Author Archive
Te Whare Pounamu – Are Children Really Safe?
Written By: - Date published: 10:52 am, September 4th, 2019 - 7 comments
How seriously do Women’s Refuge, the Ministry of Social Development and Te Whare Pounamu management take child abuse concerns? This requires greater scrutiny.
Pulling Teeth For Poverty
Written By: - Date published: 8:00 am, June 17th, 2018 - 363 comments
Poverty is directly responsible for a growing number of people losing their teeth to decay. Adults unable to afford dental treatment are resorting to using pliers to extract their own teeth. Meanwhile, children as young as one are also losing their teeth. The numbers losing their teeth is phenomenal. During the 2015 and 2016 period alone over 29,000 children had teeth removed and over 6,600 children were hospitalised because of rotting teeth.
Killing Them Softly With…
Written By: - Date published: 10:24 am, June 11th, 2018 - 48 comments
In New Zealand there is sufficient evidence to show that poor peoples’ lives are cut short because of poverty related poor nutrition. While food banks are alleviating the worst impacts of hunger, their kindness may well be contributing to the problem. Food poverty is a systemic issue and requires a systemic response, a response that successive governments are able to avoid while charities continue to provide a buffer for the system.
Who Really is Judging the Poor?
Written By: - Date published: 2:46 pm, June 3rd, 2018 - 89 comments
Some conversations about poverty are harming those in need. Those conversations contribute to the stigma and shame experienced by struggling families, who are barely surviving, but still trying to maintain some dignity. As a result even those in need are differentiating between the deserving and undeserving poor.
Housing Band Aids
Written By: - Date published: 9:54 am, May 26th, 2018 - 54 comments
What lies behind the homelessness crisis in Aotearoa New Zealand? Is it a housing crisis or are the homeless to blame? If the problem is a housing crisis, why is there an assumption that the homeless themselves need extra services to secure and maintain rental housing?
Why is Mark Richardson such a Nimby and …?
Written By: - Date published: 11:58 am, May 25th, 2018 - 46 comments
Being a nimby is the least of Mark Richardson’s problems. His disguised hate speech is harmful to his victims and anyone else in need of help who are left feeling the shame imposed upon them by such careless dialogue.
Is New Zealand really as ‘racist as fuck’?
Written By: - Date published: 1:35 pm, April 12th, 2018 - 85 comments
I am inclined to believe that there are at least some New Zealanders who are as “racist as fuck”.
Home Sweet Home
Written By: - Date published: 11:52 am, November 4th, 2017 - 23 comments
The changing face of New Zealand.
- Forward to 2017
The coalition party agreements are mainly about returning to 2017 when National lost power. They show commonalities but also some serious divergencies.The two coalition agreements – one National and ACT, the other National and New Zealand First – are more than policy documents. They also describe the processes of the ...2 hours ago - Questions a nine year old might ask the new Prime Minister
First QuestionYou’re going to crack down on people ram-raiding dairies, because you say hard-working dairy owners shouldn’t have to worry about getting ram-raided.But once the chemist shops have pseudoephedrine in them again, they're going to get ram-raided all the time. Do chemists not work as hard as dairy owners?Second QuestionYou ...4 hours ago - Questions a nine year old might ask the new Prime MinisterFirst QuestionYou’re going to crack down on people ram-raiding dairies, because you say hard-working dairy owners shouldn’t have to worry about getting ram-raided.But once the chemist shops have pseudoephedrine in them again, they're going to get ram-raided all the time. Do chemists not work as hard as dairy owners?Second QuestionYou ...4 hours ago
- Finally
Henry Kissinger is finally dead. Good fucking riddance. While Americans loved him, he was a war criminal, responsible for most of the atrocities of the final quarter of the twentieth century. Cambodia. Bangladesh. Chile. East Timor. All Kissinger. Because of these crimes, Americans revere him as a "statesman" (which says ...5 hours ago - Government in a hurry – Luxon lists 49 priorities in 100-day plan while Peters pledges to strength...
Buzz from the Beehive Yes, ministers in the new government are delivering speeches and releasing press statements. But the message on the government’s official website was the same as it has been for the past several days, when Point of Order went looking for news from the Beehive that had ...6 hours ago - DAVID FARRAR: Luxon is absolutely right
David Farrar writes – 1 News reports: Christopher Luxon says he was told by some Kiwis on the campaign trail they “didn’t know” the difference between Waka Kotahi, Te Pūkenga and Te Whatu Ora. Speaking to Breakfast, the incoming prime minister said having English first on government agencies will “make sure” ...8 hours ago - Top 10 at 10 am for Thursday, Nov 30
There are fears that mooted changes to building consent liability could end up driving the building industry into an uninsured hole. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Here’s my pick of the top 10 news and analysis links elsewhere as of 10 am on Thursday, November 30, including:The new Government’s ...11 hours ago - Gordon Campbell on how climate change threatens cricket‘s future
Well that didn’t last long, did it? Mere days after taking on what he called the “awesome responsibility” of being Prime Minister, M Christopher Luxon has started blaming everyone else, and complaining that he has inherited “economic vandalism on an unprecedented scale” – which is how most of us are ...11 hours ago - We need to talk about Tory.
