Caption Competition
Written By:
- Date published:
2:48 pm, October 28th, 2009 - 44 comments
Categories: education, humour, john key -
Tags:
44 comments on “Caption Competition ”
- Comments are now closed
- Comments are now closed
Recent Comments
- More needs to be done about the slumlords
It always amazes me to see the illogical arguments made by real estate industry insiders when they’re complaining about any type of housing sector regulation. They simply don't seem to care if their arguments make any sense or whether their unbound greed is worsening an already terrible housing crisis that ...4 hours ago - Who Else Is There? Why the Right Needs Winston Peters.
4 hours ago - No Questions Please – We’re Revolutionaries!The Kids Were All Right: By stripping away all moral and practical grounds for unified struggle, Critical Race Theory can only strengthen the elites’ grip on contemporary society. The abdication of School Strike For Climate Auckland offers a textbook example of this phenomenon. The moral force of the nation’s secondary students ...5 hours ago
- Making climate impact science more accessible to the public: ISIpedia launch
This is a re-post from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research based on their press release about the new Inter-Sectoral Impacts Encyclopedia - ISIpedia for short. Decision-makers on all levels are provided with a new tool to tackle the climate challenge. Data and explanations on global warming impacts – ...7 hours ago - Bryce Edwards: Political Roundup – The case for and against the “They Are Us” film
The last week has been full of debate over plans to make a film about the 2019 terrorist attacks on two Christchurch mosques. The vast majority of media coverage has focused on opposition to the film. These criticisms need to be taken seriously. But a strong case can be made ...16 hours ago - Perilous Treasures: Published
It’s the Winter Solstice here, which means (Northern Hemisphere) e-zine Eternal Haunted Summer has released its Summer Solstice edition for 2021:https://eternalhauntedsummer.com/issues/summer-solstice-2021/ My story, Perilous Treasures, is out, as part of it:https://eternalhauntedsummer.com/issues/summer-solstice-2021/perilous-treasures/ As previously mentioned, this was a fictional attempt to portray the very vexed medieval issue of writing ...19 hours ago - Incompatible regimes
The Official Information Act is our core transparency legislation. But its only covers central government. Local authorities are covered by the parallel Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987, which duplicates most of the OIA's provisions, and adds in some stuff about local authority meetings as well. Since the ...19 hours ago - Boris BerlusconiRemember Silvio Berlusconi? Whenever the Italian courts seemed to be catching up to his corrupt behaviour as Prime Minister, he would just change the law to get himself off the hook. Well, now there's a new contender for the "self-serving abuse of power" title: Boris Johnson: Boris Johnson is ...20 hours ago
- Climate explained: could biofuels replace all fossil fuels in New Zealand?
Climate Explained is a collaboration between The Conversation, Stuff and the New Zealand Science Media Centre to answer your questions about climate change. If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, please send it to climate.change@stuff.co.nz Could biofuels replace all fossil fuels in ...22 hours ago - Josh Van Veen: NZ First UnbowedThe improbability of NZ First returning to power cannot be overstated. Between 2017 and 2020, support for the party collapsed from 7.2% to 2.6%. With barely a third of its 2020 vote, and no electorate seat, NZ First appears to be a spent force. But the party faithful were ...1 day ago
- Health co-benefits need to be adequately considered in the Climate Change Commission’s final advic...Tim Chambers, Simon Hales, Jude Ball, Michael Baker, Cristina Cleghorn, Nick Wilson (*Author details) The Climate Change Commission’s final advice to the Government has been tabled in Parliament. This final report further acknowledged the potential health co-benefits of climate action presented in the Commission’s draft advice. However, the Commission has ...1 day ago
- Winston's last throw of the diceYou’ve got to wonder if Winston Peters will ever retire. I mean what keeps the old rogue going? Perhaps Peters has been reinvigorated by the Government’s decision to follow through on various policy NZ First had previously put the kibosh on...or maybe he thinks there's still a chance of becoming ...1 day ago
- 2021 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #25Listing of articles linked to on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, June 14, 2021 through Sat, June 19, 2021 The following articles sparked above average interest during the week: Earth is now trapping an ‘unprecedented’ amount of heat, NASA says, Fake news: a simple nudge isn’t ...2 days ago
- Goldilocks and the three futuresGoldilocks, the house breaker, always had a choice of three, one of which always appeared to be just right. Temporally, there’s three types of futures too. Short-term, medium-term, and long-term. Those are all relative, depending on what you are looking at. Some technologies, for example, change very quickly, so “long-term” ...2 days ago
- Baby talk 3: the eggs, the lube, the triggering
So we took a bit of an unscheduled posting hiatus there; but more on that later. Today we’re talking eggs, lube, and triggers. Just as the self-injection routine started to get good and routine, and I wasn’t having a total emotional break on a daily basis, came the sharp reminder ...2 days ago - ‘There is no debate’ is simply a denial of reality
Hat tip to Mike Treen from Unite Union for this article by Lindsey Graham published in Counterfire. It raises important debates that are happening in many parts of the world, including New ZealandGood morning. I want to raise some issues here about the whole debate on trans rights in Britain. ...3 days ago - Leaked cabinet papers won’t help ACTIt was somewhat amusing to see the Act Party completely misread the room this week when they leaked a Labour Party document concerning our oceans and fisheries. It outlined the Government's intention to discuss several marine policies at cabinet, the most controversial being the installation of 300 cameras on commercial ...3 days ago
- Writing the Rights: No Right Turn is Wrong
New Zealand’s extreme form of parliamentary sovereignty is something of an international oddity these days. Under the New Zealand system, an Act passed by Parliament (and hence signed by the Governor-General) is automatically law. And in the absence of a written constitution, Parliament can Do Anything. Literally. Our checks ...4 days ago - Unemployment Insurance
Providing for the redundantly unemployed is admirable but difficult and expensive to implement.The 2021 Budget announced that the government was, at the urging of Business NZ and the Council of Trade Unions, committed to the development of a Social Unemployment Insurance scheme. It is likely to have two main components. ...4 days ago - Losing The “Struggle-Session” Over Climate Change.Blaming And Shaming: A "property owner" is humiliated before the masses during Mao Zedong's Cultural Revolution. Critical Race Theory may substitute "White Privilege" for "Class Privilege", but the inescapability of the offending group's responsibility for "oppression" is exactly the same. The self-abasement of School Strike For Climate Auckland for its ...4 days ago
- Cleaning up the fishing industryThe government is finally cleaning up the fishing industry, with cameras on boats and an end to high-grading, with an easier penalties regime to enforce it. Good. Because as we've seen over the years, the fishing industry is pervasively criminal, routinely violating the law on discarding fish and reporting bycatch. ...4 days ago
- PM’s critics should stick to the factsThere’s been a lot of grumbling lately amongst the right wing and certain mainstream media pundits who are looking to either score cheap political points or attract readers by attacking the Prime Minister.Of course some of the criticism is justified. After all no Government is perfect and there are always ...4 days ago
- Climate Change: Auckland fails IILast year, the Auckland Council passed a climate change plan, setting goals of halving emissions by 2030, and net-zero by 2050. So you'd expect their new transport plan to be consistent with that goal, right? Wrong: The 10-year transport plan for Auckland has emerged from consultation with small changes, ...4 days ago
- Anti-fluoridation group tells porkies about NZ fluoridation review
FFNZ spreads misinformation about the NZ fluoridation review – yet again New Zealand opponents of community water fluoridation (CWF) are at it again. Their only response to the recently upgraded fluoridation review is to call it “propaganda” and to completely misrepresent it. But it’s interesting to look at their misrepresentation ...4 days ago - Landmark decision in the sex and gender debateOn June 10, after two years of legal battles, Maya Forstater won a landmark legal ruling that looks set to change the direction of the sex and gender debates in the Britain, and provide legal protection for gender-critical people against discrimination and harassment. This ruling will be important in New Zealand. ...4 days ago
- CSLDF and the Government Accountability Project Launch New Scientific Integrity Reporting ProjectThis is a guest post by the Climate Science Legal Defense Fund. Today, the Climate Science Legal Defense Fund and Government Accountability Project launched the Scientific Integrity Reporting Project: a confidential, anonymous way for scientists and others in science-adjacent roles to detail their experiences involving past and ongoing threats to scientific norms and scientific integrity. We ...5 days ago
