supercity
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National leaks again
Written By: - Date published: 7:33 am, October 6th, 2020 - 62 comments
A highly critical email about Judith Collins written by National Maungakiekie MP Denise Lee has been leaked and indicates that National’s Auckland policy was made on the hoof and without reference to the person in caucus with actual responsibility for the subject.
Labour’s Hefty Carrot-And-Stick For Water
Written By: - Date published: 8:37 am, August 31st, 2020 - 16 comments
New Zealand’s local and regional councils have been given until August 31 2020 to sign up to a ginormous fund that would help them improve their water, wastewater, and stormwater systems. The implications for them doing this are significant and could see the end of Council control of the supply of water.
What Now Phil Goff?
Written By: - Date published: 1:19 pm, August 17th, 2020 - 36 comments
The Chief Executive of Watercare Raveen Jaduram has resigned. With Auckland Council’s recent Council Controlled Organisation review having been concluded and the recommendations released is this the opportunity to require meaningful change of Watercare?
How to kill the car
Written By: - Date published: 7:17 am, April 29th, 2020 - 45 comments
What would you do so that instead of wandering endlessly through tilt-slab monstrosities soaked in 80s music and fluorescent lighting, surrounded by oppressed minimum-wage slaves who hate being there and you hating being there worried about your wheeled asset damaged in their carpark instead you get freedom?
How Covid-19 is smashing councils
Written By: - Date published: 9:23 am, April 26th, 2020 - 69 comments
Just as most industries in New Zealand are firing thousands of people to cut costs, local government is getting ready to do the same.
Pure clear water
Written By: - Date published: 7:15 am, February 21st, 2020 - 44 comments
It’s probably time to notice why Jones’ Provincial Growth Fund had to step in and provide several million of funding to patch up the water supply emergency in Northland.
Brittle cities
Written By: - Date published: 7:30 am, October 29th, 2019 - 10 comments
It is pretty hard to miss a variety of cities around the world going nuts for apparently minor offences.
The Government-Auckland relationship
Written By: - Date published: 1:22 pm, October 25th, 2019 - 26 comments
The Sky City National Convention Centre fire brings the Government Auckland relationship to a very sharp edge. It was tense before. It’s worse now.
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?
C&R candidate says something really offensive and stupid
Written By: - Date published: 2:08 pm, October 3rd, 2019 - 21 comments
A Whau Community and Resident Local Board candidate has apologised for using racist slurs against a minority group and accusing them of engaging in widespread fraud. But despite his apology an C&R spokesperson has doubled down on his original statements.
Monorail!
Written By: - Date published: 9:08 am, September 16th, 2019 - 26 comments
Auckland mayoral candidate Craig Lord has announced a policy that may turn the campaign on its head. Or may not.
The Free Speech Coalition goes to court
Written By: - Date published: 9:02 am, September 5th, 2019 - 70 comments
Jordan Williams and the Free Speech Coalition are in the High Court protecting the rights of Lauren Southern and Stefan Molyneux to express views the details of which Mr Williams does not know.
Bye bye Banks
Written By: - Date published: 12:35 pm, July 26th, 2019 - 8 comments
John Banks has announced that he will not be standing for Auckland’s mayoralty.
The return of Banks?
Written By: - Date published: 11:47 am, July 14th, 2019 - 28 comments
John Banks is reported to be considering another run at the Auckland mayoralty.
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.
RIP Penny Bright
Written By: - Date published: 8:11 am, October 5th, 2018 - 33 comments
Veteran Auckland political activist Penny Bright has died.
National wants to add to Auckland’s gridlock
Written By: - Date published: 4:11 pm, May 2nd, 2018 - 16 comments
National has promised to overturn Auckland’s Regional Fuel Tax. But has no proposal for how the funding will be replaced.
The Big Auckland Transport announcement
Written By: - Date published: 1:30 pm, April 26th, 2018 - 39 comments
Minister Phil Twyford and Mayor Phil Goff announced the ATAP, the transport programme for Auckland for the next ten years. At $28 billion it is the largest civil infrastructure programme since World War II.
A storm is coming
Written By: - Date published: 11:04 am, February 12th, 2018 - 65 comments
A big storm is set to hit Auckland next week. And it won’t be the last.
Auckland Council by election hypocrisy alert
Written By: - Date published: 11:03 am, January 22nd, 2018 - 13 comments
The National candidate for the Maungakiekie Tamaki Auckland Council by election is complaining that if the Labour candidate wins it will trigger a costly by election. But he is ignoring the fact that the three current by elections have all been caused by National endorsed local government representatives resigning.
Is it time to Nationalise Auckland?
Written By: - Date published: 8:51 am, January 13th, 2018 - 52 comments
It has been a decade now since Minister of Local Government Rodney Hide proposed amalgamating all of Auckland’s city councils into one enormous entity by dumping much of the Royal Commission’s proposals. Well it’s time to hold its results to account.
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.
The Mayoral candidates and the living wage proposal
Written By: - Date published: 9:00 am, September 4th, 2016 - 29 comments
I attended the Living Wage People’s assembly this week in St Matthews in the City. The idea behind the meeting was to get Mayoral and Waitemata ward candidates to express their views on the living wage proposal as well as improved public transport services and rental accommodation standards. The organiser was Living Wage Aotearoa who have been […]
Auckland Unitary Plan
Written By: - Date published: 10:40 am, July 27th, 2016 - 19 comments
Auckland’s Unitary Plan will be available on the web at 1:30pm today, with a tool for checking the impact on any Auckland address.
How to wreck a busway
Written By: - Date published: 1:30 pm, July 19th, 2016 - 20 comments
The Government’s proposal to allow hybrid vehicles to use bus lanes is not only crazy but they did not talk to local authorities before doing so.
Can We Support Phil Goff for Auckland Mayor?
Written By: - Date published: 9:00 am, June 21st, 2016 - 59 comments
Every year, Auckland is more of New Zealand. More of its real estate risk, more of its social problems, more of its productivity drag. Just more. And hence more of its politics. This government has long since abandoned policy coherence over any Auckland issue: housing, immigration, innovation, transport, electricity, youth employment, poverty, public health, growth, […]
Strategic Arse Elbow
Written By: - Date published: 7:46 am, June 2nd, 2016 - 135 comments
Today at about the same time the Government will turn the first sod of the city rail link and then announce more urban sprawl for Auckland. This is the most massive policy and programme contradiction in a lifetime.
Leggett does a runner
Written By: - Date published: 5:58 pm, March 11th, 2016 - 16 comments
Porirua Mayor Nick Leggett says he will announce his decision about running for Mayor of Wellington at a launch later this month. It sounds like he has already made up his mind about what he is running for; the real question is what is he running from?
Supercity IT cost blowout
Written By: - Date published: 7:02 am, March 2nd, 2016 - 70 comments
The real costs of the Auckland IT merger are at least six times higher than National’s original $200 million estimate. This significantly alters the economic case that was made for the “supercity”. Was National’s estimate deliberately wrong, or was it just incompetent?
- Geoffrey Miller: New Zealand’s surprising relationship with the Middle East
Geoffrey Miller looks at New Zealand’s growing relationship with the Middle East and North Africa – and contemplates its future Amidst New Zealand’s level 4 coronavirus lockdown in March, all but a handful of the country’s troops stationed in Iraq returned home, three months earlier than scheduled. The New Zealand ...6 hours ago - And Then There Were Four: Book Publishing and Oligopoly
Most people would be surprised to learn that there are only five major English-language book publishers on the planet. Book-publishing isn’t as glamorously naughty as, say, the oil industry, so this concentration of industry power largely exists outside popular consciousness. Besides, the existence of imprints (trade names) disguises ...1 day ago - Media reaction: Boris Johnson’s ‘10-point’ net-zero plan for climate change
This is a re-post from Carbon Brief The UK prime minister Boris Johnson has announced a long-awaited “10-point plan” laying out measures to scale up the nation’s climate ambition. These policy proposals and funding packages have been framed as a means to create jobs, promote a “green recovery” from Covid-19 and help ...2 days ago - The secret advice on Labour’s RMA “fast-track”
Back in June, Labour steamrolled the COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Bill into law, using urgency and a sham select committee process which left too little time for submitters to respond effectively. The law created a separate "fast-track" process for resource consents for "shovel-ready" projects, which cuts the public out of ...2 days ago - Transformation or Progress?