The first I knew of the news about Tory Whanau was when a tweet came up in my feed.The sort of tweet that makes you question humanity, or at least why you bother with Twitter. Which is increasingly a cesspit of vile inhabitants who lurk spreading negativity, hate, and every ...12 hours ago - Dangling Transport Solutions
Cable Cars, Gondolas, Ropeways and Aerial Trams are all names for essentially the same technology and the world’s biggest maker of them are here to sell them as an public transport solution. Stuff reports: Austrian cable car company Doppelmayr has launched its case for adding aerial cable cars to New ...13 hours ago - November AMA
Hi,It’s been awhile since I’ve done an Ask-Me-Anything on here, so today’s the day. Ask anything you like in the comments section, and I’ll be checking in today and tomorrow to answer.Leave a commentNext week I’ll be giving away a bunch of these Mister Organ blu-rays for readers in New ...14 hours ago - National’s early moves adding to cost of living pressure
The cost of living grind continues, and the economic and inflation honeymoon is over before it began. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: PM Christopher Luxon unveiled his 100 day plan yesterday with an avowed focus of reducing cost-of-living pressures, but his Government’s initial moves and promises are actually elevating ...15 hours ago - Backwards to the futurePrime Minister Christopher Luxon has confirmed that it will be back to the future on planning legislation. This will be just one of a number of moves which will see the new government go backwards as it repeals and cost-cuts its way into power. They will completely repeal one ...16 hours ago
- New initiatives in science and technology could point the way ahead for Luxon government
As the new government settles into the Beehive, expectations are high that it can sort out some of the economic issues confronting New Zealand. It may take time for some new ministers to get to grips with the range of their portfolio work and responsibilities before they can launch the changes that ...1 day ago - Treaty pledge to secure funding is contentious – but is Peters being pursued by a lynch mob after ...TV3 political editor Jenna Lynch was among the corps of political reporters who bridled, when Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters told them what he thinks of them (which is not much). She was unabashed about letting her audience know she had bridled. More usefully, she drew attention to something which ...1 day ago
- How long does this last?
I have a clear memory of every election since 1969 in this plucky little nation of ours. I swear I cannot recall a single one where the question being asked repeatedly in the first week of the new government was: how long do you reckon they’ll last? And that includes all ...1 day ago - National’s giveaway politicsWe already know that national plans to boost smoking rates to collect more tobacco tax so they can give huge tax-cuts to mega-landlords. But this morning that policy got even more obscene - because it turns out that the tax cut is retrospective: Residential landlords will be able to ...1 day ago
- CHRIS TROTTER: Who’s driving the right-wing bus?Who’s At The Wheel? The electorate’s message, as aggregated in the polling booths on 14 October, turned out to be a conservative political agenda stronger than anything New Zealand has seen in five decades. In 1975, Bill Rowling was run over by just one bus, with Rob Muldoon at the wheel. In 2023, ...1 day ago
- GRAHAM ADAMS: Media knives flashing for Luxon’s government
The fear and loathing among legacy journalists is astonishing Graham Adams writes – No one is going to die wondering how some of the nation’s most influential journalists personally view the new National-led government. It has become abundantly clear within a few days of the coalition agreements ...1 day ago - Top 10 news links for Wednesday, Nov 29
TL;DR: Here’s my pick of top 10 news links elsewhere for Wednesday November 29, including:The early return of interest deductibility for landlords could see rebates paid on previous taxes and the cost increase to $3 billion from National’s initial estimate of $2.1 billion, CTU Economist Craig Renney estimated here last ...1 day ago - Smokefree Fallout and a High Profile Resignation.
The day after being sworn in the new cabinet met yesterday, to enjoy their honeymoon phase. You remember, that period after a new government takes power where the country, and the media, are optimistic about them, because they haven’t had a chance to stuff anything about yet.Sadly the nuptials complete ...1 day ago - As Cabinet revs up, building plans go on holdWellington Council hoardings proclaim its preparations for population growth, but around the country councils are putting things on hold in the absence of clear funding pathways for infrastructure, and despite exploding migrant numbers. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Cabinet meets in earnest today to consider the new Government’s 100-day ...2 days ago
- National takes over infrastructureThough New Zealand First may have had ambitions to run the infrastructure portfolios, National would seem to have ended up firmly in control of them. POLITIK has obtained a private memo to members of Infrastructure NZ yesterday, which shows that the peak organisation for infrastructure sees National MPs Chris ...2 days ago
- At a glance – Evidence for global warming
On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...2 days ago - Who’s Driving The Right-Wing Bus?
2 days ago - Sanity break
Cheers to reader Deane for this quote from Breakfast TV today:Chloe Swarbrick to Brook van Velden re the coalition agreement: “... an unhinged grab-bag of hot takes from your drunk uncle at Christmas”Cheers also to actual Prime Minister of a country Christopher Luxon for dorking up his swearing-in vows.But that's enough ...2 days ago - Sanity breakCheers to reader Deane for this quote from Breakfast TV today:Chloe Swarbrick to Brook van Velden re the coalition agreement: “... an unhinged grab-bag of hot takes from your drunk uncle at Christmas”Cheers also to actual Prime Minister of a country Christopher Luxon for dorking up his swearing-in vows.But that's enough ...2 days ago
- National’s murderous smoking policyOne of the big underlying problems in our political system is the prevalence of short-term thinking, most usually seen in the periodic massive infrastructure failures at a local government level caused by them skimping on maintenance to Keep Rates Low. But the new government has given us a new example, ...2 days ago
- NZ has a chance to rise again as our new government gets spending under controlNew Zealand has a chance to rise again. Under the previous government, the number of New Zealanders below the poverty line was increasing year by year. The Luxon-led government must reverse that trend – and set about stabilising the pillars of the economy. After the mismanagement of the outgoing government created huge ...2 days ago
- KARL DU FRESNE: Media and the new governmentTwo articles by Karl du Fresne bring media coverage of the new government into considerations. He writes – Tuesday, November 28, 2023 The left-wing media needed a line of attack, and they found one The left-wing media pack wasted no time identifying the new government’s weakest point. Seething over ...2 days ago
- PHILIP CRUMP: Team of rivals – a CEO approach to government leadershipThe work begins Philip Crump wrote this article ahead of the new government being sworn in yesterday – Later today the new National-led coalition government will be sworn in, and the hard work begins. At the core of government will be three men – each a leader ...2 days ago
- Black Friday
As everyone who watches television or is on the mailing list for any of our major stores will confirm, “Black Friday” has become the longest running commercial extravaganza and celebration in our history. Although its origins are obscure (presumably dreamt up by American salesmen a few years ago), it has ...2 days ago - In Defense of the Media.
Yesterday the Ministers in the next government were sworn in by our Governor General. A day of tradition and ceremony, of decorum and respect. Usually.But yesterday Winston Peters, the incoming Deputy Prime Minister, and Foreign Minister, of our nation used it, as he did with the signing of the coalition ...2 days ago - Top 10 news links at 10 am for Tuesday, Nov 28
2 days ago - PT use up but fare increases comingYesterday Auckland Transport were celebrating, as the most recent Sunday was the busiest Sunday they’ve ever had.
