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The daily critics whinge
Written By: - Date published: 4:09 pm, April 16th, 2021 - 22 comments
I was just reading a post by Bryan Gould on his current perspective on news media in “The Government v. the people”. It resonated because some news and opinion media are getting tedious. It made me reflect on my current habits because much of what he is discussing is that I remember as something in my rear view mirror. Not what I do today.
The Unbearable Lightness of the Bright-Line Test
Written By: - Date published: 4:20 pm, March 13th, 2021 - 96 comments
The bright-line test is a red herring and does nothing to deter housing speculation.
You have 30 min to get your business in order!
Written By: - Date published: 12:50 pm, March 12th, 2021 - 77 comments
Government should have announced the decision for Auckland to go down to Level 1 first thing this morning.
So! You want a “plan”?
Written By: - Date published: 4:36 pm, March 11th, 2021 - 50 comments
Expecting a bit much aren’t you? We haven’t had that since Muldoon. At least he had them. The kind of people now asking for a plan were those who complained about governments that “interfered with the sacred ‘free market’” and screamed about “central planning”, “picking winners”, “protectionism” etc. They prefer just getting cheap labour to give the illusion of economic growth. And build a cycleway!
Senior Business Leaders Call Out To Government. Again
Written By: - Date published: 8:12 am, March 3rd, 2021 - 41 comments
Senior business leaders have called for more openness and clarity from the Government on its plan for getting New Zealand to “COVID normal”. But have failed to say what they would do to contribute or what they are doing to help.
Is New Zealand’s The Best Little Economy In The World?
Written By: - Date published: 7:23 am, January 26th, 2021 - 53 comments
New Zealand is the best-managed country in the world. And currently has one of the best economies.
C’mon Grant
Written By: - Date published: 10:40 am, November 18th, 2020 - 51 comments
This government must demonstrate that it has the ability to lead the New Zealand economy where it has stated it wants it to go. It does not want more headlines like the average house in Auckland now being priced at $1 million.
Mood of the Boardroom: National is toast
Written By: - Date published: 11:07 am, September 28th, 2020 - 45 comments
The NZ Herald Mood of the Boardroom finance election debate should be for National what it is like attending a Living Wage campaign meeting for Labour. They should be at home and the participants should be solidly behind them. But not this year.
Choosing ‘enough’ rather than ‘more’
Written By: - Date published: 6:05 am, September 18th, 2020 - 104 comments
A brief look at steady state economics and the values of enough rather than more.
“Reds under the Bed”.
Written By: - Date published: 8:40 am, September 4th, 2020 - 78 comments
Everyone has recently had an education on “Socialism” working in practice.
And a graphic illustration of the shortcomings, of under regulated “Free market” Capitalism, Globalism, tax cuts for the rich, and the mania for monetising everything in sight, and “running it like a business”.
National’s policy platform
Written By: - Date published: 8:35 am, August 5th, 2020 - 45 comments
For a party that promised to be a policy factory National’s policy offerings are severely deficient.
Quarantine costs – critics fruitlessly whine
Written By: - Date published: 9:13 am, July 30th, 2020 - 28 comments
I’m reasonably happy with where the coalition wound up on the quarantine cost recovery. It sends a clear economic signal to businesses and the fools who want to travel during a global pandemic. It will discourage some of the stupidity of the travel addicted. It also balances the legal position. Something that most of the critics clearly aren’t thinking through and cause them to whine without realistic alternatives
New Zealand believes Labour are better economic managers than National
Written By: - Date published: 7:51 am, July 28th, 2020 - 51 comments
There used to be a mantra in New Zealand politics that National were always perceived to be better managers of the economy than Labour. Until now.
We don’t know how lucky we are
Written By: - Date published: 10:59 am, June 24th, 2020 - 32 comments
Looking at the rises in covid-19 infections worldwide is just damn depressing. Looking at the media and Nat supporters, the world, and covid-19 -ll I can say is thank you for the internet. And the kiwis who aren’t listening to the whining about here because they can see the slow disaster unfolding elsewhere with incompetent governments.
Babylon’s Burning
Written By: - Date published: 3:17 pm, June 5th, 2020 - 24 comments
Nothing changes
Is National Just Inconsistent or Incompetent?
Written By: - Date published: 7:00 am, June 1st, 2020 - 65 comments
National’s new job-creation scheme appears to be inconsistent with their desire to fully re-instate the 90-day trial period.
What has the Government ever done for business?
Written By: - Date published: 1:33 pm, May 29th, 2020 - 19 comments
Borrowing heavily from Monty Python’s Life of Brian Labour MP Deborah Russell sets out what the Government is doing for small business in these Covid 19 times.
Should Parents and Teachers Defy the Government?
Written By: - Date published: 4:02 pm, May 16th, 2020 - 66 comments
School’s back on Monday, but the medical community is still struggling to understand covid 19
Rebuild better post COVID
Written By: - Date published: 7:00 am, May 2nd, 2020 - 46 comments
A Guest blog from E tū Assistant National Secretary, Annie Newman. “Democracy creates a space for the market, civil society and the government but it doesn’t guarantee a balance between these spheres. That is government’s role. Right now, there is an opportunity for our government to do more than protect the future of business; it can address the imbalance in our democracy where the market dominates the agenda.”
Are the Vultures Already Circling Above?
Written By: - Date published: 7:00 am, April 14th, 2020 - 116 comments
We cannot go back to business as usual after the lockdown but can we shape the way things will be for the greater good?
UBI Now, Please
Written By: - Date published: 9:19 am, March 25th, 2020 - 75 comments
Universal Basic Income is on the Government’s Covid-19 survival agenda. NZ needs it now, and NZ will need it tomorrow too.
Fire in the Sky – Smoke in the city
Written By: - Date published: 7:28 am, October 25th, 2019 - 20 comments
Joe Carolyn from Unite Union has posted on the effects of the Sky Convention Centre fire on workers at Sky City.
Why unions won’t give up on Fair Pay Agreements
Written By: - Date published: 7:11 am, October 18th, 2019 - 40 comments
The CTU has launched a campaign to raise awareness about a discussion paper released by the Government on fair pay agreements amongst media comment that government support may not be secure.
Rates, debt, growth and PPP
Written By: - Date published: 9:38 am, October 8th, 2019 - 33 comments
Stuff had an interesting piece looking at rates, taxes and local infrastructure “Rates are much lower than you think, and they’re responsible for miserable growth in cities”. They just missed out one crucial factor. The way that PPP debates often block infrastructure. Interesting that got missed..
The Government’s Economic Development Plan
Written By: - Date published: 7:35 am, September 30th, 2019 - 15 comments
Last week the government launched its Economic Development Plan, arguably late but with lots of useful initiatives.
Should the Government spend massively more?
Written By: - Date published: 3:18 pm, August 8th, 2019 - 58 comments
With yesterday’s announcement by the Reserve Bank to cut interest rates by 1%, some are suggesting that the government should embark on a massive public works spree to stimulate the economy while increasing national debt at low interest rates. But Kiwisaver reform may be more effective.
The strait of Hormuz
Written By: - Date published: 8:44 am, July 20th, 2019 - 49 comments
With the seizing of an oil tanker by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz today as a presumably tit-for-tat escalation for British seizing an Iranian ship, and the U.S. Navy harassing their coastline, we are in for a senseless and dangerous political escalation.
ANZ worried that it may be required to hold sufficient reserves
Written By: - Date published: 7:05 am, July 3rd, 2019 - 105 comments
ANZ is complaining that the Reserve Bank wants it to hold additional capital in case of a run on the banks.
Results matter
Written By: - Date published: 9:34 am, June 21st, 2019 - 29 comments
Everyone knows that getting employers to increase rates of pay and improve conditions of work takes real pressure and the only real way working people can exert pressure, in the unbalanced relationship that exists between individual employees and employers, is by acting together; collectively. And that’s what we’ve been doing week in, week out and getting real results.
Flact Tax
Written By: - Date published: 7:54 am, June 17th, 2019 - 175 comments
Act has proposed a tax increase for the bottom 64% of all tax payers.
The Coming Global Economic Slowdown and New Zealand
Written By: - Date published: 8:45 am, June 3rd, 2019 - 49 comments
With the United States – China trade war well underway, the sick chaos of Brexit is shrinking the U.K. economy and slowing much of Europe’s economy, and smaller economies such as that of Mexico in the crosshairs through further politically manufactured trade disputes, the second half of this year looks for New Zealand nowhere near as rosy as the first half.
- A Fast Train To A Sustainable Future.
