Author Archive
New book reveals Le Carré’s bleak view of post-Brexit world
Written By: - Date published: 9:39 am, January 3rd, 2020 - 5 comments
John le Carré’s 26th book, Agent Running in the Field, which, according to the publishers is his take on Brexit, and suggests a dystopian future for European liberal democracies in a post-Brexit world. It follows John le Carré’s overarching theme – with friends like these, who needs enemies?
Wellington mayor-elect flip-flops on sale of Wellington Airport
Written By: - Date published: 8:15 am, October 30th, 2019 - 26 comments
One of the first acts of Wellington mayor-elect, Andy Foster has been to reverse his stance on the council’s 34% holding in Wellington International Airport Ltd (WIAL). Whether he can get his plan to sell the airport stake past a once hostile public or a leftist-dominated council also seems about as likely as his desire to bulldoze through another tunnel through Mt Vic.
Tough, swift leadership needed to police social media
Written By: - Date published: 1:45 am, April 10th, 2019 - 73 comments
The government has been rightly lauded for swiftly acting to ban assault weapons after the Christchurch massacre, but is its failure to decisively call social media giants to order just as weak and unacceptable as the failure to act on Aramoana massacre back in 1990?
We need more than capital gains tax to address inequality
Written By: - Date published: 2:41 pm, March 25th, 2019 - 46 comments
The most important comment in the Tax Working Group’s Final Report is that even the reasonably comprehensive capital gains tax proposed is likely to have only a minor impact on addressing inequality — what is needed is a more progressive income tax system that lifts the top marginal tax rate
Power pricing not just a rip-off, it’s immoral
Written By: - Date published: 3:23 pm, March 22nd, 2019 - 43 comments
Submissions for the final report on the Electricity Price Review closed today at noon. My recent experience with Genesis Energy reveals pricing by power company majors not only rips customers off, but is immoral. The initial report of the EPR is unlikely to address this issue.
Banning Rambo weapons not a knee-jerk
Written By: - Date published: 5:35 am, March 21st, 2019 - 185 comments
Passing stringent gun controls is far from a knee-jerk reaction to the Christchurch massacre – our politicians of all stripes have procrastinated over this ever since the 1990 Aramoana massacre. We already have the 13 recommendations of the 2017 Law & Order committee that were rejected. Let us at the very least now accept those.
Too many jobs being created
Written By: - Date published: 2:20 pm, November 7th, 2018 - 14 comments
The latest unemployment data showing the jobless rate falling to under 4% follows the equally bad 1.0% economic growth in the September quarter and a budget surplus of $5.5b, confirming the economy is going down like Donald Trump, as predicted by the ANZ Bank’s business confidence survey
Ross saga quiescent, but donations scandal needs addressing
Written By: - Date published: 4:26 pm, October 25th, 2018 - 21 comments
The Jami-Lee Ross scandal may have quietened down but issues raised by his explosive tape recording of Simon Bridges still need addressing. Does the $100k Zhang Yikun donation suggest we are going down the US track and, if so, what needs to be done about that
No smoking gun but plenty of sunlight from Bridges tape
Written By: - Date published: 3:32 pm, October 18th, 2018 - 207 comments
Maybe not a smoking gun, Jami-Lee Ross’s tape recording of Simon Bridges sheds plenty of sunlight on the influence that money can buy within the National Party, casual racism endemic within National, the manipulation of ethnic communities and, most importantly, insights into the wielding of “soft power” by China.
Ross resigns, to lay corrupt practices complaint against Bridges with police
Written By: - Date published: 12:41 pm, October 16th, 2018 - 171 comments
Jamie-Lee Ross will seek to win a by-election as an independent. Says that Simon Bridges is corrupt and unlikeable and that he could prove it. Refutes Simon Bridges claim against him of harassment of women. Said the by-election would be a referendum on Bridges’ leadership. Updated: Simon Bridges responds – what he doesn’t say is more interesting
Wellington bus debacle deeply damaging to Govt’s transport policy
Written By: - Date published: 12:28 pm, September 24th, 2018 - 66 comments
Wellington has been the poster city for public transport in Aotearoa, but the debacle of introducing the hated hub system to Wellington’s bus system not only threatens that status but has wide implications for the success of government’s policy of favouring public transport over cars. Intervention is needed.
Tax Working Group report depressing reading
Written By: - Date published: 6:10 pm, September 21st, 2018 - 66 comments
The Tax Working Group says the gaping holes in our tax system make it unfair and undermine its integrity, but the prospect of the electorate embracing even its limited recommendations on taxing capital gains make for depressing contemplation.
GDP figures expose business confidence survey nonsense
Written By: - Date published: 1:29 pm, September 20th, 2018 - 99 comments
ANZ Bank’s Outlook business confidence survey has been forecasting gloom and doom for the economy ever since the surprise election result turfed out the National Party. Today’s GDP data showed the economy has actually been pumping along faster than the Reserve Bank believes is good for it.
What does it take for bosses not to get their bonus?
Written By: - Date published: 11:26 am, September 13th, 2018 - 17 comments
Why is it that all risk lies with the shareholders? Why does poor performance by a company not result in CEO and top management bonuses being clawed back?
Cullen says 2020 election effectively a referendum on tax
Written By: - Date published: 1:20 pm, March 7th, 2018 - 32 comments
Don’t hold your breath for recommendations of radical tax reform from the Tax Working Group. Chair Sir Michael Cullen says the 2020 election will be a referendum on tax and he is already kicking for touch
Fletcher Chair resigns but directors retain huge fees despite staggering loss
Written By: - Date published: 4:34 pm, February 14th, 2018 - 123 comments
Fletcher announces more huge losses but directors still laughing all the way to the bank
Fonterra a failure in concept and in practice
Written By: - Date published: 6:10 pm, February 9th, 2018 - 109 comments
New Zealanders 17 years ago accepted the idea of a national dairy monopoly on the condition it would deliver outstanding returns. The cost has been high — filthy and unswimmable rivers. Now it turns out the result has been a financial fiasco – the whole thing is literally bullshit, or more correctly, cowshit.
Ideological issues more than leadership are Nat’s problem
Written By: - Date published: 8:19 am, February 4th, 2018 - 108 comments
Changing National’s leadership will not help the conservatives regain power if they fail to address questions of why they lost the 2017 election. National may be the biggest single party but it is unlikely to stay that. And they have no remaining parliamentary partners.You can’t form a MMP government from that…
High Country selloff scandal laid bare
Written By: - Date published: 2:11 pm, January 21st, 2018 - 33 comments
A feature in yesterday’s Domion Post Weekend lays bare the extent of the scandalous selloff of huge tracts of our high country. The tenure review of the high country has been conducted since 1992 to privatise some of the land and also bringing parts into the conservation estate. The process has been followed by both National and Labour governments.
It’s time to embrace nanny state
Written By: - Date published: 1:45 pm, January 19th, 2018 - 22 comments
Rather than apologise, it’s time the Left and the new government embraced “nanny state” as a positive, just as the gay community claimed the previously pejorative term “queer”. A nanny state is clearly economically and socially more efficient. We should celebrate our nanny state and not apologise for it.
IMF: higher taxes for rich will cut inequality and won’t hurt growth
Written By: - Date published: 12:30 pm, October 14th, 2017 - 104 comments
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says it now favours higher taxes on the rich and has demolished the myth this might adversely affect economic growth. The authoritative Washington-based think tank in its influential half-yearly monitor also argued for taxes on capital, suggesting a wealth and/or land taxes should be considered, something that will make Gareth […]
Labour won’t regain power until it wins the tax debate
Written By: - Date published: 4:36 pm, September 25th, 2017 - 178 comments
Labour didn’t deserve to win on Saturday because, firstly, because it failed to bring a fully-fleshed tax policy to voters, and, secondly, it never attempted to win the ideological battle over tax. To succeed at the next election, Labour must begin work today to frame this debate.
NZ fishery catch 2.7 times reported – new study says
Written By: - Date published: 9:30 am, May 16th, 2016 - 15 comments
“The findings also reveal how the Quota Management System, despite its intentions and international reputation, actually undermines sustainable fisheries management by inadvertently incentivising misreporting and dumping,” University of Auckland’s Dr Glenn Simmons said.
Competition lapdog a cert to approve newspaper monopoly
Written By: - Date published: 7:43 am, May 14th, 2016 - 43 comments
“The newspaper market is buggered anyway. I wouldn’t expect we will have any daily newspapers in ten year’s time,” says Brian Gaynor.
National Party President selling out?
Written By: - Date published: 12:09 pm, May 12th, 2016 - 14 comments
The $25 million deal prompted considerable curiosity because it involved an off-market purchase of shares from Sanford’s second biggest shareholder, Avalon Investment Trust, which is run by the family of Peter Goodfellow.
Silencing scientists integral to National’s anti-science DNA
Written By: - Date published: 1:34 pm, May 11th, 2016 - 40 comments
“It’s gone too far. The spin and message control has got stronger. They are less willing to put scientists out there to talk to the public because of the inability to control the message” – Shaun Hendy.
