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Budget Day!
Written By: - Date published: 8:15 am, May 19th, 2022 - 44 comments
Today is budget day. What surprises will Grant Robertson announce to address the country’s many and varied problems. Will Christopher Luxon and Nicola Willis be able to sound like they actually understand what is in the budget? Stay tuned for 2 pm …
Has Business NZ been telling porkies?
Written By: - Date published: 8:08 am, May 17th, 2022 - 18 comments
Business NZ has claimed that the proposed Fair Play legislation breaches International Labour Law and that the International Labour Organisation agrees with it. But its claims appear to be on the wrong side of what we could politely describe as the truth.
The Emissions Reduction Plan we voted for
Written By: - Date published: 6:05 am, May 17th, 2022 - 33 comments
what kind of climate action do we want?
Shane Jones’ weird premature budget take
Written By: - Date published: 11:02 am, May 14th, 2022 - 11 comments
Former Labour MP Shane Jones has criticised the 2021 budget even though he has no idea what is going to be in it.
Act’s scorched earth proposal
Written By: - Date published: 12:29 pm, May 11th, 2022 - 41 comments
Act has publicly released its proposal to decimate the state should it have a say in the next Government. Its Real Change Alternative Budget may be wet dream inducing for Ayn Rand acolytes but for the rest of us the proposals should instill a deep sense of dread.
Paula Bennett’s rewriting of Pharmac history
Written By: - Date published: 9:29 am, May 9th, 2022 - 22 comments
Paula Bennett has forgotten history by advocating for a significant increase in spending on Pharmac while at the same time forgetting that under the National Government she was a senior member of Pharmac’s funding stagnated.
Latest poll result – all steady but the Herald needs an English lesson
Written By: - Date published: 8:11 pm, May 3rd, 2022 - 109 comments
The latest Reid Research poll result has been released. Basically it reflects other polls that have been recently conducted. But the Herald have chosen to suggest it shows a dramatic change.
National’s diversity problem
Written By: - Date published: 9:03 am, April 30th, 2022 - 71 comments
National’s short list of candidates for the Tauranga seat has been released. And it is clear that its gender and ethnic representation problems will be made worse after the selection process is completed.
What Can Be Saved?
Written By: - Date published: 7:12 am, April 29th, 2022 - 157 comments
The tide of this government is running out. There’s 18 months left in the term. What would you save?
According to National budget slashing is a man’s job
Written By: - Date published: 9:03 am, April 23rd, 2022 - 91 comments
National leader Chris Luxon has publicly declared full confidence in National Finance Spokesperson Nicola Willis by proposing that former PM Bill English, not currently an MP, and Willis, who is an MP would be jointly directing the Ministers of every department to find savings.
Luxon’s triple backward summersault on Labour Day
Written By: - Date published: 9:00 am, April 21st, 2022 - 72 comments
In the space of one day Chris Luxon called repeatedly for the scrapping of Labour Day as a holiday then confirmed that a future National Government would not do this and said that his earlier comment was facetious.
The battle lines for the next election
Written By: - Date published: 8:31 am, April 18th, 2022 - 79 comments
Despite Labour seeing the country through the biggest public health threat seen in the last century and despite improving numbers of houses and a reduction in child poverty some on the left are buying into National’s despair lines. And the issues on which the next election will be fought are becoming clearer.
Luxon’s strange Public Transport take
Written By: - Date published: 8:29 am, April 13th, 2022 - 66 comments
Yesterday Chris Luxon showed the sensitivity and sophistication of someone who owns seven properties and at one stage had 6.1 million Air New Zealand shares by stating that he believed that at least some public transport services should not be supported and that public transport needs to stand on its own feet.
Plant based foods
Written By: - Date published: 8:08 am, April 12th, 2022 - 122 comments
Worrying news has emerged that New Zealand officials sought along with other agricultural nations to remove references to the benefits of consuming plant based foods on climate change from the IPCC report summary.
Is Act buying social media followers?
Written By: - Date published: 8:14 am, April 8th, 2022 - 14 comments
Hot on the heels of news that Act has recently received a number of significant donations comes news that it may have spent some of these funds on buying social media followers following news that Seymour’s Instagram followers jumped from 23,800 to 72,600 in one day.
Greens call for rent freeze
Written By: - Date published: 12:56 pm, April 7th, 2022 - 151 comments
The Green Party has published a reasonable plan to make renting more affordable for low income New Zealanders. There’s nothing extreme-communist-scary here, it’s well within the values of the NZ electorate.
Water and Money
Written By: - Date published: 7:26 am, April 7th, 2022 - 20 comments
If the 3 Waters reforms can survive its attacks and be implemented, a consequence will be that we are going to have a most enormous nationwide economic argument about the price of water and who pays for it all.
Change nothing
Written By: - Date published: 8:04 am, April 6th, 2022 - 15 comments
You get to a point – and Ardern must be close – where the most you can do is hang on.
Why in the middle of a pandemic an immediate change to Orange is magical thinking
Written By: - Date published: 9:27 am, April 5th, 2022 - 77 comments
National’s friends are in unison complaining that the Government should be announcing now when we will be back into Orange. But our exemplary performance compared to other nations suggests strongly that the Government should continue to respect the medical advice it is receiving.
National still has a culture problem
Written By: - Date published: 7:45 am, April 3rd, 2022 - 37 comments
This week National found itself the centre of media suggesting that its treatment of women is still not acceptable. A couple of Young Nats were outed as being behind the trolling of Christchurch left wing female politicians. Christchurch city councillor Sara Templeton was on the receiving end of the trolling. She did the very wise […]
National announces receiving $1.8 million in recent donations
Written By: - Date published: 2:43 pm, April 1st, 2022 - 43 comments
National has gazumped Act’s recently announced significant donations drive and has just announced that it will shortly be filing declarations confirming that it has recently received $1.8 million in donations.
Will John Key stand for National in Tauranga
Written By: - Date published: 7:44 am, April 1st, 2022 - 32 comments
The Standard has learned from a normally reliable source that John Key is considering seeking the National Party nomination for the Tauranga seat.
Kia kaha Louisa Wall
Written By: - Date published: 8:25 pm, March 31st, 2022 - 10 comments
Earlier this week Louisa Wall announced that she is retiring as a Member of Parliament. History will confirm that she was one of our best Parliamentarians.
Who will be National’s Tauranga candidate
Written By: - Date published: 8:18 am, March 29th, 2022 - 66 comments
National is opening up nominations for the Tauranga by election today. The Standard reviews some potential candidates for the seat.
Covid and political capital
Written By: - Date published: 8:28 am, March 28th, 2022 - 141 comments
Jacinda Ardern has burned significant political capital on dealing with Covid. But it is something that a responsible Political leader, of which there are few, would do.
Act’s generous donors and its anti Treaty campaign
Written By: - Date published: 9:18 am, March 26th, 2022 - 65 comments
This has not had the media attention that it deserves but Act has raised, to use the technical term, a shit load of money recently. And it is using this money to engage in some good old fashioned racist dog whistling.
Can This Government Be Saved?
Written By: - Date published: 5:43 pm, March 25th, 2022 - 118 comments
Can Labour win a third term? Here are some pathways up, and some pathways down.
Government announces significant changes to traffic light settings and mandates
Written By: - Date published: 11:52 am, March 23rd, 2022 - 218 comments
The Government has announced changes to Covid policies relating to traffic light settings and mandates.
National’s politicisation of Covid over the past two years
Written By: - Date published: 9:07 am, March 21st, 2022 - 34 comments
A slightly deeper review of National’s response to the Covid epidemic over the past two years. The overwhelming impression is that they have always complained about supposed Government incompetence in handling the pandemic and have always argued for the loosening of restrictions no matter how justifiable.
Who Pays the Price of Sanctions
Written By: - Date published: 4:32 pm, March 20th, 2022 - 194 comments
New Zealand’s sanctions on Russia have not stopped the war in Ukraine. They may have made our parliamentarians feel better, and Tony Blinken was quick to congratulate us on falling into line with the US “high-impact sanctions.” The language is combative, but the evidence shows sanctions do not work. They can have significant blow-back effects, particularly if not combined with effective diplomacy.
The difference between Labour and National
Written By: - Date published: 9:05 am, March 17th, 2022 - 141 comments
There has been the occasional criticism of Labour for not achieving enough progressive change by people who then propose supporting National. What are they thinking?