Why this government will not be transformative; do we want it to be?Half of the current cabinet could not vote in the 1990 election when the neoliberal government, among other things, attacked the foundations of the welfare state – an attack which has not been reversed. Only a quarter could ...2 days ago - Always more fish in the sea? Maybe not
The recent article by Andrea Vance on Stuff , ‘The way we protect the oceans is badly outdated. Will the Government change that?’ is timely, but needs further unpacking. For this is an important issue.In it, she rightly claims “We are far behind the rest of the world and failing ...2 days ago - Climate Change: Calling us on our bullshitUnder Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand is - rhetorically at least - pretending to be a leader on climate change. Meanwhile, our emissions keep going up and up, with the second-highest percentage increase among Annex I countries. And now, our friends are finally calling us on our bullshit: New Zealand's ...2 days ago
- Labour sells out kiwisSo, Labour has given in to the whining from farmers, and will be allowing 2,000 RSE workers into the country to pick their fruit, though with tighter conditions: they'll have to be paid a living wage and employers must pay for their quarantine. Which sounds good, until you remember that ...3 days ago
- Up and Down with COVID-19: Could President Trump Be Right (Twice!) In The End?
We all witnessed President Trump in denial about COVID-19 at his political rallies. The mantra 'we have turned the corner' ('bigly', no doubt!), became a daily diet for Trump's base in the final days of the US presidential campaign, notwithstanding overwhelming evidence to the contrary. Similarly, he promised that a ...3 days ago - The Second Term (With Apologies To William Butler Yeats)
Yearning and yearning for a comforting liarThe people will not hear the truth, nor trust the truth-teller;Stories fall apart, the centre is not real;Mere dull geometry to gull a duller world.Our poll-driven narrative is loosed, but everywhereThe target audience refuses to be wowed.The best shun social-media, while the worstStill tweet ...3 days ago - Spit & Polish: A National Party Story.Consensus Politician: Following his victory in the 1960 general election, National’s second prime minister, Keith Holyoake, stretched himself out like a smug family cat over the sunny years of the early 1960s and purred. THERE’S A STORY about the National Party that always struck me as important. It concerns National’s ...3 days ago
- A Caucus Of Velvet Gloves.Uniformly Diverse: There is one very simple reason why this government, comprised overwhelmingly of members of the Professional-Managerial Class, will find it almost impossible to understand what the bottom half of New Zealand society needs: because it is supremely confident that it already does. NEW ZEALAND now boasts one of ...3 days ago
- Climate Change: An emergencySome good news today: Parliament will declare a climate emergency next week: The Government has revealed plans to pass a climate change emergency motion in Parliament next week. An attempt was made to pass one last term but NZ First opposed it. The motion itself would have no practical ...4 days ago
- NZDF should not be allowed to handle this in-houseYesterday we learned that an NZDF soldier with links to Nazi groups has been charged with espionage (along other things) and will be prosecuted via court-martial. Whether the charges are justified is for a court to determine, but it seems deeply inappropriate to use a military court for this. The ...4 days ago
- The Adventures of Annalax: Volume XIII
So… Ember the Demon Thing. Not nice. Not nice at all. Annalax asked Alan the Wizard if he knew anyone who could possibly deal with this mess. Alan said a certain unhinged female acquaintance near the Mountains of Madness might have the sufficiently dodgy knowledge to pull it ...4 days ago - Skeptical Science New Research for Week #47, 2020"Don't make us stop the car." Climate change of a different kind: Examining the climate effects of a regional nuclear weapons exchange using a multiscale atmospheric modeling approach, investigated by Wegman, Lundquist et al. There's good news: the main proximate cause of the resulting global mess might last only about 4 ...4 days ago
- Taking the pissWhile the borders are closed, employers can still get visas for "essential" workers. But some of the jobs deemed "essential" don't seem to be: Applications were approved for 633 different jobs ranging from low skilled roles including taxi driver, cafe worker and cleaner, through to highly skilled jobs such ...5 days ago
- A Parliament that sounds like AotearoaI'm watching the swearing in of MPs today on Parliament TV, and pleased to hear the linguistic diversity in our Parliament. In addition to a good number of MPs doing their oaths or affirmations in Te Reo, there's also been Samoan, Tongan, Dutch, Korean, plus (as best as I can ...5 days ago
- Changing stuff…
By Professor Peter Dearden, Director Genomics Aotearoa Science is an excellent way of allowing us to question test and understand the world we live in. But that knowledge also provides us with something else; the ability to change things, to solve problems, and to make life on earth a bit ...5 days ago - Letter to the Reserve Bank
This is how you fix something. ...5 days ago - Gas-powered cars: Beginning of the end in California?This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Bruce Lieberman Can California really do it? Can it completely ban the sale of new gas-powered cars in 15 years – 15 years – and lead the country toward a fossil fuel-free future? Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom says so. In a ...5 days ago
- The COVID-19 pandemic in Aotearoa/NZ: A brief photo-essay with 10 photosLuke Pilkinton-Ching, Prof Michael Baker, Prof Nick Wilson In this photo-essay of the COVID-19 pandemic in Aotearoa/NZ, each photo is accompanied by a brief comment on the pandemic impact or response. In some instances these images reflect success factors such as the relatively early introduction of border controls and the ...5 days ago
- A Phuulish Fellow Turns Five Years OldOn 25th November, 2015, this humble blog made its debut. Five years to the day later… it has evolved into something I could not have predicted. In the early days, of course, it was primarily about my own writing, and thoughts on the wider fantasy genre. Since then ...5 days ago
- ‘Courageous’ investment means innovation stays in NZ, not sold off overseasJessica C Lai, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington and Jesse Pirini, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington New Zealand is in an economic recession and the government is trying to spend its way through it with direct investment to boost the economy and jobs. At ...5 days ago
- Aches on a plane – new findings on in-flight Covid transmissionOne of the good things about New Zealand pursuing an elimination strategy for Covid-19 (aside from the obvious) is that we are able to help answer some of the questions there are about how the SARS-CoV-2 virus transmits between people. Take air travel. As many people in the US start ...6 days ago
- Reading the roomIt looks like the government has finally read the room on the housing crisis, with Finance Minister grant Robertson writing to the Reserve Bank to tell them to start looking at controlling house prices: Finance Minister Grant Robertson has told Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr that it’s time to ...6 days ago
- Why the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine is now a global game changerMichael Head, University of Southampton In the long dark tunnel that has been 2020, November stands out as the month that light appeared. Some might see it as a bright light, others as a faint light – but it is unmistakably a light. On November 9, Pfizer announced the interim ...6 days ago
- Graeme Edgeler: The Vague promise of a better tomorrow: Why a three-year Parliamentary term is good ...New Zealand is not the only country with a three-year term of Parliament, but there aren’t many others. Most countries have longer terms, with theoretically less of a democratic check on political power. Most other countries also have some combination of: a bicameral legislature, a supreme constitution, strong judicial review ...6 days ago
- “Goodfellas”: The Neoliberal National Party Shows Its Ugly Face.Unaccountable? A reasonable National Party member might have anticipated that a president who led his party to the second-worst defeat in its history would feel obliged to fall upon his sword in recognition of the scale of his failure. Such a member would have been disappointed. Peter Goodfellow (above) was ...6 days ago
- Big Eye Wide, But ShutA few days ago the US National Science Foundation (NSF) announced the decommissioning of the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico. This story has been the subject of items in the mass media around the globe, and also in New Zealand. Cables supporting the massive horns and radio receivers above ...6 days ago
- From revolution to narcissism
For much of the 20th century the progressive movement was focused on real and crucial issues. What is called progressive now is a farce. ...6 days ago - The Church of Woke...6 days ago
- 2020 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming Digest #47Story of the Week... Toon of the Week... Coming Soon on SkS... Climate Feedback Claim Review... SkS Week in Review... Poster of the Week... Story of the Week... Warm Arctic, Cold Continents? It Sounds Counterintuitive, but Research Suggests it’s a Thing Scientists suspect that rapid warming in the ...6 days ago
- Ardern’s crocodile tears won’t fix the housing crisisPeople are getting very grumpy at the government's refusal to act on the housing crisis. Jacinda Ardern's response? To tell everyone she cares,/A>: Jacinda Ardern says one of the things that sets her Government apart from the National Party is Labour's concern over skyrocketing house prices. The median house ...7 days ago
- Victoria University of Wellington Alumni post-election panel discussionThe landmark 2020 New Zealand general election is going to be discussed and analysed for many years to come. for an early attempt at making sense of the results, VUW hosted a panel discussion on 4 November for Alumni to watch and participate in. The panel was chaired by Bryce ...7 days ago
- Modernity Bias: Daniel Greene’s Top Fantasy CharactersYouTuber Daniel Greene has put out a list of his personal favourite fantasy characters: It’s a decent enough list, for the most part (confession time – I have never read a Sanderson book). And it’s a purely subjective question anyway, what with different people having different preferences. ...1 week ago
- SpaceX’s Starlink satellites are about to ruin stargazing for everyoneSamantha Lawler, University of Regina I walk outside my rural Saskatchewan house before dawn and look up, expecting to have my breath taken away by the sheer number of stars overhead. I’m a professional astronomer, but I still appreciate naked-eye stargazing as much as an eager child. This is the ...1 week ago
- Hitler’s Playbook
No one can now doubt that Donald Trump is making a determined and sustained attempt to overturn the result of a democratic election and to defy the will of the people. He is clearly determined to hold on to power, whatever the verdict delivered by the ballot box – even ...1 week ago - 2020 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #472020A chronological listing of news articles linked to on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, Nov 15, 2020 through Sat, Nov 21, 2020 Editor's Choice The 'market' won't save us from climate disaster. We must rethink our system Expecting the free market to fix global warming ...1 week ago
- Capital Vol. 3 lectures: The Falling Rate of Profit
– Transforming Industry to Empire
This is the fifth lecture in the lecture series by Andy Higginbottom on superexploitation. Part one of the lecture series is here, part two is here, part three is here and part four here. (Unfortunately the first minute of the lecture where the content of the lecture is outlined was not recorded.) ...1 week ago - Ken Can’t Count: No, the New Zealand Election Wasn’t Rigged
As tempting as it may be to snigger at unsubstantiated allegations of United States election fraud… New Zealand can’t be smug. Every country has its dingbats, and 2020 has shown that we are no exception. I mention this, because over the past month or so, a committed little collection ...1 week ago - Meeting The Overwhelming Quantum Of Need: A Modest Proposal For Ending New Zealand’s Housing Crisi...Deja Vu: Architectural drawing of the planned mass housing development planned for Auckland in the mid-1940s. IT COULD BE DONE. This government could make a serious attempt to house the 20,000 people waiting for social housing before the next election. It would, however, require them to do something they have, ...1 week ago
- How to choose the right Christmas gift: tips from psychological researchAdrian R. Camilleri, University of Technology Sydney Christmas is a time of celebration, relaxation and gift giving. But choosing gifts can also make it a time of stress and anxiety. The wrong gift can actually do more harm than good. Here is some advice, based on decades of research, on ...1 week ago
- Fleeing to the Dawn: Published2020 has been rather quiet on the short story front, but I have found a home for another of my pieces. A 1700-word fantasy (arguably getting into vignette territory), titled Fleeing to the Dawn, is now out as part of the Autumn 2020 edition of Shorts Magazine. The ...1 week ago
- Observations of past climate change help rule out natural causes of current climate changeThis post is an updated intermediate rebuttal to the myth "climate is changing now because climate has always changed". It was written by Scott Knapp as part of the George Mason University class Understanding and Responding to Climate Misinformation, combining climate science and communication best practices to debunk common climate myths. The total rate of global ...1 week ago
- As Safe As Houses?
