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Comment: Open mike 05/12/2024
Written By: Macro - Date published: 12:05 pm, December 5th, 2024
Like Ardern, a prophet who has less honour in their own county. Sadly that's very true.Comment: Daily review 04/12/2024
Written By: Macro - Date published: 11:05 pm, December 4th, 2024
I was completely devastated when Alison Holts "Toasted Muesli" when off the shelves Over here in Oz land Aldi have a range of fruit filled granola that is close to Heaven; and a less than $4 a packet, together with a good dollop of fresh mango yogurt ...Comment: Luxon Takes A Beating
Written By: Macro - Date published: 2:24 pm, December 4th, 2024
Feel pretty much that way myself. There are too many small minded people, regrettably our current minister of Finance is one of them.Comment: Luxon Takes A Beating
Written By: Macro - Date published: 2:20 pm, December 4th, 2024
+💯Comment: Caption contest
Written By: Macro - Date published: 10:44 pm, November 29th, 2024
A chip off the old block. And it's cold stale and all for you. Aren't you glad you voted for me.Comment: Open mike 24/11/2024
Written By: Macro - Date published: 1:35 pm, November 24th, 2024
👍👍👍Comment: The great gaslighter
Written By: Macro - Date published: 9:10 pm, November 19th, 2024
They also handed over a petion with around 200,000 signatures asking for the Bill to be canned, also 100% opposed to the Bill.Comment: Open mike 19/11/2024
Written By: Macro - Date published: 12:22 pm, November 19th, 2024
They will begin to wake up when there is no longer KFC and or big Mac's to had because they have deported all the workers who process the chickens and beef. 'Mericans don't want to do the filthy job for the pay rates on offer. https://www.ncfh.org/poultry- ...Comment: Open mike 18/11/2024
Written By: Macro - Date published: 4:42 pm, November 18th, 2024
The Treaty didn't come out of nowhere. There's plenty of evidence that the people responsible for the promotion and enactment of the Abolition of Slavery Act in Britain in1833 - The Clapham Sect - were also concerned wrt the treatment of indigenous peoples ...Comment: Open mike 18/11/2024
Written By: Macro - Date published: 3:05 pm, November 18th, 2024
And how does that address the fundamental flaw in the Treaty Principle Bill of Seymour's which only wants to treat all in Aotearoa as equal and does nothing to address the fundamental inequalities of our country. Nor the fact that Maori were deprived not ...Comment: Open mike 18/11/2024
Written By: Macro - Date published: 8:48 am, November 18th, 2024
Equity and equality are different concepts, even though they can both contribute to fairness: Equity: Recognizes that people have different needs and circumstances, and provides resources and opportunities to help everyone achieve equal outcomes. Equality: ...Comment: Open mike 17/11/2024
Written By: Macro - Date published: 9:01 pm, November 17th, 2024
Perhaps a tornado through Margo Largo or whatever he calls it might make him think. Only when it hits his pocket.Comment: Justified outrage
Written By: Macro - Date published: 10:56 am, November 15th, 2024
Shane Jones going on about respecting Parliament!!! He who used his parliamentary credit card to watch porn! Then calling Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke a "songbird". Disgusting man.Comment: This Government’s day of shame
Written By: Macro - Date published: 4:58 pm, November 14th, 2024
Huh!!?? You are aware that there are 3 branches of Government. One branch is: The Judiciary Also known as the courts, this branch interprets and applies the law. It includes all judges. The Judiciary have been interpreting Ti Tiriti almost from its ...Comment: This Government’s day of shame
Written By: Macro - Date published: 3:47 pm, November 14th, 2024
Comment: Open mike 14/11/2024
Written By: Macro - Date published: 3:36 pm, November 14th, 2024
OMG! Does that idiot/nincompoop ever think? What sort of messages does this proposed appointment send for Justice in the US.. Unbelievable - but then again totally believable with a Chump like him. Trump named Matt Gaetz his pick as attorney general. Trump ...Comment: Open mike 14/11/2024
Written By: Macro - Date published: 2:14 pm, November 14th, 2024
https://youtu.be/u4pLNKb8j2U?t=62Comment: Open mike 12/11/2024
Written By: Macro - Date published: 1:23 pm, November 12th, 2024
Meanwhile.. Trump named Stephen Miller his White House deputy chief of staff for policy. Miller was the architect of some of Trump’s first-term immigration policies, including family separation and an order to ban travel into the U.S. from several majority ...Comment: Open mike 11/11/2024
Written By: Macro - Date published: 9:20 am, November 11th, 2024
This surely is the most mean spirited and unscrupulous government NZ has had to suffer in decades.Comment: Open mike 09/11/2024
Written By: Macro - Date published: 9:54 pm, November 9th, 2024
The right wing voters of America frankly don't know what they have voted in. They are in for a huge and very unpleasant surprise.Comment: Open mike 09/11/2024
Written By: Macro - Date published: 9:49 pm, November 9th, 2024
Well yes it is. Trump's election spells a very great threat. Not only to the poor of America,but to the whole world order.Comment: Open mike 09/11/2024
Written By: Macro - Date published: 5:28 pm, November 9th, 2024
The Repugnants could have disavowed Trump long ago when he incited a mob to storm the Congress. They could have impeached him, but they didn't. Only a brave few have stood up to him and called him out. They could have chosen to select another candidate but ...Comment: Open mike 09/11/2024
Written By: Macro - Date published: 4:43 pm, November 9th, 2024
You and yours in the states have just lost what little medical coverage they had so they will probably die from a measles/polio/bird flu outbreak first. Incoming Trump presidency threatens millions of Americans’ healthcare plans Millions of Americans are ...Comment: Open mike 09/11/2024
Written By: Macro - Date published: 1:33 pm, November 9th, 2024
Except: Trump’s MAGA allies admit that “Project 2025” was always “the agenda” for a second term. Project 2025 outlines a plan to expand the power of the executive branch, purge thousands of civil servants and replacing them with Trump loyalists, eliminate ...Comment: A Heavy Day
Written By: Macro - Date published: 11:38 am, November 8th, 2024
Comment: US Election 2024
Written By: Macro - Date published: 11:02 am, November 8th, 2024
I'm sure this sums up just how some of us are feeling https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVKXfUIisiw&pp=ygUcb25seSB3aGVuIGkgbGF1Z2ggdGhlbWUgc29uZw%3D%3DComment: US Election 2024
Written By: Macro - Date published: 4:53 pm, November 7th, 2024
America deserves Donald Trump the world doesn't Every country gets the government it deserves, it has been said, and America now gets a second administration led by Donald Trump. But the rest of the world did not vote in the US election. Does it deserve ...Comment: US Election 2024
Written By: Macro - Date published: 6:58 pm, November 6th, 2024
The voters will elect the government they deserve.Comment: US Election 2024
Written By: Macro - Date published: 12:56 pm, November 6th, 2024
DA's response "The only talk about massive cheating has come from one of the candidates, Donald J. Trump. There is no factual basis whatsoever within law enforcement to support this wild allegation."Comment: US Election 2024
Written By: Macro - Date published: 12:13 pm, November 6th, 2024
Me too. But it won't be just one sentence - it will take at least 2 hours of word salad, and unhinged threats to accompany it.
