Author Archive
Todd’s MAGA hat
Written By: - Date published: 7:59 am, May 25th, 2020 - 116 comments
Todd Muller has spent the weekend not introducing himself to the country and talking about his ideas for our future but by defending the displaying of a MAGA hat in his office.
Todd Muller is no Jacinda Ardern
Written By: - Date published: 7:45 am, May 23rd, 2020 - 149 comments
Is Todd Muller the solution to National’s inability to deal with Jacinda Ardern?
The Colmar Brunton poll
Written By: - Date published: 5:55 pm, May 21st, 2020 - 213 comments
Results will be posted as soon as they are through. Update: Simon is in trouble.
Who wants to lead the National Party?
Written By: - Date published: 8:31 am, May 21st, 2020 - 93 comments
Tomorrow the National Party caucus meet to decide on a leadership challenge mounted by Todd Muller and Nikki Kaye. Both parties obviously think they have the numbers. Which MPs are misleading them?
Dead man walking
Written By: - Date published: 7:00 am, May 20th, 2020 - 106 comments
The media is reporting there will be a vote of no confidence in Simon Bridges’ leadership at next week’s National caucus meeting.
Mark Richardson for National leader!
Written By: - Date published: 11:08 am, May 19th, 2020 - 27 comments
Michelle Boag thinks that Mark Richardson should be the next National leader after Simon Bridges. Here at the Standard we wish to endorse this proposal.
What does National do in Epsom?
Written By: - Date published: 7:00 am, May 19th, 2020 - 33 comments
Last night’s Reid Research Newshub poll result will be reverberating through National’s caucus. And raises the question, do they gift Epsom to ACT and maybe get a right wing MP or do they preserve every seat they can for themselves.
Jacinda is not like Muldoon
Written By: - Date published: 9:49 am, May 13th, 2020 - 97 comments
National has decided to play politics with Covid 19 and is opposing the Government’s attempt to pass legislation to secure level 2 arrangements. And has made the extraordinary claim that Jacinda Ardern is just like Rob Muldoon but with slogans.
Bloomfield and the empire strikes back
Written By: - Date published: 12:06 pm, May 12th, 2020 - 41 comments
Dr Ashley Bloomfield has responded to allegations by Simon Bridges that the government has suspended the Official Information Act and the Emergency Response Committee has made multiple requests for information from the Ministry that it is waiting for by advising publicly there are no outstanding requests for information.
Covid19 and the Stock Markets
Written By: - Date published: 8:30 am, May 12th, 2020 - 33 comments
In this time of uncertainty when mass unemployment beckons you would expect that stock exchanges would be plummeting. But think again. Because they seem to be doing fine.
Covid19 is a bastard
Written By: - Date published: 9:25 am, May 11th, 2020 - 128 comments
We are heading towards decision time. Does Aotearoa New Zealand loosen up and head back to a semi normal life?
Parker gives Bridges a lesson in constitutional law
Written By: - Date published: 10:01 am, May 9th, 2020 - 175 comments
In a Facebook Live event David Parker has schooled Simon Bridges on basic principles of constitutional law. And it appears that Bridges demand that legally privileged advice be handed over is heading to the Privileges Committee.
Bridges pulls a stunt
Written By: - Date published: 7:46 am, May 7th, 2020 - 93 comments
Simon Bridges threw two stunts yesterday, firstly threatening to try and summons senior Public Servants to publicise confidential legal advice and then by attacking Dr Ashley Blomfield for not answering emails quickly enough despite the existence of a pandemic which the country appears to be handling pretty well.
Roger Douglas attacks economic privilege and inequality
Written By: - Date published: 10:18 am, May 5th, 2020 - 261 comments
Roger Douglas has reverted to his socialist roots by going back on his pro market mantra and criticising the economic privilege and inequality that he helped create.
Covid-19 and climate change
Written By: - Date published: 10:19 am, May 3rd, 2020 - 55 comments
The International Energy Agency is forecasting that disruptions caused by Covid-19 will reduce CO2 output this year by 8%. To avoid the worst excesses of climate change the world has a target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 7.6% for the next decade. How are we going to keep repeating the reductions that we achieved this year for the next decade?
UMR’s bombshell poll result
Written By: - Date published: 11:41 am, May 1st, 2020 - 142 comments
A leaked UMR poll result puts National on 29%.
His work here is not yet done
Written By: - Date published: 7:00 am, May 1st, 2020 - 71 comments
Former Prime Minister John Key has said that under current conditions employers are going to sack 20 per cent of their workers even if the company is doing well and that employers should never waste a crisis.
UFOs are real
Written By: - Date published: 3:44 pm, April 30th, 2020 - 24 comments
The Pentagon has confirmed the existence of videos which pretty well prove the existence of Unidentified Flying Objects and released the videos.
Leak, leak, leak, leak …
Written By: - Date published: 10:14 am, April 28th, 2020 - 19 comments
Tova O’Brien has reported multiple leaks of a Nick Smith email which was highly critical of Simon Bridges.
The class politics of the Covid-19 pandemic response
Written By: - Date published: 7:35 am, April 28th, 2020 - 59 comments
National economics spokesperson Paul Goldsmith has advanced a plan to address the Covid 19 pandemic which includes union bashing and privatisation.
Will National roll Bridges before or after the election?
Written By: - Date published: 7:57 am, April 23rd, 2020 - 241 comments
It appears that the National Party is engaged in a bitter discussion of when Simon Bridges should be rolled, not if. Will it be before or after the election?
Eat the rich
Written By: - Date published: 9:06 am, April 22nd, 2020 - 47 comments
Richard Branson, who has arranged his affairs so that he pays tax to no government, is upset that Governments are not bailing his empire out. And an idea has been floated to allow billionaires to set up boltholes in New Zealand.
BBQ time for National
Written By: - Date published: 8:57 am, April 21st, 2020 - 88 comments
If the current dip in National’s polling continues then a number of their electorate MPs face the loss of their seats and an increasing battle for a shrinking number of list seat positions.
When Bridges’ social media goes wrong
Written By: - Date published: 8:09 am, April 21st, 2020 - 77 comments
Simon Bridges’s Facebook post criticising the extension of lockdown level 4 has been met with overwhelming opposition, including from people who are clearly National Party supporters.
Covid-19 decision day
Written By: - Date published: 8:42 am, April 20th, 2020 - 172 comments
Decision day for the Covid-19 lockdown and my personal view is that although the country has done well it is not quite in a position to ease the lockdown.
Lockdown 4 – do we stay or do we go?
Written By: - Date published: 8:37 am, April 15th, 2020 - 147 comments
Over the next few days there will be an intense public debate about whether the lockdown should be continued or loosened.
Better footpaths and cycleways are a socialist inspired plot?
Written By: - Date published: 8:06 am, April 14th, 2020 - 65 comments
National MP Simon O’Connor thinks that making under used streets safer for walkers and cyclers is a Socialist inspired plan for world domination.
National seeks delay to election
Written By: - Date published: 7:38 am, April 9th, 2020 - 120 comments
Hot on the news that National’s polling has plunged to 35% Paula Bennett has publicly suggested that the election should be delayed. I wonder if they are related?
The end of partisan politics?
Written By: - Date published: 7:58 am, April 8th, 2020 - 71 comments
Throughout the world there is an increasing consensus emerging that the free market approach is failing and principled intelligent leadership from governments provide the optimum result.
Clark’s calamity
Written By: - Date published: 7:48 am, April 7th, 2020 - 131 comments
Health Minister David Clark has been demoted but has kept his Health portfolio after he revealed that he had driven 20 kilometers with his family to visit a beach during the lock down.
What not to do in a pandemic
Written By: - Date published: 8:51 am, April 5th, 2020 - 100 comments
The Trump regime has this week plunged new depths in the handling of the Covid-19 Pandemic in the United States
- Level 2 days
Well, we are out of lockdown, essentially. I did end up getting the wage subsidy while we were on levels 3 and 4 but I would have been fine if we didn’t. The first day of level 2, the Thursday, the office opened again for the people who weren’t able ...7 hours ago - A weird reappointment
A couple of weeks ago, Parliament reappointed Peter Boshier as Chief Ombudsman for another five years. There's nothing weird about the reappointment - it was recommended by the Officers of Parliament Committee, and Boshier is generally recognised as having done a good job in office (though at the same time, ...13 hours ago - Labour doesn’t care about the already poorThe government has announced another income support scheme for people affected by the economic aftershocks of the pandemic: a $490 a week tax-free payment for the newly unemployed, which you can get even if you have a working partner. Which is great, because its supporting people who need help, but ...17 hours ago
- The Green listThe Greens have released their party list, and it contains a few surprises. The one that's getting all the news is that the membership are clearly fans of Chlöe Swarbrick, and she has worked hard to earn that. But they've also favoured incumbent protection over new blood, and in the ...17 hours ago
- When scientists get political: Lead fluoride-IQ researcher launches emotional attack on her scientif...
age credit: Science and Politics – Skeptically.org It seems impossible to keep politics out of science. It’s a pity because politics can end up forcing science to produce the results desired by ... 18 hours ago- When can COVID-19 be Declared Eliminated from NZ? New Modelling Study
Prof Nick Wilson, Dr Matthew Parry, Dr Ayesha Verrall, Prof Michael Baker, Prof Martin Eichner (author details*) This blog details a recent modelling study we conducted. In it we estimated that it would take between 27 and 33 days of no new detected cases of COVID-19 for there to be ...18 hours ago- Honeycreepers in Hawaii
The 2015 Schol Bio paper included a question about a group of birds known as honeycreepers, specifically, the 56 species endemic to the Hawaiian islands. (Or, were endemic: 18, or perhaps 19, are still living; the others are extinct.) Students who’ve already had a look at this paper as part of ...20 hours ago- Guest post: So, just who is Todd Muller?
