Author Archive
Daily review 04/08/2020
Written By: - Date published: 5:30 pm, August 4th, 2020 - 20 comments
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other …
Taxpayers’ Union promoting Green Party policy
Written By: - Date published: 6:10 am, August 4th, 2020 - 26 comments
Learning to love the tax.
Open mike 04/08/2020
Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, August 4th, 2020 - 68 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Daily review 03/08/2020
Written By: - Date published: 5:30 pm, August 3rd, 2020 - 36 comments
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other …
Open mike 03/08/2020
Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, August 3rd, 2020 - 88 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Open mike 02/08/2020
Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, August 2nd, 2020 - 71 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Open mike 01/08/2020
Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, August 1st, 2020 - 184 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Daily review 31/07/2020
Written By: - Date published: 5:30 pm, July 31st, 2020 - 27 comments
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other …
Open mike 31/07/2020
Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, July 31st, 2020 - 117 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Daily review 30/07/2020
Written By: - Date published: 5:30 pm, July 30th, 2020 - 144 comments
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other …
Open mike 30/07/2020
Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, July 30th, 2020 - 127 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Daily review 29/07/2020
Written By: - Date published: 5:30 pm, July 29th, 2020 - 45 comments
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other …
Open mike 29/07/2020
Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, July 29th, 2020 - 172 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Daily review 28/07/2020
Written By: - Date published: 5:30 pm, July 28th, 2020 - 57 comments
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other …
Open mike 28/07/2020
Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, July 28th, 2020 - 124 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Daily review 27/07/2020
Written By: - Date published: 5:30 pm, July 27th, 2020 - 28 comments
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other …
Open mike 27/07/2020
Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, July 27th, 2020 - 146 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Happy 40th birthday Jacinda!
Written By: - Date published: 10:06 am, July 26th, 2020 - 24 comments
The woman who has led us through a terrorist attack, a significant natural disaster and who has safely guided us through an international Pandemic and who has led with aroha and compassion is turning 40 today.
Open mike 26/07/2020
Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, July 26th, 2020 - 81 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Open mike 25/07/2020
Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, July 25th, 2020 - 123 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Daily review 24/07/2020
Written By: - Date published: 5:30 pm, July 24th, 2020 - 37 comments
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other …
Open mike 24/07/2020
Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, July 24th, 2020 - 143 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Daily review 23/07/2020
Written By: - Date published: 5:30 pm, July 23rd, 2020 - 49 comments
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other …
Open mike 23/07/2020
Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, July 23rd, 2020 - 112 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Daily review 22/07/2020
Written By: - Date published: 5:30 pm, July 22nd, 2020 - 17 comments
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other …
Caption contest
Written By: - Date published: 8:22 am, July 22nd, 2020 - 28 comments
Keep it seemly.
Open mike 22/07/2020
Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, July 22nd, 2020 - 149 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Daily review 21/07/2020
Written By: - Date published: 5:30 pm, July 21st, 2020 - 57 comments
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other …
Open mike 21/07/2020
Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, July 21st, 2020 - 57 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Daily review 20/07/2020
Written By: - Date published: 5:30 pm, July 20th, 2020 - 23 comments
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other …
Open mike 20/07/2020
Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, July 20th, 2020 - 172 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
- Announcing a new partnership between SkS and Fakebook.eco.br
As many good things come in threes (as the saying goes), we are happy to announce a third partnership between Skeptical Science and other websites. Fakebook.eco in Brazil is joining Klimafakten.de in Germany and Nauka o Klimacie in Poland to leverage translated rebuttal material and to make the information readily available in other ...7 hours ago - World Rugby stands up for science and women’s sport
This interview on RNZ with Ross Tucker, the scientist who headed a review of transgender athletes playing in women’s rugby, discusses the findings of the review and what it means for women in sports. The review that World Rugby undertook had a broad range of independent experts and included a ...7 hours ago - Victoria’s lockdown ‘an endless game of Covid-19 whack-a-mole’
Siouxsie Wiles The restrictions in place for metropolitan Melbourne now are in some ways stricter than those that were in force during New Zealand’s COVID-19 lockdown. A curfew is in place and most people have to wear masks when they leave their home – neither of which happened in New ...8 hours ago - Parliament doesn’t care about our rogue military
On Friday the Hit and Run inquiry delivered a devastating report which found that NZDF had systematically misled Ministers over civilian deaths. The report called into question civilian control of the military (and indeed, military control of the military), a fundamental principle of our democracy. So you'd expect our politicians ...9 hours ago - The Third Referendum.
Let's Do This Again: What else can Jacinda do in a political environment so bereft of imagination and courage but seek a continuance? If she trades upon the extraordinary personal qualities that she has, miraculously, carried with her into the office of Prime Minister, then I, for one, will offer ...10 hours ago - Corruptly protecting their ownHow corrupt are the New Zealand Police? This corrupt: On 10 February 2019, Police attended a family harm incident. The suspect attempted to run the attending officers over in a driveway with his car, narrowly missing them, before fleeing the scene. A short pursuit followed, ending when the suspect stopped ...11 hours ago
- Some welcome improvementsParliament's triennial Review of Standing Orders was released today, and it contains a number of welcome, if minor, improvements. The ones that caught my are: A move to encourage "pre-legislative engagement" - the government consulting widely on legislation before it is introduced - by promising easier passage (e.g. with ...12 hours ago
- How climate change made the melting of New Zealand’s glaciers 10 times more likelyLauren Vargo, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Glaciers around the world are melting — and for the first time, we can now directly attribute annual ice loss to climate change. We analysed two years in which glaciers in New Zealand melted the most in at least four ...14 hours ago
- E-bikes are the new cars- why don’t transport policy makers treat them seriously?Caroline Shaw, Anja Mizdrak E-bikes are everywhere. Sales are booming and predicted to overtake sales of new cars in a few years. There were three times as many e-bikes and e-scooters imported into NZ in 2019 alone as there are e-cars in the entire country. You can’t go out in ...14 hours ago
- Josh Van Veen: A path to victory for NZ First
New Zealand First is facing a difficult struggle to get re-elected, but Josh Van Veen, who was once a researcher for Winston Peters, argues that there is still a very significant section of cultural conservatives who oppose mass immigration and political correctness and might yet be won back over to ...16 hours ago - We’ve been having the wrong debate about nuclear energyThis is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Karin Kirk Many Americans these days seem unable to avoid controversy on practically any topic, so why not embrace the discord and wade into the especially volatile arena of nuclear energy? Advocates claim it’s the only way to meet global climate goals, ...1 day ago
- Bryce Edwards: Political Roundup – The Burnham report shows why we can’t trust NZ’s militaryCan we trust New Zealand’s military? There must now be serious doubt, given the landmark report released on Friday concluding the investigation into allegations made in the book Hit and Run by Nicky Hager and Jon Stephenson about a 2010 SAS killing raid in Afghanistan. The most recent Colmar Brunton ...1 day ago
- More British war crimesIn New Zealand, we've just had the report of the Hit and Run inquiry, which found that a New Zealand led raid had accidentally killed civilians, including a child. meanwhile, around the same time, the British SAS was conducting its own raids in Afghanistan, and theirs were a hell of ...1 day ago
- Climate Change: The risk assessmentIn addition to establishing a process for setting emissions reductions plans, the Zero Carbon Act established a process for managing the risks of climate change. The first part of this is the preparation of regular risk assessments, looking at the risks to our economy, society, environment, and ecology. The first ...1 day ago
- Amnesty International on transparencyOver on The spinoff, Amnesty International's Meg de Ronde has a response to Friday's release of the Hit and Run report. And in response to Attorney-General David Parker's claim that the government was being "transparent" by releasing the report, its titled "we shouldn’t have to work this hard to get ...1 day ago
- 2020 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming Digest #31Story of the Week... Opinion of the Week... Toon of the Week... Coming Soon on SkS... Poster of the Week... SkS Week in Review... Story of the Week... Rising Seas Could Menace Millions Beyond Shorelines, Study Finds As climate change raises sea levels, storm surges and high tides will ...1 day ago
- Labour offers nothingThere's an election next month, so you'd be expecting political parties to be telling us what they stand for and what they'd do if they'd win. But while the Greens have given us a detailed policy platform, and National has talked about roads and austerity, Labour, currently leading the polls ...2 days ago
- The Disinformation Game"Who's youse accusin' of innference?" Without the timely intervention of a team of top American political consultants and campaign experts, Boris Yeltsin would never have won his second term as President of the Russian Federation. The Russians waited 20 years to return the favour.WHEN IT COMES to the disinformation game, ...2 days ago
- Does Trump Want to Win?
