Archive for January, 2013
Halting Dynamics and Shifting Inertias
Written By: - Date published: 5:20 pm, January 7th, 2013 - 43 comments
Like many, I’ve been somewhat bemused and not a little angered that austerity is touted as a pathway to economic recovery. Like many, I’ve come to view both austerity and bail outs simply as means to put public monies and the control of public institutions into private hands – all the while diminishing the power of citizens on both an individual and collective basis.
But why consciously destroy or abandon real economic activity in a quest for power? Why not continue to build on whatever ‘real economy’ bases of power you posses? Idle speculation might suggest a lust for power, y’know… power for power’s sake. Or a reaction to, or recognition of impending peak resources in a world of growing population.
The brighter future – now with wood
Written By: - Date published: 7:47 am, January 7th, 2013 - 40 comments
Steven Joyce pops up today in the Herald to promise more jobs. Apparently, the Chinese are going to invest in wood manufacturing here because the power’s cheap. Funny, the power’s been the same price for a while and… um… wood manufacturing has collapsed 15% under Joyce’s watch. Looks like another hollow promise from the least successful economic development minister in history.
Open mike 07/01/2013
Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, January 7th, 2013 - 144 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the link to Policy in the banner). Step right up to the mike…
Open mike 06/01/2013
Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, January 6th, 2013 - 98 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the link to Policy in the banner). Step right up to the mike…
2013 – the policy year
Written By: - Date published: 10:43 am, January 5th, 2013 - 260 comments
As our own Labour grandee Mike Smith has pointed out, 2013 is the year Labour develops its policies.
That means Labour members (and the broader left) need to start talking about what they want before conference. And what better place to have that discussion than the Standard…
Open mike 05/01/2013
Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, January 5th, 2013 - 78 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the link to Policy in the banner). Step right up to the mike…
Weekend social 04/01/2013
Written By: - Date published: 2:00 pm, January 4th, 2013 - 4 comments
Weekend social is for non political chat. What’s on for the weekend, gigs, film or book reviews, sports, or whatever. No politics, no aggro, why can’t we all just get along?
Asset sales referendum is a go!
Written By: - Date published: 8:32 am, January 4th, 2013 - 93 comments
The Asset Sales petition has the numbers for a referendum, but need to continue to collect signatures til the petition is submitted at the end of the month. Well done! The evidence & the majority of New Zealanders do not support the sales. Keep campaigning!
Open mike 04/01/2013
Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, January 4th, 2013 - 128 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the link to Policy in the banner). Step right up to the mike…
Federated Farmers want more urbanites
Written By: - Date published: 8:58 pm, January 3rd, 2013 - 38 comments
Federated Farmers pushed out a press release the other day calling for NZ to both have more population and to stop spreading urban areas out over farmland. MrSmith has a view on it.
Climate: last year and this year
Written By: - Date published: 5:06 pm, January 3rd, 2013 - 142 comments
A group of people interested in climate have put out a list of the most interesting climate events of 2012, which was a year that weather made more of the headlines than usual. It is likely that it will have been just a precursor to 2013 as the northern fridge disappears and the sun flares. The one certainty is that the IPCC AR4 report got it wrong – they were far too conservative about how fast climate change was happening.
Open mike 03/01/2013
Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, January 3rd, 2013 - 78 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the link to Policy in the banner). Step right up to the mike…
2012 cabinet report card
Written By: - Date published: 12:25 pm, January 2nd, 2013 - 18 comments
After Eddie dissed the usual beltway year in review style of column/post I was a little chary about doing this one. And then I realised the good thing about The Standard is we do real world and beltway issues. So here goes my once-over assessment of the 2012 cabinet performance and what it’s likely to mean for the future.
The unreported & off the cliff
Written By: - Date published: 10:58 am, January 2nd, 2013 - 12 comments
Over the last year some issues have been under-reported, some ignored: the climate/environment, subversive FBI activities, bankster rorts, decline of democracy, the need for new left & green politics. Some news has been overdramatised, some masks the real needs. And the “fiscal cliff”?
