Own our future
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Date published: 8:48 am, October 6th, 2022 - 38 comments
Categories: auckland supercity, efeso collins, elections, local body elections, local government, supercity
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This year’s Local Government election is reaching a critical stage. And it is vital to get the right people elected. Please make sure that your families and friends vote for progressive candidates. Your kids and your grandkids futures depend on it.
Open mike 07/10/2022
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Date published: 6:00 am, October 7th, 2022 - 56 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Daily review 06/10/2022
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Date published: 5:30 pm, October 6th, 2022 - 41 comments
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other …
Open mike 06/10/2022
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Date published: 6:00 am, October 6th, 2022 - 87 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Daily review 05/10/2022
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Date published: 5:30 pm, October 5th, 2022 - 41 comments
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other …
Open mike 05/10/2022
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Date published: 6:00 am, October 5th, 2022 - 130 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Daily review 04/10/2022
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Date published: 5:30 pm, October 4th, 2022 - 14 comments
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other …
What if we had a Transition Enabling Act?
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Date published: 6:05 am, October 4th, 2022 - 74 comments
At a time when we are inundated with news of the end of the world, ideas of the way through are crucial. This one is brilliant – legislation that would enable all the things we need for Transition to happen. The great potential here is for change in a climate-meaningful timeframe.
Open mike 04/10/2022
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Date published: 6:00 am, October 4th, 2022 - 60 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Daily review 03/10/2022
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Date published: 5:30 pm, October 3rd, 2022 - 18 comments
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other …
Sometimes in our quest for what is perfect we forget what has been achieved
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Date published: 11:40 am, October 3rd, 2022 - 36 comments
A list of improvements in workers’ rights that Labour has been able to achieve since gaining power in 2017.
The difference between Simon Wilson and Mike Hosking
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Date published: 9:28 am, October 3rd, 2022 - 47 comments
Wayne Brown’s mayoral campaign hit a really big pothole on the weekend when he was caught bad mouthing Herald reporter Simon Wilson. His comments received a lot of support from the right on social media who made comments about Wilson similar to the comments the left make about Mike Hosking. Are these examples of the same phenomenon, political bias against critical commentators?
Open mike 03/10/2022
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Date published: 6:00 am, October 3rd, 2022 - 90 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
A few notes on how to get out of this mess
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Date published: 6:05 am, October 2nd, 2022 - 7 comments
“In an unstable complex system, small islands of coherence have the potential to change the whole system.” – Ilya Progogine.
Open mike 02/10/2022
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Date published: 6:00 am, October 2nd, 2022 - 102 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Open mike 01/10/2022
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Date published: 6:00 am, October 1st, 2022 - 98 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Daily review 30/09/2022
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Date published: 5:30 pm, September 30th, 2022 - 10 comments
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other …
Local Body Election voting options: Taranaki Regional Council and Urs Signer
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Date published: 12:50 pm, September 30th, 2022 - 57 comments
Urs Signer is standing for the Taranaki Regional Council, and is speaking a lot of sense about working with farmers, iwi and greenies for a Just Transition.
If Truss was the answer it is difficult to work out what the question was
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Date published: 9:34 am, September 30th, 2022 - 50 comments
Liz Truss has been UK Prime Minister for just over three weeks. Instead of enjoying a honeymoon in a short term she has crashed the UK economy and political support for her party and her days must be numbered.
Open mike 30/09/2022
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Date published: 6:00 am, September 30th, 2022 - 67 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Daily review 29/09/2022
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Date published: 5:30 pm, September 29th, 2022 - 46 comments
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other …
Even more proof that Conservatives are not good economic managers
Written By:
Date published: 11:44 am, September 29th, 2022 - 61 comments
There has been this carefully crafted illusion that conservative politicians are somehow better with the finances than progressive politicians. Recent events in the United Kingdom suggest that this illusion is terribly misplaced.
Caption contest
Written By:
Date published: 7:00 am, September 29th, 2022 - 55 comments
Keep it seemly.
Open mike 29/09/2022
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Date published: 6:00 am, September 29th, 2022 - 68 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Daily review 28/09/2022
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Date published: 5:30 pm, September 28th, 2022 - 27 comments
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other …
Comrade Chris wants to solve Aotearoa’s housing crisis
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Date published: 9:05 am, September 28th, 2022 - 64 comments
Something unusual has happened. Chris Bishop, or as we should now call him Comrade Chris, has come out fully in favour of a vast expansion of the provision of social housing for kiwis.
Open mike 28/09/2022
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Date published: 6:00 am, September 28th, 2022 - 40 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Putin and Protest
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Date published: 8:04 pm, September 27th, 2022 - 16 comments
Interesting to see how the Russian protest plays out over conscription. Odd things happen in gatherings with tyrants. Jan 6 was one. But Romania 1989 was one Putin will know well.
Daily review 27/09/2022
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Date published: 5:30 pm, September 27th, 2022 - 39 comments
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other …
Open mike 27/09/2022
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Date published: 6:00 am, September 27th, 2022 - 135 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
The world needs more Izzy Cooks and fewer Heather Du Plessis-Allans
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Date published: 10:42 am, September 26th, 2022 - 92 comments
Just when you thought that talk back radio could not be worse there has been a recent incident where Heather Du Plessis-Allan basically bullied a young woman who wants to make the world a better place.
- Bryce Edwards: Faafoi’s lobbying position should be illegal
Probably the most corrupt and broken part of the New Zealand political system is the role of corporate lobbyists influencing policy decisions of governments on behalf of vested interests. This is a group of political insiders – usually former politicians, party staffers or senior Beehive officials – who work at ...60 mins ago - Understanding Colonisation.
Relentless Advance: The Anglo-Saxon colonisation of North America and Australasia was a very different proposition from the colonisation of India and Africa. In a relatively short period of time the indigenous peoples of Canada, the United States, Australia and New Zealand were reduced to insignificant minorities by an unceasing flood ...4 hours ago - Gordon Campbell on how the Christchurch Call serves Big Tech
At this point in 2022, the Christchurch Call looks like a somewhat forlorn effort to keep alive some of the political good will that PM Jacinda Ardern earned from her response to the mosque shootings. Reportedly, the next Christchurch Call project will be a joint research effort with Twitter and ...5 hours ago - The Problem Of Evil.5 hours ago
- Skeptical Science New Research for Week #40 2022
Experts agree: Pay attention and drive In a commentary for AGU's journal Earth's Future, Wynes et al. call attention to the durability of climate change as humankind's chief environmental threat among risks “which could put us on a path toward irreversible or catastrophic outcomes that manifest after the 10-year timespan," this belief shown as common ...19 hours ago - Labour: From standing for something to standing for nothing
Writing in Stuff, Morgan Godfery argues that Labour has forgotten why it won the 2020 election: Politics is more than just killing a bad run of stories in the latest media cycle. Politics requires stated aims and actions taken to secure them. Politicians are fearful of leaning too ...22 hours ago - Austerity is murderOver in the UK, the radical Tory government is planning more benefit cuts to screw the poor. Meanwhile, there's also a timely reminder of exactly what that means: mass-murder: More than 330,000 excess deaths in Great Britain in recent years can be attributed to spending cuts to public services ...23 hours ago
- Climate Change; Solving the forestry dilemmaFor a long time now the Climate Change Commission has been expressing concerns about the place of forestry in the Emissions Trading Scheme. Our net-zero emissions target encourages us to plant trees to soak up our emissions, but if we plant too many, then carbon prices will be too low ...1 day ago
- Dunedin Spring Snowglobe: 2022 Edition
I hate daylight saving. I really do. It’s the loss of an hour in the morning that just messes with me. But the arrival of daylight saving in mid-September is as good an indication as any that summer is on the way. Alas, the weather has had other ideas… ...1 day ago - Pressure Towards The Mean: Do We Really Want To Abolish Streaming?Levelling Down: What will happen when streaming is no more? Will the children of New Zealand emerge from the public education system with the skills and qualifications necessary to foot-it in the modern world? Or, will their education be limited to whatever the least engaged and least talented students allow ...1 day ago
- Political Roundup: 6 October 2022Items of interest and importance today LOBBYING BY KRIS FAAFOI Thomas Cranmer: Political lobbying in New Zealand David Farrar: From Cabinet straight to lobbying Giles Dexter and Russell Palmer (RNZ): Faafoi rejects criticism over new lobbying boss role No Right Turn: Close this revolving door POLITICAL DONATIONS HIGH COURT TRIAL ...1 day ago
- From the eMail bag: A Review of a paper by Ellis and PalmerWe occasionally receive excellent questions and/or comments by email or via our contact form and have then usually corresponded with the emailer directly. But, some of the questions and answers deserve a broader audience, so we decided to highlight some of them in a series of blog posts. Yet, again, an ...2 days ago
- Close this revolving doorStuff reports that former Minister Kris Faafoi has become a lobbyist, planning to distort policy for profit by leveraging the relationships formed as a Minister with public servants and Ministerial colleagues. And in case anyone thinks I'm exaggerating there, its in his slogan: "results through relationships". This is, obviously, corrupt. ...2 days ago
- Bryce Edwards: No confidence in dire local govt electionsThe “No Confidence” vote in local body elections could be as high as 60 per cent by the end of this week. That’s essentially what it is when only 40 per cent of the public choose to vote, which is what is happening at the moment. In fact, voter turnout ...2 days ago
- Gordon Campbell on student debt, policy turns and the BethsIt is an old point to make… But boomers did get a pretty good deal out of their free education and plentiful unionised vacation jobs. Then they got into power and cut taxes on their own incomes, thus going a long way to denying the same privileges to subsequent generations. ...2 days ago
- Anti-Liberation Theology.Not Light Viewing: Did the creators of the 1971 television series The Guardians intuitively grasp the political utility of religious extremism, or did somebody they met in a bar tell them? The early 1970s were a dangerous and dubious time. Shadowy figures gathered in great houses and plotted coups. Assassination ...2 days ago
- The “endorsement” you give when you want someone to loseVoting in the local body elections closes at noon on Saturday, and today was the last day to post your votes to be sure they got there in time. So naturally, today was the day Jacinda Ardern chose to finally "endorse" Auckland mayoral candidate Efeso Collins: Prime Minister Jacinda ...3 days ago
- Second Time Around.Cynical Assumptions: British Prime Minister Liz Truss and her Chancellor of the Exchequer, Kwasi Kwarteng, appeared to be operating on the cynical assumption that there is insufficient historical memory available to the British political class for anyone to recall that her “supply-side economics” remedy has been applied, off-and-on, and always catastrophically, ...3 days ago
- Missing the forest for the trees.