CommentsOpinions
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- Climate Change: More unwelcome advice
He Pou a Rangi / Climate Change Commission has just released its Review of the 2050 emissions target including whether emissions from international shipping and aviation should be included. After noting that there have been significant changes since the target was originally set in 2019 - stronger evidence that we ...3 hours ago - Join us at 5pm for The Hoon
4 hours ago - No sweat
Let's say I want to run a marathon, but I’m not keen on all that running.At the registration desk I say, I want to start at the last kilometre. What's the fee for that?They tell me,We don't offer that option. You have to do the whole race.I reply,Yeah but I ...4 hours ago - Climate Change: National wants to cheat on Paris II
Back in September, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts shocked us by suggesting that New Zealand could refuse to meet its international commitments under the Paris Agreement. Now Forestry Minister Todd McClay has echoed that position: Minister for Agriculture and Forestry Todd McClay says the Government won't be buying carbon ...5 hours ago
- Marsden Fund changes will undermine prosperity and social cohesion
The Government’s rewrite of the Marsden Fund’s investment plan and terms of reference demonstrates a complete lack of understanding and risks undermining the breadth of research that is essential for the wellbeing and prosperity of New Zealanders, said NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi Acting President Rachel Mackintosh. “Humanities and social science ...7 hours ago - Thursday 5 December
The Government has announced further changes to the personal grievance regime that will make it even tougher for workers, and changes to the Marsden Fund investment plan to stop funding for humanities and social sciences research. Workers at Kinleith mill are worried that they will lose even more jobs. A ...8 hours ago
- A housing market with bits tacked on doesn’t need many (if any) pure scientists
The humanities and social sciences panels of The Marsden fund will be disbanded and no longer supported, because “real impact on our economy will come from areas such as physics, chemistry, maths, engineering and biomedical sciences,” said Judith Collins. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMorena. Long stories short in Aotearoa’s ...12 hours ago - Cooking the Books
Come with me, and you'll beIn a world of pure imaginationReach out, touch what was onceJust in your imaginationDon't be shy, it's alrightIf you feel a little trepidationSometimes, these things don't needExplanationSongwriters: Anthony Newley / Leslie Bricusse.If you don’t ask, you don’t get... Dream big, or go home… Ask for ...12 hours ago - Kirikiriroa Rising
This post is essentially an update on a very similar one I wrote seven years ago. Hamilton: City of the Future, the intervening years have confirmed those speculations. The case for good passenger rail service between our biggest city and its fast growing neighbour remains compelling. Below I offer a ...14 hours ago - Treasury to Government; cut super or raise taxes
The warnings from the Treasury about the state of the country’s finances are starting to appear on a regular basis. So far, they have been delivered by Treasury’s Chief Economic Advisor Dominick Stephens, and yesterday, he faced the Finance and Expenditure Committee to answer questions on Treasury’s long-term thinking about ...16 hours ago - Gordon Campbell On How Slavishly This Government Is Serving Its Corporate Donors
For much of 2024, centre stage has been taken by (a) the government’s relentless attacks on all forms of Māori empowerment and (b) by the wholesale embrace of mid-1980s style austerity policies, which even the most conservative economies in Europe abandoned a decade ago. Easy to miss that the government ...21 hours ago - Big Eyes
2014, directed by Tim Burton I didn’t expect to be watching a Harvey Weinstein movie today. How it happened was, I had a few hours to kill before my regular afternoon streamer came on, so I was browsing Netflix looking for something I hadn’t already seen that didn’t look terrible, ...1 day ago - What a thing to happen.
Subjection!Poor, unloved, disparaged, AT. What a thing to happen.In the Game of Thrones version, smirking Little Lord Simeon orders them to disrobe and commands them to parade along K Road, across the rainbow crossings, down Queen Street to Britomart while being pelted with trash, rotten produce and Big Mac boxes.Here ...1 day ago - Government’s personal grievance changes will empower bad employers
NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi Acting President Rachel Mackintosh is saying that the Government’s proposal to further weight the scales in favour of employers in personal grievance cases will make workplace culture worse and harm efforts to create a fair playing field for workers. “Making the personal grievance regime even tougher ...1 day ago
- Climate Change: The ETS needs reform
The final ETS auction of the year was held today, resulting in a partial clearance: 4 million of the available 11.1 million units were sold, at the minimum price of $64/ton. Once you add in March's partial sale, the government managed to sell just over 7 million tons all year ...1 day ago
- Throw Away All You Know.
In the cradle of the civilised disobedience derivedFrom a forlorn weeping widow crying tearsthat don’t see eye to eyeKeep the well fullA thirst forgotten A misery made for twoThat’ll use you then throw you awayThat’ll use you then throw you awayThat’ll use you then throw you awaySong: Nowhere.Today, I’m feeling ...1 day ago - NZCTU Rūnanga calling for submissions on proposed changes to NZ Post
The CTU Rūnanga is asking affiliates to support postal workers and get out and make submissions against contracting out postal delivery, to stop job cuts and ensure fair pay and conditions for postal workers. The Postal Workers Union is fighting NZ Post’s plans to replace postal workers with contracted couriers. ...1 day ago
- ‘The cuts will continue until the economy improves’
Health Minister Shane Reti has even more cuts in his sights. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMorena. Long stories short on Wednesday, December 4, with more detail and analysis in the podcast above:Health Minister Shane Reti says spending cuts will continue for an extra year into 2027 because of a ...2 days ago
- Auckland Transport (mostly) goneburger
Auckland Transport has long been a easy punching bag for the public, politicians and media, sometimes deservedly so, other times not. That could all be about to change following an announcement yesterday by the Browns – Wayne and Simeon. Greater Auckland is brought to you by a largely volunteer crew ...2 days ago
- Luxon Takes A Beating
The latest polls are in.Mountain Tui is a reader-supported publication. And who could have guessed that a government that destroys the economy (‘economic vandalism on steroids’), tears up our public health system (‘National is BAD for health’), de-stabilises Crown-Māori relations (‘largest protest in modern history’), eviscerates environmental progress and protections ...2 days ago - It’s not easy being green
As Kermit the frog said, it isn’t easy being green. A Select Committee yesterday heard how difficult it was for the country’s electricity grid operator, Transpower, to prepare for the electrification of New Zealand that will be required if we are to meet net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Their ...2 days ago
- *THOSE* polls! And *NOT* a hung Parliament!
..Thanks for reading Frankly Speaking ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.One bad poll for a government can be dismissed as “rogue”. Two? That’s damaging.A recent Talbot Mills done for the Labour Party - released on 1 December - had startling results that would’ve raised ...2 days ago - Sabin 33 #5 – Is solar energy worse for the climate than burning fossil fuels?
On November 1, 2024 we announced the publication of 33 rebuttals based on the report "Rebutting 33 False Claims About Solar, Wind, and Electric Vehicles" written by Matthew Eisenson, Jacob Elkin, Andy Fitch, Matthew Ard, Kaya Sittinger & Samuel Lavine and published by the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia ...2 days ago - We like to watch
Some millions of years ago, our ancestors learned the trick of standing upright. This made it much easier to reach the bottles on the top shelf and surely aided our progress towards splitting the atom.It also made us more vulnerable. Giving birth became more perilous. Our infants - needing to ...2 days ago - Waimate Water: Not A New Problem
The last time residents of Waimate received a nitrate warning was only two years ago. In 2022, the Glenavy township in South Canterbury were unable to drink their own water for over four months due to it containing nitrate levels high enough to kill an infant. This restriction was lifted ...2 days ago - Restoring the status quo is not enough
Labour held its party conference over the weekend, and Chris Hipkins gave a speech promising to make the current coalition a one term government. Along the way he made some policy promises: restoring free prescriptions, resuming the Smokefree Aotearoa policy, restarting the build of Dunedin hospital, restoring state housing investment, ...2 days ago
- No Matter What I Do, Everything I Do Is Bad
Hi,I wanted to share something that’s been on my mind a bit lately, and I’m not quite sure how to say it besides expressing this idea that on some days I feel like throwing myself into the sea.I am saying this metaphorically — don’t worry — but it’s just this ...2 days ago - Political Wrap Up: 11,000 construction jobs gone, Nurses Strike & Unemployment to reach Pandemic...
