some more than others and on a more regular basis that it becomes an issue here on this site. You could use the following yard stick: does your reply still stand and make sense if it were in reply to a comment written by somebody else than the respective commenter you’re taking aim at? In other words, if the commenter(s) were to be completely anonymous, would it change your reply comment, yes or no?
the ratio of me pulling allens' leg vs. him continually insulting me – is kinda stark..(and it was an attempt at humour – guess it flopped..)
has me wondering why are you saying this to me…
because as one who is presenting ideas challenging to many – i take particular care to answer anything i am asked in as clear a manner as possible..
and i don't engage in 'dick-waving' exercises..as you seem to claim..can you show me any examples of those..?
and many here feel free to heap whatever abuse they like on me..
with nary a word from you..eh..?
(not that i expect/want that..)
and suddenly you are on my case..again..?
are you trying to wind something up..?
'cos i ain't biting..eh..?
save to note..really..?
'you usually end up framing it as us vs. them'
cd u plse translate that for me..?…who is 'us'..who is 'them'..
'You seem to think that you’re addressing the point(s) by attacking your adversary. '..
no..i take particular care to treat people with civility….and i can disagree with them one minute..and agree with them the next….that's 'cos i am replying to their ideas..not personally attacking them..
and i'm sorry..i can't make head nor tail of the question you finish with..
my bad..
Ure in a right state Philly.
…has me wondering why are you saying this to me…
That's exactly the problem, Phil. Instead of reading Incognito's clear description of why they're saying that to you and deciding to engage in a bit of self-reflection, you wonder how such injustice could possibly be visited upon a poor innocent like yourself. Very few other people will be wondering.
@ 2.1.1.1 you wrote:
That “was an attempt at humour”? In that case, all I can say is that you are not a comedian.
Flesh-eaters committing untold cruelty to animals vs. you? No?
I would get no pleasure from winding you up but you do seem to bring it up a lot in your replies to me. No?
You seem to be sliding back to your old form of commenting here and pointing this out to you is not trying to wind you up nor an ad hom. Maybe you could try to be more reflective than reflexive? No?
My last question was a thought experiment. Let’s say I change the handle The Al1en into a different random 10-digit number each time, e.g. 8431794786, 5975488010, 1007827841, et cetera, i.e. you would not know the comments came from The Al1en, would you write the exact same replies or not? Yes?
To be fair, Philip can't even bring himself to use my login name, which is sort of an act of deliberate disrespect and passive aggressive behaviour.
I personally don't find much issue with it, as I can see it for what it is, but it does make for extra work when having to search the site for comments and quotes etc.
' all I can say is that you are not a comedian.'
wow..!..harsh..!
and a judge of quality in humour…..eh..?
heh..!..that is funny in itself..
just to give me some context here..were/are you a fan of 'friends'..?
of rachels' bob – and..oh!..that ross..!..eh..?
and as i am arguing the case against eating animals – with people who are eating animals..i guess there must be an inherent/built-in me vs. them/you..how could it not be that way…?
and as i am arguing against neoliberalism – with people who are wedded to that blighted ideology – once more – built in me vs. them..once again – how can it not be like that..and what's more the question – what is the/any problem with that..?
and i still don't get yr 'thought experiment'..my eyes/mind glazes over when i attempt to read it..
(tho' – in my defence – i am quite toasted..maybe it will make more sense in the clarity of the morning)
at this very moment i am smoking a joint rolled from a bud so solid you could hammer in nails with it..
i wish i cd share it with you all..)
i just told a war-story over on daily review – that i think is funny..
hope you enjoy it..
I apologise, Phil, for being a tad harsh. Some of your comments are actually very funny.
Nah, I’m no judge as such of humour but some things appeal to my sense of humour and some don’t. Admittedly, many people don’t know how to take it.
I can’t stand Friends and even that ‘catchy’ tune makes me cringe.
You’re not alone in the us vs. them attitude, sadly, and it shows in discourse, sadly. Binary thinking trumps everything nowadays. It kills any chance of a mutually agreeable solution because by definition that is impossible. And it shows.