A guest post by Hamish Price.“A leader is a dealer in hope.”— Napoléon BonaparteCatholics have a name for potential successors to a dead pope. Papabile. The small coterie of distinguished cardinals who have what it takes to step up. Todd Muller has always been one.I first met Muller at a National ...1 day ago- 2020 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #21
A chronological listing of news articles linked to on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, May 17 through Sat, May 23, 2020 Editor's Choice More than 80 killed in India and Bangladesh as Cyclone Amphan heaps misery on coronavirus-hit areas A man salvages items from ...2 days ago- Guest Post: So that’s the leadership sorted. What now for National?
Two poor political polls within the same week had seen National for the first time in over a decade dropping major support in the face of a competent and assured COVID-19 health response from the Coalition government. Step forward the relatively unknown Todd Muller, who by Friday afternoon had secured ...2 days ago- Radiation: Views of the Week
SUNDAY MAY 24The Luminaries (TVNZ 1, 8.30pm). There are an awful lot of indeterminate accents in The Luminaries; even lead Eve Hewson seems undecided about being Irish, and she is Irish. Fair play, accents can go badly wrong, so perhaps not over-egging was a consideration. Marton Csokas, always impeccable, and Himesh Patel ...3 days ago- Bye bye Bridges
Let’s be honest; Simon Bridges was a disaster of a political leader. If he wasn’t attempting to criticise the Government’s perfectly good policy initiatives that the public generally supported, he was fudging his lines after getting caught out in yet another lie. When Jami-Lee Ross said Bridges “is a flawed individual ...3 days ago- What the 2020 Budget Forecasts Mean
The media treat budgets as bit of a circus: lots of theatre and soon forgotten. For a serious economist they show how a team of economists is thinking about the wider economy. The 2020 Budget Economic and Fiscal Update (BEFU) was the most difficult forecasting exercise in the history of ...3 days ago- Fightback against job losses
Air NZ shed 1,300 workers, Fletchers about to sack 1000. Economists Strateg.Ease predict over 12,400 jobs gone by March next year in central Auckland alone. Here’s Don Franks during the 2008 election campaign when he stood for the Workers Party. He’s talking about fightback strategies, ideas that he believes are ...4 days ago- The new leader of the National party!
4 days ago- Hard News: Speaking as equals: the rise of Know Your Stuff
Five years ago, Know Your Stuff didn't have a name. They were just a group of people from the festival community who began testing party drugs onsite because they'd seen the consequences of people taking substances they couldn't identify or didn't understand. They didn't want to see people in their ...4 days ago- Labour is still underfunding our health system
Last week, an article on Newsroom made it clear how the funder / provider split - a core part of our public service - was used to enable underfunding. The government holds the purse strings, but dumps responsibility for its decisions on providers, so they get the blame for poor ...4 days ago- Monitoring and Forecasting the COVID-19 Pandemic in New Zealand Including the Successful Impact of t...
Dr Jaijus Pallippadan-Johny1, Dr John McDermott2, Rodney Jones1 and Michael Duddin1 (1 Wigram Capital Advisors, Auckland; 2Motu Economic and Policy Research, Wellington) In this blog, we introduce our modelling approach to estimating the transmissibility of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the cause of the COVID-19 pandemic. We demonstrate the usefulness of ...4 days ago- Leaders Without Power
The Illusions Of Power: Does Jacinda Ardern, like Abraham Lincoln, wake in the dark watches of the night still enveloped in the terrors of life-and-death decision-making? Maybe – maybe not. She’s a twenty-first century prime minister, not so susceptible, perhaps, to the deep religious feeling and romanticism that was such ...4 days ago- Pharaoh Bridges swamped by pestilence and poor polls
Well, that seals it. The supposedly more National sympathetic One News-Colmar Brunton poll has tonight delivered Simon Bridges’ National Party a worst result than the Newshub-Reid Research three days agoi.On tonight’s numbers Labour sits at an “unprecedented” 59 percent, while National has slumped 17 percent to 29 percent. Anything in ...4 days ago- Simon Bridges scraps hard for relevance and his leadership on a few fronts: 24 hours until decision ...
The National Party are quite simply a party out of time… Literally, insofar as the 2020 Election is concerned, and certainly in terms of their ideological positioning which has grown far more trenchantly extreme in the last few years in particular, under the leadership of both Simon Bridges, and Paula ...5 days ago- Hard News: Psychedelic science: Microdosing and more
At last year's Splore festival Listening Lounge sessions, one of the most popular discussions was the one on psychedelic therapy. So for this year's festival, I brought back two of the participants from that panel – Dr Will Evans and Amadeus Diamond – and was delighted to be able to ...5 days ago- Microcopter money in Palmerston?
The government is reportedly looking at "helicopter money" - giving cash directly to people to spend - as a way of stimulating the economy in the wake of the pandemic. But its not just central government: Palmerston North City Council is looking at the same thing, though on a much ...5 days ago- Does National Still Need A Street-Fighting Man?
5 days ago- Skeptical Science New Research for Week #20, 2020
68 Articles Physical science of global warming & effects A conceptual model for anticipating the impact of landscape evolution on groundwater recharge in degrading permafrost environments Empirical models for predicting water and heat flow properties of permafrost soils Circulation and tides in a cooler upper atmosphere: dynamical effects ...5 days ago- Free speech in pandemic and postmodern times
Dane Giraud from The Free Speech Coalition talks with Redline writer and editor Daphna Whitmore on cancel culture, gender ideology, postmodernism and irrationalism. They look at the free speech implications of issues like the Twitter mob, the Government’s proposed emergency police powers, and the Israel-Palestine conflict. The Free Speech interview ...5 days ago- Why we need to focus on increased consumption as much as population growth
Climate Explained is a collaboration between The Conversation, Stuff and the New Zealand Science Media Centre to answer your questions about climate change. If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, please send it to climate.change@stuff.co.nz Almost every threat to modern humanity can be traced simply ...6 days ago- Submit!
The Finance and Expenditure Committee is holding an inquiry into the COVID-19 Public Health Response Act 2020 which was rushed through Parliament last week, and has called for submissions. Submissions are due by Sunday, 28 June 2020. You can either submit online through the form above, or by posting dead ...6 days ago- Climate Change: Ambition in Spain
While the world is currently struggling with the pandemic, we have another crisis to deal with as well: climate change. Fortunately, not everyone has forgotten about it, with Spain announcing ambitious plans to go net-zero by 2050: Under the law, which still needs to be approved by Parliament, the government ...6 days ago- New study touted by anti-fluoridation campaigners actually indicates fluoridation is safe
Children used in this study were from Lintingkou town (a normal-fluoride/control area) and Dakoutun town (a high-fluoride area) in Baodi district of Tianjin, China. The towns are 25 km apart. Anti-fluoridation activists on ... 6 days ago- The Virus and The Election
When we see how the pandemic is being handled in the rest of the world, we can thank our lucky stars that we live here, in New Zealand, and under our current government, led by Jacinda Ardern. The latest polls suggest that this is exactly how Kiwis feel. But the ...6 days ago- Why a “mouth and nose” lockdown with masks might help avoid a “full body” lockdown at home
Prof Nick Wilson, Dr Sophie Febery, Dr Ling Chan, Dr Jennifer Summers, Prof Michael Baker The concepts of an Alert Level system, household “bubbles”, and social event size limits are all valuable pandemic control measures. Nevertheless, better “source control” of COVID-19 at various Alert Levels by requiring masks in ...6 days ago- COVID-19 Shows that Research Institutions Need Stronger Scientific Integrity Policies
This is a repost from the Climate Science Legal Defense Fund blog, by CSLDF Executive Director Lauren Kurtz The COVID-19 pandemic illuminates the crucial role scientists at university, state, and local laboratories in the United States and abroad play in protecting public health and safety—and shows that global research must be done ...6 days ago- Church, State and the weight of capitalism.
