Author Archive
The Problem with Personification in Politics
Written By: - Date published: 7:00 am, April 19th, 2021 - 12 comments
It is a grave mistake to treat Ministries as if they are real persons.
Einstein versus Trump*
Written By: - Date published: 7:00 am, April 18th, 2021 - 10 comments
Einstein tried to explain complex things and understand reality; Trump tried to explain it away and distort reality.
Covid Zeitgeist
Written By: - Date published: 12:04 pm, March 21st, 2021 - 31 comments
NZ politics needs recharging and renewal to move forward. We need more charging stations.
The Unbearable Lightness of the Bright-Line Test
Written By: - Date published: 4:20 pm, March 13th, 2021 - 96 comments
The bright-line test is a red herring and does nothing to deter housing speculation.
You have 30 min to get your business in order!
Written By: - Date published: 12:50 pm, March 12th, 2021 - 77 comments
Government should have announced the decision for Auckland to go down to Level 1 first thing this morning.
So, You Want To Buy Your First Home?
Written By: - Date published: 7:00 am, March 7th, 2021 - 75 comments
Money does not grow on trees, it grows on houses. It is pure magic!
An Introvert’s Guide to Spending Money*
Written By: - Date published: 1:38 pm, December 29th, 2020 - 30 comments
Don’t waste your money on shit, spend it on good shit.
Words of Outrage or Outrageous Action?
Written By: - Date published: 7:00 am, December 24th, 2020 - 30 comments
Do you reward rage with rage or do you ignore it and walk away quietly?
Tranquillum
Written By: - Date published: 7:28 pm, December 6th, 2020 - 134 comments
Don’t expect a jellyfish to grow a spine, they just bob along on the current and keep moving, gently, slowly, kindly.
A Bit About How (my) Moderation Works (at present)
Written By: - Date published: 9:58 pm, November 29th, 2020 - 26 comments
An attempt to clarify some misconceptions and dispel some urban myths about (my) moderation.
PPE from a Universe Far, Far Away
Written By: - Date published: 2:33 pm, August 22nd, 2020 - 11 comments
An antidote against the pounding waves of BS coming from inside and outside Aotearoa.
A Stunt Scene from Mission Impossible*
Written By: - Date published: 3:52 pm, August 17th, 2020 - 16 comments
In NZ politics, the perception of fairness matters more than actual fairness.
National Has Found a Moral Compass
Written By: - Date published: 3:46 pm, June 6th, 2020 - 34 comments
National has embarked on a moral crusade to not lose the Election.
Is National Just Inconsistent or Incompetent?
Written By: - Date published: 7:00 am, June 1st, 2020 - 65 comments
National’s new job-creation scheme appears to be inconsistent with their desire to fully re-instate the 90-day trial period.
Draconian Tourism or no Tourism?
Written By: - Date published: 7:00 am, April 27th, 2020 - 192 comments
If overseas tourists want to visit NZ, they may have to give up a little bit of their privacy to keep all of us safe.
How Not to Engage in Public Debate
Written By: - Date published: 7:00 am, April 15th, 2020 - 95 comments
The best way to engage in public debate on the lockdown is to be open, clear, and transparent and show the facts. A press release full of beliefs and reckons is unhelpful and irresponsible.
Are the Vultures Already Circling Above?
Written By: - Date published: 7:00 am, April 14th, 2020 - 116 comments
We cannot go back to business as usual after the lockdown but can we shape the way things will be for the greater good?
National’s Petition is Cynical Populism
Written By: - Date published: 12:45 pm, April 9th, 2020 - 124 comments
National is trying to steal show political leadership and relevance by launching a petition.
Addendum added
About Carrots and Sticks
Written By: - Date published: 2:41 pm, April 4th, 2020 - 119 comments
How can we improve motivation to stamp out this virus in New Zealand?
Holding the Government to Account or Concern Trolling?
Written By: - Date published: 8:00 am, March 31st, 2020 - 35 comments
When Opposition Spokespersons behave like concern trolls, we have a problem.
One Virus to Rule Them All
Written By: - Date published: 2:33 pm, March 28th, 2020 - 37 comments
Trying to make sense of what’s happening is mindboggling.
Constructive Criticism and Team Work In Politics
Written By: - Date published: 1:51 pm, January 26th, 2020 - 34 comments
Team play is more important than ever in politics.
Known Knowns and All the Other Ones
Written By: - Date published: 12:49 am, January 4th, 2020 - 6 comments
We cannot know everything and our only option is to trust others who know stuff that we don’t.
It Is the Thought That Counts
Written By: - Date published: 12:33 am, December 28th, 2019 - 70 comments
Antagonistic personalities are an obstacle to effective politics tackling major present problems.
MMP Mark II*
Written By: - Date published: 11:57 pm, December 25th, 2019 - 24 comments
What beats MMP? Open-list proportional representation with a low threshold would be a good option.
Democratisation by Social Media and the Internet Is Just Meaningless Waffle
Written By: - Date published: 1:35 pm, December 24th, 2019 - 22 comments
Social Media and the Internet are literally in our faces 24/7 but our political engagement is diminishing.
Two Referendums Too Many
Written By: - Date published: 1:32 pm, November 16th, 2019 - 50 comments
The referendums on two contentious issues could cloud and crowd out the General Election.
Smells Like Stale Male Spirit
Written By: - Date published: 7:01 am, August 18th, 2019 - 92 comments
We live in a rich and diverse society but this is not reflected in our local government.
Dinosaurs Fight Extinction Rebellion
Written By: - Date published: 12:46 am, July 17th, 2019 - 181 comments
Dinosaurs are speeding up our extinction.
Simon Bridges Going Blue in the Face Barking at Green Cars
Written By: - Date published: 3:48 pm, July 14th, 2019 - 51 comments
Simon Bridges is barking madly at green cars.
Toll by Stealth
Written By: - Date published: 4:17 pm, July 13th, 2019 - 52 comments
A tunnel is like a wormhole to another dimension. It changes people’s behaviour ever so slightly, ever so briefly, without them realising.
- A Night in the Witherlands – accepted
As I have noted previously, I have made some substantial work on Old Phuul in 2021. But that does not mean I still can’t produce a short story now and again. In an excellent piece of news, my 6,400-word sword and sorcery piece, A Night in the Witherlands, has ...4 mins ago - Media Link: “A View from Afar” on NZ foreign policy independence reframed.
Nanaia Mahuta, NZ’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, gave a speech that was notable for two things. On the one hand she spoke of diversifying NZ’s trade relations away from the domination of one market (read: the PRC). On the other hand she expressed a desire to return the 5 Eyes ...31 mins ago - Why do we tolerate this?
This week Nicky Hager has been going after Thompson and Clark Investigations, New Zealand's most immoral private investigation firm, with stories on how they spied for the Exclusive Brethren and employ former SIS agents. Today's revelation is that that agent was spying on school-children for the oil industry: School ...2 hours ago - Health Reforms Long Overdue
The Government’s (that is, Andrew Little’s) far-reaching health reforms have been – predictably and rightly – well received by most health professionals. I judge them – and welcome them – on the basis of my own experience in chairing a Primary Health Organisation over a period of some years. My ...3 hours ago - Graham Adams: Seymour outflanks Ardern on hate speech
The Act leader reckons the Prime Minister is already backing away from a law change. Graham Adams reports from David Seymous’ national tour on the regulation of political speech, and news of a possible citizens-initiated referendum on the topic. Former PM Rob Muldoon was fond of saying he was a ...5 hours ago - NZ Politics Daily: 22 April 2021Health reforms: Analysis Chris Trotter (Daily Blog): Labour’s health reforms: Boldly going where it might not be wise to venture Luke Malpass (Stuff): Government’s DHB overhaul is the latest salvo in the Wellington vs local control war Stuff: Editorial – Healthcare change needed but crucial staff shortages need to be addressed Audrey Young (Herald): Little’s Cabinet paper shows how Heather ...7 hours ago
- My favourite Anzac biscuit recipe
By Mary Morgan-Richards Every year, in the lead up to Anzac day (25th April) when Australians and New Zealanders remember all those who died at war, we bake and eat sweet biscuits associated with WWI. After 100 years I wanted to calculate the impact of my biscuits on global ...19 hours ago - Skeptical Science New Research for Week #16, 2021
Near doubling of age of oldest coherent ice core on tap? Studies of paleoclimate help us to understand our own recent creation of accidental rapid climate change and what we may expect from our blunder. Among many other sources of paleoclimate data, ice cores stand out for their near "tape ...22 hours ago - Deadlock in SamoaSamoa's independent "kingmaker", Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio, has finally made his decision, joining the opposition FAST Party. But this doesn't mean they'll be the government, because last night Samoa's electoral commission suddenly decided to create another (HRPP) MP, creating a 26-26 deadlock. The reason for this is that Samoa has a ...1 day ago
- Ending the DHB scamThis morning the government announced a major shakeup for the health system, abolishing DHBs and centralising control under a single entity. I don't know enough about health policy to comment on whether this is a good idea or not, but it doesn't bode well that the government is spinning this ...1 day ago
- Why scientists shouldn't heed calls to 'stay in our lane'This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections It’s hard to lose a long-term friendship. That happened to me last year. My friendship did not survive my unwillingness to “stay in my lane.” I met my friend – let’s call him T – while I was a student at Cornwall School ...1 day ago
- NZ Politics Daily: 21 April 2021Ihumātao unlawful government spend Henry Cooke (Stuff): Auditor-General rules the $29.9m the Government used to buy Ihumātao was unlawfully spent Tova O’Brien (Newshub): Housing Minister Megan Woods promises to ‘tidy up’ unlawful purchase of Ihumātao 1News: Unlawful Ihumātao payment another ‘messy chapter’ in the saga, 1News political reporter says Anna Whyte (1News): Ihumātao $29.9m payment ‘unlawful’ after officials miss key steps ...1 day ago
- A Fast Train To A Sustainable Future.