Stein’s law says that if something cannot go on forever, it wont. But does a speculative bubble matter? The cryptocurrency bubble can be left to itself (tax evasion and criminal transactions aside). Why shouldn’t we do the same for housing? There are two general reasons why we should be concerned ...1 week ago - Good riddanceAustralian polluter Beach Energy has announced that it is cancelling plans to drill off Dunedin next year. The exploration permit in question, 38264, has a "drill or drop" requirement and has to drill an exploratory well by October 2021. But more importantly, it expires in November 2021. PEPANZ, the polluter ...1 week ago
- Repairing a hole in the wall with the diffusion equationLast week child number 1 managed to put a hole in a plasterboard (‘gib’) wall. I wasn’t in the room at the time, but I believe it had something to do starting at one end of the house, running down the corridor, through the bedroom doorway, doing a forward flip ...1 week ago
- Andy Asquith, Andrew Cardow, and Karen Webster: What ever happened to local government?We would like to congratulate Nanaia Mahuta on her promotion to the role of Foreign Minister – an important historic move. We are delighted both to see some stability in the local government portfolio holder and to see it held by someone senior in the cabinet rankings. For once we ...1 week ago
- The Political Economy Of Pride And Prejudice.For The Few, Not The Many: In the face of this widening gulf between the rich and the poor, successive New Zealand governments have opted for the same role that Jane Austen chose to play while her beloved England busied itself defeating Napoleon Bonaparte and the revolutionary egalitarian impulses he ...1 week ago
- What is causing the increase in atmospheric CO2?This post is an updated intermediate rebuttal to the myth "CO2 increase is natural, not human-caused". It was written by Erika Harrington as part of the George Mason University class Understanding and Responding to Climate Misinformation, combining climate science and communication best practices to debunk common climate myths. Atmospheric CO2 has increased by more ...1 week ago
- Obvious questions for the NZDFToday the Brereton report on war crimes by the Australian SAS was released, finding that Australian SAS troops had murdered 39 Afghan civilians and prisoners of war, with various actions taken to cover up the crimes. A special prosecutor will be appointed, and 25 soldiers have been referred for prosecution. ...2 weeks ago
- Matariki, history and ethnicity research honouredEvery year Royal Society Te Apārangi celebrates the achievements of researchers, scholars, and kairangahau who have achieved excellence in their disciplines throughout Aotearoa. This year separate ceremonies were held in the three main centres. In the first of two posts, we highlight the Māori and Pasifika recipients from the ...2 weeks ago
- Keeping Rates LowFor decades, the Wellington City Council has been Keeping rates Low, skimping on infrastructure maintenance to pander to elderly property-owners. The result? Shit on the streets: Wastewater crews are working to fix a drain that is causing human faeces to pour onto a street in central Wellington. Wellington Water ...2 weeks ago
- Reconnecting with taha Māori on the shores of Lake TaupōIn one day with her kaumatua (elder) on the southern shores of Lake Taupō, Yvonne Taura (Ngāiterangi, Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāti Hauā, Ngāti Uenuku, Ngāti Tūwharetoa) found her future career ambition was to raise awareness in restoring New Zealand’s wetlands back to health. In 2002 and in the middle of an ...2 weeks ago
- Enhancing the lives of tāngata whenuaFiona Wiremu (Ngāi Tūhoe | Ngāti Ranginui) is driven to do all she can to enhance the lives of tāngata whenua and that’s evident in the multiple research areas she covers. These include mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge) such as te reo Māori, culture and identity, Whai Rawa (Māori Economies), Te ...2 weeks ago
- Skeptical Science New Research for Week #46, 2020If you learn something, say something The American Meteorological Society publication The Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences is encouraging authors to think about a wider readership's needs when submitting papers: The American Meteorological Society (AMS) mission statement specifically calls for advancing “the atmospheric and related sciences . . . for ...2 weeks ago
- It always pays to check before you shareBack in 2008, Dr Anthony Fauci (yes, that Dr Fauci) co-authored a paper that examined the interplay between influenza infection and secondary bacterial infection in mortality from the “Spanish flu¹” pandemic of 1918-19. He and his colleagues examined tissue samples taken during autopsies at the time of the pandemic, using ...2 weeks ago
- The Hollow Persons (With Apologies To T.S. Eliot)Let’s do this Let’s keep moving IWe are the hollow personsInflated with hot airHanging togetherFor fear of hanging separately. Cut!Our empty promises, whenFirst we make them,Are far from empty.We are inflamed by the thrillOf passionate sounds,Like Boomers watching porn,Mistaking the image for the deed.Policy ...2 weeks ago
- The harmful impacts of climate change outweigh any benefitsThis post is an updated intermediate rebuttal to the myth "global warming is good". It was written by Sophia Whitaker as part of the George Mason University class Understanding and Responding to Climate Misinformation, combining climate science and communication best practices to debunk common climate myths. The Pros and the Cons Our current ...2 weeks ago
- Southern Gothic Politics: The Bluing of Otago-Southland
The New Zealand Labour Party seems pretty happy with the October 2020 election. And on the whole, it is right to be happy. Single party majority governments don’t grow on trees under proportional representation. However, buried within the results are some… less encouraging signs for Labour (or alternatively, more ...2 weeks ago - Climate Change: The problem of air travelUntil the pandemic, air travel was one of the fastest growing causes of greenhouse gas emissions. And its obscenely unequal, with just 1% of the world's population causing 50% of the problem: Frequent-flying “‘super emitters” who represent just 1% of the world’s population caused half of aviation’s carbon emissions ...2 weeks ago
- Branko Marcetic: If Labour rests on its Covid-defeating laurels then its headed for a big fallJacinda Ardern’s Labour Party has received a historic landslide victory based on its competent handling of Covid, but the new government already shows worrying signs of complacency. Branko Marcetic argues that Labour can’t expect Covid issues to keep its popularity up and if it is to survive in power it ...2 weeks ago
- The obvious questionStuff reports that housing speculators aren't paying their taxes: Speculators are making millions in an overheated housing market but as many as one in four didn’t pay the tax they owed on properties flipped last year, IRD figures reveal. Of the 1701 property sales subject to the bright-line test ...2 weeks ago
- Climate Change: Time to phase out fossil vehiclesBack in February, the UK announced that it was bringing forward its fossil-fuel vehicle phase out from 2040 to 2035. Now, they're about to bring it forward again, to 2030. Which has caused Climate Change Minister James Shaw to suggest that we follow them: Climate Change Minister James Shaw ...2 weeks ago
- What would happen if we cut down the Amazon rainforest?Climate Explained is a collaboration between The Conversation, Stuff and the New Zealand Science Media Centre to answer your questions about climate change. If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, please send it to climate.change@stuff.co.nz What would happen if we cut down the ...2 weeks ago
- How we know human CO2 emissions have disrupted the carbon cycleThis post is an updated intermediate rebuttal to the myth "Human CO2 emissions is tiny compared to natural CO2 emissions". It was written by Ziheng Sun as part of the George Mason University class Understanding and Responding to Climate Misinformation, combining climate science and communication best practices to debunk common climate myths. Nature ...2 weeks ago
- Secondhand clothing sales are booming – and may help solve the sustainability crisis in the fashio...Hyejune Park and Cosette Marie Joyner Armstrong, Oklahoma State University A massive force is reshaping the fashion industry: secondhand clothing. According to a new report, the U.S. secondhand clothing market is projected to more than triple in value in the next 10 years – from US$28 billion in 2019 to ...2 weeks ago
- To advance, workers must break the law: a reply to John Kerrby Don Franks In response to my piece NZ union structure past its use by date John Kerr wrote: Bit of a cop out of an article: some penetrating analysis of what’s wrong (echoed in other pieces by Trotter et al) but no concrete suggestions around possible solutions… I agree ...2 weeks ago
- This is not a solutionAnger over the housing crisis and the betrayal of the kiwi dream has reached high enough levels that the Prime Minister feels she has to (be seen to) do something about it. Her solution? Subsidising property sellers: While facing questions this morning, Ardern revealed the Government was looking into ...2 weeks ago
