Labour and National and Industry Intervention
Written By:
Date published: 8:51 am, December 9th, 2022 - 11 comments
Categories: Environment, labour, Nanaia Mahuta, national, uncategorized, water
Tags:
Minister Mahuta’s water reforms are by some measure the most consequential industry intervention of this Labour government, and likely to be the most successful in over a decade.
Open mike 09/12/2022
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Date published: 6:00 am, December 9th, 2022 - 10 comments
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Daily review 08/12/2022
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Date published: 5:30 pm, December 8th, 2022 - 19 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 08/12/2022
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Date published: 6:00 am, December 8th, 2022 - 71 comments
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Daily review 07/12/2022
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Date published: 5:30 pm, December 7th, 2022 - 142 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 07/12/2022
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Date published: 6:00 am, December 7th, 2022 - 63 comments
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Daily review 06/12/2022
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Date published: 5:30 pm, December 6th, 2022 - 29 comments
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Open mike 06/12/2022
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Date published: 6:00 am, December 6th, 2022 - 45 comments
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Daily review 05/12/2022
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Date published: 5:30 pm, December 5th, 2022 - 34 comments
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Open mike 05/12/2022
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Date published: 6:00 am, December 5th, 2022 - 132 comments
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Sustainability Sunday
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Date published: 2:47 pm, December 4th, 2022 - 6 comments
So many good initiatives that demonstrate that sustainability and community resiliency are intertwined. The sheer numbers of people involved now is heartening at a time when we are inundated with what is going wrong.
We’ve never had so much choice in what we can do to effect good change. We know the problems, now is the time to put our attention to the solutions, what is already working. and then get on with it.
Luxon’s first year
Written By:
Date published: 8:46 am, December 4th, 2022 - 56 comments
Chris Luxon marked the anniversary of his becoming National leader this week by showing that he is that out of touch he had no idea what the single rate of superannuation is.
Open mike 04/12/2022
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Date published: 6:00 am, December 4th, 2022 - 61 comments
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Open mike 03/12/2022
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Date published: 6:00 am, December 3rd, 2022 - 42 comments
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Daily review 02/12/2022
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Date published: 5:30 pm, December 2nd, 2022 - 3 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 02/12/2022
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Date published: 6:00 am, December 2nd, 2022 - 84 comments
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Daily review 01/12/2022
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Date published: 5:30 pm, December 1st, 2022 - 8 comments
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Open mike 01/12/2022
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Date published: 6:00 am, December 1st, 2022 - 64 comments
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Daily review 30/11/2022
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Date published: 5:30 pm, November 30th, 2022 - 14 comments
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Co-Governance is Orthodox Policy for both National and Labour
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Date published: 8:12 am, November 30th, 2022 - 412 comments
National, the party which enacted legislation that gave Waikato command over the allocation of the Waikato River, iwi command over the Taupo catchment and full Maori control over the massive Uruwera water catchment, has not traditionally been opposed to co governance.
Open mike 30/11/2022
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Date published: 6:00 am, November 30th, 2022 - 59 comments
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Daily review 29/11/2022
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Date published: 5:30 pm, November 29th, 2022 - 35 comments
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Three strikes law is not the answer
Written By:
Date published: 12:13 pm, November 29th, 2022 - 25 comments
National is proposing a return of the Three Strikes legislation, despite the Supreme Court ruling that the law went well beyond excessive punishment and would shock the conscience of properly informed New Zealanders, and was so disproportionately severe as to breach the Bill of Rights. And despite there being no evidence that it would actually work.
Open mike 29/11/2022
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Date published: 6:00 am, November 29th, 2022 - 33 comments
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Daily review 28/11/2022
Written By:
Date published: 5:30 pm, November 28th, 2022 - 16 comments
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Newscorp and Victorian Liberals were just so out of touch. Just like National and Act here
Written By:
Date published: 2:17 pm, November 28th, 2022 - 12 comments
The Liberal/Nat victory that Newscorp had been promoting in the Victorian state elections simply didn’t materialise. For some reason pandering to the loud and noisy just isn’t what it used to be. Fortunately those who still rely on traditional media and who haven’t been immunised against the idiots on the net are a diminishing voting resource.
What Is Labour’s Purpose This Term?
Written By:
Date published: 7:57 am, November 28th, 2022 - 35 comments
It is time to set out succinctly and without recourse to abstract nouns exactly what this Labour government has intended, is doing, and how it seeks to alter the country.
Open mike 28/11/2022
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Date published: 6:00 am, November 28th, 2022 - 28 comments
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Overblown rhetoric and Laura Norder
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Date published: 10:19 am, November 27th, 2022 - 69 comments
This week has seen some extreme rhetoric from various quarters about who to blame for a recent senseless killing. But news that the person arrested had recently been extradited from Australia has shown the rhetoric to be entirely misplaced.
Open mike 27/11/2022
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Date published: 6:00 am, November 27th, 2022 - 170 comments
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Open mike 26/11/2022
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Date published: 6:00 am, November 26th, 2022 - 210 comments
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- Jacinda’s Manic Ministry.
“Do you want the moon to play with?” What was it that persuaded Jacinda Ardern to exactly reverse Helen Clark’s strategy of under-promising and over-delivering? Even with the winds of history at your back, over-promising the electorate is a silly thing to do. No government should ever attempt to defy Murphy’s ...2 hours ago - Skeptical Science New Research for Week #49 2022
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- Gordon Campbell on the TVNZ/RNZ merger battles
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For donkey’s years, political commentary has been all about the binaries: left/right, Labour/National, government/opposition, she said/he said. Yet currently, a lot of the fascinating conflict is occurring amidst the centre-right. That’s because National, ACT and New Zealand First all happen to be fishing in the same pond for cranky and ...2 weeks ago- Bryce Edwards: Politicians and the Reserve Bank are being blamed for an escalating economic crisis
Will the looming economic recession kill off Labour’s re-election chances? Is the Reserve Bank making things worse? And could a National Government do any better? These are some of the big political questions floating around after the full extent of the economy’s plight was made clear by the Reserve Bank ...2 weeks ago- Josephine Varghese: From Obama to Sunak–do representational milestones mean anything more than sym...
