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The Peace Settlement Must Start
Written By: - Date published: 7:50 am, March 24th, 2022 - 172 comments
Pressure for a Ukraine war settlement starting with a ceasefire will continue to mount. If this does drag out, there’s more chance of the conflict widening. Belarus could attack. NATO-allied supply convoys could be attacked. I’m trying not to go further. As with all major wars since Vietnam, the media frenzy puts the highest cost […]
Real protestors do not burn kids playgrounds
Written By: - Date published: 8:10 am, March 4th, 2022 - 239 comments
Wellington protestors recent activities in torching a 100 year old Pohutukawa, burning a kid’s playground and threatening to occupy Wainuiomata Marae suggests they are being given PR advice by Vladimir Putin.
- 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 ...5 hours ago - Member’s Day: Finally, some first readings
Today 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. ...5 hours 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 ...20 hours 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 ...1 day 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. ...1 day ago
- Describing The Katipo.
1 day 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. ...1 day 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 ...1 day ago
- The woke misrepresentation of Māori culture
Michelle 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 ...2 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 - ...2 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 ...2 days ago - 2022 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #19
Listing 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 ...3 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 ...3 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 ...3 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”. ...4 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 ...5 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: ...5 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, ...5 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 ...5 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. ...6 days 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". ...6 days 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 ...6 days 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 ...6 days 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 ...6 days 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 ...6 days 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 ...6 days 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 – ...6 days 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 ...1 week 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 ...1 week 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”, ...1 week 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 ...1 week 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 ...1 week 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
- Geoffrey Miller: Jacinda Ardern continues to forge a more US-friendly foreign policyInternational analyst Geoffrey Miller reads between the lines of Jacinda Ardern’s speech to this week’s US business summit in Auckland Jacinda Ardern is slowly but surely shifting New Zealand’s foreign policy towards the West. That was the underlying theme of a keynote address by New Zealand’s Prime Minister this ...2 weeks ago
- Going full GileadToday's big news from America: the Supreme Court has reportedly voted to overturn Roe v. Wade: The Supreme Court has voted to strike down the landmark Roe v. Wade decision, according to an initial draft majority opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito circulated inside the court and obtained by ...2 weeks ago
- Wrong, at every levelWe all hate Australia for its policy of jailing refugees as a "disincentive" for people to try and escape torture and persecution. But New Zealand does this too, on a much lesser scale. last year, the government finally ordered a review of this disgusting practice. Today, that review reported back, ...2 weeks ago
- Geopolitical transitions and the long decline.For the last three decades the global geopolitical system has been in a state of transition. It first transited from the tight bi-polar arrangement of the Cold War, where two nuclear superpowers with closely integrated alliance systems (NATO and the Warsaw Pact, plus other related networks) strategicaly balanced each other ...2 weeks ago
- Bryce Edwards: Why Labour won’t introduce a radical wealth taxPrime Minister Jacinda Ardern has been perceived as “softening her line on wealth taxes” – and therefore being open to the introduction of a new type of progressive taxation on the rich. This was the description published yesterday by leftwing wealth researcher Max Rashbrooke, who was reporting on the fact ...2 weeks ago
- Philip Temple: Nothing to fear?On 24 April the Minister for Māori Development, the Hon. Willie Jackson, stated on TVNZ’s Q+A programme that government plans for Māori co-governance were part of MMP. It meant ‘shared decision-making’, ‘partnership’, ‘diversity, about minorities working together’. ‘Co-governance is based on the principles of MMP, this is a consensus type ...2 weeks ago
- Does NZ’s media support free speech?Below is an excerpt of a talk by journalist Karl du Fresne given at Victoria University on 28 April 2022 for the Free Speech Union. Here he examines the trends that are undermining a free press. [F]ree speech goes hand in hand with a free press – but it’s now ...2 weeks ago
- The Stuff Of Nightmares.Braking And Entering: The CCTV recording of the ram-raid against Auckland’s Ormiston Mall is so disturbing, so inspiring of dread and rage, that no amount of rational commentary will make the slightest difference. It confirms in the most powerful fashion the stories so many New Zealanders have been telling themselves: ...2 weeks ago
