Archive for August, 2021
Women’s Space
Written By: - Date published: 1:19 pm, August 1st, 2021 - 58 comments
A dedicated space on The Standard for women’s debate, and introducing the new feminist online space of Women’s Liberation Aotearoa.
Lies damned lies and Crime statistics
Written By: - Date published: 10:39 am, August 1st, 2021 - 13 comments
It should be an offence for political parties to deliberately misrepresent law and order statistics as National has done this week. It should be an aggravating feature if the party is a conservative party that champions law and order issues. After all fraud is an offence and if we don’t punish it appropriately then everyone will do it.
Open mike 01/08/2021
Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, August 1st, 2021 - 144 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 …
- ‘There is a strong matakite line in my family’
My Father was a Spitfire pilot in WWII, a decorated flight lieutenant in the RNZAF 485 Squadron. When he was recently arrived in the UK, while training, his aircraft’s engine failed. With zero options available, he had to bail into farmland in Hertfordshire, colliding with a tree before his plane ...3 days ago - There’s something about Mary, at 98Some people wait a long time for their five minutes of fame. In Mary Cutler’s case, hers didn’t arrive until the age of 98. Not that anyone who’s seen the viral video of her boogieing with Olympic weightlifter David Liti would think she was anywhere near that age. Nor would ...3 days ago
- Introducing Francisco Hernandez, the Member for Posting who’s logged off
The newest Green MP on Catholicism, climate change, and why he is taking a break from Twitter. At 17th on the Green Party list, first-time candidate Francisco Hernandez was always a long shot for parliament. A promising up-and-comer, he was supposed to run a strong race in Dunedin and position ...3 days ago - Ten things I learned while reading 17,000 words of pre-budget speechesAnna Rawhiti-Connell finds little light in the darkness before the budget day dawn. When Taylor Swift announced at the Grammys in February that she had a new album coming out, it was two and half months before the album itself was released. Very little happens these days without a relentless ...3 days ago
- Tech failure led to more than 100,000 unnecessary census visitsAs census day approached, the Stats NZ data system had a one-million-form backlog which took more than a month to clear The post Tech failure led to more than 100,000 unnecessary census visits appeared first on Newsroom. ...3 days ago
- How to deal with digital distractionOpinion: New technologies can offer a range of engaging and creative tools as part of a balanced school curriculum, but in many schools screens have come to dominate many hours of the school day. These are important matters for young New Zealanders, who have among the highest rates of screen ...3 days ago
- More money to come in big education BudgetAnalysis: The Government has been rolling out education pre-Budget announcements, but that doesn’t mean there will be nothing left to announce on Thursday. The post More money to come in big education Budget appeared first on Newsroom. ...3 days ago
- Ahead of Budget 2024, infrastructure heads just want commitmentInfrastructure heads want more funding and more projects, but mostly they just want a commitment The post Ahead of Budget 2024, infrastructure heads just want commitment appeared first on Newsroom. ...3 days ago
- How to handle China’s ‘big stick’ diplomacy on AukusOpinion: Chinese ambassador’s decision to wade into NZ’s Aukus debate is another sign of regional power politics The post How to handle China’s ‘big stick’ diplomacy on Aukus appeared first on Newsroom. ...3 days ago
- A far-right falling out in EuropeOpinion: Marine Le Pen is betting she can bolster her credentials as a sober stateswoman The post A far-right falling out in Europe appeared first on Newsroom. ...3 days ago
- One small step for man, one moderate leap for bank innovationCommerce Minister Andrew Bayly wants to open the flood gates for open banking – saying it’s up to industry to make the most of it The post One small step for man, one moderate leap for bank innovation appeared first on Newsroom. ...3 days ago
- Newsroom daily quiz, Tuesday 28 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 28 May appeared first on Newsroom. ...3 days ago
- Daily crossword, Tuesday 28 MayThe post Daily crossword, Tuesday 28 May appeared first on Newsroom. ...3 days ago
- Seabed mining’s hazardsIt won’t be a surprise that two of the companies on Chris Bishop’s fast-track email list were in the business of mining the seabed. A third seabed miner has a keen interest in the scheme, which would enable developers to cut through mountains of red tape and court cases without ...3 days ago
- PNG landslide buried ‘more than 2000 people alive’: Rescue teams navigate unstable terrain, infi...
