A few random predictions for 2022
Written By:
- Date published:
11:30 am, January 1st, 2022 - 117 comments
Categories: australian politics, boris johnson, climate change, jacinda ardern, labour, national, uk politics, uncategorized -
Tags:
Happy new year everyone.
A few random predictions for this year …
- Auckland Council, New Zealand and the world will continue to dither about climate change. We are running out of time. The world is full of good intentions but the only thing that matters is actually reducing CO2 and Methane emissions. A prediction and a somber one, this year the world will not get close to meeting agreed greenhouse gas emission goals.
- Omicron COVID will hit New Zealand some time during the year. Our vaccination response will continue to be impressive and will mean that we are preserved the worst of its effects. ANd another prediction, the country will hit 90% booster coverage by August.
- Chris Bishop and National will continue to claim that we need to loosen MIQ while blaming Labour for every time an individual Public Servant makes a slight mistake.
- National will have a relatively stable year with no leadership challenges and leaking will reduce to levels that allow for the continuation of rosy media relationships and no more.
- Labour’a polling will increase as Kiwis realise that the response to COVID continues to be strong. National’s support will improve at the cost of ACT’s support. The Greens’ support will remain stable. New Zealand First will continue to threaten the margin of error.
- Jacinda Arden will marry Clarke Gayford. Current arrangements suggest that electoral considerations are not the primary concern. The right will go to town on the event however and attempt to reduce its effect.
- In Auckland Phil Goff will not seek re-election as Mayor and open up an intense process for selection of the progressive candidate for his successor. David Shearer’s name has been floated with a couple of recent media puff pieces about him. I suspect the polling will not be helpful. If this is not done correctly and the best candidate not selected the right could win the Mayoralty and this would be a disaster for the city.
- In Australia Scomo will lose the election this year and Anthony Albanese and Labor will succeed. Scomo’s reign will hapefully be over. But Labor will not have a comprehensive plan to address climate change and mining magnates will continue to exercise far too much power.
- In England Boris Johnson will continue to stumble from self inflicted wound to self inflicted wound. Labour’s recent rise in the opinion polls will hold steady, not out of a sense of excitement but because too many Britons realise what a total cluster Boris is.
Feel free to contribute predictions in the comments. A chocolate fish will be awarded to the most outlandish prediction that proves to be correct.
117 comments on “A few random predictions for 2022 ”
- Comments are now closed
- Comments are now closed
Recent Comments
- DAVID FARRAR: Hysterical bullshit
Radio NZ reports: Te Pāti Māori’s co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer has accused the new government of “deliberate .. systemic genocide” over its policies to roll back the smokefree policy and the Māori Health Authority. The left love hysterical language. If you oppose racial quotas in laws, you are a racist. And now if you sack ...2 hours ago - ELE LUDEMANN: It wasn’t just $55 millionEle Ludemann writes – Winston Peters reckons media outlets were bribed by the $55 million Public Interest Journalism Fund. He is not the first to make such an accusation. Last year, the Platform outlined conditions media signed up to in return for funds from the PJIF: . . . ...2 hours ago
- Weekly Roundup 1-December-2023
Wow, it’s December already, and it’s a Friday. So here are few things that caught our attention recently. This Week in Greater Auckland On Monday Matt covered the new government’s coalition agreements and what they mean for transport. On Tuesday Matt looked at AT’s plans for fare increases ...6 hours ago - Shane MacGowan Is Gone.
Late 1996, The Dogs Bollix, Tamaki Makaurau.I’m at the front of the bar yelling my order to the bartender, jostling with other thirsty punters on a Friday night, keen to piss their wages up against a wall letting loose. The black stuff, long luscious pints of creamy goodness. Back down ...6 hours ago - The Hoon around the week to Dec 1Nicola Willis, Chris Bishop and other National, ACT and NZ First MPs applaud the signing of the coalition agreements, which included the reversal of anti-smoking measures while accelerating tax cuts for landlords. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote ...8 hours ago
- 2023 More Reading: November (+ Writing Update)
Completed reads for November: A Modern Utopia, by H.G. Wells The Vampire (poem), by Heinrich August Ossenfelder The Corpus Hermeticum The Corpus Hermeticum is Mead’s translation. Now, this is indeed a very quiet month for reading. But there is a reason for that… You see, ...15 hours ago - Forward to 2017
The coalition party agreements are mainly about returning to 2017 when National lost power. They show commonalities but also some serious divergencies.The two coalition agreements – one National and ACT, the other National and New Zealand First – are more than policy documents. They also describe the processes of the ...19 hours ago - Questions a nine year old might ask the new Prime Minister
First QuestionYou’re going to crack down on people ram-raiding dairies, because you say hard-working dairy owners shouldn’t have to worry about getting ram-raided.But once the chemist shops have pseudoephedrine in them again, they're going to get ram-raided all the time. Do chemists not work as hard as dairy owners?Second QuestionYou ...21 hours ago - Questions a nine year old might ask the new Prime MinisterFirst QuestionYou’re going to crack down on people ram-raiding dairies, because you say hard-working dairy owners shouldn’t have to worry about getting ram-raided.But once the chemist shops have pseudoephedrine in them again, they're going to get ram-raided all the time. Do chemists not work as hard as dairy owners?Second QuestionYou ...21 hours ago
- Finally
Henry Kissinger is finally dead. Good fucking riddance. While Americans loved him, he was a war criminal, responsible for most of the atrocities of the final quarter of the twentieth century. Cambodia. Bangladesh. Chile. East Timor. All Kissinger. Because of these crimes, Americans revere him as a "statesman" (which says ...22 hours ago - Government in a hurry – Luxon lists 49 priorities in 100-day plan while Peters pledges to strength...Buzz from the Beehive Yes, ministers in the new government are delivering speeches and releasing press statements. But the message on the government’s official website was the same as it has been for the past several days, when Point of Order went looking for news from the Beehive that had ...23 hours ago
- DAVID FARRAR: Luxon is absolutely right
David Farrar writes – 1 News reports: Christopher Luxon says he was told by some Kiwis on the campaign trail they “didn’t know” the difference between Waka Kotahi, Te Pūkenga and Te Whatu Ora. Speaking to Breakfast, the incoming prime minister said having English first on government agencies will “make sure” ...1 day ago - Top 10 at 10 am for Thursday, Nov 30
There are fears that mooted changes to building consent liability could end up driving the building industry into an uninsured hole. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Here’s my pick of the top 10 news and analysis links elsewhere as of 10 am on Thursday, November 30, including:The new Government’s ...1 day ago - Gordon Campbell on how climate change threatens cricket‘s future
Well that didn’t last long, did it? Mere days after taking on what he called the “awesome responsibility” of being Prime Minister, M Christopher Luxon has started blaming everyone else, and complaining that he has inherited “economic vandalism on an unprecedented scale” – which is how most of us are ...1 day ago - We need to talk about Tory.
The first I knew of the news about Tory Whanau was when a tweet came up in my feed.The sort of tweet that makes you question humanity, or at least why you bother with Twitter. Which is increasingly a cesspit of vile inhabitants who lurk spreading negativity, hate, and every ...1 day ago - Dangling Transport SolutionsCable Cars, Gondolas, Ropeways and Aerial Trams are all names for essentially the same technology and the world’s biggest maker of them are here to sell them as an public transport solution. Stuff reports: Austrian cable car company Doppelmayr has launched its case for adding aerial cable cars to New ...1 day ago
- November AMA
Hi,It’s been awhile since I’ve done an Ask-Me-Anything on here, so today’s the day. Ask anything you like in the comments section, and I’ll be checking in today and tomorrow to answer.Leave a commentNext week I’ll be giving away a bunch of these Mister Organ blu-rays for readers in New ...1 day ago - National’s early moves adding to cost of living pressure
The cost of living grind continues, and the economic and inflation honeymoon is over before it began. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: PM Christopher Luxon unveiled his 100 day plan yesterday with an avowed focus of reducing cost-of-living pressures, but his Government’s initial moves and promises are actually elevating ...1 day ago - Backwards to the futurePrime Minister Christopher Luxon has confirmed that it will be back to the future on planning legislation. This will be just one of a number of moves which will see the new government go backwards as it repeals and cost-cuts its way into power. They will completely repeal one ...1 day ago
- New initiatives in science and technology could point the way ahead for Luxon government
As the new government settles into the Beehive, expectations are high that it can sort out some of the economic issues confronting New Zealand. It may take time for some new ministers to get to grips with the range of their portfolio work and responsibilities before they can launch the changes that ...2 days ago - Treaty pledge to secure funding is contentious – but is Peters being pursued by a lynch mob after ...TV3 political editor Jenna Lynch was among the corps of political reporters who bridled, when Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters told them what he thinks of them (which is not much). She was unabashed about letting her audience know she had bridled. More usefully, she drew attention to something which ...2 days ago
- How long does this last?
