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Drug testing at music festivals
Written By: - Date published: 9:00 am, January 7th, 2019 - 18 comments
Police Minister Stuart Nash has said publicly that he wants to see all New Zealand music festivals to have drug testing kits by next summer.
National just wants to have some friends
Written By: - Date published: 9:55 am, January 6th, 2019 - 63 comments
National clearly needs new friends if it is to regain power. Could the nutty New Conservatives be a possibility?
Political punditry in 2019
Written By: - Date published: 8:57 am, January 4th, 2019 - 79 comments
The media has recently reviewed its predictions from last year and made a few new ones. How did it go? And what is going to happen in the next 12 months?
An ex-insider rating of our politicians
Written By: - Date published: 1:11 pm, December 23rd, 2018 - 26 comments
MSM and blogsters are in an orgy of “rating” and marking politicians at the moment. It seems to be based on headlines, fuck ups or not fuck ups and what those inside the Beltway deemed news. It’s not new of course. Trans-Tasman sold its ratings yearly, until they went bust last year. Every year, when […]
The SPOTY’s 2018
Written By: - Date published: 1:10 pm, December 15th, 2018 - 39 comments
Here’s your chance to vote in the Standard’s Politician of The Year awards. The SPOTY’s are recognised worldwide as the leading indicator of political success in NZ and have been awarded annually for over two hundred years.
Now it’s your turn to prick the Thorndon Bubble, dear reader. Who’s your Politician of the Year?
Labour’s budget wellbeing objectives
Written By: - Date published: 6:46 am, December 15th, 2018 - 12 comments
The Government has announced that the next budget will include well being objectives as well as fiscal objectives.
Let it Be
Written By: - Date published: 8:44 am, December 12th, 2018 - 56 comments
Letting fees are a thing of the past. Labour’s Phil Twyford has outlawed the practice of charging tenants an upfront fee for a non existent service. It’s about fairness and it’s about time.
The Air New Zealand Industrial dispute
Written By: - Date published: 7:49 am, December 11th, 2018 - 53 comments
Air New Zealand has provoked industrial action from its workers by trying to wind back wages and conditions at a time it is making near record profits.
Labour’s education reforms
Written By: - Date published: 9:08 am, December 9th, 2018 - 58 comments
The Government has released a discussion paper proposing radical change to our education system, including the establishment of regional hubs to improve cooperation between schools and provisions to strengthen the proposition that kids should attend their local well resources and well run school.
Three years on, will Wairoa AFFCO workers finally be paid?
Written By: - Date published: 9:27 am, December 8th, 2018 - 26 comments
Meat company AFFCO has lost yet another court case over their unlawful lockout of workers in 2015. Will the penny ever drop for the Talley family?
Nutjobs and the UN Global Migration Pact
Written By: - Date published: 8:35 am, December 7th, 2018 - 137 comments
National and ACT have alleged that a United Nations Pact supported by New Zealand in 2016 will take away sovereign rights even though the pact itself says that it is not legally binding.
The Reserve Bank Reform Bill
Written By: - Date published: 7:23 am, December 7th, 2018 - 11 comments
The Government is planning changes to the Reserve Bank Act to require it to seek full employment. Maybe it is time for a dramatic change to its powers so that it has the regulatory powers to properly deal with the Australian banks.
Child poverty reduction
Written By: - Date published: 8:00 am, December 5th, 2018 - 65 comments
It’s likely that Labour’s new Child Poverty Reduction Bill will get through its third reading by the end of this year.
Latest Colmar Brunton poll
Written By: - Date published: 6:21 pm, December 2nd, 2018 - 189 comments
The latest Colmar Brunton poll result is out suggesting a slight rebound in National’s fortunes.
National and its no tax promises
Written By: - Date published: 1:51 pm, November 27th, 2018 - 38 comments
National have got out the old “no new taxes” songbook and are singing it as loudly as they can.
Twyford’s big announcement
Written By: - Date published: 12:46 pm, November 24th, 2018 - 71 comments
The government has just announced the creation of the most massive and powerful housing and land development agency that we have ever seen.
Judith is getting ready
Written By: - Date published: 8:40 am, November 24th, 2018 - 125 comments
Judith Collins appears to be ramping up a leadership campaign using Fox News type references to climate change, social change and young people.
Bridges Billion dollar bungle
Written By: - Date published: 8:42 am, November 23rd, 2018 - 126 comments
Simon Bridges has claimed that Labour’s Kiwisaver fund is $18 billion short of the amount needed to meet the Government’s goals of constructing ten thousand Kiwibuild houses a year. The claim has as much credibility as National’s claim that Labour’s budget figures had an $11.5 billion hole in them.
Will Andrew Little be responsible if the Pike River mine gets hit by a meteor?
Written By: - Date published: 10:10 am, November 18th, 2018 - 102 comments
Stacy Kirk has made the outlandish claim that Andrew Little is prepared to risk someone’s life in his desire to have the Pike River mine properly investigated.
Electricity again
Written By: - Date published: 3:05 pm, November 12th, 2018 - 146 comments
It is time for the Government to down the electricity corporates and regulate them in the interests of the citizen.
Latest poll results – National in freefall
Written By: - Date published: 11:11 am, November 9th, 2018 - 81 comments
A recent UMR poll has put National support at 37%, deep in danger territory for Simon Bridges.
The Jami-Lee tapes
Written By: - Date published: 8:22 am, November 5th, 2018 - 141 comments
Newshub has released a further Jami-Lee Ross tape which contains a promise by Simon Bridges that if Ross stood down for health reasons he could come back in the new year and be promoted.
Jacinda Ardern’s speech
Written By: - Date published: 2:03 pm, November 4th, 2018 - 50 comments
The text of Jacinda’s speech being delivered to the Labour Conference in Dunedin today.
Labour Conference Random Notes
Written By: - Date published: 4:20 pm, November 3rd, 2018 - 153 comments
Some notes from Ad about the Labour conference currently being held in Dunedin.
KiwiBuild doesn’t fly.
Written By: - Date published: 10:29 am, November 2nd, 2018 - 215 comments
More than that, it needs to be torn down before it makes a serious bid at flight.
