Blogs and Activism

Written By: - Date published: 3:00 pm, October 26th, 2016 - 63 comments
Categories: activism, blogs, uncategorized - Tags: ,

For me, internet based activism is primarily about shifting people’s thoughts and perceptions. Done well, people can find themselves asking new questions and entertaining new ideas. Done badly, people become entrenched and incurious.

Good activism always presents a pathway or avenue to walk down, or a door to walk through. Bad activism slams people and doors; burns bridges and leaves activists and their potential audience (which is where any future fellow traveller must come from) isolated and nursing antagonisms.

Good activism is always a two way street – a process of give and take – where the activist is as open to change as they imagine those they are out to influence are. Without that openness, the dynamic can, and often does, quickly become characterised by an off-putting air of superiority, or worse, an authoritarian call for unity – a subjective insistence that this way is the only way and that others must and will be choppethed up and stompethed down if they can’t see the self evident truth of…

Actually, there is no such thing as ‘good’ activism and ‘bad’ activism. What I have labelled as ‘bad’ activism above, isn’t activism at all but rather the antithesis of activism. And beyond that, I don’t readily know or really care what they should be called, or what they are.

Activism can only ever be more effective or less effective. In either case, doors are open, and paths presented. The only difference would be that the door isn’t opened as wide in one scenario as it is in the other – or the path isn’t as broad, as inviting, or as obvious in one as in the other.

Putting the above into a real world and possibly familiar context – if anyone was wanting to convince me of the merits of veganism, they wouldn’t get very far if all they did was bang on about how meat was murder and by extension insinuate that my moral compass was no better than that of a murderer, would they? Far better to extol the culinary delights of some vegan foods, or maybe point to some personal saving or gain, or whatever…anything that might give me a reason to ‘buy in’ – to engage or care.

Whatever the progress of any subsequent exchange, or whatever the result of any ensuing argument or debate, the alternative, of just repeatedly and self-righteously kicking me in my non-vegan nuts wouldn’t amount to any kind of activism at all and would likely only result in any potential worlds of interaction and learning being lit up by the flames of burning bridges.

And, in spite of and in full knowledge of that, some might walk way from ‘dishing it out’ to others feeling vindicated and righteous and a whole lot more determined to be tough, to ‘never give an inch’, and to ‘tell it to the bastards like it is’ etc, etc.

Or then again they might walk away feeling empowered and purposeful, reflecting on the progress to date of eliminating, neutralising or ostracising any potential source of discord from their idea of a perfect, but unachievable world of unity.

But on a good day, just maybe they’d reflect on what exactly it was they had achieved and what it was they hoped to achieve and conclude that it wasn’t really all that flash, or that what they hoped to achieve could only ever amount to dystopia. And maybe then, they’d decide that activism was a thing worth exploring and getting to grips with instead.

And imagine!

A disparate group of activists bringing their different ideas and thoughts and their spread of knowledge to a blog, and that blog becoming popular and, among other things, a go-to source for decent information and a place of inspiration, new ideas and challenging thoughts…

Aye. Dreaming.

But then, it’s a good dream, and one well worth nurturing.

63 comments on “Blogs and Activism ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. TheExtremist 1
    26 October 2016 at 3:38 pm

    “For me, internet based activism is primarily about shifting people’s thoughts and perceptions.”

    http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Internet_law#Pommer.27s_Law

  2. esoteric pineapples 2
    26 October 2016 at 3:42 pm

    Some people argue that blogs etc are basically preaching to the converted but I think one of their effects is a sense of empowerment. Back in the early days of this government I regularly thought what the government was doing was wrong but there was nothing in the mainstream media saying what I thought which gave me a sense of isolation. Now I feel like I am part of a movement and amongst kindred souls. There is a reason that all authoritarian governments try to shut down social media. That alone, shows its power for strengthening movements. I also find my favourite blogs a short cut to what is going on that day. No need to trawl through Stuff or the NZ Herald site.

    • weka 2.1
      26 October 2016 at 3:55 pm

      Me too – I learn from debating, it helps me think through my own ideas, and it definitely helps me to be around other people who are thinking things through politically. Ditto kindred souls where our politics match. And I like getting my news from here.

    • b waghorn 2.2
      26 October 2016 at 7:54 pm

      ”basically preaching to the converted”
      I can only talk from my own experience coming to this blog , and it is this.
      my only beef with national two years ago was their filthy tactics to gain and maintain power, I would have said i was the center voter.
      While i’m not quite at the lets destroy capitalism and start again i’m very open to ideas of how we reboot the system.
      I’ve also changed from a ranting nutter when pushing ideas around this governments ideas to one of trying to frame things in a non confrontational way so they can draw there own ideas. (pretty much what the guts of bill is getting at)

  3. Siobhan 3
    26 October 2016 at 4:06 pm

    The point of Blogs..like The Standard..well, its excellent in terms of not just preaching to the converted, as Lynn has explained to me in no uncertain terms it is NOT a Left Wing blog, so I guess that’s its strength, its different things to different people….where else can you go to find like minded souls, intelligent commentary on day to day news and events…and get called a ‘gormless idiot’ by the moderator.
    In that respect its a great place to hone your arguments…beats the usual awkward arguments at the family Christmas.
    Not nearly as fun as ‘posting bills’, but we won’t get into that….

    • Bill 3.1
      26 October 2016 at 5:11 pm

      I really miss poster runs….

    • jcena 3.2
      26 October 2016 at 7:05 pm

      WGS is full of shit (as usual). This IS a left wing blog as you know.

      • lprent 3.2.2
        27 October 2016 at 12:39 am

        The blog is what the About states.

        What’s your political ‘angle’?

        We come from a variety of backgrounds and our political views don’t always match up but it’d be fair to say that all of us share a commitment to the values and principles that underpin the broad labour movement and we hope that perspective will come through strongly as you read the blog.

        Back in 2007, that was as close as authors of the day could probably agree. I suspect that these days it is about as close as the authors of today might agree. I’d add that there is a whole lot of green tinge in there as well both back in 2007 and now.

        Now if you delve into the history of the labour movement, what you will find is a vast range of opinions about what is relevant both in the period and for the future. It can go from everything from authoritarian to anarchistic. From chasing immediate benefits to chasing benefits for unborn grandchildren. From the knurled hands of workers to the immaculately groomed hands of socialites.

        It has also spanned a wide range of the political, social, and even the religious spectrum, and still does. Generally it leans left. But not always. Which is why you find that we tolerate a lot of crap from a range of people provided they can damn-well argue their position.

        So as Siobhan alludes to, part of my general purpose in providing tech, protective cover and anti-social support for this site is to use my talents. That is to make sure that both people have a site and that they can expect to have me clearly express my opinion if I think that they are trying to exclude anyone. Which is what the “robust debate” is about in the policy.

        After spending about 35 years around various versions of the net and more than 2 decades voluntarily helping out Labour, I prefer to be over-reactive and rather blunt. Actually usually sarcastic, caustic, and excessively over informed. It helps in sorting out those who can survive the net at their current stage in life from those who cannot (and who should go back to cat movies on facebook). Just be thankful that I have been pretty busy for the real world for a few years…

        Sure the moderators do control the site, but it is pretty much restricted by the policy to anyone disrupting the arguments of others on the site. They don’t try to constrain the debate. They mainly try to make sure that it doesn’t become boring, repetitive, lazy and ill-informed. And I and some of the other more experienced and largely inactive mods tend to keep an eye on the debates to help out when we can be bothered.

