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The Very Bad Slightly Good Things About the Russian Invasion
Written By: - Date published: 8:49 pm, September 25th, 2022 - 7 comments
The Russian invasion of the Ukraine has cost tens of thousands of people their lives, millions of people their homes, seriously disrupted billions of people, and increased the threat of nuclear war but there are positive developments coming from it.
Foot-shooting the sanctions’ lockstep
Written By: - Date published: 6:41 pm, June 18th, 2022 - 45 comments
RNZ’s “The Detail” asked are New Zealand’s sanctions against Russia working? They aren’t, but one detail we learnt that MFAT has 100 staff members assigned to sorting out their complications!! What a waste.
Why Is New Zealand So Strong?
Written By: - Date published: 7:00 am, May 25th, 2022 - 36 comments
As New Zealand signs up to another alliance to shore up our economic security in the face of fast retreats in economic globalisation, it’s worth taking stock of why New Zealand’s economy is so strong.
Plant based foods
Written By: - Date published: 8:08 am, April 12th, 2022 - 122 comments
Worrying news has emerged that New Zealand officials sought along with other agricultural nations to remove references to the benefits of consuming plant based foods on climate change from the IPCC report summary.
Who Pays the Price of Sanctions
Written By: - Date published: 4:32 pm, March 20th, 2022 - 194 comments
New Zealand’s sanctions on Russia have not stopped the war in Ukraine. They may have made our parliamentarians feel better, and Tony Blinken was quick to congratulate us on falling into line with the US “high-impact sanctions.” The language is combative, but the evidence shows sanctions do not work. They can have significant blow-back effects, particularly if not combined with effective diplomacy.
The world in 6 months
Written By: - Date published: 8:59 am, March 15th, 2022 - 117 comments
In six months time the world could be in a very precarious position.
Chloe Swarbrick Needs A Reset
Written By: - Date published: 11:01 am, February 10th, 2022 - 42 comments
Chloe Swarbrick has requested that the government help Auckland central’s restaurants. But in a post Covid pre climate change world this is not going to help.
Why Not Support The Farmers?
Written By: - Date published: 8:43 am, July 17th, 2021 - 106 comments
The Groundswell farmers movement want the new freshwater policy scrapped, the “ute tax” removed, lots of imported labour for farm work, parts of the ETS dumped the new Significant Natural Area policy dumped, the draft policy on indigenous biodiversity scrapped and Crown Pastoral Land Reform Bill stopped. How likely is this?
If a thousand baby flamingos die in the desert does anyone hear them howl?
Written By: - Date published: 3:06 pm, July 16th, 2021 - 43 comments
Farmers aren’t the problem here, they’re the mirror New Zealand is holding up to itself. We say we want change, despite the evidence.
Let the Mills die
Written By: - Date published: 1:03 pm, June 24th, 2021 - 13 comments
From Kawerau to Nelson to Tiwai Point, our accelerated decline of heavy mass manufacturing factories continues.
Riverton rocks: support the pilot for social and economic rejuvenation and resilience in rural NZ
Written By: - Date published: 6:05 am, May 31st, 2021 - 12 comments
The South Coast Environment Centre is creating a local food network that connects growers and customers directly, creates food resiliency, and keeps money in the local economy. Today is the last day of their Pledgeme, and they need a bit more support to push them over the top.
What local food can look like (and why)
Written By: - Date published: 6:05 am, May 21st, 2021 - 10 comments
The South Coast Environment Centre is creating a local food network that connects growers and customers directly, creates food resiliency, and keeps money in the local economy. This is an exemplar of climate, economic and community sustainability.
Regenerative agriculture and climate solutions
Written By: - Date published: 6:05 am, May 6th, 2021 - 94 comments
Research is now showing the advantages of regenerative agriculture. Are we wise enough to make best use of them?
Sustainability and learning from forest gardening
Written By: - Date published: 6:15 am, April 11th, 2021 - 30 comments
The Guytons’ 25 year old food forest in Riverton is a showcase of sustainability practice and knowledge.
Sugar is evil
Written By: - Date published: 9:18 am, March 6th, 2021 - 20 comments
With the recent High Court trial brought by three academics highlighting the undeserved attacks on their reputations by entities associated with the food industry now having concluded it is time for the Government to think about banning sugary drinks from schools. And a sugar tax.
Escape Velocity
Written By: - Date published: 9:11 am, February 7th, 2021 - 93 comments
In this series so far I’ve examined three of the four terms in the Kaya Identity, population, economic intensity, and energy intensity. It can be conclusively shown that none of these factors can be reduced sufficiently to reduce CO2 emissions to zero – or even close enough to be useful. Let’s return to each one […]
Frogs swimming in the heated pot
Written By: - Date published: 8:52 am, January 23rd, 2021 - 34 comments
The distracting political stupidities in places like the US and now in Russia tend to be entertaining for us southerners. But changes in climate are getting faster and more extreme. The continued instability in the northern polar vortex and the extreme weather it causes cut into our global food creating systems. The foundation of our population and societies. Froggies, the heat is still rising.
Resiliency politics
Written By: - Date published: 6:05 am, November 19th, 2020 - 14 comments
With news of more global stressors next year, the stories we tell right now are critical to how we build resiliency. Let’s make sure they are good ones.
Labour’s new Oceans Ministry
Written By: - Date published: 8:19 am, November 3rd, 2020 - 23 comments
Jacinda Ardern’s decision to rename the Fisheries Ministery to “Oceans and Fisheries” and install David Parker instead of Stuart Nash shows a welcome desire to protect this most precious of resources.
The Greens on urban farming
Written By: - Date published: 6:05 am, September 24th, 2020 - 25 comments
This is exactly the kind of approach the Green Party would like to encourage – it’s strategic, it’s intergenerational and it recognises the interconnectedness of our people, the environment and local communities.
What is this regenerative agriculture thing anyway?
Written By: - Date published: 11:42 am, September 13th, 2020 - 32 comments
Given the state of New Zealand land and water, changing how we do farming should be a strong political topic for the left this year. The Greens and Greenpeace are campaigning for a shift to regenerative agriculture, so it’s timely to look at what that is.
Running for cover
Written By: - Date published: 9:38 pm, April 21st, 2020 - 41 comments
More 1% Americans are heading our way, according to Bloomberg. The Texas company building underground bunkers is getting more enquiries. They’re not running from the virus but fear the aftermath when the breadlines turn.
What kind of system change do we want right now?
Written By: - Date published: 2:11 pm, March 19th, 2020 - 37 comments
As mainstream systems are forced to adapt to the new state of affairs in a covid world, what are the bigger picture changes that need to happen so that we are future-proofing our communities at the same time?
Climate and food security: annual cropping vs regenerative agriculture
Written By: - Date published: 9:59 am, February 13th, 2020 - 67 comments
Science is showing that global food security is now at risk from climate change, farmers and gardeners are showing us how to adapt and mitigate at the same time.
What if plant-based wasn’t the answer?
Written By: - Date published: 7:05 am, February 7th, 2020 - 123 comments
Instead of burning the world a bit more slowly, how about we don’t burn it at all?
Fertile land is priceless
Written By: - Date published: 7:45 am, August 15th, 2019 - 220 comments
As Labour moves to protect prime food growing land around our cities, we should be having a wider discussion about food security in New Zealand.
Is there a middle ground on climate change
Written By: - Date published: 9:11 am, May 11th, 2019 - 271 comments
It has been reported that US Presidential hopeful Joe Biden is hoping to craft a middle ground position between the extraordinarily strong scientific consensus suggesting we have a climate crisis and the industry supported anti scientific knee jerk opposition to doing anything.
It’s the end of the world as we know it *
Written By: - Date published: 10:00 am, May 7th, 2019 - 104 comments
* and I don’t feel fine.
The Meathead tax
Written By: - Date published: 11:28 am, February 2nd, 2019 - 85 comments
National’s claim that the Government wants to impose a meat tax suffers from the reality that the Government has done no such thing and the proposal comes from an International collective of academics.
How To Get There 6/1/19
Written By: - Date published: 6:55 am, January 6th, 2019 - 146 comments
Welcome to TS’s Sunday think piece. It’s a blank sheet, a tabula rasa, waiting for your thoughts on the future and How To Get There.
No sense, nonsense and a dearth of common sense.
Written By: - Date published: 9:46 am, November 29th, 2018 - 23 comments
We wouldn’t tie a rope to a heavy load and then push on the rope with the expectation of achieving anything, right? So why is the Guardian’s Environment Editor entreating that we do just that? Is he merely stupid? Or is there something more cynical at play?
- Old Prejudices In New Packages.