Good morning, here’s a quick wrap up of 10 developments:1. HEALTH: AUSTERITY BUDGETFront-line hospital workers told jobs could soon be gone (RNZ / Lauren Crimp)The government is set to fire non-clinical front line roles in Auckland as part of its cost saving measures. This includes teams who support clinical logistics, ...2 days ago - Tuesday 3 December 2024
Today NZNO healthcare workers are striking for safe staffing and fair pay. More job losses are on the line at NZDF due to budget deficits. In political news, Chris Hipkins is trying to build some momentum following the Labour Party conference. Union coverage NZNO: 36,000 Health NZ nurses to ...2 days ago
- Where Is My Mind?
With your feet in the air and your head on the groundTry this trick and spin it, yeah (Yeah)Your head will collapse, and there's nothing in itAnd you'll ask yourselfWhere is my mind?Where is my mind?Where is my mind?Songwriter: Black FrancisClear craniums are the order of the day. Not to ...3 days ago - Gt North Rd improvements to finally start
After around 10 years of delays and frustration, Auckland Transport are finally going to make Gt North Rd greater. In an update sent out yesterday, they said: We are pleased to advise that we have appointed JFC Ltd to deliver the work and they’ll be starting work early January. The ...3 days ago
- Govt says borrowing to build now last resort
The way through our $100 billion-plus infrastructure deficit will not be eased by Chris Bishop’s approach. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMōrena. Chris Bishop unveiled his major infrastructure funding and financing plan yesterday that made clear borrowing with public debt to build infrastructure would be a last resort, with private ...3 days ago
- Gordon Campbell On Why An AUKUS Led By Trump Is A Scary Prospect
According to Social Development Minister Louise Upton her latest crackdown on the unemployed is just “common sense.” Oh, really. Upston is threatening to reduce or cancel the income of an increasing number of people already living on the breadline – unless they spend more of their scarce money on the ...3 days ago
- Incy Wincy History: Pre-Tolkien Fantasy Arachnids of Unusual Size
It has been remarked that the only truly original invention in The Hobbit is the hobbit himself. Tolkien stole his dwarves from the Poetic Edda (albeit, he redefined the spelling of the plural). The trolls and the manner of their death are also borrowed from Norse tradition. Gandalf is rooted ...3 days ago - How Plastics Fuel Climate Change
This video includes conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Adam Levy. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). We're choking our planet with pollution - whether that's greenhouse gases or plastics. But these two crises are deeply connected - ...3 days ago
- Labour 2026, Democrats 2024, and Luxon Accidentally Admits Neoliberalism has Broken the Country
Kia ora kotou, and I hope everyone is having a good start to their week. Usually I try to be a bit more themed and connected and essay-like in what I write, but it’s been too long since I got anything out at all and the topics I keep meaning ...3 days ago - Gendered violence and harassment in the world of work
International Labour Organisation (ILO) convention 190 (C190) provides a framework for the legal, cultural and industrial changes necessary to eliminate and prevent violence, in all its forms, from the world of work. It establishes the right of everyone to a world of work free from violence and harassment, including gender-based ...3 days ago
- The Prime Minister hits the cones
More Than A Feilding: Prime Minister thanks for taking the time to chat again with More Than A Feilding.Prime Minister Old Mate Grabaseat: Gidday Jack what I would say to you Jack is what I would say to you.MTAF: I think that was yesterday’s interview, Prime Minister. I’m Dave.OMG: Oh. ...3 days ago - Media Link: “A View from Afar” on the lame duck window of opportunity.
In the last episode of this year Selwyn Manning and I discuss the rebel assault on Aleppo in Syria and tit-for-tat missile exchanges between Russia and Ukraine as illustrative of foreign actor attempts to gain geopolitical leverage as part of … Continue reading ...3 days ago - Subsidising ecocide
Aotearoa has long been an opponent of fossil fuel subsidies. In 2010 we joined the Friends of Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform. In 2015 we reviewed our policies to eliminate subsidies following advice from APEC. In 2021 we "lead the call" for subsidy reform at the WTO. And at COP29 just ...3 days ago
- A two-faced “apology”
Last month, the government formally apologised to victims of child torture and abuse-in-care. Part of the apology was meant to be for the state's long-standing policy of aggressively minimising its liabilities by dragging out cases, slandering its victims and ultimately denying redress. So you'd think that the state would actually ...3 days ago
- Labour leaning back towards Capital Gains Tax
3 days ago - Going in circles: How to fix transport in the City Centre
The last few years have seen headline after headline talk about how much of a ‘mess’ the City Centre is in terms of transport. Whether it be parking, confusing bus lanes (and buses being held up), the GV lane on Queen Street, loading and delivery, enforcement (or lack thereof), congestion, ...4 days ago
- Inside Labour’s difficult tax politics
The former Minister, former finance spokesperson, and one-time leadership contender David Parker suffered a defeat at the Labour Party conference over the weekend over what has been his political crusade: a wealth tax.The conference rejected, apparently by a wide margin, a remit calling for a wealth tax “to proceed”.Instead, they ...4 days ago
- 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #48
A listing of 26 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, November 24, 2024 thru Sat, November 30, 2024. Story of the week Before Skeptical Science and an entire fleet of other websites devoted to combating and correcting climate misinformation ...4 days ago
- Kaamos: Published
New story out, as part of the December issue of Bare Back Magazine:https://www.barebackmag.com/post/kaamos (As previously noted, this one is magical realism mashed up with erotica. But it’s nice for a story first written ... 4 days ago - Luxon Finally Shows
Mr Moon I like the way you thinkLet's sit a while and have another drinkYou can tell me how the new will rise,How the old will sinkOpen my eyes and make me wiseDon't fall from the sky just yetCause it won't be long enough to make me strongSongwriters: Grant Fell ...4 days ago - Never mind the planet, check out these savings!
The same day Solar Zero got their legs cut off, we paid a deposit to an other installer. Solar panels should be on our roof on December 23. Merry Christmas to our carbon footprint.We also have a new oven and hot water cylinder coming, which means we'll be able to ...5 days ago - The Enemy Within – Maire Leadbeater & Nicky Hager
Like so many others involved in social justice movements, Maire Leadbeater was subjected to state surveillance during a long life of activism. With the help of archival material, released SIS files, and other formerly secret material, she has been able to examine the depth of stateintrusion into the lives of ...5 days ago - Sabre-Rattling.
Putin’s Thunderbolts: What message was the devastating arrival of the Russian Federation’s nuclear-defanged MIRVs supposed to send? And how should the government of far-away New Zealand respond?THE IMAGES BROADCAST ON CNN were terrifying. Out of a glowing circle of dim light, multiple bolts of fire, moving at astonishing speed, burst from the lowering ...5 days ago - No Cheers For Democracy.
Sic’em! The silver-tongued demagogue whips up the impoverished masses against those deemed responsible for both the nation’s decline and their own immiseration. He then proceeds to direct his mesmerised followers against a succession of terrified scapegoats, with results that are neither just nor pretty. Out of the ensuing chaos, demagoguery ...5 days ago
- Hearing Ourselves Think.
No Longer Silent: The one sound loud enough to be heard above the efforts of even the most determined makers of political noise, is the sound of the long-suffering majority making up its mind. Emeritus Professor Nigel Biggar addresses the Free Speech Union AGM held at Auckland’s Viaduct Events Centre on ...5 days ago
- Privatisation Kills So Why is Reti, Luxon and Lester Levy Speeding Towards It Like A Rocket Ship?