I have a clear memory of every election since 1969 in this plucky little nation of ours. I swear I cannot recall a single one where the question being asked repeatedly in the first week of the new government was: how long do you reckon they’ll last? And that includes all ...2 days ago - National’s giveaway politicsWe already know that national plans to boost smoking rates to collect more tobacco tax so they can give huge tax-cuts to mega-landlords. But this morning that policy got even more obscene - because it turns out that the tax cut is retrospective: Residential landlords will be able to ...2 days ago
- CHRIS TROTTER: Who’s driving the right-wing bus?Who’s At The Wheel? The electorate’s message, as aggregated in the polling booths on 14 October, turned out to be a conservative political agenda stronger than anything New Zealand has seen in five decades. In 1975, Bill Rowling was run over by just one bus, with Rob Muldoon at the wheel. In 2023, ...2 days ago
- GRAHAM ADAMS: Media knives flashing for Luxon’s government
The fear and loathing among legacy journalists is astonishing Graham Adams writes – No one is going to die wondering how some of the nation’s most influential journalists personally view the new National-led government. It has become abundantly clear within a few days of the coalition agreements ...2 days ago - Top 10 news links for Wednesday, Nov 29
TL;DR: Here’s my pick of top 10 news links elsewhere for Wednesday November 29, including:The early return of interest deductibility for landlords could see rebates paid on previous taxes and the cost increase to $3 billion from National’s initial estimate of $2.1 billion, CTU Economist Craig Renney estimated here last ...2 days ago - Smokefree Fallout and a High Profile Resignation.
The day after being sworn in the new cabinet met yesterday, to enjoy their honeymoon phase. You remember, that period after a new government takes power where the country, and the media, are optimistic about them, because they haven’t had a chance to stuff anything about yet.Sadly the nuptials complete ...2 days ago - As Cabinet revs up, building plans go on holdWellington Council hoardings proclaim its preparations for population growth, but around the country councils are putting things on hold in the absence of clear funding pathways for infrastructure, and despite exploding migrant numbers. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Cabinet meets in earnest today to consider the new Government’s 100-day ...2 days ago
- National takes over infrastructureThough New Zealand First may have had ambitions to run the infrastructure portfolios, National would seem to have ended up firmly in control of them. POLITIK has obtained a private memo to members of Infrastructure NZ yesterday, which shows that the peak organisation for infrastructure sees National MPs Chris ...2 days ago
- At a glance – Evidence for global warming
On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...3 days ago - Who’s Driving The Right-Wing Bus?
3 days ago - Sanity break
Cheers to reader Deane for this quote from Breakfast TV today:Chloe Swarbrick to Brook van Velden re the coalition agreement: “... an unhinged grab-bag of hot takes from your drunk uncle at Christmas”Cheers also to actual Prime Minister of a country Christopher Luxon for dorking up his swearing-in vows.But that's enough ...3 days ago - Sanity breakCheers to reader Deane for this quote from Breakfast TV today:Chloe Swarbrick to Brook van Velden re the coalition agreement: “... an unhinged grab-bag of hot takes from your drunk uncle at Christmas”Cheers also to actual Prime Minister of a country Christopher Luxon for dorking up his swearing-in vows.But that's enough ...3 days ago
- National’s murderous smoking policyOne of the big underlying problems in our political system is the prevalence of short-term thinking, most usually seen in the periodic massive infrastructure failures at a local government level caused by them skimping on maintenance to Keep Rates Low. But the new government has given us a new example, ...3 days ago
- NZ has a chance to rise again as our new government gets spending under controlNew Zealand has a chance to rise again. Under the previous government, the number of New Zealanders below the poverty line was increasing year by year. The Luxon-led government must reverse that trend – and set about stabilising the pillars of the economy. After the mismanagement of the outgoing government created huge ...3 days ago
- KARL DU FRESNE: Media and the new governmentTwo articles by Karl du Fresne bring media coverage of the new government into considerations. He writes – Tuesday, November 28, 2023 The left-wing media needed a line of attack, and they found one The left-wing media pack wasted no time identifying the new government’s weakest point. Seething over ...3 days ago
- PHILIP CRUMP: Team of rivals – a CEO approach to government leadershipThe work begins Philip Crump wrote this article ahead of the new government being sworn in yesterday – Later today the new National-led coalition government will be sworn in, and the hard work begins. At the core of government will be three men – each a leader ...3 days ago
- Black Friday
As everyone who watches television or is on the mailing list for any of our major stores will confirm, “Black Friday” has become the longest running commercial extravaganza and celebration in our history. Although its origins are obscure (presumably dreamt up by American salesmen a few years ago), it has ...3 days ago - In Defense of the Media.
Yesterday the Ministers in the next government were sworn in by our Governor General. A day of tradition and ceremony, of decorum and respect. Usually.But yesterday Winston Peters, the incoming Deputy Prime Minister, and Foreign Minister, of our nation used it, as he did with the signing of the coalition ...3 days ago - Top 10 news links at 10 am for Tuesday, Nov 28
3 days ago - PT use up but fare increases comingYesterday Auckland Transport were celebrating, as the most recent Sunday was the busiest Sunday they’ve ever had.
That’s a great outcome and I’m sure the ... 3 days ago - The very opposite of social investmentNicola Willis (in blue) at the signing of the coalition agreement, before being sworn in as both Finance Minister and Social Investment Minister. National’s plan to unwind anti-smoking measures will benefit her in the first role, but how does it stack up from a social investment viewpoint? Photo: Lynn Grieveson ...3 days ago
- Giving TuesdayFor the first time "in history" we decided to jump on the "Giving Tuesday" bandwagon in order to make you aware of the options you have to contribute to our work! Projects supported by Skeptical Science Inc. Skeptical Science Skeptical Science is an all-volunteer organization but ...4 days ago
- Let's open the books with Nicotine Willis
Let’s say it’s 1984,and there's a dreary little nation at the bottom of the Pacific whose name rhymes with New Zealand,and they've just had an election.Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, will you look at the state of these books we’ve opened,cries the incoming government, will you look at all this mountain ...4 days ago - Climate Change: Stopping oilNational is promising to bring back offshore oil and gas drilling. Naturally, the Greens have organised a petition campaign to try and stop them. You should sign it - every little bit helps, and as the struggle over mining conservation land showed, even National can be deterred if enough people ...4 days ago
- Don’t accept Human Rights Commission reading of data on Treaty partnership – read the survey fin...Wellington is braced for a “massive impact’ from the new government’s cutting public service jobs, The Post somewhat grimly reported today. Expectations of an economic and social jolt are based on the National-Act coalition agreement to cut public service numbers in each government agency in a cost-trimming exercise “informed by” head ...4 days ago
- The stupidest of stupid reasonsOne of the threats in the National - ACT - NZ First coalition agreements was to extend the term of Parliament to four years, reducing our opportunities to throw a bad government out. The justification? Apparently, the government thinks "elections are expensive". This is the stupidest of stupid reasons for ...4 days ago
- A website bereft of buzzBuzz from the Beehive The new government was being sworn in, at time of writing , and when Point of Order checked the Beehive website for the latest ministerial statements and re-visit some of the old ones we drew a blank. We found …. Nowt. Nothing. Zilch. Not a ...4 days ago
- MICHAEL BASSETT: A new Ministry – at lastMichael Bassett writes – Like most people, I was getting heartily sick of all the time being wasted over the coalition negotiations. During the first three weeks Winston grinned like a Cheshire cat, certain he’d be needed; Chris Luxon wasted time in lifting the phone to Winston ...4 days ago
- Luxon's Breakfast.
