Author Archive
Open mike 15/03/2023
Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, March 15th, 2023 - 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 …
Daily review 14/03/2023
Written By: - Date published: 5:30 pm, March 14th, 2023 - 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 …
Open mike 14/03/2023
Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, March 14th, 2023 - 63 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 13/03/2023
Written By: - Date published: 5:30 pm, March 13th, 2023 - 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 13/03/2023
Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, March 13th, 2023 - 22 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 12/03/2023
Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, March 12th, 2023 - 23 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 …
Helen White wins Mount Albert selection
Written By: - Date published: 3:24 pm, March 11th, 2023 - 25 comments
In breaking news Helen White has won the selection for the Mt Albert seat over Camilla Belich. This is something of an upset as Belich was rumoured to have head office support.
Open mike 11/03/2023
Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, March 11th, 2023 - 60 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 10/03/2023
Written By: - Date published: 5:30 pm, March 10th, 2023 - 5 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 …
Chloe Swarbrick: We don’t live in a game of Monopoly
Written By: - Date published: 10:04 am, March 10th, 2023 - 49 comments
The case for redistribution of wealth in New Zealand.
Open mike 10/03/2023
Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, March 10th, 2023 - 52 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 09/03/2023
Written By: - Date published: 5:30 pm, March 9th, 2023 - 11 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 09/03/2023
Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, March 9th, 2023 - 113 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 08/03/2023
Written By: - Date published: 5:30 pm, March 8th, 2023 - 26 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 08/03/2023
Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, March 8th, 2023 - 103 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 07/03/2023
Written By: - Date published: 5:30 pm, March 7th, 2023 - 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 …
Open mike 07/03/2023
Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, March 7th, 2023 - 15 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 06/03/2023
Written By: - Date published: 5:30 pm, March 6th, 2023 - 13 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 06/03/2023
Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, March 6th, 2023 - 139 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 05/03/2023
Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, March 5th, 2023 - 52 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 04/03/2023
Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, March 4th, 2023 - 69 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 03/03/2023
Written By: - Date published: 5:30 pm, March 3rd, 2023 - 6 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 03/03/2023
Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, March 3rd, 2023 - 69 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 02/03/2023
Written By: - Date published: 5:30 pm, March 2nd, 2023 - 15 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 02/03/2023
Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, March 2nd, 2023 - 80 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 01/03/2023
Written By: - Date published: 5:30 pm, March 1st, 2023 - 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 …
School Strike 4 Climate nationwide this Friday
Written By: - Date published: 12:42 pm, March 1st, 2023 - 32 comments
This climate crisis is a structural issue…. What it requires is a mass movement of citizens protesting for policy change and a dramatic redesign of our economy.
– Climate striker Aurora Garner-Randolph
Greens: Tax the banks
Written By: - Date published: 8:25 am, March 1st, 2023 - 60 comments
Instead of creating an appeal fund and one-off lotto draw, the Labour Government could tax the billions of dollars banks have made in unearned, excess profits and use the money to support people.
Open mike 01/03/2023
Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, March 1st, 2023 - 50 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 28/02/2023
Written By: - Date published: 5:30 pm, February 28th, 2023 - 16 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 …
The New Climate Denial: adaptation over mitigation
Written By: - Date published: 6:05 am, February 28th, 2023 - 45 comments
What if unmitigated climate change is more than we can adapt to?
- Women’s rights meeting silenced
By Don Franks Today my friend Ani O’Briien went to a meeting in Auckland and wrote: “No sooner had Kellie-Jay Keen Minshull arrived at the Rotunda, a protestor (who had managed to get past the barrier) ran at her and threw a red substance all over her and a security ...6 days ago - A serving of soup curbs Posie Parker’s appetite for speaking – and shows that might is right in ...
Jonathan Milne, managing editor for Newsroom Pro, has expressed his indignation about the outcome of a court decision yesterday in an article headed Posie Parker wins the beautiful freedom to make an ugly argument. Newsroom Pro laments: High Court Justice David Gendall has regretfully allowed an outspoken anti-trans activist to enter New ...6 days ago - It’s official: National have an education policy
imagine my surprise this week when the National Party, in their infinite wisdom, decided to release an education policy. As you can imagine, this got us so riled up here in the office that we dusted off our Windows XP laptop, waiting 17 hours for all the updates to be ...6 days ago - Prosperity through Productivity.
Come on Jess thought Mr Evans come on. He watched the large clock on the wall tick closer to 8:40am. Come on girl.In two minutes he had to submit the class attendance report and with Jess having already been late once that term it’d mean an automatic visit from the ...6 days ago - The hoon for the week that was to March 256 days ago
- The big question for Labour: Will Hipkins have any more success than Ardern did with the top priorit...
Chris Hipkins, after he became prime minister, committed to defeating the cost-of- living crisis. He proceeded to make a bonfire of policies that were at the heart of Jacinda Ardern’s administration. But, as Richard Prebble pointed out this week, “the government has not just U-turned, it has repudiated the ...7 days ago - Reality check.
There are some wellness, crystal-gazing, holistic spiritual guidance types in my disaster-hit coastal community who insist that the power of positive thinking will overcome the physical and material damages incurred by the community. They object to restrictions on road travel … Continue reading ...7 days ago - High Performance Instability in the Financial Sector
Evaluating the recent crashes of Silicon Valley Bank in the US and Credit Suisse in Switzerland plus two other banks (perhaps more by the time you read this) needs to begin with a review of the inevitable instability in the financial sector. The financial sector is inherently unstable, like military ...7 days ago - The week in review
1. We see here new police minister Ginny Andersen. Which larger than life NZ political figure was her great-uncle?a. Rob Muldoonb. Bill Andersenc. Richard John Seddond. Norman Kirk2. We see here archival footage of Ginny Andersen coming out of her electorate office to ask ex-tobacco lobbyist Chris Bishop if he ...7 days ago - Nash splashes out with a $900,000 investment in the blue economy (or is it more corporate welfare?)Buzz from the Beehive Stuart Nash, speaking as Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, one of his remaining portfolios after he was dropped down the Hipkins Government batting order, has drawn attention to the blue economy and its potential. Nash says the government is investing in the blue economy, or – ...7 days ago
- Ask Me Anything about the week to March 24
Photo by Josh Mills on UnsplashIt’s that time of the week for an ‘Ask Me Anything’ session for paying subscribers about the week that was for the next hour, including:The runs on Silicon Valley Bank and First Republic Bank on the west coast of the United States that forced the ...1 week ago - Weekly Roundup 24-March-2023
Roundup is back! We skipped last week’s Friday post due to a shortage of person-power – did you notice? Lots going on out there… Our header image this week shows a green street that just happens to be Queen St, by @chamfy from Twitter. This week (and last) in ...1 week ago - Gordon Campbell on the Keen-Minshull visit
After threatening Prime Minister Chris Hipkins of consequences if he dared to bar her entry, Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull has been given her visa, regardless. This will enable her to hold rallies in Auckland and Wellington this weekend, and spread her messages of hostility against an already marginalised trans community. Neo-Nazis may, ...1 week ago - BRYCE EDWARDS’ Political Roundup: NZ needs to distance itself from Australia’s anti-China nucl...
