Happy Labour Day
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Date published: 9:48 am, October 25th, 2021 - 10 comments
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: labour day
Happy Labour day everyone, particularly essential workers including health workers who have to work today.
In December 2022 We Will Be …
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Date published: 8:00 am, October 25th, 2021 - 4 comments
Categories: covid-19, Deep stuff, employment, health, housing, labour, Politics
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A year ago we were preparing for the America’s Cup and threading our way through the latest crisis quite well. What will we be planning next year?
Open mike 25/10/2021
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Date published: 6:00 am, October 25th, 2021 - 33 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 …
Get a haircut and get a real job
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Date published: 5:19 pm, October 24th, 2021 - 62 comments
While our eyes are peeled on the 90% vaccination target, the ground under our feet is shifting.
Won’t someone think of the business owners?
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Date published: 12:04 pm, October 24th, 2021 - 174 comments
This week Judith Collins was reported to be close to tears. But not about the possibility of a significant number of deaths but by the prospect of business closures.
Open mike 24/10/2021
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Date published: 6:00 am, October 24th, 2021 - 161 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 23/10/2021
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Date published: 6:00 am, October 23rd, 2021 - 162 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 …
Mad Tuesday
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Date published: 7:58 pm, October 22nd, 2021 - 12 comments
NZ Government is jumping at the deep end by re-opening schools on Tuesday.
Daily review 22/10/2021
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Date published: 5:30 pm, October 22nd, 2021 - 13 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 …
Friday will change Us As Citizens
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Date published: 8:04 am, October 22nd, 2021 - 210 comments
While we may have been lifted out of martial lockdowns and some rights have been reinstated in limited form, we have surrendered to another more pervasive power. The power of big data.
Open mike 22/10/2021
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Date published: 6:00 am, October 22nd, 2021 - 158 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 21/10/2021
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Date published: 5:30 pm, October 21st, 2021 - 24 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 …
National’s plan – open and be damned
Written By:
Date published: 9:43 am, October 21st, 2021 - 71 comments
Yesterday National released what feels like take 16 of its Covid response plan, this one focussing on business interests and setting a hard timeline for reopening. But getting significant details wrong and rehashing failed policies previously tried in England has dampened its effect.
Open mike 21/10/2021
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Date published: 6:00 am, October 21st, 2021 - 77 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 20/10/2021
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Date published: 5:30 pm, October 20th, 2021 - 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 …
Covid and kindness
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Date published: 10:16 am, October 20th, 2021 - 127 comments
The vaccine is a bloody useful tool, not a panacea. This is a long crisis that requires us to pay heed the bigger picture.
Get Ugly
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Date published: 9:20 am, October 20th, 2021 - 94 comments
Kindness will not get the country to meet its Covid vaccination goals. It is time to change the tone.
Open mike 20/10/2021
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Date published: 6:00 am, October 20th, 2021 - 114 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 19/10/2021
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Date published: 5:30 pm, October 19th, 2021 - 23 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 19/10/2021
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Date published: 6:00 am, October 19th, 2021 - 379 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 18/10/2021
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Date published: 5:30 pm, October 18th, 2021 - 107 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 …
Slater smears again
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Date published: 8:33 am, October 18th, 2021 - 104 comments
The Herald’s publication of an attack on Ardern by a wedding venue owner appears to have been sourced from Cameron Slater and brings into stark relief the Herald’s twin business model of funding serious journalism by both subscriptions and the use of click bait.
Open mike 18/10/2021
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Date published: 6:00 am, October 18th, 2021 - 202 comments
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New misogyny same as the old misogyny
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Date published: 12:38 pm, October 17th, 2021 - 140 comments
At the largest feminist conference in Europe, with a major focus on male violence against women, gender identity activists chose to protest with sexualised violent language and imagery.
Jacinda Ardern: Tear Down This Wall
Written By:
Date published: 11:18 am, October 17th, 2021 - 109 comments
In the coming months Fortress New Zealand will be dismantled. What will take its place?
Open mike 17/10/2021
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Date published: 6:00 am, October 17th, 2021 - 99 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 …
Don’t be lax, get your vax
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Date published: 10:07 am, October 16th, 2021 - 43 comments
Posted for the big drive today for vaccinations for news and comments. Image borrowed from Waipareira who are doing great work out west.
Why Can’t We Do More?
Written By:
Date published: 8:44 am, October 16th, 2021 - 35 comments
The Government’s dramatic action taken over the past 18 months to respond to Covid and the population’s overwhelming support suggests that it should be taking similar drastic action to address poverty and climate change.
Open mike 16/10/2021
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Date published: 6:00 am, October 16th, 2021 - 208 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 15/10/2021
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Date published: 5:30 pm, October 15th, 2021 - 7 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 …
Time for Auckland to go back to level four?
Written By:
Date published: 7:55 am, October 15th, 2021 - 114 comments
With daily Covid infection rates in Tamaki Makaurau increasing it may be time for the Government to consider a short sharp lockdown to try and arrest this increase and to let vaccination rates improve.
- Labour Day musings
by Don Franks Labour Day’s just another holiday now, although workers wouldn’t have any paid holidays without the long up and down grind of past union struggles. This Labour Day I thought back to my first union experience. It was in 1969, one morning in a timber yard. I’d been ...3 hours ago - Business and Media pimp for dodgy covid test. Govt caves. Questions Remain.
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Lining Up With The Right: Though Jacinda Ardern hasn’t endorsed the John Key-Act-National preference for 1 December as Auckland's “Freedom Day” in as many words, that is clearly the timeline she is working to. The Prime Minister of New Zealand cannot assure 1.6 million Aucklanders that they will be free ...3 days ago - Rendering Unto Caesar: In Labour, “L’état c’est Jacinda”.3 days ago
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In a flashback to the military displays of days gone by, one of our frigates recently joined a Carrier Strike show of force in the South China Sea, en route to a joint military exercise in Singapore with our traditional allies, called BersamaGold21. Reportedly, Anna Powles, from the Centre of ...4 days ago - Is Funding Euthanasia a Health Priority for Aotearoa New Zealand: Part 2?
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Today’s NZPD testimonial from Peder Gustafsson, Asia Correspondent, Swedish National Radio “As a Asia-Pacific Correspondent for the Swedish National Radio The newsletter from NZ Politics Daily is one of my best sources for getting information and keeping up with what’s happening in New Zealand. I appreciate the variety and breadth of the information ...4 days ago - The Power Of “No”.Irrational Resistance: With the Delta variant of Covid-19 raging through their communities and pumping up the number of community cases to new and frightening levels, it’s beginning to dawn on the ill-treated and excluded that, for once in their lives, they have the power. If the System is so desperate ...4 days ago
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It should come as no surprise that the government’s critics, on the pandemic and other subjects, are from the political right. For many of them, the touchstone is purely political – if the policy is right-wing, it is “right”, and, if not, then it is by definition wrong. In no ...5 days ago - The critically endangered Māui dolphin is a conservation priority – we shouldn’t let uncertaint...Rochelle Constantine, University of Auckland and Wendi Roe, Massey University The world’s rarest marine dolphin, Māui, is found only along the west coast of the North Island of Aotearoa New Zealand. Based on our surveys over the last two summers, during which we collected small tissue samples for DNA ...5 days ago
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. . Parts of National’s document – to open up Aotearoa New Zealand “to the world” – has been recycled from various policy and media releases last year and more recently. Despite demanding that the country open up to the outside world and end lockdowns by 1 December, and ...5 days ago- Member’s Day
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Brazil has been one of the countries worst-hit by the pandemic, with over 21 million confirmed cases and 600,000 deaths. Much of the blame for that can be squarely laid at the feet of its president, Jair Bolsonaro, who put the economy first and let the disease spread unchecked, while ...5 days ago- Freedom Day is coming!
