Are we this stupid?

Written By: - Date published: 12:15 pm, August 21st, 2009 - 94 comments
Categories: climate change, greens - Tags:

10-20

I got along to the Greens’ sold-out screening of The Age of the Stupid last night. It’s a powerful movie, perhaps a bit disjointed at the start but it builds to a conclusion that really hits home. You can’t watch it and not come away more determined to do your bit, and demand your government does it bit, to fight climate change before it’s too late.

The movie also left me wondering. Are we really this stupid? Will we blithley and in full knowledge of what we’re doing destroy our plaent’s ability to support us and our lifestyles? Will we continue to let our governments do too little, too late? Are we so blind, so short-sighted, so blind?

I think there’s smoking analogy here. How many of us still smoke, knowing the high chance that it will cause severe damage to our health in decades’ time? We can alter our behaviour now to avoid long-run costs. Now I think about it, maybe the health risks are just part of the reason why we smoke in ever decreasing numbers.

The other part is societal. Once a critical mass of people was established that didn’t smoke themselves and didn’t want others smoking around them (probably most because it stinks but some wowserism over second-hand smoke helps) smokers had to start conforming their behaviour to non-smokers’ aims, rather than the other way around. As with smoking, so it could be with high-carbon lifestyles. Once enough of us start deciding that we will live low-carbon lifestyles, we will be able to demand changes from the market and from government to enable low-carbon living, rather than enabling high-carbon living as is currently the case.

Keeping with the smoking analogy, I think a crucial difference is that if I smoke I’m primarily and directly putting myself at a risk I otherwise won’t be exposed to. Climate change isn’t like that. The link between my actions and the outcomes is complicated, and the consequences of my actions are diffused amongst everyone while at the same time I bear the consequences of everyone else’s actions even if I don’t contribute to the problem. It’s your classic tragedy of the commons, of course. And the solution to the tragedy is to plan collectively and make people bear the consequences of their excessses personally by rationing/charging for the use of the resource.

If we don’t want this to be remembered as the age of stupid, the era in which we squandered the Earth’s limited resources and destroyed our environment, it is down to each of us to do our part. We need to take responsibility at an individual and community level by living low-carbon lifestyles, and, building on that, we need to demand our governments make high-carbon lifestyles unattractive and unaffordable. Before it’s too late.

94 comments on “Are we this stupid? ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Lanthanide 1
    21 August 2009 at 12:46 pm

    “Once enough of us start deciding that we will live low-carbon lifestyles, we will be able to demand changes from the market and from government to enable low-carbon living, rather than enabling high-carbon living as is currently the case.”

    Yes, but beware of the ‘greenwash’. Perfect example: new hard drives being released by WesternDigital are ‘green’ and ‘ecofriendly’ because they use something like 40% less power than other hard drives. Ok, that’s nice, and it is better to buy a ‘green’ hard drive than a standard one. The greenest thing, though, is not to buy a hard drive at all.

    Similarly I saw some article on stuff about how to raise a child in a ‘green’ and ‘eco-friendly’ way. The greenest and most ecofriendly thing you can do is not to have a child at all.

    • lukas 1.1
      21 August 2009 at 3:36 pm

      “The greenest and most ecofriendly thing you can do is not to have a child at all.”

      Are you advocating the “one child policy” of the Green Party?

      • Lanthanide 1.1.1
        21 August 2009 at 5:09 pm

        Yes.

        I’m not going to have any children though, so I’ll sell you my child license.

      • Chris 1.1.2
        22 August 2009 at 9:01 am

        Your ‘insight’ is appears to be somewhat limited. Where exactly does it say ‘one child’ in the Green Party population policy? I missed that bit.

        • Frank Macskasy 1.1.2.1
          23 August 2009 at 8:01 am

          He made it up. Right wingers are known to fabricate, exaggerate, and obfuscate. It’s their #1 tactic when they have no real way to rationally debate a topic.

    • James Barber 1.2
      22 August 2009 at 8:45 am

      I’m always curious about the child issue.

      Even a small change in temp is likely to kill an awful lot of people in the 3rd world. This will lower the population drastically.

      However, the problem will still continue because of our lifestyles in the 1st world, not because of overpopulation. I find people who support the no kids view interesting as I find it defeats the purpose of environmentalism(which is to ensure a decent society for ourselves and our child)

      I guess the no kids thing is a bit of utilitarian sacrifice, I won’t have kids so someone else’s will be okay.

      Either way, slightly disappointed to see no mention of the economic argument FOR New Zealand to take strong action on climate change. Simply the “world=good” argument gives fuel to the “NZ=0.01%” argument.

  2. Angry Grandson 2
    21 August 2009 at 1:11 pm

    If we don’t want this to be remembered as the age of stupid, umm
    Heres the go – We all need to do less. Learn and attain the skills involved in various hobbies, pastimes – like, carpentry instead of international airtravel.
    The Age of Less Is More Or Less.

  3. Draco T Bastard 3
    21 August 2009 at 1:56 pm

    As long as capitalism rules we’ll continue being this stupid.

    • Swampy 3.1
      22 August 2009 at 10:34 pm

      The Soviet Union was one of the biggest polluting countries in the world, even today their continent is littered with massive amounts of pollution. So their anti-capitalist ideology was completely irrelevant. Show me the proof that Communist China is a clean green nation (LOL).

      • Jeremy 3.1.1
        24 August 2009 at 5:46 pm

        show me proof that the soviet union or PRC have ever been communist. It’s a label used by their politicians to gain power, not something they actually put into practice.

        • Swampy 3.1.1.1
          30 August 2009 at 12:44 am

          Sorry, that is an excuse. The same old one, that the Soviet Union or China is not ideologically pure and that is why communism “failed” in those countries.

          (Has the list of moderated flag words ever been published anywhere?)

      • Con 3.1.2
        25 August 2009 at 1:05 am

        Why do you expect someone else to show you proof, Swampy? Are you not up to the job of looking it up for yourself?

        China has a large industrial sector which exports vast quantities of manufactured goods all over the world, including NZ. Yet despite this they emit less carbon per capita than even good old “%10-20 PURE” New Zealand. But don’t let the facts get in the way of a good anti-communist sneer will you?

        LOL

  4. no leftie 4
    21 August 2009 at 2:24 pm

    Ken Livingstone says “Every single person in the country should be forcibly sat down on a chair and made to watch this film.”

    Note the “forcibly” and “made to” parts of his comment.

    Unless you market the message a lot better than that, you’ll continue to be very disappointed.

    • snoozer 4.1
      21 August 2009 at 2:29 pm

      oh noes, Ken Livingstone’s language could be taken badly by PC crybabies like no leftie.

      I guess we’ll just have to stick our heads in the sand then and pretend climate change isn’t a clear and present danger.

      • no leftie 4.1.1
        21 August 2009 at 2:50 pm

        Do you really think threats are the way forward?

        Be very afraid of anyone advocating violence in the guise of saving the planet.

        And in case you don’t believe violence is implied in Red Ken’s comment.

        Ask yourself “What if I don’t want to watch the Age of Stupid?”

        You’ll be “be forcibly sat down on a chair and made to watch”

        • snoozer 4.1.1.1
          21 August 2009 at 3:12 pm

          threats? What threats? Did you see the words ‘should be’? Your upset about the choice of words an ex-mayor in another country?

          man, when muscular conservatism get replaced with these bedwetters?

          The fact is you don’t want to debate the issue. you would rather have a cry about some irrelevant guy’s choice of words. That tells me all I need to know about where you stand – you don’t want to do anything about climate cahnge but you’ve got no argument to back up where you stand, it’s just willful blindness.

      • Quoth the Raven 4.1.2
        21 August 2009 at 2:59 pm

        Don’t be a dick snoozer and that goes for OOB. You don’t have to be a CC denier to recognise that what Livingston said is remarkbly stupid and does no help to the cause. I believe passionately in protecting the envrionment people like Livingston are incredibly unhelpful. What no leftie said is exactly right the message could be marketed a lot better. We don’t need idiots like Livingston turning people off.