- New data privacy rules are coming in NZ — businesses and other organisations will have to lift the...Anca C. Yallop, Auckland University of Technology Most people these days are aware that what they share online is both valuable and vulnerable. Data privacy has become a major concern for consumers and corporations alike. The issue will come to a head when New Zealand’s Privacy Act 2020 comes into ...2 weeks ago
- A witch-hunt devastates the Auckland art worldNina Power is a left-wing, Marxist influenced artist. Her work often takes a class-based analysis and explores women’s oppression. She recently became the target of a vicious attack and was slanderously was called a Nazi after she wrote an essay that was part of an exhibition of 400 flags. The ...2 weeks ago
- Even the banks can see which way the wind is blowingJacinda Ardern has famously ruled out taxing wealth in any way, saying "not as long as I'm Prime Minister". Meanwhile, Westpac is saying that its inevitable: Rising public anger about growing inequality is likely to force the imposition of a capital gains or wealth tax in the next few ...2 weeks ago
- Moderna follows Pfizer with exciting vaccine news – how to read these dramatic developmentsSimon Kolstoe, University of Portsmouth It is very exciting to hear another positive story about vaccine trial results – a good vaccine is the most likely way of ending the pandemic. Last week, interim results from Pfizer suggested its vaccine reduces cases of COVID-19 with 90% efficacy. Now Moderna has ...2 weeks ago
- If Only We Had A Minister Of Broadcasting Worthy Of The Title.Worryingly Uninterested: Given Broadcasting Minister Kris Faafoi’s evident uninterest in the classic Reithian principles of public broadcasting – i.e. to educate, elevate and entertain the people – any review of his motivations for rolling-up TVNZ and RNZ into a single, state-owned broadcasting entity, leaves one fearing the worst.MORE OR LESS ...2 weeks ago
- “The Government books are doing better than expected”: Grant Robertson on our economic r...
This week we presented the audited Government accounts for the year to 30 June 2020. These always take a while to be audited and published. But this year, with all that is been happening they cover a time that seems long ago! ...2 days ago - Greens call for decent working conditions for all horticulture workers
The Green Party is calling on the Government to ensure all people working in horticulture are paid liveable wages and have access to quality accommodation. ...3 days ago - SPEECH: Opening the 53rd ParliamentE aku hoa i te ara o te whai, Kia kotahi tā tātou takahi i te kō, ko tōku whiwhi kei tō koutou tautoko mai. ...4 days ago
- Oranga Tamariki head should question whether she has trust of Māori communities“When considering whether to resign, Oranga Tamariki head Grainne Moss should question whether communities on the ground, particularly Māori, have trust and faith in her to do the job”, Green Party Māori Development spokesperson Dr Elizabeth Kerekere said today. ...4 days ago
- Green Party welcome Adrian Orr’s full and frank advice on taxWe welcome Adrian Orr signalling that he will provide advice to the Finance Minister on fiscal measures, include tax changes, to cool the housing market, Green Party Finance spokesperson Julie Anne Genter said today. ...4 days ago
- “We can do better”: Kelvin Davis talks tackling racism in education"Racism exists – we feel little and bad." Those were the unprompted words of one student during an interview for the Education Matters to Me report produced by the Children’s Commissioner in 2018. ...5 days ago
- Green Party respond to Government review of housing settingsIt is a positive step that the Government is looking at options to take the heat out of the housing market, and has written to the Reserve Bank to that effect, but they must be open to using all the tools available to them, Green Party Co-leader and spokesperson on ...6 days ago
- Speeding up recovery: fast-tracking projects to boost jobs, build housesWe’ve announced three additional projects to go through the fast-track resource consenting process. Read below for a quick rundown of what these projects are, what the fast-tracking process means, and why the Government is using fast-tracking as one way to create jobs sooner and accelerate our economic recovery from COVID-19. ...6 days ago
- Reports of prisoner abuse show need for prisons rethink and independent oversightReports of an asthmatic woman being bombed in her cell with pepper spray, being forced to lie face down on the ground to be fed, and having to show used sanitary items to guards to receive more, shows obscene human rights violations that need addressing, Green Party Corrections and Human ...6 days ago
- Green Party announce portfolio reshuffle with talented and energised caucus teamThe Green Party Co-leaders have announced their portfolio reshuffle for the 53rd Parliament. “The Green Party caucus offers a breadth of talent and energy to the Parliament this term. In ten MPs you have a small business owner, a human rights lawyer, an academic, a climate negotiator, a transport planner, ...7 days ago
- Nearly 50 percent increase in Kiwi apprenticesAs we recover and rebuild from COVID-19, we’re investing in major shovel-ready and long-term infrastructure projects up and down the country – creating thousands of jobs in the trades nationwide. ...1 week ago
- Celebrating World Children's DayThis World Children’s Day, we’re taking a look at all the ways we’re working to make New Zealand the best place in the world to be a child. ...1 week ago
- Report of alleged war crimes by Australian Defence Force in Afghanistan a distressing reminder of th...The Green Party strongly condemns the revelation of alleged war crimes by the Australian Defence Force in Afghanistan, with an alleged unlawful killing of 39 people by 25 Special Forces personnel. ...1 week ago
- SPEECH: 10th Anniversary of Pike River tragedyTēnei te mihi ki a tātau katoa e huihui nei i tēnei rā I greet us all who are gathered here today ...1 week ago
- Greens commit to ensuring strong oceans protection this termThe Green Party will work with Labour this term to ensure better protections for our oceans, Green MP Eugenie Sage said today. ...2 weeks ago
- Kiwis deserve fair prices at the supermarket2020 has been a tough year. Not only has COVID-19 presented unique challenges to the way we work, play and socialise, for many Kiwis the pandemic has also meant more of a strain on the back pocket. ...2 weeks ago
- Auckland COVID-19 case shows need for extended sick leave before busy Christmas periodThe case of an Auckland city worker heading to work with COVID-19 symptoms shows the need for urgent extended sick leave, Green Party Workplace Relations spokesperson Jan Logie said today. ...2 weeks ago
- Meet our new MPsWondering who our new Labour MPs are? We asked our 23 new Caucus members to share a little about themselves and the experience they will be bringing to Parliament... ...2 weeks ago
- Reserve Bank policies will inevitably heat housing market, Government must implement tax reform to c...The Government must use levers to prevent further over-heating of the housing market, which will result from the Reserve Bank pumping another $28 billion into the economy in the form of cheap loans to banks. ...2 weeks ago
- Successful prosecution of Talley’s deep-water fishing division shows need for more marine protecte...Today’s ruling that Talley’s deep-water fishing division, Amaltal, is guilty of bottom trawling in the Hikurangi Marine Reserve demonstrates the need for increased fisheries enforcement and strong marine protected areas off our coasts, Green MP Eugenie Sage said today. ...3 weeks ago
- Next steps for Christchurch Hospital campus redevelopment
Canterbury DHB will be better placed to respond to future demand for services and continue to deliver high quality care, with the next stage of the campus redevelopment programme confirmed, Health Minister Andrew Little says. The Government has approved $154 million in funding for the construction of a third tower ...2 days ago - Five Power Defence Arrangements Defence Ministers’ Joint StatementThe Defence Ministers from Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and United Kingdom reaffirmed their nations’ continued commitment to the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA), and commended the achievements over the past 49 years as the FPDA moves towards its 50th Anniversary in 2021. The Ministers recognised the FPDA’s significant role ...2 days ago
- Jobs for Nature funding protects health of Hawke’s Bay waterwaysA joint Government and Hawke’s Bay Regional Council project will invest $4.2 million to protect local waterways, enhance biodiversity and employ local people, Environment Minister David Parker announced today. Over two years, the Hāpara Takatū Jobs for Nature project will fence 195km of private land to exclude stock from vulnerable ...3 days ago
- New Year border exception for seasonal workers in the horticulture and wine industries2000 additional RSE workers to enter New Zealand early next year employers must pay these workers at least $22.10 an hour employers will cover costs of managed isolation for the RSE workers RSE workers will be paid the equivalent of 30 hours work a week while in isolation From January ...3 days ago