The Tertiary Education Union (TEU) has announced with considerable fanfare that members at eight NZ universities have voted overwhelmingly (a claimed average of 80 percent in favour) to strike in pursuit of an eight percent wage increase in the current negotiating round. I used to be a member of the ...3 days ago - Political Roundup: 4 October 2022Items of interest and importance today LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS Josh Van Veen (Democracy Project): Efeso vs. Wayne: A different kind of mayor? Mike Yardley (Stuff): Who will lead Christchurch into the future? Phillip Mills (Herald): A healthy city runs on hope, not hostility (paywalled) 1News: New Zealand’s youngest local councillors ...3 days ago
- Jacqui Van Der Kaay: Local government elections matterVoter turnout in local body elections is traditionally low and now, more than halfway through this year’s election period, this trend looks likely to continue. Turnout has been below 50 percent since 2004 and in 2019 was 42 percent – around half the turnout for national elections. Voter turnout is ...3 days ago
- Josh Van Veen: Efeso vs. Wayne: A different kind of mayor?The 2022 local elections have failed to excite Aucklanders. Early voting returns suggest turnout won’t be much different to 2019, when only 35.3% of eligible voters cast a ballot. But the contest for mayor is a fascinating case study in political leadership and the role of ideology. For the first ...3 days ago
- Thinking of buying an EV? Hurry up … and wait … or?This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Jan Ellen Spiegel The rush to buy for many is on when it comes to thinking about electric vehicles, EVs. Hurry and buy now? Maybe. Wait and buy later? Maybe. It’s complicated. And that’s not just because of the new Inflation Reduction ...3 days ago
- Why police ignored the OmbudsmanBack in June, the Ombudsman found that the police were unlawfully delaying OIA requests to notify Ministers under the "no surprises policy". The police said they had changed their process. But then they immediately changed it back, raising questions about whether they had lied to the Ombudsman. So how did ...4 days ago
- Bryce Edwards: TOP offering the transformation lacking in other partiesThe Opportunities Party (TOP) is putting other political parties to shame with its bold and innovative policies. Yesterday TOP announced their latest tax, housing, and income policies, and they were the sort of bold and transformative innovations that supporters of parties like Labour and the Greens have been desperately wanting ...4 days ago
- Gordon Campbell on why New Zealand isn’t heavily taxedAllegedly, New Zealand is a highly taxed country with a government prone to big spending. Supposedly, that’s why we need to scrap the top tax rate, in order to attract and retain top talent. National’s deputy leader Nicola Willis said exactly that last week, when trying to defend National’s plan ...4 days ago
- Shifting the windowTOP has always been a pretty progressive party - in 2017 they campaigned on a universal basic income and a (complicated) property tax (as well as arrogance and cat-hating). Their new leadership is now pushing a simpler version: switching taxes from income to land: The Opportunities Party has hung ...4 days ago
- National believes tax cuts to the rich will save us? The man who helped create this myth says such p...
Christopher Luxon and Nicola Willis took turns to trot out their tax cut plan in the last week or so, or whatever passes for one over that side of the fence, and while both absolutely know they’re struggling to sell the benefits of this to anyone not actually either ...5 days ago - Lighting Lava Lamps: A Review and Analysis of The Rings of Power, Episode 6
We are now officially three-quarters through the first season of The Rings of Power. After a thoroughly disappointing fifth episode, I feel the series is back on track, though the sixth episode is sufficiently distinct from its predecessors that it makes comparing them a bit difficult. Indeed, it has ...5 days ago - Wayne Brown – Arsehole of the Week
You’ve got to wonder at the mental capacity of Auckland Mayoral candidate, Wayne Brown, after he was exposed airing his childish grievances about senior NZ Herald reporter, Simon Wilson. I mean what exactly makes Mr Brown think that such disgusting comments are warranted, let alone to Newshub reporters who are ...5 days ago - 2022 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #39A chronological listing of news articles posted on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, Sep 25, 2022 thu Sat, Oct 1, 2022. Food for Thought What the Climate Movement Can Learn From Collective Trauma Healing Practices for helping large groups of people integrate traumatic histories could inform ...5 days ago
- 2022 General Reading: September (+ Writing Update)
Completed reads for September: The Finnsburh Fragment (poem) Vainglory (poem), by Anonymous Soul and Body (poem) (2 versions), by Anonymous Solomon and Saturn (poem), by Anonymous The Partridge (poem), by Anonymous Almsgiving (poem), by Anonymous Pharaoh (poem), by Anonymous The Lord’s Prayer [Exeter Book] (poem), by Anonymous Descent ...6 days ago - Three Waters: Yet Again a Centralist Solution is Being Imposed Upon Local Communities
The proposal to organise fresh water, storm water and waste water into four entities reflects the contempt that New Zealand’s central government has for local communities. It is not the only example of the centre ignoring the localities. Other recent examples include overriding local preferences in voting arrangements and excluding ...7 days ago - Labour’s law threatens nurses pay claim
by Don Franks Their special winter bonus ending, overworked New Zealand nurses want an ongoing payment to reflect the pressure on nurses working extra hours. Nurses are set to turn down all extra shifts next week and the new health authority Te Whatu Ora is running to the law. In ...1 week ago - https://www.kiwipolitico.com/?p=17527...1 week ago
- Bryce Edwards: Political Roundup: Te Pāti Māori and vested interestsControversial Māori politician and president of Te Pāti Māori, John Tamihere, is in hot water over large financial donations relating to his 2019 Auckland Mayoral campaign and Te Pāti Māori’s 2020 election campaign. For him and his supporters, the allegations are “inherently racist”. For others, they illustrate that there are ...1 week ago
- Reality Bites.Repeat After Me: Te Ao Maori is a metaphor, not a place. Te Tiriti o Waitangi is not a bridge, it is a highly contentious political document. Human-beings inhabit one world, not many.KELVIN DAVIS believes that Karen Chhour is looking at the world through a “vanilla lens”. Racially-charged sentiments of this sort used ...1 week ago
- They Call It “Democracy” – But They’re Lying.What’s in the envelope? Why, Democracy – of course!ON THE EVIDENCE to date, the turnout for this year’s local government elections will plumb new depths. Some will blame indifference, others apathy, and a courageous few will interpret the record low turnout as proof that democracy itself is failing.The case that democracy is failing ...1 week ago
- Worse Crimes.Retailers’ Worst Nightmare: Bowing to hardliners’ demands that young offenders be incarcerated might produce a short-term fix. It might also satisfy at least some of the public’s thirst for vengeance. But, the introduction of a policy that even its advocates realise is bound to make matters worse, is like sowing dragons’ ...1 week ago
- Kalevala Comments: Tolkien Influences and the Translations
For the first time in nearly twenty years, I’ve been reading through Kalevala, or at least an English translation thereof. Back then it was the old Kirby translation (1907), having swapped over from Crawford (1888). Now I’ve finished reading Bosley (1989). I have some thoughts to offer about these ...1 week ago - Skeptical Science New Research for Week #39 2022Pantone Chart of moral staining In the daily grind of cranking out PR engineered to soothe consumers and keep them cemented into undesirable behaviors, it's probably an unconscious matter to become distant from disturbing thoughts such as "1/3rd of a country of 220 million went underwater last month and I likely ...1 week ago
- (Some) justice for “three strikes”Last year, the Supreme Court ruled on National's (now-repealed) unjust "three strikes" law, and ruled that the sentences it required were so disproportionate as to "shock the conscience" and violate the Bill of Rights Act ban on disproportionately severe treatment or punishment. Today, they've the High Court has ruled that ...1 week ago
- Bryce Edwards: Public sector bosses must be held accountable for undermining transparencyPublic service bosses earn mega-salaries, yet oversee bureaucracies that frequently undermine transparency and frustrate public and media scrutiny. The obvious answer is to start docking the pay of chief executives for the failures of their agencies. This is the upshot of an investigation by the Chief Ombudsman’s Office into the ...1 week ago