As polling day in the American presidential election draws closer, things are looking bad for Donald Trump. The polls show that he is tracking well behind his Democrat rival. Most people assume that the President will be striving might and main to avoid what looks increasingly likely to be a ...2 days ago - July ’20 – NZ blogs sitemeter ranking
Our health professionals do an amazing job. Image credit: Wikipedia – Cardiac surgery. Finally, I have got back to these rankings. A long period in hospital and computer problems meant the June 2020 rankings were abandoned. Now, with a new personal defibrillator implanted in my chest and a new hard ...2 days ago - 2020 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #31A chronological listing of news articles linked to on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, July 26 through Sat, Aug 1, 2020 Editor's Choice The four types of climate denier, and why you should ignore them all The shill, the grifter, the egomaniac and the ideological ...3 days ago
- Four possible scenarios for the Australian and South Korean travellersOver the last few days, reports have emerged of people travelling from New Zealand and testing positive for Covid-19 upon arrival at their destination. First in South Korea and now in Australia. What might these positive tests mean? They’re false-positives As Toby Morris and I have explained before, there are ...3 days ago
- Operation Burnham: cover-up
Former National Minister - Wayne MappYou could tell that the Hit and Run book by investigative journalists Nicky Hager and Jon Stephenson was right on the money by the way former National Party Minister of Defence, Wayne Mapp, reacted to its now largely vindicated claims.Even though the recent inquiry into ...3 days ago - VindicatedSo, the Hit and Run inquiry has reported back, and found some appalling shit at NZDF and NZSIS. And while they quibble a few of the details - the name of a dead child - they basicly uphold Hager and Stephenson's version of events. The SAS went to those villages. ...4 days ago
- The Holistic Perspective of Bryan Philpott
We are failing to think though the interdependencies in an economy. We miss economist Bryan Philpott (1921-2000). I miss him personally – we used to have such great discussions – but this column is about how the nation misses his economic experience and wisdom. We tend to ...4 days ago - Heron lets National off the hookMichelle Boag - LeakerThe Heron report (PDF) was released yesterday, and it was a bit disappointing to say the least. It correctly found that former National Party president Michelle Boag and National Party MP Hamish Walker were politically motivated in leaking peoples private medical information, but didn’t look further into ...4 days ago
- Seymour & Shaw: Winning the anti-shenanigan voteOn different trajectories and from different ends of the political spectrum, last night’s One News/Colmar Brunton poll has the Green Party and ACT converging around the five percent mark. And, as odd as it may sound, they head into the election campaign with a lot in common.Putting the Greens and ...5 days ago
- Places to go, people to seeWhile there's news today, I'm off to Wellington to attend Armageddon on the weekend. Normal bloggage will resume on Monday. ...5 days ago
- Who Ya Gonna Call? Labour and the New Zealand Economy.Truth In Advertising: Labour, it would seem, is the party that knows nothing about running the economy right up until the moment that it does. HOW DID LABOUR acquire its reputation for being a poor economic manager? As with most things political and historical, it’s a long story.In the beginning, the ...5 days ago
- The Trump EPA is vastly underestimating the cost of carbon dioxide pollution to society, new researc...This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections Government rulemakers looking to decide how much money to spend to avoid adding more greenhouse gases to the atmosphere need a good estimate of what a warming climate will cost in social damages, for example through more extreme weather events. That point makes ...5 days ago
- Close Motonui tooLow methanol prices and unclear gas supply are threatening the future of foreign nultinational polluter Methanex's Traranki methanol production facilities: A long term “softening” in methanol demand could have a considerable impact on Taranaki if it contributed to methanol producer Methanex quitting the region, New Plymouth MP Jonathan Young has ...5 days ago
- Arguing About China.Fact Check: New Zealand’s own relationship with China might, however, be salvageable if our own Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade was willing to equip its minister, Winston Peters, with a few facts. Legislating for the protection of national security – the very action our Foreign Minister is decrying – ...5 days ago
- Collins blunders on expat policy5 days ago
- Rediscovering their principlesBack at the beginning of this government, the Greens made a foolish decision to support the Electoral Integrity Act - demanded by Winston Peters to keep his own backbench in line as part of his coalition deal with Labour - as an act of good faith within the coalition. It ...6 days ago
- Radiation: August 1 Views: Artefacts, art and Grand Designs
SATURDAY AUGUST 1Artefact (Prime, 7.30pm). The series presented by Dame Anne Salmond screened on Māori Television, but is totally worth revisiting if you saw it the first time. Dame Anne tells the stories of taonga that highlight the history of Aotearoa. Further reading: this 2013 interview with Dame Anne by the lovely ...6 days ago - Radiation: August 1 ViewsTUESDAY AUGUST 4Grand Designs UK (Three, 7.30pm). ...6 days ago
- Ian Powell: Film industry bosses get their way with reformed “Hobbit Law”Have unions and the Government sold workers short with their attempt at fixing the so-called “Hobbit Law”? Unionist Ian Powell argues that the union movement has been outmanoeuvered, and the Government has agreed to a new piece of anti-worker legislation that retains the principles of the previous National Government’s hated ...6 days ago
- Even studies from endemic fluorosis areas show fluoride is not harmful at levels used in fluoridatio...
Most of the claims made by anti-fluoride propagandists are simply wrong. Image source: Fluoridation and the ‘sciency’ facts of critics Anti-fluoride propagandists continually cite studies from areas of endemic fluorosis in their arguments against ... 6 days ago- Skeptical Science New Research for Week #30, 2020
86 Articles Observations & observational methods of global warming & effects Forced Changes in the Arctic Freshwater Budget Emerge in the Early 21st Century Ocean Acidification from Below in the Tropical Pacific Snow cover duration trends observed at sites and predicted by multiple models New insights into ...6 days ago- It’s complex
An article in the EETimes suggests that advances in autonomous vehicles are not moving as quickly as expected because those working on them have confused complicated problems with complex ones. Engineering can only take you so far in complex worlds. Complicated systems tend to have fairly predictable inputs, processes and outputs. Complex systems (like ...6 days ago- Kindness wins after all
Last week, after Judith Collins announced that National would be cruel and vicious to kiwis caught overseas by the pandemic, and rob them at the border if they returned home, Labour looked like it was falling all over itself to cry "me too". But now, it looks like kindness has ...6 days ago- Safe arrivals
If entry into New Zealand from abroad is safe, it should be allowed. People arriving from places that are Covid-free, or no more risky than New Zealand, and who get here on flights that do not intersect with risky places, should return to normal travel arrangements. Currently, the Cook ...6 days ago- New Zealand research shows what a fat, healthy right whale looks like!
Liz Slooten Scientists from the University of Otago, working with colleagues from around the world, have found that New Zealand right whales are doing much better than right whales in other parts of the world. The research was published as the feature article in the journal Marine Ecology Progress ...6 days ago- A once-in-a-generation change
Back in 2019, the government asked for a comprehensive, independent review of the Resource Management Act and associated legislation. That review has now reported back and recommended a complete repeal and re-enactment. Despite the headlines, this is not a "scrapping" - we're still going to have a resource management law, ...6 days ago- Data analysis skills are in hot demand – what should be doing about it?
By Associate Professor Mik Black, Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago The increased availability of complex biological data sets means that analysis and computation are becoming critically important skills for New Zealand’s future scientists. Because of this, we need to be doing everything we can to help our students develop ...7 days ago- Are we doomed if we don’t manage to curb emissions by 2030?
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 Is humanity doomed? If in 2030 we have not reduced ...7 days ago- Interfering with the watchdog
Britain's spy agencies are supposedly overseen by various watchdogs, including the investigatory powers tribunal. But it turns out that MI6 at least has contempt for those watchdogs, and attempted to interfere with the operations of the tribunal by concealing evidence from its judges: MI6 has been accused of “inappropriate interference” ...1 week ago- What planet is the WHO on?
Daphna Whitmore So far this year over 7.4 million people have died from preventable communicable diseases. There were 4.3 million children who died under the age of five. Nearly one million people have died of HIV/AIDS in the past six months. A similar number of people have died from malaria ...1 week ago- Tiny asteroid whizzing past Earth today
Four weeks ago I wrote about the last time a sizable asteroid hit our planet – the ‘Tunguska Event’ of 1908, when an object about 50 metres across exploded above the Siberian taiga – but smaller cosmic rocks shoot close by Earth fairly frequently. In the past 42 hours ...1 week ago- No extradition to tyrannies
Last month, China imposed a new "national security law" on Hong Kong. The law imposes a penalty of life imprisonment for secession, subversion, and "colluding with foreign forces" - which basicly means peacefully advocating for democracy or independence. It has been used to crush peaceful protests and interpreted by the ...1 week ago- Killing The Nats With, Of All Things, Kindness.
