Archive for July, 2008
One true lesson about the Tony Veitch affair
Written By: - Date published: 7:32 pm, July 13th, 2008 - 57 comments
It seems that everyone’s commenting right now on Tony Veitch. The various slants by the different commentators, on the same sordid matter seem largely to come down to which ‘camp’ you started from, although not exclusively I presume that Mathew Ridge regarded Veitch as a mate before the saga emerged. There are of course those […]
Bullies
Written By: - Date published: 4:36 pm, July 13th, 2008 - 48 comments
Why is it that the right are so much more litigious than the left? The recent example of Crosby Textor threatening legal action over JafaPete’s minor inaccuracy on his blog is just the latest bit of overkill. For those of you who don’t know the background to it, JafaPete put up a post stating Crosby […]
Contrary to Key, Govt does target waste
Written By: - Date published: 11:21 am, July 13th, 2008 - 54 comments
The idea that a government would purposely spend money in a wasteful manner is patently absurd. Voters want more government services and lower tax, any dollar of wasteful spending not only takes away from a government’s ability to meet those desires but also gives voters an active reason to vote against the Government. That’s a […]
On flat tax
Written By: - Date published: 4:51 pm, July 12th, 2008 - 62 comments
We have a progressive tax system, whereby the portion of income paid in tax increases with income. Many on the Right argue that moving to a flat tax system, where everyone pays the same portion of tax on income at all income levels, would be fairer. Let’s look at what such a change would entail. […]
Winnie and Glenn
Written By: - Date published: 3:05 pm, July 12th, 2008 - 75 comments
It appears, as everyone suspected, that Owen Glenn did give a donation to New Zealand First. There is nothing illegal or immoral in that. Under the law at the time anonymous donations of any sum were legal and National was the biggest exploiter of that fact, receiving over $2 million in secret donations in 2005 […]
Failure to front up
Written By: - Date published: 6:43 am, July 12th, 2008 - 68 comments
When was the last time John Key did an in-depth interview? Why would a potential Prime Minister be afraid to be exposed through a long interview? What does he have to gain by keeping his public appearances brief and tightly controlled? How can New Zealanders get past the mask and have a chance to properly […]
Running on empty
Written By: - Date published: 3:42 pm, July 11th, 2008 - 69 comments
A worrying report on the future of petrol prices is out today. It predicts petrol could hit $10 a litre in a decade. Nearly all of that increase will be caused by the supply of oil falling as demand pressure grows. Rationing will probably be introduced before that point, otherwise only the rich will be […]
Iran’s Photoshop job
Written By: - Date published: 2:22 pm, July 11th, 2008 - 23 comments
From NYT blog The Lede: As news spread across the world of Iran’s provocative missile tests, so did an image of four missiles heading skyward in unison. Unfortunately, it appeared to contain one too many missiles, a point that had not emerged before the photo was used on the front pages of The Los Angeles […]
The Standard Week: July 4 – July 11
Written By: - Date published: 12:46 pm, July 11th, 2008 - 2 comments
Every time Bill English goes on Agenda, he lets a bit of National policy slip (anyone who thinks it’s an accident probably also thinks Nicky Hager’s some kind of super-hacker). On Sunday, English told us National will be running on a platform of removing your rights at work in the first 90 days of employment […]
Remarkably unambitious ECE policy
Written By: - Date published: 11:53 am, July 11th, 2008 - 21 comments
Another one-page excuse for a policy from National, this one on early childhood education. After vehemently opposing 20Free, National would now keep it but not because it wants to, only because ‘thousands of parents are now using 20 Hours and we do not want to cause them uncertainty’. Gee, thanks, National. The headline change is […]
Question 2
Written By: - Date published: 10:42 am, July 11th, 2008 - 15 comments