The Prime Minister elect had his silver fern badge on. He wore it to remind viewers he was supporting New Zealand, that was his team. Despite the fact it made him look like a concierge, or a welcomer in a Koru lounge. Anna Burns-Francis, the Breakfast presenter, asked if he ...4 days ago - LINDSAY MITCHELL: Oranga Tamariki faces major upheaval under coalition agreementLindsay Mitchell writes – A hugely significant gain for ACT is somewhat camouflaged by legislative jargon. Under the heading ‘Oranga Tamariki’ ACT’s coalition agreement contains the following item: Remove Section 7AA from the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989 According to Oranga Tamariki: “Section ...4 days ago
- BRIAN EASTON: Peters as MinisterA previous column looked at Winston Peters biographically. This one takes a closer look at his record as a minister, especially his policy record. Brian Easton writes – 1990-1991: Minister of Māori Affairs. Few remember Ka Awatea as a major document on the future of Māori policy; there is ...4 days ago
- Cathrine Dyer's guide to watching COP 28 from the bottom of a warming planet4 days ago
- Top 10 news links at 10 am for Monday, Nov 27
PM Elect Christopher Luxon was challenged this morning on whether he would sack Adrian Orr and Andrew Coster.TL;DR: Here’s my pick of top 10 news links elsewhere at 10 am on Monday November 27, including:Signs councils are putting planning and capital spending on hold, given a lack of clear guidance ...4 days ago - Gordon Campbell on the new government’s policies of yesteryearThis column expands on a Werewolf column published by Scoop on Friday Routinely, Winston Peters is described as the kingmaker who gets to decide when the centre right or the centre-left has a turn at running this country. He also plays a less heralded but equally important role as the ...4 days ago
- The New Government’s AgreementsLast Friday, almost six weeks after election day, National finally came to an agreement with ACT and NZ First to form a government. They also released the agreements between each party and looking through them, here are the things I thought were the most interesting (and often concerning) from the. ...4 days ago
- How many smokers will die to fund the tax cuts?4 days ago
- How the culture will change in the BeehivePerhaps the biggest change that will come to the Beehive as the new government settles in will be a fundamental culture change. The era of endless consultation will be over. This looks like a government that knows what it wants to do, and that means it knows what outcomes ...4 days ago
- No More Winnie Blues.
5 days ago - 2023 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #47A chronological listing of news and opinion articles posted on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, Nov 19, 2023 thru Sat, Nov 25, 2023. Story of the Week World stands on frontline of disaster at Cop28, says UN climate chief Exclusive: Simon Stiell says leaders must ‘stop ...5 days ago
- Some of it is mad, some of it is bad and some of it is clearly the work of people who are dangerous ...
On announcement morning my mate texted:Typical of this cut-price, fake-deal government to announce itself on Black Friday.What a deal. We lose Kim Hill, we gain an empty, jargonising prime minister, a belligerent conspiracist, and a heartless Ayn Rand fanboy. One door closes, another gets slammed repeatedly in your face.It seems pretty ...5 days ago - “Revolution” is the threat as the Māori Party smarts at coalition government’s Treaty directi...Buzz from the Beehive Having found no fresh announcements on the government’s official website, Point of Order turned today to Scoop’s Latest Parliament Headlines for its buzz. This provided us with evidence that the Māori Party has been soured by the the coalition agreement announced yesterday by the new PM. “Soured” ...6 days ago
- The Good, the Bad, and the even Worse.
Yesterday the trio that will lead our country unveiled their vision for New Zealand.Seymour looking surprisingly statesmanlike, refusing to rise to barbs about his previous comments on Winston Peters. Almost as if they had just been slapstick for the crowd.Winston was mostly focussed on settling scores with the media, making ...6 days ago - When it Comes to Palestine – Free Speech is Under Threat
Hi,Thanks for getting amongst Mister Organ on digital — thanks to you, we hit the #1 doc spot on iTunes this week. This response goes a long way to helping us break even.I feel good about that. Other things — not so much.New Zealand finally has a new government, and ...6 days ago - Thank you Captain Luxon. Was that a landing, or were we shot down?
Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.Also in More Than A FeildingFriday The unboxing And so this is Friday and what have we gone and done to ourselves?In the same way that a Christmas present can look lovely under the ...6 days ago - Cans of Worms.“And there’ll be no shortage of ‘events’ to test Luxon’s political skills. David Seymour wants a referendum on the Treaty. Winston wants a Royal Commission of Inquiry into Labour’s handling of the Covid crisis. Talk about cans of worms!”LAURIE AND LES were very fond of their local. It was nothing ...6 days ago
- Disinformation campaigns are undermining democracy. Here’s how we can fight backThis article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Misinformation is debated everywhere and has justifiably sparked concerns. It can polarise the public, reduce health-protective behaviours such as mask wearing and vaccination, and erode trust in science. Much of misinformation is spread not ...6 days ago
- Peters as Minister
A previous column looked at Winston Peters biographically. This one takes a closer look at his record as a minister, especially his policy record.1990-1991: Minister of Māori Affairs. Few remember Ka Awatea as a major document on the future of Māori policy; there is not even an entry in Wikipedia. ...7 days ago - The New Government: 2023 Edition
So New Zealand has a brand-spanking new right-wing government. Not just any new government either. A formal majority coalition, of the sort last seen in 1996-1998 (our governmental arrangements for the past quarter of a century have been varying flavours of minority coalition or single-party minority, with great emphasis ...7 days ago - The unboxing
And so this is Friday and what have we gone and done to ourselves?In the same way that a Christmas present can look lovely under the tree with its gold ribbon but can turn out to be nothing more than a big box holding a voucher for socks, so it ...7 days ago - A cruel, vicious, nasty governmentSo, after weeks of negotiations, we finally have a government, with a three-party cabinet and a time-sharing deputy PM arrangement. Newsroom's Marc Daalder has put the various coalition documents online, and I've been reading through them. A few things stand out: Luxon doesn't want to do any work, ...1 week ago
- Hurrah – we have a new government (National, ACT and New Zealand First commit “to deliver for al...Buzz from the Beehive Sorry, there has been no fresh news on the government’s official website since the caretaker trade minister’s press statement about the European Parliament vote on the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement. But the capital is abuzz with news – and media comment is quickly flowing – after ...1 week ago
- Christopher Luxon – NZ PM #42.
Nothing says strong and stable like having your government announcement delayed by a day because one of your deputies wants to remind everyone, but mostly you, who wears the trousers. It was all a bit embarrassing yesterday with the parties descending on Wellington before pulling out of proceedings. There are ...1 week ago - Coalition Government details policies & ministers
Winston Peters will be Deputy PM for the first half of the Coalition Government’s three-year term, with David Seymour being Deputy PM for the second half. Photo montage by Lynn Grieveson for The KākāTL;DR: PM-Elect Christopher Luxon has announced the formation of a joint National-ACT-NZ First coalition Government with a ...1 week ago - “Old Coat” by Peter, Paul & Mary.THERE ARE SOME SONGS that seem to come from a place that is at once in and out of the world. Written by men and women who, for a brief moment, are granted access to that strange, collective compendium of human experience that comes from, and belongs to, all the ...1 week ago
- Release: Labour team ready to take on the coalition of chaos
Labour’s strong line-up for the 54th Parliament brings experience and energy to the job of Opposition. ...1 day ago - The future of Aotearoa is at stake
The next 100 days will be a fight for our future. ...2 days ago - Māori will die to fund tax cutsBy scrapping Aotearoa’s world-leading smokefree laws, this government is sacrificing Māori lives to fund tax cuts for the wealthy. Not only is this plan revolting, but it doesn’t add up. Treasury has estimated that the reversal of smokefree laws to pay for tax cuts will cost our health system $5.25bn, ...2 days ago
- Release: National’s fiscal plans dealt another blowFigures showing National needs to find another $900 million for landlords highlights the mess this coalition Government is in less than a week into the job. ...2 days ago
- Green Party unveils portfolio spokespeople for the 54th ParliamentThe Green Party is pleased to announce the allocation of portfolios across its largest caucus ever. ...2 days ago
- The Time is Now for Oceans ProtectionCommunity organisations, mana whenua and the Greens have written to the incoming Minister of Oceans and Fisheries to call for the progression without delay of the Hauraki Gulf/Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection Bill. ...3 days ago
- Greenpeace nitrates research proves need for strong freshwater regulationThe Green Party is welcoming the release of an interactive map which enables people to monitor nitrate levels in their drinking water. ...4 days ago
- Release: Chris Hipkins congratulates Christopher Luxon"On behalf of the Labour Party I would like to congratulate Christopher Luxon on his appointment as Prime Minister,” Labour Party Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...4 days ago
- Greens launch petition to save oil and gas banThe Green Party has launched a petition to save the ban on oil and gas exploration. ...4 days ago
- Luxon’s Government will whitewash AotearoaNZ First has gotten their wish to ‘take our country back’ to the 1800s with a policy program that will white-wash Aotearoa and erase tangata whenua rights. By disestablishing the Māori Health Authority this Government has condemned Māori to die seven years earlier than Pākehā. By removing Treaty obligations from ...7 days ago
- Green Party a strong opposition to divisive governmentThe Green Party will keep up the fight for an Aotearoa that works for everyone. ...1 week ago