Sprung again – Key’s “lawyer” has close links to Mossack Fonseca
Written By: - Date published: 8:01 am, May 10th, 2016 - 170 comments
Contrary to Prime Minister John Key’s categorical assertion, his “lawyer”, Ken Whitney, has been found to have links to Mossack Fonseca, the Panama law firm at the centre of a global scandal on tax evasion and avoidance, TVNZ reported today.
The link between tax havens, criminals and the amoral rich
Written By: - Date published: 2:23 pm, May 9th, 2016 - 160 comments
“The Panama Papers issue is either illegal, or verging on illegal, it’s tax evasion, rather than tax avoidance,” Brash said.
Sprung! New Panama Papers dump confirm NZ is a tax haven
Written By: - Date published: 7:33 am, May 9th, 2016 - 277 comments
A new release of Panama papers absolutely confirms New Zealand is a tax haven says Nicky Hager. And ironically, it is because of New Zealand’s squeaky clean reputation that tens of thousands of foreigners have come flooding here.
Rather than actually dealing with the issue, John Key is using his old classics “nothing to see here” coupled with “Labour did it too”, “nicky hager is a conspiracy nut”, and “wait for the (Shewan) whitewash enquiry” defenses.
Panama Papers whistleblower cites Pacific isles, NZ, for good reasons
Written By: - Date published: 6:37 pm, May 8th, 2016 - 23 comments
Jurgen Mossack told Field his business involved people “trying to avoid paying taxes in their home countries” – crucially “avoidance”, “unlike evasion”, is within the law.
John, Ken and Mark might have had much better weeks
Written By: - Date published: 8:00 pm, May 7th, 2016 - 14 comments
“I did a little yelp of joy…like an excited puppy,” wrote Farrier, the former Newsworthy presenter at TV3, on hearing of Weldon’s resignation
- The swimming pool paradox
It’s another warm day, but the breeze isn’t helping much, so off I go to the inviting outdoor swimming pool (banner picture) at the other end of campus. It’s an unheated pool (well, there’s no artificial heat source), which means one thing: It’s going to feel cold when I get ...1 day ago - 100 seconds to midnight
The Doomsday Clock is a tracker created by he Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists for how close we are to global destruction. Created in 1947, it got worse as the Cold War started, then improved as it cooled down, then got worse again as Ronald Reagan tried to confront the ...1 day ago - A multitude of drops: Social tipping points in climate actionIf you’re here, you probably know that the climate crisis is upon us, that it’s getting steadily worse, and that attempts to address it haven’t worked yet. People are still driving and even advertising SUVs with impunity, and oil companies are exploring like crazy, even in New Zealand. Politically, socially, ...1 day ago
- The Thoughtful Mr Parker.
Stunningly Wrong-Headed: So blinded are the “left-wing” believers in free markets and free trade (like Trade Minister, David Parker) that even when they are staring directly at the wreckage of the lives and communities which these “unconscionable freedoms” (to borrow Marx’s telling phrase) have left in their wake, they cannot ...1 day ago - What’s the problem with all science being “done” in English?I’ve been listening to a wonderful podcast this morning which left me thinking. The podcast was a 30-min well-spent break, in the company of Daniel Midgley and Michael Gordin. You might know Daniel Midgley from the Talk the Talk linguistics podcast. Michael Gordin is the author of “Scientific Babel”, which ...1 day ago
- Snakeflu?! An intriguing source suggested for new Chinese coronavirusThe whole world is on edge over a coronavirus outbreak that started in early December in Wuhan City, China. The virus is thought to have first infected people working at a seafood and live animal market. So what could the original source have been? There’s no official word yet, but ...2 days ago
- Simon’s Philippine jaunt: #LittleBoysPlayingToughguys
Not too far back, Simon Bridges the Leader of the Opposition and National Party, went on an excursion to China. This was arranged not by MFAT (NZ’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade), but by their MP Jian Yang – a man who also just happened to “forget to mention” ...2 days ago - Will Turia ever forgive Labour?
Dame Tariana Turia with former PM John KeyWhat is it about Tariana Turia’s grudge against the Labour Party? Not content with attacking the Government over Whānau Ora funding, which was increased by $80 million in 2019, she has now made it personal by saying that Jacinda Ardern is out of her ...2 days ago - What are the recent fluoride-IQ studies really saying about community water fluoridation?
Scaremongering graphic currently being promoted by Declan Waugh who is well known for misrepresenting the fluoride science This graphic is typical of current anti-fluoride propaganda. It is scare-mongering, in that it is aimed at undermining community ... 2 days ago- Skeptical Science New Research for Week #3, 2020
Biography of a policy metric Bård Lahn performs a sweeping literature review to present the history of our notion of a "global carbon budget" and how this number has come to encapsulate a massive amount of scientific research into a useful, easily grasped tool in our policy skill set. A ...3 days ago- Oxfam Report: Time to Care – Unpaid and underpaid care work and the global inequality crisis
January 2020 Economic inequality is out of control. In 2019, the world’s billionaires, only 2,153 people, had more wealth than 4.6 billion people. This great divide is based on a flawed and sexist economic system that values the wealth of the privileged few, mostly men, more than the billions of ...3 days ago- How to avoid being a cunt to hospo workers’
Working hospo is hard mahi for many reasons, from long hours and gruelling high-volume weekends to customers who treat us as their servants. There are always lovely and polite customers who treat hospo workers with respect and kindness but, throughout my 15-years in the biz, I’ve collected a number of ...3 days ago- 2019-nCoV (the new coronavirus): Should we be concerned, and will there be a vaccine?
Probably yes to both but don’t panic yet. There is a plan. What is this virus? 2019 novel coronavirus, aka 2019-nCoV, belongs to a family of viruses called coronavirus. These are very common viruses that infect a wide range of animals including humans and can cause mild to severe disease, ...3 days ago- The Chinese coronavirus outbreak: what are the options for vaccines and treatments?
By now you’ve probably heard of the coronavirus outbreak that started in Wuhan City, China. The number of cases is rising, up to about 300 with six deaths. Cases have been reported in several more Chinese cities, including Beijing and Shanghai, as well as in Japan, Thailand, and South Korea. ...3 days ago- Educating New Zealand’s future workforce
Judy Kavanagh Do you remember your first day at school? The education I received was for a very different world than the world of today. Along with huge social shifts there have been big changes in the New Zealand economy and the work people do. There are occupations unheard of ...3 days ago- A casual attitude towards transparency
Back in December, when the government was introducing new secrecy legislation on an almost daily basis, I posted about the Infrastructure Funding and Financing Bill. The Bill establishes a new class of public entity, "special purpose vehicles", which collect and spend public money and enjoy statutory powers. Despite this, they ...3 days ago- Against a carbon bailout
If we are to avoid making the planet uninhabitable, we need to cut carbon emisisons fast. Which basicly means putting the fossil fuel industry - coal, gas, and oil - out of business. But this means that the banks and other lenders who have bankrolled the industry's environmental destruction will ...3 days ago- Still a criminal industry
More evidence that the fishing industry suffers from pervasive criminality, with Forest & Bird highlighting some odd numbers in the annual statistics:The Annual Review Report For Highly Migratory Species Fisheries 2018/19 (Pg 4, Table 4) showed only 4% of commercial long lining trips for tuna and swordfish reported non-fish bycatch ...3 days ago- Controversy? Or Manufactroversy?
A few days ago, New Zealand’s Minister of Education announced the wider release of a resource on climate change, which was initially trialled at a Christchurch school during 2018. According to the Minister, children will learn about “the role science plays in understanding climate change, aids understanding of both the response ...3 days ago- The emerging coronavirus outbreak in China
By now you’ve probably heard of the new virus causing an outbreak of severe pneumonia in China. The question on most people’s minds is, how worried should we be, especially as hundreds of millions of people will soon be travelling across China and beyond to visit family for the Lunar ...4 days ago- How did climate change get so controversial?
An excerpt from the book Cranky Uncle vs. Climate Change, released Feb 25. Our human brain is poorly equipped to deal with a threat like climate change. Over millions of years, we’ve evolved to avoid life-threatening dangers like predators jumping out of bushes. We’ve survived by quickly detecting and avoiding immediate, short-term ...4 days ago- Farmers are ruining Canterbury’s rivers
Its summer, so people naturally want to go for a swim. But in South Canterbury, you can't, because the rivers are full of toxic goo:As of Monday, the Waihi River at Wilson Street footbridge, Geraldine, the Waihao River at Bradshaws Bridge, and three spots on the Opihi River - at ...4 days ago- Sack Shane Jones
Late last year, NZ First was caught trying to enrich itself from public office, with a dodgy forestry company linked to a number of NZ First figures sticking its hand out repeatedly for government money. Regional Economic Development Minister shane Jones' "explanations" were patently unconvincing, and his recusal from deciding ...4 days ago- BIG idea physics
This morning I’ve been having a quick look through some documentation from The Ministry of Education on proposed changes to NCEA Level 1 Science. For those not familiar with the NZ secondary education system, a typical student would complete NCEA level 1 at the end of year 11. In this ...4 days ago- Revolution in New Zealand? Not Even Close!