Powerful Connection: Neoliberalism is the antithesis of everything that has traditionally been associated with the feminine aspects of human nature. Kindness and compassion, nurturance and inclusiveness: such qualities have no place in the neoliberal order. When Jacinda proclaimed her determination to practice the “politics of kindness”, she was, wittingly or ...1 week ago- A tight timeline
The bad news: Jacinda Ardern still wants to bill exiled kiwis for returning home. The good news: it would require a law change, which the Greens won't back, so she'll need to go grovelling to National. The other good news: she's running out of time to do it. This ...1 week ago- Questions for the Media to ask – if they have a spare moment or two
. . For the mainstream media, today (22 July) was even a better day than yesterday. More Sex. More Politics. More Sex AND Politics. Yesterday, the msm dealt with Andrew Falloon. The obscure backbench MP had been found to have sent pornographic images to at least four women. The woman’s ...1 week ago- Colin James: Does history tell us anything about the 2020 election?
If you want to understand what is happening in this year’s election campaign, it’s worth looking to the past for guidance. Colin James delves into recent contests and finds some interesting parallels. July 28 is 53 days before the 2020 election. Just 53 days before the 2017 election ...1 week ago- Wildfires off to slow start in much of the West, but trouble expected starting in mid-July
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Jeff Masters Wildfires burned much less acreage in the U.S. than average during the first half of the year, but with hot and dry conditions expected over much of the nation in the coming months, fire activity is likely to ramp up. ...1 week ago- A necessary challenge
Today a full bench of the High Court is hearing Andrew Borrowdale's challenge to the legality of the COVID-19 lockdown. That lockdown ended two months ago, so the point seems moot - but it was never about ending it. Instead, as Andrew Geddis points out, its about a key principle ...1 week ago- Filling the policy void
So far, this has been a relatively policy-free election campaign. The government has been trying to keep a low profile, on the basis that anything they say will only piss someone off, so better to say as little as possible. When its not knifing its leader, National has promised roads, ...1 week ago- This is dangerous for our democracy
I hardly ever comment on polls, because horse-race politics is superficial and boring and most changes are statistically meaningless and so unworthy of attention (let alone the excitement they provoke amongst mathematically illiterate political journalists desperate to fill airtime). But we've now had two polls in a row showing Labour ...1 week ago- Reported back
The Finance and Expenditure Committee has reported back on its inquiry into the operation of the COVID-19 Public Health Response Act 2020. As you'd expect, they find that the law was "necessary and appropriate", but would like to see a permanent replacement providing for health emergency powers as the Health ...1 week ago- 2020 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming Digest #30
Story of the Week... Toon of the Week... John Cook in the News... Coming Soon on SkS... Climate Feedback Claim Review... SkS Week in Review... Poster of the Week... Story of the Week... Major new climate study rules out less severe global warming scenarios An analysis finds the most ...1 week ago- The Change in the Political Debate
It hasn’t taken long for the advent of Judith Collins as National party leader to change the tone of the political debate. After several days of headlines and airwaves dominated by reports of a National MP sending pornographic images to young women, the National leader had had enough of that ...1 week ago- Green and Act get on the Kombucha
Don Franks An already fired up general election looks like getting even edgier. When final votes have been counted, a rather unlikely coalition government now seems possible As National and Labour implode with sexual proclivities while New Zealand First fling their last toys from the cot, others show more maturity. ...1 week ago- 2020 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #30
A chronological listing of news articles linked to on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, July 19 through Sat, July 25, 2020 Editor's Choice The Climate Expert Who Delivered News No One Wanted to Hear From 2009: How a scientist known as the “father of global ...1 week ago- Socio-Economic Responses from COVID and Beyond…
There’s ultimately two key narratives overall that are seeking to take front row in order to reshape the world as a whole going forward from the COVID pandemic. The first is a very desperate attempt to reimpose “a return” to what is perceived as “the old normal”, quite impossible. ...1 week ago- Searching for Misha: the life and tragedies of the world’s most famous polar bear
Henry Anderson-Elliott, University of Cambridge On the morning of August 31 2017, I didn’t meet a remarkable polar bear. It was my third week of fieldwork-based out of Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen, studying the conservation of the bears on the Svalbard archipelago in Norway. Having spent a few days transcribing interviews in ...2 weeks ago- Radiation: July 25 Views: Punk, People and Stars
SUNDAY JULY 26Country Calendar (TVNZ 1, 7.00pm). Tonight, kiwifruit growing in the King Country. Crazy!Normal People (TVNZ 1, 10.30pm). Holy cow, if you thought it was slow on a binge-watch, imagine what it's like in weekly doses. Nevertheless, it's like Richard Linklater's Boyhood – you don't really see the scope of ...2 weeks ago- Life in Level 1: The Doom of National
. . “The Martians had no resistance to the bacteria in our atmosphere to which we have long since become immune. Once they had breathed our air, germs, which no longer affect us, began to kill them. The end came swiftly. All over the world, their machines began to stop ...2 weeks ago- This is how you deal with criminal fishers
In October 2018, Sealord's fishing boat Ocean Dawn repeatedly bottom-trawled in a Benthic Protection Area on the Chatham Rise. It was a crime which devastated a pristine marine environment. And today, they've been properly punished for it: Sealord has today been ordered to forfeit a $24 million fishing vessel for ...2 weeks ago- I’ve been talking to conspiracy theorists for 20 years – here are my six rules of engagement
Jovan Byford, The Open University With prospects of a COVID-19 vaccine looking up, attention is also turning to the problem of anti-vax ideas. According to a recent survey, one in six Britons would refuse a COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available. Although vaccine hesitancy is a complex problem with ...2 weeks ago- Coronavirus lockdown reduced seismic activity around the world – new study
Paula Koelemeijer, Royal Holloway and Stephen Hicks, Imperial College London Seismic activity doesn’t just come from earthquakes, volcanoes and landslides. Everyday human activity also gives rise to vibrations that travel through the ground as seismic waves, something we call “anthropogenic noise”. When pandemic lockdown measures brought daily life to a ...2 weeks ago- A victory for women
Last night, the Equal Pay Amendment Act 2020 was passed unanimously by Parliament. The Act updates the 1972 Equal Pay Act to create a bargaining framework for equal pay claims and hopefully avoid the need to take them to court. It doesn't go far enough - there's no pay transparency ...2 weeks ago- Doing the right thing
The New Zealand government has done the right thing and granted journalist Behrouz Boochani refugee status: Eight months after arriving in New Zealand, acclaimed author Behrouz Boochani has been granted refugee status. The Kurdish-Iranian writer joins a small group of successful applicants – with almost two thirds of asylum ...2 weeks ago- Why Is The Left Not Opposing The West’s New Cold War With China?
Carve-Up: 120 years after the Eight-Power Intervention of 1900 the racist assumptions of the Western powers vis-à-vis China have hardly changed at all. They still arrogate to themselves the right to dispose of the future of the Chinese people as they see fit. There remains the same racist assumption that ...2 weeks ago- To charge or not to charge, that is the question
Both Labour and National are talking about requiring people arriving in New Zealand to pay $3,000 of the cost of the mandatory managed isolation/quarantine period. The policy has been criticised as “shameful”. There are petitions against it. I have some concerns about the politics behind the proposal, but I’m neither ...2 weeks ago- CovidCard carrying Kiwis?