* Bryce Edwards writes – The New Zealand Government has been silent about Australia’s decision to commit up to $400bn acquiring nuclear submarines, even though this is a significant threat to peace and stability in the Asia Pacific. The deal was struck by the Albanese Labor Government as ...1 week ago - Wayne Brown's #Auxit momentBoomers voted him in, but Brown’s Trumpish moments might spook Aucklanders worried about what a change to National nationally might mean. Photo: Lynn Grieveson/Getty ImagesTL;DR: Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown has become our version of Donald Trump and Boris Johnson, except without any of the insatiable appetite for media appearances. He ...1 week ago
- Bryce Edwards: NZ needs to distance itself from Australia’s anti-China nuclear submarines
The New Zealand Government has been silent about Australia’s decision to commit up to $400bn acquiring nuclear submarines, even though this is a significant threat to peace and stability in the Asia Pacific. The deal was struck by the Albanese Labor Government as part of its Aukus pact with the ...1 week ago - Posie Parker vs Transgender Rights.
Recently you might have heard of a person called Posie Parker and her visit to Aotearoa. Perhaps you’re not quite sure what it’s all about. So let’s start with who this person is, why their visit is controversial, and what on earth a TERF is.Posie Parker is the super villain ...1 week ago - Select Committee told slow down; you’re moving too fastThe chair of Parliament’s Select Committee looking at the Government’s resource management legislation wants the bills sent back for more public consultation. The proposal would effectively kill any chance of the bills making it into law before the election. Green MP, Eugenie Sage, stressing that she was speaking as ...1 week ago
- Skeptical Science New Research for Week #12 2023
Open access notables The United States experienced some historical low temperature records during the just-concluded winter. It's a reminder that climate and weather are quite noisy; with regard to our warming climate,, as with a road ascending a mountain range we may steadily change our conditions but with lots of ...1 week ago - What becomes of the broken hearted? Nanny State will step in to comfort themBuzz from the Beehive The Nanny State has scored some wins (or claimed them) in the past day or two but it faltered when it came to protecting Kiwi citizens from being savaged by one woman armed with a sharp tongue. The wins are recorded by triumphant ministers on the ...1 week ago
- Acceptance, decency, road food.
Sometimes you see your friends making the case so well on social media you think: just copy and share.On acceptance and decency, from Michèle A’CourtA notable thing about anti-trans people is they way they talk about transgender women and men as though they are strangers “over there” when in fact ...1 week ago - Climate Change: More Labour sabotage
Not that long ago, things were looking pretty good for climate change policy in Aotearoa. We finally had an ETS, and while it was full of pork and subsidies, it was delivering high and ever-rising carbon prices, sending a clear message to polluters to clean up or shut down. And ...1 week ago - Is bundling restricting electricity competition?Comparing (and switching) electricity providers has become easier, but bundling power up with broadband and/or gas makes it more challenging. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The Kākā TL;DR: The new Consumer Advocacy Council set up as a result of the Labour Government’s Electricity Price Review in 2019 has called on either ...1 week ago
- Westland Milk puts heat on competitors as global dairy demand remains softer for longerHokitika-based Westland Milk Products has put the heat on dairy giant Fonterra with a $120m profit turnaround in 2022, driven by record sales. Westland paid its suppliers a 10c premium above the forecast Fonterra price per kilo, contributing $535m to the West Coast and Canterbury economies. The dairy ...1 week ago
- BRYCE EDWARDS’ Political Roundup: The Beehive’s revolving door and corporate mateship* Bryce Edwards writes – New Zealanders are uncomfortable with the high level of influence corporate lobbyists have in New Zealand politics, and demands are growing for greater regulation. A recent poll shows 62 per cent of the public support having a two-year cooling off period between ministers leaving public ...1 week ago
- Bryce Edwards: The Beehive’s revolving door and corporate mateshipNew Zealanders are uncomfortable with the high level of influence corporate lobbyists have in New Zealand politics, and demands are growing for greater regulation. A recent poll shows 62 per cent of the public support having a two-year cooling off period between ministers leaving public office and becoming lobbyists and ...1 week ago
- A miracle pill for our transport illsThis is a guest post by accessibility and sustainable transport advocate Tim Adriaansen It originally appeared here. A friend calls you and asks for your help. They tell you that while out and about nearby, they slipped over and landed arms-first. Now their wrist is swollen, hurting like ...1 week ago
- The Surprising Power of Floating Wind TurbinesFloating offshore wind turbines offer incredible opportunities to capture powerful winds far out at sea. By unlocking this wind energy potential, they could be a key weapon in our arsenal in the fight against climate change. But how developed are these climate fighting clean energy giants? And why do I ...1 week ago
- The next Maori challengeOver the past two or three weeks, a procession of Maori iwi and hapu in a series of little-noticed appearances before two Select Committees have been asking for more say for Maori over resource management decisions along the co-governance lines of Three Waters. Their submissions and appearances run counter ...1 week ago
- Secret “war-crime” warrants by International Criminal Court is mischief-making
The decision of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue war crimes arrest warrants for the Russian President and the Russia Children Ombudsman may have been welcomed by the ideologically committed but otherwise seems to have been greeted with widespread cynicism (see Situation in Ukraine: ICC judges issue arrest warrants ...1 week ago - How to answer Drunk Uncle Kevin's Climate Crisis reckons
1 week ago - National’s Luxon may be glum about his poll ratings but has he found a winner in promising to rai...National Party leader Christopher Luxon may be feeling glum about his poll ratings, but he could be tapping into a rich political vein in describing the current state of education as “alarming”. Luxon said educational achievement has been declining, with a recent NCEA pilot exposing just how far it has ...1 week ago
- Climate Change: More Labour foot-draggingYesterday the IPCC released the final part of its Sixth Assessment Report, warning us that we have very little time left in which to act to prevent catastrophic climate change, but pointing out that it is a problem that we can solve, with existing technology, and that anything we do ...1 week ago
- Te Pāti Māori Are Revolutionaries – Not Reformists.
Way Beyond Reform: Rawiri Waititi and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer have no more interest in remaining permanent members of “New Zealand’s” House of Representatives than did Lenin and Trotsky in remaining permanent members of Tsar Nicolas II’s “democratically-elected” Duma. Like the Bolsheviks, Te Pāti Māori is a party of revolutionaries – not reformists.THE CROWN ...1 week ago - When does history become “ancient”, on Tinetti’s watch as Minister of Education – and what o...Buzz from the Beehive Auckland was wiped off the map, when Education Minister Jan Tinetti delivered her speech of welcome as host of the inaugural Conference of Pacific Education Ministers “here in Tāmaki Makaurau”. But – fair to say – a reference was made later in the speech to a ...1 week ago
- Climate Catastrophe, but first rugby.