Arguments by religious folk that they are being discriminated against under the Level 2 pandemic restrictions in NZ, which limit church services to ten people or less when schools, restaurants, malls and other service outlets are allowed to host many more people under voluntary self-distancing protocols, got me to think ...7 days ago- Disaster leisureism!
Now that the initial wave has passed, and we are (hopefully) safe in our national bubble, the government is thinking about how to keep the economy ticking over, and how to salvage the bits (like tourism) that are now useless. And for that particular industry, she has mentioned a great ...7 days ago- Poll disaster for National
There’s been a lot of conjecture concerning the reasons behind the National Party’s fall to 30% in the latest Newshub-Reid Research poll. Some commentators have correctly ascertained that the current leader, Simon Bridges, has been consistently getting his tone wrong! Others believe that the shift in support is all about ...7 days ago- Hard News: Back on the road
It probably was too good to last. The blessed peace on the roads that I wrote about here began eroding even before we left Level 4 of the Covid-19 restrictions – and on day one of Level 3, with the tradies rushing to catch upon their work, the double-cab utes ...7 days ago- Conceding Nothing – To The Undemanding Non-Voter.
Missing From The Electoral Action: The radical Left's last forlorn hope, the "Missing Million", is generally despised by mainstream New Zealand and mistrusted by the respectable members of their own communities. They have moved well beyond the reach of conventional electoral politics.TO SAY the Left’s reaction to Grant Robertson’s “Recovery ...7 days ago- Prostituting women – an essential service?
by Don Franks As we face new unknowns against Covid 19, there’s something reassuring about level 2’s basic rules. “Physical distancing- keep your distance when out and about. Two metres in public and in retail stores, like supermarkets. One metre in most other environments like workplaces, cafes, restaurants, and gyms.” ...1 week ago- Experts are back in fashion – now more than ever we need to question them
Richard Shaw, Massey University Once upon a very different time, British cabinet minister Michael Gove sneered that “people have had enough of experts from organisations with acronyms saying that they know what is best and getting it consistently wrong.” But that was then and this is now. One or two ...1 week ago- Failing to protect the environment, again
From its name, you would think the Environmental protection Authority was there to protect the environment. But we've had another reminder that nothing could be further from the truth, with its decision to allow a toxic, burned-out Korean fishing boat to be dumped at sea: The ship's owner, Dong Won ...1 week ago- 2020 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming Digest #20
Story of the Week... El Niño/La Niña Update... Toon of the Week... Graphic of the Week... Climate Feedback Article Review... Coming Soon on SkS... Climate Feedback Claim Review... SkS Week in Review... Poster of the Week... Story of the Week... The Largest Arctic Science Expedition in History Finds Itself on Increasingly ...1 week ago- Building the bridges to the future
In a previous post I noted that futures thinking usually tries to identify what people think will change and what they think needs to change. As lockdown constraints ease, we are seeing a lot of opinions about both. There is no shortage of shovel ready points of view ...
1 week ago- A pandemic parable
And so it came pass that a great plague swept the face of all the Earth. Some say it came from the East, others say it came from gloomy caverns of the bat or jungles of the civet. From whence it came, who can say? But come it did.In the ...1 week ago- 2020 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #20
A chronological listing of news articles linked to on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, May 10 through Sat, May 16, 2020 Editor's Choice These 6 books explore climate change science and solutions Recent books about climate change tackle science and offer visions of the ...1 week ago- A matter of definition.
Recent reports have surfaced that hospital officials in some US localities are inflating the CV-19 death count by classifying anyone who dies in their care who is not the victim of an accident or other obvious non-viral cause as a CV-19 victim. Apparently this is because the US public health ...1 week ago- Some belated scrutiny
On Wednesday morning, Parliament passed the COVID-19 Public Health Response Act 2020. Because it was passed under urgency, the Act did not receive the usual select committee scrutiny. But today the government moved a motion to have it scrutinised by the Finance and Expenditure Committee, with a report-back date of ...2 weeks ago- Is the New Zealand State Equal To Covid-19’s Economic Challenge?
Sufficient Leverage? Years of underfunding and down-scaling, and countless restructurings, have routinely wiped away decades of institutional memory. Grant Robertson's 2020 Budget has engaged the levers of government action - but do they still work?THE FINANCE MINISTER would appear to have pulled hard on every economic lever he could find. ...2 weeks ago- The Day Labour Came Home.
2 weeks ago- Grant ‘Mr Lucky’ Robertson gets to be the ultimate big spender, keeping NZ on life suppo...
Grant Robertson could consider himself the luckiest Finance Minister of all time. While the Prime Minister has talked about “jobs, jobs, jobs” and the Leader of the Opposition has asked where is the “plan, plan, plan”, Robertson might have been lying in bed at night thinking “lucky, lucky, lucky”. Because ...2 weeks ago- Will Job Budget Address Inequities?
The Covid-19 lockdown has enabled us to examine work, social inequities and essential infrastructure from some useful perspectives.The first observation was regarding our ability to manage a national health crisis. I remember an interview recently with a surgeon who became emotional when describing his relief that we had managed to ...2 weeks ago- The timid budget
The government is currently delivering the Budget. There's some good stuff in there - an extension of the wage subsidy scheme to stop people from starving, a billion dollars for green jobs, almost two billion for free retraining, and finally feeding the kids with a school lunch program. Plus I ...2 weeks ago- Budget Week is here again, as we ease into a “Level 2 world” and the road ahead in New Zealand
New Zealand eases back into Level 2, whereby more is opening up in the overall Economy, and things are looking to get back to a state of “semi-normal”. And the country is not only heading into Thursday this week with a new optimism in that regard, but… the 2020 Budget ...2 weeks ago- Simple rules to play it safe at alert level two
Today Aotearoa New Zealand wakes up in alert level two. It’s no secret that I would have preferred for us to stay at level three for another week or so. That’s because I’m worried we don’t quite yet know how effective level three has been at keeping us on our ...2 weeks ago- Law in order?
Nik Green Governments around the world have restricted the activities of their citizens in the fight against COVID-19 under various laws and powers. Over the past couple of weeks, the legality of the restrictions New Zealand has put in place has been questioned by law professors Claudia Geiringer and Andrew ...2 weeks ago- Go Hard, Jacinda. More Importantly, Go Early!
Jacinda's "Simple Proposition": No prime minister in the past 65 years has placed such an opportunity before the New Zealand people. We cannot afford to let it slip through our fingers. Jacinda’s offer must be taken up: by every union, every charity, every NGO, every church, and every citizen with ...2 weeks ago- No relationship of bone cancer to fluoridation – another new study the anti-fluoride brigade will ...
Anti-fluoride activists claim that water fluoridation causes nine cancer proved wrong, yet again. Image credit: Four myths about water fluoridation and why they’re wrong A new study confirms, yet again, that osteosarcoma, a type of bone ... 2 weeks ago- Skeptical Science New Research for Week #19, 2020
65 Articles Physical science of global warming & effects Observed Climatological Relationships of Extreme Daily Precipitation Events with Precipitable Water and Vertical Velocity in the Contiguous United States Carbon Thaw Rate Doubles when Accounting for Subsidence in a Permafrost Warming Experiment Observations & observational methods of global warming ...2 weeks ago- Professor Jane Kelsey: emergency powers are really hard to get off the books
“When governments rush through emergency powers they do so with a level of overkill … and then they remain on the books and they are really hard to get off the books”. Listen to professor of law Jane Kelsey: https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fmoanatribe%2Fvideos%2F600886377195388%2F&show_text=0&width=560 ...2 weeks ago- Police powers don’t serve public health
Daphna Whitmore The COVID19 Bill has been rammed through parliament today giving the government and police extraordinary powers. Attorney-General David Parker wants us to think of it as a “bespoke piece of legislation”. How quaint and charming. There was no Select Committee oversight of the legislation and it was passed ...2 weeks ago- Return on investment
Earlier this year, Radio New Zealand revealed that NZ First had received tens of thousands of dollars in secret donations from the racing industry. Secret donations are bad enough, but it was particularly stinky because Winston Peters is Minister of Racing. And yesterday, he paid them back, with $72.5 million ...2 weeks ago- The police, privacy, and public trust
At the moment, Parliament is debating giving the police a warrantless entry power for homes and marae to enforce gathering restrictions. Its obviously open to abuse - and we know similar powers for warrantless entry and search under the Misuse of Drugs Act are regularly abused - so it requires ...2 weeks ago- What is your COVID-19 hashtag?
A typological silver-lining If you are anything like me, maybe a little guilt is setting in about now, regarding the little amount of progress you may have achieved lately. As our country – and indeed so much of the wider World – is in a lockdown of some form or ...2 weeks ago- What caused major climate change in the past?
