Epsom has its finger on the pulse of the people
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1:13 pm, May 25th, 2015 - 14 comments
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The Epsom Electorate which brought such parties as ACT into parliament gives us
David Seymour
Paul Goldsmith
Julie-Anne Genter
So what is important to the people of Epsom? Paul Goldsmith in his May Newsletter recently told us what is important to him and suggested what might be important to us.
What is apparent is that there are 2 New Zealands’.
Click the link to read about the one that Mr Seymour and Mr Goldsmith live in.
Goldsmith’s New Zealand – May 2015
Recently though Seymour did appear to have an epiphany about the two New Zealand’s and its unfairness.
He gave the Budget 2015 a standing ovation. Peter Dunne didn’t. Genter is consistent in her calls for better transport and planning for Auckland.
Forget changing the flag, let’s change New Zealand into a decent, fair and caring society for all.
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New Zealand’s most recent defence assessment identified climate change and geostrategic competition as the two greatest security challenges to our place in the South Pacific. To the first issue, partners engaging and re-engaging with Pacific Island Countries are finding that climate change is a security and existential threat in our ...2 days ago - Govt supporting more rangatahi into training and employment opportunitiesThe government is continuing to support rangatahi in providing more funding into Maori Trades training and new He Poutama Rangatahi programmes across Aotearoa. “We’re backing 30 new by Māori for Māori Kaupapa employment and training programmes, which will help iwi into sustainable employment or progress within their chosen careers” says ...2 days ago
- Energy self-sufficient marae reopens with support of Government investmentMurihiku Marae was officially reopened today, setting a gold standard in sustainable building practices as well as social outcomes for the people of Waihōpai Invercargill, Regional Development Minister Kiri Allan says. “The marae has been a central hub for this community since the 1980’s. With the support of $9.65 million ...2 days ago
- First major Whangārei public housing project in a generation completeThe first major public housing development in Whangārei for decades has reached completion, with 37 new homes opened in the suburb of Maunu today. The project on Tapatahi Crescent and Puriri Park Road, consists of 15 one-bedroom, 4 two-bedroom, 7 three-bedroom, 8 four-bedroom and 3 five-bedroom homes, as well as ...2 days ago
- Trade Minister to represent New Zealand trade interests abroadTrade and Export Growth Minister Damen O’Connor will depart tomorrow for London to represent New Zealand at the Commonwealth Trade Ministers’ Meeting and then to Paris to vice-chair the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting. “My travel to the United Kingdom is well-timed, with the United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement (UK FTA) ...2 days ago
- Bill to boost national fuel resiliency introducedThe Fuel Industry (Improving Fuel Resilience) Amendment Bill would: boost New Zealand’s fuel supply resilience and economic security enable the minimum stockholding obligation regulations to be adapted as the energy and transport environment evolves. “Last November, I announced a six-point plan to improve the resiliency of our fuel supply from ...3 days ago
- Faster ACC payment top-ups and fairer systemThe Government is making sure those on low incomes will no longer have to wait five weeks to get the minimum weekly rate of ACC, and improving the data collected to make the system fairer, Minister for ACC Peeni Henare said today. The Accident Compensation (Access Reporting and Other Matters) ...3 days ago
- Compulsory code of conduct for school boards introducedA compulsory code of conduct will ensure school board members are crystal clear on their responsibilities and expected standard of behaviour, Minister of Education Jan Tinetti said. It’s the first time a compulsory code of conduct has been published for state and state-integrated school boards and comes into effect on ...3 days ago
- Speech to the New Zealand Federation of Commercial Fishermen annual conference.Tena koutou katoa and thank you, Mayor Nadine Taylor, for your welcome to Marlborough. Thanks also Doug Saunders-Loder and all of you for inviting me to your annual conference. As you might know, I’m quite new to this job – and I’m particularly pleased that the first organisation I’m giving a ...3 days ago
- Govt to support councils with buyout and better protection of cyclone and flood affected propertiesThe Government will enter into a funding arrangement with councils in cyclone and flood affected regions to support them to offer a voluntary buyout for owners of Category 3 designated residential properties. It will also co-fund work needed to protect Category 2 designated properties. “From the beginning of this process ...3 days ago
- Government delivers changes to reduce pokies harmThe Government has announced changes to strengthen requirements in venues with pokie (gambling) machines will come into effect from 15 June. “Pokies are one of the most harmful forms of gambling. They can have a detrimental impact on individuals, their friends, whānau and communities,” Internal Affairs Minister Barbara Edmonds said. ...3 days ago