That’s a great outcome and I’m sure the ... 3 days ago - The very opposite of social investmentNicola Willis (in blue) at the signing of the coalition agreement, before being sworn in as both Finance Minister and Social Investment Minister. National’s plan to unwind anti-smoking measures will benefit her in the first role, but how does it stack up from a social investment viewpoint? Photo: Lynn Grieveson ...3 days ago
- Giving TuesdayFor the first time "in history" we decided to jump on the "Giving Tuesday" bandwagon in order to make you aware of the options you have to contribute to our work! Projects supported by Skeptical Science Inc. Skeptical Science Skeptical Science is an all-volunteer organization but ...3 days ago
- Let's open the books with Nicotine Willis
Let’s say it’s 1984,and there's a dreary little nation at the bottom of the Pacific whose name rhymes with New Zealand,and they've just had an election.Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, will you look at the state of these books we’ve opened,cries the incoming government, will you look at all this mountain ...3 days ago - Climate Change: Stopping oilNational is promising to bring back offshore oil and gas drilling. Naturally, the Greens have organised a petition campaign to try and stop them. You should sign it - every little bit helps, and as the struggle over mining conservation land showed, even National can be deterred if enough people ...3 days ago
- Don’t accept Human Rights Commission reading of data on Treaty partnership – read the survey fin...Wellington is braced for a “massive impact’ from the new government’s cutting public service jobs, The Post somewhat grimly reported today. Expectations of an economic and social jolt are based on the National-Act coalition agreement to cut public service numbers in each government agency in a cost-trimming exercise “informed by” head ...3 days ago
- The stupidest of stupid reasonsOne of the threats in the National - ACT - NZ First coalition agreements was to extend the term of Parliament to four years, reducing our opportunities to throw a bad government out. The justification? Apparently, the government thinks "elections are expensive". This is the stupidest of stupid reasons for ...3 days ago
- A website bereft of buzzBuzz from the Beehive The new government was being sworn in, at time of writing , and when Point of Order checked the Beehive website for the latest ministerial statements and re-visit some of the old ones we drew a blank. We found …. Nowt. Nothing. Zilch. Not a ...3 days ago
- MICHAEL BASSETT: A new Ministry – at lastMichael Bassett writes – Like most people, I was getting heartily sick of all the time being wasted over the coalition negotiations. During the first three weeks Winston grinned like a Cheshire cat, certain he’d be needed; Chris Luxon wasted time in lifting the phone to Winston ...3 days ago
- Luxon's Breakfast.
The Prime Minister elect had his silver fern badge on. He wore it to remind viewers he was supporting New Zealand, that was his team. Despite the fact it made him look like a concierge, or a welcomer in a Koru lounge. Anna Burns-Francis, the Breakfast presenter, asked if he ...3 days ago - LINDSAY MITCHELL: Oranga Tamariki faces major upheaval under coalition agreementLindsay Mitchell writes – A hugely significant gain for ACT is somewhat camouflaged by legislative jargon. Under the heading ‘Oranga Tamariki’ ACT’s coalition agreement contains the following item: Remove Section 7AA from the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989 According to Oranga Tamariki: “Section ...3 days ago
- BRIAN EASTON: Peters as MinisterA previous column looked at Winston Peters biographically. This one takes a closer look at his record as a minister, especially his policy record. Brian Easton writes – 1990-1991: Minister of Māori Affairs. Few remember Ka Awatea as a major document on the future of Māori policy; there is ...3 days ago
- Cathrine Dyer's guide to watching COP 28 from the bottom of a warming planet3 days ago
- Top 10 news links at 10 am for Monday, Nov 27
PM Elect Christopher Luxon was challenged this morning on whether he would sack Adrian Orr and Andrew Coster.TL;DR: Here’s my pick of top 10 news links elsewhere at 10 am on Monday November 27, including:Signs councils are putting planning and capital spending on hold, given a lack of clear guidance ...3 days ago - Gordon Campbell on the new government’s policies of yesteryearThis column expands on a Werewolf column published by Scoop on Friday Routinely, Winston Peters is described as the kingmaker who gets to decide when the centre right or the centre-left has a turn at running this country. He also plays a less heralded but equally important role as the ...3 days ago
- The New Government’s AgreementsLast Friday, almost six weeks after election day, National finally came to an agreement with ACT and NZ First to form a government. They also released the agreements between each party and looking through them, here are the things I thought were the most interesting (and often concerning) from the. ...4 days ago
- How many smokers will die to fund the tax cuts?4 days ago
- How the culture will change in the BeehivePerhaps the biggest change that will come to the Beehive as the new government settles in will be a fundamental culture change. The era of endless consultation will be over. This looks like a government that knows what it wants to do, and that means it knows what outcomes ...4 days ago
- No More Winnie Blues.
4 days ago - 2023 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #47A chronological listing of news and opinion articles posted on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, Nov 19, 2023 thru Sat, Nov 25, 2023. Story of the Week World stands on frontline of disaster at Cop28, says UN climate chief Exclusive: Simon Stiell says leaders must ‘stop ...5 days ago
- Some of it is mad, some of it is bad and some of it is clearly the work of people who are dangerous ...
On announcement morning my mate texted:Typical of this cut-price, fake-deal government to announce itself on Black Friday.What a deal. We lose Kim Hill, we gain an empty, jargonising prime minister, a belligerent conspiracist, and a heartless Ayn Rand fanboy. One door closes, another gets slammed repeatedly in your face.It seems pretty ...5 days ago - “Revolution” is the threat as the Māori Party smarts at coalition government’s Treaty directi...Buzz from the Beehive Having found no fresh announcements on the government’s official website, Point of Order turned today to Scoop’s Latest Parliament Headlines for its buzz. This provided us with evidence that the Māori Party has been soured by the the coalition agreement announced yesterday by the new PM. “Soured” ...5 days ago
- The Good, the Bad, and the even Worse.
