local body elections
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Ending discrimination against Māori wards
Written By: - Date published: 9:22 am, February 14th, 2021 - 27 comments
The Government has introduced under urgency a bill that will change current law that allows for discriminatory attacks on the creation of Māori Wards.
Later climate change deniers
Written By: - Date published: 12:01 pm, October 15th, 2019 - 73 comments
The recent local government elections resulted in a number of people committed to addressing climate change being elected. And an apparent thinning of those who think that it is a hoax.
Online voting – no. Try polling booths
Written By: - Date published: 8:10 am, October 14th, 2019 - 42 comments
Amid calls to install online voting from the technologically illiterate who are appear to be unaware of the risks, there is clear disagreement from those who do know the risks. Politicians should listen to them. While postal voting is an expensive and failing system, online voting as a system is certain to be way worse.
2019 local body election results
Written By: - Date published: 1:05 pm, October 12th, 2019 - 79 comments
Discussion post for live election results and turnout stats.
Will online voting solve the turnout problem
Written By: - Date published: 12:52 pm, October 8th, 2019 - 38 comments
Auckland Council voting returns are very low. But is the problem voter apathy or is our postal system not up to scratch? And will digital voting be a panacea?
Local government: who to vote for?
Written By: - Date published: 7:10 am, September 27th, 2019 - 1 comment
Resources for progressive voters, on candidates in the 2019 local body elections.
How to vote in STV
Written By: - Date published: 12:15 pm, September 26th, 2019 - 21 comments
It’s local voting time again, and more councils are using STV- while the Electoral Commission will tell you how to rank candidates, they won’t tell you how to vote effectively. Should you leave candidates off your list if you know what relative order they would go in?
Talk is cheap Tamihere
Written By: - Date published: 5:13 am, August 22nd, 2019 - 56 comments
I am really not a fan of political candidates bullshitting. John Tamihere – candidate for Auckland city Mayor, is this kind of blowhard. He is the epitome of the kind of fool who seems to keep his brain mounted right next to his testicles to inform his mouth what to say. He released a transport policy fantasy… I’ll vote for Goff.
Smells Like Stale Male Spirit
Written By: - Date published: 7:01 am, August 18th, 2019 - 92 comments
We live in a rich and diverse society but this is not reflected in our local government.
Southland and Thames think they don’t have climate crises
Written By: - Date published: 8:21 am, July 4th, 2019 - 163 comments
Regular Standard contributor Robert Guyton put up a great fight but has failed to persuade the dinosaurs on Environment Southland to declare a climate emergency.
Tamihere wants to privatise half of Watercare
Written By: - Date published: 8:33 am, July 3rd, 2019 - 98 comments
John Tamihere has caused jaws throughout the region to drop by proposing that half of Watercare is privatised.
What happened to one person one vote?
Written By: - Date published: 8:30 am, June 28th, 2019 - 34 comments
Did you know that under our local electoral system some people get more than one vote?
Tamihere has some strange friends
Written By: - Date published: 8:02 am, February 26th, 2019 - 20 comments
John Tamihere has been endorsed by Jordan Williams for Auckland’s mayoralty. And his campaign has commissioned the Taxpayers Union to do a cost cutting exercise.
Roastbusters redux
Written By: - Date published: 9:46 am, January 27th, 2019 - 92 comments
One of the Roastbusters this week has talked publicly about what happened in an apparent attempt to start a music career. And John Tamihere has started his Mayoral campaign having to answer questions about his attitude to what happened.
Simon who?
Written By: - Date published: 7:52 am, November 22nd, 2018 - 43 comments
National MP Simon O’Connor is thinking of a tilt at Auckland’s mayoralty.
Auckland Council is investigating online voting
Written By: - Date published: 12:34 pm, November 21st, 2018 - 63 comments
Auckland Council wishes to conduct a trial of online voting at next year’s local government elections. Is it time to try this out as a voting system?
RIP Penny Bright
Written By: - Date published: 8:11 am, October 5th, 2018 - 33 comments
Veteran Auckland political activist Penny Bright has died.
Modern Technology Is Eroding Our Society
Written By: - Date published: 11:12 pm, September 30th, 2018 - 52 comments
People are losing their people skills rapidly and it is having an effect on society.
The best you can hope for, after the Local Government elections
Written By: - Date published: 8:07 am, October 11th, 2016 - 55 comments
Now that the local government elections have been completed what is the best that local communities can expect of their elected representatives?
Local Government results good for Labour and terrible for National
Written By: - Date published: 11:18 am, October 9th, 2016 - 80 comments
In Auckland, Christchurch and in mayoral races throughout the country Labour and Progressives had a very good day while National and its proxies must be wondering what they did wrong.
Local Government election results
Written By: - Date published: 12:01 pm, October 8th, 2016 - 119 comments
A running post for people to comment on local government election results as they come in.
Expect results to come in from 1 pm.
Campaigning westie style …
Written By: - Date published: 8:00 am, October 6th, 2016 - 12 comments
The Matafai aiga from West Auckland show how to campaign.
Goff on foreign buyers; and Vote!
Written By: - Date published: 2:06 pm, October 3rd, 2016 - 5 comments
Ban them / tax them, but lets reduce demand. And make sure you get your vote in for local elections!
WMBAD: #PleaseNewZealand, get out and vote
Written By: - Date published: 8:00 am, September 30th, 2016 - 14 comments
Your voting papers may be terrifying, but you have to make them count.
Even more local body elections advice
Written By: - Date published: 6:09 pm, September 26th, 2016 - 13 comments
Since first posting Who should you vote for? a week ago I’ve been directed to even more endorsement lists and voting guides for local body candidates up and down the country. So if you still don’t know who to vote for, check them out.
Is Vic Crone racist?
Written By: - Date published: 10:51 am, September 22nd, 2016 - 198 comments
Vic Crone is trying to make a story out of the fact that Phil Goff is against foreign ownership of our housing stock, but accepted $250,000 from the NZ Chinese community at a fundraiser. Does she not see a difference between NZ Chinese and foreigners?
Who should you vote for?
Written By: - Date published: 6:39 pm, September 20th, 2016 - 39 comments
All the local body election endorsements you could possibly want.
Just vote – Auckland Council version
Written By: - Date published: 8:00 am, September 18th, 2016 - 31 comments
It is local government election time. If you want to vote for progressive candidates these are some suggestions.
Translating the local government election jargon
Written By: - Date published: 12:30 pm, September 16th, 2016 - 13 comments
The PSA has produced a nice guide to cut through all the buzzwords in local body elections.
The other war of the polls
Written By: - Date published: 9:00 am, September 16th, 2016 - 28 comments
The Dominion Post has received not one, but two polls on the Wellington mayoralty. So who’s coming out on top?
Right-wing mayor candidates try to kneecap themselves
Written By: - Date published: 7:07 am, September 15th, 2016 - 82 comments
Vic Crone isn’t sure humans are causing climate change, Palino doesn’t think Auckland is all that super, and Mark Thomas just wants people not to vote for Goff… It’s hardly an enticing bunch.
