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Comment: Latest opinion poll – Labour overtakes National
Written By: Frank Macskasy - Date published: 10:16 pm, January 17th, 2025
This from The Spinoff: "Because there are still the special votes (which include overseas votes, those where the voter enrolled on the day or voted in an electorate different from where they’re enrolled). This year, there are a lot of special votes. In ...Comment: Latest opinion poll – Labour overtakes National
Written By: Frank Macskasy - Date published: 10:12 pm, January 17th, 2025
The point is that special votes have a crucial role in determining seat allocation in Parliament. Since 2017 they've stripped the Nats of two seats and last year deprived National-Act of an outright majority. Ref: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/ ...Comment: Latest opinion poll – Labour overtakes National
Written By: Frank Macskasy - Date published: 9:17 pm, January 17th, 2025
2023 electoral results, with "Specials" factored in; https://elections.nz/media-and-news/2023/official-results-for-the-2023-general-election/Comment: Latest opinion poll – Labour overtakes National
Written By: Frank Macskasy - Date published: 8:00 pm, January 17th, 2025
Indeed, Special Votes aren't necessarily from overseas (Expat NZers). They're also locally driven. As for seat re-distribution, 2008-2014, inclusive, stripped the Nats of one seat. 2017, 2020, 2023, it's been two. (ref Electoral Commission numbers here: ...Comment: Latest opinion poll – Labour overtakes National
Written By: Frank Macskasy - Date published: 6:13 pm, January 17th, 2025
" The results suggest the following seat distribution: Labour: 39 (+5) National: 38 (-11) ACT: 14 (+3) Greens: 12 (NC) NZ First: 10 (+2) Te Pati Maori: 7 (+1) " Not quite. You've omitted to factor in Special Votes. (A commonplace lapse throughout the ...Comment: Act plays the race card and the victim card
Written By: Frank Macskasy - Date published: 9:26 am, August 5th, 2024
When you start feeling sympathy for Gerry Brownlee, you just know ACT has over-stepped the line.Comment: Act plays the race card and the victim card
Written By: Frank Macskasy - Date published: 9:24 am, August 5th, 2024
Racism when it suits, huh, Robin? Try upholding the Law of Contracts (which ACT is supposedly very *hot* on), aka, The Treaty of Waitangi. That'll do for starters.Comment: Who is treating taxpayers as an ATM?
Written By: Frank Macskasy - Date published: 11:53 am, March 5th, 2024
Taken on it's own, this would be quickly forgotten as the clickbait-driven 24-hour news cycle overwhelms the public with ongoing headlines... But it's a pattern and inevitably this sort of stuff inevitably sticks in the public consciousness. If this ...Comment: Luxon slumps in latest Colmar Brunton poll
Written By: Frank Macskasy - Date published: 10:59 pm, March 14th, 2023
"If I was a one-man selection panel, I'd replace the Luxon-Willis ticket with Sam Uffindell and Maureen Pugh." One can but dream...Comment: Luxon slumps in latest Colmar Brunton poll
Written By: Frank Macskasy - Date published: 9:57 pm, March 13th, 2023
On the issue of the Greens, it's worth noting that overseas Kiwis casting Special Votes usually favour the Green Party. They almost always gain one MP after "Specials" are counted, and National and/or Labour lose one. I'd always add an extra percentage ...Comment: Luxon slumps in latest Colmar Brunton poll
Written By: Frank Macskasy - Date published: 9:54 pm, March 13th, 2023
If that's true, Peter (and I'm not saying it's not), David Farrar had best be careful. It's only a matter of time before they inavertantly phone a journalist who realises there's a story in this. Aotearoa is a small place and damned hard to keep political ...Comment: Luxon slumps in latest Colmar Brunton poll
Written By: Frank Macskasy - Date published: 9:50 pm, March 13th, 2023
National must be wondering what to do with Christopher Luxon. As leader it is clear that he is not up to scratch, people do not like him and do not trust him. For god sakes, let's do everything in our power to keep him in place! Our last undercover ...Comment: Jacinda Ardern – How will her five years in power be remembered?
Written By: Frank Macskasy - Date published: 9:13 am, January 31st, 2023
"I view her as simply made lucky by fate" What an odd thing to say.Comment: Jacinda Ardern – How will her five years in power be remembered?