New Zealand media have recently discussed two major representational milestones in politics. Firstly, New Zealand Parliament achieving 50% women’s representation with the induction of Labour list MP Soraya Peke-Mason. Secondly, Rishi Sunak becoming the UK’s first non-White Prime Minister. Major media outlets have been celebrating these events as watershed moments ...2 weeks ago- Gustavo Petro and the Civic – Military Campaigns
Gearóid Ó Loingsigh looks at the new government in Colombia and how it talks of peace while increasing militarisation The Petro–Márquez government is one which proposes to bring us to what they term Total Peace. The term and the proposal as such have been subjected to justifiable criticism, not least ...2 weeks ago- Labour attacks LGOIMA – in secret
Today the government used urgency to introduce a new Local Government Official Information and Meetings Amendment Bill. The bulk of the bill deals with land information memorandums (LIMs), requiring local authorities to notify of natural hazards and granting them immunity for doing so in good faith (hopefully forestalling lawsuits by ...2 weeks ago- Climate Change: Fixing the Crown Minerals Act?
Back in August, the High Court ruled that the Zero Carbon Act isn't worth shit and that the government can continue to approve new fossil fuel exploration without having to consider climate change. The core of the problem is the Crown Minerals Act, and in particular its purpose: "to promote ...2 weeks ago- The True Cost
It is hard to take seriously the voices of those currently asserting that Brexit has come with a considerable economic cost. Where were those voices at the very beginning of what became the Brexit saga, when we were assured that membership of what was then the Common Market would produce ...2 weeks ago- Govt must grant visa waivers to all Pacific countries
The Green Party is once again calling on the Government to grant visa waivers to all Pacific countries. ...15 hours ago - Greens welcome life-saving treatments for rare disordersThe Green Party welcomes the news that Pharmac will fully fund Spinraza for people under the age of 18. ...17 hours ago
- Greens welcome Government coming to party on reducing alcohol harmThe Green Party are celebrating today’s introduction of the Government’s Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Community Participation) Amendment Bill, effectively adopting Part One of Chlöe Swarbrick’s Harm Minimisation Bill. ...2 days ago
- Greens support Operation Pātiki restoring name for awaThe Green Party is proud to support Kohupātiki Marae to uphold the mana of their awa. ...4 days ago
- COVID inquiry disappointingly narrowThe Green Party welcomes a Royal Commission of Inquiry into the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic – but is disappointed with the narrow scope. ...4 days ago
- Greens call on every party to improve accessibilityThe Green Party is calling on all political parties to commit to stronger representation for disabled people at every level of politics. ...4 days ago
- Greens will keeping pushing to protect public ownership of waterThe Green Party will continue to push for strong protections of core public assets so they cannot be sold off against the wishes of New Zealanders. ...5 days ago
- Further action to tackle crime and keep our communities safe
Every community in New Zealand should be a safe place to live, work and raise a family. Our Government is focused on tackling the complex issues that cause crime while also making sure that appropriate consequences are in place. ...1 week ago - Backing farmers with a strong record on tradeAs countries around the world continue to face economic challenges, there is real reason for New Zealand to be optimistic about the future – and our primary sector is at the heart of that. ...1 week ago
- US court decision shows need for stronger protection of Māui dolphinA decision by a United States Court to ban seafood imports from New Zealand shows the Government needs to do more to protect Māui dolphins. ...1 week ago
- NZ needs strong protection against water privatisationNew Zealanders deserve strong protection against the future privatisation of water assets, the Green Party says. ...2 weeks ago
- Political parties call for action on IranParties from across Parliament have come together to call on the Government to take decisive action to hold those responsible for violence and human rights violations in Iran to account. ...2 weeks ago
- Social workers need to see pay equity immediatelyThe Green Party is welcoming today’s announcement that pay equity will be extended to more social workers, and urges the Government to work with unions to get this sorted as quickly as possible. ...2 weeks ago
- Case for excess profit tax on banks clearer than everThe Government should adopt an excess profits tax and use any revenue raised to help people make ends meet, following the rise in the Official Cash Rate today. ...2 weeks ago
- Easing the pressure on New ZealandersSince taking office in 2017, our Government has worked hard to lift wages and make life more affordable for New Zealanders, as we move forward with our plan to create economic security for all. ...2 weeks ago
- Crown mineral change does not go far enoughLong overdue changes to the Crown Minerals Act are a welcome step in the right direction but the Government needs to go further to end the nonsensical search for fossil fuels. ...2 weeks ago
- Healthy Homes for all means a WOF and Landlord RegisterThe Government’s decision to exclude landlords from property management regulations means more than half of Kiwi rentals will be left out in the cold. And, where they’re kicking the can down the road on Healthy Homes Standards, the Government falls short on the basics that a Rental Warrant of Fitness ...2 weeks ago
- Time to extend the voting ageThe Green Party is calling on the Government to take immediate action to lower the voting age to 16. ...3 weeks ago
- Supporting Kiwi kids this Children's DayOur Government has put the wellbeing of children at the heart of everything we do. As we celebrate World Children’s Day, we’re taking a look at some of the ways Labour is working to make New Zealand the best place in the world to be a child. ...3 weeks ago
- Hate speech change welcome, but still leaves communities at riskThe Green Party welcomes hate speech reform to protect religious groups, but is concerned that the exclusion of gender, rainbow, and disability communities sends a signal that these groups are less deserving of protection. ...3 weeks ago
- Improved visa conditions for frequent official visitors from Pacific Island Forum Countries
Officials, diplomats, and frequent business visitors travelling to New Zealand from Pacific Island Forum Countries and Kiribati will receive improved visa conditions when travelling to New Zealand, Immigration Minister Michael Wood has announced today. “Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific share an important history and close partnership, and after the ...16 hours ago - New legislation to provide affordable water services for New ZealandersThe Water Services Economic Efficiency and Consumer Protection Bill and Water Services Legislation Bill have been introduced to Parliament today, following the passage of the Water Services Entities Act. Once passed the legislation will ensure affordable drinking water, wastewater and stormwater can be provided to New Zealanders now and into ...17 hours ago