Future Proofed: KiwiRail needs to become an all-electrically-powered, broad-gauged, and comprehensively re-equipped state-owned enterprise with state-of-the-art locomotives and rolling-stock. An infrastructure project of massive proportions and prodigious expense is required. But, when it is completed, New Zealand will have a sustainable, twenty-first century transportation network, capable of carrying both passengers ...6 hours ago - Serves them right
Back in December, the government purchased Ihumatāo. Officially the purchase was for a housing project, but whether any houses actually get built (and who will own them) is subject to negotiation. And now, the Auditor-General has ruled the purchase unlawful: The deal struck by the government and Fletcher Building ...8 hours ago - Bryce Edwards: Political Roundup – National has bigger problems than its leadership
Speculation about the National Party’s leadership has died down, after a fortnight of rumours and overt positioning by supposed challengers to Judith Collins. She lives on as leader for a bit longer, and Christopher Luxon and Simon Bridges have been put in their place. National now desperately needs to focus ...9 hours ago - An inappropriate gagThe government is planning to reform the health system. But in the leadup, they've issued new guidance for DHB members, gagging them from criticising the government: A new code of conduct banning health board members from making “political comment” may have been timed to dull criticism of imminent changes ...10 hours ago
- Presentation: The housing crisis, taxation policy and restoring equity
Susan St John & Terry Baucher The bright line test has been extended to ten years. Tax deductibility for the cost of a mortgage for landlords is to be removed. These steps are a start, but there is more to be done. In Susan and Terry, we have two advocates ...12 hours ago - NZ Politics Daily: 20 April 2021NZ-China relations: Mahuta Speech Tim Watkin (Pundit): Taniwha New Zealand shows its foreign policy teeth to the world. But what does it mean? Sam Sachdeva (Newsroom): Mahuta treads a careful but clear line on China Alexander Gillespie (The Conversation): Without evidence of real progress, NZ’s foreign policy towards China looks increasingly empty Luke Malpass and Thomas Coughlan ...16 hours ago
- Taniwha New Zealand shows its foreign policy teeth to the world. But what does it mean?
As New Zealand and Australia celebrated its close ties with the opening of the Trans-Tasman Covid-19 bubble, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta today was looking a little further north. Shortly after those first flights had taken off, reminding us all of the world beyond our shores, Mahuta gave just her second ...23 hours ago - sam bailey on isolating viruses, and why she is wrong
Recently I was told I needed to go to the Youtube channel of Dr Sam BaileyA and watch one of her videosB. So I did. This particular video is called The Truth About Virus Isolation, and yes it’s on Youtube, and no I’m not linking directly because I refuse to ...1 day ago - 'Disinformation ecosystem' – in broader context beyond climate
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Peter Sinclair This edition of Yale Climate Connections’ “This Is Not Cool” video explores the “disinformation ecosystem” in and beyond the issue of global climate change. “How did we get here?” independent videographer Peter Sinclair asks rhetorically at the start of the ...1 day ago - The progressive case against cancel culture
Once upon a time, the left fought for the universal right to freedom of speech. Today, many self-proclaimed progressives cheer on the censorship of their political opponents. But it’s not just right-wingers who suffer from cancel culture. The left itself is often the primary victim. Dan Kovalik is a labour lawyer, peace ...1 day ago - Peter Dutton supports war crimesDuring their time in Afghanistan Australian special forces committed war crimes, murdering 39 Afghan civilians and prisoners of war and working together to cover it up. This was not a case of a few sociopaths killing in secret, but of utterly corrupt units who knew of, tolerated, and in some ...1 day ago
- Is The Government’s Proposed “Cure” For Hate Speech Worse Than The Complaint?1 day ago
- NZ Politics Daily: 19 April 2021Housing crisis Reuters: ‘Explosion of wealth inequality’ as housing boom leaves many behind – economist Dan Satherley (Newshub): Housing crisis: Price falls coming, but ‘nothing compared to’ how much they’ve risen – economists Miriam Bell (Stuff): What will happen if house prices fall? Tara Shaskey (Stuff): Poverty will cripple Māori if housing crisis is not addressed – iwi leader ...2 days ago
- Hate Speech bad, Hate Economics acceptable.
by Don Franks Details of proposed new hate speech laws have been revealed in a December Cabinet paper obtained by Newsroom. The paper, seeking to “strengthen the protections against hate speech”, would extend existing provisions against incitement and hate speech. It would also move hate speech offences from the Human Rights Act to ...2 days ago - 2021 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #16Listing of articles linked to on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, Apr 11, 2021 through Sat, Apr 17, 2021 Not having had a chance to garner much attention by the time last week's review was published, the last article in that batch - First-Ever Observations From ...2 days ago
- Why did New Zealand’s CO2 emissions blow out so spectacularly in 2019?Every year in April, the trees start changing colour, the clocks go back an hour, and the national greenhouse gas figures are released and promptly forgotten. They take fifteen months to prepare, so by the time they come out it’s very easy for commentators to point out that they are ...3 days ago
- why it’s important to check sourcesWhile checking my spam folder (before yeeting the contents permanently) I noticed that I’d been sent a bunch of email ‘newsletters’ from the group “Voices for Freedom.” Out of interest I opened one, just in case the contents were worth a post or two – & indeed they were. The ...3 days ago
- Deceptive and dangerous dichotomisation.
Humans are hard-wired to classify, categorise and compare, or in other words, to taxonomize. We may be born tabula rasa but quickly are taught that the world is divided into types of things, subtypes of those and assorted other categories. The operative term is “taught” rather than “realise.” Taxonomies are ...3 days ago - Bryce Edwards: Political Roundup – The Government’s historic ban on live animal exportsThe Labour Government received plaudits this week for its historic announcement that it will ban the live export of animals by sea. It’s said to be a world first. The decision comes after years of pressure, which increased after last year’s tragedy when the ship Gulf Livestock 1 left New ...3 days ago
- Mystery in the Library 2021
As one does on a Friday evening, I yesterday made a point of heading along to the Dunedin Public Library’s event, Mystery in the Library. This was a panel of local crime-fiction writers, and a follow-up to a similar one in April 2019 (no prizes for guessing why ...3 days ago - Will The 2021 Budget Be Focused on Wellbeing?
Now is about the time that the Government is getting its Budget Strategy togetherIn the week before the budget – the 2021 one is to be delivered on Thursday 20 May – there is a strange ritual in which all the commentariat and lobbyists (who are not necessarily distinct from ...4 days ago - Climate Change: Admitting itClimate Change Minister James Shaw has admitted that the government is not doing enough on climate change: Appearing on Breakfast alongside Greenpeace director and former Green Party leader Russel Norman, the current Greens co-leader was asked: “Are you as Government living up to promise of delivery implicit in those ...4 days ago
- The Government v. the People?
We can all agree that a free press (and free media more generally) are important factors in a well-functioning democracy. But I am beginning to wonder if they provide us with an unalloyed benefit. I am an avid consumer of daily news – whether delivered by the press or by ...4 days ago - Why Haven’t They … ? How to Explain this Government’s Baffling Refusal to Solve New Zealand’...Yes They Can - So Why Don't They? In matters relating to child poverty, homelessness, mental health, climate change and, of course, Covid-19, the answers are right in front of the Government's collective nose - often in the form of reports it has specifically commissioned. Why can’t Jacinda and her ...4 days ago
- Progress towards a Smokefree Aotearoa 2025 Action Plan: Congratulations to the GovernmentRichard Edwards, Janet Hoek, Anaru Waa, George Thomson, Nick Wilson (author details*) We congratulate the NZ Government on its proposed Action Plan for the Smokefree Aotearoa 2025 goal. Here we examine the evidence for three key ideas outlined in the plan: permitting tobacco products to be sold in only ...5 days ago
- NZ Politics Daily: 16 April 2021National Party leadership Matthew Hooton (Herald): My message to National – and how to avoid another leadership fiasco(paywalled) Peter Dunne: National needs to sort out what it stands for before it thinks about leadership Jo Moir (Newsroom): National’s six months in a leaky boat Grant Duncan: The National Party’s leadership woes Government Peter Dunne (Newsroom): Can Covid-19 save Labour again in 2023? ...5 days ago
- Can The State Pull The Lone Wolf Terrorist’s Teeth?Punished, But Not Prevented: Though bitterly contested by those firmly convinced that the Christchurch Mosque Shootings represent something more than the crime of a Lone Wolf terrorist, the Royal Commission’s finding that no state agency could have prevented Brenton Tarrant from carrying out his deadly intent – except by chance ...5 days ago
- Govt pushing contentious gender identity lawThe Government has announced it intends making sex self-identification possible this year, as a priority. That would mean anyone could change the sex documented on their birth certificate by a simple declaration that they “identify” as the opposite sex. Speak Up For Women have launched a campaign encouraging New Zealanders ...5 days ago
- The cost of a rolling omnishamblesThe travel bubble with Australia has not brought room for others to come into the MIQ system from overseas. Instead, spaces are being decommissioned. Why? The system is leaky. The government cannot afford to let riskier people into those spaces, because the system can’t handle them. My column in Insights ...5 days ago
- “Ideologies Clashing”: as we slowly try to emerge from Covid, discontent rises.