        • snoozer 4.1.2.1
          21 August 2009 at 3:13 pm

          who gives a damn what livingstone said?

          I think that’s oob’s point too.

          • Quoth the Raven 4.1.2.1.1
            21 August 2009 at 3:17 pm

            If that’s the point that OOB was making then that is fair, but that was not the point you made in your first “PC cry babies” comment.

            There’s no need to turn it around on no leftie and accuse him of ignoring climate change we don’t know that he is. To me he made a perfectly acceptable observation in his first comment: “Unless you market the message a lot better than that, you’ll continue to be very disappointed.”

            • NickS 4.1.2.1.1.1
              21 August 2009 at 3:29 pm

              Actually on one of the previous climate change threads, he did come across as not accepting climate change:
              http://www.thestandard.org.nz/the-cost-of-doing-nothing/#comment-154117

              And sometimes civility is extremely over-rated when dealing with idiots.

            • Pascal's bookie 4.1.2.1.1.2
              21 August 2009 at 3:53 pm

              Classic concern troll though Quoth. ”

              “Oh noes! you musn’t use that metaphor! Now I totes won’t listen to ur argument! and I relly reelly wants to discuss it but because you used a bad word I’ll just cry about that for some time and let’s all discuss my state of offendedness”

              fuck that.

              …and just saying, but there’s a certain irony given your tendency to use the ‘cultist’ language for anyone that doesn’t condemn Obama enough for your taste. No?

            • Quoth the Raven 4.1.2.1.1.3
              21 August 2009 at 4:37 pm

              PB – As someone who likes to discuss Krugman a lot you might note that Krugman was one the first people to note a “cult of personality” around Obama.

            • Pascal's bookie 4.1.2.1.1.4
              21 August 2009 at 5:07 pm

              So what?

              Because I quote Krugman on some matters, and because he has noted “”cult of personality’ around Obama”, does that mean we all must denounce everything Obama does?

              Jesus wept dude. just because I agree with some things Krugman says, that doesn’t mean I agree with everything he says. That would be cult like. Just because Krugman says there is a cult of personality around Obama that doesn’t mean that everyone who fails to denounce him to your satisfaction is a cultist, either in reality, or in the sense Krugman was talking about.

              You might also want to consider the effectiveness of your denouncing of anyone who isn’t left enough for you, or who uses words in ways you don’t agree with. You’ve got a lot of worthwhile things to say, and I was just noting an irony here, that’s all

              You can pay attention to it or not.

            • Quoth the Raven 4.1.2.1.1.5
              21 August 2009 at 5:10 pm

              You are qite right PB I was just making the point that a others use the word cult in relation to Obama. I don’t denounce everything Obama does just 99% of it =) Damn it. I’ve already left this thread.

  5. outofbed 5
    21 August 2009 at 2:35 pm

    Are we this stupid ?
    no leftie gives us the answer

    • no leftie 5.1
      21 August 2009 at 3:00 pm

      Threats AND abuse.

      Good to see you’re holding the moral high ground.

      Great message to take to the public as well.

      [lprent: Your comments seem designed to disrupt debate and drag it to irrelevant flamewars. There is no significant abuse by my standards (and they are pretty much the only ones that count here). That means you are tettering on being classed as a troll – read the policy.

      If you wish I’ll demonstrate how I like to vent some real levels of abuse on trolls. I consider it a darwinian winnowing to get rid of bad behaviour. ]

      • no leftie 5.1.1
        21 August 2009 at 9:51 pm

        Iprent attack, delete, whatever.

        I wanted to enlighten your readers about a ridiculous comment about The Age of Stupid made by a socialist hero.

        I also hoped to find someone else just as horrified by the violence implicit in that remark.

        I guess I’ll look elsewhere.

        • lprent 5.1.1.1
          21 August 2009 at 10:28 pm

          Enlighten?

          You have to have something to say in a line that others haven’t already heard and dismissed as puerile when you were in nappies. You sound as stupid in strategy as Muldoon was in the 1960’s. Great tactics. Causes the country to fail a few decades later.

          I’d suggest that you learn to think past sniffing your own methane laden hot air.

          The only people that are allowed to try to control behaviour here are the moderators and the sysop. Don’t try it again…

  6. vto 6
    21 August 2009 at 2:53 pm

    its better to burn out than to fade away..

    (apparently)

  7. Brickley Paiste 7
    21 August 2009 at 2:54 pm

    I like the smoking analogy. Another analogy people raise is the risk of nuclear doom during the Cold War. Putting aside the fact that the risk of nuclear war is still high, there is another problem with the analogy that I find unsettling.

    To avoid nuclear anihiliation during the Cold War, people had to refrain from action –launching missles.

    To continue climate change, we simply need to continue with business as usual.

    It’s much easier to avoid positive actions than omissions.

    • bobbity 7.1
      21 August 2009 at 4:18 pm

      Yes we should stop living high carbon lifestyles – I mean who needs carbon anyway we should remove it from our diets immediately.

      On a more rationale note why don’t we hear more about the soot that’s pumped into the atmosphere by the real polluters

      ” …Soot may be a contributor to the disappearance of glaciers in some regions and could even explain the accelerated rates of melt in the Himalaya-Hindu-Kush,”

      “… scientists urge rapid reduction of black carbon emissions to slow warming in the near term and help avoid passing the temperature thresholds for abrupt climate changes. Unlike CO2, where a significant fraction remains in the atmosphere for over a thousand years, black carbon only stays in the atmosphere for a few days to a week. Hence, reducing black carbon emissions has an immediate effect on global warming. In contrast to reductions in black carbon soot, cuts in CO2 emissions, while essential, do not produce significant cooling for at least a thousand years “

  8. Maynard J 8
    21 August 2009 at 4:14 pm

    To no leftie and Quoth the Raven – if you get put off by a comment by an ex-mayor, then being put off by the comment by an ex-mayor is the least of your problems.

    Let me put it this way – why waste time and energy on people who piss and moan about semantics, since they are clearly not going to give a hoot about the real issue if they are that desperate to divert themselves from it and take a good hard look at the ‘framing’ of said message.

    To quote – Trying to have a conversation with [them] would be like arguing with a dining room table.

    • Quoth the Raven 8.1
      21 August 2009 at 4:26 pm

      If you care about the environment then you should want the environmentalist message to be as disasociated as possible from aggressive statements such as Livingston’s and so you should make a point as I have to criticise those who do damage to the environmentalist message. Furthermore if you care about the environment you’d want other’s to care about the environment and as ‘no leftie’ rightly notes you’re not going to get that with people like Livingston spouting virulently aggressive shit, you’re just going to turn them off the message. People who care about the environment should denounce people like Livingston. Here’s a quote and from someone with better credentials than a new labour hack or republocrat:

      “However much I may sympathise with and admire worthy motives, I am an uncompromising opponent of violent methods even to serve the noblest of causes.’ – Gandhi.

      • Maynard J 8.1.1
        21 August 2009 at 4:34 pm

        To be honest I thought about that as I wrote what I wrote above and you are right in general terms – there is no point trying to antagonise people with your message.

        However I think the example given is an utterly weak one. It is a pretty standard phrase, common parlance, to use, and no one would give it a second look unless they already had a whopping great big chip already lodged firmly at shoulder height.

        The use of such an argument against that specific message turns on my internal dining room table indicator.

        • lprent 8.1.1.1
          21 August 2009 at 4:40 pm

          And my troll senses activated. But no leftie has been on a while without activating those, so got a warning rather than my more abrupt handling…

        • Quoth the Raven 8.1.1.2
          21 August 2009 at 4:50 pm

          Thanks Maynard for a reasonable and well-argued reply others could learn from you.