Extinction Rebellion
Written By: - Date published: 9:31 am, November 2nd, 2018 - 35 comments
In the United Kingdom, Extinction Rebellion, a new mass direct-action group modeled on Occupy, has emerged with the goal of forcing the Government to take urgent action on climate change.
Labour Party Conference 2018
Written By: - Date published: 10:04 am, November 1st, 2018 - 149 comments
It’s conference time! The NZ Labour party is into it’s second century and into Government. What can we expect from this weekend’s hui in Dunedin and what policies and positions do Standard readers think need to be pushed?
Our rail revival
Written By: - Date published: 1:41 pm, October 31st, 2018 - 96 comments
Yesterday the government announced that it was reversing the previous government’s decision to kill off the electric trains. The decision is one of many recently made that suggests that the future of rail is bright.
National’s Judith problem
Written By: - Date published: 4:54 pm, October 30th, 2018 - 50 comments
Judith Collins has landed herself in trouble for publicising details of a young couple who just bought a Kiwibuild home.
National badly wants Kiwibuild to crash
Written By: - Date published: 8:34 am, October 30th, 2018 - 339 comments
National is complaining that Labour is not solving the National imposed housing crisis quickly enough.
Pollwatch: Colmar Brunton, October 23rd
Written By: - Date published: 8:42 pm, October 23rd, 2018 - 100 comments
In this triumphant return of Pollwatch, we discuss the increasing likelihood of a Labour-Green coalition at the next election, the security of the two smaller list parties’ tenure, the shocking 2% support of Simon Bridges’ handling of recent political events, and the split in the shadow-race for National Party leader.
- New research, January 7-13, 2019
A selection of new climate related research articles is shown below. Climate change impacts Mankind Mortality risk from heat stress expected to hit poorest nations the hardest Migration as a human affair: Integrating individual stress thresholds into quantitative models of ...12 hours ago - Limiting Lime Scooters to 10kph
A couple of days ago Stuff reported that the government was considering limiting the speed of Lime scooters on footpaths to 10 kph, as part of a broader suite of changes. Work is under way on law changes that will impose a ...1 day ago - Places to go, people to be
Nothing from me today - I'm off to Wellington to participate in KapCon, Wellington's annual rpg convention. Monday is a public holiday,so normal bloggage should resume Tuesday. ...1 day ago - Silence Of The Lambs: Why Is The CTU Saying So Little About The Resident Doctors’ Struggle?
1 day ago - The Politics Of Distraction.
2 days ago - Moving more cars
It’s mid-January and many of us probably wish we could still be out enjoying the sun rather than sitting in an office (for those of us who work in offices). With people back at work, also back is Auckland’s traffic, ...2 days ago - Why resident doctors are striking
RDA picket, Auckland Hospital; Pic by Abigail Dougherty/Stuff by Peggy Stewart Junior doctors who are members of the Residents Doctors Association (RDA) have been striking ...2 days ago- Speak Up for Women launches campaign
On January 14 the Speak Up for Women Campaign was launched. This campaign is to oppose the current state of the Birth, Deaths, Marriages and Relationship Registrations bill and its proposals for sex self-identification. ...2 days ago- A threat to democracy
People have also suspected that New Zealand's spy agencies saw people who wished to limit their powers, cut their budgets, or disestablish them as a "threat" to "national security". And it turns out they were right. According to former Green ...2 days ago- Well, that blew up.
The Gillette ad reaction is really demonstrating why some men think the phrase "toxic masculinity" means "all masculinity is toxic": because they can't imagine a masculinity which isn't. Dream better things for yourselves, guys. — Stephanie Rodgers 🌹 (@bootstheory) January ...3 days ago- The causes and economic consequences of rising regional housing prices (part 3)
This is a post from Peter Nunns. See Part 1 here and Part 2 here. In the first two posts in this series I introduced the postgraduate research project I’ve been working on, which looks at the causes and economic consequences of ...3 days ago- Book Review: Saudi America
Before I read the book, I had already read a few articles about it, saw a youtube video, and listened to two podcasts. It was the last podcast, on NPR's new Stateimpact Pennsylvania Energy Explained, that triggered me to actually ...3 days ago- 432-202
So, that worked out well for Theresa May. I wonder if she is anticipating a discrete visit from some men in gray suits? The woman has more lives than a cat. She should have gone after the 2017 election disaster. ...3 days ago- Why is NZ business opposed to behaving ethically?
In the wake of several high-profile cases of being bitten by the immoral behaviour of companies it has outsourced to, the New Zealand government is planning to impose a code of conduct requiring its suppliers to behave lawfully and ethically ...3 days ago- Brexit Explained
For most New Zealanders, Brexit remains an impenetrable mystery – and, as the saga lurches from one crisis to the next, (most recently, with the rejection of Theresa May’s “exit deal” by the House of Commons) – the British are ...3 days ago- What happens now?