- Freshwater regulations updatedThe Government has updated the Essential Freshwater 2020 regulations to support their effective implementation, and in response to consultation feedback. Changes have been made to the: NPS-FM – National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020 NES-F – Resource Management (National Environmental Standards for Freshwater) Regulations 2020 Stock Exclusion Regulations – ...19 hours ago
- Changes to Fire and Emergency New Zealand Board AnnouncedMinister of Internal Affairs, Jan Tinetti is today announcing changes to the board members of Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) to assist in improved performance from the Crown Entity. “It is important that FENZ has the governance and support it needs to meet the Governments expectations; to ensure our ...22 hours ago
- Next steps in securing affordable water services for New ZealandersThe Government has laid foundations for safe and affordable water services with the Water Services Entities Bill passing its third reading in Parliament. This is the first of three bills that will ensure affordable drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services can be provided to New Zealanders now and into the ...23 hours ago
- New Zealand homes warmer and healthier with 100 thousand retrofitsThe Government's flagship insulation and heating programme, Warmer Kiwi Homes, has passed 100,000 installations of insulation and efficient heaters, making homes warmer and healthier. “Since its launch in 2018, Warmer Kiwi Homes has played a key role in our government’s action to tackle energy hardship and make homes healthier for ...1 day ago
- Circuit breaker introduced to stop children re-offendingA fast-track intervention introduced for children aged 10-13 engaging in serious and persistent offending, with initial rollout in Counties Manukau and Waitakere Children who offend will now have a plan put in place within 24-48 hours of offending Expanding Kotahi te Whakaaro, a programme that’s already successfully turning young lives ...1 day ago
- More medicines for more New ZealandersSpinraza to be funded for young people with spinal muscular atrophy. Free meningococcal vaccine for more people. Capsule instead of intravenous chemotherapy for hundreds of cancer patients. The Government is welcoming news that more important medicines are to be publicly funded, thanks to a major increase in the budget of ...1 day ago
- Celebrating the success of Prime Minister’s Oranga Tamariki Award winnersThe achievements of a group of young people who have been in care or involved in the youth justice system have been recognised at the Oranga Tamariki Prime Minister Awards, Minister for Children Kelvin Davis said. A total of 25 young people were present at the Awards ceremony along with ...2 days ago
- DevNet 2022: Keynote addressWhakataka te hau ki te uru, Whakataka te hau ki te tonga. Kia mākinakina ki uta, Kia mātaratara ki tai. E hī ake ana te atakura. He tio, he huka, he hauhū. Tihei Mauri Ora! Tēnā koutou katoa. Thank you to the University of Auckland for hosting this DevNet ...2 days ago
- Community voices amplified in fight against alcohol harmAlcohol licensing hearings will become more accessible and less adversarial as the Government removes barriers preventing community voices from being heard, Justice Minister Kiri Allan said today. A Bill making targeted changes to the licensing process in the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 has been introduced to the ...2 days ago
- GOVT to provide further funding to Ruapehu Alpine LiftsThe Government has decided to advance a further $6 million bridging funding to allow time for MBIE through Kanoa-RDU to support the development of an alternative commercial solution. “Following discussions with affected stakeholders, including other creditors and iwi, it has become clear that more time is needed to further explore ...2 days ago
- Government delivers safer roads for WaimakaririAssociate Minister of Transport Kieran McAnulty was in Waimakariri this morning to mark the beginning of work on a $41 million programme to improve road safety in the Waimakariri district. “The projects started today is critical for the people of Waimakariri as it will address the stretch of SH1 between ...2 days ago
- International tourists bring over $1b into economySpend from all international visitors totalled $1.03 billion in the September 2022 quarter Holidaymakers spent $479 million Visitors for friends or relatives spent $292 million Tourism Electronic Card Transactions spend in 8 regions (out of 16) was higher than October 2019 levels pre-COVID The release of the International Visitor Survey ...2 days ago
- Launch of Te Ara Paerangi Future PathwaysE ngā mātāwaka, E ngā iwi o te motu, Tēnā koutou katoa. Ko Ayesha Verrall ahau, Te Minita mō te Rangahau, Pūtaiao me te Auahatanga. Tēnā koutou i runga i te kaupapa o te wā, Nō reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tatou katoa. Acknowledgements It is a privilege ...3 days ago
- Reform of science system to build better future for New ZealandThe Government has set the direction for a future-focused science system says Research, Science and Innovation Minister Dr Ayesha Verrall. Our research, science and innovation system will be geared towards tackling New Zealand’s big challenges such as climate change, environmental degradation and the complex health and problems that undermine wellbeing. ...3 days ago
- Te Rohe o Rongokako Joint Redress Bill Third Reading I Te Pānuitanga Tuatoru o te Pire mō te Puret...Te Pānuitanga Tuatoru o te Pire mō te Puretumu Ngātahi mō Te Rohe o Rongokako I te rā nei, i Pāremata, ka oti te tuatoru me te whakamutunga o ngā pānuitanga o te Pire mō te Puretumu Ngātahi mō te Rohe o Rongokako. Ko tā te pire, he whakatinana i ...3 days ago
- Hi-tech New Zealand strawberries on the horizonNew Zealanders will be able to enjoy spray-free strawberries grown through a hi-tech new system almost all year round through a Government-backed pilot project based in Foxton, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor announced. “We’re focussed on innovations that lift the sustainability and productivity of our food and fibre sector and this ...3 days ago
- Cadetships programme continues to empower whānau MāoriSince July 2022, more than 610 cadets across 35 programmes have been approved, up from the 499 cadets approved by this time in the last financial year. The programme is growing. “The Cadetship programme’s ongoing success comes down to treating our young people with mana so that they can achieve ...3 days ago