- Hot air to fill Labour’s sails
by Don Franks Poverty in New Zealand today has new ugly features. Adequate housing is beyond the reach of thousands. More and more people full time workers must beg food parcels from charities. Having no attainable prospects, young people lash out and steal. A response to poverty from The Daily ...1 hour ago - Skeptical Science New Research for Week #20 2022
Drought: the past is no longer prologue Drought management in the United States (and elsewhere) is highly informed by events of the past, employing records extending 60 years or longer in order to plan for and cope with newly emerging meterorological water deficits. Water resource managers and agricultural concerns use ...3 hours ago - A wasted opportunity
The government announced its budget today, with Finance Minister Grant Robertson giving the usual long speech about how much money they're spending. The big stuff was climate change and health, with the former being pre-announced, and most of the latter being writing off DHB's entirely fictional "debt" to the the ...6 hours ago - Bryce Edwards: A Conservative Budget for volatile times
Finance Minister Grant Robertson has delivered a Budget that will many asking “Is that all there is?” There is a myriad of initiatives and there is increased spending, but strangely it doesn’t really add up to much at all for those hoping for a more traditional Labour-style Budget. The headline ...7 hours ago - Cook Islands PM approves of corruptionLast year, Cook Islands Deputy Prime Minister Robert Tapaitau stood down as a minister after being charged with conspiracy to defraud after an investigation into corruption in Infrastructure Cook Islands and the National Environment Service. He hasn't been tried yet, but this week he has been reinstated: The seven-month ...8 hours ago
- DrawnA ballot for three member's bills was held today, and the following bills were drawn: Repeal of Good Friday and Easter Sunday as Restricted Trading Days (Shop Trading and Sale of Alcohol) Amendment Bill (Chris Baillie) Electoral (Strengthening Democracy) Amendment Bill (Golriz Ghahraman) Increased Penalties for ...10 hours ago
- Budget Morning.
No Jesus Here.She rises, unrested, and stepsOnto the narrow balconyTo find the day. To greetThe Sunday God she sings to.But this morning His face is clouded.Grey and wet as a corpseWashed by tears.Behind her, in the tangled bedding,the children bicker and whine.Worrying the cheap furnitureLike hungry puppies.They clutch at her ...15 hours ago - EGU22 – Cranky Uncle is going to Vienna!After two years of Corona-induced online meetings in 2020 and 2021, this year's General Assembly of the European Geosciences Union (EGU) will take place as a hybrid conference in both Vienna and online from May 23 to 27. To take hybrid and necessary hygiene restrictions into account, there (unfortunately) will be no ...1 day ago
- Gordon Campbell on the Australian election toss-up
The foibles of the Aussie electoral system are pretty well-known. The Lucky Country doesn’t have proportional representation. Voting for everyone over 18 is compulsory, but within a preferential system. This means that in the relatively few key seats that decide the final result, it can be the voters’ second, third ...1 day ago - Member’s Day: Finally, some first readingsToday is a Member's Day, and finally we are getting some first readings. First, though, the House has to complete the third reading of Tangi Utikere's Local Government (Pecuniary Interests Register) Amendment Bill. After that, it will finish the first reading debate on Tāmati Coffey's Improving Arrangements for Surrogacy Bill. ...1 day ago
- The kids are not OKJulia Steinberger is an ecological economist at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland. She first posted this piece at Medium.com, and it was reposted on Yale Climate Connections with her permission. Today I went to give a climate talk at my old high school in Geneva – and was given a ...2 days ago
- Government funding of interpreters in Primary Care is needed to ensure quality care
A/Prof Ben Gray* Gray B. Government funding of interpreters in Primary Care is needed to ensure quality care. Public Health Expert Blog.17 May 2022. The pandemic has highlighted many problems in the NZ health system. This blog will address the question of availability of interpreters for people with limited English ...2 days ago - Media ramming crime down our throats?
Remember all the endless whinge stories during the last two years, from whining business lobbyists to opportunistic Opposition politicians to tourist town mayors hysterical that our closed borders were hurting tourist profitability? Remember all the demands for "certainty"? To open up before most New Zealanders were vaccinated? To close down ...2 days ago - To Be in Arda Or Not To Be in Arda: Surveying Suicide in Tolkien
I have suggested previously that sometimes Tolkien’s writer-instincts get the better of him. Sometimes he departs from his own cherished metaphysics, in favour of the demands of story – and I dare say, that is a good thing. Laws and Customs of the Eldar might be an interesting insight ...2 days ago - Climate Change: “Corporate welfare”One of the key planks of yesterday's Emissions Reduction Plan is a $650 million fund to help decarbonise industry by subsidising replacement of dirty technologies with clean ones. But National leader Chris Luxon derides this as "corporate welfare". Which probably sounds great to the business ideologues in the Koru club. ...2 days ago
- Describing The Katipo.2 days ago
- The Truth Prevails.“The truth prevails, but it’s a chore.” – Jan Masaryk: The intensification of ideological pressures is bearable for only so-long before ordinary men and women reassert the virtues of tolerance and common sense.ON 10 MARCH 1948, Jan Masaryk, the Foreign Minister of Czechoslovakia, was found dead below his bathroom window. ...2 days ago
- Gordon Campbell on the Emissions Reduction Plan non-eventClearly, the attempt to take the politics out of climate change has itself been a political decision, and one meant to remove much of the heat from the global warming issue before next year’s election. What we got from yesterday’s $2.9 billion Emissions Reduction Plan was a largely aspirational multi-party ...2 days ago
- The woke misrepresentation of Māori cultureMichelle Uriarau (Mana Wāhine Kōrero) talks to Dane Giraud of the Free Speech Union LISTEN HERE Michelle Uriarau is a founding member of Mana Wāhine Kōrero – an advocacy group of and for Māori women who took strong positions against the ‘Self ID’ and ‘Conversion Practises Bills’. One of the ...3 days ago
- Climate Change: Craven, status quo policyThe government released its Emissions Reduction Plan today. The plan is required under the Zero Carbon Act and must specify how exactly the government plans to meet its carbon budget (which was announced last week). Which means they need to find another 11.5 million tons of reductions by 2025 - ...3 days ago
- Where’s the Self-Respect?
If we needed any confirmation, we have it in spades in today’s edition of the Herald; our supposedly leading daily newspaper is determined to do what it can to decide the outcome of the next election – to act, that is, not as a newspaper but as the mouthpiece for ...4 days ago - 2022 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #19Listing of articles linked to on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, May 8, 2022 through Sat, May 14, 2022. The following articles sparked above average interest during the week (bolded articles are from SkS authors): The secret world beneath our feet is mind-blowing – and ...4 days ago
- Who's a snowflake now?
Sean Plunkett, founding editor of the new media outlet, The Platform, was interviewed on RNZ's highly regarded flagship programme "Mediawatch".Mr Plunkett has made much about "cancel culture" and "de-platforming". On his website promoting The Platform, he outlines his mission statement thusly:The Platform is for everyone; we’re not into cancelling or ...4 days ago - History Lessons.“That’s a C- for History, Kelvin!” While it is certainly understandable that Māori-Crown Relations Minister Kelvin Davis was not anxious to castigate every Pakeha member of the House of Representatives for the crimes committed against his people by their ancestors; crimes from which his Labour colleagues continue to draw enormous benefits; the ...4 days ago
- Bryce Edwards: What happened to the big “immigration reset”?The Government promised a major reform of New Zealand’s immigration system, but when it was announced this week, many asked “is that it?” Over the last two years Covid has turned the immigration tap off, and the Government argued this produced the perfect opportunity to reassess decades of “unbalanced immigration”. ...5 days ago
- New Rules for Government Budget Management
While the new fiscal rules may not be contentious, what they mean for macroeconomic management is not explained.In a pre-budget speech on 3 May 2022, the Minister of Finance, Grant Robertson, made some policy announcements which will frame both this budget and future ones. (The Treasury advice underpinning them is ...6 days ago - Our unrepresentative parliamentUnder MMP, Parliament was meant to look like New Zealand. And, in a lot of ways, it does now, with better representation for Māori, tangata moana, women, and the rainbow community replacing the old dictatorship of dead white males. But there's one area where "our" parliament remains completely unrepresentative: housing: ...6 days ago
- Stats NZ’s contempt for privacy, transparency, democracy, and parliamentThe Governance and Administration Committee reported back on the Data and Statistics Bill on Monday. The bill ought to have been boring, but Stats NZ's move to a "collect it all" posture indistinguishable from that of the NSA, combined with enhanced secrecy, caused significant concerns from the Privacy Commissioner, Ombudsman, ...6 days ago
- Struggling Upwards For America’s Soul.Justice Denied: At the heart of the “Pro-Life” cause was something much darker than conservative religious dogma, or even the oppressive designs of “The Patriarchy”. The enduring motivation – which dares not declare itself openly – is the paranoid conviction of male white supremacists that if “their” women are given ...6 days ago
- Skeptical Science New Research for Week #19 2022In case of emergency break glass— but glass can cut Fire extinguishers, safety belts, first aid kits, insurance policies, geoengineering: we never enjoy using them. But given our demonstrated, deep empirical record of proclivity for creating hazards and risk we'd obviously be foolish not to include emergency responses in our inventory. ...1 week ago
- Climate Change: Betting on disasterLast year, the International Energy Agency warned us that the world needed to cease all new fossil fuel development immediately if we wanted to reach net-zero by 2050. It was a call repeated this year by the UN Secretary General, who called new fossil fuel investment "moral and economic madness". ...1 week ago
- Media Link: “A View from Afar” podcast returns.
