Author Archive
Is Politik a propaganda mouthpiece for the UK Embassy?
Written By: - Date published: 8:46 pm, September 8th, 2018 - 29 comments
In Politik’s 7 September issue we are told that Western diplomats in Wellington are surprised that Winston Peters has not accused Russia of the Skripal poisoning or joined some other countries in taking reprisals. Editor Richard Harman quotes a source to tell us that the British in particular were “pissed” at Peters’ response. Well dearie me. I’m with Winston, a wise old owl.
“Creating quagmires” – US policy in Syria
Written By: - Date published: 8:33 am, September 5th, 2018 - 79 comments
Things are coming to a head in Syria, with a key meeting on 7 August between Syria, Turkey and Russia to discuss future strategy re the Idlib enclave where terrorist groups have been concentrated. The US and its allies want to retain influence, having lost it to Russia. A shooting war based on a false flag is a real albeit disastrous possibility to maintain US “quagmire” policy in the Middle East to date.
The future of the left
Written By: - Date published: 6:45 pm, July 1st, 2018 - 40 comments
Australian Guardian columnist Van Badham writes “the future of the left is bright if it looks like Jacinda Ardern and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortes.” She concludes “We can hope the influence of Jacinda Ardern and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortes spread, or we can ensure that it does. The stakes for the marginalised remain life and death.” Very worth a read.
Photoshop Wars?
Written By: - Date published: 4:03 pm, April 17th, 2018 - 56 comments
The Independent’s Robert Fisk reports from Douma, where he interviewed one of the clinic doctors who said that the images that outraged Trump, May and Macron were real, but the cause was oxygen starvation from dust, not poisonous gas. Could it be that misleading images started a bombing war? What might this say about Western values?
Evidence-based foreign policy
Written By: - Date published: 6:07 pm, April 2nd, 2018 - 99 comments
In the second stage of a false flag attack, facts go out the window and the sole issue becomes “are you for us or against us.” Our media and National Party politicians are well into this stage in the Skripal affair. But as questions mount and skeptics proliferate from all sides, Jacinda Ardern and Winston Peters may well be wiser than media advisers by not following blindly the western herd. 26 countries is not the whole world. Update: Porton Down unable to establish Novichok of Russian origin.
Underpants not Underarm
Written By: - Date published: 9:45 pm, March 25th, 2018 - 17 comments
In the days of the British Raj unsportsmanlike behaviour was condemned by saying “it isn’t cricket.” Australian batsman Cameron Bancroft hiding ball-tampering sandpaper in his trousers in a forlorn attempt to avoid the cameras showed that for Aussies “it is cricket.” We’ve seen it before of course with the Chappells. Heads must roll.
Russian to Judgment
Written By: - Date published: 5:55 pm, March 16th, 2018 - 517 comments
The possible poisoning of Sergei Skripal and the consequent hysteria have all the signs of another false flag operation, as we saw before the second American invasion of Iraq. The chain of circumstantial evidence has more holes in it than a swiss cheese, and while attempted murder (if that is what it is) is a criminal act Winston Peters and Jeremy Corbyn are sane voices calling for evidence before any attribution still less action.
Tax Haven Man in Town
Written By: - Date published: 10:08 pm, February 20th, 2018 - 11 comments
The Lord Mayor of the City of London is visiting New Zealand. Its not Sadiq Khan, Charles Bowman is a PwC partner leading London’s financial centre lobby. He’s here to talk to business and regulators. He’ll no doubt be talking up more deregulation.
The Dogs of War
Written By: - Date published: 9:12 pm, January 31st, 2018 - 20 comments
At a Union/NDP conference in March 2002 in Ottawa I saw wall-to-wall US TV attacking Iraq in my room. My caucus report that America was going to war was instinctive. Helen Clark stood up immediately and said that we wouldn’t be following. The US war dogs are barking again, this time over Korea. A recent […]
Jac-in-da-Box
Written By: - Date published: 6:58 pm, January 15th, 2018 - 48 comments
“Wedger Wayne” Mapp in todays’s Spinoff does his best to stuff Jacinda Ardern into a Tony Blair “Third Way” box. Too glib by far. True in 2002 Blair did promise to eliminate child poverty by 2020; but poverty’s now the highest in 20 years in Britain. I’d back Jacinda to do much better. Besides, instead of Mandy she’s got David Parker.
The Yellow Peril?
Written By: - Date published: 10:30 pm, November 15th, 2017 - 338 comments
What’s with the academic panic epidemic about China? Two in our media in the same week, referencing each other with vague warnings about the Chinese bogey. It’s not quite Lionel Terry in Haining Street again; more likely in my view a case of singing to someones else’s geopolitical tune. No prizes for guessing whose.
800th Anniversary of Charter of the Forest
Written By: - Date published: 8:25 pm, November 5th, 2017 - 21 comments
Issued alongside the Magna Carta on November 6, 1217, the Charter of the Forest is among the first ecological charters in history and among the first to assert the rights of ordinary people to the right to subsistence. 800 years old tomorrow.
Books but no beds
Written By: - Date published: 6:11 pm, October 18th, 2017 - 19 comments
Most viewed story on the Guardian website today: “New Zealand library cracks case of missing books.” Turns out some of Auckland’s 23,000 homeless were hiding bookmarked books in odd places so they wouldn’t lose their place. The library will now keep their books safe. Good on them. Finding homes for homeless must be a high priority for Aotearoa’s next government.
Passchendaele and Pyongyang
Written By: - Date published: 3:14 pm, October 12th, 2017 - 19 comments
The massive artillery barrage at Passchendaele was supposed to cut the German wire and make advance easy. All it did was churn up the mud though which so many doomed New Zealanders slogged and died. A monument to military incompetence and political disaster. These days they prefer bombs, which are equally deadly and equally futile. Its time we said no more.
Politics or Policy?
Written By: - Date published: 5:46 pm, October 9th, 2017 - 56 comments
Policy is everything, Winston Peters said today. This should not be a surprise. Before every election, he has refused to give any hint of Party support preference until after the vote. But he will have thought a lot about what he might want, as it has long been clear that his Party would decide the outcome. So what are his policies?
She’s got what it takes
Written By: - Date published: 12:23 am, September 17th, 2017 - 73 comments
Great read in London today – full page Guardian article headlined “I’ve got what it takes, says the charismatic Labour leader taking New Zealand by storm.” Send it far and wide.
Fire and Fury over North Korea
Written By: - Date published: 3:00 pm, August 12th, 2017 - 60 comments
Donald Trump may not know it but Koreans certainly remember the last time the United States unleashed fire and fury over North Korea. In the 1950s, B-29s used bombs and napalm to flatten every North Korean city. Gen Curtis Lemay boasted that the USAF killed off 20% of the population. That’s why this time they have nuclear weapons.
Politics in the Age of Populism
Written By: - Date published: 9:28 pm, July 6th, 2017 - 3 comments
Bryce Edwards, Stephanie Rodgers and Rob Egan. Connolly Hall, Guildford Street, Wellington, 5:30 pm Friday 7th July.Fabian society, all welcome.
New information on Glenda Hughes?