- More Labour secrecyToday the government introduced its Worker Protection (Migrant and Other Employees) Bill to the House. And as has become sadly common for this government, it includes another secrecy clause. To help Immigration do their job and ensure migrant workers ar ebeing paid, there's a power enabling them to obtain employment ...1 week ago
- Graeme Edgeler: The Periodic Review of the Intelligence and Security Act 2017When the Intelligence and Security Act was passed in 2017, it required that every five to seven years, that the Intelligence Agencies and the Act itself be reviewed. Following from the Report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the terrorist attack on Christchurch masjidain, the review was moved up. ...1 week ago
- Gordon Campbell on why nothing succeeds like failureAs predicted in this column on Tuesday, the Bank of England has finally intervened to bail Britain out of its self-inflicted economic crisis. The Bank has introduced emergency measures to halt the headlong fall in the British currency triggered by the tax cut package that the Truss government unveiled last ...1 week ago
- “Fighting for Inches” in the Southeast’s Struggle With SaltThis is a re-post from Circle of Blue by Hannah Richter Saltwater intrusion threatens coastal agriculture on the Delmarva Peninsula and in the Carolinas. Thousands of acres are already unable to be farmed. Conservation easements can facilitate a transition of cropland to salt marsh, providing numerous ...1 week ago
- If we can’t trust the Ombudsman, who can we trust?Today the Ombudsman released Ready or Not, a followup to their 2015 report Not a Game of Hide and Seek. And the first revelation in it? That the Ombudsman lied to me. Last year, I'd grown curious about what problems had been identified in Not a Game of Hide and ...1 week ago
- Studying hurricanes at sea to save lives on shoreThis is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Kristen Pope NOAA oceanographer Greg Foltz knew it was going to be a long night last fall when he saw Hurricane Sam‘s trajectory. Glued to the National Hurricane Center data, Foltz, who works in NOAA’s Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory in Miami, examined ...1 week ago
- The SFO and the right to silenceNewsroom today has an article asking Is the SFO too powerful for its own good?. The article is about the NZ First Foundation fraud trial, and much of it is about the allegation that Labour politicians were charged and questioned solely to protect the SFO from expected government moves to ...1 week ago
- The police are out of controlOn Friday, RNZ carried a story about the police use of Auror, a private surveillance network. Police use it to track people and vehicles using ANPR, washing their hands of any legal restrictions or privacy obligations because the actual surveillance is being done by a private company. That's bad enough, ...1 week ago
- Gordon Campbell on what Britain’s tax cutting spree means for usWell, that didn’t take long. Briefly, the pageantry of the royal funeral had made Britain look like a world power again. But last Friday’s package of tax cuts and borrowing announced by the UK’s new Chancellor, Kwasi Karteng, has spooked investors, caused markets to tumble, and sent the pound crashing ...1 week ago
- Geoffrey Miller: Jacinda Ardern’s tilt towards the West continues at the UNJacinda Ardern intends to continue a more pro-Western foreign policy strategy, if her agenda from a hectic week of diplomacy is anything to go by. New Zealand’s Prime Minister met with four G7 leaders – Liz Truss, Joe Biden, Justin Trudeau and Emmanuel Macron – in various settings while she ...1 week ago
- Warming climate makes extreme hurricane rains more likely for Puerto RicoThis is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Jeff Masters and Bob Henson On September 20, 2017, Hurricane Maria hit the southeast coast of Puerto Rico as a category 4 hurricane with 155 mph winds, making it the strongest hurricane to make landfall on the island since 1928. Maria dumped ...1 week ago
- Old Prejudices In New Packages.Charisma. Style. Fascism? The rest of Europe is looking on aghast at Italy’s electoral behaviour. Giorgia Meloni’s Fratelli d’Italia (Brothers of Italy) party traces its ideological lineage all the way back to Mussolini’s fascists. Indeed, she has been known to proclaim the original fascists’ slogan: “God, Country, Family”; at her party’s ...2 weeks ago
- Crackpot Theory: The Real Sauron in The Rings of Power
The Rings of Power has yet to unveil Annatar. Or, as you might also know him, Sauron. As it currently stands, the invented Adar is the major on-screen villain, while the show has been gleefully dangling potential Annatar candidates in front of the viewer, to the point where “Everyone ...2 weeks ago - 2022 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #38A chronological listing of news articles posted on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, Sep 18, 2022 thu Sat, Sep 24, 2022. Story of the Week Tipping points: How could they shape the world’s response to climate change? The Larsen Ice Shelf is situated along the ...2 weeks ago
- The power and privilege of the professional managerial classBryce Edwards examines how politics got captured by the middle class, and why it’s a problem (Reprinted from the Democracy Project, 8 September 2022) One of the world’s leading progressive political thinkers and journalists died last week. Barbara Ehrenreich was 81 years old, had written more than 20 books and ...2 weeks ago
- A Crystal Mith Problem: A Review and Analysis of The Rings of Power, Episode 5
Well. That was something else. Hot on the heels of The Rings of Power’s first unapologetically good episode, we now encounter its first unapologetically bad one. As you might have noticed, I have been generally positive – or at least charitable – about the show, but I cannot in ...2 weeks ago - Business as usual then? “Goodbye” Covid, Seymour rants, Uffindell is “cleared”… and Big Bu...
A pandemic is declared “over” by the US President (but let’s not fool ourselves because it’s not really), world leaders gather at the UN in person after zooming in over the last few years even as tensions escalate in Ukraine, extremism continues to rise worldwide and also locally, all ...2 weeks ago - Real royalty dying off
Jean Luc Godard and Hilary Mantel within a few days of each other?FFS, 2022. Juck fuck off already. ...2 weeks ago - Should We Be Relying On Storing Waste Carbon in Trees?
The carbon, energy and dollar cycles do not integrate well. The strategy of mitigating global warming by sequesting carbon in trees involves three separate cycles: a carbon cycle, an energy cycle and a dollar cycle. I am not sure they are well integrated. Our oil-based carbon cycle involves extracting underground ...2 weeks ago - Who to vote for in Palmerston North (2022)My local body voting papers arrived earlier in the week, so its time for the usual post in which I try and work out who I'm voting for. Essential tools for this have been Vote Climate, which looks at climate and public transport policy; Policy.nz, which gives a more general ...2 weeks ago
- Still striking for a futureIn 2017, Labour leader Jacinda Ardern said that climate change was "my generation's nuclear-free moment" and promised action. In 2019 and 2021 school students walked out of classrooms to demand she deliver. And today, they walked out again, because she still hasn't. The strikes are smaller today, because the movement ...2 weeks ago
- Fuck the economyStuff reports that bank economists are saying that 50,000 people need to be thrown out of work to control inflation: The current labour market was “very, very tight”, [ANZ chief economist Sharon Zollner] said, and bringing down inflation required “some spare capacity” in the labour market. It was a ...2 weeks ago
- Bryce Edwards: The Political mood of the business eliteThe New Zealand Herald has released the results of its annual “Mood of the Boardroom” survey today. Should we care what businesses think of politics, the economy and society? There’s a good argument that we should be more concerned with the “Mood of the Foodbank” or “Mood of the workers”. ...2 weeks ago
- Labour: From disappointment to deceitIn the 1980's and 1990's, Aotearoa faced a succession of governments who brazenly lied to the public, promising one thing to get elected, then doing something completely different in office. As revenge, we inflicted MMP on politicians, to saddle them with coalition partners and deprive them of the absolute majorities ...2 weeks ago
- The Magic Of Monarchy2 weeks ago
- An American Colony?