Morning mate, how you going?Well, I was watching the news last night and they announced this scientific report on Climate Change. But before they got to it they had a story about the new All Blacks coach.Sounds like important news. It’s a bit of a worry really.Yeah, they were talking ...1 week ago - What the US and European bank rescues mean for usAlways a bailout: US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the Government would fully guarantee all savers in all smaller US banks if needed. Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: No wonder an entire generation of investors are used to ‘buying the dip’ and ‘holding on for dear life’. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen ...1 week ago
- Bryce Edwards: Who will drain Wellington’s lobbying swamp?Wealthy vested interests have an oversized influence on political decisions in New Zealand. Partly that’s due to their use of corporate lobbyists. Fortunately, the influence lobbyists can have on decisions made by politicians is currently under scrutiny in Guyon Espiner’s in-depth series published by RNZ. Two of Espiner’s research exposés ...1 week ago
- It’s Raining CongestionYesterday afternoon it rained and traffic around the region ground to a halt, once again highlighting why it is so important that our city gets on with improving the alternatives to driving. For additional irony, this happened on the same day the IPCC synthesis report landed, putting the focus on ...1 week ago
- Checking The Left: The Dreadful Logic Of Fascism.The Beginning: Anti-Co-Governance agitator, Julian Batchelor, addresses the Dargaville stop of his travelling roadshow across New Zealand . Fascism almost always starts small. Sadly, it doesn’t always stay that way. Especially when the Left helps it to grow.THERE IS A DREADFUL LOGIC to the growth of fascism. To begin with, it ...1 week ago
- Good Friends and Terrible Food
Hi,From an incredibly rainy day in Los Angeles, I just wanted to check in. I guess this is the day Trump may or may not end up in cuffs? I’m attempting a somewhat slower, less frenzied week. I’ve had Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s new record on non-stop, and it’s been a ...1 week ago - At a glance – What evidence is there for the hockey stick?On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...1 week ago
- Carry right on up there, Corporal Espiner
RNZ has been shining their torch into corners where lobbyists lurk and asking such questions as: Do we like the look of this?and Is this as democratic as it could be?These are most certainly questions worth asking, and every bit as valid as, say:Are we shortchanged democratically by the way ...1 week ago - This smellsRNZ has continued its look at the role of lobbyists by taking a closer look at the Prime Minister's Chief of Staff Andrew Kirton. He used to work for liquor companies, opposing (among other things) a container refund scheme which would have required them to take responsibility for their own ...1 week ago
- Major issues on the table in Mahuta’s talks in Beijing with China’s new Foreign MinisterForeign Minister Nanaia Mahuta has left for Beijing for the first ministerial visit to China since 2019. Mahuta is to meet China’s new foreign minister Qin Gang where she might have to call on all the diplomatic skills at her command. Almost certainly she will face questions on what role ...1 week ago
- Inside TOP's Teal Card and political strategy1 week ago
- Make Your Empties Go Another Round.
When I was a kid New Zealand was actually pretty green. We didn’t really have plastic. The fruit and veges came in a cardboard box, the meat was wrapped in paper, milk came in a glass bottle, and even rubbish sacks were made of paper. Today if you sit down ...1 week ago - Gordon Campbell on how similar Vladimir Putin is to George W. BushLooking back through the names of our Police Ministers down the years, the job has either been done by once or future party Bigfoots – Syd Holland, Richard Prebble, Juduth Collins, Chris Hipkins – or by far lesser lights like Keith Allen, Frank Gill, Ben Couch, Allen McCready, Clem Simich, ...1 week ago
- CHRIS TROTTER: Te Pāti Māori’s uncompromising threat to the status quoChris Trotter writes – The Crown is a fickle friend. Any political movement deemed to be colourful but inconsequential is generally permitted to go about its business unmolested. The Crown’s media, RNZ and TVNZ, may even “celebrate” its existence (presumably as proof of Democracy’s broad-minded acceptance of diversity). ...1 week ago
- Bryce Edwards: Shining a bright light on lobbyists in politicsFour out of the five people who have held the top role of Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff since 2017 have been lobbyists. That’s a fact that should worry anyone who believes vested interests shouldn’t have a place at the centre of decision making. Chris Hipkins’ newly appointed Chief of ...1 week ago
- Auckland Council Draft Budget – an unnecessary backwards stepFeedback on Auckland Council’s draft 2023/24 budget closes on March 28th. You can read the consultation document here, and provide feedback here. Auckland Council is currently consulting on what is one of its most important ever Annual Plans – the ‘budget’ of what it will spend money on between July ...1 week ago
- Talking’ Posey Parker Blues
by Molten Moira from Motueka If you want to be a woman let me tell you what to do Get a piece of paper and a biro tooWrite down your new identification And boom! You’re now a woman of this nationSpelled W O M A Na real trans woman that isAs opposed ...2 weeks ago - More Māori words make it into the OED, and polytech boss (with rules on words like “students”) ...Buzz from the Beehive New Zealand Education Minister Jan Tinetti is hosting the inaugural Conference of Pacific Education Ministers for three days from today, welcoming Education Ministers and senior officials from 18 Pacific Island countries and territories, and from Australia. Here’s hoping they have brought translators with them – or ...2 weeks ago
- Social intercourse with haters and Nazis: an etiquette guide
Let’s say you’ve come all the way from His Majesty’s United Kingdom to share with the folk of Australia and New Zealand your antipathy towards certain other human beings. And let’s say you call yourself a women’s rights activist.And let’s say 99 out of 100 people who listen to you ...2 weeks ago - The Greens, Labour, and coalition enforcementJames Shaw gave the Green party's annual "state of the planet" address over the weekend, in which he expressed frustration with Labour for not doing enough on climate change. His solution is to elect more Green MPs, so they have more power within any government arrangement, and can hold Labour ...2 weeks ago
- This sounds familiar…RNZ this morning has the first story another investigative series by Guyon Espiner, this time into political lobbying. The first story focuses on lobbying by government agencies, specifically transpower, Pharmac, and assorted universities, and how they use lobbyists to manipulate public opinion and gather intelligence on the Ministers who oversee ...2 weeks ago
- Letter to the NZ Herald: NCEA pseudoscience – “Mauri is present in all matter”Nick Matzke writes – Dear NZ Herald, I am a Senior Lecturer in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Auckland. I teach evolutionary biology, but I also have long experience in science education and (especially) political attempts to insert pseudoscience into science curricula in ...2 weeks ago
- So what would be the point of a Green vote again?
James Shaw has again said the Greens would be better ‘in the tent’ with Labour than out, despite Labour’s policy bonfire last week torching much of what the Government was doing to reduce emissions. File Photo: Lynn Grieveson/Getty ImagesTL;DR: The Green Party has never been more popular than in some ...2 weeks ago - Gas stoves pose health risks. Are gas furnaces and other appliances safe to use?This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Sarah Wesseler Poor air quality is a long-standing problem in Los Angeles, where the first major outbreak of smog during World War II was so intense that some residents thought the city had been attacked by chemical weapons. Cars were eventually discovered ...2 weeks ago
- Genetic Heritage and Co Governance
Yesterday I was reading an excellent newsletter from David Slack, and I started writing a comment “Sounds like some excellent genetic heritage…” and then I stopped.There was something about the phrase genetic heritage that stopped me in tracks. Is that a phrase I want to be saying? It’s kind of ...2 weeks ago - BRIAN EASTON: Radical UncertaintyBrian Easton writes – Two senior economists challenge some of the foundations of current economics. It is easy to criticise economic science by misrepresenting it, by selective quotations, and by ignoring that it progresses, like all sciences, by improving and abandoning old theories. The critics may go ...2 weeks ago
- Geoffrey Miller: New Zealand’s Middle East strategy, 20 years after the Iraq WarThis week marks the twentieth anniversary of the Iraq War. While it strongly opposed the US-led invasion, New Zealand’s then Labour-led government led by Prime Minister Helen Clark did deploy military engineers to try to help rebuild Iraq in mid-2003. With violence soaring, their 12-month deployment ended without being renewed ...2 weeks ago
- The motorways are finishedAfter seventy years, Auckland’s motorway network is finally finished. In July 1953 the first section of motorway in Auckland was opened between Ellerslie-Panmure Highway and Mt Wellington Highway. The final stage opens to traffic this week with the completion of the motorway part of the Northern Corridor Improvements project. Aucklanders ...2 weeks ago
- Kicking National’s tyresNational’s appointment of Todd McClay as Agriculture spokesperson clearly signals that the party is in trouble with the farming vote. McClay was not an obvious choice, but he does have a record as a political scrapper. The party needs that because sources say it has been shedding farming votes ...2 weeks ago
- As long as there is cricket, the world is somehow okay.