- Australia needs a Bill of Rights ActAustralia is one of the few western democracies not to have legal protection for fundamental human rights. The closest they come is recognising an implied right to freedom of political communication (but not other forms of freedom of expression) from the "representative government" clauses of their constitution. But some of ...5 days ago
- FalloutLast week I revealed how the Police had lied to the public over their "emissions-free fleet" strategy. Stuff's Henry Cooke has done the obvious followup of asking the Minister what she thinks about it, and it seems she is not happy: Police Minister Poto Williams says she is disappointed ...5 days ago
- Can we be born into the wrong body?by Don Franks Are some of us born into the wrong body? The possibility is sometimes offered as a clinching argument that some people need to, and are able to, change their sex. With one proviso, the answer has to be, yes, such a thing is possible. The only requirement ...5 days ago
- Moa’s Ark or flypaper of the Pacific – New Zealand’s place in the biology of the PacificIt was the year 2002 and I was sitting in the shiny new office of our Biogeography Professor for my oral Diploma exam. It was going well, when I was asked to name an example of a Gondwanan distribution pattern, or in other words a species or group of species ...5 days ago
- Auckland is the world’s ‘most liveable city’? Many Māori might disagreeElla Henry, Auckland University of Technology While I am always happy to celebrate any accolades my country and city might garner on the international stage, seeing Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau awarded the top ranking in a recent “most liveable cities” survey left me somewhat flummoxed. In particular, I would argue that ...5 days ago
- Patrick Gower – Hero of the week5 days ago
- Juliet Moses – Arsehole of the Week6 days ago
- Skeptical Science New Research for Week #24, 2021A hot budget problem This week's standout article for highlighting is Satellite and Ocean Data Reveal Marked Increase in Earth's Heating Rate (open access). From the two very different perspectives of above the atmosphere and below it, a team of authors led by Norman Loeb (head of NASA's CERES program) and including Gregory Johnson (head ...6 days ago
- Let it dieThe fishing industry is complaining in the Herald about their "labour shortage" and lamenting the fact that Young People These Days for some reason don't want to work for six weeks at a time doing hard, dangerous work on a boat in the middle of nowhere, and never seeing their ...6 days ago
- More bigotry in HungaryLast year Hungary ended legal recognition of trans people and banned gay people from adopting children. Now, they've followed that up with a Russian-style "propaganda law", banning "promotion" of homosexuality in schools or on TV: Hungary’s parliament has passed a law banning gay people from featuring in school educational ...6 days ago
- Institutionally corruptOver thirty years ago private investigator Daniel Morgan was murdered in London. The UK police repeatedly fucked up the investigation so obviously and blatantly that the government was forced to call a public inquiry. Now, after years of obstruction, it has finally reported back, finding the police to be "institutionally ...6 days ago
- With seas rising, stalled research budgets must also riseThis is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Gary Yohe and Eric Rignot From 1900 to 2000, the ocean along the U.S. East Coast rose at twice the annual rate of the pace in the previous 19 centuries, according to a recent study from Rutgers University. From Miami to New York to ...6 days ago
- Geoffrey Miller: Worst could be yet to come for New Zealanders’ perceptions of ChinaNew Zealanders’ hostility towards China is growing rapidly – but the worst may be still ahead. International analyst Geoffrey Miller examines the latest survey results on how this country feels about China. The latest “Perceptions of Asia” survey from the Asia New Zealand Foundation, released today, shows a sharp rise ...6 days ago
- Bryce Edwards: Political Roundup – Cash for access to politicians continuesShould anyone have trust in politicians, given the manner in which they solicit money from the wealthy? Probably not, since virtually every party in Parliament in recent times has been found to be involved in flaunting the law or accepting dodgy donations from the rich. News reports of questionable donations ...7 days ago
- Proceed to your nearest (virtual) exit: gaming technology is teaching us how people respond to emer...Ruggiero Lovreglio, Massey University Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) aren’t just for gaming anymore, they’re also proving to be useful tools for disaster safety research. In fact, they could save lives. Around the world, natural and human-made disasters such as earthquakes, bushfires and terrorist attacks threaten substantial ...7 days ago
- Inaction speaks louder than wordsOne of the good things the government has done is implement a proactive release policy, requiring most cabinet papers to be published within 30 working days of a decision being made. Its not a perfect policy (note "most", but also they get to redact them however they want, without oversight), ...7 days ago
- Graham Adams: The dangers of putting media on the government’s payrollAccusations by a journalist that the Prime Minister leads an unusually secretive government don’t tell the whole story about its desire to control information. Graham Adams takes a closer look at the guidelines for the new $55 million journalism fund. Despite widespread cynicism about the Government’s ability to fulfil its ...7 days ago
- David Seymour caught telling liesAct Party Leader David SeymourIt really bothers me when the NZ Herald reports the claims of certain right wing politicians as the truth without any fact checking. Not only do they encourage dishonest politicians to continue to lie, they also degrade the standard of reporting we get in New Zealand.Of ...7 days ago
- To Speak, Or Not To Speak? That Is The Question.Speaking Rights: The spectacle of the nation’s prime minister being denied the right to speak to her fellow citizens, personally, on New Zealand’s national day would generate massive antagonism among Pakeha of both sexes. A refusal to be guided by the customs of Ngāpuhi, on the other hand, would be ...7 days ago
- We discovered what’s killing the world’s rarest penguin – and it could help us make a vaccineVartul Sangal, Northumbria University, Newcastle Yellow-eyed penguins are the most endangered penguin species in the world, with just 4,000 left in the wild. Found only in New Zealand and its outlying islands, these birds can grow up to 79cm tall and weigh 8.5kg, which is similar to a one-year-old ...7 days ago
- The COVID-19 lab leak theory highlights a glaring lack of global biosecurity regulationAlexander Gillespie, University of Waikato The revived debate over whether COVID-19 could be the result of an accidental release from the Wuhan Institute of Virology may never be adequately resolved. Either way, we risk not seeing the wood for the trees. While the World Health Organization (WHO) reported in ...7 days ago
- Opponents of fluoridation all at sea with new legislationImage credit: Why Ideology and Science Don’t Mix Opponents of community water fluoridation (CWF) should be supporting the proposed fluoridation legislation instead of organising opposition to it. Think about it. If Fluoride Free NZ (FFNZ) was honest in its claim that they are ...7 days ago
- Silent calamity: The health impacts of wildfire smoke
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Bob Henson Articles on U.S. wildfires don’t often show a photo of someone gasping in a hospital bed or felled by a heart attack. Yet an increasing body of evidence suggests that the biggest societal impacts of increasing wildland fire are happening ...1 week ago- Smokefree 2025
The Government’s proposed approach for achieving SmokeFree 2025 is a bit over-the-top. The proposals would restrict tobacco sales to a smaller number of to-be-licenced R18 outlets, which could then be subject to a sinking lid; impose an annual one-year increase in the purchase age for tobacco until full prohibition were ...1 week ago- Update on Long-COVID
Prof John D. Potter* This blog post updates an earlier post on Long-COVID and reports that estimates of prevalence are still wide at about 15 to 65% of those initially infected with the pandemic virus, SARS-CoV-2. As things stand now across the world, we do not yet have systems in ...1 week ago- A long-overdue apology
The New Zealand government is going to formally apologise for the "dawn raids" which targeted Pacific peoples in the 1970's. Good. Terrorising people on the basis of their race was wrong and something which should be a lasting shame to New Zealand. But there's another wrong they need to apologise ...1 week ago- Climate Change: The return of feebate
The government has resurrected its feebate policy to lower transport emissions, taxing dirty vehicles to subsidise clean ones. Good. We've known for a long time that passive measures such as fuel economy ratings and up-front labelling of lifetime costs weren't enough, and neither was the ETS (which adds just a ...1 week ago- National wants to convert farms into pine forests
It really hasn’t been a good time on the opposition benches lately. Not only have we had the various National Party scandals to ensure a decline in their public support, they’ve also entirely misread the room when it comes to the Climate Change Commission’s final report and the Government’s Clean ...1 week ago- Government for sale again
When the National Party ran a "Cabinet Club", selling personal access to Cabinet Ministers in exchange for large donations, I called it Government for Sale. Now the Labour party is doing the same thing: The Labour Party is selling tickets to a “business conference" featuring the prime minister and ...1 week ago- Nobody Owns The Christchurch Tragedy.