- The deadly connections between climate change and migration
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Sarah Kennedy Thousands of people have died attempting to enter the U.S. from Mexico. And the crossing is growing even more dangerous as the climate changes. U.S. border security policy in the Southwest is designed to deter unauthorized migration at heavily guarded ...43 mins ago - Addressing the One-Note Whingers: Weighing in on Warrior Galadriel
So we have ourselves yet another promotional clip for The Rings of Power, this time one focusing on the show’s characterisation of Galadriel: Her task has only just begun. Meet Galadriel in #TheRingsOfPower. pic.twitter.com/Ebj9TLph6N— Prime Video (@PrimeVideo) August 16, 2022 The usual suspects have been denigrating this ...12 hours ago - Watch the Stuff Circuit doco ‘Fire and Fury’ on the ghastly, cynical disinformation campaign, ai...What kind of political activists incite fear and alarm, set a goal to make their country “ungovernable”, milk their followers for funds, then encourage them stand for local government posts – but tell them to conceal their affiliations for the sake of attracting votes from the ignorant? The sleazy, in ...13 hours ago
- “Economic stability”
Stuff reports that workers have had the biggest pay rise in more than 20 years. This should be great news - ordinary people are better off! But naturally, the Reserve Bank is there to ruin the party, hiking interest rates to throw people out of work. And they're pretty explicit ...17 hours ago - Climate Change: Are the courts worth anything?Activist Mike Smith has been in court for the last few days, as part of a case seeking to hold Fonterra, New Zealand Steel, and other large emitters accountable for the pollution they produce. Along the way, the case has raised serious questions about whether the courts are worth anything ...17 hours ago
- Silence of the iambs: Never Mind Teleporno, We’re Missing a “The”!We have ourselves a new thirty-second Rings of Power clip, which is getting some pushback for allegedly hinting at a romance between Galadriel and the invented character of Halbrand: New promo pic.twitter.com/Lgns310jt5— The Mellon Heads – LOTR Podcast (@mellon_heads) August 15, 2022 Oh, the handwringing. Poor Teleporno finding himself ...1 day ago
- “Are you entertained yet?”: Challenges to democracy in a hyper-information age…
There’s been quite the reaction to the Stuff Circuit documentary covering what took place outside Parliament. Among other things, that has prompted further conversations about not only its direct relationship to the shape of the consumption of modern media, but the media machine itself… and of course the social ...1 day ago - IPCC Explainer: The Science of Climate Change – MitigationIf a picture is worth a thousand words, a 750,000 word IPCC report is logically worth 750 pictures. John Lang, Net Zero Tracker lead with the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit and science communicator, is trying out a new way of seeing climate change, one picture at a time. The length of ...2 days ago
- Time to freeze rentsFor the past few years Renters United has been calling for rent controls to stop gouging landlords. Now, that call has been taken up by the Human Rights Commission: The Human Rights Commission/Te Kāhui Tika Tangata is calling for an immediate rent freeze and an increase to the accommodation ...2 days ago
- Stop bullying me
Papakura lawyer Harry Hindenberg knows all about being bullied. ...2 days ago - Facebook is a scourge. Convince me otherwise.
Totally worth watching: Robbie Nicol (of White Man Behind A Desk) explains …”After the protests [at Parliament Buildings, Wellington] in February, I tried to write a monologue about Facebook and radicalisation — and it ended up being 17 minutes long lol.” Surely Facebook’s twisted, evil, money-at-all-costs approach – radicalising users ...2 days ago - Gordon Campbell on the case for nationalising our urban bus services
When it comes to funding and managing public transport, should local government or central government bear most of the responsibility for delivering a quality service? Ratepayers or taxpayers? Those basic questions re-surfaced yesterday, after the government announced its intention to scrap the Public Transport Operating Model (PTOM) imposed by the ...2 days ago - Geoffrey Miller: Aukus door held ajar for New Zealand
2 days ago - Geothermal heating and cooling: Renewable energy’s hidden gemThis is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Philip Warburg Often described as a giant tower of Jenga blocks, Boston University’s Center for Computing and Data Sciences shows no outward signs of leading the race to sustainable energy design. No rooftop wind turbines grace its heights; no solar panels are ...2 days ago
- Rushdie, J.K Rowling and Death Threats
by Gearóid Ó Loingsigh 13 August 2022 On Friday 12th, an assailant attacked Salman Rushdie on stage in New York, stabbing him some 15 times. The author was whisked away by helicopter to a hospital and at the time of writing the prognosis is that he will survive though with ...2 days ago - Kelvyn Alp – Arsehole of the Week
Even if you only have a cursory interest in politics, it’s likely you’ve heard of an outfit called Counterspin, which is a streaming media outlet that propagates fake news and encourages severe acts of violence. Based along similar lines as Infowars, Counterspin is run by a trumped-up little fascist named ...3 days ago - Too Many Angels And Devils.
3 days ago - Re-nationalising public transportBack in 2013, the then-National government imposed the public transport operating model, requiring local authorities to contract out their bus services to the lowest bidder. Now, its being reversed: The system that bus drivers and their union say has created the “race to the bottom” is on the out, ...3 days ago
- Absurd and offensiveRNZ had a piece this morning about Waka Kotahi's plans for smart speed cameras allowing things like point-to-point average speed tickets and so on. There are obvious privacy issues here, which waka Kotahi seems to have completely ignored, having signed a contract before they were even investigated, let alone addressed. ...3 days ago
- Gordon Campbell on the Sharma chameleonGather round the camp-fire, folks. Let me tell you about the Ice Age era of the fourth Labour government, when mean, sabre-toothed tigers like Richard Prebble ranged at large within the Labour caucus. A being so mean and fierce that – legend has it – he once made Michael Cullen ...3 days ago
- New Zealand, we have a problemDear Aotearoa, we have a major problem that is inhibiting our success, namely racism. Destroying old and young alike, racism in New Zealand is the silent assassin, a killer that permeates through every facet of our society.On Thursday, the NZ Herald reported:Cricket: Black Caps great Ross Taylor's racism claim outlined ...3 days ago
- 2022 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #32Listing of articles linked to on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, August 7, 2022 through Sat, August 13, 2022. The following articles sparked above average interest during the week (bolded articles are from SkS authors): Electrifying transportation reduces emissions AND saves massive amounts of energy, ...3 days ago
- tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3612441315352179822.post-632081873111245712CLIMATE CHANGE UPDATE IN IMAGES 2022I am just wondering how hot is too hot before we commit to real global action to reduce our emissions and save our climate and natural environment. The images below are what has occurred in the northern hemisphere summer and it is likely we will ...5 days ago
- Let’s read some Rushdie today
Salman Rushdie has been stabbed while on stage in New York where he was about to give a talk. He is now undergoing surgery. The British novelist has lived under death threats since the Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Khomeini issued a fatwa against him in 1989 and put a $3 ...5 days ago - How Should We Run the Public Health System?
Two-and-a-half years on, the Government’s merged mega-polytechnic, the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology – Te Pūkenga, is facing a deficit which is double the planned one. Will Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora (HNZ) be facing similar troubles in December 2024?Why did the Government centralise the 20 ...6 days ago - Asleep at the wheelA couple of months ago, in response to a Newsroom piece about what endemic covid means for Aotearoa, I asked Treasury and the Ministry of Health what advice they'd produced on the impacts of "long covid" on the economy and health system. Treasury responded quickly, admitting that they hadn't been ...6 days ago
- Parting Shots.6 days ago
- The Flashman Factor.The Empire Within Which Bullying Never Ceased: The bitter truth about Great Britain’s “public” schools (and their many imitators in the Empire’s far-flung dominions) is that they were consciously designed to produce a very particular kind of imperial administrator. These men needed to be courageous, but not compassionate; clever, but ...6 days ago
- Hello world!
Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start writing! ...6 days ago - Skeptical Science New Research for Week #32 2022A most amazingly air-tight conspiracy Not research, but research-related. Skeptical Science reader John G. writes to point out an omission in our collection of rebuttals: "You are failing to rebut a prevailing narrative which blames a Globalist Elite for promoting CC as part of The Great Reset." Thank you John, ...7 days ago
- Climate Change: Treasury’s sabotage(Cartoon by Jon Kudelka) There's a (paywalled) story on BusinessDesk about today's budget document drop - and in particular the climate change documents - about how Treasury resisted Ministerial demands for more spending on climate change, forcing cuts to a level deemed insufficient to meet the requirements of the ...7 days ago
- National’s Bad News
The travails of National MP Sam Uffindell are bad news for the National party in more ways than one. The obvious question is as to how an applicant with such a disreputable history could have secured the nomination as the National candidate in the Tauranga by-election. National’s vetting procedures seem ...7 days ago - Media Link: “A View from Afar” on China, Taiwan and future implications.