Future Proofed: KiwiRail needs to become an all-electrically-powered, broad-gauged, and comprehensively re-equipped state-owned enterprise with state-of-the-art locomotives and rolling-stock. An infrastructure project of massive proportions and prodigious expense is required. But, when it is completed, New Zealand will have a sustainable, twenty-first century transportation network, capable of carrying both passengers ...2 days ago - Serves them rightBack in December, the government purchased Ihumatāo. Officially the purchase was for a housing project, but whether any houses actually get built (and who will own them) is subject to negotiation. And now, the Auditor-General has ruled the purchase unlawful: The deal struck by the government and Fletcher Building ...2 days ago
- Bryce Edwards: Political Roundup – National has bigger problems than its leadershipSpeculation about the National Party’s leadership has died down, after a fortnight of rumours and overt positioning by supposed challengers to Judith Collins. She lives on as leader for a bit longer, and Christopher Luxon and Simon Bridges have been put in their place. National now desperately needs to focus ...2 days ago
- An inappropriate gagThe government is planning to reform the health system. But in the leadup, they've issued new guidance for DHB members, gagging them from criticising the government: A new code of conduct banning health board members from making “political comment” may have been timed to dull criticism of imminent changes ...2 days ago
- Presentation: The housing crisis, taxation policy and restoring equity
Susan St John & Terry Baucher The bright line test has been extended to ten years. Tax deductibility for the cost of a mortgage for landlords is to be removed. These steps are a start, but there is more to be done. In Susan and Terry, we have two advocates ...2 days ago - NZ Politics Daily: 20 April 2021NZ-China relations: Mahuta Speech Tim Watkin (Pundit): Taniwha New Zealand shows its foreign policy teeth to the world. But what does it mean? Sam Sachdeva (Newsroom): Mahuta treads a careful but clear line on China Alexander Gillespie (The Conversation): Without evidence of real progress, NZ’s foreign policy towards China looks increasingly empty Luke Malpass and Thomas Coughlan ...2 days ago
- Taniwha New Zealand shows its foreign policy teeth to the world. But what does it mean?
As New Zealand and Australia celebrated its close ties with the opening of the Trans-Tasman Covid-19 bubble, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta today was looking a little further north. Shortly after those first flights had taken off, reminding us all of the world beyond our shores, Mahuta gave just her second ...3 days ago - sam bailey on isolating viruses, and why she is wrongRecently I was told I needed to go to the Youtube channel of Dr Sam BaileyA and watch one of her videosB. So I did. This particular video is called The Truth About Virus Isolation, and yes it’s on Youtube, and no I’m not linking directly because I refuse to ...3 days ago
- 'Disinformation ecosystem' – in broader context beyond climateThis is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Peter Sinclair This edition of Yale Climate Connections’ “This Is Not Cool” video explores the “disinformation ecosystem” in and beyond the issue of global climate change. “How did we get here?” independent videographer Peter Sinclair asks rhetorically at the start of the ...3 days ago
- The progressive case against cancel culture
Once upon a time, the left fought for the universal right to freedom of speech. Today, many self-proclaimed progressives cheer on the censorship of their political opponents. But it’s not just right-wingers who suffer from cancel culture. The left itself is often the primary victim. Dan Kovalik is a labour lawyer, peace ...3 days ago - Peter Dutton supports war crimesDuring their time in Afghanistan Australian special forces committed war crimes, murdering 39 Afghan civilians and prisoners of war and working together to cover it up. This was not a case of a few sociopaths killing in secret, but of utterly corrupt units who knew of, tolerated, and in some ...3 days ago
- Is The Government’s Proposed “Cure” For Hate Speech Worse Than The Complaint?3 days ago
- NZ Politics Daily: 19 April 2021Housing crisis Reuters: ‘Explosion of wealth inequality’ as housing boom leaves many behind – economist Dan Satherley (Newshub): Housing crisis: Price falls coming, but ‘nothing compared to’ how much they’ve risen – economists Miriam Bell (Stuff): What will happen if house prices fall? Tara Shaskey (Stuff): Poverty will cripple Māori if housing crisis is not addressed – iwi leader ...3 days ago
- Hate Speech bad, Hate Economics acceptable.
by Don Franks Details of proposed new hate speech laws have been revealed in a December Cabinet paper obtained by Newsroom. The paper, seeking to “strengthen the protections against hate speech”, would extend existing provisions against incitement and hate speech. It would also move hate speech offences from the Human Rights Act to ...4 days ago - 2021 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #16Listing of articles linked to on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, Apr 11, 2021 through Sat, Apr 17, 2021 Not having had a chance to garner much attention by the time last week's review was published, the last article in that batch - First-Ever Observations From ...4 days ago
- Why did New Zealand’s CO2 emissions blow out so spectacularly in 2019?Every year in April, the trees start changing colour, the clocks go back an hour, and the national greenhouse gas figures are released and promptly forgotten. They take fifteen months to prepare, so by the time they come out it’s very easy for commentators to point out that they are ...4 days ago
- why it’s important to check sourcesWhile checking my spam folder (before yeeting the contents permanently) I noticed that I’d been sent a bunch of email ‘newsletters’ from the group “Voices for Freedom.” Out of interest I opened one, just in case the contents were worth a post or two – & indeed they were. The ...5 days ago
- Deceptive and dangerous dichotomisation.Humans are hard-wired to classify, categorise and compare, or in other words, to taxonomize. We may be born tabula rasa but quickly are taught that the world is divided into types of things, subtypes of those and assorted other categories. The operative term is “taught” rather than “realise.” Taxonomies are ...5 days ago
- Bryce Edwards: Political Roundup – The Government’s historic ban on live animal exportsThe Labour Government received plaudits this week for its historic announcement that it will ban the live export of animals by sea. It’s said to be a world first. The decision comes after years of pressure, which increased after last year’s tragedy when the ship Gulf Livestock 1 left New ...5 days ago
- Mystery in the Library 2021
As one does on a Friday evening, I yesterday made a point of heading along to the Dunedin Public Library’s event, Mystery in the Library. This was a panel of local crime-fiction writers, and a follow-up to a similar one in April 2019 (no prizes for guessing why ...5 days ago - Will The 2021 Budget Be Focused on Wellbeing?