Could 1 December be Freedom Day? ...6 days ago- Gordon Campbell on juggling Covid, and France’s Trump-like populist
It is the age-old Covid problem. How to balance the needs for firms (and schools) to re-open against the need to protect public health. In the past, the balance has been struck by insisting that the best public health outcomes also deliver the best economic (and educational) outcomes. While that ...6 days ago- Ben Santer on ‘separating’ and his ‘small part’ in understanding of climate science
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Today’s NZPD testimonial from Joe Atkinson, Political Scientist, University of Auckland: “NZPD is an indispensable source for political junkies like me. It sorts the wheat out from the media chaff and saves a lot of time.” Anyone can sign up to NZPD for free at: https://democracyproject.nz/nz-politics-daily/ Today’s content Housing Zane Small (Newshub): How ...6 days ago- Many of New Zealand’s most popular websites use ‘dark patterns’ to manipulate users – is it ...
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Zoë Hyde, The University of Western Australia As students return to schools in Victoria and New South Wales after months of lockdowns, many people may be worried about the risks to their kids – and transmission overall. The role that schools play in transmission of the virus that causes ...7 days ago- The Picnic Period: A sign of our Covid times
Auckland. For a long been it’s been known to Maori as Tamaki Makaurau, a place of ‘many lovers’. In the past fortnight, though, Auckland has shaken out the rug and grabbed a drink to become Tamaki Pikiniki, a place of many picnics. The humble picnic is now, in many ways, a ...7 days ago- Are Covid vaccines becoming less effective?
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Dan Lowry, GNS Science; Mario Krapp, GNS Science, and Nick Golledge, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Rising seas are already making storm damage more costly, adding to the impact on about 700 million people who live in low-lying coastal areas at risk of flooding. Scientists expect ...7 days ago- NZ Politics Daily: 19 October 2021
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When The Green Party Co-Leader Speaks, Does He Make Any Sound? James Shaw must know that neither New Zealanders, nor the rest of humanity, will ever take the urgent and transformative action that Science now deems necessary to stave-off climate catastrophe.POOR JAMES SHAW: He’s the man this government sends out ...1 week ago- Gordon Campbell on the perils of declaring premature victory
Sure enough, Saturday’s Vaxathon was a barrel of fun and a throwback not merely to the Telethons of the past. It also revived memories of those distant days of early 2020, when we were all carefully wiping down our groceries, not touching our faces, washing our hands for 20 seconds ...1 week ago- NZ Politics Daily: 18 October 2021
Today’s NZPD testimonial from Kim Gillespie, Editor NZME Newspapers Lower North Island & Communities “I find the daily email great for giving me an overview of each morning’s big issues across the media landscape, and really appreciate the huge amount of work that must go in to compiling it each day.” Anyone ...1 week ago- Bryce Edwards: Political Roundup – Celebrating and critiquing 25 years of MMP
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Rawiri Jansen, National Hauora Coalition I write this as I charge my car, getting ready to head home at the end of a pretty good Super Saturday. It started with coffee and checking the news feeds as any good day should. Between 9 and 10 am as I drove to ...1 week ago- Weddings and Leopards
Could it be that the Herald is beginning to twig that an unremitting hostility to the government does not go down well with all its readers? The evidence for that is that, in today’s issue, two contributors (Bill Ralston and Steven Joyce) who usually enjoy sticking the knife in, take ...1 week ago- The Chronicles of Kregsmal and Krunch: Volume I
As noted previously, my weekly DND campaign with Annalax and Gertrude has been put on ice. I expect it to return eventually, but for now it is very much on hiatus. The remainder of the group have decided to run an entirely new campaign in the meantime. This ...1 week ago- Super Saturday recap: Patrick Gower doesn’t know what he’s supposed to do
It was Aotearoa’s first national day of action in over ten years, the first since 2010, when Prime Minister John Key tried to inspire us to clean up our nation’s berms. It didn’t work. Today, New Zealand’s berms are worse than ever. But history is not destiny, and other cliches. ...1 week ago- COVID-19 Worried about getting your vaccine or want a simple explanation?
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by Don Franks Foremost fighting the Delta virus are workers, especially in health, distribution, service and education sectors. Unionised members of these groups are centrally represented by the New Zealand Council of trade unions ( NZCTU). Political journalist Richard Harman recently noted:“Businesses are caught in a legal tangle if they ...1 week ago- Faster transitions to clean energy are also cheaper
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Sometimes high theory loses the human point of the exercise.One of the joys of teaching is you learn from your students. When fifty-odd years ago, I was at the University of Sussex, a student doing our first-year economics course, Jim, came to me, saying he was pulling out because it ...1 week ago- What Happened to the Team?
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Michael Hannah, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington It is now common to refer to the current biodiversity crisis as the sixth mass extinction. But is this true? Are we in the middle of an event on the same scale as the five ancient mass extinctions Earth ...1 week ago- NZ Politics Daily: 15 October 2021
Today’s NZPD testimonial from Associate Professor Grant Duncan, Massey University, Auckland “The NZ Politics Daily email is very helpful in giving me a quick overview of current events and opinion. It allows me to pick out important or informative columns that I may otherwise have missed. I recommend NZ Politics Daily to anyone ...2 weeks ago- Missing From The Anti-Covid Action.
The Invisible Man: Where has the NZ Council of Trade Unions been during the Covid-19 Pandemic? Why hasn’t its current president, Richard Wagstaff (above) become a household name during the pandemic? Up there with Ashley Bloomfield, Michael Baker, Shaun Hendy and Siouxsie Wiles? WHERE HAVE THE UNIONS BEEN during the Covid-19 ...2 weeks ago- “Go West, Young Virus”
The Auckland Coronavirus Outbreak potters along, not helped by the perception that the Government is disturbingly enthusiastic about “managing the virus” or loosening the border. Health Minister Andrew Little said today he envisages 90% vaccination rates (which we don’t have) eventually leading to 5,000 cases in Auckland a week… ...2 weeks ago- Skeptical Science New Research for Week #41, 2021
How to fill a glass and thereby drink— from a fire hose So far this year, New Research has published listings for 3,291 papers concerning climate change from one aspect or another. Each edition includes two dozen or so articles describing freshly and directly observed effects of global waming. These ...2 weeks ago- Climate Change: UKanians supports cuts
The Guardian reports a study on emissions reduction policy from the UK, which found that UKanians overwhelmingly support stronger action than their government: The UK public backs a carbon tax on polluting industries, higher levies on flying and grants for heat pumps in order to tackle the climate crisis, ...2 weeks ago- Media Link: “A View from Afar” on PRC-Taiwan tensions.