After a brief hiatus, the “A View from Afar” podcast is back on air with Selwyn Manning leading the Q&A with me. This week is a grab bag of topics: Russian V-Day celebrations, Asian and European elections, and the impact of the PRC-Solomon Islands on the regional strategic balance. Plus ...1 week ago - No freedom of speech in VanuatuLast year, Vanuatu passed a "cyber-libel" law. And predictably, its first targets are those trying to hold the government to account: A police crackdown in Vanuatu that has seen people arrested for allegedly posting comments on social media speculating politicians were responsible for the country’s current Covid outbreak has ...1 week ago
- Bryce Edwards: How long until National wants Simon Bridges back?Could it be a case of not appreciating what you’ve got until it’s gone? The National Party lost Simon Bridges last week, which has reinforced the notion that the party still has some serious deficits of talent and diversity. The major factor in Bridges’ decision to leave was his failed ...1 week ago
- Getting On With Co-Governance – Without Debate.Who’s Missing From This Picture? The re-birth of the co-governance concept cannot be attributed to the institutions of Pakeha rule, at least, not in the sense that the massive constitutional revisions it entails have been presented to and endorsed by the House of Representatives, and then ratified by the citizens of New ...1 week ago
- Gordon Campbell on Rabuka’s possible return in FijiFiji signed onto China’s Belt and Road initiative in 2018, along with a separate agreement on economic co-operation and aid. Yet it took the recent security deal between China and the Solomon Islands to get the belated attention of the US and its helpmates in Canberra and Wellington, and the ...1 week ago
- Why a tool for reversing Trump era rules is seldom usedThis is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Lexi Smith and Bud Ward “CRA” It’s one of those acronyms even many-a-veteran environmental policy geek may not recognize. Amidst the scores and scores of acronyms in the field – CERCLA, IPCC, SARA, LUST, NPDES, NDCs, FIFRA, NEPA and scores more – ...1 week ago
- Only fools make deals with liarsNorthern Ireland went to the polls last week, resulting in Sinn Féin becoming the largest party, the first time an Irish party has done so. Naturally, the unionists are not taking this well, and are threatening to use their minority-veto to prevent any government being formed. They're also demanding the ...1 week ago
- Of Tin and Tintagel: Published
In a nice bit of news in a World Gone Mad, I can report that Of Tin and Tintagel, my 5,800-word story about tin (and political scheming), is now out as part of the Spring 2022 edition of New Maps Magazine (https://www.new-maps.com/). As noted previously, this one owes a ...1 week ago - Covid-19 Case-Fatality Risk & Infection-Fatality Risk – important measures to help guide the p...Dr Jennifer Summers, Professor Michael Baker, Professor Nick Wilson* Summers J, Baker M, Wilson N. Covid-19 Case-Fatality Risk & Infection-Fatality Risk: important measures to help guide the pandemic response. Public Health Expert Blog. 11 May 2022. In this blog we explore two useful mortality indicators: Case-Fatality Risk (CFR) and Infection-Fatality ...1 week ago
- It’s a Friday night in Invercargill for eastern moa during the Ice AgeIn the depths of winter, most people from southern New Zealand head to warmer climes for a much-needed dose of Vitamin D. Yet during the height of the last Ice Age, one species of moa did just the opposite. I’m reminded of Bill Bailey’s En Route to Normal tour that visited ...1 week ago
- Bryce Edwards: Massive Wage Subsidy and Covid spending is under scrutinisedIn the lead-up to the Budget, the Government has been on an offensive to promote the efficiency and quality of its $74 billion Covid Response and Recovery Fund -especially the Wage Subsidy Scheme component. This comes after criticisms and concerns from across the political spectrum over poor-quality spending, and suggestions ...1 week ago
- Bringing the tūī back to town – how native birds are returning to NZ’s restored urban forestsElizabeth Elliot Noe, Lincoln University, New Zealand; Andrew D. Barnes, University of Waikato; Bruce Clarkson, University of Waikato, and John Innes, Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research Urbanisation, and the destruction of habitat it entails, is a major threat to native bird populations. But as our new research shows, restored ...1 week ago
- Nothing to celebrateThe Protected Disclosures (Protection of Whistleblowers) Bill passed its third reading this afternoon. The government and the Ombudsman are both celebrating this "significant improvement" in whistleblower protection, but as I pointed out when the bill was introduced, it is nothing of the sort. The law still sets the bar for ...1 week ago
- Not very proactiveA couple of weeks ago, Stuff broke the news that the government was planning a significant boost to proactive release of official information, with almost all advice to Ministers expected to be proactively released. Which sounds great, but as I pointed out, there's real reason for concern in the way ...1 week ago
- Staying Inside The Lines.Unfinished: Always, gnawing away at this government’s confidence and empathy, is the dictum that seriously challenging the economic and social status-quo is the surest route to electoral death. Labour’s colouring-in book, and National’s, have to look the same. All that matters is which party is better at staying inside the lines.DOES ...1 week ago
- The First Rule Of Radicalism.Radical As: Māori healers recall a time when “words had power”. The words that give substance to ideas, no matter how radical, still do. If our representatives rediscover the courage to speak them out loud.THERE ARE RULES for radicalism. Or, at least, there are rules for the presentation of radical ...1 week ago
- India and Pakistan’s brutal heat wave poised to resurgeThis is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Jeff Masters A brutal, record-intensity heat wave that has engulfed much of India and Pakistan since March eased somewhat this week, but is poised to roar back in the coming week with inferno-like temperatures of up to 50 degrees Celsius (122°F). The ...1 week ago
- Defending George R.R. Martin: A Reply to Reading Tolkien
The good people at the Reading Tolkien podcast have put out a new piece, which spends some time comparing the underlying moral positions of George R.R. Martin and J.R.R. Tolkien: (The relevant discussion starts about twenty-seven minutes in. It’s a long podcast). In the interests of fairness, ...1 week ago - Bryce Edwards: Politicians talk tough on law and orderCrime is becoming a key debate between Labour and National. This week they are both keen to show that they are tough on law and order. It’s an issue that National has a traditional advantage on, and is one that they’re currently getting good traction from. In response, Labour is ...1 week ago
- Climate Change: The new emissions budgetThe government today released its first three emissions budgets, covering the periods 2022-25, 2026-30, and 2031-35. The good news? They've reversed their ridiculous proposal to increase the first period budget because we were planting too many trees and soaking up too much carbon (no, it doesn't make sense, and MPI ...1 week ago
- Gordon Campbell on the youth crime furoreSo far, the excited media response to the spike in “ram-raid” incidents is being countered by evidence that in reality, youth crime is steeply in decline, and has been so for much of the past decade. Who knew? Perhaps that’s the real issue here. Why on earth wasn’t the latest ...1 week ago
- 2022 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #18Listing of articles linked to on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, May 1, 2022 through Sat, May 7, 2022. The following articles sparked above average interest during the week (bolded articles are from SkS authors): How a tech billionaire is forcing Australia’s coal die-hards to ...2 weeks ago
- Karl du Fresne’s talk at the Free Speech Union meeting at Victoria University.In the past 10 years or so – and that’s how quickly it has happened – all our comfortable convictions about the unassailability of free speech have been turned on their heads. Suddenly we find ourselves fighting again for rights we assumed were settled. Click here to watch the video ...2 weeks ago
- The Makers Of Gilead.Enforced Fertility: The imminent overturning of Roe versus Wade by the US Supreme Court is certain to raise echoes here that are no less evocative of the dystopia envisioned by Margaret Atwood in The Handmaid’s Tale. Gilead can happen here.WITH THE UNITED STATES seemingly on the brink of becoming “Gilead”, ...2 weeks ago
- Trespassers?Not Wanted On Grounds Of Political Rejuvenation: Winston Peters did nothing more than visit the protest encampment erected by anti-vaxxers on the parliamentary lawn. A great many New Zealanders applauded him for meeting with the protesters and wondered why the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition could not do ...2 weeks ago
- Who Will Fight For Democracy?May The Force Be With Us: With New Zealanders under 40, nostalgia for a time when politics worked gains little purchase. Politics hasn’t swerved to any noticeable degree since the 1980s, becoming in the Twenty-First Century a battle between marketing strategies, not ideologies. Young New Zealanders critique political advertisements in ...2 weeks ago
- How my work on free speech brought me back to the leftDane Giraud reflects on his working class upbringing and how campaigning for free speech radicalised him Evidence to support censorship as a tool for social cohesion is paltry. I Read the NZ Human Rights Commission website, and 99% of their ‘evidence’ is anecdotal. When asked why we need hate speech ...2 weeks ago
- Poison in the Stock: Comparing the Problematic Elements of Agatha Christie and J.K. RowlingAs you may have noticed, I have been slowly working my way through the works of Agatha Christie. At the time of writing, I have read some thirty-eight of her books – less than half her total output, but arguably enough to get a reasonable handle on it. It ...2 weeks ago
- Do We Have a Population Policy?