- Government delivers 1800 additional frontline PoliceThe total Police workforce is now the largest it has ever been. Police constabulary stands at 10,700 officers – an increase of 21% since 2017 Māori officers have increased 40%, Pasifika 83%, Asian 157%, Women 61% Every district has got more Police under this Government The Government has delivered on ...3 days ago
- Minister Mahuta talks Pacific ambitions at the first Korea-Pacific Leaders’ summitMinister of Foreign Affairs, Hon Nanaia Mahuta met with Korea President Yoon, as well as Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Henry Puna, during her recent visit to Korea. “It was an honour to represent Aotearoa New Zealand at the first Korea – Pacific Leaders’ Summit. We discussed Pacific ambitions under the ...3 days ago
- Government drives $2 billion of business research and developmentThe Government’s Research and Development Tax Incentive has supported more than $2 billion of New Zealand business innovation – an increase of around $1 billion in less than nine months. "Research and innovation are essential in helping us meet the biggest challenges and seize opportunities facing New Zealand. It’s fantastic ...4 days ago
- Achieving lift off: National Space Policy launchedThe next ‘giant leap’ in New Zealand’s space journey has been taken today with the launch of the National Space Policy, Economic Development Minister Barbara Edmonds announced. “Our space sector is growing rapidly. Each year New Zealand is becoming a more and more attractive place for launches, manufacturing space-related technology ...4 days ago
- New science and creative technologies wharekura announcedA new Year 7-13 designated character wharekura will be built in Pāpāmoa, Associate Minister of Education Kelvin Davis has announced. The wharekura will focus on science, mathematics and creative technologies while connecting ākonga to the whakapapa of the area. The decision follows an application by the Ngā Pōtiki ā Tamapahore ...4 days ago
- Freedom Camping changes a win for the environmentProtecting the environment by establishing a stronger, more consistent system for freedom camping Supporting councils to better manage freedom camping in their region and reduce the financial and social impacts on communities Ensuring that self-contained vehicle owners have time to prepare for the new system The Self-Contained Motor Vehicle ...4 days ago
- Speeding up the family court, reducing stress on familiesA new law passed last night could see up to 25 percent of Family Court judges’ workload freed up in order to reduce delays, Minister of Justice Kiri Allan said. The Family Court (Family Court Associates) Legislation Bill will establish a new role known as the Family Court Associate. The ...4 days ago
- UK FTA delivers benefits from todayNew Zealand businesses will begin reaping the rewards of our gold-standard free trade agreement with the United Kingdom (UK FTA) from today. “The New Zealand UK FTA enters into force from today, and is one of the seven new or upgraded Free Trade Agreements negotiated by Labour to date,” Prime ...4 days ago
- Next steps to reform outdated surrogacy lawThe Government will reform outdated surrogacy laws to improve the experiences of children, surrogates, and the growing number of families formed through surrogacy, by adopting Labour MP Tāmati Coffey’s Member’s Bill as a Government Bill, Minister Kiri Allan has announced. “Surrogacy has become an established method of forming a family ...5 days ago
- Defence Minister to attend Shangri-La DialogueDefence Minister Andrew Little departs for Singapore tomorrow to attend the 20th annual Shangri-La Dialogue for Defence Ministers from the Indo-Pacific region. “Shangri-La brings together many countries to speak frankly and express views about defence issues that could affect us all,” Andrew Little said. “New Zealand is a long-standing participant ...5 days ago
- New Zealand–China science relationship affirmedResearch, Science and Innovation Minister Dr Ayesha Verrall and the Chinese Minister of Science and Technology Wang Zhigang met in Wellington today and affirmed the two countries’ long-standing science relationship. Minister Wang was in New Zealand for the 6th New Zealand-China Joint Commission Meeting on Science and Technology Cooperation. Following ...5 days ago
- Supporting a strong future for screen sector5 percent uplift clearer and simpler to navigate Domestic productions can access more funding sources 20 percent rebate confirmed for post-production, digital and visual effects Qualifying expenditure for post-production, digital and visual effects rebate dropped to $250,000 to encourage more smaller productions The Government is making it easier for the ...5 days ago
- Minister Sepuloni to attend 61st Anniversary of Samoa’s IndependenceDeputy Prime Minister and Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs (Pacific Region) Carmel Sepuloni will represent New Zealand at Samoa’s 61st Anniversary of Independence commemorations in Apia. “Aotearoa New Zealand is pleased to share in this significant occasion, alongside other invited Pacific leaders, and congratulates Samoa on the milestone of 61 ...6 days ago