Now is about the time that the Government is getting its Budget Strategy togetherIn the week before the budget – the 2021 one is to be delivered on Thursday 20 May – there is a strange ritual in which all the commentariat and lobbyists (who are not necessarily distinct from ...6 days ago - Climate Change: Admitting itClimate Change Minister James Shaw has admitted that the government is not doing enough on climate change: Appearing on Breakfast alongside Greenpeace director and former Green Party leader Russel Norman, the current Greens co-leader was asked: “Are you as Government living up to promise of delivery implicit in those ...6 days ago
- The Government v. the People?We can all agree that a free press (and free media more generally) are important factors in a well-functioning democracy. But I am beginning to wonder if they provide us with an unalloyed benefit. I am an avid consumer of daily news – whether delivered by the press or by ...6 days ago
- Why Haven’t They … ? How to Explain this Government’s Baffling Refusal to Solve New Zealand’...Yes They Can - So Why Don't They? In matters relating to child poverty, homelessness, mental health, climate change and, of course, Covid-19, the answers are right in front of the Government's collective nose - often in the form of reports it has specifically commissioned. Why can’t Jacinda and her ...6 days ago
- Progress towards a Smokefree Aotearoa 2025 Action Plan: Congratulations to the GovernmentRichard Edwards, Janet Hoek, Anaru Waa, George Thomson, Nick Wilson (author details*) We congratulate the NZ Government on its proposed Action Plan for the Smokefree Aotearoa 2025 goal. Here we examine the evidence for three key ideas outlined in the plan: permitting tobacco products to be sold in only ...6 days ago
- NZ Politics Daily: 16 April 2021National Party leadership Matthew Hooton (Herald): My message to National – and how to avoid another leadership fiasco(paywalled) Peter Dunne: National needs to sort out what it stands for before it thinks about leadership Jo Moir (Newsroom): National’s six months in a leaky boat Grant Duncan: The National Party’s leadership woes Government Peter Dunne (Newsroom): Can Covid-19 save Labour again in 2023? ...6 days ago
- Can The State Pull The Lone Wolf Terrorist’s Teeth?Punished, But Not Prevented: Though bitterly contested by those firmly convinced that the Christchurch Mosque Shootings represent something more than the crime of a Lone Wolf terrorist, the Royal Commission’s finding that no state agency could have prevented Brenton Tarrant from carrying out his deadly intent – except by chance ...6 days ago
- Govt pushing contentious gender identity lawThe Government has announced it intends making sex self-identification possible this year, as a priority. That would mean anyone could change the sex documented on their birth certificate by a simple declaration that they “identify” as the opposite sex. Speak Up For Women have launched a campaign encouraging New Zealanders ...7 days ago
- The cost of a rolling omnishamblesThe travel bubble with Australia has not brought room for others to come into the MIQ system from overseas. Instead, spaces are being decommissioned. Why? The system is leaky. The government cannot afford to let riskier people into those spaces, because the system can’t handle them. My column in Insights ...7 days ago
- “Ideologies Clashing”: as we slowly try to emerge from Covid, discontent rises.
A Second Term Labour-led Government in New Zealand, a new Biden-led Administration in the US, a continuance of the Johnson Government in the UK: different approaches to major issues, same global problems – and discontent rising. Some warranted, some unwarranted, but as each emerges from the Covid pandemic, what ...7 days ago - COVID vaccines and blood clots – what is this about?I will update this post as new information comes to hand What has happened? Recently the vaccine safety watch dogs in Europe noted reports of unusual types of blood clots in people vaccinated with the AstraZeneca (AZ) COVID-19 vaccine. This prompted investigations across many countries to ascertain what, why, and ...7 days ago
- Male fertility: how everyday chemicals are destroying sperm counts in humans and animalsAlex Ford, University of Portsmouth and Gary Hutchison, Edinburgh Napier University Within just a few generations, human sperm counts may decline to levels below those considered adequate for fertility. That’s the alarming claim made in epidemiologist Shanna Swan’s new book, “Countdown”, which assembles a raft of evidence to show that ...7 days ago
- vEGU21 – Gather online – PrologJust like last year, this year's General Assembly of the European Geosciences Union (EGU) will happen virtually instead of in person in Vienna. Contrary to last year, the organizers decided early on to hold their conference online and planned for it accordingly (quite a difference to last year's scramble where they switched ...7 days ago
- A True Story: Lucian of Samosata is Not Science-Fiction
Time for a strange rant. A very strange rant. But bear with me, because this is serious business. A True Story, by Lucian of Samosata is not Science-Fiction. What on earth am I talking about? Well, it was one of those Wikipedia rabbit holes. I was reading ...1 week ago - Otago locals rally to save fossils from destructionBy Kate Evans for Undark One of New Zealand’s most spectacular fossil sites originated 23.2 million years ago. It was formed in a valley dotted with small volcanoes, when rising magma deep below the Earth’s surface came into contact with groundwater. Lava and water don’t mix — they explode. The ...1 week ago
- No Place for Democratic-Socialists in the Undemocratic Neoliberal Government of the Auckland Superci...A Thorn In Their Side: As Chair of the Auckland Regional Council, Mike Lee made sure Auckland’s municipal resources remained in Aucklanders’ hands. Not surprisingly the neoliberal powers-that-be (in both their centre-left and centre-right incarnations) hated this last truly effective standard-bearer for democratic-socialist values and policies.MIKE LEE is the closest ...1 week ago
- so much misinformation on a page supposedly about healthIt’s always something of a shock to come across a page run by a health-focused business that contains substantial misinformation. This one left me gobsmacked, given the sheer number of statements that are demonstrably untrue. And while a fair bit of the content is prefaced by the statement that it’s ...1 week ago
- NZ Politics Daily: 15 April 2021Live animal export ban Stuff: Editorial – The tide goes out on animal exports Luke Malpass (Stuff): Government announces an end to livestock sea export industry Calla Wahlquist (The Guardian): New Zealand to stop exporting livestock by sea Mirjam Guesgen (Spinoff): Live animal exports have always been a problem No Right Turn: Why wait? RNZ: Government announces ban for live cattle exports by ...1 week ago
- Ian Powell: A very bureaucratic coup: Part OnePreviously (9 February) I wrote about how business consultants Ernst & Young were used to do a hatchet job on the former senior management team at Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB). While this hatchet job was planned in 2019 its gestation was much longer. Its underlying causes involved differences in ...1 week ago
- Skeptical Science New Research for Week #15, 2021Flying beneath the radar of guilt Fight or Flight: How Advertising for Air Travel Triggers Moral Disengagement (open access) by Stubenvoll & Neureiter not only takes an interesting approach to decomposing the effects of airline travel advertisements but also helps us to understand the general psychological landscape of our often conflicted ...1 week ago
- we haven’t taught critical thinking particularly wellYesterday I got told to “do some research” &, by extension, to think critically. The biologist in me cringed a little when I read it (and not because of the advice about doing research). Biology teachers I know suggested that perhaps everyone should take the NCEA standard that ...1 week ago
- Have introverts really fared better in lockdown?Lis Ku, De Montfort University Since the onset of the pandemic, everyone from newspaper columnists to Twitter users has advanced the now idea that extroverts and introverts are handling the crisis differently. Many claim that introverts adapt to social distancing and isolation better than extroverts, with some even suggesting that ...1 week ago
- evidence vs spinA friend of mine pointed me in the direction of this blog post by New Zealand’s “Plan B” group. While initially this group opposed the government’s use of lockdowns to manage covid19 outbreaks in this country, they seem to have since moved on to opposing the rollout of vaccines against ...1 week ago
- Getting outTwenty years after it invaded, the US is finally leaving Afghanistan. What's surprising is that it took them so long - its been clear for over a decade that their presence there was pointless and just pissing people off. But imperial pride leads to exactly this sort of stupidity. Their ...1 week ago
- Why wait?The government has announced that it will ban the export of livestock by sea. Huzzah! A vile, cruel and unconscionable trade will be ended! But there's a catch: the ban won't kick in until 2023, giving farmers two ful years to continue to profit from extreme animal cruelty. But why ...1 week ago
- An unexpected Member’s DayToday is unexpectedly a Member's Day - the Business Committee granted it early in the year, to make up for time list to government business. First up is a two-hour debate on the budget policy statement, with questions to Ministers, replacing the general debate. Then its the second reading of ...1 week ago
- A Tale of Two Schools…
. . Two stories which appeared almost side-by-side on RNZ’s website. Parent, Miranda Cross, was quoted as saying; “I think the expectations are that we can at least send our kids to school where they will receive an education.” An American parent would probably demand; “I think the expectations are ...1 week ago - NZ Politics Daily: 14 April 2021Housing crisis Henry Cooke (Stuff): Housing bonus: National say councils should be given $50,000 for every new house built Claire Trevett (Herald): National puts up its solution to housing shortage woes Nita Blake-Persen (RNZ): ‘Motel generation’ feared as emergency housing need continues Damian George (Stuff): City council brushes off criticism over $400m social housing gap Daily Telegraph (Herald): Why billionaires are snapping up second ...1 week ago