In this week’s podcast Selwyn Manning and I discuss the upsurge in tensions between the PRC and Taiwan and what are the backgrounds to and implications of them. You can check the conversation out here. ...2 weeks ago- Labour’s 2023 election manifesto
This morning Health Minister Andrew Little effectively unveiled Labour's 2023 election manifesto: 5,000 cases a week in Auckland alone: Thousands of people will be infected with Covid-19 every week even with vaccination levels at 90 per cent, and hospitals face being overwhelmed once restrictions are eased and borders opened, ...2 weeks ago- Don't Blame James.
2 weeks ago- The “Pulpit of Strewth”
Barry Soper is one half of one of one of those right-wing husband-and-wife duos in which the Herald seems to specialise. In today’s issue, he has a piece that doesn’t quite reach the heights (or depths) of a Hoskings-style anti-government hostility, but which does provide an interesting example of the ...2 weeks ago- Gordon Campbell on the epic fails of Kris Faafoi
Ever since Winston Peters first breathed life into this government in 2018, its own branding has been all about social justice and how we all need to be “kind” to each other. Somehow, Kris Faafoi must have missed the memo. His performance in the immigration portfolio (in particular) has neither ...2 weeks ago- NZ Politics Daily: 14 October 2021
Today’s NZPD testimonial from Mike Treen, Advocate, Unite Union “Please continue your incredible work compiling these news digests. As someone operating in the fields of advocacy for workers and the broader social justice areas it is invaluable to be able to check what is happening in the media relating to the issues I have to deal ...2 weeks ago- Overconfident Idiots: Why Incompetence Breeds Certainty
This is a re-post from the Thinking is Power website maintained by Melanie Trecek-King where she regularly writes about many aspects of critical thinking in an effort to provide accessible and engaging critical thinking information to the general public. Please see this overview to find links to other reposts from Thinking is Power. ...2 weeks ago - Kids’ quality of life will depend on today’s climate choices
- Funding to test drugs at festivals a lifesaver
New funding for drug-checking services at festivals is a Green Party win that will save lives. However the Government needs to go further, faster and expand these lifesaving services. ...2 days ago - Green Party sets out more equitable approach to COVID-19 responseThe Green Party has warned that the Labour’s plan to move to a new COVID-19 response strategy is rushed and risky, and will leave some people at risk. Meanwhile, the Greens have a safer, more appropriate approach that won’t leave anyone behind. ...4 days ago
- Transform arms export regime to strengthen human rights protectionsThe Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand is calling on the Government to urgently introduce legislation to better regulate the export of military products and technology that could be used to breach human rights in other countries. ...5 days ago
- Make it a shore thing – Bird of the Year 2021The Green Party is calling on people to go dotty for dotterel and vote for the New Zealand Dotterel/Tūturiwhatu as Bird of the Year 2021. ...5 days ago
- National’s irresponsible COVID plan will cost livesThe National Party’s plan to remove all COVID restrictions on 1 December, regardless of whether or not people are vaccinated, would cost lives, the Green Party says. ...5 days ago
- New research reinforces urgency to end conversion practicesNew research from the University of Waikato showing a link between conversion practices and negative mental health for trans and non-binary people reinforces the urgent need to pass the Conversion Practices Prohibition Legislation Bill. ...5 days ago
- Te Mātāwaka: Greens call for the Government to listen to Māori health expertsTe Mātāwaka caucus support the call from iwi leaders, and Māori providers for a COVID-19 vaccination rate of 95 percent for Māori, Pasifika and other marginalised communities before further lifting COVID-19 restrictions. ...6 days ago
- Govt must build on foundation of planning rule changes to solve housing crisisFamilies looking for their first home will welcome a bipartisan commitment to increase housing supply, but will be asking what more can be done. ...6 days ago
- Equitable financial support urgently needed to combat COVID outbreakThe Green Party is calling for a broader and more equitable financial support package to slow the COVID-19 outbreak and ensure everyone in Alert Level 3 can make ends meet, following the announcement that Alert Level 3 has been extended for at least two more weeks in Auckland and at ...1 week ago
- Waste strategy needs to learn from natureAnything less than a transformational national waste strategy and waste legislation will not be enough, the Green Party said today. ...2 weeks ago
- 5 ways you can help New Zealand get vaccinated
Getting vaccinated is the best thing we can do to protect ourselves and the people we care about from COVID-19. It means we’ll all be able to do more of what we love this summer, while keeping each other safe. ...2 weeks ago - Te Mātāwaka: Greens support iwi led housing solutionsThe Green Party’s Te Mātāwaka Caucus welcome the Government’s investment into iwi Māori-led housing initiatives. ...2 weeks ago
- Greens call for expanded protection for renters, overseas voting for COVID-19 billThe Green Party is calling for expanded protections for renters and extended eligibility for overseas voters for the COVID-19 Response Management Measures Legislation Bill, which is currently before select committee. ...2 weeks ago
- One-off residency scheme needs to include working holiday and seasonal workersThe Green Party says the Government needs to extend the one-off residency scheme to all workers, instead of keeping them in limbo with visa extensions every 6 months. ...2 weeks ago
- Camping, concerts, cuddles: Kiwis tell us why they’re vaccinatedRight now, the single most important thing New Zealanders can do in the fight against COVID-19 is get vaccinated. More and more of us are stepping up, with more than two million people now fully vaccinated. ...2 weeks ago
- Green Party deeply concerned space launches may be breaching nuclear-free lawsThe Green Party is deeply concerned that space launches by Rocket Lab may be breaching New Zealand’s long-standing nuclear-free position and legislation. ...2 weeks ago
- Funding to translate science into real life solutions
The Government is investing in ‘Te Tītoki Mataora’ the MedTech Research Translator, to deliver new medical tools - and meet both the demands of a global pandemic and of a growing and aging population. “COVID-19 has shown that we need to build a more resilient, productive, innovative and economically-sustainable health ...9 hours ago - Tokelau champions language and cultureCOVID-19 continues to be a powerful reminder of the importance of language and culture to the wellbeing of our Pacific communities, said the Minister for Pacific Peoples, Aupito William Sio. “Our Tokelau community in Aotearoa has responded strongly to the challenges of the global pandemic by getting vaccinated and supporting ...1 day ago
- Festival drug-checking services get a boostThe Government is financially supporting drug-checking services to help keep young people safe at this summer’s large festivals and events, Health Minister Andrew Little says. “This is not about condoning drug use, but about keeping people safe,” Andrew Little said. “There is clear evidence that having drug-checking services at festivals ...2 days ago
- Expanded vaccination order for health and disability, education and prison workersA newly-signed Order means most people working in three key sectors will very soon need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 for the sake of themselves, their workmates and their communities, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins has confirmed. The extended COVID-19 Public Health Response (Vaccinations) Amendment Order 2021 comes into effect ...2 days ago