Rays of white light come flooding into my lounge, into my face from over the top of my neighbour’s hedge. I have to look away as the window of the conservatory is awash in light, as if you were driving towards the sun after a rain shower and suddenly blinded. ...2 weeks ago - So much of what was there remains
The columnists in Private Eye take pen names, so I have not the least idea who any of them are. But I greatly appreciate their expert insight, especially MD, who writes the medical column, offering informed and often damning critique of the UK health system and the politicians who keep ...2 weeks ago - 2023 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11A chronological listing of news articles posted on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, Mar 12, 2023 thru Sat, Mar 18, 2023. Story of the Week Guest post: What 13,500 citations reveal about the IPCC’s climate science report IPCC WG1 AR6 SPM Report Cover - Changing ...2 weeks ago
- Financial capability services are being bucked up, but Stuart Nash shouldn’t have to see if they c...Buzz from the Beehive The building of financial capability was brought into our considerations when Social Development and Employment Minister Carmel Sepuloni announced she had dipped into the government’s coffers for $3 million for “providers” to help people and families access community-based Building Financial Capability services. That wording suggests some ...2 weeks ago
- Things that make you go Hmmmm.
Do you ever come across something that makes you go Hmmmm?You mean like the song?No, I wasn’t thinking of the song, but I am now - thanks for that. I was thinking of things you read or hear that make you stop and go Hmmmm.Yeah, I know what you mean, ...2 weeks ago - The hoon for the week that was to March 19By the end of the week, the dramas over Stuart Nash overshadowed Hipkins’ policy bonfire. File photo: Lynn GrieveasonTLDR: This week’s news in geopolitics and the political economy covered on The Kākā included:PM Chris Hipkins’ announcement of the rest of a policy bonfire to save a combined $1.7 billion, but ...2 weeks ago
- Saving Stuart Nash: Explaining Chris Hipkins' unexpected political calculation
When word went out that Prime Minister Chris Hipkins would be making an announcement about Stuart Nash on the tiles at parliament at 2:45pm yesterday, the assumption was that it was over. That we had reached tipping point for Nash’s time as minister. But by 3pm - when, coincidentally, the ...2 weeks ago - Radical Uncertainty
Two senior economists challenge some of the foundations of current economics. It is easy to criticise economic science by misrepresenting it, by selective quotations, and by ignoring that it progresses, like all sciences, by improving and abandoning old theories. The critics may go on to attack physics by citing Newton.So ...2 weeks ago - Jump onto the weekly hoon on Riverside at 5pm
Photo by Walker Fenton on UnsplashIt’s that time of the week again when and I co-host our ‘hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kaka for an hour at 5 pm. Jump on this link on Riverside (we’ve moved from Zoom) for our chat about the week’s news with ...2 weeks ago - The Dream of Florian Neame: Accepted
In a nice bit of news, my 2550-word deindustrial science-fiction piece, The Dream of Florian Neame, has been accepted for publication at New Maps Magazine (https://www.new-maps.com/). I have published there before, of course, with Of Tin and Tintagel coming out last year. While I still await the ...2 weeks ago - Snakes and leaders
And so this is Friday, and what have we learned?It was a week with all the usual luggage: minister brags and then he quits, Hollywood red carpet is full of twits. And all the while, hanging over the trivial stuff: existential dread, and portents of doom.Depending on who you read ...2 weeks ago
- District Court Judges appointed
Attorney-General David Parker has announced the appointment of Christopher John Dellabarca of Wellington, Dr Katie Jane Elkin of Wellington, Caroline Mary Hickman of Napier, Ngaroma Tahana of Rotorua, Tania Rose Williams Blyth of Hamilton and Nicola Jan Wills of Wellington as District Court Judges. Chris Dellabarca Mr Dellabarca commenced his ...7 days ago - Notes of an address to the Environmental Defence Society Conference, AucklandTēnā koutou katoa. Can I begin by thanking Gary Taylor, Raewyn Peart and others in the EDS team for their herculean work in support of the environment. I’d also like to acknowledge Hon Simon Upton, Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, my parliamentary colleagues, and the many activists here who strive ...7 days ago
- New project set to supercharge ocean economy in Nelson TasmanA new Government-backed project will help ocean-related businesses in the Nelson Tasman region to accelerate their growth and boost jobs. “The Nelson Tasman region is home to more than 400 blue economy businesses, accounting for more than 30 percent of New Zealand’s economic activity in fishing, aquaculture, and seafood processing,” ...1 week ago
- National’s education policy: where’s the funding?After three years of COVID-19 disruptions schools are finally settling down and National want to throw that all in the air with major disruption to learning and underinvestment. “National’s education policy lacks the very thing teachers, parents and students need after a tough couple of years, certainty and stability,” Education ...1 week ago
- Free programme to help older entrepreneurs and inventorsPeople aged over 50 with innovative business ideas will now be able to receive support to advance their ideas to the next stage of development, Minister for Seniors Ginny Andersen said today. “Seniors have some great entrepreneurial ideas, and this programme will give them the support to take that next ...1 week ago
- Government target increased to keep powering up the Māori economyA cross government target for relevant government procurement contracts for goods and services to be awarded to Māori businesses annually will increase to 8%, after the initial 5% target was exceeded. The progressive procurement policy was introduced in 2020 to increase supplier diversity, starting with Māori businesses, for the estimated ...1 week ago
- Continued progress on reducing poverty in challenging times77,000 fewer children living in low income households on the after-housing-costs primary measure since Labour took office Eight of the nine child poverty measures have seen a statistically significant reduction since 2018. All nine have reduced 28,700 fewer children experiencing material hardship since 2018 Measures taken by the Government during ...1 week ago
- Speech at Fiji Investment and Trade Business ForumDeputy Prime Minister Kamikamica; distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. Tēnā koutou katoa, ni sa bula vinaka saka, namaste. Deputy Prime Minister, a very warm welcome to Aotearoa. I trust you have been enjoying your time here and thank you for joining us here today. To all delegates who have travelled to be ...1 week ago
- Government investments boost and diversify local economies in lower South Island$2.9 million convertible loan for Scapegrace Distillery to meet growing national and international demand $4.5m underwrite to support Silverlight Studios’ project to establish a film studio in Wanaka Gore’s James Cumming Community Centre and Library to be official opened tomorrow with support of $3m from the COVID-19 Response and Recovery ...1 week ago
- Pasifka Futures Whānau Ora Conference[CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY] E ngā mana, e ngā reo, e ngā tangata katoa, o moana-nui-a-kiwa, E ngā mate, haere, haere, haere atū ra, manuia lau Malaga. Thank you for the kind introduction and opportunity to join you this morning. It is always good to be here in Aukilani, where I ...1 week ago
- Alzheimers New Zealand conference – Opening AddressE nga mana, e nga reo, e nga iwi, tēnā koutou katoa. Talofa lava and thank you Catherine, for the warm welcome. I’m sorry that I can’t be there in person today but it’s great for the opportunity to contribute virtually. I’d like to start by acknowledging: Alzheimers New Zealand, ...1 week ago
- Government future-proofs EV chargingTransport Minister Michael Wood has today launched the first national EV (electric vehicle) charging strategy, Charging Our Future, which includes plans to provide EV charging stations in almost every town in New Zealand. “Our vision is for Aotearoa New Zealand to have world-class EV charging infrastructure that is accessible, affordable, ...1 week ago
- World-leading family harm prevention campaign supports young NZersAssociate Minister for Social Development and Employment Priyanca Radhakrishnan has today launched the Love Better campaign in a world-leading approach to family harm prevention. Love Better will initially support young people through their experience of break-ups, developing positive and life-long attitudes to dealing with hurt. “Over 1,200 young kiwis told ...1 week ago