- New rules for offshore detention complete Govt response to Operation Burnham inquiryThe government has announced a new set of rules to ensure proper and humane treatment of people detained by Police, Defence forces, or other New Zealand agencies during offshore deployments. The Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta says the new framework for offshore detention delivers on the fourth and final recommendation accepted ...3 days ago
- 19 new townhouses for whānau in need in Lower HuttAssociate Minister of Housing (Māori Housing) Peeni Henare today visited Kahungunu Whānau Services and their newly purchased 19 townhouses in Taita, Lower Hutt. “Through the Government’s Te Kahui Māori Housing programme, Tātai Mokopuna Holdings Limited (the asset holding company of Kahungunu Whānau Services) was granted a $7.1 million Māori housing ...3 days ago
- Government backs greater competition in building supplies to reduce costs for KiwisThe Government will take action to increase competition in the residential building supplies sector, says Building and Construction Minister Dr Megan Woods and Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Dr David Clark, following the release of the Commerce Commission’s market study final report. “We asked the Commerce Commission to review our ...3 days ago
- Royal Commission to draw lessons from pandemic responseA Royal Commission to prepare New Zealand for future pandemics through lessons learned from COVID-19 has been announced by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern today. “Every country in the world has grappled with COVID-19 and there was no playbook for managing it,” Jacinda Ardern said. “It had been over 100 years ...4 days ago
- Minister Sio to discuss Pacific development prioritiesAssociate Foreign Affairs Minister Aupito William Sio travels to Indonesia this week to represent Aotearoa New Zealand at the Indonesia Pacific Forum for Development and the 15th Bali Democracy Forum. “Attending these international meetings enables Aotearoa New Zealand to connect with our partners kanohi ki te kanohi, or face to ...4 days ago
- Changes to partner work visas deferred to April 2023Changes to partner work visas that were set to come into effect in December 2022 have been deferred to April 2023, Immigration Minister Michael Wood has announced today. “I have made the decision to defer these changes to April 2023,” Michael Wood said. “Our Government wants to provide greater certainty ...4 days ago
- Building Act changes put the environment at the heart of how we buildThe Government is taking action to reduce waste and lower emissions from the building and construction sector in significant Building Act amendments announced today. “This Government is proud to put the environment at the heart of how New Zealand builds. By enabling mandatory energy performance rating requirements for buildings, and ...4 days ago
- Govt’s medicines boost paying off for New ZealandersPharmac’s plan to fund the cystic fibrosis medicine Trikafta is another example of the Government’s boost to the medicines budget helping New Zealanders, says Health Minister Andrew Little. “Pharmac, not politicians, makes the decisions on what treatments to fund, but politicians decide what funding to provide to Pharmac, and health ...5 days ago
- Better transport choices for New ZealandersForty-six councils across Aotearoa New Zealand, from large metro centres to small provincial towns, will receive funding to implement more transport options for communities, as part of the Transport Choices package 2022-24, Transport Minister Michael Wood announced today. “The Government is upgrading New Zealand’s transport infrastructure system to make it ...5 days ago
- Te Rangiwaituhi – Maniapoto apologyMihi Ko taku rourou iti a haere, maringi kai whenua Ko taku rourou iti a haere, maringi kai moana kia mau ki te kawau māro, whanake ake! kō Maniapoto e! Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa Greetings and Thanks As we gather here this morning I want to ...5 days ago
- Maniapoto receives Crown Apology – Ka whakawhiwhia ki a Ngāti Maniapoto te Whakapāhatanga a ...Kua tukuna e te Pirimia, e Jacinda Ardern, i te taha o te Minita mō ngā Take Tiriti o Waitangi, a Andrew Little, te Whakapāhatanga a te Karauna ki a Ngāti Maniapoto mō āna mahi o mua i takahi i te Tiriti o Waitangi. I tū te hui i Te ...5 days ago
- Big online platforms to pay fair price for local news contentThe Government will legislate to require big online digital companies such as Google and Meta to pay a fair price to New Zealand media companies for the local news content they host and share on their platforms, Minister of Broadcasting Willie Jackson announced today. The legislation will be modelled on ...5 days ago
- Government to remove entrenchment from Three Waters legislationThe Government will fix the Water Services Entities Bill this week by removing the entrenchment clause that was voted on during committee stages, Leader of the House Chris Hipkins announced today. “It was a mistake to put the entrenchment clause in and the Government will fix the issue as soon ...5 days ago
- 10 new whare for Ngāi Tāmanuhiri kaumātua and whānau in Te MuriwaiAssociate Minister of Housing (Māori Housing) Peeni Henare joined Ngāi Tāmanuhiri and the wider Toitū Tairāwhiti collective, at the opening of 10 new homes built for kaumātua and whānau in Muriwai today. “Every whare that is built and whānau that is transferred from inadequate housing to a warm dry ...6 days ago
- Joint statement: Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand Foreign Minister ConsultationsAustralian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong welcomed Aotearoa New Zealand's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon Nanaia Mahuta to Canberra today for biannual Australia – Aotearoa New Zealand Foreign Minister Consultations. The Ministers acknowledged the unique strength of the relationship between Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, reaffirmed the shared ...7 days ago
- Funding boost for kaupapa Māori response to homelessnessAssociate Minister of Housing (Homelessness) Marama Davidson has announced a significant funding boost today for kaupapa Māori approaches that support whānau into housing. $24.7 million will be allocated to support the delivery of He Ara Hiki Mauri – a tangata whenua-led response to homelessness. “Homelessness is not inevitable. By working ...7 days ago
- Appointment of Judge of the High CourtAuckland barrister David Gary Johnstone has been appointed a judge of the High Court, Attorney‑General David Parker announced today. Justice Johnstone graduated from the University of Auckland in 1991 with a BCom/LLB(Hons), and joined Bell Gully as a solicitor, practising in general commercial litigation. During 1993 and 1994 he studied at the ...7 days ago
- MAIHI Whare Wananga celebrates innovative approach to Maori HousingNew Maori Housing dashboard for better data sharing and better outcomes New development training programme to grow sector capability Associate Minister of Housing (Maori Housing) Peeni Henare today attended the annual MAIHI Whare Wananga hosted by Toitu Tairawhiti Housing Limited in Kaiti. “Our MAIHI Whare Wananga is an opportunity ...7 days ago