Why was the report on government spending from ANZ Chief Economist Cameron Bagrie blindly accepted by the media at first, when anyone with a basic understanding of how government works (or accounting or statistics or economics) could see it was fundamentally flawed? Why did it take press releases from unions and blog posts and interviews with a minister to discredit […]
Radio National
Written By: - Date published: 8:50 am, July 11th, 2008 - 3 comments
The day that National Radio publicises a ‘survey’ produced by Matthew Hooton is a very strange day. That day is today. Hooton’s ‘independent’ ‘survey’ finds flaws in the Emissions Trading Scheme. ‘Amazing’. For those with long memories, it reminds one of a survey the Sunday News ran back in the Dark Ages (early ’96) when […]
Key refuses to answer your questions
Written By: - Date published: 6:34 am, July 11th, 2008 - 41 comments
You’ll remember our ‘interview the leaders‘ series. John Key has been the only leader missing, we’ve given his office plenty of extensions on the deadline – enough, as they say, is enough. So, if any journalists would like to ask Key these questions from our readers, that would be much appreciated: General question: Of which […]
“It’s not okay” today either
Written By: - Date published: 11:45 pm, July 10th, 2008 - 37 comments
The other day Dancer made some good points about the campaign “It’s Not Okay” and the role that organisations like the Families Commission play, as we strive for a caring and compassionate society. And Russell Brown who participated in the ads shared his view through the comments, that it had “helped focus minds” and dedicated his […]
tis the season
Written By: - Date published: 5:47 pm, July 10th, 2008 - 14 comments
I am beginning to think John Key’s attempt to turn statements that involve him into ‘personal attacks’ might be catching on. Check out this story, on the TVNZ website, but sourced to Newstalk ZB, that accuses Trevor Mallard of ‘lashing out’ at Cameron Bagrie over his loose with the truth report on public services. Now […]
National’s Bank
Written By: - Date published: 4:54 pm, July 10th, 2008 - 21 comments
After reading Steve’s post this morning mocking ANZ National for putting out confused National Party talking points dressed up as research, a reader was inspired to send us this:
Irony
Written By: - Date published: 12:11 pm, July 10th, 2008 - 19 comments
Granny Herald’s Editorial yesterday “Private market can help ACC” – dancing on the head of a pin to justify privatising ACC to make $200 million profit for aussie insurers. Granny Herald’s Editorial today “It works so don’t meddle” – opposing double crewing of ambulances because it will cost us the princely sum of $5 each […]
Lots of ideology, not argument
Written By: - Date published: 10:16 am, July 10th, 2008 - 71 comments
I was going to write a piece on the much anticipated paper from ANZ’s chief economist on government spending. But now I’ve tracked it down and read it, there’s hardly any point. It’s just 4 pages in the Bank’s monthly market report and it reads like something I would expect from an excitable commerce student, […]
Nasty
Written By: - Date published: 9:09 am, July 10th, 2008 - 58 comments
On Tuesday, Helen Clark was asked what she thought of the fact that both John Key and Bill English have been unavailable for comment when the media have had questions about National policy this week (not being available for comment is a Crosby/Textor tactic for shutting down stories). Clark, who is renowned for the hours […]
Mind the gap
Written By: - Date published: 6:10 am, July 10th, 2008 - 16 comments
It’s worth remembering that polling gaps really do narrow when election campaigns start. We all remember the 2002 campaign. Labour reached 53% support in April; on Election Day in July, they polled 41%. The gap between labour and National had been blowing out to 30% in the polls but in the end it was less than […]
Nats vs journos
Written By: - Date published: 3:53 pm, July 9th, 2008 - 40 comments
Shane Ardern is now saying he was misquoted by the Te Awamutu Courier when he said ‘[Kiwisaver] needs adjusting from the employers’ contribution angle, from one size fits all approach, to allow for pressure on smaller business employers.’ Attacking the media for reporting your words. Now, where have I seen that before? That’s, right, when […]
Drop the Immigration Bill
Written By: - Date published: 2:46 pm, July 9th, 2008 - 77 comments
