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Good as gold
Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 3:44 pm, February 22nd, 2025
A fascinating expose from Michael Hudson on the causes and implications of the recent rise in the price of gold. When Nixon took the US dollar off the standard in 1971 you could get an ounce for $35. Not now; Hudson explains why. There are a couple of ...
Categories: Debt, debt / deficit, defence, Disarmament, education, Financial markets, health, Judith Collins, monetary policy, Peace, Russia, Ukraine, wages, war
Tags:Comment: “As long as it takes”
Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 7:03 pm, February 14th, 2025
@ ResPublica There is a lot of history rewriting that is about to go on now that defeat is finally in the air. Just to take a couple of things: Ukraine is not an actual functioning democracy. Their Parliament is prorogued and elections deferred ...Comment: “As long as it takes”
Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 12:07 pm, February 14th, 2025
Thanks everyone for all the comments. The point of my post was to say that it is now absolutely clear that the call for the defeat of Russia, including by Hipkins a couple of years ago, was always a mirage. The main sufferers were the Ukrainians dragged ...
“As long as it takes”
Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 3:36 pm, February 13th, 2025
Well it didn't take that long: from one SecDef to another in a matter of a month. It's time for a rethink on Ukraine and much else. Former US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin didn't just say the US would support Ukraine "as long as it takes" once; he ...
Categories: China, defence, Disarmament, Europe, Pacific, Peace, Russia, uk politics, Ukraine, United Nations, us politics, war, Zelensky
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Is Luxon on a roll?
Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 10:12 pm, December 18th, 2024
Or about to be rolled? Word has it that Chris Bishop is waiting in the wings, as Luxon's favourability rating drops below Hipkins. Bishop is an inveterate plotter, although his last effort with Nicola Willis to dump Simon Bridges in favour of Todd Muller ...
Categories: chris bishop, chris hipkins, Christopher Luxon, leadership, national, nicola willis, polls, same old national, todd muller
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Police private trip to China – who to believe?
Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 11:07 pm, December 16th, 2024
The Police say it was a private trip to learn about Chinese culture, presumably because it would help their work here. Andrew Little and Anne-Marie Brady without any evidence gave it a sinister cast. the Police account was that the trip was private, where ...
Categories: China, culture, Diplomacy, FiveEyes, police, uncategorized
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Maire Leadbeater “The Enemy Within”
Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 4:13 pm, December 7th, 2024
The Enemy Within Maire Leadbeater, Potton and Burton, Nelson, 2024 With extensive use of internal documents, Maire Leadbeater’s excellent exposition of the various iterations of the security intelligence services tells a story of constant make-work in ...
Categories: China, defence, FiveEyes, nuclear war, nuclear-free, Peace, Russia, us politics, war
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Anti-Muslim, anti-black, pro-Zionist: UK Labour goes for purge
Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 4:44 am, June 2nd, 2024
I attended Faiza Shaheen’s impressive candidate launch in Chingford four years ago. She aimed to take on IDS and she dented his majority. Reselected two years ago by the local Labour Party, four days ago she was deselected by a 3-person kangaroo court ...
Categories: Abuse of power, campaigning, culture, democratic participation, discrimination, inequality, Left, uk politics
Tags: Diane Abbott,Faiza Shaheen,keir starmer,uk labour
Bonnie Jenkins: US ignores China proposal for no-first-use of nukes
Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 5:47 am, May 19th, 2024
Questioned by Maryland Senator Van Hollen regarding US response to China's February 2024 offer of no-first-use, Assistant Secretary Bonnie Jenkins In testimony to the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee said the US would have to think about it, but at ...
Categories: AUKUS, China, defence, Diplomacy, Disarmament, Pacific, Peace, us politics
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Uber Drivers in Court of Appeal
Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 2:24 pm, March 19th, 2024
Uber Drivers are in the Court of Appeal today. Uber is appealing against Employment Court decision they they are employees with worker rights. Its a no-brainer, so they are and should have them. John Campbell covered the issues well in this 1News story ...
Categories: class, discrimination, employment, human rights, jobs, law, Unions, wages, workers' rights
Tags:Comment: “Deliberate nuclear use
Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 9:40 pm, March 10th, 2024
I have many American friends who like me believe in cooperation rather than competition and peace rather than war, and who oppose anyone or any institution that advocates deliberate first use of nuclear weapons.
