supercity
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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 - 69 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?
Future Auckland
Written By: - Date published: 8:35 am, October 19th, 2015 - 20 comments
There are rumours that National is looking to organise a new regional ticket, Future Auckland, to contest next year’s local body elections in Auckland.
Christine Fletcher’s dear Phil letter
Written By: - Date published: 2:48 pm, October 15th, 2015 - 17 comments
Christine Fletcher has penned an open letter to Phil Goff where she criticises in trenchant terms super city’s current performance and offers some thoughts on where improvement can be made.
Auckland Council debates the TPPA
Written By: - Date published: 1:34 pm, October 9th, 2015 - 26 comments
Auckland Council yesterday passed some seemingly non contentious resolutions requesting for the text of the TPPA to be released and seeking a response from the Government about resolutions that had been passed a couple of years earlier. But the resolutions were opposed vigorously by right wing councillors who then complained about the time and expense the debate consumed.
Smith embarrassed as Iwi propose legal proceedings over Auckland housing
Written By: - Date published: 7:51 am, June 15th, 2015 - 60 comments
Ngati Whatua and Waikato-Tainui have announced that they will seek a declaration from the High Court on their rights to participate in the constructing of social housing on Crown land in Auckland. Their proposal that the Crown joins with them in making a joint application is a good one. Surely Nick Smith will agree to this.
Hosking wants Auckland Council deposed
Written By: - Date published: 11:00 am, May 8th, 2015 - 45 comments
From the I kid you not files Mike Hosking believes that Auckland Council is to blame for the housing crisis, not immigration, not favourable tax conditions for landlords, not the global financial crisis and not the lack of restrictions on home ownership. And he believes that Nick Smith should step in and Roll Auckland Council.
Ports of Auckland is out of control
Written By: - Date published: 8:33 am, May 3rd, 2015 - 28 comments
Ports of Auckland’s recent behaviour outlines a major weakness with Auckland super city. Corporate interests are able to take precedence over the wishes of our democratically elected representatives.
Palino and Slater have to be joking
Written By: - Date published: 9:23 pm, October 18th, 2013 - 260 comments
Of course John Palino did not know about the Len Brown Bevan Chuang relationship despite Chuang’s boyfriend who knew of the relationship being on his campaign team and despite Cameron Slater’s father being Palino’s campaign manager. Update: The Herald this morning has reported that Chuang claims to have met Palino for 90 minutes two days before the news of the affair was made public where the disclosing to Brown of the news was discussed.
Lusk/Slater to run negative Auckland campaign
Written By: - Date published: 3:49 pm, July 15th, 2013 - 58 comments
According to the tip line the farcical duo of Lusk and Slater will soon be kicking off a large negative campaign against Len Brown.
The bill arrives for the “supercity”
Written By: - Date published: 1:52 pm, August 1st, 2012 - 37 comments
The bill for the Nats’ Auckland “supercity” is arriving in ratepayers’ letterboxes. Some are in for a nasty shock…
Aucklanders to pay for Nats’ negligence
Written By: - Date published: 8:35 am, May 28th, 2011 - 71 comments
Auckland ratepayers are going to be stuck with a huge bill for the Nats’ failure to properly cost the merging of the old Councils’ IT systems. As Russell Brown puts it – “Someone has to be accountable for this”…
News round-up
Written By: - Date published: 8:46 am, February 10th, 2011 - 5 comments
*English vs English on assets sales, as business commentators come out against the flawed business case for privatisation. *Will Hide honour his word and resign over Supercity debacle? *Foreshore Bill to join CERRA as a constitutional outrage. *Economic woe keeps coming. *Is the ‘brighter future’ on its way or just more Key stunts?
Happy birthday Auckland
Written By: - Date published: 12:01 am, November 1st, 2010 - 7 comments
Happy Birthday Auckland! The new Supercity is now in effect, with Mayor Len Brown at the helm. How is the tension between a left wing mayor representing a third of the country, and a right wing central government, going to play out? The Nats can’t afford to let Auckland fail…
John Banks: Signs I’d like to see
Written By: - Date published: 7:29 am, September 22nd, 2010 - 32 comments
John Banks has gone big on billboards in his campaign for mayor. So I thought I’d show some that I’d like to see…
Another broken Supercity promise
Written By: - Date published: 2:28 pm, August 28th, 2010 - 17 comments
Yet another broken promise on the Auckland Supercity, as ministers fail to consult on the directors of council-controlled organisations. Will The Herald stand by its earlier thundering editorial?
Can we talk about the issues please?
Written By: - Date published: 10:42 am, July 14th, 2010 - 24 comments
Can we pease have some reporting on the actual issues in the super-major race and where the candidates stand? I’m so sick and tired of loading the news-sites to be told who spent what on what (with the implication that there’s all a massive scandal somewhere) or a factual piece reporting on the opinion of some supposed expert on how the candiates are doing as if it’s a horse race.
Banks joins the spenders’ club
Written By: - Date published: 9:57 am, June 29th, 2010 - 40 comments
I have very mixed feelings about all this scrutiny of the spending of public figures. However, for the record, Supercity mayoral hopeful John Banks now joins the spending club.
Strong showing for Len Brown
Written By: - Date published: 11:22 am, May 16th, 2010 - 9 comments
Sam Cash writes it’s good news for Auckland with Len Brown opening up a strong lead over John Banks. Len Brown’s campaign seems to have been quietly gathering momentum since he launched his insurgency last year.
Aucklanders revolt against Right’s Supercity
Written By: - Date published: 9:05 am, May 14th, 2010 - 37 comments
The Right has forced the Supercity on Aucklanders who don’t want it, don’t need it, and won’t benefit from it. Aucklanders were denied their legal right to a referendum on amalgamation into the Supercity. But they’re getting a vote soon. And they’re going to punish the Right’s candidates. And, of course, Brown is also just a far better candidate.
Aucklanders – check OurAuckland and vote.
