Author Archive
just a voice
Written By: - Date published: 4:01 pm, February 7th, 2014 - 6 comments
Brief occasional updates were requested on the public meetings being held in Dunedin. I’ll be straight up about this. I’m not altogether comfortable about submitting these posts because some readers might see the meetings as being synonymous with me. They’re not. But since I’m the only person with posting rights and because it wouldn’t be be appropriate to post an opinion under ‘notices and features’…
State of Nations
Written By: - Date published: 6:11 pm, January 29th, 2014 - 25 comments
This post isn’t a ‘contrast and compare’ piece on the policy announcements of National, the Greens and Labour. Enough to say that National are pursuing privatisation while both Labour and Green are at least trying to do good things.
Shame about the reality of the bigger picture then.
A little exploration?
Written By: - Date published: 12:22 pm, January 23rd, 2014 - 23 comments
On the pipers, the dancers and the great unwashed.
Off the Pages (impressions)
Written By: - Date published: 11:59 am, January 19th, 2014 - 11 comments
A very brief and broad brushstroke account of yesterday’s meeting at Dunedin Botanic Gardens.
Off The Pages – reminder
Written By: - Date published: 11:27 am, January 16th, 2014 - 9 comments
Saturday afternoon. 1 O’Clock. Bandstand in Dunedin Botanic Gardens.
Where is this Democracy they Speak of?
Written By: - Date published: 11:21 am, December 30th, 2013 - 167 comments
There’s a rumour going around that we live in a democracy.
Muppets.
Written By: - Date published: 11:50 am, December 16th, 2013 - 100 comments
It never fails to amaze me that supposedly experienced and professional (ie, paid) political figures routinely reaffirm a fairly deep sense of stupidity.
Off The Pages…
Written By: - Date published: 5:43 pm, December 15th, 2013 - 17 comments
…and into the world.
The Carbon or the Swag?
Written By: - Date published: 2:32 pm, December 12th, 2013 - 42 comments
So many choices! What’s a body to do?
Get me inta here!
Written By: - Date published: 12:34 pm, November 30th, 2013 - 18 comments
Some things don’t require much in the way of brains. Shame then that we tend to let no brain people determine shit so often.
Shhh! It’s the ‘P’ word.
Written By: - Date published: 5:01 pm, November 18th, 2013 - 340 comments
You don’t have to be white and male and financially wealthy to assume a prominent position within systems of patriarchy, but it helps. And you don’t have to be financially strapped and black and female to feel the full weight of patriarchy always pressing down on you, but it helps.
Don’t Wring Your Hands.
Written By: - Date published: 4:17 pm, November 5th, 2013 - 282 comments
The attitudes put on display by the young men calling themselves the ‘Roast Busters’ aren’t a glitch or the product of some unsavoury sub-culture. Those young men and the attitudes they hold are the product of very long and complex processes whereby some very fucked up shit has become normalised.
While Labour Burns Bright…
Written By: - Date published: 3:20 pm, November 3rd, 2013 - 47 comments
While some hold that the Labour Party conference being held this weekend could mark a watershed in NZ politics, something else that might constitute a somewhat more marked watershed is happening across the Pacific.
Your Brighter Future: Burn.
Written By: - Date published: 1:13 pm, October 2nd, 2013 - 15 comments
“I just utter one fear…”
Remember that?
Warfare of welfare
Written By: - Date published: 11:22 am, September 30th, 2013 - 137 comments
3 billion reasons to be…cheerful?
Intervention. Now!
Written By: - Date published: 3:13 pm, September 3rd, 2013 - 24 comments
Widespread and ongoing poisoning of civilians demands decisive and immediate international action, so…
Sarin
Written By: - Date published: 12:06 pm, September 2nd, 2013 - 128 comments
On the one hand, there is the building propaganda blitz to justify military action in Syria, and on the other…
Obama and the UK
Written By: - Date published: 2:10 pm, September 1st, 2013 - 26 comments
So Barack Obama is going to adhere to the US constitution this time around ( unlike as was the case with Libya) and await the potential green light of Congress before commencing with any military action in Syria.
Syria et al.
Written By: - Date published: 5:09 pm, August 29th, 2013 - 311 comments
Sometimes the most complicated and complex situation becomes clear when viewed from a simple and obvious perspective.