More than 2000 people were buried alive in the huge landslide which hit Papua New Guinea on Friday, the National Disaster Centre has now confirmed. An entire community living at the foot of a mountain in the remote Enga Province were buried in their sleep about 3am. Earlier reports ...3 days ago - French repressive policies in New Caledonia have ‘betrayed’ Kanak hopesAlex Bainbridge talks to David Robie on Kanaky and settler colonialism. Video: Green Left Green Left Show Indigenous Kanaks in Kanaky (New Caledonia) have sprung into revolt in the last two weeks in response to moves by the colonial power France to undermine moves towards independence in the Pacific territory. ...3 days ago
- Your smartphone might be linked to crocodile attacks in Indonesia. Here’s howSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brandon Michael Sideleau, PhD student studying human-saltwater crocodile conflict, Charles Darwin University Richard Whitcombe/Shutterstock What’s the connection between your smartphone and crocodile attacks? It’s quite straightforward. Smartphones need tin, which is often mined illegally in Indonesia. When illegal tin mines ...3 days ago
- Amid Kanaky New Caledonia’s unrest, I saw first-hand the same colonial white privilege that caused...“In the aftermath of the ‘No’ denying an Indigenous Voice to Parliament in Australia, I deeply sympathise with the Kanak people’s frustration, fear, and anger at being outvoted and dismissed,” writes Angelina Hurley. COMMENTARY: By Angelina Hurley After the trauma of completing a PhD on decolonising Australian humour, I needed ...4 days ago
- Ahead of Budget, Nicola Willis refuses to rule out further public sector cuts
Speaking ahead of the Budget this week, the Finance Minister said Kiwis would be surprised where their money had been going. ...4 days ago - Lapsed policies on Easter Sunday trading meant businesses risked prosecutionSix district councils that adopted policies to allow trading on Easter Sunday had let them lapse before this year's public holiday. ...4 days ago
- Eat a rock a day, put glue on your pizza: how Google’s AI is losing touch with realitySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Toby Walsh, Professor of AI, Research Group Leader, UNSW Sydney Shutterstock AI Generator Google has rolled out its latest experimental search feature on Chrome, Firefox and the Google app browser to hundreds of millions of users. “AI Overviews” saves you clicking ...4 days ago
- Noise-cancelling headphones, earplugs and earmuffs – do they really help neurodivergent people?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kitty-Rose Foley, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Health, Southern Cross University christinarosepix/Shutterstock Noise can make it hard to concentrate, especially for people who are extra sensitive to it. Neurodivergent people (such as those who are autistic or have attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder ...4 days ago
- Riverdance at 30: how Riverdance shaped Irish dance, and reflected a multicultural AustraliaSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jeanette Mollenhauer, Honorary Fellow (Dance), Faculty of Fine Arts & Music, The University of Melbourne Ireland won the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest, but their victory was overshadowed by the seven-minute interval “filler” that received a standing ovation. The combined talents of ...4 days ago
- Watch: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon speaks to media at post-Cabinet press conferenceThe coalition government is just days away from revealing its first Budget to the country, and it'll be one 'for every New Zealander', the PM says. ...4 days ago
- Magic mushrooms may one day treat anorexia, but not just yetSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Susan Rossell, Director Clinical Trials and Professor Cognitive Neuropsychiatry Centre for Mental Health and Brain Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology Ground Picture/Shutterstock Anorexia nervosa is a severe mental health disorder where people fear weight gain. Those with the disorder have distorted ...4 days ago
- Curious Kids: why can some plastics be recycled but others can’t?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sukhbir Sandhu, Associate Professor in Sustainability, University of South Australia MOHAMED ABDULRAHEEM, Shutterstock Why can some plastics be recycled but others can’t? – Jessica, age ten, Sydney Great question Jessica! We use lots of plastic in Australia and ...4 days ago
- The Māori wards bill, explainedTo fulfil National’s coalition agreements with Act and NZ First, a bill currently going through parliament is reversing changes made to increase Māori representation in local government. National’s coalition agreements with both NZ First and Act include a commitment to “restore the right to local referendum on the establishment or ...4 days ago