Dave Heatley New Zealand’s COVID Tracer app is “on track to achieve nothing”, according to Sam Morgan. The numbers support him: only one in six of those eligible to download and register the app has done so, and each app user has scanned just 2.5 QR codes since the app ...2 weeks ago - Skeptical Science New Research for Week #30, 2020
- A to Z: Our COVID-19 response
We went hard and we went early in our health response to COVID-19, and we did everything we could to cushion the economic impact too. In fact, we can fill every letter of the alphabet with the steps we took to fight COVID-19 and ensure we were in a position ...12 hours ago - Week That Was: Another week of progressInvesting in our people, backing businesses, and upgrading infrastructure and housing throughout the country - it's been another week of progress for New Zealanders as we deliver our plan to recover and rebuild. ...4 days ago
- Keeping New Zealand moving: July 2020July was another busy month, packed with key investments aimed at progressing our economic recovery as we rebuild New Zealand. We extended support for businesses, helped create jobs through local infrastructure projects, and kept working to clean up our waterways so Kiwis can access safe clean water. Check out the ...4 days ago
- Greens call for Māori and Pāsefika healthcare to be prioritised
The Green Party is calling for greater prioritisation of Māori and Pāsefika healthcare to fix systemic inequities in the health system. ...4 days ago - Former Defence Force Chiefs must front up over torture allegations: Green PartyThe Green Party is calling for the Defence Force Chiefs in place between 2010-2017 to front up and explain how dishonesty, process and policy failures within the Defence Force led to ‘a series of incorrect statements in briefings to ministers and public releases’ regarding alleged breaches of international torture prevention ...5 days ago
- Our plan to keep New Zealand movingThanks to our strong health response, New Zealand’s economy is more open than many other countries. But as COVID continues to surge around the world, the economic consequences of the virus will continue to be a challenge, which is why we have a detailed plan to help New Zealand bounce ...5 days ago
- Our plan to keep New Zealand movingThanks to our strong health response, New Zealand’s economy is more open than many other countries. But as COVID continues to surge around the world, the economic consequences of the virus will continue to be a challenge, which is why we have a detailed plan to help New Zealand bounce ...5 days ago
- Green Party protects stranded Kiwis from $3000 fee for coming homeThe Green Party are ensuring that New Zealanders who were overseas when COVID-19 hit will not be charged for the cost of isolation or quarantine if they return home to live. ...6 days ago
- Think Ahead, Act Now: Greens unveil vision for AotearoaThe Green Party has launched its policy platform. ...1 week ago
- Week That Was: A strong plan for recoveryIt's been another week of creating jobs, supporting local businesses, and investing in infrastructure up and down the country - all of which are helping to keep our economy moving post-COVID-19. ...2 weeks ago
- Green Party will sign up to long overdue Code of ConductGreen Party MPs will be signing up to a Parliamentary Code of Conduct, following its release from the Speaker of the House Trevor Mallard. ...2 weeks ago
- Green Party warmly welcome Behrouz BoochaniThe Green Party warmly welcomes Kurdish-Iranian refugee Behrouz Boochani, who has been granted refugee status in Aotearoa. ...2 weeks ago
- Green Party strengthens bill that empowers teachers to de-escalate struggling kidsThe Green Party have secured legislative amendments in a bill expected to pass third reading this week, to ensure better rules for school teachers and staff, so they can de-escalate children with diverse needs and cognitive differences, such as autism, rather than using unnecessary and often traumatising force. ...2 weeks ago
- NZ’s smelter, refinery, steel mill can be saved with ‘vision’ – Winston Pete...
New Zealand needs to be more aggressive in pursuing economic opportunities and resist the short-term thinking affecting some of its major industry, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters says. Mr Peters told Wellington Chamber of Commerce members this morning that the planned closure of the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter will have ...2 weeks ago - Winston Peters on the current National Party situation: “It’s chaos”Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters has ridiculed the National Party "circus", with the politician saying it was in "chaos" after the resignation of another MP. Rangitata MP Andrew Falloon announced on Monday he would retire from politics after he allegedly sent inappropriate pornographic images to a young woman. Following a ...2 weeks ago
- Winston Peters on reopening NZ’s borders for touristsDeputy Prime Minister Winston Peters today outlined what he saw as the requirements to re-open New Zealand's borders for tourists and travellers. If New Zealand was dealing solely with an Australian state such as Tasmania, we wouldn't need a vaccine, said Mr Peters, but these moves were complicated by the ...2 weeks ago
- New Zealand First: “Commercial rent bill going back to ‘what we agreed'”New Zealand First leader Winston Peters appears to have prompted last-minute alterations to proposed legislation for commercial landlords and their tenants. Mr Peters told reporters on Wednesday said that he was making sure the proposed bill was in step with what the parties had actually agreed to. He said he ...2 weeks ago
- New Zealand Post to construct new “super depot” thanks to Coalition Government helpAssociate Minister for State Owned Enterprise and New Zealand First List MP Shane Jones attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the new NZ Post "super depot" in Wellington. The state-owned postal service, which got $280 million from the Coalition Government last month, is expanding its operations to handle surging parcel volumes. ...2 weeks ago
- SPEECH: Winston Peters Campaign Launch 2020Rt Hon Winston Peters, Leader of New Zealand First CHECK AGAINST DELIVERYIntroduction Good afternoon. Welcome to you all here today and party supporters watching from around the country. We appreciate your hard work keeping New Zealand First strong; thank you for keeping the faith. Sixty-three days out from Election Day, ...2 weeks ago
- Greens call for additional public holiday for MatarikiThe Green Party is calling for Matariki to become a public holiday, allowing New Zealanders to celebrate the Māori New Year over a long weekend. ...2 weeks ago
- Conservation Board appointments boost diversityThe diversity of conservation boards around Aotearoa is increasing with 47 appointments to 14 of the 15 conservation boards across New Zealand announced today by the Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage. ...2 weeks ago
- Green Party remembers and celebrates Jeanette Fitzsimons in memorial serviceThe Green Party is honoured to be remembering former co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons today at a public memorial service in the heart of Wellington at the Cathedral of St. Paul’s. Following her passing in March, this celebration of her life brings together her friends, family and colleagues to honour her life ...2 weeks ago
- Jobs for Nature investment to provide 50 jobs in South WestlandConservation Minister Eugenie Sage has announced a $2.5 million boost for South Westland to help a regional alliance of local businesses and government agencies provide nature based jobs. ...2 weeks ago
- Week That Was: More jobs, better infrastructureInvesting in infrastructure is one major way we can create jobs, stimulate the economy, and keep New Zealand moving post COVID-19. That's why this week we rolled out a massive number of infrastructure announcements - in Tairāwhiti, Wairarapa, Otago, Southland and more! ...3 weeks ago
- National Auckland Transport on the never neverRt Hon Winston Peters, Leader of New Zealand First New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters says the National Party’s Auckland Transport announcement today is a breath-taking plan on the never never. While it is promising to see that National all of a sudden has rediscovered railways in Auckland, including trains ...3 weeks ago
- Investment in community and jobs in Southland and Otago welcomed by New Zealand FirstMark Patterson MP, New Zealand First List MP A range of projects announced by the Hon Shane Jones in Southland and Otago will build communities and create jobs, according to New Zealand First List MP Mark Patterson. The town of Gore received funding to build a new public library and ...3 weeks ago
- Winston Peters: The future of Tiwai is a matter of national interestNews that Rio Tinto has announced that it is planning to wind-down operations at the Tiwai Point Aluminium Smelter could not have a come at a worse time for the people of Southland. While it has been clear that Rio Tinto was never going to support Southlanders over the long haul, ...3 weeks ago
- Te Arawa Lakes Trust among first to benefit from Jobs for Nature and biosecurity investmentWhenua/land, roto/lakes and awa/rivers in the central North Island will benefit from increased habitat protection with new biosecurity investment across iwi and Crown-managed lands and lakes announced Conservation and Land Information Minister Eugenie Sage in Rotorua today. ...3 weeks ago
- New Zealand expresses condolences on passing of Vanuatu High Commissioner
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters today extended New Zealand’s condolences following the death of Vanuatu’s High Commissioner to New Zealand, Johnson Naviti, who passed away yesterday afternoon in Wellington. “Our thoughts are with the High Commissioner’s family and colleagues during this difficult time. This is a terrible loss both to ...7 hours ago - Government announces allocation of three waters funds for councilsThe Government has today set out the regional allocations of the $761 million Three Waters stimulus and reform funding for councils announced by Prime Minister Hon Jacinda Ardern this month. "I want to thank Councils around the country for engaging with the Central Local Government Steering Group who have been ...8 hours ago
- Funding boost for students with highest learning support needsStudents with high and complex learning needs, as well as their teachers and parents, will benefit from a substantial increase to Ongoing Resourcing Scheme (ORS) funding, Associate Education Minister Martin announced today. “Nearly $160 million will go towards helping these students by lifting their base support over the next four ...8 hours ago
- Govt connecting kiwis to affordable, healthy foodFunding for innovative projects to connect Kiwis with affordable, safe and wholesome food, reduce food waste, and help our food producers recover from COVID-19 has been announced today by Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor. “COVID-19 has seen an increasing number of families facing unprecedented financial pressure. Foodbanks and community food service ...10 hours ago