- APEC finance ministers focus on inclusive, sustainable COVID recoveryAPEC finance ministers will continue to work together to respond to the effects of COVID-19 and ensure a sustainable and inclusive recovery while capitalising on the opportunity to build a more resilient future. The New Zealand Minister of Finance and Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson chaired the virtual APEC Finance ...3 days ago
- Improvements to child and maternity facilities at Timaru Hospital on trackImprovements to child and maternity facilities at Timaru Hospital are well underway, and the next stage of the project will begin next month. Health Minister Andrew Little visited Timaru Hospital today to view progress onsite. “The improvements are part of South Canterbury DHB’s four-year refurbishment project and will create a ...3 days ago
- Govt responds to independent review into WorkSafeThe Government has clear expectations that WorkSafe must action the recommendations of the independent review into the regulator to improve its management of adventure activities following the tragedy at Whakaari White Island, Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Michael Wood says. The Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) today released the ...3 days ago
- Prevention funding to reduce tamariki in careA new iwi-led prevention programme will receive funding from Oranga Tamariki to help reduce the number of tamariki and rangatahi coming into state care, Children’s Minister Kelvin Davis has announced. Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu (Te Rūnanga) will receive $25.9m of Oranga Tamariki funding over three years to improve outcomes ...3 days ago
- Transforming New Zealand’s mental health legislationPublic consultation is now open for Aotearoa New Zealand to have a say on the repeal and replacement of the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992. “’He Ara Oranga, the report of the Government Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction’ made it clear that we needed to replace ...3 days ago
- COVID-19 Protection FrameworkKia ora koutou katoa Today I’m speaking directly to all New Zealanders to share a plan that will help us stay safe from COVID-19 into the future. A future where we want to continue to protect people’s lives, but also to live our lives – as safely as possible. Our ...4 days ago
- Business boost to transition to new COVID frameworkWe know that over the last twenty months the approach New Zealand has taken to COVID and Delta has saved lives and livelihoods. Along with one of the lowest mortality rates in the world, we have also had strong economic growth, low unemployment and one of the lower levels of ...4 days ago
- COVID-19 funding boost to protect maōri communitiesTēnā koutou katoa As you have heard from the Prime Minister, the new protection framework will support us to keep people safe especially our vulnerable communities and minimize the impact COVID-19 has on business and our day to day lives. If you want to protect yourself, your whanau and your ...4 days ago
- New COVID-19 Protection Framework delivers greater freedoms for vaccinated New ZealandersNew COVID-19 Protection Framework provides pathway out of lockdown and ability for businesses and events to re-open to vaccinated New Zealanders Simpler framework to minimise cases and hospitalisations without use of widespread lockdowns Auckland to move into the new framework when 90 percent of eligible population in each of the ...4 days ago
- New fund to accelerate Māori vaccinationsThe Government has established a $120 million fund to accelerate Māori vaccination rates and support communities to prepare for the implementation of the new COVID-19 Protection Framework. The new Māori Communities COVID-19 Fund will directly fund Māori, Iwi, community organisations and providers to deliver local vaccination initiatives for whānau, and ...4 days ago
- Government extends hardship assistance for low income workersIncome limits for Hardship Support through the Ministry of Social Development have been temporarily lifted so more people can recieve assistance. “Cabinet has agreed to make it easier for low income workers to recieve assistance for items such as food and other emergency costs,” Carmel Sepuloni said. “We know the ...4 days ago
- More support for learners with highest needsStudents most in need of extra help in the classroom are the focus of a new review that gets under way today, Associate Education Minister Jan Tinetti says. About 50,000-80,000 children and young people are expected to benefit from a Ministry of Education review into Highest Need Learners that will ...4 days ago
- Parts of Waikato to stay at Alert Level 3 for next six daysThe parts of Waikato that have been in Alert Level 3 will remain at that alert level till Wednesday, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said today. “Based on the latest public health information, maintaining level 3 in those parts of the Waikato continues to be the most prudent course of ...4 days ago
- Hon Peeni Henare September 2021 Proactive Diary Release...4 days ago
- NZ passes world-first climate reporting legislationNew Zealand has become the first country in the world to pass a law that will ensure financial organisations disclose and ultimately act on climate-related risks and opportunities, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Dr David Clark and Climate Change Minister James Shaw today announced today. The Financial Sector (Climate-related Disclosures ...4 days ago
- Prime Minister NZ UK FTA opening remarksTēnā koutou katoa. Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou katoa. I am delighted to announce today that following a conversation with Prime Minister Johnson last night, New Zealand and the United Kingdom have Agreed in Principle a historic high-quality, comprehensive and inclusive free trade agreement. I’m joined today by the Minister ...5 days ago
- New Zealand secures historic free trade deal with the United KingdomA boost of almost $1 billion to New Zealand GDP, unprecedented access for New Zealand exporters to the UK market UK to eliminate all tariffs on New Zealand exports, with over 97% being removed the day the FTA comes into force NZ exporters to save approx. $37.8 million per year ...5 days ago
- Quarterly benefit numbers show more people in workBenefit figures released today show a year on year fall of 9,807 people receiving a Main Benefit in the September Quarter. “The Government is working hard to tackle COVID-19 and it is clear our strong response to the initial outbreak has created a resilient labour market which is providing opportunities ...5 days ago
- Health reforms bill introduced to ParliamentLegislation central to fixing the health system has been introduced into Parliament by Health Minister Andrew Little. “Rebuilding the public health system is critical to laying the foundations for a better future for all New Zealanders,” Andrew Little said. “We need a system that works for everybody, no matter who ...5 days ago
- NCEA and NZ Scholarship Exams to proceedNCEA and New Zealand Scholarship exams will proceed, including in areas where Alert Level 3 has been in place, Education Minister Chris Hipkins said today. “The New Zealand Qualifications Authority, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health have been working together to ensure exams can be managed in a safe ...5 days ago
- Limited change to onsite learning – for senior secondary students – in Level 3 regionsOnsite learning at schools in Level 3 regions will start from next week for senior secondary school students to prepare for end of year exams, Education Minister Chris Hipkins said today. “Secondary schools in these regions will start onsite learning for years 11 to 13 on Tuesday 26 October,” Chris ...5 days ago
- Guaranteed MIQ spots for health workersThe Government is changing the way managed isolation is co-ordinated for health workers, guaranteeing 300 spots a month for the health and disability sector. “Our world-class workforce is vital in rebuilding the health system and dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic,” Andrew Little said. “Whether it’s bringing doctors or nurses in ...6 days ago
- Govt helps to protect New Zealanders digital identitiesMaking it easier for New Zealanders to safely prove who they are digitally and control who has access to that information is one step closer to becoming law, Minister for Digital Economy and Communications, Dr David Clark said. The Digital Identity Services Trust Framework Bill passed its first reading today ...6 days ago