Yesterday the trio that will lead our country unveiled their vision for New Zealand.Seymour looking surprisingly statesmanlike, refusing to rise to barbs about his previous comments on Winston Peters. Almost as if they had just been slapstick for the crowd.Winston was mostly focussed on settling scores with the media, making ...5 days ago - When it Comes to Palestine – Free Speech is Under Threat
Hi,Thanks for getting amongst Mister Organ on digital — thanks to you, we hit the #1 doc spot on iTunes this week. This response goes a long way to helping us break even.I feel good about that. Other things — not so much.New Zealand finally has a new government, and ...6 days ago - Thank you Captain Luxon. Was that a landing, or were we shot down?
Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.Also in More Than A FeildingFriday The unboxing And so this is Friday and what have we gone and done to ourselves?In the same way that a Christmas present can look lovely under the ...6 days ago - Cans of Worms.“And there’ll be no shortage of ‘events’ to test Luxon’s political skills. David Seymour wants a referendum on the Treaty. Winston wants a Royal Commission of Inquiry into Labour’s handling of the Covid crisis. Talk about cans of worms!”LAURIE AND LES were very fond of their local. It was nothing ...6 days ago
- Disinformation campaigns are undermining democracy. Here’s how we can fight backThis article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Misinformation is debated everywhere and has justifiably sparked concerns. It can polarise the public, reduce health-protective behaviours such as mask wearing and vaccination, and erode trust in science. Much of misinformation is spread not ...6 days ago
- Peters as Minister
A previous column looked at Winston Peters biographically. This one takes a closer look at his record as a minister, especially his policy record.1990-1991: Minister of Māori Affairs. Few remember Ka Awatea as a major document on the future of Māori policy; there is not even an entry in Wikipedia. ...6 days ago - The New Government: 2023 Edition
So New Zealand has a brand-spanking new right-wing government. Not just any new government either. A formal majority coalition, of the sort last seen in 1996-1998 (our governmental arrangements for the past quarter of a century have been varying flavours of minority coalition or single-party minority, with great emphasis ...6 days ago - The unboxing
And so this is Friday and what have we gone and done to ourselves?In the same way that a Christmas present can look lovely under the tree with its gold ribbon but can turn out to be nothing more than a big box holding a voucher for socks, so it ...6 days ago - A cruel, vicious, nasty governmentSo, after weeks of negotiations, we finally have a government, with a three-party cabinet and a time-sharing deputy PM arrangement. Newsroom's Marc Daalder has put the various coalition documents online, and I've been reading through them. A few things stand out: Luxon doesn't want to do any work, ...6 days ago
- Hurrah – we have a new government (National, ACT and New Zealand First commit “to deliver for al...Buzz from the Beehive Sorry, there has been no fresh news on the government’s official website since the caretaker trade minister’s press statement about the European Parliament vote on the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement. But the capital is abuzz with news – and media comment is quickly flowing – after ...6 days ago
- Christopher Luxon – NZ PM #42.
Nothing says strong and stable like having your government announcement delayed by a day because one of your deputies wants to remind everyone, but mostly you, who wears the trousers. It was all a bit embarrassing yesterday with the parties descending on Wellington before pulling out of proceedings. There are ...6 days ago - Coalition Government details policies & ministers
Winston Peters will be Deputy PM for the first half of the Coalition Government’s three-year term, with David Seymour being Deputy PM for the second half. Photo montage by Lynn Grieveson for The KākāTL;DR: PM-Elect Christopher Luxon has announced the formation of a joint National-ACT-NZ First coalition Government with a ...6 days ago - “Old Coat” by Peter, Paul & Mary.THERE ARE SOME SONGS that seem to come from a place that is at once in and out of the world. Written by men and women who, for a brief moment, are granted access to that strange, collective compendium of human experience that comes from, and belongs to, all the ...6 days ago
- Weekly Roundup 23-November-2023It’s Friday again! Maybe today we’ll finally have a government again. Roll into the weekend with some of the articles that caught our attention this week. And as always, feel free to add your links and observations in the comments. This Week in Greater Auckland On Monday Matt ...7 days ago
- Geoffrey Miller: New Zealand’s strategy for COP28 in Dubai
The COP28 countdown is on. Over 100 world leaders are expected to attend this year’s UN Climate Change Conference in in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which starts next Thursday. Among the VIPs confirmed for the Dubai summit are the UK’s Rishi Sunak and Brazil’s Lula da Silva – along ...7 days ago - Coalition talks: a timeline
Media demand to know why a coalition government has yet to be formed. ...7 days ago - The Hoon around the week to Nov 247 days ago
- Passing Things Down.7 days ago
- Skeptical Science New Research for Week #47 2023Open access notables How warped are we by fossil fuel dependency? Despite Russia's invasion of Ukraine, 35-40 million cubic meters per day of Russian natural gas are piped across Ukraine for European consumption every single day, right now. In order to secure European cooperation against Russian aggression, Ukraine must help to ...7 days ago
- Release: Labour team ready to take on the coalition of chaos
Labour’s strong line-up for the 54th Parliament brings experience and energy to the job of Opposition. ...9 hours ago - The future of Aotearoa is at stake
The next 100 days will be a fight for our future. ...1 day ago - Māori will die to fund tax cutsBy scrapping Aotearoa’s world-leading smokefree laws, this government is sacrificing Māori lives to fund tax cuts for the wealthy. Not only is this plan revolting, but it doesn’t add up. Treasury has estimated that the reversal of smokefree laws to pay for tax cuts will cost our health system $5.25bn, ...1 day ago
- Release: National’s fiscal plans dealt another blowFigures showing National needs to find another $900 million for landlords highlights the mess this coalition Government is in less than a week into the job. ...1 day ago
- Green Party unveils portfolio spokespeople for the 54th ParliamentThe Green Party is pleased to announce the allocation of portfolios across its largest caucus ever. ...1 day ago
- The Time is Now for Oceans ProtectionCommunity organisations, mana whenua and the Greens have written to the incoming Minister of Oceans and Fisheries to call for the progression without delay of the Hauraki Gulf/Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection Bill. ...3 days ago