Mass Outpourings Of Love And Solidarity: In excess of 20,000 Wellingtonians gathered at the basin Reserve in mid-March 2019 to reaffirm Prime Minister Ardern's "They are Us" response to the Christchurch Mosque Shootings. The opponents of the "They Are Us" movie project would rather the world was not reminded of ...1 week ago- 2021 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #24
Listing of articles linked to on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, June 7, 2021 through Sat, June 12, 2021 This week it was somewhat tricky to identify suitable articles for sharing which is why the list ended up shorter than it usually is. Articles Linked to ...1 week ago- Hoping For Divine Intervention.
By Any Chance, Are These Two Related? Climate Change Commission Chair, Rod Carr, and Michelangelo's Jehovah. Is that the message hidden in the CCC's report? That only divine intervention can save the planet from the effects of anthropogenic global warming?ROD CARR reminds me of God. Seriously, that beard. From a ...1 week ago- Re-Writing The Rules of the Game: Where Chile is Leading, Can Aotearoa-New Zealand Follow?
People Power: Ending neoliberalism requires massive and militant action on the ground. Between 2019 and 2020, the young and the poor made Chile ungovernable. Engaging in running battles with the Police and facing-down the army’s bullets, they rendered the political class and its mainstream media mouthpieces increasingly irrelevant to what ...1 week ago- National is falling apart
You’ve really got to wonder what possessed MP Simon Bridges to blatantly lie about gang violence he claimed to have witnessed yesterday.Perhaps he was just a bit desperate for some attention being that the headlines haven’t be very flattering for the National Party lately.His belief that misleading the public and ...1 week ago- How Are We Progressing with the War on Poverty?
Child Poverty Levels Are only Slowly Coming Down, What Next?Having settled on its macroeconomic settings, the Government then has to decide what to do with its revenue. In the 2021 Budget; it was largely committed to rolling forward existing spending, together with meeting some necessary commitments like dealing with covid ...1 week ago- They Are Us film should be made
Rose Byrne to play Jacinda Ardern in controversial movie ‘They Are Us’Framing is always an important aspect of media reports, especially when it comes to politics. In fact the way a story is framed can often determine whether a topic gains popular support or receives widespread public outrage.That’s been the ...1 week ago- The police lied to Parliament
Earlier today I blogged about the Ombudsman's final opinion on an OIA request for the police's "emissions-free fleet" strategy, in which the Ombudsman found that there never was such a strategy, and that the police repeatedly lied in an effort to hide that fact. But it turns out that I'm ...1 week ago- Spanish and Ukranian translations of The Debunking Handbook 2020
Since its publication last October, The Debunking Handbook 2020 has already been translated into 11 languages. Some of the translations have been created by volunteers who also help with Skeptical Science translations while others have been provided by outside or mixed teams. The Spanish translation was created by ...2 weeks ago- Tolkien and Anime: A Helm Hammerhand Adaptation
Now this is something I truly was not expecting. Warner Brothers is producing an Anime Movie of the story of Helm Hammerhand, titled The War of the Rohirrim:https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/lord-of-the-rings-anime-movie-in-the-works-from-new-line-warner-animation-group-1234965985/ My first instinct was to check the date. No, not 1st April. This is for real: a Tolkien story – one ...2 weeks ago- There was never an “emissions-free fleet” strategy
Last month, I did a post about my efforts to excavate the Police's "emissions-free fleet" strategy, and how my OIA request had been extended "for consultations", whizzed past its extended deadline, then refused as it would "soon be publicly available". My complaint to the Ombudsman gained an attempted explanation from ...2 weeks ago- Friday essay: a rare bird — how Europeans got the black swan so wrong
David Haworth, Monash University The black swan is an Australian icon. The official emblem of Western Australia, depicted in the state flag and coat-of-arms, it decorates several public buildings. The bird is also the namesake for Perth’s Swan River, where the British established the Swan River Colony in 1829. ...2 weeks ago- As more climate migrants cross borders seeking refuge, laws will need to adapt
Katharine M. Donato, Georgetown University; Amanda Carrico, University of Colorado Boulder; and Jonathan M. Gilligan, Vanderbilt University Climate change is upending people’s lives around the world, but when droughts, floods or sea level rise force them to leave their countries, people often find closed borders and little assistance. Part ...2 weeks ago- Geoffrey Miller: New Zealand’s relationship with Saudi Arabia faces increasing scrutiny
While New Zealand’s problematic but lucrative relationship with China gets lots of attention, there’s another important and similar relationship with Saudi Arabia that gets less attention. International analyst Geoffrey Miller explains why Riyadh is too important for Wellington to ignore. New Zealand’s new ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Barney Riley, ...2 weeks ago- Research now backs routinely offering pregnant women the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine
Michelle Wise, University of Auckland New Zealand and Australia will now routinely offer the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to women at any stage of pregnancy, following an update of vaccination advice. This comes as research suggests the risk of severe outcomes from infection is significantly higher for pregnant women compared to ...2 weeks ago- The Irish lough that offers a window into the deep sea
James Bell, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington; Rob McAllen, University College Cork, and Valerio Micaroni, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Deeper than most scuba divers can safely work and above where most underwater robots are designed to descend lie some of the most ...2 weeks ago- The economics of killing Huntly
RNZ reports that Genesis Energy's use of coal has spiked over the past few years, as they use to burn it rather than pay for gas: New Zealand has significantly increased its use of coal in recent years, despite its status as the worst, most polluting fossil fuel on ...2 weeks ago- Media Link: “A View from Afar” on NZ security strategy and the end of neoliberalism in South Ame...
I have not had much time to blog in recent weeks but continue the weekly series of podcasts with Selwyn Manning. This week we discussed efforts to develop a comprehensive national security strategy for New Zealand that goes beyond Defense White Papers and annual reports from various security agencies, then ...2 weeks ago- Bryce Edwards: Political Roundup – Reforming the Official Information Act is a democratic test for...
In promising to be New Zealand’s most open and transparent government ever, Labour has one key challenge: reform the Official Information Act. This vital piece of machinery for democracy is in terrible disrepair, and the Government has promised to rewrite it for the modern age, but so far are stalling ...2 weeks ago- Hard Questions – Hard Answers.