- New mental health facility a step closer for GisborneHealth Minister Andrew Little was at Gisborne Hospital today to mark the next step of Te Tairāwhiti’s new Te Whare Awhiora mental health facility build. The Health Minister turned a sod to mark the start of groundworks at the site, in preparation for the placement of a mauri stone. “The ...7 days ago
- More rural broadband for regional communitiesNew contracts will improve around 30,000 broadband connections in rural homes and communities Govt on track to see 99.8% of all New Zealanders receive access to improved broadband as a result of various connectivity programmes by the end of 2023, including those targeting rural regions Applications open for one-off ...7 days ago
- Tauranga region to benefit from new funding and financing toolTauranga will be the first region to use a new Government tool to raise funding for much-needed infrastructure. A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) will be used to raise finance from private markets, which is then repaid via the levy on those who benefit from the infrastructure. The finance raised by ...7 days ago
- Parents threaten criminal action in ‘unvaccinated’ blood donor case
There’s been a development in the case of the parents who wanted to use “unvaccinated blood” for their child who needs life-saving surgery. As you’ll know by now, the court earlier this week took over guardianship of the baby. That meant the surgery could go ahead. However, as RNZ reported ...42 mins ago - The PM’s summer of pared back thinkingIn a round of end of year interviews, the prime minister confirmed the government will pare things back in 2023 to focus on economic issues and that some retirements will be announced next week, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in full each ...42 mins ago
- Keith Rankin Essay – To Be a Good Cancer
Essay by Keith Rankin. “Antlers grow through a mechanism that is very similar to cancer. But, because deer can keep that growth in check, they are extremely resilient to cancers. … “Sardinia’s own dwarf deer, a relative of Ireland’s giant elk, was eradicated within a hundred years of human colonization, ...1 hour ago - DNA from elusive human relatives the Denisovans has left a curious mark on modern people in New Guin...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Irene Gallego Romero, Senior Lecturer in Human Genetics, The University of Melbourne Derek R. Audette/Shutterstock An encounter with a mysterious and extinct human relative – the Denisovans – has left a mark on the immune traits of modern Papuans, in ...2 hours ago
- ‘Extreme stripping action’ led to the messy birth of the Southern Ring Nebula, Webb image reveal...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Orsola De Marco, Professor of Astrophysics, Macquarie University NASA When the first five images from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) were unveiled, one of them stared at me with two eyes. It was an image of the Southern Ring ...2 hours ago
- Lots of ‘breakthroughs’, still no cure. Do the new dementia drugs bring us any closer?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yen Ying Lim, Associate Professor, Monash University robina weermeijer/unsplash, CC BY-SA We often hear about “dementia breakthroughs” in the news – new genes being discovered, new blood tests being developed, new drugs being tested. However, there remains no effective ...2 hours ago
- Surging energy prices are really going to hurt. What can the government actually do?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tony Wood, Program Director, Energy, Grattan Institute Shutterstock Picture this. You’re in government for the first time in more than a decade. And within six months, you’re facing a diabolical problem: skyrocketing energy prices. To your constituents, it doesn’t matter ...2 hours ago
- ‘I would like to go to university’: flexi school students share their goals in Australia-first s...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marnee Shay, Senior Research Fellow, School of Education, The University of Queensland Nathan Cowley/Pexels Flexi schools cater to young people who have been pushed out of mainstream schools. Some students may have been expelled or struggled to fit in. Some ...2 hours ago
- What is the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, about to be negotiated in Brisbane?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Patricia Ranald, Honorary research associate, University of Sydney Shutterstock Australia is about to play host to negotiators from 14 countries involved in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) over six days in Brisbane from Saturday. They include the United States, ...2 hours ago
- Tantrums to tinsel: why I love the curious and festive tradition of the Santa photoSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cherine Fahd, Associate Professor of Visual Communication in the School of Design, University of Technology Sydney The author and her family with Santa in 1980. Author provided In April 1995, my uncle secured a lucrative job in Saudi Arabia. He and ...2 hours ago
- Candidates go all-out in bid for votes in Hamilton West by-election
It is crunch time for the two front-runners in the Hamilton West by-election with voting set to end at 7pm tomorrow. ...2 hours ago - The 10 best NZ TV moments of 2022Tara Ward looks back on the weird, wonderful television year that was. As 2022 comes to a close, it’s time to eat a lot of Scorched Almonds and reflect on the best television moments of the year. In the past 12 months, New Zealand television has given us joyful singalongs, ...4 hours ago
- How Queenstown makes property developers share the wealthWhen rural land gets rezoned for home building, developers make a killing – all while local workers find it harder and harder to find affordable housing. Enter ‘inclusionary zoning’, a wealth redistribution policy that could be coming to a council near you soon. This article was first published in Bernard ...4 hours ago
- Grattan on Friday: Australians are starting to feel the economic pain, but they are not taking it ou...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Mick Tsikas/AAP Anthony Albanese heads towards Christmas with inflation, interest rates and power prices all high. But, comfortingly for Labor, his own popularity is up there too. The objective circumstances in which ...12 hours ago
- Entrenchment law: What you need to knowExplainer - RNZ helps unpack what entrenchment law is and its significance, after the topic became a key issue in the Three Waters legislation's passage into law. ...13 hours ago
- Our laws fail nature. The government’s plan to overhaul them looks good, but crucial detail is yet...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brendan Wintle, Professor in Conservation Science, School of Ecosystem and Forest Science, The University of Melbourne Shutterstock The Albanese government has just released its long-awaited response to a scathing independent review of Australia’s environment protection law. The 2020 review ultimately ...13 hours ago