Population growth has some effect on economic growth, but it is complicated especially where infrastructure is involved. We need to think more about it. In an opinion piece in the New Zealand Herald, John Gascoigne claimed that New Zealand was a ‘tragic tale of economic decline’. He gave no evidence ...2 weeks ago - Bryce Edwards: Have the Greens become too woke for their own good?The Greens have been almost invisible since the 2020 election. Despite massive crises impacting on people’s lives, such as climate change, housing, inequality, and the cost of living, they’ve had very little to say. On this week’s highly contentious issue of politicians being banned from Parliament by Trevor Mallard, the ...2 weeks ago
- Decarbonising the schoolsThe government has announced it will be replacing all coal boilers in schools by 2025: All remaining coal boilers in New Zealand schools will be replaced with cleaner wood burners or electric heating by 2025, at a cost of $10 million, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced. The coal ...2 weeks ago
- Neo-Nazis in Ukraine. Comedians are often more truthful than politicians.
Israeli news media and politicians often complain about the activity of neo-Nazis in Ukraine. “Activists and supporters of Ukrainian nationalist parties hold torches as they take part in a rally to mark the 112th birth anniversary of Stepan Bandera, in Kyiv, Ukraine, January 1, 2021. Credit: Valentyn Ogirenko/Reuters The recent ...2 weeks ago - Skeptical Science New Research for Week #18 2022Another gnawing warming worry Accidental outcomes of our engineering prowess are warming Arctic regions at a rapid pace. Another species of accomplished engineers is rapidly occupying and exploiting new territory we've thereby made more easily available, namely beavers (Castor canadensis). Beaver populations in affected Arctic regions have increased from "none" to "quite a ...2 weeks ago
- Pursuit of Indigenous sovereign rightsDr Simon Lambert’s dream is to see Indigenous nations across the world exercising their sovereign rights by adding their say to disaster risk reduction planning. Simon, of Ngāi Tūhoe and Ngāti Ruapani ki Waikaremoana, specialises in indigenous disaster risk reduction, indigenous health and indigenous development, social science, environmental management, planning ...2 weeks ago
- ‘My stroke gave me purpose’ – Rukingi HaupapaRukingi Haupapa (Ngāti Whakaue, Te Arawa) credits his stroke in 2005 for changing his life: leading him to change his name, get his mataora (facial moko) and set up a trust to help fellow stroke survivors. Oranga (health and wellbeing) is Rukingi’s passion. He holds a Master’s degree in Indigenous ...2 weeks ago
- Thoughts on an abusive copThe Independent Police Conduct authority has today released two reports relating to the same police officer. In the first, they are found to have used excessive and unjustifiable force in the arrest of a child. In the second, they are found to have seriously assaulted a man during an unlawful ...2 weeks ago
- Hosking v. ArdernMike Hosking’s all-too familiar diatribe in today’s Herald is so dripping with venom and anti-Jacinda animus that one can’t help but wonder if the content matters less than the spirit and purpose in and with which it was offered. Hosking clearly needs help. He seems to live in a world ...2 weeks ago
- Gordon Campbell on abortion rights, and biased SpeakersSo a Supreme Court stacked with ideologues selected by Donald Trump is about to make an ideological decision to ban the legal right of American women to an abortion. In their infinite wisdom, the US courts have decided that the government cannot force people to wear a mask during a ...2 weeks ago
- Jack Vowles: Te Tiriti – A Briefing for Chris LuxonNational party leader Chris Luxon has been reported as giving some badly uninformed responses to questions about Te Tiriti o Waitangi. As a potential Prime Minister, he needs to get up to speed. Te Tiriti is the Māori language version of the Treaty of Waitangi – the version that is ...2 weeks ago
- Why and How to Electrify EverythingThis is a re-post from the Citizens' Climate Lobby blog Electrification is a hot topic right now, with many countries searching for ways to reduce their dependence on Russian oil and gas as Putin’s war atrocities in Ukraine worsen by the day. Fortunately, many of the solutions to reduce long-term fossil fuel financial ...2 weeks ago
- What you need to know about carbon dioxide removalThis is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections Carbon dioxide removal (CDR) from the atmosphere continues to be a hot topic. In its newest report, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) concluded that the Paris Climate Agreement targets cannot be met without substantial efforts to remove some of the more than three-trillion ...2 weeks ago
- Bryce Edwards: Trevor Mallard’s petty fiefdomIs Parliament just the fiefdom of Trevor Mallard and his colleagues? That’s the impression the public might take from yesterday’s news that the Speaker of Parliament is issuing trespass notices to political opponents who visited the protest in March on the lawns of Parliament. Speaker Mallard has the absolute right ...2 weeks ago
- 29,000 employed under LabourThe quarterly labour market statistics were released this morning, showing unemployment holding at a record low of 3.2%. There are now 94,000 unemployed - 29,000 fewer than when Labour took office. Average wages are also up, and looking back, they've increased from $30.45 / hour in 2017 to $36.18 today. ...2 weeks ago
- Member’s DayToday is a Member's Day, and one likely to be entirely full of third readings. First up is Ricardo Menéndez March's Human Rights (Disability Assist Dogs Non-Discrimination) Amendment Bill, followed by Nicola Willis' Unit Titles (Strengthening Body Corporate Governance and Other Matters) Amendment Bill and Tangi Utikere's Local Government (Pecuniary ...2 weeks ago
- Budget 2020: James Shaw Budget Speech
CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY Mr Speaker, It has taken four-and-a-half years to even start to turn the legacy of inaction and neglect from the last time they were in Government together. And we have a long journey in front of us! ...6 hours ago - Greens MP Dr Elizabeth Kerekere says wins for health not enough for Māori or RainbowToday Greens Te Mātāwaka Chair and Health Spokesperson, Dr Elizabeth Kerekere, said “The Greens have long campaigned for an independent Māori Health Authority and pathways for Takatāpui and Rainbow healthcare. “We welcome the substantial funding going into the new health system, Pae Ora, particularly for the Māori Health Authority, Iwi-Partnership ...6 hours ago
- Budget 2022: Greens call for urgency with nature-first climate investmentsBudget 2022 shows progress on conservation commitments in the Green Party’s cooperation agreement Green Party achievements in the last Government continue to drive investment in nature protection Urgent action needed on nature-based solutions to climate change Future budget decisions must reflect the role nature plays in helping reduce emissions ...8 hours ago
- Budget 2022: Greens celebrate landmark investment in climate actionLandmark week for climate action concludes with climate budget Largest ever investment in climate action one of many Green Party wins throughout Budget 2022 Budget 2022 delivers progress on every part of the cooperation agreement with Labour Budget 2022 is a climate budget that caps a landmark week ...8 hours ago
- Budget 2022: Govt must build on half price fare extension and make public transport freeGreen Party welcomes extension to half price fares Permanent half price fares for Community Services Card holders includes many students, which helps implement a Green Party policy Work to reduce public transport fares for Community Services Card holders started by Greens in the last Government Budget 2022 should be ...8 hours ago
- Budget 2022: Greens welcome winter energy support and funding for community energyNew cost of living payment closely aligned to Green Party policy to expand the Winter Energy Payment Extension and improvement of Warmer Kiwi Homes builds on Green Party progress in Government Community energy fund welcomed The Green Party welcomes the investment in Budget 2022 to expand Warmer Kiwi ...8 hours ago
- Budget 2022: Greens welcome support to address youth homelessnessBudget 2022 support to reduce homelessness delivers on the Green Party’s cooperation agreement Bespoke support for rangatahi with higher, more complex needs The Green Party welcomes the additional investment in Budget 2022 for kaupapa Māori support services, homelessness outreach services, the expansion of transitional housing, and a new ...8 hours ago
- Green Party PR – Budget 2022: Greens call for greater ambition to address inequality crisisGreen Party reaffirms call for liveable incomes and wealth tax Calls on Government to cancel debt owed to MSD for hardship assistance such as benefit advances, and for over-payments The Green Party welcomes the support for people on low incomes Budget 2022 but says more must be done ...8 hours ago
- Extra support with the cost of living
At the heart of this year’s Budget is our cost of living package, designed to ease the pressure on New Zealanders in the face of global inflation. ...8 hours ago - 13 highlights of Budget 2022Our Government has just released this year’s Budget, which sets out the next steps in our plan to build a high wage, low carbon economy that gives economic security in good times and in bad. It’s full of initiatives that speed up our economic recovery and ease cost pressures for ...8 hours ago
- Strengthening Democracy Bill pulled from biscuit tinA stronger democracy is on the horizon, as Golriz Ghahraman’s Electoral (Strengthening Democracy) Amendment Bill was pulled from the biscuit tin today. ...9 hours ago
- What to expect in Budget 2022Tomorrow, the Government will release this year’s Budget, setting out the next steps in our plan to build a high wage, low carbon economy that gives economic security in good times and in bad. While the full details will be kept under wraps until Thursday afternoon, we’ve announced a few ...1 day ago
- Next steps in our plan to address climate changeAs a Government, we made it clear to New Zealanders that we’d take meaningful action on climate change, and that’s exactly what we’ve done. Earlier today, we released our next steps with our Emissions Reduction Plan – which will meet the Climate Commission’s independent science-based emissions reduction targets, and new ...3 days ago