- Getting infrastructure for housing underwayEight shovel-ready projects within Kāinga Ora large-scale developments, and the Unitec residential development in Auckland have been given the go-ahead, Minister for Housing Dr Megan Woods announced today. Megan Woods says these significant infrastructure upgrades will ensure that the provision of homes in Auckland can continue apace. “The funding announced ...11 hours ago
- Napier walk and cycleway to improve safetyThe Government is funding a new separated walking and cycleway path along Napier’s Chambers and Ellison streets to provide safer access for local students and residents across Marine Parade and State Highway 51, Transport Minister Phil Twyford and Police Minister Stuart Nash announced today. Funding of $2.7 million has been ...14 hours ago
- PGF creates more than 10k jobs, success stories across NZMore than 13,000 people have been employed so far thanks to the Coalition Government’s Provincial Growth Fund, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones has today announced. The number of jobs created by Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) investments has outstripped the 10,000 jobs target that the Government and Provincial Development Unit ...17 hours ago
- Inaugural seafood awards honour sustainabilityScientists and innovative fishing operators from Stewart Island and Fiordland to Nelson, Marlborough and Wellington have been honoured in the first ever Seafood Sustainability Awards. Fisheries Minister Stuart Nash has congratulated the winners of the inaugural Seafood Sustainability Awards held at Parliament. “The awards night honours six winners, from a wide ...1 day ago
- Climate resilience packages for regionsThe Government is providing an investment totalling more than $100 million for regions to protect against and mitigate the effects of climate change, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters and Infrastructure Minister Shane Jones have announced. Six regions will receive funding from the $3 billion allocated to infrastructure projects from the ...1 day ago
- Southern Waikato shovel ready projects get the green lightThree major local projects at Te Kuiti and Otorohanga have been given the money to get moving after the impact of Covid 19, says the Minister of Māori Development Hon Nanaia Mahuta. The projects range from a Sports Centre for Te Kuiti, a redevelopment of the Otorohanga Kiwi House and ...1 day ago
- New Zealand extends Middle East and Africa peace support deploymentsThe Coalition Government has extended three New Zealand Defence Force deployments to the Middle East and Africa by two years, Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Ron Mark announced today. “These deployments promote peace in the Middle East and Africa by protecting civilians and countering the spread of ...1 day ago
- Govt progress on climate change essential, risk assessment showsThe release of the National Climate Change Risk Assessment shows that the progress this Government has made to solve the climate crisis is essential to creating cleaner and safer communities across New Zealand. “Because of this report, we can see clearer than ever that the action our Government is taking ...1 day ago
- $10m sport recovery fund open for applicationsThe second round of the Community Resilience Fund is now open for applications for sport and recreation organisations experiencing financial hardship between 1 July and 30 September 2020. “The fund opens today for five weeks – closing on September 6. The amount awarded will be decided on a case-by-case basis ...2 days ago
- Rakitū Island declared latest predator free islandMinister of Conservation Eugenie Sage today declared Rakitū Island, off the coast of Aotea/Great Barrier Island, predator free. “I’m delighted to announce that with rats now gone, Rakitū is officially predator free. This is a major milestone because Rakitū is the last DOC administered island in the Hauraki Gulf Marine ...2 days ago
- Funding to restore significant Māori sites in the Far NorthThe Provincial Growth Fund is investing $8.75 million to restore significant historic sites at Ōhaeawai in the Far North, upgrade marae and fund fencing and riparian planting. Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones made the announcements following a service at the historic St Michael’s Anglican Church at Ōhaeawai today. Just ...3 days ago
- Big boost for Chatham Islands’ economyThe Chatham Islands will receive close to $40 million for projects that will improve its infrastructure, add to its attraction as a visitor destination, and create jobs through a planned aquaculture venture, Infrastructure Minister Shane Jones has announced. “The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on the islands, first ...3 days ago
- More initiatives to reduce energy hardshipThe Government is delivering more initiatives to reduce energy hardship and to give small electricity consumers a voice, Energy and Resources Minister Megan Woods said today. “In addition to the initiatives we have already delivered to support New Zealand families, we are responding to the Electricity Price Review with further ...3 days ago
- Turning the tide for hoiho/yellow-eyed penguinGovernment, iwi, NGOs and rehabilitation groups are working together to turn around the fortunes of the nationally endangered hoiho/yellow-eyed penguin following a series of terrible breeding seasons. The Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage helped launch the Five Year Action Plan at the annual Yellow-Eyed Penguin symposium in Dunedin today. “I ...4 days ago
- Taskforce ready to tackle tourism challengesThe membership of the Tourism Futures Taskforce has now been confirmed, Tourism Minister Kelvin Davis announced at an event at Whakarewarewa in Rotorua today. “The main purpose of the independent Tourism Futures Taskforce is to lead the thinking on the future of tourism in New Zealand,” Kelvin Davis said. Joining ...4 days ago
- Investing in the tourism sector’s recoveryMore than $300 million in funding has been approved to protect strategic tourism businesses, drive domestic tourism through regional events and lift digital capability in the tourism industry, Tourism Minister Kelvin Davis announced today. A $400 million Tourism Recovery Package was announced at Budget 2020, and with today’s announcements is ...4 days ago
- Permits to be required for exporting hard-to-recycle plastic wasteFrom 2021 permits will be required for New Zealanders wanting to export hard-to-recycle plastic waste. The Associate Minister for the Environment, Eugenie Sage, today announced the requirements as part of New Zealand’s commitments to the Basel Convention, an international agreement of more than 180 countries which was amended in May ...4 days ago
- Growth in new building consents shows demand is still highThe building and construction sector is still showing strong growth, with the number of new dwellings consented up more than 8 per cent compared to last year, reflecting a welcome confidence in the Government’s COVID-19 response package, Minister for Building and Construction Jenny Salesa says. “While it is still too ...4 days ago
- $23 million for Bay of Plenty flood protectionGovernment investment of $23 million for Bay of Plenty flood protection will allow local communities to address long-standing flood risks and provide jobs, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters and Under-Secretary for Regional Economic Development Fletcher Tabuteau announced in Rotorua today. These projects are being funded by the Infrastructure Reference Group’s (IRG) shovel ...4 days ago
- Rotorua benefits from over $62 million boostInvestment for projects that will create hundreds of jobs in Rotorua were announced today by Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters and Under-Secretary for Regional Economic Development Fletcher Tabuteau. These projects will provide opportunities for economic development in a region that has been hard hit by COVID-19,” Winston Peters said. Fletcher ...4 days ago
- Increased counselling support for all studentsFor the first time, primary schools will have access to funding for counsellors for their students, Associate Education Minister Tracey Martin announced today. “A major investment of $75.8 million will provide greater access to guidance counsellors to help primary and secondary school students deal with mental health and wellbeing issues,” ...4 days ago
- Report of the Government Inquiry into Operation Burnham releasedDefence Minister Ron Mark today welcomed the release of the Report of the Government Inquiry into Operation Burnham and related matters, and the Government response. “I thank the Inquiry for their thorough and detailed report, on a highly complex issue. I accept the recommendations of the report, and fully support ...4 days ago
- 1BT funds create jobs and lasting benefitsForestry Minister Shane Jones has announced $6 million of One Billion Trees funding for seven regional initiatives to create jobs and provide long-lasting environmental and economic benefits. The projects range from improving one of the poorest-quality water catchments in Otago to restoring 52km of waterways around Hokianga Harbour. Six of the ...4 days ago
- Kawerau projects to receive $5.5 million from Provincial Growth FundDeputy Prime Minister Winston Peters today announced $5.5 million in funding from the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) for two Kawerau projects and says this is a significant boost for the people of Kawerau. “These projects will bring much-needed investment and will create up to 60 jobs for locals,” Mr Peters ...4 days ago
- $5 million for Kaingaroa Village RedevelopmentKaingaroa Village in the Bay of Plenty is to get $5 million to help fund a comprehensive upgrade of its infrastructure, facilities and housing, Under-Secretary for Regional Economic Development Fletcher Tabuteau announced today. Mr Tabuteau travelled to the remote village to make the announcement, telling Kaingaroa residents how the funding ...4 days ago
- $18 Million Funding Boost for Bay of Plenty Business ParkThe Rangiuru Business Park project near Te Puke is getting $18 million from the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF), Under-Secretary for Regional Economic Development Fletcher Tabuteau announced today. “This is all about unlocking the potential of this region. When it’s finished, the Rangiuru Business Park will be the Bay of Plenty’s ...4 days ago
- Town revitalisation and aquaculture investments create jobs in ŌpōtikiDeputy Prime Minister Winston Peters has today announced that a $26 million investment in Ōpōtiki will see important public amenities upgraded and further progress made on new aquaculture opportunities. “The people of Ōpōtiki have been waiting decades for real investment in key infrastructure, and support for the incredible aquaculture opportunities ...4 days ago
- Minister congratulates the Cook Islands community for its 9th year of Language WeeksThe Minister for Pacific Peoples, Aupito William Sio wishes to congratulate the Cook Islands community throughout Aotearoa for the 9th year of Te ‘Epetoma o Te Reo Māori Kūki ‘Āirani, the Cook Islands Language Week. “This is a proud milestone that reflects on the huge effort made by the Cook ...4 days ago