- Entrenchment provisions: What you need to knowExplainer - RNZ helps unpack what entrenchment law is and its significance, after the topic became a key issue in the Three Waters legislation's passage into law. ...14 hours ago
- PODCAST: Is an Independent Foreign Policy an Unachievable Myth? – Buchanan and ManningPODCAST – In this, the 24th episode of A View from Afar for 2022 political scientist Dr Paul Buchanan and host Selwyn Manning examine whether there is, in reality, such a thing as foreign policy independence in today’s world. Specifically, Paul and Selwyn examine the following questions: What ...15 hours ago
- PM Jacinda Ardern weighs spending priorities and Cabinet line-up ahead of election yearIn a sit-down interview, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern looks ahead to a newly prioritised spending plan and fresh ministerial line-up as part of a reset before 2023 - election year. ...16 hours ago
- Bryce Edwards’ Political Roundup: Labour needs Mahutu to go, but she’s too powerfulAnalysis by Dr Bryce Edwards. Political Roundup: Labour needs Mahutu to go, but she’s too powerful The pressure on Jacinda Ardern to sack Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta is building. But Mahuta is too powerful within the Labour Party to get rid of easily. The Three Waters reforms have become one ...16 hours ago
- Extreme heat in the midst of the Big Wet for northern Australia – what’s going on with the weath...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew King, Senior Lecturer in Climate Science, The University of Melbourne Shutterstock After a wet and unusually cool spring for much of Australia, the start of meteorological summer is bringing a heatwave to the north of the continent. Even in ...17 hours ago
- Have Your Say On An Inquiry Into The 2022 Local Elections
The Justice Committee has initiated an inquiry into the 2022 local elections in New Zealand. Local elections provide New Zealanders with an important opportunity to choose who will represent them on local issues. The Committee is interested in ...17 hours ago - Ngāi Tahu Welcomes Passage Of Water Services Entity Bill With the Water Services Entity Bill now passed, Ngāi Tahu is looking forward to working with local councils to ensure safe, equitable and affordable water services for the community while protecting the environment, Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Kaiwhakahaere ...18 hours ago
- Mahuta’s Three Waters bill flows through the third reading stage – but only Labour MPs voted in ...
Buzz from the Beehive The most triumphal statement posted on the Beehive website today came from Nanaia Mahuta, to bray about the Water Services Entities Bill passing its third reading in Parliament. The Bill was supported only by Labour MPs, but they have enough numbers in Parliament to ...18 hours ago - David Clark set to quit politics – reportDavid Clark is set to announce he’s retiring from parliament, according to Newsroom. The current commerce minister was first elected in 2011 and has held the Dunedin electorate since then. It’s a role that’s allowed Clark to take aim at the supermarket duopoly, especially during the cost of living crisis. ...18 hours ago
- The Unity Books children’s bestseller chart for NovemberIn the life-cycle of a reader we bet it’s the childhood reading memories that matter most. Here are Unity’s bestselling books for November, just in time to help with the Christmas shopping. AUCKLAND 1 Big Ideas For Curious Minds: An Introduction to Philosophy by Alain de Botton and Anna Doherty ...18 hours ago
- NZ’s richest man helped bankroll Wayne Brown campaignNew Zealand’s richest man helped bankroll the Wayne Brown mayor campaign, Stuff has reported. Grame Hart’s Rank Group donated $58,265 to the Brown campaign – the largest single donation registered. Hart has previously given financial support to political parties National, Act and New Zealand First. Overall, Brown spent about $470,000 ...18 hours ago
- ‘Like seeing the first images from the moon’: How Wētā gave Avatar 2 its visual wow factorMaking a three-hour film full of digital water effects required computing superpowers on a scale the Wellington studio had never used before. Wētā FX had a problem. By the beginning of 2020, the Wellington-based digital effects company had already started work on Avatar: The Way of the Water, the sequel ...18 hours ago
- Resolve poll gives Labor huge lead; US Democrats win Georgia Senate runoffSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne Lukas Coch/AAP A federal Resolve poll for Nine newspapers, conducted November 30 to December 4 from a sample of 1,611, ...18 hours ago
- Watershed Moment In Parliament WelcomedWaikato-Tainui fully supports the passing of the Water Services Entity Bill in Parliament this morning. Te Arataura Chairman Tukoroirangi Morgan said the passage of the Bill is a watershed moment for Aotearoa NZ particularly for our tribal members. “When ...19 hours ago
- Water Safety New Zealand – Calling On Government To Make Urgent Changes To Lifejacket Legislat...• Water Safety New Zealand is calling on the government to make urgent changes to regulations requiring everyone on small boats to wear a life jacket. • Water Safety New Zealand have directly requested these life-saving changes to the ...19 hours ago
- Repairing gullies: the quickest way to improve Great Barrier Reef water qualitySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Brooks, Principal Research Fellow – Fluvial Geomorphologist – specialising in catchment erosion research, Griffith University James Daley , Author provided Back-to-back bleaching events have highlighted the critical threat that climate change poses to the Great Barrier Reef. But few ...20 hours ago
- State Of The Public Service Report ReleasedPublic Service Commissioner Peter Hughes has today released the first ‘State of the Public Service’ report. The Public Service Act 2020 put in place new requirements to provide for strong stewardship of the Public Service now and into the future. ...20 hours ago
- Third of NZ navy ships idle as defence force staff leaveThree of New Zealand's nine navy ships are sitting idle in port as defence personnel leave the force for better salaries. ...20 hours ago
- Ping, your pizza is on its way. Ping, please rate the driver. Yes, constant notifications really do ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sharon Horwood, Senior Lecturer in Psychology, Deakin University Shutterstock A ping from the pizza company. A couple of pings from your socials. Ping, ping, ping from your family WhatsApp group trying to organise a weekend barbecue. With all those ...20 hours ago
- The ultimate no bones day: the death of TikTok pug Noodle shows how we can grieve online for animals...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Edith Jennifer Hill, PhD Candidate, Flinders University Instagram/ Showmenoodz On the 4th of December, TikTok user @jongraz announced his beloved pet, a pug named Noodle, had died aged 14. The announcement video received over 19 million views and 4 million ...20 hours ago
