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Trifold Politics and Boundaries
Written By: - Date published: 8:47 am, January 30th, 2021 - 34 comments
Over the past year I’ve outlined in the comments an alternative triplet political model to the standard left/right description that’s the usual default. It’s the default for a reason, it’s simple and most of the time it’s a ‘good enough’ approximation to reality, and nothing I’m going to suggest below is intended or expected to […]
Nat Vote: And the Loser Is ….
Written By: - Date published: 11:50 am, May 22nd, 2020 - 197 comments
The Nation holds its breath as the dullest political leadership race in a generation snores to a close. Who will win by losing? Who will lose by winning? Who cares?
UPDATE: It’s Mullertime!
UPDATE: Bennett dumped!
A Welcome Change Coming.
Written By: - Date published: 1:26 pm, February 29th, 2020 - 16 comments
There’s an increasing number of progressive and conservatives who are rediscovering their moral compass in these, the final days of unfettered liberalism.
- Skeptical Science New Research for Week #21 2022
Good news for methane, bad news for us A cloudless sky on a sunny day looks featureless and inactive to our eyes. In reality, invisible to us a perfect frenzy of chemistry is happening in the daytime sky. For people interested in tracking the life history of a given compound ...14 hours ago - Bryce Edwards: Major shakeup of electoral rules could be coming
Get ready for a big debate on how to improve democracy in New Zealand. On Tuesday, Justice Minister Kris Faafoi announced the review panel that will oversee a once-in-a-generation overhaul of electoral rules, including how political parties are funded. The announcement contained details of some significant changes to elections and ...22 hours ago - New study offers a glimmer of hope for climate solutions successThis is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections The vast majority of climate modeling studies treat human behavior as an external, unpredictable factor. They have projected how the climate would change in a variety of possible greenhouse gas emissions pathways, but have not evaluated the likelihood of those pathways. That approach ...1 day ago
- Climate Change: Cut methane now
When the government passed the Zero Carbon Act in 2019, it established a "split gas" target, with separate budgets for carbon dioxide and methane. The logic here was that farmers were a powerful lobby group the government didn't want to annoy methane was a short-lived gas, so we should focus ...2 days ago - Gordon Campbell on the criminalising of rap music
For black youth in America, there can be only three ways out of the ghetto: athletics, music or drug dealing. And for every individual who succeeds in making it out, dozens more attach themselves to their celebrity crews in order to bask in the reflected glory, and partake of the ...2 days ago - Bryce Edwards: Grant Robertson’s “sweet moderation”Grant Robertson is a big fan of British socialist folk-punk singer Billy Bragg. The finance minister even wrote an opinion column last year that started and ended with lyrics from Bragg’s iconic song “Between the Wars”, with its key line “Sweet moderation; Heart of this nation”. Robertson titled his column, ...2 days ago
- Marama Fox on the Māori presence at the recent parliamentary protests
A Free Speech Union conversation Free Speech Union spokesperson Dane Giraud speaks to former Māori Party co-leader Marama Fox about the Māori presence at the recent parliamentary protests. Marama (who would be briefly trespassed by Speaker of the House Trevor Mallard) spent a number of days on the ground and ...2 days ago - Does the group think?
Nina Power discusses the collective political subject – what does it mean? She poses questions such as does a crowd think? Does a mob think or does it just act? What does it mean when we bring a group together to discuss something? Discussing the concept of the autonomous individual ...3 days ago - What about those Russian neo-Nazis?
Some defenders of Ukrainian neo-Nazis claim Nashi is a Russian neo-Nazi group or at least links the Kremlin to a neo-Nazi subculture. Image credit: Wikipedia Moving on in my critique of the article mentioned in the first post of this series (see Confusion about ...3 days ago- Neo-Nazis in Ukraine – stages of denial
4 days ago- The Impact of the Jackson Movies on Tolkien Fandom: The Silmarillion Writers Guild
Dawn Felagund over at The Silmarillion Writers Guild has been putting together an interesting look at the ways in which Tolkien fandom changed as a result of the Peter Jackson movies. In addition to the Tolkien Fanfiction Survey, she has been getting direct feedback from fans who were around ...4 days ago- The Australian election
Australia went to the polls on Saturday, and while the preferences are still being counted, clearly voted for a change of government. Unfortunately, this being Australia, this meant swapping one coal-loving, refugee-hating racist for another. Which is perhaps why Labor's primary vote share decreased this election, with voters instead turning ...4 days ago- Gordon Campbell on the lessons from Australia’s election
Australia’s new PM Anthony Albanese faces an obvious dilemma, barely before he gets his feet under the desk. Australia is the world’s leading exporter of coal. Will the new Labor government prioritise the jobs for Queensland/NSW workers in its mining-dependent communities – or will Labor start to get serious about ...4 days ago- Out! Morrison Is Bowled.
From Public Housing To The Lodge: Anthony Albanese wins the Australian Federal Election, bringing the career of Scott Morrison and his boofhead Coalition government to an end. The defeat of the boofheads was the victory Australia had to have.CRIKEY! Those Aussies are pissed-off. To appreciate just how pissed-off they are ...4 days ago- Geoffrey Miller: Albanese’s Australian election victory and Biden’s trip to Asia set the scene f...
Jacinda Ardern’s trip to the United States this week has been months in the making. A stop in Washington DC is already locked in, but the Prime Minister’s recent positive test for Covid-19 has delayed the official announcement of a meeting with President Joe Biden. Reports now suggest Ardern is ...4 days ago- 2022 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #20
Listing of articles linked to on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, May 15, 2022 through Sat, May 21, 2022. The following articles sparked above average interest during the week (bolded articles are from SkS authors): Bad news for the 2022 hurricane season: The Loop Current, ...5 days ago- Confusion about neo-Nazis in Ukraine-Russia war
This post is a response to a request from Peter Baillie. I don’t know him from Adam and I suspect he was attempting sarcasm but I offered to give him a response. I would welcome any comments or discussion he could add – but that is up to him. ...5 days ago- Of Budgets and Borrowing: A Reply to Chris Trotter
In the wake of an otherwise unremarkable New Zealand Budget, I was not expecting to supply much in the way of political commentary. Why would I? The most notable aspect was Grant Robertson throwing a one-off $350 at anyone who earns less than $70,000 a year and who doesn’t ...6 days ago- Ukraine, Solomon Islands, and Palestine: what are we are missing? (5/rima)
Finland, Sweden, Novorossiya, and Incorrect AnalysesSince Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Putin has made much of NATO's supposed expansion to the east. As I wrote on 1 April:Much has been made of Putin's apparent anger that Ukraine was on the verge of joining NATO.However, this has been over-stated by both Western ...6 days ago- An Exercise In Basic Accountancy.
6 days ago- Blah Blah Blah – Is That All There Is?
Speaking Truth To Power: Greta Thunberg argues that the fine sounding phrases of well-meaning politicians changes nothing. The promises made, the targets set – and then re-set – are all too familiar to the younger generations she has encouraged to pay attention. They have heard it all before. Accordingly, she ...6 days ago- Breaking Through Twitter's Spiral of Silence with the #ClimateDaily Pledge
The Spiral of Silence Problem As climate communicator John Cook cleverly illustrates below, a big obstacle to raising awareness about climate change is the "spiral of silence," a reluctance to talk about it. There are many reasons for this reluctance we can speculate about. Perhaps people don't want to be ...6 days ago- Improving Taxing Income
The informed discussion on the next steps in tax policy is about improving the income tax base, not about taxing wealth directly.David Parker, the Minister for Inland Revenue, gave a clear indication that his talk on tax was to be ‘pointy-headed’ by choosing a university venue for his presentation. As ...7 days ago- A WTF moment in Samoa
In a democracy, laws are made by elected politicians. But apparently not in Samoa, where a highly controversial law was changed unilaterally by an HRPP cabal after it had been passed and signed: A parliamentary inquiry into anomalies discovered in constitutional amendments linked to the operations of the Land ...7 days ago- Not very proactive II
A couple of weeks ago, Newsroom reported that the government was failing to meet its proactive release obligations, with Ministers releasing less than a quarter of cabinet papers and in many cases failing to keep records. But Chris Hipkins was already on the case, and in a recent cabinet paper ...7 days ago- Media v. Government?
