Standing up for freedom for the sexually adventurous Right

Written By: - Date published: 12:38 pm, August 5th, 2012 - 109 comments
Categories: human rights - Tags:

For a guy whose god had two dads, Colin Craig seems pretty worked up about gays. He’s raised the spectre of marriage equality leading to polygamous marriage. I’m not sure what’s meant to be so scary about that. Polygamous relationships are legal. But Craig seems fascinated by it. It’s often those things we like least in ourselves that we criticise in others.

Maybe Craig’s outbursts and his obsession with adult relationships beyond his own with his wife are a secret cry for help. Maybe Craig should be allowed to marry as many people as he needs to.

Then, there’s Professor Frink impersonator and failed candidate for the leadership of ACT, Stephen Franks. He says ‘I love my dog but that doesn’t mean I should be able to marry it.”

I say, why not, Stephen? I won’t get in your way.

Oh, wait. I know one reason. Marriage is a form of contract. Contracts can only be agreed by parties that have the power to consent to them. Animals don’t have the legal ability to consent to contracts. If they did, I would be seeking damages from my cat for the mess she left when she brought that dead rat into the house the other week, not proposing to the dog.

Finally, Colin King. He reckons “what my wife and I have enjoyed over 42 years, I don’t think anyone of the same sex could enjoy”. Well, in a strictly physical sense, Colin, you’re right, different combinations of equipment and all that – but what things are they enjoying that you can only wonder at as you lie awake in the early hours?

Or maybe King is saying that his marriage is so beyond compare to any possible same-sex relationship that for them to marry would be like appointing a badger as admiral – they simply couldn’t make use of the role the way that King and Mrs King do. That implies that King, who remains a complete unknown after three elections and has been demoted on National’s list each time, must have some serious hidden talents if his marriage beats all the same-sex relationships in all the world to the extent that allowing same-sex couples to marry would be a waste of time. I don’t know what’s in the crayfish down at Kaikoura but, if King’s uber-marriage puts all others into the shade, they ought to be bottling it.

The Right seems to be a collection of polygamy-curious, animal-loving, uber-lovers. And good on them (apart from the bestiality). But I’m still not sure why any of the Right’s secret fetishes leads to them thinking that two consenting adults who want to marry oughtn’t be allowed to do so.

109 comments on “Standing up for freedom for the sexually adventurous Right ”

  1. mike e 1

    Maybe he’s wanting to convert to being islamic

  2. CnrJoe 2

    a guy whose god has two dads – heh
    Theres a letter writer who suggested barriage and garriage as variations on marriage for a man and a woman lol

  3. Craig got fucking schooled by Wall on The Nation this morning. Was damned entertaining.

    edit: by this morning I meant yesterday morning. But, fuck it, he got fucked either way.

  4. But I’m still not sure why any of the Right’s secret fetishes leads to them thinking that two consenting adults who want to marry oughtn’t be allowed to do so.

    You must be talking about the fundie right rather than “The Right” which isn’t a single entity, especially on this issue. On KB and Whale Oil there are probably more numbers supporting marriage equality than against. It’s just that those against are often the most vocal and repetitive.

    The more Colin “he’s not Christian” Craig argues against marriage equality the more he helps the pro arguments.

    Same with the handful of devout antis that swarm to the centre right blogs every time there’s a hint of homosexual. They will never change their minds but don’t seem to change other minds either, unless it’s against their extreme sermons.

    Here’s a classic:

    Sodomite marriage is not a minor change – it is a radical change, one far more radical then polygamy would ever be.

    And as for “polls suggesting support” that is the oldest trick in the social engineers playbook trying to convince people with common sense that they are out of step with the majority- when they are not.

    That and silencing critics.

    In truth this is an agenda spawned in Hell by the prince of deceit and deceit is what is being used to foist this abomination on this country.

    Accusations of ‘silencing critics’ keep coming up oddly, the critics are just frustrated that they repel rather than attract support as they get louder.

    • Te Reo Putake 4.1

      🙄

    • Pascal's bookie 4.2

      I guess we’ll find out where the right stands when their representaives vote on the second reading.

      • Pete George 4.2.1

        Who is “the right” and who are “their representatives”?

        • Colonial Viper 4.2.1.1

          *facepalm*

        • Pascal's bookie 4.2.1.2

          Jeez Pete, I’d have thought you would have been aware that the right in NZ is represented by the National and ACT parties.

          Most NZers are well aware of that. Head out into the street tommorrow and ask some random poeple if the National and ACT parties are right wing or left wing.

          Then ask them that if someone wanted to get marriage equality through the house, should they vote for a right wing, or for a left wing, party.

          • Pete George 4.2.1.2.1

            Jeez PB, I’d thought you would have been more aware of the myth of the left/right divide. Most people are more centre than left or right. I doubt that people think in terms of ‘left’ and ‘right’.

            The hard right don’t feel represented, they claim National are left. Just like the hard left claim Labour are right. They both can’t be correct.

            National represent quite a bit of the centre and a bit rightish – and also some a bit leftish prefer them. Labour cover much of the same ground but aren’t so popular at the moment.

            • Pascal's bookie 4.2.1.2.1.1

              What’s the centre Pete? What political parties calim to represent it.

              not the centre-left, or the centre-right; but the centre?

              You really are quite breath-takingly stupid.

              • felix

                Breath-wastingly more like

              • Take a deep breath and read this:

                Centre left and centre right politics both involve a general association with centrism combined with leaning slightly to one side of the spectrum.

                You presumably are aware that National is generally regarded as centre-right, and Labour as centre-left.

                What parties claim to represent ‘the right’?

                • Pascal's bookie

                  From the same page:

                  In New Zealand, United Future is the centrist party with currently one seat in parliament.

                  It’s also pretty hilarious, and telling, that you had to toddle off to wikipedia to try and find out what the centre is.

                  Your agument that most people are centrist would be supported if it turned out that there were massive swings between National and Labour. In reality, there isn’t. There is a small pool of wing voters, and a pool of people that sometimes don’t vote. Both these pools are dwarfed by the voters that pretty much always vote for either the left or the right.

                  And in the context of this discussion, which you seem desperate to move away from, the National party is happy to get the votes of people who are opposed to marriage equality.