The end of the Queen’s reign has provided us here in New Zealand with a powerful and prolonged reminder of the extent to which our heritage is bound up with that of the United Kingdom. It may, therefore, be an odd moment to register what is becoming a significant change ...2 weeks ago - Skeptical Science New Research for Week #38 2022"Was it something I did?" Not so long ago Skeptical Science received email from a reader, subject: "Myth: increased deaths, harm to health and and destruction of property cannot be attributed to global warming." As a matter of intuition and the evidence in front of us, this certainly seems ...2 weeks ago
- Owlbears in Valinor: D&D Silliness with The Silmarillion
Some weeks ago, I finished DMing a three-session D&D outing with my usual circle of acquaintances. I had never actually DMed before, so it was a fun learning experience. Overall, I think I’m pretty decent at serving up a vaguely engaging story… my biggest weakness being combats. I am ...2 weeks ago - Gordon Campbell on ram-raids as a policy outcome, not a causeNew British PM Liz Truss is giving us a useful foretaste of what a change of government here next year would deliver: tax cuts, welfare reductions, law and order crackdowns, and further handouts to banks. On Friday, the new British Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng is expected to unveil a major “’fiscal ...2 weeks ago
- Hoist by his own petardIn 2017, in response to being criticised by anonymous bloggers, then-Samoan Prime Minister Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi restored the archaic colonial offence of criminal libel to Samoa's statute book, ramming it through parliament in under an hour. Now, he's being prosecuted under his own law [paywalled]: Police have perused a ...2 weeks ago
- DrawnA ballot for three member's bills was held today, and the following bills were drawn: Oranga Tamariki (Repeal of Section 7AA) Amendment Bill (Karen Chhour) Employment Relations (Restraint of Trade) Amendment Bill (Helen White) Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Cellar Door Tasting) Amendment Bill (Stuart Smith) ...2 weeks ago
- Bryce Edwards: Labour has given up on the poorWhat will it take for this Labour Government to start paying attention to the worsening state of economic inequality in New Zealand? The evidence is mounting that, under Labour’s watch, the problem of wealth and income inequality is spiralling. But the signs are that Labour ministers have put this crisis ...2 weeks ago
- Child poverty report shows need for urgent action
The Green Party is calling on the Government to immediately step up and provide families on the lowest incomes the support they need to thrive, the Green Party says. ...4 hours ago - Report shows reducing actual farming emissions vitalEvidence shows that relying on offsets to reduce agriculture’s impact on the climate will not work, the Green Party says. ...1 day ago
- Greens back uni strikes and call on Hipkins to bring sector to the tableThe Green Party is calling on the Minister of Education to bring the tertiary education sector together so we can urgently improve the pay and condition of university staff. ...1 day ago
- Time to ditch your tax plans, Mr. LuxonThe Conservative Party in the UK has ditched its inflationary tax cuts, and the National Party should do the same. ...2 days ago
- Green Party applauds strength of Iranian protestors and communitiesThe Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand applauds the strength of Iranian protestors and the communities supporting them in Iran and around the world, and condemns the violent actions of the Iranian regime. ...3 days ago
- Half a million mental health sessions
This week, we’ve marked a major milestone in our work on mental health – more than 500,000 sessions delivered through our Access and Choice programme. This programme, which enables Kiwis to get free mental support at their doctor or health centre, is just one of the ways we’re rebuilding New ...1 week ago - Time for the Electoral Commission to run local electionsRecent media coverage of the challenges facing local body elections, including people not receiving their voting papers and being told incorrectly that they are not eligible to vote, make it abundantly clear that the job of running our democracy should be given to the Electoral Commission. ...1 week ago
- Greens welcome step forward for Waimana whānauThe Government has finally agreed to meet with the whānau of Te Waimana Kaaku, a step the Green Party says must lead to warm, dry, secure homes being provided on their whenua and papakāinga. ...1 week ago
- Govt’s migrant worker plan an ambulance at the bottom of the cliffOnce again the Government has stopped short of making necessary changes that will end the exploitation of people who travel to Aotearoa to work. ...1 week ago
- Green Party launch child poverty campaignThe Green Party has published an open letter to the Prime Minister calling on the Government to make some small changes to Working for Families so it better meets the needs of low-income families. ...1 week ago
- More medicines for New ZealandersThousands more New Zealanders will soon have access to life-changing medicines, thanks to our Government’s record investments in Pharmac’s medicines budget. ...1 week ago
- Indigenous self-determination key to unlocking better futureData released today by the Human Rights Measurement Initiative shows why land must be returned to tangata whenua, the Green Party says. ...1 week ago
- Birth injuries bill celebrated – next step, full coverParents who are injured while giving birth will be better supported by ACC, thanks to months of pressure from the Green Party, parents, community advocacy groups, academics, and medical experts. ...1 week ago
- RSE expansion stops short of what’s neededToday’s expansion of the Recognised Seasonal Employer Scheme (RSE) fails to guarantee Pacific people traveling to Aotearoa for work a warm place to live, safe working conditions, and good pay. ...1 week ago
- Crown closes the door for Waimana Housing programmeThe Green Party is calling out the Government for its role in Te Waimana Kaaku whānau losing their deposits and the homes they were promised. ...1 week ago
- Swimmable rivers and healthy lakes could soon be out of reachThe Green Party is calling on the Government to tighten the rules on synthetic fertiliser use and intensive land use, including intensive winter grazing, after new monitoring data revealed almost two-thirds of monitored rivers and streams are in poor health. ...2 weeks ago
- Green Party backs School Strike demandsThe Green Party backs the demands of the School Strike for Climate. ...2 weeks ago
- Report shows urgent need to fix wealth inequalityA new report out today provides all evidence the Government needs to start addressing runaway inequality and rebalance Aotearoa to work for everyone. ...2 weeks ago
- No excuses, Minister: we need mandatory pay gap reporting right nowThe message is loud and clear: the Government must introduce mandatory pay gap reporting ...2 weeks ago
- Greens will keep fighting to strengthen democracyThe Green Party once again put electoral reform on the political agenda with the first reading of Golriz Ghahraman’s Strengthening Democracy member’s bill - only for it to be voted down by Labour. ...2 weeks ago
- Moratorium on deep sea mining a step closerFollowing months of pressure from the Green Party and environmental NGO and the public, the Minister for Foreign Affairs today confirmed that she is taking advice on whether the Government should support a moratorium on deep sea mining in international waters. ...2 weeks ago
- Green Party welcomes landmark commitments from health sector for ADHD progressGreen Party spokesperson for Mental Health, Chlöe Swarbrick, welcomes commitments from the Minister of Health to six key areas of progress for the ADHD community, which would together represent one of the largest changes for the ADHD community in a generation. ...3 weeks ago
- More than 4 million Cost of Living payments made
More than four million Cost of Living payments have now been made to provide timely support for low and middle income New Zealanders and soften the impact of inflation pressures. That number is expected to grow to more than six million payments once the remaining eligible people file their tax ...3 hours ago - Child poverty declines in spite of COVIDGovernment policy means child poverty measures improve during COVID-19 in contrast to them rising sharply during the GFC. There are 145,000 fewer children in hardship in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic than when hardship numbers peaked after the GFC in 2011. There were 70,000 more jobless households with children during ...4 hours ago
- KiwiRail to remain a State-Owned EnterpriseKiwiRail will remain a state-owned enterprise, allowing it to focus on transitioning its above-rail business to be financially self-sufficient, Ministers have announced today. “This Government has invested heavily in KiwiRail over several budgets to ensure that it is better placed to deliver on the Government’s objectives. As a state-owned enterprise, ...6 hours ago
- 55-hectares of Buller land purchased to protect native speciesTwo blocks of Buller land rich in native species have been purchased by the Crown to be protected in perpetuity as public conservation land, Minister of Conservation Poto Williams announced today. Acquired via the Nature Heritage Fund, one block is in the Punakaiki River valley adjoining the Paparoa National Park ...23 hours ago
- Strengthening the relationship with IndiaThe Foreign Minister says an historic visit to Aotearoa New Zealand by the Indian Foreign Minister provides an opportunity to strengthen the relationship in areas like people to people exchanges and climate action. Nanaia Mahuta today welcomed Minister of External Affairs Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar with a mihi whakatau ceremony and ...1 day ago
- Prime Minister’s Christmas Card CompetitionIt’s that time of year again! If you’d like to help design the Prime Minister’s official Christmas card, here’s how to take part: Draw, paint, sketch or craft an image you’d like to see on the front of this year’s Christmas card. It can be anything you want – ...1 day ago
- Construction starts on Taranaki’s largest ever roading projectAssociate Minister of Transport Kieran McAnulty was joined this morning by Ngāti Tama, local councillors and board members, project representatives, and community to mark the official start of construction on Taranaki’s largest ever roading project, Te Ara o Te Ata: Mt Messenger Bypass. “The work started today will make sure ...1 day ago
