gay rights
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Homosexual law reform happened 30 years ago
Written By: - Date published: 9:16 am, February 21st, 2016 - 94 comments
Some thoughts on yesterday’s gay pride parade and why National has in the space of 30 years changed from being deeply anti gay rights to being superficially in support.
Labour, identity, class and winning
Written By: - Date published: 2:00 pm, November 9th, 2015 - 54 comments
The question of identity politics and Labour’s direction just never go away. But maybe we’re just thinking about it all wrong.
What the Waitakere Myth says about pundits’ attitudes to the working class
Written By: - Date published: 7:00 pm, November 13th, 2013 - 99 comments
I finally found the words, in a comment at The Standard, to explain something I’ve been feeling for years about the Waitakere Man thesis: I keep thinking about how to express this exact idea: that the whole Waitakere Man myth says way more about Chris Trotter and Josie Pagani’s attitudes towards the working class than […]
Labour Party proposes radical idea that Parliament should be representative
Written By: - Date published: 8:11 am, October 31st, 2013 - 168 comments
At this weekend’s Labour Party Conference there will be a number of interesting constitutional and policy proposals. One of them will try and direct the party’s Moderating Committee to select list candidates who are truly representative of New Zealand society. Some have suggested that this is a radical proposal but you really have to question if this is so …
Best (so far). The bill passed well.
Written By: - Date published: 9:07 pm, April 17th, 2013 - 142 comments
The marriage equity bill has passed with a strong majority.
This is a watershed moment in New Zealand’s political history.
Marriage equality: living with prejudice
Written By: - Date published: 10:00 am, April 17th, 2013 - 115 comments
The marriage equality law will pass it’s final reading in the House tonight. It is a measure of how things have changed. The passing of the law will not bring an end to all prejudices, inequalities and debilitating practices. But, today is a day for celebrating. [Update: Louisa Wall’s speech added.]
Another day, another bullshit Family First/Curia poll
Written By: - Date published: 6:00 pm, March 23rd, 2013 - 187 comments
Oh look, once again Family First’s rhetoric fails to match its reality.
The worst thing about the Right
Written By: - Date published: 9:32 am, March 19th, 2013 - 189 comments
So, some Republican Senator has become the first of his ilk to, um, come out in favour of marriage equality after he learned his son is gay. Apparently, this is just lovely. The man wrestled with his prejudices and his Christian love and tolerance won. Yay! Bullshit. This just shows that the black hole where the heart of the Right should be is their inability to empathise.
Marriage equality and polygamy
Written By: - Date published: 5:00 pm, January 24th, 2013 - 34 comments
Another day, another bigot trying to derail the marriage equality conversation by bringing up polygamy. Just ignore them, people. Because we’re winning this one.
Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi: how is gay babby formed?
Written By: - Date published: 7:20 pm, November 23rd, 2012 - 82 comments
As the Government Administration Committee hears submissions on the Marriage Equality Bill, one committee member is doing his best to make the whole thing a clear illustration of how pathetic homophobes are.
Towards an inclusive, democratic left
Written By: - Date published: 10:53 am, November 16th, 2012 - 46 comments
The left needs to develop a new direction, not merely react to the ruling neoliberal discourses and policies. Under NAct there has been a resurgent masculinisation of politics, and the undermining of democratic processes. How do we work towards a more inclusive, diverse participatory democracy?
Chilled out entertainer
Written By: - Date published: 1:56 pm, November 7th, 2012 - 21 comments
John Key and David Brent. Both chilled out entertainers. The resemblance is uncanny.
McKellen scolds Key
Written By: - Date published: 11:47 am, November 6th, 2012 - 127 comments
Good to see a prominent and widely respected gay person take Key on for his thoughtless and damaging language.
The conservative’s nightmare
Written By: - Date published: 8:43 am, August 31st, 2012 - 51 comments
Soon, a 18-year old gay man will be able to get married and, then, celebrate by having a drink. If Jacinda Ardern’s Bill passes, he’ll be able to adopt his husband’s child. And, if David Clark’s Bill passes – he can then earn $15 an hour at his minimum wage job! It really is the conservative’s nightmare at the moment. I’m loving it.
Marriage equality set to pass
Written By: - Date published: 8:23 am, August 28th, 2012 - 33 comments
Louisa Wall’s marriage equality bill comes before Parliament tomorrow – there’ll be a rally outside. It should pass comfortably. 61 MPs have said they’ll support it to at least first reading and only quarter of that number say they will oppose it. Many of the 30-odd undecideds will vote no but some will be voting ‘yes’. I think we’ll see about 70 votes in favour.
Gay marriage
Written By: - Date published: 9:17 am, July 28th, 2012 - 181 comments
What possible reason is there to deny a couple marriage? With luck the only dissenting voices will be isolated extremists like Colin Craig.
ImperatorFish: Uncle Ernie: Hidden In Plain Sight
Written By: - Date published: 3:07 pm, December 16th, 2011 - 53 comments
Scott at Imperator Fish has kindly given us permission to syndicate posts from his blog – the original of this post is here
Garth George: Social Engineering is wrong unless it’s my social engineering. Those Greens are sinister and dangerous…
Uncivil behaviour at Big Gay Out
Written By: - Date published: 7:48 am, February 14th, 2011 - 22 comments
The contrast between Phil Goff and John Key at the Big Gay Out could not have been greater. Key swanned in late, told the crowd the best they could hope for from National was no regressive moves and refused to endorse civil unions. Goff and his posse re-affirmed Labour’s stance against discrimination and committed to progressive leadership.