                  If yu want evidence of this, look at who is hiding from this debate, and explain the pattern. Why are the Labour party mps far more likely to have stated a position, and far more likely for that position to be in favour?

                  I can easily explain that in terms of Labour not being afraid of their supporters on this issue, and National MPs being afraid of the bigots in their support base. Bigots that they actively sort the support of.

                  So what’s your explanation?

                  Quick! Off to wikipedia with you! (HINT: The answer isn’t there, you’ll have to think)

                  And Pete, if something is contains elements of the centre, but leans to the left, then it’s, tadaa, on the left of the centre. That’s just fucking physics.

                • felix

                  Is Johnny Winter a blues guitarist or a flamenco guitarist?

                  Well as he’s generally known for playing “blues-rock”, I’d have to say “neither”.

                  If I were being a cock, that is.

                • There is no centre-right party.

                  There is a centre party (Labour) and a right party. (National)

              • Socialist Paddy

                The centre is made up of people that are not only too stupid to make their minds up but also too stupid to realise that they are not as bright as those who actually hold political views.

                • Stuart Mathieson

                  People like you I suspect.

                  • Colonial Viper

                    Did you even read (or understand) what S.P. wrote? :mrgreen:

                    • Yeah, those in the centre are so stupid they decide the elections, they hold the power, and their policies get put forward, debated, enacted with popular and parliamentary support. Dumb, eh.

                      And the ever so extremists foam futilely from the sidelines abusing anyone they disagree with, wondering why their brilliance is continually overlooked, baffled why being an arrogant arsehole doesn’t attract any support.

                      Centrists actually make up their mind they want to be in a position to make all the decisions.

                    • Te Reo Putake

                      That’s just how Pete 🙄 s

                    • felix

                      I’m constantly in awe of the awesome amount of awesome policy Peter Dunne has had “put forward, debated, enacted with popular and parliamentary support” in his 73 years as a minister.

                      Just awesome. Making all the decisions.

                      🙄

                    • Ah felix, the bitterness of opposition.

                      Peter Dunne has “put forward, debated, enacted with popular and parliamentary support” compared to:

                      Hone Harawira and Mana nil, compared to much more.

                      All eight NZF MPS – nil, compared to much more.

                      All fourteen Green MPs – at least they are putting a bit of pressure on Government, compared to much more influence and actuall doing things.

                      All thirty three Labour MPs – they’re making some progress with a few members bills, most due to the decisions and support of Peter Dunne.

                    • Colonial Viper

                      Peter Dunne has a Ministerial warrant and has cut a deal with John key, so he better be doing the business of Government, Pete.

                    • felix

                      And yet for some mysterious reason, no-one is ever able to list Old Man Dunne’s great achievements when questioned about them.

                      By which I mean of course they could list them and it wouldn’t take long – chaired a meeting to set up a group to form a committee to think about a report on something no-one gave a shit about, ran an errand or two for whoever was in power at the time etc – but they won’t list them because it’d be a fucking disgraceful list for someone with 156 years as a government minister.

                • “The centre is made up of people that are not only too stupid to make their minds up but also too stupid to realise that they are not as bright as those who actually hold political views.”

                  What a pile of shit. Complete garbage. 

                  • Colonial Viper

                    That explanation was convincing, you won me over 🙄

                    • Because it is up to me to disprove every piece of gibberish someone vomits out?
                      Jesus man, what can be assumed without evidence (Paddy’s wild assertion about centrists) can be dismissed without evidence (my comment).

                      This lesson in logic is free.

          • David H 4.2.1.2.2

            You forgot the UF. The flip flopper of the Parliamentary system, Dunny’s like a light flashing Red then Blue and getting stuck on one or the other for years. Hmm 2014 they’ll need a black light for 0 seats.

        • RedBlooded 4.2.1.3

          🙄

  5. Tiger Mountain 5

    Local tory MP in Northland, ex copper and former Methcon CEO Mike Sabin has announced that he will be voting against the Wall bill. He might be more favourably disposed to inter species marriage given his farmer support base.

  6. bad12 6

    I beg for the inclusion of some ‘compulsion’ in the Louisa Wall legislation, call it the ‘Franks clause’,

    Stephne Franks should HAVE to marry His dog…

  7. mac1 7

    Around our way we all : roll : where Colin King is concerned. Even the local Nats think he’s a dead weight and will replace him if he doesn’t retire which the local Nat rumour mill says is going to happen. He will have done his nine years and will get his pension.

    The local paper ran an opinion piece from some of the local clergy who oppose gay marriage. Colin is no doubt influenced by that as well as the fundy vote which is quite strong hereabouts.

    But, for all that, the local paper also ran a very good editorial which ran the same day as Colin King apprised the world of his wisdom. http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/opinion/7374457/Editorial-Right-to-be-recognised

    Colin King has a page on the National Party web-site which named his electorate of Kaikoura as “Kia Koura” which would translate as “be crayfish-like.” Pretty descriptive really of the conservative opposition to gay marrrage- have a thick skin, and move backwards into cover when threatened.

  8. Tigger 8

    Superb post, Z. I’m surprised Franks is so candid about his penchant for bestiality. It’s a crime, effectively rape of an animal, since an animal cannot consent to sex.

    As for King’s remark, shouldn’t I at least get to try to have a marriage as good as his super-marriage? I mean, maybe I’m doomed to failure, but I’d like a shot at it. Or is that ladder to be pulled up after you Nats too?

  9. chris73 9

    “The Right seems to be a collection of polygamy-curious, animal-loving, uber-lovers.” Gee way to tar everyone with the same brush…

  10. muzza 10

    This topic is simply a way of keeping people divided/distracted, just like the mythical left right slight of hand…

    Anyone really know why Colin Craig is being used the way he is currently, why all the air time all of a sudden! The quick answer could be to take some heat on behalf of the NACT, because they won’t front up over this issue, and or to try get him some face time for his party.

    I would not go with either of those two options myself, because both are a little too obvious and unnecessary imo.

    • Colin Craig seems to be having “issues” with his own sexuality?

      ” He was so sure that homosexuality was a choice, he bet his own sexuality on it.

      “Do you think you could choose to be gay if that is the case?,” he was asked.

      “Sure. Sure I could,” he responded.

      “You could choose to be gay?,” he was asked again.