This morning the UK parliament voted on Theresa may's Brexit deal - and as expected voted it down in the biggest defeat for a UK government in the democratic era. So what happens now? The problem is that no-one can ...3 days ago- New Albert St video, same design problem
The most contentious issue with the City Rail Link these days is how Albert St will be reinstated following all of the construction works. It’s important we get it right and time is short given the trench is already starting ...4 days ago- Hard News: Cannabis reform is a serious matter – so be serious about it
I've wondered here several times where an organised "no" campaign in next year's cannabis referendum might come from. Outside of Family First, it's still hard to tell where the opposition emerges. But I think what we are starting to hear ...4 days ago- The Art of the Deal
Back in 1987, Donald Trump published a book that was part autobiography and part extended essay on how to become a winning negotiator. The Art of the Deal became a number one bestseller, and it was one of the things ...4 days ago- 100 years ago today: Rosa Luxemburg, murdered January 15, 1919
Pic: Der Spiegel Today, January 15, 2019, marks the 100th anniversary of the murder of one of the finest revolutionaries of all, Rosa Luxemburg. She ...4 days ago- The Meaning of Inequality
When I stepped down as Vice-Chancellor of Waikato University in 2004, I was fortunate enough to spend a few months in Oxford as a Visiting Fellow of Nuffield College. The Warden of the College at that time was Professor A.B. ...4 days ago- Fiji: Criminalising the opposition again
The Fijian government has introduced a Code of Conduct Bill, ostensibly setting standards for politicians and public servants and a body to receive complaints about them. But when you read the fine print, it turns out that its just a ...4 days ago- Twelve fun facts about National’s failed housing policies for Parmjeet Parmar to consider
. . A recent story by Daily Blogger, Martyn Bradbury, raises serious questions about National’s questionable track record around state housing. National’s List MP, Dr Parmjeet Parmar, has launched a scathing attack on Housing NZ on social media and in a ...5 days ago- Thinking about free fares
Usually about once a year, often around this time, the issue of public transport fares comes up, often in relation to Auckland Transport’s annual fare review. Sometimes the discussion revolves around whether we should have fares at all. That debate ...5 days ago- “Generals gathered in their masses…”: The Expansion of Empire continues unabated
There are deeply troubling things afoot… and nobody seems to have quite the spine to call it what it is these days. The few who do, relegated to the confines of the alternative media, or when in Office, told to ...5 days ago- The police keep on killing
The police killed three people in a pursuit in Christchurch last night:Police said they began the pursuit after a vehicle was seen speeding in the city centre at about 11.13pm. They said it is believed the car continued to drive ...5 days ago- Name and Shame Time
I get pretty sick of faceless organisations whose senior people fail to stand up and face the music when they make blunders or outrageous claims. Despite unleashing its obscene affront to New Zealand’s native heritage a week ago and inciting ...5 days ago- 2019 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming Digest #2
Story of the Week... Analysis of the Week... Toon of the Week... Coming Soon on SkS... Poster of the Week... SkS Week in Review... Story of the Week... Once derided, ways of adapting to climate change are gaining steam Recognition ...6 days ago- Is Auckland Council going to ruin the Drury growth area?
The largest of the three new greenfield growth areas on the edge of Auckland is to the south and most of that will occur around Drury – both to the east and the west of the Southern Motorway. This has ...6 days ago- Just remember, Caligula toyed with the idea of his horse as Consul…
We’re in such safe hands are we not? Every day the balls-to-the-wall musings of Hunter S. Thompson and his read on the politics of his day makes more and more sense… certainly more sense than some of the ramblings we ...6 days ago- Playing us for suckers.
Huawei NZ has offered to only use NZ citizens to install its 5G equipment as part of the national broadband upgrade. It does so because of concerns about Chinese constitutional reforms that require all Chinese citizens to serve the interests ...6 days ago- Wine, capitalism and your health
by Don Franks According to Benjamin Franklin, “Wine makes daily living easier, less hurried, with fewer tensions and more tolerance”. Ben never drove through Marlborough – New Zealand’s ...7 days ago- 2019 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #2
A chronological listing of news articles posted on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week, i.e., Sun, Jan 6 through Sat, Jan 12, 2019 Editor's Pick World's Oceans Are Warming Faster, Studies Show, Fueling Storms and Sea Rise ...7 days ago- The ocean is not enough, Mr Wilson
Auckland's One Big Thing. It's something I've long argued the city needs, as have many others. Something to act as an anchor, focal point and symbol in this city that so lacks identity.read more ...1 week ago- Resisting the US government shutdown
Pic: NDTV by The Spark As the US government shutdown enters its third week, almost a million workers have been sent home or are ...1 week ago- New research, January 1-6, 2019
A selection of new climate related research articles is shown below. Climate change Temperature, precipitation, wind Spatial modelling of summer climate indices based on local climate zones: expected changes in the future climate of Brno, Czech Republic Comparison of the ...1 week ago- Flashback Saturday – Is less congestion actually a good thing?
Every weekend we dig into the archives. This post by Matt was originally published in July 2014. It almost goes without saying that congestion is a terrible thing, so bad that it justifies the spending of massive amounts of public ...1 week ago- People of the same trade seldom meet together … but the conversation ends in a conspiracy
[Ed's note: In December of 2018, this Stuff article appeared. Due to a mix of technical glitches and summer slackness, we're only just now posting Prof Ahdar's wry and satirical take on it.read more ...1 week ago- Fanning The Flames.
F.Anning Discontent: Far-Right politicians like Fraser Anning (above right) are highly-skilled at exploiting racially charged narratives, such as Melbourne's "African Gangs" controversy, to broaden the appeal of Conservative Australia’s anti-immigrant crusade.FRASER ANNING is one of those political figures who populate ...1 week ago- David Farrar – fomenting happy mischief at other people’s expense
. . A recent ‘tweet’ on social media from right-wing blogger, David Farrar, caught my eye and raised an eye-brow to make a Vulcan proud; . . The ‘tweet’ linked back to a short blogpost on Farrar’s “Kiwiblog“; ...1 week ago- Lime trial extended
Good news yesterday with Auckland Council announcing they would extend Lime’s e-scooter trial till the end of March – it had been due to expire this coming Monday. Along with the extension, Lime will also be implementing some changes, such ...1 week ago- How Neoliberal is the Government?
The awarding of a knighthood to accountant Rob McLeod raises some interesting questions about the attitude of the government to Rogernomics. I am not competent to judge McLeod’s worthiness for the award; I am a republican and do not approve ...1 week ago- Access: The long road to real space
About a year ago, my younger son asked me if I'd like to play a video game. I'm really not a gamer, but he wanted me to see it and he was happy to make it easy for me by ...1 week ago- New Fisk
1 week ago- Taking back control
Brexit day is fast approaching, and the UK government seems to have no plan. Their deal is so despised that it will not pass the required parliamentary vote, while their contingency plans seem to rely on wishful thinking and ferries ...1 week ago- Something to be proud of
New Zealand is the world's 4th most democratic country, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit:New Zealand remains the world's fourth most democratic country, while the United States remains a "flawed democracy", the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) says. According to the ...1 week ago- The causes and economic consequences of rising regional housing prices (part 2)
This is a post from Peter Nunns. See Part 1 here. Last week I gave an overview of the postgraduate research project I’ve been working on this year. It looks at the causes and economic consequences of rising regional housing prices ...1 week ago- Do the right thing Minister, support Taratahi students and staff
Following the news yesterday that people working at the Taratahi Institute of Agriculture could be forced to go without pay, the Tertiary Education Union (TEU) called on the Minister to step in immediately to support those affected and their families. ...1 week ago- Hard News: Music: Telling Stories
Amid the calm of the holidays, in the blessed present between the race to wrap up 2018 and the need to envision the year ahead, a series of stories have flipped me way back up the river, into my own ...1 week ago- More government spying
The Herald has disturbing news this morning: MBIE has recently signed a contract to train its staff in using fake social media profiles to spy on people: The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has hired a security firm to ...1 week ago- Why is the SPCA in New Zealand such a sick outfit?
