Author Archive
NZDF changes story on Operation Burnham photos
Written By: - Date published: 12:57 pm, May 13th, 2017 - 10 comments
Why did the NZDF wrongly claim that there were no photographs of the mission? Intelligence analyst Dr Paul Buchanan has a suggestion.
How much information is being withheld from us?
Written By: - Date published: 9:13 am, May 13th, 2017 - 13 comments
Covering up inconvenient truths is an old pattern for this government. What percentage of their effort goes in to obfuscating and hiding the facts?
Labour’s mental health policy
Written By: - Date published: 11:03 am, May 12th, 2017 - 13 comments
Labour’s mental health policy has had a good reception, especially in contrast to National’s systematic under-funding and arrogant response to the issue.
MSD tried to shut down housing providers
Written By: - Date published: 7:04 am, May 12th, 2017 - 25 comments
An attempt to gag emergency housing providers got quickly withdrawn when Checkpoint started making enquiries. Given this government’s record, it’s not beyond the bounds of possibility that there will be further attempts to shut down bad news.
Morning Report up – Mike Hosking down
Written By: - Date published: 4:23 pm, May 11th, 2017 - 37 comments
Perhaps we the people want real news after all? Time for a change?
There is no housing problem!
Written By: - Date published: 10:25 am, May 11th, 2017 - 19 comments
But only in Nick Smith’s head. See the finally released government Housing Affordability Measure (HAM).
Nats deny women pay equity transparency
Written By: - Date published: 7:04 am, May 11th, 2017 - 44 comments
As usual National proves itself to be no friend of women. They have voted the Equal Pay Amendment Bill down because they will always choose employers over people.
Little on immigration
Written By: - Date published: 2:09 pm, May 8th, 2017 - 34 comments
A good piece by Andrew Little in The Herald, setting out Labour’s position on immigration (with policy to come).
More love for Labour’s list
Written By: - Date published: 9:12 am, May 8th, 2017 - 18 comments
Herald: “It is a fresh-looking line-up, led by MPs who have been in opposition long enough to have won their spurs and feel they are more than ready to move into the Beehive.”
Still spinning “social investment”
Written By: - Date published: 10:04 am, May 7th, 2017 - 36 comments
Directing welfare spending where it will do most good makes sense. But let’s make sure that that is what it is, not an excuse to simply cut funding, stigmatise, and target “undesireables”. National’s record does not inspire confidence, to say the very least. Then there’s the hypocrisy…
Fuck the homeless
Written By: - Date published: 7:11 am, May 6th, 2017 - 187 comments
Those compassionate conservatives of the National Party have a message for the increasing number of homeless who occupy our Brighter Future.
Bill English doesn’t get it – literally doesn’t get it – how messed up the “Brighter Future” is
Written By: - Date published: 11:30 am, May 4th, 2017 - 55 comments
“There are approximately 92,700 Kiwis aged between 15 and 24 who aren’t working, in education or training. That’s up 19 percent during National’s time in power, and Prime Minister Bill English admits he’s not sure why.” Could it be because…
The costs and benefits of having a habitable planet to live on
Written By: - Date published: 3:20 pm, May 3rd, 2017 - 24 comments
I guess any sign of sanity is to be encouraged. But. When the Nats came to power there was a framework for reducing carbon. The Nats dismantled or weakened it. Now, nine long years later, they want Yet Another Study?
StuffMe not
Written By: - Date published: 9:58 am, May 3rd, 2017 - 22 comments
As widely reported this morning, the Commerce Commission has declined the proposed merger of the country’s two biggest media companies.
Labour’s list – diversity and renewal
Written By: - Date published: 7:01 am, May 3rd, 2017 - 112 comments
Labour has delivered a list of diversity and renewal. Good to see it getting the recognition it deserves.
Protecting our biggest export income earner
Written By: - Date published: 7:03 am, May 2nd, 2017 - 51 comments
Tourism Export Council: “The National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management (NPS-FM) in its current form is nothing more than a PR-stunt from Government who continue to ignore scientists and expert opinion re the state of our freshwater. The NPS-FM does not address the serious problems facing our waterways and, in fact, will make them worse.”
Jackson’s list position
Written By: - Date published: 9:37 pm, May 1st, 2017 - 24 comments
Willie Jackson accepts his (rumoured) list position without the need for an over-hyped “crisis meeting”.