Forget the thought experiment; 10-digit random numbers was naff, I realise.
Sweet dreams, Phil.
phil you know how the game works here – I hope you continue to post here as I find your comments less irritating than many, mainly because you are coming from a good place imo
@ mm..chrs 4 yr words..
but no..i don't 'know how the game is played here'..
it all seems somewhat random/subjective/inconsistant..
i am just here to argue ideas/for the animals/poor etc..
i don't personalise any of it..i think..
i don't 'dislike/hate' anyone here..
it is a contest of ideas to/for me..
that's it..
it works here that the moderators moderate – their site, their rules – we fit in with them not the other way around
anyway that's my input to try and make the place a bit better – all the best
chrs…
Interesting comment there, Marty, but a little inaccurate IMO.
HTH
my comment was to phil as commenters sometimes do – we help each other or try to as I stated in my comment – but fantastic to see you taking the time to create another learning experience for the newbies
🙂
As high density dairy and beef production is only fourth on the list of worst climate change contributors behind energy production, transport and construction, it's somewhat hypocritical for any veggo warrior to single out meat eaters when they drive, turn on their computers, and live in concrete structures and the like.
It is, as always with them, about animals. Climate change is just a bandwagon that's been jumped on to serve their weird anti animal as food perspective. It doesn't follow that there aren't changes needed across all contributing sectors, there are, and working towards a local market only supply will greatly reduce dairy and beef pollutants in NZ.
'It is, as always with them, about animals.'
(for me anyway) – you got it in one…
Which is why you are blind to animal husbandry continuing to exist when dealing to climate change.
One trick pony with blinkers on.
as with yr new mate -trotter – you clearly don't get it..yet..
how the ever-increasing pressures are going to so change the/this world you inhabit..
climate-change + plant-based 'meats' = bye-bye animal-slavery…
i don't need to make all those arguments again..but all those forces add up to an upcoming seachange in attitudes to the animal-extraction industries – and the eating of animals/animal-flesh..
you remind me of those old-school ciggy-smokers – standing in public bar – puffing away – and declaring they'll never stop you enjoying a smoke – while your having a beer…!
they''ll drag your ciggy from yer dead/cold hands..
eh..?
heh..!
Pointless attack post, Philip. 🙄
You don't need to make those arguments again because they're easily refutable. As stated already you've disqualified yourself from reasoned conversation about the emission effects of animal farming because of a very one sided view that prohibits any compromise and acceptance it will carry on through and after climate change.
yep you have a kind heart phil – onya
@ allen..
i wd refer you to the quote from the un in that link above..
that ag causes 25% of emissions – and the animal factor in ag causes 80% of that 25%
I refer you back to post 2.1.2 and 2.1.2.1.1 and the unnumbered one which follows.
Three other major drivers of global warming need urgent attention in order to halt and reverse the damages, and cutting exports and focusing on local market meat and dairy will cut down on climate pollutants, so no need to ever stop eating meat and drinking milk, though cutting back a bit will also have benefits.
So it comes back to whether you can divorce yourself from your religious zeal, and accept people can and will be able to eat meat without being climate crims.
Yesterday @Phil, you were referencing Mr Trotter. Today you're calling him a dickwad. You need to be careful or you'll have people calling you "fair and balanced" and countless pearl clutchers will be calling for your head.
We get what we deserve (in the fullness of time) I guess in this democracy (going forward).
But rest assured…. it's all "best practice". [What! – you mean they're still practicing?]
I'm afraid so. A good many of then are winging it.
"Mood of the Boardroom" is out – Fran's hallmark contribution to contemporary idiocy. Time to democratise these centres of unaccountable private power.
There is an evil side of us that hopefully will never be allowed to rise and swamp our self control. But part of our education should be learning about bullying, how to avoid it, how to not drop into it when there is an opening to do so, why it happens, what emotions drive it, and what background of coarse behaviour sets a person up to fall into the pattern and break one's own moral boundaries. Could we do this type of psychological teaching as part of life skills that everybody does, what are our hidden human impulses?