Open mike 02/01/2013
Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, January 2nd, 2013 - 167 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the link to Policy in the banner). Step right up to the mike…
Gimme sense!
Written By: - Date published: 11:34 am, January 1st, 2013 - 147 comments
It’s nothing but ardent colonial nonsense to be celebrating a seasonally determined cultural event in the wrong season and about six months off the mark. Every culture that marks new year celebrates around the time of, well…new year. And every culture that marks New Year locates it somewhere in the winter; notionally around the time […]
Lange: Old Faiths New World
Written By: - Date published: 9:35 am, January 1st, 2013 - 32 comments
In the slow summer break, here’s a slow, thoughtful speech to ponder. David Lange’s last public appearance, “Old Faiths New World”, delivered at the University of Otago on 5th August 2004.
Open mike 01/01/2013
Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, January 1st, 2013 - 95 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the link to Policy in the banner). Step right up to the mike…
- The neoliberal attack on the Treaty of Waitangi
Opinion: The Government, led by a run-of-the-mill-corporatist, a garden-variety populist and a 10-a-penny libertarian has been considering the future of a singular and unique treaty that is at the heart of what is so special about Aotearoa New Zealand. In the guise of the Treaty Principles Bill, these politicians will ...3 days ago - A long, personal and painful read for the minister called Goldie
Analysis: At least 15 times in its urgent report on the proposed law to tighten Māori marine customary rights, the Waitangi Tribunal called out one person The post A long, personal and painful read for the minister called Goldie appeared first on Newsroom. ...3 days ago
- East Coast forestry industry facing the axe
“Absolutely impossible” consent conditions are causing some East Coast forestry companies to “bleed money” and this could force them to move offshore.Forestry harvesting has already ground to a halt in some areas of Tairāwhiti, part of the fallout after the district was hit by devastating cyclones Hale and Gabrielle last ...3 days ago
- Brussels still sprouting same old stale economic plans
Opinion: EU plan reflects a deep-seated distrust of market forces and an over-reliance on state-driven solutions The post Brussels still sprouting same old stale economic plans appeared first on Newsroom. ...3 days ago
- ECan pushes plan change that ‘entrenches water exploitation’
Critics pan a proposed fix after a Supreme Court decision upended how water consents are considered in Canterbury The post ECan pushes plan change that ‘entrenches water exploitation’ appeared first on Newsroom. ...3 days ago
- Newsroom daily quiz, Tuesday 17 September
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- Red tape earns quarrying spot on Jones’ critical minerals list
Controversy and consenting issues put sand and aggregate on the draft critical minerals list, alongside the likes of cobalt and vanadium The post Red tape earns quarrying spot on Jones’ critical minerals list appeared first on Newsroom. ...3 days ago
- Daily crossword, Tuesday 17 September
The post Daily crossword, Tuesday 17 September appeared first on Newsroom. ...3 days ago
- Up close and friendly with Vietnam’s war resistance Củ Chi tunnels
Report by Dr David Robie – Café Pacific. – COMMENTARY: By David Robie in Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam’s famous Củ Chi tunnel network was on our bucket list for years. For me, it was for more than half a century, ever since I had been editor of the ...3 days ago - Another assassination attempt, baseless claims about pets, and Taylor Swift: the US election is wild...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jared Mondschein, Director of Research, US Studies Centre, University of Sydney It has not yet been a week since the debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump – in which the Democrat was widely held to have bested the Republican – and ...3 days ago
- Papua New Guinea celebrates 49 years of independence from Australia
By Scott Waide, RNZ Pacific PNG correspondent, and Lydia Lewis RNZ Pacific journalist Papua New Guinea is today celebrating almost half a century of independence from Australia. The journey has not been easy, and the path since 16 September 1975 has been filled with challenges and triumphs, Prime Minister James ...3 days ago
- Australia’s new scam prevention draft is welcome – but it needs to be broader in scope
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mohiuddin Ahmed, Senior Lecturer of Computing and Security, Edith Cowan University ParinPix/Shutterstock The federal government is stepping up its fight against scams, which last year cost Australians more than A$2.7 billion. On Friday, the federal treasury released a draft scam ...3 days ago