      • left_forward 3.2.3
        27 October 2016 at 7:44 am

        Not sure who you are referring to or why you thought it relevant, but useful illustration of Bills’s point about non activism – commentary that has no direction – a timely example of non activism.

  4. Anno1701 4
    26 October 2016 at 4:07 pm

    IMO one of the reasons why real activism is dying

    ( excluding the NAP of course !)

    easier just to stay at home and red about , maybe click like if your really worked up !!!

    • Richard Rawshark 4.1
      26 October 2016 at 4:11 pm

      Hmm real activism is alive and kicking, it just takes longer for the boiler to get to pressure AMO.

      and if they get 3 more, well I won’t financially survive I have nothing to lose, look out.

      • james 4.1.1
        26 October 2016 at 5:24 pm

        If you need a change in government to financially survive – exactly what changes have Labour guaranteed they will bring in that will “keep you afloat”?

        • weka 4.1.1.1
          26 October 2016 at 5:41 pm

          A whole range of things in fact, but your question is off topic and diversionary.

        • Richard Rawshark 4.1.1.2
          26 October 2016 at 6:16 pm

          When you were posting on kiwibiker..,

          and you support National? are you a Black Powderpuff?

          Only Bikers I know that like National were Muldoons BP’s.

          • james 4.1.1.2.1
            26 October 2016 at 7:47 pm

            I know you like to generalise, but I know many bikers – none of which would vote labour.

            Not a black “powderpuff” – whatever the hell that is.

            Just a normal bloke, who happens to like bikes as well.

    • Siobhan 4.2
      26 October 2016 at 4:21 pm

      Don’t think that..real activism is alive, its just not reported in the Media. Even following a comparatively limited American source of News like ‘Democracy Now’, its amazing the number of protests and strikes and ‘actions’ that go unreported.

      NZ, well, maybe not so much, but then apart from a few highlights, anti apartheid, anti nuclear, we are usually fairly mild, and anyway, we are all at home fussing over our houses and kitchen renovations….wait for a housing price crash…then we might see some action.

      • Anno1701 4.2.1
        26 October 2016 at 4:37 pm

        IMO it will take actual 3 day empty stomaches to get a rise out of Kiwis

        well that or no rugby …..

    • Bill 4.3
      26 October 2016 at 5:06 pm

      I think there has been a problem in acknowledging the advantages and limitations of internet based activism and traditional modes of activism.

      Where blogs can be useful is in the promotion of conversations and in offering up counter narratives or alternative views to reasonably large and diverse audiences. They can do that much better and way more consistently or continuously than the likes of weekly meetings or monthly publications. Actually, I’d suggest that meetings, as traditionally understood and structured, are woeful environments for facilitating discussion or dialogue.

      Rather than blaming on-line activity for the demise of off-line activity, I’d suggest the problem lies with people in the off-line world resisting attempts to emulate the inclusive and participatory nature of on-line worlds.

      Who wants to go to some pre-organised march up the street (again) to, at the end of it, listen to the same old people spouting the same old lines at them (again) before going off home to the very same atomized situation as before (again)?

  5. ropata 5
    26 October 2016 at 4:45 pm

    Thanks Bill, timely and thoughtful. Humans are prone to tribalism and “othering” people or groups that think differently (I am guilty of it too). This blog can be cool but also hostile at times, National voters are not the enemy…

  6. Adrian Thornton 6
    26 October 2016 at 5:02 pm

    Maybe this should be on open mike…but it relates to peoples fear of being politically active..http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/85752421/Police-admit-using-checkpoint-to-target-euthanasia-meeting-attendees

    It doesn’t matter where you sit on this issue, if police think they can set up a road block to check on people attending a public meeting you have to assume they keep an eye on Blogs.

    • Draco T Bastard 6.1
      26 October 2016 at 5:34 pm

      I’ve always assumed that they do and that they keep checks on the people using them.

    • james 6.2
      26 October 2016 at 5:40 pm

      Im am sure that they do keep an eye on blogs.

      And in some cases – if people are talking about illegal activities then the police are doing the right thing if they are able to stop them.

      Speaking from experience – when I used to post on Kiwibiker – there was a raid on a lot of the Thursday night ride guys. Much pain and suffering.

      In fairness – now I look back at it – it was good police work.

      However when it comes to things like euthanasia – I really just don’t know what to think. Its such a complex issue and I am fortunate not to had it in my life – so I will leave specific commenting on that to those who can.

      • Chris 6.2.1
        27 October 2016 at 1:20 am

        So for you, whether what the cops did in this case is a flagrant disregard for basic rights, or good police work, comes down to your view of euthanasia? Wow.

        • Bob 6.2.1.1
          27 October 2016 at 9:56 am

          Look at it this way, lets say these people were at a class on ‘how to grow dope’, should the police do something to track these people? What the people attending are doing isn’t directly illegal, but if they act on what is being spoken about, that is.
          It doesn’t come down to your view on the matter, it comes down to the current laws in this country which the Police are there to uphold.

          I think the way the Police went about it in this case (the meeting on euthanasia) was the wrong way to do it, but I don’t entirely disagree with their motives for doing it, especially if they are worried that someone attending was looking to take the discussion a step further.

          • Robert Guyton 6.2.1.1.1
            27 October 2016 at 10:00 am

            People reading books on horticulture at the public library should be stopped on the way home, have their details recorded and be eye-balled by the police, ’cause, you know, cannabis growing.

            • Bob 6.2.1.1.1.1
              27 October 2016 at 10:15 am

              Yes, that’s what I said, “people reading books on horticulture at the public library”. Either learn to read, “people were at a class on ‘how to grow dope’” or fuck off

          • Chris 6.2.1.1.2
            27 October 2016 at 1:52 pm

            Sure, but James wasn’t judging the behaviour of the police on whether the attendees were discussing the possibility of committing an offence. He was judging the police behaviour on his own moral views about euthanasia.

            • james 6.2.1.1.2.1
              27 October 2016 at 3:32 pm

              to clarify – ” He was judging the police behaviour on his own moral views about euthanasia”

              I have no moral view on this. Its not something I have a view on. I can see both sides and have no reason to judge one way or the other.

              • Stuart Munro …
                27 October 2016 at 10:45 pm

                If you could see both sides you wouldn’t be visiting your relentless rightwing nutjobbery on a leftwing site.

  7. Stuart Munro 7
    26 October 2016 at 5:27 pm

    It would be good to see some constructive activism – but websites have multiple functions – providing news, commentary and moral support are also important.

    The flaming annoys some people – but it may a necessary function. Think of trolls as hecklers at a meeting – if they are allowed to dominate, issues will not be explored much less debated and resolved. Other functions besides activism are also derailed by this.

    Discussion can get pretty heated among the left without the ‘contribution’ of insincere far right spokestrolls.

    • weka 7.1
      26 October 2016 at 5:45 pm

      Arguing back against inflammatory comments also gives people, including those reading from the sidelines, a chance to hear alternative narratives to the one being trotted out by the flamer. Or not even flaming but just RW ideas.