- Te Pāti Māori call for Foreign Affairs CEO to be sackedTe Pāti Māori have called for the resignation of the Ministry of Foreign and Trade chief executive Chris Seed following his decision to erase te reo Māori from government communications. While the country still waits for a new government to be formed, Mr Seed took it upon himself to undermine ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour Party calls for immediate ceasefireThe New Zealand Labour Party is urgently calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and Israel to put a halt to the appalling attacks and violence, so that a journey to a lasting peace can begin, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...2 weeks ago
- New Zealand welcomes European Parliament vote on the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement
A significant milestone in ratifying the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was reached last night, with 524 of the 705 member European Parliament voting in favour to approve the agreement. “I’m delighted to hear of the successful vote to approve the NZ-EU FTA in the European Parliament overnight. This is ...1 week ago - Further humanitarian support for Gaza, the West Bank and IsraelThe Government is contributing a further $5 million to support the response to urgent humanitarian needs in Gaza, the West Bank and Israel, bringing New Zealand’s total contribution to the humanitarian response so far to $10 million. “New Zealand is deeply saddened by the loss of civilian life and the ...2 weeks ago
- Public sector boss Steve Maharey resigns as chair of Pharmac and ACC
Steve Maharey has resigned as chairperson of the board of Pharmac. He has also resigned as chairperson of the board of ACC. ...23 mins ago - Queenstown’s old luge conveyor gets a new life powering recycling initiative
Ellen Rykers talks to a Southland couple with ambitious plans to divert construction waste from landfill. This is an excerpt from our weekly environmental newsletter Future Proof, brought to you by AMP. Sign up here. As much as 50% of the waste generated in New Zealand comes from construction and demolition, and a ...32 mins ago - Hastings Councillor Damon Harvey A Ratepayer Hero, Mayor Hazlehurst Is The Villain
The Taxpayers’ Union is calling for Hastings District Councillor Damon Harvey to be reinstated in his committee chair role and the councillors to instead hold a vote of no confidence in the Mayor following revelations that he was stripped of ...1 hour ago - COP28: the climate summit’s first Health Day points to what needs to change in NZ
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alistair Woodward, Professor, School of Population Health, University of Auckland Climate change has many effects, but one of the most significant will feature for the first time at COP28 – its impact on human health. Now under way in Dubai, the latest ...1 hour ago - Coalition Agreements Between National, ACT And NZ First Signal The Need To Protect All Whānau Māor...The new National, ACT and New Zealand First co-governance government has set its sights firmly on removing Māori rights, judging from their coalition agreements. The new government’s first joint announcement included that they would remove the ...1 hour ago
- Cut The Waste, Not The Waste CollectionCommenting on proposals to reduce Auckland’s refuse collection from weekly to fortnightly, Auckland Ratepayers’ Alliance spokesman, Jordan Williams, said: “Auckland Council’s finances are in dire straits, and clearly serious savings need to be ...2 hours ago
- Former minister quits Covid inquiry as government set to launch second probeFormer National cabinet minister Hekia Parata has resigned from the Royal Commission into the Covid-19 pandemic. She departed the commission on November 15, ahead of the formation of the new government but after the overall election result was known. The National-led coalition has announced it will look to introduce a ...2 hours ago
- Israel-Gaza crisis: NZ must condemn atrocities but keep pushing for a two-state solutionANALYSIS: By Alexander Gillespie, University of Waikato It was perhaps inevitable that the shock Hamas attack on Israel would become a minor election sideshow in New Zealand. Less than a week from the Aotearoa New Zealand polls, a crisis in the Middle East offered opposition parties a brief chance to ...2 hours ago
- The Government Must Fund Care Workers Before LandlordsE tū, the biggest private sector union in Aotearoa New Zealand, is shocked to learn that the National Party’s coalition agreement with ACT would see planned tax breaks for landlords brought forward, costing at least $900 million according to analysis ...2 hours ago
- Political panel: The coalition government's first weekRNZ political reporter Katie Scotcher, Newhub's political editor Jenna Lynch, and the New Zealand Herald's deputy political editor, Thomas Coughlan discuss the coalition government's first week in charge. ...2 hours ago
- Watch: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Education Minister Erica Stanford address mediaChristopher Luxon will be taking questions from the media with Erica Stanford, the new Minister of Education. ...2 hours ago
- An Oath To Our MokopunaOn Tuesday, MPs will be required to pledge an oath of allegiance to ‘ His Majesty King Charles the Third, His heirs and successors’ before they can be officially sworn into Parliament. This is symbolic of the colonial power that Parliament places ...3 hours ago
- A wish list of signings for the new Auckland A-League franchiseAuckland’s new professional football franchise has less than a year to assemble a squad that’s not just competitive, but capable of winning over the city’s fickle fans. Whose signatures should they be hunting? Professional football is returning to Auckland. Billionaire American businessman Bill Foley, owner of NHL champions the Las ...3 hours ago
- UN Loss And Damage Fund Doomed Without Fossil Fuel Phase-out – Greenpeace AotearoaAs a new climate loss and damage fund is operationalised on the first day of the COP28 UN climate conference, Greenpeace Aotearoa is condemning the New Zealand Government’s decision to restart offshore fossil fuel exploration, which will only lead to more ...3 hours ago
- Toi Mata Hauora ASMS Completes Pay Negotiations With Te Whatu Ora – Achieves CPI IncreaseThe Association of Salaried Medical Specialists have settled their pay negotiations with Te Whatu Ora ending months of bargaining and industrial action. More than 90 per cent of polled ASMS members voted to accept Te Whatu Ora’s latest pay offer ...3 hours ago
- IFJ condemns deputy PM’s comments as threat to NZ press freedomPacific Media Watch Journalists and media workers have criticised comments made by Aotearoa New Zealand’s newly-elected Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters — who claimed that a 2020 Labour government media funding initiative constituted “bribery” — as a threat to media freedom. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) reports that it ...3 hours ago
- Since the war on Gaza began, violence against Palestinians has surged in the West BankANALYSIS: By Tristan Dunning, University of Queensland, and Martin Kear, University of Sydney While the world remains fixated on the devastating October 7 Hamas attacks and the subsequent Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip, there has been a pronounced — and mostly unnoticed — escalation in violence against Palestinians in ...3 hours ago
- Peters has track record but NZ aid policy still hard to figure outANALYSIS: By Terence Wood In the wake of New Zealand’s recent election, and subsequent coalition negotiations, Winston Peters has emerged as New Zealand’s Foreign Minister again. I’ve never been able to adequately explain why a populist politician leading a party called New Zealand First would have an interest in a ...3 hours ago
- Councillor says Wellington mayor Tory Whanau should resign – 'It's not working'A Wellington City councillor says mayor Tory Whanau isn't able to give "the 150 percent that's needed" to lead the capital. ...3 hours ago
- Appeal sees Grabone owners NZME fined $200k over unsafe puzzle toyNZME, the owners of the Herald, has been fined close to $200,000 after a “magnetic puzzle toy” sold through its Grabone service was deemed to be unsafe. The fine is an increase on the $88,000 penalty previous imposed by the court after the Commerce Commission appealed the decision. In a ...4 hours ago
- Wellington Stands Up For Abortion Rights This Saturday, 2 DecemberOn Saturday 2 December, pro-choice supporters will rally and march to defend abortion rights and to counter anti-choice conservatives. The rally starts at 1pm at Te Aro Park (Dixon/Manners) with speakers in the Park before marching. ...4 hours ago
- Listen: The RBNZ’s wet blanket for summerThe Reserve Bank surprised everyone this week by warning it may have to raise interest rates again to force inflation down, effectively eliminating the prospect of major mortgage rate cuts over the coming summer. In this week’s episode of When the Facts Change, Kiwibank chief economist Jarrod Kerr joins Bernard ...4 hours ago
- Restore Passenger Rail Ōtepoti Slow March 4th December 2023Ōtepoti supporters of Restore Passenger Rail will slowly walk from the Railway Station to the Octagon on Monday morning, in support of their campaign’s demands that the new Government restores a nationwide passenger rail service and provides ...4 hours ago
- Dunne's Weekly: Luxon's Long And Rocky RoadDame Jacinda Ardern observed after she stood down as Prime Minister that "Government isn’t just what you do, it's how you make people feel". While an interesting insight into how she viewed the purpose of government (and, some would argue, an ...4 hours ago
- A look back at The Project NZ’s most memorable momentsAs the show prepares for its final episode, we look back at some of the weird and wonderful moments from the last six years of The Project NZ. The Project NZ burst into the 7pm slot in February 2017, and has since served us everything from Lizzo’s opinion on cheese ...5 hours ago
- New Zealand’s Biggest Cannabis Event Is On Saturday 2nd December.J Day Is Auckland’s Annual Celebration Of Our Kiwi Cannabis Culture And A Protest Against Prohibition, Held In Albert Park Every Year Since 1992. NORML and friends presents the 31st Annual J Day, usually held on the first Saturday in May every year ...5 hours ago
- The Government Must Urgently Reconsider The Proposed Changes To The Oranga Tamariki Act Section 7AAE Tipu e Rea Whānau Services are deeply concerned at the new Government's plan to scrap Section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act. As an organisation that works with teenage parents and their tamariki who have a history of state intervention, we know ...5 hours ago