Written By: Frank Macskasy - Date published: 9:12 am, January 31st, 2023
After all the shrill malcontents have left the scene; the whinging business lobbyists; the opportunistic Opposition politicians; the idiot mayor of Queenstown; the uninformed, click-chasing media commentators... after all those misquided people have had ...Comment: Selling your soul to the bishop for power
Written By: Frank Macskasy - Date published: 3:03 pm, August 24th, 2022
This will not go well for Luxon. Even a perception of indecision on a matter of this importance will make some swing-voters think twice before voting for Nats. At least John Key had the conjones and sense to rule out a certain potential coalition partner: ...Comment: Christopher Luxon’s many and varied abortion takes
Written By: Frank Macskasy - Date published: 10:38 am, June 29th, 2022
Anker, yes, we got a $26 million referendum on the flag. Not that anyone wanted a referendum. It was Mr Key's vanity project. Did we get a referendum on state asset partial-sales? No. Did we get a referendum on raising GST and raising presciption charges? ...Comment: Christopher Luxon’s many and varied abortion takes
Written By: Frank Macskasy - Date published: 10:30 am, June 29th, 2022
This is not just about attacks on reproductive rights. The conservative onslaught began in earnest with transphobic repression, agitating to separate the "T" from the LGBTQI+ community; isolating trans people; co-opting reactionary "feminism"; and creating ...Comment: Luxon has been Susied on National Radio
Written By: Frank Macskasy - Date published: 12:25 pm, June 22nd, 2022
"The collective sign you heard at this time was the whole country losing the will to live as they waited for Luxon to simply say “yes” or “no”.: A helluva thing to wake up to this morning... Despite her best abilities, Luxon ducked, dived weaved,spun, ...Comment: The Kim Hill/Kathleen Stock interview
Written By: Frank Macskasy - Date published: 3:43 pm, May 15th, 2022
We're debating whether or not transgender people are valid expressions of sexuality/gender? Ok. I recall placards here in Aotearoa and USA during marriage equality legislation progressing through respective legislatures, demanding; "Can we debate your ...Comment: This is awkward
Written By: Frank Macskasy - Date published: 9:14 am, March 7th, 2022
Nailed it, CG. Give me shark'n'tatties over McCardboard any day.Comment: Why negotiating with the Wellington protesters is a waste of time
Written By: Frank Macskasy - Date published: 9:09 am, February 21st, 2022
100% agreement. You've sussed it well, Micky.Comment: They Are Us
Written By: Frank Macskasy - Date published: 9:06 pm, February 20th, 2022
Cheers, Patricia. I came for the free coffee...Comment: Why the Wellington protestors are wrong
Written By: Frank Macskasy - Date published: 5:08 pm, February 20th, 2022
Yeah, wouldn't be surprised, Peter...Comment: They Are Us
Written By: Frank Macskasy - Date published: 4:56 pm, February 20th, 2022
"They are us" Kind of like that mad, racist uncle we all fear to invite to family gettogethers. Actually,that really did happen. A father to one of my partners some years ago was a real racist reactionary bigot. "Bloody mowris" this, "bloody abos" that (he ...Comment: Why the Wellington protestors are wrong
Written By: Frank Macskasy - Date published: 4:48 pm, February 20th, 2022
Good on him!Comment: Why the Wellington protestors are wrong
Written By: Frank Macskasy - Date published: 4:48 pm, February 20th, 2022
A moment to consider the death toll from various countries: Sweden: 16,852 Australia: 4,878 Denmark: 4,250 Norway: 1,548 Fiji: 824 New Caledonia: 287 Aotearoa New Zealand: 53 There's a rich irony that the occupiers are able to carry on their activities. ...Comment: Down the rabbit hole
Written By: Frank Macskasy - Date published: 4:04 pm, November 17th, 2021
Considering that Merck*, has stated categorically: KENILWORTH, N.J., Feb. 4, 2021 – Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, today affirmed its position regarding use of ivermectin during the COVID-19 pandemic. Company ...Comment: The Mandate To Say Goodbye
Written By: Frank Macskasy - Date published: 3:52 pm, November 17th, 2021
My latest blogpost on "alternative treatments" is apropos: [Deleted] Note the funny end bit. Thank the gods for unintentional humour... [RL: Take the link-whoring elsewhere.]Comment: The Mandate To Say Goodbye
Written By: Frank Macskasy - Date published: 3:49 pm, November 17th, 2021
"...people who insist that the vaccine is safe and does no harm. That's not science, it's fundamentalism" But if you produce no evidence to back up that strange statement, then how else should we look at your assertion? Especially when the facts don't back ...Comment: Won’t someone think of the business owners?
Written By: Frank Macskasy - Date published: 4:29 pm, October 25th, 2021
Good point, Ad. In fact, under a Grand Coalition (unlikely with Ms Collins as current Caretaker Leader) between Labour and National, Opposition scrutiny could still be left to ACT (for fiscal matters) and Greens (Social, environment issues).