- Hundreds to benefit from additional maternal health supportThe Government’s Budget 2022 investment of $10.1 million over four years in maternal mental health will result in better and more widely available care for new and expectant mothers around the country. The funding will be invested to fill gaps in care identified by last year’s maternal mental health stocktake ...1 day ago
- Planting forests that are good for nature, climate, and the economyPublic consultation opens on how forests are managed through the National Environmental Standards for Plantation Forestry (NES-PF), including: Giving local councils more control over where forests are planted Managing the effects of exotic carbon forestry on nature Improving wildfire management in all forests. Addressing the key findings of the ...1 day ago
- Trade Minister heads to CPTPP Commission MeetingMinister for Trade and Export Growth, Damien O’Connor will travel to Singapore this week for the Sixth Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) Commission Meeting. “Continuing to build on our export growth is a key part of the Government’s economic plan. Our two way trade with the CPTPP bloc accounts ...2 days ago
- Strong Government books leave New Zealand well placed amid global challengesDeficit half of forecast at $9.7 billion; Deficits as a percentage of GDP running better than during GFC Net debt at 17.2 percent of GDP lower than Australia, UK, US and Canada. Core expenses $2.8 billion lower than forecast. Increased expenditure during year due to COVID-related expenses through unprecedented ...2 days ago
- Ministers outline next phase of Milford Opportunities ProjectThe Milford Opportunities Project is entering its next phase following a productive visit to Piopiotahi to hear directly from tourism operators, iwi and the unit undertaking feasibility planning, says Conservation Minister Poto Williams. In June 2021 Cabinet approved $15 million to fund the next stage of the Milford Opportunities Project, ...2 days ago
- Digital tools to make family violence support widely availableAssociate Minister for Social Development and Employment Priyanca Radhakrishnan has officially launched a suite of new digital tools to support people affected by family violence. “Family violence is a scourge on our society and violent behaviour of any kind is absolutely unacceptable. We are taking the important steps to modernise ...3 days ago
- Plan for big boost in GP training numbersMore support is being given to New Zealand medical graduates training to be GPs, as the Government continues its push to get more doctors into communities. “Growing the number of GPs is vital so we can fill today’s gaps and make sure we’ve got the doctors we need in the ...3 days ago
- 142,000 Kiwis helped by Healthy Homes InitiativeHospitalisations reduced by 19.8 percent School attendance increased by 3 percent Employment increased by 4 percent 100,000 interventions delivered, including insulation, heaters, curtains and repairs Nationwide rollout expected to be complete by the end of the year More than 31,000 children, pregnant people and 111,000 of their family members are ...4 days ago
- Minister of Defence departs for Middle EastMinister of Defence Peeni Henare has today departed for the Middle East where he will visit New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) personnel deployed within the region, including in Operation Gallant Phoenix in Jordan and the Multinational Force and Observers mission on the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt. The Minister will also undertake ...4 days ago
- Government funds work to clean up six contaminated sitesThe Government has announced funding to clean up six contaminated sites to reduce the risk to public health and protect the environment. “These six projects will help protect the public from health risks associated with hazardous materials, so New Zealanders can live in a cleaner, safer environment.” Environment Minister David Parker ...5 days ago
- Government partners with industry to reduce agricultural emissionsNew Zealand’s effort to reduce agricultural emissions has taken a step forward with the signing of a memorandum of understanding by Government with agribusiness leaders, in a joint venture as part of the new Centre for Climate Action on Agricultural Emissions, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor announced. The Ministry for Primary Industries signed ...5 days ago
- Vosa Vakaviti sustains generations of FijiansThe enduring strength and sustainability of Vosa Vakaviti is being celebrated by the Fijian community in Aotearoa New Zealand during Macawa ni Vosa Vakaviti – Fijian Language Week, which gets underway today. “This year’s theme, ‘Me vakabulabulataki, vakamareqeti, ka vakaqaqacotaki na vosa Vakaviti’, which translates as ‘Nurture, Preserve and Sustain ...5 days ago
- New Zealand condemns Russia’s annexation attemptsNew Zealand condemns unequivocally Russia’s attempts to illegally annex Russia-occupied regions of Ukraine, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says. “We do not recognise these illegal attempts to change Ukraine’s borders or territorial sovereignty,” Jacinda Ardern said. “Russia’s sham referenda in Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia are illegitimate, and have no legal ...6 days ago
- Government provides confidence to those seeking an adventureWith our borders opened and tourists returning, those seeking out adventurous activities can do so more safely due to the steps we’ve taken to improve the health and safety regulatory regime for adventure activities, Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Michael Wood has announced. “We are seeing international visitor numbers begin ...6 days ago
- New hospital opens for Wellington childrenA new children’s hospital that officially opened in Wellington this morning offers the region’s children top-quality health care in one place, Health Minister Andrew Little says. Te Wao Nui has been built with a $53 million contribution from benefactors Mark Dunajtschik and Dorothy Spotswood, with the Government contributing another $53 ...7 days ago
- More single-use plastics banned from tomorrowSingle-use plastic cotton buds, drink stirrers and most plastic meat trays are among single use plastics banned from sale or manufacture from tomorrow. “This is the first group of the most problematic plastic products to be banned in a progressive phase out over the next three years,” Environment Minister David ...7 days ago
- Speech to NZDF Command and Staff CollegeIt’s a pleasure to join you today – and I extend a particular welcome to Marty Donoghue (a member of the Public Advisory Committee on Disarmament and Arms Control) and Athena Li-Watts (interning with me this week) who are also joining me today. On the face of it, some ...1 week ago
- Milestone of half a million mental health sessions deliveredThe Government’s flagship primary mental health and addiction programme Access and Choice has hit the milestone of delivering more than 500,000 sessions to New Zealanders needing mental health support. Health Minister Andrew Little made the announcement at ADL – Thrive Pae Ora in Cromwell which provides mental wellbeing support services ...1 week ago
- Government continues to future-proof arts, culture and heritage sectorThe Government has announced further support for the recovery and resilience of the arts, culture and heritage sector as part of its COVID Recovery Programme’s Innovation Fund. “We’re continuing to secure the recovery of our arts, culture and heritage in Aotearoa New Zealand by supporting transformational initiatives across the motu,” ...1 week ago
- Government steps up kauri protectionThe Government is delivering on an election commitment to protect kauri in our northern forests through the new National Pest Management Plan (NPMP) for the forest giant and the allocation of $32 million of funding to back the coordinated effort, Biosecurity Minister Damien O'Connor and Associate Environment Minister (Biodiversity) ...1 week ago
- Russia’s Ukraine referenda a shamAotearoa New Zealand does not recognise the results of the sham referenda in Russia-occupied regions of Ukraine, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta says. “These so-called referenda were not free or fair, and they very clearly were not held in accordance with democratic principles,” Nanaia Mahuta said. “Instead, they were hastily organised ...1 week ago
- Govt invests in New Zealand’s wine futurePrime Minister Jacinda Ardern has officially opened New Zealand Wine Centre–Te Pokapū Wāina o Aotearoa in Blenheim today, saying that investments like these give us cause for optimism for the future. Funding of $3.79 million for the Marlborough Research Centre to build a national wine centre was announced in 2020, ...1 week ago
- Appointment of Judges of the Court Martial Appeal CourtAttorney-General David Parker today announced the appointment of Colonel Craig Ruane, Commander Robyn Loversidge, and James Wilding KC as Judges of the Court Martial Appeal Court. The Court Martial Appeal Court is a senior court of record established under the Court Martial Appeals Act 1953. It is summoned by the ...1 week ago
- Government strengthens measures to combat migrant worker exploitationOffence and penalty regime significantly strengthened New infringement offences for non-compliance Public register of individuals and businesses that are found guilty of migrant exploitation New community-led pilot to educate migrants workers and employers of employment rights Implemented reporting tools successfully brings exploitation out of the shadows Take-up of protective visa ...1 week ago
- Livestock exports by sea to ceaseThe passing of a Bill today to end the export of livestock by sea will protect New Zealand’s reputation for world-leading animal welfare standards, Minister of Agriculture Damien O’Connor said. “The Animal Welfare Amendment Bill future-proofs our economic security amid increasing consumer scrutiny across the board on production practices," Damien ...1 week ago
- Extra measures to increase census turnout in 20233500 census workers on the ground, twice as many as last census More forms to be delivered – 44% compared to 3% in 2018 Prioritisation of Māori and other groups and regions with lower response rates in 2018 Major work to ensure the delivery of a successful census in 2023 ...1 week ago
- Shining the light on screen workersImproved working conditions for workers in the screen industry is now a reality with the Screen Industry Workers Bill passing its third reading today, announced Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Michael Wood. “It’s fantastic to see the Screen Industry Workers Bill progress through Parliament. The new Act will strengthen protections ...1 week ago