No Fires Thanks, We're Kiwis: For the moment, in those close-to-home places where revolutions are born, there may be tetchiness and resentment, frustration and complaint, but nowhere is anybody uttering the cry that will bring a New Zealand revolution into being: “We have found the way to make tomorrow better ...4 days ago- 2020 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming Digest #3
Story of the Week... Editorial of the Week... Toon of the Week... Quote of the Week... Graphic of the Week... Coming Soon on SkS... Climate Feedback Claim Reviews... SkS Week in Review... Poster of the Week... Story of the Week... 'It's heart-wrenching': 80% of Blue Mountains and 50% of ...5 days ago- Britain exits the European Union and takes a sharp right turn
by John Smith Britain’s exit from the imperialist bloc known as the European Union (EU) is now irreversible. The crushing electoral defeat of the Labour Party has dismayed many workers and youth who had placed their hopes in Jeremy Corbyn, its left-wing leader. This article assesses these historic events, neither of which ...5 days ago- 2020 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #3
A chronological listing of news articles linked to on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week, i.e., Sun, Jan 12, 2020 through Sat, Jan 18, 2020 Editor's Pick The Past and the Future of the Earth’s Oldest Trees Bristlecone pines have survived various catastrophes over the millennia, and they ...6 days ago- How climate change influenced Australia’s unprecedented fires
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections, and has been adapted into a new myth rebuttal on climate-wildfire connections with the short URL sks.to/wildfires Australia’s frightening bushfires, which kicked off an early fire season in September 2019, have already had cataclysmic effects, and the continent is still just in the early ...7 days ago- Gender Identity Ideology – A Partial Bibliography of Online Coverage
This great resource has been contributed to Redline by Janie Doebuck. Janie made some notes on the bibliography: 1) It is by no means exhaustive. There are tons more gender critical posts, essays, articles, podcasts, youtube videos, etc. online. 2) There are links in the bibliography that are behind paywalls. There ...1 week ago- About those biased Oscar Nominations
There’s been a lot written about the 2020 Oscar Nominations and their apparent lack of diversity. It’s true, there are in fact no women nominated for the Best Director and very few nominees of colour across the board. But is this a result of a biased process or a symptom ...1 week ago- How New Zealand media reports chronic pain
Hemakumar Devan Around three million New Zealanders access news media (both paper and online) every week. Yes, you heard that right! So, the potential for news media to shape public health beliefs is common sense. As chronic pain affects one in five New Zealanders, we wanted to find out how ...1 week ago- Still Waiting For American Democracy.
Unfinished Republic: Though the United States' crimes against democracy are legion, most Americans are blissfully unaware of them. The brutal realities of American life: the officially sanctioned violence; the refusal to hold racists accountable for their actions; the seemingly endless tragedy of African-American suffering; of which White America is the ...1 week ago- In Outrage Over Its Bunk Science, Goop Finds Fuel for Growth
Michael Schulson For years, experts have said that Goop, the wellness and lifestyle brand founded by the actor and entrepreneur Gwyneth Paltrow, markets pseudoscience and overblown cures. And for years, despite the criticism, Goop has just kept growing. Now the company, which was valued at $250 million in 2018, ...1 week ago- Tobacco Excise Taxes and the Smokefree 2025 Goal: Some Ways Forward
Janet Hoek, Richard Edwards, George Thomson, Andrew Waa, Nick Wilson Debate over tobacco tax increases has intensified as research indicates potentially conflicting policy directions. On the one hand, excise tax increases continue to stimulate quit attempts among smokers yet, on the other hand, they may lead to financial hardship for ...1 week ago- Skeptical Science New Research for Week #2, 2020
Conflation and how to fix it VIa AMS, Raul Lejano looks at what in a layperson's thinking would be called conflation— confusion and blending of entirely different topics— when people think about climate change. Ideology and the Narrative of Skepticism (open access) starts with some arguably frightening false connections between the science and ...1 week ago- ‘Cranky Uncle’ smart phone game will show you how to disarm climate deniers
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Bud Ward (Image: Courtesy of John Cook) When it comes to climate change, it seems every family has its own version of the proverbial Cranky Uncle. An uncle, cousin, grandparent, in-law, neighbor, whatever. Just think back to the recent holiday season’s large ...1 week ago- Science in the ’20s – part 1
Outrageous, immoral or downright dangerous. That’s a description of the lifestyle of women “flappers” in the 1920s. Could it apply to science (and scientists) in the 2020s? Actually, you could look back at the past decade and see those, or similar terms, used about some science and scientists. Sometimes ...1 week ago- Postscript: Citizenship Granted.
I am pleased to say that I have been granted NZ citizenship. I need to do the ceremony for things to be official, but the application was a success. I now join my son as a dual NZ-US citizen. To be fair, very little will change other than the fact ...1 week ago- Hard News: Music: Morales is coming
It will be no secret to longtime readers that I, Russell Brown, love the disco. So I'm pretty excited by the fact that one of the greats of the game is returning this summer – and also pleased to say I have tickets to give away.Legendary mixer and DJ ...1 week ago- The WHO Vaccine Safety Summit – from someone who was actually there
The conspiracy I saw a new conspiracy theory flying around the other day. According to the conspiracy (that seems to originate from Del Bigtree), the World Health Organization have been ‘caught on camera’ questioning the safety of vaccines. Gosh this sounds as though someone was a mole at a ...2 weeks ago- The timely death of the British Labour Party
Below is an article submitted to Redline by Alec Abbott At its inception, the British Labour Party was a vehicle for the propagation of racist and imperialist views within the working-class. Such views are still widespread in the party, as they are in Europe’s Social-Democratic parties, though, in the case of ...2 weeks ago- Mystery China pneumonia outbreak likely caused by new human coronavirus
Connor Bamford, Queen’s University Belfast Since December 2019, there has been a cluster of 59 cases of pneumonia in Wuhan, eastern China. The pneumonia is associated with a previously unidentified coronavirus related to the deadly SARS virus. Seven of those cases are thought to be serious, and one person – ...2 weeks ago- Yes, koalas are cute – but should we bring them to NZ? Errm, no
It’s been hard to miss the extreme fires raging across Australia and the tragic plight of the animals – human and otherwise – affected by the fires’ insatiable spread. I know I’ve been captivated and concerned by the tales of how Australia’s famous wildlife has been coping. Koalas approaching cyclists ...2 weeks ago- National’s negative campaigning
Anybody who looked into the Dirty Politics saga knows all too well that honesty is often in short supply within the National Party. You would think that after the exposure the John Key government received over their untruthful attack politics, the National Party would learn from its "mistakes" and leave ...2 weeks ago- Ending the government’s charade over water
For the past decade, the government has been responding to the obvious Treaty issues raised by water allocation with the mantra that "no-one owns water". But last year, the Waitangi Tribunal ruled that actually, Māori owned it, and that those rights had never been extinguished. They recommended that iwi bring ...2 weeks ago- Northern Ireland joins the civilised world
Same-sex marriage has finally become legal in Northern Ireland. But not through any decision of the Northern Irish Executive or Assembly, which has only just reformed after a three year walkout by the DUP; instead, Westminster made that decision for them. I've talked before about the constitutional impropriety of this, ...2 weeks ago- I had an intense conversation at work today.
Claire Cohen-Norris volunteers with Citizens Climate Lobby as a chapter founder and leader in rural New York. Her climate advocacy sprung from her drive to provide a secure, joyful and fulfilling life for her two wonderful children. It has become a life’s mission, shared with her like-minded husband and partner. Claire ...2 weeks ago- French transport workers take on Macron over pension reform
by John Edmundson Starting on December 5th, 2019 workers in the Parisian rail network commenced an open-ended strike in opposition to French President Emmanuel Macron’s proposed changes to their pension scheme. Rail workers in the Metro Underground have, for decades, had retirement conditions that compensate them for the low wages, ...2 weeks ago- What a difference the decimal point makes
I’m back at work following a nearly three-week break over Christmas. We were fortunate to be offered a house to stay in for a week over Christmas, which enabled us to have a holiday in Dunedin and see the extended family reasonably cheaply. But the house came with a catch: ...2 weeks ago- Who’s Going To Stop Him?
