Author Archive
I disagree
Written By: - Date published: 1:53 pm, September 26th, 2014 - 112 comments
With Lynn, which according to the trolls should see me banned đ
I think the Labour results show voters understand MMP, not that Labour doesn’t.
Child Poverty March
Written By: - Date published: 8:32 pm, September 6th, 2014 - 14 comments
There was a great protest up Queen St today, as 1000-odd people (including me!) marched against child poverty, and government and societal inaction over it.
From Twitter
Written By: - Date published: 8:18 pm, August 31st, 2014 - 34 comments
All your trashing the SFO connections. h/t DebsHancock
Look over there! Tax cuts!
Written By: - Date published: 9:06 am, August 26th, 2014 - 7 comments
So National are both so out of ideas and so desperate to take the spotlight off their Dirty Politics that they’re now promising tax cuts. Tax cuts straight after we have a panel of our most prominent economists warning that the ‘rock star’ economy is going to hit the rocks.
Policy Free Zone?
Written By: - Date published: 11:00 am, August 21st, 2014 - 26 comments
Cut Your Hair has some great analysis of who is the “policy free zone” that Key is claiming the left is…
Child Poverty in Aotearoa: Tackling Inequality
Written By: - Date published: 6:30 pm, June 6th, 2014 - 10 comments
There’s a wee bit of irony in showing a program on inequality on expensive subscriber-only TV; but nonetheless there’s an excellent new series on Face TV (Sky 83).
John Banks must resign
Written By: - Date published: 10:31 pm, June 5th, 2014 - 105 comments
It is untenable for someone to remain as an MP after being found guilty of electoral fraud. For the integrity of Parliament, John Banks must go: now.
Save the Poisons Helpline!
Written By: - Date published: 10:00 am, May 23rd, 2014 - 29 comments
National are planning to merge a bunch of health helplines to save money. The 0800 POISON number could be scrapped leaving additional seconds or minutes until help is received in those most urgent of moments.
Labour membership greatest in 30 years
Written By: - Date published: 2:17 pm, May 14th, 2014 - 11 comments
Moira Coatsworth recently announced that last year’s party membership was the greatest in 30 years – ie, it is higher than even before the 4th Labour Government did such damage to membership numbers. This is a sign of rude health. And it shows in the quality of new candidates being selected.
Save Invermay
Written By: - Date published: 10:56 am, May 7th, 2014 - 17 comments
We still don’t know why Joyce is pushing on with the move to shut Invermay, Dunedin’s impressive AgResearch centre, but it’s still not too late to stop him and the AgResearch board. Last week, one of the biggest breeds of sheep, Texel breeders voted no confidence in the AgResearch board.  The petition continues to grow.  Dunedin is […]
Piketty: inequality & capitalism’s flaw
Written By: - Date published: 8:56 am, April 30th, 2014 - 50 comments
There is a major new economics tome out this year that’s sending waves through the economics community like none since Friedman in the 70s. It’s Thomas Piketty’s Capital in the Twenty-First Century.
It points out that under capitalism, we’re doomed to inequality.
Politics bruises even Shane Jones
Written By: - Date published: 4:06 pm, April 24th, 2014 - 108 comments
While I know many on here aren’t sad to see Shane go, I think he’s a lost voice for Labour – and we’ll need others to step up into his place. I also think we might be a little less visceral and personal in our attacks on politicians if we were a little quicker to realise they are human.
Also: Shane Jones Media Watch
Upper Harbour exists.
Written By: - Date published: 7:12 pm, April 17th, 2014 - 18 comments
The new electorate boundaries are out.
Some noticeable changes around Port Hills, but mainly only tinkering from the previous proposals.
Tim Watkin is wrong
Written By: - Date published: 10:22 am, April 8th, 2014 - 21 comments
Tim Watkin recently had a post over at Pundit, saying about why a 15% gap between Labour and National matters. His crux point is that in no MMP election has a party led by 15% and not formed the government. Unfortunately for Tim, this is demonstrably wrong.
Where ‘welfare reform’ ends
Written By: - Date published: 10:58 am, March 10th, 2014 - 25 comments
Sheila Holt, in the UK, is in a coma for 2 months. She has also just been invited to “intensive job-focused activity” by the Dept of Work & Pensions.
Invermay: Meddling Joyce Ignores the Evidence
Written By: - Date published: 9:39 am, March 10th, 2014 - 8 comments
My brother has posted across at Red Alert on Steven Joyceâs bungling oversight of AgResearchâs current $100 million restructure. The Crown Research Institute is New Zealandâs largest, and a recipient of generous Government support. Andy West, the former head of AgResearch stands to gain as head of Lincoln University from a plan that independent review […]
Pinning hopes on China
Written By: - Date published: 9:35 am, March 9th, 2014 - 33 comments
Our export-led economy is a rock-star according to those on the right. Australia kept us going, and now, despite the EU still spluttering, we can fly because China will buy all our milk powder. But there’s a potential flaw in putting all your eggs in one China basket, as a number of BBC stories have been revealing.