- Ukraine – a beginner’s guideThe Author of this Dorset Eye article, Ukraine – a beginner’s guide, says: “In 2014, the journalist and writer John Pilger wrote an article for The Guardian newspaper entitled ‘In Ukraine the US is dragging us towards war with Russia’.[i] Eight years later, in 2022, this prediction came true when ...2 weeks ago
- New graphics resources: Cranky Cartoons and Fallacy IconsWhat's better than some Cranky Uncle cartoons scattered around here or there? A collection of them, cross-referenced with the fallacies they depict, of course! And this is what we highlight in this blog post. John Cook had made these cartoons available for download on his Cranky Uncle website in March 2021 ...2 weeks ago
- What to expect in Budget 2022
Tomorrow, 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 ...3 hours 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 ...2 days ago
- Landmark climate plan secures path to net zero
Emissions Reduction Plan prepares New Zealand for the future, ensuring country is on track to meet first emissions budget, securing jobs, and unlocking new investment ...2 days ago - Supercharging decarbonisation & transforming the energy system...2 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. ...4 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. ...6 days 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 ...1 week 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. ...1 week 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
- Rising household costs hurting low-income peopleThe Green Party says the Government needs to do more for those on the lowest incomes as inflation outpaces wage and benefit increases. ...3 weeks ago
- New efforts to counter illegal timber trade
New 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. ...3 hours 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 ...5 hours 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 ...24 hours 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 ...1 day 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 ...1 day 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 ...1 day 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 ...1 day 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 ...1 day 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 ...2 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 ...2 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 ...2 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 ...2 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 ...2 days ago
- Partnership to reduce agricultural emissionsNew Centre for Climate Action on Agricultural Emissions that develops and commercialises smart new products to reduce agricultural emissions Funding for forestry to develop alternatives to fossil fuels, boost carbon storage and increase sequestration Support for producers and whenua Māori entities to transition to a low emissions future The ...2 days ago
- Budget 2022 invests in tech sector growthThe Government is investing to support the growth of New Zealand’s digital technologies sector in Budget 2022, guiding the country towards a high-wage, low emissions economy, Minister for the Digital Economy and Communications, David Clark announced today. “In 2020, the digital technologies sector contributed $7.4 billion to the economy. Since ...3 days ago
- Phil Twyford tests positive for COVID-19Minister of State for Trade and Export Growth, Hon Phil Twyford, has tested positive for COVID-19. He tested positive from a RAT this morning after beginning to feel symptomatic on Friday evening, and is displaying moderate symptoms. As a result he is no longer able to travel to Timor-Leste on ...4 days ago
- Prime Minister tests positive for COVID-19Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has tested positive for COVID-19. She has been in isolation since Sunday 8 May when her partner Clarke Gayford tested positive. The Prime Minister has been symptomatic since Friday evening, returning a weak positive last night and a clear positive this morning on a RAT test. ...4 days ago
- Budget 2022: Supporting our young people to thrive$15 million boost over four years for youth development services including: $2.5 million annually to support increased access to youth development services for up to an additional 6,800 young people $1 million annually in a pilot initiative supporting full-time equivalent youth workers to deliver increased contact time with at least ...5 days ago
- Minister Phil Twyford to travel to Timor-LesteMinister of State for Trade and Export Growth, Hon Phil Twyford, will represent the New Zealand Government at the commemoration of the 20th Anniversary of Timor-Leste’s independence, and the inauguration of Dr Jose Ramos-Horta as Timor-Leste’s next President. “Aotearoa New Zealand’s relationship with the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste dates back ...5 days ago
- Kua pānuihia ngā kaupapa mō Matariki Ahunga NuiKua pānuihia ngā kaupapa mō Matariki Ahunga Nui Kua pānuihia ngā kaitono i angitu ā rātou tono pūtea hei tautoko i te iwi Māori ki te whakaora mai anō, ki te whakatinana anō i ngā mātauranga mō Matariki o te hau kāinga. I whakaterea te kaupapa o Matariki Ahunga Nui ...5 days ago
- Key milestones reached on vital transport projectsMinister of Transport Michael Wood has welcomed the opening of the tender processes for Auckland Light Rail and the Additional Waitematā Harbour Connections project, marking an important step forward in developing a future-proofed rapid transit network that will serve generations of Aucklanders. “These two crucial projects represent a huge investment ...5 days ago
- Aotearoa New Zealand provides further funding for global COVID-19 responseAotearoa New Zealand is providing more funding to the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator for global efforts to respond to the pandemic. “The health, economic and social impacts of COVID continue to be felt around the world,” Nanaia Mahuta said. “This further $10 million will support developing countries to ...5 days ago