2 weeks ago - Silent calamity: The health impacts of wildfire smoke
- Small steps for Hauraki Gulf protection, much more action needed
The Green Party welcomes the Government’s proposals for increased marine protection in the Hauraki Gulf, released today, but says much more needs to be done. ...2 hours ago - Greens announce Members Bill to stop military launches at Rocket Lab protestThe Green Party’s Security and Intelligence spokesperson, and Te Mātāwaka member Teanau Tuiono MP launched his Member’s Bill at the ‘STOP militarisation’ protest today outside RocketLabs Headquarters in Tāmaki Makaurau. This Bill will amend the Outer Space and High altitude Activities Act and prohibit the launching of military hardware into ...22 hours ago
- Green Party supports call to end youth detention in police cellsThe Green Party strongly supports the call by the Children’s Commissioner to repeal the law allowing youth to be held in police cells. ...23 hours ago
- Working in partnership with our primary sector
A few great days at Fieldays are done and dusted! We had a huge team of Labour MPs at Mystery Creek this year – and we were there because partnering with farmers, growers, and our rural communities matters to us. ...4 days ago - Chlöe Swarbrick puts Bill aimed at minimising alcohol harm in Members’ ballotGreen Party MP Chlöe Swarbrick has put the Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Harm Minimisation) Amendment Bill into the Members’ ballot. ...4 days ago
- Investing in our rural communitiesFarmers and growers have been the economic backbone for New Zealand throughout COVID-19, and our primary sector will be at the heart of our recovery. This week, as Fieldays gets underway, we’ve outlined the next steps in our work with farmers to secure our recovery. ...4 days ago
- Green MPs back calls for work to stop immediately in Pūtiki Bay following unnecessary police presen...Green MPs Dr Elizabeth Kerekere and Chlöe Swarbrick strongly support the calls by Ngāti Paoa for Auckland Council to immediately step in to stop works happening in Pūtiki Bay/Kennedy Point today. ...5 days ago
- Acting boldly to address the housing crisis so we all thriveTēnā koe Minister Woods, ...6 days ago
- Addressing period poverty in schoolsToday, we’re taking the next step in our work to support children and young people in poverty, starting to roll out free period products in more than 1,600 schools and kura across New Zealand. ...7 days ago
- Dawn Raids apology welcomed, needs to be backed up with amnestyThe Green Party’s Te Mātāwaka Māori and Pasifika Caucus welcomes an announcement today by the Prime Minister to apologise for the Dawn Raids. ...1 week ago
- Making cleaner cars accessible to more KiwisToday, we’re taking action in line with the advice of the Climate Change Commission to reduce our carbon footprint, so future generations have a fair go. Our Clean Car package, announced this morning, delivers on our promise to cut transport emissions. It will make it easier to make the switch ...1 week ago
- Green Party set to deliver open letter to Immigration Minister with 17k signaturesThe Green Party will deliver its open letter asking the Minister for Immigration to fix the broken immigration system next week. ...1 week ago
- Dr Elizabeth Kerekere receives her COVID-19 vaccinationToday, Green Party MP Dr Elizabeth Kerekere received her COVID-19 vaccination from Tamaiti Whāngai COVID-19 vaccination centre, which had its official opening yesterday. ...2 weeks ago
- Our action on climate changeIn 2019, we established the Climate Change Commission to provide independent advice on climate change action and to hold this Government and future Governments to account. Today, the Commission's final advice was released. It sets out the total amount of global warming pollution Aotearoa must cut by 2035 to be ...2 weeks ago
- Our action on climate changeIn 2019, we established the Climate Change Commission to provide independent advice on climate change action and to hold this Government and future Governments to account. Today, the Commission's final advice was released. It sets out the total amount of global warming pollution Aotearoa must cut by 2035 to be ...2 weeks ago
- It’s time to get behind our nursesThe Green Party supports the 30,000 nurses striking today for better pay and safer working conditions. ...2 weeks ago
- Celebrating our oceansAotearoa New Zealand is surrounded by Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa, the Pacific Ocean. The ocean is central to our identities and to our ecosystems. The Big Blue both isolates us from other countries and connects us to our Pacific neighbours. We have the seventh largest maritime area in the world, ranging from ...2 weeks ago
- Caring for the land, caring for peopleHere in New Zealand, we have a remarkable natural environment, with unique ecosystems and native species. It’s taken millions of years for Aotearoa to develop this precious environment – and it’s up to us to protect it! In collaboration with communities across the country, we’re doing just that. ...2 weeks ago
- Caring for the land, caring for peopleHere in New Zealand, we have a remarkable natural environment, with unique ecosystems and native species. It’s taken millions of years for Aotearoa to develop this precious environment – and it’s up to us to protect it! In collaboration with communities across the country, we’re doing just that. ...2 weeks ago
- How much do you know about Aotearoa’s unique environment?Test your knowledge this World Environment Day! Think you’re a nature super-fan? Can’t tell a kauri from a kāmahi? To celebrate World Environment Day this week, we’ve put together a quiz to test how much you know about Te Taiao. Flex your nature muscles or learn something new about the ...3 weeks ago
- Green Party MP Golriz Ghahraman receives her COVID-19 vaccinationToday Green Party MP Golriz Ghahraman, who is immunocompromised, received her first COVID-19 vaccination at the Auckland CBD vaccination centre. ...3 weeks ago
- Greens welcome Auckland walking and cycling bridge, call for more climate focusThe Green Party is welcoming the Government’s renewed commitment to safe walking and cycling across the Waitematā Harbour, but warning that new highway investment puts our response to the climate change emergency at risk. ...3 weeks ago
- Greens call for Facebook to be held accountable for role in spreading disinformationThe Green Party is calling on the Government to hold Facebook accountable for its role in enabling behaviour which threatens democracy, by strongly regulating data privacy and the spread of dangerous disinformation. ...3 weeks ago
- Bringing back the health of Hauraki Gulf
New marine protection areas and restrictions on fishing are among a raft of changes being put in place to protect the Hauraki Gulf for future generations. The new strategy, Revitalising the Gulf – Government action on the Sea Change Plan, released today, draws on input from mana whenua, local communities, ...2 hours ago - Speech to AI Forum – Autonomous Weapons SystemsAI Forum New Zealand, Auckland Good evening and thank you so much for joining me this evening. I’d like to start with a thank you to the AI Forum Executive for getting this event off the ground and for all their work and support to date. The prospect of autonomous ...13 hours ago
- New Zealand boosts support to Fiji for COVID-19 impactAotearoa New Zealand is providing additional support to Fiji to mitigate the effects of the current COVID-19 outbreak on vulnerable households, Foreign Minister Hon Nanaia Mahuta announced today. “Recognising the increasingly challenging situation in Fiji, Aotearoa will provide an additional package of assistance to support the Government of Fiji and ...20 hours ago
- Round 2 of successful energy education fund now open$1.65 million available in Support for Energy Education in Communities funding round two Insights from SEEC to inform future energy hardship programmes Community organisations that can deliver energy education to households in need are being invited to apply for the second funding round of the Support for Energy Education in ...20 hours ago
- New Ngarimu scholarships to target vocational trainingAssociate Education Minister Kelvin Davis today announced three new scholarships for students in vocational education and training (VET) are to be added to the suite of prestigious Ngarimu scholarships. “VET learners have less access to study support than university students and this is a way to tautoko their learning dreams ...20 hours ago
- Recognising the volunteers who support our health systemNominations have opened today for the 2021 Minister of Health Volunteer Awards, as part of National Volunteer Week. “We know that New Zealanders donate at least 159 million hours of volunteer labour every year,” Minister of Health Andrew Little said in launching this year’s awards in Wellington. “These people play ...1 day ago
- Drug Free Sport supported to deal with new doping challengesDrug Free Sport New Zealand will receive a funding boost to respond to some of the emerging doping challenges across international sport. The additional $4.3 million over three years comes from the Sport Recovery Fund announced last year. It will help DFSNZ improve athletes’ understanding of the risks of doping, ...1 day ago
- Government support for South Auckland community hit by tornadoThe Government is contributing $100,000 to a Mayoral Relief Fund to support Auckland communities impacted by the Papatoetoe tornado, Acting Minister for Emergency Management Kris Faafoi says. “My heart goes out to the family and friends who have lost a loved one, and to those who have been injured. I ...2 days ago
- Celebrating World Refugee DayWorld Refugee Day today is an opportunity to celebrate the proud record New Zealanders have supporting and protecting refugees and acknowledge the contribution these new New Zealanders make to our country, the Minister of Immigration Kris Faafoi said. “World Refugee Day is also a chance to think about the journey ...2 days ago
- Face to face meeting delivers significant progress on NZ-UK FTANew Zealand and the UK have committed to accelerating their free trade agreement negotiations with the aim of reaching an agreement in principle this August, Trade Minister Damien O’Connor announced. “We’ve held constructive and productive discussions towards the conclusion of a high-quality and comprehensive FTA that will support sustainable and inclusive trade, and ...3 days ago