“Deliberate nuclear use
Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 10:38 am, March 9th, 2024
in a war over Taiwan" is the title of an Atlantic Council paper produced last September. They mean nuclear weapons use. These are serious people; Undersecretary Bonnie Jenkins addressed them last year about AUKUS. The Atlantic Council paper's conclusion ...
Categories: AUKUS, gaza, Judith Collins, uncategorized, us politics
Tags:Comment: USUKAs
Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 3:19 pm, March 4th, 2024
For a balanced view on China, it's worth having a listen to New Zealander David Mahon. He has lived there for nigh on forty years.Comment: USUKAs
Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 3:14 pm, March 4th, 2024
That's another Mike Smith - there are lots of us. I agree he has done a brilliant job
USUKAs
Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 8:21 pm, March 3rd, 2024
US Undersecretary of State Bonnie Jenkins is in Wellington this week with a hard sell for us on a promise of AUKUS Pillar 2 wunderwaffen maybes. The US's real intent is to tie us to their wheel for the next fifty years. We should say tai hoa. China is the ...
Categories: AUKUS, australian politics, China, defence, don brash, helen clark, jobs, Judith Collins, Pacific, Peace, tech industry, Ukraine, winston peters
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Where Oz goes, we go? To war with China?
Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 9:28 pm, February 17th, 2024
Testifying to the Defence Select Committee last week, Air Marshal Short said Australia was "reshaping" its Defence Force for "a singular threat from a singular direction." This was described as being an oblique reference to China. AM Short went on to say: ...
Categories: AUKUS, australian politics, China, defence, Diplomacy, Pacific, Peace, us politics
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A sad lament from the serial left
Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 10:39 pm, February 13th, 2024
Attacking leftists attempts to expose the Atlas Network of right-wing think tanks, Chris Trotter offers this gem “Morally speaking, is taking money from oil companies really all that distinguishable from giving money to oil companies every time we fill up ...
Categories: act, climate change, community democracy, Conservation, democracy under attack, democratic participation, global warming, journalism, labour, Left, Propaganda, taxpayers union, thinktank, us politics
Tags:Comment: Should America elect a well intentioned but hapless President or an evil and dangerous President?
Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 12:58 pm, February 11th, 2024
the US is not a democracy, it's a gerontocratic, oligarchic plutocracy.Comment: Should America elect a well intentioned but hapless President or an evil and dangerous President?
Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 12:37 pm, February 11th, 2024
Lee Siegel has an excoriating piece on Biden and Trump in the New Statesman. Far from being the embodiment of stable and stabilising American values, Biden is the hologram president – a fabricated mirage of American idealism and strength. Postmodern Trump, ...Comment: Ratana and The Treaty of Waitangi
Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 3:23 pm, February 7th, 2024
@ Binders It was a very good thesis. I would encourage you to read it. It is in the Victoria University Library.
Ratana and The Treaty of Waitangi
Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 5:25 pm, February 6th, 2024
"My understanding is a guy came out as a prophet of his own religious movement in the 1870s. And politicians feel a strange obligation to be there every year. I've never felt that." David Seymour is shallow as a birdbath. With the Bible in one hand and ...
Categories: Culture wars, david seymour, history, labour, Maori Issues, Maori seats, Parliament
Tags:Comment: Which party are “we” bringing food to, Judith?
Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 11:56 am, February 6th, 2024
Oh for God's sakes this is patronising crap. Leftist peace activists and I happily count myself one do read history, lots of it. We also read maps, and primary sources from all sides. And we are not unaware of military capability, with so many examples of ...Comment: Which party are “we” bringing food to, Judith?
Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 10:34 pm, February 2nd, 2024
That's precisely the point - we are being forced to pick a side. That means we do not have an independent foreign policy. Like most of the rest of the Asia Pacific, we would rather not have to do so. And for the US, AUKUS has other benefits besides ...Comment: Which party are “we” bringing food to, Judith?
Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 10:16 pm, February 2nd, 2024
US Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland has just been in Kyiv in the last few days. The Kyiv Independent reported: U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland arrived in Kyiv on Jan. 31, said U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget ...Which party are “we” bringing food to, Judith?
Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 3:10 pm, February 2nd, 2024
War with China? Or cocktails with the Colonels? I haven't got the invitations, but I'm a no for both. Speaking to Radio New Zealand about the prospect of New Zealand joining the AUKUS nuclear submarine-related deal, Defence Minister Judith Collins said: ...
Categories: uncategorized
Tags:Comment: Operation Poseidon Archer
Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 4:19 pm, January 26th, 2024
The Iraqis have formally asked the US to leave now. Trump didn't get the US out of Syria - remember "we took the oil." They are still there as invaders and occupiers in an illegal operation in eastern Syria, still taking the oil.
Operation Poseidon Archer
Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 12:38 pm, January 25th, 2024
CNN reports that the US has named the ongoing operation against Houthi in Yemen “Operation Poseidon Archer, suggesting a more organized and potentially long-term approach." New Zealand has joined it - cue the slippery slope. New Zealand is sending six ...
Categories: defence, FiveEyes, Free Trade, gaza, israel, Peace, us politics, war
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Not all Americans are Neocons
Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 1:13 pm, January 13th, 2024
But the ones that run US foreign policy are. Matthew Hooton in a typical smear wants to label Helen Clark as anti-American because she warned that involving us in attacking Houthis was a ''slippery slope." She's not and he's wrong. And the downward run has ...
Categories: exports, Free Trade, gaza, helen clark, Jeremy Corbyn, Peace, Peace, trade, us politics, war
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Genocide in Gaza
Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 8:49 pm, January 7th, 2024
South Africa has taken a case that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza to the International Court of Justice. A group of prominent New Zealand lawyers have asked the New Zealand Government to join South Africa in support of their application. I think we ...
Categories: Christopher Luxon, gaza, israel, Joe Biden, Judith Collins, law, Palestine, Peace, Ukraine, winston peters, Zionism
Tags:Comment: Atlas smirked
Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 5:36 pm, January 7th, 2024
Fantastic post Mickey. I agree with Anne; a very important piece of work.
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- Unity is the answer to Europe’s defence woes
US President Donald Trump’s hostile regime has finally forced Europe to wake up. With US officials calling into question the transatlantic alliance, Germany’s incoming chancellor, Friedrich Merz, recently persuaded lawmakers to revise the country’s debt ...10 hours ago - Australian politics needs clearer national security boundaries
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- Government must act decisively and ban engineered stone
The NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi have reiterated their call for Government to protect workers by banning engineered stone in a submission on MBIE’s silica dust consultation. “If Brooke van Velden is genuine when she calls for an evidence-based approach to this issue, then she must support a full ban on ...16 hours ago - Tuesday 18 March
The Labour Inspectorate could soon be knocking on the door of hundreds of businesses nation-wide, as it launches a major crackdown on those not abiding by the law. NorthTec staff are on edge as Northland’s leading polytechnic proposes to stop 11 programmes across primary industries, forestry, and construction. Union coverage ...17 hours ago
- First-person view drones: transitioning from sport to battle
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- ‘There are no exemptions. Just eat it.’
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What've I gotta do to make you love me?What've I gotta do to make you care?What do I do when lightning strikes me?And I wake up and find that you're not thereWhat've I gotta do to make you want me?Mmm hmm, what've I gotta do to be heard?What do I ...20 hours ago- Bernard’s Pick ‘n’ Mix at 6am on Tuesday, March 18
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Employers, unions and health and safety advocates are calling for engineered stone to be banned, a day before consultation on regulations closes. On Friday the PSA lodged a pay equity claim for library assistants with the Employment Relations Authority, after the stalling of a claim lodged with six councils in ...2 days ago- Luxon announces start of India trade deal talks
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The podcast above of the weekly ‘Hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers on Thursday night features co-hosts & talking about the week’s news with regular and special guests, including: on the week in geopolitics, including Donald Trump’s wrecking of the post-WW II political landscape; andHealth Coalition Aotearoa co-chair Lisa ...5 days ago- Bernard’s pick n’ mix at 6am for Friday, March 14
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A ballot for a single Member's Bill was held today, and the following bill was drawn: Resource Management (Prohibition on Extraction of Freshwater for On-selling) Amendment Bill (Debbie Ngarewa-Packer) The bill does exactly what it says on the label, and would effectively end the rapacious water-bottling industry ...6 days ago- Fabian Fundraiser – Twilight Time
Twilight Time Lighthouse Cuba, Wigan Street, Wellington, Sunday 6 April, 5:30pm for 6pm start. Twilight Time looks at the life and work of Desmond Ball, (1947-2016), a barefooted academic from ‘down under’ who was hailed by Jimmy Carter as “the man who saved the world”, as he proved the fallacy ...6 days ago- It’s time to rethink foreign aid
Foreign aid is being slashed across the Global North, nowhere more so than in the United States. Within his first month back in the White House, President Donald Trump dismantled the US Agency for International ...6 days ago- Thursday 13 March
Nicola Willis has proposed new procurement rules that unions say will lead to pay cuts for already low-paid workers in cleaning, catering and security services that are contracted by government. The Crimes (Theft by Employer) Amendment Bill passed its third reading with support from all the opposition parties and NZ ...6 days ago- Personal Link: The Cool One is Gone.