      “Yea, if I wanted to,’ he replied. “

      Source: http://www.3news.co.nz/Colin-Craig-Gay-parents-not-good-role-models/tabid/1607/articleID/262919/Default.aspx

      What is it they say about fundamentalists who carp on about gays? Oh yes, “Methinks you doth protest too much, Mr Craig.”

      • David H 10.1.1

        “Colin Craig seems to be having “issues” with his own sexuality?”

        Why is it that when I see him he looks like he is dressed for school? It must be the ‘old’ school tie that he wears. But he comes across as a head prefect type, that used to roam the hallowed halls of education with a cane, and an unhealthy interest in younger boys.

        However with the amount of noise he is making over this, it also begs me to ponder if he is a closet queen. Just a thought, as you never hear anything from him unless its about this, or god. 2 of what could be unhealthy obsessions when put together. Ahh the good old days of catholic school.

    • Vicky32 10.2

      This topic is simply a way of keeping people divided/distracted, just like the mythical left right slight of hand…
       

      Absolutely, and it looks as if it’s working very well! To hell with identity politics, I say, when there are things that really matter, and people are suffering real oppression in other places.

  11. MrSmith 11

    42 years good for him.

    Personally I like steak and chips but I don’t want to have to eat them every night for 42 years, off the top of my head the NZ average for marriage is about 7 years, about the same as people moving house.

    Colin (the invisible man) King is a high achiever in-fact 6, or sex times the average at 42 years and hats off to him, but in 42 years of marriage something it would seem he hasn’t learned is tolerance, the tolerance to accept that his way may not be the only way.

  12. infused 12

    Waiting for the bill where I can have 10 wives. Oh yeah *rubs hands*

  13. RedLogix 13

    Personally I’d prefer that we stopped pretending that marriage had anything to do with ‘choosing the one you love’, and owned up to it’s reality … that marriage is about children and the dynastic accumulation of property. In this light most people will understand marriage to be a contract between one man and one woman. And it’s the only context in which such an arrangement makes much sense.

    In reality most people are not monogamous. The East traditionally did polygamy similtaneously; while in the West we do it sequentially. And both forms of course are highly paternalistic. Most people have somewhere between several and a dozen or so ‘significant’ sexual partners in their lifetime.

    Which is not to necessarily diminish them; often these pair-bonds do last a lifetime in one form or another, which given the length of the human lifespan and the enormous changes which occur over it is a remarkable thing. Nor is there any intrinsic reason why we might only love one person at a time; indeed if you set aside sex from the picture; we all love many, many people in our lives.

    But nonetheless the maps of our sexual lives are deeply complex and variable and the word marriage is far too narrow and rigid a thing to be a sole and reliable guide. Personally I’d prefer we left it alone as Colin Craig would have it. If we truly want to be ‘with the ones we love’ … then I’d say we should own that … and that we need a new word that is not so fundamentally tangled up with ownership, property and patriarchy as well.

    • bad12 13.1

      I believe that a lot of the Christian Fundamentalists still see marriage as a property right…

      • Roy 13.1.1

        That would explain a lot that I have never understood! So they can’t imagine two men getting married because who owns whom, and they can’t imagine two women getting married because dammit, women can’t own women. Makes a ghastly kind of sense if you are sick enough to believe that marriage is about owning a woman.

      • Funny how Christian Fundamentalists have this ‘urge’ to be concerned with other peoples’ sexuality and relationships… Quite unhealthy, really.

        Almost voyeuristic…

        • Roy 13.1.2.1

          They probably read the Old Testament too much. There is a lot of really sick stuff in there.

          • Colonial Viper 13.1.2.1.1

            Yeah OK, that’s revealing.

            • Roy 13.1.2.1.1.1

              Yeah I admit I’ve read the entire Bible, as have many of us atheists, because it gives us ammo for arguing with the religious.

      • Vicky32 13.1.3

        I believe that a lot of the Christian Fundamentalists still see marriage as a property right…

        Then I assume that you don’t actually know any Christians, fundamentalists or not. I spent decades in fundamentalist churches before deciding that I belonged elsewhere, and I’ve yet to meet a ‘fundamentalist’ as barking mad, foaming at the mouth evil as you claim. Neither, it goes without saying have I ever met one who “sees marriage as a property right”…

  14. Cactus Kate 14

    Colin Craig is a right winger when he supports asset sales. He doesn’t.
    He seems to conduct dodgy polls to find policy.
    But no doubt he’s a fundy. I don’t subscribe to such as a right winger
    As for John Banks he’s about as ACT as Zetetic is.

    • RedBlooded 14.1

      What’s this, implosion in the ACT camp? Camp in the loosest sense of the word of course. Wonder what values they’ll be teaching at the Destiny Charter School Kate?

      • Pascal's bookie 14.1.1

        I wonder what Mr Crimp of Southland thinks about marriage equality.

        Or John Banks for that matter. Cactus can prtend that Zet is the leader of the ACT party if she wants to of course. But it’s kind of weird.

        I recall that Dr Brash said he regretted voting against civil unions, and blathering on about how ‘protecting the institution of marriage’; but seeing he needed the support of right wingers the politics of it forced him to take the stance he did.

        Funny that.

      • David H 14.1.2

        But how can you have a complete education if Religion rears it’s head, all over the Evolution thing as being Ungodly and therefore not to be taught?.

        • Vicky32 14.1.2.1

          if Religion rears it’s head, all over the Evolution thing as being Ungodly and therefore not to be taught?.

          Except that is doesn’t, fantasist.

    • felix 14.2

      Kate these social issues, issues of fairness, power, justice and human rights are to a large degree the issues that define the right wing. Craig, in his ignorance and bigotry, is the very essence of an old fashioned backwards inbred shit-for-brains unevolved right wing conservative.

      The term you’re looking for OTOH is “money-grubbing neo-lib fuckjob”.

      ps Did you vote ACT, Kate? I ask because quite a few of your lot seem to understand that Banks isn’t really ACT but just a run-o-the-mill right-wing National party dickhead, but voted ACT anyway. Which (I think) makes them, despite all protestations, National supporters.

      • chris 14.2.1

        Kate made a post a while ago saying she was now “apolitical” because ACT under Banks is such a farce/clusterfuck.

        • felix 14.2.1.1

          Apolitical my arse. She falls snugly into the money-grubbing neo-lib fuckjob camp.