- Updated My Vaccine Pass for those who want itUpdated pass can be downloaded from 24 May for people 12 and over People encouraged to stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations Boosters included in up-to-date My Vaccine Pass for those 18 and over New Zealanders who are up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccinations will be able to download ...5 days ago
- Crown Pastoral Land Reform Bill passes third readingNew legislation to modernise the management of 1.2 million hectares of Crown pastoral land primarily in the South Island high country was passed in Parliament today. Land Information Minister Damien O’Connor said the Crown Pastoral Land Reform (CPLR) Bill has passed its third reading. “These spectacular South Island properties are ...6 days ago
- Aotearoa New Zealand condemns Russia’s malicious cyber activity against UkraineAotearoa New Zealand strongly condemns the campaign of destructive cyber activity by Russia against Ukraine, alongside the EU and international partners, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced today. “These relentless attacks are part of a pattern of disruptive cyber activity that demonstrates a repeated disregard for the rules-based international order and established ...6 days ago
- Next steps signalled for space activity lawsThe Government has released a review of the operation and effectiveness of the law controlling commercial space activities, and signalled a separate study on wider issues of space policy will begin later this year. Economic Development Minister Stuart Nash says a review of the Outer Space and High-Altitude Activities Act ...6 days ago
- New Zealand initiates dispute settlement proceedings against Canada’s implementation of dairy quot...New Zealand has initiated dispute settlement proceedings against Canada regarding its implementation of dairy tariff rate quotas (TRQs) under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), Trade and Export Growth Minister Damien O’Connor said. “Our priority is to ensure that New Zealand exporters have meaningful access to the benefits negotiated ...6 days ago
- Care in the Community pivots as NZ returns to greater normalitySupport for ongoing and transitional Care in the Community support, including: A pivot in work for Community Connectors Confidence and certainty for community food organisations and MSD’s Food Secure Communities programme Funding to support the wellbeing of disabled people The Government is updating its Care in the Community (CiC) ...6 days ago
- Government’s support delivers path to recovery for arts and culture sector295 events covering at least 607 performances that have had to cancel or suffered losses due to COVID-19 have had their costs reimbursed, with total support paid out to events now exceeding $20 million 186 future events in 2022 and 2023 have also received cover 64 organisations have been ...6 days ago
- New Zealand poised to welcome international students backInternational students can enrol to study in New Zealand from July 31 Minister to travel to USA, Chile and Brazil to promote studying here International fee-paying students under Year 9 can continue to enrol in schools New Zealand International Education Strategy being refreshed New Zealand is fully reopening to ...6 days ago
- Pre-Budget Speech to the Wellington Chamber of CommerceGood morning, I want to start by thanking our hosts the Wellington Chamber of Commerce who graciously do this every year as we lead into the Budget. I want to make a particular acknowledgement of the recent partnership that the Chamber has entered into with Te Awe the Maori Business ...6 days ago
- Lower card fees on way for business, consumersA Bill to help lower the fees charged when credit and debit transactions are made, will save New Zealand businesses around $74 million a year. The Retail Payment System Bill passed its third reading today, regulating merchant service fees, and reducing a major overhead for small business, Commerce and Consumer ...7 days ago
- Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tāmaki nui-ā-Rua Claims Settlement Bill passes first reading –...I te whare pāremata ngā uri o Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tāmaki nui-ā-Rua i tēnei rā kia kite, kia rongo hoki rātou i te hipanga o te pānuitanga tuatahi o te Pire Whakataunga Kokoraho mō Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tāmaki nui-ā-Rua. Ko Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tāmaki nui-ā-Rua tētahi kohinga ...7 days ago
- Poroporoaki: Harerangi Meihana (Harry Mason)Kua hinga ngā kapua pōuri i runga i Taranaki maunga. Kua wehe atu rā te Tumuaki o te Hāhi Ratana, arā ko matua Harerangi Meihana. E koro, moe mai rā. Me piki ake koe mā runga te aroha o to iwi ki te taha o to koroua, arā a Tahupōtiki ...1 week ago
- PM Pre-Budget Speech to Business New ZealandKia ora koutou katoa Thank you to Business New Zealand and Fujitsu for hosting us here today, and I am grateful to be joined by Minister Faafoi, and Minister Hipkins. Can I thank you also for being so agile in the arrangements for our lunch event. I had of course ...1 week ago
- Fully open border and immigration changes speed up economic growthBorder fully open two months early from 11:59pm 31 July Significantly simplified immigration processes that provide faster processing for businesses New Green List that includes over 85 hard to fill roles created to attract and retain high-skilled workers to fill skill shortages Green List will provide streamlined and prioritised ...1 week ago
- Government partners with Toitū Tairāwhiti to deliver up to 150 new homes for whānauUp to 150 new homes will be built for whānau who need them most thanks to a new partnership between the Government and Toitū Tairāwhiti, Minister of Housing Hon Dr Megan Woods and Associate Minister of Housing (Māori Housing) Peeni Henare have announced. Minister Henare and Toitū Tairāwhiti gathered in ...1 week ago