Blank And Pitiless: Having ordered the assassination of the Iranian General, Qasem Soleimani, President Donald Trump promised to reduce the cultural monuments of Iran’s 3,000 year-old civilisation to rubble if a revenge attack was mounted. A breach of international law? Certainly. A war crime? Indisputably. Who’s going to stop him? Nobody.WHAT ...2 weeks ago- A worker’s story
This interview is from Aotearoa Workers Solidarity Movement (AWSM) and is the first of an ongoing series of interviews they plan to do with workers from various sectors who are having their well being and livelihoods damaged. They begin with an educator in Southland. Due to the attitude and actions ...2 weeks ago- 2020 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #2
A chronological listing of news articles linked to on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week, i.e., Sun, Jan 5, 2020 through Sat, Jan 11, 2020 Editor's Pick Debunked Australian Bushfire Conspiracy Theories Were Pushed by Alex Jones, Murdoch Media As unusually intense and widespread bushfires have ...2 weeks ago- J.K. Rowling, the Seattle Library, and the Issue That Must Not Be Named
This article was submitted to Redline by Seattle-based activist Lucinda Stoan J.K. Rowling recognizes repression when she sees it. That’s why the author of the wildly popular Harry Potter books recently tweeted in defense of Maya Forstater. Forstater lost her job for stating that sex is real and immutable. A judge ...2 weeks ago- Rules of Empire: Laws simply do not apply and “National Security” excuses all else.
Empires rise and fall, and the American Empire is absolutely no different. But while an Empire, in order to further the footprint, it seems to pay to do one primary thing above all else: project that everything – everything – is “simply for the good of the world” at large, ...2 weeks ago- Indian lessons for NZ workers – the January 8 general strike
by Phil Duncan On Wednesday (January 8) another massive general strike took place in India. Some 250 million industrial workers, white-collar workers, agricultural labourers struck against the government’s economic policies and attacks on the Muslim population through new proposed citizenship rules. This ...2 weeks ago- Climate Change: The action that counts
Over on Newsroom, Professor Jacqueline Beggs writes about the action she is taking on climate change. Its the usual list: reduce meat, don't fly, consume less. I'm doing some of this myself, and none of it hurts - but the way our economic system is constructed means the impact of ...2 weeks ago- Fossil fuel political giving outdistances renewables 13 to one
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Karin Kirk Corporations, special interest groups, and individuals inject billions of dollars into the American political system every year. Much of the financial support in politics is concealed from public view, as some rules – and loopholes – allow “dark money” and ...2 weeks ago- Animal response to a bushfire is astounding. These are the tricks they use to survive
Dale Nimmo, Charles Sturt University Have you ever wondered how our native wildlife manage to stay alive when an inferno is ripping through their homes, and afterwards when there is little to eat and nowhere to hide? The answer is adaptation and old-fashioned ingenuity. Australia’s bushfire season is far from ...2 weeks ago- Should I ditch my fossil-fueled car?
Yes. Reducing the number of cars in your household, or switching from petrol/diesel to electric, will dramatically reduce your greenhouse gas emissions. It’s one of the easiest and highest-impact climate steps you can take. New Zealand is being flooded with cars The New Zealand vehicle fleet is increasing rapidly. In ...2 weeks ago- Speaker: Planet History: Taking Tea with Quentin
This interview with Quentin Crisp is part of a series of articles republished from Planet, the independent magazine I edited in the early 90s from a base at 309 Karangahape Road, along with Grant Fell, Rachael Churchward, Fiona Rae, David Teehan, Mere Ngailevu and others.Inevitably, you forget things, and over ...2 weeks ago- Skeptical Science New Research for Week #1, 2020
Supply Side How are we doing with CO2 emissions? It's an important question, increasingly posed to a mixed bag of CO2 contributors who may or may not provide accurate reportage. Liu et al present a new, additional means of measurement based on satellite observations of nitrogen dioxide co-emitted from ...2 weeks ago- Is the prostitute the seller or the sold?
Excerpts from Being and Being Bought, by Kajsa Ekis Ekman, Spinifex Press, 2013. Ekman, a Swedish journalist and critic, brings together a Marxist and feminist analysis of prostitution and surrogacy in this groundbreaking book. This is the third part of a synopsis and brief commentary of the book by Daphna Whitmore. Part 1 was ...2 weeks ago- The climate crisis is also a biodiversity crisis
Dr Andrea Byrom Like many of us, the summer break has seen me transfixed with horror at the scale and magnitude of the bushfire crisis in Australia. As an ecologist, I can’t help but be appalled at the loss of some of Australia’s most beautiful ecosystems and landscapes. And ...2 weeks ago- Apathy in the face of disaster
Warning: This article contains topics that might trigger right wing snowflakes!Unless you’ve had your head buried in a billabong for the last four months you’d of heard about the Australian bush fires. The fires have been unprecedented, with approximately five million hectares (12.35 million acres) of land burned nationwide. More ...3 weeks ago- Labour opposes leisure
Finland's new Prime Minister has made headlines by pushing for a 4-day week. So what does new Zealand's "centre-left" government think? Nope. They'd rather people kept working themselves into misery and death:The Government does not plan to follow Finland's lead to encourage businesses to offer staff a four-day week. [...] ...3 weeks ago- Who’s afraid of the non-native accent? Everyone … unless you tell them about it
As someone who learnt English late-ish in life, I was always on the look-out for signs which betray my foreignness, afraid that my clumsy mispronunciation or syntactic misalignment will give away my outsider status. And for once, sadly, my worries were well-founded it seems. It’s bad, prejudice is rife! In ...3 weeks ago- Donald Trump’s strategic gamble
There’s a meme going around the Internet at the moment claiming that Donald Trump is a bit of an idiot. To outside eyes it does seem as though the President of the United States thumbs his nose at his own countries laws and administration far too often to be taken ...3 weeks ago- More Spanish repression
Back in December, the European Court of Justice ruled that jailed Catalan politician Oriol Junqueras was a Member of the European Parliament and therefore had immunity from prosecution. In a democratic state under the rule of law, he would have been immediately released from prison (and compensated for his illegal ...3 weeks ago- Doubling down: Researchers investigate compound climate risks
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Daniel Grossman It was a grim day in Moscow on July 25, 2010. The English-language Moscow Times reported that the Russian capital had broken the 1936 temperature record for July: 98 degrees Fahrenheit. That month, the city, where air conditioning was (and still is) ...3 weeks ago- Everyone, we must be united and work together (now we’ve got rid of the Corbyn)
Yvette Cooper has written a piece in the Guardian outlinig 'Seven things Labour Must Do To Win The Next Election'.I'll overlook the absurd headline - no-one is talking about Labour winning the next election and I assume that Cooper didn't write the headline (she doesn't mention winning the next election anywhere ...3 weeks ago- “A common interest in war with Iran” say those who will NOT be in the firing line
Well, things have certainly escalated. Brent Crude hits $70 in light of recent geopolitical incidents. There’s a British nuclear sub on its way to thump Iran if needed, and Netenyahu says “everyone” is keen on war with Iran. Of course in terms of the oil prices, that’ll have downstream ...3 weeks ago- 2020 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming Digest #1
Story of the Week... Editorial of the Week... El Niño/La Niña Update... Toon of the Week... Coming Soon on SkS... Climate Feedback Claim Reviews... SkS Week in Review... Poster of the Week... Story of the Week... The signal of human-caused climate change has emerged in everyday weather, study finds ...3 weeks ago- New Fisk
3 weeks ago- Climate Change: Complementary measures
For the past twenty-five years, climate change policy in New Zealand has been all about emissions pricing. Policy makers thought that all you needed to do was make people pay for their pollution via a carbon tax or emissions trading scheme, and the problem would be solved. This mechanism was ...3 weeks ago - Skeptical Science New Research for Week #3, 2020
- Week That Was: 2020
We are back for 2020! From changes to Family Funded Care, to a record high number of Kiwis in construction in the trades - we're already back making progress on those long-term challenges. Read all about it and more ...1 day ago - Winston Peters: “Ihumātao deal still a long way off”
Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters told Mike Hosking that a settlement deal regarding Ihumātao in Auckland is still a long way off. The Maori King's flag was lowered at the site near Auckland Airport yesterday, sparking suggestions an announcement of a deal could be made by Waitangi Day. Pania Newton, ...2 days ago - Winston Peters accuses Gerry Brownlee of ‘politicising’ Holocaust memorialForeign Affairs Minister Winston Peters is accusing Gerry Brownlee of "politicising" a Holocaust memorial event after the National MP questioned the lack of Kiwi representation there. The Yad Vashem World Holocaust Remembrance Centre in Jerusalem, Israel, is holding the World Holocaust Forum on January 23 to mark 75 years since ...2 days ago
- Provincial Growth Fund to help Waipukurau Pā sites attract thousands of touristsThe Ngā Ara Tipuna - Waipukurau Pā Site Interpretation project is receiving $2.798 million from the Provincial Growth Fund. It is is expected to boost the town's employment and tourism, creating sixteen new jobs once completed and attract up to 15,000 visitors a year. Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Regional Economic Development ...3 days ago