A Second Term Labour-led Government in New Zealand, a new Biden-led Administration in the US, a continuance of the Johnson Government in the UK: different approaches to major issues, same global problems – and discontent rising. Some warranted, some unwarranted, but as each emerges from the Covid pandemic, what ...5 days ago - COVID vaccines and blood clots – what is this about?I will update this post as new information comes to hand What has happened? Recently the vaccine safety watch dogs in Europe noted reports of unusual types of blood clots in people vaccinated with the AstraZeneca (AZ) COVID-19 vaccine. This prompted investigations across many countries to ascertain what, why, and ...5 days ago
- Male fertility: how everyday chemicals are destroying sperm counts in humans and animalsAlex Ford, University of Portsmouth and Gary Hutchison, Edinburgh Napier University Within just a few generations, human sperm counts may decline to levels below those considered adequate for fertility. That’s the alarming claim made in epidemiologist Shanna Swan’s new book, “Countdown”, which assembles a raft of evidence to show that ...5 days ago
- vEGU21 – Gather online – PrologJust like last year, this year's General Assembly of the European Geosciences Union (EGU) will happen virtually instead of in person in Vienna. Contrary to last year, the organizers decided early on to hold their conference online and planned for it accordingly (quite a difference to last year's scramble where they switched ...5 days ago
- A True Story: Lucian of Samosata is Not Science-Fiction
Time for a strange rant. A very strange rant. But bear with me, because this is serious business. A True Story, by Lucian of Samosata is not Science-Fiction. What on earth am I talking about? Well, it was one of those Wikipedia rabbit holes. I was reading ...5 days ago - Otago locals rally to save fossils from destructionBy Kate Evans for Undark One of New Zealand’s most spectacular fossil sites originated 23.2 million years ago. It was formed in a valley dotted with small volcanoes, when rising magma deep below the Earth’s surface came into contact with groundwater. Lava and water don’t mix — they explode. The ...5 days ago
- No Place for Democratic-Socialists in the Undemocratic Neoliberal Government of the Auckland Superci...A Thorn In Their Side: As Chair of the Auckland Regional Council, Mike Lee made sure Auckland’s municipal resources remained in Aucklanders’ hands. Not surprisingly the neoliberal powers-that-be (in both their centre-left and centre-right incarnations) hated this last truly effective standard-bearer for democratic-socialist values and policies.MIKE LEE is the closest ...5 days ago
- so much misinformation on a page supposedly about healthIt’s always something of a shock to come across a page run by a health-focused business that contains substantial misinformation. This one left me gobsmacked, given the sheer number of statements that are demonstrably untrue. And while a fair bit of the content is prefaced by the statement that it’s ...5 days ago
- NZ Politics Daily: 15 April 2021Live animal export ban Stuff: Editorial – The tide goes out on animal exports Luke Malpass (Stuff): Government announces an end to livestock sea export industry Calla Wahlquist (The Guardian): New Zealand to stop exporting livestock by sea Mirjam Guesgen (Spinoff): Live animal exports have always been a problem No Right Turn: Why wait? RNZ: Government announces ban for live cattle exports by ...6 days ago
- Ian Powell: A very bureaucratic coup: Part OnePreviously (9 February) I wrote about how business consultants Ernst & Young were used to do a hatchet job on the former senior management team at Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB). While this hatchet job was planned in 2019 its gestation was much longer. Its underlying causes involved differences in ...6 days ago
- Skeptical Science New Research for Week #15, 2021Flying beneath the radar of guilt Fight or Flight: How Advertising for Air Travel Triggers Moral Disengagement (open access) by Stubenvoll & Neureiter not only takes an interesting approach to decomposing the effects of airline travel advertisements but also helps us to understand the general psychological landscape of our often conflicted ...6 days ago
- we haven’t taught critical thinking particularly wellYesterday I got told to “do some research” &, by extension, to think critically. The biologist in me cringed a little when I read it (and not because of the advice about doing research). Biology teachers I know suggested that perhaps everyone should take the NCEA standard that ...6 days ago
- Have introverts really fared better in lockdown?Lis Ku, De Montfort University Since the onset of the pandemic, everyone from newspaper columnists to Twitter users has advanced the now idea that extroverts and introverts are handling the crisis differently. Many claim that introverts adapt to social distancing and isolation better than extroverts, with some even suggesting that ...6 days ago
- evidence vs spinA friend of mine pointed me in the direction of this blog post by New Zealand’s “Plan B” group. While initially this group opposed the government’s use of lockdowns to manage covid19 outbreaks in this country, they seem to have since moved on to opposing the rollout of vaccines against ...6 days ago
- Getting outTwenty years after it invaded, the US is finally leaving Afghanistan. What's surprising is that it took them so long - its been clear for over a decade that their presence there was pointless and just pissing people off. But imperial pride leads to exactly this sort of stupidity. Their ...6 days ago
- Why wait?The government has announced that it will ban the export of livestock by sea. Huzzah! A vile, cruel and unconscionable trade will be ended! But there's a catch: the ban won't kick in until 2023, giving farmers two ful years to continue to profit from extreme animal cruelty. But why ...6 days ago
- An unexpected Member’s DayToday is unexpectedly a Member's Day - the Business Committee granted it early in the year, to make up for time list to government business. First up is a two-hour debate on the budget policy statement, with questions to Ministers, replacing the general debate. Then its the second reading of ...6 days ago
- A Tale of Two Schools…
. . Two stories which appeared almost side-by-side on RNZ’s website. Parent, Miranda Cross, was quoted as saying; “I think the expectations are that we can at least send our kids to school where they will receive an education.” An American parent would probably demand; “I think the expectations are ...7 days ago - NZ Politics Daily: 14 April 2021Housing crisis Henry Cooke (Stuff): Housing bonus: National say councils should be given $50,000 for every new house built Claire Trevett (Herald): National puts up its solution to housing shortage woes Nita Blake-Persen (RNZ): ‘Motel generation’ feared as emergency housing need continues Damian George (Stuff): City council brushes off criticism over $400m social housing gap Daily Telegraph (Herald): Why billionaires are snapping up second ...7 days ago
- Review: Vampire Girl vs. Frankenstein Girl [Film] (2009)
Time for reviewing something a bit different. Move over Tolkien adaptations, hello Japanese splatter movie. Specifically, a certain 2009 movie called Vampire Girl vs. Frankenstein Girl. I watched this one a few days ago with some acquaintances, never having seen it before, and not being familiar with the manga ...1 week ago - Forecasters predict an above-average Atlantic hurricane season in 2021This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Jeff Masters, PhD An above-average Atlantic hurricane season is likely in 2021, the Colorado State University (CSU) hurricane forecasting team says in its latest seasonal forecast issued April 8. Led by Dr. Phil Klotzbach, with coauthors Dr. Michael Bell and Jhordanne Jones, the CSU ...1 week ago
- Bryce Edwards: Political Roundup -The Māori Party needs to come cleanHow seriously does the Māori Party take issues of corruption and the untoward influence of big money in politics? Not very, based on how it’s handling a political finance scandal in which three large donations were kept hidden from the public. The party is currently making excuses, and largely failing ...1 week ago
- Climate Change: The latest inventoryThe annual inventory report [PDF] of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions has been released, showing a significant increase in emissions: (Note that this is UNFCCC accounting, not the weird fudged figures the Climate Change Commission is using). Emissions increased by almost 2 million tons in 2019, from 80.6 MT ...1 week ago
- The IPCA should not have to repeat itselfThe Independent Police Conduct Authority has ruled that the police detained a woman unlawfully and breached the Privacy Act when they used a fake traffic stop for intelligence gathering: Police have been found to have unlawfully detained a Māori woman and taken photos of her and her partner at ...1 week ago
- Following the ‘Yellow Brick Road’The melody from the classic movie Wizard of Oz echoes as Jacinta Ruru explains what inspired her to attend university, and her ambition to help create a more just society in Aotearoa. Jacinta, who affiliates to Raukawa and Ngāti Ranginui, specialises in the research areas of indigenous peoples and the law. ...1 week ago
- Climate Change: Still the climate arson partyStuff reports that National is refusing to back the Climate Change Commission's recommendations, which is apparently a Bad Thing: The National Party says it can’t support the Climate Change Commission’s draft plan to cut New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions unless changes are made. If National maintains this position when ...1 week ago
- Driven to serveDriven, accountable, unafraid to test limits and connected to the communities she serves are traits that come to mind when thinking about Dr Anne-Marie Jackson. (Ngāti Whātua, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kahu o Whangaroa, Ngāti Wai) She specialises in Māori physical education and health research disciplines while incorporating tikanga Māori and Te ...1 week ago
- Climate decisions in a car-reliant countryThis is my first post for a while. I have been a bit overwhelmed by other work in the last several weeks, with teaching and other commitments, and the blog has sadly suffered. But I’m still here. This morning, while sitting in a car in the permanent traffic jam through ...1 week ago
- Principled, Pragmatic AND Expedient? You Betcha! Replying To Paul Buchanan.Predatory Morality: Is geopolitical consultant, Paul Buchanan, right? Does the rest of the world truly monitor New Zealand’s miniscule contribution to the international arms trade so closely? Are foreign chancelleries truly so insensitive to their own governments’ complicity in the world’s horrors that they expect all other sovereign states to ...1 week ago