- Review: Vampire Girl vs. Frankenstein Girl [Film] (2009)
Time for reviewing something a bit different. Move over Tolkien adaptations, hello Japanese splatter movie. Specifically, a certain 2009 movie called Vampire Girl vs. Frankenstein Girl. I watched this one a few days ago with some acquaintances, never having seen it before, and not being familiar with the manga ...1 week ago - Forecasters predict an above-average Atlantic hurricane season in 2021This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Jeff Masters, PhD An above-average Atlantic hurricane season is likely in 2021, the Colorado State University (CSU) hurricane forecasting team says in its latest seasonal forecast issued April 8. Led by Dr. Phil Klotzbach, with coauthors Dr. Michael Bell and Jhordanne Jones, the CSU ...1 week ago
- Bryce Edwards: Political Roundup -The Māori Party needs to come cleanHow seriously does the Māori Party take issues of corruption and the untoward influence of big money in politics? Not very, based on how it’s handling a political finance scandal in which three large donations were kept hidden from the public. The party is currently making excuses, and largely failing ...1 week ago
- Climate Change: The latest inventoryThe annual inventory report [PDF] of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions has been released, showing a significant increase in emissions: (Note that this is UNFCCC accounting, not the weird fudged figures the Climate Change Commission is using). Emissions increased by almost 2 million tons in 2019, from 80.6 MT ...1 week ago
- The IPCA should not have to repeat itselfThe Independent Police Conduct Authority has ruled that the police detained a woman unlawfully and breached the Privacy Act when they used a fake traffic stop for intelligence gathering: Police have been found to have unlawfully detained a Māori woman and taken photos of her and her partner at ...1 week ago
- Following the ‘Yellow Brick Road’The melody from the classic movie Wizard of Oz echoes as Jacinta Ruru explains what inspired her to attend university, and her ambition to help create a more just society in Aotearoa. Jacinta, who affiliates to Raukawa and Ngāti Ranginui, specialises in the research areas of indigenous peoples and the law. ...1 week ago
- Climate Change: Still the climate arson partyStuff reports that National is refusing to back the Climate Change Commission's recommendations, which is apparently a Bad Thing: The National Party says it can’t support the Climate Change Commission’s draft plan to cut New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions unless changes are made. If National maintains this position when ...1 week ago
- Driven to serveDriven, accountable, unafraid to test limits and connected to the communities she serves are traits that come to mind when thinking about Dr Anne-Marie Jackson. (Ngāti Whātua, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kahu o Whangaroa, Ngāti Wai) She specialises in Māori physical education and health research disciplines while incorporating tikanga Māori and Te ...1 week ago
- Climate decisions in a car-reliant countryThis is my first post for a while. I have been a bit overwhelmed by other work in the last several weeks, with teaching and other commitments, and the blog has sadly suffered. But I’m still here. This morning, while sitting in a car in the permanent traffic jam through ...1 week ago
- Principled, Pragmatic AND Expedient? You Betcha! Replying To Paul Buchanan.Predatory Morality: Is geopolitical consultant, Paul Buchanan, right? Does the rest of the world truly monitor New Zealand’s miniscule contribution to the international arms trade so closely? Are foreign chancelleries truly so insensitive to their own governments’ complicity in the world’s horrors that they expect all other sovereign states to ...1 week ago
- NZ Politics Daily: 13 April 2021Maori Party referred to Police over donations Henry Cooke (Stuff): Māori Party referred to police over $328,000 in undeclared donations Rachel Sadler (Newshub): Māori Party undeclared donations: Electoral Commission notified as soon as error was noticed – party president Che Wilson David Farrar: Who are the mystery Maori Party funders? No Right Turn: The Māori Party’s hidden donations Claire Trevett (Herald): Election ...1 week ago
- Viking DNA and the pitfalls of genetic ancestry testsAnna Källén, Stockholm University and Daniel Strand, Uppsala University A middle-aged white man raises his sword to the skies and roars to the gods. The results of his genetic ancestry test have just arrived in his suburban mailbox. His eyes fill with tears as he learns that he is “0.012% ...1 week ago
- CTG National Newsletter – April 2021...1 week ago
- Background Paper: How can we achieve affordable, secure homes for everyone?March 2021 The housing crisis right now in New Zealand is one of our biggest contributors to income and wealth inequality. “With the explosive increase in sales and prices, those with houses have their income and/or wealth rapidly increasing, and those who are not on the property ladder are falling ...1 week ago
- Change coming to Samoa?Samoans went to the polls on Friday, and delivered a stinging blow to Prime Minister Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi one-party state. Pre-election Malielegaoi's Human Rights Protection Party had controlled 44 of 49 seats in Parliament, while using restrictive standing orders to prevent there from even being a recognised opposition in ...1 week ago
- Greens welcome protections for Kiwis’ savings
The Green Party is welcoming the Government’s announcement that bank deposits up to $100,000 will be protected under new rules. ...5 hours ago - Former Govt spies should be stopped from private spyingFormer employees of Government security and intelligence agencies should face at least a five-year stand down period before taking up private sector security contracts, the Green Party said today. ...6 hours ago
- Green Party welcomes major healthcare reforms with a call for moreThe Green Party welcomes the major healthcare reforms announced today by the Minister of Health, including the creation of a Māori Health Authority – Manatū Hauora Māori as we call it. ...1 day ago
- What do New Zealand's health reforms mean? Your questions answered
We’re committed to ensuring that our health system works for all New Zealanders – so we’re taking big steps to improve health outcomes, support our frontline workers, and promote equitable access to healthcare across the country and across communities. ...1 day ago - A health system that works for everyoneWe believe all New Zealanders should have equitable access to a truly national healthcare system. ...1 day ago
- Labour's record: Creating better health outcomes for allWe’re committed to improving healthcare in New Zealand. And we have the record to prove it. ...2 days ago
- Tinkering around the edges won’t cut it for families struggling to surviveResearch released today reinforces the need for significant changes to our social safety net, the Green Party says. ...2 days ago
- E karanga ana Te Pātī Kākāriki mo te waihangatanga o tētahi Manatū Hauora MāoriI tēnei tau i Waitangi, I whakahua ake te Tira o Te Mātāwaka o te Pātī Kākāriki i tā rātau aronga matua, ki te waihanga I tētahi Manatū Hauora Māori, mā Māori te kawe, mā Māori ngā whakahaere. Ko tā te tira; Kua rongohia ngā karanga a ngā Tangata Whenua, ...3 days ago
- The Greens call for an empowered independent Māori Health AuthorityDuring Waitangi this year the Green Party’s Te Mātāwaka caucus announced their priority for an independent Māori Health Authority. We have heard the call from Tangata Whenua wanting any authority to be independent, and properly resourced. ...3 days ago
- Pasifika mental wellbeing initiative must protect our communities: GreensThe Greens welcome $6.6 million from the Government’s $455 million programme to increase access to mental health and addiction services for our Pasifika communities in Auckland and Wellington. ...7 days ago
- Greens will embed tikanga Māori into rewrite of social security legislationThe Green Party is putting a Member’s Bill into the ballot today which will be a significant step towards overhauling the Social Security Act by embedding a tikanga Māori framework into the welfare system. ...1 week ago
- Strong relationship continues as Green Party renew MoU with E Tū unionThe Green Party have reaffirmed their strong commitment to the union movement in Aotearoa New Zealand by renewing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with E Tū. ...1 week ago
- Mana Ake expansion announcedSoon, more kids in Aotearoa will have access to the in-school mental health support that has boosted the resilience of tamariki and whānau in Canterbury. ...1 week ago
- Green Party plans significant rewrite of social security legislationThe Green Party is putting a Member’s Bill into the ballot today which will be a significant step towards overhauling the Social Security Act. ...1 week ago
- Service providers and communities call on Government to treat drugs as a health issueThe Green Party supports the open letter released today by a cross-sector coalition calling for the Government to treat all drug use as a health issue, to repeal and replace the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975. ...1 week ago
- Boosting small businessesSmall businesses are not only the heart of our economy – they’re also the heart of our communities. They provide important goods and services, as well as great employment opportunities. They know and love their locals. And after a tough year, they need our support! ...2 weeks ago
- Young Pasifika Leaders call for climate action: GreensGreen Party spokesperson for Pacific Peoples Teanau Tuiono MP, supports the demand from Pasifika communities fighting for climate action as their homelands are more at risk in the Pacific region. ...2 weeks ago
- Green Party supports climate strike demandsThe Green Party supports the six demands for climate action put forward by School Strike for Climate NZ, who are striking across the country today. ...2 weeks ago
- Systemic racism rooted in Māori victimisation reportThe Ministry of Justice Māori victimisation report, released today, reinforces what we already know about the impact of systemic racism in Aotearoa and that urgent action is needed. ...2 weeks ago