In 2022, Lancet Medical Journal issued the findings of a long term longitudinal study on the effects of increased outsourcing of health to the private sector i.e. privatisation.Examining the outcomes from between 2013-2020, it conclusively found:The privatisation of the NHS in England, through the outsourcing of services to for-profit companies, ...5 days ago - 2024 Reading Summary: November (+ Writing Update)
Completed reads for November: Clarimonde, by Théophile Gautier The Mummy’s Foot, by Théophile Gautier One of Cleopatra’s Nights, by Théophile Gautier Arria Marcella, by Théophile Gautier Omphale: A Rococo Story, by Théophile Gautier King Candaules, by Théophile Gautier Lot No. 249, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle The Captain of ...5 days ago
- Translation #20 of The Debunking Handbook 2020 published!
In November 2011, we published the first version of The Debunking Handbook. As the update notice on that page already shows, more research has come in since then and the time had finally come for a complete overhaul of this very popular handbook (it still gets downloaded a couple of thousand ...6 days ago
- The Meaning of MAGA
The Dangers of Delusions of GrandeurThis is a column about MAGA – Make America Great Again. But as a prequel I scroll back sixty years to when I was teaching in England. I have fond memories of the students – bright and personable as they were. But their attitudes to ...6 days ago - Police: “It’s OK if you’re a cop”
Imagine you want to buy some guns, but you want to hide the fact from someone. So you abuse your access privileges to obtain the details of a registered owner, then use them to fraudulently register the weapons. If you or I did this, we'd obviously be going to jail. ...6 days ago
- The Parade That Didn’t Exist
Hi,I just wanted to take a moment to acknowledge all the stories you shared under my last newsletter about my shitty day.Some of your own shitty days were hilarious. Others were devastating. They involved aging parents and lost pets, things lost and things found. Some felt like chaos theory in ...6 days ago - ‘Why we’ve cut the OCR so much since August’
SummaryIn this conversation, Paul Conway, the Chief Economist for the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, discusses the recent cuts to the official cash rate and the underlying economic factors influencing these decisions. He explains the dynamics of inflation in New Zealand, the impact of administered prices, and the role of ...6 days ago
- Another day, another breach of te Tiriti
Back in February, the National government disestablished Te Aka Whai Ora, the Māori Health Authority. It was a revolting breach of te Tiriti, but the government avoided a formal ruling of that by rushing the legislation into the House specifically to deprive the Waitangi Tribunal of jurisdiction and kill its ...6 days ago
- Luxon surrenders worker protections to ACT Party
“The Government’s plan to remove unjustified dismissal protections from workers earning over $180,000 shows a concerning lack of leadership from Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who has handed too many critical workplace decisions to ACT’s Brooke van Velden, the Minister for Workplace Relations who seems hell-bent on trampling on workers’ rights,” ...6 days ago
- Can it be only a year?
This is our fifth first year babyAnd I feel like I'm in jail, LordI'm holding on to this cardCan't seem to get it in the mailAnd the card reads ...Happy anniversary babyGot you on my mindHappy anniversary babyGot you on my mindSongwriters: Beeb Birtles, David Briggs.First, they came for the ...6 days ago - Working in high temperatures
Guidance for workers and union officials regarding high temperatures at work Working in high temperature can be hazardous. Exposure to excessive heat either indoors or outside can pose risks to worker health and safety. If temperatures at your work are creating a serious and immediate to your safety – you ...6 days ago
- Unity for 2025
As we approach 2025, we find ourselves navigating challenging and uncertain times. The global political stage has shifted dramatically, with Trump’s re-election in the US intensifying international instability, environmental inaction, and the rise of far-right movements. Meanwhile, global conflicts are escalating, pressuring governments, economies, and working people worldwide. Here in ...6 days ago
- Weekly Roundup 29-November-2024
It’s another Friday and we’re almost in the final month of the year and the Pohutukawa’s are starting to blossom. Here’s some of the stories that have caught our attention this week. This post, like all our work, is brought to you by a largely volunteer crew and made possible ...7 days ago
- The Hoon around the week to November 29
The podcast above of the weekly ‘Hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers on Thursday night features co-hosts & talking about the week’s news with: on the Israel vs Gaza/Iran/Lebanon, Ukraine/Nato vs Russia/North Korea and whether NZ joins AUKUS;Special guest Community Housing Aotearoa CEO Paul Gilberd talking about the Community ...7 days ago
- Report questions Labour’s big Covid spendup
Over 2020 and 2021, the Ardern Government spent a staggering 22 per cent of one year of the country’s GDP on Covid financial relief. All up, over those two years, they spent $70 billion. The money was borrowed, and the Treasury told the Government not to worry about the huge ...7 days ago
- Gordon Campbell on the Royal Commission’s fine-tuning of vaccine mandates and lockdowns
Let’s hope politicians of all stripes can agree to limit their urge to politicise the Royal Commission of Inquiry findings about the Covid response. Since ensuring we get properly equipped next time around – having enough PEP gear, hiring sufficient trained medical staff etc – will involve political decisions, some ...7 days ago
- Skeptical Science New Research for Week #48 2024
Open access notables Progression of ocean interior acidification over the industrial era, Müller & Gruber Gruber, Science Advances: Ocean acidification driven by the uptake of anthropogenic CO2 represents a major threat to ocean ecosystems, yet little is known about its progression beneath the surface. Here, we reconstruct the history of ocean ...7 days ago
- Under his eye
The only thing can I remember of the few christenings I went to as a child is the spectacle of proud parents with their best friends standing alongside them - the ones who, God forbid a horrible car or plane crash, might become New Mum and New Dad.I don't believe ...1 week ago - The law means something
Former Ports of Auckland CEO Tony Gibson has been convicted of violating his duty to run a safe workplace over the death of one of his workers: In a judgement released today, Judge Steve Bonnar found Gibson was guilty of one charge raised under the Health and Safety at ...1 week ago
- How to make a submission on the Treaty Principles Bill
The Hīkoi mō Te Tiriti sent a clear and resounding message to the coalition Government. There’s deep kotahitanga for Te Tiriti, and major opposition to the Treaty Principles Bill across Aotearoa and the union movement. It’s an important opportunity for our Affiliate Unions to submit to Select Committee submissions. The CTU ...1 week ago
- Economy Nose Dives
The economy is spluttering:4.8% unemployment - a near four year record high - even as NZ keeps breaking new records for citizen departuresEmployment confidence declined to the lowest level since the first Covid lockdownsThe Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion reported firms are more pessimistic about their current trading conditions than ...1 week ago
- Smoke gets in your eyes
They said, "Someday, you'll find all who love are blindOh-oh-oh-oh-oh, when your heart's on fireYou must realise smoke gets in your eyes."Songwriters: Jerome Kern / Otto A. HarbachToday in Nick’s Kōrero:Smoke gets in your eyes and into more people’s lungsDoing more with less in the health sectorIt’s the economy stupid, ...1 week ago - Love your Berm
In today’s guest post, former Auckland Councillor Pippa Coom highlights the value of berms in Auckland – and encourages everyone to submit on ongoing consultation! Greater Auckland is brought to you by a largely volunteer crew and made possible by generous donations from our readers and fans. If you’d like ...1 week ago
- Release: Govt breaks Auckland housing promise
Housing Minister Chris Bishop has confirmed National has broken yet another election promise. ...6 hours ago - Government smokescreen to downgrade climate ambition
Today the ACT-National Coalition Agreement pet project’s findings on “no additional warming” were released. ...1 day ago - Release: Health NZ admits errors led to claimed deficit
Health New Zealand has exaggerated its deficit to justify job cuts. ...1 day ago
- Release: More cuts to research, science and innovation sector
The Government’s latest round of cuts to research and innovation targets the long-established and successful Marsden Fund. ...1 day ago
- Govt guts funding for social sciences and humanities
The Government’s decision to axe all Humanities and Social Science research funding through the Marsden Fund is a massive step backwards. ...1 day ago
- You can’t bank on pine trees in a climate crisis
Today’s Government announcement to limit farm forestry conversions tinkers around the edges, instead of focusing on the real problem and stopping pollution at the source. ...1 day ago
- Release: Nicola Willis being sneaky with new taxes
Nicola Willis is refusing to rule out putting sneaky new taxes on Kiwi households. ...2 days ago
- Release: Govt benefit target even further out of reach
Christopher Luxon has once again failed to read the room and claimed success while life gets harder for everyday Kiwis. ...2 days ago