- Red tape cut to boost housing supplyNew building intensification rules will mean up to three homes of up to three storeys can be built on most sites without the need for a resource consent New rules will result in at least 48,200 and as many as 105,500 new homes built in next 5-8 years Bringing forward ...6 days ago
- Nationwide business partnership grows conservation jobsFurther Government support for New Zealand’s longest-standing sustainable business organisation will open up opportunities for dozens of workers impacted by COVID-19 to jump start a nature-based career, Conservation Minister Kiri Allan says. Partnering to Plant Aotearoa, led by the Sustainable Business Network (SBN), is a collaboration with iwi, hapū and ...1 week ago
- New Zealand increases climate aid contributionGovernment commits $1.3 billion over four years to support countries most vulnerable to the effects of climate change At least 50 percent of funding will go to the Pacific as it adapts to the impacts of climate change The increase means New Zealand now meets its fair share of global ...1 week ago
- Super Māori turnout for Super SaturdayMāori have put a superb effort into mobilising to get vaccinated over Super Saturday, with thousands rolling up their sleeves to protect themselves, their whānau and communities from COVID-19, Associate Health Minister Peeni Henare says. “It was absolutely outstanding that 21,702 Māori got vaccinated on this one day alone with 10,825 ...1 week ago
- Language assists Tagata Niue to thriveDespite the uncertain times we face with the challenges of COVID-19, our cultural knowledge, values and language remain constant, helping us progress towards goals in life, said the Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio. This year, the Niuean community in New Zealand decided on the theme, “Kia tupuolaola e ...1 week ago
- New Zealand Ambassador to France announcedForeign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta today announced the appointment of Caroline Bilkey as New Zealand’s next Ambassador to France and the OECD. “Aotearoa New Zealand and France have a shared history, and enjoy a strong, collaborative partnership. This includes a strong trade and economic relationship, a shared commitment to support ...1 week ago
- Govt welcomes nurses’ pay settlementThe Government is welcoming news that a new employment agreement for nurses working in public hospitals has been settled. “I am very pleased that the hard work of the Nurses Organisation and District Health Boards has led to a settlement that both can support,” Health Minister Andrew Little said today. ...1 week ago
- Judge of the High Court appointedMāori Land Court Judge Layne Harvey has been appointed a Judge of the High Court, Attorney‑General David Parker announced today. Justice Harvey graduated with an LLB from the University of Auckland in 1992 and commenced employment as a law clerk with Simpson Grierson in Auckland that same year. In 1997 ...1 week ago
- Kiwis to have their say on plan to reduce wasteNew Zealanders are invited to have their say on proposals for a new waste strategy and options for new waste legislation. “Reducing waste is one of the issues all New Zealanders – especially younger Kiwis - care deeply about,” Environment Minister David Parker said today “New Zealand is one of ...2 weeks ago
- Next steps in action plan for indigenous rights kicks offMinister for Māori Development Willie Jackson has today meet with more than 30 national Māori organisations in an online hui, kicking off the process to develop a plan for New Zealand to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (the Declaration). The previous National Government signed ...2 weeks ago
- Iwi-led housing solutions build homes for the futureWhai Kāinga, Whai Oranga will open on 20 October, to receive applications for investment through Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga – Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and Te Puni Kōkiri The $730m fund combines investment from Budget 2021 ($380m) and the Māori Infrastructure Fund ($350m) - the largest investment seen ...2 weeks ago
- E whakarite ana Te Kāwanatanga i ngā tūāpapa mō twhakamaumahara ki Te Petihana Reo Māori ka t...I te rā nei, i pānuihia e te Minita mō Manatū Taonga, ko Carmel Sepuloni, rāua ko te Minita Whanaketanga Māori, ko Willie Jackson, ā tērā tau, ka whakanuia rawatia te 50 o ngā tau mai i te whakatakotoranga o te petihana mō te Reo Māori me te huanga mai ...2 weeks ago
- E whakarite ana Te Kāwanatanga i ngā tūāpapa mō tewhakamaumahara ki Te Petihana Reo Māori ka t...I te rā nei, i pānuihia e te Minita mō Manatū Taonga, ko Carmel Sepuloni, rāua ko te Minita Whanaketanga Māori, ko Willie Jackson, ā tērā tau, ka whakanuia rawatia te 50 o ngā tau mai i te whakatakotoranga o te petihana mō te Reo Māori me te huanga mai ...2 weeks ago
- PANG condemns Australia policy for ‘abandoning’ Pacific nuclear-free pact
Asia Pacific Report newsdesk Australia needs to be put on notice by Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) leaders over abandoning its commitments under the South Pacific’s nuclear free accord — the Treaty of Rarotonga — by signing up to the controversial security pact, AUKUS, says the Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG). ...5 hours ago - NZ reports 109 new community covid cases – another riseRNZ News New Zealand reported 109 community cases of covid-19 today. Of the new cases 103 are in Auckland, four are in Waikato and there are two new cases in Northland. As at 10am, 47 of these cases were linked and 62 remain unlinked, the Ministry of Health said in ...5 hours ago
- Red Cross gives emergency supplies to Tanna volcano refugee eviction victimsBy Glenda Willie in Port Vila The Vanuatu Red Cross Society (VRCS) is one of the first humanitarian organisations to intervene and support the volcano internal refugees who were victims of eviction order at MCI on the road to Blacksand last week. Emma Mesao, senior branch officer of SHEFA Red ...5 hours ago
- Student protests in Indonesia slam 7th year of Jokowi’s administrationAsia Pacific Report newsdesk Protesting students have held demonstrations in several cities around Indonesia to mark seven years of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s administration, reports CNN Indonesia. The protests came as President Widodo left Jakarta to officiate at the opening of a palm oil processing factory owned by the PT ...5 hours ago
- NZ reports 80 community covid cases – a drop over previous 3 daysRNZ News Eighty community cases of covid-19 were reported in New Zealand today – 77 in Auckland, two in Waikato and one in Northland. There were also five cases reported in managed isolation. There was no media conference today. In a statement, the Health Ministry said 46 of today’s cases ...5 hours ago
- Fiji vaccination of teens going strong after adult rollout successRNZ Pacific With most of its eligible adult population covered, Fiji’s covid-19 vaccine rollout for teenagers is gaining pace. The Health Ministry said 28,965 children aged 15 to 17 had received a first vaccine dose — and 3892 teenagers had received a second. The rollout was recently extended to this ...5 hours ago
- Billionaires taking action on climate change are part of a long traditionSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Tuffley, Senior Lecturer in Applied Ethics & CyberSecurity, Griffith University If governments won’t act quickly enough on climate change, who will? Enter the new breed of (mostly young) billionaire philanthropists. Their goal is to use their influence and money to push ...6 hours ago
- We get there in the end: Return to the Dirt pulls back the curtain on life and death in a funeral ho...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sally Breen, Senior Lecturer in Writing and Publishing, Griffith University David Kelly Review: Return to the Dirt, written by Steve Pirie and directed by Lee Lewis, Queensland Theatre I head to the world premiere of Return to the Dirt by Steve ...6 hours ago
- Nothing from Nanaia on NZ’s envoy in Turkey (if she’s still there) but you can read about an APE...