The “A View from Afar” podcast with Selwyn Manning and I resumed after a months hiatus. We discussed the PRC-Taiwan tensions in the wake of Nancy Pelosi’s visit and what pathways, good and bad, may emerge from the escalation of hostilities between the mainland and island. You can find it ...7 days ago - Eugenie Sage’s mining ban billA ballot for one member's bill was held today, and the following bill was drawn: Crown Minerals (Prohibition of Mining) Amendment Bill (Eugenie Sage) The bill is pitched as protecting conservation land, and it does immediately do that. But it also goes further, doing exactly what it ...7 days ago
- Gordon Campbell on how National’s ”new” welfare plan resurrects a past failureSam Uffindell’s defenders keep reminding us that he was only 16 at the time of the King’s College incident, and haven’t we all done things in our teens that, as adults, we look back on with shame and embarrassment? True. Let’s be honest. Haven’t we all at one time or ...7 days ago
- You can’t understand Ukraine without acknowledging its deep divisions
Our media insists on telling us that Ukraine is a unified country suffering aggression from its neighbour the Russian Federation. But it is hardly unified. A violent civil war has raged there since the overthrow of the democratically elected government in February 2014. This civil war arose from deep ...1 week ago - Bryce Edwards: Is Tauranga headed towards yet another by-election?If National causes yet another by-election to be held in Tauranga, not only will it cost the taxpayers another unnecessary $1m for the taxpayers after Simon Bridges called it quits earlier in the year, but National will also pay a big price in terms of its reputation and integrity. A ...1 week ago
- The Way We Used To Want It – And, Maybe, Still Do.Representing Pakeha Racism: The important thing to remember about Rob Muldoon, and the racist policies with which his name is associated, is that he drew his power from the hundreds-of-thousands of anxious, angry, and yes – racist – Pakeha who voted for him, and that his most effective campaign slogan was: “New Zealand the ...1 week ago
- Experts: Senate-passed bill will yield myriad climate benefitsThis is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections The U.S. Senate passed the Inflation Reduction Act by a single vote on Sunday, August 7. The bill, headed to the House of Representatives within days, includes by far the largest and most consequential measures to reduce domestic climate pollution in the nation’s ...1 week ago
- Bullying's long shadow is cast across Sam Uffindell and the National Party
I remember feeling anxious before making the phone call, although not at anxious I might have expected. But what sticks most in my mind is how the phone call ended. It was the late 1990s. I was deputy editor of the NZ Listener and I had to ring a guy ...1 week ago - Another starving watchdogWorkSafe is supposed to make sure that every Kiwi is safe at work. Except they can't any more, because they're not funded to do the job properly: A lack of funding is forcing WorkSafe to reduce its focus on adventure activities, and it is unable to hold some companies ...1 week ago
- Bryce Edwards: The Uffindell scandal raises big questions about integrity in NationalNational is dripping “blue blood” again. The revelations over Sam Uffindell’s violent assault indicate that the National Party under Christopher Luxon hasn’t quite shed the toxicity and internal damage of the last few years. The crises besetting the party have recently been well documented in journalist Andrea Vance’s new book ...1 week ago
- Gordon Campbell on Sam Uffindell’s sorry excuse for an apologyMost of us believe in redemption and atonement… But the timing, the nature and the semantics of Sam Uffindell‘s apology for his role in a gang that beat a younger kid (reportedly) with wooden bed legs, has left much to be desired. The victim seems pretty clear about the motivation ...1 week ago
- Jacqui Van Der Kaay: Personal integrity in politicsYesterday the news broke that newly elected National MP Sam Uffindell was asked to leave private Auckland school King’s College at the end of his fifth form year after being part of a group that viciously beat a younger student one night. There are many elements to this latest political ...1 week ago
- Sam Uffindell must resignYou’ve got to wonder why the National Party knowingly hid information from the public about their newest MP, Sam Uffindell. Surely they must’ve realised that their secret would eventually leak into the public domain. New Zealand is far too small for cover-ups of this kind to be effective.Despite his violent ...1 week ago
- Electrifying transportation reduces emissions AND saves massive amounts of energyThis is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Karin Kirk With high energy prices and increasing urgency to reduce fossil fuel burning, it makes sense to get the most out of every gallon of gasoline or kilowatt-hour of electricity. A previous post showed that charging an EV costs around $1.41 per gallon ...1 week ago
- Bryce Edwards: Luxon’s “New National”Back in the 1990s, Tony Blair rebranded The British Labour Party as “New Labour”, to try and draw a line under past failures. It’s as if Christopher Luxon is attempting to follow suit, and launch “New National” at the moment – a party that’s fresh-looking, has made some big breaks ...1 week ago
- Party of bulliesBack in June Sam Uffindell was elected to parliament in the Tauranga by-election. Turns out he's a bully who beat a kid with a bed-leg at school: The National Party’s newest MP, Sam Uffindell, was asked to leave his exclusive boarding school after viciously beating a younger student late ...1 week ago
- Submit!The Justice Committee has called for submissions on the Electoral Amendment Bill. Submissions are due by Wednesday, 31 August 2022, and can be made at the link above. The bill improves disclosure of party finances, lowering the declaration threshold to $5,000 and requiring parties to disclose their annual financial statements. ...1 week ago
- Government-sponsored debt-slaveryStuff this morning has an appalling story about the exploitation of RSE workers in Blenheim, with workers being overcharged for substandard accommodation, denied sick-leave, and held in what is effectively debt-slavery: Migrant horticulture workers are being housed six men to a room, charged $150 a week to sleep in ...1 week ago
- Work, Work, Work!1 week ago
- Gordon Campbell on National’s plan to privatise welfare deliveryOn the rare occasions when it ever gets asked, the public keeps rejecting tax cuts as such, as a policy priority. It keeps saying it wants tax levels to either stay the same or be increased, so that public services can be maintained, or even (perish the thought) improved. In ...1 week ago
- 2022 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #31Listing of articles linked to on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, July 31, 2022 through Sat, August 6, 2022. The following articles sparked above average interest during the week (bolded articles are from SkS authors): ‘Reality is scary’: climate culture war heats up for UK ...1 week ago
- Dunedin Winter Gloom: August 2022
Europe has been baking in a heatwave, of course. Not so much this part of the world, which benefits by still being in Winter (though let’s just say I am not looking forward to January 2023). Not that it’s been a particularly cold Winter – we haven’t had one ...2 weeks ago - Once again, those Russian neo-Nazis – the Wagner groupThe Wagner Group is a private military company – effectively mercenaries. It has been used for the military activity of the Russian Federation in various parts of the world. Currently, it is operating in Ukraine and apparently has a reputation as a very brave and effective force in the ...2 weeks ago
- Considering Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan.I have said this in other forums, but here is the deal: PRC military exercises after Pelosi’s visit are akin to male gorillas who run around thrashing branches and beating their chests when annoyed, disturbed or seeking to show dominance. They are certainly dangerous and not to be ignored, but ...2 weeks ago
- A Cranky Uncle Cartoon a day, keeps misinformation at bay!From July 7 to 26 we tried something new on our Facebook page by sharing one Cranky Uncle cartoon each day for 20 days in a row. There were two reasons for doing this: firstly, we wanted to ensure that at least one post would get published each day while I was ...2 weeks ago
- Fighting Past Inflation Battles
Too many commentators on current price pressures have not understood that this time it is very different from the 1970s. Their prescriptions may accelerate inflation.The New Zealand economy is experiencing an external price shock arising from the Covid pandemic and the Ukrainian invasion compounded by related supply chain difficulties. It ...2 weeks ago - Gordon Campbell on National’s incredible disappearing tax policyDuring the years of the Key government one hardy perennial of political journalism was that whenever the Labour Opposition would suggest a policy alternative to the status quo, the hard bitten response from the Gallery realists would be “But how’re you gonna pay for it?” National in Opposition has been ...2 weeks ago
- In A Wizard's Garden.In The Wizard’s Garden: George Dunlop Leslie, 1904IT ALL SEEMS so long ago now, and, to be fair, in human terms, 48 years is a long time. New Zealand was a different country in 1974. Someone unafraid of courting controversy might say it had achieved “Peak Pakeha”. Although the Labour Government of ...2 weeks ago
- Seating ArrangementsProximate Cause: Tellingly, it was Helen Clark who was seated close by when, earlier this week, Jacinda Ardern delivered a speech carefully crafted to keep New Zealand’s dairy exports heading China’s way. Photo by PolitikPURISTS WOULD ARGUE that New Zealand’s foreign policy should not be determined by who its Prime Minister ...2 weeks ago
- Iambic Galadriel, Trochaic Gigwit, and Metrical DialogueWe have a new clip out of The Rings of Power. It sees Galadriel and the affectionately nicknamed Gigwit* venturing into dark places in search of evil. At fifty-odd seconds, it also constitutes the longest single piece of show dialogue we have seen thus far. *An acronym. “Galadriel Is ...2 weeks ago