- Govt continues to punch down
The Government’s new initiative to get people off the benefit won’t address the core drivers of poverty such as low incomes, lack of access to adequate housing and lack of employment opportunities. ...2 days ago
- Release: Labour urges ACC to pull investments in Israel’s illegal settlements
Labour is urging ACC to divest from companies identified by the United Nations as complicit in the building and maintenance of Israel’s illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. ...3 days ago
- Release: Further evidence to stop school lunch cuts
A new report provides further proof that David Seymour should not be messing with the free school lunch programme. ...3 days ago
- Jamie Arbuckle: Inquiry into Banking Competition
This week was the start of the bank inquiry hearings into banking competition. The inquiry was confirmed in the NZ First/National Coalition agreement. 140 submissions were received on the inquiry, and we will hear from over 60 submitters including all the major banks. ANZ, New Zealand's largest bank, was first ...3 days ago - Casey Costello: What Once Was…
Entering politics is a privilege afforded to very few and, as the saying goes, with great power comes great responsibility. Being an MP is a call to service. Whatever your politics you have a duty to show up. Whatever your party's policy, you have made a promise to those who ...3 days ago
- Casey Costello: International Day of Older Persons
Throughout New Zealand it is difficult to think of a sports club, charity, church group, festival, foundation, or service organisation that does not owe its existence, effectiveness, or success to the contribution of older New Zealanders. October 1st is International Day of Older Persons so please take a moment to consider ...3 days ago
- NZ First Member’s Bill To Disestablish Auckland Transport
Today New Zealand First has introduced a Member’s Bill that will restore democratic control over transport management in Auckland City by disestablishing Auckland Transport (AT) and returning control to Auckland Council. The ‘Local Government (Auckland Council) (Disestablishment of Auckland Transport) Amendment Bill’ intends to restore democratic oversight, control, and accountability ...3 days ago
- Tanya Unkovich: It’s time to start the debate on palliative care as a ‘right’
There is one topic that is the great human leveller, and that is of death and dying. One day, we will all have to face it, and I am of the belief that being able to pass away with grace and dignity is a vital, basic, human right. How we ...3 days ago
- Mark Patterson: Farmers understand we have their backs
Spring is here which means the start of the A&P show season. Those treasured community days where town meets country. There's no rural-urban divide here, just a chance to meet up with family and old friends and celebrate all things that make rural New Zealand so special. I'm embarking on ...3 days ago
- Release: A Labour Government will not join AUKUS
New Zealand will not sign up to the nuclear-powered pillar one, or the pillar two of AUKUS under a Labour Government. ...4 days ago
- Release: Labour will build Dunedin Hospital
Labour will build Dunedin Hospital as it was committed to prior to election 2023. ...4 days ago
- Chris Hipkins: Speech to Labour Party Conference 2024
E ngā mana, e ngā reo, e ngā iwi, e rau rangatira ma Tena koutou tēnā koutou tēnā koutou katoa ...4 days ago
- Luxon Folds on ACT’s Treaty Principles Bill
Te Pāti Māori Co-Leader, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, is calling Luxon’s leadership a joke after it was revealed this morning on Q+A that ACT’s Treaty Principles Bill was not a bottom line. "New Zealand officially has a laughing-stock Prime Minister whose leadership folded as he trades away the rights of tangata whenua ...4 days ago
- Prime Minister shirks responsibility on global climate commitment
In an interview with Q&A this morning, the Prime Minister refused to say whether he would commit to meeting the Paris Agreement, the international climate agreement which commits all countries to act locally to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees. ...4 days ago
- Release: All workers deserve fair treatment
The Government’s latest change to the Employment Relations Act has no justification apart from making it easier to sack employees without having to follow due process. ...6 days ago
- COURT OF APPEAL RULING: SFO METHODS “OVERREACH, UNLAWFUL, OPPRESSIVE”
Today the Court of Appeal has found the Serious Fraud Office has been acting indiscriminately and unlawfully throughout an eight year long investigation. The SFO has shown their incompetence and arrogance and shown to be abusing their authority to conduct its own overreaching and unlawful fishing expeditions. The Court of Appeal said the SFO has relied on its misuse of compulsory interview ...7 days ago
- Covid Inquiry report underlines need to invest in Health
The Green Party says the report from the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Covid-19 Response underlines the need for proper investment in our health system so we are prepared for future pandemics. ...1 week ago
- Waititi Orders Police Withdraw from Matapihi
Te Pāti Māori co-leader and MP for Waiariki is demanding that the Police Minister immediately remove the heavy Police presence in the Matapihi community, as hundreds of officers saturate the Western Bay of Plenty area. “Minister Mitchell must intervene immediately and order the removal of the armed Police presence in ...1 week ago
- Release: Opposition parties unite on way forward to protect ECE
Early childhood education needs to be treated as a public good, say Labour, the Green Party, and Te Pāti Māori in their newly released report of findings from public hearings they held into the Government’s ECE Regulatory Review. ...1 week ago
- Government’s First Year a ‘Catastrophe for Māori’
Te Pāti Māori is calling the Government’s first year a catastrophe for Māori, following a year of policies that have done nothing but marginalise tangata-whenua. Today marks one year since the coalition was sworn into power. “This year has been an absolute catastrophe for Māori. This Government has fast-tracked us back ...1 week ago
- Release: 1500 Te Whatu Ora cuts will hurt New Zealanders’ health
Massive cuts across Health New Zealand/Te Whatu Ora demonstrate National’s willingness to risk the health of New Zealanders. ...1 week ago
- Release: Government to make public transport more expensive… again
The Government’s decision to push for significant fare increases on buses and trains over the next few years is a huge blow to communities across the country. ...1 week ago
- Release: National has given up on climate action
Climate action is missing from the list of things National is patting themselves on the back for one year on from becoming government. ...1 week ago
- Public transport fare hikes a disaster
The Government’s directive to councils to increase bus and train fares substantially over the next few years is a bitter pill to swallow for communities across the country. ...1 week ago
- Release: Minister leaves Community Housing Providers out in the cold
Housing Minister Chris Bishop’s speech to Community Housing Providers today should have been titled ‘we want you to build houses, but we refuse to spend money so you’re on your own’. ...1 week ago
- Green Party appalled by woeful Government offer to school support staff
Support staff across Aotearoa have been dealt yet another devastating blow with the release of the latest collective agreement offer from the Government. ...1 week ago
- Release: Chris Hipkins sad to hear about Nikki Kaye
"The news today that Nikki Kaye has passed away after her long battle with cancer is incredibly sad," Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...1 week ago
- Release: Government should be transparent on live exports
Targeted consultation on reinstating live cattle exports by sea won’t allow the New Zealand public to have their say. ...2 weeks ago
- NZ’s global climate rankings plummet as Govt removes agriculture from ETS
The Government has passed legislation to remove agriculture from the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) while Aotearoa’s reputation on climate action plummets. ...2 weeks ago
- Failed boot camp experiment must end
As legislation to set up boot camps passed its first reading, the Green Party urged the Government to abandon this failed policy experiment for the good of our rangatahi. ...2 weeks ago
- Gender-affirming care must centre evidence and health needs, not political posturing
The Ministry of Health has today released an evidence brief regarding the use of puberty blockers in gender-affirming healthcare, amid moves by the government to limit access. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: National doesn’t care about manufacturing
The National Government is walking away from our manufacturing sector with constant reports of closures and job losses. ...2 weeks ago
- Government to partner with private sector to plant trees on low value Crown land
Ministers responsible for Climate Change, Forestry, Conservation and Land Information today announced that Cabinet has agreed to explore public-private partnerships to plant trees on Crown land, supporting New Zealand’s climate change targets and creating more jobs. Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says that nature-based solutions is a key part to ...40 minutes ago - International data confirms maths transformation
New international data validates the Government’s plan to transform maths education in New Zealand, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) is the longest-running, large-scale international assessment of mathematics and science and takes place every four years. While 2023 results show an improved ...3 hours ago