Charisma. Style. Fascism? The rest of Europe is looking on aghast at Italy’s electoral behaviour. Giorgia Meloni’s Fratelli d’Italia (Brothers of Italy) party traces its ideological lineage all the way back to Mussolini’s fascists. Indeed, she has been known to proclaim the original fascists’ slogan: “God, Country, Family”; at her party’s ...9 hours ago - Crackpot Theory: The Real Sauron in The Rings of Power
The Rings of Power has yet to unveil Annatar. Or, as you might also know him, Sauron. As it currently stands, the invented Adar is the major on-screen villain, while the show has been gleefully dangling potential Annatar candidates in front of the viewer, to the point where “Everyone ...1 day ago - 2022 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #38
A chronological listing of news articles posted on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, Sep 18, 2022 thu Sat, Sep 24, 2022. Story of the Week Tipping points: How could they shape the world’s response to climate change? The Larsen Ice Shelf is situated along the ...2 days ago - The power and privilege of the professional managerial class
Bryce Edwards examines how politics got captured by the middle class, and why it’s a problem (Reprinted from the Democracy Project, 8 September 2022) One of the world’s leading progressive political thinkers and journalists died last week. Barbara Ehrenreich was 81 years old, had written more than 20 books and ...2 days ago - A Crystal Mith Problem: A Review and Analysis of The Rings of Power, Episode 5
Well. That was something else. Hot on the heels of The Rings of Power’s first unapologetically good episode, we now encounter its first unapologetically bad one. As you might have noticed, I have been generally positive – or at least charitable – about the show, but I cannot in ...2 days ago - Business as usual then? “Goodbye” Covid, Seymour rants, Uffindell is “cleared”… and Big Bu...
A pandemic is declared “over” by the US President (but let’s not fool ourselves because it’s not really), world leaders gather at the UN in person after zooming in over the last few years even as tensions escalate in Ukraine, extremism continues to rise worldwide and also locally, all ...2 days ago - Real royalty dying off
Jean Luc Godard and Hilary Mantel within a few days of each other?FFS, 2022. Juck fuck off already. ...2 days ago - Should We Be Relying On Storing Waste Carbon in Trees?
The carbon, energy and dollar cycles do not integrate well. The strategy of mitigating global warming by sequesting carbon in trees involves three separate cycles: a carbon cycle, an energy cycle and a dollar cycle. I am not sure they are well integrated. Our oil-based carbon cycle involves extracting underground ...3 days ago - Who to vote for in Palmerston North (2022)
My local body voting papers arrived earlier in the week, so its time for the usual post in which I try and work out who I'm voting for. Essential tools for this have been Vote Climate, which looks at climate and public transport policy; Policy.nz, which gives a more general ...3 days ago - Still striking for a futureIn 2017, Labour leader Jacinda Ardern said that climate change was "my generation's nuclear-free moment" and promised action. In 2019 and 2021 school students walked out of classrooms to demand she deliver. And today, they walked out again, because she still hasn't. The strikes are smaller today, because the movement ...3 days ago
- Fuck the economyStuff reports that bank economists are saying that 50,000 people need to be thrown out of work to control inflation: The current labour market was “very, very tight”, [ANZ chief economist Sharon Zollner] said, and bringing down inflation required “some spare capacity” in the labour market. It was a ...3 days ago
- Bryce Edwards: The Political mood of the business elite
The New Zealand Herald has released the results of its annual “Mood of the Boardroom” survey today. Should we care what businesses think of politics, the economy and society? There’s a good argument that we should be more concerned with the “Mood of the Foodbank” or “Mood of the workers”. ...3 days ago - Labour: From disappointment to deceitIn the 1980's and 1990's, Aotearoa faced a succession of governments who brazenly lied to the public, promising one thing to get elected, then doing something completely different in office. As revenge, we inflicted MMP on politicians, to saddle them with coalition partners and deprive them of the absolute majorities ...3 days ago
- The Magic Of Monarchy3 days ago
- An American Colony?
The end of the Queen’s reign has provided us here in New Zealand with a powerful and prolonged reminder of the extent to which our heritage is bound up with that of the United Kingdom. It may, therefore, be an odd moment to register what is becoming a significant change ...3 days ago - Skeptical Science New Research for Week #38 2022"Was it something I did?" Not so long ago Skeptical Science received email from a reader, subject: "Myth: increased deaths, harm to health and and destruction of property cannot be attributed to global warming." As a matter of intuition and the evidence in front of us, this certainly seems ...4 days ago
- Owlbears in Valinor: D&D Silliness with The Silmarillion
Some weeks ago, I finished DMing a three-session D&D outing with my usual circle of acquaintances. I had never actually DMed before, so it was a fun learning experience. Overall, I think I’m pretty decent at serving up a vaguely engaging story… my biggest weakness being combats. I am ...4 days ago - Gordon Campbell on ram-raids as a policy outcome, not a cause
New British PM Liz Truss is giving us a useful foretaste of what a change of government here next year would deliver: tax cuts, welfare reductions, law and order crackdowns, and further handouts to banks. On Friday, the new British Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng is expected to unveil a major “’fiscal ...4 days ago - Hoist by his own petardIn 2017, in response to being criticised by anonymous bloggers, then-Samoan Prime Minister Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi restored the archaic colonial offence of criminal libel to Samoa's statute book, ramming it through parliament in under an hour. Now, he's being prosecuted under his own law [paywalled]: Police have perused a ...4 days ago
- DrawnA ballot for three member's bills was held today, and the following bills were drawn: Oranga Tamariki (Repeal of Section 7AA) Amendment Bill (Karen Chhour) Employment Relations (Restraint of Trade) Amendment Bill (Helen White) Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Cellar Door Tasting) Amendment Bill (Stuart Smith) ...4 days ago
- Bryce Edwards: Labour has given up on the poorWhat will it take for this Labour Government to start paying attention to the worsening state of economic inequality in New Zealand? The evidence is mounting that, under Labour’s watch, the problem of wealth and income inequality is spiralling. But the signs are that Labour ministers have put this crisis ...4 days ago
- Patterns in the Sand: Guessing References in The Rings of Power Opening Sequence
It is now generally accepted that the peculiar opening sequence of The Rings of Power is an extended reference to the Ainulindalë, the Music of the Ainur, the Creation Myth of J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendarium. Recall that this myth – the first chapter of the published Silmarillion – consists of ...5 days ago - Two Kings, One Country.A Meeting Of Minds On The Treaty: The ultimate irony of a radical Māori nationalist push for a republic would be an answering surge towards monarchical institutions. A Māori-Pakeha alliance forged between members of the Professional-Managerial Class in pursuit of a radically identarian republic may yet find itself opposed by ...5 days ago
- One country at a timeEquatorial Guinea has abolished the death penalty: Equatorial Guinea has abolished the death penalty, according to a new criminal code signed by veteran President Teodoro Obiang, adding to a growing list of African countries seeking to extinguish a vestige of colonial rule. The West African oil-producing country of 1.4 ...5 days ago
- Bryce Edwards: Time for the Auditor General to investigate Mahuta contractsPressure is increasing on the Auditor General to undertake an inquiry into numerous contracts, appointments and grants awarded to members of Cabinet Minister Nanaia Mahuta’s family by various government departments she has had official responsibility for. Allegations and revelations are mounting up, meaning this issue can no longer be ignored. ...5 days ago
- Gordon Campbell on Air New Zealand’s bumpy path to Covid recoveryAir New Zealand’s new non-stop service to JFK international airport in New York recently received a ton of free publicity, even though the airline’s mishandling of passenger baggage on the first New York to Auckland run was also an epic embarrassment. Since it was ordinary taxpayers who bailed out the ...5 days ago
- Member’s DayToday is a Member's Day. First up are two committee stages: Rachel Boyack's Plain Language Bill and Steph Lewis' Biosecurity (Information for Incoming Passengers) Amendment Bill. Once they're out of the way, the House will move on to the first readings of Damien Smith's Overseas Investment (Exempt Investment from OECD ...5 days ago
- This seems like a process we can have confidence inYesterday, National leader Christopher Luxon announced that the National caucus had voted to readmit MP Sam Uffindell - who had got together with his mates to beat a fellow student with bed-legs in the middle of the night in a cruel and pre-meditated attack while at school - after an ...6 days ago
- Climate Change: James Shaw pretends to be helplessRNZ this morning reports that Climate Change Minister James Shaw is open to another look at climate change rules to ensure that the Zero Carbon Act and its statutory target can actually be legally enforced: "If the temperature threshold is the point of the entire legislation, then surely it ...6 days ago
- Bryce Edwards: National’s unsatisfactory exoneration of Sam UffindellIt’s hard to have confidence in the National Party’s supposed exoneration of MP Sam Uffindell over allegations of ethical violations as an adult. The party’s processes have been far too opaque, which means there will always be a cloud over the integrity and character of their new MP for Tauranga. ...6 days ago
- A Song Of Iron And Blood.6 days ago
- 2022’s supercharged summer of climate extremes: How global warming and La Niña fueled disasters o...This article by Kevin Trenberth, Distinguished Scholar, NCAR; Affiliated Faculty, University of Auckland, is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. There’s an old joke about the fellow who has his left foot in a bucket of ice water and the right in a bucket ...7 days ago
- Who decides what we are allowed to say?