- “Common sense will prevail, not extremism” Winston Peters backs Shane Jones’ pro-meat stanceNew Zealand First leader Winston Peters is backing his MPs who have spoken out against a new climate change teaching resource that advises students to eat less meat to save the planet. The new teaching resource, announced by Education Minister Chris Hipkins and Climate Change Minister James Shaw, tells students ...4 days ago
- Violent assault on paramedic highlights need for law changeDarroch Ball MP, Spokesperson for Justice Today’s horrific violent assault of an on-duty female paramedic which rendered her unconscious is truly unsettling. “Our thoughts are with the paramedic, her loved ones and the St John’s team at Warkworth Station,” says New Zealand First Justice Spokesperson Darroch Ball. “Harsher penalties for perpetrators ...5 days ago
- Acting PM Winston Peters confirms NZDF troops in Iraq not hit by Iranian attacksActing Prime Minister Winston Peters called for calm and diplomacy following Iranian missile strikes on bases housing United States troops in Iraq, but confirmed New Zealand's base in the country was not hit. The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) was earlier today investigating claims New Zealand's base in Iraq had ...5 days ago
- Kaikōura $10.88 million boost in tourism & businessFletcher Tabuteau MP, Parliamentary Undersecretary for Regional Economic Development The Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) is investing $10.88 million to boost business and tourism opportunities in Kaikōura, Parliamentary Undersecretary for Regional Economic Development, Fletcher Tabuteau announced today. As part of the Kaikōura Marina Development Programme, the following two projects will receive ...1 week ago
- Delivering a stable water supply to WairarapaHon. Ron Mark, New Zealand First List MP based in Wairarapa The Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) is investing $7.11 million to create a sustainable water supply for the Wairarapa. The PGF will provide a $7 million investment to Wairarapa Water Limited to progress the Wairarapa Water Storage Scheme towards procurement, consenting, ...1 week ago
- Housing consents hit highest level since 1974Housing consents have hit a 45-year high, as Statistics NZ data shows a total of 37,010 residential consents were issued in the year to November --- the first time they have breached the 37,000 mark since the mid-1970s. Statistics NZ said the trend had been rising since late 2011, when ...1 week ago
- Darroch Ball MP: “Violence against first responders is a problem on the rise”New Zealand First MP Darroch Ball says that a paramedic being kicked unconscious last night in an attempted burglary in Warkworth, north of Auckland, is a symptom of a larger problem. "Incidents like this are becoming more and more frequent...and it’s getting worse," Mr Ball said. The MP is pushing for ...2 weeks ago
- Minister Ron Mark asks NZDF to conduct fire risk assessment from defence point of viewDefence Minister Ron Mark said there was nothing to prevent similar large-scale bushfires seen in Australia from also happening in New Zealand, and has asked the New Zealand Defence Force to conduct a nfire risk assessment from a defence point of view. The defence assessment would help prevent a disaster ...2 weeks ago
- Defence Minister Mark expresses “absolute confidence” in NZDF forces stationed in IraqWhile feeling worried about increased Middle East tensions, Defence Minister Ron Mark said he had "absolute confidence" in New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) leadership. His statements come as the fate of Kiwi troops stationed in Iraq comes under intense scrutiny. Forty-five Defence Force personnel were thought to be in the ...2 weeks ago
- ‘No Body, No Parole’ Bill is pointless dog-whistlingDarroch Ball MP, Spokesperson for Law and Order National MP Tim Macindoe Member’s Bill, Concealment of Location of Victim Remains Bill does not do what he claims. The Bill specifies a requirement for the Parole Board to only “consider” denying parole if an offender refuses to disclose the location of the body. ...3 weeks ago
- New Zealand Defence Force sends support to AustraliaHon. Ron Mark, Minister of Defence Minister of Defence Ron Mark today announced New Zealand is sending three Royal New Zealand Air Force NH90 helicopters and crew, and two NZ Army Combat Engineer Sections as well as a command element to support the Australian Defence Force efforts in tackling the Australian ...3 weeks ago
- Defence Minister Ron Mark: “NZDF focused on protecting troops in Iraq from retaliation”As tensions in the Middle East continue to grow after the assassination of top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani, the New Zealand Defence Force is focusing on the protection of Kiwi troops deployed in Iraq. Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters says that "recent attacks on coalition bases and embassies constitute unacceptable ...3 weeks ago
- Log trains to begin on Wairoa-Napier line
Log trains are about to start running between Wairoa and Napier following Provincial Growth Fund investment to reopen the rail line, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones says. The Government invested $6.2 million to reopen the mothballed rail line which was closed after significant storm damage in 2012. “With PGF ...8 hours ago - Minister of Defence concludes successful visit with his US counterpartMinister of Defence Ron Mark met with United States Secretary of Defense Mark Esper today. “This was an excellent opportunity to meet with one of our closest security partners,” Ron Mark said. “The main focus of the meeting was to discuss challenges that New Zealand and the United States share ...9 hours ago
- New Zealand acknowledges ICJ decision on MyanmarForeign Minister Winston Peters today acknowledged the ruling of the International Court of Justice in relation to the Rohingya people in Myanmar. The ruling ordered the Government of Myanmar to take all measures within its power to prevent the commission of acts of genocide in relation to members of the ...1 day ago
- NZ’s trade aims advanced at Davos meetingsA proposal to cut “trade and production-distorting subsidies” in the agricultural sector by 2030 has set out important measures to ensure a fair agricultural trading system. Speaking after attending meetings of trade ministers in Davos, Switzerland, Minister for Trade and Export Growth David Parker welcomed the joint proposal from the ...1 day ago
- Great news for New Zealanders with cystic fibrosisHealth Minister Dr David Clark says he is delighted that PHARMAC has struck a provisional deal to fund Kalydeco – a medicine which is set to improve the quality of life for about 30 New Zealand children and adults with cystic fibrosis. “While rare, cystic fibrosis is an awful inherited ...1 day ago
- New Zealand least corrupt country in the worldNew Zealand has regained its position as the least corrupt country in the world for the second time under this Coalition Government, says Justice Minister Andrew Little. “New Zealanders can be proud that our reputation as one of the least corrupt countries in the world has been restored,” says Andrew ...2 days ago
- Boost for Rēkohu/Wharekauri/Chatham Islands Community ConservationCommunity conservation in Rēkohu/Wharekauri/the Chatham Islands is receiving a boost, with grants to support local projects announced today by Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage. “Rēkohu/Wharekauri/ the Chatham Islands are home to 20 per cent of New Zealand’s threatened bird species and 11 per cent of New Zealand’s threatened plant species. ...2 days ago
- Rātana Pā goes high-tech with UFBIwi, hapu and visitors to Rātana Pā near Whanganui now have access to ultra-fast broadband following its connection, completed in time for annual Rātana celebrations, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones says. The connection and associated hardware were funded from the Provincial Growth Fund’s $21 million Marae Digital Connectivity programme, ...2 days ago
- Govt’s strong financial management acknowledgedThe Government’s strong financial management and plan to future proof the economy with new infrastructure investment has gained further recognition from an international ratings agency. Credit rating agency Fitch has upgraded one of its main metrics assessing the Government’s books, lifting its foreign currency AA rating outlook to ‘positive’ from ...2 days ago
- Boost in Whānau Ora funding to keep changing livesWhānau throughout New Zealand are set to benefit from an extra three million dollars that will go directly to Whānau Ora Commissioning Agencies, the Minister for Whānau Ora Peeni Henare announced today. Including previous funding boosts, the Agencies will now receive $87 million this year between them. In Budget 2019 ...2 days ago
- More people getting into workThe December quarter benefit numbers released today show the Government’s plan to get people off the benefit and into work is starting to pay off,” Social Development Minister Carmel Sepuloni said. “Nearly 19,000 people cancelled their benefit and went into work in the last few months of the year – ...2 days ago
- Wairoa gets up to $6.1m to rebuild heart of CBDThe Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) is investing up to $6.1 million to revitalise business and tourism opportunities in Wairoa, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Regional Economic Development Fletcher Tabuteau announced today. The PGF is funding: Up to $4.8 million for the Wairoa Integrated Business and Tourism Facility Up to $960,000 for the ...3 days ago
- Major Events support for creative and cultural eventsCreative and cultural events that highlight New Zealand’s diverse culture and build national pride are set to get a funding boost through the Major Events Fund, Economic Development Minister Phil Twyford said today. The new Creative and Cultural Events Incubator, which is funded through the Major Events Fund, will open ...3 days ago
- Classroom internet in hundreds of schools to get a boostThe Government has begun a massive IT upgrade to provide more seamless internet access to 200 schools around the country. Te Mana Tūhono – Technology in Schools work programme will launch with a pilot of 10 smaller state schools early this year. IT equipment that gives students access to the ...3 days ago