- Landmark climate plan secures path to net zeroEmissions Reduction Plan prepares New Zealand for the future, ensuring country is on track to meet first emissions budget, securing jobs, and unlocking new investment ...3 days ago
- Supercharging decarbonisation & transforming the energy system...3 days ago
- Pasifika communities must be part of immigration rebalanceThe Greens are calling for the Government to reconsider the immigration reset so that it better reflects our relationship with our Pacific neighbours. ...5 days ago
- More support for Alcohol Harm Minimisation BillHamilton City Council and Whanganui District Council have both joined a growing list of Local Authorities to pass a motion in support of Green Party Drug Reform Spokesperson Chlöe Swarbrick’s Members’ bill to minimise alcohol harm. ...1 week ago
- The next steps in our plan to speed up New Zealand’s economic growthToday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced a major package of reforms to address the immediate skill shortages in New Zealand and speed up our economic growth. These include an early reopening to the world, a major milestone for international education, and a simplification of immigration settings to ensure New Zealand ...1 week ago
- Immigration reset entrenches discrimination towards low-waged migrantsProposed immigration changes by the Government fail to guarantee pathways to residency to workers in the types of jobs deemed essential throughout the pandemic, by prioritising high income earners - instead of focusing on the wellbeing of workers and enabling migrants to put down roots. ...1 week ago
- Green Party supports nurses’ ERA decisionThe Green Party supports nurses’ continued push for pay equity and calls on the Government to deliver the back pay they had expected. ...1 week ago
- Budget 2022 Speech: Investing to eliminate violence in our homes and communitiesEhara taku toa i te toa takatahi, engari taku toa he toa takimano – my strength is not mine alone but the strength of many (working together to ensure safe, caring respectful responses). We are striving for change. We want all people in Aotearoa New Zealand thriving; their wellbeing enhanced ...1 week ago
- Allied health workers deserve better conditionsThe Green Party is throwing its support behind the 10,000 allied health workers taking work-to-rule industrial action today because of unfair pay and working conditions. ...1 week ago
- SPEECH: Building a low-carbon futureTēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa. Ngā mihi o te ata. Good morning ...2 weeks ago
- Celebrating Gasav Ne Fäeag Rotuạm Ta – Rotuman Language WeekToday marks the first celebration for Pacific Language Weeks 2022 with Gasav Ne Fäeag Rotuạm Ta – Rotuman Language Week. ...2 weeks ago
- Six ways we’re reducing cost pressures for New ZealandersSince the day we came into Government, we’ve worked hard to lift wages and reduce cost pressures facing New Zealanders. But we know the rising cost of living, driven by worldwide inflation and the war in Ukraine, is making things particularly tough right now. That’s why we’ve stepped up our ...2 weeks ago
- Disability assist dogs now protected in lawThe Green Party has changed the law to ensure people do not face discrimination for having a disability assist dog. ...2 weeks ago
- Greens call for government to implement all recommendations of Casey report into detention of asylum...An independent review of New Zealand’s detention regime for asylum seekers has found arbitrary and abusive practices in Aotearoa’s immigration law, policy, and practice. ...2 weeks ago
- Govt helps supermarket shoppers get a fair deal
Urgent Budget night legislation to stop major supermarkets blocking competitors from accessing land for new stores has been introduced today, Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Dr David Clark said. The Commerce (Grocery Sector Covenants) Amendment Bill amends the Commerce Act 1986, banning restrictive covenants on land, and exclusive covenants ...4 hours ago - Prime Minister: Wellbeing Budget 2022 speechIt is a pleasure to speak to this Budget. The 5th we have had the privilege of delivering, and in no less extraordinary circumstances. Mr Speaker, the business and cycle of Government is, in some ways, no different to life itself. Navigating difficult times, while also making necessary progress. Dealing ...6 hours ago
- Future resource management system implementation fundingBudget 2022 provides funding to implement the new resource management system, building on progress made since the reform was announced just over a year ago. The inadequate funding for the implementation of the Resource Management Act in 1992 almost guaranteed its failure. There was a lack of national direction about ...6 hours ago
- Funding certainty for quality public mediaThe Government is substantially increasing the amount of funding for public media to ensure New Zealanders can continue to access quality local content and trusted news. “Our decision to create a new independent and future-focused public media entity is about achieving this objective, and we will support it with a ...7 hours ago
- Funding boost secures Defence capabilities$662.5 million to maintain existing defence capabilities NZDF lower-paid staff will receive a salary increase to help meet cost-of living pressures. Budget 2022 sees significant resources made available for the Defence Force to maintain existing defence capabilities as it looks to the future delivery of these new investments. “Since ...7 hours ago
- Budget 2022 supports resilient and sustainable cultural sectorMore than $185 million to help build a resilient cultural sector as it continues to adapt to the challenges coming out of COVID-19. Support cultural sector agencies to continue to offer their important services to New Zealanders. Strengthen support for Māori arts, culture and heritage. The Government is investing in a ...7 hours ago
- Minister of Finance: Wellbeing Budget 2022 SpeechIt is my great pleasure to present New Zealand’s fourth Wellbeing Budget. In each of this Government’s three previous Wellbeing Budgets we have not only considered the performance of our economy and finances, but also the wellbeing of our people, the health of our environment and the strength of our communities. In Budget ...7 hours ago
- Wellbeing Budget 2022 SpeechIt is my great pleasure to present New Zealand’s fourth Wellbeing Budget. In each of this Government’s three previous Wellbeing Budgets we have not only considered the performance of our economy and finances, but also the wellbeing of our people, the health of our environment and the strength of our communities. In Budget ...7 hours ago
- Coronial delays addressed by Budget 2022Four new permanent Coroners to be appointed Seven Coronial Registrar roles and four Clinical Advisor roles are planned to ease workload pressures Budget 2022 delivers a package of investment to improve the coronial system and reduce delays for grieving families and whānau. “Operating funding of $28.5 million over four ...7 hours ago
- Paving the way for better outcomes for disabled peopleEstablishment of Ministry for Disabled People Progressing the rollout of the Enabling Good Lives approach to Disability Support Services to provide self-determination for disabled people Extra funding for disability support services “Budget 2022 demonstrates the Government’s commitment to deliver change for the disability community with the establishment of a ...7 hours ago
- Investing in education so all Kiwis can succeedFairer Equity Funding system to replace school deciles The largest step yet towards Pay Parity in early learning Local support for schools to improve teaching and learning A unified funding system to underpin the Reform of Vocational Education Boost for schools and early learning centres to help with cost ...7 hours ago
- Primary sector backed to grow and innovate$118.4 million for advisory services to support farmers, foresters, growers and whenua Māori owners to accelerate sustainable land use changes and lift productivity $40 million to help transformation in the forestry, wood processing, food and beverage and fisheries sectors $31.6 million to help maintain and lift animal welfare practices across Aotearoa New Zealand A total food and ...7 hours ago
- More support for first home buyers and rentersHouse price caps for First Home Grants increased in many parts of the country House price caps for First Home Loans removed entirely Kāinga Whenua Loan cap will also be increased from $200,000 to $500,000 The Affordable Housing Fund to initially provide support for not-for-profit rental providers Significant additional ...7 hours ago
- Budget lifts up to 14,000 children out of povertyChild Support rules to be reformed lifting an estimated 6,000 to 14,000 children out of poverty Support for immediate and essential dental care lifted from $300 to $1,000 per year Increased income levels for hardship assistance to extend eligibility Budget 2022 takes further action to reduce child poverty and ...7 hours ago
- A booster for RNA research and developmentMore support for RNA research through to pilot manufacturing RNA technology platform to be created to facilitate engagement between research and industry partners Researchers and businesses working in the rapidly developing field of RNA technology will benefit from a new research and development platform, funded in Budget 2022. “RNA ...7 hours ago
- Unleashing business potential across NZA new Business Growth Fund to support small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to grow Fully funding the Regional Strategic Partnership Fund to unleash regional economic development opportunities Tourism Innovation Programme to promote sustainable recovery Eight Industry Transformation Plans progressed to work with industries, workers and iwi to transition ...7 hours ago
- Securing the wellbeing of Pacific communitiesBudget 2022 further strengthens the economic foundations and wellbeing outcomes for Pacific peoples in Aotearoa, as the recovery from COVID-19 continues. “The priorities we set for Budget 2022 will support the continued delivery of our commitments for Pacific peoples through the Pacific Wellbeing Strategy, a 2020 manifesto commitment for Pacific ...7 hours ago
- Government delivers timely support for whānauBoost for Māori economic and employment initiatives. More funding for Māori health and wellbeing initiatives Further support towards growing language, culture and identity initiatives to deliver on our commitment to Te Reo Māori in Education Funding for natural environment and climate change initiatives to help farmers, growers and whenua ...7 hours ago