- First Chief Clinical Advisor welcomed into Coroners CourtHon Rino Tirikatene, Minister for Courts, welcomes the Ministry of Justice’s appointment of Dr Garry Clearwater as New Zealand’s first Chief Clinical Advisor working with the Coroners Court. “This appointment is significant for the Coroners Court and New Zealand’s wider coronial system.” Minister Tirikatene said. Through Budget 2022, the Government ...1 week ago
- Next steps for affected properties post Cyclone and floodsThe Government via the Cyclone Taskforce is working with local government and insurance companies to build a picture of high-risk areas following Cyclone Gabrielle and January floods. “The Taskforce, led by Sir Brian Roche, has been working with insurance companies to undertake an assessment of high-risk areas so we can ...1 week ago
- New appointment to Māori Land Court benchE te huia kaimanawa, ko Ngāpuhi e whakahari ana i tau aupikinga ki te tihi o te maunga. Ko te Ao Māori hoki e whakanui ana i a koe te whakaihu waka o te reo Māori i roto i te Ao Ture. (To the prized treasure, it is Ngāpuhi who ...1 week ago
- Government focus on jobs sees record number of New Zealanders move from Benefits into work113,400 exits into work in the year to June 2022 Young people are moving off Benefit faster than after the Global Financial Crisis Two reports released today by the Ministry of Social Development show the Government’s investment in the COVID-19 response helped drive record numbers of people off Benefits and ...1 week ago
- Vertical farming partnership has upward momentumThe Government’s priority to keep New Zealand at the cutting edge of food production and lift our sustainability credentials continues by backing the next steps of a hi-tech vertical farming venture that uses up to 95 per cent less water, is climate resilient, and pesticide-free. Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor visited ...1 week ago
- Conference of Pacific Education Ministers – Keynote AddressE nga mana, e nga iwi, e nga reo, e nga hau e wha, tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou kātoa. Warm Pacific greetings to all. It is an honour to host the inaugural Conference of Pacific Education Ministers here in Tāmaki Makaurau. Aotearoa is delighted to be hosting you ...1 week ago
- New $13m renal unit supports Taranaki patientsThe new renal unit at Taranaki Base Hospital has been officially opened by the Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall this afternoon. Te Huhi Raupō received around $13 million in government funding as part of Project Maunga Stage 2, the redevelopment of the Taranaki Base Hospital campus. “It’s an honour ...1 week ago
- Second Poseidon aircraft on home soilDefence Minister Andrew Little has marked the arrival of the country’s second P-8A Poseidon aircraft alongside personnel at the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s Base at Ohakea today. “With two of the four P-8A Poseidons now on home soil this marks another significant milestone in the Government’s historic investment in ...1 week ago
- Further humanitarian aid for Türkiye and SyriaAotearoa New Zealand will provide further humanitarian support to those seriously affected by last month’s deadly earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria, says Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta. “The 6 February earthquakes have had devastating consequences, with almost 18 million people affected. More than 53,000 people have died and tens of thousands more ...1 week ago
- Community voice to help shape immigration policyMigrant communities across New Zealand are represented in the new Migrant Community Reference Group that will help shape immigration policy going forward, Immigration Minister Michael Wood announced today. “Since becoming Minister, a reoccurring message I have heard from migrants is the feeling their voice has often been missing around policy ...1 week ago
- State Highway 3 project to deliver safer journeys, better travel connections for TaranakiConstruction has begun on major works that will deliver significant safety improvements on State Highway 3 from Waitara to Bell Block, Associate Minister of Transport Kiri Allan announced today. “This is an important route for communities, freight and visitors to Taranaki but too many people have lost their lives or ...1 week ago
- Ginny Andersen appointed as Minister of PolicePrime Minister Chris Hipkins has today appointed Ginny Andersen as Minister of Police. “Ginny Andersen has a strong and relevant background in this important portfolio,” Chris Hipkins said. “Ginny Andersen worked for the Police as a non-sworn staff member for around 10 years and has more recently been chair of ...2 weeks ago
- Government confirms vital roading reconnectionsSix further bailey bridge sites confirmed Four additional bridge sites under consideration 91 per cent of damaged state highways reopened Recovery Dashboards for impacted regions released The Government has responded quickly to restore lifeline routes after Cyclone Gabrielle and can today confirm that an additional six bailey bridges will ...2 weeks ago
- Foreign Minister Mahuta to meet with China’s new Foreign MinisterForeign Minister Nanaia Mahuta departs for China tomorrow, where she will meet with her counterpart, State Councillor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang, in Beijing. This will be the first visit by a New Zealand Minister to China since 2019, and follows the easing of COVID-19 travel restrictions between New Zealand and China. ...2 weeks ago
- Education Ministers from across the Pacific gather in AotearoaEducation Ministers from across the Pacific will gather in Tāmaki Makaurau this week to share their collective knowledge and strategic vision, for the benefit of ākonga across the region. New Zealand Education Minister Jan Tinetti will host the inaugural Conference of Pacific Education Ministers (CPEM) for three days from today, ...2 weeks ago
- State Highway 5 reopens between Napier and Taupō following Cyclone GabrielleA vital transport link for communities and local businesses has been restored following Cyclone Gabrielle with the reopening of State Highway 5 (SH5) between Napier and Taupō, Associate Minister of Transport Kiri Allan says. SH5 reopened to all traffic between 7am and 7pm from today, with closure points at SH2 (Kaimata ...2 weeks ago
- Special Lotto draw raises $11.7 million for Cyclone Gabrielle recoveryInternal Affairs Minister Barbara Edmonds has thanked generous New Zealanders who took part in the special Lotto draw for communities affected by Cyclone Gabrielle. Held on Saturday night, the draw raised $11.7 million with half of all ticket sales going towards recovery efforts. “In a time of need, New Zealanders ...2 weeks ago
- Government delivers a $3 million funding boost for Building Financial Capability servicesThe Government has announced funding of $3 million for providers to help people, and whānau access community-based Building Financial Capability services. “Demand for Financial Capability Services is growing as people face cost of living pressures. Those pressures are increasing further in areas affected by flooding and Cyclone Gabrielle,” Minister for ...2 weeks ago
- Education New Zealand | Manapou ki te Ao – new Chair and memberMinister of Education, Hon Jan Tinetti, has announced appointments to the Board of Education New Zealand | Manapou ki te Ao. Tracey Bridges is joining the Board as the new Chair and Dr Therese Arseneau will be a new member. Current members Dr Linda Sissons CNZM and Daniel Wilson have ...2 weeks ago
- Scholarships honouring Ngarimu VC and the 28th (Māori) Battalion announcedFifteen ākonga Māori from across Aotearoa have been awarded the prestigious Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships and Awards for 2023, Associate Education Minister and Ngarimu Board Chair, Kelvin Davis announced today. The recipients include doctoral, masters’ and undergraduate students. Three vocational training students and five wharekura students, ...2 weeks ago
- Appointment of Judge of the Court of Appeal and Judge of the High CourtHigh Court Judge Jillian Maree Mallon has been appointed a Judge of the Court of Appeal, and District Court Judge Andrew John Becroft QSO has been appointed a Judge of the High Court, Attorney‑General David Parker announced today. Justice Mallon graduated from Otago University in 1988 with an LLB (Hons), and with ...2 weeks ago
- NZ still well placed to meet global challengesThe economy has continued to show its resilience despite today’s GDP figures showing a modest decline in the December quarter, leaving the Government well positioned to help New Zealanders face cost of living pressures in a challenging global environment. “The economy had grown strongly in the two quarters before this ...2 weeks ago