  9. Rex Widerstrom 9
    21 August 2009 at 4:24 pm

    Is that the Meremere power station in the pic? If so, not the best example of anti-planetary activity, given that it’s being turned into a recycling plant.

    Seeing it, however, reminded me vaguely of sometime circa 1995 when NZ First was approached by a company whose name I can’t now remember who had a plan to ship domestic rubbish from most of the upper North Island to Meremere and burn it at very high temperatures, with smoke filtration and other appropriate safeguards in place.

    I’m no expert but it looked at least feasible to me, yet the company concerned couldn’t get enough interest from the government of the day to make it worthwhile their going to the next stage. Some local authorities seemed to prefer their landfills and, IIRC, there were objections from local Maori (I dimly recall being sent up to negotiate with Sir Robert Mahuta and other kaumatua).

    I wonder what became of it all eventually? I mean clearly it never happened, but how close it came and whether it was in fact feasible.

    Anyway, interesting to see Nikau Contractors coming up with much the same idea over a decade later. Clearly there was less red tape for them to overcome, or something.

    • Maynard J 9.1
      21 August 2009 at 4:29 pm

      It is Huntly. E3P was an advance, but clean coal is a bit too far away at this stage.

    • lprent 9.2
      21 August 2009 at 4:37 pm

      Huntly power station…

      • Rex Widerstrom 9.2.1
        21 August 2009 at 5:10 pm

        Oh yeah… there’s no river right in front of Meremere. Doh! Well I got the general geography correct…

        I really do wonder what happened to the proposal to burn most of the North Island’s waste at Meremere though… think of the landfill that wouldn’t be filled right now, leaching heaven knows what into the soil, if it had taken off.

        The company was called Olivine. I think this is them mentioned here.

        All I can find that seems relevant is a reference in an old ARC document of 2000 which says:

        There was a proposal to convert the old Meremere Power Station into a waste incineration plant in order to generate power, however this did not get consent to proceed.

        That seems, on the face of it, to have been a shortsighted approach. I wonder if waste-generated electricity is viable nowadays?

        Sorry, I’m wandering slightly off topic, all prompted by a photograph. Gawd, next thing I know I’ll be using phrases like “in my day…” 😯

        • Chris 9.2.1.1
          22 August 2009 at 9:13 am

          There was indeed a proposal to convert the old Meremere power station into a very large incinerator.

          The Authorities asked how was the smoke going to be treated (among other questions.) The applicant replied that well, the wind would waft it away. And how was the applicant proposing to deal with the dioxins and other chemical nasties in the smoke? The wind will simply waft it away.

          Sigh. It’s not surprising that the Authorities declined the application, and equally it’s not surprising the level of stupi-duty that exists.

    • vto 9.3
      21 August 2009 at 10:10 pm

      sheesh Rex “Is that the Meremere power station in the pic?”

      if ever there was proof that this blog inhabits a world removed that is it

      • Rex Widerstrom 9.3.1
        21 August 2009 at 10:55 pm

        Sheesh vto, I haven’t been near the place for almost a decade (so I am removed… not quite by the entire world, but by a contient), and last time I went by they’d pulled down one smokestack, leaving two.

  10. outofbed 10
    21 August 2009 at 4:36 pm

    QTR
    Ken said we should watch the film
    You quote fucking Gandhi FFS

    I care enough to want my Grandchildren to live a life without worrying about the fucked up planet,,
    The question asks
    ” Are we this stupid?”
    The answer it seems is yes

    • Quoth the Raven 10.1
      21 August 2009 at 4:45 pm

      Ken said people should be forced to watch the film. This thread has got out of hand because of the unreasonable reaction to ‘no leftie’s’ comment. However, unreasonable ‘no leftie’ usually maybe his first comment was reasonable. The comment may seem innocuous, but I felt I stand up for ‘no leftie’s’ position even if I’m a rabid leftie.

      I’m forever quoting famous anarchists haven’t you noticed?

      • snoozer 10.1.1
        21 August 2009 at 5:00 pm

        grow up QtR, we’re trying to discuss the greatest threat facing mankind and you’re having a cry over some person’s choice of words.

        • Quoth the Raven 10.1.1.1
          21 August 2009 at 5:04 pm

          Don’t let me stop you. You’re under no compulsion to reply to my comments. Go ahead converse. Show us your great scientific knowledge.

          • Quoth the Raven 10.1.1.1.1
            21 August 2009 at 5:07 pm

            I leave this thread now. I have too much work (actual science) to do anyway.

        • mike 10.1.1.2
          21 August 2009 at 8:06 pm

          “greatest threat facing mankind” Is that since the Y2K bug was going to render our computers useless?
          I bet you switched yours off at 11.45pm right…

          • Con 10.1.1.2.1
            25 August 2009 at 1:14 am

            Yawn. You forgot to mention the “global cooling” scare of the 1970s, and the faked Apollo “moon landing”. Please try harder.

      • no leftie 10.1.2
        21 August 2009 at 10:10 pm

        A rabid leftie and a red(brown)neck fighting back to back against fanatics threatening violence to further their claims – who would have thought?

  11. Andrei 11
    21 August 2009 at 4:46 pm

    Age of stupid – huh

    Yep people are as gullible as ever.

    Ten years from now people will be watching the “Age of Stupid” and rolling in the aisles.

    My daughter was subjected to Al Gores nonsense in Social Studies a week or so ago – she didn’t buy it, a lot the flaws in reasoning were obvious even to her thirteen year old brain.

    • snoozer 11.1
      21 August 2009 at 5:06 pm

      please andrei, enlighten us. Tell us how climate change is a load of rubbish.

      No, you won’t be doing that eh? And if you try, you’ll get a deluge of facts and figures that will leave you without answer. Easier to stick to the silly comments about Al Gore than try to argue the science eh?

      Get your 13 year old to explain radiative forcing to you. Once you understand that we’re putting more stuff in the atmosphere that traps heat and that stable climates are vital to our economy, the rest of it is just nitpicking.

    • lprent 11.2
      21 August 2009 at 5:09 pm

      Ummm is this the Andrei that shows up at tbr along with that Wishart?

      If so I’m surprised you haven’t tried to sue someone for pointing out that you are full of bullshit.

      Guilt by association being one of Ian Wishart’s ‘logical’ arguments. It seems fair (if you are that Andrei – and you certainly sound like it) to apply the same technique to you.

      Of course he usually has to make up the ‘association’ with an dissociative argument like ‘has associates whose names sound italian, therefore there is a mafia connection…’. Has anyone seen Mario yet?

      I don’t think that your opinion is worth much.

  12. outofbed 12
    21 August 2009 at 5:12 pm

    “daughter of a RWNJ thinks doesn’t believe in AGW horror”
    let me guess jesus is her saviour ? and she approves of smacking ?

  13. George D 13
    21 August 2009 at 5:13 pm

    Yes.

  14. RedLogix 14
    21 August 2009 at 5:18 pm

    @Andrei,

    Why so gullible? I’ve read a few of your comments over the last few weeks and I’m at a loss to understand exactly what you are trying to say. I’m guessing that you have uncovered some fatal evidential flaw in the science underpinning AGW, but I’m struggling to get a grasp on the detail you must have in mind.

  15. Andrei 15
    21 August 2009 at 5:36 pm

    I don’t think that your opinion is worth much.

    Well I don’t think that matters particularly in the scheme of things.

    You can debate this matter from a viewpoint drawn from historical records, geological records, physical chemistry, geography, meteorology, astronomy or non linear dynamics and various combinations thereof or you can go down the propaganda route with tacky movies and demonization of those who don’t share your viewpoint calling them stupid or worse.

    The second route is easier but at the end of the day completely unproductive.

    And when the world doesn’t end and all the dire predictions don’t come to pass who will look stupid then I wonder.