- Government partners to boost rural productivity in Hawke’s Bay
The Government is partnering with Hawke’s Bay farmers and the Regional Council to improve farm productivity and build resilience against adverse weather events, Minister of Agriculture Todd McClay announced today at a ceremony in Hawke’s Bay. “The Government is co-investing $995,000 to grow the Land for Life (LFL) pilot programme ...5 hours ago
- Peters visit to New Caledonia concludes
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has completed his visit to New Caledonia, New Zealand’s closest neighbour. “Over the last few days, we have listened to and learned from a wide range of people in New Caledonia - so that we can better understand the acute challenges it faces,” Mr Peters says. ...5 hours ago
- More charter schools to open Term 1 2025 announced
Associate Education Minister David Seymour has today announced that Christchurch North College, The BUSY School, Te Rito, Te Kura Taiao, Ecole Francaise Internationale Auckland and North West Creative Arts College will open in term one 2025 as charter schools. “This announcement is another significant step in the Government’s efforts to ...7 hours ago
- New chair appointed to Heritage New Zealand
Dame Jo Brosnahan DNZM QSO has been appointed chair of the Heritage New Zealand Board, Arts Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “Dame Jo has extensive governance and business experience which has been recognised in various Honours, notably in 2023 when she was made a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order ...8 hours ago
- Survey results to drive change for tourism and hospitality workforce
Tourism and Hospitality Minister Matt Doocey has welcomed the data released today about the hospitality and tourism workforce. “Two of my key priorities include supporting the people who make up the tourism and hospitality workforce and growing the value of international tourism. In order to grow New Zealand’s international tourism ...9 hours ago
- Upgrading substations to improve reliability for Wellington metro rail
Wellington commuters will benefit from a $137.2 million funding boost that will deliver long overdue upgrades to substations on the city’s metro rail network and improve the reliability of services, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“Our Government is committed to delivering infrastructure that reduces congestion, boosts productivity to support economic growth, ...10 hours ago
- Record $434 million in community grants from Lotto NZ
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says Lotto NZ has granted $434 million to the community in the past financial year, an increase of 15 percent from the previous year. “It’s fantastic to see an increase in funding going to important community projects, providing opportunities for New Zealanders to ...10 hours ago
- Major review of competition to lift productivity
The Government has launched an ambitious review of New Zealand’s competition rules to combat monopolies and improve economic productivity, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Improving competition is one of the most important ways to boost productivity and lift living standards,” Mr Bayly says. “When competition is working ...11 hours ago
- NZ-Australia Ministers to discuss foreign policy, defence
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins will host the second Australia and New Zealand Foreign and Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ANZMIN) in Auckland tomorrow. “The ANZMIN is an important trans-Tasman forum for strengthening our alliance relationship and developing shared approaches to foreign policy, security, and ...11 hours ago
- Funding boost to strengthen Maritime’s rescue team
The Government has approved funding to increase staffing at Maritime New Zealand’s Rescue Coordination Centre, ensuring a critical boost in its search and rescue operations, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Associate Transport Minister Matt Doocey say.“Our Government is delivering an annual funding boost to New Zealand’s Rescue Coordination Centre to ...11 hours ago
- Government releases independent scientific review on biogenic methane science and targets
The Government will carefully consider the findings of the independent review on New Zealand’s biogenic methane science and targets, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts, and Associate Ministers of Agriculture Andrew Hoggard, and Mark Patterson have announced today. The panel of highly regarded, New Zealand ...1 day ago
- New courthouses for Whanganui and Papakura
The Government has agreed to fund new courthouses for both Whanganui and Papakura to help improve access to justice and court timeliness, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Associate Minister Nicole McKee say. “In both cases the current buildings are not fit for purpose and need to be replaced. Staying put ...1 day ago
- Positive progress for the NZ ETS
The New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme (NZ ETS) auction today has resulted in a partial clearance, showing work to restore credibility in the market is working, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “Today’s auction result shows the market is moving in the right direction to restore credibility in the NZ ...1 day ago
- Catalyst Fund updated for global impact
Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology Judith Collins today announced an updated plan for the Catalyst Fund to be laser focused on clear outcomes and priority research areas. “We are taking a more strategic approach to science funding across the board, as we seek to deliver greater economic impact for ...1 day ago
- Marsden Fund refocused for science with a purpose
Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology Judith Collins today announced the Government has updated the Marsden Fund to focus on core scientific research that helps lift our economic growth and contributes to science with a purpose. “The Government has been clear in its mandate to rebuild our economy. We are ...1 day ago
- Speech to Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce and members
Removing rewards for poor employee behaviour Good afternoon everyone, and thank you Malcolm for that lovely introduction. It’s wonderful to be here today at MJH Engineering. Thank you to the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce and MJH Engineering for inviting me to speak and share some exciting announcements with you ...1 day ago
- Govt delivers Māori Education Action Plan
The Government has released its Māori Education Action Plan which sets out its approach to deliver better outcomes in the classroom for Māori students, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “25 per cent of learners within our schooling system are Māori. While many achieve excellent results, on average Māori experience worse ...1 day ago
- Removing rewards for poor employee behaviour
Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says it is important employees are not rewarded in the personal grievance system for poor behaviour or performance and is introducing changes to personal grievances to strengthen employee accountability. “Simplifying personal grievances is a policy ACT campaigned on, in particular, removing the ...1 day ago
- Protecting NZ food production and ETS credibility
Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts have today announced clear rules to limit farm to forestry conversions entering the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). “These changes deliver on a key election commitment to protect food production for farmers while providing ETS certainty for foresters,” Mr ...1 day ago
- Fuel companies required to store more jet fuel
New rules will be introduced that require fuel companies to hold at least 10 days of jet fuel near the country’s busiest airport to provide resilience against supply disruptions, Associate Energy Minister Shane Jones says. “For more than seven years fuel companies have held jet fuel supplies at lower than ...1 day ago
- Strong growth in international student enrolments
New Zealand’s international education sector is rebounding strongly, up 24 per cent year-on-year and 6 per cent above 2023 totals, Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds says. “With 73,535 enrolments between January to August 2024, more enrolments have been achieved in just two terms this year than we saw ...1 day ago
- Speech to Early Childhood Education sector– Reducing red tape and barriers to ECE
When I was delegated responsibility for the ECE Sector from the Minister for Education it became immediately clear that my focus had to be on reducing red tape and regulatory obstacles for the early learning sector. While there is huge demand for ECEs from families across New Zealand, numbers show ...2 days ago
- Democracy restored to transport in Auckland
The Government is restoring democratic accountability to transport decision-making in Auckland, ensuring voters can hold their elected representatives responsible for the city's transport policies, Transport and Auckland Minister Simeon Brown, and Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown say."Aucklanders have become increasingly frustrated with how transport decisions are made and how little their ...2 days ago
- Health NZ makes progress on financial recovery
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says Health New Zealand is making encouraging progress recovering from a financial shambles left behind by the previous government. “Health NZ reported today that its revised budget for 2024/25 is a $1.1 billion deficit,” Dr Reti says. “That’s significantly lower than the $1.76 billion deficit they ...2 days ago