      The problem is when that becomes the dominant way of being and where it takes up all the space. I think we get that wrong too much here, but we are a group of people that like arguing (myself included).

      • Richard Rawshark 7.1.1
        26 October 2016 at 6:12 pm

        In a better society one would be heard proportionately and activism wouldn’t be nesc ness nesarsarilt… required.

      • Scott 7.1.2
        27 October 2016 at 11:05 am

        Don’t fear RW ideas Weka, welcome them. Remember, this isn’t a LW blog after all.

        I like discussing topics that interest me on here. Usually I have a different perspective from the posters or commenters, but through some of the discussions I learn more about my own perspective as well as more about theirs. That is something you don’t really get discussing things with the like minded.

        For my two cents though “discussion” on here too frequently degenerates into abuse, and does so quickly.

        Fair minded moderation is the key to fostering real discussion.

      • Stuart Munro 7.1.3
        27 October 2016 at 5:01 pm

        There is another problem, that may partially explain the preference many on here have for at times being outspoken to the point of offensiveness, and that is that politics (except under a non-performing kleptocracy like Key’s) deals with the frustrations of individuals who may not have done the ekphrasic analysis to explain the heart of problems. Ranting is one way to surface issues that more measured or considered writing can obscure.

        The Greeks, you will remember, didn’t intend that rhetoric merely be used to enhance lying, the way Key uses it, but to make matters plain. A good recent example might be Elizabeth Warren’s:

        “We nasty women are going to march our nasty feet to cast our nasty votes to get you out of our lives forever,”

        It frames the problem and points to a solution.

    • Groundhog 7.2
      26 October 2016 at 6:44 pm

      The problem with what you’re saying is how you define ‘troll’. On balance I think TS gets it about right, but there can be a fine line between outing a genuine ‘troll’ and shutting down debate because you don’t like what someone writes.

  8. Tony Veitch (not the partner-bashing 3rd rate broadcaster 8
    26 October 2016 at 7:40 pm

    The Standard has been good for me – it has helped focus my ideas in so many areas – not that I necessarily agree with everyone (on the left) who posts here.

    But what I want to see it a transition from posting to real effort to get rid of this appalling government. From passive to active.

    I worked to get John Minto elected mayor of ChCh – always a long ask, but I felt the need to be active in pursuit of a left-wing sort of thing. I shall join either Labour or Greens next year to do something active to change the government.

    But I would like to see all the posters here on the Standard make the same commitment – though I am sure many of you are far more active than myself.

    All the ranting and raving about how bad Key and his gang are is just so much hot air if we get another three disastrous years of the Nats!

    • Robert Guyton 8.1
      26 October 2016 at 8:20 pm

      To me, “disaster” means, “the stars fall from the sky”, as in “dis” – “aster (star). That’s a serious occurrence, disaster, stars plunging, falling from the sky – serious trouble. . Distress, means, (to me) “dis” “tress”, you know, “tresses” as in, hair. You lose your hair when you are distressed. Dismantle means to remove your cloak (mantle) from your shoulders… anyway, let’s not over-egg that pudding. The Key government isn’t a “disaster” it’s just a degradation, an erosion of what we had. Treating it as rust is a better approach, I reckon, than calling it the End of Days. It ain’t.

      • Drowsy M. Kram 8.1.1
        26 October 2016 at 9:24 pm

        How to galvanise public opinion? The concept of ‘fairness’, backed by clear local examples of significant electoral unfairness (e.g. Social Credit’s under-representation in parliament), helped MMP across the threshold against considerable resistance from the deeply pocketed.

        Rust never sleeps – best to treat it while there’s still some iron underneath. Our governors continue to favour corporate welfare over socioeconomic equality and egalitarianism – hope it’s not too late to leverage fairness one more time.

      • Tony Veitch (not the partner-bashing 3rd rate broadcaster 8.1.2
        27 October 2016 at 4:24 am

        In terms of semantics, you are probably right, Robert. Though, with rapid climate change galloping ever faster towards us, with the very real possibility of human extinction not so far away in the future, another three years of the Nats will be, if not a disaster, then something approaching it.
        Not that this country could do anything material to reverse the trend of the global economy, but at least, we could show the way for others not to follow.

      • Stuart Munro 8.1.3
        27 October 2016 at 5:49 pm

        The Key kleptocracy certainly rates as a disaster to those living in cars, whose children are in poverty, or who are obliged to deal with the draconian nightmare of WINZ. In the past there was a degree of social mobility through work. Key has slammed that door and welded it shut.

  9. Muttonbird 9
    26 October 2016 at 8:51 pm

    This is what Andrew Little sent to me today.

    Dear Matt,
    A decent job, money in your pocket at the end of the week, a warm, dry home, a good school for your kids, and a healthcare system that’s there when you need it.
    For me, these things are the building blocks of the Kiwi dream. But under National, they’re slipping away.
    Labour backs the Kiwi dream – and we’re committed to restoring it.
    Ahead of my address at Labour’s conference next week, I want to hear what your Kiwi dream is and why you want to change the Government.
    Matt, will you share your Kiwi dream with us?
    I’d like to share your stories in my speech and on Labour’s social media channels in the coming weeks.
    We’d also love for you to share a video of your Kiwi dream and of why you believe we need to change the Government next year. We’ll stitch them all together to show the aspirations and dreams of our movement at Labour’s conference, and on our social media. It only needs to be a few seconds long and can be filmed on your phone. Click here to send us your video.
    Ahead of the election next year, it’s important we highlight our aspirations for New Zealand — and why we need to change the Government to make those a reality.
    Click here to share your Kiwi dream.

    Thanks,

    Andrew Little
    Labour Leader

    As I see it this falls into what Bill describes as good activism. Promoting a positive message about what the future look like under Labour-led government. A message about what fair, regular people want to achieve for the country.

    I’ll be sending Andrew Little my Kiwi Dream.

    • Manuka AOR 9.1
      26 October 2016 at 9:22 pm

      Thanks for posting!

    • Skinny 9.2
      27 October 2016 at 3:20 pm

      Yeah I got the Kiwi Dream blurb. The messaging is improving from Labour especially through social media. Mind you next years election campaign Natcorp have signaled a big budget for social media spamming.

      So in order to limit their campaign those that are capable should be banding together in the propaganda war online.

      Some of my friends and self are mooting the idea of a get together of people who want to organise a dedicated 2017 election campaign. Fortunate enough to already have the services of a slick cartoonist and a gun film production man. A graphics and IT guru’s would add strength if it floats beyond an idea. Will look to network at the LP conference early Nov, and at the anti warship protest in Auckland in a couple of weeks, recruiting basically 🙂

      • saveNZ 9.2.1
        27 October 2016 at 4:58 pm

        Have you got an email to contact you by Skinny?

        • Skinny 9.2.1.1
          27 October 2016 at 7:24 pm

          TPR has my email addy from here that I am sure he can give to you if ya refer him to this post. Ha don’t want any trolls from here spamming me 🙂

    • saveNZ 9.3
      27 October 2016 at 4:53 pm

      Thanks Muttonbird. I also got it from Andrew Little and loved it too as social activism.

      The listening part and wanting to take messages from Kiwi’s was brilliant.

      +1000 Labour.