    • mike e 14.3

      Prickly subject for the borring one seems as colin craig is right up your ally.
      he would make a good trojan horse for the less than 1% party that was ACT.
      No doubt with your squilioons you can buy him off.

  15. Roy 15

    So when is Colin King’s “Guide to Sensational Sex” being published?

  16. King Kong 16

    By the way, someone should let Stephen Franks know that you can marry dogs. Just ask Peter Davis

  17. aerobubble 17

    I have no problem with gay marriage, the Churches and moral conservatives, by denying even civil unions pretty much dealt themselves out of the debate and look hypocritical now.

    The only misgiving I have is around adoption, where a child has both a male and a female parent. That children should be place as close to their own religious up bringing, their family arrangement, as is practicable.

    Well okay, two misgivings, but the second isn’t necessarily marriage related. The idea that some
    citizens should get access to both male and female support because of their sexual orientation.
    i.e. a women being able to access sperm banks without a active male presence in their kids life,
    until men can have children, human ova incubated, then there is no equality.

    These two issue should however not prevent gay marriage going ahead. If Churches and other
    groups wanted to keep marriage sacred they should be stopping government collect their
    marriage certifications, until they do its just more intolerance from the faithful in their faithless
    denial of their own supposed tolerance.

    • Tracey 17.1

      aerobubble do you support artificial means for those God has deemed biologically unsuitable to have children?

      I am guessing you accept that most child abuse goes on with a significant adult of each sex within a child’s life?

      • aerobubble 17.1.1

        should we genetically shape future generation to the hilt? Depends. If we want to spread our
        seed to the universe, hell yes. However creating children who are infertile like their parents,
        on the off chance that society collapses and they cannot breed, is rather stupid.

        I’m of the belief that blind people, autistic people, etc, are all credible niches that persist
        because they either directly help societies find compassion, or provide direct alternative
        viewpoints, or are necessary part of the genetic balancing act to keep our species trim and
        fit. i.e. if we were to destroy all autistics would we be a much dumber species genetically?
        Hell yes.

        Look at Africa, Africans are the most genetically diverse, and it shows, they need a much
        more effective societal paradigm to stabilize enough to defend their collective interests.
        Whereas you find authoritarianism find easy prey in their dealings with mum and dad investors.

        As for child abuse, its not genetic, its societal mostly, where males mostly are dismissed
        and unable to find dignity that a very few outliers blame their kids and smash them against the wall
        in frustration. Similarly a very few women, cannot use physical violence to expel their rage, they have however an armory of psychological weapons to destroy people with. Of course it would
        be irrational to actively consider outliers in any constructive, moral, or ethical discussion, as the
        central part of the debate.

        Men have rights too, men have the right to withdraw sperm from a sperm bank, this
        should never be a right for a women to withdraw sperm from a sperm bank, while
        this basic disenfranchisement exists any real debate with radical feminism is a waste of time.
        As its not an equal partnership.

  18. kiwi_prometheus 18

    Marriage is between a man and a woman. Only a heterosexual couple can procreate, gays have to buy a Rusisan or African gayby off the internet, or use artificial methods.

    That only a man and a woman can produce children needs recognition for the central role it plays in civilisation. That is what marriage does.

    That is why the self righteous squeal “I have the right to marry whoever I love!” misses the point.

    • chris73 18.1

      You’re a complete dick smack

    • Draco T Bastard 18.2

      We’ve had this discussion before. You were proved wrong then and yet you keep to the same beliefs? Yep, that proves that you’re delusional, close-minded, bigoted fuckwit.

    • prism 18.3

      kiwi-p
      The central role that having children has for civilisation – can be to break it down. Too many children and there is no time for parents or the village to instil culture or take an interest in them, if poor the necessity of finding food and water means little joy and parental time, the older children are babycarers while mother and father work to provide the family’s existence. Great civilisation!

      But by all means carry on touting your slogans, presumably you don’t want to know the reality. And the world is swelling with children and adults. It may be deciding it wants to abort some of us.

    • Vicky32 18.4

      That is why the self righteous squeal “I have the right to marry whoever I love!” misses the point.

      Seconded!

      • felix 18.4.1

        Really Vicky? So as a straight man I can’t get married unless I want to have children?

        Get the fuck out of my bedroom and don’t let the door smack your stupid bigoted arse on the way.

        • Tracey 18.4.1.1

          OR, don’t get married but still have children… oh wait…you can’t cos you are not married…

      • rosy 18.4.2

        So marriage for women over 50-ish is out of bounds? Good-oh.

    • aerobubble 18.5

      Lesbians have been having babies for millennium, and one partner dresses as a man. Only a dick would think it was unheard of.

  19. tracey 19

    Its scary to see what emerges when you scratch the surface of some folks. Franks comments are deeply offensive. He is entitled to his opinion but not to media time. If maori were compared to dogs we would hear from the race relations conciliator, and rightly so. My partner and I ARE IN OUR 22nd year. We are hard working, why should our worth be determineby words written by some folks invisible friend. When people hear voices they are medicated unless it is “god” they hear in which case my taxes will be used to help them to run a school! I deal with the fact that our society acknowldges and funds peoples right to have imaginary friends without insulting them until someone compares me to a dog. By all means believe in this imaginary friend but get funding for it?y isnt that the real travesty here?

    • mac1 20.1

      So, about three in ten marriages don’t make it to the silver 25th year anniversary. That’s interesting. I’d have thought more.

  20. Tracey 21

    Colin’s God would be quite disappointed with a 30% failure rate though.