Inequality for all
Written By: - Date published: 11:08 am, February 11th, 2014 - 14 comments
There’s been an excellent Insight on Radio NZ on Sunday / Monday, looking at the income gap and the consequences for our society – the loss of social mobility, the loss of health (mental & physical) for all, the increased incarceration, drug use etc etc. There’s also been recently PBS coverage in the US, […]
Foreign exchange fixing “as bad” as Libor
Written By: - Date published: 1:24 pm, February 10th, 2014 - 7 comments
Something that doesn’t seem to have hit the newspapers here, but may turn out to have been significantly affecting little ol’ NZ is a growing forex scandal, mainly in the UK (as the centre of forex trading). The boss of the UK’s financial regulator has said the the allegations of rate-fixing are “every bit as […]
The value of Sick Leave
Written By: - Date published: 7:35 am, December 6th, 2013 - 109 comments
Business NZ says sick leave costs us $1.26 billion per year. Â Some might say that illness costs us more than that, and that’s business paying their share, to look after their employees which will benefit the business in the long run.
Asset sale disaster
Written By: - Date published: 7:45 am, December 5th, 2013 - 30 comments
The Government are lowering their lowest estimate for how much they’ll raise from asset sales. They’ve done a terrible job implementing a stupid policy –Â if you’re going to put your ideological blinkers on and do it, at least do it right. Now it must stop.
21st Century Leadership Election
Written By: - Date published: 1:43 pm, September 3rd, 2013 - 12 comments
As part of the Labour Leadership Election there is to be a ‘virtual hustings’ – an online forum for Q&A organised by Labour.  Scoop have agreed to facilitate, and are now harvesting the questions.
Key’s earthquake ‘fun’
Written By: - Date published: 7:00 am, August 29th, 2013 - 76 comments
The government suffered a major court ruling against it over their ungenerous Christchurch earthquake pay-outs – their 50% offer for uninsured red-zoned land was ruled ‘not in accordance with the law’. Brownlee promises to appeal and bury the Outcasts in debt; John Key threatens to withdraw even their 50% offer with the throwaway: ‘it’s been a lot of fun. If you don’t want to take the offer, that’s where it’s at’. Heartless.
Congrats to Kristine Bartlett & SFWU
Written By: - Date published: 2:42 pm, August 23rd, 2013 - 20 comments
The Employment Court has issued a preliminary ruling on caregivers pay – saying that their pay should be compared to what it would be if their profession was male-dominated, not 92% women. Kristine Bartlett is the test case with more than 20 years’ experience and skills bringing her a $14.32/hr wage. Â The Service and Food […]
More Beneficiary Bashing
Written By: - Date published: 8:21 am, August 14th, 2013 - 31 comments
The IRD writes of penalties and interest on tax debt almost as standard – along with a chunk of the actual tax. MSD will pursue you beyond the grave to get back loans because you can’t cover your living expenses. Why are we treating people and debt so differently?
Where our Assets have gone
Written By: - Date published: 3:24 pm, August 13th, 2013 - 133 comments
Labour have OIA’d a Treasury list of where the money from Asset Sales has gone. Â Hint: it’s mostly not schools, hospitals, or paying down debt like National said.
UK: Zero Hour Contracts
Written By: - Date published: 8:56 am, August 7th, 2013 - 9 comments
There’s a Guardian-led campaign in the UK at the moment over “zero-hour contracts” – contracts that guarantee an employee no hours, and often leave them on-call at a moment’s notice to fulfil the employers whim. They’re common here, but I don’t expect a major newspaper to run with it…
Government still doesn’t care about climate change
Written By: - Date published: 3:23 pm, July 8th, 2013 - 146 comments
We have very good climate scientists in New Zealand, but the government isn’t exactly promoting them.
So I guess it shouldn’t be a surprise that they’re planning on more than halving the climate research budget from $10 million/year to $4.5 million.
What’s the holdup?
Written By: - Date published: 2:21 pm, July 1st, 2013 - 82 comments
Generation Zero are a youth-led organisation who see climate change as their problem. They see zero fossil fuel use as 100% Possible in a sustainable Aotearoa. So they’re holding a nationwide speaking tour about it – asking “What’s the holdup?” on climate change action.
For Solar
Written By: - Date published: 12:05 pm, June 25th, 2013 - 48 comments
There’s an issue for solar power about to hit: Standards NZ’s new proposed standard requires the use of a particular, untested, inverter which is not expected to even exist until July 2014.  The current 2005 standard on solar power production allows electricity lines companies to enforce their own set of standards onto independent solar power installers.
