sustainability
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Key fiddles while dairy industry burns
Written By: - Date published: 9:27 am, March 16th, 2016 - 46 comments
The dairy crisis is escalating with a further drop in prices occurring overnight. And John Key has chosen to defend the Government’s handling of the crisis by attacking Andrew Little. He would be better off explaining what his Government is doing to address what is becoming a crisis.
Norman on the economy
Written By: - Date published: 8:03 am, March 12th, 2016 - 58 comments
Russel Norman was right in 2014 when he said that the Nats were daft to gamble on oil and bulk milk production, and he’s right again now to draw attention to the failures. We need a green economy!
Fonterra faces liquidity issues as rivers of “white oil” dry up
Written By: - Date published: 5:47 pm, March 8th, 2016 - 141 comments
Pundits, most residing in the National Party, just three years ago predicted the economy would surf high on “rivers of white oil” flowing from the dairy industry, but they now have cow pats splattered on their faces as Fonterra today announced another payout downgrade and signalled liquidity pressures.
the Global Death Economy
Written By: - Date published: 10:15 am, February 25th, 2016 - 141 comments
A new edition of “Confessions of an Economic Hitman” has been released. It makes it clear that we are in the grip of a global “Death Economy” and a collective embrace of ‘Thanatos’, the death instinct.
Corporate Saviours
Written By: - Date published: 12:37 pm, February 12th, 2016 - 66 comments
oh, hallelujah…
The battle over climate change continues
Written By: - Date published: 3:28 pm, February 11th, 2016 - 21 comments
Two recent international incidents show that the resistance to meaningful action on climate change has not given up. In the USA Barak Obama’s climate change policies are under attack in the Supreme Court. And in Australia CSIRO has decided to get rid of all of its climate change scientists.
Government U turn on inner city rail link
Written By: - Date published: 12:49 pm, January 27th, 2016 - 40 comments
John Key has announced that National will bring forward funding of Auckland’s inner city rail link. The decision is welcome but it should have been made years ago.
The great big list of John Key’s big fat lies (UPDATED)
Written By: - Date published: 7:00 am, January 27th, 2016 - 79 comments
How many more lies will John Key tell today in his so-called State of the Nation address? Virtual chocolate fish to whomever guesses the closest number.
Barry Brickell: Earth to Earth
Written By: - Date published: 8:11 am, January 26th, 2016 - 23 comments
Ad reflects on the death of Potter Barry Brickell and his tremendous contributions to art and environmental protection and poses the question are we doing as much as Barry to make the world a better place.
Bob Carter Dies
Written By: - Date published: 10:14 pm, January 23rd, 2016 - 13 comments
Veteran Climate Science Denialist Bob Carter Dies of Heart Attack
Bob Carter has died. To most members of the general public, the name of that Australian geologist and paleontologist will barely register a flicker of neurons in the temporal lobe. But to the global community of professional and amateur climate science denialists, misinformers and opponents of climate policy, Carter was an influential giant. He died, aged… (more…)
Sustainability Council: TPPA lets investors sue over climate change policies
Written By: - Date published: 7:30 am, January 22nd, 2016 - 98 comments
The Sustainability Council has reported that passing the TPPA may result in corporate claims for compensation against sovereign states that adopt policies to address climate change. And details how references to climate change were washed out of the text of the TPPA during the negotiation process.
Robin Grieve does not understand the IPCC report
Written By: - Date published: 10:11 am, January 17th, 2016 - 82 comments
The Herald has printed an opinion piece by ex ACT candidate Robin Grieve Robin Grieve which claims that the IPCC has said we have nothing to worry about climate change when a cursory reading of the report suggests otherwise. What is it with the quality of Herald opinion pieces presented by former ACT candidates?
Royal Bank of Scotland to investors: “Sell everything”
Written By: - Date published: 10:48 am, January 13th, 2016 - 154 comments
The Bank of Scotland has advised advised its clients to brace for a “cataclysmic year” and a global deflationary crisis.