  10. UncookedSelachimorpha 10
    26 October 2016 at 8:57 pm

    More than Pommer’s Law, Confirmation Bias is one of the toughest nuts to crack, both in talking to others and in being honest with our own thinking. This wiki entry is long, but well worth a read – it explains a lot:

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confirmation_bias

  11. Observer Tokoroa 11
    26 October 2016 at 9:09 pm

    .
    . Thanks Bill

    . You are seeding thought. Something that wiil take root and grasp the day.

    . As I understand the past 140 years, we have progressed through Activists. Women achieved the right to own Property; the right to vote; the right to work towards equality.

    . Again, men formed Unions to match the Industrialisation of the modern world. They abhorred slavery which was spear headed principally by the English, but not by them alone. Housing; Health; Education; serious wages – and the right to eye ball the men of power. They had phenomenal success. They did it by the Picket method.

    . In the last 40 years as noted by several fine writers on this blog, the gains of the Unions have been trampled on by the greed of Corporations and share holders and the very Wealthy.

    . So Bill at the risk of being seen as a madman I would remodel the Labour Party. How?

    1) by renaming it: The Labour Egalitarian Party
    2) by stopping the grouping of people into the “homeless”; the Impoverished; the uneducated. And replacing our grouping with Egalitarian thought and language. In order to do this, I would deem the earnings of the upper middle class as the measure of wages to be given to all people.
    3) men and women, whether through laziness or addiction, who are not working or not working competently, would not be paid in money, but by voucher.
    4) The upper Middle class would not have a lower middle class. For that leads to a class society so loved by Britain and Indians.
    5) The high salaries paid to (or generated by Business wealth) would be used to pay the Egalitarian equalisation of income.
    6) The Corporations, including the Global ones, would be offered the privilege of contributing to the Egalitarian society. Should they fail in doing that they would be nationalised.
    7) The present Government did not want to see the horrible effect of their policies and has built no housing, while at the same time they have brought in many thousands of immigrants. INFRASTRUCTURE is the physical backbone of an Egalitarian society.

    The great value of an Egalitarian Society is that no one falls behind, through ill health or loss of Jobs. No one lacks good Housing and no one waits forever to get on a Health waiting list.

    But that is not all ….
    .

  12. saveNZ 12
    27 October 2016 at 4:20 pm

    Great post Bill. I think blogs are a great way to promote activism and interaction with ideas.

    I think the Standard in particular is one of the best blog sites because it has good writers, different ideas in the comments and the site is so well run technically and with peoples posts coming up immediately and with little censorship. I like the feeds coming in too, as if something catches your eye, you can easily click on it.

    I use to post at Granny years ago, but the site was too slow, the comments took sometimes a day to come up and towards the end was being censored so that anything anti national was not put up. Most people bother to put a lot of thought into their posts and reply, so if it is censored than you go else where.

    Would actually like a bit more political posts if possible from Labour and Greens on TS, if possible. The change of government hope, is one of the reason I take time to comment because this country under the Natz is turning to shit. It is not just about money, the environmental and social destruction they have caused is huge.

    I also really liked the Waatea 5th Estate. I thought that was one of the most innovative new blog videos and had fantastic content. It really made opposition politicians more accessible without being smeared in MSM and thus easier to engage with voters and understand where they were coming from. I also really like TDB site but technically they take a lot longer for the comments to show up, and therefore less accessible to engage with as TS.

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • At a glance – Climate scientists would make more money in other careers
    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 ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 hours ago

  • Chris Trotter: Nostalgic for a joyous Left
    I WAS A CAPTAIN COOK MAN, Grant Robertson was a Robbie Burns man. If you know anything about the great student pubs of Dunedin in the 1970s, 80s and 90s, those allegiances should tell you a lot. While I was at varsity, the “Cook” had a reputation for entertaining more ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    5 hours ago

  • Spray, spray, spray. There we go. Problem solved.
    Good old WD40. Is there nothing it can't do?Door squeaking? No problem, WD-40.Chewing gum stuck to the carpet? No worries, WD-40. Crayon marks? Spanner rusted up? Zipper won't undo? WD-40. WD-40. WD-40. It can even waterproof your shoes, I hear.(More Than A Feilding makes no warranty as to the efficacy of WD40 ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    7 hours ago

  • Taxpayers might be piste off, as govt lending to ski field is lifted to $50m – but more corporate ...
    Buzz from the Beehive The distributions of two dollops of corporate welfare have been proudly announced in government press statements today, but neither mentions or relates to the further taxpayer funding for ski fields on the skids. The government’s official website tells of $7 million being provided to boost aerospace ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    8 hours ago

  • The police know they suck at the OIA
    In recent years I've done a long series of posts poking into police OIA data and how it hides how badly the police suck at carrying out their obligations under the Act. And in a response to a recent request, it seems the police have been doing the same. A ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    8 hours ago

  • Gordon Campbell on National’s disdain for the Press debate
    Christopher Luxon evidently thinks this election is SO in the bag that he can afford to spurn the still-undecideds, the entire South Island, and the old Christchurch money that still reads the Press and shops at Ballantynes. We should all shed a tear for the National Party candidates across the ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    10 hours ago

  • ELIZABETH RATA: Two Treaties of Waitangi – the Articles Treaty and the Principles Treaty
    Elizabeth Rate writes – There are two versions of the Treaty of Waitangi.  The first is the 1840 Treaty – the ‘Articles Treaty’. The second is what I call the ‘Principles Treaty’. It dates from 1986 when the principles were first included in legislation. Astonishingly, the parliamentary ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    13 hours ago

  • Tuesday’s Chorus: When it's ok to borrow to invest
    Mayor Wayne Brown, a Northland land-banker himself, appears relaxed about borrowing to invest in land but not in, for example, transport infrastructure and services. File photo: Lynn Grieveson/Getty ImagesTL;DR: You couldn’t make this stuff up. A mayor determined to cut council debt by selling shares in a monopoly business because ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    13 hours ago

  • How well do our Rapid Transit Stations perform
    As we invest in our public transport network, it’s critical that we not only invest in transformative projects like the City Rail Link, but that we also get as much use as we can out of the network we already have – which will also maximise the outcomes of those ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    16 hours ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Ten reasons Labour’s support has halved
    The Labour Government was elected with 50 per cent of the vote three years ago, but current opinion polls show their vote could halve in this year’s election, which would be one of the biggest plunges in political history. Most polls have Labour on about 26 per cent. And the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    16 hours ago

  • Elizabeth Rata: Two Treaties of Waitangi: The Articles Treaty and the Principles Treaty
    Commentary There are two versions of the Treaty of Waitangi.  The first is the 1840 Treaty – the ‘Articles Treaty’. The second is what I call the ‘Principles Treaty’. It dates from 1986 when the principles were first included in legislation. Astonishingly the parliamentary representatives who inserted the word ‘principles’ ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    16 hours ago

  • Climate Emergency!
    It’s hard not to become a bit blasé towards climate change headlines. Flooding kills hundreds - blah. Catastrophic droughts - blah blah. One-in-a-hundred year events happening every year - blah blah blah.The earth had its highest temperature on record - again. Think we’ve read that one.So many articles telling us ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    17 hours ago