Climate Explained is a collaboration between The Conversation, Stuff and the New Zealand Science Media Centre to answer your questions about climate change. If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, please send it to climate.change@stuff.co.nz Earth had several periods of high carbon dioxide levels in ...2 weeks ago- NZ’s economy has been on ice, but it’s about to unfreeze and it will hurt
As we celebrate the potential for haircuts and a meal out with friends from Thursday, we are also about to get a brutal reminder that the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic will last a long time, as Finance Minister Grant Robertson delivers what is se to be one of the ...2 weeks ago- COVID-19 vaccine safety – are vital steps being skipped?
Five months into the COVID-19 pandemic the conversation is shifting to vaccines. One of the key concerns voiced by some experts and public are that in the rush to get vaccines deployed, safety will be compromised. Here I outline, in part, the COVID-19 vaccine safety landscape of activities. First, let ...2 weeks ago- FLICC-Poster – a successful collaboration between klimafakten and SkS
We already have the FLICC-taxonomy and its history, but now we also have the FLICC-Poster! This poster is the result of a successful collaboration between us and our German language partnersite klimafakten.de. Our partnership goes back to 2011 when Klimafakten started out with German translations of several of our rebuttals ...2 weeks ago- Plandemic – effective fact-free marketing
And now for a new professionally edited conspiracy video with scary music. Before COVID-19 emerged the world already had a problem with information overload – an infodemic. Misinformation had gained a wide forum on many social media platforms, increasing the reach, polarisation, and overall confusion of the population (a misinfodemic). ...2 weeks ago- The National Consensus
As we awaited confirmation that we would move to Level 2, my wife and I reviewed our experience of lockdown so far. We reached similar conclusions – that the lockdown had been a bore and a bind, but that we have been – living where we do – among the ...2 weeks ago- Lockdown: the effect on children’s learning and wellbeing
2 weeks ago- The Crowd That Booed.
Social Distancing: Student protesters make their way carefully around the working class. Dunedin 1994. Photo Otago Daily Times.IT WAS THE LARGEST CROWD I had ever addressed – and it booed me. In 1990 the Labour Government of Geoffrey Palmer (look him up!) announced that university tuition fees would rise from ...2 weeks ago- Legal Beagle: Parliamentary Privilege, and the summonsing of Crown legal advice
The Epidemic Response has apparently resolved to call on the Director-General of Health, Commissioner of Police and Solicitor-General to provide it copies of relevant material, including legal advice prepared for the government. It is not clear whether summonses have been signed, and served on them, but this appears to be ...2 weeks ago- The COVID-19 Bill
With the move to level 2 later in the week, the government has to legislate urgently to provide a legal framework. So, tomorrow we'll be seeing a bill introduced and passed under all-stages urgency, without a select committee process. Because that has never gone wrong before. But in a token ...2 weeks ago- New review finds fluoride is not a developmental neurotoxicant at exposure levels relevant to fluori...
Proper consideration of the best science shows community water fluoridation does not have a negative effect on child IQ. Image credit: Africa Studio / Shutterstock.com A new extensive review of the scientific literature has ... 2 weeks ago- The pause that depresses
Murray Sherwin The die is cast. We won’t see the official numbers for quite a while, but it is already apparent that New Zealand is headed into the sharpest and deepest recession in 100 years. We know we will experience unemployment at, and perhaps above, levels not seen since the ...2 weeks ago- Budget 2020: Five things to know
Budget 2020 is about rebuilding together, supporting jobs, getting business moving and the books back into the black. It’s an integral part of our COVID-19 economic response, and our plan to grow our economy and get New Zealand moving again. Here’s a quick look at the five top things you ...14 hours ago - Coalition Government approves essential upgrades on Ōhakea Air Base
The Coalition Government has approved $206 million in essential upgrades at Ōhakea Air Base. Defence Minister Ron Mark said the money would be spent on improving old infrastructure. He said safety issues would be addressed, as well as upgrades to taxiways, accommodation and fresh, storm and waste water systems. "This ...4 days ago - Attributable to the Rt Hon Winston PetersRt Hon Winston Peters, Leader of New Zealand First “I am not persisting with this case just for myself, but for all people who have had their privacy breached. Privacy of information is a cornerstone of our country’s democracy. Without it our society truly faces a bleak future. We now ...6 days ago
- Forestry Minister Shane Jones moves to protect sawmillsForestry Minister Shane Jones has introduced a Bill to Parliament that he says will "force more transparency, integrity and respect" for the domestic wood-processing sector through the registration of log traders and practice standards. The Forests (Regulation of Log Traders and Forestry Advisers) Amendment Bill had its first reading in ...1 week ago
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- How Budget 2020 is supporting jobsThis year’s Budget is about rebuilding New Zealand together in the face of COVID-19. Jobs are central to how we’re going to do that.There’s a lot of targeted investment for employment in this year’s Budget, with announcements on creating new jobs, training people for the jobs we have, and supporting ...2 weeks ago
- Winston Peters says China didn’t want NZ to go into lockdownSpeaking to Stuff's Coronavirus NZ podcast, Foreign Minister Winston Peters revealed China tried to dissuade New Zealand from going into lockdown. “Without speaking out of turn, they wanted a discussion as to why we were doing it, because they thought it was an overreaction,” Mr Peters told Stuff’s Coronavirus NZ podcast. He also ...2 weeks ago
- Changes made to Overseas Investment Act to protect New Zealand assetsThe Coalition Government is making changes to the Overseas Investment Act to ensure New Zealand assets don't fall into the hands of foreign ownership in the economic aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Associate Minister of Finance David Parker announced the Act will be amended to bring forward a national interest ...2 weeks ago
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- Jacinda Ardern’s 2020 Budget SpeechRead Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's Budget 2020 Speech. ...2 weeks ago
- Budget 2020: Next steps to end family and sexual violenceThe 2020 Budget includes significant support to stabilise New Zealand’s family violence services, whose work has been shown to be so essential throughout the COVID-19 lockdown. ...2 weeks ago
- Investment in housing gives more people access to the home they deserveThe Green Party says huge new investment in public and transitional housing will get thousands more families into the warm, safe homes they deserve. ...2 weeks ago
- Budget 2020: Huge investment in green nature based jobs jump starts sustainable COVID recoveryThe Green Party says the $1.1 billion environmental investment in this year’s budget to create thousands of green jobs will help jump start a sustainable recovery from the COVID crisis. ...2 weeks ago
- Grant Robertson’s 2020 Budget SpeechRead Minister of Finance Grant Robertson's Budget 2020 Speech. ...2 weeks ago
- Winston Peters tells struggling migrant workers ‘you should probably go home’Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters said today the Coalition Government told foreigners at the start of the Covid-19 crisis that if their circumstances had changed dramatically, they should go home. "And 50,000 did," Mr Peters said. Official advice to Cabinet revealed there is potentially 380,000 foreigners and migrant workers in ...2 weeks ago
- New Zealand First welcomes today’s Alert Level 2 announcementRt Hon Winston Peters, Leader of New Zealand First New Zealand First welcomes the decision today to go to Alert Level 2 from midnight Wednesday, says Leader Rt Hon Winston Peters. Alert Level 2 will mean a return to work for the vast majority of New Zealand’s businesses. A return ...2 weeks ago
- Nurses to be protected after amendment to First Responders BillNurses now look set to get more protection from violence at work, under a proposed new law. This after NZ First MP Darroch Ball's "Protection for First Responders Bill", which introduces a six-month minimum sentence for assaults on first responders, will now also cover emergency department healthcare workers. The ...2 weeks ago
- Nurses to get more protection, added to ‘First Responders’ legislationDarroch Ball MP, New Zealand First Law and Order Spokesperson An amendment to the ‘Protection of First Responders Bill’ is being tabled which will see emergency department healthcare workers included in the legislation. “During this COVID-19 crisis we have seen reports of violence and specifically increased incidents of spitting towards ...2 weeks ago
- Shane Jones: Northland port could be economic havenInfrastructure Minister Shane Jones is breathing new life into the proposal to move Auckland's port to Whangārei to help in the economic recovery post Covid-19 pandemic. If New Zealand First was returned in the September general election, Minister Jones said a priority would be development of an "economic haven" at Northport, ...2 weeks ago
- PGF grant for Ventnor memorialThe plan to build a memorial to the SS Ventnor, and those who were lost when it sank off the Hokianga coast in 1902, has been granted $100,000 from the Provincial Growth Fund. Originally planned for a site near Rāwene cemetery, the memorial will now be built at the new Manea ...2 weeks ago
- 75th anniversary of V.E DayRt Hon Winston Peters, New Zealand First Leader Leader of New Zealand First, Rt Hon Winston Peters said: “Today is the 75th anniversary of VE Day – marking the end of World War II in Europe." Millions died in the six years of war, and families were torn apart. 75 years ...2 weeks ago