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In the past week, Israel has reverted to slaughtering civilians, starving children and welshing on the terms of the peace deal negotiated earlier this year. The IDF’s current offensive seems to be intended to render Gaza unlivable, preparatory (perhaps) to re-occupation by Israeli settlers. The short term demands for the ...5 days ago
- 2025 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #12
A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 16, 2025 thru Sat, March 22, 2025. This week's roundup is again published by category and sorted by number of articles included in each. We are still interested ...5 days ago
- Bullying a Chess Bot: More Martinian Shenanigans
In recent months, I have garnered copious amusement playing Martin, chess.com’s infamously terrible Chess AI. Alas, it is not how it once was, when he would cheerfully ignore freely offered material. Martin has grown better since I first stumbled upon him. I still remain frustrated at his capture-happy determination to ...5 days ago - Indian Summer
Every time that I see ya,A lightning bolt fills the room,The underbelly of Paris,She sings her favourite tune,She'll drink you under the table,She'll show you a trick or two,But every time that I left her,I missed the things she would doSongwriters: Kelly JonesThis morning, I posted - Are you excited ...5 days ago
- Release: Labour backs farmers’ call for better process on GE
Labour shares farmers’ concerns that the Gene Technology Bill is moving too fast. ...1 day ago - Release: Bar still too high for small mental health providers
Small mental health providers will still be locked out of co-funding from the Mental Health Innovation Fund despite a lower threshold. ...1 day ago
- Greens call for Govt to scrap proposed ECE changes
The Green Party is calling for the Government to scrap proposed changes to Early Childhood Care, after attending a petition calling for the Government to ‘Put tamariki at the heart of decisions about ECE’. ...1 day ago - NZ First Introduces Bill That Gives Democracy Back To The People
New Zealand First has introduced a Member’s Bill today that will remove the power of MPs conscience votes and ensure mandatory national referendums are held before any conscience issues are passed into law. “We are giving democracy and power back to the people”, says New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters. ...1 day ago - Speech: Navigating the New World (Dis)order in Turbulent Times
Welcome to members of the diplomatic corp, fellow members of parliament, the fourth estate, foreign affairs experts, trade tragics, ladies and gentlemen. ...1 day ago
- Te Pāti Māori Call for Mandatory Police Body Cameras
In recent weeks, disturbing instances of state-sanctioned violence against Māori have shed light on the systemic racism permeating our institutions. An 11-year-old autistic Māori child was forcibly medicated at the Henry Bennett Centre, a 15-year-old had his jaw broken by police in Napier, kaumātua Dean Wickliffe went on a hunger ...1 day ago
- Release: Kiwis lose faith in job market
Confidence in the job market has continued to drop to its lowest level in five years as more New Zealanders feel uncertain about finding work, keeping their jobs, and getting decent pay, according to the latest Westpac-McDermott Miller Employment Confidence Index. ...2 days ago
- Greens question Govt commitment to environmental protection with RMA reform
The Greens are calling on the Government to follow through on their vague promises of environmental protection in their Resource Management Act (RMA) reform. ...4 days ago
- Release: Govt must tackle meth use crisis
New data shows methamphetamine use is spiralling out of control while the Government sits on its hands. ...4 days ago
- “Make New Zealand First Again”
“Make New Zealand First Again” Ladies and gentlemen, First of all, thank you for being here today. We know your lives are busy and you are working harder and longer than you ever have, and there are many calls on your time, so thank you for the chance to speak ...5 days ago
- Release: Govt’s continued lack of action on Gaza condemned
Hundreds more Palestinians have died in recent days as Israel’s assault on Gaza continues and humanitarian aid, including food and medicine, is blocked. ...1 week ago
- Release: National at sea over Defence jobs
National is looking to cut hundreds of jobs at New Zealand’s Defence Force, while at the same time it talks up plans to increase focus and spending in Defence. ...1 week ago
- Release: National standards returning by stealth
It’s been revealed that the Government is secretly trying to bring back a ‘one-size fits all’ standardised test – a decision that has shocked school principals. ...1 week ago
- Release: Kiwis still struggling as economy stumbles along
Kiwis aren’t feeling any better off despite figures showing a very slight growth in GDP in the December quarter. ...1 week ago
- Greens call for compassionate release of Dean Wickliffe
The Green Party is calling for the compassionate release of Dean Wickliffe, a 77-year-old kaumātua on hunger strike at the Spring Hill Corrections Facility, after visiting him at the prison. ...1 week ago
- Another failed ETS auction, another indictment on the Govt’s climate credibility
The ETS auction’s failure today is yet another clear sign that the Government is failing us all on climate action. ...1 week ago
- Release: Luxon quick to give away principled position on nukes
Christopher Luxon seems to have thrown New Zealand’s principled anti-nuclear advocacy under a bus. ...1 week ago
- NZ must act on Israel’s slaughter of children
The Green Party is calling on Government MPs to support Chlöe Swarbrick’s Member’s Bill to sanction Israel for its unlawful presence and illegal actions in Palestine, following another day of appalling violence against civilians in Gaza. ...1 week ago
- Release: Still no certainty for disability communities