- The Bulletin: Fortnightly rubbish collections on the cards for AucklandAuckland is considering a move that would reduce kerbside rubbish collections to once a fortnight. It’s part of a council plan to drastically reduce the amount of rubbish produced by households, supported by the recent city-wide rollout of food scrap bins expected to reduce up to 41% of bin contents by ...5 hours ago
- Controversial claims about extinct humans are stirring up evolution research. Here’s how the mess ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mike W. Morley, Associate Professor and Director, Flinders Microarchaeology Laboratory, Flinders University In June, researchers led by palaeoanthropologist Lee Berger published sensational claims about an extinct human species called Homo naledi online and in the Netflix documentary Unknown: Cave of Bones. They ...5 hours ago
- The news is fading from sight on big social media platforms – where does that leave journalism?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Merja Myllylahti, Senior Lecturer, Co-Director Research Centre for Journalism, Media & Democracy, Auckland University of Technology According to a recent survey by the News Media Association, 90% of editors in the United Kingdom “believe that Google and Meta pose an existential threat ...5 hours ago
- It’s beginning to look a lot like burnout. How to take care of yourself before the holidays startSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sophie Scott, Associate Professor (Adjunct), Science Communication, University of Notre Dame Australia Shutterstock It’s getting towards the time of the year when you might feel more overwhelmed than usual. There are work projects to finish and perhaps exams in the ...5 hours ago
- Can we sustainably harvest trees from tropical forests? Yes – here are 5 ways to do it betterSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Francis E Putz, Research Professor, University of the Sunshine Coast Panga Media, Shutterstock Logging typically degrades tropical forests. But what if logging is carefully planned and carried out by well-trained workers? While public campaigns to end logging dominate both ...5 hours ago
- The Australian Curriculum is copping fresh criticism – what is it supposed to do?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephanie Wescott, Lecturer in Education, Monash University This week a new report said there was a “curriculum problem” in Australia. Education consultancy group Learning First found the science curriculum lacked depth and breadth and had major problems with sequencing and clarity. While ...5 hours ago
- New government makes India a priorityThe new government has reiterated its commitment to build a stronger relationship with India. Trade minister Todd McClay will visit the country before the end of the month for a whirlwind trip to meet with his counterpart, reports Thomas Coughlan at the Herald. “I will be working with prime minister ...5 hours ago
- Sticky inflation and expensive policies give new government a fiscal headacheThe PM says deep spending cuts are needed to fix the ‘economic vandalism’ of the previous government. But Luxon and Willis are already running up some big bills of their own, writes Catherine McGregor in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in ...6 hours ago
- Coalition's WHO policy leaves public health expert 'baffled'Public health academic Michael Baker says the new government's approach to World Health Organisation regulations is "incoherent". ...7 hours ago
- Coalition's WHO policy leaves public health expert 'baffled'Public health academic Michael Baker says the new government's approach to World Health Organisation regulations is "incoherent". ...7 hours ago
- Mark Mitchell 'to commit to supporting' cyclone-hit regions ahead of visitIn his first week on the job, new Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell is visiting cyclone and flood-ravaged regions to hear what they need from the government. ...8 hours ago
- The canned coffees of New Zealand, reviewed and rankedThey’re cold, they’re caffeinated and they’re classier than an energy drink – iced coffee in a can has gone from novelty to normal in Aotearoa in record time. We tasted 25 to sort the morning must-haves from the mediocre mud water. Just a few short years ago, coffee in a ...9 hours ago
- It’s OK to turn off the newsMany news consumers feel a responsibility to bear witness to all sorts of distressing images and events. But deciding to tune out instead doesn’t make you a bad person, writes counsellor Ross Palethorpe. Our attention is demanded everywhere. We are exhorted to witness, to not look away, to act, in ...9 hours ago
- This week’s bestselling books
FICTION 1 The Girl from London by Olivia Spooner (Hachette, $37.99) A free copy of the wildly popular novel about a wartime shipboard romance was up for grabs in last week’s giveaway contest. Readers were asked to recount a shipboard romance in their own lives or someone they knew. ...9 hours ago - Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 1 DecemberLoading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[quiz],DIV[quiz],A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions. The post Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 1 December appeared first on Newsroom. ...9 hours ago
- KiwiRail wants to expand NZ’s one-track mindIt’s been a big few years for usage of New Zealand’s rail network, according to KiwiRail executives, who have reported unprecedented interest from freight customers as capital investment mounts. But they highlight the need for big jobs such as separating passenger and freight lines and bolstering the rail corridor ...9 hours ago
- COP28: As nations admit climate loss and damage, one industry still winsWith a call for petroleum companies and the nations of the world to work together to solve the climate crisis, the United Arab Emirates’ controversial choice of President of COP28, opened the UN’s annual climate negotiations in Dubai yesterday. “Colleagues, let history reflect the fact that this is the ...9 hours ago
- New Government crashes environmentThe coalition agreements contain many actions on the environment - most of them regressive and some that could take NZ back decades, writes environmentalist Gary Taylor The post New Government crashes environment appeared first on Newsroom. ...9 hours ago
- NZ cities drop down The Economist ‘cozzie livs’ rankingsCall it inflation, call it rising cost of living or call it “cozzie livs” as our Aussie friends now do. But it’s impacting different cities around the world very differently. The dry Aussie vernacular disguises a real problem in their biggest cities, Sydney and Melbourne, which price rises have ...9 hours ago
- The edible landscape where all can enjoy the fruits of others’ labourOpinion: The costs of living in New Zealand have been in the news for decades, with particular attention paid to food and housing. Food costs have been mostly blamed on the supermarket duopoly. The economics of the production and distribution of food and associated international commerce relationships and the ...9 hours ago
- Verrall plans to be staunch advocate for Wellington and public servantsAyesha Verrall grew immensely as a politician in her first term in Parliament. Now she looks to expand from health to another hot button portfolio The post Verrall plans to be staunch advocate for Wellington and public servants appeared first on Newsroom. ...9 hours ago
- Daily crossword, Friday 1 DecemberThe post Daily crossword, Friday 1 December appeared first on Newsroom. ...9 hours ago
- Grattan on Friday: As Albanese’s fortunes slide, people start to wonder what sort of PM Peter Dutt...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Peter Dutton has his tail up, but he’s being careful to manage expectations. As the opposition celebrates its suddenly improved fortunes, Dutton told the party room this week that inevitably the government would recalibrate over ...14 hours ago
- Reform delay causes dental decay. It’s time for a national deal to fund dental careSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Breadon, Program Director, Health and Aged Care, Grattan Institute A Senate committee has investigated why so many Australians are missing out on dental care and made 35 recommendations for reform. By far the most sweeping is the call for universal ...17 hours ago
- Henry Kissinger has died. The titan of US foreign policy changed the world, for better or worseSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lester Munson, Non-resident fellow, United States Studies Centre, University of Sydney Henry Kissinger was the ultimate champion of the United States’ foreign policy battles. The former US secretary of state died on November 29 2023 after living for a century. The ...19 hours ago
- Coldplay announce record-breaking third Eden Park gigColdplay will become the first musical act to play three nights at Auckland’s Eden Park when they visit the country in a year’s time. The band has just announced a third and final show at the venue as part of their global and seemingly never-ending Music of the Spheres world ...22 hours ago
- Tory Whanau, Nicola Young and the rumour that overtook the storyA genuine news story quickly became a springboard for rumour and speculation, with one councillor at the centre of it. Wellington mayor Tory Whanau has a problem with alcohol. She has made that public and is clearly embarrassed. Whanau’s public behaviour was first called into question in July after reports of ...22 hours ago
- Journalists Reject Deputy PM’s Comments About The MediaIn light of the Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters’ recent comments about the media, a group of journalists who serve as E tū delegates say these claims are misinformed. Mr Peters has claimed the Public Interest Journalism Fund was a government “bribe” ...22 hours ago
- NZ Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins reveals new shadow cabinetRNZ News New Zealand’s opposition Labour Party has announced its shadow cabinet to face off against the conservative coalition government. The party endorsed Chris Hipkins as leader and voted Carmel Sepuloni as deputy earlier this month. Sepuloni is also Pacific Peoples minister. Many of the roles are a continuation of ...22 hours ago
- KiwiRail wants to expand New Zealand’s one-track mindIt’s been a big few years for usage of New Zealand’s rail network, according to KiwiRail executives who have reported unprecedented interest from freight customers as capital investment mounts. But at the same time, they caution the need for big jobs like separating passenger and freight lines and bolstering ...22 hours ago