ACT gerrymanders Auckland for the rich
Written By: - Date published: 3:05 pm, March 11th, 2010 - 23 comments
The Local Government Commission released its final ward boundaries for Auckland today and the result is a city gerrymandered by ACT to favour the interests of the rich.
That’s the verdict from No Right Turn, who’s crunched the numbers and discovered a systematic bias for the Right.
Stealing Auckland
Written By: - Date published: 7:05 am, February 25th, 2010 - 4 comments
Auckland is being stolen from the people who live there. It will end up like a christmas turkey – “decapitated, plucked, gutted, stuffed, stitched up, roasted and carved up. And when the diners have eaten their fill, all you have left is a dead carcass.”
A sign of the times
Written By: - Date published: 10:35 am, February 19th, 2010 - 10 comments
The Northern Action Group has, with the support of 80% of Northern Rodney District, been petitioning the Government to leave Northern Rodney out of its Supercity experiment. The Government, as throughout the Supercity process has completely ignored the wishes of the people. Symbolically, the Northern Action Group has put a broken campaign sign on Trade […]
Bhatnagar to knock out Hide?
Written By: - Date published: 12:46 pm, January 16th, 2010 - 22 comments
There is a story in today’s Herald noting that current C&R Hobson councillor Aaron Bhatnagar is not going to stand for the new super-council. He is taking on the running of Banks’ faltering mayoral campaign and has been offered a job in the new mayoral office should they turn around Len Brown’s momentum. But the […]
Destroying Auckland city
Written By: - Date published: 4:49 pm, November 3rd, 2009 - 2 comments
Yesterday the Auckland Transition Agency (ATA) released its draft structure for the new Auckland council. Fortunately for the staff, and service levels in the new Auckland council, the ATA has a ‘commitment to maintaining or enhancing council service delivery.’ This means: ‘A prudent approach will be taken to staff reduction where services are reorganised to […]
- 2017 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #25
A chronological listing of news articles posted on the Skeptical Science Facebook page during the past week. Editor's Pick From heatwaves to hurricanes, floods to famine: seven climate change hotspots Global warming will not affect everyone equally. Here we look ...38 mins ago - Foot in Mouth Award – Nicky Wagner, because disabilities issues are such a drag on a nice day
. . Bennett had it (and probably still does)… . . Key had it; . . … still had it; . . Aaron Gilmore had it; . . Steven Joyce has it; . . Alfred Ngaro has it; . . ...8 hours ago - Opinion: I would never listen to any of my employees
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Earlier this year I bought the book Shattered: Inside Hillary Clinton's Doomed Campaign for my Dad. Here's how one reviewer opens his account of that account:read more ...18 hours ago - Nick Smith lied about combustible panels in NZ
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- Pull the other oneIssues around illegal interception of communications have been prominent in the media over the last few years. There's the Kim Dotcom case, of course, and all the GCSB's shennanigans around driftnetting communications (including those of New Zealanders) from our Pacific ...2 days ago
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What a mess. The gates of Awataha Marae, where the interns were staying. Photo: Mihingarangi Forbes/RNZ . WHAT WAS THE INTERNSHIP SCHEME? About 85 interns from overseas arrived in New Zealand to join the ...2 days ago - No comparison in substandard housing
The hypocrisy of the right wing concerning substandard accommodation couldn’t be more apparent this week. Happy to try and take the focus off of their Todd Barclay problem, the right wing propagandists are clearly overreacting to Labour’s voluntary overseas student's ...2 days ago - Hard News: Friday Music: Digging ASMR
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Has another week passed you by with nary a fleeting glance at the weird and wonderful world of online content? Do you quake with fear at the prospect of rolling up to yet another Friday drinks with no idea what’s ...2 days ago - Bill English must resign
The Todd Barclay debacle highlights just how dishonest many right wing politicians really are. For over a year Bill English and the National party maintained a lie, even reselecting Barclay knowing that he had committed a potential crime.Yesterday, the NZ ...2 days ago - Twitter is ridiculing ‘racist propaganda’ Hobson’s Pledge
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- Claiming that Listerine alleviates cold symptoms is false: To repeat or not to repeat the myth durin...
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Barclay says hearing himself “say things” was the “final straw.” Embattled National MP Todd Barclay resigned yesterday over allegations that he had maliciously recorded one of his staffers, Glenys Dickson. The scandal also landed the Prime Minister, Bill English, in ...2 days ago - Social Detox: On addiction, recovery and refusing to be compliant
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A dive into New Zealand’s B movie past. A still from Death Warmed Up. On Tuesday, 22 people will cram into a small room with the best view in Wellington to watch a film called This ...2 days ago - Keep it Public
The Green Party strongly supports the Tertiary Education Unions call to #KeepitPublic Keep what public? Out quality tertiary education system that National is trying to open up to more private for-profit providers with a new law change. The (Tertiary Education ...2 days ago - There is corruption in New ZealandIts commonly believed that New Zealand is not a corrupt country. But that belief is wrong, according to a new study by Deloitte's:[A]ccounting firm Deloitte's latest bribery and corruption survey has found that about 20 percent of New Zealand companies ...3 days ago
- Oh What a Tangled Web WeWeave…
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- Tobacco Company Moves to Distance Itself From MP
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- Not good enoughSo, spying National MP Todd Barclay has got the hint and decided not to stand at the election. Good riddance. And OTOH, as is being pointed out on Twitter, this is the "accountability" you have when you don't want to ...4 days ago
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- Another look?After yesterday's revelations, police are taking "another look" at the case against National MP Todd Barclay:Police have confirmed they're taking another look at the investigation into under-fire National MP Todd Barclay. Assistant Commissioner Richard Chambers confirmed police are "assessing the ...4 days ago