- Govt backs retailers with expansion of fog cannon programmeThe Government is continuing to support retailers with additional funding for the highly popular Fog Cannon Subsidy Scheme, Police and Small Business Minister Ginny Andersen announced today. “The Government is committed to improving retailers’ safety,” Ginny Andersen said. “I’ve seen first-hand the difference fog cannons are making. Not only do ...6 days ago
- Government will consider recommendations of Intelligence and Security Act reviewThe Government has received the first independent review of the Intelligence and Security Act 2017, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins says. The review, considered by the Parliamentary Intelligence and Security Committee, was presented to the House of Representatives today. “Ensuring the safety and security of New Zealanders is of the utmost ...6 days ago
- Govt expresses condolences on the passing of HRH Princess Siu’ilikutapuPrime Minister Chris Hipkins has expressed condolences on behalf of New Zealand to the Kingdom of Tonga following the death of Her Royal Highness Princess Mele Siu’ilikutapu Kalaniuvalu Fotofili. “New Zealand sends it’s heartfelt condolences to the people of Tonga, and to His Majesty King Tupou VI at this time ...6 days ago
- Govt expresses condolences on the passing of HRH Princess Sui’ilikutapuPrime Minister Chris Hipkins has expressed condolences on behalf of New Zealand to the Kingdom of Tonga following the death of Her Royal Highness Princess Mele Siu’ilikutapu Kalaniuvalu Fotofili. “New Zealand sends it’s heartfelt condolences to the people of Tonga, and to His Majesty King Tupou VI at this time ...6 days ago
- Security support to Solomon Islands extendedDefence Minister Andrew Little and Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta have today announced the extension of the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) deployment to Solomon Islands, as part of the regionally-led Solomon Islands International Assistance Force (SIAF). “Aotearoa New Zealand has a long history of working alongside the Royal Solomon ...6 days ago
- Minister Mahuta to attend the first Korea-Pacific Leaders’ SummitForeign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta will travel to the Republic of Korea today to attend the Korea–Pacific Leaders’ Summit in Seoul and Busan. “Korea is an important partner for Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific region. I am eager for the opportunity to meet and discuss issues that matter to our ...7 days ago
- Agreement between Indo-Pacific partners for supply chain resilienceTrade and Export Growth Minister Damien O’Connor joined ministerial representatives at a meeting in Detroit, USA today to announce substantial conclusion of negotiations of a new regional supply chains agreement among 14 Indo-Pacific countries. The Supply Chains agreement is one of four pillars being negotiated within the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework ...1 week ago
- Celebrating Samoa Language Week 2023Our most spoken Pacific language is taking centre stage this week with Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa – Samoa Language Week kicking off around the country. “Understanding and using the Samoan language across our nation is vital to its survival,” Barbara Edmonds said. “The Samoan population in New Zealand are ...1 week ago
- Nationwide test of Emergency Mobile Alert systemOver 90 per cent of New Zealanders are expected to receive this year’s nationwide test of the Emergency Mobile Alert system tonight between 6-7pm. “Emergency Mobile Alert is a tool that can alert people when their life, health, or property, is in danger,” Kieran McAnulty said. “The annual nationwide test ...1 week ago
- Whakatōhea and the Crown sign Deed of SettlementENGLISH: Whakatōhea and the Crown sign Deed of Settlement A Deed of Settlement has been signed between Whakatōhea and the Crown, 183 years to the day since Whakatōhea rangatira signed the Treaty of Waitangi, Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Andrew Little has announced. Whakatōhea is an iwi based in ...1 week ago
- New Chair appointed to New Zealand National Commission for UNESCOElizabeth Longworth has been appointed as the Chair of the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO, Associate Minister of Education Jo Luxton announced today. UNESCO is the United Nations agency responsible for promoting cooperative action among member states in the areas of education, science, culture, social science (including peace and ...1 week ago
- Tourism transformation starts with peopleTourism and hospitality employer accreditation scheme to recognise quality employers Better education and career opportunities in tourism Cultural competency to create more diverse and inclusive workplaces Innovation and technology acceleration to drive satisfying, skilled jobs Strengthening our tourism workers and supporting them into good career pathways, pay and working conditions ...1 week ago
- Tourism transformation starts with peopleTourism and hospitality employer accreditation scheme to recognise quality employers Better education and career opportunities in tourism Cultural competency to create more diverse and inclusive workplaces Innovation and technology acceleration to drive satisfying, skilled jobs Strengthening our tourism workers and supporting them into good career pathways, pay and working conditions ...1 week ago