National’s vision for New Zealand’s future
Written By: - Date published: 11:28 am, January 12th, 2016 - 94 comments
Stephen Joyce has had published an opinion piece in this morning’s Herald which extolls the virtue of free trade and ignores the pitfalls. Such as those shown this week when TransCanada sued the US Government for rejecting the Keystone XL pipeline contract.
The great carbon credit swindle
Written By: - Date published: 8:47 am, January 2nd, 2016 - 56 comments
On December 17, 2015 the Government released a series reports suggesting that New Zealand is complying with Kyoto Protocol obligations. A dig into the reports confirms however that the compliance is in name only and is for spin purposes rather than a real attempt at addressing the world’s most pressing problem.
We will always have Paris
Written By: - Date published: 7:09 am, December 27th, 2015 - 56 comments
COP21 provided welcome commitment by the world’s nations to do something meaningful about climate change. But this is not enough. So what next?
Apparently solar panels suck up all the sun’s energy and cause cancer
Written By: - Date published: 7:46 am, December 16th, 2015 - 59 comments
Elected representatives in Woodland North Carolina were persuaded by arguments that solar panels were sucking up all of the sun’s energy, were preventing plants from photosynthesising and were causing cancer to ban a proposed solar panel farm.
COP21 and the implications for New Zealand
Written By: - Date published: 10:43 am, December 13th, 2015 - 56 comments
COP21 has set the benchmark, no greater than 1.5 degrees increase in global temperatures. But current national pledges suggest that the world is on track for at least 3 degrees. And if New Zealand’s effort was replicated throughout the world the increase would be more like 4 degrees or more. So what should New Zealand be doing?
New Zealand wins fossil of the day award – again
Written By: - Date published: 8:52 am, December 11th, 2015 - 43 comments
For a small country New Zealand is certainly punching above its weight. It has been awarded a second fossil of the day award by the Climate Action Network.
Rabblerave: New Zealand’s Next Top Model Politician
Written By: - Date published: 10:00 am, December 6th, 2015 - 33 comments
Invisiphilia analyses events of last week where environmental collective responsibility is finally gaining control over neo-liberalist philosophy and the old notion of an environmentalist being a sandal wearing, mong bean eaters has finally been given a decent burial.
As we bind ourselves with the TPP, so other countries will fill the need
Written By: - Date published: 5:58 pm, December 4th, 2015 - 112 comments
Reeling from tough produce sanctions, Russia will pursue a strategy as the world’s largest supplier of ‘ecologically clean’ food. And where is NZ?
The ALP’s climate change emissions reduction target
Written By: - Date published: 9:04 am, November 30th, 2015 - 10 comments
The Australian Labor Party will today announce its goals for emissions reduction with a plan for zero carbon emissions by 2050.
RMA announcement
Written By: - Date published: 11:25 am, November 26th, 2015 - 24 comments
Changes to the RMA have just been announced.
Updated.
Why the ETS Review needs to include agriculture
Written By: - Date published: 7:10 am, November 25th, 2015 - 26 comments
John Key has stated that within three to four years New Zealand’s scientists will have a solution for agricultural greenhouse gas emissions. If this is correct why has the Government just released a discussion paper on the ETS ruling out agricultural emissions because there are no practical technologies available to reduce them?
Blueskin Bay
Written By: - Date published: 10:30 am, November 24th, 2015 - 28 comments
The Blueskin Bay settlement north of Dunedin provides an example of people working collectively at a local level to live sustainably.
The People’s climate march
Written By: - Date published: 9:19 am, November 22nd, 2015 - 41 comments
Nationwide protest marches are planned in New Zealand on November 28 in the run up to the Paris Climate Change talks to give the message to world leaders that real action to address climate change is required.
The third Industrial Revolution
Written By: - Date published: 7:30 am, November 19th, 2015 - 107 comments
The Paris climate change talks will force leaders to confront climate change and the threat of terrorism at the same time. Can they show the same determination to deal with the gradual but inevitable threat of climate change as they purport to show to deal with the immediate threat of terrorism.
Fouling our nest
Written By: - Date published: 7:04 am, November 2nd, 2015 - 38 comments
New Zealand is a beautiful country, and tourism is our second biggest earner of foreign exchange. We’d be stupid to trash the place, right?