- Greenpeace nitrates research proves need for strong freshwater regulationThe Green Party is welcoming the release of an interactive map which enables people to monitor nitrate levels in their drinking water. ...3 days ago
- Release: Chris Hipkins congratulates Christopher Luxon"On behalf of the Labour Party I would like to congratulate Christopher Luxon on his appointment as Prime Minister,” Labour Party Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...3 days ago
- Greens launch petition to save oil and gas banThe Green Party has launched a petition to save the ban on oil and gas exploration. ...4 days ago
- Luxon’s Government will whitewash AotearoaNZ First has gotten their wish to ‘take our country back’ to the 1800s with a policy program that will white-wash Aotearoa and erase tangata whenua rights. By disestablishing the Māori Health Authority this Government has condemned Māori to die seven years earlier than Pākehā. By removing Treaty obligations from ...6 days ago
- Green Party a strong opposition to divisive governmentThe Green Party will keep up the fight for an Aotearoa that works for everyone. ...6 days ago
- Te Pāti Māori call for Foreign Affairs CEO to be sackedTe Pāti Māori have called for the resignation of the Ministry of Foreign and Trade chief executive Chris Seed following his decision to erase te reo Māori from government communications. While the country still waits for a new government to be formed, Mr Seed took it upon himself to undermine ...1 week ago
- Release: Labour Party calls for immediate ceasefireThe New Zealand Labour Party is urgently calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and Israel to put a halt to the appalling attacks and violence, so that a journey to a lasting peace can begin, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...2 weeks ago
- Aotearoa Must cut Ties with War CriminalsAotearoa Must cut Ties with War Criminals Israel have agreed to 4 hour pause of violence each day, essentially saying they will still kill Palestinians for 20 hours a day. If President Joe Biden is going to rule out a ceasefire but take credit for negotiating a pause, then he ...3 weeks ago
- New Zealand welcomes European Parliament vote on the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement
A significant milestone in ratifying the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was reached last night, with 524 of the 705 member European Parliament voting in favour to approve the agreement. “I’m delighted to hear of the successful vote to approve the NZ-EU FTA in the European Parliament overnight. This is ...1 week ago - Further humanitarian support for Gaza, the West Bank and IsraelThe Government is contributing a further $5 million to support the response to urgent humanitarian needs in Gaza, the West Bank and Israel, bringing New Zealand’s total contribution to the humanitarian response so far to $10 million. “New Zealand is deeply saddened by the loss of civilian life and the ...2 weeks ago
- Henry Kissinger has died. The titan of US foreign policy changed the world, for better or worse
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lester Munson, Non-resident fellow, United States Studies Centre, University of Sydney Henry Kissinger was the ultimate champion of the United States’ foreign policy battles. The former US secretary of state died on November 29 2023 after living for a century. The ...2 hours ago - Coldplay announce record-breaking third Eden Park gig
Coldplay will become the first musical act to play three nights at Auckland’s Eden Park when they visit the country in a year’s time. The band has just announced a third and final show at the venue as part of their global and seemingly never-ending Music of the Spheres world ...5 hours ago - Tory Whanau, Nicola Young and the rumour that overtook the storyA genuine news story quickly became a springboard for rumour and speculation, with one councillor at the centre of it. Wellington mayor Tory Whanau has a problem with alcohol. She has made that public and is clearly embarrassed. Whanau’s public behaviour was first called into question in July after reports of ...5 hours ago
- Journalists Reject Deputy PM’s Comments About The Media
In light of the Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters’ recent comments about the media, a group of journalists who serve as E tū delegates say these claims are misinformed. Mr Peters has claimed the Public Interest Journalism Fund was a government “bribe” ...5 hours ago - NZ Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins reveals new shadow cabinetRNZ News New Zealand’s opposition Labour Party has announced its shadow cabinet to face off against the conservative coalition government. The party endorsed Chris Hipkins as leader and voted Carmel Sepuloni as deputy earlier this month. Sepuloni is also Pacific Peoples minister. Many of the roles are a continuation of ...5 hours ago
- KiwiRail wants to expand New Zealand’s one-track mind
It’s been a big few years for usage of New Zealand’s rail network, according to KiwiRail executives who have reported unprecedented interest from freight customers as capital investment mounts. But at the same time, they caution the need for big jobs like separating passenger and freight lines and bolstering ...5 hours ago - Is Winston Peters right to call state-funded journalism ‘bribery’ – or is there a bigger threa...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Thompson, Associate Professor of Media Studies, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Winston Peters had only just been sworn in as deputy prime minister when his long-standing antipathy to the news media emerged in the form of a serious ...6 hours ago
- Animal Justice Party NZ Stands United With Animal Justice Party NSW In Global Protest Against AdidasThe Animal Justice Party Aotearoa New Zealand (AJPANZ) is joining forces with our friends across the ditch to lead a global protest against sportswear giant Adidas. AJPANZ has peaceful protests set to take place in Auckland and Christchurch this ...6 hours ago
- Parliamentary report slams mutual obligation, calling for total overhaul of employment servicesSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra A parliamentary inquiry has delivered a scathing indictment of Australia’s employment services, finding it does not serve the interests of job seekers or employers and urging the privatised system be partially wound back. A rigid ...6 hours ago
- Wayne Brown’s plan to make more people use public transportAuckland mayor Wayne Brown has unveiled a proposal he says will encourage more uptake of public transport around the city. He’d like to see a $50 cap on public transport costs per person per week, which would cover bus, rail and inner harbour ferry services. “We need to get the ...6 hours ago
- Artificial intelligence is already in our hospitals. 5 questions people want answeredSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stacy Carter, Professor and Director, Australian Centre for Health Engagement, Evidence and Values, University of Wollongong Shutterstock Artificial intelligence (AI) is already being used in health care. AI can look for patterns in medical images to help diagnose disease. It ...6 hours ago