- Western Ring Route CompleteAucklanders now have more ways to get around as Transport Minister Michael Wood opened the direct State Highway 1 (SH1) to State Highway 18 (SH18) underpass today, marking the completion of the 48-kilometre Western Ring Route (WRR). “The Government is upgrading New Zealand’s transport system to make it safer, more ...2 weeks ago
- Briefings to Incoming MinistersThis section contains briefings received by incoming ministers following changes to Cabinet in January. Some information may have been withheld in accordance with the Official Information Act 1982. Where information has been withheld that is indicated within the document. ...2 weeks ago
- Teaming up for a stronger, more resilient FijiAotearoa New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta reaffirmed her commitment to working together with the new Government of Fiji on issues of shared importance, including on the prioritisation of climate change and sustainability, at a meeting today, in Nadi. Fiji and Aotearoa New Zealand’s close relationship is underpinned by the Duavata ...2 weeks ago
- Investment in blue highway a lifeline for regional economies and cyclone recoveryThe Government is delivering a coastal shipping lifeline for businesses, residents and the primary sector in the cyclone-stricken regions of Hawkes Bay and Tairāwhiti, Regional Development Minister Kiri Allan announced today. The Rangitata vessel has been chartered for an emergency coastal shipping route between Gisborne and Napier, with potential for ...2 weeks ago
- Next steps developing clean energy for NZThe Government will progress to the next stage of the NZ Battery Project, looking at the viability of pumped hydro as well as an alternative, multi-technology approach as part of the Government’s long term-plan to build a resilient, affordable, secure and decarbonised energy system in New Zealand, Energy and Resources ...2 weeks ago
- Don’t listen to Gwyneth Paltrow – IVs are not a shortcut to good health
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Emily Burch, Dietitian, Researcher & Lecturer, Southern Cross University AP Photo/Alex Goodlett Actor and businesswoman Gwyneth Paltrow declared “I love an IV!” recently, calling herself an “early adoptor” of intravenous infusion during a podcast. Both she and the show’s host ...23 hours ago - Submissions Invited On Legislative Changes Regarding Mass Arrivals
The Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee is calling for submissions on the Immigration (Mass Arrivals) Amendment Bill. This bill would provide changes to the management of an irregular maritime arrival (an arrival of migrants to New Zealand ...23 hours ago - What can’t bees do? Unique study of urban beehives reveals the secrets of several cities around th...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Scarlett Howard, Lecturer, Monash University leandro fregoni/Unsplash Bees provide myriad benefits to humanity, including pollination services, honey production, food security and crop pollination, artistic inspiration and even career opportunities. But what if bees could also provide insights into human and ...23 hours ago
- Evidence Stuart Nash breached official information laws
The "inexcusable" email that led to Stuart Nash's sacking from Cabinet formed part of correspondence requested by - and improperly denied to - Newsroom in 2021. Pete Mckenzie reports. Labour MP Stuart Nash appears to have improperly withheld the June 2020 email that forced prime minister Chris Hipkins to sack him ...24 hours ago - Will Indonesia’s presidential election be delayed? And could Jokowi stay in power longer?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tim Lindsey, Malcolm Smith Professor of Asian Law and Director of the Centre for Indonesian Law, Islam and Society, The University of Melbourne A decade ago, Joko (Jokowi) Widodo was an outsider candidate whose carefully cultivated “everyman” persona swept him into Indonesia’s ...24 hours ago
- UN adopts Vanuatu-led resolution in ‘epic win’ on climate changeRNZ Pacific The UN General Assembly has adopted a Vanuatu-led resolution calling for an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on climate change and human rights. The resolution was tabled by Vanuatu and a core group of 17 countries, aiming to clarify what the obligations of states ...1 day ago
- The savage shutdown of Today FM is Mediaworks turning to face extinction
The station was a bold, future-facing investment to diversify revenue streams. Yet internal opposition has broken the brand, writes Duncan Greive. The text read, “Hey – tune into Today FM now if you can”. It came from a senior staffer there, and the omens were not good. It turned out ...1 day ago - Access To Information Fundamental For AccountabilityThe New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is calling on Te Whatu Ora to immediately prioritise republishing key health reporting data after it was revealed that it was taken down nearly three weeks ago. Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Callum Purves Says: ...1 day ago
- Bryce Edwards’ Political Roundup: Is it time for an anti-corruption commission?Analysis by Dr Bryce Edwards. Political Roundup: Is it time for an anti-corruption commission? Political scientist, Dr Bryce Edwards. If ever there was an example of complacency about corruption and integrity in New Zealand politics it’s the fact that the Prime Minister’s Office knew back in 2021 that Cabinet Minister ...1 day ago
- Newsletter: March 30 2023 – Items of interest and importance todayNew Zealand Politics Daily is a collation of the most prominent issues being discussed in New Zealand. It is edited by Dr Bryce Edwards of The Democracy Project. Today’s content STUART NASH Richard Harman (Politik): How Nash got tangled up in “dirty politics” (paywalled) William Hewett (Newshub): Political pundit Bryce Edwards calls for anti-corruption ...1 day ago
- At the end of Today
Today FM falls silent as owner MediaWorks loses its nerve in the battle with Newstalk ZB and tells staff it's over Media crises and closures don't come more brutal than what occurred live on Today FM on Thursday morning as hosts Duncan Garner and Tova O'Brien told listeners the year-long ...1 day ago - At the end of TodayToday FM falls silent as owner MediaWorks loses its nerve in the battle with Newstalk ZB and tells staff it's over Media crises and closures don't come more brutal than what occurred live on Today FM on Thursday morning as hosts Duncan Garner and Tova O'Brien told listeners the year-long ...1 day ago
- National MP apologises over Nashville shooting comments
National MP Simon O'Connor has apologised after comments in Parliament linking a US shooting to Green co-leader Marama Davidson's comments about white cis men. ...1 day ago - Changes To The Māori Electoral OptionMāori who would like to switch electoral rolls before this year’s General Election will be able to make the change from tomorrow 31 March until 13 July. A recent law change means that Māori can now change between the Māori and general rolls at any ...1 day ago
- Our Indigenous Species Are At Risk Of ExtinctionMore than 75 percent of indigenous reptile, bird, bat, and freshwater fish species groups are threatened with extinction or are at risk of becoming threatened, according to figures released today by Stats NZ. "Loss of many of our indigenous species ...1 day ago
- Unions Otago Adds Voice To Campaign Against Cuts To New Dunedin HospitalLocal union members are backing the campaign against cuts to the new Dunedin hospital. Unions Otago convenor Andrew Tait says many union members in Dunedin and Otago are health workers. He says there are major concerns about the effects of proposed major ...1 day ago
- Airports Mark Milestone With Passing Of Civil Aviation BillNZ Airports is celebrating Parliament passing under urgency the Civil Aviation Bill following almost ten years of development. “NZ Airports has been involved in the Civil Aviation Bill’s policy development and legislative processes since 2014. ...1 day ago
- ‘This is betrayal’: Duncan Garner and Tova O’Brien taken off-air as Today FM faces chopThe broadcasters let rip live on air ahead of an all-staff meeting at which the shutdown of the year-old station was announced. “It looks like the end of us,” said Duncan Garner shortly before 9.30am this morning. “We’re being pulled off-air right now. Without even being given a chance,” said ...1 day ago
- A Bridge Away From Government’s Failures“Chris Hipkins needs to show what has changed to make the fast-tracking of a new Auckland harbour crossing a realistic proposal, otherwise it will just seem like an opportunistic distraction from the many issues within his Government,” says ...1 day ago
- WasteMINZ Welcomes Waste StrategyThe newly-released Waste Strategy will provide direction to the waste management and resource recovery sectors, WasteMINZ chief executive Nic Quilty says. The strategy, which provides a roadmap for the next three decades towards a low-waste, ...1 day ago