Pressure mounts to force Auckland to open up land
Written By: - Date published: 1:57 pm, October 22nd, 2015 - 45 comments
Serious Fraud Office, Productivity Commission, Council failings, under-supply of houses, Developer Greed… a recipe for disaster
NRT: Dictatorship in Canterbury, dictatorship in Parliament
Written By: - Date published: 9:21 am, October 14th, 2015 - 9 comments
I/S at No Right Turn writes on the continued suspension of democracy in Canterbury.
Key pinches Labour’s Kermadec Sanctuary Policy
Written By: - Date published: 7:00 am, September 30th, 2015 - 88 comments
National’s announced intention to create a marine sanctuary around the Kermadec Islands looks remarkably like Labour’s policy from the last election. And why did John Key not tell his caucus beforehand?
- The Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending November 8
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington. AUCKLAND 1 Kai Feast by Christall Lowe (Bateman, $60) This from the publisher’s blurb is enough to get ...1 week ago - Robert Patman: NZ shouldn’t be afraid to call Trump out
Donald Trump is labelling his win ‘the greatest political movement of all time’. How historic is it for someone (globally) to be elected president twice non-consecutively, especially with a tumultuous background?Like or dislike it, Donald Trump is arguably the most impactful US president during the 21st century. Elected twice as ...1 week ago - The many mysteries of A Remarkable Place to Die
Tara Ward watches TVNZ’s sleek and scenic new murder-mystery series. This is an excerpt from our weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. It’s a beautiful day in Central Otago for a car to plummet off a cliff. Somewhere deep inside Skipper’s Canyon, a car leaves the road and ...1 week ago
- The Spinoff guide to life: How to be a good camper
Summer’s coming. It’s time to brush the dried grass out of your tent, and more importantly, brush up on your campsite manners. Ah, the joys of sleeping in a nylon dome. No ventilation, no insulation and no soundproofing. That little rock that wiggles its way through your long sponge masquerading ...1 week ago
- A survival guide for holidaying with your horrible children
Travelling with kids can test even the most patient of parents, but go in armed with these tried-and-true tips and you might just come out of it unscathed. When you become a parent, all manner of pleasant activities you once took for granted become distant memories: weekend sleep-ins, leisurely cafe brunches, ...1 week ago
- Stage set for Treaty Principles Bill showdown
The controversial proposed legislation has been introduced to parliament just a week out from its first reading, writes Stewart Sowman-Lund in today’s extract from The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. ...1 week ago
- The longest commute, day five: The long train to Auckland
Joel MacManus attempts to travel from the bottom to the top of the country without a car or plane. Today: the longest single trip on his journey. The mission: Get from Stewart Island to Cape Reinga as fast as possible using only public transport. Wherever I can, I’ll travel by ...1 week ago
- Elemeno P just released a song for the first time in 13 years – but is it real?
On Wednesday, kiwi legends Elemeno P dropped a new song. ‘Shiver’ either marks a huge change in direction, unfettered use of AI, copyright infringement or an upload error. Gabi Lardies investigates. “Woah this build up is crazy.” I’m watching my colleague listen to a song I’ve been replaying all morning. ...2 weeks ago
- What’s up with the curious resurrection of a beloved Wellington bookstore?
Vic Books closed down in January 2023, but its website and Twitter handle have risen from the dead. What’s going on? On October 10 this year, the dormant Vic Books Twitter handle rose like Lazarus with the following message: “Vic Books will be returning soon – your beloved bookstore now ...2 weeks ago
- Last living member of the 28th Māori Battalion, Sir Robert ‘Bom’ Nairn Gillies, dies
Sir Robert ‘Bom’ Nairn Gillies has passed away at 99 years old. He was the last surviving member of the 28th Māori Battalion, the most-decorated New Zealand battalion from World War II. Bom Gillies (Te Arawa – Ngati Whakaue, Ngati Kahungunu) was known for his humility, strength, and his deep ...2 weeks ago
- Interim Financial Statements Of The Government Of New Zealand For The Three Months Ended 30 Septembe...