- Week That Was: Getting the job doneFrom the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, our Government has committed to providing calm, clear, and consistent communication, including regular press conference updates from the Prime Minister. While New Zealand is at Alert Level 3, we're making sure that New Zealanders are kept informed and up-to-date with all the latest ...2 weeks ago
- Winston Peters responds to Simon Bridges’ ‘my sweetheart’ commentNew Zealand First leader Winston Peters spoke to The Country's Jamie Mackay. A day earlier, National Party leader Simon Bridges was on the radio show and referred to the Deputy Prime Minister as, "my sweetheart Winston". Mr Peters swiftly dismissed the question of whether Bridges had changed his mind about ...3 weeks ago
- Time to pay essential heroes a decent wage, says Green PartyThe COVID-19 pandemic has revealed just how much we rely on our essential workers. The Green Party are proposing a package that ensures they are paid a dignified wage so they do not live in poverty. ...3 weeks ago
- New payment to support Kiwis through COVID
Further support for New Zealanders affected by 1-in-100 year global economic shock 12-week payment will support people searching for new work or retraining Work programme on employment insurance to support workers and businesses The Government today announced a new temporary payment to support New Zealanders who lose their jobs due ...18 hours ago - PGF reset helps regional economiesThe Provincial Growth Fund will play a vital role in New Zealand’s post-COVID-19 recovery by creating jobs in shorter timeframes through at least $600 million being refocused on projects with more immediate economic benefits, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones has announced. The funding is comprised of repurposed Provincial Growth ...2 days ago
- Government exempts some home improvements from costly consentsGovernment exempts some home improvements from costly consents Homeowners, builders and DIYers will soon have an easier time making basic home improvements as the Government scraps the need for consents for low-risk building work such as sleep-outs, sheds and carports – allowing the construction sector to fire back up quicker ...2 days ago
- Concern at introduction of national security legislation for Hong KongForeign Affairs Minister Winston Peters says the New Zealand Government has reacted with concern at the introduction of legislation in China’s National People’s Congress relating to national security in Hong Kong. “We have a strong interest in seeing confidence maintained in the ‘one country, two systems’ principle under which Hong ...3 days ago
- Samoa Language Week theme is perfect for the post-COVID-19 journeyThe Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio, says the theme for the 2020 Samoa Language Week is a perfect fit for helping our Pacific communities cope with the unfolding COVID-19 crisis, and to prepare now for the journey ahead as New Zealand focuses on recovery plans and rebuilding New ...3 days ago
- Adult kakī/black stilt numbers soarA nearly 40-year programme to protect one of New Zealand’s most critically endangered birds is paying off, with a record number of adult kakī/black stilt recently recorded living in the wild, the Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage announced today. “Thanks to the team effort involved in the Department of Conservation’s ...3 days ago
- Waikato-Tainui settlement story launched on 25th anniversary of Treaty signingThe story of the Waikato-Tainui Treaty process and its enduring impact on the community is being told with a five-part web story launched today on the 25th anniversary of settlement, announced Associate Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Carmel Sepuloni. “I am grateful to Waikato-Tainui for allowing us to help capture ...4 days ago
- Taita College to benefit from $32 million school redevelopmentTaita College in the Hutt Valley will be redeveloped to upgrade its ageing classrooms and leaky roofs, Education Minister Chris Hipkins announced today. “The work is long overdue and will make a lasting difference to the school for generations to come,” Chris Hipkins said. “Too many of our schools are ...4 days ago
- Redeployment for workers in hard-hit regionsThe Government is allocating $36.72 million to projects in regions hard hit economically by COVID-19 to keep people working, Economic Development Minister Phil Twyford and Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones announced today. Projects in Hawke’s Bay, Northland, Rotorua and Queenstown will be funded from the Government’s $100 million worker ...4 days ago
- $35m to build financial resilience for New ZealandersA $35m boost to financial capability service providers funded by MSD will help New Zealanders manage their money better both day to day and through periods of financial difficulty, announced Social Development Minister Carmel Sepuloni. “It’s always been our position to increase support to key groups experiencing or at risk ...4 days ago
- New District Court Judge appointedDunedin barrister Melinda Broek has been appointed as a District Court Judge with Family Court jurisdiction to be based in Rotorua, Attorney-General David Parker announced today. Ms Broek has iwi affiliations to Ngai Tai. She commenced her employment in 1996 with Scholefield Cockroft Lloyd in Invercargill specialising in family and ...5 days ago
- $206 million investment in upgrades at Ohakea Air Force BaseThe Coalition Government has approved a business case for $206 million in upgrades to critical infrastructure at Royal New Zealand Air Force Base Ohakea, with the first phase starting later this year, Defence Minister Ron Mark announced today. The investment will be made in three phases over five years, and ...5 days ago
- Review of CAA organisational culture releasedTransport Minister Phil Twyford today released the Ministry of Transport’s review of the organisational culture at the Civil Aviation Authority. Phil Twyford says all employees are entitled to a safe work environment. “I commissioned this independent review due to the concerns I had about the culture within the CAA, and ...5 days ago
- New Board appointed at Stats NZEnsuring that Stats NZ’s direction and strategy best supports government policy decisions will be a key focus for a new Governance Advisory Board announced today by the Minister for Statistics, James Shaw. The new Governance Advisory Board will provide strategic advice to Stats NZ to ensure it is meeting New ...5 days ago
- New Principal Environment JudgeEnvironment Judge David Kirkpatrick of Auckland has been appointed as the Principal Environment Judge, Attorney-General David Parker announced today. Judge Kirkpatrick was appointed an Environment Judge in February 2014. From December 2013 to July 2016 he was Chair of the Auckland Unitary Plan Independent Hearings Panel. Prior to appointment he ...6 days ago
- Digital connectivity boost for urban maraeA programme to connect marae around the country to the internet has received $1.4 million to expand to include urban marae in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, Broadcasting, Communications and Digital Media Minister Kris Faafoi and Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones announced today. The funding for the Marae Connectivity Programme ...6 days ago
- Govt increases assistance to drought-stricken Hawke’s Bay farmersThe Government will provide $500,000 to the Hawke’s Bay Mayoral Drought Relief Fund to help farmers facing one of the worst droughts in living memory, says Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor. “Yesterday afternoon I received a letter from Hawke's Bay's five local Government leaders asking me to contribute to the Fund. ...6 days ago
- Investment in New Zealand’s historyBudget 2020 provides a major investment in New Zealand’s documentary heritage sector, with a commitment to leasing a new Archives Wellington facility and an increase in funding for Archives and National Library work. “Last year I released plans for a new Archives Wellington building – a purpose-built facility physically connected ...7 days ago
- Driving prompt payments to small businessesGovernment Ministers are asking significant private enterprises to adopt prompt payment practices in line with the state sector, as a way to improve cashflow for small businesses. The Ministers of Finance, Small Business, Commerce and Consumer Affairs have written to more than 40 significant enterprises and banking industry representatives to ...7 days ago
- Rotorua tourist icon to be safeguardedMaori Arts and Crafts will continue to underpin the heart of the tourism sector says Minister for Maori Development Nanaia Mahuta. “That’s why we are making a core investment of $7.6 million to Te Puia New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute, over two years, as part of the Government’s ...7 days ago
- $14.7m for jobs training and educationThe Government is funding more pathways to jobs through training and education programmes in regional New Zealand to support the provinces’ recovery from the economic impacts of COVID-19, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones and Employment Minister Willie Jackson have announced. “New Zealand’s economic recovery will be largely driven by ...1 week ago
- Is it time to further recognise those who serve in our military?Minister for Veterans Ron Mark has announced the launch of a national conversation that aims to find out whether New Zealanders think there should be a formal agreement between service people, the Government, and the people of New Zealand. “This year marks the 75th anniversary of the end of World ...1 week ago
- Paving the way for a fully qualified early learning workforceThe Government’s drive to improve the quality of early childhood education (ECE) is taking another step forward with the reintroduction of a higher funding rate for services that employ fully qualified and registered teachers, Education Minister Chris Hipkins has announced. “Research shows that high-quality ECE can improve young people’s learning ...1 week ago