Latest from the Beehive Covid-related issues and health have dominated the news from the Beehive over the weekend but Point of Order is keen to highlight developments in the foreign-policy domain. First, we ... 8 hours ago - Getting vaccinated is the act of love needed right now to support the survival of Aboriginal and Tor...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lisa Jackson Pulver, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor of Public Health and Epidemiology, University of Sydney Redfern’s Community Chaplain Pastor Ray Minniecon, recently made a compelling video urging people to get the COVID-19 vaccination. Pastor Minniecon regarded the simple act of becoming vaccinated as ...9 hours ago
- Coalition drops in Newspoll; Australia “not doing enough” response on climate change fallsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne AAP/Joel Carrett This week’s Newspoll, presumably conducted October 20-23 from a sample a bit over 1,500, gave Labor a 54-46 lead, a one point gain for Labor ...9 hours ago
- How to support a person with dementia as lockdowns easeSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lee-Fay Low, Professor in Ageing and Health, University of Sydney Shutterstock Lockdowns lasting months in some states have seen tight restrictions on visitors to nursing homes. So as lockdowns ease, and if you’re vaccinated, you might be planning a happy reunion ...9 hours ago
- The Morrison government is set to finally announce a 2050 net-zero commitment. Here’s a ‘to do...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anna Skarbek, CEO at ClimateWorks Australia, Monash University Granville Harbour Wind Farm/AAP Prime Minister Scott Morrison has finally struck a deal with the Nationals and is expected to take a pledge of net-zero greenhouse emissions by 2050 to the Glasgow ...10 hours ago
- Australia’s stumbling, last-minute dash for climate respectability doesn’t negate a decade of ab...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lesley Hughes, Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University Lukas Coch/AAP Prime Minister Scott Morrison is poised to announce Australia will adopt a target of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The pledge is long overdue – but the science ...10 hours ago
- Live updates, Labour weekend: Monday numbers to come; NZ ‘paying price’ for inequality, says Ske...
Welcome to The Spinoff’s live updates for the long weekend from October 23 to 25. The Spinoff wouldn’t exist without its members. Join today.Monday October 25: The day aheadThere is no scheduled press conference today. Instead, the latest numbers on new cases, hospitalisations and vaccinations will arrive in a statement ...12 hours ago - The ghost in my social media
Is there any escape from your online past? Content warning: sexual assault In March of this year I completed an Outward Bound course in Anakiwa. The three weeks away from any sort of social media was a welcome reprieve, it felt like a constant presence had been removed from my ...15 hours ago - Windows XP turns 20: Microsoft’s rise and fall points to one thing — don’t fix what isn’t br...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Erica Mealy, Lecturer in Computer Science, University of the Sunshine Coast Shutterstock Twenty years on from the public release of Windows XP, the popular operating system is still regarded one of Microsoft’s greatest achievements. As of August this year, Windows ...15 hours ago
- COVID doesn’t need to run rampant. Here are 6 ways to keep cases low in the next yearSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brendan Crabb, Director and CEO, Burnet Institute In the blink of an eye, we’ve gone from 18 months of zero tolerance for COVID to accepting huge case numbers as the norm for Australia’s foreseeable future. Our ambitions are now limited to simply ...15 hours ago
- A successful COP26 is essential for Earth’s future. Here’s what needs to go rightSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christian Downie, Associate Professor, Australian National University A week from today, a crucial round of United Nations climate change negotiations will begin in Glasgow and the stakes could not be higher. By the end, we’ll know how far nations are willing to ...15 hours ago
- The US and China must find a way to cooperate at COP26 and beyond. Otherwise, global climate action ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hao Tan, Associate Professor, Newcastle Business School, University of Newcastle Lintao Zhang/AP A week out from the COP26 climate negotiations in Glasgow, all eyes are on two nations: China and the United States. Together, the superpowers are responsible for more than ...15 hours ago
- 40% of year 12s suffer high anxiety. At exam time, here’s what parents can do to helpSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Eimear Quigley, Senior Lecturer and Director, Psychological Services Centre, Edith Cowan University Shutterstock Parents can feel hopeless when their children experience the huge emotional burden that comes with final-year exams. Sometimes our best intentions may actually make our children (and ourselves) ...15 hours ago
- Australia’s ‘underclass’ don’t like work? Our research shows vulnerable job seekers don’t...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Siobhan O’Sullivan, Associate professor, UNSW James Ross/AAP Former NSW minister Pru Goward wrote a column in the Australian Financial Review last week about Australia’s “underclass,” who she says are lazy, dysfunctional and don’t like the “discipline” of work. This was ...15 hours ago
- If I catch COVID-19 at work what are my rights? A law expert explainsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joellen Riley Munton, Professor of Law, University of Technology Sydney Shutterstock The transition to “living with COVID” makes contracting the virus at work a distinct possibility, even with high vaccination rates. So what are your rights as an Australian employee ...15 hours ago
- Away at 35: Michael Gow’s masterpiece is a reflection of a grieving AustraliaSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Burton, Lecturer, Theatre, University of Southern Queensland Judi Farr and Graham Rouse in STC’s Away, 1988. Photo: Sandy Edwards © Away by Michael Gow has a prolific production lineage. Since its first staging by Griffin Theatre Company in 1986, ...15 hours ago
- What to watch for at COP26
LISTEN: The global climate change summit starts soon. Commitments by governments might disappoing, but civil society, the private sector and new technologies might not, says a Kiwi expert. Deadlock, or at least under-achievement, is the likely political outcome of the COP26 global climate negotiations beginning in Glasgow this coming weekend, says Adrian ...16 hours ago - Could our national fungus become the blue food dye of the future?Aotearoa’s very own werewere kōkako could be the secret to all-natural Powerade, blue jelly beans and even the elusive blue Froot Loop. Olivia Sisson speaks to a scientist trying to make it happen.Blue food is having an absolute moment.From the rise of blue spirulina smoothie bowls and blue rice to ...16 hours ago
- Critics say government Three Waters advertising campaign is 'irresponsible, misleading'
Complaints about the government's Three Waters Reform TV adverts have described them as misinformation, untrue and a taxpayer-funded propaganda campaign. ...17 hours ago - Newsroom daily quiz, Monday 25 October18 hours ago
- Newsroom daily crossword, Monday 25 October
...18 hours ago - Your New Zealand TV reboot requests, rankedAnother Outrageous Fortune spinoff? Maybe. The return of Face the Music? No thank you.We stare at screens all day and all night. Is this good for us? We’re going to talk about that. Read more Screen Week content here.If there’s been a common thread across The Spinoff over the past ...18 hours ago