I have talked about Transaction Analysis and think it would be perfect for this – being non-religious, non cultish, just giving the basic tools for understanding of mind working and social interaction.
It would prevent this:
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/399451/murdered-auckland-teen-was-bubbly-happy
Being a proponent of Transactional Analysis you would understand the difference between the 'Parent' and the 'Adult' and which is most appropriate for any given social intercourse.
Right?
No holiday highway this. Just an essential transport route that has to be redone for resilience in difficult weather and terrain. The Manawatu Gorge route is I hope going to be quickly changed, and a better road made for the future over the next years. As government says, it has had nine years of neglect (while National have been strutting like peacocks – and you know their weird, sharp cry). Good news Labour.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1909/S00198/green-light-for-manawatu-gorge-replacement-highway.htm
The new route option was canned by National in 2010 as they wanted more money for the gold plated RONS instead. A cheaper choice of repairing the existing gorge route has turned out to massive waste of money
(and then there is this..)
https://occupydemocrats.com/2019/09/22/pelosi-pens-open-letter-warning-new-stage-of-investigation-if-whistleblower-coverup-persists/
(excerpt..)
'On Sunday afternoon Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) released an unequivocal ultimatum to the Trump Administration to turn over an explosive whistleblower complaint about presidential misconduct or face a “whole new stage of investigation” in an otherwise collegial “Dear Colleague” open letter.
Speaker Pelosi’s statement arrives less than forty-eight hours after the Wall Street Journal‘s bombshell report linking a July 25th phone call with the President of Ukraine to a complaint which the Trump-appointed Inspector General of the Intelligence Community (IGIC) determined is of “urgent concern” about American national security. An Occupy Democrats source familiar with the Speaker’s thinking says that today’s letter from her is “unprecedented” throughout her two terms leading the House of Representatives and her time in Congress.
The serious ultimatum is aimed at Acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire, whom the Speaker demanded to comply with his mandatory duty to deliver the widely reported whistleblower complaint against Trump to House Intelligence panel Chairman Adam Schiff (D-CA) by this Thursday when he will appear in front of the committee for a nationally televised public hearing.'
About time. Trump has walked a Crooked Mile his whole life and continued as President
yeah – going way back – you don't get to build skyscrapers in manhattan using undocumented/illegal-alien workers. – unless you are seriously mob-connected..
'cos the teamsters union have a stranglehold on that construction sector – and the teamsters are the mob…
I get your point, but Trump hasnt been a 'builder' for a long time. Hes the 'developer' who gets a main contractor to do the construction.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trump_International_Hotel_and_Tower_(Chicago)
i don't have a link for it – but it is well-documented that trump used illegal/undocumented alien-labour to build his edifices in manhatten..
and how this proves how tight he is with organised-crime…
Arent those undocumented migrants working at the various Trump Golf resorts. As I said the building contractor and their sub contractors would be the employers on high rises
sorry..i don't have the energy to explain to you the various ways that cd be done..
save to say that i am going on the findings of inquiries into such matters..and the like..
(and i really don't feel like dying in a ditch – over this diversion..)
Hello Standardista's 🙂
If you haven't seen this weeks episode of The Listening Post then I highly recommend taking 10min to check out their lead story. It's an excellent episode.
Climate crisis: How mainstream media are part of the problem
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukKNAhk0XXs
Full episode – https://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/listeningpost/2019/09/covering-climate-media-seize-moment-190921064058274.html
The time in the sun for retired Brits is over with Brexit? No no no they say. Costa Lotta was affordable for retirement. And the UK citizens living there say Spain has done more to protect them and their future than the UK. There is the thought of applying for Spanish citizenship.
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaIQ5Dku9_g
.
Corbyn's strategy analysed by Channel 4 News https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_igLgAISuU
22 Seot 2019 Brexit policy debate dominates Labour Party conference
It's getting bitter and personal. The divisions over Brexit between the Leader Jeremy Corbyn and senior members of his shadow cabinet like Emily Thornberry and Tom Watson – have exploded into factional infighting and personal disputes.
The loss of his policy chief Andrew Fisher was a blow to Mr Corbyn coming a day after he was forced to intervene to prevent Mr Watson being extinquished.