Written By: - Date published: 8:12 pm, June 28th, 2017 - 43 comments
On 20 June after Melanie Read’s Newsroom interview Andrew Geddis blogged about possible obstruction of justice by a National Party Board member. That was based on new information in the Barclay case, and may be why the Police have since re-interviewed Glenys Dickson.
Follow the money
Written By: - Date published: 10:39 pm, June 22nd, 2017 - 49 comments
Bill English’s texted electorate chair Stuart Davie on 21st February 2016 saying Glenys Dickson was given an extra payout from the Leader’s fund “to avoid potential legal action.” It was the only source available for an extra payout for confidentiality. English said today no-one in February knew there was any issue of illegality. Then what legal action and why an extra payment?
Dirty Politics 2017 style
Written By: - Date published: 4:05 pm, June 8th, 2017 - 27 comments
Latest polls and some anecdotal evidence from the doorstep are showing a move back to the Tories in Britain. If so it may in part be due to last-minute dark and dirty personally targeted Facebook advertising to voters in marginal seats. They cost so will need to be watched later on here.
Hager Hit & Run and NZ’s Asian wars
Written By: - Date published: 8:23 pm, June 5th, 2017 - 13 comments
Nicky Hager will talk about his book Hit and Run, and the issues it raises about New Zealand’s values and role in the world at 5:30pm on Wednesday 7th June at Connolly Hall, Guildford Terrace, Wellington. The book is about important events and the incoherence of New Zealand fighting it’s longest ever war in Central Asia. This talk is particularly timely in view of this week’s visit of the American Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson.
Scots git on Q+A
Written By: - Date published: 2:11 pm, March 27th, 2017 - 12 comments
I went to Q+A yesterday in search of political comment and was astonished to see John McTernan aka “Malcolm Tucker without the charm” given ten minutes to burble. McTernan promotes himself as a former political adviser to Blair and Gillard, but his last real job was chief of staff to Jim Murphy who led the Scottish Labour Party to oblivion in 2015.
Social investment meets the surveillance state
Written By: - Date published: 11:14 pm, March 4th, 2017 - 45 comments
First they came for the budgeting services. Now we know that every social service agency has to provide clients’ private personal data to the Ministry of Social Development or get no funding. Apparently it’s essential to Bill English’s much-touted and little understood “social investment” strategy, which is sounding more like something out of Orwell’s 1984. […]
Thanks Annette
Written By: - Date published: 11:38 am, March 3rd, 2017 - 9 comments
I well remember going to see new Minister of Employment Annette King in 1989 to ask for support for group apprenticeship in the motor industry. “Seems like a good idea, we’ll put up $50,000.” she said. I nearly fell off my chair. It was not the usual response from Ministers in those days, but is Annette King to a T – positive, decisive, and supportive.
Good ideas in Gisborne
Written By: - Date published: 1:28 pm, February 17th, 2017 - 97 comments
Andrew Little’s announcement yesterday in Gisborne of Labour’s pledge of up to $20million to build a prefabricated timber plant there is a much-needed boost to the area and a sign that Labour’s 100,000 new house pledge first made by David Shearer in 2012 has legs.
Key gives up on us, keeps International Democratic Union.
Written By: - Date published: 9:00 am, February 10th, 2017 - 33 comments
The Herald informs us that Key is going on the speaking circuit and will go back into finance (not that he ever left). Like John Howard before him, he also intends to carry on chairing the International Democratic Union of right-wing parties. Not a surprise.
Prof John Quiggin – After Reform, What Comes Next?
Written By: - Date published: 10:26 pm, February 9th, 2017 - Comments Off on Prof John Quiggin – After Reform, What Comes Next?
University of Queensland Professor John Quiggin, author of Zombie Economics, will speak on this topic for the Fabian Society in Wellington on Monday 13th and Auckland Thursday 16th of this month. All welcome, details and registration inside. Will be interesting.
Peter Thiel’s Libertarian Dream – for New Zealand?
Written By: - Date published: 11:08 am, February 2nd, 2017 - 86 comments
From a Business Insider article in the OIA papers: Thiel is a long-term thinker, so what’s the big picture? What could the contrarian investor see in a country of 4 million people whose economy is based on agriculture and tourism? Maybe Peter Thiel wants to turn New Zealand into the next Silicon Valley. Or maybe even the libertarian utopia of his dreams.”
75th Anniversary Battle of Endau
Written By: - Date published: 4:24 pm, January 26th, 2017 - 9 comments
Today marks 75 years to the day since the suicidal Battle of Endau, when obsolete aircraft were sent to prevent the Japanese landing. Of the 72 aircrew from Nos. 36 and 100 Squadrons who participated in the raids, 27 were killed, seven were wounded and two were captured. My uncle was killed but Ron Reid survived the raid and captivity. He is interviewed by Dave Homewood of WONZ in memory of the day.
2017: Political Year in Prospect
Written By: - Date published: 7:28 pm, January 25th, 2017 - 9 comments
Morgan Godfery, Mike Munro and Stephanie Rodgers will discuss this topic Thursday 26 January at Connolly Hall, Guildford Terrace, Wellington at 5:30pm for the Fabian Society. All welcome – will be interesting.
- “Putting America First” Will Not “Make America Great Again”.
In his successful 2016 election campaign, Donald Trump used a number of slogans which he and his supporters repeated ad nauseam. They memorably included “lock her up” and “build the wall” – but the one that seemed to resonate most ...4 hours ago - A breach of faith
A further thought on Labour's two-faced attempt to roll back the offshore oil exploration ban by stealth. I've already said that this is where the Greens should put their foot down and threaten to topple the government, but there's another ...5 hours ago - This is where the Greens should put their foot downYesterday we learned that the government was undermining its own climate change policy, trying to extend oil exploration permits by stealth so polluters could effectively circumvent the offshore drilling ban. As for why, Stuff's Hamish Rutherfod links it to a ...7 hours ago
- …and on rape victimsAnd speaking of bulk communications and personal data, it turns out that the UK also spies on rape victims, requiring "consent" for total access to their personal information if they want their complaint progressed:Police are demanding almost unfettered access to ...8 hours ago
- Britain spies on human rights groupsTwo weeks ago the European Court of Human Rights ruled that GCHQ's mass interception regime violated human rights. But it gets worse - because a case before the Investigatory Powers Tribunal has discovered that they were spying on human rights ...8 hours ago
- Virginia Crawford’s Duty To Offend.