- Ministry of Education intervenes in Mangakōtukutuku College one term after openingIt comes after the school was put in lockdown following a school brawl. ...4 days ago
- Survey Reveals ECE Sector Not Optimistic Of Improvement Under New Government
Views on government effectiveness in managing the ECE sector continue to worsen. A net negative 63% think the direction being taken is right, compared to a net negative 59% last year. ...4 days ago - Grey Power Welcomes Health Select Committee Investigating Aged CareAppropriate Aged Care is a significant challenge for many vulnerable older people, and their families. Grey Power are committed to ensuring that our seniors have the dignified care they need as they are increasingly less able to care for themselves. ...4 days ago
- “Unreliably” Managed Defence Spending Boosted As Essential Public Services CutNew Zealanders should be questioning why defence is one of the few areas of government spending that will be getting a boost in this budget. ...4 days ago
- NZ First Picks Up Free Speech Union Drafted Legislation As Member’s Bill To Protect Kiwis’ Acces...Our drafted legislation will ensure all Kiwis have access to publicly funded venues, regardless of who they are or their ideological positions. This legislation creates a positive duty for local venues to protect free speech, even when ‘health and ...4 days ago
- NZ is changing faster than the census can keep up – the 4 big trends to watchSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Paul Spoonley, Distinguished Professor, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Massey University Shutterstock The first data from the 2023 census will be released on May 29 – and not before time. We will see how successful – or not – the ...4 days ago
- Car owners cancel insurance policies as cost of living bitesWith grocery bills soaring and petrol prices hitting, drivers letting their policies lapse. ...4 days ago
- PNG landslide: Couple pulled alive from rubble as 690 feared deadBy Scott Waide, RNZ Pacific PNG correspondent Amidst the despair of the Kaolokam landslide disaster in the Enga Province of Papua New Guinea, there was a tiny glimmer of hope as villagers pulled out a husband and wife who had been trapped under the rubble. Johnson and Jaqueline Yandam’s home ...4 days ago
- Cancer service 'on the brink of collapse' as doctor positions go unfilledNot one senior doctor has been hired since an internal report calling for more. ...4 days ago
- Have you eaten? Thoughts on feeding griefFood might not quell the pain, but it gives us the strength to bear it. This is an excerpt from our weekly food newsletter, The Boil Up. When someone I love is hurting, the only thing I can think to do is feed them. An oily round of focaccia flecked with ...4 days ago
- Corrections Minister defends plan to expand Waikeria Prison following protestThe Corrections Minister is defending the government's plan to considerably expand a Waikato prison following a protest over the weekend. ...4 days ago
- Covid-19: NZ experiencing highest peak in 18 months – epidemiologistFresh warnings are being issued as the virus surges again. ...4 days ago
- Why can’t I pick up my own dropped phone on a plane?One anxiously attentive passenger pays attention to an in-flight safety video, and wonders ‘Why can’t I pick up my own phone?’ I would describe the brain activity of passengers watching in-flight safety videos as similar to a golden labrador. The area’s firing up neurons are those in the regions dedicated ...4 days ago
- “Save Science Coalition” Launches To Oppose Cuts To Science In NZToday, a coalition is being launched to campaign against cuts to science and science funding in New Zealand. ...4 days ago
- Spectator racism is still rife in Australia’s major football codes – new research shows it may e...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Keith Parry, Head Of Department in Department of Sport & Event Management, Bournemouth University The annual Indigenous rounds in the Australian Football League (AFL) and National Rugby League (NRL) celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. These events highlight the contributions ...4 days ago
- No mullets, no mohawks, no ‘awkwardly contrasting colours’: what are school policies on hair and...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kayla Mildren, PhD Candidate in the politics of school uniform policies, Griffith University Emma Simpson/ Unsplash, CC BY A Queensland dad recently took his four-year-old son out of the Gold Coast’s A.B. Paterson College because the school had ordered the boy ...4 days ago
- ‘You’re Not Doing Enough’: Hunger Striker Calls Out Christopher Luxon’s Response On GazaHunger striker destroys Christopher Luxon’s defense of Gaza action ...4 days ago