- Wait times for veterans improve
Additional funding in Budget 2024 has reduced the waiting list of veterans seeking medical and rehabilitation support, Veterans Minister Chris Penk says. “When we were elected a year ago, the Government made a commitment to improve New Zealand’s public services. As Veterans Minister this means improving access for veterans to ...2 days ago
- 30 per cent growth in international visitor spend
The latest International Visitor Survey shows that New Zealand continues to bounce back and the economy is benefiting from the shifting trends in international visitation, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Matt Doocey says. International Visitor Survey results for the year ending September 2024 released today show a promising increase of 30 ...2 days ago
- New data shows fewer victims of violent crime
New data shows an encouraging reduction in the number of victims of violent crime, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “The latest New Zealand Crime and Victims Survey shows there were 14,000 fewer victims of crime nationwide over the 12 months to August 2024, than there were over the 12 months ...2 days ago
- Government open for business on market-led infrastructure proposals
The Government has released new guidelines for market-led proposals to clarify how market participants can contribute innovative ideas for solving New Zealand’s infrastructure problems, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Parliamentary Under-Secretary Simon Court say. A market-led approach is where a private sector player wishes to deal directly with Government with ...3 days ago
- Speech to Stuff Infrastructure Panel Event
Introduction Good afternoon to you all. I am glad to be here today to discuss changes we are making to the infrastructure system, which will lay the foundations for New Zealand to prosper. Thanks to Infrastructure New Zealand and The Post for organising this event, and Chapman Tripp for hosting ...3 days ago
- Speech to The Post Infrastructure Panel Event
Introduction Good afternoon to you all. I am glad to be here today to discuss changes we are making to the infrastructure system, which will lay the foundations for New Zealand to prosper. Thanks to Infrastructure New Zealand and The Post for organising this event, and Chapman Tripp for hosting ...3 days ago
- Targets data positive but action needed on welfare
The second quarterly update on the nine Government targets shows a range of areas moving in the right direction but underlines the need for robust measures to get people off welfare and into work, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says. “The Government’s ambitious targets put Kiwis first by driving outcomes that ...3 days ago
- More support to help people on benefit into work
Up to 70,000 job seekers are to receive a new, more comprehensive needs assessment of the challenges holding them back from finding work and a personalised job plan to help overcome them. “Individual Job Plans are a significant step forward in the Government’s efforts to provide welfare that works for ...3 days ago
- New Funding and Financing Framework released
Cabinet has agreed to an ambitious new Funding and Financing Framework to help the Crown make smarter and more informed funding and financing decisions, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop says. “Improving the way we fund and finance infrastructure will help drive better value for money from public investment, make public investment ...3 days ago
- Open work rights unlocked for Partners of Skilled Migrants
The Government has today taken steps to ensure New Zealand attracts and retains the workers and skills it needs by returning open work rights to partners of high-skilled migrants. “Starting today, the partners of Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) holders in higher-skilled roles will be eligible for open work rights. ...3 days ago
- ‘Twelve Days of Giving’ to encourage generosity
Growing the amount of philanthropic giving across New Zealand is the aim of the Twelve Days of Giving campaign launched today alongside Philanthropy New Zealand, Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Louise Upston says. “New Zealand is one of the most charitable countries in the world, with an estimated $3.8 billion worth of ...3 days ago
- NZ welcomes Singapore food security delegation
Minister for Trade and Agriculture Todd McClay today welcomes a delegation from Singapore, who are in New Zealand for a food security mission. “The visit will strengthen our trade and investment ties and demonstrate how New Zealand’s world-leading agri-food ecosystem can support Singapore’s long-term food security. “This mission will elevate ...3 days ago
- Mautohe Cathedral Cove reopens to walkers
The Government has delivered on its promise to restore public walking access to the popular Mautohe Cathedral Cove in time for Summer 2024-2025. The walking track to the famous Coromandel beach - renowned for its natural rock arch feature and idyllic waters – was severely damaged by extreme weather events ...4 days ago
- Increased medicines access continues following budget boost
Associate Health Minister with responsibility for Pharmac David Seymour is pleased to see further increased availability of medicines for Kiwis following the Government’s increased investment in Pharmac. “Pharmac operates independently, but it must work within the budget constraints set by the Government,” says Mr Seymour. “When this Government assumed office, ...4 days ago
- The government wants to create a new class of financial adviser for super fund members. Here’s why...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Di Johnson, Senior Lecturer, Griffith University Yuri A/Shutterstock This week, the government announced details of planned reforms to allow more Australians to access free or low-cost financial advice through their super funds or advice firms. The reforms will create a ...2 hours ago - Improving notorious Warkworth intersection shelved – again
The Hill Street junction is often described as the worst intersection in New Zealand. ...2 hours ago - AI weather models can now beat the best traditional forecasts
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vassili Kitsios, Senior Research Scientist, Climate Forecasting, CSIRO NASA/GSFC, MODIS Rapid Response Team, Jacques Descloitres A new machine-learning weather prediction model called GenCast can outperform the best traditional forecasting systems in at least some situations, according to a paper by Google ...3 hours ago
- 3 surprising vegan foods that can make you sick this summer
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sarah McLean, Lecturer in Environmental Health, Swinburne University of Technology Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock It’s a common myth that only food of animal origin, such as meat, seafood, eggs and dairy, can give you food poisoning. But many plant-based foods, such as burgers, ...3 hours ago
- Australians with disability are 4 times more likely to die early – often not due to their disabil...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yi Yang, Research Fellow, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne KieferPix/Shutterstock When Finlay Browne died at just 16 years old, “Down syndrome” was listed on his death certificate as a cause of death. But Finlay did ...3 hours ago
- Trusted partner to the Pacific, or giant fossil fuel exporter? This week, Australia chose the latter
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Wesley Morgan, Research Associate, Institute for Climate Risk and Response, UNSW Sydney The International Court of Justice International Court of Justice , CC BY-NC-ND Australia has long tried to be two things at once – a trusted friend to Pacific nations in ...3 hours ago
- Nelson City Council joins NZ local bodies voting to sanction Israel
Asia Pacific Report New Zealand’s Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA) has congratulated the Nelson City Council on its vote today to boycott companies which trade with illegal Israeli settlements in Palestinian territories. The city council (pop. 58,000) — New Zealand’s 15th-largest city — became the latest local body to change ...3 hours ago
- ‘Challenging’ to meet officer target by November 2025 – police
National and NZ First agreed to a two-year deadline in their coalition deal, but a year on, officer numbers have gone backwards. ...4 hours ago
- Trusted partner to the Pacific, or giant fossil fuel exporter? This week, Australia picked a side
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Wesley Morgan, Research Associate, Institute for Climate Risk and Response, UNSW Sydney The International Court of Justice International Court of Justice , CC BY-NC-ND Australia has long tried to be two things at once – a trusted friend to Pacific nations in ...4 hours ago
- Arts Project Australia gives us a small revolution: art reflecting back at us what it is to live in ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dominic Redfern, Associate Professor, School of Art, RMIT University Cathy Staughton, Untitled (after Luna Park Face Witche) 2024, Untitled (Roller Co aster Luna Park) 2012 and Luna Park Dragon 2012 installation view, Intimate Imaginaries, TarraWarra Museum of Art, 2024 Courtesy of ...4 hours ago
- ‘No apology’ from Ayesha Verrall after clash with Health Commissioner Lester Levy
The Labour MP accused Lester Levy of "cooking the books" during a Select Committee. ...4 hours ago
- The changes to research funding in Aotearoa, explained