One year on from the Government’s abrupt and callous changes to disability funding, the community still has no idea what the future holds. ...1 week ago
- Green Party backs volunteer firefighters in their call for ACC recognition
The Green Party stands in support of volunteer firefighters petitioning the Government to step up and change legislation to provide volunteers the same ACC coverage and benefits as their paid counterparts. ...1 week ago
- Stand Up for Palestine: A Call to Action Against Israels Treacherous Attack
At 2.30am local time, Israel launched a treacherous attack on Gaza killing more than 300 defenceless civilians while they slept. Many of them were children. This followed a more than 2 week-long blockade by Israel on the entry of all goods and aid into Gaza. Israel deliberately targeted densely populated ...1 week ago
- MP Views: Living Strong, The Economy, Servicing Our Nation, The Golden Egg, and 4 Year Terms
Living Strong, Aging Well There is much discussion around the health of our older New Zealanders and how we can age well. In reality, the delivery of health services accounts for only a relatively small percentage of health outcomes as we age. Significantly, dry warm housing, nutrition, exercise, social connection, ...2 weeks ago
- Shane Jones has no shame
Shane Jones’ display on Q&A showed how out of touch he and this Government are with our communities and how in sync they are with companies with little concern for people and planet. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: National botches health funding numbers
Health Minister Simeon Brown’s claim that the Government has put $16.68 billion into the health system over three years is wrong. ...2 weeks ago
- Government tramples on the rights of disabled migrant children
The Green Party is condemning the Government’s move to tighten access to visas for disabled children. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Auckland needs second harbour crossing
Labour supports Minister Chris Bishop’s call for input on the second Waitematā Harbour crossing. ...2 weeks ago
- Speech: Barbara Edmonds’ speech to NZ Investment Summit 2025
I am grateful to have the opportunity to speak to you today about how we make overseas investment work for all New Zealanders. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour does not support PPPs for prisons
Labour does not support the private ownership of core infrastructure like schools, hospitals and prisons, which will only see worse outcomes for Kiwis. ...2 weeks ago
- Dunedin Futures report should be a wake-up call
The newly released report on the South Dunedin Future Programme must be a wake-up call for our Government. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Members’ Bill makes wage theft a crime
Workers will now be able to go to the Police and report their employer if they are not being paid wages they’re owed. ...2 weeks ago
- Missed opportunity to stop the stealing of Māori land
The Green Party is disappointed the Government voted down Hūhana Lyndon’s member’s Bill, which would have prevented further alienation of Māori land through the Public Works Act. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour supports sanctions against Israel’s illegal occupation
The Labour Party will support Chloe Swarbrick’s member’s bill which would allow sanctions against Israel for its illegal occupation of the Palestinian Territories. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Govt procurement plan cuts wages and trashes the environment
The Government’s new procurement rules are a blatant attack on workers and the environment, showing once again that National’s priorities are completely out of touch with everyday Kiwis. ...2 weeks ago
- Procurement proposals pose risk to people and planet
The Green Party is concerned by the impact the Government’s proposed changes to procurement processes could have on people and planet. ...2 weeks ago
- Just six Government MPs needed to pass Unlawful Occupation of Palestine Sanctions Bill
With Labour and Te Pāti Māori’s official support, Opposition parties are officially aligned to progress Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick’s Member’s Bill to sanction Israel for its unlawful presence in Palestine. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour’s approach to Māori economy benefits all
Under Labour, the Māori economy went from strength to strength according to the latest report released by MBIE. ...2 weeks ago
- New planning laws to end the culture of ‘no’
The Government’s new planning legislation to replace the Resource Management Act will make it easier to get things done while protecting the environment, say Minister Responsible for RMA Reform Chris Bishop and Under-Secretary Simon Court. “The RMA is broken and everyone knows it. It makes it too hard to build ...4 days ago - New Zealand & India Comprehensive FTA consultation begins
Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay has today launched a public consultation on New Zealand and India’s negotiations of a formal comprehensive Free Trade Agreement. “Negotiations are getting underway, and the Public’s views will better inform us in the early parts of this important negotiation,” Mr McClay says. We are ...4 days ago
- Cost of living support coming for 1.5 million New Zealanders
More than 900 thousand superannuitants and almost five thousand veterans are among the New Zealanders set to receive a significant financial boost from next week, an uplift Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says will help support them through cost-of-living challenges. “I am pleased to confirm that from 1 ...4 days ago
- Iwi join discussion on geothermal potential
Progressing a holistic strategy to unlock the potential of New Zealand’s geothermal resources, possibly in applications beyond energy generation, is at the centre of discussions with mana whenua at a hui in Rotorua today, Resources and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is in the early stages ...1 week ago