- Crossing the Line: What Lies Behind the Surge To Te Pāti Māori?2 weeks ago
- Skeptical Science New Research for Week #31 2022"CAGW." A thing? With its provocative title and remarks grounded in respected published research, the perspective Climate Endgame: Exploring catastrophic climate change scenarios just published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has caused a few ripples reaching into popular media. "Endgame" and "catastrophic" lean hard in the direction of "pay ...2 weeks ago
- Nothing to hide, nothing to fear?In the past there's been a few interesting data points about the New Zealand Intelligence Community's desire to covertly manipulate public opinion through media and academic mouthpieces. In 2015 the Council for Civil Liberties revealed the existence of an NZIC "Strategic Communications Group" tasked with persuading the public that spying ...2 weeks ago
- Windfall tax now!Inflation is through the roof, and "coincidentally" so is oil company profiteering. UN Secretary-General António Guterres calls it what it is: grotesque: The UN secretary general, António Guterres, has described the record profits of oil and gas companies as immoral and urged governments to introduce a windfall tax, using ...2 weeks ago
- Undoing Muldoon’s crimeA little over 40 years ago, Falema'i Lesa won her appeal before the Privy Council, which ruled that she - and every other Samoan born under New Zealand colonial rule - was a New Zealand citizen. Then-Prime Minister Rob Muldoon didn't like that, so he had an urgent law passed ...2 weeks ago
- The opposition is in disarrayWhat on earth is going on with the main opposition parties at the moment? Both National and ACT have been making numerous flip-flops and miscommunications, clearly indicating that they aren’t a viable alternative to the current Labour led Government.Of particular note is the duplicitous reasoning given for why they support ...2 weeks ago
- DrawnA ballot for two member's bills was held today, and the following bills were drawn: Housing Infrastructure (GST-sharing) Bill (Brooke van Velden) Prohibition on Seabed Mining Legislation Amendment Bill (Debbie Ngarewa-Packer) Ngarewa-Packer's bill looks likely to start a shitfight with Labour, and not just because the ...2 weeks ago
- How not to solve the climate change problemKevin Trenberth, Distinguished Scholar, NCAR; Affiliated Faculty, University of Auckland. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. When politicians talk about reaching “net zero” emissions, they’re often counting on trees or technology that can pull carbon dioxide out of the air. What ...2 weeks ago
- Misery and Fear of Misery: Musings on Malthus and Henry George
As you might have noticed, I have an on-going interest in working my way through old and intellectually influential reading material. Occasionally I even share my thoughts on it, which allows me to take a break from my generally-dominant Tolkien analysis. Well, today I thought I would take a ...2 weeks ago - Blowback on abortionAt the end of June, the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade, putting abortion rights in America under threat. The move was unpopular - abortion rights have had clear majority support for decades and only a tiny minority of religious bigots think it should be illegal in all circumstances ...2 weeks ago
- A new standard for BORA consistency?Golriz Ghahraman's Electoral (Strengthening Democracy) Amendment Bill will probably face its first reading today. And three months after it was introduced - pissing on the "as soon as practicable" requirement of Standing Order 269 - it has received a section 7 report from Attorney-General David Parker stating that its proposed ...2 weeks ago
- The IPCA wants teethThere's an interesting select committee report out today, from the Petitions Committee on the Petition of Conrad Petersen: The Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA). The petitioner raises some concerns about the slowness of the IPCA process and its lack of oversight, and suggests some solutions. The committee doesn't seem keen ...2 weeks ago
- Member’s DayToday is a Member's Day, but likely to be a boring one. There's no general debate today, and instead the House will move right into the third reading of the Canterbury Regional Council (Ngāi Tahu Representation) Bill, which will add unelected, inherently conflicted Ngai Tahu representatives to ECan. Then there's ...2 weeks ago
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- Greens welcome review of RSE, but urge Govt to start right now
The Green Party says the Government is right to carry out a full review of the Recognised Seasonal Employers (RSE) scheme - but says the review should start right now. ...44 mins ago - At-risk Afghans evacuated to Aotearoa must be reunited with familyOne year on from the fall of Kabul to the Taliban, the Green Party is calling on the Government to do more to support our most at-risk evacuees. ...20 hours ago
- Six ways we’re supporting children and families
Our Government wants New Zealand to be the best place in the world to be a child, and we have a plan to make sure that’s a reality. We’ve put the wellbeing of children and families at the heart of our work since taking office in 2017 – from putting ...22 hours ago - Pay parity for early childhood teachers, nowA recent decision by the Minister of Education to hold back pay parity for ECE teachers needs changing urgently, the Green Party says. ...2 days ago
- Green Party legislation to protect migrant victims of family violenceA Green Party member’s bill would provide stronger protections for people in migrant communities who experience family violence. ...2 days ago
- Greens back HRC call for immediate rent freezeThe Green Party backs the Human Rights Commission’s call for an immediate rent freeze followed by reform of the rental system to guarantee that everyone has a warm, dry, affordable place to live. ...2 days ago
- New public transport model must be backed with investmentThe Green Party has once again shown that bringing people together to demand change works, with the announcement today that the Government will give communities a greater say over how their local transport services are run. ...3 days ago
- Exclusive view of the very real threat of losing St James Theatre, AucklandGreen Party MP for Auckland Central, Chlöe Swarbrick has released an exclusive video showing for the first time the extent of the damage done to St. James Theatre during a recent break-in. ...4 days ago
- Food prices demand urgent actionThe Green Party is calling on the Government to ensure that as a nation which produces enough food to feed 40 million people, everyone in New Zealand can put an abundance of nourishing, nutritious kai on the table. ...6 days ago
- Monkeypox elimination plan is essentialThe Green Party is calling on the Government to listen to public health experts and commit to an elimination strategy for monkeypox. ...7 days ago
- Bill to ban mining on conservation land pulled from biscuit tinFollowing months of work by the Green Party and community and environmental organisations, Parliament will have the opportunity to pass legislation to protect public conservation land and waters from mining. ...7 days ago
- Grassroots sports no longer excuse for alcohol harm inactionNew evidence released today by Alcohol Healthwatch shows there’s never been a better time for Parliament to pass Green Party MP Chlöe Swarbrick’s Alcohol Harm Minimisation Bill. ...7 days ago
- Supporting more Kiwis into jobsWe’re helping more Kiwis into work, to help support whānau, grow our skilled workforce and secure our economy for future generations. During our time in Government, we’ve delivered record low unemployment rates, as well as a steady fall in the number of New Zealanders receiving a main benefit, and we’re ...1 week ago
- Bottom trawling on all seamounts must stopThe Green Party once again calls on the Government to ban bottom trawling on all seamounts following the release of an industry white paper on so-called ‘sustainable’ trawling. ...1 week ago
- Time to transform care and support for disabled peopleUrgent reform is essential to ensure disabled people have equal access to the care and support they need, the Green Party says in response to a new report that challenges politicians to fix the current system. ...1 week ago
- Kaydee Zabelin selected as Green candidate for Palmerston North City CouncilKaydee Zabelin has today been selected as a Green Party candidate for Palmerston North City Council in the 2022 election. ...1 week ago
- Green Candidates confirmed for Palmerston North City Council 2022Emerging from an energetic selection meeting, we’re pleased to announce that Kaydee Zabelin and Brent Barrett are your Green Party candidates for Palmerston North City Council. ...1 week ago
- Three strikes law gone but not forgotten for manyThe repeal of the archaic three strikes law is welcome but it doesn’t go far enough, the Green Party says. ...1 week ago
- Better long-term planning needed for COVIDCOVID-19 is here to stay and so the Government needs to put in place long-term protection measures, including mandatory ventilation standards, the Green Party says. ...1 week ago
- Abuse revelations leave no choice but to overhaul RSE schemeThe Green Party is calling on the Government to overhaul the Recognised Seasonal Employers scheme in the wake of revelations of shocking human rights violations. ...1 week ago
- Decent work, not sanctionsThe Green Party is calling for a cross-party commitment to guaranteeing at least a living wage and safe working conditions to people seeking employment, instead of continuing benefit sanctions. ...1 week ago
- Member’s bill adds to growing demands on Govt to stop deep sea miningThe Green Party is once again calling on the Government to announce its support for a moratorium on deep sea mining, and to support a member’s bill going to select committee. ...2 weeks ago
- Let’s build better, warmer, and climate-friendlyThe Government must take steps to ensure that the way we build our homes is helping to meet New Zealand’s climate change targets, the Green Party said. ...2 weeks ago
- Mana in Mahi must guarantee liveable incomesThe Government’s employment initiatives led by the Ministry of Social Development must guarantee liveable incomes and fair working conditions, the Green Party says. ...2 weeks ago