The September 11 attacks were used as cover to pass draconian laws around the world, particularly concerning immigration. The Government is, once again, following suit with the new Immigration Bill. It’s a shockingly bad piece of legislation that gives broad powers to immigration and other government officials (read SIS), removes judicial oversight, and allows personal […]
It’s not ok
Written By: - Date published: 12:13 pm, July 9th, 2008 - 56 comments
Is it a sign of a successful campaign regarding family violence – that “it’s not ok” – which sees broadcaster Tony Veitch taking time away from his television and radio shows in the wake of revelations that he allegedly assaulted his former partner? It certainly seems to have generated quite a bit of discussion amongst […]
David Slack at Drinking Liberally Auckland
Written By: - Date published: 11:30 am, July 9th, 2008 - 13 comments
(Via: greylynnsinglesclub)
Positive moves on housing
Written By: - Date published: 10:58 am, July 9th, 2008 - 88 comments
Housing has always been an important issue for Labour. The First Labour Government instituted a massive State house building project, freeing working class New Zealanders from slum landlords, creating healthier living conditions, and stimulating the economy during the Great Depression. Now, New Zealand faces some of the same conditions as existed at the start of […]
Chief Press Sec O’Sullivan leaves Key questions open
Written By: - Date published: 8:54 am, July 9th, 2008 - 44 comments
Today’s Herald sees Fran O’Sullivan making another valiant effort to dig her hero, John Key, out of the hole he’s in over his non-disclosure of Tranz Rail shares while asking written parliamentary questions in 2002. Unwittingly, her contribution raises more questions. Fran writes that Key’s written questions to Cullen were based on information which was […]
The clean man
Written By: - Date published: 9:22 pm, July 8th, 2008 - 76 comments
Has anyone else noticed John Key’s absence from the media in the last few days? I finally clicked to it while listening to RNZ this morning when we heard yet another “a spokesperson for John Key’s office says” comment. This is a pretty standard technique from the Crosby Textor hand book. I like to call […]
Silence those media lambs
Written By: - Date published: 9:17 pm, July 8th, 2008 - 32 comments
Media bleating about Labour’s ‘personal attacks’ is getting tiresome. Some journalists seem to forget from one election to the next that an important element of the triennial exercise is to find out whether contenders for political office are fit to hold elected office. That means they will be probed, scrutinised and, yes, criticised, for failings […]
More anti-worker policy from the Nats
Written By: - Date published: 2:14 pm, July 8th, 2008 - 55 comments
On Sunday, Bill English let slip that National still intends to take away the work rights of employees of small businesses for the first 90 days of employment. Now, National’s Shane Ardern has spilled the beans on the Nats’ policy to cut the contributions to hundreds of thousands of Kiwis’ Kiwisaver plans. In the Te […]
Turnoff
Written By: - Date published: 11:37 am, July 8th, 2008 - 8 comments
UPDATE: Thanks to commenter T-Rex for reversing the cartoon to show workers taking a disastrous right turn. Far too much time on your hands brother…
- https://www.greaterauckland.org.nz/?p=77196
The future of Te Huia, the train between Hamilton and Auckland, has been getting a lot of attention recently as current funding for it is only in place till the end of June. The government initially agreed to a five year trial, through to April 2026, but that was subject ...3 weeks ago - Bernard’s pick 'n' mix for Tuesday, May 7
TL;DR: Hamas has just agreed to Israel’s ceasefire plan. Nelson hospital’s rebuild has been cut back to save money. The OECD suggests New Zealand break up network monopolies, including in electricity. PM Christopher Luxon’s news conference on a prison expansion announcement last night was his messiest yet.Here’s my top six ...3 weeks ago - HM Prison Aotearoa.
A homicide in Ponsonby, a manhunt with a killer on the run. The nation’s leader stands before a press conference reassuring a frightened nation that he’ll sort it out, he’ll keep them safe, he’ll build some new prison spaces.Sorry what? There’s a scary dude on the run with a gun ...3 weeks ago - Get Your Webworm Merch!