- More International Embarrassment Expected For New Zealand Over Oil And Gas Ban U-turn – Greenp...New Zealand’s new Government created international headlines this week for its decision to reverse the world’s first smoking ‘generation ban’. Now another major u-turn is on the cards, as New Zealand pledges to overturn the world-leading ...6 hours ago
- Who and what to expect at The Others WayThe Others Way returns for 2023 at a bunch of venues on and around Auckland’s Karangahape Road on Friday night. Here’s who you can catch, where and when. The Others Way is, in general, a pretty chaotic music festival, spread over a number of venues in the busy Karangahape Road ...7 hours ago
- Taxpayers’ Union Offers To Design Government Department Logos For FreeThe New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is offering to redesign logos for any renamed government departments for free in an effort to save taxpayers money following concerns that requiring a name change of government departments will give them an excuse to ...7 hours ago
- Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters praises US engagement in the Pacific
The new foreign affairs minister has signalled the coalition government intends to strengthen engagement with the United States. ...7 hours ago - Kiri Allan court appearance deferred to FebruaryThe former justice minister Kiri Allan has revealed she pleaded not guilty to a charge of failing to accompany a police officer in order to test a grey area in the law. Allan’s case, which related to a political career-ending car crash in July, was set to be heard in ...7 hours ago
- Disabled New Zealanders Invisible In Government 100 Day PlanNew Zealand Disability Support Network is seeking assurance that disabled New Zealanders are a priority for the new government after being omitted from their 100 day plan. “Disability support providers wondering how they’ll survive financially, underpaid ...8 hours ago
- Why The Smokefree Legislation Must Stay: Laying Out The Evidence...8 hours ago
- Revealed: Grant Robertson’s Rugby World Cup Jaunt Sets Taxpayers Back Almost $40,000The Taxpayers’ Union can today reveal that Grant Robertson’s attendance at the Rugby World Cup final in Paris cost taxpayers $39,605. Included in the cost was more than $32,000 in business class flights and more than $5000 in accommodation costs ...8 hours ago
- New unified theory shows how past landscapes drove the evolution of Earth’s rich diversity of lifeSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tristan Salles, Senior Lecturer, University of Sydney Earth’s surface is the living skin of our planet – it connects the physical, chemical and biological systems. Over geological time, this surface evolves. Rivers fragment the landscape into an environmentally diverse range of habitats. ...8 hours ago
- Pastels and pencils: Inside the prisoners’ holiday card driveFor the eighth year, people in prisons will be receiving handmade holiday cards from strangers on the outside. Next to me, Amir* has drawn a beautiful streak of green across the front of a card. “Shit”, he says. The streak was intended to be the stem of a pōhutukawa, but ...8 hours ago
- Invercargill Airport to be renamed for Tim ShadboltFormer Invercargill mayor and national icon Tim Shadbolt will lend his name to the terminal at Invercargill Airport. The city’s councillors have agreed to pay tribute to Shadbolt’s eight-term tenure as mayor. He was first elected in 1993 and, aside from one term, held the position consistently until 2022. “Sir ...9 hours ago
- Where is she now? Silver Fern Anna GalvanAnna Galvan admits she’s not great on details. The former Silver Fern struggles to pinpoint a specific match that stands out to her, despite a career spanning 17 years in the elite game and 13 tests for her country. But ask the proud Cantabrian a strategic question on ...9 hours ago
- Labour unveils reshuffle, long-serving MPs shunted downLabour leader Chris Hipkins has unveiled a portfolio and list reshuffle as his party readies to hold the new coalition government to account. The line-up brought ministerial experience that National, Act and NZ First lacked, said Hipkins, and included six women and four men in the top 10. “I am ...9 hours ago
- Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins reveals new shadow CabinetLabour leader Chris Hipkins is announcing the party's new shadow Cabinet following its election defeat. ...10 hours ago
- Pair of kiwi chicks first to be born in Wellington wild for 150 yearsTwo baby kiwi are the first to be born in the Wellington wild for over 150 years. The Capital Kiwi Project has, for more than five years, run a 4,600-strong stoat trap in the hills south-west of Wellington. Once predators had been deemed under control, 11 North Island brown kiwi ...10 hours ago
- Tory Whanau off work with Covid-19Wellington mayor Tory Whanau is off work with Covid-19, the day after admitting to an alcohol issue following media questions. Whanau told RNZ she was seeking “professional help” after reports of drunken behaviour in public, with the Herald reporting that a video “may be” circulating in the public domain. Today, ...10 hours ago
- Three people on how a business degree changed the way they thinkNot everyone needs to follow a tertiary pathway. But for those who do, a degree could well be ‘the experience of a lifetime’. In today’s job market, it’s hard not to feel a little hopeless. As entire industries go through massive change, it can be difficult for new entrants to ...10 hours ago
- What Emily Perkins said at the launch of Bird Life by Anna SmaillWe invite you to read – ideally aloud – writer Emily Perkins’ speech delivered at the launch of a remarkable new novel earlier this month, republished in full below. The book launch speech is a particular and honoured art. Those who’ve attended a book launch, or many, will know how ...10 hours ago
- 'Ashamed and embarrassed': Former Deputy PM Carmel Sepuloni reacts to government's 10...The former deputy PM has labelled the new government's 100-day plan as "the most regressive policy agenda" she has ever seen. ...10 hours ago
- ‘Don’t Say Gay’ – US Bigotry Making Its Way Into New Zealand SchoolsALRANZ Abortion Rights Aotearoa condemns the Luxon government’s plan to remove relationship and sexuality education (RSE) from school curricula. In striking out RSE, the government ignores decades of evidence-based research carried out in Aotearoa ...11 hours ago
- Help Me Hera: The dating apps are messing with my headShould we be texting and calling between dates? How can I tell if they’re really into me? Is it a crush or a dopamine spike? Want Hera’s help? Email your problem to [email protected] Dear Hera, I’m in my mid-20s and for a myriad reasons (devastating break-up, birth control-induced weight gain leading to self-esteem ...12 hours ago
- The Bulletin: The public servants considered to be under the microscopeAs the Herald’s Claire Trevett and Thomas Coughlan write (paywalled), “There’s a fair bit of bad blood between some ministers in the new National-Act-NZ First government and a range of other public servants, diplomats and political appointees to public bodies.” As they explain, ministers do not hire or fire government department ...12 hours ago