- Planning for delta at a community levelDiscussions for whānau, hapū, marae, and kura.Content warning: These are taumaha (heavy) discussions. For some they might be fearful, but they are important. For many others, they are discussions that bring some level of comfort because they enable us to prepare.We have a new traffic light vaccine target system, which ...18 hours ago
- What our climate policy is overlooking
If Aotearoa is serious about climate change action, it’s time to include our unsung communities who are developing climate strategies at a local level, yet are overlooked in national climate policies, argue Professor Janet Stephenson, Professor Merata Kawharu and Dr Karly Burch from the University of Otago’s Centre for Sustainability. ...18 hours ago - Business welcomes $10m mental health package
The $10 million announced for business mental health in Auckland is a big step to recognising the huge stress many people are under. ...18 hours ago - Tough carbon dioxide car emissions ceilings could get us well on the road to net-zeroSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marion Terrill, Transport and Cities Program Director, Grattan Institute The federal government’s mantra of “technology, not taxes” has left it with few options to easily reduce carbon emissions. In many sectors of the economy, it’s a recipe for disaster — a ...1 day ago
- Nationals win extra cabinet position as they sign up to net zero dealSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Resources Minister Keith Pitt is set to be elevated to cabinet under a deal between Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Nationals Leader Barnaby Joyce that sees the Nationals sign up to the 2050 net-zero target. ...1 day ago
- The Nationals have finally agreed to a 2050 net-zero target, but the real decisions on Australia’s...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Quiggin, Professor, School of Economics, The University of Queensland Lukas Coch/AAP The National Party on Sunday agreed to a plan to cut Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero by 2050, clearing the way for Prime Minister Scott Morrison to ...1 day ago
- Apple’s iPod came out two decades ago and changed how we listen to music. Where are we headed now?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stuart James, Lecturer and Research Scholar in Composition and Music Technology, Edith Cowan University Shutterstock On October 23, 2001, Apple released the iPod — a portable media player that promised to overshadow the clunky design and low storage capacity of ...1 day ago
- Controversial Westland Milk Decision In Court Of Appeal This Week
The Government’s involvement in the controversial decision to approve the sale of Westland Milk Products to Hong Kong Jingang, a company wholly owned by Chinese conglomerate Inner Mongolian Yili, will be under the spotlight in the Court of Appeal ...1 day ago - Cardinal’s message for COP26 climate conference: ‘Listen to the Pacific’Kaniva Tonga Cardinal Soane Patita Mafi has a message for the politicians who will soon gather for next month’s COP 26 conference, regarded by many as the last chance to avoid the worst that climate change has to offer. The Tongan-based prelate’s message is simple: Listen. “We want those big ...1 day ago
- Cancer treatments delayed due to Covid-19 – RetiThe National Party's deputy leader says potentially hundreds of cancer patients have had procedures disrupted by Covid-19, and their lives are at risk. ...2 days ago
- Recipe: Slow-roasted tomatoes with feta and basilWhether you wait for the summer glut to hit or use this recipe now to coax out the flavour of those not-so-tasty off-season toms, it’s a winner. There is nothing quite like long, slow cooking to bring out the flavour and sweetness of tomatoes. This is a wonderful recipe as it ...2 days ago
- An Ode for .. Sandra Goudie
New Zealand's outsider poet laureate composes an Ode for the Mayor of Thames-Coromandel The Elf Princess of Castle Novavax A strange land in the north; a land that time forgot. In amongst the dense mountain bush dance small faerie hobbits with wings; they are the Green Coromandellians. And ...2 days ago - Creeping beauty: An appreciation of mossThe weird flat plant has been unloved for too long, writes Sharon Lam.In 2014 I discovered a very cute trend of marimo moss balls, little spheres of moss that can grow with just a bit of daylight in a glass of water. Impulsively, I bought one off AliExpress for $2. ...2 days ago
- The Sunday Essay: Fame and loneliness in The TribeActor Amelia Reynolds starred in the hugely popular TV show The Tribe as a child. Her experience wasn’t all fun and games.The Sunday Essay is made possible thanks to the support of Creative New ZealandOriginal illustrations by Pablo EspinosaThey wanted me lying on a dirt path, writhing in agony after eating ...2 days ago
- Live updates, Labour weekend: 104 new cases, including one in BlenheimWelcome to The Spinoff’s live updates for the long weekend from October 23 to 25. The Spinoff wouldn’t exist without its members. Join today.Saturday’s numbers 104 community cases of Covid-19 – our third triple digit day in a row. Eight cases in Waikato, all linked. Four cases in Northland (two ...2 days ago
- http://pointofordernz.wordpress.com/?p=12711
Vaccinating the underclass – writing for Pundit – says if we want to minimise the impact of the Covid virus, we are going to have to think about social class. New Zealanders do not easily talk about social class: ...2 days ago - Healthy hospitals: The new thinking helping healthcare minimise its climate impactHospitals exist to support people’s health, but they’re also large emitters of greenhouse gases. That’s why Southern Cross Healthcare is on a mission to cut waste anywhere it can. The last thing on most people’s minds when they go to hospital, either sick themselves or to visit a loved one, ...3 days ago
- Focus on Politics: Green light or red alert? Lockdowns left in Delta's dustPodcast - Political Editor Jane Patterson takes the pulse of the health system as the traffic light system promises to cut the brakes that alert levels have put on Delta's spread. ...3 days ago
- Live updates, Labour weekend: Focus on DHB vaccine rates after ‘traffic light’ system revealedWelcome to The Spinoff’s live updates for the long weekend from October 23 to 25. The Spinoff wouldn’t exist without its members. Join today.What to expect on SaturdayThere is no scheduled press conference today. We’ll share here all the details from the 1pm Ministry of Health update, on Covid cases, ...3 days ago
- Jacinda – Tell COP26: Go Hard And Go Early On Climate!Extinction Rebellion’s Open Letter challenges PM to strong climate action On Tuesday 26 October at 1pm in front of Parliament members of Extinction Rebellion will present an Open Letter to Jacinda Ardern, calling for Aotearoa NZ to take a strong role at ...3 days ago
- Meet the candidates trying to break a two-decade domination in Entrust electionsThere’s a ballot paper on your kitchen bench. Your mission, should you accept it, is to vote on who should oversee Auckland’s electricity infrastructure. But given that a single group has dominated this election for almost two decades, is it mission impossible for opponents? In my first year of flatting in ...3 days ago
- New vaccine certification requirement may become indirect mandate for workers
The new 'traffic light' Covid protection system will support businesses mandating vaccinations for staff, lawyer says The new requirement that close contact businesses have vaccination certificates for greater freedom under the newly announced traffic light system will support employers to mandate vaccinations for staff in certain industries. On Friday the Government ...3 days ago - Hollie Smith is emerging into the lightFive years in the making, Hollie Smith has braved a relationship break-up, confidence issues and multiple lockdowns to make her new album happen. She talks to Chris Schulz.A few weeks into Auckland’s current lockdown, Hollie Smith spray painted a piece of cardboard lime green. She spent time doing her own ...3 days ago
- Sargeson Prize for best school student story