Speculation
Written By: - Date published: 8:32 pm, July 30th, 2013 - 143 comments
I know many of the liberal left don’t like or can’t accept the thought that banning non-residents from speculating on residential property in NZ is in any way xenophobic. Thankfully, from my perspective at least, the liberal left doesn’t speak for the whole of the left. Thing is, this banning of foreign investment is similar […]
Come in Houston…
Written By: - Date published: 5:56 pm, July 11th, 2013 - 16 comments
Story of a 111 response time.
Irony? Nah.
Written By: - Date published: 1:33 pm, May 17th, 2013 - 56 comments
Nigel Farage went to Scotland to promote UKIP. What the hell was he thinking?
And in Good News
Written By: - Date published: 1:38 pm, May 13th, 2013 - 19 comments
Research published today in the journal Nature Climate Change looked at 50,000 globally widespread and common species and found that more than one half of the plants and one third of the animals will lose more than half of their climatic range by 2080 if nothing is done to reduce the amount of global warming and slow it down.
Smokefree? Then Cut the Crap!
Written By: - Date published: 3:30 pm, March 18th, 2013 - 48 comments
Apparently the government is concerned for the general health of people in New Zealand. Apparently, an expression of this concern is the roll out of policy initiatives that will result in New Zealand being smoke free by 2025.
Welcome to the Burdigalian
Written By: - Date published: 1:27 pm, January 14th, 2013 - 200 comments
Last year, in the Arctic, atmospheric CO2 concentrations were measured at 400ppm. If you search on line for historical CO2 levels, you’ll find a lot of comments that are of the opinion that 400ppm CO2 last occurred about 800 000 years ago…or maybe just a bit longer. The implication is that since that’s well within the span of human existence it doesn’t really matter too much. It’s fine; we’ve been here before.
Halting Dynamics and Shifting Inertias
Written By: - Date published: 5:20 pm, January 7th, 2013 - 43 comments
Like many, I’ve been somewhat bemused and not a little angered that austerity is touted as a pathway to economic recovery. Like many, I’ve come to view both austerity and bail outs simply as means to put public monies and the control of public institutions into private hands – all the while diminishing the power of citizens on both an individual and collective basis.
But why consciously destroy or abandon real economic activity in a quest for power? Why not continue to build on whatever ‘real economy’ bases of power you posses? Idle speculation might suggest a lust for power, y’know… power for power’s sake. Or a reaction to, or recognition of impending peak resources in a world of growing population.
Gimme sense!
Written By: - Date published: 11:34 am, January 1st, 2013 - 147 comments
It’s nothing but ardent colonial nonsense to be celebrating a seasonally determined cultural event in the wrong season and about six months off the mark. Every culture that marks new year celebrates around the time of, well…new year. And every culture that marks New Year locates it somewhere in the winter; notionally around the time […]
Fear factors
Written By: - Date published: 7:41 am, December 27th, 2012 - 74 comments
Another in an on going non-chronological series on options in the face of global warming.
If
Written By: - Date published: 9:04 am, December 20th, 2012 - 221 comments
If you and I were told that (variously) our sons and daughters, grandchildren, nieces and nephews were going to be killed tomorrow, would I be right to suspect that we might sit up and take notice?
Well done
Written By: - Date published: 5:16 pm, December 18th, 2012 - 83 comments
This is one of a series of posts I hope to write over the summer based to some extent or other on a recent presentation by Kevin Anderson: Professor of Energy and Climate Change, University of Manchester, Tyndall Centre.
Goldman Sachs. Global Inc?
Written By: - Date published: 10:33 am, November 29th, 2012 - 66 comments
What to make of yet another Goldman Sach’s appointee?
- The NZ Super Fund has Israeli investments worth $35m. Could it divest?