    • RedLogix 15.1
      21 August 2009 at 5:49 pm

      You can debate this matter from a viewpoint drawn from historical records, geological records, physical chemistry, geography, meteorology, astronomy or non linear dynamics and various combinations thereof

      Cool. So you DO have some new information we haven’t seen before.

      • Andrei 15.1.1
        21 August 2009 at 7:28 pm

        Oh sure, but it is casting pearls before swine – your ears are blocked and your minds are closed.

        An exercise for the reader

        Determine the total volume of ice in Antarctica

        Assume it is at an average temperature of -1C

        Calculate the total energy required to raise it to 0C

        Calculate the total energy required for the phase change from solid to liquid.

        Calculate the annual total solar energy reaching the earths surface

        Assume all this goes into Antarctic ice melting

        Calculate how long before Antarctica is ice free

        Show all your working and assumptions

        • NickS 15.1.1.1
          21 August 2009 at 7:46 pm

          Cue mega irony when one realises all of Andrei’s assumptions and condition are highly unrealistic…

          • Armchair Critic 15.1.1.1.1
            21 August 2009 at 8:36 pm

            I think Andrei’s point is that if you apply some completely unrealistic assumptions to some simple mathematics you end up with an unrealistic answer.
            In this case, the ice would melt at a ridiculously quick rate.
            I’m guessing Andrei is sick of tbr so he is gunning for a job at treasury, or as an advisor to ACT.

        • RedLogix 15.1.1.2
          22 August 2009 at 7:22 am

          Rough 1st order calculation:

          Volume of Antarctic Ice = 30 *10^6 km3
          = 30* 10^6 km3 * 10^3 kg/m3 * 10^9 m3/km3
          = 30 * 10^18kg

          Latent Heat of Water = 334kJ/kg

          Total Energy to change phase = 334kJ/kg * 30 * 10^18kg =~ 10^22 kJ

          Total Solar Irradiation = 1.7 *10^14 kW (Not all of this reaches the Earths surface, but near enough)

          1 kw = 1 kJ/sec

          Time to melt = Energy/Power
          = 10^22 kJ / 1.7 * 10^14 kJ/sec

          =~ 0.5 * 10^8 seconds =~ 1.6 years.

          I dunno, my math is so crap I don’t ever believe my own answers until someone else checks them; but I’m still not sure what answer you were looking for.

          Certainly no-one is suggesting that both the WAIS and EAIS will melt in the next year or so. That would raise sea levels a catastrophic 60m or so. Much more concerning is the unstable WAIS which could well become ungrounded and breakup (because much of it is sitting on bedrock many km below sea level). If all of it broke up,sea levels might rise by 6-7m, but even just 1-2m of that in the next century would be pretty hard to cope with.

          • Andrei 15.1.1.2.1
            23 August 2009 at 9:17 am

            Great work though you omitted the calculation the energy requirement to raise the ice by -1C to 0C.

            The assumptions are unrealistic of course, as was pointed out but the more realistic you make them the further out the melt will become.

            I am going to try and get my boy, a year 12 physics student to have a go at this and see what he come up with.

            Its not going to happen any time soon that is for sure.

    • lprent 15.2
      21 August 2009 at 7:11 pm

      So are you the Andrei from tbr? Just to get a context from whence your scientific illiteracy comes from….

  16. Bill 16
    21 August 2009 at 5:39 pm

    “we will be able to demand changes from the market”

    Em, no you, I, we won’t. But if you seriously think otherwise then will you please outline a scenario showing citizens demanding and achieving ‘changes from the market’? A command economy along the lines of what was implemented in the USSR can dictate the market but there are a whole host of reasons for not wanting to go down that path.

    Then you say “We need to take responsibility at an individual and community level..” Okay. But how does that square with “we need to demand our governments make high-carbon lifestyles unattractive and unaffordable”. Are you suggesting that the government impose responsible behaviour through penalising certain irresponsible lifestyles? And that the government will do so in reaction to demands coming from responsible individual and community behaviour?

    Sorry, but if you want to advocate political solutions they need to display a level of consistency absent from this post. They need to be thought through much more thoroughly and carefully if they are to be taken seriously or as anything beyond a pointless and impotent list of commandments.

  17. coolas 17
    21 August 2009 at 5:55 pm

    Haven’t seen the movie but given the title seems spot on.
    Earth cannot support the goal of ‘under-developed’ counties achieving the lifestyle/consumption of the ‘developed’ West.

    If China & India consumed as much per capita as Americans we’d run out of resources real fast. But that’s the goal of ‘development’: more and more consumption by more and more people. It can’t be sustained.

    Humans seem hard wired to wanting more and more, and the changes needed to sustain life on Earth require we do with less and less..

    Of course we’re stupid because we waste finite resource on things fighting wars. How dumb is that.

  18. Ranginui 18
    21 August 2009 at 7:51 pm

    Kia Ora, I agree with post, but it doesn’t go nearly far enuff. I live in the bush – I come out an use my ladies computer – and boy that’s the life. I think we shoudl get back to basics, no cars, no buses, nothing that requires energy except the fire that keeps me warm. I’m working on a wooden bycyle during my day time, but not having any steel for a knife I’ve had to chisel out a peice of ponamu with a stone. man it’s hard work carving a bike – but it’s going to worth it casue my moko’s are gunna have plenty of resoures to hand on to their moko’s and they can hand it on to their moko’s and so on. Tell you what though it was bloody cold this winter eh, am I allowed to burn milk bottles?

  19. lprent 19
    21 August 2009 at 8:32 pm

    Mike: no. I wasn’t running COBOL or fortran programs. The bios date and time routines at the time were good to 2032. The operating system was something like 2070. The databases I used weren’t daft enough to code in bcd for dates.

    Why should I have been worried?

    The real issue was from COBOL systems coded in the 50-70’s. They got upgraded or replaced well before the date because if the fuss. Which is why there was a fuss made. Of course the technophobes in the media played it up, but noone in the industry was particularly worried

    You’re a fool if you think that the co2 acculmulation is a similar level of an issue.

  20. just another student 20
    21 August 2009 at 8:40 pm

    I think the age of stupid fits well, along with the terms the age of NOW and the age of self focused. Thinking about the future seems lost on many today, all they are concerned about is getting the most they can NOW.

    I fear for my children’s futures more each passing year seeing who is responsible for making the decisions that will affect them.

  21. lprent 21
    21 August 2009 at 8:44 pm

    Umm I forgot to mention the greedy it sales people and empire building it managers. They were also into talking it up for their own benefit. But they know bugger all about tech.

    Always look at the techs to find out how serious a problem is. In 1999, programmers like me were blasé. In 2009 the working climatologists and earth scientists (like I trained for) are distinctly worried.

  22. Gus 22
    21 August 2009 at 8:57 pm

    I have to say this posting has given me a glimmer of hope. Since I turned 18 I have voted Labour – well at least my party vote, ok well last time I gave it to National because frankly I had had enough of the nastiness that seems to be developing into a norm with Labour devotees. Enough on that. Gotta say I drive a V8 and don’t buy into the whole argument but this, balanced, relatively unemotional piece will make me re-think my attitude. Nice to see a posting that pushes a point without going into attack mode.

  23. deWithiel 23
    21 August 2009 at 10:24 pm

    Ah well, as I quipped on election night, we’ve shifted from being the shaky isles to the stupid isles. The failure of the electorate to understand the science of climate change and its personal responsibility is an extraordinary inditement of our education system. Actually, the failure of the electorate to understand the fundamental consequences of the National party’s selfishness on this (and a myriad of other) issues is an even more damning assesment of the way we’re taught to think.

  24. deWithiel 24
    21 August 2009 at 10:28 pm

    Ah well, as I quipped on election night, we’ve shifted from being the shaky isles to the stupid isles. The failure of the electorate to understand the science of climate change and its consequential responsibilities is an extraordinary inditement of our education system. Actually, the failure of the electorate to understand the fundamentally selfish nature of the National party’s policies on this (and a myriad of other) issues is an even more damning assesment of the way we’re taught to think and act.