Big Gay Nowt
Written By: - Date published: 10:26 am, February 4th, 2011 - 69 comments
It’s almost Big Gay Out time again which also means it’s time for some new images of John Key dancing with drag queens and cuddling up to lines of shirtless hunks. I know I’m supposed to admire the fact that a National party PM would take time out of his busy schedule to be seen with us homos but it’s all PR. Key’s record is true blue anti-gay.
The power of public condemnation
Written By: - Date published: 3:39 pm, January 25th, 2010 - 23 comments
Phew, that was quick. Yesterday John Kingi writes to us about Club Physical promoting homophobic myths. I publish his email. The same day a 300 member Facebook group pops up, and John’s on NewstalkZB and GayNZ. Today, Club Physical’s apologising. A lot of the righties complained that we shouldn’t have posted this. Suspect that deep down they are sympathetic […]
Is Club Physical promoting homophobia?
Written By: - Date published: 1:16 pm, January 24th, 2010 - 113 comments
A reader, John, writes: “I’m a member of Club Physical and I was disgusted to see that in their latest E-newsletter (below) sent out to all their members via email address, they are promoting an article from a fringe website that claims eating soy “makes kids gay”. The mere idea that eating something “makes you gay” […]
F*ck you, the NZ collaboration
Written By: - Date published: 4:45 pm, July 10th, 2009 - 31 comments
Kick arse: Hat tip: Russell Brown
- New research, April 9-15, 2018
A selection of new climate related research articles is shown below. Climate change mitigation 1. Pathways limiting warming to 1.5°C: a tale of turning around in no time? (open access) 2. Climate change and technology: examining opinion formation of geoengineering 3. The Water-Energy-Food Nexus: ...13 hours ago - Material for next Imperialism Study/Discussion Group
Following a break after the discussions on Imperialism in the 21st Century, the Imperialism Study/Discussion Group is moving on to Tony Norfield’s work on the global financial system. These discussions are being led by Tony, who recommends the following: ...1 day ago - On intelligence oversight, a broader perspective.
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After Jacinda’s historic announcement that brought an end to new offshore oil and gas exploration, we’ve been hearing a lot from the industry about how the sky is about to fall in. Fun fact: it isn’t. But just in case ...1 day ago - Jacinda Ardern’s excellent adventure
NZ's 'pregnant leftie PM' gets photographed with various world leaders across Europe. The Internet loses its mind. Image: The Internet Jacinda Ardern has been in Paris, Berlin and London this week for talks with French President Emmanuel ...1 day ago - Differentiation vs delivering
For the first time in their history, the Green Party is in government, with ministers and a confidence and supply agreement and the ability to change things directly rather than through the long, slow process of persuasion. And this seems ...1 day ago - Improving Wellington’s Rail Network Part 4
In the previous post, I wrote about how we could improve the Wellington rail network including how we could possibly make the Melling line fit better for Wellington from a network operations perspective In this last post for this series, ...1 day ago - Baking bread with Kimbra-collaborator Timon Martin
"There's a work ethic that I think the bread is teaching me." Timon Martin makes music and bread. Photo: Luke McPake Thanks to reality TV, most of us don’t associate baking with calm. But observing Timon ...1 day ago - Hard News: Friday Music: The Shopping News
Tomorrow, Saturday, is international Record Store Day – you can tell by the appearance of solemn thinkpieces about how Record Store Day is ruining everything. This year, it's the Chicago-based reissue label Numero Group, which which published a blast about ...1 day ago - Britain’s Interests Nowhere Near The Moral High Ground.
1 day ago - Proactive release of Ministerial briefingsFor a while I've been posting about Ministerial weekly briefings, encouraging people to OIA them as a resource for finding out what the government is doing. There's been some pushback from Labour over this, and I have a complaint in ...1 day ago
- Sean Hannity (hopefully, the fist of many)
Then the other day: Sean Hannity mourns the death of journalism, having personally viciously stabbed it repeatedly.Who says Americans don't do irony?Love the "Coming Up: Newt Gingrich" in the corner. Newts live in swamps, don't they? And now this:Hannity declared––and ...2 days ago - Covering the news, Motorways and Safety
2 days ago - Continuing the debate on imperialism todayThe Imperialism Study/Discussion Group initiated by Redline is now moving on to Tony Norfield’s work on the global financial system. At the same time, people involved in the study/discussion continue to chat about imperialism in the 21st century and, in ...2 days ago
- On living under a hyperreal sky
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by Don Franks At the end of our street, there’s a little stone memorial. It was raised in 1920, for local working people whose lives were cut short or ruined by the Great War. The young men from Holloway Road and ...2 days ago - Working conditions an impediment to ITP success, Minister claims
Tertiary Update – Vol 21 No 8 Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (ITPs) should be allowed to renegotiate conditions of work so staff can be used “more efficiently,” according to a paper agreed by Cabinet Ministers last month. Written by Minister ...2 days ago - Staff call for greater representationNearly 500 staff working in the tertiary education sector have hold MPs that they would like to see greater representation for students and staff on institution councils. The call comes as part of a public submission process to inform the Education ...2 days ago