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The Tories can't even impose their will on a bunch of Irish God Botherers they outnumber 30 to 1. How the Hell are they going to beat Europe into submission?Jeremy Corbyn is far better at talking to Irish people! ...4 days ago - Inferno I
Nel mezzo del cammin di nostra vita mi ritrovai per una selva oscura Midway upon the journey of our life I found myself within a forest dark Italians study Dante the way English people study Shakespeare: reverently, and mandatorily. My ...4 days ago - Gordon Campbell on the Todd Barclay cover-up
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- Todd Barclay exposes National Party as liars and bullies
4 days ago - Grovelling to powerNZ politics today has been all about National MP Todd Barclay's illegal bugging of his electorate staff and the Prime Minister's knowledge of and response to it. The latter is looking distinctly shabby, and the actions of the National Party ...5 days ago
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- Shifty Bill jumps the shark
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- Bill English misleads Parliament on Police statementBill English's attempt to restore his damaged credibility over the Todd Barclay affair has backfired after his claim to have "reported" Mr Barclay's actions to Police has proven not to be true, says Labour MP for Wellington Central Grant Robertson. ...2 days ago
- Keep it Public
The Green Party strongly supports the Tertiary Education Unions call to #KeepitPublic Keep what public? Out quality tertiary education system that National is trying to open up to more private for-profit providers with a new law change. The (Tertiary Education ...2 days ago - This ‘technical error’ is hurting big timeJonathan Coleman cannot resort to his ongoing litany that the Ministry of Health’s $38 million budget blunder is an error on paper only, says Labour’s Health spokesperson David Clark. “He might keep saying it’s a ‘technical error’ but the reality ...3 days ago
- Labour to invest in public transport for Greater ChristchurchLabour will commit $100m in capital investment for public transport in Greater Christchurch, including commuter rail from Rolleston to the CBD, says Leader of the Opposition Andrew Little. “As the rebuild progresses, there are huge opportunities for Greater Christchurch, but ...3 days ago
- Green Party will repeal solar taxIt’s ridiculous for an electricity distribution monopoly to apply a charge on solar panels but worse than that, it’s harming our effort to tackle climate change. Hawke’s Bay lines company Unison last year announced a new solar charge for their ...3 days ago
- English fails the character test over BarclayBill English is hoping this scandal will go away, but he is still dodging important questions over his role in covering up for Todd Barclay, says Leader of the Opposition Andrew Little. ...3 days ago
- Government must apologise for Christchurch schools stuff-upThe Ombudsman’s findings that the Ministry of Education botched the reorganisation of Christchurch schools after the 2011 earthquake are damning for an under-fire National Government, says Labour’s Education spokesperson Chris Hipkins. “The Ombudsman has found the reorganisation of schools in ...3 days ago
- Government’s multinational tax measures weakThe Government’s proposals to crack down on multinational tax avoidance, by its own admission only recovering one third of the missing money, means hardworking Kiwis will bear more of the tax burden, says Labour’s Revenue spokesperson Michael Wood. “The Government ...4 days ago
- World Refugee Day – we can do our bitI’m really proud that yesterday, on World Refugee Day, the Greens launched an ambitious plan to increase the refugee quota to 5000 over the next six years. Of those places, 4,000 will be directly resettled by the government and another ...4 days ago
- PM’s leadership in question over Barclay affairThe Prime Minister must belatedly show some leadership and compel Todd Barclay to front up to the Police, says Labour Leader Andrew Little. “Twice today Bill English has been found wanting in this matter. ...4 days ago
- Another memory lapse by Coleman?The Minister of Health ‘couldn’t recall’ whether the Director General of Health Chai Chuah offered his resignation over the Budget funding fiasco involving the country’s District Health Boards, says Labour’s Health spokesperson David Clark. “In the House today Jonathan Coleman ...4 days ago
- Bill English needs to come clean over BarclayBill English needs to explain why he failed to be upfront with the public over the actions of Clutha-Southland MP Todd Barclay, following revelations that he knew about the secretly recorded conversations in the MP’s electorate office, says Labour Leader ...5 days ago
- Minister, show some backbone and front up and debateRather than accusing critics of his Te Ture Whenua Māori Bill of telling ‘lies’, Māori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell should show some backbone and front up to a debate on the issue, says Ikaroa-Rāwhiti MP Meka Whaitiri. “Te ...5 days ago
- Equal pay for mental health workersToday, mental health workers are filing an equal pay claim through their unions. Mental health support workers do important and difficult work in our communities. But because the workforce is largely female, they are not paid enough. It’s wrong for ...6 days ago
- Nats’ HAM-fisted housing crisis denialNational’s decision to knowingly release a flawed Housing Affordability Measure that underestimates the cost of housing is the latest evidence of their housing crisis denial, says Labour’s Housing spokesperson Phil Twyford. ...6 days ago
- New Pike footage builds compelling case for mine re-entryNew footage of the Pike River Mine deep inside the operation, revealing no fire damage or signs of an inferno, provides a compelling reason to grant the families of Pike River’s victims their wish to re-enter the drift, says Labour ...6 days ago
- Labour will get tough on slum boarding housesThe next Labour-led Government will legislate a Warrant of Fitness based on tough minimum standards to clean out slum boarding houses, says Labour’s Housing spokesperson Phil Twyford. “It’s not acceptable for New Zealanders in the 21st Century to be living ...7 days ago
- Green Party tribute to Dame Nganeko Minhinnick
Haere ngā mate ki tua o paerau; te moenga roa o ngā mātua tupuna. Haere, haere, haere. It was with a huge sense of loss that we learned of the death of Dame Nganeko Minhinnick yesterday. The Green Party acknowledges ...1 week ago - Urgent answers needed on DHB fundingJonathan Coleman must come clean and answer questions about what actual funding DHBs received in Budget 2017, says Labour Health Spokesperson David Clark. ...1 week ago