  25. infused 25
    22 August 2009 at 1:01 am

    Another yawn fest. Get a new cause please. No ones buying in to your shit. The trailer was the biggest pile of alarmist shit I’ve ever seen. Talk about playing on emotion.

  26. infused 26
    22 August 2009 at 1:06 am

    And in answer to your question, only thestandard are this stupid.

    • NickS 26.1
      22 August 2009 at 11:13 am

      Yeap, because siding with the vast majority of climate researchers when we’re not experts on the subjects means we’re teh stupid…
      /sarcasm

  27. randal 27
    22 August 2009 at 12:04 pm

    yes we are that stupid.
    read thorstein veblen on the theory of the leisure class and how human wants are insatiable.
    we need stuff so we are different from our fellows.
    gimme gimme gimee.
    afriend was in ethiopia during operation hope.
    recipients of aid would destroy anything they couldnt carry so nobody else could have it.
    other examples abound but its still the same old story.
    I just need a five hundred acre estate upstate in the hamptons so I can live my dream. a chopper to go to work in manahattan an a sports car and golf club membership and shall I go on?

  28. Adolf Fiinkensein 28
    22 August 2009 at 6:50 pm

    randal yes, you are that stupid. And illiterate.

  29. Swampy 29
    22 August 2009 at 10:32 pm

    No we are not stupid, because we are not kowtowing to the views of extremists in this important matter. How about some reality check here, Guyon Espiner in his political blog “How much more does Labour think the public is willing to pay to meet New Zealand’s climate change obligations, given we represent just 0.2% of the world’s emissions? ”

    Get a life, seriously. Why these extremists think NZ should sink into ground when our contribution could be wiped out by China’s non participation for example.

    In fact that is the debate, the Greens want to force extremist ideology (and that should get a lot more traction)

    • Frank Macskasy 29.1
      23 August 2009 at 8:13 am

      Perhaps an extreme situation requires an extreme solution?

    • Draco T Bastard 29.2
      23 August 2009 at 1:34 pm

      How about some reality check here, Guyon Espiner…

      hahahahahaha

      Guyon Espiner wouldn’t know reality if it hit him.

  30. Frank Macskasy 30
    23 August 2009 at 8:11 am

    I’ve always wondered…

    Considering that astronomers are discovering new planets outside our own Solar System almost on a weekly basis; considering that there must be billions of planets throughout just our own galaxy; considering that there must be tens of millions of planets that orbit their parent-sun(s) is just the right position – not too hot, not too cold – and considering that there must be several millions with just the right circumstances for life to emerge; and that ultimately, a million or two must evolve intelligent life,,,

    Why haven’t we picked up their transmissions? Radio, tv, radar, miscrowaves – a certain number of intelligent civilisations would utilise these tools as part of their industrial base.

    That we haven’t picked up their signals indicates that intelligent, technologically advanced races are very rare throughout this galaxy.

    Perhaps more rare than the odds should dictate?

    Could it be, simply, that most industrialised races will ultimately self-destruct, either by tribal warfare utilising atomic weapons – or by environment degradation.

    It’s the old story of the frog in pan of steadily warming water. It doesn’t realise it is in a fatal situation until too late, and it is dead.

    Civilisations may not realise that the pan of water is heating up. And yes, we are too stupid, collectively, to get out.

    • Draco T Bastard 30.1
      23 August 2009 at 1:32 pm

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fermi_paradox

      Actually, I believe studies have shown that silly little things like TV transmissions etc are unlikely to be picked up out of the background radiation further than a light year out.

      Environmental degradation shouldn’t cause an intelligent species to become extinct although it would be seriously culled. What is the most likely scenario, IMO, is that an industrial society uses up almost all of the resources available and then just doesn’t have the energy available to get off the planet even though it will have the knowledge.

  31. no leftie 31
    23 August 2009 at 11:26 am

    It’s good to finally see some debate here about about how the global warming message should be framed and not just the usual tiresome – yes its is – no it isn’t – back and forth.

    Because really who’s going to change their minds here? If you believe, it’s real – if you don’t, it isn’t.

    Also I don’t think the “do what I tell you to, or the world will end” message is a winner but I’m not sure what else you’ve got. Self-preservation is the only way people will put up with draconian controls and dramatic price rises but the sea will have to be lapping at their front doors before they’ll be convinced.

    Yet another “the end is nigh” film or politicians’ talkfest won’t do it.

  32. Swampy 32
    30 August 2009 at 12:43 am

    Depends on who is stupid and what.

    This is a die in the ditch issue for the Greens, but they need to remember they are on one of the political extremes. They’re there for a reason, the fact that people on the extremes of politics are always the ones who want New Zealand to martyr itself for their cause.

    I think Helen Clark came into this in a certain way because it’s clear she wanted to use New Zealand as a stepping stone to her United Nations career.

  33. BLiP 33
    30 August 2009 at 12:58 am

    I think

    Your claim fails at the skimpiest glance of the evidence.

Links to post

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • The ‘Humpty Dumpty’ end result of dismantling our environmental protections
    Policymakers rarely wish to make plain or visible their desire to dismantle environmental policy, least of all to the young. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s the top five news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above between Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    27 mins ago

  • Nicola's Salad Days.
    I like to keep an eye on what’s happening in places like the UK, the US, and over the ditch with our good mates the Aussies. Let’s call them AUKUS, for want of a better collective term. More on that in a bit.It used to be, not long ago, that ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 hour ago

  • Study sees climate change baking in 19% lower global income by 2050
    TL;DR: The global economy will be one fifth smaller than it would have otherwise been in 2050 as a result of climate damage, according to a new study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) and published in the journal Nature. (See more detail and analysis below, and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 hours ago

  • Weekly Roundup 19-April-2024
    It’s Friday again. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week on Greater Auckland On Tuesday Matt covered at the government looking into a long tunnel for Wellington. On Wednesday we ran a post from Oscar Simms on some lessons from Texas. AT’s ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    3 hours ago

  • Jack Vowles: Stop the panic – we’ve been here before
    New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’.  The data is from February this ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 hours ago

  • Clearing up confusion (or trying to)
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters is understood to be planning a major speech within the next fortnight to clear up the confusion over whether or not New Zealand might join the AUKUS submarine project. So far, there have been conflicting signals from the Government. RNZ reported the Prime Minister yesterday in ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 hours ago

  • How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log iPhone Without Computer
    How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log on iPhone Without a Computer: A Step–by–Step Guide Losing your iPhone call history can be frustrating, especially when you need to find a specific number or recall an important conversation. But before you panic, know that there are ways to retrieve deleted call logs on your iPhone, even without a computer. This guide will explore various methods, ranging from simple checks to utilizing iCloud backups and third–party applications. So, let‘s dive in and recover those lost calls! 1. Check Recently Deleted Folder: Apple understands that accidental deletions happen. That‘s why they introduced the “Recently Deleted“ folder for various apps, including the Phone app. This folder acts as a safety net, storing deleted call logs for up to 30 days before permanently erasing them. Here‘s how to check it: Open the Phone app on your iPhone. Tap on the “Recents“ tab at the bottom. Scroll to the top and tap on “Edit“. Select “Show Recently Deleted“. Browse the list to find the call logs you want to recover. Tap on the desired call log and choose “Recover“ to restore it to your call history. 2. Restore from iCloud Backup: If you regularly back up your iPhone to iCloud, you might be able to retrieve your deleted call log from a previous backup. However, keep in mind that this process will restore your entire phone to the state it was in at the time of the backup, potentially erasing any data added since then. Here‘s how to restore from an iCloud backup: Go to Settings > General > Reset. Choose “Erase All Content and Settings“. Follow the on–screen instructions. Your iPhone will restart and show the initial setup screen. Choose “Restore from iCloud Backup“ during the setup process. Select the relevant backup that contains your deleted call log. Wait for the restoration process to complete. 3. Explore Third–Party Apps (with Caution): ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    7 hours ago