- Te ao Māori health services cheaper and more accessible for whānauGreater access to primary care, including 193 more front line clinical staff More hauora services and increased mental health support Boost for maternity and early years programmes Funding for cancers, HIV and longer term conditions Greater access to primary care, improved maternity care and mental health support are ...1 week ago
- Te ao Māori health services more accessible for whānauGreater access to primary care, including 193 more front line clinical staff More hauora services and increased mental health support Boost for maternity and early years programmes Funding for cancers, HIV and longer term conditions Greater access to primary care, improved maternity care and mental health support are ...1 week ago
- Government’s work for survivors of abuse in care continuesThe Government continues progress on the survivor-led independent redress system for historic abuse in care, with the announcement of the design and advisory group members today. “The main recommendation of the Royal Commission of Inquiry’s Abuse in Care interim redress report was for a survivor-led independent redress system, and the ...1 week ago
- A balm for everyone who survived the misogyny of the 2000s
Claire Mabey reviews Josie Shapiro’s debut novel Everything is Beautiful and Everything Hurts, winner of the inaugural Allen & Unwin Fiction Prize. The aggressive misogyny of the early 2000s is the skeezy world in which Josie Shapiro’s quietly magnetic character, Mickey Bloom, comes of age. As a reader of the ...3 hours ago - A little-discussed but significant AI danger
Jack Santa Barbara asks if we've created a 'doomsday machine' by bringing artificial intelligence to a growth economy Comment: If you have the sense the world is fraying at the edges and things are getting worse faster than they are getting better, you wouldn’t be alone. Various scholars and organisations have ...6 hours ago - The politics of home ownership
How political parties have influenced our desire to own our own homes, says Professor Sebastian Kohl Opinion: In the late 20th Century, in most countries and even cities in the world, the majority of residents were homeowners. Some 20 years later that picture has shifted considerably, leading many to question whether ...6 hours ago - An Ode for .. Wayne Brown
Bard Billot on the barbarian Brown Last one out, turn off the lights Some months had passed Since Alaric the Brown had stormed the gates Of the Mighty Cosmopolis of Auk, Burning and Thrashing and Laying Waste. Now Alaric wandered his vast estates As the passion and ...6 hours ago - The Sunday Essay: Fragile tissueIf I moved through the world with pulsing red lines across my body, would that allow others to see the reality of my pain? The Sunday Essay is made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand. Original illustrations by Ned Wenlock. I sit on a grey plastic chair, ...7 hours ago
- When did The Kardashians get so bleak?From body horror to beige homeware, Alex Casey counts all the ways The Kardashians makes for a joyless watch in 2023. Watch enough seasons of reality TV and you will start to see parallels with the real seasons. In summer, where anything feels possible and everyone is merrily bashing around ...7 hours ago
- Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown denies forwarding abusive emails to councillors
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown says he did not forward councillors a string of abusive emails that called them "dip shits", saying they were sent by staff "in a fit of excitement". ...16 hours ago - Hipkins faces grilling from students over University of Otago staff cuts
By Tess Brunton, RNZ News reporter New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins faced a grilling by University of Otago students during his trip to Ōtepoti yesterday. Students, staff and community members have been fighting against the university’s request for staff to consider redundancies in a bid to save $60 million. ...23 hours ago - Transparency PNG calls for further charges over ‘worrying’ Paraka caseRNZ Pacific Transparency International Papua New Guinea has welcomed the conviction of lawyer Paul Paraka as the police confirm they are widening the investigation into the fraud case. The NGO admits the depths of Paraka’s activities, revealed by the case, are very worrying. Paraka, who had operated his own eponymous ...1 day ago
- Focus on Politics: Politicians tackling AI, but will it be too late?Government and the tech sector are considering principles for an AI strategy, but there seems little urgency from ministers and no sign of action before the election. ...1 day ago
- Focus on Politics: Politicians tackling AI, but will it be too late?Government and the tech sector are considering principles for an AI strategy, but there seems little urgency from ministers and no sign of action before the election. ...1 day ago