- Sport Recovery Package announcedThe Sport and Recreation sector will receive a multi-million dollar boost as part of the COVID-19 response funded at Budget 2020. Grant Robertson says the Sport and Recreation Sector contributes about $5 billion a year to New Zealand’s GDP and employs more than 53,000 people. “Sport plays a significant role ...1 week ago
- Major boost in support for caregivers and childrenA major increase in funding and availability of support will improve the incomes and reduce the pressure on 14,000 caregivers looking after more than 22,000 children. Children’s Minister Tracey Martin says that caregivers – all those looking after someone else’s children both in and outside the state care system – ...1 week ago
- Great Walks recovery on track for summerVital conservation and visitor infrastructure destroyed by a severe flood event in Fiordland earlier this year is being rebuilt through a $13.7 million Budget 2020 investment, announced Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage. “This investment will mean iconic Great Walks such as the Routeburn track and the full length of ...1 week ago
- Māori – Government partnership gives whānau a new housing dealThe Government is investing $40 million in a partnership with Māori to get more whānau into warm, dry and secure accommodation, Associate Minister for Housing (Māori Housing) Hon Nanaia Mahuta says.. “We are partnering with Māori and iwi to respond to the growing housing crisis in the wake of COVID-19. ...1 week ago
- Keeping New Zealanders Safe In The WaterKeeping New Zealanders safe in the water Our lifeguards and coastguards who keep New Zealanders safe in the water have been given a funding boost thanks to the 2020 Budget, Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector Poto Williams has announced. The water safety sector will receive $63 million over ...1 week ago
- Legal framework for COVID-19 Alert Level referred to select committeeThe COVID-19 Public Health Response Act 2020, which set a sound legal framework ahead of the move to Alert level 2, has been referred to a parliamentary select committee for review. Attorney-General David Parker said the review of the operation of the COVID-19 specific law would be reported back to ...2 weeks ago
- New Zealand condemns shocking attacks on hospital and funeral in AfghanistanForeign Affairs Minister Winston Peters says New Zealand condemns the targeting of civilians in two terrorist attacks in Afghanistan earlier this week. “The terrorist attacks on a hospital in Kabul and a funeral in Nangarhar province are deeply shocking. The attacks were deliberate and heinous acts of extreme violence targeting ...2 weeks ago
- Government to close tobacco tax loopholeThe Government will close a loophole that allowed some people to import cigarettes and loose leaf tobacco for manufacturing cigarettes and ‘roll your owns’ for sale on the black market without excise tax being paid, says Minister of Customs Jenny Salesa. The legislation, which doesn’t affect duty free allowances for ...2 weeks ago
- $62 million package to support families through the Family CourtThe Coalition Government has made a significant $62 million investment from the COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund to start the reform of the Family Court and enable it to respond effectively to the increased backlog caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Today Justice Minister Andrew Little introduced the Family Court (Supporting ...2 weeks ago
- Tailored help supports new type of job seeker – reportThe Government’s expanded services to support people into jobs will help an emerging cohort of New Zealanders impacted by COVID-19. The impacted group are relatively younger, have a proportionately low benefit history and have comparatively higher incomes than most who seek support, as captured in a report published today from ...2 weeks ago
- A modern approach to night classesNew funding to boost Government-funded Adult and Community Education (ACE) will give more than 11,000 New Zealanders more opportunities to learn, Education Minister Chris Hipkins said. “This includes a modern approach to rebuilding night classes, which were slashed in the middle of our last economic crisis in 2010,” Chris Hipkins ...2 weeks ago
- Christchurch Call makes significant progressSignificant progress has been delivered in the year since the Christchurch Call to Action brought governments and tech companies together in Paris with a single goal to eliminate terrorist and violent extremist content online, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardent says. On its first anniversary, Ardern and French President Emmanuel Macron as ...2 weeks ago
- Christchurch Call: One year AnniversaryJoint statement: the Right Honourable Jacinda Ardern Prime Minister of New Zealand and His Excellency Emmanuel Macron President of the French Republic. One year since we launched, in Paris, the Christchurch Call to Action, New Zealand and France stand proud of the progress we have made toward our goal to eliminate terrorist ...2 weeks ago
- Budget 2020: Jobs and opportunities for the primary sector$19.3 million to help attract and train recently unemployed New Zealanders and grow the primary sector workforce by 10,000 people. $128 million for wilding pine and wallaby control, providing hundreds of jobs. $45.3m over four years to help horticulture seize opportunities for future growth. $14.9 million to reduce food waste ...2 weeks ago
- New registration system for forestry advisers and log tradersA new log registration scheme and practice standards will bring us one step closer to achieving ‘value over volume’ in our forestry sector, Forestry Minister Shane Jones says. New legislation introduced as part of Budget 2020 will require forestry advisers, log traders and exporters to register and work to nationally ...2 weeks ago
- Finance Minister’s Budget 2020 s Budget SpeechMr Speaker, I move that the Appropriation (2020/21 Estimates) Bill be now read a second time. From its very beginning this Coalition Government has committed to putting the wellbeing of current and future generations of New Zealanders at the heart of everything we do. There is no time in New ...2 weeks ago
- Finance Minister’s Budget 2020 Budget SpeechMr Speaker, I move that the Appropriation (2020/21 Estimates) Bill be now read a second time. From its very beginning this Coalition Government has committed to putting the wellbeing of current and future generations of New Zealanders at the heart of everything we do. There is no time in New ...2 weeks ago
- Former PM O’Neill blames current government for ‘politicised’ arrest
By EMTV News Former Prime Minister Peter O’Neill says the National Executive Council of the then Papua New Guinea government approved the purchase of two heavy duty power generators for PNG Power to solve longstanding blackouts in Lae and Port Moresby. The allegation against him is that due process was ...2 hours ago - Australian economy must come ‘out of ICU’: Scott MorrisonSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Scott Morrison says it is vital to get the Australian economy “out of ICU” and “off the medication” of government support “before it becomes too accustomed to it”. In speech on his government’s plans to ...4 hours ago
- Eden-Monaro byelection to be on July 4Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Speaker Tony Smith has announced July 4 for the byelection in the Labor NSW seat of Eden-Monaro, which will be the first electoral test between Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese. For health reasons this will ...8 hours ago
- No post-Covid green ‘nirvana’
Our infrastructure minister says the Government's $3b infrastructure fund is not the way to usher in a post-Covid green nirvana. ...8 hours ago - National’s Amy Adams on returning as Covid-19 recovery lead
Checkpoint - National MP Amy Adams has cancelled plans to retire from Parliament to instead take the number three spot in the party's shadow cabinet. ...9 hours ago - Stuff chief executive Sinead Boucher restores NZ ownership for $1By RNZ News Stuff chief executive Sinead Boucher has purchased Stuff from its Australian owners Nine Entertainment for $1 to return the media company to New Zealand ownership. The sale is expected to be completed by May 31. “Our plan is to transition the ownership of Stuff to give staff ...9 hours ago
- Was lockdown the right choice?
In the face of multiple sources of uncertainty, what were policymakers to do? ...10 hours ago - Coronavirus lockdown made many of us anxious. But for some people, returning to ‘normal’ might b...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amy Dawel, Lecturer, Australian National University Many Australians have welcomed the gradual easing of coronavirus restrictions. We can now catch up with friends and family in small numbers, and get out and about a little more than we’ve been able to for ...10 hours ago
- Labour Undermining The Election By Keeping Us At Level 2
...10 hours ago - China is taking a risk by getting tough on Hong Kong. Now, the US must decide how to respondSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hui Feng, ARC Future Fellow and Senior Research Fellow, Griffith University Beijing’s recent announcement it would authorise the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress – China’s rubber-stamp parliament – to draft a national security law for Hong Kong caught most off ...11 hours ago
- IrrigationNZ Congratulates David BennettIrrigationNZ wishes to congratulate David Bennett as he takes on the agricultural portfolio for the National Party. The announcement came today as new National Party Leader, Todd Muller, revealed the line-up of the new look National Party caucus. ...11 hours ago
- Behold, Saint Sinead of Stuff
The management buyout of Stuff turns out to be a 'manager buyout' as the chief executive takes on the momentous job of owning the publisher on her own. Tim Murphy says it is a hell of a task. Next Monday, Sinead Boucher should find herself the sole owner of Stuff, our biggest ...11 hours ago - China bypasses the govt in Canberra to engage in an infrastructural flirtation with Victoria