- Construction underway on longest section of Glen Innes to Tāmaki Drive Shared PathAucklanders in the Eastern Suburbs will soon have more ways to get around, with Transport Minister Phil Twyford and Associate Transport Minister Julie Anne Genter kicking off construction on Section 2 of Te Ara Ki Uta Ki Tai, the Glen Innes to Tāmaki Drive Shared Path today. The Glen Innes ...4 days ago
- 350,000 More Measles Vaccines for Massive Immunisation CampaignThe Government is stepping up the fight against measles and protecting hundreds of thousands more young adults by investing up to $40 million for a year-long measles-catch-up campaign and $23 million to fully fund and develop the National Immunisation Solution, Associate Minister of Health Julie Anne Genter announced at Mangere ...5 days ago
- Operation Burnham report releasedAttorney-General David Parker has today released the findings of the Government inquiry held into Operation Burnham and related events. The operation took place on 21-22 August 2010 in Tirgiran Valley, Afghanistan, and was carried out by NZSAS troops and other nations’ forces operating as part of the International Security Assistance ...5 days ago
- Locally-led solutions at centre of new community resilience fundFrom tomorrow, community groups around New Zealand can apply to a $36 million fund established to encourage locally-led solutions as communities rebuild and recover from COVID-19, announced Minister for Social Development Carmel Sepuloni and Minister for Community and Voluntary Sector Poto Williams. “The Community Capability and Resilience Fund (CCRF) builds ...5 days ago
- Securing healthy futures for all MāoriThe Government has committed to improving Māori health and wellbeing over the next five years. The Associate Minister of Health (Māori Health) today released Whakamaua: Māori Health Action Plan 2020-2025 which sets the pathway towards achieving healthy futures for all Māori. “As kaitiaki of the system, the Ministry of Health ...5 days ago
- Porirua Development delivers more new public housingThe first of nearly 70 new state homes have been opened in Cannons Creek, Porirua by the Associate Minister of Housing, Kris Faafoi, as part of an increase in public housing being delivered through the Porirua Development. “Completion of the first 10 of 53 new two and five bedroom homes ...5 days ago
- New standards for existing marine farms provide consistencyNew environmental standards will make the re-consenting of existing marine farms more consistent across the country. The new regulations for the National Environmental Standards for Marine Aquaculture (NES-MA) will come into effect on 1 December, Environment Minister David Parker and Fisheries Minister Stuart Nash said. “The NES-MA removes complexities and ...5 days ago
- Government signs Accord reinvigorating commitment to Far North iwiToday marks a milestone as the Minister for Social Development Carmel Sepuloni and Minister for Māori Development Nanaia Mahuta co-sign an Addendum – with the Iwi Chairs of Te Rarawa, Ngāi Takoto and Te Aupōuri – to the Te Hiku o Te Ika Iwi-Crown Social Development and Wellbeing Accord (the ...5 days ago
- Another PNG health officer tests covid positive – national covid total now 111
Papua New Guinea has one new case of the novel coronavirus covid-19 reported yesterday bringing total cases to 111, reports EMTV News. National Pandemic Response Controller David Manning in a statement late yesterday said the new case was a 27-year-old male of the National Department of Health and was in ...19 mins ago - View from The Hill: There’s no case for keeping secret any aged care facility’s COVID detailsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Should the public know the details of all the Victorian aged care facilities that have had COVID-19 cases? “Yes” seems the obvious answer. But not according to the Health department or Aged Care Minister Richard ...1 hour ago
- Brown Voices Matter – But Not To TVNZ
...2 hours ago - Provincial Growth Fund should be more transparent – Auditor General
The $3 billion PGF needs to be more transparent about how it operates, the auditor general says. The minister in charge of the fund, Shane Jones, disagrees. ...4 hours ago - Cost of Christchurch mosque gunman’s incarceration prompts calls to send him to AustraliaThe eye-watering cost of keeping the Christchurch mosque gunman behind bars has reignited calls for him to be sent back to Australia to serve his sentence there. ...5 hours ago
- Minor parties hit out at exclusion from TVNZ multi-party debate
With the election campaign about to get under way, minor party leaders are furious at being shut out of one of the biggest possible stages for their policy platforms. Alex Braae reports.TVNZ’s multi-party election debate is once again the subject of controversy, not because of who will be one the ...5 hours ago - What Victoria’s abattoir rules mean for the supply and price of meatSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Flavio Romero Macau, Senior Lecturer in Supply Chain Management and Global Logistics, Edith Cowan University With Victoria’s declaration of a state of disaster and imposition of Stage 4 restrictions, many Melburnians have returned to panic buying. Supermarket shelves across the city have ...7 hours ago
- Childcare closed to most families, no JobKeeper: what Melbourne’s stage 4 lockdown means for paren...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kate Noble, Education Policy Fellow, Mitchell Institute, Victoria University Read more: Melbourne non-essential retailers closed, as Morrison unveils pandemic leave Childcare services and most preschools have remained open throughout the COVID-19 restrictions in Australia. From Wednesday, however, Melbourne’s stage 4 ...7 hours ago
- Parliament Is Revamping Its RulesToday, the Standing Orders Committee’s report on the review of Standing Orders was presented to the House. The Speaker of the House, the Rt Hon Trevor Mallard, chairs the committee. He said today that the 2020 review will make our rules more ...7 hours ago
- Queensland rape law ‘loophole’ could remain after review ignores concerns about rape myths and c...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jonathan Crowe, Professor of Law, Bond University The Queensland government has quietly released the state Law Reform Commission’s long-awaited report on reforming the state’s controversial sexual consent laws. After much lobbying by survivors of sexual assault for comprehensive changes to the law, ...7 hours ago
- Why William the Conqueror is partly to blame for our housing problemsThe quest to create affordable housing in New Zealand is an interminable dilemma. But as Dan Heyworth writes, the issue comes from the old British feudal land system on which ours is based.Recently I was involved in a project that responded to government calls to use off-site manufacturing to bring ...7 hours ago
- Claims that Behrouz Boochani jumped the queue are a reminder of the dangers of anti-refugee politicsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jeremy Moses, Senior Lecturer in International Relations, University of Canterbury Perhaps predictably, last week’s announcement that Behrouz Boochani had been granted refugee status in New Zealand quickly became election campaign fodder. Both National Party leader Judith Collins and NZ First leader Winston ...8 hours ago
- Taxpayers’ Union Welcomes Damning Report On Provincial Growth FundThe New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is welcoming a damning report from the Auditor-General which identifies the Provincial Growth Fund’s numerous failings in process surrounding the approval of grants, managing conflicts of interests, and tracking of performance. ...8 hours ago
- New Zealand’s Wealthiest People Can Afford To Pay More TaxThe Public Service Association supports calls by Tax Justice Aotearoa for a more progressive tax system, with increased taxes on the wealthiest New Zealanders used to fund services that benefit all New Zealanders. Decades of systemic underfunding ...8 hours ago
- Australia has been stigmatising unemployed people for almost 100 years. COVID-19 is our big chance t...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Elise Klein, Senior Lecturer, Australian National University Australia is facing one of its biggest crises in unemployment since the Great Depression, and yet already, extra COVID-19 supports to the unemployed are being wound back. From today, the conditions around JobSeeker payment will ...8 hours ago
- Money for Kauri Urgently NeededThe Tree Council, Waitakere Ranges Protection Society and Forest & Bird have written to Ministers O’Connor, Sage, Jones and Parker this week to request urgent funding for Regional Councils to implement essential work to protect kauri. ...8 hours ago
- Siouxsie Wiles: Victoria’s lockdown ‘an endless game of Covid-19 whack-a-mole’Putting the entire state under stage four restrictions, rather than just Melbourne, would give Victoria the best chance of success, writes Siouxsie Wiles.The restrictions in place for metropolitan Melbourne now are in some ways stricter than those that were in force during New Zealand’s Covid-19 lockdown. A curfew is in ...8 hours ago
- Canterbury DHB Chief Executive Put In Untenable PositionThe Association of Salaried Medical Specialists says Canterbury DHB Chief Executive David Meates was put in an untenable position and the people of Canterbury should be angry and upset over his resignation. Mr Meates’ resignation from both the Canterbury ...8 hours ago
- Primary Health Care Strike Ballot UnderwayMore than 3400 Primary Health Care nurses and medical receptionists/administrators across more than 500 practices and accident and medical centres will commence a ballot for strike action today. The ballot will run until Wednesday 12 August and is for ...9 hours ago
- Your Vote 2020: Bringing Election Coverage To Viewers Across TVNZ Channels And PlatformsAs New Zealand gets ready to head to the ballot box this September, 1 NEWS is bringing voters comprehensive coverage and analysis of this year’s General Election. TVNZ’s coverage will draw on the depth of experience held across the 1 NEWS team, says Graeme ...9 hours ago
- Yes, we need to Close the Gap on health. But many patients won’t tell hospitals they’re Indigeno...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ray Mahoney, Senior Research Scientist, Australian E-Health Research Centre, CSIRO The federal government recently announced 16 Closing the Gap targets, seen by some as a policy re-set for yet another “once in a generation” chance to address Indigenous disadvantage. But one barrier ...9 hours ago
- REINZ Warns Tenants Without An ‘excellent’ Record May Struggle To Find TenanciesThe Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) is today warning that tenants without an ‘excellent’ rental history may struggle to find tenancies as the Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill is due to have its second reading today. ...9 hours ago
- Pasifika on Census 2023: ‘Should we even bother?’Pasifika researchers are dismayed at the government's choice of a relatively cheap way of running the next census in 2023. ...10 hours ago
- While Shaw was blaming previous governments for the urgency of climate change issues, Peters and Jon...