8 hours ago - ATs Student Travel Survey
While browsing the Auckland Transport website recently looking for some information, I stumbled across the results of a survey by Gravitas Research and Strategy on how students travel to and from university campuses It consists of a report (2.6MB) and a giant ...12 hours ago - Proctor struggles to explain why he also took two cans of beans, a beer, 60 dollars, and a bath
Despite his name and appearance, Dave Scott insists he is just “a human” and not “some kind of proctorbot.” Otago University proctor Dave Scott has landed himself in hot water this week after entering a student flat without permission and ...22 hours ago - Media statement: Response to Interim report from the Tax Working group
Response to Interim Report from the Tax Working Group The Equality Network* welcomes the Tax Working Group’s interim report. Reducing income and wealth inequality in New Zealand is critical. The research is unequivocal – addressing inequality is fundamental to a ...22 hours ago - Retraction of Florides et al. (2013)
23 hours ago - Australian fruit brands promise items found in strawberries will be ‘more fun’ from now on
Strawberries have traditionally contained more strawberry. Australian fruit brands affected by the recent spate of needles found in their strawberries are attempting to win back customers by promising that items found in their fruit will be “much more fun” from ...23 hours ago - Hard News: Drugs and the road forward
Radio New Zealand asked me this morning to write an opinion piece on whether Jacinda Ardern and her government did the right thing by declining to sign up to President Donald Trump's Global Call to Action on the World Drug ...1 day ago - Proctor steals bongs from houses in Leith Street
A Dunedin Proctor was recently found to have obtained a large quantity of bongs from houses in Leith Street, near Otago University. The Proctor in question, Mr Scott David, was distributing a New Zealand Fire Service pamphlet, which warns the ...1 day ago - Abolishing urgency?Speaker of the House Trevor Mallard has suggested an effective abolition of parliamentary urgency:Speaker Trevor Mallard has suggested sweeping changes to the use of Parliamentary urgency, effectively abolishing the practice in all but the most extreme circumstances. Currently, the Government ...1 day ago
- Climate change: Two-facedBack in April, the government put a bold stake in the ground for decarbonising New Zealand, by announcing that they would end offshore oil exploration. Now, they seem to be trying to roll that back:Energy Minister Megan Woods has opened ...1 day ago
- North Shore New Network from Sunday
On Sunday Auckland Transport roll out the new bus network for the North Shore which is the final major implementation of the network. It’s been a long and windy bus ride to get to this point with the first discussions ...2 days ago - New narratives for discussing child poverty in New Zealand
There is great enthusiasm these days for using research and science to inform policy across the political spectrum. However, this has not always translated into how we talk about the solutions that are most likely to influence key policy actors. ...2 days ago 
...2 days ago- New study reconciles a dispute about how fast global warming will happen
We’re currently on pace to double the carbon dioxide-equivalent (including other greenhouse gases) in the atmosphere by around mid-century. Since the late 1800s scientists have been trying to answer the question, how much global warming will that cause? In 1979, top climate ...2 days ago - Wireless Docs: Suspended Generation
Suspended between a home they love and a world they are only beginning to understand, the kids of Kiribati face the harsh realities of climate change – rising sea levels, and changing weather patterns that threaten everything from safe food ...2 days ago - Climate change: Toned downNorth Carolina is flooded with animal corpses, pigshit, and toxic coal ash after a hurricane. A hundred people have died in the Philippines due to Typhoon Mangkhut. Extreme wildfires have ravaged California. And the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is ...2 days ago
- NZDF’s contempt for democracyThe government's "inquiry" into SAS war crimes in Afghanistan is to be heard almost entirely in secret:Almost the entire inquiry into allegations of a deadly "revenge" raid in Afghanistan by the NZSAS is to be held in secret, with evidence ...2 days ago
- Making America Great Again?In his successful 2016 election campaign, Donald Trump used a number of slogans which he and his supporters repeated ad nauseam. They memorably included “lock her up” and “build the wall” – but the one that seemed to resonate most ...2 days ago
- A burglaryWhat is it with Otago University's proctor? First, they steal and destroy hundreds of copies of Critic because they didn't like the cover. And now, they're committing theft and burglary:A Leith Street flat says University Proctor Dave Scott trespassed and ...2 days ago
- Let’s Get Welly Moving – tough choices ahead
It’s been a while since there were any major updates on the Let’s Get Welly Moving project, so I had a look at their website to see whether there had been any major progress since the options that were announced ...3 days ago - Has Neoliberalism Colonised Our Minds?
3 days ago - Is this the week we lose the US climate battle?
By Rob Taylor By a 5-4 vote in 2007, the US Supreme Court (SCOTUS) said that greenhouse gas emissions should be regulated by the EPA under the Clean Air Act; this decision was the legal basis for Obama’s actions on ...3 days ago - Legal Beagle: The Ray Avery case; or just because you don’t like a law doesn’t mean it w...Businessman Ray Avery recently invoked the Harmful Digital Communication Act to make a complaint to Netsafe arising from a series of investigative pieces about him appearing on the website Newsroom.It is important to note that Avery didn’t complain that Newsroom ...3 days ago
- 2018 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #38
A chronological listing of news articles posted on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week. Editor's Pick Solar Energy Largely Unscathed by Hurricane Florence’s Wind and Rain North Carolina gets nearly 5 percent of its electricity from ...4 days ago - Behind Trump’s lies about Puerto Rico death tollby The Spark September 20 marked one year since Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico. President Trump referred back to that storm, and the death count on the island, when he was warning people in North and South Carolina to flee ...4 days ago
- New research, September 10-16, 2018A selection of new climate related research articles is shown below. Climate change Historicizing climate change—engaging new approaches to climate and history (open access) State of the Climate in 2017 (open access) Temperature, precipitation, wind The strengthening of Amazonian precipitation during the ...4 days ago
- Flashback Saturday: The demographics of travel to work
Every weekend we dig into the archives. This by post Matt was originally published in March 2015. The last census was two years ago and there’s already been a lot of analysis of the results of it. In terms of ...4 days ago - Media Statement: Fonterra, home of the poor-performance bonusFor Immediate Release Sunday 16th September 2018 FONTERRA, HOME OF THE POOR-PERFORMANCE BONUS The directors of Fonterra have set a dangerous precedent in rewarding the departing chief executive a $3.85m performance bonus for the 2017 financial year when the co-operative ...5 days ago
- Victory!Back in 2017, Greenpeace activists Russel Norman and Sara Howell protested against a foreign seismic survey ship as it explored for oil. The protest violated National's "Anadarko amendment", a law specifically outlawing protest against the oil industry at sea. But ...5 days ago
- Open Government: Business as usualThe SSC has released its draft Third National Action Plan for the Open Government Partnership. The idea of the OGP is that countries make concrete commitments of policies which advance the OGP's values of transparency, participation, and accountability, but New ...5 days ago
- If you missed connecting NZ’s Meth Hysteria with National’s broader Privatisation Agenda, you re...
It seems bizarre that the idea the State under the then National-led Government wouldn’t use meth hysteria to further line their “moral stance” towards the poor, and the use of that in terms of their ongoing policy of offloading at ...5 days ago - An Authoritarian Tumour In New Zealand’s Democratic Brain.
5 days ago - No Substance To Her Stardust: Has Jacinda Lost The Magic?
5 days ago - Fuck tax cutsThe government's Tax Working Group released its interim report yesterday, which supported some form of capital gains tax. But Finance Minister Grant Robertson today wouldn't commit to taxing capital gains, with the usuual "not ruling it out, not rulign it ...5 days ago
- Hard News: Friday Music: Popping offI've said before that I think we're living in a rich era for New Zealand music, one in which the ambition and creativity of the artists is bulwarked with skills in the technical and commercial parts of the music business ...5 days ago
- The housing crisis: NZers deliver their verdict
. . New Zealanders appear to have rejected National’s on-going carping at the Coalition government’s ‘Kiwibuild’ programme. In a recent Ipsos Survey, 50% of respondants chose housing as the country’s most pressing problem facing New Zealand. (A similar question put ...5 days ago - Free Light Rail in the city?