Why are the New Zealand media so hostile to the government – not just this government, but any government? The media I have in mind are not NZME-owned outlets like the Herald or Newstalk ZB, whose bias is overtly political and directed at getting rid of the current Labour government. ...7 days ago- The urgent need for a Covid-19 Action Plan for Schools in Aotearoa New Zealand
Dr Amanda Kvalsvig, Prof Michael Baker, Dr Jennifer Summers, Dr Lucy Telfar Barnard, Dr Andrew Dickson, Dr Julie Bennett, Carmen Timu-Parata, Prof Nick Wilson Kvalsvig A, Baker M, Summers J, Telfar Barnard L, Dickson A, Bennett J, Timu-Parata C, Wilson N. The urgent need for a Covid-19 Action Plan for ...7 days ago- Media Link: ” A View from Afar” podcast on post-conflict regional security architecture.
In this week’s “A View from Afar” podcast Selwyn Manning and I speculate on how the Ruso-Ukrainian War will shape future regional security dynamics. We start with NATO and work our way East to the Northern Pacific. It is not comprehensive but we outline some potential ramifications with regard to ...7 days ago- Gordon Campbell on Budget 2022
At base, the political biffo back and forth on the merits of Budget 2022 comes down to only one thing. Who is the better manager of the economy and better steward of social wellbeing – National or Labour? In its own quiet way, the Treasury has buried a fascinating answer ...7 days ago- Hot air to fill Labour’s sails
by Don Franks Poverty in New Zealand today has new ugly features. Adequate housing is beyond the reach of thousands. More and more people full time workers must beg food parcels from charities. Having no attainable prospects, young people lash out and steal. A response to poverty from The Daily ...1 week ago- Skeptical Science New Research for Week #20 2022
Drought: the past is no longer prologue Drought management in the United States (and elsewhere) is highly informed by events of the past, employing records extending 60 years or longer in order to plan for and cope with newly emerging meterorological water deficits. Water resource managers and agricultural concerns use ...1 week ago- A wasted opportunity
The government announced its budget today, with Finance Minister Grant Robertson giving the usual long speech about how much money they're spending. The big stuff was climate change and health, with the former being pre-announced, and most of the latter being writing off DHB's entirely fictional "debt" to the the ...1 week ago- Bryce Edwards: A Conservative Budget for volatile times
Finance Minister Grant Robertson has delivered a Budget that will many asking “Is that all there is?” There is a myriad of initiatives and there is increased spending, but strangely it doesn’t really add up to much at all for those hoping for a more traditional Labour-style Budget. The headline ...1 week ago- Cook Islands PM approves of corruption
Last year, Cook Islands Deputy Prime Minister Robert Tapaitau stood down as a minister after being charged with conspiracy to defraud after an investigation into corruption in Infrastructure Cook Islands and the National Environment Service. He hasn't been tried yet, but this week he has been reinstated: The seven-month ...1 week ago- Drawn
A ballot for three member's bills was held today, and the following bills were drawn: Repeal of Good Friday and Easter Sunday as Restricted Trading Days (Shop Trading and Sale of Alcohol) Amendment Bill (Chris Baillie) Electoral (Strengthening Democracy) Amendment Bill (Golriz Ghahraman) Increased Penalties for ...1 week ago- Budget Morning.
No Jesus Here.She rises, unrested, and stepsOnto the narrow balconyTo find the day. To greetThe Sunday God she sings to.But this morning His face is clouded.Grey and wet as a corpseWashed by tears.Behind her, in the tangled bedding,the children bicker and whine.Worrying the cheap furnitureLike hungry puppies.They clutch at her ...1 week ago- EGU22 – Cranky Uncle is going to Vienna!
After two years of Corona-induced online meetings in 2020 and 2021, this year's General Assembly of the European Geosciences Union (EGU) will take place as a hybrid conference in both Vienna and online from May 23 to 27. To take hybrid and necessary hygiene restrictions into account, there (unfortunately) will be no ...1 week ago- Matariki – Te whetū tapu o te taū
“Māori star lore was, and still remains, a blending together of both astronomy and astrology, and while there is undoubtedly robust science within the Māori study of the night sky, the spiritual component has always been of equal importance” writes Professor Rangi Matamua in his book Matariki – Te whetū tapu ...1 week ago- Gordon Campbell on the Australian election toss-up
The foibles of the Aussie electoral system are pretty well-known. The Lucky Country doesn’t have proportional representation. Voting for everyone over 18 is compulsory, but within a preferential system. This means that in the relatively few key seats that decide the final result, it can be the voters’ second, third ...1 week ago- Member’s Day: Finally, some first readings
Today is a Member's Day, and finally we are getting some first readings. First, though, the House has to complete the third reading of Tangi Utikere's Local Government (Pecuniary Interests Register) Amendment Bill. After that, it will finish the first reading debate on Tāmati Coffey's Improving Arrangements for Surrogacy Bill. ...1 week ago- The kids are not OK
Julia Steinberger is an ecological economist at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland. She first posted this piece at Medium.com, and it was reposted on Yale Climate Connections with her permission. Today I went to give a climate talk at my old high school in Geneva – and was given a ...1 week ago- Government funding of interpreters in Primary Care is needed to ensure quality care
A/Prof Ben Gray* Gray B. Government funding of interpreters in Primary Care is needed to ensure quality care. Public Health Expert Blog.17 May 2022. The pandemic has highlighted many problems in the NZ health system. This blog will address the question of availability of interpreters for people with limited English ...1 week ago- Media ramming crime down our throats?
Remember all the endless whinge stories during the last two years, from whining business lobbyists to opportunistic Opposition politicians to tourist town mayors hysterical that our closed borders were hurting tourist profitability? Remember all the demands for "certainty"? To open up before most New Zealanders were vaccinated? To close down ...1 week ago- To Be in Arda Or Not To Be in Arda: Surveying Suicide in Tolkien
I have suggested previously that sometimes Tolkien’s writer-instincts get the better of him. Sometimes he departs from his own cherished metaphysics, in favour of the demands of story – and I dare say, that is a good thing. Laws and Customs of the Eldar might be an interesting insight ...1 week ago- Climate Change: “Corporate welfare”
One of the key planks of yesterday's Emissions Reduction Plan is a $650 million fund to help decarbonise industry by subsidising replacement of dirty technologies with clean ones. But National leader Chris Luxon derides this as "corporate welfare". Which probably sounds great to the business ideologues in the Koru club. ...1 week ago- Describing The Katipo.
1 week ago- The Truth Prevails.
“The truth prevails, but it’s a chore.” – Jan Masaryk: The intensification of ideological pressures is bearable for only so-long before ordinary men and women reassert the virtues of tolerance and common sense.ON 10 MARCH 1948, Jan Masaryk, the Foreign Minister of Czechoslovakia, was found dead below his bathroom window. ...1 week ago- Gordon Campbell on the Emissions Reduction Plan non-event
Clearly, the attempt to take the politics out of climate change has itself been a political decision, and one meant to remove much of the heat from the global warming issue before next year’s election. What we got from yesterday’s $2.9 billion Emissions Reduction Plan was a largely aspirational multi-party ...1 week ago- The woke misrepresentation of Māori culture
Michelle Uriarau (Mana Wāhine Kōrero) talks to Dane Giraud of the Free Speech Union LISTEN HERE Michelle Uriarau is a founding member of Mana Wāhine Kōrero – an advocacy group of and for Māori women who took strong positions against the ‘Self ID’ and ‘Conversion Practises Bills’. One of the ...1 week ago- Climate Change: Craven, status quo policy
The government released its Emissions Reduction Plan today. The plan is required under the Zero Carbon Act and must specify how exactly the government plans to meet its carbon budget (which was announced last week). Which means they need to find another 11.5 million tons of reductions by 2025 - ...2 weeks ago- Where’s the Self-Respect?
If we needed any confirmation, we have it in spades in today’s edition of the Herald; our supposedly leading daily newspaper is determined to do what it can to decide the outcome of the next election – to act, that is, not as a newspaper but as the mouthpiece for ...2 weeks ago- 2022 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #19
Listing of articles linked to on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, May 8, 2022 through Sat, May 14, 2022. The following articles sparked above average interest during the week (bolded articles are from SkS authors): The secret world beneath our feet is mind-blowing – and ...2 weeks ago- Who's a snowflake now?
Sean Plunkett, founding editor of the new media outlet, The Platform, was interviewed on RNZ's highly regarded flagship programme "Mediawatch".Mr Plunkett has made much about "cancel culture" and "de-platforming". On his website promoting The Platform, he outlines his mission statement thusly:The Platform is for everyone; we’re not into cancelling or ...2 weeks ago- History Lessons.