The Green Party’s James Shaw – as Minister for Climate Change – was quick to turn the just-published National Climate Change Risk Assessment to political advantage. The report identifies 43 risks that could have a major or extreme consequence to New Zealand, 10 of them described as significant risks requiring ...10 hours ago - ‘An endless game of COVID-19 whack-a-mole’: a New Zealand expert on why Melbourne’s stage 4 lo...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Siouxsie Wiles, Associate Professor in Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Auckland The restrictions in place for metropolitan Melbourne now are in some ways stricter than those that were in force during New Zealand’s COVID-19 lockdown. A curfew is in place and ...10 hours ago
- Maori Carbon Collective Calls On The Government To Establish A Climate Adaption FundNew Government Report Shows Maori to be greatly impacted The CEO of the Maori Carbon Collective, Matthew Tukaki, has called on the Government to act when it comes to the risks of climate change on Maori. The call comes just 24 hours after the Government ...11 hours ago
- Oranga Tamariki, the Waitangi Tribunal and the importance of storiesThe Waitangi Tribunal inquiry into Oranga Tamariki kicked off in Wellington last week, while at the same time the agency released new data showing that perhaps it is doing better for Māori than many perceive. But do the numbers tell the full story?The first two days of the Waitangi Tribunal ...11 hours ago
- Gangs of London and the dark joys of antiheroesYou probably shouldn’t expect any happy endings from buzzed-about new Neon show Gangs of London, but maybe that’s not such a bad thing.The Hero’s Journey, a 17-stage literary structure popularised by the 20th century work of literature professor Joseph Campbell but present through centuries of storytelling, lays out for creators ...11 hours ago
- ‘The essential is invisible to the eye’: the wisdom of The Little Prince in lockdownSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julia Kindt, Professor, Department of Classics and Ancient History, University of Sydney In our series Art for Trying Times, authors nominate a work they turn to for solace or perspective during this pandemic. During the lockdown in Sydney, I turned to my ...11 hours ago
- On The Rag: The need for weedJoin Michèle A’Court, Alex Casey and Leonie Hayden as they find out exactly what we’re voting on in next month’s cannabis referendum, and discover how legalising weed is a women’s issue.Do you support the proposed cannabis legislation and control bill? We’ve got around 50 days to make up our minds ...12 hours ago
- Inside health board’s crisis meeting
A clash at Canterbury DHB over big spending cuts demanded by the Government has sparked an emergency board meeting. David Williams reports A showdown between Canterbury District Health Board’s senior management and board looms today, after the Health Ministry and Crown monitor Lester Levy pressured the DHB to make drastic ...12 hours ago - Newsletter: New Zealand Politics Daily – August 04 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 Labour Party Chris Trotter (Daily Blog): The Third Referendum Jason Walls (Herald): Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern warns voters not to expect big Labour Party policies this election Heather ...12 hours ago
- Oral Nicotine Pouches, Snus, PM and Hon Nicky Wagner’s SOPWith the current lack of understanding and fake news circulating around the Vaping Bill and Hon Nicky Wagner's SOP to regulate tobacco-free Nicotine Pouches, NZ Smokefree Tomorrow (NZSFT), who are the subject matter experts, think it is fair to ‘clear ...13 hours ago
- Waste not, want not: The collective turning surplus food into bread and beerEveryday huge volumes of unsold supermarket food go to waste. That’s why a baker, a brewer, a chef and an innovator are collaborating to rescue as much as possible and turn it into something new and tasty.Beer is a simple product – there isn’t a whole lot you can do ...13 hours ago
- NZ international student sector: More focus on quality education than work rights – Cabinet pa...A Cabinet paper shows the government wants to use the pandemic to transform the $5 billion international student sector. ...13 hours ago
- Four Papua New Guineans arrested in cocaine for Australia plotPolice Commissioner David Manning’s media conference yesterday about the K200 million drug heist. Video: Loop PNG Pacific Media Watch Newsdesk Papuan New Guinea’s massive drug haul of more than 600kg of cocaine, seized after a mysterious plane crash by the alleged smugglers more than a week ago, has shaken authorities ...13 hours ago
- As ‘lockdown fatigue’ sets in, the toll on mental health will require an urgent responseSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Hickie, Professor of Psychiatry, University of Sydney As Victorians face yet another long period of enforced lockdown, serious concerns are being raised about people’s capacity to comply with the new orders and the mental health impacts of such prolonged social isolation. ...14 hours ago
- CEAC Support James Renwick Advice Using Rail Not More Roads.James Renwick claim today on TV one Breakfast show with John Campbell that NZ is failing on climate change is valid, and since James has been for 20 years studying climate change, we at CEAC agree, climate Change as the most significant shift in ...15 hours ago
- The Issue Ardern Doesn’t Want To Talk About“Jacinda Ardern is running scared from a debate about the debt,” according to ACT Leader David Seymour. “Elections are supposed to be a contest of ideas, but Kiwis aren’t getting one because we don’t know what Labour’s economic plan ...15 hours ago
- A second term PM for crises and the status quo
Jacinda Ardern is taking a low target policy platform to the election, despite having an historic chance under MMP to campaign for transformation, Bernard Hickey writes ...15 hours ago - As ‘lockdown fatigue’ sets in, the toll on mental health will require an urgent mental health re...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Hickie, Professor of Psychiatry, University of Sydney As Victorians face yet another long period of enforced lockdown, serious concerns are being raised about people’s capacity to comply with the new orders and the mental health impacts of such prolonged social isolation. ...16 hours ago
- PPE unmasked: why health-care workers in Australia are inadequately protected against coronavirusSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alicia Dennis, Associate Professor MBBS, PhD, MPH, PGDipEcho, FANZCA, University of Melbourne In Victoria, more than 1,100 health-care workers have now been infected with SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Some 11% of active cases are workers in the health-care sector. Health-care ...16 hours ago
- From superheroes to the clitoris: 5 scientists tell the stories behind these species namesSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anthea Batsakis, Deputy Editor: Environment + Energy, The Conversation Weaving creative, heartfelt or even risqué words into the formal Latin names for new species has long been common in taxonomy — the science of classifying flora and fauna. An 18th century botanist, ...16 hours ago
- How climate change made the melting of New Zealand’s glaciers ten times more likelySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lauren Vargo, Research Fellow in the Antarctic Research Centre, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Glaciers around the world are melting — and for the first time, we can now directly attribute annual ice loss to climate change. We analysed ...16 hours ago
- ‘Exhausted beyond measure’: what teachers are saying about COVID-19 and the disruption to educat...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Louise Phillips, Associate Professor in Education, James Cook University All Victorian school students will be learning remotely from Wednesday. Prior to the state’s premier Daniel Andrews announcing a tightening of restrictions over the weekend, only students in prep to Year 10 in ...16 hours ago
- ‘Uprooting, no matter how small a plant you are, is a trauma’: older women renters are strugglin...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Emma Power, Senior Research Fellow, Geography and Urban Studies, Western Sydney University Older women renters are struggling in an insecure and unaffordable rental housing market. A combination of high rents and low incomes leaves many living in substandard housing and unable to ...16 hours ago
- 400,000 women over 45 are at risk of homelessness in AustraliaSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Debbie Faulkner, Senior Research Fellow, UniSA Business, University of South Australia Older women have been recognised as the fastest-growing group of homeless people in Australia in recent years. Yet until now we have not known exactly how many older women are at ...16 hours ago
- Our states are crying poor. They wouldn’t if they charged for rezoning like the ACTSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cameron Murray, Research Fellow – Henry Halloran Trust, University of Sydney Throughout Australia, when land is rezoned from industrial to high-rise residential, a charge is levied to help fund the required infrastructure. In NSW it is called an infrastructure contribution. The NSW ...16 hours ago