The Herald ran a couple of interesting pieces on the weekend looking at Queen St and its future. The main piece is relatively good – although annoyingly gets my name wrong – but importantly shows the growing support for improving ...6 days ago - Trade War or Financial Crash?
A senior and respected economist recently remarked that he thought that there was a danger of an economic crisis precipitating a financial crisis rather than the other way around. He was reflecting on the current trade war which Trump is ...6 days ago - You’re not the boss of me now6 days ago
- Hard News: A painful reflectionThe report outlining Housing New Zealand's response to the harm caused by its misguided policies around supposed methamphetamine contamination of its properties is long and thorough.It puts a number on the tenants harmed by evictions which were very largely unwarranted ...6 days ago
- Better than expectedWhen the news emerged two weeks ago that the Tax Working Group had backed away from recommending a capital gains tax, I was angry. After all, producing such a recommendation was the purpose of the group, and imposing such a ...6 days ago
- Doing the right thingBack in May, the Prime Minister's Chief Science Adviser revealed that the meth-testing industry was a scam, and that hundreds of Housing NZ tenants had been evicted from their homes under false pretences. Now, Housing NZ will be compensating its ...6 days ago
- NZ First’s Radical Conservatism Must Triumph Before Labour-Greens’ Radical Progressivism Can Suc...
6 days ago - Flight MH17 tragedy in Ukraine – new evidence
New evidence presented at Russian Ministry of Defence press conference, 17 September 2018. In July 2014 the Malaysian Airline Flight MH17 was shot down over eastern Ukraine. All 283 passengers and 15 crew died. A Dutch-led international Joint Investigation Team ...6 days ago - Council chooses parking over housing
In June and July a series of guest posts ran on Greater Auckland about Co-housing, and the proposed Co-housing development in Grey Lynn. In summary these posts: Introduced the concept of co-housing Explained the proposed co-housing development on Surrey Crescent ...7 days ago - A New Monetary Policy NeededPositive Money New Zealand is a voluntary organisation that campaigns for monetary reform. It is affiliated to other similar organisations across the globe and in particular to Positive Money in the UK. I have the honour to be its patron. ...7 days ago
- In support of urban representation
Summary slides My story is the story of many Ngāpuhi who grew up in urban environments. We were raised away from our hapū and iwi. We do not always know the tikanga and kawa of our marae. We do not ...7 days ago - The Kopako1 Protest: A View from the Inside
1 week ago - Shell and Exxon’s secret 1980s climate change warningsOne day in 1961, an American economist named Daniel Ellsberg stumbled across a piece of paper with apocalyptic implications. Ellsberg, who was advising the US government on its secret nuclear war plans, had discovered a document that contained an official estimate of ...1 week ago
- An open and shut caseWhen Massey University Vice-Chancellor Professor Jan Thomas vetoed a speech by Don Brash on the Massey campus, she claimed it was due to "security". Now, an OIA request from David Farrar has revealed that she lied:Thomas started discussing Brash's speech ...1 week ago
- Grudging progressAfter months of back-pedalling, the government has finally agreed to keep its promise and raise the refugee quota to 1500. But not until 2020:New Zealand will lift the refugee quota from 1000 to 1500 within this political term, Prime Minister ...1 week ago
- Britain: Corbyn spineless in face of Zionist onslaughtby Robert Clough As the Zionist campaign against Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and alleged anti-Semitism in the Labour Party reached fever pitch in July, the passage of the racist Nation-State of the Jewish People Bill through the Israeli Knesset exposes ...1 week ago
- Member’s DayToday is a Member's day. First up there is a local bill: the Muldoonist Tasman District Council (Waimea Water Augmentation Scheme) Bill to enable the Waimea dam. This has the support of everyone by the Greens, so unless it is ...1 week ago
- Another OIA reviewYesterday's announcement that the government would be proactively releasing Cabinet papers had a buried lead: the government may be planning another review of the Official Information Act:The documents revealed the existence of a Cabinet business committee paper produced last month ...1 week ago
- 125 years
1 week ago - Jul & Aug-18 Ridership
Auckland Transport have published the ridership data for July and August and they both look positive. Here is a quick breakdown of the two months. July The numbers for July look impressive, particularly with non-busway buses which saw double digit growth, ...1 week ago - Future for two ITPs lies in commissioner connecting to staff and communities
Press release 18 September 2018 Future for two ITPs lies in commissioner connecting to staff and communities Staff at Whitireia and Weltec polytechnics are resigned to the fact that the Minister of Education will be appointing a commissioner to replace ...1 week ago - Netsafe defends freedome of the pressLast week, rich prick Ray Avery tried to use the Harmful Digital Communicatins Act to suppress media coverage about him. But approved agency Netsafe has rejected his complaint:Internet regulator Netsafe has declined to pursue a complaint by entrepreneur Sir Ray ...1 week ago
- Belgium stands up for freedom of speech in SpainBack in February, Spain sentenced rapper Valtonyc to three and a half years in prison for insulting the monarch. He promptly fled the country. Now, a Belgian court has refused to extradite him:A Belgian court on Monday ruled that Spanish ...1 week ago
- Freyberg Place to become a pedestrian mall
Some good news yesterday with Auckland Transport announcing that Freyberg Square will be changed to a pedestrian mall following their consultation a few months ago. It’s a simple but important change that will see the retractable bollards defaulted to being ...1 week ago - Proactive releaseIn a major victory for transparency, the government will start proactively releasing Cabinet papers:Cabinet papers will be proactively released, Minister of State Services Chris Hipkins announced today. The move is part of the Government’s wider plan to improve openness and ...1 week ago
- HealthCarePlus Newsletter Spring 2018HealthCarePlus is a not-for-profit incorporated society that assists participating union members and their families access to competitive health cover. Read the latest HealthCarePlus newsletter here ...1 week ago
- Novichock detection and the Salisbury touristsImage credit: EU Today. The Salisbury novichok poisonings are a real can of worms. Media coverage is obviously politically, rather than scientifically, driven. Social and mass media reporting is highly partisan and the scientific components and reports (which are ...1 week ago
- Council add expectations to Auckland Transport
Every year Auckland Transport publishes a Statement of Intent (SOI) which sets out what they plan to achieve for the next three years, how they’ll monitor their performance and how they will contribute to the longer-term outcomes Auckland Council aims ...1 week ago - Doctoral theses in Māori: Advice for universitiesIntroduction – writing in te reo Māori at university Standard university policies in Aotearoa-New Zealand allow for any essay or dissertation to be submitted in te reo Māori as an official language, given suitable assessment arrangements are made. Alongside other ...1 week ago
- California plans to show the world how to meet the Paris climate targetLast week, California Governor Jerry Brown signed State Senator and US Senate candidate Kevin de León’s SB 100, which mandates that the state obtain all of its electricity from zero-carbon sources by 2045. That in itself was a big deal, but ...1 week ago
- Bring them homeIn 2016, Labour promised that they would withdraw kiwi troops from Iraq if elected. They lied:New Zealand will extend its military presence in Iraq until June 2019, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced. Cabinet signed off on five military deployments on ...1 week ago