The government has eliminated Marsden grants for humanities and social sciences. Shanti Mathias explains what Marsden grants are, and why the change has worried so many researchers. OK, so what’s the Marsden Fund? The Marsden Fund was established in the 1990s to provide contestable government funding for research in New ...5 hours ago - France’s government has fallen and political chaos has returned. Here are 3 scenarios for what cou...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Romain Fathi, Senior Lecturer, School of History, ANU / Chercheur Associé at the Centre d’Histoire de Sciences Po, Australian National University France’s minority government led by right-wing Prime Minister Michel Barnier has been ousted in a no-confidence vote, the latest shock to ...5 hours ago
- Many Australians do not like the way politics is reported. Here’s how it can improve
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Caroline Fisher, Associate Professor of Communication, University of Canberra If you are reading this article, then you are likely to be part of a minority of Australians who are highly interested in politics and political news. The Digital News Report: Australia ...5 hours ago
- Northern Marianas leaders meet Taiwan President Lai Ching-te in Guam
By Mark Rabago, RNZ Pacific Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas correspondent Northern Marianas Governor Arnold Palacios and Senator Celina Babauta have travelled to Guam to attend a luncheon with Taiwan President Lai Ching-te. Taiwan is officially known as the Republic of China (Taiwan). China claims Taiwan as its own territory, ...5 hours ago
- Scientists counted 49 ways Australia is destroying the ecosystems we hold dear – but there is hope
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Javiera Olivares-Rojas, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Monash University Shutterstock Australia’s ecosystems face an unprecedented crisis. From rainforests in the continent’s north to the alpine bogs and fens of the alps, ecosystems are being pushed towards collapse. Why? To date, the reasons for ...6 hours ago
- Trade Minister Toddy McClay to shoulder blame if no India free trade agreement by end of term
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has promised to secure a deal in the next two years. ...6 hours ago
- Trade Minister Todd McClay to shoulder blame if no India free trade agreement by end of term
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has promised to secure a deal in the next two years. ...6 hours ago
- French school among five new charter schools on way for 2025
A secondary school with a focus on the creative arts and a school providing immersion education in te re Māori are also on the list. ...7 hours ago
- What we thought about: Delirious by Damien Wilkins
Welcome to a new series in which two Spinoff writers read a book and then discuss what we thought about it. In this edition, Gabi Lardies and Claire Mabey discuss Delirious by Damien Wilkins (Te Herenga Waka University Press). Claire: Gabi, you’ve just finished Delirious: what was your ultimate, overall ...7 hours ago
- Prison bed capacity across the country to run out by June in worst-case scenario
In the worst scenario, we're only months away from hitting the limit, and expansions will be "absolutely critical", Corrections says. ...7 hours ago
- NZ school science results improve – but international testing highlights a stubborn socioeconomic ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cathy Buntting, Senior lecturer, School of Education, University of Waikato, University of Waikato The latest international test results have some good news for New Zealand primary school science teachers. The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) data show average ...7 hours ago
- Transport Agency to seek first partner for Northland Expressway in the New Year
SH1 Auckland to Whangārei will be four-lanes the whole way, built through three back-to-back PPPs. ...8 hours ago
- $130m million for upgrade Wellington rail substations
More frequent trains are on the cards for Wellington commuters, thanks to a government funding boost. ...8 hours ago
- What the fall of the French government means for New Caledonia
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk As French Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s government has fallen to a motion of no confidence just three months after coming to office, New Caledonia is among the major casualties of France’s ongoing political instability. New Caledonia’s post-riots situation was already difficult, ...8 hours ago
- Government reviewing Commerce Act and Commerce Commission to combat monopolies
MBIE has begun consultation on the review which could give the Commerce Act more power. ...8 hours ago
- ‘It’s the worst feeling’ – young New Zealanders regret their vaping addictions but feel unsu...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anna DeMello, Research Fellow in Public Health, University of Otago Getty Images Vaping rates among young people continue to be a major public health concern, both in Aotearoa New Zealand and elsewhere. New vape legislation currently before the health select ...9 hours ago
- Spotify Wrapped is about more than what songs you listen to – it’s about what makes you you
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kelvin (Shiu Fung) Wong, Senior Lecturer in Clinical Psychology, Swinburne University of Technology Chendongshan/Shutterstock Spotify has just released its 2024 Spotify Wrapped, the music streaming site’s annual presentation of each user’s yearly listening habits. It gives you a fun recap of ...9 hours ago
- National Government Continues To Punish People For Being Poor
This National government continues to gaslight those experiencing poverty and they're so clearly out of touch with what's happening on the frontline, it's disappointing, embarrassing and to be frank quite reckless. ...9 hours ago - Juliet Gerrard: Funding the whole pie
Humanities and social sciences research is no longer eligible for the Marsden Fund. It’s a tiny portion of our overall research funding, yet makes a massive impact – and without it, the pie starts to crumble, writes a former Marsden Fund chair. The frustrating thing about crazy ideas is that ...9 hours ago
- Government won’t buy overseas carbon credits to meet targets, Todd McClay says
The Government would more than a year's worth of the whole country's greenhouse gases short of meeting its international promises, by latest calculations. ...9 hours ago
- Farmers payout for 2,4,5-T herbicide exposure tip of the iceberg – lawyer says
There may be many more New Zealanders eligible for compensation, the lawyer for a farmer with terminal cancer who has been paid $160,000 says. ...10 hours ago
- From classroom to studio: How Mukpuddy’s Ryan Cooper made it in animation
Mukpuddy co-founder Ryan Cooper has been working in the animation industry for over 20 years. He shares his advice on staying competitive in the industry, what trends to look out for, and what he looks for when hiring people himself. The animation industry today is more diverse, creative, and far-reaching ...10 hours ago
- A ball-by-ball analysis of backyard cricket at the prime minister’s house
Christopher Luxon hosted the Black Caps and visiting English test team at Premier House earlier this week. Joel MacManus took extensive notes of every moment from the 30 reportable minutes. On Tuesday evening, prime minister Christopher Luxon welcomed the New Zealand and England men’s teams to Premier House ahead of ...10 hours ago
- Ministry of Disabled People fronts to MPs about funding challenges
Whaikaha's chief executive told MPs the way its funding problem had been handled "will not happen again". ...11 hours ago
- Help Me Hera: I watched Past Lives and now I can’t stop thinking about an old friend
We’re both in happy relationships with other people now. Is it insane to reminisce about the time we secretly, almost, maybe fell in love? Want Hera’s help? Email your problem to helpme@thespinoff.co.nz Dear Hera, Many years ago, a platonic relationship with a friend came close to becoming a romantic one. The timing was ...12 hours ago
- Government moves to restrict foresty on farmland will hamper climate efforts – Foresty Owners ...
The Forestry Owners Association says they're trying to fix a problem that doesn't exist and are using a blunt tool to do so. ...12 hours ago
- Chatbots won’t help anyone make weapons of mass destruction. But other AI systems just might
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Heslop, Associate Professor of Population Health, UNSW Sydney Cybermagician / Shutterstock Over the past two years, we have seen much written about the “promise and peril” of artificial intelligence (AI). Some have suggested AI systems might aid in the construction ...12 hours ago
- Social media platforms are throttling access to news – with far-reaching implications for democrac...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cameron McTernan, Lecturer of Media and Communication, University of South Australia Evgenii Panov/Shutterstock Just days out from the United States presidential election last month, X (formerly Twitter) suddenly crippled the ability of many major media and political organisations to reach audiences ...12 hours ago
- NZ is consulting the public on regulations for puberty blockers – this should be a medical decisio...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rona Carroll, Senior Lecturer, Department of Primary Health Care and General Practice, University of Otago Getty Images The growing politicisation and rise in misinformation about the use of puberty blockers for gender-affirming healthcare has resulted in bans and restrictions internationally. New ...12 hours ago
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