The September results are reported against forecasts based on the Budget Economic and Fiscal Update 2024 (BEFU 2024), published on 30 May 2024, and the results for the same period for the previous year. ...2 weeks ago - Commission Report Released On Domestic Contribution To The Second Nationally Determined Contribution
Minister of Climate Change Simon Watts today released the Commission’s report on the domestic emissions reductions that Aotearoa New Zealand could achieve as part of the country's second nationally determined contribution (NDC2). ...2 weeks ago
- Cleaners Left In Limbo After Contract Change At Auckland Transport Sites
After MMS lost its contract to provide cleaning services for Auckland Transport sites to City Cleaning, cleaners’ pay and conditions should have been transferred to the new contractor under Part 6A of the Employment Relations Act. ...2 weeks ago
- Social Housing Cutbacks Confirmed As Govt Axes Another 310 Kāinga Ora Workers
This makes a total of 551 roles lost since April 2024, or one in six workers across the country. A third of the workforce is in Auckland. ...2 weeks ago
- Local cult classic horror Black Sheep confirmed for a sequel
New Zealand’s scariest flock of sheep are back, baby. Rattle your dags, sharpen your shears and somebody check on Oliver Driver, because it has just been confirmed that a sequel for the local horror comedy Black Sheep will start production next year, nearly two decades after the original film ...2 weeks ago
- Have Your Say On The Oversight Of Oranga Tamariki System Legislation Amendment Bill
The bill seeks to enhance oversight and monitoring of the Oranga Tamariki system by making structural changes to the Independent Children’s Monitor and the Children and Young People’s Commission. ...2 weeks ago
- The ultimate holiday reads: An alphabetical guide
An A to Z of iconic books matched with iconic holiday locations. Whether you’re an ultralight traveller armed with only a Kindle, or you’re a romantic who loves to schlepp your travel-worn paperbacks (lightly battered and eventually swapped with a stranger in a train station for their charmingly worn Dostoyevsky), ...2 weeks ago
- The longest commute, day four: Cruisin’ on the Interislander
Joel MacManus attempts to travel from the bottom to the top of the country without a car or plane. Today: can he finally leave Te Waipounamu? The mission: Get from Stewart Island to Cape Reinga as fast as possible using only public transport. Wherever I can, I’ll travel by train. ...2 weeks ago
- Photo essay: Living and learning on a bus
The Rasmussens have lived on the road for over a decade. Documentary series Home Education joined the ‘road-schooling’ family in their house bus. Bridie Rasmussen’s seven kids learn through collaborative family based projects – about everything from geography, history and politics through designing their own ancient civilisation. Their resourceful mum ...2 weeks ago
- Has Simon Watts Forgotten Who The Minister Is?
Does he not realise that he is the Minister in charge of the people who perpetrated this travesty? The people who have been affected need to see action, instead of the Minister’s ‘disappointment’. ...2 weeks ago
- More Than 18,400 Kiwis Call On Select Committee To Front Up On MPs’ Expenses
“Why should MPs not be held to the same standards as Ministers? If you’re spending taxpayers’ money, the public need to see the receipts” said James Ross, Policy and Public Affairs Manager at the Taxpayers’ Union. ...2 weeks ago
- My Greatest Trip: Eloping and Nessie hunting in Scotland
Alex Casey recounts a reverse honeymoon that ended with a secret wedding. It was a sighting almost as rare as Nessie herself. Steve Feltham, aka The Nessie Hunter, who has been parked up Loch-side looking for the mythical monster for the last three decades, cautiously peeked out of his iconic ...2 weeks ago
- Democrats left reeling as Trump claims decisive victory
Few could have predicted the size and scale of his success last night. This is an excerpt from The World Bulletin, our weekly global current affairs newsletter exclusively for Spinoff Members. Sign up here. A red wave It was around 8.30pm NZT when Donald Trump came out to address his ...2 weeks ago
- Introduction Of The Treaty Principles Bill
The existence and introduction of the Bill is extremely disappointing, has created angst amongst our people and further fuels the divisiveness created by Hon David Seymour and the Act Party. ...2 weeks ago
- Help Me Hera: My male flatmates keep asking me out and I hate it