- Government delivers critical infrastructureNew hospital funding for Whangārei, Nelson and Hillmorton 280 more classrooms over 40 schools, and money for new kura $349 million for more rolling stock and rail network investment The completion of feasibility studies for a Northland dry dock and a new port in the Manukau Harbour Increased infrastructure ...7 hours ago
- A health system that takes care of Māori$168 million to the Māori Health Authority for direct commissioning of services $20.1 million to support Iwi-Māori Partnership Boards $30 million to support Māori primary and community care providers $39 million for Māori health workforce development Budget 2022 invests in resetting our health system and gives economic security in ...8 hours ago
- Investing in better health servicesBiggest-ever increase to Pharmac’s medicines budget Provision for 61 new emergency vehicles including 48 ambulances, along with 248 more paramedics and other frontline staff New emergency helicopter and crew, and replacement of some older choppers $100 million investment in specialist mental health and addiction services 195,000 primary and intermediate aged ...8 hours ago
- A Secure Future for New Zealanders’ healthLandmark reform: new multi-year budgets for better planning and more consistent health services Record ongoing annual funding boost for Health NZ to meet cost pressures and start with a clean slate as it replaces fragmented DHB system ($1.8 billion year one, as well as additional $1.3 billion in year ...8 hours ago
- Cost of living package eases impact on households – 2.1 million Kiwis to get new targeted paymentFuel Excise Duty and Road User Charges cut to be extended for two months Half price public transport extended for a further two months New temporary cost of living payment for people earning up to $70,000 who are not eligible to receive the Winter Energy Payment Estimated 2.1 million New ...8 hours ago
- Budget highlights underlying strength of economy in face of global headwindsA return to surplus in 2024/2025 Unemployment rate projected to remain at record lows Net debt forecast to peak at 19.9 percent of GDP in 2024, lower than Australia, US, UK and Canada Economic growth to hit 4.2 percent in 2023 and average 2.1 percent over the forecast period A ...8 hours ago
- Budget 2022: A secure future in difficult timesCost of living payment to cushion impact of inflation for 2.1 million Kiwis Record health investment including biggest ever increase to Pharmac’s medicines budget First allocations from Climate Emergency Response Fund contribute to achieving the goals in the first Emissions Reduction Plan Government actions deliver one of the strongest ...8 hours ago
- Budget 2022: A secure futureBudget 2022 will help build a high wage, low emissions economy that provides greater economic security, while providing support to households affected by cost of living pressures. Our economy has come through the COVID-19 shock better than almost anywhere else in the world, but other challenges, both long-term and more ...8 hours ago
- Health Minister to attend World Health Assembly in GenevaHealth Minister Andrew Little will represent New Zealand at the first in-person World Health Assembly since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, to be held in Geneva, Switzerland, from Sunday 22 – Wednesday 25 May (New Zealand time). “COVID-19 has affected people all around the world, and health continues to ...1 day ago
- New efforts to counter illegal timber tradeNew Zealand is committing to trade only in legally harvested timber with the Forests (Legal Harvest Assurance) Amendment Bill introduced to Parliament today. Under the Bill, timber harvested in New Zealand and overseas, and used in products made here or imported, will have to be verified as being legally harvested. ...1 day ago
- Deaths in New Zealand lower than expected so far during the pandemicThe Government has welcomed the release today of StatsNZ data showing the rate at which New Zealanders died from all causes during the COVID-19 pandemic has been lower than expected. The new StatsNZ figures provide a measure of the overall rate of deaths in New Zealand during the pandemic compared ...1 day ago
- New law helps secure New Zealand’s maritime domainLegislation that will help prevent serious criminal offending at sea, including trafficking of humans, drugs, wildlife and arms, has passed its third reading in Parliament today, Foreign Affairs Nanaia Mahuta announced. “Today is a milestone in allowing us to respond to the increasingly dynamic and complex maritime security environment facing ...2 days ago
- Trade and Export Growth Minister to travel to Bangkok for APECTrade and Export Growth Minister Damien O’Connor is set to travel to Thailand this week to represent New Zealand at the annual APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) meeting in Bangkok. “I’m very much looking forward to meeting my trade counterparts at APEC 2022 and building on the achievements we ...2 days ago
- Government welcomes historic pay-equity dealSettlement of the first pay-equity agreement in the health sector is hugely significant, delivering pay rises of thousands of dollars for many hospital administration and clerical workers, Health Minister Andrew Little says. “There is no place in 21st century Aotearoa New Zealand for 1950s attitudes to work predominantly carried out ...2 days ago
- Government delivers new ICU space at Christchurch HospitalHealth Minister Andrew Little opened a new intensive care space for up to 12 ICU-capable beds at Christchurch Hospital today, funded from the Government’s Rapid Hospital Improvement Programme. “I’m pleased to help mark this milestone. This new space will provide additional critical care support for the people of Canterbury and ...2 days ago
- Next steps for specialist mental health and addiction servicesBudget 2022 will continue to deliver on Labour’s commitment to better services and support for mental wellbeing. The upcoming Budget will include a $100-million investment over four years for a specialist mental health and addiction package, including: $27m for community-based crisis services that will deliver a variety of intensive supports ...3 days ago
- 195,000 children set to benefit from more mental health supportBudget 2022 will continue to deliver on Labour’s commitment to better mental wellbeing services and support, with 195,000 primary and intermediate aged children set to benefit from the continuation and expansion of Mana Ake services. “In Budget 2022 Labour will deliver on its manifesto commitment to expand Mana Ake, with ...3 days ago
- Belarusian leaders and defence entities targeted under latest round of sanctionsForeign Minister Nanaia Mahuta has today announced sanctions on Belarusian leaders and defence entities supporting Russia’s actions in Ukraine, as part of the Government’s ongoing response to the war. “The Belarusian government military is enabling the illegal and unacceptable assault on Ukraine’s sovereignty,” Nanaia Mahuta said. “Under the leadership of ...3 days ago
- Queen's Platinum Jubilee Tree planting event at Government HouseJust after World War 2, there were incentives to clear forest and bring land into agricultural production. In places, the land had been stripped bare as forests were felled for sheep grazing. Today, you only have to look at the hills around Taihape and see the stumps of a once ...3 days ago
- Supercharging decarbonisation & transforming the energy systemThe drive to decarbonise industry and further accelerate preparations for a sustainable, more resilient future will get a boost from the Climate Emergency Response Fund in Budget 2022 by supercharging efforts to encourage the switch to cleaner energy options and transform the energy system. “Today is a momentous day ...3 days ago
- Climate investments provide path to economic securityThe Government is investing in New Zealand’s economic security by ensuring climate change funding moves away from short-term piecemeal responses and towards smart, long-term investment. Climate Emergency Response Fund (CERF) established with $4.5 billion from Emissions Trading Scheme revenue Initial allocation of $2.9 billion over four years invested in emissions ...3 days ago
- Transport to drive down emissionsRolling out the Clean Car Upgrade programme, supporting lower- and middle- income families transition to low-emission alternatives through a new scrap-and-replace trial Helping low-income households lease low emission vehicles Supporting the rapid development of urban cycleway networks, walkable neighbourhoods, healthier school travel, and increased accessibility and reliability of public ...3 days ago
- Treasury investigates Wall Street Journal's early release of Budget details
An investigation is underway into the early release of details from the Budget by the Wall Street Journal. ...2 hours ago - At 3.9%, Australia’s unemployment rate now officially begins with ‘3’. What’s next?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society and NATSEM, University of Canberra Shutterstock Early in the election campaign, on April 14, we learned that Australia’s unemployment rate had slipped below 4% in March, to 3.95% – ...2 hours ago - Budget 2022: $11.1b allocated to overhauling the health systemThe sum includes about $1.8 billion to wipe out DHB deficits, while Pharmac will receive $191m over two years to fund new drugs - with a particular focus on cancer care. ...2 hours ago
- Budget Brings Positive Relief Measures And The Promise Of Long-term Progress
E tū welcomes Budget 2022, which includes a range of measures that will help E tū members and their communities during a time of increased hardship coming out of the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic. E tū Assistant National Secretary Annie Newman ...3 hours ago - Budget 2022 Is All About Health, Climate And The Cost-of-living. But Can It Deliver Without Fueling ...The 2022 Budget was delivered against a gloomier backdrop. The latest forecasts suggest more subdued growth, more persistent inflation, and further tightening in the labour market. The headline numbers provided little surprise. The Government ...3 hours ago
- Budget 2022: Expectations vs RealityThere was a lot riding on the year's Budget: Cost-of-living challenges, health, climate, education - so did the spending match sectors' hopes? ...3 hours ago
- Recap: Budget 2022 – find out where the money is goingInequality campaigners say the government's cost of living payment is a slap in the face to some of the country's most vulnerable. ...3 hours ago