- Why I wrote The Lighthouse Princess: An interview with Susan WardellSusan Wardell’s first picture book is nominated in two categories at this year’s New Zealand Book Awards for Children & Young Adults. She tells Claire Mabey about the genesis of the book, and what she thinks of the state of children’s publishing in Aotearoa. Claire Mabey: What was the inspiration ...1 day ago
- The most mindblowing moments from the first 26 years of Treasure IslandIn June 1997, a new reality TV juggernaut arrived on New Zealand screens. Tara Ward and Alex Casey look back on a quarter-century of Treasure Island mayhem. Twenty-six years ago this month, we watched 12 fresh-faced New Zealanders arrive on a Fijian beach with nothing but their hopes and dreams ...1 day ago
- Why building more won't make houses affordable
Governments around the world are searching for how to fix housing affordability, but the solutions will have to be local and community based, writes Nicole Gurran of the University of Sydney Opinion: From Sydney to San Francisco, the housing affordability crisis is affecting communities across the world. Younger generations priced out of ...1 day ago - Bunge's bold football dream for Aotearoa
A lack of female football stars in the media didn't stop Claudia Bunge on her journey to the top; now the Football Fern hopes a new campaign helps girls see what they can become The first time Claudia Bunge watched a women’s football game, it featured some of the Football Ferns she now ...1 day ago - The Week in Detail: Wallabies, AI, and the NZ Steel deal
Every weekday, The Detail makes sense of the big news stories. This week, it was joint winner of the Best Factual Podcast - Episodic at the NZ Radio Awards. This week, we looked at the threat wild pest wallabies pose to Aoraki Mt Cook, the scams targeting Pacific Islander communities, the long shadow over ...1 day ago - Mayor’s councillor call-outs 'a mark of his desperation'
Councillors still weighing up their options before next week’s budget vote say there has been insufficient information, communication and time to assess the consequences of a full selldown of airport shares Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown is famous for his straight to the bone style of communication, but Thursday’s budget announcement ...1 day ago - Short story: The heart-shaped bed, by Joy Holley
Love, Instagram, and a new bed, from a dazzling new short story collection Alice had wanted a heart-shaped bed since she was sixteen, which was when she had started wanting most of the things she wanted now. She had imagined she would meet some Lolita-loving, Sugar Daddy type who ...1 day ago - ‘It can happen to absolutely anyone’: A day in the life of a Pet Refuge caseworkerEvery day, pets are being removed from domestic violence situations around the country. Alex Casey talks to one of the workers on the front line. This story contains discussion of domestic violence and emotional abuse, please take care. Alice Hayward has never been busier. As a caseworker for Pet Refuge, ...1 day ago
- You are not serious people: the week in politicsAs the country contends with a cost-of-living permacrisis and an election year, is it too much to ask that our politicians don’t spend a week playing petty games? It would be fitting to reflect on this week in politics by simply dropping this gif and, as with Succession itself, calling ...1 day ago
- Long Read: The Preppers Next Door
This is The Detail's Long Read – one in-depth story read by us every weekend. This week, we're diving into the back catalogues. It's The Preppers Next Door by Tom Doig, published in New Zealand Geographic magazine's November/December 2022 issue. You can read the full article, with accompanying photos by Cameron James McLaren, here. When Tom Doig ...1 day ago - Front of mind
As part of a weekly showcase of future leaders and inspirational young New Zealanders from the Hyundai Pinnacle Programme, Jennifer Palmer wants to know how we can treat neurodegenerative diseases more effectively | Content Partnership When Jennifer Palmer was growing up, her nickname was Chatterbox. “I’d always be saying, ‘Why? ...1 day ago - Author-poet condemns Papuan rebel threat to shoot NZ hostage pilot if denied talksAsia Pacific Report An Australian author-poet and advocate for West Papuan independence has condemned a reported threat against the life of a New Zealand hostage pilot, Philip Mehrtens, held by Papuan liberation fighters and appealed to them to “keep Philip safe”. Jim Aubrey, a human rights activist who has campaigned ...1 day ago
- Fiji communities eager to meet ‘our PM’ Rabuka on NZ visitRNZ Pacific Members of Fijian communities in Auckland and Wellington are eager to meet Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka next week when he arrives on his first official state visit to Aotearoa New Zealand. Rabuka and wife Sulueti are expected to arrive in Auckland on Monday before meeting with the local ...1 day ago
- Dialogue is vital ‘guardrail’ in dealing with China, Albanese tells international security forumSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has told a regional security forum that dialogue is a vital “guardrail” in dealing with China, and praised US President Joe Biden’s effort to establish “reliable and open” US-China channels of ...1 day ago
- Christopher Luxon proves to be a traffic-stopper in New PlymouthThe National leader hastily added a second session to the party's Get New Zealand Back on Track roadshow in the city today. ...2 days ago