If it only kept to its core business of preventing wanton cruelty to animals by those who get their jollies from such activity, the NZ SPCA would be worthy of respect. But it hasn’t done that for years. The leadership ...2 weeks ago- Rural highway conundrums
Transport spending, like everything else, is all about trade-offs. There are a lot of improvements to be made and only a limited pot of funding from which do them and so those improvements need to be prioritised. One of the ...2 weeks ago- Holy Crap!
I've been doing this for almost 12 years! Highlights?Probably blogging about Louis Rawnsley, which - in a tiny, tiny way - contributed to him getting a payout from TVNZ.Ranting about Mohammed Haneef, which probably made no difference to him, but ...2 weeks ago- Unions need “much larger systematic change”
by Don Franks It’s summer time, but the living’s not easy. A New Zealand Council of trade unions cost of living and income survey done last week uncovered distress. Of the 1195 respondents, 70% reported their incomes weren’t keeping up with the ...2 weeks ago- MP mobbed by thugs
2 weeks ago- Republicans call for ‘innovation’ to tackle climate change, but it’s not magic
Limiting global warming to less than the Paris Climate Agreement target of 2°C (3.6°F) hotter than pre-industrial temperatures will require a rapid global transition away from fossil fuels. That’s a point on which the scientific community strongly agrees. If we ...2 weeks ago- Another “labour shortage”
Hawke's Bay apple growers are whining about a seasonal "labour shortage" and demanding they be subsidised by immigrant labour again. But the "labour shortage" is illusory - its not that there is a shortage of people to do the work, ...2 weeks ago- The US is actually unique for not valuing life!
"...that’s what sets America apart from every other country; we value life. That is what makes us unique.” - Sarah SandersThere is a high level of delusion operating in the White House. The stream of mistruths that come out of ...2 weeks ago- Ongoing New Year’s Eve debacles symptom of a bigger problem
Despite some very small and (seemingly) reluctant steps by Auckland Transport to close off parts of the city centre to traffic on New Year’s Eve, there was still a dangerous and very messy situation with cars mingling with thousands of ...2 weeks ago- Skeptical Science takes the Pro-Truth-Pledge
Skeptical Science has been fighting misinformation about human-caused climate change since the website was launched in 2007. But with the rise in prevalence of fake news over the last few years, protecting truth and facts has become more important than ever. ...2 weeks ago- 2019 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming Digest #1
Story of the Week... Editorial of the Week... Toon of the Week... Coming Soon on SkS... Poster of the Week... SkS Week in Review... Story of the Week... Katharine Hayhoe: 'A thermometer is not liberal or conservative' ...2 weeks ago- We need higher pay for local councillors
Everyone hates politicians. But sensible people recognise that they need to be paid - firstly, because they work hard for us, secondly, to prevent corruption, and thirdly, so that politics isn't the exclusive domain of the independently wealthy who can ...2 weeks ago- It can’t happen here
Over in the US, they're in the second week of a government shutdown - an event so regular in their dysfunctional, ramshackle "democracy" that it has a name and a list on Wikipedia. And in NZ, curious people are asking ...2 weeks ago- 2019 – The year ahead
With 2019 now underway, and following my wrap up of 2018 last week, I thought it would be good to look at some of the things we can expect from the year ahead. In no particular order. City Rail Link ...2 weeks ago- 2019 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #1
A chronological listing of news articles posted on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week, i.e., Sun, Dec 31, 2018 through Sat, Jan 5, 2019 Editor's Pick A Terrifying Sea-Level Prediction Now Looks Far Less Likely But experts ...2 weeks ago
NZ’s current Minister of Police has made a move in a public statement towards saying drug testing at Festivals is something that is needed. Anybody in the real world pretty much says the same. Independent testing tents that let ...2 weeks ago- Lachie
The turn of the year is usually a joyous time for my wife and me. We celebrate our wedding anniversary at that time – this year was our 51st – and there is the New Year and its promise to ...2 weeks ago- New research, December 24-31, 2018
A selection of new climate related research articles is shown below. Climate change Temperature, precipitation, wind Trend analysis of climate time series: A review of methods (open access) Strong but intermittent spatial covariations in tropical land temperature Intercomparison of long-term sea ...2 weeks ago- Flashback Saturday – Express vs all stops trains
Over the holiday break we’ll dig into the archives a bit. This post by Matt was originally published in July 2014. There has been a bit of comment on the blog recently questioning how Auckland runs it’s rail system. In particular around ...2 weeks ago- Three suggestions for the NZ Council of Trade Union
by Don Franks Fellow workers may also have a similar email from Richard Wagstaff, President NZ Council of Trade Unions : “Don – I just wanted to wish you a happy and rewarding New Year and to say thank you for ...2 weeks ago- When Will the Next Financial Crisis Happen?
The background to this column is that I am greatly influenced by Joseph Schumpeter (1883-1950) who saw innovation at the heart of capitalism. Sometimes the risks taken to innovate go belly-up and firms crash; with knock-on effects. Those crashes are ...2 weeks ago- 2019 – If We Get Lucky.