My flatmate asked me out. I rejected him and he moved on, so why do I feel so annoyed? Want Hera’s help? Email your problem to helpme@thespinoff.co.nz Dear Hera, I live in a large, social flat which I absolutely love. Recently one of my flatmates, Alister, asked me out, and I had to ...2 weeks ago
- The morning after the night before: Trump returns to the White House
The 45th president will become the 47th, with Republicans winning the Senate and on track to control the House too, writes Stewart Sowman-Lund in today’s edition of The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. ...2 weeks ago
- The longest commute, day four: Joel finally gets to ride a train
Joel MacManus attempts to travel from the bottom to the top of the country without a car or plane. Today: can he finally leave Te Waipounamu? The mission: Get from Stewart Island to Cape Reinga as fast as possible using only public transport. Wherever I can, I’ll travel by train. ...2 weeks ago
- The right’s weird new obsession: Singapore
The rightwing enthusiasm for authoritarian Singapore illustrates the extent to which, on one crucial point at least, New Zealand’s hands-off approach to the economy has failed, argues Max Rashbrooke. In years gone by, New Zealand’s right-wingers had predictable heroes. They looked to tax-cutting, regulation-shredding leaders like Margaret Thatcher, and their ...2 weeks ago
- Live: Donald Trump claims victory on ‘the day the American people regained control’
It’s done. Trump is going back to the White House. ...2 weeks ago
- Treaty Principles Bill Is Deliberately Divisive
...2 weeks ago
- Parihaka: Remembering A Legacy Of Peaceful Resistance
This small papakāinga, now a powerful symbol of passive resistance, was the site of Aotearoa's first recorded non-violent stand against colonial violence and land confiscation. ...2 weeks ago
- Cook Islands Leader Insists New Passports Won’t Affect Ties With New Zealand
The Cook Islands leader says new passport proposal will not impact ties with Aotearoa, but a New Zealand Foreign Affairs spokesperson says it "would have implications". ...2 weeks ago
- The Treaty Principles Bill Is Advanced Without Us And In Spite Of Us
“The Bill is an attack on our rangatiratanga and the move to bring it forward is yet another tactic to distract us from the real issues facing New Zealanders. This Bill is being advanced without us and in spite of us. ...2 weeks ago
- Unemployment Rising Shows The Need For A Plan
Wages are also reflecting the softer labour market, with 37% of all workers seeing no pay rise, and 50% of workers seeing an annual pay rise less than the 3.8% increase in household costs reported yesterday. With the minimum wage rising by less than ...2 weeks ago
- The longest commute, day three: Joel has made it to Christchurch
Joel MacManus attempts to travel from the bottom to the top of the country without a car or plane. Today: can he finally leave Te Waipounamu? The mission: Get from Stewart Island to Cape Reinga as fast as possible using only public transport. Wherever I can, I’ll travel by train. ...2 weeks ago
- ‘No idea I was in the presence of genius’: Sonya Wilson on her life in books
Welcome to The Spinoff Books Confessional, in which we get to know the reading habits of Aotearoa writers, and guests. This week: Sonya Wilson, author and founder and executive director of Kiwi Christmas Books, which gifts books to families in need every Christmas. The book I wish I’d written I ...2 weeks ago
- The great Spinoff pet review of RNZ Concert’s Guy Fawkes programme
Pets of The Spinoff tuned in to RNZ Concert last night to catch its special programme for animals. Here’s what they thought. We deeply and unreservedly apologise for not having photos of all the pets. Molly (cat) Molly mostly just wanted her second dinner. She did go scratch on ...2 weeks ago
- Unemployment Rate At 4.8 Percent
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, as measured by the Household Labour Force Survey, was 4.8 percent in the September 2024 quarter, compared with 4.6 percent in the previous quarter. ...2 weeks ago
- IRD Have Lied To New Zealanders, Heads Must Roll
...2 weeks ago
- My Greatest Trip: My awkward high-school exchange to Germany
Hera Lindsay Bird on her Bildungsroman. I would never have gone to Germany if it wasn’t for the bee sting. At primary school, I belonged to an evil quartet of girls. It feels imprecise to call them friends. They were more like coworkers, in the great open-plan office of primary ...2 weeks ago
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