- NZ Politics Daily: 13 April 2021Maori Party referred to Police over donations Henry Cooke (Stuff): Māori Party referred to police over $328,000 in undeclared donations Rachel Sadler (Newshub): Māori Party undeclared donations: Electoral Commission notified as soon as error was noticed – party president Che Wilson David Farrar: Who are the mystery Maori Party funders? No Right Turn: The Māori Party’s hidden donations Claire Trevett (Herald): Election ...1 week ago
- Viking DNA and the pitfalls of genetic ancestry testsAnna Källén, Stockholm University and Daniel Strand, Uppsala University A middle-aged white man raises his sword to the skies and roars to the gods. The results of his genetic ancestry test have just arrived in his suburban mailbox. His eyes fill with tears as he learns that he is “0.012% ...1 week ago
- CTG National Newsletter – April 2021...1 week ago
- Background Paper: How can we achieve affordable, secure homes for everyone?March 2021 The housing crisis right now in New Zealand is one of our biggest contributors to income and wealth inequality. “With the explosive increase in sales and prices, those with houses have their income and/or wealth rapidly increasing, and those who are not on the property ladder are falling ...1 week ago
- Change coming to Samoa?Samoans went to the polls on Friday, and delivered a stinging blow to Prime Minister Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi one-party state. Pre-election Malielegaoi's Human Rights Protection Party had controlled 44 of 49 seats in Parliament, while using restrictive standing orders to prevent there from even being a recognised opposition in ...1 week ago
- More Evidence that Elimination is the Best COVID-19 Control Strategy for Health and the EconomyProf Nick Wilson, Dr Jennifer Summers, Prof Michael Baker In this blog we briefly consider a new Report from a European think tank that aims to identify an optimal COVID-19 response strategy. It considers mortality data, GDP impacts, and mobility data and suggests that COVID-19 elimination appears to be superior ...1 week ago
- The Māori Party’s hidden donationsSomething I missed on Friday: the Māori Party has been referred to police over failure to disclose donations over $30,000. Looking at the updated return of large donations, this is about $320,000 donated to them by three donors - John Tamihere, the National Urban Māori Authority, and Aotearoa Te Kahu ...1 week ago
- A Break In The Wave: Giving Effect To The UN Declaration On The Rights Of Indigenous Peoples In Aote...Stormy Seas: Will Jacinda Ardern's Labour Government stand behind the revolutionary proposals contained in He Puapua – the 20-year plan devised by a government appointed working group to realise the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Aotearoa/New Zealand?“GETTING AHEAD of the story” is one of the most ...1 week ago
- NZ Politics Daily: 12 April 2021Covid: India travel ban Sandeep Singh (RNZ): Indian travel ban leaves Kiwis stateless Audrey Young (Herald): Was Jacinda Ardern’s decision on India racist? (paywalled) Tess McClure (The Guardian): New Zealand suspension of travel from India questioned amid fears of racist backlash Siouxsie Wiles (Spinoff): The data behind the decision to suspend arrivals from India in NZ Golriz Ghahraman (Spinoff): Why NZ’s ...1 week ago
- Getting to Net ZeroWe have not been fans of the Climate Change Commission’s draft report. New Zealand has an Emissions Trading Scheme with a binding cap, and a declining path for net emissions in the covered sector. Measures taken within the covered sector cannot reduce net emissions. NZU not purchased by one sector get ...1 week ago
- 2021 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #15Listing of articles linked to on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, Apr 4, 2021 through Sat, Apr 10, 2021 The big news - at least from our perspective! - we shared on social media this week was Skeptical Science to expand impact as 501(c)(3) non-profit. Judging from ...1 week ago
- Principled, pragmatic or expedient.For several decades under Labour and National-led governments New Zealand has claimed to have an independent (and sometimes autonomous) foreign policy. This foreign policy independence is said to be gained by having a “principled but pragmatic” approach to international relations: principled when possible, pragmatic when necessary. More recently NZ foreign ...1 week ago
- The science denial being taught in schools
This video produced in Seattle looks at the gender identity curriculum used in schools in the US. A thin veneer of pseudoscience is being used to indoctrinate children with an ideology based on scientific and medical inaccuracies. ...1 week ago - Legal Beagle: A draft submission on the Harmful Digital Communications (Unauthorised Posting of Inti...
For once, I have written my submission on a bill with enough time to spare to both enocurage any of you who wants to make a submission to do so as well, and to give you time to spot the typos in mine.Louisa Wall's Harmful Digital Communications (Unauthorised Posting of Intimate ...1 week ago - there’s a word for this sort of misinformation about vaccinesA friend found a concerning FB post (see below – this is a public post & so I have not redacted the name) & – as you do – immediately queried it with Southern Cross Life & Health Insurance as well as sending the screenshot to me¹. We both read ...1 week ago
- Bryce Edwards: Political Roundup – Rumours of Collins being rolled by Luxon and BridgesJudith Collins’ National Party leadership is under more scrutiny, with increased talk in the media of her being replaced by brand new MP Christopher Luxon. For many commentators it’s just a question of “when” rather than “if” Collins is replaced. While others ponder whether Luxon really has what it takes ...2 weeks ago
- The choice is clear: Fair climate policy or no climate policyThis is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Richard Richels, Henry Jacoby, Ben Santer, and Gary Yohe President Biden has expressed a commitment to making equity a guiding principle in domestic policy formation. When applied to climate policy, it may help eliminate major obstacles to getting our own house in order. But ...2 weeks ago
- Labour's record: Creating better health outcomes for all
We’re committed to improving healthcare in New Zealand. And we have the record to prove it. ...8 hours ago - Tinkering around the edges won’t cut it for families struggling to survive
Research released today reinforces the need for significant changes to our social safety net, the Green Party says. ...12 hours ago - E karanga ana Te Pātī Kākāriki mo te waihangatanga o tētahi Manatū Hauora MāoriI tēnei tau i Waitangi, I whakahua ake te Tira o Te Mātāwaka o te Pātī Kākāriki i tā rātau aronga matua, ki te waihanga I tētahi Manatū Hauora Māori, mā Māori te kawe, mā Māori ngā whakahaere. Ko tā te tira; Kua rongohia ngā karanga a ngā Tangata Whenua, ...2 days ago
- The Greens call for an empowered independent Māori Health AuthorityDuring Waitangi this year the Green Party’s Te Mātāwaka caucus announced their priority for an independent Māori Health Authority. We have heard the call from Tangata Whenua wanting any authority to be independent, and properly resourced. ...2 days ago
- Pasifika mental wellbeing initiative must protect our communities: GreensThe Greens welcome $6.6 million from the Government’s $455 million programme to increase access to mental health and addiction services for our Pasifika communities in Auckland and Wellington. ...5 days ago
- Greens will embed tikanga Māori into rewrite of social security legislationThe Green Party is putting a Member’s Bill into the ballot today which will be a significant step towards overhauling the Social Security Act by embedding a tikanga Māori framework into the welfare system. ...5 days ago
- Strong relationship continues as Green Party renew MoU with E Tū unionThe Green Party have reaffirmed their strong commitment to the union movement in Aotearoa New Zealand by renewing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with E Tū. ...5 days ago
- Mana Ake expansion announcedSoon, more kids in Aotearoa will have access to the in-school mental health support that has boosted the resilience of tamariki and whānau in Canterbury. ...6 days ago
- Green Party plans significant rewrite of social security legislationThe Green Party is putting a Member’s Bill into the ballot today which will be a significant step towards overhauling the Social Security Act. ...6 days ago
- Service providers and communities call on Government to treat drugs as a health issueThe Green Party supports the open letter released today by a cross-sector coalition calling for the Government to treat all drug use as a health issue, to repeal and replace the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975. ...1 week ago
- Boosting small businessesSmall businesses are not only the heart of our economy – they’re also the heart of our communities. They provide important goods and services, as well as great employment opportunities. They know and love their locals. And after a tough year, they need our support! ...2 weeks ago
- Young Pasifika Leaders call for climate action: GreensGreen Party spokesperson for Pacific Peoples Teanau Tuiono MP, supports the demand from Pasifika communities fighting for climate action as their homelands are more at risk in the Pacific region. ...2 weeks ago
- Green Party supports climate strike demandsThe Green Party supports the six demands for climate action put forward by School Strike for Climate NZ, who are striking across the country today. ...2 weeks ago
- Systemic racism rooted in Māori victimisation reportThe Ministry of Justice Māori victimisation report, released today, reinforces what we already know about the impact of systemic racism in Aotearoa and that urgent action is needed. ...2 weeks ago
- Greens legacy bill to ensure a more inclusive and accessible Aotearoa to be debated in ParliamentRicardo Menéndez March’s Members Bill to ensure that disabled New Zealanders do not face discrimination for having a disability assist dog was today pulled from the biscuit tin to be debated in Parliament. ...2 weeks ago
- More businesses switching to clean energyMore businesses are making the switch to cleaner, more sustainable energy, with support from our Government. ...2 weeks ago
- More families better off, thanks to LabourMore than one million people will be better off from today, thanks to our Government’s changes to the minimum wage, main benefits and superannuation. ...3 weeks ago