An unjust government
Written By: - Date published: 7:11 pm, June 24th, 2013 - 18 comments
So the Ministry of Health has relented to some caregivers and is paying them something… but not others. Margaret Spencer has given up her life to look after her adult son, but gets no compensation for it. If she gave her son over to strangers to look after, not only would the MoH have to […]
- Nauseously Optimistic
I am woman, hear me roarIn numbers too big to ignoreAnd I know too much to go back an' pretend'Cause I've heard it all beforeAnd I've been down there on the floorAnd no one's ever gonna keep me down againSongwriters: Ray Burton / Helen ReddyIt was an unusual campaign.How crazy ...2 weeks ago - Living in risky times
As the world waits for the results of the United States Presidential election today, the New Zealand Reserve Bank has issued a reminder that we live in risky times. The Bankâs annual Financial Stability Report not only highlights the various geo-political scenarios that could set our economy back but also ...2 weeks ago - An Election Thread
Hi,I thought it was important we all have a place to chat today — a place that’s safe and sane. So — see you in the comments as things unfold. Let’s all be civil and respectful as per usual, even as things will inevitably get quite wild and gross because… ...2 weeks ago - Come Nov 5 something will happen in the US⊠but does the system ensure a real âwinnerâ either ...
The blunt fact is that a collapse of an old order is playing out before our eyes and many in that country are going to be asked to make some choices. The obvious choice you’re probably thinking about… but also a few others that will still plague that country ...2 weeks ago - Prediction for Tomorrow (2024 Edition)
Sometimes I remember how old A Phuulish Fellow actually is. Specifically, it’s been around long enough that I have made guesses about both the 2016 and the 2020 United States Presidential elections. https://phuulishfellow.wordpress.com/2016/11/08/prediction-for-tomorrow/ https://phuulishfellow.wordpress.com/2020/11/03/prediction-for-tomorrow-2020-edition/ Suffice to say, I was badly wrong in 2016. I was very close ...2 weeks ago - Sabin 33 #1 – Are electromagnetic fields from solar farms harmful to human health?
On November 1, 2024 we announced the publication of 33 rebuttals based on the report "Rebutting 33 False Claims About Solar, Wind, and Electric Vehicles" written by Matthew Eisenson, Jacob Elkin, Andy Fitch, Matthew Ard, Kaya Sittinger & Samuel Lavine and published by the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia ...2 weeks ago - Remember, remember, the 5th of NovemberâŠ
It’s election day — almost. Across the world, Americans will soon be waking up to do (if they haven’t already done) the thing everyone has been assuring them is the most important action they can possibly take this year: vote. It’s a big day. Bigger than it was 4 years ...2 weeks ago - Tuesday 5 November 2024
CTU, NZEI and PPTA have filed a formal complaint to the International Labour Organization alleging the Governmentâs new charter schools law breaches obligations to protect collective bargaining. The Postal Workers Union says a proposal that would no longer have NZ Post mail deliveries to letterboxes at front gates as selective, ...2 weeks ago - Down to the waterline
I have become momentarily intrigued by the concept of snow on the beach.This, according to Howeverythingworks, is the Uradome Coast where you can see snow-covered landscapes meeting the white sandy shore and the blue Sea of Japan.My several seconds of research tells me you can find something very much like ...2 weeks ago - National’s privatised child-abuse camps
National has a hard-on for "boot camps" as part of its desperate attempt to grub "tough on crime" votes from sadistic geriatric pedophobes. That's bad enough, but its gets worse: the camps will be privatised. And they will be allowed to use force against children: A leaked ministerial document ...2 weeks ago - Rwandaâs Kagame: from Saviour to Tyrant?