  • How to Factory Reset iPhone without Computer: A Comprehensive Guide to Restoring your Device
    Life throws curveballs, and sometimes, those curveballs necessitate wiping your iPhone clean and starting anew. Whether you’re facing persistent software glitches, preparing to sell your device, or simply wanting a fresh start, knowing how to factory reset iPhone without a computer is a valuable skill. While using a computer with ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    14 hours ago

  • How to Call Someone on a Computer: A Guide to Voice and Video Communication in the Digital Age
    Gone are the days when communication was limited to landline phones and physical proximity. Today, computers have become powerful tools for connecting with people across the globe through voice and video calls. But with a plethora of applications and methods available, how to call someone on a computer might seem ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    15 hours ago

  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #16 2024
    Open access notables Glacial isostatic adjustment reduces past and future Arctic subsea permafrost, Creel et al., Nature Communications: Sea-level rise submerges terrestrial permafrost in the Arctic, turning it into subsea permafrost. Subsea permafrost underlies ~ 1.8 million km2 of Arctic continental shelf, with thicknesses in places exceeding 700 m. Sea-level variations over glacial-interglacial cycles control ...
    Skeptical Science
    15 hours ago

  • Where on a Computer is the Operating System Generally Stored? Delving into the Digital Home of your ...
    The operating system (OS) is the heart and soul of a computer, orchestrating every action and interaction between hardware and software. But have you ever wondered where on a computer is the operating system generally stored? The answer lies in the intricate dance between hardware and software components, particularly within ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    15 hours ago

  • How Many Watts Does a Laptop Use? Understanding Power Consumption and Efficiency
    Laptops have become essential tools for work, entertainment, and communication, offering portability and functionality. However, with rising energy costs and growing environmental concerns, understanding a laptop’s power consumption is more important than ever. So, how many watts does a laptop use? The answer, unfortunately, isn’t straightforward. It depends on several ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    15 hours ago

  • How to Screen Record on a Dell Laptop A Guide to Capturing Your Screen with Ease
    Screen recording has become an essential tool for various purposes, such as creating tutorials, capturing gameplay footage, recording online meetings, or sharing information with others. Fortunately, Dell laptops offer several built-in and external options for screen recording, catering to different needs and preferences. This guide will explore various methods on ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    15 hours ago

  • How Much Does it Cost to Fix a Laptop Screen? Navigating Repair Options and Costs
    A cracked or damaged laptop screen can be a frustrating experience, impacting productivity and enjoyment. Fortunately, laptop screen repair is a common service offered by various repair shops and technicians. However, the cost of fixing a laptop screen can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article delves into the ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    16 hours ago

  • How Long Do Gaming Laptops Last? Demystifying Lifespan and Maximizing Longevity
    Gaming laptops represent a significant investment for passionate gamers, offering portability and powerful performance for immersive gaming experiences. However, a common concern among potential buyers is their lifespan. Unlike desktop PCs, which allow for easier component upgrades, gaming laptops have inherent limitations due to their compact and integrated design. This ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    16 hours ago

  • Climate Change: Turning the tide
    The annual inventory report of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions has been released, showing that gross emissions have dropped for the third year in a row, to 78.4 million tons: All-told gross emissions have decreased by over 6 million tons since the Zero Carbon Act was passed in 2019. ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    17 hours ago

  • How to Unlock Your Computer A Comprehensive Guide to Regaining Access
    Experiencing a locked computer can be frustrating, especially when you need access to your files and applications urgently. The methods to unlock your computer will vary depending on the specific situation and the type of lock you encounter. This guide will explore various scenarios and provide step-by-step instructions on how ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    18 hours ago

  • Faxing from Your Computer A Modern Guide to Sending Documents Digitally
    While the world has largely transitioned to digital communication, faxing still holds relevance in certain industries and situations. Fortunately, gone are the days of bulky fax machines and dedicated phone lines. Today, you can easily send and receive faxes directly from your computer, offering a convenient and efficient way to ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    18 hours ago

  • Protecting Your Home Computer A Guide to Cyber Awareness
    In our increasingly digital world, home computers have become essential tools for work, communication, entertainment, and more. However, this increased reliance on technology also exposes us to various cyber threats. Understanding these threats and taking proactive steps to protect your home computer is crucial for safeguarding your personal information, finances, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    18 hours ago

  • Server-Based Computing Powering the Modern Digital Landscape
    In the ever-evolving world of technology, server-based computing has emerged as a cornerstone of modern digital infrastructure. This article delves into the concept of server-based computing, exploring its various forms, benefits, challenges, and its impact on the way we work and interact with technology. Understanding Server-Based Computing: At its core, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    18 hours ago

  • Vroom vroom go the big red trucks
    The absolute brass neck of this guy.We want more medical doctors, not more spin doctors, Luxon was saying a couple of weeks ago, and now we’re told the guy has seven salaried adults on TikTok duty. Sorry, doing social media. The absolute brass neck of it. The irony that the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    18 hours ago

  • Jones finds $410,000 to help the government muscle in on a spat project
    Buzz from the Beehive Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones relishes spatting and eagerly takes issue with environmentalists who criticise his enthusiasm for resource development. He relishes helping the fishing industry too. And so today, while the media are making much of the latest culling in the public service to ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    19 hours ago

  • Again, hate crimes are not necessarily terrorism.
    Having written, taught and worked for the US government on issues involving unconventional warfare and terrorism for 30-odd years, two things irritate me the most when the subject is discussed in public. The first is the Johnny-come-lately academics-turned-media commentators who … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    22 hours ago

  • Despair – construction consenting edition
    Eric Crampton writes – Kainga Ora is the government’s house building agency. It’s been building a lot of social housing. Kainga Ora has its own (but independent) consenting authority, Consentium. It’s a neat idea. Rather than have to deal with building consents across each different territorial authority, Kainga Ora ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    22 hours ago

  • Coalition promises – will the Govt keep the commitment to keep Kiwis equal before the law?
    Muriel Newman writes – The Coalition Government says it is moving with speed to deliver campaign promises and reverse the damage done by Labour. One of their key commitments is to “defend the principle that New Zealanders are equal before the law.” To achieve this, they have pledged they “will not advance ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    22 hours ago

  • An impermanent public service is a guarantee of very little else but failure
    Chris Trotter writes –  The absence of anything resembling a fightback from the public servants currently losing their jobs is interesting. State-sector workers’ collective fatalism in the face of Coalition cutbacks indicates a surprisingly broad acceptance of impermanence in the workplace. Fifty years ago, lay-offs in the thousands ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    23 hours ago

  • What happens after the war – Mariupol
    Mariupol, on the Azov Sea coast, was one of the first cities to suffer almost complete destruction after the start of the Ukraine War started in late February 2022. We remember the scenes of absolute destruction of the houses and city structures. The deaths of innocent civilians – many of ...
    Open ParachuteBy Ken
    24 hours ago

  • Babies and benefits – no good news
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – Ten years ago, I wrote the following in a Listener column: Every year around one in five new-born babies will be reliant on their caregivers benefit by Christmas. This pattern has persisted from at least 1993. For Maori the number jumps to over one in three.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago

  • Should the RBNZ be looking through climate inflation?
    Climate change is expected to generate more and more extreme events, delivering a sort of structural shock to inflation that central banks will have to react to as if they were short-term cyclical issues. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago

  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours, as of 9:16 am on Thursday, April 18 are:Housing: Tauranga residents living in boats, vans RNZ Checkpoint Louise TernouthHousing: Waikato councillor says wastewater plant issues could hold up Sleepyhead building a massive company town Waikato Times Stephen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago

  • Gordon Campbell on the public sector carnage, and misogyny as terrorism
    It’s a simple deal. We pay taxes in order to finance the social services we want and need. The carnage now occurring across the public sector though, is breaking that contract. Over 3,000 jobs have been lost so far. Many are in crucial areas like Education where the impact of ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    1 day ago

  • Meeting the Master Baiters
    Hi,A friend had their 40th over the weekend and decided to theme it after Curb Your Enthusiasm fashion icon Susie Greene. Captured in my tiny kitchen before I left the house, I ending up evoking a mix of old lesbian and Hillary Clinton — both unintentional.Me vs Hillary ClintonIf you’re ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    1 day ago

  • How extreme was the Earth's temperature in 2023
    This is a re-post from Andrew Dessler at the Climate Brink blog In 2023, the Earth reached temperature levels unprecedented in modern times. Given that, it’s reasonable to ask: What’s going on? There’s been lots of discussions by scientists about whether this is just the normal progression of global warming or if something ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 day ago

  • Backbone, revisited
    The schools are on holiday and the sun is shining in the seaside village and all day long I have been seeing bunches of bikes; Mums, Dads, teens and toddlers chattering, laughing, happy, having a bloody great time together. Cheers, AT, for the bits of lane you’ve added lately around the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago

  • Ministers are not above the law
    Today in our National-led authoritarian nightmare: Shane Jones thinks Ministers should be above the law: New Zealand First MP Shane Jones is accusing the Waitangi Tribunal of over-stepping its mandate by subpoenaing a minister for its urgent hearing on the Oranga Tamariki claim. The tribunal is looking into the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago

  • What’s the outfit you can hear going down the gurgler? Probably it’s David Parker’s Oceans Sec...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point  of Order first heard of the Oceans Secretariat in June 2021, when David Parker (remember him?) announced a multi-agency approach to protecting New Zealand’s marine ecosystems and fisheries. Parker (holding the Environment, and Oceans and Fisheries portfolios) broke the news at the annual Forest & ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago

  • Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Bryce Edwards writes  – Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Matt Doocey doubles down on trans “healthcare”
    Citizen Science writes –  Last week saw two significant developments in the debate over the treatment of trans-identifying children and young people – the release in Britain of the final report of Dr Hilary Cass’s review into gender healthcare, and here in New Zealand, the news that the ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • A TikTok Prime Minister.
    One night while sleeping in my bed I had a beautiful dreamThat all the people of the world got together on the same wavelengthAnd began helping one anotherNow in this dream, universal love was the theme of the dayPeace and understanding and it happened this wayAfter such an eventful day ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago

  • Texas Lessons
    This is a guest post by Oscar Simms who is a housing activist, volunteer for the Coalition for More Homes, and was the Labour Party candidate for Auckland Central at the last election. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    2 days ago

  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links at 6:06 am
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours as of 6:06 am on Wednesday, April 17 are:Must read: Secrecy shrouds which projects might be fast-tracked RNZ Farah HancockScoop: Revealed: Luxon has seven staffers working on social media content - partly paid for by taxpayer Newshub ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Fighting poverty on the holiday highway
    Turning what Labour called the “holiday highway” into a four-lane expressway from Auckland to Whangarei could bring at least an economic benefit of nearly two billion a year for Northland each year. And it could help bring an end to poverty in one of New Zealand’s most deprived regions. The ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago

  • Bernard's six-stack of substacks at 6:26 pm
    Tonight’s six-stack includes: launching his substack with a bunch of his previous documentaries, including this 1992 interview with Dame Whina Cooper. and here crew give climate activists plenty to do, including this call to submit against the Fast Track Approvals bill. writes brilliantly here on his substack ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • At a glance – Is the science settled?
    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 ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago

  • Apposite Quotations.
    How Long Is Long Enough? Gaza under Israeli bombardment, July 2014. This posting is exclusive to Bowalley Road. ...
    Bowalley Road
    3 days ago

  • What’s a life worth now?
    You're in the mall when you hear it: some kind of popping sound in the distance, kids with fireworks, maybe. But then a moment of eerie stillness is followed by more of the fireworks sound and there’s also screaming and shrieking and now here come people running for their lives.Does ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • Howling at the Moon
    Karl du Fresne writes –  There’s a crisis in the news media and the media are blaming it on everyone except themselves. Culpability is being deflected elsewhere – mainly to the hapless Minister of Communications, Melissa Lee, and the big social media platforms that are accused of hoovering ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Newshub is Dead.
    I don’t normally send out two newsletters in a day but I figured I’d say something about… the news. If two newsletters is a bit much then maybe just skip one, I don’t want to overload people. Alternatively if you’d be interested in sometimes receiving multiple, smaller updates from me, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • Seymour is chuffed about cutting early-learning red tape – but we hear, too, that Jones has loose...
    Buzz from the Beehive David Seymour and Winston Peters today signalled that at least two ministers of the Crown might be in Wellington today. Seymour (as Associate Minister of Education) announced the removal of more red tape, this time to make it easier for new early learning services to be ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. Our political system is suffering from the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago

  • Was Hawkesby entirely wrong?
    David Farrar  writes –  The Broadcasting Standards Authority ruled: Comments by radio host Kate Hawkesby suggesting Māori and Pacific patients were being prioritised for surgery due to their ethnicity were misleading and discriminatory, the Broadcasting Standards Authority has found. It is a fact such patients are prioritised. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • PRC shadow looms as the Solomons head for election
    PRC and its proxies in Solomons have been preparing for these elections for a long time. A lot of money, effort and intelligence have gone into ensuring an outcome that won’t compromise Beijing’s plans. Cleo Paskall writes – On April 17th the Solomon Islands, a country of ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Climate Change: Criminal ecocide
    We are in the middle of a climate crisis. Last year was (again) the hottest year on record. NOAA has just announced another global coral bleaching event. Floods are threatening UK food security. So naturally, Shane Jones wants to make it easier to mine coal: Resources Minister Shane Jones ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • Is saving one minute of a politician's time worth nearly $1 billion?
    Is speeding up the trip to and from Wellington airport by 12 minutes worth spending up more than $10 billion? Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me in the last day to 8:26 am today are:The Lead: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Long Tunnel or Long Con?
    Yesterday it was revealed that Transport Minister had asked Waka Kotahi to look at the options for a long tunnel through Wellington. State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    3 days ago

  • Smoke And Mirrors.
    You're a fraud, and you know itBut it's too good to throw it all awayAnyone would do the sameYou've got 'em goingAnd you're careful not to show itSometimes you even fool yourself a bitIt's like magicBut it's always been a smoke and mirrors gameAnyone would do the sameForty six billion ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • What is Mexico doing about climate change?
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections The June general election in Mexico could mark a turning point in ensuring that the country’s climate policies better reflect the desire of its citizens to address the climate crisis, with both leading presidential candidates expressing support for renewable energy. Mexico is the ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago

  • State of humanity, 2024
    2024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?When I say 2024 I really mean the state of humanity in 2024.Saturday night, we watched Civil War because that is one terrifying cliff we've ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Govt’s Wellington tunnel vision aims to ease the way to the airport (but zealous promoters of cycl...
    Buzz from the Beehive A pet project and governmental tunnel vision jump out from the latest batch of ministerial announcements. The government is keen to assure us of its concern for the wellbeing of our pets. It will be introducing pet bonds in a change to the Residential Tenancies Act ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • The case for cultural connectedness
    A recent report generated from a Growing Up in New Zealand (GUiNZ) survey of 1,224 rangatahi Māori aged 11-12 found: Cultural connectedness was associated with fewer depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms and better quality of life. That sounds cut and dry. But further into the report the following appears: Cultural connectedness is ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Useful context on public sector job cuts
    David Farrar writes –    The Herald reports: From the gory details of job-cuts news, you’d think the public service was being eviscerated.   While the media’s view of the cuts is incomplete, it’s also true that departments have been leaking the particulars faster than a Wellington ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell On When Racism Comes Disguised As Anti-racism
    Remember the good old days, back when New Zealand had a PM who could think and speak calmly and intelligently in whole sentences without blustering? Even while Iran’s drones and missiles were still being launched, Helen Clark was live on TVNZ expertly summing up the latest crisis in the Middle ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    4 days ago