2 weeks ago- 2018 – the year that weirdly was (1)
. . In many respects, 2018 was a strange year in politics. From weird gender-focused terminology to ongoing subterranean machinations within the National Party as it came to grips with being in Opposition – 2018 was one for the history ...2 weeks ago- Reinventing transport podcast – Greater Auckland
Over the holiday season we’re doing fewer and shorter posts. Matt and Patrick were recently interviewed by Paul Barter for his “Reinventing Transport” podcast. The episode can be played below, or wherever you normally find your podcasts. A description ...2 weeks ago- Hard News: About that Rhythm and Vines “dangerous drugs” alert
I was at a music festival in Auckland on New Year's Eve when I saw, on my phone, the news that "dangerous drugs, made with pesticides and paints, have been found at Rhythm and Vines." And that patrons had received ...2 weeks ago- Growth in Police deployments
The first Police graduation for 2019 creates a new total of 1,101 frontline officers deployed around the country since the Coalition Government took office. Police Minister Stuart Nash today presented awards to the top recruits of Wing 322, whose Patron ...1 day ago - Andrew Little to lead delegation to UN Human Rights ReviewJustice Minister, Andrew Little, lead a delegation to New Zealand’s third Universal Periodic Review at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva on 21 January. ...2 days ago
- Free Public Wi-Fi Should Block Porn – Poll
A nationwide poll has found strong support for cafes, libraries, and other public places which offer free Wi-Fi to be required to block access to pornographic websites. In the independent poll of 1,000 New Zealanders by Curia Market Research, respondents ...1 day ago - Fewer Sanctions but more HardshipThere are now more people on Jobseeker Benefit than this time a year ago, a fact which the opposition parties interpret as a sign of weak application of sanctions by W&I. ...1 day ago
- Taxpayers rorted in Stephen Barclay sagaResponding to the resignation of Kiwibuild Chief Executive Stephen Barclay, New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union spokesman Louis Houlbrooke says: ...1 day ago
- More could be done to alleviate housing desperationThe New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations (NZUSA) says that the changes to the Residential Tenancies Act and the introduction of the Healthy Homes Act alleviate some difficulty at one of the most difficult times of the year to be ...1 day ago
- Waihopai Spybase Protest Saturday January 26th(Mailing list information, including how to remove yourself, is located at the end of this message.) ...1 day ago
- Antarctica now losing 252 billion tonnes of ice a yearLatest research shows Antarctica now losing 252 billion tonnes of ice a year - Māori Climate Commissioner calls for urgent climate action now! ...1 day ago
- Mayor endangers ratepayers by caving to Toyota’s threatsResponding to Palmerston North Mayor Grant Smith’s suggestion that Toyota used threats to garner a $391,000 grant from ratepayers, New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director Jordan Williams says: ...1 day ago
- Thousands of animals are subjected to flawed researchThe New Zealand Anti-Vivisection Society (NZAVS) is appalled that cruel and scientifically flawed “Forced Swim Tests” are being conducted on animals in New Zealand ...1 day ago
- No lack of understanding about what modern farming is aboutThe article on Newshub 16th January – ‘Opinion: No more cheap shots at dairy farmers over water quality’ by Tim Mackle CEO of Dairy NZ is excellent and shows that he really does live on another planet. ...1 day ago
- SAFE calling bluff on meat industry scienceSAFE is calling the meat industry’s bluff on recent research, and misleading and exaggerated claims of health benefits associated with eating meat. ...1 day ago
- Revenue neutrality a no-brainer for a fair capital gains taxThe Tax Working Group’s expected recommendation to cut income tax to offset the burden of capital gains tax is a no-brainer if the new tax is to be fair to New Zealanders, says the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union . ...1 day ago
- Families cannot wait till Budget 2019 announcementsThe latest benefit data from the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) provides cast iron evidence that current levels of welfare benefits and Working for Families tax credits are far too inadequate to meet the everyday needs of families who rely ...1 day ago
- Union calls on Coalition Gov’t to reassess RSE schemeFIRST Union’s Denise Roche is calling on the Coalition Government to reassess its Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme as labourhire companies continue to use the RSE scheme to exploit migrant workers and undermine working people in New Zealand. ...2 days ago
- Steep rise in hardship numbers showcases income inadequacyThe latest Ministry of Social Development December 2018 quarterly report show that a record number of people have received hardship assistance from working and income, with an additional 40,000 hardship payments made between September and December 2018, ...2 days ago
- New petition calls on Toyota to repay secret $391,000 grantThe New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union has launched a petition calling on Toyota New Zealand to pay back the $391,000 grant secretly given by Palmerston North City Council, for which the Council and Toyota refuse to explain. ...2 days ago
- Wellington GPs to strike againGPs at Wellington’s Ora Toa Health practices will strike again tomorrow (FRIDAY) for a full day because of the employer’s stubborn refusal to include dentists in the collective agreement. ...2 days ago
- NZ school a finalist in international sustainability prizeFiordland College of New Zealand has been named a Global High School finalist for the Pacific and East Asia region in a prestigious global sustainability award, the Zayed Sustainability Prize. The prize for the regional winner, Muntinlupa High School ...2 days ago
- Highly offensive word did not breach broadcasting standardsThe Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA) has found that the broadcast of the song ‘Hurricane’ by Bob Dylan on Coast FM which uses the word ‘nigger’ did not breach broadcasting standards. The song contains the lyrics ‘[a]nd to the black ...2 days ago
- $36 million investment approved to tackle regional erosionTe Uru Rākau (Forestry New Zealand) has announced funding of almost $36 million through the Hill Country Erosion Fund (HCEF) to enable much-needed erosion control in the regions. ...2 days ago
- 2018 citizenship statisticsA total of 49,428 New Zealand citizenships, by grant or descent, were registered in 2018. ...2 days ago
- Stacey Shortall named New Zealander of the Year semi-finalisTen of New Zealand’s top action oriented advocates have been shortlisted for the 2019 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Award - and MinterEllisonRuddWatts Partner Stacey Shortall is on the list. ...3 days ago
- Vaping regulations needed to help smokers quit“Like many others we urge the Government to amend the Smokefree Environments Act when Parliament reconvenes giving vaping much-needed regulation and smokers a better chance of quitting,” says Ben Pryor, Director of Alt New Zealand – the leading ...3 days ago
- Has your MP been in prison?Has your MP been in prison? MEDIA RELEASE Wellington Howard League, Wednesday 16 January 2019 In November 2018 the Wellington Howard League surveyed all Members of Parliament regarding whether or not they had visited a New Zealand prison. "The ...3 days ago
- English Group Should Be Shipped OutThe Minister of Immigration should find a way to deport, within 24 hrs, the English group wrecking a trail of havoc across the country. ...3 days ago