- Time to strike anti-Pacific racism from New Zealand lawA Green Party member’s bill launched today would strike an anti-Pacific racist law from the country’s books and help heal the wrongs of the past. ...2 weeks ago
- More nurses, doctors and health workersNew Zealanders deserve a health system that works for everyone, no matter who you are or where you live. Our Government has a plan to make this a reality, and we’re taking the next steps. We now have thousands more health professionals, such as doctors and nurses, working in New ...2 weeks ago
- Green Party welcomes new report critiquing OT Oversight billThe Green Party once again calls on the Government to withdraw its Oversight of Oranga Tamariki Bill. ...2 weeks ago
- 15 times Jacinda Ardern has shown she’s a true leaderDuring her time as Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern has navigated New Zealand through unprecedented times. Through it all, she’s become known as someone who leads with kindness, compassion and strength, while keeping the wellbeing of Kiwis at the heart of her approach. To celebrate five years of Jacinda leading the ...2 weeks ago
- Govt must wipe debt to MSD as part of ‘cost of living’ responseThe Government needs to clear the debt that MSD has forced hundreds of thousands of low income people to take on, says the Green Party. ...2 weeks ago
- Easing the pressure on New ZealandersSince taking office in 2017, our Government has worked hard to lift wages and make life more affordable for New Zealanders, as we move forward with our plan to grow a secure economy for all. ...3 weeks ago
- Wage growth best on record
Workers’ have experienced their biggest pay hike on record, outstripping inflation. Stats NZ figures show median weekly earnings from wages and salaries jumped by 8.8 percent in the June year, the largest annual increase since records began in 1998 and well ahead of inflation at 7.3 percent. “This is an ...16 hours ago - Health Fund for Pacific communities now openPacific community organisations are strongly urged to apply for the Pacific Community Health Fund, now open for applications. “Pacific communities know what works for our communities, and what will create positive changes to lift Pacific wellbeing for families,” said the Associate Minister of Health Aupito William Sio. “We only have ...18 hours ago
- Government now serving up 1 million free lunches in schools a weekSavings for a family with two children at school of up to $62 a week, over $2000 a year Lunches now reaching 220,000 kids at 950 schools every school day A million lunches delivered a week, over 63 million in total to date 2,361 jobs created or retained The Government’s ...19 hours ago
- Seaweed innovator wins Government supportThe Government is continuing to make regional economies stronger and more resilient with investment in a project that will likely create the world’s first commercial seaweed-based nanocellulose manufacturing plant. The innovative $1.5 million project in Paeroa in the Waikato is being supported with a $750,000 loan from the Government’s Regional ...21 hours ago
- First community-led Oranga Tamariki partnership announcedA new partnership strategy aimed at putting the decision-making and support for children in need in the hands of the community has been officially launched in Kaitaia by Minister for Children Kelvin Davis. TE ATATŪ, formed in partnership with Te Kahu Oranga Whānau and Oranga Tamariki, is the first such ...21 hours ago
- Government partners with Germany to invest in green hydrogen research$6million investment in research into three green hydrogen projects New Zealand research teams now able to access European green hydrogen research facilities and expertise A green hydrogen research programme has been established with Germany will support Aotearoa New Zealand’s move towards a more sustainable, low-emissions economy, Research, Science and Innovation ...2 days ago
- $14.9m allocated to Māori boarding school upgradesMinister for Māori Development Willie Jackson today announced the allocation of the remaining $14.9 million of the $20 million Budget 2021 investment into the Māori Boarding Schools initiative. The four Māori boarding schools play a significant role in the development of future Māori leaders. They have been long-standing, staunch advocates ...2 days ago
- New High Commissioner to Kiribati appointedForeign Minister Nanaia Mahuta today announced the appointment of Andre Van Der Walt as New Zealand’s next High Commissioner to Kiribati. “As a Pacific nation we value our strong and enduring relationships throughout the region, especially with Kiribati,” Nanaia Mahuta said. “Our two nations share a strong partnership based on ...2 days ago
- 85,000 new Kiwis provide certainty for New Zealand businessesMore than a third of eligible migrants are now New Zealand residents thanks to the Government’s one-off, simplified path to residence, providing a way forward for migrant families and certainty for New Zealand businesses, Minister of Immigration Michael Wood has announced. “This is great news for our migrant families and ...2 days ago
- NZ sends further significant deployment to support UkraineNew Zealand is making a further significant deployment of 120 New Zealand Defence Force personnel to the United Kingdom to help train Ukraine soldiers, as part of an international effort to help Ukraine continue to defend itself against Russia’s illegal war. It follows a completed deployment of 30 NZDF personnel ...3 days ago
- Foreign Minister visit to Niue and TongaForeign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta will visit Niue and Tonga this week to engage kanohi ki te kanohi with counterparts, and progress work on Aotearoa New Zealand’s Pacific Resilience and climate action priorities. “After the disruption caused by COVID-19 border closures, this is another opportunity to connect in-person with our ...3 days ago
- Creating sustainable public transport for allOur new approach to public transport will: Support ‘on-demand’ public transport services Allow councils to own and operate services in house Improve pay and working conditions Deliver routes and services that reflect community needs Incentivise the decarbonisation of the fleet Workers and public transport users are at the heart of ...3 days ago
- Welcome for Afghan human rights defenders, Government House AucklandAs-salamu alaykum, Tena tatou katoa, Thank you all for being here today. To the Afghan human rights defenders and your family members, welcome to Aotearoa. And thank you Your Excellency for hosting us all here at Government House. We have with us today from Afghanistan, human rights advocates, journalists, judges, ...6 days ago
- Speech on tax changes for Build-to-Rent sectorIt’s my great pleasure to be able to speak with you about a really positive move for the Build-to-Rent sector. As you know, we announced changes last year to help steer property investors way from the existing pool of housing and toward solving New Zealand’s grave housing shortage - by ...6 days ago
- Tax incentives to boost long-term rental supply· Tax changes aimed at growing quality, secure rental supply · New and existing build-to-rent developments exempt from interest limitation rules in perpetuity, when offering ten-year tenancies · Exemption to apply from 1 October 2021. The Government is encouraging more long-term rental options by giving developers tax incentives for as ...6 days ago
- Govt marks 350th tower in push for improved rural connectivityThe Government has marked another milestone in its push for better rural connectivity, welcoming the delivery of Rural Connectivity Group’s (RCG) 350th tower. Waikato’s Te Ākau, which sits roughly 50 kilometres out of Hamilton is home to the new tower. “The COVID 19 pandemic has highlighted the ever-increasing importance of ...6 days ago
- Joint Press Release: Trans-Tasman agriculture ministers discuss biosecurity co-operationBiosecurity co-operation topped the agenda when Australia and New Zealand’s agriculture ministers met yesterday. Australia’s Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Senator Murray Watt met with his New Zealand counterpart, Damien O’Connor, Minister of Agriculture, Biosecurity, and Rural Communities in a conference call, which had particular focus on foot and ...6 days ago
- Remote monitoring could give patients better care at homePeople could spend less time in hospital, thanks to a smart new remote device that lets patients be monitored at home, Health Minister Andrew Little says. “Technology has the potential to really change the way we do things – to do things that are better for patients and at the ...6 days ago
- Government supporting kids’ learning successConcrete steps to clarify inclusive, evidence-informed teaching practices Strengthen capability supports along the professional pathway Enhance partnerships between the education system and whānau, iwi, communities Embed equitable additional learning supports and assessment tools that help teachers effectively notice and respond to the needs of students Improved student achievement is a ...6 days ago
- Supporting prevention, preparedness and response to global pandemicsAotearoa New Zealand has committed to strengthen global prevention, preparedness and responses to future pandemics with seed funding for a new World Bank initiative, Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced today. “We cannot afford to wait until the next pandemic. We must all play our part to support developing countries ...7 days ago
- Overseas investors converting farms to forests must show benefit to New ZealandA law change to ensure that forestry conversions by overseas investors benefit New Zealand has passed its final reading in Parliament. Previously, overseas investors wishing to convert land, such as farm land, into forestry only needed to meet the “special forestry test”. This is a streamlined test, designed to encourage ...7 days ago
- International visitors boosting economic recoveryInternational tourism recovery well underway with higher level of overseas visitor arrivals than previously expected UK and US card spend already back at pre-COVID levels Visitors staying in New Zealand longer and spending more compared to 2019 Govt support throughout pandemic helped tourism sector prepare for return of international ...7 days ago