- New sanctions target disinformation and malicious cyber actorsAs part of the Government’s ongoing response to Ukraine, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta has announced new sanctions targeting disinformation and those responsible for cyber attacks on Ukraine. “Aotearoa New Zealand continues to unequivocally condemn Russia’s unjustified and illegal attack on Ukraine,” Nanaia Mahuta said. “President Putin’s propaganda machine is in ...1 week ago
- Government bolsters protection for whistleblowersSignificant improvements are being made in New Zealand workplaces to better protect whistleblowers, Minister for the Public Service Chris Hipkins said today. “The Protected Disclosures (Protection of Whistleblowers) Act 2022 replaces the Protected Disclosures Act 2000. It is more people-focused and will make the rules easier to access, understand, and ...1 week ago
- New High Commissioner to Solomon Islands announcedForeign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta today announced the appointment of Jonathan Schwass as New Zealand’s next High Commissioner to Solomon Islands. “Aotearoa New Zealand and Solomon Islands have a long history of close engagement as Pacific whānau,” Nanaia Mahuta said. “Our partnership is founded on cooperation in areas such as ...1 week ago
- Wrong, Elon Musk: the big problem with free speech on platforms isn’t censorship. It’s the algor...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kai Riemer, Professor of Information Technology and Organisation, University of Sydney Shutterstock Imagine there is a public speaking square in your city, much like the ancient Greek agora. Here you can freely share your ideas without censorship. But there’s ...1 hour ago - Pasifika health services in Waikato hope Budget can alleviate strain
Pasifika health providers are hoping tomorrow's Budget addresses urgent social and health needs exposed by Covid-19 over the last two years. ...1 hour ago - First Nations people in the NT receive just 16% of the Medicare funding of an average AustralianSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Duckett, Honorary Enterprise Professor, School of Population and Global Health, and Department of General Practice, The University of Melbourne Shutterstock Medicare, Australia’s universal health insurance scheme, provides financial protection against the cost of medical bills, and makes public hospital ...2 hours ago
- Jacinda Ardern attends Question Time via video call to ParliamentPrime Minister Jacinda Ardern has made her first public appearance since testing positive for Covid-19. ...2 hours ago
- How do the major parties compare on arts and cultural policy? We asked 5 expertsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ben Eltham, Lecturer, School of Media, Film and Journalism, Monash University Shutterstock Mentions of arts and cultural policy have been thin on the ground this election. The Coalition has not released any specific arts policies during the campaign, and Labor’s arts ...2 hours ago
- Anne Tolley gets it in the neck from riled ACT candidate (and is likened to Marie Antoinette) in Tau...
The unelected head of Tauranga wants the city’s next MP to push for progress with some infrastructural projects. We speak of Anne Tolley, the former National Government Minister who chairs the commission which was appointed to govern Tauranga after Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta sacked the democratically elected – but ...3 hours ago - Mastercard And Visa Networks Will Be Initial Focus For Commission Under New Act
Under the new Retail Payment Systems Act 2022, the Mastercard and Visa credit and debit card networks will be the initial focus of the Commerce Commission’s work to promote competition and efficiency in the retail payment system. The Act allows ...3 hours ago - Prompt and accurate information is vital in a pandemic – the climate and biodiversity crises deman...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark John Costello, Professor, Nord University Shutterstock Denying the severity of a crisis neither removes nor lessens the problem. Sticking to the status quo because it doesn’t suit our work practices, or social and economic norms, not only delays the ...5 hours ago
- Labor’s lead narrows in three new national polls; and seat polls galoreSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne AAP/Lukas Coch/Mick Tsikas The final Resolve poll for Nine newspapers, conducted May 12-17 from a sample of 2,049, gave Labor just a 52-48 lead by 2019 election ...5 hours ago
- Buzz from the Beehive: Crackdown on crime at sea (good luck with that) and a trip to Bangkok (all g...We are concerned about the wellbeing of Trade and Export Growth Minister Damien O’Connor today, after he announced his plans to travel to Thailand this week. He will represent New Zealand at the annual APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade meeting in Bangkok. The last time we recorded ministerial travel plans ...5 hours ago
- Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro Appointed As Patron Of A Strategic New Way Of Giving In Aotearoa NZ...6 hours ago
- Tauranga’s Priorities Outlined For Byelection CandidatesTauranga City Council’s commission wants three key infrastructure priorities to be top of mind for candidates at the forthcoming parliamentary byelection. Commission Chair Anne Tolley says the projects involved – Hewletts Road/Hull Road/Totara Street ...6 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 ...6 hours ago
- Hints at Budget spend on Māori health as inequities biteMāori health workers and community leaders are hoping tomorrow's Budget will address urgent social and health needs, with hints at a significant spend for Māori health. ...7 hours ago
- Taxpayer money to help corporates cut emissions 'doesn't feel right' – NationalMulti-nationals such as Heineken could get a taxpayer handout to help them reduce their emissions, the National leader says. ...7 hours ago