Is Rwanda turning into a country that seeks regional dominance and exterminates its rivals? This is a contention examined by Dr Michela Wrong, and Dr Maria Armoudian. Dr Wrong is a journalist who has written best-selling books on Africa. Her latest, Do Not Disturb. The story of a political murder ...2 weeks ago - Stephen Rainbow is ACT’s crony
Back in August, National sabotaged human rights by appointing terf and genocide supporter Stephen Rainbow as Chief Human Rights Commissioner. The Spinoff has been digging into this, and they've uncovered new information: Rainbow didn't actually get the job - until suddenly he did: âI didnât get the HRC role ...2 weeks ago
- Government science cuts take New Zealand even further backward
NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi President Richard Wagstaff is deeply concerned about the future of investment in science, following the latest announcement of another 60 jobs cuts at Environmental Science and Research (ESR). The Government has now axed more than 500 jobs in the public science sector. âThe Government doesnât seem ...2 weeks ago
- National risks being eaten alive by NZ First & ACT
Kia ora. Long stories short, here’s my top six things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Tuesday, November 5: Strangely for a party that prides itself on being a mainstream bastion of ‘small c’ conservatism, National under PM Christopher Luxon is increasingly at risk ...2 weeks ago - Time Cut
2024, directed by Hannah MacPherson This is going to be a wild tonal shift in the middle of a bunch of posts about horror movies, probably, because I have a Rotten Tomatoes list of the best horror films directed by women that I want to see more of, whereas Time ...2 weeks ago - Summer in the City
Go out and find a girlCome on, come on, and dance all nightDespite the heat it'll be alrightAnd babe, don't you know it's a pityThat the days can't be like the nightsIn the summer, in the citySong: John Sebastian, Mark Sebastian, Steve BooneThank YouTo begin today, a thank you. Yesterday, ...2 weeks ago - The Bewildering World of Chris Luxon – Playing Politics in Glass Houses
..Thanks for reading Frankly Speaking ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.By now we’re all aware of Mike King’s comments regarding use of alcohol to self-medicate mental health problems. On NewstalkZB, King stated:“Alcohol is not a problem for people with mental health issues. It’s actually the ...2 weeks ago - Seymourâs Shaky Response To Earthquake Claims
Audio interview from RNZ with Community Board member Ali Jones. If you don’t live in Christchurch, and haven’t for the past fifteen years, you probably have a different understanding of the words “EQC” to what we do. For most people, EQC is the scheme they don’t think about that much, ...2 weeks ago - Dealing to the climate crisis
Fire and flood, heat-waves and rivers of rain. Climate change is impacting us powerfully. Major floods in Auckland, Hawkes Bay, Germany, India, the US…Huge forest fires in Australia, Canada, Greece, California….Intense heat waves in Spain, Italy, Greece, India, the US…. And we haven’t spoken of melting glaciers and ice-caps, rising ...2 weeks ago
- Donât Move
2024, directed by Adam Schindler & Brian Netto The title of Don’t Move is somewhat evocative of Don’t Breathe, another fairly successful horror movie. I haven’t actually seen Don’t Breathe but have it on my “someday if there’s nothing more interesting available” list, and the premise of Don’t Move is ...2 weeks ago
- Aucklandâs 2025 PT Fare Increases
Public transport fares are about to increase again, by an average of 5.2%, according to a paper to Auckland Council’s Transport, Resilience and Infrastructure Committee on Thursday by Auckland Transport. In addition, AT are going to be removing off-peak discounts and implementing some other structural changes to the fare system. ...2 weeks ago - Health Officials say Casey Costello’s Advice is “Crap” & Luxon Refuses To Prot...
Ngā mihi maioha. A tremendous thank you to all who commented, supported and read my recent post. In appreciation.First, an update on the Prime Minister’s press conference yesterday with Stanford - rounding up the 3 key messages you may have missed.1. ERICA STANFORD FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF NZ SPREADS MISINFORMATIONEducation ...2 weeks ago - Gordon Campbell On US Voter Suppression, Plus The Races To Watch
On Wednesday evening, as our television relays images of long lines of people queuing to vote, keep this in mind: since 2012, America has closed 20% of its polling places. Crucial swing states like Wisconsin, Ohio and Georgia have collectively lost 400 Election Day polling places since 2010. Five of ...2 weeks ago - Hell no
When do you know that a big international news story might be looking like An Historic Moment? When it gets a bunch of utterly superfluous New Zealand reporters inserted into it.I've been sympathetic to our media fretting about hanging on by a thread, but each time they despatch their microphone-holders ...3 weeks ago - Sabotaging justice
One of the achievements of the Labour-led government was the establishment of the Criminal Cases Review Commission in 2019. After decades of high-profile miscarriages of justice, and judges looking the other way on state conspiracies of silence and each other's fuckups, we finally got an outside body to cast an ...3 weeks ago
- Mike King and the Free Market
I was two sentences in (and stuck on) a defence of Mike King, where I was going to highlight that he was merely the well-carved figurehead of a neoliberal-shaped problem that neither begins nor ends with him, when I stumbled across a most interesting article about corporate propaganda being disseminated ...3 weeks ago - Volunteer activity: Evaluate automated climate misinformation debunkings
A new challenge and a new opportunity for research AI-generated disinformation threatens to make debunking climate misinformation even more challenging, swamping already scanty capacity. We are exploring ways to counter this burgeoning flood of harm by employing the same tools now employed by malefactors as a force for good. We've already published research ...3 weeks ago
- Don’t Lux-Speak
Don't speak, I know just what you're sayin'So please stop explainin'Don't tell me 'cause it hurtsDon't speak, I know what you're thinkin'I don't need your reasonsDon't tell me 'cause it hurtsSongwriters: Eric Stefani / Gwen StefaniDo you remember the first time you encountered Corporate Speak? Important-sounding buzzwords used to camouflage ...3 weeks ago - Budget cuts penny wise & pound foolish
Kia ora. Long stories short, here’s my top six things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Monday, November 4: Budget cuts are storing up costs for future taxpayers and Governments. Scoop of the day: The Government is set to deliver another budget-cutting blow for ...3 weeks ago - A Fresh Horizon for Greater Auckland
A few months ago we asked for your help, and you answered. Thanks to the generous support we received, you may have noticed a more consistent and diverse stream of content over the last few months â which is in large part due to us being able to pay for ...3 weeks ago
- 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #44
A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Mon, October 28, 2024 thru Sun, November 3, 2024. Topics covered this week Here are the main topics and the media outlets where they appeared in: Climate Change Impacts ...3 weeks ago
- Hey, I Need Your Help
For those of you who are new here, I’m Mountain Tui.National Geographic imageI’m the one that first started badgering NZ about Atlas Network - and it went mainstream easily from that: from Mihirangi Forbes asking David Seymour about it, to David Seymour and Chris Bishop lying, to the evidence easily ...3 weeks ago - Official Flightless Bird T-Shirts!