- Predator-free Waiheke?Over the weekend the government announced an ambitious plan to make Waiheke Island predator-free:Waiheke Island is set to become the world's largest predator-free urban island under a bold new $11 million plan to rid the Hauraki Gulf Island of rats ...1 week ago
- No more charter schoolsNational's charter schools are now officially dead:All 12 of New Zealand's charter schools have been approved for transition to state integrated schools. It marks the end to a rather short era. [...] "We have worked with the charter schools to ...1 week ago
- The police owe us some answers on Thompson & ClarkBack in March, the State Services Commission began an inquiry into government departments' use of Stasi-as-a-service firm Thompson & Clark. But there's one significant group which appears to have a deep and disturbing collaboration with TCIL which isn't covered by ...1 week ago
- Information sharing to target organised crime
Revenue Minister Stuart Nash and Customs Minister Kris Faafoi are encouraging feedback on a proposal to extend an information sharing agreement designed to crack down on organised crime. Since 2014 Inland Revenue and Police have worked together under the Serious ...3 hours ago - Ngāpuhi momentum and progress continuesAndrew Little, Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations, is pleased that Tūhoronuku Independent Mandated Authority (TIMA) and Te Kotahitanga o Ngā Hapū Ngāpuhi (TKT) representatives have agreed to hold additional hui next month, so Ngāpuhi can consider a proposal to ...5 hours ago
- Extra police to combat organised crimeThe deployment of 500 extra Police to target organised crime will make significant inroads to efforts to reduce victimisation and improve the wellbeing of our communities, says Police Minister Stuart Nash. “The Commissioner of Police has today revealed details of ...1 day ago
- Largest Police graduation in over a decadeNinety-eight new Police constables will be deployed around the country with the graduation today of the largest single Police recruit wing in more than a decade. Police Minister Stuart Nash has congratulated the new constables who passed through the final ...5 days ago
- New catch limits for thirty-two fish stocksThe commercial tarakihi catch in the fisheries areas off the east coast of the North and South Islands is to be reduced by 20 percent in an effort to rebuild the depleted stock. Fisheries Minister Stuart Nash has also signalled ...1 week ago
- Next steps in digital monitoringFisheries Minister Stuart Nash has confirmed the next stage of digital monitoring across the wider commercial fishing fleet will begin in January 2019. “Electronic catch and position reporting is already in place for trawl vessels over 28 metres in length ...2 weeks ago
- Andrew Little to visit Ahitereiria (Australia) for Ngāpuhi huiMinister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Andrew Little will hui with members of Ngāpuhi in Ahitereiria (Australia) next week to continue discussions on the Ngāpuhi Treaty settlement progress. It is estimated that more than 25,000 Ngāpuhi are currently living in ...2 weeks ago
- Reducing family violence harm top priorityMinister of Justice Andrew Little has today announced amendments to the Family and Whānau Violence Bill, designed to strengthen the legislative foundations of the family violence system. ...2 weeks ago
- Let’s not be chicken when it comes to animal welfare
New animal welfare regulations will be coming into effect in October. They are a step in the right direction but it’s more of a clean-up of the rules than an overhaul. There’s now guidelines regulating the use of tethers, fines ...3 weeks ago - Te Rohe o Te Wairoa third readingMinister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations, Andrew Little, welcomed hundreds of people from the iwi and hapū of Te Rohe o Te Wairoa to Parliament today to witness the third reading of their Treaty settlement legislation. ...3 weeks ago
- Historic Auckland Police graduationTwenty new Police officers have today made history at the first graduation ceremony of recruits in Auckland for more than 40 years. Police Minister Stuart Nash says the graduation of Section 5 of Wing 314 marks a generational shift in ...3 weeks ago
- PM promotes work of Children’s Commissioner on global stage
The Office of the Children’s Commissioner received global recognition when Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern spoke about the Office’s work in her speech to the 9th Annual Social Good Summit in New York earlier this week. ...2 hours ago - Sentencing: R v NukuIN THE HIGH COURT OF NEW ZEALAND AUCKLAND REGISTRY I TE KŌTI MATUA O AOTEAROA TĀMAKI MAKAURAU ROHE CRI-2017-044-004373 [2018] NZHC 2510 ...2 hours ago
- Swift resolution needed for primary teachers and familiesUnions stood behind NZEI Te Riu Roa members who today voted to reject the latest collective agreement offer from the Government, and urged for a speedy resolution to the industrial process. Council of Trade Unions President Richard Wagstaff said ...3 hours ago
- Waitangi Tribunal report finds for Ngāti Hikairo the IwiOn 5 September 2018 the Waitangi Tribunal published its pre-release report on Te Rohe Pōtae - The King Country. ...3 hours ago
- Bus drivers welcome select committee hearingWellington’s bus drivers are welcoming tomorrow’s select committee hearing into the Wellington bus fiasco and hope MPs can get the Greater Wellington Regional Council to answer questions that have been put to them repeatedly by drivers over the past ...3 hours ago
- Ministry disappointed at rejection of second revised offersThe Ministry of Education is disappointed NZEI Te Riu Roa has rejected its revised offers to settle principals’ and teachers’ collective agreements. ...4 hours ago
- Silver bullet for dairy owners? Its not vapes, its snusNZ Smokeless Tobacco Co (NZSTC) has the silver bullet for dairy owners wanting to find that high margin product to replace cigarettes. ...4 hours ago
- Primary teachers and principals vote to reject offersPrimary teachers and principals have resoundingly rejected the Government’s latest collective agreement offers. ...4 hours ago
- The time is now to end oil and gas exploration"The government should not be giving oil and gas companies extra wriggle room to keep the possibility of further oil and gas exploration open," says Oil Free Wellington spokesperson James Barber. ...5 hours ago
- New Zealanders back Jacinda at the UN with Love Trumps HateNew Zealand design company Eightyone has today launched a ‘Love Trumps Hate’ campaign in support of Prime Minister Jacinda Arden’s call for the return of humanity, decency and global politics during her trip to New York. ...6 hours ago
- Does New Zealand law legitimise organised crime?A University of Canterbury (UC) law professor warns that New Zealand’s limited enforcement of a global Anti-Bribery convention may leave us open to organised crime and corruption. ...7 hours ago
- World Contraception Day Highlights InequitiesToday the New Zealand Parliamentarians’ Group on Population and Development (NZPPD) celebrates World Contraception Day. This day serves to increase awareness of contraceptive methods and highlight the benefits of family planning. ...7 hours ago
- Whakatōhea Claims Trust welcomes vote for settlement processThe Whakatōhea Pre Settlement Claims Trust (the Trust) has welcomed a vote on whether to continue the current Settlement process, re-mandate, or hold a Waitangi Tribunal Inquiry. The vote will commence on 1 October 2018 and will run till 26 ...8 hours ago
- Happy Aotearoa New Zealand Social Workers DayThe Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers (ANZASW) celebrates national Social Workers Day 2018. Today we pay tribute to all our social work colleagues. You are the super heroes, who make a difference in communities across the country. ...10 hours ago
- New challenge for SkyPath championFor 14 years, Bevan Woodward championed SkyPath. From pipe dream to a high-tech, consented design that will be Government funded and delivered by the NZ Transport Agency. ...10 hours ago