Most KP readers will not know that I was a jazz DJ in Chicago and Washington DC while in grad school in the early and mid 1980s. In DC I joined WPFW as a grave shift host, then a morning drive show host (a show called Sui Generis, both for ...6 days ago- Who Are You?
Who are you?Who, who, who, who?Who are you?Songwriter: Peter Townshend. Read more ...6 days ago- IMF calls for Capital Gains Tax or land tax
Long stories shortest: The IMF says a capital gains tax or land tax would improve real economic growth and fix the budget. GDP is set to be smaller by 2026 than it was in 2023. Compass is flying in school lunches from Australia. 53% of National voters say the new ...6 days ago- 5 Reasons Labour Are Doing Well
Last year in October I wrote “Where’s The Opposition?”. I was exasperated at the relative quiet of the Green Party, Labour and Te Pati Māori (TPM), as the National led Coalition ticked off a full bingo card of the Atlas Network playbook.1To be fair, TPM helped to energise one of ...6 days ago- Visualizing daily global temperatures
This is a re-post from The Climate Brink Good data visualizations can help make climate change more visceral and understandable. Back in 2016 Ed Hawkins published a “climate spiral” graph that ended up being pretty iconic – it was shown at the opening ceremony of the Olympics that year – and ...6 days ago- How Russia will reassess its ties with North Korea after Ukraine
An agreement to end the war in Ukraine could transform Russia’s relations with North Korea. Moscow is unlikely to reduce its cooperation with Pyongyang to pre-2022 levels, but it may become more selective about areas ...6 days ago- Government’s Investment Summit
This week, the Government is hosting a grand event aimed at trying to interest big foreign capital players in financing capital works in New Zealand, particularly its big rural motorway programme. Financing vs funding: a quick explainer The key word in the sentence above is financing. It is important ...6 days ago- Gordon Campbell On Winston Peters’ Battle Against The Phantom Legions Of The Woke
In a month’s time, the Right Honourable Winston Peters will be celebrating his 80th birthday. Good for him. On the evidence though, his current war on “wokeness” looks like an old man’s cranky complaint that the ancient virtues of grit and know-how are sadly lacking in the youth of today. ...6 days ago- Haul from the 2025 Regent Booksale
As noted, early March has been about moving house, and I have had little chance to partake in all things internet. But now that everything is more or less sorted, I can finally give a belated report on my visit to the annual Regent Booksale (28th February and 1st March). ...6 days ago- The threat spectrum
Information operations Australia has banned cybersecurity software Kaspersky from government use because of risks of espionage, foreign interference and sabotage. The Department of Home Affairs said use of Kaspersky products posed an unacceptable security ...6 days ago- My life as a dog
6 days ago- Understanding ’ndrangheta operations in Australia
The ’ndrangheta, the Calabrian mafia, plays a significant role in the global cocaine trade and is deeply entrenched in Australia, influencing the cocaine trade and engaging in a variety of illicit activities. A range of ...6 days ago - A Palate Cleanser
- 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. ...16 hours 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. ...16 hours 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, ...1 day 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. ...3 days 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. ...4 days 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. ...4 days ago
- Release: Auckland needs second harbour crossing
Labour supports Minister Chris Bishop’s call for input on the second Waitematā Harbour crossing. ...5 days 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. ...5 days 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. ...5 days 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. ...5 days 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. ...6 days 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. ...6 days 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. ...7 days 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. ...7 days 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. ...7 days 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. ...7 days 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. ...1 week ago
- 20 Years of Success Down the Drain: Govt Gut Whānau Ora
Te Pāti Māori extends our deepest aroha to the 500 plus Whānau Ora workers who have been advised today that the govt will be dismantling their contracts. For twenty years , Whānau Ora has been helping families, delivering life-changing support through a kaupapa Māori approach. It has built trust where ...2 weeks ago