- Ministry sets out plans for VET reviewThe government should ensure a network of regional provision, support a diverse range of learners and facilitate work-based learning, according to a paper published by the Ministry of Education. The paper sets out the scope and process for a review the ...2 days ago
- Union fears government will ignore lessons of failed TAFE reformsSandra Grey, national president of the Tertiary Education Union, shares her experience of last week’s Australian Education Union’s technical and further education Council – and draws alarming parallels between reforms in Australia and ideas put forward in a Cabinet paper ...2 days ago
- TEU members celebrate general staffUnion members across New Zealand will come together tomorrow to celebrate the contribution general staff make to their institutions. They go by many names – general staff, professional staff, allied staff – and they are crucial to making sure students enjoy a ...2 days ago
- Why Record Store Day still matters
Waxing lyrical. Photo: 123RF Everyone loves music. And for most people these days, their music listening is conducted online through streaming platforms like Apple Music and Spotify. However, for some fans, the physical still trumps ...2 days ago - When extension becomes effective refusalI've had a lot of bad OIA experiences, and my fair share of Ministers and officials playing games with extensions to delay access to documents until an issue is out of the media. However, I've never had anything as bad ...2 days ago
- Copies of CPTPP Submissions – Jane Kelsey, Laila Harre, Barry Coates, NZCTU, BWI and the Alliance ...Please click on the links below each name to download their submission on the CPTPP Jane Kelsey’s CPTPP Submission Jane Kelsey’s CPTPP Submission Laila Harre’s CPTPP Submission Laila Harre’s CPTPP Submission Barry Coates’ CPTPP Submission Barry Coates’ ...2 days ago
- Laila Harre’s CPTPP SubmissionClick the link below to download Laila Harre’s CPTPP Submission Laila Harre’s CPTPP Submission The post Laila Harre’s CPTPP Submission appeared first on It's Our Future. ...2 days ago
- Less than open IIBack in March, I received some OIA'd documents from Clare Curran, the Minister of Open Government. Among other things, they showed that SSC had presented her with an draft open government strategy in November. Naturally, it was kept secret. I ...2 days ago
- Jane Kelsey’s CPTPP SubmissionSUBMISSION ON THE REVISED TRANS-PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT Professor Jane Kelsey, Faculty of Law, The University of Auckland 1. I am a Professor of Law at the University of Auckland, specialising in international economic regulation. From 2010 I closely monitored the ...2 days ago
- “Clarkism” Still Driving The Labour Party.
2 days ago - What’s changing in the next batch of trains
2 days ago - Where did it algo wrong? The threat and promise of predictive analytics
2 days ago - Tough Crowd – Amanda Kennedy
Can comedians make their parents laugh? Check out the first episode of Tough Crowd, season two. Made with funding support from NZ On Air. ...2 days ago - It is ten seconds to midnight
. . The unthinkable has happened. US, French, and British military forces attacked various targets in Syria. The attack took place at around mid-day-1.00PM local time (14 April); . . Trump described the attack with flowery words that served only ...3 days ago - Transport is about people
This is a guest post from Bridget Burdett. She is a principal researcher at TDG (now part of Stantec). She has a Bachelor of Engineering and Masters of Engineering in Transportation, and is in the final stages of a PhD ...3 days ago - Oil be alright. But has Labour learnt the wrong lesson from its past?When Jacinda Ardern was asked to justify her government's decision to stop issuing oil drilling permits forthwith she drew on a memory that sits deep in her party's - and our country's - soul. Our nuclear-free status. The decision for ...3 days ago
- Why Labour is going along with Trumpby Don Franks Last year, US ambassador Scott Brown clashed with our then prime minister Bill English, who’d described Trump’s threat to rain “fire and fury” on North Korea as “not helpful”. In a TVNZ interview on October 15th , Scott Brown ...3 days ago
- Glacier loss is accelerating because of global warmingWith global warming, we can make predictions and then take measurements to test those predictions. One prediction (a pretty obvious one) is that a warmer world will have less snow and ice. In particular, areas that have year-round ice and snow will ...3 days ago
- Meet the New Zealand world champion of a classic arcade game
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- The REAL Sex Talk: Nudes, sexy selfies & revenge pornMade with funding support from NZ On Air. ...3 days ago
- Years Of Pressure On Oil and Gas Exploration Pay Off: Jacinda Ardern Announces An End To Offshore Oi...
by Zella Downing. Good on Jacinda Ardern and the current New Zealand government for their courage in announcing an end to offshore oil exploration, and issuing no new onshore permits outside of Taranaki. This vital first step re-directs our focus ...3 days ago - More on Labour / Anti-Semitism
3 days ago - Ellie Jay’s waste free diary: ‘Is it easy to stop throwing stuff away?’
Ellie Jay tries (and fails gloriously) to go waste free for a week. Le bin bag heureuse The sea is full of plastic, dolphins are choking on it. There’s a garbage patch bigger than the ...3 days ago - A convenient purgeAt the moment the UK government is persecuting the "Windrush generation". People who legally migrated to the UK and have a legal right to remain are being thrown out of their jobs and threatened with deportation unless they can prove ...3 days ago
- Karen Walker, RUBY and Trelise Cooper score low on fashion ethics
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- Climate change: Making farmers payYesterday the government announced its interim climate change committee - a group of experts to advise it on climate change policy. The group is intended to eventually become a permanent independent climate change commission once the government's Zero Carbon Act ...3 days ago
- No Enemies To Labour’s Left?