Hi,I know it’s been awhile since there’s been any Webworm merch — and today that all changes!Over the last four months, I’ve been working with New Zealand artist Jess Johnson to create a series of t-shirts, caps and stickers that are infused with Webworm DNA — and as of right ...3 weeks ago - Top OECD economist puts Willis between a rock and a hard place
The OECD’s chief economist yesterday laid it on the line for the new Government: bring the deficit under control or face higher Reserve Bank interest rates for longer. And to bring the deficit under control, she meant not borrowing for tax cuts. But there was more. Without policy changes—introducing a ...3 weeks ago - Why India is key to heading off climate catastrophe
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections A farmworker cleans the solar panels of a solar water pump in the village of Jagadhri, Haryana Country, India. (Photo credit: Prashanth Vishwanathan/ IWMI) Decisions made in India over the next few years will play a key role in global ...3 weeks ago
- First New Caledonia evacuation flight lands in Auckland
A Defence Force plane carrying 50 New Zealanders evacuated from New Caledonia has landed at Auckland Airport this evening. ...5 days ago - Gordon Campbell: Israel’s political split, and the New Caledonia crisis
COMMENTARY: By Gordon Campbell The split opening up in Israel’s “War Cabinet” is not just between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his long-term rival Benny Gantz. It is actually a three-way split, set in motion by Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. It was Gallant’s open criticism of Netanyahu that finally flushed ...5 days ago - Government expected to scrap first-home grants in favour of funding social housingRNZ understands the government plans to get rid of first-home grants in favour of putting more money toward social housing. ...5 days ago
- Bill repealing section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act passes first reading in ParliamentIt does not mean Oranga Tamariki will stop working with iwi and Māori organisations, Children's Minister Karen Chhour says. ...5 days ago
- Statistics NZ leaving Auckland CBD office due to safety concernsA government agency is moving out of Auckland City because its staff members do not feel safe there. ...5 days ago
- Labour Must Walk The Talk And Join The Campaign Against Corporate Welfare
Reacting to today’s Budget Speech from Labour’s Finance spokesperson, Barbara Edmonds, Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said: “It is encouraging to see that one of Labour’s stated priorities is to focus on creating ‘a level ...5 days ago - Ministry of Education failing to help redundant staff – unionIt isn't meets obligations to find alternative roles for staff it is making redundant, the Public Service Association says. ...5 days ago
- Will government investment make green hydrogen a reality in Australia?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kylie Turner, System Lead, Sustainable Economies, Climateworks Centre atk work/Shutterstock In the budget last week, the government was keen to talk about its efforts to turn Australia into a renewable superpower under the umbrella of the Future Made in Australia policies. ...5 days ago
- Peter Dutton makes Labor’s case. Tax breaks for landlords should be restricted to those who build ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Martin, Visiting Fellow, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Opposition Leader Peter Dutton might have done us a favour. As part of his budget reply speech on Thursday night he promised to stop foreigners buying existing Australian homes. ...5 days ago
- ‘No one can act with impunity’: ICC arrest warrants in Israel-Hamas war are a major test for int...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amy Maguire, Associate Professor in Human Rights and International Law, University of Newcastle The request by Karim Khan, chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), for arrest warrants for Israeli and Hamas leaders is a significant step in the effort to ...5 days ago
- The budget pledged $12.5 million for free menstrual products in Indigenous communities. Here’s why...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nina Lansbury, Associate Professor in Public Health, The University of Queensland Prostock-studio/Shutterstock Last week’s federal budget committed A$12.5 million over four years to deliver tampons, pads and other period care products to people who menstruate in rural and remote Indigenous communities. ...5 days ago
- New tech bill will allow consumers to share dataA bill designed to give consumers more control over their data will be introduced into Parliament tomorrow. ...5 days ago
- Green Party raises Darleen Tana advert with Electoral CommissionTana's electoral returns show she spent $2415 on the article, published in Verve Magazine last year. But it does not contain a promoter statement. ...5 days ago