Tomorrow the labour leadership will face a battle on the floor of the conference as it tries to force a compromise position on Brexit despite the call from many of the membership for a fully remain stance.
23 September 2019 Corbyn wins crunch Labour conference Brexit vote – BBC News
At the Labour conference the win was for – stay neutral till after the election and then have a referendum I think. That defeated the Remainers who want to campaign for it now. Taken on a show of hands which looked very folksy.
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iphj_56uOF4
Sure he did great last time but the electorate has way, way shifted now.
Brexit has undone Labour even more than it has the Conservatives.
Corbyn just doesn't have the polls to shift the Conservatives out of power unless he can show a united front with the Liberal Democrats as an alternative government in waiting.
Sure he did great last time but the electorate has way, way shifted now.
Brexit has undone Labour even more than it has the Conservatives.
Corbyn just doesn't have the polls to shift the Conservatives out of power unless he can show a united front with the Liberal Democrats as an alternative government in waiting.
Read of the day; the right's efforts to change bullies into victims.
Perhaps this is too flippant a dismissal. “Cancel culture,” after all, is a phrase deployed widely outside the world of comedy to describe an all consuming, social media-fueled climate of outrage—a dark cloud hanging over not only comics, but also a wide range of public figures and entities, some of whom where helpfully named by a New York Times piece last year, “Everyone is Canceled”:
The critics of cancel culture are plainly threatened not by a new and uniquely powerful kind of public criticism but by a new set of critics: young progressives, including many minorities and women who, largely through social media, have obtained a seat at the table where matters of justice and etiquette are debated and are banging it loudly to make up for lost time. The fact that jabs against cancel culture are typically jabs leftward, even as conservatives work diligently to cancel academics, activists, and companies they disfavor in both tweets and legislation, underscores this.
https://newrepublic.com/article/155141/cancel-culture-con-dave-chappelle-shane-gillis
Can someone help me with a question. There are experts on everything on this site. I've tried the Companies Office but all they say is ask a lawyer. That costs me a lot of money, and the information is not for me.
All I want to know is 'when a motion is seconded,voted on and passed at an AGM is it legal, if it is not put in the company constitution?'
Thank you. I hope I am not being too cheeky asking this.
Lots of large and medium sized lawyers firms have web sites where they 'might' discuss similar sorts of questions
I dont know if this has your question but its an example of the method to use
https://www.heskethhenry.co.nz/insights-opinion/
You would also want to search for company law, AGM , resolutions and that sort of theing
Thank you very much Dukeofurl. I'll have a look.
J – What kind of Motion are you talking about? If the motion is a proposed change to the Constitution (with due notice given) then yes, it must be written into the Constitution if passed. But a Motion about an ordinary policy decision has only to be written into the Minutes – not the Constitution.
Hi In Vino,
This would be a motion at an AGM, for example, to change how many directors for a company and how many must be present at an AGM. Or, the company secretary must be a director as well. The only reason for not putting these past changes into the constitution was the legal cost involved to a non profit.
Is there no legal standing for those AGM decisions voted on, passed and recorded in the Minutes? They have been accepted for many years.
Now these fully voted on decisions are being considered irrelevant because these decisions don't suit a person's intentions.
Can persons at an AGM arbitrarily just decide that these past decisions can be simply put aside or must they put a new motion in advance to members to be discussed and voted on at an upcoming AGM?
Otherwise, any decisions made at an earlier meeting have no meaning I would have thought.
Also, what would an 'ordinary policy decision' example be?
Hope this makes sense. And thanks for your interest. J.
I am no expert, but the motions you describe seem to me to be things that are written in the Constitution, and to change the Constitution, the Constitution itself normally specifies that notice of such a change must be given to all members by a specified time before the General Meeting (either Special or Annual) at which the change will be voted on. If the change is approved at that meeting, the Constitution must be altered accordingly.
On the other hand, a General Meeting cannot decide on the spot to alter its Constitution without giving all members the required prior notice of that change. If this is what happened in your case, the motion would be invalid, and would not get written into the Constitution.