Hi,It’s a big election in three days. Like me, you’re probably sick of hearing about it, but like it or not — what America does tends to trickle down everywhere else. America farts and we’re all under the sheet being hotboxed against our will.I’ll do a fresh Webworm on election ...3 weeks ago - All I Ever Am
I lose all my life like thisReflecting time and memoriesAnd all for fear of what I'll findIf I just stop and empty out my mindOf all the ghosts and all the dreamsAll I hold to in beliefThat all I ever amIs somehow never quite all I am nowLyrics Robert Smith.Today’s ...3 weeks ago - The Book of Evidence-based-evidence
Now, in the land of leaky buildings and the Warehouse-where-everyone-gets-a-bargain, there came an electionAnd this was the one known as the show-bloody-Labour-the-bloody-door electionAnd there came into this election the one known as ChrisAnd of fresh thought or original idea, Chris was full emptyBut this was all good broFor Chris was ...3 weeks ago - Fact brief – Are most glaciers growing?
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 from the Gigafact team in collaboration with members from our team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Are most glaciers ...3 weeks ago
- Itâs not (just) about the economy, stupid.
In 1992 James Carville, Bill Clintonâs lead strategist, hung a sign on the wall of the Democratic candidateâs campaign office in Little Rock, Arkansas. It had three lines on it to focus the team on the key vote-swinging issues and one of those lines would become so famous itâs turned ...3 weeks ago - Let’s Make Things Better
If you're down and out and you feel really hurtCome on over to the place where I workAnd all your loneliness, I'll try to sootheI'll play the blues for youLyrics: Albert King.Often, in these newsletters, I tell you about what is wrong. You know the sort of thing - oh ...3 weeks ago
- Foreign Minister to visit Latin America
Foreign Minister Winston Peters will visit Chile, Mexico and Peru next week. âChile and Mexico are two of New Zealandâs closest partners in Latin America and we are pleased to be visiting them next week,â Mr Peters says. Mr Peters will have bilateral programmes in Santiago and Mexico City involving ...2 weeks ago - $340m NZ-China trade boost through 24Â key partnerships
Minister for Trade and Agriculture, Todd McClay, announced the signing of 24 Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) and supply agreements between New Zealand and Chinese companies as part of the Trade Mission to the China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai and Guangdong province this week. âThese new partnerships are set to ...2 weeks ago
- Prime Minister pays tribute to Sir Robert âBomâ Gillies
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has paid tribute to Sir Robert âBomâ Gillies KNZM, the last surviving member of the 28 (MÄori) Battalion, who passed away today. âSir Bom will be remembered for his service to New Zealand and defending the ideals we value most. âWith trademark humility, he took it ...2 weeks ago
- Bringing Crown director fees closer to market rate
The Government is bringing director fees for 22 Crown-owned companies closer to market rate in order to retain and attract high quality directors, State Owned Enterprises Minister Paul Goldsmith says. âOrdinary directorsâ fees for these companies have been largely static for more than 15 years and have fallen significantly below ...2 weeks ago
- Treaty Principles Bill introduced to Parliament
Associate Justice Minister David Seymour has welcomed the introduction of the Treaty Principles Bill to Parliament and says it will have its first reading next Thursday. âParliament introduced the concept of the Treaty principles into law in 1975 but did not define them. As a result, the courts and the ...2 weeks ago
- Results reinforce importance of growth
The Governmentâs financial results for the first three months of the year are weaker than forecast and reinforce the need to drive growth and maintain careful spending, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The financial statements for the three months to 30 September 2024 show key fiscal indicators were weaker than ...2 weeks ago
- Suicide Prevention Action Plan Next Steps
With public consultation having closed on 1 November 2024, we are now heading into the next phase of developing our new Suicide Prevention Action Plan to cover the period 2025 to 2029, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. âI would like to thank everyone who took the time to make ...2 weeks ago
- Police & Immigration work together to tackle gangs
The Governmentâs responding to overseas members of the Mongols who are attempting to enter the country. âThe Immigration Minister and I are working closely together, alongside Police, Customs and Immigration New Zealand (INZ), to respond to an organised Mongols event in Canterbury between 7-10 November,â Police Minister Mark Mitchell says. ...2 weeks ago
- Prime Minister congratulates Donald J. Trump on election win
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has congratulated President-elect Donald J. Trump on his victory in the US presidential election. âThe relationship between our two countries is strong and enduring. I look forward to developing even closer relations with the incoming Trump Administration. âThe US is one of our most important partners, ...2 weeks ago
- Efficiencies found to deliver two further NIWE recovery projects