- Greens legacy bill to ensure a more inclusive and accessible Aotearoa to be debated in ParliamentRicardo Menéndez March’s Members Bill to ensure that disabled New Zealanders do not face discrimination for having a disability assist dog was today pulled from the biscuit tin to be debated in Parliament. ...2 weeks ago
- More businesses switching to clean energyMore businesses are making the switch to cleaner, more sustainable energy, with support from our Government. ...2 weeks ago
- Deposit taking measures protect financial stability and New Zealanders
Cabinet has finalised a package of new measures to protect New Zealanders’ interests in the banking and financial system, including guaranteeing deposits of up to $100,000 per eligible institution. These measures, the final part of a comprehensive review of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act, have been the subject ...5 hours ago - Apprenticeship numbers jump in 2020The number of apprentices continues to grow, with people from across the community signing up for careers in the trades, Education Minister Chris Hipkins says. Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) for enrolments in tertiary and vocational study as at December 2020 shows that the number of apprentices increased by 17.6 per ...6 hours ago
- New Zealand to open new Trade Commission in FijiNew Zealand will open a new Trade Commission in Fiji later this year, Trade and Export Growth Minister Damien O’Connor has announced. “Fiji is New Zealand’s largest trading partner in the Pacific region”, Damien O’Connor said. “Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, annual two-way trade between New Zealand and Fiji was ...23 hours ago
- Building a New Zealand Health Service that works for all New ZealandersHON ANDREW LITTLE SPEECH Morena tātau katoa. Tēnā tātau kua karahuihui mai nei i tēnei ata, Ki te whakarewa te rautaki hauora matua o Aotearoa, Kia hua ko te oranga pai o te motu. Tena tatau katoa. INTRODUCTION Welcome. Today, I am laying out for you a plan to ...1 day ago
- Major reforms will make healthcare accessible for all NZersAll DHBs will be replaced by one national organisation, Health New Zealand A new Māori Health Authority will have the power to commission health services, monitor the state of Māori health and develop policy New Public Health Agency will be created Strengthened Ministry of Health will monitor performance and advise ...1 day ago
- Minister Henare contribution to speech on Building a New Zealand Health Service that works for all N...We talk a lot about being a transformational Government. Some imagine this statement means big infrastructure builds, massive policy commitments all leading up to a single grand reveal. But this is what I see as transformation. Something quite simply and yet so very complex. Māori feeling comfortable and able to ...1 day ago
- Health reform announcementOn Wednesday morning, Minister of Health Andrew Little and Associate Minister of Health (Māori) Peeni Henare are announcing major health reforms. You can watch the announcement live here from 8am Wednesday. ...2 days ago
- Alpine Fault research supports Government’s work planning and preparing for earthquakesNew research into the probability of an Alpine Fault rupture reinforces the importance of taking action to plan and prepare for earthquakes, Acting Minister for Emergency Management Kris Faafoi says. Research published by Dr Jamie Howarth of Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington today, shows there is a ...2 days ago
- New Zealand to provide further support to UN North Korea sanctionsForeign Minister Nanaia Mahuta and Defence Minister Peeni Henare today announced that New Zealand is deploying a Royal New Zealand Air Force P-3K2 Orion maritime patrol aircraft in support of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctions on North Korea. The Resolutions, adopted unanimously by the UNSC between 2006 and 2017, ...2 days ago
- Transmission Gully review shows flawed planning process should have been addressed before project st...The Transmission Gully Interim Review has found serious flaws at the planning stage of the project, undermining the successful completion of the four-lane motor north of Wellington Infrastructure Minister Grant Robertson and Transport Minister Michael Wood said. Grant Robertson said the review found the public-private partnership (PPP) established under the ...2 days ago
- Australian Foreign Minister to visit Aotearoa New ZealandForeign Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced today that Australian Foreign Minister Hon Marise Payne will visit Aotearoa New Zealand for the first face-to-face Foreign Ministers’ Consulations since the COVID-19 pandemic began. “Australia is New Zealand’s closest and most important international partner. I’m very pleased to be able to welcome Hon Marise ...3 days ago
- Border exceptions will see more families reunitedHundreds more families who were separated by the border closure will be reunited under new border exceptions announced today, Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi said. “The Government closed the border to everyone but New Zealand citizens and residents, in order to keep COVID-19 out, keep our economy open and keep New ...3 days ago
- “He Taniwha He Tipua, He Tipua He Taniwha – The Dragon and the Taniwha”Hon Nanaia Mahuta, Foreign Minister 8.30am, 19 April 2021 [CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY] Speech to the NZCC Korihi Pō, Korihi Ao E rongo e turia no Matahau Nō Tū te winiwini, Nō Tū te wanawana Tū Hikitia rā, Tū Hapainga mai Ki te Whai Ao, Ki te Ao Mārama Tihei Mauri ...3 days ago
- Backing sustainable wool carpets to create a compelling yarn for New Zealand’s strong wool sectorThe Government is supporting a new project with all-wool New Zealand carpet company, Bremworth, which has its sights on developing more sustainable all-wool carpets and rugs, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor announced. The Ministry for Primary Industries is contributing $1.9 million towards Bremworth’s $4.9 million sustainability project through its Sustainable Food ...3 days ago
- New Zealand provides support to Timor-Leste for flooding and COVID-19 surgeNew Zealand is providing further support to Timor-Leste following severe flooding and the recent surge in COVID-19 cases, Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced today. “Our thoughts are with the people of Timor-Leste who have been impacted by the severe flooding and landslides at a time when the country is ...4 days ago
- WHANAU OF MĀORI BATTALION SOLDIERS REUNITED WITH MEDALSA ceremony has been held today in Gisborne where the unclaimed medals of 28 (Māori) Battalion C Company soldiers were presented to their families. After the Second World War, returning service personnel needed to apply for their medals and then they would be posted out to them. While most medals ...5 days ago
- Reducing barriers to breastfeedingThe Government is committed to increasing the number of mothers who breastfeed for longer to give babies born in New Zealand the best start in life. The Ministry of Health recommends that babies are exclusively breastfed for the first six month but only about 20 percent of children at this ...5 days ago
- SolarWinds compromise attributed to Russian state actorNew Zealand has today added its voice to the international condemnation of the malicious compromise and exploitation of the SolarWinds Orion platform. The Minister Responsible for the Government Communications Security Bureau, Andrew Little, says that New Zealand's international partners have analysed the compromise of the SolarWinds Orion platform and attributed ...6 days ago
- Queenstown roading project given fast track approvalAn expert consenting panel has approved the Queenstown Arterials Project, which will significantly improve transport links and reduce congestion for locals and visitors in the tourism hotspot. Environment Minister David Parker welcomed the approval for the project that will construct, operate and maintain a new urban road around Queenstown’s town ...6 days ago
- Screen industry secures landmark projectEconomic and Regional Development Minister Stuart Nash says a landmark deal has been agreed with Amazon for The Lord of the Rings TV series, currently being filmed in New Zealand. Mr Nash says the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) secures multi-year economic and tourism benefits to New Zealand, outside the screen ...6 days ago
- Report into review of health response to lead contamination releasedThe Government welcomes the findings from a rapid review into the health system response to lead contamination in Waikouaiti’s drinking water supply. Sample results from the town’s drinking-water supply showed intermittent spikes in lead levels above the maximum acceptable value. The source of the contamination is still under investigation by ...6 days ago
- NZ Upgrade Programme revs up economic recoveryTransport Minister Michael Wood today marked the start of construction on the New Zealand Upgrade Programme’s Papakura to Drury South project on Auckland’s Southern Motorway, which will create hundreds of jobs and support Auckland’s economic recovery. The SH1 Papakura to Drury South project will give more transport choices by providing ...6 days ago
- Speech releasing the Digital Council's report 'Towards Trustworthy and Trusted Automated D...CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY E ngā mana, e ngā reo, e ngā karanga maha o te wa, tēnā koutou, tēna koutou, tēna tātou katoa. Ki ngā mana whenua, ko Ngāi Tahu, ko Waitaha, ko Kāti Māmoe anō nei aku mihi ki a koutou. Nōku te hōnore kia haere mai ki te ...6 days ago
- Green light for 10 minute e-bus to Auckland AirportTransport Minister Michael Wood today marked the completion of upgrades to State Highway 20B which will give Aucklanders quick electric bus trips to and from the airport. The State Highway 20B Early Improvements project has added new lanes in each direction between Pukaki Creek Bridge and SH20 for buses and ...6 days ago
- Review into greyhound racing announcedThe Government is putting in place a review of the work being done on animal welfare and safety in the greyhound racing industry, Grant Robertson announced today. “While Greyhound Racing NZ has reported some progress in implementing the recommendations of the Hansen Report, recent incidents show the industry still has ...6 days ago