- Green Party launches petition to allow Pacific whānau visa-free access
The Green Party is launching a petition calling on the Government to extend visa-free travel to visitors from Pacific Island nations. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour welcomes reinstatement of Heath NZ board
Labour welcomes Simeon Brown’s move to reinstate a board at Health New Zealand, bringing the destructive and secretive tenure of commissioner Lester Levy to an end. ...2 weeks ago
- NZ’s Public Health system dealt yet another blow
This morning’s announcement by the Health Minister regarding a major overhaul of the public health sector levels yet another blow to the country’s essential services. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Chris Hipkins’ State of the Nation address
Ngā mihi ki a koutou katoa It is a great pleasure to be here with you this morning. ...2 weeks ago
- NZ First Introduces Bill to Remove Woke ‘DEI’ Regulations from Public Service
New Zealand First has introduced a Member’s Bill that will ensure employment decisions in the public service are based on merit and not on forced woke ‘Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion’ targets. “This Bill would put an end to the woke left-wing social engineering and diversity targets in the public sector. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour outlines priorities of next Govt
The next Labour Government will prioritise jobs, health and homes so Kiwis and Kiwi businesses have the opportunity to thrive. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Refreshed team to drive Labour’s 2026 priorities
Labour leader Chris Hipkins has unveiled a new economic team as part of a caucus reshuffle. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour calls for end to police referrals to Destiny programmes
Police have referred 20 offenders to Destiny Church-affiliated programmes Man Up and Legacy as ‘wellness providers’ in the last year, raising concerns that those seeking help are being recruited into a harmful organisation. ...2 weeks ago
- Good Riddance: Prebble Resigns from Waitangi Tribunal
Te Pāti Māori welcomes the resignation of Richard Prebble from the Waitangi Tribunal. His appointment in October 2024 was a disgrace- another example of this government undermining Te Tiriti o Waitangi by appointing a former ACT leader who has spent his career attacking Māori rights. “Regardless of the reason for ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour calls on Govt to condemn Israel’s aid blockade
The National Government needs to publicly condemn Israel’s cutting off of aid supplies to the war-ravaged people of Gaza. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Mark Mitchell missing in action
Police Minister Mark Mitchell is avoiding accountability by refusing to answer key questions in the House as his Government faces criticism over their dangerous citizen’s arrest policy, firearm reform, and broken promises to recruit more police. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Fewer houses, consents down under National
The number of building consents issued under this Government continues to spiral, taking a toll on the infrastructure sector, tradies, and future generations of Kiwi homeowners. ...2 weeks ago
- Govt urged to rule out any involvement in AUKUS
The Green Party is calling on the Prime Minister to rule out joining the AUKUS military pact in any capacity following the scenes in the White House over the weekend. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: PSA survey proves Govt’s cuts are hurting patients
The National Government’s decision to cut jobs and freeze recruitment of health care workers is hurting frontline services and harming patients. ...2 weeks ago
- Government levels another blow at kaupapa Māori education
The Green Party is appalled by the Government’s plan to disestablish Resource Teachers of Māori (RTM) roles, a move that takes another swing at kaupapa Māori education. ...3 weeks ago
- Release: Labour PR: More clarity needed for homebuyers
The Government’s levies announcement is a step in the right direction, but they must be upfront about who will pay its new infrastructure levies and ensure that first-home buyers are protected from hidden costs. ...3 weeks ago
- Release: More clarity needed for homebuyers
The Government’s levies announcement is a step in the right direction, but they must be upfront about who will pay its new infrastructure levies and ensure that first-home buyers are protected from hidden costs. ...3 weeks ago
- Greens welcome pause of works at Lake Rotokākahi and call for council to work constructively with m...