- AAAP calls on WINZ to stop prying into people’s sex lifeAn OIA report from The Ministry of Social Development shows that, in the year to March 2017, over 11,000 calls were made to a dedicated hot line enabling people to anonymously accuse beneficiaries of benefit fraud. As a result, almost ...11 hours ago
- Think Big electricity?The Electricity Price Review is tied to a Think Big energy strategy paid for by consumers instead of taxpayers. ...1 day ago
- Women’s Refuge congratulates Oranga TamarikiWomen’s Refuge congratulates Oranga Tamariki for their milestone pay equity deal for social workers, however voice concerns about the extension of this deal to social workers contracted by Oranga Tamariki. ...1 day ago
- Unions and NGOs announce Two-day huiThe call for real alternatives to controversial trade and investment treaties like the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) is being heard around the world. ...1 day ago
- OT pay equity agreementThe Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers (ANZASW) is pleased to see that Oranga Tamariki, Ministry for Children, has reached an agreement in principle with its social workers on pay equity. ...1 day ago
- Pay rates for NGO social workers should not be left behindNZCCSS welcomes the announcement today that Oranga Tamariki social workers have reached agreement on a pay equity settlement. ...1 day ago
- Waste Forum: New Zealand’s Response to China’s Trash BanOn October 4th 2018, the Victoria Development Society is hosting a panel discussion featuring Associate Minister for the Environment Eugenie Sage, Wellington City Councillor Iona Pannett, CEO of Flight Plastics Keith Smith, and Lyn Mayes of The Packaging ...1 day ago
- NZ joins Alliance shut down global trade in torture toolsAt a Ministerial meeting in New York on Monday, the Alliance for Torture-Free Trade agreed to step up the pace of its efforts and work towards a United Nations instrument - such as a binding convention - to stop the ...1 day ago
- OSOF urges Ministry to extend proposed bag banOur Seas Our Future supports the proposed ban on single-use plastic bags, and have welcomed the opportunity to comment on the Ministry for the Environment’s Waste Free Future Consultation. ...1 day ago
- Customs legislation change positiveCustoms legislation change positive for business and public alike New Customs legislation to support border compliance and the country’s economy will come into force on 1 October. The Customs and Excise Act 2018 replaces the current outdated and much-amended ...1 day ago
- Tobacco excise recommendation is a victory for evidenceThe decision of the Tax Working Group to recommend no further increases in tobacco excise should be applauded, says the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union. ...1 day ago
- Taxpayers win from Speaker’s proposed urgency reformsThe New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is praising Speaker Trevor Mallard’s push for reform of Parliamentary urgency. ...1 day ago
- Wine Gummy Bears Raise Concern For ChildrenFamily First NZ is concerned about reports that a Marlborough candy company is marketing wine gummy bears, and is warning that alcohol edibles will be attractive to children, and could normalise the taste and consumption of alcohol to underage children. ...1 day ago
- Statement, release of emails and text messages, on CTO roleDerek Handley has released a statement today, " On Being Open and Transparent About the NZ CTO Role ", which can be found in a folder accessible here: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/2/folders/1CbBBnP3kvPjH-LIwj6GfGFN51SQaBr0R ...1 day ago
- Oil companies don’t deserve special treatmentTuesday, September 25: Greenpeace Executive Director, Dr Russel Norman, says the Government must not cave in to pleas for special treatment by the oil and gas industry by extending drilling permits that are set to expire. ...1 day ago
- Significant settlement offer shows the power of unionsThe union movement today celebrated another pay equity offer of settlement, with the Public Service Association securing an offer for social workers at Oranga Tamariki that would lift their pay on average by just over 30 percent. Council of Trade ...1 day ago
- Vile, despicable comments from National Party leaderHis comments continue the cruel, abusive derision directed against so many State tenants and beneficiaries under the National government. ...2 days ago
- Ending offshore exploration all pain, no gainEnding offshore oil and gas exploration could cost New Zealand taxpayers up to $23.5 billion and increase emissions at the same time, according to staggering new figures released by Government officials today. ...2 days ago
- Taxpayers now turn to Hipkins to stick with VicChris Hipkins should refuse to sign off on Victoria University’s planned name change, says the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union. Taxpayers’ Union spokesman (and Victoria alumnus) Louis Houlbrooke says, “Education Minister Chris Hipkins is now the only ...2 days ago
- Greenpeace congratulates Govt on oil exploration ban lawMonday, 24 September: Greenpeace is congratulating the Coalition Government for introducing an amendment to the Crown Minerals Act to bring the ban on new offshore oil and gas permits into law. ...2 days ago
- Big week for Public Service AssociationThe 2018 Congress of the Public Service Association (PSA) kicks off tomorrow at Te Papa in Wellington for two days, followed by a one day conference for Public Service Delegates called 'Stand Together for one public service'. ...2 days ago
- Paid Family Care Needs Urgent FocusAn Alliance of almost 50 national not for profits supporting New Zealand’s 420,000+ family carers of elderly, ill, and disabled loved ones have encouraged the Government to act on calls for a fairer payment system for carers. ...2 days ago
- Increased Tobacco Tax Not The Only OptionHāpai Te Hauora - Increased Tobacco Tax Not The Only Option Source: Hapai Te Hauora ...2 days ago
- Three-day workshop set to address pressing issuesA workshop co-hosted by Otago’s National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies (NCPCS) and the Toda Peace Institute in Auckland this week will address the complex relationship between climate change, and conflict in the world and in the Pacific. ...2 days ago
- Let’s Listen to The PrincipalThe speech is appalling. The reality is worse… Virginia Crawford has been vilified for speaking truth into a dimly lit room that many of us would prefer to remain ignorant of. And New Conservative stands with the heart of Principal ...2 days ago
- Is Auckland Council complying with the Public Records ActHon Nikki Kaye will receive a petition on Wednesday 26 September on the steps of Parliament, calling for The House of Representatives to inquire into whether Auckland Council has failed to comply with the statutory requirements of section 17(1) of ...2 days ago
- CEAC on Simon BridgesMedia press release from Ken Crispin. Secretary. Citizens Environmental Advocacy Centre in Napier. Start; Simon Bridges this morning on News hub said he now wants to work with Jacinda on “climate change”!!!!!!!!! https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2018/09/simon-bridges-jacinda-ardern-working-together-on-climate-change-plan.html ...2 days ago
- The Journey of Te Pūtea Matua: Our Tāne MahutaThe Journey of Te Pūtea Matua: Our Tāne Mahuta Te Pūtea Matua is the Māori name for the Reserve Bank of New Zealand. This article presents a broad picture of Te Pūtea Matua’s heritage, role, and interdependencies both within the ...2 days ago
- Spike in child exploitation cases spark calls for actionThe last month has seen an increase in media reports of cases featuring commercial sexual exploitation, where girls and young women have been sexually exploited for money by people close to them. ...2 days ago
- Recommendations to make “Welfare Fit for Families”Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) welcomes the Government’s 12 priorities for a "modern and fairer New Zealand" . ...2 days ago
- Rainbow Warrior heading to WellingtonMonday, September 24: The Greenpeace flagship Rainbow Warrior is due to arrive into Wellington Harbour this afternoon as part of a tour to celebrate New Zealand’s recent ban on new offshore oil exploration, and promote clean energy opportunities. ...2 days ago