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    How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log on iPhone Without a Computer: A StepbyStep Guide Losing your iPhone call history can be frustrating, especially when you need to find a specific number or recall an important conversation. But before you panic, know that there are ways to retrieve deleted call logs on your iPhone, even without a computer. This guide will explore various methods, ranging from simple checks to utilizing iCloud backups and thirdparty applications. So, lets dive in and recover those lost calls! 1. Check Recently Deleted Folder: Apple understands that accidental deletions happen. Thats why they introduced the Recently Deleted folder for various apps, including the Phone app. This folder acts as a safety net, storing deleted call logs for up to 30 days before permanently erasing them. Heres how to check it: Open the Phone app on your iPhone. Tap on the Recents tab at the bottom. Scroll to the top and tap on Edit. Select Show Recently Deleted. Browse the list to find the call logs you want to recover. Tap on the desired call log and choose Recover to restore it to your call history. 2. Restore from iCloud Backup: If you regularly back up your iPhone to iCloud, you might be able to retrieve your deleted call log from a previous backup. However, keep in mind that this process will restore your entire phone to the state it was in at the time of the backup, potentially erasing any data added since then. Heres how to restore from an iCloud backup: Go to Settings > General > Reset. Choose Erase All Content and Settings. Follow the onscreen instructions. Your iPhone will restart and show the initial setup screen. Choose Restore from iCloud Backup during the setup process. Select the relevant backup that contains your deleted call log. Wait for the restoration process to complete. 3. Explore ThirdParty Apps (with Caution): ...
    4 hours ago
  • How to Factory Reset iPhone without Computer: A Comprehensive Guide to Restoring your Device
    Life throws curveballs, and sometimes, those curveballs necessitate wiping your iPhone clean and starting anew. Whether you’re facing persistent software glitches, preparing to sell your device, or simply wanting a fresh start, knowing how to factory reset iPhone without a computer is a valuable skill. While using a computer with ...
    11 hours ago
  • How to Call Someone on a Computer: A Guide to Voice and Video Communication in the Digital Age
    Gone are the days when communication was limited to landline phones and physical proximity. Today, computers have become powerful tools for connecting with people across the globe through voice and video calls. But with a plethora of applications and methods available, how to call someone on a computer might seem ...
    12 hours ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #16 2024
    Open access notables Glacial isostatic adjustment reduces past and future Arctic subsea permafrost, Creel et al., Nature Communications: Sea-level rise submerges terrestrial permafrost in the Arctic, turning it into subsea permafrost. Subsea permafrost underlies ~ 1.8 million km2 of Arctic continental shelf, with thicknesses in places exceeding 700 m. Sea-level variations over glacial-interglacial cycles control ...
    12 hours ago
  • Where on a Computer is the Operating System Generally Stored? Delving into the Digital Home of your ...
    The operating system (OS) is the heart and soul of a computer, orchestrating every action and interaction between hardware and software. But have you ever wondered where on a computer is the operating system generally stored? The answer lies in the intricate dance between hardware and software components, particularly within ...
    12 hours ago
  • How Many Watts Does a Laptop Use? Understanding Power Consumption and Efficiency
    Laptops have become essential tools for work, entertainment, and communication, offering portability and functionality. However, with rising energy costs and growing environmental concerns, understanding a laptop’s power consumption is more important than ever. So, how many watts does a laptop use? The answer, unfortunately, isn’t straightforward. It depends on several ...
    12 hours ago
  • How to Screen Record on a Dell Laptop A Guide to Capturing Your Screen with Ease
    Screen recording has become an essential tool for various purposes, such as creating tutorials, capturing gameplay footage, recording online meetings, or sharing information with others. Fortunately, Dell laptops offer several built-in and external options for screen recording, catering to different needs and preferences. This guide will explore various methods on ...
    12 hours ago
  • How Much Does it Cost to Fix a Laptop Screen? Navigating Repair Options and Costs
    A cracked or damaged laptop screen can be a frustrating experience, impacting productivity and enjoyment. Fortunately, laptop screen repair is a common service offered by various repair shops and technicians. However, the cost of fixing a laptop screen can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article delves into the ...
    12 hours ago
  • How Long Do Gaming Laptops Last? Demystifying Lifespan and Maximizing Longevity
    Gaming laptops represent a significant investment for passionate gamers, offering portability and powerful performance for immersive gaming experiences. However, a common concern among potential buyers is their lifespan. Unlike desktop PCs, which allow for easier component upgrades, gaming laptops have inherent limitations due to their compact and integrated design. This ...
    12 hours ago
  • Climate Change: Turning the tide
    The annual inventory report of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions has been released, showing that gross emissions have dropped for the third year in a row, to 78.4 million tons: All-told gross emissions have decreased by over 6 million tons since the Zero Carbon Act was passed in 2019. ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    14 hours ago
  • How to Unlock Your Computer A Comprehensive Guide to Regaining Access
    Experiencing a locked computer can be frustrating, especially when you need access to your files and applications urgently. The methods to unlock your computer will vary depending on the specific situation and the type of lock you encounter. This guide will explore various scenarios and provide step-by-step instructions on how ...
    15 hours ago
  • Faxing from Your Computer A Modern Guide to Sending Documents Digitally
    While the world has largely transitioned to digital communication, faxing still holds relevance in certain industries and situations. Fortunately, gone are the days of bulky fax machines and dedicated phone lines. Today, you can easily send and receive faxes directly from your computer, offering a convenient and efficient way to ...
    15 hours ago
  • Protecting Your Home Computer A Guide to Cyber Awareness
    In our increasingly digital world, home computers have become essential tools for work, communication, entertainment, and more. However, this increased reliance on technology also exposes us to various cyber threats. Understanding these threats and taking proactive steps to protect your home computer is crucial for safeguarding your personal information, finances, ...
    15 hours ago
  • Server-Based Computing Powering the Modern Digital Landscape
    In the ever-evolving world of technology, server-based computing has emerged as a cornerstone of modern digital infrastructure. This article delves into the concept of server-based computing, exploring its various forms, benefits, challenges, and its impact on the way we work and interact with technology. Understanding Server-Based Computing: At its core, ...
    15 hours ago
  • Vroom vroom go the big red trucks
    The absolute brass neck of this guy.We want more medical doctors, not more spin doctors, Luxon was saying a couple of weeks ago, and now we’re told the guy has seven salaried adults on TikTok duty. Sorry, doing social media. The absolute brass neck of it. The irony that the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    15 hours ago
  • Jones finds $410,000 to help the government muscle in on a spat project
    Buzz from the Beehive Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones relishes spatting and eagerly takes issue with environmentalists who criticise his enthusiasm for resource development. He relishes helping the fishing industry too. And so today, while the media are making much of the latest culling in the public service to ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    16 hours ago
  • Again, hate crimes are not necessarily terrorism.
    Having written, taught and worked for the US government on issues involving unconventional warfare and terrorism for 30-odd years, two things irritate me the most when the subject is discussed in public. The first is the Johnny-come-lately academics-turned-media commentators who … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    19 hours ago
  • Despair – construction consenting edition
    Eric Crampton writes – Kainga Ora is the government’s house building agency. It’s been building a lot of social housing. Kainga Ora has its own (but independent) consenting authority, Consentium. It’s a neat idea. Rather than have to deal with building consents across each different territorial authority, Kainga Ora ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    19 hours ago
  • Coalition promises – will the Govt keep the commitment to keep Kiwis equal before the law?
    Muriel Newman writes – The Coalition Government says it is moving with speed to deliver campaign promises and reverse the damage done by Labour. One of their key commitments is to “defend the principle that New Zealanders are equal before the law.” To achieve this, they have pledged they “will not advance ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    19 hours ago
  • An impermanent public service is a guarantee of very little else but failure
    Chris Trotter writes –  The absence of anything resembling a fightback from the public servants currently losing their jobs is interesting. State-sector workers’ collective fatalism in the face of Coalition cutbacks indicates a surprisingly broad acceptance of impermanence in the workplace. Fifty years ago, lay-offs in the thousands ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    20 hours ago
  • What happens after the war – Mariupol
    Mariupol, on the Azov Sea coast, was one of the first cities to suffer almost complete destruction after the start of the Ukraine War started in late February 2022. We remember the scenes of absolute destruction of the houses and city structures. The deaths of innocent civilians – many of ...
    21 hours ago
  • Babies and benefits – no good news
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – Ten years ago, I wrote the following in a Listener column: Every year around one in five new-born babies will be reliant on their caregivers benefit by Christmas. This pattern has persisted from at least 1993. For Maori the number jumps to over one in three.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    22 hours ago
  • Should the RBNZ be looking through climate inflation?
    Climate change is expected to generate more and more extreme events, delivering a sort of structural shock to inflation that central banks will have to react to as if they were short-term cyclical issues. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    22 hours ago
  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours, as of 9:16 am on Thursday, April 18 are:Housing: Tauranga residents living in boats, vans RNZ Checkpoint Louise TernouthHousing: Waikato councillor says wastewater plant issues could hold up Sleepyhead building a massive company town Waikato Times Stephen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    22 hours ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the public sector carnage, and misogyny as terrorism
    It’s a simple deal. We pay taxes in order to finance the social services we want and need. The carnage now occurring across the public sector though, is breaking that contract. Over 3,000 jobs have been lost so far. Many are in crucial areas like Education where the impact of ...