Gould explains how money works to Brash
Written By: - Date published: 12:06 pm, April 30th, 2017 - 157 comments
Interesting series of articles in The Herald, where Bryan Gould schools Don Brash on how money works.
A legacy of poisoned water
Written By: - Date published: 7:01 am, April 28th, 2017 - 66 comments
We won’t be able to say that we didn’t have ample warning, with a another detailed and damning report on water quality out yesterday. Does National really want to be remembered for allowing the poisoning of our water?
Immigration debate – Peters goes full racist
Written By: - Date published: 7:03 am, April 27th, 2017 - 357 comments
Yesterday Winston Peters chucked a gallon of petrol onto the smouldering immigration debate.
The case for higher wages
Written By: - Date published: 7:01 am, April 26th, 2017 - 31 comments
In the warm afterglow of the huge wage increase for health care workers the case for addressing NZ’s creaking low-wage economy is getting some recognition (along with the effect of immigration on wages).
Parata fleeing education mess
Written By: - Date published: 12:30 pm, April 24th, 2017 - 37 comments
Parata can believe whatever brings her comfort of course, but the fact is that this National government has made, as usual, a mess of education.
The NZDF’s transparent fig leaf
Written By: - Date published: 7:23 am, April 23rd, 2017 - 18 comments
According to David Fisher (Herald) the NZDF never investigated allegations of civilian deaths at the time of Operation Burnham. They received only a summary of the whitewash ISAF report. They refuse to look further. This is the behaviour of an organisation with plenty to hide. Hager and Stephenson have facts, the NZDF are hiding behind a transparent fig leaf of deliberate ignorance.
Housing affordability data suppressed?
Written By: - Date published: 7:02 am, April 22nd, 2017 - 83 comments
Bill English would have you believe that there is no housing crisis. He desperately needs you to believe it until after the next election. Is Nick Smith deliberately suppressing housing data?
March for Science
Written By: - Date published: 12:12 am, April 21st, 2017 - 100 comments
“We, the people, march for science and knowledge to be reaffirmed as fundamental to the democratic decision making that supports society in Aotearoa New Zealand.
We add our voices to the chorus supporting US and international scientists who oppose recent political events that damage and undermine science and its use in the public interest.”
Mental health needs vs. cuts
Written By: - Date published: 7:01 am, April 20th, 2017 - 25 comments
The People’s Mental Health Review report puts the deterioration of our mental health system firmly in the spotlight. Despite a 60 per cent increase in demand since 2007/08 National has been slashing funding. Lives are at risk.
Brownlee determined that Christchurch should suffer too
Written By: - Date published: 2:45 pm, April 19th, 2017 - 25 comments
Christchurch rebuilt must suffer the same central traffic madness as Auckland. Thus decrees Gerry Brownlee, as short-sighted, bullying, and ignorant as ever.
Immigration in election year
Written By: - Date published: 7:02 am, April 19th, 2017 - 38 comments
National is about to execute a flip flop on immigration, not for any constructive reason, but to try and head off Winston Peters’ big issue.
May seeks UK snap election
Written By: - Date published: 10:43 pm, April 18th, 2017 - 142 comments
Theresa May is seeking a snap election on 8 June.
National’s economic report card fail
Written By: - Date published: 2:52 pm, April 18th, 2017 - 18 comments
Though artificially boosted by high immigration and disaster rebuilds, the NZ economy is in the doldrums, and National are a failure even by their own goals and targets. I predict that National will soon abolish all targets, and that this will be “a sign of our success”.
Thank you health care workers
Written By: - Date published: 9:50 am, April 18th, 2017 - 30 comments
This is a huge victory for health care workers, and for women. It is also a huge victory for “resurgent unions”. Will it alarm the private sector? I certainly hope so!