  • Govt ignored economic analysis of smokefree reversal
    Costello did not pass on analysis of the benefits of the smokefree reforms to Cabinet, emphasising instead the extra tax revenues of repealing them. Photo: Hagen Hopkins, Getty Images TL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me at 7:26 am today are:The Lead: Casey Costello never passed on ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • True Blue.
    True loveYou're the one I'm dreaming ofYour heart fits me like a gloveAnd I'm gonna be true blueBaby, I love youI’ve written about the job cuts in our news media last week. The impact on individuals, and the loss to Aotearoa of voices covering our news from different angles.That by ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • Who is running New Zealand’s foreign policy?
    While commentators, including former Prime Minister Helen Clark, are noting a subtle shift in New Zealand’s foreign policy, which now places more emphasis on the United States, many have missed a key element of the shift. What National said before the election is not what the government is doing now. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago

  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #15
    A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 7, 2024 thru Sat, April 13, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week is about adults in the room setting terms and conditions of ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • Feline Friends and Fragile Fauna The Complexities of Cats in New Zealand’s Conservation Efforts

    Cats, with their independent spirit and beguiling purrs, have captured the hearts of humans for millennia. In New Zealand, felines are no exception, boasting the highest national cat ownership rate globally [definition cat nz cat foundation]. An estimated 1.134 million pet cats grace Kiwi households, compared to 683,000 dogs ...

    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    5 days ago

  • Or is that just they want us to think?
    Nice guy, that Peter Williams. Amiable, a calm air of no-nonsense capability, a winning smile. Everything you look for in a TV presenter and newsreader.I used to see him sometimes when I went to TVNZ to be a talking head or a panellist and we would yarn. Nice guy, that ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • Fact Brief – Did global warming stop in 1998?
    Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park in collaboration with members from our Skeptical Science team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Did global warming stop in ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago

  • Arguing over a moot point.
    I have been following recent debates in the corporate and social media about whether it is a good idea for NZ to join what is known as “AUKUS Pillar Two.” AUKUS is the Australian-UK-US nuclear submarine building agreement in which … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    6 days ago

  • No Longer Trusted: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.
    Turning Point: “What has turned me away from the mainstream news media is the very strong message that its been sending out for the last few years.” “And what message might that be?” “That the people who own it, the people who run it, and the people who provide its content, really don’t ...
    Bowalley Road
    6 days ago

  • Mortgage rates at 10% anyone?
    No – nothing about that in PM Luxon’s nine-point plan to improve the lives of New Zealanders. But beyond our shores Jamie Dimon, the long-serving head of global bank J.P. Morgan Chase, reckons that the chances of a goldilocks soft landing for the economy are “a lot lower” than the ...
    Point of OrderBy xtrdnry
    6 days ago

  • Sad tales from the left
    Michael Bassett writes –  Have you noticed the odd way in which the media are handling the government’s crackdown on surplus employees in the Public Service? Very few reporters mention the crazy way in which State Service numbers rocketed ahead by more than 16,000 during Labour’s six years, ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • In Whose Best Interests?
    On The Spot: The question Q+A host, Jack Tame, put to the Workplace & Safety Minister, Act’s Brooke van Velden, was disarmingly simple: “Are income tax cuts right now in the best interests of lowering inflation?”JACK TAME has tested another MP on his Sunday morning current affairs show, Q+A. Minister for Workplace ...
    Bowalley Road
    6 days ago

  • Don’t Question, Don’t Complain.
    It has to start somewhereIt has to start sometimeWhat better place than here?What better time than now?So it turns out that I owe you all an apology.It seems that all of the terrible things this government is doing, impacting the lives of many, aren’t necessarily ‘bad’ per se. Those things ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago

  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
    Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    46 mins ago

  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    12 hours ago

  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago

  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    19 hours ago

  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners.  “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago

  • Government backing mussel spat project
    The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago

  • Government focused on getting people into work
    Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
    Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
    Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
    Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector.    "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
    The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
    Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
    Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.   Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ ties
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.  During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Antarctica New Zealand Board appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has made further appointments to the Board of Antarctica New Zealand as part of a continued effort to ensure the Scott Base Redevelopment project is delivered in a cost-effective and efficient manner.  The Minister has appointed Neville Harris as a new member of the Board. Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Finance Minister travels to Washington DC
    Finance Minister Nicola Willis will travel to the United States on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Five Finance Ministers group, with counterparts from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.  “I am looking forward to meeting with our Five Finance partners on how we can work ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Pet bonds a win/win for renters and landlords
    The coalition Government has today announced purrfect and pawsitive changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to give tenants with pets greater choice when looking for a rental property, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Pets are important members of many Kiwi families. It’s estimated that around 64 per cent of New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being considered
    State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the Government has also asked NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to consider and provide advice on a Long Tunnel option, Transport Minister Simeon Brown ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • New Zealand condemns Iranian strikes
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel.    “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says.    "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plans
    Hundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand Chair
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board.   “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti.  “I have asked her to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Roads of National Significance planning underway
    The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Navigating an unstable global environment
    New Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States.    “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • NZ welcomes Australian Governor-General
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Pseudoephedrine back on shelves for Winter
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced that Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Pharmaceutical suppliers have indicated they may be able to supply the first products in June. “This is much earlier than the original expectation of medicines being available by 2025. The Government recognised ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • NZ and the US: an ever closer partnership
    New Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Joint US and NZ declaration
    April 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • NZ and US to undertake further practical Pacific cooperation
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced further New Zealand cooperation with the United States in the Pacific Islands region through $16.4 million in funding for initiatives in digital connectivity and oceans and fisheries research.   “New Zealand can achieve more in the Pacific if we work together more urgently and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government redress for Te Korowai o Wainuiārua
    The Government is continuing the bipartisan effort to restore its relationship with iwi as the Te Korowai o Wainuiārua Claims Settlement Bill passed its first reading in Parliament today, says Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith. “Historical grievances of Te Korowai o Wainuiārua relate to 19th century warfare, land purchased or taken ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Focus on outstanding minerals permit applications
    New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals is working to resolve almost 150 outstanding minerals permit applications by the end of the financial year, enabling valuable mining activity and signalling to the sector that New Zealand is open for business, Resources Minister Shane Jones says.  “While there are no set timeframes for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Applications open for NZ-Ireland Research Call
    The New Zealand and Irish governments have today announced that applications for the 2024 New Zealand-Ireland Joint Research Call on Agriculture and Climate Change are now open. This is the third research call in the three-year Joint Research Initiative pilot launched in 2022 by the Ministry for Primary Industries and Ireland’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Tenancy rules changes to improve rental market
    The coalition Government has today announced changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to encourage landlords back to the rental property market, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “The previous Government waged a war on landlords. Many landlords told us this caused them to exit the rental market altogether. It caused worse ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Boosting NZ’s trade and agricultural relationship with China
    Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay will visit China next week, to strengthen relationships, support Kiwi exporters and promote New Zealand businesses on the world stage. “China is one of New Zealand’s most significant trade and economic relationships and remains an important destination for New Zealand’s products, accounting for nearly 22 per cent of our good and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Freshwater farm plan systems to be improved
    The coalition Government intends to improve freshwater farm plans so that they are more cost-effective and practical for farmers, Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay have announced. “A fit-for-purpose freshwater farm plan system will enable farmers and growers to find the right solutions for their farm ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-04-18T22:31:10+00:00