- Labour warns consistency across teacher training programmes neededThe Opposition says it backs the government's teacher training plan but warns that an overview of the training industry is needed. ...4 days ago
- Open banking: How to opt in – and out – of the new payment systemNZ's four major banks will soon provide open banking - a new way to pay and track funds. Here's how it works. ...4 days ago
- The plan to train – and retain – more teachers in New ZealandA $53m budget boost will see 1,500 new teachers recruited over the next four years, writes Stewart Sowman-Lund in this extract from The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. Another ...4 days ago
- NZ Post refusing to deliver to mailboxes of new Auckland developmentResidents say it's 'ridiculous' they have not received mail for a year, while they can see posties deliving letters down the road ...4 days ago
- Here’s what Aotearoa might have looked like today if we legalised weed in 2020Four years ago, we voted against legalising cannabis. But what if the referendum had gone the other way? It’s a Saturday afternoon in Ponsonby, and an impeccably dressed woman is buying supplies for the 40th birthday party she is throwing herself that evening. After filling the car with drinks and ...4 days ago
- Could Ray Chung really be the mayor of Wellington?Ray Chung is running for mayor. Who is he, and does he have a chance? Wellington editor Joel MacManus talks to the city councillor for the second edition of Windbag, The Spinoff’s Wellington issues column. Are we doing this already? The 2025 local body elections are 17 months away, but ...4 days ago
- RMA reform targets coal mines on protected landThe first wave of RMA reforms focuses on freshwater policy, easing regulations on farmers and previously prohibited coal mines The post RMA reform targets coal mines on protected land appeared first on Newsroom. ...4 days ago
- Newsroom daily quiz, Monday 27 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, Monday 27 May appeared first on Newsroom. ...4 days ago
- ‘You have your own battlefield, your father has his’The Olympics have a way of bringing into focus the world as it is right now. Each Games gifts us a snapshot of world history in the making. At Tokyo 2020 we witnessed mask-wearing athletes flanked by empty stands. In the 90s we grappled with new country names like Kazakhstan ...4 days ago
- Daily crossword, Monday 27 MayThe post Daily crossword, Monday 27 May appeared first on Newsroom. ...4 days ago
- New name, old gangs, same policingPolice are returning to crime-fighting ways of old in their fight against gangs, as technology becomes harder to hack, experts in New Zealand’s criminal underworld say. In light of the recent police announcement on national and local gang units, today’s episode of The Detail looks at how police and governments ...4 days ago
- Govt targets a board asleep at the wheelComment: Overshadowed in the highly critical report by Sir Bill English and his team into Kāinga Ora’s finances, debt and performance was a rare public defenestration of the public housing agency’s board of directors. The review’s findings painted a board asleep at the wheel as billions of public money was ...4 days ago
- Reserve Bank’s rough news for exports goalThe Reserve Bank’s monetary policy statement contains some bad news for the Government’s goal of doubling export value The post Reserve Bank’s rough news for exports goal appeared first on Newsroom. ...4 days ago
- Finance Minister promises Budget Day transparency on public sector cutsExactly how the Government’s public sector savings target has been met will be revealed when the Finance Minister releases this year’s Budget The post Finance Minister promises Budget Day transparency on public sector cuts appeared first on Newsroom. ...4 days ago
- US bird flu outbreak, not Australian cases, main concern for NZThe introduction of the virus to Antarctica and its mutation to spread between mammals in the United States has researchers worried about an outbreak in New Zealand The post US bird flu outbreak, not Australian cases, main concern for NZ appeared first on Newsroom. ...4 days ago
- Is our investment in defence value for money?Opinion: All up, defence cost us more than $6.7 billion in 2023/24. There were 14,996 people working for the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) at June 2023, while others dealt with procurement and policy in the non-military wing, the Ministry of Defence. Why does our small, remote country have such ...4 days ago
- Palestine protesters condemn Google, demand NZ action over Gaza genocideAsia Pacific Report Pro-Palestinian protesters today condemned Google for sacking protesting staff and demanded that the New Zealand government immediately “cut ties with Israeli genocide”. Wearing Google logo masks and holding placards saying “Google complicit in genocide” and “Google drop Project Nimbus”, the protesters were targeting the global tech company ...4 days ago