- Government taking action to protect albatrossNew population figures for the critically endangered Antipodean albatross showing a 5 percent decline per year highlights the importance of reducing all threats to these very special birds, Acting Minister of Conservation Dr Ayesha Verrall says. The latest population modelling, carried out by Dragonfly Data Science, shows the Antipodean albatross ...4 days ago
- Adoption laws under reviewNew Zealand’s 66-year-old adoption laws are being reviewed, with public engagement beginning today. Justice Minister Kris Faafoi said the Government is seeking views on options for change to our adoption laws and system. “The Adoption Act has remained largely the same since 1955. We need our adoption laws to reflect ...4 days ago
- Wider roll-out of cameras on boats to support sustainability and protect marine lifeUp to 300 inshore commercial fishing vessels will be fitted with on-board cameras by 2024 as part of the Government’s commitment to protect the natural marine environment for future generations. Minister for Oceans and Fisheries David Parker today announced the funding is now in place for the wider roll out ...5 days ago
- Plan for vaccine rollout for general population announcedNew Zealanders over 60 will be offered a vaccination from July 28 and those over 55 from August 11, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced today. The rollout of the vaccine to the general population will be done in age groups as is the approach commonly used overseas, with those over ...5 days ago
- New Zealand introduces Belarus travel bansNew Zealand has imposed travel bans on selected individuals associated with the Lukashenko regime, following ongoing concerns about election fraud and human rights abuses after the 2020 Belarus elections, Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta has announced. The ban covers more than fifty individuals, including the President and key members of ...5 days ago
- NZ economy grows driven by households, construction and business investmentThe Government’s efforts to secure the recovery have been reflected in the robust rebound of GDP figures released today which show the economy remains resilient despite the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Grant Robertson said. GDP increased 1.6 percent in the first three months of 2021. The Treasury had ...5 days ago
- Milestone 250th tower continues to improve rural connectivityThe Government has welcomed the completion of the 250th 4G mobile tower, as part of its push for better rural connectivity. Waikato’s Wiltsdown, which is roughly 80 kilometres south of Hamilton, is home to the new tower, deployed by the Rural Connectivity Group to enable improved service to 70 homes ...5 days ago
- Quarantine Free Travel pause with Victoria to lift on TuesdayFollowing a further public health assessment of the COVID-19 outbreak in greater Melbourne, New Zealand’s Quarantine Free Travel pause with Victoria has been extended to 11.59pm on Tuesday 22 June, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins says. It has been determined that the risk to public health in New Zealand continues ...5 days ago
- Prime Minister mourns passing of Dr Sir Ian HassallPrime Minister Jacinda Ardern is mourning the passing of Dr Sir Ian Hassall, New Zealand’s first Children’s Commissioner and lifelong champion for children and children’s health. As a paediatrician Sir Ian contributed to a major world-first cot death study that has been directly credited with reducing cot deaths in New ...6 days ago
- APEC structural reform meeting a successAPEC ministers have agreed working together will be crucial to ensure economies recover from the impact of COVID-19. Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs David Clark, chaired the virtual APEC Structural Reform Ministerial Meeting today which revolved around the overarching theme of promoting balanced, inclusive, sustainable, innovative and secure growth ...6 days ago
- Digital hub to boost investment in forestryA new website has been launched at Fieldays to support the forestry sector find the information it needs to plant, grow and manage trees, and to encourage investment across the wider industry. Forestry Minister Stuart Nash says the new Canopy website is tailored for farmers, iwi and other forestry interests, ...6 days ago
- Government continues support for rangatahi to get into employment, education and trainingOver 230 rangatahi are set to benefit from further funding through four new He Poutama Rangatahi programmes, Minister for Social Development and Employment Carmel Sepuloni announced today. “We’re continuing to secure our economic recovery from COVID by investing in opportunities for rangatahi to get into meaningful employment, education or training ...6 days ago
- NCEA subjects up for consultationThe education sector, students, their parents, whānau and communities are invited to share their thoughts on a list of proposed NCEA subjects released today, Education Minister Chris Hipkins says. This is a significant part of the Government’s NCEA Change Programme that commenced in 2020 and will be largely implemented by ...6 days ago
- Major investment in plantain forage programme aims to improve freshwater qualityThe Government is backing a major programme investigating plantain’s potential to help farmers protect waterways and improve freshwater quality, Acting Agriculture Minister Meka Whaitiri announced at Fieldays today. The Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures (SFFF) fund is contributing $8.98 million to the $22.23 million seven-year programme, which aims to deliver ...6 days ago
- America’s Cup decisionThe Minister responsible for the America’s Cup has confirmed the joint Crown-Auckland Council offer to host the next regatta has been declined by the Board of Team New Zealand. “The exclusive period of negotiation between the Crown, Auckland Council, and Team New Zealand ends tomorrow, 17 June,” said Stuart Nash. ...6 days ago
- Food and fibres sector making significant strides towards New Zealand’s economic recoveryThe Government is backing the food and fibres sector to lead New Zealand's economic recovery from COVID-19 with targeted investments as part of its Fit for a Better World roadmap, Forestry Minister Stuart Nash said. “To drive New Zealand’s recovery, we launched the Fit for a Better World – Accelerating ...6 days ago
- Speech to He Whenua Taurikura – New Zealand’s annual hui on countering terrorism and violent...Check against delivery Can I begin by acknowledging the 51 shuhada, their families and the Muslim community. It is because of the atrocious violent act that was done to them which has led ultimately to this, the start of a dialogue and a conversation about how we as a nation ...7 days ago
- Cost of Government Southern Response proactive package releasedThe Government has announced the proactive package for some Southern Response policyholders could cost $313 million if all those eligible apply. In December, the Minister Responsible for the Earthquake Commission, David Clark announced a proactive package for SRES claimants who settled their claims before October 2014. It trailed the judgment ...7 days ago
- First period products delivered to schoolsThe first period products funded as part of the Government’s nationwide rollout are being delivered to schools and kura this week, as part of wider efforts to combat child poverty, help increase school attendance, and make a positive impact on children’s wellbeing. “We know that nearly 95,000 9-to-18 year olds ...7 days ago
- New support to reduce emissions from public building and construction projectsGovernment agencies are getting new support to reduce carbon emissions generated by construction of new buildings, with the release of practical guidance to shape decisions on public projects. The Ministers for Building and Construction and for Economic Development say a new Procurement Guide will help government agencies, private sector suppliers, ...7 days ago
- He Whenua Taurikura: New Zealand’s first Hui on Countering Terrorism and Violent ExtremismThe Prime Minister has opened New Zealand’s first hui on Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism, which is being held in Christchurch over the next two days. The hui delivers on one of the recommendations from the report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the terrorist attack on Christchurch masjidain ...7 days ago
- Speech to inaugural Countering Terrorism HuiE aku nui, e aku rahi, Te whaka-kanohi mai o rātou mā, Ru-ruku-tia i runga i te ngākau whakapono, Ru-ruku-tia i runga i te ngākau aroha, Waitaha, Ngāti Mamoe, Ngai Tahu, nāu rā te reo pohiri. Tena tātou katoa. Ki te kotahi te kakaho ka whati, ki te kapuia, e ...7 days ago
- Campaign shines a light on elder abuseA new campaign is shining a spotlight on elder abuse, and urging people to protect older New Zealanders. Launched on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the Office for Seniors’ campaign encourages friends, whānau and neighbours to look for the signs of abuse, which is often hidden in plain sight. “Research suggests ...1 week ago
- Farewelling sports administrator and philanthropist Sir Eion EdgarSport and Recreation Minister Grant Robertson today expressed his sorrow at the passing of Sir Eion Edgar – a leading sports administrator and celebrated philanthropist who has made a significant impact both within and beyond the sport sector. “Sir Eion’s energy, drive and generosity has been truly immense. He leaves ...1 week ago
- Government to apologise for Dawn RaidsThe Government will make a formal apology for the wrongs committed during the Dawn Raids of the 1970’s. Between 1974 and 1976, a series of rigorous immigration enforcement policies were carried out that resulted in targeted raids on the homes of Pacific families. The raids to find, convict and deport overstayers ...1 week ago