- Building consent data shows need for bold reforms
New annual data has exposed the staggering cost of delays previously hidden in the building consent system, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “I directed Building Consent Authorities to begin providing quarterly data last year to improve transparency, following repeated complaints from tradespeople waiting far longer than the statutory ...1 week ago
- Reining in water price increases for Aucklanders
Increases in water charges for Auckland consumers this year will be halved under the Watercare Charter which has now been passed into law, Local Government Minister Simon Watts and Auckland Minister Simeon Brown say. The charter is part of the financial arrangement for Watercare developed last year by Auckland Council ...1 week ago
- Strong interest in modernising biosecurity law
There is wide public support for the Government’s work to strengthen New Zealand’s biosecurity protections, says Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard. “The Ministry for Primary Industries recently completed public consultation on proposed amendments to the Biosecurity Act and the submissions show that people understand the importance of having a strong biosecurity ...1 week ago
- New independent review function for civil aviation decisions
A new independent review function will enable individuals and organisations to seek an expert independent review of specified civil aviation regulatory decisions made by, or on behalf of, the Director of Civil Aviation, Acting Transport Minister James Meager has announced today. “Today we are making it easier and more affordable ...1 week ago
- Enhanced urgent care service for Napier
The Government will invest in an enhanced overnight urgent care service for the Napier community as part of our focus on ensuring access to timely, quality healthcare, Health Minister Simeon Brown has today confirmed. “I am delighted that a solution has been found to ensure Napier residents will continue to ...1 week ago
- Construction begins on new adult mental health building in Christchurch
Health Minister Simeon Brown and Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey attended a sod turning today to officially mark the start of construction on a new mental health facility at Hillmorton Campus. “This represents a significant step in modernising mental health services in Canterbury,” Mr Brown says. “Improving health infrastructure is ...1 week ago
- It’s official: Kiwis can look forward to better days
Finance Minister Nicola Willis has welcomed confirmation the economy has turned the corner. Stats NZ reported today that gross domestic product grew 0.7 per cent in the three months to December following falls in the June and September quarters. “We know many families and businesses are still suffering the after-effects ...1 week ago
- Sealing improves safety on Forgotten World Highway
The sealing of a 12-kilometre stretch of State Highway 43 (SH43) through the Tangarakau Gorge – one of the last remaining sections of unsealed state highway in the country – has been completed this week as part of a wider programme of work aimed at improving the safety and resilience ...1 week ago
- NZ – US relations on strong footing
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters says relations between New Zealand and the United States are on a strong footing, as he concludes a week-long visit to New York and Washington DC today. “We came to the United States to ask the new Administration what it wants from ...1 week ago
- International Anti-Money Laundering rule changes support government reforms
Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee has welcomed changes to international anti-money laundering standards which closely align with the Government’s reforms. “The Financial Action Taskforce (FATF) last month adopted revised standards for tackling money laundering and the financing of terrorism to allow for simplified regulatory measures for businesses, organisations and sectors ...1 week ago
- New electronic system to support pharmacy efficiency
Associate Health Minister David Seymour says he welcomes Medsafe’s decision to approve an electronic controlled drug register for use in New Zealand pharmacies, allowing pharmacies to replace their physical paper-based register. “The register, developed by Kiwi brand Toniq Limited, is the first of its kind to be approved in New ...1 week ago
- RIF delivering for regional NZ, more to come
The Coalition Government’s drive for regional economic growth through the $1.2 billion Regional Infrastructure Fund is on track with more than $550 million in funding so far committed to key infrastructure projects, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. “To date, the Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF) has received more than 250 ...1 week ago
- Comments following bilateral with US Secretary of State Rubio
[Comments following the bilateral meeting with United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio; United States State Department, Washington D.C.] * We’re very pleased with our meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio this afternoon. * We came here to listen to the new Administration and to be clear about what ...1 week ago
- New State Highway 2 roundabout to improve road safety in Eastern Bay of Plenty
The intersection of State Highway 2 (SH2) and Wainui Road in the Eastern Bay of Plenty will be made safer and more efficient for vehicles and freight with the construction of a new and long-awaited roundabout, says Transport Minister Chris Bishop. “The current intersection of SH2 and Wainui Road is ...1 week ago
- Ocean Race returning to Auckland
The Ocean Race will return to the City of Sails in 2027 following the Government’s decision to invest up to $4 million from the Major Events Fund into the international event, Auckland Minister Simeon Brown says. “New Zealand is a proud sailing nation, and Auckland is well-known internationally as the ...1 week ago