- This election, many adults with disabilities won’t be allowed to vote. That should changeSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Wendy Bonython, Associate Professor of Law, Bond University Shutterstock This Saturday, most Australians over 18 will vote in the federal election. The right to participate in elections is enshrined in international and domestic human rights law. Under Australia’s Commonwealth ...4 hours ago
- Here’s how we track down and very carefully photograph Australia’s elusive snakesSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Chris Hay, Honorary Fellow, The University of Queensland A mulga snake Christina N. Zdenek, CC BY-NC-ND Environmental scientists see flora, fauna and phenomena the rest of us rarely do. In this series, we’ve invited them to share their unique photos from ...5 hours ago
- A budget for the ‘squeezed middle’ – but will it be the political circuit-breaker Labour wants...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Richard Shaw, Professor of Politics, Massey University Getty Images One way to make sense of Finance Minister Grant Robertson’s fifth budget speech was to see it as a political performance working on different levels. First, Labour needs this budget ...5 hours ago
- Greater Wellington Welcomes Cheaper Fares For Community Services Card HoldersGreater Wellington welcomed news today that the Government will permanently fund cheaper public transport fares for community services card hold holders. Chair of Greater Wellington Daran Ponter said there had been strong support for this type ...5 hours ago
- Raiding super early has already left women worse off. Let’s not repeat the mistake for home deposi...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alison Preston, Professor of Economics, The University of Western Australia Shutterstock In 2020 the Morrison government allowed Australians to raid their superannuation to get through during the pandemic. This week Scott Morrison proposed letting people raid their super for a ...5 hours ago
- Arts and culture have been all but overlooked this election – but the Greens have a big-picture pl...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ben Eltham, Lecturer, School of Media, Film and Journalism, Monash University Shutterstock The past term of government has been tough for arts and culture in Australia. Culture was among the worst affected by the pandemic of any aspect of society: ...5 hours ago
- Watch: Political parties respond to Budget 2022National, ACT, Te Pāti Māori and the Green Party have given their responses to the government's Budget 2022. ...5 hours ago
- Winston Peters – Budget 2022It's a 'cost of living crisis' not a 'spending on living crisis'. Throwing more and more money at a black-hole for kiwis to spend is akin to the famous saying: "...it's like standing in a bucket and trying to pull yourself up by the handle." ...5 hours ago
- Tertiary Education Out In The Cold Once AgainTe Hautū Kahurangi | Tertiary Education Union and the New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations are disappointed to see the tertiary education sector largely ignored once again in the Labour government’s fifth Budget since taking office in 2017. ...5 hours ago
- 'Lacklustre Budget' Lacks Long Term ThinkingThe biggest Budget spend up in New Zealand’s history has delivered some, but not a lot, of initiatives that will support businesses in the Canterbury region. "Some of the initiatives announced in Budget 2022 will go some way towards helping business, ...6 hours ago
- Community Housing Aotearoa Welcomes The Announcement Of $350m Affordable Housing FundCommunity Housing Aotearoa, a peak body for the community housing sector, welcomes the announcement in today’s Budget to create a $350M Affordable Housing Fund. This investment is a good use of the unallocated Residential Response Fund and a sign ...6 hours ago
- Better Access To SME Finance One Piece Of Good NewsThe Government’s fourth wellbeing budget fittingly delivered a raft of initiatives to support people, communities and the environment, but when it came to business support it was much as expected. The good news is $100m has been allocated for a ...6 hours ago
- Pluses But No Explicit Budget Funding For Preventing Violence And Abuse Against Disabled People Conc...Budget 2022 has pluses and minuses for the disabled community, says Disability Rights Commissioner Paula Tesoriero. On the plus side there was considerable investment in the new Ministry for Disabled People and other funding which has the potential ...6 hours ago
- VUWSA Statement On Budget 2022...6 hours ago
- Budget 2022: Good Start, But More Infrastructure Investment NeededNew Zealand’s national association for civil contractors has welcomed the $230 million investment in trades training programmes, increased funding for rail and rural broadband infrastructure, and support for Construction Sector Accord Transformation ...6 hours ago
- ProCare Disappointed Nurses Left Out In The Cold In Budget 22Leading healthcare provider, ProCare is disappointed that primary care nurses have been left out of today’s Budget announcement. Gabrielle Lord, Nursing Director and General Manager Practice Services, at ProCare says: “Nurses have been the backbone ...6 hours ago
- Health Budget Fails To Address Key Determinant Of Health Which Is IncomesThe Health and Climate Budget, being touted as Securing our Future fails to address a key determinant of health, which is low incomes. “There was talk in lockdown about keeping (the governments) eye on the ball, and I kept thinking, are they aware ...6 hours ago
- ProCare Welcomes Budget Funding For Warm, Dry Homes To Reduce Respiratory IssuesLeading healthcare provider ProCare has today welcomed funding in today’s Budget to ensure Kiwis can live in warmer, dryer homes. This is one of the biggest determinants of health and is one of the key measures we can take to prevent hospitilisations ...6 hours ago
- People On Income Support Excluded From Cost Of Living Budget Measures – Anti-Poverty GroupsA coalition of anti-poverty groups has challenged the Government for excluding people receiving income support from today’s cost of living ‘helicopter payments’, saying they have chosen to leave families living in the harshest poverty further ...6 hours ago
- Voluntary assisted dying will soon be legal in all states. Here’s what’s just happened in NSW an...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ben White, Professor of End-of-Life Law and Regulation, Australian Centre for Health Law Research, Queensland University of Technology Shutterstock The last state in Australia, New South Wales, has today passed its voluntary assisted dying bill. This means the vast majority ...6 hours ago
- Budget 2022 Plugs Health System Holes But More NeededWellington, 19 May 2022 – There is no doubt the New Zealand health system requires reform and today’s Budget clearly set out the way forward, with funding prioritised against the most pressing issues on the Government’s agenda, says Deloitte Partner ...6 hours ago
- Labor’s proposed Pacific labour scheme reforms might be good soft diplomacy but will it address wo...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Emily Foley, PhD Candidate, La Trobe University, La Trobe University National security has been a feature of this election campaign, but there’s been little substantive difference on key issues of foreign policy. Last week’s foreign policy debate between Foreign Minister Senator Marise ...6 hours ago
- Budget 2022 A Combination Of Giant Leaps And Small Steps, All In The Right Direction, Says PSAPSA national secretary, Kerry Davies: As promised by the Minister of Finance, this was a Budget of health and climate, both areas our members have a strong interest in. The bold step of clearing DHB deficits and the small, iterative steps to improve ...6 hours ago
- Budget 2022 Lets Down The Women Of NZ – Breast Cancer Foundation...7 hours ago
- Budget 2022 Delivers Hype And Hot Air In The Climate And Biodiversity Crises18 May: Greenpeace is responding to Budget 2022 by saying the Government is generating hype and hot air while failing the environment. "There has never been more hype, while the need for real action to address the climate and biodiversity crises has ...7 hours ago
- How do the major parties rate on the First Nations Voice to Parliament? We asked 5 expertsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dani Larkin, Lecturer/Deputy Director of the Indigenous Law Centre, UNSW Sydney AAP Image/Lukas Coch and Mick Tsikas, Shutterstock One of the recommendations from the 2017 Uluru Statement from the Heart calls for the establishment of a First Nations Voice to ...7 hours ago
- Watch live: Political parties respond to Budget 2022National, ACT, Te Pāti Māori and the Green Party react to the government's Budget 2022 announcements: Watch live. ...7 hours ago
- Tax Remains A No Show In Budget 2022Wellington, 19 May 2022 – The lack of any tax announcements in today’s Budget announcement was not surprising but it’s lack of presence did not go unnoticed says Deloitte Partner Robyn Walker. “While tax has barely been out of the headlines ...7 hours ago
- Longer Term Commitment To Cheaper Public Transport Fares Needed – LGNZAn extension of half price public transport fares over the winter months is a promising start, says LGNZ Chief Executive Susan Freeman-Greene. “Cheaper public transport fares must be seen as much more than a way to help ease the burden of the rising ...7 hours ago
- NZDA Budget Day ReactionThe New Zealand Dental Association (NZDA) has welcomed the Government’s Budget Day dental commitments. The Government will increase grants from $300 to $1000 to improve dental access for the lowest income New Zealanders. NZDA says that their ...7 hours ago
- Indigenous Rights Commissioner Denied In Budget 2022The Human Rights Commission, Te Kāhui Tika Tangata, is welcoming an increase in its baseline funding for the next four years but is calling on the Government to stand by its promises to tangata whenua. It comes after the Government rejected a ...7 hours ago
- Budget 2022 Does Not Go Far Enough To Address Transport InequityBudget 2022 was heralded as the “Climate and Wellbeing Budget”, but has missed the mark when it comes to enabling a just transition into a sustainable future. This budget needed to include free public transport for tertiary students, under 25s, ...7 hours ago
- Bryce Edwards’ Political Roundup: A Conservative Budget for volatile times7 hours ago
- What NZ can learn (is Greenpeace listening?) from Sri Lanka’s blundering to combat climate change ...