- Humanitarian support for Bangladesh and MyanmarForeign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta today announced that New Zealand is providing NZ $8.25 million in humanitarian assistance to support refugees and their host populations in Bangladesh and to support humanitarian need of internally displaced and conflict affected people in Myanmar. “Nearly four years after 900,000 Rohingya crossed the border ...1 week ago
- Poroporoaki: Dame Georgina Kamiria KirbyE Te Kōkō Tangiwai, Te Tuhi Mareikura, Te Kākākura Pokai kua riro i a matou. He toka tū moana ākinga ā tai, ākinga ā hau, ākinga ā ngaru tūātea. Haere atu rā ki te mūrau a te tini, ki te wenerau a te mano. E tae koe ki ngā rire ...1 week ago
- Feedback sought on future of housing and urban developmentNew Zealanders are encouraged to have their say on a long-term vision for housing and urban development to guide future work, the Housing Minister Megan Woods has announced. Consultation starts today on a Government Policy Statement on Housing and Urban Development (GPS-HUD), which will support the long-term direction of Aotearoa ...1 week ago
- Clean car package to drive down emissionsNew rebates for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles start July 1 with up to $8,625 for new vehicles and $3,450 for used. Electric vehicle chargers now available every 75km along most state highways to give Kiwis confidence. Low Emission Transport Fund will have nearly four times the funding by 2023 ...1 week ago
- Progress towards simpler process for changing sex on birth certificatesThe Government is taking the next step to support transgender, non-binary and intersex New Zealanders, by progressing the Births, Deaths, Marriages and Relationships Registration Bill, Minister of Internal Affairs, Jan Tinetti announced today. “This Government understands that self-identification is a significant issue for transgender, non-binary and intersex New Zealanders, and ...1 week ago
- Medics arrive in Fiji to help with covid – $10m support from NZ
RNZ Pacific The New Zealand government is ramping up its support to Fiji, which is in the grips of a covid-19 pandemic crisis. Another 126 new cases of the virus were reported in the Pacific nation today. The New Zealand government is now allocating up to $10 million towards Fiji’s ...25 mins ago - West Papua unhappy over never-ending MSG membership tragediesANALYSIS: By Yamin Kogoya in Brisbane When I ring home to West Papua, my village people often ask me about the rumours that they have heard, of an upcoming Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) meeting. They ask, “When is the MSG meeting?” and if West Papua will be accepted as a ...25 mins ago
- Fiji family mourns death of mechanic killed in NZ tornadoRNZ Pacific A Fiji family is mourning the loss of their son after he was killed in the devastating tornado that hit South Auckland on Saturday. Mechanic Janesh Prasad was working at a freight hub when the tornado swept him up and he struck a container. Prasad was carrying out ...25 mins ago
- 166 more covid cases in Fiji as community spread ‘broadens’By Lice Movono, RNZ Pacific correspondent in Suva Fiji’s covid-19 cases continue to escalate as medical authorities have recorded another record breaking 166 new people now infected with covid-19 and a death at the Colonial War Memorial (CWM) Hospital in the capital Suva. The Fiji government has stopped providing information ...25 mins ago
- https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO2106/S00166/.htm
...42 mins ago - West Papua closes national mourning for Pastor Nafuki – prays for MSGBy Benny Mawel in Jayapura The United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) has held national mourning ceremonies at the weekend for the death of Vanuatu independence campaigner Father Allen Nafuki and prayed for the Papuan people to be accepted as full members of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG). The ...1 hour ago
- Journalists are not going to stop tweeting. But should media outlets exert more control over their p...By Rodney Tiffen, University of Sydney “Not a great week for journalism at the ABC”, News Corp’s Sharri Markson tweeted earlier this month, when the week was barely a day old. It is hard to remember the last time a News Corp columnist declared it was a great week for ...1 hour ago
- Bryce Edwards’ Political Roundup: The case for and against the “They Are Us” film2 hours ago
- Volunteers: Red Cross’ Most Important And Unique AssetThis National Volunteer Week, 20 to 26 June, New Zealand Red Cross joins the whole of Aotearoa in celebrating the contribution of volunteers to make the country a better place for everyone. As an organisation that is driven by a network of more than 11,000 ...2 hours ago
- Kidz Need Dadz Working To Support New FathersIt's an exciting time in life becoming a new dad. But it can also be a daunting one, with the family dynamic changing forever. But what is well known is that from early pregnancy through to the first parenting months, an involved father can support ...2 hours ago
- New Poll Shows 63% Of Kiwis Oppose Auckland’s Cycle BridgeExclusive polling commissioned by the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union shows that nearly two-thirds of Kiwis ‘oppose’ or ‘strongly oppose’ the Government’s planned $685 million cycle and pedestrian bridge for Auckland’s Waitematā Harbour. ...2 hours ago
- Greenpeace Congratulates New All Blacks Team, Renews Call To Dump INEOS Oil Industry SponsorGreenpeace is congratulating the new All Blacks team named last night, and renewing its call on NZ Rugby to ‘keep oil off the All Blacks’. Last week Greenpeace called on NZ Rugby to dump its pending sponsorship deal with the notorious UK petrochemical ...2 hours ago
- Emily Writes: I tried to review a book about sleep
After five weeks she’s still on the third page.This post was first published on Emily Writes Weekly.The book is called Sleep Easy. Its cover is a night sky with a moon that says “The Six-Week Sleep Programme Backed By Science”.I love science.Bernice Tuffery the author says she took charge of her ...2 hours ago - Dust from exploding stars is raining down on Earth. I hunt it to learn how the elements were madeSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dominik Koll, Dual PhD Candidate, Australian National University Dominik Koll, Author provided It is all around us. Every day in our lives we are in contact with it. In fact, we are made from it: ancient stardust. All the ...2 hours ago
- Our research shows COVID has made Australians more conservative and care less about othersSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julie Anne Lee, Professor in Marketing, Founding Director of the Centre for Human and Cultural Values, and Director of Research at the UWA Business School, The University of Western Australia James Gourley/AAP The COVID-19 pandemic has already changed so many ...2 hours ago
- Media reports about vaccine hesitancy could contribute to the problemSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Heather Green, Senior Lecturer, School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University Alongside logistical and supply issues, vaccine hesitancy has been a notable hurdle in Australia’s troubled vaccine rollout. The news the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) now recommends Pfizer over AstraZeneca ...2 hours ago
- A controversial US book is feeding climate denial in Australia. Its central claim is true, yet irrel...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Lowe, Emeritus Professor, School of Science, Griffith University Ben Rushton/AAP My heart sank last week to see conservative Australian commentator Alan Jones championing a contentious book about climate science which has gained traction in the United States. BenBella ...2 hours ago
- The government linked the cost of university teaching to funding and student fees, but the numbers d...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Keith A Houghton, Emeritus Professor, Australian National University Shutterstock Our newly published research on the costs of university study fails to support estimates used by the Australian government to justify its Job-Ready Graduates Package. The legislated policy directly linked funding ...2 hours ago
- Wallets on wheels: city visitors who use e-scooters more spend moreSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Abraham Leung, Transport Academic Partnership (TAP) and Transport Innovation and Research Hub (TIRH), Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Cities Research Institute, Griffith University Shared e-scooters are becoming common across Australia and in major cities around the world. Initial safety concerns about e-scooters left some ...2 hours ago
- Sanctions against Myanmar’s junta have been tried before. Can they work this time?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Htwe Htwe Thein, Associate professor, Curtin University STRINGER/EPA Myanmar’s democracy movement wants the international community to get tough on the military junta. But if history is any indicator, that’s not going to happen. Western nations have responded with suspending arms ...2 hours ago
- Unearthing Falerii Novi’s secrets in the hot Italian summer: an archaeologist reports from the digSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Emlyn Dodd, Assistant Director of Archaeology, British School at Rome; Honorary Postdoctoral Fellow, Macquarie University; Research Affiliate, Australian Archaeological Institute at Athens, Macquarie University Shutterstock Located about 50 kilometres north of Rome, the ancient city of Falerii Novi lies buried ...2 hours ago
- Live updates, June 22: Melbourne travel restrictions lift, but travellers warned to stay alertWelcome to The Spinoff’s live updates for June 22, bringing you the latest news updated throughout the day. Get in touch at stewart@thespinoff.co.nz7.50am: Melbourne travel restrictions lift, but warning for travellers still in placeQuarantine-free travel with the Australian state of Victoria will resume from 11.59pm tonight, almost a month after ...3 hours ago
- The Bulletin: Despite more money, mental health facilities still in crisisGood morning and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Mental health facilities still in crisis, government expert warns of years of Covid restrictions, and ACC biased against women and ethnic minorities.Often when discussing mental health services, a very broad brush can be taken. So to start discussing the crisis in ...3 hours ago