  • The Kākā Project: The economics of sufficiency
    The Kākā’s climate correspondent and had a chat with environmental historian and author Catherine Knight about why ‘feel good' actions like recycling and owning an electric car are unlikely to be enough to create a transition to zero emissions, let alone a just one. Knight says comments like ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    18 hours ago

  • Chippy misses a chance
    National leader Christopher Luxon has pulled out of any rescheduling of tonight’s Press debate, which has had to be cancelled because Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has Covid. The cancellation has given National an excuse to avoid a debate, which was always going to be a risk for Luxon. But ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    19 hours ago

  • The Angry Majority.
    The People's Champion vs The People's Prosecutor: It is the news media’s job to elicit information from politicians – not to prosecute them. Peters’ promise to sort out TVNZ should be believed. If he finds himself in a position to carry out his threat, then it will only be because ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 day ago

  • Verrall is chuffed by govt’s latest push into pay equity while Woods enthuses about an $11m spend ...
    Buzz from the Beehive The headline on a ministerial press statement curiously expresses the government’s position when it declares:   Government shows further commitment to pay equity for healthcare workers. Is it not enough to declare just one commitment? Or is the government’s commitment to pay equity being declared sector by ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 day ago

  • A very worthy coalition partner for Seymour and Luxon
    There have been 53 New Zealand Parliaments so far. The 39th of them was elected in 1978. It was a parliament of 92 MPs, most of them men. The New Zealand Music Awards that year named John Rowles Male Vocalist of the Year and — after a short twelve months ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 day ago

  • Labour still protecting the status quo
    Aotearoa has a cost of living crisis. And one of the major drivers of this crisis is the supermarket duopoly, who gouge every dollar they can out of us. Last year, the Commerce Commission found that the duopoly was in fact anti-competititve, giving the government social licence to fix the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago

  • Gordon Campbell on National’s myths about the desolated state of the economy
    Familiarity breeds consent. If you repeat the line “six years of economic mis-management” about 10,000 times, it sounds like the received wisdom, whatever the evidence to the contrary. Yes, the global pandemic and the global surge in inflation that came in its wake occurred here as well – but if ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    1 day ago

  • MICHAEL BASSETT: Hapless Hipkins and his racism
    Michael Bassett writes – Without so much as batting an eyelid, Chris Hipkins told an audience on Saturday that there had been “more racism” in this election campaign than ever before. And he blamed it on the opposition parties, National, Act and New Zealand First. In those ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago

  • BRIAN EASTON: The ‘recession’ has been called off, but some households are still struggling
    While the economy is not doing too badly in output terms, external circumstances are not favourable, and there is probably a sizeable group of households struggling because of rising interest rates. Brian Easton writes – Last week’s announcement of a 0.9 percent increase in volume GDP for ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago

  • Monday’s Chorus: Richie Poulton's lament
    “You can't really undo what happens during childhood”, said the director of the Dunedin longitudinal study. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Richie Poulton, the director of the world-leading Dunedin longitudinal study showing how devastating poverty in early life is, died yesterday. With his final words, he lamented the lack ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • North-western downgrades
    This is a guest post from reader Peter N As many of us know, Auckland Transport and Waka Kotahi are well into progressing works on the northwestern interim “busway” with services to kick off in just over a month from now on Sunday 12th November 2023. Some of the ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    2 days ago

  • Has Webworm Found New Zealand’s Weirdest School?
    Hi,Before we talk about weird schools people choose to send their kids to, a few things on my mind. I adored the Ask Me Anything we did last week. Thanks for taking part. I love answering your weird and nosy questions, even questions about beans.I am excited and scared as Mister ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago

  • Another mother of a budget
    A National government would make spending cuts on a scale not seen since the 1990 – 96 Bolger government.That much was confirmed with the release of their Fiscal Plan on Friday.Government spending is currently high as a percentage of GDP — as high as it was during the Muldoon ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago

  • A crucial week starts as early voting opens in the NZ Elections … it’s been a ride so far. Are y...
    Chris Hipkins down with Covid, at least for 5 days isolation, National continue to obfuscate, ACT continues to double-down on the poor and Winston… well, he’s being Winston really. Voters beware: this week could be even more infuriating than the last. No Party is what they used to be ...
    exhALANtBy exhalantblog
    2 days ago

  • 2023 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #39
    A chronological listing of news and opinion articles posted on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, Sep 24, 2023 thru Sat, Sep 30, 2023. Story of the Week We’re not doomed yet’: climate scientist Michael Mann on our last chance to save human civilisation The renowned US ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago

  • Clusterf**ck of Chaos.
    On the 11th of April 1945 advancing US forces liberated the Nazi concentration camp of Buchenwald near Weimar in Germany. In the coming days, under the order of General Patton, a thousand nearby residents were forced to march to the camp to see the atrocities that had been committed in ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • The party of business deals with the future by pretending it isn’t coming
    Years and years ago, when Helen Clark was Prime Minister and John Key was gunning for her job, I had a conversation with a mate, a trader who knew John Key well enough to paint a helpful picture.It was many drinks ago so it’s not a complete one. But there’s ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • 2023 More Reading: September (+ Old Phuul update)
    Completed reads for September: The Lost Continent, by C.J. Cutcliffe Hyne Flatland, by Edwin Abbott All Quiet on the Western Front, by Erich Maria Remarque The Country of the Blind, by H.G. Wells The Day of the Triffids, by John Wyndham A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    3 days ago

  • Losing The Left.
    Descending Into The Dark: The ideological cadres currently controlling both Labour and the Greens are forcing “justice”, “participation” and “democracy” to make way for what is “appropriate” and “responsible”. But, where does that leave the people who, for most of their adult lives, have voted for left-wing parties, precisely to ...
    Bowalley Road
    3 days ago

  • The New “Emperor’s New Clothes”.
    “‘BUT HE HASN’T GOT ANYTHING ON,’ a little boy said ….. ‘But he hasn’t got anything on!’ the whole town cried out at last.”On this optimistic note, Hans Christian Andersen brings his cautionary tale of “The Emperor’s New Clothes” to an end.Andersen’s children’s story was written nearly two centuries ago, ...
    Bowalley Road
    3 days ago

  • BRYCE EDWARDS: The vested interests shaping National Party policies
      Bryce Edwards writes – As the National Party gets closer to government, lobbyists and business interests will be lining up for influence and to get policies adopted. It’s therefore in the public interest to have much more scrutiny and transparency about potential conflicts of interests that ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • LINDSAY MITCHELL: A conundrum for those pushing racist dogma
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – The heavily promoted narrative, which has ramped up over the last six years, is that Maori somehow have special vulnerabilities which arise from outside forces they cannot control; that contemporary society fails to meet their needs. They are not receptive to messages and ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • CHRIS TROTTER:  The greater of two evils
    Not Labour: If you’re out to punish the government you once loved, then the last thing you need is to be shown evidence that the opposition parties are much, much worse.   Chris Trotter writes – THE GREATEST VIRTUE of being the Opposition is not being the Government. Only very ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • The Hoon around the week to Sept 30
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:Labour presented a climate manifesto that aimed to claim the high ground on climate action vs National, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • Litanies, articles of faith, and being a beneficiary
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past two weeks.Friday 29Play it, ElvisElection Hell special!! This week’s quiz is a bumper edition featuring a few of the more popular questions from last weekend’s show, as well as a few we didn’t ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Litanies, articles of faith, and being a beneficiary
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past two weeks.Friday 29Play it, ElvisElection Hell special!! This week’s quiz is a bumper edition featuring a few of the more popular questions from last weekend’s show, as well as a few we didn’t ...
    More than a fieldingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • The ‘Recession’ Has Been Called Off, But Some Households Are Still Struggling
    While the economy is not doing too badly in output terms, external circumstances are not favourable, and there is probably a sizeable group of households struggling because of rising interest rates.Last week’s announcement of a 0.9 percent increase in volume GDP for the June quarter had the commentariat backing down ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    4 days ago