    23 hours ago
  • Meeting the Master Baiters
    Hi,A friend had their 40th over the weekend and decided to theme it after Curb Your Enthusiasm fashion icon Susie Greene. Captured in my tiny kitchen before I left the house, I ending up evoking a mix of old lesbian and Hillary Clinton — both unintentional.Me vs Hillary ClintonIf you’re ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    1 day ago
  • How extreme was the Earth's temperature in 2023
    This is a re-post from Andrew Dessler at the Climate Brink blog In 2023, the Earth reached temperature levels unprecedented in modern times. Given that, it’s reasonable to ask: What’s going on? There’s been lots of discussions by scientists about whether this is just the normal progression of global warming or if something ...
    1 day ago
  • Backbone, revisited
    The schools are on holiday and the sun is shining in the seaside village and all day long I have been seeing bunches of bikes; Mums, Dads, teens and toddlers chattering, laughing, happy, having a bloody great time together. Cheers, AT, for the bits of lane you’ve added lately around the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • Ministers are not above the law
    Today in our National-led authoritarian nightmare: Shane Jones thinks Ministers should be above the law: New Zealand First MP Shane Jones is accusing the Waitangi Tribunal of over-stepping its mandate by subpoenaing a minister for its urgent hearing on the Oranga Tamariki claim. The tribunal is looking into the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago
  • What’s the outfit you can hear going down the gurgler? Probably it’s David Parker’s Oceans Sec...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point  of Order first heard of the Oceans Secretariat in June 2021, when David Parker (remember him?) announced a multi-agency approach to protecting New Zealand’s marine ecosystems and fisheries. Parker (holding the Environment, and Oceans and Fisheries portfolios) broke the news at the annual Forest & ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago
  • Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Bryce Edwards writes  – Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • Matt Doocey doubles down on trans “healthcare”
    Citizen Science writes –  Last week saw two significant developments in the debate over the treatment of trans-identifying children and young people – the release in Britain of the final report of Dr Hilary Cass’s review into gender healthcare, and here in New Zealand, the news that the ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • A TikTok Prime Minister.
    One night while sleeping in my bed I had a beautiful dreamThat all the people of the world got together on the same wavelengthAnd began helping one anotherNow in this dream, universal love was the theme of the dayPeace and understanding and it happened this wayAfter such an eventful day ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Texas Lessons
    This is a guest post by Oscar Simms who is a housing activist, volunteer for the Coalition for More Homes, and was the Labour Party candidate for Auckland Central at the last election. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    2 days ago
  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links at 6:06 am
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours as of 6:06 am on Wednesday, April 17 are:Must read: Secrecy shrouds which projects might be fast-tracked RNZ Farah HancockScoop: Revealed: Luxon has seven staffers working on social media content - partly paid for by taxpayer Newshub ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Fighting poverty on the holiday highway
    Turning what Labour called the “holiday highway” into a four-lane expressway from Auckland to Whangarei could bring at least an economic benefit of nearly two billion a year for Northland each year. And it could help bring an end to poverty in one of New Zealand’s most deprived regions. The ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago
  • Bernard's six-stack of substacks at 6:26 pm
    Tonight’s six-stack includes: launching his substack with a bunch of his previous documentaries, including this 1992 interview with Dame Whina Cooper. and here crew give climate activists plenty to do, including this call to submit against the Fast Track Approvals bill. writes brilliantly here on his substack ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • At a glance – Is the science settled?
    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 ...
    3 days ago
  • Apposite Quotations.
    How Long Is Long Enough? Gaza under Israeli bombardment, July 2014. This posting is exclusive to Bowalley Road. ...
    3 days ago
  • What’s a life worth now?
    You're in the mall when you hear it: some kind of popping sound in the distance, kids with fireworks, maybe. But then a moment of eerie stillness is followed by more of the fireworks sound and there’s also screaming and shrieking and now here come people running for their lives.Does ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Howling at the Moon
    Karl du Fresne writes –  There’s a crisis in the news media and the media are blaming it on everyone except themselves. Culpability is being deflected elsewhere – mainly to the hapless Minister of Communications, Melissa Lee, and the big social media platforms that are accused of hoovering ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Newshub is Dead.
    I don’t normally send out two newsletters in a day but I figured I’d say something about… the news. If two newsletters is a bit much then maybe just skip one, I don’t want to overload people. Alternatively if you’d be interested in sometimes receiving multiple, smaller updates from me, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Seymour is chuffed about cutting early-learning red tape – but we hear, too, that Jones has loose...
    Buzz from the Beehive David Seymour and Winston Peters today signalled that at least two ministers of the Crown might be in Wellington today. Seymour (as Associate Minister of Education) announced the removal of more red tape, this time to make it easier for new early learning services to be ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. Our political system is suffering from the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago
  • Was Hawkesby entirely wrong?
    David Farrar  writes –  The Broadcasting Standards Authority ruled: Comments by radio host Kate Hawkesby suggesting Māori and Pacific patients were being prioritised for surgery due to their ethnicity were misleading and discriminatory, the Broadcasting Standards Authority has found. It is a fact such patients are prioritised. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • PRC shadow looms as the Solomons head for election
    PRC and its proxies in Solomons have been preparing for these elections for a long time. A lot of money, effort and intelligence have gone into ensuring an outcome that won’t compromise Beijing’s plans. Cleo Paskall writes – On April 17th the Solomon Islands, a country of ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Climate Change: Criminal ecocide
    We are in the middle of a climate crisis. Last year was (again) the hottest year on record. NOAA has just announced another global coral bleaching event. Floods are threatening UK food security. So naturally, Shane Jones wants to make it easier to mine coal: Resources Minister Shane Jones ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • Is saving one minute of a politician's time worth nearly $1 billion?
    Is speeding up the trip to and from Wellington airport by 12 minutes worth spending up more than $10 billion? Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me in the last day to 8:26 am today are:The Lead: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Long Tunnel or Long Con?
    Yesterday it was revealed that Transport Minister had asked Waka Kotahi to look at the options for a long tunnel through Wellington. State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the ...
    3 days ago
  • Smoke And Mirrors.
    You're a fraud, and you know itBut it's too good to throw it all awayAnyone would do the sameYou've got 'em goingAnd you're careful not to show itSometimes you even fool yourself a bitIt's like magicBut it's always been a smoke and mirrors gameAnyone would do the sameForty six billion ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • What is Mexico doing about climate change?
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections The June general election in Mexico could mark a turning point in ensuring that the country’s climate policies better reflect the desire of its citizens to address the climate crisis, with both leading presidential candidates expressing support for renewable energy. Mexico is the ...
    3 days ago
  • State of humanity, 2024
    2024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?When I say 2024 I really mean the state of humanity in 2024.Saturday night, we watched Civil War because that is one terrifying cliff we've ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • Govt’s Wellington tunnel vision aims to ease the way to the airport (but zealous promoters of cycl...
    Buzz from the Beehive A pet project and governmental tunnel vision jump out from the latest batch of ministerial announcements. The government is keen to assure us of its concern for the wellbeing of our pets. It will be introducing pet bonds in a change to the Residential Tenancies Act ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • The case for cultural connectedness
    A recent report generated from a Growing Up in New Zealand (GUiNZ) survey of 1,224 rangatahi Māori aged 11-12 found: Cultural connectedness was associated with fewer depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms and better quality of life. That sounds cut and dry. But further into the report the following appears: Cultural connectedness is ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Useful context on public sector job cuts
    David Farrar writes –    The Herald reports: From the gory details of job-cuts news, you’d think the public service was being eviscerated.   While the media’s view of the cuts is incomplete, it’s also true that departments have been leaking the particulars faster than a Wellington ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell On When Racism Comes Disguised As Anti-racism
    Remember the good old days, back when New Zealand had a PM who could think and speak calmly and intelligently in whole sentences without blustering? Even while Iran’s drones and missiles were still being launched, Helen Clark was live on TVNZ expertly summing up the latest crisis in the Middle ...
    4 days ago
  • Govt ignored economic analysis of smokefree reversal
    Costello did not pass on analysis of the benefits of the smokefree reforms to Cabinet, emphasising instead the extra tax revenues of repealing them. Photo: Hagen Hopkins, Getty Images TL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me at 7:26 am today are:The Lead: Casey Costello never passed on ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • True Blue.
    True loveYou're the one I'm dreaming ofYour heart fits me like a gloveAnd I'm gonna be true blueBaby, I love youI’ve written about the job cuts in our news media last week. The impact on individuals, and the loss to Aotearoa of voices covering our news from different angles.That by ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Who is running New Zealand’s foreign policy?
    While commentators, including former Prime Minister Helen Clark, are noting a subtle shift in New Zealand’s foreign policy, which now places more emphasis on the United States, many have missed a key element of the shift. What National said before the election is not what the government is doing now. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #15
    A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 7, 2024 thru Sat, April 13, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week is about adults in the room setting terms and conditions of ...
    4 days ago
  • Feline Friends and Fragile Fauna The Complexities of Cats in New Zealand’s Conservation Efforts