- World Animal Protection Joins SAFE’s Call For A Commissioner For Animals In AotearoaSAFE’s petition calling for a Commissioner for Animals in Aotearoa has attained thousands of signatures since its launch on 3 May 2022. The petition highlights the need for an independent voice for animals at the highest level and is supported by ...7 hours ago
- A fossil tooth places enigmatic ancient humans in Southeast AsiaSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kira Westaway, Associate professor, Macquarie University Fabrice Demeter (University of Copenhagen / CNRS Paris), Author provided What do a finger bone and some teeth found in the frigid Denisova Cave in Siberia’s Altai mountains have in common with fossils from ...9 hours ago
- Hey, guess what, guys? Women vote too – and they may decide the outcome of this electionSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Arrow, Professor of History, Macquarie University AAP/Diego Fidele Because “women’s issues” have been in the headlines over the last year, it may seem strange they have not been more prominent in the election campaign. Yet it is clear gender ...9 hours ago
- Roundabouts and car parks? The major parties are promising much on transport, but they should stick ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marion Terrill, Transport and Cities Program Director, Grattan Institute In the seat-by-seat slugfest that is the federal election, transport infrastructure is once again at the forefront. Small, hyper-local projects are a favourite of both major parties this time around. That’s even though ...9 hours ago
- The 29,000 younger Australians living with dementia are getting lost between disability services and...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Monica Cations, Senior Research Fellow, Flinders University Shutterstock There are up to 29,000 people aged under 65 living with dementia in Australia. Our new research shows people with young onset dementia experience delays to diagnosis and a faster decline in ...9 hours ago
- Bucking the trend: Is there a future for ultra long-haul flights in a net zero carbon world?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Susanne Becken, Professor of Sustainable Tourism and Director, Griffith Institute for Tourism, Griffith University Shutterstock This year, Qantas announced two plans in direct conflict. In March, Australia’s largest airline group went public with the admirable goal of achieving net zero ...9 hours ago
- Kids don’t vote but teachers and parents sure do – what are the parties offering on schools?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Roy, Lecturer in Education, University of Newcastle Bianca De Marchi/AAP The 2022 election campaign has not exactly been a policy fest. And one critical area we have heard very little about is schools. This is surprising and concerning. ...9 hours ago
- Are real wages falling? Here’s the evidenceSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sue Richardson, Adjunct professor, Flinders University Shutterstock You would be forgiven for being unsure about whether the buying power of wages was rising or falling. On one hand, Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese says wages are going backwards. On the ...9 hours ago
- ‘Where have all you Australians gone?’ Australia’s shrinking role in cultural diplomacySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alison Carroll, Senior Research Fellow, Victorian College of the Arts, The University of Melbourne Shutterstock Almost all governments today support some funding towards promoting their international political and economic agendas through cultural activities overseas: commonly referred to as part of ...9 hours ago
- Air of compromise: NZ’s Emissions Reduction Plan reveals a climate budget that’s long on plannin...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Hall, Senior Lecturer in Social Sciences and Public Policy, Auckland University of Technology Getty Images Until now, the government’s approach to climate action has largely been about getting the policy architecture right. This work is vital, but it’s more ...10 hours ago
- Solomon Islands tight-lipped over China security pact – governmentNew Zealand is yet to receive a substantial response from the Solomon Islands about its security pact with Beijing. ...11 hours ago
- Gavin Ellis: As if the killing of Shireen Abu Akleh wasn’t enough…The global response to the killing of Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. Video: Al Jazeera COMMENTARY: By Gavin Ellis of Knightly Views Nothing justifies the killing of Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh and the wounding of her colleague Ali al-Samoudi during an Israeli raid on Jenin in the ...19 hours ago
- Emissions Reduction Plan has 'Labour hue' – James ShawThe government's plan to slash emissions has a red tint, not a green one, Minister of Climate Change James Shaw is telling voters. ...20 hours ago
- Producer of Chloe Swarbrick documentary responds to ACT backlashA producer of a documentary about Green Party MP Chloe Swarbrick says there are serious discussions to be had about the impact of trolling on the mental health of MPs. ...21 hours ago
- Word from The Hill: Five seats to watch on Saturday night, and getting the hang of a hung parliamentSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra As well as her interviews with politicians and experts, Politics with Michelle Grattan includes “Word from The Hill”, where she discusses the news with members of The Conversation politics team. In this podcast Michelle and ...21 hours ago
- How does Australia’s voting system work?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Malcolm Mackerras, Distinguished Fellow, PM Glynn Institute, Australian Catholic University Shutterstock As you head to your local polling place this Saturday, or cast your ballot in an early vote, it’s worth pondering: how does Australia’s voting system really work, anyway? ...22 hours ago