- Ministry’s inaugural Strategy paves way for ethnic communitiesThe Ministry for Ethnic Communities has released its first strategy, setting out the actions it will take over the next few years to achieve better wellbeing outcomes for ethnic communities Minister for Diversity, Inclusion and Ethnic Communities Priyanca Radhakrishnan announced today. “The Strategy that has been released today sets out ...7 days ago
- World class aquatic centre opened in Hawke’s BayThe Prime Minister has officially opened the Hawke’s Bay Regional Aquatic Centre today saying it is a huge asset to the region and to the country. “This is a world class facility which will be able to host national and international events including the world championships. With a 10-lane Olympic ...7 days ago
- Tulī Takes Flight winners take to the wingThe Associate Minister of Education, Aupito William Sio, has today announced the recipients of the Tulī Takes Flight scholarships which were a key part of last year’s Dawn Raids apology. The scholarships are a part of the goodwill gesture of reconciliation to mark the apology by the New Zealand Government ...7 days ago
- Govt supports free period products in over 2000 schools within one year96% of estimated menstruating students receive free period products 2085 schools involved 1200 dispensers installed Supports cost of living, combats child poverty, helps increase attendance Associate Minister of Education Jan Tinetti today hailed the free period products in schools, Ikura | Manaakitia te whare tangata, a huge success, acknowledging ...7 days ago
- Govt boosts tourism transformation to strengthen workforce and improve outcomesThe Tourism Industry Transformation Plan outlines key actions to improve the sector This includes a Tourism and Hospitality Accord to set employment standards Developing cultural competency within the workforce Improving the education and training system for tourism Equipping business owners and operators with better tools and enabling better work ...1 week ago
- NZ earns another major digital investmentMinister for the Digital Economy and Communications Dr David Clark welcomes Google Cloud’s decision to make New Zealand a cloud region. “This is another major vote of confidence for New Zealand’s growing digital sector, and our economic recovery from COVID 19,” David Clark said. “Becoming a cloud region will mean ...1 week ago
- Changes to NCEA & University Entrance in response to COVID-19 disruptionsA package of changes to NCEA and University Entrance announced today recognise the impact COVID-19 has had on senior secondary students’ assessment towards NCEA in 2022, says Associate Minister of Education Jan Tinetti. “We have heard from schools how significant absences of students and teachers, as a result of COVID-19, ...1 week ago
- 60th Anniversary of the Treaty of Friendship between Aotearoa New Zealand and Samoa- “Lifelong Fri...Te Reo Māori tauparapara… Tapatapa tū ki te Rangi! Ki te Whei-ao! Ki te Ao-mārama Tihei mauri ora! Stand at the edge of the universe! of the spiritual world! of the physical world! It is the breath of creation Formal acknowledgments… [Your Highness Afioga Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II and Masiofo] ...1 week ago
- New law passed to reduce gun harmThe Government’s commitment to combatting firearms violence has reached another significant milestone today with the passage of the Firearms Prohibition Order Legislation Bill, Police Minister Chris Hipkins says. The new law helps to reduce firearm-related crime by targeting possession, use, or carriage of firearms by people whose actions and behaviours ...1 week ago
- Minister sends condolences as last Battle for Crete veteran passes awayMinister for Veterans, Hon Meka Whaitiri sends her condolences to the last Battle for Crete veteran. “I am saddened today to learn of the passing of Cyril Henry Robinson known as Brant Robinson, who is believed to be the last surviving New Zealand veteran of the Battle for Crete, Meka ...1 week ago
- Three Strikes Legislation Repeal Bill passes third readingLegislation to repeal the ‘Three Strikes’ law has passed its third reading in Parliament. “The Three Strikes Legislation Repeal Bill ends an anomaly in New Zealand’s justice system that dictates what sentence judges must hand down irrespective of relevant factors,” Justice Minister Kiri Allan said. “The three strikes law was ...1 week ago
- Government working on preliminary steps to improve support for abuse survivorsWork is under way on preliminary steps to improve the Government’s support for survivors of abuse in care while a new, independent redress system is designed, Public Service Minister Chris Hipkins says. These steps – recommended by the Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry – include rapid payments for ...1 week ago
- Remarks upon 77th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima and NagasakiRemembering Hiroshima and Nagasaki Online Forum 77 years ago today, an atomic bomb was dropped on the city of Nagasaki. Three days earlier, on the 6th of August 1945, the same fate had befallen the people of Hiroshima. Tens of thousands died instantly. In the years that followed 340,000 ...1 week ago
- Govt signs NZ–USA agreement launching new opportunities for space sectorAn agreement signed today between the New Zealand and United States governments will provide new opportunities for our space sector and closer collaboration with NASA, Economic and Regional Development Minister Stuart Nash said. Stuart Nash signed the Framework Agreement with United States Deputy Secretary of State, Wendy Sherman. The signing ...1 week ago
- Govt strengthens emergency management cooperation between NZ and the USAn agreement signed today between New Zealand’s National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the United States’ Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will strengthen global emergency management capability, says Minister for Emergency Management Kieran McAnulty. “The Government is committed to continually strengthening our emergency management system, and this Memorandum of Cooperation ...1 week ago
- New Zealand to stay at Orange as winter continuesNew Zealand will remain at the Orange traffic light setting, while hospitalisations remain elevated and pressure on the health system continues through winter. “There’s still significant pressure on hospitals from winter illnesses, so our current measures have an ongoing role to play in reducing the number of COVID-19 cases and ...1 week ago
- Path paved for communities to reshape streetsStreets will soon be able to be transformed from unsafe and inaccessible corridors to vibrant places for all transport modes thanks to new legislation proposed today, announced Transport Minister Michael Wood. “We need to make it safe, quicker and more attractive for people to walk, ride and take public transport ...1 week ago
- Boost for agricultural and horticultural science in schoolsMore young minds eyeing food and fibre careers is the aim of new Government support for agricultural and horticultural science teachers in secondary schools, Agriculture and Rural Communities Minister Damien O’Connor announced today. The Government is committing $1.6 million over five years to the initiative through the Ministry for Primary ...1 week ago
- Māori Party Secures First Ever Seat At Local Government Table
The Māori Party’s push to have representation in Local Government has had a successful start with incumbent Bay of Plenty Regional Councillor, Toi Kai Rakau Iti, being re-elected unopposed. Iti is taking his re-election as a vote of confidence and not ...58 mins ago - Govt orders review of RSE scheme after investigation details 'exploitation'
Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Michael Wood has confirmed the government will do a full review of the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme early next year. ...12 hours ago - Northland iwi collective regains decision-making powers over Māori children's careThe children's minister has launched a kaupapa in Kaitāia today - handing decision-making powers back to iwi. ...13 hours ago
- No female candidate for New Plymouth mayoral electionsIt is the first time since 2013 that no woman has put themselves forward for the New Plymouth mayoral role. ...14 hours ago
- National Party calls for ministerial oversight after 'shocking' WorkSafe reviewA report which found the country's health and safety regulator lacks a clear strategy and cannot say if it is effective is "shocking", the National Party says. ...15 hours ago
- Rates Rise Shows How Cost Of Living Affects EducationThe latest rise in the official cash rate by the Reserve Bank on Wednesday has only cemented the need for Government to respond positively to unions calling for a unified pay increase to recognise people working across the education, health and wider public ...16 hours ago
- Stephen Town Finds The Time To Resign – But Where Is The Explanation?Having found time in his busy schedule, missing civil servant Stephen Town has hung up his boots and resigned from his $13,000-a-week garden leave ‘job’ - which is cushy even for Wellington. “We are delighted that our efforts to find Stephen ...17 hours ago
- POLL: Kiwis Support Spending CutsThe Taxpayers’ Union says that cuts to Government spending are a far better way to deal with the inflation crisis than the Reserve Bank of New Zealand hiking the Official Cash Rate – and the public agree. Kiwi voters understand the drivers behind ...18 hours ago
- Ongoing Monetary TighteningThe Monetary Policy Committee today increased the Official Cash Rate (OCR) to 3 percent from 2.5 percent. The Committee agreed it remains appropriate to continue to tighten monetary conditions at pace to maintain price stability and contribute ...18 hours ago
- MPI allays foot-and-mouth rumours while prices fall again at dairy auction
It’s a tense time in New Zealand’s farming industries. Already the Ministry for Primary Industries has had to shoot down an overseas news report that China had shut its borders to NZ and Australian products due to concerns about foot-and-mouth. NZ exports to China are continuing as normal, a Ministry ...19 hours ago - Govt chips in for boarding schools and a seaweed venture – and there’s some left over for hydrog...