- A year of ChatGPT: 5 ways the AI marvel has changed the worldSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Toby Walsh, Professor of AI, Research Group Leader, UNSW Sydney Shutterstock OpenAI’s artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot ChatGPT was unleashed onto an unsuspecting public exactly one year ago. It quickly became the fastest-growing app ever, in the hands of 100 ...12 hours ago
- Since the Gaza war began, violence against Palestinians has also surged in the West Bank – and gon...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tristan Dunning, Honorary Research Fellow, The University of Queensland While the world remains fixated on the devastating October 7 Hamas attacks and the subsequent Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip, there has been a pronounced – and mostly unnoticed – escalation in ...12 hours ago
- COP28: How will Australia navigate domestic climate wins and fossil fuel exports at the negotiating ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jacqueline Peel, Director, Melbourne Climate Futures, The University of Melbourne As the COP28 climate summit gets underway in the oil production hub of the United Arab Emirates today, Australia’s climate minister Chris Bowen will detail our progress in meeting emissions cut targets ...12 hours ago
- Australian uni students are warming to ChatGPT. But they want more clarity on how to use itSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jemma Skeat, Associate Professor, Director of Speech Pathology, Deakin University, Deakin University Zen Chung/Pexels , CC BY-SA ChatGPT is one year old today. Depending on who you ask, this technology either spells great doom or great opportunity for education. ...12 hours ago
- NZ First's new provincial fund won't be a 'slush fund' this time – Chris B...Chris Bishop is promising the new Regional Infrastructure Fund will not be a "slush fund" for NZ First pet projects. ...12 hours ago
- COVID wave: what’s the latest on antiviral drugs, and who is eligible in Australia?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jessica Pace, Associate Lecturer, Sydney Pharmacy School, University of Sydney Miljan Zivkovic/Shutterstock Australia is experiencing a fresh wave of COVID, seeing increasing cases, more hospitalisations and a greater number of prescriptions for COVID antivirals dispensed over recent months. In the early ...12 hours ago
- What is a ‘just’ transition to net zero – and why is Australia struggling to get there?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robyn Eckersley, Redmond Barry Professor of Political Science, School of Social and Political Sciences, The University of Melbourne Australia’s net-zero transition is struggling. Despite the government’s efforts, announced last week, to revive flagging investment in renewable energy, greenhouse gas emissions from existing ...12 hours ago
- Christmess is undoubtedly one of the best Christmas films to emerge – from anywhere – in recent ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ari Mattes, Lecturer in Communications and Media, University of Notre Dame Australia Bonsai Films Bona fide Christmas films usually fit into one of the following categories. There are the sardonic comedies poking fun at the consumerist undertones of the holiday ...12 hours ago
- Whanau’s admission of drinking problem earns mixed response from councillorsWellington’s mayor is facing a mixed response from her own council after revelations of a drinking problem. As RNZ reported yesterday, Tory Whanau’s “drunken antics” at a Wellington venue were captured on footage two weeks ago. The mayor since confirmed she has sought professional help. So far, once councillor – ...12 hours ago
- The coalition’s 100-day plan and what it means for the health of New ZealandersAt number 43 on the coalition government’s 100-day plan, the disestablishment of the Māori Health Authority is being decried by the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. ...13 hours ago
- Wellington mayor Tory Whanau 'open and honest' in admitting drinking problemThere is support from Wellington city councillors for mayor Tory Whanau who has admitted she has a problem with alcohol after another incident of drunken behaviour in public. ...13 hours ago
- Wellington mayor Tory Whanau 'open and honest' in admitting drinking problemThere is support from Wellington city councillors for mayor Tory Whanau who has admitted she has a problem with alcohol after another incident of drunken behaviour in public. ...13 hours ago
- Call for health minister to quit over plans to axe smokefree legislationA recently retired intensive care specialist says he saw patients suffer heart attacks, strokes and lung disease from their exposure to smoking. ...14 hours ago
- Eight new hats for Judith CollinsThe Detail - Spies, space and science form just part of the new domain for battle-hardened politician Judith Collins. ...15 hours ago
- Eight new hats for Judith CollinsThe Detail - Spies, space and science form just part of the new domain for battle-hardened politician Judith Collins. ...15 hours ago
- Eight new hats for Judith CollinsThe Detail - Spies, space and science form just part of the new domain for battle-hardened politician Judith Collins. ...15 hours ago
- A ‘witch hunt’ or a misconception? The Siouxsie Wiles case, explainedAn employment dispute between the prominent academic and the University of Auckland concluded in court this week, but it could be months before an outcome is known. Here’s how it played out. Auckland microbiologist and Covid commentator Siouxsie Wiles could be waiting weeks or even months to find out whether ...15 hours ago
- Luxon honeymoon rained on by Peters and cigarettesThe freshly sworn-in prime minister was hoping not to spend his first few days stooped in a defensive crouch. Christopher Luxon doesn’t seem like the kind of fellow that is visited much by nightmares. But if he were, last night’s would situate him at the cabinet table, arranging his papers, ...16 hours ago
- Coalition government has unleashed ‘multi-headed taniwha’The new coalition Government has created a multi-headed taniwha of Māori opposition inside and outside Parliament with its policies that are hostile to Māori says Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer. “I’m sort of like giggling to myself thinking, you really do not know what multi-headed, taniwha that you ...16 hours ago
- Not much for Kiwi wallets in first 100 daysComment: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon proudly touted the completion of a 49-point, 100-day plan of action for his new Government on Wednesday. The clock started then and runs until March 8. The plan includes 24 items to help “rebuild the economy and ease the cost of living”, eight to ...16 hours ago
- NZ a ‘pariah’ if oil and gas exploration is revived – expertWhere climate change appears in the new Government's coalition agreements, it is usually in the context of scrapping or deprioritising climate policies The post NZ a ‘pariah’ if oil and gas exploration is revived – expert appeared first on Newsroom. ...16 hours ago