3 days ago - Labour and Anti-Semitism (probably the first of many)
So, you might wonder what has prompted me to stir in my Cthulhuesque slumber?Today in parliament a debate was held on the issue of anti-Semitism. Its a rather important issue and one which - you'd hope - would transcend party ...3 days ago - One minute to midnight?. . Founded in 1945 by University of Chicago scientists who had helped develop the first atomic weapons in the Manhattan Project, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists created the Doomsday Clock two years later, using the imagery of apocalypse (midnight) ...4 days ago
- Guest Post: Auckland’s Road Safety Crisis
4 days ago - Climate Science Denial Explained: Tactics of Denial
Continued from Part 1 What they decline to understand Thousands of climate scientists are working on all kinds of interesting subjects, from glaciology to oceanography to ecology to atmospheric physics. Some pseudo-skeptics don't understand that and seem to have no inkling ...4 days ago - Retaliating against attacks that may not have happened, and emphasising values we clearly don’t re...
The use of missiles in “retaliation” for chemical weapons use (that hasn’t quite been proved either before, nor indeed after the missile strike taken) and what was actually an illegal attack on a Sovereign State, entirely without the sanction of ...4 days ago - Tax isn’t love, it’s resentmentThe internet throughout New Zealand seems to be buzzing with the possibility that taxpayers can be persuaded to feel positive about paying tax. Not just positive, downright giddy.read more ...4 days ago
- National opposes oversight of our spiesYesterday, the Inspector-General of Intelligence and security announced the creation of a civil society reference group to provide advice on her work programme. The group includes lawyers, intelligence policy experts, journalists and civil libertarians, and many have been strong critics ...4 days ago
- Fashion photographer Adam Bryce goes home to Manurewa
He shares some photos ahead of the launch of his exhibition and book on the South Auckland suburb he grew up in. As a fashion photographer I always thought what made me unique was that I was ...4 days ago - Melanie Bracewell rates herself
A 5/5 comedian. Melanie Bracewell Tweets a lot. Image: Supplied/Twitter Melanie Bracewell was robbed at December’s Comedy Guild Awards. Sure, the 22-year-old comedian won the Best Breakthrough award, but she fell short of the ultimate prize. ...4 days ago - Wild Wild Country – a very interesting doco about mostly white people.
Could this story of a cult taking on middle America have worked out, if everyone had just been a bit… nicer? Please if you're going to read this and you haven't watched Wild Wild Country yet be ...4 days ago - Improving Wellington’s Rail Network Part 3
4 days ago - That’s all-white then
Dr Katie Bruce attends an all-white panel on ‘minorities and justice’ Dr Katie Bruce, left, spoke at an all-white panel on minorities and justice. Photo: supplied What if you had to guess what links the ...4 days ago - The cost of victoryOnly a week ago, the government took a stand against climate change and banned offshore oil exploration - the first step on the long pathway to decarbonising New Zealand. But as the Herald notes, Russel Norman and Sara May Howell ...4 days ago
- Video premiere: ‘Fade’ – MermaidensThey’re already in the studio recording a third album, but Wellington band Mermaidens have one more piece of Perfect Body to share with their fans. The third video to be released from the Taite Prize-nominated album, and co-directed by Christchurch-based ...5 days ago
- Jacinda Has A Bob Both Ways On Syria.
5 days ago - The Maddest March yet
I always look forward to the latest ridership numbers from Auckland Transport but March holds a special place thanks to “March Madness”, the time of the year when the usage of buses and trains peak. I had been a little ...5 days ago - Has St Vincent ripped off Jonathan Bree?St Vincent’s performance at Coachella on Friday looks very familiar A US artist on a major record label has performed at Coachella using costumes strikingly similar to those worn by New Zealand musician Jonathan ...5 days ago
- Then they came for the Ballet Teachers… (or did they?)First they came for the charter school ‘teachers’, and I did not speak out ... because honestly I don’t have a strong opinion on the whole charter school thingThen they came for the ballet teachers …Hold on a second, they’re ...5 days ago
- FRANSPLAINING SCIENCE: Antibiotics won’t stop your pill from working
In our new weekly column, Fransplaining Science, biochemist Dr Frances Rose Schumacher explains science. For most of my life I’ve been trying not to get pregnant. I’ve been on the contraceptive pill since I first started university and ...5 days ago - Upcoming submissions
Over the next week there are a couple of important submissions that you should make on key transport initiatives: The draft Government Policy Statement – submissions close on May 2nd. The Regional Fuel Tax legislation – submissions close on April 20th. Government ...5 days ago - The “heart of the Syrian chemical weapons programme” destroyed?