- Is Winston Peters right to call state-funded journalism ‘bribery’ – or is there a bigger threa...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Thompson, Associate Professor of Media Studies, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Winston Peters had only just been sworn in as deputy prime minister when his long-standing antipathy to the news media emerged in the form of a serious ...22 hours ago
- Animal Justice Party NZ Stands United With Animal Justice Party NSW In Global Protest Against AdidasThe Animal Justice Party Aotearoa New Zealand (AJPANZ) is joining forces with our friends across the ditch to lead a global protest against sportswear giant Adidas. AJPANZ has peaceful protests set to take place in Auckland and Christchurch this ...23 hours ago
- Parliamentary report slams mutual obligation, calling for total overhaul of employment servicesSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra A parliamentary inquiry has delivered a scathing indictment of Australia’s employment services, finding it does not serve the interests of job seekers or employers and urging the privatised system be partially wound back. A rigid ...23 hours ago
- Wayne Brown’s plan to make more people use public transportAuckland mayor Wayne Brown has unveiled a proposal he says will encourage more uptake of public transport around the city. He’d like to see a $50 cap on public transport costs per person per week, which would cover bus, rail and inner harbour ferry services. “We need to get the ...23 hours ago
- Artificial intelligence is already in our hospitals. 5 questions people want answeredSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stacy Carter, Professor and Director, Australian Centre for Health Engagement, Evidence and Values, University of Wollongong Shutterstock Artificial intelligence (AI) is already being used in health care. AI can look for patterns in medical images to help diagnose disease. It ...23 hours ago
- More International Embarrassment Expected For New Zealand Over Oil And Gas Ban U-turn – Greenp...New Zealand’s new Government created international headlines this week for its decision to reverse the world’s first smoking ‘generation ban’. Now another major u-turn is on the cards, as New Zealand pledges to overturn the world-leading ...23 hours ago
- Who and what to expect at The Others WayThe Others Way returns for 2023 at a bunch of venues on and around Auckland’s Karangahape Road on Friday night. Here’s who you can catch, where and when. The Others Way is, in general, a pretty chaotic music festival, spread over a number of venues in the busy Karangahape Road ...24 hours ago
- Taxpayers’ Union Offers To Design Government Department Logos For FreeThe New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is offering to redesign logos for any renamed government departments for free in an effort to save taxpayers money following concerns that requiring a name change of government departments will give them an excuse to ...24 hours ago
- Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters praises US engagement in the PacificThe new foreign affairs minister has signalled the coalition government intends to strengthen engagement with the United States. ...1 day ago
- Kiri Allan court appearance deferred to FebruaryThe former justice minister Kiri Allan has revealed she pleaded not guilty to a charge of failing to accompany a police officer in order to test a grey area in the law. Allan’s case, which related to a political career-ending car crash in July, was set to be heard in ...1 day ago
- Disabled New Zealanders Invisible In Government 100 Day PlanNew Zealand Disability Support Network is seeking assurance that disabled New Zealanders are a priority for the new government after being omitted from their 100 day plan. “Disability support providers wondering how they’ll survive financially, underpaid ...1 day ago
- Why The Smokefree Legislation Must Stay: Laying Out The Evidence...1 day ago
- Revealed: Grant Robertson’s Rugby World Cup Jaunt Sets Taxpayers Back Almost $40,000The Taxpayers’ Union can today reveal that Grant Robertson’s attendance at the Rugby World Cup final in Paris cost taxpayers $39,605. Included in the cost was more than $32,000 in business class flights and more than $5000 in accommodation costs ...1 day ago
- New unified theory shows how past landscapes drove the evolution of Earth’s rich diversity of lifeSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tristan Salles, Senior Lecturer, University of Sydney Earth’s surface is the living skin of our planet – it connects the physical, chemical and biological systems. Over geological time, this surface evolves. Rivers fragment the landscape into an environmentally diverse range of habitats. ...1 day ago
- Pastels and pencils: Inside the prisoners’ holiday card driveFor the eighth year, people in prisons will be receiving handmade holiday cards from strangers on the outside. Next to me, Amir* has drawn a beautiful streak of green across the front of a card. “Shit”, he says. The streak was intended to be the stem of a pōhutukawa, but ...1 day ago
- Invercargill Airport to be renamed for Tim ShadboltFormer Invercargill mayor and national icon Tim Shadbolt will lend his name to the terminal at Invercargill Airport. The city’s councillors have agreed to pay tribute to Shadbolt’s eight-term tenure as mayor. He was first elected in 1993 and, aside from one term, held the position consistently until 2022. “Sir ...1 day ago
- Where is she now? Silver Fern Anna GalvanAnna Galvan admits she’s not great on details. The former Silver Fern struggles to pinpoint a specific match that stands out to her, despite a career spanning 17 years in the elite game and 13 tests for her country. But ask the proud Cantabrian a strategic question on ...1 day ago
- Labour unveils reshuffle, long-serving MPs shunted downLabour leader Chris Hipkins has unveiled a portfolio and list reshuffle as his party readies to hold the new coalition government to account. The line-up brought ministerial experience that National, Act and NZ First lacked, said Hipkins, and included six women and four men in the top 10. “I am ...1 day ago
David Shearer should NOT stand for the Auckland Mayoralty. He is a nice chap – but he is a rubbish politician. He has an extensive skill base, but the sort of things you need for a successful Mayoralty are not in it. He was not even a particularly good Electorate MP – didn't do his research properly and did not consult widely enough.
Kamala will be replaced as VP by someone considered to be electable or with the "right" power base in preparation for the moving aside of Biden in much the same manner as happened to Spiro Agnew by Gerald Ford before ditching Nixon
I predict that I will probably get my hair cut this year whether I need to or not.
Democrats will be wiped out in the mid terms, by a record margin, setting up GOP control of Congress for decades and allowing the imposition of a free market white supremacist theocracy.
Chris Luxon will make an Orewa style speech, and his party will surge in the polls as a result.
An 'antivax' party will be formed to contest the 2023 election, with the crazies sidelined.
Labour will quietly drop KiwiBuild, and the fair pay agreements.
Right wing candidates will sweep the local elections, including Auckland Council. Farmers and farmer backed candidates will gain control of the regional councils, who will make money and profit the order of the day.
We will have our hottest winter on record, with temperatures of 20 degrees or more lasting well into June or July. Cicadas will still be heard in parts of the country as late as May.
And of course, all my predictions will be wrong as always
Late Jan government announces $12b partial tunneled light rail for Auckland.
Late Feb Omicron breakout hits Auckland: red light and hard border 4 weeks
I think by mid January the Omicron strain will already be established in NZ.
March 6 people including 1cop shot dead by gangs.
Covid Royal Commission announced
Chris Luxon will poll well for the first few months in 2022 but then get caught out by the media making one policy promise to one audience and the opposite policy promise to another. He will then attempt to explain how they are in fact the same policy & there is no contradiction, and make the problem worse.
After this, most voters will realise that he has no political principles & is not worth listening to. National voters will hope he continues to follow Sir John's every word of advice and he & National will still poll reasonably well because of this – but still some way behind Labour.
There will be some major leak by a disgruntled member of the National caucus that will cause Luxon embarrassment & require a National MP to be disciplined by the loss of a spokesperson role.
April Robertson and ACC Chair announce worker insurance. Key employers delighted.
Unemployment hits 3% flat but the poor are queuing around blocks.
May Highest spending budget in 50 years.
Labour back to 45%.
PM pregnant again.
#3 above, a certainty, Micky. It's the only think the Natz know how to do.
Watch for an ice-free Arctic, probably not September this year, but who knows. If it occurs, all hell will break loose with the climate.
June 6 people shot dead by gangs including 1 Police.
Australia asks for permanent squadron in Darwin and we agree.
Pfizer launch their new drug-Trycoxagen in NZ.
Lesbian numbers….plummet.
My God. Blazer really does (occasionally) have a sense of humour.
C'magnifique mon ami.
Tip of the hat to you Sir
July National 41%, ACT
Rural economy boom.
August South Island super snowstorm, Omicron breakout in Queenstown, Police border at the Crown Range.
Massive Southland floods.
Water asset shift occurs with no operational issues.
More like covid turns up in wastewater testing at multiple tourist centres across the country next week.
Mask use and scanning rates approach 100% the next day, nationwide.
Very few cases result.
That homelessness will increase due to rent rises. That more people will live in rentals which are not up to standard.
The standard of rentals need to be seriously looked at when it comes to noise with shared walls which are substandard. If the Tenancy Act thinks it is ok for shower water to hit your lounge wall at 11.30 pm – 12 midnight and start again at 7 am this is depriving a person of sleep and reasonable quiet and enjoyment of the tenancy. The property manager said people can shower when they want. The landlord needs to move the shower and complaining is a waste of breath.
A heat pump cannot be installed due to shared walls with two other properties.
Landlords have too much power when it comes to inconsiderate tenants.
When the outside tap is fixed my hose is going to go on at 7 am and hit the metal fence every night I am kept up.
Sept anti-vaxxer unemployed groups roam Northland and South Waikato serving on cashies.