- Mental health resources for young people and schools launchedAssociate Minister of Education (School Operations) Jan Tinetti and Associate Minister of Education (Māori Education) Kelvin Davis have today launched two new resources to support wellbeing, and the teaching and learning of mental health education in schools and kura. “Students who are happy and healthy learn better. These resources ...1 week ago
- Progress continues on future-proofing Auckland’s transport infrastructureTransport Minister Michael Wood has welcomed the latest progress on Auckland’s two most transformational transport projects in a generation – Auckland Light Rail and the Additional Waitematā Harbour Connections. Auckland Light Rail and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency have named preferred bidders to move each project to their next phase, ...1 week ago
- Government supports local innovation in homelessness preventionTen successful applicants in round two of the Local Innovation and Partnership Fund (LIPF) Close to $6 million allocated as part of the Homelessness Action Plan (HAP) Māori, Pasefika and rangatahi a strong focus Round three opening later this year with up to $6.8 million available. Government is stepping up ...1 week ago
- More medicines for New Zealanders, thanks to Govt’s Budget boostHealth Minister Andrew Little is welcoming news that two more important medicines are set to be funded, thanks to the Government’s big boost to the country’s medicines budget. “Since coming into Government in 2017, the Labour Government has increased Pharmac’s funding by 43 per cent, including a $71 million boost ...1 week ago
- Government delivers ACC change to support 28,000 parentsThe Maternal Birth Injury and Other Matters Bill passes Third Reading – the first amendment to ACC legislation of its kind From 1 October 2022, new ACC cover to benefit approximately 28,000 birthing parents Additional maternal birth injuries added alongside new review provision to ensure cover remains comprehensive Greater clarity ...1 week ago
- Further cuts for East Coast tarakihi limits to rebuild numbers fasterCommercial catch limits for East Coast tarakihi will be reduced further to help the stock rebuild faster. “Tarakihi is a popular fish, and this has led to declining levels over time. Many adjustments have been made and the stock is recovering. I have decided on further commercial catch reductions of ...1 week ago
- Green Party urges government to follow Joe Biden's pardon of cannabis convictions
The Green Party is calling on the government to decriminalise cannabis following dramatic moves in the United States towards that aim. ...1 hour ago - Proposed January Fuel Tax Hike Is Cruel
The Taxpayer’s Union has called the proposed hike in petrol tax in January cruel and said it should be postponed until at least the end of the cost of living crisis when inflation is back under 3 per cent. The 25-cent fuel tax reduction was announced ...4 hours ago - Goff Sets Very Bad Example For Next MayorThe Auckland Ratepayers’ Alliance says outgoing Mayor Phil Goff has treated councillors and ratepayers with contempt by withholding information about rail closures. On Friday, Stuff reported that Mayor Phil Goff was briefed about planned rail shutdowns three ...4 hours ago
- Ministry Of Social Development (MSD) Child Poverty Report 2022 Highlights Need To Support Struggling...Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) welcomes the findings in the latest MSD Child Poverty Report showing that material hardship rates for many children had improved between 2013-21, thanks to government measures, rising employment rates, improving ...4 hours ago
- New Development Another Sign That Community Housing Sector Is A Critical Piece To Solving The Housin...Community Housing Aotearoa chief executive Vic Crockford wants to applaud CORT Community Housing as it celebrates the opening of the first development of its pipeline of 104 decent, affordable homes in Auckland. “This new housing development, built ...5 hours ago
- Political donations trial: Jami-Lee Ross' mental health a factor in judge's not guilty dec...Former National MP Jami-Lee Ross has been cleared of fraud charges over political donations in part because the judge agreed a sense of betrayal and mental breakdown could have led him to lie. ...5 hours ago
- ‘Astonishing’: global demand for exotic pets is driving a massive trade in unprotected wildlife
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Freyja Watters, PhD candidate, University of Adelaide Este Kotze/AP Global demand for exotic pets is increasing, a trend partly caused by social media and a shift from physical pet stores to online marketplaces. The United States is one of the ...5 hours ago - Political panel: Classic tax clash on the cards for electionMorning Report - RNZ Deputy Political Editor Craig McCulloch and Stuff Political Editor Luke Malpass discuss the government's books, parties' tax plans, and former MP Kris Faafoi's new job. ...5 hours ago
- Report Shows Tree Planting No Substitute For Cutting Dairy EmissionsGreenpeace Aotearoa says that a new report by the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment (PCE) shows New Zealand can’t plant its way out of climate pollution from intensive dairy. Instead, the Government has to act - and cut synthetic nitrogen ...6 hours ago
- With seemingly endless data storage at our fingertips, ‘digital hoarding’ could be an increasing...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Darshana Sedera, Associate Dean (Research), Southern Cross University kkssr/Shutterstock As data storage has become more accessible than ever, the amount of digital “stuff” we all have stashed away is on the rise, too – for many of us, it’s becoming ...7 hours ago
- A wet spring and summer means more mosquitoes but now we’ve got Japanese encephalitis virus to wor...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cameron Webb, Clinical Associate Professor and Principal Hospital Scientist, University of Sydney Kevin LEE/Unsplash, CC BY Mosquitoes are a problem every summer. But the recent arrival of the mosquito-borne Japanese encephalitis virus in eastern Australia brings more significant concerns. ...7 hours ago
- ‘Astonishing’: unprotected wildlife is imported into the US at a rate 11 times greater than prot...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Freyja Watters, PhD candidate, University of Adelaide Este Kotze/AP Global demand for exotic pets is increasing, a trend partly caused by social media and a shift from physical pet stores to online marketplaces. The United States is one of the ...7 hours ago
- Australian thriller The Stranger puts anxiety centre frameSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alex Munt, Associate Professor, Media Arts & Production, University of Technology Sydney Netflix When I teach budding screenwriters, I will often use the “show don’t tell” rule as a quick-fix for students trapped in the more familiar mode of literary ...7 hours ago
- Grattan on Friday: Jim Chalmers plays the tease as he pushes to change Stage 3 tax cutsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra When Scott Morrison was treasurer he flew the kite for an increase in the GST. The debate ran a while, before then prime minister Malcolm Turnbull shut it down. It was all too hard. Now ...14 hours ago
- Historic visit by India's foreign minister heralds effort to strengthen economic tiesDr Subrahmanyam Jaishanker is in the country, and the visit is being seen as a significant opportunity to establish a trading relationship with the burgeoning South Asian powerhouse. ...19 hours ago
- Optus data breach: regulatory changes announced, but legislative reform still neededSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brendan Walker-Munro, Senior Research Fellow, The University of Queensland Mark Baker/AP In response to Australia’s biggest ever data breach, the federal government will temporarily suspend regulations that stop telcos sharing customer information with third parties. It’s a necessary step to ...19 hours ago
- Climate Activists In Court Present Their Case To The Charge Of ‘Willful Damage’During COP 26, October last year, 3 Extinction Rebellion activists, Brian Wheeldon, Gillian Austin and Caril Cowan stencilled 'Zero emissions 2025' with the Extinction Rebellion logo on the pavement outside the ANZ bank corner of Victoria & ...21 hours ago
- Media sector demands more detail over RNZ, TVNZ mega-entity mergerNew Zealand's largest media organisations want more detail and more guarantees of independence from the proposed mega public media entity. ...21 hours ago
- On our wettest days, stormclouds can dump 30 trillion litres of water across AustraliaSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew King, Senior Lecturer in Climate Science, The University of Melbourne Shutterstock This week, rain has drenched almost all of Australia – even the arid interior. The heaviest falls have hit the continent’s southeast, where the huge deluge has just ...21 hours ago
- Why increasing support for Ukraine is critical to Australia’s security as a ‘middle power’Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By William Partlett, Associate Professor, The University of Melbourne Support for Ukraine is normally described in ideological or moral terms as a duty to support democracies in the face of resurgent totalitarianism. This is an important consideration. But since Russia’s declared annexation of ...22 hours ago
- From $76bn to $108bn – that adds up to a hefty lift in the tax take in just five years
Covid’s impact on New Zealand may be diminishing but it still has injected a feverish tone to the debate on the state of the government’s books this week. Labour and the Greens reject Opposition parties’ calls for tax cuts as “unaffordable”. They contend tax cuts would just add to inflationary ...23 hours ago - Government Demonstrates Failure To ListenThe Government’s report back on the misnamed Fair Pay Agreements (FPAs) demonstrates a failure to listen that was also highlighted in the recent Mood of the Boardroom survey, says the EMA. Head of Advocacy and Strategy, Alan McDonald, says the Mood ...24 hours ago
- 433 people win a lottery jackpot – impossible? Probability and psychology suggest it’s more lik...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Woodcock, Associate Professor of Mathematical Sciences, University of Technology Sydney Shutterstock More than a few eyebrows were raised at the weekend when it was reported a staggering 433 people won the jackpot of a government-backed lottery in the Philippines ...24 hours ago
- Māori expertise comes first in shaping ETS for permanent forestry – and policies must be made to ...