- Treasury puts Māori Land Service on red alertA damning Treasury report raises serious questions about the delivery of Te Ururoa Flavell’s proposed Māori Land Service, giving it a ‘red’ rating which indicates major issues with the project, says Ikaroa-Rāwhiti MP Meka Whaitiri. “Treasury’s Interim Major Projects Monitoring ...1 week ago
- Economy stalling after nine years of National’s complacencyThe second successive quarterly fall in per person growth shows the need for a fresh approach to give all New Zealanders a fair share in prosperity, says Labour’s Finance spokesperson Grant Robertson. ...1 week ago
- Kiwi kids deserve much moreAll Kiwi kids deserve so much more than the impoverished picture painted by the shameful rankings provided by the UNICEF Innocenti Report Card, says Labour’s children spokesperson Jacinda Ardern. ...1 week ago
- NZ Zone a precursor to a total nuclear weapon banNew Zealand’s nuclear-free zone, legislated by Parliament in 1987, is something we all take pride in. It’s important, however, that we don’t let it thwart its own ultimate purpose – a world free of nuclear weapons. That goal must be ...2 weeks ago
- English must confirm we still stand by our principles on UN resolutionBill English must tell New Zealand whether we remain in support of the UN Security Council resolution on Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory, says Labour Leader Andrew Little. “After Foreign Affairs Minister Gerry Brownlee’s evasive answers to repeated questions on ...2 weeks ago
- Māori party drop the poi on Māori healthThe Māori Party have dropped the poi when it comes to supporting Ngati Whakaue and Māori interests in Bay of Plenty by allowing an iwi owned and operated service Te Hunga Manaaki to be brushed aside in favour of a ...2 weeks ago
- Labour to invest in Whanganui River infrastructureLabour will work in partnership with the Whanganui Council to repair and redevelop the city’s Port precinct in advance of planned economic development and expansion. To enable Whanganui’s plans, Labour will commit $3m in matching funding for repairing the Whanganui ...2 weeks ago
- Parihaka: an apology
An apology only works for healing if it is sincere and if it is accepted. We teach our children to apologise and to be genuine if they want to be forgiven. On Friday, June 9 at Parihaka, the Crown apologised ...2 weeks ago - Survey shows many international students plan to stay in NZ after studyMost international students in New Zealand at PTEs (private training establishments) who have a plan for themselves after study intend to stay in New Zealand to work. This shows how low-level education has become a backdoor immigration route under National, ...2 weeks ago
- Councils step up as Nats drop the ball on housing crisisPhil Goff’s Mayoral Housing Taskforce is another positive example of councils stepping up where National has failed on housing, says Labour Housing spokesperson Phil Twyford. ...2 weeks ago
- Time for a breather on immigrationLabour will introduce moderate, sensible reforms to immigration to reduce the pressure on our cities, while ensuring we get the skilled workers our country needs, says Leader of the Opposition Andrew Little. “New Zealand is a country built on immigration. ...2 weeks ago
- Inaction puts Māui dolphins at riskConservation Minister Maggie Barry was at the United Nations Oceans Conference in New York last week, trying to convince the world that the New Zealand Government is doing a good job at protecting our marine environment. Yet last week after ...2 weeks ago
- National unprepared as immigration runs four times faster than forecastNational has been caught asleep at the wheel by record immigration that has outstripped Budget forecasts, says Leader of the Opposition Andrew Little. ...2 weeks ago
- First home buyers shouldn’t carry the can for National’s failed policiesThe introduction of tighter limits on lending to first home buyers would see them paying the price for the National Party’s failure to recognise or fix the housing crisis, Labour’s Finance spokesperson Grant Robertson says. “Nine years of denial and ...2 weeks ago
- Motel bill blows out as Nats fail to deliver emergency housingMinister Amy Adams has admitted at select committee that National has now spent $22m on putting homeless families in motels as it fails to deliver the emergency housing places it promised, says Labour Housing spokesperson Phil Twyford. ...2 weeks ago
- Minister, how out of touch are you?What was going through Jonathan Coleman’s head in the Health Select Committee this morning when he claimed he was unaware that an estimated 533,000 people have missed out on a GP’s visit in the last 12 months due to cost, ...3 weeks ago
- Divided we fallI’m getting pretty sick of the politics of division in this country. The latest example was yesterday’s comments from NZ First leader Winston Peters having a good go in the House at driving up fear and loathing towards people of ...3 weeks ago
- Labour’s Electoral Amendment Bill to enhance democracyDemocracy will be enhanced under Labour’s Private Member’s Bill which will have its First Reading today, says Labour’s Local Government spokesperson MP Meka Whaitiri. ...3 weeks ago
- Police underfunded despite rise in crimeAs crime continues to rise dairy owners are scared for their lives and communities reel under a record increase in burglary numbers, it has now been revealed that Police received less than three quarters of their bid in this year’s ...3 weeks ago
- Road pricing years off, public transport investment needed nowWith road pricing still years away, Labour will step up with investment in public transport to ease Auckland’s congestion woes, says Labour’s Auckland Issues spokesperson Phil Twyford. ...3 weeks ago
- Call to protect Easter Sunday in AucklandAuckland’s Labour MPs are backing the community to protect Easter Sunday by retaining current trading restrictions in the city, says Labour MPs Aupito William Sio and Michael Wood. “The Government’s weak and confusing decision to delegate the decision over Easter ...3 weeks ago
- $2.3 billion shortfall in healthThe funding needed for health to be restored to the level it was seven years ago to keep pace with cost pressures has widened to a massive $2.3 billion, says Labour Leader Andrew Little. “We used to have a health ...3 weeks ago
- Catherine Delahunty: My Mataura River visit
On June 1st the Greens swimmable rivers tour visited the Mataura river and communities connected to it. All we need now is a Government willing to set clear strong rules and support the new conversation about measuring our success by ...3 weeks ago
- Kiwis And Govt Fleeced in Massive Fuijxerox NZ Racket