- Blues Brothers among new frontline copsSeventy-nine new constables will join their friends and family in celebrating their graduation at The Royal New Zealand Police College (RNZPC) this week. ...3 days ago
- Win as Sistema members secure agreementE tū Sistema members who have been in dispute with their employer over wages and conditions have agreed to accept the company’s latest offer for a new collective agreement. ...3 days ago
- Irresponsible businesses claiming worker shortagesIn response to several recent stories from unethical and out-dated business lobby groups claiming worker shortages in several industries, FIRST Union General Secretary Dennis Maga has released the below response. ...3 days ago
- Community organisation condemns police car chase policyPeople Against Prisons Aotearoa, a community group opposed to police violence, is calling for police pursuits to be banned after three teenagers were killed in a crash. The car, which had hit road spikes laid out by police, crashed into ...3 days ago
- Tax relief would end never-ending strikesImplementing tax relief would relieve the pressure of low take-home pay and resolve much of the current industrial action, says the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union. Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director Jordan Williams says “It’s understandable that junior ...3 days ago
- Techfugees launches New Zealand ChapterWellington— 16 January 2019 — Technology is used as a universal catalyst for inclusion of displaced and refugee communities around the world, and engagement of host societies. It breaks down language barriers and increases the impact of initiatives. ...4 days ago
- First Day of Action by Extinction Rebellion PonekeMembers of the group Extinction Rebellion Poneke (XRPoneke) have just held a peaceful event inside Wellington Airport to protest against the extension of the Wellington Airport runway. ...4 days ago
- Govt must act to support smoking cessationThe recent increase to cigarettes provides another incentive for smokers to quit but the Government must now ensure that smoking cessation tools are appropriately regulated and able to be used to encourage smokers to quit, National MP Nicky Wagner ...4 days ago
- CEAC on Napier Port partial saleCitizens Environment Advocacy Centre is a long serving community advocate and non-government organisation which is encouraged by the stance of Hawke’s Bay regional councillors Debbie Hewitt and Paul Bailey on the Napier Port partial sale. ...4 days ago
- Coastguard, communities to benefit from Lotteries FundThe Royal New Zealand Coastguard is set to benefit from the Lottery Fund for Community Benefit related to the 2021 America’s Cup to the tune of $9.8 million. ...4 days ago
- New report highlights drug policy trendsA new State of the Nation report released today by the NZ Drug Foundation shows that while we are doing well in some areas, there is massive room for improvement. ...4 days ago
- Deliberate food contamination needs harsher penaltiesA recent member’s bill which seeks to introduce harsher penalties and offences is good to see, but any action from it will have to be funded and resourced adequately to have any real impact, says Federated Farmers. ...4 days ago
- Scrap the Minimum Wage and Replace it with the Living WageIf New Zealand wants a society in which workers can live on what they earn, it’s time to scrap the ‘minimum wage’ and replace it with the ‘living wage’, says Closing the Gap spokesperson Peter Malcolm. ...4 days ago
- Brexit Expert Visits New ZealandOne of Britain’s leading commentators on Brexit and British politics will be in New Zealand at the end of January to talk about what Brexit means for the UK and for New Zealand. ...4 days ago
- Green Party bequeathment welcomed14 JANUARY 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union has announced it will open a planned giving programme in light of a $350,000 bequeathment to the Green Party . ...4 days ago
- Stronger penalties for food tampering welcomeThe New Zealand Food & Grocery Council supports Nathan Guy’s Private Members Bill to increase the penalties for those who intentionally contaminate food. ...5 days ago
- Horticulture supports harsher penalties for contaminationHorticulture New Zealand supports a Member's Bill, announced today, that will introduce harsher penalties for people who intentionally contaminate food, or threaten to do so. ...5 days ago
- Hui-ā-Hapū o Ngāpuhi for rōpūE kaha rere atu ana te awa o ngā rangatira inanahi, inā hoki, kua tū te hui tuatahi o te rōpū, "Kia Anga Mua Ngā Hapū o Ngāpuhi" ki North Tec, Kerikeri. Ko te kaupapa matua kua whārikihia, ko te ...5 days ago
- Biology Over Gender Identity In Schools – PollPolling by Curia Market Research has found stronger support for children not to be taught that their gender can changed and for toilets and changing rooms to be based on biological sex. In the poll of 1,000 New Zealanders surveyed ...5 days ago
- Developers beaten to market with ‘GE Forbidden Fruit’Scientists at Plant and Food have been beaten to market for sale of red-fleshed apples, despite mounting a campaign to promote their own GE product and suggesting it is ‘forbidden' as an excuse to weaken regulation of novel foods. ...5 days ago
- Improving as we go – firearms safety programme“When we announced the new firearms safety programme in May 2018, we recognised that as a trial programme, we may make tweaks and changes as the trial progresses,” says Acting Superintendent Mike McIlraith. ...5 days ago
- Resident doctors deserve much better says NZNOThe New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) supports the New Zealand Resident Doctors Association (NZRDA) in its industrial dispute with District Health Boards (DHBs) and warns that unsafe working conditions imposed on resident medical officers (RMOs) ...5 days ago
- List of declined baby names for 2018 releasedUnder New Zealand law, parents are free to be creative when naming their baby. While there are no “banned” names in New Zealand, there are certain boundaries in place. New parents can register their child using SmartStart, an online tool ...5 days ago
- Bullying tactics from rodeo spectators to silence protestors14 January 2019 | MEDIA RELEASE SAFE disgusted by the bullying tactics of rodeo spectators to silence protestors ...5 days ago
- Independent Ngāpuhi hapū join new Treaty claims allianceExercising their hapu rangatiratanga at a hui held yesterday at Kaingahoa Marae, Te Rawhiti, Bay of Islands the Pewhairangi Coastal hapū of Ngāti Kuta, Patukeha, Ngāti Manu me ona hapu ririki, Te Uri o Raewera, Te Uri Ongaonga, Te Uri ...5 days ago
- Evidence undermines insulation standards, $4000 penaltyEvidence provided to the Government undermines both current rental property insulation requirements and makes a mockery of a $4000 penalty for non-compliance, Tenancies War spokesman Mike Butler said today. ...5 days ago
- Advocate hits back over National’s call for more benefit sanctions
Beneficiary advocates are hitting back at the National Party's criticism of the rise in jobseeker benefits. ...4 hours ago - NZ human rights to come under scrutiny from UNIncarceration rates and violence against women will be covered in Andrew Little's presentation to the United Nations on Monday, as New Zealand's human rights record comes up for scrutiny. ...6 hours ago
- SIS apologises to former Green MP for past treatment as a ‘threat’The Security Intelligence Service has apologised to former Green MP Keith Locke for describing him as a "threat" in an internal document. ...8 hours ago
- If we don’t sing, then we won’t have anything: Bonnie “Prince” Billy’s I See a Darkness, 2...