After months of mana whenua protecting their wāhi tapu, the Green Party welcomes the pause of works at Lake Rotokākahi and calls for the Rotorua Lakes Council to work constructively with Tūhourangi and Ngāti Tumatawera on the pathway forward. ...3 weeks ago
- The week in review
New Zealand First continues to bring balance, experience, and commonsense to Government. This week we've made progress on many of our promises to New Zealand. Winston representing New Zealand Winston Peters is overseas this week, with stops across the Middle East and North Asia. Winston's stops include Saudi Arabia, the ...3 weeks ago
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- Government has work to do to build trust on gene tech bill
Opinion: I was too young to remember, but when my father heard I was researching public opinions on gene technologies, he recalled a television interview that became known as ‘Corngate’. John Campbell put the then-Prime Minister Helen Clark on the spot about the suspected release of genetically modified corn seed, ...2 hours ago - View from The Hill: Dutton’s talk about a citizenship referendum is personal over-reach and politi...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Peter Dutton, when he gets on his favoured ground of security, too often goes for the quick hit, and frequently over-reaches. His suggestion of running a possible referendum to facilitate the removal of bad ...5 hours ago - The Israel-Hamas ceasefire didn’t resolve any deep-seated issues. Now, it’s shattered
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marika Sosnowski, Postdoctoral research fellow, The University of Melbourne When a ceasefire in the war between Hamas and Israel finally came into effect on January 19, the world breathed a collective sigh of relief. However, that ceasefire agreement, and its associated ...6 hours ago
- The Israel-Hamas ceasefire didn’t resolve any deep-seated issues. Now, it appears to be shattered
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marika Sosnowski, Postdoctoral research fellow, The University of Melbourne When a ceasefire in the war between Hamas and Israel finally came into effect on January 19, the world breathed a collective sigh of relief. However, that ceasefire agreement, and its associated ...7 hours ago
- The Israel-Hamas ceasefire failed to resolve many deep-seated issues. Now, it appears to be shattere...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marika Sosnowski, Postdoctoral research fellow, The University of Melbourne When a ceasefire in the war between Hamas and Israel finally came into effect on January 19, the world breathed a collective sigh of relief. However, that ceasefire agreement, and its associated ...7 hours ago
- Treasurer Chalmers promises ‘meaningful and substantial’ cost of living help in Tuesday’s budg...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Next week’s budget will have cost-of-living assistance that will be meaningful and substantial but “responsible”, Treasurer Jim Chalmers has said. In a Tuesday speech framing the budget Chalmers said, “it will be a responsible ...7 hours ago
- Politics with Michelle Grattan: Barbara Pocock on the Greens’ policy priorities
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The Greens have heaped a lot of pressure on the government during this term, from issues of the environment, housing, and Medicare, to the war in the Middle East. With the polls close to a ...7 hours ago
- Amid claims of abuse, neglect and poor standards, what is going wrong with childcare in Australia?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gabrielle Meagher, Professor Emerita, School of Society, Communication and Culture, Macquarie University On Monday, an ABC’s Four Corners investigation reported shocking cases of abuse and neglect in Australian childcare centres. This included examples of children being sexually abused, restrained for hours in ...7 hours ago
- Catholic priest calls PNG’s Christian state declaration ‘cosmetic’ change
By Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific journalist Papua New Guinea being declared a Christian nation may offer the impression that the country will improve, but it is only “an illusion”, according to a Catholic priest in the country. Last week, the PNG Parliament amended the nation’s constitution, introducing a declaration in ...7 hours ago
- PSNA calls on NZ govt to condemn renewed Israel air strikes on Gaza – 230 killed
Asia Pacific Report A national Palestinian advocacy group has called on the Aotearoa New Zealand government to immediately condemn Israel for its resumption today of “genocidal attacks” on the almost 2 million Palestinians trapped in the besieged Gaza enclave. Media reports said that more than 230 people had been killed ...8 hours ago
- Americans can’t stop Aussie kickers on college football fields – so they’re trying in court
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adam Cohen, Senior Lecturer, University of Technology Sydney The National Rugby League has recently made headlines for trying to crack the American sporting landscape by hosting matches in Las Vegas. But the NRL’s great rival, the Australian Football League (AFL), has been ...9 hours ago
- Renewables are cheap. So why isn’t your power bill falling?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tony Wood, Program Director, Energy, Grattan Institute Steve Tritton/Shutterstock Power prices are set to go up again even though renewables now account for 40% of the electricity in Australia’s main grid – close to quadruple the clean power we had just 15 ...9 hours ago