If it is more complicated than that, I will be of no help to you.
Thank you very much for your help In Vino. I appreciate it from you and Dukeofurl.
Where we've been tripped up I think is that at the time of each decision via an AGM, no attempt was made, over decades, to alter the Constitution because of the legal cost.
So, it appears the daily guide for members and directors to run the Company is not legal, even though it was done through the correct process, and members agreed that was the future ruling, until a new AGM voted in a new rule.
I liked the 'daily guide' because we didn't have to try and navigate the Constitution – a veritable minefield of conflicting statements!
Now it's just scrapped and we apparently have no say. A very good lesson to be learned by me. Once again, thank you.
Simon Bridges seems to think that by repeatedly saying "convicted child sex offender" in a clipped stern manner in questioning in the House that he will sound all serious and on a grave mission.
To me he comes across as a drongo. When he is in the position of PM after the next election I guess he is to change the rules around Real Commissions to give Ministers control of them and specifics of their work and introduce full vetting of all family members of anyone appointed to any Royal Commission.
In terms of thoroughness and consistency it seems reasonable given his attitude, full vetting of all family members of anyone appointed to any Government role should be done. Purely in the spirit of 'just in case' of course.
One of the submitters to the Commission this morning on radio, aired her disappointment with the issue but was adamant that it should not become political football as the unscrupulous Bridges is doing. Even Bridges best fellow MPs must be disappointed with his creepy obsessions.
Police arrest 13 people over multi-million dollar phone scam
Good job. I've had calls like this, maybe 2 or 3 a month, for years. I usually just hang up when I hear they're from Spark (who isn't my provider anyway), but I did once, by a matter of seconds, save my old lady boss from giving access to her pc.
People who prey on the vulnerable deserve all that's coming.
These people are filth.
https://twitter.com/JordanUhl/status/1176284552387538949
https://twitter.com/jeremymbarr/status/1176320883713069059
Kia Ora Newshub.
Stealing Eco Maori word.
The ICC is correct our wildlife of Papatuanuku are suffering from Global Warming Our Pacific Cousin are feeling the brunt of Sealevels rapid riseing.
Papatuanuku is not going to end in the next few decades what is can happen is we will reach a tipping point of no return with Our Climate warming that cannot be reversed.
Its great that laws are being put in place to stop the shark insurance sale people selling shoddy policys. They make big promises sell a policy that chews all the funds in fees going straight into their pockets
Instead of pouring putea into subsidys for regional travel we should fix the Rail lines to Te Tairawhiti to Hawksbay ECT. What the Airline should do is use less planes on their routes invest in low carbon aircraft and shear the seats on the same plane instead of flying massive planes on the same route half full. Ride shearing
Its excellent to see Maori Music becoming popular in Aotearoa and around the Papatuanuku.
Aotearoa most successful peace keeping mission in Bougainvillea Paupa New Guinea that is a cool story using aroha and waita is stead of the stick guns and bombs. There Wahine own the whenua Mana Wahine. Soldiers without guns move will be a eye-opening story. I have a m8 that lived and prawn fished there.
Ka kite Ano
I say that shearing Our Papatuanuku wealth has to be achieved in order to mitergate Global Warming and Papatuanuku Change. We have the tools to help the poor common tangata of the Papatuanuku. Those tools are renewable energy for all the Tangata who don't have electricity in the year 2019 it's should not be like it is people starving whom have been forced to exploit anything just to survive. In a fair and just Papatuanuku this would not be the REALITY.
Turning the tables: global poverty conference to be held in a slum
Inaugural World Poverty Forum – dubbed ‘Davos with the poor’ – to take place in Kenya’s Kibera to ensure voices of poorest are heard
Global development is supported by
A global conference on poverty is to take place in Africa’s largest slum in an effort to make sure the poorest get a voice.
The inaugural World Poverty Forum will be announced on Wednesday in New York at the Decade of Action event taking place during UN general assembly week. It is already being dubbed as “Davos with the poor”
Social entrepreneur Kennedy Odede, who was raised in the slum of Kibera, in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, has founded the event to bring world leaders and policymakers together to “change the dynamic” of the way the big global issues are discussed. He said it was about making “worlds collide”.