“That’s a C- for History, Kelvin!” While it is certainly understandable that Māori-Crown Relations Minister Kelvin Davis was not anxious to castigate every Pakeha member of the House of Representatives for the crimes committed against his people by their ancestors; crimes from which his Labour colleagues continue to draw enormous benefits; the ...2 weeks ago- Bryce Edwards: What happened to the big “immigration reset”?
The Government promised a major reform of New Zealand’s immigration system, but when it was announced this week, many asked “is that it?” Over the last two years Covid has turned the immigration tap off, and the Government argued this produced the perfect opportunity to reassess decades of “unbalanced immigration”. ...2 weeks ago- New Rules for Government Budget Management
While the new fiscal rules may not be contentious, what they mean for macroeconomic management is not explained.In a pre-budget speech on 3 May 2022, the Minister of Finance, Grant Robertson, made some policy announcements which will frame both this budget and future ones. (The Treasury advice underpinning them is ...2 weeks ago- Our unrepresentative parliament
Under MMP, Parliament was meant to look like New Zealand. And, in a lot of ways, it does now, with better representation for Māori, tangata moana, women, and the rainbow community replacing the old dictatorship of dead white males. But there's one area where "our" parliament remains completely unrepresentative: housing: ...2 weeks ago- Stats NZ’s contempt for privacy, transparency, democracy, and parliament
The Governance and Administration Committee reported back on the Data and Statistics Bill on Monday. The bill ought to have been boring, but Stats NZ's move to a "collect it all" posture indistinguishable from that of the NSA, combined with enhanced secrecy, caused significant concerns from the Privacy Commissioner, Ombudsman, ...2 weeks ago- Struggling Upwards For America’s Soul.
Justice Denied: At the heart of the “Pro-Life” cause was something much darker than conservative religious dogma, or even the oppressive designs of “The Patriarchy”. The enduring motivation – which dares not declare itself openly – is the paranoid conviction of male white supremacists that if “their” women are given ...2 weeks ago- Skeptical Science New Research for Week #19 2022
In case of emergency break glass— but glass can cut Fire extinguishers, safety belts, first aid kits, insurance policies, geoengineering: we never enjoy using them. But given our demonstrated, deep empirical record of proclivity for creating hazards and risk we'd obviously be foolish not to include emergency responses in our inventory. ...2 weeks ago- Climate Change: Betting on disaster
Last year, the International Energy Agency warned us that the world needed to cease all new fossil fuel development immediately if we wanted to reach net-zero by 2050. It was a call repeated this year by the UN Secretary General, who called new fossil fuel investment "moral and economic madness". ...2 weeks ago- Media Link: “A View from Afar” podcast returns.
After a brief hiatus, the “A View from Afar” podcast is back on air with Selwyn Manning leading the Q&A with me. This week is a grab bag of topics: Russian V-Day celebrations, Asian and European elections, and the impact of the PRC-Solomon Islands on the regional strategic balance. Plus ...2 weeks ago- No freedom of speech in Vanuatu
Last year, Vanuatu passed a "cyber-libel" law. And predictably, its first targets are those trying to hold the government to account: A police crackdown in Vanuatu that has seen people arrested for allegedly posting comments on social media speculating politicians were responsible for the country’s current Covid outbreak has ...2 weeks ago- Bryce Edwards: How long until National wants Simon Bridges back?
Could it be a case of not appreciating what you’ve got until it’s gone? The National Party lost Simon Bridges last week, which has reinforced the notion that the party still has some serious deficits of talent and diversity. The major factor in Bridges’ decision to leave was his failed ...2 weeks ago- Getting On With Co-Governance – Without Debate.
Who’s Missing From This Picture? The re-birth of the co-governance concept cannot be attributed to the institutions of Pakeha rule, at least, not in the sense that the massive constitutional revisions it entails have been presented to and endorsed by the House of Representatives, and then ratified by the citizens of New ...2 weeks ago- Gordon Campbell on Rabuka’s possible return in Fiji
Fiji signed onto China’s Belt and Road initiative in 2018, along with a separate agreement on economic co-operation and aid. Yet it took the recent security deal between China and the Solomon Islands to get the belated attention of the US and its helpmates in Canberra and Wellington, and the ...2 weeks ago- Why a tool for reversing Trump era rules is seldom used
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Lexi Smith and Bud Ward “CRA” It’s one of those acronyms even many-a-veteran environmental policy geek may not recognize. Amidst the scores and scores of acronyms in the field – CERCLA, IPCC, SARA, LUST, NPDES, NDCs, FIFRA, NEPA and scores more – ...2 weeks ago- Only fools make deals with liars
Northern Ireland went to the polls last week, resulting in Sinn Féin becoming the largest party, the first time an Irish party has done so. Naturally, the unionists are not taking this well, and are threatening to use their minority-veto to prevent any government being formed. They're also demanding the ...2 weeks ago- Of Tin and Tintagel: Published
In a nice bit of news in a World Gone Mad, I can report that Of Tin and Tintagel, my 5,800-word story about tin (and political scheming), is now out as part of the Spring 2022 edition of New Maps Magazine (https://www.new-maps.com/). As noted previously, this one owes a ...2 weeks ago- Covid-19 Case-Fatality Risk & Infection-Fatality Risk – important measures to help guide the p...
Dr Jennifer Summers, Professor Michael Baker, Professor Nick Wilson* Summers J, Baker M, Wilson N. Covid-19 Case-Fatality Risk & Infection-Fatality Risk: important measures to help guide the pandemic response. Public Health Expert Blog. 11 May 2022. In this blog we explore two useful mortality indicators: Case-Fatality Risk (CFR) and Infection-Fatality ...2 weeks ago- It’s a Friday night in Invercargill for eastern moa during the Ice Age
In the depths of winter, most people from southern New Zealand head to warmer climes for a much-needed dose of Vitamin D. Yet during the height of the last Ice Age, one species of moa did just the opposite. I’m reminded of Bill Bailey’s En Route to Normal tour that visited ...2 weeks ago- Bryce Edwards: Massive Wage Subsidy and Covid spending is under scrutinised
In the lead-up to the Budget, the Government has been on an offensive to promote the efficiency and quality of its $74 billion Covid Response and Recovery Fund -especially the Wage Subsidy Scheme component. This comes after criticisms and concerns from across the political spectrum over poor-quality spending, and suggestions ...2 weeks ago- Bringing the tūī back to town – how native birds are returning to NZ’s restored urban forests
Elizabeth Elliot Noe, Lincoln University, New Zealand; Andrew D. Barnes, University of Waikato; Bruce Clarkson, University of Waikato, and John Innes, Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research Urbanisation, and the destruction of habitat it entails, is a major threat to native bird populations. But as our new research shows, restored ...2 weeks ago- Nothing to celebrate
The Protected Disclosures (Protection of Whistleblowers) Bill passed its third reading this afternoon. The government and the Ombudsman are both celebrating this "significant improvement" in whistleblower protection, but as I pointed out when the bill was introduced, it is nothing of the sort. The law still sets the bar for ...2 weeks ago- Not very proactive
A couple of weeks ago, Stuff broke the news that the government was planning a significant boost to proactive release of official information, with almost all advice to Ministers expected to be proactively released. Which sounds great, but as I pointed out, there's real reason for concern in the way ...2 weeks ago - Neo-Nazis in Ukraine – stages of denial
- Protecting Kiwi businesses against ram raids
We’ve worked hard to make sure our communities are safer places for everyone to live. Since taking office in 2017, we’ve delivered New Zealand’s largest Police force ever, taken action on gang violence, and extended successful rehabilitation programmes to break the cycle of offending. We have seen a significant reduction ...16 hours ago - Inquiry into COVID-19 economic response necessary
The Green Party is again calling on the Government to review the economic response to COVID-19, as the Reserve Bank of New Zealand puts up the Official Cash Rate today to 2 percent. ...2 days ago - Green Party urges Labour to support electoral reform member’s bill despite reviewThe Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand is welcoming the Government’s latest step toward electoral reform, which begins to fulfil an important part of the Co-operation Agreement between the two parties. ...3 days ago