- Liberation for New Caledonia’s Kanak people ‘must come’, says educatorRNZ Pacific A New Zealand author, journalist and media educator who has covered the Asia-Pacific region since the 1970s says liberation “must come” for Kanaky/New Caledonia. Professor David Robie sailed on board Greenpeace’s flagship Rainbow Warrior until it was bombed by French secret agents in New Zealand in July 1985 ...5 days ago
- First Kiwis stranded in New Caledonia expected back in NZ tonightNew Zealand is working alongside Australia and will help out Pacific Island nations as well as others, Winston Peters says. ...5 days ago
- Farewell Anchor, Fresh’n Fruity and Mainland: what’s behind Fonterra’s decision to sell its co...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alan Renwick, Professor of Agricultural Economics, Lincoln University, New Zealand Fonterra caught the business world by surprise last week with plans to sell off its consumer brands and businesses – including supermarket mainstays such as Anchor, Fresh’n Fruity and Mainland. The move ...5 days ago
- Déjà vu in New Caledonia: why decades of political failure will make this uprising hard to containSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Small, Senior lecturer, Above the Bar School of Educational Studies and Leadership, University of Canterbury With an air force plane on its way to rescue New Zealanders stranded by the violent uprising in New Caledonia, many familiar with the island’s history ...5 days ago
- Plane heading for New Caledonia to bring NZ visitors homeA New Zealand government plane is heading to New Caledonia to assist with bringing New Zealanders home. Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters today confirmed it was the first in a series of proposed flights. Peters said the flight would carry around 50 passengers with the most pressing needs from Nouméa ...5 days ago
- Working with iwi and hapū a core capability for councils’ freshwater management, says Auditor-gen...Regional councils must focus on building meaningful and enduring relationships with iwi and hapū to support better freshwater management, says the Auditor-General in a new report. ...5 days ago
- Ngā Wharerau O Aotearoa acknowledges the Government’s response to the Independent review of Kāin...Chris Glaudel, Deputy Chief Executive of Community Housing Aotearoa, sees the announcement as a step towards addressing New Zealand’s high and rising levels of homelessness by improving our approach and system to delivering affordable homes. ...5 days ago
- We still don’t know the extent of the MediSecure breach, but watch out for these potential scamsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Paul Haskell-Dowland, Professor of Cyber Security Practice, Edith Cowan University Yavdat/Shutterstock On Thursday last week, Australian media began reporting that an unnamed “commercial health information organisation” had been targeted by cyber criminals. Within hours, reports quickly confirmed that data relating ...5 days ago
- Can Iran avoid a political crisis after its president’s death?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ali Mamouri, Research fellow, Middle East studies, Deakin University The death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash this week occurred during one of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s most challenging periods. Raisi, a prominent figure in the political elite, ...5 days ago
- Scrapping free flu vaccines has put vulnerable kids at risk
The end of universal flu shot funding for under-12s is a step backwards for New Zealand child health, say experts from the University of Auckland and the University of Otago. New Zealand’s decision to no longer offer free influenza vaccines for all children under 12 will likely wipe out recent ...5 days ago - Education Ministry must try harder to redeploy as many laid off workers as possibleThe PSA is taking action to force the Ministry of Education to comply with its legal obligations to do everything it can to find other roles for staff it is laying off because of the Government’s spending cuts. ...5 days ago
- ‘When I’m 80, I want to remember how f***ing hot I looked’: why Bridgerton’s steamy carriage...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrea Waling, Senior Lecturer & Research Fellow, Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University Netflix There has been much excitement in the lead up to the first four episodes of Bridgerton’s season three, featuring leading couple Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) and ...5 days ago