Sanctions would likely require a law change, but there’s another path the government could consider if it chooses to take a tougher line. The decision by Israel’s parliament to designate the United Nations’ Palestinian relief agency UNRWA a “terrorist organisation” has been condemned by many governments, with claims it will ...2 weeks ago - For abuse in care survivors, an apology without action means nothing
Tomorrow, the prime minister will deliver a national apology for abuse that occurred in state and faith-based care. But for survivors, redress and accountability still look to be a long way off, writes Steve Goodlass. As we drew closer to the date of the public apology, the response minister Erica ...2 weeks ago
- Inside the urgent race to solve homelessness in Aotearoa
As homelessness hits an all-time high, New Zealand’s frontline organisations are embracing unconventional and innovative strategies. Joel MacManus takes a closer look at the crisis and meets the people who claim to have the cure. Photos taken by David Jensen on an outing in Wellington, October 2024. The names of ...2 weeks ago
- Hīkoi (v.24)
A poem by Ātea editor Liam Rātana. We should write something about it— strange if we didn’t. You’d want something insightful, wouldn’t you, something about feet moving, fists pounding, flags waving, horns honking, voices shouting loud enough to wake even the deepest sleep. We’re always angry, ready to mobilise, ...2 weeks ago
- The ferry to Russell
In an effort to squeeze in as much public transport as possible to the last day of my trip, I caught the ferry from Paihia to Russell/Kororāreka The crossing took 17 minutes and cost me $17 for a return trip. There are three ferry companies operating services across the bay. ...2 weeks ago
- The longest commute, day seven: To the end of New Zealand’s public transport network
Joel MacManus attempts to travel from the bottom to the top of the country without a car or plane. Today: the last hurrah. The mission: Get from Stewart Island to Cape Reinga as fast as possible using only public transport. Wherever I can, I’ll travel by train. In areas that ...2 weeks ago
- I’m not allowed to bike to Cape Reinga
Mad Chapman has vetoed my plan to bike the last leg from Kaitaia to Cape Reinga. It’s a bit hypocritical coming from someone who once rode an Onzo bike from Mt Eden to Huntly for a story, but she’s all responsible now that she’s the editor. Please, if you have ...2 weeks ago
- The Bay of Islands
I’ve made it to Paihia but something terrible has happened that could put this entire trip in jeopardy. I need to go make some calls. I’ll fill you in soon. ...2 weeks ago
- Khalistan ‘Referendum’ In Auckland Discussed At Top Diplomatic Levels
A Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson confirmed that S Jaishankar, India's minister of external affairs, raised the issue during the meeting but declined to provide details of the discussion. ...2 weeks ago - Commission Calls For The Promise Of Te Tiriti O Waitangi To Be Honoured
The Commission’s Rongomau Taketake Indigenous Rights Governance Partner, Dayle Takitimu, said the Government had completely ignored the Waitangi Tribunal’s recommendations in its interim report Ngā Mātāpono, including for the Bill to be abandoned. ...2 weeks ago
- Interim Financial Statements Of The Government Of New Zealand For The Three Months Ended 30 Septembe...
The September results are reported against forecasts based on the Budget Economic and Fiscal Update 2024 (BEFU 2024), published on 30 May 2024, and the results for the same period for the previous year. ...2 weeks ago
- Commission Report Released On Domestic Contribution To The Second Nationally Determined Contribution
Minister of Climate Change Simon Watts today released the Commission’s report on the domestic emissions reductions that Aotearoa New Zealand could achieve as part of the country's second nationally determined contribution (NDC2). ...2 weeks ago
- Cleaners Left In Limbo After Contract Change At Auckland Transport Sites
After MMS lost its contract to provide cleaning services for Auckland Transport sites to City Cleaning, cleaners’ pay and conditions should have been transferred to the new contractor under Part 6A of the Employment Relations Act. ...2 weeks ago
- Social Housing Cutbacks Confirmed As Govt Axes Another 310 Kāinga Ora Workers
This makes a total of 551 roles lost since April 2024, or one in six workers across the country. A third of the workforce is in Auckland. ...2 weeks ago
- Have Your Say On The Oversight Of Oranga Tamariki System Legislation Amendment Bill
The bill seeks to enhance oversight and monitoring of the Oranga Tamariki system by making structural changes to the Independent Children’s Monitor and the Children and Young People’s Commission. ...2 weeks ago
- Has Simon Watts Forgotten Who The Minister Is?