- Schools need COVID-19 plan for winterThe Green Party is calling for a Government COVID-19 Action Plan for schools, following expert advice about a possible winter COVID-19 peak. ...3 days ago
- Green Party urges Labour to provide support to those who need it mostThe Green Party is calling on Labour to expand the temporary cost of living payment to those most in need. ...7 days ago
- Budget 2020: James Shaw Budget SpeechCHECK AGAINST DELIVERY Mr Speaker, It has taken four-and-a-half years to even start to turn the legacy of inaction and neglect from the last time they were in Government together. And we have a long journey in front of us! ...1 week ago
- Greens MP Dr Elizabeth Kerekere says wins for health not enough for Māori or RainbowToday Greens Te Mātāwaka Chair and Health Spokesperson, Dr Elizabeth Kerekere, said “The Greens have long campaigned for an independent Māori Health Authority and pathways for Takatāpui and Rainbow healthcare. “We welcome the substantial funding going into the new health system, Pae Ora, particularly for the Māori Health Authority, Iwi-Partnership ...1 week ago
- Budget 2022: Greens call for urgency with nature-first climate investmentsBudget 2022 shows progress on conservation commitments in the Green Party’s cooperation agreement Green Party achievements in the last Government continue to drive investment in nature protection Urgent action needed on nature-based solutions to climate change Future budget decisions must reflect the role nature plays in helping reduce emissions ...1 week ago
- Budget 2022: Greens celebrate landmark investment in climate actionLandmark week for climate action concludes with climate budget Largest ever investment in climate action one of many Green Party wins throughout Budget 2022 Budget 2022 delivers progress on every part of the cooperation agreement with Labour Budget 2022 is a climate budget that caps a landmark week ...1 week ago
- Budget 2022: Govt must build on half price fare extension and make public transport freeGreen Party welcomes extension to half price fares Permanent half price fares for Community Services Card holders includes many students, which helps implement a Green Party policy Work to reduce public transport fares for Community Services Card holders started by Greens in the last Government Budget 2022 should be ...1 week ago
- Budget 2022: Greens welcome winter energy support and funding for community energyNew cost of living payment closely aligned to Green Party policy to expand the Winter Energy Payment Extension and improvement of Warmer Kiwi Homes builds on Green Party progress in Government Community energy fund welcomed The Green Party welcomes the investment in Budget 2022 to expand Warmer Kiwi ...1 week ago
- Budget 2022: Greens welcome support to address youth homelessnessBudget 2022 support to reduce homelessness delivers on the Green Party’s cooperation agreement Bespoke support for rangatahi with higher, more complex needs The Green Party welcomes the additional investment in Budget 2022 for kaupapa Māori support services, homelessness outreach services, the expansion of transitional housing, and a new ...1 week ago
- Green Party PR – Budget 2022: Greens call for greater ambition to address inequality crisisGreen Party reaffirms call for liveable incomes and wealth tax Calls on Government to cancel debt owed to MSD for hardship assistance such as benefit advances, and for over-payments The Green Party welcomes the support for people on low incomes Budget 2022 but says more must be done ...1 week ago
- Extra support with the cost of livingAt the heart of this year’s Budget is our cost of living package, designed to ease the pressure on New Zealanders in the face of global inflation. ...1 week ago
- 13 highlights of Budget 2022Our Government has just released this year’s Budget, which sets out the next steps in our plan to build a high wage, low carbon economy that gives economic security in good times and in bad. It’s full of initiatives that speed up our economic recovery and ease cost pressures for ...1 week ago
- Strengthening Democracy Bill pulled from biscuit tinA stronger democracy is on the horizon, as Golriz Ghahraman’s Electoral (Strengthening Democracy) Amendment Bill was pulled from the biscuit tin today. ...1 week ago
- What to expect in Budget 2022Tomorrow, the Government will release this year’s Budget, setting out the next steps in our plan to build a high wage, low carbon economy that gives economic security in good times and in bad. While the full details will be kept under wraps until Thursday afternoon, we’ve announced a few ...1 week ago
- Next steps in our plan to address climate changeAs a Government, we made it clear to New Zealanders that we’d take meaningful action on climate change, and that’s exactly what we’ve done. Earlier today, we released our next steps with our Emissions Reduction Plan – which will meet the Climate Commission’s independent science-based emissions reduction targets, and new ...2 weeks ago
- Landmark climate plan secures path to net zeroEmissions Reduction Plan prepares New Zealand for the future, ensuring country is on track to meet first emissions budget, securing jobs, and unlocking new investment ...2 weeks ago
- Supercharging decarbonisation & transforming the energy system...2 weeks ago
- Pasifika communities must be part of immigration rebalanceThe Greens are calling for the Government to reconsider the immigration reset so that it better reflects our relationship with our Pacific neighbours. ...2 weeks ago
- More support for Alcohol Harm Minimisation BillHamilton City Council and Whanganui District Council have both joined a growing list of Local Authorities to pass a motion in support of Green Party Drug Reform Spokesperson Chlöe Swarbrick’s Members’ bill to minimise alcohol harm. ...2 weeks ago
- The next steps in our plan to speed up New Zealand’s economic growthToday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced a major package of reforms to address the immediate skill shortages in New Zealand and speed up our economic growth. These include an early reopening to the world, a major milestone for international education, and a simplification of immigration settings to ensure New Zealand ...2 weeks ago
- Immigration reset entrenches discrimination towards low-waged migrantsProposed immigration changes by the Government fail to guarantee pathways to residency to workers in the types of jobs deemed essential throughout the pandemic, by prioritising high income earners - instead of focusing on the wellbeing of workers and enabling migrants to put down roots. ...2 weeks ago
- Green Party supports nurses’ ERA decisionThe Green Party supports nurses’ continued push for pay equity and calls on the Government to deliver the back pay they had expected. ...2 weeks ago
- Budget 2022 Speech: Investing to eliminate violence in our homes and communitiesEhara taku toa i te toa takatahi, engari taku toa he toa takimano – my strength is not mine alone but the strength of many (working together to ensure safe, caring respectful responses). We are striving for change. We want all people in Aotearoa New Zealand thriving; their wellbeing enhanced ...2 weeks ago
- Allied health workers deserve better conditionsThe Green Party is throwing its support behind the 10,000 allied health workers taking work-to-rule industrial action today because of unfair pay and working conditions. ...3 weeks ago
- SPEECH: Building a low-carbon futureTēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa. Ngā mihi o te ata. Good morning ...3 weeks ago
- Celebrating Gasav Ne Fäeag Rotuạm Ta – Rotuman Language WeekToday marks the first celebration for Pacific Language Weeks 2022 with Gasav Ne Fäeag Rotuạm Ta – Rotuman Language Week. ...3 weeks ago
- Harvard Commencement Speech – Democracy, disinformation and kindness
E oku manukura, nga pou haemata o te ngahere. e Piko o Te Mahuri, tera te tipu o te rakau. E tipu, e rea, ka puta, ka ora. Tena koutou katoa. President Bacow, Provost Garber, Governing Boards and deans, And most importantly, graduates. In Te Reo Māori, the ...5 hours ago - Further support for eating disorder servicesPeople battling with eating disorders can expect more support being available with additional funding allocated. In addition to the $15.5 million spent each year, $3.9 million in extra funding over four years has been secured as part of Budget 2022. “This will help increase the capacity of eating disorder services ...20 hours ago
- New workforce frameworks support improved responses to family violenceNew workforce frameworks launched today will make an important difference to people impacted by family violence by strengthening responses and ensuring services support people’s safety, and long-term healing and wellbeing. “People have long been asking for workforces capable of providing safe, consistent, and effective responses to family violence, in ways ...20 hours ago
- Govt helps protect shops from ram raidsThe Government is providing further support to help Police protect small businesses affected by a spike in ram raids, Minister of Police Poto Williams says. $6 million from the Proceeds of Crime Fund will be invested in a crime prevention programme to be managed by Police which will include solutions ...23 hours ago