Our good friends from Beijing are at it again. China has done a deal with the state of Victoria under its “Belt and Road” project. Infrastructure and other projects are under consideration. This has fired up the Australian Federal government — and the United States. US Secretary of State Mike ...11 hours ago - Performers and sole traders find it hard to get JobKeeper in part because they get behind on their p...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ann Kayis-Kumar, Senior Lecturer and Tax Clinic Director, School of Taxation & Business Law, UNSW Performers and sole traders find it hard to get JobKeeper in part because they are behind on their paperwork Are sole traders falling through the JobKeeper cracks? ...11 hours ago
- MediaWorks takes razor to radio
MediaWorks is cutting its radio staff numbers despite being the biggest beneficiary of the Government’s media support package. But, as Mark Jennings writes, it has spared its struggling TV arm – at least for now. Staff at MediaWorks TV must be thankful the owners are still trying to sell that part of ...12 hours ago - Keith Rankin Chart Analysis – Financial Signatures: JapanAnalysis by Keith Rankin. Surpluses and Deficits of Different Economic Sectors This new series of weekly charts looks at forty years of surpluses and deficits in different countries, showing what makes these countries tick, and why they were where they were – financially speaking – at the end of the ...12 hours ago
- Apollo Foods moves on to the second course – and is served a $2.9m helping from the PGF
Apollo Foods Limited, incorporated in 2013 and based in Hastings, has become one of the early beneficiaries of the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) since its administrators were given new marching orders – or should we say serving orders? Apollo Foods, at first blush, doesn’t seem desperately in need of a ...12 hours ago - All Those Without Jobs Deserve Decent Income SupportToday’s announcement of an income relief payment goes in the right direction, but leaves behind those that most need help right now. “Unite Union welcomes extra support for some redundant workers. Hundreds of our members will be better off, but ...12 hours ago
- NZ to move to full Level 2, with gatherings of 100
Jacinda Ardern announced on Monday that the country would move to the full Level 2, in which gatherings of up to 100 people are permitted, Marc Daalder reports From Friday, funerals, tangihanga and religious services will be permitted to operate with up to 100 people and will no longer have ...12 hours ago - PM Jacinda Ardern reveals move to gatherings of 100 under alert level 2Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has revealed the government plans to allow gatherings of up to 100 from midday on Friday, 29 May. ...12 hours ago
- Live: PM Jacinda Ardern and Ashley Bloomfield reveal whether level 2 rules changeWatch live: Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield joins Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern for today's post Cabinet press conference. ...13 hours ago
- Never let a good crisis go to waste: How our food sector can save NZ’s economy
The world will always need food, and New Zealand is enviably positioned to capitalise on this, writes future foods expert Rosie Bosworth – but we need to take a few big steps first. It’s a bittersweet moment for New Zealand. As a nation we’ve collectively worked hard to successfully flatten the ...13 hours ago - Māori Party Co-leader Calls On Government To Lift Incomes Of All BeneficiariesMāori Party Co-leader calls on Government to lift incomes of all beneficiaries, not just those out of work from COVID-19 Māori Party Co-leader and Te Tai Hauāuru candidate Debbie Ngarewa-Packer is calling on the Government to double the incomes ...14 hours ago
- NZ Covid Tracer won’t help open a travel bubble with Australia anytime soonAn Australian technology expert looks at the pros and cons of New Zealand’s contact tracing app, and compares it with the Australian version, COVIDSafe.New Zealanders finally have access to the government’s new tracing app to help people monitor their movements as lockdown continues to ease.As businesses can now open, the ...14 hours ago
- Pay Cut Law Failure: Remuneration Authority Refuses To Use New PowersThe Remuneration Authority’s refusal to cut salaries for councillors and mayors paid under $100,000 makes a joke of the Government’s much-vaunted pay cut legislation, says the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union . Taxpayers’ Union spokesman Jordan Williams ...14 hours ago
- If you don’t benefit from DIY without having to jump consent hurdles, you might be in line for rep...The way is being opened for householders to avoid council poohbahs and revenue grabbers. when they want to do a bit of do-it-yourself building work on their properties. It is being opened, too, for the promoters of projects promising to quickly employ plenty of people to get their snouts into ...14 hours ago
- National leader Todd Muller reshuffles caucus: Adams rises, Tolley falls in new lineupSenior National MP Amy Adams has backtracked on her retirement plans after a change of leadership last week and is ranked third in caucus following a minor reshuffle. ...14 hours ago
- NZ Can Look To East Asia To Prepare For Next PandemicWellington, 25 May 2020 - To prepare for the next virus pandemic, New Zealand has plenty to learn from the successes of three East Asian states, according to a summary report from The New Zealand Initiative. Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan all successfully ...14 hours ago
- Fisheries New Zealand Looking For Feedback On New Catch LimitsFisheries New Zealand starts consultation today on proposed changes to catch limits on a range of fisheries for the new fishing year beginning 1 October. The consultation is part of a regular cycle of catch limit reviews that take place twice each year ...14 hours ago
- New leader eases tensions between National and NZ FirstThe animosity between National and NZ First shows signs of dissipating after new Opposition leader Todd Muller left the door open to working with Winston Peters and his MPs. ...14 hours ago
- Amy Adams reverses retirement plans under Todd Muller
New National leader Todd Muller has revealed his new line-up for the 2020 election, with some detractors demoted, loyalists rewarded - and a somewhat surprising un-retirement Senior National MP Amy Adams has reversed her retirement plans following Simon Bridges’ ousting from the leadership, agreeing to serve as the party’s Covid-19 ...15 hours ago - Be still, my beating wings: hunters kill migrating birds on their 10,000km journey to AustraliaSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Eduardo Gallo-Cajiao, PhD Candidate, The University of Queensland It is low tide at the end of the wet season in Broome, Western Australia. Shorebirds feeding voraciously on worms and clams suddenly get restless. Chattering loudly they take flight, circling up over Roebuck ...15 hours ago
- Would Muller Undo Labour’s Rental Property Errors?Since any promises made by former National Party leader Simon Bridges are effectively void, the new leader, Todd Muller, should tell New Zealand’s 290,000 residential rental property owners whether he supports Labour's disastrous experiments or whether ...16 hours ago
- New benefit leaves out migrants, existing beneficiaries
A new benefit for people who lost their job on or after March 1 due to Covid-19 leaves out existing beneficiaries and migrants, Marc Daalder reports The Government has effectively extended the Covid-19 wage subsidy to those who have lost their jobs due to the pandemic. A new Covid-19 Income ...16 hours ago - Can’t resist splurging on online shopping? Here’s whySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian R. Camilleri, Senior Lecturer in Marketing, University of Technology Sydney The demand for online shopping has obviously increased since COVID-19 restrictions were put in place. But less obvious are the subtle psychological drivers behind our collective online shopping splurge. In fact, ...16 hours ago
- Why Hong Kong isn’t dead yet – ‘It’s not power, it’s political violence’By Lokman Tsui in Hongkong This story is an edited version of a post published by the author on Facebook on Friday, May 22, reflecting on the possible consequences of the end of “One Country, two Systems” – a principle written into the Sino-British Joint Declaration in 1984 to safeguard ...16 hours ago
- Stuff bought by its CEO, MediaWorks announces mass layoffs in historic day for NZ mediaDuncan Greive assesses an extraordinary morning for New Zealand’s media.In the space of a tumultuous half hour New Zealand’s media landscape has been utterly transformed, with Stuff CEO Sinead Boucher completing an audacious management buyout from its Australian owners Nine, while hundreds of staff are about to be laid off ...17 hours ago
- Former PPTA president Angela Roberts to run for LabourFormer PPTA president Angela Roberts has ended years of speculation announcing she's contesting the Taranaki-King Country seat for Labour at the September election. ...17 hours ago
- Govt Income Relief Payment Creating Two-tiers Of UnemployedAuckland Action Against Poverty welcomes the individualised Income Relief Payments for those being made redundant but warns that the Government is creating two-tiers of unemployed: those deserving of liveable incomes and those who do not. “ The ...17 hours ago
- Shame, Embarrassment & Further Humiliation Key Factors To 94% Of Sexual Assaults Going Unreporte...The latest New Zealand Crime and Victims survey of 8.000 Kiwis reveals that one in four people experience sexual assault in their lifetime but a staggering 94% of those assaults are not reported to the police. Shame, embarrassment, humiliation ...17 hours ago
- COVID-19 Income Relief Payment Announcement WelcomedThe Council of Trade Unions is welcoming today's announcement from the Minister of Finance to provide individualised targeted financial support for working people who have been made redundant by their employers as a direct result of COVID-19. "The ...17 hours ago
- New National Party leaders seized their ‘moment in history’ – KayeIt was "a moment in history" brought about by National's poor polling that prompted last week's coup, new deputy leader Nikki Kaye says. ...17 hours ago
- Relief payments for people who lost jobs due to Covid-19 announcedThe payment will be $490 a week for 12 weeks for those who lost full-time work and $250 for part time workers. ...18 hours ago
- Dairy farmers will be in the vanguard of NZ’s economic recovery – but it looks like they shouldn...