- The Weapon Used At 'Let Women Speak'Definition of the term peaceful: tranquil and free from disturbance. From trumpets at the sound of Jericho to pop sounds as torture in the Iraq war. Those who organized the rally against Free Speech for women knew what they were doing. At every angle, ...1 day ago
- Five new Auckland harbour crossings on the tableFive new Waitematā Harbour crossing “scenarios” have been unveiled this morning, with the government touting them in a press release as “congestion busting” – and committing to begin construction this decade. The options include tunnelled light rail and roading connections, a second bridge, or some sort of combination of the ...1 day ago
- Help Me Hera: How do I have fun?Hera Lindsay Bird on the two distinct kinds of fun, and how to have them. Want Hera’s help? Email your problem to [email protected] Help me Hera!!!!! I am in my early 20s and for the majority of my sentient life I have considered myself a relatively stagnant person. When I was a teenager ...1 day ago
- Corrections Staff Vote To Walk Off The Job After Nine Months Of Bargaining1900 Community Corrections workers have voted to strike three times over April, after nine months of negotiations between the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi, and the Department of Corrections. The strikes will involve PSA ...1 day ago
- The Bulletin: Second Auckland harbour crossing to be fast-trackedA couple of days ago, BusinessDesk’s Oliver Lewis wrote (paywalled) that if previous scoping exercises are anything to go by, the second Auckland harbour crossing will be a tunnel. That’s also what the NZ Herald’s Thomas Coughlan reports is likely this morning with the news that prime minister Chris Hipkins and minister for transport ...1 day ago
- We provided health care for children in immigration detention. This is what we foundSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Shidan Tosif, Honorary Clinical Associate Professor, The University of Melbourne Australia’s immigration policies allow for indefinite locked detention, including for children and families. Detention is mandatory for people arriving without a valid visa – all those who arrived by boat between 2009 ...1 day ago
- Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Matthew England, Scientia Professor and Deputy Director of the ARC Australian Centre for Excellence in Antarctic Science (ACEAS), UNSW Sydney Shutterstock Off the coast of Antarctica, trillions of tonnes of cold salty water sink to great depths. As the water ...1 day ago
- Fear and Wonder podcast: how scientists know the sea is risingSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joelle Gergis, Senior Lecturer in Climate Science, Australian National University Solheimajokull, a glacier in Southern Iceland. whatafoto/flickr, CC BY-NC Last week, the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released its Synthesis Report of the Sixth Assessment Report, delivering a sobering ...1 day ago
- How ‘TeachTok’ is helping teachers connect with their students on TikTokSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Crystal Abidin, Professor & ARC DECRA Fellow, Internet Studies, Curtin University Cottonbro Studio/Pexels, CC BY-NC Before social media, students rarely knew their teachers beyond their professional position in the classroom. Perhaps we might bump into them in the neighbourhood, at ...1 day ago
- The yolk’s on you: a brief history of throwing food and drink on people as protestSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Evan Smith, Lecturer in History, Flinders University Twitter/ Wikimedia Last weekend, anti-trans campaigner Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull, better known as Posie Parker, arrived to speak at a rally in Auckland, which was surrounded by supporters of trans rights. During this rally and ...1 day ago
- For remote Aboriginal families, limited phone and internet services make life hard. Here’s what th...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jessa Rogers, First Nations Senior Research Fellow, Queensland University of Technology Author provided It’s well understood that the digital divide disproportionately affects people living in regional Australian communities. Remote Aboriginal communities in particular are among the most digitally excluded, yet there ...1 day ago
- Long COVID puts some people at higher risk of heart disease — they need better long-term monitorin...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Donne Potter, Professor, Research Centre for Hauora and Health, Massey University Getty Images Lasting damage to the heart and brain is an aspect of long COVID that should receive much more attention than it has so far. We have sufficient ...1 day ago
- Questions linger over Nash inquiryAn inquiry into the communications by disgraced former minister Stuart Nash will only look at any contact he’d made with “any declared donor”. It was announced yesterday in the wake of the Nash’s dismissal from cabinet, with prime minister Chris Hipkins saying the Napier MP will fully cooperate with the ...1 day ago
- NZ support for climate justice at UN must translate to action at homeAn international pathway has now been established to require governments to consider the human rights impacts of their climate policies and take more ambitious action under existing international agreements. This is thanks to a Vanuatu-led resolution ...1 day ago
- Green Party Announces Teanau Tuiono As Candidate For Palmerston North Electorate And John Cockrem Fo...28 March 2023 The Green Party has selected Teanau Tuiono again as their candidate in the Palmerston North electorate for this year's general election and new candidate John Cockrem for Rangitīkei. Currently, a list MP, former Palmerston North City ...1 day ago
- The proposed law raising concerns about fearmongeringYesterday a bill to change how we treat large groups of asylum seekers passed its first reading. We’ve never had a refugee boat reach the country. Some are asking why this bill is being proposed now, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To ...1 day ago
- What is The Bulletin?Someone at The Spinoff has been getting up very early each weekday to showcase everyone else’s news since 2018. The result is The Bulletin, the Spinoff’s morning news email. Now that it’s five years old, it’s time to reintroduce it, explain what it is and why you should subscribe. Five ...1 day ago
- On protest and the limits of empathyI thought, perhaps naively, that trans people having the right to exist and the right to protest was something we could all agree on, writes Madeleine Chapman. When a wasp makes its way into my home, I gently shoo it out, sometimes with great effort. I don’t like wasps and ...1 day ago
- New oil and gas not consistent with 1.5C
New oil and gas fields are not consistent with 1.5C of warming but the Govt has just approved one and opened up applications for more. ...1 day ago - National's rookie MP bans daughter from local dairy out of fear
Tama Potaka says putting food on the table and being safe is what Māori care about - not political issues like co-governance. ...1 day ago - The urgency of funding managed retreat
Without significant public assistance via central government funding, many property owners face substantial losses ...1 day ago - A multi-party agreement is needed on funding managed retreat – and it's urgentCompensation for private properties and businesses zoned for managed retreat should be capped, writes Prof Jonathan Boston. Taxpayers shouldn't have to fully compensate multi-millionaires for the loss of their coastal mansions. Opinion: The extreme weather events that have afflicted Aotearoa New Zealand over the past year have highlighted the gravity and ...1 day ago
- National's new MP: Māori want safety, not co-governance
National’s newest MP Tama Potaka has banned his daughter from going to the dairy next door to her school because he doesn't think it's safe. He tells political editor Jo Moir that putting food on the table and being safe is what Māori care about – not political issues like co-governance. ...1 day ago - 'We are only ever as happy as our unhappiest child’
Stephanie Johnson on a novel that dissects middle class obsessions Megan Nicol Reed’s first novel One of Those Mothers is a winning contemporary tale. Jacqueline Bublitz in her cover endorsement describes it as "domestic noir". Contemporary woes – children spending too much time online, the ubiquitous and ...1 day ago - Parker's visit poses plenty of questions
Posie Parker was in New Zealand for just one day, but she has left us fighting amongst ourselves about freedom of speech and what we believe in. Before she arrived last Friday, Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull - aka Posie Parker - was a controversial figure internationally for her claims that transgender ...1 day ago - Loyal Lilywhite gets a new football start