- Kanak delegate warns France against ‘recolonising’ New Caledonia with a lieBy Walter Zweifel, RNZ French Pacific reporter The Kanak people will not accept France’s attempt to “recolonise” New Caledonia, a pro-independence delegate has told the United Nations. Addressing a UN Decolonisation Committee seminar on the Pacific in Saint Lucia, Dimitri Qenegei said since 2020 the French President, Emmanuel Macron, and ...22 hours ago
- NZ’s focus on private vehicles an ‘off-track’ climate change plan, say criticsRNZ News Critics of New Zealand’s new $4.5 billion global warming plan to help New Zealanders into electric vehicles and hybrids say a significant cheque for the Clean Car programme is sending the wrong message about the role cars play in the country’s future. Victoria University of Wellington’s environmental studies ...22 hours ago
- West Papuan student discovers new passion and career path in ManawatūStuff A West Papuan international student in Aotearoa New Zealand has devoted hundreds of hours to a non-profit organisation and opened a door to a new career. Arnold Yoman, 19, came to New Zealand in 2019 from the Papuan provincial capital Jayapura on an Indonesian government scholarship and has been ...22 hours ago
- Below the Line: A Facebook executive explains the last-minute election battle on social media – po...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Benjamin Clark, Deputy Engagement Editor, The Conversation What do One Nation’s Pauline Hanson and Labor’s Tanya Plibersek have in common? They are both winning the battle for eyeballs on social media, says a top Facebook official. In the final episode ...23 hours ago
- Party People: Simon Bridges on life after politicsParty People - Former National MP Simon Bridges joins the party to discuss life after politics, the latest polls, co-governance, ram raids and the Australian elections. ...23 hours ago
- Oddity notes on Budget week at ParliamentThe House - Why is the Budget usually on a Thursday, why just before a sitting break, and why is the debate on it usually interrupted by urgent business? ...23 hours ago
- Māori leaders say Te Tiriti approach missing from Emissions Reduction PlanThere has been mixed reaction from Māori to the government's Emissions Reduction Plan, with some arguing there are still gaps that the report does not address. ...23 hours ago
- Willie Jackson ridiculed Shane Reti on Maori longevity gains – but guess whose numbers were right ...If Dr Shane Reti happened to insist the world is not flat, would RNZ see much merit in reporting he had come under fire from flat earthers? We ask because a recent RNZ report was headed Shane Reti stands firm in face of criticism of Māori health comments Oh dear. ...24 hours ago
- Elections used to be about costings. Here’s what’s changedSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Martin, Visiting Fellow, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University The last week of campaigns used to be frantic, behind the scenes. In public, right up until the final week, the leaders would make all sorts of promises, many of ...24 hours ago
- Electoral Commission names Tauranga by-election candidatesThe Electoral Commission has revealed the names of the candidates standing in the Tauranga by-election - and Winston Peters is not among them. ...1 day ago
- Poll suggests New Zealanders don't want government to increase spending in BudgetA new poll suggests most New Zealanders want the government to maintain its overall spending in this week's Budget - rather than increase it. ...1 day ago
- When roads become rivers: forming a Plan B can stop people driving into floodwatersSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amy Peden, Research fellow, UNSW Sydney Queensland residents are facing yet another arduous clean-up after floods inundated roads and towns last week. In the current La Niña period, from November 2021 to present, at least 41 people have died (including three missing ...1 day ago
- Labor’s health package won’t ‘strengthen’ Medicare unless it includes these 3 thingsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anthony Scott, Professor of Health Economics, The University of Melbourne “Strengthening Medicare” is one of Labor’s key election platforms. On Saturday, one week from the election, the opposition finally outlined its commitment to prop up the ailing primary care system, with a ...1 day ago
- Taxpayers’ Union Corrects “Misinformation” On Swarbrick DocoThe New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union hereby corrects its statements on a documentary about sitting Green MP Chlöe Swarbrick and its claim that the project is set to receive $220,000 of taxpayer money from NZ on Air. An anonymous ‘spokesperson’ ...1 day ago
- Whoa there, Minister – a majority of Kiwis will be disappointed if govt spending is not curbed in ...Uh, oh – it’s probably too late to influence the government on the case for its spending to be curbed ahead of the Budget Speech to be delivered on Thursday. The speech and the raft of documents that will accompany it will be ready for the printer – if not ...1 day ago
- Why Morrison’s ‘can-do’ capitalism and conservative masculinity may not be cutting through any...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Carol Johnson, Emerita Professor, Department of Politics and International Relations, University of Adelaide Scott Morrison’s election strategy was clear at the end of last year. As borders were opened up and restrictions eased, Morrison argued the Coalition would be winding back the ...1 day ago
- National leader Christopher Luxon says no to corporate welfare for climate emission reductionsThe National Party Leader does not think taxpayers should subsidise the cost of big companies reducing their emissions - and they should get on with the job themselves. ...1 day ago
- Greenpeace gripes at govt’s greenhouse gas agenda but agriculture leaders welcome it (and push gen...