Twenty years on, Bonnie “Prince” Billy’s I See a Darkness continues to beguile listeners. Jonny Potts tries to make sense of a timeless classic.It’s strange to consider I See a Darkness in terms of its age. Really, it’s strange to consider it ...13 hours ago - One tragedy, one farce, and six days of ugliness
How two families, in the space of one week, brought out the worst in New Zealand media and public.Tragedy unites us. A shared pain can be what brings a nation together, with people from all backgrounds setting aside their differences ...14 hours ago - Are country cafes better than city ones?
As our summer road trip season rounds to a close, Sarah Austen-Smith takes a whistle-stop tour of country cafes between Auckland and Wellington to see whether the grass really is greener in the regions.Black Stump Berries, Te PukePulling into Black ...15 hours ago - The Brexit deal is dead, but Theresa May survives. So what happens now?
With the PM’s withdrawal agreement shot down, but Britain still set to leave the EU on March 29, a new course of action is needed – and fast, writes Leeds University political scientist Victoria Honeyman.As the clock ticks down to ...15 hours ago - Don’t Marie Kondo your life away
Should you have to take yourself apart and give yourself away, just to find out who you are? Western society has long been obsessed with hoarding, with clutter. Marie Kondo, with her combination of minimalist style and impeccable manners, is ...15 hours ago - The report Corrections withheld for three years
Corrections withheld a report on double-bunking for over three years. ...1 day ago - Aussie PM seals support deals on Vanuatu, Fiji tripAustralian Prime Minister Scott Morrison is wrapping up a trip to Vanuatu and Fiji, where support deals have been announced, and criticism levelled about Australia's lack of climate change action. ...1 day ago
- Texts to prime minister about Sroubek releasedThe National Party are questioning Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern after her office released texts sent to her about Czech smuggler Karel Sroubek from his supporters. ...1 day ago
- Deer Woman is a work of immense power and restraint
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Caroline Wake, Senior Lecturer in Theatre and Performance, UNSW Review: Deer Woman, Sydney Festival One of the most exhilarating things about Wesley Enoch’s tenure as Artistic Director of the Sydney Festival has ...1 day ago - Refuge City, a new kind of city for our timesSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julian Bolleter, Deputy Director, Australian Urban Design Research Centre, University of Western Australia Australia is one of the most successful multicultural societies in the world. Nonetheless, in recent times many Australians have ...1 day ago
- Back to work? Take lunch from home to save time and money – and boost your moodSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Clare Collins, Professor in Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Newcastle Heading back to work after the holidays means turning your thoughts to what’s for lunch. Are you a meticulous lunch planner, or ...1 day ago
- Military brass refresh ‘chance for greater diversity’ – Mark
Suite of new officials will help to open up opportunities for female officers, Defence Minister says. ...1 day ago - The couple using natural skincare to help lift Papua New Guinea out of povertyBusiness is Boring is a weekly podcast series presented by The Spinoff in association with Callaghan Innovation in which host Simon Pound speaks with innovators and commentators focused on the future of New Zealand. This week he talks to Rebekah ...1 day ago
- KiwiBuild head Stephen Barclay officially resignsAfter mystery surrounding his absence from work for a while, an official resignation announcement is made for KiwiBuild head Stephen Barclay. ...1 day ago
- KiwiBuild boss resigns after reports of dispute
The head of the Government's house-building programme has stepped down, following reports of an employment dispute. ...1 day ago - The ethical quandary of leftover embryos
Parents who have succeeded in the IVF process are in limbo over what to do with perfectly healthy leftover embryos. ...1 day ago - Recipe: Sourdough crackersGet your hands on some sourdough starter and get crack(er)ing on this recipe.There is something magic about a sourdough starter – the life it contains, the life it gives and the potential held within it. I have been making sourdough ...1 day ago
- On creativity, composition and CS80s: Ryan McPhun talks to Julia Holter
Acclaimed experimental musician Julia Holter, whose latest album Aviary appeared on multiple year-end lists, is playing in Auckland next week. Her opening act, Ryan McPhun, interviews her ahead of her show.*Ryan McPhun: I saw you at Jazzhouse in Copenhagen in 2013 and ...1 day ago - Currency frozen in multi-million dollar Cryptopia theft
The world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange says it has frozen some funds from hacked Christchurch digital assets exchange Cryptopia. ...1 day ago - Revealed: New Zealand’s favourite vagina and vulva nicknames
Alex Casey breaks down some of the most popular nicknames for vulvas in New Zealand. For the longest time, I thought naming your genitals was something only reserved for horny, sad men in early 2000s sex comedies. Mr Ed. Flesh Rocket. ...1 day ago - Book of the Week: Steve Braunias reviews the new cookbook by Nadia Lim
Steve Braunias reviews the latest cookbook by Nadia Lim, and declares it a plate of two halves – half-dumb, half-divine.Bizarre cookbook. A large portion of Fresh Start, Feel Good! by Nadia Lim and her Fresh Start team appears to be the ...1 day ago - Manufacturing activity hits highest level since April
New Zealand's manufacturing activity hit its highest level since April in December and while activity in 2018 was weaker than it has been during the past two years, it was still above average. ...1 day ago - Potential link between opioids, birth defect
Health officials are looking into a possible link between prescription opioids and a birth defect called gastroschisis ...1 day ago - Silence about Scott Kuggeleijn reinforces a culture of sexual violenceWhen cricketer Scott Kuggeleijn made his Black Caps debut last Friday there was no mention of his two rape trials. Asks Jessie Dennis, is silence really the best NZ Cricket can do?Content warning: details of sexual violence.On Friday evening I ...1 day ago
- Tilt affirms guidance
Tilt Renewables has left its full-year earnings guidance in place after December quarter production fell about 5 percent shy of long-term expectations. ...1 day ago - NZD extends slide