- Stats NZ Signs Agreement With Te Iwi O Ngātiwai To Support 2023 CensusA memorandum of understanding aimed at raising participation levels among Northland’s Ngātiwai iwi in the 2023 Census has been signed in Whangārei, Stats NZ said today. The memorandum of understanding was signed by Te Iwi o Ngātiwai and Government Statistician ...20 hours ago
- Sport NZ’s transgender guidelines are a good start – but can they filter up from grassroots to e...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Holly Thorpe, Professor in Sociology of Sport and Gender, University of Waikato Getty Images The release this week of Sport NZ’s new Guiding Principles for the Inclusion of Transgender People in Community Sport caused a minor and predictable controversy. One ...20 hours ago
- Police Opens Consultation On Changes To Firearms FeesA consultation process regarding firearms licencing fees, which haven’t changed in more than 20 years despite rising costs, opens today. Other than GST adjustments, firearms licencing fees have remained static since 1999. The cost of delivering arms ...21 hours ago
- Huge news for Auckland pets: Get ready to ride the busSomehow this news slipped me by until an excited text arrived from The Spinoff’s Alice Neville earlier today. “Huge news,” she said, with a link to Auckland Council’s announcement it would be allowing (small) pets on buses. In March this year, Neville wrote a passionate plea to allow her and ...21 hours ago
- Who needs art galleries when you could have a city of piss-soaked parking buildingsAuckland’s mayor might not see the point of the city’s art gallery, but he’d find plenty to admire about the parking building across the road. Yesterday I parked in a car parking building right across the road from Auckland Art Gallery. I got out of my car, went downstairs to ...21 hours ago
- The BSA has felt the impact of Covid misinformationThe broadcasting watchdog said it’s had to deal with growing “vehemence” over the past year, particularly around issues like Covid-19. A new report from the Broadcasting Standards Authority examined the growing number of “passionate responses” that viewers had to the pandemic. It found that the overwhelming majority of cases broadcasters had ...21 hours ago
- Three waters passesIt’s Thursday, December 8 and welcome along to The Spinoff’s live updates – made possible by our members.I’m Stewart Sowman-Lund, reach me on [email protected] The agenda The government’s three waters legislation has passed its final reading – but only Labour supported it. Hamilton West byelection turnout tracking at ...21 hours ago
- Fiji elections: Tabuya claims child ‘harassed’ by anti-corruption agencyBy Rakesh Kumar in Suva People’s Alliance candidate Lynda Tabuya claims her 16-year-old daughter was “harassed” by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) officers last week. Tabuya made this allegation in a video posted on social media. “This is my daughter coming back from school and they asked her ...21 hours ago
- Fate of NZ research centre highlights university ‘blindness’, media freedomSPECIAL REPORT: By Lee Duffield in Brisbane The launch of a New Zealand project to produce more Pacific news and provide a “voice for the voiceless” on the islands has highlighted the neglect of that field by Australia and New Zealand — and also problems in universities. The new development ...21 hours ago
- Three waters passes into law – with just Labour’s supportThe government’s controversial three waters legislation will become law after it passed third reading this morning. But, it passed with support just from Labour – with all other parties in parliament voting it down. Local government minister Nanaia Mahuta said the legislation’s passing would protect New Zealanders from rising rates, ...22 hours ago
- Hamilton West byelection turnout tracking at less than 40% of general electionIt will take a surge in the last couple of days of advance voting and election day itself for turnout in the Hamilton West byelection to hit even 30% turnout of enrolled voters. As of yesterday, 7,900 people had cast their votes. At the same point in the Tauranga byelection, ...22 hours ago
- Kaipara mayor backtracks on karakia banKaipara’s mayor has backed down on his decision to ban karakia at council meetings. According to 1News, Craig Jepson said he made the decision after “an open and frank discussion” with councillors. The story hit headlines last week after it was revealed Jepson had repeatedly interrupted his councillor Pera Paniora ...22 hours ago
- How Sarah Hirini’s passion keeps her pushing forwardThe World Cup-winning Black Fern and Kiwibank spokesperson is sharing the ups and downs of her own financial journey in the hope of helping others along theirs. It was Sarah Hirini’s mum who taught her what a true competitor looked like. When Ronnie wasn’t working during the week on ...22 hours ago
- Outrage over Auckland mayor’s plan to cut council-owned early childhood centresTen council-owned early childhood centres are part of a raft of proposed cuts within Auckland mayor Wayne Brown’s draft budget released earlier this week. But parents and teachers say the cost of losing the centres would be immense. Parents, whānau and teachers are voicing concern after Auckland Council-owned Kauri Kids ...22 hours ago
- Nationwide Rainbow Survey Sounds Alarm On Mental HealthCoordinated action across key areas of rainbow young people’s lives is needed to ensure they are not only safe but can thrive, according to the first national survey of rainbow youth in Aotearoa. Led by Dr John Fenaughty, a senior lecturer ...22 hours ago
- Build-to-rent is seen as affordable, but it’s unlikely to help those most in needSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Johari Amar, Lecturer in Property, Bond University Australians desperately need more affordable homes, particularly homes for rent. The prospect of home ownership is rapidly receding for many people, especially younger generations (as the chart below shows). More people than ever are being ...22 hours ago
- No appeal against ruling in NZ baby blood case, surgery to go aheadRNZ News The parents of a New Zealand baby at the centre of a legal dispute that has made global headlines will not be appealing against a judge’s decision to hand guardianship of the child to the High Court. The four-month-old — known only as Baby W — requires urgent ...22 hours ago
- Taxpayers’ Union Launches New Campaign: Scrap Three WatersThe Taxpayers’ Union is today launching a new campaign to protect New Zealanders from higher water costs, unnecessary bureaucracy, and the loss of local control and democratic accountability, with the passing of the framework bill implementing Three ...22 hours ago
- Greens pull Three Waters support, citing lack of protection against privatisationThe bill passed anyway, with Labour the only party voting for it. ...22 hours ago