“It is high time that the policymakers come to us, the people and the communities who are doing great work on the ground,” he told the Guardian.
“Meetings like Davos are all very well, to bring together world leaders, but there is no space for them to interact with the poor and with people doing the work in the communities. So this forum will fill this gap.”
The forum is designed to tackle world poverty by reversing the often unequal power dynamics of development conferences, and will take place in January. It will be that rare example, said Odede, of a conference choosing its location to give a real voice to the poorest in finding solutions to their own problems.
“We will have a 50/50 split of influential leaders and of community leaders from Kibera, from Africa, from India, from Brazil, who have been left out of the conversations for too long
Ka kite Ano link below Kia Kaha to all the Poor tangata of the Papatuanuku.
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/sep/25/global-poverty-conference-to-be-held-in-slum
Some Eco Maori Music For The Minute.
https://youtu.be/hlfQVvsNLFk
It's a excellent start to our journey to carbon neutral Papatuanuku economy's. But we will have to ramp up the efforts very quickly. I can see it happening the efforts put into getting climate change accepted has been Ginormous to get the messages out through the oil barons money of misinformation. I liken it to a huge mountain size ball that has taken all the good tangata efforts now to start it rolling in Our favour it is now unstoppable and will gather speed quite quickly whom ever gets in the way now will be squashed. Ma Te Wa.
Tariff announcement 'great' but time running out
New Zealand announces plans to remove tariffs on solar panels and wind turbines, but an expert warns other countries will need to embrace green technologies within nine years to reach zero carbon goals.
New Zealand's move to abolish tariffs on environmental goods was a "great step", says the founder of a solar energy provider.
But Solarcity's Andrew Booth, who will open Friday's climate protest in Nelson, plans to deliver a wider message that today's generation had failed the next by failing to act sooner on climate change .
Booth said Jacinda Ardern's announcement at the United Nations of a deal with four other small countries, aimed at removing tariffs on goods like solar panels or wind turbines, would help create a level playing field for the technology and see a further decline in solar panel prices.
"There aren't huge trade tariffs on solar panels in New Zealand, there's a small tariff that is applied at the exit point in China.
"But I think you'll find … overall investment levels will accelerate and therefore the price of the technology will fall even more rapidly than it has so far," said Booth, a former international board director of Greenpeace.
* Carbon emissions have been good for human life and longevity
* As world leaders discussed climate, Australia's PM admired a 'smart Drive-Thru'
* Jacinda Ardern's big day in the Big Apple
The price of panels had dropped by over 300 per cent in the last 10 years, with the cost of importing a panel into New Zealand around $1.20 per watt five years ago, compared to an average landed price in New Zealand of around 28 cents US per watt now, he said.
Ka kite Ano link below.
https://i.stuff.co.nz/environment/climate-news/116106648/tariff-announcement-great-but-time-running-out
Kia Ora Newshub.
Condolences to the whanau of the 9 year old girl who was lost in Tangaroa on the West Coast .
I don't know how The biggest exporter of milk products in the Papatuanuku can not make a profit it has lost money heaps of times WTF.
national up to their dirty tricks again
I. Quite like the Late Show hosted by Steven just been to busy of late I did see Te Wahine Star of Empire its great to see The Empire show becoming so popular.
Nice dusting of snow for the South Island last night we can feel the effects of that weather up here.
Our Pacific Islands cosin are feeling the effects of Tangaroa level rise cause by Global warming now the evedince is right there before our eyes.
Ka kite Ano
Kia Ora Newshub.
So people who supplies services and products to Tangata Whenua trusts farms are ripping them off like the people selling expensive effluent system that are expensive to maintained they could have spent 20 % of the putea and built a system that needs maintenaning every 10 years that's Capitalism at its best like a mechanic charging for spark plugs for a old Wahines diesel waka.
There you go Whanau Maori getting less of the Acc insurance system than the rest of the population Whanau if your injury make a Acc claim.
Ka kite Ano