- That’ll do, pig, that’ll do: Babe at 25, a trailblazing cinematic classicSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Daryl Sparkes, Senior Lecturer (Media Studies and Production), University of Southern Queensland It wasn’t the first time I’d crashed a film set. My first was the 1984 film The Coolangatta Gold. You’ll recognise me in one of the shots because I’m the ...16 hours ago
- Live updates, August 4: Shane Jones defends PGF job numbers – againWelcome to The Spinoff’s live updates for August 4, bringing you the latest on New Zealand news, politics and the Covid-19 crisis, updated throughout the day. Get in touch at stewart@thespinoff.co.nz7.55am: Memebers of parliament – everything is calming downRight now on The Spinoff, Madeleine Chapman’s politics column for people who ...16 hours ago
- Tauranga’s “combative” mayor on ropes after texts revealedGood morning and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Tauranga’s “combative” mayor on ropes after texts revealed, former firefighters reveal multiple sexual assault and harassment complaints, and new report details serious climate risks to NZ.Tauranga’s mayor is embroiled in some chaotic infighting around the Council table, and it could ...17 hours ago
- Shane Jones’ 10,000 job creation claim under scrutinyShane Jones is crowing over cracking the target of creating more than 10,000 jobs through the Provincial Growth Fund. ...17 hours ago
- Business Wrap: Scales hit by Covid in Asia
Disruption in Asian markets hits horticulture company Scales hard, plus Auckland Airport's plans to split its operations in the international terminal ...17 hours ago - Young ACT faces more questions over online harassment
A man accused of online sexual harassment was allowed back into Young ACT’s online spaces after being removed for making Islamophobic comments. Marc Daalder and Laura Walters report One of the men at the centre of a Young ACT sexual harassment inquiry was previously removed from the organisation’s online forums ...18 hours ago - Wonder Woodman off to a flying re-start
Desperate to get her ‘glide’ back after a double injury blow, sevens star Portia Woodman returned to her sporting beginnings – netball and athletics – and her Kaikohe hometown to play rugby again. Watching Portia Woodman flying down the rugby field is like witnessing a champion sprinter running on clouds, striding out ...18 hours ago - Lockdown’s legality and the rule of law
Victoria University of Wellington's Dr Dean Knight was at the High Court case that examined the legality of our lockdown - a hearing that told us something about the rule of law The legality of our Covid-19 lockdown was challenged in the High Court last week, with three judges considering a judicial review ...18 hours ago - Judy Bailey on euthanasia
Judy Bailey considers a new book dealing with the referendum subject of assisted dying I’ve had too many close encounters with death and dying lately. I guess it comes with the territory as you hit the slide side of 60. Too many funerals.There have been the inevitable losses of parents, ...18 hours ago - Some home truths about child protection
When it comes to child protection in New Zealand, it is time to lay the corporate warrior and troubled Pākehā conscience to rest, writes Dr Ian Hyslop The intent of this article is to provide some wider background and context to the current critique of child protection policy and practice within ...18 hours ago - Climate change is coming, we must be ready
Climate change is coming. Preparing for it means we may have to dramatically change how we live our lives, writes Marc Daalder. ...18 hours ago - Where the parties stand on animal welfare
Cat MacLennan looks at where the political parties stand on animal policies ahead of the election, using a questionnaire to mark and rank them so voters can can take it into account when casting their ballots Progress on animal issues has stalled over the past three years, with no significant initiatives to ...18 hours ago - Slack ‘pivotal’ to fast-growing international firm
Peakon is a fast-growing Danish employee success platform with its Asia-Pacific office in Auckland. Luke Amundson, its regional head based here, says lockdown demonstrated how important Slack has become "It is pivotal," he said in a Zoom video interview. "Without Slack, our business wouldn't be operating at the pace or the scale that ...18 hours ago - Free Press, 3 August 2020Half Empty Planes Free Press is an avid reader of statistics. We noticed 18,193 passengers departed New Zealand by air last month, while 9,032 arrived. The planes are arriving half empty and leaving full. In January, by comparison, around 740,000 ...18 hours ago
- National Pledge To End Family Violence Heads To Parliament GroundsMen from all over New Zealand are invited to join prominent violence-prevention voices in a show of solidarity and call for national change. This will culminate in a group pledge at Parliament grounds on 06 August 2020 from 10am-12noon. The pledge ...18 hours ago
- Disabled people like me need more than lip service. We need politicians to show upThe disability community should stop making excuses for candidates who don’t take the opportunity to hear from us directly – and that includes the prime minister herself, writes disabled journalist Michael Pulman.This time four years ago, forums promoting the disability vote gave the politicians who showed up a chance to ...19 hours ago
- Memebers of parliament: Who knew it would cost so much to come home?Welcome to memebers of parliament, a politics column for people who just want the memes.This column began because for one fortnight last month there seemed to be daily breaking news involving the actions of MPs. There was so much to digest and the only solution was for me to condense ...19 hours ago
- The science on transgender sport
The science on transgender women in sport, from the person whose scientific work informed World Rugby's controversial new proposed policy The man who helped write guidelines on transgender players in women’s rugby says he hates that his work has created a platform for people to attack transgender people as cheats. ...19 hours ago - Electrification And Double Tracking To Ōtaki A Big Win For Commuter Rail CampaignKāpiti Coast commuter rail campaigner Gwynn Compton says the National Party’s announcement that, if elected to government, they will fund the electrification and double tracking of the Wellington metropolitan commuter rail network to Ōtaki is ...19 hours ago
- Timorese journalists protest over plan to turn defamation into crimePacific Media Watch Newsdesk Timor-Leste’s Journalist Association (AJTL) and journalism students marched through the streets of the capital Dili today calling on the government to scrap plans to change the law to make defamation a criminal offence. Under the proposed law journalists could face jail sentences. Opponents of the proposed ...1 day ago
- Australia won’t recover unless Victoria does too. The federal government must step upSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brendan Coates, Program Director, Household Finances, Grattan Institute The announcement of stage 4 restrictions in Victoria marks a new, and depressing, stage in Australia’s response to COVID-19. The new measures will close non-essential retailers and most child-care centres across Melbourne, and impose ...1 day ago
- China retaliates over New Zealand’s Hong Kong extradition treaty suspensionChina said on Monday it will suspend its extradition agreement with New Zealand in response to Wellington suspending its existing extradition treaty with Hong Kong, Reuters reports. ...1 day ago
- China suspends extradition agreement with New Zealand, Reuters reportsChina said on Monday it will suspend its extradition agreement with New Zealand in response to Wellington suspending its existing extradition treaty with Hong Kong, Reuters reports. ...1 day ago
- Game of hats: The shambling, strange mess of George R.R. Martin, event MCOn Saturday the man behind Game of Thrones hosted the ceremony for the prestigious Hugo Awards. Sam Brooks recaps. In a blog post just over a year ago, American writer George R.R. Martin said that New Zealand had “formal written permission” to jail him if he didn’t have The Winds of ...1 day ago
- Victoria’s child-care shutdown is a hard blow for working mothersSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Danielle Wood, Chief executive officer, Grattan Institute How do you occupy a child for long enough to get any work done? This will be the question confronting more than 150,000 Melbourne families for at least the next six weeks. The Stage 4 ...1 day ago
- China suspends extradition agreement with New ZealandChina said on Monday it will suspend its extradition agreement with New Zealand in response to Wellington suspending its existing extradition treaty with Hong Kong, Reuters reports. ...1 day ago
- Melbourne non-essential retailers closed, as Morrison unveils pandemic leaveSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Non-essential retailers across Melbourne will be shut except for “click and collect” and delivery sales, and industries including meatworks and construction will be drastically scaled back, under Victoria’s unprecedented lockdown. The business shutdown details came ...1 day ago
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