- New associate psychology role to grow the mental health workforce
Improving access to mental health and addiction support took a significant step forward today with Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey announcing that the University of Canterbury have been the first to be selected to develop the Government’s new associate psychologist training programme. “I am thrilled that the University of Canterbury ...1 week ago
- First stage of Manukau Health Park expansion open to patients
Health Minister Simeon Brown has today officially opened the new East Building expansion at Manukau Health Park. “This is a significant milestone and the first stage of the Grow Manukau programme, which will double the footprint of the Manukau Health Park to around 30,000m2 once complete,” Mr Brown says. “Home ...1 week ago
- Proceeds of crime to fund safety measures in central Auckland
The Government will boost anti-crime measures across central Auckland with $1.3 million of funding as a result of the Proceeds of Crime Fund, Auckland Minister Simeon Brown and Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee say. “In recent years there has been increased antisocial and criminal behaviour in our CBD. The Government ...1 week ago
- Consultation on options to strengthen food waste for pigs regulations
The Government is moving to strengthen rules for feeding food waste to pigs to protect New Zealand from exotic animal diseases like foot and mouth disease (FMD), says Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard. ‘Feeding untreated meat waste, often known as "swill", to pigs could introduce serious animal diseases like FMD and ...1 week ago
- PMs Luxon & Modi deepen NZ-India ties
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held productive talks in New Delhi today. Fresh off announcing that New Zealand and India would commence negotiations towards a Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement, the two Prime Ministers released a joint statement detailing plans for further cooperation between the two countries across ...2 weeks ago
- New Zealand & India strengthen forestry ties
Agriculture and Trade Minister Todd McClay signed a new Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) today during the Prime Minister’s Indian Trade Mission, reinforcing New Zealand’s commitment to enhancing collaboration with India in the forestry sector. “Our relationship with India is a key priority for New Zealand, and this agreement reflects our ...2 weeks ago
- New Zealand & India strengthen horticultural ties
Agriculture and Trade Minister Todd McClay signed a new Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) today during the Prime Minister’s Indian Trade Mission, reinforcing New Zealand’s commitment to enhancing collaboration with India in the horticulture sector. “Our relationship with India is a key priority for New Zealand, and this agreement reflects our ...2 weeks ago
- Family Court Judges appointed
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of two new Family Court Judges. The new Judges will take up their roles in April and May and fill Family Court vacancies at the Auckland and Manukau courts. Annette Gray Ms Gray completed her law degree at Victoria University before joining Phillips ...2 weeks ago
- New High Dependency Unit will expand critical care services in Wellington
Health Minister Simeon Brown has today officially opened Wellington Regional Hospital’s first High Dependency Unit (HDU). “This unit will boost critical care services in the lower North Island, providing extra capacity and relieving pressure on the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and emergency department. “Wellington Regional Hospital has previously relied ...2 weeks ago
- RAISINA DIALOGUE 2025: KĀLACHAKRA – PEOPLE, PEACE AND PLANET
Namaskar, Sat Sri Akal, kia ora and good afternoon everyone. What an honour it is to stand on this stage - to inaugurate this august Dialogue - with none other than the Honourable Narendra Modi. My good friend, thank you for so generously welcoming me to India and for our ...2 weeks ago
- Speech to NZ Infrastructure Investment Summit
Check against delivery.Kia ora koutou katoa It’s a real pleasure to join you at the inaugural New Zealand infrastructure investment summit. I’d like to welcome our overseas guests, as well as our local partners, organisations, and others.I’d also like to acknowledge: The Prime Minister, Minister of Finance, and other Ministers from the Coalition ...2 weeks ago
- Policy tracker: how will Labor, the Coalition, the Greens and the independents make Australia better...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Digital Storytelling Team, The Conversation, The Conversation The Conversation, CC BY-SA ➡️ View the full interactive version of this article here Digital Storytelling Team does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation ...56 minutes ago - Ants in your house? Here’s how they get everywhere – even high up in tall buildings
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tanya Latty, Associate Professor, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney Windy Soemara/Shutterstock Ants are among nature’s greatest success stories, with an estimated 22,000 species worldwide. Tropical Australia in particular is a global hotspot for ant diversity. Some ...57 minutes ago
- Travelling overseas? You could be at risk of measles. Here’s how to ensure you’re protected
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Archana Koirala, Paediatrician and Infectious Diseases Specialist; Clinical Researcher, University of Sydney Julia Suhareva/Shutterstock On March 26 NSW Health issued an alert advising people to be vigilant for signs of measles after an infectious person visited Sydney Airport and two locations ...2 hours ago