(Kristine Bartlett, photo Herald Mark Mitchell)
- ‘Effortless-seeming genius’: Carl Shuker’s favourite reads and other stories
Welcome to The Spinoff Books Confessional, in which we get to know the reading habits of Aotearoa writers, and guests. This week: Carl Shuker, author of new novel The Royal Free. The book I wish I’d written I wish I’d written Philip Hensher’s Kitchen Venom. No one talks about it ...5 days ago - Gone By Lunchtime: Our decision desk is now ready to call the US election
The new old president, the hīkoi hits Auckland, and a momentous day of apology at parliament. After more than a week scrutinising the granular data, the Gone By Lunchtime podcast decision desk is ready to make a call: Donald Trump has won the US presidency. In a new episode, ...5 days ago
- Global carbon emissions inch upwards in 2024 despite progress on EVs, renewables and deforestation
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Pep Canadell, Chief Research Scientist, CSIRO Environment; Executive Director, Global Carbon Project, CSIRO Susan Santa Maria, Shutterstock Carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from fossil fuels continue to increase, year on year. This sobering reality will be presented to world leaders today at ...5 days ago - Hīkoi day three: Thousands of protesters walk across Auckland Harbour Bridge
RNZ News Thousands of supporters of Aotearoa New Zealand’s hīkoi mō te Tiriti — a march traversing the length of Aotearoa in protest against the Treaty Principles Bill and government policies impacting on Māori — have crossed the Auckland Harbour Bridge. RNZ reporters with the march said it was swaying ...5 days ago
- Watch: Govt announces wrap-around services for people in emergency housing long term
The trial will be for single people and couples without children who aren't already getting housing help and have been in emergency housing for more a year. ...5 days ago - Govt announces wrap-around services for people in emergency housing long term
The new trial will be for single people and couples without children who aren't already getting housing help and have been in emergency housing more than 12 months. ...5 days ago
- Abuse apology: Talk is cheap, it’s time for action
Analysis - Survivors felt Tuesday's apology was "hollow words" but some hope they're wrong. ...5 days ago
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“This sale, and the lack of information surrounding it, shows exactly why we need better regulations to hold council staff and it’s leadership more accountable,” Harvey said.” ...5 days ago - The Lord of the Rings musical is better than you’re probably expecting
Musical theatre sceptics Gabi Lardies and Stewart Sowman-Lund review the three-hour spectacle at Auckland’s Civic Theatre. Gabi Lardies: Stewart, we sat through THREE HOURS of musical theatre last night. That’s a big ask for an audience trained on 12-second reels. Tickets are between $69 and $179 – we were both ...5 days ago
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The meetings were to communicate what's expected when the law comes into effect. ...5 days ago
- Live: Day three and the hīkoi walks across Auckland Harbour Bridge
As thousands march two lanes on the bridge are closed as well as some on and off ramps. ...5 days ago
- The four funniest New Zealanders are ready for their holiday orgy
In 2016, Chris Parker, Tom Sainsbury, Kura Forrester and Brynley Stent surprised audiences with an orgy. Now they’re doing it all again, on a bigger, shinier stage. Eight years ago, four little-known comedians, two who had just met, ended their play thrusting, sweating and panting in an over-the-top orgy. There ...5 days ago
- New Zealand Government Refuses NGO Calls To Back End To Secret WCPFC Compliance Processes
Accountability.Fish, a global non-governmental organisation dedicated to improving the transparency and accountability of Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs), has raised concerns for some time over the lack of transparency within the ...5 days ago
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With Parliament focused on polite apology without politics, two parties leaned more into angry and argued politics was unavoidable. ...5 days ago
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sam Baron, Associate Professor, Philosophy of Science, The University of Melbourne Aussiepics / Shutterstock It’s a big year in America – for wildlife as well as for politics. I’m talking about periodical cicadas. These curious creatures spend most of their ...5 days ago
- Australian workers hoard more than 160 million days of untaken leave. So could you be forced to take...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Libby (Elizabeth) Sander, MBA Director & Assistant Professor of Organisational Behaviour, Bond Business School, Bond University Rawpixel.com With the end of year holidays looming, it’s easy to imagine Australians are getting ready to check out of the workplace and head for ...5 days ago
- The Incas used mysterious stringy objects called ‘khipus’ to record data. We just got a step clo...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Karen Thompson, Research Data Specialist, The University of Melbourne For more than a millennium, many Andean peoples used an object called a “khipu” (also spelled “quipu” and pronounced “key-poo”) to record and communicate information. Khipus were made with cords or strings ...5 days ago
- Who are the New Zealanders who can’t afford nourishing food?