The Damascus sky lights up with surface-to-air missile fire. Source: Missile Attack on Syria. Photograph: Hassan Ammar/AP There were no chemical weapons in Damascus. The French, UK and US (FUKUS) surely knew that. So, their missile attack in the weekend had ...5 days ago - This is just wrongImagine living somewhere for your entire life, and then being jailed as an overstayer pending deportation "back" to a foreign country. That's what's happening to Mark Middleton:Mark Middleton was once a popular choice to become Whanganui's Member of Parliament ... ...5 days ago
- Electric buses in Auckland
This week will see the first two 100% battery powered electric buses for public transport hit the streets in Auckland on the City Link route. They’re not quite the first ones overall though as AUT launched one as a shuttle ...6 days ago - Oil is the good oil
Here at MyThinks, we pride ourselves on retrieving views and opinions from a range of far-right reckoners. After the release this week of zero new offshore oil expliration permits by the Labour-led government, who better to turn to Dr Martin ...6 days ago - Hard News: Paying for the storms to comeWhen I wrote last week about the aftermath of the storm that struck Auckland, it was already clear that the storm's major impact was the widespread interruption of electricity supply. I noted that while we had our power back, my ...6 days ago
- The REAL Sex Talk: PornIs porn setting unrealistic expectations for young people about what sex should look like? Made with funding support from NZ On Air. ...6 days ago
- Do You Trust Your Community?There was once a story of the drunk who would roll his way to the voting booth to vote for prohibition. He explained that he supported public ownership of liquor outlets. By voting for prohibition, he opened up the possibility ...6 days ago
- OPCW on Salisbury poisoning – one step forward, two back?Organisation for Prevention of Chemical Weapons headquarters in The Hague. Image credit: Prensa Latina Ready Syria to Cooperate with Organization Against Chemical Weapons Chemical weapons are a current hot topic. We are bombarded daily with media reports mentioning them. They seem to ...6 days ago
- Andrew Little enters Pike River portal
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- Privacy Bill to protect and promote privacy risksA Bill introduced by Justice Minister Hon Andrew Little to replace New Zealand’s Privacy Act has had its first reading. ...1 week ago
- Bill protects Māori protocols around deathJustice Minister Andrew Little’s Māori death protocols Bill had its first reading in Parliament last night. “The Bill requires coroners to consider Māori cultural protocols when determining who can view, touch or remain near a tūpāpaku - body of deceased. ...2 weeks ago
- Poroti land secured for Treaty settlementTreaty Minister Andrew Little has announced the Government has secured land near Whangarei that’s been the focus of Ngāpuhi concerns about the health and well-being of Porotī Springs. ...2 weeks ago
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- Bill wipes historic homosexual convictionsThe third reading of a Bill to wipe historic homosexual offences from criminal records marks the end of an historic struggle for New Zealand’s gay community says Justice Minister Andrew Little. ...3 weeks ago
- Takahē returning to Kahurangi: Kia kaha!
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- On Newshub Nation 21/04 – Charter Schools Debate
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- Processes to be strengthenedThe Provincial Development Unit (PDU) administering the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) is strengthening its systems and processes for assessing and approving requests for funding following an internal review, Provincial Development Unit head Nigel Bickle ...1 day ago
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- Mark Middleton granted permanent residence after pressureMark Middleton granted permanent residence after pressure from lawyer and Sensible Sentencing Trust Compensation should be awarded for legal fees and loss of job. 20th April 2018 ...1 day ago
- Davidson and Ghahraman show selective concernGreen MPs Marama Davidson and Golriz Ghahraman demonstrated selective outrage last week, suggesting that their concern for human rights in the Middle East extends only so far as Israel can be blamed. ...1 day ago
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- $19,000 for cultural advice is tokenism at its worstLocal councils need to stop wasting money on expensive ‘cultural advice’, says the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union . ...1 day ago
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- NZNO members now vote whether or not to strikeThe majority of NZNO DHB members, who are party to the DHB Nurses and Midwifery MECA, receive their strike ballot paper by post and email from Monday 23 April to vote on proposed strike action. The action will occur if ...2 days ago
- Preparing for the end of the Queen’s reignThe Commonwealth heads of government are discussing and possibly deciding who will be the next symbolic head of the Commonwealth after Queen Elizabeth. ...2 days ago
- Over 10,000 sign against mega egg farm in WaikatoA petition to Waikato District Council demanding they decline a proposed mega egg farm has reached over 10,000 signatures. ...2 days ago
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- Grave concerns for future of social work – PSAThe future of social work could be gravely affected by a rushed and short-sighted Select Committee report, the PSA says. ...2 days ago
- BAS’ Vision for BeneficiariesWe have been noticing positive change recently in society’s attitude towards beneficiaries. This more positive view of the previously maligned group will lead to some much-needed changes in the benefit system. Things will only improve for beneficiaries with better ...2 days ago
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- Portal walk marks new chapter in Pike storyToday Pike River families walked further into the mine’s drift than they have ever been allowed to. ...2 days ago
- Questions to answer over PM’s recruitment choiceTaxpayers deserve an assurance that the Prime Minister’s Office followed all appropriate steps in appointing a recruitment agency linked to the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff to recruit the replacement to the Prime Minister’s Chief Press Secretary, ...2 days ago
- R&D tax incentive discussion document – Expert reactionMinister for Research, Science and Innovation Megan Woods and Revenue Minister Stuart Nash have released a discussion document on a proposed Research and Development tax incentive. ...2 days ago
- Nature is paying the price for poor economic strategyForest & Bird says a major environmental report out today confirms nature is in serious trouble in New Zealand, and is paying the price for an economic strategy that prioritises the production of low value commodities. ...2 days ago