Highest cause of death for males under 50 is suicide.
October National launches tax policy: wipe Working for Families but 0% tax on first 45k. Wipes $180k tax. Property mortgage interest fully claimable.
National+Act = Labour+Greens.
Nov Chloe takes over from Davidson, Greens lift to 11% average.
Government signals all vehicles to be charged RUC with Reggo wiped, Ak petrol tax wiped, congestion charging announced in Ak and Welly and Chch for 2025.
December Ardern signals Retirement so Robertson can have a run. Mahuta Deputy.
National Labour still neck and neck.
Robertson prepares pre-Xmas bonus $500 cash to each family earning jointly under $200k.
Grant justifies his offer because, under his watch and due to his actions, the "living wage" has reached $106.25 / hour.
Jan 1 – our beloved Ad gets smashed by lunchtime
lol, I wasn't going to say anything. It was entertaining
Mr Fishfinger Party is established in NZ with a manifesto to make fish and houses affordable for…all.
I see at the motel near me occupients who would be homeless were it not for a motel unit with a bar fridge. The bar fridge is substandard, just as well there is a supermarket close by.
Housing needs to be affordable on all levels and not be intrusive. Unfortunately the health system will need a lot of resources to clear up the backlog. Until Omicron and further Covid mutations come and go the cost to business, the health system, education being disrupted, disability, anxiety and a probable rise in crime is unknown.
I am ..flummoxed..lost for words!-this is a bad start to…2022.
There is no more pre Covid way of living. I do not yet know what I really think about those who try to live in a previous pre pandemic world and are not adapting to being restricted on health grounds. Everything has got harder to do and has become less certain.
Do I take a trip?
Do I have a hospital procedure?
Do I buy a house?
Do I have a baby?
Do I close my business?
Most outlandish prediction?…..the USD will cease to be the worlds reserve currency
I agree with this one but not till 2025 up to 2031. my belief comes from reading the 4th
wave.
Its going to happen ….but happening in 2022 is 'outlandish'.
Having said that , confidence can dissapear rapidly so its not beyond the bounds of possibility….the main retardent is the lack of a viable alternative.
Red has an..epiphany ..and puts empathy..above..apathy.
I predict Ad has even more predictions.
Democratic Party will get wiped in the mid-terms. (Unless he dies) Trump will be back in time for '24.
The "vaccine pass" gets a crucial add on that will essentially lock NZ into the "social credit" pathway that the government's Covid response has opened up
The cold war could easily turn hot.
Either
War in the Donbass.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/31/russian-foreign-minister-warns-west-us-ukraine-border-crisis
or
War in the South China Sea
https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/taiwan-china-chips/
or
War in the Strait of Hormuz
https://www.dw.com/en/iran-conducts-war-games-in-strait-of-hormuz/a-59745747
This could make 2022 a terrible year.
The most realistic predictions so far. Sorry to say.
While NZ politics are important to us personally, our real fate lies in decisions made far away.
Totally agree, Red, with this point.
The harder prediction is which area will be the trigger first. I think it will be the Donbass.
munitions stocks will soar.
My predictions:
Corrections will get a pay raise of more than the current offer of 3% over 2 years, there'll also be major agitation for going on strike (ok the agitation will be coming from me and I'll get voted down but still)
Democrats will get absolutely decimated in the mid terms, like record decimated.
NZ cricket will continue its winning ways
I'll probably get banned again at some point
I'll probably get banned again at some point
Book now and avoid the rush …
I'll be interested in seeing what sets it off, its always (and I mean always) something I don't expect
Stuck for ideas?
My guess is sometime around Arderns wedding, probably something to do with the guest list or similar
Let me know when it's time – will be happy to oblige
Any guidance on the appropriate? Well soaked bus ticket laid gently over wrist, or a jolly fine caning?
'or a jolly fine caning?'
That is always a good idea
Bastinado Pucky. Bastinado.
That'll learn ya.
A new ultraright party will form targeting corruption, but not in expectation of receiving their share like ACT and National troughers. They will target gross instances like the $50 million spent not planning a cycling bridge, and they will take legal action to recover a reasonable proportion of the public money that disappeared in that exercise.
The Taxpayers Union response will be uncharacteristic, some would say guilty, silence.
The Lord of The Rings TV series is going to absolutely suck giant donkey dick
The Winds of Winter will not be released this year (it won't actually ever be released but it certainly won't be this year)
I predict that within a few days time, two impossibly glamorous scientists will discover that a huge comet, nicknamed COVID-22, will collide with the Earth in exactly six months, 12 days, 3 hours and 10 minutes (approximately), potentially obliterating the Earth. The scientists will try and convince the world's governments and peoples to take this seriously but the ensuing period will just go to show that the human species is totally unsuitable to live on planet Earth. A totally mad zillionaire will convince the U.N. that masks, mRNA vaccines and social distancing won't be of any value, but he can intercept the comet on its way to mine its exceptionally valuable minerals to be used in electric vehicle batteries. Just "don't look up" he will say to deter detractors. The plan will inevitably not succeed and the comet will smash Earth to smithereens on schedule. The only upside is that this will end the pandemic.
Evidence to show collusion between pharmaceutical companies, media conglomerates, big tech corporations and governments will start to leak out
The majority of the population will not believe it
Not one mention of the changing climate, the extinction of species, the rapidly diminishing forests, the failing fish populations…sigh…
I predict that none of Robert's worries will ever be heard of again, but Robert will still be unhappy…sigh…
Sigh not, alwyn! None of those things are real, and you KNOW it!
.
Suffering from terminal colorectal cancer … just hoping to make it to 2023 … hoping the Kainga Ora scandal is revitalised through Jan, Feb & March … to the extent that we can force the eviction of my parents' psychopathic / sociopathic neighbour … I don't want to die with them still in this fucking intolerable situation … feel total solidarity with all the victims of these violent out-of-control anti-socials … and a profound anger at their paternalistic Woke protectors who will gaslight the innocent, law-abiding victims every step of the way … and, on a whole different dimension, hoping to be able to make some sort of intellectual contribution before the bucket is unceremoniously kicked … especially in decisively challenging some baseless orthodoxies (sitting on weak evidential foundations) of both New Zealand historiography & political thought … and want to travel the beautiful, beautiful South Island (uplifts the spirit every time) as extensively as possible while I still have my energy & strength.
But saddened that I’ll probably never get back to Blighty & Europe again … always wanted to travel Iceland & the Faroes & see more of Norway … wanted to see the west coast of Scotland & the Hebrides again … but pretty much resigned that I never will … bugger.
Damn dude I'm sorry to hear that. I always enjoyed your analysis of the polls.
Oh fuck. I don't trust myself to type anything useful at the moment.
Swordfish, I am truly sorry to hear this. So hard living with this diagnosis and at this point of time, so difficult to travel. I hope you have good people around you, giving you love and support.
And I hope your parents issue with the anti social tennants gets solved very soon. I am hoping the legal action is successful.
Take care. I am so sorry.
You are a fighter for your mum and dad, and a terrific contributor here.
May you rage against the dying of the light.
No real words to say Swordfish that dont seem trite.
I hope you can enjoy and experience as much as you want, while you can, and go well.
Those subhumans who live next door to your parents will live their usual short and brutish lives. I just hope for your peace and your parents peace that situation is resolved soon.
Kainga Ora need to build retirement style complexes so elderly tenants are not harassed by neighbours who cause unwanted disruption in homes at any time. The law needs to be tightened when it comes to neighbours who you want to run from and cannot because of having no where else to go.
The person in your parents neighbourhood is impacting your health, something which you can do without. Sorry to hear of your medical situation.
You need to see your MP and go to every political parties housing MP and have privacy on this matter.
That's not a bad idea
Kainga Ora need to build retirement style complexes so elderly tenants are not harassed by neighbours who cause unwanted disruption in homes at any time.
These complexes are well established here in QLD. They're typically rent controlled to $250pw for a single bed unit and age restricted to 55 and over.
The link I gave is just one random example of many. We've visited quite a few now and are generally quite impressed.
Makes a lot of sense so the elderly can have some peace and security.
Once upon a time Councils provided housing for the elderly at affordable rates. They weren't that flash, but were more than adequate. Somewhere along the line Councils decided housing the elderly wasn't their job and the housing got sold off to private providers. And that was the end of that.
I expect the property value of social housing in places like Queenstown was eye watering. National sold off the state houses there too.
Surprisingly QLDC still owns elderly housing in Arrowtown. Four units that were built in 70's, quite small but much appreciated by the inhabitants. They are an artifact of the old Arrowtown Borough and the cunning buggers sited them on a bit of reserve in Caenarvon St below the War Memorial. Any mention of rationalisation requires immediate ritual disembowelment on the Village Green
The council and housing just where to start.