- Australian teenagers are curious but have some of the most disruptive maths classes in the OECDSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lisa De Bortoli, Senior Research Fellow, Australian Council for Educational Research Taylor Flowe/Unsplash, CC BY Australian teenagers have more disruptive maths classrooms and experience bullying at greater levels than the OECD average, a new report shows. But in better news, Australian ...5 days ago
- National MP David MacLeod may face police probe over undeclared donations – law professorNew Plymouth's David MacLeod says he made an inadvertent error in his failure to declare $178,000 of donations. ...5 days ago
- Five reasons I wrote a ‘quiet’ children’s novelPoet, editor and former bookseller Jane Arthur’s debut children’s novel Brown Bird is the story of a shy, self-conscious 11-year-old – partly based on her childhood self – venturing out of her quiet comfort zone. Children’s books are close to my heart because mostly I believe that adults are rings ...5 days ago
- Plane heading for New Caledonia to bring Kiwis homeWinston Peters has confirmed it is the first in a series of proposed flights. ...5 days ago
- Is a return to LOTR the best or worst thing for Wellington? An argument with myselfPeter Jackson is bringing Lord of the Rings back to Wellington, producing two new Gollum films in Wellington. Madeleine Chapman (Gollum) argues with Madeleine Chapman (Smeagol) about it. First of all, I can’t believe we’re even having this conversation. Of course it’s great news! I don’t know, it gives me ...5 days ago
- Government to continue with Aukus talks despite China's warningThe Prime Minister says New Zealand's relationship with China is mature enough to withstand differences of opinion. ...5 days ago
- Politics live: National MP David MacLeod stood down after failing to declare donationsNew Plymouth's David MacLeod says he's "extremely disappointed" after failing to declare $178,000 of donations. ...5 days ago
- The cost of being: A SuperGold Card holder on solar powerAs part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a part-time media librarian and superannuitant explains how he spends and saves. Want to be part of The Cost of Being? Fill out the questionnaire here. Gender: Male Age: 65 Ethnicity: European Role: Media librarian ...5 days ago
- Statistics New Zealand to leave central Auckland office after safety concerns"At times it does feel uncomfortable just heading out for sushi at lunch," a Stats NZ executive told staff. ...5 days ago
- Ngati Ruanui On Fast Track BallotThe Government’s Environmental Select Committee is refusing to engage meaningfully when it matters the most over new fast tracking environmental legislation, says Ngāti Ruanui. ...5 days ago
- Flu vaccines are no longer free for all under-12s in NZ – children living in poverty and at higher...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Samantha Marsh, Senior Research Fellow in Public Health, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Christoph Soeder/dpa New Zealand’s decision to no longer offer free influenza vaccines for all children under 12 will likely wipe out recent gains in uptake. And it ...5 days ago
- People with dementia aren’t currently eligible for voluntary assisted dying. Should they be?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ben White, Professor of End-of-Life Law and Regulation, Australian Centre for Health Law Research, Queensland University of Technology Inside Creative House/Shutterstock Dementia is the second leading cause of death for Australians aged over 65. More than 421,000 Australians currently live with ...5 days ago
- A pest of our own making: revealing the true origins of the not-so-German cockroachSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Theo Evans, Associate Professor of Applied Entomology, The University of Western Australia Erik Karits, Shutterstock German cockroaches thrive in buildings all over the world. They’re one of the most common cockroach species, causing trouble for people both here and overseas. But ...5 days ago
- ‘How a healthy community should be’: how music in youth detention can create new futuresSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexis Anja Kallio, Deputy Director (Research), Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University Many young people in contact with the justice system come from backgrounds of extreme poverty, parental abuse or neglect, parental incarceration and disrupted education. These complex traumas often manifest as addictions ...5 days ago
- Household costs the main priority for Labour's finance spokespersonThe Labour Party's finance spokesperson has set out her portfolio priorities, with household costs at the top of her list. ...6 days ago
- What the future holds for Kāinga OraThe agency was found to be underperforming and ‘not financially viable’, explains Stewart Sowman-Lund in this extract from The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. A damning report A government-ordered ...6 days ago