- Taxpayer Hero: Dr Megan WoodsThe eradication of Callaghan Innovation’s controversial Growth Grants in favour of a rules-based R&D tax incentive is a major victory for taxpayers, says the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union. Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director Jordan Williams ...2 days ago
- We Are Growing Houses Instead of Food – FedsWe are losing our most productive land to houses - that’s the most significant point Federated Farmers takes from the ‘Our Land 2018’ report released today. ...2 days ago
- Report is a call for action on environmentThe Environmental Defence Society has commended the Ministry for the Environment and Stats New Zealand for their latest environmental report, Our Land 2018. ...2 days ago
- Select Committee unwilling to travel on Cannabis BillMedical Cannabis Awareness NZ Select Committee unwilling to travel to meet those who need Medical Cannabis the most. ...2 days ago
- Why Fairtrade can help CHOGM build a true common wealthIncreasing trade between Commonwealth nations can lead to shared prosperity – but only if five key issues are prioritised. ...2 days ago
- Land report highlights issues with soil degradationAn environmental report released today has found we are damaging and losing our soils and our native plants and animals. ...2 days ago
- L’Oréal celebrates a decade of changing livesReach for the stars is the message that has been shared with hundreds of care-experienced young people who have been through the innovative social impact programme L’Oréal Face Your Future. ...2 days ago
- Sensible Sentencing disgusted with Sex Slavery sentenceA mother who kept her teenage daughter as a sex slave, pimping her out more than one thousand times, has been jailed for less than four years. ...3 days ago
- Mark Middleton’s deportation a Human Rights violationThe lawyer of pending deportee, Mark Middleton, says Immigration NZ’s deportation notice is a violation of Human Rights. ...3 days ago
- Post-split parents on financial back footThe financial fallout of relationship failure hits women with children hard, with a 19% fall in their income after a break-up, according to new research from AUT. ...3 days ago
- RSA Poppy Appeal funds having a real impactRSA Poppy Appeal funds having a real impact; changing lives of veterans and their families A Trentham service family and a Masterton father-of-two are among a growing number who have received financial support from the RSA Poppy Appeal during the ...3 days ago
- Pilots Call for Prohibition on Possession of Laser Devices“We’ve Had Enough” NZ Pilots Call for the Complete Prohibition on Possession of Laser Devices The New Zealand Air Line Pilots’ Association (NZALPA) today called for the prohibition of high-powered laser pointers following two more reported incidences ...3 days ago
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- Call for cap on tourism numbers in New Zealand high countryFish & Game is calling on the Government to curb tourism numbers in the South Island high country, saying the pressure is now so high, it’s harming the environment and Kiwis’ traditional outdoor experiences. ...3 days ago
- DHB admin and clerical workers raise claim for Equal PayAround 7000 DHB workers are standing together to raise a claim for equal pay for administration and clerical employees. ...3 days ago
- Union members from yet another bus company to strikePavlovich drivers are the latest to take part in strike action as disputes over bus driver pay and work conditions continue to heat up. ...3 days ago
- Tobacco tax zealots are now changing their tuneIt is clear we have reached a sea-change on tobacco policy, with long-standing champions of tobacco tax hikes now changing their tune, says the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union. On the AM Show this morning, Hāpai Te Hauora CEO Lance Norman ...3 days ago
- National Environment Spokesman Caned Over Water HypocrisyThe newly appointed National Party spokesman for the Environment Scott Simpson recent claim the previous National-led government’s efforts had led to improved river water quality standards has been torpedoed by river advocates. ...3 days ago
- REINZ welcomes International Monetary Fund’s stanceIn its recent media briefing the International Monetary Fund has criticised New Zealand’s proposed “discriminatory” ban on home sales to foreigners, saying it’s unlikely to improve housing affordability. ...3 days ago
- Israel Folau a Hero not a Villain!The vicious and draconian crackdown on free speech that has coursed through the media, in regards to comments made by rugby player Israel Folau, shows just how far some people will go to crush free speech. Mr Folau did not ...3 days ago
- Regional councils must adopt new fish passage guidelinesForest & Bird is welcoming new guidelines released today that aim to reduce obstacles to fish in our streams, rivers and lakes. “Our native freshwater fish need to migrate up and down stream in order to feed and breed, especially ...3 days ago
- Treasury publishes four new papers and updates Insights toolThe Treasury has published two Working Papers and two Analytical Papers today, covering the impact of student mobility on under-achievement, gender budgeting, parental leave in the public sector, and population change in New Zealand. ...3 days ago
- Shine awards DVFREE Tick for Ministry of JusticeThe Ministry of Justice has become the first public sector organisation to receive the DVFREE Tick from Shine, New Zealand’s specialist domestic violence prevention charity. The certification is the second DVFREE Tick awarded in New Zealand (Westpac ...3 days ago
- Black Friday continues for NZ Law SocietyAnother protest is scheduled this week by Families 4 Justice outside the NZ Law Society in Auckland following last Fridays event. ...4 days ago
- National says internal review of Renew Energy fiasco ‘alarming’
The National Party has accused the government of forcing officials working on the $3 billion Provincial Growth Fund to cut corners to meet unrealistic deadlines. ...11 hours ago - Trade deal with Russia, North Korea future possibility – PetersForeign Affairs Minister Winston Peters is sticking to his desire for a free trade deal with Russia at some point in the future, saying even North Korea could be one day be an option. ...12 hours ago
- Trade deal with Russia still future possibility – PetersForeign Affairs Minister Winston Peters is sticking to his desire for a free trade deal with Russia at some point in the future, saying even North Korea could be one day be an option. ...12 hours ago
- God of War is a landmark achievement worthy of the myths that inspire it
An epic tale of Scandinavian myths and the father-son duo that fight them, God of War is a defining AAA game that pushes the boundaries graphically and thematically. Don Rowe reviews.I wrote last month about German philosopher Immanuel Kant’s theory of the ...12 hours ago - I founded Happy Cow to make a difference in dairying. I failed.