In this thoughtful piece Mark White from the left free speech site Plebity examines how we can reclaim the public square as a real Commons. Before we can have an honest debate over what speech should be allowed and what speech should be forbidden, we need to confront a more ...7 days ago - Elegy For A Queen.Elegy For A QueenThe media beast that must be fedOn human fodder hour-by-hour,Just for one second, checks its power.Elizabeth, the Queen, is dead.That this is news no one can doubt.The airwaves hum, the presses roll.And cellphones buzz from pole to poleTo get the information out.We see, we hear, the words ...1 week ago
- The Languages Of Sovereignty And Democracy.Leviathan: Reaching all the way back to the writings of the Sixteenth Century jurist and political philosopher, Jean Bodin, constitutional transformer Moana Jackson argues that the European concept of sovereignty is one of “the most high and perpetual power over citizens”. He would have done better to study Hobbes and Locke ...1 week ago
- Bryce Edwards: The Uninspiring Wellington mayoral electionWellingtonians are desperately unhappy with the politicians running their city, and a new poll out yesterday shows they’re not very impressed with their mayoral options either. The Wellington City Council’s own annual Residents Monitoring Survey shows plummeting levels of confidence in the politicians and the state of the city. When ...1 week ago
- Of Guilty Guilds: Addressing Anti-Immigration Populism in The Rings of Power, Episode 4
As per my Episode 4 review of The Rings of Power, I noted that the Men of Númenor objecting to Elves on a “they’ll steal our jobs!” basis feels a tad weird. Of all the things these people have to throw at their pointy-eared brethren, the show settles upon ...1 week ago - An Idle Ode to Adar the Elda: A Review and Analysis of The Rings of Power, Episode 4
Half-way through the first season of The Rings of Power, we have run into our first unapologetically good episode. Not merely one to feel positive about, whilst grumbling about perceived flaws real or imagined. No, I think the fourth episode is sufficiently good that hunting around for flaws to ...1 week ago - Gorbachev’s Legacy
The aim of a decent liberal Russia is still there; its achievement is likely to be a long way off. I was optimistic about the prospects for Russia when the Soviet Union – or, as I think of it, the Russian Empire – collapsed in the early 1990s. I never ...1 week ago - Hungary is no longer a democracySince his election in 2010, Viktor Orbán has shifted Hungary sharply away from democracy and the rule of law, changing the constitution to stack the electoral system and the courts against his opponents, while dismantling the independent media. And now, the European Parliament has recognised the truth: that one of ...1 week ago
- Bryce Edwards: Labour’s fraught battle to retain the Māori voteLabour’s poll results are trending down. Yesterday’s Curia poll put the party down two points to just 33 per cent, while National is up three points to 37 per cent. When it comes to next year’s election, a key constituency for Labour will be Māori voters, especially in the Māori ...1 week ago
- A King’s Grasp.Worst Case Scenario? Mike Bartlett’s teleplay, King Charles III, teases out the consequences of a constitutional monarch who makes the mistake of attempting to defend the rights of his subjects.WHILE MANY OF US pretended that Queen Elizabeth II would, somehow, live forever, others among us knew better. One of those ...1 week ago
- Gordon Campbell on the regal mourning marathonThe media coverage of the mourning process for Elizabeth II seems to be as endless as the lines of people waiting patiently to pay their respects. (The British are very good at standing in queues.) New Zealand’s official ten day mourning period ends on Monday, after the state funeral in ...1 week ago
- Skeptical Science New Research for Week #37 2022Mutual assured stupefaction A plethora of investigations have found that come the clutch, ideology often wins over facts when it comes to uncomfortable truths. If the outcomes of facts disagree with ideological objectives, facts frequently lose. Why? If we look at the sharpest divergences of facts from wishful ideology, we find ...2 weeks ago
- Shouldn’t we make them pay for it?Yesterday a new report from Environment Southland found widespread environmental contamination at the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter. Both the soil and groundwater has been contaminated with fluoride and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and the stormwater drains are full of heavy metals. Worse, this is just what we know - the data ...2 weeks ago
- Democratic compromise as the mutual second-best.
For the first ten years of my former academic career I wrote a considerable amount about post-authoritarian democratisation thanks to the mentors that introduced me to the subject and my personal interest in Argentina and the Southern Cone. I alternated this interest with writing about various security related topics like ...2 weeks ago - Bryce Edwards: Fighting for cleaner and fairer electionsFrom this week the public can provide input into the Government’s review of electoral laws – a process which is supposed to make elections cleaner and fairer. Hopefully, public submissions and pressure applied to both the electoral review experts and the Government will force the consideration and implementation of progressive ...2 weeks ago
- Sweden falls to the NazisSwedes went to the polls over the weekend, and after a tight count, appear to have elected a Nazi-coalition government. The right-bloc has a three-seat majority, and the neo-Nazi Sweden Democrats are the largest party within that bloc. And to gain power of course the "moderate" centre-right parties are willing ...2 weeks ago
- Ag’s challenging future in a changing climateThis is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Jeff Masters Increased drought and extreme heat adversely affecting agriculture likely pose the highest threat to civilization over the next 40 years. The greatest danger: extreme droughts supercharged by climate change, affecting multiple grain-growing areas simultaneously, causing “food shock” events that could ...2 weeks ago
- Questions for Richard Wagstaffby Don Franks A tough strike and lockout struggle against their employer won Kawerau pulp and paper workers an increase to the company’s initial offer. In a welcome resurgence of working class solidarity, embattled Kawerau unionists were assisted by financial support from other workers. Instead of building on this positive ...2 weeks ago
- We need tougher penalties for electoral donation fraudWriting in Stuff, Max Rashbrooke Lisa Marriott examine the dismal history of election donation fraud in Aotearoa, and conclude that there are no real consequences for it. Prosecutions are rare, and the penalties derisory: It looks awfully like one law for the rich and one for the poor. At ...2 weeks ago
- Wellington’s user-pays “democracy”In the face of a rising tide of climate protest, governments are cracking down. In the UK, the only-partly-elected government has effectivley banned protests, just like they did in the eighteenth century. In Wellington, they're more subtle, simply imposing unaffordable costs for "traffic management fees": Wellington City Council left ...2 weeks ago
- Bryce Edwards: Why New Zealand’s shift to a republic will be thwartedThe death of Queen Elizabeth and the ascension to the throne of King Charles has reignited the debate on whether New Zealand should become a republic. But despite strong arguments in favour of shifting to a republic, such a move is unlikely to occur anytime soon. What will stop the ...2 weeks ago
- Not Since 1955: Bringing Serialisation to Middle-earth
A curious thought has occurred to me. Specifically about how The Rings of Power represents serialised storytelling in Middle-earth, and about how damned unusual that actually is. You see, in the Tolkien fandom, the books are there on the shelf, the story complete. Posthumous publications might provide ...2 weeks ago - Gordon Campbell on a fun summer, with Covid anxietyNo more traffic light alert system. No more vaccine mandates, even for those in healthcare. Masks are no longer mandatory in retail outlets or on public transport, and required only in healthcare settings, and for those caring for the sick and elderly. Who’s afraid of the Big Bad Virus? Not ...2 weeks ago
- The Bad Guys Are Winning.2 weeks ago
- Food supply and security concerns mount as impacts stress agricultureThis is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Jeff Masters Crops don’t like drought, extreme heat, extreme cold, flooding, and air pollution. While reducing the ill effects of extreme cold on agriculture in recent decades, the warming climate is increasing impacts of drought, extreme heat, and air pollution. These increased ...2 weeks ago
- The Ukrainian “People’s Storm” Lays Waste Putin’s Dreams.2 weeks ago
- Interview with Kobad Ghandy: Free Speech in Modi’s IndiaDaphna Whitmore interviewed Kobad Ghandy on 6 September for the Free Speech Union in New Zealand. This podcast looks at free speech and civil rights in India, the world’s most populous democracy. Kobad Ghandy was a political prisoner for ten years under both Congress and BJP regimes, and was just ...2 weeks ago
- The left is a big tent, but it must include belief in free speechRedline readers should check out Plebity. It is a left non-profit free speech organisation with articles and resources reclaiming free speech as the necessary foundation for achieving all other leftist ideals. Plebity stands for: ...2 weeks ago
- Don’t Let the Herald take You InThe omens are not good for Christopher Luxon. The polls tell a story that – as interpreted by the Herald – suggest that his failure to improve his personal polling means that he could deny National an election victory in 2023; and the conclusion? That Luxon is therefore dragging National ...2 weeks ago
- Political Roundup: 13 September 2022Items of interest and importance today COVID Luke Malpass (Stuff): PM Ardern’s last Covid live update draws a curtain down on a miserable couple of years Claire Trevett (Herald): PM bids a relieved farewell to Covid-19 rules (paywalled) Mark Quinlivan (Newshub): Government seeking advice on ‘what form’ any Covid-19 inquiry ...2 weeks ago
- New study more than triples estimated costs of climate change damagesThis is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections A peer-reviewed analysis by two dozen experts more than triples – from $51 per ton of carbon dioxide to $185 per ton – the federal government’s estimate of the “social cost of carbon” (SCC). The climate science, economics, and statistics experts’ paper in ...2 weeks ago
- The British Royal Family and its contribution to humanityGearóid Ó Loingsigh The British monarch Elizabeth Windsor, formerly Saxe Coburg Gotha, has died at the grand old age of 96, thanks in no part to the subsidised lifestyle and medical care she enjoyed throughout her long life. Her death has produced the usual outpouring of manufactured grief from the ...2 weeks ago
- Labour abandons us to covidToday, the government has taken its long-signalled decision to repeal virtually all covid restrictions. From midnight tonight, there won't be traffic lights or mask requirements, and isolation rules will be further weakened. The few remaining vaccination requirements will disappear in a couple of weaks. Essentially, the virus will be free ...2 weeks ago
- No freedom of speech in the UKIn the eighteenth century, the British government waged a campaign of repression against those calling for democracy and an end to the monarchy. Over two hundred years later, nothing has really changed: A woman was arrested holding an anti-monarchy sign in Edinburgh today, before the Queen’s cortege arrived in ...2 weeks ago
- Gordon Campbell on being co-dependent on the royalsFor those who do not regard King Charles III as their liege lord, these have been a difficult few days, with the promise of more to come. One of the reasons that republican sentiment has been so absent from the media coverage of the death of Queen Elizabeth II is ...2 weeks ago
- Following the war in Ukraine – an update
2 weeks ago- The Weight Of History.