- Government increases support for New Zealanders to work in seasonal jobsThe Government is offering further financial support for unemployed New Zealanders to take on seasonal work. These new incentives include: Up to $200 per week for accommodation costs $1000 incentive payment for workers who complete jobs of six weeks or longer increasing wet weather payments when people can’t work to ...3 days ago
- Government receives Royal Commission of Inquiry report into the Terrorist Attack on Christchurch Mos...Minister for Internal Affairs Jan Tinetti has today received the Royal Commission of Inquiry report into the Terrorist Attack on Christchurch Mosques, and will table it in Parliament on Tuesday December 8. “I know this will have been a challenging process for whānau, survivors and witnesses of the terrorist attack ...3 days ago
- New Zealand Government to declare a climate emergencyThe Government will declare a climate emergency next week, Climate Change Minister James Shaw said today. “We are in the midst of a climate crisis that will impact on nearly every ...3 days ago
- Call for urgent action on Pacific conservationA declaration on the urgency of the global biodiversity crisis and the need for immediate, transformative action in the Pacific was agreed at a pan-Pacific conference today. The 10th Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation and Protected Areas is taking place this week across the Pacific. Minister of Conservation Kiritapu ...3 days ago
- Speech from the throneE aku hoa i te ara o te whai, Kia kotahi tā tātou takahi i te kō, ko tōku whiwhi kei tō koutou tautoko mai. Ko tāku ki a koutou, hei whakapiki manawa mōku. He horomata rangatira te mahi, e rite ai te whiwhinga a te ringatuku, me te ringakape ...4 days ago
- Keynote address to Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand conferenceSpeech to the CAANZ conference - November 19, 2020 Thank you, Greg, (Greg Haddon, MC) for the welcome. I’d like to acknowledge John Cuthbertson from CAANZ, the Commissioner of Inland Revenue Naomi Ferguson, former fellow MP and former Minister of Revenue, Peter Dunne, other guest speakers and CAANZ members. I ...5 days ago
- Expert independent advisory group appointed to strengthen the future of Māori broadcastingA panel of seven experts are adding their support to help shape the future of Māori broadcasting, Minister for Māori Development Willie Jackson has announced today. “Today I will meet with some of the most experienced Māori broadcasters, commentators and practitioners in the field. They have practical insights on the ...5 days ago
- Government to review housing settingsNew Zealand’s stronger-than-expected economic performance has flowed through to housing demand, so the Government will review housing settings to improve access to the market, the Finance Minister Grant Robertson announced today. “Our focus is on improving access to the housing market for first home buyers and ensuring house price growth ...6 days ago
- Crown accounts reflect Govt’s careful economic managementThe better-than-expected Crown accounts released today show the Government’s careful management of the COVID-19 health crisis was the right approach to support the economy. As expected, the Crown accounts for the year to June 2020 show the operating balance before gains and losses, or OBEGAL, was in deficit. However that ...6 days ago
- Community launch marks next step in addressing racism in educationThe launch of Te Hurihanganui in Porirua today is another important milestone in the work needed to address racism in the education system and improve outcomes for Māori learners and their whānau, Associate Education Minister Kelvin Davis says. Budget 2019 included $42 million over three years to put Te Hurihanganui ...6 days ago
- Government to consider recommendations on DNA use in criminal investigationsThe Minister of Justice has received the Law Commission’s recommending changes to the law governing the way DNA is used in criminal investigations. The report, called The Use of DNA in Criminal Investigations – Te Whahamahi I te Ira Tangata I ngā Mātai Taihara, recommends new legislation to address how ...6 days ago
- Speech to Wakatū Nelson regional hui on tradeFirst, I want to express my thanks to Te Taumata for this hui and for all the fantastic work you are doing for Māori in the trade space. In the short time that you’ve been operating you’ve already contributed an enormous amount to the conversation, and developed impressive networks. I ...6 days ago
- Speech to Primary Industries SummitThank you for the opportunity to speak to you today about the significant contribution the food and fibres sector makes to New Zealand and how this Government is supporting that effort. I’d like to start by acknowledging our co-Chairs, Terry Copeland and Mavis Mullins, my colleague, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor, ...6 days ago
- Fast track referrals will speed up recovery and boost jobs and home buildingThe Government is taking action to increase jobs, speed up the economic recovery and build houses by putting three more projects through its fast track approval process. “It’s great to see that the fast-track consenting process is working. Today we have referred a mix of potential projects that, if approved, ...6 days ago
- Papakāinga provides critically needed homes in HastingsA papakāinga opened today by the Minister for Māori Development the Hon Willie Jackson will provide whānau with much needed affordable rental homes in Hastings. The four home papakāinga in Waiōhiki is the first project to be completed under the ‘Hastings Place Based’ initiative. This initiative is a Government, Hastings ...1 week ago
- New Zealand ready to host APEC virtuallyPrime Minister Jacinda Ardern took over the leadership of APEC earlier today, when she joined leaders from the 21 APEC economies virtually for the forum’s final 2020 meeting. “We look forward to hosting a fully virtual APEC 2021 next year. While this isn’t an in-person meeting, it will be one ...1 week ago
- Revival of Māori HorticulturistsThe rapid revival of Māori horticulture was unmistakeable at this year’s Ahuwhenua Trophy Awards, with 2020 marking the first time this iconic Māori farming event was dedicated to horticulture enterprises. Congratulating finalists at the Awards, Māori Development Minister Willie Jackson said growing large-scale māra kai is part of Māori DNA. ...1 week ago
- Emergency benefit to help temporary visa holdersFrom 1 December, people on temporary work, student or visitor visas who can’t return home and or support themselves may get an Emergency Benefit from the Ministry of Social Development, Social Development and Employment Minister Carmel Sepuloni announced today. Previously, temporary visa holders in hardship because of COVID-19 have had ...1 week ago
- School sustainability projects to help boost regional economiesForty one schools from the Far North to Southland will receive funding for projects that will reduce schools’ emissions and save them money, Education Minister Chris Hipkins announced today. This is the second round of the Sustainability Contestable Fund, and work will begin immediately. The first round announced in April ...1 week ago
- Farmer-led projects to improve water health in Canterbury and OtagoMore than $6 million will be spent on helping farmers improve the health of rivers, wetlands, and habitat biodiversity in Canterbury and Otago, as well as improving long-term land management practices, says Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor. Four farmer-led catchment group Jobs for Nature projects have between allocated between $176,000 and ...1 week ago
- Tupu Aotearoa continues expansion to Pacific communities in Nelson, Marlborough, Tasman & Northl...Pacific communities in Nelson, Marlborough, Tasman and Northland will benefit from the expansion of the Tupu Aotearoa programme announced today by the Minister for Pacific Peoples, Aupito William Sio. The programme provides sustainable employment and education pathways and will be delivered in partnership with three providers in Northland and two ...1 week ago
- New primary school and classrooms for 1,200 students in South IslandEducation Minister Chris Hipkins unveiled major school building projects across the South Island during a visit to Waimea College in Nelson today. It’s part of the Government’s latest investment of $164 million to build new classrooms and upgrade schools around the country. “Investments like this gives the construction industry certainty ...1 week ago
- Minister of Māori Development pays tribute to Rudy TaylorToday the Minister of Māori Development, alongside other Government Ministers and MP’s said their final farewells to Nga Puhi Leader Rudy Taylor. “Rudy dedicated his life to the betterment of Māori, and his strong approach was always from the ground up, grassroots, sincere and unfaltering” “Over the past few ...1 week ago
- Prime Minister to attend APEC Leaders’ SummitPrime Minister Jacinda Ardern will attend the annual APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting and associated events virtually today and tomorrow. “In a world where we cannot travel due to COVID-19, continuing close collaboration with our regional partners is key to accelerating New Zealand’s economic recovery,” Jacinda Ardern said. “There is wide ...1 week ago
- Speech to Infrastructure NZ SymposiumTena Koutou, Tena Koutou and thank you for inviting me to speak to you today. This is a critical time for New Zealand as we respond to the damage wreaked by the global COVID-19 pandemic. It is vital that investment in our economic recovery is well thought through, and makes ...1 week ago