    Cats, with their independent spirit and beguiling purrs, have captured the hearts of humans for millennia. In New Zealand, felines are no exception, boasting the highest national cat ownership rate globally [definition cat nz cat foundation]. An estimated 1.134 million pet cats grace Kiwi households, compared to 683,000 dogs ...

    5 days ago
  • Or is that just they want us to think?
    Nice guy, that Peter Williams. Amiable, a calm air of no-nonsense capability, a winning smile. Everything you look for in a TV presenter and newsreader.I used to see him sometimes when I went to TVNZ to be a talking head or a panellist and we would yarn. Nice guy, that ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago
  • Fact Brief – Did global warming stop in 1998?
    Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park in collaboration with members from our Skeptical Science team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Did global warming stop in ...
    5 days ago
  • Arguing over a moot point.
    I have been following recent debates in the corporate and social media about whether it is a good idea for NZ to join what is known as “AUKUS Pillar Two.” AUKUS is the Australian-UK-US nuclear submarine building agreement in which … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    6 days ago
  • No Longer Trusted: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.
    Turning Point: What has turned me away from the mainstream news media is the very strong message that its been sending out for the last few years.” “And what message might that be?” “That the people who own it, the people who run it, and the people who provide its content, really don’t ...
    6 days ago
  • Mortgage rates at 10% anyone?
    No – nothing about that in PM Luxon’s nine-point plan to improve the lives of New Zealanders. But beyond our shores Jamie Dimon, the long-serving head of global bank J.P. Morgan Chase, reckons that the chances of a goldilocks soft landing for the economy are “a lot lower” than the ...
    Point of OrderBy xtrdnry
    6 days ago
  • Sad tales from the left
    Michael Bassett writes –  Have you noticed the odd way in which the media are handling the government’s crackdown on surplus employees in the Public Service? Very few reporters mention the crazy way in which State Service numbers rocketed ahead by more than 16,000 during Labour’s six years, ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • In Whose Best Interests?
    On The Spot: The question Q+A host, Jack Tame, put to the Workplace & Safety Minister, Act’s Brooke van Velden, was disarmingly simple: “Are income tax cuts right now in the best interests of lowering inflation?”JACK TAME has tested another MP on his Sunday morning current affairs show, Q+A. Minister for Workplace ...
    6 days ago
  • Don’t Question, Don’t Complain.
    It has to start somewhereIt has to start sometimeWhat better place than here?What better time than now?So it turns out that I owe you all an apology.It seems that all of the terrible things this government is doing, impacting the lives of many, aren’t necessarily ‘bad’ per se. Those things ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago
  • Auckland faces 25% water inflation shock
    Three Waters became a focus of anti-Government protests under Labour, but its dumping by the new Government hasn’t solved councils’ funding problems and will eventually hit the back pockets of everyone. Photo: Lynn Grieveson/Getty ImagesTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me at 8:06 am today are:The Government ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • Small accomplishments and large ironies
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.Share Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • The Song of Saqua: Volume VII
    In order to catch up to the actual progress of the D&D campaign, I present you with another couple of sessions. These were actually held back to back, on a Monday and Tuesday evening. Session XV Alas, Goatslayer had another lycanthropic transformation… though this time, he ran off into the ...
    6 days ago
  • Accelerating the Growth Rate?
    There is a constant theme from the economic commentariat that New Zealand needs to lift its economic growth rate, coupled with policies which they are certain will attain that objective. Their prescriptions are usually characterised by two features. First, they tend to be in their advocate’s self-interest. Second, they are ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    7 days ago