- Construction workforce, apprenticeships hit record highsWorking with industry and committing to rebuild New Zealand’s infrastructure has produced a record high number of Kiwis working in the construction industry and learning trades, says Minister for Building and Construction Jenny Salesa. New figures available today from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and the Tertiary Education ...3 days ago
- NZ concludes digital economy trade talks with Singapore and ChileA new trade agreement concluded today helps New Zealand exporters and consumers take advantage of opportunities from digital trade. Minister for Trade and Export Growth David Parker together with Chile’s Vice Minister of Trade Rodrigo Yañez and Singapore’s Minister of Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing, have announced conclusion of ...4 days ago
- Provincial Growth Fund to fund Waipukurau cultural development and tourismThe Ngā Ara Tipuna - Waipukurau Pā Site Interpretation project will receive $2.798 million from the Provincial Growth Fund to create an authentic cultural tourism experience, Under-Secretary for Regional Economic Development Fletcher Tabuteau announced today “The project will inform visitors about the history of six pā sites in Waipukurau with a combination ...4 days ago
- 21 new judges boost diversity, improve access to justiceTwenty-one new District Court judges have been appointed in a move that will improve access to justice and boost diversity on the bench. The new judges include replacements for retirements and 10 new positions. Attorney-General David Parker today announced the 14 judges who can immediately be named, with the remainder ...4 days ago
- Puhinui to Auckland Airport in 10 minutesAucklanders are another step closer to getting rapid transit to the airport, with the start of construction to upgrade State Highway 20B to the airport, Transport Minister Phil Twyford announced today. SH20B will be upgraded with additional lanes in each direction, dedicated to bus and high-occupancy vehicles between Pukaki Creek ...4 days ago
- Advancing New Zealand’s trade agenda focus of Europe meetingsWorld Trade Organisation reform, agricultural trade and a free trade agreement with the United Kingdom will be the focus of Minister for Trade and Export Growth David Parker’s visit to Europe this week. David Parker leaves on Tuesday for a series of meetings in the UK and Switzerland that aim ...5 days ago
- Minister of Defence to visit counterparts in US and CanadaThe Minister of Defence, Ron Mark, departed today for the United States and Canada where he will meet with his counterparts. While in Canada Minister Mark will meet with his counterpart, Minister of National Defence Harjit Sajjan. “New Zealand and Canada are close friends, and share an instinctive like-mindedness on ...5 days ago
- Government to deliver family carers $2000 pay rise, expand scheme to spouses this yearThe Coalition Government is delivering this year the changes to Funded Family Care the disability sector has long-asked for, says Associate Minister of Health Jenny Salesa. “Today we are announcing the details of our big changes to Funded Family Care, including an annual average pay boost of $2,246.40 for funded ...6 days ago
- Ko te reo kua mū: Piri SciasciaMinister for Māori Development Nanaia Mahuta joins te ao Māori in their sorrow as they learn of the loss of one of the great orators and spokespersons of a generation – Piri Sciascia. “The son of Pōrangahau was a staunch advocate for Māori development and served his people for over ...7 days ago
- Minister opens new ecosanctuary at Cape FarewellA new ecosanctuary with a predator proof fence on Golden Bay’s Cape Farewell, which will restore a safe home for sea birds, rare native plants, giant snails, and geckos, was officially opened today by the Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage. “There has been a fantastic community effort supported by the ...1 week ago
- Pacific partners work together to provide additional support to AustraliaThe NZDF continues to support the Australian Defence Force (ADF) as it battles fires in Victoria and New South Wales, including by transporting Republic of Fiji Military engineers from Nadi to Australia, announced Defence Minister Ron Mark. On Saturday morning a NZDF Boeing 757 will depart New Zealand to uplift ...1 week ago
- Kaikōura $10.88 million boost in tourism & businessThe Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) is investing $10.88 million to boost business and tourism opportunities in Kaikōura, Parliamentary Undersecretary for Regional Economic Development, Fletcher Tabuteau announced today. As part of the Kaikōura Marina Development Programme, the following two projects will receive PGF funding: A $9.88 million investment to begin the ...1 week ago
- Govt accounts in surplus, debt remains lowThe Government’s books are in good shape with the accounts in surplus and expenses close to forecast, Finance Minister Grant Robertson says. The Treasury today released the Crown accounts for the five months to November. The operating balance before gains and losses (OBEGAL) was above forecast by $0.7 billion resulting ...1 week ago
- Auckland focus for first Police graduation of 2020The number of Police on the Auckland frontline is increasing with the graduation today of a special locally-trained wing of new constables. Police Minister Stuart Nash says the graduation of eighteen officers from Recruit Wing 333-5 means that more than 1900 new Police have been deployed since the Coalition Government ...1 week ago
- Wairarapa gets $7.11m PGF water boostThe Provincial Growth Fund is putting $7.11 million into creating a sustainable water supply for Wairarapa, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Regional Economic Development Fletcher Tabuteau announced today. The following two projects will receive Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) funding: A $7 million investment in Wairarapa Water Limited for the pre-construction development of ...1 week ago
- Progress with new Police station in MahiaCommunity safety and crime prevention in the East Coast community of Mahia has moved forward with the opening of a new Police station to serve the growing coastal settlement. Police Minister Stuart Nash has officially opened the new station, which was relocated almost 20 kilometres along the coast from the nearby ...2 weeks ago
- Plans to protect the future of whitebaiting announcedWith several native whitebait species in decline the Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage has today released proposals to standardise and improve management of whitebait across New Zealand. “The need for action for a healthy whitebait fishery has never been greater,” Eugenie Sage said. “Four of the six whitebait species are ...2 weeks ago
- New resource for schools to increase awareness and understanding of climate changeA new Ministry of Education resource available for schools in 2020 will increase awareness and understanding of climate change, Education Minister Chris Hipkins said today. “The resource, Climate Change – prepare today, live well tomorrow, will help students understand the effects of climate change at a local, national and global ...2 weeks ago
- Getting more out of our most productive firmsFinance Minister Grant Robertson has approved the terms of reference for an Inquiry into the economic contribution of New Zealand's frontier firms. Frontier firms are the most productive firms in the domestic economy within their own industry. “These firms are important as they diffuse new technologies and business practices into ...2 weeks ago
- NZDF sends more support to AustraliaThe New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) is sending an Environmental Health Team, a Primary Health Care Team and a Chaplain to Australia, boosting New Zealand support for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) as it battles bush fires in Victoria and New South Wales, Defence Minister Ron Mark announced today. The ...2 weeks ago
- New Zealand joins partners in calling for full investigation into air crash in IranActing Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Rt Hon Winston Peters says that developments suggesting a surface-to-air missile is responsible for the downing of the Ukrainian International Airlines flight in Iran is disastrous news. “New Zealand offers its deepest sympathies to the families of the 176 victims. It is ...2 weeks ago
- Staying connected to Australian agricultureAgriculture Minister, Damien O’Connor, says the Ministry for Primary Industries is continuing to stay connected to federal authorities in Australia as devastating fires affect the country. “The Ministry is using an existing trans-Tasman forum for discussions on the agricultural impact of the fires and the future recovery phase,” says Damien ...2 weeks ago
- Investment in schools – a commitment to communitiesThousands of school-age children, their teachers and wider communities are benefiting from the Government’s multi-million dollar investment upgrading and renewing schools, Education Minister Chris Hipkins said today. “We want New Zealand to be the best place to be a child and that means learning in warm, comfortable and modern classrooms,” ...2 weeks ago
- First Australian coronavirus case confirmed – 41 now dead in China
By RNZ News The first Australian case of Wuhan coronavirus has been confirmed, with a man being held under isolation in a Melbourne hospital. News of the case came after Chinese authorities said they were treating 1287 patients with the virus, while the death toll has risen to 41. ...2 hours ago - Extinction Rebellion encouraged as police drop charges
Just three days prior to his court hearing, the Police have withdrawn their case against Dylan Parker, the first Extinction Rebellion member to be charged in Aotearoa. ...3 hours ago - Outdoors Party on 5G5G NEWS: REQUEST FOR REGULATIONS REVIEW OF “NESTF” REGULATIONS WHICH EXEMPT CELLTOWERS AND OTHER RFEMR EMISSIONS FROM RMA ...3 hours ago
- Protect Our People From 2019-nCoVThe state-funded RNZ reports that in the coming weeks visitors from Wuhan will begin arriving into New Zealand, while the "Ministry of Health says there are currently no restrictions on travel or border screening in New Zealand and the risk here is ...3 hours ago
- Faster broadband comes to Rātana – and now they are better connected to the world than many peopl...