- Road safety boosted by increased penalty for mobile use while drivingThe infringement fee for using a mobile phone while driving will increase from $80 to $150 from 30 April 2021 to encourage safer driving, Transport Minister Michael Wood announced today. Michael Wood said too many people are still picking up the phone while driving. “Police issued over 40,000 infringement notices ...6 days ago
- Pacific mental wellbeing supported across Auckland and WellingtonPacific people in New Zealand will be better supported with new mental health and addiction services rolling out across the Auckland and Wellington regions, says Aupito William Sio. “One size does not fit all when it comes to supporting the mental wellbeing of our Pacific peoples. We need a by ...1 week ago
- Fresh approach proposed to Smokefree 2025New measures are being proposed to accelerate progress towards becoming a smokefree nation by 2025, Associate Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall announced. “Smoking or exposure to second-hand smoke kills around 12 people a day in New Zealand. Recent data tells us New Zealand’s smoking rates continue to decrease, but ...1 week ago
- Govt expands Mana Ake to provide more school-based mental wellbeing supportMore children will be able to access mental wellbeing support with the Government expansion of Mana Ake services to five new District Health Board areas, Health Minister Andrew Little says. The Health Minister made the announcement while visiting Homai School in Counties Manukau alongside Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Associate ...1 week ago
- Record Number of People Move Into WorkThe Government’s COVID-19 response has meant a record number of people moved off a Benefit and into employment in the March Quarter, with 32,880 moving into work in the first three months of 2021. “More people moved into work last quarter than any time since the Ministry of Social Development ...1 week ago
- Significant global progress made under Christchurch CallA stocktake undertaken by France and New Zealand shows significant global progress under the Christchurch Call towards its goal to eliminate terrorist and violent extremist content online. The findings of the report released today reinforce the importance of a multi-stakeholder approach, with countries, companies and civil society working together to ...1 week ago
- New chair of interim TAB NZ Board appointedRacing Minister Grant Robertson has announced he is appointing Elizabeth Dawson (Liz) as the Chair of the interim TAB NZ Board. Liz Dawson is an existing Board Director of the interim TAB NZ Board and Chair of the TAB NZ Board Selection Panel and will continue in her role as ...1 week ago
- Government to phase out live exports by seaThe Government has announced that the export of livestock by sea will cease following a transition period of up to two years, said Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor. “At the heart of our decision is upholding New Zealand’s reputation for high standards of animal welfare. We must stay ahead of the ...1 week ago
- Workshop on Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems – opening remarksWORKSHOP ON LETHAL AUTONOMOUS WEAPONS SYSTEMS Wednesday 14 April 2021 MINISTER FOR DISARMAMENT AND ARMS CONTROL OPENING REMARKS Good morning, I am so pleased to be able to join you for part of this workshop, which I’m confident will help us along the path to developing New Zealand’s national policy on ...1 week ago
- Inter-prison kapa haka competition launchedFor the first time, all 18 prisons in New Zealand will be invited to participate in an inter-prison kapa haka competition, Corrections Minister Kelvin Davis announced today. The 2021 Hōkai Rangi Whakataetae Kapa Haka will see groups prepare and perform kapa haka for experienced judges who visit each prison and ...1 week ago
- Government takes step forward on counter terrorism lawsThe Government has introduced the Counter-Terrorism Legislation Bill, designed to boost New Zealand's ability to respond to a wider range of terrorist activities. The Bill strengthens New Zealand’s counter-terrorism legislation and ensures that the right legislative tools are available to intervene early and prevent harm. “This is the Government’s first ...1 week ago
- Carbon neutral government a step closerCoal boiler replacements at a further ten schools, saving an estimated 7,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide over the next ten years Fossil fuel boiler replacements at Southern Institute of Technology and Taranaki DHB, saving nearly 14,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide over the next ten years Projects to achieve a total ...1 week ago
- Appointment of Chief Parliamentary CounselAttorney-General David Parker today announced the appointment of Cassie Nicholson as Chief Parliamentary Counsel for a term of five years. The Chief Parliamentary Counsel is the principal advisor and Chief Executive of the Parliamentary Counsel Office (PCO). She is responsible for ensuring PCO, which drafts most of New Zealand’s legislation, provides ...1 week ago
- Emissions report shows urgent action neededEvery part of Government will need to take urgent action to bring down emissions, the Minister for Climate Change, James Shaw said today in response to the recent rise in New Zealand’s greenhouse emissions. The latest annual inventory of New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions shows that both gross and net ...1 week ago
- NZ becomes first in world for climate reportingCommerce and Consumer Affairs Minister David Clark says Aotearoa New Zealand has become the first country in the world to introduce a law that requires the financial sector to disclose the impacts of climate change on their business and explain how they will manage climate-related risks and opportunities. The Financial ...1 week ago
- The Australian Poem: Uncovered, by Omar Sakr
Australia Week: A poem by Sydney poet Omar Sakr.To mark the opening of the trans-Tasman bubble, The Spinoff is casting an eye across the ditch all week – read our Australia Week content here.UncoveredThe train shivers my body over the rails. Whole swathes of country become unseen. I ...10 mins ago - New Zealand, Australian foreign ministers speak about China concerns
Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne has thanked New Zealand for the warm and heartfelt welcome, arriving soon after the trans-Tasman bubble opened. ...11 mins ago - New Zealand, Australian foreign ministers meet after bubble opensAustralian Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne has thanked New Zealand for the warm and heartfelt welcome, arriving soon after the trans-Tasman bubble opened. ...33 mins ago
- Live: New Zealand, Australian foreign ministers joint media conferenceAustralian Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne and her New Zealand counterpart Nanaia Mahuta are speaking to media. ...51 mins ago
- Will scrapping DHBs remedy South Auckland’s medical woes?South Auckland leaders are cautiously optimistic the government’s new health reforms can be a ‘once-in-a-generation’ opportunity to get on top of the region’s chronic health issues.“It’s about time,” said Auckland councillor Fa’anana Efeso Collins. The outspoken South Auckland politician isn’t alone in his endorsement for the dramatic health reforms revealed by ...54 mins ago
- The end of Auckland Zoo’s elephant eraIn a few months’ time, Auckland Zoo’s two elephants will be travelling across the Tasman to their new homes. The decision to relocate the pair was a difficult one, but promises to give the elephants a happier and healthier long-term future. With their dexterous trunks and powerful feet, Burma and ...1 hour ago
- NZ to set up trade post in Fiji – but questions are raised about the confines of the “Pacific re...
Great – a statement from Damien O’Connor that won’t (or shouldn’t) frighten the horses or our allies. At least, not in terms of signalling a greater fondness for China than for friends in the democratic West. It was a trade statement: New Zealand will open a new Trade Commission ...1 hour ago - New authority could transform Māori health, but only if it’s a leader, not a partner
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dominic O’Sullivan, Adjunct Professor, Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, Auckland University of Technology and Professor of Political Science, Charles Sturt University As part of a major overhaul of the health system, health minister Andrew Little yesterday announced a new Māori health ...2 hours ago - Children’s Commissioner Comment On Updated Child Poverty Statistics
Children’s Commissioner Andrew Becroft has today welcomed the correction of child poverty figures by Stats NZ but reminds New Zealanders to remain focussed on what’s really going on for tamariki and rangatahi. Stats NZ today released updated poverty ...3 hours ago - The incredible life story behind this embroideryEvery stitch of Lema Shamamba’s embroidery tells a part of her story – and brings her closer to her homeland.CW: Violence, sexual assaultWhen Lema Shamamba fled the Democratic Republic of the Congo, she took just one of her three children. While the other two were at school, her youngest, Pasifique, ...3 hours ago
- Bouncer’s dream is still Australia’s greatest TV momentAustralia Week: Calum Henderson looks back on the pinnacle of Australian television: the time a dog had a dream on Neighbours. To mark the opening of the trans-Tasman bubble, The Spinoff is casting an eye across the ditch all week – read our Australia Week content here.Can dogs dream? ...4 hours ago
- Five NZ businesses that successfully cracked Australia – and a couple that didn’tAustralia Week: Trans-Tasman commerce has always been a big deal. So we take a look at some of the New Zealand companies that have successfully expanded across the ditch and cemented their place in the hearts, and malls, of Australia.To mark the opening of the trans-Tasman bubble, The Spinoff ...4 hours ago
- Greenpeace Issues ‘please Explain’ To Austrian Govt Over New OMV Spying AllegationsGreenpeace Aotearoa is calling on the Austrian Government to explain why OMV, a state controlled oil company, has been using the notorious Thompson & Clark spy agency to actively thwart legitimate climate protests in New Zealand. This comes ...4 hours ago
- The view of Mahuta’s speech from across the Tasman: we are selling out our neighbours – and the...
Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta was probably expecting her speech this week on New Zealand’s policy towards China to be widely read, but not to have produced the savage reactions it did in some quarters. In our examination of the speech, Point of Order drew attention to how Mahuta had delivered ...5 hours ago - Newsletter: New Zealand Politics Daily – April 22 2021Editor’s Note: Here below is a list of the main issues currently under discussion in New Zealand and links to media coverage. Click here to subscribe to Bryce Edwards’ Political Roundup and New Zealand Politics Daily. Today’s content Health reforms: Analysis Chris Trotter (Daily Blog): Labour’s health reforms: Boldly going where it might ...5 hours ago
- Toi Tangata Welcomes The Establishment Of The Māori Health AuthorityToi Tangata welcomes the announcement of the major health reform revealed by Minister Little and Minister Henare on Wednesday morning. The establishment of a Māori Health Authority is a bold and courageous move in the right direction. This new Māori Health ...6 hours ago
- Public Online Meeting On The Pike River Disaster...6 hours ago
- Fears health sector reform could delay mental health boostThe Mental Health Foundation wants reassurance from the government that mental health reforms wont be slowed down by the major health restructure. ...6 hours ago
- Dunne Speaks: Back To The Future Health Reforms?...6 hours ago
- It’s time the RSA acknowledged its ugly history of racismThe modern Returned Services Association is proudly multiracial and multicultural, but that was far from the case in its early decades. The organisation should consider marking this Anzac Day with a recognition of past failings, writes Scott Hamilton.Every Anzac Day the Returned Services Association organises commemorations across New Zealand, at ...6 hours ago
- How intimate partner violence affects children’s healthSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephanie Brown, Senior Principal Research Fellow, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute Childhood should be a happy and carefree time, but often it doesn’t work out that way. Children are exposed to all the stresses and strains that affect the families and communities in ...7 hours ago
- Scott Morrison can’t spin this one: Australia’s climate pledges at this week’s summit won’t ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Matt McDonald, Associate Professor of International Relations, The University of Queensland Days out from a much-anticipated climate summit convened by US President Joe Biden, the federal government has moved to position itself as serious about emissions reduction. On Wednesday Prime Minister Scott ...7 hours ago
- If we want to improve NZ’s freshwater quality, first we need to improve the quality of our democra...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nicolas Pirsoul, Policy Analyst and Research Assistant, University of Auckland Since the fatal Havelock North campylobacter outbreak in 2016, freshwater quality has rightfully been a major political issue in Aotearoa New Zealand. Pipes bursting in Wellington, lead contamination in Otago and concerns ...7 hours ago
- Want to improve your chances of getting a full-time job? A double degree can do thatSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Carroll, Researcher and Senior Manager, Strategic Information, Monash University Career-related motivations are among the most important factors in Australian students’ decision to undertake higher education. This means universities must demonstrate their graduates’ ability to find work when seeking to recruit students ...7 hours ago
- The Stella shortlist: your guide to 2021’s powerful, emotional booksSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julia Prendergast, Senior Lecturer, Writing and Literature, Swinburne University of Technology Each year, The Stella Prize honours writing by women. Good. We’ve come a long way. We’ve a long way to go. The 2021 shortlist encompasses contemporary fiction, historical fiction, and non-fiction, ...7 hours ago
- How high hopes in Wellington may be dashed in our cities, farms and homes
Decisive leadership, big government and big bucks are needed to change people’s behaviour on climate emissions. ...7 hours ago - Live updates, April 22: Melbourne on high alert after Covid-19 detected in wastewaterWelcome to The Spinoff’s live updates for April 22, bringing you the latest news updated throughout the day. Get in touch at stewart@thespinoff.co.nz8.05am: ‘Unexpected’ Covid-19 fragments found in Melbourne wastewaterMelbourne is on high alert after “unexpected” Covid-19 fragments were found in wastewater.Samples taken from sewer catchments in the suburbs of ...7 hours ago
- The Bulletin: Who inflation is hitting hardestGood morning and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Latest round of consumer price index stats come out, sweeping health system reforms announced, and Wellington Council still weirdly tense.Sorry for leading off with such naked clickbait today, but we’re talking about inflation stats. The famously dry figures generally pass without ...8 hours ago
- Shares slump again on global Covid concerns
Business & Investing: Covid-19's surge in India and high numbers elsewhere weigh on global markets, Plus: Australia sees retail recovery ...8 hours ago - Kmart Workers Leading The Way With Living Wage OfferRetail workers across the country who are currently bargaining for new Collective Agreements with their employers will be looking to the example of Kmart, who are the first major retailer to negotiate new one-year CA for 2021-22 that includes the ...9 hours ago
- Governments Vaccine Rollout Under Threat As High Court Challenge FiledThe Vaccine rollout is under threat as the legality of the vaccine approval and many of the Governments claims are being challenged in the High Court. The plaintiff claims that the people of New Zealand are not being given honest and complete information ...10 hours ago
- Public Health Agency 'the legacy of the pandemic'
Analysis: Experts have endorsed the new approach to public health but say the scale of funding and the agency's resilience to food and tobacco lobbyists will be key, Marc Daalder reports For years, public health experts have unified around a single concept: New Zealand needs a centralised public health body. "All ...10 hours ago - Newsroom's daily sudoku, Thursday 22 April
...10 hours ago - Everything to play for in new health reforms
Dr Peter Davis takes a look at the newly-announced health reforms and how they might affect different sectors of our society There is everything to play for in the announcement of the long-awaited health reform package by the Minister of Health, Andrew Little. The announced structural outline is best seen as ...10 hours ago - Newsroom daily crossword, Thursday 22 April
...10 hours ago - Changing women's lives through rugby league
Kiwi Fern Christyl Stowers has faced some tough times - from depression to crippling arthritis. Now she's part of a bold initiative with her league club giving women tools for on and off the field. Sport saved Christyl Stowers' life. When she needed to escape periods of her childhood, the now ...10 hours ago - Book of the Week: Food and mental illness
George Henderson on a revolutionary study of the link between nutrition and mental health Tl;dr – the blurb says The Better Brain: How nutrition will help you overcome anxiety, depression, ADHD and stress by Julia Rucklidge, a professor of clinical psychology at the University of Canterbury, and University of Calgary ...10 hours ago - NZ releases belated criticism of WHO Covid report
After facing flak from partners, the Government has finally responded to an independent report on Covid-19 which ran into alleged roadblocks in China New Zealand has raised belated concerns about a controversial World Health Organisation report into the origins of Covid-19, saying it shares “regrets” about limited access to early ...10 hours ago - Successful gout treatment overlooks most tormented
There’s been an effective and inexpensive drug treatment for decades - so why are the lives of so many Māori and Pasifika hampered by gout? Matthew Scott investigates how our healthcare system is leaving some people behind. It’s bad today. He can’t use his hands. Not to drive, not ...10 hours ago - A trans-Tasman ambition fulfilled
An Australian property company founded by Kiwis aims to become truly Australasian following its local acquisition, Mark Jennings reports. This story is written in partnership with Centuria. Fresh out of Auckland University, 21 year old Jason Huljich headed to Australia and got a job with another expat Kiwi trying to ...10 hours ago - Newsroom daily quiz, Thursday 22 April
Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions. ...10 hours ago - Health reforms for Māori: ‘I’m not ready to celebrate just yet’Yesterday’s announcement of a new Māori health authority might be a step in the right direction for tino rangatiratanga, but we’ve been promised systemic change before. Before we celebrate, let’s run a critical eye over the proposals, writes health policy expert Gabrielle Baker.For the last three years I’ve been having ...10 hours ago
- 10 x 100: What Australians think about New Zealand – and New ZealandersAustralia Week: In 10 x 100, we survey a group of 100 people via Stickybeak and ask them 10 questions. So far, we’ve quizzed Wellingtonians, holiday motorists and locked-down Aucklanders. This time, we asked Australians all about Aotearoa.To mark the opening of the trans-Tasman bubble, The Spinoff is casting an ...10 hours ago
- Ministers put cart before the horse on Māori health
With so little detail on what the Māori Health Authority will look like, it’s difficult to know whether those most in need of medical care will be the ones feeling the change. ...10 hours ago - Even without its handbrake, Labour's too timid on drug reform
Columnist Peter Dunne says Labour talked a big game on drug reform when it took office in 2017, but in many areas things have got worse, not better. ...10 hours ago - Sky-high airfares and fuel boost inflation closer to Reserve Bank flashpoint
Prices increased by 0.8% in first quarter, because of rising transport and supply chain costs ...10 hours ago - Upheaval in Samoa as vote makes history
Nearly two weeks after voting, Samoans still don't know if their leader of 22 years will be ousted by his former deputy Cliff-hanger, seismic shift, historic, unprecedented. There's a lot of hyperbole surrounding the drama-filled Samoan election. It is seismic, says Dr Damon Salesa, the University of Auckland's pro vice-chancellor ...10 hours ago - Priority visas for family of high income workers