- Reiki on a guinea pig and whatnot: Our first reactions to Married at First Sight NZFresh off the back of episode one of Married at First Sight NZ’s new season, Alex Casey and Tara Ward fire up the chat to dissect what the hell we all just watched. Alex Casey: Tara, are you still screaming? I’m screaming. Tara Ward: I started screaming the moment I ...4 days ago
- Reiki on a guinea pig and whatnot: Our first reactions to Married at First Sight NZFresh off the back of episode one of Married at First Sight NZ’s new season, Alex Casey and Tara Ward fire up the chat to dissect what the hell we all just watched. Alex Casey: Tara, are you still screaming? I’m screaming. Tara Ward: I started screaming the moment I ...4 days ago
- Top economists give budget modest rating and doubt inflation will fall as plannedSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Martin, Visiting Fellow, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Wes Mountain/The Conversation, CC BY-ND Asked to grade Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ third budget on his own criteria of delivering on “inflation in the near term and then growth ...4 days ago
- Top economists take a modest view of the budget, and doubt inflation will fall as plannedSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Martin, Visiting Fellow, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Wes Mountain/The Conversation, CC BY-ND Asked to grade Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ third budget on his own criteria of delivering on “inflation in the near term and then growth ...5 days ago
- West Papua independence group slams French ‘modern-day colonialism’Asia Pacific Report A West Papuan independence group has condemned French “modern-day colonialism in action” in Kanaky New Caledonia and urged indigenous leaders to “fight on”. In a statement to the Kanak pro-independence leadership, exiled United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) president Benny Wenda said the proposed electoral changes ...5 days ago
- $53m extra for teacher training, recruitment, Education Minister Erica Stanford announcesThe investment is designed to address teacher shortages, and moving training into the classroom, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. ...5 days ago
- Hunger Striker Destroys Christopher Luxon’s Defense Of Gaza Action“The situation in Gaza is desperate,” Will Alexander said. “It’s obvious to everyone that if Christopher Luxon truly cared, our government could do a lot more.” ...5 days ago
- Parliament's election inquiry told blame lies in outdated lawsParliament begins its election inquiry with a double-header and finds that blame is something of a boomerang. ...5 days ago
- ANALYSIS: By Nicole George, The University of Queensland New Caledonia’s capital city, Nouméa, has endured widespread violent rioting over the past three days. This crisis intensified rapidly, taking local authorities by surprise. Peaceful protests had been occurring across the country in the preceding weeks as the French National Assembly in ...5 days ago
- The Fiji Times: Public outcry over Fijians’ MPs pay riseEDITORIAL: By Fred Wesley, editor-in-chief of The Fiji Times So 40 Fiji members of Parliament voted in favour of the Special Committee on Emoluments Report on the review of MPs’ salaries, allowances and benefits in Parliament on Friday. Now that’s not going down well with the masses, with many venting ...5 days ago
- NZ spent $113m helping build and use US military satellitesThe money includes $15m towards sending up two new, much more powerful satellites. ...5 days ago
- An Ode to .. Chris BishopFirst Hovel Grant Bishop Chris ventured out of the High Keep For his annual tour of the slums of the Holey Land. His litter bearers held his palanquin high Above the muck strewn and dilapidated alleys Of the Capital. The menials and peons swarmed around And pleaded for Alms from ...5 days ago
- A way forward for New CaledoniaOpinion: Following France’s President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to New Caledonia on Thursday, attention has turned to the country’s political future beyond the ongoing crisis. The uprising, which began on May 14, has demonstrated the capacity and determination of those involved to shut down the country and to inflict extensive economic ...5 days ago
- Open letter from Kanaky: Things are really bad, we need to speed up decolonisationAsia Pacific Report By a Kanak from Aotearoa New Zealand in Kanaky I’ve been trying to feel cool and nice on this beautiful sunny day in Kanaky. But it has already been spoiled by President Emmanuel Macron’s flashy day-long visit on Thursday. Currently special French military forces are trying to ...5 days ago
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