- Communities respond to government's buyout plans for storm-hit homesFlood-ravaged West Aucklanders are rejoicing after the government announced it will offer buyout options to people whose land is too risky to rebuild on. ...2 days ago
- Auckland mayor forwards emails calling councillors 'dip shits'Wayne Brown has sent councillors copies of insulting emails from the public, including one that called them "dip shits", while the deputy mayor says the mayor is not making the budget process easier. ...2 days ago
- No room at the inn for Luxon's Taranaki visit
The National Party wildly underestimated how popular its leader would be when he visited New Plymouth on Friday and had to turn people away at the door. Political editor Jo Moir found a patch of wall to lean against as Christopher Luxon got all sorts of questions and advice, not ...2 days ago - Additional budget funds earmarked for USP arrears, says PrasadBy Repeka Nasiko in Lautoka The University of the South Pacific will be receiving additional funding from the Fiji government in the 2023-2024 national budget, says Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad. Speaking at a public consultation in Lautoka this week, he said the additional funding ...2 days ago
- PNG’s National Court orders state to justify Singapore gold dealBy Gorethy Kenneth in Port Moresby The National Court has ordered the Papua New Guinea government to disclose the full details of the gold refinery deal it entered into with a Singapore-based company, National Gold Corporation. The court ordered Prime Minister James Marape (first defendant), Planning Minister Renbo Paita (second ...2 days ago
- Latest Island Studies journal features social justice activism and advocacyAsia Pacific Report A new edition of the Okinawan Journal of Island Studies features social justice island activism, including a case study of Aotearoa New Zealand’s Pacific Media Centre, in what the editors say brings a sense of “urgency” in the field of diversity, equity, and inclusion in scholarship. In ...2 days ago
- Sextortion now major issue in parts of Pacific, says researchBy Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific journalist Preliminary findings of a yet-to-be released Transparency International survey has found sextortion — demanding sexual favours in return for public services — is a major issue in parts of the Pacific. Papua New Guinea, the Federated States of Micronesia and Solomon Islands have higher ...2 days ago
- NZ’s Media Freedom Council slams mayor Brown’s ban attempt as ‘insult to voters’RNZ News New Zealand’s Media Freedom Council has called Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown’s exclusion of some media outlets from his budget speech today “unacceptable”. In an appearance at Auckland Transport’s Viaduct headquarters, Brown took time out of pitching his plan to sell the city’s holdings in Auckland Airport to complain ...2 days ago
- Duncan Graham: Compromise worked in Aceh – why not West Papua? There are parallels between Indonesia’s Aceh where an Australian surfer faced a flogging, and West Papua where a New Zealand pilot may be facing death. Both provinces have fought brutal guerrilla wars for independence. One has been settled through foreign peacekeepers. The other still rages as outsiders fear intervention. By Duncan ...2 days ago
- ‘Nature’s own Ozempic’ or berberine is all over social media. But does it really help you lose...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tina Hinton, Associate Professor of Pharmacology, University of Sydney Shutterstock The latest health trend on TikTok has been dubbed “nature’s own Ozempic”. It’s the herbal preparation berberine. Influencers have been enthusiastically claiming its success in helping them lose weight, ...2 days ago
- Think of solar panels more like apple trees – we need a fairer approach for what we use and sellSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Niraj Lal, Visiting Fellow at the ANU Centre for Sustainable Energy Systems, Australian National University Pixabay As we race to decarbonise by electrifying everything, solar panels – now cheaper per square metre than marine-grade plywood – will do much of ...2 days ago
- Government Makes Good On Its Commitment To Reducing Harm From Pokies
The Government has announced new regulations to ensure venues and gambling societies uphold their responsibilities to prevent problem gambling and gambling harm. These regulations will apply to pubs, clubs and TAB NZ venues and will come into effect ...2 days ago - Minister was warned in November over by-election day advertising – policePolice have confirmed they warned Education Minister Jan Tinetti over Facebook posts made during the Tauranga by-election last year. ...2 days ago
- Australian Defence Force must ensure the findings against Ben Roberts-Smith are not the end of the s...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dean Aszkielowicz, Lecturer, Murdoch University On Thursday, Justice Anthony Besanko of the Federal Court dismissed defamation proceedings brought by former Special Air Service soldier Ben Roberts-Smith against several Australian news outlets. The court found that reporting by Nick McKenzie, Chris Masters ...2 days ago