The New Zealand dollar extended its decline as US investors looked for positive signs in their economy and European manufacturers prepared for the worst from the on-going Brexit impasse. ...2 days ago - It’s designers who can make gaming more accessible for people living with disabilitiesSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ben Egliston, PhD candidate in Media and Communications, University of Sydney Anyone can play video games, right? If you’ve been following recent buzz in the gaming industry, you might be under the ...2 days ago
- What’s the deal (or no-deal) with Brexit? Here’s everything explainedSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Giovanni Di Lieto, Lecturer of international trade law, Monash Business School, Monash University On June 23, 2016 the United Kingdom held a referendum to decide whether it should leave or remain in ...2 days ago
- Aged care royal commission benefits Generation X: it’s too late for the silent generationSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joseph Ibrahim, Professor, Health Law and Ageing Research Unit, Department of Forensic Medicine, Monash University A surprising group of people stand to benefit from the aged care royal commission, whose hearings start ...2 days ago
- Ten ways teacher librarians improve literacy in schoolsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Margaret Kristin Merga, Senior Lecturer in Education, Edith Cowan University Australian schools constantly strive to improve the literacy outcomes of their students. Supporting literacy achievement for struggling readers is particularly important because ...2 days ago
- Vital Signs: the power of not being too clearSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Richard Holden, Professor of Economics, UNSW Incentives, in one form or other, are central to our lives. The Soviet experiment ended in December 1991 because it turned out that when people got ...2 days ago
- The financially well-off defy the stereotypes. They include retirees, and mortgageesSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David C. Ribar, Professorial Research Fellow, University of Melbourne Financial well-being is hard to get a handle on. That’s because it’s a mix of how people feel and how they objectively are. ...2 days ago
- Why do so few Aussies speak an Australian language?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Laura Rademaker, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Australian National University Linguistically speaking, Australia is special. With around 250 languages spoken when Australia was first colonised, Australia was one of the most linguistically diverse places ...2 days ago
- Monstera madness and Fiddle-Leaf frenzy: why we go crazy for indoor plants
New Zealanders have been filling their homes (and hearts) with cool, trendy houseplants in recent years. But why are we all so obsessed? And why are some plants so expensive? More than 50 but less than a hundred – that’s how ...2 days ago - Frankie the Magician pulls a new trick from her hat
Cricketer Frankie Mackay is having the summer of her life - out in the middle and in the commentary box. ...2 days ago - The Real Pod: In which the unruly tourists are spicing up our livesThe Real Pod assembles to dissect the last few weeks in New Zealand pop culture and real life, with special thanks to Nando’s.With Duncan still basking somewhere on a desert island, Alex and Jane reconvene in The Spinoff studio to pick ...2 days ago
- Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern heading to Europe with a focus on tradeMuch of the Prime Minister's trip will focus on building relationships with trade partners, including the United Kingdom and the European Union. ...2 days ago
- Parker: CPTPP ‘vision’ vital in tough trade year
The Trade Minister is heading to Tokyo for discussions in what may be another difficult year on the trade front. ...2 days ago - Bryce Edwards’ Political Roundup: Will the Government fix spying in the public service?
Political Roundup: Will the Government fix spying in the public service? by Dr Bryce Edwards The week before Christmas was dominated by what may actually have been the most important political issue of the year in New Zealand – revelations ...2 days ago - A 10km/h footpath speed limit will limit more than Lime scootersA proposed 10km/h speed limit on footpaths won’t just be slowing e-scooters down, writes Madeleine Chapman.Sometimes we idiots need to be saved from ourselves. We get given a nice thing and we ruin it. The nice thing (not even that ...2 days ago
- Bryce Edwards’ Political Roundup: Should rodeos be banned in New Zealand?
Political Roundup: Should rodeos be banned in New Zealand? by Dr Bryce Edwards The Summer rodeo season is in full swing. And so protesters are, once again, drawing attention to what they regard as the cruel and archaic nature of ...2 days ago - Penalties for animal cruelty double in SA, but is this enough to stop animal abuse?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexandra Whittaker, Senior Lecturer in Animal Welfare and Law, University of Adelaide Australia is a nation of animal lovers, so when animal abuse is reported in the media, the public are understandably ...2 days ago
- Viewpoints: should teaching students who fail a literacy and numeracy test be barred from teaching?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lynn Sheridan, Senior Academic Professional Studies, University of Wollongong Starting this month, teaching students who fail or haven’t yet taken the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education (LANTITE) will not ...2 days ago
- Why Antarctica’s sea ice cover is so low (and no, it’s not just about climate change)Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julie Arblaster, Associate Professor, Monash University Sea ice cover in Antarctica shrank rapidly to a record low in late 2016 and has remained well below average. But what’s behind this dramatic melting ...2 days ago
- How to feed a growing population healthy food without ruining the planetSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alessandro R Demaio, Australian Medical Doctor; Fellow in Global Health & NCDs, University of Copenhagen If we’re serious about feeding the world’s growing population healthy food, and not ruining the planet, we ...2 days ago
- Helensville School stoush escalates
It's almost a year since the dispute between the school and the family kicked off, and things have only gotten worse. ...2 days ago - An in-depth lyrical analysis Eminem’s theme song for the movie ‘Venom’
Last year, Marvel’s Venom came out and was a huge hit, and you can watch it on Lightbox right now. But the real killer? Eminem’s rap over the credits. Sam Brooks performs an in-depth lyrical analysis of ‘Venom’, the song.First off: I ...2 days ago
- Speak Up for Women launches campaign
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