  • Climate Change: The wrong direction
    This week the International Energy Association released its Net Zero Roadmap, intended to guide us towards a liveable climate. The report demanded huge increases in renewable generation, no new gas or oil, and massive cuts to methane emissions. It was positive about our current path, but recommended that countries with ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago

  • “Racism” becomes a buzz word on the campaign trail – but our media watchdogs stay muzzled when...
    Buzz from the Beehive  Oh, dear.  We have nothing to report from the Beehive. At least, we have nothing to report from the government’s official website. But the drones have not gone silent.  They are out on the election campaign trail, busy buzzing about this and that in the hope ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • Play it, Elvis
    Election Hell special!! This week’s quiz is a bumper edition featuring a few of the more popular questions from last weekend’s show, as well as a few we didn’t have time for. You’re welcome, etc. Let us press on, etc. 1.  What did Christopher Luxon use to his advantage in ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Pure class warfare
    National unveiled its fiscal policy today, announcing all the usual things which business cares about and I don't. But it did finally tell us how National plans to pay for its handouts to landlords: by effectively cutting benefits: The biggest saving announced on Friday was $2b cut from the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago

  • Ask Me Anything about the week to Sept 29
    Photo by Anna Ogiienko on UnsplashIt’s that time of the week for an ‘Ask Me Anything’ session for paying subscribers about the week that was for an hour, including:duelling fiscal plans from National and Labour;Labour cutting cycling spending while accusing National of being weak on climate;Research showing the need for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • Weekly Roundup 29-September-2023
    Welcome to Friday and the last one for September. This week in Greater Auckland On Monday, Matt highlighted at the latest with the City Rail Link. On Tuesday, Matt covered the interesting items from Auckland Transport’s latest board meeting agendas. On Thursday, a guest post from Darren Davis ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    5 days ago

  • Protest at Parliament: The Reunion.
    Brian’s god spoke to him. He, for of course the Lord in Tamaki’s mind was a male god, with a mighty rod, and probably some black leathers. He, told Brian - “you must put a stop to all this love, hope, and kindness”. And it did please the Brian.He said ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • Labour cuts $50m from cycleway spending
    Labour is cutting spending on cycling infrastructure while still trying to claim the higher ground on climate. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The Labour Government released a climate manifesto this week to try to claim the high ground against National, despite having ignored the Climate Commission’s advice to toughen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago

  • The Greater Of Two Evils.
    Not Labour: If you’re out to punish the government you once loved, then the last thing you need is to be shown evidence that the opposition parties are much, much worse.THE GREATEST VIRTUE of being the Opposition is not being the Government. Only very rarely is an opposition party elected ...
    Bowalley Road
    5 days ago

  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #39 2023
    Open access notables "Net zero is only a distraction— we just have to end fossil fuel emissions." The latter is true but the former isn't, or  not in the real world as it's likely to be in the immediate future. And "just" just doesn't enter into it; we don't have ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • Chris Trotter: Losing the Left
    IN THE CURRENT MIX of electoral alternatives, there is no longer a credible left-wing party. Not when “a credible left-wing party” is defined as: a class-oriented, mass-based, democratically-structured political organisation; dedicated to promoting ideas sharply critical of laissez-faire capitalism; and committed to advancing democratic, egalitarian and emancipatory ideals across the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    5 days ago

  • Road rage at Kia Kaha Primary School
    It is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha Primary School!It can be any time when you are telling a story.Telling stories about things that happened in the past is how we learn from our mistakes.If we want to.Anyway, it is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • Road rage at Kia Kaha Primary School
    It is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha Primary School!It can be any time when you are telling a story.Telling stories about things that happened in the past is how we learn from our mistakes.If we want to.Anyway, it is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • Road rage at Kia Kaha Primary School
    It is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha Primary School!It can be any time when you are telling a story.Telling stories about things that happened in the past is how we learn from our mistakes.If we want to.Anyway, it is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha ...
    More than a fieldingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • Hipkins fires up in leaders’ debate, but has the curtain already fallen on the Labour-led coalitio...
    Labour’s  Chris Hipkins came out firing, in the  leaders’ debate  on Newshub’s evening programme, and most of  the pundits  rated  him the winner against National’s  Christopher Luxon. But will this make any difference when New  Zealanders  start casting their ballots? The problem  for  Hipkins is  that  voters are  all too ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    5 days ago

  • Govt is energising housing projects with solar power – and fuelling the public’s concept of a di...
    Buzz from the Beehive  Not long after Point of Order published data which show the substantial number of New Zealanders (77%) who believe NZ is becoming more divided, government ministers were braying about a programme which distributes some money to “the public” and some to “Maori”. The ministers were dishing ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago

  • MIKE GRIMSHAW: Election 2023 – a totemic & charisma failure?
    The D&W analysis Michael Grimshaw writes –  Given the apathy, disengagement, disillusionment, and all-round ennui of this year’s general election, it was considered time to bring in those noted political operatives and spin doctors D&W, the long-established consultancy firm run by Emile Durkheim and Max Weber. Known for ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • FROM BFD: Will Winston be the spectre we think?
    Kissy kissy. Cartoon credit BoomSlang. The BFD. JC writes-  Allow me to preface this contribution with the following statement: If I were asked to express a preference between a National/ACT coalition or a National/ACT/NZF coalition then it would be the former. This week Luxon declared his position, ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • California’s climate disclosure bill could have a huge impact across the U.S.
    This re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Andy Furillo was originally published by Capital & Main and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. The California Legislature took a step last week that has the potential to accelerate the fight against climate ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago

  • Untangling South East Queensland’s Public Transport
    This is a cross post Adventures in Transitland by Darren Davis. I recently visited Brisbane and South East Queensland and came away both impressed while also pondering some key changes to make public transport even better in the region. Here goes with my take on things. A bit of ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    6 days ago

  • Try A Little Kindness.
    My daughter arrived home from the supermarket yesterday and she seemed a bit worried about something. It turned out she wanted to know if someone could get her bank number from a receipt.We wound the story back.She was in the store and there was a man there who was distressed, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago

  • What makes NZFirst tick
    New Zealand’s longest-running political roadshow rolled into Opotiki yesterday, with New Zealand First leader Winston Peters knowing another poll last night showed he would make it back to Parliament and National would need him and his party if they wanted to form a government. The Newshub Reid Research poll ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago

  • September AMA
    Hi,As September draws to a close — I feel it’s probably time to do an Ask Me Anything. You know how it goes: If you have any burning questions, fire away in the comments and I will do my best to answer. You might have questions about Webworm, or podcast ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago

  • Bludgers lying in the scratcher making fools of us all
    The mediocrity who stands to be a Prime Minister has a litany.He uses it a bit like a Koru Lounge card. He will brandish it to say: these people are eligible. And more than that, too: These people are deserving. They have earned this policy.They have a right to this policy. What ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago

  • More “partnerships” (by the look of it) and redress of over $30 million in Treaty settlement wit...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point of Order has waited until now – 3.45pm – for today’s officially posted government announcements.  There have been none. The only addition to the news on the Beehive’s website was posted later yesterday, after we had published our September 26 Buzz report. It came from ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • ALEX HOLLAND: Labour’s spending
    Alex Holland writes –  In 2017 when Labour came to power, crown spending was $76 billion per year. Now in 2023 it is $139 billion per year, which equates to a $63 billion annual increase (over $1 billion extra spend every week!) In 2017, New Zealand’s government debt ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • If not now, then when?
    Labour released its fiscal plan today, promising the same old, same old: "responsibility", balanced books, and of course no new taxes: "Labour will maintain income tax settings to provide consistency and certainty in these volatile times. Now is not the time for additional taxes or to promise billions of ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago

  • THE FACTS:  77% of Kiwis believe NZ is becoming more divided
    The Facts has posted –        KEY INSIGHTSOf New Zealander’s polled: Social unity/division 77%believe NZ is becoming more divided (42% ‘much more’ + 35% ‘a little more’) 3%believe NZ is becoming less divided (1% ‘much less’ + 2% ‘a little less’) ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on the cynical brutality of the centre-right’s welfare policies
    The centre-right’s enthusiasm for forcing people off the benefit and into paid work is matched only by the enthusiasm (shared by Treasury and the Reserve Bank) for throwing people out of paid work to curb inflation, and achieve the optimal balance of workers to job seekers deemed to be desirable ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    6 days ago

  • Wednesday’s Chorus: Arthur Grimes on why building many, many more social houses is so critical
    New research shows that tenants in social housing - such as these Wellington apartments - are just as happy as home owners and much happier than private tenants. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The election campaign took an ugly turn yesterday, and in completely the wrong direction. All three ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    7 days ago

  • Bennie Bashing.
    If there’s one thing the mob loves more than keeping Māori in their place, more than getting tough on the gangs, maybe even more than tax cuts. It’s a good old round of beneficiary bashing.Are those meanies in the ACT party stealing your votes because they think David Seymour is ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    7 days ago

  • The kindest cuts
    Labour kicks off the fiscal credibility battle today with the release of its fiscal plan. National is expected to follow, possibly as soon as Thursday, with its own plan, which may (or may not) address the large hole that the problems with its foreign buyers’ ban might open up. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    7 days ago

  • Green right turn in Britain? Well, a start
    While it may be unlikely to register in New Zealand’s general election, Britain’s PM Rishi Sunak has done something which might just be important in the long run. He’s announced a far-reaching change in his Conservative government’s approach to environmental, and particularly net zero, policy. The starting point – ...
    Point of OrderBy xtrdnry
    7 days ago

  • At a glance – How do human CO2 emissions compare to natural CO2 emissions?
    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 ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago

  • How could this happen?
    Canada is in uproar after the exposure that its parliament on September 22 provided a standing ovation to a Nazi veteran who had been invited into the chamber to participate in the parliamentary welcome to Ukrainian President Zelensky. Yaroslav Hunka, 98, a Ukrainian man who volunteered for service in ...
    Open ParachuteBy Ken
    1 week ago

  • Always Be Campaigning
    The big screen is a great place to lay out the ways of the salesman. He comes ready-made for Panto, ripe for lampooning.This is not to disparage that life. I have known many good people of that kind. But there is a type, brazen as all get out. The camera ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 week ago

  • Youth justice programme expands to break cycle of offending
    The successful ‘Circuit Breaker’ fast track programme designed to stop repeat youth offending was launched in two new locations today by Children’s Minister Kelvin Davis. The programme, first piloted in West and South Auckland in December last year, is aimed at children aged 10-13 who commit serious offending or continue ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    10 hours ago

  • Major milestone with 20,000 employers using Apprenticeship Boost
    The Government’s Apprenticeship Boost initiative has now supported 20,000 employers to help keep on and train up apprentices, Minister for Social Development and Employment Carmel Sepuloni announced in Christchurch today. Almost 62,000 apprentices have been supported to start and keep training for a trade since the initiative was introduced in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    11 hours ago

  • Government supporting wood processing jobs and more diverse industry
    The Government is supporting non-pine tree sawmilling and backing further job creation in sawmills in Rotorua and Whangarei, Forestry Minister Peeni Henare said.   “The Forestry and Wood Processing Industry Transformation Plan identified the need to add more diversity to our productions forests, wood products and markets,” Peeni Henare said. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago

  • Government backing Canterbury’s future in aerospace industry
    The Government is helping Canterbury’s aerospace industry take off with further infrastructure support for the Tāwhaki Aerospace Centre at Kaitorete, Infrastructure Minister Dr Megan Woods has announced. “Today I can confirm we will provide a $5.4 million grant to the Tāwhaki Joint Venture to fund a sealed runway and hangar ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago

  • Updated forestry regulations increase council controls and require large slash removal
    Local councils will have more power to decide where new commercial forests – including carbon forests – are located, to reduce impacts on communities and the environment, Environment Minister David Parker said today. “New national standards give councils greater control over commercial forestry, including clear rules on harvesting practices and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    14 hours ago