- How should Australia capitalise on AI while reducing its risks? It’s time to have your saySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Toby Walsh, Professor of AI, Research Group Leader, UNSW Sydney Shutterstock The world missed the boat with social media. It fuelled misinformation, fake news, and polarisation. We saw the harms too late, once they had already started to have a ...2 days ago
- A New Petition Is Calling For A Community-led, Government-enabled, Values-based, National Food Strat...The parliamentary petition calling for a national food strategy launched on the 1st of June and will remain open for signatures for eight weeks. The call is led by Eat New Zealand, Freedom Farms and Veterinarians for Animal Welfare Aotearoa (VAWA). ...2 days ago
- Native raspberries, limes and geraniums: how did these curious plants end up in Australia?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gregory Moore, Senior Research Associate, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne Shutterstock While plants can’t walk, they can certainly travel. Some species have travelled vast distances over millennia, moving by different and varied modes. Some ...2 days ago
- Listen: How New Zealand’s internet could be about to change foreverDuncan Greive is joined by The Spinoff staff writer Shanti Mathias and The Bulletin editor Anna Rawhiti-Connell to discuss the Safer Online Services and Media Platforms document, and its implications for the future of digital media. For a very special episode of The Fold, Duncan Greive analyses the Safer Online ...2 days ago
- Ingredient of the week: KūmaraYes, they’re phenomenally expensive at the moment. But if you manage to track down a bargain or are keen on a splurge, there’s plenty of ways to make the kūmara worth it. As a child, there was no doubt in my mind: kūmara was the world’s best vegetable. This belief ...2 days ago
- Ingredient of the week: KūmaraYes, they’re phenomenally expensive at the moment. But if you manage to track down a bargain or are keen on a splurge, there’s plenty of ways to make the kūmara worth it. As a child, there was no doubt in my mind: kūmara was the world’s best vegetable. This belief ...2 days ago
- Exclusive: Wayne Brown forwarded councillors emails that called them ‘dip shits’Wayne Brown called most of his councillors ‘financially illiterate’ during a press conference yesterday morning. He then went back to the office and sent them emails from constituents who called them ‘dip shits’. Auckland mayor Wayne Brown spent a good portion of Thursday morning berating his councillors. In a 9.30am press ...2 days ago
- Exclusive: Wayne Brown forwarded councillors emails that called them ‘dip shits’Wayne Brown called most of his councillors ‘financially illiterate’ during a press conference yesterday morning. He then went back to the office and sent them emails from constituents who called them ‘dip shits’. Auckland mayor Wayne Brown spent a good portion of Thursday morning berating his councillors. In an 8.30am press ...2 days ago
- ECC Withdraws Pay Parity Legal Action After Significant Early Learning Investment Promise In Budget ...Budget 2023’s promise of significant additional ECE funding has the potential to help many centres avoid financial unviability and hardship, as long as the current 20-hours conditions are kept, prompting the Early Childhood Council to withdraw its ...2 days ago
- The Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending June 2The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington. AUCKLAND 1 Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin (Chatto & Windus, $37) Let’s get quizzical: ...2 days ago
- The Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending June 2The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington. AUCKLAND 1 Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin (Chatto & Windus, $37) Let’s get quizzical: ...2 days ago
- Two churches apply for judicial review of Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care
The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care is being challenged in court by two of the institutions it is investigating Two churches have filed applications for a judicial review of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care, arguing that they don't bear responsibility for care of ...2 days ago - Your weekend TV guide: Deadloch, The Idol, Medellin and Spider-Man* This is an excerpt from Rec Room. Sign up for regular Friday dispatches here. It’s a long weekend for most, so you might be keen to try out some new shows. Whatever you do, don’t start with HBO’s Succession successor The Idol (Neon). Billed as an over-sexed journey into ...2 days ago
- Your weekend TV guide: Deadloch, The Idol, Medellin and Spider-Man* This is an excerpt from Rec Room. Sign up for regular Friday dispatches here. It’s a long weekend for most, so you might be keen to try out some new shows. Whatever you do, don’t start with HBO’s Succession successor The Idol (Neon). Billed as an over-sexed journey into ...2 days ago
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Is there a heading for this post, here or particularly on The Standard’s home page?
I clicked ‘No comment’ to get here.
Thanks just created one.
I think Goldsmiths finger isnt on the pulse of NZ , but another body part.