Kiwis And Govt Fleeced in Massive Fuijxerox NZ Racket Schools, councils and the government have been fleeced by the $500m fraud at FujiXerox NZ – with the financial fallout on schools and ratepayers likely to be felt in coming months. ...12 hours ago - The Nation: Lisa Owen interviews Hone HarawiraOn The Nation: Lisa Owen interviews Hone Harawira Headlines: Mana Party Hone Harawira has raised the idea of executing Chinese drug dealers, imprisoning them for life or deporting them, as a response to the methamphetamine problem in his area. “We ...15 hours ago
- The Nation: Patrick Gower interviews Bill EnglishOn The Nation: Patrick Gower interviews Bill English Headlines: Prime Minister Bill English now says there’s no evidence that his MP Todd Barclay actually did make recordings of his colleague, Glenys Dickson. English says he’s satisfied that the ...15 hours ago
- Hamilton student to battle Govt in landmark climate lawsuitFriday, June 23: A law student from Hamilton is preparing to challenge the Government in the High Court on Monday over what she says is a “failure” to properly address climate change. ...1 day ago
- Roy Morgan Poll – National Party consolidates leadIn June New Zealand’s governing National Party has jumped 3.5% to 46.5% after Finance Minister Steven Joyce handed down a New Zealand Budget projecting a string of surpluses over the next few years. National are now well ahead of the ...1 day ago
- Last chance for Lawrence Yule to release expensesNational Party Tukituki Candidate and former Hastings Mayor, Lawrence Yule, is the only mayor in New Zealand whose travel, entertainment, and slush fund is kept secret from New Zealand ratepayers as head of ratepayer-funded lobby group, Local Government ...2 days ago
- TOP’s Mika on Labour bringing in unpaid overseas studentsOpportunities Party Auckland Central Candidate Mika responds to Labour Party bringing in unpaid overseas students. ...2 days ago
- NZ Cuban friendship group condemns Trumps anti-Cuba policyThe Auckland Cuba Friendship Society has condemned the latest rollback of the Obama presidency’s easing of relations with Cuba as a deepening of the blockade, now in place for 54 years. ...2 days ago
- Bridges’ handout sees taxpayers fork out $600 eachSimon Bridges has announced a second $300,000 non-refundable taxpayer grant to the Tarawera ultramarathon, apparently to attract only 500 international visitors in what must be one of the most ridiculous examples of corporate welfare to date. Jordan ...2 days ago
- LABOUR FOLDS TO FARMING LOBBYIn electoral desperation, the Labour Party yesterday abandoned any attempt to address one of the greatest concerns facing New Zealanders, the ongoing pollution of our waterways. ...2 days ago
- Southland plan gets ministerial go-aheadThe Southland Civil Defence Emergency Management Group Plan has received sign-off by the Minister of Civil Defence Gerry Brownlee. This means it will set the scene for Emergency Management Southland and its partners for the next five years. ...2 days ago
- Shameful $19 Million Clean-up Bill For TaxpayersEnvironment Minister Nick Smith today provided a little good news and far more frustratingly bad news for our shameful national scrap tyre problem. ...2 days ago
- Green Party to run campaign to unseat Nick Smith in NelsonThe Green Party is today announcing that its Nelson candidate, second term local councillor Matt Lawrey, will run to win the electorate and unseat Nick Smith in September’s election. ...2 days ago
- Green Party Run Campaign to Unseat Nick Smith in NelsonThe Green Party is today announcing that its Nelson candidate, second term local councillor Matt Lawrey, will run to win the electorate and unseat Nick Smith in September’s election. ...2 days ago
- Government announces false solution for tyre woesAfter rejecting an industry-designed workable product stewardship scheme for end of life tyres, Environment Minister Nick Smith announced today the government would allocate $19 million taxpayer dollars into a false solution instead - most of the ...2 days ago
- More than 1000 place names taken forwardThe New Zealand Geographic Board made decisions on 1109 New Zealand, Antarctic and Undersea place names at its recent meeting on 18 May 2017. ...2 days ago
- Two Reports Show Health & Poverty Gaps WideningTwo reports released last week show need for real concern about widening children’s health & poverty gaps, according to the Closing the Gap organisation. ...2 days ago
- Simple, nation-wide window-washer rules needed – WDCWhangarei District has reiterated that window washers at intersections are a significant problem in the District and that simple, low-cost, nation-wide laws are needed to manage them. Speaking to the Transport and Industrial Relations Select Committee ...3 days ago
- Auditor-General’s report, Border securityThe Auditor-General’s report Border security: Using information to process passengers was presented to the House of Representatives today. This report looks at whether staff working on the frontline at major ports have the information they need to effectively ...3 days ago
- Police Association launches election year policy documentPolice Association launches 2017 election year policy document: Towards a Safer New Zealand ...3 days ago
- New zone plan for Taupō catchmentA new high-level plan to guide Waikato Regional Council’s work to promote a healthy catchment in the crucial Lake Taupō zone has been approved by the integrated catchment management committee today. ...3 days ago
- Chinese fishing vessels fined for tuna offencesChinese fishing vessels fined close to NZD$1m for tuna offences near NZ waters 22 June 2017 Chinese authorities have deregistered and fined a Chinese commercial fishing company approximately NZD$825,000 for misreporting bluefin tuna catches and fishing ...3 days ago
- Last week for local board plan feedbackFeedback on Auckland Council’s 21 draft local board plans 2017 closes on Friday 30 June – so don’t miss the chance to have your say on the future of your community. ...3 days ago
- Statement from Matt McCarten, Campaign for ChangeIn May this year my contract with the Labour Party ended and I left to run a programme called the Campaign for Change. The programme was supported by the Labour Party in Auckland, however I led and managed it. ...3 days ago
- If You Want a Farming Future You Know What To Do …Certainly there will be many more people at Palmerston North’s Convention Centre, this Sunday at 2pm, when New Zealand First launches its Campaign for the Regions. ...3 days ago
- Record new arrivals as net migration tops 72,000Annual net migration reached 72,000 in the May 2017 year, Stats NZ said today. Migrant arrivals numbered 130,400 and migrant departures numbered 58,400 in the year ended May 2017. ...3 days ago