Upgrades to Nesbittâs Dip on State Highway 2 (SH2) and Rototahe on State Highway 35 (SH35) will go ahead as a result of improved efficiencies in the Governmentâs North Island Weather Event recovery programme, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. âRegions in the North Island suffered extensive and devastating damage from ...2 weeks ago
- Safe, secure digital identity services on the way
New Zealanders can expect safe and secure digital identity services following the finalisation of the Digital Identity Services Trust Framework, Minister for Digitising Government Judith Collins says. âNew Zealanders want to be able to complete everyday tasks online and in person in a way thatâs safe and secure,â Ms Collins ...2 weeks ago
- Base Woodbourne resolution with KurahaupĆ Iwi
The Government and three KurahaupĆ Iwi have signed a $25.2million agreement to resolve the post-Treaty settlement issue of contaminated land at RNZAF Base Woodbourne. NgÄti Apa ki te RÄ TĆ Trust, RangitÄne o Wairau Settlement Trust, and Te RĆ«nanga o NgÄti Kuia each received $8.4 million after contaminated soil at ...2 weeks ago
- Home-based ECE care made easier
Associate Education Minister David Seymour says the Government is cutting red tape in the ECE sector to help make it easier for providers to operate and offer more options to families looking for home-based education and care for their children. âI have heard from providers that some of the red ...2 weeks ago
- Beefing up red meat marketing in China
The Government is joining the next phase of the âTaste Pure Natureâ campaign that will position New Zealand beef and lamb as the highest-quality red meats of choice for Chinese consumers, Agriculture and Trade Minister Todd McClay announced at a signing ceremony in China today. âToday I am announcing that ...2 weeks ago
- Government formalises Police vetting service
New legislation for the Police vetting service to ensure greater clarity, consistency, and efficiency for Police and users of the service, has passed its first reading in Parliament today. Each year Police provides over 650,000 vets to support New Zealandâs public safety and national security. âThe vetting service that Police ...2 weeks ago
- Oranga Tamariki Oversight Bill passes first reading
Legislation to strengthen oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system has passed its first reading in Parliament today, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. âThese changes will build on New Zealandâs current child protection system by clarifying the roles and responsibilities of the agencies that oversee it, including greater ...2 weeks ago
- NZTA confirms preferred option for second Mt Vic Tunnel and SH1 upgrades
The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) Board has confirmed next steps on the SH1 Wellington Improvements Road of National Significance (RoNS), including an expanded package to reduce Wellingtonâs gridlock and support economic growth, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. âOur Government is committed to delivering a second Mt Victoria Tunnel for Wellington to ...2 weeks ago
- Appointments strengthen Conservation Boards
The latest Conservation Board appointments will help to strengthen environmental efforts across Aotearoa New Zealand, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says. Mr Potaka today announced 64 appointments to the countryâs 14 Conservation Boards. âConservation Boards play a vital role as liaison between DOC with their regions, making their communityâs voice heard ...2 weeks ago
- First steps towards National Infrastructure Plan
Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop has welcomed the first steps from the Infrastructure Commission in developing New Zealandâs 30-year National Infrastructure Plan. The Commission today released a discussion document which outlines the Commissionâs thinking in developing the 30-year plan, including looking at whatâs needed over the next 30 years, what our ...2 weeks ago
- Stats show Medsafe accelerates approval assessments
Associate Health Minister David Seymour says that Medsafeâs annual performance statistics released today show that Medsafe are accelerating their approval process. âThe data produced in Medsafeâs annual statistics show that in 2023/2024 Medsafe expedited their assessment process for almost every category of medicine,â says Mr Seymour. For innovative new medicines ...2 weeks ago
- Kinleith Millâs troubles highlight industryâs âlong slow burnâ
Commodity manufacturers are at risk when their products can be made cheaper overseas The post Kinleith Mill’s troubles highlight industry’s ‘long slow burn’ appeared first on Newsroom. ...1 day ago - NZ downgraded in global climate rankings
New Zealand has dropped seven places to 41st in the global Climate Change Performance Index, which ranks countries based on their emissions, deployment of renewable electricity, overall energy use and climate policy.The announcement of the latest update to the index, which has been running since 2005 and is considered an ...1 day ago
- Police research adds to evidence against gang patch ban
As Te HÄ«koi mĆ Te Tiriti gathered at Wellingtonâs Waitangi Park on the waterfront on Tuesday morning, the MC welcomed âbrothers of the patched world and sisters of the patched worldâ.He told the MÄori members of the crowd that their whakapapa â carried through tÄ moko â survived on the ...1 day ago