Rebekah van Dort’s football roots are firmly in NZ, but the national champion defender is taking her chance to experience the sport on the other side of the globe. Rebekah van Dort was born to be a legend of Auckland football. Her parents met at the Metro Football Club in Auckland, ...1 day ago - Lobbyists are professional whingers and a waste of time
Regulating how they operate will not alter the impression that it's 'mates helping mates' ...1 day ago - AI chatbots are merely a cool toy – for now
They can do grunt work, but they lack judgment and originality ...1 day ago - Sending uranium weapons to Ukraine is the wrong kind of aid
The West needs to be honest about depleted uranium weapons – many scientists say they are not low-risk Opinion: Last week the Vladimir Putin regime said if depleted uranium weapons were given to Ukraine by the UK, Russia would “have to respond accordingly, given that the West collectively is already beginning to use ...1 day ago - Directors must consider nature or face the music
Chapman Tripp finds the Companies Act requires the assessment and management of nature-related risks. ...1 day ago - Newsroom daily quiz, Thursday 30 March
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...1 day ago - Daily crossword, Thursday 30 March...1 day ago
- PNG’s Masiu denies ‘control of media’ but calls for ‘accountability’By Gorethy Kenneth in Port Moresby Communication Minister Timothy Masiu has hit back at recent reports termed as “inaccurate” over the control of media in Papua New Guinea from his ministerial statement in Parliament. He said it was not true that the government was trying to control the media by ...2 days ago
- Fiji to scrap ‘dead in water’ media law with pledge to back independent journalismBy Kelvin Anthony, RNZ Pacific lead digital and social media journalist The Fiji government has announced it will repeal the controversial Media Industry Development Act 2010. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said cabinet had approved the tabling of a bill to repeal the Act “as a whole.” “The decision is pursuant ...2 days ago
- ‘Big picture vision’ conversations missing in Pacific, says AqorauBy Giff Johnson in MajuroBig picture conversations about the future of the Pacific islands should be happening, but they are not, says one of the region’s foremost commentators in an interview published n the Marshall Islands Journal. Breaking down barriers between Pacific islands to spur economic development, visioning 21st century ...2 days ago
- AUKUS participation talks highlight New Zealand's nuclear-free statusParts of AUKUS involve Australia getting nuclear-powered submarines and members working together on progressing military tech - but NZ's Defence Minister says Aotearoa would not and could not compromise it's commitment to a nuclear-free Pacific." ...2 days ago
- Ministerial Power Grab Must Be StoppedThe New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union condemns the Government’s decision to allow only one day for written submissions on the Severe Weather Emergency Recovery Legislation Bill. The proposed legislation would allow a minister to exempt, modify, or extend ...2 days ago
- With Nash Gone, Vital Ocean And Fisheries Decisions Must Not Fall Between Cracks, Says GreenpeaceAt a crucial moment for ocean protection, Greenpeace is urging the Government to ensure the Oceans and Fisheries portfolio is left in capable hands, to avoid any further delays in protecting the struggling marine environment. Stuart Nash was dismissed ...2 days ago
- Greens co-leader 'not going to apologise to cis men', Luxon says Davidson making 'exc...Marama Davidson is remaining steadfast in her refusal to apologise to white men following controversial comments she made at the weekend. ...2 days ago
- Inheritance taxes, resource taxes and an attack on negative gearing: how top economists would raise ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Martin, Visiting Fellow, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Shutterstock Asked to find an extra A$20 billion per year to fund government priorities like building nuclear submarines and responding to climate change, Australia’s top economists overwhelmingly back land ...2 days ago
- What are auroras, and why do they come in different shapes and colours? Two experts explainSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brett Carter, Associate Professor, RMIT University Lightscape / Unsplash Over millennia, humans have observed and been inspired by beautiful displays of light bands dancing across dark night skies. Today, we call these lights the aurora: the aurora borealis in the ...2 days ago
- Prime Minister Chris Hipkins announces review into Stuart Nash's communications with donorsThe prime minister says his office knew about the email the now-sacked minister sent, which breached Cabinet confidentiality. Christopher Luxon says it's a cover-up. ...2 days ago
- Open letter calls for pay gap transparency legislationAn open letter delivered to Parliament this morning calls on the government to crack on with legislation requiring transparency from businesses on the pay gap. ...2 days ago
- New Zealand Native Bees Are Under Threat From The Toxic Pesticide ThiamethoxamA hearing on the use of Actara, a highly toxic neo-nicotinoid pesticide now banned in the EU, will be held on Thursday 30 March by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). [1] A reassessment was applied for by The Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) ...2 days ago
- Organic Bill Welcomed To Future-Proof Exports And Take Action On Climate ChangeThere are long term advantages for New Zealand from the work by MPI and the Organic sector to inform the standards and regulations for sustainable organic production. The Organics Bill sets a National and International bench mark that will ensure people ...2 days ago
- Fears AUKUS will undermine Australia’s defence sovereignty are misplacedSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter K. Lee, Research Fellow, Foreign Policy and Defence Program, USSC, University of Sydney The AUKUS submarine announcement earlier this month reignited a long-running debate about how to best preserve Australia’s sovereignty. The announcement addressed some key concerns. For example, the United ...2 days ago
- Teaching the ‘basics’ is critical – but what teachers really want are clear guidelines and exp...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christine Braid, Professional Learning and Development Facilitator in Literacy Education, Massey University Getty Images Anyone watching the debate over the National Party’s recent curriculum policy announcement could be forgiven for thinking there is a deep divide in education philosophy and ...2 days ago
- Australia’s cultural institutions are especially vulnerable to efficiency dividends: looking back ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Frank Bongiorno, Professor of History, ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences, Australian National University Shutterstock In January the Albanese government launched a new arts policy, Revive. Among its measures was a commitment to exempt Australia’s seven national performing arts ...2 days ago
- Safeguard deal shows Bandt’s Greens party has come of ageSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Kenny, Professor, Australian Studies Institute, Australian National University Mick Tsikas/AAP It is understandable if observers have struggled to neatly categorise the agreement struck on Monday between the Albanese Labor Government and the Australian Greens party to progressively reduce industrial ...2 days ago
- Stuart Nash apologises to colleagues, staff and Labour members after being sacked by PMStuart Nash has apologised to the Prime Minister, Cabinet colleagues, his staff and and the "amazing hard working Labour members of Napier" for letting them down and causing an "unwanted distraction". ...2 days ago
- Stuart Nash releases statement: ‘I will remain as the MP for Napier’Embattled Labour MP Stuart Nash has released his first public comments since being sacked from cabinet yesterday afternoon. In a post on his newly reactivated Facebook page, Nash apologised to the prime minister, cabinet, his caucus, staff and “the amazing, hard working Labour members of Napier”. He said he had ...2 days ago
- Education Minister Jan Tinetti injured in media scrumEducation Minister Jan Tinetti was absent from Parliament this afternoon after being injured on her way into the chamber by a media camera. ...2 days ago
- The Auditor-General's Auditing Standards Published...2 days ago
- Listen: Gone By Lunchtime on the Stuart Nash sagaStuart Nash is goneburger and Gone By Lunchtime is here to file through his laundry list of infractions to decide whether or not Chris Hipkins should take further action. Could Nash end up in NZ First? Will he be snapped up by Ben Thomas and his lobbyist comrades? Plus: Marama ...2 days ago
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