- New Matariki resources available for schools and kuraAssociate Minister of Education (Māori) Kelvin Davis has today announced 51 education resources that will help bring Mātauranga Māori to life. “Matariki is our first uniquely te ao Māori public holiday and is a time for us to remember the past, celebrate the present, and plan for the future. Matariki ...23 hours ago
- Government investing in warm, dry classrooms and new schools and kuraBudget 2022 has taken capital investment in school property under this Government to $3.6 billion since 2018, Education Minister Chris Hipkins said today. “A further $777m in capital investment means new schools and kura, more classrooms, and includes $219m in capital funding that will go directly to schools over the ...24 hours ago
- Budget 2022 funding to lower the starting age for bowel screening for Māori and Pacific peoples60,000 more people to receive screening each year. Over $36 million across four years to shift the starting age for bowel screening from 60 years old to 50 years old for Māori and Pacific people. Associate Ministers of Health Peeni Henare and Aupito William Sio say Budget 2022 will ...1 day ago
- Budget 2022 delivers new investment in our Māori and Pacific health workforceBudget 2022 will deliver 1900 new health workers and will support 2700 more students into training programmes through a $76 million investment to continue to grow the health workforce for our Māori and Pacific communities, Associate Ministers of Health Peeni Henare and Aupito William Sio announced today. “This Budget specifically ...1 day ago
- Startup Advisors Council appointedThe Government has appointed a Startup Advisors’ Council to help identify and address the opportunities and challenges facing high growth start-up businesses, Research, Science, and Innovation Minister Megan Woods, and Economic and Regional Development Minister Stuart Nash have announced. “Startups are major contributors to the knowledge and innovation that we ...1 day ago
- Government targets innovation-led growth to turbo-charge business potentialHundreds of New Zealand companies are set to benefit from the launch of two new grants aimed at fuelling firms that want to innovate, Research, Science and Innovation Minister Megan Woods says. “This $250 million investment over the next four years is a sign of my commitment to some of ...1 day ago
- Budget 2022 bolsters legal aid, ensures continued access to justiceNew Zealand’s legal aid scheme will be significantly strengthened with further investment from Budget 2022, Minister of Justice Kris Faafoi announced today. “Budget 2022 will help around 93,000 more people be eligible for legal aid from January 2023, fulfilling our election promise to make improvements to our court system so ...1 day ago
- Positioning the Māori media sector for the futureInvesting in the Māori media sector over the next two years will support the industry while it transitions to a new public media environment, Minister for Māori Development Willie Jackson announced today. “By capturing and sharing local stories and innovative Māori content with New Zealand audiences, across a range of ...1 day ago
- Rollout of cameras on fishing vessels to beginThe Government has today confirmed key details of the nationwide rollout of cameras on commercial fishing vessels. Up to 300 inshore fishing vessels will be fitted with the technology by the end of 2024, providing independent, accurate information about fishing activity and better evidence for decision-making,” Oceans and Fisheries Minister ...2 days ago
- Speech for TRENZ Hui 2022: “Ready to Welcome”It is my pleasure to be here at TRENZ 2022. This is an event that continues to facilitate connection, collaboration and engagement between our businesses and key overseas markets. The conversations that happen here will play a crucial role in shaping New Zealand’s tourism recovery. That’s why TRENZ remains such ...2 days ago
- Boosting the Māori economy through Progressive ProcurementMāori businesses will play a vital role to help lift whānau Māori aspirations and dreams for a better life, while reinforcing New Zealand’s economic security. A successful Progressive Procurement initiative to diversify government spend on goods and services and increase Māori business engagement with government procurement is getting a further ...2 days ago
- Continuing to improve Māori employment outcomes through CadetshipsThe continued Budget 22 investment into the Cadetship programmes will ensure Māori thrive in the labour market, Minister for Māori Development Willie Jackson announced today. The Government will invest $25 million into the Cadetships programme, delivered by Te Puni Kōkiri. As the whole world struggles with rising inflation, the Government’s ...2 days ago
- NZ committed to enduring partnership with Solomon IslandsForeign Minister Nanaia Mahuta and Minister of Defence Peeni Henare today announced the extension of the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) deployment to Solomon Islands, as part of the Pacific-led Solomon Islands International Assistance Force (SIAF). “Aotearoa New Zealand and Solomon Islands have an enduring and long-standing partnership,” Nanaia Mahuta said. ...2 days ago
- NZ commits to enduring partnership with Solomon IslandsForeign Minister Nanaia Mahuta and Minister of Defence Peeni Henare today announced the extension of the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) deployment to Solomon Islands, as part of the Pacific-led Solomon Islands International Assistance Force (SIAF). “Aotearoa New Zealand and Solomon Islands have an enduring and long-standing partnership,” Nanaia Mahuta said. ...2 days ago
- New Zealand Country Statement to the Seventy-fifth World Health Assembly, GenevaDirector-General, esteemed fellow Ministers, and colleagues, tēnā koutou katoa. Greetings to all. Aotearoa New Zealand is alarmed at the catastrophic and complex health crisis evolving in Ukraine. We reiterate our call for an immediate end to Russian hostilities against Ukraine. Chair, this 75th Session of the World Health Assembly comes at ...2 days ago
- Passport fees to increase from 25 MayAs part of a regular review by the Department of Internal Affairs, the fees for New Zealand passports will increase slightly due to the decrease in demand caused by COVID-19. Internal Affairs Minister Jan Tinetti says that the Government has made every effort to keep the increase to a minimum ...2 days ago
- Additional government support for Buller District flood recoveryThe Government is providing additional support to the Buller District Council to assist the recovery from the February 2022 floods, Minister for Emergency Management Kiri Allan announced today. “The Buller District has experienced two significant floods in short succession, resulting in significant impacts for the community and for Council to ...2 days ago
- Government investment boosts coastal shipping in AotearoaNew Zealand is a step closer to a more resilient, competitive, and sustainable coastal shipping sector following the selection of preferred suppliers for new and enhanced coastal shipping services, Transport Minister Michael Wood has announced today. “Coastal shipping is a small but important part of the New Zealand freight system, ...3 days ago
- Speech on RM Reform to the Thomson Reuters Environmental Law and Policy Conference: 24 May 2022Tēnā koutou katoa It’s a pleasure to speak to you today on how we are tracking with the resource management reforms. It is timely, given that in last week’s Budget the Government announced significant funding to ensure an efficient transition to the future resource management system. There is broad consensus ...3 days ago
- Vision for Māori success in tertiary education takes another stepEducation Minister Chris Hipkins and Associate Education Minister Kelvin Davis have welcomed the release of a paper from independent advisory group, Taumata Aronui, outlining the group’s vision for Māori success in the tertiary education system. “Manu Kōkiri – Māori Success and Tertiary Education: Towards a Comprehensive Vision – is the ...3 days ago
- Whānau Resilience focuses on wāhine and rangatahiThe best way to have economic security in New Zealand is by investing in wāhine and our rangatahi says Minister for Māori Development. Budget 2022, is allocating $28.5 million over the next two years to strengthen whānau resilience through developing leadership within key cohorts of whānau leaders, wāhine and rangatahi ...3 days ago
- Increase in funding secures future for Whānau OraWhānau Ora Commissioning Agencies will receive $166.5 million over four years to help whānau maintain and build their resilience as Aotearoa moves forward from COVID-19, Minister for Whānau Ora Peeni Henare announced today. “Whānau Ora Commissioning Agencies and partners will remain a key feature of the Government’s support for whānau ...3 days ago