- Hipkins loses support in latest TPU-Curia poll
Labour leader Chris Hipkins has lost support in a new Taxpayers Union-Curia poll showing small gains for National and Labour, and mostly small losses for minor parties. ...3 days ago - What is ‘health at every size’ lifestyle counselling? How does it compare with weight-focused tr...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Clare Collins, Laureate Professor in Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Newcastle Health at every size (or HAES) is a lifestyle counselling approach that promotes mindful eating and lifestyle behaviours to pursue health and wellness, without focusing on weight loss. Weight loss is ...3 days ago
- National parks and other protected areas often fail to conserve Earth’s forests, research finds
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Timothy Neal, Senior lecturer in Economics / Institute for Climate Risk and Response, UNSW Sydney Shutterstock The destruction of nature is a global crisis. Establishing protected areas of forest is a common policy governments use to tackle the problem. Indeed most ...3 days ago
- Oscar: the tragedy and beauty of Wilde’s life, and an historic moment on the ballet stage
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yvette Grant, PhD (Dance) Candidate and Dance History Tutor, The University of Melbourne Benjamin Garrett and Callum Linnane star in Wheeldon’s new ballet production. Christopher Rogers-Wilson Christopher Wheeldon and The Australian Ballet’s Oscar, which had its world premiere in Melbourne on September ...3 days ago
- PNG police chief Manning declares emergency for Porgera
The National Papua New Guinea’s Police Commissioner David Manning has declared emergency orders to safeguard infrastructure and residents in Porgera due to escalating law and order issues brought about by illegal miners. Manning said police would be increasing the legitimate use of force to remove combatants in order ...3 days ago
- Watch: Christopher Luxon holds post-Cabinet press conference
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is speaking to reporters at Parliament after the weekly Cabinet meeting. ...4 days ago- Up close and friendly with Vietnam’s war relic Củ Chi tunnels
COMMENTARY: By David Robie Vietnam’s famous Củ Chi tunnel network was on our bucket list for years. For me, it was for more than half a century, ever since I had been editor of the Melbourne Sunday Observer, which campaigned against Australian (and New Zealand) involvement in the unjust Vietnam ...4 days ago- Government at risk of not meeting two of its nine public service targets
The government has identified education and reducing violent crime as the biggest problem areas. ...4 days ago- What would a second Trump presidency mean for the global economy?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra Evan El-Amin/Shutterstock Donald Trump inherited a strong economy from President Obama and managed it poorly. Real GDP grew more slowly under Trump than it had under any ...4 days ago- Government extends alternative to tough literacy and numeracy tests
Students will have until the end of 2027 to get literacy and numeracy standards by internal assessment, rather than tests - two years later than planned. ...4 days ago- Experts oppose speed limits increase
A coalition of leading academics, health professionals and road safety experts have issued an open letter, urging the government to reconsider plans to increase speed limits. ...4 days ago- All hail Christian Cullen, ‘mysterious smooth guy’ of Celebrity Treasure Island
We’re one week into the new season, and a surprising and sulky breakout star has emerged. Before 2022, Dame Susan Devoy was known to most New Zealanders as a world champion squash player first, Race Relations Commissioner second, and Centrum spokesperson third. Her public image was serious and straight-laced: she ...4 days ago- A ‘forever language’ – te Wiki o te Reo Māori marks 52 years of extraordinary progress
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jeanette King, Professor, Aotahi School of Māori and Indigenous Studies, University of Canterbury Getty Images Ko tēnei te Wiki o te Reo Māori – it’s Māori Language Week. It’s been 52 years since the landmark moment on September 14 1972, when ...4 days ago- A new play brings Trent Dalton’s Love Stories to the stage in a joyful and exuberant celebration o...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Caitlin West, PhD Candidate in Drama and Theatre Studies, The University of Queensland David Kelly/QPAC/Brisbane Festival Unapologetically sentimental, uncynically joyful, and brimming with wholeheartedness, Love Stories delivers exactly what its title promises. Adapted by Tim McGarry from Trent Dalton’s 2021 ...4 days ago- Government Shows Little Understanding Of Climate Change