- The next round in the US trade war has the potential to be more damaging for Australia
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Felicity Deane, Professor of Trade Law, Taxation and Climate Change, Queensland University of Technology Slladkaya/Shutterstock On April 2 the United States is set to implement a new wave of tariffs under its Fair and Reciprocal Trade Plan. Details of the plan ...9 hours ago
- After a century of Monday to Friday, could the 4-day week finally be coming to Australia?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John L. Hopkins, Associate Professor of Management, Swinburne University of Technology The reality of shorter working hours could be one step closer for many Australians, pending the outcome of the federal election. The Greens, who could control crucial cross bench votes in ...10 hours ago
- Here’s what’s different about Slinda, the single-hormone contraceptive just added to the PBS
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nial Wheate, Professor, School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University areeya_ann/Shutterstock From May 1, the oral contraceptive Slinda (drospirerone) will be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). This means the price will drop for the more than 100,000 Australian women who ...11 hours ago
- ‘I felt like I was the one in trouble.’ Collecting evidence after sexual assault can be scary fo...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Caroline Whitehouse, PhD Candidate, School of Psychology & Public Health, La Trobe University Kaboompics.com/Pexels The 72 hours after the sexual assault of a child can be a crucial window for police to collect biological evidence and document signs of bruising or ...12 hours ago
- REVEALED: KiwiRail Painting Over Failure With $87,000 Kitty-Cat And Cultural Murals
Taxpayers’ Union Investigations Coordinator Rhys Hurley said: “Wellington commuters should be fur-ious that KiwiRail is prioritising feel-good pet projects while services go to the dogs.” ...12 hours ago - Keith Rankin Analysis – Geopolitical fractures, and untidy yet workable solutions
Analysis by Keith Rankin. Keith Rankin, trained as an economic historian, is a retired lecturer in Economics and Statistics. He lives in Auckland, New Zealand. As most of us appreciate, there is a whole geopolitical world that overlays the formal political world of about 200 ‘nation states’ (aka ‘polities’). Geopolitical ...12 hours ago
- ‘Another Tax Grab’ – Wellington’s Airbnb Rates Bump
“It’s an excuse to get more out of ratepayers” said Sam Warren, the Local Government Manager for the Taxpayers’ Union. ...12 hours ago
- Opinion-Analysis by Keith Rankin – Invoking Munich, ‘Appeasement’, and the ‘Lessons of Histo...
Opinion-Analysis – by Keith Rankin. Keith Rankin, trained as an economic historian, is a retired lecturer in Economics and Statistics. He lives in Auckland, New Zealand. Former ambassador Phil Goff is the latest (so far) and (probably) the least of many ‘statesmen’ who have invoked Munich and the ‘resolute’ Winston ...12 hours ago
- Internal Affairs Gutted Again With Govt Planning To Cut 133 Roles
Staff were told today of the latest proposed job cuts which could result in the net loss of 64 permanent roles, plus 69 fixed term roles which are not being renewed beyond 1 September, for a total reduction of 133 roles. These are spread across all ...13 hours ago
- Why do plastic containers always come out wet from the dishwasher? Science has the answer
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kamil Zuber, Senior Industry Research Fellow, Future Industries Institute, University of South Australia ShowRecMedia/Shutterstock It’s annoying to open your dishwasher after the cycle is finished only to find half of the dishes still wet. Instead of being able to stack them ...13 hours ago
- NZ has no dedicated database to track losses from weather disasters – without it, we’re planning...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ilan Noy, Chair in the Economics of Disasters and Climate Change, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington STR/AFP via Getty Images Following the Trump administration’s abrupt cuts to USAID funding last month, the online international disaster database EM-DAT (normally ...13 hours ago
- The Removalists remains a brutal commentary on Australian masculinity. This new production treats wo...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Denise Varney, Professor of Theatre Studies, The University of Melbourne Pia Johnson/MTC The Removalists was first performed in 1971 at La Mama Theatre, Carlton, by the Australian Performing Group, an ensemble of young graduates, artists and friends. A beacon of the ...13 hours ago
- Side hustles to small business: How to make a ‘patchwork career’ work
Whether by choice or circumstance, a growing number of people are leaving ‘real jobs’ for more flexible modes of employment. Frances Cook spoke to one such self-employed slashie about how she’s made it work for her. Beth Vickers never planned to run her own business. She had a solid, stable career, ...14 hours ago - Rangitāne O Wairau Slams Government’s Water Services Bill As An Attack On Local Decision-Making A...