Sri Lanka is in the grip of its worst economic crisis in decades, facing depleted petrol reserves, food shortages and a chronic lack of medical supplies. More than a month of mainly peaceful protests against the government’s handling of the economy turned deadly last week when supporters of the former prime minister ...7 hours ago - PODCAST – Buchanan + Manning: NATO Expansion + CSTO Summit + Regional SecurityA View from Afar – In this podcast, political scientist Paul Buchanan and Selwyn Manning examine the Implications of the Russia-Ukrainian conflict and how it impacts on regional security architecture. In particular, we assess Finland and Sweden’s move to become NATO members and whether Turkey will prevent this from ...7 hours ago
- Legal Aid Funding Boost Welcome Relief For All New ZealandersNew Zealanders from all walks of life will benefit from increased access to justice thanks to funding for our legal aid system in Budget 2022, the New Zealand Law Society I Te Kāhui Ture o Aotearoa says. Today’s budget sees an extra $190m over four ...7 hours ago
- Budget Absence Of New Trains Surprises And Disappoints Regional CouncilsThe Budget’s failure to contribute funding for a fleet of hybrid electric trains in the lower North Island has surprised and disappointed Greater Wellington and Horizons regional councils. The trains, which are battery powered on non-electric track, were ...7 hours ago
- Indigenous votes matter — and not just in remote AustraliaSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Bhiamie Williamson, Research Associate & PhD Candidate, Australian National University It is often lamented that Indigenous peoples’ electoral power is insignificant in Australia, except perhaps in the remote Northern Territory seat of Lingiari. But our new analysis of Indigenous populations in ...7 hours ago
- Budget 2022 Continues Rail RebuildBudget 2022 keeps the rebuild of our national railway on track with $661.5 million allocated for rail, KiwiRail Acting Chief Executive David Gordon says. The investment includes: $312.3 million to continue the Government’s commitment to raising the ...7 hours ago
- Pharmac Will Use Biggest Budget Increase Ever To Fund More Medicines For More New ZealandersPharmac welcomes the $191 million increase to its pharmaceutical budget over the next two years. It is already working its way through the medicines options for investment (OFI) list, looking at what agreements it can now make with pharmaceutical suppliers. ...7 hours ago
- Budget’s Warm Homes Plan ‘literally The Least The Government Could Do’ | Green Building Counci...The one year extension to the Warmer Kiwi Homes programme announced in today’s Budget has been called ‘literally the least the government could do’ by the Green Building Council. Today’s Budget only extended the home insulation and heating ...8 hours ago
- $100m Budget Spend A Good Start For Embattled Small BusinessSmall businesses across the country will breathe a collective sigh of relief after the 2022 Budget earmarked $100 million of capital funding for a Business Growth Fund. Buy NZ Made executive director Dane Ambler says many small businesses are "teetering ...8 hours ago
- Budget Welcomed, Execution Will Be KeyBusinessNZ welcomes investment in education and small business as part of the Government's Budget announcement. Chief Executive Kirk Hope says investment in health and climate action will also be appreciated but businesses are looking for ways to shore up skill ...8 hours ago
- Budget 2022: How Are We Still Responding To COVID With Arts Grants?The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is almost – but not quite – lost for words over Budget 2022’s announcement of another $185 million in arts and heritage grants. Union spokesman Louis Houlbrooke says, “We were amazed when the Government decided ...8 hours ago
- Fuel Tax Relief Extension: A Small Victory For TaxpayersResponding to Budget 2022’s two-month extension of fuel tax and road user charge relief, New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union spokesman Louis Houlbrooke says: “This is a small but significant victory for taxpayers and will save the average household ...8 hours ago
- WTF? Stu Nash Starts A Bank?The Taxpayers’ Union representatives choked on Treasury’s budget lock up sausage rolls when they discovered Stuart Nash’s announcement that he’s launching an investment bank for business rejected by the banking sector and to appoint government ...8 hours ago
- Budget 2022: The Worst Budget Since MuldoonGrant Robertson is the first Minister of Finance since Muldoon to fail to deliver a budget suplus during a time of economic boom, says the Taxpayers’ Union, commenting from today’s Budget 2022 Beehive lockup. “With Government revenues booming, it ...8 hours ago
- Cost Of Living At Core Of 22 Budget ResponseFinance Minister Grant Robertson today outlined the 2002 Budget, which places a cost of living and public investment package at its centre, said CTU Economist Craig Renney. The CTU welcomes the Budget package that will provide both relief for cost-of-living ...8 hours ago
- Budget 2022 at a glance: What you need to knowThere's a lot of spending flying around in Budget 2022 - here's the main expenses in an easy-to-read list. ...8 hours ago
- Budget 2022: Cost-of-living payment hands $350 to lower-income familiesMore than two million New Zealanders will get a one-off $350 sweetener as part of the Budget's centrepiece $1 billion cost-of-living relief package. ...8 hours ago
- We Need Gang Control NOT Gun Control...9 hours ago
- Buzz from the Beehive: Little is bound for Geneva while Nash is gunning for illegal timber traders
It wasn’t exactly the calm we expected before the tsunami of Budget initiatives that will be posted this afternoon along with documents that will record fiscal and economic forecasts and detailed estimates of appropriations. Three announcements were made ahead of the Budget speech. Partly there was an echo of yesterday’s ...9 hours ago - Billion Dollar Water Bill For ReformThe Government has already spent $34 million designing a reform so badly received they plan to bill water users more than a billion dollars to bring stakeholders on board. Figures released by the Department of Internal Affairs shows that the Government ...10 hours ago
- Fix Right To Silence Law Which Hides Child AbusersFamily First NZ is repeating its call for a review of ‘right to silence’ laws which is effectively hindering investigations into child abuse. Family First has previously made this plea as a result of the Coroner’s report into the death of ...10 hours ago
- Live updates: Budget 2022 – find out where the money is goingJoin RNZ for live coverage as Finance Minister Grant Robertson prepares to deliver the government's Wellbeing Budget 2022. ...10 hours ago
- Climate change is killing trees in Queensland’s tropical rainforestsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lucas Cernusak, Associate professor, James Cook University Alexander Schenkin, Author provided In recent years, the Great Barrier Reef off Australia’s northeast coast has seen multiple events of mass coral bleaching as human-caused global warming has driven sustained high temperatures in ...12 hours ago
- Statement From Matthew TukakiI would like to clarify a statement made by an officer purporting to represent the New Zealand Maori Council. Firstly there is an ongoing Inquiry into the 2021 Triennial Elections of the New Zealand Maori Council this is because a number of Districts ...12 hours ago
- Statement From Matthew Tukaki, Chair Of The Auckland Central Maori CommitteeI would like to clarify a statement made by an officer purporting to represent the New Zealand Maori Council. Firstly there is an ongoing Inquiry into the 2021 Triennial Elections of the New Zealand Maori Council this is because a number of Districts ...12 hours ago
- Morrison is hoping for an election surprise but ‘uncommitted’ voters rarely turn things around i...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Murray Goot, Emeritus Professor of Politics and International Relations, Macquarie University The number of voters the Coalition is attempting to sway in the final days of the campaign varies widely, depending on how the targeted voters are defined. But the historical precedent ...13 hours ago
- The media has reached ‘peak passivity’ in the lead up to the 2022 electionSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rodney Tiffen, Emeritus Professor, Department of Government and International Relations, University of Sydney Mick Tsikas/AAP With severe staffing cuts, pressures for instant productivity and a priority on producing clickbait, few would think we are in a golden age for journalism. Few, ...13 hours ago
- COVID has killed 5,600 Australians this year and the pandemic isn’t over. Ethics can shape our res...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hugh Breakey, Deputy Director, Institute for Ethics, Governance & Law. President, Australian Association for Professional & Applied Ethics., Griffith University Luis Ascui/AAP It’s difficult to ask, but how many fatalities should Australia accept from COVID in 2022? The World Health Organization ...13 hours ago
- LGBTIQ+ and unsure how to vote? Here are what the major parties are promising on healthSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ruby Grant, Senior Lecturer in Sociology, University of Tasmania Shutterstock About one in three LGBTIQ+ voters are not sure who to vote for, or are considering changing who they vote for, this federal election, according to a survey by Equality Australia. ...13 hours ago
- ‘A new climate politics’: the 47th parliament must be a contest of ideas for a hotter, low-carbo...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Frank Jotzo, Professor, Crawford School of Public Policy and Head of Energy, Institute for Climate Energy and Disaster Solutions, Australian National University Climate change and reducing emissions has figured little in the 2022 federal election campaign. But after many years of inadequate ...13 hours ago
- Middle income families hoping for help in Budget as rising costs stingThe pressure is on for the government to ease the 'cost of living crisis' for struggling New Zealanders in today's Budget. ...14 hours ago
- Budget 2022: Pressure on Roberston amid skyrocketing prices and spending commitmentsPower Play - This Budget is one of the hardest Finance Minister Grant Robertson has had to put together, Political Editor Jane Patterson writes. ...16 hours ago
- Memo MFAT, media and Mayor Foster, time to outgrow your Jewish stereotypesCOMMENTARY: Sh’ma Koleinu – Alternative Jewish Voices When Marilyn Garson’s memoir of working in Gaza was published, Radio NZ scheduled an interview. On the day of the interview, RNZ first promoted and then cancelled it. In response to her OIA request, RNZ disclosed this internal email: The RNZ quote about ...24 hours ago
- NZ covid deaths top 1000 with 9570 new community cases reportedRNZ News Aotearoa New Zealand has reported 9570 new community cases of covid-19 and a further 32 deaths today, bringing total publicly recorded deaths with the coronavirus 1017. In a statement, the Ministry of Health said the total number of deaths was up by 31 from yesterday as they had ...24 hours ago
- Marape pledges ‘no stone unturned’ in investigation into fatal Basil crashBy Miriam Zarriga in Port Moresby Papua New Guinea police have been tasked to furnish a full investigation report on the death of Deputy Prime Minister Sam Basil and his bodyguard First Constable Neil Maino. Prime Minister James Marape told Basil’s children that “no stone would be left unturned” by ...24 hours ago
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