- LGNZ Welcomes New Move to Deal with Used TyresA new National Environmental Standard to deal with New Zealand’s millions of waste tyres is an excellent step towards reducing the harmful impacts of used tyres. ...3 days ago
- Mixed views on Christchurch stock transferCommunity Housing Aotearoa (CHA) says the shortlisting of consortia is the expected next step in seeing state housing in Christchurch transferred to a new provider, yet the process remains fraught. ...3 days ago
- The biggest privatisation of state assets in NZ historyIn a particular shameful act the Christchurch City Council is helping the National government facilitate the biggest privatisation in Zealand history – our $18 billion of state house assets. ...3 days ago
- Rural tourist routes an accident waiting to happenThe government must urgently upgrade unsafe rural roads used by tourists, says the car review website dogandlemon.com . ...3 days ago
- For Green Nationalism in New ZealandThe South Island’s New National NZ will field a candidate in Christchurch in this years general election. ...3 days ago
- Assisted Suicide Opponent to Visit New ZealandProfessor the Baroness Ilora Finlay of Llandaff will be visiting New Zealand Monday, 26 June through Friday, 30 June. The Welsh professor of palliative medicine and cross-bench member of the House of Lords was last in New Zealand in 2012, ...3 days ago
- Founder of HPV Vaccine guest of honour at ParliamentFounder of HPV Vaccine guest of honour at Parliamentary Dinner. Professor Ian Frazer founder of the HPV vaccine is the guest speaker at the Medicines New Zealand Parliamentary dinner this evening, hosted at Parliament by the Chair of Health Committee, ...4 days ago
- SSC statement on Ombudsman’s school closures reportFollowing the release of the Ombudsman’s report today, the Ministry of Education has apologised for failing to provide the information it should have during its early engagement with the Christchurch community over school re-organisation in the wake ...4 days ago
- Contempt report protects right to a fair trialFreedom of expression does not include the right to undermine fair trials says Law Commission President Douglas White. ...4 days ago
- Skills for SuccessINSIGHTS ABOUT THE NEWS - NZ's low labour productivity and its lack of improvement in comparison with its international partners is the focus of many initiatives. At the presentation of the OECD Economic Survey of NZ last week, OECD chief ...4 days ago
- CEOs Gear up to Support Fight Against Human TraffickingSome of New Zealand’s top CEOs are putting their bodies on the line in the fight against human trafficking by riding in this year’s Tearfund Poverty Cycle Challenge. ...4 days ago
- At least be honest that you’re evicting the birdsThe Point England Development Enabling Bill is being debated in its final stages this week in Parliament. National is trying to have its cake and eat it too by saying that this Bill will provide more housing at the same ...4 days ago
- Future-Focused Plan for NZ Infrastructure Needed, LGNZ saysNew Zealand’s infrastructure is at a crossroads and needs to be a key focus in the upcoming election, Local Government New Zealand says. ...4 days ago
- Careful Mr Peters, you don’t come to this with clean handsThe Taxpayers’ Union says that it’s a bit rich of Winston Peters to criticise the National Party for using its taxpayer-funded leader's fund to pay ‘hush money’ when that is precisely what he used his leader's fund for in late ...4 days ago
- How Legalising Cannabis Can Help SocietyLeading drug researcher Associate Professor Chris Wilkins from Massey University’s SHORE and Whāriki Research Centre is calling for the adoption of a not-for-profit public health model for recreational cannabis. It would allow regulated cannabis ...4 days ago
- Corrections Accused of Cover Up over New Torture ReportsThe prisoner advocacy organisation No Pride in Prisons is “outraged” by what it sees as an attempt by the Department of Corrections to avoid transparency and undermine the Official Information Act (OIA). ...4 days ago
- Conservative Party Appeals Broadcasting AllocationThe Conservative Party of New Zealand has appealed the level of broadcasting allocation decided by the Electoral Commission. “The level of allocation is a slap in the face for democracy and justice,” says Party Leader, Leighton Baker. ...4 days ago
- ‘Give a Home’: Massive global concert series1,000 musicians to play at Amnesty International and Sofar Sounds events globally in September ...4 days ago
- Celebrating the Positive Contributions of RefugeesThe Auckland Regional Migrant Services (ARMS), in partnership with the Auckland Resettled Community Collation (ARCC) is celebrating World Refugee Day and the positive contributions of refugees to New Zealand. ...4 days ago
- Kiwis asked to listen to the story of a refugeeWorld Refugee Day 2017: Human Rights Commission asks Kiwis to take the time to listen to the story of a refugee ...4 days ago
- Nats all ‘say’ and no ‘do’ on equal rightsA flyer challenging Prime Minister Bill English’s record on a single standard of citizenship went out to 1.6 million households today. ...5 days ago
- IHC congratulates new Disability Rights CommissionerMedia release 20 June 2017 IHC New Zealand warmly welcomes Paula Tesoriero as the country’s new Disability Rights Commissioner. ...5 days ago
- Barclay payment not the firstIn addition to other parties using leaders' funds to hush former staff, it appears the Todd Barclay episode is not the only time a National Party leader has used taxpayers' money to prevent legal action in relation to allegations of ...5 days ago
- Shine on the Family Violence Death Review Committee findingsShine’s on the ground experience is echoed in the Family Violence Death Review Committee findings ...5 days ago
- Rights groups condemn ‘cowardly censorship’ bid over Al Jazeera
Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz Pacific Media Watch Press freedom and human rights advocates, journalists and social media users have condemned a demand by Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries to shut Al Jazeera television network and other media outlets in Qatar. ...12 hours ago - Voting gets under way in PNG national electionsArticle by AsiaPacificReport.nz Voting begins in the Papua New Guinea general election today. Image: Loop PNG Papua New Guineans began voting today in the two-week-long rolling ballot at different polling places across the country. The elections Media Centre ...12 hours ago
- Barclay affair a ‘tap’, not a ‘fatal blow’ for National – Deputy PM
The National Party faithful have been issued a stark warning that if they think this week has been a tough one, then they need to prepare for the next three months. ...13 hours ago - ‘We’re in a special moment in New Zealand cinematic history’ – Park Road Post’s Cameron Ha...