  • New Zealand resumes peacekeeping force leadership
    New Zealand will again contribute to the leadership of the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) in the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt, with a senior New Zealand Defence Force officer returning as Interim Force Commander. Defence Minister Andrew Little and Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta have announced the deployment of New Zealand ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • New national direction provides clarity for development and the environment
    The Government has taken an important step in implementing the new resource management system, by issuing a draft National Planning Framework (NPF) document under the new legislation, Environment Minister David Parker said today. “The NPF consolidates existing national direction, bringing together around 20 existing instruments including policy statements, standards, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Government shows further commitment to pay equity for healthcare workers
    The Government welcomes the proposed pay equity settlement that will see significant pay increases for around 18,000 Te Whatu Ora Allied, Scientific, and Technical employees, if accepted said Health Minister Ayesha Verrall. The proposal reached between Te Whatu Ora, the New Zealand Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • 100 new public EV chargers to be added to national network
    The public EV charging network has received a significant boost with government co-funding announced today for over 100 EV chargers – with over 200 charging ports altogether – across New Zealand, and many planned to be up and running on key holiday routes by Christmas this year. Minister of Energy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Safeguarding Tuvalu language and identity
    Tuvalu is in the spotlight this week as communities across New Zealand celebrate Vaiaso o te Gagana Tuvalu – Tuvalu Language Week. “The Government has a proven record of supporting Pacific communities and ensuring more of our languages are spoken, heard and celebrated,” Pacific Peoples Minister Barbara Edmonds said. “Many ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • New community-level energy projects to support more than 800 Māori households
    Seven more innovative community-scale energy projects will receive government funding through the Māori and Public Housing Renewable Energy Fund to bring more affordable, locally generated clean energy to more than 800 Māori households, Energy and Resources Minister Dr Megan Woods says. “We’ve already funded 42 small-scale clean energy projects that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Huge boost to Te Tai Tokerau flood resilience
    The Government has approved new funding that will boost resilience and greatly reduce the risk of major flood damage across Te Tai Tokerau. Significant weather events this year caused severe flooding and damage across the region. The $8.9m will be used to provide some of the smaller communities and maraes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Napier’s largest public housing development comes with solar
    The largest public housing development in Napier for many years has been recently completed and has the added benefit of innovative solar technology, thanks to Government programmes, says Housing Minister Dr Megan Woods. The 24 warm, dry homes are in Seddon Crescent, Marewa and Megan Woods says the whanau living ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Te Whānau a Apanui and the Crown initial Deed of Settlement I Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me...
    Māori: Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me te Karauna te Whakaaetanga Whakataunga Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me te Karauna i tētahi Whakaaetanga Whakataunga hei whakamihi i ō rātou tāhuhu kerēme Tiriti o Waitangi. E tekau mā rua ngā hapū o roto mai o Te Whānau ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Plan for 3,000 more public homes by 2025 – regions set to benefit
    Regions around the country will get significant boosts of public housing in the next two years, as outlined in the latest public housing plan update, released by the Housing Minister, Dr Megan Woods. “We’re delivering the most public homes each year since the Nash government of the 1950s with one ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Immigration settings updates
    Judicial warrant process for out-of-hours compliance visits 2023/24 Recognised Seasonal Employer cap increased by 500 Additional roles for Construction and Infrastructure Sector Agreement More roles added to Green List Three-month extension for onshore Recovery Visa holders The Government has confirmed a number of updates to immigration settings as part of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Poroporoaki: Tā Patrick (Patu) Wahanga Hohepa
    Tangi ngunguru ana ngā tai ki te wahapū o Hokianga Whakapau Karakia. Tārehu ana ngā pae maunga ki Te Puna o te Ao Marama. Korihi tangi ana ngā manu, kua hinga he kauri nui ki te Wao Nui o Tāne. He Toa. He Pou. He Ahorangi. E papaki tū ana ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Renewable energy fund to support community resilience
    40 solar energy systems on community buildings in regions affected by Cyclone Gabrielle and other severe weather events Virtual capability-building hub to support community organisations get projects off the ground Boost for community-level renewable energy projects across the country At least 40 community buildings used to support the emergency response ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • COVID-19 funding returned to Government
    The lifting of COVID-19 isolation and mask mandates in August has resulted in a return of almost $50m in savings and recovered contingencies, Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall announced today. Following the revocation of mandates and isolation, specialised COVID-19 telehealth and alternative isolation accommodation are among the operational elements ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Appointment of District Court Judge
    Susie Houghton of Auckland has been appointed as a new District Court Judge, to serve on the Family Court, Attorney-General David Parker said today.  Judge Houghton has acted as a lawyer for child for more than 20 years. She has acted on matters relating to the Hague Convention, an international ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Government invests further in Central Hawke’s Bay resilience
    The Government has today confirmed $2.5 million to fund a replace and upgrade a stopbank to protect the Waipawa Drinking Water Treatment Plant. “As a result of Cyclone Gabrielle, the original stopbank protecting the Waipawa Drinking Water Treatment Plant was destroyed. The plant was operational within 6 weeks of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Govt boost for Hawke’s Bay cyclone waste clean-up
    Another $2.1 million to boost capacity to deal with waste left in Cyclone Gabrielle’s wake. Funds for Hastings District Council, Phoenix Contracting and Hog Fuel NZ to increase local waste-processing infrastructure. The Government is beefing up Hawke’s Bay’s Cyclone Gabrielle clean-up capacity with more support dealing with the massive amount ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Taupō Supercars revs up with Government support
    The future of Supercars events in New Zealand has been secured with new Government support. The Government is getting engines started through the Major Events Fund, a special fund to support high profile events in New Zealand that provide long-term economic, social and cultural benefits. “The Repco Supercars Championship is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • There is no recession in NZ, economy grows nearly 1 percent in June quarter
    The economy has turned a corner with confirmation today New Zealand never was in recession and stronger than expected growth in the June quarter, Finance Minister Grant Robertson said. “The New Zealand economy is doing better than expected,” Grant Robertson said. “It’s continuing to grow, with the latest figures showing ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Highest legal protection for New Zealand’s largest freshwater springs
    The Government has accepted the Environment Court’s recommendation to give special legal protection to New Zealand’s largest freshwater springs, Te Waikoropupū Springs (also known as Pupū Springs), Environment Minister David Parker announced today.   “Te Waikoropupū Springs, near Takaka in Golden Bay, have the second clearest water in New Zealand after ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • More support for victims of migrant exploitation
    Temporary package of funding for accommodation and essential living support for victims of migrant exploitation Exploited migrant workers able to apply for a further Migrant Exploitation Protection Visa (MEPV), giving people more time to find a job Free job search assistance to get people back into work Use of 90-day ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Strong export boost as NZ economy turns corner
    An export boost is supporting New Zealand’s economy to grow, adding to signs that the economy has turned a corner and is on a stronger footing as we rebuild from Cyclone Gabrielle and lock in the benefits of multiple new trade deals, Finance Minister Grant Robertson says. “The economy is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Funding approved for flood resilience work in Te Karaka
    The Government has approved $15 million to raise about 200 homes at risk of future flooding. More than half of this is expected to be spent in the Tairāwhiti settlement of Te Karaka, lifting about 100 homes there. “Te Karaka was badly hit during Cyclone Gabrielle when the Waipāoa River ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Further business support for cyclone-affected regions
    The Government is helping businesses recover from Cyclone Gabrielle and attract more people back into their regions. “Cyclone Gabrielle has caused considerable damage across North Island regions with impacts continuing to be felt by businesses and communities,” Economic Development Minister Barbara Edmonds said. “Building on our earlier business support, this ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • New maintenance facility at Burnham Military Camp underway
    Defence Minister Andrew Little has turned the first sod to start construction of a new Maintenance Support Facility (MSF) at Burnham Military Camp today. “This new state-of-art facility replaces Second World War-era buildings and will enable our Defence Force to better maintain and repair equipment,” Andrew Little said. “This Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Foreign Minister to attend United Nations General Assembly
    Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta will represent New Zealand at the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York this week, before visiting Washington DC for further Pacific focussed meetings. Nanaia Mahuta will be in New York from Wednesday 20 September, and will participate in UNGA leaders ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Midwives’ pay equity offer reached
    Around 1,700 Te Whatu Ora employed midwives and maternity care assistants will soon vote on a proposed pay equity settlement agreed by Te Whatu Ora, the Midwifery Employee Representation and Advisory Service (MERAS) and New Zealand Nurses Association (NZNO), Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall announced today. “Addressing historical pay ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago

  • New Zealand provides support to Morocco
    Aotearoa New Zealand will provide humanitarian support to those affected by last week’s earthquake in Morocco, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced today. “We are making a contribution of $1 million to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to help meet humanitarian needs,” Nanaia Mahuta said. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago

  • Government invests in West Coast’s roading resilience
    The Government is investing over $22 million across 18 projects to improve the resilience of roads in the West Coast that have been affected by recent extreme weather, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins confirmed today.  A dedicated Transport Resilience Fund has been established for early preventative works to protect the state ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2023-10-03T10:37:13+00:00