  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    9 hours ago
  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago
  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    16 hours ago
  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners.  “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago
  • Government backing mussel spat project
    The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago
  • Government focused on getting people into work
    Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago
  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    22 hours ago
  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
    Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
    Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
    Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector.    "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
    The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
    Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
    Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.   Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ ties
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.  During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Antarctica New Zealand Board appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has made further appointments to the Board of Antarctica New Zealand as part of a continued effort to ensure the Scott Base Redevelopment project is delivered in a cost-effective and efficient manner.  The Minister has appointed Neville Harris as a new member of the Board. Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Finance Minister travels to Washington DC
    Finance Minister Nicola Willis will travel to the United States on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Five Finance Ministers group, with counterparts from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.  “I am looking forward to meeting with our Five Finance partners on how we can work ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Pet bonds a win/win for renters and landlords
    The coalition Government has today announced purrfect and pawsitive changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to give tenants with pets greater choice when looking for a rental property, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Pets are important members of many Kiwi families. It’s estimated that around 64 per cent of New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being considered
    State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the Government has also asked NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to consider and provide advice on a Long Tunnel option, Transport Minister Simeon Brown ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • New Zealand condemns Iranian strikes
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel.    “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says.    "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plans
    Hundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand Chair
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board.   “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti.  “I have asked her to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Roads of National Significance planning underway
    The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Navigating an unstable global environment
    New Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States.    “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • NZ welcomes Australian Governor-General
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Pseudoephedrine back on shelves for Winter
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced that Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Pharmaceutical suppliers have indicated they may be able to supply the first products in June. “This is much earlier than the original expectation of medicines being available by 2025. The Government recognised ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • NZ and the US: an ever closer partnership
    New Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Joint US and NZ declaration
    April 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • NZ and US to undertake further practical Pacific cooperation
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced further New Zealand cooperation with the United States in the Pacific Islands region through $16.4 million in funding for initiatives in digital connectivity and oceans and fisheries research.   “New Zealand can achieve more in the Pacific if we work together more urgently and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government redress for Te Korowai o Wainuiārua
    The Government is continuing the bipartisan effort to restore its relationship with iwi as the Te Korowai o Wainuiārua Claims Settlement Bill passed its first reading in Parliament today, says Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith. “Historical grievances of Te Korowai o Wainuiārua relate to 19th century warfare, land purchased or taken ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Focus on outstanding minerals permit applications
    New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals is working to resolve almost 150 outstanding minerals permit applications by the end of the financial year, enabling valuable mining activity and signalling to the sector that New Zealand is open for business, Resources Minister Shane Jones says.  “While there are no set timeframes for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Applications open for NZ-Ireland Research Call
    The New Zealand and Irish governments have today announced that applications for the 2024 New Zealand-Ireland Joint Research Call on Agriculture and Climate Change are now open. This is the third research call in the three-year Joint Research Initiative pilot launched in 2022 by the Ministry for Primary Industries and Ireland’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Tenancy rules changes to improve rental market
    The coalition Government has today announced changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to encourage landlords back to the rental property market, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “The previous Government waged a war on landlords. Many landlords told us this caused them to exit the rental market altogether. It caused worse ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Boosting NZ’s trade and agricultural relationship with China
    Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay will visit China next week, to strengthen relationships, support Kiwi exporters and promote New Zealand businesses on the world stage. “China is one of New Zealand’s most significant trade and economic relationships and remains an important destination for New Zealand’s products, accounting for nearly 22 per cent of our good and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Freshwater farm plan systems to be improved
    The coalition Government intends to improve freshwater farm plans so that they are more cost-effective and practical for farmers, Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay have announced. “A fit-for-purpose freshwater farm plan system will enable farmers and growers to find the right solutions for their farm ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New Fast Track Projects advisory group named
    The coalition Government has today announced the expert advisory group who will provide independent recommendations to Ministers on projects to be included in the Fast Track Approvals Bill, say RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones. “Our Fast Track Approval process will make it easier and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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