- Health reform announcement
On Wednesday morning, Minister of Health Andrew Little and Associate Minister of Health (Māori) Peeni Henare are announcing major health reforms. You can watch the announcement live here from 8am Wednesday. ...5 hours ago - Alpine Fault research supports Government’s work planning and preparing for earthquakesNew research into the probability of an Alpine Fault rupture reinforces the importance of taking action to plan and prepare for earthquakes, Acting Minister for Emergency Management Kris Faafoi says. Research published by Dr Jamie Howarth of Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington today, shows there is a ...13 hours ago
- New Zealand to provide further support to UN North Korea sanctionsForeign Minister Nanaia Mahuta and Defence Minister Peeni Henare today announced that New Zealand is deploying a Royal New Zealand Air Force P-3K2 Orion maritime patrol aircraft in support of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctions on North Korea. The Resolutions, adopted unanimously by the UNSC between 2006 and 2017, ...13 hours ago
- Transmission Gully review shows flawed planning process should have been addressed before project st...The Transmission Gully Interim Review has found serious flaws at the planning stage of the project, undermining the successful completion of the four-lane motor north of Wellington Infrastructure Minister Grant Robertson and Transport Minister Michael Wood said. Grant Robertson said the review found the public-private partnership (PPP) established under the ...15 hours ago
- Australian Foreign Minister to visit Aotearoa New ZealandForeign Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced today that Australian Foreign Minister Hon Marise Payne will visit Aotearoa New Zealand for the first face-to-face Foreign Ministers’ Consulations since the COVID-19 pandemic began. “Australia is New Zealand’s closest and most important international partner. I’m very pleased to be able to welcome Hon Marise ...1 day ago
- Border exceptions will see more families reunitedHundreds more families who were separated by the border closure will be reunited under new border exceptions announced today, Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi said. “The Government closed the border to everyone but New Zealand citizens and residents, in order to keep COVID-19 out, keep our economy open and keep New ...1 day ago
- “He Taniwha He Tipua, He Tipua He Taniwha – The Dragon and the Taniwha”Hon Nanaia Mahuta, Foreign Minister 8.30am, 19 April 2021 [CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY] Speech to the NZCC Korihi Pō, Korihi Ao E rongo e turia no Matahau Nō Tū te winiwini, Nō Tū te wanawana Tū Hikitia rā, Tū Hapainga mai Ki te Whai Ao, Ki te Ao Mārama Tihei Mauri ...2 days ago
- Backing sustainable wool carpets to create a compelling yarn for New Zealand’s strong wool sectorThe Government is supporting a new project with all-wool New Zealand carpet company, Bremworth, which has its sights on developing more sustainable all-wool carpets and rugs, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor announced. The Ministry for Primary Industries is contributing $1.9 million towards Bremworth’s $4.9 million sustainability project through its Sustainable Food ...2 days ago
- New Zealand provides support to Timor-Leste for flooding and COVID-19 surgeNew Zealand is providing further support to Timor-Leste following severe flooding and the recent surge in COVID-19 cases, Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced today. “Our thoughts are with the people of Timor-Leste who have been impacted by the severe flooding and landslides at a time when the country is ...3 days ago
- WHANAU OF MĀORI BATTALION SOLDIERS REUNITED WITH MEDALSA ceremony has been held today in Gisborne where the unclaimed medals of 28 (Māori) Battalion C Company soldiers were presented to their families. After the Second World War, returning service personnel needed to apply for their medals and then they would be posted out to them. While most medals ...3 days ago
- SolarWinds compromise attributed to Russian state actorNew Zealand has today added its voice to the international condemnation of the malicious compromise and exploitation of the SolarWinds Orion platform. The Minister Responsible for the Government Communications Security Bureau, Andrew Little, says that New Zealand's international partners have analysed the compromise of the SolarWinds Orion platform and attributed ...4 days ago
- Queenstown roading project given fast track approvalAn expert consenting panel has approved the Queenstown Arterials Project, which will significantly improve transport links and reduce congestion for locals and visitors in the tourism hotspot. Environment Minister David Parker welcomed the approval for the project that will construct, operate and maintain a new urban road around Queenstown’s town ...4 days ago
- Screen industry secures landmark projectEconomic and Regional Development Minister Stuart Nash says a landmark deal has been agreed with Amazon for The Lord of the Rings TV series, currently being filmed in New Zealand. Mr Nash says the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) secures multi-year economic and tourism benefits to New Zealand, outside the screen ...4 days ago
- Report into review of health response to lead contamination releasedThe Government welcomes the findings from a rapid review into the health system response to lead contamination in Waikouaiti’s drinking water supply. Sample results from the town’s drinking-water supply showed intermittent spikes in lead levels above the maximum acceptable value. The source of the contamination is still under investigation by ...4 days ago
- NZ Upgrade Programme revs up economic recoveryTransport Minister Michael Wood today marked the start of construction on the New Zealand Upgrade Programme’s Papakura to Drury South project on Auckland’s Southern Motorway, which will create hundreds of jobs and support Auckland’s economic recovery. The SH1 Papakura to Drury South project will give more transport choices by providing ...4 days ago
- Speech releasing the Digital Council's report 'Towards Trustworthy and Trusted Automated D...CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY E ngā mana, e ngā reo, e ngā karanga maha o te wa, tēnā koutou, tēna koutou, tēna tātou katoa. Ki ngā mana whenua, ko Ngāi Tahu, ko Waitaha, ko Kāti Māmoe anō nei aku mihi ki a koutou. Nōku te hōnore kia haere mai ki te ...4 days ago
- Green light for 10 minute e-bus to Auckland AirportTransport Minister Michael Wood today marked the completion of upgrades to State Highway 20B which will give Aucklanders quick electric bus trips to and from the airport. The State Highway 20B Early Improvements project has added new lanes in each direction between Pukaki Creek Bridge and SH20 for buses and ...5 days ago
- Review into greyhound racing announcedThe Government is putting in place a review of the work being done on animal welfare and safety in the greyhound racing industry, Grant Robertson announced today. “While Greyhound Racing NZ has reported some progress in implementing the recommendations of the Hansen Report, recent incidents show the industry still has ...5 days ago
- Road safety boosted by increased penalty for mobile use while drivingThe infringement fee for using a mobile phone while driving will increase from $80 to $150 from 30 April 2021 to encourage safer driving, Transport Minister Michael Wood announced today. Michael Wood said too many people are still picking up the phone while driving. “Police issued over 40,000 infringement notices ...5 days ago
- Pacific mental wellbeing supported across Auckland and WellingtonPacific people in New Zealand will be better supported with new mental health and addiction services rolling out across the Auckland and Wellington regions, says Aupito William Sio. “One size does not fit all when it comes to supporting the mental wellbeing of our Pacific peoples. We need a by ...6 days ago
- Fresh approach proposed to Smokefree 2025New measures are being proposed to accelerate progress towards becoming a smokefree nation by 2025, Associate Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall announced. “Smoking or exposure to second-hand smoke kills around 12 people a day in New Zealand. Recent data tells us New Zealand’s smoking rates continue to decrease, but ...6 days ago
- Govt expands Mana Ake to provide more school-based mental wellbeing supportMore children will be able to access mental wellbeing support with the Government expansion of Mana Ake services to five new District Health Board areas, Health Minister Andrew Little says. The Health Minister made the announcement while visiting Homai School in Counties Manukau alongside Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Associate ...6 days ago
- Record Number of People Move Into WorkThe Government’s COVID-19 response has meant a record number of people moved off a Benefit and into employment in the March Quarter, with 32,880 moving into work in the first three months of 2021. “More people moved into work last quarter than any time since the Ministry of Social Development ...6 days ago
- Significant global progress made under Christchurch CallA stocktake undertaken by France and New Zealand shows significant global progress under the Christchurch Call towards its goal to eliminate terrorist and violent extremist content online. The findings of the report released today reinforce the importance of a multi-stakeholder approach, with countries, companies and civil society working together to ...6 days ago
- New chair of interim TAB NZ Board appointedRacing Minister Grant Robertson has announced he is appointing Elizabeth Dawson (Liz) as the Chair of the interim TAB NZ Board. Liz Dawson is an existing Board Director of the interim TAB NZ Board and Chair of the TAB NZ Board Selection Panel and will continue in her role as ...6 days ago
- Government to phase out live exports by seaThe Government has announced that the export of livestock by sea will cease following a transition period of up to two years, said Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor. “At the heart of our decision is upholding New Zealand’s reputation for high standards of animal welfare. We must stay ahead of the ...7 days ago
- Workshop on Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems – opening remarksWORKSHOP ON LETHAL AUTONOMOUS WEAPONS SYSTEMS Wednesday 14 April 2021 MINISTER FOR DISARMAMENT AND ARMS CONTROL OPENING REMARKS Good morning, I am so pleased to be able to join you for part of this workshop, which I’m confident will help us along the path to developing New Zealand’s national policy on ...7 days ago