- Pike River 10 Year Anniversary Commemorative ServiceTēnei te mihi ki a tātau katoa e huihui nei i tēnei rā Ki a koutou ngā whānau o te hunga kua riro i kōnei – he mihi aroha ki a koutou Ki te hapori whānui – tēnā koutou Ki ngā tāngata whenua – tēnā koutou Ki ngā mate, e ...1 week ago
- Huge investment in new and upgraded classrooms to boost construction jobsAround 7,500 students are set to benefit from the Government’s latest investment of $164 million to build new classrooms and upgrade schools around the country. “The election delivered a clear mandate to accelerate our economic recovery and build back better. That’s why we are prioritising construction projects in schools so more ...1 week ago
- Keeping Pike River Mine promises 10 years onTen years after the Pike River Mine tragedy in which 29 men lost their lives while at work, a commemorative service at Parliament has honoured them and their legacy of ensuring all New Zealand workplaces are safe. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern attended the event, along with representatives of the Pike ...2 weeks ago
- Additional testing to strengthen border and increase safety of workersNew testing measures are being put in place to increase the safety of border workers and further strengthen New Zealand’s barriers against COVID-19, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said today. “These strengthened rules – to apply to all international airports and ports – build on the mandatory testing orders we’ve ...2 weeks ago
- More public housing delivered in AucklandThe Government’s investment in public housing is delivering more warm, dry homes with today’s official opening of 82 new apartments in New Lynn by the Housing Minister Megan Woods. The Thom Street development replaces 16 houses built in the 1940s, with brand new fit-for-purpose public housing that is in high ...2 weeks ago
- Agreement advanced to purchase up to 5 million COVID-19 vaccinesThe Government has confirmed an in-principle agreement to purchase up to 5 million COVID-19 vaccines – enough for 5 million people – from Janssen Pharmaceutica, subject to the vaccine successfully completing clinical trials and passing regulatory approvals in New Zealand, says Research, Science and Innovation Minister Megan Woods. “This agreement ...2 weeks ago
- Jobs for Nature funding will leave a conservation legacy for Waikanae awaNinety-two jobs will be created to help environmental restoration in the Waikanae River catchment through $8.5 million of Jobs for Nature funding, Conservation Minister Kiritapu Allan announced today. “The new funding will give a four-year boost to the restoration of the Waikanae awa, and is specifically focussed on restoration through ...2 weeks ago
- New Dunedin Hospital project progresses to next stageAs the new Dunedin Hospital project progresses, the Government is changing the oversight group to provide more technical input, ensure continued local representation, and to make sure lessons learnt from Dunedin benefit other health infrastructure projects around the country. Concept design approval and the release of a tender for early ...2 weeks ago
- Jump in apprentice and trainee numbersThe number of New Zealanders taking up apprenticeships has increased nearly 50 percent, and the number of female apprentices has more than doubled. This comes as a Government campaign to raise the profile of vocational education and training (VET) begins. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Education Minister Chris Hipkins announced ...2 weeks ago
- ReBuilding Nations Symposium 2020 (Infrastructure NZ Conference opening session)Tena koutou katoa and thank you for the opportunity to be with you today. Can I acknowledge Ngarimu Blair, Ngati Whatua, and Mayor Phil Goff for the welcome. Before I start with my substantive comments, I do want to acknowledge the hard work it has taken by everyone to ensure ...2 weeks ago
- New Zealand's biosecurity champions honouredBiosecurity Minister Damien O’Connor has paid tribute to the winners of the 2020 New Zealand Biosecurity Awards. “These are the people and organisations who go above and beyond to protect Aotearoa from pests and disease to ensure our unique way of life is sustained for future generations,” Damien O’Connor says. ...2 weeks ago
- 3 ways to transform our ‘Soviet-style’ aged-care mess into a system that puts older Australians ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Duckett, Director, Health Program, Grattan Institute Australia’s aged-care system is in sore need of transformation. This is becoming increasingly clear. If the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety — whose interim report was titled Neglect — was not enough ...4 hours ago - View from The Hill: How will ADF chief react if government insists Special Operations Task Group sho...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The government is getting itself onto very sticky paper in the developing row over revoking the citation awarded to the Special Operations Task Group that served in Afghanistan because of alleged atrocities committed by a ...5 hours ago
- Christchurch terror attack report: 'People need to be accountable'
A Royal Commission into the Christchurch terror attack won't deliver sorely needed public accountability, but a coroner's inquest could, says the Islamic Women's Council. ...7 hours ago - 36 arrested after police break up Free Papua rallies in Manokwari, SorongThe West Papua regional police (Polda) have arrested 36 people in Manokwari and Sorong city following a demonstration commemorating the anniversary of the West Papua New Guinea National Congress (WPNGNC) at the weekend, reports CNN Indonesia. West Papua regional police spokesperson Assistant Superintendent Adam Erwindi said that the people arrested ...11 hours ago
- Top economists want JobSeeker boosted by $100+ per week and tied to wagesSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Martin, Visiting Fellow, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Once about as high as the pension, the JobSeeker (Newstart) unemployment payment has fallen shockingly low compared to living standards. It’s now only two thirds of the pension, just 40% ...13 hours ago
- Live updates, November 28-29: One new case of Covid-19 in managed isolation
Welcome to The Spinoff’s live updates for November 28-29. Reach me on aliceneville@thespinoff.co.nzSunday, November 291.40pm: One new case of Covid-19 in managed isolationThe Ministry of Health is reporting one new case of Covid-19 in managed isolation today, and no new community cases. The new case is a person who arrived ...14 hours ago - The good and bad news about boomersWe’re the generation who’ve been there and done that and earned the right to what we’ve got, but the flip side to the freedom that comes with being the boss of me is selfishness, writes NZ Herald’s Simon Wilson in this Herald Premium article.At a business conference in the Aotea ...14 hours ago
- Perimenopause is not fun, but it’s inevitablePerimenopause and its big sister, menopause, can seem like the cruellest of jokes after a lifetime of hormone-related struggles. Ensemble‘s Rebecca Wadey felt overwhelmed, until she started talking, and listening, and realised she wasn’t the only one.2020 has been a confusing mess. I pride myself on my ability to cope ...18 hours ago
- How the 53rd Parliament was openedThe 53rd Parliament of New Zealand has been officially opened over two days of ceremonies in Wellington. The House explains what unfolded. ...19 hours ago
- A poem for .. Peter Goodfellow
New Zealand's semi-official poet laureate Victor Billot pens topical verse every Sunday. Today: re-elected National Party president Peter Goodfellow. Fellowship of the grim Hale fellows! Hale fellows of great repute! The bells they do ring and the trumpets they toot! Hale legendary fellows! Hearty fellows! ...19 hours ago - When did songs stop having lyrics I knew by heart?Linda Burgess on the soundtrack to her life. We drove up to Auckland last month. Our darling Edward, who, if suddenly out of sight, could well be found waving from the roof, was turning four. Unlike the time before, we weren’t turned back at Havelock North, when our phones, and the ...22 hours ago
- How much would you pay for a photo of our ancestors?Photographs of tūpuna Māori are fetching top prices at auction houses, but do Māori and Pākehā view them in the same way?On September 20, 2001, an auction of 300 rare photographic prints and plates was blocked due to protests by Māori activists. The collection, potentially worth at least $150,000, included ...22 hours ago
- Withholding Evidence An Alarming Development
“It is disturbing to learn that evidence from senior public servants to the Royal Commission into the Christchurch mosque attacks will be withheld in full,” says ACT Justice and Firearms Law Reform spokesperson Nicole McKee. “Firstly, this was ...2 days ago - “We Are All Palestinians”Celebrating UN International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People The Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa and the Palestine Community of New Zealand are celebrating UN International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People tomorrow with an event ...2 days ago
- It’s no secret – but you mightn’t know NZ has signed on for continued commitment to Five Power...