- Govt invests in sustainable food producerThe development of sustainable, plant-based foods and meat alternatives is getting new government backing, with investment from a dedicated regional economic development fund. “The investment in Sustainable Foods Ltd is part of a wider government strategy to develop a low-emissions, highly-skilled economy that responds to global demands,” said Stuart Nash. ...3 days ago
- New Zealand to stay at Orange for nowWith New Zealand expecting to see Omicron cases rise during the winter, the Orange setting remains appropriate for managing this stage of the outbreak, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said today. “While daily cases numbers have flattened nationally, they are again beginning to increase in the Northern region and hospitalisation ...3 days ago
- Independent panel appointed to review electoral lawJustice Minister Kris Faafoi today announced appointments to the independent panel that will lead a review of New Zealand’s electoral law. “This panel, appointed by an independent panel of experts, aim to make election rules clearer and fairer, to build more trust in the system and better support people to ...3 days ago
- Board appointed for Auckland’s most transformational projectHonourable Dame Fran Wilde will lead the board overseeing the design and construction of Auckland’s largest, most transformational project of a generation – Auckland Light Rail, which will connect hundreds of thousands of people across the city, Minister of Transport Michael Wood announced today. “Auckland Light Rail is New Zealand’s ...3 days ago
- Government continues record Māori Education investmentBoost to Māori Medium property that will improve and redevelop kura, purchase land and build new facilities Scholarships and mentoring to grow and expand the Māori teaching workforce Funding to continue to grow the Māori language The Government’s commitment to the growth and development of te reo Māori has ...3 days ago
- PM attends Indo-Pacific Economic Framework talks ahead of US travelOn the eve of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s trade mission to the United States, New Zealand has joined with partner governments from across the Indo-Pacific region to begin the next phase of discussions towards an Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF). The Framework, initially proposed by US President Biden in ...3 days ago
- NZ to provide additional deployment to support UkraineAs part of New Zealand’s ongoing response to the war in Ukraine, New Zealand is providing further support and personnel to assist Ukraine to defend itself against Russia’s unprovoked and illegal invasion, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced today. “We have been clear throughout Russia’s assault on Ukraine, that such a ...4 days ago
- Stubbing out tobacco smugglingBudget 2022 is providing investment to crackdown on tobacco smuggling into New Zealand. “Customs has seen a significant increase in the smuggling of tobacco products into New Zealand over recent years,” Minister of Customs Meka Whaitiri says. This trend is also showing that tobacco smuggling operations are now often very ...4 days ago
- Prime Minister to visit United StatesPrime Minister to lead trade mission to the United States this week to support export growth and the return of tourists post COVID-19. Business delegation to promote trade and tourism opportunities in New Zealand’s third largest export and visitor market Deliver Harvard University commencement address Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern ...4 days ago
- Prime Minister congratulates Anthony AlbanesePrime Minister Jacinda Ardern has congratulated Anthony Albanese and the Australian Labor Party on winning the Australian Federal election, and has acknowledged outgoing Prime Minister Scott Morrison. "I spoke to Anthony Albanese early this morning as he was preparing to address his supporters. It was a warm conversation and I’m ...5 days ago
- Poroporoaki: Dame Aroha Reriti-Crofts DNZM CBE JPTiwhatiwha te pō, tiwhatiwha te ao. Tiwhatiwha te pō, tiwhatiwha te ao. Matariki Tapuapua, He roimata ua, he roimata tangata. He roimata e wairurutu nei, e wairurutu nei. Te Māreikura mārohirohi o Ihoa o ngā Mano, takoto Te ringa mākohakoha o Rongo, takoto. Te mātauranga o Tūāhuriri o Ngai Tahu ...6 days ago
- Boost for tourism networks as borders openThree core networks within the tourism sector are receiving new investment to gear up for the return of international tourists and business travellers, as the country fully reconnects to the world. “Our wider tourism sector is on the way to recovery. As visitor numbers scale up, our established tourism networks ...6 days ago
- Law changes passed stopping tax evasion on water-pipe tobaccoThe Minister of Customs has welcomed legislation being passed which will prevent millions of dollars in potential tax evasion on water-pipe tobacco products. The Customs and Excise (Tobacco Products) Amendment Act 2022 changes the way excise and excise-equivalent duty is calculated on these tobacco products. Water-pipe tobacco is also known ...7 days ago
- Government support for Levin community hit by tornadoThe Government is contributing $100,000 to a Mayoral Relief Fund to help the Levin community following this morning’s tornado, Minister for Emergency Management Kiri Allan says. “My thoughts are with everyone who has been impacted by severe weather events in Levin and across the country. “I know the tornado has ...7 days ago
- Bryce Edwards’ Political Roundup: Major shakeup of electoral rules could be coming
Analysis by Dr Bryce Edwards. Political Roundup: Major shakeup of electoral rules could be coming Political scientist, Dr Bryce Edwards. Get ready for a big debate on how to improve democracy in New Zealand. On Tuesday, Justice Minister Kris Faafoi announced the review panel that will oversee a once-in-a-generation overhaul of ...24 mins ago - Wild animals are evolving faster than anybody thoughtSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Timothée Bonnet, Researcher in evolutionary biology (DECRA fellow), Australian National University Shutterstock How fast is evolution? In adaptive evolution, natural selection causes genetic changes in traits that favour the survival and reproduction of individual organisms. Although Charles Darwin thought the ...45 mins ago
- Can you use rapid antigen tests in children under 2 years old?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Thea van de Mortel, Professor, Nursing and Deputy Head (Learning & Teaching), School of Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University Shutterstock As we head into winter, you may have a sniffly child under two years old at home. Is it just ...45 mins ago
- Laggard to leader? Labor could repair Australia’s tattered reputation on climate change, if it get...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jonathan Pickering, Assistant Professor, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra For much of the past three decades, Australia has been viewed internationally as a laggard on climate change – and with good reason. Australia was the last ...46 mins ago
- Dumbed-down curriculum means primary students will learn less about the world and nothing about clim...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alaric Maude, Associate Professor of Geography, Flinders University Shutterstock Revisions to the Australian primary school curriculum for geography mean children will learn much less about the world and its diversity than they do at present. They will learn nothing about ...46 mins ago
- Expect more power price hikes – a 1970s-style energy shock is on the cardsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Bruce Mountain, Director, Victoria Energy Policy Centre, Victoria University Shutterstock Yesterday the Australian Energy Regulator increased the “default market offers” that apply to electricity retailers in New South Wales, South Australia, Queensland by 8% to 18%, depending on type of ...46 mins ago
- Military history is repeating for Russia under Putin’s regime of thievesSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tony Ward, Fellow in Historical Studies, The University of Melbourne In explaining the reasons for Russia’s unexpected military weakness in Ukraine, few have expressed it better than The Economist. The magazine noted “the incurable inadequacy of despotic power” and “the cheating, bribery ...46 mins ago
- Heartstopper depicts queer joy – here’s why that can bring about complicated feelings for those ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Liam Casey, Clinical psychologist, University of Technology Sydney Netflix One of the most popular shows on Netflix right now is Heartstopper, which follows UK schoolboys Charlie (Joe Locke) and Nick (Kit Connor) as their friendship grows into something more. ...46 mins ago
- PM Jacinda Ardern calls out tech giants in prestigious Harvard University speech
Jacinda Ardern has called social media a threat to modern day democracy, during her latest speech in Boston. ...1 hour ago - PM Jacinda Ardern confirms she'll meet US President Joe Biden at the White House next weekJacinda Ardern says they'll be pushing for the US to join the CPTPP, as well as discussing trade and the war in Ukraine. ...1 hour ago
- Jewish Grps In 10 Countries Join Germans & NZers To Protest The Suppression Of Palestinians’ R...