The final in a week-long series chatting to Wellingtonians about what they’re up to in the windy city, Alex Casey talks to Cameron Harland of Park Road Post about New Zealand films, video nostalgia, and the best surf spots in ...18 hours ago - Pod on the Couch: Pop music catch-up time!The Spinoff and Spark proudly present Pod On The Couch, a weekly podcast exploring music and the people that make it. This episode: Henry Oliver talks to Kate Robertson and Calum Henderson about some recent pop music highlights.Spinoff Music editor Henry Oliver talks ...19 hours ago
- About that time I was on Flight of the Conchords
Ten years ago, HBO screened the first episode of Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement’s Flight of the Conchords. And look, there, sitting outside that shop. Isn’t that Spinoff music editor Henry Oliver?If it’s 10 years since the first episode of Flight of ...19 hours ago - The Pill: Women, contraception and the myth of sexual freedom in 1960s New Zealand
In 1961, the ‘Pill’ became available in New Zealand and women’s lives were changed forever. Being able to control your fertility was now a matter of choice. But not everyone was judged worthy of making that choice. This story was first published ...20 hours ago - Life after Cadbury: how can Dunedin forge a new future?
Dunedin can sometimes seem like the neglected afterthought of New Zealand’s main centres, unappreciated by all except those who choose to live in the country’s southernmost big city. Peter Newport reports on what’s coming next for Dunedin after Cadbury shuts ...21 hours ago - ‘Many of us have had positive experiences’ – US internAn American intern has denied accusations that a Labour Party internship scheme is treating students poorly. ...1 day ago
- Green Party to contest Nick Smith’s Nelson seatThe Green Party will fight National's Nick Smith for the Nelson seat in this year's election, the first time the party has tried to win a seat since 1999. ...1 day ago
- Complaints made to HRC over leafletsThe Human Rights Commission has received complaints about a series of leaflets including from Hobson's Pledge, a group fronted by Don Brash, which aims to end what it calls 'race-based privilege'. ...1 day ago
- PMC to host visiting Pacific exchange student journalistsArticle by AsiaPacificReport.nz University of the South Pacific’s Linda Filiai filming in the Fiji National Sports Stadium … “once in a lifetime” opportunity. Image: PCF Pacific Media Watch News Desk The Pacific Media Centre will host three student ...1 day ago
- The angel investor breakdown: do you really need millions of dollars?
Business is Boring is a weekly podcast series presented by The Spinoff in association with Callaghan Innovation. Host Simon Pound speaks with innovators and commentators focused on the future of New Zealand, with the interview available as both audio and ...1 day ago - Emily Writes on the couch with a clinical psychologist
Spinoff Parents editor Emily Writes is an anxious mess, which is why she’s constantly talking about mental health in mothers and the need to get help if you need it. She recently spoke to a clinical psychologist who specialises in ...1 day ago - All the music-related bits of Dominic Hoey’s novel Iceland (and a playlist!)Dominic Hoey shares the music-related parts of his new novel Iceland and makes a playlist so you can play along while reading.Music features heavily in my novel Iceland and since we’re living in the future, I thought I’d put together ...2 days ago
- The Unity Books best-selling chart for the week ending June 23The best-selling books at the two best bookstores known to God. WELLINGTON UNITY1 The Whole Intimate Mess: Motherhood, Politics & Women’s Writing by Holly Walker (Bridget Williams Texts, $15)“There is nothing normal about crawling up the hallway, screaming and hitting yourself ...2 days ago
- 40 years of PNG independence – ‘why are our women still dying?’Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz Gulf Regional candidate, Ruben Giusu (right) refuses to sit on the chair made for him by the people but instead carries a young boy on it. The PNG elections begin tomorrow. Image: Loop PNG By ...2 days ago
- The Friday-Figure Quiz: Put on your red socks… and take this quizWith the countdown on to this weekend’s big deciding race, test your knowledge of all things America’s Cup related, from boats to Bermuda.Having trouble viewing the quiz? Take it here. ...2 days ago
- Ed Kindred: The Aussie Gent Behind Duke
CAPTION: Ed Kindred used to programme UKTV and BBC World channels for New Zealand. Ed Kindred arrived in New… The post Ed Kindred: The Aussie Gent Behind Duke appeared first on ZagZigger. ...2 days ago - Ryan Rathbone: Leaning Over The EdgeCAPTION: Ryan Rathbone is National Content Director for the top rating music station, The Edge FM. Ryan Rathbone was headed… The post Ryan Rathbone: Leaning Over The Edge appeared first on ZagZigger. ...2 days ago
- ‘The culture of politics can take a few lessons from rugby’: Kiri Allan kicks off full-time camp...
In her second candidate diary for the Spinoff, Kiri Allan writes about the emotional rollercoaster after chucking in the day job, growing a layer of skin to deal with the scrutiny, a gathering of women who get shit done, and rugby as ...2 days ago - We found New Zealand’s greatest sports song (and it’s not the one you’re thinking of)
In part two of The Spinoff Music’s two-is-not-a-thing sports series, Steve Newall goes in search of that most elusive beast: the great sports song. Read part one, in which Gareth Shute writes a new All Blacks supporters’ song, here. New ...2 days ago - Pomegranate Kitchen’s Rebecca Stewart on how food can change the world
Today, as part of a week-long series chatting to Wellingtonians about what they’re up to in the windy city, Alex Casey talks to Rebecca Stewart of Pomegranate Kitchen about social enterprise and doing good in the community, one meal at ...2 days ago - The Friday Poem: ‘Last words’ by Bill ManhireNew verse – he wrote it on Wednesday, actually – by Wellington writer Bill Manhire. Last words It’s nice out there,says the dying man. Yes, says the doctor,not too bad at all. Bill Manhire, 2017The Spinoff Review of Books is brought to you by ...2 days ago
- Bryce Edwards Analysis: Todd Barclay’s downfall – who loses and why
2 days ago - I turned on the television and watched only the ads for five hours
Tara Ward does the unthinkable: turning on her television and looking for nothing but sweet, sweet ads. Television advertisments are often overlooked and misunderstood — until now, my friends. I love a challenge like I love a Coronation Street weekend omnibus, ...2 days ago - Labour Party intern programme ‘got out of control’A senior Labour Party official has admitted a scheme to bring international students to the country to help with its election campaign got out of control. ...2 days ago
- Labour Party programme ‘got out of control’A senior Labour Party official has admitted a scheme to bring international students to the country to help with its election campaign got out of control. ...2 days ago
- Pacific pension advice wording ‘unfortunate’Self-sufficiency and independence have been described as foreign concepts to Pacific cultures by New Zealand's own Ministry for Pacific Peoples. ...2 days ago
- National aims to put Barclay affair behind themSenior members of the National Party are confident this weekend's annual conference won't be overshadowed by the controversy around Clutha-Southland MP Todd Barclay. ...2 days ago
- National aims to put Barclay affair behind itSenior members of the National Party are confident this weekend's annual conference won't be overshadowed. ...2 days ago
- ‘I have not quantified the benefits’: the astonishing truth about NZ’s most expensive road eve...