Despite pouring $2.9 billion of taxpayer funds into the battle against climate change, the Ardern government won few plaudits from climate change lobbies – and copped a severe caning from Greenpeace for refusing to cut dairy herds. As Radio NZ reported, “Climate activists say the government’s landmark plan to curb ...1 day ago - Caritas: Emissions Reduction Plan Must Go FurtherCaritas welcomes the government's first emissions reduction plan and the general cross-party support for long-term carbon budgets that start to bring down our carbon emissions. "A strong, committed carbon reduction plan is long overdue," ...1 day ago
- Forest Owners Say Native Trees Are Nice But Won’t Solve The Climate EmergencyThe Forest Owners Association says the just released Emissions Reduction Plan is a welcome and unprecedented blueprint for reducing New Zealand’s gross emissions. But the Association is warning that a huge emphasis in the ERP on planting native ...1 day ago
- Buzz from the Beehive: While climate change assault is outlined, DoC Minister plants a kauri and Ma...The big news from the Beehive in the past day has been the announcement of the Government’s Emissions Reduction Plan to put the country on track to meet its first emissions budget, securing our environment and economy. More of that in our next post. For now, suffice to say Prime ...1 day ago
- Will the budget be another missed opportunity to get more New Zealanders out of their cars?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Timothy Welch, Senior Lecturer in Urban Planning, University of Auckland Shutterstock It would be hard to find someone who’s visited Copenhagen or Amsterdam and complained about too many bikes. And you don’t tend to hear a lot of moaning about ...1 day ago
- Emissions Reduction Plan – Expert ReactionThe government has released its first plan on how to get to zero carbon emissions by 2050. The Emissions Reduction Plan proposes economy-wide changes to drive down New Zealand’s emissions. The SMC asked experts to comment on: An overview of the ...1 day ago
- The Russian invasion of Ukraine made everyone nervous, upending trade patterns for exporting countri...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Olga Dodd, Senior Lecturer in Finance, Auckland University of Technology Getty Images Uncertainty in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has wreaked havoc with the international commodity markets. In the normal pattern of the global economy, commodity exporting countries ...1 day ago
- Collapse of negotiations with care workers shows little has changed in how the government views the ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Katherine Ravenswood, Associate Professor in Employment Relations, Auckland University of Technology Getty Images Ahead of the 2022 budget, apprenticeships have been given a $230 million funding boost while negotiations between care workers and the government have fallen apart. It’s hard ...1 day ago
- Mental health crisis services get $27m boost in BudgetCrisis services will get more than a quarter of a $100m spend on mental health in this year's Budget, Health Minister Andrew Little has announced. ...1 day ago
- Public Need To Know The Truth...1 day ago
- NZ Green Investment Finance Welcomes The First Emissions Reduction PlanNew Zealand Green Investment Finance (NZGIF) welcomes the release of New Zealand’s first Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP) and acknowledges cross-party support in passing the initial emissions budgets in Parliament last week. Chief Executive Craig Weise ...1 day ago
- Mana Ake school mental health programme expansion gets $90m in BudgetLabour promised at the election to expand the mental health support to all New Zealand schools, saying it would take five years to roll out. ...1 day ago
- Pine Ban Will Leave 45 Mega Tonne Hole In Govt’s Carbon BudgetThe Government’s emissions reduction plan has highlighted the extraordinary impact of its proposal to remove exotic trees from the permanent category of the ETS, increasing the country’s emissions by 45Mt – the equivalent of more than two years of road ...1 day ago
- Coalition Pushes For New Zealand To Join Global Efforts To End Violence In The World Of WorkA union-led coalition is calling for the New Zealand Government to ratify an international labour convention to create a formal framework for addressing violence and harassment at work. The ‘ Coalition for a Safe World of Work ’ is officially launching its ...1 day ago
- Farmers will pay their way on emissions eventually, Climate Change Minister saysThe government is defending not making the agriculture sector pay for a new agri-tech centre, saying the technology still needs to be rolled out to farms. ...1 day ago