- Politics live: Kāinga Ora in for shake-up, Labour's Barbara Edmonds makes pre-Budget speechFollow the latest in politics as Labour looks to the Budget and National shakes up Kāinga Ora. ...6 days ago
- What will it take for NZ to be a 'rockstar' economy again?Consumers have been hit with all the pain of getting economy on even footing again, economist says. ...6 days ago
- NZ First toilet bill: Not enough unisex loos, planning expert saysDespite Winston Peter's suggestion that anyone who wants to use one can, an academic says there aren't enough unisex toilets in the country. ...6 days ago
- How Palestine fights ecocide with biodiversity and sustainability resistanceAsia Pacific Report For more than 76 years, Palestinians have resisted occupation, dispossession and ethnic cleansing, culminating in Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza. Yet in the midst of this catastrophic seven months of “hell on earth”, it is a paradox that there exists an extraordinary oasis of peace and nature. ...6 days ago
- The scariest driver of school non-attendance: more parents who just don’t careParents in a UK study knew attendance rates had gone down. The problem was, they didn't care. Could the same be true here? ...6 days ago
- Private jet use is increasing in New Zealand, climate crisis be damnedYou’ll never set foot in one. But its emissions still effect you. Shanti Mathias reports on a campaign to make private jet owners pay for their emissions in some way. The private jet passengers saunter down the red carpet, wearing sunglasses and heels; paparazzi cameras flash. The sky is blue, ...6 days ago
- There’s a silver lining to the Ministry of Education job cutsQuality teachers back on the front line can only be a good thing. One of the difficult things we teach in senior English classes at secondary school is the development of an idea. This involves deepening your argument, without instead “going sideways” and merely adding examples while repeating the same ...6 days ago
- How to lessen stigma and gaslighting in the health sector
Opinion: People with certain types of health conditions are more likely than others to have their symptoms dismissed, minimised or disbelieved. These conditions are diagnosed based on the patient self-report of symptoms, where there is no definitive diagnostic test that can prove the existence of disease or demonstrate structural or ...6 days ago - Restoring fiscal discipline – and trustOpinion: Without an appropriate focus on value for public spending, trust in government is likely to erode The post Restoring fiscal discipline – and trust appeared first on Newsroom. ...6 days ago
- Hit by a digital guillotineThe intensity of it, ironically, can feel like bullying. Social media activism is reaching something of a peak with the war in Gaza, using the hashtag Blockout2024. It started at this year’s MetGala when influencer and model Haley Kalil was caught on video muttering ‘let them eat cake’ – suddenly ...6 days ago
- ‘I will never give birth to a child’It’s 2011 and I am 43 years old. My partner, Christine, and I got together when I was 36. We had been friends for about 10 years before that. One of the first things I asked Christine was whether she wanted to have kids. I had just come out of ...6 days ago
- Phase out mid point: Govt commits to low-energy user charges reviewThe Consumer Advocacy Council is pleased the Government will review the phase out of fixed low-user energy plans The post Phase out mid point: Govt commits to low-energy user charges review appeared first on Newsroom. ...6 days ago
- Problems persist even in environment ministry’s alternative fast-track billAnalysis: The Ministry for the Environment still couldn’t shake concerns about local voices, legal risks and environmental degradation The post Problems persist even in environment ministry’s alternative fast-track bill appeared first on Newsroom. ...6 days ago
- Newsroom daily quiz, Tuesday 21 MayLoading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A,DIV,A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions. The post Newsroom daily quiz, Tuesday 21 May appeared first on Newsroom. ...6 days ago
- Daily crossword, Tuesday 21 MayThe post Daily crossword, Tuesday 21 May appeared first on Newsroom. ...6 days ago
- Luxon’s ‘clear-eyed’ stance on China security issuesPrime Minister Christopher Luxon balanced promotion of ‘critical’ trade ties with ‘clear-eyed’ security talk at a China summit The post Luxon’s ‘clear-eyed’ stance on China security issues appeared first on Newsroom. ...6 days ago
- Mega prison would cost mega bucks, so follow the moneyOpinion: As an indication of the eye-watering sums involved for the mega-prison plans announced two weeks ago by Corrections Minister Mark Mitchell, consider that $932 million has already been spent on a separate facility due to open at Waikeria next year – that’s about $1.5 million for each of the ...6 days ago