When David Seymour made his maiden speech in parliament, he quoted (unattributed) a line from
“Jerusalem”
And did those feet in ancient time
Walk upon England’s mountains green?
And was the holy Lamb of God
On England’s pleasant pastures seen?
And did the Countenance Divine
Shine forth upon our clouded hills?
And was Jerusalem builded here
Among these dark Satanic mills?
Bring me my bow of burning gold:
Bring me my arrows of desire:
Bring me my spear: O clouds unfold!
Bring me my chariot of fire.
I will not cease from mental fight,
Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand
Till we have built Jerusalem
In England’s green and pleasant land.”
William Blake
The end of Seymour’s speech
“…It is my hope that I will contribute here to improving public policy for all New Zealanders so that prosperous and free individuals may flourish in this green and pleasant land.”
http://www.act.org.nz/posts/maiden-speech-to-parliament-david-seymour
Mr Goldsmith waxes lyrical about the new shoots of grass from where the ultra-fast broadband has been installed, the new apartments going up and the old house removed for new houses… how he whizzed along the motorway past Waterview (marvelling at the amounts of concrete that must have been used so he and others can whizz quickly to their new green destination but not before enjoying the “arcing” motorways and zooming round the bends…,
This is Planet Key, comprised of Epsom, Mt Eden, Parnell, and Remuera, where motorways are things of beauty to behold on a Sunday drive with ones children, while zooming quickly past the poor areas to some lovely green expanse. Speaking of rose tinted “spectacles”.
Seems more fitting that the post had no title, or that the title was “no comments”. Because what can you say to that delight of a pamphlet.
Exec. Summary:
Grass grows. Old house finally got bowled. Stinking old stuff.
Mt Eden’s looking a bit too hoi polloi. Ban ’em all.
Bludgers. Integrity. Bludgers. Low wages, high wages. Bludgers.
Ruining stuff is high-pressure work.
Jacinda Adern.
We should totes ruin more stuff ’cause someone said so.
Pick what kind of bigotry you want me to spout over next 2 years.
Chinese people.
Wat up to the Parnell posse! oi!
National are so, like, now, yeah?
Some people delivered this pamphlet for free.
Fuckin A Charles…
Cept you forgot 1.
John Key is da bomb innit
There is something interesting at the end of that newsletter. Looks like Maurice Williamson is going to jump ship.
From the newsletter:
“Where’s Maurice Williamson Going?
Betting site iPredict has opened up stocks for a by-election in Pakuranga, and for incumbent Williamson to be the candidate by 2017. The interesting thing is the opening odds, respectively 30 and 25 percent likely. iPredict’s operators, who have deep political connections, set these odds. Something’s up.
Seriously!?
ACT’s Board has unanimously rejected an approach by the hapless Don Brash (no joking, this is too good for us to have made up) for Williamson to join ACT’s caucus. “My own party don’t want me no more” is not an attractive pitch. For similar reasons, what poor country would accept him as ambassador?”
What poor country would accept his as Ambassador ?
Being unwanted by your party is usually the prime consideration for an ambassadors role.
In ACTs case they even made Don Brash leader AFTER he was found wanting by national. Similar for Banks.
Must be something behind this sudden outbreak of principle with ACT. Could it be Steven Joyce told the ACT board, Seymour would be out of whatever his job is in parliament quicker than you can say mac the knife.
As mac1, I was all set to jump whimsically to the defence of all ‘macs’ who were calumniated by the “mac the knife” reference, when I googled it and found that Mack the Knife from the Threepenny Opera actually dated from a character called Macheath in the ‘Beggars’ Opera’ of the 1720s and was based on Sir Robert Walpole who was thrown out of parliament for corruption. So, all creds to dukeofurl for his knowledge of historical minutiae. Whooooar!
well, that led to an interesting jaunt through wikipedia, and I’m a better chap for it 🙂
Sudden outbreak of principle? Was it Confucius who say “Before you break principles you must identify them so you know what you are breaking?”
From Goldsmith’s article –
“sustainable economic environment”
Another idiot politician who uses the word sustainable yet has no clue about the first law of sustainability.
Well the rest of his junk mail advertorial was all about super growth and raising productivity.
I suppose the good villagers of Epsom can pat themselves on the back for “sustaining” dirty politics, inequality, a housing crisis, and child poverty.
One good thing that Paul Goldsmith mentioned was working on financial literacy. I sure hope he learns some.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-6nrAnDGyU