TRAC National Coordinator Niall Robertson says that this line could be built a lot quicker and connect with the rebuilt NAL taking thousands of road damaging trucks off SH1, improving road safety, reducing carbon emissions and polluting particulate. ...4 days ago- Hidden craters reveal Earth may once have had a ring – like Saturn
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Tomkins, Geologist, Monash University Artist’s impression. Oliver Hull The rings of Saturn are some of the most famous and spectacular objects in the Solar System. Earth may once have had something similar. In a paper published last week in Earth & ...4 days ago- Government releases list of 35 critical minerals as part of mining strategy
"Why should we continually say we're going to import everything if we've got it here and we can turn it into an export industry," Shane Jones says. ...4 days ago- We deserve to go to school without worrying the roof will fall on us
The Ministry of Education knew the biggest building at Wellington Girls’ College wasn’t up to earthquake safety standards, but didn’t inform staff or students they were at risk. That’s not good enough, says year 12 student Orla Sweeney. Wellington Girls’ College is an all-girls school that was considered decile 10 ...4 days ago- Most people approve of compensating survivors – and more findings from new polling on the abuse i...
Polling conducted for The Spinoff shows that a majority of the public supports financial compensation for survivors – even if they don’t know much about what is in the final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care. An estimated 200,000 children and adults were abused in ...4 days ago- Aware and alive: Why motorcycle safety is an issue for car users too
The weather is warming up, and with it motorcyclists are dusting off their bikes and heading out on the roads. In Motorcycle Awareness Month, Z Energy is appealing to all road users to help keep motorcyclists safe. Gus Bezerra has been riding motorbikes since he was 16. “It’s nice to ...4 days ago- Auckland CBD crime just shifted elsewhere – Labour
The government is hailing a 22 percent drop in serious assaults in the Auckland CBD, but stats show crime is rising across the region. ...4 days ago- NZ could have 58,000 fewer electric cars by 2035 due to weaker carbon emissions standards
The drop will lead to two megatonnes more emissions in the next decade, clean car lobby group says. ...4 days ago- High-speed rail plans may finally end Australia’s 40-year wait to get on board
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Philip Laird, Honorary Principal Fellow, University of Wollongong Japan has had high-speed rail since 1964. Blanscape/Shutterstock Australia has debated and studied high-speed rail for four decades. The High Speed Rail Authority has begun work on a project that could finally deliver some ...4 days ago- More rooftop solar in cities would help solve NZ’s energy crisis – and build disaster resilience
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Priscila Besen, Lecturer in Sustainable Architecture, Auckland University of Technology Getty Images New Zealad’s current electricity supply crisis requires immediate solutions. But we argue the government’s emphasis on importing natural gas and construction of centralised solar farms is a missed ...4 days ago- The best way to regulate AI might be not to specifically regulate AI. This is why
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen King, Professor of Economics, Monash University The new wave of artificial intelligence – so-called AI – is bringing with it promises as well as threats. By assisting workers, it can raise productivity and boost real wages. By making use of ...4 days ago- What is a trained clown and what does the training look like?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anna-Sophie Jürgens, Senior Lecturer in Science Communication (Pop Culture Studies), Australian National University Where do clowns come from? In popular culture, they may come from alien worlds, such as Killer Klowns from Outer Space, peer out from drains like Pennywise from Stephen ...4 days ago- Contract law changes: Simplifying or complicating?
A major union and a big business group are at odds over whether planned changes to employment law will simplify or complicate matters. ...4 days ago- Who will miss Auckland Transport the most if it goes? The most anti-AT councillors
A bill aimed at getting rid of AT might go before parliament. No one will miss AT more than the local politicians who use it as an easy blame sponge. Auckland Transport staffers pretended to take notes as the councillor lectured them about buses. Their organisation had approved a plan ...4 days ago - Watch: Christopher Luxon holds post-Cabinet press conference
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