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Report by Dr David Robie – Café Pacific. – KNIGHTLY VIEWS: By Gavin Ellis Excoriating is the word that may best describe expat Canadian James Grenon’s 11-page critique of NZME. His forensic examination of the board he hopes to replace and the company’s performance is a sobering read. You ...4 hours ago
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hamish McCallum, Emeritus Professor, infectious disease ecology, Griffith University Ken Griffiths/Shutterstock Last week, Queensland Health alerted the public about the risk of Australian bat lyssavirus, after a bat found near a school just north of Brisbane was given to a wildlife ...4 hours ago
- Christopher Luxon says Govt has not received proposal on Eden Park stadium upgrade
It comes after Auckland Council voted to endorse an upgraded Eden Park over a new downtown stadium on Thursday. ...5 hours ago - The Friday Poem: “discharge notes (ii)” by Amy Marguerite
A new poem by Amy Marguerite, whose debut poetry collection, over under fed, is out now with Auckland University Press. discharge notes (ii) a few years ago i decided i’d write a list of all the women i owe my life to even the women who have hurt me ...5 hours ago - The Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending March 28
The 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 Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins (Scholastic, $30) The unstoppable Suzanne Collins’ latest return to ...6 hours ago
- ‘A community effort’: Alien Weaponry on their most complex Māori metal album yet
Troy Rawhiti-Connell talks to Alien Weaponry about living and creating as Māori, and the toxicity of social media. It’s a Friday morning in Tāmaki Makaurau when Lewis de Jong and Tūranga Morgan-Edmonds of Northland metal band Alien Weaponry join our Zoom call. They’re inside their tour bus, somewhere else ...6 hours ago
- Fitting the ‘missing puzzle pieces’ – research sheds light on the deep history of social chang...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dylan Gaffney, Associate Professor of Palaeolithic Archaeology, University of Oxford Tristan Russell, CC BY-SA Owing to its violent political history, West Papua’s vibrant human past has long been ignored. Unlike its neighbour, the independent country of Papua New Guinea, West Papua’s ...6 hours ago
- Everything you say to an Alexa speaker will be sent to Amazon – starting today
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kathy Reid, PhD Candidate, School of Cybernetics, Australian National University Amazon Amazon has disabled two key privacy features in its Alexa smart speakers, in a push to introduce artificial intelligence-powered “agentic capabilities” and turn a profit from the popular devices. ...6 hours ago
- Watch live: Christopher Luxon speaks from South Island Agricultural Field Days
The Prime Minister is joined by Agriculture Minister Todd McClay. ...7 hours ago
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Tara Ward talks to Shay Williamson, the first New Zealander to compete on the realest reality TV show on our screens. This is an excerpt from our weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. A new season of Alone – the global survival TV series that takes a group ...7 hours ago
- Minister – Hear The Voice Of Health Unions If You Want A Better Health System
We agree with the Minister on one thing - New Zealanders deserve a health system that ensures patients get timely, quality health care, but he’s going about it the wrong way, said National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga ...7 hours ago - Trump is interested in joining the Commonwealth. It’s not up to him – or even the king
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dennis Altman, Vice Chancellor’s Fellow and Professorial Fellow, Institute for Human Security and Social Change, La Trobe University It seems Britain has one key inducement to offer US President Donald Trump: a state visit hosted by King Charles. One can only imagine ...8 hours ago
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Australians will go to the polls on May 3 for an election squarely centred on the cost of living. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited Governor-General Sam Mostyn at Yarralumla first thing on Friday morning. ...9 hours ago
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The usual story for a first-term government is a loss of seats, as voters send it a message, but ultimate survival. It can be a close call. John Howard risked all in 1998 with ...9 hours ago
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Pandanus Petter, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, School of Politics and International Relations, Australian National University Now that an election has been called, Australian voters will go to the polls on May 3 to decide the fate of the first-term, centre-left Australian Labor Party ...9 hours ago
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joshua Black, Visitor, School of History, Australian National University At the last federal election, Australia elected the largest lower house crossbench in its post-war federal history. In addition to four Greens MPs, Rebekah Sharkie from the Centre Alliance and Bob Katter ...9 hours ago
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Kenny, Professor, Australian Studies Institute, Australian National University They are neither as leafy nor as affluent as much of the Liberal heartland, but Peter Dutton believes the outer ring-roads of Australia’s capitals provide the most direct route to power. He has ...9 hours ago
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On rolling hills overlooking the Kaipara Harbour, one millionaire’s vision of exotic animals coexisting with monumental contemporary art has been realised. Gabi Lardies pays a visit. I thought I was so smart and so cheeky or maybe very stupid from sun exposure when I wrote “are exotic animals art?” in ...9 hours ago