Does he not realise that he is the Minister in charge of the people who perpetrated this travesty? The people who have been affected need to see action, instead of the Minister’s ‘disappointment’. ...2 weeks ago
- More Than 18,400 Kiwis Call On Select Committee To Front Up On MPs’ Expenses
“Why should MPs not be held to the same standards as Ministers? If you’re spending taxpayers’ money, the public need to see the receipts” said James Ross, Policy and Public Affairs Manager at the Taxpayers’ Union. ...2 weeks ago
- Introduction Of The Treaty Principles Bill
The existence and introduction of the Bill is extremely disappointing, has created angst amongst our people and further fuels the divisiveness created by Hon David Seymour and the Act Party. ...2 weeks ago
- Treaty Principles Bill Is Deliberately Divisive
...2 weeks ago
- Parihaka: Remembering A Legacy Of Peaceful Resistance
This small papakāinga, now a powerful symbol of passive resistance, was the site of Aotearoa's first recorded non-violent stand against colonial violence and land confiscation. ...3 weeks ago
- Cook Islands Leader Insists New Passports Won’t Affect Ties With New Zealand
The Cook Islands leader says new passport proposal will not impact ties with Aotearoa, but a New Zealand Foreign Affairs spokesperson says it "would have implications". ...3 weeks ago
- The Treaty Principles Bill Is Advanced Without Us And In Spite Of Us
“The Bill is an attack on our rangatiratanga and the move to bring it forward is yet another tactic to distract us from the real issues facing New Zealanders. This Bill is being advanced without us and in spite of us. ...3 weeks ago
- Unemployment Rising Shows The Need For A Plan
Wages are also reflecting the softer labour market, with 37% of all workers seeing no pay rise, and 50% of workers seeing an annual pay rise less than the 3.8% increase in household costs reported yesterday. With the minimum wage rising by less than ...3 weeks ago
- Unemployment Rate At 4.8 Percent
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, as measured by the Household Labour Force Survey, was 4.8 percent in the September 2024 quarter, compared with 4.6 percent in the previous quarter. ...3 weeks ago
- IRD Have Lied To New Zealanders, Heads Must Roll
...3 weeks ago
- IRD Data Leaking Killed By 9,000-strong Taxpayers’ Union Campaign
Commissioner Mersi needs to stop burying his head in the sand, and explain to Kiwis how his department are going to clean up the mess of the data they’ve already leaked: Taxpayers’ Union Policy and Public Affairs Manager, James Ross said. ...3 weeks ago
- Govt Science Cuts Take NZ Even Further Backward
The Government talks about the need to tackle our poor productivity performance, and the need for a longer-term plan to arrest our decline, but their actions continue to take us in the opposite direction ...3 weeks ago
- Appalling Attack On Public Service Official By Minister Crosses The Line
"Publicly attacking a public servant for giving advice that you disagree with is unacceptable within our democratic system," said Kerry Davies, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi. ...3 weeks ago
- New Zealand Loyal Political Party Is Under New Management
The AGM will allow its members, for the very first time, to democratically elect a Board to take the New Zealand Loyal Political Party through to the 2026 General Election. ...3 weeks ago
- OIA Documents Reveal Minister Is Considering Changing Long-term Child Poverty Reduction Targets (CPA...
CPAG Chairperson Sally Ward also encourages the New Zealand public to call on all politicians in parliament to hold each other to account on this issue of national significance. ...3 weeks ago
- Equity, Not Just Fairness, Required For Survivors Of Abuse In State Care
Cooper Legal’s Principal Partner, Sonja Cooper says that while the Government might say that paying Lake Alice survivors’ legal fees is the fair thing to do, the State is still not treating all survivors equitably. ...3 weeks ago
- CAPHRA Warns Against Rushed Vaping Legislation In New Zealand
"We urge New Zealand MPs to pause and reconsider," Loucas added. "Rushing this bill through Parliament before proper scrutiny risks undermining years of progress in reducing smoking rates." ...3 weeks ago
- REVEALED: Ministry For The Environment Blows More Than $2 Million On Internal ‘Events’
“With the money they decided to fork out on events, they could have instead planted more than 2000 hectares of trees. At least that would have been an attempt to do their actual job of helping the environment rather than playing around in workshops, ...3 weeks ago
- CID & Members’ Call For Action Against UNRWA Ban In Israel And Occupied Palestinian Territorie...
We urge you to stand against the decision of the Israeli Knesset to ban UNWRA given that decision will mean an increase in the deaths of Palestinians already in the grip of extreme suffering. ...3 weeks ago
- Genetic Engineering Reforms Risk Making NZ An Outlier
Of particular concern is the fact that no economic assessment of the potential impacts of these regulatory changes has been conducted, and that it appears that no intention exists on the part of government to conduct such an assessment, says Brendan Hoare, ...3 weeks ago
- Police Withdraw Charges After Arrest For Engaging In Debate, A Huge Victory For Free Speech
Burns was arrested, taken to Police cells, and charged under section 1(4)(b) of the Summary Offences Act for 'offensive language'. ...3 weeks ago
- Parliament Blocks Submissions Calling For Transparency On Parliament’s Expenses
“Blocking Kiwis from contacting their MPs to demand transparency is nothing short of arrogant self entitlement” says Jordan Williams, a spokesman for the Taxpayers’ Union. ...3 weeks ago
- NZ Staunchest Western Supporter Of Israel – Silence On Israel’s Attacks On The United Nations
The New Zealand government blames Hamas for all the killing and destruction committed by Israel, though it also finds space to condemn Hezbollah, the Houthis and Iran. ...3 weeks ago
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