Health Minister Andrew Little has announced the Government’s approval of $154 million of funding to add a new tower block with 64 more beds to Christchurch Hospital’s $525m acute services building. Stuff and RNZ were among the media to report this news. We found no media reports (albeit our search ...2 days ago - How tech became a lifeline for the Covid-hit hospo industryIn just a matter of months, e-commerce systems have become a crucial piece in the puzzle that will ensure the hospitality sector has a fighting chance. Anyone in hospitality knows there wasn’t any fat in their business margins before Covid, so when the pandemic hit, many questioned how they could possibly ...2 days ago
- Cha chow down: A food comic about Courtenay Place’s cosiest caveIn the first in a series of Wellington-focused food comics, Liliana Mañetto Quick explains why she loves Cha, a haven of calm on Courtenay Place. ...2 days ago
- Live updates, November 28-29: Mosque attacks evidence suppressed for 30 yearsWelcome to The Spinoff’s live updates for November 28. Reach me on aliceneville@thespinoff.co.nz9.00am: Accountability concerns raised over mosque attacks evidence suppressionThe royal commission into the terror attacks on two Christchurch mosques on March 15, 2019 has suppressed evidence given by ministers and senior public servants for 30 years, sparking concerns ...2 days ago
- I see you, CK SteadJordan Margetts, who is working on a masters comparing CK Stead and Philip Roth, reviews the second volume of Stead’s memoir. Not least among the neuroses and quiddities of novelists and poets is the lingering idea that they might actually get to cheat death. Not the death of the body, of ...2 days ago
- Short story: The Idol, by Leonardo Guzzo
A short story about Diego Maradona (1960-2020), by Leonardo Guzzo, and translated into English by Alessandra Giorgioni. The story was inspired by a mesmerising YouTube video of Maradona when he arrived to play in Naples. The beaten earth of the pitch no longer absorbs water. It becomes a bog after ...2 days ago - Try-scoring injury knocks cricketer Suzie Bates for six
LISTEN: On this week's Extra Time, cricketer Suzie Bates talks about the 'try-scoring' injury forcing the longest break in her career. White Ferns batting maestro Suzie Bates is one who's happy that the women's cricket World Cup has been delayed a year, as she prepares for a long break out ...2 days ago - Farewell to Jan Morris, the writer who shaped how the outside world sees usTransgender pioneer, the last surviving member of Hillary’s Everest team, and one of the world’s greatest travel writers – Jan Morris, who died this week aged 94, was one of a kind.Just as international travel has become a vicarious pursuit, one of the great travel writers has passed away. Jan ...2 days ago
- Eugene Bareman: the beating heart of New Zealand kickboxingFrom rugby to law school to UFC, City Kickboxing’s Eugene Bareman talks to Michelle Langstone about what drew him to the sport, training his fighters during the Covid-19 lockdown, and helping build his beloved gym from the ground up. Portraits by Edith Amituanai.The air inside Auckland’s City Kickboxing gym is ...2 days ago
- Covid: an endgame taking shape?
Things are moving fast on Covid, perhaps faster than we realise. But as Europe painfully grinds its way through a second lockdown, it’s easy to miss this. First of all, it’s more of a lockdown-lite this time. Policy is more nuanced and – although most people are too polite ...2 days ago - PNG Supreme Court dismisses challenge to Marape’s electionBy RNZ Pacific Papua New Guinea’s Supreme Court has dismissed a legal challenge over the election of James Marape as prime minister last year. The challenge by Opposition Leader Belden Namah related to alleged irregularities in the parliamentary election 18 months ago. During the May 2019 session, after resigning as ...2 days ago
- 40-day ‘fasting for West Papua’ protest ends soon – but still no actionPacific Media Centre Newsdesk An appeal for a 40-day fast across the region by the Pacific Council of Churches in support of West Papua closes next week with no result in sight. The secretary-general of the PCC, Rev James Bhagwan, and West Papua Church Council (WPCC) are still waiting for ...2 days ago
- Call By NZ Outdoors Party To Boycott Qantas If Mandatory Vaccinations Enforced"Qantas set a dangerous precedent on Monday when it announced its “No Jab No Fly” policy for mandatory vaccination for Qantas customers." Said Tracy Livingston, the NZ Outdoors Party spokesperson on health. Tracy added "Many ...2 days ago
- Maradona: the Bolivarian Soccer GeniusSource: Council on Hemispheric Affairs – Analysis-Reportage By Danny Shaw and William Camacaro From NY and Caracas The fighting peoples of the world lost a humble legend yesterday. Diego Armando Maradona was 60-years-old. Arguably the greatest soccer player to ever grace the pitches, the spirited striker combined unparalleled ...2 days ago
- Coon’s rebranding dilemma: polishing a brand name to stay out of controversySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Abas Mirzaei, Senior Lecturer – Branding, Macquarie University The makers of Coon cheese will no doubt have paid close attention to the publicity surrounding Nestle’s rebadging of its Red Skins and Chicos confectionary brands. While the change of Chicos to Cheekies was ...2 days ago
- Fullers360's Response To The Prime Minister's Climate Emergency DeclarationMike Horne, Chief Executive Officer, Fullers360: “Fullers360 supports Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s announcement yesterday indicating the declaration of a climate emergency in New Zealand. As Auckland’s largest ferry provider, Fullers360 recognises ...2 days ago
- Keith Rankin Chart Analysis: Covid-19: Orders of Magnitude – USA vs. China, World2 days ago
- Fish & Game Endangers Its Vital Public Role By Moving Closer To Federated FarmersFreshwater Campaigners Say The NZ Fish And Game Council Is Endangering Its Vital Public Role In The Protection Of Rivers And Lakes If It Moves Closer To Federated Farmers, Following Today’s Announcement On The Two Organisations’ Intention To ...2 days ago
- The Week in Politics: Govt gets serious about housing crisisAnalysis - The finance minister asks for Reserve Bank help to deal with the housing crisis, Oranga Tamariki chief executive says she won't quit and Māori Party MPs walk out on day one. ...2 days ago
- The Unity Books children’s bestseller chart for the month of NovemberWhat’s the best way to get adults reading? Get them reading when they’re children – and there’s no better place to start than the Unity Children’s Bestseller Chart.AUCKLAND1 Skunk & Badger by Amy Timberlake & Jon Klassen (Allen & Unwin, $26, 4+)“One of the best books I’ve read all year ...3 days ago
- Planning a road trip in a pandemic? 11 tips for before you leave, on the road and when you arriveSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Thea van de Mortel, Professor, Nursing and Deputy Head (Learning & Teaching), School of Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University As restrictions ease around the country and the prospect of travel beckons, many of us will be planning road trips for the holiday ...3 days ago
- Haunted still by the ‘ship of death’, Samoa is on high Covid alertThe 1918 Spanish flue devasated Samoa, and its impact is still felt today, writes Tootoooleaav Dr Fanaafi Aiono-Le Tagaloa.Within minutes of news that crew members of the cargo ship Fesco Askold had tested positive for Covid-19, a social media storm broke across Samoa. Covid-free until then, the island nation’s anxiety ...3 days ago
- Can ‘hubs’ make up for the erasure of small-town banks?The finance minister went to Martinborough today to open a new regional banking hub. But as Alex Braae reports, many see it as too small a measure to address a serious issue for regional New Zealand.There hasn’t been a bank branch in the south Wairarapa centre of Martinborough for a ...3 days ago
- Biden’s cabinet picks are globally respected, but one obstacle remains for the US to ‘lead the w...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra The “team of rivals” was the term historian Doris Kearns Goodwin used to describe US President Abraham Lincoln’s cabinet. It included three men who had run against Lincoln ...3 days ago
- NZ to admit 2000 Pacific horticulture workers under strict conditionsBy Eric Frykberg, RNZ News The New Zealand government has offered help to the under-pressure horticultural sector by allowing 2000 registered seasonal employer (RSE) workers in to help pick fruit and vegetables this summer. Growers had complained that without these workers, some produce would rot unpicked. The government has ...3 days ago
- The Friday Poem: Code name by Oscar UppertonA new poem by Oscar Upperton from a sequence about Dr James Barry, a 19th century surgeon whose gender has been the subject of much debate.Code nameYoung Barry begins the study of medicine, under a new name and in a new town.A name needs rinsing out, once in a while.I ...3 days ago
- Crown threatens court action over Newsroom video
Crown lawyers are considering legal action to have the Newsroom documentary on Oranga Tamariki removed from this website The Government's top lawyer, Solicitor-General Una Jagose, wants the High Court to stop Newsroom continuing to publish a video documentary on Oranga Tamariki's 'reverse uplift' of young Māori children. She has sought an urgent ...3 days ago - Yesterdaze: A lesson in talking the talk
Jacinda Ardern has been busy with pre-talk talks about having formal pre-talk talks, while the housing hot potato gets passive-aggressively tossed around. James Elliott has the news of the week. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern spoke with US President-in-waiting-until-20-January-2021 Joe Biden this week. It’s unclear whether she was calling Joe to congratulate ...3 days ago - The border is NZ’s first defence against Covid-19 – but the rules will be relaxed to ensure our ...