Receiving The Burden Of Sovereignty: The weight of royal ritual and tradition, and all the gilt machinery of monarchical government, is crushing. THE SHEER WEIGHT of it takes your breath away. On display in St James’s Palace on Saturday night (10/9/22) were rituals and traditions dating back centuries. To say the weight ...2 weeks ago- Political Roundup: 12 September 2022
MONARCHY Kevin Norquay (Stuff): Parting ways with the monarchy ‘an eventuality that will happen’ now Queen has gone Richard Harman: This could be the last time (paywalled) Liz Gordon (Insight Aotearoa): A proud and independent nation, Aotearoa Calida Stuart-Menteath and Hamish McNicol (NBR): Does King Charles represent New Zealand? (paywalled) ...2 weeks ago- 2022 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #36
Listing of articles linked to on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, September 4, 2022 through Sat, September 10, 2022. The following articles sparked above average interest during the week (bolded articles are from SkS authors): CNN Exclusive: Scientists make major breakthrough in race to save ...2 weeks ago- Local Election Candidates: “the same old crazies as before”… or something entirely new this ti...
It’s the old joke isn’t it when Local Elections come round, who is coming out of the woodwork next, will there be someone promising to convert the entire CBD into an adventure park? Other questions that often plague local elections are who’s hiding under the “Independent” banner… whilst ...2 weeks ago- King Charles
With the accession of King Charles III to the throne, my mind goes back to a brief period when the then Prince Charles and I might have been described as friends. I was at the time a British MP. I received out of the blue a call from Prince Charles’ ...2 weeks ago- Númenor Rule the Waves: A Review and Analysis of The Rings of Power, Episode 3
I have discussed the first two episodes of The Rings of Power. Time to take a look at the third episode – one I felt avoided the lowest lows of its predecessors while also not quite managing to match the highest highs. On average I think it is the ...2 weeks ago- Imagining Away The Opposition.
The High Tide Of Popular Protest: In 2019 Chile was racked by massive protest demonstrations. Hundreds of thousands of mostly young, mostly poor, Chileans served notice on their government that the moment had arrived for their country to cast off “Pinochet’s Straightjacket” – the 1980 constitution imposed upon Chile by its ...2 weeks ago - The Weight Of History.
- Swimmable rivers and healthy lakes could soon be out of reach
The Green Party is calling on the Government to tighten the rules on synthetic fertiliser use and intensive land use, including intensive winter grazing, after new monitoring data revealed almost two-thirds of monitored rivers and streams are in poor health. ...2 days ago - Green Party backs School Strike demandsThe Green Party backs the demands of the School Strike for Climate. ...3 days ago
- Report shows urgent need to fix wealth inequalityA new report out today provides all evidence the Government needs to start addressing runaway inequality and rebalance Aotearoa to work for everyone. ...4 days ago
- No excuses, Minister: we need mandatory pay gap reporting right nowThe message is loud and clear: the Government must introduce mandatory pay gap reporting ...4 days ago
- Greens will keep fighting to strengthen democracyThe Green Party once again put electoral reform on the political agenda with the first reading of Golriz Ghahraman’s Strengthening Democracy member’s bill - only for it to be voted down by Labour. ...5 days ago
- Moratorium on deep sea mining a step closerFollowing months of pressure from the Green Party and environmental NGO and the public, the Minister for Foreign Affairs today confirmed that she is taking advice on whether the Government should support a moratorium on deep sea mining in international waters. ...5 days ago
- Green Party welcomes landmark commitments from health sector for ADHD progressGreen Party spokesperson for Mental Health, Chlöe Swarbrick, welcomes commitments from the Minister of Health to six key areas of progress for the ADHD community, which would together represent one of the largest changes for the ADHD community in a generation. ...1 week ago
- Govt must reunite Afghan refugees with their familiesThe Green Party is once again calling on the Government to support victims of war, oppression, and violence to reunite with their families and put down roots in Aotearoa New Zealand. ...1 week ago
- New Zealand’s economy and the case for optimism
If you missed Grant Robertson’s recent speech on New Zealand’s economy, don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. Here’s a super quick overview of what the Minister of Finance said about the Government’s economic plan, as well as the latest figures that show how New Zealand’s economy is tracking. ...1 week ago - Government handing Fonterra a free passMinister O’Connor should immediately pause the Government’s proposed Fonterra Bill and review its potential impact on the climate, the Green Party says. ...2 weeks ago
- Time to support te reo Māori as a core subject and as a medium of instructionOn the 50th anniversary of the Māori language petition, the Green Party is calling on the Government to make te reo Māori a core curriculum subject in mainstream schools and to support Kaupapa Māori education groups. ...2 weeks ago
- Celebrating Te Wiki o Te Reo MāoriKia ora e te whānau! It’s Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori once again – an opportunity for all of us, no matter where we are on our te reo journey, to give te reo Māori a go. This year, as we celebrate Māori Language Week, we are also marking ...2 weeks ago
- Urgent need for more food supportThe Green Party is calling on the Government to urgently increase the support available for people who are struggling to afford to put food on the table. ...2 weeks ago
- Serious questions for Govt to answer following decision to allow deep-sea miningThe Government has questions to answer following a recent decision by international regulators to give the green-light to a potentially destructive deep-sea mining project in the Pacific. ...2 weeks ago
- Vital public health measures still missing from COVID responseStrong public health measures are more vital than ever, the Green Party says as the Government removes many longstanding COVID-19 restrictions. ...2 weeks ago
- James Shaw re-elected as Co-leader of the Green PartyMembers of the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand have re-elected James Shaw as Co-leader, alongside Marama Davidson. ...2 weeks ago
- Green Party statement on the death of Queen Elizabeth IIOn behalf of the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand, I would like to send our deepest condolences to the Royal Family on the passing of Queen Elizabeth II,” says co-leader of the Green Party, Marama Davidson. ...3 weeks ago
- If the Government is going to close one donations loophole, let’s close them allClosing the New Zealand First Foundation loophole is a good step towards a more transparent political donations regime, but it’s not the only loophole that needs closing, the Green Party says. ...3 weeks ago
- Helping young people into better and brighter futuresOur Government wants every New Zealander to have the chance to succeed – and that includes young people who need a little bit of extra support to get back on the right track. That’s why we’re stepping up pathways to better opportunities, by supporting more young people into jobs and ...3 weeks ago
- Supporting more Kiwis into jobsWe’re helping more Kiwis into work, to help support whānau, grow our skilled workforce and secure our economy for future generations. During our time in Government, we’ve delivered record low unemployment rates, as well as a steady fall in the number of New Zealanders receiving a main benefit, and we’re ...3 weeks ago
- Language provides hope for Tuvalu
Climate change continues to present a major risk for the island nation of Tuvalu, which means sustaining te gana Tuvalu, both on home soil and in New Zealand Aotearoa, has never been more important, Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio said. The Tuvalu Auckland Community Trust and wider Tuvalu ...1 day ago - Minister Sio to attend Asian Development Bank meeting in ManilaAssociate Foreign Affairs Minister Aupito William Sio travels to the Philippines this weekend to represent Aotearoa New Zealand at the 55th Annual Meeting of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Board of Governors in Manila. “The ADB Annual Meeting provides an opportunity to engage with other ADB member countries, including those ...2 days ago
- United Nations General Assembly National StatementE ngā Mana, e ngā Reo, Rau Rangatira mā kua huihui mai nei i tēnei Whare Nui o te Ao Ngā mihi maioha ki a koutou katoa, mai i tōku Whenua o Aotearoa Tuia ki runga, Tuia ki raro, ka Rongo to pō ka rongo te ao Nō reira, tēnā ...3 days ago
- New strategy unifies all-of-Government approach to help Pacific languages thriveA united approach across all-of-Government underpins the new Pacific Language Strategy, announced by the Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio at Parliament today. “The cornerstone of our Pacific cultures, identities and place in Aotearoa, New Zealand are our Pacific languages. They are at the heart of our wellbeing,” Aupito ...3 days ago
- Upgrades for sporting facilities ahead of FIFA Women’s World CupCommunities across the country will benefit from newly upgraded sporting facilities as a result of New Zealand co-hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023. The Government is investing around $19 million to support upgrades at 30 of the 32 potential sporting facilities earmarked for the tournament, including pitch, lighting and ...3 days ago
- Partnership supports climate action in Latin America and CaribbeanAotearoa New Zealand is extending the reach of its support for climate action to a new agriculture initiative with partners in Latin America and the Caribbean. Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta and Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor announced a NZ$10 million contribution to build resilience, enhance food security and address the ...3 days ago