Buzz from the Beehive Promoting the wellbeing of Māori is the common factor in three of the latest four Beehive announcements. The government is providing $14.9 million (from of the $20 million Budget 2021 investment into the Māori Boarding Schools initiative) to four Māori boarding schools; and ...19 hours ago - Little To Celebrate In Data Showing Miserable Progress In Closing The Gender Pay Gap – CTUThere has been little progress in closing the gender pay gap despite record low unemployment, the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions said today following the release of labour market data by Statistics NZ. The overall gender pay gap has stubbornly ...19 hours ago
- Dairies Also Operating As Vape Shops Need Addressing“There are far too many dairies now also operating as licenced ‘Specialist Vape Retailers’. It makes a mockery of our vaping laws and so we’re pleased the Government is going to tidy up this unintended consequence,” says Nancy Loucas, co-founder ...21 hours ago
- Weekly Earnings Rise As More In Full-time Employmentstatistics newMedian weekly earnings from wages and salaries rose by 8.8 percent to $1,189 in the year to the June 2022 quarter, Stats NZ said today. The 8.8 percent annual increase in median weekly earnings from wages and salaries was the largest annual increase ...21 hours ago
- Parliamentary Services confirms staffing for suspended Labour MP SharmaHamilton West MP Gaurav Sharma's office has one staff member and no further decisions have been made on his staffing since he publicly accused Labour colleagues of bullying. ...21 hours ago
- Auckland Council Rejects Three Waters Governance ModelAuckland Mayor Phil Goff, Deputy Mayor Bill Cashmore and Regulatory Committee Chair Linda Cooper will today present Auckland Council’s submission [speaking notes attached] to the government’s Finance Expenditure Committee hearing on the proposed Water ...22 hours ago
- Luxon maintains opposition to waka-jumping law amid Uffindell inquiryThe National leader is standing by his party's opposition to the so-called waka-jumping legislation. ...23 hours ago
- Labour MP Gaurav Sharma remains under threat of expulsionThe MP's suspension from Labour's caucus will be reviewed in December but caucus could agree to expel him sooner if he breaches party rules again, the Prime Minister says. ...1 day ago
- Watch: Labour's caucus unanimously agrees to suspend MP Gaurav Sharma – PM Jacinda ArdernLabour's caucus has unanimously decided to suspend Hamilton West MP Gaurav Sharma effective immediately, says Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. ...2 days ago
- Ousted Waikato Regional Council chairperson withdraws legal actionThe former chairperson of Waikato Regional Council, who was ousted after being accused of making racist comments, has withdrawn legal action. ...2 days ago
- Watch live: Labour's caucus unanimously agrees to suspend MP Gaurav Sharma – PM Jacinda A...Labour's caucus has unanimously decided to suspend Hamilton West MP Gaurav Sharma effective immediately, says Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. ...2 days ago
- Increasing Accessibility For Disabled People—tāngata WhaikahaThe Accessibility for New Zealanders Bill is aimed at addressing the accessibility barriers faced by disabled people, tāngata whaikaha, and others, so they can live independently and participate fully in all areas of life. The bill also aims to ensure ...2 days ago
- Labour caucus is not alone in asking for an explanation from the MP for Hamilton WestLabour MPs may well be determining the fate of Hamilton West MP Gaurav Sharma at a special caucus meeting, as this post is being written. According to Stuff, the party’s MPs will enter a virtual meeting at 2.30pm on Tuesday and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was expected to speak to ...2 days ago
- RBNZ governor must curb inflationary pressures while keeping an eye on employment trendsReserve Bank governor Adrian Orr has a lot on his plate at present. He is battling to hose down prices which have been rising faster than they have done for 30 years, while at the same time “maximising” sustainable employment. It’s a task none of his predecessors had to undertake. ...2 days ago
- Business backs ACT's plan for instant penalties for young offendersACT's new crime policy, which would issue burglars with swift penalties, is being welcomed by Auckland business groups. ...2 days ago
- Chinese Poll Tax Heritage Trust Funding Round Now OpenTe Tari Taiwhenua is inviting members of the public to apply to the current funding round of the Chinese Poll Tax Heritage Trust. The Trust chairman, Mr Paul Chin, encourages people to make applications for proposals that support the aims of the Trust. The ...2 days ago
- Lack Of Cross-government Ownership A Major Barrier, Warns Disability Rights ReportThe Independent Monitoring Mechanism (IMM) says that disabled people’s human rights will not be fully realised in Aotearoa unless there is a jointly owned and implemented cross government agency approach. The IMM today released its third general update ...2 days ago
- NZ deploys troops to the UK and despatches Mahuta to the Pacific (but non-Maori speakers may be puzz...Buzz from the Beehive Comings and goings were the common factor in the latest Beehive announcements. Immigration Minister Michael Wood handled the “inward” movements by regurgitating migrant statistics he presumably wanted to crow about. The “outward” movements are recorded in three statements – a further deployment of 120 New Zealand ...2 days ago
- Back Strongest Global Ocean Treaty: Greenpeace Urges NZ GovernmentGreenpeace Aotearoa is urging the New Zealand government to back the strongest possible Global Oceans Treaty as the latest round of negotiations for the long-awaited treaty kick off in New York. UN member states are meeting this week to hammer out the details ...2 days ago
- PNG elections show that there is still a long way to go to stamp out violence and ensure proper repr...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ron May, Emertius Fellow, attached to the State, Society and Governance in Melanesia Program, Australian National University Paramilitary police and soldiers patrol ballot boxes at Tari airport, Southern Highlands, PNG AAP Image Despite Australia “stepping up” its relations with the Pacific since ...2 days ago - Broadcasting Minister open to discussing independence of new public media entityWith less than a year until its launch, Broadcasting Minister Willie Jackson says he is willing to address opposition concerns over the independence of the new government funded public media entity. ...2 days ago
- Births And Deaths: Year Ended June 2022Births and deaths releases provide statistics on the number of births and deaths of people resident in New Zealand that are registered during a given period, along with selected fertility and mortality rates. They may differ from statistics presented ...2 days ago
- Population Growth Lowest Since 1986New Zealand's resident population provisionally grew by 12,700 or 0.2 percent over the year, to reach 5.12 million at 30 June 2022, Stats NZ said today. This is the lowest annual growth rate since June 1986 when the population barely changed (0.0 ...2 days ago
- Retail NZ Welcomes Practical Policies For Retail CrimeRetail NZ welcomes two policy initiatives from the ACT Party Law and Order policy document to combat retail crime – infringement notices and three strikes for burglary. “The announcement today from the ACT Party of two specific policies that will help ...2 days ago
- Human Rights Commission Sacrifice Renters In Favour Of IdeologyThe departure of the Human Right’s Commission from its core role to defend classical human rights into left wing ideological advocacy would be comical if the policies it is pushing weren’t so dangerous, says the Taxpayers’ Union. “This was always ...2 days ago
- Labour caucus to meet this afternoon over Sharma allegationsLabour's MPs will meet in an urgent full caucus meeting via teleconferencing early this afternoon. ...2 days ago
- Efeso Collins Pledges To Form Coalition Of Mayors For Climate ActionGiven climate change not only poses a serious challenge to Auckland but New Zealand as a whole, mayoral candidate Efeso Collins is pledging to form a Coalition of Mayors For Climate Action. Collins says it’s vital local councils work closely together ...2 days ago
- Power Play: Rogue MP Gaurav Sharma's social media missile propels Labour into damage controlPower Play - Labour MPs will be meeting for an urgent caucus early this afternoon, as the party tries to manage the snowballing damage from the serious allegations being made by one of its own, Gaurav Sharma. ...2 days ago
- Even a ‘limited’ nuclear war would starve millions of people, new study revealsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ryan Heneghan, Lecturer in Mathematical Ecology, Queensland University of Technology US Department of Energy Even a relatively small nuclear war would create a worldwide food crisis lasting at least a decade in which hundreds of millions would starve, according to ...2 days ago
- Is fake meat healthy? And what’s actually in it?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Katherine Livingstone, NHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellow and Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Deakin University Shutterstock The popularity of plant-based proteins, or “fake meat”, has increased in recent years as consumers look to eat fewer ...2 days ago
- One Health: why we need to combine disease surveillance and climate modelling to preempt future pand...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Arindam Basu, Associate Professor, Epidemiology and Environmental Health, University of Canterbury Yang Jianzheng/VCG via Getty Images Within less than three years, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared two public health emergencies of international concern: COVID-19 in February 2020 and ...2 days ago
- In a year of sporting mega-events, the Brisbane Olympics can learn a lot from the ones that fail the...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anthony Halog, Lecturer/Research Group Leader in Industrial Ecology and Circular Economy, The University of Queensland The Brisbane 2032 Olympic organising committee board Darren England/AAP In a year of major sporting events – the Commonwealth Games, the FIFA World Cup, cricket’s T20 World ...2 days ago
- How to help your child write a speech (without doing it for them)Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joanne O’Mara, Associate Professor in Education, Deakin University Shutterstock It’s hard for parents to help kids with homework without doing it for them. It can be especially difficult to work out where to start when your child is preparing a ...2 days ago