- Digital inequality: why can I enter your building – but your website shows me the door?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Scott Hollier, Adjunct Senior Lecturer – Science and Mathematics, Edith Cowan University Shutterstock When people hear the term “accessibility” in the context of disability, most will see images of ramps, automatic doors, elevators, or tactile paving (textured ground which helps ...1 day ago
- State of the states: six politics experts take us around Australia in the final week of the campaignSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Paul Williams, Associate Professor, Griffith University, Griffith University Mick Tsikas/AAP In the first week of the campaign, we journeyed around the country with six politics experts to examine the key seats and issues affecting different parts of the Australia. What ...1 day ago
- In a year of endless floods, why isn’t disaster governance front and centre in the election campai...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Markus A. Höllerer, Professor in Organization and Management, UNSW Sydney Australia has recently experienced multiple natural and man-made disasters, creating overlapping crises, often disproportionately affecting disadvantaged populations. The situation is here to stay, and, worryingly, likely to worsen. But what are we ...1 day ago
- Got COVID again? Your symptoms may be milder, but this won’t always be the caseSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lara Herrero, Research Leader in Virology and Infectious Disease, Griffith University Shutterstock So, you’re starting to feel unwell. Your throat hurts, your head aches, you feel tired and you’ve developed a cough. You’ve recently had COVID but as we ...1 day ago
- Almost 90% of us now believe climate change is a problem – across all political persuasionsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Baddeley, Associate Dean Research/Professor in Economics, UTS Business School, University of Technology Sydney Getty If a week is a long time in politics, three years is an eternity. Since the 2019 election, Australia has endured devastating megafires and unprecedented ...1 day ago
- How NZ could become a world leader in decarbonisation using forestry and geothermal technologySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Dempsey, Senior lecturer, University of Canterbury Shutterstock Energy is the double-edged sword at the root of the climate crisis. Cheap energy has improved lives and underpinned massive economic growth. But because most of it comes from burning hydrocarbon fuels, ...1 day ago
- Super for housing or the government as a co-owner: how Liberal and Labor home-buyer schemes compareSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Steven Hamilton, Visiting Fellow, Tax and Transfer Policy Institute, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Shutterstock At their first televised debate four weeks ago, Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese were asked by an audience member how each would ...1 day ago
- ‘The relation between politics and culture is clear and real’: how Gough Whitlam centred artists...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jenny Hocking, Emeritus Professor, Monash University Gough Whitlam delivering the 1972 election policy speech at the Blacktown Civic Centre in Sydney, 1972. National Archives of Australia via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-NC-SA As we enter the final week of the election campaign with ...1 day ago
- Reluctance to move faster on agriculture sector emissions 'quite terrifying' – forme...Climate activists say the government's landmark plan to curb emissions is light on detail, full of fluff, and lets the worst polluters off the hook. ...1 day ago
- ‘We’re not paid fairly for the work we do’, say striking NZ health workersBy Rowan Quinn, RNZ News health correspondent Striking New Zealand health workers have picketed around the country, saying they are fed up with being underpaid and undervalued. About 10,000 allied health staff who work at district health boards have walked off the job for 24 hours, with rolling demonstrations. They ...2 days ago
- Australia’s ‘independent day’ looms as voters reel from a ‘gutful’ of politicsSPECIAL REPORT: By Kalinga Seneviratne When Australians go to the polls on Saturday to elect a new government, the vast continent which was stolen from the indigenous people in 1788 and annexed to the British crown may have its “independent day” — not one that would declare itself a republic, ...2 days ago
- Flosse’s Amuitahiraa party names candidates for French electionsRNZ Pacific French Polynesia’s Amuitahiraa Party has registered its three candidates for the French National Assembly elections next month — just hours before the nomination deadline. The three are Pascale Haiti, Jonathan Tariha’a and Sylviane Terooatea. Haiti, a former member of the French Polynesian Assembly, is the partner of party ...2 days ago
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