- Inter-prison kapa haka competition launchedFor the first time, all 18 prisons in New Zealand will be invited to participate in an inter-prison kapa haka competition, Corrections Minister Kelvin Davis announced today. The 2021 Hōkai Rangi Whakataetae Kapa Haka will see groups prepare and perform kapa haka for experienced judges who visit each prison and ...7 days ago
- Government takes step forward on counter terrorism lawsThe Government has introduced the Counter-Terrorism Legislation Bill, designed to boost New Zealand's ability to respond to a wider range of terrorist activities. The Bill strengthens New Zealand’s counter-terrorism legislation and ensures that the right legislative tools are available to intervene early and prevent harm. “This is the Government’s first ...1 week ago
- Carbon neutral government a step closerCoal boiler replacements at a further ten schools, saving an estimated 7,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide over the next ten years Fossil fuel boiler replacements at Southern Institute of Technology and Taranaki DHB, saving nearly 14,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide over the next ten years Projects to achieve a total ...1 week ago
- Appointment of Chief Parliamentary CounselAttorney-General David Parker today announced the appointment of Cassie Nicholson as Chief Parliamentary Counsel for a term of five years. The Chief Parliamentary Counsel is the principal advisor and Chief Executive of the Parliamentary Counsel Office (PCO). She is responsible for ensuring PCO, which drafts most of New Zealand’s legislation, provides ...1 week ago
- Emissions report shows urgent action neededEvery part of Government will need to take urgent action to bring down emissions, the Minister for Climate Change, James Shaw said today in response to the recent rise in New Zealand’s greenhouse emissions. The latest annual inventory of New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions shows that both gross and net ...1 week ago
- NZ becomes first in world for climate reportingCommerce and Consumer Affairs Minister David Clark says Aotearoa New Zealand has become the first country in the world to introduce a law that requires the financial sector to disclose the impacts of climate change on their business and explain how they will manage climate-related risks and opportunities. The Financial ...1 week ago
- Awards celebrate the food and fibre sector employer excellenceExceptional employment practices in the primary industries have been celebrated at the Good Employer Awards, held this evening at Parliament. “Tonight’s awards provided the opportunity to celebrate and thank those employers in the food and fibres sector who have gone beyond business-as-usual in creating productive, safe, supportive, and healthy work ...1 week ago
- Tourism Infrastructure Fund now openApplications are now invited from all councils for a slice of government funding aimed at improving tourism infrastructure, especially in areas under pressure given the size of their rating bases. Tourism Minister Stuart Nash has already signalled that five South Island regions will be given priority to reflect that jobs ...1 week ago
- Electricity Networks Association (ENA) Annual Cocktail Speech 2021Tēnā koutou e ngā maata waka Tenā koutou te hau kāinga ngā iwi o Te Whanganui ā TaraTēnā koutou i runga i te kaupapa o te Rā. No reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tatou katoa. It is a pleasure to be here tonight. Thank you Graeme (Peters, ENA Chief ...1 week ago
- Construction Skills Action Plan delivering early on targetsThe Construction Skills Action Plan has delivered early on its overall target of supporting an additional 4,000 people into construction-related education and employment, says Minister for Building and Construction Poto Williams. Since the Plan was launched in 2018, more than 9,300 people have taken up education or employment opportunities in ...1 week ago
- Youth Justice residence offers new pathwayAn innovative new Youth Justice residence designed in partnership with Māori will provide prevention, healing, and rehabilitation services for both young people and their whānau, Children’s Minister Kelvin Davis announced today. Whakatakapokai is located in South Auckland and will provide care and support for up to 15 rangatahi remanded or ...1 week ago
- The Duke of EdinburghPrime Minister Jacinda Ardern today expressed New Zealand’s sorrow at the death of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. “Our thoughts are with Her Majesty The Queen at this profoundly sad time. On behalf of the New Zealand people and the Government, I would like to express ...2 weeks ago
- Five Country Ministerial CommuniquéWe, the Home Affairs, Interior, Security and Immigration Ministers of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States of America (the ‘Five Countries’) met via video conference on 7/8 April 2021, just over a year after the outbreak of the COVID-19 global pandemic. Guided by our shared ...2 weeks ago
- Fiji breach at quarantine ‘an incident waiting to happen’ as new cases cited
Asia Pacific Report newsdesk Fiji Health Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Dr James Fong says the breach at the quarantine facility in Nadi was an incident waiting to happen. He was reported saying this by Fiji Village News as reports of random announcements of new cases were being made with journalists citing ...3 hours ago - Not criminals or passive victims: media need to reframe their representation of Aboriginal deaths in...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amanda Porter, Senior Fellow (Indigenous Programs), The University of Melbourne Cultural warning: This article contains names and images of deceased Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This article also contains links to graphic footage of police violence. This month marks 30 years ...4 hours ago
- Peters legal fight against tigers and Russian dolls
It was a day in court that shot former Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters back into the Wellington spotlight on Tuesday. It’s one of few public appearances since his New Zealand First party failed to return to Parliament six months ago, writes political editor Jo Moir. Immaculately dressed in suit, ...4 hours ago - Bryce Edwards: National has bigger problems than its leadership
Opinion - Speculation about National's leadership has died down, writes Bryce Edwards: Judith Collins lives on as leader, but the party desperately needs to rebuild. ...4 hours ago - The education minister wants graduating teachers to be ‘classroom-ready’. But the classroom is n...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Terri Seddon, Professor of Education, La Trobe University Federal Education Minister Alan Tudge has launched a six-month review into teacher education. The aim is to return Australian students to the top of international rankings in reading, maths and science by 2030. In ...4 hours ago
- National defends Transmission Gully after serious planning flaws foundThe National Party is defending its role in the Transmission Gully, following a scathing review that found the project was flawed from the get-go. ...4 hours ago
- What is suffragette white? The colour has a 110-year history as a protest toolSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Staff, PhD Candidate, Australian National University “Suffragette white” is proving to be a popular fashion choice for women who want to make a statement. Most recently, former Australia Post CEO Christine Holgate donned a white jacket in her appearance before a ...5 hours ago
- We’re gathering data on COVID vaccine side effects in real time. Here’s what you can expectSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Natasha Yates, Assistant Professor, General Practice, Bond University Although the country’s vaccine rollout is not progressing entirely as planned, thousands of Australians continue to receive their COVID vaccines every week. As a general practitioner administering the AstraZeneca vaccine, I find it strange ...5 hours ago
- Winston Peters in court to appeal privacy leak decisionWinston Peters was back in court today, appealing a decision made last year where he was ordered to pay nearly $320,000. ...6 hours ago
- Wise Response Thinks Growth Problem Is The Issue PM Ardern Should Address At Climate Summit
In meeting virtually with President Joe Biden and 39 other world leaders, PM Jacinda Ardern should press home the need to confront the current global economic model based on limitless growth. ‘It has failed us,’ says Wise Response chair, Prof. Liz ...6 hours ago - So a helicopter flew on Mars for the first time. A space physicist explains why that’s such a big ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gail Iles, Senior Lecturer in Physics, RMIT University Yesterday at 9pm Australian Eastern standard time, the Ingenuity helicopter — which landed on Mars with the Perseverance rover in February — took off from the Martian surface. More importantly, it hovered for about ...6 hours ago
- Sometimes people can do with a break: 3 ways tax debt relief rules are too toughSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ann Kayis-Kumar, Associate Professor, UNSW When Debbie (not her real name) lost her main client and was left without a reliable income, the sole trader sold her home and adjoining investment unit to pay off her debts and ensure she had the ...6 hours ago
- A helicopter flew on Mars for the first time. A space physicist explains why that’s such a big dea...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gail Iles, Senior Lecturer in Physics, RMIT University Yesterday at 9pm Australian Eastern standard time, the Ingenuity helicopter — which landed on Mars with the Perseverance rover in February — took off from the Martian surface. More importantly, it hovered for about ...6 hours ago
- Climate explained: what was the Medieval warm period?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Frédérik Saltré, Research Fellow in Ecology for the ARC Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage, Flinders University CC BY-ND Climate Explained is a collaboration between The Conversation, Stuff and the New Zealand Science Media Centre to answer your questions about ...6 hours ago
- Men have been hit harder by the COVID recession than women. What matters now is what we do about itSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Martin, Visiting Fellow, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Of all the weak targets ever adopted by Australian governments, one of the weakest has to have been an unemployment rate “comfortably below six per cent” in last year’s budget. ...6 hours ago
- Here’s hoping Transport Minister applies Transmission Gully lessons (and delays) to Light Rail pro...