- Newsroom daily quiz, Tuesday 22 June
Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions. ...5 hours ago - Newsroom's daily sudoku, Tuesday 22 June
...5 hours ago - Newsroom daily crossword, Tuesday 22 June
...5 hours ago - DoC’s Mackenzie project dubbed a ‘disaster’
A $2.6 million Mackenzie Basin project abandoned its business case, lacked oversight, and achieved little. David Williams reports A drive for greater protection in the fragile South Island high country turned into a “complete disaster”, according to a review ordered by Department of Conservation senior managers. The external review report, ...5 hours ago - Sorry, grim reaper. New Zealand First is alive and kickingWinston Peters is up for the fight. A new president is ready to go. If NZ First can avoid the mire of the culture war and deliver a positive message, there’s life in the party yet, writes Josh Van Veen, a NZ First supporter and former parliamentary researcher to Winston ...6 hours ago
- Wellington city councillors need to ask themselves: who are you really serving?The consultation process for Wellington’s spatial plan has been captured by nimbys, argues Neale Jones of the campaign group A City for People. Will the council this week have the courage to put people’s lives ahead of the look of their houses?This week Wellington city councillors will vote on the ...6 hours ago
- A modular solution to the housing crisis
There's a factory in Christchurch that could help solve the housing crisis by churning out modular homes - but a reluctance to adopt this building method means its future is unclear. Ever since The Detail ran a podcast about the high cost of construction we've been inundated with messages from ...6 hours ago - Business coach's firm fined for paying six staff less than minimum wage
Entrepreneur Logan Elliott’s events firm has been fined $20,000 by the Employment Relations Authority ...6 hours ago - The secret to expanding EVs – wireless charging
Wireless charging stations set in the pavement for vehicles to park over are closer than you think, for both cars and heavy transport vehicles. Professors Grant Covic and Nick Long and Dr Doug Wilson explain. Urgent action is needed to increase the ease of owning and operating electric vehicles (EVs), ...6 hours ago - TV chef: The secret to selling to the world's biggest market
Norma Chu says Chinese Gen Z shoppers are driving consumer trends, and what they’re after might be exactly what New Zealand businesses can offer. Covid-19 has made Chinese consumers more health-conscious than ever before, and the country’s youth are driving a trend towards sustainable and environmentally-conscious brands, says an online ...6 hours ago - A dream of Putaruru
Richard Von Sturmer completes his trilogy of evocations of Waikato towns The first thing I see on my approach to Putaruru is the town’s sign, a large circular sawblade imprinted with the blue waters of the nearby Waihou River. In my dictionary of Māori place names Putaruru means “the home ...6 hours ago - Betrayal and perfidy: From Ancient Rome to the USSR
Critic's Chair: Guy Somerset revels in the betrayals and counter-betrayals of Domina, the latest drama on ancient Rome - and in the great lies revealed in a series of documentaries on the Soviet Union Scholars of the Roman Empire, by which I mean those of us who have watched the BBC’s ...6 hours ago - Chicken and egg problem of EVs
Economists identify market failures behind the low uptake of electric vehicles by starting with the problem rather than simply imposing a solution, says Eric Crampton ...6 hours ago - From the Social Welfare to the Social Insurance state
The Budget's signalled move towards an unemployment insurance scheme could open opportunities to expand the principles of the ACC scheme to even more of the welfare system, Peter Davis argues An intriguing suggestion in the Budget was the proposal to explore moving to an ACC-style unemployment scheme which would be ...6 hours ago - Internet censorship provisions to be scrapped
The Government has halted enactment of online filter that human rights advocates and tech experts alike had opposed ...6 hours ago - Turn on, tune in NZ: Opportunity to run clinical trials into psychedelic drugs
NZ has a chance to attract venture capital running clinical trials into psychedelic drugs to treat mental illness ...6 hours ago - Open government is 'fundamental to democracy' – so pressure to get it right
Civil society groups tell government to slow down, do it once, do it right – or risk 'feeding cynicism' about open government strategy ...6 hours ago - Govt seeks no condition on TV3 local news in Discovery buy-out
The Government is spending $55 million to help New Zealand media provide more public interest journalism, but when it had the chance to make sure TV3’s new owner, Discovery Inc, stays committed to local news, it demurred. Discovery’s New Zealand boss, Glen Kyne, recently revealed the global giant’s strategy to ...6 hours ago - Ories rugby trio hone in on a home World Cup
Black Ferns trio Ayesha Leti-I'iga, Amanda Rasch and Joanah Ngan Woo have at least three things in common. They all star for the Wellington Pride women’s team, play their club rugby for Oriental Rongotai and are hoping to be part of the 2021 Rugby World Cup on home soil. But all ...6 hours ago - View from The Hill: Nationals give Scott Morrison a muscle man to deal with – especially on net ze...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra One central reason why the Nationals have installed Barnaby Joyce, with all the risks and baggage he carries, is because they want someone who’ll stand up to Scott Morrison. The minor Coalition partner is after ...10 hours ago
- What are the Sinopharm and Sinovac vaccines? And how effective are they? Two experts explainSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hart, Clinical researcher, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute Rahmat Gul/AP/AAP Last weekend, China reached a milestone of having administered more than one billion doses of its homegrown COVID-19 vaccines, the majority of which were developed by local companies Sinovac and ...13 hours ago
- Covid-19: New Zealand, Australia medical experts arrive in Fiji
A team of Australian and New Zealand medical specialists have arrived in Fiji to help contain the escalating Covid-19 outbreak there. ...13 hours ago - Covid-19 in Fiji: New Zealand provides $10m to support responseA team of Australian and New Zealand medical specialists are also on their way to help the Pacific nation, which recorded 166 new cases just yesterday. ...16 hours ago
- Aussie kids are some of the least active in the world. We developed a cheap school program that gets...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Taren Sanders, Research Fellow, Institute for Positive Psychology and Education, Australian Catholic University Shutterstock Australian children are among the least active in the world. In a recent study, Aussie kids ranked 140th out of 146 countries for physical activity. ...16 hours ago
- Mahia residents descend on Auckland to protest Rocket Lab links with US militaryProtesters gathered at Rocket Lab’s Auckland HQ today in opposition to the company’s work with the US military, while the Green Party announced a member’s bill to ban military launches from New Zealand. Protest songs echoed down a quiet cul-de-sac in Mt Wellington this afternoon, as around 30 people turned out ...17 hours ago
- Climate could provide Peters and his party with a platform for warming voters and bouncing back at t...
Peters is back, the headlines shouted. Well, not quite. Winston Peters may have stepped into the political limelight again, after a spell in political darkness – but he and his party are a long way from Parliament. And even though he looks fit and well, can he – at the ...18 hours ago - Remembering Janet Malcolm: her intellectual courage shaped journalism, biographies and Helen GarnerSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Matthew Ricketson, Professor of Communication, Deakin University Journalism has rarely had a fiercer critic, nor a finer practitioner than the longtime writer for The New Yorker, Janet Malcolm, who died last week aged 86. Some might quibble with the description of Malcolm ...18 hours ago
- Hopefully, Tomorrow Will Deliver A Positive Sea Change For Tīkapa Moana, The Hauraki GulfWWF-New Zealand is thrilled to finally see the Government launch its strategy to revitalize the Gulf – based on Tai Timu Tai Pari/Sea Change - the Hauraki Gulf Marine Spatial Plan, but it has taken too long. Since the time this project began ...18 hours ago
- Medsafe gives Pfizer vaccine provisional approval for ages 12+Medsafe has given the all-clear for New Zealanders as young as 12 to receive the Pfizer vaccine, but they cannot book in for a jab just yet. ...19 hours ago
- The National Party used to be known for its leadership stability — what happened?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Geoff Cockfield, Professor of Government and Economics, and Deputy Dean, University of Southern Queensland Mick Tsikas/AAP Barnaby Joyce is back as Nationals leader, after a spill in Canberra on Monday morning. This is the latest development in an unusually ...19 hours ago
- Live: Jacinda Ardern speaks at post-Cabinet briefingPrime Minister Jacinda Ardern is giving her weekly post-Cabinet media briefing. ...19 hours ago
- Kita Mean’s wildest dream just came trueShe’s a winner baby! RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under winner Kita Mean stops by The Spinoff Studio to reflect on her journey to the crown. On Saturday night in Auckland, surrounded by a buzzing room of close friends, Kita Mean found out that she had been crowned the inaugural winner of ...20 hours ago
- Barnaby Joyce ousts Michael McCormack to regain Nationals leadershipSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Barnaby Joyce has blasted Michael McCormack out to seize back his old job of Nationals leader. Joyce’s win, which automatically makes him deputy prime minister, has major implications and challenges for Scott Morrison, who had ...20 hours ago
- It’s hard to see what’s to celebrate when 82.4m people have fled their homes – but Faafoi has ...