- Invisible skin mites called Demodex almost certainly live on your face – but what about your masca...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Sandeman, Honorary Professor, Federation University Australia César Couto/Unsplash Demodex are a family of eight-legged mites that live in the hair follicles and associated sebaceous or oil glands of many mammals. Two species are known in humans – Demodex folliculorum, ...22 hours ago
- Mining Blindsided By 11th Hour Regulation SwitchPolitically motivated changes to regulations, made at the eleventh hour without consulting the public, iwi, and other affected parties, is a blindside, says Straterra CEO Josie Vidal. Environment Minister David Parker today released the National Policy ...22 hours ago
- Cow bells will be ringing as dairy giant Fonterra gets on a financial roll
Dairy giant Fonterra is on a financial roll and it wants to send a new wave of confidence through the country’s cowsheds. It upgraded its earnings guidance to 50 – 70c per share from 45 – 60c per share. Contrast that with the 20c it paid for the 2021-22 season. ...22 hours ago - BRYCE EDWARDS’ Political Roundup: Labour needs Mahuta to go, but she’s too powerful
BRYCE EDWARDS writes – The pressure on Jacinda Ardern to sack Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta is building. But Mahuta is too powerful within the Labour Party to get rid of easily. The Three Waters reforms have become one of the Labour Government’s greatest liabilities. While there ...23 hours ago - Indonesia’s new criminal code isn’t just about sex outside marriage. It endangers press and reli...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tim Lindsey, Malcolm Smith Professor of Asian Law and Director of the Centre for Indonesian Law, Islam and Society, The University of Melbourne Indonesia’s controversial new criminal code was passed into law on Tuesday, replacing a clunky old code dating back to ...23 hours ago
- Fire And Emergency Committed To Building A Positive Culture Following Independent ReviewFire and Emergency New Zealand Board Chair Rebecca Keoghan MNZM says the organisation is committed to making Fire and Emergency a place where all its people thrive. This comes following the release of a Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission review ...23 hours ago
- THOMAS CRANMER: A government humiliated
National’s deputy leader, Nicola Willis, applied one of the many lashings that the government received in the House this week: ‘Today we have the grovelling back-down, but the stain on our democracy, ... 23 hours ago - Fire And Emergency New Zealand Review ReleasedA Public Service Commission review has found Fire and Emergency New Zealand has fallen short in its attempts to improve workplace culture. The independent review, led by Belinda Clark QSO, focused on assessing Fire and Emergency New Zealand’s ...23 hours ago
- Three Waters: Rapids ahead as entrenchment leaves a bruiseAnalysis - Three Waters has left a lasting impression on Labour and the responsible minister, and seems destined to keep causing problems for whoever wins next year's election. ...23 hours ago
- Preparing Your Pets For The Festive SeasonThe Veterinary Council of New Zealand (VCNZ) is reminding pet owners that a little bit of preparation now will help keep their animals fit and healthy over the summer holidays. VCNZ Professional Advisor Seton Butler says whether people are going away ...23 hours ago
- Local Authority Statistics: September 2022 QuarterLocal authority statistics provides information on the performance of core non-trading activities of New Zealand's territorial and regional councils. Visit our website to read this information release and to download CSV files: Local authority ...23 hours ago
- A Virgo’s guide to decorating your Christmas treeWant to throw a bunch of shit on a stick and call it done? You do you, boo. But if you’ve watched every single Netflix Christmas movie, looked at your own tree and wondered why it doesn’t look like a tree in a Scottish castle, this guide is for you. ...24 hours ago
- The Bulletin: Overwhelming support for half-price public transportMore results from the recent 1News Kantar poll which show 79% of people back half-price public transport. A decision on whether to extend the government’s transport subsidies is with cabinet. Transport minister Michael Wood says a decision is expected imminently. Finance minister Grant Robertson told 1News that cabinet is considering its options, ...24 hours ago
- Pharmac approves funding for spinal muscular atrophy drugThere’s been a lot of talk this week about Pharmac’s approach to the announcement it would be funding Trikafta, the potentially life-saving cystic fibrosis drug. You can read Emily Writes’ analysis of the media chaos around that on The Spinoff here. Meanwhile, the health minister has today announced another “important” ...24 hours ago
- No appeal in case of parents seeking ‘unvaccinated’ blood for sick babyHealth officials were last night granted guardianship of a critically sick baby whose parents were seeking “unvaccinated blood” before allowing life-saving surgery to ahead. As you can read in today’s edition of The Bulletin, the baby, who cannot be named, is to be placed under the guardianship of the court ...24 hours ago
- Judgment details hijacking of meeting by anti-vax support personThe judgment granted guardianship of the baby in the case about the use of blood from donors vaccinated against Covid and detailed a meeting with parents overtaken by a support person who proceeded to “pressurise the specialists with her theory about conspiracies in New Zealand”, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this ...24 hours ago
- Crown Called On To Act In Good Faith On Supreme Court RulingWairarapa Maori who had their land taken off them by the Crown – twice; say a Supreme Court judgement released today clears the way for the Waitangi Tribunal to make a final determination on whether some of that land should be returned. Wairarapa ...24 hours ago
- Heat Stress-related Deaths Prompt Urgent Calls For Improved Government OversightSAFE is urgently renewing calls for a Commissioner for Animals, following the Ministry for Primary Industries’ investigation into heat stress-related deaths of several pigs on a livestock truck earlier this year. The deaths occurred aboard a livestock ...1 day ago
- Dunne Speaks: Cabinet Reshuffles Do Not Save Sinking ShipsWhen Parliament rises for the year at the end of next week, MPs' attention will shift over the summer break to the election next year, and what it might mean for them personally. Some will decide the time is ripe for them to move on, as did Green ...1 day ago
- Two In Three New Zealand Adults Support Free Public Transport, New Poll ShowsTwo in three New Zealand adults support the government making public transport free for all users, according to the results of a new Horizon Research poll released today. The same poll found that 80 percent of adults support a permanent extension of half-price ...1 day ago
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