- Landmark agreement for Māori fisheries celebrates 30th yearThe 30th anniversary of the Fisheries Deed of Settlement is a time to celebrate a truly historic partnership that has helped transform communities, says Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries Rino Tirikatene. “The agreement between the Crown and Māori righted past wrongs, delivered on the Crown’s treaty ...3 days ago
- Government backs initiatives to cut environmental impact of plastic wasteThe Government has today announced funding for projects that will cut plastic waste and reduce its impact on the environment. “Today I am announcing the first four investments to be made from the $50 million Plastics Innovation Fund, which was set last year and implemented a 2020 election promise,” Environment ...3 days ago
- Call for expressions of interest in appointment to the High Court BenchAttorney-General David Parker today called for nominations and expressions of interest in appointment to the High Court Bench. This is a process conducted at least every three years and ensures the Attorney-General has up to date information from which to make High Court appointments. “It is important that when appointments ...4 days ago
- Depositor compensation scheme protects Kiwis’ moneyNew Zealanders will have up to $100,000 of their deposits in any eligible institution guaranteed in the event that institution fails, under legislation introduced in Parliament today. The Deposit Takers Bill is the third piece of legislation in a comprehensive review of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act and ...4 days ago
- New fund to help more Pacific aiga into their own homesThe Government has launched a new housing fund that will help more Pacific aiga achieve the dream of home ownership. “The Pacific Building Affordable Homes Fund will help organisations, private developers, Māori/iwi, and NGOs build affordable housing for Pacific families and establish better pathways to home ownership within Pacific communities. ...4 days ago
- More than 100,000 new Kiwis as halfway point reachedOver 100,000 new Kiwis can now call New Zealand ‘home’ after the 2021 Resident Visa reached the halfway point of approvals, Minister of Immigration Michael Wood announced today. “This is another important milestone, highlighting the positive impact our responsive and streamlined immigration system is having by providing comfort to migrant ...4 days ago
- Maniapoto Claims Settlement Bill passes third reading – He mea pāhi te Maniapoto Claims Settl...Nā te Minita mō ngā Take Tiriti o Waitangi, nā Andrew Little, te iwi o Maniapoto i rāhiri i tēnei rā ki te mātakitaki i te pānuitanga tuatoru o te Maniapoto Claims Settlement Bill - te pikinga whakamutunga o tā rātou whakataunga Tiriti o Waitangi o mua. "Me mihi ka ...4 days ago
- 50,000 more kids to benefit from equity-based programmes next yearAnother 47,000 students will be able to access additional support through the school donations scheme, and a further 3,000 kids will be able to get free and healthy school lunches as a result of the Equity Index. That’s on top of nearly 90% of schools that will also see a ...4 days ago
- Healthy Active Learning now in 40 percent of schools across New ZealandA total of 800 schools and kura nationwide are now benefitting from a physical activity and nutrition initiative aimed at improving the wellbeing of children and young people. Healthy Active Learning was funded for the first time in the inaugural Wellbeing Budget and was launched in 2020. It gets regional ...4 days ago
- Speech at 10th meeting of the Friends of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test Ban TreatyKia Ora. It is a pleasure to join you here today at this 10th meeting of the Friends of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test Ban Treaty. This gathering provides an important opportunity to reiterate our unwavering commitment to achieving a world without nuclear weapons, for which the entry into force of this ...5 days ago
- Speech for Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit 2022Kia ora koutou katoa Thank you for the invitation to join you. It’s a real pleasure to be here, and to be in such fine company. I want to begin today by acknowledging His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales and Sir David Attenborough in creating what is becoming akin ...5 days ago
- New accreditation builds capacity for Emergency Management VolunteersEmergency Management Minister Kieran McAnulty has recognised the first team to complete a newly launched National Accreditation Process for New Zealand Response Team (NZ-RT) volunteers. “NZ-RT volunteers play a crucial role in our emergency response system, supporting response and recovery efforts on the ground. This new accreditation makes sure our ...5 days ago
- Govt strengthens trans-Tasman emergency management cooperationAotearoa New Zealand continues to strengthen global emergency management capability with a new agreement between New Zealand and Australia, says Minister for Emergency Management Kieran McAnulty. “The Government is committed to improving our global and national emergency management system, and the Memorandum of Cooperation signed is another positive step towards ...5 days ago
- Christchurch Call Initiative on Algorithmic OutcomesToday New Zealand, the USA, Twitter, and Microsoft, announced investment in a technology innovation initiative under the banner of the Christchurch Call. This initiative will support the creation of new technology to understand the impacts of algorithms on people’s online experiences. Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms play a growing role in ...5 days ago
- JOINT PR: Trans-Tasman Cooperation on disaster managementHon Kieran McAnulty, New Zealand Minister for Emergency Management Senator The Hon Murray Watt, Federal Minister for Emergency Management Strengthening Trans-Tasman cooperation on disaster management issues was a key area of focus when Australia and New Zealand’s disaster management ministers met this week on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on ...5 days ago
- More transparency, less red-tape for modernised charities sectorThe Charities Amendment Bill has been introduced today which will modernise the charities sector by increasing transparency, improving access to justice services and reducing the red-tape that smaller charities face, Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector Priyanca Radhakrishnan said. “These changes will make a meaningful difference to over 28,000 ...5 days ago
- Pacific visas reopened to help boost workforceWork continues on delivering on a responsive and streamlined immigration system to help relieve workforce shortages, with the reopening of longstanding visa categories, Immigration Minister Michael Wood has announced. From 3 October 2022, registrations for the Samoan Quota will reopen, and from 5 October registrations for the Pacific Access Category ...5 days ago
- Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Day Bill passes into lawThe Bill establishing Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Day has passed its third reading. “As Queen of Aotearoa New Zealand, Her Majesty was loved for her grace, calmness, dedication, and public service. Her affection for New Zealand and its people was clear, and it was a fondness that was shared,” Michael ...6 days ago
- New investor migrant visa opensThe new Active Investor Plus visa category created to attract high-value investors, has officially opened marking a key milestone in the Government’s Immigration Rebalance strategy, Economic Development Minister Stuart Nash and Immigration Minister Michael Wood have announced. “The new Active Investor Plus visa replaces the previous investor visa categories, which ...6 days ago
- New wharekura continues commitment to Māori educationA new Year 1-13 designated character wharekura will be established in Feilding, Associate Minister of Education Kelvin Davis announced today. To be known as Te Kura o Kauwhata, the wharekura will cater for the expected growth in Feilding for years to come. “The Government has a goal of strengthening Māori ...6 days ago
- National minute of silence for Queen Elizabeth IIA national minute of silence will be observed at the start of New Zealand’s State Memorial Service for Queen Elizabeth II, at 2pm on Monday 26 September. The one-hour service will be held at the Wellington Cathedral of St Paul, during a one-off public holiday to mark the Queen’s death. ...1 week ago
- Speech to the Climate Change and Business ConferenceTēnā koutou i tēnei ata. Good morning. Recently I had cause to say to my friends in the media that I consider that my job is only half done. So I’m going to take the opportunity of this year’s Climate and Business Conference to offer you a mid-point review. A ...1 week ago
- Government enhances protection for our most-productive land Enhanced protection for Aotearoa New Zealand’s most productive land Councils required to identify, map, and manage highly productive land Helping ensure Kiwis’ access to leafy greens and other healthy foods Subdivision for housing on highly-productive land could still be possible in limited circumstances The Government has today released a National ...1 week ago
- Kieran McAnulty to attend Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk ReductionMinister for Emergency Management Kieran McAnulty will travel to Brisbane this week to represent Aotearoa New Zealand at the 2022 Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction. “This conference is one of the most important meetings in the Asia-Pacific region to progress disaster risk reduction efforts and increase cooperation between ...1 week ago
- Trade and Agriculture Minister to travel to India and IndonesiaMinister of Trade and Export Growth and Minister of Agriculture Damien O’Connor will travel tomorrow to India and Indonesia for trade and agricultural meetings to further accelerate the Government’s growing trade agenda. “Exploring ways we can connect globally and build on our trading relationships is a priority for the Government, ...1 week ago
- Poroporoaki: Cletus Maanu Paul (ONZM)E te rangatira Maanu, takoto mai ra, i tō marae i Wairaka, te marae o te wahine nāna I inoi kia Whakatānea ia kia tae ae ia ki te hopu i te waka Mātaatua kia kore ai i riro i te moana. Ko koe anō tēnā he pukumahi koe mō ...1 week ago
- Pacific Wellbeing Strategy sets clear path to improve outcomes for Pacific AotearoaStrengthening partnerships with Pacific communities is at the heart of the Government’s new Pacific Wellbeing Strategy, Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio announced today. “Working alongside communities to ensure more of our aiga and families have access to the staples of life like, housing, education, training and job opportunities ...1 week ago