Today is the third birthday of Neve Gayford (or is she Neve Ardern?), an event that was portended on the NZ Herald website in a report which described her dad as a “genius” for rolling three cakes into one for the occasion. And how (we wonder) would they ...20 hours ago - Are low-paid jobs really a stepping stone to better pay? A new study suggests it’s not that simpleSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexander Plum, Senior Research Fellow in Applied Labour Economics, Auckland University of Technology www.shutterstock.com A job – any job – is generally thought of as better than no job at all. Consequently, low-paid work is often considered a “stepping stone” ...22 hours ago
- Maritime Union Says Deepening Supply Chain Crisis Requires ActionThe Maritime Union says New Zealand is facing a deepening crisis in our maritime supply chain, which requires bold thinking and speedy action to fix. Maritime Union of New Zealand National Secretary Craig Harrison says the global COVID-19 pandemic ...22 hours ago
- Ministry Releases Summary Of Submissions Into Refresh Of Death, Funerals, Burial And Cremation Legis...A refresh of the Burial and Cremation Act 1964 and related legislation is another step closer with a new summary of submissions. An initial report from the New Zealand Law Commission found the 1964 legislation needed a significant refresh to modernise ...23 hours ago
- NZ First is 'back' and Winston Peters will remain the leader, Shane Jones confirmsWinston Peters is leading his party into the 2023 election in a bid to re-enter Parliament, former New Zealand First MP Shane Jones has confirmed. ...24 hours ago
- Top economists call for budget measures to speed the switch to electric carsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Martin, Visiting Fellow, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Wes Mountain/The Conversation, CC BY-ND Australia’s top economists overwhelmingly back government measures to speed the transition to electric cars in order to meet emission reduction targets. An exclusive ...1 day ago
- How Wet & Forget grew from a DIY project to a multimillion-dollar empireWet & Forget founder Rod Jenden tells Jane Phare how he went from doing an early-morning bread run in an old van to establishing the iconic multimillion-dollar company, in this NZ Herald Premium article.Touring Wet & Forget’s new state-of-the-art headquarters in Auckland, you could be excused for thinking life has been ...1 day ago
- The Warehouse Pledges A Quarter Of A Million Dollars To Help Kiwi Kids Exposed To Family ViolenceA first of its kind report released today by Women’s Refuge and funded by long-term partner, The Warehouse Group, has revealed thatchildren exposed to family violence are far from passivepassengers in their mother’s journey. Children interviewed ...1 day ago
- Do not buy your child an axolotl because of a video gameA lizard that lives for 15 years and whose needs are almost impossible to meet in captivity makes for a terrible pet, warns Emily Writes. This post was first published on Emily Writes Weekly.If you’ve got a child who is Minecraft obsessed, chances are they’ve been talking about axolotls lately. A ...1 day ago
- Is your phone really listening to your conversations? Well, turns out it doesn’t have toSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dana Rezazadegan, Lecturer, Swinburne University of Technology Shutterstock Have you ever chatted with a friend about buying a certain item and been targeted with an ad for that same item the next day? If so, you may have wondered whether ...1 day ago
- Leaner, cost-effective, practical: how the 2032 Brisbane Games could save the OlympicsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kirsten Holmes, Professor, School of Management and Marketing, Curtin University Though the official vote won’t happen until next month, Brisbane has already unofficially been awarded the hosting of the 2032 Summer Olympics. This is potentially a great opportunity for Brisbane, Queensland ...1 day ago
- COVID vaccination has turned into a ‘battle of the brands’. But not everyone’s buying itSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Katie Attwell, Senior Lecturer, The University of Western Australia Screenshot/MarigoldCustom/Etsy When we were hanging out for a COVID-19 vaccine in 2020, it was a bit like a horse race. We asked ourselves which vaccine would get over the line to ...1 day ago
- China’s efforts to save its wandering elephants are laudable, but let’s not forget its bloody co...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Bill Laurance, Distinguished Research Professor and Australian Laureate, James Cook University Wild elephants are awe-inspiring — even if they’re trying to kill you, as I discovered in 2004. At the time I was studying how poachers and loggers threaten native mammals ...1 day ago
- NSW on a slow track to fast trains: promised regional rail upgrades are long overdueSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Philip Laird, Honorary Principal Fellow, University of Wollongong We have seen a succession of reviews, plans and election promises of faster and better train services for regional New South Wales, home to one third of the state’s population, in recent years. Yet ...1 day ago
- Bring out the popcorn: the best films set to roar into cinemas in the second half of 2021Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Daryl Sparkes, Senior Lecturer (Media Studies and Production), University of Southern Queensland Roadshow Films For cinephiles, one of the greatest blows of the initial COVID lockdown was the closure of cinemas. While we all quickly shifted to the smaller screen in ...1 day ago
- Live updates, June 21: ‘Up to the people of NZ First’ – Winston Peters on if he will be back i...Welcome to The Spinoff’s live updates for June 21, bringing you the latest news updated throughout the day. Get in touch at stewart@thespinoff.co.nz8.00am: ‘Up to the people of NZ First’ – Winston Peters on if he will be back in 2023Winston Peters has given his first media interview since returning ...1 day ago
- The people power behind Aotearoa’s delivery machineWith a network that covers Aotearoa in its entirety, it’s no wonder that NZ Post relies on more than 6,000 New Zealanders to keep their delivery machine moving. We met a few of its employees where they work, and discovered there’s more than one way to be a Post person.This ...1 day ago
- The Bulletin: How adoption laws could changeGood morning and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: How adoption laws could change, Winston Peters returns to the public eye, and family reunifications for migrant workers barely happening.It was a small Friday announcement, but could end up having significant impacts on how the law understands the structure of ...1 day ago
- NZ First is 'back', but will Winston Peters remain the leader?New Zealand First is set to make a political comeback but Winston Peters hasn't yet confirmed if he'll be sticking around to lead it. ...1 day ago
Must tell Crusher that this new prison is a beauty, but the fences could be higher.
“Hi kids, how is your day going?”
National unveil’s new bare bones classroom.
Under National’s new rules kids, lollies are for men like me and not for brownies like you.
John Key at a School
Oh look…where i belong….behind bars!!!
Potential private prison operators successfully lobby John Key for a new national standards test for schools.
… and those who fail go into the cage
“I enjoyed your post on the Standard the other day. Actually, I thought you were younger.”
Kiwi kids enjoying the latest addition to the zoos primate house…
“ummmm ….. ummmmm ….. – am i supposed to touch these kids?
Do you have my gloves?
ahhhmmmmm!!!! – Mr Handler, are you listening?!!
What, no gloves? Shit, i’ll just have to wing it …
Ok … Tarloofa larva tamariki
Now, about those new books we promised you … well, it’s not in the budget any more, and our party demographers tell me that most of you guys will just end up in a rathar similar position to your present one, or in a job where you don’t really need to read anyhow, so we figure it’s a rational spending curtailment.
We will however be increasing spending on prisons, so your accommodation will be fully government funded in the future!”
(Key flourishes peace signs with both hands) …
You want to get through the fence and go to the toilet, little girl? You can do that at the end of the day.
Young child, pointing:
“Everybody run! That big guy looks hungry.”
I can’t see Parekura or Gerry in the photo ?
National unveils its new approach to prison overcrowding – condition them while they’re young.
Todays’ fool checking out tomorrows school….. Battery education
Thinks to self…” great photo opp…..they don’t look japanese aside from the height….where’s Disneyland ? ….oh well another good weeks work, especially claimimg credit for that 4 year in the making trade deal…..awesum”
‘If your parents worked harder, you could be on this side of the fence with me’
(best thing we ever did, passing (under urgency) the sins of the father Act)
“Ur chainsawed edjucashun systum – let me show u eet”
I’ll have that one . . . that one . . and that one. Make sure they’re skinned, gutted and delivered before the weekend. Thanks.
That’s not very funny.
John Key goes shopping for his Waitangi Day chaperone.
lolz
The children the children let me touch the small children please please let me touch the children.
Eeew.
“Do you remember that day last year, kids, when those big Union vans came to take your parents away? Yes, scary wasn’t it!”
And the kids all sang:
“Ding Dong, the witch is dead!
Which old witch?
The wicked witch!
Ding Dong the wicked witch is dead!”
If you try really hard in your next test ‘Chopper’ Tolley might consider letting you out.
Quite a few strange comments about this caption competition.
There are adults here? or is this year 4?
Child no.1: Are you enjoying our trip to the circus?
Child No.2: Yes,it’s great! Hey isn’t that the clown that was on the Letterman show?
“Ok under privilaged kiddies lets free you all from labours welfare trap”
Hey kid, do you know where I can get my ghetto pass from?
one child: “Hello Mr Key”
another child: “Hello Prime Minister”
a couple of other childs: “giggle giggle”
Sign on fence says, Kids,Please don’t feed the Don Key.
Get used to it – your sort will always be on that side, my kind will always be on this side
“Watch my smile. See? When you have learned to read and count, then I will let you out. Trust me.”
get used to bars kids because labour wants to keep you poor
John Key receives family visit.
“Oooh, small hands. Great for picking fruit.”
[But seriously, righties? You could at least try to be funny with your entries.]
[ i know, it’s so sad]
KIDDIES WELCOME LEI-TEST PM NOSE-PROTECTOR: EYE-POKE-SAFE BUT HAND-SLIME STILL A PROBLEM SAY PARENTS
😆
Children farewell Ronald McDonald at Reykjavik airport.
wooohoo look at me….NZ’s single worst PM who has followed NZ’s single most successful PM.