- On the waterfront: the stadiums that could have been contendersOpinion: A waterfront stadium is the poltergeist (‘noisy ghost’) of Auckland politics. In material form, it doesn’t exist, but you cannot escape its presence. Life goes on as normal for a while, then the kitchen window appears to have opened and the floorboards are creaking in the next room. ...16 hours ago
- It’s ‘winner take all’ under MMP tooGovernments govern and oppositions oppose, in the same way they did under First Past the Post The post It’s ‘winner take all’ under MMP too appeared first on Newsroom. ...16 hours ago
- Fake business websites don’t pass ‘sniff test’ – Consumer NZAbout 100 websites purporting to offer plumbing, electrical and pest control services have been taken down after a Newsroom investigation The post Fake business websites don’t pass ‘sniff test’ – Consumer NZ appeared first on Newsroom. ...16 hours ago
- Daily crossword, Thursday 30 NovemberThe post Daily crossword, Thursday 30 November appeared first on Newsroom. ...16 hours ago
- RMA demise sends councils into tailspinWest Coast National MP Maureen Pugh says the region’s councils can afford to take a break from work on new environmental rules because they’re set to be off the books by Christmas. The National-led government has agreed in its coalition deal with the Act Party to replace, repeal or ...16 hours ago
- Rugby prodigy Jorja is here to stayJorja Miller concedes the first time she met veteran Black Ferns Sevens captain Sarah Hirini she was “scared.” Miller would follow the two-times Tom French Cup (Māori Player of the Year award) winner around like a lap dog studying habits, seeking advice, and occasionally being told off by the ...16 hours ago
- Why Māori and Pacific quotas at medical school are essentialOpinion: Equity means delivering justice and fairness. Disestablishing an equity intervention programme, such as the University of Auckland’s Māori and Pacific Admission Scheme, for access to our medical schools will do harm. I know this because I am an Afakasi Samoan doctor, specialising in paediatrics and equity. And I ...16 hours ago
- Climate summit’s host ‘caught red-handed’ pushing fossil fuel projectsAnalysis: The United Nations’ annual climate negotiations open in Dubai this morning amid rising tensions over the role of the host country, the United Arab Emirates, in promoting fossil fuels, the leading cause of the escalating global climate crisis. New light has been shed on the activities of the ...16 hours ago
- Extreme weather leaves energy networks vulnerable to ‘hostile actors’, Climate Statement warnsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Extreme weather seasons are putting Australia’s energy systems more at risk of sabotage, the government’s annual Climate Change Statement warns. These events place increased strain on the energy networks, and the resulting fragility could ...20 hours ago
- Te Pāti Māori co-leader says smokefree reversal is 'systemic genocide'Te Pāti Māori's co-leader has accused the new government of "deliberate .. systemic genocide" over its policies to roll back the smokefree policy and the Māori Health Authority. ...1 day ago
- Australia’s inflation rate now starts with a 4, allowing the RBA to hold fire on ratesSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Isaac Gross, Lecturer in Economics, Monash University Shutterstock Australia’s inflation rate has dived from 5.6% to 4.9% in October, pushing it below 5% for the first time in 20 months. The Australian Bureau of Statistics figures relate to the newer ...1 day ago
- Mayor Tory Whanau admits she has a drinking problem: ‘My great embarrassment and shame’Wellington mayor Tory Whanau admits she has an alcohol problem and says she has sought professional help. It comes after an apparent drunken incident was filmed two weeks ago at a central city bar, RNZ’s Nick James reports. “I am not a career politician, and leadership positions in public office ...1 day ago
- Boy in the Water only NZ podcast picked for Apple collectionNewsroom Investigates’ chart-topping podcast about the mysterious death of a young boy in a small Southland town has been hand-picked by Apple Podcasts as one of its exclusive Shows We Love for 2023. The Boy in the Water is one of 10 podcasts chosen for this Australasian category and ...1 day ago
- Extra senators for ACT and NT will benefit left but increase malapportionmentSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne The Poll Bludger has summarised the final report of the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters (JSCEM) that was released Monday. The ...1 day ago
- Do you really need antibiotics? Curbing our use helps fight drug-resistant bacteriaSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Minyon Avent, Antimicrobial Stewardship Pharmacist, The University of Queensland Antimicrobial resistance is one of the biggest global threats to health, food security and development. This month, The Conversation’s experts explore how we got here and the potential solutions. Antibiotic resistance occurs ...1 day ago
- Government confirms its 100-day planThe new government has confirmed its plan for its first 100 days, with 49 items Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says are "ambitious for New Zealand". ...1 day ago
- It can be hard to challenge workplace discrimination but the government’s new bill should make it ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alysia Blackham, Associate Professor in Law, The University of Melbourne Alex Gutierrez worked for MUR Shipping and its predecessors for nearly 30 years. But in 2018 he was told, in line with company policy, it was time to set a retirement date. ...1 day ago
- It can be hard to challenge workplace discrimination but the government’s new bill should make it ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alysia Blackham, Associate Professor in Law, The University of Melbourne Alex Gutierrez worked for MUR Shipping and its predecessors for nearly 30 years. But in 2018 he was told, in line with company policy, it was time to set a retirement date. ...1 day ago
- Watch: PM Christopher Luxon speaks at first post-Cabinet press conferencePM Christopher Luxon is holding his first post-Cabinet media briefing this afternoon. ...1 day ago
- 100 Day Plan A Good Start But Cuts To Corporate Welfare MissingThe Taxpayers’ Union welcomes the Government’s 100 day plan as a good start but is calling them to add issuing stop work notices for all corporate welfare programmes to the list. For a start, this should include the EECA and Callaghan Innovation which ...1 day ago
- As it happened: Christopher Luxon’s first post-cabinet press conference as PMAfter two days of pretending not to see or hear Winston Peters, new prime minister Christopher Luxon has just faced a lot of questions about him, and more. Relive every moment of what was a very busy (but brief) first post-cab. Thanks to the Herald, here’s a stream so you ...1 day ago
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