- Jobs on the horizon for more than 1,000 rangatahiFollowing on from last week’s Better Pathways Package announcement and Apprenticeship Boost 50,000th apprentice milestone, the Government is continuing momentum, supporting over 1,000 more rangatahi into employment, through new funding for He Poutama Rangatahi. “Our Government remains laser focused on supporting young people to become work ready and tackle the ...1 week ago
- NZ/AU partnership to bring world-class satellite positioning servicesLand Information Minister Damien O’Connor today announced a joint Trans-Tasman partnership which will provide Australasia with world-leading satellite positioning services that are up to 50 times more accurate, boosting future economic productivity, sustainability and safety. New Zealand and Australia have partnered to deliver the Southern Positioning Augmentation Network (SouthPAN), with ...1 week ago
- Govt helps small businesses get paid on timeThe Government is adding to the support it has offered New Zealand’s small businesses by introducing new measures to help ensure they get paid on time. A Business Payment Practices disclosure regime is being established to improve information and transparency around business-to-business payment practices across the economy, Small Business Minister ...1 week ago
- Economy grows as tourism and exports reboundThe economy has rebounded strongly in the June quarter as the easing of restrictions and reopening of the border boosted economic activity, meaning New Zealand is well placed to meet the next set of challenges confronting the global economy. GDP rose 1.7 percent in the June quarter following a decline ...2 weeks ago
- New Ambassador to China announcedForeign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta today announced the appointment of Grahame Morton as New Zealand’s next Ambassador to China. “Aotearoa New Zealand and China share a long and important relationship,” Nanaia Mahuta said. “As we mark 50 years of diplomatic relations between our nations, we are connected by people-to-people links, ...2 weeks ago
- 1.4 million hectares of wilding pine control work in two years1.4 million hectares of native and productive land have been protected from wilding conifers in the past two years and hundreds of jobs created in the united efforts to stamp out the highly invasive weeds, Biosecurity Minister Damien O’Connor said. Speaking today at the 2022 Wilding Pine Conference in Blenheim, Damien ...2 weeks ago
- HomeGround – “a place to come together, a place to come home to”After 10 years’ hard mahi, HomeGround - Auckland City Mission's new home – is now officially open. “It’s extremely satisfying to see our commitment to providing a safety net for people who need housing and additional support services come together in a place like HomeGround, to create a better future ...2 weeks ago
- Marshall Islands calls off talks after no US response on nuclear legacy plan
By Giff Johnson, editor of the Marshall Islands Journal and RNZ Pacific correspondent On the eve of the US Pacific Islands Summit in Washington, a key ally in the region called off a scheduled negotiating session for a treaty Washington views as an essential hedge against China in the region. ...10 mins ago - Petition calls for monarchy to be replaced on New Zealand moneyA Wellington tauira (scholar) has launched a petition calling for Aotearoa New Zealand’s Reserve Bank to replace the monarch in the next redesign of coins and notes, with images that better represent the country. Rangatahi Māori, Te Matahiapo Safari Hynes (Rangitāne, Ngāti Kahungunu) said it was a chance for New ...10 mins ago
- What will its first far-right leader since WWII mean for Italy?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sofia Ammassari, PhD researcher, Griffith University “Una vittoria storica” – a historic victory. That’s how the website of one of Italy’s major newspapers, the Corriere della Sera, reacted to the exit polls released after voting closed in Italy’s general election on Sunday ...3 hours ago
- As winter approaches, will Putin’s ‘partial mobilisation’ help Russia win the war in Ukraine?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Matthew Sussex, Fellow, Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Australian National University Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent announcement of a “partial mobilisation” of 300,000 Russian personnel to fight in Ukraine sounded decisive. It isn’t. The official position, fleshed out by Defence Minister Sergei ...3 hours ago
- What does the Optus data breach mean for you and how can you protect yourself? A step-by-step guideSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jennifer J. Williams, PhD Candidate, Macquarie University Optus, Australia’s second largest telecommunications company, announced on September 22 that identifying details of up to 9.8 million customers were stolen from their customer database. The details, dating back to 2017, include names, birth dates, ...4 hours ago
- ‘They treat you like a person, they ask you what you want’: what NDIS participants value in supp...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Megan Topping, PhD Candidate, La Trobe University Shutterstock When the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) was established almost a decade ago, it was envisaged people with disability would be empowered consumers. It was hoped their customer insights would shape new ...6 hours ago
- Australia violated the rights of Torres Strait Islanders by failing to act on climate change, the UN...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kristen Lyons, Professor, Environment and Development Sociology, The University of Queensland Shutterstock In a landmark decision, a United Nations committee on Friday found Australia’s former Coalition government violated the human rights of Torres Strait Islanders by failing to adequately respond ...6 hours ago
- “Voodoo economics” is among Seymour’s objections to public holiday – Waititi’s grouches ar...
Have all members of Parliament taken the day off, on this Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Day? We ask because there were some objections to the Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Day Bill, when all stages were passed under urgency into law last Tuesday. The legislation created a one-off public holiday to ...8 hours ago - Manila-bound Sio issues one statement with a translation (of Tuvalu words) and another with no trans...Buzz from the Beehive Aupito William Sio is the only Minister to have made an official announcement, since our previous Buzz report – and he issued two press statements. Climate change was mentioned in both statements. As Associate Foreign Affairs Minister, Sio has headed to the Philippines to represent New ...10 hours ago
- Is selective school right for your child? Here are 7 questions to help you decideSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Daniel X. Harris, Professor and Associate Dean, Research & Innovation, RMIT University CHUTTERSNAP/Unsplash, CC BY Parents and students are currently making big decisions about next year. Some will have just received or be about to receive offers of a ...11 hours ago
- In a world first, NASA’s DART mission is about to smash into an asteroid. What will we learn?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Steven Tingay, John Curtin Distinguished Professor (Radio Astronomy), Curtin University Illustration of DART before impact. NASA/Johns Hopkins APL/Steve Gribben On September 26 at 11.15pm UTC, NASA’s DART mission (Double Asteroid Redirection Test) will be the first to deliberately and measurably change the ...13 hours ago
- We studied 309,544 patent applications – and found inventing is still a man’s worldSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vicki Huang, Senior Lecturer, Intellectual Property, Deakin University Shutterstock Are women as successful as men in securing a patent for their invention? We set out to investigate gender bias in patent outcomes at IP Australia – the government agency ...13 hours ago
- Omicron-specific vaccines may give slightly better COVID protection – but getting boosted promptl...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nathan Bartlett, Associate Professor, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle Vaccines (predominantly mRNA vaccines) have been our front-line defence against COVID and have saved millions of lives. Despite the emergence of genetically distinct COVID variants throughout the pandemic, we’ve ...13 hours ago
- Backcountry visitors are leaving poo piles in the Australian Alps – and it’s a problemSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Pascal Scherrer, Senior Lecturer, School of Business and Tourism, Southern Cross University Spring has arrived in Australia’s Snowy Mountains. The snow is starting to melt. Wildflowers are emerging in a variety of colours: blues, yellows, whites … hang on. Those aren’t white ...13 hours ago
- Is selective school right for your child? Here 7 questions to help you decideSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Daniel X. Harris, Professor and Associate Dean, Research & Innovation, RMIT University CHUTTERSNAP/Unsplash, CC BY Parents and students are currently making big decisions about next year. Some will have just received or be about to receive offers of a ...13 hours ago
- Why the Reserve Bank’s record loss of $37 billion was actually good for AustraliaSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Isaac Gross, Lecturer in Economics, Monash University Mick Tsikas/AAP The Reserve Bank has just reported a loss of A$37 billion, the biggest in its history, and it says it will be unable to pay the government dividends for some time. ...13 hours ago
- ‘Like walking into a crystal’: our first preview of the Art Gallery of NSW’s new Sydney ModernSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joanna Mendelssohn, Honorary (Senior Fellow) School of Culture and Communication University of Melbourne. Editor in Chief, Design and Art of Australia Online, The University of Melbourne Aerial photograph of the Sydney Modern Project construction site, taken on September 7 2022. ...13 hours ago