NZ’s dairy industry has a clear role to play as one of the country’s saviours in the battle to recover from the global impact of the Covid-19 pandemic — even if there is little evidence that ministers in the coalition government recognise its importance. The industry, as it has done ...18 hours ago - Newsletter: New Zealand Politics Daily – May 25 2020Editor’s Note: Here below is a list of the main issues currently under discussion in New Zealand and links to media coverage. Today’s content National Party leadership change – commentary, analysis Richard Harman (Politik): Adams’ return signals what really lay behind Muller’s campaign John Armstrong (1News): Todd Muller is capable and qualified ...19 hours ago
- “Pest” Wallabies Could Be Earning Money For NZWallabies given a dishonourable mention in government’s recent budget as a pest needing money to combat them, could be earning valuable local and export dollars money by way of meat and hides says a hunters’ environmental advocacy the Sporting ...19 hours ago
- Predator-Free Author Blasts DoC BureaucratsA conservationist and one of the instigators of Predator-Free New Zealand has blasted a national conservation organisation Forest and Bird and the Department of Conservation for creating a “tapestry of theft and deception” to sabotage the original concept ...19 hours ago
- What the cycling boom means for Auckland independent T. White’s BikesAs Covid-19 continues to force an immense shift toward online shopping, the kind of authentic, face-to-face experience offered at one Auckland bike shop is becoming all the more valuable.When you walk into T. White’s Bikes on central Auckland’s Symonds St, you’re left in no doubt that bike riding is a ...20 hours ago
- Trans-Tasman bubble: Onus on Australia to sort internal travel first – PMRestrictions on movement between Australia's states will need to be removed before a trans-Tasman bubble can be opened up, the prime minister says. ...20 hours ago
- Statement By 5G-free New Zealand CoalitionRegarding the recent damage to cellular phone towers, the 5G-FREE NEW ZEALAND group wishes to state clearly that we do not encourage or condone actions of violence or vandalism. 5G-FREE NEW ZEALAND aims to provide factual, evidence-based information ...20 hours ago
- Can’t resist splurging in online shopping? Here’s whySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian R. Camilleri, Senior Lecturer in Marketing, University of Technology Sydney The demand for online shopping has obviously increased since COVID-19 restrictions were put in place. But less obvious are the subtle psychological drivers behind our collective online shopping splurge. In fact, ...20 hours ago
- Three years on from Uluru, we must lift the blindfolds of liberalism to make progressSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stan Grant, Vice Chancellors Chair Australian/Indigenous Belonging, Charles Sturt University The Uluru Statement from the Heart offered a new compact with all Australians that would reset our national identity and enhance our political legitimacy. But its poetic vision and pragmatism proved its ...20 hours ago
- High-speed rail on Australia’s east coast would increase emissions for up to 36 yearsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Greg Moran, Senior Associate, Grattan Institute Bullet trains are back on the political agenda. As the major parties look for ways to stimulate the economy after the COVID-19 crisis, Labor is again spruiking its vision of linking Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra and Brisbane ...20 hours ago
- The problem with arts funding in Australia goes right back to its inceptionSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Karen Hands, Lecturer – Creative Industries, University of the Sunshine Coast The arts and culture sector has had its share of trouncing in recent years: funding dropped 4.9% in the decade 2007-2008 to 2017-2018, promised arts policy was short-lived, or not realised ...20 hours ago
- Business Wrap: Foran cuts three key execs
Air NZ CEO Greg Foran cuts exec team from nine to six, letting go Mike Tod, Nick Judd and John Whittaker. Marsden Point to halt refining in July to clear stocks ...21 hours ago - Coronavirus has changed our sense of place, so together we must re-imagine our citiesSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tony Matthews, Senior Lecturer in Urban and Environmental Planning, Griffith University Is it time to re-imagine our fundamental relationship with cities? People bring cities to life. They interact, work, socialise and travel. Without this, cities are just collections of buildings and infrastructure. ...21 hours ago
- Covid-19 live updates, May 25: strong earthquake near LevinFor all The Spinoff’s latest coverage of Covid-19 see here. Read Siouxsie Wiles’s work here. New Zealand is currently in alert level two – read The Spinoff’s giant explainer about what that means here. For official government advice, see here.The Spinoff’s coverage of the Covid-19 outbreak is funded by The Spinoff Members. To support this ...21 hours ago
- Covid-19 live updates, May 25: hopes for another zero day7.40am: Yesterday’s key storiesNo new cases of Covid-19 were reported. The total number of confirmed and probable cases stands at 1,504 of which 1,456 (97%) have recovered.The NZ COVID Tracer app has now recorded 354,000 registrations – 30,000 more than at the same time on Saturday.Pressure is growing on top ...21 hours ago
- Green Party Unveils Its Candidate List For The 2020 ElectionThe Green Party is pleased to reveal its candidate list for the upcoming election. With a mix of familiar faces and fresh new talent, this exceptional group of candidates are ready to lead the Greens back into Government. Using the most democratic list ...21 hours ago
- The Bulletin: After winning brutal coup, Muller’s National looks aheadGood morning and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Muller settles into National leadership after brutal coup, government issues concern over Hong Kong, and parties reveal election candidates.National has rolled the dice on changing their leader several months out from an election. Our political editor Justin Giovannetti arrived in Wellington just in ...22 hours ago
- Chlöe Swarbrick moves to third place on Green Party listGreen MP Chlöe Swarbrick has been propelled up her party's list to the third place ranking just behind the two co-leaders and ahead of those with ministerial portfolios. ...22 hours ago
- BookBubble podcast: Nalini Singh
Nicky Pellegrino and Stacy Gregg continue their BookBubble podcast series with an interview with best-selling author Nalini Singh. For a long time Auckland’s Nalini Singh was the most famous author that New Zealanders had never heard of. Her books regularly appeared on the New York Times bestseller lists, but her ...23 hours ago - Coconut resurgence in cyclone-devastated Vanuatu
Traditional weaving methods have become essential to Vanuatu’s Cyclone Harold recovery as thousands face more than a month with no basic shelter, Teuila Fuatai reports. Nearly two months on from Tropical Cyclone Harold, more than 2500 people living on the west coast of Vanuatu’s largest island, Espiritu Santo, have yet ...23 hours ago - The pandemic is Facebook’s ultimate test – and it’s failing
Facebook pledged to rid its platform of misinformation and harmful content. The pandemic has put these commitments to the ultimate test - and so far, Facebook is failing. ...23 hours ago - Shovel ready secrecy risks everything
Secret projects, processes, and rapid changes of resource management law could be the very opposite of the economic transformation New Zealanders have demanded, writes Kevin Hague of Forest & Bird Since the beginning of the lockdown thousands of voices, from high-profile individuals to ordinary citizens, have been calling for change. ...23 hours ago - Samalulu steers through unforeseen seas
One of three athletic siblings, Samalulu Clifton is edging towards her dream of representing New Zealand in two water sports. But lockdown has whipped up an unexpected family challenge. Samalulu Clifton is no stranger to paddling her way through rough water. But the aspiring surf lifesaver and kayaker has had to brave a ...23 hours ago - The other sh*t fight in Wellington
Wellington is dealing with failing infrastructure and pandemic problems at a time when councillors are sniping at each other and the new Mayor is losing his political battles. Bills are piling up for Wellington’s crumbling wastewater infrastructure fix, and that’s not the only problem the capital has to deal with. ...23 hours ago - Your nose: the window to your brain
The nose and sense of smell provide early indicators of Covid-19 and neuro degenerative diseases, and could be important in determining the cause of diseases, writes Professor Maurice Curtis of the University of Auckland. Have you ever experienced a momentary smell that instantly took you back to a specific event, as ...23 hours ago - Todd Muller making swift changes to National’s front benchNew leader Todd Muller is wasting no time putting his stamp on the National Party's front bench with a caucus reshuffle expected to be unveiled today. ...23 hours ago
- Green Party list ranking revealed: can this group lift them over the threshold?Will the door be open to a new National leadership, and does the party need to flex its muscle to get noticed in the coming months?Suddenly it’s election year again. The National Party has jettisoned Simon Bridges in favour of Todd Muller, a sensible man with a firm handshake. Over ...24 hours ago
- A new geopolitics will emerge from Covid-19, and NZ can be at its forefrontFrom international relations to climate change to world trade, New Zealand has an opportunity to affect the post-pandemic world for the better, writes Robert G Patman in this paper for the SSANSE Commission for a Post-Covid Future at the University of Canterbury The Covid-19 crisis has confirmed the near breakdown ...24 hours ago
- ‘Don’t leave us with no hope,’ plead Filipino migrants in NZBy Tess Brunton, Otago/Southland reporter of RNZ News The Queenstown Association of Migrant Pinoys says more than 500 Filipino migrants have sought welfare support in the resort town. The future is uncertain for many migrant workers in Queenstown. [file pic] Photo: RNZ / Belinda McCammon Migrant workers have ...1 day ago
- View from The Hill: JobKeeper $60 billion snafu like your house builder revising quote: MorrisonSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Campaigning in Eden-Monaro with just-selected Liberal candidate Fiona Kotvojs, Scott Morrison on Sunday turned folksy to present the upside of the $60 billion JobKeeper forecasting snafu. “If you’re building a house and the contractor comes ...1 day ago
- Biophysical Limits On CitiesIn a recent New Zealand Herald article on the Auckland water crisis Simon Wilson identifies 18 contributory factors including lack of strategic planning, lack of political direction, climate change, ignoring advice, and yes of course lack of rain. ...1 day ago
- Temperzone Workers To Picket On MondayE tū and FIRST Union members at Auckland air conditioning and ventilation manufacturing plant Temperzone, are set to picket near the premises on Monday. Many workers had to use up their leave or take leave in advance during the lockdown, and they now ...1 day ago
- When can COVID-19 be Declared Eliminated from NZ? New Modelling Study
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