- New climate target ‘below expectations’ of partners, government warned
The government was told its climate target for 2035 was "below expectations" for a developed country. ...9 hours ago
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joanne Enticott, Associate Professor, Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation, Monash University Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock The most disadvantaged Australians have long experienced higher rates of mental illness than the broader population. But they also access fewer mental health services. ...10 hours ago
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Liz Sturgiss, Professor of Community Medicine and Clinical Education, Bond University Chay_Tay/Shutterstock As a GP and mum to two boys I have many experiences of trying to navigate the school morning when my boys aren’t feeling well. It always seems ...10 hours ago
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brendan Coates, Program Director, Housing and Economic Security, Grattan Institute Of all the problems facing Australia today, few have worsened so rapidly in the past 25 years as housing affordability. Housing has become more and more expensive – to rent or ...10 hours ago
- Why Muslims often don’t celebrate Eid on the same day – even within one country
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Zuleyha Keskin, Associate Professor of Islamic Studies, Charles Sturt University Wikimedia Commons, CC BY Eid is a special time for Muslims. There are two major Eid celebrations each year: Eid al-Fitr is celebrated at the end of Ramadan, the month of ...10 hours ago
- Out of the internet and into the page: books for teenage boys
Hit Netflix series Adolescence has sparked conversation about reading the internet versus reading novels. What is the state of teen reading in Aotearoa? And what are the books that might lure our boys back to the page? One of the many questions the profoundly effective Adolescence has raised is the ...10 hours ago
- The abysmal state of palliative care for children in New Zealand
The Children’s Commissioner describes the current situation as “untenable, inequitable and inadequate”, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in today’s extract from The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. ‘Untenable, inequitable and inadequate’ Earlier this week, RNZ’s Anusha Bradley reported that the country’s only publicly funded paediatric palliative care ...12 hours ago
- Eden Park lives another day, to repay Aucklanders $48m
Analysis: A fancy new stadium for the Auckland waterfront has yet again been vanquished by the wily ageing edifice in Mt Eden, but ratepayers aren’t yet off the hook.Eden Park ‘won’’ the’ milestone vote by Auckland councillors, who for now will put no money into its development project. But, essentially, ...12 hours ago - Study examines how health issues affected four former prime ministers’ performance
A New Zealand Medical Journal article highlights leaders with diminished capacity leading to reckless decision-making. ...14 hours ago
- Nicola Willis to announce government plans to encourage third supermarket competitor
RNZ understands Nicola Willis' announcement on Sunday won't confirm who the third competitor might be. ...14 hours ago
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Amid rising concerns over the state of paediatric palliative care in New Zealand, Emma Gilkison reflects on the short life of her son Jesús Valentino, who died with the people who loved him best, comfortably and with the care he needed – yet this happened in spite of, not because ...14 hours ago
- Is Tamatha Paul in ‘la-la land’? Here’s what the evidence says
Three criminologists explain how a history of negative experiences of policing will affect how some communities view the police – and it’s crucial that the opinions of these communities are heard. Over the last day, a media frenzy has erupted over Green Party MP for Wellington Central Tamatha Paul’s comments ...15 hours ago
- Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 28 March
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- New campaign aims to tackle rising sideline abuse in sport
A survey of New Zealand coaches and referees on sideline behaviour in children’s team sports has revealed disturbing results.Released by Aktive, the Regional Sports Trust for the wider Auckland region, the survey revealed more than 60 percent had witnessed inappropriate behaviour at least once or twice a season and most ...15 hours ago
- Treaty principles report will exclude thousands of public submissions
New Zealanders put forward an unprecedented 300,000 written submissions on the Treaty Principles Bill. Now many are at risk of being deleted from the record. The post Treaty principles report will exclude thousands of public submissions appeared first on Newsroom. ...15 hours ago
- Bowel cancer doesn’t care about politics
Opinion: The Govt’s failure to account for Māori and Pacific health stat when it set a blanket screening age is a failure of leadership. Here’s how we can fix it. The post Bowel cancer doesn’t care about politics appeared first on Newsroom. ...15 hours ago
- This week’s bestselling books – March 28
NONFICTION1 The Last Secret Agent by Pippa Latour & Jude Dobson (Allen & Unwin, $37.99)The book that just won’t stop selling – a testament to Latour’s courage as a WWII spy in occupied France, and to Dobson’s skill at telling the story.2 Unveiled by Theophila Pratt (David Bateman, $39.99)3 Retirement ...15 hours ago
- House prices: A bump not a jump
Amid the many moving parts and risks, the overall vibe of NZ’s housing market seems to be tilting in the direction of our long-held view. This being the case, we haven’t messed with it. We continue to pick around a 7 percent lift in national house prices this year.It’s a ...15 hours ago
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