The Transmission Gully interim review has found serious flaws at the planning stage of the 27km highway, “undermining” the successful completion of the four-lane motorway north of Wellington, according to Infrastructure Minister Grant Robertson and Transport Minister Michael Wood. Grant Robertson said the review found the public-private partnership (PPP) established ...7 hours ago - Mind the gap: How Auckland Transport plans to tackle its diversity problem
With less than 1% of Auckland Transport’s senior leaders of Pacific descent, Justin Latif asks what the council-controlled organisation is doing to turn that around.“It’s just a battle to be heard.”Kim* is of Pacific descent, has held a variety of roles across local government, and is very familiar with the ...7 hours ago - Unions Call On Government To Halt Ratifying Trade Agreement With MyanmarThe Council of Trade Unions has today formally written to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Nanaia Mahuta and the Minister for Trade, Hon. Damien O’Connor calling on them to take action to halt ratifying the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership ...7 hours ago
- Ihumātao land deal 'unlawful' until validated by Parliament – Auditor-GeneralTwo important omissions in the ministry's process for the sale and purchase of the land at Ihumātao means the deal is "unlawful" until it is validated by Parliament. ...7 hours ago
- Response To Concerns About The Government’s Purchase Of Land At IhumātaoLast month, David Seymour MP and Nicola Willis MP wrote separately to our Office about the Government’s purchase of land at Te Puke Tāpapatanga a Hape (commonly referred to as Ihumātao). They had concerns about: $29.9 million of the appropriation ...7 hours ago
- Review: Mare of Easttown is Kate Winslet at her bestKate Winslet descends on television once again to deliver a career-best performance in a cop drama that doesn’t quite deserve it, writes Sam Brooks.Let’s be up front about this: Kate Winslet is one of the greatest actors of her generation, and the reason you’re interested in Mare of Easttown at ...8 hours ago
- Bryce Edwards’ Political Roundup: National has bigger problems than its leadershipAnalysis by Bryce Edwards Political scientist, Dr Bryce Edwards. Speculation about the National Party’s leadership has died down, after a fortnight of rumours and overt positioning by supposed challengers to Judith Collins. She lives on as leader for a bit longer, and Christopher Luxon and Simon Bridges have been put ...8 hours ago
- Attorney-General Must Take The Fall For Unlawful Ihumātao DealResponding To The Auditor-General’s Finding That The Government's $30 Million Ihumātao Deal Was Unlawful, New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union Spokesman Louis Houlbrooke Says:“Today we learn that the Government didn’t just capitulate to illegal occupiers ...8 hours ago
- Yes, we impose sanctions (when the UN says we should) and will despatch an Orion to ensure they aren...
Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta has had a busy two days. Hard on the heels of echoing the title of a book edited by academic writer Manying Ip to headline an important policy speech, she was announcing the visit here this week of Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne for ministerial ...8 hours ago - Not criminals or passive victims: Reframing the media’s representation of Aboriginal deaths in cus...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amanda Porter, Senior Fellow (Indigenous Programs), The University of Melbourne Cultural warning: This article contains names and images of deceased Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This article also contains links to graphic footage of police violence. This month marks 30 years ...8 hours ago
- Hamilton City Council Shouldn’t Throw $10 Million Into A Pond"Hamilton City Council cannot justify contributing $10 million to an inland lagoon resort while it’s increasing rates by 8.9 percent," says New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union spokesman Louis Houlbrooke. “If the proposal makes good business ...10 hours ago
- The Single Object: The embroidery with a story to tellIt’s embroidery, but not as you know it. Lema Shamamba’s intricate stitchwork features machine guns, severed limbs, people crying – and the logos of the global tech giants she holds responsible.CW: Violence, sexual assaultLema Shamamba fled the Democratic Republic of the Congo when armed militia started killing people in her ...11 hours ago
- ‘You’re Not Actually Living Life’: Benefit Recipients Suffer Increased Hardship During CovidCovid-19 exacerbated existing levels of material and emotional hardship for people on low core benefit rates, a new study has found. Dr Louise Humpage, a sociologist at the University of Auckland who conducted the study in collaboration with Child ...12 hours ago
- Away with the fairies? A poke in the eye for four NZ allies (and a likely review of the White House...With consummate timing, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta has stirred up another controversy days ahead of the first visit of her Australian counterpart, Marise Payne. New Zealand, she says, doesn’t want to use Five Eyes as the first point of contact on a range of issues that existed outside of its ...12 hours ago
- How New Zealand TV celebrated the trans-Tasman bubbleAustralia Week: The first day of the travel bubble was big news, so Tara Ward stayed home and watched it happen on the television. To mark the opening of the trans-Tasman bubble, The Spinoff is casting an eye across the ditch all week – read our Australia Week content here. The trans-Tasman ...12 hours ago
- ‘Gruelling’ Silver Collar Greyhound Race Must Be Cancelled In 2021This year will be the 50th anniversary of the Melbourne Cup of greyhound racing. The Silver Collar is described by the Auckland Greyhound Racing Club as a ‘gruelling’ and ‘stamina-sapping affair,’ raced over an ‘extreme’ 779 meters, which is ...12 hours ago
- NZ’s next large Alpine Fault quake is likely coming sooner than we thought, study showsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jamie Howarth, Senior lecturer, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington The Alpine Fault marks the boundary between the Pacific and Australian plates in the South Island of New Zealand. Author provided The chances of New Zealand’s Alpine Fault rupturing in ...12 hours ago
- New Zealand 'concerned' about China asserting itself in the region, foreign minister saysThe government is concerned about the way China is asserting itself in the region, Minister of Foreign Affairs Nanaia Mahuta says. ...13 hours ago
- It’s not ‘stealthing’ – it’s rapeLast week in Wellington, a man was convicted of rape for removing his condom during sex without consent. For Frankie Bennett, who was subjected to a similar assault, it’s validating – but now we must stop using euphemisms to describe sex crimes. In 2018 I was “stealthed”; a man I was ...13 hours ago
- Greenpeace Launches Petition To “slam Door In Face” Of Seabed MinersTuesday, 20 April 2021: Greenpeace has today launched a new petition calling on the New Zealand Government to ban seabed mining from the waters of Aotearoa. The petition calls on Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to give New Zealand another world ...13 hours ago
- Newsletter: New Zealand Politics Daily – April 20 2021Editor’s Note: Here below is a list of the main issues currently under discussion in New Zealand and links to media coverage. Click here to subscribe to Bryce Edwards’ Political Roundup and New Zealand Politics Daily. Today’s content NZ-China relations: Mahuta Speech Tim Watkin (Pundit): Taniwha New Zealand shows its foreign policy ...14 hours ago
- NZ Seafarers Are EssentialKiwi Seafarers working internationally have been forgotten by the New Zealand government, their request for support keeps being ignored and their status as essential workers continues to be overlooked. Many Kiwi Seafarers are stuck outside of New Zealand ...14 hours ago
- Covid-19 vaccines and blood clots: everything you need to knowA small number of people have developed blood clots after receiving two types of the Covid-19 vaccine. Mirjam Guesgen explains what’s going on and how different countries are responding.What’s this I hear about blood clots and Covid-19 vaccines?Some people who received the AstraZeneca and Janssen vaccines are developing severe, in ...14 hours ago
- Bridges, highways, scaffolds: how the amazing engineering of army ants can make us smarter creatorsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Chris Reid, DECRA Research Fellow, Macquarie University Army ants (Eciton burchellii) are known for their vast foraging raids. Hundreds of thousands of ants flow like a river from their nest site, scouring the jungle as they prey on anything unable to escape ...15 hours ago
- Looking at the stars, or falling by the wayside? How astronomy is failing female scientistsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lisa Kewley, Director, ARC Centre for Excellence in All-Sky Astrophysics in 3D, Australian National University It will take until at least 2080 before women make up just one-third of Australia’s professional astronomers, unless there is a significant boost to how we nurture ...15 hours ago
- Forget JobKeeper — what the government and the country need now is a JabMaker planSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Kenny, Professor, Australian Studies Institute, Australian National University Forget last week’s healthy 5.6% unemployment rate. It might be “comfortably below” the Coalition’s 6% threshold for commencing “fiscal repair” (another term for unpopular spending cuts), but the government is under unforeseen political ...15 hours ago
- 3 doses, then 1 each year: why Pfizer, not AstraZeneca, is the best bet for the long haulSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nathan Bartlett, Associate Professor, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle Last week, the chief executive of Pfizer said anyone who receives its COVID-19 vaccine will probably need to have a third dose within 6-12 months after being fully immunised, ...15 hours ago
- Rainforest giants with rare autumn displays: there’s a lot more to Australia’s red cedar than ti...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gregory Moore, Doctor of Botany, The University of Melbourne Native deciduous trees are rare in Australia, which means many of the red, yellow and brown leaves we associate with autumn come from introduced species, such as maples, oaks and elms. One native ...15 hours ago