Some proper bylaws when it comes to human noise. Subdivided homes with shared walls. Not funny when your bedroom is the size of an office and another tenant with a separate lease has their bed up next to your bedroom wall. Sleeping in the lounge is preferable, but has its own problems.
The council need to provide a service for tenants so they can have their home appraised for noise. Stuff like strong water flow hitting the plastic in the shower cubicle, heavy footsteps, squeaky bed legs and spring sounds from a mattress everytime the neighbour turns over. Wardrobe and bathroom sliding doors which bang through the bedroom. Whisper quiet extractor fans are a saviour as 1 – 2 hours a day of vibration /humming has now stopped.
Some people cannot wear earplugs as they hear a sound like a heart beat.
Over 55s one of Australia's better notions.
We have a popular Village out Rotorua East.
They used to do this – villages for the elderly worked well for years. However slowly but surely younger people (usually with mental health and / or addiction issues) were moved in. And then with current housing shortages it became open slather and no care has been taken with placement of tenants.
Very sorry to hear this news of your condition, swordfish. I can identify with your situation.
Hope your parents' situation with their anti-social is resolved for them and you early this year. It is a situation of a type that was starting to get coverage in the media in 2021 and hopefully this will continue in 2022 with the government and MSD deciding to toughen their policy & move such disruptive people out of communities they are making life hell for.
So sorry to hear that. Wishing you the strength and fortitude you need for all that Swordfish.
Do the SI sooner rather than later. It's a completely different place while there are no mass tourists around.
I woke up questioning the council by laws. If a person has an annoying barking dog 24/7 the council dog control unit will visit the owner of the dog.
Where I am staying this happened before Christmas. I am also looking after a small dog who cries when they know you are about to leave.
I really hope that in 2022 people can have more peace in their home and the process for having control in their home from human noise has a proper solution.
Bugger. Go well Swordfish.
Swordfish, we are shattered for you in many ways. You are a valued member here.
My prediction is the mass who believe Trump won the last election will not change their minds and will rabbit on and continue to show their absolute stupidity.
I predict that everything I do this year will be an utter success. Or more.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWkxxq4KhW0
I wonder if he followed through by later experiencing a bout of concussion?
What have we learned here?
If you want to succeed, ply, ply & ply again!
I wood knot ply this at home…Robert…unless you are really….board. cringe
Well, Peter Dunne did!
(A little obscure, sure…)
I predict at the end of the year you will change your name by deed poll to-Macouldn't.
Assured if you have no big issues, enough income and good health.
Maoridom will regain ownership of NZ's rivers, and demand that the state recover full ownership of the electricity companies.
"We allow free use of the rivers for generating purposes to benefit the community, not to benefit private shareholders" they will say.
Bring it on!
Owning the fisheries didnt mean the catching of fish became a public entity.
Thats a mistaken belief that Maori interests will believe in a public benefit when if what you described happened ( a big if) its far more likely the iwi will just charge rent for the benefit of its members
I didn't say they would succeed; but in any case attempting to extract income their taonga, I believe, would be inconsistent with te tirity, which seems to be more about ensuring that colonization does not interfere with the Maori way of life.
Labour has a major cabinet reshuffle this year when the shite massively hits the fan that's still on HP. With limited talent to reshuffle, some very strange choices will be made. That will be fodder for our media who increasingly become toxic towards Labour.
“That will be fodder for our media who increasingly become toxic towards Labour.”
I think you will be proven correct there. Towards the end of 2021 they seem to have become somewhat bored with the Jacindamania that characterised much of their reporting on the 2017 coalition government, when Winston Peters & Shane Jones could be the focus of negative reporting.
Last year’s final few months, particularly 1ewes at 6 tv reporting, & even some Stuff writers, seemed to become increasingly critical of the Labour government.
Now I believe they are looking for clicks & viewers – & if they can’t find a government controversy to report on, they’ll likely create some.
And, at the risk of being accused of sexism, some female reporters may not be able to resist the green-eyed monster when it comes to reporting on the to-date hugely successful & popular Ardern.
I’ll be interested to see if they also look to attack Luxon & Seymour. Just for clicks.
Unless Shaw & Davidson royally stuff up (Davidson seems to have learned from the fiasco of reclaiming the C word) I think they’ll leave the Greens alone & probably give them neutral to supportive reporting. (Though Shaw has been getting a wee bit of media stick for not being Green enuf on Climate Change.)
''Last year’s final few months, particularly 1ewes at 6 tv reporting, & even some Stuff writers, seemed to become increasingly critical of the Labour government.''
When these organisation become more critical of the Left. you know you they have a problem.
''And, at the risk of being accused of sexism, some female reporters may not be able to resist the green-eyed monster when it comes to reporting on the to-date hugely successful & popular Ardern.''
Females, for all their nurturing instincts, can be the nastiest creatures towards each other. It's not sexism, it's fact.
''I’ll be interested to see if they also look to attack Luxon & Seymour. Just for clicks.''
Oh, geez, it's almost a given on current form that the Right will shoot themselves multiple times in the foot before the next election. They would be better just to STFU, and let Covid and the economy deal to the Left.
A new minister of police and minister of justice is required. Both current ministers were way to quiet when it came to calling out the horrific abuse which went on at Lake Alice and how Crown Law stymied the investigations.
"That will be fodder for our media who increasingly become toxic towards Labour."
I'm wondering how much more toxic they can get.
The Herald is actively trying to overthrow the Government and now Stuff, giving the lie to Sinead's claim to being unbiased and absolutely truthful, is doing the same
From Facebook:
"Aren't you terrified by what 2022 might bring? everything is so messed up…"
"I think it will bring flowers".
"Yes? WHY?"
"Because I'm planting flowers" (plants flowers).
We must become for focused…by blurring our vision (with poetry, music, art and dance 🙂
Dissolving mechanical, crystalline thinking requires the solvent that is creativity.
Imo.
Yep… sounds like Bambi's mum wrote that.
Bambi, to the surprise of many, was male.
Bambi's mum…wasn't…
Absolute genius. I learn something every day!
You can be as creative as you want within your sphere of activity. But until the great amorphous mass of non-thinking humanity follow your lead, it will be for naught, global wise. In the meantime you shouldn't cast your pearls before swine. The mass of humanity doesn't like pearls…or the people who cast them.
Sheeple follow a leader? An antiquated notion. Nowadays they're more like sheep so herding them just requires a bit of strategic barking now & then…
Point-of-language there, Dennis:
Sheep flock, not herd; flocks of sheep, not herds of sheep.
How then, could anyone herd sheep?
(also the reason why nobody can herd cats and why there is no traditional clothing worn by catherds).)
Footnote: here in Southland, sheep-farmers go out and look the sheep.
Apparently, that's what sheep farmers and shepherds (oops!) did in Scotland, back in the day 🙂
How then, could anyone herd sheep?
The answer seems to lie in the relation between role model & copying.
Looks like the young sheep-herders copied the old ones…
FYI😎
https://youtu.be/Pk7yqlTMvp8
Cowboys herding cats.
Cool, thanks, that was fun!
Loved the sneezing cat herder!
The "great amorphous mass…" won't follow a lead until you display full, open-hearted creativity, modelling what you hope-for in others.
Imo.
The pandemic doesn't end (sorry)
The Thwaites doomsday glacier (the size of the UK) breaks off the Arctic ice sheet, cementing in near future sea level rise of half a metre.
Chloe Swarbrick starts gaining in preferred PM polls
Chocolate fish prediction: the Greens go fuck it, and spend the last 18 months kind of in government going hard on climate change, in the community, media, and pushing Labour. Major last dash effort to shift the NZ public to taking climate change seriously at the polls. Spurred on by the Greens, a new NZ climate movement arises, with a grand amalgamation of the big NGOs, Iwi, and on the ground activists. Protests break out all over the country.
"Spurred on by the Greens, a new NZ climate movement arises, with a grand amalgamation of the big NGOs, Iwi, and on the ground activists.
ProtestsCelebrations break out all over the country."Onslow project gets the nod.
A third food retailer enters the market.
NZ sends vaccine to island groups.
A new Reserve is devised to assist fish stocks.
Banks have to work with customers to avoid fire sales after a housing market adjustment.
Omicron becomes the variant world wide heralding the end of the pandemic.
The new Health system is bedded in
Two members of Labour retire at the 2023 election.
NZ manufacturing increases.
Dental work for beneficiaries and people earning under $40 000 is free for 4 visits for repair or new work.
significant reduction in sheep numbers
unemployment to virtually nil
huge increase in drug rehab programmes virtually eliminates addicts
same with mental health, depression virtually non-existent
SIS & GCSB disestablished
sexism and racism becomes socially unacceptable
covid unrest dissipates
everyone has a bed to sleep in and feels safe