- Young families are leaving many large US cities â hereâs why that matters
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Biswa Das, Associate Professor of Community and Regional Planning and Extension Economist, Iowa State University Parents and educators rally at Boston City Hall demanding urgent action to improve the city’s public schools. Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images Young families ...1 day ago - Australiaâs $230 billion Future Fund encouraged to invest in housing, energy transition, infrastru...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The Albanese government has rewritten the mandate of the Future Fund â the nationâs sovereign wealth fund â to urge it to direct investment into the ânational prioritiesâ of housing, the energy transition and infrastructure, ...1 day ago
- Third Reading Of Samoa Citizenship Bill In New Zealand Parliament Today
Explainer - New Zealand's Parliament will, on Wednesday, hear the third and final reading of a bill that will, if passed, restore a pathway for citizenship to a group of Samoans stripped of it decades ago. ...1 day ago - Christopher Luxon Says ‘No Need To Meet’ With HÄ«koi At Parliament
The Prime Minister says organisers were "closely aligned" with Te PÄti MÄori, but acknowledged it was "a significant day". ...1 day ago
- ‘685’s to the world:’ Restoring Citizenship Bill passes with unanimous support
Greens MP Teanau Tuiono says it's "a significant step for Pasifika justice here in Aotearoa and around the Pacific". ...1 day ago - What is methanol? How does it get into drinks and cause harm?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Musgrave, Senior lecturer in Pharmacology, University of Adelaide cdrin/Shutterstock Two Australian teenagers are severely ill in hospital in Thailand after experiencing suspected methanol poisoning while they were travelling in Laos. The pair are reportedly among several foreign nationals to become ...2 days ago
- Politics with Michelle Grattan: Special Minister of State Don Farrell on getting âbig moneyâ out...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The government says it will take âbig moneyâ out of election campaigns â or, more realistically, curb it â with its legislation imposing donation and spending caps and real-time disclosure. But crossbenchers and other ...2 days ago
- The hīkoi and Parliament: A photo essay
The House - Parliament protests run the gamut between solo vigils and a few thousand with amplified speeches. The hīkoi was an entirely new category. ...2 days ago
- Why NZ is protesting over colonial-era treaty bill â a global perspective
An overview for our international readers of Asia Pacific Report. BACKGROUNDER: By Sarah Shamim A fight for MÄori indigenous rights drew more than 50,000 protesters to the New Zealand Parliament in the capital Wellington yesterday. A nine-day-long HÄ«koi, or peaceful march â a MÄori tradition â was undertaken in protest ...2 days ago
- The NT and ACT might have small populations but their economies are growing faster than the bigger s...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra sweettoiletpaper/Shutterstock The Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory have won bragging rights for having the fastest growing economies within Australia. Their growth was highlighted in annual data ...2 days ago
- NZ chips in $10m from existing funds to pay for climate losses
It will help pay for losses suffered by poorer countries because of climate change. ...2 days ago
- New law gives up to 3,480 Samoan elders back their right to NZ citizenship
The Citizenship (Western Samoa Restoration) Amendment Bill has passed its third and final reading. The billâs author reflects on what it means for the Samoan community. Itâs rare for MPs across the political spectrum to unite behind a piece of legislation. Rarer still is for an opposition MPâs bill to ...2 days ago - Gang patch ban: Senior Black Power member concerned about impact on families
"What people wear is not the issue," one Black Power member told RNZ. ...2 days ago
- Budget update will revise down company tax receipts but treasurer Chalmers welcomes economyâs âs...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Next monthâs federal budget update is expected to revise down company tax receipts for the first time since 2020, amid continued low economic growth in the near term. In his Wednesday ministerial statement on ...2 days ago
- Schoolies means more drink spiking warnings. Why is the burden still on women to stay safe?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jessica Ison, Senior Lecturer and Deputy Director, Reducing Gender-Based Violence Research Group, La Trobe University, La Trobe University Christian Bertrand/Shutterstock Schoolies season is here â and with it, warnings about staying safe while partying. For girls and women, this often means ...2 days ago
- Speaker’s handling of hÄ«koi ‘overkill’ – Te Paati MÄori
Staff were locked from being able give water to protesters, and wifi access was blocked too, co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer said. ...2 days ago
- Richard Chambers to be announced as new Police Commissioner
Richard Chambers is replacing outgoing commissioner Andrew Coster. ...2 days ago
- Richard Chambers announced as new Police Commissioner
Richard Chambers is replacing outgoing commissioner Andrew Coster. ...2 days ago
- Government designates Hezbollah as terrorist entity