- Rental property questions the Govt refuses to askThe Government fails to address some key questions while proposing sweeping changes to tenancy law and rental property standards, Tenancies War spokesman Mike Butler said today. ...2 days ago
- Minister fails his fisheryThe recreational fishing lobby group LegaSea is bitterly disappointed the Minister of Fisheries has deferred making decisive cuts to commercial catches of tarakihi on New Zealand’s east coast for at least another year. In October Stuart Nash will ...2 days ago
- Q+A: David Parker interviewed by Corin DannOn reports a needle has been found in a packet of Australian strawberries purchased in Auckland: ...2 days ago
- Hunters under Attack AgainHunters all over new Zealand feel like they under an intense attack from the Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage who has let her personal hatred of wild animals cloud her judgement. ...3 days ago
- There is nothing sacrosanct about corporate culture; we can and must regulate it
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Wishart, La Trobe University Almost every inquiry into financial institutions, no matter the country, finds evidence of systemic misconduct. Customers overcharged, deceived and defrauded. At the root of the problem is ...16 mins ago - Business confidence ticks up
Business confidence ticked up slightly this week, capping off a series of positive economic stories for the Government, but the future is still murky, Thomas Coughlan reports. ANZ’s business confidence survey showed headline confidence appear to halt its year-long decline ...37 mins ago - Clementine Ford reveals the fragility behind ‘toxic masculinity’ in Boys Will Be BoysSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Smith, Senior Lecturer in Literary Studies, Monash University In Boys Will Be Boys, Australia’s most prominent contemporary feminist, Clementine Ford, works toward dismantling the idea that feminism is harming men. Instead, ...46 mins ago
- Jacinda Ardern goes overseas, promptly emits beam of hope in our dark world
The NZ prime minister set foot in the US and immediately became a media sensation. Hayden Donnell looks at Ardern’s transformation into a light for our troubled world.At home, Jacinda Ardern’s life is filled with stress, trouble, and Winston Peters. ...1 hour ago - Desperate Kiwis look overseas for organs
Each year a few Kiwis travel to China to receive organ transplants, in a practice that has been condemned by the international transplant community, reports Laura Walters. New Zealand has tried to increase its comparatively low number of organ donors, ...1 hour ago - Indonesia arrests 67 Papuan students in Jayapura backing Vanuatu’s UN bid
1 hour ago - Peters denies claims he called Wally Haumaha during inquiry
Acting Prime Minister Winston Peters denies claims by a National MP that he called the deputy police commissioner to assure him things would be okay after a government inquiry into his appointment was launched. ...1 hour ago - Larry Ellison yacht co gets more taxpayer funding
A New Zealand company owned by multi-billionaire America’s Cup arch-rival Larry Ellison, and which has Rich Lister yachtsman Russell Coutts on the board, is getting more taxpayer funding. Warkworth-based Core Builders Composites, formerly known as Oracle Racing, has successfully negotiated a two-year ...2 hours ago - Breaking the silence: why priests should be made to report child abuse revealed in confessionSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hadeel Al-Alosi, Lecturer, School of Law, Western Sydney University Last December, the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse made public its final report, containing 409 recommendations. The inquiry revealed ...2 hours ago
- Why malnutrition is an issue for more than half of patients in intensive careSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lynsey Sutton, Teaching Fellow/Clinical nurse specialist, Victoria University of Wellington We’ve known for a long time that certain patients in the intensive care unit recover faster and have better clinical outcomes if ...2 hours ago
- Gone but never forgotten: how to comfort a child whose sibling has diedSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Zoë Krupka, PhD Student, Faculty of Health Sciences, Lecturer, The Cairnmillar Institute, La Trobe University In 1971, when I was four years old, my brother died of a congenital heart condition. Writing ...2 hours ago
- Teachers overwhelmingly reject pay offer
Primary teachers and principals have voted “overwhelmingly” to reject the Ministry of Education’s latest offer, a move that could lead to further strike action. The decision by New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Rui Roa members was announced on Wednesday. ...2 hours ago - Guardian dogs, fencing, and ‘fladry’ protect livestock from carnivoresSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lily van Eeden, PhD Candidate in Human-Wildlife Conflict, University of Sydney Farmers have struggled for millennia to protect their livestock from wolves, lions, bears, and other large carnivores. It’s expensive and time-consuming ...3 hours ago
- One reason people install smart home tech is to show off to their friendsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jenny Kennedy, Postdoctoral research fellow, RMIT University Ever wondered what all the fuss is about when it comes to smart homes? You’re not alone. While the idea of networked entertainment systems, automated ...3 hours ago
- Public servants labelled ‘buffoons’ over Waka Jumping BillNational MP Nick Smith has slammed officials who drafted the government's controversial Waka Jumping Bill. ...3 hours ago
- NZ Windfarms strategic review
NZ Windfarms says it will look at any strategic options, including sale of its Te Rere Hau project, in order to deliver the best value to its shareholders. The firm, which has cut annual operating costs by about $2 million, ...4 hours ago - Westland Milk’s payout at low end
Westland Milk Products has cut its forecast for the 2019 season due to weak global butter prices and announced a farmgate return near the bottom end of guidance. New Zealand's third-largest dairy company said its final milk payout for the 2018 ...4 hours ago - Accurate. Objective. Transparent. Australians identify what they want in trustworthy mediaSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sacha Molitorisz, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Centre for Media Transition, Faculty of Law, University of Technology Sydney In an age of social media and smartphones, people are accessing more news than ever. The ...4 hours ago
- Gayford provides laughs as Ardern prepares for serious test
On a day when Donald Trump's UN speech provided a reminder of the task ahead for Jacinda Ardern, her partner has shown he can keep things light - even if by accident, as Sam Sachdeva writes from New York. As ...4 hours ago - Turners share price undervalued, chair says
Turners Automotive Group's shares are under-valued as investors struggle with the complexity of the business and amid mounting concerns over the credit cycle, chair Grant Baker says. The stock recently traded at $2.88, down 0.7 percent on the day, and below the $3.32 ...5 hours ago - ‘You should move here too!’ How to get your NZ friends to join you in London
In her second Elleswhere column about life as an expat New Zealander in London, Elle Hunt writes about seeing the city through the eyes of people who are just passing through.I am at an indoor market in Brixton. I have ...5 hours ago - NZ dollar gains
New Zealand business confidence recovered this month after spending winter in the doldrums. Investment intentions, however, continued to deteriorate despite signs the government's charm offensive may be gaining traction. A net 38.3 percent of 390 firms surveyed in the ANZ business outlook survey ...5 hours ago - When Christianity came to Aotearoa: 150 years of The Bible in te reo Māori
A tool of colonisation or liberation? Te Paipera Tapu (The Holy Bible) turns 150 this year, with the first full translation being published in 1868. Dr Hirini Kaa shares some of the cultural and historical significance of this book.The late, great Māori academic ...6 hours ago - Toby: an essay by Linda Burgess