Remember that proposed new highway from Penrose to Onehunga, the East-West Link, set to cost close to $2 billion? Turns out no one has worked out, using current figures, if it’s worth the money – and it’s most likely no ...2 days ago - Defence Minister visits forces stationed in IraqThe Defence Minister has visited New Zealand troops at Camp Taji near Baghdad in Iraq. ...2 days ago
- Little says Labour Party interns situation ’embarrassing’The Labour Party admits it's been embarrassing to have dozens of interns, brought to New Zealand to campaign for the party complain about sub-standard living conditions. ...2 days ago
- ‘The whole team went rogue’: the gruesome political reality of Labour’s campaign for change
It demands a Herculean effort to shift the spotlight from a scandal engulfing a government MP, but New Zealand Labour’s shonky intern scheme might just have done it, writes Toby Manhire.Campaign for Change is a pithier title, but the universe has today ...2 days ago - Nats’ internal scars could bite worse than BarclayOpinion - The Todd Barclay affair has left its scars on the Prime Minister and the National Party, but the internal wounds could prove more costly writes Rob Hosking ...2 days ago
- Your different brain: How we will tell our child about her diagnosis
Jessie Moss has written for The Spinoff Parents before about her daughter’s syndrome and her quest for a diagnosis. Here she writes about a new stage in their lives – how she and her partner will tell their precious child ...2 days ago - Kiwis of Snapchat: Chris Harper-Ludes, small business owner (WATCH)In our video series Kiwis of Snapchat, comedian Tom Sainsbury sources exclusive Snapchat footage of Kiwi citizens making the news. Today, small business owner Chris Harper-Ludes offers the voters of New Zealand a new choice this election.This content is brought to ...2 days ago
- Here are the first 30 Paperboy covers – notice what’s missing?
Paperboy launched late last year as a stylish free weekly magazine by and for Auckland. We at The Spinoff noticed what they were and were not doing with their covers – all 30 of them run below – and asked ...2 days ago - Peters lays complaints over Barclay sagaThe NZ First leader has filed two privileges complaints against the Prime Minister, claiming he has misled Parliament with his answers to questions about Todd Barclay. ...3 days ago
- Unprecedented outpouring of grief at funeral for Vanuatu presidentArticle by AsiaPacificReport.nz Following a funeral service in the Parliamentary rotunda, beloved and admired President Baldwin Lonsdale was farewelled by a massive crowd lining the route to the airport. Image: Dan McGarry/Vanuatu Daily Post By Dan McGarry in ...3 days ago
- Brownlee to visit Colombia to talk tradeThe Trade and Foreign Ministers will fly to Colombia next week as part of efforts to get New Zealand into the Pacific Alliance. ...3 days ago
- Book of the Week: Marion McLeod reviews a true-crime thriller about a Glasgow serial killer
Marion McLeod reviews an ‘icy-cold’ account of a Scottish serial killer by the brilliant Denise Mina.Scottish writer Denise Mina has been dubbed Glasgow’s answer to Edinburgh’s Ian Rankin. Having written a dozen crime novels, several plays and films, a comic (Hellblazer) ...3 days ago - Book of the Week: Marion McLeod reviews a thriller about a Glasgow serial killerMarion McLeod reviews an ‘icy-cold’ account of a Scottish serial killer by the brilliant Denise Mina.Scottish writer Denise Mina has been dubbed Glasgow’s answer to Edinburgh’s Ian Rankin. Having written a dozen crime novels, several plays and films, a comic (Hellblazer) ...3 days ago
- Remembering ‘paintergate’, and what Bill English had to say about it
The Todd Barclay affair has prompted many memory lapses, but perhaps none as powerful as Prime Minister Bill English’s now-forgotten objections to cover-ups and deceit. Branko Marcetic looks back to 2002, when Helen Clark’s Paintergate and Corngate scandals were making ...3 days ago - A daytime soap set to glorious music: in praise of the ridiculous, sublime Carmen
Opera – especially an opera like Carmen – is the world turned upside down: being good makes you miserable and being in love is a sure portent of doom. And it’s fabulous, says Simon Wilson.The best way to listen to ...3 days ago - Bill English rejects MP cover-up allegationsPrime Minister Bill English has rejected allegations of a cover-up over the controversy around National MP Todd Barclay. ...3 days ago
- Labour Party officials step in to help disgruntled internsSenior officials are stepping in to deal with dozens of interns brought to New Zealand to work on the election campaign, after complaints about living conditions. ...3 days ago
- Watch LIVE: PM to face questions on Todd BarclayPrime Minister Bill English is expected to face further questions about National MP Todd Barclay's decision to step down. Watch the media stand-up live here. ...3 days ago
- ‘The artist is the original precariat’: Jo Randerson, Tom LaHood and the barbarians coming for W...
Today, as part of a week-long series chatting to Wellingtonians about what they’re up to in the windy city, Alex Casey talks to Jo Randerson and Thomas LaHood of Barbarian productions about making theatre on the fringe.Here’s the beginning of ...3 days ago
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