- Not only are some of the government’s consent videos bizarre and confusing, many reinforce harmful...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amanda Keddie, Professor, Education, Deakin University Education academics, women’s rights campaigners and many in between have criticised some of the material in the government’s new respectful relationships resource for schools. Particularly controversial in the Good Society resource is a video of a ...15 hours ago
- COVID-19 cost more in 2020 than the world’s combined natural disasters in any of the past 20 yearsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ilan Noy, Chair in the Economics of Disasters and Climate Change, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington What have we lost because of the pandemic? According to our calculations, a lot — and many of the worst hit countries and ...15 hours ago
- Financial stress in 3 graphs: there’s fewer of us in it, but for those who are, it’s worseSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ben Phillips, Associate Professor, Centre for Social Research and Methods, Director, Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR), Australian National University The good news from new research conducted by the Australian National University for Social Ventures Australia and the Brotherhood of St Laurence ...15 hours ago
- If I could go anywhere: I’d revisit Maman, Louise Bourgeois’ 9-metre spider at London’s Tate M...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jen Webb, Dean, Graduate Research, University of Canberra In this series we pay tribute to the art we wish could visit — and hope to see once travel restrictions are lifted. She’s called Maman, and she emerged into the world in 1999, ...15 hours ago
- Live updates, April 20: Euthanasia patients may suffer prolonged, distressing deaths – reportWelcome to The Spinoff’s live updates for April 20, bringing you the latest news updated throughout the day. Get in touch at stewart@thespinoff.co.nz8.00am: Concerns euthanasia patients may take unapproved drugs, suffer prolonged deathAn investigation into how prepared New Zealand is to introduce euthanasia, following last year’s referendum, has uncovered concerns ...15 hours ago
- Bar talks are back in town
The global movement to take leading academics out of lecture theatres and into pubs to present their latest research is returning to Auckland. Tonight, 20 University of Auckland lecturers will host talks in 10 local bars. The topics range from the search for alien life to the risks of vaping ...16 hours ago - The Bulletin: Mahuta moves away from Five Eyes in major speechGood morning and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Mahuta moves away from Five Eyes in major speech, new research shows raised risk of Alpine fault quake, and trans-Tasman bubble opens on emotional day.Foreign minister Nanaia Mahuta has sought to continue a ‘best of both worlds’ approach to the ...16 hours ago
- Auckland Airport shares bubble higher
Business & Investing: The opening of the Tasman for tourists pushes Auckland Airport shares up, with Air NZ also benefiting; Plus Tilt Renewables wins bigger Mercury-PowAR deal ...17 hours ago - Reducing reliance on China, the world's fastest-growing economy
As Nanaia Mahuta highlights the need for NZ to diversify its trade beyond China, the Chinese people are spending a third more on consumer goods. ...17 hours ago - Newsroom daily crossword, Tuesday 20 April
...18 hours ago - What can old people do with all their books?
Graeme Lay on the problem of downsizing for the elderly Books, books, books: novels. short stories, poetry, anthologies, biographies, histories ... For many elderly people books are a treasured part of their households. Shelves and shelves of them; they're an integral part of our past. We remember when we bought ...18 hours ago - Building a case for 'build-to-rent' developments
A look at the pros and cons of longer-term, professionalised rental complexes. ...18 hours ago - 'IIMBYism' and our abysmal climate failure
New Zealand is focusing purely on its own adaptations challenges - 'Impacts in My Backyard' - rather than the brutal climate impacts already being felt elsewhere. It's a gaping hole in our strategy, writes Dr Luke Harrington. We Kiwis are more concerned than ever about the significant and growing challenges of a ...18 hours ago - Covid and suicide, is there a link?
If history is any indication, we would expect the Covid pandemic to increase suicide rates. Dr Dennis Wesselbaum explains how that could be the case. New Zealand is the ninth happiest country in the world as reported in the 2021 World Happiness Report. Yet at the same time, New Zealand has the ...18 hours ago - Dame Noels happy to check Gail Parata's Pulse
From Wellington to Glasgow and home again, netball coach Gail Parata is helming the national champion Pulse side, and can call on her old room-mate for help. Dame Noeline Taurua and Gail Parata have a long relationship, once built on deception. Now among the best netball coaches in the world, the ...18 hours ago - Pilots spent more than a quarter of last year locked in hotel rooms
Pilots and cabin crew can spend 20 days a month in isolation in order to link New Zealand to the rest of the world - but the hardest part is not feeling welcome when they come home. Matthew Scott reports. Touchdown in Hong Kong. In different times, pilots and ...18 hours ago - Newsroom daily quiz, Tuesday 20 April
Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions. ...18 hours ago - Newsroom's daily sudoku, Tuesday 20 April
...18 hours ago - The race to vaccinate New Zealand in 36 weeks
New data released by the Ministry of Health shows the Government's intended path towards vaccinating the adult population, but is it realistic? ...18 hours ago - Earthquake forecast just in: the Alpine Fault is due a major quake – and soonNew research shows that the risk of the big one hitting the South Island’s spine is far higher than previously thought, write Ursula Cochran and lead researcher Jamie Howarth.Calculating the chance of an earthquake on a particular fault currently relies on the long geological earthquake record, which is both notoriously ...18 hours ago
- Vegas keeps the Māori warrior-gangster trope alive for another generationA new TVNZ drama tells the story of a fictitious gang trying to go straight. Despite being funded as part of a major initiative to get Māori stories to screen, Vegas reinforces some centuries-old stereotypes, writes Leonie Hayden. Episode one of the new drama Vegas aired last night on TVNZ. ...18 hours ago
- Trans-Tasman food face-off: A definitive ruling on who the bloody hell owns what Australia Week: Nothing tests our mateship with Australia like the disputed delicacies both countries claim as their own. In the interest of diplomatic relations, Alice Neville sets the record straight.To mark the opening of the trans-Tasman bubble, The Spinoff is casting an eye across the ditch all week – read ...18 hours ago
- A Marxist critique of the lifestyle left
An old-style Marxist's withering takedown on contemporary leftists - even likening today's left liberals with neoliberals - has lessons for our economic and political debate, writes Oliver Hartwich ...18 hours ago - Mahuta treads a careful but clear line on China
A carefully worded speech on NZ-China relations from Nanaia Mahuta nevertheless carried some telling notes about how the Government plans to navigate the Great Power divide, Sam Sachdeva writes Nanaia Mahuta may lack the bombast of Winston Peters, but her greater willingness to stick to the MFAT-approved script makes it ...18 hours ago - The bumps in our vaccination road
Trans-Tasman quarantine-free flights are back on - as New Zealand's vaccination rollout's been described as shambolic, and Australia's as a failure. On the week that our travel bubble opens up with Australia, both sides of the Tasman have been criticised for falling behind in their vaccine roll outs. New ...18 hours ago - Net zero won’t be achieved in inner city wine bars: MorrisonSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra As Scott Morrison gradually pivots his climate policy towards embracing a target of net zero emissions by 2050, he is seeking to distinguish the government from “inner city” types and political opponents who’ve been marching ...1 day ago
- View from The Hill: Dutton humiliates defence force chief Angus Campbell over citationSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Peter Dutton has begun his tenure as defence minister by delivering a very public slap to his most senior military adviser, chief of the Australian Defence Force Angus Campbell. Dutton’s overriding of Campbell’s initial command ...1 day ago
- What’s the risk if Australia opens its international borders? An epidemiologist explainsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tony Blakely, Professor of Epidemiology, Population Interventions Unit, Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne Coinciding with the Trans-Tasman travel bubble starting today, over the past week there have been murmurings Australia could ...1 day ago
- A US ban on kangaroo leather would be an animal welfare disaster – and a missed farming opportunit...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By George Wilson, Honorary Professor, Australian National University The US Congress is considering a proposed law to ban the import and sale of kangaroo parts. Backed by a campaign called Kangaroos Are Not Shoes, the bill is aimed at stopping Nike, Adidas and ...1 day ago
- Bainimarama blames ‘protocol breach’ for second Fiji community covid caseBy Praneeta Prakash in Suva Fiji Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama says a breach in protocol in relation to the 53-year-old woman now testing positive of covid-19 should not have happened. The woman who was working as a maid in a border quarantine facility developed symptoms last Thursday, but continued working ...1 day ago
- Beach body off Pacific LPG ship throws Vanuatu capital into covid lockdownThe Pacific Newsroom Vanuatu’s capital island of Efate has gone into covid-19 lockdown for three days after a body was found on a beach near Port Vila. The body, which tested positive for covid, was that of a Filipino crewman from the British-flagged liquified petroleum gas carrier Inge Kosan, a ...1 day ago
- Trans-Tasman bubble opens – data key to other bubbles opening, says PMWhile the trans-Tasman bubble today is “a significant day” for New Zealanders, any moves to open the borders to other countries will need to be be based on hard evidence, the prime minister says. After months of discussions, the trans-Tasman bubble is officially open. The prime ministers of New Zealand ...1 day ago
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