- Any online ‘kidfluencer’ content or images of children can be sexualised, as Four Corners repor...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Catherine Jane Archer, Senior Lecturer, Communication, Edith Cowan University guruXOX/Shutterstock The latest episode of the ABC’s flagship investigative program, Four Corners, makes for grim viewing. It reveals cases of men making inappropriate and sexual comments on online images of children, ...6 days ago
- Stalking legislation review potentially next year – but could take longerThe government has a full slate of "justice commitments" already this year, the Justice Minister says. ...6 days ago
- Kiwis trapped in Nouméa: Air NZ won’t fly from New Caledonia for daysNew Caledonia’s Tontouta International Airport remains closed, and Air New Zealand’s next scheduled flight is on Saturday — although it is not ruling out adding extra services. Air NZ’s Captain David Morgan said on Monday evening flights would only resume when they were assured of the security of the airport ...6 days ago
- Nakba Gallery: From the river to the sea, Palestine will be freeAsia Pacific Report As Israel drives the Palestinians deeper into another Nakba in Gaza with its assault on Rafah, the Palestine Youth Aotearoa (PYA) and solidarity supporters in Aotearoa New Zealand tonight commemorated the original Nakba — “the Catastrophe” — of 1948. The 1948 Nakba . . . more than ...6 days ago
- Kanaky New Caledonia unrest: Young people will ‘never give up’ – journalistYoung people on the streets in New Caledonia are saying they will “never give up” pushing back against France’s hold on the Pacific territory, a Kanak journalist in Nouméa says. Pro-independence Radio Djiido’s Andre Qaeze told RNZ Pacific young people had said that “Paris must respect us” and what had ...6 days ago
- Fast-track laws, parliamentary urgency, Treaty tension, media retreat: warning signs for NZ's &...Analysis - Power is not being abused, but it is not being well managed either. New Zealand democracy, unique and currently brittle, should be handled with greater care, Alexander Gillespie writes. ...6 days ago
- Forcing a government rethink on Gaza 'a cause worth dying for' – Will AlexanderA former Shortland Street actor says he doesn't want to die but changing the government's policy matters hugely to him. ...6 days ago
- Watch: PM, Housing Minister discuss Kāinga Ora reviewHousing Minister Chris Bishop has ruled out a mass sell-off of state houses. ...6 days ago
- Kāinga Ora underperforming, not financially viable – Sir Bill EnglishThe agency paid limited attention to value for money and had opaque transparency around internal costs and revenue, the review found. ...6 days ago
- Watch: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon speaks to media following CabinetPM Christopher Luxon and Housing Minister Chris Bishop are discussing a review of Kainga Ora led by Sir Bill English. ...6 days ago
- On the pain and pleasure of cookingA conversation with artist and home cook Prairie Hatchard-McGill, aka @cacioeprairie. This is an excerpt from our weekly food newsletter, The Boil Up. A few weeks ago, I spotted Prairie strolling down Ponsonby Road at sunset, a bunch of celery tucked under her arm. She was too far away for me ...6 days ago
- Three Kiwis Launch Haka Challenge To Free Assange In LondonThe Haka Challenge invites anyone to learn and record the Ka Mate haka as performed by the All Blacks, to show their support for "the South Pacific's greatest truth teller". ...6 days ago
- Former Shortland Street Actor Will Alexander Goes On Hunger Strike Over NZ Government’s Complicity...At the Christchurch rally in support of Palestine, he started his hunger strike and vowed to continue until the government stops supporting Israel’s genocide in Gaza. ...6 days ago
- In stories of unrest in New Caledonia, Kanak voices should not be an afterthoughtWith Nouméa reeling as mainly young, politically active Kanak people take to the streets and protest, a spirit that has been dormant since the 1980s has awoken. Tāmaki Makaurau-based Kanak Joseph Xulué provides some context. As reports continue to emphasise the fires burning through the streets of Nouméa (the capital ...6 days ago
- Oranga Tamariki proposal to cut critical records unit 'incredibly disrespectful' – a..."For a system that desperately needs help, any budget cuts to me are outrageous but especially in record-keeping," Lisa McLaren says. ...6 days ago
- Passport delays cause applicants to pay an extra $1.2m for urgent serviceAn unintended consequence of the backlog could have the DIA making hundreds of thousands of dollars in expedited passport applications. ...6 days ago
- Joining AUKUS could be seen as 'taking sides' – Chinese ambassadorWang Xiaolong told an audience New Zealand joining the military pact could look like "taking sides". ...6 days ago
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