“Toby is not quite 11 weeks old.”Years later I read that fighting with your partner while pregnant can cause the foetus life-threatening stress. I remember Fiji, where Robert doesn’t notice that he’s used a $US100 note to buy something. American ...7 hours ago - Review: Anika Moa Unleashed returns for a successful second lap
Anika Moa Unleashed had a triumphant first season, and showcased the singer-personality as one of our best interviewers, but what does the second season do with her?If you wrote Anika Moa as a character in a work of fiction, you’d be ...7 hours ago - PSA: You are not dying. You have eaten beetroot
Many of us have suffered the terror of a beetroot poo, but few of us ever talk about our experience. Hayden Donnell says it’s time to bring this important issue into the light.Maybe it hasn’t happened to you yet. But ...7 hours ago - NZ posts trade deficit
Higher fuel costs helped propel New Zealand imports to near record levels in August, contributing to the largest ever monthly goods trade deficit. The country had a $1.5 billion trade deficit in August, bigger than the $1 billion average August monthly deficit ...8 hours ago - Hiding ‘grannycams’ in aged care facilities is legally and ethically murkySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Bruce Baer Arnold, Assistant Professor, School of Law, University of Canberra Our society is replete with tales about the unobserved abuse of vulnerable people – in schools, kindergartens, child care facilities, psychiatric ...8 hours ago
- Auckland Airport trims bond interest rate
Auckland International Airport has trimmed what it thinks it will have to pay investors on a six-year bond. The airport operator's new indicative margin for the note is now 0.95 percent to 1 percent above the swap rate, compared to the ...8 hours ago - Workers lose confidence
New Zealanders are feeling less optimistic about the labour market with fewer people expecting a pay rise any time soon. The Westpac McDermott Miller employee confidence index fell 2.9 points to 114.5 in the September quarter, where a reading of ...9 hours ago - Mainzeal directors ignored “significant risks”, court told
Significant governance risks existed at failed construction company Mainzeal almost a decade before the company collapsed, according to evidence from veteran company director Sandy Maier. But directors, including former Prime Minister Jenny Shipley, didn’t act. Mainzeal Property and Construction, one ...10 hours ago - NZD treads water
The New Zealand dollar stuck to a tight range ahead of the Reserve Bank and Federal Reserve policy reviews tomorrow. The kiwi traded at 66.47 US cents as at 8am in Wellington from 66.40 cents yesterday. The trade-weighted index edged up ...10 hours ago - Study of 1.6 million grades shows little gender difference in maths and science at schoolSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rose O’Dea, PhD Candidate, Biology, UNSW There is a stubborn stereotype that maths and science are masculine. But our study of the school grades of more than 1.6 million students shows that ...11 hours ago
- What causes schizophrenia? What we know, don’t know and suspectSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sandy Matheson, Scientist and Digital Librarian, Neuroscience Research Australia Schizophrenia is one of the world’s top ten causes of disability. It develops between the ages of 16 and 30 and often persists ...11 hours ago
- How did the fish cross the road? Our invention helps them get to the other side of a culvertSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jabin Watson, Postdoctoral researcher, The University of Queensland Fish need to move to find food, escape predators and reach suitable habitat for reproduction. Too often, however, human activities get in the way. ...11 hours ago
- Why trackless trams are ready to replace light railSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Newman, Professor of Sustainability, Curtin University I began my life as an activist academic in 1979 when the Western Australian government closed the Fremantle railway, saying buses would be better. Patronage ...11 hours ago
- Mandela My Life is a welcome tribute to a hero, but avoids difficult questionsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrea Witcomb, Professor, Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies, Deakin University Review: Mandela My Life, Melbourne Museum. What is the role of commemorative exhibitions that focus on the life of a single change ...11 hours ago
- How far is too far to trust your doctor?
Thirty years on from the Cartwright Inquiry, and the changes it spurred, Teuila Fuatai assesses how far the doctor-patient relationship has really advanced. The sentiment that ‘doctor knows best’ has persisted through numerous medical botch-ups and poor decision-making over the years. Having ...11 hours ago - Maori caucus tells National to back off
In a fiery urgent debate in Parliament, Labour ministers defended their Prime Minister and her handling of MP Meka Whaitiri, with one demanding: "When will it all stop?" Labour's Maori caucus used an urgent debate on the sacking as a ...12 hours ago - The Bulletin: Living cost rises cut into government’s efforts
Good morning, and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Cost of living rise cuts into government efforts, Greens say Labour is watering down oil exploration ban, and Environment Court gives America’s Cup green light.It’s becoming harder to make ends meet ...12 hours ago - Māori caucus back Meka Whaitiri: ‘We support her’Labour's Māori caucus is backing MP Meka Whaitiri, despite not having seen the report that prompted her sacking as minister after an altercation with her press secretary. ...12 hours ago
- Trump takes on globalism in muted UN speech
Donald Trump's second speech to the UN General Assembly lacked the fire and fury of his debut, but there was still plenty to concern world leaders. Sam Sachdeva was in the assembly chamber for the UNGA opening, and reports on the tone of ...13 hours ago - PM has brief talk on tariffs with Trump at UNPrime Minister Jacinda Ardern briefly met with the US President at his reception for world leaders at the United Nations. ...13 hours ago
- Special briefing for Jacinda Ardern re Stephen Colbert on The Late ShowForget the UN. Forget the Today show. The undeniable high point of the NZ prime minister’s trip to New York is her imminent appearance on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. Lucky for her, Tim Lambourne has her back.In 2013 I interviewed ...13 hours ago
- I am stunned by National’s somersault in backing Trump’s ‘war on drugs’As a minister in a National-led government I was proud to speak at the UN against pursuing an outdated and overly punitive approach on drugs. Now the bipartisan focus on drugs as a health issue seems to have been tossed aside ...14 hours ago
- I became a partner at 32. By 40 I left the law behind forever
As Russell McVeagh hits the headlines again for inappropriate behaviour by a senior staff member, former lawyer Sacha Judd says time is up on the bullying, macho, sexist culture of the legal profession.This speech was given last night at the ...14 hours ago - Duterte critic Trillanes second senator to be arrested – for 2003 ‘rebellion’
16 hours ago - Brexit: an experiment in game theory
Britain will inevitably exit the European Union, but hopes of a "smooth Brexit" are likely to be thwarted by the EU's realisation that it's in its interests to make it as messy as possible, says Dr Oliver Hartwich of The ...23 hours ago - Updated! Barry Soper finally arrives sets foot in US after BAN / human rights row
Stay tuned for updates as top Kiwi broadcaster lashes back at Donald Trump with word play after being victimised by brutal new rules and/or not filling out a form he needed to fill out.Sunday April 15, 6am: It’s there above ...23 hours ago - Battle won. Our budget woes are behind usSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Warren Hogan, Industry Professor, University of Technology Sydney The government’s final budget outcome for 2017-18 is a deficit of A$10.1 billion. That’s an extraordinary A$8.1 lower than the May estimate just months ...1 day ago
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