"Muscle Memory" by Shima Jack of Logan Park High School is winner of the 2021 Sargeson Prize for best short story, schools division The black and white keys are mountains and valleys. My hands are giant spiders, waltzing. They close the distance between each other, cross over, move ...3 days ago - NDCs, climate finance and 1.5°C: your Cop26 jargon buster
This story originally appeared in The Guardian and is republished here as part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story As world leaders gather for the environmental conference, here is The Guardian’s summary of the key terminology, assembled by environment correspondent Fiona ...3 days ago - ‘Up2 on Saturday?’: The texts and phone calls that made the Vaxathon happenNo scripts, new presenters and a comms meltdown moments before it went to air. Here’s how last weekend’s Vaxathon came together. We stare at screens all day and all night. Is this good for us? We’re going to talk about that. Read more Screen Week content here. When the definitive history of New ...3 days ago
- Supermarket cuts force McCain and Sealord to restructure jobs
Sealord staff 'gutted' as company announces staff restructuring after failed talks with New World and Pak'nSave cost it $5 million in revenues. Two of New Zealand's biggest food producers are preparing to restructure or potentially lay off staff in response to Foodstuffs North Island cuts to their ranges. McCain Foods is pulling ...3 days ago - PNG’s capital Port Moresby reaches crisis point over covid surgeBy Gorethy Kenneth in Port Moresby Papua New Guinea’s biggest referral hospital has reached a crisis point as the covid-19 pandemic positivity rate surged drastically to 85 percent yesterday. Port Moresby General Hospital chief executive officer Dr Paki Molumi in the National Capital District (NCD) has revealed that three children ...3 days ago
- 129 new covid cases in NZ community – Pacific talanoa series provides infoEpisode 1 one of the Let’s Talanoa series – “Know Your Vax”. Asia Pacific Report newsdesk New Zealand reported a record 129 new community cases of covid-19 today — the day after reaching triple digit figures for the first time. Nine of today’s new cases are in Waikato, with the ...3 days ago
- We might just be focusing on the wrong supply chains
Around the globe, markets are adjusting. Inflation is looking less and less transitory: the Bank of England’s chief economist reckons that UK inflation will top 5%. It’s all very painful. Big companies are getting a lot of the blame. Take the energy crisis for example. Governments have ...3 days ago - South Island 'struggling' to get younger population vaccinatedQueenstown Lakes Mayor Jim Boult says he would have preferred the South Island move to alert level 1 immediately, but the traffic light system provided a way forward. ...3 days ago
- NZ government unveals its ‘traffic light’ covid-19 protection frameworkThe New Zealand government has announced details of its Covid-19 Protection Framework, involving the roll-out of a “traffic-light” system once all district health boards hit 90 percent full vaccination rates. A vaccine certificate will be central to the new framework. The system will involve three settings – green, orange and ...3 days ago
- NZ dairy industry linked to illegal Indonesian plantations, says reportAsia Pacific Report newsdesk Illegal palm oil plantations are destroying protected Indonesian rainforests and other habitats — and New Zealand’s industrial dairy sector is a major beneficiary, says a new environmental report. The daming report, released yesterday by Greenpeace Indonesia, “Deceased Estate: Illegal palm oil wiping out Indonesia’s national forest”, ...3 days ago
- Politics with Michelle Grattan: Bridget McKenzie on the need for the Nationals to be noisySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Bridget McKenzie is a cabinet minister and Nationals leader in the Senate. But her seniority hasn’t inhibited her being one of her party’s most outspoken advocates demanding protections for the regions before it signs up ...3 days ago
- APEC Finance Ministers Announce Joint StatementIssued by the 2021 APEC Finance Ministers’ Meeting Wellington, New Zealand, 22 October 2021 Finance Ministers from the 21 APEC member economies announced a joint statement at the conclusion of their meeting on Friday highlighting the importance ...3 days ago
- We are filmmakers who work with firearms. This is what is important in on-set safetySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christopher Gist, PhD Candidate, University of South Australia In a tragic accident, Alec Bladwin has fatally fired a prop gun on a film set in America. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP In a horrendous accident, a cinematographer has died and a director has been injured ...3 days ago
- VIDEO: Michelle Grattan on the Nationals’ climate conundrum and the integrity deficit in federal p...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra University of Canberra Professional Fellow Michelle Grattan and University of Canberra Associate Professor Caroline Fisher discuss the week in politics. They canvass the Nationals playing hardball in their efforts to land a deal ...3 days ago
- A new study sounds like good news about screen time and kids’ health. So does it mean we can all s...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brendon Hyndman, Associate Dean (Research), Charles Sturt University Shutterstock A newly published study in the journal PLoS ONE suggests spending time on screens is unlikely to be directly harmful to young children. The US study attracted global attention, as screen ...3 days ago
- Covid traffic light framework: the experts respondJacinda Ardern this morning outlined a new approach to NZ’s Covid response, conditional on vaccination levels (read our explainer here). The new system received a mixed reaction among the experts.New Zealand’s most prominent epidemiologist, Michael Baker of the University of Otago in Wellington, saw “some positives” in the new system, ...3 days ago
- The red light at the end of the tunnel for Auckland
While Friday’s announcement set out the steps Auckland will need to take before coming out of Level 3 lockdown, DHBs can only move as fast as the slowest in the pack After weeks turning into months of lockdown seemingly without end for Auckland, the Prime Minister today indicated for the ...3 days ago - Traffic light system 'confusing', 'slow', 'rushed', 'risky' ...National and ACT say the government's planned move from alert levels to a traffic light system is confusing and slow, as the Māori Party and Greens urge more protection for the vulnerable. ...3 days ago
- Cleo Smith has been gone almost a week. Why missing children cases grip the nationSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Xanthe Mallett, Forensic Criminologist, University of Newcastle The smiling, pigtailed toddler in the gold heart top. A picture of innocence, and sadly the image many people will now recognise – Cleo Smith, the latest Australian child to vanish without a trace. Four-year-old ...3 days ago
- A cinema of intimacy: the enduring beauty of Wong Kar WaiSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Thomas Moran, PHD Candidate, Monash University Wong Kar-Wai’s In The Mood for Love (2000) Mercury Cinema The influence of Hong Kong director Wong Kar Wai on global cinema is difficult to overstate. Wong emerged from the creative ferment of the Hong Kong ...3 days ago
- Week in Politics: Lockdown exit strategy is set outAnalysis - The heat goes on the unvaccinated as the government sets out its plan to end lockdowns. Labour and National surprise everyone with a joint housing initiative, and a "huge deal" free trade agreement with Britain. ...3 days ago
- Police Do Not Know Source Of 82% Of Criminal WeaponsResearch has revealed that although Police claim that the source of illegal firearms is licensed firearm owners, it cannot find the source of 82% of the firearms it seizes – opening the possibility that they enter the country with drugs and other contraband. ...3 days ago
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