The government has also slapped a similar designation on the Houthi movement. ...2 days ago
- Cost of road cones, temporary speed limits ‘eyewatering’ – Transport Minister
Simeon Brown had previously raised concerns over the cost of road cones and temporary speed limits, asking the ministry to look into it. ...2 days ago
- 10 years after the Lacrosse building cladding fire, the defects and disasters continue
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Trivess Moore, Associate Professor, School of Property, Construction and Project Management, RMIT University Metropolitan Fire Brigade, CC BY Ten years ago, a late-night cigarette started a fire that spread rapidly up 13 storeys on the Lacrosse apartment building in Melbourne. The ...2 days ago
- What is premenstrual dysphoric disorder? And how is it different to PMS?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Eveline Mu, Research Fellow in Women’s Mental Health, Monash University Austin Guevara/Pexels Periods can feel like an unwanted guest for many women and gender diverse people who menstruate, bringing cramps, mood swings and exhaustion. But how do you know ...2 days ago
- Bill would ârender the treaty worthlessâ â world reacts to national HÄ«koi
RNZ News International media coverage of Aotearoa New Zealandâs national HÄ«koi to Parliament has largely focused on the historic size of the turnout in Wellington yesterday and the wider contention between MÄori and the Crown. Some, including The New York Times, have also pointed out the recent swing right with ...2 days ago
- PPTA Urges Government To Act For Children In War Zones
Children are our future and have the right to access education wherever they live. We must do everything we can to uphold this fundamental human right. ...2 days ago
- âIâll try any synonym under the sunâ: Jacqueline Bublitzâs crimes against language
Welcome to The Spinoff Books Confessional, in which we get to know the reading habits of Aotearoa writers, and guests. This week: Jacqueline Bublitz, author of new crime novel Leave the Girls Behind. The book I wish Iâd written I was so impressed by the big reveal in All the Colours ...2 days ago
- Financial forms of family violence affect 1 in 7 New Zealanders â but the law is lagging
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ayesha Scott, Adjunct Senior Lecturer, AUT Business School, Auckland University of Technology and Senior Lecturer in Finance & Financial Planning, Griffith University Economic harm â restricting access to, sabotaging or exploiting another personâs financial resources, and impeding their economic autonomy â is ...2 days ago
- Who is the new Police Commissioner, Richard Chambers?
He is known to have long-held ambitions for the top job and is considered a favourite of frontline police. ...2 days ago
- COP29 Ends In Promise To Send More Taxpayer Money Overseas
This decision proves how out-of-touch this tax more, spend more, ship more overseas Government is with New Zealand taxpayers. Fix your house first before you go fixing the neighbourhood. ...2 days ago
- Richard Chambers to be announced as new Police Commissioner, RNZ understands
RNZ understands Chambers will take over from Andrew Coster, who stepped down last week to head up the new Social Investment Agency. ...2 days ago
- New Zealand a very difficult place to be blind – advocate
Jonathan Mosen says New Zealand is the worst country in the Western world in which to be blind. ...2 days ago
- A beginnerâs guide to yum cha
Let Jean Teng show you how to do yum cha right. All photos by Jin Fellet. Yum cha is ritualistic. Being absorbed into the cacophony of Sunday morning chaos at a Cantonese restaurant pretty much always feels the same, no matter which one it is. Thereâs the same families ...2 days ago
- Vietnam war vets’ financial support claims boosted by new ruling
Sir Wira Gardiner made a claim in 2021 to have his brain tumour treated as a defence service-related condition. ...2 days ago
- Taxpayer-funded HÄ«koi Organiser Shows Parliamentâs Budget A Political Slush Fund
Taxpayersâ Union Policy and Public Affairs Manager, James Ross, said âTaxpayersâ money is not a political slush fund. MPs shouldnât be able to hide how theyâre wasting our money, and itâs long-past time their budgets were covered by the OIA.â ...2 days ago
- Public Comments By Auckland CCO Bosses Demonstrate Need For Duty Of Political Neutrality
"Dean Kimpton is the poster child of what an undemocratic CCO model has led to," says Jordan Williams, a Spokesman for the Ratepayers' Alliance. ...2 days ago
- Modern cars are surveillance devices on wheels with major privacy risks â new report
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Katharine Kemp, Associate Professor, Faculty of Law & Justice; Lead, UNSW Public Interest Law & Tech Initiative, UNSW Sydney Varavin/Shutterstock New research reveals serious privacy flaws in the data practices of new internet connected cars in Australia. Itâs yet another reason ...2 days ago
- The world reacts to te HÄ«koi mĆ te tiriti
International media seem to agree the Treaty Principles Bill and national hīkoi put New Zealand at a pivotal moment in history. ...2 days ago
- City Rail Link: Mayor Wayne Brown unsure it will get across the line in time
Auckland's mayor has lost confidence that the City Rail Link will be finished on time, despite assurances from officials. ...2 days ago
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