Corey Hebberd, Kaiwhakahaere Matua of Rangitāne o Wairau, presented to the Finance and Expenditure Select Committee today, outlining the Bill’s serious failings and the devastating impact it will have on iwi, councils, and communities, with a particular ...14 hours ago
- Poverty Is No Joke: April 1st Rallies Demand A Living Wage
Every worker deserves a wage they can live on. That remains out of reach for many. On April 1st, the minimum wage will rise by just 35 cents. This is effectively a pay cut for thousands of workers as it is a below inflation adjustment. ...14 hours ago
- Ukraine critical for New Zealand in Rubio meeting – Patman
The US forcing Ukraine into a peace deal that favours Putin would set a disastrous precedent "unacceptable" to New Zealand, an international relations expert says. ...15 hours ago - In siding with Russia over Ukraine, Trump is not putting America first. He is hastening its decline
ANALYSIS: By Matthew Sussex, Australian National University Has any nation squandered its diplomatic capital, plundered its own political system, attacked its partners and supplicated itself before its far weaker enemies as rapidly and brazenly as Donald Trump’s America? The fiery Oval Office meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky ...15 hours ago
- ‘Don’t settle for crumbs’: Meet the people who found love later in life
In the final episode of Bryn & Ku’s Singles Club, the pair travel to Thames to get some wisdom from those who have been on the dating scene since long before they were born. Bryn & Ku’s Singles Club is a new documentary series for The Spinoff following ...16 hours ago
- Homegrown 2025 review: More than just a Shihad farewell gig
16 hours ago
- Free press under threat in US – Columbia J-School speaks out
Columbia Journalism School Freedom of the press — a bedrock principle of American democracy — is under threat in the United States. Here at Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism we are witnessing and experiencing an alarming chill. We write to affirm our commitment to supporting and exercising First Amendment ...16 hours ago
- EV curious? What new drivers need to know
There may be a lot of acronyms, but caring for an electric vehicle, and getting the most out of it, can be very simple. You’ve brought home a shiny new treat. It’s got two darling little ears, four rubbery feet, multiple glowing eyes and oh! – no tail at the ...17 hours ago
- The Māori economy is more diverse and wealthier than ever
A new report suggests a focus on export industries will provide the best opportunity for growth in an expanding Māori economy. The Māori economy is at a turning point, with rapid growth, a diversifying asset base and untapped export potential creating new opportunities. But despite nearly doubling in five years ...17 hours ago
- Govt Must Act Decisively And Ban Engineered Stone
“If Brooke van Velden is genuine when she calls for an evidence-based approach to this issue, then she must support a full ban on engineered stone products,” said NZCTU President Richard Wagstaff. ...18 hours ago
- No decisions expected on US aid changes for Pacific until April
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters says the US will not make any decisions on aid funding for the Pacific region until mid-April. ...18 hours ago
- The cost of being: An unemployed 31-year-old who wishes he could afford good food
As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a ‘broke’ volunteer and former policy adviser explains how he gets by. Want to be part of The Cost of Being? Fill out the questionnaire here. Gender: Man. Age: 31. Ethnicity: Mixed ethnicity. Role: Unemployed (ex-policy ...19 hours ago
- US and India leaders want NZ to step up on security
Luxon commits to ‘scaling up’ NZ’s defence resources and cooperation The post US and India leaders want NZ to step up on security appeared first on Newsroom. ...19 hours ago
- ACT looks to stand candidates in local elections for first time
Seymour is expected to call for a "cleanout" of councils which he says have missed the memo for "real change" that New Zealanders voted for. ...19 hours ago
- Less than 1% of the world’s biggest radio telescope is complete – but its first image reveals a ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Randall Wayth, SKA-Low Senior Commissioning Scientist and Adjunct Associate Professor, Curtin Institute of Radio Astronomy, Curtin University The first image from an early working version of the SKA-Low telescope, showing around 85 galaxies. SKAO Part of the world’s biggest mega-science facility – ...19 hours ago
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