- Crossbenchers seek assurances as anti-corruption bill is introduced this weekSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Crossbenchers have issued a list of demands on the anti-corruption commission and say they “won’t be rushed” to a vote, ahead of the much-anticipated legislation being introduced into parliament this week. The government aims to ...21 hours ago
- Did the Morrison government change the relationship between religion and politics in Australia?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Elenie Poulos, Honorary Postdoctoral Associate, Macquarie University Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images The ABC recently reported on the “infiltration” of Liberal Party branches in regional Victoria by Pentecostals, on a mission to influence Liberal Party positions on so-called morality issues such as abortion ...21 hours ago
- Mayoral Candidate Says Public Are Sitting Ducks
Auckland Mayoral candidate John Lehmann says he has been shocked and horrified, discovering the nonexistence of rules, and laws surrounding, misrepresentations, lies, and hidden agendas, not being disclosed to the lead up at election time. Lehmann ...1 day ago - VIDEO: Albanese to attend Abe funeral; integrity legislation to go to parliamentSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra University of Canberra Professorial Fellow Michelle Grattan and University of Canberra Vice-Chancellor Paddy Nixon discuss the week in politics. While the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and a memorial service in Canberra dominated the news ...1 day ago
- Jacinda Ardern at the UN: 'We don't need to lose sight of hope and optimism'
After a two-year Covid-induced hiatus, the United Nations' leaders' summit returned with gusto this week, but against a far darker backdrop than Jacinda Ardern's last time there. ...2 days ago - Politician keeps promise – markets fall
They suspected that they might be electing a radical, but to their great surprise, Britain’s Conservative party members found out on Friday that they had also elected a party leader who meant what she said. British politics may take a little while to recover. New finance chief Kwasi Kwarteng ...2 days ago - Fate of Papua’s Governor Enembe – the ‘son of Koteka’ – lies in balance amid allegationsSPECIAL REPORT: By Yamin Kogoya Alleged corruption involving Governor Lukas Enembe has dominated both Papuan and Indonesian media outlets and social media groups over the past two weeks. The Indonesian media is rife with allegations and accusations against the governor who is suspected of spending of billions in rupiahs. These ...2 days ago
- Ardern greets UN General Assembly in te reo before stating NZ’s stance on the big issues – inclu...Buzz from the Beehive The Beehive website treats us today to the speech – or “national statement – which our PM has delivered to the United Nations General Assembly. The speech has been posted along with news about the government … investing around $19 million to support upgrades at ...2 days ago
- Focus on Politics: Three waters on the boil as elections loomWater management is shaping up as a major political battleground ahead of local and general elections, Political Journalist Russell Palmer finds. ...2 days ago
- Tackle Housing Affordability, Efeso Collins SaysLet's tackle housing affordability so we don't lock a generation out of the market, Efeso Collins says. Auckland mayoral candidate Efeso Collins says the Council he leads will be laser-focused on housing affordability. “Too many ...3 days ago
- Ukraine war to end – but what then?With every pause in the Ukrainian counteroffensive, talk of stalemate pops up. But pay more attention to the currents, than the surface froth. So nice to get some quality thinking in the Hoover Institution’s Strategika publication. First, Niall Ferguson with a typically thought-provoking insight into war as a continuation ...3 days ago
- Aucklander Inspires Demonstration Around British Parliament To Free Julian Assange, October 8thAucklander Matt Ó Branáin has inspired a historic demonstration in London on October 8th , to free jailed Australian journalist Julian Assange . Matt’s proposal to #HugBelmarsh prison with a Human Chain of 1,100 people went viral. Due to some difficulties, ...3 days ago
- New Zealand's 'strong and firm' stance on nuclear weapons more important than ever &#...Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says New Zealand has an important role to play in continuing international efforts towards nuclear non-proliferation. Watch her latest media stand-up here. ...3 days ago
- NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern condemns Russia, calls for ban on nuclear weapons in UN speechJust days after the Kremlin threatened nuclear warfare, Jacinda Ardern has taken to the United Nations podium to condemn Russia and call for a complete ban on all nuclear weapons. ...3 days ago
- The merger of TVNZ and RNZ needs to build trust in public media – 3 things the law change must get...ANALYSIS: By Alexander Gillespie, University of Waikato and Claire Breen, University of Waikato With only six days left for submissions to the select committee examining the Aotearoa New Zealand Public Media Bill, it is becoming clear this crucial piece of legislation has some significant shortcomings. These will need attention before ...3 days ago
- 5 suspects arrested as probe continues into killing of PNG Ports chiefBy Miriam Zarriga in Port Moresby Papua New Guinea police have arrested five men in Goroka over their alleged involvement in the killing of PNG Ports managing director Fego Kiniafa. Provincial Police Commander Chief Superintendent Michael Welly said the men were in police custody and were now being questioned over ...3 days ago
- Tunoa – house arrest – on Tokelau family ends after more than a yearRNZ Pacific The Taupulega, or council, on the Tokelau atoll of Nukunonu, has lifted a house arrest order on a family which had refused to get vaccinated against covid-19. The family was placed under tunoa in August 2021. A council meeting on Wednesday told family member Mahelino Patelesio that the ...3 days ago
- Michael Field: Freedom at midday – stories from Facebook prisonCOMMENTARY: By Michael Field Just the other day a robot guard came along a corridor in a special digital prison, consulted his flatscreen embedded on its wrist and then pressed his thumb on a door, which sprang open. For the fourth time, I was being released from Facebook prison having ...3 days ago
- $100m apartment complex coming to Manukau – but you’ll have to be 55 to get inBy Stephen Forbes of Local Government Reporting A new $100 million apartment complex is coming to Manukau — Auckland’s heart of Pacific communities. But you’ll have to be aged at least 55 to get in. Kāinga Ora is expected to start construction of the 123 apartments in Osterley Way in ...3 days ago
- How not to tell customers their data is at risk: the perils of the Optus approachSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Edwina Luck, Senior Lecturer QUT Business School, Advertising, Marketing and Public Relations, Queensland University of Technology Optus fears data on up to 9.8 million of its customers has been accessed in a sophisticated cyberattack – including, for some customers, passport and drivers ...3 days ago
- Threats, rates and mullets in spotlight at feisty mayoral debateOne New Plymouth mayoral candidate was banned from today's debate for allegedly making threats against the media, while another has dropped out of the contentious race. ...3 days ago
- VIDEO: Albanese to attend Abe funeral next week; integrity legislation to go to parliamentSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra University of Canberra Professorial Fellow Michelle Grattan and University of Canberra Vice-Chancellor Paddy Nixon discuss the week in politics. While the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and a memorial service in Canberra dominated the news ...3 days ago
- Bryce Edwards’ Political Roundup: The Political mood of the business eliteAnalysis by Dr Bryce Edwards. Political Roundup: The Political mood of the business elite Political scientist, Dr Bryce Edwards. The New Zealand Herald has released the results of its annual “Mood of the Boardroom” survey today. Should we care what businesses think of politics, the economy and society? There’s a good ...3 days ago
- Indigenous Issues, Climate Change, And Artificial Intelligence On The Agenda For Canadian Political ...A cross-party delegation of Members of Parliament (MPs) is heading to Canada for a week-long political exchange. The purpose of the delegation is for members to gain a better understanding of the bilateral relationship between the two countries, and ...3 days ago
- Government announces $5m fund to help reduce reliance on plasticsThe government says the country needs to be doing more to match recycling practices in other parts of the world. ...3 days ago
- Mahuta’s husband and the Public Service Commission inquiry: how Chris Hipkins ineptly played the r...We intended alerting our readers (if they had not already noticed) to how Public Service Minister Chris Hipkins played the race card in the matter of the Public Service Commission deciding to look into the propriety of government contracts awarded to Nanaia Mahuta’s husband. We have taken a short cut ...3 days ago
- Week in Politics: Sam Uffindell cleared but it's a bleak week for NationalAnalysis - Uffindell is back in National's fold but Luxon's refusal to release the report on his behaviour creates uncertainty over its findings, Foreign Minister Mahuta is embroiled in a conflict of interest investigation and there's a warning ...3 days ago
- ‘No body, no parole’ laws could be disastrous for the wrongfully convictedSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jarryd Bartle, Associate Lecturer, RMIT University The New South Wales government is set to introduce new “no body, no parole” laws, which will deny parole for homicide offenders who refuse to provide information or assistance to locate their victim’s remains. This follows ...3 days ago
- No, we are not a member of the Friends of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty – but we are o...We reported yesterday on the speech – a short one of around 500 words – which the PM delivered to the 10th meeting of the Friends of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test Ban Treaty. She said the gathering provided an important opportunity to reiterate New Zealand’s unwavering commitment to achieving a world ...3 days ago