The Jones boy is back in the business of making good-news announcements about the Provincial Growth Fund, rather than being asked to explain his role in one of hundreds of applications made by business people keen to slurp a few million from the $3 billion trough. Today our Regional Development ...5 hours ago - Make it so-so: Star Trek: Picard, reviewed
The Frenchest man to helm a starship is back! The first episode of Star Trek: Picard is out, and José Barbosa and Josie Adams have some thoughts.Warning: contains spoiler (kind of a big one)Josie AdamsCaptain Jean-Luc Picard was a father figure to me for a couple of years, so seeing ...10 hours ago - Short story: Sharks of Porangahau, by Elizabeth Morton
"That summer of shark-attacks, they never found a missing person": a short story by Elizabeth Morton, ...11 hours ago - ‘My life is one big experiment’ Laurie Anderson on the power of art and terriersLaurie Anderson talks with Martin Patrick about the power of art, the complexity of language, transforming the voice, working amid a dire political situation, Buddhism and Burroughs, and their shared love of terriers.A familiar voice is on the line. When we talk, American artist and musician Laurie Anderson is in Massachusetts, ...12 hours ago
- India, Aoteaora, and the road beyond colonisationAnd in the effort to decolonise, each can learn from the other, writes Gaurav Sharma, editor of the Multicultural Times.For nation-states that emerged from centuries of brutal colonial rule, decolonisation is needed, in all its forms. The coloniser left India in 1947, and still the country is struggling. In Aotearoa, ...13 hours ago
- How anxiety and illiteracy inspired a young adult fantasy seriesA new fantasy series by Isa Pearl Ritchie focuses on a girl who struggles with anxiety and panic attacks. Here, Ritchie explains how her own childhood sparked Awa and the Dreamrealm. I was confused a lot of the way through my schooling. I would zone out a lot in class and ...13 hours ago
- Election 2020 fires up at Rātana Pa
Election politics were in full swing at the first political event of the year. ...21 hours ago - Comment from Davos: End the billionaire bonanza
The head of Oxfam in India writes that governments - including ours - are the key to combating inequality. ...23 hours ago - ‘Slow-minded and bewildered’: Donald Trump builds barriers to peace and prosperitySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Assistant Professor, School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra The US president “had no plan, no scheme, no constructive ideas whatever”, according to one of the world’s most influential economists. He was “in many respects, perhaps inevitably, ill-informed”. ...1 day ago
- Is NZ’s innovation culture snagged on number 8 wire?New research from Redvespa points to a lack of imagination behind New Zealand’s slide down the Global Innovation Index ...1 day ago
- What we learn from a fish that can change sex in just 10 daysSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jenny Graves, Distinguished Professor of Genetics, La Trobe University The bluehead wrasse is a fish that lives in small social groups in coral reefs in the Caribbean. Only the male has a blue head – signalling his social dominance over a harem ...1 day ago
- A Friday Poem by Bob Orr
A little inspiration for those sailing into a long weekend of sunlight and water. ...1 day ago - Federated Farmers backs call to slice agricultural subsidiesCutting agricultural subsidies that distort trade and production is a vital step in tackling world hunger and climate change challenges, Federated Farmers says. ...1 day ago
- Sports A-Gender: Can Barty end Australia’s OZ Open drought?
Which storyline will play out in the women's draw of the Australian Open? Can Serena Williams equal the record for the most Grand Slam victories? Will Naomi Osaka be able to repeat last year's feats? Or, will the home favourite Ashleigh Barty end Australia's 42-year title drought at Melbourne Park? ...1 day ago - How The Dead Lands hopes to change New Zealand televisionThe first two episodes of TVNZ’s new action series The Dead Lands were released to a worldwide audience of millions last night. Alice Webb-Liddall spoke to some of the cast and crew about the epic genre-bending show, and what it means for New Zealand television.When The Dead Lands was released ...1 day ago
- Oceania Healthcare half-year profit rises
A lift in sales and higher income from aged care services have lifted the half-year profit of the country's third largest rest home operator. ...1 day ago - Rising rents help drive up inflation in past three months
Rising rents, other household costs and airfares have driven consumer inflation in the past three months, dampening prospects of an interest rate cut any time soon. ...1 day ago - The Real Pod: New year, new decade, same old podThe Real Pod reassembles to dissect the summer in reality television and real life, with special thanks to Nando’s.We’re ba-ack! After a long cruel summer full of Jay Jay and Minou heartbreak, The Bachelorette NZ reveals and a mild case of ring worm, there is much to discuss. Why has ...1 day ago
- White, male and straight – how 30 years of Australia Day speeches leave most Australians outSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nicholas Bromfield, Lecturer, University of Sydney Last year on Australia Day, Prime Minister Scott Morrison used Facebook to describe Australia as a place “made up of so many peoples”. But he also stressed the importance of January 26 as the day Australia ...1 day ago
- Family Values review: David Williamson’s new uncomfortable, confronting playSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Maxwell, Associate Professor in Performance Studies, University of Sydney Review: Family Values, directed by Lee Lewis, Griffin Theatre Company Sophie Fletcher’s set for David Williamson’s new state-of-the-nation play comprises two major elements shoehorned into the intimate, asymmetrical diamond of the Stables ...1 day ago
- Is this … Snakeflu?! What we know about the source of the Wuhan coronavirusThe world is on edge over a coronavirus outbreak that started in early December in Wuhan City, China. The virus is thought to have first infected people working at a seafood and live animal market. So what could the original source have been? Siouxsie explains.There’s no official word yet, but ...1 day ago
- Out of control, contained, safe? Here’s what each bushfire status actually meansSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Thomas Duff, Postdoctoral Fellow, Forest and Ecosystem Science, University of Melbourne In this record-breaking bushfire season, notifications from emergency managers have become a familiar feature of Australian life. Terms like “out of control” and “contained” are regularly heard as descriptions of the ...1 day ago
- Climate change challenge for the Nats is to take scientists’ advice on GE and gazump the Greens
Prince Charles has called for a new economic model in order to save the planet. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, he pleaded with world leaders and businesses to revolutionise the interaction between nature and global financial markets,saving the planet from “approaching catastrophe”. In an unprecedented royal intrusion ...1 day ago - What’s on RNZ News at midday – Jan 24
National Party Leader Simon Bridges says the Government has not delivered for Māori as promised ...1 day ago - Tanks, torpedoes and tasers: Why weapons are a conundrum for KiwiSaversYou don’t want your retirement savings invested in nuclear bombs, sure. But what about conventional defence equipment that’s also used for essential civilian purposes?This month’s assassination of Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani and the Australian navy’s evacuation of people escaping bushfires are two very different events, but they highlight the dilemma ...1 day ago
- Yesterdaze: Announcing the hand-me-down honours
Does New Zealand have any candidates worthy of the all-important HRH prefix Harry and Meghan have left behind? ...1 day ago - Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending January 24The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington. AUCKLAND 1 This Is Going to Hurt: Secret Diaries of a Junior Doctor by Adam Kay (Picador, $23) ...1 day ago
- You’re never too young or old to upskill on road safetyAs people are coming back from holidays and returning to work, and parents are preparing their children to start or go back to school, Police wants to encourage parents to talk to their children about being safe around roads, as well as to be safe themselves. ...1 day ago
- Swimming in Circles: the new Mac Miller album is a fitting codaTwo years after the release of Mac Miller’s Swimming, his family has released its companion piece, Circles. We explain what it is, how it came together, and why you need to listen to it.What is Circles?Miller’s sixth studio album, and his first album release since his death in 2018. It ...1 day ago
- Jack McDonald: Why I’m endorsing a Māori Party candidate this electionWe need Māori voices in parliament who aren’t beholden to the major parties, writes former Green Party policy co-convenor and candidate Jack McDonald (Taranaki, Ngāti Haupoto).I was one of those kids that was always interested in politics. I have early blurry memories of excitedly watched election night results. In our ...1 day ago
- Global media decry Indonesia’s arrest of environmental journalistA Mongabay video message to supporters of the US journalist Philip Jacobson arrested in Indonesia. By Michael Andrew in Jakarta International journalists and agencies have condemned the arrest of American environmental journalist Philip Jacobson, who has been detained in Palangkaraya, Central Kalimantan, for allegedly misusing his residency permit. The ...1 day ago
- The Friday Poem: Howl by Katrina UppertonA new poem by Palmerston North poet Katrina Upperton. Howl IBuy the biggest jacket you can findand let your synapses back up till the machine fails, pick at your sparking fingers.Check out that Robocop radiator:the wiring is something you would not believe.C’mon, man, think:you’ll never get the depressive comedian’s face right,never get to ...1 day ago
- If they haven’t signed up to the Facebook transparency tool, don’t vote for themSome New Zealand parties have signed up. Others are still deciding. But if they don’t, should you trust them at all, asks Cate Owen.You shouldn’t just care that political parties are buying digital ads, you should treat any party that won’t sign up to Facebook’s political ad transparency measures with ...1 day ago
- Your hate only makes Gwyneth Paltrow strongerShe’s an Oscar-winning actress, a widely hated celebrity and founder of one of the most successful wellness brands in the world. And all your jade egg jokes make no difference at all, writes Sam Brooks.A few weeks ago, the trailer for new Netflix show The GOOP Lab was released, along ...1 day ago
- After the flight: The spirit of the Rohingya people perseveres in BangladeshOne million people from Myanmar live in 34 camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. They are considered some of the largest and most densely populated camps in the world. New Zealand Red Cross’ international delegate Elodie Berthe shares some of their stories.After what seemed like an never-ending car journey on windy ...1 day ago