The Government is accused of putting a 'band-aid' on an issue impacting thousands of migrants by inviting the families of high-skilled, high income contractor and employees to apply first. Officials estimate 450 partners and children will be first in line for family reunification – amid criticism the government is giving preferential treatment to high-income overseas ...10 hours ago - Morrison government quashes Victoria’s belt and road deal with China.Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The Morrison government has cancelled the belt and road agreements Victoria has with China. In the first decisions under the government’s new foreign arrangements scheme allowing it to quash arrangements states, territories and public universities ...14 hours ago
- NZ shuts down Cook Islands plan to welcome back Kiwi tourists next week
Cooks PM Mark Brown backs down on unilaterally opening border, as visiting NZ health officials inspect delays to in-country PCR testing. ...14 hours ago - Morrison wants to focus on the ‘how’ rather than the ‘when’ in climate debateSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Scott Morrison says he hopes to focus the conversation at this week’s Biden climate summit on the question of how to achieve net-zero emissions, declaring there has been enough conversation about the timing. Ahead of ...15 hours ago
- Politics with Michelle Grattan: military ‘watch-dog’ Neil James on Afghanistan, China, and Peter...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Sunday is ANZAC day – and this year it comes at a particularly important time for Australia’s military image. Last week, Scott Morrison announced Australia’s remaining troops will leave Afghanistan by September, following President Biden’s ...18 hours ago
- Fat-footed tyrannosaur parents couldn’t keep up with their skinnier offspring, fossil footprints r...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nathan James Enriquez, PhD Student, University of New England Tyrannosaurus rex is perhaps the most famous of all dinosaurs. It and its closest kin, a group referred to as “tyrannosaurs”, have been embedded in popular culture as powerful and mobile predators. Consider ...19 hours ago
- Scheduled Video: Buchanan and Manning on NZ Govt’s Commitment to Foreign Policy Independence – I...A View from Afar: Midday Thursday (NZST, Wednesday 7pm US EDST) – Join this LIVE recording of this week’s podcast where Selwyn Manning and Paul Buchanan will debate: How this week, New Zealand’s minister of foreign affairs, Nanaia Mahuta, delivered a significant speech detailing how this Labour-led Government defines its ...19 hours ago
- Safe space or shirking accountability? A new Journal of Controversial Ideas will allow academics to ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Patrick Stokes, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Deakin University In the 1840s, a series of strange books started to appear in Copenhagen. The books were credited to outlandish pseudonyms: Victor Eremita (“victorious hermit”), Hilarious Bookbinder, Vigilius Haufniensis (“the watcher in the marketplace”), and ...20 hours ago
- What to drink with dinner to get the most iron from your food (and what to avoid)Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Evangeline Mantzioris, Program Director of Nutrition and Food Sciences, University of South Australia A drink with your breakfast, lunch or dinner can make your meal more enjoyable. But have you considered whether your drink of choice may affect the way your body ...20 hours ago
- Migration is a quick fix for skills shortages. Building on Australians’ skills is betterSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Pi-Shen Seet, Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Edith Cowan University Prime Minister Scott Morrison has highlighted workforce skills as the “single biggest challenge facing the Australian economy” in recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. Employer surveys also show it’s a top concern. Adding ...21 hours ago
- Relief at Derek Chauvin conviction a sign of long history of police brutalitySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Clare Corbould, Associate Professor, Contemporary Histories Research Group, Deakin University The unprecedented conviction of police officer Derek Chauvin for the murder and manslaughter of George Floyd is testament to the hard work of Black Lives Matter organisers and protesters. It might seem ...23 hours ago
- How the water and sewage under your feet could end up flooding your home (and what to do about it)Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ana Manero, Research Fellow, Australian National University Recent flooding in the Sydney Basin pushed thousands from their homes and left others facing enormous insurance costs. These events show how traumatic and costly it can be to live in areas vulnerable to disaster. ...23 hours ago
- Alcohol Industry Supports Government’s Targeted Approach To Healthcare ReformThe NZ Alcohol Beverages Council (NZABC) supports the Government’s targeted approach to primary and community healthcare announced today by the Minister of Health, Hon. Andrew Little, in response to the Health and Disability System Review. “The majority ...23 hours ago
- ProCare Welcomes The Transformation Of The New Zealand Health SystemProCare, New Zealand’s largest network of independent general practices, welcomes the Government’s Health reforms acknowledging they have the potential to significantly transform the future of healthcare to achieve a less complicated and fairer system ...23 hours ago
- Health Reform Goals Should Have Positive Impact On ProductivityThe EMA says if the goals of the health reforms announced today are realised, productivity will increase as people will have a better base level of wellness which will enable them to work. Chief Executive Brett O’Riley says the consistency of access to and ...24 hours ago
- Fiji drops three places in RSF press freedom index over gagging criticsPacific Media Watch newsdesk Fiji has dropped three places in the latest Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index and been condemned for its treatment of “overly critical” journalists who are often subjected to intimidation or even imprisonment. The Paris-based global media freedom watchdog has criticised many governments in the ...24 hours ago
- Māori Communities Prepared And Waiting For Health System ReformThis morning the Government announced a proposal for a suite of changes to the composition of the New Zealand Health Sector These changes are an extension of those announced in June 2020, and look at the reformation of a health system which includes: - A ...1 day ago
- ‘All my dreams have come true’: Doctors and experts react to the end of DHBsIn a set of sweeping health reforms announced today, district health boards will be abolished and a new Māori Health Authority will be established. Here, doctors and experts react to news of the biggest change to the health system in a generation. David Galler, intensive care specialist at Middlemore Hospital ...1 day ago
- Consultation Opens On Additional Measures In New Financial Conduct RegimeThe Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is consulting on outstanding aspects of the upcoming regime governing conduct in the financial sector. “We are consulting on regulations covering matters such as requirements for claims handling ...1 day ago
- RSF 2021 Index: Censorship and the disinformation virus hits Asia-PacificReporters Without Borders The Asia-Pacific region’s authoritarian regimes have used the covid-19 pandemic to perfect their methods of totalitarian control of information, while the “dictatorial democracies” have used it as a pretext for imposing especially repressive legislation with provisions combining propaganda and suppression of dissent. The behaviour of the region’s ...1 day ago
- Health And Disability Review Announcements WelcomedAnnouncements today by the Government on the first steps towards a major restructure of the health and disability system have been broadly welcomed by the Disability Rights Commissioner Paula Tesoriero. Minister of Health Andrew Little outlined plans ...1 day ago
- Government Procurement Is Being Hijacked By Political TargetsGovernment procurement practices should not be skewed towards political targets, says the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union in response to new calls for indigenous procurement policies . Union spokesman Louis Houlbrooke says, “Government procurement should ...1 day ago
- The writer of Vegas responds: ‘Vegas is a story of change. A story of hope’An essay published by The Spinoff Ātea editor Leonie Hayden on the new drama series Vegas, and Māori representation on screen, prompted an overwhelming response from Māori working in the sector. Here, the Vegas co-creator, writer, showrunner and executive producer Michael Bennett (Te Arawa) defends the series and his authorship ...1 day ago
- The world is keen on our dairy products, which is great for our economy – but what happens when we...Although global trading patterns are still recovering from the Covid pandemic, the positive outcome for New Zealand is that it has strengthened demand for the kind of foodstuffs we produce. In particular the dairy trade is booming and though the current production season is beginning to tail off, Fonterra’s latest ...1 day ago
- Govt amputates the country’s 20 DHBs in its health restructuring but consults the Treaty to prescr...Health, health and health were the subjects of three ministerial posts – two of them were speeches – on the Beehive website this morning. They spell out the government’s plans for comprehensively overhauling the country’s health system. They also step up the pace in the government’s perturbing programme of creating ...1 day ago
- Mahi and mentorship: The campaign to uplift the mana of small businessCovid-19 has created both challenges and opportunities for small businesses – that’s why online business advice platform Manaaki has partnered with Kiwibank to offer mentorship and grants for SMEs.If there’s one element that has linked every small business across New Zealand (and much of the world) over the past year, ...1 day ago
- Rawiri Paratene is a proud pakaActor, protestor and overall blimmin’ legend, Rawiri Paratene is about to retire from the stage. Sam Brooks spoke to him as he prepares to say goodbye. Before our interview, Rawiri Paratene ONZM (Ngā Puhi, Te Rarawa) said, through a publicist, that he would be a better interviewee if I brought ...1 day ago
- Xi Jinping sends message to US on China’s rising power in Boao addressSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tony Walker, Vice-chancellor’s fellow, La Trobe University Chinese President Xi Jinping’s muscular speech to the Boao Forum Asia annual conference was clearly designed to send a signal to the United States that China regarded the change of administration as an opportunity for ...1 day ago
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