- Cowardly Government Needs To Keep Its Promise On No New MinesThe Government's decision not to support Green MP Eugenie Sage's members bill to ban new mines on conservation land shows how little it truly cares about conservation, and keeping promises, says Ours Not Mines spokesperson Morgan Donoghue. "When ...3 days ago
- Ukraine ambassador urges Australian embassy in Kyiv to reopen ASAPSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The Ukraine conflict has escalated this week, with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin announcing a partial military mobilisation and once again raising the threat of nuclear weapons. Meanwhile Ukraine has been pressing Australia to provide ...3 days ago
- A UN-backed tribunal on Khmer Rouge crimes just confirmed the conviction of key leader Khieu Samphan...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rosemary Grey, Lecturer in Law, University of Sydney Nhet Sok Heng/Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia via AP A United Nations-backed tribunal in Cambodia has just concluded its largest trial, concerning crimes committed during the Khmer Rouge regime. The ...3 days ago
- Should I give my teen alcohol? Just a sip, the whole can, or none at all?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexandra Aiken, Adjunct Associate Lecturer, UNSW Sydney Kindel Media/Pexels, CC BY-SA You’re at a barbecue and the adults are enjoying a few drinks. Everyone is relaxed and having a great time. One of your friends has just given their teen ...3 days ago
- High Court sits vac – it looks like we don’t qualify but (while we live off our nest eggs) our b...Latest from the Beehive The Government opened up a great career opportunity yesterday at much the same time as it announced an initiative to protect – within limits – our savings. The job opportunity (which excited us here, at Point of Order, until we were alerted to the age limit ...3 days ago
- Want noisy miners to be less despotic? Think twice before filling your garden with nectar-rich flowe...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jade Fountain, PhD Student, University of Adelaide Photo by Vlad Kutepov/Pexels, CC BY Noisy miners are complicated creatures. These Australian native honeyeaters live in large cooperative groups, use alarm calls to target specific predators, and sometimes help raise the young ...3 days ago
- Government commits nearly $19m to sporting upgrades ahead of 2023 FIFA World CupThe money will pay for upgrades at potential sporting facilities earmarked for the tournament, including pitch, lighting and facility enhancements. ...3 days ago
- Small communities could be buying, selling and saving money on electric power right now – here’s...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Soheil Mohseni, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Sustainable Energy Systems, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Shutterstock/Riccio da favola Globally, the electricity sector is shifting from large, centralised grids powered by fossil fuels to smaller and smarter renewable local ...3 days ago
- Not Invisible – Let’s Celebrate The Resilience And Contribution Of Older WomenInternational Day of Older Persons on 1 October each year is a day to celebrate older people – to highlight the value of all older people and to promote dignity and respect. This year the United Nations (UN) theme is “The Resilience and Contributions ...3 days ago
- Labour Kills Green Members Bill On MiningCoromandel Watchdog of Hauraki are furious that Labour have announced they will not support the Green Member Eugenie Sage’s Bill which would have advanced Labour’s own mining policy. “It’s ridiculous that Labour wouldn’t allow the “Crown ...3 days ago
- NZ Announces Funding For Glorification Of TerrorNew Zealand’s Foreign Minister, Hon Minister Mahuta, has moved NZ further from its 5 eyes allies by rewarding incitement to terror via her announcement on Twitter that New Zealand will provide UNWRA with“ $3 million over 3 years” and that “Aotearoa ...3 days ago
- EU Protects Deep Sea Life From Bottom Trawling, As New Science Shows Up NZ Industry ProposalThe European Union has agreed new measures to protect seamounts from bottom trawling, showing up the New Zealand government’s inaction on the issue, environment groups said today. Meanwhile, a NIWA study released this week has revealed that there are ...3 days ago
- Lack Of Respect Shown To VotersMayoral candidate, Craig Lord is starting to wonder about the ethics being shown by his opponents as another debate is cancelled at short notice. In what has become a disturbing pattern during the campaign, Efeso Collins has put in yet another apology ...3 days ago
- Balance Of Payments And International Investment Position: Year Ended 31 March 2022Balance of payments records the value of the country's transactions with the rest of the world. It shows changes in financial claims on, and liabilities to, the rest of the world. International investment position is a snapshot of the country's financial ...3 days ago
- Expelling Russian ambassador 'least meaningful' diplomatic option – ArdernPrime Minister Jacinda Ardern has downplayed the likelihood of the Russian ambassador being expelled. ...3 days ago
- ACT Claims FFP Extension Is Unavoidable“Figures collected by ACT show the avalanche of consents David Parker is going to inflict on councils to meet Freshwater Farm Plan requirements, his only option is to extend the deadline,” says ACT’s Primary Industries spokesperson Mark Cameron. ...3 days ago
- EU boss says trade deal with NZ a 'gold standard' for future agreementsThe chair of the European Parliament's International Trade committee is confident the process of ratifying the trade deal with New Zealand will be simple. ...3 days ago
- Political panel: Uffindell, Russia, and MPs under threatMorning Report - RNZ and the NZ Herald's political editors Jane Patterson and Claire Trevett discuss the Uffindell report's handling and increased Russian aggression. ...3 days ago
- Public Service Workforce Spend Must Be Transparent And JustifiedThe New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union says more transparency is needed in our public service including when it comes to the amount being spent on the workforce. "News that nearly a third of public servants are earning more than $100,000.00 per annum ...3 days ago
- Curious Kids: How is lava made?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Janice Crerar, Lecturer in Education, Charles Darwin University ImageBank4u/Shutterstock How is lava made? – Leon, age 7, Sydney, Australia Thank you for a great question Leon! Have you ever seen lava? What does it look ...4 days ago
- Grand design: why the AFL structure is unique – and has enabled competitive balanceSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Daryl Adair, Associate Professor of Sport Management, University of Technology Sydney Since 2017, Victoria has commemorated AFL Grand Final Friday as a public holiday, with a parade of the two competing teams through a festive Melbourne (apart from interruptions in 2020 and ...4 days ago
- Someone in my house has COVID. How likely am I to catch it?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hassan Vally, Associate Professor, Epidemiology, Deakin University Rebecca Tapert/Unsplash Throughout the pandemic, one of the biggest COVID risks has been sharing a house with someone who is infectious. Given how contagious COVID is, especially more recent variants, you’d imagine ...4 days ago
- Termites love global warming – the pace of their wood munching gets significantly faster in hotter...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexander Cheesman, Senior Research Fellow, James Cook University Wood feeding termites (_Microcerotermes spp_) inside their nest. Johan Larson, Author provided When we consider termites, we may think of the danger they can pose to our houses once they settle in and ...4 days ago
- Australia has relied on agricultural innovation to farm our dry land. We’ll need more for the unce...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sam Rudd, SIEF Ross Metcalf STEM+Business Fellow – Future Industries Institute, University of South Australia Shutterstock Since European colonisation, Australia’s farmers have had to pioneer new technologies to adapt agriculture to this dry land. Think of innovations such as the world’s ...4 days ago
- Lizard in your luggage? We’re using artificial intelligence to detect wildlife traffickingSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vanessa Pirotta, Postdoctoral Researcher and Wildlife Scientist, Macquarie University A scanned lace monitor lizard (_Varanus varius_) image produced by using new technology. Rapiscan Systems, Author provided Blue-tongue lizards and sulphur-crested cockatoos are among the native animals frequently smuggled overseas. While the ...4 days ago
- How do you teach a primary school child about consent? You can start with these booksSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Emma Whatman, Sessional Academic, Faculty of Arts and Education, Deakin University Johnny McClung/Unsplash, CC BY Parents will be increasingly aware they need to talk about consent with their children. There is no such thing as “too young” to start the ...4 days ago
- Memo to the Productivity Commission: fixing inequality is the key to productivitySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jenny Gordon, Honorary Professor, Centre for Social Research and Methods, Australian National University Shutterstock Every five years the Productivity Commission is charged with examining everything that can be done to lift Australia’s productivity. Its first interim report in the current inquiry, ...4 days ago
- Some survivors will find peace and healing in Bali 2002 – but others may find the series triggerin...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Carmen Jacques, Research Officer, Edith Cowan University Stan Around 11pm on October 12 2002, the first of three separate bombs detonated when a suicide bomber entered Paddy’s Bar in Kuta, Bali. Another bomb detonated shortly after outside the Sari nightclub, before ...4 days ago
- Jacinda Ardern meets UN Secretary-General António GuterresJacinda Ardern met with UN Secretary-General António Guterres against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine and challenges facing the Pacific. ...4 days ago
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