- Focus on employment over increasing benefit levels – government, National Party
The skyrocketing demand for hardship grants means Work and Income case managers haven't been able to spend as much time getting people into jobs. ...1 day ago - Power outage: ‘Businesses will have lost thousands”
Aucklanders still don't know what caused yesterday's intermittent power cuts that has left businesses in the CBD out of pocket. ...1 day ago - Corruption Perceptions Index ‘biased’ and ‘flawed’A University of Waikato researcher has called Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index, released this week, a biased survey based on flawed methodology that reinforces global stereotypes. ...1 day ago
- What’s on RNZ News at 8am – Jan 24
The pressure is on for the Government to prove it is delivering for Māori as MP’S make their annual pilgrimage to Rātana Pā today. ...1 day ago - What’s in the newspapers – Jan 24
The Consumer Affairs Minister is concerned the customers of a bust travel agency might have been victims of fraud. ...1 day ago - Beehive artwork: Taxpayers’ Union submits design proposalThe New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union has formally submitted its design proposal for a 3.5-metre artwork in the Beehive entrance, pictured below. ...1 day ago
- NZ to Kick Off the “Global Day of Protest Against 5G”Communities all around New Zealand are preparing for the Global Day of Protest Against 5G on Saturday 25 January 2020. From a lively educational market stall in Kaitaia to a solid protest in Invercargill, people all over the country will be mobilising ...1 day ago
- Family Day? Protesters say NO to normalising animal abuseThis Saturday, Family Day Races at the Wellington Racing Club will see anti-horse racing protesters demonstrating outside. ...1 day ago
- ‘Culture of silence’ regarding accidents and foreign driversAn outspoken road safety campaigner has blasted the government’s ‘culture of silence’ regarding accidents involving foreign drivers. ...1 day ago
- OK computer: to prevent students cheating with AI text-generators, we should bring them into the cla...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Grant Jun Otsuki, Lecturer in Cultural Anthropology, Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington Artificial intelligence-based (AI) programs are quickly improving at writing convincingly on many topics, for virtually no cost. It’s likely in a few years they’ll be churning out C-grade worthy ...1 day ago
- Why we need strong ethical standards for ministers – and better ways of enforcing themSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Howard Whitton, Visiting Fellow, University of Canberra Prime Minister Scott Morrison has asked the head of his department to investigate whether Bridget McKenzie violated ministerial standards when she dispensed sports grants to clubs in marginal seats and those being targeted by the ...1 day ago
- The link between antibiotics and obesity in children doesn’t mean you need to avoid antibioticsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Penelope Bryant, Consultant in Paediatric Infectious Diseases and General Paediatrics, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute Australian children have one of the highest rates of antibiotic use in the world. More than half have received at least one course by their first birthday. While ...1 day ago
- How to help your kids with homework (without doing it for them)Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Melissa Barnes, Lecturer in the Faculty of Education, Monash University Parents are a child’s first and most important teachers. Parent involvement in their child’s learning can help improve how well they do in school. However, when it comes to helping kids with ...1 day ago
- ‘I need nature, I need space’: high-rise families rely on child-friendly neighbourhoodsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Elyse Warner, Lecturer in Health and Social Sciences, Deakin University Children’s living environments in Australian capital cities have changed significantly in the past ten years. This is particularly the case for the growing numbers of families raising children in private, inner-city, high-rise ...1 day ago
- Vital Signs: climate-linked financial crises loom, but the fix isn’t up to central banksSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Richard Holden, Professor of Economics, UNSW The Bank for International Settlements – the “central bank” for central banks – made headlines this week with a report outlining how the next major financial crisis may come from unexpected climate risks. The book calls ...1 day ago
- Friday essay: this grandmother tree connects me to Country. I cried when I saw her burnedSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vanessa Cavanagh, Associate Lecturer, School of Geography and Sustainable Communities, University of Wollongong Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this article contains images and names of deceased people. I remember brushing my teeth over the green enamel sink. I would ...1 day ago
- Simon Bridges defends Philippines trip: ‘There is a lot of common ground’The National leader has defended his meetings with controversial conservative figures during his trip to the Philippines. ...1 day ago
- The Bulletin: Response to Wuhan coronavirus ramps upGood morning and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Response to coronavirus ramps up, PM and Māori leaders agree to meet, and Labour launches their political year at retreat.A pandemic response plan has been triggered by the government around the Wuhan coronavirus. The NZ Herald reports an incident management team has been ...1 day ago
- Z Energy counting the cost of ‘Gull effect’
Z Energy has been forced into rising levels of price discounting thanks to competition from 'robo' petrol stations ...1 day ago - This week’s best-seller list of NZ books
This week's biggest-selling New Zealand books, as recorded by the Nielsen BookScan New Zealand bestseller list and described by Steve Braunias. ...2 days ago - Obstacles remain to a free trade deal with the EU
Political positivity didn't lead to FTA agreement in 2019 - and 2020 may be the same. ...2 days ago - Has the world economy reached peak growth?
The 2010s could have been the strongest decade of the first half of this century. But it didn’t turn out that way, writes the chair of the Chatham House institute for international affairs Jim O'Neill. ...2 days ago - Beyond RNZ Concert: Myele Manzanza on musicians’ struggle to make a living in NZWith moves underway around RNZ Concert and a new state-funded music station, how will experimental and less commercially-focused musicians be affected? The Spinoff spoke to New Zealand-born and London based jazz musician Myele Manzanza about the cultural and financial landscape for non-mainstream artists in Aotearoa. The future of publicly funded music ...2 days ago
- Grattan on Friday: Bridget McKenzie has made herself a sitting duckSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Bridget McKenzie’s future is looking bleak, her position having worsened significantly this week. At its heart, the McKenzie affair is simple. Before last year’s election, the then-sports minister allocated grants to sporting organisations on an ...2 days ago
- UPJ Media Release on Temple SinaiJust when world leaders gather in Jerusalem to remember the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau and to reaffirm a commitment to fight Antisemitism cowards defaced the exterior of Temple Sinai in Wellington, New Zealand with swastikas. ...2 days ago
- When will the business elite walk the talk?
The Davos forum had a wholesome slogan, but we need structural reform not fine words ...2 days ago - New Zealand tops the 2019 Corruption Perceptions IndexThe New Zealand public sector and judiciary has again been ranked the least corrupt in the world. The Corruption Perceptions Index released today by Transparency International (a global anti-corruption organisation), ranks New Zealand first equal with Denmark, ...2 days ago
- Māori leaders agree to meet Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern over Whānau Ora fundingThe leaders seeking an urgent Waitangi Tribunal hearing over the handling of Whānau Ora money have agreed to meet with the prime minister to discuss solutions. ...2 days ago
- An ode to Food Alley, 1992-2020A downtown Auckland institution, the 28-year-old foodcourt Food Alley is soon to be demolished. Alice Neville and other Spinoff staff visited at lunchtime the day after the news broke to see how diners and stallholders were feeling.My earliest memories of Auckland life revolve around Food Alley. ‘Twas the summer of ...2 days ago
- Time for a total revision of Te Tiriti O WaitangiWe about to commemorate 180 years of Te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi), yet grievances are still smouldering on. We must consider a better path forward for both Māori and our other Treaty partner, Pākehā! ...2 days ago
- Space satire Avenue 5 is brilliant, even as it meanders off courseAvenue 5, the new show from The Thick of It and Veep genius Armando Iannucci, veers off-course after an ambitious launch, writes Sam BrooksArmando Iannucci has proven himself as one of the great satirists of our age. First making his name with Alan Partridge and then The Thick Of It ...2 days ago
- The Visitors review: a witty imagining of what went before that fateful encounterSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Bronwyn Carlson, Professor, Indigenous Studies, Macquarie University Review: The Visitors, directed by Frederick Copperwaite for Sydney Festival Sydney Festival has really outdone themselves this season with a spectacular line-up of Indigenous shows to choose from including The Visitors. A warm greeting from ...2 days ago
- Welfare figures show urgent need for benefit level increaseThe latest figures by the Ministry on Social Development show that benefit sanctions are increasing and a record number of families are requiring hardship grants to cover basic expenses such as rent and food, due to low benefit levels that are below the ...2 days ago
- Convicted coal mining company should be blacklistedForest & Bird says it is a national disgrace that authorities continue green-lighting Bathurst Resources' coal mining activities, despite the company being a repeat environmental offender. The mining company has been fined $18,000 after pleading guilty to polluting ...2 days ago
- Labour puts its chips on ‘positive politics’ in election year
Will the PM's pledge for "relentless positivity" hold up against criticism of the Government's record? ...2 days ago - Embassy of Israel condemning anti-Semitic attacksThe Embassy of Israel in New Zealand condemns in the strongest possible terms the ecent acts of antisemitism that were carried out in Wellington, where a synagogue and other locations in the city were defaced with swastikas. ...2 days ago
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