By calculating the weekly deficit in people’s budgets, a new report shows how those receiving benefits or working for minimum wage often can’t pay for food after the cost of fixed expenses. One in five working-age New Zealanders doesn’t earn enough to feed themselves and their family well, new ...5 days ago
- New study suggests weight loss drugs like Ozempic could help with knee pain. Here’s why there may ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Giovanni E. Ferreira, NHMRC Emerging Leader Research Fellow, Institute of Musculoskeletal Health, University of Sydney Pormezz/Shutterstock The drug semaglutide, commonly known by the brand names Ozempic or Wegovy, was originally developed to help people with type 2 diabetes manage their blood ...5 days ago
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Syed M Nawazish Ali, Research Fellow in Transport Electrification, RMIT University 24K-Production/Shutterstock This year, dozens of new models of electric vehicles have hit the Australian market – and more are coming. New models of battery electric and plug-in hybrids come with bigger ...5 days ago
- Live: Day three and the hīkoi prepares to cross Auckland Harbour Bridge
Two lanes on the Harbour Bridge will be closed from 8.30am as well as some on and off ramps on the motorway network. ...5 days ago
- The Cost Of Silence: NZ’s Role In Standing Against Iran’s Repression
The piece highlights the recent execution of Jamshid Sharmahd by the Iranian government, discusses New Zealand's current approach (as well as that of other democracies) toward the regime's hostage-taking tactics, and suggests an alternative, more unified approach. ...5 days ago
- Sex, abstinence and Trump: What is the 4B movement?
Some women say they are protesting Trump's re-election by swearing off men. Will the idea fizzle? ...5 days ago
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sitong Michelle (Michelle) Chen, Senior Lecturer in International Business, Auckland University of Technology Getty Images Around the world, the growth of industry and consumption has escalated environmental damage through increased emissions, waste and pollution from landfills. The current linear economic ...5 days ago
- Live: Day three and the hīkoi moves through Auckland
Two lanes on the Harbour Bridge will be closed from 8.30am as well as some on and off ramps on the motorway network. ...5 days ago
- Horrific, heartbreaking, wrong: Who apologised, and how
Politicians and public sector bosses say sorry, but victims of state abuse have something to say, too, writes Toby Manhire in today’s extract from The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. Sorrow and substance ...5 days ago
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The COP29 climate summit has already notched an early win, taking a step forward on settling rules for international carbon trading – but environmental groups have cried foul at the rush through of the policy and the substance of the standards for emissions removals.One of the issues which stalled negotiations ...5 days ago - As te reo Māori grows, so does the search for trilingual interpreters
Deaf Māori face exclusion from their whānau and cultural heritage due to an extreme shortage of trilingual interpreters. Imagine being deaf and at the tangi of a loved one. You stand when everyone else stands, sit when everyone else sits, and stare at the lips of speakers, trying to catch ...5 days ago
- We have the ratings for Stuff’s ThreeNews. What story do they tell?
Duncan Greive analyses three months’ worth of ratings data to get a sense of whether Stuff and Three’s big bet is paying off. When Three shocked the country by announcing it was shutting Newshub earlier this year, as many as 10 groups are thought to have canvassed the idea of ...5 days ago
- The politics of saying sorry
Comment: Christopher Luxon had the least baggage of almost anyone in senior positions in Parliament, going into his national apology for the abuse of children in state care.He just hadn’t been there. He only came into Parliament in 2020, became National’s leader in 2021 and Prime Minister in late 2023.The ...5 days ago
- A lot of talk but little help for Fijians facing rising sea levels
At the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa this year, climate change was high on the agenda, the big talking point for politicians and NGOs.After spending a week there, hearing how Pacific Island nations were worst affected, The Detail’s Sharon Brettkelly went to Fiji to see what was being ...5 days ago
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Xero has its sights set on the large, but more competitive, US market The post Xero hits record high on hopes of boost from pro-business Trump appeared first on Newsroom. ...5 days ago
- Face-off against surveillance
Opinion: We are constantly being watched and recorded. Thanks to the proliferation of AI facial recognition technologies we are being watched even more: on the street, in the bank, in shopping malls, on public transport, at the supermarket check-out, even our phones are likely watching us. Are AI facial recognition ...5 days ago
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Opinion: The shape of NZ’s changing regional population profile is always a popular point of discussion. Since we wrote on it last year, population growth has peaked and turned rapidly lower. Here, we take another tour of the regions to see how this slowing has been experienced, and what the impacts ...5 days ago
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Opinion: World leaders from more than 100 countries are gathering this week at the United Nations climate conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, at COP29, to discuss the threats of a rapidly warming world.Under the 2015 Paris Climate Accord, which has been signed by almost every country in the world, there is a requirement ...5 days ago
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- Newsroom daily quiz, Wednesday 13 November
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- Trump’s shadow looms over major summit
As the PM prepares to attend a major summit for the first time, the most important figure in discussions will be far away The post Trump’s shadow looms over major summit appeared first on Newsroom. ...5 days ago
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