Jewish groups in Germany and New Zealand protested alongside Palestinians when mayors of Berlin and Wellington banned pro-Palestinian demonstrations. Justice for Palestine staged a guerilla projection in defiance of the Wellington ban. Photo ...2 hours ago - Watch live: PM Jacinda Ardern speaks to media on day 3 of US tripJacinda Ardern is addressing the media at Harvard University following her meetings with US senators and representatives. ...2 hours ago
- Government accused of neglecting Pacific partnerships as China's influence growsThe government is being criticised for letting its relationships with Pacific islands drift, as China tries to boost its influence in the region. ...4 hours ago
- Kiribati ‘forced’ to allow China visit on Pacific mission, says journalistRNZ Pacific A Pacific journalist believes the Kiribati government has been coerced by Beijing to accommodate China’s foreign minister’s visit. Kiribati authorities have confirmed that Wang Yi would briefly stopover to meet President Taneti Maamau as part of his Pacific-wide tour. Journalist Rimon Rimon said the government had been “very ...7 hours ago
- West Papuan students fight on for rights to education in AotearoaBy George Heagney of Stuff in Palmerston North Students from West Papua desperate to stay in New Zealand after having their scholarships cut are pinning their hopes on finding an employer to sponsor new working visas. About 40 students from the Indonesian province of Papua have been studying at different ...7 hours ago
- Solomons media condemns ‘secrecy’ controls over China delegationRNZ Pacific The Media Association of Solomon Islands (MASI) has urged its members to boycott a media conference for a visiting Chinese delegation in protest over “ridiculous” restrictions. China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi leads the high-level delegation which arrives in Solomon Islands today. Wang is expected to sign a host ...7 hours ago
- FijiFirst not fit to run country over ‘dry taps – no lights’, says RabukaBy Felix Chaudhary in Suva People’s Alliance party leader Sitiveni Rabuka says the FijiFirst government is not fit to run the country because it cannot efficiently provide two basic necessities — electricity and water. In a statement issued yesterday, he said the continuing crises of dry taps and regular power ...7 hours ago
- PNG elections: Peoples’ National Congress party endorses 90 plus candidatesBy Don Wiseman, RNZ Pacific journalist Papua New Guinea’s Peoples’ National Congress is shaping up as the party to watch as the country’s general election approaches. Nominations are set to finish later today with campaigning then in earnest through to early July when voting starts. The Peoples’ National Congress (PNC) ...7 hours ago
- Grattan on Friday: Stellar first week for Anthony Albanese but tough months aheadSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Anthony Albanese had expected the election might be a week earlier than it was, because last Saturday would bump up against Tuesday’s Quad meeting in Tokyo. But Scott Morrison wanted maximum time to try ...11 hours ago
- Keith Rankin Chart Analysis – Covid19 Country Update: Week ending 22 May 2022Analysis by Keith Rankin. Chart by Keith Rankin. Chart by Keith Rankin. Many of the reported counts of Covid19 cases and deaths now better reflect reporting variations rather than actual health data. These charts indicate the new stories that are increasingly falling under the international media radar. I show both ...13 hours ago
- Will the latest shooting of US children finally lead to gun reform? Sadly, that’s unlikelySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brendon O’Connor, Associate Professor in American Politics at the United States Studies Centre, University of Sydney Mass shootings in the United States are all too common and, sadly, unsurprising to much of the world. But when the victims of such violence are ...15 hours ago
- To walk the talk on climate, Labor must come clean about the future for coal and gasSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jeremy Moss, Professor of Political Philosophy, UNSW Sydney Mark Baker/AP Australia’s climate election has been won. Now comes the harder part. It’s now entirely possible we could see a government committed to domestic climate action, speeding up the exit of ...15 hours ago
- Firearms debate weighs on Jacinda Ardern's Capitol meetingsThe Texas shooting and gun control debates have largely overshadowed Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's visits to Senators at the United States Capitol. ...15 hours ago
- We keep hearing about a First Nations Voice to parliament, but what would it actually look like in p...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Paul Kildea, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Law & Justice, UNSW Sydney Prime Minister Anthony Albanese began his election night victory speech by declaring: “I commit to the Uluru Statement from the Heart in full.” This commitment, delivered on the eve of the ...16 hours ago
- From glasses to mobility scooters, ‘assistive technology’ isn’t always high-tech. A WHO roadma...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Natasha Layton, Senior Research Fellow: Rehabilitation, Ageing and Independent Living Research Centre, Monash University Shutterstock This month, the first ever World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF Global Report on Assistive Technology was released. The WHO estimates one in three ...17 hours ago
- Buzz from the Beehive: Budget announcements are still flowing but criminals will pay for Poto’s n...
Ministers continue to beat the drum for the goodies dispensed in the Budget, a week after Finance Minister Grant Robertson delivered his Budget speech and the Government published a raft of documents and press statements to tell the nation who got how much. Some of the ministerial post-Budget announcements relate ...17 hours ago - New guidelines on understanding, responding to family violencePrevention of Family Violence Minister Marama Davidson says they give specialist family and sexual violence organisations and general workforces the tools to respond appropriately ...17 hours ago
- Monetary Policy Needs Fiscal FriendsIn today’s Finance and Expenditure Select Committee briefing, the Reserve Bank Governor was questioned by MPs about Government spending and said, “We believe it is putting upward pressure on aggregate demand and hence inflation” in the near-term. ...17 hours ago
- Parnell Business Association Welcomes Funding For Ram Raid PreventionThe Parnell Business Association welcomes the announcement from Police Minister Poto Williams that the Government is investing in crime prevention for our small retailers, including the installation of bollards and other structures to protect ...18 hours ago
- Office Of Auditor-General’s Response WelcomedMasterton Mayor Lyn Patterson has welcomed the response by the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) to complaints relating to Council decisions around the Civic Facility. In a response released today, the OAG said it had received complaints about whether ...18 hours ago
- Budget Not Enough To Make A Difference To Poverty...18 hours ago
- Fragments of a dying comet might put on a spectacular show next week – or pass by without a traceSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jonti Horner, Professor (Astrophysics), University of Southern Queensland The 1833 Leonid Meteor storm, as seen over Niagara Falls. Edmund Weiß (1888) As Earth orbits the Sun, it ploughs through dust and debris left behind by comets and asteroids. That debris gives birth ...18 hours ago
- Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Benjamin Clark, Deputy Engagement Editor, The Conversation Right from the outset, it is clear Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s agenda is very different to his predecessor Scott Morrison’s – from emphasising his commitment to fighting climate change to foreign leaders in ...19 hours ago
- COVID-19 in babies – here’s what to expectSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Shidan Tosif, Honorary Clinical Associate Professor, The University of Melbourne Shutterstock Parents are understandably worried about what would happen if their infant caught COVID-19. Babies may be considered vulnerable due to immature immune systems, and are also not eligible for ...19 hours ago
- Porirua City Council Set To Become Living Wage CouncilThe Living Wage Movement Aotearoa New Zealand congratulates Porirua City Council on their decision to become an accredited Living Wage Employer. After 10 years of campaigning, community leaders in Porirua are excited that workers employed by contractors ...19 hours ago
- Masterton Civic Facility ProjectConcerns were raised with us about aspects of Masterton District Council’s decision to fund a new civic facility. The civic facility is a significant project for the Council and the community, and there has been public interest in the options considered. ...19 hours ago
- Union Challenges Oranga Tamariki Manager To Front Up Or ResignThe claim that there has been only one person harmed at Te Puni Wai this year by a young person is either a deliberate lie or a demonstration of the total disconnection with the actual reality of the situation on the frontline, NUPE Secretary Janice ...19 hours ago
- Auckland gun crime: Public should 'absolutely' expect decrease – MinisterPolice Minister Poto Williams has told Aucklanders they should "absolutely" expect a decrease in gun crime after gang attacks in recent days, and arrests have already been made. ...20 hours ago
- How did ancient moa survive the ice age – and what can they teach us about modern climate change?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nic Rawlence, Senior Lecturer in Ancient DNA, University of Otago Artist’s impression of an eastern moa in its podocarp forest habitat. Paul Martinson. Te Papa Tongarewa/Museum of NZ, CC BY-NC-ND One species of iconic moa was almost wiped out during the last ...20 hours ago
- Protection Funding Good News For Service Stations...21 hours ago
- Tony Burke’s double ministry of arts and industrial relations could be just what the arts sector n...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kim Goodwin, Teaching Specialist, The University of Melbourne With the swearing in of a new arts minister, there is a unique opportunity to address some of the structural issues around pay and job precarity in the arts and build a more equitable ...21 hours ago
- Fonterra announces record opening milk price payment for its farmers next season as demand remains s...