Having reminded Parliament that New Zealanders in October elected a majority Government for the first time under our Mixed Member Proportional electoral system, and that the Government enjoys the confidence of a clear majority of members in the House of Representatives, the Speech from the Throne set out the policy ...3 days ago - New Health Minister Andrew Little promises to fast-track reforms of the health sectorThe new Health Minister is promising to fast-track reforms of the health sector within the next 18 months to two years. ...3 days ago
- NZ may be excluded from climate leaders summit
New Zealand may not be invited to a meeting of high-ambition climate leaders in December over concerns about the country's inaction on climate change, Marc Daalder reports New Zealand's attendance at a summit of high-profile, high-ambition global leaders on climate change is in doubt. The Sprint to Glasgow meeting is ...3 days ago - How to avoid getting ripped off in the Black Friday bargain carnivalWith retailers being urged to advertise honest and genuine savings this Black Friday, here’s what consumers should be looking out for.It’s been tough for a lot of businesses this year, but there was some good news for retailers earlier this week when Stats NZ revealed sales had jumped 7.4% year-on-year ...3 days ago
- Newsletter: New Zealand Politics Daily – November 27 2020Editor’s Note: Here below is a list of the main issues currently under discussion in New Zealand and links to media coverage. Today’s content Opening of new Parliament Henry Cooke (Stuff): New Parliament brings old debates as Judith Collins and Jacinda Ardern fail to shift dial on first day back Justin Giovannetti (Spinoff): Get set, go: Labour ...3 days ago
- More Than 1700 Attend EMA Spring BriefingsNew Zealand border issues, skills and staff shortages and new rules around compulsory Christmas shut-downs dominated discussions during the EMA’s recently completed Spring Briefing round. More than 1700 EMA members joined the briefings with record ...3 days ago
- Speaker of the House and Māori Party accuse each other of grandstanding after walk-outThe Speaker of the House and the Māori Party are accusing each other of grandstanding after the Māori Party's two MPs walked out of the first session of the new Parliament yesterday. ...3 days ago
- Labour Seems To Have Finally Realised There Is A Housing Crisis In New ZealandThe housing crisis right now in New Zealand is one of our biggest contributors to income and wealth inequality. With the explosive increase in sales and prices going on right now, those with houses or able to buy them for whatever reason, have their ...3 days ago
- Climate Change An Economic Issue; Critical For The Planet’s FutureAustralia’s Lord Mayor of Darwin, Kon Vatskalis, says climate change is an economic issue and is critical to their city’s future. He says they need to act as it is critical to avoid irreparable damage to more than $1billion of community infrastructure ...3 days ago
- The Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending November 26The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 A Promised Land by Barack Obama (Penguin Random House, $70)The first volume of Obama’s presidential memoirs, released four ...3 days ago
- CTU Welcomes Living Wage For Fruit PickersThe Council of Trade Unions is welcoming today's announcement by Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi and Agriculture Minister Damien O'Connor that the 2000 people from the Pacific being brought to New Zealand to pick seasonal fruit, will be paid no less ...3 days ago
- CTU Welcomes Living Wage For Fruit PickersThe Council of Trade Unions is welcoming today's announcement by Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi and Agriculture Minister Damien O'Connor that the 2000 people from the Pacific being brought to New Zealand to pick seasonal fruit, will be paid no less ...3 days ago
- Suspensions Up Over 25% – Time To Provide Students Online ChoiceLatest Ministry of Education figures, released under the Official Information Act, reveal the number of school students suspended increased by 25.4% - from 2,618 students in 2015 to 3,283 in 2019, with the current school year’s data still being collated. ...3 days ago
- Suspensions Up Over 25% – Time To Provide Students Online ChoiceLatest Ministry of Education figures, released under the Official Information Act, reveal the number of school students suspended increased by 25.4% - from 2,618 students in 2015 to 3,283 in 2019, with the current school year’s data still being collated. ...3 days ago
- Victoria may have eliminated COVID-19, but eradication is a distant dreamSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Toole, Professor of International Health, Burnet Institute Today Victoria satisfied a common definition of elimination for COVID-19, recording its 28th consecutive day of zero new cases. While there is no international definition of elimination, two average incubation periods without community transmission ...3 days ago
- Can you really make $400 a day picking cherries?Claims that cherry pickers can pull in $400 a day should have all of us packing our bags and heading south. But is orchard work really that lucrative?Every year, as a crisp and blissful summer thaws the South Island out of its languor, students at the University of Otago toss ...3 days ago
- Call Of The Kererū Reveals A Hidden TreasureA new two part documentary gives a rare and insightful look into Tūhoe and their unique relationship with Te Urewera as seen through the iwi’s connection with the kererū. Te Kura Huna o Te Urewera (The Hidden Treasure of Te Urewera) speaks to ...3 days ago
- Black Friday: Time To Break Up AmazonThis ‘Black Friday’, the ITUC is joining a global movement calling for urgent action to deal with the serial, corporate abuse of Amazon. Governments and regulators must step in to stop Amazon: abusing its dominant market position squeezing small ...3 days ago
- Royal Commission Report Is Just The StartThe release of the Royal Commission of Inquiry report that looked into why the Police granted a gun license to the man who then committed the massacre on March the 15th last year is just the start, according to the Sporting Shooters Association of New ...3 days ago
- 10 Considerations Before Giving Pets For ChristmasWith the season to be jolly upon us, animal lovers might be tempted to share their joy by putting a puppy or kitten under the Christmas tree. However, PD Insurance is advising Kiwis to avoid the urge unless 100 percent sure it’s the right gift ...3 days ago
- These rangatahi Māori animation grads are ready to tell their own storiesHelping to get more rangatahi Māori interested in animation and design industries, the first class from the Māoriland MATCH programme are set to graduate today. The Māoriland film festival is run every year out of Ōtaki, a small town on the Kāpiti Coast. The five-day event hosts a number of Indigenous ...3 days ago
- Curious Kids: could dinosaurs evolve back into existence?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Poropat, Postdoctoral Researcher (Palaeontology), Swinburne University of Technology Will there ever be dinosaurs again? — Anonymous What an interesting question! Well, technically dinosaurs are still here in the form of birds. Just like you’re a direct descendant of ...3 days ago
- Taking proper sick leave has never been more crucial. So why are people still ‘soldiering on’ at...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Esme Franken, Lecturer in Management, Edith Cowan University New South Wales premier Gladys Berejiklian, who last week carried on working for up to two hours while awaiting the results of a rapid COVID test, wasn’t the first Australian to “soldier on” in ...3 days ago
- Devastated by disease in the past, Samoa is on high alert after recent coronavirus scaresSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tootoooleaava Dr. Fanaafi Aiono-Le Tagaloa, Law Lecturer and Convenor of Pacific Engagement, University of Waikato Within minutes of news that crew members of the cargo ship Fesco Askold had tested positive for COVID-19, a social media storm broke across Samoa. COVID-free until ...3 days ago
- How will sharks respond to climate change? It might depend on where they grew upSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Culum Brown, Professor, Macquarie University They may have been around for hundreds of millions of years — long before trees — but today sharks and rays are are among the most threatened animals in the world, largely because of overfishing and habitat ...3 days ago
- 5 ways Australia can get ahead in attracting and retaining Chinese international studentsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yu Tao, Senior Lecturer in Chinese Studies, University of Western Australia Before the COVID-19 pandemic, about two in every five international students enrolled in Australian higher education institutions were from mainland China. These Chinese students brought in more than $A10 billion a ...3 days ago
- Delivery rider deaths highlight need to make streets safer for everyoneSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amelia Thorpe, Associate Professor in Law, UNSW Five food-delivery cyclists have died on Australian roads in the past three months, four in Sydney. Most commentary has focused on the harsh employment conditions that force people to take risks they shouldn’t have to. ...3 days ago
- Vital Signs: Janet Yellen, the very model of a modern Madam SecretarySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Richard Holden, Professor of Economics, UNSW It is widely tipped that US president-elect Joe Biden will nominate Janet Yellen as Treasury Secretary – one of the most important posts in any administration. She will make for a terrific Treasury Secretary, bringing with ...3 days ago
- Friday essay: 5 museum objects that tell a story of colonialism and its legacySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alistair Paterson, ARC Future Fellow, University of Western Australia Two new Australian museums are emerging from old ones as the year draws to a close. The new Chau Chak Wing Museum at the University of Sydney assembles rich collections from across the ...3 days ago
- Live updates, November 27: Māori Party co-leaders were ‘grandstanding’ – speaker Welcome to The Spinoff’s live updates for November 27. Reach me on stewart@thespinoff.co.nz8.00am: Māori Party co-leaders were ‘grandstanding’ – speakerSpeaker of the house Trevor Mallard has defended his actions in the house yesterday, when he prevented the Māori Party co-leaders from speaking during the first session of the new parliament.It ...3 days ago
- The Bulletin: Massive workforce boost for horticulture sectorGood morning and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Massive workforce boost for horticulture sector, wild opening day at parliament, and dwindling specialist doctor workforce raises burnout fears.Two announcements from the government this morning will give the horticulture sector a major workforce boost. As the NZ Herald’s Derek Cheng reports, 2000 places ...3 days ago
- Declaration Of ‘Symbolic’ Climate EmergencyDoes the Government know we are in a climate and ecological emergency, our house is on fire, and we are heading for a catastrophe? Today the government signalled that next week in parliament they intend to pass a climate emergency motion. The ...3 days ago
- 'My name is Ibrahim Omer'
Former refugee and new MP Ibrahim Omer captivated Parliament yesterday with his maiden speech to the House. Here is the transcript, from Hansard, of his life's journey: IBRAHIM OMER (Labour): Kia ora and salaam alaikum. My name is Ibrahim Omer. I'm an Eritrean. I'm a son, brother, a friend. I'm a ...3 days ago
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