He founded an ethical dairying company that would allow calves to stay with their mothers. Last week, Glenn Herud had to admit that his enterprise had failed.I’m a third generation dairy farmer. The milk business is the only business I ...12 hours ago - Why Prime Suspect’s Jane Tennison is one of TV’s greatest ever characters
All seven seasons of Prime Suspect drop on Lightbox today, and Sam Brooks is here to tell you why its central character Jane Tennison (Helen Mirren) is one of television’s most significant characters – ever.Detective Chief Inspector Jane Tennison doesn’t show up ...12 hours ago - Cheat sheet: New Zealand music’s making money
Welcome to the Cheat Sheet, a clickable, shareable, bite-sized FAQ on the news of the moment. Today we dissect the stats showing growth in New Zealand music revenue. I’ve been hearing about the decline in the music industry for as long ...13 hours ago - We need to talk about voluntourism
Voluntourism – volunteering while abroad – would seem to be a way of making your OE that little less self-indulgent, leaving the communities you visit better than you found them. But what is intended as an act of charity can leave ...13 hours ago - 10 reasons why the government should return the Waitara lands
Taranaki are expected to host next year’s national commemoration of the New Zealand Wars and yet the Waitara land-grab that sparked the Taranaki Wars has still yet to be fully resolved.The first national commemoration of the New Zealand Wars (Te Pūtake ...14 hours ago - Officials failed to do background checks on energy schemeOfficials have apologised to the Regional Development Minister for failing to do due diligence on the people involved in a proposed waste-to-energy scheme on the West Coast. ...1 day ago
- The Friday Poem: ‘Evidently Chickentown’ by John Cooper Clarke
Classic verse from 1980 by John Cooper Clarke, ahead of his show at the Crystal Palace in Mt Eden on Saturday night. Evidently ChickentownThe fucking cops are fucking keen To fucking keep it fucking clean The fucking chief’s a fucking swine ...1 day ago - In TV outburst, Mark Richardson announces he is sick of Mark Richardson
Yet another blistering AM Show attack as cricketer-turned-broadcaster condemns cricketer-turned-broadcasterEarlier this week high-profile broadcaster and host of the AM Show Duncan Garner launched a blistering attack on high-profile broadcaster and host of the AM Show Duncan Garner over his role ...1 day ago - “You wouldn’t call a beer ‘Hitler’ or ‘Jesus’”: ‘Heke’ beer leaves bad taste f...The name of a beer from a Waiheke brewing company has come under fire for its links to a prominent Ngāpuhi chief, writes RNZ‘s Te Aniwa Hurihanganui. Heke Beer was launched last year in an attempt to showcase a local lager ...1 day ago
- Halsey plays an intimate show at S, a new bar at Spark Arena
Last night, Halsey played an intimate performance to a hundred or so people before her Spark Arena show. The Spinoff was there.Last night, to celebrate the opening of S @ Spark Arena – a new bar and performance space in ...1 day ago - Sixteen games, sixteen minutes each: Looking at the finalists for Play by Play International Games F...
The third annual Play By Play International Games Festival is spilling out across Wellington this week. Adam Goodall played all sixteen contenders for awards at the festival… for sixteen minutes each.If you’re a gamer who lives in Wellington it’s been ...1 day ago - Tony Alexander’s Weekly New Zealand Economic Overview 19 April 2018
Economic Analysis by Tony Alexander. This week I take a simple look at reasons why our economy’s growth rate and jobs growth have both been so strong the past four years, in spite of the big fall in dairy prices ...1 day ago - Newsletter: New Zealand Politics Daily – April 20 2018 – Today’s content
1 day ago - The Primer: the Uber for home cleaning
Every week we ask a local business or product to introduce themselves in eight simple takes. This week we talk to James MacAvoy, co-founder of Goodnest – like Uber, but for getting your house cleaned.ONE: How did Goodnest start and what ...1 day ago - Yesterdaze: Barry Soper’s magic trick
Yesterdaze, James Elliott's column wrapping the news of the week, wonders if Barry Soper has the powers of a magician Illusionist David Copperfield was in the news this week, being sued by an audience member who was injured during one ...1 day ago - Unity Books best-seller chart for the week ending April 20The week’s best-sellers at the Unity Books stores in Willis St, Wellington and High St, Auckland.WELLINGTON UNITY1 Plundering Beauty: A History of Art Crime During War by Arthur Tompkins (Lund Humphries UK, $70)“There is a surprising amount of art crime ...1 day ago
- Your teen is probably watching porn. Does that matter?The thought of their teenage kids watching porn is an uncomfortable one for many parents. But as teenager expert Louisa Woods explains, it’s probably not a cause for alarm.If you think your teen has never or is never going to ...1 day ago
- Vanuatu pressing ahead with Ambae volcano island evacuation plan
1 day ago - In pictures: Jacinda Ardern travels Europe’s halls of power
Paris, Berlin, London. The New Zealand prime minister has been shuttling the major European capitals this week, and the snappers have been out in force to document the appearances of New Zealand’s ‘pregnant leftie PM’ (© Sun newspaper). Here, a ...1 day ago - The greatest hits from the Anika Moa and Hilary Barry era of Seven Sharp
Alex Casey looks back at two glorious weeks of Anika Moa guest hosting on Seven Sharp alongside Hilary Barry.It began with Anika Moa sitting in Jeremy Wells’ chair, proclaiming live on air that she was so nervous she felt like ...1 day ago - Shaggy and Sting have recorded an album together for some reason
Shaggy and Sting together on the same album? Sure! Why not? Pete Douglas reviews.Were we living in the year 2006, the random chucking together of Jamaican dancehall cross-over king Shaggy and tantric sex master Sting might seem like something two ...1 day ago - Grief and ashes: The Casketeers’ Francis Tipene on mourning in Māori culture
Grief is tough to navigate, wherever you come from. An incident involving the public sprinkling of ashes started a conversation this week on cultural belief versus the freedom to mourn however you need to. Spinoff Ātea editor Leonie Hayden talks ...1 day ago - Daphne Project: Govt to avoid ‘undue haste’ closing tax loopholesLegal loopholes in New Zealand's tax system will be "tightened up", the government says, following revelations an Auckland company may be assisting international businesses to launder money. ...1 day ago