New Zealand has suffered several jolts in the past week, not least a higher interest rate regime as the Reserve Bank counters surging inflation. But at least one beacon of light shines through the gloom: the country’s leading primary export industry’s boom is moving to a second season of high ...21 hours ago - Leo Molloy Labels Ram Raid Support Package PatheticMayoral candidate Leo Molloy says the Government’s package to protect small businesses from ram raids won’t even touch the surface in Tāmaki Makaurau. “While I’m flattered that the Government has picked up a policy that I announced more than a ...21 hours ago
- Why is Lower Hutt’s Mayor over-riding local sentiment on Three Waters? Check out his party ticket ...Signatories to a recently launched petition are urging the Government to introduce civics education into schools nationwide. Joni Tomsett, described by RNZ as a 28-year-old student from the Tasman region, launched the petition on the community campaign platform OurActionStation to make civics education a core subject in all secondary schools ...22 hours ago
- Police Minister announces government's crime prevention packagePolice will manage a $6 million crime prevention programme, installing bollards and similar measures to prevent ram raids, as part of the government's response to such attacks. ...23 hours ago
- Budget 2022 Was Taster. Main Course Needed Urgently.New Zealand may be getting somewhat ahead of the international curve in its response to the rapidly increasing prevalence of dementia. A new report out this week from Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) shows that only around 20 per cent of World ...23 hours ago
- Retail NZ Welcomes Further Government Support To Combat Retail CrimeRetail NZ welcomes today's announcement of a Government funding package to support retailers in response to retail crime. “Today’s annoucement of $6 million dollars to help retailers respond to crime is significant for the sector. The ability for ...23 hours ago
- Gangs Not Stopped By Firearms RegisterNew Zealand’s 240,000 licensed firearm owners feel vindicated by the acknowledgement of National Party leader Chris Luxon that a firearm register won’t stop gang crime. After the spate of gang crime in Auckland on Tuesday, Mr Luxon said National would ...24 hours ago
- National Sorry Day is a day to commemorate those taken. But ‘sorry’ is not enough – we need ac...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Bronwyn Carlson, Professor, Indigenous Studies and Director of The Centre for Global Indigenous Futures, Macquarie University This article contains mentions of the Stolen Generations, and policies using outdated and potentially offensive terminology when referring to First Nations people. May 26 is ...1 day ago
- How plate tectonics, mountains and deep-sea sediments have maintained Earth’s ‘Goldilocks’ cli...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dietmar Müller, Professor of Geophysics, University of Sydney For hundreds of millions of years, Earth’s climate has warmed and cooled with natural fluctuations in the level of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the atmosphere. Over the past century, humans have pushed CO₂ levels ...1 day ago
- Australia’s social housing system is critically stressed. Many eligible applicants simply give upSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hal Pawson, Professor of Housing Research and Policy, and Associate Director, City Futures Research Centre, UNSW Sydney Plenty was said in the election campaign about the very real challenges faced by first home buyers and by homeowners already mortgaged to the hilt. ...1 day ago
- As flu cases surge, vaccination may offer some bonus protection from COVID as wellSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nicole Messina, Team Leader in the Infectious Diseases Research Group, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute; Honorary Fellow at The University of Melbourne Department of Paediatrics., Murdoch Children’s Research Institute After virtually disappearing for two years, influenza is back and rapidly sweeping across Australia ...1 day ago
- I am a climate scientist – and this is my plea to our newly elected politiciansSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nerilie Abram, Chief Investigator for the ARC Centre of Excellence for Climate Extremes; Deputy Director for the Australian Centre for Excellence in Antarctic Science, Australian National University Nerilie Abram, Author provided The 2022 federal election will go down in history as ...1 day ago
- Memo to Labor: you need more tax, working out how much more is urgentSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Keating, Visiting Fellow, College of Business & Economics, Australian National University Shutterstock The new government has inherited an extraordinarily difficult budget situation. The budget deficit amounts to 3.5% of gross domestic product this financial year and it will be almost ...1 day ago
- Super co-contribution has cost $10 billion to help the wrong Australians – so let’s scrap itSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cain Polidano, Senior Research Fellow, The University of Melbourne Shutterstock Concerned that many people won’t have enough retirement savings even with compulsory superannuation, since 2003 the Australian government has had a scheme to encourage low and middle-income earners to voluntarily put ...1 day ago
- The singing was great – but what was it about? Why opera companies should explain themselves bette...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Tregear, Principal Fellow and Professor of Music, The University of Melbourne Jeff Busby/Opera Australia Opera Australia has received outstanding reviews for its Melbourne season of Richard Wagner’s opera Lohengrin. The casting of German singer Jonas Kaufmann in the title ...1 day ago
- NZ entering Ukraine conflict 'at whim of govt' – former Labour general-secretaryA former senior Labour Party figure says New Zealand has effectively gone to war without consulting the public by joining Nato's efforts to defeat Russia's military objectives in Ukraine. ...1 day ago
- NZ entering Ukraine conflict 'at whim of govt' – former Labour politiciansA former senior Labour Party figure says New Zealand has effectively gone to war without consulting the public by joining Nato's efforts to defeat Russia's military objectives in Ukraine. ...1 day ago
- Watch: PM Jacinda Ardern speaks to media on US trip day 2Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern spoke to New Zealand media after meeting US senators and representatives. ...1 day ago
- Dutton, set to become Liberal leader, wants people to see ‘the rest of my character’Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Peter Dutton has declared there is more to him than his tough side, as he formally announces he will stand for the Liberal leadership. Dutton, set to be unopposed when the Liberals meet next week, ...1 day ago
- PNG faces K105m Indonesian penalty for illegal black oil shipmentsBy Melisha Yafoi in Port Moresby The Papua New Guinean government can expect to be fined a hefty US$5 million (K17.6 million) each for six illegal shipments (K105 million total) of waste oil being transported to Singapore through Indonesian waters. A formal notice was issued by Indonesia’s Ministry of Environment ...1 day ago
- Top level Chinese delegation headed to Kiribati – questions over KantonBy Barbara Dreaver, TV1 News Pacific correspondent Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is to visit Kiribati on Friday for four hours as part of a Pacific tour to strengthen security ties in the region. It is the first top level bilateral meeting between the two countries since Kiribati switched allegiance ...1 day ago
- PM Jacinda Ardern launches US tour with NZ ‘open for business’ messageRNZ News Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has spoken to media to demonstrate to the US market that New Zealand is “open for business”, having arrived in the US yesterday. Her trip includes meeting members of Congress and the UN Secretary-General, attending a launch event for sustainable meat exports, delivering the ...1 day ago
- Police warn PNG public about robbers after attack on Unitech studentsPNG Post-Courier Papua New Guinea police have warned the public to take precaution with criminals now operating in large numbers in some suburbs of the second city Lae after an attack on University of Technology students. Metropolitan police commander Chief Superintendent Chris Kunyanban issued the warning following the attack on ...1 day ago
- ‘We’re listening and we’ll do better’, new minister Wong tells PacificRNZ Pacific Australia’s newly sworn-in Foreign Minister, Penny Wong, says the new Labor government “will be a generous, respectful and reliable member of the Pacific family”. In a message addressing the region on Monday, Wong set the tone for Australia’s renewed priorities for its island neighbours. Wong said Australia recognised ...1 day ago
- Fiji tourism back on its feet with a fresh focus on sustainabilityBy Sheryl Lal and Akansha Narayan in Nadi, Fiji Although Fiji was unaffected by the first wave of covid-19, its tourism sector — the lifeblood of the economy — has been devastated by border closure across the world due to the pandemic in the past two years. Thus, when the ...1 day ago
- Ardern can push US to 'show up' in Asia-Pacific – Myron BrilliantThe US needs to do more in the Asia-Pacific region and Jacinda Ardern should be pushing Joe Biden harder, a major US business leader says. ...2 days ago
- Eden-Monaro and Gippsland are next-door neighbours: why is one seat safe and the other marginal?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Erik Eklund, Professor of History, Federation University Australia The recent federal election saw some close calls but few surprises in the regions, where wild electoral swings are rare. But we should look closer at two regional seats that straddle the NSW/Victorian ...2 days ago
- Clive Palmer and One Nation flopped at the election. What happened?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Benjamin Moffitt, Associate Professor, Australian Catholic University Many commentators tipped Clive Palmer’s United Australia Party (UAP) and Pauline Hanson’s One Nation to perform well this election by scooping up the “freedom” and anti-vax vote from voters angry about how the pandemic was ...2 days ago
- After many false dawns, Australians finally voted for stronger climate action. Here’s why this ele...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Matt McDonald, Associate Professor of International Relations, The University of Queensland Getty Before the 2019 federal election, many people expected Australia would vote for faster climate action. That, of course, didn’t happen. But just three years later, the climate election ...2 days ago
- Government Set To Delay Pollution Busting Warmer Homes Before Ink Is Dry On Emissions Reduction PlanThe government is set to delay plans to improve the insulation of new homes in New Zealand, just days after including the measures in the much vaunted emissions reduction plan unveiled last week. The emissions reduction plan included a move to improve ...2 days ago
- Mortgage holders will wince as RBNZ takes another shot at bringing inflation back into the target zo...The Reserve Bank has raised the official cash rate to 2% – but will that slay the inflationary beast roaming the countryside.? Point of Order doesn’t think so. Reserve Bank governor Adrian Orr made the right belligerent noises as he fired the bullet today but he needed a fiscal -policy ...2 days ago
- Buzz from the Beehive – and we learn how Zoom helps Nanaia Mahuta stay in touch with the world (or...We were pleasantly surprised to catch up on the latest announcement from Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta – jointly issued with Defence Minister Peeni Henare – about the extension of the New Zealand Defence Force deployment to Solomon Islands. This is being done as part of the Pacific-led Solomon Islands ...2 days ago
- When is a COVID mutation a new variant, and when is it a subvariant? And what’s a recombinant?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Paul Griffin, Associate Professor, Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, The University of Queensland Shutterstock We’ve all become familiar with virus mutations over the course of the pandemic, and can all probably list off the COVID variants including Alpha, Delta and Omicron. ...2 days ago
- Ardern talks gun control on Late Show with Stephen ColbertPrime Minister Jacinda Ardern has spoken with US TV host and comedian Stephen Colbert about the school shooting in Texas, as part of her trip to the United States. ...2 days ago
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