- Costs of Sydney’s driverless train conversion outweigh the benefitsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christopher Day, PhD Student, Economic and Industrial Policy, Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies, University of Sydney Shutterstock The NSW government’s industrial dispute with rail unions over the new intercity trains is tipped to add hundreds of millions of dollars ...2 days ago
- Better Call Saul’s final episode is the end of the golden age of TV as we know itSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Siobhan Lyons, Scholar in Media and Cultural Studies, Macquarie University IMDB When it was announced that the creators of Breaking Bad would be filming a prequel spin-off to their iconic series, few could have imagined the critical acclaim it would ...2 days ago
- Auckland mayoralty race becoming 'a cult of personality', minor candidates sayAuckland's minor mayoralty candidates are arguing they are not being given a fair shake in comparison to their high profile counterparts. ...2 days ago
- Party presidents: The power behind the politicsThe Detail - Political party presidents tend to stay out of the spotlight, so just how influential is their role? ...2 days ago
- View from The Hill: Morrison’s passion for control trashed conventions and accountabilitySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The only credible explanation for Scott Morrison personally installing himself, as an undisclosed ministerial partner, in several portfolios is the former prime minister’s passion for control. The fact he didn’t tell senior colleagues, let ...2 days ago
- For 110 years, climate change has been in the news. Are we finally ready to listen?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Linden Ashcroft, Lecturer in climate science and science communication, The University of Melbourne Mike Marrah/Unsplash, CC BY-SA On August 14 1912, a small New Zealand newspaper published a short article announcing global coal usage was affecting our planet’s temperature. ...3 days ago
- Yes, there is good news for a Covid-weary NZ – and it has started to flow from our energy companie...In the wake of the emotionally draining sagas that have dominated the mainstream media for the past week or so — -first the allegations of bullying within Parliament and by parliamentarians, and then the All Blacks’ triumph and turmoil over the coach’s future employment — can any relief be found? ...3 days ago
- Auckland mayoralty race: Viv Beck should stand down to increase Wayne Brown's chances – J...Auckland mayoral hopeful Viv Beck should throw in the towel to give rival and former Far North mayor Wayne Brown a better go, says former Auckland mayor and National MP John Banks. ...3 days ago
- Govt cut pay parity funding for ECE teachers to balance books, documents revealThe government reduced pay parity funding for early childhood teachers in its May Budget to keep its education spending within agreed limits, briefing documents show. ...3 days ago
- Explainer: Scott Morrison was sworn in to several portfolios other than prime minister during the pa...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anne Twomey, Professor of Constitutional Law, University of Sydney Lukas Coch/AAP It has been reported that, during the pandemic, the then prime minister, Scott Morrison, swore himself in as a minister to several portfolios, including health, finance and resources. ...3 days ago
- Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says Labour caucus to meet over Gaurav Sharma situationPrime Minister Jacinda Ardern says the Labour caucus will meet this week to deal with the Gaurav Sharma situation. ...3 days ago
- Southern polytech gears up for tutoring more students by translating automotive engineering material...The polytechnic sector has been getting a bad press in recent times. Former Otago Polytechnic chief executive Phil Ker has demanded an apology from Education Minister Chris Hipkins for turning the country’s polytechnic education system into “a national disgrace”. The Otago Daily Times has described the centralising of New Zealand’s ...3 days ago
- Instagram and Facebook are stalking you on websites accessed through their apps. What can you do abo...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Tuffley, Senior Lecturer in Applied Ethics & CyberSecurity, Griffith University Glen Carrie/Unsplash Social media platforms have had some bad press in recent times, largely prompted by the vast extent of their data collection. Now Meta, the parent company of ...3 days ago
- Why do my kids keep getting worms? And is that what is making them so cranky?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Sandeman, Honorary Professor, Federation University Australia Shutterstock As a parent, it might feel like you are constantly giving your children worm treatments – usually in the form of chocolate or sweetened chewable tablets. In fact, most kids in ...3 days ago
- Ukraine training programme: New Zealand to send another 120 Defence staffNew Zealand will send another 120 Defence staff to the UK to help train Ukraine soldiers to defend against Russia after the completion of the previous 30-strong deployment. ...3 days ago
- It’s time to give the ACT and NT stronger voices in parliamentSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kim Rubenstein, Professor, Academic Director, 50/50 by 2030 Foundation, University of Canberra With more independents, women, Indigenous Australians and MPs from a multicultural background than ever before, federal parliament seems ready to deal with issues that have been lying dormant for years. ...3 days ago
- Local Councils Welcome New Public Transport ModelLGNZ welcomes the Government’s move to allow councils to own bus services. The Public Transport Operating Model (PTOM) has been replaced with the new Sustainable Public Transport Framework. The new framework gives councils the ability to own and ...3 days ago
- Why do I wake up thirsty?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Evangeline Mantzioris, Program Director of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Accredited Practising Dietitian, University of South Australia Shutterstock If you wake up in the morning feeling thirsty, you might be dehydrated. There are a few things which might be at play ...3 days ago
- New Rules Letting Councils Nationalise Bus And Ferry Networks...3 days ago
- Free Speech Union Releases First Annual Universities Ranking ReportThe Free Speech Union has released the first Annual Universities Ranking Report , taking a critical look at the policies and practices of New Zealand’s universities with regards to free speech, and “grading” them on whether they suppress or encourage ...3 days ago
- Govt announces new transport and rental housing initiatives and enthuses about human rights (but wit...Buzz from the Beehive The big announcement from the Beehive so far today is that workers and public transport users are at the heart of a new approach to public transport branded the Sustainable Public Transport Framework. This is great news, although when you take workers and public transport users ...3 days ago
- 'Sustainable' public transport changes to allow councils ownershipThe government is touting its new policy as more sustainable, offering councils flexibility and control while improving worker pay and conditions. ...3 days ago
- End Private Healthcare Worker Covid Mandates NowThe New Zealand Chiropractors’ Association (NZCA) is again calling for the government to end COVID-19 mandates for private primary healthcare practices, as the continuing restrictions are unjust and unsubstantiated now that the Omicron variant is at large ...3 days ago
- Public Input Sought To Inform Privacy Rules For BiometricsPrivacy Commissioner Michael Webster is encouraging New Zealanders to have their say on the use of biometric information in Aotearoa New Zealand. The Office of the Privacy Commissioner today launched its consultation paper, Privacy Regulation of ...3 days ago
- Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says bullying issues not widespreadJacinda Ardern doesn't believe there are widespread issues of bullying across the party, but says employment matters will be raised from time-to-time in a large workplace. ...3 days ago
- ‘Life hates surprises’: can an ambitious theory unify biology, neuroscience and psychology?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ross Pain, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Philosophy, Australian National University Shutterstock In the early 1990s, British neuroscientist Karl Friston was poring over brain scans. The scans produced terabytes of digital output, and Friston had to find new techniques to sort and ...3 days ago
- Australia wasn’t always supportive of India becoming independent. But 75 years on, relations have ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amitabh Mattoo, Honorary Professor of International Relations, The University of Melbourne Mohandas Gandhi, who led India’s fight for independence, talks to a crowd in Ahmedabad, India in 1931. AP On this day 75 years ago, after a long battle for self-government, ...3 days ago
- The COVID lab leak theory is dead. Here’s how we know the virus came from a Wuhan marketSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Edward C Holmes, ARC Australian Laureate Fellow and Professor, University of Sydney My colleagues and I published the most detailed studies of the earliest events in the COVID-19 pandemic last month in the journal Science. Together, these papers paint a coherent evidence-based ...3 days ago
- Tall timber buildings are exciting, but to shrink construction’s carbon footprint we need to focus...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lisa Ottenhaus, Lectuer in Structural Timber Engineering, The University of Queensland Developer Thrive Construct recently announced the world’s tallest steel-timber hotel to be built at Victoria Square, Adelaide. Australia has caught onto the trend of building taller in timber, with other plans ...3 days ago
- Nathan Fielder’s new comedy The Rehearsal will be familiar to anyone with autismSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tamara May, Psychologist and Research Associate in the Department of Paediatrics, Monash University HBO While we all like to be prepared for what might happen in the future, like those difficult conversations and life choices, some go to extraordinary lengths ...3 days ago
- Bullying allegations: Labour MP Gaurav Sharma claims misspending 'hushed'Labour MP Gaurav Sharma is doubling down on his claim a colleague misused taxpayers' money despite the Parliamentary Service determining no spending rules were broken. ...3 days ago
- Business calls for ‘catch up’ migration, as participants position ahead of Albanese’s jobs sum...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Big business wants a “catch up boost” to permanent migration, with at least two thirds of the places going to skilled workers, In proposals for next month’s jobs and skills summit, the Business Council ...3 days ago
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