- Former Green MPs criticise party’s deal with NatsThe Green Party is being told it risks losing votes unless it ditches its deal to share parliamentary questions with National. ...2 days ago
- How one worker fought back after BizDojo Auckland’s collapse left her out of pocket
BizDojo was founded on the premise of building and supporting a coworking community for startups. But with the collapse of its Auckland branch last year, former staff have accused the company of bullying, evasiveness and unpaid redundancy, forcing one employee ...2 days ago - CHOGM: Ardern to toast Commonwealth at leaders’ banquetAfter her private audience with the Queen, Jacinda Ardern has been selected to toast the Commonwealth at a banquet of leaders at Buckingham Palace. ...2 days ago
- The Bulletin: NZ’s land in a bad way
Good morning, and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: New Zealand’s land is in bad shape, medicinal cannabis submitters warned, and a symbolic day for Pike River families. New Zealand is losing 192 million tonnes of soil every year, according to ...2 days ago - Billion-dollar soils washing into rivers
We’re losing soil at an alarming rate, but there are some gaping holes in our knowledge about why and where from, reports Eloise Gibson You can't grow a lot of food without soil, certainly not in a dairy-, wine- and vege-hungry nation ...2 days ago - Time names Ardern among world’s most influential peoplePrime Minister Jacinda Ardern has made Time Magazine's list of the year's 100 most influential people. ...2 days ago
- CHOGM: Ardern to toast leaders at BuckinghamAfter her private audience with the Queen, Jacinda Ardern has been selected to toast the Commonwealth at a banquet of leaders at Buckingham Palace. ...2 days ago
- ‘You look like my brother’ and more crushing awkwardness from First Dates NZ
Alex Casey watches the charming, awkward return of First Dates NZ, including a famous radio host and a Lannister situation for the ages. First Dates NZ feels like home, and not just because the greatest night of my life (X ...2 days ago - River rises as double slalom star
She's a national champion in two codes in two different seasons. But River Mutton may have to choose one slalom sport over another to achieve her Olympic dream. Suzanne McFadden reports. River Mutton is the teenage queen of New Zealand slalom ...2 days ago - ‘Great relief’ for rights advocates after Philippines ‘releases’ Australian nun
2 days ago - Govt plans tax credit for research and developmentThe government is planning to introduce a 12.5 percent tax credit for research and development by next year. ...2 days ago
- Book of the Week: The lost civilization of New Zealand literature
All week this week the Spinoff Review of Books celebrates the rich, fascinating history of New Zealand literature. Today: Scott Hamilton looks at the way Allen Curnow and the myth-makers of New Zealand writing were influenced by Māori writers Peter Buck and Āpirana Ngata ...2 days ago - Bitcoin an unreliable form of money: RBNZ
Bitcoin may fail the definition of money because of its volatility and central banks may be better to get behind digital currencies that have a fixed exchange rate into cash, says Reserve Bank of New Zealand senior economic analyst Amber ...2 days ago - Urban sprawl eating up NZ’s productive land – reportThe government plans to make it harder for councils to approve new homes and lifestyle blocks on productive land near urban areas. ...2 days ago
- Big Street Bikers is making e-biking affordableBusiness is Boring is a weekly podcast series presented by The Spinoff in association with Callaghan Innovation. Host Simon Pound speaks with innovators and commentators focused on the future of New Zealand, with the interview available as both audio and a ...2 days ago
- What is Fortnite and why do people keep talking about it?
Welcome to the Cheat Sheet, a clickable, shareable, bite-sized FAQ on the news of the moment. Today: what is this Fortnite: Battle Royale thing that your kids keep talking about? Gaming editor Sam Brooks has you covered.So what… is it?Fortnite: ...2 days ago - Newsletter: New Zealand Politics Daily – April 19 2018 – Today’s content2 days ago
- A mother thanks Countdown for creating a safe haven for children with SPDWhen a supermarket in Marton announced it would offer special shopping sessions for adults and children with autism or sensory processing issues, families around New Zealand rejoiced. Alexandra Saunders shares why it means so much.News hit today that Marton Countdown ...2 days ago
- Denise L’Estrange-Corbet slams Trelise Cooper for unethical clothing
If Trelise Cooper is “deeply committed to strong ethical standards” she appears to have a funny way of showing it, says fellow fashion designer Denise L’Estrange-Corbet. This article was first published on Newshub.co.nz.Dame Denise L’Estrange-Corbet has slammed Kiwi designers who ...2 days ago - Govt wants tax incentive to boost woeful R&D spend
The government is proposing to phase out National's Growth Grants and instead introduce a 12.5 percent research and development tax incentive. This comes as it looks for a way to address NZ companies' deplorable levels of investment in R&D. In ...2 days ago - Lorde’s top five covers from her Melodrama tour (+ playlist!)The last show of Lorde’s Melodrama world tour took place this week (aside from two dates in Russia in May and the odd festival). One of the remarkable features of this tour has been the sheer number of cover versions ...2 days ago
- Eight ways to stop exploitative shopping trucks
The Government has the power to put a stop to mobile shop trucks preying on the most economically-disadvantaged families in Aotearoa. All it needs to do is take action. The exploitative practices of the mobile trucks are well-known by now ...2 days ago - Rangatahi on a mission: the young Māori taking their prison protest to the UN
This week a group of young Māori leaders are at the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues to address the building of a billion dollar prison on confiscated Māori land.Established in 2000, the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues is ...2 days ago
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