Buzz from the Beehive The interests of Māoridom are being given special mention in government proposals for forest management through the National Environmental Standards for Plantation Forestry (NES-PF). According to the announcement from the Beehive, a group of “Māori and other technical forestry experts” will help redesign the settings of ...1 day ago - New economic index reveals the toll policy uncertainty can have on your investmentsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ihsan Badshah, Senior Lecturer in Finance, Auckland University of Technology Getty Images The COVID-19 pandemic created a sense of uncertainty and fear across all aspects of life in New Zealand. Along with concerns about health and well-being, many wondered what ...1 day ago
- MPs' staff training video uploaded in error removedParliament has removed a video of a training session uploaded in error to its official YouTube channel. ...1 day ago
- A large cockroach thought extinct since the 1930s was just rediscovered on a small island in Austral...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nathan Lo, Associate Professor, School of Biological Sciences, University of Sydney Justin Gilligan/DPE, Author provided In 1887, Australian Museum scientists undertook a pioneering expedition to Lord Howe Island, a tiny patch of land off the east coast of Australia. Among ...1 day ago
- Politics with Michelle Grattan: Bill Shorten on NDIS reform and the Optus falloutSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a landmark reform of the last decade. But while delivering much benefit, it has operational problems and its cost has escalated dramatically – currently around $30 billion annually, ...1 day ago
- University Workers Deserve Fair Pay Says NZCTUThe New Zealand Council of Trade Unions stands in solidarity with the striking university workers today. The strike, led by the Tertiary Education Union, Public Services Association, and E tū has seen 7000 people taking action. NZCTU President Richard Wagstaff said ...1 day ago
- Beating Health Care Shortages Requires Fair Pay For Clinical EducatorsFair pay for tertiary education providers is vital in ensuring New Zealand’s future medical workforce receives proper training, Association of Salaried Medical Specialists Sarah Dalton says. Her words come on the day of historic strike action by the New ...1 day ago
- Pollen does more than make you sneeze. It can cause thunderstorm asthma, even if you’re not asthma...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Shyamali Dharmage, NHMRC Professorial Fellow, The University of Melbourne Shutterstock Climate change has caused melting icebergs, flooding, and landslides. It can also bring about an increase in pollen levels, prolong the duration of pollen season, and cause more pollen-related health ...1 day ago
- Gloriavale And Dilworth Leaders Among Those To Be Questioned In Upcoming Abuse In Care Public Hearin...The responses of faith institutions to abuse and neglect of children, young people and vulnerable adults in their care will be examined by the Royal Commission of Inquiry during a public hearing from 13 to 20 October. The Royal Commission will question ...1 day ago
- Profiting From Ministerial Relationships Is The Definition Of Political SleazeThe Taxpayers’ Union is calling out Chris Faafoi for shifting chairs from Cabinet to a lobbyist role to literally profit from relationships with Ministers, officials, and political staff. Taxpayers' Union Executive Director, Jordan Williams, said: ...1 day ago
- Journalists risk prosecution under Australia’s ‘foreign interference’ lawUQ News Journalists may face decades in prison for “foreign interference” offences unless urgent changes are made to Australia’s national security laws, according to a University of Queensland researcher. PhD candidate Sarah Kendall from UQ’s School of Law warned that reporting on issues relating to Australian politics, national security or ...1 day ago
- PNG daily Post-Courier joins fight against gender-based violenceBy Claudia Tally in Port Moresby The Post-Courier daily newspaper is one of 15 companies in Papua New Guinea that have pledged to fight against gender-based violence (GBV) while promoting gender equality within and outside of the workplace. Signing the National Capital District Commission’s “Zero Tolerance to GBV Pledge” under ...1 day ago
- Parkop calls for full probe into brutal murders of two Moresby womenBy Claudia Tally in Port Moresby Papua New Guinea’s National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop wants the city’s police to fully investigate the gruesome murder of two women in Port Moresby late last week. Parkop told the Post-Courier that such “despicable” brutality against womenfolk in the city and throughout the ...1 day ago
- Quality of iTaukei language under threat, says Fiji scholarBy Rachael Nath of RNZ Pacific Concerns are being raised about the future survival of the iTaukei (Fijian) language as a threat of extinction looms despite its everyday use among its people. A language and culture scholar in Fiji, Dr Paul Geraghty, said a growing generational gap within the iTaukei ...1 day ago
- NZ university union members to strike tomorrow over pay demandRNZ News Thousands of New Zealand tertiary union members will go on strike at eight universities tomorrow over a cost of living pay demand. The Tertiary Education Union (TEU) said its members were walking off the job for part of the day at the eight universities in the country. Union ...1 day ago
- Honiara doesn’t want to be forced to choose sides, says Foreign MinisterRNZ Pacific Solomon Islands Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele says the country joined an agreement with the United States only after changes to wording relating to China. He said the country did not want to be forced to choose sides, and the Pacific should be seen as a region of peace ...1 day ago
- Delegates from French Polynesia head to UN decolonisation committeeRNZ Pacific Delegates from French Polynesia have flown to New York for the annual meeting of the UN Decolonisation Committee. The veteran pro-independence leader Oscar Temaru is heading his team while the French Polynesian government has sent the Equipment Minister Rene Temeharo as its spokesperson. The territory was reinscribed on ...1 day ago
- Graham Adams: Ardern’s authoritarian streak was on full show at the UN
The Prime Minister’s latest call to limit free speech has been widely criticised yet it has been barely reported in New Zealand. GRAHAM ADAMS writes – In the eyes of Jacinda Ardern’s substantial global fan base, she remains a beacon of hope in a dark and chaotic world — ...1 day ago - Thomas Cranmer: Three Waters and the vexed question of ownershipAt the heart of the Three Waters debate is a question that has been contentious since the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi – what does ownership really mean and is it the same as rangatiratanga? This article is the fifth in a series by Thomas Cranmer, the pseudonym ...1 day ago
- Urgent Action Needed For Newborn Lambs Hammered By Polar BlastsWith more severe whether expected, SAFE is urging farmers to take immediate measures to protect newborn lambs. Heavy snowfall overnight has left countless lambs at the mercy of the freezing conditions. SAFE Head of Investigations Will Appelbe said farming ...1 day ago
- Survey Shows Public Holds Police In High RegardThe vast majority of New Zealanders hold very favourable views of Police, according to a survey undertaken on behalf of the Ministry of Justice. A series of questions, called the Police Module, was added to the 2021 New Zealand Crime and Victims Survey ...1 day ago
- Collins Pledges To Support Vital Job Creation In Local Film IndustryResponding to Wayne Brown’s call to end funding for economic development agency Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, Efeso Collins says he will be a Mayor who values local jobs and economic development, such as those created in the film industry. ...1 day ago
- Auckland Mayoral Candidate Withdraws In ProtestAuckland Mayoral candidate John Lehmann has withdrawn in protest over of he says is electoral and political interference. John Lehmann has formally withdrawn from the race because of what he says is electoral and political interference by the PM. ...1 day ago
- Petition To Remove Prescription Charges For Community Service Card HoldersUnited Community Action Network New Zealand (UCANNZ) and Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) have launched a petition to remove prescription charges for low-income households. https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/petitions/document/PET_126013/petition-of-nikki-turner-on-behalf-of-united-community ...1 day ago
- Finance Minister Grant Robertson says National's top tax rate cut does not add upThe finance minister is clear there will not be any major tax reforms for the remainder of this government term as National proposes to cut the top tax rate. ...1 day ago
- Dunne Speaks: We Need A Sunlight Apporach To Poltical DonationsThere will be relief in certain political circles at the acquittal of former MP, Jami-Lee Ross of corruption in the political donations case. Not because of any affection or regard for Ross, but more because the stench of corruption in our political system ...1 day ago
- Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare is coming to Australia. What should we expect from ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Meg Keen, Honorary Professor, Department of Pacific Affairs, ANU; Director, Pacific Island Program, Lowy Institute, Australian National University Mark Schiefelbein/AP/AAP Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare will arrive in Australia on October 6 for talks with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. ...1 day ago
- Here’s another type of COVID test to get your head around. But is this new home kit worth the cost...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Thea van de Mortel, Professor, Nursing and Deputy Head (Learning & Teaching), School of Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University Shutterstock A new type of COVID test is set to be available from November for Australians to use at home. It ...1 day ago
- NZ police need better training in privacy and human rights law – here is what should happenSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Claire Breen, Professor of Law, University of Waikato Getty Images The New Zealand Police were recently found to have been routinely and illegally photographing young people and adults in public. Many might have expected this to see an end to the ...1 day ago
- Megadroughts helped topple ancient empires. We’ve found their traces in Australia’s past, and ex...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kathryn Allen, ARC Future Fellow, University of Tasmania Most Australians have known drought in their lifetimes, and have memories of cracked earth and empty streams, paddocks of dust and stories of city reservoirs with only a few weeks’ storage. But our new ...1 day ago
- Paul Yore: the uncompromising Australian artist riotously tackling queer culture, corporate greed an...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julie Shiels, Senior Industry Fellow, RMIT University Paul Yore: WORD MADE FLESH, installation view, Australian Centre for Contemporary Art, Melbourne. Photograph: Andrew Curtis Artist Paul Yore works with found and discarded materials, including other people’s abandoned craft projects. Embroidery threads, braid, cross ...1 day ago
- Musk of the Year
Elon Musk was Time magazine’s Person of the Year in 2021. With his release of a peace plan for Russia-Ukraine, you wonder if he’s trying for the double. Not if Ukrainian president Zelensky has any say in the matter. It’s usually sensible to be thinking about a settlement while ...2 days ago - Bryce Edwards’ Political Roundup: No confidence in dire local govt elections2 days ago
- Keith Rankin Chart Analysis – Travel Warning: Excess Summer Deaths in EuropeAnalysis by Keith Rankin. In many ways the world has moved on from the Covid19 pandemic. And excess mortality from Covid19 mingles with excess mortality from other causes, from heatwaves to other diseases. The summer is useful because it is generally the low season for infectious respiratory illnesses. Covid19 is ...2 days ago
- Oops – the world price dips for dairy products but low NZ dollar is a compensating factorDairy prices have fallen at the Fonterra GDT auction this week. The average price at the fortnightly sale fell 3.5% to US$3911 ($NZ6830) a tonne, after rising 2% in the previous auction. Prices have generally been falling since hitting a record high in March. But with the NZ dollar now ...2 days ago
- Will the National Anti-Corruption Commission actually stamp out corruption in government?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yee-Fui Ng, Associate Professor, Faculty of Law, Monash University Mick Tsikas/AAP Last week, the government introduced into parliament the bill establishing the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). This honours the government’s election commitment to introduce a “powerful, transparent and independent” ...2 days ago
- Labor’s plan to save threatened species is an improvement – but it’s still well short of what ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Euan Ritchie, Professor in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life & Environmental Sciences, Deakin University Australia’s dire and shameful conservation record is well established. The world’s highest number of recent mammal extinctions – 39 since colonisation. Ecosystems ...2 days ago
- Reserve Bank Picks Taxpayer’s Pockets To Boost Commercial Bank ProfitsThe Reserve Bank is digging deeper into taxpayers pockets to increase the profits of investors and commercial bank shareholders with today's lifting of the Official Cash Rate. That OCR rise will see the bank (read taxpayers) paying the commercial ...2 days ago
- Health worker burnout and ‘compassion fatigue’ put patients at risk. How can we help them help u...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sue Dean, Lead Lecturer Practitioner, Nursing, Faculty of Health., Southern Cross University Shutterstock The toll of COVID on our health-care workers has been brutal, with many saying they want to quit their jobs. The World Health Organization says burnout, ...2 days ago
- Faafoi rejects criticism over new lobbying boss roleLess than three months after leaving Parliament, former government minister Kris Faafoi is heading up a new PR and lobbying firm. ...2 days ago
- Quiet Palmerston North mayoral race draws fear of low turnoutDespite hefty issues Palmerston North is facing, turnout in recent local body elections has been poor, a trend showing no sign of improving this year. ...2 days ago
- Poto prefers “Piopiotahi” – does this portend “Milford Sound” being purged from promotions...Buzz from the Beehive What’s in a name? Millions of dollars, when it comes to promoting places like “New Zealand” and “Milford Sound” as international tourist destinations over many years. But whoa. Our international marketing will need overhauling to deal with the confusion generated by political linguistics. Our monitoring of ...2 days ago
- ‘Hybrid warfare’: Nord Stream attacks show how war is evolvingSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Meredith Primrose Jones, Researcher – Oceania Cyber Security Centre; Researcher – Centre for Cyber Security Research and Innovation, RMIT University It’s not yet clear who carried out the attacks on the Nord Stream gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea last week, although ...2 days ago
- AUT Action ShiftsYesterday afternoon, Te Wānanga Aronui O Tamaki Makau Rau | Auckland University of Technology, in a communication to all staff, advised that Te Hautū Kahurangi | Tertiary Education Union members covered by yesterday’s strike notice would be ...2 days ago
- Three Found Guilty In SFO Political Donations TrialThree people have today been found guilty under the Crimes Act of using sham donors to make political donations, thereby concealing the identity of the true donor from the public. The Serious Fraud Office charged seven people with obtaining by deception ...2 days ago
- Latest poll: Labour takes the plunge as Official Cash Rate again is lifted to 3.5%As the Reserve Bank raises the Official Cash Rate again to 3.5%, the eighth successive increase,with more to come, in the effort to drive down inflation, the political mood has darkened, too. A glance at the headlines point to the symptoms why this is happening: “Housing market still firmly in ...2 days ago
- PSA Calls On Luxon To Clarify Comments On Plans To Cut Public ServicesThe Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is calling on National Leader Christopher Luxon to provide New Zealanders with clarity about the public services and jobs he intends to cut to fund his $3b plus tax cut package. On the ...2 days ago
- Treasury reports smaller than forecast budget deficit of $9.7 billionA strong economy has filled the government's coffers and delivered a smaller than forecast budget deficit. ...2 days ago
- The dark web down under: what’s driving the rise and rise of NZ’s ‘Tor Market’ for illegal d...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Chris Wilkins, Associate Professor of illegal drug research, Massey University Getty Images New Zealand is generally proud of being a world leader, but there’s one claim that might not be universally admired: being home to the longest running English-language market ...2 days ago
- Strong Accounts Should Lead To Long-term InvestmentThe Government accounts today demonstrated the strength of the economic recovery from COVID-19 with expenses down, revenue up, and the forecast OBEGAL deficit nearly halved. Net debt was broadly as forecast, and expenditure on COVID-19 was less than ...2 days ago
- Thomas Cranmer: Three Waters and the Water Services EntitiesWE ARE TOLD the water services entities will be independent bodies run by professional boards – but how independent will these entities really be and who will sit on their boards? This article is the fourth in a series by Thomas Cranmer, the pseudonym adopted by a legal analyst ...2 days ago
- No Good Reason Why Free Mammograms For 70-74 Year Olds Can’t Happen Right NowThe Government has an opportunity to show leadership for women’s health this October by immediately raising the free breast screening age, says Justine Smyth, chair of Breast Cancer Foundation NZ (BCFNZ). This follows the National Party’s commitment ...2 days ago
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